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We were being beaten by TMC workers: Girl attacked and bruised while trying to save her father and uncle from TMC goons, BJP shares viral video

OpIndia Staff
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We were being beaten by TMC workers: Girl attacked and bruised while trying to save her father and uncle from TMC goons, BJP shares viral video

Amidst the ongoing West Bengal Vidhan Sabha polls, a viral video has surfaced where a young girl is seen, bruised, saying that TMC goons assaulted her. The viral video was shared by the state unit of BJP which has said that the young girl was assaulted in Kashipur in Dum Dum municipality in North 24 Parganas district.

In a video uploaded by the BJP, the unnamed victim could be seen narrating her ordeal. She had sustained injuries to her eye during the attack. On being asked how she was bruised, the young girl informed, “I got hurt in the eye. My father had gone to save my uncle, who was being beaten by party members of the Trinamool Congress”.

She further added, “Several people thrashed my uncle. On learning about it, my father went to save him. He was also beaten. When we (family members) went to protect him, they also assaulted us.” The injured girl, a resident of Kashipur in Dum Dum, was then seen putting a handkerchief to her injured eye.

In a tweet, the BJP said, “TMC’s barbarism at it’s peak! This time they beat up a young girl blue black just because she tried to save her father, who was being beaten by TMC goons. Question that needs to be asked to Pishi – Is she not a daughter of Bengal?”

The spate of political violence in poll-bound West Bengal has been on the rise. On Friday, the body of a 30-year-old BJP worker named Lal Mohan Soren was found in a forest near his home in Bagmari in the Salboni police station area. The body of the booth secretary of the Medinipur assembly was found hanging from a Jamun tree near his house.

Informing about the brutal incident on Twitter, BJP claimed that Soren’s murder was the fourth such political murder in the state in the last 72 hours. “Pishi (Mamata Banerjee) continues her ‘khela’ with human lives. Lalmohan Soren, aged 30 and Booth secretary of Medinipur assembly was found hanging this morning. 4 murders in the last 72 hours”, wrote BJP. It alleged that TMC goons have been behind these gruesome acts, the occurrence of which has become extremely common under Mamata Banerjee’s regime.

The Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Act, the 4 amendments, what they mean and why the outrage by media is misplaced

S. Sudhir Kumar
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The Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Act, the 4 amendments, what they mean and why the outrage by media is misplaced

The sound and fury of the English media when it comes to matters pertaining to Arvind Kejriwal started to get boring. So, I wasn’t paying much attention to the murder of democracy articles/tweets related to the Amendments to the NCT Act. Until I heard the Minister of State for Home Affairs, G. Kishan Reddy speak in the Rajya Sabha. First and foremost, the amendments are being made to “THE GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI ACT, 1991”.

This was drafted and passed by the Parliament when Congress was in power at the centre. This 1991 Act already gives some discretionary powers to the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of the state. 

Every now and then, debates have opened up about giving full statehood to Delhi; about how the powers of LG are more than the elected Chief Minister of Delhi; about how the post of LG is more political etc. The 1991 Act in fact defines what the “duties” of the Chief Minister are, with respect to his communication to the LG (Note how the Act requires the CM to communicate even the proposals for legislation). 

This noise became louder after Arvind Kejriwal came to power. During his previous term, I had even wondered if he is actually intentionally designing bills to set them up for rejection and then cry victim. He had then deliberately flouted existing rules and then went to town crying victim and he was dutifully helped by a very compliant English media that sought to pin the blame on Modi for a law bought by the Congress party.

Thereafter, the courts have been approached which have indeed upheld the interpretations made in the Constitution. The Modi government has bought in certain amendments to clarify the confusion revolving around certain aspects of this. 

The first amendment proposed in the 2021 Amendment Act is pretty simple – ‘(3) The expression “Government” referred to in any law to be made by the Legislative Assembly shall mean the Lieutenant Governor.’

The furore around this totally beats me. All Government Orders (GOs) of all state governments go out in the name of the Governor. All orders of the central government go out in the name of the President. Does it in any way take away the powers of the elected state governments and central governments? Shri Kishan Reddy had also referred to “The General Clauses Act” in which the definition is quite clear too – for a Part C state, government means “the Chief Commissioner or the Lieutenant Governor”

Since many people are going to both High Court and the Supreme Court on multiple occasions seeking this clarification, this amendment was necessitated to make it clear what the legal definition of “government” is. For fun, I went to the Gazette pages of the Delhi government and was clicking randomly. There are many GOs issued by the Arvind Kejriwal led Government of Delhi “in the name of Lt Governor of the NCT”.

