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West Bengal: BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari files complaint against CM Mamata Banerjee over threats to counter-arrest BJP leaders

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari files complaint against CM Mamata Banerjee over threats to counter-arrest BJP leaders

On Friday, November 24, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari filed a complaint against West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee over her alleged threat to launch counter-arrests as she said ‘If they arrest our four, we will arrest eight of their leaders’.

In his letter to the Officer in charge of Hare Street Police Station, the West Bengal Assembly leader of the opposition (LoP) alleged that ever since he changed his political allegiance and joined the BJP, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government has used all its might and power to implicate him in several “vexatious, harrassive and concocted cases.”

Adhikari further mentioned CM Mamata Banerjee speech at Netaji Indoor Stadium on Thursday and wrote, “On 23.11.2023, Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee delivered a speech at the Netaji Indoor Stadium (which is falling within the jurisdiction of your Police Station) at a political programme of the Trinamool Congress wherein she has passed certain remarks to the effect that four MLAS (Member of Legislative Assembly) of her political party has been put behind bars and that she is taking a stand on behalf of her political party that if they (indicative of me and the members of my political party) keep our members behind the bars, then she will ensure that eight people are put behind bars in allegations of murder envisaged under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, being the backdated cases of murder.”

The BJP leader went on to say that as a political leader, Head of the Ministry of Home in the State of West Bengal, and Chief Minister of West Bengal when such a person [Mamata Bannerjee] delivers a speech of such provocative nature indicative of me and members of my political party criminally intimidating us with dire consequences and false charges leading to capital punishment under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. The consequences of acting in such a reckless manner are far larger.

“The actions of such a nature discloses offences which are cognizable in nature and directly trying to target me and the other members propagating the same ideology. Thus, the abovementioned act and gesture punishable under sections 182/194/195A/211/203/505(II)/506 of the Indian Penal Code attracts the offences. In view of such circumstances, I request your good office to bring such perpetrators of crime to justice upon registering an FIR against the aforesaid accused persons. Kindly treat this letter of complaint for the purpose of registration of an FIR. This is for your information and immediate action. The aforementioned video speech is enclosed herewith,” the letter stated.

Taking to X, Adhikari shared his complaint emailed to the police authorities and wrote, “I have emailed my complaint to the Officer in Charge of the Hare Street Police Station, requesting him to lodge an FIR against the Chief Minister for the comment she made yesterday at the Netaji Indoor Stadium. She threatened, by taking a vow on behalf of her party to arrest eight of our (BJP) people. As the Netaji Indoor Stadium falls under the jurisdiction of Hare Street Police Station, I have emailed my complaint to the authorities of the concerned PS. I hope the Police would take appropriate action against her for intimidation and threatening to misuse Administrative Authority.”

The BJP leader further said that if the Police do not register the FIR, he will wait for 72 hours and then approach the ACJM Court requesting to take cognisance of the complaint.

This comes after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attended a TMC party workers’ and leaders’ meeting at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata on 24th November. As reported earlier, the Trinamool Congress Party supremo launched an attack against the BJP in her speech. Mamata Banerjee issued threats to the Bharatiya Janata Party as she said ‘If they arrest our four, we will arrest eight of their leaders’.

Defending her party leaders who have been arrested by the central agencies in connection with various corruption cases, Mamata Banerjee said, “I don’t believe that they are thieves. Four of our MLAs have been sent to jail. They think by doing this they will be able to reduce our numbers. From here, I am making this announcement that if they arrest our four, we will arrest eight of their leaders.”

Mamata Banerjee added, “You are laughing as our party leaders Anubrata Mandal, Partha Chatterjee, Manik Bhattacharya, Jyoti Priya Mallick and others who are in jail. In the future, when you don’t have power, you’ll be in jail.”

