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Terrorists attack at BJP leader Anwar Khan’s residence in North Kashmir, one cop killed

OpIndia Staff
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Terrorists attack at BJP leader Anwar Khan’s residence in North Kashmir, one cop killed

On Thursday, a group of terrorists open-fired at the guard post of BJP leader, Anwar Khan’s residence in Nowgam, North Kashmir. One sentry who was critically injured in the attack and was rushed to the hospital has succumbed to his injuries, as per a Times Now report.

The report suggests that the leader who is leading the North Kashmir campaign for the Bhartiya Janata Party was not at his residence when the attack took place.

Anwar Khan is the district General Secretary of BJP for Baramulla and in charge of the Kupwara district. “The area has been sealed and massive searches launched,” an official said.

BJP Kashmir media incharge Manzoor Bhat informed that the terrorists had come to attack BJP leader Anwar Khan at his residence in Nowgam area of Srinagar. 

This is not the first time that the BJP leader was attacked. Earlier in 2018, terrorists had opened fire at Anwar Khan in the Pulwama district where a police officer who was guarding him was injured in the attack. Khan however had escaped unhurt.

Security of several political workers had been increased suspecting a rise in attacks with the advent of summers. IGP Vijay Kumar in a statement to the press earlier this week had said, “It is of crucial importance to enhance the security of vulnerable persons and take all necessary measures to thwart the nefarious designs of terrorists.”

“Everyone who loves Assam is hurt”, PM Modi slams Maulana Badruddin Ajmal for insulting Assamese cultural symbol Gamosa

OpIndia Staff
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“Everyone who loves Assam is hurt”, PM Modi slams Maulana Badruddin Ajmal for insulting Assamese cultural symbol Gamosa

Badruddin Ajmal, the chief of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), courted a major controversy yesterday after he was seen throwing a Gamosa, the cultural symbol of Assam, at an election rally. AIUDF is contesting the assembly elections in Assam in alliance with the Congress party. The behaviour of Ajmal has attracted widespread criticism in the state, terming it as an insult of Assamese culture. Today Prime Minister Narendra Modi also slammed Ajmal for the same, saying people are hurt and angry with the incident.

In a public display of anger, Maulana Badruddin Ajmal was seen getting angry on a party worker for at an election in Nagarbera in Assam, and he threw a Gamosa at the worker in a visible rage of anger. The Gamosa was offered to him to greet him. Afterwards, he was seen slamming his aides angrily.

According to reports, Ajmal was angry with his party workers for causing ‘unnecessary delays’ by greeting the leaders present at the rally. He was worried that if the rally is delayed, his helicopter may not be able to take off as the weather was cloudy.

Gamosa is both a utilitarian piece of cloth and also a symbol of Assamese culture, which is used to greet visiting dignitaries at public events. The sanctum sanctorum at Namghars is also decorated with Gamosa. Made popular at national level in recent years by PM Narendra Modi, traditional Assamese Gamosa is woven on handloom using mostly cotton yarn, although silk is also used to prepare Gamosa for special occasions.

Ajmal’s act of throwing the Gamosa was considered as an insult of Assamese culture, and BJP was quick to use during the ongoing elections. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal tweeted that this was Congress and AIUDF’s design to humiliate and disrespect Assam’s culture and heritage.

Union minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted that Ajmal has openly insulted Gamosa, the pride of Assam.

Even PM Modi mentioned the same in his election rally in Kokrajhar in Assam today. He said that Gamosa is the symbol of hard work of women of Assam, which was insulted publicly by Ajmal in anger. “Everyone who loves Assam is hurt and angry after seeing those pictures”, the PM said.

This was not the only occasion when Badruddin Ajmal was seen angry. Earlier, he was seen throwing away the boom mike of reporter waiting to get his comments on the elections.

Industrialist-Politician Badruddin Ajmal is also a Maulana, and he was seen performing his duties as Maulana during elections rallies. While he was angry for some reason, perhaps anticipating a defeat in the elections, he was seen ‘blessing’ the crowd by blowing into the vessels carried by the crowd.

He is known to perform Jhar-Fook, a kind of Islamc sorcery, and some people carry vessels to collect the blessings of his ‘fook’, where he blows into the vessels.

BJP MP and actor Kirron Kher diagnosed with blood cancer, currently on recovery

OpIndia Staff
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BJP MP and actor Kirron Kher diagnosed with blood cancer, currently on recovery

Bharatiya Janata Party’s MP from Chandigarh and a renowned actor Kirron Kher is suffering from multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Anupam Kher, Kirron’s husband, has issued a statement informing about her condition. In his statement, he said that she is on her way to recovery.

