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Ranbir-Alia wedding to be done as per Hindu rituals, no clarity on Kanyadaan ritual yet

OpIndia Staff
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Ranbir-Alia wedding to be done as per Hindu rituals, no clarity on Kanyadaan ritual yet

On April 14, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt are tying the knot. The pre-wedding ceremonies of the couple, including Mehndi, Haldi etc., have already been done. Their wedding is expected to happen as per Hindu rituals.

However, it is unclear if the Kanyadaan ceremony will take place or not. Notably, Alia Bhatt had called the ceremony regressive in an advertisement for the Manyavar brand last year.

Alia Bhatt’s father, Mahesh Bhatt is part Muslim (mother Shirin Mohammad Ali was a Muslim) and Part Gujarati Brahmin (father Nanabhai Bhatt was Gujarati Brahmin). So it is unclear if there will be Islamic rituals to be followed at the wedding or not. Similarly, her mother, Soni Razdan, is part Kashmiri Hindu (Kashmiri Pandit father, Narendra Nath Razdan) and part Christian (British-German mother, Gertrude Hoelzer). There is no clarity if any rituals from her Christian side would be followed during the wedding or not.

The pre-wedding ceremonies of the couple were held at Ranbir’s Pali Hill residence. Celebrities including Kareena Kapoor Khan, Karisma Kapoor, and Karan Johar were present at the ceremonies. Ranbir Kapoor’s mother, Neetu Kapoor, had posted a story on Instagram in which she showcased her Mehndi with the late Rishi Kapoor’s name written in it.

Neetu Kapoor uploaded Insta story of Mehndi with late Rishi Kapoor’s name. Source: Instagram

Alia Bhatt Kanyadaan controversy

Last year, Clothing brand Manyavar found itself in the midst of a controversy after one of its recently released advertisements again painted Hindu rituals and customs as ‘regressive’. The advertisement featuring Alia Bhatt portrayed ‘Kanyadaan’ as an oppressive practice and suggested ‘Kanyamaan’ as an alternative.

Manyavar claimed that it was “Promoting a progressive way of thinking, one tradition at a time!” Apparently, ‘Kanyamaan’ “gives a new spin to wedding rituals, highlighting the idea of respecting brides instead of ‘giving them away.” Manyavar had to pull down the ad after the controversy.

‘Daughters are considered property/wealth’

Busting myths around Kanyadaan, author Nityānanda Miśra explained the meaning of ‘dhan’ straight from a Sanskrit dictionary. As per the book, dhan, apart from wealth, also means ‘something that is loved and considered to be valuable.’

In Sanatan, not just daughters but even sons are considered to be ‘dhan’ which is known as ‘putradhan.’ Quoting a Sanskrit shloka, he further explains how even ‘vidya’ or knowledge and education is considered to be dhan.

According to Miśra, charity cannot be equated to merely wealth or money. In Sanatan, the concept of ‘daan’ expands from knowledge to even life, known as ‘vidyadaan’ or jeevan daan’, respectively.

Demystifying the concept of ‘kanyadaan’, Miśra further informed about the concept of ‘putradaan’ as well. He had also cited a shloka from the epic of Mahabharata to further his point. As per other texts on ‘kanyadaan’, the mantra, japas and other actions performed at the time of the ritual signify the bride as Laxmi. The symbolic act of the bride’s father giving away his daughter to Narayan (the groom) is considered as him making his daughter the ‘grace’ of somebody else’s house.

Speech at Dharma Sansad in Delhi about empowering one’s religion to prepare for existential crisis, not hate speech: Delhi Police tells Supreme Court

OpIndia Staff
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Speech at Dharma Sansad in Delhi about empowering one’s religion to prepare for existential crisis, not hate speech: Delhi Police tells Supreme Court

The Delhi police filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court in which it said that no hate speech was delivered during the ‘Dharma Sansad’ event held on December 19, 2021, in Delhi. The Dharma Sansad, held at Ved Niketan Dham in Haridwar from December 17-20 was organised by Yati Narasimhanand Giri of the Juna Akhada. As per a petition filed against the event, speeches were made with the objective of declaring ‘war’ against a significant section of Indian citizens.

Now, based on an in-depth investigation of the video and other material evidence, the Delhi police told the court that the speech was about empowering one’s religion and preparing for existential threats, and there was no incitement against Muslims.

“In-depth investigation of the video and other material found that no hate speech was given against any community. Therefore, after investigation and evaluation of the purported video clip, it was concluded that the alleged speech contained no hate speech against a particular community,” the Delhi Police told the apex Court.

