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Rajasthan Police resorts to lathi charge, mistreat private medics as they protest against govt’s ‘Right to Health Bill’: All you need to know

Siddhi Somani
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Rajasthan Police resorts to lathi charge, mistreat private medics as they protest against govt’s ‘Right to Health Bill’: All you need to know

On Monday, medical professionals in Jaipur protested the Rajasthan government’s planned Right to Health Bill. After the police failed to disperse the crowds of demonstrators who had gathered to surround the state Assembly, they escalated to lathi-charging the protestors.

The doctors said that the cops tore their clothing to pieces and mistreated the female doctors. More than 2,400 owners of private hospitals across the state protested on the streets on Monday. At first, doctors, health professionals, and hospital administrators met at the Jaipur Medical Association auditorium at SMS Hospital to voice their objections to the Draft Bill. At about midday, the physicians departed the SMS Hospital and arrived at Statue Circle in front of Central Park.

However, at approximately 1:00 pm, the police stopped the protesters close to Statue Circle, causing a confrontation between the two sides. Reportedly, the doctors alleged that the police engaged in a physical altercation with them, but the police claimed that the protesters had become violent owing to which they had to resort to the lathi charge. 

On Monday, the Joint Action Committee, which had previously endorsed the Bill a few days earlier, also took part in the demonstration. The committee was formed by the doctors’ unions. The protesters said that the Bill does not contain the proposals they made. The Right to Health Bill aims to grant Rajasthani citizens the ability to get free medical care at hospitals, clinics, and laboratories, including private facilities.

Dr. Vijay Kapoor, secretary of the Private Hospitals and Nursing Home Society commented on the issue and stated that the protest would continue until the government withdraws the bill. “The doctors held a meeting on the issue on Sunday during which it was decided to conduct a protest march to the state assembly. This is an indefinite statewide ‘bandh’ and it will continue until the government withdraws the bill,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Police action was criticized by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) which said that the police bandobast was not enough to match the crowds of doctors at the rally. “There were no women police at all and amidst the pushing and jostling between the doctors and police, several women doctors were injured. The police unpreparedness is shown by the fact that no water cannons are seen, which is the drill before the use of lathi to push back the crowd. When the rally and route were announced, the Jaipur police should have tried to talk to the doctors rather than engage in pushing, jostling, and lathis,” it was quoted.

The PUCL also urged the doctors to withdraw the protest claiming that the group of leaders from the joint action committee had met with the administration and government representatives and almost every disagreement was resolved. “It is surprising that suddenly the doctors change their mind and come against the Bill. It is also surprising that a section of the government doctors decided to wear black bands to oppose the Bill,” PULC said.

The Right to Health Bill, 2022

The Right to Health Bill, which seeks to guarantee citizens’ legal rights and entitlements to the finest healthcare, was one of the poll pledges made by Congress for the 2018 state elections. From the bill’s introduction in the assembly in September 2022, it has encountered opposition, among other things because it mandates free emergency care. The present budget session has not yet resulted in its passage.

The citizens of Rajasthan under the bill can have following rights-

  1. Avail free outdoor and indoor patient department services, medicines, and diagnostics in public health institutions,
  2. Emergency treatment and care at all health care providers, without any delay waiting for prepayment or police clearance,
  3. Receive information about the nature and cause of illness, results, complications and cost of treatment, and access related records, 4. Informed consent before specific tests or treatments,
  4. Confidentiality and privacy in treatments at all health care establishments,
  5. Referral transport,
  6. Safe and quality health care, and
  7. Grievance redressal.

State Health Minister Prasadi Lal Meena had said in September last year that the Bill was introduced to enhance the effectiveness and implementation of the Rajasthan Model of Public Health. “The state government has decided to bring in legislation to safeguard the right to health so that the rights of residents may be ensured. The Bill ascertains the duties of residents and also provides for a grievance redressal mechanism. Provisions are made in it to establish the state health authority and the district health authority which are entrusted with the functions essential to achieve the purposes of the Bill,” he was quoted back then.

