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Jagannath Rath Yatra begins today in Puri, read all about the legend of Lord Jagannath and the significance of the auspicious celebration

Rukma Rathore
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Jagannath Rath Yatra begins today in Puri, read all about the legend of Lord Jagannath and the significance of the auspicious celebration

The Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri is considered one of the most magnificent, celebratory and revered festivals in all of India. The festival takes place in Puri in Odisha and is connected to the deity Jagannath, who is a form of Vishnu or Krishna. Three enormous wooden chariots bearing Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra are pulled by throngs of worshippers down on bada danda (the grand avenue) to Gundicha Temple during the festival. Millions of people gather to catch a glimpse of Lord Jagannath and have the opportunity to touch the rath or help take it ahead.

While the main Rath Yatra takes place in Puri, similar Yatras are taken out across India on this occasion.

The deities are adorned in different attire and placed on their decorated chariots. According to belief, devotees who either touch the rath once or assist in moving it forward receive great blessings. The rath yatra is considered the oldest and largest Hindu chariot festival, which takes place every year during the bright half of the lunar month of Ashadh (June-July). The sacred occasion is believed to experience a yearly downpour on the day it is conducted. The festival is going to be celebrated on 7th July and conclude on 16th July, this year.

The festival is celebrated to commemorate the annual visit of the presiding deities of the Jagannath Puri temple to their aunt’s (mother’s sister) house. It is believed that during this festival, Lord Jagannath Temple Rath Yatra comes out of their holy abode and gives Darshana (holy view) to the people. The deities stay at their aunt’s temple for a week before making their way back to the Jagannath temple and the return journey is referred to as Bahuda Yatra. Various rituals and celebrations take place during the auspicious time. There are two primary processions, one in Puri and the other in Gujarat.

The enormous works of art that transport the gods to the temple are covered in a plethora of patterns and designs. Carpenters known as “Maharana,” who have hereditary rights to the craft, begin building the chariots during the Chandana Yatra. The three chariots for the rath yatra are yearly constructed by up to 1400 skilled artisans. Nandighosha, Taladhwaja and Devadalana are the names of the three raths. Additionally, these chariots are identified from one another by a predetermined pattern of coloured cloth robes. Goddess Subhadra’s chariot (Dwarpadalana) is covered in red and black cloth, Lord Baladhabra’s chariot (Taladhwaja) is covered in red and blue cloth and Lord Jagannath’s chariot (Nandighosa) is covered in red and yellow cloth.

History of the rath yatra

The rath yatra reportedly dates back to the Puranas and has been taking place since ancient times. The raths that moved in the air are mentioned in the Rig Veda. The raths, dragged by horses, were three stories tall. In his analysis of the terms “Rathastha and Rathaganak,” among others, the great scholar Panini also makes reference to rath. The rath yatra is also known as the Gundicha Yatra. Gundicha was the queen of King Indradyumna, who constructed this enormous temple, according to Odia mythology. It is believed that Queen Gundicha asked the king to arrange this event to provide redemption to the impoverished untouchables and sinners who were not usually permitted to join the temple through Lord Jagannath’s darshan (holy view) in his rath.

Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra. (Source: India Tv)

The Jagannath temple is located 1.5 miles away from Gundicha House. It is presently referred to by several names, including Janma Sthana (birthplace), Gundicha Mandapa, Gundicha House, Janaka Puri and Mahavedi. The Skanda Purana mentions Mahavedi, also known as Gundicha Mandapa, as Lord Jagannath’s birthplace. Indradyumna offered thousands of sacrifices at the location. Three images of the three gods were created at Mahavedi following the sacrifice, performed by him. The ratha yatra was arranged to bring the gods to the temple after the images were completed.

In the Purushottama Mahatyma, Jagannath promised Indradyumna that he would visit his birthplace, which is on the bank of Indradyumna Sara and reside for seven days. The same Indradyumna Sara is now visible at Gundicha House. Lord Jagannath is also accompanied by Balabhadra and Subhadra and the three gods come to this place once every year.

