Home Blog Page 5909

23 days after he left for a Bangkok vacation, Rahul Gandhi leaves for another foreign tour, this time Indonesia: Reports

OpIndia Staff
-
0
23 days after he left for a Bangkok vacation, Rahul Gandhi leaves for another foreign tour, this time Indonesia: Reports

According to a source quoted by the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS), former Congress President Rahul Gandhi has embarked upon yet another foreign visit. The Gandhi scion is reportedly travelling to Indonesia.

Earlier too, on 6th October 2019, Rahul Gandhi had gone to Bangkok before the October 21 assembly elections in Maharashtra and Haryana. Doubts were being raised about Rahul’s suspicious visits to foreign countries and his leadership questioned for leaving the party in the lurch amidst such crucial assembly elections. Nonetheless, the party failed to perform satisfactorily in the assembly elections with the BJP once again consolidating and forming government in both the states.

Read: Rules of Congress Mukht Bharat: BJP and Congress are no longer in the same league, far from it

The Congress party had then defended their former president’s visit to Bangkok saying that it was a personal visit and people should refrain from commenting on his individual life.  “The person should not be mixed with the public life of an individual. We need to entitle everybody an eternal sense of liberty and privacy. After all, this is the basic and outlining principle of progressive and liberal democracy,” Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said.

Read: Rahul Gandhi walking away was the biggest problem, Congress unlikely to win Haryana and Maharashtra elections: Congress leader Salman Khurshid

The opposition, on the other hand, has often targeted Rahul for his unaccounted escapades, claiming that shunning responsibilities is par for the course for the Wayanad MP. The BJP leaders have frequently questioned Rahul Gandhi’s foreign visits, with Amit Shah stirring up a furore asking why Rahul Gandhi does not take SPG cover with him on his foreign trips and what is he hiding from the world.

India-Turkey: A glorified relationship that is rightfully turning realistic

Vinayak Jain
-
0
India-Turkey: A glorified relationship that is rightfully turning realistic

Arrogance and extreme shortsightedness. Two terms that aptly describe Turkish President Erdogan’s anti-India rant at the UNGA recently. It was a strangely unimaginative discourse considering how Turkey stands to benefit economically by maintaining cordial terms with India. However, what Erdogan explicitly chose over India was a debt-ridden terror-infested Pakistan. A deeply foolish diplomatic strategy to say the least.

Since then India has almost uncharacteristically gone by the nature of its subdued foreign policy, taken strong offence to Turkey’s biased views on Kashmir and not shied away from expressing the same through both action and rhetoric.

No Tolerating Verbal ‘Ingress’

The first sign that India had taken immediate and strict cognisance of Ankara’s open support to Pakistan on Kashmir came when Prime Minister Modi met leaders of three nations – Cyprus, Greece and Armenia.

In support of Cyprus India came out with a blunt statement where it reiterated its support for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of Cyprus. This statement was meant for Turkey as in 1974 Turkey had invaded Cyprus and occupied its northern part that it, later on, termed the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). This region is a staggering 36% of Cyprus’s total area.

Ever since relations between Cyprus and Turkey have been bitter and volatile. Turkey’s imperious nature is evident in the fact that it continues to keep over 30,000 troops in TRNC despite the region having absolutely no international recognition.

Prime Minister Modi then met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Greece and Turkey also have unpleasant relations with the situation have deteriorated to such a degree that in 1996 they came perilously close to a conflict over the Greek islets of Imia in Greece; it was American intervention that prevented a war. Again, what reflects here is Turkey’s unconcealed disregard for the sanctity of neighbouring territory.

Then comes Armenia. The Turks of the Ottoman Empire had carried out a genocide of millions of Armenians in 1915 which is till date the reason for distasteful relations between the two nations.

The three bilateral meetings assumed immense significance owing to the relations these countries have with Turkey. They were essentially India’s way of saying to Turkey that if you push your nose into our internal business then we have ample ways to open the door to your closet of crimes.

A few days later came Turkey’s military offensive in Syria against the Kurds. In a swift reaction, the MEA said and I quote: “We are deeply concerned at the unilateral military offensive by Turkey in north-east Syria.” New Delhi asked Ankara to employ restraint and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria after which the Syrian ambassador gave a categorical statement saying that what India does in Kashmir is its own business. Criticism of the Turkish airstrikes signalled yet again that India wasn’t going to dilly-dally in its approach in countering those who made it a point to wrongly denounce India’s actions on its own territory.