Obligations on the private sector may violate their right to carry out business

The protesting doctors on the other hand have stated that the bill fails to define ’emergency’ while it promises free emergency treatment. They also have raised concern over the payment or reimbursement model as per the bill. The doctors have to pay the staff, nurses and also have to look after the maintenance of the medical tools and equipments. “If we go on treating patients free of cost, who is going to reimburse the amount?” pondered one Dr Aggrawal from Tonk.

The Bill nowhere specifies if the state will reimburse private clinical establishments for providing such free services. This may violate Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to practice any profession or carry on any occupation, trade, or business.

Grievance redressal mechanism may violate the right to privacy 

Further, the formation of a district health authority and a state health authority, both of which would be composed of public representatives, is the main source of concern for the doctors. As per the bill, a web portal and helpline center will be established for filing complaints on denial of services and infringement of rights. The accused in dispute will have 24 hours to reply to the complaint. If a complaint is not handled within the aforementioned time range, the District Health Authority will take it up. It shall take the necessary measures and post the action taken report on the website within 30 days.  A patient’s medical records could also be included in the action taken report, depending on the nature of the complaint. 

No information is provided in the Bill on who else except the complainant would have access to the report on the website. In medical situations, this can violate the patient’s right to privacy.

The Bill also states that no civil court shall have jurisdiction to consider any action or process concerning any subject which the State Health Authority or District Health Authority, as the case may be, established under this Act, is empowered by or under this Act to resolve.

This indicates that the courts lack jurisdiction. Doctors worry that the members of the district health authority, who must include three pradhans and zilla pramukhs, may harass, threaten, or blackmail them.

Joint Action Committee earlier endorsed the bill

It is worth noting that several civil society groups questioned the doctor’s opposition to the bill in February this year. They said that the doctors were trying to prevent a Bill which is a crucial constitutional right. Reports suggest that the opposition cannot afford to publicly criticize the Bill as the government has been attempting to communicate to the 34-member Joint Action Committee (JAC). The JAC has been created by various medical associations such as the Indian Medical Association (IMA)-Rajasthan chapter and the United Private Clinics and Hospitals Association of Rajasthan (UPCHAR) which is a representative body of over 1,000 private hospitals.

The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) also urged the doctors to withdraw the protest claiming that the group of leaders from the joint action committee had met with the administration and government representatives and almost every disagreement was resolved.

The private doctors during the protest sought withdrawal of the bill. The state police resorted to the lathi charge and also misbehaved with the women medics. Almost 300 private hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes in Kota remained closed for outdoor patients, emergency services, and new admissions as a result of the closure of private institutions, causing a 40% increase in patient volume at the government-run MBS Hospital in Kota.

Porn star Kendra Lust appreciates playing of porn film at Patna railway junction, says she hopes it was her film

OpIndia Staff
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Porn star Kendra Lust appreciates playing of porn film at Patna railway junction, says she hopes it was her film

Porn star Kendra Lust late on Monday night appreciated the playing of pornographic clip at Patna Railway junction.

Lust tweeted a picture of herself with caption ‘India’ along with hashtag ‘BiharRailwayStation’.

A netizen joked that it was her porn film that was being played at the Patna railway station, to which she said she hopes it was hers.

However, another netizen pointed out that the porn film that was inadvertently played on the advertisement display screens on the station was by one Anissa Kate from Babes Network.

A similar incident happened at Rajiv Chowk Metro Station in Delhi in 2017 when a porn movie was played on the advertisement screens. Delhi metro quickly took down the video from the screens.

Porn and porn stars being appreciative of Indian news

This is not the first time a porn star has kept tab on the news cycles in India involving sex tapes. In 2016, when Aam Aadmi Party leader Sandeep Kumar’s alleged sex tape had gone viral on social media. Pornhub’s official Twitter account had then trolled him and said how they love all their employees.

Pornhub appreciating Sandeep Kumar

Kumar, a Minister of Social Welfare in Kejriwal government was accused in a sex scandal where an alleged video of him in a compromising position was leaked. Kejriwal had immediately removed him from the Cabinet after coming across the alleged sex tape.