Other stories related to the origin of rath yatra

There are multiple legends connected with the origin of the rath yatra. One story mentions that their maternal uncle Kansa invited them to Mathura to kill Lord Krishna and Balram. He dispatched Akrur to Gokul in a chariot. As requested, Lord Krishna got into the chariot with Balram and headed toward Mathura. The rath yatra is the celebration on this day of departure for the devotees. Joyous followers commemorated the day that Lord Krishna, riding in a chariot with his brother Balaram, granted them darshan in Mathura following his victory over the demon king Kansa. The day that Lord Krishna and Balaram rode in a chariot with his sister Subhadra to display the magnificence of the city was celebrated by devotees in Dwarika.

A second story is that one day, the queens of Lord Krishna asked Mother Rohini to tell the story of the several fascinating “ras lilas” that include Lord Krishna and the Gopis. Rohini sent Leela away, believing it was inappropriate for Subhadra to hear such stories. However, she was soon absorbed by the Vrajkatha along with Balram and Krishna, who had by now arrived on the scene. Maharishi Narad also entered there while they were totally absorbed in the stories. When he discovered the siblings were standing still together, he prayed, “May the three of you grant darshan in this manner forever.” The blessing came to pass and the three forever reside at the Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Another tale that has been relayed verbally describes the events that followed Lord Krishna’s earthly remains being cremated. Distraught by the turn of events, Balaram hurried to drown himself in the ocean with part of the partially cremated body of Lord Krishna. Subhadra also followed behind him. Simultaneously, King Indradyumna of Jagannath Puri dreamed that the Lord’s body would float up to the shores of Puri on the eastern shore of India. He should sanctify the wooden statues of Krishna, Balaram and Subhadra and erect a large idol in the city.

The hollow in the statue’s back is where the bones (asthi) of Lord Krishna’s body should be placed. The dream came true. The asthi (bone splinters) were discovered by the king, who took them. However, the matter of who would sculpt the statues remained. It is believed that Vishwakarma, the architect of the Gods, came in the guise of an elderly carpenter. He was very specific that if anyone bothered him while he was carving the statues, he would disappear and the task would not be completed. A few months went by and the door to Vishwakarma’s chamber was opened by the eager Indradyumna. Just as he had previously warned, Vishwakarma vanished without warning. The king blessed the incomplete statues by inserting Lord Krishna’s sacred cinders into their hollows and placed them in the temple.

Gajapati emperor becomes a ‘sweeper’ for one day

Established in 1434 by Emperor Kapilendra Deva, the Gajapati dynasty of Kalinga (the former name for Odisha) identified themselves as Lord Jagannath’s “servant” implying that Lord Jagannath was the ruler of Kalinga and the Gajapatis humbly serve at his feet. According to Odia legends, folktales, and songs, Lord Jagannath promised Purushottama Deva that he would succeed in his battle after he lost to Kanchi ruler Saluva Narasimha Deva, which caused the Kalinga Army to suffer a significant defeat. Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra both dressed as warriors and then fought alongside the Kalinga army ensuring its victory.

Ritual of “Chhera Pahanra” being performed. (Source: www.shreejagannatha.in)

The rath yatra is a centuries-old custom in which the Kalinga ruler is transformed for a day into a “sweeper.” The Suryavamsa Gajapati approaches the rath and performs the “Chhera Pahanra” ceremony which involves sweeping the Lord’s chariot with a golden broom. Purushottama Deva had heard that Padmavati, the daughter of Saluva Narasimha Deva, was unmatched in beauty and grace, as described by the “Kanchi Kaveri Upakhyana” and sent a proposal since he wished to wed her. When Saluva Narasimha Deva’s emissaries arrived in Kalinga and observed the “Chhera Pahanra” rite, they found it strange that the all-powerful Gajapati was acting as a sweeper.

The ministers in Purushottama Deva’s court were concerned when he threatened to have Padmavati wed a sweeper out of fury and indignation. It would be unfair and disrespectful to the princess to force her into marriage with someone below her social standing, but the young monarch needed a queen. On the other hand, they were directed by their ruler to arrange the princess’s marriage to a sweeper. The ministers held off till the right time. As Gajapati Purushottama Deva began sweeping the chariot with a golden broom on the day of rath yatra, Princess Padmavati was led ahead by the priests and ministers. The princess put a garland around the emperor’s neck who was a literal sweeper at the time as he cleaned the chariot and tied the knot with him. The matter was settled. Both the emperor and the princess found a marriage deserving of their status and desire, and the emperor’s commands were not violated either.

