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Mukesh Chandrakar murder: Accused Suresh Chandrakar served as the VP of Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress SC Cell and election observer, see his pictures with leaders

OpIndia Staff
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Mukesh Chandrakar murder: Accused Suresh Chandrakar served as the VP of Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress SC Cell and election observer, see his pictures with leaders

The horrific murder of 28-year-old journalist Mukesh Chandrakar for exposing the corruption of Congress leader Suresh Chandrakar has left the country in shock. While the deceased journalist’s autopsy report revealed that he had sustained 15 fractures to his head, his neck was broken and his heart was ripped out, attempts are being to pass off murder-accused Congress leader Suresh Chandrakar as a BJP leader.

However, upon checking Suresh’s social media profiles, several posts were found indicating that the accused was indeed a Congress member. In one of the Facebook posts dated 5 June 2019, Suresh Chandrakar shared a poster featuring him donning a Congress scarf and other Congress leaders including then Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and other Congress leaders.

In another post, Suresh Chandrakar boasted about having a courtesy meeting with the head of the Chhattisgarh Congress Committee Deepak Baij.

Amidst the backlash, the Congress party claimed that the accused Suresh had left the party and joined the BJP, however, a November 2024 AmarUjala report and screengrab of which Suresh posted on his Facebook profile. The report dated 11th November 2024 says that Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress SC Cell’s State Vice President Suresh Chandrakar was appointed as the observer for the Navapur assembly constituency during the Maharashtra elections.

As reported earlier, Mukesh had exposed irregularities and corruption by the Congress leader in a ₹120-crore road construction project in Bastar. This prompted the BJP-led-government in the State to act against the contractor. The Chhattisgarh police arrested the primary accused Suresh Chandrakar from Hyderabad city of Telangana on Sunday (5th January). He had been on the run since Friday (3rd January).

Suresh’s brothers Dinesh Chandrakar and Ritesh Chandrakar were also apprehended by the police. The deceased journalist Mukesh Chandrakar had been missing since the 1st of January. A missing complaint was filed by his elder brother Yukesh after his phone was found switched off. Mukesh had last gone to meet Suresh’s brother Ritesh at one of the contractor’s properties.

After the murder, the Bijapur administration took swift action and razed some illegal constructions owned by Suresh Chandrakar. 3 of his bank accounts were also seized. Govt land illegally seized by the politically influential contractor was also sealed and taken back by the administration.

According to the autopsy report, the deceased journalist had sustained 15 fractures to his head. His neck was broken and his heart was ripped out. As per doctors who carried out the post-mortem of Mukesh Chandrakar, they also found 5 broken ribs and 4 pieces of liver. The doctors conceded that they had not seen such brutality in their 12-year careers.

The doctors informed that more than 2 people must have been involved in the gruesome murder. Mukesh’s body was recovered from a septic tank, which was located on the premises of Suresh Chandrakar.

Beware of fake websites offering Maha Kumbh tour deals, UP Government issues advisory; here is how to book safely via official website

OpIndia Staff
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Beware of fake websites offering Maha Kumbh tour deals, UP Government issues advisory; here is how to book safely via official website

The holy city of Prayagraj is set to host historic Maha Kumbh from the 13th of January with millions of devotees pouring into the Kumbh Kshetra to take the holy dip. The CM Yogi Adityanath-led government is organising this once in a lifetime festival and has also introduced certain unique features like Dome City to provide the devotees with both luxury and comfort.

The administration is also taking rigorous measures to protect the cyber ecosystem of the event and avert potential frauds and digital threats, especially fake websites trying to defraud unsuspecting devotees booking hotels, cottages, guest houses, or trying to avail other services.

To prevent devotees from being scammed by fraudsters running fake websites, the Uttar Pradesh Police has issued an awareness video which shows how cybercriminals use online bookings to deceive customers. The film urges people not to fall for such fraud and provides recommendations for secure booking procedures. In the video, Bollywood actor Sanjay Mishra, cautions pilgrims to avoid fake websites and links. He promotes booking accommodations using the government website, kumbh.gov.in.

“These cybercriminals will try to trap you with fake websites and links, but you should only go to the official website for a list of hotels, guest houses, and cottages. Select your desired option and book safely,” Mishra says.

Sharing the video on X, UP Police wrote, “Take a holy dip at Maha Kumbh but don’t fall into the trap of cyber scams! Book only through registered websites, or cybercriminals might disappear with your money. Stay alert, stay safe!”

The Uttar Pradesh Police also attached a list of registered accommodations for Maha Kumbh.

British PM Keir Starmer says demanding an inquiry into Pakistani rape gangs is a ‘Far Right’ position

OpIndia Staff
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British PM Keir Starmer says demanding an inquiry into Pakistani rape gangs is a ‘Far Right’ position

On Sunday, 5th January, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer responded to the demands of inquiry into the historical child sexual exploitation at the hands of the British Pakistanis.

The UK Prime Minister hit back at the ‘claims’ and said that the persons demanding an inquiry and alleging his failure were ‘misjudged and certainly misinformed’. He, however, said that the government was ready to work with the American billionaire Elon Musk to tackle the issue.

“Some of the criticisms that Elon Musk has made, I think, are misjudged and certainly misinformed. But we’re willing to work with Elon Musk. I think he’s got a big role to play with his social media platform to help us and other countries to tackle this serious issue. So, if he wants to work with us, roll his sleeves up. We’d welcome that,” said UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting responding to the criticism.

Last week tech billionaire Elon Musk slammed the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer over his utter failure to deliver justice to the grooming gang victims in the country. Musk said that Starmer failed to provide justice to the rape gang victims when he was the director of public prosecutions over a decade ago.

Meanwhile, Starmer commented on the issue and said that Musk was spreading lies and misinformation. “Those that are spreading lies and misinformation as far and as wide as possible, they are not interested in victims, they are interested in themselves,” he said.

“Child sexual exploitation is utterly sick, utterly sick, and for many, many years, too many victims have been completely let down. Let down by perverse ideas about community relations or by the idea that institutions must be protected above all else, and they’ve not been listened to, and they’ve not been heard,” he added.