In fact, this amendment brings uniformity in how all states are currently operating too. Is it the argument of the opponents of this bill that Delhi deserves special treatment? Especially when not a single power of the Delhi government is being snatched away because of this legal clarification. 

The second amendment proposed in the 2021 Amendment Act is again pretty straight forward. Section (24) of the original 1991 act already defines those categories of bills that are passed by the Legislative Assembly but can be referred to the President of India by the LG for further consideration. 

The amendment simply seeks to add another category to this – “(d) incidentally covers any of the matters which falls outside the purview of the powers conferred on the Legislative Assembly.”

Basically, this says that if the Legislative Assembly passes a bill on matters that don’t fall under its purview, the LG has the right to either give assent to the bill or send it to the President of India for consideration. That’s it – the LG sends it to the President for a final decision. That’s the amendment. Now, what exactly is the problem with this amendment? Is it their argument that the Delhi Assembly can pass any bill that it likes, and the LG has to simply accept it? Why would those who constantly argue day in and day out about their love for the constitution make so much noise about a simple amendment that brings in a well-defined structure to the law? 

The third amendment of the 2021 Amendment Act gives clarity to the rules of the “conduct of business” of the Legislative Assembly. To keep matters simple, the amendment states that these rules “shall not be inconsistent with the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in House of People“. Simply put, what holds good for the Lok Sabha should hold good for the Delhi Legislative Assembly too. Instead of making fun of the amendment, it is time for us to think about why such an amendment was even necessitated in the first place. 

It was necessitated because Arvind Kejriwal and his AAP were going about interfering in the day to day functioning of the Delhi Police through committees constituted by the Delhi Assembly (note that AAP has a “brute majority” in the Assembly). The lovers of the Constitution and the rule of law have failed to tell you that the constitution clearly states that the Delhi Police and Law and Order in Delhi come under the purview of the Central government. Neither the state government nor the legislative Assembly has any powers to interfere in the day to day functioning of the Delhi police (for example, cannot investigate riots). 

These are all powers well defined in the Constitution of India and the 1991 Act that defines the National Capital Territory of Delhi as a Union Territory with a Legislative Assembly with limited powers (similar to Puducherry and J&K). Arvind Kejriwal cannot overstep his legal mandate. He cannot simply use his massive victories to function outside the ambit that the Constitution of India has defined (multiple court judgments have also upheld these provisions – Kishan Reddy elucidates them well in his 20-minute reply in Rajya Sabha). 

Even today, parliamentary committees don’t involve themselves in the day-to-day functioning of their respective departments. They don’t conduct investigations into the administrative decisions of their departments. This amendment simply seeks to make the rules of Delhi Assembly consistent with that of the Lok Sabha (and also all other state assemblies in the country). One must analyse why the alleged liberals want the Delhi Assembly to have special unlimited powers that no other UT or State in India has. 

The fourth amendment (though verbose) of the 2021 Amendment Act simply states that the opinion of the LG is to be taken before any executive action is taken on certain subjects. That’s it – the opinion has to be taken by the government. It is not mandatory to invoke that opinion. When it is not mandatory to invoke that opinion, how exactly is this a death knell to democracy? 

The Government of India is very clear that these amendments only bring legal clarity to the functioning of the Delhi government and does not take away a single power of the elected Chief Minister. The proof that this argument holds good is evident in the vacuous editorials that have been dished out in this matter – not a single one of them have stated the obvious! 

Arvind Kejriwal’s sound and fury mean nothing. His constant victimhood drama has found many takers in the English media. More often than not, the noise he makes is very disproportionate to the gravity of the issues. The latest storm in a teacup proves this, yet again. 

‘They wanted to murder’: 4 BKU leaders arrested, 24 booked for mob attack on BJP MLA, police in Punjab

OpIndia Staff
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‘They wanted to murder’: 4 BKU leaders arrested, 24 booked for mob attack on BJP MLA, police in Punjab

On March 28, the Punjab Police 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. As per reports, Narang was attacked by the alleged protestors present at the scene where he went for a press conference.

As soon as he got out of his car, Arun Narang was brutally thrashed, and his clothes were torn off. The BJP workers and Police present at the scene somehow managed to save him. He was taken to Civil Hospital, Abohar for preliminary treatment.