Significance of the rath yatra

The festival holds great significance to the people of Puri, as well as other pilgrims and devotees. It is the world’s sole festival which involves the removal of gods from temples for the benefit of worshippers. According to the Skanda Purana, the rath yatra, also known as Shree Gundicha Yatra is regarded as the most well-known of Lord Jagannatha’s twelve yatras. As per the “Bamadev Samhita,” individuals who are able to see the four deities for a week on the Gundicha Temple’s Simhasana (holy seat) will be granted a spot in Baikuntha, the celestial dwelling, along with their ancestors for eternity. According to this text, people who learn about this wonderful celebration also experience the intended outcome. Furthermore, anyone who learns the sacred festival’s rites and educates others about them could be granted entry inside his sacred abode.

The procession of the ‘four deities’ occurs on the 2nd day of the first half of the month of Ashadha in order to bring about good health and prosperity for all humanity. The Skanda Purana emphasizes that the Shree Gundicha Yatra is the most significant festival of Lord Jagannath since Shree Hari, the Almighty God of the Universe, arrives at the Gundicha Temple in a joyful state to carry out his promised decree. The slightest touch of the chariot, which represents “Sandhini Sakti,” bestows upon the devotees the compassion of Lord Shree Jagannatha. The same is highlighted by the verse which states, “Rathe tu Vaamanam drustva Punarjanmam na vidyate,” which means if we see Vaamana or Lord Jagannath on the chariot during the rath yatra or the car festival, we will never have to take rebirth again.

The name Jagannath is the source of the English phrase “juggernaut,” which symbolizes Lord Jagannath’s enormous and heavy chariot. The definition of a juggernaut is “a big, powerful, overwhelming force.” The rath yatra is fundamentally a celebration of devotion and the divine bond that exists between the gods and humans. Interestingly, the idols are changed every 12 years. Along with Rameshwar in the south, Dwarka in the west, and Badrinath in the Himalayas, the Jagannath Puri Temple is one of India’s four holiest sites. Perhaps the only temple in the world featuring the statues of three siblings, Lord Krishna, Balaram, and Subhadra, is the one at Jagannath Puri.

No law and order left in Tamil Nadu, transfer the case to CBI: BSP supremo Mayawati on her party’s state chief Armstrong’s murder in Chennai

OpIndia Staff
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No law and order left in Tamil Nadu, transfer the case to CBI: BSP supremo Mayawati on her party’s state chief Armstrong’s murder in Chennai

On 7th June, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati issued a statement accusing the Tamil Nadu government of being lenient towards the investigation into the murder of state party chief K Armstrong. He was hacked to death on 5th July near his residence. In her statement, Mayawati demanded that the investigation should be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Mayawati reached Chennai to pay last respects to K Armstrong. BSP National Coordinator Akash Anand, who is Mayawati’s nephew as well, accompanied her. While talking to the party workers, Mayawati raised questions on the law and order situation in the state and said, “The way Armstrong has been murdered, it seems there is no law and order left in Tamil Nadu. The main culprits have not been arrested yet.”

Mayawati accused the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government of not being serious about the investigation. She said, “The state government is not serious about this murder investigation otherwise the culprits would have been behind bars. If the state government does not want to serve justice, this matter should be handed over to the CBI. We demand a CBI investigation. If the state government does not refer the case to the CBI, it means they are also involved in this murder.”

She also questioned if Dalits were safe in Tamil Nadu and said, “It is not about one Dalit leader’s murder. The whole of the Dalit community is under threat and many Dalit leaders are scared about their lives.” To make sure the situation does not go out of hand in the state, Mayawati cautioned the BSP cadre not to take the law into their hands. She said, “To ensure action against the accused, the party cadre should come forward but at the same time, stay within the limits of law and show that the weaker section does not take law into their hands.”

