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Protest against Dharavi Redevelopment Project: Deep dive into how MVA is opposing a plan to provide dignified housing to slum dwellers in Dharavi

Shraddha Pandey
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Protest against Dharavi Redevelopment Project: Deep dive into how MVA is opposing a plan to provide dignified housing to slum dwellers in Dharavi

It happens only in India that the government wants to develop a slum and improve the lives of the slum dwellers, but the very same people oppose it. For years, the Adani Dharavi Redevelopment Project has been surrounded by protests fuelled by anti-development politicians. Recently, the Congress party held a “Dharavi Nyay Yatra” in the slum area against the Dharavi redevelopment project giving a clear indication that a controversy is being stirred to gain political mileage.

As the protests and the politics around it are dead set on stalling India’s development trajectory, it is pertinent to understand what the project is, and how it will transform the lives of the dwellers of Dharavi: Asia’s largest slum.

Dharavi Slum Redevelopment Project and the unending politics

In 2022, the Adani Group won the bid for the project, which plans to refurbish this 2.4 square kilometre slum area in Maharashtra into a modern township with residential, commercial, and industrial spaces. The Adani Group won the bid as it quoted Rs 5,069 crore for the project, while the DLF Group offered Rs 2,025 crore.

On every step, this project and Adani Group had to face the political backlash orchestrated by Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Congress party. In December last year, it was reported that former Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray led a protest alleging favour to Adani Group in connection with the Dharavi redevelopment project. These allegations, however, were outrightly rejected by the Adani Group which said that the project for the redevelopment of the Dharavi slum in Mumbai was awarded to the Adani Group through a fair, open, and internationally competitive bidding process. The group highlighted that the tender conditions were finalised when the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government was in power.

Similarly, Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad had levelled land-grabbing allegations against Adani Group’s joint venture Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Ltd (DRPPL) with the Maharashtra government. However, it was found that land parcels would only be transferred to the state government’s housing department through the Dharavi Redevelopment Project/Slum Rehabilitation Authority (DRP/SRA) and not to the Adani Group.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress also alleged that the slum dwellers will be uprooted from their shanties and will not be resettled, however, this claim was false and misleading since the state government’s 2022 directive provides for a condition that each tenement holder of Dharavi, will be provided a home regardless of their eligibility. Despite the repeated clarifications, the MVA leaders are hell-bent on peddling falsehoods and attacking the project aimed at transforming the lives of Dharavi slum dwellers. In July this year, Uddhav Thackeray ‘vowed’ to scrap the Dharavi redevelopment project after coming to power, expressing his disdain for the Adani Group, Thackeray asserted that he would not let Mumbai become “Adani City”.

The Adani-led DRPPL has announced that eligible residential tenements in Dharavi will receive flats with separate kitchens and toilets measuring at least 350 sq ft, 17%larger than Mumbai’s other slum redevelopment projects. Alongside residential units, the project will include community halls, recreational places, public gardens, dispensaries, day-care centres, schools and hospitals. Those ineligible would be provided homes in other areas including Kurla and Mulund.

Dharavi’s dense expanse of shanties spread across 240 hectares in a prominent Central Mumbai location, is home to about 800,000 residents and over 13,000 small businesses. Notably, the rehabilitation of Dharavi is estimated to cost around Rs 23,000 crore. The project envisages resettling 650,000 eligible slum dwellers within a 2.5-square-kilometre area, with the whole project anticipated to be concluded in 7 to 8 years.

Notably, the eligibility criteria set by DRPPL states that ground-floor tenants who resided in Dharavi before 2000 will receive a free flat measuring at least 350 square feet. Higher-floor dwellers, or those who resided there between 2000 and 2011, would receive a 300-square-foot home for a single payment of 250,000 rupees, located within 10 kilometres of Dharavi. Those who relocated to Dharavi after 2011 will be given a 300-square-foot home within the same radius, but they must pay rent to the government.

Dharavikars should live in poverty so the MVA can come into power

Merely boasting the $1 billion annual turnover of Dharavi’s informal economy does not change the fact that the slum dwellers live in cramped shanties under challenging conditions including those pertaining to gas, water, electricity, sanitation, drainage etc. It is claimed that the flats the DRPPL would provide to the Dharavikars would become dirty even though it would be human fault and that the space in the 350 sq ft. flats would not be enough. Exploiting such concerns Shiv Sena UBT leader Aditya Thackeray recently announced that MVA will scrap the Dharavi redevelopment project if residents are not provided 500 sq ft houses.

