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Karnataka: Belur temple board asks a Muslim vendor to vacate the shop on the temple premises as per Hindu temple law

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Karnataka: Belur temple board asks a Muslim vendor to vacate the shop on the temple premises as per Hindu temple law

The governing committee of the 12th-century Chennakeshava temple of Belur in the Hassan district of Karnataka issued an eviction notice to a Muslim vendor running a shop on the shrine premises. According to a report by the Times of India, the vendor is running this shop for the last few decades.

On 28th March 2022,  the temple executive officer Vidyalatha served the notice to a Muslim vendor selling children’s toys. The shopkeeper was asked to stop the business activities with immediate effect. The vendor replied to this notice on the same day. In his reply, the vendor sought permission to continue his business till next year when the agreement with temple authorities ends.

The toy shop at the Belur temple complex is run by a Muslim shopkeeper. Image Source: Times of India

The temple executive Vidyalatha said, “The notice is issued under the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 2002, which disallows leasing or renting premises in a temple complex to non-Hindus. I have sent our vendor’s reply to our Commissioner.”

There are 17 shops in the Chennakeshava temple complex. Among these shops, there is a hotel, a milk booth, godowns, and a few other shops. The temple comes under the Karnataka Muzrai Department and it is set to be recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO. The annual chariot procession of this temple is scheduled on the upcoming 13th and 14th of April 2022.

This move comes amid several temples in Karnataka deciding to not allow non-Hindus in their premises. Two weeks ago the Marikamba temple of Shivamogga had banned Muslim vendors at the annual fair. A similar decision that was taken by the Hosa Marigudi temple in Kaup, as the temple committee had decided to allow only stalls by Hindus during the annual event ‘Suggi Mari Pooja’. This was done after several Muslim traders had shut down their shops to protest against the Karnataka High Court’s decision on the hijab issue.

Reacting to the development, the Karnataka govt had clarified that the temple committees were right as according to the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act 2002, non-Hindus cannot do business in and around the premises of the Hindu religious institutions. When Congress had demanded action against Hindu temples for not allowing non-Hindus to do business in their temple premises, the Karnataka govt had said that govt can’t interfere in the decisions of temple committees as it was as per law. Law minister J C Madhuswamy had also informed that the law was enacted by a Congress government.

Imran Khan loses it on the eve of the no-confidence vote, calls opposition dacoits and traitors

OpIndia Staff
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Imran Khan loses it on the eve of the no-confidence vote, calls opposition dacoits and traitors

Facing the biggest political challenge of his life, Pakistan Prime Minister and leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan seems to be losing his cool under pressure. Imran Khan called the Pakistan opposition dacoits, traitors, and accused them of trading like goats in the market.

A day ahead of the no-confidence vote in the Pakistan assembly, Imran made a public address to take on the opposition and rally support around him.

In an unexpected appearance where he answered questions from the public, Imran lashed out at the opposition parties and urged his supporters to hit the streets tomorrow ahead of the no-confidence vote in the Pakistan assembly.

During his address, the former Pakistan cricket captain said, “Non-resident Pakistanis feel bad to see a dacoit like Shehbaz Sharif, a traitor like Nawaz Sharif and corrupt like Zardari are calling the shots.”

Further, Imran also said, “Two forces are keeping the country together- the Pakistan Army and my party PTI. PTI is the only ‘national party’ in the right sense today. The conspiracy is directed against both, the Army and PTI.”

While Imran tried to get the Army on his side during this address, Pakistan Army Chief General Bajwa had publicly tried to distance himself from Imran Khan’s foreign policy earlier in the day. While Imran Khan had accused America of trying to topple his government and refused to support them on the Ukraine war, General Bajwa took exactly the opposite stand and tried to reach out to America.

Even though there were some rumors circulating about Imran Khan’s resignation, the Pakistan Prime Minister has made it clear that he will not resign, and will fight till the very end. However, with the all-powerful Army chief not on his side, and his allies deserting him, this may well be the end of the road for the Khan.

