On Monday (19th February), a large group of women took to the streets in Panchla town in the Howrah district of West Bengal over incidents of illegal land grabbing by a local Trinamool Congress leader named Sheikh Khalil Ahmed.
Armed with sticks and brooms, they were seen protesting against the filling of sand in the town’s largest water body, which is spread over 360 bighas. The women have accused Khalil and his men of illegally occupying the land of farmers.
They also said that the TMC leader has also purchased land at throwaway prices. According to ABP Ananda, goons associated with Sheikh Khalil Ahmed attacked the residents of Panchla on Sunday (18th February) after the latter objected to their illegal activities.
A police complaint to this effect was later filed by the victims with the local police. As such on Monday (19th February), the women of Panchla town took matters into their own hands and stopped vehicles carrying sand to the town’s largest water body.
A state of chaos ensued in the area, post which a police team reached the spot to pacify the angry demonstrators. A contingent of RAF (Rapid Action Force) was also deployed by the State government to stop the women-led agitation.
In the meantime, local TMC MLA Gulshan Mullick has cried foul over the matter and accused the BJP of supposedly ‘politicising’ the incident. He also claimed that the saffron party ‘instigated’ the women to take to the street with brooms and sticks.
While speaking about the development to News18 Bangla, a woman informed, “We had a Dighi (water body) which is now being filled. They have taken our land and also filled sand on it. We are left with nothing to eat.”
She added that the Dighi was used by the residents of Panchla town for taking baths, immersing the idols of deities and doing everyday tasks. “They did not buy this land but started filling it with sand. So we are protesting against this.”
A local BJP leader, identified as Poulomi Adak, stated, “The main occupation here is farming. In order to destroy the livelihoods of local residents, they (TMC goons) decided to fill up the Dighi with sand. As a result, the areas will be flooded during the monsoon season.”
She added, “The local administration, panchayat, Block Development Officer (BDO) is absolutely ineffective. And this is happening under the watch of Khalil who is the Deputy Panchayat Head here.”
Similar situation in Sandeshkhali village
On 8th February this year, hundreds of women in Sandeshkhali took to the streets to protest against land grabbing, non-payment of wages and sexual violence committed by Trinamool Congress goon Sheikh Shahjahan and his two aides Shiba Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar.
The women attacked Shahjahan’s illicitly obtained properties and set fire to a poultry farm owned by Shiba Prasad Hazra. They also surrounded the Sandeshkali police station and demanded the immediate arrest of the trio. The agitation in the village lasted for 3 days.
During that time, the TMC goons retaliated and the police acted as mute spectators. In several cases, the cops themselves resorted to harassment of the women. It had come to light that the residents were the subject of sexual violence by the TMC for a long time.
On 10th February, the local police imposed Section 144 in various areas in Sandeshkhali and also banned the use of the Internet in 16 panchayats scattered over the two blocks of Sandeshkhali-I and Sandeshkhali-II.
In a bid to pacify the angry villagers of Sandeshkhali, the TMC leadership suspended Uttam Sardar from the party for six years. The suspended TMC leader and Zilla Parishad member was subsequently arrested in the Sandeshkhali police station area.
The Mamata Banerjee-led-TMC government arrested a former CPI(M) MLA named Nirpada Sardar in connection to the case on 11th February. BJP leader Vikas Singh, who happens to be the Convenor of the Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency, was also arrested in connection to the women’s protest against TMC goons.
On Friday (17th February), the police arrested TMC leader Shibu Prasad Hazra over land grabbing and sexual exploitation of women in Sandeshkhali. The primary accused Sheikh Shahjahan, is still on the run from the law enforcement authorities.
After the Centre brought a proposal to purchase crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP), farmers leaders rejected the proposal on Monday evening, saying that it had nothing for them.
Addressing a press conference, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said that after the discussion, the forums rejected the proposal.
“After the discussion of both forums, it has been decided that if you analyse, there is nothing in the government’s proposal. Our government imports palm oil worth Rs 1.75 crore from outside that also causes illness to general public. If this money is given to the farmers of the country to grow oil seed crops and MSP is announced, then that money can be used here. This is not on the favour of farmers. We reject it,” he said.
“If the government is not giving legal guarantee of MSP, it means that the farmers of the country will continue to be looted. This is not acceptable,” he added.
After the fourth round of talks, General Secretary of Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee Sarvan Singh Pandher asserted that the farmers will continue to move forward with the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on February 21 adding that the discussion will also be held on the proposal proposed by the government on MSP.
