Ahead of the Haryana assembly elections, BJP has made a major announcement. State BJP chief Subhash Barala stated recently that in accordance to the decision taken by the party’s central committee, no family members of sitting MPs, MLAs and ministers will be given tickets for the upcoming assembly elections.
Barala stated that even the sitting mayors and Zilla Parishad chairman will not be considered for an MLA ticket in the upcoming elections. The party has stated that it will not cultivate nepotism and favouritism in the party and only deserving candidates will be considered.
Subhash Barala mentioned that the Amit Shah led central election committee of the BJP had decided to be strict about these rules while distributing tickets and the state unit will follow it. In the state BJP meeting on Sunday night, the decision was conveyed to party leaders. Many state ministers and senior leaders hoping for tickets for their children are expected to be disappointed.
The BJP will also not give tickets to party leaders who are above 75 years of age. While the final decision regarding the selection of candidates is to be taken after PM Modi returns from his USA tour, the state unit has stated that the names of the prospective candidates and selection panel names have been sent to the party’s central committee.
The Haryana assembly elections are scheduled to be held in a single phase on November 2 for all 70 seats. The last date for filing nominations is October 4.
Climate change is a scientifically established fact. The scientific consensus on this was achieved decades ago. Since then, climate change has gone far beyond data recorded in scientific journals and is apparent to all. The island nation of Tuvalu is sinking. Every year, the sea floods a bit more of the Florida coast. The mostly frozen Arctic Sea is now navigable for ships for more days each year. As the sea warms, Norwegian cod fish are migrating further up north, making them harder for fishing boats to catch.
The above is just a sprinkling of the numerous ways in which you can actually “see” climate change happening.
Before we come to the Indian Right, we have to understand how the issue of climate change has played out at the global (American, really) level. We have to understand how the Left set the trap, baited the hook and who walked into it like fools.
Years ago, the American Left spotted the looming disaster of climate change. And then proceeded very cleverly to construct a political trap around it. Having lost the battle for economic ideas, the Left saw climate change as an opportunity to create a counter narrative to the capitalist way of the modern world.
The marketing trick was pretty basic: get people in the door promising to ‘save the planet.’ Once you have them listening to you, get them to sign up for your social, political and economic agenda. Every political party in the world understands this trick. This is why politicians campaign with movie stars around. Because the first thing you have to do is gather a crowd.
The international organization ‘Greenpeace’ is the best example of such sleight of hand. Notice how “Green” (a scientific agenda) and “peace” (a political agenda) have been seamlessly glued together. Who should compromise for the ‘peace’? Who are you treating as the aggressor? The Left does not want you to think about this part. You buy the “green” part and you are automatically subscribed to their vision of what should be done for peace.
By turning a scientific fact into a political wedge issue, the Left actually struck the biggest ever blow against real solutions to climate change. People are given to think in terms of political “tribes.” As such, the Left’s political aggression turned the Right reflexively against the issue.
This pushed the American Right to embrace crazy conspiracy theories, science denial and all sorts of absurdities.
Make no mistake. The Left loves how it all turned out. They claim to be outraged, but they are beyond thrilled. They get to show their adversaries as fools. How awesome is that?
Meanwhile, real solutions got stuck in the political crossfire.
Here’s the deal though. The clock really is ticking. The alarm has been going off for decades. If we keep pressing the snooze button, we are going to die. For real.
Thankfully, India so far has remained largely insulated from the madness around climate change denial. I personally do believe this has something to do with the Hindu way of life, which has always sought harmony with nature. The Hindu mind is driven towards respect for the world and all living beings. You might remember Modiji’s words on this :
PM Modi on commitment to climate
So yeah, Modi sarkar is strong and unwavering on the issue of climate change. We are about to ban single use plastic. We have implemented some of the toughest pollution standards in the world. We have spared no effort to steer away from fossil fuels and towards renewables such as wind and solar.