Uttar Pradesh: ‘Maulvi’ Sarfaraz arrested for forcing a Hindu woman to convert to Islam, had claimed to rid ‘ghosts’ and ‘evil powers’

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: ‘Maulvi’ Sarfaraz arrested for forcing a Hindu woman to convert to Islam, had claimed to rid ‘ghosts’ and ‘evil powers’

On Friday (24th November), a Maulvi was arrested in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad for coercing a Hindu woman to convert to Islam under the pretext of getting rid of ‘evil powers’ and ‘ghosts’.

The arrested Islamic cleric has been identified as Sarfaraz. As per reports, the accused confessed to coercing non-Muslims into converting to Islam. The accused Maulvi was arrested after the 45-year-old victim’s son Akshay Srivastava lodged a complaint against Maulvi Sarfaraz at the Nandgram Police Station.

Akshay told the police that his mother Meenu has been suffering from physical and mental illnesses since 2017 and is undergoing treatment. During this time, some people suggested Akshay take his mother to Maulvi Sarfaraz and seek his assistance in getting his mother cured.

In his complaint, Akshay Srivastava accused Maulvi Sarfaraz of proselytising his mother with the fear of ghosts. According to the complainant, his mother removed idols and portraits of Hindu gods and goddesses from her home at the 36-year-old maulvi’s command and even pressured her children and other family members to convert to Islam.

The accused Maulvi told the victim that his treatment would not be effective if she continued to follow her Hindu religion, he stressed that she convert to Islam and only then her health would improve. According to ACP Nandgram Ravi Kumar Singh, the maulvi was apprehended near the Morti village tri-section.

Sarfraz told police during interrogation that a few years ago he had performed the Haj pilgrimage and after that, he had been conducting exorcism in the area for the last eight years and had forced people with illnesses to convert to Islam out of fear of ghosts, according to Singh.

Accused Maulvi Sarfaraz was charged under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act and the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, ACP Singh added.

Taking to X, Ghaziabad Police informed about the accused Maulvi’s arrest in the conversion conspiracy and wrote, “01 accused was arrested by Police Commissionerate Ghaziabad police team while disclosing the conspiracy of religious conversion.”

Pakistani Islamists target actress Madiha Imam online for marrying Indian Moji Basar

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistani Islamists target actress Madiha Imam online for marrying Indian Moji Basar

Pakistani actress Madiha Imam, who got married to Indian filmmaker Moji Basar in May this year, recently arrived in India to meet her in-laws. The actress reached Arunachal Pradesh’s Basar town in the Lepa-Rada district. In a viral video, the actress and her husband are seen receiving a warm welcome. The video left the netizens divided with many congratulating the couple, however, to no surprise, the Pakistani Islamists were infuriated over a Muslim woman marrying a non-Muslim that too an Indian.

One Shiza Jamshed wrote, “Too much beghairat you are, jab nikah hi nahi howa tu shadi kese bas zina ha shame on you jahhanum main sarro ge (it is only ‘zina’ not a marriage since nikah was not performed. You will rot in hell).” Notably, according to Islamic beliefs, ‘Zina’ is illicit sexual relations.

Another user Nadim Khan wrote, “Muslim mar gay they kya, hindu see krli (Had Muslims died that you married a Hindu).”

Another one named Gulafshan reminded the actress that she is a Syed and a Muslim and questioned her over marrying a Hindu. She further declared Madiha and Moji’s marriage ‘invalid’ since a ‘Syedzadi’ can only marry a Syed.

One Instagram user seemed interested in finding out if the actress has converted to Hinduism.

An Instagram user named Ayat Pathan was rather shocked and upset over Madiha marrying a Hindu Indian man and said that she is unfollowing the Pakistani actress.

(Images via Instagram)

It is worth noting that Madiha Imam announced her marriage to Moji Basar in May of this year, along with certain details about the private ceremony.

“Married 1-5-2023. Remember us in your prayers as we embark on this new chapter of our lives,” she requested in her Instagram post as she shared the wedding pictures. The couple later held their reception on a yacht in the UAE.