In her affidavit, Southeast Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police Isha Pandey stated that two people, SQR Ilyas and Faisal Ahmed, had filed a complaint of hate speech. She said that petitioners had claimed that the hate speech had instigated the sentiments of the people. This caused panic in the area, said Isha Pandey.

“None of the words spoken during the event described overtly or explicitly Indian Muslims as usurpers of territory and nothing was said which could create an environment of paranoia against any religion”, the police told the apex court.

The Delhi police told the court the petitioners approached the Court without first approaching the police, and as such, they have no jurisdiction to approach the Supreme Court, said the Delhi police. It added that as such if such practices are allowed, it will open the floodgates of litigation. “Such a practice must be deprecated,” said the police.

The police also condemned the petitioners for accusing them of being in cahoots with the accused. “The allegations made by the petitioners against the police authorities that police authorities are hand in glove with perpetrators of communal hate are baseless and imaginary. The case is based on videotape evidence. There is hardly any scope on the part of investigation agencies to tamper with the evidence or hamper the investigation in any manner,” it said.

After taking cognizance of the matter, the police launched an extensive investigation and discovered that there was no reference to any particular community in the video clip of the ‘Dharma Sansad’ event.

Therefore, following a thorough search, investigation, and evaluation of the alleged video clip, the police concluded that the alleged speech did not contain hate speech directed at any specific community. As a result, the police concluded their investigation and closed all the complaints files.

It may be recalled that in January this year a 5-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been constituted by the Uttarakhand govt to probe the matter of the Dharma Sansad hate speech case in Haridwar.

A day after speeches of leaders like Yati Narsinghanand and other Hindu leaders went viral, an FIR was filed in Uttarakhand over the speeches that called upon Hindus to collect arms. The speeches were deemed provocative and social media was rife with Leftists and Islamists claiming that the speeches called for a Muslim genocide.

Subsequent to the event, Yati Narsinghanand was arrested by Uttarakhand police on January 16, 2022, and released a month later in February. Wasim Rizvi alias Jitendra Tyagi was also arrested in connection with the Haridwar ‘Dharma Sansad’ hate speech case on January 13, 2022. It is pertinent to note that former Shia Waqf Board chief Wasim Rizvi had reverted to Hinduism by renouncing Islam in December last year.

Delhi High Court slams Arvind Kejriwal government over non-payment of salaries to teachers, seeks assurance of implementation of orders

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi High Court slams Arvind Kejriwal government over non-payment of salaries to teachers, seeks assurance of implementation of orders

The Delhi High Court has slammed the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi Government over failing the disburse the salaries of teachers employed in Government schools and colleges across Delhi. The non-payment of teachers’ dues has been an issue of much concern among the university staff, who have been raising the issue since 2021.

The Delhi High Court on Thursday slammed the Delhi Government over this issue by asserting that the non-availability of funds cannot be a ground for non-payment of salaries to teachers. “Teachers shape the future of the country. How can they be treated like this?” the Court asked the government. The bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad was hearing the concerns of distressed teachers who filed multiple contempt petitions over the prolonged non-payment of their salaries, owing to the 6th and 7th Central Pay Commission.

Justice Prasad remarked “Your conduct is in complete defiance in paying salary to the teachers. They are forced to file litigation, then they are dragged to the Supreme Court, then contempt; it keeps going on.” “I don’t want a ‘we are implementing’, I want a ‘we have implemented’,” the Justice asked assurance from the government in a stern voice.

Asking the Director of Education to submit a list of teachers who are in similar positions, the court has placed the matter for a final hearing on Monday, April 18.

Non-payment of salaries to Delhi teachers

The AAP-led Delhi Government which never misses an opportunity to pat its back in the department of Education is facing the brunt of criticism from University Professors and teachers in Delhi over a prolonged non-payment of their dues. The government has failed to pay the salaries of teachers in accordance with the 6th and 7th Pay Commission even after teacher unions have gone on many strikes and protests with their demands.

In January this year, The Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) submitted an online petition to Delhi LG Anil Baijal with a demand for the Delhi Government to release not partial, but full money for the payment of salaries to teaching and non-teaching staff at 12 fully financed colleges across Delhi. DUTA president Rajib Ray has alleged that Kejriwal has not fulfilled his promise made in March 2021 to the college principals about Rs 28 crore grant, due to which teachers are facing difficulty.

Amidst the financial crisis in households due to Covid-19. Delhi college teachers faced the brunt of non-payment of their salaries while their dues prior to the months of Diwali in 2021 were also not granted. Teachers led by the DUTA have been protesting over the non-payment of salaries and other dues since the start of 2021.

