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“We are not Bakris, maals…” – Shaina NC slams Sunil Raut’s misogynist comments about women

ANI
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“We are not Bakris, maals…” – Shaina NC slams Sunil Raut’s misogynist comments about women

In a no-holds-bar-attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sunil Raut over his alleged comment on women candidate, Shiv Sena candidate from Mumba Devi seat, Shaina NC on Tuesday said that it is time that the women in Maharashtra wake up and raise their voice against such “regressive” comments.

Reportedly, Sunil Raut while addressing an election rally called the Shiv Sena Shinde faction’s Vikhroli assembly candidate Suvarna Karanje a “goat”.

Reacting to the remark made by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, Shaina NC said, “This is the most regressive comment coming from Sunil Raut, on one hand, they call us ‘Bakri’ and used word ‘Maal’. Look at the mind and thought process. On one hand, we have a PM who respects women…you have a CM who has empowered us with ‘Ladli Bahin’ scheme and on the other hand we have ‘Maha Vinas Aghadi’ where you have somebody referring to us as objects”

Questioning Priyanka Gandhi’s silence on the remark made by the Shiv Sena leader, Shaina NC asked why has the Congress party not reprimanded a leader from the alliance who has disrespected women.

“The time has come for women of Maharashtra to wake up against this insensitive commentary. Congress is absolutely silent. We are not Bakris, we are not maals, we are the betis of Maharashtra and we will give a befitting answer on 20th November,” she said.

Expressing disappointment over the remarks made by leaders against women candidates in Maharashtra, Former chief of National Commission for Women (NCW) Rekha Sharma said that it is “unfortunate”.

“In Maharashtra, we have seen that many leaders are speaking ill about women candidates, but it is unfortunate,” Rekha Sharma said earlier while speaking to ANI.

Meanwhile, an FIR has been registered against Sunil Raut, the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate from Vikroli constituency and brother of Sanjay Raut for his reported objectionable comments against a woman candidate of chief minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

The FIR has been registered under Sections 79, 351(2) and 356(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Sunil Raut is the candidate for the Shiv Sena UBT from the Vikhroli assembly constituency, from where he contested and won previously in the 2014 and 2019 assembly elections. This time he is contesting against Karanje from the Shiv Sena party and Vishwajeet Dholam from the MNS party.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

MP: Mohd Taufiq and his accomplice vandalise Ganesh idol in Chhindwara, threaten to kill Hindu woman for stopping Taufiq from damaging the idol

OpIndia Staff
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MP: Mohd Taufiq and his accomplice vandalise Ganesh idol in Chhindwara, threaten to kill Hindu woman for stopping Taufiq from damaging the idol

In Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara, a Muslim youth Mohammed Taufiq forcibly entered a Ganesh temple and vandalised the idol on Sunday (3rd November). After this, Hindu organisations like Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal staged a massive protest demanding action against the accused Taufiq. Soon after, the police registered a case against Taufiq and arrested him.

Reports say that the accused Muslim youth entered the Ganesh temple, Junnardeo, at around 10:30 PM and started damaging an idol of Lord Ganesh. When a woman asked him not to do so, Taufiq threatened to kill her. As the accused was vandalising the idol,  the Hindu woman screamed and in no time the locals gathered there. The local Hindus nabbed the Muslim youth and turned him over to the police.

Following this, the Hindu rights organisations, joined by BJP MLA Nathan Shah, organised a massive protest outside the police station prompting Additional Superintendent of Police Awadhesh Pratap Singh to reach Junnardeo along with DSP in-charge Rajesh Kumar Banjara.

The police officials assured the protesting Hindus that strict action would be taken against the accused. On Monday, November 4, the Hindu organisations and trade bodies called for a Bandh in the city. Meanwhile, the Jama Masjid Committee issued a letter condemning the accused Mohammed Taufiq’s outrageous act and demanded action against him.

As per an ETV Bharat report, SP Manish Khatri said that another youth, along with Mohammad Taufiq, vandalised the Ganesh idol. SP Khatri said that both the accused have been arrested, adding that additional police force has been deployed in the area to ensure law and order.