Statement by Anupam Kher on Kirron Kher’s health

He said that Kirron Kher is currently undergoing treatment and that she is a fighter. His full statement is below:

Just so that rumours don’t get the better of a situation, Sikandar and I would like to inform everyone that Kirron has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer.

She is currently undergoing treatment, and we are sure she will come out of this stronger than before. We are very blessed that she is being looked after by a phenomenal set of doctors. She’s always been a fighter and takes things head-on.

She’s all heart, and that’s why she has so many people that love her. So keep sending your love to her in your prayers and in your heart.

She is well on her way to recovery, and we thank everyone for their support and love.

Anupam and Sikandar

BJP Chandigarh Chief cleared the air about her absence

On Wednesday, Chandigarh BJP Chief Arun Sood announced that MP Kher is suffering from multiple myeloma and undergoing treatment for the same at Mumbai hospital. As per reports, Kher has been absent from her office for months which had irked the members of the opposition. Sood’s statement came after Congress Councillor Satish Kainth’s letter to UT Adviser Manoj Parida and Home Secretary. He urged them to remove MP Kher from MC House, considering her absence.

He had added that “As per Section 36 (1A), Act, regarding the removal of seat of councillor, if he/she during three successive months, without permission of the corporation, is absent from all meetings, the corporation may declare his/her seat vacant, so we all are bound by the Act.”

Sood said that people had been using words like ‘missing’, ‘gumshuda’ for Kher. “I just want to announce that she is suffering from multiple myeloma and undergoing treatment for the same at Mumbai’s hospital.”

Kher was diagnosed with cancer in November last year

Back in November, Kher was rushed to hospital in Chandigarh for her broken arm. It was surprising for Kher to break the arm as she did not fall. After performing some tests, including a PET scan, it was found that she was suffering from multiple myeloma in her left shoulder and right arm. “Cancer affected her bone marrow,” Sood added. She went to Mumbai for treatment on December 4.

When Sood was asked why her medical condition was not revealed before, he said that Kher had been in touch with her office constantly while receiving Mumbai treatment. He added, “many had started hitting below the belt and were using uncharitable words for Kher. So, I spoke to her that though this is something that is personal, yet it was high time that people knew what she was going through. Everyone has the right to take treatment.”

“Till the time, MP Kher is undergoing treatment, we are here for the public of Chandigarh as we have been constantly doing. Kher has been and is constantly in touch with us,” Sood further said.

Sood said that she is out of danger and has to go regularly for her Chemotherapy. Apart from the ongoing treatment, she has been in and out of the hospital due to medical care. “Even though she is recovering after her four-month treatment and no longer admitted at Kokilaben Hospital, Mumbai, she has to visit the hospital regularly for treatment”, he added.

Kher has been elected as Member of Parliament two times in a row from Chandigarh.

Sikh body SGPC passes resolution against RSS alleging it is attempting to make India a ‘Hindu Rashtra’

OpIndia Staff
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Sikh body SGPC passes resolution against RSS alleging it is attempting to make India a ‘Hindu Rashtra’

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) passed a resolution against Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh on Tuesday. In the resolution, SGPC alleged that RSS is suppressing the freedom of other religions and minorities. It further added that RSS wants to make India a ‘Hindu Rashtra’, and condemned the alleged attempts of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh to make India a Hindu Rashtra.

The resolution passed by the SGPC said that “for a long time now, religious freedom of other religions has been suppressed in the wake of the RSS’s move to make the country a Hindu Rashtra. Minorities are being targeted through direct and indirect intervention.” The resolution asked the Centre to protect all the religions in the country.

Notably, acting Akak Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh had spoken several times against RSS. He had also demanded a ban on RSS in the past. In June 2020, during the 36th anniversary of Operation Blue Star, he had spoken in favour of Khalistan and alleged that every Sikh wants Khalistan. He said, “There’s no harm if slogans are raised in favour of Khalistan by hard-liner Sikhs after the function. If the government offers us Khalistan, we need nothing else. We will accept it because every Sikh wants it.”

In 2019, Singh had said, “It [RSS] is not in the interest of the country. It would hurt the country and destroy it”. When he was questioned about his statement, he said, “Yes, it should be banned. I believe what RSS is doing can’t keep the nation together but to divide it. The statements being made by RSS leaders are not in the interest of the country. Indian government should rein in”.

