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Karnataka: Vendor Abdul Razzak caught spitting on vegetables by locals, apprehended by police

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: Vendor Abdul Razzak caught spitting on vegetables by locals, apprehended by police

On the morning of 10th November, a vendor was reportedly caught spitting on the vegetables in the market at Karwar, Karnataka. He has been identified as Abdul Hassan Sab Razzak. The video was recorded by a passerby after which locals assembled at the spot and protested. They raised the issue of hygiene and potential health risks as well as the transmission of illnesses brought on by such actions. The accused was then taken into custody by the authorities.

Razzak relentlessly denied the allegations, however, the people asserted that he spat while sprinkling water on the vegetables to make it “halal” (permissible or lawful) which is essential to Islamic practices and refers to acts, behaviours, or items that are permitted in the religious teachings. The instance led to strong reactions on social media as netizens voiced their disgust over the viral video. One called the practice of spitting and urinating on vegetables a “fashion” and added, “This issue should be raised on every platform to expose these clowns.”

Another complained that even vegetables should be now grown at home and asked, “If they’d let anything remain pure?”

A user referred to it as a profound “jihadi mentality” which “disregards public health and basic decency.” The person further remarked that urinating on vegetables and spitting on meals are examples of behaviours that indicate a solidified jihadi attempt against the Hindu community and the principles they uphold.”

He added, “This isn’t isolated, it aligns with a disturbing pattern where certain elements blatantly disregard societal norms to push their agendas, showing zero respect for the well-being of others,” and demanded strict action “to curb this jihadi mindset that threatens community harmony and public health.”

“Halal certificate is valid in India. Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) knows that halal means spit,” expressed a netizen.

An individual mocked that the Congress government in Karnataka will soon release the offender from jail.

Reportedly, the Uttar Pradesh government, under Yogi Adityanath’s leadership, is planning to introduce two significant ordinances aimed at addressing the growing issues of food contamination and unhygienic practices. This decision follows a series of alarming incidents where individuals were found spitting in food or contaminating it with urine, which has led to public outrage and raised health and hygiene concerns.

The proposed ordinances, titled the Prevention of False and Anti-Harmony Activities and Spitting Prohibition Ordinance 2024 and the UP Prevention of Contamination in Food (Consumer Right to Know) Ordinance 2024, seek to implement strict penalties for such actions. Beyond punishing offenders, these laws also aim to promote transparency, giving consumers the right to know how their food is prepared and handled.

Haridwar: Muslim MLAs invited for Deepotsav event at Har Ki Pauri where entry of non-Hindus is banned, invitation revoked after Hindu advocacy groups outrage

OpIndia Staff
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Haridwar: Muslim MLAs invited for Deepotsav event at Har Ki Pauri where entry of non-Hindus is banned, invitation revoked after Hindu advocacy groups outrage

In Uttarakhand, a major controversy has erupted over inviting Muslim MLAs to the Deepotsav event in Haridwar on 11th November. Muslim MLAs have been invited to Har Ki Pauri, where the entry of non-Hindus is restricted. Questions have been raised over the Haridwar district administration’s decision to extend this invitation. Following the dispute, non-Muslims can no longer enter Har Ki Pauri. The incident has triggered outrage among Hindu rights organisations like Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad.

Reports say that Deepotsav will be held at Har Ki Pauri on Monday evening, and this program is part of the Silver Jubilee Festival, which commemorates the state of Uttarakhand’s 25th anniversary. The residents of Haridwar have been asked to light lamps. Moreover, there is a plan to light 3 lakh diyas in this program. Apart from this, a bhajan evening will also be organized. State Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has also been invited to the program.

The Haridwar district administration has also invited MLAs to the Deepotsav program including Congress MLA from Piran Kaliyar Furqan Ahmed, BSP MLA from Laksar Mohammad Shahzad, and Congress MLA from Mangalore Qazi Nizamuddin.

Shri Ganga Sabha strongly objected to the invitation extended to these three Muslim MLAs. Notably, the Sabha organises Ganga Aarti and other events in Har Ki Pauri. According to the Shri Ganga Sabha, non-Hindus are not permitted to visit Har Ki Pauri, hence the administration’s invitation is inappropriate.

The Sabha has stated that calling Muslim MLAs is an insult to the laws and would not be tolerated, adding that the district administration is unaware of the Har Ki Pauri rules and that the restriction on non-Muslims is more than 100 years old.

Meanwhile, a Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader said that non-Hindus are not permitted to enter Haridwar’s Har Ki Pauri and other ghats; this restriction is a hundred years old and was established by Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya following an agreement with the British rulers; it is also a Municipal Corporation bylaw.

