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‘Clashes not about the absence of a Palestinian state but about the existence of the Jewish state’: Netanyahu rejects Palestinian state in a post-war scenario

OpIndia Staff
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‘Clashes not about the absence of a Palestinian state but about the existence of the Jewish state’: Netanyahu rejects Palestinian state in a post-war scenario

In a press conference on Thursday (18th January) Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu minced no words in rejecting the prospect of a Palestinian state as he said that “Israel needs security control all territory west of Jordan adding that this contradicts the premise of ‘Palestinian sovereignty’.

Rejecting the calls by the United States for a two-state solution after the Israel-Hamas war, the Israeli Prime Minister said, “In any future arrangement … Israel needs security control all territory west of Jordan. This clashes with the idea of (Palestinian) sovereignty. What can you do? This conflict is not about the absence of a (Palestinian) state but about the existence of a state, the Jewish state.”

PM Netanyahu’s strong remarks came in response to questions over reports that he has told American officials that he is opposed to the idea of Palestinian sovereignty.

The Israeli Prime Minister further asserted that the country under his leadership will not stop until an absolute victory is secured in its war against Hamas terrorists. “Israel under my leadership will not compromise on less than total victory over Hamas, and we will win. I say this again: We are striving for total victory, not just ‘to strike Hamas’ or ‘to hurt Hamas’, not ‘another round with Hamas’ but total victory over Hamas,” PM Netanyahu said.

Moreover, he reiterated that the release of the hostages taken by Hamas is a primary goal of Israel which he opined could be achieved only through military pressure. He added that Israel aims at the complete destruction of Hamas and ensuring that Gaza never poses a threat to Israel again.

“We will continue to fight with full force until we achieve all of our goals: Returning our hostages, and I say – only continued military pressure will lead to their release. Eliminating Hamas and ensuring that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israel, that there will be no element in it that educates for terrorism, finances terrorism and sends terrorists against us….Total victory requires eliminating the terrorist leaders and destroying Hamas’s military and governing capabilities. Total victory requires returning our hostages home. Total victory requires that Gaza be demilitarized, under Israel’s full security control, with Israeli control over everything that enters Gaza. These are also the fundamental conditions for ‘the day after’…We will not finish the war before returning our loved ones home; we will not finish the war before total victory. Together we will fight, and with G-d’s help – together we will win,” PM Netanyahu said.

Meanwhile, the United States responded by stating that there is “no way” of resolving Israel’s long-term security concerns in the region, as well as the short-term challenges of rebuilding the Gaza Strip, without establishing a Palestinian state.

“We will continue to reiterate to the leadership of Israel, the Government of Israel, and to the people of Israel that these are the opportunities that they have, these are the challenges that they face, but there is no way to solve their long-term challenges to provide lasting security, and there is no way to solve the short-term challenges of rebuilding Gaza and establishing governance in Gaza, and providing security for Gaza, without the establishment of a Palestinian state,” US State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller said.

Interestingly, last week, Netanyahu rejected a proposal from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that would have led Saudi Arabia to normalise relations with Israel in exchange for Jerusalem consenting to offer the Palestinians a road to statehood. However, Netanyahu maintained that his position would not preclude Israel from broadening the circle of peace to new Arab countries.

“This truth I tell to our American friends, and I put the brakes on the attempt to coerce us to a reality that would endanger the state of Israel,” Netanyahu said.

On Thursday, White House spokesperson John Kirby was asked about Netanyahu rejecting a Palestinian state in a post-war scenario for Gaza. To this Kirby said that the Biden administration sees it ‘differently’ adding that the US President would continue to push for a two-state solution in a post-war scenario.

“I would just tell you that nothing has changed about President Biden’s desire that a two-state solution is really in the best interest of not only the Israeli people but — but, of course, the Palestinian people. In fact, it’s in the best interest of the region. And we’re not going to stop working towards that goal. This is — this is not a new comment by Prime Minister Netanyahu. We see it differently. We believe that the Palestinians have every right to live in an independent state with peace and security. And the President and his team is going to continue to work on that,” Kirby said.

