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Once lauded for its coronavirus model, Kerala overtakes Maharashtra in active Covid-19 cases

OpIndia Staff
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Once lauded for its coronavirus model, Kerala overtakes Maharashtra in active Covid-19 cases

As per the latest Covid-19 cases reported by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, out of 2,92,518 active cases in India, Kerala has 60,670 active cases that is more than Maharashtra that has 60,593 active cases.

Kerala’s performance in managing the Covid-19 pandemic has been deteriorating from the last few months, and it is staying in the top five states to report maximum new cases of coronavirus. And now, it is number one state in maximum number of active cases.

According to the Kerala government’s Covid-19 dashboard, the state was doing well till the last week of July, after which the situation started to worsen. The first case in the state was reported in January 2020. By September 10, the graph became problematic for the state when it crossed the 100k mark. In October, the state was at third position in total number Covid-19 cases. It took Kerala six months to report 100,000 confirmed cases, but in less than three months since September 10, the state has recorded over 600,000 cases.

Graph of Covid-19 cases in Kerala (Image: Kerala Gov Covid Dashboard)

Once lauded for its Covid model, Kerala is struggling to control coronavirus

In the beginning, Kerala’s Covid-19 model was lauded across the country. Media houses praised the CPI(M)-led Kerala government in every possible way while ignoring notable work done by other states like Uttar Pradesh in containing the disease. Even World Health Organization published a report on Kerala’s Covid management in July. During that period, the Shiv Sena-Congress-NCP-led Maharashtra government struggled to contain the disease, and Maharashtra is still in the top five states with the highest number of cases.

Kerala model and international media

‘Kerala model’ was lauded globally with international media hailing the state government for effectively arresting the coronavirus spread.

Kerala model on how to fight covid-19

By April 2020, media reports were published asking the world to learn from Kerala model.

Al Jazeera hailing Kerala model

Al Jazeera also hailed Kerala model.

On May 14, 2020, British Daily newspaper The Guardian had hailed Kerala’s health Minister KK Shailaja as ‘rockstar’.

Shailaja KK ‘rockstar’

Shailaja KK even presented the ‘Kerala model’ at a UN meet in June this year.

In fact, in a bid to get praise from the hostile foreign media, Kerala Health Minister Shailaja KK even badmouthed about other Indian states to BBC. She claimed that Goa did not have any hospitals.

So what just happened there?

What went wrong in Kerala

Kerala has a large population of overseas Indians. The first case was reported in the state as early as January 30 and it crossed 7-lakh mark of reported cases on December 20. The state that has experience with epidemic outbreaks did well initially, and as the lockdown was in place in India, the administration managed to control the outbreak. However, as the relaxations kicked in and the people started to have a sense of safety, the precautionary measures were ignored. It resulted in a spike in the number of cases, and things began to move against the state. It has to be noted that when number of cases were increasing in Kerala in May, the CM had decided to ease restrictions around Eid.

In November when the state was among the highest contributors of new Covid cases, Kerala’s health minister KK Shailaja said that the demographic and epidemiological reasons were behind the new surge in cases. She added that the festivals and several political protests in recent times contributed to the spike in the confirmed cases. “The return of migrants from other parts of the state and abroad also had contributed to the situation,” she said.

Currently, Kerala and Maharashtra together count for 40% of the active cases compared to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar that counts only for 7% of the total active cases. It has to be noted that UP’s population alone surpasses Kerala’s and Maharashtra’s population put together.

New York: Muslim boxer on the run after killing activist daughter extradited from Kuwait

OpIndia Staff
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New York: Muslim boxer on the run after killing activist daughter extradited from Kuwait

A Muslim boxer named Kabary Salem accused of murdering his 25-year old daughter has been extradited to New York from the Middle East where he was tracked down by the New York Police Department’s (NYPD) Regional Fugitive Task Force on December 3.

According to the New York Post, the body of the victim named Ola Salem was found in a park in Staten Island in New York last year. The boxer was indicted by a Staten Island grand jury on November 5 for the murder of his daughter. He was brought back from Kuwait to New York on Friday.

Victim’s body was found dumped in a park

Salem had reportedly fled the United States soon after the body of his daughter was recovered in October last year by a person jogging in Bloomingdale Park in Staten Island’s Prince Bay neighbourhood. The body that was found covered in leaves had been dragged through the woods around 30 feet. Ola Salem, who lived in Rosebank, advocated for Muslim women suffering from domestic violence through her volunteer work at the New York-based organisation Asiyah Women’s Centre.

