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Liberals and ‘journalists’ instigate violence in India, using Bangladesh as an excuse: How the ‘rigged election’ lie is being used to foment trouble

Amit Kelkar
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Liberals and ‘journalists’ instigate violence in India, using Bangladesh as an excuse: How the ‘rigged election’ lie is being used to foment trouble

On Monday, August 5, 2024, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled as ongoing nationwide protests took a violent turn. Hundreds of protesters stormed her official residence, waving flags and raising slogans against her, shortly after she fled.

After resigning as Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina left Bangladesh and arrived at the Hindon Air Base near Delhi. She is expected to fly to London, reports said.

Due to the unrest in Bangladesh, the BSF has issued a high alert along the India-Bangladesh border. As a result, both passenger and freight train services heading towards the border areas have been suspended.

General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the army chief of Bangladesh, announced that an interim government would assume control. He assured that the military would step back and commit to initiating an investigation into the fatal crackdown on student protesters.

“We will investigate all the killings and punish the responsible,” he said at a press conference. “I have ordered that no army and police will indulge in any kind of firing… Now, the students must stay calm and help us.”

‘Liberals’ and ‘journalists’ use Bangladesh chaos to instigate similar kind of deadly protests in India

However, soon after the ouster of Hasina, a democratically elected head of state in India’s immediate neighbourhood, the left-leaning ‘liberals’ and propagandists who identify themselves as ‘journalists’ fell over themselves to spread canards of ‘rigged election’ in Bangladesh—a shameless attempt to instigate violence in India and rationalise the violent protests led by Islamists in Bangladesh. 

“Sheikh Hasina reportedly rigged an election and hence this tragic unravelling in #Bangladesh is happening. There’s a message in here for all democracies and institutions meant to guard people’s mandate. Jai Hind,” Saba Naqvi, the self-proclaimed flagbearer of democracy and secularism who had once mocked Shivling, tweeted following the turn of events that transpired in Bangladesh earlier today.

Naqvi suggested that democratic institutions in India might have been compromised, a popular leftwing trope used to discredit the democratic mandate received by the Modi government.

Source: X

The founder of the far-left leftwing portal The Wire, Siddharth Varadarajan, also appeared to peddle a similar propaganda trope that ‘rigged elections’ in Bangladesh are the cause of the events we are witnessing today.

Source: X

Another left-leaning ‘liberal’, Vinod Kapri, also furthered the same narrative that Sheikh Hasina undermined the democratic principles.

Rana Ayyub claimed “hubris” has been the undoing of Sheikh Hasina, a democratically elected leader in Bangladesh.

Source: X

“The End of a Dictator,” tweeted RJ Sayema, infamous for peddling fake news, lying, and endorsing Hinduphobia among other things.

How liberals are pushing ‘rigged elections’ lie to rationalise deadly protests in Bangladesh and seek a similar predicament in India

Earlier this year, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina won the re-election for a fifth term in the national election that was conducted on Sunday amidst the boycott by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by former PM Khaleda Zia.

Sheikh Hasina’s party Awami League won a fourth consecutive term in the 12th parliamentary election that took place in January 2024, marking the second lowest voter turnout since the reinstatement of democracy in 1991.

Sheikh Hasina was elected as the Bangladesh PM for the fifth term after the principal opposition BNP, linked to the terror outfit Al Qaeda, decided to boycott the elections as the Prime Minister cracked the whip on jihadis and extremist elements threatened to destabilise the country, a glimpse of which the world saw today as scores of protesters, reportedly instigated by BNP leaders, rampaged through the PM’s official residence, ransacked the palace and stole sarees, utensils and other belongings. Hours later, hundreds of hoodlums scaled the Bangladeshi parliament as shocking visuals of protesters smoking in the building and vandalising it.

In fact, foreign observers from the US, Canada, Russia, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the Arab Parliament had described the general elections in Bangladesh as free, fair, and peaceful. They commended the election process, with one observer noting that the caretaker government system, which led to the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) boycotting the polls, was undemocratic.

The government had invited numerous foreign observers from India and other countries, as well as multilateral organisations, to monitor the elections amid the opposition boycott.

Shaoquett Moselmane, an Australian observer, remarked, “It’s been a very fair and free process for people walking in. There’s a lot of good security and a very transparent process.” Jim Bates, a former US Congressman, was quoted by the state-run BSS news agency as saying, “I found the election to be very peaceful, free, and fair.”

Despite validation from foreign observers, the Indian ‘liberals’ and ‘journalists’ continue to push the false bogey of a ‘rigged election’ and rationalise the protests sweeping Bangladesh as a fallout of Hasina’s “authoritarian grip” on the country as a means to pursue domestic objectives, which include among other things fomenting trouble in India and instigating public to come out on streets and oppose the democratically elected government at the Centre.

