Home Blog Page 525

‘Escaped death by 20-25 mins’: Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina alleges assassination plot following ouster

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Escaped death by 20-25 mins’: Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina alleges assassination plot following ouster

Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister recently recalled how she and her sister Sheikh Rehana narrowly escaped death by a few minutes after a violent revolution toppled her government last year. As per reports, Hasina posted an audio clip on Facebook on Friday in which she recounted the time when she had to flee her country to save herself.

Hasina, who was forced to step down following a violent revolution on August 5 last year, alleged that there was a conspiracy to kill her and her sister. “Rehana and I survived – just 20-25 minutes apart, we escaped death,” she said. Hasina recalled how she faced life-threatening situations many times in her life. She thanked God for saving her life. “I just feel that surviving the killings on August 21 or surviving the huge bomb in Kotalipara, surviving on this time August 5, 2024, there must be a will of Allah, a hand of Allah. Otherwise, I am not going to survive this time. You later saw how they planned to kill me”, said Hasina. “However, it seems to be a mercy of Allah that I am still alive because Allah wants me to do something more”, she added.

Hasina is lodged in an undisclosed location in India

The Bangladesh Awami League leader had to flee Bangladesh in August last year after her government collapsed due to widespread protests that started as anti-quota protests and later turned into the massacre of Hindu minorities and the destruction of their temples. She said that there was a plot to kill her just like how her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, was assassinated in 1975.

As a mob of violent protestors reached Gana Bhavan, Hasina decided to step down and leave to prevent her security guards from having to open fire at the violent mob. Hasina came to India on August 5 which was intended to be a short stay as she sought asylum in the United Kingdom. However, the UK government refused to grant her asylum. As a result, her stay in India was further extended.

Bangladesh interim government sought Hasina’s extradition

Last year in December, the interim government of Bangladesh officially requested India to extradite Sheikh Hasina. The request was conveyed through a “note verbale” to the Indian government, as confirmed by Touhid Hossain, the Foreign Affairs Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government.

However, due to a lack of clarity regarding the extradition treaty between the two countries, her extradition is uncertain. The interim government revoked the passports of 97 Bangladeshi nationals including Sheikh Hasina, for their alleged involvement in protest-related crimes.

Did PM Modi say India sells 2.5 crore cars annually? How misreporting of his speech at Bharat Mobility Global Expo triggered outrage

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Did PM Modi say India sells 2.5 crore cars annually? How misreporting of his speech at Bharat Mobility Global Expo triggered outrage

On Friday, January 17, PM Modi inaugurated the second edition of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in New Delhi, highlighting the giant strides made by India in manufacturing and selling vehicles.

While highlighting the potential of youth and boundless opportunities in India, PM Modi asked the auto industry to focus on both “ecology and economy” in a bid to push for greener mobility through developments in the field of electrics, hydrogen cells, and biofuels. 

PM Modi also emphasised the remarkable growth of vehicle sales in India, topping to an annual sale of 2.5 crore vehicles, which, he added, was greater than the population of several countries. However, no sooner did Modi complete his speech, than he was subjected to a barrage of online attacks spurred by news reports that quoted him saying that India saw a sale of 2.5 crore “cars” annually. 

A report published by ANI quoted PM Modi saying that India was selling more than 2.5 crore “cars” every year. 

The outlandish claim that India sold 2.5 crore cars annually instantly triggered an outrage on social media platforms, with many using the occasion to have a go at the Prime Minister, the man who is responsible for bringing Congress to its knees by exposing its policy flaws, encouragement to nepotistic culture, minority appeasement and ideological bankruptcy.

Naturally, Congress trolls champing at the bit of attacking the Prime Minister and frustrated with their leader’s inability to articulate an inspiring vision to attract voters had an opportunity to vent their spleen against their nemesis and outrage over something that the PM never said. 

Harmeet Kaur, a self-proclaimed Congress supporter, took to X to attack the Prime Minister after ANI misquoted him. 

Several other social media users, including Congress supporters, attacked the Prime Minister for allegedly claiming that India was selling 2.5 crore cars annually. 

Did PM Modi say India sells 2.5 crore cars annually?

Even as social media users are outraged over supposed misleading claims made by PM Modi, it is notable to mention that PM Modi never used the word “cars” to assert India was selling 2.5 crore cars annually. He used “gaadiya” or vehicles, which included 2-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger and commercial vehicles.

