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CPI(M), money laundering, and undisclosed bank accounts: Karuvannur loan scam unearthed by ED in Kerala and its impact on Lok Sabha Elections

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CPI(M), money laundering, and undisclosed bank accounts: Karuvannur loan scam unearthed by ED in Kerala and its impact on Lok Sabha Elections

As the Lok Sabha elections are approaching, the multi-crore Karuvannur loan scam has become a significant issue for the Left Democratic Front (LDF)-led Kerala Government. Notably, the Enforcement Directorate recently recorded the statements of CPI(M) Thrissur district secretary MM Varghese, ex-MP PK Biju, and Thrissur Corporation councillor PK Shajan. Reports suggest that the statements were recorded during the second investigation phase. This was the second time the ED questioned Varghese after November 2023.

Furthermore, the Income Tax department has also questioned Varghese, after which the department froze one of the bank accounts of the CPI(M) Thrissur district committee. Reportedly, the transactions of the said account did not appear in the party’s annual returns. Contrary to the department’s findings, the party claimed the bank accounts were transparent. Interestingly, the IT department also noticed a recent withdrawal of Rs 1 crore from the same account.

The development came when ED informed the High Court and the Department of Revenue that they found similar fraud in “many other Co-operative societies in Kerala”. These Cooperative societies are often seen as the financial backbone of the state’s rural economy. Thousands of depositors were shaken after money laundering was discovered in CPI(M)-controlled Karuvannur Service Co-operative bank. ED had found five undisclosed bank accounts of CPM leaders in the bank.

In its report submitted to the Department of Revenue, ED shared a list of 12 Cooperative banks where similar irregularities were observed. The banks listed by ED are Thumboor Service Co-operative Bank, Nadackal Service Co-operative Bank, Mavelikkara Service Co-operative Bank, Moonilavu Service Co-operative Bank, Kandala Service Co-operative Bank, Perunkavilla Service Co-operative Bank, Mylapra Service Co-operative Bank, Chathannoor Service Co-operative Bank, BSNL Engineers Co-operative Bank, Koni Regional Service Co-operative Bank, and Marayamuttam Service Co-operative Bank.

Furthermore, the abovementioned 12 Co-operative societies have been booked on fraud charges by Kerala Police. ED said in its report that the depositors and borrowers were quite distinct. The agency said, “In reality, such activity of the Co-operative societies is that of the finance business and cannot be termed Co-operative society. It was also found that Co-operative societies are engaged in granting loans to the public.”

The agency added, “All this is done without any approval from the Registrar of Societies and in violation of the Co-operative Societies Act.” The ED referred to Section 56(o) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. It states that no Co-operative society shall carry out banking business in India unless it is a Co-operative bank with a licence issued by the Reserve Bank. Furthermore, ED mentioned that RBI noticed that some “Co-operative Societies/primary Co-operative credit societies are accepting deposits from non-members/nominal members/associate members”.

The agency added, “Other than the board of directors of Karuvannur Service Co-operative bank, the policy matters and the sanctioning of the loan was controlled and regulated by the political sub-committee and parliamentary committee of CPM, which also maintained separate minutes for the sanction of the loans”.

“During the investigation, it was also revealed that illegal loans had been sanctioned to various people at the direction of high-profile political leaders of the CPM,” the agency said.

During the investigation, ED found that the illegal loans taken and not repaid as of 31st December 2022 were obtained from the secretary of Karuvannur Service Co-operative Bank. The total, including accrued entries, was Rs 343 crore, including the principal amount of Rs 188 crore. ED pointed out that due to the illegal diversion of the loan, the depositors were unable to withdraw the money from their accounts, leading to suicides and multiple complaints. Over 400 statements were recorded by the ED during the investigation, and the agency raided 20 premises.

The politics around the loan scam

Financial misappropriation and money laundering in the Left-led bank in Karuvannur are among the major issues being discussed on the sidelines of the Lok Sabha Elections in the state, especially in Thrissur. The Kerala High Court recently criticised the ED for delaying the probe. Congress accused the BJP of attempting to save the prominent left leaders in the matter.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi brought the issue to the nation’s attention and warned that strict action would be taken against those involved. He also promised to return the money seized by the agency to the investors soon.