Massive fraud in Bihar teacher recruitment exam: 4000 found inelligible, 24000 may lose jobs for fake caste, disability and sports certificates

OpIndia Staff
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Massive fraud in Bihar teacher recruitment exam: 4000 found inelligible, 24000 may lose jobs for fake caste, disability and sports certificates

A teacher recruitment scam has come to light in Bihar. The investigation has found 4000 fraudulent teachers who used fake certificates and secured the job despite having low marks in CTET. The government has decided to take strict action against the accused, as more than 24 thousand teachers could potentially lose their employment.

It is necessary to pass the CTET exam to become a teacher in the state. Those who score less than 60% in CTET are not considered eligible for the position. However, it has been discovered that over 4,000 teachers have CTET scores below the required percentage. 80% of them received a lower percentage than the mandated score and many of them even acquired less than 50% marks in CTET.

Furthermore, the probe unveiled that the remaining teachers have used fake caste certificates, residence certificates and disability certificates to secure jobs. Some even produced bogus documents and were hired under the sports quota. The teacher recruitment scam puts the jobs of almost 24,000 teachers at risk. It has been uncovered that several of their certificates are falsified. These teachers will now be re-examined and will be removed from their posts as well as face legal action if, even after this evaluation, inaccurate information regarding their certificates comes out.

A few days ago, counselling of 1,87,000 candidates who passed the competency test was completed. Over 3000 teachers did not even make it to the counselling, and 42,000 teachers could not be counselled during the sessions held between 1st August and 13th September. More than 10,000 of these 42,000 teachers were unable to be biometrically verified. The education department stated that the counselling will be organised for the remaining individuals following the Chhath festival. Meanwhile, large-scale rigging came to the fore during the counselling of the candidates who passed the competency test.

Multiple certificates were found to be fake during the verification process and the concerned universities were asked to look into the matter. Action has been taken against the 96 teachers whose mark sheets were discovered to be fraudulent during the initial counselling session. According to the information, the education department has sent the suspicious mark sheets to the administrative officers of the universities and asked for details about them. The experience certificates of the teachers are also to be investigated.

Director of Secondary Education Yogendra Singh informed that counselling of more than 40 thousand teachers is still pending in the state and is likely to take place in November. He added that their caste, residency, and educational credentials will be compared to their Aadhar cards using biometric authentication during transfer. Their thumb impressions will also be analysed. Every document will be entered into the service book, and an online digital service book will also be created.

Canada: Peel Police arrest three following Khalistani attack on Hindu worshippers in Brampton, similar protests seen at multiple locations including Mississauga

OpIndia Staff
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Canada: Peel Police arrest three following Khalistani attack on Hindu worshippers in Brampton, similar protests seen at multiple locations including Mississauga

On 4th November, Peel Police arrested three men following an attack on Hindu worshippers at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton and Mississauga, Canada. The incident occurred on the afternoon of 3rd November 2024 at the temple located on The Gore Road in Brampton.

According to a press release from Peel Police, officers responded to a trespassing complaint involving “a group of protesters” identified as pro-Khalistani elements, who were raising anti-India slogans outside the temple. The pro-Khalistani group entered the temple premises and attacked Hindu worshippers.

Peel Police noted that similar protests took place at the intersection of Goreway Drive and Etude Drive in Mississauga, and another protest occurred near Airport Road and Drew Road. The authorities indicated that although the incidents took place at separate locations, they were interconnected. All the protests were held by pro-Khalistani elements supported by the Khalistani terrorist organisation Sikhs For Justice, based in the USA.

The arrested individuals have been identified as 43-year-old Dilpreet Singh Bouns from Mississauga, who is facing charges of causing disturbance and assaulting a peace officer; 23-year-old Vikas from Brampton, who is charged with assault with a weapon; and 31-year-old Amritpal Singh from Mississauga, who is facing charges of mischief over CAD 5,000. They will appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.

A Peel Police officer also sustained minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. In a statement, Peel Regional Police reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the rights to peaceful protest, as guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. However, they emphasised that violence, threats, and acts of vandalism would not be tolerated.

Pro-Khalistani elements attacked Hindus at Hindu Sabha Temple

On 3rd November, pro-Khalistani elements attacked Hindus at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Canada. Videos of Khalistanis protesting outside the temple went viral on social media. In one of the videos, X user Bellator identified a Peel Police Sergeant protesting with Khalistanis in his off-duty hours. The police official has been identified as Sergeant Harinder Sohi of Peel Police, whose badge number is 3071.

