On 13th April 2023, the Ministry of Defence published a press release to announce that the Indian Air Force will participate in Exercise Orion at Mont-de-Marsan, an Air Force base of the French Air and Space Force (FASF). The ministry said that the Indian contingent led by Rafale fighter jets will leave on 14th April 2023. This is the first time that newly inducted Rafale jets will participate in a military exercise abroad, taking the place generally taken by Sukhoi jets.
The exercise will be conducted from 17 April to 05 May 2023, with the IAF Contingent comprising four Rafale, two Boeing C-17 Globemaster heavy cargo aircraft and two Russian Ilyushin IL-78 midair refuelers and 165 air warriors.
This will be the first time in the last 15 years that the Sukhoi Su-30MKI of the Indian Air Force will not be participating in a military exercise, indicating that the Rafale jets are ready to replace the Russian jets in a battle. Indian Air Force has around 260 Sukhoi Su-30MKI jets stations across the country, including air bases near the Chinese border in the North East. Some of the jets are made by HAL under licence in India, while others are imported from Russia.
Besides the IAF and the FASF, Air Forces from Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Spain and the United States of America would also be flying in this multilateral exercise. Participation in this exercise would further enrich the employment philosophy of the Indian Air Force, by imbibing the best practices from other Air Forces, said the ministry.
IAF’s spokesperson Wing Commander Ashish Moghe said, “This would be the first overseas exercise for the IAF’s Rafale aircraft. Participation in this exercise would further enrich the employment philosophy of the Indian Air Force by imbibing the best practices from other air forces.”
Orion 2023 is France’s largest drill, in which allied nations, like India, take part in addition to NATO partners. Over 12,000 NATO forces are taking part in the subsequent phase of the exercise. Its main objective would be defence activities on land, in the air, at sea, and in cyberspace.
Orion 2023 is based on a NATO scenario intended to understand the various stages of modern war and will be on a scale unseen in recent decades. Its goal is to refocus the French military services along with their numerous branches and administrative levels on a combined, multi-domain (MDO) exercise in a challenging environment within an international joint forces framework.
India bought 36 of the 4.5-generation fighters from France in 2016 for around $8 billion. In October 2019, India received its first batch of Rafales at the airforce base in Ambala, Haryana. In September 2020, the aircraft was assigned to an IAF squadron.
Dassault Aviation of France completed the delivery of all 36 Rafale fighter planes to the IAF in 2022, with the other unit based at Hashimara, West Bengal. The Ambala squadron safeguards Indian airspace in northern borders, while the Hashimara squadron covers the northeast region.
Apart from Dassault Rafale and Sukhoi Su-20MKI, other fighter jets operated by IAF are MiG 21, Mig-29, Dassault Mirage 2000, Jaguar, and HAL Tejas. The Sukhoi is the main fighter of the IAF with the largest number of aircraft.
Amidst the ongoing tussle between India and Pakistan over their respective cricketing teams touring each other for the upcoming Asia Cup and ODI World Cup later this year, former Pakistan player Javed Miandad has weighed in on the row, suggesting that it was high time for India to visit Pakistan, even if it meant facing death.
During a podcast hosted by Nadir Ali, Javed Miandad expressed his belief that security concerns should be disregarded, and if it is the fate for someone to die, then they will. He stated that life and death are in the hands of the Almighty. “If you are destined to die, you will die. Life and death are in the hands of the Almighty,” Miandad exclaimed when asked about India’s refusal to tour Pakistan for the forthcoming Asia Cup hosted by PCB.
Miandad also emphasized that if India were to extend an invitation to Pakistan, they would accept it, but they also expect India to reciprocate the gesture. Miandad recalled that Pakistan had previously visited India, but India has not returned the visit, so it is now India’s turn to do so.
Netizens react to Javed Miandad’s bizarre remark dismissing India’s security concerns over touring Pakistan
However, Miandad’s comment left social media in splits, with netizens expressing their amusement and sharing funny comments and memes to mock the former Pakistan cricketer’s justification over security concerns raised by India.
cricBC, a popular Twitter account that shares profound insights about cricket, reacted to Javed Miandad’s perplexing statement. “Funniest jokes are unintentional,” it said.
There are tentative plans for the 50-over Asia Cup to be held in Pakistan in September, followed by the 50-over World Cup in India in October. According to reports, Pakistan is open to playing its World Cup matches in either Kolkata or Chennai. However, the BCCI has refused to tour Pakistan citing security concerns. Reportedly, the PCB is mulling over shifting India’s matches to neutral venues, with UAE, England, and Sri Lanka under consideration.
The last time India and Pakistan played a bilateral series was back in 2012. Since then, the two countries have not toured each other but have played matches at neutral venues in ICC tournaments. The last encounter between the two sides which took place on 23 October 2022 in the Asia Cup resulted in a nail-biting victory for India, thanks to the late over flourish by prolific Indian batsman Virat Kohli, who took Pakistan’s ace bowler Haris Rauf to the cleaners and paved the way for a thrilling last-over victory.
A day after Atiq Ahmed’s sob Asad Ahmed was killed in retaliatory fire by UP Police STF, his jailed father Atiq Ahmed Friday threatened the officers who gunned down his son Asad along with his accomplice Ghulam Mohammad in Jhansi.
According to Times Now, the gangster turned politician Atiq Ahmed reportedly said, “Jis police officer ne maara hai mere bete ko, mujhe nikalne do, phir batata hu (Allow me to get out of jail, and I will show the officer who killed my son).”
'Jis police officer ne maara hai mere bete ko, mughe nikalne do, phir batata hu': Atiq Ahmed sends out a threat, a day after his son's encounter.
According to reports, jailed Atiq Ahmed will not be permitted to attend his son Asad’s last rites. Asad’s body will be received by his maternal family as at present, there’s no one in Atiq’s family to claim the body. Atiq, his brother Ashraf and sons Ali and Umar are all in jail while his wife Shaista Parveen is on the run.