Earlier, she posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) condemning the murder of Armstrong. She wrote, “The gruesome killing of Mr K. Armstrong, Tamil Nadu state Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president, outside his Chennai house is highly deplorable and condemnable. An advocate by profession, he was known as a strong Dalit voice in the state. The state Govt. must punish the guilty.” However, the demand has now shifted to transferring the investigation to CBI.

On 5th July, K Armstrong, the Tamil Nadu chief of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), was hacked to death by six bike-borne attackers near his house in Chennai. Some of the attackers were reportedly dressed as delivery agents and used sharp weapons during the attack. They attacked Armstrong when he was holding discussions with his party functionaries near his house in the city’s Sembium area. Following the attack, they fled the crime scene. Armstrong’s family immediately rushed to the spot where he was lying in a pool of blood with severe injuries to his head and neck. He was taken to a hospital where he was declared brought dead.

UP: Unhappy with daughter’s court marriage with lover, angry man fires shots at the boy’s family killing his father and injuring one in Dhanaura

ANI
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UP: Unhappy with daughter’s court marriage with lover, angry man fires shots at the boy’s family killing his father and injuring one in Dhanaura

In a firing incident reported in Malkapur village of Dhanaura on Saturday night, one person was killed and another injured.

The cause of the firing in Dhanaura was a heated argument between the girl’s father and the boy’s father.

The tension between the two families arose because the girl’s parents were against her court marriage to Arjun, a resident of Dhanaura.

This disagreement led to the girl’s father and four other members visiting the boy’s residence, where the argument escalated, resulting in the girl’s father opening fire.

According to Kunwar Anupam, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Amroha, Arjun, son of Bijendra and a resident of Dhanaura, had married a girl from Muzaffarnagar in court.

“Arjun had a court marriage with a girl from Muzaffarnagar. However, the girl’s parents were against the marriage, which created a lot of tension between both families,” he said.

Regarding the incident, he explained that a heated argument between the girl’s father and the boy’s father led to the firing.

“The girl’s father and four other members came to the boy’s residence. Heated arguments between both families ensued, leading to the girl’s father opening fire,” Anupam added.

The boy’s father succumbed to his injuries, and another person was injured in the shooting.

“The boy’s father sustained injuries from the firing and died. One more person was injured, but doctors have confirmed that he is out of danger,” he said.

An FIR has been filed, and the accused have been arrested. Further investigation is ongoing.

Earlier, on July 3, a three-year-old girl was shot dead in the Danapur area of Patna district.

The incident occurred in Ram Jaipal Nagar, under the jurisdiction of Rupaspur police station in Danapur.

According to police, the three-year-old was shot in the chest and then rushed to the hospital. However, she died during treatment.

An FIR has been registered under the new Criminal Act against the unidentified accused.

Speaking with ANI, ASP Deeksha said, “An incident of murder of a three-year-old girl has come to light. She died during treatment after being shot in the chest. A post-mortem has been done. An FIR has been registered under Section 103 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 27 of the Arms Act.”

She further added, “An investigation has started under these sections. FSL has inspected the spot. CCTV footage of the surrounding area is being checked.”

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

‘Get lakhs by impregnating childless women’: Irshad and Ejaz run cyber scam in Nuh, cops recover SIM cards registered in Assam and Maharashtra

OpIndia Staff
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‘Get lakhs by impregnating childless women’: Irshad and Ejaz run cyber scam in Nuh, cops recover SIM cards registered in Assam and Maharashtra

On Saturday (6th July), the police arrested two men for duping people by promising them lakhs for impregnating childless women. The incident took place in the Nuh district (Mewat) region of Haryana.

As per reports, the accused were identified as Irshad and Ejaz. The duo operated more than four Facebook accounts and posted fake advertisements on social media about childless women in search of men to impregnate them.

The dubious advertisements used pictures of random women and claimed to offer money (in lakhs) to the men would could make them pregnant.

Irshad and Ejaz blocked victims after taking money

When the victims would contact the accused, Ejaz and Irshad charged money from them in the name of registration fees and filing costs.

The duo would thereafter block the victims. Reportedly, the police were shocked when they learnt about these fake advertisements and the modus operandi of the accused men.