Kerala: Leader of opposition VD Satheesan demands probe after Fire and Rescue Services officials were seen training PFI members

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Kerala: Leader of opposition VD Satheesan demands probe after Fire and Rescue Services officials were seen training PFI members

On 2nd April 2022, Kerala’s leader of opposition VD Satheesan demanded a probe after Kerala Fire and Rescue Services were seeing providing training to the members of the Popular Front of India. VD Satheesan alleged that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) is appeasing the majority and minority extremists.

VD Satheesan said, “This is a serious issue. This must be investigated. The CPI(M) itself claims that the RSS is infiltrating forces. On the other hand, there are reports of SDPI (Social Democratic Party of India) infiltrators. On both sides, there are majority extremists and minority extremists.”

He further said, “Both of them are being appeased by the CPI(M). It is a political approach that flatters all of them for temporary needs. CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s practice of social engineering is religiously motivated.”

Accusing the ruling party of misusing the police force, VD Satheesan said, “First, the CPI(M) must end this policy of appeasement. The postings are made by CPI(M) leaders. The whole party leadership is posting people to important key positions. The hierarchy of the police is lost. The entire reason for these dangerous activities is that the line of control of the police has been given into the hands of party leaders.”

On Thursday 31st March 2022, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader K Surendran had said that Kerala Fire and Rescue Services were seen training PFI activists. He had added that PFI and SDPI are involved in many terrorist activities. He tweeted, “Kerala Fire & Rescue Service gave training to the members of the radical Islamic outfit Popular Front of India. PFI and SDPI are involved in several terrorist activities. The Pinarayi Vijayan government is giving a red carpet to these Jihadi forces.”

K Surendran has also attached the photographs of the said training sessions arranged by Kerala Fire and Rescue Services to train the members of PFI. Reportedly, PFI members were given training by the fire services department in Aluva in Ernakulam last week. 

After the images of the event went viral on social media, the Kerala government had asked the DGP of the fire force B Sandhya to submit a report on the incident. In the report, Sandhya said it was a big lapse on the part of the force and sought action against the officials who were involved.

In their defence, the fire officials said that they were invited to a cultural program organised by PFI and gave tips on rescue operations when some PFI workers requested them.

IPL: Jos Buttler’s brilliance hands Mumbai Indians their second successive loss

OpIndia Staff
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IPL: Jos Buttler’s brilliance hands Mumbai Indians their second successive loss

Rajasthan Royals kept up their excellent start to this year’s IPL with a second successive win to reach the top of the IPL table. In contrast, Mumbai Indians, traditionally slow starters at the IPL, are at the bottom end of the table after losing their first 2 games.

Royals’ win was built around the brilliant century by their opener Jos Buttler who ended up with exactly 100 off 68 balls pushing Rajasthan to 193 off their 20 overs. Despite losing his opening partner Jaiswal early, Buttler took the fight to Mumbai bowlers, and in the company of Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer, got Rajasthan to a total just beyond Mumbai’s reach.

Chasing 194 for the win, Mumbai Indians were well up with the required rate for a large part of their innings thanks to an excellent 3rd wicket partnership. After losing skipper Rohit Sharma and Amolpreet Singh within the first 4 overs, Ishan Kishan and youngster Tilak Varma put together 81 runs in the next 9 overs to keep Mumbai on target.

However, Ishan Kishan’s wicket led to a mini-collapse as Mumbai lose 4 wickets for 15 runs. During that spell, Rajasthan leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was even on a hattrick but substitute fielder Karun Nair dropped Murugan Ashwin at first slip to deny the honor to Chahal.

Mumbai legend Kieron Pollard kept Mumbai in the game right till the last over but Rajasthan were always the favorites after Chahal’s 2 wickets in 2 balls, and eventually won by 23 runs.

Rajasthan next face Royal Challengers Bangalore on Tuesday, while Mumbai will try to register their first win of the season against Kolkata on Wednesday.

