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No compensation for families of farmers who lost their lives in protests: Centre tells Lok Sabha

The Central government will not be compensating the families of protesting ‘farmers’ who have passed away while protesting. On February 2, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, was asked in Lok Sabha if the Centre has any plans to compensate the families of the farmers who had died during farmer protests. The central government has denied plans of any such compensation.

28 Members of Parliament, including Asaduddin Owaisi, had asked in Lok Sabha if the Government is aware of the farmers’ protests. The MPs further asked if the Government is aware that protesters are falling ill or dying during the protests and if they are aware if they are keeping a record of the protesters who have fallen sick or died.

The MPs asked if the Government is planning to compensate the families of those who had died during the protests. They asked if the Government had initiated any negotiations with the farmer unions. The MPs further asked if the Government is planning to repeal the Agriculture Laws.

No compensation for the families of protesters who had died

Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, in his reply, said that they are aware of the agitation. There are some farmer unions and their members agitating against the newly enacted Agriculture Laws, he said. He further said that the Government had requested the union leaders several times to send elderly, women and children back to their homes amidst harsh weather and the Covid-19 situation.

Answers by Ministry of Agriculture (Image: Lok Sabha)

In its reply, the minister said that the government of India is negotiating with the agitating protesters, and so far, they had eleven rounds of meetings. “Government had put forth one proposal after another to amend the farm laws. The demands of agitating farmer unions were related to the three farm Acts viz. “The Farmers” Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020″, “The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement On Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020” & “The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020″ etc.” he added.

Details of eleven rounds of meetings held with farmer unions (Image: Lok Sabha)

The minister made it clear in its reply that there is no provision of any compensation for the families of protesters who had died during farmer protests. While replying to the question if Government will repeal the laws, he said that the Supreme Court had stayed the implementation of the Agriculture Laws until further notice.

Farmer protests and violence on Republic Day

Farmers had marched towards Delhi on November 26 2020, and since then, thousands of protesters are lodged on the borders of Delhi. The Government of India has tried several times to alleviate the situation, but the farmer unions are not listening to any proposal and demanding the Government must repeal the laws. Amidst all the mess around the newly enacted laws, the farmer unions announced they would hold a tractor rally on January 26.

The unions gave in writing to the Delhi Police that they will hold a peaceful march and will not enter Delhi, keeping security concerns in mind. However, the protesters broke all the promises they had made to the Delhi Police and entered Delhi from unauthorized routes. They barged into the Red Fort and hoisted two flags, one triangular and one rectangular with a Sikh holy symbol. When the police personnel tried to stop the protesters, they got violent and attacked the police. Several police personnel were injured during the clash. There were videos of protesters attacking police with batons and swords. Some protesters even tried to mow down the police personnel with tractors.

Both President of India and the Prime Minister of India had condemned the violence and insult of Tricolour on Republic Day by rioters. Delhi Police have registered several cases against the rioters, including farmer union leaders.

Assam: Maulvi molests six year old who went to him for religious lessons, arrested

Police on Monday arrested a maulvi in Silchar, Assam over allegations that he molested a minor girl who had come to him to take religious lessons. An FIR was filed against him in December last year. According to Barak Bulletin, a maulvi named Samsuddin Barabhuyian had been hiding from the police for a couple of months since the FIR was lodged against him. Police had been keeping an eye on his house located in Panchgori Lane in Meherpur. He came to his house on Sunday night and was nabbed by the police the next day.

Maulvi was hired to impart religious education to the child

The mother of the victim girl had reportedly filed a complaint with the police on December 6 last year alleging that Barabhuyian had molested her minor daughter when the girl was religious instructions from him. The woman told the police that her daughter studied in KG-2 at the time of the incident. She said that she thought that she should giver her daughter religious education as well and so she talked to her brother about the same. The woman’s brother talked to Barabhuyian asking him whether he could impart religious education to the child. Barabhuyian agreed to this.

