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Anti Corruption Bureau probing another AAP scam: What is Delhi Hospital Scam in which AAP leaders Saurabh Bhardwaj and Satyendar Jain are facing investigation

Rukma Rathore
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Anti Corruption Bureau probing another AAP scam: What is Delhi Hospital Scam in which AAP leaders Saurabh Bhardwaj and Satyendar Jain are facing investigation

The Delhi government’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has been officially authorized by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to launch an inquiry against former health ministers Saurabh Bhardwaj and Satyendar Jain in relation to a hospital scam involving thousands of crores, marking a significant political upheaval. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena’s proposal led to the probe’s clearance on 6th May.

The approval was granted in accordance with section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which stipulates that any inquiry or investigation into a public official must first acquire consent from the appropriate authority.

The investigation stems from a complaint that senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Vijender Gupta (current Speaker of Delhi Assembly) submitted on 22nd August 2024, charging widespread financial irregularities and procedural violations while the Aam Aadmi Party was in power in the national capital.

According to him, both ministers were responsible for significant delays and exorbitant expenses regarding multiple health sector projects. The Vigilance Department transmitted the request to the appropriate departments after the ACB referred the matter to them for permission to investigate the two AAP leaders.

What is the scam

The Delhi government approved ₹5,590 crore for 24 hospital projects between 2018 and 2019, comprising 11 new (greenfield) and 13 renovation (brownfield) projects, based on official statistics. Nevertheless, the initiatives experienced prolonged postponements and considerable cost increases.

“It came to notice that in 2018-19, 24 hospital projects were sanctioned for a total cost of ₹5,590 crore. But inexplicable delays and astronomical cost overruns indicate a large scale of fund siphoning,” disclosed a source in LG office, reported The Hindu.

An additional ₹1,125 crore was approved for seven intensive care units with 6,800 beds. Nevertheless, after three years, just half of the work was completed, despite the fact that ₹800 crore had already been spent. The construction of seven hospitals employed pre-engineered structures was approved for ₹1,125 crore in September 2021, however, as of 2024, “only 50% of the work was completed, while ₹800 crore was utilised.”

The expansion of Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital is one of the projects presently under inquiry. The cost of building a new block there nearly “tripled to ₹1,125 crore” from ₹465.52 crore, in just four years. Similarly, just 52 polyclinics were built at a greater expense of ₹220 crore out of a ₹168 crore polyclinic proposal for 94 centers.

Moreover, the Health Information Management System (HIMS) was purposefully postponed for years in an apparent attempt to evade transparency.

“Upon prima facie perusal of the complaint, the ACB revealed consistent inflating of project costs, deliberate delays by the department, rejection of cost-effective solutions, mis-allocation of funds and creation of idle assets and termed the same as tactics and patterns of misconduct and corrupt activities, which resulted in huge loss to the government exchequer,” informed an official.

The ACB requested prior permission from the Vigilance Department (DoV) to investigate Bhardwaj and Jain under Section 17A of the PoC Act. The department sent the findings to the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Health and Family Welfare Department for their feedback. The ACB might investigate these matters, according to the health department, and they have no objections to it.

The PWD suggested looking into every possible problem related to the setup of intensive care units, polyclinics and 24 other hospitals. They also recommended probing for instances of corruption, irregularities as well as legal and regulatory violations.

The official mentioned, “Examining the proposal submitted by ACB and comments furnished by the two departments, the DoV, in a file noting said due to upgradation in specifications and facilities beyond original provision after award of work, the construction of hospitals was not completed in prescribed and stipulated time.” 

According to the vigilance department, due diligence in planning and estimate preparation was reportedly not performed accurately, which resulted to an unusual cost increase that exceeded the initial approved amount.

AAP denies the allegations

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which refuted the accusations, claimed that the saffron party and the LG had “weaponized” regular project delays as corruption, turning governance into a “laughing stock.” Bhardwaj asserted, “The construction of hospitals was sanctions were given in 2017-18 and 2021. The estimates were also approved at the same time. I became the health minister in 2023.”

He asserted that no paperwork pertaining to the cost or updated estimates of the hospital project construction ever reached him after he was appointed health minister and he never approved any monetary escalations. “In spite of this undeniable fact, conducting an investigation against me has made the whole matter ridiculous. Also, it shows the frustration and disappointment of the BJP and the lieutenant governor,” he added.

The party maintained that Jain had no involvement in the aforementioned initiatives and questioned the rationale of opening an investigation against him. AAP claimed that it was illogical to blame ministers because all of the officers working on these projects answer directly to the LG and charged, “If this is the yardstick, then several union ministers should face CBI probes every week,” alleging significant cost extensions and delays in central government projects.

According to AAP over 56.3% of union government projects under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s (MoSPI) supervision were behind schedule with average delays exceeding three years, as of March 2023. It then emphasized that the 2015-approved Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project has been stalled for almost ten years and whose cost has increased by 85% from ₹1.08 lakh crore to ₹2 lakh crore. The party challenged whether corruption probe would be triggered by the center’s delays.

AAP contended, “As per central government data, common causes for delays in projects include delayed regulatory approvals, land acquisition issues, financial constraints, contractor non-performance, environmental clearances and bureaucratic inefficiencies. Can corruption cases be registered against Ministers for these reasons?”

BJP welcomes the move

Virendra Sachdeva, the president of the Delhi BJP, applauded the action and outlined that the investigation would reveal the corruption that occurred under the AAP’s health administration. He asserted that s cams involving the building of Mohalla Clinics, hospital testing contracts, contract health worker employment and hospital upgrades have all been ignored between 2015 and 2024.

He highlighted that public funds were being embezzled while the Kejriwal administration was occupied with promoting its “world-class” health model. ‘Today, when both former ministers failed to even retain their security deposit in the elections, it shows the public has delivered its verdict,” he expressed.

“Team Arvind Kejriwal” will have to respond to all inquiries regarding “looting” public funds, according to the Delhi BJP. The party declared that Jain and Bharadwaj lost the Delhi assembly elections because voters noticed the corruption in the health department.