Starmer said it was akin to ‘jumping on a bandwagon of the far right’ over clamour surrounding child sexual abuse by Pakistani grooming gangs. “I like the cut and thrust of politics but that has got to be based on facts and truth, not on lies,” he said. Starmer meanwhile also highlighted Musk’s association with Donald Trump and jailed far-right activist known as Tommy Robinson stating that he had tackled the crime “head on” as director of public prosecutions (DPP).

Globally renowned author JK Rowling known for her advocacy of women’s gender rights also emphasized that grooming gangs should be called ‘rape gangs’ and also called the allegations of police complicity in the horrific crimes against women and girls in the UK ‘beyond belief’.

“The details emerging about what the rape gangs (why call them ‘grooming’ gangs? It’s like calling those who stab people to death ‘knife owners’) did to girls in Rotherham are downright horrific. The allegations of possible police corruption in the case are almost beyond belief,” Rowling wrote on X. The issue emerged recently when Home Office Minister Jess Phillips denied Oldham Council’s plea for a government-led inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation. 

The issue of child sexual abuse at the hands of grooming gangs led by British Pakistani men has been a serious issue demanding attention for years. In the late 90s, young girls, a minimum of 11 were picked up, raped, beaten, sold, and even killed by grooming gangs or rape gangs for a full forty years. One of the exposures in a similar instance in Rotherham found that 1,400 children had been sexually abused over 16 years by British Pakistani men. A detailed report on this case can be read here.

Dargah at Rotherham in UK to be built to fight bad press around ‘grooming gangs’

Rahul Roushan
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Dargah at Rotherham in UK to be built to fight bad press around ‘grooming gangs’

The Pakistani community in UK, also known as the South Asian community when they indulge in any crime, is planning to build a Dargah of some Sufi saint in Rotherham town of England. The need to build a dargah or mazaar was felt strongly over past week after news reports about grooming gangs of Pakistani men resurfaced online and attracted global attention, especially on X.

“All was well for almost a decade but this Elon Musk guy has spoiled it all,” said Zubair, a professional nail cutter living in Greater London, originally hailing from Karachi in Pakistan. “Left wing media had helped us, and called ‘grooming gangs’ as fake news and conspiracy theory, but now the news is being believed again!” Zubair frustratingly added.

Zubair said that he had tried to add community notes on X to ‘fact-check’ news about grooming gangs in order to declare them fake news, but all his efforts went down the drain. He then decided to attend the emergency meeting of community elders to mull over ideas on how to stop the bad press and negative PR around the Muslim community, especially Pakistani men, that was spreading fast.

“We need to build a dargah at Rotherham,” proposed Asad Khan, a third-generation British citizen whose great grandfather hand migrated to UK from British India. Although the great grandfather of 73-years-old Khan was born in Bombay of British India, he had started identifying himself as a Pakistani after 1947.

Khan argued successfully that a dargah will help cover the crimes of the community as it will act as a center of soft power, thanks to the amazing good PR Sufi saints enjoyed in popular narrative and literary circles.

“Just look at Ajmer of India. A similar scandal happened there. People related to dargah were also involved for f**k sake, but see what happened! Hindus still flock to the dargah. Indian leaders and celebrities offer chadar there,” Khan gave the clinching argument by citing the case of Ajmer Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and Ajmer Sex Scandal of 1990s.

The proposal was met with wild hooting, clapping and ecstasy, sources present during the meeting confirm to OpIndia. A few people were seen dancing in circles like Sufis in celebration. “A cloth to cover us, a sheet to shine! That’s what we need, we’ll be all fine!” and other slogans were heard.

The community is reportedly sending a committee to India next week to study the Ajmer model. Another committee is reportedly meeting a historian named Audrey Truschke to suggest name of a Sufi saint whose dargah can be built at Rotherham.

“Aurangzeb will be good. He too was Sufi!” said Zubair, when asked if the community had any preferences.

“The land for dargah is not a problem, Waqf will claim some part in Rotherham,” he added, “Or our community will buy a piece of land from open market. I’m ready to contribute whatever I’ve earned by nail cutting.”

(This is a piece of satire, just in case it was not so apparent)

‘Getting raped is a test from Allah’: Old video of Zakir Naik engaging in victim blaming goes viral, says ‘violation of Sharia’, ‘provocative dress’ can lead to rape

OpIndia Staff
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‘Getting raped is a test from Allah’: Old video of Zakir Naik engaging in victim blaming goes viral, says ‘violation of Sharia’, ‘provocative dress’ can lead to rape

Zakir Abdul Karim Naik popularly known as Zakir Naik, an Indian fugitive residing in Malaysia, who is infamous for disseminating his radical religious propaganda has once again attracted attention on social media due to his highly offensive comments amid the ongoing controversy over Pakistani Muslim grooming gangs in the United Kingdom.

He attempted to rationalize rape with one of the most bizarre statements, in an old clip that recently went viral online. The video was uploaded over a year ago by a YouTube channel called “EnlighteningEcho,” which consistently shares content related to Naik.

A question was posted by a man named Shafin Rashad from Kerala, India which read, “May Allah bless you! I have a query. May Allah forgive me if I’m saying something wrong. Allah is the most merciful and most gracious. If I rape a girl and kill her, but it is not proved in the court, resulting in my acquittal and freedom. After a long time, I truly repent for my actions before Allah as we know he can forgive all transgressions. However, if he forgives me too then where is the justice for the victim?

Notably, rather than unequivocally denouncing the atrocious acts of rape and murder, Naik resorted to convoluted explanations and ultimately ventured to offer a justification for the heinous crime. He first quoted a verse from the Quran and claimed, “It is Allah who has created death and life to test which of you is good indeed. So this life is a test for thereafter. We are being evaluated. Allah examines different people in different ways. He tests some people by giving them luxury or others through poverty.”

