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‘It’s a cover-up’: RG Kar Hospital victim’s parents say the crime scene was tampered with

OpIndia Staff
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‘It’s a cover-up’: RG Kar Hospital victim’s parents say the crime scene was tampered with

On Tuesday (27th August), the parents of the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder victim,  Abhaya, expressed concerns about the crime scene stating that it was “tampered with”. The development comes days after the CBI stated in the Supreme Court that the crime scene was “altered” while submitting a status report in the investigation of the rape-murder case. 

Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, the parents also expressed disappointment with the investigation and lamented that it’s a cover-up. 

“It’s a cover-up. It’s a setup. The crime scene was tampered with,” the parents were quoted by India Today TV. According to the channel’s reportage, the parents said that they believe that the real culprit is still out there. 

Conspicuously, yesterday a leaked CCTV footage surfaced on social media in which many outsiders were seen in the Seminar hall of RG Kar Hospital, which is said to be the crime scene in this case. The individuals seen in the video included police, a lawyer of the hospital Shantanu Dey, and hospital staff, but not the victim’s family members. 

The leaked CCTV footage and presence of several individuals raised questions and apprehensions about the crime scene getting altered and evidence tampering. However, the Kolkata Police denied these charges triggered after the video surfaced on social media. The Police said that there was no breach and the crime scene was cordoned off. 

According to reports, the arrested rape accused, Sanjoy Roy used a bike which was registered under the name of Kolkata Commissioner of Police. While the Kolkata Police have clarified by saying that all official vehicles are registered in the name of the Police Commissioner, India Today reported that it is under CBI scanner. 

Another major development unfolded in the case on Tuesday as a Kolkata court granted CBI permission to conduct a polygraph test on Anup Dutta, an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) with the Kolkata Police, in relation to the RG Kar Hospital case. 

The CBI is probing whether Dutta played a role in covering up the crime. Officials have indicated that Dutta may have extended various favours to the prime suspect, Sanjay Roy. They are examining if the accused Roy disclosed details of the crime to Dutta and if he received any assistance in concealing it.

Earlier in the day, the CBI completed polygraph tests on Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of the RG Kar Medical College. Notably, it was the third day of subjecting him to a series of Deception Detection Tests (DDT). 

On Saturday, he underwent a Layered Voice Analysis test which was followed by a polygraph test on Monday. The officials said that the test on Monday could not be completed, so it was resumed on Tuesday. 

RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case

Earlier this month, on 9th August, the semi-naked body of a 31-year-old postgraduate trainee doctor was found in the seminar hall of the government-run hospital in Kolkata. Later, her autopsy report confirmed that she was raped before the murder. 

Subsequently, a civic volunteer was arrested in this case on the next day. Following the orders of the Calcutta High Court, the case was transferred from the Kolkata Police to the CBI which is currently probing the case.  

Uttar Pradesh: Zakir becomes Jackie to befriend and rape Hindu girl, records her explicit videos and blackmails her, forces her to convert and marry him

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Zakir becomes Jackie to befriend and rape Hindu girl, records her explicit videos and blackmails her, forces her to convert and marry him

A case of “love jihad” has come to light from the Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh where a Muslim youth trapped and raped a girl by posing as a Hindu. The accused has been identified as Zakir Ansari from Baghpat who also made obscene videos of the victim and blackmailed her. Zakir later started to pressurise her to convert to Islam and threatened to kill her when she refused. His sister, brother, and mother are also complicit in the crime. On 24th August, the authorities registered a case and started an investigation.

The matter pertains to the Jhinjhana police station area of ​​Shamli district where the girl submitted a complaint and informed that she studies in the Shahdara area of ​​​​Delhi and sometimes used to catch a train to return home where she met the offender a few months ago. He initially introduced himself as Jackie and charmed her. After a few days, Zakir approached her on social media and gradually gained her trust. One day, he visited her room in Delhi along with food items and cold drinks in the name of discussing studies. The drinks were reportedly drugged and she fell unconscious after consuming them after which he exploited the situation and sexually assaulted her. He also recorded footage of her and snapped many pictures.

Zakir again called her to meet him after some time but she refused, and then he threatened to share the videos and images on social media. The girl was forced to allow the perpetrator back into her room and he sexually violated her again. On the same day, she learned about the real identity of ‘Jackie’ after seeing his identity card. The latter then statred to push her to marry him and she agreed to his demand out of fear. A day or two later, he returned to her room and insisted on having a physical relationship. The distressed girl eventually blocked his number.

After being unable to communicate for several days, Zakir Ansari became enraged and went to her coaching centre where he again pressured her to tie the knot with him and change her religion. He threatened to upload all her inappropriate pictures and videos online and drive her to commit suicide if she didn’t comply. “Uttar Pradesh Police cannot do anything to me,” he declared and left after threatening her.

Afterwards, his brother Shakir and sisters Nikhat and Soni started calling and messaging the girl and pressurised her to embrace Islam. They even issued death threats after she objected. The girl left her studies and came back to her village in Jhinjhana due to the intimidation. However, Zakir Ansari continued to pursue her and visited her village with a friend. He cleverly managed to take the phone of one of her relatives and called her to say, “Today I am calling from your brother’s number from outside your house. Next time, I will shoot them and whisk you away.”

She eventually grew terrified of these threats and confided in her family members. The accused then started demanding money from her family when they tried to request him to leave her. Notably, a female leader from Baghpat is also threatening the victim and her family on his behalf. Finally, the girl notified the authorities with the consent of her family and demanded action against Zakir Ansari, his brother, his sisters, and the politician in her complaint.

A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed under Sections 64(2)(m), 351(3), 308(1) and 123 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) as well as the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act. The probe and further police action are underway. OpIndia has a copy of the FIR.

