On Tuesday, the district administration in Odisha’s Bhadrak took swift action over the complaints of religious conversions of innocent tribals to Christianity. The administration sealed the Church in Geluta, imposed Section 144 in the area, and issued orders allowing not more than three persons to gather in the vicinity of the church.
This is after the administration received several complaints about local innocent tribals being forcibly converted to Christianity. According to the reports, a joint inquiry made by the Executive Magistrate and IIC of Rural PS revealed that the peace between the communities around the Church situated at Geltua village under Bhadrak Block of Odisha was disturbed.
Odisha | There were complaints regarding tribals conversion to Christianity. We found out that there is some breach of peace b/w communities. Dist admin has enforced Section 144 in Geltua, 3 persons are allowed to gather in vicinity of Church: Manoj Patra, Sub Collector, Bhadrak pic.twitter.com/Ef0AMYgdGu
“There were complaints regarding tribals being converted to Christianity. We found out that there is some breach of peace between communities. District administration has enforced Section 144 in Geltua, three persons are allowed to gather in the vicinity of the Church,” said Manoj Patra, Sub Collector of Bhadrak.
Past instances of forced religious conversions in Odisha
This is not the first time when the incident of religious conversion to Christianity has come to light in the state of Odisha. Earlier, in September 201, a Christian priest was detained by a group of villagers over charges of forced conversion in Tangardihi village in the Sundargarh district of Odisha. The priest, identified as Mahendra Sahu, was a regular visitor to the Tangardihi village. According to the villagers, he would come to the village in a bid to convert Hindus to Christianity.
Also, in the year 2018, a man was mercilessly beaten up by his Christian wife and mother-in-law in Odisha’s Gajapati district after he refused to convert to Christianity. Victim Thabir Panda and their wife Surabhi had lawfully married each other in Bhawanipatna court in 2014. Thabir’s refusal to renounce Hinduism post his marriage had resulted in continuous differences between the couple. Reportedly, Panda was attacked by Surabhi and her mother for refusing to convert to Christianity.
In the present case, the Bhadrak administration has sealed the gates of the Church located at Geltua village, imposed Section 144 in the area, and issued orders to allow three persons to gather in the vicinity of the church.
Colonel Hassan Sayyad Khodaei, a senior member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was shot dead outside his home in Tehran on Sunday, 22nd May 2022. Khodaei, a member of the shadowy Quds Force of IRGC, was killed in his car, a Kia Pride, outside his home by 2 unidentified people on a motorcycle.
Following his assassination, Israeli media has shared that he was the alleged mastermind behind a car bombing targeting an Israeli diplomat in the Indian capital New Delhi back in 2012.
The Assasination of Khodaei
IRGC Colonel Hassan Sayyad Khodaei was killed by unidentified gunmen outside of his home in Tehran on Sunday. Khodaei had gotten into his car outside his home when he was shot dead by two unidentified assailants. Iranian state television reported that security forces are pursuing the assailants behind the killing.
Following the assassination, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi promised a strong response to the killing. Raisi said, “I insist on the serious pursuit of the killers by security officials, and I have no doubt that the blood of this great martyr will be avenged.” Raisi also said that ‘global arrogance’ could be behind the murder of the IRGC Colonel. Global arrogance is usually a code to refer to USA and Israel in Iran.
Attack on an Israeli diplomat in India
Back in 2012, a motorcycle rider came from behind and attached a bomb to an Israeli diplomat’s car in New Delhi. 4 people were injured in the blast that followed including the diplomat who was named Tal Yehoshua Koren. She was on her way to pick up her children from school when the blast was orchestrated. The attack took place near the official Prime Minister’s residence in India.
Israel firmly believed that Quds Force was behind the attack, though Iran denied any involvement. At the same time as the attack in India, a bomb was found beneath an Israeli diplomat’s car in Tbilisi, Georgia, which was defused.
As per Iran International, Khodaei was the mastermind of that attack in New Delhi and attempted several similar operations elsewhere in the world.