Anti-corruption advocate and former Toronto Police officer Donald Best also posted about Sgt Sohi on social media. In the video, Sohi was seen smiling and possibly saying “Indian Government” in response to the protest leader’s chants, “Who’s the terrorist?” Sohi was also holding a Khalistani flag and waving it in the video. It was later reported that Sohi has been suspended by Peel Police.

Peel Police suspend Sergeant Harinder Sohi who was caught on camera doubling as Khalistani protester outside Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton

OpIndia Staff
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Peel Police suspend Sergeant Harinder Sohi who was caught on camera doubling as Khalistani protester outside Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton

On 4th November (local time), Peel Police issued a statement that it has suspended a Peel Regional Police officer from duty after he was caught on camera participating in the pro-Khalistani protest outside the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton the previous day. The police officer was identified as Sergeant Harinder Sohi, badge number 3071.

Source: X

The suspension was first confirmed by former Toronto Police officer and anti-corruption advocate Donald Best, who had raised the issue with Peel Police yesterday. In a post on X, Donald wrote that he received an email from Peel Police Media Relations at around 11:17 AM stating that the police department was aware of the video circulating on social media showing an off-duty Peel Police officer involved in the protest.

“This officer has since been suspended in accordance with the Community Safety and Policing Act. We are investigating the circumstances in their entirety depicted in the video and are unable to provide further information until this investigation is complete.”

A similar response by Peel Police was sent to CBC News, which posed similar questions about viral videos Sergeant Harinder Sohi on social media. Earlier, Peel Police said in a statement that it has charged three people following violence that erupted as Indian consular officials visited the Hindu Sabha Mandir.

Reportedly, similar protests took place at Westwood Mall in Mississauga as well, which was “proudly” shown by the Khalistani organisation, World Sikh Organization. Another protest occurred outside the Malton Gurdwara on Airport Road in Mississauga. Furthermore, pro-Khalistani elements staged a protest outside a Hindu temple in Surrey. Reportedly, these pro-Khalistani elements were linked to a gurdwara in Surrey where the slain Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was posing as chief.

Peel Police added in its statement, “Although these demonstrations occurred at three different locations, they appear to be related to one another. Several incidents between protesters and worshippers broke out.” Chief of Peel Police Nishan Duraiappah said, “We respect the right to protest in a peaceful and safe manner but will not tolerate violence and criminal acts. Those who participate in this activity will be pursued, arrested, and charged.”

Canadian police had set-up ‘hiring’ camps at Khalistani protests in May

In an unprecedented move in May 2024, the Canadian Armed Forces had set up a recruitment camp at a Khalistani event glorifying Kanishka bombing mastermind Talwinder Singh Parmar. Investigative journalist Mocha Bezirgan raised the issue in his report at that time. In a post on X, he wrote, “What’s most concerning is the police participation in a parade where the suspected mastermind of Canada’s deadliest terror attack is glorified.” In the video, camps with banners reading “We Are Hiring” were seen, with pro-Khalistani attendees gathering information on how to join the Canadian Armed Forces.

Former Sikh Bob Rai also commented on the matter of a Canadian police official participating in a Khalistani protest. He said, “Nefarious people will join to obtain data.” He added, “The police agencies in Canada have all been compromised by organised crime and extremist terrorist radical elements.”

Peel Police officer caught on camera doubling as Khalistani protester

On 3rd November, pro-Khalistani elements attacked Hindus at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Canada. Videos of Khalistanis protesting outside the temple went viral on social media. In one of the videos, X user Bellator identified a Peel Police Sergeant protesting with Khalistanis in his off-duty hours. The police official has been identified as Sergeant Harinder Sohi of Peel Police, whose badge number is 3071.

Anti-corruption advocate and former Toronto Police officer Donald Best also posted about Sgt Sohi on social media. In the video, Sohi was seen smiling and possibly saying “Indian Government” in response to the protest leader’s chants, “Who’s the terrorist?” Sohi was also holding a Khalistani flag and waving it in the video.

Brampton, Canada: Thousands gather in a solidarity rally for Hindu community after attack on Hindu Sabha temple by Khalistani supporters

ANI
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Brampton, Canada: Thousands gather in a solidarity rally for Hindu community after attack on Hindu Sabha temple by Khalistani supporters

 Over a thousand Canadian Hindus gathered outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Canada on Monday evening (local time) to protest against the repeated attacks on Hindu temples in the country, a day after the temple was attacked by Khalistani extremists. The organizers of the solidarity rally pressed Canadian politicians and law enforcement agencies not to give further support to Khalistanis.