Kerala: Pastor of a Pentecostal Church arrested under POCSO Act for sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala: Pastor of a Pentecostal Church arrested under POCSO Act for sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy

On Friday (19th January), the Kerala police shared that they had arrested the pastor of a Pentecostal Church for sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy in Kattakkada. The 59-year-old pastor is booked under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act. He was sent to judicial custody after presenting in a local court.

The incident took place on Wednesday (17th January) in the jurisdiction of the Kattakkada police station. The arrested accused pastor is identified as Raveendranath. He allegedly exploited the vulnerable 13-year-old victim boy who was abandoned by his mother.

The victim boy’s grandmother had gone to hospital and he was waiting for her to return when the pastor lured him under the pretense of hospitality. The pastor offered the boy cake. Then he showed him pornographic content on a tablet. He then sexually abused the boy, as per reports.

Upon receiving the complaint, the police filed an FIR and booked the pastor under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act. Raveendranath was then arrested and presented before a local court. The court has sent him to judicial custody.

Pran Pratishtha: All five Supreme Court judges who delivered historic verdict in Ram Janmabhoomi case invited as state guests

OpIndia Staff
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Pran Pratishtha: All five Supreme Court judges who delivered historic verdict in Ram Janmabhoomi case invited as state guests

All the five judges of the Supreme Court who delivered the historic verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi case have been invited as state guests for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Mandir on 22nd January.

Moreover, more than 50 jurists including former Chief Justices of India (CJIs) and lawyers have also been invited.

On 9th November 2019, the five-judge bench of the apex court put an end to the dispute that spanned centuries by handover the Ram Janmabhoomi land to Hindu parties paving the way for the Ram Mandir to be built at the birthplace of Shri Ram.

The 5-judge bench of the Supreme Court delivered a unanimous judgement in the Ram Janmabhoomi case. The top 5 senior judges decided after weighing the arguments presented by all sides for 40 days. The bench comprised the then CJI Ranjan Gogoi, former CJI SA Bobde, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and former Supreme Court judges Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer.

Delivering the much-anticipated verdict, the then CJI Ranjan Gogoi said that this court must accept the faith and belief of worshippers. Further, the Supreme Court had said that Ram Janmabhoomi is not a juristic person but Shri Ram Lalla Varjaman is.

The Apex court had also ordered the union government to provide 5 acres of land at an alternate site at a prominent location in Ayodhya to the Sunni Waqf Board to rebuild the Babri Masjid which was demolished in 1992.

Invitations have been extended to political leaders, celebrities, sportspersons and other VIP personalities for the event on 22nd January.

The rituals leading up to the ceremony have begun and will culminate with Pran Pratishtha. The idol of Shri Ram has been installed in the sanctum sanctorum.

Watch: First images of 51-inch-tall Ram Lalla idol installed in Ram Mandir Garbhagriha released

OpIndia Staff
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Watch: First images of 51-inch-tall Ram Lalla idol installed in Ram Mandir Garbhagriha released

Photographs of the idol of Lord Ram installed in the Garbhagriha of Ram Mandir surfaced on 19th January which exhibit its delicate and complex structures. The Ram Lalla idol was installed on the marble mandapa in the sanctum sanctorum on 18th January, ahead of the consecration ceremony on 22nd January. The first photo of the deity which was covered with a white veil was revealed during the placement ceremony on 18th January.

The idol is crafted from ‘shyamal’ (dark) stone which shows the Lord Ram as a five-year-old boy standing on a lotus composed of the same stone. An image of the idol was also shared by Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje who wrote, “The dream of decades has now become a reality.” However, it seems that the image was taken at the workshop, and not at the sanctum-sanctorum, as it is inside a shed.

After the installation of the idol on the marble platform yesterday, workers gave the finishing touches to the platform today.

The 150 kg and 51-inch idol, sculpted by popular Mysuru artist Arun Yogiraj who has a family background of five generations of renowned sculptors was brought to the temple on the night of 17th January accompanied by the chanting of prayers and placed on the marble pedestal in the Garbhagriha in the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra in his presence.

