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UCC bill likely to be tabled during the monsoon session in the new parliament building, standing committee to chair meeting on July 3

OpIndia Staff
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UCC bill likely to be tabled during the monsoon session in the new parliament building, standing committee to chair meeting on July 3

In a big development, a report has emerged claiming that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill will likely be tabled in the monsoon session of the Parliament. The session is likely to begin on July 20 in the new Parliament building which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister on May 28. Notably, this will likely be the first historic bill to be introduced in the newly-inaugurated Parliament building.

Quoting highly-placed sources, the report says that the bill may be sent to the parliamentary standing committee which will gather views from various stakeholders on UCC.

This comes after the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice called representatives from the Law Commission and the Law Ministry for a meeting on July 3 regarding the notice released by the Law Commission seeking inputs on UCC from stakeholders. The Law Commission on 14 June asked the public and religious organisations to submit their views on the UCC within 30 days, and as on June 28, the commission has received 8.5 lakh responses.

The committee’s agenda reads, “To hear views of representatives of the following organisations on public notice issued by the Law Commission of India on June 14, 2023, inviting views from the various stakeholders on the Uniform Civil Code, under the subject ‘Review of Personal Laws’.”

BJP leader Kapil Mishra took to tweet and dropped another big hint. He pointed out that the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Ram Mandir was held on 5 August 2020, and Article 370 was also revoked on 5 August 2019, thereby hinting that the UCC bill will also be tabled on August 5.

PM Modi bats for UCC

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 27 raked up the subject of UCC during his address to party workers in Bhopal.

Claiming that political parties are trying to mislead Muslims, PM Modi strongly batted for equal rights and Uniform Civil Code enshrined in the Constitution. He dropped a major hint that UCC may be on the cards in the upcoming Parliament session. For those unversed, the 22nd Law Commission had recently, on the 14th of June, asked for suggestions from the general public on the UCC draft bill within a stipulated time period of 30 days. 

Batting in favour of UCC, the PM said, “Today people are being instigated in the name of UCC. How can the country run on two laws? The Constitution also talks of equal rights. Supreme Court has also asked to implement UCC. These (Opposition) people are playing vote bank politics.”

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami today said that the state’s UCC draft is now in the making. Dhami said, “”The UCC drafting committee went among people and worked for over a year. It spoke to more than 2 lakh people – several stakeholders, organisations & intellectuals. After this, their draft is in the making. It is about to complete, once we get it we will examine it. We will discuss with the experts and take further course of action…”

‘Affirmative Action’, race-based admission in Harvard and North Carolina universities struck down by US Supreme Court

ANI
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‘Affirmative Action’, race-based admission in Harvard and North Carolina universities struck down by US Supreme Court

US Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday (US local time) said the US Supreme Court’s decision to end “affirmative action” in college admissions is “a denial of opportunity”.

The US Supreme Court on Thursday struck down race-based admissions at the University of Harvard and the University of North Carolina. “The highest court in our land just made a decision today on affirmative action and I feel compelled to speak about it. It is in so very many ways a denial of opportunity,” the US Vice President said.

Harris further added that it is a complete misnomer that this is about being color-blind. “It is being blind to history, blind to empirical evidence about disparities, and blind to the strength that diversity brings to classrooms, to boardrooms,” she said.

The US Supreme Court on Thursday struck down race-based admission at the University of Harvard and the University of North Carolina, The Washington Post reported.

This comes amid reports of the university’s policies discriminating against White and Asian applicants by giving preference to Black, Hispanic, and Native American ones.

In a 6-3 judgment, the apex court gutted affirmative action in college admissions, that use race as a factor.

“The student must be treated based on his or her experiences as an individual, not on the basis of race,” Chief Justice John G Roberts said in the ruling while writing for the majority.

Earlier, President Joe Biden also said that the US Supreme Court has “effectively ended affirmative action in college admissions,” by striking down race-based admissions in colleges.

“The Court has effectively ended affirmative action in college admissions. And I strongly, strongly disagree with the Court’s decision,” Biden said.

He said today’s decision rolls back decades of precedent and momentous progress.

He added that “I’ve always believed that the promise of America is big enough for everyone to succeed and that every generation of Americans, we have benefitted by opening the doors of opportunity just a little bit wider to include those who have been left behind.”