AAP and its corrupt legacy: Delhi liquor policy scam

The Aam Aadmi Party, which asserted itself as the people’s government, has been marred by scandals since it came to power in the national capital. The most prominent of these scams is the 2021 Delhi excise policy or liquor policy scam, which resulted in the imprisonment of the party’s senior leadership and founding members, including Arvind Kejriwal, the national convenor and former Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, the former Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister of Delhi, Satyendar Jain, a cabinet minister, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh and others.

Kejriwal, who was arrested on 21st March 2024, after failing to respond to nine summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding the liquor scam, made history as the first sitting chief minister in the country to be arrested. The policy had to be retracted later.

The policy enabled only private establishments to sell alcohol, excluding the government from the business. AAP permitted liquor delivery to homes and allowed stores to remain open until three in the morning. Additionally, licensees could provide limitless discounts. However, the changes swiftly encountered difficulties with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and the Delhi Police’s Economic Offenses Wing.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) also opened an investigation, uncovered money laundering and revealed that a liquor lobby known as the “South Group” provided at least ₹100 crore in kickbacks to AAP for its Goa election campaign. The group’s whims were accommodated by Manish Sisodia in exchange for an upfront payment.

The ED underlined that the government lost ₹2,800 crore as a result of the scam. Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) also stated that it cost the public coffers an astounding ₹2,026 crore.

Satyendar Jain had already served time in prison for accumulating assets totaling ₹1.47 crore in a case involving excessive assets. A money laundering investigation later led the ED to seize properties valued at ₹4.81 crore that belonged to four businesses associated with him and his family.

Delhi Waqf Board scam

According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Amanatullah Khan, Delhi Waqf Board chairman and Okhla MLA, stole lakhs of rupees he obtained as the board’s chairman following the 2020 Delhi anti-Hindu Riots under the pretense of providing aid to the victims. He bought a ₹19 lakh property in the name of his second wife, Maryam Siddique, who is completely reliant on him and unemployed, shortly after the Delhi Waqf Board Relief Committee formed in 2020.

He paid for this in part with cash and then with money he received from his close friend Zeeshan Haider. The agency further shared that Amanatullah Khan did not provide all the details in his election affidavit. He had not disclosed that his second wife, Maryam Siddique, was entirely dependent on him and had no income.

The investigation discovered irregularities in the appointment of staff, abuse of official authority as chairman, improper allocation of the Delhi Waqf Board’s property tenancy without following the correct procedures and possession of assets out of proportion to his known revenue streams. Amanatullah Khan was diverting funds with the assistance of his associates, Zeeshan Haider and Daud Nasir.

The purchase of a property in Tikona Park, Okhla, through these associates and Kausar, involved cash transfers totaling ₹27 crore, according to a handwritten notebook that belonged to the latter. A testimony from a female Delhi Waqf Board employee was also recorded by the ACB.

She mentioned that in accordance with Amanatullah Khan’s instructions, files pertaining to the Waqf Assets Management System of India (WAMSI) project were deleted. She added that he wished to hide his illicit actions by avoiding transparency regarding Waqf Board properties.

Classroom construction scam

The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Delhi government has also launched legal action against former Public Works Department (PWD) minister Satyendar Jain and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on allegations of corruption in the building of 12,748 classrooms during the Arvind Kejriwal government.

According to officials, a massive scam totaling more than ₹2,000 crore was uncovered when the AAP government erected 12,748 classrooms and other buildings in Delhi. “Significant deviations and cost escalations were observed, and not a single work was completed within the prescribed period. Consultant and Architect appointed without following due procedure, and cost escalations were carried out through him,” unveiled the authorities.

 

Telangana High Court cites Quran’s verses while ruling that Muslim wife has absolute right to divorce by Khula without husband’s consent

OpIndia Staff
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Telangana High Court cites Quran’s verses while ruling that Muslim wife has absolute right to divorce by Khula without husband’s consent

On Tuesday, June 24, the Telangana High Court held that under Sharia law, a Muslim woman has every right to terminate her marriage by Khula without requiring the consent of her husband. The Court also made it clear that it is not required to obtain a certificate (khulanama) from a Mufti or an Islamic authority to render the divorce valid.

The matter was decided by a division bench of Justices Moushumi Bhattacharya and BR Madhusudhan Rao. They stated that khula—a type of divorce under Islamic law sought by a Muslim wife—is valid from the time she makes the request, provided the issue remains confidential and is not brought to court immediately.

High Court quoted the verses of the Quran 

During the process of reviewing the case, the High Court quoted verses of the Quran, Chapter II, Verses 228 and 229. According to the Court, these verses allow women to seek separation from their husbands without their consent. The Court further observed that there is no practice mentioned in the Quran or Sunnah by Prophet Muhammad regarding what should be done if the husband does not agree to the wife’s demand for khula.

The bench further noted that khula is a form of “no-fault divorce” and no reason needs to be given by the wife for desiring termination of the marriage, and the husband cannot also oppose it—he can only negotiate the refund of the mehr. Even when the wife does not return the dower, that would not be a sufficient reason to reject her application for khula.

“The husband however does not have the right to refuse Khula merely because the wife declines to return the dower or a part of it. Khula is, therefore, a non-confrontational form of divorce and one which is privately settled after the parties have made an attempt to preserve the marriage,” the high court said.

The court said that if the case does come to court, then the sole function of the court is to establish that the wife has issued a valid request for Khula and that there has been an attempt to reconcile. There is no need for the court to hold a long trial. Rather, the procedure should be straightforward and limited only to establishing the wife’s intention to live separately and whether she wishes to relinquish the Mehr (dower) or not.

The case

The verdict was given while considering an appeal by a Muslim man, Mohammed Arif Ali, whose wife had divorced him via khula. She approached the Ada-e-Haq Sharai Council (a private voluntary organisation) when it denied her a divorce. The man had approached the family court, requesting it to invalidate the divorce certificate given by the NGO. But his plea was turned down by the family court, and he turned to the High Court.

Here, in this specific situation, the High Court concluded that the woman had requested for divorce several times, but her husband did not consent. She then went to the NGO, and after reconciliation attempts proved unsuccessful, the certificate of khula was issued. According to the judges, the petition of husband was not required, particularly since religious institutions such as a Mufti have no legal jurisdiction to issue binding certificates of divorce—their view is merely advisory.