Salem had also killed a boxing opponent in 2000

52-year old Kabary Salem is a former professional middleweight boxer from Egypt. He is reportedly known by the name ‘The Egyptian Magician’. He competed in the 90s and through early 2000s. He is also reported to have participated in the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics. According to New York Post, in September 2000, Salem had killed an opponent named Randie Carver, after repeatedly headbutting him. Carver did not gain consciousness after being knocked out by Salem in 10th round and passed away a couple of days later from head trauma.

‘Yell for women’s freedom’ lands Playboy model in trouble, could face seven years in Turkish prison: Read Details

OpIndia Staff
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‘Yell for women’s freedom’ lands Playboy model in trouble, could face seven years in Turkish prison: Read Details

Habitual offender Marisa Papen is in trouble for a 2018 incident when she posed nude at the Hagia Sophia in Turkey and laying naked on the Turkish flag. According to reports, the Playboy Model is facing seven years in jail for the racy photographs that gained a lot of traction.

According to The Sun, she has been accused of “insulting the signs of the state’s sovereignty” by Turkish prosecutors who branded the photographs “lurid acts” and “obscene”. Marisa Papen is reportedly shocked that Turkish authorities are going after her for the photographs.

The development comes days after she launched her website ‘Naked Atlas’. The website contains all the countries where Marisa Papen has captured nude photographs. She has built a reputation for herself as a troublemaker by posing nude in front of iconic structures all over the world. It is pertinent to mention that Hagia Sophia was a museum when she posed nude there. It has been converted to a Mosque since.

The Belgian model was arrested in 2018 for posing naked in front of the Vatican. She was arrested in Egypt for the same reason at the Karnak Temple in Kuxor. Again, she caused outrage by posing naked near Jerusalem’s Wailing Wall.

But that has not deterred her zeal to pose nude around the world. Apparently, she is doing it for women’s freedom. In an interview with The Sun Online, she said, “It’s a yell for freedom. I want to go back to a time when women were queens.” “That’s why I want to go to all these countries where women are suppressed. Like I said it’s a yell for freedom and I want them to see my message,” she added.

After the UK discovers new strain of Coronavirus, six passengers aboard London-Delhi flight test COVID positive

OpIndia Staff
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After the UK discovers new strain of Coronavirus, six passengers aboard London-Delhi flight test COVID positive

On Tuesday, a government official informed that six people aboard were diagnosed with the Wuhan Coronavirus after they landed in Delhi from London on Monday night via an Air India flight.

The development comes after the United Kingdom warned against the emergence of a new strain of the Wuhan Coronavirus in the country. As per reports, 5 people had tested Coronavirus positive at the Delhi airport. However, one passenger who came from London took a connecting flight to Chennai and was diagnosed with the infection there.

While speaking about the development, Health Secretary (Tamil Nadu) J Radhakrishnan informed, “We are testing for COVID-19 passengers of flights originating or halting in the UK. One such passenger tested positive yesterday.” He emphasised that it was ‘incorrect’ to assume that the patient was infected with the newly discovered strain of Coronavirus.

“We will send his samples to the National Institute of Virology, Pune. We are also identifying the people who travelled to the UK in the last 10 days & ensuring they all test negative in RT-PCR testing,” he stated.

UK discovers new strain of Coronavirus

As per reports, the authorities have conceded that the virus has gone ‘out of control’ in the UK. “Unfortunately the new strain was out of control. We have got to get it under control,” informed UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock. The new variant, discovered in September, is said to be 70% more transmissible than its counterpart.

“There is no current evidence to suggest (it) causes a higher mortality rate or that it affects vaccines and treatments, although urgent work is underway to confirm this, “chief medical officer Chris Whitty emphasised. A notification was thus issued by the Public Health England on Friday to the UK government after modelling the said virus strain. The new strain has reportedly been discovered in South Africa, Denmark, Netherlands and Australia.

India suspends UK flights temporarily

Yesterday, the Indian government has decided to temporarily suspend all flights originating from the UK to India till 31st December. “Considering the prevailing situation in the UK, Indian govt has decided that all flights originating from the UK to India shall be temporarily suspended till 11:59 pm, 31st December. This suspension to start w.e.f. 11.59 pm, 22nd December,” a tweet posted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation said.

