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As West Bengal panchayat elections inch closer, Mamata’s TMC unleashes ‘Khela’ of violence against Opposition. Here is what happened

Dibakar Dutta
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As West Bengal panchayat elections inch closer, Mamata’s TMC unleashes ‘Khela’ of violence against Opposition. Here is what happened

Ahead of the Panchayat polls that are scheduled to take place on July 8 this year, the State of West Bengal is witnessing an orgy of political violence.

Goons, associated with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) party, have created an atmosphere of chaos and unrest since the commencement of the filing of poll nominations. So far, at least 3 people have lost their lives.

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.

Congress worker killed by TMC goons in Murshidabad

On the night of June 9, 2023, a Congress worker by the name of Fulchand Sheik was shot dead at his residence in Ratnapur village in the Khargram community development block in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal.

Reportedly, the deceased was a nominee of the Congress party for the upcoming Panchayat elections in the State. The police arrested two accused, identified as one Safique Sheikh and Kaber Sheikh, on June 10.

Both of them are said to be the workers of the Trinamool Congress party. They were presented before the Kandi sub-divisional court, which remanded the duo to 5 days in police custody.

Meanwhile, TMC Block President (Khargam) Shamsher Momin conceded, “How can we deny that those arrested are our workers?” According to the family members of Fulchand Sheik, the accused killed him for deserting the TMC and joining hands with the Congress party.

“Trinamool activists killed my husband as he was likely to win the election on a Congress ticket. I want justice as a wife and a mother of two minor children,” lamented the deceased’s wife Manija Khatun. Besides Fulchand Sheik, two others were gravely injured in the attack.

While speaking about the matter, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, “The police are protecting the Trinamul leaders accused of involvement in the murder. It shows complete lawlessness in the area at a time the state election commission is promising to conduct free and fair elections.”

Violence breaks out between TMC, CPIM and Congress workers

On June 10, 2023, violence broke out between the ruling Trinamool Congress party workers and those belonging to the CPIM-Congress alliance. The incident took place in Domkal in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal.

According to workers of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), foot soldiers of the TMC surrounded the office of the Block Development Officer (BDO) and attacked them.

Later, workers of the CPIM and Congress came together and chased away Trinamool Congress goons. Reportedly, both groups pelted stones at each other. Several vehicles in the area were damaged.

Amidst the chaos, a TMC leader by the name of Bashir Mollah was arrested for illegal possession of a pistol in Domkal. He was taken to a nearby police station

Mob attacks cops in Canning

A violent clash broke out near the BDO office in Canning in South 24 Parganas while several BJP and other opposition party leaders had arrived to file nomination papers for the panchayat elections.

Canning Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Dibakar Das said, “There was a clash between two groups. The mob attacked the Police as well. I was also injured. Some Policemen got minor injuries. 2 people were injured. They are undergoing treatment at the hospital and are currently stable. We have arrested 17-18 people. The incident is being investigated.”

CPIM worker killed in firing in Uttar Dinajpur

On Thursday (June 15), a Communist Party of India (Marxist) worker named Mansur Alam was killed after being fired upon by members of the ruling Trinamool Congress party. The incident took place in Chopra community development block in Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal.

Alam was en route to the office of the Block Development Officer (BDO) for filing his nomination papers, when he was shot dead. Two other CPI(M) workers were critically injured in the attack.

The duo was rushed to the Islampur sub-district hospital. One of the injured CPI(M) workers narrated, “We were going to submit nominations in a group at the BDO office when we were attacked by  TMC supporters. We were also beaten up.”

A video of the incident was shared on Twitter by prominent Communist leader, Mohammed Salim. The Trinamool Congress has however denied the allegations.

TMC MLA (Chopra) Hamidul Rahman claimed it to be a case of infighting in the Opposition camp. He remarked, “None of our workers or supporters went to the place where the incident took place. They (Opposition workers) fought among themselves…”

Clashes between TMC and ISF in Bhangar

Members of the ruling Trinamool Congres and the Islamist party ‘Indian Secular Front’ (ISF) clashed several times in Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district between June 13 and June 15.

Reportedly, stones and bombs were hurled at each other by both political groups. ISF has accused the Trinamool Congress of preventing their candidates from filing nomination papers. One worker of the party, identified as Mohammad Mohiuddin Molla, was killed on June 15, 2023.

“Two of our party workers have been killed and four others injured… I will not go back to my house. I don’t want to die,” remarked ISF leader Kutumuddin Molla.

ISF MLA, Naushad Siddiqui, also said, “TMC supporters snatched our candidates’ nomination files in front of the police. The state police are incompetent to handle the situation.”

Given that it was the last day for filing nomination papers, the deadline was extended till late in the night on the directions of the Calcutta High Court. The panchayat elections for 75000 seats are scheduled to take place on July 8 while the counting is scheduled for July 11.