Khodaei was linked w/ several operations against Israelis in Asia, EU & Africa, European security sources told @IranIntl_En. In an operation on Feb. 13, 2012, a New Delhi-based Israeli diplomat’s car was targeted by an electromagnetic bomb planted by 2 Iranians riding motorcycle.
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) May 23, 2022
This has not been the only incident of a terror attack against Israelis in India. Early in 2021, there was a blast near the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi which was also suspected to be a terror attack.
What is Quds Force
Quds Force is one of the five branches of the all-powerful Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps which specializes in covert operations outside Iran. This unit trains, finances and provides assistance to several extremist groups overseas. Quds Force has been allegedly supporting terrorists across the Middle East from supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon to Houthis in Yemen. They have also been accused of backing Shi’ite terrorists in Iraq, Palestine, and Syria, among several other countries.
The Congress party and leftist organisations have joined hands to protest against the supposed ‘saffronisation’ of school textbooks in BJP-ruled Karnataka. The development comes a day after the Primary & Secondary Education Department of the State published the final revised copy of social sciences and Kannada textbooks.
The Opposition, backed by NGOs and leftists, will hold demonstrations at the Bengaluru’s Freedom Park on May 31 this year. They have alleged that the Karnataka government had included a speech by RSS founder KB Hedgewar in the history textbook and omitted lessons on tyrant Tipu Sultan, Periyar, Narayana Guru and freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.
The organisations that are at the forefront of the protests include the Student Federation of India (SFI), the All India Student Federation (AISF), the National Student Union of India (NSUI) and others.
Even the Campus Front of India, which was behind the recent Hijab controversy in Karnataka, has already begun mobilising people against the decision of the BJP government.
The alliance of Opposition, leftists and Islamists have demanded the rollback of the revised textbooks, along with the termination of the Textbook Revision Committee that is led by Rohith Chakrathirtha.
This is despite the fact that 78% of textbooks have already been printed while the remaining work will be completed in 2 weeks’ time by the Karnataka Textbook Society. The primary accusation against the BJP is that it is ‘saffronising’ and ‘Brahmanising’ the academic curriculum in government schools.
Allegations and Clarifications provided by the Karanataka Education Minister
BC Nagesh, the Education Minister of Karnataka, has rubbished the allegations levelled against the BJP. He has accused the Opposition of being unable to tolerate that the BJP is prioritising education in the State.
“During the Siddaramaiah-headed Congress government, the syllabus was said to be a burden. The teachers complained that they couldn’t cover the syllabus in one year. No lessons on revolutionaries Narayan Guru, and Bhagat Singh have been dropped. False propaganda is being taken up on social media and otherwise,” he informed.
While speaking about the controversy over Periyar, he clarified, “A few lines have been deleted about social reformer Periyar. The present syllabus says, Lord Ram belongs to the Vaidik culture and Ravan belongs to the Dravidian culture. Should the students be taught about this?” the minister said.
He inspired crores of people. Led life of brahmacharya. If the content is an issue, we’re ready to speak with them (Congress) about it. But Congress is afraid of Hindutva. They want to see Hindu society divided, so they can get votes: BC Nagesh, Karnataka Education Minister pic.twitter.com/KQCN8Z0KOb
BC Nagesh defended the decision to include a speech by the RSS founder in the history textbook. “He joined the revolutionary movement and he was also with the Nagpur Congress Movement, that is why his speech has been included,” he stated.
“The PDFs of the textbooks that went viral are unverified and the hard copy is the final one. The Congress and other opposition parties jumped the gun without reading the content properly,” he added.
“The changes were made to select portions of Kannada and history textbooks, where the previous committee headed by Barguru Ramchandrappa had got certain facts wrong. Moreover, the lesson on Narayan Guru has been transferred from the history to the Kannada textbook because students were overburdened with a lot of history lessons,” BC Nagesh emphasised.
He has also dismissed claims that the BJP is ‘Brahmanising’ the academic curriculum. He pointed out that the Opposition had begun identifying literature with caste. We are working to provide knowledge that is based on content and not caste,” he said.