PM Modi is scheduled to visit Kerala

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Kerala on 15th April. He is expected to visit Karuvannur to campaign. Reportedly, the Special Protection Group (SPG) has sought a report from the Intelligence Bureau about the security arrangements in the region.

The multi-crore Karuvannur loan scam

In July 2021, a Rs 100 crore scam was reported in a Co-operative bank controlled by members of the ruling communist party in Kerala. As per an Asia Net report, a financial mishandling between 2014 and 2020 occurred at Karuvannur Service Co-operative Bank. The governing committee of the bank, with 12 CPM members, was disbanded after the details of the scam were released in the public domain. The Iringalakuda police have registered a case against six employees, including the bank secretary. The Bhartiya Janata Party’s state unit complained to the Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax Department. They have also alleged the involvement of top CPM leaders in the scam.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024

The polling for Lok Sabha Elections 2024 will start on 16th April 2024 and will be in seven phases. Polling is Kerala will take place in the second phase on 26th April. The last phase of polling will take place on 1st June 2024. The results will be announced on 4th June 2024.

Gujarat: Vadodara based famous ‘Huseni Samosa’ used to actually sell beef-stuffed samosas; Yusuf, Naeem, and four others arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat: Vadodara based famous ‘Huseni Samosa’ used to actually sell beef-stuffed samosas; Yusuf, Naeem, and four others arrested

On Saturday (6th April), Gujarat Police raided a samosa shop in Vadodara, and arrested six persons, including Yusuf and Naeem Sheikh for selling samosas stuffed with beef. The police conducted a raid at the ‘Huseni Samosa’ in the Chhipwad area and seized the stock. Police investigation revealed that the owners of this samosa shop were operating without a license as well.

FSL tests were conducted on hundreds of kilograms of beef stuffed samosas seized during the raid. The police were acting on the information shared by a local animal activist Neha Patel. Patel told the police that the shop in question was quite popular in the city, and she learnt that they were selling beef stuffed samosa to unsuspecting customers. Following this, she informed the police who then raided the shop.

According to Panna Momaya, DCP (zone 4), the tests proved that the stuffing of samosas had beef, after which six persons were booked and arrested.

The accused include Yusuf and Naeem Sheikh, the owners, as well as employees Hanif Bhathiyara, Dilawar Pathan, Moin Habdal, and Mobin Sheikh. According to officials, many people in the city ate these beef samosas.

Speaking to TOI, DCP Momaya said, “The owners used to prepare the kaccha samosas (not fried) in big quantities every day and supply them to the shops across the city where they were fried and sold to the customers. The Sheikhs used to sell them to retail shop owners as meat samosas.”

The accused operated from a five-story facility with one room transformed into a deep freezer to keep beef and other meat. Yusuf Sheikh told the police that he joined his father’s samosa business. However, investigations revealed that they did not have a license to run the shop. Meanwhile, the police are looking into how long the owners of Huseni Samosa have been selling beef-laced samosas. The six accused in the case were sent into one-day police custody by the court on Sunday.

It is pertinent to recall that a similar incident was reported in  Gujarat last year. As OpIndia reported in May 2023, one Ismail Yusuf and another accused were booked by Surat Police for selling beef-stuffed samosas and for slaughtering cows. Yusuf ran a snack shop in Kosadi village of Mangrol panchayat and was selling beef stuffed samosas to unsuspecting consumers. Back then, the police stopped a suspicious auto rickshaw and searched it. Following the search, the police seized 2 Kg of beef samosas and arrested Ismail Yusuf.

The accused had admitted to buying beef and stuffing it in the samosas he sold. The FSL official’s certificate confirmed the presence of beef (cow meat) in the seized samosas. Following this, the Gujarat police registered an FIR against the accused.

“I am a proud Hindu”: Kangana Ranaut rubbishes rumours after Congress leader says the actor consumes beef

ANI
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“I am a proud Hindu”: Kangana Ranaut rubbishes rumours after Congress leader says the actor consumes beef

Actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut clarified on Monday that she neither consumes beef nor any other kind of red meat, saying that she is a “proud Hindu”.

