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Hundreds of suspected illegal Bangladeshi immigrants moved to holding centres in Gurugram, 10 confirmed illegals handed over to BSF

OpIndia Staff
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Hundreds of suspected illegal Bangladeshi immigrants moved to holding centres in Gurugram, 10 confirmed illegals handed over to BSF

In Haryana’s Gurugram, the police have launched a crackdown against illegal Bangladeshi immigrants residing there. On the orders of the Home Ministry, the district administration came into action and has identified 350 to 400 Bangladeshi illegals. More than 200 suspected Bangladeshi illegals have been detained and moved to holding centres.

While investigation is ongoing in Gurugram about all the suspected Bangladeshi infiltrators, 8 to 10 people have confirmed to be Bangladeshi nationals. Police PRO Sandeep Kumar said that four detention centers have been set up in the city, Sector 10, Sector 40, Badshahpur and Manesar, where these suspects have been temporarily kept and are being questioned. The officer added that these Bangladeshi illegals were residing in Gurugram on forged documents.

The confirmed 10 Bangladeshi nationals have been handed over the Border Security Force (BSF), who will now ensure their return to Bangladesh.

The administration has now started the process of deporting these illegal immigrants. All legal procedures are being completed along with confirmation of the nationality of the suspected illegals by coordinating between the concerned departments.

“Due to fear of document verification, many illegal migrants have gone underground. Without valid documents, they are moving to rural areas or other cities. Most of them were previously living in slums and temporary settlements,” the police said.

Speaking about the action being against against illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, Dr. Arpit Jain, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Headquarters), Gurugram said that the police is following the directives of the Union Home Ministry.

““We are not detaining anyone. Individuals are being kept in holding areas only until the verification process is complete. The purpose is to prevent any illegal immigrant from fleeing. Four such holding areas have been set up, one in each police zone in Gurugram. he Gurugram Police conducts similar drives throughout the year to identify illegal immigrants. Those found overstaying, or living without valid documentation, are deported,” he said.

While the campaign against illegal immigrants has sparked fear among illegals and confusion among several Bengali-speaking Indian citizens, however, the police said that genuine Indian citizens who have valid documents need not to worry.

Meerut: Members of Hindu organisation perform purification ritual at Shiv Mandir where Muslim man Qasim was fraudulently living as a Hindu priest

OpIndia Staff
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Meerut: Members of Hindu organisation perform purification ritual at Shiv Mandir where Muslim man Qasim was fraudulently living as a Hindu priest

Members of some Hindu organisations performed the purification of the Shiv temple in Dadri village in Daurala, Meerut, where a Muslim man, Qasim, was found living by posing as a Hindu priest. The temple purification was performed using Ganagajal, performing the Jalabhishek of the Shiv Lingam and reciting the Hanuman Chalisa.

Locals and the Hindu organisation expressed outrage against the desecration of the temple. Sachin Sirohi, a member of a Hindu organisation expressed the suspicion that this could be a conspiracy to deliberately hurt the sentiments of Hindus, including thousands of Kanwar Yatris who pass through the area during the Kanwar Yatra in the holy month of Sawan. Notably, this year’s Kanwar Yatra recently concluded on 23rd July.

Qasim had been living in the Shiv temple for about six months by faking his real identity and posing as a Hindu priest named Krishna. A resident of Sitamarhi, Bihar, Qasim used to dress like a Hindu priest by wearing saffron robes. He lied to people that he was from Delhi. To convince them about his fake identity, he used to perform tasks typically done by temple priests, such as reading palms and offering advice to devotees, further deepening the deception.

After noticing some inconsistencies in his behaviour, locals grew suspicious. When they questioned him about his background, he could not provide any satisfactory answers. When suspicious locals kept questioning him about his identity, Qasim disappeared from the temple for about 15 days on the pretext of bringing his Aadhaar Card. However, he returned later and failed to provide any evidence of his Hindu identity.

When further questioned, he finally confessed that he was not a Hindu priest but a Muslim named Qasim from Bihar. As soon as his real identity was revealed, the locals alerted the police, who arrested Qasim. A case was registered against him under the relevant provisions of law. An investigation is going on in the case.

Student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami invites ‘Twitter historian’ to peddle lies about Hindutva, promotes her for whitewashing Islamic bigotry: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami invites ‘Twitter historian’ to peddle lies about Hindutva, promotes her for whitewashing Islamic bigotry: Details

On Thursday (24th July), controversial ‘Twitter historian’ Ruchika Sharma, known for whitewashing atrocities committed by Islamic invaders against Hindus in India, was invited for an online talk by the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami.

Ruchika was roped in to peddle lies about Hindutva and Indian history by the Centre for Educational Research & Training (CERT), a centre run by the Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO).

For the unversed, SIO is the student wing of the radical Islamic outfit ‘Jamaat-e-Islami’ whose key objectives happen to be proselytism (Da’wah) and promotion of Deen.

‘Twitter historian’ Ruchika Sharma, who had shot to fame by spreading falsehoods about Hinduism and downplaying Islamic bigotry, is thus being promoted by the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami.

The Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) has been at the forefront of defending the Islamic terror outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) when it was banned by the Modi government in September 2022.

“The nationwide crackdown on members of Popular Front of India (PFI) is another instance of the government abusing the power of investigating agencies to clamp down on dissent. We appeal to all citizens who care about their freedoms to speak out against such wanton abuse of power,” it had tweeted.

Last year, SIO had glorified Hamas terrorist Ismail Haniyeh and even held funeral prayers for terrorist Yahya Sinwar in God’s own country of Kerala.

In February 2020, SIO President (Maharashtra unit) Salman Ahmad was arrested after delivering hate speech during an anti-CAA protest.

He was booked under IPC sections 109 (abetting an offence), 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).

Despite the radical nature of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Ruchika Sharma had no qualms about associating with the outfit.

The ‘Twitter historian’ had been a useful idiot for them in whitewashing the barbarity of Islamic invaders while presenting a distorted account of Hinduism.

Ruchika Sharma and how the distortionist shot to fame

Over the past few years, she had made headlines for all the wrong reasons as she attempted to present a mockery in the name of history revolving around Sanatan Dharma.

Ruchika Sharma has a strong penchant for presenting her views as history to her gullible audience. The former student at JNU, who runs the “Eyeshadow & Etihaas with Dr Ruchika Sharma” YouTube channel saw one of her articles taken down by Scroll for presenting false claims.

In 2017, the website published an article titled, “History lesson: Padmavati was driven to immolation by a Rajput prince, not Ala-ud-din Khalji” penned by her. The article, was later taken down as it presented wrong facts about history.

It stated that Rani Padmini dreaded being raped by Devapala of Kumbhalner after he defeated and killed her husband, Rawal Ratan Sen and hence performed Jauhar (the Hindu Rajput tradition of mass self-immolation to elude capture, captivity and rape by Turko-Persian Islamic invaders).

Unsurprisingly, the piece had to be taken down because it was ridden with glaring inaccuracies and the media portal was denounced for spreading misinformation.

Ruchika Sharma is also an ardent cheerleader of Mughal tyrant Aurangzeb and Tipu Sultan and even praises them for their alleged ‘generosity’ in her tweets and interviews to media outlets that share her ideology. Notably, there is no empirical data on their noble deeds except the manufactured claims of leftists and liberals.

However, there is an abundance of evidence demonstrating how these two oppressors murdered, maimed and plundered Hindus as well as their temples and religious places. She regularly glorifies and humanities evil Muslim rulers who are remembered for their large-scale massacres, imposing jizya and their cruelty and hatred for Hindus.

She regularly glorifies and humanises evil and atrocious Muslim rulers who are remembered for their large-scale massacres, imposition of jizya (tax on non-Muslims) and their animosity for Hindus.

Bombay High Court dismisses CPIM’s plea seeking permission to protest about Gaza, tells them to look at their own country and be patriotic

OpIndia Staff
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Bombay High Court dismisses CPIM’s plea seeking permission to protest about Gaza, tells them to look at their own country and be patriotic

The Bombay High Court, on Friday (25th July), dismissed a petition filed by the CPI (Marxist) seeking permission to hold a protest in Azad Maidan in Mumbai against the alleged “genocide” in Gaza.

A bench of Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Gautam Ankhad rejected the petition, suggesting the petitioners that they should raise the issues relating to their own country.

“Our country has several issues to deal with…We don’t want anything like this. I am sorry to say, you are all short-sighted…You are looking at Gaza and Palestine… Why don’t you do something for our own country… Be patriots… Speaking for Gaza and Palestine is not patriotism… Speak up for the causes in our own country… Practice what you preach…,” the court remarked.

You should take up local issues: Bombay High Court

Senior Advocate Mihir Desai, appearing for the CPIM, defended the petition by submitting that his clients take up several causes for India and engage in conducting health and education camps. However, unconvinced by his submission, the court said, “We are curious.. You have no issue with respect to our own country…something productive for our own country…They are fighting 1000s of miles away, and you are showing concern for Palestine, Gaza, etc. You can take up social issues and local issues like flooding, drainage, getting blocked… Parking illegally… Why aren’t you protesting such issues?” Justice Ghuge sought to know.”

The High Court advised the CPIM to take up local and domestic issues like garbage dumping, pollution, drainage, and floods. “You are an organisation registered in India. If you could take up issues like garbage dumping, pollution, sewerage, and flooding. We are just giving examples. You are not protesting on those but on something happening thousands of miles outside the country,” the court suggested.

“Look at your own country. Be patriots. This is not patriotism,” the court added.

The protest could lead to diplomatic consequences: Bombay High Court

The court cautioned the petitioners that the protest could have potential diplomatic consequences. “Whether to take a side for Palestine or Israel is their (Govt of India) work, why do you want to create such a situation that the country has to take sides on this? You don’t know the dust it could kick up.. getting on to the Palestine side or the Israel side. Why do you want to do this? It’s obvious, going by the party you represent, that you don’t understand what this could do to the foreign affairs of the country,” the court said.

