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Farmers’ organisations blocking roads at outskirts of Delhi reject Home Minister Amit Shah’s goodwill gesture of talks

OpIndia Staff
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Farmers’ organisations blocking roads at outskirts of Delhi reject Home Minister Amit Shah’s goodwill gesture of talks

The farmers protesting against the Modi government over new farm laws have rejected Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s proposal for a discussion on their grievances.

According to the reports, the protesting farmers who are blocking roads at the outskirts of Delhi said that they have rejected the offer claiming that the talks proposed by Amit Shah were conditional. The farmers, however, insisted that the Union Home Minister should visit the farmers and hold talks ‘without any conditions.’

The farmers contend that the government is imposing conditions on the talks. AAP founding member and chief of political outfit Swaraj India Yogendra Yadav speaking on behalf of agitating farmers said that farmers have now taken the decision to turn down the offer and will continue to sit on the borders of Delhi.

Farmers’ organisations have expressed reservations about the offer. Jagjit Singh, Bharatiya Kisan Union’s Punjab President, said, “He should have offered talks with an open heart without any condition”.

Home Minister calls farmers for talks, farmer orgs reject

Earlier, the Home Minister in a goodwill gesture had said the government was willing to talk on “every problem and demand”. He also urged the farmers to move their protest to a designated spot near Burari in the national capital. The government’s decision to hold talks with farmers came after the so-called farmers began to block the highways causing inconvenience to citizens.

The Home Minister had appealed to all unions on Friday evening and had also personally called three farmer leaders – Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president of Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan), Jagjit Singh Dallewal, president of BKU ( Sidhupur) and Balbir Singh Rajewal, President of BKU (Rajewal).

Speaking to the media, Ugrahan said that the Union Home Minister called him at around 12.20 pm on Friday and appealed to them not to seal the borders of Delhi and instead go to Nirankari Bhawan, Burari.

The farmer leaders said that even he understood that blocking the borders is causing inconvenience to masses, but they not ready to move to Burari.

The farmers now want to hold the protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

The farmers’ decision came after a meeting this morning, shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his monthly radio address ‘Mann ki Baat’, had clarified on the farm laws, saying the agricultural reforms have “unshackled” the farmers and given them “new rights and opportunities”.

Mann Ki Baat: Canada to return ancient Maa Annapurna idol stolen from Varanasi temple 100 years back, says PM Modi

OpIndia Staff
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Mann Ki Baat: Canada to return ancient Maa Annapurna idol stolen from Varanasi temple 100 years back, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation through his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ in the 71st edition of the programme.

In his address, PM Modi mentioned that Canada will be returning a very ancient idol of Devi Annapurna. PM Modi said that the idol was stolen from a temple of Varanasi and smuggled out of the country about 100 years ago somewhere around 1913. Expressing his gratitude to the Government of Canada, PM Modi said that the Mata Annapoorna has a very special relationship with Kashi. Now the coming back of her idol is pleasing for all of us, he added.

Stressing on the global mafia that steals and deals with international heritage, PM Modi said, “Just like the idol of Mata Annapurna, a lot of our invaluable heritage has suffered at the hands of international gangs. These gangs sell them at a very high price in the international market”.

Prime Minister added how it is now tough to smuggle as they are being subjected to heavy restrictions. He said India has also increased her efforts for their return and because of such efforts, India has been successful in bringing back lots of such idols and artefacts in the past few years.

“There is a coincidence attached with the return of the idol of Mata Annapurna. A few days back we celebrated World Heritage week which provides culture enthusiasts an opportunity to look back into the past,” Prime Minister Modi mentioned in his speech.

Revisit the past and to know about the history: PM Modi

Emphasising on the rich Indian culture and traditions, Prime Minister in his monthly address to the nation said that the World Heritage Week provides a wonderful opportunity to the lovers of culture to revisit the past and to know about the history of these important milestones.

“In spite of these times of corona, this time, we saw people celebrate this Heritage week in an innovative manner. Culture helps a lot during the crisis, plays a major role in handling it. Even with the help of technology, culture works as an emotional recharge,” the PM added.

Speaking on th glory of Indian culture and the Shastras, PM Modi pointed out to the fellow countrymen how India’s culture and knowledge have always been a centre of attraction for the entire world. Many people came to India to discover and study them and stayed back for ever, whereas some of them returned to their respective countries as carriers of this culture, PM Modi observed.  

