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Parliament security breach: Six arrested so far, UAPA slapped after MHA orders probe, accused used a social media group called ‘Bhagat Singh fan club’

OpIndia Staff
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Parliament security breach: Six arrested so far, UAPA slapped after MHA orders probe, accused used a social media group called ‘Bhagat Singh fan club’

After a major security breach in Parliament on Wednesday (December 13), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had ordered an investigation.

MHA has posted on X, “On request from Lok Sabha Secretariat, MHA has ordered an inquiry of parliament security breach incident. An Enquiry Committee has been set up under Anish Dayal Singh, DG, CRPF, with members from other security agencies and experts. The Enquiry Committee will investigate the reasons for the breach in the security of Parliament, identify lapses, and recommend further action. The Committee will submit its report with recommendations, including suggestions on improving security in Parliament, at the earliest.”

Following this, the Delhi Police registered a case against the accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). A police team reached the house in Gurugram earlier in the day, where all four accused reportedly stayed briefly before the incident. The officials said the case has been registered under IPC sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 452 (trespass), 153 (wantonly giving provocation, with intent to cause riot), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions) and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and UAPA sections 16 and 18 at the Parliament Street police station.

Speaking on the arrests of the suspects in connection with the Parliament security breach, Varun Dahiya, Gurugram Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime), said, “The suspects have been detained and taken for further questioning. The police and agencies in Delhi are investigating the matter because it is related to the national capital. Gurugram police will provide all help and assistance to the Delhi police for the case and stringent action will be taken against the accused in the matter,” said the official.

Last night, the Delhi Police detained a husband and wife, Vishal Sharma alias Vicky and Vrinda Sharma in connection with the case. Reports say that all the accused persons used to meet at Vishal’s house in Gurugram to hatch the conspiracy.

“Delhi Police have detained Vicky and his wife. They are investigating it. We are in touch with Delhi Police and if they ask for any information, we will share the details with them,” added the ACP.

Based on the initial investigation, the police said that the main conspirator of the security breach was someone else. Police added that the accused had conducted the recce of the parliament beforehand.

Police sources mentioned that all accused were associated with a social media page ‘Bhagat Singh Fan Club.’ “Everyone met in Mysore about one and a half years ago. Sagar came from Lucknow in July but could not enter the Parliament House. On December 10, one by one, everyone reached Delhi from their respective states. They gathered near India Gate, where coloured crackers were distributed to everyone,” sources stated.

Notably, Delhi Police’s Special Cell has nabbed the fifth suspect in the case. Reportedly, there are seven accused in the case with six arrested and one identified as Lalit Jha is absconding.

The names of the arrested persons so far are as follows: Sagar Sharma, Manoranjan Deverajegowda, Neelam Singh, Amol Shinde, Vishal Sharma alias Vicky and his wife Vrinda. Another accused Lalit Jha reportedly took the phones of all others and managed to flee.

The suspects met in Chandigarh, where they devised the plan both inside and outside the Parliament House, News18 reported citing a Special Cell source. They met at a Chandigarh protest over the Bhagat Singh Airport problem, and they then started getting together frequently at Vishal’s Gurugram home. Late last night, Vishal and his spouse, Vrinda Sharma, were detained.  Meanwhile, the Special Cell team is searching for the absconding accused Lalit Jha.

Jha uploaded a video of the protest outside Parliament, with Neelam and Shinde releasing colored smoke from the canisters, after the security breach.

Speaking about the motive of perpetrators, the police said, “During questioning, they claimed that they were not happy with the working style of the current government and wanted to send a message to the country related to Manipur, the farmers’ protest and inflation. They claimed that they wanted to send a message just like their idol, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, and decided to go to Parliament.”

Indian Express reported citing a Special Cell source that accused Manoranjan recently coordinated with his local Member of Parliament, Pratap Simha, and his personal staff to obtain a visitor’s pass for December 14. On Tuesday, he received a call from the official staff asking him to pick up his pass, which was scheduled for December 13 instead. They arrived at Parliament on Wednesday morning after leaving accused Vicky’s home in a radio cab. Manoranjan and Sharma arrived at Parliament and entered, while Jha, Neelam, and Shinde waited outside.