He informed the questioner, “You are correct. If an individual has committed acts of rape and murder but genuinely repents and seeks forgiveness, five essential criteria must be met. Firstly, one must acknowledge that their actions were wrong. Secondly, it is imperative to cease such behaviour immediately. Thirdly, there must be a commitment to never engage in these actions again. The fourth step involves seeking forgiveness from Allah. If all these conditions are satisfied, then, inshallah, forgiveness may be granted, even for grave sins such as rape and murder as he is the most gracious, the most merciful.”

Naik then proceeded to address the other facet of the inquiry and shamelessly indulged in victim shaming. He alleged, “Coming to the second part, I would say no because both (the perpetrator) are undergoing a test in this world. Let me explain to you that Allah has provided specific guidelines for women, advising them to dress modestly and to cover their bodies, with certain exceptions such as the face. If, hypothetically, a woman chooses not to adhere to these rules and instead dresses in a manner deemed immoral, which may provoke inappropriate reactions leading to an act of rape, then who should be blamed? It is the girl’s responsibility.”

He then attempted to downplay his outrageous comment but failed to hide his inner Islamist misogynist and added, “That doesn’t mean that the boy has the right to rape but besides him, the girl is also expected to observe the principles outlined in the Quran. She is accountable if she chooses to wear an outfit that could lead to such an act. On the other hand, if she is dressed decently and is still subjected to rape, the incident serves as a test for her. The critical consideration is whether she was following Allah’s recommendations concerning her attire. If she was not, she is responsible for attracting the rapist.”

The religious fanatic who perceives females solely through the lens of their clothing, reducing them to the status of a mere commodity then claimed rape was an unfortunate result of breaking the regressive Sharia Law. “Rape is impermissible, irrespective of whether a woman is dressed modestly or otherwise. However, it is a test for her. She might have breached Sharia rule or she may not have, but it is suggested that Allah intends to evaluate her faith in him after she has endured such a violation.” He repeatedly reiterated this assertion and maintained that no injustice took place while he referred to the sexual assault as a “difficult test from Allah” to determine her belief in him.

“The focus revolves around her compliance with the commandment. If she is, then Allah wants to know whether she continues to express gratitude to him for the blessings received, as this serves as a test for the hereafter. It is important to note that granting forgiveness to the rapist does not equate to injustice towards the woman. This is because she may possess her own shortcomings. Should she seek forgiveness, she will be granted it. It is possible that she did not err on that specific day, but she may have committed mistakes in the days prior. Therefore, the primary focus of the test is whether any mistakes have been made,” he voiced, maintaining his startling stance.

The Islamic preacher proceeded to utter further nonsensical remarks that were equally perplexing, and objectionable and contradicted himself. “If the girl has committed no wrongdoing and has been subjected to rape and subsequently murdered, it is imperative that justice is served. Nevertheless, this does not imply that Allah cannot forgive the offender if he sincerely repents. It is also plausible that the girl may have made mistakes and sought redemption. Thus, it is incorrect to declare that injustice has been committed. Allah’s decrees are clearly articulated, and those who follow these directives will attain Paradise, whereas those who fail to do so will face Hell.”

Naik demonstrated a higher level of contempt for the victim compared to the offender. He accused her of dressing inappropriately, and making past indiscretions, and asserted that she could have disobeyed Allah’s commands. Furthermore, he attributed her rape to a test, all the while declaring that the latter would receive forgiveness from Allah for his actions. It is significant to note that he faces allegations of money laundering in India and has been prohibited from entering several countries due to his Islamist ideology. He has, in fact, become a figure of inspiration for terrorists. He is even infamous for his admiration for Osama bin Laden.

Sam Pitroda, who has links to US Deep State, defends anti-India George Soros: Rahul Gandhi’s rhetoric mimicking that of Soros, his anti-India acitvity, and more

Shraddha Pandey
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Sam Pitroda, who has links to US Deep State, defends anti-India George Soros: Rahul Gandhi’s rhetoric mimicking that of Soros, his anti-India acitvity, and more

Sam Pitroda, the Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress and Congress scion Rahul Gandhi’s close aide, has defended Hungarian-American billionaire and regime-change enthusiast George Soros. Notably, Soros is notorious for funding anti-India activities and advancing anti-India narratives, which are aimed at undermining the democratically elected government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Pitroda defended Soros’s interference in Indian affairs while lamenting how the ‘civil society’ is not being allowed to operate in India.

In a virtual meeting hosted by Overseas Congress general secretary (West Coast) Shanmugavel Shankaran on 4th January, Sam Pitroda spoke about the supposed decline in civil engagement and claimed that civil society is “not allowed” to function in several cases.

“In India if you want to send donation from America to any NGO, it is a major task. I don’t know why it is that complicated. But it is. Because everybody is afraid. Look at the kind of attacks you have on [George] Soros. I don’t make sense to me. He [Soros] is doing his stuff, you do you stuff. You cannot agree with him that’s okay. But you can’t say he is interfering in India and doing this and doing that. But that’s how our discourse is,” Pitroda said.

Apparently, Sam Pitroda wants India to let Soros continue funding anti-India activities and furthering anti-India narratives unchecked in addition to undermining the rule of the democratically elected Modi government.

The Overseas Congress chairman who last year suggested that a US-like inheritance tax should be brought in India, is wringing his hands over how the Indian government purportedly makes it oh-so-hard for the ‘civil society’ to function as if the only way for anything good to be done in India is by channeling funds from abroad, especially the deep state.

George Soros and his anti-India activities

Recently, the outgoing US President George Biden awarded the nation’s highest civilian honour to George Soros honouring his ‘outstanding contributions’ to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant public or private endeavours.

Sam Pitroda’s chagrin over the Modi government supposedly making it a ‘major task’ for channeling foreign funding to NGOs in India and criticism of Soros can be better understood by looking into George Soros’s antecedents of meddling in India’s internal affairs through his anti-Modi/BJP rhetoric and funding leftist causes and parties in India via his Open Society Foundations (OSF).

