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Some Covid models predicted 1.6 million deaths by August, other ‘experts’ predicted 5 million: Read how the forecasts are faring by June end

Jinit Jain
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Some Covid models predicted 1.6 million deaths by August, other ‘experts’ predicted 5 million: Read how the forecasts are faring by June end

Months after forecasting that India will suffer 1.4 to 1.6 million fatalities due to COVID-19 by August 2021, the Institute for Health Medical and Evaluation (IMHE) seems to have tweaked its methodology to arrive at updated projections for COVID-related deaths for the said time period. 

In its new estimates, IMHE pegs 1.14 million deaths by COVID-19 in India by August 1, 2021, as per current projection. In the worst case scenario, the model predicts 1.15 million deaths. It is worth noting that the updated figures comes on the heels of a report published in the international medical journal The Lancet, which cited the IHME predictions but tamped down the forecast of 1.6 million deaths to 1 million deaths by August.

Source: https://covid19.healthdata.org/india

Nevertheless, the death projection made by the IHME is still wildly off the mark. For instance, according to current projections, the estimated deaths in India by COVID-19 as of today, i.e June 29, stands at 1.11 million deaths. That’s over 2.8 times the current number of fatalities, which is 3.97 lakhs. 

The glaring incongruence in the number of reported deaths vis-a-vis the projected number of fatalities raises questions on the dubious methods employed and intentions of the IHME in arriving at such exaggerated conclusions. Perhaps, the motive of the organisation is not really about projecting the realistic number of COVID-19 related deaths but to show the Modi government in poor light by overstating the projected fatalities. 

The COVID-19 situation in India is currently on the mend. The data from across the country indicates that the second wave of the coronavirus outbreak is firmly suppressed and there are fewer daily cases each day. India is also not facing oxygen crisis as it did when the contagion took the country by surprise and spread rapidly in April 2021. The medical capacity, in terms of hospital beds, isolation ward centres, ventilators and other necessary equipment are steadily expanded to stave off the subsequent wave of coronavirus, if and when it arrives.

In addition to this, India is rapidly augmenting its vaccination programme. Since June 21, the day when the central government took charge of the country’s vaccination drive, the daily vaccination numbers have soared dramatically, consistently crossing the 50-lakh mark except on Sunday when most vaccination centres had their weekly off. On Monday this week, India achieved yet another milestone as it surpassed the United States in terms of total COVID-19 vaccine administered. India has so far vaccinated more than 32.5 crores people with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccines.

However, it appears that the death projections from IHME do not account the ground reality. The exaggerated death figures reveal that the IHME may not have factored in all the determinants and instead allowed its prejudice against the Modi government to arrive at the incredulous projections of 1.14 million deaths by August 2021.

IMHE reduces its prediction of COVID-related fatalities in India by August after The Lancet cites its forecast

While this is not the first time that IHME has made estimations that is bereft of logic and rationality. Earlier in May, the dubious model used by the IHME suggested that India would suffer a casualty of 1.4 to 1.6 million deaths by August 2021. Celebrated international medical journal the Lancet then cited the IHME report to peddle its propaganda against the Modi government. 

It published an article that was replete with a series of gross inaccuracies in terms of data that can be interpreted by laymen as well. The article said, “India must reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission as much as possible while the vaccine is rolled out. As cases continue to mount, the government must publish accurate data in a timely manner, and forthrightly explain to the public what is happening and what is needed to bend the epidemic curve, including the possibility of a new federal lockdown.”

Even though the IHME suggested that India would witness deaths to the tunes of 1.4 to 1.6 million by August 2021, The Lancet article ratcheted it down to around 1 million deaths. But the fact that The Lancet chose to omit 300,000 deaths to 600,000 deaths from its article shows that even they did not believe the vast exaggerations of the IHME. With The Lancet predicting 1 million deaths in India, the IHME revised its model that curiously changed the expected number of COVID-19 related fatalities to 1.14 million from its previous projection of 1.4 to 1.6 million deaths. 

Needless to say, even 1 million figure is a wild hyperbole. There is no valid justification for such a number either given the manner in which they have projected such figures. The IHME projected over 1000 Covid-19 deaths regularly in November 2020 when cases were definitively on the downturn. It did not even bother to reconcile the current data with respect to the reported number of death as of June 29. Clearly, the need to radically rework their model to reflect a more realistic estimations was not a priority for the IHME, which touts itself as the foremost predictor of COVID-19 related trends.

