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Fatehpur: Kuldeep’s Muslim in-laws forced him to convert, renamed him Rashid, got him circumcised and removed Om tattoo, still keeping him away from his wife and child

OpIndia Staff
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Fatehpur: Kuldeep’s Muslim in-laws forced him to convert, renamed him Rashid, got him circumcised and removed Om tattoo, still keeping him away from his wife and child

Kuldeep who lives in Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh, fell in love with Alfia. They eloped and got married, however their family members did not agree to their union. After a while, his in-laws started to pressure him to embrace Islam. They even took away his wife even after he converted and got circumcised for her. He has now lodged a complaint with the police.

The victim who is from Abunagar area of Fatehpur fell in love with Alfia who used to live in Syedwada locality. They got married on 6th April 2023. After the marriage, he moved to Musepur, distancing himself from his family. However, Alfia’s family and some relatives collectively pressured him to convert to Islam. According to media reports, shortly after the wedding, his mother-in-law Farida told Kuldeep to undergo circumcision.

Deeply in love with his wife, Kuldeep complied and underwent the procedure. Subsequently, he was also instructed to change his name. Kuldeep stated that he had a tattoo of Om (Hindu religious symbol) on his hand which his in-laws tried to remove by pouring acid on it. Afterward, some individuals from Alfia’s family forcibly took him to a cleric where he was converted to Islam and renamed Rashid. His Nikah (Islamic wedding ceremony) was then organised.

Meanwhile, on 2nd April, Alfia welcomed a new child into the world. Her family members visited her at the hospital and Alfia’s mother declared that they would bring her home for a few days. On the other hand, she and her son Sufiyan prevented Kuldeep from seeing Alfia and the newborn.

When Kuldeep became aware that the process of converting his child to Islam was underway, he went to the police to report the issue. He stated in his complaint that he wished to remain a Hindu. The matter has infuriated Hindu organizations and they have affirmed their commitment to support the victim. Hindu leader Dharmendra Singh has said this is a carefully planned conspiracy.

He conveyed that Hindu groups will back Kuldeep. The police are currently investigating the matter. According to officials, further measures will be taken based on the victim’s account.

As US Trade Court blocks most of Trump tariffs, here is how the US president lied about using tariffs to broker India-Pakistan ceasefire to avoid adverse court ruling

Rukma Rathore
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As US Trade Court blocks most of Trump tariffs, here is how the US president lied about using tariffs to broker India-Pakistan ceasefire to avoid adverse court ruling

On 28th May, a federal court in the United States halted President Donald Trump’s extensive “Liberation Day” tariffs, delivering a significant setback to a crucial aspect of his economic strategies. The International Trade Court determined that an emergency law enacted by the White House does not grant him the sole authority to impose tariffs on almost all nations. Notably, during the hearing, the Trump administration claimed that preventing the imposition of tariffs will result in escalation of India-Pakistan conflict. However, the court didn’t accept that argument.

The Manhattan-based court ruled that the president’s mandate to safeguard the economy does not outweigh exclusive authority of Congress under the country’s Constitution to regulate trade with other countries. Trump exceeded his authority when he used the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act to declare a national emergency and defend the sweeping tariffs, according to the three-judge panel.

They unanimously declared that the White House had acted “contrary to law.” The bench pointed out, “The Worldwide and Retaliatory Tariff Orders exceed any authority granted to the President by IEEPA to regulate importation by means of tariffs. The Trafficking Tariffs fail because they do not deal with the threats set forth in those orders.”

“The court does not pass upon the wisdom or likely effectiveness of the president’s use of tariffs as leverage,” the bench declared and added, “That use is impermissible not because it is unwise or ineffective, but because (federal law) does not allow it,” as it imposed a permanent injunction on the comprehensive tariff orders enacted by Trump since January.

Additionally, the justices mandated that the Trump administration issue fresh directives within ten days that reflected the permanent injunction. The Trump administration filed a notice of appeal shortly after the decision was pronounced and challenged the court’s jurisdiction.

The Trump administration claimed that only Congress, not the courts, has the power to determine whether a president’s declaration of emergency satisfies legal requirements and even cited the upholding of then-President Richard Nixon’s use of emergency tariffs in 1971.

All of Trump’s tariff orders since January that were based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a measure designed to handle “unusual and extraordinary” threats during a national emergency were deemed unconstitutional by the court with immediate effect.

