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Twitter operated without committee against sexual harassment as required by the Indian law for more than six years: Report

OpIndia Staff
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Twitter operated without committee against sexual harassment as required by the Indian law for more than six years: Report

For all its pontification on upholding individual rights, fighting for freedom of expression, maintaining propriety and sundry other things, Twitter India operated for over six years without a committee on sexual harassment to address grievances of employees, a report published on Sunday Guardian said.

India passed the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act in 2013. Under the law, organisations were required to set up an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to address allegations of sexual harassment.

However, until the end of March 2019, more than six years after the law came into existence, Twitter Communications India Private Limited had not put in place any anti-sexual harassment policy to tackle the cases of sexual harassment within the organisation. And this, despite two instances of sexual harassment taking place in Twitter India offices, one in Delhi and another in Bangalore, prior to March 2019, as per Twitter’s own submission with the Government of India.

In its filing with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) on 19 September 2019 for the financial year April 2018-March 2019, Twitter mentioned that it had not complied with the anti-sexual harassment law passed over six years ago, in 2013.

The statement issued by the company had then read: “The company is in the process of setting up the Internal Complaints Committee as required under the said act. Similarly, the company is in the process of establishing its anti-sexual harassment policy as per the provision of the said act.”

It is worth noting that Twitter was incorporated in India in February 2013 while the anti-sexual harassment at workplaces law was legislated in December 2013.

Twitter India reported two cases of sexual harassment at workplace in six years of its existence

While Twitter remained noncompliant with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, for over six years, there were at least two reported incidents of sexual harassment in Twitter offices.

“Formal written complaint of sexual harassment raised by a Twitter employee in Delhi, X will be included as an IC member in relation to that complaint”, the filing submitted by Twitter India reads. IC here means Internal Committee. The name of the employee has been redacted and replaced with “X”.

The second complaint about sexual harassment at work place, according to Twitter’s filing, reads: “Formal written complaint of sexual harassment raised by a Twitter employee in Bangalore, A and B will be included as IC members in relation to that complaint.” The names of the employees are replaced by alphabets “A” and “B”.”

In its filing, Twitter mentioned that it constituted a five-member Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) comprising its legal counsel, employees from the human resource department and an external member.

As per the provisions of the law, violation of the Act attracts a penalty, including imposition of a fine up to Rs 50,000 and twice the amount of fine for repetition of the same offence. Furthermore, the law also includes provisions for withdrawal, non-renewal or cancellation of business licences, as the case may be, in case of repeated non-compliance.

Twitter’s response to questions asked over non-compliance of the anti-sexual harassment Act

The Sunday Guardian Live approached Twitter with a set of question over its non-compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013.

In its response, Twitter said: “Twitter does not tolerate sexual harassment at the workplace and has established an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in India to address sexual harassment complaints in accordance with Indian law. To date, the ICC has not received any formal complaints of this nature. We disclose this information in our annual filings with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, as required by law.”

Arvind Kejriwal govt tries to cover tracks, says Oxygen Audit Interim Report does not exist: Here is how they are lying blatantly

OpIndia Staff
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Arvind Kejriwal govt tries to cover tracks, says Oxygen Audit Interim Report does not exist: Here is how they are lying blatantly

After the Interim Oxygen Report prepared by a committee appointed by the Supreme Court said that Delhi’s Oxygen demand was four times the actual use, the Delhi govt has decided to defend themselves by claiming that no such report exists. Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia addressed a press conference today after the interim report was reported by the media, and said that BJP leaders are attacking Arvind Kejriwal based on a ‘so-called report’.

He claimed that no such report exists that the BJP leaders are referring to, and the BJP leaders are lying. He claimed that the Delhi govt has talked to the members of the Supreme Court appointed audit committee, and they have said that they have not signed and approved any report. He challenged the BJP to show the report that has been signed and approved by the members of the Oxygen Audit Committee.

He alleged that the report was made in BJP headquarters, and it was being termed as oxygen audit committee report. He harshly criticised the BJP leaders for alleged falsehood against the Delhi govt.