“I don’t consume beef or any other kind of red meat, it is shameful that completely baseless rumours are being spread about me, I have been advocating and promoting yogic and Ayurvedic way of life for decades now such tactics won’t work to tarnish my image. My people know me and they know that I am a proud Hindu and nothing can ever mislead them, Jai Shri Ram,” Kangana said in a post on X on Monday.

Kangana’s post comes after ‘rumours’ spread online claiming that the actress eats beef. Some users on social media even dug out an old tweet of Kangana from 2019, in which she had written about her yogic lifestyle.

However, the post wasn’t worded in the first person. It said, “There is nothing wrong with eating beef or eating any other meat. It’s not about religion! It’s not a hidden fact that Kangana turned vegetarian 8 years ago and chose to be a yogi. She still doesn’t believe in just one religion. On the contrary, her brother eats meat.”

Earlier, Maharashtra Leader of Opposition, Vijay Wadettiwar, also alleged that Kangana Ranaut had once tweeted that she liked and consumed beef and the party has now given her a ticket to contest the upcoming elections.

Kangana recently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. The party has fielded Kangana from the Mandi constituency for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

“My beloved Bharat and Bhartiya Janta’s own party, Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) has always had my unconditional support, today the national leadership of BJP has announced me as their Lok Sabha candidate from my birth place Himachal Pradesh, Mandi (constituency) I abide by the high command’s decision on contesting Lok Sabha polls. I feel honoured and elated to officially join the party. I look forward to be a worthy karyakarta and a reliable public servant,” Ranaut wrote in a post on X while announcing her political foray.

On the acting front, Kangana will be next seen in ‘Emergency’, which also marks her first solo directorial. (ANI)

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Ram abusing Sita, Sita saying he is ‘not man enough’: Action sought against IIT Bombay’s derogatory, vulgar play ‘Raahovan’

OpIndia Staff
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Ram abusing Sita, Sita saying he is ‘not man enough’: Action sought against IIT Bombay’s derogatory, vulgar play ‘Raahovan’

A group of students studying at IIT Bombay campus in Maharashtra’s Mumbai attempted to insult Lord Rama and Goddess Sita under the guise of ‘freedom of expression and creativity’. The incident is said to have happened during the Performing Arts Festival (PAF) conducted on March 31st at IIT Bombay’s Open Air Theatre (OAT). A group of students staged a play titled ‘Raahovan’ and made disrespectful remarks about Lord Rama and also about Hinduism.

As per the inputs obtained, the students scripted the play in a derogatory manner and displayed utter vulgarity through the acts and dialogues. Several videos of the play are making rounds on social media in which the vulgarity displayed in the play can be easily noticed.

The performance, allegedly ‘inspired’ by the Ramayana, depicted Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, and Lord Lakshman deploying vulgar conversation and acting. Furthermore, the play made derogatory insinuations to Hindu beliefs and faith.

Lord Ram was also dubbed as a ‘devil’ as he was seen physically abusing Maa Sita in the play. The sequence between Goddess Sita, Lord Ram, and Laxman featured inappropriate language and gestures.

In one of the viral videos, Goddess Sita was seen being demeaned by Lord Rama saying she had deliberately left the hut to go with Ravana and that the kingdom would not accept her after she was ‘used’ by Ravana. “You went to another tribe and lived with another man, that is why this kingdom will not accept you back,” the character playing Lord Rama could be seen saying to a girl depicting Goddess Sita.

On this Sita says, “Second man, I was a prisoner there?” On this ‘Ram’ alleges that ‘Sita’ crossed the limits of the clan and violated the line (Lakshman Rekha) to go with Ravana. ‘Ram’ is made to say, “You will not say anything, you will only listen to me.” Then ‘Sita’ says, “You had set out to become a man, you forgot to become a human being.” On this ‘Ram’ says, “Now will a woman explain to me what it means to be a man?” In one scene ‘Sita’ says, “It’s a different world out there. And it was good that Aghora (Ravan) took me there.”