Now, the farmers will continue their ‘Dilli Chalo’ march on February 21.
Earlier, Jagjit Singh Dallewal said that we had a detailed discussion on our (farmers’) demands during the fourth round of talks with the government.
“The government has given us a proposal, which guarantees MSP on pulses, maize and cotton, which will be supervised and managed by two government agencies,” says SKM (Non-Political) leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal after the conclusion of the meeting between protesting farmer unions and Union Ministers in Chandigarh,” he added.
Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Charuni said on Monday that the government must add oil seeds and Bajra also under the MSP, warning that if Centre doesn’t agree by February 21, Haryana too will join the agitation.
The agitating farmers from Punjab have raised various demands including an ordinance on ensuring legal guarantees for MSPs and loan waivers.
The two sides — ministers and farmer leaders — had met earlier on February 8, 12 and 15 but talks remained inconclusive. (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)
A major diplomatic rift has been sparked between Brazil and Israel after Brazilian President Luiz Inacio da Silva compared the situation in Gaza to the Holocaust. Lula da Silva stated that Israel’s treatment of the people in Gaza is similar to what Hitler did to Jews.
As per reports, Brazil’s ambassador to Israel Frederico Meyer was called to the Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem in Jerusalem by the Israeli government and was given what can be called as a ‘formal reprimand’ over Lula’s comments. Following the development, Brazil has recalled its ambassador from Israel and has summoned the Israeli ambassador, in a counter maneuver.
The Brazillian foreign ministry has made it clear that President Lula will not retract his statement on the situation in Gaza.
During an event at the African Union Summit in Adis Ababa, President Lula stated, “What is happening in the Gaza strip with the Palestinian people has no parallel in other historical moments. It only existed in history when Hitler decided to kill the Jews”.
Following Lula’s statement, Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz announced that President Lula is not welcome in Israel until he retracts his statement.
Brazillian ambassador to Israel Frederico Meyer was called for a meeting by the Israeli Foreign Minister at the Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem, not at his office. At the Yad Vashem, Meyer was forced to listen to a statement in Hebrew, without an interpreter or translating device, “without knowing what was being said to him”, as per reports in the Israeli media.
Katz reportedly told Meyer that “Israel will not forget and will not forgive”.
Following the incident, Brazil registered a strong protest and recalled Ambassador Frederico Meyer back to Brazil.
Israeli ambassador in Brasil Daniel Zonshine was similarly summoned by Brazilian foreign minister Mauro Vieira for a ‘harsh’ communication.
In addition to all this, the Brazilian government has made it clear that President Lula’s statement will not be retracted.
It is notable here that Israel declared an all-out war against Hamas after Hamas terrorists from Gaza launched a massive attack against Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023. Over 1300 civilians including entire families, women, children, and elderly were brutally massacred by Hamas terrorists. Hundreds of civilians, including dozens of foreign citizens were kidnapped and taken into Gaza. So far the Israeli offensive in Gaza has destroyed hundreds of buildings that were being used as terrorist hideouts. Thousands of people have lost lives in what is being described as a major humanitarian crisis. Egypt, which has a border with the Gaza Strip, has refused to take in refugees.
A Beef mandi running in Alwar, Rajasthan was recently busted after which the Bhajan Lal Sharma-led BJP state government swung into action on 19th February. As per reports, the entire concerned Police Station has been attached to the police line (line hazir) and 4 Policemen have been suspended so far in the Beef Mandi case. Additionally, the administration has also reportedly taken bulldozer action on the beef mandi.
The Beef Mandi was busted by a ground report of Dainik Bhaskar journalists Rajkumar Jain and Radheshyam. Following the startling revelation, Jaipur Range IG Umesh Chandra Dutt himself went to the spot and investigated the matter. According to media reports, about 600 cows were slaughtered every month in this Beef mandi. Additionally, it was operating Home delivery of beef in over 50 villages through a WhatsApp group and was supplying beef to about 300 shops.
According to the report, about 20 cows were being slaughtered daily for home delivery. It was running unabated allegedly with the collusion of the policemen. Following the media report, when Police raided the spot, the suspected cattle smugglers absconded. Their vehicles have been confiscated. The dead remains of many cows including skin and bones have been recovered from the spot.
Dainik Bhaskar busted the Beef mandi in the Baas police station area of Alwar on Sunday (18th February 2024). The expose featured videos showing cows being mercilessly slaughtered and their skins being removed in the forests of Gidvada near Rundh, close to Birasangpur. Orders for beef were taken on WhatsApp and supplied to homes. Hundreds of buyers also used to come to this Mandi. This cow slaughter beef mandi is spread over an area of about 10 kilometres.