The court also blocked another series of tariffs that the Trump administration had slapped on China, Mexico and Canada upon its return to the White House, citing the intolerable influx of drugs and undocumented immigrants into the United States.

Decades of US trade policy were overturned by the tariffs which also shook financial markets, interrupted international trade and increased the possibility of price hikes and a global recession. The case constitutes one of seven legal challenges directed at the administration’s trade policies together with lawsuits from 13 US states and additional groups of small businesses.

The decision was made following lawsuits initiated by five small import businesses in the United States and a coalition of 13 states spearheaded by Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, who described the tariffs as “unlawful, reckless, and economically devastating.”

No takers for Trump’s India-Pakistan ceasefire lie

Top US officials who were tasked with defending Trump’s trade policies claimed that any effort to limit his authority to use trade and impose tariffs could cause another conflict between India and Pakistan and put millions of lives in jeopardy, among other things. The legal defeat could also shift the direction of a “asymmetric” trade truce with China, per the Trump administration which urged the court to uphold the tariff power.

Government lawyers contended that the tariff policy has sparked international negotiations and any legal restriction would severely diminish US influence on the world stage. Justice Department lawyer Brett Shumate implored, “An injunction would completely kneecap the president,” to which Judge Jane Restani retorted, “The court cannot for political reasons allow the president to do something he’s not allowed to do by statute.”

They reiterated Trump’s statement, which India has consistently denied, that he acted as a mediator between India and Pakistan. They further alleged that only after the president intervened and provided both nations with trading access to the US did a “tenuous” truce was reached.

Four important members of the president’s cabinet, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Lee Greer, signed declarations in the US Court of International Trade and supported the flimsy claim of the president regarding the fresh India-Pakistan dispute.

Lutnick argued against any erosion of the presidential power to invoke US laws to levy tariffs on foreign nations and the potential consequences for utilizing economic tools for strategic purposes. He invoked the military conflict between “nuclear powers” India and Pakistan and the subsequent ceasefire to make his point.

“For example, India and Pakistan, two nuclear powers engaged in combat operations just 13 days ago reached a tenuous ceasefire on 10th May 2025. This ceasefire was only achieved after President Trump interceded and offered both nations trading access with the United States to avert a full-scale war,” he stressed.

Lutnick expressed, “This ceasefire was only achieved after President Trump interceded and offered both nations trading access with the United States to avert a full-scale war. An adverse ruling that constrains presidential power in this case could lead India and Pakistan to question the validity of President Trump’s offer, threatening the security of an entire region and the lives of millions.”

A negative decision, he continued, will also put important trade agreements at risk and permit Chinese aggressiveness during a period of geopolitical rivalry. Lutnick also emphasized that Trump’s use of higher tariffs had allowed the US to secure a 90-day deal with Beijing for a reduction in Chinese duties on US exports.

“The increased tariff rate against China applied additional pressure to achieve the foreign policy objective of bringing China, the greatest contributor to the national emergency and a well-known strategic adversary, to the negotiating table,” he mentioned.

India is presently engaged in negotiations with the United States regarding a bilateral trade agreement aimed at addressing the trade deficit of the US, with Trump asserting that India proposed a deal involving essentially zero tariffs.

According to Rubio’s declaration, any unfavorable decision could undermine US strategic interests across the world as well as gravely and irrevocably impair the nation’s foreign policy and national security. He added that any weakening of the president’s authority to apply tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act could incite other countries to impose retaliation tariffs on the United States.

He insisted that nations were holding off because they were wary of higher tariffs introduced by the Trump administration under the IEEPA. The officials informed the court that tariff-related trade talks were in progress with a number of nations and that the matter was still in a “delicate state,” with the trade agreements set to be finalized by 7th July.

Trump’s terryfing tariffs

On 2nd April, the American commander-in-chief placed import levies on the majority of the country’s trading partners, revealing an unprecedented global tariff regime. Most countries were subject to a 10% baseline tariff with higher rates imposed on nations that maintain significant trade surpluses with the United States. Dozens of countries and blocs, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico and China were targeted with harsher retaliatory duties.

Trump maintained that the comprehensive economic plan would save employment and strengthen American industry. Since the announcement and Trump’s several reversals and halting of duties as foreign countries approached the bargaining table, the world’s markets have been in a state of chaos.

