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Over 27500 suggestions received from people: Read about ‘Samarth Uttar Pradesh’ portal, which is democratising governance through public participation

OpIndia Staff
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Over 27500 suggestions received from people: Read about ‘Samarth Uttar Pradesh’ portal, which is democratising governance through public participation

More than 27,500 people had shared their suggestions on the state government’s portal for the Vision Document ‘Samarth Uttar Pradesh – Viksit Uttar Pradesh @2047,’ by Sunday (7th September).

According to the media reports, the majority of ideas coming in so far are focused on reforms in the education sector, showing that people see education as a key driver of development.

Principal Secretary (Planning) Alok Kumar said that till Sunday, a total of 27,551 suggestions had been recorded on the portal. Of these, 18,780 suggestions came from men and 8,459 from women. Another 312 responses were also received, but the gender of those contributors could not be identified. 

Interestingly, the rural population has been far more active than city residents in sharing ideas this time. Out of the total feedback, 22,158 came from villages, while only 5,393 were sent in from urban areas.

Portal launched to involve citizens in policy planning

The portal samarthuttarpradesh.up.gov.in was launched under the “Samarth Uttar Pradesh – Viksit Uttar Pradesh @2047” campaign, which was flagged off by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on 3rd September in Lucknow. 

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the chief minister called for participation from citizens to create the state’s roadmap for the future. The campaign was announced soon after a special marathon session in the Assembly that focused on Vision 2047. 

Through the online portal, people can share their feedback across 12 priority areas, including agriculture, health, education, industry, IT, infrastructure, tourism, social welfare, security, and good governance. The entire exercise is being carried out under the theme of economic strength, innovation and vitality, and is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Viksit Bharat @2047” vision.

Broad participation and expert involvement

At the time of the launch, more than 400 retired officials and subject experts from diverse fields such as administration, policing, forestry, agriculture, education and health took part in an orientation workshop at Lok Bhavan in Lucknow. The workshop opened with a short film on Uttar Pradesh’s development since 2017.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that the campaign is to make each citizen a development partner under the Shatabdi Sankalp Abhiyan. He specifically appealed to elderly citizens, intellectuals and professionals to contribute their experience and knowledge for the long-term development of the state.

Pointing to the economic development of the state, the CM added that Uttar Pradesh’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) increased from ₹13 lakh crore to ₹35 lakh crore during the past eight years, and the state became one of the fastest-growing economies in India. 

How the campaign is working

The initial phase of the campaign involves seminars in colleges and universities to get young people involved, which will be followed by active involvement of ministers, MPs and MLAs in the state. There are also plans to pass resolutions at each gram panchayat and ward level so that feedback can be gathered at the grassroots.

To make the process accessible, QR codes have also been displayed in public places, schools and colleges so that individuals can simply scan and send their ideas online. The portal itself has also been made user-friendly and simple to ensure the process remains inclusive.

As per the media reports, all the suggestions will be evaluated by subject experts and NITI Aayog. The best and most innovative ideas will not just be considered for inclusion in the final Vision Document, but will also be rewarded at both the district and state levels.

State aims to expand its economy to $6 trillion by 2047

The campaign is set to run from 5th September to 5th October and will be promoted through hoardings, newspapers, radio, TV and social media to ensure wide participation. 

Principal Secretary Alok Kumar, who presented the blueprint of the Vision Document, said that the state aims to expand its economy to $6 trillion by 2047. He explained that the document rests on the three pillars of economic strength, innovation and vitality, and will be a collective vision shaped by people’s ideas.

PM Modi announces Rs 1600 crore assistance package for flood-hit Punjab, farmers, livestock rearers to receive help

OpIndia Staff
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PM Modi announces Rs 1600 crore assistance package for flood-hit Punjab, farmers, livestock rearers to receive help

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Punjab on 9th September 2025 and reviewed the flood situation and damage caused due to cloudbursts and heavy rain in affected areas of Punjab.

The Prime Minister conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas in Punjab. Thereafter, he had an official review meeting in Gurdaspur with officials and elected representatives. PM Modi reviewed the relief and rehabilitation measures undertaken as well as assessed the damage that has occurred in Punjab.

The Prime Minister announced a financial assistance of Rs. 1600 crore for Punjab in addition to the Rs 12,000 crore already in the state’s kitty. There will be advance release of the second instalment of SDRF and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.

The Prime Minister emphasised the need for a multi-dimensional approach to help the entire region and its people recover. This would include measures such as rebuilding homes under the PM Awas Yojana, restoring national highways, reconstructing schools, providing relief through the PMNRF, and distributing mini kits for livestock, government sources stated.

Recognizing the critical need to support the agricultural community, additional assistance will be provided specifically targeted at farmers who currently lack power connections, as per reports. For bores which have been silted over or swept away, support for refurbishing would be extended under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana on a project mode, as per specific proposals from the State Government.

