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Ahmedabad: History-sheeter Wajid Shahenshah sparks chaos by tearing BJP flags, hurling casteist abuses on Ram Navami, still at large after 12 hours

લિંકન સોખડિયા
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Ahmedabad: History-sheeter Wajid Shahenshah sparks chaos by tearing BJP flags, hurling casteist abuses on Ram Navami, still at large after 12 hours

While the entire nation was celebrating the birth of Lord Shri Ram on Sunday, April 6, 2025, a disturbing incident unfolded in Danilimda, Ahmedabad. A known troublemaker, Wajid Shahenshah, reportedly tried to disrupt the peace in the area by tearing BJP flags and verbally abusing Hindu workers. His actions quickly drew a crowd of local Muslims, escalating tensions on what was meant to be a day of religious harmony.

Coincidentally, the day also marked the foundation day of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). To commemorate the occasion, a BJP workers’ conference had been scheduled for Monday on the Swaminarayan Hostel near the Peer Kamal Masjid, within the Danilimda constituency. As part of the preparations, local BJP ward president Bhaumik and other volunteers peacefully put up party flags near the venue.

Things took an ugly turn when Wajid Shahenshah suddenly appeared and began ripping down the flags, hurling abuses at the workers. When Bhaumik and others tried to intervene, Shahenshah reportedly hurled casteist slurs and physically shoved them before fleeing the scene.

Soon after, people from both communities began gathering, creating a tense atmosphere. BJP supporters blocked the road and demanded Shahenshah’s immediate arrest.

OpIndia was present at the scene and attempted to speak with police officers from the Danilimda police station upon their arrival. BJP workers handed over video evidence and identified the accused to the authorities. Police Inspector Rawat confirmed that action would be taken swiftly, and the accused would be arrested soon.

“He used casteist slurs against me and even insulted PM Modi”: Complainant

The formal complaint process began around 3 AM. Speaking to OpIndia, Bhaumik Sokhadiya—who also serves as the BJP ward president—shared, “I was helping set up party flags at the venue for Monday’s event when Wajid Shahenshah showed up and started yelling and tearing down the flags. When we objected, he shoved me and used casteist insults. He also made offensive remarks about our respected Prime Minister Modi.”

“The moment our workers gathered, he fled”: BJP leader demands action against notorious local

Continuing his account, Bhaumik Sokhadiya said, “As soon as our party workers saw how I was being treated and gathered around, Shahenshah ran off. I have filed an official complaint at the Danilimda police station. This individual is notorious in the area, and several complaints have already been filed against him in the past. The police must arrest him and parade him through the same locality, so that people feel safe and maintain trust in law enforcement.”

“The accused is a loan shark involved in several illegal activities”: Locals

A local resident, speaking to OpIndia on the condition of anonymity, revealed that Shahenshah is involved in numerous anti-social activities. “He runs an illegal moneylending business, charging poor people exorbitant interest rates. When they’re unable to repay, he threatens and often assaults them,” the resident said.

They added, “Many complaints have already been filed against him at the Danilimda police station. But for some reason, no action is ever taken.”

When asked why the police might be reluctant, the resident alleged, “Shahenshah has strong political ties with a local Congress corporator, who also happens to be the Leader of Opposition in the AMC. Police hesitate to act against him, and in the past, he’s even been released on the corporator’s request.”

Over 12 hours later, the accused remains at large

More than 12 hours have passed since the incident, and according to locals, no action has yet been taken by the authorities.

OpIndia reached out to PI Rawat of the Danilimda police station for comment. When asked about the status of the arrest, he confirmed that the accused has still not been apprehended.

Now, all eyes are on the local police—will they take decisive action against this repeat offender, or will he continue to roam free, emboldened by political protection? And most importantly, will the long-demanded public shaming procession finally happen to restore faith in law and order?

Muslim mobs carry out ‘protests’ in Manipur, attack security forces, set fire to the house of BJP leader Askar Ali for supporting Waqf Amendment Act: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Muslim mobs carry out ‘protests’ in Manipur, attack security forces, set fire to the house of BJP leader Askar Ali for supporting Waqf Amendment Act: Details

The Northeastern State of Manipur has witnessed large-scale protests over the Waqf Amendment Act on Sunday (6th April). Muslim mobs carried out processions against the new legislation, enacted by the Union Parliament, and raised provocative slogans.