The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) shared the details on social media platform X.

The CoHNA highlighted the multiple attacks on Hindu temples across Canada during the Diwali weekend and called to stop the “Hinduphobia” in the country.

“Over a thousand #CanadianHindus have gathered in Brampton to protest against the increasingly brazen attacks on Hindu Temples,” the post read.

“Yesterday, during the sacred #Diwali weekend, Canadian Hindu temples, coast to coast, came under attack. We ask Canada to stop this #Hinduphobia now!” it added.

On Sunday, an Indian consular camp at the Hindu Sabha Temple witnessed a “violent disruption” in Brampton, near Toronto.
Following the attacks, the Hindu Canadian Foundation, a non-profit organisation working for the Hindu community in Canada, shared a video of the attack on the temple and said that the Khalistani terrorists attacked kids and women.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the “deliberate attack” and said that “cowardly attempts to intimidate” Indian diplomats were appalling and New Delhi expects Canadian authorities to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.

“I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence will never weaken India’s resolve. We expect the Canadian government to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law,” PM Modi said on X.

The strong statement by PM Modi came hours after the Ministry of External Affairs condemned the acts of violence perpetrated by extremists and separatists at the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, Ontario yesterday.

“We call on the Government of Canada to ensure that all places of worship are protected from such attacks. We also expect that those indulging in violence will be prosecuted. We remain deeply concerned about the safety and security of Indian nationals in Canada,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to media queries regarding violence in Brampton.

“The outreach of our Consular officers to provide services to Indians and Canadian citizens alike will not be deterred by intimidation, harassment and violence,” he added.

India has been repeatedly expressing its deep concern about extremism and the culture of violence and anti-India activities in Canada and has sought action against these activities.

The Indian High Commission in Canada condemned the “violent disruption” by ‘anti-India’ elements outside a consular camp. The high commission also said that any further events will be organised “contingent on security arrangements” made by the local authorities.

There has been a string of similar incidents documented in recent years, underscoring a distressing trend of religious intolerance in Canada.


(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Bangladesh: How Muhammad Yunus, with close ties to the Democrats, will find it tough to continue US’ regime change policy if Trump is elected to power

Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury
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Bangladesh: How Muhammad Yunus, with close ties to the Democrats, will find it tough to continue US’ regime change policy if Trump is elected to power

As the US is set to hold another pivotal election on November 5, global attention turns not only to the impact on domestic policy but also to potential shifts in international alliances. For Bangladeshi Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, a second Trump presidency could signal a complex and challenging new era.

Known for his ties to prominent Democrats and vocal opposition to Trump, Yunus has cultivated close relationships with figures like Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

In 2016, when Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton, Muhammad Yunus – a Nobel Peace Prize recipient in 2006 and known critic of Trump – strongly condemned the election result. Yunus, a “dear friend” of Clinton, reacted with stark disappointment, calling Trump’s victory in the US presidential election “a solar eclipse … black days”.

He expressed his view that the 2016 election “became the victim of the wrong type of politics” and advised Trump to adopt “a more generous outlook” in his role as president to “build bridges, not walls”.

During Diwali that year, Donald Trump tweeted a condemnation of the “barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are being attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a state of chaos”.

Muhammad Yunus’s supporters quickly dismissed Trump’s tweet, attributing it to “lobbyist activities”. Some went further, claiming Trump’s statement was “bogus” and “lacked substance”.

One notable critic of the tweet was the head of an NGO, funded largely by the US and backed by Biden’s State Department, including figures like Donald Lu.

This NGO head argued that even if Trump wins the election on November 5, he would be constrained by “checks and balances” from Senate, Congress, the CIA, and the Pentagon, insinuating that the US Capitol and Biden administration operate under his influence.

Following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster and the installation of a new regime in Bangladesh led by Yunus, the Biden State Department promptly issued a statement, saying it “stands ready to work” with Bangladesh’s interim government.

Pro-Yunus think tanks and intellectuals suggested that the State Department’s stance was a testament to Yunus’s influence, as he “has many friends within the power corridors of Washington”.

