A road accident from Durg in Chhattisgarh has given netizens the fodder for plenty of jokes and memes. The accident between Tata’s discontinued economy car Nano and Mahindra’s premium SUV Thar resulted in the SUV getting flipped over while Nano survived with minor damages.
A Thar moving at a high speed in the Padmanapur police station area was T-Boned by a Nano in the accident which left the SUV lying on its back. Luckily nobody was hurt in the accident, except maybe Thar’s image.
“An accident took place between a Tata Nano and a Thar near the Padmanapur mini stadium under the Padmanabhpur police station around 12.30 pm. The Thar overturned, but no report has been lodged as no one was injured,” Inspector Rajiv Tiwari told India Today.
A video of the aftermath of the accident was shared online where the overturned Thar and the minimally damaged Nano car can be seen.
As the images from the accident went viral, several people tagged Mahindra Group’s chairman Anand Mahindra raising questions about their premier car’s stability.
@anandmahindra sir we have a really big issue going on with thar stability. Even it could not stand against cars like nano, toppling is the biggest problem with thar. Going to purchase thar but after seeing this, i am in dilemma regarding the safety. #news#aajtak#zeenewspic.twitter.com/e787qIMXft
@anandmahindra Dear Mr. Mahindra here is proof that your so dashing demanding car THAR is so week which overturned by the hit of TATA NANO is this not shameful? pic.twitter.com/ow9xN6nBEp
The stability of an SUV like Mahindra Thar is always an issue as the center of gravity moves upwards due to the higher ground clearance, creating a problem of overturning during such accidents. When they are T-boned even by a small car like Nano, they can flip as we saw in this case.
On Wednesday, February 15, several members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) protested against the alleged illegal construction taking place inside the Hazrat Bilal Mosque near the Balkhandi Naka area in the Banda district of Uttar Pradesh.
Several videos of the alleged vandalization of the under-construction mosque have surfaced on social media. The VHP activists halted the construction work at the mosque and dispersed construction materials claiming that although permission was taken from the administration for the construction work, additional construction was being carried out illegally. Several VHP activists staged a Dharna and chanted slogans against the alleged illegal construction. Several Bajrang Dal activists also joined the protest.
Meanwhile, the Muslim side reached the collectorate and accused VHP of vandalizing the mosque. They first demonstrated at Ashok Lat under the direction of AS Nomani, National President of the Bundelkhand Insaf Sena, before heading to the Collectorate and submitting the memorandum to the Deputy Collector. They claimed that VHP and Bajrang Dal activists had assaulted the construction workers.
VHP alleges illegal construction
Chandra Mohan Bedi, district president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, stated that although the administration had approved the mosque’s renovation on December 12 last year, the mosque’s authorities were getting additional construction done there. “We just want to let the administration know that its order is being defied,” Bedi said.
VHP leader Chandra Mohan Bedi in a letter also alleged that a four-storey mosque is being constructed without authorisation. He has raised concerns about foreign funding in the mosque. In his letter, Bedi also demanded the demolition of the mosque.
Chandra Mohan Bedi referred to the mosque in his letter as an instance of land jihad and asked Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, to intervene and launch an investigation. Bedi claimed that a conspiracy is being hatched to intimidate Hindus by erecting a mosque in a Hindu-majority area.
मा० योगी जी जीर्णोद्धार के नाम पर प्रशासन की सांठगांठ से बाँदा में अवैध रूप से हिन्दू बाहुल्य क्षेत्र में नजूल भूमि पर चार मंजिला मस्जिद का निर्माण , विदेशी फंडिंग की आशंका,विहिप द्वारा उच्चस्तरीयजांच कराने की मांग। @CMOfficeUP@dgpup@Uppolice@DM_Banda1@VHPKanpurpic.twitter.com/r1pBOqeOpZ
On the other hand, Maulvi Zahiruddin of the mosque claims that only reconstruction work was carried out after obtaining permission from the administration because the mosque, which is roughly 50–60 years old, had become entirely dilapidated. Some people arrived and immediately started creating a disturbance and vandalizing, they also stalled the construction work, he alleged.