They vowed to continue demonstrations unless the Waqf Amendment Act is amended or repealed altogether. The Muslim mobs carried out chaos across different locations in Manipur under the banner of civil society organisations.

Intense demonstrations were seen on National Highway 102 in Lilong in Thoubal district, which later became the epicentre of violence. The Muslims raised slogans of ‘Allahu Akbar’ and ‘Naara-e-Takbeer’

The Muslims first offered Namaz and began their procession from the Aliya Madrasah and continued through Lilong Haoreibi. They were seen holding placards and banners and threatening to continue a stir in the Northeast and other parts of the country.

One protester named Mufti Ziur Rahman told India Today that the new law was ‘unacceptable’ to Muslims. Another ‘community leader’ Sakir Ahmed remarked that the Waqf Amendment Act was a ‘direct attack on the constitutional rights of Muslims and minorities.’

“This bill undermines the very essence of the Indian Constitution. It allows non-Muslims, including political figures like MPs and MLAs, to interfere in Waqf Board affairs, which is completely unacceptable. Waqf properties are sacred community trusts, and their management should remain with the community. This bill is not just about administration; it’s a systematic attempt to erase the rights and identity of 25–30 crore Muslims in India,” he brazened out.

A large group of Muslim women, dressed in niqab and burqa, also took to the streets in protest. They brought traffic to a standstill and blocked roads.

The Muslim mobs also attacked the security forces in Muslim-concentrated Irong Chesaba after being stopped from advancing further. The situation was rapidly controlled and a law and order situation was averted.

They also roped in school-going children and continued with their provocative sloganeering. Demonstrations were also held in Kshatri Awang Leikai, Kairang Muslim and Kiyamgei Muslim areas.

As per the 2011 Census data, Muslims constitute 8.40% of the total population of Manipur. The majority of them are Meitei Pangals. 

House of BJP leader set on fire

On Sunday (6th April) night, a frenzied mob of Muslims set fire to the residence of BJP leader Askar Ali Makakmayum in Lilong in Thoubal district of Manipur (where protests were carried out against the Waqf Amendment Act).

Askar Ali Makakmayum is the President of the Minority Morcha of the BJP in Manipur. On Saturday (5th April), he had extended support to the newly enacted legislation.

Reportedly, a 7,000- 8,000-strong mob of Muslims, who were armed with lathis and stones, ambushed the house of Askar Ali, carried out vandalism and set it ablaze

After the incident, the Muslim man was forced to take a U-turn and apologise. “Please do not politicise this issue. If anything I said has hurt anyone’s sentiments, I sincerely apologise. I request the central government to withdraw this law,” he said in a Facebook post.

Askar Ali had also tagged PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Kiren Rijiju, and Jamal Siddiqui.

Aftermath of the arson attack and violent protests

Following the incident, the Thoubal district administration on Monday (7th April) imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which empowers magistrates to issue orders in situations of immediate danger or nuisance.

The prohibitive order prevents the assembly of 5 or more people and stops the public from carrying sticks, stones, firearms, swords or other fatal weapons.

According to reports, additional forces have been deployed and security strength has been increased in Muslim-dominated areas of the Imphal Valley.

Lucknow Advocate gets 7-year jail term for filing a false case under SC/ST Act, had previously filed 10 similar cases: Exclusive details from the Court judgment

Anurag
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Lucknow Advocate gets 7-year jail term for filing a false case under SC/ST Act, had previously filed 10 similar cases: Exclusive details from the Court judgment

On 2nd April, a special SC/ST court in Lucknow sentenced a man named Sahdev to seven years in prison for filing a false case under the SC/ST Act. Additionally, a fine of ₹2,01,000 was also imposed. Sahdev was accused of filing a false case against a man named Satyanarayan, who was already in judicial custody on the date of the incident mentioned in the FIR in connection with another case.

Justice Vivekanand Sharan Tripathi held Sahdev guilty of misusing the provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act to settle a personal land dispute. OpIndia accessed the FIR and relevant court documents linked to the case.

Details of the FIR

On 12th April 2024, Advocate Sahdev approached Gazipur Police Station, Lucknow North, to file a complaint against Satyanarayan, Sanjay, and a few unnamed persons. Based on his complaint, an FIR was registered under Section 392 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST Act.