Sanyasi against tyranny: Powerful image of a man in saffron robes braving water canons in Kolkata captures the imagination of netizens

OpIndia Staff
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Sanyasi against tyranny: Powerful image of a man in saffron robes braving water canons in Kolkata captures the imagination of netizens

Ever since the gory details of the rape and murder of the trainee female doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital came out, the West Bengal government-led by Mamata Banerjee has been facing public ire and criticism from the courts. Civil society, students, political parties, and the public at large have taken onto the streets against the West Bengal administration. They have accused it of mishandling the case and trying to suppress the public movement that is seeking Justice for Abhaya – the name given to the deceased trainee doctor. 

As part of the ongoing protests, the student organisation ‘Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj’ and the dissident State government employees’ platform ‘Sangrami Joutha Mancha’ called a protest march – ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ for 27th August. The enraged protestors marched towards the state secretariat building to demand the removal of CM Mamata Banerjee for failing to take strict action against the culprits in the Kolkata rape and murder case. 

However, the Kolkata Police resorted to lathi charges, and water cannons, and used tear gas canons to chase away peaceful demonstrators and stop them from reaching the State Secretariat, the visuals of which further galvanised the protesters and the general public alike. Several netizens have shared videos of the brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters stressing that the general public has risen in defiance against the oppressive regime of CM Mamata Banerjee. 

While some of the X users have shared videos alleging Police excesses and male officers manhandling female students, the video of a defiant Hindu saint amid heavy pressure from the water canon has captured the imagination of a large number of netizens. 

In the video, a saffron-clad Hindu saint can be seen raising the Tricolour as the Police try to push him away using water canons. He can be seen withstanding the heavy thrust from the water canon and continuing the protest march to seek Justice for the RG Kar Hospital victim. 

TV channels, BJP leaders, Former Ministers, and several popular X handles have shared this video. They have hailed the Hindu Saint with some dubbing it as a powerful imagery equivalent to the coveted Tiananmen Square image, others have described it as a symbol of defiance against the oppressive regime and tyranny of CM Mamata Banerjee in the state. 

Reporting on the Police actions to disperse the peaceful protesters, NDTV shared the video stating, “Try to understand the gestures of the elderly.” 

Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader, Smriti Irani has shared the video of the saffron-clad man stating, “The people rise against tyranny…”

BJP’s youth wing, BJYM said, “Undeterred by Kolkata Police fury, this scene is the ultimate symbol of defiance against the oppressive regime of Mamata Banerjee.”

“Sanatan”, wrote Kanchan Gupta, veteran journalist, and senior media advisor to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Jaipur Dialogues wrote, “This video is as powerful as the Tianmen Square image. More power to you.”

Popular X handle, Year Of The Kraken said, “Absolute Fire Visuals! The end of the tyranny of Mamata Banerjee is upon us!”. The handle also used the hashtag MamataMustResign. Incidentally, it is credited for starting this hashtag during the initial days of the protest in the RG Kar Hospital case. The text on the video reads, “The Tyrant Mamata VS A Hindu Sadhu Holding The Tricolour!”

An X user said, “In Bankim Babu’s Anandamath, the sanyasis revolted against the British Raj. Here a sanyasi is standing against Bano. Very powerful image.”

Many other X users have shared videos slamming the West Bengal government for the brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters and manhandling female students. Some of the users said that the visuals display what dictatorship looks like.  

Tagging Dhruv Rathee, Desi Mojito said, “This is what dictatorship looks like”.

Another X user wrote, “Male Police officer was dragging a female student by her hand . That made few male protestors angry and they attacked that police officer. Other protestors came as saviours and rescued him”. 

It is pertinent to note that for the last 3 decades, politics in West Bengal has been marred with wanton-targeted violence against opponents and the political landscape being dominated by the party and ecosystem that controlled the streets. Mamata Banerjee who ousted the left and has been keeping the resurgent BJP away from power, often took to the streets against her opponents whenever she and was seen as the one controlling the streets. However, now the public has seemingly risen against her administration and taken the streets to demand Justice for Abhaya despite the cold actions of the administration.

Chhatarpur stone-pelting main accused, Shahzad Ali, arrested by MP Police, was caught while hiding in e-rickshaw, details

OpIndia Staff
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Chhatarpur stone-pelting main accused, Shahzad Ali, arrested by MP Police, was caught while hiding in e-rickshaw, details

On Tuesday, 27th August, the Madhya Pradesh police arrested Haji Shahzad Ali, a main accused involved in the violence that took place in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, over Ramgiri Maharaj. Ali, the mastermind behind the stone-throwing attack on the police and bearing a Rs 10,000 reward on his head, was reported missing during the investigation.

According to the reports, he was arrested while he was on his way to the court to seek relief. The accused, who is believed to own a huge mansion and several cars, could be seen traveling in an e-rickshaw. The accused had also hid his face with a cloth while on his way to the Court. 

The Police were checking all the main roads in search of Ali. However, they suspected one of the persons who was traveling by e-rickshaw. The police asked him to remove the cloth on the face to learn that it was the main accused in the Chhatarpur violence case. Ali was then immediately arrested. According to the police, Shahzad Ali already is a history-sheeter and has 6 cases registered in his name.

On August 21st, stone pelting occurred at the Kotwali police station in the Chhatarpur district. Following the event, a lookout notice was issued against him. Previously, it was reported that he may have escaped abroad. Police conducted extensive raids on his different hideouts as they prepared for his arrest.

The police have arrested Ali, who, along with a large crowd, attacked the Chhatarpur Kotwali police under the pretext of delivering a memorandum from the Muslim community. In this instance, 46 persons have been named, with over 100 others identified.