Police says the investigation underway
Speaking on the matter, Abhinandan, Superintendent of Police, Banda, said renovation work was underway in a mosque in the Balakhandi Naka neighbourhood of the Kotwali Nagar area, where some residents had voiced their displeasure. They claimed that the name of the renovation work was being done on it, and as a result, the police and administrative team arrived and assessed the situation. In this case, necessary legal action is being taken, and it is also being looked into whether the renovation work was done in accordance with the rules or not.
SP Abhinandan on the question of the alleged vandalism said that the police are examining the videos of the incident, and those responsible for the vandalism were also being identified. He added that after investigating into the claims made by both parties, further legal action will be taken against them.
George Soros has been at the epicentre of controversy over his attempts to bring about a colour revolution in India. The Hungarian-American billionaire, who pledged $1 billion to fight nationalists across the world, alleged collusion between PM Modi and the Adani Group in his latest tirade against the nation.
The allegations made by Soros were similar to the allegations of Modi-Adani collusion made by the Congress party. But as Soros is widely known as an anti-India person, the Congress party tried to distance itself from his comments. In a tweet yesterday, Congress chief of communications Jairam Ramesh said that the Congress party, which has been most vocal against Adani, and has been doing exactly what George Soros endorsed, has nothing to do with George Soros.
However, it is not known to many that he has connections with the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty. Soros had been ‘good friends’ with Fori Nehru, the wife of Indira Gandhi’s cousin brother Braj Kumar Nehru.
Some trivia: George Soros had a special equation with Fori Nehru who was the wife of Indira Gandhi’s cousin BK Nehru a diplomat who almost became UN Secretary General.
“NGO” run by Soros funds “independent” media & think tanks in India to foster democracy and thwart “fascism”.
Both of them were born in the Eastern European country of Hungary. Soros and Fori Nehru had ‘exchanged correspondence’ for several years until he decided to meet her in person in May 2009. At that time, Fori Nehru was 100 years old.
The said meeting was arranged by Anil Nehru, the son of Braj Kumar Nehru and Fori. Soros first flew to Delhi and then booked a chartered Kingfisher plane to reach Chandigarh in the afternoon.
The Hungarian-American billionaire was greeted at the airport by Anil Nehru, who then took him to his residence at Sector 9. The meeting with Fori Nehru lasted for around 3 hours, following which he returned to the National Capital via the same chartered flight.
Screengrab of the news report by The Indian Express
While speaking to The Indian Express about the meeting, Anil Nehru informed, “This is a personal visit and no family member, including my mother, has anything to say on this.”
Who was Fori Nehru
Fori Nehru (also known as Shobha Nehru) was a reclusive character in the Gandhi-Nehru family. The details about her life can be found in B.K. Nehru’s book ‘Nice Guys Finish Second’ and ‘Letters to Auntie Fori‘ by noted historian Martin Gilbert.
Born in December 1908 in Hungary as Magdolna Friedman, she studied at the London School of Economics (LSE). Fori met her future husband, Braj Kumar Nehru, at the varsity. She was the founder of ‘Cottage Industries Emporium’ and led a campaign for employment for refugee women in 1947, as a member of the Emergency Committee for refugees.
Reportedly, she also travelled to Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura in 1971 to supervise the condition of the incoming refugees during the Bangladesh Liberation War.
The Jewish Hungarian had also confronted Indira Gandhi, her close friend, after learning about mass sterilisation campaigns conducted during the Emergency. Fori Nehru also held a key interest in international affairs and was fascinated by Wall Street, where coincidentally George Soros made his fortune.
Several of her family members suffered during the Holocaust. She expressed remorse and guilt about not being with her family at that time. Fori Nehru passed away in April 2017.
It is notable that while Congress tries to distance itself from George Soros, they actually have close ties. Salil Shetty, the global vice president of Open Society Foundations founded by George Soros, had joined Rahul Gandhi in his Bharat Jodo Yarra in October last year in Karnataka. He had also actively participated in anti-CAA protests and farmer protests.
George Soros and his nefarious anti-India agenda
George Soros has several intellectuals on his payroll, including the former PM Manmohan Singh’s daughter Amrita Singh. Not to forget the curious case of ‘author’ and ‘social activist’ Harsh Mander who had been at the forefront of creating civil unrest during the Anti-CAA protests.
He and his NGO Karwan-e-Mohabbat had been very active in the demonstrations held at Shaheen Bagh. At one point, he had even vowed to register himself as a Muslim if the Citizenship Amendment Act was passed.