Soros has launched a global campaign targeting right-wing governments, actively funding left-leaning organisations and initiatives. He has dedicated $1 billion to start a global university to “fight nationalists”, whom he referred to as “authoritarian governments”, along with combating climate change, calling them twin challenges that threaten the survival of our civilization. 

Through his Open Society Foundations, he has been instrumental in providing financial support to Islamist and Marxist causes and quasi-political radical movements around the world. Soros’s efforts are driven by his desire to counter the rise of nationalist and conservative forces, under the garb of advocating for liberal values and democratic governance. His involvement in these attempts of interfering sovereignty of various countries has made him a villainous figure in the ongoing political landscape, attempting to influence the trajectory of numerous nations including India.

Soros’s attempts to destabilise India’s political landscape became even more evident when he addressed the Munich Security Conference in 2023 wherein he called for a ‘democratic revival’ and accused PM Modi of crony capitalism after claiming that the PM Modi is complicit in the supposed ‘misdealings’ of Indian businessman Gautam Adani. Soros had even proclaimed that PM Modi will have to pay for his actions. ‘politically’. This sparked sparked criticism with the BJP saying that Congress’s ‘Modani’ attacks may have been at the behest of Soros.

George Soros, through his Open Society Foundation, which started its operations in India first in 1999 by offering scholarships and fellowships to pursue studies and research at Indian institutions, has made great strides in creating disorder within India. In the name of running philanthropic activities, the left-wing international organisation led by Soros has begun to spread its tentacles across the country by his active support to anti-India elements operating inside India. 

In the last few decades, George Soros has time and again has shown his desperation to wage war against the nationalist government in India through various networks funded by him comprising of NGOs, media, intelligentsia, etc. 

Soros’s OSF grasped a stronghold in India during the Obama regime. Ever since its entry into India, OSF has tried to intervene in the internal affairs of the nation through the vast and interconnected network of organisations funded by George Soros. These organisations play a vital role in manipulating the original narrative and take the help of the judiciary and media to hinder the national interest.

Back in 2008, the Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF) joined hands with Omidyar Network, the Indian School of Business (ISB) and Google.org to launch their 17 million SONG fund to boost investment. Together with other networks, Soros has provided extensive grants to media running into millions to manipulate political narratives.

Sam Pitroda and his ties with the Deep State

Sam Pitroda is a known Gandhi family loyalist who also served as an advisor to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Pitroda has been a political guru to Congress’s undeclared PM aspirant and thus plays a crucial role in shaping the Congress party’s political strategies against its opponents. OpIndia has extensively reported on Pitroda’s alleged connections with the deep state and having ties with organisations that align with the US’s interests or are funded by entities like the Rockefeller Foundation which historically has been supporting initiatives working to influence Indian policy and polity.

Pitroda is the founder of the Global Knowledge Initiative (GKI), a US-based NGO. Two of GKI’s co-founders, Nina V. Fedoroff and Sara Farley, have notable connections to the US government and the Rockefeller Foundation.

Fedoroff, a former Science and Technology Adviser to the US Secretary of State, is a strong proponent of genetically modified crops and has lobbied for US agribusiness interests in India. Farley, the Vice President of the Food Initiative at the Rockefeller Foundation, has secured funding for GKI and has collaborated with USAID and other US government agencies.

GKI’s supporters include USAID, the Rockefeller Foundation, the US Department of State, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, raising questions about their potential influence on the NGO’s activities. It must be noted that GKI was founded in October 2009, when Sam Pitroda was appointed as the advisor to the then Prime Minister of India.

Pitroda’s ties to the US government and the Rockefeller Foundation, along with his advisory role to the Indian Prime Minister and his involvement in arranging speaking engagements for Rahul Gandhi, have led to concerns about foreign interference in India’s internal affairs. One of OpIndia’s exposé put in the spotlight Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the United States in 2023, about a year before the General Elections of 2024. During his trip, On the 1st of June 2023, Rahul Gandhi was in conversation at the National Press Club in Washington. During that conversation, Rahul Gandhi lied about various issues including the CAA, and Delhi anti-Hindu riots that followed the violence. 

Rahul Gandhi’s foreign visits and his rhetoric supporting Soros’s narrative

Upon analysing the talking points and the major issues raked up by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during his foreign visits, a pattern emerges giving credence to the allegations of Pitroda having ties with the US deep state and the Congress party furthering the narrative that serves US interests. It has been observed that during his foreign visits, Rahul Gandhi repeatedly rakes up the same issues raised by the US State Department. It further becomes more evident as Gandhi has on multiple occasion openly called for the US government to intervene in India’s internal matters hinting at a desperate plea to execute a regime change operation in India to oust Narendra Modi-led NDA from power.

Back in 2021, Rahul Gandhi asked for US interference during an online interaction with Ambassador Nicholas Burns of the Harvard Kennedy School. The Gandhi scion was invited by the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics to talk about challenges and opportunities in India and reflections on politics and public service. Nicholas Burns is a former American ambassador to Greece, and currently a Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Politics at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Rahul Gandhi had said, “I don’t hear anything from the US establishment about what is happening in India. If you are saying partnership in democracy is, I mean, what’s your view on what is happening here?” Rahul Gandhi also added, “I fundamentally believe, that America is a profound idea. The idea of freedom, the way it is encapsulated in your constitution is a very powerful idea. But you got to defend that idea. And that’s the real question.”

In March 2021, during his interview with Brown University professor, Rahul Gandhi had indirectly asked the Western countries not to recognize the BJP’s electoral success by comparing the party’s victory to Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussien and Libya’s Gaddafi. Rahul Gandhi had claimed Saddam Hussein and Gaddafi won elections too, just like PM Modi, and hence one should not equate elections with the successful function of democracy. Both Libya and Iraq were destroyed by Western bombings.

In 2022, he had again asked for foreign interference while he was in the UK.

In 2023, he was seated with Sam Pitroda and Sunita Vishwanathan in the USA – Hudson University. It was during this visit that he made a secret visit to the White House as well. OpIndia had exposed links to Jihadi organizations and George Soros at the time.