As reported earlier, on December 13th, in a major security breach in the Parliament, two men jumped into the Lok Sabha well from the visitors’ gallery while the proceedings were ongoing. A video from the Lok Sabha shows the members of Parliament assaulting one of the two perpetrators who burst into the chamber during proceedings and tossed canisters emitting yellow smoke. The MPs can be seen plucking the hairs of the intruder, hurling shoes at him, and landing punches at him before encircling him.

‘Planning to kill Hindu leaders from BJP, RSS cannot be called a terrorist act’: Madras HC grants bail to UAPA accused Asif Mustahin

OpIndia Staff
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‘Planning to kill Hindu leaders from BJP, RSS cannot be called a terrorist act’: Madras HC grants bail to UAPA accused Asif Mustahin

On Wednesday (13th December), the Madras High Court opined that the targeted killing of Hindu leaders cannot be termed an act of terrorism under section 15 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The court said this while granting bail to a man arrested under the act.

A division bench of Justices S S Sundar and Sunder Mohan said on Wednesday, “The evidence discloses that the conspiracy was to attack certain religious leaders. The authorities have not spelt out how that would amount to a terrorist act, as defined under section 15 of the UAPA.”

These comments were issued regarding the appeal for bail made by Asif Mustahin. Asif was taken into custody on 26th July 2022, under the UAPA by the National Investigation Agency for his alleged involvement in criminal activities.

The court added, “To bring an act under section 15 of the UAPA, the act must be done with an intent to threaten or likely to threaten the unity, integrity, security, economic security or sovereignty of India, or with an intent to strike terror or likely to strike terror in the people or any section of the people in India or any foreign country.”

The accused had filed bail applications which were rejected by the trial court, the high court, and the Supreme Court. He remained in custody for the last 17 months. As per the prosecution’s argument, the accused expressed a desire to join IS and established a connection with the second accused, affiliated with the global terror organization. Additionally, it was claimed that the duo conspired to kill Hindu religious leaders associated with the BJP and RSS.

Disagreeing with the prosecution, the bench asserted that the evidence did not suggest at any point that the accused had joined IS or that the second accused was a member of the terror group. The court said, “Even assuming that the materials collected by the prosecution might ultimately lead to a conviction, the detention pending trial could not be indefinite.”

The bench provided the accused with conditional bail, instructing him to reside in Erode and attend the trial court daily at 10:30 am until further notice.

Assam: 1281 madrasas converted to regular schools with immediate effect by the education department

OpIndia Staff
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Assam: 1281 madrasas converted to regular schools with immediate effect by the education department

On Wednesday (13th December), the Department of School Education in Assam announced that 1281 Madrasa Education (ME) units in the state will no longer be madrasas and will be converted to regular Schools. SEBA (Board of Secondary Education Assam) has undertaken the task of transforming government and provincialised madrasas into conventional schools.

The Education Minister of Assam, Ranoj Pegu, posted a list of the concerned institutes from his X handle. He wrote in his post, “Consequent to the conversion of all Govt and Provincialised Madrasa into general schools under SEBA, the Department of School Education in Assam has changed the names of 1281 ME Madrasas into ME Schools by a notification today. Here is the link for the list of schools.”

A notification in this regard was published by the department on 13th December. According to this notification, the names of these institutes will be changed. The notification read, “As per the approval of the government on 4th December 2023, the nomenclature of the listed upper primary schools “M.E. Madrasa” under the Directorate of Elementary Education, Assam shall be known as “M.E. Schools” with immediate effect.”

This decision by the Himanta Biswa Sarma government in Assam is aimed at bringing uniformity and inclusivity within the education system of the state. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has repeatedly said that madrasas in the state need to be modified into regular schools to bring the students in Madrasas to mainstream education.

Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun announces legal aid of Rs 10 lakh for Parliament attack accused

OpIndia Staff
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Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun announces legal aid of Rs 10 lakh for Parliament attack accused

Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has announced Rs 10 lakh in legal aid for the four accused in the Parliament security breach incident.

A poster has been released by banned terrorist outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) in a which he can be seen standing with a photo of Wednesday’s Parliament attak and text annoucing the reward.

It reads, “So indeed foundations of the Indian Parliament shook! Reward Rs 10 lakh legal aid for rebels of Parliament. Get “armed for self-defense”. Another text calls for a Khalistan referendum “voter registration” drive in India from 26th January next year.

On Wednesday, 13th December, two men breached Parliament security and entered the Lok Sabha hall by jumping from the visitor’s gallery, releasing yellow smoke canisters and trying to run towards the Well.