Pandemic profiteer Eric Feigl-Ding, who predicted 5 million deaths by August, is not even an infectious disease expert

Besides The Lancet and the IMHE, others also partook in scare mongering about the forecasted deaths in India due to COVID-19. Amidst the raging bout of resurgent coronavirus outbreak, NDTV invited ‘epidemiologist’ Eric Feigl-Ding to weigh in on the crisis unfolding in India. Eric made a staggering claim that India’s COVID death tally will surpass the 5 million-mark by August 2021.

During the interview with journalist Vishnu Som, Eric Feigl-Ding claimed, “The data in India is very poor. The number of deaths is not being reported properly. India is well on its way to million deaths by August 1.”

But as it turned out, NDTV got a charlatan, who is not even an infectious disease expert to express his opinion about the coronavirus outbreak in the country. According to the Harvard TC Chan School of Public Health, Eric Feigl-Ding is a public health epidemiologist, nutritionist, and health economist. But there is more to him than what meets the common eye. He is also not an infectious disease expert, but a chronic disease epidemiologist.

The 5 million figure is even more preposterous because roughly 2,430,000 would die between Arpil (when Feigl-Ding made the comment) and August and here he was predicting 5 million deaths. Such an enormous number of death would have far reaching social and political implications and there would be anarchy in large parts of the country. But such phenomena were nowhere to be seen.

Eric’s prolific rise as a ‘star expert’ on Coronavirus was uncharacteristic of any health researcher/epidemiologist or scientist. He chanced upon to read a research paper on Coronavirus and predicted the outbreak of a pandemic in January last year. After his meteoric rise to fame, several epidemiologists came forward to question his credentials. Under the condition of anonymity, one epidemiologist told the Chronicle of Higher Education that Eric Feigl-Ding has zero background in infectious disease research.

It appears like a concerted attempt is being made to tarnish India’s international standing by predicting doom and exaggerating the projected COVID-19 related deaths. Be it The Lancet, the IHME, or NDTV back home, the accuracy of the estimation of COVID deaths hardly seems to be an area of concern. All they care about is promoting propaganda against the Modi government.

Currently, the second wave is irrefutably on the decline and vaccinations are ramping up. Therefore, it is certain that the wild exaggerations of Covid-19 death tally will be proven false.

After Uttar Pradesh, MP set to take action against Twitter for displaying distorted map of India on its platform

OpIndia Staff
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After Uttar Pradesh, MP set to take action against Twitter for displaying distorted map of India on its platform

Amidst the tussle between Twitter and India, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister has informed that action will be taken against the platform for posting a distorted map of the country. 

Posting a video on social media, state Home Minister Narottam Mishra said that an FIR will be filed against Twitter by the Madhya Pradesh government for displaying the wrong map of India where Indian lands are shown as Pakistani and Chinese territories.

“For a long time, Twitter has been going against the country. Sometimes speaking unrestrained about India and sometimes by displaying the wrong map of the country. These are all serious issues and cannot be taken lightly. The central and state government have also taken it seriously,” Tweeted Mishra.

Mishra added that Twitter has been a repeat offender and that the matter has been taken seriously by the Government of India as well as the Madhya Pradesh government.

Additionally, Mishra informed that DGP Vivek Jauhri has been asked to investigate the matter further and register a case in the matter.

Case filed against Twitter in Uttar Pradesh

We reported earlier that Twitter India Managing Director Manish Maheshwari has been booked by Uttar Pradesh police under Section 505 (2) of IPC and Section 74 of IT (Amendment) Act 2008 for the same wrongdoing. 

Copy of the FIR filed at Bulandshahr

Filing an FIR, Praveen Bhati, a Bajrang Dal leader from Bulandshahr complained that the distorted map is a deliberate attempt by Twitter to mislead the world.

Distorted map of India

A massive controversy broke out after the social media giant posted a distorted map of India on the career section on its website. The map that appears on the ‘Tweep Life’ section shows Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh detached from India. While Jammu and Kashmir is shown as a part of Pakistan, the entire Ladakh was shown as Chinese territory.

Distorted Map posted by Twitter on its website. Image Source: Twitter

Subsequently, Twitter pulled down the map quietly after the furor, however, it will be interesting to see if it is able to save itself from legal troubles. 

Twitter had been warned before

This is not the first time that the social media platform has shown the courage to display the wrong map of India. In October 2020, national security analyst Nitin A Gokhale found that Twitter had labelled the Indian territory of Leh in Ladakh as part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). 