A protracted trade war with China added to the unrest as the two economic titans raised tariffs back and forth, culminating in a 125% Chinese tax on US imports and a 145% US tax on Chinese goods. With the US lowering its levies on China to 30% and the latter dropping its tariffs on certain US imports to 10%, the two largest economies in the world have since reached a truce.

Moreover, a deal on reduced tariffs between the US and UK governments has been announced. However, Trump recently threatened to impose a 50% tariff on all EU-sourced goods. Afterward, he agreed to a more than one-month extension of the deadline for trade negotiations with the bloc.

During the ongoing trade deal negotiations, Trump had earlier declared a reciprocal tariff of 26% on Indian items and attempted to open politically sensitive industries, such as agriculture. Concerns regarding India’s willingness to liberalize certain industries to prevent retaliatory tariffs had been voiced by representatives of the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

New Delhi responded by approving multiple tariff reductions in the Union Budget presentation, including those on motorbikes and bourbon whiskey. Given that India had consented to terms of reference (ToR) to begin negotiations shortly before reciprocal tariffs went into effect, there was a lot of pressure to strike a trade agreement with the US.

Trump’s claims of mediation between India-Pakistan and New Delhi’s rejection

On 7th May India initiated “Operation Sindoor” following the Pakistan-sponsored 22nd April Pahalgam terror attack. India not only dismantled key terror infrastructure at nine locations in Pakistan but also destroyed its airbases, jets and an AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft when the latter sought to attack civilian areas in the border region.

Pakistan requested a halt in hostilities from India twice, including on the evening of 7th May when the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) sent an official message, reported India Today. On 10th May at 3:35 pm, following three more days of fierce cross-border military operations, India and Pakistan held a DGMO-level discussion to negotiate a ceasefire agreement, which was also initiated by the Islamic Republic.

The goal of the truce was to reduce tensions between the two neighbors and it was mediated by existing military channels. Nonetheless, Trump asserted that the United States facilitated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan and that the agreement was reached due to his proposal of potential trade concessions.

“After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire. Congratulations to both countries on using common sense and great intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” he announced on Truth Social on 10th May.

“I said, come on, we’re going to do a lot of trade with you guys. Let’s stop it. If you stop it, we’ll do a trade. If you don’t stop it, we’re not going to do any trade. And all of a sudden, they said, I think we’re going to stop. For a lot of reasons, but trade is a big one,” he then claimed while addressing media on 12th May.

Trump portrayed himself as a peacemaker and emphasized that his administration had played a crucial role in brokering peace to avert a “potential nuclear war” between India and Pakistan, which he stated could have led to the loss of millions of lives. “I think they’re actually getting along. Maybe we can even get them together a little bit, Marco, where they go out and have a nice dinner together. Wouldn’t that be nice,” he stated in Riyadh, during his three-nation Middle East visit.

While Islamabad expressed gratitude towards him, India categorically dismissed his assertions. According to India’s foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, top leaders in Washington and New Delhi spoke after the Indian military’s heated standoff with Pakistan but they did not discuss trade. He firmly asserted that it was the strength of Indian weaponry that compelled Pakistan to halt hostilities and pursue dialogue, rather than any external mediation.

Trump’s claims stand exposed

While Trump consistently boasted about his role and depicted himself as the one who brought rival nations to peace negotiations, the current ruling from the US court has laid bare the truth of his assertions. India has already dismissed his statement, yet his exploitation of the India-Pakistan conflict to maintain tariff power clearly indicates that he fabricated the same for his own benefit in the court of law.

However, the bench appears to have called his bluff. The Trump administration can no longer utilize the sword of tariffs against trading partners or purport to settle conflicts between two adversaries.

India shakes up CCTV industry by mandating scrutiny of China-made CCTVs’ hardware and software, changes enforced to counter Chinese spying through these cameras

OpIndia Staff
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India shakes up CCTV industry by mandating scrutiny of China-made CCTVs’ hardware and software, changes enforced to counter Chinese spying through these cameras

India has mandated the manufacturers of the surveillance gear to submit hardware, software, and source code of CCTV cameras for security assessment in Indian government labs before selling their products in the country. This stems from India’s concerns regarding the possible threat of Chinese surveillance through the CCTV cameras and their parts supplied by Chinese manufacturers.

The new rules apply to all internet-connected CCTV cameras manufactured or imported after 9th April, as reported by Reuters. The decision will mostly impact Chinese manufacturers such as Hikvision, Xiaomi, and Dahua, which dominate the Indian surveillance market.