On Saturday (6th July), Ejaz and Irshad were arrested and booked under five sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The duo was produced in a local court in Nuh, following which they were remanded to judicial custody.

Cops recover SIM cards, WhatsApp chats

The Nuh police have recovered four SIM cards from their mobile phones. Two of the SIM cards are reportedly registered at addresses in Maharashtra and Assam.

During the course of the investigation, the cops also found chats on WhatsApp of Ejaz and Irshad with men about making women pregnant

Nuh – A hotbed of cybercrime

Over the years, Nuh had earned the notoriety as ‘new Jamtara’, a reference to the small Jharkhand town which became the epicentre of online frauds. 

Last year in November, the Nuh Police’s Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) team busted a sextortion racket in Nuh and arrested 6 accused identified as Mastan, Ibram alias Imran, Moin son of Nasubat, Shamshuddin son of Jamil, Irfan son of Sheru, and Shahid son of Khurshid.

Further, Opindia had earlier reported that an Islamist mob broke inside the cyber police station in Nuh on July 31, 2023, using a hijacked bus during the Nuh violence. In a targeted attack, the violent mob ransacked and vandalised everything in sight with the ulterior motive of destroying crucial evidence. The Islamists also attempted to burn documents and set the police station on fire.

Later, the police informed that the attack on a cyber police station in the Nuh district of Haryana was pre-planned and aimed at destroying evidence of cyber fraud collected by the cops.

Khalistani separatist MP Amritpal Singh criticises his own mother for saying he is not ‘Khalistani’, says he will choose ‘Panth’ over family

OpIndia Staff
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Khalistani separatist MP Amritpal Singh criticises his own mother for saying he is not ‘Khalistani’, says he will choose ‘Panth’ over family

On Saturday, 6th July, pro-Khalistan separatist leader and independent MP from Punjab, Amritpal Singh, issued a statement refuting his mother’s statement where she claimed that Amritpal is not a “Khalistan” sympathiser. In his statement, criticising his mother, Amritpal Singh said that dreaming of Khalsa Raj was not a crime but a matter of pride. He further asserted that if a time comes when he has to choose between “Panth” (religion) and his family, he would choose the former.

Amritpal said, “When I learned about the statement given by Mata Ji yesterday, I felt very saddened. Although I believe that Mata Ji gave this statement unknowingly, such a statement should not come from my family or anyone who supports me. Dreaming of Khalsa Raj is not a crime, it is a matter of pride. We cannot even think of stepping back from the path for which millions of Sikhs have sacrificed their lives. I have often said from various stages that if I had to choose between the Panth and my family, I would always choose the Panth.”

“I admonish my family to never even think about compromising on Sikh rule, let alone speak about it. Such negligence should not happen again while interacting with the congregation in the future”, Amritpal further said.

Statement by Amritpal Singh’s mother

Earlier, on Friday, 5th July, Amritpal Singh’s mother, Balwinder Kaur, spoke to the media as his son took oath as a Lok Sabha MP in Delhi. She claimed that Amritpal is not a Khalistani supporter and urged the government to release him immediately. She said, “He is not a Khalistani supporter. By speaking about Punjab’s rights and saving Punjab’s youth (from drugs), can anyone become a supporter of Khalistan? He fought elections within the ambit of the Constitution and took oath. One should not say such a thing. He will raise Punjab’s issues and will save youth (from drugs).”

She asserted that the main issue on which the elections were fought was the drug menace and the release of “Bandi Singhs“. For those who are unaware, Bandi Singhs is a term used for jailed Khalistani Sikhs who were sent to prison for their involvement in terror activities. Pro-Khalistani Sikhs have been demanding their release by staging protests for years.

It appears that her statement caused a stir among pro-Khalistani supporters who voted for Amritpal Singh in the elections. In the statement issued in Punjabi, Amritpal Singh’s mother accused the media of misrepresenting her statement. She said, “I said that we have won the elections as per the Constitution and now he [Amritpal Singh] would talk about the other matters. However, the media put words in my mouth by asking about Khalistan. The supporters should not take my statement otherwise as the media has a habit of misrepresenting facts. They did not show how Sikhs are facing atrocities but they used my statement in a wrong way”.