The minor came crying and said that Maulvi touched her private parts

On the day of the incident, Barabhuyian had reportedly come to the woman’s brother’s house where the woman had brought the daughter for religious instruction. The woman told that she she left her daughter with the maulvi and went to the other room where other family members were present. The woman’s brother also went to prepare tea. Suddenly, her daughter came out of the room crying. The family members calmed down the girl and asked her the reason of crying. The girl allegedly told them that the Maulvi touched her private parts. By the time he family members went to nab the maulvi he had already fled and turned off his mobile phone.

The woman had earlier said that some of her family members advised her not to file complaint against the maulvi but some members supported. Thereafter, she decided to proceed against the Maulvi and lodged an FIR with the police.

Delhi Police intensifies probe, releases photos of 20 rioters involved in Republic Day riots

On Tuesday, the Delhi Police released photographs of nearly 20 rioters who were involved in the violence that broke out at the Red Fort on Republic Day and breached the Mughal monument to desecrate the national flag.

According to the reports, the Delhi police have received over 1,700 video clips and CCTV footage from the public so far related to the Republic Day violence. The Delhi police have now taken help from forensic experts to analyse the relevant material to nab the rioters.

Earlier last week, the Delhi Police had issued a public appeal asking people to share any evidence or information about the violence. The Delhi police had urged civil society, including media persons, who are witnesses to the incidents on Republic day, to come forward and give such evidence to them to take action against the rioters.

Based on some of those images, the Delhi police has managed to find some of the rioters who unleashed violence on the streets of the Delhi.

Republic Day riots

The national capital had witnessed large scale violence during the January 26 tractor parade after rioters disguised as ‘farmers’ entered Delhi to unleash violence, injuring nearly 400 policemen. Many of those rioters, driving tractors, reached the Red Fort and hoisted religious flags and alleged Khalistani flag on its domes and the flagstaff at the Red Fort while desecrating the national flag.

The police have so far registered 38 FIRs in connection with the Republic Day violence and have arrested 84 people. They have also issued lookout notices against 44 people, including the alleged ‘farmer’ leaders.

Newslaundry columnist and ex-AMU student leader Sharjeel Usmani booked in Pune for his hate speech against Hindus

Amidst widespread anger against former student leader and Newslaundry columnist Sharjeel Usmani over his hate speech against Hindus, Pune Police have booked a case against him on Tuesday for ‘promoting enmity between different groups’.

According to the reports, a case has been registered against Sharjeel Usmani under IPC section 153 (A) for promoting enmity between different groups on the ground religion, said Pune police commissioner Amitabh Gupta.

The case was registered against Usmani based on a complaint lodged by a local BJP leader Pradip Gavade.

“We have requested the police to also lodge a case against him under section 124-A, IPC as he clearly stated he didn’t believe in the Indian state, Parliament and judiciary. We also said a case should be lodged against the organisers of Elgar Parishad,” the complainant said.

Sharjeel Usmani’s hate speech against Hindus

Usmani, who has a history of fomenting trouble against communities by making hate speech, has been at the eye of the storm over his hate speech at the Elgar Parishad event in Pune. The former student leader had addressed a gathering of around 500 people in the second edition of Elgar Parishad on 30th January 2021 at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch, where he used defamatory language against the Hindu community.

Delivering a venomous speech targeting Hindus, Usmani had said that the ‘Hindu Samaj’ of today is “rotten” to the core. He also spoke about the Yogi Government in Uttar Pradesh and accused his administration of murdering 19 people every day in encounters in one year and all of them were either Muslims or Dalits.

Usmani, who has written columns for Newslaundry in the past, does not provide evidence for his claims that appear demonstrably false.

Elgar Parishad was organized by Bhima Koregaon Shaurya Din Prerna Abhiyan, an umbrella organization of 250 Dalit organizations. It was first held in 2018 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Bhima-Koregaon of 1818. The conclave resulted in violent clashes at Bhima-Koregaon village.

