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Antilia bomb scare: NIA arrests Shiv Sena leader and ex-police officer Pradeep Sharma

OpIndia Staff
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Antilia bomb scare: NIA arrests Shiv Sena leader and ex-police officer Pradeep Sharma

On June 17, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Shiv Sena leader and former encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma in the Antilia bomb scare case and Mansukh Hiran murder case. As per reports, NIA had conducted a raid at Sharma’s JB Nagar residence in Andheri (suburb) on Thursday morning. Pradeep Sharma Foundation, an NGO run by Sharma, was also raided by the investigation agency. The raid was conducted along with armed CRPF personnel at around 6 AM.

Reports suggest that he is being questioned by NIA in connection to the cases. His name came up during the investigation when another accused mentioned him. India Today reported that evidence in form of technical data also highlighted his possible role in the bomb scare and murder case. The security forces blocked the roads that led to his residence, and the public movement in the area was restricted. After learning about the raid, Mumbai police personnel were also deployed at the spot. Notably, Sharma was questioned for two days at his office in South Mumbai as well.

So far, the central investigation agency has arrested former police officers Sachin Waze, Riyazuddin Kazi, Sunil Mane, former police constable Vinayak Shinde, cricket bookie Naresh Gour, Santosh Shelar and Anand Jadhav for their alleged involvement in the cases. According to NIA, Shelar and Jadhav were involved in planning the SUV with explosives near Mukesh Ambani’s residence.

Sharma has been sent to police custody till June 28.

Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiran’s murder case

On February 25, an SUV laden with explosives was found parked outside the Mumbai residence of Reliance Industries owner Mukesh Ambani. Vaze, who had taken the onus to investigate the case, was the first to reach the spot. He reported discovering gelatine sticks in the parked car with a threatening letter from a terrorist organization. Later, the letter turned out to be fake.

The SUV was traced back to Thane-based businessman Mansukh Hiran who was found dead under mysterious circumstances a few days later. Soon, Maharashtra ATS took over the case after links between Vaze and Hiran emerged. Notably, Vaze was suddenly reinstated to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch after facing a suspension that lasted more than 15 years as he was facing a custodial death case.

The case was later handed over to NIA. The agency arrested Vaze’s former colleague at CIU, assistant police inspector Riyazuddin Kazi, former policeman Vinayak Shinde and cricket bookie Naresh Ramniklal Gor. During the investigation, Vaze accused the former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh of demanding Rs 2 crore to retain him in the police force. On April 24, CBI filed a case against Deshmukh for corruption and misuse of power. ED also filed a case against him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

What is green fungus, and what are its early symptoms? How to prevent infection: All you need to know

OpIndia Staff
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What is green fungus, and what are its early symptoms? How to prevent infection: All you need to know

After Black fungus, White fungus, and then Yellow fungus, now ‘Green fungus’ has become a major concern for the Covid-19 patients in the country.

A case of Green fungus infection has been reported in a Covid-19 survivor in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore, which according to doctors, is possibly the first such reported case in the country. The 34-year-old, who had recovered from Covid-19, was infected with the Green fungus and he has been reportedly shifted to Mumbai’s Hinduja Hospital by air ambulance for treatment.

So what is this Green fungus?

Green fungus, also known as ‘Aspergillosis’, is a rare infection caused by commonly found species of fungi known as Aspergillus. This particular infection can cause bleeding from the nose and high fever. The Green fungus can also cause severe weight loss and weakness.

There are over 180 known species of Aspergillus, however, fewer than 40 species are known to cause infection in humans, as per CDC. The common species that cause infection are A. flavus, A. terreus, A. niger

The fungus is found both indoors and outdoors, and most people breathe in Aspergillus spores every day.

The doctors have recorded all these symptoms in the Covid-19 recovered patient who was airlifted from Indore to Mumbai. However, doctors are yet to find the exact effects of the green fungus infection, and they are of the view that more research is needed on the nature of green fungus infection in people who have recovered from Covid-19.

Causes of green fungus infection

According to experts, one can be affected by Aspergillosis or Green Fungus from simply breathing microscopic spores of the aspergillus fungus. In normal circumstances, the body’s immune system suppresses the growth of any spores within the body, however, in certain cases, the body cannot suppress the growth of the spores.

Patients with weak immune systems and those recovering or suffering from lung diseases like Covid-19 are at a higher risk of developing aspergillosis. The cause of the rising number of fungal infections in Covid-19 patients has been attributed to various factors, including lung damage, overuse of steroids, weakened immune system, and lowered infection control in overworked hospitals.

Fungal diseases are not communicable as they cannot transmit from one human to another or between people and animals.

Experts say that Aspergillosis or Green Fungus infection is just another colour-coded fungal disease developing in Covid-19 patients and survivors. Earlier, it was black fungus, also known as mucormycosis, then came white fungus, aka candida, and last came the yellow fungus, also known as aspergillosis. According to experts, fungal infections have been named for different colours, but the same species of fungi are often causing them.

AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria has recently said, “There are various types of fungal infections such as candida, aspergillosis, cryptococcus, histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis. Mucormycosis, candida and aspergillosis are the ones observed more in those with low immunity.”

What are the common symptoms of Green fungus?

