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UP Congress leader Ayushi Shukla launches sexist & derogatory attack on journalist Chitra Tripathi, Union Minister Smriti Irani and other women

OpIndia Staff
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UP Congress leader Ayushi Shukla launches sexist & derogatory attack on journalist Chitra Tripathi, Union Minister Smriti Irani and other women

Ayushi Shukla, the state leader for the Congress party in Uttar Pradesh, has launched a sexist attack on Journalist Chitra Tripathi and Union Minister Smriti Irani in keeping with her party’s record of making crude and insulting statements about women. She is also a coordinator of UP Mahila Congress.

It is notable that she has declared “Rahul Gandhi is my superhero” and identified herself as “Nehruvian by thought” on her X (formerly known as Twitter) account.

Following in the footsteps of her idol, who recently courted controversy for his flying kiss in the Parliament, she targeted multiple journalists and Bharatiya Janata Party leaders with abusive and derogatory comments. She wrote, “Modi’s Laila (lover),” with a picture of Aaj Tak anchor Chirta Tripathi. However, she deleted the tweet afterwards.

The Congress leader posted a picture of Amethi MP and Minister of Women and Child Development and Minister of Minority Affairs, Smriti Zubin Irani with the caption, “What relationship does she have with Modi,” making a veiled insinuation and added, “I will immediately follow whoever gives me the right answer.”

Ayushi Shukla posted a picture of another Journalist Anjana Om Kashyap and posted, “She is not a journalist, she is Modi’s broker.”

“How many dogs are there in this picture,” she asked in another photo which featured Prime Minister Narendra Modi with journalists, Rubika Liyaquat, Marya Shakil, Smita Prakash and Sushant Sinha.

UP BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi called out Ayushi Shukla’s objectionable conduct and stated, “Shop of love! This woman is a member of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee and coordinator of UP Mahila Congress. Mr Rahul Gandhi is her superhero. This is the basic character of Congress.” He also asked UP Police as well as tagged prominent Congress handles including that of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi to take cognizance of the matter.

The Congresswoman defended herself with a bizarre excuse. “But Uttar Pradesh BJP spokesperson Mr Rakesh, I just asked what Mrs Smriti is of Mr Modi. I did not use any improper words, so why are you thinking it is wrong,” she responded.

Sexist behaviour of Congress leaders

Notably, Congress has a history of acting in an offensive and sexist manner. The Gandhi scion was accused of blowing a flying kiss as he left the Lok Sabha on 9 August after he concluded his speech during the debate over the no-confidence motion by Union Minister Smriti Irani.

Neetu Singh, Congress MLA from the Hisua constituency in the Nawada district of Bihar engaged in a disturbing and disparaging tirade in her attempt to defend her leader and slander the Minister. She alleged, “Our leader, Rahul Gandhi, has no dearth of young females. Why would he blow a flying kiss to a 50-year-old woman and not a young girl,” she asked and further claimed, “All these allegations against Rahul Gandhi are baseless.”

Uttar Pradesh Congress leader Ajay Rai charged that the Amethi MP only came to her constituency Amethi to show “latkas” and “jhatkas” (an unflattering reference to dance moves) in December of last year. He claimed, “Most of the factories in Amethi are on the verge of closure. Half of the factories in the Jagdishpur industrial area are lying shut. Smriti Irani only comes, shows ‘latka-jhatka’, and leaves.”

A video of six-time Congress MLA KP Singh ‘Kakkaju’ from the Pichhore seat of Shivpuri district in Madhya Pradesh recently went viral on social media in which he passed an extremely controversial statement about women. He voiced, “I have observed many individuals who marry in their old age. At first, they feel pleased that a wife has come into the house, but then she feels that her husband is good for nothing.”

He added that other men start coming to their homes and the elderly husband thinks, “Because I am old and have no control over myself, I am neither able to stop my wife nor say anything.”

Congress leaders, both male and female have indulged in highly objectionable remarks against women, especially after their dismal performance in elections. They vent their frustration on the female leaders of the Bharatiya Janta Party as well as other women and expose their misogynistic mindset.

