Home Blog Page 3493

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lashes out at voters of Amethi, blames them for the humiliating incompetence of her brother: Here’s what she said

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lashes out at voters of Amethi, blames them for the humiliating incompetence of her brother: Here’s what she said

As the Congress party stares at another humiliating result in the ongoing assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra blamed the voters for its fate in the state. Addressing an election rally in Amethi on Friday, she came down heavily on the voters of the area for the defeat of Rahul Gandhi in the last Lok Sabha elections.

She claimed that her brother lost from the family bastion because voters in Amethi vote with their eyes closed. “You are responsible for your situation. You are misled and then vote with your eyes closed,” she told the audience at the rally.

Implying that the voters in the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency are regretting their decision to vote for Smriti Irani instead of Rahul Gandhi, she warned the voters not to do the same. “Your vote is a very big responsibility. Choose wisely as you may regret for the next five years. It’s time for your development,” Priyanka Vadra said.

She also called the various welfare schemes of the central govt to distribute food and money to the farmers during the pandemic useless. She said that her party does not want that people become dependent on such schemes.

Calling for the defeat of current legislators, she said that leaders should not be regarded as gods, and if they don’t work, they should be voted out.

In her speech, Priyanka Vadra made the same allegations against the BJP government that Rahul Gandhi has been making for the last 8 years. She said that the govt is only working for big industrialists, and not working for the poor and the farmers.

Does the “Ghost of Kyiv” really exist? Purported videos of Ukrainian ace pilot, who dowed 6 Russian jets goes viral, fact-checks emerge too

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Does the “Ghost of Kyiv” really exist? Purported videos of Ukrainian ace pilot, who dowed 6 Russian jets goes viral, fact-checks emerge too

As Russian troops take control of the Ukrainian cities two days after launching “special military operations”, social media is rife with rumours of a mysterious MiG-29 jet appearing over Kyiv to defend Ukrainian skies from Russian aerial attacks.

Netizens have shared clips of a Ukrainian fighter pilot, now being celebrated as “Ghost of Kyiv”, who has allegedly shot down six Russian aircraft. The videos of the “Ghost of Kyiv” have spread like wildfire on social media. Many on Twitter are calling the Ukrainian pilot the “first European ace since World War II”. 

In aerial warfare technology, an ‘ace’ is a pilot who has shot down five or more aircraft during combat.

A social media user Visegrad 24, shared a video of a MiG-29 chasing down purported Russian aircraft. He said that reports were saying that a Ukrainian pilot had shot down six Russian aircraft on Friday, making him the first fighter ace of the 21st century.

The social media user claimed that the pilot is now known as the “Ghost of Kyiv”.

According to one viral post, the “Ghost of Kyiv” has so far downed two Su-35s, one Su-27, one MiG-29 and two Su-25s of the Russian Airforce.

It is not just the common Ukrainians who are posting unverified videos and images to hail “Ghost of Kyiv”. Former Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko also posted a photo to claim that the pilot was the “Ghost of Kyiv”.

In the tweet, Poroshenko says, “None other than the Ghost of Kyiv. He causes terror in enemies and pride in Ukrainians. He has six victories over Russian pilots! With such powerful defenders, Ukraine will definitely win!”

However, the pilot is yet to be identified. It is speculated that Poroshenko’s tweet is just an attempt to boost public morale rather than confirming the existence of a mystery pilot.

Fact-checkers says there is no evidence to prove existence of “Ghost of Kyiv”

Meanwhile, fact-checkers have analysed some of the viral videos to establish that some of the footage claiming to identify the “Ghost of Kyiv” is not real.

One such video was shared by a Ukrainian social media user saying that Ukrainian pilot “Ghost of Kyiv” shot down a Russian Su-35 fighter jet. He had shared a video of a dogfight between two fighter jets.

According to the fact-checking website Snopes, the video is a scene from Digital Combat Simulator, a free-to-play combat-simulation video game.

The video was first posted by YouTube user Comrade_Corb, who clearly states that the footage is not real.