The judges noted that the CPIM did not make any application before the Mumbai Police seeking permission to hold the protest, and instead approached this court challenging an order of the Mumbai Police, passed on June 17, 2025, rejecting the request of the All India Peace and Solidarity Foundation (AIPSF) to hold a protest in Azad Maidan. The court said that the CPIM had no locus standi to challenge the order of the Mumbai Police as the order did not concern it. Holding that the petition was untenable, the High Court dismissed it.

How NISAR, world’s most advanced radar satellite by ISRO and NASA, will help in climate change and infrastructure monitoring, disaster response, agricultural management and others

Chandrani Das
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How NISAR, world’s most advanced radar satellite by ISRO and NASA, will help in climate change and infrastructure monitoring, disaster response, agricultural management and others

The historic collaboration between the United States and India in space science is finally set to launch its mission on July 30. The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, also known as NISAR, will be the first ever Earth-observing satellite built in partnership of NASA and ISRO. This mission will mark a huge game-changing moment for India as it can fight climate change.

NISAR is scheduled to launch from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, at 17:40 IST, on a GSLV Mark II rocket. The launch vehicle will take the satellite to low earth orbit. The NISAR satellite will scan nearly all of Earth’s land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days to measure changes in the planet’s ecosystems, growth and retreat of its land and sea ice, and deformation of its crust. Information provided by NISAR will help with such tasks as infrastructure monitoring, disaster response, biomass assessment, and agricultural management.

To provide more comprehensive earth surface data, it carries both L-band (24 cm wavelength) radar by NASA and S-band (≈9 cm wavelength) radar by ISRO, enabling dual-frequency imaging. It is a first-of-a-kind dual-band radar satellite that will measure land deformation from earthquakes, landslides, and volcanoes, producing data for science and disaster response.

Each instrument can collect measurements day and night and see through clouds that can obstruct the view of optical instruments. The L-band instrument will also be able to penetrate dense vegetation to measure ground motion. This capability will be especially useful in areas surrounding volcanoes or faults that are obscured by vegetation.

With its SweepSAR technology, NISAR will be able to capture a wide swath of 240 Km across with 5-10 m resolution. The technology will allow for scanning nearly all land and ice surfaces every 12 days or roughly every 6 days with combined ascending and descending passes.

Another key objectives of this is it can effortlessly detect deformation on earth’s surface of just a few millimeters. This will make it invaluable for monitoring earthquakes, landslides and volcanic activity, in day or night, through clouds and vegetation.

The mission will also track melting glaciers, changes in ice sheets and sea ice, and monitor shifts in forests, wetlands, and agricultural biomass, offering insights into climate change and carbon cycles. It will track how much glaciers and ice sheets are advancing or retreating and it will monitor growth and loss of forests and wetlands for insights on the global carbon cycle.

NISAR will measure changes in planet’s surfaces, which takes place all the time, with each pixel capturing an area about half the size of a tennis court. Taking imagery of nearly all Earth’s land and ice surfaces this frequently and at such a small scale — down to the centimetre — will help scientists put the pieces together into one coherent picture to create a story about the planet as a living system.

As magma shifts below Earth’s surface, the land can bulge or sink. The NISAR satellite will help provide a fuller picture for why a volcano deforms and whether that movement signals an eruption.

Together with complementary measurements from other satellites and instruments, NISAR’s data will provide a more complete picture of how Earth’s surface moves horizontally and vertically. The information will be crucial to better understanding everything from the mechanics of Earth’s crust to which parts of the world are prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. It could even help resolve whether sections of a levee are damaged or if a hillside is starting to move in a landslide.

Data from the satellite will give researchers insight into which parts of a fault slowly move without producing earthquakes and which sections are locked together and might suddenly slip. In parts of the world that aren’t monitored regularly, NISAR measurements could reveal new earthquake-prone areas.

Not just natural features, the NISAR will also measure movements of man-made structures like levees, aqueducts, dams etc, using continuous measurements over years. For example, it will able to tell if a dam has changed after an earthquake.

NISAR’s data will be freely available to the public, typically within one to two days of collection, and within hours during emergencies, helping global research and policymaking. With a total estimated cost of $1.5 billion, including a major $1.118 billion investment from the US, it is the most expensive Earth-imaging project ever and reflects growing space collaboration between India and the US. The mission is planned for three years, though it carries supplies for up to five. NISAR will enhance our understanding of Earth’s ecosystems, ground changes, and ice systems, focusing strongly on disaster readiness and climate research.

Featuring dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar (SAR), it can collect consistent data in any weather or lighting conditions. This will revolutionize how scientists and policymakers track climate change, infrastructure stability, agricultural conditions, and natural disaster risks. By making its data openly accessible worldwide, the mission empowers researchers and communities across the globe.

Jharkhand govt removes name of Atal Bihari Vajpayee from mohalla clinics, rechristens it after Mother Teresa: Know about the dark history of the Catholic missionary

Dibakar Dutta
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Jharkhand govt removes name of Atal Bihari Vajpayee from mohalla clinics, rechristens it after Mother Teresa: Know about the dark history of the Catholic missionary

On Thursday (24th July), the Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand stirred the hornet’s nest by renaming the Atal Mohalla Clinics as ‘Mother Teresa Advanced Health Clinics.’