Tamil Nadu: BJP chief K Annamalai given ‘Y’ category security after intelligence reports of threats from Maoists and religious extremists

OpIndia Staff
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Tamil Nadu: BJP chief K Annamalai given ‘Y’ category security after intelligence reports of threats from Maoists and religious extremists

Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has been provided ‘Y’ category security by the Ministry of Home Affairs due to reports of threat to his life. This is over and above the security cover provided to him by the state police. Under the ‘Y’ scale security, Annamalai will be protected by the armed Personal Security Officers drawn from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Security Branch CID of the state police on a round-the-clock basis.

According to the reports, intelligence agencies have reported that K Annamalai is facing threats from Maoists and religious extremists. The Intelligence agencies took note of the level of threat perception to the former IPS officer-turned politician over the past few weeks and prepared a report citing legitimate sources. The Union Home Ministry then directed the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to provide ‘Y’ security for the leader.

Earlier in February, three petrol bombs were thrown at the Tamil Nadu BJP headquarters, ‘Kamalalayam,’ in T Nagar, Chennai, for the party’s pro-NEET stand. The police had on February 10 arrested a 38-year-old man for setting fire to three bottles filled with petrol and throwing them at the BJP state headquarters. Annamalai had later urged the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to investigate the incident as well as a bigger plot.

Interestingly, in February last year, Annamalai was given Y-Plus security cover following a suspected threat to his life from extremist organizations but later the scale was reduced to the ‘X’ category. Under the ‘Y’ category of security, Annamalai will be protected by at least four armed personal security personnel round the clock. Besides, local police will also be ordered to enhance surveillance in the vicinity of his place of stay.

The state BJP leader has several times in the past slammed the DMK government for its nonchalant attitude towards the state. He said that CM MK Stalin was busy finding faults in PM Modi’s leadership but failed to introspect the actions of the state government. “The State government could not even deliver the Pongal gift hampers to the cardholders properly, the Centre had so effectively administered over 150 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses to the people by moving them to every nook and cranny of the country that the pandemic had come under control, he said.

Also, amid the Hijab row, he had accused the Congress of practicing communal politics in the State, adding that the BJP would never practice appeasement politics. Annamalai, a former cop-turned politician, was elected to lead the BJP’s Tamil Nadu branch in July 2021. He was a former IPS officer from the Karnataka cadre who left the government service in August 2020 and joined the BJP.

Did you know: Sonia Gandhi’s secretary Vincent George got a journalist sacked for writing a piece she did not like

OpIndia Staff
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Did you know: Sonia Gandhi’s secretary Vincent George got a journalist sacked for writing a piece she did not like

Vincent George, a Congress loyalist and secretary of Sonia Gandhi, once fired a writer because he published an article that Sonia Gandhi did not like. The writer was Kanchan Gupta, who is now a senior adviser in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India.

Kanchan Gupta was sacked because he wrote an article titled “Ram Rajya vs Rome Rajya” before the 1996 Lok Sabha elections. The article was published in The Pioneer newspaper.

Following a phone call from Vincent George (then Sonia Gandhi’s PA) to his Executive Editor at the time, Kanchan Gupta was compelled to resign from the Pioneer newspaper shortly after the piece was published. Vincent called up the then-executive editor of The Pioneer and expressed Sonia Gandhi’s displeasure with the piece, which resulted in Kanchan Gupta, the article’s author, being fired from his job.

In 2012, veteran journalist Kanchan Gupta took to Twitter to share the incident of how an article he wrote had seemingly riled up Sonia Gandhi, whose PA Vincent George had called up the Executive Editor of The Pioneer to convey his boss’ displeasure at the article, resulting in Gupta losing his job.