BC Nagesh also pointed out how during the Congress era, lessons on Tipu Sultan were increased from 1 to 6 pages while the syllabus on Mysore Maharajas was reduced. “The new committee has included portions highlighting the contribution of Mysore Maharajas (Wadiyar dynasty) in their fight against the British,” he concluded.
On Monday, the Kerala High Court stated that small children need to be shielded against political indoctrination, which has permanent long-term repercussions.
While hearing a case involving the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO), Justice Gopinath P of the Kerala HC mentioned that he had seen a “provocative” video of a kid “spewing hatred” in a political rally. He pondered if it was allowed to force kids as young as 5 or 6 years old to engage in political or religious demonstrations and to shout slogans of any type.
“Are they not fostering a new generation that grows up with this religious hatred in mind? I am just wondering about the fact that when this child grows and he becomes a major, his mind will already be conditioned to this kind of rhetoric. Something must be done,” he remarked.
Under the guise of freedom of speech and religion, can young children be made to be a part of political rallies or religious rallies, he asked. “He does not know what he is saying,” Justice Gopinath stated, adding that children don’t have the legal right to vote or even drive until they reach the age of 18. He also asked if there was any legislation preventing such behaviour.
Children should be safeguarded from overt situations that might negatively affect their susceptible brains, Justice Gopinath noted, adding that children should not be allowed to participate in demonstrations or sloganeering.
Notably, a video recently went viral on social media showing a juvenile boy shouting hostile slogans while sitting on a man’s shoulders at a march organised by the Popular Front of India (PFI) in Alappuzha, Kerala. One is well aware of how PFI is constantly on the radar of intelligence agencies for terrorism and anti-national actions.
On May 5 also, the Kerala HC had stated that the Popular Front of India (PFI) and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) are extremist organisations, which have not yet been banned in India. The Kerala High Court further noted that both SDPI and PFI have a history of attacking members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
A petitioner in the Shri Krishna Janmasthan-Shahi Idgah Masjid dispute has sought permission from a local court in Mathura to perform ‘purification’ of the Shahi Idgah complex, alleging that the sanctum sanctorum of Thakur Keshav Dev’s temple was located there.
The application was presented by Dinesh Kaushik of the All India Hindu Mahasabha. Kaushik has requested permission for purification of the sanctum sanctorum with Ganga and Yamuna water.
Through the petition, Kaushik asserted to be a Sanatani Hindu whose feelings have been hurt by the construction of the disputed Idgah. Deepak Sharma, the counsel of the petitioner stated, “The petitioner, Dinesh Chandra Sharma, wants to revive the sanctity of sanctum sanctorum inside Shahi Masjid Idgah by purifying the divine place with the holy water of Ganga and Yamuna.”
The plea reads, “The disputed property, the alleged Idgah, was the sanctum sanctorum of Thakur Ji (temple) and plaintiff no. 2 wishes that plaintiff no. 2 should purify the sanctum sanctorum with Ganga water and Yamuna water so that the goal of plaintiff no. 2’s life will be accomplished.”
Emphasizing this, Kaushik has requested that the Court issue an order prohibiting the defendant parties (Sunni Waqf Board and others) from interfering with the purifying of the alleged Sanctum Santorum by water from the rivers Ganga and Yamuna.
The parties in the case are the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board, the Intezamia committee Shahi Masjid Idgah, the Sri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan, and the Srikrishna Janmabhumi trust.
Several petitions have been filed in Mathura court asking for the destruction of the Shahi Idgah mosque, which the Hindu side claims was erected on the site of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple.
Dinesh Kaushik, National Treasurer of All India Hindu Mahasabha, has filed another petition with Civil Judge Senior Division Mathura on 18 May, requesting permission to consecrate Laddu Gopal at Shahi Idgah. After approving his appeal, the court scheduled the next hearing for July 1.