West Bengal: TMC leader promises to help Bangladeshi immigrants register for voting, video goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: TMC leader promises to help Bangladeshi immigrants register for voting, video goes viral

Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in India, a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader courted controversy for vowing to induct Bangladeshis into the electoral rolls of North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.

As per reports, the said TMC leader was identified as an ex-Panchayat Pradhan Ratna Biswas. In a video that has now gone viral on social media, she was heard appealing to Bangladeshi immigrants to enlist their names for voting.

“Many Bangladeshis live in this area. If those who have come here from Bangladesh face issues in getting their names on the voter list, they should contact Zakir bhai. All such people should contact this office…This work should be done fast,” Ratna Biswas had said.

Following the controversy, ex-chairman of local panchayat Samiti Jakir Hossain (named in the video) claimed, “Ratna Biswas didn’t mean it that way. Most of the people who live in my area came here before 1960-65.”

“Many people have been removed from the voter list after 1990 who were earlier in the voter list. She actually spoke about helping those people. We definitely provide services to the common people free of cost including voter list correction and all this is done as per the law. She wrongfully stated all of them as Bangladeshi,” he further alleged.

BJP has hit out against the Trinamool Congress and the nefarious agenda to induct Bangladeshis in the electoral rolls. State President Sukanta Majumdar said, “The ruling party Trinamool Congress is already doing this work of making such voter ID cards. The names of the infiltrators are added to the voter list.” He has also demanded a probe into the matter.

TMC leader lied about being Indian, is a Bangladeshi

In May last year, it came to light that a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Alo Rani Sarkar who contested from the Bangaon Dakshin constituency is a Bangladeshi national.

The revelations were made after she moved the Calcutta High Court, challenging the election result and the victory of BJP leader Swapan Majumdar from the said constituency. The petition was heard by Justice Bibek Chaudhuri.

The Court noted that Alo Rani Sarkar was a Bangladeshi national on the date of filing the nomination, election date, and on the date of declaration of result. “From the face of the petitioner’s own document, it is found that the petitioner had no right to contest the assembly election of 2021,” it observed.

“As she is not a citizen of India, she shall not be qualified to be chosen to fill a seat in the legislature of a State in terms of Article 173 of the Constitution read with Section 16 of the Representation of People Act, 1950,” the Court emphasised.

USA: Derek Chauvin, convicted for George Floyd murder, stabbed in prison

OpIndia Staff
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USA: Derek Chauvin, convicted for George Floyd murder, stabbed in prison

On Friday (24th November), former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted for killing George Floyd, was stabbed by another inmate at a Federal prison in Arizona in the USA. Chauvin sustained significant injuries during the incident at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) around 12:30 p.m. The identity of the attacker is not yet revealed.

According to reports, life-saving measures were administered by prison staff before Derek Chauvin and his assailant were both transported to hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Fortunately, no staff members sustained injuries, and the FBI has been alerted. Visiting at the facility, which accommodates approximately 380 inmates, has been temporarily suspended.

The stabbing incident occurred a mere week following the rejection of Chauvin’s appeal by the US Supreme Court regarding his second-degree murder conviction in the May 2020 death of George Floyd. Chauvin had argued that new evidence demonstrated he was not responsible for Floyd’s death, a tragic event that ignited nationwide protests, and riots, and sparked an extensive debate on racial discrimination in the USA.

Additionally, his legal team contended that Derek Chauvin was deprived of a fair trial due to the extensive publicity surrounding the case and apprehensions about potential violence in the event of an acquittal. They had strongly advocated for Chauvin to be segregated from the prison’s general population, expressing concerns that he would be a target among other inmates. Now, this incident of an attack on the former policeman has surfaced.