However, as always, the AAP govt is lying, as the Interim Report does exist which has been reported by almost all media houses, including the left-liberal ones that keep attacking the Modi govt. While Manish Sisodia only targeted BJP for the report, media houses like NDTV, Times of India, Business Standard, India Today and others had published reports based on the same Interim Report of the audit committee.

Now it has come to light that the Delhi Government was already informed about the interim report of the audit committee three days ago, and a copy of the same was also sent to them. BJP leader Sambit Patra posted a copy of an affidavit filed by the union govt at the Supreme Court, where it was mentioned that the Sub-Committee for Delhi for oxygen audit has submitted an interim report, and a copy of the same had been forwarded to the Delhi govt.

Affidavit confirming that copy of the interim report was sent to Delhi govt

Patra also posted the screenshot of an e-mail send to Delhi govt officials along with the affidavit on 22nd June.

BJP leader Vijender Gupta also informed that the interim report of the audit has already been submitted to the SC and a copy sent to the Delhi govt.

However, Manish Sisodia continued to claim that the report does not exist, and claimed the report that was submitted at the Supreme Court was prepared at the BJP office. He said that he will take up the matter at the SC.

OpIndia has accessed the report, and it can be confirmed that the report does exist, contrary to the claims of the Deputy CM. However, as it is only an interim report, it has not been signed by anyone. But the entire report is based on the minutes of several meetings held by the sub-committee with various officials, and those minutes have been included in the report as Appendix A. All those minutes are signed by Dr. Vijaydeep Siddharth, Hospital Administration, AIIMS Delhi.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14th May show that Committee had found the Delhi hospitals were submitting wrong data, based on which the Delhi govt was making exaggerated demand for oxygen. After correcting the wrong data, the Committee had found that the demand was 4 times the actual consumption. The minutes also mention how tankers had to wait long times as there were not enough storage capacities to store liquid medical oxygen in Delhi.

Therefore, contrary to the claims of the Delhi government, the sub-committee appointed as per Supreme Court order to audit Oxygen demand and consumption in Delhi has submitted its interim report, and a copy of the same has already been sent to the Delhi govt. As it is an interim report, it has not been signed by the committee members. However, it is unlikely that the final report will be much different from the interim report.

The fact will remain that the Delhi govt was demanding much more oxygen than what was required by it, which has been proved by several different aspects. Other states with similar Covid-19 case loads were using far less oxygen compared to Delhi. It was found that despite demanding more oxygen, Delhi govt was unable to store them, and the tankers had to wait for hours as the tanks were already full, which has caused a disruption in the oxygen supply chain in entire north India.

Kerala Women’s Panel chief MC Josephine resigns from post after rude behaviour towards violence victim sparks outrage

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala Women’s Panel chief MC Josephine resigns from post after rude behaviour towards violence victim sparks outrage

Kerala Women’s Panel chairperson MC Josephine has tendered her resignation from her post on Friday following the controversy over her rude and callouse response to a victim of demestic violence.

According to the reports, MC Josephine resigned from her post on the directions of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). The CPI(M) reportedly demanded Josephine’s resignation a day after she had sparked a fresh controversy by displaying arrogance in front of an aggrieved woman on live TV.

Earlier this week, during a Malayalam call-in show, Josephine had snapped at a woman for complaining about domestic violence and had asked her to “suffer” for not approaching the police after being assaulted by her husband and mother-in-law. The incident occurred during a live phone-in programme that was held by a Malayalam news channel – Manorama news, where the chairperson was responding to people’s grievances.

The CPI(M) party members were reportedly upset over comments made by Josephine and had decided against defending her in the latest controversy even as she received widespread criticisms arose over rude behaviour. The CPI(M) party had taken up the matter very seriously, and held an elaborative meeting at the secretariat on Thursday. During the meeting, it was decided to demand her resignation from the post.

MC Josephine was serving as women’s panel chief since 2017 and still had 11 months left to her term.

The controversy:

On Thursday, a video went viral on the internet, in which Kerala Women’s Commission MC Josephine had displayed her arrogant behaviour against a domestic violence victim on live TV and asked her to “suffer” for not approaching the police after being assaulted by her husband and mother-in-law.

Josephine, who has a history of overlooking complaints made by victims in Kerala, was seen disinterested in addressing victims’ complaints. During the show, a lady named Libina had telephoned the women’s panel chief to complain against her husband and mother-in-law for domestic violence.