Karnataka: Hindu women forced to wear Hijab, remove Kumkum by event management companies during events by Muslim community in Tumkur

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: Hindu women forced to wear Hijab, remove Kumkum by event management companies during events by Muslim community in Tumkur

A controversy has erupted in the state of Karnataka after a few event management companies in Tumkur forced Hindu women to wear hijab at functions hosted by the Muslim community. The management firms also forced the women to remove the kumkum on their forehead, which holds importance in Hinduism.

According to reports, the incident came to the fore after one of the event management companies posted the image of Hindu women wearing a Hijab online. The same was initially reported by a local media channel named Samvad Kannada. The video of the incident, however, went viral over social media after which a few Bajrang Dal activists raised the issue and protested against the local representatives and such event management companies.

The activists also informed the parents of the girls who are hired by these event companies in Tumkur. The parents said they didn’t know anything about this incident and would never allow their girls to wear hijabs and remove kumkum for extra earnings.

Bajrang Dal district coordinator Manju Bhargav said to The Organiser that the event companies deliberately target poor Hindu women who need money and offer them extra wages only if the latter agrees to wear hijab and remove kumkum. As per Bhargav, Hindu women are paid Rs 800 to Rs 1000 per day if they agree to wear hijab and wipe off kumkum, otherwise are offered Rs 300 to Rs 400 per day.

Several Hindu activists continue to protest as several event management companies continue to force Hindu women to wear hijabs. Hindu campaigners have spoken out in opposition to this, with many demanding that the practice be stopped right away. According to the activists, compelling Hindu women to wear the hijab is a step toward the Islamization of the nation.

‘No communal angle’, says Delhi Police over violent clashes between school student groups

ANI
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‘No communal angle’, says Delhi Police over violent clashes between school student groups

Six students were apprehended after a quarrel between two groups left at least five students with stab injuries in the national capital’s Sadatpur Karwal Nagar, police said. 

The incident took place near the Voters Centre at on Monday, at around 2:30 pm, they said. Police had received a PCR call regarding a quarrel between school students. 

According to them students of the Government Boys Senior Secondary School in Tukmirpur, Karawal Nagar, and Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya, Khajuri Khas were involved in the clash. 

Five students of Karawal Nagar school who sustained stab injuries have been admitted to the GTB Hospital. 

Based on a complaint, the police started an investigation into the matter, and accordingly, the six assailants involved were identified and apprehended. 

The police said that all the accused as well as the injured students were juveniles. 

One of the apprehended accused disclosed that they had carried out the clash in revenge against alleged bullying and assault by the other group of students. 

As per police, one of the apprehend alleged that three days ago, while he was riding his motorcycle near the Dayalpur bus stand, some boys including the ones who are injured in the incident stopped him and asked him about his school and the reason why he was riding the motorcycle near their school. When he resisted their bullying, he was beaten up by them. He he took first aid at Jai Prakash Hospital. There was no Medico-Legal Case (MLC) filed. Afterwards, he gathered his friends and assaulted the others. 

The police have registered a case under the section of attempt to murder. They have also ruled out any communal angle in the entire episode. 

Further investigation is underway in the case.

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

Fact-check: Is Sana Khan, who left Bollywood for Islam, pregnant without having sex as per viral claims?

Nirwa Mehta
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Fact-check: Is Sana Khan, who left Bollywood for Islam, pregnant without having sex as per viral claims?

Former actress Sana Khan, who acted alongside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan in films like Jai Ho before leaving showbiz for Islam, is pregnant. She announced the same on social media platform Instagram earlier this week.

In October 2020, Khan had abruptly left showbiz for Islam and married a Muslim cleric Anas Saiyed.

However, soon after the announcement of her pregnancy, social media was flooded with an image, purportedly from Dainik Jagran, wherein it was claimed that Sana Khan was pregnant with her first child despite not having sex and how it was only the effect of prayers at Ajmer Sharif Dargah that helped her get pregnant.

