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Bikaner: Landlord asks shop owner to pay rent, Md Siddiq and his associates attack and shoot landlord’s relative Tejkaran Gehlot instead

OpIndia Staff
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Bikaner: Landlord asks shop owner to pay rent, Md Siddiq and his associates attack and shoot landlord’s relative Tejkaran Gehlot instead

The situation in Rajasthan’s Bikaner district became tense after a group of Muslims attacked a Hindu boy named Tejkaran Gehlot and shot him in the leg on Monday. A dispute between Gehlot and Muslims over a shop outside the Sohan Kothi complex in Bikaner, led to the blockage of the main road for five hours and disrupted public order in the district.

BJP Member Laxmikant Bharadwaj happened to share videos of the dreadful incident on Twitter. “Sajid, Sadik, Firoz, Irfan, Shahrukh, Sikander attacked Tejkaran Gelhlot in Bikaner. He has been shot in his leg”, he wrote. Further, he added that the Muslims in large numbers were pelting stones at the public who decided to keep shut the markets in support of Tejkaran. According to the reports, the public was up till night, demanding strict action against the accused.

What exactly happened–

The dispute revolved around a shop outside the Sohan Kothi area, named ‘Dubai Darbar’ which was given on rent by Rajesh Tanwar to Mohommad Siddiq. It is alleged that the latter failed to pay the rent for several months as a result of which he (Siddiq) was asked to vacate the shop.

On Tuesday, as Tejkaran Gehlot, brother-in-law of Rajesh Tanwar, passed by the shop, the Muslim men led by Siddiq attacked him and fired at his leg. Frightened by the gunshot at around 5:30 pm in the evening, the entire market in Sohan Kothi was walled off. Tejkaran was lying on the road for a long time. Muslims reached the spot in large numbers and started vandalizing the vehicles, burning tyres and furniture.

The chaos elevated when the public reached the Ambedkar Circle and the Hospital Road in Bikaner. Some of them even entered the PBM hospital and disturbed the trauma centre inside. The district roads were blocked for more than 5 hours further disrupting the public passage.

Police Action in the case

Reports say that after receiving information about the incident, Bikaner Police force including ASP City Amit Kumar, CO City Deepchand, Kotgate SHO Manoj Machra, Sadar SHO SN Godara had reached the spot. People who had gathered at the Ambedkar Circle demanded the arrest of the accused. Later, the police conducted a flag march at 12 pm.

In a reply to Lakmikant Bharadwaj’s tweet, the Bikaner Police said that it has filed a complaint in the case already and the situation is under control now. “The issue is not that big. It revolves around a dispute over a shop in Sohan Kothi. The police had arrested several people in the case earlier. We are investigating the issue now”, the tweet read. It is important to note that the Bikaner police earlier this month, had arrested several people including Tejkaran Gehlot over the same dispute. Tejkaran was however granted bail.

Kotgate SHO Manoj Machra said that on the report of the complainant Prakash Solanki at 11 pm, a case of murderous assault was registered against Mohammad Sajid, Mohammad Gul, Mohammad Firoz, Mohammad Saddiq, Firoz, Irfan, Shahrukh, Sikandar, Zafar and Saddam. The raids continued till late night at the premises of the accused for arrest.

‘Everyone knew he was travelling by road’: Punjab Dy CM admits lapse in PM Modi’s security, Ferozepur SSP suspended

OpIndia Staff
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‘Everyone knew he was travelling by road’: Punjab Dy CM admits lapse in PM Modi’s security, Ferozepur SSP suspended

After a major security lapse in Punjab where the convoy of PM Modi was struck on an overbridge for almost 20 mins and had to return due to a roadblock put up by some ‘protestors’ the Punjab govt has admitted that it was a lapse. Punjab Deputy CM Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has admitted that it was a major security lapse, saying that an alternate route should have been planned earlier but was not done.

