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Arizona teen dies while performing the ‘dusting challenge’, read all about this dangerous new social media trend that is putting teens’ lives in danger

OpIndia Staff
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Arizona teen dies while performing the ‘dusting challenge’, read all about this dangerous new social media trend that is putting teens’ lives in danger

In a tragic incident, a teenage girl in Arizona, United States lost her life while performing the ‘dusting challenge’, the new online trend. 19-year-old Renna O’Rourke, went into cardiac arrest while attempting the deadly viral social media trend called the ‘dusting’ or ‘chroming’.

The dusting challenge is a viral social media trend in which the participants are required to record themselves sniffing keyboard cleaning spray to get high and gain views on their profiles and posts. As per reports, Renna O’Rourke was trying this challenge when she went into cardiac arrest. She was rushed to the hospital where she remained for a week before being declared brain dead. She died of sudden sniffing syndrome.

Her parents had no idea

Grieving parents of Renna O’Rourke heard about the dusting challenge for the first time after their daughter fell victim to it. Her father, Aaron O’Rourke, recalls how she used to tell him that she would get famous one day. “She always said, ‘I’m gonna be famous, Dad. Just you watch. I’m gonna be famous,’ and unfortunately, this is not under the most optimal of circumstances,” said the heartbroken father.

Renna’s mother, Dana O’Rourke said that the challenge is easily accessible to youngsters as it requires no ID proof. “There’s no ID required. It’s odorless. It’s everything kids look for. They can afford it, they can get it, and it doesn’t show in mom and dad’s drug test,” the mother said.

After losing their child to the dangerous social media challenge, the parents are now trying to spread awareness about the social media trend to prevent other children from falling victim to it.

How the trend is threatening the lives of youngsters

Describing the dangers of the social media trend, Dr Randy Weisman, the head of the Intensive Care Unit at HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Centre, said that the trend is “extremely concerning”. He said that when the participants inhale the chemicals while trying the challenge, the oxygen in their lungs and bodies is replaced by the chemicals. This can make them feel high for a few minutes but it causes irreversible and fatal damage to their bodies.

“When they inhale these chemicals in the gas it will actually replace the oxygen within their lungs and within the rest of their body,” the doctor explained adding that it can lead to failure of liver, heart or lungs.

“She’s not the only one that this has happened to. Several other teenagers have succumbed to this same disorder,” the doctor said.

This is not the first time that a dangerous social media trend has resulted in loss of life. Several similarly dangerous social media challenges have emerged over the last few years which have resulted in the death of naive youngsters. One such challenge called the Blue Whale Challenge surfaced in 2016. It was an online game which involved performing 50 tasks over a period of 50 days which ultimately ended in the participants committing suicide. Several youngsters are said to have lost their lives due to this game.

How to protect teenagers from this dangerous trend

The very obvious step is to have regular interactions with your child and educate them about the risks involved with following these dangerous online trends. Making them aware about the dangers is the very first step.

Social media companies can also play a major role in this. This dusting challenge has gone viral thanks to videos shared on TikTok and other social media apps. These apps can take note of the content being shared on their platforms, and can censor or remove these dangerous challenges that they know jeopardise the health of immature kids who don’t know any better than following the latest trend.

Another area that can be looked at is bringing in new laws. Making sure that minors can’t buy the substances that can be dangerous to them and can be used for self-harm is another step that can be taken. In fact, Renna’s parents are planning to advocate for this measure so that another teen doesn’t lose their lives like their daughter.

Bangladesh elections to be held in first half of April 2026, announces Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh elections to be held in first half of April 2026, announces Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus

Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of the interim govt of Bangladesh, on Friday announced that the much-awaited elections will take place in first half of April in 2026. Addressing the nation on the eve of Eid-ul-Azha, he said that the Election Commission will provide a detailed roadmap for the elections in due course.

The Chief Advisor said, “After reviewing the ongoing reform activities related to trial, reform, and elections, I am announcing to the nation today that the next national election will be held any day in the first half of April 2026. Based on this announcement, the election commission will unveil a detailed election roadmap to you at an appropriate time.”