The girl portraying Sita further says, “The women there get a good reputation. He told me that he would not touch me without my permission. In him I saw such a man which I had not seen in this tribe. You guys were celebrating and not killing the demon. You have not killed the real demon to date.”

Exclusive input: Hindu students at IIT Bombay demand action against those involved in the play

The dialogues and the vulgarity of the play attempt to insult Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. This incident has in turn hurt the religious sentiments of several Hindus who have condemned the incident. The video of the incident went viral over the internet on the 7th of April. However, as per the exclusive inputs obtained by OpIndia, some of the IIT Bombay students have raised their voices against the incident and demanded action against the students involved in the play.

“The portrayal of Hindu Bhagwaan in such a disrespectful manner is unacceptable and does not align with the values of our institution. It is essential to recognize the significance of Prabhu Shriram for India and Indian citizens. Allowing such performances inside the institute is deeply troubling,” some Hindu students studying at IIT Bombay said.

“It is the responsibility of everyone within the IIT Bombay community to uphold the dignity of our campus and safeguard it against any malign agendas or unhealthy narratives. Therefore, we, the students of IIT Bombay, strongly condemn this activity and demand strict action against all those involved in the production of this play,” they added.

No official statement from the institute has been obtained yet.

Mother of Khalistani Amritpal Singh arrested ahead of protest march demanding that the separatist be shifted from Assam jail to Punjab

OpIndia Staff
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Mother of Khalistani Amritpal Singh arrested ahead of protest march demanding that the separatist be shifted from Assam jail to Punjab

On 7th April, the Punjab Police arrested the mother of Khalistani separatist leader Amritpal Singh ahead of a protest march that was scheduled to take place on 8th April. The march was to be helmed by Amritpal’s mother Balwinder Kaur demanding that his son be shifted to a jail in Punjab.

Singh’s mother, Balwinder Kaur, was put under preventive arrest and presented before the court. She has been sent to judicial custody. Amritsar Police also booked Amritpal Singh’s uncle, Sukhchain Singh and three others, along with his mother. Singh, chief of ‘Waris Punjab De’, has been lodged in Dibrugarh Central jail in Assam since April 2023.

Amritpal Singh’s mother was scheduled to lead the ‘Chetna March’ protest march on 8th April. It was scheduled to be launched from Takht Damdama Sahib in Bathinda, Punjab. Deputy Commission of Police Alam Vijay Singh said in a statement that Balwinder Kaur had been sent to judicial custody. The police further confirmed that Sukhchain Singh and three others have been held under custody.

Soon after the arrest, Amritpal Singh’s supporters released a video featuring Balwinder Kaur in which she said in Punjabi, “Please maintain law and order. We will not give them [Punjab Police] any chance [to take action against us]. Stay where you are. Don’t indulge in any mischief. I request everyone to pray and reach the march site. If they take us to jail and do not let us come, it does not matter.”

Security has been increased in the Bathinda ahead of the march.

Balwinder Kaur and relatives of nine of the associates lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail with Amritpal Singh have been on hunger strike since 22nd February near Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar. In a statement, Kaur said she would continue her fast until the demand to shift Singh and his associates to a jail in Punjab is fulfilled.

In April 2023, Amritpal Singh and his nine associates, who were linked to the ‘Waris Punjab De’ separated organisation, and one of his uncles were sent to Dibrugarh Central Jail after he was booked under the National Security Act (NSA). In March 2023, Central Agencies and Punjab Police launched a crackdown against Amritpal Singh’s Khalistani outfit. Initially, he escaped but was arrested in April 2023.

Amritpal Singh rose to popularity quickly after the death of Khalistani separatist Deep Sidhu. ‘Waris Punjab De’ was the brainchild of Deep Sidhu. Following his death, Amritpal Singh was given the charge of the organisation. At that time, he was in Dubai, running a transport company.

Singh shifted to India around August 2023. In September 2023, he was officially handed over the charge of the organisation in a Dastarbandi event organised in the parental village of Khalistani terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

Singh, who dressed strikingly similar to Bhindranwale, had a similar idea of forming a separate country called Khalistan. Just like Bhindranwale, he started a march across Punjab to encourage youth to join him.

