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Bloomberg whitewashes crimes of Khalistani terrorists Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and Hardeep Singh Nijjar, blames India for transnational crimes

Anurag
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Bloomberg whitewashes crimes of Khalistani terrorists Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and Hardeep Singh Nijjar, blames India for transnational crimes

On 6th November, Bloomberg published an elaborate article and a documentary accusing India of orchestrating transnational assassinations of Khalistani terrorists, who were presented as “activists”. In its almost 30-minute-long production and extensive feature titled “Finish Him, Brother”, the publication presented what it called an “inside story” of so-called Indian intelligence plots against separatist individuals including Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and Avtar Singh Khanda.

The details provided in the article and documentary relied heavily on statements from US and Canadian intelligence, law enforcement agencies, Pannun and pro-Khalistani elements close to Nijjar. Bloomberg weaved a cinematic narrative of phone calls, WhatsApp chats and undercover operations to blame India for killing Nijjar and Khanda and plotting to kill Pannun.

It sounded dramatic and may sound convincing to those who are not aware of who these people are and how India operates when it comes to dealing with such terror elements abroad. The story by Bloomberg, however, conveniently missed India’s side. While the story cites anonymous “sources familiar with the matter”, it made no attempt to verify whether these sweeping allegations had any factual basis or whether the Western governments themselves have any motive to shift attention from their own failure to curb radical extremism on their soil. Interestingly, despite the availability of enough proof against Pannun, Bloomberg was fine with taking his byte to support the narrative against India.

The Indian government has categorically denied involvement in any criminal activities on foreign land. The Ministry of External Affairs has repeatedly clarified that no arm of the Indian state, no diplomat, and no intelligence operative has ever been authorised to carry out extrajudicial acts in foreign countries. Yet, Bloomberg’s narrative showed the denial as more of a footnote, something that has been mentioned only as a formality. It conveniently ignored that these allegations emerged from the same nations that have long harboured individuals openly calling for the creation of Khalistan by breaking India, which may result in bloodshed.

Any genuine publication would question why men designated as terrorists by India were allowed to operate freely in Canada and the United States, but Bloomberg chose to present them as victims of a “vengeful” Indian state. There should have been a serious inquiry into the double standards of Western nations, but it was turned into a scripted morality play where India was the villain and violent separatists were shown as misunderstood “activists”. In fact, Bloomberg completely ignored asking the Five Eyes nations why they were taping communications of Indian government officials and passing information to each other if the storyline is true.

Selective storytelling – how Bloomberg presented only one version

The most striking flaw in the reportage lies not in what was presented but in what was skipped. The article painstakingly reconstructed the so-called chain of events including intercepted messages and diplomatic tensions. However, it was done completely based on the Western intelligence ecosystem. Every claim of conspiracy heavily relied upon leaks, “assessments” and “people familiar with the situation”. There was no independent verification, no alternative perspective, and certainly no reference to India’s own investigations, statements or dossiers.

Bloomberg portrayed Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Gurpatwant Singh Pannun as “campaigners for Khalistan”. Both have been officially designated terrorists under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Indian agencies have collected voluminous evidence over the years against them. Still, Bloomberg never once mentioned the chargesheets filed by the National Investigation Agency or the Red Corner Notice issued through Interpol, or the multiple FIRs linking Nijjar to violent acts in India. The publication only vaguely named the Khalistan Tiger Force, showing as if the allegations that Nijjar was heading the terrorist outfit were baseless. Not to forget, Nijjar was granted citizenship in Canada despite a Red Corner Notice issued against him.

The report leaned on emotional storytelling and described daily routines, greying beards and morning coffee stops. Bloomberg carefully humanised Pannun and Nijjar without mentioning their history of violent incitement. In reality, what Bloomberg did was not an investigation but an image rehabilitation of designated terrorists, something Western media is expert in. The reportage sought to transform figures accused of terror into symbols of dissent. Funny thing is, only a few years ago, Pannun had no beard which basically goes against Sikh culture, but Bloomberg portrayed him as a devote Sikh.

Source: Caravan/NPR

Even when Bloomberg referred to India’s designation of Nijjar and Pannun as terrorists, it did so with a tone of disbelief. The report read, “India regards advocacy for Khalistan as an unacceptable threat to its sovereignty”. It attempted to show that the existence of a secessionist campaign backed by foreign funding was a minor inconvenience rather than an act of national sabotage.

Bloomberg also omitted evidence against Pannun and Nijjar. There was no mention of public videos where Pannun threatened to attack Indian targets, he explicitly called to repeat the 1985 Air India bombing, rallies in Canada where Indira Gandhi’s assassins were openly glorified, and more. None of this appeared relevant enough for Bloomberg’s editors. They chose a convenient narrative that India hunts, while the Khalistanis merely speak.

The result? A story stripped of context. Bloomberg presented a one-sided chronicle where the victims were selectively chosen and the perpetrators of earlier violence were painted in soft tones of activism.

Who Pannun really is – threats, provocation and glorification of terror

For the Western media, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is an “activist” and a “lawyer defending Sikh rights”. In reality, he is a man who has repeatedly and publicly threatened the sovereignty of India. He is the chief of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a group banned under UAPA for its explicit advocacy of Khalistan, a separatist state carved out of Punjab.

Interestingly, Bloomberg claimed that the demand for Khalistan came after Operation Blue Star, the military operation India conducted to weed out Khalistani terrorists from Sikhs’ holiest shrine, the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The publication conveniently forgot to mention that Khalistani terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale’s top demand was the formation of Khalistan and that even before him, the demand for Khalistan was in Punjab’s air since the mid-1970s.

Coming back to Pannun, his record is not a matter of opinion. He has issued open threats to blow up Air India flights, called upon Indian Sikhs to deface government buildings, to hoist the Khalistani flag on government buildings, to stop Prime Minister Narendra Modi from hoisting flag at the Red Fort on Independence Day, burning and ripping Indian Flag, and to attack Indian missions abroad. He has repeatedly referred to the Indian PM, the EAM, and Indian diplomats as “criminals”, urging Khalistani supporters to “teach them a lesson”. He has sought support from Pakistan, urged separatists in Kashmir and Manipur to join hands for separate nations and more. These are not stray remarks, but they are part of a long pattern of incitement.

From the vandalism of the Indian Consulate in San Francisco to violent demonstrations outside the High Commission in London, SFJ has been at the heart of most anti-India protests abroad. Pannun’s organisation has used social media to glorify terrorists and to provoke Sikh youth to join the cause. He routinely circulates calls for “referendums” on Khalistan, held in Western cities, masquerading as democratic exercises but designed solely to challenge India’s territorial integrity.

Even as his videos surface with direct calls for violence, Western governments continue to shelter him under the garb of “free speech”. Bloomberg’s narrative conveniently leaves out every one of these instances. It does not mention how Pannun’s speeches have been linked to mobs that vandalised Indian properties abroad, or how his supporters celebrate the assassination of Indira Gandhi each year in Canada. Instead, the publication chose to portray him as a lawyer exercising his constitutional rights.

The truth about Hardeep Singh Nijjar – from fake identity to terror camps

Pannun and Nijjar were no different. Nijjar was a part of SFJ holding ground in Canada while Pannun operates from the United States. Nijjar was, without a doubt, the armed face of the Khalistani movement being run by Pannun. However, Bloomberg chose to describe him as a “temple leader” and a “plumber from British Columbia”.

Nijjar went to Canada in 1997 under a false Hindu identity using the name “Ravi Sharma”. His asylum plea was rejected multiple times. However, years later, under unclear circumstances, he managed to obtain Canadian citizenship. It was only revealed after his murder that the Canadian government had granted him citizenship despite India’s repeated requests for extradition.

Nijjar was wanted for several crimes in India including murder, conspiracy, and targeted killings. He was a designated terrorist under UAPA and identified as chief of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), which is a banned Khalistani terrorist outfit. KTF is responsible for several terror attacks in Punjab.

Source: India Today

There are photographs of Nijjar available in the public domain that show him holding an AK-47 rifle. There are multiple reports that mention he was running a training camp in Canada. He was also accused of plotting targeted killings of Hindu leaders in Punjab. In fact, he also visited Pakistan to meet another Khalistani terrorists. He was on a no-fly list for a long time as well.