For bore pumps that are running on diesel, convergence with MNRE for solar panels & support will be facilitated for micro irrigation under Per Drop More Crop guidelines.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin, financial assistance will be extended under “Special Project’’ submitted by Government of Punjab for reconstruction of houses in rural areas to eligible households whose houses have been damaged due to floods.

Government schools damaged in the recent  floods  in Punjab will be financially supported under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. The State Government is required to provide all requisite supporting information as per guidelines.

Construction of recharge structures for water harvesting will be undertaken extensively in Punjab under the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari program. This will be aimed to repair damaged recharge structures and construct additional water harvesting structures. These efforts will enhance rainwater harvesting and ensure long-term water sustainability.

The Union Government has also sent Inter-Ministerial Central teams to visit Punjab to assess the extent of damage, and based on their detailed report further assistance will be considered.

Prime Minister expressed his condolences to the family members of those who have lost their lives in the natural calamity and stated that the Union Government will work closely with the State Governments in this difficult time and extend all possible assistance.

Prime Minister also met families from Punjab who were affected by the calamities and floods. He expressed his complete solidarity with all those who had suffered and expressed deep sorrow who had lost their close ones.

PM Modi also announced an ex-gratia of Rs.2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs.50,000 to the seriously injured in the floods and natural calamity.

The Prime Minister announced that children orphaned due to the recent floods and landslides will be extended comprehensive support under the PM CARES for Children scheme. This will ensure their long-term welfare.

Third act of chaos: After Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Southeast Asia, is it the suspected regime change ops that’s driving Nepal into turmoil?

Jinit Jain
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Third act of chaos: After Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Southeast Asia, is it the suspected regime change ops that’s driving Nepal into turmoil?

The Himalayan nation of Nepal is on the boil. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s resignation, after one of the deadliest crackdowns in years that left 19 young protesters dead, has plunged the country into political turmoil. His Bhaktapur residence has been set ablaze, the homes of former prime ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” and Sher Bahadur Deuba vandalised, and three of his ministers forced to resign.

Now, reports suggest Oli himself is preparing to flee, possibly to Dubai under the guise of medical treatment, with Himalaya Airlines on standby.

To seasoned observers, none of this feels new. South Asia has seen this script before. From Sri Lanka in 2022 to Bangladesh in 2024, youth-led uprisings have toppled governments, torched the symbols of power, and forced once-dominant leaders to flee in humiliation. Nepal, it seems, is now the third act in this turbulent South Asian trilogy.

From Colombo to Dhaka to Kathmandu

In July 2022, Sri Lanka erupted. Protesters stormed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s official residence in Colombo, sending him fleeing to safety. Images of citizens swimming in his pool and cooking in his kitchen captured global imagination. Later that day, the private residence of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was set ablaze. Both leaders were forced to resign as the “Aragalaya” (struggle) movement brought down a political dynasty amid the island’s bankruptcy.

Two years later, in August 2024, Bangladesh witnessed its own “Bangla Spring.” What began as student protests against a controversial job quota system escalated into nationwide violence. On August 5, jubilant protesters carrying flags, chanting slogans, and even dancing atop captured tanks stormed Sheikh Hasina’s official residence. By then, Hasina had already fled. Army Chief Waker uz Zaman confirmed her resignation, announcing an interim government would assume power.

According to reports, Hasina’s helicopter landed in Agartala, India, after New Delhi allowed her emergency entry. Protesters ransacked her residence, looting sarees, utensils, and other personal items, celebrating what they called the “reclaiming” of the palace from which “illegal orders to murder citizens” were issued. The scale of violence was staggering: on just one Sunday, 91 people were killed, making it the deadliest day of the uprising. By early August, at least 300 people had died since the protests began in July.

Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, based in the US, had desperately urged the security forces to prevent the fall of his mother’s 15-year rule. “You must keep our people and country safe and uphold the constitution,” he pleaded on Facebook. But the army, much like in 2007 when it installed a caretaker government, chose to “stand by the people.”

Fast forward to 2025, and Kathmandu now echoes both Colombo and Dhaka. Protesters have torched the homes of top leaders, defied curfews, and filled the streets with cries against corruption and authoritarianism. Oli, once thought unshakable, now finds himself cornered in the same way Rajapaksa and Hasina were.

The youth factor

At the heart of all three uprisings is a restless younger generation. In Sri Lanka, it was the Aragalaya movement, powered by students and unemployed graduates. In Bangladesh, it was university students and job-seekers, furious over a quota system they saw as corrupt and discriminatory. In Nepal, it is Gen Z, nearly 43% of the population, who continue to defy curfews and risk their lives in the streets.

Their demands differ, but their rage is rooted in the same frustrations: unemployment, inequality, corruption, and betrayal by political elites. Social media has been the spark and accelerant. Oli’s attempted ban on platforms like Facebook and YouTube only worsened the fury, just as the digital mobilisation in Bangladesh amplified Hasina’s downfall.