The left ecosystem has already offered itself as an ally for the opposition to push its divisive ideas like the caste census, which has the potential to spark further divisions and create new faultlines. Several so-called journalists and opinion-makers, who ridiculed those who asked uncomfortable questions of the opposition parties as ‘Bhakts’ and ‘Godi media’, have no qualms in deifying opposition leaders and hailing them, even for their irrational behaviour.

This clique of leftists and ‘journalists’ seems to be hoping for a situation similar to Bangladesh to arise in India, aiming to remove their long-time adversary, Modi, from the office of Prime Minister, a goal they’ve pursued ever since he rosed to power in 2014. If it involves inciting the masses to engage in violence, vandalism, looting, and arson, so be it. The foremost motive of removing PM Modi should be achieved, even if it means throwing the country into chaos.

Bangladesh Crisis: Violent mob storms inside Parliament, indulges in vandalism hours after violent ouster of PM Sheikh Hasina

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh Crisis: Violent mob storms inside Parliament, indulges in vandalism hours after violent ouster of PM Sheikh Hasina

On Monday (5th August), chaotic scenes from Bangladesh inundated social media as thousands of violent protesters stormed the country’s Parliament building.

Earlier, mobs rampaged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s official residence, Ganabhaban, in Dhaka, moments after they forcibly ousted elected PM Sheikh Hasina (76) and forced her to flee the country for her safety. 

Following Sheikh Hasina’s departure from the country, the celebrating protesters violated the military curfew and gathered in large numbers near the streets leading towards the country’s Parliament building which is seen as a prominent symbol of democracy. As per visuals in several viral videos coming from Bangladesh, large mobs of protesters targeted the Parliament building and indulged in vandalism.

As per the footage, the rioters stormed the Parliament premises and started vandalising the property. In some of the videos and photos circulating on social media, some of the rioters could be seen smoking and lounging on Parliament chairs with their feets resting on the tables. Hundreds of protesters could also be seen standing over the furniture meant for Parliamentary proceedings and chairs and desks meant for Members of Parliaments. A majority of the rioters could also be seen recording the act with their phone. Plumes of smoke inside the Parliament building can also be seen in some of the videos. In some of the videos, papers, seemingly official paperwork of regular Parliamentary proceedings or legislations, could also be seen lying on the Parliament floor.

The pandemonium started on Monday, August 5, after Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina resigned from her position in the wake of widespread violent protests against her government. The protests initially began with the demand to end the quota system in government jobs, however, it quickly transcended in a broader anti-government violent protest.

Bangladesh: As PM Sheikh Hasina resigns and leaves the country, here is a chronology of the unrest in the country

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh: As PM Sheikh Hasina resigns and leaves the country, here is a chronology of the unrest in the country

On Monday, 5th of August, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the nation after 15 years in power. Her resignation followed weeks of anti-government unrest that resulted in deaths of more than 300 people.

Thousands of Bangladeshi demonstrators invaded Sheikh Hasina’s official residence, Ganabhaban, in Dhaka, when reports surfaced that Hasina and her sister, Sheikh Rehana, had left for a “safe shelter”. General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Bangladesh’s army chief, announced the formation of an interim government. He promised to withdraw the troops and investigate the crackdown on student protesters.

A raft of violent protesters, carrying flags and celebrating in jubilation, with some even dancing atop tanks, breached the gates of Sheikh Hasina’s official residence after she left the country amid ongoing protests.

As Bangladesh is witnessing a massive political upheaval, let’s take a look at the chronology of the events, the many phases of ‘student protests’ that were about political games and led to Sheikh Hasina’s resignation.

The turmoil in Bangladesh started in early 2024, and centered on a contentious quota system for government posts. The Court’s decision to keep a sizable proportion of jobs for specific groups, notably descendants of freedom fighters and women, prompted great outrage among university students.

It all started over decision of the High Court to reinstate 30% reservation in government jobs to the descendants of the freedom fighters of the 1971 Liberation War. What started as peaceful protests soon took a violent turn.

The first phase of protests in Bangladesh

In the first phase of the protests, it was reported that over 32 people died while nearly 1000 were injured as the country was grappling with high inflation, dwindling foreign reserves, and rising unemployment. On the 18th of July, the anti-quota protesters set fire to the headquarters of the state broadcaster Bangladesh Television (BTV) in Dhaka. The police had to fire rubber bullets and use other non-lethal weapons to quell the protests by the students, causing more deaths and injuries.

Notably, until 2018, 56% of government posts in Bangladesh were reserved for certain groups. These groups included people with disabilities (1%), indigenous communities (5%), women (10%), people from underdeveloped districts (10%), and families of freedom fighters from the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War (30%).

With this arrangement in force, there were only 44% of seats open to merit-based selection. In 2018, student groups staged large-scale protests, forcing the Sheikh Hasina-led government to scrap the entire quota system.

