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‘Mamata can do anything for politics, she can block chicken’s neck area in future’: CMs and political leaders from other states lash out at Bengal CM’s threatening message

OpIndia Staff
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‘Mamata can do anything for politics, she can block chicken’s neck area in future’: CMs and political leaders from other states lash out at Bengal CM’s threatening message

The Kolkata rape case has intensified outrage in the state of West Bengal against the incumbent CM Mamata Banerjee. On the day of the ‘Bangla Bandh’ that was organised by the opposition BJP on 28th August for 12 hours, CM Mamata Banerjee made inflammatory remarks while claiming that the unrest in West Bengal could have far-reaching consequences beyond the state.

The West Bengal CM alleged that PM Narendra Modi was using his party to start a fire in West Bengal over the Kolkata woman doctor rape and murder incident. She warned that if Bengal burns, other states including Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi too shall burn.

‘Bangla Bandh’ was organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party on 28th August in protest against police action against students who earlier demanded the removal of Mamata Banerjee from her position given her failure to provide justice to the 31-year-old doctor who was brutally raped and murdered on 9th August. It was reported that several BJP workers and leaders were attacked, targeted, and detained across the state during the Bandh.

On the same day, Mamata Banerjee addressed a public event that was organised to mark the foundation day of the Trinamool Congress’s student wing. During her address, CM Banerjee warned that the unrest in Bengal could have far-reaching consequences beyond the state. 

She went further to blame Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused his party of fueling unrest in Bengal. Mamata Banerjee brazened it out saying, “Mr. Modi, you’re using your party to start a fire here. If you burn Bengal, Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi too shall burn! We will topple your chair.” Banerjee further stated, “Some people think this is Bangladesh. Please remember, I love Bangladesh, they speak like us, and their culture is the same as ours, but Bangladesh is a separate nation, and India is a separate nation.” 

This further provoked several BJP leaders and state CMs to counter the statement and lambast Mamata Banerjee for her incendiary comments. Reacting sharply to her controversial remarks, several BJP leaders intensified their demand for Banerjee’s resignation stating that such “anti-national comments isn’t the voice of someone holding a constitutional position”. 

What state CMs and BJP leaders said about CM Mamata Banerjee

BJP MP and West Bengal BJP Vice President Saumitra Khan condemned the remarks on 29th August and expressed fear that the West Bengal CM would separate India from North-East. He said that Banerjee could do anything for politics and even accommodate terrorists and criminals for her position.

“I live in West Bengal and I fear that Mamata Banerjee will close the path to North East India by shutting down the (Chickens’) neck of India in the Siliguri portion by 2026 if the Government of India does not pay attention to it… She can do anything for politics… She will accommodate terrorists and criminals there for her politics. The Courts and the Indian government should see to this otherwise India would be in danger,” Khan said.

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi also condemned the threatening remarks made by CM Banerjee. “Mamata ji, who gave you the right to make objectionable statements about Odisha? Odisha is a peaceful state, and the people here are responsible and aware. The people of Odisha will never accept your hateful attitude, negative comments, and insensitive attitude towards our state. Without giving justice to the victim of a heinous crime, the vindictive comments you are making are dangerous for the country. Please stay away from such statements. Remain calm,” he said on X.

He also condemned the Bengal CM for failing to take action against the culprits in the Kolkata doctor’s rape and murder case.

Their comments came after Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma lashed out at the TMC leader for speaking in divisive language which according to him, doesn’t behoove her post. He warned the West Bengal CM not to try burning the country with her “politics of failure”. 

Sarma said, “Didi, how dare you threaten Assam? Don’t show us red eyes. Don’t even try to burn India with your politics of failure. It does not befit you to speak divisive language.”

Union Minister Giriraj Singh interacted with the media criticising CM Mamata Banerjee for her remarks. Giriraj Singh compared her to North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un and said Mamata can’t tolerate her opposition just like the North Korean leader. “This can’t be the language of a democratic person, of a Chief Minister. North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un doesn’t tolerate his Opposition. Similarly, Mamata Banerjee doesn’t tolerate the words of her Opposition,” he said.

The video of his comments is making rounds over social media.

Shehzad Poonawala, BJP spokesperson, said on Thursday, 29th August, that CM Mamata Banerjee was disrespecting demonstrators and doctors by claiming that demanding justice is the same as inciting trouble. Poonawala went on to say that nobody in West Bengal is safe, except criminals. He also attacked the INDI alliance’s leaders, Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, for Mamata’s statement on burning Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Northeast, and Odisha, and asked whether they would challenge Mamata about it.

Telangana BJP President G Kishan Reddy posted, “INDI alliance member Mamata Banerjee’s statement is not only reckless but dangerously divisive. Such incendiary rhetoric is utterly unacceptable from an elected leader who should be working to unite and uplift her state, not sowing seeds of fear and discord. Stop this dangerous fear-mongering and instead focus on delivering good governance and addressing the real concerns of the people.”