For the unversed, Atal Mohalla Clinics are primary healthcare facilities that provide free and comprehensive healthcare services to people in the State.

They offer basic medical services like treatment for common diseases, basic lab tests, free medications and helped brige the gap in healthcare access.

The Hemant Soren government has now decided to rechristen the Atal Mohalla Clinics after the controversial Catholic nun, Mother Teresa.

“The Jharkhand Cabinet gave its approval to change the name of Atal Mohalla Clinic, being operated under the ongoing scheme under the State Plan, to Mother Teresa Advanced Health Clinic,” confirmed Cabinet Secretary Vandana Dadel.

The BJP has slammed the decision by the Hemant Soren government. Party spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo remarked, “You are removing the name of the person who helped create the State of Jharkhand and replacing it with that of Mother Teresa, whose organisation had been under the scanner for forced religious conversions and anti-constitutional activities.”

The truth about Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa established the ‘Missionaries of Charity’ in 1950. Within 2 years, she founded the ‘House of the Dying’ in Kalighat, Kolkata. The purpose was to take dying people off the streets and accommodate them in this facility.

When Dr Fox from the world-renowned medical journal, The Lancet, visited Mother Teresa’s Charity home in 1994, he was taken aback by the grim and deplorable conditions of the facility.

Medical negligence was rampant at the facility. Painkillers were seldom administered to the patients suffering in pain. Dr Fox narrated –

“On a short visit, I could not judge the power of their spiritual approach, but I was disturbed to learn that the formulary includes no strong anal­gesics. Along with the neglect of diagnosis, the lack of good analgesia marks Mother Teresa’s approach as clearly separate from the hospice movement. I know which I prefer.

Investigations, I was told, are seldom permissible. How about simple algorithms that might help the sisters and volunteers distinguish the curable from the incurable? Again no. Such systematic approaches are alien to the ethos of the home.“

And Mr Fox isn’t the only witness to harrowing tales of medical negligence in Mother Teresa’s ‘House of the Dying.’ Mary Loudon, who worked as a volunteer, narrated her experience in the 1994 documentary titled ‘Hell’s Angel‘.

She was stunned to know that the nuns reused the needles, injected into patients without even sterilising them. The nuns would simply wash the needles in cold water, a practice looked down upon in the medical world. Loudon also narrated the unfortunate story of a 15-year-old boy who was denied antibiotics after he had developed minor kidney complications.

In an unpublished Manuscript titled “Mother’s House”, Sushan Shields, who worked in the order of Mother Teresa for 9.5 years, narrated a shocking testimony.

“In the homes for the dying, Mother taught the sisters how to secretly baptize those who were dying. Sisters were to ask each person in danger of death if he wanted a ‘ticket to heaven’.An affirmative reply was to mean consent to baptism. The sister was then to pretend she was just cooling the person’s forehead with a wet cloth, while in fact she was baptizing him, saying quietly the necessary words. Secrecy was important so that it would not come to be known that Mother Teresa’s sisters were baptizing Hindus and Moslems.”

The extracts of her unpublished manuscript were produced in the book ‘The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory & Practice’ by Christopher Hitchens in 1995.

In 1992, Mother Teresa had herself admitted to converting 29000 people on their deathbeds to Christianity.

Mother Teresa’s ‘House for the Dying’ had not only shoddy, unhygienic conditions but was also the “House of Mass Conversions to Christianity.”

She had amassed enormous wealth collected in the form of donations and prize money of innumerable awards, the most significant one being the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Mother Teresa took money to help the poor of Calcutta, but primarily used the resources to expand her congregation in 105 countries.

She was a firm believer in “suffering in people as a means of reaching God.” This explains why poor patients (many of whom were suffering from terminal cancer) undergoing intense pain were denied painkillers. But Mother Teresa was a contradiction in herself.

Aroup Chatterjee writes in his book (Mother Teresa. The Untold Story), “Teresa always checked in to best hospitals when she was not well — 1996 in city’s Woodlands Clinic and Birla Heart Institute; earlier in Gemelli Hospital in Rome and Scripps Clinic in California.“

In June 2018, Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity came under scrutiny for the sale of babies in Jharkhand’s capital city. Despite this, the Hemant Soren government has chosen to rename mohalla clinics after the controversial Catholic nun.

India successfully carries out flight trials of UAV Launched Precision Guided Missile-V3, read why it is a major shot in the arm for the Indian Armed forces

OpIndia Staff
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India successfully carries out flight trials of UAV Launched Precision Guided Missile-V3, read why it is a major shot in the arm for the Indian Armed forces

In a major success for India’s defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out flight trials of UAV Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3. The test was conducted in the National Open Area Range, the test range in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.

Taking to X, DRDO informed about the test’s success and said, “In a major boost to India’s defence capabilities, DRDO successfully carried out flight trials of UAV Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 in the National Open Area Range (NOAR), test range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. ULPGM-V3 is an enhanced version of the ULPGM-V2 missile developed and delivered by DRDO earlier.”