“The population of many countries of the world is not as much as the number of vehicles being sold in India every year. Nearly 2.5 crore vehicles are being sold in a year. It shows how the demand is constantly increasing. This shows why India is being looked up to with so much hope when it comes to the future of mobility,” PM Modi said at the event.

An X user who goes by the handle @BefittingFacts pointed out the misreporting by ANI, which led to troll attacks against PM Modi. He also shared the video of the instance to emphasise PM Modi had referred to vehicles and not cars alone.

Another X user pointed out that Modi said vehicles and not cars and that 1.9 crore two-wheelers, 7 lakh three-wheelers, and 43 lakh passenger vehicles were sold in India in 2023-24.

India sold around 2.38 crore vehicles in the financial year 2024, reported Statista, an online platform that specialises in gathering data and visualisation.

Thus, Modi’s remark at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo was misreported and it was about the total vehicular sales in India, and not just cars alone.

Union Cabinet approves constitution of 8th Pay Commission: How major pay revisions is going to be a game-changer for govt employees and pensioners

Anurag
-
0
Union Cabinet approves constitution of 8th Pay Commission: How major pay revisions is going to be a game-changer for govt employees and pensioners

On 16th January, the Union Cabinet approved the formation of the 8th Pay Commission, which is set to recommend revisions in the salaries and pensions of central government employees and pensioners. Speaking to the media, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the commission is likely to be established soon, with its recommendations expected to take effect from 1st January 2026.

The announcement has come at a crucial time as the Union Budget 2025, the first budget of Modi 3.0, is set to be unveiled on 1st February. The 8th Pay Commission aligns with the government’s intent to adjust pay structures to reflect current economic conditions and inflation.

The specific recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission are yet to be disclosed. However, early projections suggest that it could introduce significant revisions. Media reports indicate that the fitment factor may range between 2.28 and 2.86. This implies that the minimum basic salary could rise from Rs 18,000 to a range of Rs 41,000 to Rs 51,480. If these projections materialise, the 8th Pay Commission may bring the most substantial revision in pay and pensions yet, offering a major financial boost to central government employees and pensioners. However, official details will only emerge after the commission’s formation and its deliberations.

How the 7th Pay Commission affected salaries

The 7th Pay Commission, implemented on 1st January 2016, brought significant reforms to the pay structure of government employees. It introduced a fitment factor of 2.57, which meant that the basic pay of central government employees was multiplied by this factor, leading to substantial salary increases at all levels.

The basic salary was raised to Rs 18,000, a considerable increase compared to Rs 7,000 under the 6th Pay Commission. Pensioners also benefited significantly, with the minimum basic pension rising to Rs 9,000 from Rs 3,500. This overhaul aimed to provide better financial stability and address inflationary pressures effectively.

How the 6th Pay Commission affected salaries

The 6th Pay Commission, implemented in January 2006, introduced more modest changes compared to its successor but still marked an improvement in pay and pensions. The fitment factor was set at 1.86, resulting in an increase in the basic salary to Rs 7,000 from Rs 2,750 under the 5th Pay Commission.

The minimum basic pension also saw an increase, rising from Rs 1,275 to Rs 3,500. While these changes provided some financial relief, they lacked the transformative impact seen in the subsequent 7th Pay Commission.

What is a fitment factor?

The fitment factor is a multiplier used in pay commissions to revise the basic pay of government employees, ensuring their salaries are adjusted to reflect economic conditions and inflation. It simplifies the process of updating pay scales by providing a uniform method to calculate new basic pay from the existing pay.

The fitment factor is determined by considering various factors, including the prevailing Dearness Allowance (DA) rate and the overall pay increase decided by the commission or government. It plays a crucial role in standardising pay revisions across different levels of employment, ensuring fairness and consistency in salary adjustments.

Saif Ali Khan stabbing: A suspect detained from Durg railway station in Madhya Pradesh

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Saif Ali Khan stabbing: A suspect detained from Durg railway station in Madhya Pradesh

In the latest update in the ongoing investigation in actor Saif Ali Khan’s stabbing case, the Mumbai police detained one suspect from Durg railway station in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday, January 18. The suspect was reportedly nabbed from the Mumbai-Hawrah Jnaneswari Express on a tip-off received by the Mumbai Police.