Earlier, Union Minister and Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar also wrote a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah in which he slammed Mamata Banerjee for inciting violence in Kolkata.

The letter written by Majumdar read, “CM Mamata Banerjee, during her address to the Student Wing of TMC, today in Kolkata shamelessly incited gathering, declaring, ‘I never sought revenge, but now, do what needs to be done.’ This is nothing less than a blatant endorsement of revenge politics from the highest office in the state.”

BJP leader and party’s social media head Amit Malviya wrote, “A cornered Mamata Banerjee has declared war on the people of West Bengal, who are holding her to account in the brutal rape and murder of a young lady doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital. The deceased could have been our sister or daughter but Mamata wants more blood.”

Malviya added, “Once a proponent of the ‘Bodol noy, Bodla Chai’ mantra, Mamata Banerjee now brazenly shifted her stance, openly calling for the very vengeance, she once purported to abhor.” 

It is worth noting that the West Bengal government, led by Mamata Banerjee, is under increasing pressure from civil society, doctors, students, political parties, and the general public to resign for failing to maintain law and order, particularly in the aftermath of the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case.

Fact-Check: Did Smriti Irani Praise Rahul Gandhi during podcast as claimed by media and Congress supporters? Here is what she actually said

OpIndia Staff
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Fact-Check: Did Smriti Irani Praise Rahul Gandhi during podcast as claimed by media and Congress supporters? Here is what she actually said

On 29th August, The Lallantop, OneIndia, and other news portals reported that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was being praised by former Union Minister Smriti Irani. They claimed that Irani praised Gandhi at a podcast she did with journalist Sushant Sinha. However, the fact is that she criticised the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, which was misinterpreted by the media houses.

Source: Lallantop, One India, Gujarat Samachar

What actually did Smriti Irani say about Rahul Gandhi?

Smriti Irani said during the conversation with Sushant Sinha, “How the political strategy of Rahul Gandhi has changed; particularly his recent emphasis on caste politics.” She clarified that she was not complimenting Rahul Gandhi but exposing his divisive politics. Furthermore, Irani criticised Gandhi’s earlier temple politics, suggesting his recent focus on caste issues is a tactical move to gain media coverage after his previous efforts failed.

During this interview, Irani discussed her defeat in Amethi in 2024, the third term of the Modi government, and other political matters. The ruling Congress and a section of the media have attempted to portray Smriti Irani as a Rahul Gandhi admirer by screening a clip of this conversation.

However, these fans completely misunderstand the point. What to them sounds like praise is actually a very sharp critique of Rahul Gandhi’s divisive politics. Smriti Irani very clearly explained why, in recent years, Rahul Gandhi’s strategy has shifted from temple visits to highlighting caste-based issues.

Smriti Irani exposes hypocrisy of caste politics

Smriti Irani said a couple of years back, Rahul Gandhi’s politics was based on visiting temples, which suffered a miserable fate and brought him into ridicule. According to Irani, these visits neither boosted his popularity nor attracted significant media attention. Following the failure of his temple strategy, his focus shifted to caste politics, a topic he frequently raises to gain headlines.

Irani further explained that for Rahul Gandhi, caste is not a historical issue but a strategic one, used solely for political gain. She noted that caste was never a central theme in his politics until recently and cited his remarks about caste in the Miss India contest, arguing that he raises Dalit or OBC issues merely to attract attention. Her comments on this can be heard between 55 and 60 minutes into the interview, available through the link provided below.

Rahul’s obsession with caste is no coincidence

Rahul Gandhi’s persistent focus on caste and his search for Dalit and OBC participants, even during events like the Finance Ministry’s ‘Halwa Ceremony’ or among Miss India winners, is no coincidence. Nor is his call for a caste census without reason. According to Irani, these are the results of his failure in his earlier strategy, termed ‘soft Hindutva’ by the media. A few years ago, Rahul Gandhi was often seen visiting temples like Somnath, with Congress spokespeople presenting him as a ‘Dattatreya Brahmin’ and displaying photos of him wearing a sacred thread.

When this approach did not yield benefits and the public rejected his supposed Hindu image, Rahul Gandhi shifted to a politics aimed at dividing the Hindu community. However, this strategy is not original; the Samajwadi Party first raised this issue during the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, but they were defeated. Rahul Gandhi seems to believe that raising this issue will help him secure more votes. His strategy is not without precedent.

Congress continues to be anti-backward classes

Rahul Gandhi’s call for a caste census and his vocal support for the rights of backward classes is ironic, considering his party’s history of sidelining these communities. Although he has been raising the issue of a caste census in recent years, he seems to forget that his father, Rajiv Gandhi, dismissed the idea of reservations for backward classes as ‘foolish’ in the 1990s. The same Congress did not touch the Mandal Commission report for over a decade.