In 2021, the then Minister of State for Communications and IT, Sanjay Dhotre flagged the danger of Chinese surveillance through CCTV cameras. Dhotre said in the Parliament that around 10 lakh CCTV cameras in various government institutions were from Chinese manufacturers and therefore posed a risk of data being passed on to Chinese servers.

Gulshan Rai, who was India’s cybersecurity chief between 2015 and 2019 told Reuters, “There is always an espionage risk. Anyone can operate and control internet-connected CCTV cameras sitting in an adverse location. They need to be robust and secure”.

CCTV manufacturers voice their reservations about the new policy

On 13th April, Indian officials reportedly met with the executives of 17 foreign and domestic manufacturers of surveillance gear, including Hanwha, Motorola, Bosch, Honeywell and Xiaomi. In the meeting, the manufacturers conveyed their reservations regarding the new certification rules and requested the government to delay the implementation of the rules. However, the government rejected their request citing that the policy “addresses a genuine security issue” and therefore it must be enforced. The government clarified that the rules do not single out any country and intend to improve the quality of cybersecurity of surveillance systems in the country.

The CCTV manufacturers raised several issues, including delayed approvals, and disruptions in infrastructure and commercial projects. They mentioned insufficient testing capacity, prolonged factory inspections and government scrutiny of sensitive source code. “Millions of dollars will be lost from the industry, sending tremors through the market,” Ajay Dubey, Hanwha’s director for South Asia, reportedly told the IT ministry.

Millions of CCTV cameras have been installed across Indian cities with Delhi alone having over 250,000 cameras. Counterpoint Research analyst Varun Gupta told Reuters that India’s surveillance market is set to be worth $7 billion by 2030, compared to $3.5 billion last year. He said that China’s Hikvision and Dahua account for 30% of the market while India’s CP Plus has a 48% share in the market. About 27% of the CCTV demand in the country comes from the public sector while the remaining 73% demand comes from enterprise clients, industry, hospitality firms and domestic users.

New rules empower officials to inspect facilities

CCTV equipment supplied to the Indian government have been undergoing security assessment since 2024, but under the new rules, all devices have been covered. The new rules require the CCTV cameras to have tamper-proof enclosures, strong malware detection and encryption. The companies will have to run software tools to test source code and provide reports to government labs. If companies are using proprietary communication protocols in devices, rather than standard ones like Wi-Fi, then, as per the new rules, the labs can ask for source code. The rules also empower Indian officials to visit device makers abroad and inspect facilities for cyber vulnerabilities.

Five prototype 5th generation fighter jets will be developed under AMCA Programme Execution Model, private sector to participate in the mega defence project: Rajnath Singh

OpIndia Staff
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Five prototype 5th generation fighter jets will be developed under AMCA Programme Execution Model, private sector to participate in the mega defence project: Rajnath Singh

“Make-in-India is an essential component in our national security and it played a key role in India’s effective action against terrorism during Operation Sindoor,” Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has told industry captains, emphasising that through the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme Execution Model, the private sector will get an opportunity to participate in a mega defence project along with public sector companies for the first time, further bolstering indigenous defence capabilities. He was addressing the Inaugural Plenary of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Annual Business Summit in New Delhi on May 29, 2025.

Raksha Mantri termed the Execution Model for AMCA programme to build 5th generation fighter aircraft in India as a bold and decisive step, which will take the domestic aerospace sector to greater heights. “Under the AMCA project, the plan is to develop five prototypes, which will be followed by series production. It is a key milepost in the history of the Make-in-India programme,” he said.

Highlighting the success of Make-in-India during Operation Sindoor, Rajnath Singh stated that the Indian Armed Forces would not have been able to take effective action against terrorism in Pakistan and PoK if the nation had not strengthened its indigenous defence capabilities. He described Make-in-India as crucial for security and prosperity, stating that the use of indigenous systems during Operation Sindoor has proved that India has the power to penetrate any armour of the enemy. “We destroyed the terrorist hideouts and then the military bases. We could have done a lot more, but we presented a great example of coordination of power and restraint,” he said.

Raksha Mantri asserted that India has redesigned and redefined its strategy & response against terrorism, and Pakistan has realised that running the business of terrorism is not cost-effective, rather it may have to pay a heavy price. He added that India has recalibrated its engagement and scope of dialogue with Pakistan, and now talks will only be held on terrorism and PoK.