I worked without discrimination, it’s time for you to fulfil your responsibility: PM Modi’s subtle message at AMU event

Jinit Jain
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I worked without discrimination, it’s time for you to fulfil your responsibility: PM Modi’s subtle message at AMU event

PM Modi today addressed the students and faculty of the Aligarh Muslim University(AMU) as the chief guest on the centennial celebrations on Tuesday—December 22. AMU, which was set up in 1920, completed 100 years on Tuesday. This is the first time in over five decades that a sitting prime minister has attended an AMU event.

Speaking at the event via video link, PM Modi started his address by lauding the Aligarh Muslim University for its phenomenal work in the field of research on Urdu, Arabic, and Persian languages, and other Islamic literature that has infused energy into India’s cultural relations with the Islamic world and played a crucial role in strengthening India’s relations with many countries.

PM Modi also showered praises for the AMU for its unprecedented work during the coronavirus outbreak. He commended the University for conducting free coronavirus tests, building isolation wards and plasma banks and contributing a large amount to the PM CARES Fund.

PM Modi said the AMU alumni act as ambassadors of India’s rich heritage and culture. “AMU alumni represent the rich heritage and the culture of India wherever they go. In its 100 years of history, AMU has crafted and polished millions of lives, giving them modern and scientific thinking and inspiring them to do something for the society and the nation,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi reminds AMU students and faculties of their responsibility towards the country

While PM Modi extolled the Aligarh Muslim University(AMU) for the contribution it has made towards the society, he also reminded them of the responsibilities they have regarding the country. He asserted that as a centre of excellent Islamic Research, it is the responsibility of the Institution to spread the core values and ethos of India to the world.

PM Modi also drew attention towards how his government had worked towards the betterment of the society without discriminating people based on their caste, creed or religion. He said the plans and policies made by the government have reached every part of the country and the touched the lives of people without any discrimination.

“Bank accounts of over 40 crores poor opened without any discrimination. Without discrimination, more than 2 crore poor were provided pucca houses and more than 8 crore women get cooking gas at their homes,” PM Modi said.

The emphasis by PM Modi on the fact that the government schemes have benefitted people equally, without differentiating them based on their faith, carried a subtle message for the AMU faculties and students that the Centre has been committed to the upliftment of all sections of the society—be it Hindus, Muslims, Christians or any other community—and it expects the same from the Institution in upholding India’s pluralistic ethos.

Resources of the country belong to every citizen: PM Modi

“The country is on the path where every citizen should rest assured about their constitutional rights & their future. The country is on the path where no citizen would be left behind because of their religion and everyone would get equal opportunities so that everyone can fulfil their dreams. Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas is the mantra behind it,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that resources of the country belong to every citizen and every one of them should benefit from it. “Resources of the country belong to every citizen. Everyone should benefit from it, that’s the spirit our government is working with,” PM Modi said.

There can be differences within a society. To iron out those differences, there can be debates, but when it comes to India’s progress, such differences should be kept aside,” PM Modi said.

There’s another subtle message laced in PM Modi’s assurance regarding the sanctity of the constitutional rights of people and his assertion that the resources of the country belong to every citizen. PM Modi’s statements should be viewed in the context of the anti-CAA protests that swept Aligarh Muslim University after the law was passed last year. The protest soon devolved into violence and vandalism, leading to injuries to several people and damages to the government property.

It is in this context that PM Modi promised the citizens that their constitutional rights will be safeguarded and reminded them that the resources of the country belonged to every citizen and therefore those resources mustn’t be damaged, destroyed or vandalised.

PM Modi asserts the importance of ‘Unity in Diversity’, asks students to carry out research on freedom fighters

PM Modi described the Aligarh Muslim University as a microcosm of modern-day India. He said that he was informed by people that AMU is just like a city, having different departments, dozens of hostels, thousands of teachers and professors.

“The diversity we see here is not only the strength of this university but also of the entire nation,” PM Modi declaimed.

“We must not forget this power of diversity, nor let it get weakened. We should work together to ensure that spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’ grows stronger day by day in the campus of Aligarh Muslim University,” PM Modi further added.