The government of India had issued a warning to CEO Jack Dorsey over the misrepresentation of the Indian map, however, it seems to have no effect on the platform who repeatedly chooses to make the same ‘mistake.’

‘Widespread and well-planned violence happened in Bengal after May 2’: NHRC’s fact-finding committee on post-poll atrocities

OpIndia Staff
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‘Widespread and well-planned violence happened in Bengal after May 2’: NHRC’s fact-finding committee on post-poll atrocities

The fact-finding committee constituted to inquire about the post-poll violence in West Bengal following a Calcutta High Court order made startling revelations while addressing the media on Tuesday. The committee revealed that the violence in Bengal post Mamata Banerjee’s landslide victory was not sporadic or spontaneous but well-planned and premeditated.

The committee added that the violence broke out only after May 2, after the results came out and TMC became victorious, ensuring another 5-year rule of Mamata Banerjee.

Sharing further details, the committee informed that many supporters of a political party were forced to flee their homes due to a targeted attack. Houses were burnt and ransacked with the victims made to give in writing that they will not support a particular political party.

The members further revealed that the perpetrators also disrupted the water connection and destroyed the bridge that led to a village as the villagers supported one political party. 

Additionally, the victims were denied work and made to apologize for their support to the opponent party. “Mafia, dons, criminals and goons in police records led and triggered the violence against the supporters of a particular political party,” disclosed the committee. 

After observing the impact of the post-poll violence in Bengal unleased by the ruling party, the committee has submitted 15 recommendations and observations emphasizing the release of compensation for the victims. “Immediate actions should be taken to restore the confidence of common man,” demanded the committee.

Vice-Chairman of Minority Commission threatened by TMC goons

In an OpIndia Exclusive, we reported how Atif Rasheed, the vice-chairman of the minority commission who was on a visit as part of the panel to Jadavpur where sectarian and political violence had ravaged the area was threatened by the TMC goons. 

Just as he was investigating the ground situation, locals of the area were seen threatening him.

In the videos, it can be seen that an angry mob of women and men was threatening Rasheed. Atif Rasheed, as seen in the video, kept telling the mob that they could not behave in that manner and had to take a step back. CISF personnel can be seen trying to control the irate mob.

In another video, Atif Rasheed was seen walking away from the mob. Talking to the camera, Rasheed says that he and his team were being attacked by a TMC mob.

In another stunning revelation, Rasheed says that the local police were there when he visited the area, however, when the TMC mob started attacking him, the police simply disappeared. 

Around 40 houses found burnt

While speaking with OpIndia, Rasheed, who was part of the HC-directed NHRC fact-finding committee, revealed that he found about 40 houses that belonged to BJP workers that had been burnt to the ground. He further said that for the past 2 months, nobody knows the whereabouts of the BJP activists.

Rasheed said that the police had filed no FIRs or complaints in the matter even after rampant post-poll violence in Jadavpur, Bengal.

Former Wikimedia Foundation staff with autism calls out ‘bullies who run it’, accusations of ‘toxic work culture’ surface

OpIndia Staff
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Former Wikimedia Foundation staff with autism calls out ‘bullies who run it’, accusations of ‘toxic work culture’ surface

James Hare, a former Wikimedia Foundation staffer with autism, recently came out to call out bullies at his workplace. In his statement published on May 22, he accused two high-level managers of Wikimedia Foundation, which owns Wikipedia, bullying him because of his autism. Other foundation’s former staffers have also raised similar concerns.

Hare alias Harej worked as an associate product manager for around 18 months between 2018 and 2019. He chalked out his experience working at the non-profit. Notably, Hare suffers from autism and during his tenure at the foundation, it became a subject of ridicule by the seniors.

James Hare statement

James Hare said that he had been avoiding sharing his experience at the foundation for two years as he could not figure out how he could express it. Hare started contributing to Wikipedia in 2004, and because of his contributions, he was finally hired by the foundation in 2018. However, at the end of his time at the foundation, he was not proud of working there. He said, “What I got for my lifetime of work was the experience of working with bullies.”

Claiming that the foundation is run by bullies, he said that two executive management members repeatedly ridiculed him during the period he worked as a volunteer and during his job at the foundation. One of the members who had interacted with him only a few times used to make fun of the verbal gaffe he had made or mocked him for something he said or did. The other member often made jokes about him and did it often on his face. He said, “I had an experience of interviewing with this executive, only for them to make fun of me to my face in subsequent encounters.” Notably, both of them still work at Wikimedia Foundation.