However, Josephine was seen behaving in a rude and angry manner with the victim. As she enquired regarding her complaint, the woman alleged that her husband would beat her up every day. In response, Josephine asked whether Libina had approached the police to complain about the violence.

As the woman responded with a ‘no’, Josephine arrogantly asked her to “suffer” for not going to the police to lodge a formal complaint.

The incident has triggered a storm of negative feedback on social media. Several people had condemned the insensitive behaviour of the women’s commission chairperson towards a victim of violence and her disregard for the victim’s mental state.

This was not the first time that MC Josephine has involved in such controversies. The left leader has a history of displaying her arrogance and insensitivity towards women victims, and there are allegations that she has protected Communist leaders accused of grave crimes against women.

After suicide attempt, Baba Ka Dhaba owner accuses YouTubers of pushing him into depression

OpIndia Staff
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After suicide attempt, Baba Ka Dhaba owner accuses YouTubers of pushing him into depression

On Thursday (June 24), Baba ka Dhaba owner Kanta Prasad accused ‘some Youtubers’ of pushing him to the brink of depression, reported The Indian Express. He made the allegations after being discharged from the Safdarjung hospital following an alleged suicide attempt.

In a statement made before the police, Prasad had claimed that several Youtubers called and coerced him to apologise to Youtuber Gaurav Wasan. He said that he fell into depression due to the alleged Youtubers. Although the police did not register a First Information Report (FIR), they initiated a probe into the role played by the unnamed Youtubers in abetting his suicide attempt.

Earlier, Karan Prasad, the son of the owner of Baba ka Dhaba, had claimed that his father fell unconscious after taking sleeping pills with alcohol. The family said that he was in depression due to the loss incurred to his business. While speaking about the matter, DCP (South District) Atul Kumar Thakur informed that Kanta Prasad’s condition is stable and that he has been discharged from the hospital.

Baba Ka Dhaba story so far: Fame, fund misappropriation, apology, reconciliation, and suicide

On 7th October 2020, a video was shot by YouTube channel Swad official’s Gaurav Wasan featuring Kanta Prasad and his wife. The duo was seen weeping over financial difficulties. The couple ran an eatery in Malviya Nagar, Delhi, and was facing a hard time due to lockdown. The video was shared widely by netizens and celebrities who urged everyone to help the couple. The small eatery was also extensively covered by mainstream media and donations poured in from all corners.

On 26th October, Youtuber Lakshay Choudhary came forward and alleged that Gaurav Wasan of Swad Official, who initially made the video of the elderly couple, has not yet paid them the donation money he collected on their behalf. Choudhary also alleged that several influencers gave their own account details instead of providing Kanta Prasad’s account details that led to a massive ‘scam’.

Wasan then posted a video presenting a cheque worth ₹2.33 lakh to Kanta Prasad. However, some netizens alleged that he had said in a video interview to another YouTuber that he had received over 20 lakh rupees for the cause. Netizens had demanded that Wasan should share images of his bank statement for at least a week from 7th October to show how much money he has collected. He later claimed to have transferred ₹3.78 lakhs to the eatery owner.

Kanta Prasad then filed a case, alleging that he has received a cheque of ₹2.33 lakhs from Wasan and has no idea about the remaining amount. The YouTuber accused the Baba ka Dhaba owner of defamation and said that he had given two cheques to Kanta Prasad, one of Rs 1 lakh and another one of Rs 2.33 lakhs. Besides, an amount of Rs 45,000 was transferred to Prasad via PayTM.

Following the controversy, Baba ka Dhaba owner started his own restaurant in Malviya Nagar, Delhi, where he served Indian and Chinese cuisines. However, he closed that venture and returned to his roadside stall as he was losing money in it. In a recent video, Prasad had tendered his apology to the Youtuber. On June 18, it was reported that Kanta Prasad allegedly attempted suicide and was found overdosed with sleeping tablets. He was then admitted to Safdarjung Hospital and has now been discharged.