While Dharavi has witnessed a reduction in crimes compared to the era of organised crimes in the 1980s-90s, criminal activities in the slum area remain a concern, especially drug peddling. Even as the people of Dharavi grapple with the grim realities of the slums, the MVA politicians want to polish their politics by inciting the local people by various means.

Source: Owlcation

These political leaders want the people of Dharavi to rot in poverty yet celebrate it in the name of the “industrial hub” like how the suffocating struggle in jampacked metro trains and overcrowded stations is passed off as the “Spirit of Mumbai”. While the BJP-Shiv Sena government led by CM Eknath Shinde and the Adani Group want Dharavi to produce millionaires without the “slumdog” prefix, the anti-development parties want the Dharavikars to become their “slumdog vote banks”.

Probably, the opposition wants the illegal criminal activities and disgusting “slum tourism” to thrive and Dharavikars to live in squalor while they remain ensconced in their high-end residences in posh areas. While the movie “Slumdog Millionaire” brought Dharavi to the centre of global attention, tour and travel agencies have literally launched a new segment of tourism in the state. They are earning a handsome income out of showcasing the poverty of Dharavi.  

The opposition leaders and those who benefit from the current state of Dharavikars are capitalising on genuine concerns and uncertainties among Dharavi residents regarding evacuation and rehabilitation. While some of the concerns may be valid and DRPPL should address their concerns, the politicisation of the project hints at a deliberate attempt to stall the project as its potential success might benefit not only the Dharavikars but also the ruling government. Ironically, the Congress party which literally won elections on the “Gareebi Hatao” slogans does not want the same to happen in Dharavi.

Shiv Sena (UBT) and its perpetual opposition to crucial development projects

Incidentally, this is not the first time that the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena has opposed a much-needed infrastructure project in the state. Back in 2020, Mumbai Metro Line 3 project required the construction of a car shed for maintenance and operations. The original plan was to build this car shed in the Aarey Colony which would have improved the public transportation system in the city., however, several ‘activists’, Bollywood stars and the Shiv Sena (UBT) vehemently opposed the project in the name of saving the “green lungs” of the city. The liberal ecosystem had lauded then-state minister Aaditya Thackeray for “saving” the Aarey Forest. The step taken by the then-Maharatra government led by the Maha Vikas Agaadi (MVA) alliance was celebrated by environmentalists and elite Mumbaikars.

Aditya Thackeray at Aarey protest site in 2022 (Image via @AUThackeray)

While in a classic case of “If you can’t build it, stall it”, the MVA stalled the Aarey project leaving the Mumbaikars grappling with traffic congestion, it was only after BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena came to power that the project was shifted back from Kanjurmarg to Aarey. This decision was later cleared by the Supreme Court. Presently, the project has neared completion. Other than the Aarey Project, the Uddhav Thackeray-led government had also caused delays in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project which would have immensely benefitted the people.

Dharavi needs development, not dirty votebank politics

Votebank politics has become an inextricable element of Indian politics. So much so, that even much-needed infrastructure development projects are opposed by stoking imaginary apprehensions and peddling lies. Studies show that the life expectancy in Dharavi is around 40 years while the urban life expectancy in Maharashtra is around 75 and the national average is around 67 years.

Life expectancy in India (Source: WHO)

If not the above discussion, these numbers should raise the eyebrows. Beyond “slum tourism” and the “spirit of Mumbai”, Dharavi’s hub of legal and illegal businesses offers hazardous working conditions for the slum dwellers working as artisans, or recycling plastic etc in small places. In most cases, there are no separate work and living spaces. It has been reported how in a single hutment multiple businesses are run with substandard safety measures in place. Besides, several reports say that in Dharavi there are only 1000 toilets for 1 million residents.

Workspaces in Dharavi (Source: Swarajya)

While there is a genuine concern that 300 sq ft flats are sufficient for residing but for work, the people need bigger spaces and this needs to be effectively addressed by the authorities, demanding the scrapping of the project or stalling it is absolutely unacceptable. Calling the plight of Dharavikars some sort of “spirit” is nothing but a mockery of their deplorable lives and serves no purpose beyond politics. Beyond building new houses, the Dharavi redevelopment project is about building new and dignified lives for those compelled to live in the squalor.