Incidentally, India isn’t all that rich in traditional hydrocarbons like coal or oil. We have to import a lot of it. So, this makes sense for us in every possible way.
But in a globalized world, the left is on the prowl, trying to import to India the campaign that worked so successfully in the West. This is where the Indian Right wing must watch out and avoid being lumped with the climate change denying buffoons in many other parts of the world.
Yes, our government policy at the top levels might be heavily in favor of climate action. But so what? Be mindful that the wolves of the left are on the prowl for any slip up, no matter how small or irrelevant. Every gesture, every throwaway comment on social media, is under the scanner of the Left. They want the Indian Right wing smeared as climate change deniers at any cost.
Think about ‘church attacks.’ Think about the whole ‘Lynchistan’ narrative. In either case, real evidence on the ground was nearly absent. But the Left managed to manufacture the narrative anyway and smear us very successfully as a nation.
The Indian Right cannot afford to get smeared on the climate change issue.
Even though this article contains many warnings, it is really not intended to evoke fear. Rather, the aim is to point out a much larger political opportunity that has presented itself before the Indian right.
The Indian Right can take the lead on climate change!
The Indian Right is in control of all policy levers right now. And the Modi government has taken a very active approach to combating the climate crisis.
So, the Indian Right wing government has already pushed the right buttons at the top. All that remains at the lower levels is to sit back, relax and enthusiastically support the right wing government.
Just how easy is that?
Not just easy, but fun as well. If you want to rub the left wing noses into the ground, there is no better way.
Remember that it works both ways: as soon as the Indian Right takes the lead on climate change, it will make the Left reflexively dash for the opposite direction. And the Left will look ridiculous in the process.
Have you seen how Left wingers around the world are looking foolish complaining about the success of India’s toilet building initiative?
That’s how political tribalism works. Because Modi started building toilets, the Left started supporting open defecation. And now they look ridiculous. The Indian Right can similarly drive the Left up the wall and make them jump off the cliff of lunacy on the issue of climate change. The Right doesn’t even need to snatch this issue from them, because our Right wing government has already been sprinting in the right direction. All that remains is for the right to take ownership. And enjoy as the Left goes mad. Who’s with me?
A Pakistani activist has taken to Twitter to expose the pervasive religious discrimination meted out against the non-Muslims in an upmarket neighbourhood of the Pakistani city of Karachi.
Bigotry spotted
If you are a non-Muslim, you cannot purchase or get a flat on rent in one of the posh areas of #Karachi. This is Machiyara Residency at Khaliq-uz-Zaman Rd, Block 8 Clifton, Karachi.
According to the Pakistani activist Kapil Dev, many ritzy residencies in posh areas of Karachi have put up notices barring non-Muslims from purchasing a flat or renting an apartment in the society. Dev has uploaded pictures of the notice affixed on the wall of Machiyara Residency at Khaliq-uz-Zaman Rd, Block 8 Clifton, Karachi, written in Urdu that non-Muslims are prohibited from buying or renting a flat in the society.
Religious discrimination and bigotry have been a central character of Pakistani society. Recently, a Hindu girl was abducted and forcibly converted to Islam by unknown Muslim assailants in the Sindh province of Pakistan. A few days ago, another Hindu girl, Nimrita Chandni, a final-year student of Bibi Asifa Dental College in Sindh province’s Larkana district and a social activist, was found lying on a cot by her friends on September 16 with a rope tied to her neck.
In another religion-based crime, a Hindu girl in Pakistan was abducted and converted to Islam. Earlier, Jagjit Kaur, a Sikh girl was abducted and forcibly converted to Islam in Nankana Sahib which had caused a huge uproar. It attracted widespread criticism and a massive protest by Sikhs in India in front of the Pakistani Embassy in New Delhi. Atrocities against non-Muslims is general leitmotif of Pakistani culture, they are not only relegated to being second-class citizens but they are also considered as object of possession, especially girls.