Holding a copy of the Constitution and calling for OBC and Dalit representation in events like Miss India is starkly contrasted by the reality of his party’s history. Research shows that under Congress governments, the representation of OBC ministers has always been lower than under the BJP. While Congress allocated around 14% of ministerial positions to OBCs between 1952 and 2024, the BJP increased this figure to 25%. Moreover, if Rahul Gandhi is genuinely concerned about caste issues, why does he not push for the release of caste census data in Karnataka?

The reality of Congress’s performative politics on Dalits and OBCs is exposed by the fact that the Karnataka Congress government diverted funds from Dalit welfare programmes to fund its own guaranteed schemes. Furthermore, a scam involving millions of rupees was uncovered in a scheme aimed at tribal development in the same state, leading to a minister’s resignation.

Divisive rhetoric cannot change the reality of Congress’s track record

Rahul Gandhi’s recent rhetoric about breaking reservation limits, ensuring rights according to population, and finding caste angles in every issue does not alter his party’s inherent character. Nor can it erase the fact that Congress governments have historically reduced funds meant for Dalit welfare. While Congress gained a few more seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi believes that emphasising a caste narrative could further increase their numbers. However, he seems to overlook that if this narrative were truly popular among the public, how did the NDA manage to secure a clear majority?

Conclusion

The claims that Smriti Irani praised Rahul Gandhi are misleading. Her statements were not expressions of admiration but a sharp critique aimed at exposing his divisive strategies.

Whitewashing ethnic cleansing and slandering India on a govt junket? Newslaundry downplays anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh, attacks Indian media after interim govt invites select Indian media

Shraddha Pandey
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Whitewashing ethnic cleansing and slandering India on a govt junket? Newslaundry downplays anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh, attacks Indian media after interim govt invites select Indian media

Special forces have joined the Western media in whitewashing the Islamist onslaught on Hindus in Bangladesh. Yes, the Indian leftist media has reached Bangladesh to slander India and whitewash the crimes against Hindus unleashed by Islamists following the unceremonious ouster of Sheikh Hasina. On the 27th of August, leftist propaganda portal Newslaundry published a ground report from Bangladesh.

To no surprise, the propaganda report by Newslaundry journalist Smita Sharma attempted to whitewash the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh and even slander India while being on a government junket. It must be mentioned that the Bangladeshi interim government led by Muhammad Yunus had invited Indian journalists to cover from ground on minority groups saying that the reports of attacks on the minorities have been ‘exaggerated’.

In the report, a Newslaundry reporter spoke to several Bangladeshi youths who said that they wanted to reform the country. The report showed some Hindu girls visiting a temple, suggesting that Hindus and their temples are safe now, however, the iron grills placed before the idols of Hindu deities tell a lot about how safe Hindu temples are in Bangladesh, especially after 5th August, since when numerous temples have been vandalised and idols of Hindu deities smashed.

Amusingly, the Newslaundry reporter asked a Hindu girl about the reports that ‘perhaps’ Hindu temples were attacked, however, before the student could speak anything about it, the propaganda portal’s reporter moved on to the next question.

The report also featured a conversation with Nusrat Tabassum, the central coordinator of Student Against Discrimination which led the ‘student’ protests against Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government. Tabassum claimed that none of the Awami League politicians have been beaten up by mobs, however, there have been many reports of how Awami League leaders both Muslim and Hindus were attacked and mob lynched. It was seen how Shahidul Islam Hiran, the Chairman of the Porahati Union and General Secretary of the Jhenaidah Sadar Upazila Awami League, was mob lynched and his body was found hanging from a sculpture at Paira Chattar in the Jhenaidah city centre.

Unsurprisingly, the Newslaundry reporter did not bother to refute Tabassum’s claim because the aim was probably not to present factual information but to reinforce the narrative that what happened in Bangladesh was a ‘revolution’, a students’ revolution, and that people should remember this only rather than the ethnic cleansing of Hindus.

This becomes clear as the student leader dismisses anti-Hindu pogroms orchestrated by Islamists as the aftermath of a revolution and “post-revolution depression”. “There is a term called post-revolution depression, post-revolution situation…disaster. This has been happening in the world since the beginning. Post-revolution period is a testing period,” Tabassum said.

Indeed, the post-revolution period, let’s assume the mobs that looted Sheikh Hasina’s residence, flashed undergarments and urinated on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s statue, were ‘revolutionaries’, is a testing period. And, the Islamist onslaught on innocent Hindu minorities demonstrated how the so-called student revolution was never just a student revolution but was hijacked by Jihadist political outfits like BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami who singled out Hindus and attacked them merely for existing. The Newslaundry journalist Smita Sharma, behaving like a true Islamist cheerleader, chose not to confront Nusrat Tabassum for downplaying anti-Hindu violence.

