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Thousands of Muslims gathered around my car when I was going for survey of Gyanvapi structure: Vishnu Jain recalls

OpIndia Staff
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Thousands of Muslims gathered around my car when I was going for survey of Gyanvapi structure: Vishnu Jain recalls

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain has recalled the challenges he and his father Harishankar Jain faced in May 2022 when they were en route to the disputed Gyanvapi structure to oversee the court-ordered survey and videography. He reminisced how helpless he felt when up to 50,000–60,000 Muslims, protesting the court-ordered video survey of the disputed structure, had surrounded their car.

They had gathered at the behest of the secretary of the Anjuman Intezamia masjid committee to stop the court-ordered survey and videography of the disputed Gyanvapi mosque structure in Varanasi.

The Hindu side advocate shared his harrowing experience, which will now be included in historian Vikram Sampath’s upcoming authoritative book on Kashi. A snippet of the interview was shared on X by Anand Ranganathan on November 5, Sunday.

Both advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain and his father and senior SC advocate Harshankar Jain are representing the Hindu side in the case relating to the Kashi Vishwanath temple-Gyanvapi Mosque dispute.

Advocate Vishnu Jain, divulging details of the day the survey and videography of the disputed Gyanvapi mosque structure in Varanasi was to be conducted said that memories of that day are etched in his heart.

“It was either May 5 or 6, 2022 and the Anjuman Intezamia masjid committee secretary had said that they would not allow the video survey of the disputed structure. On his call, 50 to 60 thousand Muslims gathered and blocked the roads from the Maidagin crossing to Gate number 4 of the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.”

“They were all wearing skull caps and dressed in a particular way. You could clearly identify that they belonged to the Muslim community. Me and my father were in a car, going from the Maidagin crossing to Gate number 4. For a moment we thought that we would never reach our destination. We apprehended that we would be attacked and not allowed to reach gate number 4. I looked at my father helplessly. He told me very calmly that dead or alive, we were going to meet our Mahadev, so keep moving. That was my only inspiration,” advocate Vishnu Jain said.

He added that a few days later not only the Shivling was found from the disputed Gyanvapi premise’s Wuzukhana but the survey team involved in the process revealed the presence of several Hindu motifs including the Swastika, Nandi (bull associated with Shiva) and lotus motifs all over the outer side of the mosque walls.

Court ordered Gyanvapi structure survey halted after Muslim mob blocked the gate

It may be recalled that on May 8, 2022, the court-ordered survey and videography of the disputed Gyanvapi mosque structure in Varanasi had to be stopped, as a protesting Muslim prevented the survey team from entering the mosque. While the team were able to survey the outer façade of the structure, they could not enter the structure for survey despite a court order, as the Muslim mob blocked the gate and prevented the team from entering the premises.

After stopping the court-directed documentation for the day in Varanasi, a videographer who accompanied the survey team involved in the process has revealed the presence of Hindu motifs including the Swastika, Nandi (bull associated with Shiva) and lotus motifs all over the outer side of the mosque walls.

Later, on May 16, the survey was conducted and the Shivling discovered within the disputed Gyanvapi edifice was found from the Gyanvapi premise’s Wuzukhana. 

Following the discovery of Shivling inside the premises of Gyanvapi Mosque on May 16, 2022, the Supreme Court of India directed the Varanasi district magistrate to protect the sacred structure.

Recently, the Allahabad High Court on 3rd August 2023, allowed the Archaeological Survey of India to conduct a survey after dismissing the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee’s plea, challenging the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of the disputed structure.

The Hindu side has said that during the survey, the ASI teams found many symbols related to the temple architecture which include fragmented idols found in the basement. A four-foot idol, half of which resembles that of a human while the other half of the idol was reportedly found to resemble that of an animal, has been found. The Hindu site has said that the purported idol is of Narasimha Avatar. The antiquities reportedly found during the survey include a two-foot trident, images of symbols related to Hindu temples, and 5 Kalash (urns).

Non-implementation of Awas Yojana, increased State debt, withholding of caste data, allegations of corruption and quid pro quo: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel grilled ahead of polls

OpIndia Staff
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Non-implementation of Awas Yojana, increased State debt, withholding of caste data, allegations of corruption and quid pro quo: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel grilled ahead of polls

Ahead of the upcoming election in Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel was quizzed by journalist Saurabh Dwivedi on various issues pertaining to the development of the State.