As per the reports, it was claimed that even after being informed about the beef mandi, the police took no action. After the disclosure, the Bhajan Lal government took cognizance of the matter. Under the leadership of IG Umesh Chandra Datt of Jaipur Range, raids were conducted in those forests of the Baas area, where cow slaughter was claimed to be happening. The information was found to be accurate. Upon seeing the police, the culprits abandoned their vehicles and fled.
Alwar Beef Mandi: वन मंत्री संजय शर्मा एक्शन में, Beef मामले में अधिकारियों की लगाई क्लास! pic.twitter.com/1FI3YshXDM
IG has suspended Head Constable Raghuvir along with ASI Gyan Chand and Beat Constable Swam Prakash and Ravikant. Along with this, Station House Officer Dinesh Meena, along with 38 staff of Baas police station, has been attached to the police line (line hazir). There are also claims in some reports that beef biryani was being sold in many places in the area of Alwar, covering 60 kilometres. Cow smugglers were earning up to about 4 lakh rupees every month by selling the meat, bones, and hides of cows.
Now the operators of the beef mandi are being identified and strict action is being taken against them. So far, 25 accused have been named in the FIR related to cow slaughter. About a dozen motorcycles along with one pickup jeep found in the beef market have been seized and impounded.
In a startling development, on Thursday, Bengal police forcefully detained and apprehended a Republic TV journalist who was actively reporting on the Sandeshkhali incident. “I’m being taken into custody by the police. They’re arresting me for conducting interviews with the mothers of Sandeshkhali,” expressed Santu Pan, a reporter with Republic Bangla, as he was forcefully escorted by the police at the Sandeshkhali ferry terminal.
Journalist of @BanglaRepublic. Santu Pan has been arrested by WB Police in Sandeshkhali. This is how democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of press runs in Bengal. Kudos to the fearless reporter for this display of courage. pic.twitter.com/jEuWr1XbKF
In the footage, numerous heavily armed police officers were observed shoving and rough-handling the journalist before forcibly removing him. Earlier, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari informed the Republic, “There’s utter chaos in Sandeshkhali. Women are being prevented from expressing themselves.”
Besides his relentless coverage on Sandeshkhali, Pan is known for asking hard-hitting question to TMC strongman Abhishek Banerjee.
Santu Pan is the 1st journalist who dared to question Abhishek Banerjee.
Today he is arrested by WB POLICE.
The message is clear –
If you lick the feet of TMC as journalist you'll be sent to RS like Sagarika Ghose
In response to the arrest, Arnab Goswami, the Managing Director of Republic TV, announced that the company would promptly file a case in the Kolkata High Court challenging the arrest of Santu Pan.
Expressing dismay at the detention of the Republic Bangla reporter, Sukanta Majumdar, the President of Bengal’s BJP, conveyed to the Republic, “This marks a dark day, truly shameful. Mamata should feel ashamed of such actions. Such brutality arises from a leader who has lost public backing.” Before his arrest, Santu Pan was instructed to depart. “I’m just fulfilling my duty. Why obstruct me? Am I being detained?” Pan queried.
Mamata Banerjee attributed blame to the BJP and “a few media channels” for magnifying trivial matters, completely downplaying the events at Sandeshkhali. Following a temporary lifting of Section 144 for a week, the Kolkata High Court permitted Suvendu Adhikari and other plaintiffs to visit the areas affected by violence in Sandeshkhali.
The Background of the Controversy
On 8th February this year, hundreds of women in Sandeshkhali took to the streets to protest against land grabbing, non-payment of wages and sexual violence committed by Trinamool Congress goon Sheikh Shahjahan and his two aides Shiba Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar.
The women attacked Shahjahan’s illicitly obtained properties and set fire to a poultry farm owned by Shiba Prasad Hazra. They also surrounded the Sandeshkali police station and demanded the immediate arrest of the trio. The agitation in the village lasted for 3 days.
During that time, the TMC goons retaliated and the police acted as mute spectators. In several cases, the cops themselves resorted to harassment of the women. It had come to light that the residents were the subject of sexual violence by the TMC for a long time.
On 10th February, the local police imposed Section 144 in various areas in Sandeshkhali and also banned the use of the Internet in 16 panchayats scattered over the two blocks of Sandeshkhali-I and Sandeshkhali-II.