He said that the interim govt had three major tasks, reform, justice and elections. He said, “In that regard, I believe that by the next Eid-ul-Fitr, we will be able to reach an acceptable point on reform and justice. Especially, all will be able to see visible progress on the trial of crimes against humanity – which is the government’s collective responsibility towards the martyrs of the July mass uprising.”

He added that the govt has “held discussions with all parties to organise the most free, fair, competitive and acceptable elections in history.” Yunus said, “There is immense public and political interest regarding the timing of the election. As I’ve said before, it will be held between December and June. The government is working to ensure an environment conducive to a credible election within this timeframe.”

Notably, Yunus has been saying for last several months that the elections will take place between December 2025 and June 2026. On the other hand, several political parties, specifically the BNP, have been demanding polls by December this year. They say that the elections should take place first and major changes in the constitution should be done by an elected government.

On the other, some other parties including Jamaat-e-Islami say that the elections should take place only after reforms are completed.

Notably, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman had also said that elections should take place before December 2025. He had added that the interim govt should not take major decisions like allowing a UN corridor to Myanmar through Bangladesh and handing over operations of Chittagong port to foreign companies.

As PM Modi confirms he will attend G7 summit on Canadian PM’s invitation, here is how media claimed he has not been invited and Congress called it ‘diplomatic blunder’

OpIndia Staff
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As PM Modi confirms he will attend G7 summit on Canadian PM’s invitation, here is how media claimed he has not been invited and Congress called it ‘diplomatic blunder’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that he has been invited by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to attend the G7 summit in Canada later this month. The G7 summit is being held in Kananaskis in Alberta from 15th to 17th June. PM Modi also confirmed that he will attend the summit, as he added in his post on X, “Look forward to our meeting at the Summit.”

Notably, the invitation comes amid claims that India was not being invited to the summit over deteriorated bilateral ties between India and Canada. Several media houses had published reports claiming that India has not been invited, prompting the Congress party to launch an attack on the Modi government.

Bloomberg led the misinformation with its report on 5th June, as its headline claimed “Modi Not Invited to G-7 Summit in Sign of Frayed Canada Ties.” Citing unnamed officials in Delhi, the report claimed that the Indian PM has not received an invitation to the summit. It added that it is the host nation’s prerogative to invite non-members.

G7 is a group of seven nations- US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Japan. However, every year, some non-member countries are also invited to attend the summit. India has been regularly invited to join the G7 summit since 2019.

The Bloomberg article was reproduced by several Indian media houses, including Financial Times and National Herald. Pakistan’s Dawn also published a report with the same claim.

After media reports claimed that India is not invited to G7 summit in Canada, PM Modi said that Canadian PM called him to invite for the summit, and added that he is attending

On the other hand, some other reports claimed that PM Modi will not attend the summit even if he is invited. India Today said that Indian government is not inclined to attend, citing govt sources saying that the relationship must improve before any such high-profile visit takes place.

Moreover, the report cited security concerns that need to be addressed if PM Modi visits Canada, given the increasing Khalistani activities in the country.

Times of India also said that PM Narendra Modi is unlikely to attend the upcoming G7 summit in Canada. It said that any last-minute invitation will not be considered by the Indian govt because of logistical constraints.

In the meanwhile, the Congress party used the supposed non-invitation to target the Modi government, calling it a “big diplomatic bungle” after the “blunder” of allowing Donald Trump to mediate between India and Pakistan.

Senior Congress leader Jaram Ramesh said that when G7 was G8 including Russia till 2014, then PM Manmohan Singh was regularly invited to its summits. Adding that invitations continued even after 2014, the ‘non-invitation’ this year is “yet another major diplomatic blunder.”  

Therefore, all the claims regarding the G7 summit, that India is not invited, and that PM Modi will not attend even if he is invited, have been proven wrong. Canadian PM Mark Carney called PM Modi to extend the invitation, and PM Modi said that he will attend the summit and meet the Canadian PM.