However, despite the rising incidents of religious bigotry in Pakistan, PM Imran Khan, instead of setting his own house in order, indulges in peddling the anti-minority rhetoric against India, in his bid to internationalise the Kashmir issue. Khan has been whipping up the hysteria that PM Modi and BJP is suppressing the rights of minorities in India without providing any evidence for the same. Contrary to Khan’s assertions, minorities in India have flourished whereas they withered away in Pakistan.
The Enforcement Directorate has sought custody of Robert Vadra in a case of money laundering and opposed the anticipatory bail granted to him by a trial court. The next date of the hearing has been fixed for the 5th of November.
The lawyer for ED, DP Singh, argued that the ‘Damaad’ of the Congress party was “evasive and noncooperative. We need his custody because there is a money chain that directly links to him.”
ED’s lawyer today while presenting his arguments said, “He (Robert Vadra) is evasive and non cooperative. We need his custody because there is a money chain that directly links to him.” https://t.co/F5Uqvk30go
Singh argued that the trial court has not taken into account certain facts and also that the plea for anticipatory bail was filed when Vadra was not even in the country. The investigative agency had approached the Delhi High Court against the trial court’s order.
The ED further argued that his custody was necessary as a “money chain” was discovered which directly led to the husband of Priyanka Gandhi. Vadra’s lawyer, however, claimed that his client was cooperating with the agency and had appeared before them whenever he was summoned.
The ED case relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property at 12, Bryanston Square, worth 1.9 million pounds. The property is allegedly owned by Robert Vadra.
In a swift action, Mangaluru City police on Wednesday arrested three persons after they brutally assaulted a man for allegedly saying “India is a Hindu Rashtra”.
According to the reports, the police have arrested three persons identified as Mohiyuddin Safwan, Abdul Raheem and another juvenile after they thrashed Bhamy Manjunath Shenoy, an insurance agent, for expressing his opinion of India being a Hindu Rashtra. The horrific incident occurred at Forum Fiza Mall in the city on Wednesday.
When contacted by OpIndia, a police official from Pandeswar station stated that the incident took place on Wednesday morning at a mall in Pandeshwar, Mangaluru. A group of Muslim youth were reportedly chatting at the food court of the mall. At the same time, Manjunath Shenoy was also present at the mall to meet a client and he later went to the food court.
According to the police, Manjunath overheard certain comments made at the discussion, went to their table to share his opinion that India was a Hindu nation. Irked by this, the students asked him to stay from their discussion. Suddenly, an argument broke out between Shenoy and Muslim youth, which led to an attack on Manujanth. Following the incident, Manjunath had lodged a complaint at Pandeshwar Police Station.
On a complaint by Manjunath, the Mangaluru South Police have registered a case against the assailants. The police have arrested Mohiyuddin Safwan and Abdul Rahim. They have also booked a case against a minor boy who will be dealt with under the Juvenile Justice Act. A search is on for others involved in the incident, the police said.
BJP leader Kapil Mishra has filed a police complaint against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj for fear-mongering, trying to cause trouble and spreading lies through social media about NRC.
Complaint filed by BJP leader Kapil Mishra (image: @kapilmishra_ind)
In a letter addressed to DCP, New Delhi, Mishra has stated that Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj spread falsehoods regarding NRC implementation in Delhi as well as about the guidelines issues by the Supreme Court regarding the same and to compare the migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha to illegal immigrants living in India.
He states that Delhi CM knowingly spread falsehood regarding National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the media so that the common citizens get wary of NRC and it could lead to a law and order situation in the state. CM Kejriwal along with his aide AAP MLA Bharadwaj lied that if NRC is implemented in Delhi, the migrants from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha and Bihar who live in work in the national capital will be thrown out of Delhi.
Complaint filed by BJP leader Kapil Mishra (image: @kapilmishra_ind)
The letter further states comparison of migrant workers with illegal immigrants has hurt the sentiments of those who have made Delhi their home. People in Delhi are angry and this could lead to law and order situation.