The suspect was detained by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and is currently in their custody. It is yet to be confirmed that the suspect detained is the one who actually attacked Khan.

A team of the Mumbai Police is on their way to the Durg railway station to confirm whether the person detained is the one involved in the attack. Earlier, Mumbai Police had detained a suspect due to his resemblance with the person caught in the CCTV footage of the actor’s building. However, he was released by the police after hours of questioning him, the police were not convinced of his involvement in the attack.

Attack on Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was stabbed multiple times by an intruder who broke into his Bandra residence around 2 AM on Thursday, January 16. The attacker also injured the family’s nanny and apparently demanded Rs 1 crore. He ran away after stabbing the actor. Saif Ali Khan was immediately rushed to Lilavati Hospital in an autorickshaw where he was operated upon. He was declared out of danger by the doctors.

The Bandra Police recorded the statements of Khan’s wife Kareena Kapoor on Friday along with other staff. The police have not been able to get hold of the knife-wielding attacker as yet.

 

While Polio is eradicated in rest of the world, cases keep rising in Pakistan; positive sample from test taken last year takes the number to 73

ANI
-
0
While Polio is eradicated in rest of the world, cases keep rising in Pakistan; positive sample from test taken last year takes the number to 73

Pakistan recorded its 73rd polio case of last year, as a sample collected in December 2024, categorised as part of last year’s tally.

The case reported on Thursday, marked the second consecutive day of the new cases. The latest case was confirmed in Thatta, Sindh, and is the first from the area this year, as reported by the Dawn.

The sample was categorised as part of last year’s tally due to the virus’s three-week incubation period, which can extend further in colder months.

According to the Dawn, the 2024 total now stands at 73 wild polioviruses type 1 (WPV1) cases. The breakdown shows that 27 cases were reported from Balochistan, 22 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 22 from Sindh, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad. This resurgence of the polio virus has raised concerns, as the country continues to battle against the spread of the disease.

Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts include regular mass vaccination campaigns, where health workers go door-to-door to vaccinate children. Despite these efforts, the virus remains a serious threat in several regions of the country. The confirmation of new cases highlights the ongoing challenge in eliminating polio, as health officials note that hundreds of samples are tested, but only a small percentage turn out to be positive, the Dawn reported.

Just a day before, Geo News reported that Pakistan had confirmed its 72nd case, a girl from Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with her sample also taken in December 2024. The 71st case was reported in Jacobabad, Sindh, making it clear that polio remains a significant public health issue in the country.

Polio, a crippling and potentially deadly disease, can be prevented through vaccination. Efforts to eradicate the virus in Pakistan remain critical to ensuring the safety and health of future generations.

The Dawn also reported that polio continues to pose a serious health threat in Pakistan, despite ongoing global efforts to eradicate the disease. Several challenges contribute to its persistence, including security issues in certain regions, vaccine hesitancy, and the spread of misinformation, all of which have undermined vaccination campaigns. These obstacles have slowed down the country’s progress in eradicating polio.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Bengaluru: Police ask a Spanish man who called to inform about burglars in his house to speak in Kannada, disconnect his call

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Bengaluru: Police ask a Spanish man who called to inform about burglars in his house to speak in Kannada, disconnect his call

A Spanish man stuck in a burglary situation inside his home in Bengaluru became a victim of linguistic chauvinism when his SOS call was disconnected by the helpline operator who asked him to speak in Kannada. According to a report in the Times of India, a Spanish man named Jesus Abrielle dialled emergency number 112 when he heard two people break into his house in the night around 2 am on Wednesday. He tried to explain his situation to the helpline operator in a mix of English and Spanish. However, the helpline operator asked him to speak in Kannada and disconnected his call.

The burglars took away valuables worth Rs 82,000 from Abrielle’s house including his laptop, a platinum ring, headphones, a wallet containing Rs 10,000, his Spanish ID card, a driver’s license, and his debit cards from India and his native country. In shock of the incident, Abrielle remained stuck in his room for around 6 hours. He did not call anyone until 8:30 am when he finally called his landlord Sudeep and narrated his ordeal.