Symbolic disrespect or scripted contempt? Rahul Gandhi looks away while garlanding Mountain man Dashrath Manjhi’s statue—when optics replaced homage

श्रवण शुक्ल
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Symbolic disrespect or scripted contempt? Rahul Gandhi looks away while garlanding Mountain man Dashrath Manjhi’s statue—when optics replaced homage

Congress prince Rahul Gandhi is on a tour to Bihar. He reached Gaya, went to “Mountain Man” Dashrath Manjhi’s village, garlanded his statue, met his family and pretended to love Dalits with great pomp and show. The purpose of all this performative tribute was to show ‘love for Dalits’, however, what happened there exposed the Rahul Gandhi’s fake love for Dalits.

Rahul Gandhi did not even look at Dashrath Manjhi’s statue while garlanding it

Garlanding a statue of a historical or reputed figure is a way of showing respect towards that figure, however, Rahul Gandhi’s tribute to Dashrath Manjhi was devoid of respect. Rahul Gandhi reached Dashrath Manjhi Memorial in Gehlaur village of Gayaji district. There he offered garland to the statue of Mountain Man. But the way he did it can make anyone’s heart turn sour. He offered garland twice, but did not even look at the statue.

Rahul Gandhi completed this ‘work’ in the same way, with one hand, tilting it as if he was doing something forcefully. The facial expressions, the glances towards the statue and the way of garlanding the statue – everything clearly showed that for Rahul Gandhi this was not genuine respect or devotion but rather political compulsion. Garland tilted with one hand, garlanding twice in a hurry without making eye contact and moving ahead.  

People are also taunting that there is no need to put in any effort in garlanding Rahul Baba. Perhaps they are thinking that just let the photo be taken, the rest of the people will vote anyway.

Who was Dashrath Manjhi, who house Rahul Gandhi visited to gain political mileage

Dashrath Manjhi, also known as the Mountain Man, carved a path by cutting the mountain for 22 years. If Dashrath Manjhi is famous today, it is because of Rahul Gandhi’s family, clan, party, because the mismanagement due to which Dashrath Manjhi’s wife Falguni died in 1959 was the result of the Congress government of that time. From 1960 to 1982, Manjhi cut the mountain single-handedly, but the Congress governments remained conveniently indifferent as if in hibernation.

Even before this, Congress dominated the politics of India and Bihar and even after that Congress ruled for a long time, but instead of development work, the Congress party turned a blind eye to the problems and troubles of the common people. No roads were built, no hospitals, no help was provided. Congress not only took 22 years to take care of the path that Manjhi made with his hard work, but never took care of it at all. Today Rahul Gandhi is meeting the family of the same Dashrath Manjhi and praising his greatness.

Congress’s history of neglecting Dalits

Beyond the political theatrics, a careful look into the history of Congress, introduces one to the party’s legacy of ignoring Dalits.  From the time of Dashrath Manjhi to later, Congress ruled Bihar for a long time. But what changed? There were no roads, no hospitals, no schools in the villages. People like Manjhi kept cutting mountains risking their lives and the Congress governments were busy in the politics of power. Later when the governments of Lalu Yadav and Rabri Devi, who were allies of Congress, came, even then no one took care of Manjhi. For 15 years Lalu-Rabri pushed Bihar into jungle raj, and did nothing for people like Manjhi, all while pretending to be the messiah of the marginalised and poor.

It was the JDU’s Nitish Kumar and BJP duo, who got the road built by Manjhi paved. Nitish Kumar honoured Dashrath Manjhi, built a road in his name and sent his name for Padmashri. Not only this, he also gave him a state farewell after his death. But Rahul Gandhi is today going to Manjhi’s village and is eulogising the Mountain Man to garner support of Dalits.

Dear Rahul Gandhi, if your party had paid a little attention at that time towards building basic infrastructure, then perhaps Manjhi would not have had to break the mountain with a hammer and chisel for 22 years.