He further alleges that this could be a ploy of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to shield the illegal Rohingyas and Bangladeshi immigrants and to create obstructions in path of central government which is trying to identify these illegal immigrants.
He has requested Delhi Police to file a case against Delhi CM and AAP MLA for spreading rumours, trying to create law and order situation, spreading lies on social media and hurting the sentiments of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh migrants in the national capital.
On Wednesday, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal while answering media query had displayed his ignorance about citizenship and domicile and said that if NRC is implemented in Delhi, BJP leader Manoj Tiwari would be the first one to leave Delhi. Delhi BJP leader Manoj Tiwari had said recently that the situation in Delhi is worsening due to the presence of illegal immigrants who pose a threat to the safety of people in Delhi. Tiwari assured that the BJP government will implement the NRC in Delhi as well just like they have done it in Assam.
The NRC is strictly to identify the illegal immigrants living in the country and is not aimed at Indians living in states different from their birthplaces.
However, Aam Aadmi Party leaders who have often resorted to cheap tricks to fool the common man, continued to spread the lies. AAP MLA Saurabh Bharadwaj, who is best known for using a toy EVM machine to ‘hack’ it, took to Twitter to spread lies.
“@ManojTiwariMP जी
उत्तर प्रदेश, राजस्थान, उड़ीसा और बिहार से लोग दिल्ली रोज़गार के लिए आते हैं, दिल्ली के विकास में बराबर के भागीदार हैं, वे चोर नहीं है।
अगर दिल्ली में NRC लागू होगा तो इन सबको दिल्ली छोड़कर जाना होगा, आप इनके ख़िलाफ़ क्यों हैं? @Saurabh_MLAgkpic.twitter.com/3JUFFFcfkE
The Labour party of the UK has recently passed a unanimous motion on Kashmir at their party conference in Brighton on September 25. The motion states that Kashmir should be given the right of self-determination as per UN resolutions and urges Labour party to ‘stand with Kashmiris fighting against occupation’.
As per reports, the motion was submitted by British Pakistani Uzma Rasool from Leyton. In her speech, Rasool claimed that Kashmir has seen ’72 years of human rights violation’, gang rapes and mass rapes by the Indian Army, and pellet gun injuries.
Rasool had further added, “We must urgently request India opens access so humanitarian agencies can go and help. This is a major crisis. We cannot allow a century of oppression to take place.”
It is notable here that Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had already made his anti-India stand clear on the issue. In his August 11 tweet, Corbyn had claimed that there are human rights abuses are taking place in Kashmir. Many Labour members and leaders had also participated in the August 15 ‘protests’ outside the Indian High Commission that saw violent attacks on the building and Indian families gathered there to celebrate India’s Independence Day.
The resolution passed by Jeremy Corbyn’s party reportedly seeks Corbyn to meet the high commissioners of both India and Pakistan to ensure there is “mediation” and restoration of peace and normality to prevent a potential nuclear conflict.
India has always maintained that any dialogues with Pakistan will be bilateral and there will be no third-party intervention.
Manoj Ladwa, former chairman of Labour party’s Indian Community Engagement Forum, has stated that the party has been hijacked by a coalition of left-extremists and jihadi sympathisers.
India has strongly condemned the move. In a statement, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar stated, “Government has noted certain developments at the Labour Party Conference on 25 September pertaining to the Indian State of Jammu & Kashmir. We regret the uninformed and unfounded positions taken at this event. Clearly, this is an attempt at pandering to vote-bank interests. There is no question of engaging with the Labour Party or its representatives on this issue.”
Following the motion, the Indian High Commission in London has cancelled the annual reception with Labour party delegates as soon as the party began its debate. An Indian diplomat has stated that the reason for the cancellation was the motion.
Not just the diplomats and MEA, notable leaders among the Indian diaspora have also expressed their displeasure at the motion. Kuldeep Singh Shekhawat, the president of Overseas Friends Of BJP in the UK, has stated that the entire Indian diaspora will not support the labour party in the upcoming elections because of the resolution.