On his Youtube channel, Comrade_Corb has put out the facts that read, “This footage is from DCS, but is nevertheless made out of respect for “The Ghost of Kiev”. If he is real, may God be with him; if he is fake, I pray for more like ‘him.'”

So far, there is no evidence to prove the existence of the “Ghost of Kyiv”. However, the photos and videos have kept the hopes of Ukrainians alive amidst ongoing Russia’s military operations inside Ukraine.

Amidst all these rumours, Russian troops are currently closing in on Kyiv, the seat of Ukrainian power, after taking control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

Justice SS Shinde recuses from Bhima Koregaon cases, LRO had appealed to CJI quoting Shinde’s praise for terror accused Stan Swamy

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Justice SS Shinde recuses from Bhima Koregaon cases, LRO had appealed to CJI quoting Shinde’s praise for terror accused Stan Swamy

On February 25, Friday, the Legal Rights Observatory (LRO) announced on Twitter that Justice SS Shinde had recused himself from hearing proceedings related to the Bhima Koregaon-Elgaar Parishad case. The lawyers’ collective applauded those who joined them in urging the Chief Justice of India to ask the Justice to recuse himself from hearing the Bhima Koregaon cases.

“You all have won d battle! After inflicting damage to national security i.e. granting bail to terrorist Vara Vara Rao; Justice SS Shinde recused himself from #BhimaKoregao case. You had signed a letter to SC to remove Mr Shinde from the case! He had praised Terrorist Catholic Stan!” Tweeted LRO. It also shared the screenshot of a report by Bar and Bench confirming that Justice SS Shinde of Bombay High Court has recused himself from hearing petitions arising from the Bhima Koregaon riots which took place in 2018 after the Elgar Parishad event.

LRO appeals to CJI

It may be recalled that Legal Rights Observatory (LRO) had written to CJI in July 2021, urging the latter to ask Justice SS Shinde of the Bombay High Court to recuse himself from hearing the Bhima Koregaon cases after Shinde, on July 19, heaped praises for terror accused Naxal sympathiser Stan Swamy.

Legal Rights Observatory (LRO), in a letter to the Chief Justice of India, highlighted that a matter concerning national security must be adjudicated on merit. Quoting Justice Shinde’s praise for Stan Swamy, the letter stated that being openly appreciative of the work of the accused casts aspersions on the possibility to deliver an impartial and fair judgment by the Justice. 

The Lawyer collective had also started an online petition on Change.org to CJI on August 1st, 2021, appealing to him to ask Justice SS Shinde to recuse himself from Bhima Koregaon cases.

Justice SS Shinde eulogized Bhima Koregaon accused Stan Swamy 

Stan Lourduswamy, commonly known as Stan Swamy, an undertrial prisoner in the Bhima Koregaon violence case was praised highly by Justice SS Shinde after his demise. Justice Shinde had said that the graceful funeral service of Swamy had touched him. 

This garnered a strong reaction from the public after which the Bombay High Court was compelled to take back its statement. While withdrawing its statement, the judge justified the earlier comment saying that they are also human beings.

NIA, the investigating authority in the Bhima Koregaon cases had also objected strongly to Justice Shinde’s remarks on an accused.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Dipankar Datta of the Bombay High Court has said that a third bench will be formed to hear the cases as soon as possible after Justice SS Shinde’s alternate bench and Justice PB Varale’s bench recused themselves from hearing petitions arising out of the Bhima Koregaon – Elgar Parishad Case. Justice Shinde, on the other hand, will hear Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Ferreira, and Varavara Rao’s interim plea for bail and factual revisions in his judgement refusing them default bail.

‘Can’t be a lie, Kejriwal can do anything for power’: Munawwar Rana speaks up on Kumar Vishwas’ claims of Kejriwal extending support to Khalistanis

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Can’t be a lie, Kejriwal can do anything for power’: Munawwar Rana speaks up on Kumar Vishwas’ claims of Kejriwal extending support to Khalistanis

On Saturday, poet Munawwar Rana accused Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in the midst of the Punjab Assembly Elections and said that Kejriwal can do anything for power. He said that Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was the one who had said that he would never join the politics but used the BJP to create his own empire.

