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Bihar SIR: No complaint received from any political party including Congress and RJD on the draft voter list

OpIndia Staff
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Bihar SIR: No complaint received from any political party including Congress and RJD on the draft voter list

On 3rd August, the Election Commission of India (ECI) revealed that it has received 941 claims and objections related to Bihar’s draft electoral roll. However, not a single complaint out of the 941 has been filed by any political party including the Indian National Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). The bulletin issued on Sunday by the ECI showed that all objections so far have come from individual electors alone.

The three-day report covered the period from 1st August to 3rd August (3 PM). It revealed that apart from Congress and RJD, parties including BJP, JD(U) and others have not registered any formal claims or objections regarding the integrity of the draft rolls. The Congress has deployed 17,549 Booth Level Agents (BLAs) while RJD has 47,506 BLAs. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has the maximum, 53,338 BLAs in the field. However, the number of complaints filed remains zero.

What is the SIR electoral roll?

The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls is part of a unique drive initiated by the ECI to ensure a clean and accurate voter list ahead of Bihar Assembly elections due in October-November this year. Under this process, the ECI has opted for a complete ground-up enumeration, house-to-house verification by officials without referencing the previous electoral rolls.

This form of revision is adopted when the Commission suspects significant errors in existing data or after major administrative events such as constituency delimitation. The objective of the drive is to ensure that no eligible citizen is left out while no ineligible person is included in the Electoral Roll.

The first phase, which started on 1st July, involved physical enumeration. The deadline for new voter registration through Form 6 was 25th July, and the draft list was published on 1st August. The window for filing claims and objections will remain open till 30th August, after which the final electoral roll will be released on 30th September.

Final list only after scrutiny and investigation

Despite political pushback, particularly from the I.N.D.I. Alliance, the Supreme Court has greenlit the process. Notably, the I.N.D.I. Alliance has dubbed the exercise a “vote ban” targeting its support base.

Interestingly, the ECI found several foreign nationals from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar in possession of Indian documents like Aadhaar, ration cards, and domicile certificates during the enumeration. These individuals had reportedly entered their names into previous voter lists. The Commission has now pledged a detailed investigation from 1st to 30th August to weed out any illegals from the final roll.

Conclusion

With over 1 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs), 4 lakh volunteers, and 1.5 lakh booth agents deployed across Bihar, the SIR revision has become the largest electoral roll exercise in recent years. The political heat around the SIR may continue, but so far, only citizens, not any political party, have chosen to file objections.

Rising inflation, falling GDP and weakening dollar: Donald Trump’s 25% tariff on India will harm US economy more, says SBI research

OpIndia Staff
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Rising inflation, falling GDP and weakening dollar: Donald Trump’s 25% tariff on India will harm US economy more, says SBI research

The 25% tariff on Indian goods announced by US President Donald Trump might end up doing more damage to the American economy than to India’s, as per a research report [pdf] published by the State Bank of India (SBI) on Friday, 1st August. 

These tariffs are expected to take effect from 7th August. Trump has also announced penalty for the purchase of Russian crude oil and military equipment, but this has not been specified in any official communication so far.

SBI Research has called the move a “bad business decision” and warns that the economic consequences could be severe for the United States. The report highlights that the new tariff policy may lead to a drop in the US GDP, rising inflation, and a weaker dollar. 

Graph via SBI Research

Inflation in the US is already on the rise and, according to the report, could remain above the Federal Reserve’s target of 2% until at least 2026.

One of the most striking observations is the financial burden that these tariffs will place on American households. Families in the US could see their spending rise by a median of about $2,400 over the short term. Low-income families are projected to be affected by this for about $1,300, whereas more affluent families might have to pay an extra $5,000.

Even if wealthier families are more likely to absorb these expenses, the overall economic burden is likely to be shared across income levels.

India has already diversified its export base: SBI report

Despite the US being India’s largest export destination accounting for nearly 20% of India’s total exports, India may not be as badly affected as some expect. 

Most of the Asian countries face higher tariff rates compared to India at present. For instance, China currently faces a post-negotiation tariff of 42%, one of the highest in the region, despite accounting for 13.4% of US imports. Bangladesh, another key trading partner, faces a 35% tariff, even though it only contributes 0.3% to US imports.

