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.
Only a few days are left for voting in the Jharkhand assembly elections. Meanwhile, the issue of Bangladeshi infiltrators and demographic change has heated up in the state. From time to time, news of love jihad, land jihad, illegal infiltration, and forced conversion etc. keep coming from various places of Jharkhand. This time the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has raised this issue seriously.
This area, associated with tribal history, has become the center point of the election battle, with districts like Sahibganj, Dumka, and Pakur the main focal points. Meanwhile Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) is promising a monthly assistance of Rs 2,500 for women, and higher minimum support price (MSP) to farmers.
On the other hand, the BJP’s campaign is about tribal identity (Adivasi Asmita). The BJP is loudly raising the issue of illegal immigration in the state, due to which uncontrolled settlements built illegally are changing the demography of the area. At the same time, JMM is rejecting the allegations of demographic change, and says that the BJP is creating fear.
Meanwhile, Organiser’s report tells a different story. A team of Organiser visited the so-called Muslim dominated areas of Santhal Pargana in Jharkhand. There, 35 Hindu families are struggling to preserve and maintain their traditions amidst many challenges. These Hindu families are surrounded by more than 11,000 Muslim families in that area.
How 35 Hindu families surrounded by 11,000 Muslim families live in Jharkhand's #Santhal Pargana?
-They stop the music five times a day during Chhat Puja. -They pay 'tax' to Muslims as they reap produce in 'Muslim area' -They don't put rangoli on the street. -Their cows get… pic.twitter.com/41lgLpwMoU
However, when the Organiser team reached Santhal Pargana, Hindu families were celebrating Chhath Puja despite pressure from Muslim families in the area. In villages like Mansingha and Rajmahal, Hindu families have almost disappeared, while Mosques and madrasas have come up every few kilometres.
These are the areas about which the BJP has been constantly expressing concern. The isolated Hindu communities in this area face many challenges. The local Muslim majority does not even allow them to fish, thus, they have moved away from this profession.
Speaking to the Organiser, Dhani Chaudhary from the area said, “We have been paying tax for years, but things changed after 2014 when we felt that the central government has supported us. This change also brought challenges. Now we are not allowed to go to fishing areas.” Another villager, Ashok Chaudhary, talked about celebrating the Chhath festival under pressure.
Chaudhary said, “Even during weddings, controversies are created due to music. When azan is given or namaz is read, the baraat has to go silent. If this is not done, then the occasion is often spoiled by quarrels and fights with us.”
Another resident, Rajkumar Chowdhury, expressed apprehension about the rapid demographic change. “These newcomers are not the Muslims of our country. Their number is increasing month by month and soon they will spread to Bengal,” he said. Chhath Puja has become more than just a festival amid demographic change. It is a message of resilience.
All is not well for Hindus in the area
Hindus who spoke to journalist Aditi Tyagi, who went to Madhupur for ground reporting of the elections, also expressed similar sentiments. An elderly Hindu said that Hindus are not even allowed to get water from wells. When Aditi asked the elderly man what the main election issues of the people there were, the elderly man choked up and said – getting a well.
जोहार झारखंड My question बाबा, क्या मुद्दा है यहां? बुज़ुर्ग (भावुक होकर) हम गए यहां पर कुआं मांगने, कहा हिंदु समाज है कुआं नहीं मिलेगा… ये है मधुपुर का हाल pic.twitter.com/awzU3JgyDu
He said, “We went to local minister Hafizul Ansari four months ago to get a well constructed. He refused to help and said Hindus will not get anything.” He said that Muslims get all the facilities, but Hindus get nothing. Pointing to his field, he said, “If we had a well, we could grow vegetables.”
Durga idol immersion is also not allowed
Another local Hindu resident narrated his ordeal and said that an attempt was made to burn down the house of a Hindu man named Pradeep Modi. He said, “During Durga Puja, our idol immersion procession was stopped… During this Durga Puja, pressure was maintained from the police station to every other department.” The man also blamed Minister Hafizul Ansari for this situation.
He said that Minister Hafizul Ansari has been pressurising the local administration to not allow Hindus to celebrate festivals and organize events. He said, “Wherever Hindus become a minority, they do not allow us to play DJ during azaan or take out processions through Muslim-dominated areas.”
