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Bangladesh: Muslim mob attacks, burns houses of Hindus over a Facebook post about Charlie Hebdo cartoons

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh: Muslim mob attacks, burns houses of Hindus over a Facebook post about Charlie Hebdo cartoons

In a shocking display of intolerance and bigotry, a group of radical Islamists attacked over 10 Hindu families on Sunday at Korbanpur village under Muradnagar Upazila in the Comilla district of Bangladesh.

As per reports, the Hindu households were selectively vandalised and later set on fire after a man allegedly expressed solidarity with France and defended the Charlie Hebdo cartoons in Facebook comments. The man has been identified as one Shankar Debnath. The Islamist mob burnt down the office of the local Union Parishad Chairman Bankumar Shiv, his house, Shankar’s house and that of other Hindu families in the area.

In a video that has now gone viral on social media, a violent Islamist mob, wearing skull caps and brandishing sticks, logs and stones, could be seen vandalising the houses of Hindu families. Twitter user Joy Chakraborty has claimed that the police has taken no action against the arsonists and the vandals but instead jailed two Hindus over comments on Facebook. He emphasised that the carnage lasted for a whopping 5 hours. On Sunday, Shankar and another man named Anik Bhowmik were arrested for allegedly ‘hurting religious sentiments’.

Police yet to take action against violent Islamists

The Fire Department was called in to extinguish the fire. On receiving information about the incident, Bangra police, SP Syed Nurul Islam, DC Abul Fazal Mir, and other high-ranking officials visited the crime scene. ASP Azimul Ahsan stated, “A group of locals of Korbanpur village torched the office of local Union Parishad Chairman Bankumar Shiv, the house of Shankar Debnath, and also vandalized several other Hindu households on Sunday afternoon…We have deployed additional force in the area to maintain law and order.”

Hindu girl goes missing for alleged blasphemy

On October 25, a third-year Zoology student, Tithy Sarker, of the Jagannath University (JnU) in Dhaka in Bangladesh, went missing after she allegedly made derogatory remarks against Islam and Prophet Muhammad. She was earlier suspended from her university on October 23 for hurting religious sentiments. According to reports, she was on her way to the police station and then, was going to go visit a Durga Puja Mandap.

Ever since then, she has been missing, Dhaka Tribune quoted her parents as saying. They have also claimed that since she went missing, her phone has also been switched off and she is completely untraceable. She had made it clear to the police that the objectionable comments were made by an unidentified hacker using her account.

NCB summons the employees of KWAN talent agency as Deepika Padukone’s manager Karishma Prakash goes untraceable

OpIndia Staff
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NCB summons the employees of KWAN talent agency as Deepika Padukone’s manager Karishma Prakash goes untraceable

Days after being summoned by the Narcotics Control Bureau(NCB), actor Deepika Padukone’s manager Karishma Prakash continues to remain untraceable.

With Karishma Prakash failing to appear before the NCB or replying to the summons, the agency has handed over the summons to her mothers and employees of KWAN Talent Agency.

On Saturday last week, Prakash had applied for anticipatory bail plea in the special NDPS court. The bail plea is reportedly to be heard on Tuesday.

Karishma was summoned on October 27 for questioning in the drug angle that came to fore in the investigation of actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death. On the same day, the NCB officials had conducted a raid at Karishma’s residence and retrieved charas (cannabis) and three vials of CBD oil during the search.

How did Karishma Prakash’s name crop up in the drug investigation?

According to the NCB sleuths, one of the arrest drug peddlers in the Bollywood drugs probe case had named Karishma Prakash in the interrogation. This came after NCB had recorded the statements of Karishma and Deepika in the drugs probe linked to death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

Karishma was reportedly in regular touch with the drug peddlers. After the raid, the NCB officials pasted a copy of the summons on the doors of Karishma’s house since she was not at home.