Newslaundry slanders India and Indian media for their reportage on anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh

Beyond the whitewashing of Islamist crimes against Hindus and how the ‘student protests’ were hijacked by Jihadist parties like BNP and JeI, Newslaundry also attacked the Indian mainstream media for not essentially whitewashing the anti-Hindu pogroms. In conversation with a Bangladeshi girl, Newslaundry journalist Smita Sharma said that Indian television media is predominantly aligned with the government narrative and the agenda. But there are a whole bunch of critical voices [read anti-BJP voices] working ‘independently’. Ironically, the Newslaundry journalist accused the Indian TV media of setting off a narrative, while the propaganda outlet itself thrives on peddling anti-BJP/RSS and anti-Modi propaganda.

Sharma did not forget to slander North Indians saying that the Hindi-speaking people have different perspectives towards reports on the unrest in Bangladesh since they receive information via ‘WhatsApp University’ and fake news, while in South India people speak varied languages and have lesser stereotypes towards Bangladesh and other countries.

The Newslaundry journalist alleged that there was a “high degree of exaggeration” by Indian media about the anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh and the general unrest. Except for some misleading social media posts, there was no exaggeration of events, if Sharma is labelling the usual dramatic aspect of the Indian media as ‘exaggeration’, then the dishonesty of the Newslaundry reporter and her lack of empathy for Hindu victims of the Islamist violence is alarming.

OpIndia has reported how Hindus were singled out, JeI prepared lists of Hindu houses to be attacked, and how Hindus were threatened to give money and other valuables to save their lives. How Hindu temples were vandalised and idols were broken by Islamists. There have been more than 200 such anti-Hindu attacks emanating from hatred of Islamists for Hindus since 5th August while the leftist media both India and Western were busy passing it off as ‘political revenge’.

She also claimed that Indian media labelled Citizenship Amendment Act protestors as “Islamic forces” shrewdly covering up the fact that the anti-CAA protests were both politically and religiously motivated. Despite CAA causing no harm to the Indian Muslims, the anti-CAA protestors unleashed violent protests that culminated in the 2020 Anti-Hindu Delhi Riots. Sharma failed to mention how AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan instigated Muslim mobs, how the then AAP councillor Tahir Hussain’s building housed 3000 rioters, stored petrol bombs etc. She did not mention how Muslim rioters mercilessly killed IB officer Ankit Sharma, a Hindu youth Dilbar Negi and several others. It was not just Islamic forces, but also Islamist sympathising political and leftist media ‘forces’ that opposed the CAA, which simply granted citizenship to persecuted Hindus and other non-Muslim minorities who came to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

Other than this, the Newslaundry journalist also alleged that participants of the 2020-21 Farmers Protests were labelled as ‘Khalistanis’ conveniently whitewashing the attempts of Khalistani elements to hijack the farmers’ protests. OpIndia reported how the farmers’ protest resulted in business losses to the tune of Rs 60,000 crores, the insidious resurgence and manifestation of Khalistani sentiments and a host of criminal activities such as rapes, murders, riots etc.

The Newslaundry’s reportage makes one wonder if is this why Muhammad Yunus invited select Indian journalists to Bangladesh, to whitewash crimes of BNP and JeI Islamists against Hindus, to convince the world that Hindus were just collateral damage of the post-‘revolution’ period. That the ethnic cleansing of Hindus should not be discussed, reported and condemned but be forgotten as a trivial matter? Are Indian journalists on government junket supposed to slander Indian people and media on foreign soil especially when that country has been shamelessly letting the Islamic fanatics persecute Hindu and other minority groups?

Only Hindus would be employed in state temples: Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu announces as he also increases wages for temple Archakas

OpIndia Staff
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Only Hindus would be employed in state temples: Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu announces as he also increases wages for temple Archakas

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu made a bold announcement to protect Hindu jobs within temples in the state, guaranteeing that temple positions are solely for members of the Sanatana faith. At an important meeting with the Hindu Religious Endowment Department, the Andhra CM said that only Hindus would be employed in the temples in the state.

CM Naidu unveiled a comprehensive plan to revive temple administration, promote religious tourism, and ensure spiritual and cultural integrity throughout Andhra Pradesh. The Naidu government has also decided to raise the salary of 1,683 Archakas who operate in various temples across the state from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per month.

Furthermore, the Andhra Pradesh state government has consented to boost the monthly financial support granted to minor temples under the Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam Scheme to Rs 10,000 from Rs 5,000. During the meeting on Tuesday, 29th August, CM Naidu underlined the importance of spirituality in all temples across the state. He directed that temples and their surroundings must be kept immaculately clean to maintain the spiritual aura.

“Spirituality must thrive in every temple in Andhra Pradesh. Spiritual programs should be conducted in a way that attracts devotees to return to the temple without feeling extorted for money. It is essential that the temples and their surroundings are kept extremely clean,” the Andhra CM was quoted as saying.

Furthermore, a proposal to grant a monthly payment of Rs 3,000 to youth who have completed Veda Vidya but are currently unemployed was approved. Naidu additionally established a minimum monthly pay of Rs 25,000 for Naai Brahmins, barbers who serve in temples. 