In a bid to pacify the angry villagers of Sandeshkhali, the TMC leadership suspended Uttam Sardar from the party for six years. The suspended TMC leader and Zilla Parishad member was subsequently arrested in the Sandeshkhali police station area.
The Mamata Banerjee-led-TMC government arrested a former CPI(M) MLA named Nirpada Sardar in connection to the case on 11th February. BJP leader Vikas Singh, who happens to be the Convenor of the Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency, was also arrested in connection to the women’s protest against TMC goons.
On Friday (17th February), the police arrested TMC leader Shibu Prasad Hazra over land grabbing and sexual exploitation of women in Sandeshkhali. The primary accused Sheikh Shahjahan, is still on the run from the law enforcement authorities.
On 22nd January 2024, the idol of Ram Lalla was consecrated at his Janmabhoomi (birthplace) in Ayodhya according to Hindu rituals. For over a month, the OpIndia team has been informing people about numerous anonymous devotees who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for the Ram Mandir for five centuries. Meanwhile, in our ground reports, several Ram devotees mentioned the names of a few villains in the Ram Mandir movement, with Munnan Khan being one of them.
Munnan Khan served as MP from Balrampur and was close to Former UP CM Mulayam Singh Yadav. It is alleged that Khan carried out the massacre of karsevaks in Ayodhya in 1990. As per the allegations, Khan’s henchmen killed Ram devotees while donning Police uniforms. However, they were not police personnel but rather Khan’s private militia. Since his demise, his son Qasim Khan has allegedly continued his father’s criminal legacy. Our investigation has revealed that not only streets, villages, and a competition are named after Munnan Khan but also his name is mentioned in government records.
Now, the residents of Gonda in Uttar Pradesh are demanding that the ‘Munnan Khan Chowk’ be renamed. Officials of various Hindu organizations, businessmen and even leaders of the Congress Party are among those who have raised this demand. However, some radical supporters of Munnan Khan are still averse to the idea of renaming the crossroad named after former MP and Mulayam Singh’s aide.
Earlier areas around Munnan Khan Chowk were Brahmin-majority areas
When OpIndia’s team arrived at Munnan Khan Chowk in Gonda, we saw not very many Hindus living in and around that area. The local vendors like those selling Gauva and peanuts fell completely silent when we asked them about Munnan Khan. Interestingly, even an FIR filed by the Gonda police in 2017 read that deceased Munnan Khan’s son Qasim Khan is so dreaded in the locality that no one dares to come out and testify against him.
An individual, who requested anonymity, told us how the Brahmin community of Hindus formerly made up the majority of the population in the now Muslim-dominated area around ‘Munnan Khan Chowk’.
He said that over time the number of Muslims continued to rise and as a result, the demography of the areas stretching several kilometres from Gonda Chowk to Khorhasa Bazaar and Darji Kuan changed. However, there is a small hamlet called Budhai Ka Purwa near the Munnan Khan Chowk which is still predominantly occupied by the Brahmin community.
He added that the place which is now called ‘Munnan Khan Chowk’ was known as Kamal Tanki before 1990. At that time there used to be a petrol pump named Kamal in the same place.
Posters of Maharishi Patanjali put up by BJP MLA who demanded the renaming of ‘Munnan Khan Chowk’ were torn
During the first term of the Yogi government, Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Prateek Bhushan Singh attempted to rename Munnan Khan Chowk. He wanted to name this intersection after Maharishi Patanjali, the ‘father of Yoga’. The BJP MLA had at that time put up posters of Maharishi Patanjali at the crossroad named after Munnan Khan.
Gonda’s VHP karyakarta Rakesh Verma Guddu told us that the radical Muslims in the area, who hero-worship Munnan Khan, were so agitated by this initiative that they tore all the posters of Maharishi Patanjali that the BJP MLA had put up in the area. However, no legal action could be taken against the accused as that crossroad’s name wasn’t Maharishi Patanjali Square.
Dhirendra Pandey, a social worker in Gonda, also told us that the fundamentalists had also gone on to destroy a board that was installed in Maharishi Patanjali’s honour.
Similarly, full-fledged protests were carried out when it was proposed that a police station falling on the Munnan Khan intersection be named Sadbhavna.
Sadbhavana PS in Munnan Khan Chowk (Image credit: Hindi OpIndia)
Bharat Yadav, a retired police officer who served as the district superintendent of Gonda in 2017, spoke to OpIndia. He asserted that he was instrumental in the setting up of the police station at the Munnan Khan Chowk. He added that the exponential increase in criminal activities in and around Munnan Khan Chowk, necessitated authorities to open a police station in that area. The police station was inaugurated with the help of locals on 22nd October 2017. VHP official Rakesh Verma said that at that time many people from the Muslim community had opposed the formation of a police station there.