Harsh Mander had also sought the arrest of BJP leader Kapil Mishra. It may be recalled Shaheen Bagh was masterminded by Sharjeel Imam, an Islamist who urged Indian Muslims to cut off North East India from the rest of the country.
In 2018, George Soros-funded NGO, Sherpa, had attempted to thwart India’s defence deal with France and stall the delivery of Rafale fighter jets.
Moreover, Open Society Foundations (OSF) run by the billionaire had funded the Socio-Legal Information Centre (SLIC), which had been active in seeking the repeal of the sedition law currently used against anti-India elements.
In September 2019, George Soros also met Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan shortly after US President Donald Trump attended Narendra Modi’s ‘Howdy Modi’ event in Houston, Texas.
Interestingly, he is also friends with prominent Congressman Shashi Tharoor, who also happens to have a Pakistani connection. In 2021, there was a hullabaloo in India over allegations of snooping by the Modi government through the use of Israeli spyware, Pegasus.
These allegations stemmed from a report by the leftist-propaganda news outlet, The Wire, which in turn was fed the story by ‘Forbidden Stories (FS). Coincidentally, George Soros’ Open Society Foundations (OSF) happens to be one of the donors of the organisation.
George Soros had been unabashed in his attempt to fuel a dangerous anti-India narrative through media and ‘civil society. Organisations funded by him played a key role in creating chaos and unrest under the pretext of anti-farm law protests.
In 1999, the Open Society Foundation began activities in India by providing scholarships and fellowships to pursue studies and research at Indian colleges. Through the OSF, George Soros made significant contributions towards the spread of instability in India.
The Hungarian-American billionaire has also tried to use international institutions, which are funded by him, including Freedom House and V-Dem (Varieties of Democracy) Institute to tarnish the image of India at a global level.
A day after the terrorist group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan attacked the Karachi police chief’s office, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Najam Sethi has courted controversy while insisting that Pakistan Super League (PSL) is safe from such terrorist attacks. The 8th edition of PSL started on February 13 and will continue till March 19.
While giving assurances about the security for PSL amidst the terrorist attacks in the country, Sethi said that the TTP have said that they will only target State Security Establishments because various “deals” have broken down. He further added that there is no threat to PSL and it will go on.
Immediately after Najam Sethi posted this tweet, it received a lot of criticism from Pakistanis. A Twitter user Waqas Butt said that Najam Sethi is validating terrorist attacks by TTP with his tweet that said TTP will only attack state institutions over these broken ‘deals’
What nonsense is this? Najam sethi is so ignorant that he is validating TTP attacks on state and selfishly paving way for PSL. https://t.co/RzRYmcOVRs
Another Twitter user @JohnyBravo183 sarcastically asked if Najam Sethi thinks terrorists will take a time out during a terror attack when buses carrying cricketers pass through an area of attack.
Najam Sethi:
Suppose TTP is attacking Karachi Police HQ which is just minutes away from Karachi Stadium & the bus carrying Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi players passes, then TTP will stop the firing by saying:"TIME PLEASE" & the firing will resume only after the bus is gone.
Geo News journalist Arfa Firoz expressed his shock at Najam Sethi’s tweet and said that Chairman of PCB should choose the words wisely while delivering a message.
Very much shocked with the statement by Najam Sethi claiming PSL is safe because TTP has targeted state institutions. Chairman of PCB should choose the words wisely while delivering a message. Perhaps such statement by Najam Sethi was not even necessary to be given rn. #HBLPSL8
Some users asked whether Najam Sethi has struck his own deal with the TTP terrorists, while some others wondered if Najam Sethi has no problems if state establishments are attacked as long as PSL goes on.
PSL was held in the United Arab Emirates for years over the poor security situation prevailing in Pakistan. Even when PSL was brought back to Pakistan, some foreign players skipped it over their concerns about the security situation. With that history, the PCB chairman saying terror attacks will continue in the country will not sound too reassuring to the players.
In a major development in the Nikki Yadav murder case, a week after arresting the main accused, Sahil Gehlot, Nikki’s live-in partner, police have now arrested Sahil’s father, Virender, two cousins, Ashish and Naveen, and two close friends, Lokesh and Amar, in connection with the murder. Naveen, the son of Sahil’s maternal aunt, is a constable in the Delhi Police. Police sources have also revealed that Nikki and Sahil were actually married since 2020.