A script that feels too familiar

What makes these crises feel less like organic uprisings and more like orchestrated operations is the striking similarity in their sequence. In Sri Lanka, the trigger was an economic bankruptcy; in Bangladesh, it was the controversial job quota system; and in Nepal, it was the sudden ban on social media. Each of these issues ignited a youth-led revolt—whether it was Sri Lanka’s Aragalaya, Bangladesh’s Bangla Spring, or Nepal’s Gen Z protests. The unrest in all three countries produced spectacles of overthrow: the presidential palace stormed in Colombo, Sheikh Hasina’s residence ransacked in Dhaka, and KP Sharma Oli’s home torched in Bhaktapur. 

International NGOs, rights groups, and global media then amplified the narrative by spotlighting state brutality, further fueling the movements. Finally, each crisis ended with a leader on the run. Rajapaksa fled abroad, Hasina is forced into exile in India, and Oli is now preparing to depart for Dubai. The pattern is too neat to dismiss as a coincidence. It resembles a regional playbook of managed chaos, where genuine grievances are weaponised, protests are accelerated, and leaders are toppled in ways that ultimately reshape geopolitics.

Nepal’s geopolitical crossroads

For Nepal, the stakes are uniquely high. Unlike Sri Lanka’s maritime location or Bangladesh’s industrial heft, Nepal is a Himalayan buffer between India and China. Beijing has courted Oli with Belt and Road projects; India has long seen Nepal as part of its natural security perimeter; Washington views Nepal as a potential foothold to check Chinese expansion.

Oli’s fall, therefore, is not just about governance failure. It represents an opening for external players to tilt Nepal’s alignment. The speed and violence of his ouster suggest a larger geopolitical script is being written in the Himalayan theatre.

How India needs to remain vigilant against insurrectionists masquerading as protesters

Oli’s resignation, and likely flight abroad, does not mark an end but a dangerous beginning. Rival parties are scrambling for power, but the structural rot of unemployment, corruption, and inequality remains. Unless these are addressed, Nepal risks falling into prolonged instability, just like what we are witnessing in Bangladesh, where Islamists have taken hold of power, as minorities are subjected to unspeakable atrocities. 

For India, the warning could not be clearer. It has already seen Sri Lanka drift under Chinese influence and Bangladesh collapse into chaos. Now Nepal, its closest Himalayan neighbour, is teetering. If New Delhi does not act decisively, it risks ceding space to Beijing and Western-backed actors, just as it did in Dhaka.

From Colombo in 2022 to Dhaka in 2024 and now Kathmandu in 2025, South Asia has witnessed three uprisings that unfolded with eerie similarity. Leaders once thought untouchable have fled in disgrace, residences have been stormed or torched, and youth anger has become the battering ram of regime change.

The world celebrates these as democratic revolutions. But for the region, they represent a cycle of instability and externally influenced transitions. Nepal’s crisis is not an isolated event; it is the latest chapter in a pattern of managed chaos gripping South Asia.

The déjà vu is unmistakable. The real question is whether Nepal, or much of Southeast Asia, including India, can escape the trap of being perpetual pawns in someone else’s geopolitical game.

Yogi govt sends 48 trucks of relief supplies to flood-hit States, announces ₹10 crore aid for Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh

OpIndia Staff
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Yogi govt sends 48 trucks of relief supplies to flood-hit States, announces ₹10 crore aid for Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath flagged off 48 trucks full of relief material for those who are affected due to heavy floods in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab on Monday, 8th September. The flag-off ceremony was held on Ambala Road in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. Senior BJP leaders, ministers, MLAs and local officials were present at the ceremony.

Addressing the event, CM Yogi mentioned that relief material was not only supplies but a symbol of compassion and care. “In this hour of crisis, the 25 crore residents of Uttar Pradesh extend their support to their sisters and brothers in the affected states,” he said.

CM Yogi Adityanath announced an additional ₹5 crore each in aid to the relief funds of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. He highlighted that the relief materials are being dispatched as a gesture of national unity and in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.

Relief material and packages

Each relief package sent through the 48 trucks contains: 10 kg flour, 10 kg rice, 2 kg tur dal, 2 kg roasted gram, 2 kg gram, 2.5 kg additional flour, 10 kg potatoes, 1 kg sugar, 1 kg mustard oil, 1 kg salt, two bathing soaps, candles and matchboxes, 10 packets of biscuits, sanitary pads, towels, mugs, Dettol, tarpaulins, buckets, cotton cloth, and disposable bags.

CM Yogi explained that the effort shows how UP is ready to share resources and stand by other states during disasters.

CM praised the disaster management groups

The chief minister praised the role of disaster management teams and local organisations in helping victims. He mentioned the work of the NDRF, Apda Mitra volunteers, police, and other agencies. He said that their work becomes stronger when society and voluntary organisations join hands with the government.