As a result, the former Muslim governor of the state, Aziz Qureshi, and Christian Margaret Alva took part in the previous program from locations other than Har ki Pauri. This rule is reported to have been in effect since 1916, and it was adopted by Madan Mohan Malviya from the British when he established the Aarti. In response to the criticism in this case, the administration has prohibited non-Hindus from attending the ceremony at Har Ki Pauri. The District Magistrate of Haridwar imposed this restriction. Meanwhile, the Hindu rights groups Bajrang Dal and VHP welcomed the move calling it a huge win.

Karnataka: 52-year-old Hindu man allegedly murdered for opposing conversion to Christianity, police claims it was a property dispute

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: 52-year-old Hindu man allegedly murdered for opposing conversion to Christianity, police claims it was a property dispute

A shocking incident of alleged murder for opposing conversion to Christianity has come to light in Satoli village of the Mannalli Police Station area in Bidar, Karnataka, where a 52-year-old man identified as Basavaraj Narasappa was brutally murdered by his wife and three children. The incident took place on 8 November. Reports suggest that Narasappa, who was deaf and mute, was killed by his family members as he refused to convert to Christianity and questioned why Hindu rituals were not being performed at home.

However, the police refuted the claims of the matter being related to religious conversion and stated that the family killed the man over a property dispute.

Basavaraj Narasappa was deaf and mute since birth and communicated through sign language. He was married to Adeemma, and the couple had three children: Ratnamma, Prabhakar, and Hanumanth.

According to a News 18 report, the murder happened for opposing conversion to Christianity. Reportedly, the daughter allegedly cooked food at home after killing her father, and all of them had meals with the body inside the house. The incident reportedly occurred after Basavaraj questioned why rituals were not being performed at home and why no rituals were conducted during the Dussehra festival.

The police, however, refuted the claims that the matter was related to religious conversion. The police said it was related to a property dispute. Following the initial investigation, the police stated that the deceased had four brothers and that his father’s property was divided equally among them. Reports suggest that, as he was disabled, his wife and children feared that the property could be signed over to someone else. Due to their fear, they allegedly did not allow him to go outside. If he tried to leave, his family members would beat him and stop giving him food.

On 8 November, when Basavaraj returned home, his wife Adeemma, along with the children, tied his hands and legs and killed him. A case was registered at Mannalli Police Station against the victim’s family members based on the complaint of his brother Mallikarjun.

The wife and three children were arrested by the police, and an investigation into the matter is underway.

Iraq set to legalise men marrying little girls: Country’s amendment to marriage law, that will allow men to marry even 9-year-old girls, passes first reading

OpIndia Staff
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Iraq set to legalise men marrying little girls: Country’s amendment to marriage law, that will allow men to marry even 9-year-old girls, passes first reading

The Republic of Iraq is gearing up to push minor girls into marriages. Furthermore, the girls will be deprived of any financial assistance or alimony and even any right to their kids in case of a divorce. The motive behind the move, as per the administration, which is aligned with the Sharia Law, is to discourage girls from having any romantic relationships as they are deemed inappropriate.

Iraq is on the verge of lowering the legal ‘consent’ age from 18 to 9, which would allow men to marry young children. An amendment that would repeal the nation’s “personal status law” is about to be approved by the Iraqi parliament, which is controlled by a coalition of conservative Shia Muslim parties. When it was first presented in 1959, the law, also known as Law 188, was hailed as one of the most innovative in the Middle East. It established a comprehensive set of regulations that control the affairs of Iraqi families, irrespective of their religious affiliation.

The second amendment to the law was passed on 16th September. The amendment will eliminate women’s rights to inheritance, divorce, and child custody in addition to lowering the legal marriage age. Additionally, the law would give residents the option of deciding family matters through the civil judiciary or religious authority. The proposed amendment is intended to shield girls from “immoral relationships,” according to the government.

Women’s rights in Iraq have been under attack for over ten years by the Shia religious organisations that control the political system. Shia parties in Iraq had previously attempted to reform the personal status law, but their efforts were unsuccessful in 2014 and 2017, primarily because of opposition from Iraqi women. However, according to Dr Renad Mansour, a senior research fellow at Chatham House, the coalition currently holds a sizable parliamentary majority and is poised to pass the legislation.

He stated, “It’s the closest it’s ever been. It has more momentum than it’s ever had, primarily because of the Shia parties. It’s not all Shia parties, it’s just the specific ones that are empowered and are really pushing it.” Dr Mansour added that Shia Islamist outfits were using the proposed amendment as part of a larger political strategy to “consolidate their power” and reclaim legitimacy. “It is not yet clear exactly when the amendment will go before parliament for a vote, but it could come at any moment,” he further conveyed.