जोहार झारखंड "दुर्गा पूजा में हमारा मूर्ति विसर्जन का जुलूस रोक दिया था…इसी दुर्गा पूजा पर …थाना से लेकर हर डिपार्टमेंट में दबाव बनाकर रखा जाता है.." मधुपुर में ये क्या कह रहे हैं! @nishikant_dubey जी pic.twitter.com/Cvsgksidgn
In another video, Hindu women shared their ordeal. They told how Muslims pelted stones on them in Gopinathpur in June this year. An elderly man standing nearby said, “They were more than 10,000 in number. The police could not control them. They had to fire in the air to disperse the crowd. It was only because of the police that we were all saved that day.”
The Hindu woman said, “They still attack us. They enter our homes.” The situation in places in Jharkhand where Hindus are now in minority has become dangerous. Demographic and cultural tensions are very high in these areas. Whether they will be able to vote freely in this election or not is also a big question.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the efforts of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) for displaying efficiency and earning Rs 2,364 crore in just three years through the sale of scrap from various government offices.
In a remarkable display of efficiency and sustainability, the Government of India has earned Rs 2,364 crore in just three years through the sale of scrap from various government offices.
Reacting to the social media post of Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh, PM Modi said, “Commendable! By focussing on efficient management and proactive action, this effort has attained great results. It shows how collective efforts can lead to sustainable results, promoting both cleanliness and economic prudence.”
Launched under the Special Campaign 4.0, the initiative has not only contributed significantly to the state exchequer but also promoted cleanliness and economic prudence across government departments.
Seperately, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, on November 7, stated that the DPIIT’s drive to eliminate physical files and disposal of scrapped materials has freed up 15,847 square feet of space and generated revenue amounting to Rs 16,39,452.
The DPIIT has successfully completed various initiatives under Special Campaign 4.0, aimed at institutionalising cleanliness (Swachhata) and minimising pendency in the Government, the ministry said.
During the campaign, attention has been given for overall improvement of the working environment in the offices to ensure improved work experience for the staff. A total of 58,545 physical files were reviewed and 15,816 files have been weeded out.
The weeding out of physical files and scrap disposal has resulted in 15,847 square feet free space and Rs 16,39,452 of revenue generation.
In the matter of pendency disposal, all the Public Grievances, PG Appeals, rules for simplification identified as target; have been disposed of. A total of 300 cleanliness drives were conducted by DPIIT at 70 locations across the country. DPIIT and its organizations adopted a number of best practices, the release said.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is a government agency under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry that develops and implements policies to promote industrial growth in India, aligning with the nation’s socio-economic goals and priorities.
Established in 1995, DPIIT merged with the Department of Industrial Development in 2000. It is responsible for formulating and executing policies to support the industrial sector’s growth, considering national priorities and socio-economic objectives.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah lashed out at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, accusing him of being with those leaders who opposed the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and insulted Veer Savarkar.
Shah was speaking at the launch of the party’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ (manifesto) for the Maharashtra assembly elections in Mumbai on Sunday.
“Uddhav ji, I can’t decide where you sit. But I want to tell you that you’re sitting with those who opposed the abrogation of Article 370. You’re sitting with those who opposed the construction of Ram Janambhoomi temple. You’re sitting with those who speak ill of Savarkar. You’re sitting with those who opposed CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) and UCC (Uniform Civil Code),” Shah remarked.
The Home Minister further challenged Thackeray to ask Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi to speak “good” about Savarkar. He also asked whether Congress leaders can do the same for Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.
“I want to ask Uddhav Thackeray from this stage. Can he ask Rahul Gandhi to say something good about Veer Savarkar? Can any Congress leader speak something to honour Balasaheb Thackeray? This is an internal (ideological) difference. People of Maharashtra should take note of such contradictions in the MVA alliance,” he said.
Attacking the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance further, Shah accused them of indulging in ‘appeasement politics’. He also accused the MVA alliance of rejecting people’s mandate in 2019 because of their greed to come to power.
“I want to categorically state that the MVA alliance and their schemes are only meant to do appeasement politics. They are insulting to ideologies and meant to betray the culture of Maharashtra just to gain power. I want to appeal that you vote for the Mahayuti government for the third time. In 2014, you gave us the mandate. We were mandated to form the government in 2019, but the people’s mandate was rejected because of the greed to come to power. However, something that is not legitimate (or is banavati) doesn’t stand for long,” Shah said.
Amit Shah launched the Sankalp Patra (manifesto) of BJP offering 25 guarantees. He was accompanied by various senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders including Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who said that through this manifesto PM Modi’s visions are being realised in Maharashtra.
The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with votes for all 288 constituencies to be counted on November 23. The opposition MVA coalition, comprising Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Nationalist Congress Party (SCP), seeks to reclaim power in the state, challenging the Mahayuti alliance, which includes Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Ajit Pawar-led NCP.