PM Modi also raised his expectations from the Aligarh Muslim University. He wished that the college would go an extra mile in developing itself and raise the bar even higher. He stated that the University should have 100 more hostels and place a greater focus on extracurricular activities. PM Modi also wished that the students of AMU would preside over researches on freedom fighters and give a push to digitalisation for preserving ancient documents.

Building toilets through Swachh Bharat Mission brought Muslim girls’ dropout rate down to 30 per cent

Speaking about the benefits that the central government’s Swachh Bharat Mission brought for Muslim girls, PM Modi said that the school dropout rate among Muslim girls dramatically came down to 30% which was earlier at around 70 per cent. He cited the building of toilets in schools and villages under the Swachh Bharat Mission has helped millions of girl students.

“School dropout rate among Muslim girls was more than 70 per cent and this situation persisted for 70 years. In these circumstances, the government started Swachh Bharat Mission, built toilets in villages and toilets for school-going girls. Now the dropout rate from 70 per cent has fallen to nearly 30 per cent. The Central government is continuously working to reduce their dropout rates,” he said speaking at the centenary celebrations of Aligarh Muslim University on Tuesday.

PM Modi spoke about the importance of institutions playing an instrumental role in empowering and educating women. To this effect, he praised AMU for having 35% women students.

“Education brings employment and entrepreneurship with itself, employment and entrepreneurship bring economic independence, which leads to empowerment. An empowered woman, at every level and in every decision, contributes as much as any other person,” the PM said.

Abolition of Triple Talaq takes forward founding chancellor Begum Sultan’s dream of creating a modern Muslim society: PM Modi

PM Modi also invoked the founder chancellor of AMU, Begum Sultan, for creating a modern Muslim society and added that the country has moved forward in that direction with the abolition of regressive practices like Triple Talaq.

“Nearly 100 years ago, the Founder-Chancellor of AMU, Begum Sultan worked towards the creation of the modern Muslim community. Today, after abolishing practices like triple talaq, the country has moved forward in that direction,” PM Modi said.

The reference to Triple Talaq made by PM Modi in his speech to AMU was particularly significant, given that several prominent Muslim organisations, including eminent politicians, claiming to be championing the cause of Muslim women, had openly opposed the legislation that criminalised the abhorrent practice of instant Talaq. Such organisations and opportunist politicians had indulged in scare-mongering, attempting to instil fear among Muslims that the central government is bent on interfering in their “personal matters”.

By describing Triple Talaq as one of the steps towards establishing a modern Muslim society, PM Modi reiterated his government’s commitment towards empowering the Muslim women, providing them justice and putting to rest the fears and apprehensions stoked by the opposition politicians and orthodox Muslim leaders that the central government is working against the interests of the Muslim community.

‘Never use the term Hindu,’ preacher rants against Hinduism in front of DMK chief MK Stalin at Christmas event, says ‘no religion called Hinduism’: Details

OpIndia Staff
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‘Never use the term Hindu,’ preacher rants against Hinduism in front of DMK chief MK Stalin at Christmas event, says ‘no religion called Hinduism’: Details

The rampant Hinduphobia that has come to dominate certain political parties was evident during a recent speech that was made in the presence of DMK president M.K. Stalin. Kalaiarasi Natarajan, a preacher, declared that there is no religion such as Hinduism and claimed that ‘we are all Shaivites’.

The speech was made at a Christmas event organised by the DMK in the run-up to the festival. She said, “Tamil denotes Saivas. Saivites are Tamils. No matter where they are and which religion they follow or ‘create’, they are Tamils. Fundamentally, they are Saivites. Here in Tamil Nadu, the Christians and Muslims are old Tamils. They are our umbilical cord relatives. ..one of the speakers mentioned the word ‘Hinduism’.. I am disheartened by the usage of that term. Please don’t use the word ‘Hindu’ religion. There is no such thing as Hinduism. It is only 200 years old. We are Saivites. We were there even before the stone age. Whether they are Muslims or Christians, they are our umbilical cord. They are our brothers. They are our kith and kin.”

Kalaiarasi stated further, “Never use the word ‘Hindu’. It is because you use the term ‘Hindu’ that it becomes our weakness. Never use that henceforth. There is no such thing as ‘Hindu’ religion.” “Nowadays, when you hear the word ‘Hindu’, the whole body burns. I feel disgusted to listen to Hindu religious stories”, she added.