However, they neglected to mention Yunus’s well-known connections within the US Capitol, where he is regarded as a staunch Democratic supporter and a major donor to the Clinton Foundation. Yunus has earned admiration from anti-Trump Republicans for his strong opposition to Trump.

During his September trip to the United States to attend UNGA, Yunus reinforced his ties with the Clintons, receiving a warm reception from the Clinton Global Initiative. Bill Clinton openly praised Yunus and his associates for their role in ousting Sheikh Hasina.

Through engagements with the Clintons, Alexander Soros, and President Joe Biden, Yunus sent a clear signal to Trump, his campaign, and key Republican figures: the revolutionary government in Dhaka enjoys solid support from the Clintons, Soros, and the Democratic Party.

Analysts in the United States suggest that Yunus’s liberal politics and his connections with the Clintons have bolstered his reputation among leading Democratic figures, including Barack Obama. However, these same ties put him at odds with Trump and many influential Republicans.

After Hasina’s ouster, the Biden-Kamala administration has prioritized “stabilizing and rebuilding post-Hasina Bangladesh”, while neglecting serious issues such as mob violence and mob-justice, cruelty against Hindus and religious minorities, and human rights abuses against law enforcement.

The administration has pledged “new development and humanitarian aid” and technical assistance to Dhaka for implementing long-term reforms.

These reforms may delay elections and extend Yunus’s tenure, as the current administration appears uninterested in a swift return to democratic governance in Bangladesh.

In contrast, if Trump is re-elected, he is likely to challenge these policies, pressuring Dhaka to prosecute those responsible for genocide against Hindus, religious minorities, and law enforcement personnel.

He would also likely press the Yunus government and demand response for releasing Jashimuddin Rahmani, a US State Department-designated leader of Ansar Al Islam (formerly Ansarullah Bangla Team), accused of murdering an American citizen.

Another critical consideration is Trump’s Indo-Pacific strategy, initially aimed at countering China’s influence in Asia. During his previous presidency, Trump’s administration highlighted growing US-Bangladesh cooperation in areas like maritime security, counter-piracy, counterterrorism, and military training.

With Yunus in power, Bangladesh may lean toward China, especially given the Yunus administration’s anti-India a stance. Trump would likely disapprove of such an anti-India and pro-China shift in Bangladeshi policy.

Given Yunus’s pro-Democrat stance and anti-Trump outlook, Bangladesh could face significant pressure from a second Trump administration. Trump may impose sweeping sanctions on Bangladeshi officials, or even blacklist the country, as he did with several Muslim-majority nations during his first term.

Under these conditions, Yunus would find it nearly impossible to normalize relations with a Trump-led administration. For Bangladesh, a challenging period may lie ahead if Trump wins.

In this scenario, Yunus’s best hope for continued US support lies in a Kamala Harris victory, which would likely allow him to maintain strong backing from the United States.

In light of the impending US election, Bangladesh stands at a crossroads in its relationship with Washington, particularly under the influence of Muhammad Yunus.

While the Biden administration has provided support for his regime and its extended reforms, a Trump victory could turn the tide, with potential pressure on Yunus to pivot on key issues, from religious persecution to foreign policy alignments.

For Yunus and his administration, the election outcome could mean the difference between continued US backing and facing heightened scrutiny or sanctions.

Ultimately, as the political landscape shifts in Washington, Bangladesh may find itself navigating a more uncertain path, contingent on the alliances it has fostered abroad.

RG Kar Medical College: Charges filed against main accused Sanjay Roy in Junior Doctor rape and murder case

ANI
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RG Kar Medical College: Charges filed against main accused Sanjay Roy in Junior Doctor rape and murder case

The Sealdah Court in West Bengal on Monday framed charges against Sanjay Roy in connection with the rape and murder case at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The charges were framed under sections of the Bhartiya Nyay Sahita, and the trial is set to begin on November 11. This case has drawn significant attention due to its serious nature, and the court’s decision marks a major step in the legal proceedings against the accused.

In the wake of this shocking incident, junior doctors have called for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take strict action and ensure capital punishment for those responsible.

Speaking to ANI, Dr Rajdeep, a junior doctor, emphasized the need for severe consequences, stating, “We want the CBI to take strict action against those involved. Capital punishment should be given to all the accused.” He also urged the CBI to compile a comprehensive chargesheet that includes names not initially mentioned.

