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Maharashtra: ‘Maratha’ activist Jarange Patil threatens state, demands reservation for Muslims from OBC quota – Details

Siddhi Somani
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Maharashtra: ‘Maratha’ activist Jarange Patil threatens state, demands reservation for Muslims from OBC quota – Details

The issue of reservation for the Maratha community has been ongoing in Maharashtra for years with minimal solutions to date. There is a reason to decide the issue soon as the protests undertaken by the ‘Maratha activist’ Manoj Jarange Patil don’t seem to end. Patil has been on strike, demanding reservations for Marathas from the backward quota, since October 2023. The protests have also turned violent and caused damage to public property and vehicles in several districts of Maharashtra like Jalna, Pune, Beed, Dharashiv, etc. Houses of several NCP politicians were also set on fire by the demonstrators who expressed their anger and yelled slogans ‘Ek Maratha, Lakh Maratha’.

The state government led by CM Eknath Shinde, recently in January this year, accepted all the requests put forth by Jarange Patil and extended 10% reservation to Marathas above the 52% cap, further classifying Marathas as a socially and educationally backward class (SEBC). While Jarange Patil declared to end his strike after this, he began a fresh protest in June this year demanding the implementation of a draft notification that recognises all blood relatives of Maratha community members as Kunbis, an agrarian group classified as another backward class (OBC) community, who are eligible for reservation. “I will not give up until the Maratha reservation is granted,” Patil was quoted as saying.

Shinde assured solution to the problem and approved 10% reservation to Maratha community

Patil also demanded that a law be enacted to designate Kunbis as Marathas, and he threatened to field candidates for all 288 Assembly seats in Maharashtra in the forthcoming State election if his demands were not met.

If these threats of his were not enough, the activist, who earlier was believed to have been raising his voice for the Maratha community, has now started protesting and threatening the government to provide reservations to the Muslim community as well.

Muslims should get a reservation from OBC quota: Jarange Patil

On Monday (24th June), in a major setback to the OBC community in the state, Jarange Patil demanded reservation for the Muslim community from the OBC quota. He said that Muslims who have Kunbi caste certificates should also be extended reservations in government jobs and education under the Other Backward Class quota in Maharashtra.

“There are government records that show that the Muslims are also part of Kunbi castes. When these records prove that they are also farmers and belong to the Kunbi community, then Muslims should also be given reservations from the OBC quota. Muslims should not be facing injustice,” Jarange Patil was quoted as saying.

This comes after as per Jarange Patil, Pasha Patel, BJP leader’s record showed that he was a Kunbi. “If there are such records, then all Muslims should get a reservation from the OBC quota. I will see how they don’t get their rights,” he threatened.

BJP leader Pasha Patel

Demanding reservations for the Maratha community could be understood as the issue has been ongoing for over 32 years now and several political parties and activists have made attempts to find a solution to the issue. However, why is Jarange Patil interested in issuing reservations for the Muslim community, which in fact is a separate religion and not a Hindu caste like that of Marathas? Jarange Patil’s stance, in this case, is seen as a ploy to annoy OBCs, who are already apprehensive about losing their reservation in light of calls for blanket reservation for the Maratha group from their quota.

OBC leaders oppose Jarange Patil’s demand for Muslim reservation, call it a separate religion

After Jarange Patil’s demand for Muslim reservations, OBC activist Laxman Hake, who has been protesting to for the OBC community, said that the Muslim community is being seen as a religion and some of the castes from their community who fall under OBC quota are already getting the reservation. “Hinduism is divided into social hierarchies, but the Muslim community is seen as a religion,” he said.

BJP leader Nitesh Rane also opposed the demand made by Jarange Patil saying that our Constitution does not allow giving reservations based on religion. “Our Constitution does not allow giving reservations on religious grounds. Jarange Patil may not be aware that the reservation can be granted only on the backwardness of a caste,” he said.

OBC leader Chagan Bhujpal (NCP-Ajit Pawar) also slammed Jarange Patil for demanding reservation for Muslims from the OBC quota. According to Bhujbal, the activist knows nothing about reservations in the state, thus he is unaware that Muslims have received reservation advantages under the OBC quota for the previous 25 years. “Many castes among Muslims have been getting reservations under the OBC quota,” said Bhujbal alleging that he was being targeted by Jarange Patil for no reason. However, he also said that he was not scared of anybody.