Reportedly, the Christian leaders who attended the event and even the DMK Chief clapped at the incendiary speech. The statement has sparked quite the outrage on social media with calls being made to reject DMK with state elections looming around the corner.

Only days earlier, controversial Christian evangelist pastor and DMK supporter Bishop Ezra Sargunam hurled abusive remarks against Prime Minister Modi, saying he did not have any merit to rule the country as he could not live with his wife for even five days.

Speaking at the MK Stalin-led event, Ezra Sargunam attacked Modi government over its policies and said that whatever they are speaking at the event should echo in Delhi. He said the speeches made at the event should fall in the ears of Modi.

“He is not going to change his mind anyway. He is a man who has come to loot the country and is doing his job correctly. His duty is to support the four rich men. He doesn’t care about the poor. But he will keep saying ‘I was born poor, I sold tea, I am living my life for the poor’. But friends, he keeps doing exactly the opposite,” said Bishop Ezra Sargunam making vile remarks against Prime Minister.

Note: The translation was provided in a report by The Commune Mag

Who is the ‘farmer’ who has taken ‘offence’ at BJP using his picture to spread the truth about MSP?

OpIndia Staff
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Who is the ‘farmer’ who has taken ‘offence’ at BJP using his picture to spread the truth about MSP?

One ‘Harp Farmer’ alias Harpreet Singh has taken an offence to BJP Punjab’s post for spreading truth about procurement of Kharif produce at MSP.

Accusing the BJP of ‘using his picture’ for MSP procurement while he is ‘protesting’ at Singhu border with other Punjab farmers, he urged people to ‘report’ the BJP Punjab post. He also threatened to take legal action against the BJP. However, the ‘farmer’ forgot to mention that he is actually a model and actor. And that the image used by BJP is from 2015.

Harp Farmer’s 2015 picture

While the image is available as stock image or not is not yet clear. We are also not sure how the BJP decided to use the image which is so widely in circulation.

Harp Farmer’s images which have been widely used and circulated over the years.

So in case the BJP used the stock image, if the same is sold by Harp Farmer, then, well, he is quite likely getting compensated for usage of his image.

Here are some of his other images.

Harp Farmer with Ford Mustang

OpIndia cannot independently verify whether these are his own images with own vehicles or modelling assignments.

Harp Farmer with an Audi in September this year

He is also an actor and producer.

Harp Farmer as producer

He also likes to pose with guns.

Harp Farmer with gun

And travel.

Harp Farmer on wanderlust

Melbourne is apparently second home to him.

Harp Farmer’s Melbourne visit

Who is Harp Farmer

In his own words, 36-year-old Harp Farmer is an actor, director, producer and a photographer who also has his own music label and production company.

In 2016, Harp Farmer had started a campaign ‘Stop defaming Punjab’ over reports of drug abuse in Punjab. He had put up videos encouraging Punjabis to come out and support his campaign where he tried to downplay the drug abuse in Punjab. Daler Mehendi, a popular Punjabi icon, too had lent his support to Harp Farmer’s campaign.

Harp Farmer is now upset that his modelling pictures were used while he was ‘protesting’ in at the Delhi border.

Shiv Sena’s Pratap Sarnaik evades ED summons in Rs 175 crore money laundering case, fresh summons issued to both his sons

OpIndia Staff
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Shiv Sena’s Pratap Sarnaik evades ED summons in Rs 175 crore money laundering case, fresh summons issued to both his sons

Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik, who is under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for his involvement in a Rs 175 crore money laundering case pertaining to a private security firm named Tops Group, is yet to respond to a summons sent to him yesterday to appear before the department for questioning. According to sources, Sarnaik was summoned to appear on Monday, which he failed. The ED will soon take a call on summoning him again later, sources said.

Meanwhile, the department has issued fresh summons to his sons- Purvesh Sarnaik and Vihang Sarnaik asking the siblings to appear before the agency on December 23 (Wednesday).

Earlier, five summons had been issued to Vihang Sarnaik to join the investigation by ED while two have been issued to Purvesh to join investigations. ED had now asked Purvesh and Pratap Sarnaik to join the investigation on Monday but both failed to join after which the agency issued fresh summons to them. Vihang had earlier cited his wife’s illness as the reason for not being able to join the investigation while Purvesh said he was ill.