IAF chief reaches Spain to receive the first C-295 military transport plane, just 2 years after signing the deal with Airbus

OpIndia Staff
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IAF chief reaches Spain to receive the first C-295 military transport plane, just 2 years after signing the deal with Airbus

On Wednesday, September 13, India will receive its first Airbus C-295 military aircraft from Spain. The IAF will receive its first such aircraft today as part of a deal inked with Airbus for 56 such aircraft. The company will send 16 such aircraft from its plant in Spain, while the remaining 40 will be manufactured in Vadodara in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Limited.

According to the reports, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal (ACM) V R Chaudhari is in Seville, Spain to take delivery of the aircraft. A C-295 is a transport plane with short takeoff and landing capabilities. The plane is expected to land at Uttar Pradesh’s Hindon airbase on September 25.

The aircraft is expected to be inducted formally into the service at a ceremony in Hindan around September last week.

“The IAF chief would receive the first aircraft from Airbus at their facility in Seville, Spain on Wednesday. The aircraft would be flying to India from there after the ceremony,” defence officials told the media. The Indian Air Force chief was personally involved in the contract at important stages as the Deputy Chief of Air Staff where he was leading the contract negotiations.

In September 2021, India signed an agreement with Airbus Defence and Space to purchase 56 C-295 aircraft to replace the IAF’s antiquated Avro-748 jets. And in just two years, the first aircraft is being delivered by the European aerospace giant. This is a major improvement from earlier governments where defence deals took decades to complete, and some were even scraped after years and decades, causing major difficulties for the armed forces.

In accordance with the contract, Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in a ‘fly-away’ situation from its final assembly line in Seville, Spain, within a period of four years. The following 40 aircraft will be produced and put together by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) in India as part of an industrial partnership between the two corporations. Production of the aircraft at the Vadodara has already started.

The Main Constituent Assembly (MCA) in Hyderabad will produce several major sub-assemblies for the aircraft, which will be shipped to the Final Assembly Line (FAL) at Vadodara, where the aircraft will take its final shape. Production of sub-assemblies the Hyderabad plant has already started, and final assembly in Vadodara is expected to start by next year.

The aircraft can carry up to nine tonnes of payload or 71 personnel at a maximum cruise speed of 260 kts. Its versatility comes from its ability to be configured for air-to-air refuelling of fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. The aircraft has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo.

The aircraft has retractable landing gear and an unobstructed 12.69-meter-long pressurized cabin. The C-295 can fly at altitudes of up to 30,000 feet. It excels in short take-off and landing (STOL) from unpaved, soft, and sandy/grass airstrips.

According to Airbus, the C-295 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turbine engines, which give great flexibility, remarkable hot-and-high efficiency, and fuel consumption for a very long duration of up to 13 hours aloft. 

The agreement between Airbus and TATA will see roughly 90 percent of the technology transferred. This is the first initiative of its sort in which a private business will produce a military aircraft in India. The initiative will benefit India’s aerospace ecosystem by involving various MSMEs from throughout the country in the production of airplane parts.

Once India begins production, it will be the newest member of a small group of countries capable of producing the C-295. Other members of the group include the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, France, Italy, Spain, Ukraine, Brazil, China, and Japan.

IT department raids over 30 premises linked to Al Jauhar Trust in tax evasion probe against SP leader Azam Khan

OpIndia Staff
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IT department raids over 30 premises linked to Al Jauhar Trust in tax evasion probe against SP leader Azam Khan

The Income Tax department is conducting raids at the premises of Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh in relation to a tax evasion probe against the former cabinet minister. Raids are also being conducted at Regency Public School and Regency Institute of Management and Technology in Sitapur and at the residence of an advocate Mushtaq Ahmed Siddiqui in Lucknow.

The raids are reportedly linked to the Al Jauhar Trust. At least 30 premises across Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh were searched including in Lucknow, Rampur, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Saharanpur, and Sitapur as part of a tax evasion probe against Azam Khan.

Source-based reports claim raids are also underway at the house of Samajwadi Party MLA Naseer Ahmad Khan, a close aide of Azam Khan. The MLA also holds office in the Al Jauhar Trust.

Azam Khan is the head of the Al Jauhar Trust. A lease for a 3.24-acre plot of the Trust was cancelled by the Uttar Pradesh government earlier this year. The plot was reportedly given to the Trust to set up a research institute and the lease was signed in 2013-14 for Rs 100 a year for over 30 years.

The same was cancelled by the government on charges of irregularities. The research institute was never built.

Reports claim Azam Khan and his family were present at his Rampur residence during the raids. A convoy of vehicles of the I-T department was seen parked outside the SP leader’s house which was surrounded by Central forces.