James said he did not take the names as he has no intentions of using them. However, he added, “I don’t want my post to be oversighted, but they still hold positions of power, and they are still responsible for managing staff.” James said that there is a lack of leadership at the highest level in the foundation. What he suffered was not limited to him, but several others, especially women and women of colour, in particular, face hostile work environment. He said, “Women, and women of colour, in particular, are chewed up and spit out by the management.”

In James words, “I am an adult with autism. Over the years, especially when I was younger, it is inevitable that I would say and do things that are kind of funny. And I have been made fun of my entire life for it. I can forgive myself for saying awkward things, and I can forgive people for what they did as children. What I cannot forgive is a fully grown adult, in a position of significant authority, bullying another adult in their workplace. It is unforgivable.

After a chaotic 18 or so months of working at Wikimedia, I turned in my badge. The experience left me with posttraumatic stress disorder, seriously adrift on a moral and emotional level, and occasionally prone to psychotic episodes. Over time I have been able to forgive the dysfunction that defined my work experience, but I could not let go of the fact that there are bullies who work for the Wikimedia Foundation and still work there.

As Wikipedians, we are a neurodiverse community and come from many different backgrounds. We need management that is not just charismatic, not just good at giving speeches, but empathetic and compassionate, who genuinely understands our experiences.

I feel terrible and exposed writing this. I may be opening myself up to retaliation. But I have been sitting on this for so long, and it has tortured me so much. And I can’t live with myself, not knowing that this perspective is invisible. You are not going to hear it from the slick Communications team, and you’re not going to hear it from people who think speaking up will make them unemployable. But at this point, I don’t think I have anything to lose. And if others speak up because of me, I hope it will be worth it.”

Several staffers called out the hostile environment at Wikimedia

Soon after Hare made his experience public, other former staffer came forward to share their experiences at the foundation. Dan Garry, former lead product manager, Wikipedia alias Deskana, said he felt unwelcomed at the foundation and resigned out of concern for his mental health. Garry said the foundation behaves similar to “short term profit-focused companies”.

Brad Jorsch, former senior software engineer, Wikipedia alias Anomie, said he tried to push back against increasing attempts at marginalisation and workplace bullying. He submitted a complaint at HR but faced massive retaliation instead of getting support from the Foundation’s leadership. He added, “Management was fostering a culture where their own image and career progression is a major goal in a way [that] associate more with cut-throat for-profit companies than with a non-profit.”

Another staffer Adam Wight also claimed he experiences bullying at the foundation. He said he was called in by several executives after he filed a complaint. They told him that the email he sent complaining of perceived excesses of management was too “forceful” in its tone. An HR manager further told him that the messages they had exchanged about potential reform at the foundation might get included in a complaint against Wight. He further alleged after he cited legal protection for labour- organising and whistleblowers, the foundation docked his salary.

Jimmy Wales refused to act

After several Wikipedia editors reportedly pushed co-founder Jimmy Wales for action, he refused to act and asked the staffers to pursue the matter through internal channels. Interestingly, his statement came after the staffers claimed that such channels were already tried and failed. Wales stated he could not comment on specific personal matters and assured that the foundation was looking into it.

Support poured in for Hare

James’s post was shared on a discussion forum titled ‘wikipediocracy‘, where several came in support. A user named TheHandThatFeedsYou said, “Wikipedia is a toxic environment, lots of hostility, like a war zone/ battleground in some places.” Another user, Moral Hazard, wrote, “I am sorry that he was mistreated, and I hope that all of us would welcome James if he arrives.”

The Garbage Scow called it unacceptable workplace behaviour and said, “Completely unacceptable. I don’t know if someone with autism is considered part of a protected class, but he could have a nice lawsuit if they are, and people in positions of power above him created an environment of harassment that drove him to quit. What he’s describing is absolutely forbidden by the written policy of every US employer I can think of.”

Source: Wikipediocracy

The support also came as comments to his original post. A Wikipedia editor Yngvadottir said, “I’m so sorry that happened to you, and thank you for standing up and saying it.” Legoktm thanked him for writing about his experience and said, “Thank you for stepping up.”

Source: Wikipedia

Belov, a Wikipedia editor, said, “Thank you for being honest about your experiences, Harej. It’s really disappointing to hear this. As you’ll well know, autistic people are a major part of our community, well in excess of their proportion in the general population. Any company which truly appreciated that it is built on and run by our volunteer labour would bend over backwards to be accommodating towards autistic and neurodivergent people. No doubt these management figures have also mocked neurotypicals and made them feel like shit too. And a disorganised workplace is a hotbed for mental health problems. Not a proud moment for the WMF.”