Dalit scholar Guru Prakash Paswan ‘cancelled’, barred from speaking about Ambedkar at Delhi’s LSR college because he is from the BJP

OpIndia Staff
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Dalit scholar Guru Prakash Paswan ‘cancelled’, barred from speaking about Ambedkar at Delhi’s LSR college because he is from the BJP

Noted Dalit Scholar and National Spokesperson of the BJP Guru Prakash Paswan was prevented from giving a lecture at the Lady Sri Ram College for Women (LSR) on the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti. The online event was organised by the SC-ST cell of the college and Guru Prakash was scheduled to speak on April 14 via google meet.

The shocking revelation was made by Paswan himself on his social media accounts. Paswan, who teaches Law at the Patna University as an assistant professor, was about to deliver his lecture on “Ambedkar beyond Constitution. Reportedly, he was informed on Wednesday morning, that his lecture was cancelled owing to his political affiliations. As a National Spokesperson of the BJP, Paswan has been raising issues relating to the Dalits on many national platforms, while he has also co-authored a book “Makers of Modern Dalit History” with Sudarshan Ramabadran.

However, Guru Prakash’s credentials affiliated with the BJP were enough for the leftist hegemonical establishment at Delhi’s premier college to cancel him from delivering a lecture. Ironically, his lecture on Babasaheb Ambedkar was organised by the SC-ST cell of LSR itself. Paswan has written, ” An institution can’t be an Eco chamber. As a teaching faculty, this saddens me, even more, when students close their horizons!”

He goes on to write on his Twitter, “Cultivation of mind should be the ultimate aim of human existence”, said Babasaheb Ambedkar. I come from a culture that believes in ‘आ नो भद्राः क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वतः’, ‘Let noble thoughts come to me from all sides’. Sadly, what we see today is binaries, projecting one’s ideas upon the other, without the effort to engage, to know, debate and respect the other point of view.”

He further notes, “Debate and discussion is the essence of democracy. At a time when we celebrate 75 years of our independence, one thing that we ought to learn from the makers of our constitution is their ability to listen, absorb and respect other viewpoints. Babasaheb represented those values!”

Prof Paswan had already prepared his presentation on the contributions of Babasaheb Ambedkar beyond the drafting of the Constitution, while his role as an economist, diplomat and an educationist was to be highlighted. Cancelling his voice is a classic case of stifling the voices of Dalits while stopping diverse expressions coming from the community to prosper.

Many academics, thinkers and intellectuals have come to Guru Prakash Paswan’s support after the news of the cancellation of his lecture came.

The SC-ST cell at Lady Sri Ram college issued an update on Instagram while announcing the cancellation of the event. “With deep regret, the SC/ST cell, LSR is announcing the news that our Ambedkar Jayanti event stands cancelled due to some unavoidable clash of circumstances”

The nation celebrates Ambedkar Jayanti – the birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar with much fervour on April 14. However, the cancellation of a Dalit scholar at the reputed Lady Sri Ram College for Women in Delhi speaks glaringly how the far-Left has managed to sabotage actual Dalit voices to further its narrow political agendas.

Hanskhali rape case: CBI takes over the investigation as directed by High Court, BJP says ‘Court order shows lack of trust in govt’

OpIndia Staff
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Hanskhali rape case: CBI takes over the investigation as directed by High Court, BJP says ‘Court order shows lack of trust in govt’

On Wednesday, the West Bengal state agencies handed over the documents of the Hanskhali rape-murder case to a 3 member CBI team. The CBI has begun the investigation and will submit the report to the Calcutta High Court on May 2.

This is after the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday granted permission to the CBI to probe into the Hanskhali rape and murder case. The Court ordered a ‘fair’ investigation and asked the state investigating agency to hand over all papers relating to the investigation to the CBI.

According to the reports, the Calcutta High Court directed the state agencies to give the custody of the accused to the central agency. It further asked the state to ensure that complete protection is provided to the witnesses and family of the victim. On April 12, the Court also blamed the state agencies for failing to investigate the serious case. It highlighted serious lapses by the Bengal Police in their probe and pointed out that the police did not videotape the witness statements required as per the law.

