Home Blog Page 4544

Relatives of Liyaqat and Rihasat Khan give death stares: Hindu man whose garage was gutted by Muslim mob during Delhi anti-Hindu riots a year ago

रवि अग्रहरि
-
0
Relatives of Liyaqat and Rihasat Khan give death stares: Hindu man whose garage was gutted by Muslim mob during Delhi anti-Hindu riots a year ago

One year since the gruesome anti-Hindu riots broke out in the national capital, the fear of being persecuted by the Muslim residents still preys on the minds of the Hindus living in the violence-stricken regions of Delhi’s northeast, an eyewitness of the riots told OpIndia. 

“Hindus living in the area still refrain from passing through the Muslim-dominated region lest they would be attacked by a mob of bloodthirsty rioters,” the eyewitness, who was also a victim of the anti-Hindu riots that erupted in February 2020 said. 

Speaking to OpIndia, the eyewitness, Pradeep Kumar Verma, alleged that the prevailing situation on the ground is tense as there still exists bad blood between the communities following the riots in Delhi last year. The eyewitness, who has deposed against rioters, said the family members of those lodged in jail ominously glare at him and other witnesses. 

“The relatives of Liyaqat and Rihasat Khan, the father-son duo who were arrested for stone-pelting in the neighbourhood, give a death stare to me,” the eyewitness said. 

Elaborating on the lack of trust and perpetual fear gripping the neighbourhood, the eyewitness stated that Hindus in the region are advised against travelling to the Muslim-dominated regions alone. He highlighted a recent incident where a Hindu passerby was ruthlessly thrashed by a rabid Muslim mob in Mustafabad.

Pradeep Kumar Verma, a Hindu whose garage was gutted by Tahir Hussain and other Islamists has told the police that first, Shah Alam, Gulfam, Riyasat Ali and others broke open the shutter of his parking, burnt and damaged vehicles and also looted Rs 20-22 thousand. 

While this was happened, Tahir Hussain and others like Liyakat Ali were throwing stones, petrol bombs towards the parking lot and also instigating others to do so. 

Pradeep had earlier went on record and attested to journalists that he had heard the mob chanting ‘Hindu hai, maaro”, (kill them, they are Hindus).

Tahir Hussain bungalow sealed opened from the last 5-6 months: Eyewitness

The eyewitness, who is the resident of Delhi’s Chand Bagh, the epicentre of the anti-Hindu riots, said that the seal of Tahir Hussain’s bungalow was opened 5-6 months ago. 

Hussain’s house was used by communally charged Muslim mob to perpetrated violence against Hindu residents. Horrifying visuals of violent mob hurling Molotov and stones towards the Hindu colony had gone viral on the social media websites at the time of the riots. Tahir’s house was the place where slain IB sleuth Ankit Sharma was last seen before his body was found in a nearby ditch. 

The onlooker asserted that Tahir Hussain’s house has remained open after the ED visited the place some 5 to 6 months ago. He added that the house was owned by Tahir’s wife and is currently being used by people whose relatives are detained in jails for their involvement in instigating the violence. 

Muslim mob dragged Ankit Sharma inside Tahir Hussain’s house: Eyewitness

With respect to the murder of IB sleuth Ankit Sharma, the eyewitness reiterated his stance that he has deposed in front of the court. He said that he saw Sharma the last time when he was being violently dragged inside Tahir Hussain’s house by a group of rampaging individuals, days before his body was found in a drain in the area. Sharma was stabbed over 400 times, and his body was mutilated beyond belief.

Delhi: Labourers get angry at AAP after they are not paid Rs 500 promised to attend Kejriwal’s rally

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Delhi: Labourers get angry at AAP after they are not paid Rs 500 promised to attend Kejriwal’s rally

Labourers in Delhi, who were promised Rs 500 attend Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal’s rally, are upset over non-payment of promised amount.

As can be seen in the video, the people wearing AAP caps can be seen visibly upset over non-payment of Rs 500 for attending Kejriwal’s rally. One person who attended rally said that one Mr Chopra had brought them to the rally on promise of Rs 500.