Amritpal Singh took oath as MP

Amritpal Singh, who is currently lodged in Dibrugarh Jail after being booked under the National Security Act (NSA) by the Government of Punjab for his involvement in the Khalistani movement, was released on parole for four days so that he could take oath as Lok Sabha MP from Punjab. He won the elections from Khadoor Sahib. Singh’s release came with several conditions including condition that he would not enter Punjab and would not interact with anyone including the media. He was taken to Delhi for the oath ceremony and was sent back to Dibrugarh jail immediately after taking the oath.

‘Every saint has a past and every sinner a future’: SC grants bail to Javed who was arrested for possessing over ₹23 lakh fake currency

OpIndia Staff
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‘Every saint has a past and every sinner a future’: SC grants bail to Javed who was arrested for possessing over ₹23 lakh fake currency

On Wednesday (3rd July), the Supreme Court granted bail to one Javed Gulam Nabi Shaikh, stating that every sinner has a future.

Javed was arrested at the Mumbai airport on 9th February 2020 for possessing 1193 counterfeit notes (₹2000 denomination), worth ₹23.86 lakhs.

The case was later handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which found that Javed received the fake currency from an absconding criminal in Dubai.

The counterfeit notes were originally smuggled from Pakistan. Javed was charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and spent 4 years in jail.

Supreme Court grants bail to Javed Gulam Nabi Shaikh

It must be mentioned that the Bombay High Court had previously turned down his bail application, highlighting the serious nature of the crime and the potential threat to India’s economy.

A 2-Judge Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Ujjal Bhuyan set aside the Bombay High Court and granted bail to Javed. In its order, the court stated, “Trial courts and High Courts have forgotten a very well-settled principle of law that bail is not to be withheld as a punishment.”

The Judges added, “Howsoever serious a crime may be, an accused has a right to speedy trial as enshrined under the Constitution of India.” The court noted that the delay in speedy trial in Javed’s case was violative of Article 21 (Protection of Life and Personal Liberty) of the Indian Constitution.

‘Every sinner has a future’ redux ft. Supreme Court

In its order, the Supreme Court stated, “Criminals are not born but made. The human potential in everyone is good and so, never write off any criminal as beyond redemption.”

“The overarching postulate of criminal jurisprudence that an accused is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty cannot be brushed aside lightly, howsoever, stringent the penal law may be,” it further added.

In the end, the Judges observed, “Every saint has a past and every sinner a future.”

In April 2022, the Supreme Court of India commuted the death penalty of one Mohammed Firoz, who was convicted of rape and murder of a 4-year-old girl, to life sentence.

At that time, the Judges had stated, “The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.”

New Delhi: ‘Jai Mata Di’ Coaching Centre teachers Rizwan, Absar and Irfan force minor Hindu boy to read Quran, recite Kalma, complaint filed

OpIndia Staff
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New Delhi: ‘Jai Mata Di’ Coaching Centre teachers Rizwan, Absar and Irfan force minor Hindu boy to read Quran, recite Kalma, complaint filed

On Thursday, 4th July, a man named Manoj Kumar filed a complaint at Subhash Palace Police Station under the North-West district of New Delhi against Rizwan, Absar, and Irfan for forcing his son to read the Quran. All three accused are teachers at Jai Mata Di Coaching Center located in Shakurpur.

In his complaint, Manoj said that his 13-year-old son had been asking him what the Quran is, and now and then read Kalma. When Manoj inquired about it, his son said that the teachers at the coaching center told him about Islam and its power.

Manoj said, “My son told me that teachers at Jai Mata Di Coaching Centre, Rizwan, Absar and Irfan, are forcing him to read the Quran. They were pressuring them to recite Kalma repeatedly and told my children that Hindu Religion is nonsense. They told them that there is no power in your Gods and Goddesses. Thus, from now on, read the Quran and recite Kalma as this religion [Islam] has a lot of power. It will make you powerful”.

He added, “I took the matter seriously and called the coaching centre. I talked to a female teacher first who forwarded the call to Rizwan Sir… When I asked him why he was forcing my son to read Kalma, he got angry and abused me. He threatened to ‘see me’ and said “I am father of Dawood Ibrahim. I will see you and your family”. He used abusive language. When I asked him to meet me tomorrow, he again threatened my family.”