Read: Kashmir comment fall out: After scrapping Naval deal with Turkish firm, PM Modi cancels visit to Turkey planned for later this year

In June, Turkey’s TAIS had given the lowest bid for a contract to manufacture five 45,000-tonne fleet support vessels for the Indian Navy. Despite winning the contract, there began floating news after Erdogan’s statements that India had put the $2.3 billion deal on halt. It now seems that the deal is as good as dead credit not just to Turkey’s latest anti-India stand but also because of security concerns as Turkish shipyards manufacture ships for Pakistan as well.

India’s holistic response was visible when the government issued a travel warning to Indians visiting Turkey. Tourism is a significant source of income for any country. In the first eight months of 2019, 1.5 lakh Indians visited Turkey, a rise of 55% from 2018 for the same period, and almost 30 destination weddings took place in Turkey which again rises from 2018. A reduction in tourists will negatively affect Ankara.

Read: UNGA outcome: Erdogan’s anti-India stand may cost Turkish company a 2.3 billion USD deal with Indian Navy

Tourism also has a huge cultural impact. Visiting a foreign nation denotes a tacit acknowledgement – or a curiosity at the least – towards the culture, people and lifestyle of that nation. This creates a silent soft spot and admiration for that nation and its people in the minds of tourists. This cultural influence is one of the pillars to being a true superpower. For example, America’s drastic and consistent ascent to superpower status is heavily dependent on its cultural allure which is absent in the case of China or Russia. (India is the only other large country that possesses a cultural aura that it is now exploiting for greater global clout). When tourism falls or negativity is created around a country then, as a result, its soft power takes a hit.

India’s firmness of purpose exemplified with its decision to reduce defence exports to Turkey. Even though India doesn’t export much, it does send dual-use items like detonating cord, safety fuses and explosives. India’s actions on such a seemingly trivial aspect speak a lot of its disappointment and anger over Turkey’s statements.

What made bigger news than any of the above-mentioned points was Prime Minister Modi cancelling his trip to Turkey. It would’ve been his first visit to the transcontinental country since assuming the mantle of prime ministership. To talk and express discontent about a matter is one thing; to signal that you don’t want to talk at all delivers an altogether different message. The cancellation of the visit was a pristinely clear message to Erdogan that India isn’t going to obsequiously carry-on relations if Turkey cannot respect India’s sensitivities. 

What Made Erdogan Alight the Pakistani Boat?

One would naturally be curious about why would Turkey completely shift its allegiance towards Pakistan. The answer could lie in three words – nukes, arms, and Gulen.

Erdogan recently made his desire for acquiring nuclear weapons distinctly clear. It is known that Ankara had asked for India’s diplomatic support in its quest to becoming a nuclear power and also for technical help, and on both fronts, New Delhi had denied assistance. This leaves Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation that itself got its nuclear technology through smuggling, as an idyllic option for obtaining relevant know-how. Pakistan, aided by the likes of China, could well help Turkey. China will see its interest in this chain of events…a sure-shot chance to break away a NATO member creating fissures in Western alliances (not to forget Russia who has sold the S-400 missile systems to Turkey thus souring relations between Turkey and America). However, what will be interesting to see is what America does of its 50 nuclear weapons stored at Turkey’s Incirlik Air Base.

Next is the issue of arms. Turkey has a burgeoning defence industry and Pakistan has been and continues to grow as a purchaser of arms. Turkey is building 4 MILGEM medium-sized warships for Pakistan as per a $1 billion deal. It is repairing two of Pakistan’s five submarines. The biggest deal between the two was to sell 30 T129 ATAK helicopter gunships to Pakistan for $1.5 billion. However, this deal was blocked by the US due to licence issues. Turkey is now holding a Pakistan-Turkey defence equipment exhibition with Pakistan as its host for the first time. Turkey sees the potential for defence collaboration with Pakistan, but its surprisingly parochial way of looking at things is evident; Pakistan can never match India’s purchasing power when it comes to arms yet Turkey chose to risk all ties with India.