The Congress leader also busted the claim of several Congress leaders and members, who were saying that PM Modi’s travel to Punjab by road was not pre-planned and it was not informed to the state govt in advance. Dy CM Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa informed that everyone was aware that PM Modi was travelling by road and Punjab Police was supposed to have made arrangements for the same.

Randhawa said that a security meeting was also organized between the SPG, Punjab Police, and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat regarding the road trip. He further admitted that Punjab govt failed to plan a contingency plan, which is required as per protocol.

“I am accepting an alternative route was to be there. It was not there, I am accepting, amitting the same,” he said.

Responding the remark by Punjab CM Charanjit Channi that the blockage of PM’s road was a ‘natural event’, Randhawa said that he does not whether the CM has security lapse or not. “I don’t know if Channi Sahab has refused or not. I am not with him. Everyone knows PM Modi was going via road, there was nothing confidential about it, it was in the media. I don’t know the development yet,” he told Republic TV.

While the PM Modi was supposed to travel to Ferozepur for a rally via helicopter, he opted to travel via road as helicopter ride was not possible due to bad weather. But as per security protocol, such contingencies are always anticipated and accordingly, the road travel was also planned. Accordingly, full rehearsal of the route was carried out by Punjab Police and SPG a day ahead, which went smoothly.

In the meanwhile, the SSP of Ferozepur Harman Hans has been suspended for the security lapse. However, the way the Congress supporters were celebrating the ‘failed assassination attempt of the PM’, a detailed probe by a central agency may be ordered to look into the issue.

Jharkhand: Former Maoist burnt alive by villagers for illegally cutting Sal trees, over 200 people booked

OpIndia Staff
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Jharkhand: Former Maoist burnt alive by villagers for illegally cutting Sal trees, over 200 people booked

A mob in the Simdega district of the Jharkhand burnt alive a former Maoist named Sanju Pradhan on Tuesday (December 4) on the charge of illegally cutting and selling the Sal wood forest trees.

The incident took place on Tuesday afternoon at Besrajara locality under the Kolebira police station of the district. Meanwhile, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has directed local police and administration to investigate the matter and take strong legal against the accused.

Pradhan, a native of Chhapridipa, was earlier arrested for his alleged involvement in the Maoist activities. After he was released on bail, Pradhan started the business of selling wood.

Villagers had accused him of illegally cutting Sal woods from the Khutkatti forest land. But the deceased had denied the allegation. In the tribal tradition, Khutkatti forests are those which are owned by the tribal community. Trees on Khutkatti forest land especially the Sal woods are considered very sacred among tribals.

Tribals were angry with Pradhan after the forest department on October 21 last year seized a huge quantity of timber around 120 CFT from his possession. A case 151/2021 was also lodged against him.

On Tuesday afternoon, villagers held a meeting at Babalkera panchayat office. Around 200 villagers dragged Pradhan away from his residence and started beating him in front of his family members and others. The mob later on collected wooden logs from his house and set him on fire.  

Villagers prevented the police from entering the village. Later on, Simdega SP Shams Tabrez, SDPO Devid A Dodrai, the officer in charge of police stations of Bano, Thethaitangar, and Kolebira came to the village. Police seized the half-burnt body of the deceased and sent it for post-mortem.

So far, no arresting has been made, but the police booked the village head Subham Budho and 12 others as the named accused whereas 200 unknown persons also have been booked for riot and murder. Police have recorded statements of the wife of the deceased Sapna Devi and his mother Jasmait Devi who are the eyewitnesses of this case.

“Raids are being carried to arrest accused persons and police deployment has been made. This is a heinous crime and the accused persons took the law in their hand.  Villagers did not approach police if they had any complaint against the deceased,” said Simdega SP.

Deceased Pradhan was earlier associated with the banned Naxal outfit PLFI and he was booked and charge-sheeted by police in three Naxal cases. But after being released on bail some years back he was away from Naxal activities.