The 1.5-hour-long interview for the ‘Jamghat’ show was published on the YouTube channel of Lallantop on Sunday (5th November).

At the very onset, Baghel was asked about the non-implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAJ) in Chhattisgarh and the non-release of funds by the State for the housing project.

On being asked about the stalling of construction of 8 lakh houses for the poor, the Chhattisgarh CM claimed, “There is no such issue…7.5 lakh people had already received houses. He instead blamed the Union government for not conducting Census and Economic Survey in 2021.

Baghel alleged that the State government had to do the survey and found that only 47000 people did not have houses. “We immediately sanctioned the money,” he claimed.

On being pointed out by Saurabh Dwivedi about the letter by Union Steel Ministry Secretary Nagendra Nath Sinha, alleging non-sanction of ₹562 crores for building 7.8 lakhs houses in Chhatisgarh in 2021-2022, Baghel conceded that the State had other priorities (as it was the time of the Covid-19 pandemic).

Bhupesh Baghel on agriculture and State debt

Saurah Dwivedi asked the Chhatisgarh CM about the tussle between his government and the Union on issues relating to agriculture and the farm sector.

Bhupesh Baghel credited Manmohan Singh and the UPA government for giving bonuses to farmers on two occasions. He then presented himself as a pro-farmer for providing subsidies while essentially increasing the State’s debt.

The Congress leader accused PM Narendra Modi of lying about the procurement of grains from the State at Minimum Support Price (MSP). On being asked about the State’s decision to take loans mindlessly, he alleged that the nation’s debt under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tripled.

Baghel went on to claim that the loans taken by the Chhatisgarh government was 16% of its GDP and the interest repayment was 6%, which is supposedly less than the threshold set up by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). “How can the Centre accuse us when it is taking loans itself?” he deflected the issue.

Allegations of withholding of caste data

In December last year, the Congress government in Chhatisgarh passed two bills which increased reservation in jobs and educational institutions in the State to a whopping 76%.

According to journalist Saurabh Dwivedi, the quota for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) was enhanced from 14% to 27%. He pointed out that a committee was formed under a retired Judge to estimate the caste breakdown in the OBC population but the results were not presented in the Vidhan Sabha.

On being asked about the specific question on why the ‘quantifiable data’ was not made public, the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister dodged the question initially. He went on to claim that the State’s Governor has no right to demand that the government present it in Vidhan Sabha.

“The Governor can give his assent if he likes the bill or send it back. That’s about it,” Bhupesh Baghel was heard saying. He then went on to blame the Centre for not publicising the caste census undertaken in 2011 while conveniently omitting the fact that the Congress was at the Centre until 2014 and that it had 3 years to make the data public.

Bhupesh Baghel on accusations of ‘compensation partiality’

Journalist Saurabh Dwivedi pointed out two cases of murder in Chhatisgarh, one belonging to the ‘Sahu’ caste and another a Muslim. He said that compensation was only provided for the OBC victim but not a poor ‘goat herder’ who belonged to the Muslim community.

Baghel justified the decision to deny compensation to the Muslim victim, claiming that members of his community did not come to seek compensation. “Representatives from the Sahu community came to me and asked for job and compensation. We gave it to them. None came from the other community.”

Charges of corruption against bureaucrats

The Lallantop‘s Founding Editor highlighted allegations of favouritism in the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) examination after relatives of two bureaucrats were selected in the competitive exam.

A defensive Bhupesh Baghel claimed, “Not every relative of officials who sat for the exams cleared the exams…Why should I answer this question? No relative of any Minister has been selected for CGPSC. Can’t relatives of bureaucrats write exams now?”

On being pointed out that he was the CM of the State, he said that there was no law that could bar children and relatives of bureaucrats from writing CGPSC. “Ban their participation if you want…Na rehegi baas, na bajegi bansuri,” Baghel remarked.

Delay in roll out of government schemes

The Chhatisgarh Chief Minister was also grilled for the delay in the rollout of the Chhattisgarh Unemployment Allowance Scheme. “It was there in the Congress manifesto in 2018 but was implemented 4 years later. On top of that, several restrictions have been imposed. The youth is dismayed,” Saurabh Dwivedi said.

Bhupesh Baghel came up with a bizarre defence and said that things mentioned in the manifesto are not supposed to implemented immediately. “We were elected for a 5-year period. It does not mean all schemes will be laid out in the first year itself.”