Manjhi’s family and the politics of Congress ticket

Now let’s talk about Manjhi’s family. Dashrath Manjhi’s son Bhagirath Manjhi has joined the Congress. The family is now asking for a ticket from the Congress for the assembly elections . This is the same family, which the Congress never even asked about while Dashrath Manjhi was alive. Manjhi was alive till 2007, however the Congress party did not bother to look after him. Now when the assembly elections in Bihar are near, Rahul Gandhi remembered Manjhi’s village. He got photos clicked holding Bhagirath Manjhi’s hand, made videos and made them viral on social media. But the question is, is all this true love for Dalits, or is it a drama done for votes?

The Congress’s party’s shrewd tactic needs to be understood here. Congress has centered its entire leadership in Bihar around Dalits. The party’s command in the state has been handed over to Rajesh Ram. When he reached Darbhanga, he entered the Ambedkar hostel without permission and started interacting with Dalit students. When he reached Patna, he started watching a Phule film. When he reached Rajgir, he conducted a dialogue program with Dalits and tribals.

And now by visiting the Mountain Man’s house and offering garlands, Rahul Gandhi is continuing this pattern.. Perhaps, he will also give a ticket to Manjhi’s family for the assembly elections, so that he can prove himself to be the messiah of Dalits, but the public understands everything. If the Congress was so concerned about Dalits, then why did it forget Manjhi for 22 years? Why did it not pay attention even after his death 27 years later? Now when the need for votes arose, the drama of offering garlands and taking photographs has started.

Gandhi family’s anti-Dalit history

The Gandhi family’s attitude towards Dalits has always been questionable. During Indira Gandhi’s time, Babu Jagjivan Ram was prevented from becoming the Prime Minister, just because he was a Dalit. Not only this, Indira got his son’s sex scandal published in her daughter-in-law’s newspaper, so that Jagjivan Ram’s image is tarnished. Is this the Gandhi family’s love for Dalits? Today Rahul Gandhi is visiting Dalit homes in Bihar, but his heart is not there at all. Look at his face while offering garlands, it seems as if someone is forcing him to do so.

This Bihar tour of Rahul Gandhi is his fifth tour in the last five months. First Darbhanga, Patna, Samastipur, West Champaran and now Gaya, Rajgir, Bodhgaya. Everywhere the same drama – offer garland, get a photo clicked and make it viral on social media. Went to Jarasandha Memorial in Rajgir, offered garland to the statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar and then met people from the extremely backward society. But how true is all this? If there was so much concern for Dalits and backward people, then what did Congress do for them in its 60 years of rule? BJP is also making the same allegation.

Rahul Gandhi’s Bihar tour and his visit to Dashrath Manjhi’s village is a well-planned political drama. The pretence of offering garlands, the drama of meeting the family and the viral video on social media – all this is for votes. Congress has a history of ignoring Dalits and the poor. Dashrath Manjhi cut mountains for 22 years, but Congress governments did not take care of him because Congress has a history of making promises, giving slogans but not turning them into reality. Today Rahul Gandhi is going to Manjhi’s village and praising his greatness, but the truth is that Manjhi did not get the respect he should have got under Congress rule.

Pakistan government distances itself from its Defence Minister’s comments, says Simla Agreement not dead

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan government distances itself from its Defence Minister’s comments, says Simla Agreement not dead

Pakistan’s foreign ministry confirmed that no decision has been made to cancel any bilateral agreements with India, including the historic 1972 Simla Agreement, just a day after defence minister Khawaja Asif called the agreement “a dead document.” A senior foreign office official stated that although recent events have prompted internal deliberations in Islamabad, no formal steps have been taken to revoke current accords with New Delhi.

“At present, there is no formal decision to terminate any bilateral accord,” an official conveyed. He stated that all treaties, including the Simla Agreement, continue to be in effect. The defense minister claimed in a televised interview on 3rd June that the Simla Agreement was no longer relevant due to India’s “unilateral actions,” including the withdrawal of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.