The idol travelled to the Ram Mandir by a procession that stopped briefly at the temple of Hanumangarhi. According to accounts, four hours of religious rites and mantra chanting were performed while the deity was positioned on the marble podium. .

The idol’s left hand has the pose of holding a bow, which has not been placed yet. However, an image of the idol taken outside the temple shows Ram Lalla holding a bow and arrow. This image also does not have the blindfold.

It is a stone statue and will transform into an idol after the Pran Pratishtha (consecration ceremony). The sculpture is going to remain covered until then. The blindfold that covers the idol’s eyes is scheduled to be taken off on the day of the Pran Pratishtha. The door of the sanctum sanctorum has also been covered with a curtain. Only a select number of priests would perform rituals till the consecration ceremony.

The Pram Pratishtha of the idol installed on the mandapa will be during the auspicious ‘Abhijeet Muhurta’ from 12.20 pm to 1 pm. Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid, a priest and Vedic scholar from Kashi will lead and manage a group of 121 acharyas who are in charge of executing the ceremonies preceding the major event. Laxmikant M Dixit from Kashi has been named as the principal acharya who is descended from the distinguished Kashi scholar Gaga Bhatt of the 17th century who headed the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj around 350 years ago in 1674.

Centre lays new rules for coaching centres, bars admission to students below 16, action to be taken against misleading ads, exorbitant fees

OpIndia Staff
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Centre lays new rules for coaching centres, bars admission to students below 16, action to be taken against misleading ads, exorbitant fees

The Ministry of Education has released new guidelines that prohibit coaching facilities from enrolling students who are less than 16 years old, making false claims, and promising a certain grade or mark.

The new guidelines call for a financial penalty of up to Rs 1 lakh or the termination of coaching institutes’ registration if they charge exorbitant prices or engage in other malpractices.

According to officials, the standards for regulating coaching institutes were developed to address the need for a legal framework and to govern the unregulated proliferation of private coaching centres.

The Ministry’s most recent recommendations were issued in response to government complaints about an increase in student suicides, fire events, a lack of facilities in coaching circumstances, and the instructional methodology used by them.

“No coaching center shall engage tutors having qualifications less than graduation. The institutions cannot make misleading promises or guarantee rank or good marks to parents for enrolling students in the coaching centers. The institutes cannot enroll students below 16 years of age. Student enrolment should be only after secondary school examination,” the guidelines said.

“The coaching institutes cannot publish or cause to be published or take part in the publication of any misleading advertisement relating to any claim, directly or indirectly, of quality of coaching or the facilities offered therein or the result procured by such coaching center or the student who attended such class,” it added.

According to the new criteria, coaching centers may not recruit any tutor or individual who has been convicted of a moral turpitude-related violation. The new standards state that an institute will not be registered unless it has a counseling system that meets the requirements of these guidelines.

“Coaching centers shall have a website with updated details of the qualification of tutors, courses/curriculum, duration of completion, hostel facilities, and the fees being charged,” the guidelines stated.

The new guidelines also instructed coaching centers to take steps to improve student’s mental health, citing intense competitiveness and academic pressure.

“They should put in place an urgent intervention strategy to provide targeted and ongoing assistance to kids who are in distress or stressed,” the guidelines said. According to the instructions, the competent authorities may take actions to guarantee that the coaching center develops and makes a counseling system easily accessible to students and parents.

“All students and parents may be given information about the identities of psychologists and counselors, as well as the times when they provide services. Trained counselors should be assigned to the coaching center to provide appropriate guidance and counseling to students and parents,” the guidelines noted.

Additionally, it stated that teachers “may undergo training in mental health issues to convey information effectively and sensitively to students about their areas of improvement”.

The rules outlining the framework for mental well-being come after a growing number of student suicides in Kota in 2023. The new standards require tuition costs for various courses and curricula to be fair and reasonable, and receipts for the fees charged must be made public.

“If the student has paid for the course in full and is leaving the course in the middle of the prescribed period, a student will be refunded from out of the fees deposited earlier for the remaining period on a pro-rata basis within 10 days,” the guidelines added.