He also promised citizens that in the event of floods or rain-related fatalities and damage to property in Uttar Pradesh, the state government shall provide relief and compensation immediately. 

A sum of ₹4 lakh is paid to families that lose their members to animal or snake bites, he further stated. He also emphasised that the government assists the reconstruction of houses, grants leases over land to families hit by erosion, and organises provisions of food, fodder, and safe transportation in relief camps.

To ensure the supplies reach the right people, the UP government has assigned senior representatives to travel with the trucks. Minister Kunwar Brijesh Singh will visit Uttarakhand, Jaswant Singh Saini will go to Himachal Pradesh, and Saharanpur MLA Rajiv Gumbar will take the relief material to Punjab. 

According to the media reports, CM Yogi informed that disasters like cloudbursts, lightning, and heavy rain have vitally impacted life in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. He explained that hilly areas face special challenges, and life gets severely disrupted when disasters strike. “In such times, it becomes the responsibility of other states to extend both financial and material support,” he said.

He added that Uttar Pradesh has been able to manage floods better in recent years through strong disaster management systems. With the combined support of NDRF, SDRF, PAC flood units, police, voluntary groups, and social organisations, relief is being provided at all levels.

“Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, the Uttar Pradesh government has implemented successful flood management programs in the state. With the support of NDRF, SDRF, PAC flood units, local police, voluntary organisations, and business and social groups, relief is being provided to all affected citizens.” CM Yogi stated that the relief material distributed to flood victims in Uttar Pradesh is being packaged similarly and sent on Monday, via 48 trucks, to Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab for large-scale distribution.

IIT Gandhinagar faces allegations of ‘favouritism’ and ‘conflict of interest’ in appointment of faculty but institute maintains complete silence

OpIndia Staff
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IIT Gandhinagar faces allegations of ‘favouritism’ and ‘conflict of interest’ in appointment of faculty but institute maintains complete silence

IIT Gandhinagar is yet again mired in controversies. The educational institution is now faced with allegations of ‘conflict of interest’ and favouritism in the appointment of faculty.

On Monday (8th September), columnist Harshil Mehta posed several questions to the IIT Gandhinagar and its hiring process on X (formerly Twitter).

According to him, the wife of a Professor has been roped in as ‘visiting faculty’ at the educational institution.

The woman worked as a ‘tutor’ of the English and Korean languages in the United States but was appointed as ‘Assistant Teaching Professor’ in the Humanities Department of IIT Gandhinagar.

“Her husband? He was working–still works–in a top position at IIT Gandhinagar,” Harshil Mehta pointed out. The columnist posed 3 questions to the educational institution for transparency.

  1. Which processes did IITGn follow to avoid conflict of interest and provide an equal opportunity to Indian citizens? Does India not have any English teacher that a foreign national was hired?
  2. Does IIT Gandhinagar have any spouse hiring policy? If yes, where is it? If no, where is the conflict of interest policy?
  3. How national security is maintained when IITGn host a semiconductor lab and work in tribal areas but it has employees with different nationalities?

Harshil Mehta pointed out that there are 14 cases of such favouritism and conflict of interest. While speaking to OpIndia, he said, “The question is whether IIT Gandhinagar runs any family reunion program? If so, then it should be declared as an official policy.”

He pointed out, “Professor Prachi Thareja is on the internal complaint committee of the institute. Does the institute know that her husband also works there? If there is a complaint against her husband, how will Prachi decide the case since it is a clear case of conflict of interest?”

Mehta stated that large organisations have internal policies to prevent such situations from arising. “What is the policy of IIT Gandhinagar? It should tell what steps were taken to prevent such activities.”

He also posed questions to the former Director of IIT Gandhinagar, Sudhir Jain, under whom most of these contentious appointmenets were made.

Harshil Mehta sought urgent intervention of the Central government and the Union Ministry of Education.

PM Modi announces financial assistance of Rs 1500 crore for flood-hit Himachal Pradesh, praises the effort of NDRF and SDRF teams

OpIndia Staff
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PM Modi announces financial assistance of Rs 1500 crore for flood-hit Himachal Pradesh, praises the effort of NDRF and SDRF teams

PM Modi announced a financial assistance of Rs. 1500 crore for Himachal Pradesh. There will be advance release of the second instalment of SDRF and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, as per government sources. 

PM has also asked for a Multi-dimensional view to be taken to get the entire region and people back on its feet. These would be done through multiple ways, like rebuilding homes through PM Awas Yojana, restoration of national highways, rebuilding schools, provision of relief under PMNRF, along with the release of Mini Kits for livestock.

Arriving in Kangra today, PM Modi spoke to NDRF and SDRF personnel and many families who have been affected by the floods.