“The Simla Agreement is now a dead document. We are back to the 1948 position, when the United Nations declared the Line of Control a ceasefire line,” he alleged relating it to the initial conflict between India and Pakistan. He added that the agreement’s intended bilateral framework has broken down, making multilateral or international institutions necessary to resolve future conflicts. He also raised concerns regarding the feasibility of alternative agreements such as the Indus Waters Treaty which was suspended by India, implying that “Simla is already over.”

This clarification is provided in light of the rising tensions that have emerged after the Pahalgam terror attack on 22nd April, along with the Indian strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7th, as well as the following attacks on critical military installations in the Islamic Republic in response to the assaults on civilian areas in the border states, especially Jammu and Kashmir.

Khawaja Asif recently grabbed eyeballs when he made a mockery of hismelf on CNN as he attributed his nation’s claims of having downed five Indian fighter jets, including Rafales during “Operation Sindoor” to ‘social media posts.’ Pakistan has been relentless in its propaganda in light of the rising tensions between the two countries.

“It is all on social media, and Indian social media, not our social media. The debris of the jets fell on their side. It is all over the Indian media,” he replied when CNN interviewer Becky Anderson asked him for any concrete evidence to back the claims. “You’re the defence minister, sir. The reason to talk to you today, is not to talk about content all over social media,” she interjected and pointed out that he was not summoned to talk about social media content but rather to present genuine proof.

When she again urged him to substantiate his statement with evidence, inquiring whether any Chinese equipment was utilized to bring down the Rafael jets, he denied and then continued to stumble over his words.

Delhi High Court orders status quo on demolition of Batla House property, lists the matter on July 10

ANI
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Delhi High Court orders status quo on demolition of Batla House property, lists the matter on July 10

The Delhi High Court has granted an interim order of status quo on a property in Batla House, Okhla, that was facing demolition. The property belongs to Ishrat Jahan, a widow who has lived in the area for over 25 years.

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) issued a notice on May 26, proposing the demolition of various properties in the area, including Jahan’s.

Justice Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar passed the order for status quo till the next date, listing the matter before the roster bench on July 10, where Jahan’s petition challenging the demolition notice will be considered.

The DDA has been asked to file an affidavit within three weeks, setting out the proposed action for the properties demarcated in the Batla House area.

Petitioner Ishrat Jahan has moved to the High Court against the notice and is seeking its quashing. She has moved a petition through advocate Fahad Khan.

Petitioner is a resident of premises at I-12, Building No. 4 (Flat No. 4), 3rd Floor, Muradi Road, Batla House, Khasra No. 283.

In the interim, she has also sought a direction to stay the operation and implementation of the demolition notice of May 26 issued by the Deputy Director, Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

The counsel for respondents DDA submitted that she would file an affidavit setting out the proposed action to be taken regarding the various properties demarcated in the Batla House area, including the property of the Petitioner.

The DDA’s demolition notice is based on a Supreme Court order dated May 7, which directed the DDA to take action against unauthorized constructions not covered under the PM-UDAY Scheme. Jahan’s property, however, is claimed to be covered under the scheme
Authorities further stated that the matter is currently fixed for 30.07.2025, but that would not give sufficient time for them to take further action based on the Supreme Court’s order. She requests that the matter be postponed.

The court listed the matter on July 10 before the Roster Bench. The date of July 30 has been cancelled.

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

Delhi Airport’s runway 10/28 to be closed for 3 months for ILS upgradation, over 100 flights to be impacted with 57 cancelations

ANI
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Delhi Airport’s runway 10/28 to be closed for 3 months for ILS upgradation, over 100 flights to be impacted with 57 cancelations

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar on Friday announced that Delhi Airport will temporarily shut Runway 10/28 for a three-month period to carry out critical upgrades aimed at improving fog-time operations. This will impact around 100 flights in all.