The concept of a separate nation diguised as “noble” causes like de-addiction. By the time he got arrested, Khalistani elements in Punjab had started to see “Second Bhindranwale” in Amritpal Singh.

Another Sandeshkhali in making? Villager in TMC’s Birbhum constituency says money for West Bengal govt schemes given only if wife looks ‘beautiful’

OpIndia Staff
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Another Sandeshkhali in making? Villager in TMC’s Birbhum constituency says money for West Bengal govt schemes given only if wife looks ‘beautiful’

Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, a villager told Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Satabdi Roy that the beneficiaries of West Bengal government schemes are chosen based on the ‘beauty’ of their wives.

The incident occurred on Saturday (6th April) in Rautara village in Birbhum district of West Bengal when the TMC MP had gone for her election campaign.

In a video that surfaced on social media, the man identified as Sheikh Saiful was heard saying, “Jar bou dekhta sundar se paba, jar bou dekhta sundar noi se pabe na. Amake boleche“

His statement’s loose translation goes as, “Only those people whose wives look beautiful will get the money from the government schemes. Those individuals who do not have beautiful wives will not receive any benefits. They had told me this clearly).

While speaking about the matter to ABP Ananda, BJP spokesperson Dhruba Saha lashed out at the Mamata-Banerjee government, “TMC is trying to deviate the mind of people from such real incidents. It is true that every village of West Bengal has now become Sandeshkhali.”

TMC downplays the statement of the villager

In the meantime, the Trinamool Congress has attempted to trivialise the testimony of villager Sheikh Saiful . Party leader Malay Mukherjee claimed, “Is it not possible to have a beautiful wife at home? Has it been said that those with ‘ugly wives’ will not get benefits from the government?”

“Both beautiful and ugly people will get money from government schemes. We need to see if the money is being misused. We cannot say with certainty that 100% good work has happened everywhere,” he brazened out.

The development comes months after Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his accomplices came under scanner over sexual violence against women in Sandeshkhali village in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.

Unrest in Sandeshkhali

The unrest in Sandeshkhali village in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal brought into focus the atrocities committed against women by former Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides Shibu Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar.

Multiple women have come forward to narrate instances of land grabbing, and sexual violence perpetrated against them by the trio. Forced by circumstances, they took matters into their own hands and gheraoed the police station.

The agitation led by women eventually led to the arrest of the 3 TMC goons. OpIndia had previously reported how the Trinamool Congress, led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has left no stone unturned to trivialise the sexual violence committed against women in Sandeshkhali.

Besides Mamata Banerjee, TMC MLA Udayan Guha also attempted to downplay the sexual exploitation of women in Sandeshkhali as ‘eating pie (Pitha khaowa)’ and ‘mischief (Dushtami)’ on 29th February.

TMC spokesperson Jui Biswas also sought to deny sexual violence in Sandeshkhali by demanding ‘video footage of rapes’ as proof. Journalist’ Sagarika Ghose, who was recently rewarded with a Rajya Sabha seat by the TMC, also trivialised the raging unrest in Sandeshkhali village as a ‘local land dispute.’

TMC Minister Partha Bhowmick had earlier tried to dismiss accusations of sexual violence by women of Sandeshkhali village as ‘fake.’ On 10th March, the actress turned TMC candidate from Hooghly, Rachna Banerjee, was seen casting aspersions on the sexual violence faced by women in Sandeshkhali.

Recently, a video of Kolkata Mayor and Trinamool Congress MLA Firham Hakim doing whataboutery on the plight of women of Sandeshkhali village had surfaced on social media. While mocking the ordeal of women, he said, “Now, you know that one ‘khali’ is grabbing all headlines. What ‘Khali’? Ah, Sandeshkhali. It is everywhere.”

‘YSR Congress Party has turned Andhra Pradesh into the drugs capital of India, youth addicted to ganja’: Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan

ANI
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‘YSR Congress Party has turned Andhra Pradesh into the drugs capital of India, youth addicted to ganja’: Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan

Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan has alleged that the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government has made Andhra Pradesh the “drug capital” of the country.

“The YSRCP regime went on to weaken youth power and make youth addicted to ganja. We will put an end to such a rule and drag this YSRCP government, which has turned the state into a drug capital, out of the state,” Kalyan said while addressing an election rally in Anakapalli on Sunday.