On April 4, the accused Brajgopal invited the deceased victim for his birthday party. The girl was reportedly gang-raped by a group of people and died due to heavy blood loss. The incident happened in the Shyamnagar region of Gajna gram panchayat in Nadia’s Hanskhali block number one. The victim’s family said that her body was forcibly cremated by the accused to cover up the incident.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul criticized the Mamata Banerjee-led government and said that Court permitting a CBI probe in the case shows that Court also does not trust the West Bengal police and the administration as CM Mamata Banerjee might control them. “Every case is in the hands of the CBI, which shows that the court doesn’t have faith in the West Bengal administration, police, and law and order. CM Mamata Banerjee controls the police and the administration and does atrocities,” she was quoted.

The BJP MLA from Asansol south slammed CM Mamata Banerjee for her unfortunate comments in the case. “West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee blamed a minor for having a love affair with an accused of being pregnant. We are ashamed”, she said. On April 11, CM Mamata Banerjee had downplayed the brutal rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl in Nadia’s Hanskhali village and said that everyone was aware of the girl’s love affair, so one is left to wonder here whether it was an actual rape or pregnancy that went wrong.

She said in Bengali, “As a layman, I am saying where would someone get the evidence whether she was actually raped or was she pregnant or was there any other reason like someone beat her up or she died of some illness. There was a love affair for sure, her family knew about it, and their neighbors also knew about it. Now if a girl and a boy love each other, I cannot punish them. This is not Uttar Pradesh that I can do that in the name of Love Jihad”, said the West Bengal Chief Minister. Reportedly, Mamata Banerjee recorded her statement after a TMC leader’s son was named as the accused in the case.

Congress has done ‘nasbandi’ on me after inducting into the party: Gujarat Congress working president Hardik Patel

OpIndia Staff
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Congress has done ‘nasbandi’ on me after inducting into the party: Gujarat Congress working president Hardik Patel

Controversial Patidar leader and Gujarat Congress working president Hardik Patel on Wednesday hit out at the party for not consulting him and delaying decision-making on party affairs in the state.

Speaking to Indian Express, Hardik Patel, who was convicted in a riots case subsequently stayed by the Supreme Court, lashed out at the Congress party for not inviting him to the party meetings or consulting him before taking major decisions. He asked what is the point of making him the working president of the party if he is not being consulted.

The controversial leader said that he is being ignored in the party and added that his position in the party is that of a newly married groom who has been forced to undergo ‘nasbandi’ (sterilisation).

“My position in the party is that of a newly married groom who has been made to undergo nasbandi (sterilisation),” lamented Hardik Patel.

It is pertinent to mention that the Congress party has a deep association with forced sterilisation. During the 1975 Emergency, former Congress party leader Sanjay Gandhi had forced poor men from rural areas to undergo ‘nasbandi’ or sterilisation to limit the population.

Hardik Patel also questioned the Congress party’s delay in inducting Khodaldham trust president and powerful Patidar leader Naresh Patel into the party, who is now being wooed by all parties in the state. Hardik Patel said that the delay is nothing but an insult to the entire Patidar community.

“I am seeing on TV that the Congress wants to induct Naresh Patel for the 2022 polls. I hope they do not search for a new Patel for the 2027 elections. Why does the party not utilise the people it already has?”

Hardik Patel also expressed his disappointment over the Congress party not utilising him properly. Speaking to Indian Express, Patel said that it might be because people felt threatened by him within the party.

“I am not invited to any of the meetings of the PCC, they don’t consult me before making any decisions, then what is the point of this post?” Hardik said, adding that the party recently announced 75 new general secretaries and 25 new vice-presidents without even consulting him.

Supreme Court stays Congress leader Hardik Patel’s conviction in 2015 rioting case

The Supreme Court stayed the conviction of Hardik Patel in a court case involving rioting and vandalism during the Patidar quota agitation in Visnagar, Gujarat, in 2015.

Patel was sentenced to two years in jail in July 2018 by a sessions court in Visnagar, Mehsana district, for rioting and arson in Visnagar town during the Patidar quota demonstrations he spearheaded in 2015. The Gujarat High Court had stayed his sentencing but not his conviction in August 2018.

In April 2019, Hardik Patel petitioned the Supreme Court to reverse the Gujarat High Court’s ruling, demanding that the conviction be stayed so that he may participate in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Patel was prevented from contesting in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections because a criminal serving a sentence of two years or more is not eligible to contest polls.

About time Rahul Gandhi stops the ‘angry young man’ farce: Here is why

Ganesh R
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About time Rahul Gandhi stops the ‘angry young man’ farce: Here is why

It has worn thin. In the beginning, it was somewhat convincing, like a new movie song that we soon forget, thanks to the propaganda background music given by the media ecosystem that now calls itself “fearlessly independent, speaking truth to power”. Like when he tore up the ordnance passed by his own cabinet. Yes, it was drama, but you do get away with it once or twice. After all, politics is a theatre. Every time he stood up to speak the very experienced “launch crew”, ever ready to launch him, cheered wildly. But even they grew tired as the lick to reward ratio grew progressively worse. Cleopatra had a face that launched a thousand boats, and Rahul Gandhi has a career that has seen a thousand launches and “coming of age” ceremonies. 