It is pertinent to note that Karishma Prakash was summoned by the central investigative agency earlier after a series of WhatsApp conversations had gone viral where Deepika Padukone was found allegedly asking for hash (or hashish, drug made from the cannabis plant) from a certain person named ‘K’, who many believe is her manager, Karishma Prakash.

Reportedly, the conversations, believed to have happened in 2017, were a part of a group called ‘DP+Ka+KWAN’ for which Deepika Padukone was the admin. The group was formed by Jaya Saha and its admins were Deepika Padukone and Karishma Prakash.

During the interrogation, the NCB officials had confronted Deepika Padukone with the digital evidence gathered from Jaya Saha’s phone that showed the actor’s chats about procuring ‘maal’ for her.

Drugs probe related to actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death

With Karishma Prakash’s suspicious chats with Deepika Padukone, her not turning up for the investigation and remaining elusive can increase the trouble for the celebrity manager as NCB could be mulling over taking strict action against her for evading the probe.

The central agency has so far arrested 23 people allegedly involved in the drugs case related to the Sushant Singh Rajput’s death. One of the prime accused in the case, Rhea Chakraborty, was initially arrested in the case but was later released on bail.

Earlier, the NCB had summoned Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor and Sara Ali Khan to appear before them for questioning in connection with the drug case.

Addition to these, actor Rakul Preet Singh and celebrity fashion designer Simone Khambatta were also grilled by the NCB, that led to further disclosures in the drug racket in the film industry.

‘Imran Khan mere samne cocaine ka nasha karta tha’: Former Pakistan cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz’s shocking revelation

OpIndia Staff
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‘Imran Khan mere samne cocaine ka nasha karta tha’: Former Pakistan cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz’s shocking revelation

Former Pakistani cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz has made a shocking revelation that he had seen Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, consuming drugs during the 1980s. While talking in detail about his experience, he revealed that Khan used to consume drugs, including cannabis and cocaine. Nawaz added that he has seen him doing drugs on several occasions and his habits of consuming drugs are rather well known.

Revelations made during an interview

Nawaz made the revelation during a recent interview. The interviewer asked him about his views on allegations made by a viewer that Imran Khan consumes drugs, and a dope test should be conducted on him. Nawaz replied that he had seen him doing drugs. He narrated the experience when during a match between England and Pakistan in 1987, where Khan did not perform well, he had come to Nawaz’s house in Islamabad. He consumed charas after a meal and was reportedly seen snorting cocaine as well. Nawaz alleged that Salim Malik, Abdul Qadir, and Mohsin Khan were also present at his house.

‘He also snorted cocaine’ – said Nawaz

Nawaz stated that Khan used to do drugs in London and also had drugs when he visited him at his house in Islamabad. He also snorted something white, somethin they call cocaine. “In London, he would roll something and snort it,” Nawaz further added. He alleged that Khan would not be able to deny it in front of him. “I am not the lone eyewitness, there are many in London,” he added.

Allegation of drug abuse

This is not the first time Khan has been accused of doing drugs. In July 2018, his ex-wife Reham Khan alleged that she had seen him consuming drugs several times. Rehman and Khan were married for ten months. She claimed that not only is he a drug addict but also has several illegitimate children. She claimed to know at least five of them, the eldest allegedly to be 35+. She had also claimed that he is a homosexual and had relationships with Pakistani actor Hamza Ali Abbasi and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf worker Murad Saeed..

“Muslim boy took her away”: Says mother of 16-year-old girl who went missing in Rewari, Haryana

OpIndia Staff
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“Muslim boy took her away”: Says mother of 16-year-old girl who went missing in Rewari, Haryana

Days after a 16-year-old girl has gone missing for her house in Rewari, Haryana, the family of the minor girl has alleged that a Muslim boy lured her and took her away. The suspect is a JCB driver and the girl has been reported missing since last 21 days.

According to ANI, the mother of the minor girl said: “My 16-year old daughter, missing since 11th Oct, has been enticed by a JCB driver belonging to the Muslim community and taken away.”