CM Chandrababu Naidu also announced the formation of a committee comprised of officials from the Tourism Department, Hindu Charities Department, and Forest Department to oversee temple development, particularly in forested areas, in order to preserve the natural beauty and religious significance of these sites while making them more easily accessible to visitors.

During the meeting, it was decided that two additional board members would be added to the temple trust. Temples with an income of Rs 20 crore or more have 15 members on their trust board. The number will now be increased to seventeen. Furthermore, it was emphasised that the trust board will include a Brahmin and a Naai Brahmin, as promised by the NDA prior to the elections.

During the conversation, Naidu sharply criticised attacks on Hindu temples under the former YS Jagan Mohan Reddy regime, including the burning of a temple chariot. He demanded harsh action against individuals involved in such acts, emphasising that forced religious conversions would not be accepted in Andhra Pradesh.

He stated that the sentiments of devotees are extremely important and that non-Hindus should not operate in temples. “Forced religious conversions should not happen in Andhra Pradesh. No jobs should be given to non-Hindus in Hindu temples. Trustees are going to be appointed for 1,110 temples in Andhra Pradesh,” the CM said.

CM Naidu also promised that 87,000 acres of temple land that are currently illegally occupied will be restored through legal action.

Shashi Tharoor’s ‘Scorpion over Shivling’ remark against PM Modi: Delhi High Court refuses to quash defamation case against the Congress leader

ANI
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Shashi Tharoor’s ‘Scorpion over Shivling’ remark against PM Modi: Delhi High Court refuses to quash defamation case against the Congress leader

The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to quash the defamation case against Congress leader Shashi Tharoor for allegedly comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a “scorpion sitting on a Shivling” at the Bangalore Literature Festival in 2018.

Additionally, the court has lifted the previous stay on the trial court proceedings in the case.

Stating that the HC found “no grounds to quash the proceedings at this stage,” the bench of Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta instructed the parties to appear before the trial court on September 10. In 2020, the Delhi High Court had stayed proceedings against Tharoor.

The stay was issued by the court while hearing Tharoor’s plea challenging a trial court order that summoned him in the defamation complaint filed by Delhi BJP leader Rajeev Babbar.

In April 2019, a trial court summoned Tharoor in response to a criminal defamation complaint filed by Babbar in 2018. A Delhi court granted bail to Tharoor in June 2019.

Babbar claimed that Tharoor’s October 2018 remarks, allegedly made at the Bangalore Literature Festival, compared Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “a scorpion sitting on a Shivling.”

Babbar argued that the statement was hurtful to his religious sentiments and defamatory towards BJP workers and supporters. Tharoor sought to quash the complaint, which was filed under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code, related to defamation.

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

Haldwani violence: Uttarakhand police respond to reports of delay in chargesheet filing, say they had applied for extension under UAPA provisions. Details

OpIndia Staff
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Haldwani violence: Uttarakhand police respond to reports of delay in chargesheet filing, say they had applied for extension under UAPA provisions. Details

On Thursday, 29th August, the High Court granted bail to 50 people, including six women, accused of violence and arson in protest against the encroachment removal action in the Malik Ka Bagh area of ​​Banbhulpura. The division bench also canceled the order of the lower court in which the police did not file a chargesheet even after 90 days of the incident.

As per the reports, the court slammed the state police for failing to file FIR within 90 days leading to orders allowing bail to 50 accused Islamists. As per the rules, the police are supposed to file a chargesheet in the case within 90 days of the incident. Despite evidence, the police did not file the charge sheet in the case even after 200 days. The accused persons submitted an application in the lower court seeking bail. The bail was earlier denied by the lower court given serious charges framed against the accused.

A total of 51 accused have been granted bail so far. One person was granted bail on the grounds of serious illness.

A total of 107 people, including several women were arrested in the case. The Banbhulpura violence where 5 persons lost lives was the first instance where internet was shut down in the city.

As per a detailed report by Jagran, accused Nabi Raza Khan, Akhtari Beg, and Abdul Lateef were already dead when the police included their names in the list of accused. The inclusion of deceased persons’ names, and the failure to submit the charge sheet for over 200 days was cited as major lapses on the part of the police.

Haldwani riots on February 8

Islamists resorted to stone pelting and arson in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani area on 8th February this year. The frenzied mob attacked authorities who went there to demolish a madrasa, which was built on illegally encroached govt land near the Banbhulpura police station.

3 main FIRs were registered in the case, the first by Haldwani municipality, the second by Banbhulpura police station and the third one by the SHO Mukhani Pramod Pathak. The investigations were carried out by CO Ramnagar, CO Bhawali and CO Lalkuan respectively.

The Islamists pelted stones at the policemen and Haldwani Municipal Corporation workers present there. Later, they surrounded the police station and went on to set fire to the vehicles stationed outside the Banbhulpura police station.

The mob also set a transformer on fire, resulting in a power outage in the area. Several journalists and administration officials were trapped inside the police station as a mob surrounded the Banbhulpura police station.