The Enforcement Directorate had last month raided the residences and official premises of the Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik in connection with a money laundering case involving the Shiv Sena MLA. The search was conducted at 10 places across Mumbai and Thane with the links to the aforementioned Shiv Sena leader. Subsequebtly the agency arrested Sarnaik’s close aide in connection with a money laundering case linked to the legislator.

Uddhav Thackeray defends Pratap Sarnaik

A day after the raid, the Shiv Sena chief come out in defence of his loyalist, calling the action taken by the agency against Sarnaik’s family ‘pervert politics’. Thackeray alleged that Sarnaik’s family was being targeted by the ED. 

A Pakistani credit card was recovered from Sarnaik’s house registered on his address

For the unversed, on December 12, a credit card registered under the name of a Pakistani national was recovered from the premises of Sarnaik. The credit card was registered on his address.

MLA Pratap Sarnaik had threatened to break Kangana Ranaut’s mouth

In the last few months, Sarnaik has made his presence felt in Maharashtra politics by ratcheting up his criticism against the BJP. Besides, he has also been vehemently demanding re-investigation into the suicide of interior designer Anvay Naik, a case which was used by the Mumbai Police to arrest Republic TV Editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami. Sarnaik had brought in privilege motions against Kangana Ranaut and Arnab Goswami in the previous session of the Assembly.

The ‘Jalianwala Bagh’ of 1998: When the Congress govt in Madhya Pradesh opened fire and killed 24 farmers in Multai

OpIndia Staff
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The ‘Jalianwala Bagh’ of 1998: When the Congress govt in Madhya Pradesh opened fire and killed 24 farmers in Multai

Amidst ongoing farmers’ protest and Congress showcasing their immense ‘love’ and ‘support’ for the farmers, it is essential to point out one incident that took place in 1998, Madhya Pradesh. The inability of the Digvijay Singh-led then-Congress government in Madhya Pradesh resulted in the death of around 24 farmers in Multai.

The farmers’ protest of Multai

In 2017, Bharatiya Janata Party released a video on Multai agitation and police firing on farmers. The video narrated the chronology of events that led to the Massacre of January 12, 1998, and the events in coming months.

In 1997, the farmers faced heavy losses due to crop damage. The farmers were on the verge of starvation. The loans were piling up. The farmers started protests against the MP government with several demands, including compensation for the damaged crops, loan waiver, electricity bill waiver, payment against crop insurance and several others.

On December 25, 1997, the farmers gathered outside Multai Tehsil. After 13 days, the police uprooted farmers’ tents. It was alleged that the police came in at night and demolished the tents. The protesters claimed that the police snatched money that they had brought for ration and forced them to leave the protest site. The protests continued peacefully even after police action against the farmers. On January 11, police allegedly picked some farmers who were close to Sunilam to interrogate them. They were asked about the whereabouts of Sunilam, but the police could not get any information.

The ‘Jalianwala Bagh’ of 1998

On January 12, 1998, Madhya Pradesh police fired on protesting farmers in Multai as the protests went violent. The farmers were seeking compensation for the damaged crops due to adverse weather. Thousands of farmers gathered on the call of then-newly-formed Kisan Sangharsh Samiti. The group had announced a program to lock and gherao the Multai tehsil office.

The group of farmers pelted stones and tried to attack officials. Some vehicles were set on fire. The violence resulted in police opening firing at the protesters. While the official count states 19 farmers lost their lives with over 150 injured, the unofficial count of the dead as per the activists is around 24. BJP was in opposition at that time. They equated the incident to the Jalianwala Bagh massacre.

The role of Sunilam in the protests

Sunilam (Sunil Mishra), who was a legislator at that time, was allegedly behind mobilizing the farmers on January 12, 1998. He was suspended from Samajwadi Party for some time, but later his suspension was revoked. According to a judicial commission, the officials were suspended in haste and blamed Sunilam for the deaths due to violent agitation. then SP (Betul) G P Singh, who is now IG (Lokayukta), said, “Property worth crores were damaged and a fire brigade employee was killed only because he was trying to put out a fire and wearing a uniform similar to a policeman’s.” He added that farmers tried to snatch away rifles from the policemen.

As per the judicial commission, the mob not only killed a fireman but caused injuries to several police personnel and government officials. Police fired shots at them only in self-defence. The report suggested that Sunilam was shouting slogans using a microphone and provoking protesters against the government officials.