Kejriwal and AAP leaders carried out a roadshow in Shalimar Bagh and Bawana area of New Delhi ahead of MCD bypolls on February 28. However, it seems amid the poll promises, the payment promise to gather crowd for the rally was not fulfilled.

Kerala: RSS worker Nandu Krishna hacked to death, 3 more seriously injured by SDPI goons

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Kerala: RSS worker Nandu Krishna hacked to death, 3 more seriously injured by SDPI goons

On February 24, R. Nandu alias Nandu Krishna, 22-year-old Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Shakha Mukhya Shikshak at Nagamkulangara in Wayalar village panchayat in Alappuzha was hacked to death allegedly by the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) goons.

As per reports, SDPI took out a rally on Wednesday evening in the Wayalar region of Alappuzha district in Kerala, where they raised provocative slogans against BJP leaders. It led to a clash between the two groups. During the clash, Nandu was hacked to death. Six others were injured in the clash, out of which two are in critical condition. BJP/RSS has called for a district-wide strike on February 25.

RSS objected to provocative speeches by SDPI

The Cherthala Police said that a program was organized by SDPI at Nagamkulangara where the leaders of the organization used some provocative words. After learning about the program, RSS activists gathered at the spot and staged a protest. So far, Police have detained six SDPI members in connection to the murder. To ensure law and order, extra Police forces have been deployed in the district. The RSS leadership has asked its workers to exercise maximum restrain during the strike to avoid any provocation.

Reports say that local SDPI and RSS workers had been at loggerheads for the last few days. On the day of UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s rally at Kasargod, the SDPI at Walayar had organised a protest, which was opposed by RSS workers.

SDPI and PFI have problematic past

SDPI is the political wing of the Popular Front of India (PFI). I have been involved in several clashes with RSS in the past. PFI was formed in 2006, and since then, it has been allegedly involved in several clashes and political murders. Several investigation agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), have named PFI in many cases. The first module of Islamic State that NIA busted in Kerala had some members of PFI. SDPI was also named in the Bengaluru riots of August 2020.

Workers of Khalsa org and Kejriwal govt discriminated against Hindu victims: An eyewitness account after 1 year of Delhi anti-Hindu riots

रवि अग्रहरि
-
0
Workers of Khalsa org and Kejriwal govt discriminated against Hindu victims: An eyewitness account after 1 year of Delhi anti-Hindu riots

It was 23 February 2020 when the months-long anti-CAA stir in the country reached a crescendo in the form of bloodcurdling anti-Hindu riots in the country’s capital, Delhi. The riots continued for days when the northeast region of Delhi witnessed unprecedented levels of violence, resulting in the deaths of over 50 people.

A year since the horrifying anti-Hindu riots convulsed Delhi, OpIndia spoke to the residents of the riot-hit northeast Delhi region to get understand the prevailing ground situation. One of the eyewitnesses of the communal flare-up made a sensational revelation that the volunteers of the Khalsa organisation, who had come to extend help to the victims in the wake of riots discriminated between Muslim and Hindu victims.

Speaking to OpIndia, Rahul Sharma (name changed) who lives in the Chandbagh area where Ankit Sharma was brutally murdered amidst chants of Allahu Akbar, contended that the workers of the Khalsa organisation disproportionately helped the Muslim victims of the riots while extending only token help to the Hindu victims.

The Delhi anti-Hindu riots have been one of the brute and macabre displays of street violence displayed by the Islamist mobs in recent times. 53 people died in the riots from both communities, Hindus and Muslims. The most ghastly cases that emerged from the riots were the murders of IB staffer Ankit Sharma and sweet-shop worker Dilbar Negi. While Dilbar Negi was dismembered and burnt alive, Ankit Sharma was mutilated, murdered and dumped in a Chand Bagh drain by a Muslim mob spearheaded by AAP leader Tahir Hussain. 

“Months after the violence broke out in the region, Khalsa members were seen in the locality helping in the rehabilitation of the victims. However, the support was marred with discrimination. The Khalsa members discriminated against Hindus and extended help predominantly to the Muslim victims,” the eyewitness said.

