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Gujarat HC dismisses Rahul Gandhi’s plea: Read what options he has now to evade continued disqualification as MP

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat HC dismisses Rahul Gandhi’s plea: Read what options he has now to evade continued disqualification as MP

On 7th July 2023, Gujarat High Court dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s plea to stay the conviction in the criminal defamation suit in the ‘Modi Surname’ case. Justice Hemant Prachchhak refused to stay Rahul Gandhi’s conviction.

Notably, the conviction in the case resulted in his disqualification as a Member of Parliament. Rahul Gandhi was an elected member of Lok Sabha from the Wayanad constituency of Kerala. He won that seat in the 2019 general elections. The court’s dismissal of the review plea by the Congress scion will further prolong his disqualification.

Justice Hemant Prachchhak said in his order, “Rahul Gandhi is seeking a stay on conviction on absolutely non-existent grounds. A stay on conviction is not a rule. As many as 10 cases are pending against him. It is needed to have purity in politics. A complaint has been filed against Rahul Gandhi by the grandson of Veer Savarkar in Pune Court after Rahul Gandhi used terms against Veer Savarkar at Cambridge. In any way, the conviction would not result in any injustice. The conviction is just and proper. There is no need to interfere with the said order. Therefore, the application is dismissed.”

Rahul Gandhi was disqualified because of his conviction in defamation case

Rahul Gandhi was disqualified under section 8(3) of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951, which states that any MP or MLA convicted of any offense and sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two years shall be disqualified from the date of conviction.

Rahul Gandhi, the Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad in Kerala, has been disqualified with immediate effect, as section 8(3) of the Representation of Peoples Act states that an MP or MLA will be disqualified from the date of conviction if the jail sentence awarded is two years or more.

How long will the disqualification last?

Apart from the current disqualification, Rahul Gandhi will also not be able to contest the next general election, and also perhaps the 2029 elections, if the conviction is not overturned by a higher court. According to the law, the disqualification will continue for six years after release from jail.

Therefore, if Rahul Gandhi does not appeal and goes to jail now, he will remain disqualified for eight years, 2 years in jail and 6 years after that. If he appeals, which he will, as announced by the Congress party, it will depend on how long it stays in the courts till the Supreme Court, and what is the final verdict. Theoretically, if Rahul Gandhi does not get relief from the courts up to Supreme Court, the length of his disqualification will increase by the time taken in the appeal process. However, if any subsequent court overturns the verdict or even reduces the sentence, his disqualification will be withdrawn.

What are the options before Rahul Gandhi now?

According to Supreme Court lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay, Rahul Gandhi now has the option of filing a petition in the High Court in front of a larger bench or the Supreme Court. He said, “Rahul Gandhi may first file a petition for bail. If a bail plea is rejected, he may have to go to jail. Such a case has come before the court before. The Supreme Court, in the Lily Thomas case of 2013 and in another case of 2018, had said that the disqualification of a public representative under the Representation of the People Act can be overturned if the sentence is suspended or the conviction is stayed by an appellate court. However, it is necessary that the appellate court also suspends the decision of disqualification.”

He added, “The court had sentenced Lakshadweep MP Mohammad Faizal to 10 years in an attempt to murder case. After this, Faizal lost his parliament membership. Faizal had approached the Kerala High Court against the trial court. The court had stayed the lower court’s decision. After this, Faizal’s parliament membership was also restored. In such a situation, if the decision had come in favor of Rahul Gandhi, it was possible that his membership would also have been restored.”

What is the case?

The criminal defamation case was filed over a remark made by Gandhi during the 2019 Lok Sabha campaign. Referring to persons like Lalit Modi, and Nirav Modi, Rahul Gandhi had asked “Why do all thieves have the same surname?.”

After BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi accused Rahul Gandhi of defaming the entire Modi community with his comment, a criminal defamation case was filed against Gandhi. Subsequently, on March 23, 2023, the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrates in Surat found Rahul Gandhi guilty and sentenced him to 2 years imprisonment, resulting in his disqualification as a member of Lok Sabha.

However, his sentence was suspended on the same day, and he was granted bail, allowing him to file an appeal against his conviction within 30 days. On April 3, Rahul Gandhi approached the Surat Sessions Court to challenge his conviction and requested a stay on the verdict. However, his plea for a stay was rejected on April 20. Nonetheless, the Surat Sessions Court granted him bail until his appeal is resolved. Now, a single-judge bench of the Gujarat High Court has dismissed his plea to review the conviction in this case.

I am better than your wife: Dog owner tells man after being asked to put a muzzle on her pet inside a lift

OpIndia Staff
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I am better than your wife: Dog owner tells man after being asked to put a muzzle on her pet inside a lift

A video of a heated confrontation between a dog owner and a husband-wife duo has gone viral on social media. The incident is said to have taken place at the Logix Blossom County in Sector 137 in Noida city of Uttar Pradesh.