While Sahil (24) and Nikki (23), who was the niece of a Kargil War veteran, had been together for more than four years, his family had scheduled his wedding to a different woman on February 10. Nikki called Sahil after learning about the nuptials, and they went for a drive. Following a dispute over the matter, Sahil is accused of strangling her to death in the early hours of February 10. He then allegedly wandered for several hours before taking her body to his village, Mitraon in Delhi, where he stored it inside a refrigerator at his family-owned dhaba.
Sahil, a pharma graduate, and Nikki got married in October 2020 at the Arya Samaj temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Noida, upsetting his family. They were opposed to the marriage and wanted to get rid of Nikki.
Nikki was unaware that Sahil’s family had planned to marry him to another woman. The authorities obtained Sahil and Nikki’s marriage certificate while the perpetrator was in remand.
On Friday night, Sahil’s father, cousins, and friends were also arrested. Senior police officers claimed, that despite knowing about the crime, Sahil’s father arranged for his son to wed another woman hours after killing Nikki.
Earlier, an investigating officer said, “While we were interrogating Sahil, we found out that he had told his father about the incident. Before getting married, we suspect he came clean to his father about the murder. His father however asked him to go ahead with the marriage, which he did.”
The body was hidden in the refrigerator with assistance from Sahil’s cousins and friends.
Ravindra Yadav, special commissioner of police for crime, commented, “During interrogation, we found that Nikki and Sahil got married in 2020. She was his wife. They got married in a temple. We have the certificate as well. When she found out about the other wedding, she pleaded with him not to go ahead. We suspect the accused then hatched the conspiracy to remove/eliminate the deceased. After the murder, he informed his associates on the same day. They went ahead with the marriage functions. We have now arrested all five accused after interrogating them and verifying their role.”
Police have confirmed that Sahil’s second wife, who left for her hometown a day after the marriage, was oblivious to the occurrence and is not currently being questioned.
A bipartisan Senate resolution reaffirming the United States’ recognition of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh as an essential component of the Republic of India was introduced on Friday in collaboration among Republican Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee and Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon.
This motion is in reference to the fight between China and India along the Line of Actual Control in the Eastern Sector. Senator Merkley, who serves as the Co-Chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China stated that America’s values supporting freedom and a rules-based order must be at the centre of all of their actions and relationships around the world, especially when China pushes an alternative vision.
“This resolution makes clear that the United States views the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh as part of the Republic of India–not the People’s Republic of China–and commits the US to deepen support and assistance to the region, alongside like-minded international partners and donors,” he added.
Meanwhile Senator Hagerty stated that it is important for the US to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with its strategic partners in the region–especially India when China continues to pose grave and gathering threats to the Free and Open Indo-Pacific. “This bipartisan resolution expresses the Senate’s support for unequivocally recognizing the state of Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India, condemning China’s military aggression to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control, and further enhancing the U.S.-India strategic partnership and the Quad in support of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” he confirmed.
The resolution staunchly rejects China’s claims that Arunachal Pradesh is its territory, which is a result of its increasingly aggressive and expansionist policies. It affirms that the United States recognizes the McMahon Line as the international border between China and the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.
According to the reports, the senators’ resolution denounces further China’s provocations which include the use of military force to alter the status quo along the Line of Actual Control, the building of villages in disputed areas, the publication of maps with Chinese language names for cities and other features in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, and also the expansion of PRC territorial claims in Bhutan.
Further, the resolution lauds the Indian government for taking measures to safeguard itself from the People’s Republic of China’s aggressiveness and security threats. These initiatives include safeguarding India’s telecom infrastructure, investigating its supply chains and procurement processes, placing investment screening requirements in place, and increasing its collaboration with Taiwan in the public health and other fields.
The resolution advocates increasing country’s multilateral collaboration with India through the Quad, the East Asia Summit with its allies in the Association of Southeast Asian States (ASEAN), and other global fora. It also serves to further improve the US-India bilateral engagement concerning military, technology, economy, and people-to-people connections.
It was recently reported that the Indian government is seeking to build a 78-km strategic road in its easternmost village of Arunachal Pradesh, reaching as close as 4 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC), near the crucial tri-junction of India, China, and Myanmar.