Calcutta HC orders the deployment of central forces

On Thursday (June 15), the Calcutta High Court, led by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam, ordered that Central Paramilitary forces should be deployed in all districts in West Bengal during the upcoming Panchayat Polls on July 8.

The court directed that the State Election Commission should request the central govt for central forces. It is notable that the State government had opposed deploying central forces, and had offered to deploy police from opposition-ruled states to ensure fair elections.

The State Election Commission had approached the High Court requesting to reconsider the order to deploy central forces in sensitive areas, but instead, the court ordered to deploy the forces in all the districts. The court was not happy with the plea by the SEC. The

Bomb-making material recovered in South 24 Parganas

On Friday (June 16), the West Bengal police recovered bomb-making material in Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. A total of seven bags filled with husk-like material were recovered.

As per a report by The Indian Express, West Bengal has now become the hub for the ‘crude bomb’ cottage industry and children in the poor and marginalised areas of the State are paying the price for it.

The newspaper interviewed the families of 24 victims, who had either lost their lives in crude bomb attacks or been gravely injured between 2021 and 2022. The incidents took place across 5 districts of West Bengal, namely, North 24 Parganas, Burdwan, Birbhum, Malda, and South 24 Parganas.

Bomb-making has become a profitable business due to the easy accessibility and procurement of raw materials. Crude bombs, such as the commonly used “Peto” and “Lal Sada,” are priced at an average of just over ₹150 in rural areas, making them a cost-effective choice for criminal activities.

2021 post-poll violence in West Bengal

Using violence as an instrument to subdue their political opponents has become a distinctive feature of the TMC rule in West Bengal. Ever since the Mamata Banerjee-led retained power in the state, the persecution of dissenters and opposition workers has only intensified.

More than a dozen BJP workers lost their lives in the post-poll violence that ensued following the victory of the TMC party in the assembly elections. There were reports that said women in West Bengal were raped, assaulted and, in some cases, even killed, just because they adhered to a different political ideology.

In 2021, a victim who was raped by the TMC goons in front of her father shared her harrowing ordeal with OpIndia. She narrated how she was attacked and sexually assaulted by perpetrators associated with the TMC party.

In the aftermath of the assembly election results, TMC goons wreaked havoc, attacking and plundering the houses of their opponents. In one such attack, TMC goons lynched BJP worker Avijit Sarkar to death.

Hindus persecuted due to fear of pseudo seculars, prosecutors scared of specific community NGOs: What Gujarat court said while acquitting 35 in 2002 riots case

OpIndia Staff
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Hindus persecuted due to fear of pseudo seculars, prosecutors scared of specific community NGOs: What Gujarat court said while acquitting 35 in 2002 riots case

Thirty-five individuals were exonerated by a sessions court in Halol town, Panchmahal district, in relation to four separate riot incidents during the Gujarat riots in 2002, in which three people were killed. The trial concerned violence that occurred in the Kalol town, Delol village, and Derol Station areas on February 28, 2002, under the jurisdiction of the Kalol police station, following the burning of the Sabarmati Express Train the day before.

The police were reportedly notified of three missing people when they visited the relief camps that had been established in the wake of the instance. Three missing people named Yusuf Ibrahim Sheikh, Harun Abdul Sattar Tasiya and Ruhul Amin Padva from the minority community were found dead a few days later.

Initially, the First Information Report (FIR) listed assault, rioting, arson, and stone-pelting. However, an allegation of murder was added as a result of additional assertions made by the witnesses. Fifty-two people had been charge-sheeted out of which seventeen died during the trial that went on for over 20 years.

The court acquitted the accused due to a “lack of evidence” as witnesses turned hostile during the course of the trial. The prosecution was found to have failed to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that they were involved in the four riot instances, according to the judgement rendered by Halol Additional Sessions Judge Harsh Trivedi on June 12. The court ruled that none of them could be found guilty of engaging in rioting and that the former also failed to establish the recovery and seizure of any weapons.

The prosecution claimed that they were “killed by inflicting deadly weapons and then burning them, causing disappearance of evidence of offence” during an incident on February 28, 2002, at the Derol railway station, but the court countered that the victims’ statements submitted to various authorities were contradictory.

The judgment also criticised the pseudo-secular lobby. “Peace-loving Gujarati people were shocked and anguished by this incident. We have seen that then pseudo-secular media and politicians rubbed salt into the wound of anguished people. Reports say that sixteen of Gujarat’s twenty-four districts were engulfed in communal rioting post-Godhra carnage. Nowhere mobs were less than 2000-3000 or more. Often they were more than 5,000-10,000 strong.”

It added, “There were spontaneous riots in Gujarat. They were not planned ones, as described by pseudo-secular persons. Due to the uproar of pseudo-secular media and organizations, the accused persons have unnecessarily faced prolonged trial.”

The court stated, “In the case on hand the prosecution witnesses, particularly, Muslim witnesses who are alleged sufferers of riots have given widely divergent versions of the riots.” A total of 130 witnesses were examined during the trial. It mentioned that during communal riots, a significant number of people are usually involved and the evidence is frequently wholly partisan.