Last year, OpIndia reported about Rahul Gandhi having clandestine meetings during his Washington trip in 2023 and how Gandhi reportedly had a secret meeting with Biden administration officials at the White House.

Two weeks after George Soros launched a tirade against PM Modi in March 2023, Rahul Gandhi travelled to Cambridge University. Addressing students and faculty there, the Congress prince tried to paint a fake, dire, and grim picture of India. Gandhi had claimed that he and other Congress MPs have been jailed by the Modi government and that democracy was under threat in India despite the fact that he had conducted a pan-India tour “Bharat Jodo Yatra” joined by anti-Hindu elements like George Ponnaiah and several noted figures opposed to PM Modi and the BJP-led government. It must be recalled that on 31st October 2022, a person named Salil Shetty joined Rahul Gandhi in his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Harthikote in Karnataka. Salil Shetty is the global vice president of Open Society Foundations founded by George Soros.

Not to forget, Rahul Gandhi’s mysterious visit to Uzbekistan in 2023. OpIndia reported how Samantha Power, the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), was there on October 23-24 to preside over the C5+1 Regional Connectivity Ministerial. We reported about Power’s interactions with Soros’s Open Society Foundation and other left-leaning groups.

Rahul Gandhi using propaganda material from Soros-funded OCCRP and other bodies to target the Modi government

The accusations that the Congress party, particularly, Rahul Gandhi has been hobnobbing with anti-India elements including those linked with Soros get credence when he is seen mollycoddling people like Sunita Vishwanath who heads the Soros-funded anti-India Hindus for Human Rights group.

In May 2024, Rahul Gandhi claimed that a ‘big coal scam’ had come to light under the BJP government based on a report published by Financial Times which alleged that Adani Group was selling low-grade coal from Indonesia to India as a cleaner fuel. While Rahul Gandhi unsurprisingly failed to do any due diligence and it emerged that the supposed ‘scam’ happened in January 2014, when Dr Manmohan Singh-led UPA was in power.

Interestingly, the said FT report claimed that it obtained documents of the transaction between a ship carrying Indonesian coal and the Adani Group from an organisation named Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) funded by none other than George Soros.

In December last year, the BJP had accused Rahul Gandhi of being a “traitor of the highest order” and alleged that the US-based agencies, OCCRP and George Soros formed a “dangerous triangle” with Rahul Gandhi to destabilise India.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra had alleged that Rahul Gandhi used outdated information from an old OCCRP report about Brazil cancelling a $324 million order for Covaxin to defame the government. Alleging concerted efforts by the Congress and the “dangerous triangle” to malign India’s reputation and undermine the Modi government, Patra alleged that Rahul Gandhi relied on the OCCRP report to stir a controversy around Pegasus spyware.

During his speech in the Rajya Sabha in December 2024, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi cited the report by French media house Mediapart on OCCRP, which stated that while the organisation claims to be an independent, non-partisan organisation, it is actually funded by US government agencies and works to serve their interests. Trivedi said that the project has funding from foreign governments and the project has a focus on India. Apart from foreign governments, the project also has links with George Soros. The report said that government funding accounted for 70% of the annual budget of OCCRP between 2014 and 2023. 52% of the funds were provided by the US government alone.

While Sam Pitroda is busy lamenting the supposed lack of ease for foreign donations to Congress-friendly ‘civil society’, Rahul Gandhi behaving like a prince of political paradox, has been using dubious reports and articles published by OCCRP and similar groups, which are bankrolled by none other than George Soros to take potshots at the Modi government. And here we are, in this ironic scenario where one arm of the Congress party cries foul over the restrictive policies of the Modi government on foreign funding while the other leverages the very fruits of that funding to throw shade. It is like one hand bemoans the lack of resources, while the other uses those resources to attack the adversaries.

Although the Biden administration awarding George Soros with Medal of Freedom has already re-ignited discussions around the US government rewarding its useful assets, Congress leader Sam Pitroda defending Soros and his support for the Hungarian-American philanthropist further raise speculations that Congress party is hand-in-gloves with those foreign elements.

1954 Kumbh, 1000+ deaths, and PM Nehru: How the tragedy was downplayed as the ‘death of a few beggars’. An eyewitness account of the only journalist present

Siddhi Somani
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1954 Kumbh, 1000+ deaths, and PM Nehru: How the tragedy was downplayed as the ‘death of a few beggars’. An eyewitness account of the only journalist present

The preparations for the Mahakumbh Mela 2025 which is an integral part of Indian tradition and is renowned globally as the largest peaceful congregation of people are underway in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The event which is one of the world’s largest public gatherings and collective acts of faith is slated to begin on 13th January and would span up to 26th of February, 2025.

As reported earlier, the state government this time has made massive arrangements for the devotees and is expected to host over 40-45 crore people from across the globe. The Yogi Adityanath government has set up a fireproof dome city and IRCTC’s “Mahakumbh Gram” luxury in Maha Kumbh for visitors to experience India’s rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions. The city setup is further slated to offer Sangam view from within the cottages where people would be able to see and worship the Ganga and Yamuna rivers from within the premises. Apart from this, the tourists coming to Prayagraj Maha Kumbh will also be able to enjoy the panoramic view of Sangam through a speed motor boat. The Tourism Department is also conducting a special training program for Maha Kumbh under which the guides, taxi drivers, vendors, and sailors who take people on a city tour are trained.

The other major crucial arrangements undertaken by the state government for the Mahakumbh are related to security, health, commutation, food, environment, etc. The detailed report regarding these can be read here. In October, CM Yogi stated that the state would use AI tools to ensure safety, focusing on ‘zero plastic usage’ and expanding the area of the fiesta for the upcoming Mahakumbh event.

Explaining the arrangements and preparations, he further said that the government had ensured that no devotees would have to walk for more than 1 km during the festival except for the 6 peak days, which include the festival of Makar Sankranti, Mouni Amawasya, Mahashivratri, Posh Purnima and Maghi Purnima. Later in November, he issued clear instructions to officials, emphasizing that no devotee attending the Mahakumbh should face any inconvenience. In line with these directives, every ghat will now be thoroughly inspected before being opened for pilgrims.