Viral image

The viral image had the caption: Sana Khan is pregnant, will be a mother soon. Since two years her husband was praying at Ajmer. She’s pregnant with only prayers and not having shared bed with her husband.

OpIndia decided to fact-check the above claims. On Dainik Jagran’s Instagram page, they had reported Sana Khan’s pregnancy news.

Jagran post

The actual post on Dainik Jagran’s Instagram page did not have the same caption as the viral image. Jagran news update only mentioned that Sana is pregnant and how she revealed it in an interview.

So while Sana Khan is pregnant, it is not just because of ‘duas’ at Ajmer by her husband. The viral image is fake.

Canada: Khalistanis attack Radio Host Sameer Kaushal in Surrey, ‘police mute spectator’ says the victim. Here is what happened

OpIndia Staff
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Canada: Khalistanis attack Radio Host Sameer Kaushal in Surrey, ‘police mute spectator’ says the victim. Here is what happened

On March 20 (local time), Indian origin News Director at Radio AM600 Sameer Kaushal was attacked by a pro-Khalistani group in Surrey, British Columbia in, Canada. In a Twitter thread, Kaushal expressed his dismay over the incident and said that the police present at the scene asked him to leave instead of acting against the attackers.

He wrote, “I was in #SurreyBC to cover the HCI Ottawa Indian High Commissioner’s visit, where a pro-Khalistani group treated the Canadian media like this. Ask your Punjabi-speaking friends or colleagues what derogatory and embarrassing words they are using here.” (Warning: explicit language in the video)

In the video he shared, Kaushal was taken away by the police. At one point, he was almost pushed by one of the officers who were asking him to leave. Further in the video, abuses in the Punjabi language could be heard directed at Kaushal.

He further wrote, “They pushed and threatened me in a public place in the heart of the city of Surrey. Shockingly, the Surrey RCMP remained mute spectators to this whole affair inspite of the protest turning violent. Instead of stopping the culprits, the Surrey RCMP kept asking me to leave for my own safety as they were not able to provide a taxpayer the same.”

In an exclusive interview with India Today, Kaushal said he went there for an event at around 6 PM scheduled by the Indo-Canadian diaspora to welcome the Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma. There were functions scheduled in Gurudwara and Temples, followed by a meet-and-greet with the Indian diaspora. However, a group of around 125 pro-Khalistanis blocked the event and did not let anyone go inside.

When Kaushal reached there and attempted to get in, he was stopped and attacked. He further added that the protesters used derogatory language against India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

Kaushal said he was deliberately targeted because he appeared to be of Indian origin. He added that he shows’ what is happening in Punjab and India’ and talks about both sides. However, the ‘vigilante’ elements did not like those who spoke positively about India and Indian policies. Kaushal pointed out there were no ‘prominent personalities’ from Surrey at the protest.

Crackdown on Amritpal Singh

On March 18, Punjab Police and central agencies launched a massive crackdown on pro-Khalistan separatist leader Amritpal Singh. So far, over 110 associates of Singh have been arrested. However, Amritpal Singh is still on the run. Internet was suspended on March 18 for one day, but the suspension was extended for two more days. Police have alleged that Singh was in contact with ISI and received funds from Pakistan. Furthermore, it has been reported that Singh was creating a private army in the guise of an anti-drug drive and de-addiction centre. Following the crackdown, official Indian Government establishments in London and San Francisco were attacked.

Centre vs Delhi govt: Budget approval of national capital triggers war of words, here is what happened

ANI
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Centre vs Delhi govt: Budget approval of national capital triggers war of words, here is what happened

The Centre and the Kejriwal government in Delhi which have been at loggerheads on various issues, has now again entered into a new tussle after the Aam Aadmi Party alleged on Monday that the Ministry of Home Affairs stalled the government’s Budget 2023-24 which was scheduled to be presented tomorrow in the Delhi Assembly. 