“If the student was staying in the hostel of the coaching centre then the hostel fees and mess fee etc. will also be refunded. Under no circumstances, the fee based on which enrolment has been made for a particular course and duration shall be increased during the currency of the course,” it said.

To guarantee adequate supervision of coaching institutes, the Central government has proposed registering new and existing facilities within three months of the guidelines going into effect.

The state government would be in charge of monitoring the coaching center’s activities and inquiring about any coaching center’s compliance with registration requirements and satisfactory actions.

‘They beat me, cut off my hair, didn’t let me sleep’: Dalit woman employed as domestic help of DMK MLA Karunanithi’s son alleges torture by employers

OpIndia Staff
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‘They beat me, cut off my hair, didn’t let me sleep’: Dalit woman employed as domestic help of DMK MLA Karunanithi’s son alleges torture by employers

An 18-year-old Dalit woman from the Kallakurichi region of Tamil Nadu has disclosed to the police that she suffered abuse and was refused medical care while working as a domestic helper in a Chennai home. Notably, she was employed by Anto Mathivanan and Marlina, the son and daughter-in-law of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader and MLA I Karunanithi.

The victim in a video released by the nonprofit organisation Evidence revealed that she finished her 12th grade and was hired as a domestic helper using an agency. She was employed in Anto Mathivanan and his wife Marlina’s home in Chennai. She further mentioned that her salary had not been reimbursed.

She complained, “Even if I don’t do the smallest task properly, they would slap me on my face. Once, they asked me to prepare food by 6 am because they were going out of town. I hadn’t slept till 2 am the previous night. Nobody can survive without sleeping. I could only get up by 7 am. Because I couldn’t keep the food ready, they burnt my hands using a hair straightener,” while narrating her ordeal.

She pointed out, “I was 17 years old when I was taken to do domestic work and beaten with things like slippers, spoons, broom and mops, leaving bloody wounds all over my body,” in her report. She expressed that out of the two, the daughter-in-law harassed her more by abusing her and chopping off her hair. Her family is not well off, so she worked to earn money as she studied for the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) to study medicine. She finished Class 12 last year with 433 marks out of 600. Her mother was employed in another Chennai home as a domestic staff. She unveiled that even though she was promised a Rs 16,000 monthly income, she only received Rs 5000.

She highlighted that they refused to take her to the hospital regardless of how much they “tortured” her or how much she bled and added, “I had to treat it myself.” Furthermore, she divulged that the couple had threatened her. They told her they were from an “MLA’s family” and no one would rescue her even if she notified anybody about her situation.

The girl had returned to her family members in Ulundurpet, Kallakurichi for the Pongal festival holidays when the torment came to light. Her family saw that she had marks from injuries on her body and brought her to a government hospital in Ulundurpet. According to the police, she went to a government hospital and received treatment for abrasions as an outpatient. The hospital alerted the Ulundurpet police who then informed the Adyar police in Chennai and registered it in their accident registration. Police, however, stated that neither the woman nor her family had made any complaints to them.

An official informed, “We got information from the government hospital and based on that, we reached out to them. But a formal complaint is yet to be filed either in Chennai or Ulundurpet.” An Adyar police officer who wished to remain anonymous stated, “We sent a lady police officer to record a statement from her (the victim).”

The statement was captured from 10 pm on 17th January beyond midnight. However, the victim has subsequently written another complaint to Director General of Police (DGP) Shankar Jiwal, as no First Information Report (FIR) has been filed at this point.

Vincent Raj, an anti-caste activist based in Madurai stated that the police have advised them that a formal complaint will be submitted soon. “When she was a minor she was tortured for more than eight months. She turned 18 only last month. The strictest action must be taken,” he demanded.

Bharatiya Janata Party’s Tamil Nadu president K Annamalai also took to social media and posted, “The news that an 18-year-old social girl, who worked at the house of Chennai Pallavaram assembly member Karunanidhi’s son, was severely beaten and burned with cigarettes by the son and daughter-in-law of assembly member Karunanidhi is very shocking.”