In another development, a video has surfaced where a prominent Muslim leader in the UK, Sumaira Farrukh, who was once nominated for the ‘Muslim of The Year’ award, was seen declaring that ‘Jihad is the only solution’ in her speech against India at the Birmingham rally last month. The police have reportedly launched an investigation. Farrukh is considered close to British Home Secretary Sajid Javid.
In a video, Farrukh is seen standing on the steps of Birmingham’s landmark Victoria Square, telling supporters: “There is only one slogan for today. It is, remove curfew from Kashmir. Let them live their own lives, nothing more than that. And one thing to tell the truth to the Muslim community. There’s only one solution which is jihad. No protest, nothing. Just jihad.”
UK MP Liam Byrne, who had earlier stated that India’s decision to abrogate Article 370 is ‘unacceptable’, had also given a speech relaying similar lines at the same spot as Farrukh in Birmingham. Other labour leaders, Tom Watson and Jack Dromey were also present in that anti-India protest event that had occurred at the same spot a day prior to Farrukh’s speech.
India’s foreign minister S Jaishankar has stated that there is no question of engaging any Labour party members on this issue and has added that the Labour party is just pandering its vote bank interests.
In yet another desperate act of aiding Islamic terrorists, Pakistan has approached to plead before the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) with a request to allow the UN-designated global terrorist Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed use his bank account for personal expenses, reports ANI.
According to the reports, the UN committee has now allowed terrorist Hafiz Saeed to use his bank account for ‘basic expenses’ to help his family. In its letter, the UN Committee said that with no objections being raised to Pakistan’s request for Hafiz Saeed’s basic expenses, the Chair has approved the appeal.
Reportedly, Hafiz Saeed’s bank accounts were frozen by the Pakistani government complying with the UNSC resolution. Later, Pakistan had requested the UN to let Hafiz Saeed withdraw PKR 1,50,000 (approximately $1,000) to cover necessary basic living expenses for him and his family.
In a notification dated August 15 the UNSC committee said, “The Chair has the honor to refer to his draft letter to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan communicating the Committee’s decision with respect to the intention of the Pakistani authorities to authorize certain expenditures to the benefit of Hafiz Muhammad Saeed (ODi.263), Haji Muhammad Ashraf (ODi.265) and Zafar Iqbal (ODi.308) to cover basic expenses, as specified in the note verbale of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan pursuant to paragraph 81 (a) of resolution 2368 (2017).”
In a letter to UN Security Council 1267 Committee, the terrorist state of Pakistan had contended that Hafiz Saeed supports a family of four members, as a sole supporter, he is responsible for food, drink and clothes expenses for fall family members
“The Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the United Nations presents Its compliments to the Security Council concerning Jarnaat Ud Da’wa and associated Individuals, groups, undertakings and entities, and has the honour to notify the committee…that the government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has received a request from a Pakistani citizen Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, who is listed on the list established and maintained by the committee under permanent reference 001.263,” the letter stated.
“His bank account was blocked by the government of Pakistan under compliance with UNSC resolution 1267 requesting an asset freeze exemption to access frozen funds In the amount of Pakistani rupees 1,50,000 to cover the necessary basic living expenses for himself and his family,” it added.
Pakistan’s intent to fund terrorist Hafiz Saeed comes at a time when the entire world is condemning Pakistan for propagation terror. Pakistan is openly supporting terrorists like Hafiz Saeed despite claiming that it is taking stringent actions against terrorist. In May, Pakistan’s counter-terrorism department had booked Hafiz Saeed and top leaders of JuD under charges of terror financing.
However, India has always accused Pakistan of supporting and providing safe haven to terrorists, while dismissing the recent arrest of Saeed as a mere “drama”.
In an effort to support the destitute women affected by triple talaq and other forms of divorce, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday announced annual support of Rs 6,000 to the victims of triple talaq. Action will also be taken against Hindu men marrying without divorcing first wife.