Organiser’s journalist Subhi Vishwakarma shared a post about the matter and pointed out that Delhi Police has not registered any FIR. However, hundreds of people have visited the local police station every day regarding the case.

Muslim teacher accused of brainwashing children in Gujarat in 2023

This is not the first time Muslim teachers have been accused of trying to brainwash children under the guise of education. In June 2023, an alleged telephone conversation between teachers from Yellow Education System and a parent went viral on social media where the parent accused the Muslim teachers of the school of brainwashing the children to ignore lessons on Hindu kings and study only Muslim rulers.

In a seven-minute-long audio recording, a parent mentioned specific Muslim teachers by name, claiming that they skipped chapters about Hindu kings and instead focused solely on teachings about Mughal rulers. The parent also said that the children are being misinformed about Maharana Pratap. Furthermore, he asserted that his child, who is in the first grade, had started using terms like ‘Ammi-Abbu’ to call his mother and father at home, suggesting a potential influence from the school.

UP govt requests officials of neighbouring states to issue ID cards to Kanwar pilgrims; spears, tridents and other weapons to be banned in Kanwar Yatra

ANI
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UP govt requests officials of neighbouring states to issue ID cards to Kanwar pilgrims; spears, tridents and other weapons to be banned in Kanwar Yatra

In preparation for the upcoming Kanwar Yatra during the holy month of Sawan, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently convened a high-level meeting, directing officials to ensure robust arrangements for Kanwar pilgrims’ safety and convenience and urged officials from other states to issue ID cards to the Kanwar pilgrims.

Subsequently, on Saturday, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh and DGP Prashant Kumar met in Meerut with senior officials from western Uttar Pradesh and four other states to strategise on ensuring a safe and successful pilgrimage of the devotees. Officials from neighbouring states were also urged to issue ID cards to the Kanwar pilgrims from their respective regions.

In the meeting, officials stated that Kanwar pilgrims would not be allowed to carry spears, tridents, or any kind of weapon. There will be no ban on DJs on the Kanwar Yatra route, but the sound must be within the prescribed legal limit. The Kanwar Yatra will be monitored by CCTV and drones. Special attention will be given to devotees carrying the national flag during the Yatra.

Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh said that the Kanwar Yatra will start on July 22 in the state. Senior officials from Delhi, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan participated in the Kanwar Yatra Coordination Meeting in Meerut. Senior officials from the bordering districts of Meerut joined the meeting online, while officials from the range and division were present.

The Chief Secretary stated that a WhatsApp group has been created for all 12 districts of the Kanwar route. This group is divided into two parts: one for senior officials and the other for police station-level officers to share information.

He further mentioned that for security reasons, the entire route has been divided into five zones. Health camps and Kanwar camps will be set up at various places along the route, providing resting, dining, and accommodation facilities for the pilgrims. Separate camps will be arranged for women.

Health camps will also have anti-venom injections available. Eight combined control rooms will be set up in UP and Uttarakhand, operated by officials from both states to ensure all necessary facilities for the Kanwar pilgrims.

DGP Prashant Kumar said that changes have been made in the traffic system in view of the Yatra. The entry of heavy vehicles will be banned from the routes from which the Yatra starts. Additionally, heavy vehicles will be banned from 12 midnight of July 21 on Delhi Expressway, Dehradun Expressway and Chaudhary Charan Singh Kanwar Marg.

He further mentioned that the police will regulate the songs played by DJs and the sound limits during the Yatra. Special security measures will be in place on the borders of Delhi, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan, with active dog squads, bomb disposal teams, IB, intelligence, and LIU teams.

Liquor and meat shops along the Kanwar route will be closed. Electric poles will be covered with polythene and transformers with nets to prevent any accidents. Camps along the Yatra route will be set up away from highways and expressways.

DGP Kumar also mentioned that officials from other states have been instructed to provide ID cards to the Kanwar pilgrims to ensure they can be contacted and assisted in case of any issues. Additionally, the villages and police stations of the groups of pilgrims should be noted.