“Out of their 100 per cent of assistance, 90 per cent was directed towards the Muslim victims while the remaining 10 per cent was for the Hindus,” the eyewitness added.

Arvind Kejriwal government discriminated between Hindus and Muslims after the Delhi anti-Hindu riots: Eyewitness

Besides the discrimination from the Khalsa organisation, the eyewitness also accused the Kejriwal-led Delhi government of being partisan in helping the riot victims. The person accused the AAP government of being partial in extending relief material to the Hindus and Muslims.

“The AAP government had tremendously discriminated against Hindus and Muslims. The Kejriwal government had sent fruits, food grains to the various mosques in the region for their distribution among the Muslim inhabitants while the Hindus had to stand in long queues outside the ration shops for procuring food items,” the eyewitness said.

Tensions prevailing in Mustafabad after Muslims beat up a Hindu

When asked about the prevailing situation in the region, the eyewitness asserted that there is still an environment of simmering tensions in the region and things are not back to normal. He further added that the situation became tense after a motorbike-borne Hindu youth was mercilessly beaten up by a mob of Muslims in the Muslim-dominated Mustafabad.

“An incident took place in Mustafabad that did not draw much attention. A Hindu youth passing through the area was accosted by a mob of Muslims, who ruthlessly thrashed him. Following the incident, the Hindus in the region went to the area to confront the miscreants. If you light a matchstick, it is bound to catch fire” he said.

Gujarat: AIMIM to focus on Godhra while AAP on Saurashtra as Congress continues to fight for relevance during second round of local body polls

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Gujarat: AIMIM to focus on Godhra while AAP on Saurashtra as Congress continues to fight for relevance during second round of local body polls

Buoyed by a remarkable performance in recently concluded local body polls in six municipal corporations in Gujarat, AAP and AIMIM have now decided to up their political games and decided to concentrate on the electorate which had voted for them.

A report in Sandesh says that AAP will now focus on Saurashtra region of Gujarat which has a considerable Patidar population while AIMIM will focus on Godhra and Bharuch, which has sizeable Muslim population. In February 2002, a train coming from Ayodhya carrying karsevaks, was set on fire at Godhra which led to widescale communal riots. AIMIM has won 7 seats in AMC polls and has fielded candidates for Modasa, Godhra and Bharuch Zilla and Palika Panchayat polls to be held on 28th February 2021.

As per reports, Godhra municipality has 11 wards for 44 councillors. Most of these candidates are independent as neither BJP nor Congress has usually fielded candidates in most of the wards. Of these 44 seats, 20 are in Muslim-majority areas. In 2015, all the candidates in these 20 seats were independent as neither BJP nor Congress fielded anyone. The AIMIM has been very active in these areas and is quite confident of emerging as a majority party.

On Tuesday, after AIMIM made an impressive debut in Ahmedabad polls, Owaisi held a public rally in Godhra and said that unlike Congress, AIMIM will not ignore Muslims. The Muslims in the area have also welcomed AIMIM with open arms. When he was on his way from Modasa to Godhra, a huge crowd of Muslims gathered to welcome Owaisi in Godhra.

On the other hand, AAP has fielded 304 candidates for Zilla Panchayat and 1067 for Taluka Panchayat polls of which majority are in Saurashtra rural region.

Meanwhile, following the humiliating defeat Congress district chiefs in Rajkot, Vadodara and Surat have already resigned. Ahmedabad district head has also resigned after taking responsibility of the defeat. On the other hand, Congress has suspended over 14 NSUI members for anti-party activities and 10 more are in the process of being suspended. Further, a list of 100 Congress members is created for helping other parties win while being in Congress.

In the recently concluded six civic bodies polls in Gujarat, over 1,340 candidates have lost their deposits. Of these, at least 178 Congress candidates have lost their deposits.

As reported by Sandesh, despite a lower voter turnout, there has been an increase of 2.8% vote share for the BJP. Whereas, AAP has cut into Congress’ vote share. Of the total 575 seats, the BJP won 482 seats and Congress won only 55 seats. Congress’ vote share has come down from 41.57% to 26.86%. Of the 14.71% vote share that Congress lost, AAP has eaten into 13.96% vote share while Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM has registered 1.45% vote share.