In June of this year, the High Court of Bangladesh overruled the government’s decision, this triggered further demonstrations by student groups.

The Supreme Court’s Appellate Division upheld the High Court’s decision on the 4th of July triggering widespread protests. After Sheikh Hasina’s appeal, the Bangladeshi apex court directed all petitioners to maintain the status quo till the 7th of August 2024.

The second phase of protests

During the second phase of the nationwide protests, it was reported that over 150 people were injured and two people had died. This came just two weeks after the country’s Supreme Court reduced the percentage of reserved government jobs from 56% to 7%. Initially, the anti-quota protestors sought revocation of reservation for families of freedom fighters, however, they then renewed their demands and sought “justice” for the 200 odd-people who were killed during the initial phase of violent protests and immediate release of detained protestors.

In Dhaka, Khulna, Sylhet, Narsingdi, Chattogram and Noakhali after Jumma Namaz, numerous incidents of violence were reported. The protestors set a police box on fire at the Wasa intersection in Chattogram after Jumma Namaz. The protestors resorted to pelting stones and hurling brickbats. The law enforcement authorities responded with lathi-charge, rubber bullets, firearms, stun grenades and teargas. Several protestors who sustained rubber bullet injuries were admitted to hospitals.

On 18th July, PM Hasina called in the army to manage the escalating protests and violence.

In an attempt to quell the protest, the authorities suspended all internet services, including broadband, banned all Meta platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram, and announced a three-day vacation.

The third phase of protests in Bangladesh

Amidst the violence and anarchy, the protestors demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. By 4th August, over 100 people had died in the clashes between the Awami League supporters and the protestors. The deceased included 14 police personnel. In the wake of the violence in Bangladesh, the Interior Ministry declared a nationwide curfew to try and control the law and order. The government also declared a holiday between 5th and 7th August to pacify the situation.

As Asif Mahmud, heading the ‘Student Movements Against Discrimination’ appealed to protestors to march in Dhaka on the 5th of August, a massive number of people arrived in Dhaka. The protesters started their “Long March to Dhaka” with one sole aim to oust Sheikh Hasina from power.

Jamat-e-Islami, BNP and the escalation of violent protests

While protests turned violent as conflicts between protestors and police became frequent, the violence worsened when the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) started to magnify the protests, using them to undermine the ruling Awami League government. The inclusion of these opposition parties intensified the severity of the protests, as their supporters joined the fray.

The impact of JeI and BNP on the uprising is not hidden. Both parties saw the protests as an unmissable strategic opportunity to undermine Hasina’s government. They allegedly offered logistical support and mobilised their bases, resulting in larger and more organised protests. Their involvement transformed a student-led demonstration into a larger anti-government campaign. Notably, the BNP has been at the forefront of a vicious anti-India “India Out” campaign calling for the boycott of Indian goods. As PM, Sheikh Hasina had strongly opposed the BNP’s anti-India propaganda.

In an attempt to placate the fury, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court delivered a crucial decision, annulling the quota ruling. However, the judicial intervention proved insufficient to solve this issue. The protestors, now supported by the JeI and BNP, continued their rallies, seeking larger reforms and accusing the Hasina government of corruption and ‘dictatorship’.

Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and the end of an era

On Monday, August 5, Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post of Prime Minister ending her 15 years in power. She left for New Delhi in a military chopper after resigning. Ironically, Sheikh Hasina who once saved Bangladesh from military rule was compelled to resign after the country’s army gave her just 45 minutes to resign and leave.

Soon after, countless violent protesters, carrying flags and celebrating in jubilation, with some even dancing atop tanks, breached the gates of Hasina’s official residence after she fled the country amid ongoing protests.

Back in 1975, rebel military troops assassinated Sheikh Hasina’s father, Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with her mother and three brothers. Six years after living in exile, Hasina returned to take over her father’s Awami League party, kicking off a decade-long struggle that witnessed her forced into extended periods of house arrests.

In 1990, Hasina allied with Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to overthrow military dictator Hussain Muhammad Ershad. However, the two parties soon had differences and the resulting antagonism has shaped Bangladeshi politics ever since. So much so, that even in the current anti-quota unrest the opposing BNP played a crucial role in bringing Hasina down.

Hasina was elected prime minister for the first time in 1996, but she was defeated five years later by Zia. In 2007, the two were imprisoned on corruption accusations. However, a year later, they were allowed to contest elections as the corruption charges against them were dropped. Sheikh Hasina won a landslide mandate triumphing in 263 seats out of 300. Since then, Hasina has been in power, however, her rule ended on the 5th of August 2024.

Amidst the political chaos, Bangladesh’s Army Chief Waker-uz-Zaman announced that he would help in the formation of the ‘interim government.’ In a televised address, he said that Sheikh Hasina has left Bangladesh and that the army was taking charge. He added that leaders from various political denominations including the Awami League and the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) would be consulted during the formation of the interim government.