Dharavi has the potential to become another Bandra Kurla Complex which once was a marshland. If the project manages to deliver the promises made in the project by transforming the “Slumbai” of Mumbai into a modern city alongside preserving and promoting the local micro-enterprises and small industries, the Dharavi redevelopment project will become a template for future slum development initiatives.

With its effective execution, the Dharavi project could serve as a model for redeveloping other huge slums in India, demonstrating how urban places can be altered while assuring the rehabilitation of their existing residents. Dharavi’s redevelopment has the potential to considerably enhance Mumbai’s economy further bolstering Maharashtra’s economic growth. The development of new housing, commercial spaces, and infrastructure will boost employment opportunities and economic activity, cementing Mumbai’s reputation as a global commercial hub.

Most importantly, the project has the potential to significantly improve the lives of lakhs of people by providing improved housing, sanitation, and healthcare. Moreover, it may lead to improved educational and job opportunities for residents, thus narrowing the socioeconomic split. Furthermore, it will serve to reduce, if not eliminate, criminal activities in the Dharavi slums. Also, since Dharavi is situated in a prime location in Mumbai, its redevelopment has the potential to leave a positive impact on the real estate market.

All this, however, is possible only when the project’s stakeholders including the government, the Adani Group and the people of Dharavi have clear communication and resolve the issues that arise. Meanwhile, the opposition needs to shun its hallmark “anti-development” approach aimed at building vote banks in the name of nurturing the so-called ‘spirit’ of Dharavi and cooperate with the authorities in the much-needed transformation of Dharavi and the lives of Dharavikars.

Former Jharkhand CM Champai Soren announces plan to form new political party ahead of state assembly elections, says doors open for alliances

OpIndia Staff
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Former Jharkhand CM Champai Soren announces plan to form new political party ahead of state assembly elections, says doors open for alliances

On Wednesday (21st August), Former Jharkhand CM Champai Soren announced his plans to form a new political party ahead of the state assembly elections due later this year. While he has categorically ruled out retirement, the former state CM has kept his doors open for alliances. 

The development comes days after the JMM leader shared a long post in which he said that he had a humiliating experience when he was unceremoniously ousted from the post of state CM. Notably, he was appointed as the 12th Chief Minister of the state, after Hemant Soren resigned from the post before being arrested by the ED in a land scam case. However, after the Jharkhand HC granted him bail in that case, Hemant Soren returned as the state CM, ousting his own party leader. 

Stating that the development was a major blow to his self-respect, Champai Soren had hinted about quitting the party. Regarding his future options, he had said that he was open to all three options – retirement, forming a new political party, or joining a party. 

On Wednesday, Champai Soren told reporters, “I had mentioned three options – retirement, organisation, or friend. I will not retire; I will strengthen the party, a new party, and if I meet a good friend on the way, then will move ahead with them.”

When a reporter reminded him that he did not have much time left to establish a new political party before the state went to polls, Soren replied, “That’s not your problem.” He added, “When 30,000-40,000 workers can arrive within a day, then what problem will I have in forming a new (political party).” He added that everything will become clear in a week. 

Earlier on Sunday, he visited Delhi, at a time when speculations were rife about his joining the BJP. However, a day later, Jharkhand BJP chief Babulal Marandi ruled out having any discussions with him regarding his potential switch to the BJP. 

Marandi had said, “No talk was held yet with Champai Soren. He is a seasoned politician and has been part of the separate Jharkhand movement. He will himself decide his own path.”

Puja Khedkar not from OBC community, more people involved in fake identity fraud: Delhi Police and UPSC oppose anticipatory bail to former trainee IAS officer, High court extends bail

OpIndia Staff
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Puja Khedkar not from OBC community, more people involved in fake identity fraud: Delhi Police and UPSC oppose anticipatory bail to former trainee IAS officer, High court extends bail

On Wednesday (21st August), the Delhi High Court extended anticipatory bail (interim protection from arrest) of former trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar. The extension remains in effect till 29th August.

Notably, Khedkar is accused of falsifying and misrepresenting facts in her application to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). After irregularities and allegations of forged documents were levelled against her, the UPSC cancelled Khedkar’s candidature and debarred her from future exams.

On Wednesday, while extending relief to the former trainee IAS officer, Justice Subramonium Prasad of the Delhi High Court instructed the investigation agency not to arrest her while the matter is under consideration, noting that immediate arrest is “not deemed necessary”.

Both UPSC and Delhi Police had opposed her anticipatory bail plea asserting that the move could significantly hinder the ongoing investigation.