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, invasive aspergillosis infections can have the following symptoms: Fever, Chest pain, Cough, Coughing up blood, Shortness of breath.

The CDC has also advised that patients, who have recently suffered or recovered from lung diseases like Covid-19, or people with currently weakened immune systems to protect themselves by avoiding dust, soil and other small particulate matter from entering their lungs by avoiding such areas and using N95 respirator masks.

How can oneself prevent from fungal infections?

As per health experts, fungal infections can only be prevented by maintaining good hygiene, oral and physical cleanliness. One should avoid areas with a lot of dust and stored contaminated water.

If one cannot avoid visiting these areas, they should maintain proper hygiene standards and wear an N95 respirator for prevention. Avoiding activities that involve close contact with soil or dust and washing your face and hands with soap and water regularly can keep you protected from such fungal infections.

What are Black, White and Yellow Fungus?

The life-threatening infection – ‘Black Fungus’ known as mucormycosis, has now been detected in Delhi, Maharashtra, and Gujarat among Covid-19 patients. Mucormycosis or Black Fungus is a serious but rare fungal infection caused by a killer fungus – Mucor. It is believed that the fungal attacks are generally affecting Covid-19 recovered patients who have other comorbidities like diabetes, kidney or heart failure, cancer. In addition, patients who were administered steroids or have had a transplant are also facing symptoms.

White fungus, also known as candidiasis, is a serious fungal infection. According to the CDC, white fungus or invasive candidiasis will affect the blood, heart, brain, eyes, bones, or other parts of the body. Invasive candidiasis is caused by a yeast called Candida. However, it is not contagious in most cases.

Meanwhile, Yellow fungus causes laziness, loss of appetite, and weight loss in Covid-19 patients. In severe cases, the patient may experience pus leakage, a slow rate of healing of wounds, malnutrition, organ failure, and sunken eyes. The Yellow fungus infection is caused primarily due to poor hygiene.

Amidst the Mumbai housing society Covid ‘vaccination drive fraud’, here is how societies can organise vaccination drives

OpIndia Staff
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Amidst the Mumbai housing society Covid ‘vaccination drive fraud’, here is how societies can organise vaccination drives

Mumbai Police and the civic body Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday launched an investigation after residents of a plush housing society in Mumbai’s Kandivali area alleged that they have been the victims of a Covid vaccination drive fraud.

The residents of Mumbai’s Hiranandani Estate Society have alleged that the Covid-19 vaccines given to them during the private vaccination camp organised in their society on May 30 were possibly fake. Residents filed a complaint at the Kandivli police station after they spotted several irregularities in the entire process.

Based on the complaint, the police have detained two people and are investigating the matter.

The Mumbai housing society Covid vaccination drive scam

The vaccination camp was reportedly held in Mumbai’s Hiranandani Estate Society on May 30. As many as 390 members received the jabs at the camp at Rs 1,260 per person. The vaccine recipients of the housing society said that none of them developed any sort of side effects after being inoculated. This raised doubts in the mind of the people of the society.

Moreover, residents were told that the vaccinations would be given to them by Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Andheri. However, once they began to receive immunisation certificates, that too after 10-15 days, they discovered that their vaccines came from Nanavati Max Super Speciality, Lifeline Hospitals, and NESCO Jumbo Centre. This further raised the resident’s concern that something was amiss.

Furthermore, none of the recipients had registered on the Government’s CoWin App before being inoculated, which is a mandatory process. They were registered after being vaccinated. After receiving the vaccination the recipients received phone calls requesting the CoWin OTP. Following this, they received their certificates which were full of wrong information, like date of vaccination, name of hospital etc.

These three hospitals, whose name appeared on the vaccination certificates, denied ever delivering vaccines to the housing society in question when approached. The Kokilaben Ambani Hospital also claimed that no vaccines were ever given to society members.

This purported vaccination scam has sent the people of Mumbai, the state administration and hospital officials into a tizzy. While the state police and civic body investigate this shocking incident, it is crucial that people view it as a wake-up call. At the very least, they should have a rough idea of what has to be done in order to run COVID-19 immunisation drives on their premises.

First and foremost it is extremely important for housing societies and corporate offices to ensure all the paperwork is in place before organising COVID-19 vaccination drives on their premises.

The government of India has issued detailed guidelines for doorstep vaccination drives, which needs to be followed by housing societies, corporate offices and hospitals if such drives are to be planned.

The Government guidelines to organise a Covid vaccination drive near you

As per the central government guidelines, the COVID-19 vaccination sessions may be organized at private places which are having about 100 eligible and willing beneficiaries (to facilitate optimal utilization of vaccine dosage and reduce wastage) for COVID-19 vaccination.

The places which could be used as Near to Home COVID Vaccination Centres (NHCVC) would be identified by the District Task Force (DTF) chaired by District Magistrate and Urban Task Force (UTF) chaired by the Municipal Commissioner.

These places would be pre-identified in collaboration with community groups and resident welfare associations (RWA). Such sites could be at Panchayat Bhawan, Sub-Health Centres and Health and Wellness Centres with the availability of adequate space, community halls, RWA premises, polling booths, schools etc.