Notably, Sheikh Hasina has for the last few months been alleging that the United States is attempting regime change in Bangladesh via the opposing BNP and Jamat-e-Islami. Last year, the US had also extended support to the Islamist Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its ally Jamaat-e-Islami during its protests against the PM Hasina-led government. As OpIndia reported earlier, Hasina had also hinted at the US attempt to carve out a separate Christian nation comprising large parts of Sagaing Division and the Chin state of Myanmar, the Indian state of Mizoram, and Kuki-inhabited areas of Manipur, and the Bandarban district and adjoining areas of Bangladesh’s Chittagong division.

While carving out a Christian nation remains a distant dream (if there is some truth to these claims), the US dream of ousting Sheikh Hasina from power has become a reality with or without its ‘intervention’.

Violence, politics of polarisation and weaponising caste census data in the name of Casteless society: Read why Yogendra ‘Salim’ Yadav’s defence of caste census is flawed

अनुपम कुमार सिंह
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Violence, politics of polarisation and weaponising caste census data in the name of Casteless society: Read why Yogendra ‘Salim’ Yadav’s defence of caste census is flawed

Of late, the Congress party has been claiming that it has found the panacea for all issues, problems and challenges posed against India – conducting a nationwide caste census. However, it is falling short on elucidating the advantages of undertaking such an exercise or highlighting the disadvantages for the country in the absence of caste census data. In a country with more than 3000 castes and over 25,000 sub-castes, an individual’s identity is being reduced to their caste identity. Casteist politics is being revived like never before and with it, caste discrimination, strife, and frictions are getting more pronounced. 

Now, the Congress party has deputed one of their most vocal political voice, Yogendra ‘Salim’ Yadav to defend its agenda of caste census. Previously, he had served as one of the strategists of Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’. The reason being, the cabal had been projecting him as some sort of suave and intellectual who is also a self-proclaimed ‘Psephologist’ and expert in every field under the sun. He has written an article in ‘Indian Express’ explaining why caste census is necessary.

Yogendra Yadav ji, X-Ray machine does not ask caste identity 

Yogendra Yadav begins the article by asking an ‘X-ray’ question. He argues that the feasibility of the idea and the risks associated with it play a major role in determining its favourability. He notes that a person is in favour of an idea if it is “required and possible” and against it, if it is “risky and unaffordable”. He then raises 5 pointers to make a value judgement for or against the idea of caste census and based on the pointers he has raised, it becomes evident that caste census is not a necessity.  

At the outset, let’s underscore the obvious fact that X-ray machines don’t reveal the caste identity of any person by scanning their body nor it asks for their caste before taking the scan. 

Nonetheless, in the Indian Express article, Yadav argues that the need to find a solution arises only after determining whether a disease or problem actually exists. Undoubtedly, there has been caste discrimination in India, but discrimination is also pervasive within the caste groups included in OBC or SC/ST communities. This was recently highlighted by the future-Chief Justice of India, Justice BR Gavai in his written judgement on the sub-categorization in SC/ST reservations.

For example, Brahmins often face smear campaigns that allege that they don’t drink water from the house of a person from Dom community but the usual suspects never ask whether Yadav, Nishad and Kurmi in the OBC groups or Jatav, Meena or Pasi among the SC/STs, drink water from the house of any Musahar or Dom community? Leave alone inter-caste marriage, can the aforementioned be treated as a form of caste-based discrimination? 

So yes, caste discrimination exists and it took place in history as well. But can caste census solve the issue of caste discrimination? If Yogendra Yadav says that by counting the number of heads among each caste group, the problem of caste discrimination will be eradicated, then either he is trying to hide some conspiracy under the guise of ‘intellectual’ cover or he is getting overpowered by ‘Salim’ within him. Secondly, he said that caste census does not mean just counting heads among each caste group, but it is a storehouse for a big building.

Very good! But has he forgotten that all such figures, till date, have been used more for politicking rather than upliftment of the poor. Take ‘Mandal Commission’ as an example. It recommended giving 52% reservation to OBCs, but the Supreme Court capped the reservation limit to 50% and any law that breaches it is struck down as “unconstitutional”. When VP Singh was the Prime Minister, he allocated 27% reservation for the OBC community.

During that time, there were protests all over the country and hundreds of students committed suicide. Leaders like Lalu Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav used it to their advantage and VP Singh faded in history. If it was a revolutionary decision, then why does the OBC community not revere Vishwanath Pratap Singh in the same way as Dalits worship Bhimrao Ambedkar. 

Later, the Supreme Court made the provision of ‘creamy layer’ among the OBCs, that is, those who became rich had to give up reservation benefits. 

Only politics was done in the name of OBC, did society get any benefit out of it?