The last aspect is personal. Fethullah Gulen is Erdogan’s political adversary, and Erdogan blames him for attempting a coup against him in 2016. Where does India come in all this? The Turkish dispensation believes that Gulen-controlled schools and institutes operate in many places in India and the Indian government has refused to close them down.

Even though India and Turkey have maintained rather cordial relations over time, Turkey has repeatedly acted against Indian interests. From supplying American-origin weapons to Pakistan during the 1965 and 1971 wars to opposing India’s entry into the NSG, from supporting Pakistan’s line on Kashmir to preventing it from being blacklisted by the FATF, the India-Turkey relationship is probably more of a feel-good facade than anything else.

What is strikingly similar between Pakistan and Turkey is that both occupy neighbouring land (TRNC and PoK), both have bad relations with neighbours (Turkey with Greece, Armenia and Cyprus, and Pakistan with India, Afghanistan and Iran), both have conducted genocides (Turkey of Armenians and Pakistan of Bengali Muslims), and both support terrorists (Turkey backs ISIS and Pakistan a plethora of outfits). Both seem to be made for each other!

It was about time that ties with Turkey were reduced for nothing comes above national interest to a proud nation, and fortunately, India is now portraying itself to be one.

Madras HC orders youth to pay Rs. 25,000 each to Islamist and a Christian organisation to receive anticipatory bail for a Facebook post

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Madras HC orders youth to pay Rs. 25,000 each to Islamist and a Christian organisation to receive anticipatory bail for a Facebook post

The Madras High Court has ordered a youth charged with posting objectionable content on Facebook to pay Rs 25,000 each to a trust run by the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) and an orphanage run by a Christian organisation in Mayiladuthirai (Mayavaram) in Nagapattinam district as a condition for his anticipatory bail, Swarajya Mag reported.

As per the report, the 26-year old Selvakumar, in a Facebook post, had urged people from the Hindu community to boycott those shops that had not taken part in a one-day closure called by the locals in Mayiladuthurai on 6 February this year. The closure was a protest against the murder of V. Ramalingam by criminals associated with the Radical Islamic organization PFI. The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader in Tamil Nadu was brutally murdered for opposing religious conversion.

Read: Ramalingam murder case: NIA arrests Myden Ahmed Shali, head of the ‘Dawah’ team linked to PFI

After taking note of the Facebook post that lamented the fact that certain people had also sympathized with the murders in addition to not participating in the closure, an inspector of Manalmedu police station, which is near Mayiladuthurai town, filed a case against Selvakumar, on his own volition. Afterwards, when Selvakumar approached the Court for anticipatory bail, he was ordered to pay a huge amount of money.

In his petition, Selvakumar had said that the post was not even his own, he had only reposted something that was created by another person. He also said that he had immediately deleted the post when asked to do so. However, it did not matter before the Madras High Court.

Most disturbingly, however, Selvakumar has been ordered to pay Rs. 25,000 to TMMK, an Islami fundamentalist organization. The headquarters speaker of the organization was arrested in August earlier this year after he threatened to behead Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah following the abrogation of Article 370. In 2012, TMMK was involved in an attack on the US Consulate General’s office at Chennai that involved vandalism during a protest. In 2013, TMMK had also demanded a ban on Kamal Hassan’s movie Vishwaroopam.

In July 2016, the organization was one of many Muslim organizations that demanded that the Central government stop portraying Radical Islamic preacher Zakir Naik as a terrorist. Since then, it has been discovered that most of the 127-odd terrorists arrested by security agencies in India for suspected ISIS links were inspired by the speeches of the Radical Islamic preacher.

The particular judgment by the Madras High Court reminds one of the controversial verdict passed by the Ranchi High Court earlier this year. Richa Bharti was ordered to distribute copies of the Quran for bail after she had allegedly posted objectionable content on Facebook. After massive outrage and protests, the Court was forced to take back its ridiculous order.