Previously, another petition was filed in Mathura court, seeking that the Shahi Idgah Masjid be sealed and security be provided to preserve Hindu religious artefacts from vandalism following the discovery of the Shivling from the Gyanvapi complex in Varanasi.
The Mathura Court, in allowing a petition for the removal of the Shahi Idgah disputed structure near Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura, also noted that the Places of Worship Act, 1991 is not applicable to the suit, because the suit was originally filed in 1964, and the current 2020 suit challenges a ‘compromise agreement’ signed in 1968, years before the Places of Worship Act came into force in 1991.
On Tuesday, the China State-affiliated media ridiculed the baby formula shortage situation that the United States is facing since January 2022. “The United States is busy quality checking the military arms and ammunitions, and planning to save other countries instead of focusing on the bad that is happening due to the formula shortage in its land”, the cartoon by China Daily roughly illustrated.
This is probably hours after Joe Biden’s statement in Tokyo over Taiwan. President Joe Biden on May 23 asserted that the US would militarily defend Taiwan if it came under attack from China. Speaking against the backdrop of growing concern over Chinese military activity in the region, Biden added that the US’s responsibility to protect the self-ruled island, which China considers a renegade province, was ‘even stronger’ after Russia invaded Ukraine.
“Any attempt by China to use force against Taiwan would just not be appropriate. It would dislocate the entire region and be another action similar to what happened in Ukraine”, said Biden. In response the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin slammed the US for interfering in the ‘internal affairs’ of China. “Taiwan issue is a purely internal affair for China. On issues touching on China’s core interests of the sovereignty and territorial integrity, China has no room for compromise or concession,” Wang said on Monday.
Baby formula shortage in USA
According to the reports, the US government on May 18 invoked the Defense Production Act to boost the production of baby formula and approved flights to bring infant formula from abroad amid a nationwide shortage.
It directed the infant formula manufacturers to prioritize and allocate the production of key infant formula inputs and asked the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture to use Department of Defense commercial aircraft to pick up overseas infant formula that meets US health and safety standards, so it can get to store shelves faster.
Reportedly, on May 22, the 35 tons shipment of baby formula arrived in Indianapolis on a US military aircraft from Germany. The shipment included 132 pallets of formula, which arrived on one C-17 cargo plane. The formula originated from Zurich, Switzerland, and was trucked to Germany, where it was loaded on the C-17 and flown to the US. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stated that Sunday’s shipment was the first of Operation Fly Formula and would provide enough formula for 9,000 babies and 18,000 toddlers for one week.
A C-17 Globemaster III plane carries pallets of infant formula at Ramstein airbase, Germany (Image Source- Guardian)
2008 melamine baby milk scandal in China
China had, in the year 2008 faced a major food safety scandal over baby milk. The 2008 incident, very well known as the Chinese milk scandal involved the supply of melamine adulterated Sanlu Group’s milk and infant formula along with other food materials and components, which resulted in kidney stones and other kidney damage in infants.
According to the reports, the chemical melamine was used to increase the nitrogen content of diluted milk, giving it the appearance of higher protein content to pass quality control testing. Around 3 lakh children were identified who were severely affected due to the adulterated supply and only 52,898 were hospitalized then.
Melamine adulterated milk products (Source- Asia news)
The first case of the scandal was reported in December 2007 when the parents complained about an infant’s kidney stone problem. More complaints started to follow in the year 2008, leading to suspicions over Sanlu’s diluted milk. The Chinese government however revealed the scam in September 2008 and added that products from 21 other companies were also tainted, including those from Arla Foods–Mengniu, Yili, and Yashili. While several cases had reached the hospitals by December 2007, the first report to the government by any hospital was made only on July 16 and onwards.
China was then ridiculed for the concerns about food safety and political corruption that damaged the reputation of the country’s food exports. The World Health Organization had also condemned the scandal and had called the incident ‘deplorable’. More than 11 foreign countries had halted all kinds of imports of Chinese dairy products.
Baby Formula shortage
The United States has been experiencing a scarcity of baby formula, which has distressed parents. Many parents are finding it difficult to obtain baby formula thanks to a combination of short and long-term issues that have plagued most of the major US brands.