Court’s opinion is limited

The Court stated, “The husband is not entitled to prevent a khula simply because the wife does not agree to return the dower. Khula is to be an amicable and quiet process that follows only after attempts to salvage the marriage have been unsuccessful.”

Although the Court limited its opinion to this particular case, it did take cognisance of complaints made regarding Muslim women being placed in precarious positions after seeking khula. It stated that it was hopeful its ruling and other rulings by courts on this issue would improve the condition of Muslim women throughout the nation.

In short, this ruling upholds that Muslim women are entitled to dissolve a marriage by khula without the consent of husband. All that the court has to do is ensure the procedure and imprint it with the legal seal, not to pull it into a protracted trial.

Union Cabinet approves Phase 2 of Pune Metro Rail Project with a cost of ₹3,626.24 crore

OpIndia Staff
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Union Cabinet approves Phase 2 of Pune Metro Rail Project with a cost of ₹3,626.24 crore

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Pune Metro Rail Project Phase-2, which includes Vanaz to Chandani Chowk (Corridor 2A) and Ramwadi to Wagholi/Vitthalwadi (Corridor 2B), as extensions of the existing Vanaz–Ramwadi corridor under Phase-1. These two elevated corridors will span 12.75 km and include 13 stations, connecting fast-developing suburbs such as Chandani Chowk, Bavdhan, Kothrud, Kharadi, and Wagholi. The project is scheduled for completion within four years.

As per a press release by Union Cabinet, the estimated project cost is ₹3626.24 crore, to be equally shared by the Government of India, Government of Maharashtra, and external bilateral/multilateral agencies. This strategic proposal is a logical extension of the existing Corridor-2 and aligns with the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP), which envisions a continuous Chandani Chowk to Wagholi Metro corridor to strengthen East–West mass transit in Pune.

These extensions will serve key IT hubs, commercial areas, educational institutions, and residential pockets, increasing the share of public transport and ridership across the network. The new corridors will also integrate at the District Court Interchange Station with Line-1 (Nigdi–Katraj) and Line-3 (Hinjewadi–District Court) to enable seamless multimodal urban travel.

Under long-term mobility planning, intercity bus services from cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru will be integrated at Chandani Chowk, while those from Ahilya Nagar and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar will connect at Wagholi, allowing passengers to easily access Pune’s Metro system. These extensions will also help decongest arterial routes such as Paud Road and Nagar Road, offering safe, fast, and eco-friendly mobility options. 

After completion of these corridors, the projected incremental daily ridership for the entire Line 2 is estimated at 0.96 lakh in 2027, 2.01 lakh in 2037, 2.87 lakh in 2047, and 3.49 lakh in 2057. The project will be implemented by Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro), which will execute all civil, electro-mechanical, and related works. Pre-construction activities such as topographical survey and detailed design consultancy have already commenced. 

This strategic expansion is poised to unlock Pune’s economic potential, enhance its urban transport infrastructure, and contribute significantly to sustainable and inclusive development across the metropolitan region.

50 years of Emergency: As PM Modi talks about the 42nd Amendment and Constitution being violated, read why Ambedkar was against it

Jinit Jain
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50 years of Emergency: As PM Modi talks about the 42nd Amendment and Constitution being violated, read why Ambedkar was against it

On June 25, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the 50th anniversary of the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi with a series of strongly worded messages calling the day Samvidhan Hatya Diwas, a day 50 years ago when democracy and constitutional values were brazenly trampled and individual liberties severely curtailed. 

“It was as if the Congress Government in power at that time placed democracy under arrest!” PM Modi tweeted.

In a subsequent tweet, PM Modi elaborated upon the skulduggery of the Congress government that was in power during the imposition of the emergency. “No Indian will ever forget the manner in which the spirit of our Constitution was violated, the voice of Parliament muzzled and attempts were made to control the courts,” PM Modi tweeted.

PM Modi also acknowledged and paid tributes to those who opposed the Emergency (1975-77), positioning them as guardians of democracy. By referring to “people from all over India, from all walks of life, from diverse ideologies,” he emphasized national unity, inclusiveness, and cross-party collaboration, subtly projecting that the resistance transcended political divides.

As India reflects on that dark chapter, it is important to revisit an often-overlooked but significant fact: Dr. BR Ambedkar, the man widely hailed as the principal architect of the Constitution, was fundamentally opposed to embedding rigid ideological labels like ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ into the foundational text of the Republic.

His opposition was not grounded in contempt for the values themselves but stemmed from a deep commitment to democracy, individual liberty, and the evolving nature of society.

The foundational debates: Ambedkar’s rejection of fixed ideological labels

The framing of the Constitution of India was marked by intense debates that shaped the identity and future direction of the nation. One of the most crucial debates unfolded on 15 November 1948, when Professor KT Shah proposed that India should be explicitly declared a “Secular, Federal, Socialist Union of States.”

Dr. Ambedkar, serving as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, firmly repudiated the amendment and offered reasons that continue to resonate even today, especially in the context of political overreach during the Emergency and subsequent debates around constitutional integrity.

Ambedkar raised two primary objections:

1. The Constitution should not impose an ideology

Ambedkar viewed the Constitution as a framework for governance, not as an ideological manifesto. He firmly believed that the Constitution should regulate the functioning of the state, while preserving the freedom of future generations to decide the country’s social, economic, and political direction based on prevailing circumstances.

In response to Shah’s proposal, Ambedkar famously said:

“What should be the policy of the state, how society should be organised in its social and economic side, are matters which must be decided by the people themselves according to time and circumstances.”

His argument was not a rejection of socialism per se, but a rejection of codifying it as an eternal, unalterable principle. Societies evolve. Ideologies that seem relevant at one point in history may be replaced or refined by new systems better suited to future challenges. By embedding socialism into the Constitution, Ambedkar believed it would “destroy democracy altogether” by stripping future generations of the right to choose their own course.

2. Socialist principles were already embedded in the Constitution

Ambedkar also pointed out that the drafted Constitution already reflected socialist values within the Directive Principles of State Policy. He specifically referred to Article 31, which included provisions aimed at preventing the concentration of wealth, ensuring equal pay for equal work, and promoting social justice.