Burglars snuck in through the bathroom window

Abrielle lives in the ground floor flat of the Nydus apartment complex on Langford Road in Richmond Town in Bengaluru. The burglars reportedly snuck into the house by removing the louvre window glasses of the bathroom attached to one of the bedrooms. Abrielle was in another bedroom at the time. He heard the noise of someone entering the house and immediately made the SOS. On failing to get any help from the emergency number, he decided to remain inside his bedroom. The burglars remained in the house for 30 minutes and then left from a different window of the bedroom.

According to the police, the apartment complex did not have any CCTV cameras. The guard at the entrance of the apartment complex was awake at the time of the burglary and was talking to the guard of the adjacent building. However, he did not hear any noise as Abrielle’s apartment is located at the far end of the complex. The police suspect that the burglars might be labourers as some construction work is going on in a nearby building. A case has been filed by the police under sections 305 (theft in a dwelling house) and 331 (punishment for house-trespass or house-breaking) of the BNS.

A helpline operator is obligated to call back

Explaining the mishap on the emergency call, a senior police officer reportedly explained that emergency numbers frequently receive frivolous and prank calls. Therefore, the helping operator might have mistaken Abrielle’s call for a prank call. However, in such situations, the operator must call back and examine the entire situation.

Editor’s note: Karnataka Police has issued a statement since this news went viral in Indian media.

In their statement, the Karnataka Police said that the alleged victim made no call to the helpline at the time of the incident. However, the police later responded promptly after the incident was reported to them.

UP: Jalaluddin sexually exploits a woman on the pretext of marriage for over a year; robs her of her jewellery and cash

OpIndia Staff
-
0
UP: Jalaluddin sexually exploits a woman on the pretext of marriage for over a year; robs her of her jewellery and cash

On 16th January, Gulriha Police of Gorakhpur district, Uttar Pradesh, booked Aman alias Jalaluddin for sexually exploiting a woman on the pretext of marriage for over a year. Jalaluddin, who is a resident of Madhwalya in Maharajganj district, fled with her jewellery and cash when she pressured him to marry her.

According to media reports, the victim is a mother of two. She got married in 2013 and moved to the Gida area with her husband. Due to financial hardships at home, she started a tea stall near the BRD Medical College area to support her children. During this time, she came into contact with Jalaluddin, who ran a clothing shop nearby.

As time passed, Jalaluddin gained her trust. He convinced her to leave her husband by promising that he would take care of her and her children. The woman stated in her complaint that she trusted him and left her husband. Jalaluddin sexually exploited her for over a year, and whenever she asked him about marriage, he would evade the question.

Meanwhile, he forcibly took her jewellery and cash. As she ran out of money, the victim was forced to set up a tea and snack stall near the railway station. However, Jalaluddin would come every evening and take away the cash she had earned.

On 9th January, the victim once again insisted on marriage. When she continued to pressure him, he allegedly confined her to a room, assaulted her, and later absconded. A week later, when Jalaluddin did not return, the victim filed a complaint at Gulriha Police Station seeking justice.

Following the complaint, an FIR was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation into the matter is underway to determine the full extent of the offences.

Madhya Pradesh: 5-year-old girl raped by 42-year-old Mohammad Islam, victim used to call Islam her ‘Nanu’

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Madhya Pradesh: 5-year-old girl raped by 42-year-old Mohammad Islam, victim used to call Islam her ‘Nanu’

On 17th January, Jabalpur Police arrested a 42-year-old man named Mohammad Islam for abducting and sexually assaulting a five-year-old minor girl. The crime took place on 15th January in Hanumantal Police Station Area. According to media reports, the victim used to call the accused “Nanu” (maternal grandfather). Islam allegedly lured the girl with a mere five rupees and sexually assaulted her.

On the day of the incident, at around 7 PM, the girl was playing just a few metres away from her house with her friend, who happened to be the granddaughter of Mohammad Islam, a familiar face in the neighbourhood. Islam approached her with the promise of buying her chips and handed over Rs 5 to the little girl. He then carried her into his home under the guise of playing. Once inside, he stuffed a piece of cloth into her mouth to ensure she did not shout and sexually assaulted her. After the assault, Islam left the crying girl outside her house and escaped the scene at around 8:30 PM.

When the distressed kid returned home, she started removing her clothes. Her mother noticed that her pyjama was wet and asked her what happened. She managed to explain what Islam did to her, specifically mentioning that “Nanu took off my clothes”. The shocked mother immediately went to Islam’s residence to confront him, but the house was locked.