Punjab govt endangers PM Modi’s security, allows protestors to block his convoy: Read Home Ministry’s statement

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab govt endangers PM Modi’s security, allows protestors to block his convoy: Read Home Ministry’s statement

In a major lapse, and seemingly deliberate act to endanger the Prime Minister’s security, the Punjab government has today allowed political protestors to block the Prime Minister’s convoy. As per reports, the PM’s convoy was blocked for over 20 minutes by protestors at a flyover about 30 km away from Hussainiwala.

Home Ministry statement on the issue, image via Shiv Aroor

In a statement, the Home Ministry has stated that the PM was scheduled to visit the National Martyr’s Memorial in Punjab’s Hussainiwala by helicopter. However due to adverse weather conditions, the helicopter ride was cancelled and the PM chose to go by road, which would take more than 2 hours.

As per protocol, necessary confirmations were done with Punjab DGP and the PM’s convoy started after confirmation for security arrangements was provided by Punjab Police. However, at a flyover about 30 km away from Hussainiwala, the road was found to be blocked by some protestors.

The Prime Minister’s vehicle was stuck in the flyover for 15-20 minutes, as per the statement. Calling this a major lapse in the security of the PM, the Home Ministry stated that the PM’s travel plan was communicated well in advance to the state government. The state government is required to make necessary arrangements for security, logistics and also make a contingency plan ready in case of unexpected issues.

The statement also mentioned that the Punjab government also neglected to deploy additional security to secure any movement on the road. After the major security lapse, the PM’s security staff decided to head the convoy back to the Bathinda airport.

The Home Ministry has stated that they are taking cognisance of the major security lapse displayed by the Punjab government and is seeking a detailed report. The Punjab government has also been directed to fix responsibility for the major lapse and take strict action against persons responsible.

Images of the PM’s blocked convoy have gone viral on social media.

Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi targets PM Modi’s mother, says she should prove where she was born

OpIndia Staff
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Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi targets PM Modi’s mother, says she should prove where she was born

Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi has hurled insults on PM Modi’s centenarian mother Heeraben Modi. On January 4, while addressing a political rally in UP’s Unnao, Azmi said, “Modiji, show the certificate of your mother, where she was born?”

The Maharashtra SP chief was seen campaigning with Samajwadi Party politician Juhie Singh in Ganj Muradabad in UP’s Unnao. Azmi, in a speech now viral on social media, was seen making campaigning for the upcoming state assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh this year.

Azmi said, “Even if we consider that all Muslims in India unite, you (Muslims) will be only 15%. And they (Hindus) are 85%! The people from BJP are trying to create a rift between Hindus and Muslims. He further claimed, ” I have come here to tell you that if all of you unite and vote as a block, they will not be able to win even 25 seats.”

During the speech, Azmi was also seen peddling the misinformation that CAA and NRC threaten the citizenship status of Indian Muslims. He said, “(Modi) wants to win 500 seats and rule again, for which he’ll bring bills like NRC to ask all of you where your ancestor were born…, Modiji, show the certificate of your mother, where was she born?”

Azmi is known for making controversial misogynistic statements and has often toed an orthodox Islamic line in politics. Earlier in December, he had advocated for the early marriage of Muslim girls, saying that men cannot stay alone with sisters or even own daughters in the family, they may get tempted by Satan (to rape the women).

Third wave of COVID-19 hits Delhi, Health Minister Satyendra Jain worried over hospital beds

OpIndia Staff
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Third wave of COVID-19 hits Delhi, Health Minister Satyendra Jain worried over hospital beds

The third wave of COVID-19 has hit Delhi as it expects to report around 10,000 COVID-19 infections today. With this, Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain has instructed private hospitals in Delhi to increase the number of reserved beds for COVID-19 patients to 40 per cent of their current capacity. Jain also has expressed concerns over the shortage of beds in government hospitals. According to the reports, 531 patients have been admitted to the government hospital in Delhi in the last 24 hours, out of which 482 are COVID-19 cases.