“The culture and scriptures of India have always been a centre of attraction for the whole world and people who came to visit our country returned to theirs as ambassadors of Indian culture,” PM Modi said.

He also narrated how he recently got to know about the work of Jonas Masetti, who gives lessons on Vedanta and Geeta to people in Brazil.

“I got to know about the work of Jonas Masetti, who is also known as ‘Vishvanath’. Jonas gives lessons on Vedanta and Geeta in Brazil. He runs an organisation called ‘Vishvavidya’ which is located in hills of Petrópolis about an hour’s driver from Rio De Janeiro,” PM Modi said.

“After completing mechanical engineering, Jonas worked for his stock market company. Later he was attracted towards Indian culture, especially towards Vedanta. He studied Vendanta in India and spent 4 years at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in Coimbatore. I congratulate Jonas for his efforts, ” PM Modi added.

PM Modi lauds New Zealand MP Gaurav Sharma

Addressing his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also lauded New Zealand MP Gaurav Sharma for recently taking oath in Sanskrit and said that his action, filled the hearts of Indians with pride.

“Recently, a New Zealand MP Gaurav Sharma took oath in Sanskrit. The spread of our language, which is one of the oldest in the world, fills our heart with pride. I want to congratulate him through this platform and wish him good luck for his tenure,” the PM said.

Newly elected New Zealand MP Gaurav Sharma took his oath of office in Sanskrit. However, he was also targeted and accused of using the language of “religious oppression” and “caste superiority”. New Zealand journalist Michael Field  also claimed Sanskrit is a “mark of Hindutva”, a “mark of fundamentalism”.

Rajasthan: 18-year-old rape accused force-fed faeces, beaten up in Dholpur

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: 18-year-old rape accused force-fed faeces, beaten up in Dholpur

A video of a man beaten up and being force-fed faeces in Dholpur, Rajasthan has gone viral on social media. In the video, a group of 7-8 men was seen assaulting a man and then force-feeding him human faeces and urine. The man was accused of molesting a girl. The police are investigating the case.

According to the police, the incident took place on November 25. The father of the 18-year-old man had gone to attend a wedding with his wife. While his son was alone at home, a young girl allegedly called the young man on his mobile and called him. She allegedly threatened to kill him if he does not come to her house. As per the reports, the man went to her house at around 1 AM. As soon as he reached her place, her family members attacked him with belts and sticks. During the assault, he was forced to drink urine and eat human faeces. The police have filed a case against eight people and started an investigation.

Molestation charged against the youth

The girl’s family has alleged molestation in connection with the incident. The girl’s father said in his complaint that he had gone to attend a social function. During that time, his daughter was alone at home. The accused allegedly entered his house and molested the girl. When she tried to escape, he thrashed her. The girl started screaming, after which two of the family members rushed and rescued her. The girl told her family about the incident after while they filed the complaint with the police.

Police investigating all angles

Bane Singh, station in-charge, Baseri, said that the police had received complaints from both sides. One side has alleged that the young man was called at Gote Ka Pura, Baseri. He was assaulted and forced-fed faeces. The other side has alleged in their complaint that the young man entered their home and molested a girl from their family. The investigation is ongoing.

‘Will not say Jai Hind, will teach lesson to Modi like we taught Indira’: Khalistani protester in presence of AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan

OpIndia Staff
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‘Will not say Jai Hind, will teach lesson to Modi like we taught Indira’: Khalistani protester in presence of AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan

Amidst the ongoing ‘farmer protests’ along the Punjab-Haryana border, which have now been hijacked by Khalistanis elements, a couple of videos have emerged of an elderly Sikh man threatening to teach a lesson to Prime Minister Narendra Modi just like ‘they taught Indira Gandhi’. Interestingly, these threatening statements were made in the presence of Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan.