In his complaint, Sahdev, an advocate by profession, claimed that Satyanarayan and his son Sanjay orchestrated a robbery with the help of unidentified goons. He claimed that at around 6 PM on 16th March 2023, near the Munshi Pulia police outpost in Lucknow, a group of criminals forcibly snatched ₹20,000 in cash and his mobile phone. He alleged that the assailants were acting on the instructions of the two main accused in the case.

He stated that he immediately informed the Munshi Pulia police outpost about the robbery, but the police there redirected him to the Indiranagar police station, citing jurisdictional issues. At Indiranagar station, he was advised to send a complaint via post to the SHO, which he did on 23rd December 2023.

He claimed that despite sending the complaint to both the SHO and the Commissioner of Police, no action was taken. He further claimed that he did not receive any copy of the FIR or any update on the progress of the investigation. Alleging negligence and complicity on the part of the concerned police officers, he approached the court seeking directions to register the FIR.

The court took note of his application, and the FIR was eventually registered based on the order.

Final report submitted by the police

On 5th March 2025, the Special SC/ST Court accepted the final report submitted by the police on 23rd May 2024 in the case. The report unequivocally concluded that Sahdev’s complaint against Satyanarayan and his son Sanjay was not only fake but also stemmed from a long-standing land dispute between the parties.

Mobile data and lack of eyewitnesses contradict Sahdev’s claims

During the investigation, the police relied on technical and scientific evidence, which included the mobile phone location data of the accused. The police mentioned in the final report that both Satyanarayan and Sanjay were located in Nawabganj, Barabanki, at the time of the alleged robbery. This ruled out their physical presence at the scene where Sahdev claimed the incident had happened.

Independent witnesses did not support Sahdev’s narrative. Statements collected by the investigating officer failed to corroborate the version of events presented by the complainant. The police noted that Sahdev was given the opportunity to submit any new evidence in his protest application filed on 28th February 2025, but he did not.

Sahdev’s protest filled with civil grievances, not criminal substance

In his protest application, Sahdev portrayed Satyanarayan as a hardened conspirator and land mafia figure. He accused Satyanarayan of defrauding him of ₹25 lakh through a forged land deal in Ismailganj. He further claimed that Satyanarayan had used a fake sale deed to sell the land which he had purchased.

He further claimed that despite a High Court order dated 29th January 2024 and a prior order by the SC/ST Court dated 15th September 2021, the accused neither returned his money nor compensated him with an alternate plot, resulting in a total loss of ₹1 crore.

However, the investigating officer observed that it was a civil matter concerning land ownership and money recovery, which provided no grounds for a criminal case under the SC/ST Act or for robbery. The protest application filed by the complainant was seen as an attempt to exert undue pressure and revive settled land disputes through criminal litigation.

Allegations of coercion dismissed by court

Sahdev further claimed that the police had taken his signatures on plain paper under duress and prepared statements as per their own convenience. He alleged that his statements were manipulated and that the police had tried to protect the accused. However, the court rejected these claims for want of evidence.

Interestingly, Sahdev went on to accuse Sanjay of being a habitual criminal, just like his father. He said Sanjay was part of a larger gang that regularly updated him about local incidents and argued that no robber carries a phone while committing a robbery—hence, mobile location data should not be trusted. The court termed these arguments speculative and lacking legal weight.

Ultimately, the police concluded that Sahdev’s complaint was filed with malafide intent, aimed at harassing the accused due to prior animosity. The final report categorically stated that the entire case was manufactured to settle a personal score over land.

Citing lack of supporting evidence, the absence of any credible witness, and the exculpatory nature of mobile location records, the final report recommended that the case be closed.

Judgment in the case

In its judgment, the court cited verses 14 and 18 from Chapter 8 of the Manusmriti, which state, “यत्र धर्मों हाधर्मेण सत्यं यत्रातृतेन च। हन्यते प्रेक्षमाणानां हतास्तत्र सभासद्ः।” It means, “The court (assembly, council, parliament) where evil overrules virtue—truth and honesty—there the members of the council or court are destroyed due to the sin they have committed by permitting this.”

And “पादोअधर्मस्य कर्तारं पादः साक्षिणमृच्छति । पादः सभासदः सर्वान्पदों राजानमृच्छति।” It means, “Each of the doers of the crime, the witnesses in favour of the doer, the judges, council members or jury who pass judgment in favour of the guilty, and the king—all receive one fourth of that sin.”