Notably, the attack came days after Pannun had reportedly threatened to attack the Parliament “on or before 13th December” but as per reports, no connection has been established yet between the attack and the threat issued by Pannun earlier this month.

The accused identified as Manoranjan and Sagar Sharma from Mysore were nabbed by the police and taken into custody. One of the two accused were surrounded, nabbed and thrashed by the members of Parliament.

At the same time, two more accused identified as Neelam Azad (42) from Hisar and Amol Shinde (25) from Latur in Maharashtra were staging protests outside the Parliament opposite Transport House.

The duo released yellow and pink smoke canisters and chanted slogans like “Jai Bhim”, “Manipur ko insaaf do”, “Tanashahi nahin chalegi”, “Mahilaon par atyachar nahin chalega”.

Police sources mentioned that all accused were associated with a social media page ‘Bhagat Singh Fan Club.’

A total of six people are reportedly involved. As per sources, all arrested accused met in Mysore about a year and a half ago.

“Sagar came from Lucknow in July but could not enter the Parliament House. On December 10, one by one, everyone reached Delhi from their respective states. They gathered near India Gate, where colored crackers were distributed to everyone,” sources reportedly said.

Moreover, the woman accused named Neelam has also participated in the farmers’ protests according to her family. Another video of Neelam’s shortly went viral with the BJP alleging that Neelam is an active Congress supporter.

In the video, Neelam can be heard appealing to a small group of people gathered at a protest site to not vote for the BJP and bring Congress back to power.

Many Netizens raised concerns and said that Khalistani angle should be probed in the case.

Delhi police suspect that the main conspirator behind the Parliament breach is someone else, not those arrested

ANI
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Delhi police suspect that the main conspirator behind the Parliament breach is someone else, not those arrested

The main conspirator in Wednesday’s Parliament security breach is someone else, as per the initial investigation, police sources said on Thursday. According to sources, the accused had conducted a recce outside the parliament beforehand. 

Police sources mentioned that all accused were associated with a social media page ‘Bhagat Singh Fan Club.’ 

“Everyone met in Mysore about one and a half years ago. Sagar came from Lucknow in July but could not enter the Parliament House. On December 10, one by one, everyone reached Delhi from their respective states. They gathered near India Gate, where colored crackers were distributed to everyone,” sources stated. 

Meanwhile, the Delhi police special cell has registered a case under the UAPA section. 

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) also ordered an inquiry into a Parliament security breach incident on Wednesday. “On request from Lok Sabha Secretariat, MHA has ordered an enquiry of parliament security breach incident. An Enquiry Committee has been set up under Anish Dayal Singh, DG, CRPF, with members from other security agencies and experts,” the Home Ministry said. 

On the 22nd anniversary of the Parliament terror attack, a major security breach occurred when two intruders entered the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitor gallery during Zero Hour. In a security breach in Lok Sabha, two men jumped into the House from the visitors’ gallery, holding canisters in their hands. They released yellow gas from canisters and shouted slogans before being overpowered by MPs.

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

Nagaland: Major drug network operating in NE states busted, group trafficked heroin worth Rs 400 crores in a year

ANI
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Nagaland: Major drug network operating in NE states busted, group trafficked heroin worth Rs 400 crores in a year

Nagaland Police have busted one of the biggest drug networks operating in Nagaland and other parts of Northeastern states, said the state police chief Rupin Sharma on Wednesday. Over one year, this network trafficked 60kgs of heroin valued at around 400 crores rupees, he added.

Sharma was addressing the media at the Police Headquarters here relating to the ‘war on drugs’.

Informing that a case was registered in Zubza Police Station under Kohima DEF on November 13, where two persons from Manipur were caught trafficking drugs, he said that within one month the police had successfully nabbed twelve persons in similar cases who were involved in illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs in the state.

The DGP also informed that the arrested persons belong to Nagaland, Manipur and Assam, and the case is still under investigation and that there is the involvement of many other people in the network, which will be unearthed soon.

“It’s not a small case, 60kgs of drug(heroin) being trafficked over one year by just one network is a huge case”, the DGP said, adding that almost 400 crores rupees of drugs trafficked by just one network is huge.

Sharma also said that through continuous efforts and direction, Nagaland Police has ensured that from the first of January 2023 till date, a total of 318 cases have been registered and 456 persons have been arrested in connection with NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances)-related activities.