SBI report says that India has already diversified its export base. The top 10 countries combined make up only 53% of India’s total exports, giving Indian businesses some room to shift focus.

According to the SBI report, India’s GDP may take a minor hit of about 25 to 30 basis points (bps) in FY26 due to the tariffs. 

Key sectors in trouble

The sectors that could feel the most heat are electronics, pharmaceuticals, and gems and jewellery. These industries make up nearly half of India’s exports to the US. 

Earlier, many of these products had very low or even zero tariffs. Now, with the 25% duty, the competitive edge of Indian goods could be reduced significantly.

Pharmaceuticals, in particular, could see major disruptions. India presently provides almost 47% of generic medicines utilized in the US. If the US plans to relocate its manufacturing or active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production elsewhere, it would take between 3 and 5 years to establish new supply chains.

Meanwhile, the US may experience shortages of the most critical drugs, triggering price increases, particularly for the most important drugs such as antibiotics, cancer medications, and medications for chronic diseases.

This change could also hit Indian pharma companies hard. The US market contributes about 40% of India’s pharmaceutical exports. If 25% tariff continues, it may hit earnings of pharma companies by 2-8% in FY26, as many big pharma companies’ revenue from US stood in the range of 40-50%.

Trade surplus and strategic buffer

India’s trade surplus with the US has increased manifold over time, from $11 billion in FY13 to an estimated $43 billion in FY25. India’s trade surplus with the US alone reached $12.7 billion in the first quarter of FY25, driven by a 22.3% increase in exports as against a modest 11.7% expansion in imports.

This increase in exports, presumably carried out in anticipation of the fresh tariffs, provides Indian firms with a temporary cushion. Exporters may take recourse to this buffer to weather the initial shock and look for new markets or tweak price strategies.  

American consumers to suffer most

While the impact on India may be manageable, US consumers are expected to bear the brunt. A research by The Budget Lab at Yale University says that the average effective tariff rate for US consumers will rise to 18.3%, the highest since 1934. 

American households could see clothing prices jump by 38% and footwear prices by 40% in the short term. In the long term, these prices might remain elevated, and the costs of footwear and apparel might be 19% and 17% higher, respectively.

This may mostly affect middle- and low-income Americans who depend on cheap imports for regular necessities.

Berkshire Hathaway’s warning

Even large US companies are starting to feel the pain. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway just had a 5.1% decline in second-quarter revenue from its consumer goods operations. The firm attributed the decline in revenue to reduced volumes, delayed shipments, and the effects of tariffs.

Berkshire holds such iconic brands as Fruit of the Loom and Jazwares, and stated that Trump’s trade policies have damaged business. Buffett, a strong free-trade advocate, previously cautioned that tariffs should not be used as a “weapon,” with balanced trade being in everyone’s best interest.

Despite these challenges, not all parts of Berkshire’s business were affected. For instance, shoe brand Brooks saw an 18.4% rise in revenue, showing that some niches may still manage to grow despite the broader headwinds.

Conclusion

In the end, Trump’s tariff decision may end up being a case of self-harm for the US economy. While India will face some immediate challenges, its diversified exports and strong global pharma role provide a buffer. On the other hand, the US is looking at higher prices, potential drug shortages, and a squeeze on consumer wallets, all of which could make these tariffs costlier than they seem on paper.

Harvard University maintained formal partnerships with Chinese Communist Party controlled entities for over a decade, finds US congressional investigation

OpIndia Staff
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Harvard University maintained formal partnerships with Chinese Communist Party controlled entities for over a decade, finds US congressional investigation

Harvard University is facing a growing scandal aftre a congressional investigation revealed that the Ivy League institution maintained formal partnerships with Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-controlled entities for over a decade. The probe says that the universoty directly assisted in the training of future CCP leadership.

According to a letter obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, Reps. John Moolenaar (R-MI), Tim Walberg (R-MI), and Elise Stefanik (R-NY) accused Harvard of actively collaborating with organisations under the control of the CCP’s Central Organisation Department. This powerful department is responsible for indoctrinating officials with “Xi Jinping Thought” and selecting leaders for key positions within China’s authoritarian regime.

Of particular concern is the Harvard Kennedy School’s partnership with the Chinese Executive Leadership Academy Pudong, a training school controlled by the CCP. Whistleblower testimony indicates that cadres from CCP and government institutions were sent to Harvard as part of their official training.