Recognizing the critical need to support the agricultural community, additional assistance will be provided specifically targeted at farmers who currently lack power connections.

Under the PM Awas Yojana, geotagging of damaged houses will be done. This will help in accurate damage assessment and faster delivery of aid to those affected.

To ensure uninterrupted education, schools will be able to report and geotag damages, enabling timely assistance under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, sources said.

Construction of recharge structures for water harvesting to help collect and store rainwater will be done. These efforts will improve groundwater levels and support better water management.

The Union Government has already sent Inter-Ministerial Central teams to visit Himachal Pradesh to assess the extent of damage, and based on their detailed report further assistance will be considered.

As per a press release by PIB, the Prime Minister first conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas of Himachal Pradesh. PM Modi also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the seriously injured in the floods and natural calamities. 

The Prime Minister also stated that all assistance under disaster management rules are being made, including advance disbursements to the States. He appreciated the efforts of the personnel of NDRF, SDRF, Army, State administration and other service-oriented organisations for making efforts in immediate relief and response. The Central government will further review the assessment based on the memorandum of the State as well as the report of the Central teams.

Convicted Al Qaeda terrorist Haroon Rashid Aswat, who took training in Pakistan, linked to London bombings, set to be released in UK despite ‘grave security risk’

Shraddha Pandey
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Convicted Al Qaeda terrorist Haroon Rashid Aswat, who took training in Pakistan, linked to London bombings, set to be released in UK despite ‘grave security risk’

The United Kingdom has a penchant for sympathising with Islamic criminals. Be it the Pakistani Muslim grooming/rape gangs or Jihadi terrorists, the British authorities are often found protecting Islamist perpetrators.

In a latest case of misplaced sympathies, convicted Al Qaeda terrorist Haroon Rashid Aswat (50), who trained for Islamic terrorism in Kashmir and masterminded the 7/7 London bombings, is set to be released by the UK authorities despite “grave security risk”.

The High Court judge, Robert Maurice Jay, not only granted release to Islamic terrorist Haroon Rashid Aswat, but also wished him “all the best”.

“I know it can’t have been pleasant to be in custody in the United States all that time. I wish you all the best. The way forward is to continue with the medication, listen to the advice you receive, and stay away from the activities that previously led you to prison. Because you saw where it ended up and you do not want to go back to that, I am sure.” Jay told Aswat.

Haroon Rashid Aswat and his involvement in Islamic terrorism

Originally from Batley, West Yorkshire, Haroon Rashid Aswat was given a 20-year prison sentence in the United States in 2015 for planning to establish a terrorist training camp in Oregon with Islamic hate preacher Abu Hamza in the 1990s.

He was repatriated to the UK in 2022 after completing his term, where he was held in mental custody after receiving a schizophrenia disorder diagnosis, until his release was approved recently.

Haroon Aswat, right, in a car with hate preacher Abu Hamza al-Masri in January 1999 (Image via Metro)

Notably, Haroon Rashid Aswat had earlier admitted that he masterminded the July 7, 2005 attacks, in which four suicide bombers targeted London’s transport network. In this Islamic jihadist attack, 52 innocent people died and over 700 were injured. Aswat also publicly described himself as a terrorist.

Aswat along with fellow Jihadi terrorist, Ouassama Kassir, received jihad training in Pakistan. Aswat also admitted during his trial in US that he supported Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda. Aswat and Kassir travelled to Seattle also, where they resided inside a mosque for two months.

These two provided men from the mosque with additional terrorist training lessons – including instructions on different types of weapons, how to construct a homemade silencer for a firearm, how to assemble and disassemble an AK-47 and how an AK-47 could be altered to be fully automatic and to launch a grenade. 

The investigation by the US authorities found that a ledger recovered in September 2002 from an al Qaeda safe house in Karachi, Pakistan, listed a number of individuals associated with al Qaeda, including Haroon Rashid Aswat. This safe house was used by Al Qaeda terrorist and alleged planner of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Reports say that Aswat was linked to the London killing after police traced 20 calls made by the suicide bombers to a phone linked to him. Weeks later, Aswat was arrested in Zambia. He was carrying a terror manual and bomb-making materials.

Aswat pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and one count of providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, each of which carries a maximum term of 10 years in prison. 

However, he did not complete his 20 years jail term due to “periods of detention in this country awaiting extradition” being taken into account.

UK judge’s unwarranted sympathy for Haroon Rashid Aswat and legal loopholes

Aswat’s medical reports indicate that despite his medical treatment at the Broadmoor Hospital, even in his “relatively stable” condition, Aswat continues to express violent jihadist ideology.

In April this year, judge Jay who oversaw an application by the Metropolitan Police for a notification order for Aswat’s release, to monitor him when back with his family in West Yorkshire, was informed that Aswat continues to pose a risk to the public, and mental illness exacerbates his Islamic extremism.