Rana, in an exclusive interview to Live Hindustan, stated that Arvind Kejriwal was primarily involved in planning political strategies during the 2011 anti-corruption hunger strike by activist Anna Hazare in Delhi. He added that Kejriwal used the situation to deceptively rise in politics.

When asked about Kumar Vishwas’ allegations against Kejriwal in the midst of Punjab polls, Munawwar Rana said that the allegations might be true and that Kejriwal can do anything to come into power. Poet Kumar Vishwas on February 16 had called out Kejriwal for extending support to separatists. “At one point, Kejriwal claimed that he would either become Chief Minister of Punjab or will become first Prime Minister of an independent nation (Khalistan)”, Vishwas had said.

Showing trust in Kumar Vishwas, poet Munawwar Rana said that Arvind Kejriwal can definitely say so. “Vishwas and Kejriwal were good friends. It is quite possible that Kejriwal shared his thought about a separate nation with Vishwas. Maybe in a lighter mood but yes, he can do it”, Rana affirmed.

Rana further said that he had asked Kejriwal to consider Kumar Vishwas for Rajya Sabha but AAP’s Sanjay Singh was given a chance. “Singh is good. But AAP deliberately missed a chance to elect someone enthusiastic, talkative person (Vishwas) up there”, he said adding that Vishwas’ comments had nothing to do with him not getting the nomination to Rajya Sabha.

Reiterating that Arvind Kejriwal could do anything to stay in power, Munawwar Rana said that if Vishwas had to quote against Kejriwal for politics, he would never do that. “If he (Vishwas) was interested in severe politics, he would have attained the position by joining any other political party like BJP or Congress. He is a good poet, never speaks a lie. Whatever he said about Kejriwal can be cent per cent true”, he stated.

On February 16, Kumar Vishwas while talking about Kejriwal’s campaigns in the Punjab assembly elections had said that Kejriwal extends support to separatists and that they had helped AAP in the last elections. He had also highlighted the deep-rooted separatism in Kejriwal’s mind and said that AAP was being funded by ISI and other elements across the world in previous elections.

In 2018, it was also revealed by Republic TV that Khalistani groups had funded AAP in the Punjab elections. The Legislative Assembly elections were held in Punjab on 20 February 2022 to elect the 117 members of the 16th Assembly of the Punjab Legislative Assembly. The votes will be counted and the results will be declared on 10 March 2022.

Delhi HC issues notice in plea filed by mother alleging indoctrination, forced conversion of her minor child by Christian missionary NGOs: Details

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Delhi HC issues notice in plea filed by mother alleging indoctrination, forced conversion of her minor child by Christian missionary NGOs: Details

The Delhi High Court has issued a notice in a petition filed by a minor’s mother, alleging that social workers of Christian missionary NGOs namely Evangelical Fellowship of India Commission on Relief and Prayas allegedly indoctrinated her Hindu child into Christianity and also filed a fraudulent sexual assault FIR through her, reports Law Beat.

The mother of the petitioner has testified in court that after converting her Hindu child to Christianity without her consent, the NGOs subjected her to abuse and exploitation for more than five months while she was in a Child Care Institution (CCI) managed by Global Family Charitable Trust.

In a plea filed through Advocate Dibyanshu Pandey, the aggrieved mother alleged that her minor daughter was “trapped” by the social workers of the aforementioned NGOs which got a false FIR of sexual abuse at her behest. Following the bogus FIR, the child was produced before the Child Welfare Committee after five days, in direct contravention of Rule 81 (1) of The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Model Rules, 2016. 

The mother of the minor was outraged by the CWC’s misuse of authority and unchecked actions, which resulted in more than five months of exploitation in a Child Care Institution by numerous NGOs, as well as forced indoctrination of the child in Christianity in the Child Care Institution (CCI).

She further claimed that the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 have resulted in “a denial of justice to the petitioner and her daughter, as well as a violation of the fundamental rights provided by the Indian Constitution.”