Ambedkar rhetorically asked:

“If these directive principles… are not socialistic in their direction and in their content, I fail to understand what more socialism can be.”

In his view, explicit ideological branding was unnecessary. The Constitution already empowered governments to pursue policies that advanced social and economic equity, without tying the country to rigid dogmas.

Moreover, Ambedkar emphasised flexibility. While socialist ideals had merit, binding the country to them constitutionally would hinder the government’s ability to adapt to new economic realities or emerging philosophies.

The ‘Secular’ debate: Ambedkar’s nuanced approach

While Ambedkar did not present specific reasons against adding the word ‘secular’ to the Preamble during the debates, his overall opposition to Professor Shah’s proposal reflected similar concerns about ideological rigidity.

Notably, Ambedkar was a vigorous advocate for keeping religion and state affairs separate as witnessed during debates on the framing of the Constitution. His commitment to religious pluralism and impartiality was reflected in various constitutional provisions, particularly Articles 14, 15, 16, and 25, which guarantee equality before the law and prohibit discrimination based on religion.

Ambedkar was convinced these safeguards rendered the explicit mention of secularism in the Preamble redundant.

Even Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of independent India and a thorough proponent of secular governance, argued that Indian secularism differed from its Western counterpart. In Europe, secularism emerged from the historical conflict between Church and State. In India, with its deeply intertwined religious and social fabric, secularism was to be a functional, lived principle rather than a mere label in the Preamble.

The 42nd Amendment: How Indira Gandhi defied the spirit of the Constitution

During the Emergency (1975–77), a period often regarded as the most authoritarian phase in independent India’s history, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi introduced the 42nd Amendment, inserting ‘Socialist’ and ‘Secular’ into the Preamble.

The amendment was widely criticised as a political move designed to consolidate Gandhi’s grip over state institutions, appease some sections of society through token symbolism, and reframe constitutional ideals to comply with the incumbent government’s preferences.

The context of the Emergency, marked by press censorship, mass arrests, the suspension of civil liberties, and centralised power renders the amendment’s ideological additions suspect.

As PM Modi noted in his June 25 tweets:

“The 42nd Amendment is a prime example of their shenanigans. The poor, marginalised and downtrodden were particularly targeted, including their dignity insulted.”

The amendment, introduced during a period when democracy itself was under siege, stands in stark contrast to Ambedkar’s vision, where constitutional changes should emerge from free, democratic debate, not political insecurity.

Arrest of Tamil actor Srikanth for Cocaine use blows the lid off other crimes including job scams, blackmail cases, and land grabbing

OpIndia Staff
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Arrest of Tamil actor Srikanth for Cocaine use blows the lid off other crimes including job scams, blackmail cases, and land grabbing

Tamil actor Srikanth was arrested on Monday, June 23, after allegedly being involved in a narcotics case. Next, a bail petition was filed on his behalf. His arrest led to the unveiling of several other cases and a criminal network that is beyond taking intoxicating substances and their distribution.

The arrest made by Chennai police revealed several other crimes including job rackets, land scams, and blackmail cases. The case came to light after Prasad, one of the prime accused, was arrested while police were probing a pub brawl case.

Who is Prasad, and how are the cases interlinked?

Prasad was an ex-AIADMK IT wing functionary. The police said the investigation started with the clash between the two groups at a bar on May 22 in Nungambakkam. Police were alerted about the case, leading to registration of two cases. The two cases were charged against both groups, in which seven people, including Prasad, were also arrested. Police also conducted a search at his house.

After probing, it was revealed that he had been involved in several offences and had engaged in a Job scam, where he promised over 200 people to give government jobs in Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, by collecting money ranging from ₹2 lakh to ₹20 Lakh each. He allegedly collected ₹2 crore in total.

Prasad’s friend Ajay Vandaiyar along with Senthil, Nagendra Sethupathi, and Sivasankaran, who were involved in land grabbing from landowners in Chennai, were also arrested. Investigation has revealed that they prepared fake documents to seize property in Chennai and other places owned by people living abroad.

Further interrogation revealed cases already filed against him related to drug abuse and supply, encouraging police to dig deeper into the web to investigate his link with the narcotics network.

During the probe, Prasad named his source Pradeep Kumar, who has already been arrested for cocaine supply. Kumar further named actor Srikanth for the supply of cocaine through Prasad. It is believed that the drug transaction took place during a party linked to the film Theekirai, which Prasad was co-producing with Srikanth in the lead role.

Prasad has allegedly confessed to the Anti Narcotics Intelligence unit of the Chennai City Police that he supplied drugs, including cocaine, to Srikanth.

Case status so far

On Monday night, Srikanth was produced before the Metropolitan Magistrate in Egmore and remanded to judicial custody until June 7. Vignesh Ramanadhan, Shrikanth’s advocate, represented him during his proceedings. The hearing took place at the residence of the magistrate in the judicial officers’ quarter, which is at the Egmore area of Chennai. On Tuesday, a bail petition was filed on his behalf.

 “Actor Srikanth, who had obtained and used cocaine, was subjected to a medical examination. His financial transactions were reviewed, and his residences were thoroughly searched before he was arrested with appropriate evidence,” said police in a statement. The police statement added that “Prasad, Ajay Vandaiyar, and their associates have been involved in crimes such as running a government job racket, land grabbing, illegal activities involving the land registry and IT department, and drug trafficking.”

Previously, Srikanth was taken to the Kilpauk Medical College hospital for a medical examination as part of the procedure for allegedly being involved in a drug case. His blood test was collected and resulted the presence of a drug system in his body.

Srikanth was arrested after analyzing money transactions, medical examination, and searching his house based on appropriate evidence. In this case, investigation would lead to more arrests, the city police said. This interrogation at the Nungambakkam police station on Monday afternoon continued for more than nine hours.

 So far, three cases have been filed against Vandaiyar and his associates. A total of 22 arrests have been made under the Goondas Act, while 5 others have been detained by police.