Asad’s body would be handed over to his maternal family after postmortem and will be taken to a family graveyard at Kasari Masari in Prayagraj where he will be buried next to the resting place of his grandfather today.
Meanwhile, Khushnuda – the mother of Mohammed Ghulam killed in an encounter in Jhansi on April 13 along with Atiq Ahmed’s son Asad gave her reaction to the encounter. She said that she and her family cannot call the encounter wrong and denied accepting the dead body of the sharpshooter killed in retaliatory fire by the police.
Khushnuda said, “All those who do bad work, will remember this for their lifetime. According to us, they (UP Police) have not done anything wrong. If you kill someone, you are doing wrong. Now, if it comes to you, should we say that it is wrong? No, it is correct.”
#WATCH जितने भी गंदा काम करने वाले हैं वह ज़िंदगी भर याद रखेंगे। हमारे हिसाब से (UP-STF ने) गलत नहीं किया। तुमने किसी को मारकर गलत किया और जब तुम्हारे पर कोई आया तो हम उसको गलत कैसे कहें?… मैं शव को नहीं लूंगी। उसकी पत्नी का उन पर हक है, मैं उसको मना नहीं कर सकती। मैं अपनी… pic.twitter.com/E4qYPoBosN
Mohammed Ghulam and Asad Ahmed were killed in an encounter in Jhansi on 13th April 2023. Both of them were wanted in the Umesh Pal murder case. There was a reward of Rs. 5 lakhs each on their heads. Umesh Pal was a witness in the Raju Pal murder case of 2005. BSP MLA Raju Pal was killed in 2005 by the mafia Atik Ahmed’s gang. Umesh Pal was killed in Prayagraj on 24th February 2023, by Asad Ahmed and six other members of Atiq Ahmed’s gang. Asad Ahmed was the third son of Atiq Ahmed.
Charanjit Singh Channi, the former chief minister of Punjab, appeared before the Vigilance Bureau on Friday in relation to a case involving disproportionate assets. He criticised the state’s Aam Aadmi Party government for moving up his date of appearance and claimed that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s administration was engaging in ‘vendetta politics’ before visiting the bureau’s Mohali office at 11.10 a.m.
He was initially summoned by the vigilance office to appear for questioning on April 12. He did, however, seek a different time to join the probe, and the bureau granted his request, asking him to show up on April 20. But the date was later moved ahead to April 14 by the agency.
He had earlier demanded that CM Bhagwant Mann provide evidence that he owned real estate worth Rs 170 crore and had 250 acres of land.
He turned emotional while being accompanied by senior leaders at the Punjab Congress Bhavan in Chandigarh and declared that the AAP government was anti-Dalit because he had been called for questioning on the birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar and on the auspicious occasion of Baisakhi.
He was joined by Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Partap Singh Bajwa, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Punjab affairs in-charge Harish Chaudhary and Karamjit Kaur Chaudhary, the party’s candidate for the Jalandhar by-elections.
The former CM remarked that he believed he could even get thrown in jail since the AAP government wanted to prevent him from campaigning in Jalandhar.
Polling for the Jalandhar parliamentary seat will take place along with Karnataka assembly elections which are on May 10 and the result will be declared on 13 May.
“The AAP government may even eliminate me, but I won’t be cowed down. I will continue to speak the truth. The AAP falsely painted me as corrupt to win the 2022 Assembly election. I dare the CM to hold a press conference to give details of my property,” he challenged with tears in his eyes.
“Am I being harassed by the Centre through income tax and ED and by the state through vigilance only because I remained the CM for three months,” he asked the incumbent Punjab administration.
The Congressman asserted that the truth was that his financial situation was precarious and that a judge had ordered the attachment of his ancestral home. “I had to get a stay from the court,” he added.
After the CBI summoned Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal for questioning in the Delhi excise policy scam, Kejriwal claimed that people who are sending AAP leaders to jail over corruption cases are enemies of the nation.
Arvind Kejriwal made the comments while addressing a program organised by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. In his speech at this program, he said, “There are so many anti-national forces in the country. They are stopping this country from going ahead. Who can think that poor students in this country shall not get a good education? Who can think that the Dalit students in this country shall not get a good education? If these students go ahead, they will take the country ahead and progress will happen. Who are those people who think that country should not progress? Who are those people who think that poor kids should not get a better education? All of them came together and put Manish Sisodia in jail. All those people who think that the kids of poor and Dalits shall not get a better education came together and put Manish Sisodia in jail. They are enemies of the country. Those who sent him to jail are enemies of the country. Aren’t they? They are enemies of the country. They don’t want the country to progress. Even history tells us that whenever a person tried to educate people, an autocratic ruler put that person in jail.”
#WATCH | Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal says, "We have several anti-national forces in the country that don't want the country to progress. Who doesn't want quality education for the children of the poor & Dalits of the country?… All those who didn't want it sent Manish Sisodia to… pic.twitter.com/QjuW37lfd8
AAP MP Sanjay Singh also held a press conference on 14th April 2023 after Arvind Kejriwal was summoned by CBI in the Delhi liquor policy scam case. Sanjay Singh levelled allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that Arvind Kejriwal is being summoned because he said in the Delhi assembly that PM Modi has put his money of corruption in Adani’s company. He also alleged that Narendra Modi is using his financial powers to save his political powers.
Sanjay Singh said, “The day Arvind Kejriwal said in the Delhi assembly that PM Modi’s black money worth lakhs and crores is invested in his friend’s company, I had told him that the next turn is yours. These people will leave no stone unturned to suppress the corruption of the Prime Minister. This is because Arvind Kejriwal has exposed every layer of corruption and explained it to the people of this country as he spoke in the Delhi assembly that all the black money worth lakhs and crores which is invested in Modi’s friend’s company actually belongs to PM Modi and that Modi has earned it through corruption.”