Islamists defend Mohd Umar Gautam, who was running ISI-funded conversion racket targeting differently-abled children and women

OpIndia Staff
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Islamists defend Mohd Umar Gautam, who was running ISI-funded conversion racket targeting differently-abled children and women

A day after Maulana Mohammed Umar Gautam was sent to seven-day remand for running an ISI-funded conversion racket, Islamists took to Twitter to defend the accused on Thursday. The primary target of the cleric was poor differently-abled children and women.

UP-based ‘journalist’ Ali Sohrab, infamous for spreading fake news, wrote, “Indian media running propaganda against Maulana Umar Gautam to make him a villain. They are demonising him and using provocative language so that he doesn’t get any kind of support. #StandWithUmarGautam”

Screengrab of the tweet

Islamist party, named after tyrant Tipu Sultan, alleged, “Whenever elections are announced in the country, the target is only and only Muslim. #StandWithUmarGautam.”

Screengrab of the tweet

Another Muslim woman claimed that Umar Gautam was exercising his power under Article 25 (Right to Religion) of the Indian Constitution. Sayed wrote, “Despite Article 25 guaranteeing the freedom to propagate religion, Muslims get arrested for doing the same. India’s secular fabric has been torn to pieces where Hindutva goons get away with riots, but Muslims don’t even have the protection of the Constitution. #StandWithUmarGautam”

Screengrab of the Twitter post

One Nayef Abdur Rahman gave a clean chit to Maulana Umar Gautam and his aide Mufti Jehnagir He claimed that there is ‘not an iota of truth’ in the accusations of the duo converting people through coercion and enticement..

Screengrab of the tweet

While justifying forced conversions, a radical Islamist emphasised, “Allah has clearly mentioned in the Quran to call each other towards Haqq. Hidayat is in Allah’s hands only but as a Muslim it is our duty to learn Deen (religion) and spread its message. That’s what Maulana Umar Gautam was doing. And we stand with him unconditionally. #StandWithUmarGautam.”

Screengrab of the tweet

On Thursday, Islamists had planned to execute a Twitter storm at 9:30 pm. Hoping for all Muslims to join the trend, one Zubair Memon wrote, “Ishallah full Ummah of India #StandWithUmarGautam. Be ready tonight at 9:30 pm.”

Screengrab of the tweet.

On June 21, the Uttar Pradesh ATS has arrested two men identified as Umar Gautam and Mufti Qazi Jehangir involved in illegal religious conversions. According to police, women, and physically challenged children were their targets. The duo was arrested from the Jamia Nagar area in Delhi. Prashant Kumar, Uttar Pradesh ADG (Law and Order), said that the arrested were running a conversion racket that was being funded by Pakistan’s spy agency ISI. He added, “The accused were using enticement, provocation and deceit to convert people apart from creating distrust and promoting enmity among different communities.”

Umar Gautam who is a convert himself revealed that they converted around 250-300 people every year. During the interrogation, Umar also informed that they targeted people from the economically weaker section of the society including women, children, and the disabled. They were also getting the women married so that they do not return to their original faith. Gautam confessed to having converted around 1,500 children at school for the deaf and mute in Noida after the school management was enticed with promises of employment and money.

Moreover, the converted children were being sent to a Southern state. The police approached the parents of such children. Gautam and his aide were booked under Sections 420, 120 B, 153A, 153B, 295, and 511 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 3/5 the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance-2020. They have been sent to 7-day remand on Wednesday (June 23).

Young women speak up against ‘hate sex’ and the conspiracy of silence against sexual targeting of ‘Sanghi’ women

OpIndia Staff
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Young women speak up against ‘hate sex’ and the conspiracy of silence against sexual targeting of ‘Sanghi’ women

A phenomenon has been observed in recent times. Sexual perversion is highlighted and condemned based on the political ideology of the perverts in question. A few days ago, a Clubhouse discussion had gone viral where liberal participants were heard expressing their desire to have ‘hate sex’ with Sanghis.

The discussion was condemned by multiple individuals across the board but most prominent ‘feminist’ activists refused to voice their condemnation of the same because the offenders here belonged to the same ideological camp. Some event attempted to justify the ‘hate sex’ conversation saying that the man who spoke in an extremely derogatory manner was gay.

Young women have now come forward to condemn such hypocrisy.

