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After 75 years, Sunni Waqf Board may now remove Babri Masjid’s name from its listed properties

OpIndia Staff
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After 75 years, Sunni Waqf Board may now remove Babri Masjid’s name from its listed properties

The Sunni Waqf Board has initiated the process to remove the name of Babri Masjid from its listed properties. As per a report in Amar Ujala, the Sunni Central Waqf Board has called a meeting of all 8 board members at Lucknow on 26 November to discuss several issues.

As per reports, the Sunni Central Waqf Board’s registers have more than 1 lakh 23 thousand properties listed. The board lad listed the Babri Masjid as one of its properties 75 years ago in 1944. The now-demolished Mosque was reportedly registered as ‘Babri Masjid, Ayodhya, District Faizabad’ in the board’s documents. The board is to consider the removal of its mention as one of its properties.

Review petition

The Sunni Central Waqf Board has planned to discuss several issues in its November 26 meeting. Among these will be the discussion on whether the Board will accept the Ayodhya verdict by the Supreme Court or will consider filing review petitions. However, Board chairman Zafar Farooqui had already stated earlier that he won’t file any review petition.

Read: Humbly accept the judgment, will not file any review or curative petition: Sunni Waqf Board on Ayodhya verdict

Whether to take the 5 acres or not

The Sunni Central Waqf Board will also discuss whether to take the 5 acres land as accorded in the SC’s order or not. The chairman has spoken in the favour of taking the land the government is ordered to offer them.

What to build on those 5 acres

The board will also deliberate on what to build on those 5 acres of land if they take it. As per reports, some board members are in favour of building a hospital or an educational institution along with a Mosque on the land.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board had earlier stated that it will not accept the SC verdict and will proceed to file a review petition against it. However, legal experts have stated that the proposed removal of Babri Masjid’s name from Sunni Waqf Board’s documents is a mere formality and even if the AIMPLB or Muslim petitioners do proceed to file review petitions, the process will not be affected if the Board removed the Masjid’s mention from its documents.

Faction of Congress might abstain during floor test, fights erupt in Congress and Shiv Sena: Read exclusive details on Maharashtra

Nupur J Sharma
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Faction of Congress might abstain during floor test, fights erupt in Congress and Shiv Sena: Read exclusive details on Maharashtra

The state of Maharashtra has been in a state of confusion ever since the Assembly Election results were announced. First, Shiv Sena demanded the Chief Minister position for son Aditya Thackeray and broke their alliance with BJP over it. Then, Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP started negotiation over government formation with days of inconclusive talks. Then, one morning, everyone woke up to Devendra Fadnavis of BJP and Ajit Pawar of NCP being sworn in as the Chief Minister and Deputy CM respectively.

Post the swearing-in of Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, the drama has reached an unprecedented level, dare we say, perhaps even more dramatic than the Karnataka fiasco. Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar) and Shiv Sena have approached the Supreme Court to demand that a floor test be held immediately. Amidst accusations of MLAs being kidnapped, Sharad Pawar, while initially had distanced himself and the party from Ajit Pawar’s decision to ally with BJP, is yet to expel Ajit Pawar from the party rather inexplicably. He has said that this is a decision that has to be one by the party, and not his alone – non-committal at best.

Read: Maharashtra: Sena-Congress-NCP submit a letter to governor staking claim, say they have the numbers

While the entire country is wondering who has the numbers, especially in the NCP camp, some new details that have emerged may throw some light on what has been brewing behind the curtains.

What is brewing in the NCP camp

Sources confirmed to OpIndia that over 27 MLAs are with Ajit Pawar. When one says they are ‘with’ Ajit Pawar, one means that during the floor test, these MLAs are likely to vote in Pawar’s favour while at the moment, by virtue of their physical presence at the meeting with Sharad Pawar, one might assume that these MLAs are with the opposite camp.