The US President said he believes colleges are stronger when they are racially diverse. “Our nation is stronger because we are tapping into the full range of talent in this nation,” he said.

“I also believe that while talent, creativity, and hard work are everywhere across this country, not equal opportunity. It is not everywhere across this country,” he added.

Biden said: “We cannot let this decision be the last word. I want to emphasize: We cannot let this decision be the last word.” 

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

Chidambaram temple row: Plea filed in Madras HC challenging govt order allowing devotees to climb Kanakasabhai Mandapam

OpIndia Staff
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Chidambaram temple row: Plea filed in Madras HC challenging govt order allowing devotees to climb Kanakasabhai Mandapam

In the latest development in the controversy over the Tamil Nadu government interfering in the religious activities of the Chidambaram Natarajar temple, a petition opposing a government order issued in May 2022 allowing pilgrims to ascend the Kanakasabhai Mandapam for a glimpse of the deity at Sri Sabhayagar Temple in Chidambaram has been filed with the Madras High Court.

During the Aani Thirumanjanam festival, just for four days from June 24 to 27, priests who oversee the Thillai Nataraja temple had prohibited pilgrims from ascending the golden platform due to security concerns. The temple administration takes the step to ensure large crowds are managed smoothly, as a lot of devotees visit the temple during the annual festival. However, the state government has tried to overturn this decision of the temple using the order.

The priests argued that it would be challenging to protect the gems and carry out the puja while dealing with the big number of devotees present on this particular occasion. Consequently, a board was set up with the restrictions written on it. However, the board was removed by the HR and CE officials on 26 June.

TR Ramesh, the president of the Temple Worshippers Society and the Indic Collective Trust has filed the petition. Ramesh asserts in the plea that a Tamil-speaking Vedic Saivite group known as the “Chidambaram Dikshitars” had been conducting deity worship and managing the temple for close to two thousand years. In addition, he said that on May 17, 2022, the State of Tamil Nadu’s Principal Secretary for Tourism, Culture, and Religious Endowment Department issued a Government Order allowing universal authorization to pilgrims visiting the Chidambaram Temple.

This is a day after the Chidambaram temple priests were booked by the Police for restricting the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE) officials from offering prayers on the sacred stage kanagasabai mandapam inside the temple. The government of Tamil Nadu’s Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department oversees and supervises administration of a large number of Hindy temples throughout the state. However, the Chidambaram temple is not under their jurisdiction. It has been alleged that the govt is trying to take over the temple currently managed by the Dikshitars.

Ramesh argued in the plea that while the contested order is stated to have been approved based on recommendations from the Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, and after consultation with the District Collector, it omits to mention consultation with the Secretary to Podhu Dikshitars. Ramesh continued by saying that the authorities had also neglected to mention the authority they had in order to issue such instructions.

“I respectfully submit that the 1st Respondent has failed to mention as to the powers, if any, available to him to pass any orders concerning a denominational institution, especially when Sections 105(a) and 107 of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act 1959 preclude every authority from passing any orders in violation of the established usage of an institution and in violation of the rights of a religious denomination guaranteed under Article 26 of the Indian Constitution”, the plea read as quoted by the Live Law.

Ramesh continued, “The contested GO has directly interfered with the performance of rituals in the Kanaka Sabhai, a raised platform immediately beneath the temple’s sanctum sanctorum.” He further said that, in the past, devotees who wished to do particular archana were permitted entry inside the Kanaka Sabhai only at specific times, but even this practice was discontinued after the epidemic broke out.

He added that after some motivated and non-believers started raising issues, the Secretary of Podhu Dikshitarts made the decision to forbid anyone from receiving Darshan from the Kanaka Sabhai, which resulted in the passing of the contested GO.

The argument further asserts that it is impractical to accommodate devotees in the Kanaka Sabhai, which only has room for 7 to 10 devotees, and that giving preferential treatment to select people could harm the temple’s atmosphere of peace and secrecy and invite criticism and accusations from the general public.

Additionally, it claims that the contested GO was made without power and in violation of Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution because the Principal Secretary could not locate any reference to it in the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Act.