PFI kept a hitlist with 950 names, including a former judge: As NIA gives evidence in court against banned Islamist org, read how Congress and Left tried to appease, politically support them

OpIndia Staff
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PFI kept a hitlist with 950 names, including a former judge: As NIA gives evidence in court against banned Islamist org, read how Congress and Left tried to appease, politically support them

In a major revelation, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) told a special court in Kerala that the agency had recovered hit lists containing names of more than 950 individuals targeted by the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI). The disclosure was made during the hearing of bail applications filed by four accused from Palakkad, namely Muhammad Bilal, Riyasudheen, Ansar K P and Saheer K V.

The NIA told the court that they seized the documents during multiple raids, including at Periyar Valley Campus in Aluva. Notably, this location was allegedly being used as an arms training centre. Eight documents were recovered from Sirajudheen, one of the accused, which had names of 240 people from non-Muslim communities marked as potential targets. The agency also seized a wallet from another accused, Abdul Wahad, who is currently absconding. The wallet carried details of five individuals, including a retired district judge.

PFI’s elaborate terror framework

According to the NIA, PFI operated through specialised units including a Reporter Wing that conducted reconnaissance of the possible “enemies”, a Service Wing that executed the murders, and a Physical and Arms Training Wing that trained operatives. These hit lists, according to the NIA, were created based on surveillance inputs gathered by the now-banned organisation.

The NIA recovered another list of 232 names from an accused who later turned approver. During a raid at the house of Ayoob T A, the NIA found another hit list with names of 500 individuals. The NIA stated the findings established the outfit’s systematic planning to eliminate individuals it viewed as obstacles to its radical goals.

India 2047 conspiracy and Sreenivasan’s murder

The agency reiterated that PFI had a long-term plan, code-named “India 2047”, which aimed at establishing Islamic rule in the country. The agenda was discovered during an earlier investigation by the Delhi unit of the investigating agency into a case first registered in Phulwari Sherif of Bihar in 2022. A six-page document outlining the plan was recovered from accused Muhammed Jamaludheen.

The NIA asserted that the murder of RSS leader Sreenivasan in Palakkad was not an isolated act but part of the broader conspiracy aligned with the India 2047 goal. Audio clips and witness testimonies reportedly confirm the dissemination of the plan among PFI cadres.

Court denied bail citing gravity of charges

Citing the seriousness of the case, NIA Special Court Judge P K Mohandas denied bail to all four accused. The court stated that there were reasonable grounds to believe that the accusations were prima facie true. The court cited the applicability of Section 43D(5) of the UAPA and concluded that the case was ready for trial.

While the Left opposed ban on PFI, Congress got its political wing’s support during general elections

When the Popular Front of India was banned in September 2022 by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, the Left had opposed the ban, claiming such bans have no effect. Citing examples of Maoist organisations and the ban briefly imposed on the RSS, the CPI(M) went ahead and accused the RSS of being involved in murders just like the PFI.

On the other hand, the Congress, while it did not openly oppose the ban, argued that if the PFI was to be banned, the RSS should be banned as well.

Interestingly, during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the SDPI, the political arm of the banned organisation PFI, extended support to the Congress in Kerala. The support led to severe backlash, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Home Minister Amit Shah slamming the Congress party for taking SDPI’s support in the polls. Following the backlash, the Congress was forced to deny the support extended by the SDPI.

Later, during the Palakkad bypoll, BJP State President of Kerala, K Surendran, accused the Congress of signing a secret deal with the SDPI for the election. He said in a press conference that a group called Green Army was conducting door-to-door campaigns among a certain community, seeking votes for the UDF, the alliance of which the Congress is a part.

TMC MP Sagarika Ghose blames RSS for the Emergency, whitewashes role of the Congress party and sings eulogies for Indira Gandhi: Here is the actual truth

Dibakar Dutta
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TMC MP Sagarika Ghose blames RSS for the Emergency, whitewashes role of the Congress party and sings eulogies for Indira Gandhi: Here is the actual truth

On the 50th Anniversary of the Emergency, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP and former ‘journalist’ Sagarika Ghose took to X (formerly Twitter) to distort history and give a clean chit to the atrocities perpetrated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during the darkest phase of Indian democracy.

In a tweet on Tuesday (25th June), Ghose brazened out, “Indira Gandhi imposed #Emergency1975 because RSS was pushing India towards total anarchy.”

She did not stop here but went to eulogise the former Prime Minister for ‘calling elections’ and ‘taking questions in public’.

Sagarika Ghose was under the impression that her factually incorrect tweet and the subsequent attempt at whitewashing the image of Indira Gandhi would make people forget the horrors of Emergency.

The Rajya Sabha MP also shared a video of the Congress leader speaking to the media in 1978, wherein Gandhi claimed that she had the support of the public.

“My political future has been exactly the same, and it is not what the press has said it is. I have had the people’s support throughout, regardless of the image that all of you have been trying to project…” the former PM was heard saying in the video.

“Immediately after the defeat, I have had the people’s support wherever I have gone in this country in an unmistakable manner. Look, I imposed censorship and I said I was imposing it,” she had conceded.

Towards the end of the video snippet, Indira Gandhi was heard saying that she did not want people to be ‘victimised’.

The propaganda video was used by Sagarika Ghose to suggest that the Congress leader was compassionate towards the people and that it was the RSS which somehow ‘provoked’ Indira Gandhi to implement the Emergency

What is the Truth behind Emergency

The Emergency, which was declared on 25th June 1975 and remained in effect until 21st March 1977, remains one of the darkest chapters in the history of independent India.

It was declared by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It marked a period of authoritarian rule, during which fundamental rights were suspended and press freedom was curtailed.

At the same time, Opposition leaders were jailed, and civil liberties were brutally crushed. The backdrop to this authoritarian turn was political turbulence and not the make-believe ‘anarchy’ of the RSS.

The 1971 war victory and the emergence of Bangladesh had elevated Indira Gandhi’s stature.

However, discontentment began to increase as the Congress government failed to check rising inflation, economic stagnation and widespread corruption. By 1974, public confidence in the Indira Gandhi government had almost eroded.

The tipping point came with the Allahabad High Court’s landmark judgement on 12th June 1975.

Justice Jagmohanlal Sinha found the sitting Indian Prime Minister guilty of electoral fraud in the 1971 Lok Sabha elections and invalidated her seat.