‘Puja Khedkar not entitled to OBC and non-creamy layer reservation benefits’: Submissions of the Delhi Police while opposing her anticipatory bail plea

The Delhi Police said that Puja Khedkar’s anticipatory bail could result in her affecting the probe by providing misleading information or pressurising others to alter records or testimony.

In its status report to the Delhi High Court, Delhi Police said that Puja Khedkar was not entitled to OBC and non-creamy layer reservation benefits. It added that a well-planned conspiracy was hatched to help her misrepresent information in her application for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, 2022. The submissions also revealed that more people could have been involved in Khedkar’s identity fraud case.

In its status report, the Delhi Police said, “The case has wider implications for public trust. It directly impacts the fairness and integrity of the entire examination and selection process. There are other forms of evidence, such as emails, text messages, physical records (that are) not yet submitted to authorities, or even personal records. Khedkar could alter or destroy these if granted protection at the initial stage of investigation.”

The Delhi Police added that this could lead the former IAS trainee officer to create a “consistent narrative, cover up their tracks or manipulate remaining evidence”.

The Police further stated, “This would significantly hinder the investigation’s ability to uncover the complete scope of the fraud.”

Puja Khedkar lied about her parent’s divorce: Report

The investigation has revealed that in her UPSC application, Puja Khedkar had mentioned that her parents were legally separated by a decree of divorce and it was done to avail reservation benefits, India Today report added.  

However, in reality, Khedkar’s parents were not separated rather they were living together. According to the analysis of the Call Data Record (CDR) of Puja Khedkar and her family, the parents were in constant touch with each other and their location was also the same most of the time.

Additionally, in her application to the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Puja Khedkar mentioned that she lives with both her parents in Pune which was contrary to her claims in the UPSC application where she said that her parents were divorced, and that she lived separately with her mother. Khedkar had joined SAI as an assistant director in 2022. 

Furthermore, her father, Dilip Khedkar retired as the director of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) in 2023. However, he did not submit any information about his separation or divorce to his employer at any point in time.

UPSC’s submissions before the Delhi High Court

While opposing her anticipatory bail plea, UPSC argued before the High Court that granting the relief to Puja Khedkar “would not only impede the investigation process” but also “embolden individuals with criminal intent to exploit and abuse the law”. 

In its affidavit, the UPSC said that “the gravity of fraud committed is unprecedented”. It not only affects a constitutional body but also the public at large and people who could not be appointed despite being eligible and qualified.

It added that Khedkar’s false statements about the number of attempts and her suppression of other information could not have been possible “without the assistance and helping hand of several other individuals, all of which requires to be unearthed by custodial interrogation”.

In its affidavit, UPSC highlighted Khedkar’s alleged fraudulent actions, including attempts made beyond the permissible limits, name changes, and applying under various reserved categories (OBC and people with disabilities).

Stressing that she is ‘influential’ and could tamper with the investigation, the UPSC affidavit further stated, “The fact that the accused is in a position to collude with others even before her selection as a Civil Service officer speaks volumes about her influence. It is not far-fetched to suggest that even the medical reports claiming disability benefits may have been tampered with or obtained through unfair means. There is a prima facie indication of a complex scheme devised by Khedkar to further her intentions in collusion with others. The calculated manner in which the offences have been committed over time indicates that the investigation cannot rely solely on documents.”

It is pertinent to note that the ongoing probe against Khedkar involves several inquiries, such as verifying the authenticity of the disability certificates and cross-checking Puja Khedkar’s claims with other institutions (educational or medical).

(With Inputs from ANI)

‘Open to extradition if India provides evidence’: Malaysian PM on Islamic hate preacher Zakir Naik

OpIndia Staff
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‘Open to extradition if India provides evidence’: Malaysian PM on Islamic hate preacher Zakir Naik

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that he is “open to any evidence” from India concerning its request for the extradition of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. In an exclusive interview with India Today, Anwar emphasised that Naik has not made any controversial statements against India while in Malaysia.

“As long as Zakir Naik does not cause problems or pose a security threat, we will let the matter rest. However, we are open to considering any evidence provided by India for his extradition under the law,” said Ibrahim, who is visiting India for the first time since becoming Prime Minister in 2022.

The Malaysian Prime Minister mentioned that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar brought up the issue of Zakir Naik’s extradition during their discussion.