Derek Chauvin was convicted in the George Floyd murder case

Notably, Derek Chauvin has been serving his 22.5-year prison sentence at this prison – Federal Correctional Institution, Tucson in Arizona – since he was found guilty by a state court in April 2021 of killing George Floyd. On 25th May 2020, 46-year-old Floyd was reportedly murdered by Derek Chauvin, who knelt on the former’s neck for 7 long minutes until his body became unresponsive. A shopkeeper had called the cops on Floyd for allegedly trying to pass a ‘potential counterfeit bill’. On being taken to the Hennepin County Medical Center, Floyd was pronounced dead.

The viral cell phone video captured by a pedestrian, who repeatedly objected to the action of Chauvin, showed the cop trying to choke Floyd with his knee. Despite the victim complaining about not being able to breathe, coupled with verbal protest from onlookers, the said officer was unmoved.

Security lapses in the prisons in the USA

Attacks inside the US prisons, like this one, are not a new thing. Staffing shortages and security lapses have posed ongoing challenges for FCI Tucson and various federal prisons. A year prior to the recent incident, an inmate at the low-security prison camp of the Arizona facility brandished a firearm in an attempt to shoot a visitor. Fortunately, no one was injured in that incident.

Chennai: Stray dog who bit 29 people tests positive for rabies

OpIndia Staff
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Chennai: Stray dog who bit 29 people tests positive for rabies

On Tuesday (21st November), a stray dog on GA Road in Chennai bit 29 people in two hours. The dog was later beaten to death. Now, in the medical examination, it is found that the dog has tested positive for rabies.

Dr J Kamal Hussain, veterinary officer of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCP), said, “We will get the official report soon, but we have already received information that the test result is positive. The dog was infected with rabies.” The remains of the dog were previously forwarded to Madras Veterinary College for a post-mortem examination.

GGC commissioner J Radhakrishnan, who is also a veterinary doctor by training, said, “In the last two days, we have caught 31 dogs from this locality and they will be under observation. The injured have been given anti-rabies immunoglobulin medication. And they have also been given an anti-rabies vaccine.”

Apart from the 29 individuals, including five children, who were bitten on Tuesday night, a handful of others suffered injuries while trying to escape from the dog and falling on the road. The wounded individuals were admitted to Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital. Those attacked by the dog received initial doses of the anti-rabies vaccine, with the second dose scheduled for Friday. The corporation stated that these individuals are under close observation.

According to Dr Hussain, there are five Animal Birth Control (ABC) groups in the city, and this year alone they captured around 17,000 dogs for sterilisation and vaccination. In this month, 1242 dogs were captured, and 1007 surgeries for animal birth control were conducted.
The GCC is strategising to engage NGOs in conducting a comprehensive census of stray dogs within the city and implementing large-scale sterilisation measures.

Arun Prasanna, the head of People for Cattle In India (PFCI), an NGO, claimed that the municipal body’s actions fell short of even the basic requirements. He emphasised that events like the one on Tuesday only serve to instil panic among the public. He said, “It is unfortunate that so many people were bitten by the dog. The animal was then beaten to death. If a dog bites more than three people, then it means it is rabid. It is the infection that makes the animal go insane. I do not blame the public (for hitting the dog), but it was the corporation’s responsibility.”

What is rabies

Rabies is a preventable viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The RABV virus infection is the root of the ailment. The virus infects the central nervous system of mammals which ultimately results in brain disease and death. It causes encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) in humans and other mammals.

Rabies was historically referred to as hydrophobia (fear of water) due to the symptom of panic when presented with liquids to drink. It is spread from the saliva of infected animals. The majority of rabies in the United States are linked to skunks, raccoons, bats and foxes. However, dogs continue to carry the rabies virus in many other nations, including India, and dog bites are the leading cause of rabies-related deaths in humans worldwide.

The animals most likely to spread the rabies virus to people include pets and farm animals like cats, cows, dogs, ferrets, goats, horses and wild animals like bats, beavers, coyotes, foxes, monkeys, raccoons, skunks and woodchucks.