“We can only do such things once money is available,” he added. Under the scheme, a sum of ₹2500/- is paid to eligible unemployed youth in Chhatisgarh.

Lack of transparency and shady connections

Bhupesh Baghel was asked about the decision of the State government to make auction bids for coal mines offline. Journalist Saurabh Dwivedi highlighted several scams in the State, starting from liquor scheme, ED chargesheet and arrests of people close to the Chhatisgarh CM.

In August this year, several teams of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at around 10 locations in Chhattisgarh. The locations raided by the central agency include the premises of state Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s political advisor Vinod Verma and an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) among other officials.

In July 2023, the ED conducted raids against several bureaucrats including IAS officer Ranu Sahu, and Chhattisgarh Congress leader Ramgopal Agarwal who is also the PCC treasurer. These raids were part of a money laundering probe. 

Saumya Chaurasia, the deputy secretary to the Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel was arrested by the ED in December last year for being involved in an illegal mining case involving over Rs 150 crore.

Chaurasia is a Chhattisgarh Administrative Service (CAS) public official who joined the CM’s office when Baghel established the state government in 2018. She was under the surveillance of central authorities, and locations associated with her, including others, were also raided by the Income Tax (IT) department.

Notably, the ED has been investigating several cases in Chhattisgarh. These include an alleged coal scam case, a liquor scam case, a probe regarding irregularities in the District Mineral Foundation fund, and an online betting application case.

As such, the Chhatisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, in his interview with Lallantop, dubbed the actions of the ED as ‘selective.’

Uttar Pradesh: 9-year-old girl raped, abandoned in injured condition, 55-year-old Peer Mohammed booked by police

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: 9-year-old girl raped, abandoned in injured condition, 55-year-old Peer Mohammed booked by police

On 5th November, Khiro Police in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh, booked a 55-year-old man identified as Peer Mohammed for raping a 9-year-old minor girl. As per reports, Mohammed lured the child to the fields nearby and raped her. After raping the minor girl, he left her in a pool of blood and fled the scene. A case under relevant Sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and POCSO has been registered against the accused.

The little girl somehow managed to reach her home and informed her parents about the incident. She was rushed to hospital in critical condition. She was referred to District Hospital Rae Bareli, from where she received primary care. The doctors then referred her to Lucknow Trauma Center.

Reports suggest that the child was playing outside her house. The accused came and lured her to the fields located around 1 KM away, where he raped her. After that, 55-year-old accused Peer Mohammed fled the scene.

The police were informed about the incident. Superintendent of Police Alok Priyadarshi rushed to the scene and initiated an investigation into the matter. An FIR has been registered based on the complaint of the family members.

In a statement, Uttar Pradesh police said that they received the information about the incident at around 9:45 PM by the father of the child that a 55-year-old resident of their village raped his girl child. Heavy police forces reached the crime scene to investigate. The victim was admitted to the hospital. Four teams have been formed to arrest the accused.

‘I paid Bhupesh Baghel 508 crores, was paying Chhattisgarh CM’s aide Rs 10 lakhs every month before shifting to Dubai’: Mahadev betting App owner claims in video

OpIndia Staff
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‘I paid Bhupesh Baghel 508 crores, was paying Chhattisgarh CM’s aide Rs 10 lakhs every month before shifting to Dubai’: Mahadev betting App owner claims in video

On 5th November, one of the main accused of the Mahadev Betting App released a video accusing Chattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel of being involved in the scam. He stated that he has given Rs 508 crores to CM Baghel. The video was also shared by the official X handle of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

They wrote in the post, “Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is allegedly involved in the Mahadev betting app case. The app’s owner, Shubham Soni, released a video from Dubai disclosing the truth.” The video accusing Congress leader and incumbent Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel went viral just two days before the first phase of Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh.

In the video, Soni said he started the betting app in 2021 in Bhilai and was making good money. As time passed by, there was a visible change in his lifestyle. At that time, he needed security as his associates were getting arrested over complaints.

Soni came in contact with one Verma, after which extortion started, as per his claim. He had to pay Verma Rs 10 lakh every month. After some time, his men were again arrested, and when he called, Verma asked him to come and meet “someone”. Soni stated that the “someone” was none other than Chief Minister Baghel himself. Soni said he had submitted a written statement about the deal that he allegedly cracked with the CM.