Zakir Naik, originally from Mumbai, left India in 2016 following accusations of promoting hatred and money laundering. The previous Mahathir Mohamed administration in Malaysia granted him permanent residency, which displeased India. His Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) has been banned in India.

Kashmir is a purely domestic issue of India: Malaysian PM

The Malaysian Prime Minister declined to comment on the Kashmir issue, labelling it as a “purely domestic issue” of India. “We have not taken an open stance on Kashmir. Our focus is on maintaining peace and security while reducing tensions,” he stated.

This remark follows heightened tensions between India and Malaysia after former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed criticised India’s decision to revoke Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

However, Anwar Ibrahim did voice concerns about the treatment of religious and ethnic minorities in India. “Just as India has the right to raise questions about Malaysia, we also have the right to express concerns over the situation of religious and ethnic minorities,” he remarked.

During his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ibrahim extended an invitation to Modi for the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur next year, which PM Modi accepted.

At the meeting, India and Malaysia elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership and signed eight agreements.

Addressing the Rohingya refugee crisis, Ibrahim acknowledged the challenges it poses for Malaysia. “We must protect them, but accommodating 200,000 refugees in Malaysia is creating difficulties,” he said.

Malaysia has become a favoured destination for Rohingya refugees escaping persecution in Myanmar and Bangladesh. Although Malaysia does not grant official refugee status, the country currently hosts over 180,000 refugees and asylum seekers, with thousands more residing there illegally after arriving by sea.

Bangladesh: Journalist couple arrested from Dhaka Airport while departing to Paris days after they were ‘blacklisted’ by students group and fired by news channel

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh: Journalist couple arrested from Dhaka Airport while departing to Paris days after they were ‘blacklisted’ by students group and fired by news channel

Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh, a crackdown on everyone perceived to be close to the Awami League continues under the interim government. On Wednesday, a journalist couple was arrested from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport while they were leaving for Paris. They were earlier fired from the the News Channel where they worked, and the student group leading the protests called for banning them.

Former Ekattor Television head of news Shakil Ahmed, and his wife Farzana Rupa who was the principal correspondent of the news channel, were detained before they could board a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul at 6.20 AM, from where they were scheduled to proceed to Paris.

Airport sources said that after Rupa and Shakil went to the airport to board Turkish Airlines flight TK-713 to Istanbul, the Immigration Authorities stopped them. The Immigration police said that they didn’t have clearance from the City Special Branch of police because they are wanted in some cases filed at Shahbagh police station.

“We completed the immigration but they were wanted in cases. A requisition was given by the Detective Branch (DB) against the case, and they were taken to custody from the airport,” an official was quoted by Daily Star. However, the nature of cases against them have not been revealed.

The couple was then taken into custody by a team from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch, and they were taken to the Detective Branch office for questioning.

Notably, Shakil Ahmed and his wife Farzana Rupa were fired by Ekattor TV on 8th August, following allegations of being pro-Awami League against them. The channel had told the media, “Our management has unanimously reached this decision. The HR department will formally notify them.”

Incidentally, the names of Shakil Ahmed and Farzana Rupa were featured in a list of journalists ‘blacklisted’ by the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, the student group that toppled the government. Abdul Kader and Abdul Hannan Masud, coordinators of the group, had sent a letter to the National Press Club on 10th August that included a list of 51 journalists, accusing of supporting police and the ruling party during the protests that led to the fall of the govt.

The student body said, “Press Club is a national institution. This press club has always come forward in the difficult times of the nation. But during the Awami League government, this institution became a party institution.” Referring to the journalists listed in the letter, they added, “We think that their activities under the guise of journalism were against the national interest and against the state.” They demanded that the journalists be expelled from the press club and banned from the media field, adding that they have already asked the govt to initiate legal action against them. At least one journalist in the list was accused of being an Indian Intelligence Agency Agent in the letter.

Bangladesh: Muhammad Yunus-led government releases Al-Qaeda-inspired terror outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team chief Mufti Jashimuddin Rahmani

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh: Muhammad Yunus-led government releases Al-Qaeda-inspired terror outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team chief Mufti Jashimuddin Rahmani

On 18th August, Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of Bangladesh released the chief of the Al-Qaeda-inspired terrorist organisation Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) chief Mufti Jashimuddin Rahamani from Kashimpur High-Security Central Jail in Gazipur. Speaking to the media, Subrata Kumar Bala, senior jail superintendent of Kashimpur Jail said, “We released Rahmani around 1:15 pm on Sunday as he obtained bail in all cases filed against him.”