The testimonies recorded by the commission gave a picture of how government and police officials had to hide under the tables and requested police officers to open fire to save them from the mob. It was alleged that Sunilam was shouting not to be scared if police shoot them as they only use rubber and plastic bullets.

Sunilam did not join the judicial commission’s proceedings and asked for a probe by a judge from Madhya Pradesh High Court or the Supreme Court. He said that he was implicated as Congress was scared of his popularity in the region. He said the ruling party was afraid that the agitation he started in 450 villages would soon spread across Madhya Pradesh.

Sunilam’s arrest

On the day of the violence, Sunilam was arrested by the police and later released in the last week of March. In a contested election as an Independent and in 2003 elections, he got the ticket from Samajwadi Party. In 2008 he lost the elections by a considerable margin. During Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement, Sunilam decided to join the movement.

Congress MLA Sukhdev Panse defeated Sunilam in 2008. He said that when someone is leading an agitation, he should make sure that the mob does not turn violent. He added that Sunilam could not deny the responsibility for the death of so many farmers. “If he was right, he should have been able to convince the courts,” he added.

A total of 66 allegedly fake cases were registered against Sunilam and other farmers. Most of them were withdrawn in later years. However, Sunilam was convicted in three cases, including the alleged lynching of a fire brigade personnel. It took 15 years for the sessions court in Multai to pass the judgement in the cases, and sentence Sunilam to life imprisonment for his role in the protests. Apart from these three cases, all other cases were either dropped, or the court found him not guilty. Appeals on these cases are pending in Madhya Pradesh High Court.

Farmers claim police fired without warning

Amidst the claims from leaders and administration, farmers who were protesting at the site narrate a somewhat different story. The farmers stated that the police did not warn them before opening fire on them. As per the eyewitnesses’ testimonies in BJP’s video, farmers were standing outside the tehsil when suddenly the police started firing. They fired several rounds from the nearby hospital as well. The massacre continued for over 2.5 hours, after which a curfew was imposed in the area.

Farmers, who were named in several cases, alleged that there were no cases filed against the officers who shot them. Fines as much as Rs.10,000 were imposed on all accused, and many of them are still struggling to get justice in the courts.

Pakistan: Read how father of a minor Christian girl, who was abducted and converted to Islam, has to pay a fine for seeking justice

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: Read how father of a minor Christian girl, who was abducted and converted to Islam, has to pay a fine for seeking justice

On December 20 (Sunday), Pakistani Human right activist Rahat Austin shared a video on Twitter, wherein a Christian father who was trying to seek justice for his minor daughter had narrated the sordid tale of his endless miseries in Pakistan. His 13-year-old daughter Mehwish had been forcefully abducted, raped and converted to Islam by Sajid Ali, Sumaira and Tarav in Thokar Nayaz, Kanjrah Lahore.

Speaking about the same incident, the Pakistani activist today shared the copy of Lahore High Court orders which upheld a lower court’s decision asking the victim’s father to pay a penalty of PKR 30000. The activist stated that the victim’s father had approached Lahore High Court to waive off a fine of KR 30,000, imposed on him by a lower court when he approached it for help after his minor daughter was abducted. Instead of providing him with any sort of help, the lower court had imposed the penalty on the victim’s father.

Coming from a humble background, it was almost impossible for the victim’s father to arrange for the hefty sum. Therefore he had approached the Lahore High Court pleading it to forego the penalty imposed on him. However, the Pakistan HC instead of helping him upheld the order passed by the lower court and asked him to pay the fine immediately.

“It is impossible to get justice in Pakistan”, father of the 13-year-old Christian girl remarked

We had reported on Sunday how the distressed father of the 13-year-old Christian victim had warned of killing his entire family if justice was not provided to him. On being asked whether he sought help from any political leaders, the man had lamented: “Initially, we tried to meet Minister Jahaz Alam Ghasti on two occasions but failed. However, we met him later on 3 different occasions. He said that he cannot do anything about it… If Prime Minister, Ministers, Chief Justice and Parliamentarians do not listen to me or ensure the safe return of my child, then, I will be forced to kill my entire family.”

Throwing light on the depraved conditions the religious minorities are having to live in, in Pakistan, the 13-year-old’s father had said: “It is impossible to get justice in Pakistan. Justice will only be rendered when my daughter returns back to me. Do not take my words lightly. If my daughter does not come back, then, I will do what I have promised,” the victim’s father remarked.

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