As November 9 marks 90 days since the incident, Dr. Rajdeep affirmed that protests will continue until justice is served. “On November 9, we will exhibit all the major events that have taken place so far in this case. I want to say that we will not stop; the protest will continue,” he asserted.

Earlier on October 22, junior doctors protesting over the case ended their hunger strike after a two-hour meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the state secretariat, Nabanna.

The tragedy unfolded on August 9, when the second-year medical student was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The incident has ignited protests across West Bengal, with doctors nationwide expressing solidarity with the junior doctors in Kolkata.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Ayodhya: Raees abuses and attacks his Ram Bhakt relative Anees and his family for playing ‘Ram Aayenge to Angna Sajaungi’ Bhajan during deepotsav

OpIndia Staff
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Ayodhya: Raees abuses and attacks his Ram Bhakt relative Anees and his family for playing ‘Ram Aayenge to Angna Sajaungi’ Bhajan during deepotsav

A Ram Bhakt Muslim family was targeted by members of their own community on 1st November in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The name of the victim is Mohammad Anees Khan alias Bablu. According to reports, he was listening to a bhajan (devotional song) of Lord Ram while celebrating deepotsav in his office during which Raees Khan’s family members assaulted him with axes, sticks, and even guns. The accused have been arrested and sent to jail by the authorities.

This matter pertains to the Ayodhya Kotwali police station area. Anees Khan lodged a complaint with the police on the same day and described himself as a Ram Bhakt. He reportedly received multiple death threats from abroad due to his support for the Ram Mandir. Referring to the incident, he informed that there was a deepotsav program in his office when Priyanka Singh’s popular bhajan ‘Ram Aayenge to Angna Sajaungi’ was played between 8:30 and 8:45 pm when his relative Raees Khan arrived there.

Raees was accompanied by his two children, Javed and Kaif. All of them had guns, axes, and sticks in their hands. They abused Anees Khan and said, “Ma*a*ch*d, you have become a great devotee of Lord Ram,” and pointed their weapons at him and his family. Anees then locked himself and his family inside the house to protect his family. However, the attackers broke into the place and brutally thrashed him as well as his sons Adnan, Ayan, and Asif. Anees has demanded strict action against the perpetrators.

Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the offenders on the basis of the complaint. Sections 115 (2), 352, 109 (2), 333 and 324 (4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have been invoked against them. OpIndia has a copy of the FIR. In a video statement, Anees Khan mentioned that he was listening to ‘Ram Aayenge to Angna Sajaungi’ with some friends during deepotsav and one of his friends also started dancing out of joy. This did not go down well with Raees Khan and his family. They first abused everyone and later beat up his family members. Deputy Superintendent of Police Ashutosh Tiwari said that further investigation and necessary legal action in the matter are underway.

Sharad Pawar accused of introducing caste-based politics in Maharashtra: How he faced similar charges in the past by current ally Shiv Sena

Siddhi Somani
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Sharad Pawar accused of introducing caste-based politics in Maharashtra: How he faced similar charges in the past by current ally Shiv Sena

Ahead of the Maharashtra Vidhansabha Elections, accusations and counter-accusations are rolling like never before. All the major political parties involved in the elections like the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance, and the Mahayuti alliance led by the BJP are constantly targeting each other with less than just 15 days left for the voting date. In a novel counter-accusation that is surprising and shocking, both at a time, NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar slammed MNS leader Raj Thackeray for blaming him for introducing caste-based politics in the state. Pawar challenged Thackeray saying that the latter should show a single example portraying NCP’s involvement in playing caste-based politics in Maharashtra.

In a press meet on 2nd November, Pawar blatantly cornered the MNS leader and his statements saying that the latter has done nothing in his life more than issuing controversial statements and it would be stupid to pay attention to such statements. “Show me an example of my involvement in caste politics in Maharashtra. Those who have not done anything in their life just make statements, criticize and comment. What should we comment on his statement? The people of Maharashtra are wise. So he was given only one seat in the state,” Pawar said.

This was after Raj Thackeray in August this year stated that Pawar started ‘caste politics’ in Maharashtra. He claimed that it was Sharad Pawar who started the practice of caste discrimination in the state. “After the NCP was founded in 1999, even saints got divided based on caste,” Thackeray alleged.