“In cases of communal riots cases the police usually prosecute members of both the community. But it is for the court to ascertain in such cases, which of the two versions is correct and the court can not shirk this duty on the ground that the police did not ascertain which of the stories was true,” it remarked.

It pointed out, “There is moreover, great danger of innocent persons being implicated along with the guilty, owing to the tendency of the parties in such cases to try to implicate falsely as many of their enemies as they can. Therefore, the possibility of innocent persons being falsely implicated should always be borne in mind by the judge.”

The court proclaimed that none of the police witnesses in the instances had “identified miscreants, even during the investigation and during the trial,” making them “unreliable.” It quoted famed Gujarati author and Congress politician Kanhaiyalal Munshi and voiced, “If every time there is inter-communal conflict, the majority is blamed regardless of merits of the question, the spring of traditional tolerance will dry up.”

“In the case on hand, the police have unnecessarily implicated the accused in the alleged commission of the crime. Police implicated prominent Hindu persons in the area, doctors, professors, teachers, businessmen, panchayat officials etc., who hail from the Hindu community,” it observed.

The court noted that the trial was drawn out to the point where “the first and last IO (investigating officer) died before they could be called as witnesses” as a result of the “continued and repeated written assertions from members of the Muslim community.” It declared that all of the surviving defendants had been cleared because “there is no evidence that the accused persons committed the offences under the sections (they were booked for)”.

They were indicted under sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting with deadly weapon), 149 (offence committed by a member of an unlawful assembly for the prosecution of the common object), 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 395 (dacoity), 435 (mischief by fire), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house) of the India Penal Court (IPC).

More sections of the IPC including 427 (mischief to cause loss or damage of Rs 50 or more), 333 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship, with intent to insult the religion of any class), 153(A) (offence in any place of worship or in any assembly engaged in the performance of religious worship or religious ceremonies), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (insulting someone intentionally to provoke them) and 502 (sells or offers for sale any printed or engraved substance containing defamatory matter), as well as Section 135 of the Bombay Police Act, was invoked against them.

Prabhas starrer Adipurush set to do well at Box Office, but Hindus express concerns about dialogues, depiction: Here are some of them

OpIndia Staff
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Prabhas starrer Adipurush set to do well at Box Office, but Hindus express concerns about dialogues, depiction: Here are some of them

Director Om Raut’s film Adipurush was released on 16th June 2023. Based on Ramayana, the film stars Prabhas as Ram, Kriti Sanon as Sita, Saif Ali Khan as Ravan and Deodatta Nage as Hanuman. Though the film is set to do well at the box office, many Hindus on social media have expressed concerns over dialogues and depiction in certain scenes of the movie. The snippets and video clips of these dialogues and scenes are going viral on social media with comments by Hindus showing their disagreements and unhappiness with the makers of the film.

Twitter account Cogito criticised the depiction of 10 heads of Ravan in this film. The ten heads of Ravan are not shown as traditionally known to one and all but shown as randomly floating faces on the screen. Commenting on this, Cognito wrote, “In Adipurush, Saif Ali Khan has channelled his inner Taimur, the Hindu genocider who he named his son after. Ravana was a Brahmarakshasa, devout Shivbhakt, credited with writing the Shiva Tandava Stotram, master in the Vedas & Astrology, exponent in playing Veena but gets portrayed here like a badly edited meme.” A wine glass can also be seen in the right hand of this Ravan played by Saif Ali Khan.

Filmy Baap Official criticised the VFX and casting of this film. The Twitter handle posted, “Om Raut and T Series should be given belt treatment for ruining Ramayana. Adipurush is a big letdown. Even Prabhas looked uncomfortable playing Raghav. Saif Ali Khan tried his best to make Raavan menacing but they didn’t change his looks. Kriti Sanon is okayish. Poor VFX!”

Dr Diksha Vaingankar compared the ten heads of Ravan with a bunch of balloons. She wrote, “From when Saif Ali Khan’s face printed balloons came? Adipurush.”

In one of the scenes of the movie, it is shown that Ravan slits the throat of Sita. While it is not yet clear if it is shown as the part of main plot of the film or as a dream sequence, social media is flooded with the reactions of Hindus angry over this portrayal of the Hindu epic while beheading is not a part of religious practices in Hinduism.

Amitabh Chaudhary wrote, “Why Adipurush promoting STSJ, which version of Ramayan says that Maa Sita was brought into the battlefield by Ravan. Why have Bollywood always made a mockery of Hindu dharma, culture and epics in the name of artistic freedom.”

The video clip has been now removed due to copyright violation. While according to the epic, Ravan’s son Indrajit had created an illusion of killing Sita, it was done in front of Hanuman, not Ram as shown in th movie. Moreover, the illusion didn’t show Sita getting beheaded.