Much later, in 2018, Anand Ranganathan, a well-known author and a columnist, shared a video of Kanchan Gupta on Twitter where he spoke about the incident. The video dates back to August 2018 when Gupta shared this incident at the Pondy Literature Festival. Sharing the video, Anand Ranganathan wrote, “Sonia Gandhi’s secretary Vincent George given eviction notice for his Lutyens’ bungalow. He’s the same lackey who got @KanchanGupta sacked for writing an article Sonia didn’t like. Dada suffered years because of him. This is the true face of the Congress.”

It should be noted that the Centre recently issued an eviction notice to the Congress party, directing them to evacuate the property in New Delhi’s Chanakyapuri where Vincent George previously resided. Notably, even though George no longer lives at C-II/109 Chanakyapuri, the Congress party still owns the house. The property’s most recent rent was paid in 2013. Since then, the total unpaid rent has amounted to a stunning Rs 3.08 crore.

Vincent George: A deep-hearted Congress loyalist

Vincent George used to be Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s personal secretary. In November 1984, he was appointed as the youngest private secretary to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Party members and lobbyists referred to him as “King George” because of his reach to higher levels within and outside the party.

Following Rajiv Gandhi’s death in 1991, and Sonia Gandhi’s unwillingness to take over the party, George stayed at the 10 Janpath office, which had abruptly ceased to be the political epicentre. When Sonia Gandhi chose seclusion in the years that followed, George quickly withdrew himself from the tumultuous world of Congress politics.

A case was also filed against George by the Central Bureau of Investigation in 2001, alleging that he amassed a vast fortune after 1990, including commercial and residential properties in affluent South Delhi, properties in Bangalore, Chennai, Kerala, and farm property bordering Delhi, as well as cash totalling over Rs 1.5 crore in bank accounts. The case was closed by CBI in 2013 citing insufficient evidence.

Sri Lanka: Indian High Commission denies rumors of the deployment of Indian Military personnel in the country

OpIndia Staff
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Sri Lanka: Indian High Commission denies rumors of the deployment of Indian Military personnel in the country

As per reports, the Indian high commission in Sri Lanka has denied rumors that India is deploying Indian military personnel in the country. Sri Lanka, plagued by an economic crisis, is seeing widespread protests in the country right now.

Amidst the ongoing crisis, a rumor started circulating online that India is going to send military personnel to Sri Lanka to help with the unrest.

However, some people did see through it and implored others not to fall prey to this 1st of April joke.

Unfortunately, the wise ones were too few and Indian High Commission in Colombo had to issue a clarification to explain that India is not sending any Military to Sri Lanka.

Painful memories of Indian forces in Sri Lanka

As Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi had decided to send Indian forces to Sri Lanka in the late 1980s as a peacekeeping force during Sri Lankan forces-LTTE conflict. It turned out to be a highly unpopular decision among the Sri Lankans. So much so that Rajiv Gandhi was even attacked by a Sri Lankan Navy man. Luckily Rajiv escaped that incident without any serious injury.

UP Shia Waqf Board returns waqf properties ‘encroached’ by Azam Khan to Rampur’s royal family

OpIndia Staff
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UP Shia Waqf Board returns waqf properties ‘encroached’ by Azam Khan to Rampur’s royal family

In a major blow to imprisoned Samajwadi Party MP Azam Khan, the Uttar Pradesh Shia Central Waqf Board has seized several waqf properties from him and handed them over to Rampur’s royal family. The Samajwadi Party leader is currently lodged in Sitapur jail in Uttar Pradesh, in over 100 cases of theft, criminal intimidation, fraud and encroachment.

Shia Waqf Board chairman Ali Zaidi took to Twitter to share the news.

Zaidi told PTI on Saturday that following the formation of the SP government in the state in 2012, many waqf properties ‘encroached’ by then Waqf Minister Azam Khan was returned to the original owners after a thorough investigation.

He stated that this decision was taken during the board’s recent meeting that was held on March 31.

According to Zaidi, Khan illegally encroached on seven ‘alal aulad’ (succession-based) waqf properties of the royal family during his tenure, including the fortified mosque and an ‘imambara’ (imam’s house or court).