Judge Robert Jay noted that Aswat still poses a risk of “violent extremism-motivated targeted terrorist offending behaviour given his threats to kill Jews, Christians and certain groups of Muslims”, and he could also “influence other vulnerable individuals, as when he is in an abnormal mental state his religious extremist rhetoric is amplified by mental illness”.

Despite taking note of Aswat’s terror history and persistent tendency of indulging in Islamic terrorism in future, the judge sympathised with Haroon Rashid Aswat and said to him: “you probably want to put all of this behind you now”, adding that it “could not have been too pleasant being in American custody all that time”.

Due to his alleged mental condition, Aswat was help in a hospital despite being a terrorist instead of a prison. This prevented his formal terrorist risk assessment. Aswat is due for release from psychiatric care without ankle tag monitoring due to a loophole for such mental patients. This loophole forbids checks on psychiatric patients.

Meanwhile, Detective Chief Superintendent Gareth Rees, a top Metropolitan Police terror investigator said, “He has spoken positively of his time with al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and expressed aspirations to reconnect with them. Based on my experience, this is conduct which gives me grave concerns about the risk which the defendant poses to the UK’s national security and to the public.”

Judge Robert Jay’s sympathetic approach towards Aswat has sparked outrage in the UK. Nigel Farag, a right-wing leader of the Reform UK Party, demanded Jay’s dismissal and said, “People are demanding much tougher justice. Aswat should be in a maximum security prison for the rest of his days, and Judge Jay should be dismissed.”

Robert Jenrick, shadow Justice Secretary, also criticised Jay’s show of sympathy towards Aswat and said, “It’s an insult to the victims of July 7. No one should wish luck or show sympathy to a convicted terrorist, least of all a High Court judge. Jay should be ashamed of acting as if he were a friend of an extremist.”

American man shoots Haryana youth for stopping him from urinating in open in California, victim Kapil had reached US through the Dunki route spending Rs 45 lakhs in 2022

OpIndia Staff
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American man shoots Haryana youth for stopping him from urinating in open in California, victim Kapil had reached US through the Dunki route spending Rs 45 lakhs in 2022

A 26-year-old man from Jind district in Haryana was shot dead in California, US, after a fight with a local resident. The deceased, Kapil, was working as a security guard. He was the resident of Barah Kalan village of Jind district of Haryana, and had travelled to America in 2022, almost two-and-a-half years ago through the illegal “Dunki route.”

The incident happened on the night of Saturday, 6th September, 2025. According to the media reports Kapil had stopped a man from public urination. The argument following this prompted the American man to take out a pistol and shoot him. Locals took Kapil to a nearby hospital, but the doctors confirmed him dead on arrival.

Kapil was the only son of his family. According to father Ishwar Singh, he spent Rs 45 lakh to send his son to the US. Kapil had crossed the dense forests of Panama, climbing the wall of Mexico and reached America. He was later arrested in the USA and a case was registered against him. Kapil’s father is a farmer and he used to stay at the house of his uncle Ramesh Singh and study in Jind. According to the uncle, he had sent him to America from Donkey Route in 2022 with great difficulty.

What is the Dunki route?

Dunki is a term in Punjabi which means to jump from one place to another. Over time, it has come to describe the illegal route taken by people who want to enter another country without proper documents. Nowadays, the phrase “Dunki route” is widely used to describe the dangerous path to America.

Many agents lure Indians to send them abroad through the Dunki route. Those who choose the path of Dunki, their passport and visa are first made. The agents who work the often illegal routes take money and get a visa for a European nation or a country in Latin America. 

On most occasions it is a tourist visa. With this, the people of Dunki route are evacuated from India. They are made to travel in Nepal, Dubai and any other country for a few days and a complete story of their journey.

After this, the agents take the person to the designated Latin American nation for which the visa has been secured. Indian Dunki agents are helpful in these countries, who show the way to the Dunki route takers and help them illegally. Many times, they are associated with criminal gangs. They travel to the US border. The journey passes through the forest, the river and the mountains. It also has to walk for 40-50 km. The border has to be crossed to enter the United States.

The dangerous journey through Latin America

Most people taking this route first reach countries like Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Colombia, or Nicaragua. They are then led by country agents and, at times, even criminal groups to Panama. The trek across Panama is precarious, as migrants must cross thick jungles, rivers, and rugged mountains.

Then they pass through Nicaragua and Guatemala to Mexico. From there, the US border is just a few kilometres. It is, however, highly secured with high iron fences. Migrants often use ropes to climb over them. Those who manage to cross describe it as a major achievement.

The path is filled with dangers. Migrants cover 40-50 kilometres straight, sometimes 17-18 hills at a time. If one slips or is injured, then they are usually left behind. Many have spoken about seeing dead bodies along the way. At times, they also travel 10-15 hours on overcrowded boats.