Another verse quoted by the court read, “अभियोक्ता न चेद्रूयाद् बध्यो दण्डयच्श धर्मतः । न चेत्त्रिपक्षत्प्रब्रूयाद्धर्म प्रति पराजित ।।”, which means, “If the plaintiff fails to produce a witness and explain his stand, he deserves to be prosecuted and punished. If the accused fails to reply to the satisfaction of the court, he is considered guilty and deserves to be convicted.”

Justice Vivekanand Sharan Tripathi, in the judgment, held that the complaint lodged by Sahdev was completely false and fabricated, with an intent to harass the accused through misuse of the stringent provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The court observed that the entire sequence of events, starting from the complaint to the FIR registration, was a malicious attempt to implicate the accused and his son due to a pre-existing land dispute.

One of the most crucial observations made by the court was that the prime accused, Satyanarayan, was in judicial custody at the time. The court observed, “The offence claimed by the complainant to have occurred on 16.03.2023 was registered with deep malice against the accused Satyanarayan, whereas the accused Satyanarayan was in district jail from 13.08.2021 to 12.04.2023.”

This finding effectively dismantled the very foundation of the claims laid down by Sahdev against Satyanarayan and his son. Notably, Satyanarayan was supposed to be released from jail on 12th April 2023 but he could not present bail and he was still in judicial custody on the day of incident. The court observed it was not possible for him to commit the crime while being in prison.

The court further highlighted that the FIR was backed by a false affidavit, and such conduct was not only a criminal misuse of judicial machinery but also a blatant abuse of laws meant to protect the marginalised.

The court also commented on the broader trend of repeated fake cases filed under the SC/ST Act by the complainant. It noted that Sahdev had previously lodged around ten such cases against various individuals, all of which were either dismissed or ended with final reports declaring them baseless. The court pointed out that Sahdev misused his position as an advocate to exploit the protective mechanisms of the law and tried to settle personal vendettas under the guise of caste-based victimisation.

Sentencing

Considering the offence to be serious, the court imposed strict punishment. Sahdev was held guilty under Section 182 and Section 211 of the IPC, which deal with providing false information with intent to cause a public servant to use their lawful power to the injury of another, and with making a false charge of an offence with intent to injure.

Under Section 182, he was sentenced to six months of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹1,000. Under Section 211, he was sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹2,00,000. The sentences are to run concurrently.

Justifying the quantum of punishment, Justice Tripathi said that filing a false FIR under the SC/ST Act not only causes irreparable harm to the falsely accused but also dilutes the credibility of the legislation intended to protect the genuinely oppressed. The court further stated that the role of Sahdev as a legal practitioner made his offence more grievous, as he was expected to uphold the integrity of the legal process, not misuse it for settling personal vendettas.

Madhya Pradesh: Probe launched after 7 patients die after heart surgery performed by fake ‘British’ doctor employed by Christian missionary hospital in Damoh

OpIndia Staff
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Madhya Pradesh: Probe launched after 7 patients die after heart surgery performed by fake ‘British’ doctor employed by Christian missionary hospital in Damoh

Madhya Pradesh government has launched a probe after allegations that a man pretended to be a British cardiologist and performed heart surgeries, resulting in the death of 7 patients. As per allegations made by lawyer Deepak Tiwari, president of the district’s Child Welfare Committee, Dr. N John Kem, working at a Christian Missionary hospital in Damoh, is actually Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav, and that he was using the identity of Professor John Camm, a real British cardiology specialist.

A panel has been constituted at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, Jabalpur, to verify the man’s credentials and investigate the matter. Initially, the probe was handed over to the district medical officer, but later it was decided to form the panel.

As per Tiwari, the ‘fake’ doctor has performed 15 heart surgeries at the Mission Hospital in Damoh, and 7 of the patients died after their surgeries. “We had received a complaint from a patient in February who raised suspicions about a doctor here. He said that the doctor was unable to conduct diagnosis. When we got behind the matter, he fled the area,” said Deepak Tiwari, a resident of Damoh and the district in-charge of the Child Welfare Committee.

He said, “When documents at the hospital were checked as part of the probe, it was revealed that a man named Narendra Yadav had impersonated the London-based doctor to work here.” Tiwari said that a probe committee has been formed in the matter, and that 7 deaths have been confirmed in the probe so far

In a letter written to NHRC, Tiwari alleged that the Christian Mission Hospital didn’t report the deaths to the police. He further alleged that families of the deceased were misled, they were charged heavy fees, and the bodies were handed over to the families without post-mortem examination.