Therefore, the plea asks that the contested GO be declared ultra vires, unlawful, arbitrary, and without authority, and it also asks for a suspension of its implementation while the case is being resolved.

Kanagasabai is a combination of two Tamil words, kanagam meaning gold and sabai meaning court. Since the idol is believed to be performing Bharathanatyam, one of the traditional Indian dance forms, in the court made of gold, the court is called Kanagasabai.

Tamil Nadu: Wife of Dikshitar of Chidambaram Temple says her husband was pushed and his Poonool was cut

OpIndia Staff
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Tamil Nadu: Wife of Dikshitar of Chidambaram Temple says her husband was pushed and his Poonool was cut

In the ongoing Chidambaram Temple controversy, it has come to the fore that a female police officer allegedly pushed a Dikshitar, tore his clothes, and cut the Poonool/Janeu he was wearing on June 27th. The allegation has been leveled by the said Dikshitar’s wife during a press conference of the Temple authorities. 

The wife of the assaulted Dikshitar voiced her dismay at seeing her husband in such a defenseless state in a video going viral online. She stated that he was dizzy and had to be taken to the hospital.

“He was feeling dizzy and was about to fall down. His Poonool was cut, and his veshti was pulled,” the Dikshitar’s wife said.

“They cut his Poonool (sacred thread). How can they do that?” she asked.

She emphasized the violation of personal space, saying, “If you are a female, what right does one have to touch a male?” implying that one of the female officials had pushed the Dikshitar. 

“If the roles had been reversed, the media would have pounced. Will you put this in the media now? I dare the female official who pushed my husband to show up before me. Whoever she is,” the Dikshitar’s wife reportedly said.

According to some Tamil media reports, the Dikshitar whose Poonool was allegedly cut has lodged a complaint at the city police station. In his complaint, he stated that on June 27th he was performing pooja at the temple in the evening when the HR&CE officials and the police entered the Kanagsabai. He alleged that the officials and the police including female officers interrupted his Pooja and attacked him, adding that he was pushed and his clothes were torn in such a manner that his Poonool was cut.

During a media interaction, the advocate representing the Dikshitars verified the authenticity of the incident.

“What is the need for carrying out an attack that results in the cutting off of the sacred thread? I leave it for the people to see,” advocate G Chandrashekhar reportedly said.

The issue regarding the Chidambaram Temple

Notably, on June 27, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department official Velvizhi, accompanied by two female police personnel, entered the Kanagasabai amidst resistance from Dikshithars and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters. The development came days after a controversy erupted claiming Pothu Dikshitars of Chidambaram Natarajar temple declined permission to devotees to offer prayers from Kanagasabai during the Aani Thirumanjanam festival. Pothu Dikshitars are the hereditary priests and custodians of Sri Sabanayagar Temple, popularly known as Lord Nataraja Temple.

Notably, Deekshitars have been managing the temple for centuries. The temple has historically changed darshan timings and programs during festivals to ensure smooth management. The devotees and temple administration have been left confused and angered. Notably, Supreme Court has already ruled that the government cannot interfere in temple management. Despite the orders from the apex court, DMK continued to create controversy using HR&CE around the temple.

Controversies around Chidambaram Temple

On May 4, OpIndia reported that Tamil Nadu governor Ravindra Narayana Ravi exposed the shocking truth about how minor girls were forced to undergo the two-finger test, also known as the virginity test, by the state administration in an effort to defame the Podhu Dikshithars, in an explosive interview with the Times of India.

“Out of vengeance, government officers of the social welfare department lodged eight complaints of child marriage against the Podhu Dikshithars, that they were getting their underage children married, whereas there were no such marriages,” Governor Ravi said

(Update: This story is based on a report by Commune Magazine. Tamil Nadu police have since filed an FIR against the magazine and issued summons. You can read that report here)

Congress-ruled Rajasthan govt announces paid gigs where influencers could earn upto Rs 5 lacs, as ‘liberals’ target union ministers for interviews with influencers

OpIndia Staff
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Congress-ruled Rajasthan govt announces paid gigs where influencers could earn upto Rs 5 lacs, as ‘liberals’ target union ministers for interviews with influencers

The congress-ruled Rajasthan government has launched a program to use social media influencers’ reach to promote its work. OpIndia accessed the notification issued by the Rajasthan Government in this regard. As per the June 26 notification, influencers can earn anywhere between Rs 10,000 to Rs 5 lakh, depending on their popularity, by publishing government advertisements. The announcement came at a time when the BJP-ruled central government is under attack for approaching influencers for the promotion of significant schemes, without offering them money.