He further said, “PM Modi started conspiring against Arvind Kejriwal from that day. Today Kejriwal received a summons. They are summoning Arvind Kejriwal. I would like to tell you mister Prime Minister, your government and you are completely involved in corruption and a summons cannot stop Arvind Kejriwal’s fight against corruption. Arvind Kejriwal has started in the Delhi assembly the task of exposing in front of the nation the bad activities you commit and it will continue as a campaign in the nation. You conspired to arrest Arvind Kejriwal on 16th April. This action cannot suppress the voice of Arvind Kejriwal. It will reach every household, village, and colony in the country that you put in money worth lakhs and crores in your friend’s company.”
He added, “Arvind Kejriwal has given an education model to this country. He gave free water and electricity to people. He toiled day and night for the people of Delhi. He quit his job as an income tax commissioner to serve the people of India. He fasted for 13 days to fight against corruption. Your notice cannot end this fight. It has now become necessary to tell the people of this country about the corruption and scam you committed with your friend. This story should reach every village, colony, and household in the country. All I want to tell is that this attempt of threatening with a summons and conspiracy of arrest after the speech in the Delhi assembly, will not affect the courage of any AAP worker. We did never fear you. We will never fear you. there have been so many actions against Kejriwal. They arrested MLAs and ministers. But he did not quit his fight against corruption.”
He said, “Arvind Kejriwal will go and answer the notice on 16th April. But no one can stop our fight against the corruption committed by the PM and the money of lakhs and crores he put into his friend’s company. I had told Arvind Kejriwal that they cannot digest the truth you said in the Delhi assembly. Narendra Modi is using his financial power to save his political power. That is all.”
The Central Bureau of Investigation has summoned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to question him in connection with the Delhi Liquor Policy scam case. According to the news agency ANI, the AAP convenor has been asked to appear before the CBI on 16 April, Sunday.
Senior AAP leader and former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia have already been arrested in connection with the case. The AAP govt is accused of changing its excise policy to benefit select business houses.
On Friday, April 14, a tweet was posted from the official handle of Janata Dal-United (JDU) wishing the people on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti. In this tweet, a distorted map of India was shown, with areas of Pakistan occupied Kashmir excluded from it.
A distorted map of India landed the party in controversy. The now-deleted tweet read, “Tribute to Bharat Ratna #बाबा_साहेब Dr. #भीमराव_अंबेडकर ji on his birth anniversary, who fought a long battle for justice and equality for every oppressed and deprived section of the society.”
However, as soon as the people slammed Nitish Kumar’s party for the distorted map, the contentious tweet was deleted. Hours later, the same tweet and image were posted again, this time however, with a correct map.
The JDU’s ‘broken India’ tweet comes at a time when Nitish Kumar is once again eyeing for a greater role in the national politics, hobnobbing with opposition leaders in an attempt to stitch an elusive alliance ahead of the general elections scheduled in 2024.
CM Nitish Kumar also attended an Iftar party where the Red Fort was shown amidst the attacks on Ram Navami processions in Bihar. After using this to deliver a political message, he headed to Delhi where he met Arvind Kejriwal, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. He discussed uniting the opposition against the BJP before the general elections scheduled to be held in 2024.
Meanwhile, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that the JDU shared the image of a distorted map of India in a bid to please the banned Islamist outfit Popular Front of India (PFI).
The official Twitter handle of the Bihar unit of the BJP slammed the JDU over the said tweet and wrote, “On Babasaheb ji’s birth anniversary itself, the @Jduonline supporters have tarnished the constitution by showing a divided India. After all, this is all they have to do to please their PFI bosses and newfound friends! But listen with your ears open, Jammu and Kashmir was, is, and will always be an integral part of India!”
बाबासाहेब जी की जयंती पर ही @Jduonline के जमूरों ने खंडित भारत दिखाकर संविधान को तार-तार किया है।
अपने पीएफआई के आकाओं और नये नवेले दोस्तों को खुश करने के लिए आखिरकार इतना तो इन्हें करना ही पड़ेगा!
लेकिन कान खोलकर सुन लो, जम्मू-कश्मीर भारत का अभिन्न अंग था, है और हमेशा रहेगा! https://t.co/0CDwm1I7ek
Meanwhile, Nitish Kumar, the chief minister of Bihar, and Lalan Singh, the president of the JDU, have been criticized by Manan Krishna, the Bihar BJP’s social media coordinator.
“With his picture on the birth anniversary of Baba Saheb Ambedkar is @Jduonline insulting them by putting a ‘fragmented map’ of India or do these people not consider Ladakh as a part of India like China, Pakistan, and #PFI? Tell @NitishKumar, @LalanSingh_1 g,” Manan Krishna tweeted.
बाबा साहब अम्बेदकर जी की जयंती पर उनकी तस्वीर के साथ भारत का 'खंडित नक्शा' लगा कर @Jduonline को उनका अपमान कर रही है या यह लोग चीन, पाकिस्तान और #PFI की तरह लद्दाख को भारत का हिस्सा नहीं मानते?
In another tweet, the Bihar BJP’s social media convenor alleged that the use of a distorted map of India demonstrates the extent to which the supporters of PFI and Tukde Tukde gang dominate JDU.
भारत के खंडित नक्शे का प्रयोग दिखलाता है कि #PFI और टुकड़े टुकड़े गैंग के समर्थक इस पार्टी पर किस कदर हावी हो चुके हैं
बाबा साहब की जयंती के दिन किया गया यह अभद्र आचरण न केवल उनके समर्थकों बल्कि देश के हर एक नागरिक का अपमान है
“The use of a distorted map of India shows how strongly #PFI and Tukde Tukde gang supporters have dominated this party. This indecent behavior done on the day of Babasaheb’s birth anniversary is an insult not only to his supporters but also to every citizen of the country. Let’s see what action @bihar_police takes on it,” BJP’s Manan Krishna tweeted.
Every year, Hindus come under attack when they take their religious processions out and this year was no different. Be it the Ram Navami Shobha Yatras or the recent Hanuman Janmotsav processions, Hindus came under attack as Muslim mobs pelted stones, created arson, and then, blamed Hindus for their own persecution.