In the viral video, a pregnant woman and her husband are seen telling a dog owner to put a muzzle on her pet inside the lift of their housing society. “The muzzle is hanging from your dog’s collar. Put it on,” the woman said.

The husband intervened, “My wife is pregnant. Let’s assume that the dog bites her.” The woman aggressively told the dog owner to develop ‘some sense’ and highlighted instances when unmuzzled dogs have bitten humans.

“You have started recording it? Okay,” the dog owner responded. The pregnant woman stated, “When dogs bite, CCTV footage is shown by news channels.”

“People like you air such footage…Dogs do not bite everyone but only people like you”, she was heard telling the pregnant woman. At that time, the man intervened, “We just asked you to put on a muzzle…What kind of a lady are you?”

“I will not put muzzle on my dog, even if it means holding the lift for next 30 minutes… Atleast, I am better than your wife,” she was heard telling the man. Meanwhile, netizens have reached out to authorities in Noida seeking action against the dog owner.

Hyderabad: Stray street dogs kill 4-year-old boy

On February 19 this year, stray street dogs killed a 4-year-old boy in a housing society in Hyderabad, Telangana. As per reports, the boy was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared brought dead. CCTV footage of the incident has since gone viral on social media.

In the video, the boy can be seen playing in society when a pack of dogs attacked him. The boy made attempts to escape, but the dogs kept biting him. The boy fell on the street while the dogs tore his flesh.

His father, Gangadhar, works as a security personnel at the housing complex where the incident occurred. When he heard the child’s screams, he rushed to the spot and rescued him from the dogs. He rushed his son to the hospital, where he was declared dead.

Freedom of expression doesn’t mean free hand to terrorists: India strongly reacts to Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s comments on Khalistani activities

OpIndia Staff
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Freedom of expression doesn’t mean free hand to terrorists: India strongly reacts to Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s comments on Khalistani activities

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly reacted to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statements regarding Khalistani activities in his country and stated that room must not be provided to extremist and terrorist elements in the name of freedom of expression.

The Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi remarked, “There is a rally on the 8th (July). You would have seen posters inciting violence against the Indian diplomats. These posters inciting violence against our diplomats and diplomatic premises abroad are unacceptable and we condemn them in the strongest terms.”

He further continued, “The matter has been strongly taken up with the Canadian authorities both in New Delhi and in Ottawa. We have called on the government of Canada to take all steps to ensure the safety of our diplomats and the security of our diplomatic missions in Canada.”

New Delhi countered Justin Trudeau’s observations about freedom of expression and voiced its concerns. “It is a matter of concern that freedom of expression and speech is once again being misused by anti-India elements based in Canada and elsewhere. We continue to press the Canadian side to ensure that our diplomats can carry out their normal functions without fear or intimidation.”

He added, “We have seen some media reports about the comments by Prime Minister Trudeau. But let me make the larger point that the issue is not about freedom of expression, but its misuse for advocating violence, propagating separatism and legitimising terrorism. So, that is actually what we would like to emphasise.”

He invoked S. Jainshankar’s assertion and proclaimed, “We have also had instances or situations where these kinds of threats have also taken place in the US, Australia and the UK to name a few. You would have seen the external affairs minister himself mention in the context of Prime Minister Trudeau’s comments that countries should not pander to vote bank politics.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that Canada has always taken ‘serious action’ against terrorism and refuted criticism that his government has been lax on pro-Khalistan activists within the country. His pronouncements come days after India protested a poster by proponents of Khalistan that threatened Indian ambassadors in Canada. However, he had claimed that India was wrong in saying that Canada is being soft on Sikh extremism because he relies on Sikh votes.

India had said that Canada is being soft on Khalistani terrorism activities after a tableau glorifying the assassination of former PM Indira Gandhi was paraded by Khalistanis in Canada’s Brampton last month. “I think there is a larger underlying issue about the space which is given to separatists, to extremists, to people who advocate violence,” Minister S. Jaishankar had said after the incident. India had repeated the appeals to Canda to not give space to terrorists after posters calling for a ‘kill India’ rally had come up. However, when asked about India’s reaction to the development, Justin Trudeau claimed that India is wrong.

The Canadian PM alleged, “They are wrong. Canada has always taken extremely seriously violence and threats of violence. We have always taken serious action against terrorism and we always will. We have an extremely diverse country and freedom of expression is something that we have. But we will always make sure that we are pushing back against violence and extremism in all its forms,” while responding to a question about the float depicting the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi, the “Kill India” posters by Khalistani separatists and the charges of the Indian government on him for being soft on Sikh extremism for political gains.