Mentioning that the total worth of the seizures made is around one hundred and ninety-nine crore rupees at market value, however, the damage to the networks is greater because the focus is on systematically going after them and dismantling them.

Sharma said the focus has now shifted to breaking the whole nexus operating in the supply chain of NDPS and in this direction, efforts are being made to develop the forward and backward linkages in NDPS cases and apprehend all the persons operating in the network.

Nagaland Police is committed to ensuring a drug-free Nagaland in line with the efforts of the Government of India towards ensuring a Drug-Free India by 2047.

Nagaland Police has initiated a lot of steps on various fronts: public engagement, awareness campaigns, inter-department coordination, better investigation and prosecution and technology upgradation, besides a Canine Squad. The Nagaland DGP further requested that the public extend a helping hand and be cautious as it is easy for the traffickers to fool people into carrying drugs or allowing other measures for facilitating traffickers.

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

Samyukta Kisan Morcha comes out in support of Neelam Azad, the career protestor caught with smoke canister outside parliament, demands her release

OpIndia Staff
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Samyukta Kisan Morcha comes out in support of Neelam Azad, the career protestor caught with smoke canister outside parliament, demands her release

On 13th December (Wednesday), four persons were arrested after they breached the security of the parliament complex armed with coloured smoke canisters. Further investigation revealed that a total of 6 people were involved in this security breach and attack on the parliament building on a day when the nation marked the 22nd Anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack. Two persons entered the Lok Sabha visitor’s gallery using passes, then jumped into the hall and sprayed yellow smoke from cans. Two other persons also used similar cans outside the parliament and chanted various slogans.

Now, as per media reports, Samyukta Kisan Morcha has come out in support of Neelam Azad, who was one of the two persons arrested outside the parliament. The SKM has demanded that Neelam should be released arguing that she has been associated with farmer protests.

A farmer leader said that Neelam had been associated with the farmers’ movement earlier and they all are with her. Defending her, the farmer leader claimed that Neelam took the step of attacking the Parliament after facing unemployment issues. 

Additionally, farmer leader Azad Palwa who is also a member of SKM visited Neelam’s house. He demanded that Neelam should be released adding that he would be calling a Samyukta Kisan Morcha tomorrow in this regard. He warned that they will take major steps if Neelam is not released soon.

As per media reports, while four people have already been arrested in today’s major security breach, a total of 6 people were involved in this attack. The search for the two remainder accused is ongoing. Further, all the accused had reportedly come from outside Delhi. 5 accused reportedly stayed at one place at the residence of a person named Lalit Jha in Gurugram.   

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police took the four arrested accused to Sansad Marg Police Station where they are being interrogated by the anti-terror and intelligence agencies.

The preliminary inquiry indicated that Neelam Azad and Amol, apprehended outside the Parliament, were without mobile phones and lacked any form of identification or bags. Both of them denied having any connection with any organisation claiming that they went to Parliament of their own free will.

It has been found that Neelam Azad is a political activist and a career protestor, who has participated in several protests in the last few years. She har participated in farmer protests, wrestler protests, and several protests by various groups. In one video, she was seen campaigning for Congress and INLD against the BJP.

Major Security Lapse on the anniversary of Parliament attack

On 13th December, two men breached the wall of the viewer’s gallery in the Lok Sabha and entered the aisle area where MPs sit to open a smoke canister. In the meanwhile, a woman and a man were apprehended on the premises of the parliament for doing the same activity, releasing yellow and pink colored smoke from canisters. As the security personnel led the woman and the man away, the woman was seen shouting slogans like ‘Jai Bheem’, ‘Kaala Kanoon wapas lo’, ‘Manipur ko insaf do, ‘Bharat mata ki jai’ etc.

The intruders who jumped into Lok Sabha were identified as Manoranjan D and Sagar Sharma. 

Following the incident, Neelam’s family said that she was upset because she was unemployed and she had participated in the farmer protests. It was later revealed that she has been deeply involved in politics, and have participated in several protests over the years. In an undated video that surfaced after the attack, she was seen campaigning for Congress and INLD.