Of course, even back then people knew about his lack of dedication and frivolous attention to detail. If an occasional holiday is a pastime for the rest of us, visits to India to outrage over random topics was his pastime. They knew how often he used to attend Parliament or make sensible speeches. The disastrous Arnab interview merely confirmed what everyone knew. There was no need for any manufactured WhatsApp jokes. Genuine, unedited clips would do and indeed did a perfect job. Any number of Raghuram Rajans and Kaushik Basus applying coat after coat of intellectual paint just drops off like water off a duck’s back.

Had he condescended to serve as a minister under Manmohan Singh who he supposedly respects, it would have been different. As one journalist put it, he thought he was too good for any job other than that of PM.

Coming back to his angry young man drama, he is not young anymore. Akhilesh Yadav, far more mature and smarter, is three years younger and Arvind Kejriwal is only slightly older. Neither of them tries to pass themselves off as a youth leader any longer.

As if that were not enough, everyone knows why he is angry. Not because of this or that going wrong in the country, but because the PM chair, which he thinks is his family property by birth is occupied by a commoner. And seems to slip away further into the distance each passing day. His repeated statements of “not interested in power” sound hollow because he has no power. Even I could say that I am not interested in becoming the Prime Minister. And not too keen on dating Kim Kardashian. Try saying that when power is within reach and Kim is on the phone asking, “your place or mine”.

Moreover, a truly “angry young man” doesn’t disappear every other month to Europe for a holiday.

These supposedly pro-Dalit statements such as the one he made recently at some book event, are an even bigger farce and a cruel joke. While his family servants go around promoting him as a janeudari Pandit, his shedding crocodile tears for Dalits, even inciting them to violence, was largely seen by SM observers as a farce. 

I am afraid Dr Ranganathan and others who outrage over his call for violence, however right, are simply playing into his hands, giving his fake anger more publicity than it deserves. Exactly what he wants. It allows him or his media shared services centres to paint himself as a pro-Dalit leader and abuse them for questioning him. While nothing can be further from the truth. His fascist dynasty that went to Doon schools and London for studies had more than enough chances to improve Dalit lives and make one of India’s PMs. They obviously didn’t bother. Everyone knows how Sitaram Kesari was treated, for losing just once. And how the la Famiglia treats itself despite loss after loss. Another trick is to offer a chair to Dalits like an unwanted gift when it’s that of an opposition leader with hardly enough numbers to make a difference. Dalits are not fooled by that. 

Mayawati, who regardless of her failures in recent elections, is one of our biggest Dalit leaders, tore off that mask with effortless ease. Her statement should receive wide publicity as it has been downplayed by the corrupt durbari media. His arrogant statement about “offering” the CM chair to her, as if it was in his pocket to offer as a tip, is nothing short of insulting. Didi or Dalits don’t need charity. Furthermore, it is immature and foolish to reveal backroom conversations. 

But then that ridiculous statement narrowly lost out the top prize to his even more weird statement about an alleged conversation with a “senior” BJP leader about Lord Ram. It seems lifted straight off an article by alleged journalist Swati Chaturvedi (of 14 lakhs necklace purchased perfectly legitimately fame) who rarely writes without conveniently quoting anonymous BJP leaders “admitting” or revealing something embarrassing or the other! Thankfully the intellectual leap from Rahul to Swati is not a huge one by any means and there is no risk of injury.

It is another matter that his party, despite spending money like water, ended up with hardly 2% of the votes because UP women voters saw through the farce of “ladki hoon”. Women’s empowerment, after all, is not bringing yet another rich, powerful dynast with a six-pack of excess baggage (aka damaad), to power. It is about making a difference in the lives of ordinary women, something Modi understands far better. And the women knew. Other than family retainers in media who go gaga over “has her grandmother’s nose”, hardly anyone that has respect for hard work and meritocracy bothered.

If he is not angry, he is spreading FUD. Since sycophants declared him an oracle on COVID, he has started believing that to be true. Of course, none of them ever asked how come states ruled by him suffered most and why they didn’t heed his warnings. All they wanted was their lifafas. Now he is predicting that India will go the Sri Lanka way with a serious and angry face. Until the other day, SL was a model state for liberals. This sort of kindergarten utterances makes even his most loyal media coolies scratch their heads and roll their eyes. But then their job is to clean up after him.