“My aim is to protect the state. I say, as the witness of Anakapalli Nukalamma mother (deity of Nookambika Ammavari Temple), that we will protect the state of Andhra Pradesh. It is said that any personality emerges when given power. It is only now that the people of the state have realised the meaning of giving power to this Chief Minister (YS Jagan Mohan Reddy),” he added.

He said that the Janasena Party wants the future of the state to be high and the coming generation to be better.

He said that the Janasena Party aligned with the BJP and TDP to ensure that anti-YSRCP votes should not be divided.

Speaking about the alliance parties’ candidates, he said, “Konatala Ramakrishna, Nadendla Manohar and Mandali Buddha Prasad should win and speak for the people in the Assembly. I strongly believe that the future of the state will be better if leaders who are fully aware of the people’s problems bring policies for the people in the assembly. Surely the leaders who have full political understanding and think for the people will stand for the betterment of Andhra Pradesh. I led the party with great commitment for a decade. It is not a big deal to get a ministerial position using the closeness with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. But I took a step forward to stand strong for the future of the people.”

Last month, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president YS Sharmila also alleged that the state has been turned into the “drug capital” of the country during the YSRCP government.

The Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh are scheduled for May 13, with vote counting set for June 4.

Notably, the Andhra Pradesh Assembly consists of 175 seats and a party would need at least 88 seats to form a government.

In the 2014 Assembly elections, the Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP won with a majority of 102 seats. Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP won 67 seats. The BJP could only win four seats by contesting against the two regional heavyweights.

In the 2019 Assembly elections, the YSRCP won with a thumping majority of 151 seats, while the TDP was confined to 23 seats.

The election for 543 Lok Sabha seats in the country will be held in seven phases starting April 19. The counting of votes for the Lok Sabha as well as the assemblies will take place on June 4. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

‘We need not fall into their mouths again’: Maldives minister Mariyam Shiuna, who abused PM Modi, opposes taking help from India, posts fake poster

OpIndia Staff
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‘We need not fall into their mouths again’: Maldives minister Mariyam Shiuna, who abused PM Modi, opposes taking help from India, posts fake poster

Maldivian Minister Mariyam Shiuna, who previously made a derogatory post against India and PM Modi, has once again courted controversy. Despite the Maldives requesting help from India, and India extending a helping hand, the ruling party leader has come out to oppose accepting any assistance from India.

Notably, late at night on 6th April, the Maldivian Minister uploaded a post targeting the Maldivian opposition party MDP, and India’s ruling party BJP. The post, seeking support for the ruling Maldivian party PPM, mocks the Ashoka Chakra of the Indian National flag. The translated version of the tweet reads, “The MDP is heading towards the mouth. We need not fall into their mouth again.”

(Post by Maldivian Minister Mariyam Shiuna)

The post also included a morphed election campaign poster of the opposition party Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), replacing the image of a compass with an image of Ashoka Chakra. This has been seen as an insult to the Indian flag.

The image of the fake poster also included the symbols of BJP along with the symbol of MDP, accusing of collusion between the two parties. Notably, MDP has been highly critical of Mohamed Muizzu government’s anti-India policy.

However, later Mariyam Shiuna deleted the tweet.

Responding to the post, political commentator Mr. Sinha raised questions on the double-speak of the Maldivian ruling party led by the incumbent President Mohamed Muizzu. He asserted that the Indian government should confront the Maldivian President as on one hand they are requesting for India’s help. However, on the other hand, their Minister is opposing India’s help and abusing the Indian national flag. 

He wrote, “Translation of the tweet by Maldivian Minister: MDP is heading towards a big slip. The people of Maldives don’t want to fall and slip with them. She’s opposing Indian help & abusing our national flag… Dear @narendramodi @DrSJaishankar, you need to grill @MMuizzu. One side Muizzu requesting India for help & other side he’s allowing his ministers to abuse India..” 

Incidentally, machine translation of different languages often produces varied interpretations that convey the same underlying meaning.  