“I am given the hope that we as a society are breaking barriers, curbing social evils, busting taboos. I am given the hope that times are changing, I am given the reassurance that women have begun to stand with each other, fight for each other. I am told that there is a movement which considers all women as equals,” the women in the video say.

They add, “But then I realise, this movement is not all women. It chooses women based on ideology. It is not for women who stand for their country. It is not for women who practice their faith with sincerity. And it is not for women who take pride in their culture.”

The young women state further, “We are called Bhakts, cow piss drinkers, jingoists. Hate against us is mainstreamed and normalised to the extent that violence against us is justified by the very feminists of the left. What can be sadder than the fact that those who shout from the rooftops against sexual abuse laughed at the obnoxious call to rape women of a certain ideology whom they brand as a Sanghi?”

“Woke and self-proclaimed feminist males have further added despicable details for hate-sex against the ‘Sanghi’ women. This is a warped world where influencers become enablers of rape and hate,” they add.

“What is this ugliness? Why is it being allowed to breed? Can the civil society please step up to not legitimise this plan to trap and rape women?” They ask.

Women speak up against ‘hate sex’ discussion

Kamya, one of the women who feature in the video, says, “As a British Indian, I’ve grown up having a deep reverence for my Hindu roots and ancient culture. The idea of only standing for women when they belong to the left is a gross injustice in society, and just the tip of the iceberg in terms of ignored and denied hate crimes against the indigenous, which is rooted in a mentality of 1000 years of colonial atrocities.”

“This is not just about a joke, this is about a deep rooted hatred towards Hindus, who are labelled as ‘Sanghis’ for standing up for their culture, a modern form of shaming that is rooted in the persecution of all indigenous cultures, the burning of the witches and the Divine Feminine principle. I hope that we can build a society where all women of all backgrounds are heard and seen, with honesty and compassion,” she added.

Shruti Gera, another women who featured in the video, says, “Through the OpIndia article, I found out about this shameful incident and felt vulnerable as a right-wing woman. In the current scenario when we know how women were raped and assaulted for simply being BJP supporters in West Bengal and some like Nikita Tomar murdered in broad daylight for not converting; this audio clip was very concerning especially since it had known influencers as a part of this criminal conversation and most so called liberal leftists just laughed it off. Why would it not outrage me?”

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri said in the context of the ‘hate sex’ conversation that a lot of the times, he comes across individuals who subscribe to the liberal and Woke ideology and spread hatred against those who do not subscribe to their ideology. He said that the words spoken in the Clubhouse discussion under question were communal and bigoted.

“What happens is that these Clubhouse rooms attract 10 thousand, 8 thousand, 15 thousand people and a lot of young people sit there. Very very young people, impressionable age and these people get influenced and they think this is the right way to talk publicly. If this is what all these social media influencers and celebrities are going to talk like this, then we are definitely cultivating and nurturing violence and hate against women, men and people who do not agree with you. In my view, this is a crime against equality, crime against humanity,” he said.

“I went with Mantosh Saini on my will, no one pressurised me”, Fazilat Khatoon clears the air about the Madhubani ‘kidnapping’ case

OpIndia Staff
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“I went with Mantosh Saini on my will, no one pressurised me”, Fazilat Khatoon clears the air about the Madhubani ‘kidnapping’ case

A 16-year-old Muslim girl named Fazilat Khatoon went missing from her house in Balha Ghat under Bisfi police station area in Madhubani district, Bihar, a week ago. The girl’s mother Azmati Khatoon, had filed a case against a Hindu Dalit youth, Mantosh Saini and 2 of his friends for her alleged kidnapping.

Image via Twitter user @bhagwalovetrap

Now the girl has released a video statement where she admits to running away on her free will and urges authorities not to take any action against Mantosh Saini and his family.

In the video shared by Twitter user Mihir Jha, the 16-year-old girl can be heard saying, “I ran away with Mantosh Saini on my and my parents will. I was not coerced nor was I abducted by Mantosh. My parents, in fact, tried to convince me all this while to run away and marry Mantosh. They told me that he was wealthy and would keep me happy. And now that I am living with him, they want to ruin our life”.

She added that under influence of other people, her mother has now filed a case against Mantosh Saini. “She wants to ruin Mantosh’s family and separate me from him”, deplored the 16-year-old Fazilat.