Criteria for getting advertisements

As per the report, the influencers with over 10,000 followers on any social media accounts, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube, can get advertisements from the Rajasthan government. 

The Rajasthan government has divided influencers into four categories. Furthermore, the government will check the six-month records of the influencers. Apart from the pre-defined categories, the committee formed to overlook the program can give advertisements to those who have high followership but may or may not fall into any category.

Suppose an influencer has 10 lakh or one million followers or subscribers; then he or she can earn a maximum of Rs 5 lakh. Similarly, with 5 lakh followers or subscribers, influencers can make up to 2 lakhs; for 1 lakh subscribers, the amount can go up to 50 thousand and for 10,000 followers, the influencer can earn up to Rs 10,000.

For Facebook and Instagram influencers, the price per reel or post has been set between Rs 1,000 and Rs 10,000. If someone posts a 10-second post reel, a post, three photos and three videos on Twitter, he or she can earn anywhere between Rs 1,000 to Rs 10,000, depending on the number of followers.

Notably, the payment to the influencers will be released only if the posts have at least 5 per cent reach. That means if you have 100 followers, the ad must reach at least 5; otherwise, you will not get paid. The influencer also has to provide analytic data on the social media handle. Influencers will be required to put advertisement tags when needed.

The BJP-ruled central government is under attack for approaching influencers

Interestingly, while Congress approached social media influencers to promote the state government’s work and an official scheme by way of which they can get paid for it, the left-liberals and opposition have attacked the union government for merely talking to influencers without giving them money to promote their work. Despite clarification from the influencers like Viraj Sheth (Beer Biceps co-founder) that there was no money involved in interviewing union ministers, they are getting criticised for being “Governments’ mouthpieces”.

Alt News’ co-founder Mohammed Zubair had attacked Akshat Shrivastava for criticising Congress-ruled Karnataka government’s freebies. He insinuated that just two days after meeting MEA Dr S Jaishankar, Shrivastava published a video against the Karnataka Government. In reality, Shrivastava had published multiple videos criticising freebie culture as a whole. AltNews’ Zubair and other Liberals and Islamists were basically insinuating that some influencers are praising the union govt or promoting their work while sometimes criticising Congress because they were being paid by BJP to do so, thereby, taking away from the credibility of their opinions. Interestingly, even after clarification from the influencers themselves, they continued their attack to discredit the influencers and the good work being done by the Modi govt. The very people who made such insinuations without proof are now silent about Congress officially offering money to these influencers to praise the Congress government and its work.

Influencers under the IT department’s scanner

Reportedly, the Income Tax department has put several influencers under scanner for not disclosing their income. Recently, the government announced that the influencers had to pay taxes on the freebies they get from the companies, including airfare, accommodation, free samples for testing and review, and more. In the case of sample products, if the influencer keeps the product, only then do they have to pay the tax. As per the Business Standard report, 15 influencers have been sent notices by the IT department.

The list includes a lifestyle and fitness coach, a high-profile fashion influencer, a travel influencer and an influencer who publishes information on Bollywood. Three of these influencers never filed returns, while others underreported them. Other 30 influencers are also under the department’s watch.

Giving an example of the discrepancies in income, an IT department official said that the fashion influencer who hails from Mumbai charges around Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000 for a single endorsement. The official said, “After receiving over Rs 30 lakh for various posts from a single company, the influencer had declared an annual income of just Rs 3.5 lakh.”

TMC MLA demands resignation of two ‘incompetent’ leaders, who are Hindu, from 70% Muslim-dominated Murshidabad, says Hindus voted for BJP: What the issue is

OpIndia Staff
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TMC MLA demands resignation of two ‘incompetent’ leaders, who are Hindu, from 70% Muslim-dominated Murshidabad, says Hindus voted for BJP: What the issue is

On Monday (June 26), Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir courted controversy for demanding the replacement of fellow TMC members from the party committee in Murshidabad with ‘Muslim leaders’.