On February 1, the Centre embarked on the construction of a new road connecting Dong village to Jachep camp in Arunachal Pradesh by inviting bids with a deadline of three years. The road holds importance as Dong is India’s easternmost village and the new highway will reach Jachep, situated 4 km from China and 20 km from Myanmar’s borders.
China on many instances has indulged in cheap diplomatic tactics to exhibit its hegemony over the state of Arunachal Pradesh. In the last few years, Indian and Chinese Armed forces have locked horns in the forward positions along the border in Arunachal Pradesh. In December 2022, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh announced that Chinese soldiers tried to cross the LAC in the Tawang sector’s Yangtze area to unilaterally alter the status quo but were driven back by Indian troops’ prompt response.
Before that, in October 2021, a large contingent of Chinese forces tried to violate the LAC at Yangtze, resulting in a major confrontation between the two sides. It reportedly culminated in the temporary detainment of Chinese troops in the region. The Chinese soldiers also attempted to destroy some unoccupied bunkers at the Bum La and Yangtze border crossing near the Arunachal Pradesh LAC.
India and China have taken part in 21 rounds of talks over the so-called dispute. The same issue was also one of the prime reason for the 1962 Indo-China war, which had left many Indian soldiers martyred. China currently also has territorial disputes with other countries like Vietnam, Japan and the Philippines.
On Friday, February 17, Delhi police said that a 30-year-old banker and his father have been arrested for raping and pressuring a Hindu girl to convert to Islam for marriage. The victim is an MBBS student at a medical college in Noida and is originally from West Bengal.
The accused and his father who has been identified as Mohammed Akhlaq and Mohammed Moin (52) are residents of Sangam Vihar in Delhi. Both the accused raped the 23-year-old Hindu girl.
In her complaint, the victim stated that she met the accused Akhlaq on a social media platform, Akhlaq had not revealed his real identity on his social media profile and befriended the victim. Later, the two got into a physical relationship.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Greater Noida), Dinesh Kumar Singh, stated that the victim was sexually abused, assaulted, threatened, and forced into conversion to Islam.
DCP Singh added that an FIR was registered on the basis of the victim’s complaint and subsequently, the accused father-son was arrested.
Mohammed Akhlaq posed as a Hindu to trap the victim
Speaking to PTI, Dankaur Police Station In-charge Sanjay Kumar Singh informed that the accused Mohammed Akhlaq had met the victim during her coaching days on a social media site where he posed as a Hindu named Aditya Sharma. He added that the two met face-to-face for the first time in 2021 and it was only then that she got to know about Akhlaq’s real identity. The accused told the victim that he hid his identity as she would stop talking to him after knowing about his real identity.
Mohammed Akhlaq was already married
Moreover, the accused Akhlaq is already married and also has two children, it was only after the victim got to know about his marriage and children that she approached the police.
According to police, Mohammed Moin, the father of the accused advised him to ask the Hindu girl to convert to Islam so that Akhlaq could marry her. The accused were earlier called for questioning and later arrested, currently, both of them have been sent to judicial custody.
On Saturday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar slammed the Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros for his accusations against PM Modi and said that he is an old, rich opinionated person and that he is dangerous. “Soros is an old, rich opinionated person sitting in New York who still thinks that his views should determine how the entire world works,” said EAM Dr S Jaishankar.
#WATCH | Mr Soros is an old, rich opinionated person sitting in New York who still thinks that his views should determine how the entire world works…such people actually invest resources in shaping narratives: EAM Dr S Jaishankar pic.twitter.com/k99Hzf3mGK
He also added that Soros employs and invests in resources that shape the narrative, which is dangerous. Further, the Minister opined that people like Soros start questioning the democratic setup when the electoral outcomes are not according to their liking.
“People like him think an election is good if the person they want to see, wins and if the election throws up a different outcome then they will say it is a flawed democracy and the beauty is that all this is done under the pretence of advocacy of open society,” he added.
#WATCH | Mr Soros is an old, rich opinionated person sitting in New York who still thinks that his views should determine how the entire world works…such people actually invest resources in shaping narratives: EAM Dr S Jaishankar pic.twitter.com/k99Hzf3mGK
This is days after Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros accused PM Modi of crony capitalism and of being complicit in the supposed ‘misdealings’ of the Adani Group. On February 16, Soros claimed that PM Modi and business tycoon Adani are close allies and that their fate is intertwined.