Shubham Soni further added that he shifted to Dubai in 2020. There is one discrepancy in his statement, which appeared to be confusing. Earlier, he said he had started the app in 2021 but later allegedly moved to Dubai in 2020. It is possible he meant 2022 and not 2020. In any case, flights were grounded in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so he can’t have travelled to Dubai during that time.

He added that after meeting the CM, his illegal betting business progressed. He then met Saurabh and Ravi, who were also from Bhilai and were in the construction business. He hired both of them as advisors in the construction business. He expressed his dismay that Saurabh and Ravi were getting famous, though he was the one who created the app.

Soni accused Baghel of taking u-turns too often. He said when he went to Dubai and established his business there, his men were again arrested, and he faced similar issues. Verma asked him to come to Bhilai and meet the CM again. Girish Tiwari and Verma met him at Airport Road. From there, Verma left, and Tiwari took him to SP Prashant Agarwal. After talking to Soni, Agarwal called CM Baghel. He alleged CM Baghel said, “Soni, I sent you to Dubai, but you are behaving like the business owner. Have you become Sheikh?” Soni asked him what he wanted from him, to which Baghel said SP Prashant would guide him.

Soni said, “I have provided all the information about the deal and how much money I paid via which source. After paying so much money, my work is not progressing the way it should be. My men are getting arrested. I am stuck in the political system. Since I talked to SP Prashant, I have paid around Rs 508 crore.”

Soni then requested the government of India to help him return to India. He promised to provide all the evidence of money transfers to the political leaders, including CM Baghel. He said, “I want to request the government of India to help me get out of this political mess. I am stuck. I am ready to give all the evidence of money transfers to them. I have all the proof. Just help me come back to India. I am scared. I want to come back and live in India.”

Union Minister Smriti Irani accused CM Baghel of receiving kickbacks

Earlier, on 4th November, Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani accused Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel of receiving kickbacks amounting to Rs 508 crores to finance the election expenses of the Congress party. She raised concerns about the alleged use of Hawala operators linked to the infamous Mahadev betting app in the Chhattisgarh election campaign.

During a press conference, Irani cited the discovery of Rs 5.3 crores in the possession of a man identified as Asim Das in Raipur recently. She questioned whether Congress leaders received money from him via Shubham Soni. She also asked if the money was earmarked for the election expenses for Baghel’s campaigning in the Assembly Elections.

Smriti Irani emphasised that Asim Das confessed to coming from Dubai to pay Congress for the election expenses, implicating Congress leadership and CM Baghel. She alleged that Congress and Baghel were involved in illegal betting while the party was in power in Chhattisgarh. She also pointed to the recorded message of Shubham Soni, where he had instructed to deliver money to Baghel for the Assembly elections in the state.

On 5th October, the government of India banned 22 illegal betting websites and apps, including the Mahadev betting app. Our detailed report on the Mahadev betting app and the controversy around it can be checked here. The App and its illegal operations have been under ED’s scanner for some months.

Chattisgarh Assembly Elections 2023

The first phase of voting for Assembly elections in poll-bound Chhattisgarh will take place on 7th October. The second phase of voting will take place on 17th November. The results will be announced on 3rd December.

Rajasthan: BJP expels party leader Sandeep Dayma after his controversial remark on Gurudwaras

ANI
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Rajasthan: BJP expels party leader Sandeep Dayma after his controversial remark on Gurudwaras

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expelled its Rajasthan unit leader Sandeep Dayma over his controversial remark on Gurdwaras.

The decision to expel Dayma was announced by Onkar Singh Lakhawat, the chairman of the Rajasthan BJP’s disciplinary committee.
“Sandeep Dayma has been expelled from the party on the direction of the state president for making a statement against the ideology of the party,” the notification released by the party said on Sunday.

Senior BJP leader and former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, among others, had called for his expulsion.

Sandeep Dayma in an election rally at Rajasthan’s Alwar, made an outrageous remark, which triggered the Sikh community.

In an election rally in support of the BJP’s Balaknath, in Alwar, BJP leader Sandeep Dayma reportedly said, “See how many Mosques, Gurdwaras have been built here! This will become an ulcer for us in the future. That is why it’s our duty that this ulcer be uprooted and thrown out, and Baba Balak Nathji win by a huge majority.”

BJP’s leader’s comment created anger among the Sikh community, leading to protests and the burning of effigies of Dayma.
Opposition parties reacted strongly to the comment after the video went viral on social media.