Reports citing sources claim that the raids were conducted based on several inputs. The agency has reportedly seized several documents and electronic equipment. The seized material could likely reveal details of major transactions.

As many as 81 cases have been registered against Azam Khan in Rampur on several charges including land-grabbing, cheating, and criminal trespass. His wife and son were also booked in some of these cases but all three are out on bail.

Earlier, the SP leader was charged with laundering black money during demonetisation and accused of owning assets exceeding his earnings. A case was filed in this regard in Lucknow. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted interrogations in this regard in Rampur.

Haryana Congress MLA Mamman Khan seeks formation of SIT to investigate Nuh violence, moves High Court

OpIndia Staff
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Haryana Congress MLA Mamman Khan seeks formation of SIT to investigate Nuh violence, moves High Court

On Tuesday, 12th September 2023, Congress MLA from Ferozepur Jhirka, Mamman Khan, filed a plea in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking the formation of an SIT (Special Investigation Team) to investigate Nuh violence. Mamman Khan sought in his petition that all FIRs related to this case be entrusted to an SIT led by an officer of rank not lower than Inspector General. Additionally, he said in his petition that the SIT should be instructed not to disclose its investigative findings to any political party representatives due to the sensitive nature of the Nuh violence that took place on 30th July 2023.

The petition, represented by Advocate Arshdeep Singh Cheema and Ishan Khetarpal, also requested protection from arrest for Khan until the investigation concludes. It argued that the state government, having failed to contain the violence, is now trying to shift responsibility onto its political rivals by unjustly involving Khan in the case.

In his petition, Mamman Khan alleged, “It is common knowledge that after the unfortunate incident of violence of Nuh, the blame game started. In order to divert the attention of the people from the failure of the government to prevent the occurrence, the high functionaries of the State, including the Chief Minister and the Home Minister started blaming the opposition. Their statements started to appear in the newspapers blaming the MLAs of the Congress party for the occurrence.”

Mamman Khan’s counsels presented a comprehensive alibi for the MLA during the timeframe of the violence, emphasising his absence from the affected regions and his presence at his Gurugram residence. The petitioner also furnished evidence of his whereabouts, including CCTV footage and receipts.

The petition by Mamman Khan argued that the government’s actions had infringed upon principles of impartial investigation. It requested instructions to establish a high-level SIT, led by senior officers, to examine the violence-related cases. Additionally, it urged that the SIT conduct an autonomous and unbiased inquiry free from political influence. The petition also called for directions to prevent any coercive actions against the Congress MLA during the investigation. The high court is anticipated to schedule a hearing in the near future.

On 1st August 2023, an FIR was registered at the Nagina Police Station in the Nuh district, citing sections 148, 149, 153-A, 379-A, 436, and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in connection with the incidents of violence in the region during the Jalabhishek Yatra. A notice was issued to Mamman Khan under Section 160 of the CrPC and was told to join the investigation and present himself at the Nagina police station. He failed to appear on two occasions during the last fortnight. Now, he has filed a petition in the high court to constitute an SIT to probe this matter.

Notably, Mamman Khan won the 2019 elections from the Ferozepur Jhirka seat with 57.62% votes defeating BJP candidate Nadeem Ahmed. Khan had lost his first election in 2014 as an independent against Nadeem Ahmed who fought on an INLD ticket.

On 31st July, a mob of hundreds of Muslim rioters attacked Hindu devotees participating in the Brijmandal Jalabhishek Yatra in Nuh, Mewat of Haryana. At least six people were killed as a result of the riots.

South Korean Ambassador highlights importance of Ayodhya, says would like to be part of Ram Mandir inauguration ceremony

OpIndia Staff
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South Korean Ambassador highlights importance of Ayodhya, says would like to be part of Ram Mandir inauguration ceremony

On Tuesday, September 12, the South Korean Ambassador in India, Chang Jae-Bok highlighted the importance of the Ram Mandir in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya and said that the country would like to be part of its inauguration ceremony.

“The central government or UP government should elaborate the program of Ram Temple inauguration. We will work on that and attend the Ram temple inauguration if the government of India issues an invitation,” the Ambassador could be heard saying in the video.

He also added that Ayodhya is important to South Korea historically and culturally. As per Korean legends, an Indian princess from the kingdom of Ayodhya had traveled to Korea to marry their prince.