The majority of newborns in the United States rely on formula, which is the sole recommended source of nourishment for infants who are not completely breastfed. The problems with baby formula supply began last year when the Covid-19 epidemic impacted the whole economy. During the Covid-19 lockdowns, parents stockpiling formula packs drastically decreased the availability of baby formula. Supply disruptions and a recent safety recall have left numerous pharmacies and supermarkets out of stock.
At present, the baby formula that arrived on Saturday through the military planes aimed at relieving the shortage is still a worry for the parents as it contains formula packed with speciality hypoallergenic formula to be distributed through channels such as hospitals, doctors’ officers and pharmacies, for babies intolerant of the protein in cow’s milk. The formula contents have been rushed to health system outlets to feed babies only with specific allergies.
A video of two women performing namaz next to judges’ podium in Karnataka High Court has gone viral on social media platforms. The video was first uploaded by a media channel ‘Samvada’ on its YouTube and Facebook channels. The title of the video in Kannada read, “Karnataka High Courtnalli Namaz (Namaz in Karnataka high court)”. Since then, many netizens have shared the video on Twitter and other social media platforms.
On May 15, Mohan Gowda, State Spokesperson, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, Karnataka, shared the video on Twitter and said, “Muslims offered Namaz inside the Karnataka High court Hall. Respected Praveen Sood (DGP Karnataka), Araga Jnanendra (State Home Minister Karnataka, Dr. Sanjeev M Patil(DCP West BCP), DCP Central BCP, any action taken against culprits who violate high court rule? Doesn’t misuse of High Court premises?”
Muslims offered Namaz inside the Karnataka High court Hall.
On May 16, 2022, a First Investigation Report (FIR) was registered against the channel for uploading a video shot on High Court premises without permission. The FIR was registered by Vidhana Soudha Police Station in Bengaluru based on a complaint filed by the in-charge Registrar (administration) NG Dinesh under Sections 447 (criminal trespass) and 505(2) (Statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
FIR copy. Source: Karnataka Police
The FIR reads that a one minute 48 seconds video was uploaded on May 14 under the caption in Kannada’ Karnataka High Courtnalli Namaz’ (namaz in Karnataka high court). It read, “Entering and making videos inside the high court premises without permission is prohibited. The video footage, filmed by violating rules, spreads hatred between two communities. We seek legal action against those who have filmed and uploaded the video.”
The FIR also mentioned the links to the videos on Facebook and YouTube. However, as of now, both videos have been removed from the channel.
Complaint filed over namaz in High Court at High Court Registrar
Speaking to OpIndia, Mohan Gowda said a complaint has been filed with the registrar of the Karnataka High Court. Karnataka Daily Hosadigantha quoted advocate R Putteraiah saying that he has filed a complaint in this regard. “I have lodged a complaint against two persons for allegedly entering and worshiping in front of a bench of judges. In this regard, the registrar, who filed a police complaint against the video channel’s YouTube channel, is confident that the two individuals who have entered the courtroom will be prosecuted.”
Source: mechirubhat/Twitter
In the complaint addressed to Chief Justice High Court of Karnataka he said, “We the Advocates consider Courts as a Temple of Justice, which never discriminated any person based on his wealth, caste and religion, for the said reasons even to this day the citizens of this County repose complete faith and trust in the Judicial system.” He added, “a video which appears to be videographed in the court hall of Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka, wherein it can be seen that 2 persons are illegally using the Hon’ble Judges podium/dias for their religious purpose. It is well known that the said podium/dias which is exclusively used by Hon’ble Judges to deliver Justice.” Putteraiah further requested CJI to take appropriate action in this regard.
Shiv Sena leader and Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar has written to incumbent Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Iqbal Chahal, asking him to not cancel tenders/ decisions made by the Standing Committee before March 8 this year.
Urging the civic body administration to not get bogged down by corruption allegations, she requested Chahal to not change decisions made by the Standing Committee.