Notably, on 22nd August, the Madhya Pradesh administration took strict action against Islamists who pelted stones and created a ruckus in Chhatarpur Kotwali police station last week. The Muslims are believed to have protested against Ramgiri Maharaj from Maharashtra who allegedly made derogatory remarks about Prophet Mohammed last week.

The police registered a case against 150 people involved in the ruckus after the orders were issued by CM Mohan Yadav. The FIR included 50 named and 100 other people who pelted stones at the police station injuring two officers. After this, Chief Minister of the state, Dr Mohan Yadav directed the police to take strict action against the culprits of this incident. Reportedly, the state administration began demolishing the houses of the accused who pelted stones at the Police at Kotwali Police Station.

As per the local reports, the bulldozer action happened amid heavy police force and administration team present on the spot. As notified to the media, accused Haji Shahzad Ali’s house in Mastan Sahab Colony of Chhatarpur city was demolished with the help of a bulldozer.

It is important to note that the members of the Muslim community in Chhatarpur demonstrated against Ramgiri Maharaj at around 4 pm on Wednesday. During this, the Muslims resorted to stone pelting and rioting, damaging some vehicles and injuring two police officers. The Hindu saint during one of his sermons in Nashik, indicated that several Islamists have disrespected women in the past because of the religious doctrine they follow. The remarks sparked wide outrage in several districts of Maharashtra including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nashik, Mumbai, and Pune with several Islamist leaders and organizations filing FIRs against Ramgiri Maharaj for allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims.

Chhatarpur DIG Lalit Shakyawar said that about 300-400 people led by religious leaders Syed Haji Ali and Syed Javed Ali had come to the police station to submit a memorandum on Wednesday, 21st August. They were demanding to register a case against Ramgiri Maharaj, against whom several FIRs are already registered in Maharashtra.

Shakyawar said that the crowd suddenly became aggressive and started pelting stones, which continued for about ten minutes, after which the police had to fire tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. The DIG said that due to stone pelting, Kotwali police station in-charge Arvind Kujur has suffered serious injuries in his hand and head. He is undergoing treatment.

Two ‘liberals’ sit and discuss why the Khadims of Ajmer Dargah, convicted for brutalising 100s of Hindu girls, should not be identified by media houses

Shraddha Pandey
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Two ‘liberals’ sit and discuss why the Khadims of Ajmer Dargah, convicted for brutalising 100s of Hindu girls, should not be identified by media houses

Imagine a senior ‘journalist’ and politician-turned-psephologist deciding how the people of India should outrage over rape cases as well as which case is worthy of outrage and which is not. Well, India is a country where things beyond imagination happen every day. On the 26th of August, Frontline Magazine released an interview of Yogendra Yadav, a failed politician, part-time psephologist and protestor of all seasons with ‘journalist’ Saba Naqvi wherein the two discussed how the media is creating “problems” by sincerely reporting the recent conviction of Ajmer Dargah Khadims in the 1992 Ajmer gangrape and blackmail case.

“I’ve noticed today when the rape is in discourse because you’ve had this atrocious incident in Kolkata and there’s been such a disturbing sequence of events after that by the state government suddenly you also have politics around it, its so disturbing….and then you have incident [Badlapur incident] in Maharashtra. But in between all of this, on social media, prominent journalists, what they’ve done is, they’ve put out an old case of Ajmer Dargah rapes,” Saba Naqvi said, adding that it was an attempt to show Muslims in a bad light.

Yes, Saba Naqvi, the perpetrators of the Ajmer gangrape and blackmail scandal were all Muslims, with six being directly linked to Ajmer Dargah, which the cheerleaders of the farcical ‘Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb’ and Bollywood pass off as symbol of communal harmony and heart of Sufi ‘spiritualism’, and one was the leader of Congress party, the alleged political overlords of both Naqvi and Yogendra Yadav [Salim].

Before moving ahead, it is pertinent to mention what the 1992 Ajmer gang rape and blackmail scandal was and who all were convicted after three long decades. On the 20th of August, the POCSO court delivered a historic verdict declaring six accused Nafis Chishti, Naseem alias Tarzan, Salim Chishti, Iqbal Bhati, Sohail Ghani, and Syed Jameen Hussain guilty of the crimes. In 1992, the accused gang-raped more than 100 girl students from Ajmer’s renowned Mayo College and blackmailed them using their photographs. Four other accused have already served their sentences.

Notably, the main accused, Farooq Chishti, served as the President of the Ajmer Youth Congress. Nafis Chishti held the position of Vice President of the Ajmer Indian National Congress, while Anwar Chishti was the Joint Secretary of the Ajmer Indian National Congress.

Coming back to the discussion of the two sapheads, Yogendra Yadav added to Saba Naqvi’s attempt at gaslighting her viewers by claiming that the media has spread “nafrat ka mahaul” with their factual reportage on the 100s of victims of the Ajmer case.  He also lamented that a newspaper carried a front-page headline about the conviction of the Ajmer case accused with their names and photographs.

“One of the national dailies carried a front page Hindi banner headline about 5-6 people who were finally convicted after 35 years…now those 6 photographs with their names are on the front page. It should be reported but should that be a banner headline with names and photographs on the front page just on the day the country is discussing something else,” Yadav said.

Don’t publish the names and photos of Ajmer case perpetrators, because the case is old or the convicts are Muslims?

The Ajmer case was a heinous crime involving the systematic rape and blackmail of young girls, and it shocked the country’s conscience. Even decades later, the conviction of the perpetrators is a crucial step towards justice. While it may disappoint the likes of Saba Naqvi and Yogendra who work tirelessly to whitewash the crimes of such people, highlighting the identity of those convicted acts as a reminder of the gravity of the crime and its long-term consequences for victims and society.