Iraq does not have a male guardianship system like neighbouring Saudi Arabia, which requires women to get consent from a husband, father, or male guardian before making important life decisions like getting married. All that is about to change, though, and the nation might soon resemble Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. The Coordination Framework, a political alliance of groups with ties to Iran, has controlled the Iraqi political system since 2021. They have enacted many laws that are based on the Sharia Law including criminalising homosexuals and transgenders and adopting religious holidays.

According to the coalition administration, the proposed amendment seeks to “protect” young girls and is consistent with the interpretation of the Sharia Law. The administration is anticipated to pass the legislation in spite of the objections from Iraqi women’s organizations because it has a legislative majority.

The fresh amendment: Disaster for women and children

The proposed modification to the Personal Status Law (PSL), the civil code that determines the legal foundation for social and family life in Iraq, gave Iraqi individuals two choices when they were married, they may choose between rules based on sectarian preferences or the modern, primarily secular law. However, the men alone will have the last say in this matter. This idea has sparked significant worries about the future of women’s and children’s rights in addition to deepening the religious divide.

The PSL, which was adopted in 1959, brought every element of society together under a single code while taking into account the human rights of women and children as well as Islamic precepts that apply to all faiths. Articles covering child custody, inheritance and alimony centred on the welfare of children and women and the marriage age was placed at eighteen. Moreover, to maintain uniformity in the jurisdiction over family matters, all marriages had to be contracted in front of a judge in the state court system otherwise the union was considered illegal.

The recently proposed modification undermines the strong checks and balances and centralized accountability that were made feasible earlier. This law would make family law arbitrary and dismiss human rights as well as social consequences by giving clerics most, if not all, of the decision-making authority over family problems.

The legalization of child marriage is the most significant outcome of the proposed amendment. The current PSL specifies that 18 is the legal marriage age. Girls as young as nine might be able to legally marry if this amendment is approved. In Iraq, child marriage is already a significant social problem. 28% of girls are married before they reach the current legal age, based on the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). This is due to a loophole in the personal status law that permits religious leaders, rather than the courts, to perform thousands of marriages annually, even ones involving girls as young as 15 who have their father’s consent.

These unregistered weddings are common in Iraq’s ultra-conservative Shia populations that are also economically disadvantaged. However, the girls and any children they might bear are denied numerous privileges because the marriage is not recognized by the law. For instance, if a woman does not have a marriage certificate, hospitals could refuse to accept her for childbirth. According to Human Rights Watch, the amendment would legalize these religious weddings, increasing the risk of sexual and physical abuse for underage girls and preventing them from accessing jobs and education.

The implications for young Iraqi girls, who already face difficulties, might be devastating if the proposed change is approved. A maelstrom of early pregnancies and associated health hazards, along with even fewer opportunities for education and financial security, would follow. According to data, 46.2% of Iraqi women who marry before turning 18 have only completed pre-primary education or have no formal education. Likewise, early marriages have negatively impacted children due to unwanted sexual interactions, domestic rape and domestic violence coupled with pregnancy and delivery hazards, according to a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report on child marriages in the Kurdistan area of Iraq.

The problem of child marriage, along with other clauses that limit mandatory child custody with the mother from ten years to as little as two years, impart preference to men in inheritance and child custody disputes, and waive child support obligations. It also institutionalizes gender discrimination and increases the vulnerability of women and young girls to exploitation.

Opposition and concerns regarding the law

A number of Iraqi lawyers, social activists and Sunni religious figures are opposing the proposed modifications. Women’s rights groups have taken to social media to express their outrage over the action, accusing the government of trying to “legalise child rape.” The 188 Alliance, a group that opposes gender discrimination and the oppression of Iraqi women and seeks to stop Iraq from becoming increasingly gender-segregated like Afghanistan, is among the primary opposition voices and organised agitations across the country in August. According to activists and experts, the amendment would essentially nullify the nation’s most significant women’s rights.

Sarah Sanbar, Iraq researcher at Human Rights Watch expressed, “The amendment would not just undermine these rights. It would erase them. It’s explicitly written in the draft that when there’s a dispute between the couple, the sect of the husband takes priority. This is going to remove a lot of protections for women. It will undermine the principle of equality before the law.” She was also worried that the amendment would grant Iraqi women from specific sects more economic autonomy and privileges while keeping others in violent marriages or impoverished. “(These women) will have to stay in harmful situations because they fear losing custody of their children,” she voiced.