From West Bengal to Gujarat to Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and beyond, religious processions or Shobha Yatras on the occasions of Ram Navami and Hanuman Janmotsav were attacked.
Even as the intolerant minority went on a rampage, from Islamists to Leftists and even politicians blamed Hindus for coming under attack because they had the temerity to take out their religious processions through ‘Muslim dominated areas’.
While our team reported from the ground in many cases, we relied substantially on secondary reports as they surfaced in local media in others. In this article, we have attempted to document the current status of each such case. While we have provided a summary of the incidents of violence, we have also included the action taken by the police and their statements of the incidents, and in many cases, we have also documented the versions of those Hindus who were victims of the hate crime.
West Bengal Ram Navami violence
What transpired:
Bengal has witnessed two incidents of violence in the past week in Howrah and Hooghly districts during Ram Navami processions. On March 30 this year, stones were pelted on a Ram Navami procession from the terraces of the buildings in the Shibpur area of Howrah. This led to a clash between the Hindu and Muslim groups, leading to violence and arson. Vehicles and shops were also torched during the attack.
Several disturbing videos of the incident went viral on social media. A large contingent of police was deployed to contain the law and order situation in the area. The cops conducted a flag march, fired tear gas shells and chased away the rioters.
On Sunday, April 2, a fresh bout of violence erupted in Rishra in West Bengal’s Hooghly district. This came three days after Islamists unleashed mayhem during the Ram Navami procession in the Shibpur area of Howrah in West Bengal. This incident occurred when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was taking out a ‘Shobha Yatra’ in the area. Miscreants pelted stones at the procession, leaving several people, including one of BJP’s local legislators, gravely injured. Following the incident, prohibitory orders were imposed and the internet was suspended.
West Bengal Government’s version:
Following the Shibpur violence, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had insinuated that violence occurs when Hindus take out Ram Navami processions through ‘Muslim areas’ and also attempted to give a clean chit to the Islamists by invoking their Faith and Ramzan.
Stating that “violence is not Bengal’s culture”, Banerjee also alleged that the BJP has hired ‘goondas’ in the state.
#WATCH | The incident happened because of BJP… Police have not given permission. In the meeting, they said they will do it in the afternoon but deliberately took out the rally during the time of namaz to incite people: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Hooghly & Howrah violence pic.twitter.com/StQi5FfK2F
Hindus produce letter with police stamp to refute Mamata Banerjee’s claim:
A day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused Hindu devotees of carrying out Ram Navami procession on ‘unauthorized routes’, the organisers of the rally came forward to refute her outrageous claims.
The application, a copy of which was shared on Twitter by BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya, also bore the seal of the Howrah Police Commissioner acknowledging its receipt. It was written on March 3 this year and categorically mentioned ‘Shibpur Tram Depot’ as one of the spots on the proposed route of the Ram Navami Shobhayatra Rally.
Fact-finding committee report:
A six-member fact-finding team led by former Patna High Court Chief Justice Narasimha Reddy on Sunday, April 9, alleged that West Bengal Police allowed the violence to go on during a Ram Navami Shobha Yatra in the Hooghly district.
The interim report of the Fact-Finding Committee headed by Justice L Narasimha Reddy said that the “riots were pre-planned, orchestrated and instigated.”
The revelations made in the fact-finding report are as follows:
The rioters and their backers acted with the active support of the state machinery.
The damage could not have been this widespread without the active support of the State government.
The evidence points to the active role of the police which allowed the violence to carry on.
The police was aware of the procession being taken out from an area that saw violence last year as well. That they did not give protection despite requests proves their role.
The actions of the state police seems to have been motivated and guided by the political advantage that could come by due to the appeasement of a particular community, albeit at the command of their political masters.
Saying so, the committee demanded that the investigation of the riots be handed over to the National Investigation Authority (NIA) to ensure that the investigations are being carried out in a fair, impartial and independent manner.
Ram Navami violence in Bihar Sharif
The incident:
On 30th March 2023 during Ram Navami celebrations, violence erupted in Bihar Sharif in the Nalanda district of Bihar. Miscreants set ablaze many houses and shops. Section 144 was imposed in the town after this violence. More than 27 people have been arrested in this case so far. During this violence, the miscreants also looted shops. It was reported that mobile phones worth more than Rs. 3 crores were looted in this incident.
Hindus allege their shops were gutted in fire:
According to reports from the victims, a religious mob in Nalanda’s Bihar Sharif set fire to Hindu shops and their warehouses, causing extensive damage.
TV9 has reported on violent incidents and arson that occurred near Sogra College in Biharsharif. In the video footage, it is visible that several Hindu-owned shops have been burned to the ground. During an interview with TV9, a man named Umesh Prasad Goswami stated that ten of his shops were damaged, with goods being looted and set on fire. When asked about the extent of the loss, Umesh stated that his property, valued at crores of rupees, had been destroyed. Another individual also reported that initially his shop was ransacked, following which the gate was broken and set on fire.
According to a victim, the entire incident was carried out by a group of approximately 50 to 60 individuals who were armed with petrol bombs. These bombs were set alight and thrown into shops and warehouses.
He also stated that the police’s absence from the scene gave the perpetrators ample time to carry out the robbery.
What’s noteworthy in this video is that when people informed a TV9 reporter that a temple had also been set on fire, the reporter waved his hand and said, “No, no, don’t show it.” This begs the question, if the mob did indeed set fire to the temple, then what was the problem in reporting the incident and bringing it to the world’s attention? While we cannot confirm the claims, as victims have made these allegations, they warrant investigation.
Eyewitness accounts of those injured in the violence:
Vikas, brother of Gulshan Kumar who was killed in the violence spoke to a media house and said that both of them had stepped out to get some ration and groceries. They were returning home when firing took place near the masjid. Gulshan was shot at and he fell down there. People there helped him reach the hospital but he could not be saved. Then in name of the postmortem, Bihar Police kept stalling till late at night.