Minister Rajnath Singh again made it clear that PoK is a part of India and the people who got geographically and politically separated will, sooner or later, voluntarily return to India. “Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government is committed to its resolve of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. Most of the people in PoK have a deep connection with India. There are only a few who have been misled,” he said.

Raksha Mantri emphasised that the Government has given priority to policy clarity, indigenisation, economic resilience and strategic autonomy, and the success of these efforts can be ensured only when all the stakeholders, including innovators, entrepreneurs & manufacturers become strong partners in this national mission. He exhorted the Indian industry to focus on national interests, more than company interests. “If securing company interests is your karma, safeguarding national interests is your dharma,” he said.

Sharing his views on the theme of the summit ‘Building Trust & India First’, Shri Rajnath Singh stated that it is a matter of great pride that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has become the fourth largest economy. “It is not just a matter of the economy growing in size; it is also about the world’s ever-increasing trust in India and its trust in itself. Today, India is not just a consumer of defence technology, but has also become a producer and exporter. When the world approaches us for high-end defence systems, it is not just a market indication, it is a respect for our capability,” he said.

Raksha Mantri highlighted the important role being played by the defence sector in India’s growth journey by enumerating the feats achieved due to the initiatives taken by the Government in the last decade. “10-11 years ago, our defence production was approx. Rs 43,000 crore. Today, it has crossed the record figure of Rs 1,46,000 crore, with a contribution of over Rs 32,000 crore by the private sector. Our defence exports, which were around Rs 600-700 crore 10 years ago, have surpassed a record figure of Rs 24,000 crore today. Our weapons, systems, sub-systems, components, and services are reaching around 100 countries. Over 16,000 MSMEs, associated with the defence sector, have become the backbone of the supply chain. These companies are not only strengthening our self-reliance journey, but are also providing employment to lakhs of people,” he said.

Rajnath Singh added that, today, India is not only producing fighter aircraft and missile systems, it is also getting ready for New Age Warfare Technology. “We are continuously making headway even in frontier technologies. Our progress in the field of Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Defence, Unmanned Systems, and Space-Based Security is being recognised on the global stage. India has the potential to become a development hub for engineering, high precision manufacturing and future technologies,” he said.

Dubbing the Indian industry as the carrier of the collective aspirations of the nation, Raksha Mantri said that only the common efforts & synergy of the Government and the Industry can make India a developed nation by 2047. He stressed that, in today’s times, the strength of a nation is not evaluated just by its economic index like GDP, foreign investment or export figures, it also depends on the confidence a country can inspire in its citizens and the global community. “Trust lasts only when a country has the confidence that it can protect its geopolitical interests, ensure the safety of its citizens, and remain stable in the face of future uncertainties. The morale of the nation remains high only when it knows that its today is secure, and tomorrow is safe,” he added.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat, Vice Chief of the Army Staff Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani, CII President Shri Sanjiv Puri and industry leaders were among those who attended the event.

We could have done even more, but with power must also come restraint: Rajnath Singh on Operation Sindoor against terror bases in Pakistan

ANI
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We could have done even more, but with power must also come restraint: Rajnath Singh on Operation Sindoor against terror bases in Pakistan

India could have inflicted more damage while retaliating to Pakistan’s terror attacks with ‘Operation Sindoor’ but it exercised restraint, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday.

Addressing an event in the national capital. Singh said those residing in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) are India’s own and one day, will surely return to the Indian mainstream.

Addressing the inaugural plenary of CII (Confederation of Indian Industry), Singh highlighted the success of Make in India campaign which proved to be important for both security and prosperity of India during ‘Operation Sindoor’.

“Make in India is an essential component of India’s National Security. If we did not have this capability, India’s forces would not have been able to take such effective action against terrorism from lower Pakistan to PoK,” the Defence Minister said.

“You saw how first we destroyed the terrorist hideouts and then the enemy’s airbases. We could have done even more, but with power must also come restraint. We have presented a remarkable example before the world, of strength combined with coordination. We could have done more, but we exercised restraint. Today, Pakistan has realized the heavy cost of running the business of terrorism. We have redesigned and redefined India’s stance against terrorism. We have recalibrated our engagements and scope of dialogue with Pakistan. From now on, whenever talks happen, they will only be about terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). There will be no discussion with Pakistan on any other issue,” Singh said.