Wikipedia has a history of getting into controversies

This is not the first time Wikipedia has fallen into a ditch full of controversies. Recently, it was revealed that a page on a fictitious train ran for years on Wikipedia without anyone noticing. It was used as a reference for many academic reports. Countless reports of Wikipedia pages being vandalized to push agendas have come to light on several occasions. Wikipedia specifically failed to acknowledge Delhi Riots 2020 being anti-Hindu and painted Hindus as the culprits. Editors vandalised Late Rohit Sardana’s Wikipedia page and posted derogatory remarks.

Mumbai police file FIR against Facebook user for ‘objectionable post’ against NCP supremo Sharad Pawar

OpIndia Staff
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Mumbai police file FIR against Facebook user for ‘objectionable post’ against NCP supremo Sharad Pawar

On Monday (June 28), the Mumbai police lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against a Facebook user for allegedly posting a morphed picture of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar.

As per reports, the complaint was filed with the local police station in Chembur by one NCP worker named DS Sawant. In his complaint, he claimed that a source at the Antop Hill locality had informed about the Facebook user who had posted an objectionable photo of Sharad Pawar.

The Police said that the accused has been identified and that they have initiated the probe to trace him. The cops have booked the Facebook user under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 153 (provocation to cause riots), 500 (defamation), and relevant provisions of the Information Technology (IT) Act.

FIR filed against social media users for ‘objectionable’ posts against Sharad Pawar

This is not the first time that an FIR has been registered for alleged ‘objectionable’ posts against the NCP supremo. On May 22, the Bandra Cyber Cell police arrested BJP Yuva Morcha Secretary Pradip Gavade for criticising Sharad Pawar and his grandnephew Rohit Pawar on Twitter. A case was registered against him under sections 295A, 500, and 505/2 of the IPC as well as IT Act 67. BJP had called the arrest politically motivated and had accused the police of acting at the behest of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. 

Earlier in March, the Pune Rural Police had filed an FIR against unidentified persons in connection with an alleged objectionable tweet against the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief. The FIR was filed at Baramati Taluka Police station based on the complaint registered by one Abhijit Bhanudas Jadhav, an NCP functionary. A police officer privy to the details of the case informed, “The content in both the tweet and reply is of objectionable nature. We have launched a probe into these accounts.” According to BJP leader Suresh Nakhua, social media user Vedashree was one of the persons against whom the FIR was lodged.

Karan Johar announces biopic on C. Sankaran Nair and his Jallianwala Bagh Massacre courtroom battle

OpIndia Staff
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Karan Johar announces biopic on C. Sankaran Nair and his Jallianwala Bagh Massacre courtroom battle

Dharma Productions and Still Media Collective have joined hands to bring forth the biopic of C. Sankaran Nair titled “The Untold Story Of C. Sankaran Nair.” The film is being produced by Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, Anand Tiwari, and to be directed by Karan Singh Tyagi. 

As per reports, the film will revolve around the legendary courtroom battle between Sankaran Nair and the British Raj to uncover the truth about the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. The film will be an adaptation of the book “The Case That Shook The Empire” written by Raghu Palat (great-grandson of Sankaran Nair) and his wife, Pushpa Palat.

Karan Johar took to social media to make the announcement. “Extremely excited and honoured to be bringing the untold story of C. Sankaran Nair, a historic man to the big screens. Directed by @karanstyagi,” he Tweeted. 

As per Johar’s social media post, the lead cast is yet to be announced. The film is being produced by Karan Johar himself, Apoorva Mehta, Anand Tiwari, and to be directed by Karan Singh Tyagi. 

Who is C. Sankaran Nair?

Chettur Sankaran Nair was the sole Indian in the Viceroy’s council. However, he resigned soon after the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.

Sankaran Nair in his autobiography wrote, “Almost every day I was receiving complaints, personal and by letters, of the most harrowing description of the massacre at Jallianwalla Bagh at Amritsar and the martial law administration…At the same time, I found that Lord Chelmsford (the Viceroy) approved of what was being done in Punjab. That, to me, was shocking.”

After resigning, Sankaran Nair had proceeded to London to open the eyes of the British to the ‘un-British’ acts committed in Punjab.