As per Vikas, Bihar Police even verbally abused him. When he tried to record the police behaviour towards him on his phone camera, police allegedly snatched away his phone. He was also not allowed to get in touch with his family members.
Witnesses also allege that when the mob was unleashing violence on them, the police administration was aware of the same. They had even gone to the police station to seek help but their pleas fell on deaf ears.
While interacting with one media house, some women alleged that Hindus were leaving their homes. However, eventually, Bihar Police denied the allegations. These women alleged that after the violence, the police entered their homes and took away the men. Women had also raised concerns regarding their own safety. They accused the police of penalising the Hindus, abusing them and making them leave the police station.
Bihar Police statement on the violence in Bihar Sharif:
After the violence, the Bihar police held the Hindus responsible for the Ram Navami violence that took place. Bihar Police DG (Headquarter) Jitendra Singh Gawar, on 9 April 2023 said that the Bihar Sharif violence was a well-planned conspiracy. He claimed that a WhatsApp group was created to coordinate the violence. Police had held the local Bajrang Dal leader Kundan Kumar responsible for the violence.
Patna, Bihar | Prima facie the violence during the Ram Navami procession of Bihar Sharif was well-planned. A WhatsApp group of 457 people was active before Ram Navami. In this, a conspiracy was being hatched through messages regarding Ram Navami. A separate FIR has been… pic.twitter.com/CHfdUeAStX
Bihar Police issued a statement in which it said that an FIR has been registered against 15 people by the Economic Offenses Unit (EOU). It said that under a well-planned conspiracy, misleading messages were floated against one particular community. It said that they have arrested Manish Kumar, Tushar Kumar, Dharmendra Mehta, Bhupendra Singh Rana and Niranjan Pandey. They further said that five mobile phones were seized from them which were allegedly used to upload the content.
Bihar Police statement
Politics surrounding the violence:
Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav tried to put the blame on the RSS for the violence.
बिहार में सद्भाव बिगाड़ने की संघी कोशिश पर बिहार सरकार की पैनी नज़र है। जिन राज्यों में BJP कमजोर है वहाँ बौखलाई हुई है।
एक-एक उपद्रवी को चिन्हित कर कठोरतम कारवाई की जा रही है। भाईचारे को तोड़ने के किसी भी भाजपाई 'प्रयोग' का हमने हमेशा माकूल जवाब दिया है और देते रहेंगे।जय हिन्द
In a tweet on 2 April 2023, Yadav put the blame on the RSS for the communal violence. Similarly, his mother and former Bihar CM Rabri Devi claimed that the BJP is perpetrating the violence. She had claimed that the government will carry out an investigation and then all things will be clear. Similarly, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar had called the violence a ‘conspiracy’ and tried to blame BJP and Asaduddin Owaisi for the violence.
Is Bihar Police throwing Hindus under the bus?
When OpIndia asked VHP South Bihar chief and prominent Hindu leader Kameshwar Choupal if there was any truth to police having evidence against Hindus for inciting violence, he replied, “The police is under the Bihar government. When the government has declared Hindus guilty without investigation, how will the police say anything different from that. Police can implicate anyone if they want. They can plant evidence like weapons and can file a case under the Arms Act.”
Questioning the capability and impartiality of the Bihar Police, he said that the Ram Navami violence in the entire state should be investigated by a central agency or headed by a High Court judge. The attack on the Ram Navami Shobha Yatra is a failure of the police. Getting the same police to investigate is like getting the culprit to investigate the matter.
Jamshedpur Violence:
The incident
On Friday (March 31), a Ram Navami immersion procession came under attack in the Haldipokhar area of Jamshedpur in Jharkhand.
Jharkhand | Stones were pelted during a Ram Navami immersion procession in Jamshedpur's Haldipokhar area yesterday.
The unidentified miscreants pelted stones at the Hindu devotees and injured 5 persons during the attack. As per reports, the incident took place on Friday evening when a ‘group’ of people opposed the Ram Navami procession.
The Hindu devotees recited ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ in response to the opposition by the group. Soon after, the immersion procession was attacked with stones by the group.
A week after the attack on the Ram Navami procession, another communal clash broke out in Jharkhand’s Jamshedpur over the alleged tying of a piece of meat on a Ram Navami flag. Hindu organisations protested alleging that the flag was desecrated and demanded strict action against the accused.
According to media reports, the incident happened in Kadma Shastri Nagar of Jamshedpur on Sunday, April 8. Here, near the square of Block 3, some religious flags were put up. It was alleged that some anti-social element hung a meat bag on those flags. Hindu organisations came to know about this through the local people. They reached the spot and started demanding action against the accused. During this, there was sloganeering, after which the people on the other side mobilised and clashed with the Hindu supporters.
Reportedly, a violent mob targeted a temple and engaged in acts of arson and stone pelting against two nearby shops. Additionally, an autorickshaw was set ablaze. The police detained several individuals, and a significant police presence has been deployed to the area. Some Hindu organizations have accused the administration of taking one-sided action.
Section 144 has been imposed in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, following the violence and mobile internet services have been temporarily suspended.
‘Stone pelters came out of JMM’s Iftar party’, says VHP
In the aftermath of violent clashes that occurred on Sunday in Jamshedpur, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has alleged that a masked mob came out of an Iftar party to target a temple. The Iftar party was claimed to be organized by Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s party Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).
VHP’s Jamshedpur District Officer Sanjeev Kumar told OpIndia that on March 9, two JMM leaders Pawan Kumar and Babban Rai had organized an iftar party in the locality adjacent to the temple that was targeted during the violence. He claims that the crowd that came out of this Iftar party, wearing masks on their faces, first pelted stones at the temple and later set fire to the nearby shops.
Speaking to OpIndia, Sanjeev Kumar accused the administration of one-sided action. He said that the district administration had warned Hindus not to play DJ etc. on Ram Navami. DJ units were also seized. On Saturday, the meat bag was hung on the flag of the temple.