These spaces should be big enough to accomodate a vaccination chamber and a waiting space with appropriate access for the target group, for example ramp for wheel chair access and observation room to ensure waiting for 30 minutes post vaccination as per MoHFW Operational Guidelines.

Once an NHCVC is identified and has fulfilled the above-stated criteria, it will be linked to an existing Covid vaccination centre (CVC) for vaccination purpose. The CVC in charge, in turn, shall be responsible for providing vaccine, logistics and human resources required for vaccination.

The NHCVC will be then required to register on the central government’s CoWIN portal. The name of NHCVC should be recorded in the CoWIN App as full name and not as abbreviation for clarity.

DTF /UTF will be responsible for planning and implementation of vaccination at the NHCVC

A Nodal Officer to coordinate with district health authorities/ private COVID Vaccination Centres (CVCs) and support vaccination activities will be appointed. This Nodal Officer will monitor and support all aspects of vaccination at the Near Home CVC, including beneficiary registration, physical and IT infrastructure availability, and vaccination oversight, among other things.

Each team at NHCVC will comprise of five members:

  • Team Leader (necessarily a Doctor).
  • The Vaccinator and Vaccination Officer 1 for Co-WIN registration and/or verification of beneficiary.
  • Vaccination Officer-2 and 3 for crowd control, assistance to vaccinator, ensuring 30 minutes observation of beneficiaries following vaccination for any AEFI and any other support.

The eligibility for COVID-19 vaccination at NHCVC

  • All individuals above 60 years of age with no vaccination or first dose vaccination.
  • All individuals below 60 years with disability due to physical or medical conditions.

Registration and appointment through Co-WIN

Meanwhile, the beneficiaries would have to mandatorily pre-register on the CoWin App before taking the jibe.

The NHCVC nodal officer shall ensure that all targeted beneficiaries are registered on the government app. In the case of a workplace, on-the-spot registration shall also, be available only to employees of the workplace (the family members of employees must be registered on the CoWIN portal before vaccination).

The full list of beneficiaries, as available in Co-WIN, will be visible to all verifiers and
vaccinations. Verification will be done by Verifier (Vaccination Officer-1) preferably using the beneficiaries Aadhar. In case, Aadhar authentication is not possible for any reason, the Verifier will verify the identity and eligibility of the beneficiary from the photo ID Card indicated by the beneficiary at the time of registration on the CoWin App.

The beneficiary is required to carry the photo ID which he or she has used to register on the app.

Apart from Aadhar, other IDs approved by the MoHFW are:

  • Electoral photo identity card (EPIC)
  • Passport
  • Driving license
  • PAN Card
  • Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR
  • Pension Document with Photograph

If a beneficiary’s identification and eligibility are verified, the beneficiary will be vaccinated and his or her vaccination status will be updated, otherwise, the beneficiary will not be vaccinated.

Vaccination certificate available on CoWin App

All Vaccination must be recorded in real-time through the Co-WIN Vaccinator Module on the same day. The beneficiary’s digital immunisation certificate will be generated through Co-WIN, which could be downloaded by the beneficiary.

Workplace CVC Nodal Person will be responsible for providing a printed copy of the vaccination certificate to the beneficiary on site after the first and second doses.

The churn in Bengal BJP is normal and on expected lines. Here is why I don’t worry too much about it

Abhishek Banerjee
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The churn in Bengal BJP is normal and on expected lines. Here is why I don’t worry too much about it

So Mukul Roy left. Many others are looking to leave. Mamata Banerjee is on a rampage. After the 2019 jolt and her apparent weakness till 2021, she is solidifying her power again. Or at least it looks that way to a lot of people. You can find the naysayers everywhere, shaking their heads. Who will vote for the BJP again?

Calm down please and stop worrying. Let me tell you who will vote for BJP. The voters, who else?

After the peak optimism of the 2019-21 period, the last 2 months might feel like a letdown. In those two years, the BJP ranks were swelling every day. Every TMC MLA who had some reason to be unhappy with Mamata Banerjee walked in through the BJP’s open door. After all, there was a buzz about BJP in every street corner of Bengal.

Suddenly, the BJP offices look deserted and the silence hangs heavy. Those who came in are looking to leave. They are calling desperately on Mamata Banerjee, begging for terms of surrender. Is it all over?

Of course not. Because the state election is five years away. There is no better time for a churn. How could there not be a churn after such a big defeat? If anything, this churn is a sign that the party is still alive and kicking. If you look at the CPM or Congress in Bengal, you will see that they are going about with business as usual. Because they have ceased to exist.

I have always argued that a very successful paradigm for understanding political parties is to think of them as corporations. Imagine you work for a firm that is going up against another big firm for a very lucrative contract. You and your colleagues work long shifts, slog through nights and weekends to make it happen. But, the contract goes to the other firm.

What do you think happens next? You are severely disappointed, yes. But beyond that, what else? You grumble, you complain, you make excuses. You point fingers at the team leader. If you are the team leader, people point fingers at you. What if you had listened to this or that suggestion instead of dissing it? Someone says that appointing this or that person to a key position was a mistake. Some get up and are ready to leave the firm altogether, fancying a better future with the bigger firm. All normal human reactions.

That’s what is playing out in the Bengal BJP right now. There isn’t another big test until 2024 at the very least.