During the second edition of the Elgar Parishad, several speakers, including Sharjeel Usmani, Arundhati Roy and Prashant Kanojia, used the stage to spread Hinduphobia. While Usmani called the Hindu community rotten, Arundhati Roy happily threw Gaurmutra jibes to mock Hindus.

BJP leaders demanded arrest of Usmani

Following the controversial event, several BJP leaders from Maharashtra had demanded Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government to take action against Sharjeel Usmani for his Hinduphobic speech at Elgar Parishad in Pune.

Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis had alleged that Sharjeel Usmani had insulted sentiments of Hindus during his speech at the Elgar Parishad conclave held recently in Pune, and demanded strict action against him.

CPI passes censure motion against Kanhaiya Kumar after his supporters manhandled Patna office secretary: Report

The Communist Party of India (CPI) has passed a censure motion against Kanhaiya Kumar, former ‘student leader’ from JNU, The Hindu has reported. The motion was passed after supporters of the far-left leader misbehaved with the Patna office secretary of the CPI, Indu Bhushan, and manhandled him.

The decision was taken at the party’s National Council meeting in Hyderabad that concluded on the 31st of January. The incident pertained to an event on the 1st of December when Kanhaiya Kumar reached the office in Patna with his followers.

The meeting, related to the Begusarai District Council, was postponed but Kumar did not receive the information. Subsequently, his supporters proceeded to manhandle Indu Bhushan. According to the report, the incident was corroborated by multiple sources but the senior leadership had refused to comment.

Kanhaiya Kumar has reportedly clairified that he did not participate in the violence. “He also said that if any one’s feelings have been hurt because of behaviour of some people, he apologises on their behalf,” one senior leader was quoted as saying.

However, Kumar told The Hindu that he had not been informed about the censure motion. He also denied that any violent incident had occurred in Patna. “The Left does not behave like the BJP. Within our party there are no personal differences between any one; if at all we may have ideological friction, which being a disciplined party, it is peacefully resolved,” he told the newspaper.

Kanhaiya Kumar is no stranger to controversies or unruly conduct. Last year in February, the Delhi Government had given its approval for his prosecution in a sedition case. Locals of Begusarai had also alleged during the Lok Sabha elections 2019 that his supporters had thrashed them brutally on his instructions.

Molotov cocktail thrown near synagogue in London, not believed to be related to terrorism or antisemitism: Reports

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A molotov cocktail was hurled near a synagogue in Golders Green, London following which a man has been arrested, reported Metro. Footage of the scene has reportedly emerged that show firefighters putting out a fire.

One of them could be heard saying, ‘Why did he wait all that time to throw that little bottle?’ It is reported that the incident is not related to terrorism. The Community Security Trust said on social media, “Incident in Golders Green this afternoon appears NOT terror related. We thank the emergency services for their constant vigilance and work.”

A local Jewish neighbourhood watch group, was quoted by Jewish News as saying, “Police have been liaising with Shomrim NW London throughout the incident. At this time police have confirmed although the incident is took place with close proximity to a local shul, it is not believed to be terror/antisemitism related. The man involved has been detained by police safety and no members of the public have been injured.”

Jewish News quoted an eyewitness as saying, “There were lots of police of different varieties and a chopper going overheard. The road has been cordoned off from Ravenscroft to Be Kosher and we have seen riot police and numerous unmarked cars. The police have said it is a “life and death situation” but we have not heard more information.”

A spokesperson for the Met Police said, ‘Police were called at 12.28 to The Riding, Golders Green, to a report of a concern for safety. Officers attended and found a man with a vehicle. The man is believed to have set fire to an object before being detained. ‘No members of the public or officers are believed to have been injured. Enquiries are ongoing. The man was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences. As a precaution, nearby roads have been closed.’

Christian woman asks colleagues to chant Jesus’ name, stripped and thrashed in Pakistan: Here’s what happened

In another case of persecution of religious minorities in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, a Christian woman named Tabitha Nazir Gill was slapped and stripped after she was accused of blasphemy, reported UCA News.