But more importantly, it is the media’s job to inform the public about who is accountable for such atrocities no matter whether the crime happened yesterday, or a few years back or decades back. The assertion that the ‘prominent journalists’ deliberately highlighted the Ajmer verdict when the country was discussing the Kolkata rape and murder case, and the Badlapur incident to demonise Muslims is absolutely baseless. Are Yadav and Naqvi trying to insinuate that the court should have waited for the public to get over the Kolkata rape and murder case and other recent rape cases and then deliver the Ajmer verdict?

If a scandal that destroyed so many lives, several victims committed suicide and it took 32 years to deliver justice to the victims and their families is not worth a front-page headline then what is? At a time when the Kolkata rape and murder case has stirred outrage across the nation and the state authorities have been accused of mishandling in the case, the Ajmer case wherein over the last 32 years many accused got bail, comes as a grim reminder that be it now or three decades back, not much has changed with women who were brutalised then and those who suffer today.

Unsurprisingly, highlighting the names and pictures of the Ajmer case convicts is more problematic to Saba Naqvi and Yogendra Yadav than the perpetrators being Ajmer Dargah ‘Khadims’ and a Congress leader. One wonders if they would have made similar assertions if the perpetrators were not Khadims of Ajmer Dargah but Hindu monks of a famous shrine. Certainly, those dedicated to whitewashing the crimes of Muslims suffer heartburn even when the media simply publishes the names and pictures of Muslim criminals without emphasising their religious identity even though it is important in this case since some of the convicts were directly linked to the Ajmer Dargah.

Even though it may not have been significant to Yadav and Naqvi, withholding the names and pictures of the convicts would have been an attempt to diminish the gravity of their crimes or protect them from public scrutiny. The approach Yogendra Yadav and Saba Naqvi wanted the media to take would have brazenly downplayed the pain of hundreds of victims just because it was an old case. When justice is served three decades later, the case’s who, why, and how require even more detailed attention.

While discussing horrifying cases such as the Kolkata doctor rape case is vital, especially given the TMC government’s suppression of protesters demanding justice for the deceased victim, it should not be at the expense of ignoring or downplaying other crucial cases such as Ajmer. All victims of sexual abuse deserve justice, and the media is responsible for adequately covering these cases, regardless of when they occur. However, individuals who are dedicated to whitewashing Muslim crimes or downplaying the Muslim identity when they engage in criminal acts while emphasising the same when Muslims do something good are not concerned about justice for the victims but about how the media portrays their co-religionists.

Ironically, at one point in the interview, Yogendra Yadav said that the kind of things educated Indians say about women is “cringe-worthy” and that makes him feel if those people ever went to school or learnt some basics in life. However, he fails to empathise with the victims of the Ajmer rape and blackmail scandal carried out by Muslims, particularly, the Khadims of the Ajmer Dargah and chastises the media for identifying the accused, instead of the perpetrators.

Significant impact of PM Modi’s push to boost tourism in Lakshadweep: The archipelago’s footfalls double, 88 per cent rise in flight numbers

OpIndia Staff
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Significant impact of PM Modi’s push to boost tourism in Lakshadweep: The archipelago’s footfalls double, 88 per cent rise in flight numbers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited “those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them” to visit Lakshadweep, in a social media post in January. He added, “During my stay, I also tried snorkelling – what an exhilarating experience it was,” however, his attempt to popularise indigenous tourism sparked a shocking display of unprofessional behaviour by Maldivian government officials who unleashed a flurry of personal assaults against him.

The extraordinary development also triggered angry responses from India as many individuals announced that they cancelled their trips to Maldives and others vowed to never visit the island nation. Notably, the incident stemmed from the anti-India plank including clarion calls like “India Out” propagated by Prime Minister Mohamed Muizzu during his election campaign which led to strained ties between the two friendly nations after he came to power last year.

After the fallout, appeals to explore Lakshadweep progressively caught the attention of people who expressed interest in experiencing the beauty of the relatively undiscovered union territory, as the Maldives, previously a favourite holiday destination for Indians, began to lose its appeal. However, the dust settled and the diplomatic tensions eased after a while but the damage had already been done as the archipelago had fallen out of favour for Indians. Interestingly, the country’s loss smoothly translated into Lakshdweep’s benefit as it underwent an influx of fresh tourists and importantly, the trend has only spiked since then.

With more tourists in Lakshadweep, flights also increased

More people are now reportedly travelling to Lakshadweep especially after more seats were added to Agatti. Agatti, the only airport in Lakshadweep, handled 22,990 people during the April to June quarter, which is also India’s busiest travel month. The numbers were only restricted to 11,074 passengers during the same period last year. Indian tourists in the Maldives decreased to 28,604 in the April–June quarter of this year from 54,207 in the corresponding time of last year, according to data issued by the Ministry of Tourism in the country.

This is almost a 50% decrease. According to the data, Muizzu’s request for China to send more tourists appears to have been successful, as it secured the top rank with 1.2 lakh visitors in the first half of 2024. However, there were just 63,450 Indians, a 42.5% decrease, making India the sixth-largest tourist destination in the Maldives. In the first half of 2024, the number of tourists arriving in the Maldives rose only by 9.2% overall when compared to the same period the previous year. It appears that the Indian boycott played a significant role in the reduction in visitor numbers.

On the other hand, Agatti experienced an 88% rise in the number of flights. Compared to 418 movements during the same period last year, there were 786 flights from April to June. In addition to Alliance Air’s daily service, which was expanded at the beginning of the year, IndiGo and Fly91 also provide daily service to Kochi. While IndiGo now leaves Kochi every day, Alliance Air now departs eight times a week. Fly91 has a daily service from Goa and IndiGo also runs the same from Bengaluru. Lakshadweep now has almost four times as many seats as before. These days, cruises include Lakshadweep on their itinerary, with day stops made at the island. These vacationers outnumber those who land there.