The 18 seat haul in 2019 was unexpected. Following this, the BJP thought it could storm in and sweep Bengal. It turns out the job is much more difficult than they thought. That’s okay. They have to put together a better, more cohesive strategy for next time. In fact, if there was no churn, no restructuring, they would be guaranteed to see the same result the next time.

So when the BJP ranks in Bengal were swelling 6 months ago, it may have felt like good news. But turns out it really was not. Because that strategy apparently does not work in Bengal. So now the BJP has learned its lesson, understood the real nature of the task and how difficult it is. Those who don’t have the stomach for the fight are going to leave. Would you rather have them stay and repeat the same failed old strategy?

This is by no means a blanket attack on those who have shifted parties. For that matter, voters change their preferences all the time. We never hold that against them. In fact, it’s what makes democracy work. Every voter who goes to the booth is solving a complex optimization problem in their head. Do I hate that party more than I like this one? I may like this party but it seems this party does not have a real chance of winning. So why not shift the vote to one that does? Those who moved parties are working through something very similar. They will each weigh their options and decide.

After a tense two years, the TMC is enjoying a great moment in the sun. Everyone wants to join them, which apparently proves that they are all powerful. But aren’t they falling for the same self deception that screwed over the BJP so royally in Bengal? Candidates don’t matter so much in Bengal, party affiliations do. The TMC proved this beyond all possible doubt in 2021. Then, why is it a big deal if some free floaters, who had migrated to BJP, float back to TMC ranks? At best they are taking with them their own vote; maybe also the votes of their spouses and a few close relatives.

Every party goes through a period of self-doubt, uncertainty and humiliation after losing an election. It happens only to those parties which have skin in the game. If you remember 2009, the BJP went through a period when it looked like the party had lost its way. It is from this churn, the samudra manthan if you will, that a new leader and a new strategy emerges. Some time in mid-2010, I remember P Chidambaram arrogantly said that the BJP would never come back to power again. Man, he had no idea…

Left-wing terrorists using WhatsApp to recruit cadre, asking Maratha youth to adopt guerrilla warfare against the Indian state

OpIndia Staff
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Left-wing terrorists using WhatsApp to recruit cadre, asking Maratha youth to adopt guerrilla warfare against the Indian state

The left-wing terrorists, who are facing existential threat thanks to sustained counter-terror operations from the security forces, have now taken to WhatsApp to further their propaganda against the country. In an effort to lure more Maratha youths into their movement and recruit them to the left-wing terrorism, the Maoists are now employing new ways to reach the masses to sustain their anti-India movement.

According to the India Today report, one such letter written by left-wing terrorists to Maharashtra youths has been intercepted by security officials. The latest letter by the left-wing terrorists, a way to influence and recruit cadres for the Naxalite movement, has sparked a worry in the Maharashtra government, and Home minister Dilip Walse Patil has now sought a probe to find the root of the digital communique that could potentially cause unrest in society.

As per the India Today report, initial findings have revealed that the letter from the Maoists surfaced in Kamalapur village, which is about 73 km from Gadchiroli town. The forest areas of Gadchiroli are considered to be one of the hubs of the Naxalite movement in Maharashtra.

According to Sandip Patil, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police, Nagpur Range, a local journalist had received a propaganda pamphlet on WhatsApp, signed by “Sahyadri”, also knows as Milind Telumbde, the secretary of CPI(M). He said the letter was a genuine one.

The officer stated that the structure of the letter resembled the other letters seized during the probe into the Elgar Parishad case. The language used in the letter appears to be written by a well-read person, who is eloquent in Marathi literature. The letter also urged the local youths to join the Badal movement in order to resolve long pending issues of reservations.

Left-wing terrorist want Maratha youth to pick up arms against the Indian state

The left-wing terrorists also tried to incite the youth by claiming that the government machinery and elected representatives should be held responsible for the unfulfilled demands of Maratha youth. The letter also charged that the government only works for the Ambanis and Adanis, therefore getting the Maratha reservation is not possible.

To this end, the Maratha youth should join the Naxalite movement to change the present system, stated the letter. Urging the youths to pick up weapons against the Indian state, the letter asked the Maratha youth to adopt guerrilla warfare techniques to fulfil their demands.

“It states that the poor and helpless belonging to other communities as well as the Naxals are with the Maratha youth in their struggle. It has been a common practice of Maoists to try and lure people who are striving against the state machinery to get their demands fulfilled,” the DIG said.

Further, the letter added, “The handful of middlemen within the community are extorting the community. This downfall of the community is more economic than social. The government is responsible for this huge downfall of the community”.

Maoist letter that was intercepted on WhatsApp/ Image Source: Pune Mirror

In reaction to the Maoists propaganda pamphlets, Maharashtra DIG Patil said that Maoists are known to promote the urban Naxal movement, but the letter in itself is misleading.

Meanwhile, Maratha leaders have criticised the sinister designs of Naxalites to create unrest in society. Rajendra Kondhare, the general secretary of the Akhil Bhartiya Maratha Mahasangh, said Naxals are trying to take advantage of the ongoing unrest within the community.

“Youth from Maratha Community might be at loggerheads with the government, but we believe in the democratic system. How can we go with those who don’t believe in the democratic system and the Indian constitution?” stated Kondhare.