On 9th November, a 35-year-old Indian Railways employee met a tragic death after being trapped between the locomotive and one of the coaches of a train. The incident occurred during a shunting operation at Barauni Junction in the Begusarai district of Bihar. The victim has been identified as Pointsman Amar Kumar Raut, who was crushed by the side buffers of the locomotive and the coach.
किसी की दुर्घटना में दुखद मृत्यु पर इस तरह की घटिया राजनीति इस देश के नेता प्रतिपक्ष के कद को छोटा करती है। इस घटना की जांच हो गई है और निष्कर्ष निकला है कि मृतक के सह कर्मी मोहम्मद सुलेमान की गलती और लापरवाही की वजह से कांटावाला अमर कुमार की जान गई। अगर समझ और संवेदना शून्य नहीं… https://t.co/Lb3CUO773Xpic.twitter.com/8VP9sxsur0
Reports suggest that the tragic incident took place when he was decoupling the engine of the Lucknow-Barauni Express after its termination at Barauni Junction. Amar Kumar was between the engine and the coach to close the Centre Buffer Coupler, and was standing between the side buffers of the engine and the coach. Suddenly, the loco pilot moved the engine backwards, crushing Kumar between the side buffers.
Now, it has been revealed that it was caused by a human error. However, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi chose to use this accident to attack the government. He accused the Modi govt of only for Adani and not for others.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi shared a screenshot of a Times of India report on the matter and wrote, “When will the common people be safe, Modiji? You are just busy making ‘one’ Adani safe. This horrific picture and news is the result of long-standing negligence, neglect, and deliberate low recruitment by Indian Railways.”
आम लोग कब safe होंगे, मोदी जी? आप तो बस 'एक' अडानी को safe करने में लगे हुए हैं।
ये भयावह तस्वीर और खबर भारतीय रेल की लंबी लापरवाही, उपेक्षा और जान बूझकर की गई कम भर्तियों का परिणाम है। pic.twitter.com/JEfiMXvY53
Rahul Gandhi described it as “negligence, neglect, and deliberate low recruitment by Indian Railways.”
But, it has been now revealed that the accident took place because of a grave mistake by one of the Railway employees involved in the shunting operation. As per a probe by the Railways, Pointsman Mohammed Suleman “mistakenly” signalled the loco shunter to move the locomotive, leading to Amar becoming trapped.
According to information shared by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya, railway officials found during their investigation that “due to the failure of proper coordination and harmony between Pointsman Mohammed Suleman and Pointsman Amar Kumar, a state of confusion led to an incorrect signal being given by Mohammed Suleman to the loco shunter, which caused the accident.”
Therefore, although it was a case of negligence, it was the negligence of one particular employee.
Chronology of events
According to the report submitted by the investigation team set up by East Central Railway general manager Chhatrasal Singh, the chronology of the events is as follows.
Source: Incognito_qfs/X
On 9th November 2024, at 08:10, train number 15204 (Lucknow-Barauni Express) arrived on line number 06 at Barauni Station. The station master directed Pointsmen Mohammed Suleman and Amar Kumar Raut to detach the engine. By 08:12, the loco shunter took charge of the locomotive, and at 08:15, the train, along with its load, was moved to the fueling point for refuelling the power car.
At approximately 08:27, Pointsman Mohammed Suleman signalled for a buffer and indicated the loco shunter to move forward using a hand gesture. Shortly after, at 08:28, Suleman again used a hand gesture to signal the engine to move backwards. Then, at around 08:29, Suleman rushed back and urgently signalled for the engine to move forward. This series of events led to several people running towards the engine, sensing something had gone wrong.
By 10:15, the engine and the power car were detached to extract the body of Amar Kumar, who had been trapped between the engine and the coach (LWLRRM). At 11:10, the body was removed from the track and subsequently sent for post-mortem at 12:15 via ambulance.
The investigation, based on CCTV footage, witness statements, and available evidence, concluded that the lack of proper coordination and harmony between Pointsman Mohammed Suleman and Pointsman Amar Kumar resulted in confusion. This confusion led Suleman to give an incorrect signal to the loco shunter, which ultimately caused the accident. The responsibility for the incident was attributed to Mohammed Suleman (Pointsman) at Barauni.
However, in a statement, Suleman has denied that he was responsible, and blames the shunting pilot instead. He claims that the loco pilot moved the engine even though he didn’t give any signal using hand gestures or a whistle. He said that he was standing near the engine in front of the shunter at the time of the incident.