Kabir had been aghast with the TMC high command for giving ‘pure unadulterated power’ to party members such as Shaoni Sinha Roy and Apurba Sarkar and their family members.

While speaking to Murshidabad Today, he remarked, “Why should two members of the same house get powerful positions in the party? Are others unworthy? Is the top leadership blind? Murshidabad district has a 70% Muslim population. Will this community not receive importance from Mamata Banerjee?”

Humayan Kabir made it clear to the TMC high command that if ‘Muslim leaders’ are not given charge of Murshidabad, then the community will move away from the party.

He said, “In 2021, 90 out of every 100 Muslims voted for the Trinamool Congress. This is why the party has 20 legislators from the district. On the other hand, Hindus voted en masse for the BJP and made the saffron party strong.”

The TMC leader cautioned, “It cannot happen that those who gave power to Mamata Banerjee will now tolerate betrayal from her…And we are expected not to speak a word about it. I will not tolerate this.”

“Shaoni Sinha Roy should be removed and replaced with a competent Muslim leader…You cannot take the people of Murshidabad for a toss. Give us their due…They gave you their full support in 2021. So, Mamata Banerjee now must fulfil their aspirations,” he stated.

Infighting in TMC over local leadership in Murshidabad

During the interview, Humayan Kabir informed that the local Trinamool Congress leadership in Murshidabad district had not been functioning properly for the past 22 months. Kabir lamented that although Abhishek Banerjee asked TMC leaders to cooperate with the elected representatives in the State, it did not materialise in his district.

“A district committee was formed by Shaoni Sinha Roy (TMC leader), but it did not get the approval of the party high command to date…He did not consult us before making such a committee. On what basis did he induct idiots with no experience at even booth-level politics? What were the criteria?” he inquired.

“We have been betrayed and shamed…So I demand the resignation of Shaoni Sinha Roy from the position of the President and Apurba Sarkar (another TMC leader) from the position of Chairman of the committee,” Kabir emphasised.

The TMC MLA lambasted the party’s high command for not looking past Roy and Sarkar. “Why is the power concentrated in the hands of these two and their family members? Are there no competent leaders in Murshidabad district,” he was heard saying.

Humayun Kabir sought the immediate intervention of Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee into the matter. “Is this a joke that members of one family will rule over Murshidabad? What will others do then?” he asked.

Will break your bones: Humayun Kabir to TMC leader

In July 2021, Kabir courted controversy after he threatened fellow party legislator Rabiul Alam Chowdhury with physical harm. He had issued the threats during a party meeting at Shaktipur in the Rezinagar Vidhan Sabha constituency of West Bengal.

While addressing the party workers, Kabir warned, “Akhankar jini nirbachito vidhyak, amar songe panga nite ela, tomar hadgor sob ek jaigai kore debo (If the elected representative of the area tries to pick up a fight with me, then, I will break his bones).”

He further instructed Chowdhury to treat the TMC workers with respect, else he would permanently stop his entry to Shaktipur. Responding to the threats, Chowdhury said that he did not want to encourage the confrontation further by commenting on the matter.

However, he added, “A dog might bite a man but he wouldn’t bite the dog (referring to Humayun Kabir). I only work according to the instructions given to me by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.”

ABP Ananda reported that the feud between the two dates back to 2012 when Chowdhury defeated Kabir in by-elections. Again in 2016, Kabir lost out to Chowdhury as an independent candidate during the elections.

Khandwa: Missionary school that prohibits Kalawa and Tilak on campus organizes Kalma and Namaz to celebrate Eid, Hindu groups protest

OpIndia Staff
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Khandwa: Missionary school that prohibits Kalawa and Tilak on campus organizes Kalma and Namaz to celebrate Eid, Hindu groups protest

A notice has been issued to a missionary school in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa for allegedly organizing a Kalma and Quran reading program during the school assembly on the day before Bakra Eid.

Located in Khandwa’s Anand Nagar, the St Pius missionary school principal allegedly called four Muslim students onto the stage to read the ‘Kalma’ and Namaz during the school assembly.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) submitted a complaint to the SDM demanding that the school’s license be revoked following which the SDM directed the district education department to initiate an inquiry into the case. The district education officer PS Solanki has said that a notice has been issued to the school.