In the iconic scene of Lanka Dahan in which Ravan sets Hanuman’s tail on fire and then Hanuman burns the Golden city of Lanka with the same, dialogues assigned to Deodatta Nage are also causing rage in the Hindus. In this dialogue, Hanuman says to Indrajit, “The cloth is of your dad, the oil is of your dad, the fire is also set by your dad, and what will burn now is also of your dad.”

Akku Johar tweeted, “Adipurush is doing more damage to our history than glorifying it. Hanuman ji was a great devotee of Shri Ram ji. Jai Shree Ram. They never used it …. ‘Tera Baap’. Manoj Muntashir have some shame for this dialogue!”

The white long robes given to the character of Ram played by Prabhas resembled to the clothes of Jesus. Criticising this, Duhan posted, “Christianity’s Jesus cameo in Adipurush confirmed. Hallelujah.”

Manish slammed the VFX of this film and said that even the Chhota Bheem was a better VFX than Adipurush. He also asked if Ravan was a part-time smith as Ravan is shown forging a sword when Hanuman is captured and brought to him for the first time in Lanka.

Deep posted, “WTFFFF! Is he Ravan or Thanos? I have booked tickets for tomm. But I guess I won’t be going tomm! I can’t see this. What the hell is THIS? Om Raut you should be jailed.”

The tattooed depiction of Ravan’s son Indrajit also came under the fire of criticism. Soldier 2.0 posted, “Visionary director Om Raut represented Indrajeet as Aquaman in Adipurush.”

There are many other objections of the audience in general and Hindus in particular. People coming out of the cinema exhibition halls were seen criticising the film for various reasons. Some of them did not like the VFX. Some others were unhappy with the wrong depiction of Ramayan. The viewers accused the director of distorting the story of epic Indian history in the name of modernising the story. The cringe dialogues were also criticised.

There are many flaws in the characterisation also, according to people who watched the movie. Viewers pointed out that no one has ever been able to harm Lord Hanuman, but the Adipurush film shows that he is being kicked. Ravan – a son of a Brahmin – is shown feeding meat with his own hands. Ram is shown wearing a leather jacket while in Vanvas. People demanded that this film shall not be exhibited anymore. Those who brought their kids to show the story of Ramayan on the big screen are themselves confused about how to answer the questions of the kids after watching this film.

Though the first-day collections of the film are heading towards Rs 40 Crores, the public reactions to such scenes and dialogue may cause damage to the box office collection of this film in the next few days.

Karnataka: Paan shop owner writes social media post criticising Congress’ ‘Shakti’ scheme, booked for ‘inciting hate’ in society

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: Paan shop owner writes social media post criticising Congress’ ‘Shakti’ scheme, booked for ‘inciting hate’ in society

On Friday, June 16, a case was registered against a man from Gajendragad town in the Gadag district in Karnataka for allegedly ‘defaming’ the Congress government in the state and inciting hate in the society through a social media post. The complaint was allegedly lodged over a Facebook post about the ‘Shakti’ scheme implemented by the Congress government in the state for women.

On June 11, the accused Yamanappa Mageri, a paan shop owner shared a post on his Facebook account, Muthu Mageri, about the ‘Shakti’ scheme implemented by the Congress government in the state for women.

“The purpose of the guarantee is to put condition after condition and eventually deliver the scheme to only their relatives,” he wrote in the post. He slammed the Karnataka Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Siddharamaiah and accused him of favouring one community.

Reacting to this post, the complainant alleged that Yamanappa Mageri’s posts on Facebook hurt the sentiments of one community and incited hate in society.

Arjun Hanumanthappa Rathod, the person who lodged the complaint, claimed that the accused had not only posted derogatory posts against the Chief Ministers of state but also incited the sentiments of people of one community.

Speaking about the complaint Arjun Hanumanthappa Rathod told Republic TV, Gajendragad is a peaceful town and such posts would only disturb the communal peace and harmony in the region.”

He added that members of both communities have been living harmoniously for ages and their brotherhood should not be destroyed, therefore he has filed the case.

Based on his complaint, the Gajendragad police have registered a case under IPC sections 295A, and 505(1)(b) and assured that an investigation is underway and that action will be taken in accordance with the law against the accused. 

Karnataka Congress’s Shakti scheme costs the state exchequer Rs 21 crore in 3 days

The promises made by the congress party before the state assembly elections have been facing a lot of criticism, primarily due to the delay in implementation and the financial burden on the state.

The five main promises made by the congress party before the state assembly elections are- Gruha Jyoti: 200 units of free power to all households, Gruha Lakshmi: Rs 2,000 monthly assistance to the woman head of every family, Anna Bhagya: 10 kg of rice free to every member of a BPL household; Yuva Nidhi scheme: diploma holders will get an allowance of Rs 1,500 per month for two years, while graduates will receive Rs 3,000 per month and Shakti: Free bus rides for all women in the state.