“Harvard’s formal partnership with a CCP-controlled school to train their future leaders raises serious concerns about the CCP’s influence in American institutions,” said Rep. Moolenaar. “We are committed to uncovering the full extent of these relationships to ensure transparency and protect national interests.”

Representatives Tim Walberg and Elise Stefanik co-signed a letter accusing Harvard of working directly with groups formed by CCP ideology, particularly “Xi Jinping Thought”.

The revelations come at a time when Harvard is already under scrutiny. The university is reportedly considering a $500 million payout to settle disputes over campus anti-Semitism complaints and controversial DEI policies.

In April, The Free Beacon exposed Harvard’s past training of members from the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, a CCP paramilitary group sanctioned by the U.S. for its role in the genocide of Uyghur Muslims. Now, Congress has given Harvard until August 7 to turn over all records tied to its dealings with CCP-linked bodies, including financial or material exchanges.

pIndia staff)

Pakistan Cricket Board pulls out of World Championship of Legends, claims political bias and unfair conduct

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan Cricket Board pulls out of World Championship of Legends, claims political bias and unfair conduct

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced that it will no longer participate in any future editions of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), raising concerns about the tournament’s fairness, integrity, and political neutrality. “The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announces that it is issuing a blanket ban from future participation in the World Championship of Legends (WCL),” said a statement issued by the board.

One of the most contentious issues raised by the board was the decision to award points to a team that had voluntarily forfeited a match, a move the PCB claimed as “highly questionable” and against the spirit of fair competition.

The decision was taken during a Board of Governors meeting chaired by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. A statement issued by PCB said that they “reviewed with considerable disappointment WCL’s appalling conduct of awarding points to a willfully forfeiting team, and the content of the press releases of the WCL announcing the cancellation of the scheduled India vs Pakistan legends matches, which were tainted with hypocrisy and bias”.

The board further criticised the press release by WCL organisers after the India-Pakistan match was called off. It said that the “contents of the said press releases highlight a duality where the narrative of “peace through sport” is selectively applied and sporting events are held hostage to political expediency and narrow commercial interests.”

The PCB said that it has always advocated for the separation of sports and politics. The PCB statement said, “Our unwavering belief is that cricket, like other international sports, should solely serve as a platform for goodwill, healthy competition, and mutual respect. For a tournament involving legendary players to be dictated by sentiments that undermine this fundamental principle is not only regrettable but also deeply concerning for the future of independent sporting events.”

It stated that the fact that WCL apologised for “hurting the sentiments” shows that the cancellation of the match was not based on cricketing merit, but rather on succumbing to a specific nationalistic narrative. The PCB declared, “The PCB can no longer condone participation in an event where the fundamental principles of fair play and unbiased administration are compromised by external pressures.”

6 sites searched, no skeletons of any woman yet: Suspected attempt to defame the temple town of Dharmasthala in Karnataka is slowly falling apart

OpIndia Staff
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6 sites searched, no skeletons of any woman yet: Suspected attempt to defame the temple town of Dharmasthala in Karnataka is slowly falling apart

In the ongoing investigation into the sensational Dharmasthala mass burial case, no human remains of any females allegedly buried at the sites pointed out by the sanitation worker, who claimed to have conducted mass burials, have been exhumed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The SIT started the process of digging at the sites pointed out by the sanitation worker on 29th July. Five sites, out of the total 13 sites identified by the sanitation worker, were dug up by the SIT by 30th July, but no human remains were discovered. On the morning of 31st July, SIT exhumed some human remains at the sixth site, which is located in the forest area near the Netravathi river. An SIT official reportedly said that the prima facie examination of the remains by a forensic doctor indicated that they belonged to a human male.

However, a conclusive statement about the human remains could only be made after a proper forensic examination. The police reportedly found around 15 bones at the site, some of which were broken, but no skull was found. As of August 3rd, the police had carried out digging at 10 sites.

In addition to that, the SIT discovered a debit card belonging to a woman and a PAN card belonging to a man. When the investigation team tracked down the owner of the PAN Card, they reached his family. The PAN Card reportedly belonged to a man named Suresh, from Nelamangala taluk in Bengaluru Rural district. His father told the team that Suresh was an alcoholic and died of jaundice in March 2025. The investigation team suspects that he might have lost his PAN Card during his visit to Dharmasthala before his death. The SIT has asked for the details of the woman who owned the debit card from the bank.