One wonders who advises the prince regent to wear this “angry” mask-like a permanent fixture. Even covid masks are becoming optional! Likely some JNU loony left Stalinist that couldn’t find jobs elsewhere. They are doing a fantastic job. Modi should reward them quietly. 

Kashmiri Hindu shot dead by Islamic terrorists in Kulgam, Lashker-E-Islam issues threat letter asking ‘Kafirs’ to leave or die

OpIndia Staff
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Kashmiri Hindu shot dead by Islamic terrorists in Kulgam, Lashker-E-Islam issues threat letter asking ‘Kafirs’ to leave or die

On Wednesday, in a targeted killing, the terrorists in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir fired upon a civilian named Satish Kumar Singh Rajput. He was immediately shifted to the hospital for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries.

The terrorist shot Satish Kumar Singh Rajput in the Pombay Kamprim area of Kulgam district. He was a driver by profession and was a resident of Kakran in Kulgam. The local Police took cognizance of the incident and have cordoned off the area. “Terrorists involved in this gruesome terror crime will be neutralized soon. Search to track the involved terrorists in progress”, said the Police as they began the search operation on April 13.

Meanwhile a letter of threat named ‘Letter to kafirs’ has been issued by a terror group named Lashker-E-Islam in the valley. “Leave the valley or face dire consequences”, threatens the letter giving a final warning to Kashmiri Pandits, migrants and ‘RSS agents’. The letter further states that Kashmiri Hindus will be killed and sent to hell for disobeying their diktat and nobody including PM Modi or Amit Shah will be able to save them.

The warning letter to all the ‘non-Muslims’ also notes that they are being watched by ‘followers of Allah’ and that they will have to convert if they want to stay in Kashmir. “You are being watched by followers of Allah. One by one, all of you will be killed and sent to hell. Every Kashmiri Pandit will die. Kashmir is only for those who accept & follow Allah”, it reads.

Letter of threat issued by the Lashkar-E-Islam directed to Kashmiri Pandits, migrants and ‘RSS agents’

According to the offensive letter, the terror group Lashkar-E-Islam is being supported by a few Police officers and a few unnamed delegates. The terror group has also started targeting Kashmiri Muslims who are friends with the Kashmiri Pandits and RSS workers. “If Muslims of Kashmir do not remain aloof from Kafirs, they will also be killed”, the letter states.

This is not the first incident where a Hindu in Kashmir has been shot dead. Earlier on October 6, 2021, the terrorists had shot dead Makhan Lal Bindroo, Kashmiri Pandit owner of the famous Bindroo Medical in Iqbal Park, Srinagar. The murder of Bindroo had shocked the Kashmiri community as he was the last address for patients who couldn’t find medicines elsewhere.

This was followed by the murder of Virender Paswan, a non-local roadside Bhelpuri vendor in Lalbazar of Srinagar. Paswan was resident of Bhagalpur, Bihar and was residing at Alamgari Bazar Zadibal.

Also, in January 2021, 70-year-old Satpal Nischal who owned a jewelry shop in the heart of Srinagar was murdered by the terrorists belonging to the Resistance Front militant outfit. Nischal was murdered obtaining a certificate under the new domicile law, that allows people who have lived in Jammu and Kashmir for more than 15 years rights to purchase immovable property.

The Resistance Front taking the responsibility for the attack had said that all such ‘outsiders’ who have received domicile certificates were ‘RSS agents’. “We know your names, we know where you live and we know what you do and we are coming for you”, the terrorists further warned.

The Police in the current case have mobilised in the Pombay Kamprim area of Kulgam district. They have begun the search operation and have assured to neutralize the terrorists who killed Rajput.

Narottam Mishra, the man standing up to stone pelters who attacked Ram Navami celebrations

Jinit Jain
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Narottam Mishra, the man standing up to stone pelters who attacked Ram Navami celebrations

Earlier this week, on the occasion of Ram Navami, one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals, violence broke out in Madhya Pradesh’s Khargone as hoodlums and pyromaniacs resorted to pelting stones and burning down public properties, vehicles to oppose the Hindu procession going through their neighbourhood.

On April 10, a Ram Navami procession that began in the Talab Chowk area of Khargone had to be abandoned midway after it came under a volley of stones. Several vehicles were set on fire.