A division bench of senior judge Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari and Justice Pankaj Purohit had reserved the decision after completing the hearing on the special appeals filed by the accused against the lower court’s decision.

Gulzar, a resident of Banbhulpura, and 50 others implicated in the violence and arson case in the Banbhulpura area of Haldwani had submitted bail applications claiming that the police had not filed a chargesheet against them within 90 days after the incident. They did not provide a cogent rationale for extending the remand. Notably, the lower court prolonged the remand and denied the bail applications.

The accused claimed that the prolongation of the remand term violated Article 21 of the Constitution. The police cannot detain somebody without a justification, no matter how serious the allegations. The accused claimed that the charge sheet had not yet been produced, thus they should be freed on bond.

Meanwhile, following the violence in Haldwani, over 75 individuals were held and interrogated. Official complaints had been registered against 19 named and 5000 unknown individuals. Among the detained was Javed Siddiqui, sibling of Samajwadi Party’s Uttarakhand state in-charge Abdul Mateen Siddiqui. The Councillor of line number 16, Mehboob Alam, and line number 14, Zeeshan Parvez, a resident of Indira Nagar, had also been arrested.

Arshad Ayyub, a mining entrepreneur who lives in line number 12, and Aslam Chaudhary, who manages a diary, were also caught. Many women were also arrested in the case.

Uttarakhand Police responds to reports of delayed chargesheet

The Uttarakhand Police have responded to the reports saying that they delayed the filing of chargesheet. The police, in a statement, declared that the section 43(D) of UAPA allows the investigation team to apply for an extension of remand duration to get more time for filing the chargesheet and accordingly, they had sought for 180 days remand. They added that they filed the chargesheet in 180 days. Hence the claims of negligence and delays on the part of the police are misleading, they added.

She is ill and hospitalised, she might have committed suicide: Recordings of calls made by RG Kar Hospital to parents of rape and murder victim trainee doctor appear

OpIndia Staff
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She is ill and hospitalised, she might have committed suicide: Recordings of calls made by RG Kar Hospital to parents of rape and murder victim trainee doctor appear

As the CBI continues probe into the rape and murder of a junior female doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, the recordings of the phone calls made to the family of the victim on the day of the incident have surfaced. As it was already revealed, the call recording shows that the hospital authorities had told the family said that the PG student died by suicide.

Recordings of three calls made from the hospital to the father of the victim have appeared, which proves that the hospital tried everything to hide that the woman was raped and murdered. The calls were made by a female employee of the hospital, who was reportedly the assistant superintendent of RG Kar Hospital.

In the first call made to the father of the victim, the female employee said that his daughter has fallen ill and she has been admitted at the hospital. When the father insists on knowing what has exactly happened, the employee refused to divulge further details, asking them to go to the hospital immediately instead. Sher said that doctor will tell them everything once they reach the hospital.

“Your daughter is not well. Can you please come to the hospital immediately?” the caller told the father. When he asked what has happened, she replied, “She is not well. We have admitted her. Can you come quickly?”

When the father still stressed for further details about the nature of the illness, the caller said, “The doctors will tell you what happened when you get here. We found your number and called because you are the family”.

The hospital then made a second phone call, saying that their daughter’s condition is very critical, and asking them to rush to the hospital. “Her condition is very critical. Please come as soon as possible,” she said. When the father again asked for details, she said, “The doctors will explain. Please come here quickly”.

When the father who was speaking to him, the caller said that she is the assistant superintendent. “I am the assistant superintendent, I am not a doctor,” she said.

When the victim’s mother asked whether the woman has fever, the employee reiterated that they should rush to the hospital. When the father asked if her condition is very serious, the employee said that the woman was in critical condition.

The woman was found dead in the hospital, as it is not possible that doctors at the hospital didn’t know that she was dead. Despite this, the hospital in the first phone call told the family that she was alive but ill. They also lied that woman was admitted at the hospital, when she was already dead.

In the third call made to the family, the same employee told them the woman has died, but claimed that she committed suicide. The employee said, ‘Perhaps she has committed suicide, she has died. Police have arrived, we everyone are at the hospital gate, calling from here.’

These call recordings raise serious questions on the role of the hospital in handling the case. In three phone calls made to the family, they lied to them, when the dead body of the trainee doctor was in front of them.

‘Kangana Ranaut has a lot of experience of rape’: Khalistan supporting former MP Simranjit Singh Mann says over the BJP MP’s remarks on farmers protest

OpIndia Staff
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‘Kangana Ranaut has a lot of experience of rape’: Khalistan supporting former MP Simranjit Singh Mann says over the BJP MP’s remarks on farmers protest

On Thursday (29th August), former Sangrur MP and pro-Khalistan leader Simranjit Singh Mann sparked outrage after making disparaging statements about actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut saying that she has more “experience of rape” so she must know better. Simranjit Singh Mann’s outrageous comments came days after Ranaut claimed that “rapes” occurred during the farmers’ protest.