Read: Maharashtra confusion: After Ajit Pawar reiterates BJP-NCP alliance, Sharad Pawar says no such thing

In fact, a litany of leaders from NCP has been meeting Ajit Pawar supposedly to “convince him” to reverse his decision. That seems unlikely considering Ajit Pawar tweeted several times yesterday thanking everyone and promising to deliver a stable government to Maharashtra. During the meeting between Chagan Bhujbal and Ajit Pawar, sources confirmed that Bhujbal told Ajit that 30-35 MLAs are “uneasy” without the presence of Ajit in the party.

What is brewing in the Shiv Sena camp

The day before yesterday, late evening on Saturday, according to our sources, a fight broke out between Milind Narvekar and Eknath Shinde. Evidently, Narvekar, who is the Personal Assistant of Uddhav Thackeray, accused Shinde of being in the BJP camp. The fight reached messy proportions with Narvekar and Shinder getting into a verbal spat. According to sources, a chunk of Shiv Sena MLAs is also planning to vote for the alliance between BJP and Shiv Sena.

If one recalls, even earlier, Shiv Sena MLAs were disgruntled with Uddhav Thackeray sacrificing party interests for the Chief Minister’s post either for Aditya Thackeray or himself. After a verbal spat, several MLAs had left the resort they were staying in earlier.

With the fissures in NCP and Shiv Sena, Congress has been wondering if it has sailed on the wrong boat. Congress had summoned Uddhav Thackeray after news of the fight between Narvekar and Shinde. Uddhav first met Sonia Gandhi and tried to convince her that all was well in Shiv Sena and that all the MLAs were with him and the Congress.

Read: Shiv Sena MLAs get into an abusive argument over Uddhav Thackeray’s insistence on CM post: Reports

Post the meeting with Sonia Gandhi, Uddhav Thackeray addressed a meeting of NCP MLAs and tried to convince them that everything was in control.

In fact, interestingly, it is being said that not more than 40 people attended the NCP meeting and many people from the youth wing were also present. In fact, one could see Milind Narvekar in the meeting too, essentially indicating that all MLAs were not present at the meeting as indicated by the Media reports.

What is brewing in the Congress camp

After the fights in Shiv Sena and NCP, the Congress camp has also seen massive infighting over Maharashtra. A massive fight broke up in the Congress camp over the election of CLP leader. On Saturday, when leaders met to choose a CLP leader, a fight broke out between the three top leaders of the party namely Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Ahmed Patel. As a result, a CLP leader could not be chosen.

According to sources, MLAs of Congress, especially from the Vidharba side are on edge with the fights in Congress. In fact, after the fissures in all three parties, many MLAs from Congress are also thinking of abstaining when the trust vote takes place.

Read: Maharashtra: Congress clueless on NCP support as the political drama in the state continues

Unconfirmed reports indicate that a section of Congress MLAs wish to abstain and claim the moral high ground. While the Rahul Gandhi faction never wanted to talk to Shiv Sena in the first place, it is the Sonia Gandhi faction led by Ahmed Patel that wanted to fight. Patel wanted to decimate the BJP government, uncaring about whether Congress itself would be able to form the government or not.

According to sources, Ahmed Patel wanted to rule over Mumbai in order to develop an election war kitty. Initially, even Sonia Gandhi was not in favour of talking to Shiv Sena, however, it was after Uddhav Thackeray agreed to give Congress a piece of the pie in corporations is when Patel could convince Sonia Gandhi to speak to Shiv Sena.

Sources say that for Congress, allying with Shiv Sena is a financial decision more than a political decision as if Maharashtra had gone for re-election, Congress and NCP would stand to gain the most. Congress and NCP would fight the elections together while BJP and Shiv Sena would be divided. And hence, Congress’ decision to ally with Shiv Sena makes no political sense per se, unless Congress got into the alliance for financial reasons.

Who has the numbers?

High placed sources have told OpIndia that BJP is confident of passing the floor test. The source has said that BJP is confident of getting over 170 votes during the floor test, indicating that MLAs from NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), dissidents of Shiv Sena, some Independent candidates and BJP together are confident of forming the government after the floor test.