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also lauded DRDO’s achievement and said, “In a major boost to India’s defence capabilities, @DRDO_India has successfully carried out flight trials of UAV Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 in the National Open Area Range (NOAR), test range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. Congratulations to DRDO and the industry partners, DcPPs, MSMEs and Start-ups for the development and successful trials of the ULPGM-V3 system. This success proves that the Indian industry is now ready to absorb and produce critical Defence Technologies.”

ULPGM-V3: DRDO’s small in size, light in weight, but massive in impact missile

The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 is upgraded version of ULPGM-V2 missile developed and delivered earlier by DRDO s Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL).  Unveiled at Aero India 2025, the breakthrough towards UAV-launched, long-range weapons includes sophisticated technology including dual-thrust propulsion systems and imaging infrared (IIR) seekers, reported to be present in the V3 variant.

The ULPGM-V3 is equipped with a high definition dual-channel seeker that can strike a wide variety of targets. It can be fired in plain and high-altitude areas. It has day-and-night capability and two-way data link to support post-launch target/aim-point update.

Source: DRDO

Moreover, the missile is equipped with three modular warhead options: Anti-armour to destroy modern age armoured vehicles equipped with Rolled Homogeneous Armour (RHA) with Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA); Penetration-cum-Blast warhead with Anti Bunker application and Pre-fragmentation warhead with a high lethality zone.

During the test, the ULPGM-V3 missile was released from a UAV, which is indigenously developed by an Indian start-up – Newspace Research Technologies, Bengaluru. DRDO is actively pursuing integration of ULPGM weapons with long-range and high endurance UAVs from several other Indian companies.

Notably, the DRDO in partnership with private manufacturers is continuously testing indigenously developed and technologically advanced weaponry. Key platforms undergoing evaluation include Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), UAV Launched Precision Guided Munition (ULPGM), Runway Independent (RWI) Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS), Counter-UAS Solutions, Loitering Munitions, Specialised Vertical Launch (SVL) Drones, Precision Multi Munition Delivery Systems, Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (IDDIS), Low Level Light Weight Radars, VSHORADS (Next Generation) IR Systems and Electronic Warfare (EW) Platforms.

This synergy between DRDO and private manufacturers was also seen earlier this year as the DRDO announced that it is transferring technologies related to nine crucial systems to 10 industrial units.  

Earlier this month, the DRDO and Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted the flight-test of indigenous Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air missile (BVRAAM) ‘Astra’ equipped with indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) Seeker from Su-30 Mk-I platform off the coast of Odisha.

The success of indigenous weaponry and air defence systems during Operation Sindoor against terror and later military establishments of Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, has solidified India’s resolve to become more and more self-reliant and technologically advanced in the defence arena.

Bihar: Tejashwi Yadav bats for fraud voters and threatens boycott of assembly polls as ECI removes dead, migrated and duplicate voters, “Bangladeshi toolkit” activated in the state

श्रवण शुक्ल
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Bihar: Tejashwi Yadav bats for fraud voters and threatens boycott of assembly polls as ECI removes dead, migrated and duplicate voters, “Bangladeshi toolkit” activated in the state

Bihar is due for assemble elections in the next few months and the political climate is only growing intense. Tejashwi Yadav, the leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and former Deputy Chief Minister, has leveled grave accusations against the ruling National Democratic Alliance and the Election Commission concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list.

He has claimed that should the purported manipulation and rigging of the voter list persist, the opposition might contemplate a boycott of the upcoming polls.

Previously, similar statements were made by individuals such as Purnia independent MP Pappu Yadav and alleged journalist Ravish Kumar, who are believed to be associated with the “Bangladeshi toolkit.” They are attempting to replicate the same actions which have led to the ongoing unrest and violence in the neighbouring country.

Tejashwi Yadav’s statement: Strategy, warning or fear of loss

“If the elections are being manipulated, then why would people cast their votes? In such circumstances, the government should consider granting an extension,” Tejashwi Yadav stated while talking to the media in Patna. He further mentioned that if the Mahagathbandhan and the public reach a consensus on this issue, they would deliberate on the possibility of boycotting the elections.

On the surface, this appears to be a strategic plot intended to exert pressure on the NDA government and the Election Commission. However, his remarks indicate a clear lack of seriousness, as historically, no significant political party in India has ever boycotted an entire election, even when concerns were raised regarding matters such as EVMs or voter lists.

Tejashwi’s statement is understandably regarded with seriousness, given his significant stature in Bihar politics. However, the pertinent question arises: Is this statement merely a strategy to galvanize public support or does it genuinely indicate his apprehension of losing?

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the I.N.D.I. Alliance secured 9 seats whereas the NDA achieved 31 seats. According to the C-Voter survey, Tejashwi’s popularity has declined from 41% to 35% while Nitish Kumar enjoys an acceptability rate of 58%. The latter’s reputation for development and initiatives such as the 35% reservation for women have further bolstered his position.