70-year-old Ahmadiya mosque razed down by Pakistani authorities in Bahawalpur

OpIndia Staff
-
0
70-year-old Ahmadiya mosque razed down by Pakistani authorities in Bahawalpur

While Pakistan PM Imran Khan sermonises India on the treatment of its minorities, his own’s government’s treatment of minorities is in the dock as a place of worship belonging to the Ahmadiya community has been razed down in Pakistan. Recently, Pakistani authorities demolished parts of a 70-year old mosque belonging to beleaguered Ahmadis minority sect.

The Ahmadis are a persecuted community in the state of Pakistan who were declared as non-Muslims in 1974. After a few years, they were even banned by the Pakistani state from calling themselves Muslims. In addition to this, they are banned from teaching their religious ideals and even from travelling to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage.

According to Ahmadi community spokesperson Saleemduddin, the now destroyed mosque was located in Bahawalpur district’s Hasilpur village. “The assistant commissioner of Hasilpur teamed up with Baldia workers mounted an attack on the 70-year-old Ahmadi place of worship in Murad district and destroyed parts of the building without tendering notice. The mosque was built on the place owned by the community. It has remained the same over past many decades,” Saleemduddin said.

Authorities in the Punjab province have, however, stated that the Mosque was razed because it was built on encroached land.

The Pakistani Ahmadiya community has accused that far from taking action against the perpetrators, a fellow Ahmadiya was being implicated in false charges by the Pakistani government. “Instead of taking action against those involved in its destruction, police have apprehended an Ahmadi who filmed this attack under baseless charges,” Saleemduddin said.

Many Ahmadi and human rights activists in Pakistan have slammed the razing down of the Mosque.


Minorities have always been vulnerable in Pakistan. There have been numerous cases of Hindu girls being kidnapped, forcefully converted and married off to older Muslim men under orders of radical leaders who enjoy political patronage.

Read: Attack on Hindus in Ghotki, Pakistan pre-planned by Islamic leader Mian Mithoo to cover up abduction of Hindu girl: Reports

Earlier last month, following an allegation of blasphemy against a Hindu school principal, Hindu temples, shops and homes of minority Hindus were ransacked by Muslim rioters. However, later it was revealed that the attack on Hindus was a pre-planned event to cover-up a child abduction incident. The school principal had thwarted efforts by giving refuge to one of the Hindu girls, who was abducted by associates of child kidnapper radical Islamist Mian Mithoo.

Uttar Pradesh: With no party office in Gorakhpur, Congress party working through WhatsApp, conducts meetings in marriage halls

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Uttar Pradesh: With no party office in Gorakhpur, Congress party working through WhatsApp, conducts meetings in marriage halls

It seems that the organisational structure of the Congress party in Uttar Pradesh is in an extremely terrible state as the party does not even have an office and is reportedly functioning through Whatsapp in Gorakhpur.

According to reports, the Congress party has vacated its office in Gorakhpur and is currently running the party through social media platforms like Whatsapp. A party functionary said the meetings are held in marriage halls and the party mostly work through WhatsApp.

According to senior party leader Syed Jamal, former district president late Bhrigunath Chaturvedi had started the Congress office in Purdilpur in Gorakhpur and it had remained the party office till 2017. “But we had to vacate the office in 2017 because the ownership rights were with someone else. Since then the Congress does not have a proper office of its own, and meetings are usually held in marriage halls,” he said.

Reportedly, the party leaders said that they have apprised regarding the situation to the Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, but there was no response from her side so far.

Also Read: Congress to shift to its new headquarters in Delhi on its foundation day in December, to be named ‘Indira Gandhi Bhawan’

However, the newly appointed district Congress president Nirmal Paswan said that the party will soon get its new office. Currently, the party leaders are informally using a house in Charuchandrapuri as a makeshift office.

The Congress party is facing an existential crisis in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Despite parachuting Priyanka Gandhi into the party and appointing her as the General Secretary for the eastern Uttar Pradesh, there seems to be no improvement in the development of the party.

The party does not seem to have any vote bank in the state as its core voters have either withered with time or drifted away completely. In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the Congress could not even secure a victory for their then President Rahul Gandhi, who had contested against Smriti Irani from the prestigious Amethi Lok Sabha seat.