Rahul Gandhi makes an appearance in Parliament after 5 days of absence, says won’t ask a question because ‘democracy has been murdered’

OpIndia Staff
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Rahul Gandhi makes an appearance in Parliament after 5 days of absence, says won’t ask a question because ‘democracy has been murdered’

After remaining absent for a full week from Lok Sabha since the winter session of parliament started, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi has said that he won’t ask a question in the house because ‘democracy has been murdered’ in Maharashtra.

The ongoing session of Parliament started on November 18, and several important bills were discussed and passed in the first week, but Rahul Gandhi was missing from the house. He attended Lok Sabha session today after missing the first five working days of the house. Addressing the house, Rahul Gandhi said, ‘speaker sir, today I had come to ask a question, but democracy has been murdered in Maharashtra, therefore there is no point in me asking a question.’ The Congress leader made the comment amid condominium in Lok Sabha over the issue of the current political situation in Maharashtra.


Rahul Gandhi was referring to the dramatic events in Maharashtra on last Saturday when suddenly BJP staked claim to form the government with the support of a faction of NCP led by Ajit Pawar. The president’s rule was removed from the state, and Devendra Fadnavis took oath as Chief Minister on the early hour on Sunday. Ajit Pawar also took oath as the deputy CM of the state.

But NCP supremo Sharad Pawar has said that his party is not supporting BJP, and reiterated the alliance with Shiv Sena and Congress. Earlier today the Sena-NCP-Congress alliance submitted a letter to the governor staking claim to the government, saying they have the requisite numbers. In may be noted that when earlier the governor had asked Shiv Sena to show the letters of support, both NCP and Congress had refused to give the letters, saying they need more time to discuss the issue.

Read- Maharashtra: Sena-Congress-NCP submit letter to governor staking claim, say they have the numbers

The political drama in Maharashtra is going on for a month since the results on October 24th produced a hung assembly with BJP winning the highest 105 seats in the 288-seat house. With Shiv Sena winning 56, The BJP-Shiv Sena alliance has a clear majority, but the alliance broke over the power-sharing arrangement, and Sena has teamed up with NCP and Congress to form a government. During all these activities in the state, Rahul Gandhi was missing, as he had gone for yet another foreign trip. This time he was in Indonesia to attend a meditation camp, as per Congress leader Randeep Surjewala. Rahul Gandhi as mostly silent on Maharashtra during the past month, but suddenly he claimed today that democracy has been murdered in the state.

Jyotiraditya Scindia clarifies that he had changed bio a month back not last night, Google cache shows he’s partially right

OpIndia Staff
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Jyotiraditya Scindia clarifies that he had changed bio a month back not last night, Google cache shows he’s partially right

Change in Twitter bio of senior Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia created quite a furore over the Internet. Netizens started speculating that the missing ‘Congress’ from the bio may have more than what meets the eye. However, all doubts were put to rest, for now, when Scindia clarified to news agency ANI that he had changed his Twitter bio a month back and not in recent past.

A cached copy of Scindia’s tweet of 3rd November shows his old bio where he had put out various posts he had held in the central government during the UPA regime.

Screenshot of cached tweet of Jyotiraditya Scindia on 3rd November

That means, as of 3rd November 2019 at least Scindia had a detailed profile on Twitter. However, a cached copy of his 7th November 2019 tweet shows a changed bio.

Screenshot of cached tweet of Jyotiraditya Scindia on 7th November

As seen above, the cached copy of his tweet on 7th November wishing on Bipinchandra Pal’s birth anniversary had a changed bio. A cached copy refers to the copy of websites which Google stores after it has crawled through the page. These are helpful when pages are unavailable and need to be accessed at future date or when one needs to access an older version of an updated web page.

Read: ‘Liberals’ troll Jyotiraditya Scindia for daring to go against the party stand to root for India on Article 370

Hence, from the above it an be seen that Scindia has changed his profile on Twitter any time between 3rd and 7th November, 2019. Jyotiraditya Scindia had changed his Twitter bio at least two weeks back.