The resolution against RSS

Though the SGPC members have spoken several times against RSS, this was the first time they passed a resolution against the largest Hindu organization. In the resolution passed during the budget session on March 30, SGPC accused RSS of threatening the minorities in India by intervening in their affairs.

According to the SGPC website, the resolution strongly opposed the move to suppress minorities in India, including the Sikhs. It read, ‘India is a multi-religious, multilingual and multi-ethnic country. Every religion has made a great contribution to its freedom, especially the Sikh community, which has made more than 80% sacrifices. But sadly, for a long time now, religious freedom of other religions has been suppressed in the wake of the RSS’s (Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh) move to make the country a Hindu Rashtra. Minorities are being targeted through direct and indirect intervention.”

Resolution against RSS (Image: Excerpt from statement issued by SGPC)

The resolution ‘urged’ the government of India to protect the rights and freedom of all religions instead of implementing the efforts initiated by the RSS. “All those elements who try to suppress the minorities should be punished sought the resolution,” it added.

The resolution against Agriculture Laws

SGPC also passed a resolution condemning the Agriculture laws passed by the Government of India. It demanded the repealation of the laws. It reads, “The agriculture could not be ignored in the country, as the farmer feeds the country and the world by producing food grains after great difficulties. The black laws passed by the Centre government are going to ruin the farmers, so they should be withdrawn immediately.”

Resolution against Agriculture Laws (Image: Excerpt from statement issued by SGPC)

The resolution further condemned the death of Navreet Singh, the protestor who died when his tractor flipped during the January 26 riots. Further, it condemned the imprisonment of rioters and agitators by the Police and demanded their release immediately. It also demanded compensation to the alleged victims and inquiry into the alleged role of the government into the incidents that had happened during farmers’ protests.

Stones pelted on Dalits by Muslims on Holi in Saraiya, Varanasi, eyewitness says women, too, indulged in violence

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Stones pelted on Dalits by Muslims on Holi in Saraiya, Varanasi, eyewitness says women, too, indulged in violence

In a Muslim dominated area of Saraiya in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi, a minor incident flared up as a result of which, stones were pelted on Hindus celebrating Holi. The incident took place on 29th March 2021. As per the reports, the Hindus were celebrating Holi amongst themselves when some colour accidentally splashed on a Muslim man passing by. This escalated tensions. The Hindus say that at first the Muslims started to pelt stones from the roofs of their houses, which injured many.

A video of the incident was shared by Twitter user @Vedic_Revival.

When members of Hindu Vahini reached the spot, they got to know of shocking things.

One of the women residents said that the boys were enjoying and dancing and the Muslims got jealous and started pelting stones. “Even women have attacked. Muslims were pelting stones from the roofs. This has happened at least 4-5 times. Hindus are less in number here,” she said.

Speaking to OpIndia, the Saraiya Chowki incharge Manoj Singh said that the Muslims and Hindus live close by. “There is an open space which has a Durga temple. The Hindu boys were playing Holi there only with water and colours. At that time, one Muslim man who was passing by also got some colour on him. After that, they started pelting stones,” he said. He said that two people have been arrested till now.

Speaking to OpIndia, the investigating incharge said that the Muslims first started pelting stones. Police is also in possession of the video. Further investigation is currently underway.

The Hindus have filed an FIR in this regard. No FIR has been filed by the Muslims. Some media reports claim that the Hindus kicked open a door and damaged instruments. However, the Police said that this followed the stonepelting by Muslims on Hindus.

According to media reports, a case has been registered under section 147, 149, 323, 504, 336, 352 of the IPC and other relevant sections of the SC/ST Act. Two men, Azim and Aseem, have been arrested. The area is Muslim dominated and communally sensitive. Earlier too there have been communal tension because of Holi and Shab e Barat.

Second phase voting in Bengal: Violence reported from several areas, BJP leader’s car attacked in Keshpur

OpIndia Staff
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Second phase voting in Bengal: Violence reported from several areas, BJP leader’s car attacked in Keshpur

After a few peaceful hours, several cases of violence are being reported amid the second phase of polling in West Bengal. Nandigram, where incumbent CM Mamata Banerjee is facing BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari, is also voting today.

Agitation by the voters has been reported from East Midnapore where the police have been accused of not allowing locals to cast their vote. The roads have been allegedly blocked by tree trunks in some areas at Moyna Bakcha.