‘No Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Only Sikh, Muslim and Christian slogans’

In the video, the man said, “Asi nahi kehnde, No Bharat Mata di Jai. Asi tan Bole Sau Nihal, Assalam Walekum, Hallelujah, aehi asi kavanhge. Asi Bharat Mata di Jai nahi kehna. Te Kejriwal nu kaho ke aithe tere bande, asi ohna nu fad laina, je ohna ne Bharat Mata di Jai kehni hai. Bharat Mata di Jai Modi Kave, Bhagwat Kave. Oh kehnda ae Jai Hind. No Jai Hind. Asi tan Musalmaan kaum da naara challuga, Sikh kaum da naara chaluga, Isai da chaluga, maanavtavadi naara chaluga. Ais karke ae vi band hona chahida. Aithe Bharat Mata di gal…

Translated, it means:

“We won’t say Bharat Mata ki Jai. We will only say Jo Bole Sau Nihal, Assalam Wailekum, Hallelujah. We won’t say Bharat Mata ki Jai. Tell Kejriwal if his men try to say Bharat Mata ki Jai we will catch them. Modi and Bhagwat can say Bharat Mata ki Jai. They say Jai Hind. We won’t say Jai Hind. We will only say slogans of Muslims, Sikhs and Christians.”

In the second part of the video, he was heard threatening PM Modi. He said, “Hum na seekhna chahte hai, hum seekhe hue hain. Humne Indita Gandhi ko bhi sikhaya, humne General Vaidya ko bhi sikhaya hai, hum Modi ko bhi sikhayenge. Aaj sikha dein, kal sikha dein. Yeh hamara tractor hai. Modi kehta tha hum aane nahi denge. Humne pehla border toda, fir doosra toda, fir teesra toda, fir Delhi ka toda, fir Majnu Tilla. Won Majnu Tila pe jo thanedaar ne humpe lathi maari hai na uska naam yaad hai. Usko bhi sabak sikhayenge. Chodenge nahi. Hum chote nahi. Apna hisab kitan barabar rakhte hain. Yeh bhai hai (points finger to Amanatullah Khan) hamare saath chale

Translated, it is evident that the Khalistani was trying to threaten PM Modi with the same fate as Indira Gandhi:

“We don’t want to learn, we are already educated. We have taught a lesson to Indira Gandhi and General Vaidya. We will teach a lesson to Modi. Either Today or Tomorrow. Modi said he wouldn’t let us enter. We have broken the borders and joined Delhi. The officer at Majnu Tila who ordered Lathicharge at us, we know his name. We will teach him a lesson. We don’t let any go. We keep our books clear. This is our brother (points fingers at Amanatullah Khan) he should come with us”.

In fact, not just Prime Minister Modi, the Khalistani, in the presence of Amanatullah Khan said that they would also teach a lesson to the police officer who stopped them at Majnu ka Tilla since they know his name.

Shockingly, he pointed to Amanatullah Khan and said that he was their brother and he should help them with their nefarious designs.

Amanatullah Khan a common face when trouble brews – Now, standing with Khalistani elements hijacking the farmer protest, then, with those orchestrating Delhi anti-Hindu riots

The anti-Hindu riots that shook Delhi in February 2020 had the distinct handprint of AAP. Not only did their councillor, Tahir Hussain, was involved in fanning the riots and even playing an active role in the murder of IB staffer Ankit Sharma, but Amanatullah Khan, who is now being seen with Khalistani elements, was also an important part of that conspiracy.

The nexus between the ant-India brigade and the Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Aadmi Party to instigate violence on the streets of Delhi was exposed at the time. In January, only a few days before the riots broke out, AAP leader Amanatullah Khan, who is accused of instigating Muslims to indulge in violence, was present alongside Sharjeel Imam – the chief co-ordinator of the Shaheen Bagh protest, who has been seen pushing secessionist agenda.

In a shocking video, it was seen that AAP leader Amanatalullah Khan was present next to anti-India propagandist and Shaheen Bagh ‘protests’ mastermind Sharjeel Imam during an anti-CAA protest. In the video, it can be clearly seen Khan asking whether people want to protest or prepare for Friday prayers in Mosques.

AAP leader Amanatullah Khan had also created ruckus outside Delhi police state demanding the release of a 22-year-old Muslim youth named Furkan who was accused of instigating riots in Jamia Millia University in December.

It is pertinent to note that Sharjeel Imam is now in custody and has been accused of being one of the masterminds of the Delhi anti-Hindu riots.

Incriminating connections of protests with Khalistani elements

PFI, SFJ, and other organizations affiliated with terror organizations and the Khalistani movement have supported the protests. Those who had provoked people during anti-CAA protests are also a part of these protests. Khalistani supporter actor Deep Sidhu is leading a massive part of the Farmers’ protest raising more questions about the intentions of the people involved.

Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi remembers Guru Nanak, speaks on Farm Bills as Khalistanis try to hijack farmers’ protest

OpIndia Staff
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Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi remembers Guru Nanak, speaks on Farm Bills as Khalistanis try to hijack farmers’ protest

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the nation through his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’. In the latest edition of his ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on various topics, including the three farm bills passed by the government against which Punjab farmers are now holding protest, and founder of Sikhism-Guru Nanak, whose birth anniversary falls on November 30.

“My dear countrymen, tomorrow on the 30th of November, we shall celebrate the 551st Prakash Parv, birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji. The world over, the influence of Guru Nanak Dev ji is distinctly visible,” PM Modi remembered Sikhism founder Guru Nanak.

PM Modi, in his speech, said the messages of Guru Nanak are heard from Vancouver to Wellington, from Singapore to South Africa. He also mentioned a message from Guru Granth Sahib –’sevak ko seva bun aayee’, which meant that is the work of a sevak, a servant is to serve. The Prime Minister also said that he felt that he has been specially blessed by Guru Sahib that he has associated him very closely with his work.

Prime Minister Modi also informed the public about Guru Nanak’s stay at the Lakhpat Gurudwara Sahib, in Kutch. PM Modi also said that it was Guru Nanak Dev who started the tradition of Langar and hailed the Sikh community for continuing the tradition of feeding people all over the world during this period of Corona

“This tradition always keeps inspiring us. I wish we all keep working as a Sevak. May Guru Sahib keep taking services from me and countrymen in the same manner.  Once again, many best wishes on  Guru Nanak Jayanti,” the PM Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi’s remembrance of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak comes at a time when pro-Khalistani elements have tried to hijack the farmer protests along the Haryana-Punjab border. Earlier, we had reported how the farmer protests are being hijacked by several Khalistani elements, posing a great risk for the security apparatus of the country.

It is pertinent to note that the ongoing farmer protests along the Punjab-Haryana border have seen the participation of pro-Khalistani elements, who tried to hijack the farmer protests to incite Punjabi farmers against the Modi government. A few Khalistani terror sympathisers disguised as farmers were caught gloating over the assassination of the former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who also threatened PM Modi with a similar fate if their demands went unfulfilled.

Prime Minister speaks on farm bills, says committed to the welfare of farmers

Prime Minister, in his address, also spoke on the farm bills, which has triggered protests by farmers in Punjab. The farm bill, Modi said, have opened new doors of possibilities for our farmers, even as some farmers are claiming it to be as “anti-farmers”.

Amid the protests, he also asked the agricultural students to inform the farmers about the bills to clear their doubts. He also assured the protesting farmers that the government is committed to the welfare of hardworking Indian farmer.

The PM added, “The agricultural reforms in the past few days have also now opened new doors of possibilities for our farmers. The demands that have been made by farmers for years, that every political party, at some point or the other made the promise to fulfil, those demands have been met. These reforms have not only served to unshackle our farmers but also given them new rights and opportunities.”

In just a short span of time, these new rights have begun to ameliorate the woes of our farmers.

PM Modi shared successful examples of farmers gaining from the farm bill

Sharing a few recent incidents, PM Modi explained how the passing of farm bills have helped the farmers to sell their produce in an efficient manner. Citing Jitendra Bhoiji, a farmer from Dhule district in Maharashtra, PM Modi said how farmer made use of the recently promulgated farm laws.

“Jitendra Bhoiji had sown corn and decided to sell his produce to traders for the right price. The total cost of the product was fixed at approximately Rupees Three Lakh thirty-two thousand. Jitendra Bhoi even received an advance of Rupees twenty-five thousand. It had been decided that the outstanding amount would be cleared in fifteen days”.

He continued, “However, later such circumstances developed, that he did not receive the remainder of his payment. Buy the crop from the farmer, keep the payment pending for months on end; probably this was the long-standing tradition that the buyers of corn were following. This continued for four months wherein Jitendra ji was not paid his dues”.

PM Modi said in this situation, the new farm laws that were passed in September came to his aid. Consequently, he lodged a complaint and within days his outstanding payments were cleared. This correct and complete knowledge of the law became the strength of Jitendra ji, PM Modi noted in his address.