Since no significant discoveries have been made during the excavations at the sites pointed out by the sanitation worker, this raises suspicions over the claims of the sanitation worker regarding the mass burials of dead bodies, most of which were allegedly women and girls. The investigation so far does not point at any foul play as alleged by the sanitation worker.

An “eyeswitness” appears before the SIT

An individual named Jayanth T appeared before the SIT in Belthangady on Saturday (2nd August), claiming that he could provide testimony about the alleged mass burials. He reportedly told the media that he had first-hand knowledge of multiple “unlawful burials” as he personally observed these burials at multiple locations.

Judge hearing the mass burial case recuses himself

Meanwhile, Judge Vijaya Kumar Rai B of the 10th Additional City and Civil Sessions Court in Bengaluru has recused himself from the hearing of the Dharmasthala mass burial case. The judge placed an application before the Principal City Civil Sessions Judge requesting that the case be moved to another court.

This comes after some journalists and activists raised concerns about the judge having studied in educational institutions run by the Dharmasthala temple trust. He is also said to have worked as a junior lawyer in a firm which represented Rajya Sabha MP Veerendra Heggade, whose brother D Harshendra Kumar had filed a plea seeking the removal of over 8,000 digital links, including news reports, social media posts, and videos. In his plea, Kumar stated that the media reports and social media posts contained defamatory content against him, his family, the Dharmasthala temple, and related institutions.

On the plea of D Harshendra Kumar, Judge Vijaya Kumar Rai B had passed an ex parte injunction prohibiting media coverage and commentary on the ongoing investigation into the allegations of the mass burials.

The mysterious sanitation worker and the chilling allegations

The case came to light a couple of months ago, when the mysterious sanitation worker came out of thin air and alleged that he was forced to bury hundreds of dead bodies at different locations in the temple town of Dharmasthala between 1998 and 2014. The sanitation worker, who was employed by the Lord Manjunatha shrine in Dharmasthala, filed a complaint with the police on June 3, 2025. An SIT was formed by the state government on 19th July to investigate his allegations.

The SIT took him to the bathing ghat in Dharmasthala, where he pointed out 13 alleged burial sites. In his complaint, he claimed that many of the dead bodies he buried were of women and minor girls who were sexually assaulted. His complaint was followed by the complaint of a 60-year-old woman named Sujatha, whose daughter had gone missing while on a trip to the pilgrimage town of Dharmasthala.

NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader Jitendra Awhad goes on a diatribe against Sanatan Dharma, says it ruined India and adds it is not even a religion

OpIndia Staff
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NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader Jitendra Awhad goes on a diatribe against Sanatan Dharma, says it ruined India and adds it is not even a religion

NCP-SCP leader and four times MLA, Jitendra Awhad sparked another controversy on Saturday, 2nd August, when he attacked Sanatan Dharma, calling it a harmful and regressive ideology that has “ruined India.”

Speaking to the media, Awhad said, “Sanatan Dharma has ruined India. There never was a religion called Sanatan Dharma. We are followers of Hindu Dharma.” According to him, Sanatan Dharma has historically been used to deny rights to great Indian icons and social reformers.

Jitendra Awhad went on to say that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was not allowed to have a coronation ceremony because of Sanatan Dharma, and that Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was defamed by his followers because of it. “They threw filth and cow dung at Savitribai Phule. They even tried to kill Jyotirao Phule. This very Sanatan Dharma also tried to kill Shahu Maharaj,” Awhad claimed.

Awhad further added, “Sanatan Dharma didn’t even let Babasaheb Ambedkar drink water or study. It was Babasaheb who finally stood up against it, burned the Manusmriti, and rejected these oppressive traditions. The person who created Manusmriti came from this same Sanatan tradition. We shouldn’t be afraid to say it openly, Sanatan Dharma and its Sanatani ideology are perverted.”

Not his first controversial statement on Sanatan Dharma

This isn’t the first time Awhad has made such provocative statements. In January 2024, he stirred another controversy by claiming that Lord Ram was not only a non-vegetarian but also a figure belonging to the Bahujan community. 

Attending an event at Shirdi, Jitendra Awhad said, “Ram belongs to us Bahujans. He used to hunt and eat. When you attempt to convert all to vegetarian, recall we are Ram’s followers and we eat mutton. That is Ram’s ideal. He was not a vegetarian.”