“Many corporators and officials called me saying that some decisions taken before March 7 were tweaked. I don’t know how true this is, but I have written a letter that says decisions that were cleared by the general body must not be changed,” she wrote.
The Mumbai Mayor claimed, “Some opposition party leaders are trying to get decisions changed. The administrator must not tweak any decisions till the new general body is elected in the next four months. You can make new decisions as an administrator, but if you change old decisions, then it is not fair.”
It must be mentioned that the BMC elections will be held in October- November this year and that the tenure of Shiv Sena in the civic body ended on March 7, 2022. Thereafter, the Maharashtra government appointed BMC Commissioner Iqbal Chahal as the civic body’s administrator.
While speaking about the matter to Free Press Journal, Pednekar claimed, “I am not disappointed with the administrator. I have only made suggestions to him.” BMC Commissioner has however claimed that no decision by the Standing Committee was cancelled by him.
The development comes after BJP had alleged corruption while awarding contracts for some of the projects, including a ₹160-cr tender for constructing a tunnel laundry and a ₹291 crore project for building new animal enclosures in Byculla.
Both of these projects were cancelled by the BMC Commissioner, although they did not have the approval of the Standing Committee. According to BJP leader Prabhakar Shinde, the Sena had bypassed rules and approved several project proposals in the Standing Committee.
“Many times they didn’t allow BJP members to even speak during the meeting. If proposals and decisions which are not related to public interest have been cancelled by the commissioner then we welcome move,” he added.
‘Independent journalist’ Ranvijay Singh who often writes op-eds in mainstream media publications was seen glorifying Islamic preaching schools or madarsas on Twitter. In a tweet on Monday, he ascertained that madarsas are nothing but normal schools. He said, “History, Civics, Mathematics, Science and Urdu/English/Hindi are also taught in madarsas. By studying from a madarsa, children also become IAS, they will be made in future also. Do not raise your eyes after seeing Arabic words, read a little and let them study.”
Screengrab of Tweet from @ranvijaylive
To this assertion, Priyank Kanoongo the Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection Of Child Rights (NCPCR) flagged Ranvijay Singh’s tweet saying it is nothing but a glorification of madarsas devoid of their grim reality. What followed was a heated exchange wherein Kanoongo asserted that depriving children of basic education in the name of madarsas is a violation of their child rights. “It violates Article 21 ‘A’ of the Constitution,” he wrote.
Screengrab of Tweet from @KanoongoPriyank
To this, Singh was quick to rebut stating, “According to this statement of the NCPCR Chief, governments should be prosecuted because the government itself is running the madrasa. Further quoting Urdu poet Shauq Bahraichi, he said, “Just one owl was enough to destroy. But while an owl is sitting on every branch, what will happen to the tree?”
Screengrab of Tweet from @ranvijaylive
Responding to Singh’s allegations, Kanoongo clarified that the government does not run unmapped madarsas. He further stated that more than 1.25 crore children have been forced to study in the Islamic religious schools, which follow the syllabus made by Aurangzeb. He quoted a report drafted by NCPCR in March 2021 which documents the education of children in India studying in the minority communities.
Screengrab of Tweet from @KanoongoPriyank
The Report by NCPCR
Titled the ‘Impact of exemption under article 15(5) W.R.T. Article 21 (A) of the constitution of India on Education of children of minority communities,’ the report by NCPCR examines exemption under Article 15 (5) of the Constitution has benefited the children of minority communities. The report combines secondary data analysis of the trends regarding minority schools as well as consultations with their stakeholders such as students, teachers and principals.
Asserting that the 86th Amendment to the Constitution of India makes the Right to Education a fundamental right for children between 6-14 years, the report studies the impact of the exemption made to this law for education institutes belonging to religious minorities.
Article 15(5) empowers the government to form any policy for the upliftment of the socially backward classes, thus accelerating affirmative action in private unaided schools in India. However, it has been made inapplicable to minority schools along with the exemption under RTE Act.