Karnataka Government’s Principal Secretary, Revenue Department has written to all Regional Commissioners and District Commissioners related to the Waqf issue.
The letter warns of disciplinary action against officials, who alter land mutation records and issue eviction notices to farmers under the Waqf Act.
The order issued on November 9, states to withdraw all notices served to farmers and to immediately take back the land mutation orders served by any authority and also to stop mutation work.
Kataria, reminded officials of a recent meeting convened by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The meeting addressed complaints regarding certain land properties being transferred to the Karnataka Board of Waqfs.
Siddaramaiah issued a strict directive to officials to immediately retract all notices sent to farmers concerning waqf land issues, emphasising that no disturbances should be caused to the farmers, according to a statement by the Chief Minister’s Office.
In Karnataka’s Vijayapura district, there has been a significant rise in land claims by the Waqf Board, affecting farmers’ ancestral lands, temples, government buildings, and even centrally protected monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
This situation has caused severe distress among local farmers and landowners, who are witnessing their generational land rights challenged without proper notification or due process.
More than 15,000 acres in Vijayapura District alone have been claimed, including ancestral farmland vital for local farmers’ livelihoods. Over 1,500 acres of farmland across 89 survey numbers in Honavada village in Tikota Taluk alone have been unilaterally claimed as Waqf property, according to a press statement.
Many farmers in Babaleshwar Taluk have also received notices stating that their lands are now classified as Waqf property under the Waqf Act. Claims extend to temples and mutt lands, such as the Someshwara Temple (Chalukyan era) and Virakta Mutt (dating to the 12th century), added the statement.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill Jagdambika Pal visited and conducted a meeting with the farmers, whose land has been declared as ‘Waqf property’ in Karnataka.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
On 9 November, Lallantop published an over one-hour-long interview with Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) leader Aaditya Thackeray, which exposed the party’s disconnect from ground reality. Aaditya’s interview with Lallantop’s Saurabh Dwivedi has sparked debate over the party’s leadership capabilities and credibility. While the aim of the interview appeared to be presenting a strong narrative and positioning Aaditya as the emerging face of Maharashtra politics, several points raised during the interview prompted serious questions and invited scepticism.
During the interview, Aaditya Thackeray’s claim that no mob lynching happened in Maharashtra became the focal point of criticism on social media.
Aaditya Thackeray claimed Maharashtra experienced zero mob lynchings
The most shocking aspect of the interview was when Aaditya claimed that Maharashtra did not experience mob lynching incidents under Shiv Sena’s leadership when his father Uddhav Thackeray was Chief Minister of the state in coalition with Congress and the NCP. He attempted to imply that his party is committed to communal harmony.
Innocent Soul of Pallghar Sadhus must be cursing Uddhav & Aditya Thakrey
They lost power due to curse
They lost Party due to curse
Lynched in broad daylight during tenure of Uddhav Thakrey as CM
— Saffron Swamy- Modi's Family (@SaffronSwamyy) November 9, 2024
However, his assertion was challenged almost immediately after the clip of the interview went viral, not only by social media users but also by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders. It is a fact that under his family’s legacy, the state witnessed one of the most horrific incidents of mob lynching, the Palghar incident.
Rebutting his claims, BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya wrote, “Aaditya Thackeray can’t seem to remember the Palghar lynchings, perhaps because those lynched were saffron-clad sadhus and the grandson of Balasaheb Thackeray despises everything Hindu… Maharashtra will never forgive the Maha Vinaash Agadhi.” In his post, he shared a video clip of a dramatic recreation of the incident.
Aditya Thackeray can’t seem to remember Palghar lynchings, perhaps because those lynched were saffron clad sadhus and grandson of Balasaheb Thackeray despises everything Hindu…
On 16th April 2020, two Sadhus of Juna Akhara, Chikne Maharaj Kalpavrukshagiri (70), and Sushilgiri Maharaj (35) were lynched along with their 30-year old driver by a mob. The incident took place at Gadchinchale village in Palghar district, Maharashtra. They were on their way to Surat, Gujarat. The police were present at the scene, but they allegedly did not try to stop the mob or did anything to save the sadhus.
The police had initially claimed that their team which had rushed to the spot to rescue the 70-year-old man also came under the attack of the violent mob. However, later videos emerged that completely debunked the claim of the police. Contrary to the claims, the police personnel had allegedly handed over the Sadhus to the frenzied mob, which went on to beat them to death in front of the policemen.