He also wondered if one who had been in the forest for 14 years could be a vegetarian. “Where would a person in the forest eat vegetarian food?” he asked the crowd, “Tell me if I’m wrong.”

In the same address, Awhad addressed India’s freedom struggle. He stated that Mahatma Gandhi was attacked a number of times prior to being assassinated in 1948 due to his caste. “Gandhiji was a tradesman and an OBC. They could not digest the fact that the head of such a huge movement was an OBC. That is why he was targeted so many times”, Awhad had said.

He even claimed that casteism was the real reason behind Gandhi’s killing and accused the RSS of not being able to accept Gandhi’s leadership because of his caste.

Similar comments from Jitendra Awhad in 2023

Awhad’s incendiary remarks are not confined to Lord Ram or Sanatan Dharma alone. In April 2023, he spoke against the motive of Hindu festivals Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti. Delivering a speech at an NCP rally, he stated, “A riot happened in Aurangabad. I mean Ram Navami. and what is that other festival? Hanuman Jayanti. Are these festivals made just for riots?”

He also asserted that the situation in cities during these festivals was never tense before, and even went to the extent of suggesting that there was some conspiracy behind such violence. “I don’t normally talk like this in the presence of Saheb (Sharad Pawar), but I strongly feel that the next year is going to be a year of communal riots”, Jitendra Awhad had said.

It must be noted that in March 2023, several cases of violence were reported during Ram Navami processions across the nation, ranging from stone-pelting in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. 

Walking in Udhayanidhi Stalin’s footsteps

Awhad’s constant criticisms of Sanatan Dharma are reminiscent of what DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin had to say in September 2023.

At the “Eradicate Sanatan Conference” in Chennai, Udhayanidhi Stalin likened Sanatan Dharma to maladies such as dengue, malaria, and corona. “Mosquitoes, dengue, flu, malaria, corona those have to be eradicated and not opposed. Same for Sanatan Dharma,” he added.

The remarks of Udhayanidhi Stalin were made at a function where multiple DMK leaders and left-wing activists, including Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister PK Sekarbabu, were present.

Donald Trump orders deployment of nuclear submarines near Russia: How the Nobel Peace Prize seeking US President is returning the world to Cuban missile crisis of 1962

Aditi
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Donald Trump orders deployment of nuclear submarines near Russia: How the Nobel Peace Prize seeking US President is returning the world to Cuban missile crisis of 1962

Following a war of words on social media with the former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian President and current deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, US President Trump announced on Friday (1st August) that he ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines in “the appropriate regions”. Writing on Truth Social, Trump said that he ordered the deployment of the nuclear submarines following the “foolish and inflammatory statements” of Medvedev on social media.

A heated exchange has been going on between the two global leaders over the past few days regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, things went further south after Dmitry Medvedev made a Telegram post on Thursday (31st July) invoking the Soviet-era “Dead Hand” automated nuclear system, referring to a Cold War-era doomsday protocol.

Besides, Medvedev also previously wrote on X, “Trump’s playing the ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10… He should remember 2 things: 1. Russia isn’t Israel or even Iran. 2. Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country. Don’t go down the Sleepy Joe road!”

Reacting strongly to Medvedev’s statement during an interview, Trump said, “When you mention the word ‘nuclear’… my eyes light up. And I say, we better be careful, because it’s the ultimate threat.” He also confirmed that submarines were deployed closer to Russia.”We always want to be ready. And so I have sent to the region two nuclear submarines. I just want to make sure that his words are only words and nothing more than that,” the US President added.

Since assuming the office of the US President in January this year, Donald Trump has been blatantly trying to arm-twist countries by threatening them with reciprocal tariffs or military actions. Recently, he imposed a punitive 25% tariff on India after the latter refused to be bullied into stopping oil trade with Russia. A spiteful Trump not only imposed the tariffs on India but also ridiculed the two countries by calling their economies “dead economies”. “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care. We have done very little business with India; their tariffs are too high, among the highest in the world. Likewise, Russia and the USA do almost no business together. Let’s keep it that way,” the second-time US President posted on Truth Social.