Observations of the report
The report came up with detailed statistical data on the condition of minority school education in the country. The key findings were as follows –
The Christian community which makes up 11.54% of the total religious population, contributes to 71.96% share of the total religious minority schools in the country.
The Muslim community despite contributing a share percentage of 69.18% to the religious minority population in the country, contributes only 22.75% to the religious minority schools.
85.33% of minority schools secured their Minority Status Certificate from 2006 onwards. A sharp increase was observed in schools securing the Certificate post passage of the 93rd Amendment in 2006.
A glaring revelation came when it was found that 62.50% of students in minority schools belong to non-minority communities. In the states as UTs of Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Punjab, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Delhi, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand this percentage goes up to more than 70%.
The above data collected in the report shows the grim picture of minority schools in the country being run for disseminating religious fundamentalism, extremism and acting as a means of conversion under the garb of religious doctrine.
The report contains certain key recommendations that were put forward, owing to the education of minority children. It includes –
Mapping of all Unrecognised Institutions during Survey to Identify Out of School Children Greater role of the Minority Cell in NCERT/ SCERTS to take the fundamental right to elementary education to all children especially children of minority communities.
Need for appropriate steps to extend the provisions of RTE to minority educational institutions or make laws with similar effect to ensure RTE of children studying in minority educational institutions.
On May 24, Music Record Label and Film Production Company T-Series issued a statement refuting the claims of Pakistani singer and politician Abrar-Ul-Haq that the song was stolen for Dharma Production’s upcoming film Jug Jugg Jeeyo.
In the statement released on social media accounts of T-Series, the company wrote, “We have legally acquired the rights to adapt the song Nach Punjaban from the album Nach Punjaban released on iTunes on January 1, 2002, and is also available on ‘Lollywood Classics’ YouTube channel, owned and operated by Moviebox Records Label, for the film Jug Jugg Jeeyo produced by Dharma Productions. All due credits shall be included across all platforms when the song releases.
As represented by Moviebox Records Label, the said song copyrights exclusively vest with Moviebox only with all valid documents.”
Moviebox Records Label, a UK based Record Company, also issued a statement on Twitter and said, “Nach Panjaban has been officially licensed for it to be included in the Film “JugJugg Jeeyo” by T-Series. Karan Johar and Dharma Productions have the legal rights to use this song in their film, and the tweet by Abrar-Ul-Haq earlier today is defamatory and completely unacceptable.”
Nach Panjaban has been officially licensed for it to be included in the Film “JugJugg Jeeyo” by @TSeries. @karanjohar & @DharmaMovies have the legal rights to use this song in their film and the tweet by @AbrarUlHaqPK earlier today is defamatory and completely unacceptable.
The song is available on two channels. On Moviebox Pakistani, the original version of the song is available.
It is also available on Lollywood Classics, a YouTube channel maintained by Moviebox. This version of the song was used in the ‘Kaun Bane Ga Carorpati’, a 2002 Pakistani film. That particular film is also available on another channel maintained by Moviebox.
Abrar-Ul-Haq, on the other hand, claimed that the song had not been licensed to anyone. He said, “Song “Nach Punjaban” has not been licensed to anyone. If someone is claiming it, then produce the agreement. I will be taking legal action.”
Song “Nach Punjaban” has not been licensed to any one. If someone is claiming it , then produce the agreement. I will be taking legal action.#NachPunjaban
Dharma Production’s upcoming film Jug Jugg Jeeyo is scheduled for release in June. Within hours of the trailer release, controversies erupted around the film. First, Vishal A Singh, a creative executive producer and Chartered Accountant, accused Dharma Productions of using a script he shared with them in 2020 for their latest film. Then Abrar-Ul-Haq claimed his song was picked for the film without permission.
Jug Jugg Jeeyo starring Varun Dhawan, Kiara Advani, Anil Kapoor, and Neetu Kapoor, is produced by Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar, and Apoorva Mehta. It is directed by Raj Mehta. The film deals with the sensitive subject of divorce and separation with a comic touch.