All in the name of championing the cause of OBC community and taking their leadership, Lalu Yadav’s name figured in scams worth crores of rupees and Mulayam Singh Yadav was accused of acquiring property worth hundreds of crores. Furthermore, caste groups in the General category were targeted and slogans like ‘Bhura Bal Saaf karo’ (Initials for several upper castes – Bhumihar, Rajput, Brahmin, Lala (Kayastha) – Bhu-Ra-Ba-L) were raised during the same time period. 

What happened to the OBC reservation? Rohini Commission found that 97% of the seats in jobs/admissions reserved for OBCs went to only one-fourth of the caste groups. Additionally, the Commission also found that 24.95% seats were distributed to only 10 OBC castes. 

Similarly, in Uttar Pradesh, a panel led by retired judge Raghavendra Kumar also recommended sub-categorization among the OBC reservation. 

The problem is that once such decisions are taken, there is no chance of looking back, re-reviewing or changing the circumstances even after 100 years. Despite the recommendations, the advice of sub-categorization in OBC category is lying in abeyance. Even when such a decision would be taken, then people like Yogendra Yadav will come out and write articles to inflame the situation. 

In the article, Yogendra Yadav argues that apart from asking about caste, the census will also seek details like availability of basic amenities like electricity, water, cooking gas, housing conditions etc. So, if it is about conducting a socio-economic survey and the objective is to uplift the people standing at the last rung, then there is no need to ask about people’s caste identity. By conducting a socio-economic survey without asking caste, the benefits of government schemes can be extended to the last person standing in the queue. 

Did Patna transform into New York after the caste census was carried out in Bihar?

Now coming to his third point, Yogendra Yadav says that it depends on the real life circumstances and one should be practical according to the availability of time. He cites the model of caste census in Bihar. What happened after investing Rs 500 crore? Some castes alleged that their numbers were downplayed and there were heated arguments on social media and self-proclaimed representatives of every caste weighed in for their share in leadership. 

Patna didn’t transform into New York after a caste census was conducted in the state. On the contrary, there was a change in power, Nitish Kumar once again broke the alliance with RJD and joined BJP. If caste census was such a practical and bold decision, then why did the alliance fall apart? The objective of the caste census was that every leader should know the population of his own caste, that’s it. Those who spread hatred in the name of caste started abusing other castes, that’s all it achieved. 

In the fourth point, Yogendra Yadav said that the expense of caste census should not be impossible. It is pertinent to highlight that teachers and government employees are employed to undertake such an exercise. This leads to incurring losses in education, efficiency of governance and adversely impacts all castes as education in government schools is absolutely free for children up to 14 years of age or up to 8th class without the need for reservation.  

For Yadav, teachers should always be engaged in activities like census and election duty, and people like him should fulfil their agenda by talking about caste census. 

In the fifth point, Yogendra Yadav said that the procedure should not be risky and its disadvantages should be less than its benefits, then the answer for caste census is ‘yes’. But the obvious fact is that this is risky. India, a country which seeks to eradicate casteism, has witnessed fierce caste-based struggles. Reducing a person’s identity to caste markers, is this right? This will adversely impact nationalism and social fabric. 

Under this, they will pit so-called upper castes and backward classes against each other. Later, the truth that only a few OBC communities are taking away the lion’s share will be revealed, and then it will be revealed that some groups among the SC/STs are still marginalised despite all the reservations.

This will further increase internal conflict, caste-based identity will rise and other things will go down and then the country will be moving on the brink of a civil war. So yes, it is dangerous. Politicians will also use this struggle to win elections, politics has never regretted spillage of blood.

Why does Rahul Gandhi get angry when asked about his caste?

Yogendra Yadav argues that in villages and hamlets everyone knows each other’s caste, that is why asking caste is not a big deal. Then why did Rahul Gandhi get upset when he was asked about his caste in Parliament? Why was Akhilesh Yadav upset? This means that a leader has the privilege not to reveal his caste, but the same leader wants the people of the country to prioritise their caste over everything else. This is the politics that demands internecine conflicts, it demands bloodshed, it demands civil war.

What other purpose could there be behind promoting polarisation by further strengthening ‘Caste Identity’? The real intention is to divide the Hindus who were united in the wake of the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha and the opening of the temple. 

‘Divide and rule’ – perhaps Congress might have learned this during the British era itself. Our policies should be about education, health and economic upliftment, because without these, representation is not possible. Representation cannot be forced, because it is first necessary to empower them through education and other means. If this does not happen then there will be loss in efficiency of governance.

To avoid vote bank politics, a socio-economic survey of every family should be done without asking their caste. The root cause of discrimination is the gap between rich and poor around the world. Yogendra Yadav talks about ‘quiet implementation’ of decisions based on caste census, is this not against democracy? How can everything be done ‘silently’, sneakily in a country of 150 crore people and with a vibrant media representing the fourth pillar of democracy?