Azam Khan accomplished this by directing the then-chairman of the Shia Waqf Board, to appoint an outsider as caretaker of these properties. After that, despite a court order, Azam Khan demolished the Shaukat Ali Bazar built on these properties in May 2013.

He stated that following the reorganisation of the Shia Waqf Board in November of last year, an inquiry was conducted into complaints of encroachment of the royal family’s Waqf properties, based on which Waseem Khan was removed and Haider Ali Khan alias Hamza Miyan, the royal family’s grandson of Begum Noorbano, was appointed caretaker.

Yogi Govt takes control of SP leader’s Jauhar University land 

It may be recalled that in 2017, reports had emerged confirming that SP leader Azam Khan had unlawfully transferred 3.5 acres of Waqf board property worth Rs 500 crores to his close friend Shahzeb Khan. Azam Khan then allegedly sold the property and as a result, made crores of rupees.

It may be recalled that in September 2021, the Uttar Pradesh government had also taken over the possession of most of the land where Samajwadi Party MP Azam Khan’s Jauhar University was built. As per reports, the Rampur revenue officials arrived at the University and formally took possession of the entire land. Azam Khan’s Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, which had claimed the ownership of the land was also evicted.

As per reports, the Jauhar University Trust had obtained over 265 acres of land through various means. The state government in 2005 had permitted the minority organisation to obtain more than its initial 12.5 acres, following which, MP Azam Khan had reportedly forcibly taken away lands of local SC/ST farmers, making them sign bonds under threat.

Azam Khan is accused of terrorising people, stealing properties and occupying lands under SP rule

Tainted MP Azam Khan had wielded brute power during the tenure of the Samajwadi Party government in the state. He used to move around with a retinue of over 100 policemen and senior officers were found serving his household, doing menial jobs. An old Muslim institution in UP had alleged that the Azam Khan had stolen hundreds of valuable manuscripts and books from the library. Khan, using his power and hold, had even stolen lands, goats, and cattle from local farmers.

After CM Yogi Adityanath assumed office, his administration decided to bring an end to the reign of terror imposed by Azam Khan and his goons. Dozens of FIRs were registered and his illegal encroachments were demolished.

Punjab: AAP government transfers SSP Dhruman H Nimbale after he cracked down on sand mafias

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab: AAP government transfers SSP Dhruman H Nimbale after he cracked down on sand mafias

In sharp contrast to his pre-election promise of taking strict action against illegal sand miners, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann transferred SSP Dhruman H Nimbale within a week after he busted a gang of illegal sand miners and made one of the biggest cash seizures of Rs 1.53 crore. The reshuffle of officers was announced on 2nd April 2022 according to which the IPS officer Dhruman H Nimbale has been posted to Muktasar. He was serving as the SSP of Hoshiarpur till now.

In eight years of his service, SSP Dhruman H Nimbale has been transferred 18 times. His last two transfers before this one took place when there was a Congress government in Punjab. Coincidentally these transfers also had a background of his strict action against the sand mafias. Before Hoshiarpur, he was posted in Tarn Taran and Moga. During his tenure as the SSP of Tarn Taran, Moga and Hoshiarpur, SSP Dhruman H Nimbale had ordered more than 100 FIRs against the illegal sand mining.

Modus operandi of Sand Mafias and SSP Nimbale’s action against them

SSP Dhruman H Nimbale had a very short tenure of working at Tarn Taran. He was SSP of Tarn Taran for five months. During this time, he took action against illegal sand mining. Trucks used to quarry from Ferozepur to Tarn Taran. These truckers used government slips meant for one truck to get a passage for more than twenty trucks. This practice caused a substantial loss of revenue to the government. Sand Mining Department has made it mandatory to upload the slip immediately on the website. But these crooks were not following the rule. Slips issued as early as in the month of April, were being used in the month of July in some cases. SSP Dhruman H Nimbale exposed this malpractice and booked cases against the illegal sand miners. He was then transferred to Moga.