It has been alleged that Narendra Yadav has been impersonating Professor (Emeritus) John Camm, a well-known cardiologist from St George’s University, London. Dr. Kem confirmed via email to a media house that Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav was impersonating him and using his identity fraudulently. The man allegedly forged documents to pass himself off as a UK-based cardiologist and conducted heart surgeries at the hospital. 

While the hospital trust’s head Ajay Lal is currently out of India, an official of the hospital claimed that the man came to the work at the hospital through a govt approved agency.

“After he ran away, we also gave a complaint to the police about his suspicious behaviour. We also submitted all the documents related to him to the administration and probe committee,” the hospital official added.

Damoh Collector Sudhir Kochar said that an investigation has been launched into the matter, and that a a statement would be made once the probe concludes.

National Human Rights Commission member Priyank Kanoongo said that the organisation has received a complaint in this regard. Kanoongo further said that it has been alleged that the missionary hospital is involved with the Ayushman Bharat scheme and taking money from the government for it. “This is a serious complaint; we have taken cognisance of the matter, and an investigation is currently going on,” he said.

No FIR has been registered so far, as the verification of the man’s credentials are being done by the probe panel. Moreover, no complaint has been received from affected families, only a complaint has been submitted by the child welfare committee.

Deepak Tiwari further alleged that the man was earlier booked in Hyderabad in a kidnapping case, and never stays at a place for long.

Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav is not new to controversies. In 2023 using the name Dr N John Kem, he had posted on social media saying that UP CP Yogi Adityanath should be sent to France during riots. He had also shared photoshopped images showing him with Yogi Adityanath and Nitish Kumar.

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal ends indefinite hunger strike after 131 days, was demanding legal guarantee for minimum support price

OpIndia Staff
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Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal ends indefinite hunger strike after 131 days, was demanding legal guarantee for minimum support price

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal ended his hunger strike after 131 days on Sunday (6th April). Dallewal started his indefinite fast in November last year, demanding a resolution for various demands of the protesting farmers, including a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) for crops. He announced his decision to end the indefinite fast at a ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ organised at Sirhind in Fatehgarh Sahib district of Punjab.

“You all have asked me to end the fast unto death. I am indebted to you for taking care of the agitation. I respect your sentiments. I accept your order,” said Dallewal, addressing the farmers. Dallewal represents the joint front of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM).

The announcement comes after a public appeal made by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan on X, urging Dallewal to end his indefinite fast given his ill health. “The ongoing process of discussions between the representatives of the Government of India and the representatives of farmers’ organizations regarding their demands is ongoing. Farmer leader Shri Jagjit Singh Dallewal has now returned from the hospital, and we wish him a speedy recovery. We also request him to end his fast, and we will meet with the representatives of farmers’ organizations for talks on 4th May at 11 am as per the already decided date,” said Chauhan in a post on X.

Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu welcomed Dallewal’s decision to end his fast. He termed it a step forward in the ongoing discussion between the government and the farmers.

Earlier, Bittu had also appealed to Dallewal to end his hunger strike and take part in dialogue with the central government. He posted a video X appealing to Dallewal.

“Your health is more important, and your life is precious for the people of Punjab, as your leadership will always be needed for the struggle of farmers and farm labourers,” Bittu said in the video.

Uttar Pradesh: Shamsher becomes Tiger to lure Hindu girl into marriage, force her to convert to Islam and eat beef

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Shamsher becomes Tiger to lure Hindu girl into marriage, force her to convert to Islam and eat beef

A new case of ‘love jihad’ has come to the fore in Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh, where a man named Shamsher Ansari has been arrested by the police for luring a Hindu woman into marriage using a false Hindu name.

According to reports, Ansari forced the Hindu woman to convert to Islam, assaulted her, and forced her to eat beef. The victim, who hails from Jamui, Bihar, approached the Superintendent of Police (SP) Kushinagar, after which a case was registered and Ansari was arrested by the police.

Ansari has been booked by the police under Sections 69, 191(2), 115(2), and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The police are investigating whether other persons were involved in the matter.

Deception began five years ago with a phone call

According to the victim’s statement, the ordeal began around five years ago when she came into contact with Ansari, who introduced himself as Tiger. It all started with a wrong number dialed by Tiger to the victim. Over time, they developed a relationship. Tiger regularly visited Bihar to meet the woman. He eventually convinced her to marry him. However, after getting married, she discovered his true identity via his Aadhaar card months later.