Divulging further details of how her parents tortured and coerced her to marry Mantosh, the 16-year old Fazilat Khatoon says in her video statement that this was not the first time she ran away from the house. Prior to this, when she fled, Mantosh brought her back home. Her parents were infuriated to see her back. Her mother started torturing and beating her up, revealed Fazilat.

She added that from the time she returned home, her parents began to exert pressure on her to go back to Mantosh. Fed up with the harsh treatment meted out at her by her parents, Fazilat asked Manitosh to take her away. “At first, Mantosh refused, but due to my constant persuasion, Mantosh finally agreed to take me away”, said the Muslim girl urging authorities not to take any sort of action against Mantosh and his family.

“I have come to live with Mantosh at the behest of my parents and uncles and aunts. Now I refuse to go back. If at all they force me, they will have to take my dead body with them”, lamented the Muslim girl.

Notably, the girl’s family has accused a total of 3 boys, including Mantosh Sahni, of having abducted their daughter, Fazilat Khatoon. After the news spread, members of Majlis Madhubani Bisfi met with the family of the victim and assured them justice. A local AIMIM leader also met Fazilat’s family and assured them that strict action would be taken against the Dalit boy, his friends and his family. In fact, AIMIM also held a press conference in this regard.

However, now after the Fazilat’s statement, it becomes absolutely clear that there was no coercion from the boy’s side. The girl went with Mantosh on her own free will, that too after she was compelled by her parents.

After John McAfee’s mysterious death in jail, US whistleblower Edward Snowden warns Wikileaks founder Julian Assange ‘could be next’

OpIndia Staff
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After John McAfee’s mysterious death in jail, US whistleblower Edward Snowden warns Wikileaks founder Julian Assange ‘could be next’

Former NSA consultant and data privacy advocate Edward Snowden on Wednesday warned that Wikileaks founder Julian Assange “could be next” after antivirus mogul John McAfee apparently committed suicide following news that he was being extradited to the United States on criminal tax evasion charges.

In a tweet, Snowden said, “Europe should not extradite those accused of non-violent crimes to a court system so unfair—and prison system so cruel—that native-born defendant would rather die than become subject to it. Julian Assange could be next. Until the system is reformed, a moratorium should remain.”

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is lodged in a UK jail since April 2019. A Britain court had temporarily blocked his extradition to the US in January 2021 on 18 charges, most through the Espionage Act, of obtaining and sharing classified information. The court also cited Assange’s mental health problems to declare he would be at risk of suicide.

Despite the court hearing, Assange continues to languish in Britain’s toughest hail, HMP Belmarsh. He was denied bail ahead of an appeal hearing because he was deemed as a flight risk. Assange is facing allegations of plotting to hack computers and conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defence information.

Antivirus software mogul John McAfee found dead under mysterious circumstances in his jail cell in Spain

John McAfee, the antivirus software pioneer, died suspiciously inside his jail cell in Spain on June 23. According to jail authorities, McAfee ended his life inside the jail premises hours after a Spanish court had approved his extradition to the United States, where he is accused of tax evasion and other financial offences.

According to the reports, McAfee was found hanging at the Brians 2 prison in northeastern Spain on Wednesday. The security personnel who found him dead immediately tried to revive him, but their efforts went in vain. The jail’s medical team finally certified his death, a statement from the regional Catalan government said.

Incidentally, McAfee’s alleged suicide came just hours after the National Court of Spain had ordered his extradition to the United States, where he is wanted in several cases. Even though the court’s ruling was open for appeal and also approval was needed from the Spanish Cabinet, McAfee allegedly ended his life fearing extradition.

In his last tweet published on June 18, McAfee wrote: “All power corrupts. Take care which powers you allow a democracy to wield.”

Delhi Police arrests Nazir Hussain, Zulfikar Wazir, Aiaz Hussain and Muzammil Hussain in connection with the Israel Embassy blast

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi Police arrests Nazir Hussain, Zulfikar Wazir, Aiaz Hussain and Muzammil Hussain in connection with the Israel Embassy blast

The Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested four students from Kargil in connection with the blast near the Israel embassy in January this year.

