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Rahul Gandhi won Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency because it has 40% Muslim population: Asaduddin Owaisi

OpIndia Staff
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Rahul Gandhi won Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency because it has 40% Muslim population: Asaduddin Owaisi

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi has said something that was suspected by many people, that Congress president Rahul Gandhi won the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala because it has a high Muslim population.

Addressing a public rally on Sunday, Owaisi said, “the Congress leader himself lost in Amethi & received victory in Wayanad. Isn’t the 40% population of Wayanad Muslim?”, indicating that according to him Muslims in Wayanad voted for Rahul Gandhi.


Owaisi also slammed the Muslim community for depending on the Congress party to contain BJP in the elections. He said, “You don’t want to leave Congress and other secular parties. But remember they don’t have strength”. He said that BJP lost in Punjab because Sikhs are a majority there, and the ruling party lost in Southern states due to regional parties, and the Congress had no role in the defeat of BJP in those states.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRfjeevHxkA]

He said that Muslims don’t want alms, saying ‘we don’t want to survive on your alms’. He asked the Muslims to come out of the misconception that the Congress party will be able to do something.

Anticipating a loss in family bastion Amethi, Rahul Gandhi has contested the Lok Sabha election from a second seat, Wayanad in Kerala. It was widely speculated that the party has considered this seat to be safe due to its high minority population. But the Congress party had denied that Wayanad was chosen due to its high minority population. Proving all estimates correct, the Congress president lost Amethi to Smriti Irani but won from Wayanad.

As Yuvraj Singh announces retirement, here are 5 of his greatest One Day Internationals’ knocks

Sandeep Singh
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As Yuvraj Singh announces retirement, here are 5 of his greatest One Day Internationals’ knocks

One of India’s best ever One Day Internationals batsman Yuvraj Singh has finally called time on his cricketing career and announced his retirement. During his nearly 2 decades long international career, Yuvraj Singh entertained us with some breath-taking stroke-play and several match-defining performances. Here is a look back at 5 of his finest.

84 against Australia (Nairobi 2000)

Talk about announcing yourself with a bang. In his 2nd One Day International and the first ever innings, Yuvraj Singh gave a glimpse of his abundant talent against the World Champions Australia. Against an attack featuring the likes of McGrath, Brett Lee, Gillespie, the teenaged Yuvraj stroked a majestic 84 off 80 balls setting up a match-winning total in the end.

139 against Australia (Sydney 2004)

Coming in to bat with the team in a little bit of trouble at 80 for 3, Yuvraj Singh sat about rebuilding the innings in the company of Australia’s familiar foe, VVS Laxman. The pair put together 213 runs with Yuvi scoring 139 of them. After keeping the scoreboard ticking over with plenty of good running and some timely boundaries, he exploded at the end taking ODI specialist Ian Harvey to the cleaners. It didn’t turn out to be enough in the end with Australia edging to a win in a nerve-wracking rain curtailed chase but everyone who watched that match will always remember Yuvraj’s effort.

57* against Australia (Ahmedabad 2011)

3 in a row against Australia! A little surprising since he doesn’t have a great overall record against them but as seen here, he has played some memorable innings. It was Yuvraj Singh’s World Cup in 2011, despite fighting cancer at that point, he was unstoppable with both bat and ball. His best performance of the World Cup came in the Quarter Finals against the team that had won the previous 3 World Cups. Batting first, Australia put on a good total of 260 with Ricky Ponting getting a much-awaited hundred. Yuvraj, who had already done well with the ball by picking up 2 wickets in his 10 overs, produced a mature half century guiding the team through a tricky second half of the chase. The cathartic roar from Yuvraj at the end of that knock mirrored the emotions of an entire nation.

150 against England (Cuttack 2017)

After returning from cancer, Yuvraj’s career could never quite regain the previous heights but still, there were glimpses of the batsman he was at his peak. In the 2017 ODI series against England, India was tottering at 25/3 when Yuvraj joined his long-time middle order partner MS Dhoni. What followed was some of the best ball striking one would ever see on a cricketing field. Yuvraj raced to his highest ever ODI score and by the time he was eventually dismissed, he had already set the side on the way to a match-winning total. This turned out to be the last century for the great man in ODIs.