When she confronted Ansari, he allegedly told her, “Had I told you I was a Muslim, you would never have fallen into my trap.” By then, the woman was pregnant and tried to make peace with the situation. However, the troubles were far from over.

‘Tiger’ turned tormentor

Once his truth came out, the woman alleged that Ansari’s behaviour changed drastically. She was consistently pressured to convert to Islam and wear a burqa. He instructed her to offer namaz. When she resisted, he reportedly assaulted her and force-fed her beef. The victim became fearful for her life and decided to flee his house. She returned to her native village in Bihar, where she gave birth to their child.

The victim approached the local police station several times, but her pleas were ignored. The victim further alleged that Ansari threatened her with acid attacks and murder to ensure she kept silent.

However, the victim was determined to seek justice and approached Kushinagar SP Santosh Mishra, where she narrated her entire ordeal. SP Mishra took cognisance of the matter immediately and ordered the registration of the FIR. A special team was constituted to investigate the matter. In a statement, SP said that the victim approached police during public hearing. Based on her complaint, FIR was registered and investigation is underway.

Based on the victim’s statement and preliminary findings, the police arrested Shamsher Ansari alias Tiger. Further investigation in the matter is underway.

Hindu students defy order of Jadavpur University administration, observe Ram Navami on the campus

OpIndia Staff
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Hindu students defy order of Jadavpur University administration, observe Ram Navami on the campus

Hindu students in Jadavpur University in West Bengal defied the discriminatory order of the university administration, which denied them permission to celebrate Ram Navami on the university campus. Students belonging to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyalaya Parishad (ABVP) organised Ram Navami celebrations in the university on Sunday (6th April). The students decorated a part of the campus and placed an idol of Lord Ram and chanted the slogans of Jai Shri Ram.

The Ram Navami Puja was organised at the Technology Building of Jadavpur University. A large group of students took part in the puja.

Notably, a controversy had erupted recently over anti-national graffiti in the university campus. Slogans like ‘Azad Kashmir’, ‘Free Palestine’ had come up on the walls. On Sunday, those slogans were seen covered with pictures of Lord Ram and Sri Aurobindo, and the national flag. The puja organisers said that Jadavpur University is Rishi Aurobindo’s university, and the administration did nothing to remove the anti-national graffiti from the campus.

Sri Aurobindo was the first principal of National College in Calcutta, which later became the Jadavpur University.

The university had refused to grant permission to the students to celebrate Ram Navami citing the absence of the Vice-Chancellor. “In the absence of a Vice Chancellor, it is impossible to grant permission,” the university stated. Besides, the university stated “several factors” for making the decision and pointed out that Ram Navami had never been celebrated on the campus. The interim VC Bhaskar Gupta was removed by Governor CV Ananda Bose over campus violence and alleged insubordination. Notably, the university had granted permission to hold Iftar on the university campus a few days ago.

Kolkata District Secretary of ABVP, Debanjan Pal called out the varsity’s decision to allow Iftar but refuse Ram Navami celebrations. “The denial of permission by the university authorities was a one-sided decision. However, we were determined to go ahead with our scheduled programme despite the denial of permission, which we are doing. JU is not outside West Bengal. Barring some students affiliated with the ultra-Left forces, most students are participating in the celebration spontaneously,” said Pal.

Former VC criticises the university’s decision

Former VC of the university, Buddhadeb Sahu, criticised the university’s decision and said that the absence of the VC cannot be a ground to refuse permission for Ram Navami celebrations. “If there is no vice chancellor, how is permission denied? Who made that decision? The university did not ban it. Earlier, I participated in Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja, and Iftar party celebrations,” said the former VC.

Surprised that none of the letters sent by Tamil Nadu leaders are signed in Tamil: PM Modi takes a dig at CM Stalin amid language row

ANI
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Surprised that none of the letters sent by Tamil Nadu leaders are signed in Tamil: PM Modi takes a dig at CM Stalin amid language row

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday criticised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin amid the ongoing language row, saying that he is suprised that none of the letters he recieve from Tamil Nadu ministers are signed in the Tamil language.

Addressing a public gathering in Rameswaram after inaugurating the New Pambam bridge, Prime Minister Modi said, “The Government is constantly working to ensure that the Tamil language and Tamil heritage reach every corner of the world. Sometimes, I am surprised when I receive letters from some leaders of Tamil Nadu; none of them are signed in the Tamil language. If you are proud of Tamil, then I would request everyone at least sign your name in Tamil.”