C. Sankaran Nair and his courtroom battle is a forgotten chapter of history. However, his struggle is hailed for igniting the freedom struggle across India. 

Vice-Chairman of Minority Commission threatened by TMC goons as he finds 40 houses of BJP activists burnt to ashes in Jadavpur: Exclusive details

Nupur J Sharma
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Vice-Chairman of Minority Commission threatened by TMC goons as he finds 40 houses of BJP activists burnt to ashes in Jadavpur: Exclusive details

After the landslide victory in West Bengal by Mamata Banerjee and her party, TMC, in the recently concluded Assembly Elections, allegations of brutal political violence by the party unleashed on BJP workers have been mounting. On June 18, the court had directed the chairperson of NHRC to form a panel to examine the cases of alleged human rights violation during post-poll violence.

As a part of the NHRC panel, Atif Rasheed, the vice-chairman of the minority commission was on a visit to Jadavpur where sectarian and political violence had ravaged the area post the electoral victory of TMC. Just as he was investigating the ground situation, videos surfaced where the locals of the area were seen threatening him.

In the video, it can be seen that an angry mob of women and men were threatening Rasheed. Atif Rasheed, as seen in the video, kept telling the mob that they could not behave in that manner and had to take a step back. CISF personnel can be seen trying to control the irate mob.

In another video, Atif Rasheed was seen walking away from the mob. Talking to the camera, Rasheed says that he and his team were being attacked by a TMC mob.

In another stunning revelation, Rasheed says that the local police was there when he visited the area, however, when the TMC mob started attacking him, the police simply disappeared. Taking the video, Rasheed says that this should serve as evidence for the High Court about the reign of terror that has been unleashed in Bengal.

What Atif Rasheed found in Jadavpur

Speaking to OpIndia, Atif Rasheed said that he was a part of the NHRC committee as a vice-chairman of the minority commission. The Committee was constituted by the High Court and they were directed to investigate the post-poll violence that was unleashed in West Bengal after TMC came to power.

He said that since the High Court had asked them to visit the ground and investigate the violence, Rasheed had gone to Jadavpur where sectarian and political violence had gripped the area. There, he found that there were 40 houses that belonged to BJP workers that had been burnt to the ground. He further said that for the past 2 months, nobody knows the whereabouts of the BJP activists.

Rasheed said that the police had filed no FIRs or complaints in the matter even after rampant post-poll violence in Jadavpur, Bengal.

When on ground, Rasheed began to take a video of the 40 houses that were burnt to the ground. It was then when the mob gheroad him and started threatening him. Speaking to OpIndia, Rasheed said that he had no qualms in saying that the houses belonged to BJP workers and were burnt down by TMC goons. He further said that the mob that was threatening him because he was recording a video of the burnt down houses also consisted of men and women from the TMC.

Political violence in West Bengal

During post-poll violence, over two dozen BJP karyakartas were reportedly killed. In a report submitted by the Group of Intellectuals and Academicians (GIA), it was mentioned that those who suffered the wrath of TMC workers after winning the elections were from marginal sections of Hindu society who had voted for BJP. They said, “The victims primarily belong to the very marginal sections of Hindu society which have voted for the BJP in the assembly elections. The report says, “The main modus operandi of the TMC is to debilitate political opponents by targeting their bodies, economic resources and their psychological wellbeing. This involves physical and sexual attacks, destruction of living spaces, property and means of production however small they are.”

Islamists suffer meltdown after Sikh girl, who was married off to a Muslim man, is set to remarry man from own community: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Islamists suffer meltdown after Sikh girl, who was married off to a Muslim man, is set to remarry man from own community: Details

Manmeet Kaur, one of the two Sikh Girls who was allegedly abducted, forcibly converted to Islam and married off to a Muslim man in Jammu and Kashmir, is going to get remarried to one Sukhbir Singh, with the decision of Panj Pyaaras. The marriage is slated to take place at 12 pm on Tuesday in front of the police as well as the family of the girl.

Sikh activist Amaan Bali took to Twitter to inform that Kaur is all set to remarry a man named Sukhbir Singh, under the auspices of Panj Pyaaras. The girl also gave her consent to the marriage.

Kaur was rescued last night after she was kidnapped and allegedly pressurised to convert to Islam before being married off to a Muslim man. It was reported that Kaur was mentally unstable and was lured by a Muslim man on the pretext of love and marriage to convert her.