69 against England (Lord’s 2002)

Every Indian fan remembers the score 146/5, it was the score at which Mohammed Kaif joined Yuvraj Singh in the middle while chase 326 in the Natwest final and the two went on to script one of the greatest ever triumphs in Indian ODI history. With all hope lost, all the senior batsmen back in the pavilion, and a high asking rate, Yuvraj set about bringing the side back into the game with his trademark drives, pulls and flicks. By the time he was out 121 runs partnership later, the chase was well and truly back on, and it was finished by Kaif and Zaheer Khan for a famous victory.

After police barred funeral procession of party workers killed in political clashes, BJP observes ‘black day’ in West Bengal

OpIndia Staff
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After police barred funeral procession of party workers killed in political clashes, BJP observes ‘black day’ in West Bengal

Amidst the continued political unrest in West Bengal, BJP has decided to observe a ‘black day’ across the state on Monday. The party has also called a 12-hour general strike in the Basirhat sub-division on Monday and a ‘condemnation march’ to the Kolkata Police headquarters in Lalbazar on June 12.

This decision came in the aftermath of the face-off which ensued between the BJP and West Bengal Police in North 24 Parganas district over the weekend.

The BJP workers were reportedly prevented by the police from holding the funeral of its workers, killed in political clashes on Saturday, on a highway near Kolkata.

Saturday evening, clashes had erupted between the BJP and TMC in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali area in North 24 Parganas district, over the removal of party flags, which left workers of both parties killed and several others injured.

According to sources in the BJP, a total of five party workers have been killed in the clashes and several others are seriously injured.

Tension prevailed on Sunday in strife-affected Sandeshkhali in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas, with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Trinamool Congress accusing each other of orchestrating Saturday’s violence.

A BJP delegation visiting the area decided to take bodies of the two party workers to Kolkata for last rites. But the convoy was stopped thrice by police, claiming it may cause law and order issues in the state capital.

Reacting strongly to the autocracy in Mamata’s regime, BJP’ national secretary Rahul Sinha said, the family members of the deceased have decided to perform last rites in Kolkata. How can the police stop them? It is their duty to stop murderers and criminals and not the dead,” lambasted Sinha furthering, “I told them there will be no rallies in Kolkata. They (bodies) will just be kept at the BJP headquarters to let people pay their last respects. Still, police are stopping us.”

Later, Sinha took to Twitter to express his concern over democracy being strangulated in the state.


Reacting to the faceoff between BJP workers and security forces in Bengal, party general secretary Rahul Sinha also said, “I have spoken to Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi, who has assured me that he will speak to senior officials. Police couldn’t prevent the murders and are now stopping us from cremating the bodies.” He also said that they were ready to proceed to the party office even in a police cordon. “We are also ready to proceed further under police cordon. What kind of rule is this? Democracy is being strangulated in this state,” said Rahul Sinha.

Meanwhile, BJP MP Locket Chatterjee accused the police personnel of working for the Trinamool Congress. “This is unethical. Police cannot stop us legally. If needed we will carry the bodies to Kolkata on our shoulders,” she said.

Moreover, taking note of the unfaltering political violence in Bengal, the Ministry of Home Affairs has sent an advisory to the West Bengal government and asked the Mamata Banerjee-led government to maintain law and order, peace and public tranquillity.

“The unabated violence over the past weeks appears to be a failure on the part of the law enforcement machinery of the state to maintain the rule of law and inspire confidence among people,” the advisory said.

However, the TMC reacted strongly to the advisory saying it is nothing but a “political conspiracy”.

“The so-called advisory from MHA to the West Bengal government on the law enforcement machinery in the state is nothing but a political conspiracy. We will respond appropriately,” TMC MP Derek O’Brien said.

Video: Mauka Mauka is back again, this time as baap of all ads

OpIndia Staff
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Video: Mauka Mauka is back again, this time as baap of all ads

Star Sports has released the most awaited promo of the World Cup. The ‘Mauka-Mauka’ ad for the India-Pakistan match was a sensation in the last World Cup. They have come now with another ad based on the same theme.

India will face Pakistan in World Cup on June 16 at The Old Trafford. Star Sports promo mixed ‘Mauka Mauka‘ with Father’s Day theme. The Father Day of 2019 is on the same day as the India-Pakistan.

Vikas Malhotra plays the Pakistan son remembering his father’s words on how one should keep trying and never give up. The Indian fan in the ad shows some savagery by taking a dig on the Pakistani supporter.

Watch ‘Baap Re Baap’ promo


Though the ad is a hit among most of the Indian fans but some section of the cricket fraternity has called it a disgrace already. In one tweet, a senior sports journalist from Kolkata and currently work with Cricbuzz, says that the ad has crossed the norms of good taste.