Arindam Bagchi further mentioned, “As you are aware we have had problems with the security of our mission in London. We have taken up the latest issue of threats against our diplomats with the UK authorities. We have noted these comments by UK foreign secretary but we would naturally judge them by what happens on the ground.”

Against the backdrop of reported plans by pro-Khalistan elements to carry out a “Kill India” rally to the Indian high commission in London on July 8, British foreign secretary James Cleverly declared that any attacks on the mission are “completely unacceptable.”

Canada along with the UK, the US and Australia has become a hub for Khalistan activities in recent times. Now, pro-Khalistani elements have announced a “Kill India” rally outside India High Commission in London on 8th July. A poster of the event has been circulating on social media platforms including Twitter. The announcement came days after the arson attack on San Francisco Indian Consulate.

PM Modi fires salvos at Congress in Chhattisgarh, launches all-out attack over Rs 2,161 crore liquor scam under Bhupesh Baghel govt

OpIndia Staff
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PM Modi fires salvos at Congress in Chhattisgarh, launches all-out attack over Rs 2,161 crore liquor scam under Bhupesh Baghel govt

Prime Minister Narendra Modi fired salvos at the Congress-run Chhattisgarh government on Friday in Raipur while addressing party workers at the Vijay Sankalp Yatra. The PM hit out at the Baghel government over corruption amid the ongoing liquor scam investigation.

He said, “One of the 36 promises made in Congress’s manifesto was liquor ban in the state. 5 years on and the Congress govt has committed thousands of crores of liquor scam. Newspapers are filled with reports on the same.”

He added that the Cong government has betrayed the mothers and sisters of Chhattisgarh. “The (liquor scam) commission money has allegedly gone to Cong’s kitty,” PM said.

Taking a jibe at the rift between Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and Deputy Chief Minister TS Singh Deo, PM Modi quipped, “Some say the 2.5-year formula for Chief Ministership couldn’t be implemented due to the scam.”

Calling the Chhattisgarh government the “Congress model of Corruption”, PM Modi said the state is like an atm for the Congress party. “Their scams are not limited to liquor. There is not a single department and area of work which is out of the ambit of doubt. Coal mafia, sand mafia, land mafia…all kinds of mafias are dwelling under Congress. They didn’t even spare the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme. All including ground-level leaders to top ministers in Congress are accused. The Chhattisgarh government is a model of Cong corruption and misgovernance.”

The Prime Minister also mocked the Opposition saying, “Those who are blotted are trying to come together now. Those who used to incessantly curse each other are today trying to find excuses to join forces. They think by doing this they can scare Modi. Every corrupt must hear this that if they are the guarantee of corruption then Modi is the guarantee of action against corruption.”

Saying that the Congress party cannot breathe without corruption, PM warned that whoever is involved in graft will not be spared. “Whatever I have today has been given by you, by the nation. They will threaten to dig my grave, they will conspire against me but they don’t know that he who is afraid cannot be Modi.”

Meanwhile, reaching out to the farmers, downtrodden, tribals, and Adivasis, PM said that the Congress government has only made false guarantees to them. “Congress has always used the tribals and adivasis as a vote bank. Congress has always deprived tribals of resources and facilities. It is the BJP government that included them under Scheduled Tribes list. Districts which are difficult to visit have been deemed backward and ignored by Cong,” he said.

He criticised the Congress governments for “insulting Adivasi freedom fighters like Bhagwan Birsa Munda.” He listed the work done by the BJP to pay tribute to the Adivasi freedom fighters like Rani Durgavati.

He concluded that the Congress government will be ousted by the people of Chhattisgarh come the Assembly elections. PM Modi is on a two-day visit to poll-bound states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan.

What is the Chhattisgarh liquor scam?

The Enforcement Directorate unearthed a Rs 2161-crore liquor scam in Chhattisgarh wherein a crime syndicate allegedly run by some babus and top ministers altered the liquor policy to derive benefits. Links to Congress and names of bureaucrats have emerged in the case. The ED on Thursday filed a prosecution complaint at the special PMLA court.

Baghel govt marred with graft charges

In January this year, OpIndia in its exclusive investigation exposed The Chhattisgarh Files revealing details of how the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government in the state attempted to save the prime accused in the NAN scam.

In 2015, when the BJP was in power in Chhattisgarh and Dr Raman Singh was the Chief Minister, Congress had alleged that the government was distributing sub-standard quality grains under the PDS and that officials had received kickbacks from rice millers to allow this. The Nagrik Apurti Nigam is the nodal agency in Chhattisgarh responsible for procuring and distributing food grains under PDS.

The BJP government had launched a probe into what came to be known as the NAN scam and subsequently, 27 people were booked by the BJP govt – Anil Tuteja and Alok Shukla being the prime accused. ACB later started a money laundering probe as well and a chargesheet was filed in 2015. After this, Congress came to power in Chhattisgarh.