As per reports, the victim was assaulted at the Sobhraj Maternity Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan where she had worked as a nurse for 9 years. She was accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad, Prophet Abraham and Prophet Adam by her colleagues.

One nurse, who works with the victim, named Nasreen alleged, “She (Tabitha) urged others to say ‘Jesus’ to solve their problems. Don’t speak the name. She commits blasphemy. We shall bury her. We will sacrifice our generations for the dignity of the prophets”

In a video that has now gone viral on social media, Nasreen was seen thrashing the victim. The incident took place on Thursday (January 28) during which Tabitha was dragged from the 3rd to the 1st floor and repeatedly assaulted by her colleagues and onlookers.

She was locked in a room, thrashed with brooms, tied with ropes and forced to tender an apology. “Close the gate. Don’t let her escape. Beat her. Why did you speak of our religion? Rub your nose on the ground. Repent from Allah,” others yelled in the background.

Meanwhile, the cops were called in and the victim was taken to the police station. The police initially ruled it a ‘case of misunderstanding’ and allowed Tabitha to go home. However, on the same evening, a case was registered against the victim under Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) Section 295-C (blasphemy). According to the First Information Report (FIR), one Muslim woman named Saba claimed that the victim had insulted Prophet Ismael.

She alleged, “She (Tabitha) stated that Ishmael stomped the Zamzam holy water we drink. Adam committed adultery with Eve. She twisted the name of Muhammad, adding that Muhammad is nothing. Nobody came after Jesus.” Dismissing the allegations of blasphemy, the victim narrated, “I didn’t do anything like this. I am a Christian. We don’t swear but still, I swear by Jesus and the Bible. This is their plan. Let me call my husband.”

Christian groups condemn the incident

While condemning the incident, one Father Abid Habib said that the assault on Tabitha reflected jealousy and ignorance on the part of the perpetrators. He said, “I have said this a thousand times. If Allah Almighty has said that blasphemers must be killed, then I can say that Almighty Allah is not Rahman-e-Rahim (benevolent and merciful). If his Prophet has commanded to kill blasphemers, then he can never be called Rahmat-e-Alamin (mercy to the world).”

Another Pastor Irfan James called for action against ‘jihadi women’ who assaulted and tortured the victim. Similarly, Director of CLASS-UK, Nasir Saeed, questioned the role of the police in determining whether the blasphemy allegations were a way to settle personal scores. “It is the need of the times to look into this matter and stop the growing misuse of the blasphemy law against innocent people. The wording of the blasphemy law is so broad and vague that it has allowed a wide range of acts and its continuous misuse,” he added.

Christian mother and her son brutally lynched to death

In November last year, a Christian woman named Yasmin and her son Usman Masih was brutally killed by a Muslim mob led by Muhammad Hassan and others in Kathor Kalan village in Gujranwala, Pakistan. The gruesome lynching of the Christian mother-son duo reportedly took place in the name of blasphemy.

According to activist Rahat Austin, Yasmin was shot dead by Mohammad Hassan. His son, severely injured, died minutes later as he desperately clung to his wife’s hands while his two daughters saw their father dying. The activist further mentions that the crowd gathered at the spot watched the specter of violence unleashed against the Christian family, with none of them coming forward to help them.

Punjab Assembly to pass bills again to counter central farm laws after Governor refused to give assent: Details

Chief Minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh, said on Tuesday that his government would bring the State Amendment Bills once again to negate the Agriculture Laws passed by the central government. The Governor had not given his consent for the bills passed by Punjab Assembly.

He further added that he would seek time to meet President Ramnath kovind regarding the ongoing farmer protests. In October, the Punjab government had passed three bills to nullify the Agriculture laws passed by the Center, however, the Governor did not sign them.

‘Will bring bills again’: Punjab CM

CM Amarinder Singh said that his government would bring Bills again as the Constitution provides that if Bills are passed twice by the Vidhan Sabha, they have to be sent by the Governor to the President. He blamed Governor for delaying in signing the bills and said he should not have ‘sat’ over the Bills.