Speaking to ANI, CEO of Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, said, “Out of the four runways that the Delhi airport has, there is one runway 10/28 that we are planning to shut down for three months because there are upgrades that are required.”

As part of the degradation, DIAL will update the current ILS (Instrument Landing System), which is already out of order. DIAL will also make the runway CAT III-B compliant. CAT III-B is an advanced landing system that allows aircraft to land in extremely low visibility conditions.

Due to the degradation activity undertaken by the DIAL, 100 flights are going to be affected overall, out of which over 43 flights are going to be rescheduled.

“The new schedule has already been published, and 57 departure flights are going to be cancelled. If you put it in the perspective of the percentage, then overall, for Delhi airport, about 7 per cent of the Delhi airport capacity flights will be cancelled,” said the DIAL CEO.

“We also ensure that the cancellations are not something that is impacting in a big way. So, in most of the sectors where we had multiple connectivity, their 8-9 per cent of the connectivity was reduced so that overall that sector does not get impacted badly,” he added.

Global credit rating firm Fitch Ratings in April the current year upgraded Delhi International Airport Limited to BB+, kipping the outlook as stable.

In its commentary, the rating firm said that the improvement in the financial profile is likely to be materially higher than its previous expectations.

DIAL benefits from a stable regulatory regime with revenue and capex determined by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA).

The company also benefits from its position as India’s largest airport by passenger traffic and the gateway to the national capital region with a catchment population of over 30 million, supporting strong long-term growth prospects despite some competition from the proposed opening of Noida International Airport in the financial year 2026.

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

Islamists in India launch ‘boycott Tata’ campaign to ‘support’ Palestinians: Read why Tata Group has rubbed Hamas supporters the wrong way

Aditi
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Islamists in India launch ‘boycott Tata’ campaign to ‘support’ Palestinians: Read why Tata Group has rubbed Hamas supporters the wrong way

Several pro-Hamas and pro-Palestine Islamic organisations have been staging protests across the country against the Tata group for past few days. The protests are being organised as part of a national campaign being led by the Indian People in Solidarity with Palestine (IPSP), calling for boycott of Tata-owned products due to the conglomerate’s ties with Israel.

On 28th May, a demonstration was staged in Calicut, Kerala, by the Student Islamic Organisation (SIO), the student wing of Jamaat-i-Islami Hind, outside an outlet of Zudio, which is a Tata-owned fashion brand. The protestors, holding placards, raising pro-Palestine slogans and donning Kaffiyehs, called for the boycott of Tata products ahead of Eid.

Similar protests were collectively organised by the IPSP and the SIO outside the stores of Tata-owned brands in Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, Patna, Vishakhatpatnam, Chandigarh, Rohtak, and Vijayawada.

The SIO also launched an online campaign urging Muslims not to shop brands like Zudio and Westside for Eid celebrations. The orgaisation also called for boycott of other international brands liks Zara, Adidas, H&M, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Victoria’s Secret, Tom Ford, Skechers, Prada, Dior and Chanel due to their links with Israel.

Why Hamas supporters are boycotting Tata

The Islamist organisations targeting the Tata Group are alleging that it is “enabling a genocide” in Gaza by having long-standing business relations with Israel. The SIO alleged that Tata provides armoured Land Rover vehicles to Israel which are used by the country in patrolling in the “occupied regions of Kashmir”.

SIO Calicut President, Muhammed Shafaque alleged that Tata manufactured missiles used by Israel in Gaza. “There are also reports that missiles used in Gaza were manufactured in Tata factories. Tata, being an Indian brand and still enabling a genocide, is especially disturbing to us,” Shafaque told Timeline

Shafaque claimed that the SIO stands against injustice regardless of international borders.” “SIO has stood with oppressed people everywhere – from Gaza to Black communities in the US. We do not view justice through nation-state borders,” he said. Notaby, the Islamist group did not organise any boycott campaigns against Pakistan after 26 innocent Hindu tourists were killed in Pahalgam by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. And no such campaign was led by the SIO against Turkey which supported Pakistan’s military action against India.