According to the reports, the Delhi Police have arrested four young men from Kargil – Nazir Hussain (26), Zulfikar Ali Wazir (25), Aiaz Hussain (28) and Muzammil Hussain (25) in connection with the Israel Embassy bomb blast case. The Delhi Police said that all of them are residents of Thang village in Ladakh’s Kargil district.

In a joint operation with the Ladakh police, the Special Cell officers arrested these alleged students from Kargil in connection with the conspiracy to plan and execute terror activities in the national capital and brought them to Delhi on transit remand for further questioning.

During its investigation, the Delhi police had scanned over 100 CCTVs footages installed in and around the embassy. In one such footage, the Delhi Police Special Cell had spotted two men walking on the pavement before the blast. The two men had covered their faces and walked on the road. One of them wearing a jacket was spotted carrying a bag with him, the police had said.

While the blast case is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the Delhi Police Special Cell had registered a case of criminal conspiracy in the same matter. The NIA is likely to seek the custody of the four persons arrested by Delhi police.

A minor IED blast took place outside the Embassy of Israel in the heart of Lutyens’ Delhi on January 29, 2021. There were no casualties, but five cars that were parked in the area suffered damage in the explosion that occurred about 150 metres away from the embassy on the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road.

Following the blast, the Ministry of Home Affairs had handed over the probe of the blast to the National Investigation Agency on February 2.

Incidentally, the blasts at the Israel Embassy had come just a few days after Khalistani extremists had stormed the national capital on January 26, on Republic Day, who had desecrated the national flag at Red Fort and hoisted other flags from its ramparts.

SP leader Abdul Ansari urges Akhilesh Yadav to adopt TMC’s ‘Khela Hobe’ slogan, which inspired violence, ahead of 2022 UP elections

OpIndia Staff
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SP leader Abdul Ansari urges Akhilesh Yadav to adopt TMC’s ‘Khela Hobe’ slogan, which inspired violence, ahead of 2022 UP elections

Ahead of the 2022 State Legislative polls in Uttar Pradesh, Samajwadi Party (SP) has adopted the election slogan of ‘Khela Hobe‘ from the Trinamool Congress (TMC). This is despite the fact that the slogan was used by the Mamata Banerjee-run-party to mobilise its foot soldiers to unleash violence during and after the West Bengal Vidhan Sabha elections.

While the original slogan is in Bengali, SP adopted the Bhojpuri version of ‘Khela Hobe‘. As per reports, the tweaked slogan was found written on the walls in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, adjacent to the Samajwadi party’s election symbol of the cycle. “2022 mein khela hoi,” read the new slogan of Samajwadi party. It must be mentioned that Varanasi is the Lok Sabha constituency of PM Narendra Modi.

Reportedly, the slogan was written by ex-MLA and Samajwadi party leader Abdul Samad Ansari. He had put the slogan on the walls of his entire building. Moreover, he has urged the Samajwadi party leader Akhilesh Yadav to do the same thing in line with Trinamool Congress workers in West Bengal. Ansari alleged, “The way Didi and people of Bengal have played with the BJP, similarly Bhojpuri society will play with the ruling party.”

‘Khela Hobe’ and the vicious cycle of violence in West Bengal

Mamata Banerjee had coined the term ‘Khela hobe’ (we will have a match) as Trinamool Congress’ election slogan, ahead of the West Bengal Vidhan Sabha polls. Initially, it appeared as harmless banter but soon turned into a political slugfest. TMC members made a wall painting in Bengal wherein Mamata Banerjee was seen hitting PM Modi’s head instead of a football.

Meanwhile, the West Bengal CM continued to provoke her party workers to retaliate against the central armed forces and BJP workers. Several instances of violence were reported during the various stages of polling. State BJP president Dilip Ghosh alleged his convoy was attacked in Cooch Behar with not just stones and bricks but also bombs by TMC workers. The residence of scientist Govardhan Das was also ambushed by the miscreants, resulting him being trapped in his own house along with other family members.

Women in West Bengal have moved the Supreme Court narrating the details of the horrifying gang-rapes they were subjected to in the post-poll violence by the members of ruling party. They have sought SIT probe into all the incidents as well as alleged inaction of the police. 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

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