Congress MP Jasbir Singh Gill also came down heavily on the BJP leader over his harsh remarks.

“The Gurdwaras have always served humanity and never asked about anybody’s religion or caste. Whether it was Corona or any other natural calamity, the doors of Gurdwaras, donation boxes and langar have always remained open for everybody. The low-level thinking and psychology of people like Sandeep will cost them dear–Nanak Naam Chardi Kala, Tere Bhane Sarbat da Bhala”, Jasbir Singh said in a post on X.

Facing huge criticism from the opposition over his remarks, Dayma issued an apology in a video message on his social media platform.

“In place of Masjid-Madrasa, I mistakenly ended up using some wrong words about the Gurdwara Saheb. I seek apology with folded hands from the entire Sikh community, which has always protected Hinduism and Sanatan Dharma… I don’t know how I committed the mistake. I will repent for this mistake by going to a Gurdwara. I apologise to the entire Sikh community with folded hands. Sat Sri Akal!” Dayma said in the video.

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

Union govt issues blocking orders against 22 illegal betting apps and websites including the scam-tainted Mahadev Book on request of ED

OpIndia Staff
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Union govt issues blocking orders against 22 illegal betting apps and websites including the scam-tainted Mahadev Book on request of ED

On 5th November (Sunday), the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued orders to block 22 illegal betting apps and websites, including Mahadev Book which allegedly has links with the D-company. After ED’s recommendation, the Centre issued this blocking order under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. 

As per a statement issued by the ministry, Mahadev Book, Reddyannaprestopro, and 20 other similar apps have been ordered to be blocked. The action follows investigations conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against an illegal betting app syndicate and subsequent raids on Mahadev Book in Chhattisgarh, revealing the app’s unlawful operations.

Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrashekhar in a statement launched a scathing attack on the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government in Chhattisgarh over the alleged Mahadev betting app scam in which the name of Chhattisgarh CM had cropped up during the investigation.   

Lambasting the Congress for inaction, the Minister said, “Chhattisgarh Government had all the power to recommend shutting down of website/app under Sec 69A IT Act. However, they did not do so and no such request was made by the State Government while they have been investigating it for the last 1.5 years.”

He added, “In fact, the first and only request has been received from ED and it has been acted upon. Nothing prevented the Chhattisgarh Government from making similar requests.” 

The development follows the ED investigation against the illegal betting app syndicate and subsequent raids on Mahadev Book in Chhattisgarh which unearthed the app’s unlawful operations. 

Earlier on 3rd November, ED revealed that regular payments have been made by Mahadev Book App Promoters to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and so far around Rs 508 crore has been paid. The revelations were based on fresh evidence ED gathered following a search operation on 2nd November. 

So far, accused Bhim Singh Yadav who had been working as a Constable in the Chhattisgarh Police force, and another accused named Asim Das are currently in custody. They were arrested under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for the commission of the offence of Money laundering u/s 3, punishable u/s 4 of PMLA, 2002.

ED is currently probing the allegations that the promoters of the Mahadev Book Online Betting App syndicate are based abroad. But they are remotely running thousands of panels across India with the help of their friends and associates who are mainly from Chhattisgarh and have earned thousands of crore of proceeds of crime.

The ED has already arrested four accused persons, seized proceeds of crime worth more than Rs 450 crore, and has filed a prosecution complaint against 14 accused persons.

The ED findings also revealed that the promoters of the Mahadev Betting app had links with Dawood Ibrahim’s D-company. 

Israel releases new intelligence and evidence showing how Hamas uses Gaza hospitals for terror infrastructure 

OpIndia Staff
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Israel releases new intelligence and evidence showing how Hamas uses Gaza hospitals for terror infrastructure 

On 5th November (Sunday), the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) held a briefing for international media outlets. During the briefing, the IDF official revealed new intelligence information and evidence detailing how Hamas terrorists have been reportedly using medical facilities as terror infrastructure, the Times of Israel reported.   

Addressing the media persons, IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari presented a video showing an underground entrance from Sheikh Hamad Hospital, which, according to him, connects to Hamas tunnel networks.

As per the Times of Israel, Hamas gunmen opening fire at Israeli forces from the hospital could be seen in another video presented by the IDF official.

IDF Spokesman Hagari said, “If it weren’t enough that we exposed a tunnel under the hospital, the terrorists also shot at our soldiers from within the hospital.” 