Big hotel chains are already constructing new resorts to accommodate the demand. Cirium reported that the number of flights to Lakshadweep grew more than three times, from 31 in July 2023 to 106 in July 2024. As a result, there were 7,844 available tickets in July 2024 when three airlines were operating, compared to 2,170 in July 2023, when only Alliance Air operated flights from Kochi.

While new carrier Fly91 from Goa conducted 21 flights in July, IndiGo, which had no service to Lakshadweep before February 2024, operated 53 flights from Kochi and Bengaluru. There was a 45% decrease in Indian visitors to the Maldives between April and July 2024 dropping to 36,761 as opposed to 66,375 over the same time frame the previous year. The Travel Agents Federation of India’s vice president, Anil Kalsi, believes that if the island’s airport is renovated, the number of visitors might triple.

Low number of flights to Maldives

As compared to the same time last year, the number of flights operating between India and the Maldives stayed relatively constant, revealed data provided by Cirium. From the standpoint of the airlines, however, things do not appear promising since IndiGo has decided not to resume its four times a week service from Delhi and its three times a week service from Hyderabad for the winter schedule, and Air India is completely withdrawing this winter.

Surprisingly, there were only 44 weekly departures between India and the Maldives in June 2024, compared to 59 weekly departures in June 2022, right in the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Maldives had evolved into a haven from the pandemic, with the requirement for an RT-PCR test before leaving which provided a sense of security and freedom to move about the hotels rather than being housed in resorts. It was also among the select few nations where travel had resumed.

The boycott campaign has generally been limited to social media for many reasons, but the one that emerged in the wake of the Maldives-Lakshadweep dispute continues to have a significant impact on the tourist sector in both parts. The percentage of Indian visitors to the Maldives has decreased by half this year, from 12% to 6.3%. Except for Vistara, most airlines have either maintained or decreased their capacity in relation to the Maldives.

How PM Modi brought Lakshadweep on the world map

“Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) is an influential leader in the country. He visited the Lakshadweep Islands in December 2023. The kind of impact he has had during his visit is huge,” voiced tourism officer Imthias Mohammed in April after PM Modi was seen snorkelling and savouring the island’s natural beauties. He added, “Post his visit, we have been receiving a lot of inquiries. People are very curious to know more about the tourism packages that Lakshadweep tourism offers. We are receiving huge inquiries from the national as well as the international arena.”

“We have been streamlining various tourism activities in the islands. Scuba diving and water sports are the major revenue-generating segments of Lakshadweep tourism. We have been encouraging local entrepreneurs to establish their own tourist homes to encourage educated youth to find their own living in the tourism sector. We are also actively promoting more cruise ship companies and have ambitious plans for promoting yachting tourism,” he highlighted emphasising the prospects for increased tourism there.

Meanwhile, several programs have been launched to promote tourism in Lakshadweep, including the building of more rooms and plans for a large airport, according to its administrator Praful Patel in January, indicating how the archipelago would soon be transformed into a desirable tourist destination in the near future. “The kind of inquiries the Lakshadweep administration is getting after the prime minister’s visit is unbelievable. People from all over the world are expressing the desire to visit the island. This will give a big boost to its economy and generate opportunities for locals.”

“The natural beauty of Lakshadweep carries immense possibilities for the development of the tourism sector. The administration has launched several initiatives, including adding more rooms. The islands will also get a big airport soon. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, Lakshadweep is being discussed not just in India but all over the world,” he pointed out. He conveyed that the plan to create 1,000 new rooms was underway, and work on building 225 rooms for the water villas in Suheli and Kadmat had started.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep and the photos of him walking along the beaches and snorkelling, the events that unfolded thereafter and the development initiatives his government launched in line with his vision to promote India as a well-liked tourist destination worldwide are all responsible for the robust tourism the island is currently experiencing.

Background of the controversy

The controversy started when three deputy ministers from the Maldives disparaged Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his photographs from the trip to Lakshadweep. PM Modi had advocated for the development of the Indian island cluster as a beach resort and the encouragement of domestic travel. However, he was called “clown” and “puppet of Israel” by the snotty ministers. The posts were removed after a massive backlash.

A huge diplomatic dispute erupted over the matter, prompting New Delhi to call the Maldivian embassy and lodge a strong protest against the posts that went viral on social media. A suspension was later imposed on the three deputy ministers. However, it was too late too little as furious Indians had already replaced Maldives with Lakshadweep from the itinerary.

Notably, PM Modi who earlier this year urged couples to “wed in India” to celebrate their union rather than travelling overseas for destination weddings, ensuring that the wealth stays in the nation had posted stunning pictures from his visit to Lakshadweep featuring its scenic beauty to popularise the island for tourists. He made no mention of Maldives yet it managed to irk the politicians there and led to a major row which concluded with a sharp drop in Indian visitors to the country which is mostly dependent on tourism.

Even with Mohamed Muizzu’s journey to India at PM Modi’s oath ceremony and the recent diplomatic settlement which also witnessed Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar’s visit to the country, the previous figures of Indians travelling to the Maldives haven’t been revived.

Malayalam Film Industry: Mohanlal-led film body AMMA dissolves amid allegations of sexual harassment in Malayalam film industry

OpIndia Staff
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Malayalam Film Industry: Mohanlal-led film body AMMA dissolves amid allegations of sexual harassment in Malayalam film industry

On 27th August, the entire governing body of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), including the president of the association, actor Mohanlal resigned from their positions. The decision came after the Hema Committee report was made public. Earlier, actor Siddique resigned from his position at AMMA in the wake of sexual assault allegations that resurfaced against him.