“This is a catastrophe for women. My husband and my family oppose child marriage. But imagine if my daughter gets married and my daughter’s husband wants to marry off my granddaughter as a child. The new law would allow him to do so. I would not be allowed to object. This law legalises child rape,” said Raya Faiq. She serves as the coordinator for a coalition of organizations opposed to the proposed legislation. There are a few Iraqi MPs in the group as well.

Supporters of the new law confronted opponents during coalition-organized protests in Baghdad, the country’s capital, and many other cities, accusing them of “moral decadence” and “following Western agendas.” Nadia Mahmood, co-founder of the Iraq-based Aman Women’s Alliance mentioned, “Following the mass youth protests which took place in Iraq in 2019, these political players saw that the role of women had begun to strengthen in society. They felt that feminist, gender and women’s organisations, plus civil society and activist movements, posed a threat to their power and status (and) began to restrict and suppress them.”

Despite facing fierce resistance, a group of 25 female members of parliament have been working to prevent the proposed law from going to a second vote. The latest modifications will be formally discussed and then put to a vote by the Iraqi parliament. Alia Nassif, an Iraqi MP disclosed, “Unfortunately, male MPs who support this law speak in a masculine way, asking what’s wrong with marrying a minor? Their thinking is narrow-minded. They don’t take into consideration that they are the legislators who determine people’s fate but rather follow their masculine thinking to authorise all this.”

Protesters expressed their concern that if the legal amendments were implemented, their children would have to deal with a future that is much more cruel than their own. “I have one daughter and I don’t want her to be forced like me to marry as a child,” stated Azhar Jassim. She had to drop out of school to get married at the age of sixteen. The director of Model Iraqi Woman and international human rights legal counsel Athraa Al-Hassan expressed her “apprehension” that the Guardianship of the Jurist, a Shia system that prioritizes religious authority over the state, could replace Iraq’s current political structure. A similar arrangement is used by the governments of Iran and Afghanistan, where a Guardian Jurist is the nation’s top authority.

After failing to impose the death penalty, the ruling coalition made same-sex partnerships punishable by up to 15 years in prison in April. Additionally, it decided last year that media outlets should use “sexual deviance” instead of “homosexuality” across all platforms and even the word “gender” was prohibited. “What they aspire to in parliament is not in the interest of society, but their personal interest,” declared Al-Hassan. She is one of the most prominent figures in the nation’s feminist movement.

“We are defending the rights of women and girls (and) protecting Iraqi society from disintegration and the establishment of sectarianism among the social fabric,” she added. Al-Hassan called the amendment “extremely dangerous” and warned it was a “violation of the constitution” to meddle in the business of the Iraqi judiciary. “Iraq is a civilised civil state that cannot be otherwise. The first female minister in the Arab countries was Iraqi and the first female judge was Iraqi. We aspire to progress, not regress,” she asserted.

Iraq has long been plagued by sectarian strife. According to Dr Mansour, changing Law 188 would exacerbate already existing differences. “It would bring everything back to the sect. But many Iraqis don’t want to be defined politically by their sect. They want to be defined by their government and their state.”

The new amendment attempts to further regress the conservative Iraqi society and deepen the cracks of sectarianism and discrimination. It has caused shockwaves, particularly with reference to the status of women and children after the passage of the law.

Now, Congress and AIMIM’s Owaisi are on the same page: How both ally with SDPI during elections

OpIndia Staff
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Now, Congress and AIMIM’s Owaisi are on the same page: How both ally with SDPI during elections

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) has extended support to the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) candidate Azhar Tamboli from the Hadapsar seat in Maharashtra. The SDPI is the political wing of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI). On 7th November, AIMIM Maharashtra leader Ruhinaaz Sheikh announced that the party will support SDPI candidate Azhar Tamboli in the coming elections. Sheikh said that Tamboli would be a voice of Muslims in the Assembly.

Similarly, the SDPI has also supported AIMIM candidate from Aurangabad constituency Imtiaz Jaleel to make sure that the votes of the Muslim community does not get divided.

Notably, SDPI’s Azhar Tamboli had earlier this year, filed a petition seeking a ban on the film “Humaare Baarah” which shed light on the challenges endured by Muslim women as they are relegated to the stature of inferior beings and treated similarly to baby-making machines in their households, in the name of religion.

With AIMIM and SDPI joining forces for electoral gains, the Asaduddin Owaisi-led party and the Congress party have come on the same page. During the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, the SDPI extended support to the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). The SDPI had said that since the Congress-led alliance was opposing the BJP, it would support the UDF. The Congress party has demanded a ban on SPDI in Karnataka but had qualms about taking support from the same outfit in Kerala. Ahead of the Karnataka assembly elections last year, former deputy chief minister of Karnataka and Congress leader Gangadharaiah Parameshwara sought the help of SDPI to defeat the BJP.