The nationwide campaign launched by these Islamist organisations against Tata Group and other brands is inspired by the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, a global anti-Semitic campaign launched by the Islamic forces against Israel.

What is the global BDS movement

The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, spearheaded by the Muslim Brotherhood, Jamaat and other Islamist organisations, advocates for punitive measures against Israel, including boycotting Israeli products, withdrawing investment, and imposing economic and political sanctions against the country.

The BDS movement was founded by a Qatar-born Palestinian activist named Omar Barghouti in 2005. Over 100 organisations and groups have been associated with the movement, including terrorist organisation Al-Haqq (affiliated to the Muslim Brotherhood), and the ‘Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine’. In 2009, the Russell Tribunal on Palestine was established under the BDS movement in Brussels with the objective of constructing a global narrative against Israel. George Soros’s Open Society Foundation reportedly provided $200,000 funds to Al-Haqq in 2009 and another $2 million between 2016 and 2020.

How the BDS movement entered India

The movement made its way into India in 2021 when the Muslim Brotherhood, Qatar, Al-Jazeera, Turkey, and Pakistan launched a campaign against India on the pretext of the Kashmir issue. Consequently, on the lines of the tribunal set up against Israel, the Russel Tribubal for Kashmir was established in Bosnia. The first session of the tribunal was held in December 2021 in Sarajevo and Herzegovina, Bosnia.

The session was organised by the anti-India Islamist organisation, Kashmir Civitas Tribunal in collaboration with the World Kashmir Awareness Forum, the Permanent People’s Tribunal of Bologna (Italy), and Nahla (Centre for Education and Research) Jabir Balkans. After launching the BDS campaign in India, the Kashmir Civitas released a 32-page toolkit in March 2022 laying out a strategy that included boycotting Indian sports, cultural, and academic institutions, pressuring companies to withdraw investments from India, pushing for sanctions on India, banning trade with Indian companies, ending military agreements internationally, and revoking India’s membership in international organisations.

In August 2019, after the abrogation of Article 370 by the Modi government, the AMP issued a statement condemning the abrogation. Later on, AMP founder Hatem Bazian was appointed as a judge on the Russell Tribunal for Kashmir. AMP received support from Pakistan-backed organisations like ‘Stand with Kashmir’ and ‘Sound Vision’, which is affiliated to Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan.

The ongoing boycott calls by Islamist organisations against Tata Group and other brands are a replication of the strategy adopted by these organisations against Israel. And although, such campaigns fail to find support of common people, the government needs to keep a check on the agenda behind them.

Supreme Court denies urgent hearing on plea challenging Bombay HC order allowing animal slaughter inside Vishalgadh Fort on Bakrid

OpIndia Staff
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Supreme Court denies urgent hearing on plea challenging Bombay HC order allowing animal slaughter inside Vishalgadh Fort on Bakrid

On Friday (6th June), the Supreme Court refused to grant urgent hearing on a petition challenging the Bombay High Court order that allowed animal slaughter to be carried out at a Dargah inside the Vishalgadh Fort in Kolhapur on the occasion of Bakrid.

The petitioner argued that the Vishalgadh Fort is a protected monument and sought an urgent hearing on the matter as Bakrid is on 7th June. However, the bench comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma denied the request.

“In protected monuments, so many religious activities are going on,” Justice Karol said and also questioned the urgency in the matter.

Justice Karol added that just like last year, permission was granted for animal sacrifice on Bakrid at Dargah premises inside Vishalgadh Fort, it will be the same this time as well.

“It will be like last year only. We are sure High Court has considered this. I am telling you, be it of any religion or faith, in a protected monument, so many activities are going on,” Justice Karol said.

As the petitioner’s counsel sought a hearing next week, Justice Karol said, “”What is the urgency? The matter will be infructuous anyhow.”