Rakesh Verma listed two specific reasons why the Muslim community had opposed the police station. He said that the primary reason for the opposition was that the daily crimes being committed by anti-social elements would be curbed and secondly, it was not named after Munnan Khan.
Along with ex-DSP Bharat Yadav, SP Umesh Kumar Singh had also faced a lot of opposition from the local Muslims, when the police station was being set up. Yadav also confirmed that a massive protest was carried out in 2017 when the police station was inaugurated in the area. “Some people like darkness and some people like light,” said Yadav while recalling the protests that were carried out by Munnan Khan’s aides.
Gonda ex-DSP Bharat Yadav (Image credit: Hindi OpIndia)
Many including a Congress leader demanded the renaming of Munnan Khan Chowk
During our investigation, OpIndia’s team met many residents in Gonda. Almost every permanent and temporary resident of Gonda City was aware of the Munnan Khan intersection. Most of them were in favour of renaming the intersection. District Vice President of Congress Party Dilip Shukla was also among them. While talking to us, Dilip said that he wants the Munnan Khan intersection to be named after a person who has contributed to the independence and progress of the country.
Congress leader Dilip Shukla (Image credit: Hindi OpIndia)
For instance, Dipika Shukla proposed renaming the Chowk after the Gonda king, Raja Devi Baksh Singh. It was approximately in the year 1850 that Raja Devi Baksh defeated Wajid Ali Shah and acquired control of the Ramjanmabhoomi complex from the Mughals and constructed a Ram Chabootra (platform) there.
Dilip Shukla said that Munnan Khan utilized his political connections and clout to get the intersections named after him. Shukla added that Munnan Khan was a strong, authoritative figure at that time.
A Gonda businessman named Chandan Gupta, while talking to OpIndia, also raised the demand to change the name of the Munnan Khan intersection. Chandan Gupta said that no civilized person likes former MP Munnan Khan because in 1988 when extremist Muslims started rioting when Hindus were carrying out a Shobhayatra in Colonelganj, Gonda, he had instigated attacks on Hindus with his gang.
Chandan added that if this intersection was named after some revolutionary or great man, it would have sent a good and positive message to the people. In the end, Chandan expressed hope that the current UP Government led by Yogi Adityanath would rename this intersection soon.
PWD Board placed in Munnan Khan Chowk (Image credit: Hindi OpIndia)
Suresh Gupta, a social worker from the Gonda district, also spoke to OpIndia. He said that his heart weeps every time he notices the PWD board when he passes the intersection. Suresh lamented how previously it was Munnan Khan and now several of his family members who are involved in criminal activities in the area. He also alleged that the Munnan Khan Chowk had become a hub for several goons and criminals from the surrounding districts.
Gupta recalled how the local goons used to gather at the Chowk, adding that in those days hooliganism was at its peak in the area.
He asserted that if Munnan Khan Chowk was not renamed during Yogi Adityanath’s regime, then perhaps it would be impossible to bring about the change. As an alternative, he suggested that the Chowk could be named after any legendary revolutionary and leader who has contributed to the nation.
Dhirendra Pratap Pandey, a social worker and resident of Gonda, spoke with OpIndia. He said that there is no justification as to why the crossroad was named after Munnan Khan because he, in those days was an MP and had used his political connections to get the intersection named after himself.
Saying this, he urged the Yogi government to rename the intersection. He too believed that maybe the government should consider renaming the Chowk after Raja Devi Baksh Singh, the Gonda monarch who fought for the Ram Mandir between the years 1847 and 1857 and constructed a Ram Chabootra (platform) there.
Dhirendra added that since Munnan Khan was an anarchist more than a political leader, renaming the Chowk after Mangal Pandey would also be a better option.
Gonda’s electricity department also officially uses the name ‘Munnan Khan Chowk’ for the intersection (Image credit: Hindi OpIndia)
Gonda District Court lawyer Arvind Shukla spoke to OpIndia. He told us that there have been many revolutionaries in the Gonda district and it would be better if the Munnan Khan intersection was named after one of them.
Let us tell you that Indian revolutionary Rajendra Lahri, the mastermind of the Kakori incident during the British era, was hanged in Gonda jail on 17 December 1927. This jail is situated just a short distance from the so-called Munnan Khan intersection.