“In one history book, it was mentioned that the Princess was from Ayodhya. So, Ayodhya is of importance to South Korea as well. The central government or the state government should plan the Ram Temple inauguration on a larger scale and we would attend the event if the government issues an invitation,” he reiterated.

During the press conference on September 12, the South Korean Ambassador in India also stated that India and Korea are working on a migration and mobility partnership agreement proposed by the Indian government and said that Korea is hoping to finalize it soon.

Earlier, in the year 2018, the South Korean First Lady, Kim Jung-sook visited Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She was the Chief Guest at the Deepotsav event organized by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh on November 6 that year. She also led the ground-breaking ceremony for the new memorial of Queen Suriratna (Huh Hwang-ok) in Ayodhya.

South Korean first lady visited Ayodhya in November 2018 (Image- The Hindu)

Ayodhya and Korea have a historical connection through the legendary Princess Suriratna of Ayodhya, who traveled to Korea in 48 CE and married the Korean King Suro.

Notably, the city of Ayodhya sees hundreds of Korean visitors every year. As reported earlier, Queen Hu, as per the legends was a princess of Ayodhya named Suriratna, who had traveled to South Korea in 48 AD to marry King Suro of Geumgwan Gaya. The princess is believed to have traveled to Korea by sea. After marrying the king, she was known as Queen Hu Hwang-ok. Together with King Kim Suro, they founded the Karak dynasty in the region that is the present Gimhae province of South Korea.

Millions of Koreans trace their lineage to the dynasty founded by Queen Hur Hwang and King Suro. They consider Ayodhya to be the maternal home of their ancient Queen and that is the reason Ayodhya sees hundreds of Korean visitors every year.

On September 12, the South Korean Ambassador in India, Chang Jae-Bok recalled the legend and highlighted the historical connection between India and South Korea. He indicated that the country would love to be part of the inauguration ceremony of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya. “We will work on that and attend the Ram temple inauguration if the government of India issues an invitation,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya between January 21 and 24, 2024. According to the reports, the inauguration would take place in the third week of January 2024, citing prominent seers of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

12-hour security ‘situation’ at G20 luxury hotel over suspected ‘equipment’ inside a bag that Chinese diplomats refused to get scanned: Report

OpIndia Staff
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12-hour security ‘situation’ at G20 luxury hotel over suspected ‘equipment’ inside a bag that Chinese diplomats refused to get scanned: Report

On Thursday, 7th September 2023, merely two days before Delhi hosted the monumental G20 Summit 2023, an unconventional diplomatic incident transpired at a luxury hotel in the nation’s capital, housing the Chinese G20 delegation.

The episode commenced when security personnel at the Hotel Taj Palace reportedly became aware of the unusually large size of the bags belonging to a member of the Chinese delegation. The Chinese delegation prevented attempts by Indian security personnel to check the bag, allegedly containing some ‘equipment’, for 12 hours before agreeing to take the bag to the Chinese embassy.

According to a report by Times of India’s Raj Shekhar Jha, initially, the security personnel permitted the baggage to proceed, adhering to diplomatic protocols as the baggage was marked as diplomatic. However, while conducting a room inspection, a staff member at the hotel raised concerns about suspicious equipment within the bag, quickly escalating the situation as the message reached higher authorities. The superior authorities present in the hotel subsequently instructed the Chinese diplomatic delegation to subject the luggage to a thorough scanning process.

Subsequently, a tense standoff ensued as the Chinese team members declined to unzip their bags or subject them to scanning for content inspection. This 12-hour impasse reportedly concluded only when the Chinese team members consented to dispatch the bags to the Chinese embassy.

The Chinese delegation made another unusual request, seeking a private network instead of using the hotel’s internet connection, which was subsequently denied by the hotel staff. The mystery surrounding the Chinese suitcase persisted until the resolution, with hotel sources confirming that Chinese security officials agreed to remove the item from the hotel premises and transport it to their embassy. Notably, the President of Brazil, who will host the next G20 summit, was also staying at the same hotel.

Sources within the security operations at the Hotel Taj Palace confirmed that Chinese security personnel resisted the request for equipment inspection, while the Indian security team remained steadfast in their insistence on the check. “A three-member security team stood guard outside the room for approximately 12 hours, after which a Chinese security official indicated they would transport the bags to their embassy,” a source revealed. In regard to the equipment, senior officials stated that it could not be definitively ascertained whether they were surveillance devices as there was no opportunity to inspect the equipment.