Over the years, many Christian Missionaries have come under the scanner for carrying out conversion rackets under the guise of providing help, shelter and financial assistance to the weak and vulnerable members of the non-Christian communities. In fact, last year, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had uncovered an alleged conversion racket going on in the Christian Missionary Girls’ Hostel in Raisen, Madhya Pradesh. Priyank Kanoongo, Chairperson of NCPCR had on November 9, 2021, gone to inspect the hostel located in Intkhedi village, Sultanpur, District Raisen, Madhya Pradesh. He had revealed how tribal Hindu girls were brought to the hostel and were being taught Christian religious books to convert them to Christianity.

In fact in April last year, OpIndia reported how some Christian missionaries in India, taking advantage of the lockdown imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, had converted as many as 1 lakh people and adopted 50,000 villages in a span of one year. 

Andhra Pradesh: Head constable Shaik Athavullah arrested in police station attack, orchestrated by SDPI, after Hindus objected to construction of illegal mosque

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Andhra Pradesh: Head constable Shaik Athavullah arrested in police station attack, orchestrated by SDPI, after Hindus objected to construction of illegal mosque

The Andhra Pradesh police have arrested Shaik Athavullah, a head constable of the Andhra Pradesh special police branch, for his involvement in the Atmakur Police Station attack case.

According to the reports, a Muslim mob had attacked the police station in Atmakur of Kurnool District on 8 January 2022. The mob had gone on a rampage and attacked the police station after local Hindus had raised objections to constructing an unauthorised mosque.

The mob had ambushed the police station, pelted stones and destroyed scooters. The police had opened four rounds of fire into the air to disperse the crowd. Several policemen were seriously injured in the attack.

As per the Superintendent of Police of Kurnool district, the riots were orchestrated by radical Islamic organisation SDPI.

The police had arrested 28 accused in connection with the case. Seven of the nine persons who were arrested in connection with the attacks were found to be SDPI members and had undergone SDPI training recently.

Head constable joined the mob to orchestrate attacks on Atmakur police station

A report by Telugu daily ‘Surya’ had disclosed that Head Constable Shaik Athavullah of the Andhra Pradesh Police Special Branch was directly involved in the attack.

The report alleged that Head Constable Shaik Athavullah of the Andhra Pradesh special police department joined the Muslim mob to attack the police station at Atmakur. He was supposed to be on duty at Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s camp office, however, he joined the SDPI-led mob on 8 January.

It is being alleged that some police officials are trying to save Athavullah by creating fake records that he was on leave on the day of the incident. The department had not deputed another personnel after Shaik Athavullah went on leave. However, that did not happen.

In addition, the Intelligence department also suspected the role of Shaik after they came across several video clips of the incident that were shot using drone cameras.

The Andhra Pradesh police have arrested the accused Shaik Athavullah.

Indian government initiates evacuation from war-torn Ukraine through Romania, 470 students brought back home so far: Details

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Indian government initiates evacuation from war-torn Ukraine through Romania, 470 students brought back home so far: Details

On Friday (February 25), the Indian government successfully evacuated 470 Indian students from war-torn Ukraine through the Romanian border. Despite multiple advisories by the government to Indians to leave Ukraine in the lead-up to the full-scale invasion by Russia, about 18000 students are still stranded in the Eastern European country.

As per reports, the first batch of 470 Indian students boarded a bus from the city of Chernivtsi to the Porubne-Siret border. Officials belonging to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) thereafter facilitated their travel from the Siret in Suceava County to the Romanian city of Bucharest for their onward journey to India.

In a tweet on Friday, the Indian embassy in Kyiv had informed, “Today afternoon more than 470 students will exit Ukraine and enter Romania through the Porubne-Siret border. We are moving Indians located at the border to neighbouring countries for onward evacuation. Efforts are underway to relocate Indians coming from the hinterland.”

It further informed that the evacuation process was organised in close coordination with Indian embassies in Romania, Poland and Hungary. On Friday, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had also shared a video of Indian students after they were evacuated from Ukraine to the neighbouring country.