India has never lost a game against Pakistan in the World Cup. They played against each other six times already. India also not lost a match against Pakistan in World T20. They met four times in World T20, and Pakistan lost all four times.

So will be it another win for India on June 16? Or will Pakistan finally taste the victory against India in a World Cup clash?

Kathua rape and murder: Special court convicts six persons, Vishal Jangotra, son of the main accused acquitted

OpIndia Staff
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Kathua rape and murder: Special court convicts six persons, Vishal Jangotra, son of the main accused acquitted

The verdict in the case of rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir was delivered by a special court on Monday. Six persons out of the seven accused were convicted by Pathankot court while acquiting one of the accused, reports ANI.

According to the reports, Judge Tejvinder Singh of the special court pronouncing verdict in Kathua Rape case convicted the six out of the total seven accused including four policemen.

Village head Sanji Ram, four policemen including two special police officers Deepak Khajuria, Surender Verma, head constable Tilak Raj, sub-inspector Anand Dutta were convicted by Pathankot court in Kathua rape and murder case. 

One accused named Vishal Jangotra, son of the main accused Sanjhi Ram was acquited from the case after he provided an alibi stating that he was away from Jammu to appear for an examination.

A report by Zee News last year had shared CCTV footage from an ATM in Muzaffarnagar, which had Vishal standing in a queue at the ATM on the day the charge sheet claimed he was in Kathua.

Prosecution team comprised of JK Chopra, SS Basra and Harminder Singh.

The court has framed charges under the Ranbir Penal Code(RPC), including Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 302 (murder) and 376-D (gang-rape), according to the prosecution. Section 328 of the RPC (causing hurt and destruction of evidence) has also been added.

The policemen are charged with an additional section 161 (public servant taking illegal gratification). The in-camera trial had ended on June 3.

The special court is expected to announce the quantum of the sentence later this afternoon.

Uttar Pradesh charges ahead, invites companies to send proposals to set up charging stations for electric vehicle

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh charges ahead, invites companies to send proposals to set up charging stations for electric vehicle

The Uttar Pradesh government invites expressions of interests (EoIs) from various companies to set up charging stations for electric vehicles. It becomes the first state government to do so after the Union power Ministry in December last year issued a guideline to create the infrastructure that will enable widespread use of the less polluting automobiles.

As of now, Delhi is probably the only city having this facility. With an intent to reduce emission intensity and curb pollution in the country, the Central government has been trying to boost the use of electric vehicles in the country. By ensuring safe, reliable, accessible and affordable electric charging infrastructure, the centre intends to encourage states to adopt electric vehicles.

According to the EoI document issued by the UP government, the state has identified eight cities, namely, Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Agra, Noida, Prayagraj, Ghaziabad and Meerut, where companies would be able to set up these charging points.

Furthermore, the state also wants to make such charging stations available on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway, the Delhi-Agra Expressway and the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, as well as the proposed Purvanchal Expressway from Lucknow to Ballia that’s under construction.

Three major national highways passing through the state, NH-1, 24 and 27, have also been identified for this. Moreover, charging at homes or offices will be permitted through electricity distribution companies, the EoI said.

According to the EoI, “The vast infrastructure and utilities needed to charge electric vehicles (EVs) hold the keys to accelerating their deployment. The setting up of electricity charging infrastructure can accelerate the growth of electric vehicles and thus address the menacing problem of air and noise pollution.”

Apart from aiming at the green environment by encouraging electric vehicles, the state government’ idea is also to generate employment and income opportunities for small entrepreneurs.

Going by the central government’s plans Uttar Pradesh is also intending to make this venture a de-licensed one. Any individual or entity be allowed to establish these public charging stations (PCS), provided that they meet technical and performance standards and protocols laid down by the power ministry.

With an ambition to curb pollution the Modi led BJP government had announced that it will provide up to Rs 1.05 billion in grant funding to Smart Cities for the purchase of electric vehicles to be used for mass transportation under a pilot project run under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid and) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME) program.

Moreover, the government had also declared to provide funds to set up charging infrastructure in the selected cities with an upper ceiling of ₹150 million per city.

Muslims are a minority in Sri Lanka, but a majority in the world and won’t be subjugated: Former Governor in Mosque address

OpIndia Staff
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Muslims are a minority in Sri Lanka, but a majority in the world and won’t be subjugated: Former Governor in Mosque address

The former governor of the Eastern Province in Sri Lanka, MLAM Hizbullah, has stated that Muslims are a majority globally and cannot be subjugated to anyone.