People who come from Dunki route want to become refugees

Indians who have been deported from America say that those who manage to enter through the Dunki route try to get refugee status. If a refugee is caught by American security agencies while crossing the border, he claims that he is being harassed in India and he needs even food and water. In the past years, the Indian government has flagged the illegal trafficking multiple times, urging citizens to emigrate only through legitimate and legal routes. Pro-Khalistani elements using to Dunki route to entrap and exploit young Indians and engaging them in criminal activities abroad has also been flagged by the government.

On 12th August, three people lost their lives in Florida, when an 18-wheeler trailer truck driven by Harjinder Singh, an ‘asylum seeker in the US, made an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike. Harjinder Singh, the 28-year-old truck driver from Tarn Taran, Punjab, had arrived in the USA through a similar Dunki route via Mexico and sought asylum in the country.

Days after Donald Trump denied writing letter to Jeffrey Epstein, Democrats release his alleged letter to convicted sex offender: Here’s what it says

OpIndia Staff
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Days after Donald Trump denied writing letter to Jeffrey Epstein, Democrats release his alleged letter to convicted sex offender: Here’s what it says

US President Donald Trump is facing one embarrassment after the other. While the backlash over Trump’s mindless tariff tirade against India has yet to subside, the US President’s alleged sexually suggestive letter to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein written in 2003 has been released by the House Oversight Committee.

On Monday (9th September), the House Oversight Committee members confirmed that they received a copy of a birthday book which contains the letter bearing Donald Trump’s signature. It also included a letter that references Trump with a crude joke about a woman from another Epstein associate.

Taking to X, the Democrats shared the alleged letter Trump wrote to Epstein, and said: “We got Trump’s birthday note to Jeffrey Epstein that the President said doesn’t exist. Trump talks about a “wonderful secret” the two of them shared. What is he hiding? Release the files!”

In July this year, the Wall Street Journal had reported about the birthday book and the letter in question, which contained typewritten text framed by the outline of a naked woman. The letter concluded: “Happy Birthday, and may every day be another wonderful secret.” The signature was a squiggly “Donald” below the waist, mimicking pubic hair.

Donald Trump denied writing the letter or drawing the curvaceous woman that surrounds the letter. Not only this, he also filed a libel lawsuit against the publisher of the Wall Street Journal and reporters who wrote a story about a collection of letters gifted to Jeffrey Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003, including the Trump’s alleged letter. The lawsuit sought at least USD 20 billion. Donald Trump denied writing the said letter and called it a “fake thing”.

In a Truth Social post, Trump informed about filing a ‘Powerhouse’ lawsuit against WSJ. “BREAKING NEWS: We have just filed a POWERHOUSE Lawsuit against everyone involved in publishing the false, malicious, defamatory, FAKE NEWS ‘article’ in the useless ‘rag’ that is, The Wall Street Journal. This historic legal action is being brought against the so-called authors of this defamation, the now fully disgraced WSJ, as well as its corporate owners and affiliates, with Rupert Murdoch and Robert Thomson (whatever his role is!) at the top of the list…”

Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has on Monday said that the birthday card story is “false”, adding that this “fake news” is intended to perpetuate “the Democrat Epstein Hoax!”

“The latest piece published by the Wall Street Journal PROVES this entire “Birthday Card” story is false. As I have said all along, it’s very clear President Trump did not draw this picture, and he did not sign it. President Trump’s legal team will continue to aggressively pursue litigation. Furthermore, the “reporter”

@joe_palazzolo who wrote this hatchet job reached out for comment at the EXACT same minute he published his story giving us no time to respond. This is FAKE NEWS to perpetuate the Democrat Epstein Hoax!” Leavitt posted on X.

Notably, the Epstein files, which are sealed investigative records relating to the investigation into Epstein’s criminal activities, have sparked the curiosity of the American people, including Trump’s support base. After Trump swore in as the US President in January this year, Attorney General Bondi indicated that all the Epstein documents, including what many thought was a “client list” of influential individuals who were part of Epstein’s sex trafficking ring, would be made public.  However, Donald Trump has made a U-turn after assuming office in January this year and now calls the Epstein files and investigation into these cases a Democrats peddled hoax.

Who was Jeffrey Epstein?

Jeffrey Epstein was an American financier who was convicted by a Florida state court for procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute. He served 13 months in jail and was arrested again in July 2019 after being charged with sex trafficking of minors in Florida and New York. He died a month later in August while undergoing trial.

Epstein files are investigative documents containing files, records, videos, and contacts compiled by federal agencies during the investigation into Epstein’s criminal activities. The files are said to contain flight logs from Epstein’s private aircraft, contact lists, accounting records, and even video evidence of abuse.