India passed the information of Nijjar’s involvement in criminal activities via diplomatic channels and official dossiers to Canada. However, Canada did not care about the concerns raised by India and called them “politically motivated”. In 2019, RCMP detained and questioned Nijjar after pressure from India. However, it reportedly did not find any admissible evidence against him. The publication failed to mention FIRs and the Red Corner Notice. Bloomberg’s editors never thought, why would Interpol issue a “Red Corner Notice” if he was not a criminal?

Source: Hindol Sengupta/X

Bloomberg called Nijjar a campaigner and while doing so, it blurred the line between a religious activist and an armed separatist. It blurred the line between advocacy and terrorism. It legitimised the very extremism that has cost thousands of innocent lives in Punjab.

The missing third man – Avtar Singh Khanda’s mysterious death

While Bloomberg focused largely on Pannun and Nijjar, it casually mentioned another name in passing, Avtar Singh Khanda. For most Western readers, the reference meant little, but for India, Khanda was another key cog in the Khalistani machinery. Based in the United Kingdom, he was believed to be an ideological mentor of Amritpal Singh, the Waris Punjab De leader who triggered violent protests in Punjab in 2023.

Khanda openly endorsed Khalistan Referendum events and frequently posted messages glorifying terrorism, including images of armed separatists and slogans celebrating the 1984 assassins of Indira Gandhi. Indian agencies had flagged his name repeatedly to British authorities, citing his role in radicalising Sikh youth through online propaganda and providing strategic direction to separatist networks.

In May 2023, Khanda died in a Birmingham hospital, officially from acute myeloid leukaemia. There was no evidence of foul play, yet the timing, just weeks before Nijjar’s killing, fuelled a wave of conspiracy theories among Khalistanis. Western media used his death to hint at a pattern of “mysterious eliminations”. What none of them mentioned was that Khanda had for years been under observation by Indian agencies for links with banned outfits and financial irregularities linked to foreign Khalistani organisations.

The curious case of information gathered through intercepting communication of Indian officials

Under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), intercepting or taping the communications of foreign diplomats is a clear breach of international law. Article 22 declares that “the premises of the mission shall be inviolable,” meaning the host state may not intrude physically or electronically.

Article 24 extends this inviolability to “the archives and documents of the mission… at any time and wherever they may be.”

Most crucially, Article 27 (1–2) obliges the receiving state to “permit and protect free communication on the part of the mission for all official purposes” and affirms that “the official correspondence of the mission shall be inviolable.”

When Bloomberg mentioned that UK intelligence gathered information from intercepting communications of Indian officials, it admitted that the Five Eyes nations directly contravened these provisions and committed a crime in the eyes of international law. If Western nations deny breaking these rules, then the whole case will fall apart!

Western hypocrisy – free speech for extremists, silence for victims

There is a fundamental hypocrisy at the heart of this Western narrative. The same governments that have waged endless wars on terror, bombed foreign lands in the name of security, and conducted assassinations through drone strikes in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, now accuse India of overreach, that too without a shred of verifiable evidence.

When the United States launches a missile in Yemen, it is celebrated as counter-terrorism. When Israel eliminates a Hamas commander abroad, it is hailed as self-defence. But when India raises legitimate concerns about individuals plotting separatism and violence from foreign soil, it is suddenly branded “transnational repression”, followed by allegations of involvement in criminal activities including murder on foreign soil.

It is a fact that the United States and Canada have refused to act on multiple extradition requests for Khalistani operatives wanted in India. Instead, these countries invoke “freedom of speech” to shield men who glorify bloodshed, provoke attacks on Indian missions, and spread hatred online.

Imagine someone in New York or Ottawa openly called for the dismemberment of the United States or Canada, or threatened to bomb their planes, would Bloomberg celebrate that individual or organisation by calling them “activists” and saying they were just speaking under “freedom of speech”? Yet when the target is India, a democracy of 1.4 billion people, such extremism becomes acceptable rhetoric.

The West’s refusal to take responsibility for the ecosystem of extremism thriving on its soil is equally appalling. Khalistani networks in Canada, the US and the UK are not exiled dissidents but organised, well-funded pressure groups influencing elections, controlling gurdwara boards, and funnelling money into radicalisation. Western intelligence agencies have long been aware, but governments choose silence for the sake of vote banks.

Bloomberg’s report mirrors the blindness of Western governments. It treats Western inaction as neutrality and Indian protest as aggression. The real story is not about alleged assassinations. It is about how the West has normalised sheltering extremists who call for India’s dismemberment. India does not seek moral lectures, it seeks reciprocity. No democracy should be expected to tolerate terrorism masquerading as activism.

How fake ghee worth Rs 250 crore found its way into Tirupati temple’s sacred laddus: Explained

Jinit Jain
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How fake ghee worth Rs 250 crore found its way into Tirupati temple’s sacred laddus: Explained

In a scandal that has stunned devotees, investigators have found that fake ghee worth Rs 250 crore was allegedly supplied to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the trust managing the revered Tirupati temple, between 2019 and 2024.

A CBI-led Special Investigation Team (SIT) uncovered that Bhole Baba Organic Dairy, a company based in Uttarakhand, had never procured any milk or butter, yet somehow managed to supply a staggering 6.8 million kilograms of ghee to the temple.

The adulteration of ghee

According to officials, Bhole Baba Organic Dairy, run by Pomil Jain and Vipin Jain, operated what appeared to be a legitimate dairy unit but was in reality a front for manufacturing synthetic ghee. The company allegedly faked purchase invoices and payment records to make it seem as though it was producing pure desi ghee.

Shockingly, even after being blacklisted in 2022, the firm continued to funnel counterfeit ghee to the temple by using the names of other dairies, including Vyshnavi Dairy (Tirupati), Mal Ganga (Uttar Pradesh), and AR Dairy Foods (Tamil Nadu).

Animal fat and chemical additives

The SIT found that some of the ghee supplied was adulterated with animal fat. In July 2024, four tankers from AR Dairy were rejected by TTD after lab tests revealed contamination. But rather than being destroyed or returned, the rejected stock was allegedly diverted to Vyshnavi Dairy, where labels were replaced and the contents reprocessed to look fresh.

Investigators later discovered that these same tankers were resold to TTD in August 2024 as “new stock” and were subsequently used to prepare the sacred Tirupati laddus, offered daily to millions of devotees.

Traces of foreign fats spark outrage

The scandal burst into the open in September 2024, when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naiduclaimed that adulterated ingredients had been used in the temple’s revered laddus under the previous administration. Media reports quoted Naidu as saying the ghee could have contained beef tallow, fish oil, or pig lard, sparking public outrage.

Tests by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) later confirmed the presence of foreign fats in some samples. Officials maintained that the adulterated batches had been withdrawn before being used, but the controversy severely shook public faith in the quality control system of one of India’s holiest shrines.

Arrests and continuing probe

The scandal began to unravel with the arrest of Ajay Kumar Sugandh, who supplied chemicals such as monodiglycerides and acetic acid esters, key ingredients for producing synthetic ghee, to Bhole Baba Organic Dairy.

The CBI’s probe now aims to uncover how the fake ghee managed to pass multiple layers of temple procurement checks, and whether officials within TTD or state dairy boards were complicit in the racket.

What began as a fraud for profit has now turned into a crisis of faith, raising uncomfortable questions about oversight, corruption, and the sanctity of offerings made at one of Hinduism’s most sacred temples.

What are the ‘TikTok Islamism’ groups that the German government banned: Read how the Islamic outfits are brainwashing young people to establish Sharia rule

विशेषता
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What are the ‘TikTok Islamism’ groups that the German government banned: Read how the Islamic outfits are brainwashing young people to establish Sharia rule

In a major action against Islamic groups promoting Islamic radicalism and engaging in unconstitutional activities in Germany, the German government banned two Islamic groups, namely, the Islamic Centre Hamburg (IZH), accused of supporting Iran and Hezbollah, and Muslim Interactive.

The German government’s move is significant because groups like Muslim Interactive have been using social media, particularly TikTok, to call for a caliphate (Islamic rule) in Germany and to spread radical ideas among young people. German authorities have described this as “Modern TikTok Islamism”, a strategy to influence young people through social media. The action was taken as a necessary measure to safeguard Germany’s democracy, which was being threatened by these groups. With the stringent action, the German government has made it clear that it will make no compromise in combating Islamic radical activities.

What action has been taken?