Several reports that emerged in the wake of the bloodcurdling lynching hinted that the brutal murder of the Hindu sadhus may not have been an act of spontaneity but a part of a broader conspiracy designed to eliminate the Hindu priests. An FIR into the case revealed an ultra-left connection to the lynching as it mentioned that a CPI(M) gram panchayat member had allegedly gathered a mob armed with rods and stones to kill the sadhus.
“The modus operandi by cutting trees and placing boulders to obstruct movement is also a common stratagem used by Naxalites against their preys,” the had FIR mentioned.
Reports also emerged that the killing of the Sadhus may have been intentional and politically motivated. The involvement of Christian Missionary organisations and some local NCP leaders and leftists were also suspected.
The horrifying lynching had shaken the collective conscience of the country, with voices emerging from several parts of the country to bring the perpetrators of the heinous crime to the book. Several politicians, across the political spectrum, came together to demand strict action against the culprits so that such incidents are never repeated in the future and a strong precedent is set.
Eventually, Palghar SP Gaurav Singh was sent on compulsory leave and five police personnel were suspended. Besides, 35 police officers from the local Kasa police station were also transferred as the public fury shifted towards the government for taking exemplary action against the police officers responsible for handing over the sadhus to the bloodthirsty mob. Four days after the incident, the case was transferred to the CID, even as demands for a CBI inquiry into the matter steadily gained momentum. In fact, four separate petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court demanding CBI or NIA probe into the lynching incident.
Defections and betrayal allegations reveal party fractures
During the interview, Aaditya claimed that Eknath Shinde’s choice to break the party and join hands with the BJP was the “worst form of betrayal”. He suggested that Shinde’s decision was rooted in personal ambition rather than ideological differences. However, he completely ignored the fact that his portrayal failed to acknowledge the internal strife and discontent that had been brewing within the Shiv Sena ranks for years.
Shiv Sena, a party that used to be at the forefront of Hindu ideology, joined hands with Congress for the sake of power. The only reason for joining forces with a party like Congress was to make Uddhav Thackeray Chief Minister of the state, something that the BJP had refused to do at that time. After joining hands with Congress, Uddhav did not miss a single opportunity to demean Hindutva ideology for the sake of vote politics, leading to ideological differences within the party ranks. The leadership’s decision to break away from the BJP and align with Congress and the NCP was cited as a catalyst, reflecting more on internal mismanagement than a singular act of defection.
The ‘Pappu 2’ narrative and political resilience
Aaditya mentioned that the BJP calls him “Pappu 2” and attempted to showcase his resilience against what he described as character assassination. However, it was merely an attempt to gain public sympathy rather than addressing substantial governance issues that led to the nickname. Terming it as a personal attack was a deflection from answering how his leadership and his party’s ideological stance measured up in terms of tangible results, including economic development, public welfare, and appeasement politics.
Thackeray defended his role in “protecting” the Aarey forest and promoting environmental sustainability. However, the reality is that the relentless and baseless accusations of clearing the “ecologically sensitive” Aarey forest led to delays in running the much-needed metro train in the city. Furthermore, the development cost skyrocketed due to the delay in completing the project.
The uncontrolled focus on environmental stances has sometimes come at the expense of infrastructure development, industrial growth and job creation in Maharashtra. While conservation is important, the state cannot afford to overlook projects that promise economic growth, especially when neighbouring states like Gujarat benefit from industrial shifts. Opposition leaders in Maharashtra, as well as on the national political platform, often criticise the central government for allegedly transferring job opportunities out of Maharashtra—a move that requires more evidence than rhetoric.
Dharavi redevelopment questions linger
Thackeray’s scepticism over the Dharavi redevelopment project and its handling under the Adani Group raised eyebrows. He claimed that BMC premiums were misallocated. However, his accusations appear politically motivated, coming at a time when redevelopment projects are crucial for Mumbai’s economic revitalisation. Dharavi is not only dubbed as Asia’s largest slum, but it is also a hub of countless illegal activities. Redevelopment will help in eliminating the slum and, at the same time, provide a better life and opportunities to its residents—something that leaders like Aaditya seem unable to fathom.
Aaditya Thackeray’s recent interview showcased a disconnect between rhetoric and reality. His claim of no mob lynchings in Maharashtra was immediately met with backlash, with reminders of the brutal Palghar lynching of Hindu saints under his party’s watch. The interview highlighted the Shiv Sena’s leadership flaws, its focus on political narratives over development, and environmental stances that stalled crucial projects like metro train.
Posts circulating on social media reveal that police across China have been targeting private business owners, freezing assets, and demanding money in return for releasing funds as per a report in the Voice of America.