However, the Home Ministry sources dismissed the allegations, adding that the MHA has instead sought clarification from the Delhi government as its budget allocation was focussed on advertisement rather than the infrastructure sector. Responding to the MHA’s point, the Delhi government said that the allocation for the advertisement has not been increased in this year’s budget. 
“MHA is lying. The total budget of Delhi is Rs 78,800 crores. Out of this, Rs 22,000 crores are for infrastructure, while only Rs 550 crores will be spent on advertisement. Last year also the budget for advertisement was the same. There is no increase in the advertising budget,” Delhi’s Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot said. 

The Delhi LG office said that VK Saxena had approved the Annual Financial Statement 2023-2024 with certain observations on March 9, and sent the file to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. 

“Delhi Government thereafter sought the approval of the President Droupadi Murmu by sending a letter to the Home Ministry. The Home Ministry conveyed its observations to the Delhi Government on March 17. The Budget was to be presented on March 21,” the office said. 

The office further said that it is yet waiting for the file to be sent to it from the Delhi Chief Minister. 

Delhi Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot, in a statement, alleged that the MHA “stopped” the Delhi government from presenting its annual budget for 2023-24 on its scheduled date, March 21, 2023. 

“The budget was sent for MHA’s approval as per regular practice well in advance on March 10, 2023,” the statement said. 

“It is now learned that the MHA expressed some concerns on Delhi government’s budget and refused to give it approval through a letter sent to the Chief Secretary on March 17, 2023. For mysterious reasons, the Chief Secretary of Delhi kept the letter hidden for 3 days. I learned about the letter only at 2 pm today i.e. 20 March 2023. The file with MHA’s letter was put up to me officially only at 6 pm today i.e. just the day before the budget was to be presented in Delhi Assembly,” Gahlot claimed. 

Gahlot said that the government responded to MHA’s concerns and submitted the file back to Delhi’s LG, after CM’s approval, at 9 pm today. 

Howver, the Delhi LG office said that the file was recieved in LG Sectariat at 9:25 PM and was sent back to the Chief Minister at 10:05 PM, after approval of LG, for further action as per law. 

The Minister further called for the investigation of the role of Chief Secretary and Finance Secretary of Delhi in “delaying Delhi’s budget”. 

“It is also unfortunate that MHA is spreading falsehoods about Delhi government’s budget. Nearly Rs 22,000 crores have been allocated for capital expenditure next year, whereas the allocation for advertisements is only Rs 550 crore, which is similar to that of last year. The concerns raised by MHA are irrelevant and seemingly done only to scuttle the budget for next year of Delhi government,” he alleged. 

Notably, Delhi’s Budget goes to the Home Ministry for approval. Only when the MHA approves the Budget, it is presented in the Delhi Assembly.

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

Golgappa diplomacy: PM Modi and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida enjoy popular Indian snack on sidelines of India-Japan meeting

OpIndia Staff
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Golgappa diplomacy: PM Modi and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida enjoy popular Indian snack on sidelines of India-Japan meeting

The Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is on a 2 days visit to India right now and he is really getting a totally Indian experience during his visit. The Japanese PM was caught enjoying some of the famous Indian street foods alongside the Indian PM Narendra Modi during his stay in India.

In the images shared by PM Modi, PM Kishida can be seen enjoying Indian street food including the famous golgappas.

Sharing the update, PM Modi tweeted, “My friend PM @kishida230 enjoyed Indian snacks including Golgappas.” Pm Modi has always enjoyed a close relationship with Japanese PMs, having enjoyed a very close friendship with the now-deceased Shinzo Abe previously.

The video of the Japanese PM enjoying golgappas was shared by the Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya who tweeted, “Japan PM Fumio Kishida enjoys a taste of India as he relishes delicious golgappas!”

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is currently on a two-day visit to India to bolster the bilateral ties. PM Kishida said before his departure from Japan that a new plan for a free and open Indo-Pacific will be announced during his two-day visit to India. He further added that he will present concrete ideas about the future of the Indo-Pacific at this historical turning point.