He asserted that the IDF has intelligence of a tunnel network under the so-called Indonesian Hospital, in addition to aerial imagery that shows rocket launchers a few dozen meters from the complex.

Hagari added, “Hamas systematically built the Indonesian Hospital to disguise its underground terror infrastructure.” 

In front of international media outlets, he also presented call recordings in which officials of the terror outfit Hamas could be heard describing their use of fuel reserves that belong to the Indonesian Hospital. 

Previously while updating on the Israel-Hamas war, the IDF stressed that it has concrete evidence that Hamas had set up its main Command-and-Control Centre under, Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest hospital. It added that Hamas terrorists had been hoarding fuel and using its electricity and fuel for terror purposes.  

Additionally, on 28th October a video shared by the Israeli military confirmed that the Palestinian terrorist organisation Hamas has a bunker beneath Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The video showed excerpts from the interrogation of two assailants who perpetrated the 7th October massacre in southern Israel.

Hinting that Israel may target the hospitals, the IDF Spokesman Hagari had earlier noted that when medical facilities are used for terror purposes, they are liable to lose their protection from attack in accordance with international laws. However, he maintained that IDF will continue its effort to minimise harm to civilians while acting as per international laws.

Meanwhile during the 5th November briefing, on the issue of evacuation in Northern Gaza, the IDF Spokesman Hagari emphasised that the IDF has carried out intense efforts to warn Palestinians to evacuate from northern Gaza to its south. According to the IDF Spokesman, the Israeli Air Force dropped more than one and a half million fliers in northern Gaza. Their authorities and agencies also made over 20,000 phone calls to key people in those areas, asking the civilian population to evacuate.

Hagari noted, “Our war is with Hamas, not the civilians in Gaza. We will not accept Hamas’s cynical use of hospitals, to hide their terror infrastructure. Hamas’s exploitation of hospitals must come to an end.” 

Draft reports on three bills that will replace existing criminal laws likely to be adopted on 6th November 

OpIndia Staff
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Draft reports on three bills that will replace existing criminal laws likely to be adopted on 6th November 

The parliamentary committee that has been scrutinising three bills that will eventually replace the existing criminal laws will meet on Monday (6th November). The meeting is scheduled to adopt draft reports on these three bills. This comes almost a week after some opposition members sought an extension for the panel to review the measures closely.

Earlier on 27th October, the opposition members pressed the committee for more time to study it. Consequently, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs was unable to adopt the three draft reports. 

In fact, the opposition members had urged panel chairperson Brij Lal to seek an extension of three months in its tenure, ranting that it should “stop bulldozing these bills for short-term electoral gain”.

However, BJP sources asserted that the committee has engaged in an extensive consultation process adding that it will meet its deadline of three months.

According to a notice sent to members, the committee will now meet on 6th November to adopt the three drafts. The panel may adopt the draft reports despite protests by some of its members from the opposition parties, sources added. 

During the Monsoon Session, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in Lok Sabha, introduced three bills to completely revamp the colonial-era criminal laws. The three bills will replace the existing Indian Penal Code (IPC), The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 with Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, respectively.

At that time, the Home Minister said that the bills had been prepared after comprehensive discussions and studies, and the task was started in 2019. Suggestions were taken from all High Courts, Law universities, chief ministers, governors, MPs, MLAs, etc. Several reports from several parliamentary committees were compiled while drafting the bills in a process that took 4 years.

Click here to read the major provisions of the 3 bills introduced in parliament. 

However, shortly after the introduction of the bill, the House on 11th August sent the bills to the Parliament Standing Committee on Home Affairs for scrutiny asking it to submit its report within three months. 

According to sources, the committee is likely to recommend a raft of amendments in the three bills however it will stick to their Hindi names. Soon after learning about the three bills, some opposition MPs, including those from the DMK opposed its name in Hindi. They demanded that English names should be used for the proposed laws.

Sweden’s Saab becomes first to bag 100% FDI in defence project, to make Carl-Gustaf M4 weapons system in Haryana

OpIndia Staff
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Sweden’s Saab becomes first to bag 100% FDI in defence project, to make Carl-Gustaf M4 weapons system in Haryana

India has approved the first-ever 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in the defence industry, allowing Swedish company Saab to establish a new facility for the production of rockets, according to a report in The Economic Times.