Scindia has said that he had changed his Twitter bio a month ago. Refuting the rumours of him quitting Congress, he had done so on the basis of people’s advice that his bio should be shorter. However, the rumours were fuelled after his recent statements where he had gone against the party line and voiced his support to the Narendra Modi-led central government on issues like abrogation of Article 370.

Supreme Court to pass order on Maharashtra government formation tomorrow at 10:30 AM

OpIndia Staff
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Supreme Court to pass order on Maharashtra government formation tomorrow at 10:30 AM

The Supreme Court today reserved its order on Maharashtra government formation for tomorrow 10:30 AM. Advocate Mukul Rohatgi appearing for Maharashtra BJP has sought 7 days’ time for a floor test.


He added that Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis went to the Governor to stake claim to form government with support of 170 MLAs. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena-NCP and Congress alliance has also staked claim to form the government stating that they have the numbers.

Appearing for the Secretary to the Maharashtra Governor Solicitor General Tushar Mehta handed over the original letter of the Maharashtra Governor inviting BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis to form government in the state. On 22nd November, the Governor had received a letter of support from 54 NCP MLAs from Ajit Pawar. The letter had stated that Pawar is the head of NCP legislative party and that the 54 MLAs are supporting him.


Speaking on allegations of horse trading SG Tushar Mehta said that everyone knew there is a pre-poll alliance between Shiv Sena and the BJP. “Your lordships often talk of horse trading but this is a case where the entire stable has been stolen,” he said. Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for NCP-Congress in the Supreme Court insisted on a floor test. He had submitted affidavits signed by 154 MLAs showing their support.


However, the SC refused to accept the same saying that it was out of the scope of the petition. Following it, Singhvi withdrew the affidavits. Singhvi claimed that the letter produced by the BJP-NCP alliance in court is the signatures where NCP MLAs are electing Ajit Pawar as legislative party leader. Singhvi claimed the signed letter does not show their support to the BJP-NCP alliance.

Read:

On Sunday, hearing a petition on the issue of formation of the government by the BJP in Maharashtra, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre to produce supporting documents given to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis by NCP MLAs to form government in the state. The documents were to be placed before the Supreme Court by 10.30 am on Monday, when the court convenes. The matter was heard by the SC Bench of Justices NV Ramana, Ashok Bhushan, and Sanjiv Khanna.

In a massive political coup, the BJP and NCP leader, Ajit Pawar’ faction formed an alliance in the state of Maharashtra on Saturday morning. While people slept, Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the Chief Minister and Ajit Pawar was sworn in as the Deputy CM.

The previous night, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut had announced that Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had agreed to become the chief minister of Maharashtra. But before they could make the next move, the tables had turned and BJP had already formed the government when they slept.

Maharashtra: Sena-Congress-NCP submit letter to governor staking claim, say they have the numbers

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: Sena-Congress-NCP submit letter to governor staking claim, say they have the numbers

In a fresh development in the Maharashtra politics, the Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP have submitted a letter to governor Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, staking claim to form the government and claiming that the present government by Devendra Fadnavis doesn’t have the numbers.

Image via TV9 Gujarati

As per reports, the letter, submitted to the Maha governor at 10.20 am today, stated that BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis, who took oath as CM on Saturday, doesn’t have the requisite numbers of MLAs on his side to form the government.

The letter further states that the alliance of Sena, Congress and NCP have the required numbers and they state a claim to form the government in the state.

The letter is signed by Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde, NCP’s Jayant Patil and Congress’ Balasaheb Thorat.

It is notable here that the Shiv Sena is also challenging the swearing-in of Devendra Fadnavis in the Supreme Court. Their counsel Kapil Sibal has asked the court to order for an immediate floor test in Maharashtra assembly to prove the numbers.

Read: Let there be floor test today, let BJP prove its majority: Congress leader Kapil Sibal appearing for Shiv Sena in Supreme Court

Sena, NCP and Congress have all herded their MLAs inside different resorts to protect them from any ‘poaching’ attempts.