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

Why second & third wives can’t enter Islamabad Club: Discusses Pakistan’s senate committee, award to Chahat Fateh Ali Khan for ‘Bado Badi’ proposed

OpIndia Staff
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Why second & third wives can’t enter Islamabad Club: Discusses Pakistan’s senate committee, award to Chahat Fateh Ali Khan for ‘Bado Badi’ proposed

In Pakistan, the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Divisions debated various issues. One of the issues debated was the ban on entry of second and third wives of the members of the elite Islamabad Club.

During the meeting, Senator Saleem Mandviwala questioned the conditions imposed by the club on its members. He said that the club does not recognise other wives of members apart from the first wives of the members, and therefore second and third wives of the members are not allowed to enter the club.

He wondered why such a restriction was imposed at the club when such rules are not applied in any other club in the country. The senator said that it was an unfair rule at the club. The committee recognised the “significance” of the issue, and the chairman noted that this is “a very important problem” as Islam allows four marriages.

Therefore, the committee reportedly summoned the management of the Islamabad Club to the next meeting to resolve this matter. However, the special secretary of the Cabinet Division said that the division has no role in the membership of the club, and said that it was an internal issue of the club.

While discussing civil awards given by the Pakistan government, the name of Chahat Fateh Ali Khan came up. Committee member Aamir Chishti asked the Secretary whether the viral singer’s song ‘Bado Badi’ would be considered for an award – given its number of views on YouTube.

When Aamir Chishti asked committee chair Rana Mahmoodul Hasan whether he has listened to the song, he replied, “I have. It gave me a headache.”

The committee also discussed the Toshakhana gift issue, and the committee was told that the Toshakhana policy was amended last year according to which no one can keep any gift worth more than $300. Any gift above the value is be displayed in the Parliament, the President or the Prime Minister’s houses. Moreover, government employees are now not allowed to participate in the auction of gifts.

Madhya Pradesh: Hindu girl molested by Salman, Imran, Mubarik and Sameer, brother stabbed and father beaten for protesting

राहुल पाण्डेय
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Madhya Pradesh: Hindu girl molested by Salman, Imran, Mubarik and Sameer, brother stabbed and father beaten for protesting

An incident of stabbing a Hindu youth who was protesting against the molestation of his sister has come to light in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. The victim, Saurabh Yadav is in serious condition and is currently receiving treatment. The accused are Salman, Mubarik, Imran and Sameer Khan. The police have arrested Salman and Imran and are searching for Mubarik and Sameer Khan, who are both absconding. The incident transpired on 4th June.

According to media reports, the matter pertains to the Janakganj police station area of ​​​​Gwalior, where 59-year-old Balkishan Yadav runs a grocery shop in the Harikotasheer neighbourhood to support his family. He has two sons and two daughters in his family. His daughters frequently work at the store as well. Balkishan and his daughter were at the store on 4th June when Salman, Imran, Mubarik and neighbour Sameer Khan arrived there. All of them are residents of the Muslim-dominated region of Apaganj.

All of them reportedly started harassing the girl who was at the grocery shop and assaulted her when she protested along with her father who attempted to protect her. The perpetrators also hurled filthy abuses at the two. Afterwards, Saurabh, son of Balkishan Yadav, rushed to the shop after hearing about the incident and the Muslim males stabbed him in his neck and face. All three members of the family endured injuries in the attack.

The father and daughter have suffered minor injuries, while the critically wounded Saurabh Yadav has been admitted to the hospital. Members of Hindu organizations have expressed anger over the instance. A spokesman from ‘Hindu Jagran Manch’ in Gwalior, Vasant Godyale, told OpIndia that of the four accused, Sameer Khan had already served time in jail for harassing and abusing a Hindu female. Vasant Godyale was also threatened with murder when he and other activists demonstrated against the brutal attack on the Hindu family and demanded action at the police station.

Mubarik, Imran, Salman and Sameer Khan have been named as accused in this occurrence. The authorities have arrested Salman and Imran. Mubarik and Sameer Khan are fleeing, and police teams are conducting raids to apprehend the pair. OpIndia has a copy of the First Information Report.

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