You can ask her (Kangana Ranaut) how rape happens so that people can be explained how rape happens. She has a lot of experience of rape,” Mann said.

When the journalist asked how can she have the experience of rape, Mann further added, “The same way people learn riding a bicycle, they have the experience of riding a bicycle. She has a similar experience of rape.”

Notably, during one of the promotion events for her upcoming movie, Emergency, Kangana Ranaut lauded the Union government for its actions during the farmer protest. “What happened in Bangladesh, it could have easily happened here too. bodies were seen hanging and rapes were taking place,” Kangana said while referring to criminal incidents that were widely reported during the first farmers’ protest.

Soon after, Kangana Ranaut started getting multiple threats for speaking up on the farmer’s protest as well as for her upcoming movie, Emergency. While some alleged ‘influencers’ threatened that she would meet an Indira Gandhi-like fate, others issued threats of physically assaulting her or filing a defamation case.

It is pertinent to mention that Simranjit Singh Mann is infamous for his support of Khalistani separatism. Back in 2022, he gave an interview wherein he justified his demand for Khalistan. Mann claimed he never wanted to become Chief Minister of Punjab. He wants to become the Prime Minister of Khalistan.

Simranjit Singh Mann has a long history of openly supporting the Khalistan movement. He had left Police Services because of Operation Blue Star, which was initiated by the Government of India to eliminate Khalistani terrorists lodged in Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. Reports suggest his party workers raised pro-Khalistan slogans at Golden Temple on Operation Blue Star anniversary in 2022. Until his X account was withheld, Mann published several controversial posts including paying tribute to slain Khalistani terrorist Bhindranwale.

Malayalam Film Industry Sex Scandal: Kerala police files rape case against actor and CPI(M) MLA M Mukesh; 17 cases filed after release of Hema Committee report

OpIndia Staff
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Malayalam Film Industry Sex Scandal: Kerala police files rape case against actor and CPI(M) MLA M Mukesh; 17 cases filed after release of Hema Committee report

On Thursday, 29th August, the Kerala Police registered a case of rape against actor and Communist Party of India (Marxist) MLA M Mukesh following a complaint from a fellow female actor. The incident allegedly took place in 2013. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was established by the Kerala government to look into sexual assault charges related to Malayalam Film Industry, recorded the actress’s testimony at her Aluva flat on 28th August.

The case was registered by the Marad police. He is booked for rape and “use of criminal force against women with intent to outrage her modesty” among other non-bailable offences.

The development transpired in the wake of the Justice Hema Committee report which highlighted the sexual assault and harassment of women in the Malayalam film industry. The actor-turned-politician, who is a two-time legislator from the Kollam Assembly seat, has refrained from attending public events and responding to any comments since the scandal broke out and shook the entire film industry. However, he demanded an impartial investigation into the accusations made against him and other film personalities in a Facebook post on 27th August.

“They had tried to blackmail me by demanding money. I am not ready to yield to such blackmail tactics. Truth should come out. I would initiate strong legal action against such persons,” Mukesh claimed while reacting to the allegations against him. Sections 376(1) which addresses rape, 452 (house trespass with the intent to hurt or assault someone), 509 (intend to insult a woman’s modesty by using words, gestures, or acts) and 354 (assault or use of criminal force against a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty) of the Indian Penal Code are the charges included in the case against Mukesh.

The opposition and some of Mukesh’s own party members are putting pressure on him to resign which has further escalated the matter. Annie Raja, the general secretary of the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) and a leader of the CPI, called for the actor’s resignation, emphasising that Mukesh is no longer morally qualified to serve as an MLA. “Now with a case being registered against him, he no longer has the moral or legal standing to continue in that post. He should resign from his post as MLA. It will also affect the image of the state government. The Left Front is pro-women,” Annie Raja said.

Ministers from the CPM and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) administration, however, have insisted that no action will be taken based just on the charges, but rather on the investigation’s findings. According to a close aide of Mukesh, the party has not asked him to vacate his position. Mukesh reportedly met with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram.

Meanwhile, on 29th August, LDF chairperson E P Jayarajan asked two Congressmen who were accused of sexual violation to step down in response to the call for Mukesh’s resignation. “Had they resigned, then the third MLA (Mukesh) too would have to resign. The law applies equally to all legislators. By asking for Mukesh’s resignation, you are protecting the other two,” he alleged.

The Hema Committee report, which exposed startling information regarding the pervasive sexual abuse against women in Malayalam cinema, was released a few days prior to the claims made against the seasoned actor. The actress, who accused Mukesh of sexually abusing her, revealed that he had attacked her in a Kochi hotel while promising to offer her acting roles. The actress added that Mukesh had raped her after forcing his way into her hotel room.

The police have also charged four more actors including Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Edavela Babu, in relation to the same actress’ accusations. “I am writing to report a series of incidents of physical and verbal abuse I suffered at the hands of Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Idavela Babu, Jayasurya, Advocate Chandrasekharan, production controller Noble and Vichu,” she disclosed and further narrated, “Once, as I was coming out from the toilet, Jayasurya hugged me from behind and even kissed me forcefully. After that, Idavela Babu expressed his interest in a sexual relationship with me.”