Opposition parties led by Jayaprakash Narayan launched a nationwide movement demanding Indira Gandhi’s resignation. Massive protests were witnessed in the National Capital against the ruling Congress government.

On the advice of trusted aides like Siddhartha Shankar Ray and son Sanjay Gandhi, Indira Gandhi directed President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed to declare a state of Emergency under Article 352 (internal disturbances) of the Indian Constitution.

By midnight of 25th and 26th June, the government clamped down on Opposition leaders and arrested them under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA).

The Indian press was muzzled. ‘The Indian Express’ famously ran a blank editorial on 28th June 1975 as a form of ‘silent protest’. The most notorious aspect of the Emergency was the suspension of civil liberties.

The Indira Gandhi government invoked Article 359 to deny Indians the right to seek judicial remedy for violations of their fundamental rights. Sanjay Gandhi oversaw arbitrary arrests, torture in police custody forced sterilisation drives.

The number of forced sterilisations were estimated between 8-12 million, most of whom were poor and vulnerable.

Over 1 lakh people were detained without trial during the 21 months of the Emergency. No one was spared including opposition leaders, civil rights activists, journalists, academics.

The judiciary too appeared to buckle under pressure. In the infamous ADM Jabalpur v. Shivkant Shukla case, the Supreme Court ruled that citizens had no right to habeas corpus during the Emergency.

India’s democratic image took a beating in the international media, with many highlighting serious human rights abuses by the same Indira Gandhi (who is being presented as a champion of democracy in 2025 by the likes of Sagarika Ghose).

The Congress leader’s insecurities post-Allahabad High Court judgement and fear of losing power made her take the drastic decision to curtain freedom and civil liberties of Indian citizens and not alleged ‘anarchy’ of RSS’

The Janata Party was born from this struggle and it swept the 1977 elections, which ended the uninterrupted, rule of the Congress party since 1951.

Now 50 years later, the likes of Sagarika Ghose are re-inventing new history, distorting facts to give a clean chit to the tainted legacy of the Gandhi family.

Tejashwi Yadav refers to victims of “Jungle Raj” as cockroaches to undermine the brutality, attacks media for highlighting the dark period of Bihar under RJD

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Tejashwi Yadav refers to victims of “Jungle Raj” as cockroaches to undermine the brutality, attacks media for highlighting the dark period of Bihar under RJD

Assembly elections are scheduled to take place in Bihar this year. Both the ruling and opposition parties are actively preparing for the contest. The media has once again entered the phase of political interviews and Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition in Bihar Legislative Assembly, engaged in an extensive discussion lasting approximately 57 minutes with the news agency ANI.

During the conversation, he made several accusations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He tried to present the situation in Bihar as deteriorating. He also asserted that the 2020 assembly election was rigged, resulting in the Rashtriya Janata Dal’s (RJD) defeat and expressed confidence that his party would emerge victorious in the state this time.

There is nothing unexpected about this. During the election season, each party or leader denounces their rivals as incompetent. Until the final results are revealed, every party and their members proclaim success. After the election, they search for a scapegoat to accuse for their loss.

During this interview, Tejashwi Yadav also directed his criticism towards the media, which has emerged as one of the primary duty for opposition leaders since Narendra Modi’s rise in Indian national politics. He sought to hold the media accountable for everything from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third consecutive victory in the general elections to the prevailing lawlessness in Bihar.

He alleged that the media has become subservient and the saffron party is succeeding due to its propaganda. When he was inquired about the instances where the media, from Bihar to the national level, has treated him unfairly, Tejashwi Yadav replied that whenever his party is in power, even the death of a cockroach is blown out of proportion. Today, crimes are occurring, yet no one refers to it as “Jungle Raj.”

He charged that whenever any incident takes place, the criminal is associated with his party and its members. The media portrays him as a close confidant of Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav. He mentioned that the media presents RJD governments as “Mahajungleraj.” It is asserted that during that time, people did not come out because they used to be abducted.

Moreover, Tejashwi Yadav insisted that the evaluation of the law and order situation should be based solely on statistical data. When comparing the crime statistics of RJD administrations with those of the NDA government, it becomes evident that criminal activity is at its peak during Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s tenure. However, the media is not raising any concerns.

The entire conversation can be heard from 12 minutes to 17 minutes and 40 seconds in the video linked below.

Jungle Raj is the brutal past of Bihar

The term “Jungle Raj” is frequently referenced in the political landscape of Bihar. This phrase denotes the era from 1990 to 2005, during which Tejashwi Yadav’s parents, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, held the position of Chief Ministers in the state. During this time, Bihar was plagued by a series of horrific caste massacres. The slogan “Bhura Baal Saaf Karo” (remove Brahmin, Bhumihar, Rajput and Kayasth from Bihar) echoed throughout there.

Kidnapping turned into a booming “industry.” Showrooms were ransacked during the wedding of the chief minsiter’s daughter, leading to a mass exodus of businessmen due to fear. The state witnessed the decline of both livelihood and educational as well as health institutions. The public endured bumpy rides on potholed lanes, while those who promised to create roads as smooth as actress Hema Malini’s cheeks were in power. This was indeed a dark age characterized by the use of lanterns.

Bihar witnessed the RJD leader who had the two sons of a man named Chanda Babu from Siwan doused in acid and got the other one shot, the RJD MLA who kidnapped a Dalit girl from her residence and forced her into his jeep after whcih she was repeatedly raped. Likewise, wife, mother, and niece of IAS officer BB Vishwas were subjected to sexual abuse for a duration of two years. When this issue came to light, it appeared that the entire government was engaged in efforts to protect the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, Tejashwi Yadav sought to counter the reality of “Jungle Raj” by providing examples. I have mentioned a few instances when RJD was in power in Bihar, however, the list is so extensive and horrifying that my fingers would tire, keyboards would break under the strain and your eyes would grow weary while reading, yet, the documented instances of Jungle Raj will not come to an end, along with many more that remain unrecorded.

Tejashwi Yadav must indicate which of these occurrences pertains to the death of a cockroach. Additionally, he should clarify which of these events involved individuals who had no ties to the RJD or were referred to as cockroaches.