Following his release, prosecution lawyers and counterterrorism officials expressed their concerns as Rahamani is a prominent figure. According to the experts, his release would increase terror threats and cause hurdles in the trials of the cases filed against him under the Anti-terrorism Act.

On 12th August 2013, Rahamani was arrested in Barguna in connection to inciting people to commit violence. 30 members of the Ansarullah Bangla Team were also arrested. Since his arrest in 2013, Rahamani has remained in jail. He is facing six different cases and a charge sheet has been filed by the police in all the cases against him.

On 31st December 2015, a Dhaka court sentenced him to five years in jail in a case related to the murder of blogger Rajib Haider. The case was filed at Pallabi Police Station. He has completed his sentence in the case. Apart from this case, two other cases were filed at Mohammadpur Police Station, one at Gulshan Police Station, one at Barguna Sadar Police Station and one at Uttara Paschim Police Station. The trial is pending in all these cases. In two cases, he was granted bail by the Anti-Terrorism Special Tribunal of Dhaka in 2020 and 2022. In 2022, 2023 and January 2024, he was granted bail in other three cases.

Speaking to the media, the chief of the Counter-Terrorism and Transitional Crime unit, Md Asaduzzaman said that his release was a matter of concern for the security agencies. “We are now trying to track down Rahmani and he will be under our monitoring. And we believe we will be able to avert any untoward situations,” he said.

Assistant public prosecutor of the Anti-Terrorism Special Tribunal in Dhaka, Golam Sharuar Khan, said that his release would impact the ongoing trials. He said, “As Rahmani has been released on bail … it is likely to impact the trials. Prosecution witnesses may become afraid of going to court to testify against the accused. We will try to produce the witnesses before the court and complete the trials of the pending cases as soon as possible.”

Ansarullah Bangla Team made headlines with the murder of Rajib Haider in February 2013. In May 2015, the Government of Bangladesh banned the organisation. Reportedly, the group has killed at least four bloggers and writers. They were also involved in the murders of LGBT rights activist Xulhaz Mannan and his friend Khandoker Mahbub Rabby Tonoy in 2016.

Ansarullah Bangla Team in India

Notably, in 2017, five ABT terrorists were apprehended in Assam trying to create a foothold in India. In July 2022, two modules were busted in Assam linked to ABT. Again in 2022, two imams linked to ABT were arrested. The two Imams were arrested by the Goalpara Police in Assam as part of a broad anti-terror operation against the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) and the Islamic terrorist group Al Qaeda Indian Subcontinent. After being questioned by police for many hours, Jalaluddin Sheikh (49), the imam of Tilapara Natun Masjid, and Abdus Subhan (43), the imam of Tinkunia Shantipur Masjid, Mornoi, were both taken into police custody.

When the two Imams’ residences were searched, authorities said they found a significant quantity of evidence related to Al Qaeda Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), as well as Jihadi literature, posters, books, and other materials including mobile phones, SIM cards, and ID cards. The two people who were arrested were in contact regularly with the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) units in Barpeta and Morigaon.

In August 2022, Assam Chief Minister informed in a press conference that several jihadi modules of Bangladeshi immigrants have been busted by the police. He said that Ansarullah Bangla Team, which is affiliated with Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent, had been most active in the state. In the last six months, five modules of ABT have been caught in the state. These groups were busted based on intelligence inputs gathered by both Assam police and central agencies.

Assam: Farooq sexually harasses college student in his auto-rickshaw, flashes private part in front of her, arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Assam: Farooq sexually harasses college student in his auto-rickshaw, flashes private part in front of her, arrested

On Wednesday, 21st August, a disturbing event came to the fore that has sent shock waves across the Cachar district in Assam. A female student from Assam University was sexually harassed by an autorickshaw driver on her way home from college. The terrifying incident happened on August 19th while the research scholar student was making her way back to her home in Irongmara village.

The student had just finished her lectures, according to the local reports, when she got into an autorickshaw being driven by a man identified as Badrujaman Farooq. In an unusual request for a passenger, Farooq asked that she take the front seat next to him. The student obeyed even though she was hesitant at first since she didn’t want to cause trouble.

Halfway through a trip, the scenario apparently took a scary turn when Farooq made an effort to harass the student sexually. He allegedly exposed himself in a blatant act, shocking and frightening the student. He unbuttoned his pants displaying his private part in the open. The student quickly responded, jumping from the speeding vehicle and racing away from the spot. Afterwards, she gathered up the courage to notify the university administration about the ordeal and reported the event to the local police.