He made the contentious remarks at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in Germany ahead of the Munich Security Conference. “Adani Enterprises tried to raise funds in the stock market, but he failed. Adani is accused of stock manipulation and his stock collapsed like a house of cards,” the American billionaire alleged.
He also claimed that the ‘shakedown’ caused to the Indian markets due to the Hindenburg Research report will result in ‘much needed institutional reforms’ and ‘democratic revival’. Soros also alleged that so-called anti-Muslim violence in India has spearheaded the ‘meteoric rise’ of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Yesterday, Union Minister Smriti Irani also held a press conference and slammed the controversial financier for claiming that the Adani Group dispute would significantly weaken Modi’s grip on India’s federal government.
“The man who broke the bank of England, a man who is designated as an economic war criminal has now pronounced his desire to break the Indian democracy. George Soros, who hedges bets against many countries has now declared his ill intentions in the democratic processes of India,” she said.
The Minister further stated that those whom Soros considers the pliable need to be aware that India has already thwarted imperialistic plans and will do so again. “In India, democracy has and will continue to triumph. These attempts to weaken Indian democracy will be addressed with the might of India led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” she added.
She also called Soros’ remark a declaration to destroy India’s democratic processes and reiterated that war was being mounted against India and PM Modi. EAM Dr S Jaishankar also said on February 18 that Soros had earlier accused India of planning to strip millions of Muslims of their citizenship. “This didn’t happen. It was a ridiculous accusation,” the Minister added.
Jaishankar reiterated that the global financier was dangerous as he invests in resources that shape the narrative. As reported earlier, George Soros is a Hungarian-American businessman and a self-proclaimed philanthropist who had vowed to ‘fight nationalists’ and conservative governments worldwide, which he often refers to as ‘authoritarian governments’. During the course of his life, if there is one thing George Soros has hated the most, it is India and its nationalist government led by Prime Minister Modi.
Through his Open Society Foundation, which started its operations in India first in 1999 by offering scholarships and fellowships to pursue studies and research at Indian institutions, Soros has made great strides in creating disorder within India. In the name of running philanthropic activities, the left-wing international organisation led by Soros has begun to spread its tentacles across the country through his active support to anti-India elements operating inside India.
In the last few decades, George Soros has time and again shown his desperation to wage war against the nationalist government in India through various networks funded by him comprising NGOs, media, intelligentsia, etc. In January 2020, he also committed $1 billion to start a global university to ‘fight nationalists’ and climate change, calling them twin challenges that threaten the survival of our civilization.
While speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Soros pledged to fund a university project to battle the erosion of civil society in a world increasingly ruled by ‘would-be and actual dictators’ and climate change. Soros also claimed back then that the ‘biggest and most frightening setback’ was in India, as he accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of creating a Hindu nationalist state.
Recently, he made statements against PM Modi accusing him of crony capitalism and of being complicit in the supposed ‘misdealings’ of the Adani Group. This is after the US-based investment research firm Hindenburg Research published a 32,000-word report, accusing the Adani Group of stock manipulation and use of tax havens.
The Adani Group trashed the Hindenburg Research report as a “malicious combination of selective misinformation and stale, baseless and discredited allegations”. On January 29, the Indian conglomerate slammed Hindenburg Research with a 413-page report, dismissing allegations levelled by the latter.
I read your views published in an article based on your discussions with Sanjeev Shrivastav and published on the ABP News website on 16th February 2023. The note written below the article says that you are responsible for all the claims, hence this letter.
The compilation of excerpts from your discussion with Sanjeev Shrivastav is titled “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s image has been presented as communal, the decision to celebrate his birth anniversary in Agra fort is nonsensical”. My disagreements with this article start from the title itself. First, the title of the article calls the Hindu King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and not just Shivaji, I would love it if every Marxist historian makes it a habit to say so every single time in public. Secondly, the decision to celebrate his birth anniversary in Agra fort makes more sense than the said article. Let’s see how.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s birth anniversary celebration in Agra is relevant
The article says, “Historical monuments have their own importance. I wonder why the ASI gave permission because such monuments should not have public events. Even if any public event is to be held, it should have some relevance. There is no relevance here. I don’t understand why the Maharashtra government wants to do this and why it is linking Agra fort to Shivaji’s birth anniversary. They only know it.”