The German government banned the Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH) and its affiliated groups. Subsequent to this, four Shia mosques in Germany were closed and the group’s assets were confiscated. Interior Minister Nancy Fieser stated that the group was opposed to democracy, human rights, and women’s rights and aimed to establish Islamic rule in Germany. It was also accused of supporting terrorist groups such as Hezbollah.

Furthermore, in November of last year, police raided 55 locations, which exposed that the group was secretly pursuing political objectives. The ban on the Islamic groups was intended to demonstrate that Germany will not tolerate any form of radical activity. At the same time, the German government clarified that this action is not directed against the religious rights of Shia Muslims, but against Islamic extremists.

What were the activities of Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH)

The IZH was attempting to influence young people in Germany with radical Islamic ideology. To achieve this end, the group used social media platforms like TikTok, which feature fast-paced and fun videos, and are ideal places for spreading radical ideas. The Islamic group’s goal was to connect young people with the ideas of the Islamic Revolution and influence them with radical views challenging the democratic system.

Furthermore, IZH’s other major objective was to establish a global caliphate. They wanted an Islamic regime to be established across the world, which would be a counter to democratic countries. To further this objective, the group’s members were using social media to attract young people to their ideas and trying to first establish an Islamic regime in Germany.

Who runs the group and what are its goals

The group was operating a youth organization formed in 2020 and is found to be linked to Hizbut Tahrir (HuT), an international Islamic political organisation which was banned in Germany in 2003. The organization’s primary goal is to establish a worldwide Islamic regime, the Caliphate, and to destroy Western democratic system. The IZH wanted Islamic law to be implemented in Germany instead of the German constitution.

The IZH appealed to young Germans through social media platforms like TikTok with the aim of influencing them and persuading them to adopt Islamic radical thinking.

Two other Islamic groups have dreams of establishing an Islamic rule

In addition to the IZH, there were two other radical groups in Germany: Generation Islam and Reality Islam. Both these groups were engaged in the activities similar to the IZH and Muslim Interactive. These groups were also trying to attract young people to Islamic extremism. German intelligence agencies closely monitored their activities and searched their assets. The groups also work with the aim of establishing Islamic Sharia law and uprooting the democratic system. Although these groups have not yet been banned, they could face a similar action in future.

Have such groups been banned in Germany before?

Several radical Islamic organisations have been banned in Germany before. The first of these was Hizb ut Tahrir (HuT) in 2003. The Islamic organisation was trying to spread radical ideas in Germany and establish a Sharia regime, which led to the ban. Subsequently, Hezbollah was also declared a terrorist organization and banned in Germany in 2020. The terrorist organisation was promoting terrorist activities within Germany. In addition, Germany recently banned the Hamas-backed Samedon-Palestinian Solidarity Network in 2023, which was promoting violence against Israel and supporting its terrorist activities.

Germany took action against all of these Islamic outfits because they posed a threat to German society and sought to undermine the democratic system. This has become a continuous process for Germany, which is actively combating any form of Islamic fundamentalism. The German government aims to maintain peace in society and prevent the promotion of terrorism or radicalism.

Germany is battling Islamic extremists

The problem of Islamic radicalism is growing steadily in Germany. Islamic groups have replaced traditional methods with digital avenues to spread extremism. “TikTok Islamism ” is a prime example of that. These groups are using social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to radicalize young people. By creating fast, catchy, and emotional videos, they convince young people that Western democracy is against their religion and that they should return to Islamic rule. This approach is particularly effective among teenagers and students, who spend a lot of time on social media.

German intelligence agencies are constantly monitoring these radical activities. Numerous reports have found that such Islamic outfits influence minors and encourage them to adopt an Islamic mindset. The government has taken strict measures, including raids and investigations on organizations like Muslim Interactive, Generation Islam, and Reality Islam. The government claims that such groups spread hatred in the name of religion and threaten the damage the democratic fabric of the country.

In recent years, Germany has witnessed numerous cases of Islamist-inspired attacks. These incidents have increased, particularly since the Gaza War and the escalation of tensions in the Middle East. Groups of young people in schools and mosques, have been influenced by videos on social media and adopting radical ideology. This is the reason that the German government has acted vigilantly against these digital networks.

The German government believes that religion should not be used for politics or extremism. Therefore, it takes swift action in cases where any organization attempts to incite violence, hatred, or calls for a “caliphate,” in the name of religious freedom. Recently, the government confiscated the assets of several Islamic outfits, shut down their social media channels, and initiated legal action against their members.

The German government is working with the goal of not only preventing extremism but also to providing accurate information to young people. For this, awareness campaigns are being launched in collaboration with schools and community organizations. Officials say that trends like ” TikTok Islamism ” are not only a security challenge but also create divisions in society.

Germany is currently fighting a battle on two fronts. On the one hand, it is protecting its country from terrorism and radicalism in the physical form, and on the other, it is also trying to stop the spread of digital extremism through social media. Germany’s tough stance shows that it will not compromise on the security of its democracy and society.

(This article is a translation of the original article published on OpIndia Hindi.)

Brief History of annexation of Junagadh: How it was merged with India, and how Hindus were persecuted by Muslim League

ભાર્ગવ રાજ્યગુરુ
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Brief History of annexation of Junagadh: How it was merged with India, and how Hindus were persecuted by Muslim League

November 9 will forever remain an unforgettable date in India’s history. On this very day in 1947, the princely state of Junagadh became a part of the Indian Union. While 562 princely states merged with India post-independence, the story of Junagadh stands out because it reflected the courage of the people, the vision of Sardar Patel, and the determination of the Arzi Hukumat, the Provisional Government that fought for freedom and justice.

The Land of Girnar: Junagadh’s glorious past

Junagadh, meaning “ancient fort,” was a proud state situated at the foothills of Mount Girnar. Spread over 8,643 square kilometres, it had about 82 % Hindu population, though it was ruled by the Muslim Babi dynasty founded in 1654 by Muhammad Sher Khan Babi. Earlier, the region had been ruled by the Chudasama Rajputs and later by Sultan Muhammad Begada of Gujarat.

Even though Junagadh did not share a land border with Pakistan, it was close to Karachi by sea, roughly 300 miles away via the Veraval port.

Source: OpIndia Gujarati

The last ruler of Junagadh, Nawab Mahabat Khan Rasul Khan, was known more for his eccentric love for dogs than for governance. He kept over 300 dogs of different breeds and was infamous for organising a grand wedding for two of them, for which he even declared a state holiday and spent lakhs of rupees.

Shahnawaz Bhutto becomes diwan

By 1947, when India and Pakistan were about to be formed, Junagadh’s administration was in the hands of Shahnawaz Bhutto, the father of Pakistan’s future Prime Minister, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The Nawab, who was abroad, had left him as the Diwan (Prime Minister) of the state.

Shahnawaz Bhutto. Source: OpIndia Gujarati

Shahnawaz Bhutto, being a prominent leader of the Muslim League, was openly inclined toward Pakistan. His appointment shifted the political stance of Junagadh. Earlier, other advisors like Nabi Baksh and Abdul Qadir had warned the Nawab that joining Pakistan would create grave problems, but Bhutto sidelined them both and seized full control.

August 15, 1947: Nawab decides to join Pakistan

While most princely states with Hindu-majority populations naturally joined India, Junagadh took a different path. Ignoring the overwhelming Hindu majority, the Nawab, influenced by Bhutto, announced on August 15, 1947, the day India got independence, that Junagadh would accede to Pakistan.

This decision shocked the people and the neighbouring Kathiawar states. The only Hindu member of Junagadh’s council, Rai Bahadur Dharamdas Hiranandani, strongly opposed the move but was forced to resign. Even loyal officers like Captain Dr Prem Rai Majmudar were dismissed when they advised the Nawab to join India.

Fear and Atrocities against Hindus

After the announcement, terror gripped Junagadh’s Hindu population. With the Muslim League’s influence spreading, a secret group called the “Action Council” began targeting Hindus, a situation that mirrored the violence of “Direct Action Day” in Bengal.

Every day, orders were issued to harass, attack, and drive Hindus away. Soon, thousands of Hindus fled Junagadh seeking safety in nearby areas. But even migration was not easy; many were stopped and tortured on their way. Law and order in the region completely collapsed.

While the Nawab tightened his grip, neighbouring Kathiawar states like Mangrol and Babariyawad, which had large Hindu populations, took matters into their own hands. They declared their independence from Junagadh and signed agreements to join India.