“The positive rate in Delhi has also been on a constant rise and that indicates the commencement of the third wave of COVID-19 in India”, Jain added. Warning Delhi residents, he further said that although symptoms of the highly infectious variant Omicron seem to be mild, all COVID- related protocols must be adhered to.

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority meanwhile has decided to impose a curfew in Delhi on Saturdays and Sundays to curb the COVID-19 surge. “All the government officials except for those engaged in essential services will work from home and 50 per cent workforce of private offices will work from home”, informed Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia.

This is a day after Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced on Twitter that he has been tested positive for COVID-19 with mild symptoms and has isolated himself at home. To note, CM Kejriwal had campaigned for his party in poll-bound states like Goa and Punjab and had travelled to more than 11 places in the last 15 days. He had also attended 4 public rallies in 3 states and had visited a temple in Amritsar last week. During his travel and campaign, the AAP supremo is said to have come in contact with thousands of people who are at the risk of getting affected.

The national capital has recorded 5,481 COVID cases and three related deaths yesterday after the government announced fresh curbs. The state has almost 15000 active cases of COVID-19, the fourth-highest in the country after Maharashtra, West Bengal and Kerala. Testing has been increased and around 90,000 tests have been conducted today.

Jharkhand: Former BJP MLA Gurucharan Nayak narrowly escapes Naxal attack, two cops die after attackers slit their throats

OpIndia Staff
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Jharkhand: Former BJP MLA Gurucharan Nayak narrowly escapes Naxal attack, two cops die after attackers slit their throats

Former Jharkhand BJP MLA Gurucharan Nayak narrowly escaped Maoist attack in West Singhbhum district on Tuesday (December 4) evening, but two of his bodyguards Shankar Nayak and Thakur Hembrom lost their life after Maoists slit their throat. The incident took place at a public function West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand.

The third bodyguard Ramkumar Tudu somehow managed to save his life as he fled away from the spot after fighting with Maoists to save two others. The former MLA quietly slipped and mingled in the crowd present at the event and saved his life. Maoists also looted one AK 47 and two Insas rifles from the three bodyguards. The police team could reach the spot two and half hours after the incident and recovered the body of one cop.

There is no clarity on whether or not the second body was retrieved. “Let me get an update on this matter whether the body of the second cop has been recovered or not,” DSP of Chakradharpur sub-division Dilip Xalxo told OpIndia.

The incident took place at Project High School in Jhilaura village under Goilkera police station about 60 km from the district headquarter. Gurucharan Nayak, the former MLA from Manoharpur, had gone there to attend the prize distribution ceremony of two days’ football match organized on the Project High School campus. The football match was organized on the occasion of the foundation day of the school.

Former Jharkhand BJP MLA Gurucharan Nayak (second from left) attending prize distribution programme in West Singhbhum when armed squad of CPI (Maoist) attacked.

Around 100 Naxals of the CPI (Maoist) belonging to the armed squad of Naxal commander Mocchu mixed in the crowd and took positions at strategic places on the ground.

As the programme ended at around 5.15 PM, and Nayak approached his vehicle, Maoists opened fire and overpowered bodyguards. They slit the throat of the two jawans. Tudu was injured while trying to save them.

The residence of Nayak is situated at Tunia village under Sonua police station, barely one and a half km from the venue. Hence, he somehow safely managed to reach his residence from where he went to the police and informed them about the incident.

Gurucharan Nayak later informed reporters: “We got to the playground like every year. The awards had been distributed and I was ready to board my vehicle around 5.15 pm when around 20-30 Maoists attacked us. I managed to escape as they could not locate me in the commotion. The attackers also looted one AK-47 and two INSAS rifles.”

Jharkhand Police says former MLA did not inform police about the visit

SSP of West Singhbhum, Ajay Linda told the media that Nayak visited the Naxal-infested area without informing the local police. Chakradharpur DSP said a similar thing. “Police had no information about the former MLA going to attend any programme here,” said Xalxo.

police sources said that barely four to five days back, CPI (Maoist) cadres had murdered two civilians under Goilkera police station area charging them as police informer. Besides, Naxals also shot dead an employee of the forest department identified as Boyaram Lomga.