MHA recommends a CBI inquiry against Harsh Mander’s ‘NGO’ Aman Biradari for FCRA violations

OpIndia Staff
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MHA recommends a CBI inquiry against Harsh Mander’s ‘NGO’ Aman Biradari for FCRA violations

The Ministry of Home Affairs has recommended a CBI inquiry into Aman Biradari, an organisation run by so-called activist Harsh Mander. It is learnt that orders were issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs to probe the alleged FCRA violations by Mandar’s organisation. Harsh Mandar was part of the controversial NAC headed by then-UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

As per the rule, all NGOs receiving foreign funding have to compulsorily register with the Home Ministry under the FCRA.

According to its website, Aman Biradari is a ‘grassroots movement’ dedicated to creating a secular, peaceful, just, and compassionate world. Its goal is to achieve this by establishing community-based organizations at the village and district levels, primarily consisting of young people and women from various backgrounds and faiths, the website says. It further adds that these organizations aim to foster greater tolerance, fraternity, respect, and peaceful coexistence between individuals of different religions, castes, and linguistic groups.

Earlier in October 2022, the MHA had cancelled the FCRA registration of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF) and the Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust (RGCT), two NGOs headed by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, for alleged violations of FCRA laws.

While the MHA has recommended a CBI inquiry into Harsh Mandar over FCRA violations, the controversial left-wing ‘activist’ has a chequered history of bringing disrepute to the judiciary and inciting Muslim mobs against the Indian state.

In March 2020, Mander courted controversy after a video of him inciting Muslim mobs against the Indian State and judiciary went viral on social media. Mander had said that decisions pertaining to matters of the state shall not be delivered by the Supreme Court or the Parliament but will be made in the streets. Following the incident, the Delhi Police had filed an affidavit against Harsh Mander in the Supreme Court accusing him not only of inciting violence but also of bringing disrepute to the Judiciary and had sought contempt of court proceedings against him. 

Who is Harsh Mander

Harsh Mander had worked in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) for almost two decades and quit the services ‘in protest’ against the ‘state-sponsored riots’ in Gujarat in 2002. Since he left the IAS, Harsh Mander has spent quite a colourful life in ‘civil society’ organizations. Among his many contributions, he has worked as the country director of ActionAid India. However, he is most famous for his service in Sonia Gandhi’s National Advisory Council (NAC) which drafted the anti-Hindu Communal Violence Bill.

Judicial Interventions by Harsh Mander

Harsh Mander is also a known Ishrat apologist, the female LeT operative who was killed in an encounter along with three others by Crime Branch Officials in Gujarat. He was also one of the individuals who had signed a mercy petition for the Mumbai Attack Terrorist Yakub Memon, was among the 203 persons who had signed the mercy petition for Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab and had signed the mercy petition for Afzal Guru also. Apart from such antics, his judicial interventions have been many. Last year, Harsh Mander filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking the recusal of then Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi from hearing a case relating to the condition of detention camps and deportation of illegal immigrants from Assam.

Harsh Mander was also one of the forty ‘activists’ who had filed a review petition in the Court against the Ayodhya Verdict that paved the way for a Bhavya Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. He was also part of the coterie that had filed a petition against the Citizenship Amendment Act. It is important to remember here that Harsh Mander did all of this while being associated with foreign-funded NGOs.

Harsh Mander’s role in the CAA unrest

Harsh Mander with his organization ‘Karwaan-e-Mohabbat’ published a report on the violence at the Aligarh Muslim University that absolved the students of all sins and peddled numerous lies against the Uttar Pradesh Police. Later, of course, the entire report turned out to be a massive fraud. Harsh Mander had also promised to register himself as a Muslim if the CAB was passed but OpIndia has not been able to confirm yet if he has gone through with his promise after the CAB became CAA. He has also spread great lies about the NRC in the past and the foreign tribunals in Assam.

Earlier, Mander was part of a coterie that had penned a letter against the CAB. Harsh Mander and his NGO Karwan-e-Mohabbat were very active at the protests in Shaheen Bagh, the anti-CAA protests masterminded by the notorious Radical Islamist Sharjeel Imam. Interestingly, Harsh Mander has spoken on the ‘importance of solidarity’ and ‘how we can practice civil disobedience in today’s India’. Karwan-e-Mohabbat had also urged people to join the protests at the notorious Shaheen Bagh protests.