On the day of the incident, the victim’s father was not at home. The next day, on 16th January, when he returned, the victim’s mother informed him about the incident after which he reached the police station and filed a complaint.

Acting on the complaint, a team was formed, led by Station Officer Dheeraj Raj and Sub-Inspector Sangita Choudhary to nab Islam. On 17th January, the police got a tip-off from an informant that Islam was seen near his house in the morning attempting to leave the city. Police swiftly swung into action and cordoned off the area where he was last seen. Islam operates a garbage truck for his livelihood.

Islam has been booked under relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The young survivor was promptly taken to a hospital for medical examination. Further investigation in the case is underway.

OpIndia tried contacting police in the matter but could not connect.

The Wire shields Islamists after UP Police arrest them for attempting to convert a Dalit family by promising ‘healing’ and financial inducements

Jinit Jain
-
0
The Wire shields Islamists after UP Police arrest them for attempting to convert a Dalit family by promising ‘healing’ and financial inducements

Far-left propaganda portal The Wire recently published an article showcasing the Uttar Pradesh Police in a bad light for arresting a group of 5 Muslim men who hoodwinked a Dalit family with superstitious claims of curing their illness by praying to their Muslim ‘saint’.

The men were arrested in the Hamirpur district of Uttar Pradesh on charges of unlawful religious conversion after they organised a commemorative prayer ceremony for a Muslim spiritual leader’s death anniversary at a Dalit family’s residence. 

The individuals—Nooruddin (55), Meraj Hasan (32), Khalif (42), Irfan (46), and Mohammad Hanif (52)—were charged with criminal intimidation and violations under Sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.

The Wire published a report seeking to shield perpetrators of religious conversion

The accused also got the Dalit family to build a mazar inside their residence. They persuaded the unsuspecting victims to pray to their saint to mitigate the health issues of Urmila, one of the members of the Dalit family, and alleviate their hardships.

According to a report published in the Times of India, the accused were arrested after Urmila filed a complaint that she was coerced to change her religion under threats while being promised treatment for her illness and involvement of Hindu advocacy groups that amplified her assertions and forced police to act. 

According to Urmila Verma from Mohalla Purvi Tarous Baki Talaiya, Maudaha, she had been suffering from an illness for about two years. During this period, she met a person from Mohalla Chipathari in the Banda district, who introduced her to Nooruddin, an alleged cleric from Mohalla Kasoda Mathura Mandir in Maudaha. Nooruddin assured her that visiting a shrine would cure her condition.

Subsequently, Nooruddin and his nephews Merajul Hasan and Khaliq from Mohalla Ragaul visited Urmila’s home. They suggested constructing a shrine in a corner of her room and conducting prayers and a Urs ceremony. They allegedly discussed religious conversion with her family members.

On January 10, at around 2:30 a.m., Nooruddin, Khaliq, and Irfan Ahmad from Hussainia, along with Hanif Shah from Baki Talaiya, arrived at her residence. They performed the Urs ceremony and led prayers. The ceremony was reportedly halted for a brazen attempt to convert a Dalit Hindu family into Islam by promises of healing and financial inducements. 

While The Wire mentioned in its report that the accused offered allurements and promises of curing her illness to get Urmila and her family to embrace Islam, the far-left publication did all it could to brand the accused as victims and the Hindu advocacy group, namely Bajrang Dal in this case, as the aggressor responsible for the predicament of the 5 Muslim men arrested for religious conversion.

The headline of the article “Uttar Pradesh Police Arrest 5 Muslim Men After Bajrang Dal Alleges ‘Conversion’ Plan” suggests that Bajrang Dal brought about the arrest of the 5 Muslim men and not the criminal activities they were involved in. The men were arrested on the complaint filed by the victim, yet The Wire crafted a headline that spotlights Bajrang Dal, a Hindu advocacy group that steadfastly supports Hindus around the country and is often the thorn in the side of the Islamists wanting to paint the society with its radicalising colours. 

Arfa Khanum Sherwani, a propagandist with a penchant for supporting Islamist causes and who is a senior editor at The Wire, posted a tweet seeking to advance the portal’s attempt to demonise the police for doing its job and stopping Muslim zealots who consider bringing non-Muslims into the fold of Islam as their bounden duty, often employing a range of tools, including inducements, intimidation, and gaslighting, to achieve their goals. 