So, you look offended by the Archeological Survey of India giving permission to the government of Maharashtra to celebrate Shivjayanti at the Agra fort. Further, you implied that there is no relevance Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj holds with the Agra fort. It is quite natural for a person spending his whole life whitewashing tyrant Mughals to “not understand” the relevance of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with the Agra fort where he stood tall and replied to Aurangzeb in a language no one would ever dare to speak.
Keeping a few tactical letters apart, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj never showed any submissive approach while dealing with any Muslim tyrant of his era. Aurangzeb was no exception. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj went on to reclaim all the forts taken by Aurangzeb in the Purandar treaty within a short span. Aurangazeb invited Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to Agra fort on his fiftieth birthday. Both met each other in Deewan-e-Aam of the fort on 12th May 1666 where and when Aurangzeb insulted the son of Sahyadri by making him stand behind the ones who were miserably defeated at his hands.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj roared like a lion in the court of the Muslim fanatic tyrant to assert that he is an independent King and not a slave or ally of the foreign dynasty of the Mughals. It takes a lot to say this in front of someone as mighty as Aurangzeb while being accompanied by just a handpicked few soldiers and a 10-year-old son than to question the relevance of celebrating the Hindu king’s birth anniversary in the hall where he showcased his intent without fearing the consequences. Celebrating Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s birth anniversary in Agra fort is relevant in this way. So the question of relevance ends here. Any Marxist historian would “never understand” why Hindus and especially Marathi people, and their government wants to celebrate the birth anniversary there.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was not just imprisoned in the Agra fort
The article further says, “There is no doubt that you celebrate Shivaji’s bravery. It is also true that he was imprisoned there but all that is part of history. But there is no logic in celebrating the birth anniversary inside the fort just because he was imprisoned here. There was no reason to celebrate the birth anniversary.”
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was not just imprisoned in Agra. There was a great probability that he would have been tortured and killed by Aurangzeb – like what he later did with Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in 1689. Any harm to the father of the Indian navy while imprisoned in Agra would result in permanent terror in people’s minds and hardly would anyone dare again to stand against all odds for the pride of the motherland and Hinduism. This is why Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj escaped from Agra – the great escape as it is renowned – and came back to Maharashtra to establish a Hindu state with all Dharmik rituals only to assert independence and the Dharmik identity of Hindus.
So, let’s not forget – rather keep this carved in mind – that he was not just imprisoned there, but he was surrounded by all the possible evil and religiously motivated intentions of Aurangzeb which were potent enough to change the course of history so much so that people like Mohammad Habib would never need to hide the historical facts while being called a historian. For more information, one may also refer to a book by Neeraj Atri and Munieshwar Saagar. That book is called, “Brainwashed Republic” – an apt term for what Marxist historians have turned this country into. I am also attaching a lecture by Gajanan Mehendale in which he has detailed the relevant things.
The problem of Marxist historians
The article says, “History has importance in our lives, but nowadays we are seeing whatever is being done about history. Today’s history is especially used in political needs. No one reads history like history. Shivaji fought many battles and became a part of history. How you see it, why you want to see it, it is today’s politics. What part of history do you want to remember and how do you want to remember it? See, everyone is looking for their own heroes.”
Marxist historians wrote about history for political needs. None of them wrote history as history. It seems that Marxist historians found their own heroes in the Mughals. How do they see them, and why do they want to see them like that? What part of history do they remember and how do they want to remember it? Answers to this could be a part of the politics of one of the darkest eras of this civilization.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj fought many battles yet did not become a part of history. His emblem – The Rajmudra, and not the union jack nor some cross, is the inspiration for Indian Navy’s flag. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj revived the maritime forces of India. I would suggest Marxist historians beware of the people who are inspired by Aurangzeb and his rule. It is not in the best interests of our country to glorify that tyrant and his followers.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Muslims, and Irfan Habib
The article says, “The communal image that has been created today was not the image of Shivaji. There were people of other religions in Shivaji’s army, especially Muslims who used to fight wars, so why does no one talk about it today? That should also be done. That too is a part of Shivaji’s life.”