In another update from Keshpur, BJP leader Tanmay Ghosh’s car has been vandalized by alleged TMC goons and was stopped from entering the polling booth. Upon trying to register a complaint with the local police, Tanmay alleged that the police refused to take his complaint.

In another incident, a woman polling booth agent of BJP in Keshpur was beaten up by alleged TMC workers and has been rushed to the hospital for treatment. BJP says that the situation is extremely tense in the area for now.

A BJP karyakarta who was allegedly facing threats from TMC workers was found dead near a polling booth in Nandigram. BJP has blamed TMC threats for the death, allegedly a suicide. The police are investigating the matter while the locals have boycotted voting in the area after the body was found.

Bharti Ghosh, a BJP candidate from Debra constituency has alleged that her polling agent in Nawapara is being prevented from going to the booth and is surrounded by TMC goons, as per a Jagran report.

Not just the BJP but even CPIM workers alleged that they were being stopped by TMC workers at Ghatal while they were on their way to cast vote. The spot was cleared by the security forces who removed the road blockades.

Amidst the reports of violence, TMC leader Mamata Banerjee has decided to stay in Nandigram till tomorrow as opposed to her original plan of leaving at 04:00 pm today.

13.14% voter turnout was recorded till 9 am in the second phase of polling West Bengal. Voting is being held for a total of 30 seats in the four districts of the state which include East and West Midnapore, Bankura and South 24 Parganas.

Abohar BJP MLA assault case: Over 20 lawyers come in support of the accused, offer free legal aid

OpIndia Staff
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Abohar BJP MLA assault case: Over 20 lawyers come in support of the accused, offer free legal aid

At least 20 lawyers from Bathinda and Muktsar districts in Punjab have come forward to support the accused in Abohar BJP MLA Arun Narang assault case. They have offered free legal aid to all the accused. Earlier, the Police had filed a case against Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU-Sidhupur) Muktsar president Sukhdev Singh and 26 others for an attempt to murder BJP MLA Arun Narang at Malout town.

Narang was attacked, assaulted, and stripped by the alleged protesters present when he came to attend a press conference organized by BJP to highlight failures of the Congress-led Punjab government. His clothes were torn, and ink was thrown on him. The incident has been widely criticized.

‘Police deliberately did not take measures to avoid attack’ alleged advocate Mander

Ajitpal Singh Mander, President Rampura Phul Bar Association, is one of the advocates who offered free legal aid to the accused. While talking to The Indian Express, he said that across the country, there is a mob mentality. The administration and Police are responsible for ensuring no mob gathers at any sensitive event. “Police deliberately did not take any measures. And even if a mob had gathered, Police should have ensured that it was dispersed. It is a failure of state machinery,” he added. Blaming BJP leaders for the provocative statements, he added that the Police should have been pro-active when there is an environment of hatred against them.

He further said that Section 307 (murder attempt) is wrongly applied in the FIR. Instead, it should have been a case under Section 355 (assault or criminal force intent to dishonour person, otherwise than on grave provocation). He claimed tearing someone clothes and throwing ink is “not an attempt to murder”. Mander is also a member of the Kisan Lawyer’s Forum that is providing legal aid to the accused of the January 26 Red Fort riots.

‘It is unclear who did it’ – Advocate Sandhu

The former deputy district attorney, Fateh Singh Sandhu, claimed that it is unclear who had initiated the attack and why it happened. “I don’t know the facts. What I know at this stage is that it was known that there is going to be a press conference (by Narang), and there was a large police presence with ranking police officials. And the police officials, among other things, were armed with batons. And despite that, such a thing happened,“ he said.

Iqbal Singh Buttar also claimed the same. He said the three persons from Bodiwala village were not indulged in any violence. “Some miscreants might be involved in this,” he added. His claims were supported by Kuljinder Singh Sandhu, President, Gidderbaha Bar Association, who called the incident unfortunate. He also supported the three accused from Bodiwala village and alleged they were not part of the agitation.

Sandhu further raised questions on MLA Narang and asked when Police had issued an advisory not to hold any such event why he went ahead and reached the venue.

‘Arun Narang cannot be finished like this’ – Abohar BJP MLA

On Tuesday, MLA Narang alleged that Police did not use any force to protect him. He thanked the people of Abohar and his family and said that it was their good wishes that saved him from the violent mob. “They tried to kill me mentally, to finish me sentimentally. Seeing your support, I am fully sure that Arun Narang cannot be finished like this. I will neither end mentally nor physically. I will go to every place to tell the functioning of the Police and this government,” he added.