Retired Judges slam Opposition’s VP candidate for meeting convicted criminal Lalu Prasad Yadav, question his sense of judgment and propriety: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Retired Judges slam Opposition’s VP candidate for meeting convicted criminal Lalu Prasad Yadav, question his sense of judgment and propriety: Details

A group of eight former judges has written an open letter criticising the Opposition’s Vice Presidential candidate, Justice B. Sudarshan Reddy. The letter is regarding the meeting with Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, who has been convicted in multiple fodder scam cases. 

The letter issued on Monday, 8th September, raises serious questions over Reddy’s meeting with the convicted criminal in the fodder scam and his suitability for the high constitutional post he is contesting for.

The judges expressed their strong disapproval of the private meeting between Reddy and Lalu Prasad, calling it “dismaying” and “dubious in nature.” They pointed out that Yadav, convicted in cases involving the embezzlement of nearly ₹940 crore from Bihar’s animal husbandry department, neither holds the position of a Member of Parliament nor is eligible to vote in the Vice-Presidential election. The letter said the meeting, therefore, could not be justified on electoral grounds and served no legitimate political purpose.

Concerns over judgment and propriety

The retired judges stated that a person of Reddy’s standing, a former Supreme Court judge now seeking to hold one of the most important constitutional posts in the nation, must not have had dealings with a convicted politician. The retired judges issued a warning that this kind of behavior doubts public confidence and questions his intentions and loyalties.

“It is particularly worrying that, despite his distinguished judicial background, Mr. Reddy has independently associated with an individual whose criminal actions have been confirmed by Indian courts,” the letter stated.

The judges also criticised the silence of political groups who, in their view, selectively raise their voices on questions of morality. They said this incident exposed the partisan approach of those who often present themselves as guardians of constitutional values. The letter went on to argue that Reddy’s actions amount to a fundamental lapse in judgment, one that the public must evaluate carefully before deciding whether he is fit for such a prestigious post.

Amit Shah’s attack on Reddy’s past judgment

The controversy around Reddy’s candidature is not new. On 22nd August, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had strongly criticised him during a conclave organised by Malayalam news outlet Manorama in Kochi. 

Shah accused Reddy of supporting left-wing extremism during his time as a judge by striking down Salwa Judum, the state-backed militia formed to counter Naxalites in Chhattisgarh.

“The opposition (Congress) vice presidential candidate, Sudarshan Reddy, is the same person who gave the Salwa Judum judgment in support of leftist extremism and Naxalism. If this had not been done, extremism would have been eradicated by 2020,” Shah said. He further said that Congress had fielded Reddy under pressure from its Left allies and warned that people of Kerala, who have suffered from Naxal violence, would see through this choice.

According to Shah, choosing Reddy for such an important constitutional post reveals the Opposition’s political priorities and its willingness to accommodate groups sympathetic to extremist ideologies.

Lalu Prasad Yadav’s fodder scam convictions

Lalu Prasad Yadav, with whom Reddy held the controversial meeting, has been convicted in several cases related to the infamous fodder scam. The scam involved the embezzlement of about INR 940 Crores of public funds from the State of Bihar. 

The scam happened in the 1990s undivided Bihar(the state was bifurcated in 2000 with the formation of Jharkhand) by generating fake bills for the animal husbandry department.

Lalu was first convicted on 30th September, 2013, and sentenced to five years in prison for fraudulent withdrawal of ₹37.7 crore from the treasury of Chaibasa. Conviction disqualified Yadav from elections for 11 years. 

In 2017, Lalu was convicted of fraudulent withdrawal of more than ₹89 lakh from the Deoghar treasury and sentenced to three and a half years’ imprisonment. He was released on bail in July 2021 after serving half the sentence.

In 2018, Lalu was convicted of the irregular withdrawal of ₹33.13 crore from the treasury of Chaibasa and sentenced to five years of imprisonment. In the same year, he was convicted in his fourth fodder scam case of fraudulent withdrawal of ₹3.76 crore from the treasury of Dumka. He was sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment, to which the special court (CBI) also added a fine of ₹60 lakh. He was released on bail in both cases.

In 2022, a CBI special court imposed a five-year prison term and ₹60 lakh fine for illicit withdrawals to the tune of ₹139.5 crore from the Doranda treasury. The sixth case, involving ₹46.98 lakh withdrawn from the Bhagalpur treasury, is at present under trial.

Lalu is at present on bail on health grounds, but the several convictions against him continue to serve as a grim reminder of one of India’s biggest corruption scandals.

Name of the judges who signed the letter

Former judges Justice S M Khandeparkar, Justice Ambadas Joshi, Justice R K Marthiya, Justice Devender Kumar Ahuja, Justice S N Dhingra, Justice Karam Chand Puri, Justice P N Ravindran and Justice R S Rathore signed the letter.

The combined action of these judges has put more pressure on the ballooning Reddy candidacy debate. Their objections, along with Amit Shah’s biting critique and the ongoing specter of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s criminal past, put the Opposition’s Vice Presidential candidate in the forefront of public and political examination.

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