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was tolerant towards other faiths only up to when the faith was not the motivation of tyranny. He established Hindavi Swarajya and not a secular state. Most of the other-faith-subscribing people in his squads were sale-swords, unlike countless other Hindu Mavlas who were fighting a battle for the survival of their faith, culture, and civilization. Chhatrapati’s Muslim associates however loyal were always “part of exceptions” and they are always credited by his followers and historians who are honest and integral. Moreover, a part of one’s life cannot be painted as his whole character; especially in the case of someone like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who declared himself to be a Hindu king by undergoing Rajyabhishek rituals at the hands of Gaga Bhatt on 6th June 1674.
The same arguments can be given in the case of Maharana Pratap. The article says, “These battles were not communal at all. We made it communal. They were fighting for their empire and power. Everyone was involved in that. It was a mixed fight.” Readers, don’t buy anything of this. It was always a civilizational fight which is still going on at various levels.
We will celebrate Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s birth anniversary “Shivjayanti” everywhere in our country
There were times when Hindu icons would be demeaned by the “state apparatus”. The mood of the nation – rather most of the people in this nation – is no more generous for any such institutions. People are finding ways to vent out what they feel. They get a chance to manifest it once in five years. They are manifesting it as clearly as never before in a democratic setup. The permissions to celebrate Shivjayanti are sought, approved, and received by relevant authorized entities. Therefore, Shivjayanti will be celebrated in the Agra fort.
Moreover, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his Hindavi Swarajya was a pivotal point in history that turned the tide against the Mughals in the century that followed. Valor of warriors like Vishwanath Balaji Ballal (Bajirao Peshva) and Malharrao Holkar freed many parts of India from the clutches of colonial rulers. Ahilyadevi Holkar revived the holy shrines of Hinduism across the country. All this was possible because of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s vision. His statues inspire our soldiers who protect our borders. Therefore, his birth anniversary Shivjayanti should be celebrated everywhere in the country.
Following the violence perpetrated by a Muslim mob on February 15 in the Palamu district of Jharkhand over Hindus installing welcome gates ahead of Mahashivaratri, section 144 was implemented there, and the internet was shut down. Amidst the claims of having the situation under control, the administration has decided not to allow ‘Shiv Baraat’ processions in Panki on the occasion of Mahashivratri. A meeting of prominent persons from both communities was held at Panki police station, wherein both sides reiterated their resolve to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.
Palamu DC A Dode, SP Chandan Sinha, one IPS officer from Ranchi, and several other senior officers took note of the situation and inspected the Masjid Chowk of Panki Bazaar. Following the inspection and interaction with locals, the officials held a meeting and decided not to allow the Shiv Baraat procession in the area and also urged Hindus not to get emotional about the same.
It is notable that forces have been stationed around the area due to the unrest. Along with this, the area is being monitored by drones. Senior district officers have also camped in Panki.
This comes after violence erupted at Panki Bazar in Palamu of Jharkhand over a welcome gate being built ahead of Mahashivratri celebrations. The enraged Muslim mob hurled stones and petrol bombs at Hindus leaving several injured.
Pre-planned attack
According to information acquired by OpIndia, the February 15th violence was not a spontaneous act, but rather a well-planned attack that had been schemed for months. It is being said that an old Hanuman Mandir situated at a distance of about 150-200 meters from the mosque is the prime cause behind the recent spate of violence.
According to local Hindus, bhajans and aartis were previously held every Tuesday at the Hanuman temple, however, the administration suddenly stopped devotees from performing them inside of the temple.
Locals say a loudspeaker was placed at the temple around a month ago to play bhajans. People associated with the mosque were outraged at this. The mosque committee began protesting and complaining to the local police about it. The temple’s loudspeaker was eventually removed, but Azaan continued to blare from loudspeakers installed in the mosque.
Local Hindus stated that Hindus in the region are being harassed at the behest of Abu Hasan, the leader of the mosque committee, and chief Nehal Ansari. Lamenting how the police and administration favor the Muslim community, they stated that Muslims in the neighborhood frequently approach the police and complain about not being able to offer Namaz due to the Bhajan and Aarti being performed in the Hanuman Temple, and the police respond by taking action against the Hindus, but whenever the Hindu side complains, they are only summoned to the police station and humiliated and mistreated.