Police advised BJP to shift the venue – said SP

In the FIR registered based on the complaint of SP Gurmail Singh, Muktsar, it was mentioned that he had told Muktsar BJP president Gora Phutela and Malout in-charge of BJP Sita Ram and other BJP leaders to shift the venue. Still, they anyway came for the press conference. When OpIndia reached out to MLA Narang, he said that as soon as he stepped out of the vehicle, around 250-300 protesters attacked him. According to the FIR, Muktsar BKU (Sidhupur) president Sukhdev Singh, block president Lakhan Pal Sharma, general secretary Nirmal Singh and several others were involved in the attack.

UK: Greta Thunberg statue worth £24,000 dubbed ‘vanity project’ by protesting students in University of Winchester

OpIndia Staff
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UK: Greta Thunberg statue worth £24,000 dubbed ‘vanity project’ by protesting students in University of Winchester

Students of the University of Winchester are retaliating against the university’s decision to install a £24,000 bronze statue of Greta Thunberg, a Swedish climate activist. While the students’ union demand an equal amount be spent by the university for student support, the university is busy taking pride in the installation of the bronze sculpture.

The President of Winchester Student Union, Megan Ball stated that they hold Greta Thunberg in high regard but clarified that the union does not support the sculpture. A statement released on The Winchester Student Unions’ official website stated, “The year in which this artistic piece is being delivered is one that has seen unimaginable financial impacts. Students have seen staff redundancies, library cuts and limitation of provisions. They are being charged full tuition fees for an academic year that is anything but normal. There is a crippling mental health crisis amongst students, and wellbeing services are crying out for additional support. In our view, the unveiling of this statue next week shows that these issues are not their (university’s) priorities.”

The union also released a 5 point motion describing the statue as a ‘vanity project’. The statement released highlighted that the funds should have been spent to prevent redundancies and pay cuts. The union also condemned the lack of transparency in the decision-making process.

Some students took to Twitter to register their protest against the statue and condemned the financial management done by the university.

Apart from the students, some locals and other users too expressed their displeasure over the decision.

As per a BBC report, the statue was commissioned in 2019 and funded through money allocated to the construction of the £50m West Downs Centre development, where the sculpture stands currently.

Clarifying about the cost incurred in the making of the statue, the university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Joy Carter said, “No money was diverted from student support or from staffing to finance the West Downs project. Indeed, the university has spent £5.2m this year on student support.”

While Professor Carter agrees that Greta Thunberg is a controversial figure, he says, “We welcome debate and critical conversations.”

The statue is the first life-sized depiction of the 18-year-old Swedish school drop-out, who gained international attention after protesting against climate change in 2018 with the help of a widespread PR campaign. She enjoys widespread media attention, to the point of adulation and reverence, while never offering any ‘solutions’ and refusing to answer questions about practical solutions to the climate crisis.

Recently, Greta faced stark criticism after she voiced support for the politically-powerful Indian farmers who have been opposing the Indian government’s long-sought farm reforms. Many experts worldwide questioned the irony, because the ‘farmers’ she was supporting are staunch adherents of environmentally harmful and high-emissions practises of stubble burning, overuse of fertilisers, water-level depletion and much more.

Muslims reluctant to get vaccinated, various parts of India get poor response to COVID-19 vaccination in Muslim-dominated areas

OpIndia Staff
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Muslims reluctant to get vaccinated, various parts of India get poor response to COVID-19 vaccination in Muslim-dominated areas

As India opens up vaccination drive for everyone above 45 years of age, reports are coming in that the response to Chinese coronavirus vaccination is poor amongst Muslim-dominated areas in India. A report in The New Indian Express states that the health works on ground and experts say that the immunisation amongst Muslims is lower in parts of Bengaluru. A BBMP official stated that while the authorities are trying to create awareness and educate people to get vaccinated, people do not come to get the shot.

Dr Giridhara R Babu, a public health expert and an epidemiologist took to Twitter earlier and said that not engaging with the minorities in ‘culturally sensitive and appropriate manner’ will worsen the health inequities. The TNIE report cites religious leaders who blame government for not doing enough to bust the fake news and fears amongst the Muslim community. This despite the fact that the government has time and again issued clarifications that the vaccines are safe.

Maulanas were also quick to blame the government for not issuing notifications urging people to get vaccinated while the government issued notifications to not gather in crowds during festivals.