Meanwhile, Ravindra Kadam, former Joint Commissioner of Police (Nagpur), who oversaw anti-Naxal operations, said using social media like WhatsApp to reach their target is yet another improvisation by the Naxals, as the source of origin of the communication is difficult to trace.

Grooming Jihad: Murtaza became Mrityunjay to lure a Hindu girl, forced her to convert to Islam. Details

OpIndia Staff
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Grooming Jihad: Murtaza became Mrityunjay to lure a Hindu girl, forced her to convert to Islam. Details

As per reports, on June 14, a 30-year-old Hindu girl has filed a complaint against one Murtaza alias Mrityunjay, son of Abrar Hussain, resident of village Mohanpur, Kundarki district Moradabad for blackmailing, forced conversion and rape.

Bisrakh police of Greater Noida has filed a case under Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Ordinance, 2020, against him. Murtaza presented himself as ‘Mrityunjay’ to lure the woman who is a resident of Delhi, as per the complaint. It has been alleged that he blackmailed her using obscene videos and forcefully made physical relationships. The accused has been arrested at Noida for rape, blackmail and attempt for forceful conversion.

Pretended to be Hindu man named Mrityunjay: Victim

The victim has stated that she used to work in a private pharmaceutical company in Greater Noida when she came in contact with a boy in the office. Everyone knew him as Mrityunjay Kumar. The accused also introduced himself as Mrityunjay to the victim. They slowly became friends and got into a relationship. Later he proposed to her for marriage which she accepted, and they started a live-in relationship.

The victim told in her statement that Murtaza often chanted Jai Shri Ram and left no room for any doubt. One day, when she was searching for some of her papers, she noticed an Aadhar card with Mrityunjay’s photo, but the name was mentioned as Murtaza. When she questioned the accused, he revealed his true identity as a Muslim. She also learned that he was already married.

‘Have sex with me, or else I will leak your nude photos and videos.

The victim further stated that when she confronted Murtaza, he said, “It does not matter who I am, you have to stay here with me.” The victim tried to leave the house and to stop her, he showed the victim nude photos and videos on his mobile. He threatened her and said, “Whenever I want you will have sex with me. Otherwise, I will put all these photos and videos on social media, and you will not be able to show your face to anyone.”

Murtaza allegedly took money from her

In her complaint, she claimed that in October 2019, Murtaza’s family came and asked her to convert to Islam, to which she refused. They again forced her to convert in 2020, and when she refused, Murtaza said, “If you do not convert to Islam, I will leak your nude photos and videos.”

Reports suggest that he also took Rs.2.5 lakh from her. Last year she had also filed a complaint with the police, but he was released on bail. When she complained to his family, they allegedly asked her to become his mistress and convert to Islam if she wanted to live.

Statement by the police

Vrinda Shukla, DSP Women and Child Protection, Gautam Buddh Nagar, said in a statement that on June 14, a woman filed a complaint against a man identified as Murtaza for rape and forceful conversion.

“During the investigation, it was revealed that the accused and the victim were living in a live-in relationship for some time. When the victim asked him to marry her, he asked her to convert. After registering FIR, the accused was arrested and sent to jail on June 15,” DSP added.

Increasing cases of Grooming Jihad

In the past few years, cases related to Grooming Jihad have increased exponentially across the country. While liberal media and so-called intellectuals deny the existence of Grooming Jihad or Love Jihad, several gruesome cases have come to light in recent times. In May, it was reported that a father of 7 children Abid posed as ‘Inspector Aditya’. He blackmailed and married a Hindu woman and forcefully converted her to Islam. In another incident, Shahenshah Khan had posed as a Brahmin to marry a Hindu woman in Uttar Pradesh and later assaults her after his identity was revealed.

‘Surrender to us if you want jobs under govt scheme’: TMC leader threatens ISF workers to join his party

OpIndia Staff
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‘Surrender to us if you want jobs under govt scheme’: TMC leader threatens ISF workers to join his party

Even after almost two months of Mamata Banerjee returning to power in West Bengal, the violence by TMC against opposition parties continues. While the large-scale attack on BJP workers in the state continues, the party has chosen to attack other parties also that contested against it in the assembly elections. In the recent incident of the same, a TMC leader threatened the supporters and workers of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) that if they join the TMC, they will not get the benefits of govt schemes.

Modasser Hossain, panchayat head of Bhogali-II panchayat in Bhangar in South 24 Parganas, made controversial comments on Tuesday. During the inauguration of a party office in the Katalia region, Modasser Hossain said that those working for other parties have to surrender to the ruling party if they are willing to find work under the 100-days’ job scheme.

He said that people who had joined the Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui led ISF should pledge allegiance to the Trinamool Congress, if they hope to get jobs under the scheme. “Activists who had worked for other parties during the elections after having taken all facilities from us will not be considered unless they surrender to us. Those who worked for the ISF during elections will have to show their allegiance to the ruling party,” he said.

Hossain said that those who had voted for ISF will have to surrender to us, else they will have to go to Furfura to get 100 days’ jobs. Pirzada Abbas Siddiqui, the founder of the ISF, belongs to the Furfura Sharif, a holy place for Bengali Muslims.