What transpired in Chhattisgarh after the Bhupesh Baghel government took reign was corruption with impunity, a coordinated campaign to save the primary accused, Anil Tuteja, in the NAN scam and an attempt to use IPS officers, the Judiciary and other means at the government’s disposal to Ex-Chief Minister, Raman Singh and his family members, former Principle Secretary Aman Singh and his wife Yasmeen Singh, Former DG (Police) Mukesh Gupta, Ashok Chaturvedi and Chintamani Chandrakar, using fabricated evidence, coercion of witnesses and other extra-judicial means.

Tablighi Jamaat Maulana invites PM Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath to convert to Islam, says over 20 lakh people became Muslim since 2014

OpIndia Staff
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Tablighi Jamaat Maulana invites PM Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath to convert to Islam, says over 20 lakh people became Muslim since 2014

Many forces are desperately working in their own ways to convert India, a Hindu-majority country with people of various faiths, into a Shariah-governed Islamic state. Some, such as PFI (now banned), set deadlines for the same for the year 2047, while others set a deadline of 2050. In the midst of ongoing conspiracies, Tauqeer Ahmad, a Tablighi Jamaat Maulana, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to convert to Islam.

In an interview with TimesNow Navbharat, Maulana claimed that since 2014, over 20 lakh non-Muslims have converted to Islam. Inviting PM Modi and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath to Islam, the Mualana claimed that a lot of things would improve if they accept Islam. Maulana Tauqeer Ahmad openly admitted that his and the Jamaat’s aim is to bring Sharia law to India. He cited the example of how the Taliban imposed Sharia there after driving the American forces out.

“My sole aim is to give Dawah to more and more people and I would invite CM Yogi and Modi ji to accept Islam. I would say Modi and Yogi ji should sit and I will make them understand what Deen and Islam are. Inshallah they will become Muslims. If they convert, a lot of things will improve. 20 lakh people have become Muslim since 2014 in India. Our goal is to implement Sharia law. Inshallah, Sharia will come just like in Afghanistan, where America was driven away,” Tauqeer said. 

He added that Tabilighi Jamaat is involved in 99 per cent of instances of religious conversion to Islam. He also mentioned the Da’i people of the Jamaat. It is notable that Da’i are the Muslims who give Dawah or call upon non-Muslims to convert to Islam. Tauqeer Ahmad delved into how the Da’i target non-Muslim youths and teach them about Quranic verses (Ayats), Hadiths, and prophets. 

Moreover, the Tablighi Maulana said that Dawah giving people (Da’i) narrate the stories about Islamic prophets and how people who did not listen to them had to face punishment. 

According to Maulana Tauqeer’s religious book, Allah had taken a promise from the first man of the world, Adam and his people, to worship him only and not indulge in Butparasti (idol worship). Maulana described idol worshippers as misguided and stated that they must be brought to the path of Allah.

The Maulana also claimed that the Tablighi Jamaat is undertaking Dawah activities across the country, to bring in as many non-Muslims into the fold of Islam as possible. He also informed that the Jamaat’s conversion network is operated by Maulana Saad, his son and one Kaleem Siddiqui who was recently released from jail.

It is worth recalling that Tablighi Jamaat’s congregation in March 2020 became a Covid super spreader. A case was also registered against him by Delhi Police, under sections 304, 308, 336, 188, 269, 270, 271 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, Section 14-B of the Foreigners Act 1946, Section 3 of the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 and Section 51/58 Disaster Management Act 2005.

When asked if the Jamaat receives any sort of funding to carry out its Dawah activities, Maulana Tauqeer Ahmad said that funds are received from Arab countries, Afghanistan and other countries. He also detailed how these funds are utilised to financially assist the new converts after they are disowned by their non-Muslim family for abandoning their original faith and accepting Islam.

“Like if a Hindu converts to Islam and performs five-times namaz, their family thrashes them or expels them from their home, so in such cases, we use the fundings we get to help them,” Tauqeer said.

Ironically, the Tablighi Maulana was heard boasting about the imposition of Sharia law in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover. However, given the country’s current plight, which includes widespread poverty, skyrocketing inflation and unemployment, and deteriorating human rights, what he sees as an achievement is nothing more than the destruction of Muslims, with non-Muslims largely driven out or killed. Under Sharia-governed Afghanistan, over 34 million people are living in poverty.

Nizamuddin Markaz and coronavirus outbreak in 2020

In the last week of March 2020, hundreds of Tablighi Jamaat attendees were found living inside the Markaz, many of which were in violation of their visa rules. Many of the attendees were found to be covid-19 positive and despite showing symptoms had continued to stay there or move to interiors of the country without getting themselves tested. Subsequently many were moved to quarantine centres to ensure treatment and arrest the spread of the virus. However, even then, many Tablighi Jamaat attendees had attacked healthcare workers and even created a ruckus at quarantine centres.