Not only did the ruckus cause severe disruption, but the violence witnessed during it also rendered scores of people injured, many of them grievously wounded by the ferocious volley of stones hurled at them. The Islamists could not brook the sight of ‘Kaafirs’ prancing around in their neighbourhood celebrating the birth anniversary of their most revered God and took to attacking the procession with stones, sticks and other weapons.

The cops resorted to firing tear gas shells to bring the situation under control. During the orgy of violence, a total of 24 people were injured, including six police personnel. Even the Superintendent of Police (Khargone) had sustained bullet injuries. Keeping in mind the volatile law and order situation, a curfew was imposed in the area.

It was not the first time a Hindu procession was disrupted and subjected to violence while passing through an area that apologists have characterised as ‘Muslim areas’. This menace has been prevalent for decades. For years now, Hindu processions have been constantly attacked and disrupted by Islamist bigots who feel insecure at the sight of Hindu processions traversing through ‘their areas’.

The government response, which is always contingent upon their political implications, hardly betrayed a semblance of delivering justice. Instead, the state remained busy defusing the situation rather than bringing perpetrators to book and setting a precedent for the future. The government’s inaction emboldened the hooligans, who felt encouraged to continue their patently illegal and criminal behaviour. As s consequence, such disruptions and violence became a common occurrence, with Hindu processions routinely attacked on the pretext that they were “provocative” in nature.

However, this was not to be the case in Khargone this year. On April 11, a day after Islamists attacked Ram Navami celebrations, the Khargone administration took strict action against the miscreants involved in pelting stones at the procession.

The illegally constructed buildings were bulldozed by the administration. Five JCB machines were deployed for the task. Multiple videos emerged on social media in which JCB machines were seen razing down houses and commercial establishments of those involved in stone-pelting.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had ordered the demolition of illegal buildings of those involved in the stone-throwing. The administration used Bulldozers to raze about 45 houses and shops. Around 16 houses and 29 shops were demolished on Monday.

But the disciplinary action against stone-pelters turned the spotlight on another leader, who did not mince words in calling out the culprits and passionately defended the government’s move to demolish illegal houses and properties owned by the stone-pelters. 

Houses used for stone-pelting will be turned into a pile of rubble: Madhya Pradesh Home Minister

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra stated that the government is strict in dealing with the stone-pelters, adding that they will turn every house used by stone-pelters to attack the procession into a pile of rubble. 

Calling spade a spade, Mishra blamed Muslims for the violence that was witnessed during the Ram Navami celebrations. He said Muslims should not expect justice after carrying out such attacks. 

“If Muslims carry out such attacks then they should not expect justice,” Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra told NDTV, holding the community responsible for violence and riots.

Who is Narottam Mishra?

A no-nonsense politician, Dr. Narottam Mishra is the incumbent Minister for Home Affairs, Law and Legislative Affairs, Prisons, and Parliamentary Affairs in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led Madhya Pradesh government.

Mishra is a seasoned politician, elected over six times to the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly—three times from the Dabra assembly constituency of Gwalior district—and another three times from the Datia assembly constituency. 

However, his first brush with politics came during his college days in 1977-78, when he served as the Secretary of the student’s union of the Jiwaji University Gwalior, the institute from where he completed his M.A and later, Ph.D. 

Around this period, the BJP was rapidly gaining inroads around the country and challenging Congress’ hegemony, which suffered a setback following the imposition of the Emergency in 1975. The saffron party’s ideology and political doctrine influenced Mishra, who joined the BJP’s youth wing and later served as a member of State Executive Body of MP Bharatiya Janta Yuva Morcha from 1978 to 1980.

A decade later, Mishra got elected to the 9th Vidhan Sabha of Madhya Pradesh in 1990 and re-elected in 1998 and 2003 from the Dabra assembly constituency of Gwalior district. Then in 2008, he contested and won from the Datia assembly constituency and was re-elected in 2013 and 2018 from the same constituency. 

In 2005, Shri Babulal Gaur, then chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, included Mishra in his Council of Ministers as a Minister of State. Months later, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, another BJP stalwart, became the CM. Mishra was again a part of his Council of Ministers and subsequently inducted into the Cabinet. 

Years later, in 2013, Mishra again took oath as a Cabinet Minister under the leadership of Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Across his various terms in office, Mishra has served as Cabinet Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Urban Development, Public Relations, Water Resources, Law and Legislative Affairs, and Parliamentary Affairs.

Mishra took oath yet again on 20 April 2020 as the Minister for Home Affairs, and Health and Family Welfare, Government of Madhya Pradesh. In the wake of cabinet reshuffle, he was appointed as the Minister for Law and Legislative Affairs, Prisons, and Parliamentary Affairs, while continuing to retain the Ministry for Home Affairs.