Addressing the Kattanakudy Periya Jumma Mosque on Saturday, the former governor stated that Muslims are a minority only in Sri Lanka but not a majority all over the world.

As per reports, Hizbullah said, “Muslims should live with their heads up. I wish to make it clear that only in this country that we are minorities but in this whole world, we are in a majority. Till we find a solution to our problems, we should be united. At the time of the elections, we must reveal our stance.” He added that Muslims cannot be subjugated.

Hizbullah had recently resigned after widespread protests in Sri Lanka over his alleged links to the Easter bombings. After allegations of the links emerged, a prominent Buddhist religious leader and parliamentarian Ven. M Athuraliye Rathana Thera had initiated a ‘fast unto death’ near the Sri Dalada Malingawa at Kandy, Sri Lanka’s holiest Buddhist Shrine.

The protests by the Buddhists, which was also supported by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Sri Lanka’s head of the Catholic Church was attended by thousands of people.

Athuraliye Rathana had demanded the resignation of governors MLASM Hizbullah, Azath Sally and a politician Rishad Bathiudeen.

Hizbullah reportedly also drew attention to the resignation of two politicians named Kabir Hashim and Rauff Hakeem.

Hizbullah further stated that he has given the president of Sri Lanka a two weeks ultimatum within which he has to prove the allegations against him and other Muslim leaders. He added that the Bhikshus have uttered blatant lies in front of the Dalada Malingawa and that should be brought up before the people.

It is notable here that the town Kattanakudy is in the very centre of radicalism and Wahabi extremist activities that have been linked with the Easter bombings. The main accused Zaharan Hashmi was linked with Mosques and Madrassas in the town and a huge stash of weapons and detonators was also found near the town. Many arrested terrorists also belong to Kattanakudy. Two of the Easter suicide bombers were from Kattanakudy.

The little town of 66,000 Muslims has over 45 Mosques, including the grand Jumma Mosque, which is built as a replica of the Al Aksa Mosque in Jerusalem. Kattanakudy was also the birth centre of National Thouwheed Jamath, the organisation that carried out the Easter bombings.

When Sri Lankan security forces had raided the house of Zahran Hashim in Kattanakudy, the mastermind of the Easter Bombings that had left over 300 people dead, Hashim’s brother and other family members allegedly blew themselves up, leaving 15 people dead (including 6 children) and several injured. Hashim’s father and the two brothers who died that day had circulated videos calling for an all-out war against all non-Muslims.

The extent penetration of radicalism and violent extremism in Sri Lanka’s Muslims can be gauged by the fact that two of the suicide bombers in the Easter attacks, were the sons of one of Sri Lanka’s richest and most influential men, Mohammad Yusuf Ibrahim. The wife of the younger suicide bomber had also detonated a suicide blast, killing herself and her three children, when the police had raided the millionaire’s house in a posh Colombo suburb.

Bengaluru: Two men arrested for posting videos critical of CM HD Kumaraswamy and his family

OpIndia Staff
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Bengaluru: Two men arrested for posting videos critical of CM HD Kumaraswamy and his family

In yet another attack on free speech in Karnataka, two youth have been arrested for allegedly making offensive videos attacking the Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and his family over the recent humiliating loss in the Lok Sabha elections.

The incident occurred after the Lok Sabha election results were announced on May 23, when two residents of Channapatna, Ramanagara district, 26-year old Siddaraju, a petrol pump attendant and his friend Chamaraju, 28, a cab driver had posted a video allegedly abusing Chief Minister Kumaraswamy including his father former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and son Nikhil Kumaraswamy, said High Grounds Police inspector Sadiq Pasha.

Copy of the police statement released by High Grounds police station regarding the arrest of two youths over alleged abusive videos

Reportedly, the video was made to offensively criticise the CM Kumaraswamy and his family over the disastrous performance in the Lok Sabha elections.

“When we tracked them down and questioned them, they said they were upset with the CM’s family politics and his party’s poor showing at the Lok Sabha elections,” the police said.

As the video went viral, one of the JDS workers got upset about the video and lodged the complaint at High Grounds police station at Bengaluru. High Grounds police soon swung into action and arrested the duo for posting videos against CM Kumaraswamy.

The police have registered a case under IPC sections 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 505 (2) (intent to incite offence against community). A court has remanded the men in judicial custody.