Asking the protesting farmers to understand the law and free themselves from misconceptions and rumours, PM Modi said that correct knowledge can act as a force multiplier for every individual.

Prime Minister Modi also urged the youth, especially the lakhs of students who are studying agriculture, to visit villages in their vicinity and talk to the farmers and make them aware about innovations in farming and the recent agricultural reforms. This way, you will become stakeholders in major reforms underway in the country, he added.

Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam accused of sexually assaulting, exploiting woman for a decade after promising to marry her

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam accused of sexually assaulting, exploiting woman for a decade after promising to marry her

In a shocking allegation, a woman has accused Pakistan cricket captain Babar Azam of sexually exploiting her for 10 years and giving false promises of marriage.

In an explosive press conference on Saturday, the aggrieved woman accused Babar Azam of cheating and sexually abusing her. The woman also revealed how she had helped the Pakistan cricketer financially during his tough times.

The woman said that Babar Azam’s family and her family lived in the same locality and they were school friends. As per the woman, Babar had proposed her for marriage in 2010 and they eloped for a court wedding the following year.

“As time went along, my understanding with him deepened and we even had plans of getting married. But our families were against it. So, we decided for court marriage. In 2011, he helped me flee from my place, and promising me of court marriage, he used to keep me in rented places. I requested Babar to get married, but he kept delaying it,” the lady said in the press conference.

Babar Azam beat me up, made me pregnant, says victim

According to the victim, Babar Azam who was selected as the captain of Pakistan in 2012 U-19 World Cup, changed his mind and ditched her as he rose to fame.

The woman also revealed that Babar threatened to kill her when she decided to go to the police. She also alleged that Babar had physically assaulted her. The lady said that Babar Azam got her pregnant while promising marriage. “He promised to marry me, he got me pregnant, he beat me up, he threatened me and he used me,” the woman alleged.

Babar Azam was appointed as Pakistan’s all-format captain earlier this month. He is currently in New Zealand for the T20I and Test series against the Black Caps. The members of the Pakistan cricket team are serving their 14-day isolation period after some of its players tested positive for the coronavirus.

UP registers first Grooming Jihad case under new anti-conversion law, accused, who was forcing Hindu girl to convert, absconding

OpIndia Staff
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UP registers first Grooming Jihad case under new anti-conversion law, accused, who was forcing Hindu girl to convert, absconding

A day after the Uttar Pradesh Governor gave her assent to the new anti-conversion law to curb the menace of Grooming Jihad (Love Jihad), the police have registered its first-ever case against one Uwais Ahmed for trying to forcibly convert a Hindu girl to Islam.

According to journalist Aman Sharma, a case was registered against Ahmed after a family in Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh had lodged a complaint with the Deorania police. The accused was booked under Section 3/5 of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020. Ever since the case has been lodged against him, Ahmed is reported to be absconding.

As per reports, the accused tried to lure the victim. Ahmed began to persuade her to convert to Islam. When she refused, he began to pressurise the victim and her family. Besides intimidation, he had also threatened to kill the victim and her family for refusal to give in to his demands for conversion. The Deorania police are now making efforts to nab the accused.

Provisions of the new law

The new anti-conversion law is aimed at preventing forced conversions under the pretext of love and marriage. “There were more than 100 incidents reported in which forceful religious conversion was being done. Also, it was reported religious conversions were going on in the state using deceitful means. So to make a law on this becomes an important matter of policy now,” UP Cabinet Minister Siddharth Nath Singh had earlier remarked.

Under the new law, a jail term of 1-5 years is awarded to the accused (extended to 3-10 years in case of SC/STs) and a fine of ₹15,000 (₹25,000 in case of SC/STs). Moreover, the offender’s proven guilty for mass conversion will attract a jail term of 10 years.

UP Governor gives assent to anti-conversion ordinance

Days after Yogi Adityanath government cleared the draft ordinance against unlawful religious conversions, the Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel also gave her assent to the ordinance on Saturday. Soon after the approval by the Governor, the ordinance has come into force in the state. The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020 has been promulgated with the approval of the Governor, an official said.

In a cabinet meeting, headed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on November 24, the government had cleared the ordinance against forced conversions, which the Yogi Adityanath government has been mulling ever since the cases of the purported crime had been gaining its foothold in the state.