The epidemic of rabies in India

The number of human deaths globally due to dog-mediated rabies is estimated to be 59,000 annually. India is responsible for 36% of rabies-related deaths worldwide, according to the statistics of the World Health Organisation. The National Rabies Control Programme recorded 6644 medically suspected cases and fatalities of rabies between 2012 and 2022. Recent cases of rabies death which got wider media attention were from Meerut and Ghaziabad.

We are ready to die for Prophet: Lareb Hashmi attacks Hindu bus conductor with cleaver over ‘blasphemy’, justifies action in viral video

OpIndia Staff
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We are ready to die for Prophet: Lareb Hashmi attacks Hindu bus conductor with cleaver over ‘blasphemy’, justifies action in viral video

On Friday (25th November) morning, a man named Lareb Hashmi attacked a 24-year-old Hindu bus conductor with a cleaver after accusing the latter of committing ‘blasphemy’. The incident took place in the Prayagraj city of Uttar Pradesh.

As per reports, the victim was identified as Harikesh Vishwakarma. He suffered grievous injuries to his neck and body after Hashmi hacked him with a cleaver over a ticket fare dispute.

Following the brutal attack, the Islamist jumped out of the bus and sought refuge in a nearby college campus. While speaking about the incident, bus driver Mangla Yadav said, “Suddenly, there was an attack inside the bus. I heard a sound and then stopped the bus.”

Harikesh Vishwakarma was immediately rushed to the hospital. Meanwhile, Lareb Hashmi recorded a video inside the college campus, justifying the attack on the bus conductor.

“(The bus conductor) was abusing Muslims. So I attacked him with a cleaver. He will not survive. He will be dead soon. From India to France, whoever insults our Prophet will be exterminated,” the Islamist was heard saying.

“We are ready to die for you and go to jail, O Prophet Muhammad. Dear Muslims, rise about this world’s materialism and be ready to sacrifice your life for the Prophet,” Lareb Hashmi went on to abuse the victim with the choicest of expletives.

The Islamist chanted ‘Allah hu Akbar, and ‘La ilaha illallah muhammadur rasulullah” as he went about justifying the brutal attack on the Hindu bus conductor.

On receiving information about the matter, the police reached the college campus. Lareb Hasmi attempted to escape and even fired at the cops. He was shot in the leg during retaliatory firing by the cops.

The Islamist, who happened to be a first-year engineering student at the United Engineering College in Prayagraj, was admitted to the hospital for treatment of his bullet injury.

While speaking about the matter, DCP (Yamunanagar) Abhinav Tyagi informed, “Following the incident, the accused was arrested by the police and a case under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code was registered. Further investigation is underway.”

Probe into deepfake video of actor Rashmika Mandanna hits dead end as social media platforms can’t identify the origin

ANI
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Probe into deepfake video of actor Rashmika Mandanna hits dead end as social media platforms can’t identify the origin

The probe into the deepfake case of actor Rashmika Mandana has hit a dead end as social media platforms have shown their inability to give any information about individual(s) who have allegedly made the deep fake profiles.

As per the sources, the accused has removed and deleted his or her account from the social media platforms.

The officials said that the account could have been created with a fake identity and the Virtual Private Network (VPN) could have been used to upload the deep fake videos.

Union Minister for Communications, Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw on November 18 said that notices were issued to all social media platforms directing them to take necessary steps to identify and remove such content.

As per the officials, though the police detained a few suspects, none of them created the deep fake video in question rather they only shared the video.

The investigation into the matter is still underway, the officials said.

Delhi Police has received a response suggesting their inability to provide details about the suspect’s account which has been deleted from the Social media platforms.

Delhi Police IFSO (Internet Freedom and Safety for Online Users) unit earlier this week sent a letter to Meta (formerly Facebook) but the social media company responded by expressing its inability to provide details of the deleted account.

The sources further informed that the police are awaiting a reply from GoDaddy (a publicly traded internet domain registry) since a similar profile was made through GoDaddy also.