He said that the day is not far when the people of PoK will join India with self-respect and of their own will.

“The people of PoK are our own. They are part of our family. We are fully committed to the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’. We firmly believe that our brothers, who are today geographically and politically separated from us, will one day surely return to the Indian mainstream, with self-respect and of their own free will,” Singh said.

“I know that most of the people there feel a connection with India. There are only a handful who have been misled. India has always believed in connecting hearts, and we believe that by walking the path of love, unity, and truth, the day is not far when our own PoK will return and declare: I am Indian, and I have come back,” Rajnath Singh said.

Operation Sindoor was India’s decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Launched on May 7, Operation Sindoor led to the death of over 100 terrorists affiliated with terror outfits like the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

After the attack, Pakistan retaliated with cross-border shelling across the Line of Control and Jammu and Kashmir as well as attempted drone attacks along the border regions, following which India launched a coordinated attack and damaged radar infrastructure, communication centres, and airfields across 11 airbases in Pakistan.

After this, on May 10, an understanding of the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan was announced.

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

Pilibhit: 500 people return to Sikhism at VHP event after pastors from Nepal converted them to Christianity

OpIndia Staff
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Pilibhit: 500 people return to Sikhism at VHP event after pastors from Nepal converted them to Christianity

Around 500 Sikhs have returned to fold of Sikhism as part of a program organised by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) in villages close to the India-Nepal border in the Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh. These individuals had formerly abandoned their faith to become Christians. The Sikh community gathered for this event which took place in Bailaha and Tatarganj villages on the 23rd May.

According to reports, the Hindu outfit carried out an awareness campaign to attract people back to Sikhism by setting up a camp in these villages for two days. The authorities and administration also ensured a strong police presence for security. VHP’s organizational secretary Prince Gaud stated these people were approached in the hamlets near the Nepal border and the significance of Sikhism was conveyed to them.

Afterward, many families willingly chose to return to their roots. The Gurdwara Management Committee successfully reintegrated 160 families into Sikhism through religious initiatives such as Amritpan. Additionally, some persons who were inciting conversions were subjected to social boycotts.

Image via OpIndia Hindi

Concerns regarding conversions have been raised for an extended period in villages such as Bailaha, Tatarganj, Bamanpura Bhagirath and Singhara, located within the Hazara police station area of Pilibhit. Local Sikh organizations have reported that pastors from Nepal, along with few local pastors have encouraged Sikhs to embrace Christianity through financial incentives and ‘faith healing’ gatherings.

The All India Sikh Punjabi Welfare Council asserted that over 3,000 Sikhs have converted in recent years. A list of 160 of these families has been presented to the authorities. Given the seriousness of the situation, the newly appointed District Magistrate Gyanendra Kumar Singh created a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the charges.

The police also filed a case against eight individuals accused of forcing conversion and vandalising agricultural land on the complaint of a Sikh woman named Manjit Kaur. She revealed that her husband had already become a Christian and now there is pressure on her and her children to follow the same. Her kids were also thrashed because she refused to comply.

As US government decides to revoke visas of Chinese students, read how academic institutions have been used by China for building a spying network in the West

OpIndia Staff
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As US government decides to revoke visas of Chinese students, read how academic institutions have been used by China for building a spying network in the West

The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Thursday (29th March) that the US government is set to revoke the visas for Chinese students, including those having links with the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.

Rubio said that the US State Department will work with the Department of Homeland Security for this purpose. This comes after the US government increased the scrutiny of all future visa applications from China and Hong Kong amid the Trump administration’s efforts to bolster national security.

A day before, Secretary Rubio ordered the US embassies across the world to stop scheduling interviews for student visas as the US government plans to restrict the entry of foreign students in the American educational institutions. Chinese students form the second largest pool of international students studying in US universities after India. During 2023-24, over 270,000 Chinese students were studying in the US, amounting to one-fourth of the total foreign students in the US.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, President Trump said that he wants to scrutinise the foreign students taking admissions in the US universities. “They’re taking people from areas of the world that are very radicalised, and we don’t want them making trouble in our country,” he said.

The US crackdown on Chinese student visa is likely to disrupt the Chinese spying network in the US. China is notorious for carrying out espionage campaigns in its rival countries by targeting individuals in companies, universities and government agencies. In July 2021, four Chinese nationals were charged in the US for being part of a Chinese global espionage campaign in which 12 countries including the US were targeted between July 2009 and September 2018.