Notably, the SDPI had made covert alliances with Congress in several seats to oust BJP from power during the Karnataka assembly elections of 2018. SDPI leader Ilyas Thumbe had revealed in March this year that SDPI in 2018 had taken back their candidates from more than 25 seats as a result of secret pacts with Congress. Congress also had withdrawn its candidacy from three constituencies with a Muslim majority for SDPI to contest. However, Congress has denied any pact made with the Islamic organization.

UP Police arrests five cow smugglers in Muzaffarnagar, including one linked to Azad Samaj Party

OpIndia Staff
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UP Police arrests five cow smugglers in Muzaffarnagar, including one linked to Azad Samaj Party

On Sunday (10th November), a shootout broke out on Muzaffarnagar’s Kukda Road after UP police stopped a gang smuggling cows. A gang member identified as Sandeep, was injured and hospitalised, while four others were arrested in a subsequent operation. The police seized a bike, an Ashok Leyland vehicle, and three alive cows from the spot. This gang used to steal stray animals and sell them for slaughter.

The police also arrested accused Lokesh Kumar, Kailash, Upesh Singh, and Deen Mohammad. Police seized three live cattle, a Max pickup truck, a motorcycle and a cartridge from the accused persons. According to journalist Sachin Gupta, one of the accused, Lokesh, had earlier served as a district vice president for Chandrashekhar Azad’s Azad Samaj Party.

Police said that the gang seized stray cattle at night and transported them for illegal sale. Meanwhile, attempts are being made to arrest the absconding accused while arrested people are being interrogated for further information on this cow smuggling gang.

Speaking about the arrests made in the matter, SP (city) Satyanarayan Prajapat said, “All arrested accused are residents of Muzaffarnagar. One of the two escapees is Chand, a Deoband native and gang boss. They collect stray animals from forest areas around the district and transport them to Haridwar and other locations where they have buyers. We have a team looking for the escaped gang members.”

Meanwhile, New Mandi SHO Dinesh Chand said that a case has been filed under different sections, including 109 (attempt to murder) of BNS and the Cow Slaughter Act. The officer added that the accused have been sent to jail, and further investigation is underway.

Congress leader Kamru Zzaman Choudhury objects to Maha Kumbh arrangements and spending, says gold from Hindu temples should be sold

OpIndia Staff
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Congress leader Kamru Zzaman Choudhury objects to Maha Kumbh arrangements and spending, says gold from Hindu temples should be sold

On Sunday, 10th November, Congress leader Kamru Zzaman Choudhury sparked a controversy during a debate on Times Now regarding the funds allocated by the state of Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming Maha Kumbh. During the debate, Kamru called for selling Temple gold and using it to clear the country’s debt.

Kamru objected to the funds allocated by UP for Maha Kumbh, stating that the Kumbh has been taking place since before the existence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). “We respect the Maha Kumbh. But the problem is, in the name of the Maha Kumbh and the Ram Mandir, thousands of crores have been siphoned off by the organisers.” When Times Now anchor Pranesh Kumar Roy questioned him over the allegations and asked for proof, he became defensive.

Roy then countered Kamru and asked for his views on the rampant land grabbing by the Waqf Boards occurring in the country. Kamru repeatedly dodged the questions, claiming that what happens at the Waqf Board level and in Hindu temples is completely different. According to him, there is nothing wrong occurring at the Waqf Boards.

In an attempt to divert the discussion from the Waqf Board and the land grabbing issue, Kamru, out of nowhere, suggested that selling all the gold in temples would make India debt-free. His statement angered BJP National Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari, who demanded an apology from Kamru, which was not forthcoming. In a post on X, Bhandari said, “Shocking! “Mandiro main itna Sona hai ki isko bech de” Congress officially says it wants to snatch the Gold that belongs to our temples and sell the gold! Congress has eyes on looting our temples! This is what Mughals did in past. Congress is Dangerous!”

When Roy questioned other panellists about their views on Kamru’s statement, SP’s IP Singh avoided the question and steered the debate in a completely different direction.

During the debate, SP’s IP Singh put forward questionable logic to support his claim that the Maha Kumbh is a scam. He listed several ongoing projects and argued that, as these projects remain incomplete, questions should also be raised about the Maha Kumbh. He claimed, “The way money was looted in the name of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and the Ghats in Banaras, around 50% of the money allotted for the Maha Kumbh is being looted.”