Karnataka: Radical Islamist graffiti, calling for beheading for insulting Prophet Muhammad, appears in Mangaluru

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: Radical Islamist graffiti, calling for beheading for insulting Prophet Muhammad, appears in Mangaluru

Three days after a graffiti in Mangaluru hailed radical Islamist terror outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Taliban, another disturbing graffiti was spotted in the city on Sunday. The inscription was found outside an old police outpost in the court premises in Mangaluru, Karnataka.

“Gustak-e-Rasool ki ek hi saza, sar tan say juda (The only punishment for insulting Prophet Muhammad is beheading of the one accused of blasphemy),” the graffiti read. Although it is believed to have been written on Saturday, the graffiti was spotted only on Sunday morning.

The graffiti is a reminder of the dangerous ideology and the intolerant mindset that led to the beheading of a 47-year-old teacher named Samuel Paty by an 18-year-old radical Islamist named Abdoullakh Abouyezidovitch A in the Paris suburb of Conflans-Sainte-Honorine for showcasing ‘objectionable’ cartoons of Prophet Mohammed to his students at College du Bois d’Aulne.

As per reports, police has launched an investigation into the matter. CCTV cameras in locality are being checked to get clues on who could be behind such threatening graffiti.

‘Lashkar Zindabad’: Islamist graffiti surfaces in Mangaluru

In a shocking incident, on the anniversary of the ghastly terror attacks in 2008, Mangaluru saw graffiti threatening to take Lashkar-e-Taiba and Taliban’s help to eliminate ‘Sanghis’ and ‘Manuvadis’. The graffiti says, “Do not force us to invite Lashkar-e-Taiba and Taliban to Deal with Sanghis and Manvedis (Manuvadis)”. Further, in the corner, a hashtag is painted with the words “Lashkar Zindabad”.

According to the police, the graffiti was noticed in the wee hours of 27th November morning. Speaking to OpIndia, the police said, that the graffiti was drawn on the wall of an apartment at Circuit Road, Mangaluru. Kadri police have registered a case and have launched an investigation based on CCTV footage. Further, the police also said that the graffiti has now been covered up.

UAE punishes Pakistan for not relenting on its anti-Israel stand? Pakistanis lose 3,000 jobs in a week after visa ban: Read details

OpIndia Staff
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UAE punishes Pakistan for not relenting on its anti-Israel stand? Pakistanis lose 3,000 jobs in a week after visa ban: Read details

A few days ago, just a month after signing a visa waiver agreement with Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had stopped issuing visas to citizens of 13 countries including Iran, Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Most of these 13 countries are Muslim majority nations. The stated position at the time was that it was due to ‘security concerns’. As the circular to suspend issuing visas to as many as 13 countries came into effect from the 18th of November, Pakistan is one country that has been hit adversely by this visa ban. Reportedly, Pakistanis have lost over 3,000 jobs just within a week after the visa ban by UAE.

In the aftermath of the drastic decision, about 3000 Pakistanis have lost their job visas in the UAE. As per reports, a recruitment agency in Rawalpindi had alone witnessed a loss of 3000 jobs since the ban came into force. Pakistan, which has already been facing economic distress, is likely to suffer a huge loss.

While the visa ban was initially limited to tourist visas, it was later extended to employment and work visas. “As per the latest circular released by the Immigration Department Entry Permit Applications (for individuals outside the country), applications for new employment visa and new visit visa (long, short and tourist), will be suspended until further notice,” read a letter by the Dubai Airport Free Zone.

As of 2019, around 2.11 lac Pakistanis worked in the UAE and send annual foreign remittances of $4 billion. Along with Pakistan, 12 other countries with anti-Israel stand have been handed out ban on the issue of new visas. It is believed that Pakistan may witness similar visa bans from other Gulf countries in foreseeable future.

According to EurasiaTimes, In 2016, Pakistan sent 3,26,000 workers to the UAE, 2,90,000 in 2016, 2,75,000 in 2017, 2,08,000 in 2018, 2,11,000 in 2019 and even during the Covid-19 outbreak until October, 51,000 Pakistanis went to the Gulf country for employment.

Has UAE banned visas for Pakistan due to ‘security concerns’ and ‘Coronavirus concerns’?