The BJP-led government in the state and the centre is all over being lauded for the star arrangements executed for the Hindu devotees amid the Maha Kumbh 2025. From infrastructure to crowd management, everything is being taken care of. However, this is enraging the opposition who in the past have become notorious for misuse of funds, stampede, and mismanagement during Kumbh Mela.

SP criticizing Kumbh arrangements calls it incomplete

Last week, the SP leader from Faizabad Awadhesh Kumar said that organizing Maha Kumbh was nothing new and that it had happened during his government as well. Akhilesh Yadav also has been constantly raising questions about the preparations for Maha Kumbh 2025 as he has claimed several times in the past that the work of Maha Kumbh 2025 is incomplete. 

It is crucial to note that during the SP rule in the state of Uttar Pradesh, around 42 Hindu devotees died in a stampede at the railway station of Prayagraj during the Kumbh Mela. The incident happened on Mauni Amavasya when lakhs of devotees had come to the city to take a bath in the Ganga river. SP’s Azam Khan who was made the chairman of the committee of the Kumbh Mela in 2013 then resigned from his position but the said resignation was not accepted by the Yadav at that time.

Later it was found that the state led by the Samajwadi Party had not arranged enough buses for the devotees to travel. The CAG audit of the event also revealed that around 60% work of the Kumbh Mela organized back then was incomplete. The state had only appointed 5 divers to handle around 12 crore devotees, the funds allotted by the Centre for the religious purpose also remained unused, leading to mishap and major mismanagement. A detailed report on this can be read here.

Congress questions arrangement at Mahakumbh, forgets the 1954 stampede episode

On the other hand, the Congress is also criticizing the current BJP-led government for making massive arrangements for devotees at Maha Kumbh, showing disinterest in India’s largest public gathering and collective act of faith. In November 2024, Congress leader Kamru Zzaman Choudhury questioned the spending of the government on the upcoming Maha Kumbh event. He said that the BJP and the RSS were taking the government money in the name of Maha Kumbh and opined that instead temples should monetize the gold that they get as donations from the devotees.

In another instance, Congress MP Tanuj Punia had alleged widespread corruption in the planning process of the Maha Kumbh. Backing the claims made by Akhilesh Yadav about alleged incomplete arrangements at the Maha Kumbh, he said that such arrangements displayed deep-rooted corruption by the government. “Tenders are being given only to Gujaratis who then subcontract them to others. Corruption is everywhere,” he was quoted as saying.

MP Tanuj Punia (Zee news)

However, PM Modi criticized the opposition for disrespecting the Indian culture. He congratulated all the workers, state authorities, and admin officers for making class arrangements for the Hindu devotees as he said that the previous governments had failed at organizing Maha Kumbh at this level.

“The previous governments did not give attention to Kumbh and religious pilgrimages. Devotees kept suffering in such events, but the governments of that time did not care about it. The reason for this was that they did not have any attachment to Indian culture. But today, the government in the centre and the state respect Indian culture. Therefore, the double-engine government considers its responsibility to provide facilities to the devotees coming to Kumbh,” he said.

Notably, this is not the first time when PM Modi has slammed the opposition for criticizing Kumbh. In the year 2019 as well, PM Modi while speaking in Ayodhya had targeted Congress for the stampede that happened at Kumbh Mela in 1954 during the Congress rule.

Speaking at an election rally in May 2009, PM Modi noted that when Jawaharlal Nehru was the Prime Minister and he had visited Kumbh, a stampede had taken place where several people lost their lives due to bad arrangements and failed security measures. He also said that the media back then did not dare to talk about this loss of lives. The people who lost their loved ones did not get anything from the government at all. PM Modi said that such things don’t happen anymore because of the better arrangements in Kumbh.

The incident highlighted by PM Modi in 2019 happened in the year 1954 when India had just completed 7 years of being an independent nation. Today, when the Congress continues to falsely criticize the Yogi government for the arrangement of Hindu devotees at Maha Kumbh 2025, it must recall the stampede that happened back then due to the Nehru government, killing around 2000 Hindus.

What happened on Maun Amavasya in 1954

The Kumbh Mela organized at Prayagraj in the year 1954 became historically significant for the tragic loss of lives on the day of Mauni Amavasya. The darkest moments of the festival were marked when a massive stampede occurred on February 3rd of that year. Lakhs of people gathered in the city to take a holy dip in the Ganga river however, limited space and inadequate arrangements led to chaos giving a major push to the stampede in the presence of the then PM Nehru. Around 2000 people lost their lives however, the government record suggested that only a few beggars had died in the tragic event.

While similar tragedies have occurred at subsequent Kumbh Melas, the 1954 incident remains a painful reminder of the challenges involved in managing such large gatherings. The then PM Jawaharlal Nehru has been notably linked to the tragedy. As per the historical records published earlier, PM Nehru had visited Prayagraj to review the security arrangements during the Kumbh Mela. The PM and President Rajendra Prasad were also supposed to take the holy dip and hence, all the administrative staff was busy making arrangements for the visit.

On 3rd February, as the two were supposed to be there, VIP arrangements were made, resulting in stopping Hindu devotees from carrying on with Kumbh rituals. Barricades were deployed for the diplomats’ safety, however, a huge crowd of onlookers began walking toward the ghat. As this happened, people behind the barricades crumbled on the spot and then many never rose again. Several cries of ‘Save Me, Save Me’ could be heard on the spot at around 10:20 am that day. Massive chaos erupted in the city as more than 1000s lost their lives on the spot, some crushed others suffocated in the melee.

Reportedly, more than 2000 were injured but the then government led by Congress denied the death reports to claim that only a “few beggars” had died. Later a photo journalist identified as NN Mukherjee who worked for Anand Bazar Patrika published a few pictures of the event showcasing women wearing jewellery lying dead. The ornaments seen in the pictures portrayed that the women belonged to well-off families.