Nathuram Godse’s devotee Hindu Mahasabha leader Babulal Chaurasia joins Congress in presence of Kamal Nath

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Nathuram Godse’s devotee Hindu Mahasabha leader Babulal Chaurasia joins Congress in presence of Kamal Nath

Babulal Chaurasia, the Hindu Mahasabha leader and a worshiper of MK Gandhi’s killer Nathuram Godse, has joined the Congress party ahead of the Madhya Pradesh civic body elections.

According to the reports, Babulal Chaurasia had contested the Gwalior municipal elections last time from a Hindu Mahasabha ticket and won the elections after being denied a ticket from the Congress party. The former Congress leader had rebelled from the party to contest in the Ward 44 of the Gwalior municipal elections. He had left Congress after being denied a ticket and had defeated Congress candidate Shammi Sharma.

The Hindu Mahasabha leader Babulal Chaurasia rose to fame after he had installed a statue of Nathuram Godse. Chaurasia had then organized a program called ‘Nathuram Godse’s 70th Sacrifice Day’.

Chaurasia, a believer of MK Gandhi’s killer Godse, had garlanded Godse’s photo by performing the aarti in November 2019 and demanded that his final court statement be included in the syllabus. He had also pledged to take Godse’s final statement to 1 lakh people and handed over a memorandum to the Chief Minister.

Tweet by MP Congress

As elections to the civic bodies are approaching the state, Chaurasia has now returned to the Congress fold hoping to contest on a party ticket. Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and other senior Congress leaders wholeheartedly welcomed the former Hindu Mahasabha leader to the party.

Chaurasia hails from Gwalior, a stronghold of Jyotiraditya Scindia, currently a Rajya Sabha MP, who recently joined the BJP after quitting the Congress. After rejoining the Congress, Babulal said he belonged to the Congress party and will work hard to connect with the youth. 

Ironically, the Congress party that often targets BJP and RSS for Godse’s actions has now opened its arms for one of the most vocal admirers of Godse.

Adani Pavilion and Reliance Pavilion at Narendra Modi Stadium: All you want to know about naming stadiums and pavilions

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Adani Pavilion and Reliance Pavilion at Narendra Modi Stadium: All you want to know about naming stadiums and pavilions

The Narendra Modi Stadium in the Sardar Ballavbhai Patel Sports Enclave in Motera in Ahmedabad, now the World’s largest cricket stadium in terms of capacity, was inaugurated today by President Ram Nath Kovind. The stadium is a part of the newly built Sardar Patel Sports Enclave with other sporting facilities including badminton, tennis courts, swimming pools hockey etc. The awe-inspiring structure with a capacity of almost 1,10,000 spectators resulted in an outpour of pride from Indians on social media. However, not all reactions were positive, as critics of PM Modi took a shot at the PM for allegedly ‘naming’ the stadium after himself and termed the move ‘narcissistic’.

“This stadium was the dream of the prime minister and he had during his stint as chief minister here floated the idea of building the world’s largest stadium,” the Home Minister Amit Shah said. According to the Vice President of the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) in 2009, PM Modi, then Chief Minister of Gujarat and President of GCA, pushed for the increase in seating capacity after hearing about the capacity of the MCG in Melbourne, now the second-largest cricket ground in the world. How

Even opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi joined the fray, implying that the stadium’s name and the name of its pavilions is a result of some corrupt nexus. Coincidently, two pavilions in the stadium are named after Reliance and Adani, which was perfect for Rahul Gandhi to repeat his ‘hum to hamare do’ jibe. As the varying reactions came out throughout the day, the outrage and the counter-outrage became a political issue. Therefore, it would serve us well, to recount the tradition of naming cricket stadiums in India, and adjudicate for ourselves whether the naming of Narendra Modi stadium fits the established pattern.