During our conversation, Rakesh Verma aka Guddu, a member of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, expressed hope that the Yogi government will soon issue an order to rename the places that bear Munnan Khan’s name and remove his name from all official government records. He said it was regrettable that the crossroad and other locations were named after Bahubali Munnan Khan. A village or crossroads bearing Munnan Khan’s name does not send the correct message to a civilized society, claims Rakesh Verma, because Munnan Khan devoted his entire life to playing communal politics to advance the interests of the radical members of his community and carrying out criminal activities.
The Chowk was and will always remain in the name of Munnan Khan
OpIndia talked with the owner of a store at the Munnan Khan crossroads that sold gutka cigarettes and other items. There were festoons with moon and stars imprinted on them hanging on the entrance of the store. We asked the shopkeeper whether the intersection should be renamed. The shopkeeper retorted sharply, “Does not matter what people say, this Chowk is called Munnan Khan Chowk and it will remain that way. People can say whatever they wish.”
Another shopkeeper who makes punctures right in front of Munnan Khan’s house shared similar views. He said that there are rumours that the Munnan Khan intersection’s name is being changed, however, it is still called Munnan Khan Chowk.
The gutka cigarettes shop at Munnan Khan Chowk (Image credit: Hindi OpIndia)
Muslim community also views Munnan Khan as a criminal
OpIndia came across two Muslim individuals near the Munnan Khan crossroads. Iqbal was the name of one of them. They both said that Munnan Khan was a criminal. However, out of fear for their safety, they both urged us to not disclose their identities.
“We have to go back home at night. Who knows what is going on in someone’s mind? Iqbal said, acknowledging that there was a lot of lawlessness in the area when the Samajwadi Party was at the helm in Uttar Pradesh which the Yogi government has ended.
Notably, OpIndia had previously reported on how not only streets, villages, and a competition are named after Munnan Khan but also his name is mentioned in government records.
In a major claim on Monday (19th February), West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could soon visit violence-hit Sandeshkhali and meet the women victims who have raised allegations of systemic sexual harassment and rape against TMC leaders.
In an exclusive Interview with India Today TV, LoP Adhikari stated that PM Modi is likely to pay a visit to West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district and meet the Sandeshkhali victims of sexual harassment and rape.
Adhikari told India Today that preparations are being made for the visit of PM Modi. He, however, added that the dates for his visit will be finalised by the Prime Minister’s Office. But India Today citing sources mentioned that the Prime Minister will visit Barasat in North 24 Parganas on 7th March.
Meanwhile, after the Calcutta High Court granted him permission, Adhikari will Sandeshkhali on Tuesday (20th February). According to him, he will be accompanied by four to five MLAs. Pertinent to note that he was forced to approach the court after West Bengal police stopped him from going to the violence-hit Sandeshkhali village twice, last week.
Earlier in the day, the state BJP unit launched a scathing attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) over the Sandeshkhali horror alleging that “goons” were “hunting down” Hindu women and sexually assaulting them. BJP MP Locket Chatterjee addressed a press conference in Delhi. In the press conference, she said that houses of women, who alleged sexual assault by local TMC leaders, were being looted after they shared their ordeal in news interviews.
She addressed the press conference a day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spoke on the Sandeshkhali unrest stating, “an incident was made to happen”. She blamed it on the BJP alleging that it scripted this along with the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Sandeshkhali horror
Tensions have been high in Sandeshkhali which initially began a month ago when an ED team was targeted by a mob when it was bound to conduct a raid on TMC strongman leader Sheikh Shahjahan. In the violent attack, ED officials were severely injured. Following the attack on ED persons, TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan went into hiding. Meanwhile, the financial probe agency conducted raids on his house in Sandeskhali in connection with an alleged ration scam.
While Sheikh Shajahan went into hiding, multiple women from the village, came out to share their ordeal with local media in his absence. The Sandeshkhali women have alleged that the TMC leaders led by Sheikh Shahjahan and his accomplices Uttam Sardar and Shibu Hazra carried out systemic sexual exploitation, rape, and land grabbing among others.
When a woman victim gave a statement before the magistrate, West Bengal police added sections of rape in the FIR against the three TMC leaders. As per the latest reports, the woman has alleged that her home was attacked by ‘men wearing police uniform’.
Currently, Shahjahan is absconding, and his close aides Shibu Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar have been arrested by the West Bengal police.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has reportedly issued a clarification after Mamata Banerjee claimed that the Modi government is ‘secretly’ cancelling the Aadhar Cards of people of West Bengal.