Trump’s bullying tactics and Russia’s firm response have brought the countries to loggerheads once again, decades after the Cold War era. The US President’s deployment of nuclear submarines against Russia is reminiscent of the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, which went on for 13 days.

What was the Cuban Missile Crisis

The Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 had the potential of pushing the US and the Soviet Union into a full-fledged war. This was the point in the entire history of the Cold War when Washington, DC and the Kremlin came the closest to a nuclear war.

The Cuban Missile Crisis, also known as the October Crisis or the Caribbean Crisis, began when the United States, led by then-President J.F. Kennedy, planned to overthrow the Cuban government. For this end, the US deployed Jupiter nuclear missiles in Italy and Turkey in the vicinity of Russia in 1961. It trained a paramilitary force comprising Cubans in exile, who shared the US’s intentions of overthrowing the Cuban government with the US. The paramilitary force of Cuban expatriates was to invade Cuba under the lead of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

In November 1961, the US government started the Cuban Project and created unrest in Cuba by triggering terrorism and sabotage. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union’s apprehension was that Cuba might drift towards China in the face of US-caused internal unrest.

Compelled by the circumstances at the time, the Premier of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev and the Cuban President Fidel Castro met in July 1962. To ward off the possibility of US invasion and the possible overthrow of the Cuban government, both leaders agreed for the Soviet nuclear missiles to be set up on Cuban territory. Soon the construction of the missile facilities commenced.

In October 1962, a U-2 spy plane of the US captured visuals of missile facilities. As a result, Kennedy convened a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Security Council (EXCOMM) comprising the National Security Council and other advisors. The council advised Kennedy to launch an air strike on the Caribbean territory to hinder the Soviet missile supplies and subsequently invade the country.

Kennedy was aware that US aggression on the Cuban territory meant entering a full-scale war with the nuclear-armed Soviet Union. In a display of remarkable cool-headedness and political clarity, Kennedy opted for a less aggressive path, contrary to the advice of the council, and did not go ahead with the idea of a Cuban invasion. Kennedy’s political wisdom avoided a declaration of war with the Soviet Union, which could have impacted the entire world. He adopted a softer approach and ordered a naval blockade, which he referred to as “quarantine”.  The entire crisis lasted from October 16 to October 18, 1962.

Eventually, an agreement was reached between the US and the Soviet Union, according to which the former declared not to invade Cuba and the latter agreed to dismantle their offensive weapons in Cuba.

Whether Trump has the temperament to handle the US-Russia tensions with composure

Donald Trump is known for his controversial way of speaking, which is expected of a head of state. He is often not careful with his words and often indulges in verbal wars on social media. In his second term as the US President, which started earlier this year, he adopted an aggressive tariff policy against the countries that have trade relations with the US. He imposed reciprocal tariffs on several countries, for which he was widely criticised by trade experts who saw his moves as having the potential of kickstarting a global trade war. With such a controversial reputation and track record, it remains to be seen how he will handle the tensions between the US and Russia.

Rs 23 lakhs for ‘purchasing office’, Rs 5 lakhs for ‘wife’s birthday party’: FIR details against Mahesh Langa reveal extortion using political clout

OpIndia Staff
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Rs 23 lakhs for ‘purchasing office’, Rs 5 lakhs for ‘wife’s birthday party’: FIR details against Mahesh Langa reveal extortion using political clout

Nearly ten months after his arrest, Gujarat High Court has rejected the bail plea of Mahesh Langa, a former The Hindu journalist, who has been behind bars since February 2025 in a money laundering case. The court observed that the allegations against Langa were serious and backed by substantial evidence, suggesting a prima facie involvement in financial misconduct and extortion.

Langa was first arrested in October 2024 in a GST fraud case. Since then, multiple FIRs have been filed against him, including one in Gandhinagar for allegedly leaking government documents. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) entered the picture in November 2024 and later arrested him in February 2025 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

ED’s allegations: Extortion, fraud, and undisclosed assets

According to the ED, Langa allegedly extorted money under the pretext of offering favorable media coverage or helping resolve land disputes. In one case, a complainant claimed Langa took ₹23 lakh promising to return it in cash after buying an office space—money that was never returned. In another case, he allegedly extracted ₹5.68 lakh for his wife’s birthday party.

Another land broker accused Langa of taking ₹40 lakh for positive press coverage and later threatening defamation when he demanded the money back.