There is an interesting aspect to the visa ban imposed by the UAE on Pakistan, according to Eurasia Times. According to the report, even before the relations between UAE and Israel were normalised, Israel had demanded that Pakistan accepts Israel and stops its tirade against the nation. In fact, Israeli newspaper Hareetz on August 11, 2020, titled ‘Pakistan’s Rejection of Israel Threatens Pakistani Lives’, indicated that Israel was willing to travel the distance if Pakistan did not recognise them as a nation.

Once the relations normalised between Israel and UAE and Pakistan refused to relent on its anti-Israel stand, to send a message, UAE had ‘gifted’ Israel and embassy on Pakistan’s Independence Day. When Pakistan still not yield, UAE put a ‘temporary’ hold on issuing visas to Pakistan.

Pakistan has reportedly been unable to come in terms with the decision of the UAE government. It is hoping for some relaxation as the ban was initially on tourist visas and supposedly linked to rising Coronavirus cases. However, Pakistan Senator Anwer Baig had highlighted that the ban was specific to Pakistan, which had lacs of workers in UAE.

While Pakistan tried to pass off the visa ban as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, Eurasia Times notes that the reason they are trying to sell to their people is probably a hogwash since visas from several other countries, including India, is allowed. It would, therefore, make no sense to ban visas to only a handful of countries.

It is also interesting to note that all the 13 nations which have been debarred from entry into the UAE are Pakistan, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Yemen, and other Muslim countries, and what is common among these nations is that none of them have accepted Israel.  The only exception in the list is perhaps Turkey, that at least has an Israeli embassy but their Islamist stand is not hidden to anyone.

UAE-Israel visa waiver agreement

What lends further credence to the theory that UAE has imposed a visa ban on Pakistan because of its anti-Israel stand, is the decision that comes right after the two nations (UAE and Israel) had signed a visa waiver agreement, allowing citizens of the countries to visit each other without requiring a visa.

The two countries had signed several agreements after the US-brokered peace agreement signed in September. Apart from the visa waiver, UAE and Israel had also signed agreements on cooperation in aviation, investment, science and technology. After signing the visa waiver agreement on October 19 in Tel Aviv, UAE had ratified it on 1st November, and Israel ratified the agreement on 23rd November. This is the first such agreement between an Arab nation and a Jewish nation.

Uttar Pradesh: Ballia resident Saiyed Ali slits throat of 16-year-old Ritika after she rejects his advances

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Ballia resident Saiyed Ali slits throat of 16-year-old Ritika after she rejects his advances

In one more case of grooming jihad, a 16-year-old girl named Ritika was brutally murdered by one Saiyed Ali after she refused to reciprocate to his advances. The incident took place at her maternal grandparents’ place in Baghuta village, which falls under the jurisdiction of Sikanderpur police station, in the Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh.

As per reports, the victim, who lived with her maternal grandfather, had gone to harvest crops at the field with her friends at around 4 pm. Saiyed Ali, a daily wage labourer, reached the spot, pushed her to the ground and slit her throat mercilessly. Meanwhile, the friends of the victim cried for help, which led to the gathering of people. Ali tried to flee and disposed of his knife at a short distance away. However, the villagers chased him down and handed him over to the police. Reportedly, Ali was thrashed by the villagers before being handed over to the police.

Meanwhile, the police had recorded the statement of the victim’s grandmother and her friends who had gone to the field to harvest crops. Superintendent of Police Devendranath reached the spot and informed that it was a case of a one-sided ‘love’. The girl, daughter of one Suresh Sahni, was an acquaintance of Ali but stopped talking to him after he returned to his village from Delhi on November 12. The accused assumed that she was in a relationship with another man and wanted to avenge it. Since the accused is a Muslim and the victim a Hindu, police deployment has been increased in the area to avert communal tension.

Another case of grooming jihad

The incident comes just days after one Imran was arrested by Ballia Police who had lured a minor Hindu girl by hiding his religion. In this case of grooming jihad, Imran lured a Hindu girl by hiding his religious identity and befriended her. Under pretext of love, he allegedly promised her marriage and eloped with her. When her relatives got to know of it, they took help of villagers and traced them.

When he saw the villagers, he left the girl and ran away. However, after police intervention, he was arrested and a case has been registered under relevant sections of the IPC.

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