Mishra’s unapologetic support for Hindutva

During his ongoing tenure as the Home Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mishra has been stringent in dealing with anti-social elements that threaten the law and order of the society. He has ordered the demolition of illegal properties and commercial establishments of those involved in stone-pelting in Khargone. Moreover, he has staunchly defended his government’s move of initiating punitive action against the culprits responsible for creating chaos and disorder during the Ram Navami celebrations. 

Mishra has been a vigorous supporter of Hindutva. In October 2021, activists of the Bajrang Dal launched a protest in Bhopal on the sets of director Prakash Jha’s web show Aashram. Responding to the incident, Mishra had then announced that the MP government will issue new guidelines to filmmakers under which scripts will need the district administration’s approval before shooting.

Questioning the duplicity of filmmakers in their portrayal of different religions, Mishra said they are welcome to shoot in the state, prior permission must be sought before filming “objectionable scenes”. Mishra said that film or web-series makers would now have to get their scripts cleared by the district administration in MP.

Furthermore, Mishra had also asked FMCG brand Dabur to withdraw its advertisement showing a same-sex couple celebrating the Hindu festival of Karwa Chauth. The ad had stoked massive outrage, with Hindus accusing the brand of hurting their religious sentiments. 

In August last year, a Muslim bangle-seller was beaten up for allegedly harassing a minor girl. It was also discovered that the bangle-seller held multiple Aadhaar cards and pretended to be a Hindu. A case was filed against the bangle-seller. The incident was amplified in the mainstream media as an attack on the minorities. 

However, Mishra justified the police action, saying that when a man hides his name and religion, it creates suspicions and mistrust among others.

“As per the report of the Home Department, the man was selling bangles using a Hindu name while he was from some other religion. There were two Aadhaar cards on him, allegedly fake. There is a ritual of women wearing new bangles during Saawan month. The issue between two sides started from there.”

Jamaat-e-Islami, which orchestrated the hijab protests in Karnataka using foreign funds, asks govt to curb ‘anti-Muslim’ mischief

OpIndia Staff
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Jamaat-e-Islami, which orchestrated the hijab protests in Karnataka using foreign funds, asks govt to curb ‘anti-Muslim’ mischief

The radical Islamic organisation Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), which was recently in the news for its role in instigating the hijab protests in Karnataka, has claimed that the ‘Muslims were attacked’ during the Ram Navami processions recently and demanded the centre and the state governments curb such acts immediately.

Days after Muslim mobs unleashed violence on the Ram Navami processions across the country, the radical Islamic organisation on Wednesday claimed that it was the Muslims who were attacked during the processions. The Jamaat also termed these incidents as ‘anti-Muslim mischiefs’ and urged the government to curb alleged attacks on the Muslims.

“The same pattern was seen in all these places where processions were first taken out on the occasion of a festival, special flags were waved, weapons, especially swords and knives, were openly brandished, and provocative and disparaging slogans were raised against Muslims and Islam,” JIH Vice President Salim Engineer claimed.

The radical Islamic organisation also resorted to propagating misinformation by claiming that attempts were made to damage some mosques.

“In some places, property and shops owned by Muslims were also damaged. Incidents of arson and looting were also noted. All these incidents reflect the growing atmosphere of unrest and hatred in the country,” Engineer said.

Attacks on Ram Navami processions

On Sunday, several Ram Navami processions that passed through the so-called ‘Muslim dominated areas’ were targetted with stone-pelting, arson and vandalism. At least ten incidents of attacks on Ram Navami processions were reported from several states, injuring many Hindu devotees and police personnel.

Strangely, radical Islamic organisation Jamaat-e-Islami, rather than condemning the violence unleashed by Islamists, has chosen to play the victim card.

It is pertinent to note that Jamaat-e-Islami has been at the forefront of fomenting trouble across the country. Just a few months back, Jamaat-e-Islami was accused of orchestrating hijab protests in Karnataka. We had reported that radical Islamic organisations such as Jamaat and Campus Front of India, the student wing of Popular Front of India, had instigated Muslim students to violate uniform rules by wearing hijab to classes.

The hijab controversy took a dangerous turn in Karnataka, leading to violence in many parts of the state. It is also imperative to mention here that a Kerala-based journalist had revealed how Islamist organisation Jamaat-e-Islami has been receiving funds from Saudi Arabia universities to ‘Islamise’ India.

The outfit was banned on February 28, 2019, by the Government of India following the terror attack in Pulwama as it was suspected of funding the terror organisation Hizbul Mujahideen.

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