Congress’ Shakti scheme which took off on Monday, June 12, cost the state exchequer Rs 8.84 crore in one single day and Rs 21.05 crore in the first three days, according to the transport department. If one were to take into consideration the Monday figure, the annual expenditure on this scheme may touch between Rs 3,200 crore to Rs 3,400 crore, a transport officer told the media.

Karnataka: Cop on duty mowed down by tractor of sand mafia in Kalaburagi, driver arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: Cop on duty mowed down by tractor of sand mafia in Kalaburagi, driver arrested

A head constable was brutally killed by the sand mafia in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi on Thursday after he was run over by a tractor. Head constable Mayura, 51, of the Nelogi police station was trying to stop the transportation of illegally-mined sand when he was crushed to death by a tractor near Narayanpur in Jewargi taluk of Kalaburagi.

The tractor driver named Sidhanna has been arrested.

Head constable Mayura Chauhan and constable Pramod Dodmani were assigned patrolling duty on Thursday following complaints of illegal sand mining from Hullur village in Kalaburagi. They were conducting rounds on a bike when they noticed a tractor. It was past 10 pm by this time.

The two policemen began to chase it. The driver of the tractor increased the speed and ran overhead Constable Chauhan killing him on the spot. Constable Pramod sustained injuries.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameswhara said the search is underway for one more accused.

“We have already taken action. It is unfortunate that our Policeman has died on duty. We have arrested a person who has done it, we are searching for one more person. It will be done very soon. Rs 30 Lakhs compensation has already been given to that family. On humanitarian grounds, that family will also get employment. That process is on…,” Parameswhara said.

Jewargi MLA Ajay Singh has promised a compensation of Rs 30 lakh to head constable Mayura’s family. State Minister Priyank Kharge has taken stock of the situation and assured his full support to the police, according to Isha Pant, SP Kalaburagi.

BJP calls out Congress govt

The BJP has accused the Congress government in Karnataka of promoting mafias. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla tweeted that “Congress is destroying law and order in Karnataka.”

Karnataka, which is under the Congress-led Siddaramaiah govt, has been in the headlines lately for all the wrong reasons.

Yesterday, the Karnataka government announced its decision to repeal the anti-conversion law.

Hindu Sena approaches Delhi HC against Adipurush, says it makes a mockery of the Ramayana, Lord Ram, Sita and the Hindu culture

OpIndia Staff
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Hindu Sena approaches Delhi HC against Adipurush, says it makes a mockery of the Ramayana, Lord Ram, Sita and the Hindu culture

Hours after Om Raut’s Adipurush, starring Prabhas, Saif Ali Khan and Kriti Sanon, hit the theatres, the movie has run into trouble. Vishnu Gupta, National President of the Hindu Sena has filed a PIL against the movie, asserting that it has mocked the Hindu epic Ramayana, Hindu God and Goddesses and the Hindu culture.

The plea seeks directions to remove the objectionable scenes related to the Hindu gods Ram, Ravana, Sita and Hanuman. It alleged that the depiction of these deities in the film is inaccurate and inappropriate and contrary to depictions of religious characters as found in Ramayana.

Hindus have a distinctive view of the images of Lord Ram, Sita, and Hanuman, and the plea contended that any alteration or tampering with those images by movie producers, directors, or performers would be a violation of their fundamental rights.

The plea stated that the scenes show the religious characters in bad taste and are an absolute insult to Hindu civilization, Hindu religious figures, idols, etc.

Slamming the makers of Adipurush for distorting the image of the revered Hindu deities, Vishnu Gupta stated in the PIL that the hairstyle, beard and dress are well-defined as per the image created in epics. Any variation by film producers, directors and actors would certainly hurt the sentiments of worshipers, devotees and religious believers, he stated.

“Therefore, such feature films may not be permitted for public exhibition until corrective measures are taken by the film producers and directors,” the PIL read.

“Distorted public exhibition of Hindu religious figures by film Adipurush is a clear cut violation of freedom of conscience and practice in as much as the freedom to manage religious affairs as guaranteed under Article 26 which is also violated,” PIL added.

The Hindu Sena urged the Union Government and the Central Board Of Film Certification to not permit any filmmaker to publicly exhibit any feature film “which may tend to disturb public order and secular fabric of the society.”

It added, “The Deputy CM of Uttar Pradesh has also made a public statement not to allow the exhibition of Adipurush which may hurt religious sentiments. Therefore, the implication of its release may have far-reaching consequences if it is passed and cleared for unrestricted exhibition.”

Film Adipurush causes upheavals in Nepal

The movie has also caused a stir in Nepal with the Kathmandu Mayor Balen Shah raising objections to dialogue in the film. Balen Shah claimed that the film refers Sita to as the “daughter of India” while she is widely regarded as the “daughter of Nepal.”

As per reports, a dialogue in the movie Adipurush, where Lord Ram (played by Baahubali star Prabhas) is asking the Vanar Sena to fight to save India’s daughter from the captivity of Ravana, has created some controversy in Nepal.