The VHP in its complaint asked authorities to investigate the incident. (Source: MP Breaking News)

On June 28, a day before Bakrid, the principal of St Pius missionary school reportedly called some Muslim students on stage to read the Kalma and Namaz. The parents of other students later approached the Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders complaining about the same.

A large group of VHP workers then met the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Arvind Chauhan demanding a thorough investigation and revoking of the school’s license. The Hindu group has also reportedly warned of a protest if the administration fails to take action.

The VHP in its complaint alleged that the incident should be investigated. They said that Hindu students are prohibited from wearing their cultural symbols like Tilak, Kalawa, Kada, earrings, payals, and bindi, etc on the school campus.

The Principal says a performance was held by students ahead of Eid, she does not understand what is Kalma

The principal of the school has issued a statement denying the allegations and justifying the celebration of Eid (Bakrid). She said, “We celebrate major festivals of India in the school. Today being Eid (Bakrid), we celebrated the festival yesterday (June 28). The students read Quran, performed a dance, and wished everyone Eid Mubarak. I do not know what is Kalma, I did not understand also. They (students) read.”

The principal further added that the school teaches about all religions to students and parents so that they respect each other, love each other, and understand each other. “That is our motivation behind the celebration,” she said.

School principal says they hold student performances before every major festival (Source: News18 MP)

The SDM too has issued orders for inquiry against the school. Action will be taken after a report is submitted by local authorities. The VHP has also demanded that the school’s CCTV footage be recovered to probe into the incident.

Meanwhile, after a demand was raised by Twitter user seeking the NCPCR’s intervention, the chief of the National Commission for Protection Of Child Rights, Priyank Kanoongo took cognizance of the same.

Notably, the local Hindu organizations have been raising other issues regarding the school. Earlier, St Pius school was accused of bringing over 150 non-local students from far away rural areas for some youth festival. The Hindu organizations had accused the school of carrying out conversion activities and teaching the Bible.

Over the recent controversy regarding the Kalma reading, A 9th-standard student on the condition of anonymity has stated that before every major festival, the school organizes some events where students of the respective religion perform.

‘Matter not political but personal, thousands of Muslims with me’: Mohsin Khan who got goats to his apartment ‘resigns’ from Shiv Sena, booked for molesting woman resident

Siddhi Somani
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‘Matter not political but personal, thousands of Muslims with me’: Mohsin Khan who got goats to his apartment ‘resigns’ from Shiv Sena, booked for molesting woman resident

Days after OpIndia reported exclusive details in the Mira Road Bakrid controversy case, it has come to the fore that the Muslim man who got two lambs in the society premises ahead of the Bakrid was associated with the Shiv Sena Shinde faction of Mumbai. As per the sources, he was recently elected as the chief of unit-8 of the political party active in Mumbai. However, now an FIR has been filed against Mohsin by the society residents and he has ‘resigned’ from his post in the Shiv Sena.

Khan has been booked by a woman resident of the society under IPC Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation). 

Gigraj Kumavat who resides in the JP Infra society said that Mohsin was recently elected to the post and that all the society members had congratulated him for his position. He also added that it is probably because of his political position that he deliberately got the goats in the society although no permission was allowed by the society or the builder.

“The society residents were pissed off as he had broken the rules. The builder had earlier provided them a special space shed with all the facilities to keep their lambs. But due to construction it was taken away. After that the builder allowed the Muslims to keep their lambs in a separate land nearby. The builder has taken than land on rent and is providing them the space. But Mohsin wanted a special space within the society. He also had threatened that he would get the goats inside the apartment if no land was provided within the society,” Kumavat added.

Poster of Mohsin obtained by OpIndia

He also alleged that the police was trying to favor Mohsin and his wife during the entire episode and initially allowed the goats saying that there was no such law regarding not getting lambs to the apartment. However, the police had ensured that the no slaughtering would take place in the society.