And yes, working clandestinely is the act of the devil. If you are being advised to do something secretly, then understand that there is some fraud. Yogendra Yadav says that without X-Ray it cannot be decided whether the operation should be done or not. But here, they are talking about direct organ donation without X-Ray, whereas the patient has only a fever. Eradication of caste based discrimination should be done by running awareness campaigns, providing benefits of government schemes to backward communities and speeding up the pace of development work in their areas – the aim should be this, not to do politics by counting the number of heads among each caste group.

On one hand, Yogendra Yadav talks about eradicating caste while talking about ‘Babasaheb’s dreams’, on the other hand he also wants that everyone should put forward their caste identity. How can two contradictory things be achieved simultaneously.  

Yogendra Yadav has been the strategist of Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’. Rahul Gandhi gets angry when asked about his caste but they want to know the caste of the entire country. How can both things happen together? And yes, Yogendra Yadav has a tainted history.

We should remember how he spread lies against CAA. He is an ‘Ichhadhari’ protester and an andolanjeevi. He was a ‘farmer leader’ during the ‘farmer movement’. He spread falsehoods against NRC, alleging that under it the birthplace of the parents would be asked, whereas there were no such provisions. He spread the lie that Muslims would not be considered citizens of India.

Sheikh Hasina to reach London via Delhi, BSF steps up border patrol, India cancels train service with Bangladesh

OpIndia Staff
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Sheikh Hasina to reach London via Delhi, BSF steps up border patrol, India cancels train service with Bangladesh

On Monday (5th July), Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina tendered her resignation and fled the capital city of Dhaka.

According to India Today journalist Shiv Aroor, the air carrier BAF C-130J carrying the ex-PM of Bangladesh reached Delhi at 5 pm.

Earlier, it was reported by defence journalist Snehesh Alex Philip that Sheikh Hasina is flying to London via India’s National Capital.

In the meantime, the Modi government has suspended train service between India and Bangladesh. As per reports, the Border Security Force (BSF) has stepped up patrol alongside the Bangladeshi border.

The Delhi police have also increased security outside the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and the Bangladesh High Commission in Chanakyapuri.

“More barricades have been placed outside the commission and the number of police personnel deployed there has been increased,” a cop informed PTI.

Amid the political chaos, Bangladesh’s Army Chief Waker-uz-Zaman announced that he would help in the formation of the ‘interim government.’

He added that leaders from various political denominations including the Awami League and the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) would be consulted during the formation of the interim government.

He had also urged protestors to go home and exercise restraint. It must be mentioned that anti-government protestors stormed the official residence of Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka on Monday (5th July).

Bareilly: Salman abducts, rapes, forcefully converts minor to Islam, arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Bareilly: Salman abducts, rapes, forcefully converts minor to Islam, arrested

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Monday, 5th August, arrested one individual identified as Salman for abducting, raping and forcefully converting the religion of a minor girl. The incident is reportedly from the Subhash Nagar area of Bareilly, after which the police booked the accused under BNS, 2023 and POCSO, 2012.

According to the reports, a minor girl aged 16 was reported missing from the Subhash Nagar area of Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. The parents of the girl had filed a missing person complaint. Later it was discovered that the accused Salman of CB Jang area had abducted the girl on 9th May. The police took cognisance of the event and started searching for the accused whose location was traced to Himachal Pradesh.

However, after around 2 months, the accused returned to Bareilly with the girl. The accused was aware that the police was looking for him so he kept changing his location between Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. Eventually, he thought that the intensity of the police search has reduced which brought him back to Bareilly.

The Hindu organisations learned about Salman’s return and informed the police who arrested the accused and recovered the girl.

The police investigated the case and discovered that the accused had forcefully married the girl and converted her religion to Islam. The accused, during the interrogation, confirmed to the police that he abducted the girl and changed her name to Mariyam. The girl meanwhile confirmed that she was raped for around 2 months and forced to change her religion to Islam.

CO Sandeep Singh commented on the issue and said that Hindu organisations had demanded action in the case on 31st July. On the arrest of the accused, it was discovered that the accused had abducted, raped, and forcefully converted the girl to Islam.

Notably, this is not the first time Salman had tried this crime. Earlier as well he had made an attempt to kidnap the girl after which a complaint against him was filed at CB Ganj Police Station. The police at present are investigating both cases.

“Salman has been arrested. Strict action will be taken. Probe underway,” the police added.

Bareilly: Pastor Ishwari Prasad arrested for brainwashing poor Hindus and converting them with financial incentives, used to insult Ramcharitmanas

OpIndia Staff
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Bareilly: Pastor Ishwari Prasad arrested for brainwashing poor Hindus and converting them with financial incentives, used to insult Ramcharitmanas

On Monday, August 5, a Christian missionary were caught converting several people in the Baheri police station area of Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district. Ishwari Prasad, a pastor was brainwashing a group of people, including men, women and children. Prasad was preaching to Hindus about the virtues of the Bible and insulting Ramcharitmanas in an attempt to win them over. However, Hindu organisations alerted authorities as soon as they learned about it after which the latter reached the spot and nabbed the accused pastor.