The actress said that the sexual and physical abuse had caused her to leave the Malayalam film industry and relocate to Chennai.

The cantonment police have opened a case against famous actor Jayasurya on allegations about him violating the woman’s modesty. Moreover, film production controller Noble, and leader of the pro-Congress lawyers association, V S Chandrasekharan has also been accused of sexual assault. All five of the accused were included in the seven names that the actress included in the numerous petitions that she filed with the SIT led by DIG Ajeetha Begum, to probe the cases of sexual harassment on 27th August.

Notably, the authorities also filed cases against veteran actor Siddique and director Ranjith after allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour emerged against them. An actress who accused Siddique shared that he summoned her to his room at the Mascot Hotel, where he sexually assaulted her in the name of a film discussion. “He sexually abused me in that hotel. It was a trap. Whatever he is saying now is completely false,” she added.

The First Information Report was filed under sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) at Thiruvananthapuram city police limits. Siddique also lodged a complaint with the Director General of Police (DGP), alleging that the accusations were a vile attempt to damage his reputation. He claimed to be innocent and asserted that he had only ever met the actress once in 2016 when her parents were present.

“The reputation of the entire Malayalam film industry is being deliberately tarnished by a group of people and it is essential that the persons behind this criminal conspiracy are brought to light. I request you to take effective action in this matter to bring out the truth and the perpetrators behind the criminal conspiracy of fabricating and publishing false and scandalous allegations,” Siddique further charged.

Ranjith had been forced to resign as chairman of the state organization Kerala Chalachitra Academy, while Siddique had been forced to resign as general secretary of the actors’ organization Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA). The Association of Malayalam Movies Artistes (AMMA) also resigned on 27th August along with its president popular actor Mohanlal, and the other 17 members of the executive committee including Siddique and Edavela Babu. Seventeen cases have been filed against Malayalam actors and directors after a number of women came forward with allegations following the publication of the Hema Committee report.

Mamata Banerjee will close the path to North East India by shutting down the Siliguri Corridor by 2026, says BJP MP Saumitra Khan

ANI
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Mamata Banerjee will close the path to North East India by shutting down the Siliguri Corridor by 2026, says BJP MP Saumitra Khan

In a big allegation, BJP MP and West Bengal BJP Vice President Saumitra Khan on Thursday claimed that Mamata Banerjee might block the ‘Siliguri’s Chicken Neck Corridor’ that connects north-eastern states to the rest of India if she comes in power again in 2026.

Claiming that she might accommodate terrorists and criminals for her politics, Khan further urged the top courts and the government of India to take cognisance in this regard.

Reacting to the West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s remarks, West Bengal BJP Vice President Saumitra Khan said, “I live in West Bengal and I fear that Mamata Banerjee will close the path to North East India by shutting down the (Chickens’) neck of India in the Siliguri portion by 2026 if the Government of India does not pay attention to it. She can do anything for politics. She will accommodate terrorists and criminals there for her politics. The Courts and the Indian government should see to this otherwise India would be in danger.”

On Himanta Biswa Sarma’s tweet against WB CM Mamata Banerjee’s remarks, Khan said, “Assam is a developing state. After Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma came to power, the people of Assam were getting work in Assam, at their homes. Employment is increasing and industries are established. On the other hand, Mamata Banerjee is destroying Bengal. I also think that she is connected to foreign powers.”

Earlier on Wednesday, while speaking at a public function in Kolkata, in response to BJP’s 12-hour long ‘Bengal Bandh’ call, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is using his party to cause a fire in Bengal over the Kolkata woman doctor rape and murder incident and warned that If you burn Bengal, other states including Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Delhi too shall burn and your chair will be toppled.

“Some people think this is Bangladesh. I love Bangladesh; they speak like us and share our culture. But remember, Bangladesh is a separate country, and India is a separate country. Modi Babu is using his party to cause fire here. If you burn Bengal, Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi too shall burn! We will topple your chair,” Mamata Banerjee said.

In a post on X, the Assam Chief Minister also targeted CM Mamata and said, “Didi, how dare you threaten Assam? Don’t show us red eyes. Don’t even try to burn India with your politics of failure. It does not suit you to speak divisive language.”

Speaking on a delegation visit to NHRC that includes BJP leaders, Khan said, “Senior Supreme Court lawyers are going to the NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) regarding the RG Kar issue. I will also go because those involved in the RG Kar hospital incident should be arrested immediately. We are going (to the NHRC) against the police lathi-charge on the protestors.”

Earlier in the day, citing the ‘Nabbana Abhijan’ rally and its aftermath, Saumitra Khan said that a group of concerned citizens will call upon the chairperson of the National Human Right Commission to submit a representation on the events that took place on August 27 and 28, which he said are a blatant violation of human rights.

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

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