Pertinent to note that the diplomatic ties between both nations have been strained ever since President Muizzu, who led the ‘India-out’ campaign during elections, assumed power in November last year. Following his victory, he has been pressing India to completely pull out its troops from Maldives. However, the ties worsened after several Maldivian Ministers made derogatory posts against India and Indians. 

However, despite strained ties, India had recently permitted the export of essential commodities at the request of the Maldives government. Afterward, Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer thanked India for a “gesture which signifies the longstanding friendship”. Responding to his post, Indian FM Dr. S Jaishankar replied, “You are welcome, FM @MoosaZameer. India stands firmly committed to its Neighbourhood First and SAGAR policies.”

But the latest controversial tweet by Maldivian Minister Mariyam Shiuna could end up in the redux of the last social media sparring between the two countries. 

How Maldivian Ministers’ post following PM Modi’s Lakshadweep visit triggered diplomatic Row last time

After PM Modi visited Lakshadweep, political commentator Raushan Sinha shared PM Modi’s video ‘promoting tourism in Lakshadweep’. Mr. Sinha asserted that it is a “big setback to the new Chinese puppet govt of Maldives”.

The post irked Mariyam Shiuna, Maldives’ Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts. The Maldivian leader responded to Mr. Sinha’s post by calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “clown” and a “puppet of Israel”, which she later deleted. It is worth noting that PM Modi did not mention the Maldives anywhere in his tweets.

The Indian government had raised strong objections with the Maldivian government against the remarks made by Mariyam Shiuna. 

Shiuna, along with two more ruling party leaders in the Maldives, were later suspended. 

On their part, several Indians announced a boycott of their trip to Maldives. After the boycott trend in India, Maldives, whose economy depends on tourism, approached China urging Beijing to send more tourists to their nation. Following massive backlash from India and Maldives opposition parties, President Muizzu appealed to India to provide debt relief calling India their “closest ally”. 

In the form of permission to export essential commodities at the request of the Maldives government, India had helped the Maldives but the seeming thaw in diplomatic strain could suffer again because of controversial post by Maldivian Minister. 

“BJP will cause riots on 17th April”: Mamata Banerjee fearmongers about ‘riots’ ahead of Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal

OpIndia Staff
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“BJP will cause riots on 17th April”: Mamata Banerjee fearmongers about ‘riots’ ahead of Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal

On Sunday (7th April), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party will “riot” two days before the first phase of Lok Sabha voting on 19th April in the state. The TMC supremo further alleged that the BJP would “riot” by sending the National Investigation Agency (NIA). 

Notably, addressing a public rally in Purulia, Bengal CM Banerjee said, “Hold rallies and meetings but do not riot. It is they (BJP) who will riot. Voting is on 19 April and they will riot on 17 April.” 

Alleging that the saffron party will enter the state by sending NIA and rioting, she added, “Lord Ram does not tell you to riot but these people will riot and by rioting, they will get NIA to enter the state.” She had earlier downplayed the recent attack on the NIA team by raising questions about the timing of the raid in a blast probe case.

The TMC leaders have justified the violent attacks and hindrance in the bomb blast and other probes alleging that the NIA and other agencies are “political arms” of the BJP that want to frame TMC leaders and threaten them to join the BJP. According to the TMC leaders, the agencies’ probe against TMC leaders will “provoke riots” in the state and it has blamed the BJP for that eventuality.  

Notably, on 6th April, the NIA team along with other security forces visited the residence of a local TMC leader to investigate a 2022 blast case. But the officials soon came under attack from the supporters of the accused politician, who threw bricks and stones and damaged the windshield of vehicles. 

TMC Supremo and Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee tried to give a clean chit to attackers. She alleged that the NIA orchestrated the assault and raised questions about the timing of the raid. She further alleged that NIA officials intruded into the homes of women of Bhupatinagar village and committed atrocities on them, claiming that locals attacked the NIA team in retaliation. Following this, the West Bengal Police filed a case against NIA and CRPF officials under molestation charges which has been categorically rejected by the NIA, through its official press release.  

Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee had questioned the arrest of TMC leaders by the probe agency “right before the elections”.

Apart from leveling political allegations on the anti-terror probe agency, she had issued an “entire world” to fight against the BJP. 