Air India to operate flights to Hungary, Romania on February 26

Reportedly, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs is also making preparations to evacuate stranded students through the Poland-Ukraine border. Moreover, Air India will operate flights between Delhi and Mumbai to Bucharest in Romania and Budapest in Hungary on Saturday (February 26) to facilitate the evacuation process to India.

Earlier this week, Air India evacuated 242 Indians from Ukraine. On Thursday, one Air India flight to Kyiv was returned back, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Indian Civil Aviation Ministry had written to airline companies to resume flights from India to countries that share a land border with Ukraine.

Indian Embassy in Kyiv issues new advisory to Indian nationals

On Saturday, the Indian embassy in Kyiv issued a new advisory to students and other Indian nationals, currently stranded in Ukraine. “All Indian Citizens in Ukraine are advised to not move to any of the border posts without prior coordination with Government of India officials at the border posts (helpline numbers established) and the Emergency numbers of Embassy of India, Kyiv,” it said.

“The situation at various border checkpoints is sensitive and the Embassy is working continuously with our Embassies in our neighbouring countries for coordinated evacuation of our citizens. Embassy is finding it increasingly difficult to help the crossing of those Indian nationals who reach border checkpoints without prior Intimation,” read the advisory.

Screengrab of the new advisory by Indian embassy

The Indian embassy pointed out that staying in Western Ukraine is relatively safer compared to reaching border checkpoints, without prior knowledge of the situation. It concluded, “All those currently in the Eastern sector are requested to continue to remain in their current places of residence until further instructions, maintain calm, and stay indoors or in shelters as much as possible, with whatever food, water and amenities available and remain patient. Avoid unnecessary movement.”

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also apprised stranded Indian nationals in Ukraine about the teams assisting them in the war-torn country and in neighbouring border nations.

According to a report by the Republic World, the Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan has informed, “The MEA is taking steps to bring back about 18,000 Indians including students from Ukraine. As the air space in Ukraine is closed, alternative arrangements are being made for the evacuation of Indian nationals. The central government will ensure the safety of all Indians.”

He further added, “I spoke to Malayali students in Ukraine on phone. Indian students in the southern areas of Ukraine have told us that they are getting food, water, and power. Students and parents should not panic. Our government has brought back Indians even from places like Iraq.”

‘India is evacuating students stuck in Ukraine but Pakistan is not doing anything’: Pakistani students

Pakistani students stuck in Ukraine have lamented their government’s indifference to their predicament amidst an escalating military offence carried out by the Russian forces. They have alleged that while India is actively evacuating its students in Ukraine via Hungary, the Pakistani government is doing little to rescue stranded Pakistanis.

“There is a lot of bombing and military operations going on here and that’s why we want the Pakistani government to provide us security and a passage to safer places…because we are seeing that the Indians are rescuing their stranded students through the Hungary border. They are getting the Hungary border opened to rescue students stuck in Ukraine but no such measure is taken by the Pakistani government,” said a Pakistani student while talking to the ARY News channel.

St. Stephen’s College’s Gender studies Cell releases abusive statement, opposes invite to SC lawyer J Sai Deepak by leadership cell

OpIndia Staff
-
0
St. Stephen’s College’s Gender studies Cell releases abusive statement, opposes invite to SC lawyer J Sai Deepak by leadership cell

On February 25, 2020, Supreme Court lawyer J Sai Deepak confirmed on Twitter that Delhi’s St. Stephen’s College’s Gender Studies Cell has ‘vehemently opposed’ the invitation extended to him by the college’s leadership cell to speak about his new book, India that is Bharat – Coloniality, Civilization, and Constitution.

In a Tweet thread, the Supreme Court advocate J Sai Deepak shared screenshots of the despicable post written by the students of the Gender Studies cell of St. Stephen’s College against him, while opposing the invitation extended to him by another department of the same college.

He Tweeted, “Free speech. Diversity of ideas. Toleration. Inclusion. Gender Studies cell of St. Stephen’s College. Vande Mataram,” while sharing the screenshots of the post shared by students of the Gender Studies cell of St. Stephen’s College.