The police has raided a few places in search of the girl. The incident comes just days after a 21-year-old girl Nikita Tomar was killed in broad daylight by a Muslim man after she rejected his advances and refused to convert to Islam.

Haryana government mulls bringing law against ‘love jihad’

Recently, a 21-year old college student named Nikita Tomar was murdered in broad daylight due to by a man Tauseef who was allegedly forcing her to convert to Islam. Ever since the Haryana government has been mulling over introducing a law to deal with the cases of ‘love jihad’. The home minister tweeted to inform that the state govt in Haryana is considering to bring a law against love jihad. This announcement came a day after UP CM Yogi Adityanath had announced similar plans.

The Haryana CM ML Khattar said that the Ballabhgarh killing was being linked to love jihad and that both the central and the state government are looking into the matter. He said that the government was considering legal provisions to ensure that the culprits of these purported love jihad crimes are brought to book. The CM hinted that the union government is also considering legal action against cases of love jihad.

Nikita Tomar murder case

On October 27, two assailants had shot the 21-year-old student- Nikita Tomar in broad daylight outside the Aggarwal college in Ballabgarh, Faridabad. Nikita’s family had alleged that the accused Tauseef and well his mother forced her to convert to Islam. 

Tauseef, who belongs to an influential family of politicians belonging to Congress party, was nabbed by police was sent to 14-day judicial custody on October 30 after he confessed his crime.

India rejects Pakistan’s claim on Gilgit-Baltistan, says Pakistan has illegally and forcibly occupied it

OpIndia Staff
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India rejects Pakistan’s claim on Gilgit-Baltistan, says Pakistan has illegally and forcibly occupied it

The Ministry of External Affairs has stated Pakistan’s attempt to bring material change to a part of the Indian Territory. On Sunday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran khan officially announced the ‘provincial status’ of Gilgit-Baltistan. He claimed that the decision was taken while “keeping in mind the UN Security Council’s resolution.”

Anurag Srivastava, Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, said, “The Government of India firmly rejects the attempt by Pakistan to bring material changes to a part of Indian Territory, under its illegal and forcible occupation. I reiterate that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including the area of so-called “Gilgit-Baltistan”, are an integral part of India by virtue of the legal, complete and irrevocable accession of Jammu and Kashmir to the union of India in 1947.”

The statement further added that the Government of Pakistan has no right on territories illegally and forcibly occupied by it. “Such attempts by Pakistan, intended to camouflage its illegal occupation, cannot hide the grave human rights violation, exploitation and denial of freedom for over seven decades to the people residing in these Pakistan occupied territories. Instead of seeking to alter the status of these Indian territories, we call upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation.”

Pakistan announced ‘provincial status’ of Gilgit-Baltistan

On Sunday, Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan, officially announced the provincial status of Gilgit-Baltistan. During the announcement, Khan claimed that a provincial status for the area was a longstanding demand of Gilgit-Baltistan residents. He further added that as there will be elections in the area very soon, he did not announce any packages.

An attempt to facilitate China’s ambitious initiative

Pakistan’s unprecedented step to announce provincial status for illegally occupied Indian Territory is being seen as an attempt to facilitate China’s ambitious CPEC. In September, reports suggested that the political dispensation, which is hands-in-gloves with the Army, has given the nod to alter the so-called ‘autonomy’ of the region. The decision will primarily benefit China and its China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

Pakistan is under billions worth debt for CPEC. As Pakistan has announced the area as its province, China can build an alternate road to the Malacca Strait, the primary shipping channel between the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. Pakistan had deployed army personnel in the occupied Territory of Gilgit-Baltistan to silence the discontentment about CPEC. People in Gilgit Baltistan have raised objections on how China’s initiative can destroy the environment and the local culture.