Other Ventures

Harsh Mander has taught courses in numerous highly esteemed colleges and universities including the Jamia Milia Islamia. His other NGO venture, Karwan-e-Mohabbat, had used the ‘lynching’ of a man to peddle the narrative of rising hate crimes in the country.

Attacks on Indian missions in London and San Francisco by Khalistanis: Indian advocacy group FIIDS suspects ISI behind them

ANI
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Attacks on Indian missions in London and San Francisco by Khalistanis: Indian advocacy group FIIDS suspects ISI behind them

Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), an Indian advocacy and awareness group on Sunday (local time) said that it “strongly suspect Pakistan’s spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is behind,” attacks on Indian missions in UK and US.

“We strongly suspect Pakistan’s ISI is behind instigating and funding Sikh radicalization with false propaganda. We ask Indian Americans including Sikh-majority to rise against the extremism,” read FIIDS statement. Khalistan supporters have started creating chaos across the world. After vandalism in London, Khalistan supporters allegedly attacked Indian Consulate in San Francisco (SFO). Videos of supporters breaking the doors and barging into the office surfaced on social media.

The visuals of the San Francisco consulate vandalism has been doing the rounds on social media, however, its yet to be confirmed by Indian officials.

As per visuals it can be confirmed that this happened outside the consulate, but the date cannot be confirmed.

“We are also appalled by the complete law and order failure in both in London as well as in SFO where a few radicalized separatists attacked India’s diplomatic missions,” added the statement.

Visuals shared online showed a huge mob brandishing Khalistan flags mounted on wooden poles, using it to smash glass doors and windows of the consulate building. They raised pro-Khalistan slogans as they broke through makeshift security barriers raised by the city police and installed two Khalistani flags inside the premises.

“It is extremely concerning to see that the United Kingdom and United States of America are failure to fulfill the commitments as per Vienna convention to protect diplomatic missions. We would urge law and order institutions like Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the FBI as well as the CIA to ensure that terrorism finds no place and support in the United States of America,” added the statement.

The senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi was summoned on Sunday night after the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom was vandalised.

The senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi was summoned late evening today to convey India’s strong protest at the actions taken by separatist and extremist elements against the Indian High Commission in London earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release on Sunday.

An explanation was demanded for the complete absence of British security that allowed these elements to enter the High Commission premises. She was reminded in this regard of the basic obligations of the UK Government under the Vienna Convention.

“India finds unacceptable the indifference of the UK Government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK,” the MEA press release said.

The British High Commissioner Alex Ellis condemned the attack on the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom today. He condemned the “disgraceful acts” and called it totally unacceptable.

“I condemn the disgraceful acts today against the people and premises of the High Commission of India – totally unacceptable,” British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis tweeted.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Victoria police on Monday released images of Khalistani supporters who indulged in violence on January 29th. In a statement, the Victoria Police appealed to identify six men following an affray in Melbourne.

“Melbourne East Neighbourhood Policing Team are appealing for public assistance following an affray at Federation Square in late January,” read the statement.

The targeted attack took place during the voting for the ‘Khalistan independence’ referendum, organised by the ‘Sikhs for Justice (SFJ)’ on January 29 this year.

The men from pro-Khalistani groups attacked Indians carrying the national flag in their hands.

The Indian group was seen running away from the scene while the Khalistani group continued to hit them.

Police were in attendance at a Khalistan Referendum event at Federation Square on January 29 when two fights broke out, one at about 12.45 pm and the other at about 4.30 pm.

There has been a rise in attacks by these Khalistani elements in foreign countries off late. These come in the wake of reports that the Pakistani spy agency ISI has been urging and funding such elements to carry out such attacks in a bid to rake up the Khalistan movement in Punjab.

The Indian Intelligence agencies have been warning about a rise in the activities by the ISI backed Khalistan elements.

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

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