The lone photographer who survived the stampede published his eyewitness account in a Hindi magazine. In his memoir published by ‘Chayakriti’ in 1989, NN Mukherjee described the stampede, the horrors he witnessed, and Nehru’s presence at Kumbh on that day. He said that while the stampede was happening the government officials were enjoying tea and snacks in the government house.

“I stood on a tower near a barrier at the Sangam Chowki. At around 10.20 am, Nehru-ji and Rajendra Babu’s car came in from the Triveni Road, went past the barrier and headed for the Kila Ghat. A large number of onlookers, who had been stopped on both sides of the barrier, began breaking past the barriers down towards the ghat. A procession of sadhus was moving on the other side of the barrier. The procession went awry due to the influx of the mammoth crowd. When the mob came crashing at the slope of the barricade, it appeared like waves made by standing crops when a storm strikes just before they tumble. Those who fell could not rise again. The cries of “save me, save me” rented the air in all directions as people ran helter-skelter trampling others under their feet. Many fell in a huge well nearby, and no one could come out. I saw with my own two eyes, someone crushing a three- or four-year-old child. Someone was trying to escape by swinging on the wires of an electricity pole. In a bid to take his photograph, I had to go over fallen people. It is also surprising that even though more than a thousand people trampled to death, the administrative officials were ignorant of it because these officials were enjoying tea and snacks at the Government House (today’s Medical College) till four o’clock,” he said in his memoir.

The government burnt heaps of bodies to hide evidence

On the next day of the stampede, the government led by Chief Minister Govind Ballabh Pant made heaps of dead bodies and set them on fire to suppress the evidence. Mukherjee, somehow also managed to take pictures of these heaps and stated that he was called a ‘ ‘h******a’ (b*****d) for publishing those pictures exposing the government’s mismanagement during the Kumbh Mela.

“On the second day of the accident, the administration made mounds of bodies and set them on fire. No photographer was allowed near the site. To take photos, I dressed like a villager, carried a small camera in an umbrella, and pretended that I was there to see the body of my grandmother one last time. I fell on the feet of a constable…one official allowed me on the condition that I return quickly after seeing my ‘grandmother’. I ran towards the bodies and fell on the body of an old woman crying. Then I quickly took a photo of the burning pile of bodies. When the picture was published the next day, then Chief Minister Govind Ballabh Pant let out a curse, ‘Where is the Ha photographer?’ It was a big compliment for me,” he added.

This screenshot from a video coverage by Pathe News shows a scene from the Sangam in 1954 (Statesman)

Following the incident, Nehru urged leaders to avoid visiting the Kumbh Mela on the day of the royal bath to prevent such situations. Since then, greater attention has been given to crowd management and safety measures at the event. Despite these efforts, stampedes have occurred in subsequent years, but the 1954 tragedy remains etched in history as a solemn reminder of the challenges associated with managing such massive gatherings.

By the memoir of NN Mukherjee, is it evident that the Congress government back then whether the Jawaharlal Nehru government at the centre or the Pant-led state government in Uttar Pradesh did everything in their power to suppress evidence of the stampede by burning the mortal remains of the victims? Even a journalist had to pose as a family member to gather evidence of the body burning by the Congress government. In his memoir, Mukherjee also says that he had to beg the official to let him in and ‘see his grandmother’ and he was allowed in only on the condition that he would leave quickly.

The Maha Kumbh congregation, primarily, includes Ascetics, Saints, Sadhus, Sadhvis, Kalpvasis, and Pilgrims from all walks of life. The congregation in Hinduism, is a religious pilgrimage that is celebrated four times over 12 years. As per the official records, “the geographical location of Kumbh Mela spans over four locations in India and the Mela site keeps rotating between one of the four pilgrimages on four sacred rivers like in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on the banks of Ganges, in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh on the banks of Shipra, in Nashik, Maharashtra on the banks of Godavari, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical invisible Sarasvati.”

This time Kumbh is being held in Prayagraj after 144 years at the Sangam of Prayagraj. According to the scriptures, when Jupiter enters Taurus and the Sun enters Capricorn, then Kumbh Mela is organized in Prayagraj. Massive security arrangements are in place for the largest gathering which is slated to begin on 13th January. The grand festival is expected to host over 45 Crore visitors, marking one of the historic occasions for India this year.

‘Heart ripped out, neck broken, 15 head fractures: How body of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar was mutilated for exposing corruption of Congress leader

OpIndia Staff
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‘Heart ripped out, neck broken, 15 head fractures: How body of journalist Mukesh Chandrakar was mutilated for exposing corruption of Congress leader

The autopsy report of Mukesh Chandrakar has revealed chilling details about the torture inflicted on the body of the 28-year-old journalist, who was murdered for exposing the corruption of Congress leader Suresh Chandrakar.

According to the report, the deceased journalist had sustained 15 fractures to his head. His neck was broken and his heart was ripped out.

As per doctors who carried out the post-mortem of Mukesh Chandrakar, they also found 5 broken ribs and 4 pieces of liver. The doctors conceded that they had not seen such brutality in their 12-year careers.

They informed that more than 2 people must have been involved in the gruesome murder. Mukesh’s body was recovered from a septic tank, which was located on the premises of Suresh Chandrakar.

Mukesh had exposed irregularities and corruption by the Congress leader in a ₹120-crore road construction project in Bastar. This prompted the BJP-led-government in the State to act against the contractor.

The Chhattisgarh police arrested the primary accused Suresh Chandrakar from Hyderabad city of Telangana on Sunday (5th January). He had been on the run since Friday (3rd January).

Suresh’s brothers Dinesh Chandrakar and Ritesh Chandrakar were also apprehended by the police. The deceased journalist Mukesh Chandrakar had been missing since 1st of January.

A missing complaint was filed by his elder brother Yukesh after his phone was found switched off. Mukesh had last gone to meet Suresh’s brother Ritesh at one of the contractor’s properties.