Belen Shah, the Mayor of the Kathmandu metropolitan area had taken a strong objection to Mata Seeta being referred to as ‘India’s daughter’, had asserted that she is, in fact, Nepal’s daughter, and the makers of Aadipurush had been given 3-days time to remove the allegedly controversial dialogue from the movie.

‘Adipurush’ disappoints viewers, gets 1.5-star rating from film critics

Popular film critic Taran Adarsh took to Twitter on Friday (June 16) to review the movie and gave it a disappointing 1.5-star rating. In a tweet, he said, “One-word review: Disappointing. Rating – 1.5 stars. Adipurush is an epic disappointment…Just doesn’t meet the mammoth expectations…Director OmRaut had a dream cast and a massive budget on hand but creates a huge mess. #AdipurushReview.”

A number of moviegoers and bloggers also expressed their displeasure, pointing out the numerous areas where the filmmakers have erred. Some people were offended by the movie’s cringe dialogues, others were irate at how crassly the Hindu mythological characters were depicted. Most were, however, appalled by how the Hindu epic Ramayan was grossly misrepresented in the film.

Indian Express faux pass: Forgets to remove editorial note to call Khalistanis as ‘militants’, not terrorists

OpIndia Staff
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Indian Express faux pass: Forgets to remove editorial note to call Khalistanis as ‘militants’, not terrorists

Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda, who was admitted to a hospital in Birmingham, UK, after an alleged ‘poisoning’ died yesterday. Khanda was 38. He has been booked by the NIA after his involvement in the attack on the Indian High Commission in London in March.

While some media reports say Khanda was poisoned, some reports mention that he had blood cancer.

Indian Express faux pass

The Indian Express, in its news report announcing Avtar Khanda’s death, forgot to remove the editorial note that had apparently asked the writer to address Khanda as a ‘militant’ and not a terrorist. The screenshot of the report was shared on Twitter by a user ‘Woke Janta’.

The initial version of the report mentioned Avtar Khanda’s father and his association with Khalistani terrorist organization Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF). The article also took care to mention Khanda as a ‘student’ who had gone to the UK for ‘studies’.

Indian Express tried to make necessary edits to their article. However, the archived version of the original report can be read here.

The current version of the report mentions Khanda as a ‘well-known pro-Khalistan activist’.

Avtar Singh Khanda and his terror links

Avtar Singh Khanda, born in Punjab’s Moga district, was the son of terrorist Kulwant Singh Khukrana who was associated with the Khalistan Liberation Force and Khalistan Commando Force. He was also a member of the Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar.

He was also a member of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), a Khalistani terrorist group banned in several countries including Canada, the US, and the UK, apart from India.

Avtar Singh Khanda worked with other London-based Khalistani separatists like  Joga Singh, Kuldip Singh Chaheru and Gursharan Singh, and was behind several Khalistani demonstrations in the UK.

The London-based Khalistani terrorist nurtured Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief terrorist Amritpal Singh. He mentored and prepared Amritpal to lead Waris Punjab De before sending the latter to Punjab. He also assisted Amritpal Singh in evading the Punjab police during the crackdown on WPD.

Indian media and their efforts of whitewashing terrorists

Indian Express has a habit of insisting that terrorists against the Indian State are not terrorists but mere ‘militants’. This is reflected in many of their earlier reports too. In a 2019 incident, where 2 Islamic terrorists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir, and despite the fact that the police statement had mentioned the word ‘terrorists’, the media outlet had gone ahead and used the word militant.

Old headline of IE

Not just Indian Express, but almost all mainstream media outlets in India have this habit of whitewashing terrorists by terms, narratives, and sometimes blatant denial. So terrorists are often portrayed as ‘students’, ‘headmaster’s son’, ‘young man who loved bikes’, and much more.

A detailed article on the UN definition of terrorists and acts of terrorism and how the term ‘militant’ tries to cover the crimes up, can be read here.

Essentially, the media frequently tries to paint terrorists as ‘those fighting oppression’ in order to ensure that the threat of radical Islam and terrorism in Kashmir, Khalistani terrorism in India and abroad that has killed hundreds of innocents and propagates the idea of war against the Indian State for a chunk of its territory, can be reduced to a mere armed resistance against the ‘oppression of the state’. Branding JeM terrorists as ‘militants’, terming Khalustani terrorists as ‘well-known activist’ etc are just another step in the project.

Punjab: Two persons die after speeding pilot car of AAP MLA’s convoy hits a two-wheeler, locals stage protest after police were reluctant to file FIR

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab: Two persons die after speeding pilot car of AAP MLA’s convoy hits a two-wheeler, locals stage protest after police were reluctant to file FIR

In an unfortunate incident, two people lost their lives in Faridkot in Punjab after they were hit by a speeding vehicle, which was part of a convoy of AAP MLA Gurdit Singh Sekhon. The incident took place on Sadik Road near Machaki Village in Faridkot district.