Police have so far arrested four people identified as Surjit Singh, Nem Pal Singh, Baldev Singh (Bodhiwala Kharak Village) and Gurmeet Singh (Khan Kalan). When OpIndia reached out to MLA Narang, he said that FIR had been registered against the culprits and the party will take the necessary action as per the law. BKU leader Rakesh Tikait has claimed that the farmers were not behind the attack.

FIR against 27 persons

As per reports, a case was registered based on a complaint by Superintendent of Police (SP) Gurmail Singh against Muktsar BKU (Sidhupur) president Sukhdev Singh, block president Lakhan Pal Sharma, general secretary Nirmal Singh and 24 other members. The Police also book 250 other unidentified persons. The case was registered under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 307, 353, 186, 188, 332, 342, 506, 148 and 149 at the Malout Police Station.

According to D Sudarvizhi, senior superintendent of Police (SSP), Muktsar, the case against 27 persons was registered based on the video footage they acquired. Four out of the 27 booked have been arrested so far. Jaspal Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police, said that they had contacted Narang and other BJP leaders twice on Saturday. However, they did not file any complaint. He said, “A case was registered on the complaint of SP Gurmail Singh, who also sustained injuries in the attack. We have recorded Narang’s statement today. Four farmer union members, who were involved in the attack on MLA, were arrested. However, BKU leaders are on the run. Raids are on to arrest them.”

BJP leaders questioned the law and order situation in Punjab

Punjab BJP leader Anil Sarin said that around 300 protesters attacked Arun Narang and ransacked the party office. He further alleged that the attack was sponsored by the Congress government. “Law and order have collapsed in the state. Captain Amarinder Singh should step down on moral grounds,” he added.

SP claims he had warned BJP leaders

In a statement issued by SP Gurmail Singh, he said that BJP leaders were warned about the volatile situation. He said,” I was appointed security in-charge for the event. Around 3 pm, Lakhan Pal Sharma and Nirmal Singh led 250-300 unidentified persons to protest in front of the BJP office. After assessing the situation, I sent an SMS to Muktsar BJP chief Rajesh Pathela and Malout BJP president Sita Ram, informing them not to come to the office due to security reasons. I requested them to change the venue of the programme. Yet Narang, along with the others, reached the BJP office, but when he tried to enter, the protesters strongly opposed him, and the Police took them inside a shop.”

He further added that MLA Narang was provided with regular updates about the situation, and the control room was asked for additional force. Meanwhile, the number of protesters kept on increasing at the spot. When additional force reached there, he talked to the protesters who had assured him they would return after staging a protest. SP also told them that the BJP MLA had cancelled the programme in order to disperse them.

Protesters attacked Police with an intent to murder – alleged SP

SP Singh said that when the Police tried to take the MLA out of the shop after making necessary arrangements, protesters led by Lakhan Pal and Nirmal Singh attacked Narang and other leaders from BJP. The Police tried to save them that further irked the protesters, and they attacked the Police team. “The protesters attacked the Police also with the intention to murder. Police personnel, including me, sustained injuries during the incident,” he added. The SP is currently admitted to a hospital in Malout for treatment.

From giving them a makeover to getting them a job: Kumbh Police starts a unique initiative that has so far changed the lives of 24 beggars

OpIndia Staff
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From giving them a makeover to getting them a job: Kumbh Police starts a unique initiative that has so far changed the lives of 24 beggars

Thanks to a campaign by Kumbh Mela Police in Uttarakhand, the lives of 24 beggars have changed forever. Back in January 2021, when Kumbh Mela was about to start, the Police decided to bring a significant change in the system. The brainchild of DGP Ashok Kumar, a program was created by the Police to bring beggars into the mainstream economy.

The first step: Makeover

A team of Kumbh Police went to Har Ki Paudi and located beggars in the area. They were sent to Beggar Houses but not as a part of the punishment. All the beggars got haircuts and makeover from professionals. In the Facebook post, the Police mentioned that the beggars could not recognize themselves after the makeover. All the beggars were tested for Covid-19 and were provided with the medical treatment they required once the medical team cleared them, the initiative to get them jobs begun.

Bank accounts were opened for the beggars

A few beggars wanted to go back to their native places and start a new life there, arranged by the team. The rest of the beggars went through the verification process so that they can get the required documents. Police initiated the process to get them an Aadhaar card, followed by bank accounts in their name. Once the verification process was complete, the beggars were offered a job in Police Stations.

The first salary

Recently, 16 of them have received approximately Rs.10,000 as their first salaries in the newly opened bank accounts. Some of them sent back money to their homes, while some donated a part of their social work salary. The Police are adding more beggars to the program so that they can live their lives with dignity. So far, 24 beggars have got jobs as a part of the initiative.