Zhang Ke (not the real identity), a man hiding from police in Guangzhou since September, says he has done nothing wrong but is evading authorities to avoid extortion.
His ordeal began in July when all of his bank accounts were frozen by the Nanle County Public Security Bureau in Henan province. The reason: Zhang’s sports lottery distributor business, which he ran by offering clients a way to gamble remotely. In exchange for lifting the freeze, police demanded USD 55,000 — nearly the entirety of Zhang’s earnings, Voice of America (VOA) reported.
According to Zhang, he is far from alone. Nearly 10,000 incidents of asset freezes have been reported in just Guangzhou province, with many businesses, like Zhang’s, left vulnerable to such extortion.
Zhang’s business, which involves gambling on behalf of clients through social media platforms, operates in a grey area of Chinese law. While the sale of physical lottery tickets is regulated, the sale of sports lottery tickets online is prohibited.
However, Zhang’s company does not distribute physical tickets, making the law’s interpretation subjective and open to exploitation. Zhang believes the legal ambiguity allows cross-provincial police officers to exploit business owners for profit. “The lack of clarity and standards for interpretation provides these cross-provincial police officers an opportunity to incriminate tens of thousands of store owners,” Zhang explained.
The practice of what internet users are calling “offshore fishing” has become a widespread issue. Police from one province are seizing assets from businesses in other provinces, often transferring money directly into personal accounts, reported VOA.
“The police asked them for money and the money was then transferred to the policemen’s personal accounts, not to the public security bureau’s corporate accounts,” Zhang added.
Experts point to the country’s economic downturn as a driving factor behind this rise in unlawful enforcement.
Teng Biao, a professor at Hunter College, explained that local governments, once reliant on land sales for revenue, have been turning to “offshore fishing” as a means to fill their coffers. “The local governments used to rely on selling land for financial resources. But the economic downturn and crippled property market stripped them of that option,” he said as per the report by VOA.
Many business owners, including Zhang, have been forced to pay these illegal fines to avoid arrest. “If you don’t give the police money, you’re going to be locked up,” he said.
Zhang now believes his only option is to leave China altogether. “I don’t want to live in this land of China anymore; it’s disgusting,” he stated.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
Rahul Gandhi has recently written an article for a newspaper about his “new deal” for Indian business and also a video about how he is not “anti-business” but only anti-monopoly”.
Choose your India:
Play-Fair or Monopoly? Jobs or Oligarchies? Competence or Connections? Innovation or Intimidation? Wealth for many or the few?
I write on why a New Deal for Business isn't just an option. It is India's future. pic.twitter.com/sGbC89ZFMF
While this may seem like a positive development, given his vitriolic attacks on Indian businesses especially ones engaged in infrastructure and other businesses with long cycles, there are more than enough reasons to be sceptical.
Let us go into the details.
First, the article for Indian Express. Astute observers like Padmaja have alleged that the article is plagiarised from Edmund Burke’s paper for Cambridge, enhanced with some AI masala.
This is Plagiarism, just read two lines and realized this article is a smartly copied view of Chapter 13—Edmond Burke on India -published online by Cambridge University Press on 05 December 2012 and later improved by one of the AI platforms. There is no need to read further.…
There were several high-profile reactions to the allegation as well.
Would be interesting to see original copy of chapter 13 in Edmond Burke’s 2012 work from which @RahulGandhi’s op-ed is allegedly plagiarised. If so, editors at @IndianExpress have very poor ability to spot plagiarism. So too Rahul’s PR-edit team whose bright idea this was. https://t.co/dE3moO0Hpj
In any case, it is quite likely ghost-written by some Palazzo serf. After all, the Crown Prince has in the past been photographed copying a simple obituary message from his mobile phone! His intellectual power is the stuff of WhatsApp jokes and memes.
Let us set aside the plagiarism part – frankly, I have not read the Burke article and I cannot confirm. In any case, what matters is what he is saying. Ghostwriting is also not uncommon among political leaders, let us skip that too. To be fair, he won’t be the first or only one and it is OK as leaders use aides and experts to write stuff. In a way that is better than spouting his own nonsense.
I’m not even going into the issue of an entitled dynast from a family that monopolised power and privilege and wants to continue to do so in perpetuity, using a corrupt feudal ecosystem of media coolies, talking like a saint about monopoly. Let’s give him a free pass on that.