According to reports, the two people were travelling on a two-wheeler when they were hit by the pilot jeep of the MLA’s convoy. They were travelling from the Faridkot side, and the convoy was also travelling in the same direction. The speeding pilot Gypsy of the convoy hit the two-wheeler from behind, killing the two riders. Reportedly they died on the spot, indicating that it was a very violent hit.

People present at the spot said that MLA Gurdit Singh Sekhon was not present when the accident took place, but he arrived later. The bodies of the victims were taken to the hospital by ambulance. One of the victims has been identified as Satpal, while the other was not identified yet. Both are said to be residents of Jhotiala village.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Parambans Singh Romana posted visuals from the accident spot, alleging that instead of taking the two persons to the hospital, the convoy sped away. “2 persons from Jhotiwala village in Faridkot died after a speeding pilot gypsy in Faridkot MLA Gurdit Singh Sekhon’s convoy hit them,” he posted.

Romana also said that locals staged a protest outside the Kotwali police station as police were reluctant to register an FIR in the case. “I appeal to everyone to reach Kotwali to fight for justice. We will force police to act against the guilty,” he added.

Chattisgarh: Noor Alam Khan posed as Rahul to tricked a Hindu tribal girl into doing court marriage with him on the pretext of getting her a job, thrashed in court

OpIndia Staff
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Chattisgarh: Noor Alam Khan posed as Rahul to tricked a Hindu tribal girl into doing court marriage with him on the pretext of getting her a job, thrashed in court

On Wednesday, June 14, a 45-year-old man named Noor Alam Khan from the Balrampur district of Chhattisgarh was arrested by the Ambikapur police for alleged human trafficking under the guise of promising a job in Gujarat to a tribal Hindu girl. Accused Noor Alam Khan posed as a Hindu man named Rahul Singh.

Reportedly, a Kondagaon resident girl named Sharmili Netaam introduced the 21-year-old victim Madkam to the accused Noor Alam who pretended to be Rahul Singh. The accused promised to get her a job in Gujarat. He managed to convince her that a fake court marriage certificate would help her at the workplace in Gujarat. Accused Noor Alam called the victim to Ambikapur court through Sharmili Netaam. Reportedly, Sharmili was working as a guard at a Solar company in Gujarat. 

The victim learnt about the accused person’s real identity when he was preparing an affidavit for the marriage. In the affidavit, the person Madkam knew as Rahul Singh wrote his name as Noor Alam Khan. The victim was left shocked and clueless upon realising that the person she believed to be a Hindu was actually a Muslim. 

Soon after, the accused sensed the trouble and attempted to flee the spot, however, the people present inside the court premises caught him and thrashed him. He was eventually handed over to the police. 

Reportedly, while the accused Noor Alam Khan was being beaten up, a woman was repeatedly calling on his phone. It turned out that the woman was his wife and he also has four children.

Accused Noor Alam, along with co-accused Sharmili Netam, have been booked under Sections 370, 120B, and 417 of the Indian Penal Code and produced before the court, from where they were sent to judicial custody.

Speaking to Organiser, local BJP leader Madhusudan Shukla said that the victim was already working in Raipur. He added that the accused convinced the victim to obtain a fake marriage certificate so that she will not have to face harassment at the workplace in Gujarat. 

Shukla further alleged that it was a well-thought plan of the accused as he had bought the stamp three-four months earlier. However, some of the notaries present on the court premises grew suspicious of Noor Alam and the truth came out. The BJP functionary also stressed that the co-accused Sharmili Netam’s role in the matter should also be probed. 

Kerala court summons Dr Philip Augustine, who was awarded Padma Shri by Congress, for allegedly transplanting organ of youth by falsely declaring him brain dead

Jhankar Mohta
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Kerala court summons Dr Philip Augustine, who was awarded Padma Shri by Congress, for allegedly transplanting organ of youth by falsely declaring him brain dead

VPS Lakeshore Hospital in Kochi and nine doctors, including Dr Philip Augustine, the founder of the Lakeshore Hospital and Research Centre, have received notice from the Judicial First Class Magistrate-8, Ernakulam.

The notice was issued in response to a complaint regarding crimes under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994, wherein Dr Philip Augustine and 8 others were accused of harvesting the kidney and liver of an 18-year-old youth Abin V J, a youth brain dead without following due procedure.

The accused in the case are Lakeshore Hospital and Research Centre presently known as VPS Lakeshore Hospital, doctors with the hospital- Dr Philip Augustine, Dr S Mahesh, Dr George Jacob Eraly, Dr Sai Sudarsan, Dr Thomas Thachil, Dr Murali Krishna Menon, and Dr Sujith Vasudevan, and Dr Sajeev S of Mar Beselios Hospital. 