Kamru raised similar concerns during the debate, alleging that a “land scam” occurred in Ayodhya and asserting that it was never investigated. The controversy over the alleged land scam in Ayodhya, involving the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, centres on the trust purchasing land from Ansari at Rs 18.5 crore after he bought it from Kusum Pathak for Rs 2 crore. Allegations by AAP and SP of price inflation were based on both transactions being registered on the same day. However, evidence shows the original sale agreement between Kusum and Ansari was made in 2019, before land prices rose post-Ayodhya verdict. The trust’s acquisition ensured transparency, legality, and avoided potential title disputes, disproving claims of a scam. OpIndia’s detailed explanation busting the claims of scam can be checked here.

Rashtriya Ulama Council Spokesperson Adv Talha Rashidi joined in with further accusations. He questioned why the Waqf Board was being discussed in the debate when it is a body established by Parliament. Additionally, he objected to criticisms of the BJP for raising the issue of appeasement politics, claiming that similar appeasement occurs during festivals like the Kanwar Yatra and Rakshabandhan. He also questioned why there was opposition to reservations for Muslims in Maharashtra.

Interestingly, Rashidi ignored the fact that the majority of large Hindu temples are under government control and that a portion of the funds from these temples is used for welfare schemes. When Roy asked why it would be a problem if part of the money taken from temples is used for Hindu festivals, Rashidi had no response.

About Maha Kumbh 2025

The 45-day religious event, Maha Kumbh, is held once every 12 years along the banks of the Ganga in Prayagraj. The event will start on 14th January 2025. The estimated budget for the event is nearly Rs 6,382 crore, of which over Rs 5,600 crore had already been set aside by October 2024. Twelve years ago, when the Maha Kumbh was last held, the Samajwadi Party was in power, and the event had a budget of Rs 1,152 crore. Around 12 crore visitors attended the religious event over 45 days at that time. According to reports, an estimated 40 crore people may attend the Maha Kumbh this time. The funds are being spent on 1.45 lakh toilets, temporary parking areas, CCTV cameras, tents, and other arrangements. It is estimated that the state economy will get influx of around Rs 1.2 lakh crores from the event.

Congress-led MVA makes several promises for LGBTQIA+ community in manifesto for Maharashtra elections, including quota in govt jobs

OpIndia Staff
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Congress-led MVA makes several promises for LGBTQIA+ community in manifesto for Maharashtra elections, including quota in govt jobs

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday released the joined manifesto for Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) for the Maharashtra assembly elections. The manifesto of Congress, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) and NCP (Sharad Pawar) announced “five guarantees” for Maharashtra. The manifesto has promised a caste census, removal of the 50% cap on reservations, and monthly ₹3,000 for women in the state, among others.

However, one aspect of the manifesto that has drawn attention is its extensive focus on the LGBTQIA+ community. Apart from devoting an entire section to LGBTQIA+, the manifesto also mentions it in several other sections, making it read like a woke manifesto.

Most significantly, the Congress-led alliance promises reservation for LGBTQIA+ individuals in government jobs. The manifesto also promises to implement a special scholarship scheme for education of LGBTQIA+ people.

The MVA, if it comes to power, will form an advisory committee under the Law Commission to address the specific needs of the LGBTQIA+ community and take steps to amend and reform relevant laws. It further talks about establishing dedicated health and counselling centres to address the mental and health challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community and setting up special facilities for skill training to create livelihood opportunities for LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Under the Healthcare section of the manifesto, the alliance promises to ensure that disabled, marginalised and LGBTQIA+ become a part of the mainstream. Similarly, under Social Justice, MVA has promised to formulate an inclusive policy to ensure opportunities for differently-abled and LGBTQIA+ individuals across all sectors.

The pro-LGBTQIA+ stand taken by MVA is interesting, as the alliance is banking on Muslim votes to win the elections. Muslims are most opposed to the trans movement, and it is banned in most Muslim countries. Gay relationship is punishable by death in several Sharia-ruled Islamic nations. Therefore, the reaction of the Muslim groups, who have come together to support MVA, will be interesting to note.

The All India Ulema Board extended its support to the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance led by the Congress party, making some demands. It was also revealed that the Marathi Muslim Seva Sangh (MMSS) is collaborating with over 180 NGOs in the state and has been actively working within Muslim communities to boost voter enrollment, urging them to vote for the MVA alliance led by the Congress under the guise of spreading ‘vote awareness’. 

BJP also launched the party’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ (manifesto) for the Maharashtra assembly elections in Mumbai on Sunday.