‘Journalist’ Ravish Kumar mocks another journalist for reporting on Deepotsav, says Hindi reporters work out of helplessness

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Journalist’ Ravish Kumar mocks another journalist for reporting on Deepotsav, says Hindi reporters work out of helplessness

NDTV Hindi Managing Editor Ravish Kumar, displaying his contempt for other reporters of Hindi media, took to Facebook to mock Hindustan journalist Adarsh Kumar for his reportage of Deepotsav.

Ravish shared a clipping of Hindustan article on Deepotsav, where journalist Adarsh Shukla had described Deepotsav as an event which can only be experienced and not described in words. Objecting to describing Deepotsav as an ‘experience that cannot be described in words’, Ravish Kumar said that such an article deserves a Pulitzer prize.

Read: Magsaysay Award winner ‘journalist’ Ravish Kumar mansplains what kind of men should women fall in love with

Ravish thanks the Editor of Hindustan for giving a byline to Shukla because despite two other articles on Deepotsav, the editor was ‘kind enough’ to give Shukla a byline.

हिन्दी का पत्रकार मजबूरी में नौकरी न करे तो उसे भगवान के स्वरूपों की रिपोर्टिंग का सौभाग्य ही प्राप्त न हो। इसलिए हिन्दी के पत्रकारों को प्रार्थना करनी चाहिए कि उन्हें मजबूर करने वाला संपादक मिले। मजबूरी में ही मुक्ति और मोक्ष की प्राप्ति होती है। कई बार संपादक की मजबूरियां रिपोर्टर को आकाश की ऊंचाई प्रदान करती हैं। मुझे यकीन है कि हिन्दुस्तान अख़बार के न्यूज़ रूम में इस रिपोर्ट पर हर न्यूज़ एडिटर गौरवान्वित महसूस कर रहा होगा। इस रिपोर्ट का अंग्रेज़ी अनुवाद कर हिन्दुस्तान टाइम्स के प्रथम पृष्ठ पर प्रकाशित करना चाहिए।

In a caustic tone, Ravish mocks reportage on Deepotsav as if it is a faff piece. He writes that if Hindi journalist works out of helplessness, then he gets is privileged to report on various avatars of gods. “Hindi journalists should pray that they do not get an editor who forces them to write certain reports. Only when one is forced, one gets ‘mukti and moksha’,” he writes. Mocking the reportage of Deepotsav further, Ravish Kumar added that he is sure Hindustan newsroom must be proud of this report. “This report should be translated into English and republished on the front page of Hindustan Times,” he mocks.

Read: Ayodhya’s grand Deepotsav finds spot in the Guinness Book of World Records

Ravish Kumar, who perhaps considers himself an epitome of journalistic standards, then further mocks Lord Ram and says that while the above report on Deepotsav was on page seven, wherever there is Lord Ram, it becomes first page.

Ravish Kumar further reproduces the Hindustan report in his Facebook post so that ‘he could experience the Treta Yuga’ while typing the way journalist Adarsh Shukla did while witnessing Deepotsav.

Further mocking Deepotsav, he writes how a national hero like Lord Ram was ‘welcomed’ by state leader like UP CM Yogi Adityanath. “At least the PM or Home Minister should have been present,” he writes. “With a small budget of Rs 133 crore, Yogi Adityanath lit up 5 lakh lamps and entered the Guinness Book of World Records. In a country of 33 crore gods and goddesses only a meagre sum of Rs 133 crore was allotted to Lord Ram. If Yogi Adityanath wanted, he could have given entire UP budget to Lord Ram and then he could have gone on an exile himself,” Ravish wrote.

Amusingly, Ravish got it wrong since the budget allotted for the Deepotsav was Rs 1.33 crore and not Rs 133 crore as claimed by him.

Was Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant hacked by North Koreans? Read about the allegations and the denial by officials

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Was Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant hacked by North Koreans? Read about the allegations and the denial by officials

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant has denied rumours that the facility had come under cyber-attack. A statement issued by the Training Superintendent and Information Officer R Ramdoss said that some false information is being propagated on social media platforms, electronic media and print media.

Rumours of cyber-attack on the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant were spread on social media after cybersecurity expert Pukhraj Singh had made the allegations. He had tweeted that attackers had gained Domain controller-level access at the Nuclear Power Plant. He said that Extremely mission-critical targets were hit in this attack.