He added, “It shows the arrogance of the DMK to attack a young woman who came to work as a domestic worker because medical education will help her study and because of a simple family situation. It is also revealed that after claiming Rs.16,000 per month, they have paid only Rs.5,000 for all these months. I urge on behalf of BJP Tamil Nadu that an immediate, speedy investigation be conducted and action be taken against the culprits under the Prevention of Atrocities Act.”

Karunanithi, however, refuted the woman’s allegations and claimed that his son’s family had treated the young woman nicely and had only “pulled her up after she did something wrong.” He alleged that they were helping her in their studies in addition to giving her jewellery. “I usually don’t go there (to his son’s house). The girl had done something wrong, and they pulled her up for that. They are helping her to study. She is taking online classes. They have also got her jewellery and other things.”

‘It will be an honour to visit’: Adar Poonawalla of Serum Institute of India gets an invitation for the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya

OpIndia Staff
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‘It will be an honour to visit’: Adar Poonawalla of Serum Institute of India gets an invitation for the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya

On Friday (19th January), the CEO and owner of the Serum Institute India Adar Poonawalla got an invitation to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. He shared this from his X handle and expressed his intent to visit the temple soon.

Adar Poonawalla posted, “I am humbled to receive the invitation to the Prabhu Shri Ram Lalla Mandir at Ayodhya through senior RSS functionaries like Shri Manoj Pochat, Pracharak Shri. Kedar Kulkarni & Shri. Prasad Lawalekar. Wholeheartedly I have accepted the invitation and it will be an honour to visit the Shri Ram Mandir soon.”

The Pran Pratishtha ceremony is scheduled at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya on 22nd January 2024. The idol will be consecrated at the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Invitations have been extended to revered saints from all traditions, along with all prominent individuals contributing to the honour of the country in every domain. About 4,000 saints from all sects have been invited to participate.

Invitations have been extended to all Shankaracharyas, Mahamandaleshwars, and top spiritual leaders of the Sikh and Buddhist communities. Key figures from various realms such as Vamini Narayan, Art of Living, Gayatri Parivar, Media Houses, Sports, Farmers and the Art world have been invited. Invitations have also been sent to veteran journalists active from 1984 to 1992. The families of Karsewaks have also been invited.

Billionaire businessman Adar Poonawalla is the CEO of the Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer. Born on 14th January 1981, he is the son of Cyrus Poonawalla, the founder of the Serum Institute. Adar has played a crucial role in the global fight against COVID-19 by leading the production of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, known as Covishield in India. Under his leadership, the Serum Institute has been pivotal in supplying vaccines to various countries, contributing significantly to global vaccination efforts and India’s lead to extend support to multiple countries. Adar Poonawalla is recognised for his philanthropy and commitment to public health. Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has invited him to the Pran Pratishtha ceremony.

Nuclear Power Corporation to commission one new reactor every year, aims to increase generation to 22,480 MW by 2031

OpIndia Staff
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Nuclear Power Corporation to commission one new reactor every year, aims to increase generation to 22,480 MW by 2031

On Thursday (18th January), the chairman and managing director of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) BC Pathak said in an interview that India is on a mission to commission a nuclear power reactor every year. He also gave detailed information about the progress and plans of the country’s nuclear power sector.

In an interview with ‘The Hindu’, BC Pathak said, “India already has a plan to increase its present installed nuclear power capacity of 7,480 MW to 22,480 MW by 2031-2032 in a progressive manner. We made India’s largest indigenously developed 700-MWe pressurised heavy water reactor (PHWR) – the fourth unit in Kakrapar, Gujarat. We made the reactor critical in July 2020 and connected it to the grid in January 2021, in six months. There were some commissioning experiments to be done after that. We had to take care of the commissioning challenges and we have addressed those issues now. Accordingly, it was declared commercial on 30th June 2023 and started generating its commercial power of 700 MWe on 30th August 2023.”