‘Chicken is not meat’, Jharkhand Police justifies
Following the communal clash, a senior police official from east Singhbhum, Vijay Shankar, offered an explanation regarding the violence. He claimed that it was not prohibited meat that was hanging on a Ram Navami flag, but chicken, that the shopkeepers had strung from a wire attached to a pole. He said that this was a usual practice, which was used to spread misinformation.
जमशेदपुर में मुर्गी के बचे अवशेष को प्रतिबंधित मांस बताकर जिस तरह से शहर का माहौल अशांत करने की कोशिश की गई वो बेहद चौंकाने वाली बात है।इतना स्बकुछ होने के बाद प्रसाशन को इस बात से प्रदा उठाने का वक्त मिला? इसमें मुसलमानों का क्या क़ुसूर है? फ़ेक ख़बर फैलाने वालों पर कारवाई होगी? pic.twitter.com/URp7Jsnu8Y
Violence erupts during Ram Navami Sobha Yatra in Malad, Maharashtra
The incident:
Several injuries were reported after a Ram Navami procession in the Malvai region of Mumbai’s Malad suburb was attacked by an Islamist mob as it passed by a Masjid near gate no. 7 area. The Islamists attacked the procession by pelting stones and also forced the loudspeakers to be shut in the area.
One of the locals identified as Tajindar Tiwana revealed that the loudspeakers were shut by the Hindus way before they reached the area near Masjid. However, the Muslims still attacked the procession and pelted stones at it as it passed by the Masjid.
The accused persons booked in the case are Munna Nayatulla Rafiq Sheikh, Mohammad Shoaib Ahmed Mohammad, Faizan Alim, Latif Sayyed, Afzal Sheikh, Sadik Sheikh, Mh Furkan Faiyyaz Ahmed, Ahmed Raza Sameer Sheikh, Mohabiya Ansari, Jameel Merchant, Munna Sheikh, Rohan Sheikh. Apart from these named persons, around 300-400 unidentified people have also been mentioned in the FIR.
What did the FIR copy accessed by OpIndia say
OpIndia accessed the copy of the FIR filed, as per which around 6000 Ram bhakts participated in the procession.
According to the FIR, around 100 to 150 Muslims gathered illegally on the Abdul Hamid Road and raised the slogans of ‘Allah-hu-Akhbar’. Suddenly, one of the identified accused persons, Munna Nayatulla Rafiq Sheikh, pelted stones at the procession injuring one participant. The stone pelting then began,” he stated in the FIR.
According to him around 200 to 250 Muslims gathered at the spot and attacked the Hindu people who participated in the rally. The Muslims pelted stones and also threw their footwear at the procession, causing insult to Lord Rama and his worshippers.
FIR copy
Police confirmed to OpIndia that ‘chappals’ were also hurled at the participants
Police personnel Amol Walawalkar talked to OpIndia and confirmed the incident. He said that several police officers were deployed for the procession and that the Police initially tried to pacify the matter but later took charge as the participants in the procession were attacked with stones and chappals.
One witness reveals Hindus suffered severe injuries, one supposedly incurred a fracture in his nose
Meanwhile, one of the witnesses and Hindu participants identified as Advocate P Raut revealed to OpIndia that the Police also resorted to lathi-charge after the attack happened. “Earlier, the Muslims attacked. They pelted stones and hurled footwear at us. Many of the Hindu participants suffered serious injuries as a result of the attack. In fact, one person has supposedly incurred a fracture in his nose. The Police first tried to pacify the situation and then resorted to a lathi charge. They also beat many of the Hindus amid the ruckus,” she said.
Raut further added that the procession was attacked twice and the Muslim mob raised anti-Hindu slogans.
Radicals gathered illegally at two locations to launch attack
Walawalkar also mentioned in the FIR that the Muslims gathered illegally in the area and attacked the Hindus. Several Police personnel were also injured in the attack.
Ram Navami violence in Kiradpura, Maharashtra
The incident:
The violence at Kiradpura reportedly comprised of bombing and stone-pelting in front of the Ram temple. Videos emerged showing that the decorations outside Ram Mandir in the area were attacked by a violent mob on Ram Navami night.
The mob attacked the outer side of the Ram Mandir and also vandalised several vehicles parked in the area including the police vehicles. As reported earlier, the mob executed the attack in presence of the police officers and also set police vans on fire. The Police had filed an FIR in the case and booked around 400 to 500 unidentified people.
Police confirm stones pelted at private and police vehicles
Following the incident, the Sambhajinagar police arrested a total of 28 accused. Nikhil Gupta, Police Commissioner, Chhatrapati Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar said, “A clash broke out between two groups in Chhatrapati Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar’s Kiradpura area. Stones were pelted, some private and police vehicles were set on fire. Police used force to disperse the people and now the situation is peaceful. Police will take strict action against the miscreants.”
AIMIM MP confirms stone pelting on Hindu temple
A video emerged wherein AIMIM MP Imtiaz Jaleel himself claimed that he protected the Hindu temple from Muslim protesters. Jaleel estimates that 500 or more persons threw stones at the temple. Jaleel’s claim, made in an attempt to prove himself to be a hero, proves that it was the Hindu temple which came under attack.
The temple was filled with Hindus seeking safety inside, along with several police officers. The rioters were unable to enter due to the temple’s large gate and internal lock. They then attempted to knock down the saffron flag that was up at the entrance.
Notably, OpIndia tried to contact Aurangabad’s Police Commisionerate to know more about the latest action taken by the police in the case, but we could not get thorugh the telephone line.
Gujarat Ram Navami Violence
The incident:
On 30th March 2023, Ram Navami processions in Gujarat’s Vadodara were attacked by local Islamists. Two Shobha Yatra processions of Lord Ram were attacked with stones on the same day while passing through a Muslim-dominated area.