He further said, “If anger builds here, it will be exploited,” which is being seen as a warning by the CM. Singh had called for an all-party meeting to discuss the situation around the farmer protests and recent developments, including Republic Day Violence and Singhu border clash.

Punjab government had passed three farm bills in October

In October 2020, the Amarinder Singh-led Punjab government passed three bills to negate the Agriculture laws passed by the central government. The three bills make MSP a statutory right of the farmers. If passed, it will seek punishment for the sale/purchase of agriculture products below MSP.

The bills also seek fees on traders, or electronic trading and transaction platforms, for trade and commerce in a trade area outside APMC mandis. It will also reintroduce the government’s power to impose stock limits under special circumstances.

Opposition leaders from AAP and SAD had blamed Amarinder Singh for the delay in action against the Agriculture bill. They have claimed that Singh knew about the Agriculture bills to be passed by the Center in 2019 itself as he was part of the committee that worked on the details of the bills.

Republic Day Violence

Though the farmer unions have assured in writing that they will hold the tractor rally peacefully, violence had erupted on Republic Day, resulting in a clash between the protestors and security forces. The so-called farmers broke down the barricades much before the allowed time and marched on the route that was not approved by the Delhi Police.

A group of protestors had reached the Red Fort, where they not only caused damage to the property but also hoisted two flags, a yellow rectangular flag and a saffron triangular flag with the holy Sikh symbol. Hundreds of police personnel were injured in the clash.

In the aftermath of the violence, Delhi Police registered several cases against the farmers and union leaders. Delhi Police has issued a lookout notice against the union leaders. The farmer unions have announced that they will hold ‘chakka jam’ on February 6 that has prompted Delhi Police to increase security around in and around the national capital.

With Iranian link to bomb blast near Israel Embassy being suspected, India keeps an eye on Iran return students

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The Indian security agencies have been probing the recent improvised explosive device (IED) blast executed near the Israel Embassy in New Delhi on January 29 (Friday) evening. According to reports, though the investigations into the incident still remain in-conclusive, prima facie evidence points the needle of suspicion towards the involvement of Iran in the blast.

Counter-terrorism officials in New Delhi have been quoted by Hindustan Times as saying that there is enough to suggest the involvement of Tehran in the blast.

India has taken the heinous attack very seriously and has, in strong words, opined that it cannot be used by any other country to target its perceived enemies. “Once we have concrete evidence we will take up the matter in very serious terms with the country behind the attack,” said a second official in know of the entire investigation who too asked not to be named.

For those unaware, India has close ties with both Israel and Iran, although the two countries, in turn, are enemies.

Delhi Police eyeing students returned from Iran, questioning few Iranians living in Delhi

Meanwhile, the counter-terror officials said that the ongoing probe is focussing on students who have returned after studying at Qom, a Shia Islam city in Iran. Without specifying names, the officials added that the agencies are also focusing on a particular city in south India and a Shia dominated city in Afghanistan. Delhi Police Special Cell has also been questioning few Iranians living in Delhi in connection with the blast. The foreign nationals being questioned include those whose visas have expired.

According to the evidence made public so far, at 3.27 pm, hours before the blast at the Israeli embassy in the National capital on January 29, a Telegram (messaging app) user, VikarUdDeen@Vikar45 had claimed responsibility for the blast near the Israeli Embassy on behalf of an unknown group called “Jaish ul Hind.” The message posted by Vikar was forwarded and posted in several other ISIS-linked Telegram groups such as Jaag Muslman Jaag, Muslim Groups and Azaadi ki Awaaz Channel of which Vikar is also a member. 

After the IED exploded around 5.11 pm, the investigators recovered a letter addressed to Israeli Ambassador to India, Ron Malka. The letter was addressed to Israel Ambassador with ‘trailer’ written on it. The threatening letter also contained a reference to two ‘Iranian martyrs’ – General Qassim Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, and Nuclear Scientist Dr Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.