Soon after a humiliating loss for the JDS in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Chief Minister Kumaraswamy seems to have resorted to offensive measures to stifle free speech and avoid criticism against his leadership in the state. Congress-JD(S) formed an alliance government in the state in May 2018 after a very dramatic state assembly election.

Recently, Janata Dal-Secular had even gone to an extent of filing an FIR against senior journalist Vishweshwar Bhat for publishing an article on Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s son, Nikhil Kumaraswamy.  In his Kannada daily Vishwavani, Bhat had published a report which talked about Nikhil Kumaraswamy’s alleged meltdown in a drunken state after losing Mandya Lok Sabha seat ‘to a woman’.

Match Preview – South Africa v West Indies: A do or die situation for South Africa

Ritesh
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Match Preview – South Africa v West Indies: A do or die situation for South Africa

It’s a do or die situation for South Africa at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton. Having lost the previous three games, South Africa is on the brink of an early exit in the World Cup.

South Africa has dominated the West Indies in ODIs ever since they made a comeback in International cricket in 1991. A win against West Indies will boost the confidence of the team, but on current form, it doesn’t seem like to happen. The Proteas are awfully out of form in the current World Cup tournament.

Despite playing three matches, none of the players looked in the right touch. Some of them have shown their class in small patches, but that’s not helpful. They are not only having issues on-field but also facing matters off the field. With Dale Steyn out of the World Cup due to a shoulder injury and AB de Villiers controversy have rubbed the salt on their wounds.

West Indies, who lost their previous game Australia, seems to be in better form and position. Their batsman, especially the lower down need to apply some brain when chasing a target. You cannot throw away your wicket after hitting a boundary as Russell did in the last match.

Their bowling reminds us of their great past, accurate and on target always in the two matches. The fielding has let them down a bit in the previous game, which they can work upon. On current form, West Indies should win against South Africa. But cricket is a funny game, and you never know what will happen until the last ball is being bowled.

South Africa’s, biggest enemy in all these World Cup editions, Rain, is predicted for the day. South Africa has been knocked out of World Cup three times due to rain (1992, 2003 and 2015). As per weather forecast, there will be light rain during the day expected, which would mean Duckworth Lewis will be implemented.

Players to watch out for

Faf du Plessis, the captain, must lead from the front now. He can’t blame anyone if he doesn’t perform. He must ensure that the team leaves the controversies and the losses behind and take one match at a time.

Jason Holder, he is doing almost everything right so far for his team. Not only he has scored runs and taken wickets but also the way he led the group has helped the team to win matches and give tough fights to the oppositions. He has a very calm mind on and off the field, an essential quality for any captain who leads his team in the World Cup.

South Africa v West Indies in ODIs

Overall: Matches 61, South Africa Won 44, West Indies Won 15, Tied 1, No Result 1

World Cup: Matches 6, South Africa Won 4, West Indies Won 2

Recent Form (most recent first): South Africa L L L W W, West Indies  L W L L W

ICC Rankings: South Africa (3), West Indies (8)

Upcoming Records

Hashim Amla has scored 7,929 runs and needs 71 more to become the fourth South African player to reach the 8,000 runs milestone.

JP Duminy has scored 444 runs in World Cup and needs 56 more to become the ninth South African player to reach the 500 runs milestone in World Cup.

Squads

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), JP Duminy, Beuran Hendricks, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Imran Tahir, Rassie van der Dussen.

West Indies – Jason Holder (capt), Fabian Allen, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Shannon Gabriel, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope (wk), Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Nicholas Pooran, Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Oshane Thomas.

Veteran actor and theatre personality Girish Karnad passes away

OpIndia Staff
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Veteran actor and theatre personality Girish Karnad passes away

Indian film actor and theatre personality Girish Karnad passed away earlier today at his residence in Bengaluru, Karnataka. He was a Kannada playwright and Kannada writer and was awarded the Jnanpith award, the highest literary honour, in 1998.

He also served as the director of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) from 1974-1975. In 2015, he along with Prof. U.R. Ananthamurthy formed a group called “Samakaleena Vichara Vedike” with the sole intention of opposing Modi and extending full support to the Congress in Lok Sabha elections.

He was also mired in controversies. Karnad had said that the Kempegowda International Airport should have been named after Tipu Sultan.

Girish Karnad with ‘Me too Urban Naxal’ placard (image: @svaradarajan on Twitter)

In 2018, a complaint was filed against him for wearing the ‘Me Too Urban Naxal’ placard around his neck at an event organised on journalist Gauri Lankesh‘s death anniversary.

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