In the statement, the students of the Gender Studies cell of St. Stephen’s College used reprehensible terms like ‘bigoted’, ‘sexist’, ‘casteist’ and ‘misogynistic’ for the senior SC lawyer while opposing the invite. The students of the Gender Studies cell department went on to call J Sai Deepak Islamophobic for his public opinion on the recent Burqa row that snowballed into a major controversy, largely due to the perennial efforts of the left-liberal intelligentsia to create a fear psychosis in the minds of Muslims, painting a dystopian picture about the current state of affairs and painting the centre as working against the Muslims.

Interestingly, instead of holding recalcitrant Muslim girls who are bent on visiting colleges and schools in burqas, in violation of established rules and regulations, the liberals have blamed college authorities and administration for the current imbroglio, alleging that Muslim girls being denied entry to institutions is a part of a sinister plan of the government to target Muslims.

Statement issued by Gender Studies Cell
Statement issued by Gender Studies Cell

Moreover, owing to J Sai Deepak’s public positions on the Sabarimala verdict, Citizenship Amendment Act and Article 370, some students of St Stephens College “condemned the invitation, called for a cancellation of his lecture and a boycott in case the event is still continued with”.

Statement issued by Gender Studies Cell

J Sai Deepak, a Supreme Court advocate, is a significant voice in Indian affairs. In fact, owing to Mr J Sai Deepak’s public positions on the Citizenship Amendment Act, Article 370 and on illegal migration, Jamia Millia Islamia had also in 2020 cancelled J Sai Deepak’s lecture which was to be conducted on ‘Minority rights’. It is worthy to note that Jamia Millia Islamia was at the heart of the anti-CAA protests that turned violent in November with Islamists joining in and indulging in unbridled stone-pelting, arson and vandalism. Ironically, the ‘protests’ were launched in the name of defending Constitutional values.

The US shared intelligence with China on Russia’s troop buildup near Ukraine, China shared the info with Moscow: Reports

OpIndia Staff
-
0
The US shared intelligence with China on Russia’s troop buildup near Ukraine, China shared the info with Moscow: Reports

In the last three months, the United States officials met high-level Chinese officials over half a dozen times in a bid to use China’s influence to convince Russia not to carry out military attacks on Ukraine.

According to a report by the New York Times, senior Biden administration officials held urgent meetings with the Chinese diplomats and presented them intelligence showing Russia’s troop buildup around Ukraine. The US officials also appealed to the Chinese to convince Russia not to invade, NYT quoted US officials as saying.

In response, the Chinese officials, including the Foreign Minister and the Ambassador to the United States, ignored American officials, saying they did not see any Russian invasion of Ukraine coming.

The Biden administration was desperate to stop Russians and thus shared intelligence with China on Russia’s troop buildup in hopes that President Xi Jinping would step in. The officials privy to this information said that the Biden administration shared high-level info with its adversary to gain support from China to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin from invading Ukraine.

However, the Chinese government repeatedly rebuffed the efforts and instead turned over the intelligence data to Moscow.

The US officials believe that their information was relayed to Russia by China, noting that the Biden administration was trying to sow division between China and Russia.

Information sharing began after Biden-Xi meet in November

The Biden administration’s diplomatic outreach to China began after President Biden met Chinese President Xi Jinping in a virtual meeting on November 15. Apparently, the Biden administration shared information in a diplomatic exchange from December 2021, warning China that Russia was preparing to attack Ukraine.

Following the productive meeting between heads of the state, the American officials decided that the Russian troop buildup around Ukraine presented the most immediate problem that China and the United States should work together to try and defuse the tensions.

A week later, White House officials met with the Chinese ambassador to the United States Qin Gang at the Chinese Embassy. They informed the ambassador that US intelligence agencies had detected a gradual encirclement of Ukraine by Russian forces, including armoured units. 

During the subsequent meetings, the Biden administration shared the intelligence and told the ambassador that the United States would impose tough sanctions on Russian companies, officials and businesses entities in the event of an invasion. The US officials said the sanctions would also damage China’s interests because of its commercial ties with Russia.