Moreover, the preliminary forensic examination of the site and the bomb have revealed that the explosive used was PETN, a military-grade explosive which is not easily available. The PETN has been used in the past by groups such as Al Qaeda for making bombs.

A senior official told media that deliberate efforts have been made to firewall the real perpetrators behind the terror incident with false flags “and deniability built into the attack that was carried out at the behest of Iran.”

Iran had attacked Israeli diplomats in 2012

It is pertinent to note here, that this is not the first time that the Israel Embassy in India has been attacked. On February 13, 2012, a sticky bomb was placed on Tal Yehoshua Koren’s car, the Israeli diplomat’s wife, in which she had received injuries. Incidentally, the Quds Force, also known as Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was then accused of carrying out attacks on the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi.

Quds Force was commanded by Qasem Soleimani whose name has appeared on the letter found outside the blast site on Janaury 29.

Incidentally, the assassination attempts of the Israeli diplomat in 2012 had come after the killing of an Iranian scientist. Iran and blamed Israel for the assassination and had vowed to take revenge for the scientists’ killings. The attacks had also coincided with the anniversary of the killing of Iran-backed Shiite Lebanese group, Hezbollah leader, Imad Mughniyeh.

Following the 2012 attacks on Israel embassy, Delhi police had arrested an Indian journalist Syed Mohammad Ahmad Kazmi. According to the police, Kazmi had a deep network in Iran. The then Delhi police commissioner B K Gupta had disclosed that Kazmi had also confessed to having helped the Iran nationals conduct a recce of Israel embassy.

Has Karan Johar’s Takht been shelved following outrage over its Islamist writer? Here is what we know so far

Media reports have been doing the rounds suggesting that Bollywood Director Karan Johar’s much anticipated new period drama ‘Takht’, starring multiple superstars such as Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal has been shelved. The period drama was scheduled for a 2020 release but was put on hold due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Rumours have it that the movie has been deferred indefinitely. 

A source known to the development was quoted by a media house as saying that the makers of the movie have decided to do away with the movie after being unable to sort out ‘creative differences’. There were also rumours that it was shelved following outrage on social media.

“Karan Johar’s ambitious project Takht has been shelved permanently. It was put on hold due to COVID-19 earlier. However, the team developing it have been having a hard time sort their creative differences and be on the same page”, the source was quoted as saying.

Karan Johar denies humour of ‘Takht’ being shelved

The film director Karan Johar has, however, refuted the reports. Speaking to SpotboyE, Johar said: “Takht is not shelved. It’s just delayed”.

The period drama titled Takht was announced by Karan Johar in the year 2018. Takht is a historical drama that narrates the story of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and his brother Dara Shikoh, and their fight for the throne. The movie, which is by far Karan Johar’s most expensive project, has been in the line of fire since last year after its Hinduphobic Islamist writer Hussain Haidry had spewed venom against Hindus on Twitter.

Karan Johar’s movie receives backlash for its Islamist writer

Hussain had in February last year, taken to the micro-blogging site to express his hatred towards Hindus as he repeatedly spread Hinduphobic bile on social media. Several times earlier, Haidry, a quintessential Islamist, has given words to his bigoted thoughts on Twitter.

Irate over Haidry’s blatant Hinduphobic and hateful tweets, netizens had demanded strict action against the Takht writer. The hashtag #BoycottTakht began trending on Twitter with netizens slamming Haidry for allegedly defaming Hindus in his tweets.

Soon after the backlash, Hussain Haidry had also deactivated his Twitter account.

Karan Johar not new to controversies

Karan Johar, too, has been in the line of fire after the untimely death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. He has been criticised for fostering the culture of nepotism and favouritism in Bollywood. He had also come into the radar after his name emerged in the Bollywood drug probe after he shared a party video featuring Bollywood celebrities including Deepika Padukone, Vicky Kaushal, Varun Dhawan, Ranbir Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, and Malaika Arora among others.