On the other hand, during the process of removing 53 lakh voters from the electoral roll, it was estimated that 90% of them endorse the opposition bloc. Tejashwi’s remark underscores the potential risk of him losing support.

Important statistics related to SIR

The political battle over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Bihar is at its highest point. According to the Election Commission, the aim of SIR is to refresh the voter list and eliminate fraudulent or non-citizen voters. The Election Commission reported that out of 7.89 crore voters in Bihar, 97.30% filled the forms.

However, 52.3 lakh voters could not be located at their registered addresses (6.62% of the total). Among these, 18.66 lakh are deceased, 26.01 lakh have relocated, 7.09 lakh are duplicates and 1 lakh are untraceable.

The campaign is being executed by 1,00,000 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and 1,50,000 political agents (including opposition members). The opposition contends that 53 lakh votes are being invalidated of which 90% belong to their supporters. Nevertheless, data suggests that it is crucial to remove deceased, duplicate and shifted voters to stop fake voting.

For instance, is it truly democratic to retain 20 lakh deceased voters on the electoral list? The presence of 7 lakh duplicate entries could facilitate voting in two different locations. Additionally, the addresses of 1 lakh voters are untraceable, potentially indicating they are either foreign nationals or fraudulent entries. The SIR is also in the process of filtering out voters from Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

The Election Commission has asserted that 96-98% of the necessary corrections have been accomplished. Furthermore, it has indicated that individuals whose names have been incorrectly removed or who have yet to be included, will have the opportunity to rectify this from 1st August to 1st September.

However, Tejashwi labeled it as “fake.” He declared, “In the past, voters elected the government and now the government selects the voters.” The exclusion of fraudulent voters from SIR will have repercussions on his primary voter base. Therefore, there is a strategy to mobilize the public by issuing threats of a boycott. Nonetheless, if victory was in sight, why would they exit the arena? This demonstrates their fear of losing.

Bangladeshi toolkit and history of anarchy

All that is occurring does not appear to be a simple coincidence. The language and tactics employed by the opposition seem to draw inspiration from Bangladesh, where the opposition party BNP chose to boycott the 2023-24 elections. Afterward, Khaleda Zia’s party incited violence and chaos by casting doubt on the elections’ credibility, thereby challenging the Sheikh Hasina administration. This same plot is being utilized in India as well.

The involvement of international actors has been evident in the farmers’ protest, Shaheen Bagh, and now the SIR controversy. For instance, the European Union ambassador in Bangladesh raised questions about the elections, and similarly, in India, foreign media and NGOs exacerbate issues such as EVM tampering.

This toolkit is prominently displayed in Bihar. Pappu Yadav, who became an independent Member of Parliament after failing to secure a ticket from Congress in 2024, is also promoting a boycott of the elections. Nevertheless, he stated that rather than boycotting, it would be more effective for the opposition to resign from both the Assembly and Lok Sabha.

Ravish Kumar also expressed on his YouTube channel, “Why are you holding elections? Just enter the print command and publish the results.”

The rhetoric of Pappu Yadav and Ravish is fostering chaos. When power is not acquired through democratic means, there is a tendency to resort to boycotts and violence. A similar strategy was attempted during the Maharashtra elections, where Rahul Gandhi claimed match-fixing and collusion, yet it did not yield any success for him.

Currently, an agenda is being propagated in Bihar under the pretext of SIR. This toolkit is influenced by external forces that seek to create instability in India. Sheikh Hasina was compelled to leave Bangladesh and now there is a conspiracy aimed at undermining PM Modi. However, in Bihar, this effort is faltering, as Nitish Kumar’s reputation remains strong and the NDA stands united. The opposition’s plan is on the brink of failure as the public has become aware of such manipulative tactics.

Are Pappu Yadav and Ravish Kumar merely instruments of the toolkit

Pappu Yadav’s remarks align with those of Tejashwi, but his plank his weak. The Congress party did not award him a ticket for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and he was excluded from the stage during the Mahagathbandhan’s recent protest. Nevertheless, he continues to question SIR and the electoral process.

Ravish Kumar’s remarks and his approach to journalism also appear to support the narrative of the opposition. Some individuals contend that this represents a meticulously crafted strategy, wherein opposition leaders and certain journalists are trying to brew discontent among the populace.

Simultaneously, Tejashwi’s approach involves exerting pressure on the NDA and the Election Commission, although the likelihood of success remains uncertain. Should the Mahagathbandhan consolidate, the NDA might find itself in a precarious position as the rural and impoverished view voting as a imperative exercise. However, the silence from Congress indicates a lack of unity. The opposition plans to stage a symbolic protest through a boycott, yet the public is likely to side with the NDA.

Attack on democracy or strategic move

Tejashwi’s declaration to boycott the elections may be interpreted as an assault on democracy, as it undermines the essential democratic right of voting. In Bihar, the rural and impoverished population regards voting as a core democratic right. Should the opposition choose to boycott, it could foster dissatisfaction among the people while simultaneously damaging the credibility of the Mahagathbandhan. Congress and other coalition partners have not yet expressed unequivocal support for this statement which could potentially weaken Tejashwi’s position.