Junagadh sent its army to reclaim these areas, but the Indian government under Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel objected and ordered the withdrawal of Junagadh’s troops. When Shahnawaz Bhutto refused, Patel took firm steps and prepared to send forces to restore peace. However, at that time, Jawaharlal Nehru preferred to wait for a diplomatic solution.

Rise of the Arzi Hukumat: A people’s Government

As the crisis deepened, over one lakh Hindus fled Junagadh, and Kathiawar faced rising unrest. With no sign of justice from the Nawab, the people took the lead. On September 25, 1947, in a meeting held in Mumbai’s Madhavbagh Hall and led by Shamaldas Gandhi, the Arzi Hukumat, Provisional Government of Junagadh was formed.

Source: OpIndia Gujarati

Under the leadership of freedom fighters like Ratubhai Adani, the Arzi army launched operations to free Junagadh. Their courage inspired fighters across Kathiawar. On September 30, the Arzi army captured Junagarh House in Rajkot and soon moved toward Junagadh’s borders.

Source: OpIndia Gujarati

India Steps In: Army joins the Mission

At Sardar Patel’s direction, the Kathiawar Defence Force, along with the armies of Nawanagar, Bhavnagar, and Porbandar, began cooperating with the Provisional Government. On October 22, 1947, the Indian forces entered Manavadar, and by November 1, they had taken control of Mangrol and Babariyawad.

Source: OpIndia Gujarati

Economically, Junagadh was now cut off and starving. Pakistan’s promised support never arrived. Grain shortages and unrest weakened the Nawab’s control. The joint army of India, the Arzi forces, and local princely states gradually surrounded Junagadh from all directions.

Flight of the Nawab to Pakistan

The Nawab of Junagadh, Unable to bear the pressure and fled to Pakistan on October 24, 1947, taking with him his family, jewels, valuable records, and even his beloved dogs. His departure created chaos within the administration.

The Arzi army continued advancing, capturing key forts and towns, including Nawagarh and Kutiana. The local Rajput and Mer fighters joined hands with them, strengthening their resolve. The people now demanded full integration with India.

With the Nawab gone, Shahnawaz Bhutto was left with no choice. He realised that Pakistan could not defend Junagadh and that the public rebellion, supported by the Indian forces, had succeeded. He soon sent a message to Muhammad Ali Jinnah admitting defeat and expressing readiness to hand over Junagadh to India.

Through Captain Harvey Jones, Bhutto began peace talks with Shamaldas Gandhi. Finally, on November 9, 1947, Bhutto announced through an official communique that Junagadh would be handed over to the Indian government. After the announcement, he too fled to Pakistan through Keshod Airport.

November 9, 1947: Junagadh Becomes Part of India

On the evening of November 9, 1947, the Indian Army, led by Brigadier Gurdayal Singh, entered Junagadh through Majewadi Gate. The tricolour was proudly hoisted on the historic Uparkot Fort. The Regional Commissioner, Neelam Buch, declared through the Junagadh Gazette that from 7 p.m. that evening, the Indian government would take full control of the state.

With this, the rule of the Nawab came to an end, and the Arzi Hukumat voluntarily dissolved itself after fulfilling its mission. The people celebrated across Kathiawar, waving the national flag and singing patriotic songs.

Sardar Patel’s visit and the people’s verdict

A few days later, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel personally visited Junagadh on November 13, 1947. He met local leaders, thanked the freedom fighters, and promised to rebuild the administration.

Source: OpIndia Gujarati

To settle the issue permanently, a plebiscite (poll) was held on February 20, 1948. Out of 1,90,870 votes cast, only 91 favoured Pakistan, while the overwhelming majority chose to join the Union of India. It was one of the clearest expressions of democracy and the people’s will in modern history.

Integration with Saurashtra and Gujarat

On January 20, 1949, Junagadh was formally merged with the newly created state of Saurashtra. Later, when Saurashtra was integrated into Gujarat, Junagadh became an important part of the state. Today, it stands as a symbol of India’s unity, resilience, and faith in democratic values.

Even today, Pakistan continues to claim Junagadh on its official maps, but the reality is clear: Junagadh is and will always remain a proud and inseparable part of India.

The story of Junagadh’s accession is not just about political boundaries. It is about the courage of ordinary people, the foresight of Sardar Patel, and the collective strength of the Kathiawar states. The Provisional Government of Junagadh, the patriotic efforts of the Arzi army, and the faith of the people together ensured that democracy and justice prevailed.

Every year, November 9 reminds the nation how unity, courage, and patriotism turned a princely struggle into a proud chapter of Indian history.

Pakistan to amend constitution giving more power to Army Chief, putting him above other 2 chiefs: Read how Military’s hold over Pakistan increases while India remains a vibrant democracy

Aditi
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Pakistan to amend constitution giving more power to Army Chief, putting him above other 2 chiefs: Read how Military’s hold over Pakistan increases while India remains a vibrant democracy

Pakistan is all set to shed its façade of being a democratic country and embrace its real identity of a military state, with the introduction of a Bill which seeks to introduce some major changes in the country’s Constitutional framework. Pakistan’s federal government presented the draft of the much-anticipated 27th Amendment Bill in the Senate on Saturday (8th November). The bill is designed to re-write Article 243 of Pakistan’s Constitution, which governs the relationship between the prime minister (as head of the federal government) and the president (as the head of state) in relation to the control and command of the armed forces.

It is expected to alter the constitutional framework relating to the judiciary, provincial powers and, most importantly, the armed forces, as reported by Dawn. The bill creates the post of Chief of Defence Forces, and gives much broader constitutionally protected powers and privileges to the country’s military leadership. In essence, while it is already known that Pakistan is effectively run by the armed forces, the military leadership gets more power with this amendment.

‘Field Marshal’ Asim Munir to become Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Staff

The Bill, which makes a significant overhaul in the armed forces hierarchy, has caused a stir among the opposition parties and civil rights groups, which fear that it would lead to the concentration of power in the hands of the armed forces. One of the notable changes introduced by the Bill is the creation of a new position of ‘Chief of Defence Staff’ and the abolition of the existing position of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC).

Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar said, while presenting the draft in the Senate, that the position of the CJCSC will be abolished from November 27, 2025, after the tenure of the existing CJCSC ends. “The present CJCSC is also our hero; it [the position] will be abolished after his appointment ends. Parliament cannot even think of depriving him of the role during his tenure,” Tarar said.

Under the Bill, the Chief of the Army Staff will be elevated to the position of the Chief of Defence Staff, an authority which will command all three forces of the Army, Navy and Air Force. The newly created position of the CDS will be held by the serving Chief of Army Staff, Asim Munir. Interestingly, the development comes after Munir was extraordinarily elevated to the position of ‘Field Marshal’ following India’s Operation Sindoor. Munir is the second Field Marshal of Pakistan after Ayub Khan, who promoted himself to the position in 1959. This is the reason that the Bill is being viewed by many as a deliberate move to legitimise Munir’s elevation by granting it a Constitutional backing.

Army Chief over Navy and Air Force chiefs

While most countries now have unified military command at the top, what makes Pakistan’s amendment unique that they are not creating a new position of Chief of Defence Staff. Instead, the Chief of the Army Staff will concurrently be the Chief of the Defence Forces. There is no provision for chiefs of Air Force or Navy to become the CDS.

With the provision that the Army Staff will concurrently be the Chief of the Defence Forces, the Army Chief will rule over Air Force and Navy of Pakistan.

In contrast, for India’s CDS position created few years ago, it is a new position different from the three chiefs, and the CDS can come from any of the three armed forces.

Position of Commander of the National Strategic Command and appointments of chiefs of armed forces

Additionally, the Bill establishes the position of Commander of the National Strategic Command, which will oversee the Islamic country’s nuclear and strategic assets. The appointment to the position will be made by the Prime Minister on the recommendation of the Army Chief, and the person appointed to the position must have served in the Army. The chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force will be appointed by the President, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, and the Army chief will concurrently serve as the CDS.

Life-long constitutional protection for the officers with a five-star rank

Further enhancing the powers and immunities of the top officials of the armed forces, the amendment will confer lifelong constitutional protection to officers promoted to five-star rank, which implies that such officers would “retain the rank, privileges and remain in uniform for life” and can only be removed through a procedure similar to impeachment. The Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force and Admiral of the Fleet are five star positions.