After Saket Gokhale stopped Mata Jagran, devotees conduct aarti without bhajans in fear of losing jobs: Victims tell OpIndia, if they keep quiet today, next Holi-Diwali will be stopped

राहुल पाण्डेय
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After Saket Gokhale stopped Mata Jagran, devotees conduct aarti without bhajans in fear of losing jobs: Victims tell OpIndia, if they keep quiet today, next Holi-Diwali will be stopped

On Saturday, November 9, 2024, police in New Delhi’s capital forcibly halted a Durga Mata Jagran event, which was set to begin on Dr. Vishwambhar Das Marg. This action was taken on the orders of Saket Gokhale, a Member of Parliament from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) party. Devotees pleaded with Gokhale, appealing to his understanding of their faith, but he remained unmoved.

Eventually, the attendees were dispersed, leaving the pandal in silence for the entire night. The event was organized by the aides assigned to ministers and MPs. Circumstances forced the attendees to conclude the rituals with just an aarti, without bhajans. OpIndia visited the site on Sunday to report on the situation and gather updates.

The Restricted Location

The area where the Durga Mata prayer event was halted is within the Lutyens Delhi area and coms under CRPF supervision. In front of the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital across the Baba Kharak Singh Marg, several buildings have been constructed, where flats have been allotted to MPs of both houses of the parliament.

In one block on Vishwambhar Das Marg, there are three sections, Sindhu Apartments and Gomti Apartments, housing MPs and several central ministers, while the third block MS Flats is allotted to domestic aides of the residents of the other two buildings. There are several other buildings with flats for MPs and their aides located in the same zone. This high-security zone is under constant CRPF surveillance.

The Mata Jagran was held at the grounds of the MS Flats housing servant quarters, and is located close to nearby Brahmaputra Apartment, another building with flats for MPs.

The Incident

MS Flats residents told OpIndia that they had organized Durga Puja at the same location for over two decades. The celebration, beginning during Navratri, lasts 35 days, during which residents observe fasting. A feast (bhandara) was scheduled for Sunday, following the Jagran on Saturday, and the idol immersion was to take place on Monday.

Residents, including women, children, and the elderly, gathered on Saturday for the Jagran that started around 5 PM. The Jagran had only been underway for 15 minutes when the police arrived at the spot, and ordered the immediate shutdown of the religious event. When questioned, the police stated that MP Saket Gokhale had raised objections and asked to stop it.

Some attendees saw this as an insult to their faith, but when they protested, the police threatened to send them to jail. Scared of police action, they switched off the music system. Devotees even pleaded to clap and sing bhajans without the use of loud speakers, but the police did not even allow. The cops dispersed the crowd forcing them to leave the pandal deserted overnight.

Attempts to Negotiate

When devotees learned that the shutdown was ordered by TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale, they went as a group to request him to not block the event. Elders and former staff members who had worked with Gokhale for years also went to his residence.

They pleaded, but they were turned away and firmly told that the program would not be permitted. Allegedly, Gokhale threatened staff members with imprisonment or eviction from their quarters if they continue with the event. He also talked harshly to those who had worked under him earlier.

As a result, the employees, including lift operators and receptionists, returned without further argument fearing for their jobs. The staff also appealed to the media requesting to protect their jobs from being snatched away by Saket Gokhale.

It was also revealed by the organisers that earlier Gokhale had refused to accept an invitation to the event. He was the only MP to reject it, all other MPs residing in the area had accepted the invitation.

Residents were also puzzled by how actively Delhi Police enforced Saket Gokhale’s order to ban the event when no unlawful activities were taking place.

Noise Complaint from 300 Meters Away

Gokhale insisted that the bhajan noise was disturbing him, citing doctors’ advice against noise. He claimed that his mother is a heart patient and therefore the Jagran should not be held. Devotees argued that the pandal was 300 meters away and the sound won’t travel so much.

They also suggested doing the bhajan with only clapping instead of using microphones. Still, Gokhale was firm, saying he wouldn’t allow the event to proceed even without loudspeakers.

A Blow to Faith

On Sunday, November 10, OpIndia visited the site and found only a dozen people near the deserted pandal. A few children were softly singing bhajans. Residents told OpIndia that their religious sentiments had been deeply hurt. Fearing repercussions, even the nine young girls traditionally invited for blessings were reluctant to attend.

Eventually, a few girls and devotees arrived for the aarti and bhandara but felt disheartened by the lack of respect for their faith. For the sake of continuing the rituals, the organisers asked some children to sing bhajans in low voice, hoping that even if Saket Gokhale objects to it, the police would dismiss them as minors.