Mohsin calls his religion ‘peaceful’, says he ‘resigned’ from Shiv Sena

Mohsin Khan talked to the media after an FIR was lodged against him and claimed that he himself had resigned from the party and his post in Shiv Sena. “I joined the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde a few days back and was appointed shakha pramukh (head) of ward number 8 from Dahisar division. Today, I have resigned from both the party and the post, because I do not want to give this matter a political colour. It is a personal matter and thousands of Muslims are standing with me. I do not want to make it communal, because both my religion and I are peace-loving,” he was quoted as saying.

“Some radical enemies in the society want to spoil the peace in the country by giving this incident a religious colour. Now, they are doing politics to hide their mistake and have pressurised the police to file an FIR against me,” Mohsin claimed.

63-year-old woman resident says Mohsin molested her; FIR booked against him

Meanwhile, the society members of JP Infra are said to have booked Khan under IPC Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation). One of the women aged 63 said in the complaint that Khan molested her and pushed her on the chest. The Kashimira police have filed an FIR.

Earlier, JP Infra resident said Mohsin was removed from Shiv Sena

One another resident however confirmed to OpIndia that Mohsin Khan had been taken down from his position in the Shiv Sena party. He said that Mohsin was threatening and intimidating the other residents of the society. He also had used abusive language for the women residents. However, he had been pulled down from the position, as per the resident, video of whom has been obtained by the OpIndia.

‘Muslims had also demanded a Mosque in the society’

JP Infra resident Gigraj Kumavat further claimed that Mohsin and other Muslim members had also opposed to the inauguration of a Ganesh temple in the society around a year ago. “A year ago Ganesh temple was inaugurated here in the society. At that time also Muslim people had opposed it and they had demanded a mosque be built in the premises next to the temple. This was all wordy conversation though and nothing sort of this communication had happened offically,” he noted.

He also added in the current case that Mohsin was trying to showcase his political power by not following the rules of the society and threatening the residents. His wife has also filed a fabricated FIR against the residents claiming that she was assaulted and her husband was held by neck. “Nothing of this has actually happened. There are CCTVs everywhere in the society. They can be checked for the proofs,” he said.

‘Yasmin filed fabricated FIR against residents’

Massive controversy erupted in the JP Infra Housing Society, Mira Road in Mumbai on June 27 after a Muslim couple identified as Mohsin and Yasmin Khan got two white goats ahead of the Bakrid today. They took the goats to their apartment and later claimed that they weren’t going to slaughter them. The other residents initially calmly opposed and later protested against the incident as the society had allowed no permission to carry the lambs or sheeps to the apartment to anyone. The residents also said that Mohsin had used abusive language for women residents and was deliberately showcasing his power by not following the society rules.

The goats were removed after the society residents gathered in the premises and refused to return to their apartments. The police reached at the spot and tried to pacify the matter. They assured that no slaughtering would take place in the society. Later the police booked 11 members of the society based on the ‘fabricated’ complaint filed by Yasmin Khan.

OpIndia earlier reported how Mohsin had illegally got the goats and also had debunked several lies being peddled by Muslim couple and Islamists on the web. Both the exclusive reports can be read here and here.

At present, the police has been deployed in the society and has appealed to the members to maintain peace and communal harmony. The society members are also disallowed to gather in the premises, as confirmed by residents to OpIndia. Further updates in the case are awaited.

Arzoo Mallick, who pretended to be Hindu and raped a woman earlier, is now arrested for the murder of a TMC leader in Bengal

OpIndia Staff
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Arzoo Mallick, who pretended to be Hindu and raped a woman earlier, is now arrested for the murder of a TMC leader in Bengal

On Tuesday, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of West Bengal’s Purulia police arrested one Arzoo Mallick from Bihar’s Jamui area in connection with the murder of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Dhananjay Chaubey. Meanwhile, Jharkhand’s Bokaro Police has sought the remand of  Arzoo Mallick in a love jihad and gangrape case. 

In September last year, OpIndia reported that Arzoo Mallick who was absconding since then had posed as a Hindu in 2021 to lure a Hindu woman into marrying him. Soon after, Mallick started blackmailing the woman using an obscene video of her. He also distributed the objectionable video to his accomplices. The victim had filed a case against five persons including Arzoo Mallick, who originally hailed from Bihar’s Jamui.