The development was confirmed by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Monday (19th February). In a tweet, he shared the screenshot of the ‘feedback’ page of UIDAI and remarked, ” UIDAI has issued clarification that no Aadhar Card has been cancelled.”
“I urge everyone not to believe any gossip or misinformation. The Chief Minister is unnecessarily trying to create panic. No one should be worried,” he emphasised.
UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) has issued clarification that no Aadhar Card has been cancelled.
I urge everyone not to believe any gossip or misinformation. The Chief Minister is unnecessarily trying to create panic. No one should be worried:- pic.twitter.com/ynVnkOEmK8
— Suvendu Adhikari • শুভেন্দু অধিকারী (@SuvenduWB) February 19, 2024
The feedback page of the UIDAI states that no Aadhar number has been cancelled. It further adds that messages are sent to Aadhar card holders from time to time to update the database.
“Aadhaar, as the most commonly used digital identity, is used to avail of numerous subsidies, benefits and services. In view of the same, for maintaining the accuracy of the Aadhaar database, UIDAI had initiated an exercise for update of documents and Aadhaar information. In the course of activities undertaken to keep the Aadhaar database updated, intimations are issued from time to time to Aadhaar number holders. In this connection, it is clarified that no Aadhaar number has been cancelled,” UIADI pointed out.
It must be mentioned that Mamata Banerjee on Sunday (18th February) accused the Modi government of secretly cancelling people’s Aadhar numbers without any prior imitation. She made the contentious remarks during a public rally in Birbhum district of West Bengal.
At about 44:35 minutes into the programme, she alleged, “Many of you are not aware of this. Stay alert! I have several news stories. They (the Modi government) are cancelling the Aadhar card of a lot of people. 50 people in Jamlpur in Bardhaman district have had their Aadhar cards suspended. It is also happening in Birbhum, North 24 Paraganas, South 24 Parganas and even North Bengal.”
“First they tell you that you cannot make a bank account without Aadhar. How dare you cancel the Aadhar cards of people without their permission? Don’t you have any shame? You are doing this before elections so that people cannot access their bank account, direct benefit transfer schemes, free ration? This is your conspiracy,” Mamata Banerjee brazened out.
She then vowed to transfer funds to beneficiaries by bypassing the Aadhar card and using other identity cards. “I want to reassure the people of Bengal that no scheme in the State will be linked to your Aadhar cards,” the West Bengal Chief Minister claimed.
This is not the first time that Mamata Banerjee has tried to create hysteria about Aahdar cards. In April last year, she alleged that Aadhar verification was supposedly a ploy to implement CAA and NRC in Bengal.
Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad on Monday stirred a controversy when he asked whether the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya would eradicate poverty.
Lad said the construction of the temple was driven by political motives. “The construction of Ram Mandir will not eradicate poverty. It was constructed for their (BJP) political gains,” he said.
Lad said the chosen location of the temple deviated from the Supreme Court’s suggested site.
“We are not opposing Ram Mandir construction. The place where it has been constructed is not correct. It was not constructed where the Supreme Court suggested. They have constructed only 40 per cent of it,” he said.
He challenged the government’s narrative, asking whether the construction of the Ram Mandir had led to the eradication of poverty or brought any benefits to the farmers. Lad pointed to the ongoing farmer protests, questioning the government’s commitment to addressing their concerns
“What did you benefit from it, what did our sisters benefit from it? Why is the BJP asking for votes on the basis of a mandir? Have the farmers benefited? If they would have benefited, why are farmers protesting? Why are bulldozers and tear gas being used against the farmers?” he asked.
Reacting to the statements made by the Congress leader over the site of the construction of Ram Mandir, former Karnataka Chief Minister Basvaraj Bommai said, “The place where the Ram Mandir is built, is the site where Ram Lalla (sanctum sanctorum) was there 500 years ago. Santosh Lad was not born 500 years ago to ascertain all this. There are lot of things in the state for him to do, he should concentrate on that,” he said.
Condemning the statement made by Santosh Lad, former Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, C.N Ashwathnarayan said, “Santosh Lad must know the history of Ram Mandir, people waited for the temple to be built and people are happy. Instead of speaking politics, Santosh Lad must speak reality. I strongly condemn his statement.”
Meanwhile, Karnataka Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad backed the statements made by Santosh Lad and said, “What is wrong in speaking truth? BJP is using the narrative of Ram Mandir and other emotional things for many reasons. It is a hard truth that they utilize only emotional issues because they don’t have developmental things for any election.”