Nayak on Naxal’s hitlist

This is the second occasion in the past decade when Nayak survived the Naxal attack. Nayak was the MLA when on January 9, 2012, he hadvisited Harta and Khatangbera under the Anandpur police station of the district to inaugurate a school building and to lay foundation of a road. Ther the Naxals had attacked his convoy twice leading to an encounter between police and Naxals. No casualty or injury was reported in the incident.

BJP goes offensive against the Hemant Soren government

The BJP expressed concern over the rise of the Naxal incidents in Jharkhand and alleged the Hemant Soren government completely failed to control Naxal activities. Former and first Chief Minister of Jharkhand Babulal Marandi is set to visit Chakradharpur to meet the former MLA. The BJP has announced to burn effigy of the state government.

“Situation is alarming in Jharkhand and people are worried about their life. The state government seems to be reluctant to tackle the left-wing extremism in Jharkhand,” Marandi informed.

Former Chief Minister and union minister of tribal affairs Arjun Munda too expressed shock over the incident. Munda said that the state government is least concerned over the deterioration of the law and order situation in Jharkhand.

Politicians in Jharkhand long been on target of Naxals

This is not the first incident of Maoists having targeted politicians. On January 16, 2005, three Maoists had gunned down the veteran leader and MLA of CPI-ML (Liberation) Mahendra Prasad Singh at Durgi Dhabaiya village under the Saria police station in Giridih district.

Singh who represented Bagodar assembly for three consecutive terms was extremely popular among people. He was killed when he was about to get into his vehicle after delivering an election speech. Maoists also cut his throat after pumping bullets into his body. Later on, to save the face, the CPI (Maoist) claimed that Singh was murdered without the approval of the central committee.

On March 4, 2007, CPI (Maoist) killed MP of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Sunil Mahto during a football match prize distribution programme at Baguria under Ghatsila police station of Jamshedpur. Maoists looted Insas rifle from his bodyguard. The CBI is investigating the case.

On July 9, 2008, CPI (Maoist) led by Kundan Pahan shot dead Ramesh Singh Munda in the high noon of rebel violence in Jharkhand on July 9, 2008, during a function at a school at Bundu in Ranchi. Two bodyguards of Ramesh Singh Munda and a student also died in the Naxal attack. He was the sitting JD (U) MLA from Tamar. Later on, the National Investigation Agency took over the investigation.

On December 3, 2011, CPI (Maoist) ambushed a convoy of former Jharkhand assembly Speaker and sitting MP from Chatra Inder Singh Namdhari at Ladu More in Latehar district. Namdhari escaped unhurt in the powerful landmine explosion but 10 persons including eight policemen lost their lives in the attack carried by Maoist to avenge the killing of their leader Kishenji in neighbouring West Bengal.  

Bengal: Picnic group attacked, woman dragged from car and raped, Habibur, Rakibul and 4 others arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Bengal: Picnic group attacked, woman dragged from car and raped, Habibur, Rakibul and 4 others arrested

On January 3, the Minakhan Police in West Bengal arrested 6 people named Salam Sardar, Habibur Mollah, Shariful Gazi, Surajit Mondal, Bakibillah Tarafdar and Rakibul Islam for raping a woman near Bamunpukur on the Basanti Highway.

According to the local reports, the woman was on her way back from a New Year family picnic in Taki and was attacked by 6 men who also vandalized the van and hit the family members and the driver.

According to police and local reports, a group of around 30-35 people from the Ghatakpukur area of ​​Bhangar in South 24 Parganas had gone for a picnic in Taki on Saturday (January 1). The victim woman was with the group. The accused, a group of 6 men from Kumarjol village of Minakhan were also in Taki for a picnic. The two groups got into a heated argument after which the 6 men from Kumarjol continuously kept an eye on the woman.