OBC leader Chagan Bhujbal (L)

Apart from Bhujbal, Jarange Patil has also received criticism from the revenue minister and BJP Maratha leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who stated that the Maratha quota protest had lost direction. “Jarange Patil is not the only representative of Marathas. The government has already given a separate reservation of 10% to Marathas. The government has also started deliberations on reservations for Marathas and OBCs,” Vikhe Patil said.

It is important to note that the state had approved a 10% reservation to the Maratha community over and above the 52% existing quota which already includes 10% reservations for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS). Jarange Patil is asking for a reservation for a separate religion now. But won’t giving Muslims space in this specified quota be unfair to Marathas and OBCs (given no clarity over demands of separate reservations for the community)?  

Muslim reservation- a contentious issue; Bombay HC knocking down a portion

The issue of reservation for Muslims was also raised before the year 2014 when the Congress-NCP government was in power in the state. The government then announced a 5% reservation for the Muslim population in government posts and education.

However, the Bombay High Court knocked down portions of the regulation. It eliminated reservation provisions in government positions while allowing them in education. The decision was rejected by the Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP government when it took office in 2014, stating that they are opposed to religious reservations.

Muslim leaders, Samajwadi Party, NCP (Sharad Pawar) making demands for 5% Muslim reservations

Now, apart from Jarange Patil, after the state approved reservations for the Maratha community, several Muslim leaders also started demanding reservations for Muslims. On February 20th, Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Rais Shaikh had written to CM Eknath Shinde demanding a 5% reservation for Muslims at the earliest. He said this was necessary to eradicate the backwardness of the community and to bring them into the path of mainstream development. 

He mentioned that the NCP-Congress government had approved a 5% quota for Muslims but its implementation never happened. “It is a gross injustice to the Muslim community, which has been fighting for their rightful reservation for decades. There is a lot of resentment among the community for not getting our due. It is high time that the government must provide reservation to the community,” said Shaikh in the letter.

“Around 50 sub-castes in the community will benefit from the reservation. The demand for reservation is based on the economic and social backwardness of the community. We hope that the government will give the rightful reservation to us,” he had added.

SP MLA Rais Shaikh

Shaikh also stated that Marathas should get separate reservations and that the OBC quota shouldn’t be touched. However, the leader selectively forgot that the Muslim community has been benefitting from the reservation for 25 years. Those Muslims falling under the OBC category are getting all the benefits of the government reservations.

Saleem Sarang, vice-president of the NCP, issued warnings on June 9th to protest if the state government failed to provide Muslims with 5% reservation in educational institutes, as partially allowed by the Bombay High Court. “The BJP has no qualms in joining hands with Chandrababu Naidu of TDP whose pro-Muslim reservation stand is well-known. So, why should the BJP oppose it if the Mahayuti government gives Muslim quota?” Saleem was quoted as saying.

Arif Naseem Khan, a former state minister, has also demanded Muslim reservations. Khan stated that the BJP is allied with the TDP at the center, which supports Muslim reservations. “N Chandrababu Naidu’s son and TDP’s general secretary, N Lokesh, has announced that the TDP government will continue with the 4% Muslim reservation. In Maharashtra, our government had given a 5% quota to Muslims on the basis of educational and economic backwardness. The government must restore this reservation along with the quota for Maratha and Dhangar communities,” said Khan. 

Earlier in December 2023, NCP (Sharad Pawar) MLA from Baramati constituency had demanded reservation for Muslims. While raising the issue of Maratha reservations, the leader said that there was a need to find an amicable solution to the issue of reservations for Maratha, Dhangar, Lingayat, and the Muslim community in Maharashtra. The leader again, selectively happened to forget that Islam is a separate religion while Maratha, Dhangar, and Lingayat are castes and that religion-based reservation is not allowed by the Constitution.

What the Indian Constitution says about religion-based reservations

The Indian Constitution moved toward equity, which ensures justice and may necessitate differential treatment or special measures for certain groups.

The Constitution removed the term ‘minorities’ from Article 296 (Article 335 of the current Constitution), but included Article 16(4), which allows the state to make “any provision for …reservation…in favor of any backward class of citizens which…is not adequately represented in the services under the state.”

Article 15(4) of the first constitutional amendment enabled the state to make “any special provision for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes”.