Cricket Stadium names in India

The tradition of naming cricket stadiums in India to this date revolves around politicians and administrators, and quite rarely the player. The oldest cricket stadium in India, the Eden Gardens Cricket Stadium in Kolkata, first opened in 1864. It takes its name from the adjacent Eden Gardens, named after the Eden sisters of the then Governor-General of India, Lord Auckland. The Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai takes its name after Lord Brabourne, the then Governor of the Bombay Presidency, who laid the foundation stone for the stadium in 1936. The aforementioned examples are simply to point out the historical tradition behind India’s practice of naming stadiums, which would continue in the post-independence period.

The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai; and the PCA I.S. Bindra Stadium in Mohali, are all named after cricket administrators who were the Presidents of their respective cricket associations. This is a standard and common practice in Indian cricket, with a well-established tradition that can be traced back to before independence. It was along the lines of these established traditions that the Feroze Shah Kotla Ground became the Arun Jaitley Stadium in 2019 in the honor of the former Delhi and District Cricket Association President and Union Minister, Arun Jaitley. Therefore, a name-change of the newly reconstructed cricket stadium to Narendra Modi Stadium is not something shocking or unprecedented. In fact, the renaming of the cricket stadium to Narendra Modi Stadium is actually more in line with the tradition of naming cricket stadiums in India, with PM Modi being the former President of the GCA.

The Ambani-Adani Non-Scandal

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter, pointing out the names of the newly built stadium and its pavilions, and implying some sort of a larger corrupt nexus between all the parties. This sentiment was echoed by many of the PM’s detractors and snowballed into a political talking point. However, a sober analysis of the situation reveals that there is no nefarious conspiracy at play here.

The pavilions are named after Reliance and Adani not because of any alleged closeness of the two business groups with PM Modi. It is actually the result of a commercial decision by GCA and BCCI. Because, the Pavilions are sponsored by the two companies, and in return, they have won the right to get the pavilions named after them. Like other things in sports like jerseys and in-stadium advertisement, bids are also invited for sponsoring stands and pavilions, and companies participate in such bids.

According to Mr. Dhanraj Nathwani, the Vice President of the GCA, there is simply no controversy regarding this situation. “Pavilions are named based on sponsorship received. Reliance has sponsored the North Pavilion, while Adani has retained their association with GCA by sponsoring the South pavilion,” said Mr. Nathwani. It may be noted that the Adani group was already a sponsor of the South Pavilion at the old Motera Cricket Stadium for years, even under Congress-controlled GCA. After the stadium was rebuilt, Reliance had bought the right to sponsor the North Pavilion. In the earlier structure, the North Pavilion was known as GMDC Pavilion, as the Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation had sponsored in at that time.

The idea of sponsorships naming stadiums or pavilions might seem relatively new in India, but it is an accepted practice globally. The idea can be traced back to Baseball in America, where in 1912, the baseball team Boston Red Sox renamed their stadium to Fenway Park, in order to promote the real estate company, Fenway Realty. More recent examples include the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal Football Club, the Etihad for Manchester City and the Allianz Arena for German football giants Bayern Munich. Therefore, it is no surprise that attractive sponsorships with high contributions are going to become the norm even in India moving forward. These contributions can later be used to nurture and develop young talent.

The summation of the bogus outrage over the name of the Narendra Modi stadium is simple. It was quite simply a knee-jerk reaction to witnessing the names of Modi, Reliance and Adani in tandem. A sober and collected analysis of the history of naming cricket stadiums in India, in consonance with perusing the global trends of increasing sponsorship involvement in sports, will reveal that there is no absolutely nothing to be up in arms about either the name of the Narendra Modi Stadium, or its pavilions.

Rinku Sharma-like lynching averted after a Muslim mob tried to barge inside a Hindu house in Mumbai’s Malwani: Legal activist group gives details

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Rinku Sharma-like lynching averted after a Muslim mob tried to barge inside a Hindu house in Mumbai’s Malwani: Legal activist group gives details

A Hindu resident of the Muslim-dominated Malwani region of Mumbai narrowly escaped the fate that befell Rinku Sharma in Delhi after a communally charged-up mob tried to barge inside his house on Tuesday night. A group of 15-20 Muslims reportedly tried to barge inside the house of a Hindu youth at the Chheda Complex, baying for his blood, according to Legal Rights Observatory, a legal activist group.