64-year-old Mohanlal cited moral responsibility as allegations of sexual abuse were levelled against some members of the governing body of AMMA. The Hema Committee report was made public on 19th August. Several actors came forward narrating their ordeal of sexual harassment faced at the hands of filmmakers, actors and technicians.

The statement from the association read, “We are hopeful that AMMA will have a new leadership capable of renewing and strengthening the association. Thanks to everyone for criticising and correcting.” Furthermore, the association said that a general body meeting will be called within two months to select a new governing body.

The governing body that dissolved included Actors Jagadish, Jayan Cherthala, Baburaj, Kalabhavan Shajon, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Joy Mathew, Suresh Krishna, Ananya, Vinu Mohan, Tovino Thomas, Sarayu, Ansiba, Jomol and Tini Tom. AMMA was under fire for maintaining silence over the allegations and the Hema Committee report.

The report exposed how several female actors faced sexual harassment, casting couch practices, pay disparities, exploitation and lobbying in the Malayalam film industry. Following the report, several women came forward levelling allegations against several senior actors and filmmakers.

Filmmakers Ranjith, Thulasidas, actors Jayasurya, Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Edavela Babu and Suraj Venjaramoodu have been named by female actors as abusers.

Complete statement by AMMA

The statement issued by AMMA in Malayalam read, “Following the release of the Hema Committee report and in the backdrop of sexual allegations faced by some members of the executive committee of the ‘AMMA’ organization, the current executive committee of ‘AMMA’ has decided to resign, considering its moral responsibility. A general meeting will be convened within two months to elect a new executive committee. The current committee will continue as a temporary arrangement to ensure the smooth disbursement of financial assistance provided by ‘AMMA’ on the first of the month and healthcare aid to its esteemed members, and to coordinate office functions until the general meeting. We hope that a new leadership will emerge to renew and strengthen ‘AMMA’. Thank you to everyone for your criticisms and corrections.”

Actor Siddique resigned from AMMA

On 24th August, Malayalam actor Siddique resigned from the post of General Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). He resigned over allegations of sexual assault levelled against him by a female actor. The resignation has been submitted to Mohanlal, president of AMMA.

In a statement, Siddique said, “Yes. I have tendered my official resignation to the president of the organisation, Mohanlal. Since there were allegations against me, I have decided not to continue in the post and resigned.” The allegations of sexual misconduct were levelled in 2019 by a Malayalam actor. The issue has sparked again following the Justice Hema Committee’s report highlighted widespread cases of sexual misconduct in the Malayalam film industry.

Several AMMA members welcomed Siddique decision to give their resignation. Vice President of AMMA Jayan Cherthala said it was not appropriate for him to continue in the position as such serious allegations have cropped up against him once again. Actor Anoop Chandran said he sent an email to Mohanlal in the morning seeking Siddique’s resignation. “The continuation of a person, facing serious allegations, in the post is actually an insult to the entire organisation. So I said in the email that if Siddique was not ready to step down on his own, the executive committee should be prepared to oust him,” he told media.

Justice Hema Report exposed challenging circumstances faced by women in Malayalam film industry

On 20th August, the Kerala government came under heavy criticism for or holding up the release of the Hema committee report, featuring startling information about how women are treated in the Malayalam film industry. The report was made official on 18th August.

This study, which bears the name of the committee’s chair, Justice K. Hema (Retd.), is an important document that highlights the challenging circumstances that women in the film industry face. The committee was established in response to the 2017 sexual assault of a well-known actress, which caused public indignation and prompted calls for structural reform in the business.

The study emphasized the serious obstacles that women encounter in the Malayalam film business, such as pervasive sexual harassment, discrimination based on gender, and an unfriendly workplace. The most startling discovery was that women who experience sexual harassment or assault frequently choose not to speak up for fear of being branded as “troublemakers” or being shunned by the business.

Testimonies from other women in the industry, who detailed their terrifying experiences, are included in the report. A scenario that was particularly unsettling featured an actress who was made to rehearse a scene in which she was hugged by an actor who had previously molested her. The actress suffered severe physical and psychological damage from having to endure 17 takes. Her performance was critiqued by the producer, who failed to recognize or comprehend the emotional agony she was experiencing.

The study emphasized how few basic amenities, like women’s restrooms and changing areas on movie sets, are available to women in the business. The substantial salary gap that exists in the Malayalam cinema industry between male and female actors was also highlighted by the survey.

The committee discovered that the sector frequently rejects women who dare to speak out against harassment or discrimination. They are called “problem-makers,” which negatively impacts their chances of getting a job and makes them feel alone in the workplace. The industry’s culture of backlash against female employees who speak for themselves is a contributing factor to the ongoing harassment and abuse of these workers.

Don’t bite the hand that feeds you: Bangladeshi studying at NIT Silchar deported, had endorsed dehumanising, racist post targeting Indians

OpIndia Staff
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Don’t bite the hand that feeds you: Bangladeshi studying at NIT Silchar deported, had endorsed dehumanising, racist post targeting Indians

On Tuesday (27th March), the Assam police confirmed that a Bangladeshi national named Maisha Mahjabin, who was studying engineering at NIT Silchar, had been deported to her home country.

The accused had endorsed a Facebook post, which dehumanised Indians as ‘dogs.’ On Monday (26th March) morning, she was sent back to Bangladesh through the Karimganj border in Assam.

Her transfer to the other side of the border was facilitated by the Assam Police and the Border Security Force (BSF). Maisha Mahjabin was a student of the electronics and communication engineering department.

According to her Facebook profile, the Bangladeshi national was also a summer intern with the Northeast Frontier Railway.

The police have clarified that the deportation of Maisha Mahjabin to Bangladesh was not due to her endorsement of anti-India hate. She had reportedly applied for a ‘long leave’ after coming under public scanner over her contentious social media activity.