“Our workers will not accept that we will provide jobs, roads and other services and you will be roaming around”, The TMC leader added. He also added even if non-TMC members go to the BDO office to get jobs under the scheme, that will be useless. He said, ‘some people are saying they will go to the BDO office, but I am saying you don’t have to go to the BDO office, because we control everything.’

TMC leader Modasser Hossain is known for making such provocative speeches. Before the West Bengal elections, he had said that only TMC voters will be allowed to vote at the polling booths. He had said that except Trinamool workers and supporters, no one can cast their votes in his area. Hossain had said that the supporters of the other parties need not go to the polling booths as they will not be allowed to enter and vote. He had said that although booths will be guarded by central forces, TMC workers will be patrolling the streets and they won’t allow non-TMC voters to move.

The Wire tries to force fit a ‘hate crime’ angle in Ghaziabad incident only because victim is a Muslim

Nirwa Mehta
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The Wire tries to force fit a ‘hate crime’ angle in Ghaziabad incident only because victim is a Muslim

Propaganda outlet The Wire seems to be tying itself in knots after an FIR was registered against it for spreading fake news to fan communal hatred in the Ghaziabad fake ‘hate crime’ case. In an article titled “Muslim Victim’s Family Challenges ‘No Communal Angle’ Claim by UP Police” published on June 16, 2021, The Wire tries to bring out the victim’s side of the story in a bid to give itself a clean chit for not doing due diligence before crying itself hoarse over ‘hate crime’.

On June 14, a video was shared by ‘fact-checking’ website Alt News cofounder Mohammed Zubair claiming that an elderly Muslim man was thrashed and forced to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’. Soon, it was picked up by various influential people and media outlets who like to further the ‘Dara Hua Musalman’ narrative. However, Ghaziabad Police’s investigation has destroyed the conveniently crafted narrative.

Turns out, the elderly Muslim man Abdul Samad Saifi was an occult practitioner and used to make ‘tabeez’ (amulets) and some of his customers got unhappy after the ‘tabeez’ misfired. The said customers, then beat him. This was an internal freud propagated as ‘hate crime’. However, despite matters coming to fore, The Wire, has continued to hold on to its narrative even though it is on a flimsy ground.

Read how The Wire is trying to force fit the ‘hate crime’ angle in the petty crime case just because the victim is from Muslim community.

The Wire takes random letter as ‘proof’

The Wire has shared an image of a ‘complaint’ which Abdul Samad Saifi, the occultist, allegedly submitted to police but was not included in the FIR. It claims that the complaint was ‘written’ by Abdul Samad Saifi on 6th June, 2021, a day after he was assaulted. In it, apparently, Saifi had claimed he was forced to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’.

The Wire is using this to counter with UP Police FIR which stated that in the original FIR on assault filed, Abdul had not mentioned anything about ‘Jai Shri Ram’.

The Wire report

So, the ‘police complaint’ which is not acknowledged, does not have any stamp of police station, has been taken as gospel truth by The Wire. Audacity is that The Wire even admits that there is no official acknowledgement. The date written on top right corner is taken as ‘proof’ by The Wire.

Taveez pe taveez!

Moving on, The Wire then tries to dismiss claims that Abdul practiced occult and was involved in making and selling ‘tabeez’. The Police had said that the fight took place because Abdul’s customer of his occult-amulet was upset because it misfired. This is how The Wire has tried to dismiss claims:

The Wire on Taveez

The Wire cites Abdul’s son Babbu who claimed that his father did not know the attackers. He claimed that his family trade is ‘carpentry’ and that the police’s claims of taveez were untrue.

However, here is Abdul admitting he knew the attackers.

In fact, not only that, he is admitting to have made a ‘taveez’ for one of the attackers at least. Here is the occult material retrieved from Abdul.

But Babbu’s word that no one in family makes ‘taveez’ is truer for The Wire than actual evidence.

Turning accused into ‘rescuer’

Next, The Wire claims that one of the accused, Aadil, is wrongly named and he actually went to ‘rescue’ Abdul.

The Wire on Aadil

The Wire tried to insinuate that UP Police arrested one Muslim accused in the thrashing of elderly Muslim man to rule out communal angle. It cites Aadil’s brother Fazal Khan who claimed that Aadil had gone to ‘rescue’ Abdul and was falsely implicated.

However, one of the accused, Saddam, who had introduced another client for occult to Abdul has stated that Aadil was called upon by another accused Parvesh.

Parvesh Gujjar had hired occultist Abdul’s services and when it misfired, he confronted Abdul. Once there, he had called up Aadil who arrived on spot with other men who were involved in the subsequent fight.

The entire premise of The Wire report to refute the UP Police investigation is hearsay which does not hold water in light of evidence that shows otherwise.

The Wire cites complaint

The Wire then cites the unacknowledged so-called police complaint where in Abdul claimed he was abducted on his way to mosque on gunpoint. However, Saddam’s testimony reveals that Abdul was taken to meet Parvesh and it was Saddam’s brother in law Intezar who introduced Saddam to Parvesh.

This just shows that his religious identity had absolutely nothing to do with him beaten up. Him being involved in occult practices, however, should alarm The Wire, but it even refuses to acknowledge it.