Rahul Gandhi has asserted that he possesses “100% proof” of electoral fraud in Karnataka, however, he has not disclosed it publicly. This claim supports Tejashwi’s remarks, yet if the opposition fails to consolidate, it will remain merely symbolic. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh criticized him, stating, “He believes he cannot secure victory in the elections without fraudulent voters.”

Political equations and future of Bihar

The NDA holds a strong position in Bihar. The clean reputation of Nitish Kumar, along with the backing of leaders such as Jitan Ram Manjhi and Chirag Paswan, combined with the BJP’s strategy have placed the Mahagathbandhan in a defensive stance. Tejashwi’s support base, which includes Yadavs, Muslims and OBCs, appears to remain loya. However, there is a potential risk of a decline in his voter support following SIR. If Tejashwi and the opposition decide to pursue a boycott, it may further guarantee their loss.

Tejashwi’s threat is more strategic than serious. This tactic is part of the Bangladeshi toolkit, which promotes anarchy through boycotts. However, in Bihar, Nitish’s reputation and the transparency of SIR are dismantling the opposition’s plans.

The assault on democracy must come to an end and the opposition should argue with factual evidence. SIR intends to implement a transparent election process which represents genuine democracy. If a boycott is initiated, the opposition will find itself in isolation. The people of Bihar are discerning and will not fall prey to such strategies.

The electorate of Bihar, who view voting as their basic right might not endorse this tactic. If Tejashwi and the opposition wish to preserve their lost ground, they need to connect with the public and share their viewpoints instead of opting for a boycott.

Read the report in Hindi here.

As PM Modi lands in Maldives, India’s largest gift rises from the Pacific: Read about the Thilamalé Bridge, the longest bridge in Maldives entirely funded and being built by India

Raju Das
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As PM Modi lands in Maldives, India’s largest gift rises from the Pacific: Read about the Thilamalé Bridge, the longest bridge in Maldives entirely funded and being built by India

As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in the Maldives for his first official visit since the diplomatic strain triggered by the 2024 tourism row, a powerful symbol of the deepening Indo-Maldivian ties is rising over the Indian Ocean—the Thilamalé Bridge. Officially named the Greater Malé Connectivity Project (GMCP), this 6.74-kilometre-long bridge will be the longest and most ambitious infrastructure project in the Maldives, built with extensive financial and technical assistance from India.

The bridge will connect four islands of the island nation, Malé, Villingili, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi, using bridge spans, viaducts and roads.

India’s Largest Infrastructure Gift to the Maldives

So far, over 60% work on the bridge have been completed, and is scheduled to be completed by September 2026. The piling work for the project has been completed, with a total of 263 piles have been successfully installed, both onshore and offshore. At present segment erection is underway, with each precast segment measuring 8.32 metres in height, 25.37 metres in width, and weighing 240 metric tonnes–among the tallest ever cast globally.

The bridge includes three navigation bridges of 140-meter main span across the deep channel between each island, 1.41 km of marine viaduct in deep water, 2.32 km marine viaduct in shallow water or on land, and 2.96 km of at-grade roads. 

The bridge includes the world’s highest precast segment, which was installed in April this year. As per Indian High Commission in Maldives, the 8.23m tall and 25.37m wide segment weighs 216.04 MT and is an engineering marvel.

The Malé-Villingili-Gulhifalhu segment is expected to be completed by March 2026, while the Gulhifalhu-Thilafushi link will be completed by September 2026. As Male is already connected with Hulhulé and Hulhumale islands to the east through the China-funded 1.39 km long Sinamalé Bridge, six islands in the region will be connected with bridges.

The Thilamalé Bridge, once completed, will seamlessly connect capital Malé with of Villingili, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi, the four key islands in the Greater Malé region. A series of bridges, viaducts and approach roads will ensure seamless road communication among the four islands. These connections are vital for easing congestion in the capital, which has one of the highest population densities in the world, boosting economic activity, and enhancing mobility across the islands.

Thilamalé Bridge connecting Malé, Villingili, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi islands in Maldives

The bridge will greatly help in moving some population out of Male, where around 40% of the nation’s population live now. The upcoming bridge is vital for the upcoming port on Gulhifalhu island, and the industrial zone on the Thilafushi island. These projects will generate large number of jobs for the local youth.

It is expected that after population density in Malé comes down due to the bridge, the island will regain some of its forgotten pristine beauty.

Super low-cost funding from India

The project is the result of bilateral cooperation between India and the Maldives and was first proposed during the visit of India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to Malé in September 2019. The project is entirely funded by India, part grant and part low interest loan.

The Thilamalé Bridge project is being executed by Afcons Infrastructure, a leading Indian engineering firm, known for its expertise in marine and transport infrastructure. It is a part of the Shapoorji Pallonji Group. The total estimated cost of the bridge is around $500 million, approximately MVR 7.7 billion. The contract for the project was signed in August 2021.

The funding structure underscores India’s commitment to the Maldives’ development. It includes a $100 million grant from the Government of India, while the rest $400 million is in form of Line of Credit extended by India’s EXIM Bank. There is a grace period of five years on repayment, and the loan carries an interest rate of 1.75%. The loan is scheduled to be repaid in 20 years.