Pukhraj Singh, who had played an instrumental role in setting up the National Technical Research Organisation, the technical intelligence agency of India, a third party had detected the unauthorised intrusion who had contacted him about the issue. He said that he, in turn, informed the National Cyber Security Coordinator about the report of the attack on September 4th. Singh said that later the incident was reported by cybersecurity and anti-virus provider Kaspersky, who called it DTrack.

An unnamed cybersecurity expert and Twitter user posted logs of data allegedly mined during the attack.


The logs show that the systems were infected with DTrack malware. According to Kaspersky, this is a remote access Trojan which has been targeting banks in India for over a year. This is a dual-use malware which can steal data as well as can work as a cyberespionage tool. DTrack has been linked with North Korea’s Lazarus Group, a cybercrime group. According to the logs, the malware recorded keylogging, local IP addresses, mac addresses, operating system information, browser history, network configuration information, running processes, a listing of all files on all disks etc and sent the same to its creators.

Social media users quickly connected the reports of cyber-attack with a report this month saying that the second 1,000 MW nuclear power unit at Kudankulam had stopped operating. It was reported that the plant had stopped generating power due to “steam generation level low”.

Although the alleged log of the so-called cyber-attack show data being stolen from the plant, it does not show any command being sent to disrupt operations. Therefore, the stopping of operations may not be linked to the attack, even it had happened.

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant
Statement issued by Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant

But the authorities have now denied all these speculations. The statement issued by the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant said that KKNPP and other Indian Nuclear Power Plant Control Systems are stand-alone, they are not connected to outside cyber network and internet. Therefore, any cyberattack on the plant is not possible. The statement also said that currently, KKNPP units 1 and 2 are operating at 1000 MWe and 600 MWe without any operational or safety concerns.

Reacting to the denial, Pukhraj Singh said that he had informed National Cyber Security Coordinator Lt Gen Rajesh Pant about the intrusion on September 4th. He said that follow up emails were exchanged between them, and the issue was acknowledged by authorities. Singh refused to divulge further details citing privacy.


Singh also clarified that the domain controller of KKNPP was compromised, not the control system, and both are different.

Due to the security risk, control systems of nuclear power plants run on ‘air-gapped’ networks, which means the internal networks are not connected with outside networks and the Internet. Hence a direct cyber-attack on such plants is not possible. But such attacks are possible if the systems are infected by the malware from inside the plant.

In the famous attack on Iranian nuclear power station by USA and Israel, the Stuxnet malware was introduced into the internal systems via a USB flash drive by a mole recruited by CIA and Mossad, it was not attacked using the internet as that was not possible. Stuxnet was a highly sophisticated malware which was executed by a very high-level joint USA-Israel operation, with ground support from their respective spy agencies. The operation was also assisted by a few other European nations, including Germany and the Netherlands. It is not known whether North Korea possess such capabilities to target Indian nuclear power plants.

Ahead of US raid that killed Baghdadi, Syrian Kurd agent stole the ISIS leader’s underwear for DNA confirmation

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Ahead of US raid that killed Baghdadi, Syrian Kurd agent stole the ISIS leader’s underwear for DNA confirmation

A Syrian Kurd undercover agent took a pair of underpants belonging to Islamic State terrorist leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and DNA tested to prove his identity before an operation by US forces to kill him, an advisor to the Syrian Democratic Forces said on Monday.

According to the reports, the Syrian Kurds claimed that they were successful in placing a spy in Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s inner circle who stole a pair of the Islamic State leader’s underpants to prove his identity and then helped guide US soldiers to his Syrian hideout.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said that they played a key role in tracking down Baghdadi to a compound in northern Syria where he was reportedly planning his escape over the nearby border into Turkey.

Polat Can, a senior advisor to the Kurdish-led SDF, gave details on Twitter about how SDF intelligence work had helped locate Baghdadi, whose death was announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday.

“Our own source, who had been able to reach al-Baghdadi, brought al-Baghdadi’s underwear to conduct a DNA test and make sure (100%) that the person in question was al-Baghdadi himself,” said Can.


Polat Can further stated that the SDF had been working since May 15 with the CIA to track Baghdadi, and managed to confirm that he had moved from Deir al-Zor in eastern Syria to Idlib, where he was killed. Baghdadi had been about to change location to the Syrian town of Jarablus when the operation happened, he said.