“Where the federal government promotes a member of the armed forces to the rank of field marshal, marshal of the air force or admiral of the fleet, such officer shall retain the rank, privileges and remain in uniform for life,” the Minister for Law and Justice stated in the Senate.

Besides, such officers will also possess immunities equivalent to those enjoyed by the President of Pakistan under Article 248. The post-command duties and remuneration of these officers would be decided by the federal government and the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.

India is a thriving democracy while Pakistan

With the adoption of the amendment, General Asim Munir will be the Chief Army Staff, Chief of Defence Forces, and the country’s senior-most military officer with command over all three branches of the armed forces. Additionally, he gets life-long constitutional protection and immunity.

While the Pakistani government is defending the Bill as a mere technical update in the pretext of modernising command arrangements and regularising the recently made extraordinary promotions, the Bill has sparked a political storm in the country. The opposition parties and the civil rights groups apprehend that the Bill will tilt the balance of power in favour of the armed forces and weaken the ‘democratic’ institutions of the country.

The Bill highlights a sharp contrast between India and Pakistan. While India continues to be a thriving democracy, upholding constitutional values and vision, Pakistan, on the other hand, is gradually yet steadily marching towards becoming a military state. It is no secret that the Pakistani government has always acted as a puppet of its Army, but the proposed legislation will entirely drop the Islamic country’s pretence of a democracy.

‘Human life matters’: Supreme Court directs removal of stray dogs from institutions and highways – Read what the judgment says

Anurag
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‘Human life matters’: Supreme Court directs removal of stray dogs from institutions and highways – Read what the judgment says

On 7th November, the Supreme Court of India ordered all states and Union Territories to remove stray dogs from educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands and depots, railway stations, and other government buildings. These dogs, as per the orders, must be moved to a designated shelter after due sterilisation and vaccination as per the ABC Rules 2023. The apex court has categorically said that these dogs “shall not be released back to the same location from which they were picked up”.

The order passed by the three-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice NV Anjaria dealt with three separate issues. The first matter that was discussed in the order was the compliance affidavits that the apex court had asked the states and UTs to file but they failed to submit by 27th October. After the court expressed dismay and ordered all State Secretaries to be physically present at the next hearing, which was on 3rd November, not only were the affidavits filed but the officials were also present.

Amicus Curiae Gaurav Agrawal prepared a summary of the compliance affidavits submitted by the States and UTs, which highlighted grave deficiencies and shortcomings in the information furnished by some of the States and UTs. The court noted that compliance with the directions issued by the court was either not effected or remained incomplete. The court ordered the States and UTs to peruse the report and take appropriate steps to address the deficiencies and shortcomings mentioned. The States and UTs have been directed to file comprehensive additional affidavits before the next date, indicating the remedial measures undertaken to ensure full compliance with the directions of the court and to rectify the lapses highlighted by Khanna in his report. “Any lethargy in this regard shall be viewed seriously,” the court said.

The court ordered to remove animals from highways

The second matter that the court dealt with was about the directions issued by the Rajasthan High Court’s Jodhpur bench ordering the state to remove all cattle and other animals from public roads and highways to prevent accidents caused by them. The court noted that such accidents have become alarmingly frequent across the country, leading to loss of human life, grievous injuries, and damage to property. Calling it “symptomatic of a larger failure on the part of the administrative authorities entrusted with public safety”, the court noted that the uncontrolled presence of cattle and stray animals on National Highways, National Expressways, and State Highways is a serious and avoidable threat, “particularly during night-time or in high-speed zones”.

Citing Article 21 of the Constitution of India that guarantees the right to life and safety, the court said that there is a need for immediate, coordinated, and sustained action by all concerned agencies including municipal authorities, road and transport departments, public works departments, and highway authorities.

Thus, the court reaffirmed the Rajasthan High Court’s directions and extended them to MCs, road and transport departments, PWDs of all states and UTs, and the National Highway Authority of India, and ordered them to remove all cattle and other stray animals from State Highways, National Highways, and National Expressways.

Source: Supreme Court of India

The court specifically said that the animals must be relocated to Gaushalas, in the case of cattle, and designated shelters, in the case of other animals including dogs. Furthermore, the animals should be provided with all necessary food, water, and veterinary care in accordance with the provisions of the PCA Act 1960 and the ABC Rules 2023.

Special 24/7 teams are to be formed for continuous surveillance and immediate response to reports of stray cattle and other animals obstructing the roadways. All National Highways, State Highways, and National Expressways should display helpline numbers linked to the control rooms of the local police, NHAI, and district administration at regular intervals so that commuters can report the presence of stray animals or accidents caused by the animals.

The court has directed the Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs, the chairperson of NHAI, and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Union of India, to file status-cum-compliance affidavits within eight weeks from the date of the order, indicating the mechanism established for removal and sheltering of stray animals from highways, the constitution and functioning of patrol teams, and the operational status of helpline numbers and installation of signboards displaying helpline numbers.

Remove dogs from institutional premises including schools, colleges, railway stations, bus stands and hospitals

The third and most important aspect of the order was about the removal of dogs from educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands and depots, and railway stations. The court noted that there is a disturbing increase in dog-bite incidents within the premises of institutional areas. The court said, “The recurrence of such incidents, particularly within institutional spaces meant for learning, healing, and recreation, reflects not only administrative apathy but also a systemic failure to secure these premises from preventable hazards. The situation calls for immediate judicial intervention to safeguard the fundamental right to life and safety of citizens, especially children, patients, and sportspersons, under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.”

The court further pointed out that scientific assessments, including those conducted by WHO and NCDC, have estimated that a large ratio of animal-related deaths annually in India are attributed to rabies, with over 90% of human cases resulting from bites inflicted by domestic or stray dogs. The court said, “The brunt of this menace has been borne by children, elderly people, and economically weaker sections who, in addition to being vulnerable, also lack timely access to post-exposure prophylaxis,” an issue that OpIndia has repeatedly raised in detailed articles on the stray dog menace.

The court said though the Capture-Sterilise-Vaccinate-Release or CSVR model under ABC Rules 2023 is used as the principal method for controlling the stray dog population, the implementation of these rules has been ineffective across jurisdictions, and the persistence of the stray dog population has continued to “imperil public safety in many parts of the country”.

Source: Supreme Court of India

The court cited several cases reported in mainstream media, including a Welsh entrepreneur bitten by a stray dog during a morning run, a class III student bitten by a stray dog inside a classroom in Panamaram of Wayanad district in Kerala, six students bitten by a stray dog that entered a government primary school in Siswal of Hisar district in Haryana, students bitten by stray dogs in the Bengaluru University Campus in the Kengeri area, multiple patients bitten by stray dogs in IMH Kilpauk of Chennai, five people bitten by a stray dog at Ernakulam General Hospital in Kochi, patients attacked by stray dogs at Acharya Harihar Post Graduate Institute of Cancer in Cuttack, Odisha, a resident doctor bitten by several stray dogs at Government Medical College and Hospital in Nagpur, two doctors, paramedical staff, and an attendant bitten by a stray dog at King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, two foreign coaches bitten inside Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, during the World Para Athletics Championship 2025, 18 people bitten at the Railway Station in Kannur, Kerala, nine people including an RPF officer bitten by a stray dog at Dombivli Railway Station, Maharashtra, 30 people bitten by stray dogs in six months at Alappuzha Railway Station, Kerala, eight persons bitten by a rabid dog at Sambhal Railway Station in Uttar Pradesh, 50 people attacked by a stray dog at Kannur Bus Stand, Kerala, and several people bitten by a stray dog at KSRTC Bus Stand in Kottayam, Kerala.

The court noted that uncontrolled reproduction of stray dogs due to inadequate implementation of sterilisation programmes, improper disposal of food waste, absence of effective perimeter management and institutional coordination, and lack of widespread public awareness regarding preventive conduct and post-dog-bite medical procedures are some of the reasons for the stray dog menace.

Despite the ABC Rules, various municipal bye-laws, guidelines, and SOPs in place, the practical outcomes have remained suboptimal, the court said. Furthermore, the court noted that year-on-year data on dog bites has shown a spike in such cases. “The persistence of the problem calls for a holistic and coordinated approach involving municipal corporations, public health authorities, and the administration of the institutions, to ensure that the constitutional mandate of safeguarding the right to life under Article 21 is not compromised by administrative inaction or inefficiency,” the court noted.