It has been almost ten days since the Haldwani violence took place. Since then, the region has been under the radar from the Chief Minister to media houses. Ground reports and official investigation revealed that an unruly mob attacked police and government officials who went there to remove illegal encroachment in Banbhoolpura. Witnesses and circumstantial evidence pointed fingers at the rioters. Ordinary citizens who had nothing to do with the dispute suffered due to the violence.
OpIndia ground reports revealed that the administration and peaceful ordinary citizens together faced a violent mob that was prepared in advance. While the situation was returning to normal in Haldwani, a self-proclaimed “fact-finding team”, including Harsh Mander, reached there, possibly to instigate locals. The first thing that the fact-finding team did was to give clean chit to stone pelters, arsoners and illegal encroachers and then blamed the administration for what happened.
They accused District Magistrate (DM) Vandana Singh of the violence and implicated Municipal Corporation officials for the incident of violence. So-called activist Nadim Khan led the fact-finding team. He accused DM Singh of the violence. Harsh Mander, facing a CBI investigation due to irregularities in his NGO, was also part of the fact-finding team. They accused the administration of demolishing a 20-year-old mosque. Furthermore, they also accused the administration of not taking the clerics into confidence before taking action. One of the clerics claimed that no information was given before demolition.
The report by the fact-finding team went viral on social media. Ali Sohrab, who had been arrested for spreading fake news, and several other social media handles posted objectionable posts. They used the hashtag #ArrestVandanaSingh to trend propaganda against the administration. Social media users like ItxHuzaifa61 used abusive language against DM Singh.
Source: X
Source: X
The cleric of Haldwani exposed the fact-finding team
The fact-finding team’s report claimed that Nainital’s DM did not meet anyone. However, in the grounds report of OpIndia, it was revealed that she not only met people from various parts of the city but also met ordinary people who were affected by the violence. She also convened a meeting of all concerned people from different sections of the society on 17th February, where everyone expressed their views openly.
Imam Mohammad Mukeem Kazmi of Umra Mosque in Haldwani was also at the meeting. Expressing deep regret over the violence, he praised the open-heartedness of the Nainital administration. He appealed to the administration not to spare any rioters, irrespective of their background. Furthermore, he also praised the administration and police for not losing their cool when stones were pelted at them.
Despite the violent activities, he thanked the ordinary people in the meeting for not considering the people of Banbhoolpura as outsiders. He said that due to consistent efforts of the local administration, the situation came under control.
The lease was over, and the land was to be used for the welfare of the poor
The fact-finding team’s report claimed that the 20-year-old mosque was demolished and claimed the madarsa was legal. However, on 17th February, DM Singh said the encroachment was removed as the lease was over. Despite the notice, the encroachers were not ready to leave. The state government wanted to use the land for welfare projects. These projects will specifically focus on the children of the poor whose family members come to Haldwani to earn livelihood from other regions. However, the fact-finding committee failed to acknowledge that the land meant for the welfare of the poor was illegally encroached on by Abdul Malik, the main accused of the violence.
नगर निगम की जिस भूमि की लीज खत्म हो गई है, प्रशासन द्वारा उन्हें कब्ज़ा मुक्त करा के वहाँ जनहित के काम कराने की योजना है। देश के विभिन्न हिस्सों से आने वाले श्रमिकों, उनके परिजनों-बच्चों के लिए भी उस क्षेत्र में काम होंगे।
Ignoring the misleading allegations and abuses against her, DM Singh maintained a firm stance against the culprits. She said that people involved in the wrongdoings in the district are being identified, and necessary action will be taken against them following an investigation.
Compensation to the victims and not the rioters
On 17th February, Uttar Pradesh Minority Commission’s Deputy Chairman Mazhar Naim Nawab was also present in the meeting held in Haldwani. In a statement, he categorically ignored the reports of the fact-finding committee. He demanded compensation for the victims, police and municipal staff who got injured during the violence and urged not to compensate the rioters. He said a letter in this regard has already been sent to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Mazhar extended support for the administration and not the rioters.
Rumours and fake reports by so-called fact-finding teams
The fact-finding team was not the only one spreading misinformation about the Haldwani violence. Within 48 hours, a group of media started spreading rumours that the supply of essential items was stopped in the affected areas and Muslims were left hungry. However, the OpIndia team on ground zero revealed that the administration was supplying essential items such as milk, etc., in the violence-affected area. Despite OpIndia’s fact-check, propagandists did not delete their posts or apologise for spreading fake news.