Saudi social media divided over ‘promoting’ Trinity of ancient Arabian goddesses amid revival of National Heritage, sparks religious outrage against ‘pagan-worshippers’

Paurush Gupta
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Saudi social media divided over ‘promoting’ Trinity of ancient Arabian goddesses amid revival of National Heritage, sparks religious outrage against ‘pagan-worshippers’

For the past few weeks, a large number of social media users in Saudi Arabia have been advocating for the revival of ancient Arabian deities as an integral aspect of the Kingdom’s national heritage, as highlighted by Middle East Monitor. Incidentally, this new social media movement promoting the Trinity of ancient Arabian goddesses coincides with Saudi PM Mohammad Bin Salman’s efforts to transform the kingdom’s identity from a religious one to a more nationalist identity.

Taking to X, one user shared pictures of the ancient Arabian goddess ‘Al-Uzza’. The picture shows people surrounding the ancient statues on display in Saudi museums. The user stressed that irrespective of the fact that they are Muslims or not, ancient history is also Arabic History. The user added that the Saudi government is giving importance to the ancient Arabian gods as their past is a part of their future, seemingly hinting at the tourism aspect of it. 

The user whose bio and geo-tagged locations say, Saudi Arabia, wrote, “From past to future al uzza is always there. we’re as Saudi Arabians, deeply connected with our past. doesn’t matter if we’re Muslims or not. It’s an arabic history. Saudi government gives so much importance for the ancient Arabian gods. our past is a part of our future.”

In another tweet, the user and several other friendly handles noted that there were three main ‘goddesses’ of the pre-Islamic polytheistic pantheon namely ‘Al-Lat’, ‘Manat’, and ‘Al-Uzza’. They described the Feminine Trinity as their own ancient history and symbols of female empowerment. The user claimed that females were sacred and integrated in Arabs as well and worshipping Females as divine had flourished. It was contrary to the stereotype of carrying out female infanticide, the user added. 

Justifying the pre-Islamic practice of burying young daughters, the user argued that female infanticide was not because of shame, as some claim it to be, instead it was to offer “girls as sacrifices” to the “feminine trinity”.

The tweet read, “Al-Lat, Manat, and Al-Uzza are our ancient history. Since ancient times, Arabs have sanctified the female entity. We should be proud of our history and abolish the stereotypical and distorted image of female infanticide. Women were the ideal, integrated entity among the Arabs. They made them a feminine trinity, offering girls as sacrifices to them. Female infanticide was not due to shame, as some claim.”

As recently as on 13th December, an X user shared a picture of the ancient Arabian goddess seemingly in a Saudi Museum while responding to the ongoing debate on Saudi social media regarding the promotion of ancient Feminine deities. 

The user wrote, “Why do you have a problem with your faith? Are you afraid that you will see an idol and worship it, God forbid? Collection of idols at the Antiquities Museum in Riyadh, under the direction of the Minister of Culture, under the supervision of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for antiquities related to the past, especially since they are contemporary with events in the Holy Qur’an.” 

Further, some Saudi social media users blamed the Sahwa (Awakening) movement for not embracing the Pre-Islamic history and utilising the ancient Arabian goddesses and related antiquities for advancing tourism and national heritage. 

One purported Saudi social media user argued that the ‘Awakening’ movement erased the history from the minds of Saudi people. The user added that it altered the concept of history, civilisation, heritage, antiquities, and identity. The user highlighted the recent transformation in the Saudi Kingdom noting that a few years back discussing antiquities could have been construed as talking about polytheism or reviving idol worship. 

Incidentally, a flurry of Saudi social media accounts did exactly the case and called the promotion of ancient Arabian deities as pagan idol worshipping and secularisation of the society.  

The user said, “The Awakening did not destroy Saudi Arabia socially and take away the rights of Saudi women. Only its influence reached down to history. It obliterated it and erased it from the memory of the Saudi person. It distorted the concept of history, civilization, heritage, antiquities, and identity. How many years ago, anyone who spoke about antiquities seemed as if he was talking about something polytheistic or about bringing back the worship of idols and idols to Saudi Arabia.”

The user further noted that Saudi Arabia missed the chance to talk about its treasures and very ancient civilisations instead, the academic curricula presented the history and civilisations of neighboring countries, hinting to include pre-Islamic history in the curriculum and promoting it for tourism. 

Several social media users supported the claim that the Sahwa movement and a few other things destroyed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and brainwashed its people. One user asserted that extremists like the Muslim Brotherhood and Sahwahs controlled their education and the media adding that it was a mistake of Saudi Arabia to give refuge and place to those who were exiled from other countries.