The mob, however, was unable to get inside the house, and the man was saved from a certain tragedy. The case has uncanny parallels with the brutal murder of Rinku Sharma in Delhi’s Mangolpuri. A mob had entered Sharma’s house and stabbed him to death over an alleged argument over the collection of funds for the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

In Malwani, the incident took place after the victim stood up to the constant bullying and harassment meted out by the region’s Muslim youths. As per sources, a group of Muslim youths making unpalatable remarks against the passers-by was accosted on Tuesday by the Hindu victim, who asked them to refrain from indulging in such activities. Annoyed by the opposition from the Hindu man, the group of men threatened him with dire consequences. Following the confrontation, a mob of 15-20 people gathered outside the house of the Hindu man, trying to barge inside his house.

The situation was finally salvaged after locals in the region intervened and persuaded the mob to relent. When the victim reached the police station to file an FIR against the goons, the police reportedly turned down the demand, dismissing the incident as a minor altercation between two ‘friends’.

After the police refused to file an FIR in the case, the victim and the Hindu representatives in the region reportedly contacted BJP Mumbai President Mangal Prabhat Lodha and apprised him of the developments. On Lodha’s insistence, the police filed an NC against the mob that threatened the resident.

Lodha also took to Twitter to comment on the sad state of affairs in Mumbai’s Malwani region. He condemned the reprehensible attempt of mob lynching in Malwani and urged the Centre to launch a special investigation in the case.

Following the incident, an overwhelming sense of fear has gripped the remaining Hindu minorities in the region. The mother of the victim is horrified by the ugly turn of events and is mulling over shifting the family back to her native village. Others in the region feel the constant bullying and harassment of Hindus is a part of the larger conspiracy to force them into leaving the place and encroach upon their homes and lands.

Muslim goons in Malwani encroaching upon lands and houses of Hindus, including Dalits

Earlier last month, it was reported that the Hindu minority in Mumbai’s Malwani, a Muslim majority region, live under constant threat and intimidation by the Muslim hooligans, who illegally encroach their homes and force them into fleeing the region. From once having more than 100 Hindu families, the locality now houses a mere 8-10 Hindu families and even they are planning to leave the area for the fear of persecution from the Muslim thugs.

According to the residents of the region, the goons enjoy political patronage from the local Congress MLA Aslam Shaikh, who is also a cabinet minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. Allegedly, emboldened by their leader’s support, the Muslim hooligans have unabatedly encroached their lands and built madrassas and dargahs on government lands, the victims’ claim.

Rinku Sharma Murder Case

On February 10, 25-year-old Bajrang Dal activist Rinku Sharma was brutally murdered by a mob. The incident took place in a Muslim dominated area, Mangolpuri, Delhi. According to the reports, the incident was a fallout of the argument between Rinku Sharma and his murderers over the collection of funds for the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. At that time, the dispute was resolved, but later a group of people attack Rinku again at his house. He was stabbed with a large knife in his back. Rinku was declared dead at the hospital that was only 300 meters away from the place of the incident.

Naushad’s video of spitting on Tandoori Roti might be just the tip of the iceberg, several similar videos emerge on social media

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Naushad’s video of spitting on Tandoori Roti might be just the tip of the iceberg, several similar videos emerge on social media

On February 21, one Naushad alias Suhail was arrested by Meerut Police for allegedly spitting on Roti while cooking it. During interrogation, it was reportedly revealed that he worked as a cook in wedding ceremonies for the last 15 years. A video has surfaced in which he allegedly confessed to spitting on food for at least ten years. After his video went viral, followed by his arrest, several other videos started circulating on social media with similar incidents.

Possibility of a nexus indulging in unholy acts

Due to the gross nature of the incident and ongoing pandemic situation, the police has initiated an investigation to see if this was an isolated incident or if there is a nexus that indulge in such activities. The police are not only going to question the contractors who have hired Naushad and his colleagues in the past, but they will also check the call details of Naushad’s mobile phone. As per reports, police will interrogate people who have been associated with Naushad in the past to understand the reason for his actions.