The student body was swiftly incensed by the occurrence. As a show of support, the student union at the university and other students began a thorough search for the accused. Their efforts paid off on August 20th, the evening of Bakirnagar, Cachar, when Farooq was captured and turned over to the police. He has been held while the legal process is ongoing.

Tensions have increased on the Assam University campus as a result of the incident, and students are calling for the local government to take prompt, decisive action to guarantee everyone’s safety and security. The university community is stressing the need for a safer environment for all students and is pushing for tighter steps to prevent incidents like this in the future.

YSRCP’s Jagan Mohan Reddy named in new controversy, TDP says former CM spent Rs 3.62 crores on egg puffs in 5 years

OpIndia Staff
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YSRCP’s Jagan Mohan Reddy named in new controversy, TDP says former CM spent Rs 3.62 crores on egg puffs in 5 years

Jagan Mohan Reddy, the former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, has come under scrutiny for allegedly overspending on snacks while serving as the CM of the state. The TDP, which is in power, and the YSRCP are making heated exchanges against each other over the costs that Reddy’s administration has expended on snacks. 

According to the TDP, over the previous five years, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) allegedly spent an extraordinary amount of Rs 3.62 crores on egg puffs. According to reports, the CMO spent an average of Rs 72 lakhs a year on these snacks, which equates to 993 egg puffs eaten every day. This further amounts to 18 lakh egg puffs consumed throughout the course of the five-year span.

These disclosures have raised severe questions regarding possible government money misappropriation under Reddy’s leadership.

The issue arose when the Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP government opened a comprehensive probe into the financial irregularities of the previous government. The “Egg Puff Scandal” has only made the state’s political unrest worse. Several scandals under Jagan’s leadership had already sparked debates, such as the disproportionate amount of money spent on his security, the building of Rushikonda Palace, and the use of exclusive aircraft and helicopters for private use.

Meanwhile, supporters of the YSRCP declared that the TDP was purposefully trying to damage Jagan’s and the party’s credibility with the “egg puff scandal.” Supporters of the YSRCP called the most recent controversy “fake news” and said that, between 2014 and 2019, the previous TDP administration had spent Rs 8.5 crore on snacks for former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his son Lokesh.

In a quick response, the TDP labeled the YSRCP’s accusations as fraudulent with no foundation. The TDP’s social media division refuted the allegations on many platforms, charging that the YSRCP was disseminating false information to divert attention away from the true problem—that is, Jagan Mohan Reddy’s purported mishandling of finances.

Love Jihad: Ziaul Haq pretends to be Hindu to befriend a girl, rapes and blackmails her, assaults and issues death threats after she refuses to convert to Islam

OpIndia Staff
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Love Jihad: Ziaul Haq pretends to be Hindu to befriend a girl, rapes and blackmails her, assaults and issues death threats after she refuses to convert to Islam

A case of ‘love jihad’ has come to light in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, where a complaint was lodged on 14th August against a Muslim driver named Ziaul Haq alias Zia who hid his religious identity and raped a Hindu girl. He even recorded her obscene videos and blackmailed her. He pressured her to embrace Islam and marry her, however, she refused and was assaulted by him. Notably, he similarly sexually abused and blackmailed other Hindu girls as well. The authorities arrested him on 20th August.

The case pertains to the Mahanagar police station area of ​​​​central Lucknow where the victim submitted a complaint which revealed that she does domestic work at a Muslim doctor’s residence. The accused who is originally from the Barabanki district lived near the house. He befriended her by claiming to be a Hindu. One day, he took her to a hotel under the pretext of having tea. He then gave her drugs to render her unconscious and sexually violated her. He also took offensive images and videos of her during the heinous act and continued to sexually exploit her repeatedly by threatening to make them viral online. After some days, he demanded Rs 1 lakh from her in exchange for deleting them.

She somehow managed to collect a small amount and handed it over to him, however, the perpetrator sent the footage and photographs to some of her relatives. Afterwards, he started to force her to become Muslim and do Nikah (Islamic wedding ceremony) with him. The distressed female blocked his number but he relentlessly harassed her by calling and texting through different numbers. He then proceeded to torment her when she went outside after she barred those numbers as well. One day he stopped her on the way and declared, “If you don’t marry me, I will tear your body into pieces. I won’t threaten you anymore. I will only show you.” OpIndia has a copy of the complaint.