Mohamed Nasheed, the then president of Maldives, called it a “super low cost development assistance” from India, contrasting it with debt traps of China. He had tweeted, “The super low cost development assistance announced by @DrSJaishankar today is exactly what Maldives needs. Genuine help from a friend, to help us build critical infrastructure. Rather than eye-wateringly expensive commercial loans that leaves the nation mired in debt.”

This hybrid funding model ensures that while the Maldives benefits from significant Indian investment, it also maintains ownership of the project. India has also provided technical assistance, skilled workforce, and marine engineering expertise, ensuring the project adheres to international standards.

Contrast with China-funded projects

Not only the fund cost is low, the bridge is generating local employment and local business, unlike the China funded projects. Most Chinese projects overseas are executed by Chinese workers with little involvement of local workers, and they transport all the material from China. In contrast, the Thilamalé Bridge project is using local workers extensively, and using locally available material.

Moreover, India’s funding for the bridge is transparent and already announced, grant and loan in 1:4 ratio. The interest rate and repayment term are well defined. This is in contrast to Chinese development projects, where financial details remain buried in secrecy. In case of most Chinese loans, the cost and the repayment term are not made public.

A Bridge Beyond Steel – Symbol of Regional Trust

The Thilamalé Bridge is not just a feat of engineering, but a strategic link that cements India’s role as a reliable partner in the Maldives’ development journey. It contrasts starkly with some infrastructure projects elsewhere in the region that have led to debt dependency or sovereignty concerns. India’s approach emphasizes transparency, sustainability, and local empowerment.

Besides the Thilamalé Bridge, India has been actively involved in building roads, ports, water and sanitation projects, and housing developments across the Maldives through multiple High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs).

Prime Minister Modi’s visit signals a recalibration of ties after a period of political turbulence under President Mohamed Muizzu, who initially leaned towards China. However, recent months have seen a clear shift, with Muizzu seeking to balance relations and revive traditional cooperation with India.

In this context, the Thilamalé Bridge stands as a sign of enduring friendship between the neighbours and a manifestation of India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy. As the bridge steadily takes shape over the turquoise waters of the Maldives, it serves as both an engineering marvel and a diplomatic milestone, reminding the region that India’s rise is rooted in partnership, not patronage.

Exclusive: Attackers attempt to abduct and run over comic Ratan Ranjan, who made a parody video on Rahul Gandhi, Youth Congress chief named in complaint

केशव मालान
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Exclusive: Attackers attempt to abduct and run over comic Ratan Ranjan, who made a parody video on Rahul Gandhi, Youth Congress chief named in complaint

In a shocking incident, an attempt to abduct comedian Ratan Ranjan was made by some people on Thursday (24th July, 2025). When the miscreants failed to pull him into their car, a white Scorpio, they tried to run him over, as per Ranjan’s complaint. The attackers, one of whom has been identified as Delhi Youth Congress President Akshay Lakra, drove away after Ranjan foiled their abduction attempt and alerted everyone by shouting. However, he sustained injuries on his right thumb.

Ratan Ranjan posted a video of the incident on X, in which he can be seen chasing the car, which is speeding away, to record its number. The video is being widely shared on social media.

This incident occurred when Ratan Ranjan was walking towards ITO after giving an interview posing as Kejriwal to some YouTubers near Minto Bridge. He has filed a complaint with DCP Delhi naming Akshay Lakra.

Speaking to OpIndia regarding the incident, Ratan Ranjan said that he was giving an interview to some YouTubers posing as Arvind Kejriwal near Minto Bridge at around 1.30 pm on Thursday (24 July 2025). Meanwhile, he noticed that a white Scorpio car arrived and stopped at some distance. Two people sitting in the car did a recce. After giving the interview, Ranjan started going towards the ITO and saw that the same car was following him.

As Ranjan reached near the BJP central office, people in a car came to him claiming to be his supporters. “They grabbed my collar and said that they had been looking for me for a long time. “You make videos against us (Congress), we will not spare you,” they allegedly said. When Ranjan ran towards the media gate of the BJP office to escape, the attackers caught him by the collar from behind and attempted to pull him into the car. A scuffle took place between the attackers and Ranjan as they kept threatening that they would teach him a lesson for making videos against the Congress.

Somehow, Ranjan managed to free himself from the grip of the attackers and ran away. He recorded a video of the attackers running away after attacking him. According to Ranjan, there were two people in the car, and Akshay Lakra was in the driving seat.

About 15 days ago, comic Ratan Ranjan made a video about the Congress party’s announcement of the distribution of sanitary pads to women in Bihar. Outraged by Ranjan’s video, the Congress party filed more than 6 cases against Ranjan in different parts of the country.

Ranjan, who hails from the Vaishali district of Bihar, has been making political mimicry videos for a long time during elections by mimicking politicians on different issues. The attack on him in broad daylight for merely making a video on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has raised concerns about Congress’s approach towards freedom of speech.

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