After marrying the victim, Arzoo Mallick handed over the girl to his friends who raped her and the crime was filmed by Arzoo. He kept blackmailing the girl using the video and forcing her not to reveal anything to anyone. At last, devastated by the physical and mental torture, the victim filed a complaint at the Chas Police Station against 5 people. Ever since the registration of the FIR, Arzoo Mallick was absconding, however, Purulia Police’s SIT has arrested the accused.

Dhananjay Choubey murder 

On June 22, around 8:30 p.m., Dhananjay Choubey was sitting inside the Trinamool Congress’ Adra party office when a few unidentified individuals arrived on a motorcycle and fired multiple rounds of bullets at him. Accused Arzoo Mallick had a dispute with the deceased TMC leader Dhananjay Choubey over getting the Indian Railways divisional tenders that were floated from the Adra Division.

According to eyewitnesses, roughly seven rounds were fired. Choubey was rushed to the hospital with multiple bullet wounds, but he died during treatment. According to initial reports, he was shot three times. Notably, a Congress panchayat election candidate Arshad Hossain and party worker ND Jamal were arrested earlier and remanded in 13-day police custody.

Notably, Bokaro Police has sought Arzoo Mallick’s remand in the abovementioned love jihad case. Accused Mallick, a wanted criminal in multiple offenses was declared a fugitive and his house in the Siwandh area of Azadnagar in Jharkhand was demolished by the administration last year. It was found that the house was built on an encroached plot of Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL).

Bokaro superintendent of police Chandan Kumar Jha confirmed Mallick’s arrest by Bengal police, saying, “The rape accused, Mallick, was caught by Purulia police. We will soon take custody of Mallick to interrogate him. Several cases are registered against him here, including a gang rape, in which we were specifically seeking his arrest.”

Google to remove Canadian news content from search after Trudeau govt passes Bill C-18 Online News Act

ANI
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Google to remove Canadian news content from search after Trudeau govt passes Bill C-18 Online News Act

Google, on Thursday, announced that it will remove Canadian news content from its search, news, and discover products after the government passed a bill, which requires online platforms to pay news publishers takes effect in the country.

In a statement, Google said Canada’s Bill C-18-Online News Act, which was passed last week, “remains unworkable”. “We have now informed the Government that when the law takes effect, we, unfortunately, will have to remove links to Canadian news from our Search, News and Discover products in Canada and that C-18 will also make it untenable for us to continue offering our Google News Showcase product in Canada,” Kent Walker, President of Global Affairs, Google & Alphabet, said in a blog.

He further added, “We’re disappointed it has come to this. We don’t take this decision or its impacts lightly and believe it’s important to be transparent with Canadian publishers and our users as early as possible.”

The decision comes after the Canadian Government’s contentious C-18 legislation passed Parliament last week. The bill has been criticized by tech giants like Meta and Google who say it’s unfair to impose what amounts to a tax on links.
Google also stated that they support Canadian journalism.

Pointing out its work in Canadian news service, Google said that last year, the company linked to Canadian news publications more than 3.6 billion times – at no charge — helping publishers make money through ads and new subscriptions. This referral traffic from links has been valued at USD 250 million CAD annually.

Kent Walker also stated that ever since the Government introduced C-18 last year, Google has shared its experiences in other countries and has been clear that unworkable legislation could lead to changes that affect the availability of news on Google’s products in Canada.

“Last week, just as the Bill was approaching final passage and Royal Assent, the Government agreed to discuss the possibility of addressing some of the most critical issues, which we welcomed. In that discussion, we asked for clarity on financial expectations platforms face for simply linking to news, as well as a specific, viable path towards exemption based on our programs to support news and our commercial agreements with publishers,” he said.

“While we appreciate the Government’s acknowledgment that our concerns were reasonable and confirmation that the law will not apply until they adopt implementing regulations, they have not provided us with sufficient certainty that the regulatory process will be able to resolve structural issues with the legislation (such as forced payment for links and uncapped financial liability),” he added in his blog.

Earlier, Meta Platforms announced that it will end access to news on Facebook and Instagram for all users in Canada after the country’s Parliament approved legislation designed to compel internet giants to pay publishers, Al Jazeera reported.
“Today, we are confirming that news availability will be ended on Facebook and Instagram for all users in Canada prior to the Online News Act taking effect,” Meta said in a statement afterward.

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

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