Sadat Hossain Alphi, another Bangladeshi national and an ex-student of NIT Silchar (2020-2024), had initially shared a post on Facebook published by a page called ‘Department of Memes, Rajshahi University.’

The post read, ‘Loud and Clear’ and was accompanied by a picture of the main gate of the Rajshahi University in Bangladesh.

‘Dogs and Indians are not allowed,’ read the writing on the wall. For the unversed, the said phrase dates back to the colonial times when Britishers would dehumanise Indians as animals, unworthy of being called ‘humans.’

Despite being an alumnus of a premier educational institute in India, Sadat Hossain Alphi did not have qualms about endorsing the racist phrase targeting Indians. Maisha Mahjabin had even reacted to his disturbing post with a heart emoji.

Soon after, the screenshot of his Facebook post went viral on social media. Unlike Maisha, Sadat was residing in Bangladesh at that time and escaped public ire. However, it was enough for the cops to take cognisance of the matter.

On Sunday (25th August), the police tweeted, “In response to the dissemination of objectionable posts on social media, a comprehensive enquiry was conducted, involving a visit to the institution and interactions with officials & students.”

“The investigation revealed that the offensive post was made by one x student. Sadat Hossain Alphi, an alumnus of NIT Silchar, is currently residing in Bangladesh. The institution is actively addressing the matter with the competent authorities, while we are keeping sharp vigil and efforts continue to ensure peace and tranquillity,” it added.

In the meantime, Indian netizens are demanding the withholding of the academic degree of Sadat Hossain Alphi and not allowing Maisha Mahjabin to return from Bangladesh.

Sadat cries foul, plays ‘account hacked’ victim

Amid the controversy, the accused Sadat had cried foul over the matter. While speaking to Barak Bulletin, he claimed, “l don’t have any hatred for India or Indians.”

“I have high regard for the country and its population…l had shared a post about the NIRF ranking of NIT Silchar. In the comments section of that post, I had many people hurling abuses and questioning my integrity. Some of my compatriots even unfriended me,” he alleged.

“Following that, I stopped using my Facebook account. However, I realised that my account was compromised and anti-lndia content had been shared. The moment it came to my notice, I recovered my account and deleted the post,” Sadat claimed.

‘Another khatakhat loot after MUDA Scam’: All you need to know about the alleged land scam – 5 acre-plot allotted to Kharge family trust in aerospace park

OpIndia Staff
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‘Another khatakhat loot after MUDA Scam’: All you need to know about the alleged land scam – 5 acre-plot allotted to Kharge family trust in aerospace park

Days after the Karnataka Governor sanctioned prosecution against CM Siddaramaiah in the MUDA scam, the Congress President and Karnataka Ministers have courted fresh controversy over the allotment of a land parcel. The development comes months after the state development authority awarded over 5 acres of land near Bengaluru to the Kharge family’s trust, prompting the BJP to launch a scathing attack on the Congress party. It has accused the authority of “flouting rules” while allocating this land parcel. They have also flagged the issue of “conflict of interest” and charged Congress leaders with “nepotism” and “misuse of power”.

As per reports, in March 2024, the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) allotted 5 acres of land in the Aerospace Park near Bengaluru to Siddhartha Vihar Trust (trustees include the Kharge family). The allocation was done under the SC quota, even though the land was meant for civic amenities (CA). 

Notably, the Siddharta Vihar trust is run and managed by the family members of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with his son, Rahul Kharge being the chairperson.

According to the reports, the trustees of this Siddhartha Vihar Trust include Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, his wife Radhabai Kharge, his son-in-law and Gulbarga MP Radhakrishna, his son who is also Karnataka Minister Priyanka Kharge, and another son, Rahul Kharge. It was formed in July 1994. 

This 5-acre parcel is part of 45.94 acres which was earmarked for a Hitech Defense Aerospace Park by the KIADB. While the allotment happened in March this year, the issue rose to prominence after BJP Rajya Sabha MP Lahar Singh Siroya raised questions about the Kharge family’s eligibility to get a KIADB site. He also shared a media report of a portal named, The File, which published deed documents about this case. 

(Image of deed document accessed and shared by Kannada portal, The File)
(Image Source – The File)
(Image Source – The File)

Following the publication of deed documents, politics intensified in the state. While the BJP accused Congress of corruption, Karnataka Ministers have defended the allotment of land to the Kharge family’s trust claiming that it is not meant for “commercial purposes”.

The timeline of the controversy explained

It all started after a social activist named Dinesh Kallahalli lodged a complaint with Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot. In his complaint, he alleged that there was a conspiracy and massive corruption in the allotment of plots earmarked for Civil Amenities (CA) in industrial areas. He also alleged irregularities, abuse of power, and corruption in the allotment of the KIADB sites. 

(Video Courtesy – Public TV YouTube Channel)

Kallahalli also requested the Governor to sanction prosecution against Karnataka Industries Minister MB Patil so that the state Lokayukta could file a complaint in this matter. 

Following the complaint, a portal named, The File, revealed the Siddhartha Vihar trust deed documents. 

As per the report published in Kannada, the Siddhartha Vihara Trust had sought land sanction for setting up research and development training institutes at the Hi-Tech Defense Aerospace Park. Subsequently, Minister MB Patil presided over a meeting and allotted 5 acres of land to Siddhartha Vihar Trust. However, the proceedings of the meeting only mentioned the name of Rahul Kharge – son of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. 

The report added that a total of Rs 25 crores will be invested in this space for the establishment of training and research institutes. However, Kallahalli accused KIADB of not being transparent in allocating this land which was earmarked for civic amenities in the industrial area. 