PM Modi’s remarks come as the MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu government has locked horns with the BJP-led Central government over the three-language formula proposed in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Stalin argued that the policy prioritises Hindi over regional languages, undermining the state’s autonomy and linguistic diversity

Addressing the rally here today, Prime Minister Modi also urged the Stalin-led DMK government to start medical courses in the Tamil language so that even the children of poor families can fulfil their dream of becoming doctors.

“I would urge the Tamil Nadu government to start medical courses in the Tamil language so that even the children of poor families can fulfil their dream of becoming doctors. Our effort is to ensure that the youth of our country do not have to go abroad to become doctors. In the last 10 years, Tamil Nadu has got 11 new medical colleges,” Prime Minister Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi said that the security and well-being of Tamil Nadu people remain a top priority for the government and through the dedicated efforts over 3,700 fishermen have been successfully repatriated from Sri Lanka over the past decade.

“Your security and well-being remain a top priority for the government. Through the dedicated efforts of the Indian government, over 3,700 fishermen have been successfully repatriated from Sri Lanka over the past decade. More than 600 fishermen were freed just in the last year alone. Some of our fishermen even faced capital punishment. However, we took decisive steps to ensure their safe return to the country,” Prime Minister Modi said.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

PM Narendra Modi urges Tamil Nadu government to launch medical education in Tamil language

OpIndia Staff
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PM Narendra Modi urges Tamil Nadu government to launch medical education in Tamil language

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the Tamil Nadu government to launch medical education in Tamil language. Addressing the gathering at Rameshwaram after inaugurating Pamban bridge, the PM said that many states have already started medical education in regional language, and Tamil Nadu govt also should do the same so that students who have not studied English can become doctors.

The Prime Minister said, ‘Many states across the country have started medical education in regional languages. Now, even the poorest mother’s son or daughter, who hasn’t studied English, can become a doctor.’ Urging Tamil Nadu govt to start medical education in Tamil, he said, “I urge the Tamil Nadu government to start medical courses in Tamil so that every child, no matter their background, can become a doctor.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Rameshwaram on Sunday morning from Sri Lanka and inaugurated the New Pambam Bridge, which includes India’s vertical sea lift bridge. He mentioned how the new Pamban bridge is connecting “thousands of year old” Rameswaram city to a modern architectural marvel

He also flagged off the first train traversing the New Pamban Bridge. Earlier PM Modi offered prayers at the Ramanathaswamy Temple.

Several states have initiated medical education in regional languages, particularly Hindi. Madhya Pradesh pioneered this initiative in 2022 by introducing MBBS courses in Hindi. After that, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand have launched or announced plans to launch MBBS courses in Hindi.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) now allows teaching, learning, and assessment in MBBS courses to be carried out using a bilingual mode, along with English. This includes the following regional languages: Assamese, Bangla, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odiya, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu.

The push for medical education in regional languages is driven by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes the importance of the mother tongue in education. The aim is to help students from non-English medium backgrounds better understand medical concepts and potentially improve doctor-patient communication in their local areas.

Some digital learning platforms like MedLern have already started offering medical courses and textbook aids in multiple Indian regional languages for healthcare professionals.

Sanjeev Sanyal reinstated as Chancellor of Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics 2 days after his removal, had flagged financial irregularities in the institution

OpIndia Staff
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Sanjeev Sanyal reinstated as Chancellor of Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics 2 days after his removal, had flagged financial irregularities in the institution

Sanjeev Sanyal, economist and a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, has been reinstated as the Chancellor of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) by the Servants of India Society (SIS), which is the parent body of the GIPE. The SIS, on Saturday (5th April), revoked its earlier order dated April 2, 2025, of removing Sanyal from the position of the Chancellor of the GIPE.

The SIS President, Damodar Sahoo, said that Sanyal was removed due to some “misunderstanding” caused by the “lack of communication”. “I came to know and became satisfied that, as Chancellor, you have taken steps to protect and enhance the glory of GIPE. This misunderstanding arose due to a lack of communication between you and the Servants of India Society,” Sahoo said in a letter.

“I am thankful to you that you have graciously furnished a detailed explanation to all our concerns, as written in my letter. From the content of your letter, I came to know and became satisfied that, as the Chancellor of our Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, you have decided to take suitable steps in enhancing and protecting the glory of Gokhale Institute. Sanjeevji, this misunderstanding happened due to a lack of communication between you and the Servants of India Society,” Sahoo added.