Mathura: Case filed against Faisal Khan and Mohammed Chand for doing Namaz inside Krishna temple

OpIndia Staff
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Mathura: Case filed against Faisal Khan and Mohammed Chand for doing Namaz inside Krishna temple

The Uttar Pradesh police have lodged a case against two individuals for reading Namaz (Islamic prayers) within the premises of Nandmahal temple in Nandgaon area in Mathura district’s Barsana on Saturday (October 29). A complaint was filed after a photo of the duo, reciting Islamic prayers within a Hindu temple, went viral on social media.

As per reports, the case was filed, following a complaint by the temple server Kanha Goswami against the duo. The accused, identified as Faisal Khan and Mohammed Chand, had reportedly done the ’84 kos’ yatra to reach the temple by bicycles. They were accompanied by two other ‘Gandhian activists’, namely, Nilesh Gupta and Alok Ratna.

Goswami informed that he and other followers were shocked to see the young men wearing skull caps, entering the temple. Reportedly, Faisal went up to the temple priest and asked, “Does Lord Krishna belong only to you? He belongs to all of us.” News 18 quoted temple Sevayat Kanha Goswami as saying that Faisal had even recited a couplet from the Ramayan and had accepted the Prasad offered by the priest.

Duo offered Namaz despite the objection of devotees

News 18 reported that Hindu devotees had expressed displeasure at their actions and asked them to refrain from doing so. On the other hand, a Patrika report has stated that the temple priest himself had given permission to the duo to read Namaz. Meanwhile, several Hindu rights groups and saints have objected to the incident and had sought strong action from the district administration. They have asked whether Masjids would similarly permit conducting Arti, Bhajan and Puja inside their premises.

PFI links of Faisal Khan and Mohammed Chand

Interstingly, the Facebook ID that posted the contentious picture initially is a vocal advocate of the four radical Islamists from People’s Front of India (PFI), who were apprehended on their way to Hathras. The case was taken up by Barsana police station before being transferred to the Intelligence Department. A probe has been initiated for determining the motives behind the act and making the picture viral on social media.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom under quarantine after contact with coronavirus infected person

OpIndia Staff
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WHO chief Tedros Adhanom under quarantine after contact with coronavirus infected person

On Monday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus informed that he has come in contact with a Coronavirus-positive individual. He has earlier been accused of being hand-in-glove with the Chinese regime to absolve the role of China in failing to contain the pandemic.

While announcing his plans to undergo self-quarantine, Tedros tweeted, “I have been identified as a contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. I am well and without symptoms but will self-quarantine over the coming days, in line with WHO protocols, and work from home.”

Tedros Adhanom said that everyone must comply with the health guidelines issued by WHO to prevent the spread of the deadly Coronavirus pandemic. He wrote, “It is critically important that we all comply with health guidance. This is how we will break chains of #COVID19 transmission, suppress the virus, and protect health systems.”

The WHO Chief added, “My WHO colleagues and I will continue to engage with partners in solidarity to save lives and protect the vulnerable. Together!”

WHO Chief accused of shielding China

World Health Organisation has been under a lot of criticism for its alleged coverup of the spread of coronavirus which originated in China. It has been criticised globally for its alleged collusion with China which led to the coronavirus turn into a pandemic claiming lives of over 1.2 million people and infecting almost 46 million globally as of November 2, 2020. Earlier, Donald Trump had criticised WHO Chief, accused it of being ‘too focused on China’ and stopped funding the United Nations body. Tredros Adhanom has also been accused of hiding cholera pandemic in his home country of Ethiopia.

Republic TV invites Mumbai CP Param Bir Singh for live, unedited interview with Arnab. Read details

OpIndia Staff
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Republic TV invites Mumbai CP Param Bir Singh for live, unedited interview with Arnab. Read details

Republic TV has now invited Mumbai Commissioner of Police, Param Bir Singh, for a live, unedited interview with the Editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami.

In a tweet to Mumbai CP, Republic said that even those who disregard due process must be given a chance to explain or publicly atone or clarify their stand. Hence, Arnab Goswami has invited Singh on a one-on-one unedited live interview.