As reported earlier, the Bombay High Court recently gave permission for animal slaughter at Vishalgadh Fort in Kolhapur district during the upcoming Muslim festivals. This animal slaughter will be done at the disputed dargah inside the fort. This permission has been given in view of the upcoming Muslim festivals of Bakrid and Urs, that will be celebrated at this dargah.

Meanwhile, Hindus have been constantly raising the matter of illegal Muslim encroachments inside this fort with 156 illegal encroachments, mostly around this dargah. The area where the Dargah was located earlier was quite small which has now been expanded to more than a thousand square feet. The Hindu community protestors say that the expansion of the Masjid behind the Dragah has been undertaken without the state’s permission, hence illegal.

This order was given by a bench of Justice Dr. Neela Gokhale and Firdos Pooniwala on Tuesday (June 03, 2025). The bench said, “It is to be noted that in an order issued on June 14, 2024, permission was given to sacrifice animals and birds in ‘a closed and private area’ near the dargah, not in any ‘open or public place’.”

The court said that the order, like last year, will be applicable this year as well. This year as well, animals can be sacrificed inside the fort on the festival of Bakrid on June 07 and during Urs from June 08 to June 12. The court said that sacrifice should not be done in a public place outside the fort.

Notably, the Vishalgadh Fort is about 1000 years old. This fort is an integral part of the heroic life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The Muslim community has made illegal encroachments in the fort. The temples inside the fort have been left in a dilapidated state. Currently there are 20 to 24 Hindu temples here, but they are in a very bad condition.

IPL victory stampede: Karnataka HC orders no precipitative action against Karnataka State Cricket Association till next hearing, denies relief to arrested RCB official

OpIndia Staff
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IPL victory stampede: Karnataka HC orders no precipitative action against Karnataka State Cricket Association till next hearing, denies relief to arrested RCB official

The Karnataka High Court on Friday ordered that no precipitative action will be taken against officials of Karnataka State Cricket Association over the RCB’s IPL victory celebration stampede in Bengaluru. Hearing a petition challenging the legality of the FIR filed against KSCA, the court stayed precipitative action against the body till next hearing.

However, the court refused any interim relief for RCB Marketing Head Nikhil Sosale, who has been arrested by police. During the hearing, there was some confusing over who was the investigating officer in the case, as all the relevant police officers of the police station have been suspended by the state govt. While the petitioner said that the arrest was illegal and it was done on CM’s orders, Justice S R Krishna Kumar said that an arrest after an FIR has been filed can’t be called illegal.

The court added that even if the cop who registered the FIR has been suspended, the FIR remains valid. The court further added that the state must be heard before issuing any order. The court listed the matter for Monday.

A day after 11 people died in stamped Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru during IPL victory celebrations by RCB, Karnataka Police registered three FIRs against IPL team RCB, Karnataka State Cricket Association and event management firm DNA entertainment. 4 persons have been arrested in the matter, 1 from RCB and 3 from DNA.

Moreover, the state government has suspended the Bengaluru Commissioner of Police, Additional Commissioner of Police, and DCP of the central division and the Cricket Stadium in-charge have been suspended. Along with them, the Police Inspector, Station House Master and Station House Officer of Cubbon Park Police Station have also been suspended.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah also announced the formation of one-man commission headed by retired Justice Michael D’Cunha appointed to probe the tragedy on Wednesday. The commission will submit a report on the tragedy in 30 days.

While announcing these steps, the CM had said that a decision has been taken to arrest those responsible for crowd management at the event. Following this, the arrests were made.

The case has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department for inquiry. The FIR against officials of the three entities have been filed under culpable homicide, criminal negligence and other serious charges. 

Sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 115 (Voluntarily causing hurt), 118 (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by using dangerous weapons or means), 190 (liability of members of an unlawful assembly for offences committed in pursuit of a common object), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging their duty), 125(12) (acts endangering life or personal safety of others), 142 (unlawful assembly) and 121 (abetment of an offence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita have been invoked in the case.

The Karnataka High Court has also suo motu cognisance of the incident and asked for a status report from the authorities.

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