Thackeray further criticized Sharad Pawar sharply, stating, “In the last five years, politics in Maharashtra has sunk to new lows, with caste-based politics worsening the situation. It was Sharad Pawar who initiated this trend in Maharashtra, as well as the practice of political defections in 1978,” referencing Pawar’s split from Congress to form a government in Maharashtra under the Purogami Lokshahi Aghadi (PLA) alliance. Recalling the incident of Congress MLAs breaking away in the 1970s, Thackeray argued that Pawar should not play the victim now that many of his own MLAs have joined his nephew Ajit. Pawar eventually rubbished the allegations and slammed MNS’s Thackeray saying that the latter had hardly done anything in his life.

It is important to note that MNS’s Raj Thackeray has been commenting against Pawar’s caste politics for years now. He also had targeted Pawar during the Lok Sabha elections. In May, extending his full support to the Mahayuti alliance, Raj Thackeray said that caste-based politics in Maharashtra began after NCP was formed in 1999. However, he said that Ajit Pawar never played caste-based politics.

“Caste-based politics began in the state after the formation of NCP in 1999. It has increased thereon but citizens should not fall into the trap of politicians during elections. Ajit Pawar despite being with Sharad Pawar never indulged in caste-based politics,” he was quoted as saying. He also opined that politics played out in the state and the country had stooped to lower standards.

Interestingly, the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray who is now in alliance with Sharad Pawar held a similar opinion in the past. In the month of February 2018, Shiv Sena when it was undivided had opined that the NCP chief had always ‘supported’ caste politics and was inconsistent in his political views. “Pawar is respected in Maharashtra as well as at the national level, but he was never consistent with the stands he took in politics. He has always been a supporter of caste-based politics,” the Sena had said in an editorial in its mouthpiece ‘Saamana’.

This is probably after Pawar, during a one-of-its-kind interview with MNS chief Raj Thackeray in Pune that year, spoke against caste-based reservation. Pawar had said, “This (reservation) is a sensitive issue. Dalits and Adivasis should be given reservations, there is no problem with it…People of other castes are holding rallies for reservation. I clearly believe that reservation should not be given based on caste, but to people who are financially backward.”

The Sena highlighted that when the Maratha community began holding silent marches across the state to press for their demands, including reservations in jobs and education, Pawar had shown his support, stating that they should be granted reservation. “Pawar is respected for his vast political experience. In 2014, he was the first to announce support to the BJP for government formation in Maharashtra. But today, defeating the BJP-led dispensation is his sole aim. At least now, he should remain firm over this stand,” it said.

The political landscape in Maharashtra is largely seen as a contest between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is currently aligned with the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the NCP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena under the Mahayuti banner, while the opposition MVA comprises the Shiv Sena (UBT), the NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar, and the Congress. The outgoing assembly term was marked by political upheaval, with Maharashtra witnessing three different chief ministers and splits within both the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), leading to new alliances in both the ruling coalition and the opposition.

The upcoming election marks the first assembly polls in the state since the major party divisions. Mint highlights seven key figures to watch in the election, including BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, and Shiv Sena Shinde faction head Eknath Shinde.

Sharad Pawar, 84 is widely regarded as Maharashtra’s most influential political leader. Often called the Machiavelli of Maharashtra politics, he is known for his ability to use any strategy to retain power. In 2019, Pawar was seen as the mastermind behind the Shiv Sena’s decision to break its decades-old alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party, leading to the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), a coalition that brought together ideologically opposed parties, the Shiv Sena and the Congress. This alliance made Uddhav Thackeray the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, though his tenure was very brief.

The 2024 election is a high-stakes battle for Pawar, the veteran former Chief Minister and Union Minister. His coalition government was overthrown in June 2022 after the Shiv Sena split, and a year later, his nephew Ajit Pawar rebelled, causing a division within the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Ajit took with him the majority of the party’s MLAs and MPs, leaving Sharad Pawar in a challenging position. Since then, the 84-year-old NCP supremo has been working tirelessly to keep the MVA alliance united.

The 2024 Lok Sabha Election meanwhile proved as a morale booster for Pawar and MVA. The NCP (SP) won eight of the ten seats it contested. Ajit Pawar’s group however could only win one. The NCP is vying for 87 seats in the November 20th assembly elections. MVA’s performance now will be determined by how the NCP (SP) fights the election.

A general assembly election is scheduled to be held in Maharashtra on 20th November to elect the 288 members of the 15th Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, the counting and the results of which will be declared on 23rd November.

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