The ED claims that proceeds from these alleged acts were used to buy property in the name of Langa’s wife, Kavita, with the declared value being ₹30 lakh but the actual market value crossing ₹70 lakh. The agency flagged this as a classic case of undisclosed cash being funneled into real estate.

In a separate deal with a person named Milan Mehta, Langa is said to have sent ₹30 lakh in cash for a land transaction, which eventually fell through. Mehta claims the deal collapsed because Langa failed to pay the remaining ₹72 lakh. Langa, however, claimed the deal broke down due to non-transfer of possession.

The ED also cited inconsistencies in family testimonies. Langa claimed ₹20 lakh found at his home belonged to his sister-in-law, Naina Langa—who denied any such financial transaction. His wife Kavita claimed it was a “gift,” raising further questions about the money’s origin.

Financial trail raises red flags

Several suspicious financial transactions were flagged, including ₹55 lakh transferred by Langa’s father to a firmwhere his wife Kavita was a partner. The ED submitted that the total proceeds of crime exceeded ₹1 crore, justifying the application of PMLA charges. Langa, on the other hand, argued that the ED was inflating the numbers to make bail conditions stricter.

Adding to the concerns, the ED alleged attempts to influence witnesses. On June 18, 2025, Naina Langa gave a statement denying financial dealings, but just weeks later, an affidavit was submitted by Langa’s lawyer seeking to retract it. The agency also noted that Langa and his family were not cooperating with the investigation.

Court’s final word

The Gujarat High Court, after reviewing all arguments and evidence, ruled:

“Based on the available facts and material on record, the Court cannot conclusively say that the accused is not involved in the offence. The possibility of the accused influencing the investigation or committing further offences if granted bail cannot be ruled out.”

Court order

With his bail plea dismissed, Mahesh Langa will continue to remain in judicial custody. The case is now being closely watched, not just for its legal implications but also for its broader impact on journalism, media ethics, and financial accountability.

Around 650-750 private hospitals in Haryana may withdraw Ayushman Bharat services over non-payment of dues

OpIndia Staff
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Around 650-750 private hospitals in Haryana may withdraw Ayushman Bharat services over non-payment of dues

Around 650-700 private hospitals in Haryana may withdraw from the Ayushman Bharat scheme starting August 7 due to pending dues of around ₹500 crore. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Haryana has claimed that despite multiple assurances from government officials, payments continue to be delayed, with some hospitals experiencing delays of up to 4-5 months.

Speaking to ANI, Dr Ashok Mahajan, who was the Former President of Haryana IMA, said, ” IMA Haryana does not want to withdraw Ayushman services; it is being forced to! Hospitals have bills running into crores and are unable to pay their doctors, staff and vendors. They are forced to take this step to prevent further losses. They seem to be funding this government scheme; SHA pays late, and deductions are made without any reason.” He further added, “Nearly 650-700 private hospitals all over Haryana will withdraw services. Assurances are plenty, but payment is much less! After our protests, the government pays every 3-4 months and then waits for the next protest. Even after assurances from the highest offices in the State, our dues keep on piling up.”

IMA Haryana has written a letter to the CEO AB HPA Haryana, saying that the scheme is facing several challenges. The letter states that the sche,e is facing recurrent problems in Haryana due to the apathy of the Government itself. It added, “Time and again, we have been apprising officials of irregular payments, at times delayed by 4-5 months.”

This decision will affect numerous hospitals across districts like Gurugram, Faridabad, and Karnal, which have significant numbers of beneficiaries relying on the scheme for medical treatment. Over 1.2 crore people in Haryana are enrolled in the Ayushman Bharat scheme, including low-income families and senior citizens. The withdrawal of private hospitals may lead to difficulties in accessing healthcare services, putting additional pressure on government hospitals.

The Haryana government has assured that the process of releasing funds has begun, and they are hopeful of resolving the issue within a week.

Hindus killed in Pahalgam after religious profiling, Opposition denies jihadist motive: How Opposition leaders gave cover to Islamic terrorists

Jinit Jain
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Hindus killed in Pahalgam after religious profiling, Opposition denies jihadist motive: How Opposition leaders gave cover to Islamic terrorists

The Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, was one of the most horrifying instances of hate-fuelled violence India has witnessed since Pulwama. Twenty-six innocent civilians, all but one Hindus, were executed in cold blood by terrorists who demanded they recite the Kalma and identified them via circumcision. Testimonies from survivors such as Asavari Jagdale and Sujatha Bhushan have painted a blood-soaked account of religious profiling and ideological hate, executed with surgical brutality by Pakistan-backed radicals.