Source: Supreme Court of India

The court, hence, gave two weeks’ time to State Governments and UTs to identify all government and private educational institutions, hospitals, public sports complexes, bus stands and depots, and railway stations. The administrative heads of these institutions have been directed to coordinate with local or municipal authorities under the overall supervision of the District Magistrate and secure the premises using fences, boundary walls, gates, and such other structural or administrative measures to prevent the ingress of stray dogs. The exercise should be completed as soon as possible, preferably within eight weeks.

Furthermore, the management of all educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, bus stands and depots, and railway stations have been asked to designate a nodal officer responsible for the upkeep and cleanliness of the premises and to ensure that stray dogs do not enter or inhabit the campus. The details of the assigned officer are to be displayed prominently at the entrance.

Every three months, local municipal authorities and panchayats should carry out inspections of all such premises to ensure that there are no stray dogs. “Any lapse in this regard shall be viewed seriously, and responsibility shall be fixed upon the concerned municipal officials or administrative authorities,” the court directed.

The court said that it is the responsibility of the municipal body to remove every stray dog found within the abovesaid premises and shift the animal to a designated shelter after due sterilisation and vaccination as per ABC Rules 2023.

The court barred the release of the dogs to the same location and said, “The stray dogs so picked up shall not be released back to the same location from which they were picked up. We have consciously directed the non-release of such stray dogs to the same location from which they were picked up, as permitting the same would frustrate the very effect of the directions issued to liberate such institutional areas from the presence of stray dogs.”

Source: Supreme Court of India

Furthermore, the management of stadiums and sports complexes has been asked to deploy security or ground-keeping personnel specifically to ensure there are no stray dogs at the premises.

The Animal Welfare Board of India has been directed to issue a detailed SOP within four weeks for the prevention of dog bites and the management of stray dogs in institutional premises.

Notably, when the court narrated the order during the hearing on 7th November, the counsel representing NGOs and self-styled dog lovers tried to argue that removing dogs from institutional premises would lead to a vacuum attracting new dogs, but the court refused to consider the argument.

With this order, the court has taken a decisive step towards prioritising human life and safety. While it marks an important beginning, the court may also need to recognise the growing problem of stray dogs in gated societies, parks, and residential areas, where children, the elderly, and vulnerable groups face attacks almost daily. The order has sparked concern among animal welfare groups and self-styled dog lovers, some of whom are reportedly planning to appeal against the 7th November order, arguing that it is harsh towards dogs and other animals, including cattle, as the court has also directed their removal from highways. Ultimately, it will now be for the court to balance compassion for animals with the protection of human lives.

OpIndia is doing a series on stray dog menace that can be checked here.

Elon Musk set to become world’s first Trillionaire: What is the $1 trillion package approved by Tesla shareholders and what it means for the richest man

Raju Das
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Elon Musk set to become world’s first Trillionaire: What is the $1 trillion package approved by Tesla shareholders and what it means for the richest man

Elon Musk, already the world’s richest person with an estimated net worth of around $490 billion as of November 2025, is set to potentially become the first trillionaire in history, thanks to a newly approved compensation package from Tesla. The electric vehicle maker’s shareholders approved a landmark compensation package on Thursday, valued at nearly $1 trillion for the tech billionaire. The vote, which passed with 75% support among voting shares, reaffirms Musk’s importance for the company, and also underscores massive expectations for Tesla’s future.

However, this pay package is not like what regular employees earn as salary. This essentially a performance-based incentive aligned with Tesla’s expected growth. Unlike traditional executive pays that mostly include salary and bonuses in cash, this package grants Musk stock options equivalent to about 9% of Tesla’s outstanding shares, to be allotted in 12 instalments. Each of these 12 tranches unlocks only when Tesla hits specific milestones, including revenue targets, adjusted EBITDA goals, and market capitalisation milestones.

Musk’s compensation plan was originally designed in 2018, which have been now restructured following legal battles. The original plan estimated the final market cap milestone of the company at $650 billion, a number the company surpassed years ago, which is now valued at over $1.50 trillion.

With the company’s market cap and revenue expanding with introduction of new products like robotaxis, humanoid robots, new car models and introduction of full self-driving software, Musk’s pay package is also set to go up exponentially. According to the pay package approved by shareholders, Musk’s full package could be worth between $878 billion and $1 trillion if all targets are achieved over the next decade.

What is the $1 trillion pay package

Here is how the pay package is structured: Elon Musk will be allotted 423.7 million new Tesla shares. These shares are divided into 12 equal parts, each part having about 35.3 million shares. Musk only gets a part of the shares if Tesla reaches a specific goal related to that part. He can unlock up to $100 billion per tranche, totalling $1.2 Trillion if totally vested.

The main goals linked with the package are: Tesla must increase its market value by 466% from today, with highest goal of $8.5 trillion in market value. Apart from this, there are goals linked to revenue, profits, and progress in self-driving cars, energy storage, and robots. If Tesla does not achieve the targets, Musk gets nothing.

The package spans a period of 10 years. Musk must stay as Tesla’s CEO to get any shares as part of the package. He gets the first trance of stock if Tesla market capitalisation his $2 trillion. After that the next nine trances will be allotted when Tesla’s value increases by increments of $500 billion, up to $6.5 trillion. For the last two trances, Tesla market cap need to go up by $1 trillion. Therefore, the company’s value will need to reach $8.5 trillion for Musk to unlock the allotted shares.

Market value milestonesOperational milestones
$2 trillion20 million vehicles delivered
$2.5 trillion10 million active FSD subscriptions
$3 trillion1 million Optimus robots delivered
$3.5 trillion1 million robotaxis in commercial operation
$4 trillion$50 billion adjusted EBITDA
$4.5 trillion$80 billion adjusted EBITDA
$5 trillion$130 billion adjusted EBITDA
$5.5 trillion$210 billion adjusted EBITDA
$6 trillion$300 billion adjusted EBITDA
$6.5 trillion$400 billion adjusted EBITDA
$7.5 trillion
$8.5 trillion
Milestones linked to the pay package (Source: Tesla filing)

Along with these market value goals, the company must also achieve a series of earning milestones, which starts at $50 billion in annual adjusted profit, and goes up to $400 billion. 

Robotaxi

Other targets needed to be achieved include 20 million vehicle deliveries, shipping 1 million Optimus humanoid robots, launching 1 million robotaxis, 10 million active FSD (Full Self-Driving) subscriptions​. Notably, while all Tesla cars come with equipped with FSD capabilities, it has to unlocked with subscription after the initial trial period.

The company is yet to start selling Optimus robots, and its robotaxi service is also yet to be launched. Unlike its Chinese competitors, Tesla does not come with full self-driving yet, and it currently offers “FSD Supervised” vehicles in the USA, where a person is needed in the driver’s seat to supervise the automated driving system. The company plans to upgrade its system so that its cars can drive on the road without human supervision

According to estimates, if Tesla reaches the highest goal of $8.5 trillion market cap, the 423.7 million shares got by Musk could be worth $1 trillion. It is notable that the 423.7 million shares are in addition to Tesla shares already owned by Elon Musk. At present he has around 13% of Tesla shares. With the new stock, his holding in the company could reach 25%, which will mean he will have more control over the company with more voting power.

Optimus robots in front of Cybertrucks

Even though the plan is for 10 years, Musk can become the first Trillionaire earlier, if Tesla achieves the milestones ahead of projected time. In fact, if Tesla share keeps going up at the current rate, it can happen in just 2-3 years, as his new package will be added to his existing net worth of around $250 billion. Informa Connect Academy estimates that he can become a Trillionaire by 2027 itself.

The new pay package ensures that Elon Musk has to focus on Tesla, given that he owns and runs several other companies. Apart from Tesla, other companies that Musk runs are SpaceX that launches rockets and spacecrafts, Artificial Intelligence venture xAI which owns X, Neuralink that makes brain implants, and the Boring Company which makes tunnels. He will not only have to improve the sales of Tesla cars, he will also have to achieve success in new Tesla ventures like robotics, robotaxis and energy storage solutions.

Challenges for Musk and Tesla

Tesla board has set high targets for Musk to earn his $1 Trillion, with the proposal said that he will have to “completely transform Tesla and society as we know it.” However, Reuters estimates that some of the goals are rather ‘easy’, and he can easily earn $50 billion by achieving these milestones. This includes sales goals for Tesla cars.