Police ensured a secure future

IG Kumbh Mela Sanjay Gunjyaal took the initiative to ensure they have jobs after the Kumbh festival. They will work in different industries and hotels as per their skills once Kumbh Mela is over. The beggars who completed their first month at the job were honoured by the IG. He said that the initiative has made it possible for the Police to bring positive change in society rather than punishing the beggars.

‘I don’t do so much even for CM, are you kidding me?’: TMC MP Nusrat gets angry during rally, video goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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‘I don’t do so much even for CM, are you kidding me?’: TMC MP Nusrat gets angry during rally, video goes viral

A video has gone viral on social media where Trinamool MP Nusrat Jahan was spotted losing her temper at the party cadres at a rally. In the video, Nusrat can be heard saying, “I am rallying for over an hour. I don’t do so much even for the Chief Minister. Are you kidding?”

The incident reportedly occurred while Nusrat was campaigning for Trinamool Ashoknagar candidate Narayan Goswami on Saturday. Anandabazar Digital said that they could not independently verify the video.

The video has attracted widespread mockery on social media.

The assembly elections are currently underway in West Bengal with first phase completed on the 27th of March which saw a high voter turnout. Voting in Ashoknagar Vidhan Sabha constituency will take place on the 22nd of April.

The results of the elections will be declared on the 2nd of May.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan wishes Hindus in his country a happy Holi. Do you know how many Hindus remain in Pakistan?

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan PM Imran Khan wishes Hindus in his country a happy Holi. Do you know how many Hindus remain in Pakistan?

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday took to Twitter to wish the Pakistani Hindu community a “very happy holi”.

Khan, who tested positive for COVID-19 disease last week, extended his greetings to the Hindu community on Holi, a festival of colours celebrated across the Indian subcontinent. The festival is being celebrated in Pakistan on Sunday and Monday.

“Wishing all our Hindu community a very happy Holi, the festival of colours,” the prime minister tweeted.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s wishes to Hindus on the occasion of Holi, however, came at a time when there has been an increase in the targeted religious persecutions against Hindus by Islamists in Pakistan. Hindus, who form a minuscule population in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, have been victims of state-sponsored atrocities, who are often abducted, raped and forcefully converted into Islam.

Sindh at one time had a Hindu majority, however, rampant religious conversion by Islamists has led to a decrease in the proportion of Hindus. The Hindu population of Sindh have either fled their homeland or converted to Islam.

After the partition in 1947, Hindus in Pakistan were close to 14 per cent of the total population of Pakistan. However, today they have been reduced to less than 3 per cent of the total population in Pakistan. Today, there are only about 75 lakh Hindus in Pakistan who are fighting every day to save their honour. The decline is mainly due to the increasing Islamisation of Pakistan, which has resulted in the targeted persecution of non-Muslims living in the country.

It is rather ironic that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is wishing the very same set of people on the occasion of Holi, who are being persecuted on a daily basis by Islamists in his country.

Religious persecution of Hindus in Pakistan

Pakistan is notoriously known for its persecution of religious minorities, especially Hindus living in the country. The forceful conversion programs have often been unleashed against the minorities Hindus, Christians, and Sikhs living in Pakistan with utmost brutality. There have been many such cases reported in the recent past.

Pakistan has a history of atrocities against the minority community. Women are raped at an alarming frequency, forcibly converted to Islam and life is made hell for them. Due to the continuous atrocities, many poor Hindus of Pakistan have been left with no choice but to accept Islam. According to reports, many Hindus have become Muslims in hope that they will get money and dignity to survive in the Islamic state of Pakistan.

In the wake of such incidents, the United States Of America officially launched a 27-nation International Religious Freedom Alliance in February 2020, which will try to protect and preserve religious freedom across the world. During the launch, the USA especially highlighted the plight of Hindus in Pakistan.

Recently, a report released by the Members of the European Parliament (MEP) threw light on the plight of religious minorities in Pakistan. The report claims that around 1000 girls from Hindus are forcibly converted to Islam every year. The numbers might be higher as many cases are not even reported.

Gujarat: Premium institutes in state see Covid surge, many cases asymptomatic

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat: Premium institutes in state see Covid surge, many cases asymptomatic

The suspected second wave of coronavirus has reached the two premium institutions of Gujarat. The almost Covid-free campus of IIM-Ahmedabad has reported 40 cases of Covid-19 while IIT Gandhinagar has reported 25 confirmed cases.