Change in Twitter bio of Jyotiraditya Scindia fuels speculations, JM Scindia issues clarification

OpIndia Staff
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Change in Twitter bio of Jyotiraditya Scindia fuels speculations, JM Scindia issues clarification

The political drama in Maharashtra is still on-going, as a parallel potential drama unfolds in Madhya Pradesh. A change in the Twitter bio of Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia has fuelled speculations of political tension brewing in Madhya Pradesh Congress.

The Twitter bio of Scindia now reads only “public servant, cricket enthusiast”.

Twitter bio of JM Scindia

Interestingly, in his new Twitter bio, there is no indication that he is either a part of Congress or the Madhya Pradesh government which is led by Congress leader and Chief Minister Kamal Nath.

Earlier, JM Scindia’s Twitter bio included a list of the posts he held in the Central government during the UPA regime.

Old bio of JM Scindia

The earlier Twitter bio of Scindia read that he was a former MP of Guna from 2002 to 2019. It also read that he was the Former Minister of Power, MoS of Commerce and Industry and MoS Communications, IT and Post.

Read: Congress’ internal feud exposed as Scindia faction threatens mass resignation if he is not made MP Congress chief

However, now, JM Scindia has unceremoniously changed his Twitter bio to remove his political posts and any indication that he is connected to Congress, the erstwhile governments etc.

This has fuelled speculations whether a political storm is brewing in Madhya Pradesh as well. As one recalls, when the Madhya Pradesh government was being formed by Congress, there was a war between the Kamal Nath and Scindia camps. Both wanted their respective leaders to become the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.

Read: Madhya Pradesh: Congress feud out in the open, Scindia says Kamal Nath should stop outside interference in govt

It was after the intervention of Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi that the war had given way to a reluctant compromise where the old guard had won over young leadership.

The Scindia faction had even threatened the party with mass resignations if he was not made the President of Madhya Pradesh state unit. Following the resignation of Chief Minister (CM) Kamal Nath as the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee president, the post was vacant. At that time, even though Scindia had declined to comment on the issue, reports had come out that he has issued an ‘ultimatum’ to the party’s central leadership that he should be made the head of the state unit or else he may have to pursue other options, an indication that he himself may leave the party.

Now, Jyotiraditya Scindia has spoken to ANI and clarified the reasons behind the change of his handle.


He has said that he had changed his Twitter bio a month ago. He had done so on the basis of people’s advice that his bio should be shorter. He has said that the rumours on the basis of his bio change are baseless.

Navy’s MARCOS, IAF’s Garud Commandos and Army’s Para SF to work under single division in Kashmir for counter-terror ops

OpIndia Staff
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Navy’s MARCOS, IAF’s Garud Commandos and Army’s Para SF to work under single division in Kashmir for counter-terror ops

The government of India has deployed combined special operations forces of the Army, Navy and Air Force to intensify anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir. As per reports, the newly raised division comprising of special-ops officers from all the three forces is to be called Armed Forces Special Operations Division (AFSOD)

ANI has reported quoting Defence Ministry sources that the three special forces, Armys Para(special forces), Air Force’s Garud commandos and Navy’s Marine Commandoes (MARCOS) will be deployed under the new division in Jammu and Kashmir.

It is notable here that the special forces had been operating in Kashmir earlier too. But this will be the first time they are being deployed under a common division, AFSOD, and will work together.

Read: NSA Ajit Doval asks forces to expedite counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir while ensuring no collateral damage

The AFSOD is placed under a serving Major General of the India Army. As per an India Today report, the troops have been deployed mainly in Srinagar and other areas around it.

While Garud Commandoes have been deployed around the Lolab and Hajin areas, MARCOS have been operating in and around the Wular lake.

The report also states that the induction of the forces has already been started and Army’s Para commandoes have already been operational in traditional terror hotbeds.

The AFSOD will work in the valley for counter-terror operations along with the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles units.

10 Indian women and children, families of ISIS terrorists mostly from Kerala, among 900 who surrendered in Afghanistan: Report

OpIndia Staff
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10 Indian women and children, families of ISIS terrorists mostly from Kerala, among 900 who surrendered in Afghanistan: Report

Among the 900 ISIS terrorists who have surrendered to Afghanistan authorities, a report in the Hindustan Times says that there are 10 women and children, who are families of Indian terrorists. Most of these 10 women and children belong to Kerala. The 900 ISIS terrorists have surrendered in a span of a fortnight.