“All intelligence and access to al-Baghdadi as well as the identification of his place were the results of our own work. Our intelligence source was involved in sending coordinates, directing the airdrop, participating in and making the operation a success until the last minute,” Can said.

US President Donald Trump, who announced the death of the ISIS leader Baghdadi on Sunday, thanked Syrian Kurdish forces “for certain support they were able to give us”, but did not elaborate. Trump said a DNA field test had confirmed his identity, and he also thanked Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Russia for their cooperation.

Donal Trump had also claimed credit for masterminding the operation that led to Baghdadi’s death. However, according to the SDF version, his withdrawal of US forces led to a postponement of the operation.

“More than a month ago, the decision was made to eliminate Al Baghdadi. However, the US withdrawal and the Turkish invasion prompted us to stop our special operations, including the pursuit of Al Baghdadi. The Turkish invasion caused a delay in the operation,” said Can.

Event calling abrogation of Article 370 ‘assault on Democracy and Constitutionalism’ to be held in JNU, The Wire editor joins communists as speaker

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Event calling abrogation of Article 370 ‘assault on Democracy and Constitutionalism’ to be held in JNU, The Wire editor joins communists as speaker

The students at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and professors have decided to organize a talk on the abrogation of Article 370 at Sabarmati Lawns. The theme of the event is “BJP’s Assault on Democracy and Constitutionalism in India”. The event is slated to occur at 3 PM on the 30th of October.

Source: Facebook

The event against abrogation of Article 370 in JNU will be attended by Far-Left activists and Communists of questionable reputation. Founding editor of The Wire, Siddharth Varadarajan, is one of the ‘luminaries’ who will attend the event. The Wire has a reputation for peddling fake news on contentious issues and in the Jay Shah defamation case, the Supreme Court itself and labelled its reportage on Amit Shah’s son as ‘yellow journalism’. The Wire’s reportage on the abrogation of Article 370 as well is littered with fake news and propaganda.

Read: The Wire uses 2015 survey and laces it with lies to say mental health issues on the rise in Kashmir post abrogation of Article 370

Prashant Bhushan, a compulsive far-left PIL activist, will also attend the event at JNU. His antics during the Rafale saga, where he played a major role, is well documented. He, along with others, made several fallacious arguments in the Court during the entire manufactured controversy. In the past, Prashant Bhushan has also filed a PIL in Courts to prevent the deportation of Rohingyas, a petition that was dismissed by the Supreme Court.

Read: Prashant Bhushan draws a ridiculous analogy between the Indian state of JK and Afghanistan, Iraq

Apart from them, ex-general secretary of the CPIM Prakash Karat and far-left activist Kavita Krishnan will also be part of the event. CPI leader Annie Raja, wife of D. Raja, will be there as well. Judging from the list of ‘luminaries’ who will attend the event, it can be very well guessed what the ‘talk’ will entail. It can be safely said that the attendees will advocate in favour of the sustenance of an Islamic state within the Secular State of India.

Interestingly, the event name claims that the abrogation of Article 370 is against the Indian Constitution and democracy. The abrogation of Article 370 being against the Constitution is a trope often used by the Left, however, Article 370 itself had the status of being a temporary provision enshrined in the constitution. It being against ‘democracy’ is another trope by the Left. The BJP has promised the abrogation of Article 370 in its manifesto for years. In 2014 and 2019, the BJP got a thumping majority based on the promises made and abrogation of Article 370 was one of them. Hence, the basic premise that the abrogation of Article 370 is against Constitutionalism or Democracy makes no sense by the Left.

Read: JNU: AISA members try to disrupt minister Jitendra Singh’s seminar on Article 370 abrogation

It is also interesting to see self-proclaimed “neutral” voices like Siddharth Varadarajan join hands with far-Left politicians like Yechury and Kavita Krishnan. While The Wire is often referred to as a Leftist propaganda website, its editors have always called themselves neutral. While the content of their website betrays that proclamation, this event is just another reminder that the Left-leaning media hand in gloves with far-left activists and politicians.

The news of the event comes a day after students at the University blocked an ambulance that sought to carry a sick professor to the hospital. The professor developed high blood pressure after witnessing the protests by students but the insensitive students did not allow him to be transported to an appropriate hospital, thus risking his life.