With the clear intention to take revenge for the previous altercation that occurred at the picnic spot, the 6 men were waiting for the picnic group on the Kolkata-Basanti highway in front of Kisan Mandi, near Minakhan police station. Around 8:30 pm, the men stopped the car coming from Bhangar and vandalised the vehicle with rods and bamboo. The other passengers inside the vehicle were also beaten.

The frightened passengers managed to get out of the vehicle but the woman and a man were blocked by the six of them. Allegedly, the intoxicated youths picked up the two in the same vehicle and drove towards Amtala Bazaar. The young man was beaten and taken down there and the woman was raped on gunpoint. In her complaint to the police, the woman who is a housewife has said that the miscreants took her to a cell in Mechobheri. She has stated that two of the accused sexually assaulted her while the other four stood and watched.

As per reports, the driver of the vehicle has stated that the accused had attacked the van and had looted valuables from the picnic group. The victim, who was kidnapped along with the vehicle by the accused. The woman was reportedly spotted and rescued by some villagers hours later. She was then rushed to the hospital after the locals informed the police.

The Minakhan police have so far arrested two persons on charges of rape and four others on charges of vandalism and beating. They have been charged with gang rape. Also, the 6 culprits were taken to Basirhat court on January 3 where they were remanded into police custody for 12 days. It is reported that the woman will be taken to court once she recuperates to record her statement before a magistrate.

IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw orders action against Telegram channel sexually targeting Hindu women, Mumbai Police keeps mum

OpIndia Staff
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IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw orders action against Telegram channel sexually targeting Hindu women, Mumbai Police keeps mum

The recent controversy over targeting of women for sexual exploitation and harassment on the basis of their religion has created a lot of stir on media and social media. Social media users had highlighted certain apps and channels that were sharing images of Hindu women for potential sexual harassment.

Popular social media user Anshul Saxena had alerted people about a Telegram channel named ‘Hindu Ran*yan’ that was using images of Hindu women with derogatory, sexually explicit references for harassment and abuse.

Anshul Saxena has tagged Mumbai Police, bringing to their attention the targeted harassment and potential sexual abuse of Hindu women via the channel.

After Anshul shared the tweet, some people started asking why the government is not taking action against such platforms.

Anshul’s tweet has received over 6000 retweets so far. A social media user named Meera Mohanty had asked Anshul why he is not asking the IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw or the Home Minister to take action against such channels, ‘if he is actually concerned about them’.

Taking cognisance of the tweet where he was tagged, the IT minister replied that he has initiated action against that particular Telegram channel and it has been blocked.

IT Minister Vaishnaw stated that the channel has been blocked and the government of India is coordinating with police authorities of states for further action against the persons responsible for the channel. However, the Mumbai Police, which was tagged in the original tweet by Anshul, is yet to respond to it.

Anshul had shared later that the particular account has been reported and removed.

There are several other platforms and channels that are sharing images of Hindu women with derogatory messages, often sexually explicit and with potential criminal intentions, including threats of rape and gang rape.

Anshul had drawn attention to a number of Facebook pages that are sharing similar content, sexual images and threats directed towards Hindu women. Union Minister for Electronics and Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar has responded to it, stating that the Ministry of Electronics and IT has been alerted about it, and will ask Facebook to take those pages down.

It is notable here that yesterday on January 4, the Mumbai Police had arrested a 21-year-old man named Vishal and an 18-year-old girl named Shweta for making an app named ‘Bulli Bai’ that shared images of Muslim women.

All you need to know about Congress’ 25-acre land allotment to Pakistani org Dawat-e-Islami in Chhattisgarh

OpIndia Staff
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All you need to know about Congress’ 25-acre land allotment to Pakistani org Dawat-e-Islami in Chhattisgarh

On January 2, Chattisgarh state BJP leader and ex-minister Brijmohan Agrawal levelled serious allegations against the Congress-led Chhattisgarh government over the allotment of 25-acre land to Pakistani extremist outfit Dawat-e-Islami. After a massive outrage against the move by the BJP, the allotment of the 25-acre land in Raipur has been cancelled by the state government.