Arnab writes to Param Bir Singh

The letter written by Arnab Goswami states how Republic is India’s no. 1 news brand with a global audience. Arnab further writes that with regards to the TRP scam, there are several developments which contradict the “hollow and unsubstantiated claims” made by Mumbai CP in his 8th October press conference followed by media interviews. Accusing Param Bir Singh of defying due law process and attempting to engineer a plot that seeks to muzzle voice of free media under the guise of investigation, Arnab said that the claims are guided by malice and investigation reeks of vendetta.

Arnab further accused Param Bir Singh of misleading people on the true accused in the case and prejudging a premature case in premeditated manner. Arnab further wrote about allegations of coercion of witnesses and said that Param Bir Singh’s complete disregard for law needs to be exposed in public domain.

Arnab further accused Param Bir Singh of attacking the fourth pillar of democracy by filing FIRs against Republic staff for airing reports that Mumbai Police staff was displeased with Param Bir Singh’s mode of operation. Stating that the British era draconian law was used against Republic TV staff, Arnab accused Param Bir Singh of planting fake news despite the facts stating otherwise.

Arnab further stated that Param Bir Singh has personally shouldered some of the mistruths about Republic and hence he is providing an open and transparent opportunity to bring the evidence he may have in public forum. “It is time that you come clean before the nation,” Arnab said.

Mumbai CP Param Bir Singh is yet to respond.

After Rajiv Bajaj said there is slowdown in the two-wheeler market, Hero MotoCorp achieves record sale in October

OpIndia Staff
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After Rajiv Bajaj said there is slowdown in the two-wheeler market, Hero MotoCorp achieves record sale in October

Just a week after Bajaj Auto MD Rajiv Bajaj said that the two-wheeler sales remain low, market leader Hero MotoCorp posted record sales in the month of October.

Indian multinational two-wheeler company Hero MotoCorp Ltd witnessed the highest-ever sales in a single month in October 2020 after the company sold over 8 lakh motorcycles and scooters in this month alone. As per a statement issued by the company, Hero MotoCorp recorded a growth of 35 per cent as compared to the corresponding month of last years. In October 2019, the company had sold 599,248 units while this month 806,848 units were sold by the company.

In this, the sale of Motorcycles was 7,32,498, while 74,340 scooters were sold by the company in the month. The company exported around 15,000 units, while the rest 7.91 lakh units were sold in the country. The company’s sale in the previous month was 7,15,718, which means it achieved a growth of 12.73% in a single month. Hero MotoCorp remains mainly a motorcycle manufacturer, as above 90% of the total two-wheeler sale came from motorcycles, while scooters accounted for just above 9%.

It may be noted that the numbers released by Hero reflect dealer dispatches, they are not retail sales. But dealers place orders based on retail demand, therefore the numbers are indicative of retail demand.

This impressive performance by Hero contradicts the claims made by Managing Director of rival company Bajaj Auto, Rajiv Bajaj with respect to the sales of two-wheelers. He had said that he was not upbeat about demand coming back during the rest of the fiscal year. Ther had blamed new regulations such as ABS, BS 6 etc for the slowdown in the sector, and had also blamed the policies of the government.

Calling the lockdown placed by the government due to deadly coronavirus pandemic as “draconian lockdown”, Bajaj had said that he was not hopeful about the demands increasing during the rest of the fiscal year because they were hit by the lockdown.

Supporting the report of Federation of Auto Dealers Association (FADA) that had predicted that the demand for two-wheelers would be lower than the last year during the festive season, Bajaj had said that sales for Baja Auto’s 100 cc motorcycles were lower by 30 per cent while sales of premium motorcycles experienced growth. He added that sales of three-wheelers were recorded at 40 per cent of the last year.

While October sale figures for Bajaj is not available yet, the company had sold 4,04,851 units of two-wheelers in September, with highest-ever export of 1,85,351 units. The company’s September 2020 sale was 20% more than September 2019 sales. This means, it is wrong to say that Bajaj two-wheeler sale is adversely impacted by the lockdown now, as the company improved its sale in the last month.