The pastor hosted a prayer meeting at his house every Sunday, invited locals and told them that Christianity is the true religion while claiming that there are many evils in Sanatan Dharma. The cops raided the house where poor villagers were being indoctrinated. Hindu outfits asserted that the people were being forcefully converted by offering them money. Police recovered books, Bible and other Christian texts from the place. The offender also maintained a box that was used to collect donations from the public. Many children and women were also found inside the house.

The organisers remained quiet when the authorities questioned them regarding permission to hold the religious assembly. They responded that it was a Christian event and that materials relevant to it had been provided when the police inquired about the same. The latter asked about the religions of the attendees who revealed that they were Hindus. North Superintendent of Police (SP) Mukesh Chandra Mishra said that a First Information Report has been registered on the complaint of Bajrang Dal workers and further legal action would be taken after investigating every aspect.

Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad had alerted the cops that every Sunday innocent people were being manipulated into embracing Christianity under the guise of financial benefits in the name of prayer meetings, worship of God and similar activities. According to Bareilly police, action has been taken in light of reports that certain individuals organising a religious program without authorisation and trying to convert others to Christianity in a residence in Jaju Nagar.

The pastor was immediately arrested and brought to the police station. He disclosed that he became in Christian in 2004 and has been propagating the religion ever since. The people drove him out of the neighbourhood after his conversion, following which he worked and resided in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, for a while. He started his religious sessions in Baheri after building a residence there last year. Furthermore, he unveiled that he received money from a Christian missionary group.

Circle Officer Arun Kumar Singh of Baheri Circle mentioned that a man by the name of Netrapal Singh contacted the police station that a man by the name of Ishwari Prasad was converting people by telling them bad things about one religion and good things about another. Ishwari Prasad was then taken into custody by the police when they arrived at the location. The matter is now under investigation.

A similar incident transpired recently in the Prem Nagar area after which the police had registered a case of religious conversion against the accused pastor and sent him to jail. The District Magistrate (DM) has ordered an inquiry into the matter. The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) also formed a team that is probing such cases. The police also executed a raid in the Izzat Nagar police station area and arrested the pastor. A detailed probe is being conducted.

Bangladesh army to help form ‘interim government’ after PM Sheikh Hasina resigns, promises to prosecute those who killed rioters

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh army to help form ‘interim government’ after PM Sheikh Hasina resigns, promises to prosecute those who killed rioters

In a sudden turn of events, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned from her position and left Dhaka for India.

The development comes after two months of continued ‘anti-quota’ and ‘anti-government’ protests in the country.

Amid the political chaos, Bangladesh’s Army Chief Waker-uz-Zaman announced that he would help in the formation of the ‘interim government.’

Interestingly, Zaman was appointed the Chief of Army Staff on 23rd June this year. In a televised address, he said that Sheikh Hasina had left Bangladesh and that the army was taking charge.

He added that leaders from various political denominations including the Awami League and the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) would be consulted during the formation of the interim government.

He had also urged protestors to go home and exercise restraint. It must be mentioned that anti-government protestors stormed the official residence of Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka on Monday (5th July).

There is however not much clarity about the composition of the new interim government. Zaman pointed out that he has not received any representation from the students. He had however promised to prosecute those who murdered protestors in the past 2 months.

Delhi: Supreme Court upholds LG’s decision to nominate aldermen to MCD. Read what was AAP’s plea against LG’s statutory power

Anurag
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Delhi: Supreme Court upholds LG’s decision to nominate aldermen to MCD. Read what was AAP’s plea against LG’s statutory power

On 5th August, Supreme Court of India upheld Delhi Lieutenant Governor’s decision to nominate 10 ‘aldermen’ to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had filed a plea in the apex court against LG’s decision stating LG did not seek aid and advice of the Delhi government in the matter.

A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices Narasimha, JB Pardiwala said that LG is expected to act as per the statutory mandate and not as per the aid and advice of the Delhi government. Since it was a statutory power and not an executive power, the LG was expected to act as per the statutory mandate and not as per the aid and advice of the Delhi Government, it added.

“Delhi LG is expected to act as per the mandate of the statute and not the aid and advice of council of ministers,” said the top court while pronouncing the judgement.

The verdict by the Supreme Court came on the plea by AAP-led Delhi government challenging the nominations of 10 ‘aldermen’ by the LG to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. In May 2023, the apex court had reserved the judgement. AAP government contended that the nominations were made in the ward committees of the MCD where BJP was weak.

What was the aldermen issue?