The gist of that article is that he links East India Company’s colonial loot with modern monopolies and offers us a “new deal” for “progressive” businesses. Bizarrely he lists Bajaj Auto among the companies that have “innovated” and “played by rules” in contrast with the “monopolies”. Ask your father or grandpa who had to wait years for a scooter that didn’t change much for years when Bajaj was the only game in town during the dynasty era! Small mercy he did not list Ambassador Car or Hindustan Motors, guess he too is clever enough to know they are out of business since the competition arrived.
The article was followed by a media campaign by the usual serfs to sell the article and its alleged author as some revolutionary that has come to clean up the Indian economy. It is amazing to watch the low bar the Darbari media ecosystem sets for the shehzada. Presumably, they think he is a dimwit so even putting out this article is a great sign of intellectual maturity and sagacity.
Rajdeep Sardesai immediately declared it a “model” and wanted a debate with the Modi model! Is writing an article, plagiarised or otherwise, for a newspaper or portal a “model”?!
Story that caught the eye: @RahulGandhi writes an op-ed in @IndianExpress to expand on his ‘New Deal’ views on big business and his stand against monopolistic tendencies. Maybe we should have a debate between the Rahul and Modi model of doing business in India? pic.twitter.com/ZLo1Y2j8JJ
Shall we debate the “Ganesh model” then?! Rajdeep had no guts to question why that “model” was not implemented in states ruled by Congress or the nation when it had ample time to do so. After all, not just Bajaj and Ambassador, numerous other monopolies flourished in the dynastic loot era in a mutually convenient neta-babu-lala ecosystem. More on that later.
As if that article were not revolutionary enough he followed up with a short video on X where he declared he is not anti-business.
Now let us get to the meat of this article! Is this a sign of big change? Should we be fooled again?
Good news first – the very fact that he writes such articles and posts such videos is a sign of progress. He has not bothered all these years while spewing venom against businesses that takes us right back to the Nehru-Indira era of socialism. Clearly someone with brains is telling him – enough is enough and he should present himself as a PM role aspirant not some Maoist NGO activist. Small though the mercy is, it is to be welcomed.
After all, we know that Nehru-Indira socialism was just a facade for rent-seeking politicians, corrupt babus and crooked businessmen to continue to enjoy monopoly, producing the same product for decades without innovation, preventing entry of newcomers and imports. It was justified with grandiose statements of ideology and subaltern politics. Corrupt leftist academia/media ecosystem, in exchange for table scraps of loot, favours and gigs, sang praise of this system while the rest of India withered away or ran abroad. We saw countries like Indonesia or Malaysia that did not have this burden race ahead.
Even Modi Sarkar couldn’t completely take down this edifice of babudom because it is so well entrenched in years of dynastic loot rule. Every step forward he takes, he must face the entire ecosystem hollering blue murder, planting articles in the media. Like Congress forced to use ‘soft Hindutva’, Modi has also been forced to use ‘soft reforms’.
But there are more than enough reasons to be sceptical about this change if it is indeed one. Like his embrace of OBC politics and his sudden love for the constitution (or a red book with blank pages), this too could be a too-clever-by-half trick simply to get back to power again in Delhi so damaadshri can get back to his good old days.
He has not repudiated the neta-babu-lala ecosystem that Congress empowered, which resulted in exploitative monopolies and miserable products and services for consumers. He tried to go back to the colonial era to seek contrast when something much more recent was readily available.
He has not disassociated himself from the JNU Maoist cabal that has infested his inner circle nor has he reduced the role of Jairam Ramesh and other practically-commie advisors and sycophants.
Needless to say, he has not withdrawn from the INDI alliance that includes the CPM and other fringe left parties.
He has not denounced or distanced from the Soros ecosystem that funds fringe left and other destructive outfits.
He has not instructed his serfs like Jairam Iyengar to stop attacking Indian businesses trying to gain foothold abroad – instead they are attacking them non-stop. On the contrary, Macron, Biden, Xi or any other leader supports, even actively lobbies for their country’s business.
No one believes the “oh we are only opposed to big business exploitation” story – petty traders or factory owners can’t set up ports or railways abroad. ALL business is for profit & therefore exploitative in leftist jargon. Boeing, Hitachi, Rafale, Adani, Huawei, Thales, Airbus – you name it, they are all the same and work for maximising profits. They get support from their governments. Not sabotage.
His own CMs are ignoring his vitriolic rhetoric and signing up for deals and even photo-ops with the very same moneybags he is demonising. Rahul is simply trying to make a virtue out of a humiliating reality.
His assurance in the article that even the monopolists shouldn’t be “in fear” seems like a pitch for donation or buying him off. After all that’s how Indian politics worked long before Modi or BJP.