Notably, the Sahwa (Awakening) was a political Islamic movement that consisted of religious scholars and figures. It had a dominating influence over the kingdom’s policy for several decades. It is said that the movement flourished after the 1960s. It was partly influenced by Muslim exiles from countries like Egypt.

However, since 2017, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has been cracking down on this movement and taking stern actions against the ‘scholars’ associated with it. These actions on key Sahwa figures has been a part of MBS’ grander strategy to make Saudi Arabia a follower of moderate Islam. In line with that, the Saudi Kingdom has been easing restrictions on Saudi society and the entertainment industry. 

The changes in Saudi Arabia include social and economic reforms, such as granting women the right to drive, diversifying the economy away from oil dependence, and encouraging foreign investments. These moves have ushered in a wave of opportunities and a sense of modernity. 

Further, Saudi Arabia is trying to open its society to harness the potential of the tourism sector. The Kingdom has been developing its national heritage sites which incidentally include the recovery of artifacts depicting the ancient Arabian goddesses’ pantheon. 

However, the Saudi government and its supporters have maintained that these efforts are simply the preservation of the kingdom’s history and national Heritage arguing that it should take pride in its history. 

Barrage of Saudi social media users call it an ‘attempt to revive the Idol-worshipping of Pagan Gods’

The efforts of the Saudi government and promotion of the Trinity of ancient Arabian goddesses by several purported Saudi accounts have sparked a sharp religious outrage. Responding to these calls advocating for ancient history and its artifacts, a slew of Saudi social media users have slammed it calling it an attempt to revive polytheistism and Idol worshipping which Islam opposes and abhors.  

Several Saudi accounts claimed that the Saudi government is taking away the Kingdom from its religious identity in the name of recent reforms and building a nationalist narrative. 

Voice of the Ummah published a blog noting these current trends in Saudi Arabia. The blog titled ‘Saudi Re-Introduce Idolatry to the Land of Tawheed’ called upon the Ummah to see the implications of “secularisation” and “liberalisation” of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

The blog stated, “The Ummah must recognise the broader implications of such actions. The resurgence of idolatrous symbols is not isolated; it aligns with a broader agenda – Vision 2030. This vision, while purporting economic and social reforms, carries the insidious plan of removing Islam from the public sphere, paving the way for secularism and liberalism.”  

It further argued that the recent reforms and calls for the promotion and return of ancient Arabian deities are concerted efforts to dilute the Islamic identity of the Arab world. 

It added, “As Muslims, we must not be naive in isolating this act from the larger narrative unfolding in Saudi Arabia. The push for secularism and the promotion of a nationalistic narrative that predates Islam are components of a concerted effort to dilute the Islamic identity of Muslim countries.”

Likewise, a Muslim American YouTuber and writer Daniel Haqiqatjou claimed that the secularisation of Muslim countries is taking place by creating a “nationalistic narrative”. 

According to him, highlighting that there was an ancient and long-lost forgotten religion that predates Islam is the secularisation of a country. He argued that with Securalisation of Saudi Arabia, the authorities have been allowing the revival of “pagan idols that Islam destroyed.” 

Meanwhile, some Saudi users went on to blame “Zionists”, and ‘Hindutva’ for the recent trend in Saudi social media. According to them, the recent trend is some kind of a ‘Zionist’ or ‘Hindutva’ conspiracy to ‘Secularise’ and ‘liberalise’ the Arab world. They have claimed that the several users who have advocated for the promotion of the Trinity of ancient goddesses and idols for tourism are being either run by non-Muslims or they could be ‘bot’ accounts supported and sponsored by the Saudi government, as pointed out by Middle East Monitor.  

However, a Saudi Twitter user posted a long series of tweets on the recent phenomenon being witnessed in Saudi social media. In the thread, the user included several such posts and reactions to these posts. The user argued that even if the handles that made these remarks or advocated the promotion of Ancient history are not Saudi social media users, the reactions and ones propagating their views are authentic Saudi accounts that have started to consider that it is normal to return to polytheism. 

The user who notes that the idols should have not been kept in Saudi museums but rather should have been destroyed, wrote, “The cities are also full of people who criticise Muslims for criticising the tweet and who consider it completely normal to promote these idols. These tweets receive a lot of “Fav/Rt”. The user further added that such accounts are being widely followed in Saudi, and Arab world and are getting positive responses.