PM Modi to lay the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats in Varanasi today

OpIndia Staff
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PM Modi to lay the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats in Varanasi today

The foundation stones for several development projects totalling more than 12,100 crores will be laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh today, 7th July. The development and renovation of Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats are two significant initiatives. PM Modi will put the cornerstone stone for the same.

With the objective to improve the entire infrastructure and amenities offered to guests, the reconstruction plans include provisions for public restrooms, waiting areas, wood storage, waste disposal, and eco-friendly cremation pyres. Notably, the prime minister has given the development of ghats considerable attention over the past few years.

Manikarnika Ghat

One of the holiest and oldest cremation sites among the revered riverfronts is Manikarnika Ghat, which is situated on the Ganges in Varanasi. It is flanked by the Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Scindia Ghat and is one of the five major and oldest pilgrimages and ghats of Varanasi.

Manikarnika Ghat (Source: Wikipedia)

Hinduism views death as a portal into a subsequent existence that will be shaped by one’s karma. When a person is cremated here, it is believed that their soul achieves moksha and therefore ends the cycle of rebirth.

This ghat was named Manikarnika because of the Manikarnika Kund situated there and the story associated with it. It is known that in the beginning, this ghat was one of the major Vishnu pilgrimages and Manikarnika Kund situated at the ghat was known as Chakrapushkarni. According to the belief, when Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were observing the pond, the gem of the latter’s earring fell in it, giving it the name Manikarnika.

Harishchandra Ghat

Harishchandra Ghat is one of the two major cremation grounds and among the oldest ghats in Varanasi. It is highly revered by both locals and visitors and just like Manikarnika Ghat, it is believed that being cremated here leads a person to attain salvation.

Harishchandra Ghat (Source: Varanasi Guru)

The ghat derived its name from King Harishchandra of Ayodhya and the symbol of truth, who was sold at this crematorium to protect the truth. He forfeited his whole kingdom along with all of his wealth and possessions and sold his wife and son into slavery and offered himself up for bondage at the instance of Rishi Vishwamitra.

He never met his son and wife throughout his life until she, broken down with years of toil, hardship and suffering, visited the cremation ground with their son’s dead body in her arms who died from a snake bite. She did not even have enough money to cover his body. This was the final test of the monarch, and he passed it with exemplary strength, honesty and courage. God finally rewarded him for his truthfulness and returned him his throne, kingdom and son.

Other important projects

The prime minister will dedicate the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Junction to the Son Nagar railway line of the Dedicated Freight Corridor in addition to rehabilitating the ghats. He will inaugurate multiple other projects, including the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET)-Vocational Training Centre at the village of Karsara.

He will dedicate three railway lines which include the Ghazipur city – Aunrihar rail line, Aunrihar – Jaunpur rail line and Bhatni – Aunrihar rail line to the nation. This will commemorate the full electrification of all railway lines in Uttar Pradesh.

He will officially inaugurate the four-lane expansion of the Varanasi-Jaunpur section of National Highway-56, which would facilitate and speed up travel from Varanasi to Lucknow 

He is scheduled to initiate 192 rural drinking water schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission, distribute loans of Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) and keys of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) Rural houses as well as Ayushman Bharat cards to beneficiaries in Uttar Pradesh among other programmes.

Fact Check: The Wire peddles lies, claims ‘Pune school Principal thrashed for conducting ‘Dear Lord’ prayers, no CCTV in girls’ washroom’, here is what police say

OpIndia Staff
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Fact Check: The Wire peddles lies, claims ‘Pune school Principal thrashed for conducting ‘Dear Lord’ prayers, no CCTV in girls’ washroom’, here is what police say

A day after OpIndia exclusively reported about the incident of CCTV cameras being installed in the girls’ washroom area of a private convent school named DY Patil High School from Ambi, Pune, leftist media channels like the Wire and other Islamist social media accounts are peddling false news saying that ‘no cameras were installed in the washroom and that the school principal was assaulted as he conducted Christian prayers’.

“The parents decided to make an issue out of a non-issue, involve local vigilante groups and attack the principal. This, the parents and the Hindutva activist twisted into something perverse. They claimed cameras have been set up inside the toilet. Which is untrue,” the Wire reported ‘misquoting’ PI Ranjit Sawant of the Talegaon MIDC area.

“Later, the group also raised issues over the prayer mentioned in the school calendar. This prayer, according to the Talegaon MIDC police, has no mention of any specific religion. It only mentions the words, ‘Dear Lord’,” the Wire added in the name of PI Sawant.