Article 15 clearly prohibits the state from discriminating against residents based only on religion and caste (as well as gender, race, and place of birth). Following the Supreme Court’s decision in the State of Kerala vs N M Thomas (1975), reservation is viewed as an extension of equality rather than an exception to Articles 15(1) and 16(1)’s equality/non-discrimination clauses.

Representative Image- Indian Express

The key word in Articles 15 and 16 is ‘only’, which means that if a religious, racial, or caste group is considered a “weaker section” under Article 46, or a backward class, it is entitled to special provisions for advancement.

Some Muslim castes receive reservations not because they are Muslims, but because they were classified as backward, and reservation in many states has been granted without affecting the quota for SCs, STs, and OBCs by establishing a sub-quota within the OBCs. At present, there are 14 states and UTs in India where Muslim communities are included in the quota list, based on social and economic backwardness.

Probable reasons why Jarange Patil is allegedly becoming the voice of Muslims

This is actually as surprising as it looks. Jarange Patil, who was to date raising his voice for the Maratha community, is now worried about the ‘so-called’ injustice happening to the Muslim community. Further, it is important to note that the protests regarding the Maratha reservation became prominent and massively violent probably only when the BJP government ruled the state, be it in the year 2014 or 2023-24.

Further, the outcomes of the current Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra saw Muslims supporting the parties other than the BJP. The ruling party was unable to secure a majority in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections due to this. The Shiv Sena, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, won 7 seats and the BJP won 9, while parties with Muslim and Communist support, such as the NCP (Sharad Pawar), Indian National Congress, and Shiv Sena (UBT), gained 8, 13, and 9 seats, respectively. This clearly shows that Muslims in the state of Maharashtra voted for any party standing against BJP.

Given Jarange Patil’s previous association with Congress and his current sympathies for the Muslim community, it would not be an exaggeration to claim that Patil’s move is probably to raise mass appeal in support of the NCP (Sharad Pawar), Shiv Sena (UBT) and Indian National Congress ahead of the State Assembly Elections under the guise of fighting for Maratha reservation.

If not, what exactly made him start fresh protests in June over the ‘Maratha reservation’ after the state approved 10% reservations over existing 52% in February this year? What made him suddenly talk about Muslim reservations when the community has already been benefiting from the OBC quota for years? What made him suddenly think of Muslim reservations in the first place, given his no direct association with the community?

As several leaders opine, Jarange Patil has seemingly lost direction while primarily fighting for the Maratha quota in the state. He has also issued threats to the government saying he would see how the state fails to provide reservation to the Muslim community. This is alarming in itself and probably the situation needs immediate attention from the Centre.

Canada: Police arrest activist Tommy Robinson, who criticised Justin Trudeau for being a ‘commie’, later release him with conditions

OpIndia Staff
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Canada: Police arrest activist Tommy Robinson, who criticised Justin Trudeau for being a ‘commie’, later release him with conditions

On Monday (24th June), the police arrested Tommy Robinson, a British activist and critic of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, from Calgary in Alberta province of Canada.

The British activist had a speaking engagement in Calgary, organised by independent news outfit Rebel News. It must be mentioned that Justin Trudeau-led-Liberal Party in Canada has hounded Rebel News on several occasions in the past.

After the conclusion of the event, Tommy Robinson was arrested by the police. Reportedly, a warrant to this effect was issued by the government.

In the meantime, Rebel News founder Ezra Levant informed that he has hired Alain Hepner, a leading criminal lawyer in Calgary, to secure the release of the British activist. He had also sought donations from the public to pay legal fees.

Two hours later, Tommy Robinson posted a tweet stating that he had been released. However, the activist pointed out that he had been directed to give his passport, remain in south Alberta and not leave Canada.

“Ok I’m FREE , we’ll sort of, None of this makes sense , I’m now detained in Calgary , prevented from leaving the city , these conditions stop me from continuing my tour of Canada & meeting with guests for podcasts . I’m not even allowed to leave to travel home,” he said in a tweet.

It must be mentioned that Tommy Robinson had been a vocal critic of the Justin Trudeau government in Canada. The British activist had dubbed the Liberal Party leader as ‘commie’ who is triggered by democracy.

On 10th June, he tweeted, “The far left are running riot in France tonight because the people chose right, and now Trudeau just dropped a video about his “concerns” that the people of Europe chose right. All these people aren’t even pretending not to be commies anymore. They’re triggered by democracy.”