Chinese running a spying network in the US academic institutions

China is said to have established an effective spying network at the top US universities including the Ivy league universities like Harvard and Stanford, which also receive massive funds from the Communist Party of China (CCP). The Chinese military sends its spies disguised as students who are trained to steal intellectual property and research documents from the university labs and send them to China.

The US agencies found out about the Chinese spy network in the US academic institutions in the year 2020, after the arrest of Prof. Lieber, who was a research scientist at Harvard. Two Chinese spies disguised as researchers were also charged as agents of a foreign government. The Chinese spies lied about their research work and used their access to smuggle research samples out of the country.

In October 2022, the US authorities indicted four Chinese nationals including three Ministry of State Security (MSS) intelligence officers for spying for China. The Chinese nationals, identified as Wang Lin, Bi Hongwei, Dong Ting, aka Chelsea Dong, and Wang Qiang, were entrusted to recruit individuals for the Chinese government. For this, they targeted professors, former law enforcement officials, state homeland security officials and others to gain access to sensitive information to be passed on to the Chinese government.

These Chinese nationals posed as academics from a purported academic institute at the Ocean University of China, also known as the Institute for International Studies (IIS). They targeted professors at US universities to gain access to sensitive equipment and information.

Netherlands, Canada and Finland raised concerns over Chinese spy networks

In 2021, the spying agencies of Netherlands, Canada and Finland raised concerns regarding Chinese espionage attacks on government, companies and universities. The three countries flagged concerns about collaborating with China. Netherlands’ intelligence agencies said that the country’s academic institutions face the threat of cyber-attacks by China. In addition to that, China also sends researchers, PhD candidates and students in Netherlands’ academic institutions as spies.

Finland agencies accused the Chinese government of trying to take control over the critical infrastructure in the country, including telecommunications, energy, water distribution, airports, roads and ports. Canadian intelligence agencies also raised concerns over the Chinese government’s attempts to target several sectors of the country, including biopharmaceutical and health, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, ocean technology, and aerospace sectors.

New Delhi: 2 killed, 3 injured as speeding car rams cyclist, slums in Janakpuri

ANI
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New Delhi: 2 killed, 3 injured as speeding car rams cyclist, slums in Janakpuri

Two people were killed and three others were injured after a speeding car driven by a teenager lost control on Delhi’s Pankha Road in the Janakpuri area, police said.

As per the police, the accident occurred in the early hours of Thursday when a speeding car first struck a cyclist before crashing into roadside slums.

A PCR call was received shortly after the accident, and a team rushed to the spot. The injured were immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

According to police, the car was being driven by a 19-year-old. Two people died on the spot, while three others sustained injuries and are currently undergoing treatment.

The driver has been taken into custody, and legal proceedings have been initiated.

Further details are awaited.

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

‘No evidence, only assumptions’: Lokpal dismisses all charges against ex-SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch in Adani case

OpIndia Staff
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‘No evidence, only assumptions’: Lokpal dismisses all charges against ex-SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch in Adani case

The Lokpal of India has dismissed three high-profile complaints against Madhabi Puri Buch, the former Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), concluding that the allegations lacked merit, were unsubstantiated, and appeared to be politically motivated.

The complaints, filed shortly after the release of the second Hindenburg Report dated August 10, 2024, accused Buch of corruption, conflict of interest, and quid pro quo dealings during her tenure at SEBI. The allegations centered on her and her husband’s investments, consultancy associations, and regulatory decisions involving major corporate entities including the Adani Group.

Key Allegations and Lokpal’s Findings

1. Investment Conflict

It was alleged that Buch and her husband had invested in a fund linked to Adani Group entities under SEBI investigation, without making proper disclosures. The Lokpal, however, found that the investments were passive, disclosed, and bore no connection to any SEBI-regulated activities under Buch’s purview.

2. Quid Pro Quo Deals

Accusations of Buch’s firms receiving consultancy fees from entities like Mahindra, Blackstone, and Wockhardt—while they were being probed by SEBI—were found baseless. The Lokpal noted there was no credible evidence of any undue advantage or violation of regulatory ethics.

3. Stock Sale Timing

The complaint claimed that Buch unfairly benefited by selling ICICI Bank ESOPs at peak value while SEBI had open investigations against the bank. The Lokpal ruled the timing was coincidental, legally permissible, and unrelated to any internal SEBI deliberation.