Similar situation is in other parts of the country. An Indian Express report states that despite awareness campaigns by the corporation, the Muslims are reluctant to get vaccinated. Hazi Asratbaig, the Congress councillor of Muslim-dominated Maktampura ward, said that the Muslims are afraid to get vaccinated the way they were afraid of getting tested.

Asratbaing also claimed that many Muslims are afraid of taking the vaccination because of ‘side effects’, most of which like fever, aches are absolutely normal. The AMC also approached Congress MLAs of Muslim community, Imran Khedawala and Gyasuddin Shaikh, to get themselves vaccinated to create a positive environment, but none of them got vaccinated.

Similar situation is there in Surat and Godhra too. Recently, the mosques were roped in to put out a message to create awareness on vaccine awareness. Godhra, in Panchmahal district, has seen the lowest figures of inoculation. Muslim leaders are also roped in to explain that vaccination is not against Sharia.

Last year, after huge number Muslims attending Tablighi Jamaat event in Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi tested positive, many Muslims, especially those who attended the event resorted to violently attacking doctors and healthcare workers who went to get them tested. Some Tablighi Jamaat members, who had tested positive, also excreted in hallways at quarantine facilities as protest.

Tablighi Jamaat event was one of the first ‘single source’ super spreader event in March 2020 for coronavirus in India.

Canada: Protesters opposing farm laws disrupt Holi celebrations in Edmonton, Khalistani flags spotted

OpIndia Staff
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Canada: Protesters opposing farm laws disrupt Holi celebrations in Edmonton, Khalistani flags spotted

On March 27, in the city of Edmonton, Canada, the Indo-Canadian community was celebrating the Holi festival. However, the celebrations were disrupted by the protesters opposing the three Agriculture Laws passed by the Indian government in September last year.

As per Hindustan Times’ report, over 400 people had gathered at the Heritage Valley Park in Edmonton, a city in the province of Alberta, to celebrate Holi. The event was organised by the Bharatiya Multicultural and Heritage Society of Alberta. A Peace and Harmony Indo-Canadian Tiranga Yatra was also planned on the day.

While they gathered at the Park, a group of around 100 protesters barged and started shouting slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government. They also blocked the route on which the Tiranga Yatra was supposed to take place. The event was delayed for around three hours.

Khalistani flags were spotted at the scene

The organisers of the event alleged that some protesters were carrying Khalistani flags. Reports suggest that a Khalistani group Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar (Canada), also sent out a message saying that the rally was to “demonise the farmers’ protest in India.”

“You are a rodent in front of Bhindranwale” – protester screamed at the participants

A video that Punjab Spectrum uploaded on Youtube showed the protesters blocking the route of Tiranga Yatra. While organizers were trying to get the route cleared, an argument erupted between them and the protesters. One of the protester who was recording the video said, “Bhindranwale de saamne tu chuha lagda ae (You are a rodent in front of Bhindranwale).” Another protester was heard saying, ”Bhindranwale di tan jutti de jaisa vi nahi hai (You are not even equivalent to the slippers of Bhindranwale)”.

There was no political agenda behind the rally, claimed organisers

The organisers of the Holi event said that there was no political agenda behind the rally. “This was an expression of solidarity in the community as we haven’t been able to gather together to celebrate our festivals for over a year due to Covid-19,” they added. “The permission to hold the event and the car rally was taken weeks earlier from the city and the police,” the organisers added.

The organiser further added that it had been a year since all of them had met, and it was a great opportunity for them to catch up with the loved ones. However, the protesters spoilt the day. “We have been separated for a year, and we were looking forward to being together, but these nearly 100 protesters spoilt the day for some of us,” they said.

The event was delayed by three hours

The organiser said that the rally was supposed to start at 1 PM (local time). However, the protesters blocked the route, and the event was delayed by three hours. The Police were at the spot, and they cordoned off the protesters from the event, but it took time for them to get the area cleared for the rally. There were around 250 cars that took part in the rally. Both Indian and Canadian flags were flown during the rally, and it lasted for about an hour.

Similar Tiranga Yatra was disrupted in February

A similar Tiranga Yatra was organised in February 2021, which was also disrupted by the pro-Khalistani protesters. There were reports of violence during that incident. The participants of the previous rally were assaulted and harassed, which could be seen in several videos that surfaced on social media. The protesters also disrespected Indian National Flag during the Tiranga-Maple Rally in the Greater Toronto Area. In the aftermath of the violence, Jodhveer Dhaliwal, brother-in-law of New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh and one other person were arrested.

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