Screenshot of article posted by the Wire

Police say CCTVs installed in washroom area, parents concerned

However, PI Sawant confirmed to OpIndia that the Principal was not beaten for being a Christian or conducting Christian prayers and that the main issue is that of the CCTV cameras that have been installed in the washroom premises. “The CCTV cameras have been installed inside the washroom area and not exactly in the toilets. The school is saying that the cameras are dummy but nothing of that has been proved yet. The parents of the students are more concerned about the CCTVs installed in the washroom area above the basin primarily and then about the other things,” PI said. It is important to mention that the toilets inside the washroom are open from above.

He also said to OpIndia that the Principal was beaten by the local persons not because he is a Christian or he conducted Christian prayers, but because the CCTVs were installed in the girls’ washroom without notice to the parents or the management.

WIRE lies, says the Principal was targeted because of his Christian identity, which is untrue

Further, when asked about the police statements given to other media channels that are continuing to peddle that the Principal was beaten because of his religion or for conducting Christian prayers, the police said, “That is not true. We don’t know what has been published by the media houses. We don’t own those statements. The truth is that the Principal was assaulted by local people and the parents due to the CCTV issue. We have sent a letter to the management inquiring about the case. FIR will be registered in the case once the investigations officially begin.”

The WIRE has blatantly mentioned in the report that the PI said that Principal Alexander Ried was targeted because of his Christian identity, which is untrue.

The report by The Wire

Congress, Islamists justifying school act?

Earlier, several other Islamist, left-liberals like Hindutva Watch, Mohammad Sher Ali also Congress’ Shashi Tharoor on Twitter peddled that the Principal was ‘thrashed’ by the ‘extremists’ for being a Christian. The left-liberal cabal also indicated that the minority communities in India were being deliberately targeted by Hindu organizations. However, the lies peddling people very diligently forgot to mention the CCTV episode and the one where the parents complained that their daughters were mistreated at the school.

Tweet posted by Congress’ Shashi Tharoor

Management suspends the Principal, three teachers

As reported earlier, the school management has said that they had no slightest idea about the CCTV cameras that were installed inside the girl’s washroom area. The management has said that strict action will be taken against the Principal and the teachers. “Whatever has happened is really unfortunate and unacceptable. We have suspended the Principal and the teachers for now and they will soon be removed from their positions,” the management could be heard saying in the video that has been obtained by OpIndia.

Principal Alexander installs CCTV cameras in girls’ washroom, imposes Christian prayers and insults Hindu traditions

On July 6, it was reported that the Principal of the DY Patil High School in the Ambi region of Pune identified as Alexander Coates Reid, and a couple of Christian teachers, were removed from their position after being accused of molestation, religious conversion and causing insult to Hindu religion. The Principal was also manhandled by the local Hindu organizations after they found out that he had installed CCTV cameras in the girls’ washroom without any notice to the management or the parents.

The video of the incident was wrongly shared on social media where the Islamists and leftists claimed that Hindus were causing deliberate hurt to the minority community in India. The Islamists also claimed that the Christians are next on the so-called target list of the Hindus and pressed that the Principal was thrashed just for conducting Christian prayers at the school, which is a partial truth.

The school authorities notably happened to force the students to read prayers only from the Bible, called Hindu traditions ‘stupid’ and also called Hindu prayers ‘nonsense’. One of the teachers named Samina Patel had also influenced the students saying that ‘Muslims were pure and that were deliberately targeted by the Hindus. The enraged parents also complained that the students at the school were tortured, mistreated and inappropriately touched.

The parents have filed a police complaint in the case and have demanded strict action against the school principal and the teachers. The Talegaon Police has, however, confirmed that the CCTVs were installed inside the washroom area above the basin. PI Sawant confirmed that investigations in the case are underway and that the FIR will soon be registered.

West Bengal: BJP worker found dead in Birbhum ahead of panchayat polls, kins allege TMC hand in the brutal murder

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: BJP worker found dead in Birbhum ahead of panchayat polls, kins allege TMC hand in the brutal murder

Just two days before the state’s crucial Panchayat elections, scheduled to be held on July 8 this year, another horrific murder of a BJP worker has been reported from Mamata Banerjee’s West Bengal. According to reports, on July 06, 2023, the body of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker, identified as Dilip Mahara, was found near a pond in West Bengal’s Birbhum district.

The family members of the victim and the BJP has accused the members of the ruling Trinamool Congress Party to be behind the murder.

Chitre Mahara, Dilip Mahara’s wife, alleged that her husband was murdered by members of the ruling Trinamool Congress. Utpal Mahara, the deceased’s son, said his father was assassinated by Kali Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress’ Birbhum district joint convener.