Highlighting the danger of deepfakes, Ashwini Vaishnaw on November 18 during an interaction with the media, said, “Deep fake is a big issue for all of us. We recently issued notices to all the big social media forms, asking them to take steps to identify deepfakes, to remove those content. The social media platforms have responded. They are taking action. We have told them to be more aggressive in this work.”

On November 6, a modified video of actor Rashmika Mandanna appeared online sparking discussions of digital safety. In the viral video, it can be seen that a woman resembling the actress Rashmika was entering a lift wearing a black swimsuit.

The video quickly went viral and several social media users came forward to confirm that it was a deep fake. It was later identified that the video was of a British Actress Zara Patel.

The actor strongly reacted to the alleged deep fake video and said, “I feel really hurt to share this and have to talk about the deep fake video of me being spread online. Something like this is honestly, extremely scary not only for me but also for each one of us who today is vulnerable to so much harm because of how technology is being misused.”

The Delhi Police registered the FIR under relevant sections, and an investigation has been carried out into the matter.

Delhi Police said that a technical analysis is underway to identify the accused involved in the deepfake video case of the actress Rashmika Mandanna.

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

Peace can be established in the world only through Hindu values of truth, tolerance and harmony: Thai PM Srettha Thavisin

ANI
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Peace can be established in the world only through Hindu values of truth, tolerance and harmony: Thai PM Srettha Thavisin

Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin highlighted Hindu values that promote peace and said that the world struggling with turmoil should take inspiration from Hindu values of non-violence, truth, tolerance and harmony, only then peace would be established in the world.

With the aim of establishing the identity of Hindus in the world as a progressive and talented society, the Third World Hindu Congress was inaugurated here today.

The Prime Minister of the host country, Thavisin, was to participate in the inaugural session but due to some reasons, he could not come. The message of the Thai Prime Minister was read out in the meeting. He said that it is an honour for Thailand to host the World Hindu Congress organized on the principles and values of Hinduism.

The Vedas visualize the key principles of synthesis and balance for a peaceful coexistence. The concept of shanti is established on these principles.

With the proclamation of ‘Victory of Dharma’, eminent saint Mata Amritanandamayi, Swami Purnatmanand of Bharat Sevashram Sangh, Sarsanghchalak Mohanrao Bhagwat of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale, General Secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad Milind Parande and founder-facilitator of the programme Swami Vigyananand lit the lamp.

The World Hindu Congress gathered more than 2200 delegates invited from 61 countries of the world who made remarkable achievements in the fields of education, economy, academics, research and development, media and politics.

These include MPs and ministers from about 25 countries. There are about 10 lakh people of the Indian community living in Thailand whose contribution to the trade and economic development of the country is noteworthy.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister EAM Jaishankar recently said that India’s defence and security relationship with Thailand has grown after 2014. He noted that the Thailand government has also shown the same sentiment.

While addressing the Indian diaspora in Thailand, Jaishankar noted that India had a look-east policy while Thailand had a look-west policy. He highlighted the changes that took place in terms of India-Thailand ties after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014.

While interacting with the Indian community, Jaishankar said, “We engage with the countries of the ASEAN. So, for us, this is not just a relationship. It is not even a relationship that began, as I said, in 1947, in the modern form. It is, of course, a relationship that goes back in history, but it is a relationship that is associated with reform and change in India. So, this period that we are talking about, especially the last 25 years, this is a time when this relationship has grown very much.”

(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 set to host Namma Kambala buffalo race for the first time: Here’s all you need to know

Shraddha Pandey
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Bengaluru set to host Namma Kambala buffalo race for the first time: Here’s all you need to know

Kambala, a famed traditional buffalo racing competition in coastal Karnataka, is ready to make a mark this weekend in Bengaluru. On November 25 and 26, the folk sport will be hosted in the Palace Grounds in the heart of the city. This is the first time that the Kambala race will be taking place in Bengaluru.

The traditional buffalo race, which originates in coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi in Karnataka and is firmly rooted in Tulunadu’s local culture, boasts a unique blend of history and enthusiasm. The festival is dedicated to the Kadri Manjunath incarnation of Lord Shiva.