Bali also shared audio clips in which the father of the girl expressed his harrowing ordeal. While the speculations were rife whether the girl was kidnapped or not, the father of the girl put paid to these rumours and admitted that his daughter was indeed abducted. In the audio clip, the father could be heard sobbing as he narrates his tribulations and begs to save Sikh daughters in Kashmir, who are vulnerable to abduction and forced conversions.

The father also made explosive claims about the police’s involvement in the case. He said the police was complicit in the entire case and took no action to help the family. The audio conversation of the victim’s father was shared by Amaan Bali on his Twitter page and OpIndia cannot vouch for its authenticity.

The victim’s father pleaded to the community that he would not be able to protect her again and that the culprits will come back for her again. After taking consent from Kaur, the Panj Pyaaras announced her marriage to Sardar Sukhbir Singh.

Islamists suffer a meltdown after the rescued Sikh girl marries a man of her own will

However, no sooner did the Panj Pyaaras announce Manmeet Kaur’s marriage, apologists of Islamists, who had earlier dismissed the incident as a case of consensual marriage and conversion, were outraged that the girl was rescued and remarried to a man from her own community and of her own volition.

Social Media user Ifra Jan could not bring herself to accept that the girl was being remarried to a Sikh man. Ifra, who had earlier defended the alleged forced marriage of the 18-year-old girl as a consensual marriage, suddenly raised questions on the mental faculties of the girl to provide consent for her remarriage to Sukhbir Singh. Jan declared it to be a forced marriage.

Similarly, other apologists of Islamists were also stung by the girl’s remarriage to a Sikh man. Until yesterday those who claimed that the girl was capable enough to take decision for her own marriage started raising questions on the mental capacity of the girl to consent to her marriage to a Sikh man.

The case of abduction and forced religious conversion of Two Sikh girls in Jammu and Kashmir

On June 26, a case of abduction and religious conversion of two Sikh girls came to light from Jammu & Kashmir. As per reports, an 18-year-old Sikh Girl from Badgam district was lured and converted to Islam. Another case was of a girl from Mehjoor Nagar in Srinagar, attended function of her Muslim friend, from where she was reportedly kidnapped and married off to a boy who attended the function. While the girl was not a minor, she is still missing.

The reports of abduction and conversion of two Sikh girls to Islam stirred a massive online furore, with scandalised people demanding action against the culprits. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) also raised the issue on social media platforms urging the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir to intervene.

According to Sardar Santpal Singh, President Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee-Budgam, who narrated the whole incident, one of the two girls was mentally unstable. A Muslim man lured her on the pretext of love and marriage to convert her. He said, “A girl from Sikh community has been forcefully converted to Islam. She is not mentally stable. The man lured her on the pretext of love. It is not a love affair but a clear case of Love Jihad. The government is acting negatively against us.”

He further added that despite written assurance by the SP who was handling the case that she would be handed over back to the Sikh family, the court orders came against them. He said, “The police inspector had assured in writing that the girl would be handed over to them after presenting her in the Court. However, the judge gave the judgement in favour of the Muslim man and handed over the girl to him.”

‘How can an idol which cannot protect itself, protect someone else’: Read how one Tarachand became Tahir as he came out of a Meerut jail

OpIndia Staff
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‘How can an idol which cannot protect itself, protect someone else’: Read how one Tarachand became Tahir as he came out of a Meerut jail

Days after an ISI-funded mass conversion racket was busted by the Uttar Pradesh ATS, another curious case of alleged religious conversion has come to the fore from Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut town. A man had reportedly gone to jail as a Hindu but returned as a Muslim. 46-year-old Tarachand was jailed for three years in connection with the murder of his wife’s lover. When he got out from behind bars on parole, Tarachand had become Tahir. He had grown a beard and started wearing a Muslim skullcap.

When Tarachand aka Tahir returned to his village, people began suspecting that he had adopted Islam in jail. Tarachand’s action attracted fierce criticism from the Hindus in the village. Fearing the wrath, Tarachand shaved off his beard and started telling those around him that he only offers Namaz but has not converted to Islam.

Tarachand started offering Namaz 5 times a day when lodged in Meerut jail

Reportedly when Tarachand was in jail, he shared his barrack with one Usman. Usman and his accomplice helped Tarachand in jail. Usman assisted him in his case and helped him seek his parole.

According to reports, Tarachand’s jail inmates stood by him when his own family abandoned him. None of his family members came to see him during the 43 months he spent in jail. It was Usman and his accomplice who supported him. Usman supposedly even provided financial assistance to Tarachand. This drew him closer to Usman and both became very good friends.