‘She had limited value, just give $11,000’: Seattle cop heard joking after speeding police car kills Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula

OpIndia Staff
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‘She had limited value, just give $11,000’: Seattle cop heard joking after speeding police car kills Indian student Jaahnavi Kandula

A bodycam video of a Seattle police Department union leader has gone viral on social media. He was heard joking about the death of an Indian student by a police cruiser as she was crossing a street. 23-year-old Jaahnavi Kandula was killed in the accident on 23rd January 2023. Kevin Dave was the officer whose speeding car had hit Kandula, resulting in her death. Kandula was from Andhra Pradesh.

As per the reports, Dave was driving his car at 119 KMPH (74 MPH) while responding to an overdose call. On his way to the scene, he hit Kandula, who was crossing the road. Daniel Auderer, a drug recognition expert, was assigned to the case to evaluate if Dave was impaired. Following the accident, Auderer called the guild President, Mike Solan, to inform him what happened.

Initially, Auderer reported the officer was driving his car at 50 MPH and was not “out of control”. However, later, the police investigation found that the car was at 74 MPH when it hit Jaahnvi. She was thrown over 100 feet away.

The recording of the bodycam was released on Monday by the Seattle police department. In the video, Auderer could be heard laughing and suggesting that Kandula was 26, and her life had “limited value” and that the city should just “write a cheque” worth USD 11,000.

In a statement, the police department said that the video was identified “in the routine course of business by a department employee, who, concerned about the nature of statements heard on that video, appropriately escalated their concerns through their chain of command to the Chief’s Office which, following a review of the video, referred the matter to OPA for investigation into the context in which those statements were made and any policy violation that might be implicated.”

Assistant Director of Operations at the Office of Police Accountability Katie Maier said in a statement that the office received a complaint on 2nd August from an employee with the Seattle Police Department, and an investigation was initiated into the matter.

In the video, Auderer said, “Eleven thousand dollars. She was 26, anyway… She had limited value.” Notably, Kandula was 23 at the time of the accident. Solan’s remarks were not recorded in the video. In a written statement provided by Auderer to Seattle’s Office of Police Accountability, he said Solan had lamented the death. He further claimed that his comments were “intended to mimic” how the city’s attorneys might try to minimize the liability for Kandula’s death.

According to KTTH-AM host Jason Rantz, who obtained a copy of the written statement, Auderer wrote, “I intended the comment as a mockery of lawyers. I laughed at the ridiculousness of how these incidents are litigated and how I watched these incidents play out as two parties bargain over a tragedy.”

The station further reported that Auderer acknowledged anyone listening to his statement without context to the conversation would “rightfully believe I was being insensitive to the loss of human life.” Auderer claimed to have reported himself to the accountability office after “realizing his statement was recorded”.

Kandula was supposed to get her master’s degree in information systems from the Seattle campus of Northeastern University in December 2023. Her body was transferred to India for the last rites by her uncle Ashok Mandula, who lives in Houston. Speaking to Seattle Times, Mandula said, “The family has nothing to say except I wonder if these men’s daughters or granddaughters have value. A life is a life.”

In July, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s office released bodycam footage of Kevin Dave on the public records request of Fox 13. In the video released by Fox 13, Dave could be seen performing CPR as the first responders started showing up at the scene. Dave could be seen passing red lights at high speeds slowing down periodically when he hit Kandula. 

In a bodycam video of another officer, Dave was heard saying, “Lights were on. I was chirping the sirens.… she was in the crosswalk. She saw me, she started running through the crosswalk. Slammed on my breaks. Started staying back where she should before crossing. I can have a hundred minutes. I could have… there’s nothing for me to do right now but sit. And that is the f–king worst thing that…you just have to sit here. So many questions that are unanswered, so many questions.”

The Seattle Police Department said they are in touch with Kandula’s family as part of the investigation.

Gujarat: 108 persecuted Hindus from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan given Indian citizenship by MoS Home Harsh Sanghavi in Ahmedabad

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat: 108 persecuted Hindus from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan given Indian citizenship by MoS Home Harsh Sanghavi in Ahmedabad

On Tuesday (12 September), the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Harsh Sanghavi granted permanent citizenship to 108 Hindus who had migrated to India from neighbouring nations—Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh—after facing religious persecution in those Islamic countries.