Devotees said that instead of using loudspeakers, now bhajans are also being sung in very low voices, almost like whispers. However, at around 1 pm, some girls and devotees came out of the houses and concluded the aarti bhandara properly. Despite this, it kept hitting in the minds of the people that no one respected their faith.

Affected Across the Nation, Predominantly Dalits

The people affected by Gokhale’s Tughlaki sermon hail from various states across India, including Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Majority of people who pleaded with Gokhale to allow the Mata Jagran belong to the Dalit community.

They left in disappointment after Gokhale didn’t relent, while women who had come to sing Durga Mata’s bhajans left in tears.

Fear Over Future Festivities

Residents, mostly working as household workers for MPs and ministers, expressed concerns to OpIndia, fearing their jobs might be at risk after this report is published. But still, they felt compelled to speak, saying, “If we remain silent, today’s Jagran may lead to bans on future festivals like Holi and Diwali.”

One woman said that while Mamata Banerjee is providing homes to slum dwellers, her MP is threatening even his own staff of evicting from their residences. Women said that they have been worshipping with bells, conch shells, and drums in previous years, but weren’t even allowed to clap this time. One woman said, “Seeing media, we gathered the courage to speak.”

“We Will Host the Jagran, Let Them Try to Stop Us”

Delhi BJP leader Adesh Gupta visited the location where Saket Gokhale had halted the Mata Jagran. Calling Gokhale’s actions reflective of TMC’s stance, Gupta condemned the incident and announced plans to hold a grand Jagran at the same location within a week, challenging anyone to stop it.

Gupta also attacked AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal over the incident, saying that both Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee share the same political agenda.

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj also arrived, saying that she is monitoring the situation and will release a statement soon after studying the situation. During this, the people their chanted slogans like “Saket Gokhale Murdabad”, “Arvind Kejriwal Murdabad”, “TMC Murdabad” etc.

US: Minnesota man kills wife, ex-partner, two sons and himself, was afraid of ‘being burned at the stake or being crucified on a burning cross’ after Donald Trump’s victory

Raju Das
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US: Minnesota man kills wife, ex-partner, two sons and himself, was afraid of ‘being burned at the stake or being crucified on a burning cross’ after Donald Trump’s victory

While the far leftists who promised to leave the USA if Donald Trump winds have not done it yet, an apparently mentally disturbed man killed his family, ex-family and himself fearing that the Trump regime will crucify them on a burning cross or burn them at the stake. The shocking incident took place in Minnesota on Thursday when a man killed his wife, ex-partner and two sons by shooting at them and then shot himself to death.

The perpetrator 46-year-old Anthony Nephew was found dead inside his house, along with the bodies of his wife and their son. In a separate house in the same locality, his ex-partner and their son were also found shot dead.

Police were first called to a house in the afternoon on Thursday, where they found the bodies of Erin Abramson (47) and her son Jacob Nephew (15). Erin Abramson was in a relationship with Anthony Nephew earlier, and Jacob was their son. The police launched a probe, and based on the investigation, identified Jacob as a suspect.

Accordingly, they reached his house and surrounded it. But when they entered the house, they encountered another crime scene. The police found the dead bodies of Anthony, his 45-year-old wife Kathryn and their 7-year-old son Oliver, all dead from gunshot wounds.

It didn’t take long for Police to conclude that Anthony shot his ex-partner, wife and two sons before shooting himself. While police have not determined the motive of the crime, they said that Anthony Nephew had a pattern of mental health issues. This includes an irrational fear of being persecuted if Donald Trump returns to the White House.

His social media posts in recent months show that he had turned into a conspiracy theorist, talking about aliens and ‘harnessing the power of the centre of the galaxy’. Ahead of the presidential elections, he had become extremely concerned about the prospect of Trump winning the elections and becoming the president.

He feared that if the Republicans returned to power, they would torture and kill him and his family. One of his posts said, ‘I am terrified of religious zealots inflicting their misguided beliefs on me and my family. I have intrusive thoughts of being burned at the stake as a witch, or crucified on a burning cross.’

He claimed that ‘religious zealots’, and apparently a reference to the right wing, actually believe that he or his sons are ‘Satan or, the anti-Christ or whatever their favorite color of boogie man they are afraid are this week.’ Nephew further alleged that Republicans will make it difficult for women to get divorced even if they are in bad relationships.

Anthony Nephew earlier had admitted to his mental health issues, and called himself a ‘suicide survivor’. It is believed that after Donald Trump secured a landslide victory, a paranoid Anthony Nephew took the extreme step of eliminating his entire family with himself. Although Erin was his ex-partner and Jacob his son with her, they had close relationships with his current family.

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