However, overall the pay package depends entirely on Tesla’s performance, and its ability to keep innovating. The company is facing increasing challenges, despite being the most valuable automobile company. The sales growth has come down, and Musk’s involvement in politics have not helped. When he became a close aide of President Trump, he faced massive backlash from liberals, with hundreds of Tesla cars vandalised across the country.

When he became a vocal critic of Trump, the president threatened to cancel government contracts for his companies. Donald Turmp’s opposition to electric vehicles and renewable energy has also not helped, as he dropped subsidies given to EVs.

Tesla also faces massive competition from Chinese electric vehicle makers, some of whom have surpassed Tesla in terms of technology. Chinese EVs, equipped with LIDAR, now run driverless taxis, a feat Tesla cars dependent only on cameras for self-driving is yet to achieve.  

The Trillionaire club

While Elon Musk is going to be the first Trillionaire, he will have several members in the Trillionaire club in future. Studies indicate that there will be five Trillionaires in the next 10 years.

The next Trillionaire can be NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, as NVIDIA stock has soared fuelled by its blockbuster AI chip sales. NVIDIA market cap touched $5 Trillion last month, which has come down to around $4.5 Trillion. India’s Gautam Adani is another frontrunner, with the Adani group of companies projecting massive expansions in diverse sectors such as energy, shipping and data centres.

Indonesia’s Prajogo Pangestu, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Oracle’s Larry Ellison, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and LVMH’s Bernard Arnault are potential Trillionaires.

Inside Tanzania’s post-election violence: 800 feared dead, hundreds charged with treason, and claims of govt cover-up. All you need to know

Aditi
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Inside Tanzania’s post-election violence: 800 feared dead, hundreds charged with treason, and claims of govt cover-up. All you need to know

Hundreds of people were charged with treason on Friday (7th November) by a Tanzanian court in the aftermath of massive protests last week. Over 200 have reportedly been charged by the court for inciting demonstrations with the intention of obstructing the election, which was termed as “compromised” by the African Union election observers.

Elections were held in the East African nation on 29th October, in which President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner with 98% of the vote. However, the opposition was barred from contesting the elections, which is why it denounced the elections as “sham”. As per reports, violent protests erupted across the country on the day of the election, during which hundreds of people are said to have been killed. A six-day internet shutdown was imposed by the authorities in view of protests. Some reports state that the authorities downplayed the scale of violence and claimed that the election process was free and fair.

Image via AP

The opposition accused the government of hiding numbers

The opposition party, Chadema, accused the government of hiding the death toll and claimed that at least 800 people were killed in the election violence. Some reports, based on diplomatic and security inputs, suggest that the number could be in thousands. Notably, the Tanzanian authorities have not released any official information about the deaths.

Chadema party’s secretary, Amos Ntobi, said that hundreds of people died in the northern Mwanza region alone. “We saw people being shot in broad daylight. There were bodies all over the streets – some people were killed instantly, others were left badly wounded. There are so many bodies in the hospitals,” Ntobi reportedly said. Ntobi added that he attended at least nine funerals, including those of two children aged 9 and 11. One of the children was shot near his house, and the other was killed while returning from a shop. He said that many people were shot dead and several others were beaten to death.

Violence hit Tanzania after protests over what people alleged was a sham election

NGOs allege excessive use of force by Tanzanian authorities

A joint statement was reportedly released by seven NGOs, including the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), which stated that there was “excessive use of force” by authorities against unarmed protestors. It added that several civilians were killed inside their homes, which left their families traumatised. “Families have been left traumatised, and children have witnessed violence against their parents,” the statement stated, adding that young people were targeted, in particular. The statement further said that hundreds of people were arrested by Tanzanian authorities, and many are held in detention without bail.

The accused appeared before a court in Dar es Salaam on Friday. “Some of them have been beaten, they are sick, they have not received any medical treatment,” Paul Kisabo, a lawyer with the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition, reportedly said. Kisabo said that the accused would remain in detention till the next hearing as they are charged with a non-bailable offence. The accused reportedly included a prominent Tanzanian businesswoman, Jenifer Jovin, who allegedly instigated protestors and advised them to wear gas masks to protect themselves from the police’s tear gas.

It is reported that the accused, if found guilty, could be granted the death penalty. However, no execution has taken place in the country since the 1990s. Most of the death sentences are eventually commuted to life imprisonment.

President Samia blames foreign elements for the violence

President Samia Suluhu Hassan first assumed office in 2021, becoming the first woman President of the country, following the death of President John Magufuli. She condemned the violence and blamed foreigners for creating the unrest. Samia’s remarks have instilled fear of safety in Kenyans living in the country. This led to Kenya’s Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi urging his Tanzanian counterpart to ensure the safety of Kenyans living in the country.

Tanzania and Kenya are core members of the East African Community (EAC). The relations between the two countries were strained in May this year over Tanzania’s treatment of Kenyans who had gone to Dar es Salaam to observe the treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.

UP: Rapist Moinuddin Ansari gets life sentence by Kushinagar court within 7 months of crime against minor Hindu girl. Read what the judgement says

Anurag
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UP: Rapist Moinuddin Ansari gets life sentence by Kushinagar court within 7 months of crime against minor Hindu girl. Read what the judgement says

On 6th November, Kushinagar District Court convicted Moinuddin Ansari of raping a minor and sentenced him to lifetime imprisonment along with Rs 5 lakh fine. Justice Dinesh Kumar-led single-judge bench pronounced the judgment.

Ansari was caught on camera committing a serious crime against a college student at the institution where he was employed as a faculty member. After the video went viral, Ansari was arrested and booked under Section 64(2) and 351(3) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and Sections 5(c) and 6 of the POCSO Act. The victim stated in court that Ansari, who was a faculty member at her school, gave her a drug-laced snack in his office within the school premises. She described entering an unconscious-like state after consuming it, during which Ansari assaulted her. The video depicting the incident was shared on the village WhatsApp group, from where the principal saw it.

During the hearing of the case, the court heard testimonies of ten witnesses including the victim, her father, police officials, Dr Vinisha who examined the victim, principal of the college Santosh Kumar Verma and others.

OpIndia accessed the judgment in the case.

Background of the case

On 8th April, it was reported that Kushinagar Police arrested a college teacher named Moinuddin Ansari was allegedly raping a Hindu minor girl. He was caught on camera raping the girl inside institution’s premises.

Kushinagar police have confirmed the incident and stated that they have taken cognisance of the social media post. A police investigation found that the video is from the Krishak Intermediate College, Malludih, under Kasaya police station limits.

About the incident

According to the court documents, the incident took place on 7th April 2025 at around 11 AM. The victim, who is 17 years old, had gone to the Krishak Intermediate College where Ansari, who was a teacher at the college, asked her to bring water and to eat a samosa that was there on the table. The victim ate the samosa and soon after went into an unconscious-like state. Ansari took advantage of the situation, removed her clothes and raped her. He made a video of the heinous act and threatened the victim that if she tells anyone about it, he would make the video viral.

What the victim said

In her statement in the court, the victim said, “I had gone to the school. Moinuddin Ansari is vice-principal at my school. The incident took place at around 11 AM on 7th April 2025. Moinuddin Ansari had asked me to bring water which I did. He then asked me to eat the samosa that was there on the table which I did as well. After eating the samosa, I started to feel dizzy. I was not fully unconscious. Ansari removed my clothes and raped me and secretly made a video.”

Source: Kushinagar District Court

She further told the court, “He threatened that if I tell anyone, he would make the video viral. When I came back home, I informed my father about the incident. My father filed a complaint at the police station and informed the college about the incident. A female police officer recorded my statement. She also took me to a government hospital for medical examination. My statement was recorded in front of the magistrate in a closed room. When the incident took place, I was 17 years old and studying in class 12.”

Statement by the medical examiner

In her statement, the medical examiner said that the victim informed her about the incident. When she asked the victim if she was physically assaulted, she said no. The victim told the medical examiner that she was raped and was feeling pain in the private parts. The medical examination took place 49 hours after the incident.

During the examination, samples including control blood sample, buccal swab and smear, nail clipping, hair with follicles, vaginal swab and smear were taken and sent to lab for testing.

Statement by the principal

In his statement, principal Santosh Kumar Verma informed the court that he came to know about the viral video on 7th April 2025. He recognised Ansari in the video and pointed out that the incident took place in the same room that was allotted to Ansari as he held additional responsibility for sports and scouting.