Earlier, the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government in Chhattisgarh had decided to allot 25-acre land to the Pakistan-linked extremist Islamic organisation Dawat-e-Islami. The outfit’s Chattisgarh wing had requested the government to allot 10 hectares(25 acres) of land in the Boriakhurd area of Raipur to construct a community centre. After the primary allotment, the additional collector at the district court had issued an advertisement for claiming objection against the allotment. In the advertisement dated December 22, 2021, respondents were asked to file objections in court before January 13, 2022.

Screengrab of the advertisement as tweeted by BJP leader Brijmohan Agrawal

Following the development, the state BJP unit led a massive uproar over the allotment of a huge piece of land to an Islamist Organisation with Pakistani links. Brijmohan Agrawal, ex-Cabinet minister in the state government tweeted, “The Chhattisgarh government is allotting 25 acres (10 hectares) of land in Raipur to an organization named Dawat-e Islami. Dawat-e-Islami is a Pakistani organization, and Congress is enabling them to open their branches in our country”

Agrawal alleged that several allegations have been made against Daawat-e-Islami over forced conversions, influencing voters and spreading terrorism through donations. Their members have been earlier identified as terrorists and spies who have been caught by the special cell of the Delhi Police. He noted that the Facebook page of Dawat-e-Islami has photos of its Pakistani founder Ilyas Qadri and that the logos of The original Pakistani organisation and its Chhattisgarh wing are also similar.

He questioned, “The government has gone ahead to donate 10 lakh,76 thousand square feet space to a Pakistani organisation for building a community centre. Has any community in history been allotted such a large space for building a community hall? Does it take 25 acres to build a community hall?”

Following the controversy, the Govt. cancelled the allotment and in defence said Dawat-e-Islami’s request was declined in the first place. The Government has also set up an enquiry against the officials who had initially passed the allotment. Devendra Patel, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Raipur said that the application was made by a man named Syed Kalim in the collector’s office on behalf of the organisation.

He stated, “As per the preliminary process, on receipt of the application, a memorandum was issued by the Additional Tahsildar for publishing an advertisement. After the publication of the advertisement, the applicant appeared in the court of the Additional Tehsildar and withdrew his application saying that he had mistakenly written the area as 10 hectares, whereas he needed only 10,000 square feet.”

Finally, the SDM stated that the application in the Tehsil has been dismissed on 01 January 2022 and the case has been finally closed. He assured that notice is being served to the Officer-in-Charge of Land Allotment (Collectorate) and the Additional Tehsildar for errors in the publication of the advertisement.

Daawat-e-Islami and its links with Pakistan

Founded in 1981 by Maulana Abu Bilal Muhammad Ilyas Attari, Dawat-e-Islami (Invitation to Islam), is a Sunni Islamic organisation with its base in Pakistan. The extremist organisation has spread its wings in India and is active in many countries in the world. Started as a revivalist organisation inspired by Sufi doctrines, it has developed into an extremist Islamist outfit with brazen terror links. While it claims to be involved in social work, its activities have been long curtailed by Pakistani military authorities after the assassin of a Pakistani politician was found to be a DIE member. Recently in 2020, one of the terrorists who were involved in the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris named DIE founder Ilyas Attari as his guide.

A Pakistani terrorist named Md Ashraf, who was arrested in Delhi in October 2021 was also found to be linked with this organisation.

The Facebook page of Dawat-e-Islami Chhattisgarh can be seen heaping praises for its Pakistani founder Ilyas Attar. Raipur Mayor Ejaz Debhar is also seen praising the activities of the organisation in a video. In India, Dawat-e-Islami has garnered criticism from other Muslim sects over their open links with terrorism. Voices have been raised earlier against the objectives of Dawat-e-Islami to hold religious congregations (Iztema) in Kanpur and Hyderabad.

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