Reportedly, the terrorists have surrendered in the Eastern province of Nangarhar, where the Afghan national security forces are conducting operations against the ISIS. The operations started on the 12th of November against the terror outfit. 93 terrorists, that included several Pakistanis, had surrendered only hours after Afghanistan’s offensive against the terror outfit began on the 12th of November.

Read: ISIS terrorist from Kerala killed in US drone strike in Afghanistan, was ‘missing’ since 2017

According to reports, several terrorists from Kerala travelled to Afghanistan since 2016. Some had even converted to Islam to join the terror outfit. Many of them take their families along with them. The 10 women and children who have surrendered are believed to be the family members of ISIS terrorists from India who travelled to Afghanistan. Officials have reportedly said that they are gathering information on all the terrorists who have surrendered.

It is also being reported that the 10 women and children, the families of terrorists mostly from Kerala, have been shifted to Kabul. A special team from the National Directorate of Security, the Afghan intelligence agency, is gathering details of the people who have surrendered.

Read: ISIS terrorist from Kasargod module case arrested by NIA, admits to planning Sri Lanka style suicide blasts in Kerala

Interestingly, it was reported recently that the Khorasan group of ISIS, or the ISIS-K, had attempted a suicide attack in India last year. This was claimed by a top US official. The ISIS-K operates in South Asia and according to Russel Travers, Acting Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of Director of National Intelligence, ISIS-K concerns the US the most among all of its other branches.

“Of all of the branches and networks of ISIS, ISIS-K is certainly one of those of most concern, probably in the neighbourhood of 4,000 individuals or so,” Travers had said in response to a question from Maggie Hassan, the junior Senator from New Hampshire. “They have attempted to certainly inspire attacks outside of Afghanistan. They attempted last year to conduct a suicide attack in India. It failed,”  he had added.

Read: Hindu woman from Kerala tortured and coerced by Muslim man to join ISIS, appeals to state police chief for help

Travers further said that two years ago, ISIS-K had made an attempt to perpetrate an attack on US soil but the FBI prevented it. Furthermore, he told the lawmakers that by any calculation, there are more radicalized individuals now than there were at the time of 9/11.

Days after ISIS chief-terrorist Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed during the raid conducted by the US military in northwest Syria, Iran Foreign Minister Javad Zarif had said in an interview to India Today that the terror organisation is shifting its base to Afghanistan.

He had said that the recent attacks which were carried out in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan border were done by ISIS while operating out of Afghanistan. The deadly gun battle left at over a dozen people dead.

Read: Kerala: Two radical Islamist PFI members among the 10 believed to have joined ISIS

Zarif said that his government is in regular touch with the Indian agencies reprising about the updates of ISIS. The terror group shifting base to Afghanistan also poses a threat to other South Asian countries like Pakistan, Russia and China. “This (fight against terrorism) is an issue that can unite all of us,” Zarif said, asserting all these countries need to unite to fight the threat emanating from the terror group.

Watch: Audience beat up the singer for singing out of tune and turning up drunk at religious programme in Gujarat

OpIndia Staff
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Watch: Audience beat up the singer for singing out of tune and turning up drunk at religious programme in Gujarat

Audience at a religious programme got angry when the singer who was singing religious songs was singing out of tune after having turned up drunk.


The video was shared by Gujarat-based journalist Janak Dave. In a programme held in Botad in Gujarat, the singer can be heard singing really out of tune. At around 13 seconds in the video, a man from the audience gets really upset at the singer and gets up on the stage and slaps the singer hard across his face. He then plants another slap even as a stunned audience put up a feeble protest. Some people got up on the stage to stop the man from further beating up the singer.

More members of the audience beat up the singer as he is whisked away to safety. Notably, Gujarat a dry state where sale and consumption of alcohol is prohibited.

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