The US subtly warned the Chinese that it was in the best interest of China to persuade Putin to stand down. However, Qin was sceptical and suspicious, an American official said. The talks with the Chinese ambassador went on at least three more times.

Secretary of State Antony J Blinken spoke to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi about the troop buildup on Monday, the same day Putin ordered the troops to enter the Russia-backed territories of Ukraine.

In fact, the sharing of intelligence at high-level continued up until Wednesday, when Russian military forces launched “special military operations” throughout Ukraine.

Russia’s ‘military operations’ against Ukraine

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced limited military operations against Ukraine. In a televised address, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the special operation to be conducted in East Ukraine.

Putin had added explicitly that Moscow did not plan on occupying Ukraine. He said the military action he announced would seek to “demilitarise” and “denazify” Ukraine and came in response to threats from Ukraine.

According to Ukraine’s border guard agency, the Russian military entered the country from neighbouring Belarus. The Russian forces crossed Belarus to enter Ukraine from the North, said Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Northern border forces in Ukraine have come under attack by Russian troops.

India abstains on UNSC resolution that condemns Russia’s action against Ukraine, Russia vetoes the resolution

OpIndia Staff
-
0
India abstains on UNSC resolution that condemns Russia’s action against Ukraine, Russia vetoes the resolution

On Saturday, Russia vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that condemned its aggression against Ukraine and demanded the immediate withdrawal of its troops.

According to the reports, the UN Security Council voted on the draft resolution on Friday to “deplore” Russia’s “aggression against Ukraine”. The resolution was sponsored by the United States and Albania, which was supported by several other nations, including Poland, Italy, Germany, Estonia, Luxembourg and New Zealand.

The draft Security Council resolution, sponsored by the US, said it demanded that Russia “immediately cease its use of force against Ukraine” and “immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.”

The draft also asked Russia to reverse its decision to recognise two separatist states – Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine as independent entities.

Eleven countries voted in favour of the resolution, while three countries, India, China and the United Arab Emirates, abstained from the voting. Sources have told media that by abstaining, India retained the option of reaching out to relevant sides in an effort to bridge the gap and find the middle ground with an aim to foster dialogue and diplomacy.

However, Russia, which is the current president of the Security Council, vetoed the resolution.

The draft resolution will now be expected to be taken up by the 193-member UN General Assembly.

India is deeply disturbed by the recent turn of events in Ukraine: India’s UN Representative

India abstained from United Nations Security Council resolution that criticised Russia’s action against Ukraine.

Addressing the emergency session of the UNSC, TS Tirumurti, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said that India is deeply disturbed by recent turn of developments in Ukraine and said that India urges that all efforts be made for the immediate cessation of violence and hostilities.

“No solution can ever be arrived at the cost of human lives,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador TS Tirumurti said.

“No solution can ever be arrived at at the cost of human lives. We are also deeply concerned about the welfare of the Indian community, including a large number of students, in Ukraine. The contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter, international law and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. All members need to honour these principles and find a constructive way forward. Dialogue is the only answer to settling disputes. However, daunting it may appear at this moment,” TS Tirumurti told the United Nations as Russia vetoed the US-drafted resolution.

The senior diplomat also added that it is a matter of regret that the path of diplomacy was given up. For all these reasons, India has chosen to abstain from this resolution, he added.

According to ANI, India, by abstaining from voting, has retained an option of reaching out to relevant sides in an effort to bridge the gap and find the middle ground with an aim to foster dialogue and diplomacy.

Russia’s ‘military operations’ against Ukraine

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced limited military operations against Ukraine. In a televised address, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared the special operation to be conducted in East Ukraine.

Putin had added explicitly that Moscow did not plan on occupying Ukraine. He said the military action he announced would seek to “demilitarise” and “denazify” Ukraine and came in response to threats from Ukraine.

According to Ukraine’s border guard agency, the Russian military entered the country from neighbouring Belarus. The Russian forces crossed Belarus to enter Ukraine from the North, said Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Northern border forces in Ukraine have come under attack by Russian troops.

1...3,4923,4933,494...7,645Page 3,493 of 7,645