Can addressing statistics wash away the reality of Jungle Raj

It is indeed accurate that the manner in which Nitish Kumar tackled crime and dealt with criminals during his initial term was not replicated subsequently. The primary reason for this is Janata Dal (United)’s alliance with the RJD on two separate occasions. Furthermore, it is also a fact that if one considers the number of crimes reported to the Bihar Police as the sole measure, the figures seem significantly greater than those recorded during the 15 years of Lalu-Rabri.

Nevertheless, this is incomplete truth. With the rise of media, particularly social media, it has become increasingly difficult to conceal any criminal activity. Individuals are now more inclined to visit police stations to file reports. This trend is observable not only in Bihar but also in other states, where one can similarly note higher statistics.

However, “Jungle Raj” cannot be measured only by the frequency of crimes. The statistics reflect the murder of Chanda Babu’s three sons as merely homicides. Yet, do these figures convey the brutality of their deaths? What kind of fear did Chanda Babu suffer throughout his life? How many parents were left terrified by this occurrence? How many Mohammad Shahabuddins were emboldened to disregard the law?

The numbers might indicate the scale of murders and abductions that happened, but do they also unveil that killings and kidnapping had transformed into an “industry” during the period? That it became a business, a source of income? That such a collaboration among politicians, officials and mafias had never been witnessed before? Most importantly, that the criminal empire was sustained by brother-in-laws and dreaded gangsters like Mohammad Shahabuddin?

Whether the Bathe massacre or any other incident of caste violence, the data will only reflect the murder of a few individuals. It does not illustrate the profound effect this had on the Bhumihar population. Statistics do not disclose the apprehension generated among the upper castes by the slogan “Bhura Baal Saaf Karo.” The data also does not show that people in Bihar started to hide their surnames.

Jungle Raj not a fabrication of media

Tejashwi Yadav attempted to claim that “Jungle Raj” is a media fabrication and portrayed the media before 2014 as “innocent.” The truth is that before 2014, the media was kind to Lalu Prasad Yadav, who was convicted in the fodder scam and the situation is not any different even today.

Whether it is mainstream media or the liberal-leftist faction, they initially tried to create an image of Lalu as a messiah of social justice. They painted him as a tall figure in politics. Later, they attempted to label him as a “management guru.” The gracious media even interpreted his kurta-tearing antics as a form of Holi celebration.

The courage demonstrated by the Biharis was remarkable, as they did not falter in the presence of these visuals. They advanced, challenging the adversities of “Jungle Raj.” They undertook legal battles. Social media served as a platform for them to talk about incidents that had been suppressed. As a result, the media was also compelled to recognize the truth of “Jungle Raj.”

Tejashwi Yadav should express gratitude towards this media, as it envisions a promising future for Bihar with him at the helm. It tries to erase the blemish of his party’s “Jungle Raj.” It attempts to portray what is referred to as “Jungle Raj” as “peaceful days,” by showcasing crime statistics.

However, it is unfortunate for Tejashwi Yadav that the reality of “Jungle Raj” is so firmly entrenched in Bihar that it cannot be swayed by these hollow arguments. Bihar’s “good fortune” lies concealed within the misfortune of Lalu Prasad Yadav’s entire family.

Read the report in Hindi here.

Axiom Mission-4 piloted by Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla lifts off aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from Florida

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Axiom Mission-4 piloted by Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla lifts off aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from Florida

The Axiom Mission 4 launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 2:31 am Eastern Time (12 Noon IST).

This is the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station. The crew is traveling to the orbiting laboratory on a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The targeted docking time is approximately 7 am Eastern Time (4pm IST) on Thursday, June 26.

Once docked, the astronauts plan to spend up to 14 days aboard the orbiting laboratory, conducting a mission comprised of science, outreach, and commercial activities. Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, is in command of the mission, while Indian Space Research Organization Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla serves as pilot. The two mission specialists are European Space Agency project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.

The astronauts are using the new Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit which provides them with advanced capabilities for space exploration while providing NASA with commercially developed human systems needed to access, live and work on and around the Moon. The advanced spacesuits ensure astronauts are equipped with high-performing, robust equipment and are designed to accommodate a wide range of crew members.

The Ax-4 mission is going to be conducting major research. The research complement includes around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe.

This will be the most research and science-related activities conducted on an Axiom Space mission aboard the International Space Station to date

NASA and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) are collaborating to launch several scientific investigations.

These studies include examining muscle regeneration, growth of sprouts and edible microalgae, survival of tiny aquatic organisms, and human interaction with electronic displays in microgravity.

The first private astronaut mission to the station, Axiom Mission 1, lifted off in April 2022 for a 17-day mission aboard the orbiting laboratory. The second private astronaut mission to the station, Axiom Mission 2, also was commanded by Whitson and launched in May 2023 with four private astronauts who spent eight days in orbit. The most recent private astronaut mission, Axiom Mission 3, launched in January 2024; the crew spent 18 days docked to the space station.

The International Space Station is a convergence of science, technology, and human innovation that enables research not possible on Earth. For more than 24 years, NASA has supported a continuous human presence aboard the orbiting laboratory, through which astronauts have learned to live and work in space for extended periods of time.

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

Iran’s nuclear program only dented, regime change talks disappeared – What has the US actually gained by bombing Iran?

Anurag
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Iran’s nuclear program only dented, regime change talks disappeared – What has the US actually gained by bombing Iran?

Twelve days of conflict between Israel and Iran, topped with the United States intervening, got the whole world on the edge of its seat. Israel had targeted nuclear facilities and military establishments in Iran to cripple its nuclear program as it was believed Iran was on the path of developing a nuclear bomb.

However, Israel’s limited munition could not penetrate Iran’s nuclear establishments located deep under the mountain. This is when the US intervened and used “bunker busters” to destroy the establishments. While the US claimed the mission was successful, experts think otherwise. Now, when Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire announced by US President Trump, a stark question emerges — what did the United States really gain by getting involved in the conflict?