The Wire turns into shrink:

The Wire and Abdul’s wife

The Wire, to show the human-interest angle in occultist Abdul’s case, brought in his elderly wife. Describing her as sitting on a bed and crying, his elderly wife claimed that the incident where her husband was beaten up for making misfiring taveez has had ‘deep psychological impact’ on him and his family.

Even by The Wire standards, this is a poor attempt at whitewashing an occultist. Perhaps, like The Quint, they should aim a little higher and whitewash Islamist terrorists instead.

Note: Later reports suggests the main accused’s name is Parvez Gujjar and not Parvesh Gujjar.

‘Based on social media narrative than evidence and chargesheet: Delhi Police files SLP after Pinjra Tod accused get bail

OpIndia Staff
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‘Based on social media narrative than evidence and chargesheet: Delhi Police files SLP after Pinjra Tod accused get bail

On 15th June, the Delhi High Court granted bail to Jamia Milia Islamia student leader Asif Iqbal Tanha, far-left ‘activists’ Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal in the Anti-Hindu Delhi riots case.

According to the reports, the Delhi High Court granted bail to the UAPA accused Asif Iqbal Tanha, Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita in the Delhi riots case. The Delhi Police had arrested the three far-left ‘activists’ in the case, and a case was registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for their role in the anti-Hindu riots that was unleashed on the streets of Delhi in February last year.

The High Court has granted bail to the three accused in connection with the FIR 59 filed by the Delhi Police in the Anti-Hindu Delhi riots case. In the FIR 59/2020, a total of 15 people, including Asif Tanha, Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita, were named by the Delhi police. The police claimed that Tanha played an active role in orchestrating riots in Delhi during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

The Delhi police have now filed an SLP (Special Leave Petition) with the Supreme Court taking exception to the observations made while granting bail to the accused and also, praying for the stay on bail granted.

In the SLP, Delhi police say that the court has conducted a “mini-trial” in the case while granting bail to the accused and has “recorded perverse finding which is contrary to the record and the arguments made during the hearing of the case to arrive at a finding that case under Sections 15,17 and 18 of UAPA was prima facie not made out against the respondent”.

The SLP further says that the High Court has assumed that this case is one of a simple protest, however, that is not in tune with the evidences on record. Saying that the court has applied “irrelevant considerations” while granting bail to the accused, the SLP says, “Hon’ble High Court completely lost sight of the evidences and statements which were produced before it and had arrived at the impugned judgment discarding the evidences which clearly made out a sinister plot of mass-scale riots being hatched by the respondent along with other co-conspirators”.

While granting bail to the accused, the High Court had observed, “We are constrained to express, that it seems, that in its anxiety to suppress dissent, in the mind of the State, the line between the constitutionally guaranteed right to protest and terrorist activity seems to be getting somewhat blurred. If this mindset gains traction, it would be a sad day for democracy“, however, the SLP now filed by the Delhi police takes strong exception to this particular assertion by the court.

In its SLP, the Delhi police has said that this observation was beyond the purview of the bail petition and was ‘perverse and misdirected’ in nature. The Delhi Police says, “There was a cause and evidence of terrorist activity against the respondent; there was corroborative evidence, however, while applying the legislative mandate the Hon’ble High Court misdirected itself and gave ex-facie perverse findings to arrive a conclusion that no case of UAPA was made out”.

In its scathing submission, the Delhi police say that the judicial scrutiny while granting bail to the accused was not to evaluate the evidence on the record but to “somehow establish” that the government was trying to suppress “dissent”. Delhi police say, “This in the respectful submission of the petitioner is without any foundation and appears to be based more on the social media narrative than the evidence gathered and elaborated in the chargesheet“.

The Delhi police also countered vehemently the observation made by the High Court regarding the application of UAPA. The court had said “In our opinion, the intent and purport of the Parliament in enacting the UAPA, and more specifically in amending it in 2004 and 2008 to bring terrorist activity within its scope, was, and could only have had been, to deal with matters of profound impact on the ‘Defence of India’, nothing more and nothing less...It was neither the intent nor purport of enacting UAPA that other offences of the usual and ordinary kind, however grave, egregious or heinous in their nature and extent, should also be covered by UAPA, since such conventional matters would have fallen within Entry 1 of List-II (State List) and/or Entry 1 of List-III (Concurrent List) of the Seventh Schedule to our Constitution. In order to lean in favour of constitutionality of the provisions of section 15, 17 and 18 of the UAPA, as we must, it must be taken that the Parliament acted within the realm of its legislative competence and that UAPA came to be enacted and amended in 2004 and 2008 to address issues relating to the ‘Defence of India‘”.

Delhi police said that the above consideration is ‘irrelevant’ to grant bail and the above reasoning would also hamper investigations being carried out by other organisations including NIA.

Based on these comments, the Delhi Police made the following 8 prayers to the Supreme Court:

1. The impugned order is ex-facie perverse as it misapplies the law of bail releasing the appellant by ignoring the overwhelming evidence present on record and completely disregarding that the allegations against the appellant are prima facie true.

2. The impugned order has directed release of persons who are accused of serious offences under UAPA and hence there is urgency in the matter as immediate stay has been sought in the present case. 