What did the defence say

During the hearing, defence claimed that the case filed against Ansari was a fake one and denied all the allegations. Ansari accused the principal of giving false statement over personal grudge against him and claimed the case was filed against him as part of a conspiracy. He even claimed that the video, that had gone viral on social media, was fake.

The defence further stated it was unclear who made the video and there was no mention of the victim being under the influence of any drug in the medical report.

Defence also raised objection over the FIR as there was overwriting and claimed it was modified as part of conspiracy against him. He also pointed out there was no mention of making the video viral in the FIR. Defence further raised objection on why the victim’s brother, mother and sister were not made witnesses and questioned the authenticity of the fact that the victim went to her father to tell about the incident and not her mother or sister. The defence claimed that as no biological fluids were found or matched with Ansari, the case was fake.

Observation by the court

Notably, the court categorically said that the FIR is not “encyclopedia”. It is not essential that the FIR has all the details of the incident. The overwriting, that Ansari’s counsel raised objection on, was done by the complainant over the date “7” which, the court observed, could have been done to correct a mistake. The court further noted that people coming from rural background are not expected to take care of all the legal aspects while writing the complaint. The court said minor mistakes do not make the victim’s testimony unreliable.

Though it was unclear who made the video, the viral video of the incident was accepted by the court as evidence. Furthermore, the video was shared in a WhatsApp group of the villagers. Principal of the college, Santosh Verma, saw the video in that group.

Source: Kushinagar District Court

The court further dismissed the objection raised on not making mother, sister and brother witnesses stating that if the victim’s testimony is found to be true by the court, there is no need to make family members witnesses.

While dismissing the objection that no biological fluid was found on the victim, the court noted that sperm can be taken from the vagina of the victim even after 24 to 48 hours of the incident only if the vagina is not washed. As the medical examination was done 49 hours after the incident, the victim could have washed her private parts and taken a bath. It could be the reason no biological fluid was found.

In its judgment, the court referred to verses from the Manusmriti and Ramcharitmanas to highlight the traditional Indian perspective on the respect and sanctity accorded to women. Citing “यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते रमन्ते तत्र देवता” from the Manusmriti, the court noted that where women are honoured, divinity flourishes. Further quoting from the Ramcharitmanas, “अनुज बधू भगिनी सुत नारी। सुनु सठ कुमति सम ए चारी।।
इन्हहि कु दृष्टि बिलोकइ जोई। ताहि बधे कच्छु पाप न होई।”, it explained that those who cast an evil gaze upon women such as one’s brother’s wife, sister, daughter, or son’s wife deserve no pardon for their act, and punishing such offenders is not considered sinful. These citations were used to emphasise how Indian scriptures have long upheld women’s dignity as sacred and inviolable.

Source: Kushinagar District Court

The court further stated, “In Indian culture, the relationship between a teacher and a disciple is not limited merely to education, but is a sacred and profound bond that promotes character building, as well as moral and spiritual growth. The teacher is regarded as a revered figure who guides the disciple on the right path and imparts knowledge. The disciple, in turn, is expected to show complete faith and respect towards the teacher and to follow their instructions with sincerity. The purpose of this tradition is to instil knowledge for self-realisation and to maintain balance in life.”

Judgment

In its verdict, the court sentenced the accused Moinuddin Ansari to lifetime imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life under Section 6 of the POCSO Act for committing sexual offence against a minor. He was also fined Rs 5,00,000 and in case of non-payment, he would face an additional two years of imprisonment. Furthermore, he was sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 25,000 under Section 351(3) of BNSS with a further six months of imprisonment in default of payment. The court directed that 70% of the fine amount be provided to the victim as compensation through the District Legal Services Authority. The sentence shall run concurrently with any previous sentence awarded to the accused.

Click on the link to read the judgment.

Karnataka govt fixes sugarcane price at Rs 3,300 per ton: What triggered the 9-day protests and how Siddaramaiah tried to pass the buck to the Centre. Explained

Divya Bharti
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Karnataka govt fixes sugarcane price at Rs 3,300 per ton: What triggered the 9-day protests and how Siddaramaiah tried to pass the buck to the Centre. Explained

After nine days of intense protests in North Karnataka, the sugarcane farmers withdrew their protest on Friday, 7th November evening, as part of a compromise between the state government and sugar mill owners. The farmers had demanded a better price for their product, as increasing costs and production surplus made the existing rate unsustainable.

Protest and farmers’ demands

Farmers from Belagavi, Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Vijayanagara, Bidar, Gadag, Hubballi-Dharwad, and Haveri districts had taken to the streets since October 30. They sought a higher sugarcane price than the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) fixed by the Central government. While the FRP for the 2025-26 season stands at Rs 3,550 per tonne for a basic recovery rate of 10.25 %, the farmers end up receiving only about Rs 2,600 to Rs 3,000 per tonne after deducting harvesting and transportation charges that together range from Rs 800 to Rs 900 per tonne.

Farmers argued that the amount was not enough to cover the rising costs of labour, fertilisers, irrigation, and fuel. They demanded a net payment of Rs 3,500 per tonne after deducting harvesting and transport expenses, saying that only this rate would make sugarcane cultivation sustainable.

Government-farmer talks and agreement

After several rounds of fruitless discussions, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah held a seven-hour-long marathon meeting in Bengaluru on Friday with representatives of 81 sugar factories from across the state. This included 11 cooperative units, one government-run factory, and 69 privately owned mills.

By the end of the meeting, an agreement was reached to pay sugarcane farmers Rs 3,300 per tonne. As part of the deal, sugar mills will pay Rs 3,250 per tonne, while the state government will add a Rs 50 subsidy. This rate excludes harvesting and transport costs. The decision effectively increases the price by Rs 100 over the rate earlier proposed by the Belagavi district administration.

Siddaramaiah announced the decision in Bengaluru, saying, “The government and factory owners have decided to contribute Rs 50 each, ensuring that farmers receive Rs 3,300 per tonne.” Soon after, farmer leaders in Belagavi declared an end to the protests, including the highway blockade near Hukkeri, where minor incidents of stone-throwing and police intervention had been reported earlier.

Political tussle between the State and Centre

The issue also highlighted tensions between the Karnataka Congress government and the BJP-led Central government over pricing policy. Siddaramaiah wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an urgent meeting to discuss sugarcane pricing reforms and to allow states to fix or endorse a “net price” for farmers after harvesting and transport deductions.

In his letter, Siddaramaiah argued that the real problem lies in the Central policy decisions. He pointed out flaws in the FRP formula, stagnant Minimum Support Price (MSP) for sugar, export restrictions, and insufficient ethanol procurement from sugar-based feedstock all of which, he said, were hurting farmers’ earnings.

“The Centre has increased the sugar recovery rate benchmark from 9.5 % in 2017-18 to 10.25 % now, but it has not adjusted the FRP to reflect the higher costs faced by farmers,” the Chief Minister said. He urged the Centre to permit states to make pricing adjustments so that farmers could earn a fair amount.

The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi, meanwhile, advised the state government to settle the issue by holding proper consultations with farmers and mills rather than escalating the confrontation. “The state government should sit with all sides and reach an amicable solution,” Joshi said at a press conference on Thursday.

Why farmers rejected earlier price offers

Karnataka is among India’s largest sugarcane-producing states. The state produced about 5.6 crore metric tonnes of sugar in 2024, and this year’s production is expected to cross 6 crore metric tonnes due to favourable conditions. The high production, however, has led to a surplus, adding pressure on prices and factory payments.

Earlier this year, the Belagavi district magistrate had fixed cane prices at Rs 3,100 per tonne for 10.5 % sugar recovery and Rs 3,200 for 11.25 % recovery. Farmers had rejected those rates, saying they were too low to be sustainable. The revised Rs 3,300 per tonne brings some relief, though farmers have said they will continue to seek longer-term policy changes.

By Friday night, as news of the agreement spread, protests across Belagavi and surrounding regions were withdrawn. Farmers dismantled road blockades, and local leaders thanked the government for listening to their concerns. The police also released several detained protesters.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the resolution showed the government’s commitment to protecting the interests of farmers while maintaining law and order. “We have taken this decision by putting farmers’ welfare first,” he said, expressing hope that all sides would cooperate to avoid future confrontations.

With the immediate crisis resolved, Karnataka’s sugarcane farmers now look to both the state and Central governments for a lasting solution to pricing disputes that have become a recurring issue during every crushing season.

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