“I was not able to find my father since 9 pm. He has been killed by the men of Kali Banerjee (Trinamool Congress’s Birbhum district joint convener). Let him be arrested. I want punishment for them. Let the case be investigated,” the deceased’s son told the media.

BJP also tweeted, “Dilip Mahara (48), an active BJP worker from Birbhum killed by the TMC, is another victim of TMC’s violent ‘blood politics’. ‘Khela’ of blood is being played during the elections in Bengal! The bloodthirsty politics of the TMC will be put to an end by the people soon!”

The police, meanwhile, confirmed that Dilip, a resident of the Muhammad Bazar block, was killed using a sharp weapon. They, however, added that the actual cause of his death is yet to be ascertained. It confirmed that an investigation has been launched, but no arrests have been made so far.

Local BJP leaders are planning to Gherao the Muhammad Bazar Police Station.

As per reports, Chitre Mahara, Dilip Mahara’s wife was to supposed to file nomination papers as a BJP candidate, however, the party said it did not give her the ticket.

TMC leader Kali Banerjee, meanwhile, retorted sharply to the allegation levelled at him by the deceased’s son. “Trinamool does not do politics of murders. Let them investigate his death. Our workers are not involved,” he said.

Trinamool District vice-president Malay Mukhopadhyay said, “The BJP is doing politics for profit. Let the police investigate the murder”.

Notably, Dilip Mahara is one of the 17 people who have fallen victim to the wave of political violence that has been unleashed by the goons affiliated with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) party since the start of the filing of poll nominations. 

The ongoing violence in West Bengal is part of the ruling dispensation’s playbook to intimidate the Opposition parties. The State has witnessed similar cases during the infamous 2021 Vidhan Sabha election and the 2022 civic body polls.

CISF to take over the security of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, govt approves new security plan

OpIndia Staff
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CISF to take over the security of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, govt approves new security plan

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has got the green flag for its master plan for the security of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The Central Armed Police Force, which is responsible for the security of important installations including airports across the country, has been given the responsibility of overseeing the temple’s safety and security.

A security audit was conducted last year by the CISF following which a plan was formulated. Now, after the government’s nod, senior officials of the force inspected the temple premises.

CISF DG Sheel Vardhan Singh and DIG Sumant Singh visited the temple on Wednesday along with ADG Zone Piyush Mordiya, IG Range Praveen Kumar and SSP Raj Karan Nayyar. The site was inspected for about three hours.

Advanced security equipment to be installed

Besides the deployment of the CISF, the state force Pradeshik Armed Constabulary and the state police will also be deployed at and around the grand Ram Mandir. While cops will be stationed outside the temple premises, CISF will be stationed inside.

At present, there is a three-tier security cordon protecting the temporary temple of Ram Lala. This includes the security cordon of UP Police, PAC and CRPF. After the grand temple is opened, security will be tightened, given that it will be the target of jihadi terrorists.

The CISF officials reviewed the existing three-tier security system, along with the routes taken by the devotees. Security will be kept tight at the Red Zone and Yellow Zone too. A plan has been formulated for security outside the Yellow Zone.

The deployment of anti-drone technology was also discussed, given that terrorists are increasingly using drones to carry out attacks.

It has been decided that the facilities for keeping the luggage of devotees and the parking spaces will be located at some distance from the Ramjanmabhoomi complex. Bag scanners are to be installed in the luggage area. Reportedly, devotees will not be allowed to carry anything inside other than Prasad (offerings) to Lord Ram.

CCTV cameras monitored from a modern control room are also in the works.

CISF has lots of experience in providing security along with crowd management. Apart from being deployed at airports, metro stations and important industrial units, they also provide security in popular tourist destinations like the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Victoria Memorial etc.

Inauguration in January next year

Swift construction work of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir is underway as the deadline for completion is fast approaching. The temple is expected to be inaugurated on 22 January 2024.

The installation of Lord Ram and the inauguration will be done with much pomp and show. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be present at the grand event. The inauguration ceremony is expected to begin on 15 January 2024 and last for a full 10 days.

The temple structure will have intricate carvings of Hindu deities and divine Hindu history. Artists from the Indira Gandhi art centre, Hindu priests and saints have all contributed to the same.

US ambassador Eric Garcetti pontificates on Manipur violence when his own country has seen 332 mass shootings, over 21000 gun-related deaths in 2023 alone

Gopal Tiwari
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US ambassador Eric Garcetti pontificates on Manipur violence when his own country has seen 332 mass shootings, over 21000 gun-related deaths in 2023 alone

On 6th July 2023, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti pontificated on the Manipur violence and made sanctimonious remarks about the situation in the Indian state. While doing so, Eric Garcetti comfortably ignored how his own country has seen 332 gun attacks claiming over 21000 lives in 2023 so far.