Here are the 5 judgements that CJI Gogoi is set to deliver in 10 days before he retires on November 17

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Here are the 5 judgements that CJI Gogoi is set to deliver in 10 days before he retires on November 17

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi who is all set to retire on November 17 is expected to deliver at least five judgements in less than 10 working days before he retires.

Reportedly, the cases being heard by the CJI touch diverse topics such as defence, religion and politics. Here are the details of the major cases being heard by the bench led by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi.

Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute case:

The five-judge Supreme Court Constitution bench, led by CJI Gogoi, is expected to deliver its verdict on petitions filed by various Hindu and Muslim parties seeking ownership of the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.

The five-judge Constitution Bench headed by the CJI also comprises of Justices S A Bobde, DY Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer, who are hearing appeals against the September 30, 2010, verdict of the Allahabad High Court.

The Supreme Court is hearing a total of fourteen appeals filed against the 2010 judgment of Allahabad High Court which ordered that the 2.77-acre land in Ayodhya be partitioned equally among three parties – the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and Ram Lalla Virajman.

On October 16, the apex court concluded hearing all arguments in the case and reserved its judgement in the matter. The marathon hearing concluded after forty days, making the Ayodhya hearing as the second-longest in the history of the Supreme court after the landmark hearing in Keshavananda Bharati case which had lasted for 68 days.

It is being speculated that the Supreme Court will deliver the judgement on or before November 17, the day CJI Ranjan Gogoi retires.

Sabarimala case:

The five-judge bench of Supreme court, comprising of CJI Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Rohinton Nariman, AM Khanwikar, DY Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra are hearing 65 petitions that urge a review of the previous verdict.

The review Bench led by CJI Gogoi is expected to deliver its judgement on the previous controversial September 2018 order, lifting the ban on entry of women in the menstruating age of 10 to 50 years, from entering the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala.

In September 2018, the apex court had struck down the Rule 3(b) of the Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Rules, 1965, which restricted the entry of women between the ages of 10 and 50 into the Sabarimala Temple.

The Supreme Court’s decision to hear the review petition was necessitated after the Communist Kerala government with the help of state police force had turned the area near Sabarimala into a war zone under the garb of implementing the controversial Supreme Court judgement.

Read: BJP Manifesto promises to secure and protect faith, traditions and rituals related to Sabarimala

Rafale deal:

The Supreme Court led by CJI Gogoi has also reserved its verdict on a joint review plea filed by senior advocate Prashant Bhushan, former Union Ministers Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha in the Rafale fighter aircraft deal.

Controversial left-wing advocate Prashant Bhushan, former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, and Arun Shourie had urged the Supreme Court on May 10, stating that its earlier judgement in the Rafale deal issue should be recalled and reviewed since it was obtained by the government through “multiple falsehoods and suppression of material” and relevant information.

In 2018, the Supreme Court had given a clean chit to the Rafale deal and found no impropriety in the deal whatsoever.

SC hearing on Rahul Gandhi’s “Chowkidar Chor Hai” comment:

The Supreme Court bench led by the Chief Justice has also reserved judgement on the criminal contempt plea filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Meenakshi Lekhi against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Gandhi, who was then the Congress president, had unconditionally apologised for wrongfully attributing the phrase ‘chowkidar chor hai’ to the Supreme Court. He had made the remark while speaking to reporters in April after SC’s verdict allowing the maintainability of the Rafale review pleas.

Rahul’s unconditional apology comes after much embarrassment to his image and his party as he was made to admit he had said it at ‘the heat of campaigning’.

Supreme Court on the Money Bill:

The Supreme Court Bench of CJI Gogoi has also reserved its judgement on pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the Finance Act, 2017 on the ground that it was passed by Parliament as a Money Bill.

The Centre has justified that certification of Finance Bill, 2017 as a money bill saying it has provisions which deal with salaries and allowance to be paid to members of tribunals from the consolidated funds of India. The Centre contended that certification of Finance Act as a money bill was done by the speaker of Lok Sabha and the court cannot judicially review the decision.

1...5,9085,9095,910...7,578Page 5,909 of 7,578