The US showcased dramatic airstrikes using advanced B-2 bombers and the bold statements claiming Iran’s nuclear program has been crippled appear to be far from reality. According to a Pentagon report, Iran’s nuclear program remains largely intact and has been pushed back by only a few months. Trump hinted at regime change but the idea has also been dropped. Furthermore, Iran targeted US bases in the Middle East, challenging the “invincibility” of the US military’s might. In fact, the Trump administration appears to be walking back its loftiest ambitions after the dust has settled.

Iran’s nuclear program remains largely intact

Despite multiple strikes by Israel followed by a massive strike by the US, Iran’s nuclear program remains largely intact. While satellite images show damage from above, sites like Fordow reportedly recieved repairable damage because of its depth. There is no doubt that Iran’s nuclear program is experiencing a temporary setback, but it will not take much time for the Islamic country to get back on track.

Source: Times of India

And this time, Iran may get fiercer with the enrichment of uranium, making it bomb-ready. As of now, reports suggest it has achieved 60 percent enrichment, and for a bomb, it needs over 90 percent enrichment. The enriched uranium did not get hit during the strikes, which was clear as agencies reported zero radiation leak at the attacked nuclear establishments including Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan.

The core objective of the US strikes was to cripple Iran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon. However, the results have been underwhelming. Critical components like uranium centrifuges survived the strikes or can be repaired quickly, which means Iran could restart enrichment within months of the attack.

American intelligence also determined that Iran had safeguarded its most sensitive nuclear materials. In fact, Tehran reportedly moved much of its 60 percent enriched uranium stockpile out of the targeted facilities much before the strikes. Iran currently has around 480 kg of highly enriched uranium kept at an unknown location.

Little surprise, then, that international inspectors like the IAEA reported they could “no longer account” for this stock of uranium in the aftermath. In short, Iran’s nuclear program lives on, and any damage inflicted was minimal and reversible. Iranian engineers have most likely already started restoring the bombed sites.

Tehran kept its uranium and its defiance

Iran achieved two goals. It preserved the enriched uranium and also maintained an attitude of defiance. Its leadership rapidly signalled that they will not bow down to the strikes and abandon the nuclear program. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, pointedly remained silent on the strikes, projecting an image of resolve.

According to media reports, people of Iran took to the streets and raised anti-US and anti-Israel slogans in a show of nationalist fervour after the attack. While the US was hoping for a regime change following the attack, it seems that the result was completely opposite to what the US expected, and it sparked rally-round-the-flag sentiment.

Iran has consistently insisted that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and vowed to rebuild any lost capability. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared Iran would rebuild and continue its nuclear project once the conflict is over. Iran believes that it has the right to nuclear technology and that it is non-negotiable.

On the other hand, Israel partnered with Washington in the campaign. Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, has boasted of a “historic victory” against Iran. However, in the same breath, he vowed that Israel would strike again if Iran rebuilds its nuclear project. This admission shows that even Israel realises Iran’s nuclear infrastructure could be restored.

Iran’s retaliation shattered the US aura of invincibility

The outcome of the conflict is not limited to the nuclear program of Iran. It is widely believed that American forces in the region are untouchable. However, Iran demonstrated a willingness and capability to hit back directly at US targets, something that once was almost unthinkable. In retaliation for the US actions, Iran launched ballistic missiles at US bases in the Middle East.

Not to forget, this is not the first time Iran has challenged the US’s might in the region. In January 2020, during a peak in US-Iran tensions, Iran fired 16 ballistic missiles at the Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq that housed US troops. Around 30 US soldiers were wounded in that attack. While the attack occurred five years ago, it set a precedent. Iran proved it could directly strike US military installations and inflict real harm, and it repeated the same following the US strikes on its nuclear establishments. Notably, during the recent flare-up, the US embassies and bases were on high alert.

Iran also defied the ceasefire announcement by the US President as it fired missiles at Israel following Trump saying that both the countries have agreed to a ceasefire. It shows Iran is willing to test red lines. If anything, the conflict exposed American troops to harm and chipped away at US deterrence, as Iran demonstrated it can retaliate and challenge US power directly.

Washington drops talk of regime change in Tehran

Following the announcement of strikes by the US on Iran’s nuclear facilities, President Trump suggested regime change in Iran. In a post on Truth Social, he said, “It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!” The remark was a clear sign that the US desired the end of Iran’s ruling system. This was not a statement that could be ignored. It implied US involvement in Iran had a goal beyond destroying its nuclear program.

Source: Truth Social

However, the talks of regime change were quickly buried under the ground. Notably, hours before Trump’s desire for a change in regime in Iran, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had publicly stressed that it was not about regime change but to neutralise Iran’s nuclear facilities. The talks of regime change have faded away quietly since the announcement of ceasefire.

No clear strategic benefit for the United States

It is hard to escape the conclusion that the US gained little of tangible value from this entanglement. Iran’s nuclear capability is bruised, there is no doubt. However, claiming that it has been destroyed would be exaggerating. It has only been delayed by a few months. Tehran still holds the enriched uranium and can resume its program. The issue is, it is no longer traceable by international agencies.

The Iranian regime remains as strong as ever, having survived the confrontation without conceding its core positions. Washington’s brief flirtation with regime change rhetoric has been shelved, and the US now finds itself effectively reverting to containment and negotiation rather than revolution in Iran.

The US has gained no new support. If anything, European powers are now warning they may reimpose UN sanctions on Iran if a new nuclear agreement is not reached. In other words, despite the military fireworks, the solution still points back to negotiations and sanctions, the same toolkit used before the bombs fell.

Moreover, the US has come down to compromise mode. Trump recently said in a Truth Social post that China can continue buying Iranian oil and hoped it will buy from the US too. The gesture suggests Washington felt pressure to stabilise oil markets and placate Beijing amid the Iran crisis. It appears that the confrontation produced economic and geopolitical headaches for the US.

Source: Truth Social

In conclusion, while Washington’s high-profile intervention in Iran yielded no decisive victory, Iran’s nuclear ambitions are only dented, not destroyed. The lofty goal of a safer, non-nuclear Iran governed by different leaders has not materialised. The situation will remain tense in the region even if Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire, as Iran may resume its nuclear program in a matter of months and may even start working on developing an actual nuclear bomb in the coming months.

The question is, was it worth it? The evidence so far suggests the answer is a resounding no.

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