He further said, “The electricity requirement in our country is huge. Our indigenously built largest reactor is 700-MWe. For major capacity addition, we will go ahead with the 700-MWe PHWRs. However, if required, we may go for 220-MWe PHWRs, which are equally proven. Until now, we were building two or four reactors at a time. But now, nine reactors are under construction at present. Ten reactors are in various pre-project activities. So 19 reactors are under various stages of implementation.”

BC Pathak said, “Globally, on average, the energy composition consists of about 20% electricity and 80% energy from coal, petrol, diesel, gas, lignite, and other components. Efforts are being made to decarbonise the electricity sector by putting up solar power plants, wind energy, renewables, and nuclear power plants.  The 80% energy sector consists of fuel that is being directly used as molecules or as a reducing agent. There is a need to decarbonise that sector also.”

The NPCIL chief added, “Efforts are being made globally to replace this fuel with a fuel that does not emit carbon dioxide. That is why the emphasis is being made on the production of green hydrogen. Green hydrogen, to some extent, will help in decarbonisation. In future, nuclear power may play a major role in producing hydrogen because nuclear is clean energy. Hydrogen, produced from clean energy sources, is generally termed green hydrogen. That is why nuclear has a dual role – in terms of electricity generation and as a promising potential clean energy source.”

BC Pathak additionally highlighted India’s dedication to expanding its nuclear power capacity and provided updates on the advancements of several nuclear projects nationwide. These include upcoming reactors like Rajasthan Atomic Power Station-7 (RAPS-7), Madras Atomic Power Station-1 (MAPS-1), Tarapur Atomic Power Station-1 (TAPS-1), as well as ongoing initiatives such as the development of Kudankulam-3,4, 5, and 6 reactors. Furthermore, he addressed the country’s efforts in promoting green hydrogen production.

BC Pathak elucidated the commitment of NPCIL to a three-stage nuclear power program, underscoring the sequential evolution of nuclear technology. He conveyed optimism regarding India’s ability to achieve energy self-sufficiency as it advances through the stages of its nuclear power program.

US ducks questions on reports Pak consulted Washington before striking back at Iran

ANI
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US ducks questions on reports Pak consulted Washington before striking back at Iran

The US on Thursday (local time) evaded a question on whether Pakistan held prior consultations with Washington before conducting retaliatory air strikes on Iran.

On media reports claiming Pakistan consulted the US before conducting strikes in Iran, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, during a regular press briefing in Washington, said, “I do not have any private conversations to read out.”

Miller said the US is concerned about the escalating tensions in the region and has urged restraint on all sides.

He said there is no need for escalation in the matter and that the country has noted the Pakistani government’s comments about the importance of “cooperative relations between Pakistan and its neighbours.

In response to a question on how the US administration reads the situation between Iran and Pakistan, Miller said, “We are concerned about escalating tensions in the region. It’s been something we have spoken a number of times, we’ve focused on. We’ve been incredibly concerned about the potential for escalation since October 7.”

“That’s why we have engaged in intense diplomatic efforts to try to prevent escalation. We noted the comments from the government of Pakistan, about the importance of cooperative relations between Pakistan and its neighbours. We thought those were productive useful statements, and certainly, there’s no need for escalation and we would urge restraint on all sides in this case,” he added.

Matthew Miller called Iran a major funder of Hezbollah and a principal supporter of Hamas for years.

In another query about the ongoing tensions between Iran and Pakistan after strikes and counterstrikes, Miller said, “I think I made pretty clear yesterday what we think about Iran’s attacks, not just the strikes that were launched in the past three days against three of its neighbours but its long history of funding terrorism, funding instability and sowing discord in the Middle East. That’s something we have seen contribute to conflict in Gaza.”

Iran’s strikes in Pakistan came after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched missiles into Iraq’s Kurdistan region at what it called an Israeli “spy headquarters” and at alleged ISIS-linked targets in Syria, Al Arabiya News reported.

In response, Pakistan on Thursday launched missile strikes into Iran and codenamed it operation ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in a statement said it had undertaken a series of “highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts” in the Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran.

“A number of terrorists were killed during the intelligence-based operation codenamed “Marg Bar Sarmachar,” it said.