In a special program organized by the Ahmedabad district administration, Sanghavi awarded a “Certificate of Indian Citizenship” to the 108 Hindus who migrated to India and are currently residing in Ahmedabad.

During the event, the Minister congratulated all those who received Indian citizenship and stated, “How are you all? Smile, as now you are Indian citizens.” He added that we all must work together to realise the dream of a new India.

He said, “I expect you all to be determined to participate in the development journey of the country.” 

He also assured everyone that they would feel safe in Gujarat and would enjoy all the rights of a citizen, including the ability to access government benefits and schemes.

Minister Sanghavi also mentioned that a Diwali-like festive atmosphere will prevail in the 108 households in Ahmedabad who have been awarded Indian citizenship certificates today. He likened the joy of receiving Indian citizenship to that experienced when a child is born into a family. 

Additionally, he emphasised that today, the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, meaning “the world is one family,” has truly come to life.

Referring to PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, he stated that both leaders have made repeated efforts to grant Indian citizenship to those who have been religiously persecuted minorities and their dependents in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. 

He added that it is a result of those efforts that today 108 Hindus have been able to receive citizenship. He further asserted that the Central and State Governments have always been committed to integrating the displaced citizens into the mainstream of society and the Government is also determined to resolve the issues of their daily lives.

During the event, the Minister of State for Home Affairs also informed that so far more than 1149 Hindu expatriates have been granted Indian citizenship in Ahmedabad. 

Afterward, he congratulated the Collector of Ahmedabad and the entire administrative team for materialising the same.

It is pertinent to note that earlier gazettes published in 2016 and 2018 empowered the Collectors of Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Kutch-TRS districts in Gujarat to grant Indian citizenship to minorities (Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis, Buddhists, Jains, and Christians) from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, following the procedures outlined in the Citizenship Act.

‘Monu Manesar has been arrested by Rajasthan Police to appease Muslim vote bank, we stand with him’: VHP

OpIndia Staff
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‘Monu Manesar has been arrested by Rajasthan Police to appease Muslim vote bank, we stand with him’: VHP

Following the arrest of Gaurakshak Monu Manesar earlier in the day, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has released an official response accusing the Rajasthan government of playing vote bank politics. Working President of VHP, Alok Kumar has claimed that some time ago Rajasthan Police had considered him innocent and added that the arrest of Monu Manesar was carried out to appease the Muslim vote bank. 

“Arresting an innocent Gau Rakshak for vote bank politics would cost the Rajasthan government dearly. He also assured that VHP will help Gaurakshak Monu Manesar in every way including staging a protest against his arrest.   

Taking to X, he said, “Innocent cow devotee Monu Manesar has been arrested by Rajasthan Police, whereas some time ago Rajasthan Police had considered him innocent, cow devotee Monu has been arrested for the Muslim vote bank in the elections, which will cost them a lot. Vishwa Hindu Parishad will help cow devotee Monu Manesar in every way and if necessary will also protest.”

Earlier in the day, on 12 September, Gau Rakshak Monu Manesar was arrested by Haryana Police and was subsequently handed over to Rajasthan Police.

Manesar, a prominent Bajrang Dal leader, and a member of Haryana’s Gurugram administration’s special cow protection task force, was named in cases involving the deaths of some cow smugglers in Rajasthan. 

However, earlier on 14 August, Rajasthan DGP Umesh Mishra made a major revelation in the alleged murder case of two cow smugglers, Naseer and Junaid by denying the direct involvement of Monu Manesar in the case. 

While addressing a press conference, the Rajasthan DGP categorically stated that no direct involvement of Gaurakshak Mohit Yadav, known as Monu Manesar, was found in this alleged double murder case.

Responding to a question regarding Monu Manesar, DGP Mishra said, “..Let me also tell you that he (Monu Manesar) is not among those who were directly involved or were present on the spot or had direct involvement in the incident. However, police are investigating whether he played any indirect role in this case or not.” Manesar has a pending FIR in Alwar against him.

Monu Manesar blamed for Islamist violence against Hindu devotees of Jalabhishek Yatra in Nuh

Manesar was recently in the headlines after some Islamist social media users accused him of provocation. While Manesar did not attend the rally, Islamists in Nuh ran riot, attacking the Hindu devotees, which led to the death of at least 7 people. Later, Haryana DGP Mamata Singh had stated that no evidence of hate speech was found against Monu Manesar. An old video of Monu Manesar was deliberately used by Islamist social media handles to fan unrest and spread panic among people.