As per a Republic report, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s Deputy Health Officer, Mehul Acharya, informed, “40 people including students and professors at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad have tested positive for COVID-19. In the tests conducted at the institute, 23 people were found positive (22 students and a professor) and they were isolated.”

IIM Ahmedabad released a statement on Saturday, “The IIM-A campus was almost COVID-free with only isolated cases till March 12. Subsequently, there was a rise in infections, mostly among students. Many of these cases are asymptomatic. All infected persons have been shifted to a quarantine hostel although they are asymptomatic. Staff, faculty and family members have been asked to quarantine themselves at home.”

The management also informed that the first five cases were reported on March 12 and 13. The statement read, “Subsequently there was a rise in infections, mostly among students. Many of these cases are asymptomatic.”

The release also stated that once a positive report is received, the infected students are immediately transferred into the quarantine hostel within an hour for treatment. Students who have tested positive or who have tested positive in the past are not permitted to sit for exams.

The IIM-Ahmedabad has been performing free RT-PCR tests for students and community members.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson from IIT Gandhinagar confirmed that 25 students have tested positive and have been isolated. “No faculty or staff member has tested positive so far,” informed the spokesperson.

Recording a daily increase in cases, the Gujarat government has made it mandatory for travelers coming from other states to produce a negative RT-PCR report not older than 72 hours.

Gujarat currently has 10871 active cases of Covid-19 with the most being reported from Ahmedabad.

Uttar Pradesh: Farman rapes 25-year-old Divyang Dalit in a sugarcane field, threatens to murder if she told anyone

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Farman rapes 25-year-old Divyang Dalit in a sugarcane field, threatens to murder if she told anyone

A case of rape of a Divyang Dalit woman has come to light in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. As per reports, the incident took place on March 26 in the Ramraj Police Station area of Muzaffarnagar. The accused, identified as Farman, was arrested by the Police on March 27.

As per the Police report, the accused Farman dragged the 25-year-old Divyan Dalit woman to a sugarcane field and raped her. Later, he threatened her that she would face the consequences if she tells anyone about the incident.

According to a report in The New Indian Express, Shakeel Ahmed, Circle Officer, said that an FIR was registered based on the victim’s complaint under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and SC/ST law. He further added that the accused has been arrested.

Saharanpur case of rape and pornographic video in Uttar Pradesh

Notably, a few days ago, another case of rape and make pornographic videos of a woman had come to light at the rural Police Station area of Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The woman had alleged that she was forcibly converted after the rape, and her video was uploaded on the Internet.

The victim had said that she went to the public service centre to get her PAN card, where she met Ahmed. She requested him to give her the PAN card for several days, but he did not pay any heed. Then one day, he took her to a hotel in Saharanpur. There he tried to rape her by giving her drugs and made a video of her. Later he started blackmailing her to extort money. When she arranged Rs.50,000 and went to give them to him, he made her hostage and took her to a mosque where she was converted forcibly.

NIA sends in divers in Mithi River to retrieve evidence destroyed by Sachin Vaze: Details

OpIndia Staff
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NIA sends in divers in Mithi River to retrieve evidence destroyed by Sachin Vaze: Details

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sent in divers in Mithi River, BKC where Sachin Vaze allegedly destroyed the evidence, as per Republic TV. Ex-Mumbai API Sachin Vaze has been brought in by the NIA at the search location for crime recreation. Some digital pieces like DVR, CPU, and motherboard have been recovered by the divers from the Mithi River.

Vaze was taken to two ends of the bridge where he pointed out to an area from where the evidence is now being recovered. The eleven divers have been given a metal detector to assist the search. Until now six to seven pieces of evidence have been recovered and the same are being shown to Vaze for verification. The search is still on.

This afternoon, visuals of Sachin Vaze’s close aide API Riyaz Kazi entering a number plate shop in Vikhroli surfaced in the media. Owned by one Tushar Kadam, as reported by Republic, it is alleged that Riyaz Kazi asked the shop owner for DVR footage with the intention to destroy them. After a conversation with the owner, he can be seen taking away DVDs and a computer.

The investigations are believed to speeded up as Sachin Vaze will be in NIA’s custody till April 03, 2021.

Sachin Vaze had also admitted to destroying five mobile phones after the dead body of Mansukh Hiren was found. NIA said he was using 13 mobile phones.