Reportedly, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath interacting with the victims of triple talaq under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), said that the divorced Muslim women should be given rights over Waqf properties. He also called for several welfare measures that should be undertaken for their rehabilitation.
The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister also announced that the divorced women will also get free legal aid from the state government. Around 300 women from across the state attended the event.
“A new scheme should be introduced under which victims of triple talaq, as well as women who have been left by their husbands, should be identified and given Rs 6,000 per annum. They will be given this money till they get justice,” said CM Yogi Adityanath.
He further added that the educated women should be absorbed in government jobs as per their qualifications while arrangements will also be made for providing them shelter and education under various schemes. These women should be covered under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana or the Chief Minister Arogya Scheme, said the Chief Minister.
Ending the barbaric practice of triple talaq was one of the promises of the Narendra Modi led BJP government. In 2017, the Supreme Court had made triple talaq unconstitutional. Soon, the Narendra Modi-led BJP government passed a law in the parliament to protect Muslim women by criminalising the practice of triple talaq.
Ever since the historic act was passed in the Parliament, its effects are being already reflected in the society as Muslim men are returning back their family. In one such incident, a Muslim man named Mohammad Ali had returned to his wife fearing arrest after the historic Triple Talaq bill became a law making the illegal divorce a punishable offence.
The historic triple talaq bill passed by Narendra Modi led NDA government makes a declaration of talaq-e-biddat in spoken, written or through SMS or WhatsApp or any other electronic chat illegal. Talaq-e-biddat refers to the pronouncement of talaq three times by a Muslim man in one sitting to his wife resulting in an instant and irrevocable divorce.
The triple talaq bill also makes a declaration of talaq-e-biddat cognisable offence that gives a police officer powers to arrest the offender without requiring a warrant. A Muslim man pronouncing instant triple talaq attracts a jail term of three years under the triple talaq bill. The accused under the triple talaq bill is entitled to bail, which can be granted by a magistrate. But the bail can be granted only after the magistrate has heard the aggrieved woman.
In a major development, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne on Wednesday said that fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi was a “crook” and Indian officials are “free to interrogate him”, reports ANI.
According to the reports, PM Gaston Browne said that his government has got subsequent information that Mehul Choksi was a crook and does not add any value to his country. He further added that Choksi will be deported ultimately after he exhausts all his appeals and added that Indian officials are free to investigate based on Mehul Choksi’s willingness to participate.
#WATCH Antigua & Barbuda PM Gaston Browne: Got subsequent information that Mehul Choksi is a crook, he doesn’t add value to our country. He will be deported ultimately after he exhausts appeals, Indian officials are free to investigate based on his willingness to participate. pic.twitter.com/FbAaIml0Fv
Reportedly, Browne mentioned that it was unfortunate that Choksi was cleared by Indian officials as a person in “good standing” only to be told later that he is a “crook”.
“In any case, our officials acted based on the information from India and made him a citizen …the Indian officials have to take the responsibility for that situation,” Browne said.
In January 2018, Mehul Choksi and his nephew Nirav Modi fled after the Rs 14,000-crore PNB fraud surfaced. After fleeing the country, he surrendered his Indian passport and took up Antiguan citizenship. On June 17, Choksi had submitted an affidavit in the Bombay High Court, stating that he is residing in Antigua and was willing to co-operate in the investigation into the PNB scam.
However, the Antiguan government had then decided to revoke Choksi’s citizenship. Antiguan PM Gaston Browne himself had declared that Choksi’s Antiguan citizenship will be rescinded.
To avoid extradition from Antigua, the fugitive economic offender Mehul Choski has been giving a bizarre explanation to avoid appearance before the Indian courts. He had once claimed that there are numerous mob lynching incidents in India lately and had said that he feared the same if he came back to the country.
In another instance, he had claimed that he was unable to send legal documents to his lawyer in India ahead of a hearing in Bombay High Court because of an “untimely typhoon” in Antigua and Barbuda.