Yet, astonishingly, certain Opposition leaders have made a public display of gaslighting this tragedy. In a now-viral snippet from Kapil Sibal’s YouTube channel ‘Dil Se with Kapil Sibal’, four Indian lawmakers, Kapil Sibal, Sagarika Ghose, Gaurav Gogoi, and Sanjay Raut, can be seen and heard denying the religious nature of the attack, claiming it was “politicised” by the Modi government to milk the situation. They attempt to present the systematic killing of Hindus as a “random act of violence.”

This deliberate whitewashing isn’t just factually indefensible, it’s strategically dangerous.

The facts they obfuscate: Pakistani terrorists confirmed and eliminated

On July 28, 2025, Operation Mahadev brought closure to this attack. Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed in Parliament that the three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists responsible—Suleman alias Faizal Jatt, Hamza Afghani, and Zibran, all Pakistani nationals, were gunned down by Indian forces in Dachigam after a two-month-long intelligence-led manhunt involving the IB, CRPF, Army, and J&K police.

Forensic reports confirmed the weapons used in the attack matched those recovered from the encounter site. Pakistani voter ID cards, Pakistani-made chocolates, and eyewitness testimony established the attackers’ nationality and motives beyond any reasonable doubt.

This makes the Opposition’s stance not just irresponsible but outright reprehensible. When the enemy is caught, identified, and neutralised, and still your narrative is to give them a pass despite the fact that Islamic jihad has long been a scourge emanating from Pakistan, you are not doing politics; you are enabling the enemy’s psychological warfare by providing them with cover fire.

Dangerous narratives: Pakistan’s ‘False Flag’ crutch and domestic deniers

Pakistan has long leaned on the tired lie of “false flag operations” to escape accountability for the terrorism it exports. But such denials used to be limited to Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Today, they’re being echoed in New Delhi television studios and YouTube podcasts.

By downplaying the religious and cross-border nature of the Pahalgam attack, Indian opposition leaders have handed Pakistan a rhetorical shield. Their desperate bid to deflect from Prime Minister Modi’s handling of national security has led them to whitewash terror and sow confusion at home.

Instead of demanding justice for the victims, they demand evidence that contradicts the findings of ballistic experts, 3,000 hours of NIA interviews, and ground intelligence. In doing so, they insult the martyrs, dishonour the security forces, and embolden future attackers who now know that parts of India’s political class will provide ideological cover.

From selective outrage to strategic betrayal

The Pahalgam attack was not merely a human tragedy; it was an act of jihadist extremism targeting Hindus. Survivors weren’t just witnesses to murder; they were living testimonies to a genocide in miniature.

To hear elected lawmakers dismiss these accounts and attribute blame to the Indian government is deeply disturbing. What began as opposition to Modi has mutated into a dangerous distortion of the national interest. And sadly, this mutation has not even spared the dead, as opposition leaders deny them the dignity and distort their cold-blooded murders for scoring political brownie points.

It is clear: The Opposition’s compulsive contrarianism is giving ideological oxygen to Pakistan-sponsored jihad.

Truth goes for a toss as the opposition turns desperate

There is room for political disagreement. There is no room for terror denial.

This attack was religiously motivated. The attackers were Pakistanis. They were neutralised after methodical intelligence operations, and their identities and motives have been forensically verified. To claim otherwise is not dissent; it is disinformation.

By playing down Islamist terror and painting every national tragedy as an opportunity to target the BJP, some Indian opposition leaders have crossed a red line. They have chosen vote-bank appeasement over national unity, and in doing so, have handed terrorists in Pakistan the one thing they crave more than ammunition: legitimacy in denial.

The fact that this snippet of Rajya Sabha leaders went viral on the day senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was caught lying when he claimed late Arun Jaitley threatened him over farm laws demonstrates the depths India’s opposition could go in their bid to dislodge the Modi government from the Centre. It is perhaps an understanding among the opposing ranks that respecting truth is no longer their priority. 

Therefore, India must choose truth over lies. Reality over delusion. Justice over appeasement. And memory contrived narratives.

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