A detailed report by OpIndia showed how a video from an unrelated event in October 2022 was used by certain elements to spread misinformation and hatred just before the VHP Jalabhishek Yatra on July 31.

The preliminary investigation into the Nuh violence revealed that Islamists had used the pretext of Manesar attending the rally to mobilize support for disrupting the Shobha Yatra. WhatsApp groups were created in advance that directed members to stock up on stones and bottles to attack the rally.

‘Enrol in Class 12 to know Sanatan Dharma and Hinduism are same’: Annamalai lashes out at Udhayanidhi Stalin and others over Hinduphobic remarks

OpIndia Staff
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‘Enrol in Class 12 to know Sanatan Dharma and Hinduism are same’: Annamalai lashes out at Udhayanidhi Stalin and others over Hinduphobic remarks

On Tuesday (12 September), Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K Annamalai lashed out at those who claimed that Hinduism is different from Sanatan Dharma in common discourse in Southern states to defend Udhayanidhi Stalin’s hate speech against Sanatan Dharma. 

Ramping up his attack against DMK for hatred against Sanatan Dharma, Annamalai shared a picture of a Class 12 textbook on Ethics and Indian Culture, released by the Tamil Nadu government. After exposing the feeble excuse that Hinduism and Sanatan Dharma are different in Tamil Nadu discourse, Annamalai advised DMK leaders including Udhayanidhi Stalin to enroll in Class 12 to get some enlightenment.  

He said, “Udhayanidhi Stalin and Sekar Babu claimed that Hinduism and Sanatana Dharma are different after receiving condemnation from all quarters for their call to eradicate Sanatana Dharma. The Class 12 textbook released by TN Govt says that Sanatana Dharma and Hinduism are the same. It also mentions that Sanatana Dharma is the Eternal Dharma.”  

He added, “We advise PK Sekar Babu and Udhayanidhi Stalin to enroll in this class (12th) to get enlightened.” 

Notably, P.K. Sekarbabu is the Minister for the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE). 

The picture attached in the post highlights an excerpt from the book where the meaning of the word ‘Hindu’ has been explained. Explaining who Hindus are and what is ‘Hinduism’ it says, “If a living being is suffering due to any reason, it is the Hindu who considers the suffering as its own suffering and comes forward to remove it. Hinduism is a religion with virtuous people. It is called by various names like Hinduism, Sanatana Dharma, and the Religion of Vedas among others.”

Annamalai’s post comes in the wake of claims by Tamil Nadu Congress leader Karti Chidambaram and ilks who argued that Sanatan Dharma is different from Hinduism in Southern discourse. Stating that he himself is a practising Hindu and finds nothing wrong in Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Sanatan Dharma remark, Karti claimed that Sanatan Dharma in southern parlance means Caste discrimination and Caste hierarchy only.

In another post, in a 4-page long response, K Annamalai highlighted the country’s rich civilisational history and noted that DMK wants to attack this by eradicating Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism). Afterward, he asserted that Shekhar Babu, the HR&CE Minister has lost his moral right to hold the post of minister by participating in a meeting where he said, “Let’s abolish Hinduism.”

In the note, Annamalai further highlighted that Dravidar Kazhagam President Mr. Veeramani was also present at the ‘Eradicate Sanatan Conference’ where Minister Udayanidhi Stalin said that we would abolish Sanatana Dharma. In the same meeting, Veeramani had said that Sanatana Dharma and Hinduism are one and the same. 

Annamalai emphasised, “Sanatana dharma means that all living beings are equal in Sanatana dharma, the philosophy of Hinduism. This is what all devotional literatures including Thirukkural says.”

Earlier in the day, Annamalai also lambasted DMK MP A Raja for calling Hindu religion a menace to India and the world. He asserted that DMK is the principal reason for creating caste divide and hatred in Tamil Nadu, yet DMK MP has the audacity to blame Sanatana Dharma for the mess they made.

Following Udhayanidhi Stalin’s hate speech, Annamalai has been taking on DMK head-on over the repeated attacks against Sanatan Dharma. Earlier, he challenged DMK to contest the coming election on the issue of Sanatan Dharma.

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