The TMC supremo said, “Why did they raid at midnight? Did they have police permission? Locals reacted in the way they would have if any other stranger had visited the place at midnight. Why are they arresting people right before the elections? What does the BJP think, that they will arrest every booth agent? What right does the NIA have? They are doing all these to support the BJP. We call upon the entire world to fight against this BJP’s dirty politics.” 

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee also threatened to “expose the BJP’s conspiracy” and their “nexus with the NIA”.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi who hails from BJP, had lambasted Mamata Banerjee-led TMC for the recent attack on NIA officials stating that the ruling party in Bengal is “hell-bent on destroying law & order” in the state. 

Addressing a rally in Jalpaiguri, PM Modi revealed the TMC strategy stating, “TMC wants its corrupt leaders to get free license to commit crimes. So, when central investigations agencies arrive here, they attack and threaten the team. TMC is the govt which is hell-bent on destroying the law and order.” 

“The TMC is disregarding the law and the constitution of the country,” the prime minister added.

Backward classes commission issues notice to West Bengal govt after police didn’t respond on TMC leader Pijush Panda’s casteist comments against PM Modi

OpIndia Staff
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Backward classes commission issues notice to West Bengal govt after police didn’t respond on TMC leader Pijush Panda’s casteist comments against PM Modi

National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) has issued a notice to the West Bengal government on Saturday in connection with objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Trinamool Congress leader Pijush Panda.

Earlier, the NCBC had issued a notice to the Director General of Police (DGP) of Bengal state calling for action against the TMC leader. But, after the body didn’t receive any response, it has issued a notice to the West Bengal government asking what action has been taken against the accused leader.

Pijush Panda had made “objectionable and casteist” remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning how a person from Teli community, a backwards caste, can perform the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

TMC leader Pijush Panda had attacked PM Modi for inaugurating Ram Mandir despite being an OBC from Teli caste, saying only Brahmins can do so. He also suggested that OBCs like PM Modi should do the job of polishing shoes, saying that with a ‘Teli’ inaugurating Ram Mandir, Brahmins like himself will need to polish shoes.

He had said, “Narendra Modi is arrogant. He is the son of a Teli (the community from which PM Modi hails). How can he inaugurate the Ram Mandir and offer Puja and a Brahmin is not even invited? Then what is the use of the sacred thread of the Brahmins? I am going to send my sacred thread to the Prime Minister’s office. I will polish shoes at the Contai Central Bus stand instead.”

Taking immediate cognizance of this, the National Commission for Backward Classes on 2nd April issued a notice to the Director General of Police (DGP) of Bengal state asking him to take action.

“National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) has found that TMC leader Pijush Panda used objectionable and casteist remarks against PM Modi. Taking the matter seriously, Hansraj Gangaram Aahir, President of the Commission, takes cognizance of the matter and orders a probe into it. The commission seeks a report within 24 hours regarding action taken against him,” read the letter written by the commission to the police chief.

However, the commission didn’t receive any response from the police on the matter. As a result, the National Commission for Backward Classes sent a notice to the West Bengal administration on Saturday. And information has been sought regarding what action has been taken against Pijush Panda in this regard.

Talking about the notices sent to the West Bengal police and the state govt, NCBC Chairman Hansraj Ahir said, “We received a complaint from some of the MP and BJP leaders there (West Bengal) and we immediately sent a notice to the DGP West Bengal asking what action you have taken on this and if he has not yet responded to our office. Yesterday we issued a notice to those people who have made such indecent statements by a person named Panda regarding caste and have disregarded the post of Prime Minister…It is an insult to the OBC…Many people in the OBC category were hurt by such comments and complaints were received. So we sent a notice, yesterday also we have sent a notice, we have sent it to the DM.”

NCBC Chairman Hansraj Ahir said that the body has not received any response on both these notices, adding that another reminder notice will be sent to the TMC-led government on Monday. Ahir said that if the local administration does not take cognizance even after multiple notices and disregards the Commission, then the NCBC will take “strict action” using its constitutional powers.

He hoped that the Bengal administration will not force the commission to take further steps using its legal powers.

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