(Complaint copy as shared by Kannada portal, The File)

He also accused the authority and Congress leaders of misuse of power, committing embezzlement, illegality, criminal conspiracy, and massive corruption. According to The File report, the KIADB has incurred losses worth crores as it didn’t follow the rules regarding the allotment rate among other irregularities.  

In his complaint, Kallahalli also blamed Heavy and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development Minister M B Patil for being involved in this. He demanded that legal action should be taken against the accused under corruption charges.

BJP lashes out at Congress with ‘corruption charges’, Congress defends land allocation

However, trouble mounted for the Congress party, after BJP Rajya Sabha MP Lahar Singh Siroya highlighted the issue and brought it into the spotlight. 

Taking to X, Siroya asked, “When did the Kharge family become aerospace entrepreneurs to be eligible for KIADB land? Is this about misuse of power, nepotism, and conflict of interest?” 

Meanwhile, BJP MP Siroya was joined by the Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra who also slammed the Kharge family and asked why was the land allotted only to the Kharge family. 

Vijayendra said, “Mallikarjun Kharge family trust has been allotted 5 acres of civic amenities plot which is right next to Bengaluru International Airport. This plot is worth crores and is a valuable plot. My question is if the government wanted to allot this property how many applicants were there? Why only the Kharge family’s trust was chosen for the allotment?…No rules were followed.”

A day after the BJP state unit accused the Kharge family’s trust of corruption, Karnataka Congress came out in defence of the Congress President and his family.

Mallikarjun Kharge’s son and the Karnataka IT/BT and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister, Priyank Kharge claimed that the allotted site was not meant for “industrial or commercial purposes”. He asked the BJP to explain to the public how the allotment of land is illegal.

Kharge claimed, “It is a CA (Civic Amenity) site. It is not an industrial plot. It’s an educational thing. The trust has been there for more than 2 decades and has been running educational institutions…”

He further claimed that the KIADB had not provided any subsidy or any relaxation to the trust run by the family to which the plot was awarded.

Furthermore, Karnataka Minister MB Patil defended the decision. He said that the land was allocated at the standard price and dismissed the BJP’s accusations as “politically motivated”.

It is pertinent to note that the allegations of corruption in the allotment of a land parcel against Kharge and his family come at a time when the state CM Siddaramaiah is embroiled in the MUDA scam. Governor Thawarchand Gehlot has already sanctioned prosecution against him over the disputed allocation of land under a Mysore Urban Development Authority scheme to his wife.

With inputs from ANI

RG Kar case: Kolkata Police resorts to lathi charge, water canons to disperse peaceful protestors marching to Nabanna, demanding Mamata’s resignation

OpIndia Staff
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RG Kar case: Kolkata Police resorts to lathi charge, water canons to disperse peaceful protestors marching to Nabanna, demanding Mamata’s resignation

On Tuesday, 27th August, Kolkata Police resorted to lathi charges, water cannons, and used tear gas canons to chase away peaceful demonstrators at the Howrah Bridge area to Santragachhi Railway station on the Kona Expressway. The police action was ordered to stop the protestors from reaching the State Secretariat, Nabanna. 

The enraged protestors had organized the protests to demand the removal of CM Mamata Banerjee from her position given her failure to take action against the culprits in the Kolkata rape and murder case.

As per the reports, the police action injured several students. Meanwhile the enraged demonstrators also at Santragachhi reportedly clashed with the police.

Police claimed that they began lathi charges and tear gas canons only after agitators breached barricades in several areas and allegedly attacked security personnel. Chaos is said to have developed when the student organization ‘Paschim Banga Chhatra Samaj’ and the dissident State government employees’ platform ‘Sangrami Joutha Mancha’ launched their ‘Nabanna Abhijan’ rally from various locations.

Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, asserted that police used “brutal repression” against peaceful protesters and warned to halt West Bengal if the “brutalities” by the State administration continued.

“Police are using water cannons on peaceful protestors in Santragachi, bursting tear gas shells on students at Howrah Bridge, and lathi charging them on College Street. Please put an end to these brutalities immediately,” the senior BJP leader told reporters.

Adhikari went on to say, “If the police repression is not stopped immediately, We (BJP) will stall West Bengal tomorrow”.

RG Kar Medical College Rape and Murder Case

On 9th August, a semi-nude, brutalised body of a female PG trainee doctor was found inside the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. It is a government-run hospital. The gruesome murder of a PG doctor at her own workplace soon became a nationwide issue, especially with the people reacting strongly to the Bengal govt, and the hospital’s initial attempts to cover up the case. The victim’s family narrated that they were initially told their daughter had committed suicide.

The doctor had dinner with four of her coworkers at 2:30 am that night after seeing Neeraj Chopra’s javelin throw event during the Paris Olympics. Afterwards, she went to the seminar hall to relax. The main accused in the case, Sanjay Roy, had access to every department as he worked at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital police outpost. He was not affiliated with the institution but often went there. CCTV evidence shows him entering the premises where the doctor was discovered, which led to his arrest on 10th August. He returned home after committing the horrifying act and slept in late. Roy also cleaned the outfit he wore to remove any evidence. The police recovered his bloodstained shoes during a search.

The Doctor was brutally tortured before she was suffocated to death, according to the post-mortem report. The four-page report stated that she had been strangled and that “perverted sexuality” and “genital torture” had resulted in serious wounds in her private parts.

According to sources, the Doctor’s head was slammed against a wall or the floor resulting in severe injuries, and her mouth and nose were squeezed shut to stop the victim from shouting. The accused had reportedly beaten her up as she attempted to defend herself and resist. He then raped and killed her. According to the autopsy, the girl’s hands and face had cuts on them. Shards of glass from her spectacles broke and got into her eyes following an intense blow. The initial postmortem report ruled out suicide and stated that the trainee doctor had been sexually assaulted before being murdered.

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