According to sources, the FDI proposal which was approved last month was worth less than Rs 500 crore. At the moment, India’s automatic route permits up to 74% FDI in the defence industry. The clearances beyond that could be acquired on an individual basis. Despite the 2015 relaxation of clearance requirements, no foreign company had yet been granted authorisation for 100% FDI in defence.

Saab FFV India a recently registered company, is going to manufacture the most recent version of the Carl-Gustaf M4 system. The facility which is anticipated to be built in Haryana would have cutting-edge technology like sighting technology and carbon fibre wrapping for the Carl-Gustaf system. The Indian armed services currently employ shoulder-fired rockets extensively and if indigenous production kicks off, they would also be available for export.

The Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system (Source: The Hindu)

The Carl-Gustaf M4 is a recoilless man-portable, recoilless, multi-role weapon system which can use a wide variety of ammunition. It is a lightweight, low-cost weapon that uses a wide range of ammunition, which makes it extremely flexible and suitable for a wide variety of roles. Its programable and versatile ammunition makes it an anti-armour, anti-structure and anti-personnel weapon system.

The system is a total package of weapons, sights, ammunition, training and support. Developed by Saab Group, the Carl-Gustaf M4 is an upgraded version of the earlier Carl-Gustaf M3 recoilless rifle.

Mats Palmberg, chairman and managing director of Saab India stated, “We are proud to be the first global defence company to be approved by the Indian government for 100% foreign direct investment for our new Carl-Gustaf manufacturing facility in India. This is another step in Saab’s commitment to ‘Make in India,’ and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with our Indian partners and to supporting the Indian armed forces with the production of Carl-Gustaf in India.”

Production of the Carl-Gustaf M4 is scheduled to begin on this line next year, marking Saab’s first production plant outside of Sweden. The United States, European and Indian armed forces employ the shoulder-launched weapon system to destroy enemy locations that are defended, along with their armour and men.

The first foreign business to apply for approval of 100% FDI to establish an Indian subsidiary in order to develop cutting-edge equipment that would increase submarines’ underwater endurance was the French company DCNS in 2016. It had applied for permission to invest more than Rs 100 crores in DCNS India Pvt Ltd in order to develop innovative key defence technologies but it was not granted the necessary authorisations.

Don’t vote for Congress, it is a very ‘chalu’ party: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s stinging attack on I.N.D.I. Alliance partner

OpIndia Staff
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Don’t vote for Congress, it is a very ‘chalu’ party: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s stinging attack on I.N.D.I. Alliance partner

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav launched a scathing assault on Congress in an election rally in Madhya Pradesh’s Tikamgarh on 5 November. He termed the party as “chalu” (cunning) and advised people to vote against it. He charged that the Congress wanted to conduct a caste-based census only for the purpose of gaining votes and insinuated that if the Congress could betray his party then it could also deceive the voters.

“If you are getting nothing as ration, then why will you vote for the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party),” he asked and added, “Do not even vote for Congress, it is a very cunning party. Would you be cautious or not?” He referred to a leader named Bansal and claimed, “He was upset that he had been duped by Congress. If they can con us then who are you?”

He took a jab at the ages of Congress stalwarts and former chief ministers of Madhya Pradesh Digvijaya Singh and Kamal Nath. “How are people over eighty years old supposed to remember anyone? We have nothing against anybody. We are aware, nevertheless, that an octogenarian won’t be able to recognise. It is our own mistake to believe that such elderly people would remember us.”

He also talked about caste census and stressed, “We want caste-based census. Don’t fall for the promises of BJP and Congress. Congress is talking about it because their vote was transferred to the BJP. They want a caste-based census for the sake of votes.”

On 4 November the former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh stated that his party is preparing for all 80 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh which is a huge indication towards the brewing problems inside the opposition coalition. The Congress and Samajwadi party appear to be not on the same page when it comes to the alliance.

Akhilesh Yadav recently expressed his disappointment over the Congress’ denial of Madhya Pradesh seat-sharing which his party intended to contest from six constituencies. The Congress was accused of “betrayal” by him. He charged he was unaware that the I.N.D.I. Alliance was exclusive to the Lok Sabha elections and not the assembly polls.

He had previously declared that it is a “miracle” that Congress is now asking for a caste census. He pointed out that it was the same party which didn’t disclose numbers of the caste census while it was in power at the centre. He highlighted that the party has realised that people in backward areas do not support them.

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