Meanwhile, US State Department spokesperson Miller said: “You have seen Iran as the principal supporter of Hamas for years. They are the major funder of Hezbollah. They are one of the major funders of the Houthis. We have seen the consequences of the actions that Iran has taken to add to regional instability and that’s why we continue to take actions to hold Iran accountable and also send clear very messages to Iran that we don’t believe this should escalate in any way, shape or form.”

“Pakistan is a major non-NATO ally of the United States, and that will remain the case, but we would urge restraint in this case. We do not want to see escalation and don’t think there’s a need for escalation,” he added.

US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House, John Kirby, said the US is monitoring the situation regarding Iran and Pakistan “very very closely” and they do not want to see escalation. (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)

Bengaluru: Mehdi Masroor Biswas convicted under UAPA, used to run ISIS promoting Twitter handle ‘shamiwitness’ to recruit terrorists

OpIndia Staff
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Bengaluru: Mehdi Masroor Biswas convicted under UAPA, used to run ISIS promoting Twitter handle ‘shamiwitness’ to recruit terrorists

On Tuesday (16th January), the special court for cases probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) convicted Mehdi Masroor Biswas of supporting terror operations by posting content in support of ISIS on X  (formerly Twitter) between 2012 and 2014 and recruiting cadres. The quantum of punishment will be announced on Friday (19th January). 

On Tuesday, a Bengaluru special court for terrorism cases convicted Biswas on terrorist charges under Sections 13, 18, and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, which carry a maximum sentence of seven years in prison. He was additionally convicted under Section 125 of the Indian Penal Code for attempting to wage war against an “Asiatic Power in alliance or at peace with the Government of India,” which carries a seven-year prison sentence, as well as under IPC Sections 153 A for promoting enmity between groups and 505 for making statements conducive to public mischief.

Mehdi Masroor Biswas, who went by the username @shamiwitness on X, used his social media handle to sympathise with the terrorist organisation during the early days of ISIS in Syria in 2014.

Mehdi Biswas was arrested in Bengaluru on December 13, 2014, at the age of 24. Following the revelation by the UK’s Channel 4 that he was the person behind the @shamiwitness handle, which assisted British IS recruits in joining ISIS (then known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) in Syria, he was arrested from his flat in Jalahalli. He was arrested in a joint operation by the Bengaluru Central Crime Branch police and the Internal Security Department.

MK Thammaiah, the then-assistant commissioner of police (CCB) and investigating officer, stated that Biswas’ retrieved tweets and retweets played a critical part in his conviction. “In all, he had made 1,22,208 tweets and most of them were related to IS activities. Along with the tweets, he had posted (deleted later and retrieved during the investigation) 15,500 images,” Thammaiah said, adding that at first, Biswas supported the Jama’at Nusrat Al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM). “When IS gained popularity, Biswas started supporting it and urged JNIM leaders to join forces with IS. He was in touch with 88 men who were identified as terror suspects from Syria and other countries,” he added.

Notably, the Central Crime Branch police filed a 36,986-page chargesheet against Biswas in June 2015. Although he was never physically associated with the Islamic State, Biswas acquired information about the terrorist organisation by spending hours compiling data on radical Islamic activity in the Middle East and disseminating it via the @shamiwitness handle.

Mehdi Biswas was also accused of predicting on Twitter the beheadings of US journalist James Foley and UK aid worker Peter Kassig just weeks before the Islamic State executed them. He was also accused of advocating for IS support in Kashmir, tweeting that the terrorists in Kashmir were martyrs.

Back in 2014, OpIndia reported that on Facebook, where the ISIS sympathiser would post as Mehdi, his real name, he used to post updates about city life and pizzas he ate and other such daily life events, while on Twitter he would transform into a bloodthirsty Jehadi who wanted the entire world to be ruled by the Caliph Abu Bakr Baghdadi, the head of ISIS.

Unsurprisingly, Mehdi Biswas had received support from Indian liberals back in 2014 drawing false equivalence between the IS propagandist and random internet Hindu accounts in their attempts to prove Mehdi Biswas as “just another Twitter user”.

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