After the murder, the Bijapur administration took swift action and razed some illegal constructions owned by Suresh Chandrakar.

3 of his bank accounts were also seized. Govt land illegally seized by the politically influential contractor was also sealed and taken back by the administration.

While Delhi waited for oxygen during COVID, Arvind Kejriwal was building his Sheesh Mahal: BJP’s Shehzad Poonawalla

ANI
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While Delhi waited for oxygen during COVID, Arvind Kejriwal was building his Sheesh Mahal: BJP’s Shehzad Poonawalla

BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla on Monday, launched a sharp attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal over ‘Sheesh Mahal’ expenses saying, that during COVID when people in Delhi waited for oxygen and food, Kejriwal was busy building his palace.

Speaking to ANI, Poonawalla said, “This is a very good suggestion given by our promising candidate Pravesh Verma, “open Sheeshmahal to the public. When Covid was prevalent and the people of Delhi were waiting for oxygen and food, Arvind Kejriwal was busy building his palace. Now the CAG report has also come out.”

Poonawala said that under the leadership of Atishi and Kejriwal, Delhi would face a revenue deficit for the first time in 31 years and opening the ‘Sheesh Mahal’ to the public would help generate income for the city.

“With Atishi ji and Kejriwal in power, the Delhi government is going to have a revenue deficit for the first time in 31 years, so if ‘Sheesh Mahal’ is open for public viewing, Delhi will also get some income from this,” he said.

He targeted Kejriwal further saying, “Why not make this ‘Sheesh Mahal’ of Arvind Kejriwal public and open it for public viewing, so that the truth comes out? People can see how Arvind Kejriwal, who gave an affidavit in 2013 saying that he would live in a small house is using a commode worth Rs. 4.5-5 lakhs. Atishi Sheesh ji should accept this suggestion.”

Poonawalla’s remarks follow an audit report from the Comptroller and Auditor General, Girish Chandra Murmu, which revealed that the total cost of renovating the Delhi Chief Minister’s residence, referred to as the ‘Sheesh Mahal,’ was Rs 33.66 crore.

Earlier, BJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan also attacked Kejriwal, accusing him of betraying Delhi’s people, bankrupting the government, and enabling scams and scandals over the past decade.

“Arvind Kejriwal has muffled the truth and has now degenerated into a discredited and dishonest ‘Sheesh Mahal’ man. He can never cover up the frauds of the AAP. The CAG audit trail has been explosive and has exposed the AAP. The AAP government. has spent Rs 33.6 crores of taxpayers’ money in the ‘Sheesh Mahal’. That too during COVID when people were struggling for survival. The AAP and Kejriwal have betrayed the people of Delhi they have bankrupted the Delhi government and benefited by unleashing scams, scandals in a decade of disaster,” Kesavan said.

He also expressed confidence in the party’s victory in the upcoming assembly election, saying that the people of Delhi will sweep AAP into the dustbin of history and bless the BJP to form a government.

“The central schemes of the Prime Minister have not been able to reach the people of Delhi because it has been blocked by this dubious, devious AAP government. The people of Delhi have realised that the AAP has derailed in Delhi, and they have decided to put a full stop to this government of Delhi run by AAP. We are very sure that in the coming election, the people of Delhi will sweep AAP into the dustbin of history and bless the BJP to form a government so that Delhi takes its rightful place in our nation’s growth story as we march towards becoming a Vikshit Bharat,” Kesavan said.

The ‘Sheesh Mahal’ controversy centres around allegations that Arvind Kejriwal spent crores of rupees renovating his official residence during the Covid-19 pandemic, a period when many public development projects were stalled.

Ministry of Health confirms two cases of HMPV infection: What is HMPV, its symptoms and why there is no cause for alarm

OpIndia Staff
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Ministry of Health confirms two cases of HMPV infection: What is HMPV, its symptoms and why there is no cause for alarm

The Indian government has issued a press note following media reports of some Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases detected in Karnataka. Amid concerns over the HMPV outbreak in China, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has reassured the public that there is no cause for alarm.

The official X account of the Ministry of Health has issued an update in the wake of HMPV cases detected in India. The Ministry of Health has quoted Dr Atul Goel, Director-General of Health Services, who has said there is no need to panic and advised people to follow basic hygiene practices and take general precautions to stay safe during the winter season.

A press release by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that the HMPV is already prevalent worldwide, including in India, with cases of respiratory illnesses linked to the virus reported in several countries. Additionally, according to the latest data from ICMR and the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), there has been no significant increase in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases across the country.

Two cases of HMPV were detected both of which involved infants treated for bronchopneumonia at Baptist Hospital, Bengaluru, with one discharged and the other recovering. Neither had an international travel history, the press release stated.

The Union Health Ministry is closely observing the situation using all available surveillance systems, while ICMR will maintain year-round monitoring of HMPV circulation trends. The World Health Organization (WHO) is providing regular updates on the situation in China to support ongoing response efforts. A recent nationwide preparedness drill demonstrated that India is well-prepared to manage any potential rise in respiratory illnesses, with public health measures ready for swift deployment if required.

What is Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) and what are its symptoms?

HMPV is an RNA virus from the Metapneumovirus genus, first identified in 2001. Research suggests it has been circulating for over 60 years and is now recognized as a common respiratory pathogen globally. It spreads via respiratory droplets, close contact with infected individuals, or contaminated surfaces. 

The Chinese CDC reports an infection period of 3–5 days. While it can occur year-round, the virus is most prevalent in winter and spring. Notably, HMPV does not generate a robust immune response, allowing for reinfection.

HMPV symptoms are similar to those of the common cold and coronavirus, including cough, fever, and cold-like signs. Officials advise wearing masks and frequent handwashing to curb the spread.

Among those most vulnerable to the virus are children and the elderly. Officials recommend wearing masks, avoiding crowded spaces, and maintaining hygiene to reduce infection risks. 

Also, it is worth noting that though it is quite prevalent, there is no vaccine for HMPV, and its symptoms are often mistaken for those of a common cold.

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