In Moga, mining activities on the riverbed was a common practice by illegal sand miners. According to the rules, no mining from riverbed is allowed during the monsoon period (1st June to 31st August). SSP Dhruman H Nimbale lodged 13 FIRs and seized machines worth Rs 4 crore for violation of the rules. After less than two months of his tenure at Moga, he was transferred to Hoshiarpur in October 2021.

In the recent assembly elections of Punjab, Aam Aadmi Party got the majority and formed a government in Punjab. After the change of government, between 25th March and 27th March, Nimabale took very strict action against illegal sand miners and employees of sand mining firms who impersonated government officials. He is transferred to Muktsar as SSP.

Aam Aadmi Party’s pre-election promises

During campaigning for the Punjab assembly polls, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal had said that the actual investigation in illegal sand mining case will begin when Bhagwant Mann becomes Punjab chief minister.

But now when Bhagwant Mann has become the chief minister of Punjab, Aam Aadmi Party’s government transferred the IPS officer who cracked down on the illegal sand miners. Bhagwant Mann’s government in Punjab is taking such controversial steps with every coming day. It has not just transferred the officers but it also intends to transfer cities. The Punjab government recently moved a resolution in the assembly to immediately transfer Chandigarh to Punjab state. It is notable that Chandigarh is union territory and capital to both states Punjab and Haryana.

Pakistan: Videos of sexual exploitation of children sold on dark web to earn dollars; five, including a woman, arrested

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Pakistan: Videos of sexual exploitation of children sold on dark web to earn dollars; five, including a woman, arrested

In Pakistan, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) busted a child pornography racket. The agency’s Cyber Crime Cell stated on Friday (April 1, 2022) that gang members used to sexually exploit children and earn money by selling their videos on the dark web. Five members of the gang, including a woman, have been apprehended, and the search for the remaining suspects is ongoing.

Some members of the gang have been identified as Arslan Arshad, Ammad Shahzad, Moazam, Talha, Qamar alias Doda, Abid Ali and a woman named Asma.

In its preliminary investigation, the FIA discovered that members of this gang sexually abused and videotaped at least ten children and then sold the video on the dark web, against which they got paid in dollars. These accused lived in a private housing society on the outskirts of Punjab’s capital Lahore, where they raped the children by luring them with money and other inducements and filmed the entire ordeal.

According to the FIA, the accused not only sexually exploited the victims by luring them, but they also continued to sexually exploit them and extort money by blackmailing them to leak the video on social media. In case any boy objected, the gang members threatened to make the video go viral.

The father of a victim, who is also the complainant in the case said that the two accused, Arslan Arshad and Ammad Shahzad, who live in a private housing society, formed a gang to persuade teenagers in the neighbourhood. They then sexually exploited them and recorded the act without their consent. The accused uploaded the videos on the internet to earn money.

According to the complainant, the gang had also trapped his son. On February 15, 2022, the accused took the victim to the upper portion of his house and sexually assaulted him while filming a video.

Later, Arsalan shared the video with his friend Abid through WhatsApp.

Following receipt of the complaint, the agency launched an investigation and arrested Abid Ali from Arifwala tehsil, district Pakpattan in Pakistan. Authorities stated that they recovered a large number of videos of child pornography from his phone, and the main accused, Arslan, could also be seen raping minors in the videos.

The accused admitted to FIA cyber wing officials that the gang members namely, Arslan, Ammad, Moazam, and Talha, enticed minor children by offering them money and valuable gifts and then videotaped them. “They later provide the video to a woman named Asma and her driver, Qamar alias Doda.”

The accused have been charged by the FIA Cyber Crime Cell Lahore under Sections 20, 21, and 22 of the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act (PECA) 2016 and Section 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

According to local media reports, FIA Cyber Crime Cell is also conducting raids to arrest the other accused persons.

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