4. Document Concealment

Buch was accused of withholding critical documents from the Supreme Court-appointed Expert Committee on Adani-related stock manipulation. The Lokpal found no verifiable evidence supporting this claim.

5. Improper Recusals

While Buch had recused herself from certain cases, complainants alleged she continued to exert influence. The Lokpal, however, found no proof of her interference, noting that SEBI’s institutional mechanisms ensured checks and balances.

Lokpal’s Judgment

In a comprehensive 36-page order, the Lokpal emphatically rejected the complaints:

“The allegations in the Complaint(s) are more on presumptions and assumptions and not supported by any verifiable material… These complaints are disposed of.”

The order stated that SEBI’s regulatory actions, including those involving the Adani Group, had already been scrutinized and upheld by the Supreme Court, and could not be reopened without new, credible evidence.

Adani Group’s Response

The Adani Group, while not a direct party in the complaints, was named in the allegations as a supposed beneficiary of regulatory favoritism. The Lokpal’s findings amounted to a full exoneration, stating:

“The effectiveness of the investigations and action taken by SEBI against the Adani Group of companies has commended to the Supreme Court. That cannot be reopened directly or indirectly…”

The Lokpal also dismissed the Hindenburg Report—on which the complaints were largely based—as unreliable:

“The complaint(s)… were essentially founded on the Hindenburg Report… that report by itself cannot be made the sole basis to escalate action…”

Political and Regulatory Implications

The complaints were strongly criticized by the Lokpal for attempting to sensationalize regulatory affairs and misuse anti-corruption mechanisms:

“The Complainant(s)… only to sensationalize or so to say politicize the matter, has inevitably trivialised the process before the Lokpal. It is nothing short of vexatious proceedings…”

The Lokpal’s dismissal of the complaints reaffirms the credibility of SEBI’s functioning under Buch and is seen as a significant institutional endorsement of due process and regulatory independence. Legal experts believe the decision will deter future politically motivated or speculative filings based on short-seller reports or media narratives.

With the Lokpal’s ruling, Madhabi Puri Buch stands fully cleared of all allegations. The case underscores the importance of verifiable evidence in public accountability processes and highlights India’s adherence to rule of law, even in matters involving high-profile regulatory and corporate actors.

“By reiterating SEBI’s institutional integrity and rejecting conflict of interest charges, the order sends a strong signal that India’s capital markets are robustly governed.”

This outcome is also being viewed as a vindication of India’s regulatory institutions amid increasing global scrutiny and attempts to influence domestic policy through external reports and market maneuvers.

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) introduces new Online Application Portal to streamline exam registration and application process

OpIndia Staff
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Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) introduces new Online Application Portal to streamline exam registration and application process

The Union Public Service Commission introduced a new Online Application Portal on 28th May for registration and filling up of application forms online. The portal is designed to simplify and speed up the registration and application process for various UPSC examinations, making it more user-friendly and efficient.

The new UPSC Online Application Portal has four parts, arranged in 4 separate cards at the home page, Account Creation, Universal Registration, Common Application Form and Examinations. The first three sections contain information which are common to all examinations and can be filled anytime by the candidates. The fourth part i.e. Examination contains examination notices, Examination Application and applications status.

Only examination specific information is to be filled up in this part by candidates during the time period allowed in the notification of an examination.

A statement issued by UPSC said that this arrangement will facilitate candidates to fill up first three parts anytime and keep ready for applying to any UPSC examination whenever notified with updates as may be required, thereby saving time and avoiding last minute rush.

From now on, all applicants are required to fill up the application and upload their documents in the newly introduced portal afresh by using the website https://upsconline.nic.in. The old One Time Registration (OTR) module will not be applicable henceforth. The old OTR website remains available to view application forms submitted earlier, but new applications can’t be submitted through the new portal only.

Detailed instructions for filling up forms are available on the home page as well as with all profiles/modules to guide the candidates for filling up the application and upload the documents.

UPSC added that applicants are strongly advised to use their Aadhar Card as ID document in the Universal Application for easy, effortless and seamless verification and authentication of ID and other details after which it serves as a permanent and common record for all examinations.

The New Application Portal is being launched with effect from 28.05.2025. Applications for CDS Exam-II, 2025 and NDA&NA-II, 2025, to be notified on 28.05.2025, will be accepted through the new online application portal.

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