Counsel appearing for LG contended that “aid and advice” of the Delhi government was not required while exercising a statutory power which was specifically conferred on the Administrator. After AAP won the municipal elections, the LG appointed 10 ‘aldermen’ that were opposed by Delhi government. In its plea, the Delhi government sought quashing of orders dated 3rd January and 4th January 2023 where the LG nominated 10 persons as the nominated members of the MCD.

Delhi government stated that LG “illegally appointed the members to MCD on his own initiative without the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. This is the first time since Article 239AA came into effect in 1991 that such a nomination has been made by the LG completely by-passing the elected government, thereby arrogating to an unelected office a power that belongs to the duly elected government,” Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government had said.

It had sought direction “to nominate members to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi under Section 3(3)(b)(i) of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, in accordance with the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.”

“It is pertinent to note that neither the section nor any other provision of law says anywhere that such nomination is to be made by the Administrator in his discretion. As such, under the scheme of Article 239AA of the Constitution, the word “Administrator” must necessarily be read as Administrator / Lieutenant Governor, acting on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, and the Lieutenant Governor was bound to make the nominations on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers,” the plea had added.

In the present case, the Lieutenant Governor has not been vested with any discretionary authority to make nominations to the MCD under either a constitutional provision, or any statutory provision, the Aam Aadmi Party had said.

“Accordingly, the only two courses of action open to him were to either accept the proposed names duly recommended to him for nomination to MCD by the elected government, or to differ with the proposal, and refer the same to the President. It was not open to him at all to make nominations on his own initiative, completely circumventing the elected government. As such, the nominations made by the Lieutenant Governor are ultra vires and illegal, and are consequently liable to be quashed,” the plea had added.

Reacting to the judgment, AAP MP Sanjay Singh said, “I think this is a very big blow to Indian democracy and by bypassing the elected government, you are giving all the rights to LG. I think this is not good for democracy and the Constitution of India. I want to say with due respect that we completely disagree with this decision. This decision is against the spirit of democracy, and it is completely opposite to the comments of the court during the hearing…After reading the full order, we will make a strategy as to what to do next.”

Who are aldermen and what are their role in MCD

According to the DMC Act, Delhi is divided into 12 zones. The Act also creates a Wards Committee for each zone that has elected representatives and aldermen within the territory. The LG of Delhi has the power to nominate 10 aldermen who must be above the age of 25 years and have “special knowledge or experience in municipal administration”. These aldermen do not have the right to vote in the MCD meetings. However, they play a crucial role in the functioning of the MCD through the Ward Committee.

Notably, every ward committee has to elect a member to be a part of the MCD Standing Committee in the first meeting. Aldermen have the right to vote in these elections and stand as candidates for being elected as members of the committee. Six Standing Committee members get elected directly by the MCS house after the election of the mayor.

Even though the Mayor is the head of the MCD, it is the standing committee that effectively manages the functioning of the MCD. The standing committee cannot be constituted without the votes of aldermen. If there is no standing committee, MCD cannot enter into contracts of more than Rs 5 crore. Furthermore, the committee plays a crucial role in appointing MCD officers, recommending budget revisions and approving any exercise of power that involves expenditure beyond the current financial year.

Bangladesh: Protesters storm PM’s residence after Sheikh Hasina flees the country, steal utensils, sarees among other things

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh: Protesters storm PM’s residence after Sheikh Hasina flees the country, steal utensils, sarees among other things

A raft of violent protesters, carrying flags and celebrating in jubilation, with some even dancing atop tanks, breached the gates of Hasina’s official residence after she fled the country amid ongoing protests.

Hasina resigned and left the country on Monday, confirmed Army Chief Waker uz Zaman, who added that an interim government will assume power.

According to reports, Hasina’s chopper landed in Agartala, India, after the Indian government nodded to her request for her entry into India.

Meanwhile, protesters were seen stealing sarees, utensils, and other things from Hasina’s residence.

Before the breach, Hasina’s son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, based in the US, urged the country’s security forces via Facebook to prevent any takeover of her 15-year rule.

“You must keep our people and country safe and uphold the constitution,” he wrote. “This means not allowing any unelected government to come into power, even for a minute.”

Bangladesh has been in the throes of protests and violence since last month as student groups demanded the abolition of a controversial quota system in government jobs. These protests escalated into a broader campaign seeking the ouster of Hasina, who secured a fourth consecutive term in January after an election boycotted by the opposition.

On Sunday, at least 91 people were killed and hundreds were injured amid widespread violence across the country, marking the deadliest day of the unrest.

Nationwide, protesters and government supporters clashed with sticks and knives, and security forces opened fire.

According to an AFP tally based on information from police, government officials, and hospital doctors, the total death toll since the protests began in early July had reached at least 300.

Waker, addressing officers on Saturday, emphasised that the military had “always stood by the people,” as per an official statement.

In January 2007, the military declared an emergency following widespread political unrest and installed a military-backed caretaker government for two years.

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