3. The offence alleged against the petitioner are under Section 15 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The trial Court has denied bail to the appellant however, by way of the impugned order the High Court has allowed the appeal under Section 21 (4) of the NIA Act without even referring or demonstrating as to who the reasoning of the trial Court is erroneous. 

4. While granting the bail, the impugned order has ignored material evidence against the petitioners which were present on record and the allegations have been made of flippant use of UAPA for which there is no basis and when there is enough evidence available to invoke the same against the appellant. 

5. The Impugned order, through an erroneous interpretation has watered down the provisions of UAPA which will have wide ramifications and will affect all the cases registered by the National Investigating Agency (NIA) under the provisions of UAPA hence, immediate stay of operation of the impugned order is sought.

6. The High Court has misinterpreted the law laid down by this Hon’ble Court in the case of Union of India vs. K A Najeeb which will open a flood gate affecting almost every case under UAPA. Therefore it is essential that such observations made by the High Court are stayed immediately. 

7. The High Court while granting bail to the appellant before it, has render findings touching upon the merits of the matter which will affect other similar cases jeopardising the cases going on before the Trial Court. Hence, it is essential that the same should be stayed immediately. 

Asif Iqbal provoked common Muslims to weaponise violence

Asif Iqbal further admitted that he delivered provocative speeches at several places in the country, including Kolkata, Kota, Lucknow, Kanpur, Ujjain, Indore, Jaipur, Patna, Sabzibagh, Araria, Samastipur, Ahmedabad. Reportedly, he urged common Muslims to protest against the Indian and not to shy away from engaging in violence if such a need arose.

Asif added that JNU activist Umar Khalid had suggested the idea of blocking roads and disrupting traffic during the visit of US President Donald Trump to India. The plan of action was then executed by the likes of Meeran Haider and Safoora Zargar, which later culminated into violent riots. Besides his desire to turn India into an Islamic country, he considered the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as anti-Muslim and therefore joined the students of Jamia Milia Islamia in opposing it. 

Far-left activist – Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita accused in instigating Anti-Hindu riots

The Delhi police had also arrested two far-left activists of Pinjra Tod – Natasha Narwal and Devangna Kalita for their role in stoking communal violence during the anti-Hindu riots in North-East Delhi in February last year that claimed 53 people and left more than 400 injured.

On May 23, the Special cell of Delhi police had arrested two women named Natasha and Devangna in the North-East Delhi riots case. Both the women are founding members of Pinjra Tod, which was established in 2015.

Some citizens of Seelampur, Jafrabad, and Trans-Yamuna had accused Pinjra Tod and other elite civil society groups of inciting riots in the national capital.

Pinjra Tod claims to be an autonomous collective of women students fighting for a just, accessible, non-discriminatory University and affordable accommodation and has been involved in numerous protests and campaigns of a far-left nature.

Pakistani audience go ballistic over Zee5 web series featuring Muslim girl-Indian Hindu boy love story, call it ‘haram’

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistani audience go ballistic over Zee5 web series featuring Muslim girl-Indian Hindu boy love story, call it ‘haram’

Zee5- an OTT platform took to social media to release the trailer and posters of their upcoming web series ‘Dhoop Ki Deewar’ which claims to have “an underlying message of peace, harmony and joy of life.”

Directed by Haseeb Haasan, the series chronicles the story of Vishal from India and Sara from Pakistan, who find their lives interconnected after losing their fathers in war furthering a plausible love story.

However, the plot has not gone down well with the Pakistani audience who have initiated a #BoycottDhoopKiDeewar trend on social media for portraying a love story between a Muslim girl and Hindu boy calling it Haram.

Here are some of the Tweets

A Twitter user by the name ‘Ambassador of Kashmir’ (location unknown) shamed Imran Khan’s government for allegedly promoting the series.

Another user Salman Javed took to Twitter to dissect the facts and possible intention behind making such a series.

“Fun fact in this all Pandora box. Zee Zindagi content cannot be watched without paying a subscription fee, but this film will be available free of cost for Pakistani audience. Why are they so keen to invest in Pakistani actors and audience? Any ideas?,” he said in a Tweet.

Participating in the boycott trend, another user revealed that the series has been shot in Pakistan with a Pakistani cast thus feeling ashamed.

Mocking ‘Aman Ki Asha’ initiative a blue tick handle Tweeted, “Aman Ka Tamasha failed the first time and it will fail the second time too. but it will run long enough for many to make a quick buck off of it. You can not build peace on blood, occupation & ethnic cleansing.”

Another user Taha Jaunpuri who claims to be a proud ‘madrasa chap’ (location unknown) called this an attempt to promote “Bhagwa Love Trap.”

Another handle called the relationship showcased in the plot ‘haram’.

Plot of Dhoop Ki Deewar

The script of the series is written by Pakistani playwright Umera Ahmed, who says it is not just a love story but a love-hate relationship shared by India and Pakistan.

Written in the backdrop of the Kashmir and Pulwama attacks, the narrative is reportedly based on true incidents and talks about families and kids of martyred army officers on both sides of the border.

The cross-border web series is set to launch on June 25. It is notable here that Zindagi is a Zee-owned platform that features Pakistani, Ukrainian, Brazilian content, often short series. Zee 5 is Zee’s OTT platform that streams content from all of Zee’s entertainment channels.

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