The preparations for the grand race are going on in full swing with participants washing and taking trial runs of their two sets of buffaloes. Around 200 pairs of buffaloes, along with their owners, are expected to arrive in Bengaluru today from the coastal areas.

Around four to eight lakh people are anticipated to attend the mega event showcasing the local tradition and devotion towards Mahadev. The Bengaluru Kambala debut will be distinguished by the thorough preparation of enormous galleries, a special pooja, and a record-breaking 155-meter track, assuring a one-of-a-kind show. The main stage at the Palace Grounds has been named after the late Kannada actor Puneeth Raj Kumar.

Several celebrities have been invited to attend the event including actresses Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Shilpa Shetty, Anushka Shetty, and Kannada star Darshan among others. Notably, V. Manohar’s “Bengaluru Kambala -Namma Kambala” theme song, with music by Gurukiran, had recently been released.

Meanwhile, a traffic advisory has been issued by the authorities. The Bengaluru Traffic Police Department has issued an advisory asking commuters to avoid specific roads and take alternate routes. The police said that parking will be provided at Krishna Vihar (Gate No-1) and Tripuravasini (Gate No-2) of Palace Grounds. In addition, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru has also advised passengers to plan their travel and commute on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday so that they have enough time to go to the airport. Passengers were also advised to check with airlines for alerts and updates.

Earlier, it was reportedly claimed that there would be an entry fee. However, Muralidhar Rai Matanthabettu, Working President of the Bangalore Carpet Committee, stressed that there will be no entry fee or advance ticket purchases required for spectators. All the devotees and spectators are welcome to attend.

“It has come to our attention that some claim there is an entry fee for Bengaluru Kambala viewing, and that advance ticket booking is required.” However, this is different. This is not something that people should believe. I’d like to emphasise that there is no ticket or entry charge for Bengaluru Kambala. “All fans and spectators will be welcome,” Muralidhar Rai Matanthabettu informed Udayavani.

Kambala Bengaluru brings political rivals together

On Thursday, BJP leader Umesh Shetty and Congress MLA from Puttur Ashok Kumar Rai joined forces to organise Kambala in a rare display of camaraderie. According to reports, both have been involved in the preparations for the mega event of the Hindu festival. Notably, Umesh Shetty is the organising president of the Bengaluru Kambala Committee while Congress leader Ashok Kumar Rai is the president of the committee. Both the leaders said that although they have ideological differences, however, for the centuries-old tradition they have come together.

Kambala race

Kambala is an ancient celebration in coastal Karnataka devoted to Lord Kadri Manjunatha, a manifestation of Lord Shiva. Every year, following the paddy harvest, the villagers hold a festival to express their gratitude to the almighty for a good harvest.

As is known, Buffaloes are a vital component of farming life, so villagers have long held buffalo races during this festival, believing that the sport will provide buffaloes with continued health. There are many different beliefs and accounts of how the races began. It was a type of leisure or recreational sport for the farming community, according to popular tradition. The winner of the buffalo race received a coconut and other prizes.

Image via IndiaTours

It is also stated that the Kings of the Hoysala dynasty began the ritual for their own amusement and to see if buffaloes could be trained and used in battle. The feudal lords of those regions carried on the custom, which still continues now.

Every year, about 45 villages in coastal Karnataka celebrate the Kambála race in the months of November and March. On the two parallel race courses, two teams of buffaloes and their jockeys race to the finish line. The race continues for all day, and the winners advance to the next round. Apart from crossing the finish line first, awards are also awarded for splashing water high enough to reach the target (Kolu) set above.

It is also worth noting that the Supreme Court of India earlier banned Kambala after multiple petitions were filed against animal cruelty during the race. However, as a traditional sport, the Kambala festival was re-legalized in 2017 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Ordinance. The Supreme Court upheld the law allowing Kambala and Jallikattu in May of this year.

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