According to the reports, around 200-500 Muslims arrived on the street during the procession and began pelting stones at the procession and the Hindu participants. The Ram Navami procession was planned and organized by Karelibag Prakhand of Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
Bajrang Dal suspected attack was planned
OpIndia contacted Vadodara city Bajrang Dal coordinator Ketanbhai Trivedi regarding the incident. He was present throughout the procession and also handled all the arrangements. He gave all the details as well as expressed suspicion that the attack was preplanned.
Suspecting that the attack was planned, Ketanbhai Trivedi said that when the Ram Navami procession was passing through the area, suddenly a Muslim man brought a bike without a number plate and collided with a car involved in the Ram Navami procession.
“On one side, the car collided and the youth started arguing, and on the other side stone pelting also started from the roofs and back of the surrounding houses and there was a stampede,” he said. Stones were also pelted toward the idol of Lord Ram but Bajrang Dal workers took precautions and shifted the idol to a safe place.
Was it a premeditated attack?
“During the attack, stones were hurled from the mosque and surrounding houses as well as from the backside of these houses”, he said. “Apart from this, a mob of 20 to 25 people came out of a lane carrying weapons”, he added.
Muslim women shielding other Islamists
The Bajrang Dal leader said a mob of 100 to 150 Muslim women turned around and clashed with the police and activists of Hindu organisations. These women came ahead as the miscreants fled to the streets after pelting stones at the procession ensuring a safe passage to the miscreants.
Vadodara police constitute SIT to probe the Ram Navami violence
The Gujarat police constituted an SIT which, in turn, apprehended several accused, including Istiyan Iliyas Shaikh, who was roaming with a sword, and two brothers who pelted stones from a masjid in the Fatepura area. The sword was seized from Istiyan Iliyas Shaikh, who was arrested for publicly carrying a weapon.
The Police added IPC Section 295A “Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs” in the case of stone pelting on the Ram Navami procession in the Fatepura area of Vadodara.
According to reports as many as 40 people have been detained so far in two separate incidents of alleged stone-pelting during a Ram Navami Shobha Yatra event in Vadodara.
Police mulls buldozer action against accused
In response to the incident, Additional Commissioner of Police (Vadodara) Manoj Ninama stated that a complaint was filed against 300-500 unknown people and that the Police is identifying the alleged stone-pelters using CCTV footage.
“There are no reports of any injuries. We have detained 23 people and a complaint has been filed against 300-500 unknown suspects. The accused have been taken for a medical test, after which we will produce all the accused in court and seek remand,” Ninama said.
He added that the Police is conducting a survey in the area and “bulldozer action will be taken against the accused.”
Abdul Rashid Sattar Shaikh snatches SRPF personnel’s rifle
Recently it came to the fore that when the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) were trying to bring the situation under control, attempts were made to snatch their rifles. On Tuesday, April 11, Gujarat Police arrested one Abdul Rashid Sattar Shaikh in connection with the matter. The accused was identified through CCTV footage of the incident.
वडोदरा : रामनवमी की शोभायात्रा पर पथराव के बाद पुलिस जवान पर हमला करके रायफल छीनने की कोशिश करनेवाले अब्दुल रशीद शेख को गिरफ्तार किया गया. pic.twitter.com/hvsvzyKSV2
In Odisha’s Sambalpur, a bike rally organised by Hanuman Jayanti Samanyoy Samiti and Bajrang Dal came under violent stone pelting when it was passing near a masjid in the Dhanupali area, triggering clashes among two groups on Wednesday evening, April 12. As per reports, several police personnel, including the woman IIC of Dhanupali Police Station have been injured in the clashes.
Violence during Hanuman Jayanti rally in Sambalpur. Peaceful are sperading faster than Covid virus.
10 police personnel including the Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Sambalpur and the IIC of Dhanupali Police Station were injured .
After the stone pelting, the violence gradually spread in the area as the angry mob started setting fire to local shops and stalls. The people participating in that rally reportedly started pelting the stones back to stop the attack. However, the violence spread and soon turned into arson and vandalism. Several bikes and cars have been damaged in the violence too.
Over 30 people detained, internet shut for 48 hours in entire district
As per recent reports, over 40 people have been detained so far in connection with the violence. The district police suspended mobile internet and broadband services in the district following the violence. 10 police officials have been injured in the stone pelting. IIC Anita Pradhan who was seriously injured in te stone pelting, was shifted to VIMSAR for treatment.
FIR reveals how Muslim mob attacked Hindus when they chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram’
As per the FIR filed by complainant Dhirendra Kumar Swain, who was stationed at Motijharan Chowk on the fateful day, the procession came under attack from around 200 Islamists when it was chanting slogans like ‘Jai Shri Ram’, ‘Jai Bajrang Bali.’ They abused the members of the procession and threatened them to vacate the place immediately.
FIR copy
Soon, they started pelting stones at the procession. As per the FIR, the Islamists attacked the members of the rally with iron rods, lathis, and swords, with the intention to kill. During the attack, apart from shouting obscenities, Islamists were shouting ‘kafir log’, ‘sale logo ko kaat denge’, ‘salo ko India wapas nehi jaane denge’, as per the FIR.
On Wednesday, April 12, the results of the final examination of the first batch of MBBS graduates from Zoram Medical College, the only medical institution in the state of Mizoram, were announced with a pass percentage of 71%. The Mizoram Institute of Medical Education & Research became the Zoram Medical College (ZMC) on August 7, 2018, and 68 students passed the final exam out of 95 students who had attempted the exam.
Following the release of the results, Health Minister Dr. R. Lalthangliana said that with this, the state has achieved an important milestone in the health sector in Mizoram. He said that the government is taking steps to ensure that MBBS graduates start their internships soon. The Health Minister said that the shortage of doctors in the state will be solved to some extent by next year.
Located around 16 km away from the state capital Aizawl, Zoram Medical College was inaugurated in August 2018. Admissions to the Zoram Medical College are done on the basis of National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) scores.