Sachin Vaze is accused in the Antilia bomb scare case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested ‘encounter specialist’ Sachin Vaze for being a part of the group that planted the explosive-laden Scorpio on Carmichael Road (near Antilia) on February 25. The top cop was also investigated for his alleged role in the death of Mansukh Hiren, the owner of the Scorpio found near the Ambani residence.

Two cars – an Innova (white colour) and a Scorpio (green colour) were used to plant the bombs outside Mukesh Ambani’s residence in Mumbai on February 25. The police had traced the Scorpio to Mansukh Hiren, an auto part dealer in Thane. A few days later, his dead body was found in a creek. While initially it was claimed to be suicide, further investigation revealed that it is a murder. 

Later, it was found out that Mumbai top cop Sachin Vaze had used the same explosive-laden Scorpio found outside Reliance Group’s chief Mukesh Ambani’s residence Antilia to escort Alibagh Police in Arnab case. 

‘Goons holding Kisan Union flags wanted to lynch me’: BJP MLA Arun Narang tells OpIndia a day after he was assaulted in Punjab

Anurag
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‘Goons holding Kisan Union flags wanted to lynch me’: BJP MLA Arun Narang tells OpIndia a day after he was assaulted in Punjab

On March 27, anti-farm law protestors in Punjab attacked BJP MLA from Abohar, Arun Narang. They thrashed him and tore off his clothes. The visuals of the incident that took place in Malout town, district Muktsar, Punjab, had gone viral on social media platforms. Police and BJP workers present at the scene somehow managed to save him.

‘I was attacked the moment I reached there’: Arun Narang

OpIndia reached out to Arun Narang to know his perspective about the incident. Narang said that Bharatiya Janata Party had organized press conferences to highlight the failures of the Congress-led Punjab Government. He was scheduled to attend the press meet in Malout, District Muktsar. As soon as he got out of his car, he was attacked by the goons present on the scene.

When we asked if any slogans were raised at the scene, he said they did not take time to raise any slogans before attacking him. As soon as he stepped out of the car, the attackers, who were sitting there together, started shouting, “BJP MLA is here, BJP MLA is here,” and started trashing him.

Narang further added that an FIR had been registered in the case by the Police. The party is standing with him and will take appropriate action as per law against the attackers.

‘I was always with the farmers, and they are with me’: Arun Narang

When we asked if the bad blood started when he changed his stance on the Farm Laws, Narang said he is not talking in favour or against anything but those who attacked were goons.

He has always worked for the farmers’ benefit, and the farmers in his constituency are with him. He further said that those who initiated the attack on him were goons. “They were holding flags of Farmer Unions, but they were goons. Farmers of my constituency are my friends and they know me very well,” he added.

‘Probe required to identify the goons and their funding sources’

Narang said that the identity of these goons is a matter of investigation. When he was asked about the statement made by BKU that those who attacked him were not farmers, he said that there is a possibility that those who trashed him were Congress goons posing as farmers. He said the law enforcement agencies must investigate the matter to identify them. “Their identification and source of funding is a matter of investigation. The Police must find out who is behind these goons,” he said.

‘Congress fanning the agitation’

During the conversation with OpIndia, Narang said to come back to power in the 2022 Assembly elections in Punjab, Amrinder Singh-led Punjab Government under Congress Party is using the farmers’ agitation for their own benefit. They are misleading the farmers about the farm laws and creating mistrust among the central government and the farmers.

Narang said that the Law and Order situation in Punjab is in bad shape. The Congress government is not ready to provide security to the democratically elected representatives of BJP in the state. They do not care about an elected MLA’s safety and do not care if a BJP leader dies because of such security breaches. Democracy has been replaced by anarchy in Punjab.

“In a democracy, every party has the right to put up their point of view. However, the Congress party and farmer leaders do not want us to speak. I was listening to a leader today who said that we should not speak till the time their demands are not met. It does not work like that. This is not democracy,” Narang said. Narang added that CM Amarinder Singh has to provide security to the elected representative, but they are not doing anything. The Police stand idle and do not take any action.

‘It felt like they wanted to lynch me,’ Narang says

Narang said that it is unclear what forces are misleading the farmers and initiating such attacks against BJP. “The attack felt like a plan to lynch me. Though they were holding Kisan Union flags, who know the identity of the people behind the attack. They were goons, and a probe must be initiated to identify them at the earliest,” Narang said while emphasizing on the fact that there are a lot of leaders of opposition parties like Congress and people with a vested interest that is creating an anti-establishment atmosphere in the country especially in Punjab and Haryana.

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