MP CM Mohan Yadav bans loudspeakers at religious places and meat sales in open hours after assuming office

OpIndia Staff
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MP CM Mohan Yadav bans loudspeakers at religious places and meat sales in open hours after assuming office

Upon assuming office, Mohan Yadav, the recently appointed Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has issued a directive to prohibit the “unregulated use of loudspeakers in religious establishments and other public spaces.”

Besides, the MP CM also imposed a ban on meat sales “in the open”. 

The bans on loudspeakers at religious places and meat sales in the open were first orders issued by Mr Mohan Yadav after assuming the office of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, PTI reported.

The guidelines for the immediate implementation of loudspeaker usage, following the directives of the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal, were also issued.

An official mentioned the formation of a flying squad in every district to oversee the sound levels of loudspeakers and DJ systems playing music at religious sites.

On Wednesday, Mohan Yadav, the leader of the BJP legislature party and MLA representing Ujjain South, officially assumed the role of Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. Governor Mangubhai Patel administered the oath to the 58-year-old leader at the Lal Parade Ground in the state capital, Bhopal.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by prominent figures such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president J P Nadda, and Yadav’s predecessor Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Yadav, a three-time BJP MLA, now holds the distinction of being the 19th Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh. Notably, he is the fourth OBC (Other Backward Classes) chief minister from the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state since 2003, following Uma Bharti, Babulal Gaur, and Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

This appointment also marks the end of an era dominated by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, a stalwart of the BJP who served as Chief Minister four times and played a pivotal role in shaping the state’s politics for nearly two decades. In a recent press meeting, Chouhan expressed his gratitude to the BJP for appointing an ordinary worker like him to the post of CM of Madhya Pradesh and allowing him to serve for 18 years.

“An ordinary worker was made the CM for 18 years by the BJP. The party gave me everything. Now, it is time for me to give something to the BJP,” former Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan said while talking to reporters.

Dehradun: Man who urinated outside Kali temple and broke windows identified as Saddam and arrested, family says he is a mental patient

OpIndia Staff
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Dehradun: Man who urinated outside Kali temple and broke windows identified as Saddam and arrested, family says he is a mental patient

Dehradun police on Wednesday, 13 October, arrested a person named Saddam for desecrating a Hindu temple in the city. In CCTV footage, the miscreant was seen urinating outside the temple and throwing stones.

Dehradun police issued a statement on X informing that Saddam is a resident of Mehunwala, who has been arrested for committing objectionable acts outside the Kali Temple in Harrawala and damaging glasses of the temple by throwing stones. The police added that the accused is mentally deranged, and is undergoing treatment at the mental hospital in Selaqui, Dehradun.

However, they are collecting detailed information about his medical condition. Saddam is being produced before the court, the police added.

The incident took place in the night between 11 and 12 December and was discovered by devotees on Tuesday morning, as they found the glasses of the windows broken. When they checked the CCTV footage, the crime was revealed.

In the surveillance footage, an individual, characterised by a substantial beard, and donning a skull cap could be seen urinating at the gate of the temple. After urinating, he threw stones at the temple, damaging glasses. After that he fled the spot.

As soon as the incident came to light on Tuesday morning, members of Hindu organizations gathered outside the temple and staged a protest. They demanded the immediate arrest of the accused.

A case was registered in the Doiwala police station on the complaint of Harrawala councilor Vinod Kumar, and efforts had started to nab the accused based on CCTV footage. The accused was identified with the help of the video, which helped in nabbing him.

SSP Ajay Singh said that when the temple priests and devotees arrived on Tuesday morning to offer prayers, they saw the broken glass and checked the CCTV camera recording and came to know about the entire incident.

After identifying the person in the footage, police then scanned footage of around 200-250 CCTV cameras in the area, and located Saddam. He is the son of Arif Ali, and resident of Naya Nagar under Mehunwala Police Station. His family provided documents showing that he is being treated at the Selaqui Mental Hospital.

The neighbours said that Saddam is often kept restrained by tying with ropes due to his mental condition, as he has a tendency to roam around on the street. The police believe he did he act due to his mental state, and it was not an deliberate act of desecrating a temple. However, the SSP said the probe is on and all angles will be examined.

Saddam has been booked under sections 295, 153A and 427 of the IPC. The SSP said that the police is maintaining a vigil in the area given the sensitive nature of the issue.

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