Similar undated videos circulating on social media

After Naushad’s video, several other videos of people of a particular community involved in preparing food started to make rounds on social media. Please note that OpIndia is not verifying these videos.

In one of the viral videos, a man was seen spitting in the packing bag before putting the cooked chicken in it.

In another video, a man was seen spitting and adding dirty water in milk at a dairy.

In another viral video, a man was seen licking bread while cutting them.

There are dozens of such videos available on social media platforms, many of which had surfaced earlier also. Sadly, spitting on cooked or uncooked food is not an uncommon practice. It has been widely reported in many countries, and it is considered to be one of the darkest not-so-secret truth of the food industry. There are CCTV footages of waiters in even high-end restaurants spitting on food, presumably to be served t customers who they hate, probably due to not paying enough tip or due to rude behaviour. According to one research, 6% of interviewed waiters had admitted to ‘contaminating food to take revenge on patrons.

Rahul Gandhi spreads fake news about train ticket fares being doubled: Here is the truth

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Rahul Gandhi spreads fake news about train ticket fares being doubled: Here is the truth

Not a single day passes with some or other media house spreading fake news about the government of India, which is further circulated by the Congress party and its leaders and its ecosystem. The latest incident of the same is an allegation that ticket fares for passenger trains will be doubled.

After remaining suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Indian Railways has decided to resume passenger train services in the country. While long-distance trains have already resumed as special trains, passenger trains were not started. While reporting this decision, some media houses had also claimed that the fare for such passenger trains will be doubled.

On 23rd Febrary, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi shared a clipping of a Hinde newspaper report making the same claim.

The same report was also shared by the official Twitter handle of the Congress party, claiming that passenger train fares will be doubled. The Congress claimed while the Modi government is promising bullet train at cheap rate, very soon passengers of general trains will have to pay the price of bullet trains.

After the reports of ‘doubling railway’ fares were circulated by media houses and political parties, sources in Indian Railway has come forward to deny those reports. The source in railways has said that fares have been ‘slightly’ increased for passenger and other short-distance trains, and it has not been doubled. The fares have been fixed at the existing fares for mail / express trains for the same distance.

The Indian Railway has clarified that the fares for unreserved tickets for short distanced have been increased to discourage crowding at trains, as the Coronavirus pandemic continues in the country. Little higher price is to be seen as Pro-Active measure of Railways to prevent crowding in trains and stop Covid-19 from spreading, said a source in Indian Railways.

With a view to regulate rush at stations and in trains, passenger trains are being charged slightly more fare than pre-COVID-19 times and a close watch is being kept on its patronisation. The situation is being constantly monitored to ensure restoration of services in keeping with the protocols necessary to be followed during COVID-19 times, the source added.

It may be noted that passenger operations have always been subsidized by railways. Normally, Railways bears a loss on every journey by a passenger.

A comparison with the bus fares shows that despite the moderate increase, the train remains the cheapest mode of transport in the country.

Sources in the Railways have also informed that fares have been increased in less than 3% of all the total trains running in the country. It added that the higher fare is a tool to discourage unnecessary crowding in trains and hence prevent the spread of coronavirus.

With the gradual withdrawal of the lockdown measures, Railways has operationalized almost 65 % of the Mail/Express trains and over 90 % of suburban services, as compared to the pre lockdown times. At present, 1250 Mail/Express trains, 5350 suburban service trains & more than 326 passenger trains are in operation average on a daily basis. This means, passenger trains constitute less the 3% of the total trains, for which the fare has been increased.

Indian Railways has noted that Coronavirus cases are still increasing in some states, and some states are re-introducing restrictions to prevent further spread of the pandemic. In such a situation, it is necessary to prevent crowding in passenger trains, which generally sees the most crowding as they need unreserved tickets to travel. In view of this, Railways has taken this step to discourage train travel unless it is absolutely necessary.

1...4,5434,5444,545...7,653Page 4,544 of 7,653