After the October sale figures of Hero MotoCorp was released, journalists working in the financial sector and social media users slammed Rajiv Bajaj for panting dismal picture for the sector, which had led to the fall in the share prices of the two-wheeler manufacturing companies.

Bajaj’s India Bashing

Last month, Bajaj had decided to stop funding the news channels that he thought were “toxic news channels” saying that he did not want his children to inherit an India built on hate. He said that their brand had never been associated with anything that they felt was a source of toxicity in the society.

After Turkish first lady trolled for carrying luxury French bag amid Erdoğan’s call to boycott French products, pro-govt media claims she was carrying a fake

OpIndia Staff
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After Turkish first lady trolled for carrying luxury French bag amid Erdoğan’s call to boycott French products, pro-govt media claims she was carrying a fake

Days after old photos of the wife of Turkish president carrying a luxury French handbag had reappeared on social media, Turkish media her come to her defence to claim that she was carrying a fake bag. Emine Erdoğan had to face massive criticising for sporting a French product when her husband Erdoğan had called for boycott of all French proudcts.

France has been at the target of the Muslim world of late since French President Emmanuel Macron refused to condemn the caricature of Prophet Mohammad and called out radical Islamist ideology. Turkey has been leading the Muslim world in condemning France and the French President Macron. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had called on Muslims to boycott French products in opposition to France’s tough stance on radical Islam. However, no one except Pakistanis took his call for the boycott of French products seriously, as his own wife, the Turkish First Lady Emine Erdoğan was spotted carrying an expensive luxurious $50,000 French-made handbag.

Hermes is a high fashion luxury goods manufacturer based in France. The Hermès Kelly bag spotted with the Turkish first lady is made from exotic alligator skin, and is fitted with gold hardware.

After the photograph of Emine Erdoğan carrying a $50000 Hermès bag re-appeared, people began to call out Turkish First Lady on social media for carrying French-made handbag despite the Turkish President’s call for a boycott of French products. The photo had originally earlier appeared a few months ago. The first lade was criticised for carrying such an expensive bag last year also.

People questioned whether Erdoğan’s wife would be giving up her designer bags that cost more than an average Turkish citizen’s annual income.

Some said that the boycott of French products was ‘nice’ as long as it did not affect the high-end lifestyle of the Presidency.

Taking a dig at the Turkish First Lady, some social media users said the perhaps she thought that buying such an expensive bag was an investment.

Opposition leader of Republican People’s Party (CHP), Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu suggested her to burn her $50,000 French-made bag as part of the boycott against France.

Following the backlash on social media, a Turkish journalist Hande Firat claimed that she never spent such huge amounts on her bags and that she was carrying a fake version of the original Hermès bag. In an article published on Turkish newspaper Hürriyet, the journalist known as govt propagandist said that the first lady only purchases imitation products of luxury brands. Quoting sources in the first family, Hande Firat said, “She takes care not to use original branded bags. Instead of originals, she buys fake or imitations.”

However, this claim by the pro-govt journalist seems questionable, as the Turkish president is known live a lavish life. The first family lives in the newly built presidential palace which has 1150 rooms. It is ironical that to avoid embarrassment, the Turkish govt is having to call a luxury expensive bag as a fake.

Emine Erdogan is known to have a preference for luxury products, and the Turkish journalists are forbidden from talking about it. When the photo first appeared in June this year, journalist Ender İmrek was booked by police for criticising the first lady. The journalist was accused of insulting the President’s wife. He was accused of “not attributing nice qualities to her”, which means not praising the first lady was also deemed a crime.

Freedom of Press in Turkey

According to reports, Turkey is one of the worst-ranked countries for media freedom in the world and it also has the most jailed journalists in the world. Around 90 per cent of media are reportedly under government control in the country. The country was ranked 157th out of 180 countries by Reporters Without Borders on World Press Freedom Index 2019 for having highest number of journalists in jail.

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