The students talking to the EastMojo expressed their happiness and indicated a desire to support Mizoram’s medical workforce needs. With the results being declared, the state witnessed history-making on April 12 as the Zoram Medical College was the only acknowledged hospital to serve Mizoram’s 1,091,014 inhabitants during the Covid-19 epidemic.
ZMC administrators had reported a significant personnel shortage, and its 34-bed ICU was perpetually functioning at 100% capacity back then. According to reports, there is a severe lack of doctors, particularly in South Mizoram, where there is one doctor for every 50,000 patients in some locations.
One of the students identified as Lalrempuii Hmar who attained first rank with honours in Obs Gynae and Pediatrics said that the new doctors should give it back to the state. “As someone born and raised in Mizoram, I think we must help our state in the best way we can. If I get good results in my PG entrance, I will choose a field most needed by Mizoram. If possible, I would like to pursue my career in Mizoram,” she said.
As per the ZMC topper, Mizoram lacks doctors to cater to its population. “Our faculty at ZMC have tried their best to cater to this need through our college. So we hope to see an improvement in the future, and we hope to be as much of a blessing as possible,” she added. On being asked about ZMC, she said that she wanted to be a part of the first batch of ZMC and wanted to contibute to the state.
Meanwhile, the second ranker, F Vanlalchhuanpuia also stated that the shortage of doctors in the state touched his heart and inspired him to reach his goal. “When I see a lot of patients in Mizoram suffering from different diseases, I notice there are not enough doctors in Mizoram. I had thought that I could be of help in some way by becoming a doctor and God has given me an opportunity through ZMC in this way. My goal is to serve the lord and the people and the people include all patients in our state. If it is possible, outside of the state can also be included. But my priority right now is to be of good service to God and the patients of Mizoram,” he was quoted as saying.
Ruth Lalrinawmi, who scored in third, wants to pursue postgraduate studies abroad, but like her fellow competitors, she is determined to go return to Mizoram and help the locals. The students meanwhile lauded the infrastructure of the state’s first medical college and expressed happiness to be part of the first qualifying batch from the institution.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has summoned Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to question him in connection with the Delhi Liquor Policy scam case. According to the news agency ANI, the AAP convenor has been asked to appear before the CBI on 16 April, Sunday.
CBI summons Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on April 16 to question him in the excise policy case. pic.twitter.com/jlStNKhU2Y
Senior AAP leader and former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia has already been arrested in connection with the case. The AAP govt is accused of changing its excise policy to benefit select business houses.
The liquor policy was first proposed in September 2020 but came into effect in November 2021. It changed the manner in which alcohol was being sold in the National Capital, introducing private players in the market and marking the exit of government-owned liquor vendors.
While the objective of Excise Policy 2021-2022 was to end black marketing and the liquor mafia, the Delhi government soon came under fire over allegations of corruption. Chief Secretary of Delhi, Naresh Kumar, found irregularities and procedural lapses in the new liquor policy. Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena ordered a CBI probe on the recommendation of Naresh Kumar.
It was found that Manish Sisodia had waived off ₹144.36 crores on the license fee, to be paid by the private liquor vendors, under the garb of the Coronavirus pandemic. He had also waived import pass fee of ₹50 per beer case, causing loss of Delhi govt and benefiting liquor licensees.
Moreover, the changes to the Excise Policy were made without the final approval of the Lieutenant Governor and thus considered illegal under the Delhi Excise Rules of 2010 and Transaction of Business Rules of 1993.
The new excise policy was withdrawn by Delhi govt in July 2022. Following that, CBI booked Manish Sisodia, and several others in an FIR for irregularities in the implementation of the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-2022.
The former deputy chief minister of Karnataka and Congress leader Gangadharaiah Parameshwara has sought the help of the extremist organisation Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) to defeat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Notably, the outfit is the student wing of the banned terrorist group, Popular Front of India (PFI).
“We appeal to the minority section that definitely support us. It’s your (Muslims) security, safety, development and welfare,” he stated in an interview with Times Now.
“We appeal to them (SDPI). Certainly, we appeal to them. Bharatiya Janata Party believes in polarising people on the basis of religion and caste. We definitely need to defeat that concept in India. So, we need support. Whoever it is, SDPI or whichever organisation, we certainly appeal to them,” he remarked while responding to how parties like SDPI can eat into the Congress vote in certain constituencies.
Senior Karnataka Congress leader Dr. G Parameshwara speaks to TIMES NOW, says, "We appeal to #SDPI for supporting #Congress against the #BJP."
The Congress stalwart is also a potential chief ministerial candidate if the party manages to grab power in the state. However, his appalling comments are not in isolation but are part of a long list of Congress leaders who have regularly expressed the same desire, despite Congress’ official claim of not associating with any radical outfit like SDPI.
After SDPI threatened to go alone in Karnataka assembly polls, state Congress Campaign Committee Chief M. B. Patil urged, “Even now we expect that SDPI should support Congress to defeat the BJP. Congress is a secular party, SDPI cannot win (seats), they can divide votes, which will affect Congress.”
SDPI state president, Abdul Majeed, has revealed that Congress leaders have approached them for a political alliance before the upcoming elections in the southern state. “Nobody’s approached us. Some individual MLAs have asked for support but we have not discussed anything on it yet.”
“Even Congress MLAs, JDS (Janata Dal-Secular) MLAs have asked us to support them, but we had not assured them. We have not taken any decision right now.” He declared, “Definitely, to defeat BJP, we will support the candidate who can defeat BJP,” when told that his party is being criticised by BJP for giving a ticket to Shafi Bellare. He is accused in the murder of BJP worker Praveen Nettaru, who was targeted by the ‘killer squad’ of PFI, the parent organisation of SDPI.
The Indian Government banned PFI last year for five years for undertaking ‘unlawful activities’ which are ‘prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security of the country,’ under the Unlawful Activities Prevention (UAPA) Act. According to a chargesheet submitted by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in February of this year, the Islamist group intended for India to become a Sharia-compliant Muslim nation by 2047.