Sanyal’s reinstatement comes a day after he was replaced as the Chancellor of the GIPE by a retired Bombay High Court judge, Justice SC Dharmadhikari.

Sanyal refutes allegations against him

Sanyal posted on X, refuting the allegations levelled by Sahoo against him, which formed the grounds for his removal. Sanyal said that Sahoo provided two grounds for his removal as the Chancellor of the GIPE in a letter dated 2nd April. The first ground was that under Sanyal’s tenure as the Chancellor of the GIPE, the prestigious institution received a poor ‘B’ grade from the NAAC. The second ground was that Sanyal did not respond to a letter from the SIS.

Refuting Sahoo’s allegations, Sanyal wrote that the NAAC grading of the GIPE was based on the institution’s performance between 2018-23, while he took over as the Chancellor in October 2024. “I had so far refrained from commenting on recent events at GIPE. However, I would like to put a few things on public record. SIS President Sahoo has raised two justifications for replacing me as Chancellor of GIPE. First, that I am somehow responsible for the poor ‘B’ grade in NAAC ratings. Note that I just took over in October 2024 and visited the place for the first time in November. Moreover, the review was based on data between 2018-23. Surely, those who are responsible for this rating should be held responsible, ” Sanyal wrote on X.

Addressing the second allegation of the lack of communication on his part, Sanyal said that he could not respond to a letter from Sahoo sent on 24th March as he was in the UK to deliver lectures at various institutions, including the London School of Economics (LSE) and King’s College. He said that before he could respond to the letter after returning to India, he was removed from the position. “I returned late on the night of 30th March and on 31st March requested one of India’s most senior academics to look into it. She agreed a day later, but SIS chose to send this letter before I could write a reply. I am placing both their letter and my reply for all to see, “Sanyal said.

Sanyal had flagged some financial irregularities at the institution

After assuming office as the Chancellor, Sanyal had flagged certain “suspicious happenings at the GIPE campus”, including some financial irregularities at the GIPE. He set up a committee including representatives from the UGC, the SIS and the state government to look into the irregularities. Besides, Sanyal had also raised the issue of the GIPE campus being used to run an institution called the Western Business School.

“It has been my attempt to clear these matters in a transparent way. A finance committee was set up as per UGC norms, including representatives of UGC, SIS, state govt, etc. They raised several pertinent issues at their meeting on 29th Mar 2025,” Sanyal stated.

“A full new institution called Western Business School claims to run from the same campus and has posted photos of GIPE on their website. Here is the link, but given that the photos are now being changed, I am also placing a screenshot. Their promotional material (pdf), now in our custody, is based entirely on claiming the GIPE campus as their own!!” Sanyal added.

Sanyal pointed out that the SIS no longer provides financial assistance to the GIPE and instead obtains rent from it. GIPE, according to Sanyal, is being run entirely on students’ fees and taxpayers’ money. He shared some documents to show how SIS extracts money from the GIPE in the name of different services.

“There is no transparency on how these amounts are derived. These were also questioned by the finance committee. Note that I receive no remuneration for being Chancellor, and normally it is just a ceremonial role. However, given the long-standing breakdown in governance, it is my duty to hard working students/faculty to step in and ask the right questions; I will continue to do so,” Sanyal said.

Sanyal’s removal was not supported by other SIS members

Vice Chancellor of the SIS, Atmanand Mishra, was reportedly opposed to the decision of removing Sanyal from the GIPE and appointing Retired Justice Dharmadhikari without following the due process. He said that there is a procedure to be followed for someone, which includes sending notice to the person concerned and giving him an opportunity to explain. “I am not on the board of the management of the institute, so I am not aware of many things, but I am a part of SIS. Sanyal was terminated without following the due process, and the new Chancellor was appointed in the same manner. I am against what happened,” said Mishra.

Mishra alleged that Sahoo and SIS Secretary Deshmukh had “hollowed out” the SIS. He said that they do not follow any procedures and treat the Society as their personal property. “I have served 40 years in the Society. But in Sahoo’s Presidency and Deshmukh’s Secretaryship, the whole structure of the society has been hollowed out. Deshmukh…has changed in the last few years after Sahoo became President. They take some action earlier, and move a resolution later and get everybody’s signatures. They treat the Society as their personal property, even the charity commissioner is not helping,” Mishra alleged.

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