Yet another push factor is that the old class war tactics and pitting Indians against Indian business is no longer a saleable. It worked for Indira G but not now. People, whether they are employed or jobless, have come to realise that investments bring jobs. And private businesses, not Soros or NGOs invest. They are not fooled by anti-business rhetoric of corrupt dynasts they suspect are on the rolls of the same moneybags.
Again, dimwit shehzada belatedly realises he is stuck in rut of the 1950s and his voters have moved on. Let us not make a virtue of it.
So what will convince me and in my opinion, others like me that want to see India move away from decades of socialism and sloth, find it’s place in the world?
I want Rahul and Congress to completely rid themselves of Aiyars, Jairams and other JNU Maoist ideological waste that Deng flushed away – tell them to go join the CPM where at least they are honest about their plank and ideology.
I want Rahul to apologise for his past track record and that of his granny’s and stop demonising Indian business. He is free to point out specific charges of corruption but only if he has evidence – not empty words and rhetoric.
I want Rahul to speak on economic matters from the right – take on Nirmala Sitharaman and her MCA/IT babus and challenge them to de-regulate, simplify and reduce the burden of compliance, be it on GST, IT, Corporate laws or whatever.
I want Rahul to speak about nonsensical rules and taxes like TCS – I want him to question why it took 11 years to get rid of angel tax terror and ask when the rest of the monstrosities will go.
I want him to stand up for Indians facing up to babudom in their daily lives as businesses or individuals. Babudom, that is a direct product of 50 years of his family rule. I want him to DEMAND, not OPPOSE, outside talent in bureaucracy and government. Stop the hypocrisy – MMS was one, so was Rajan! One is Khatri Sikh the other Tambram. Best way to help OBC and Dalits is create an economy that’s firing on all cylinders using best available talent.
I want Rahul to instruct his CMs to cooperate on GST reform – not just talk one thing in public and another in council meetings. Did any suggest simplified unitary rate that her talks loose about, put it to vote? We are not fools.
I want to see Rahul attacking Modi for NOT doing enough to help our businesses conquer distant markets – not the reverse.
I want Rahul’s advisors not to waste time ghostwriting articles, plagiarised or not. Instead draft a simple, beautiful IT Act or Companies Act and dare the Modi sarkar to pass it! Introduce the bill – you have enough talent and expertise. Then demand credit, you will get it!
Do this and more along these lines, Rahulji, you will have more of the young, educated, aspirational class of Indians supporting you. If not you are only left with sycophants like Rajdeeps, Sharmas, Banerjees and Pandey’s trying to sing songs.
If I have not said this before, let me end this by saying it again – we are not fools. We have seen thru your nautankis and empty words. Three times.
On 8th November, a woman filed a case in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, accusing a man named Samir Mansoor of Love Jihad. In her complaint, she said that Mansoor had been pressuring her to convert to Islam for a long time. When she refused, Mansoor beat her. The accused, who hails from Bihar, has been arrested by the police.
According to media reports, the complaint was filed by the victim at Bhubaneswar Women’s Police Station. The victim is originally from the Kujang Police Station area of Jagatsinghpur district. On Friday, 8th November, she approached the police to file the complaint in which she stated that she got in touch with Mansoor while playing an online game named “Free Fire” in 2022. When she initially interacted with Mansoor, he concealed his religion. Over time, the two grew closer.
After a few days, Mansoor started to manipulate her. In March 2024, Mansoor came to Odisha to meet the victim. He took her to a hotel room where he raped her. During that time, he also recorded videos of the act. Later, he started pressuring the victim to convert to Islam and marry him.
When the woman discovered that Mansoor was a Muslim, she started to distance herself from him and refused to convert to Islam. Angered by her refusal, Mansoor started blackmailing her with obscene photos and videos. He threatened to upload them to porn sites. The woman further said that he extorted Rs 5,00,000 from the victim’s family using these threats.
The victim further mentioned in the complaint that Mansoor is originally from Champaran, Bihar, and works as an electrician in Jammu and Kashmir. When he started blackmailing her family, the victim went into depression. In her complaint, she has demanded strict action against Samir Mansoor. Based on her complaint, the police have initiated an investigation into the matter.
Speaking to the media, Bhubaneswar Assistant Commissioner of Police, Subhanarayan Mruduli, said that a case has been filed against Samir Mansoor under Sections 376(1), 385, 386, 294, and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the IT Act. He further added that the police have arrested Mansoor and further investigation into the matter is underway.