The victim mentioned that she was extremely depressed due to Ziaul Haq’s torture and threats. She also feared danger to her life and property. The complaint featured the name of another Hindu from the Other Backward Class (OBC) category who unveiled that the offender had also similarly harassed her.

The police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against him under sections 115 (2), 123, 308 (2), 352, 351 (2), 126 (2), 77 and 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) along with the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act. The cops have already nabbed him. Further investigation and legal action into the case are underway.

TISS bans controversial students’ organsiation Progressive Students Forum (PSF), says it was misleading students

Anurag
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TISS bans controversial students’ organsiation Progressive Students Forum (PSF), says it was misleading students

On 19th August, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) Mumbai banned the student organisation Progressive Students Forum (PSF). The organisation is affiliated to Left-leaning Students Federation of India (SFI). In its notice issued banning PSF, TISS said that it has been misleading students and defaming the institute. Earlier in April, TISS banned PhD student and PSF member Ramadas Prini Sivanandan for repetitive misconduct and anti-national activities.

The notice banning the organisation was signed by Registrar Professor Anil Sutar. TISS designated PSF as an “unauthorised and illegal forum” on its campus and accused them of misleading students, obstructing the functioning of the institute, creating division among the students and faculty and defaming the institute. The notice read, “This group has been engaging in activities that obstruct the institute’s functions, defame the institute, demean members of our community, and create divisions among students and faculty. It has been observed that this group is misleading, distracting and misguiding students from their academic pursuit and harmonious life in the campus.”

Source: TISS

TISS has prohibited PSF members from organising or participating in any events on the campus and warned them if they attempt to do so it “will be met with immediate intervention and consequences”. TISS further urged the students to report any encounters with PSF members to campus security which will handle the reporting with the utmost confidentiality. Stating that the institute is committed to maintaining a safe and collaborative academic environment, TISS said, “Any student or faculty member found supporting, associating with, or propagating the group’s divisive ideologies will face disciplinary action as per institute policies,” in the notice.

TISS student and PSF member suspended for two years for anti-national activities

A PhD candidate at TISS, Ramadas Prini Sivanandan, was suspended for two years on 18th April for “repeated misconduct and anti-national activities.” The suspension followed his involvement in a protest march against the central government’s policies, which the institute viewed as a breach of discipline. The suspension also barred him from TISS campuses and cited a show-cause notice questioning his actions, including screening controversial documentaries and organising unauthorised events. Ramadas, a member of the Student Federation of India, is accused of using the institute’s resources for political purposes, which the administration claims tarnishes the institution’s reputation.

PSF’s controversial history

According to a report in the Indian Express, the members of PSF expressed surprise over the timing of the ban as it happened minutes before their planned signature campaign to submit a complaint to the TISS Chancellor concerning several issues. They were planning to challenge the ban. PSF has got into a lot of controversies over the past couple of years. In January 2023, PSD participated in he screening of the controversial BBC documentary “India: The Modi Question” inside the campus despite the ban imposed on the documentary by the government of India.

In March 2023, PSF protested outside the director’s house claiming that the administration did not allow them to hold the Bhagat Singh Memorial Lecture (BSML) by propagandist Harsh Mander and JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh. In November 2023, they opposed the changes brought in the TISS admission process where TISS discontinued its entrance test and said admissions would be based on the results of CUET.

OpIndia went through the history of PSF on social media and found the organisation has consistently supported the “Palestinian cause” and posted anti-Israel content. In one of the posts, they used the highly objectionable and controversial slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” which talks about eradicating Israel from the map. The post came just five days after the brutal terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas that killed 1,300 Israelis and foreigners.

Source: PSF/Insta

In another post, they expressed solidarity with Newsclick’s Prabir Purkayastha who was booked under UAPA for allegedly taking money from China for anti-India activities. The Delhi Police arrested Newsclick founder and editor Prabir Purkayastha and HR head Amit Chakravarty on 3rd October 2023 under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. Delhi Police raided and sealed the NewsClick office on the same day in relation to the case involving foreign funding from China to spread narratives that were critical of India.

Source: Instagram

PSF was also part of the statement issued by six student’ organisations in April 2024 against the circular issued by the TISS administration on the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the students and staff around the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. PSF was active on the campus for over a decade. Members of PSF held several Student Union positions including the vice-president of the outgoing SU.

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