Taking to alarmism, which she often does, presumably to keep Muslims in a state of perpetual fear, Arfa hyperbolically tweeted, “In Hindu Rashtra, simply being Muslim is a crime. You don’t need to break laws or commit any crime. All it takes is existing, breathing, & being who you are—and that alone makes you a target.” 

She added, “This is the ugly truth of a regime that criminalizes Muslims for daring to live as they are”, for the arrest of men who took advantage of the misery of a Dalit family and attempted to convert them to Islam. 

However, this is but one case where The Wire has subtly tried to shield Islamists using unfair means to indulge in religious conversions. In many instances in the past, the far-left publication has resorted to every trick in its propaganda playbook—from lying to gaslighting to conjuring up fictitious scares such as the Tek Fog and Meta fictional stories—as a part of its agenda to discredit the government and contribute towards its longstanding goal at effecting regime change.

Troubles mount for Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi following controversial poem he posted on X following Jamnagar event, Gujarat HC refuses to quash FIR

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Troubles mount for Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi following controversial poem he posted on X following Jamnagar event, Gujarat HC refuses to quash FIR

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi, who attended a ‘mass marriage’ in Jamnagar, and following that, posted on X (formerly Twitter) a controversial poem, has landed in trouble. The Gujarat High Court has rejected his petition seeking quashing of the FIR filed against him in Jamnagar. This FIR was filed after Pratapgarhi posted a video from his X handle with a provocative song with lyrics like ‘Us Rab ki kasam hanste hanste, itni lashe dafna denge’ (Swear to God we will bury so many dead bodies with a smile on our face).

An appeal was filed was filed in the Gujarat High Court by the Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi demanding quashing of this FIR. The petition described this provocative poem as giving a message of ‘love and non-violence’, and said that Pratapgarhi had no intention of inciting communal sentiments. However, the High Court did not accept these arguments.

The court said, “Looking at the tone of the poem, it is clear that it talks about ‘throne’ or ‘power’. Moreover, the reactions to the post also make it clear that the message was conveyed in a way that would harm communal harmony.”

More responsible behavior is expected from MPs: High Court

Justice Sandeep Bhatt said in the order, “The behavior of the citizens of the country should be such that it does not disturb social harmony. The petitioner is an MP and therefore there is an expectation that he will behave with more restraint. Moreover, as an MP, it is natural that he would know better what the consequences of such a post can be.”

The court has asked Imran Pratapgarhi to cooperate in the investigation and has refused to grant any relief. It also said, “If further discussion on the merits of the case is done at this stage, it will be considered as prejudice to the rights of both the parties. But after reading the FIR and looking at the sections that have been imposed in the case, an investigation is required at this stage.”

Co-operate in the investigation, you are an MP: High Court

Apart from this, the court also took cognizance of the arguments of the public prosecutor, in which it was stated that Imran Pratapgarhi has not appeared despite repeated notices issued by the police to appear for questioning. Regarding which, the High Court said that the petitioner is an MP and as a person participating in the law-making process, it is expected from him to provide full cooperation in the investigation and to fully respect the law.

The court held that, “There does not appear to be sufficient reason to exempt him under Section 528 or 226 of the Indian Civil Security Code-2023, hence this petition is dismissed.”

What was the entire issue

A mass marriage program was organized for young men and women of the Muslim community in Jamnagar on January 3, 2025. After participating in this program, Pratapgarhi posted a video of it on social media, in which the background music used was provocative, and Jamnagar A Division Police registered a case and started further action.

According to the FIR available with OpIndia, the accused include Imran Pratapgarhi, Altaf Khafi, and Sanjari Education and Charitable Trust. Action is being taken against all of them under sections 196, 197(1), 302, 299, 57, 3(5) of the Indian Penal Code. The mass marriage was planned on the birthday of Altaf Khafi, a corporator of ward number 12 of Jamnagar Municipality.

Described as a poem of peace and non-violence, the poem talks about burying dead bodies

In the petition filed by the Congress MP, it said that the poem is one of peace and non-violence, while the lyrics of the poem shared in the video say ‘Us Rab ki kasam hanste hanste, itni lashe dafna denge’ (Swear to God we will bury so many dead bodies with a smile on our face). Now, taking these provocative words into consideration, the Gujarat High Court has rejected the petition filed by Imran Pratapgarhi.

1...524525526...7,591Page 525 of 7,591