Tarachand’s jail inmate Usman, reportedly introduced him to Islam when the two were in jail. Under Usman’s influence, Tarachand started offering Namaz 5 times a day.

Hindi news daily, Nav Bharat Times, quoted Tarachand as saying: “I’ve been visiting temples and mosques. What’s wrong with that? God cannot be two. It is only one. What difference does it make which approach we take.”

Meerut jail administration say Tarachand did not adopt Islam legally in jail

The jail administration has, however, refuted the allegations that Tarachand went through religious conversion in jail. Brijesh Singh, the Circle officer posted in Kithore, one of the five assembly constituency in Meerut district, also asserted that Tarachand did not convert his religion legally while in jail.

Tarachand tries to brainwash villagers to adopt Islam

Meanwhile, there are allegations that Tarachand, out on parole, has been trying to brainwash people in his village to adopt Islam. Whenever questioned about Islam, Tarachand is of the opinion that in Islam, people are united and stand by each other. Moreover, according to a report by news portal Webdunia, Tarachand often questioned: “How can an idol kept in a Mandir, which cannot protect itself, protect someone else?”

Notably, Tarachand, a resident of Maukas village of Mundali police station area, worked as a driver, when he came in contact with one Mohammed in 2015. The two worked together for almost two years. Tarachand claims that he was drawn towards Islam when he came in contact with Mohammad. He said that he had offered Namaz for the first time in Guwahati when the duo went to Assam.

After Tarachand’s case came to the fore, the intelligence agencies are probing whether the Uttar Pradesh religious conversion racket has its roots in the jails of the state. Demands are also being made to investigate how and from where Tarachand has been getting funds to fight his case in court.

‘Questionable PILs have caused problems to our system’: SC trashes appeal against Central Vista project

OpIndia Staff
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‘Questionable PILs have caused problems to our system’: SC trashes appeal against Central Vista project

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed an appeal filed against the May 31 judgment of the Delhi High Court refusing to halt the construction of the Central Vista redevelopment project amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Bench comprising of Justices AM Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and Aniruddha Bose lashed out at the petitioners for targeting a single public project when construction activities for similar projects are in progress everywhere else.

Justice Maheshwari pointedly questioned Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra, appearing for the petitioners on why was this one project singled out. “Was honest research conducted about the kinds of construction work that were going on? Is that reflected in your petition?” he asked. 

Referring to annexures in the plea, Luthra responded, “We had challenged the permission obtained for Central Vista…We also placed on record the DDMA order which permitted the on-site construction. We placed on record the permission letter from CPWD…movement passes issued were also placed stating it should be allowed as it is an essential service. We stated that it is not an essential service.”

However, the Bench repeatedly made it clear that the project activities were proceeding in compliance with all protocols as observed in the High Court judgement.

“Your concern was the project is non-compliant. But when there is a finding that it is compliant then how is the petition being pursued?” said Justice Khanwilkar concluded.

Luthra then argued that his plea to halt construction was at a time when the pandemic was raging. The Bench then questioned his intention to file an appeal against the High Court order since Luthra claimed his concern was only limited to a certain period and that his concern was responded to by the government and the High Court.

“More particularly, it is during the pendency of the petition, it was placed on record that project was fully complied. This affidavit was not challenged. Despite that, the Petitioners pursued the petition for reasons best known to them,” read the order.

Shifting the goalpost, Luthra also questioned the fine levied against his clients and petitioners Anya Malhotra, a translator, and Sohail Hashmi, a ‘historian’ and documentary filmmaker.

Clarifying that the fine cannot be waived off considering the plea was highly motivated, the order concluded, “They cannot now challenge the findings of HC whose opinion is a possible view. The imposition of Rs. 1 lakhs by HC was on the basis that petition only with regard to one public project and was motivated. We dismiss the plea.”

The Court eventually went on to dismiss the appeal, stating that no interference with the Delhi High Court judgment was warranted.

“Questionable PILs have caused problems to our system. PIL has its own sanctity and is for all of us. But, this is not the way to pursue this,” remarked Justice Maheshwari before dismissing the plea. 

Delhi High Court order

The Delhi Court in May had dismissed the plea seeking suspension of Central Vista project work and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the petitioner for moving a motivated plea. 

Solicitor General Tushar Mehra, representing the Centre, said that the petition was a “facade” and a “disguise” to stall the project which was agreed by the Bench who declared the petition to be highly motivated.

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