Dr Philip Augustine conferred with Padma Shri by the UPA-Govt in 2010

Dr Philip Augustine is a gastroenterologist. He is a specialist in gastrointestinal endoscopy and a hospital administrator from Ernakulam, Kerala. He founded the Lakeshore Hospital and Research Centre in 2003. In 2010, Dr Philip Augustine was conferred with Padma Shri Award, for his services to the fields of medicine by the then-UPA Government.

Dr Philip and his associate doctors were summoned based on a complaint filed by Dr S Ganapathy, of Maruthadi, Kollam. Dr S Ganapathy alleged that VJ Abin’s kidneys and liver were removed illegally in violation of the Transplantation of Human Organs Act of 1994 after the hospital declared him brain-dead following a motorcycling accident.

Dr S Ganapathy also asserted in his complaint that the Apnea test, which is mandatory to confirm brain death was not conducted in the case of Abin. 

The court found that there was a prima facie case and enough evidence against each and every accused party in the case. It, therefore, decided to pursue the death and organ transplantation performed on Abin V J declaring it a case fit to be probed.

“I find that there is a prima facie case and sufficient grounds for proceeding in respect of offences u/s. 18, 20 and 21 of the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994 (pre-amended), against all accused”, read Magistrate Eldos Mathew’s order on May 29. 

The case

The case date back to the year 2009, when a young boy from Kerala named VJ Abin, who was 18-year-old then, met with a two-wheeler accident and was rushed to Mar Baselios Hospital Kothamangalam on November 29, 2009, and later to Lakeshore on November 30, 2009. 

Abin’s family accused both hospitals of medical negligence but the complaint against the two hospitals and their doctors was eventually filed by Dr S Ganapathy after he came to know the details about the organ transplantation through a media report in 2019.

UPA-era Padma Shri awardee Dr Philip Augustine and his team hurriedly declared patient brain dead

Dr Ganapathy was doing research on illegal transplantation when he learnt about the goof-ups on the part of the hospital and doctors. He alleged that the hospital and the doctors engaged in a criminal conspiracy by denying the victim proper medical care and hurriedly declared Abin brain dead only to transplant his organs on a foreign national in violation of the prescribed laws. He accused the hospital of amassing a huge sum of money in the process.

“I saw a report saying there is nothing illegal in the case. I enquired about the report and one of the doctors who was mentioned in the report said she did not attend any meetings regarding it. Then I realized there was something. He was not treated at Mar Baselios hospital though they had a neurosurgeon and they referred him to Lakeshore. It was an adjustment as the doctor had earlier worked in Lakeshore,” Dr S Ganapathy had then told the media.

Medical negligence, violation of prescribed laws, Dr Philip Augustine signing the death certificate without examining the patient: What all did the court observe in the organ transplant case

Dr P Sanjay, Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, Government Medical College, Manjeri who had performed Abin’s autopsy, identified an irregularity by the hospital that led to a blood clot in the brain cavity from a haemorrhage. Even though Abin was rushed to the hospital right away after the accident, the hospital’s medical staff did not perform a surgical blood drain, he told the court, adding that this was a major lapse from the part of the two hospitals where he was treated.

Dr Sanjay, also noted that at Lakeshore Hospital, Abin was not subjected to neurosurgery. “Though the patient started respiring himself, the authorities downgraded the ventilator settings,” Dr Sanjay further told the court.

He concluded that Abin did not have a significant brain injury and that evacuation of the collected blood could have saved his life.

Both Dr Sanjay and Dr Thomas Iype, Head of Neurology at Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, who had been asked by the court to provide an expert opinion, claimed that the declaration of brain death had not been made legally and in accordance with procedure. The transplantation team had access to the patient even before his death was officially declared and his liver was transplanted to a Malaysian citizen, which they said was in violation of the rules.

The patient’s brain stem death certificate was signed by Dr Philip Augustine. The court, however, observed that there is no evidence to prove that Philip Augustine had examined Abin before signing the death certificate. The court also noted that some other doctors who signed the death certificate also had no authorisation.

The court also found that the due processes outlined in the TOHO Act were not followed in Abin’s case. It said that Abin’s liver was transplanted to a Malaysian national without obtaining sanction from the internal authorisation committee. The court also observed that the recipient’s wife was listed as the organ donor on the Malaysian Embassy document, even though Abin’s organ had actually been transplanted.

The court also learnt that the thoracic chamber was opened (sternotomy) during the organ harvesting process and the heart was subsequently damaged. Based on these observations, the court said that it found sufficient grounds for proceeding with the case and accordingly summoned all the accused to hear them as part of the probe.

Hospital clarifies

According to VPS Lakeshore Hospital, the court has mandated an investigation to ascertain the veracity of the complaint made by a private individual regarding brain death. The hospital will fully cooperate with the investigation, said managing director S K Abdullah. Regarding the incident in question, he claimed that there was no lapse on the part of the hospital, adding that they are taking necessary legal actions to prove the hospital’s innocence before the court.

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