Eric Garcetti said, “I don’t think it’s about strategic concerns, it’s about human concerns. You don’t have to be an Indian to care when children or individuals die in this sort of violence. We know peace is a precedent for so many good things. There has been so much progress in the Northeast and the East. The country has done some remarkable things in the East and those can’t continue without peace. We stand ready to assist in any way if asked. We know it’s an Indian matter and we pray for that peace and that it may come quickly. Because we can bring more collaboration, more projects, more investment if that peace is in place.”

The disturbing levels of mass shootings and gun deaths in the USA

Eric Garcetti conveniently overlooked the violence within his own country while addressing the situation in Manipur. It is worth mentioning that the United States is currently experiencing an alarming surge in mass shootings, with the Gun Violence Archives reporting over 330 incidents already this year, marking a record high for the mid-year point.

In 2021, there was a record-breaking surge in mass shootings, as reported by the Gun Violence Archives (GVA), with a total of 690 incidents recorded. This marked a significant increase compared to previous years, raising concerns that this year’s numbers would surpass the record.

As of June 28 this year, the GVA has already documented 332 mass shootings in the United States, surpassing the figures from the same period in 2021 when there were 309 incidents. The GVA defines mass shootings as incidents where at least four individuals are shot, excluding the shooter. Thus, halfway through the year, it appears that the apprehension about surpassing last year’s record is becoming a reality.

As of June 28, the midway point of the year, the number of mass shootings in 2022 had reached 293, compared to 240 in 2020, 190 in 2019, and 151 in 2018. This data highlights a concerning trend of increasing incidents, indicating a rise in the occurrence of mass shootings over the past few years.

Over 21,000 people have died in the USA due to gun-related incidents alone in just 6 months of 2023

According to the Gun Violence Archives (GVA), the total number of fatalities from various gun-related incidents in the United States this year stands at 21,042. Additionally, there have been 18,033 reported injuries from gun-related events. These statistics illustrate the significant impact and toll of gun violence on individuals and communities across the country.

The United States is currently witnessing an alarming increase in the frequency of mass shootings, marking a concerning trend in recent history. Below are some of the tragic incidents that occurred in the first half of 2023:

January: In California, back-to-back shootings took place. Ten individuals lost their lives during a Lunar New Year celebration at a dance studio in Monterey Park. Just a few days later, seven people were killed at two locations in Half Moon Bay.

February: At Michigan State University, a shooter carried out a deadly attack that left three students dead and critically wounded five others. The incident prompted an hours-long manhunt and resulted in lockdown measures on campus.

March: Tragedy struck an elementary school in Nashville when a shooter fired 152 rounds, claiming the lives of six people, including three children. Law enforcement officers intervened and killed the shooter.

April: In Louisville, Kentucky, a gunman targeted his co-workers at a bank, resulting in the deaths of five individuals. Police later shot the assailant. Another mass shooting occurred at a Sweet 16 birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama, where four people lost their lives, and more than 30 others sustained injuries.

May: A shooting at the Allen Premium Outlets shopping center near Dallas resulted in eight fatalities and seven injuries.

Memorial Day weekend: Memorial Day weekend is typically observed on the last Monday in May. Disturbingly, the holiday weekend saw a series of mass shootings across the country. The Gun Violence Archives recorded over a dozen incidents, with 14 people killed and 58 others injured. This made it the deadliest Memorial Day weekend for mass shootings in the past four years.

These incidents collectively underscore the grave impact and urgency of addressing the rising trend of mass shootings in the United States. It is notable that incidents claiming less than 4 lives are not included in the list of gun violence archives. However, ignoring all these incidents in his homeland, Eric Garcetti expressed his opinions about the Manipur violence in a pompous and dogmatic way.

The Manipur Violence

Manipur has been burning amid conflict between the two ethnic groups, Meiteis and Kukis. Tensions flared up on May 3 following a ‘Tribal solidarity march’ which was organized against the Meitei community seeking ST status.

Meiteis account for the majority of the Manipur population whereas Nagas and Kukis account for about 40% of the population. About 130 people have been killed in the clash and several have been displaced after their houses were torched and razed.

A detailed analysis of the root causes and on-ground scenario can be read here.

USA could not ensure the safety of the Indian consulate in San Fransisco

The recent incident of an arson attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco by Khalistani terrorists adds another concerning layer to the hypocritical stand taken by US Ambassador Eric Garcetti. The fact that Garcetti’s own home country could not secure India’s consulate, resulting in a potentially dangerous situation, raises questions about his credibility and ability to address violence and security concerns effectively.

The attack, which occurred on July 2, highlights the very real threat posed by extremist elements within the US itself. Despite the limited damage and the safe escape of consulate staff, the incident underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to tackling violence and ensuring the security of diplomatic missions.

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