Tommy Robinson was previously arrested in August 2018 for supposed ‘contempt of court.’ OpInida’s Editor-in-Chief Nupur Sharma interviewed him in September 2022 regarding the anti-Hindu Leicester unrest and the menace of Islamism in the United Kingdom.

No consensus on the speaker, INDI bloc’s K Suresh fielded against Om Birla for post

ANI
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No consensus on the speaker, INDI bloc’s K Suresh fielded against Om Birla for post

Efforts by the BJP’s top leadership to broker a consensus on the position of the speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha came to nought when the INDIA bloc decided to field 8-time MP K Suresh for the post. His nomination followed the filing of a nomination by the BJP’s Kota MP Om Birla for the post. Birla was the speaker in the 17th Lok Sabha as well.

This will be the first time that elections will be held for the Speaker of the lower house. Since independence, the Lok Sabha Speaker and Deputy Speaker have been elected by consensus between the ruling party and the opposition. The elections for the post will be held on June 26.

BJP MP Piyush Goyal said there was no precedent to suggest that the deputy speaker’s post must go to the opposition, and the opposition was needlessly choosing a showdown.

“They said first decide the name for Deputy Speaker then we will support the Speaker candidate. We condemn such politics. A good tradition would have been to choose the Speaker unanimously. The Speaker does not belong to any party or opposition; he belongs to the entire House. Similarly, the Deputy Speaker also does not belong to any party or group; he belongs to the entire House and hence there should be consent of the House. Such conditions that only a particular person or from a particular party should be the Deputy Speaker, do not fit into any tradition of the Lok Sabha.”

Earlier, senior cabinet minister Rajnath Singh had been reaching out to opposition leaders on behalf of the government in a bid to build consensus for the post of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that they had conveyed to Rajnath Singh that the opposition is ready to extend support to NDA’s Speaker candidate, but the post of Deputy Speaker should be given to the opposition.

Interacting with the media on Tuesday, Rahul said, “We have said to Rajnath Singh that we will support their candidate for Speaker but the convention is that the post of Deputy Speaker is given to the opposition.”

Rahul also alleged that opposition leaders are getting “insulted.”

“Today it is written in the newspaper that PM Modi has said that the opposition should cooperate with the government constructively. Rajnath Singh called Mallikarjun Kharge and he asked him to extend support to the Speaker. The entire opposition said that we would support the speaker, but the convention is that the Deputy Speaker post should be given to the opposition. Rajnath Singh said that he would call back Mallikarjun Kharge but he has not done that yet. PM Modi is asking for cooperation from the opposition, but our leader is getting insulted,” said Rahul Gandhi.

The Lok Sabha Speaker will be elected on June 26. On June 27, President Murmu is scheduled to address a joint sitting of both houses of Parliament.

The NDA, which has 293 MPs in the 543-member Lok Sabha, enjoys a clear majority, with the opposition INDIA bloc having 234 MPs.

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

Bihar: Teen forced to lick spit off the foot, beaten mercilessly, forced to say ‘Miyan Saheb Zindabad, Allah-Hu-Akbar’

OpIndia Staff
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Bihar: Teen forced to lick spit off the foot, beaten mercilessly, forced to say ‘Miyan Saheb Zindabad, Allah-Hu-Akbar’

A disturbing video has surfaced on social media platforms from Muzaffarpur, Bihar. In the video, a 15-year-old boy was forcibly detained, brutally beaten, and humiliated. The incident took place in Batraul village of Motipur town. The shocking video showed that the teen was forced to chant “Miyan Saheb Zindabad” and “Allah-Hu-Akbar”. Furthermore, the teen was forced to lick spit off the feet of the attacker. Police have filed a case and arrested Munna, Sahil, and one other person. One accused is still at large.

In the video, the boy sat on a sack in a closed room. One of the attackers was holding a stick and kept beating him. A voice from the background kept forcing the boy to chant religious slogans. The video showed that the teen was forced to lick the spit off the feet of his tormentor. The teen was also beaten up with a stick. He was mercilessly slapped repeatedly by the assailants. The ordeal did not end there for the teen, and he was compelled to chant Islamic slogans like “Allah-Hu-Akbar” under duress.

As a result of the vicious beating, the boy reportedly sustained a fractured arm. The police sprang into action upon learning about the incident and arrested three individuals in the matter.

The attackers have been identified as Mohammed Munna and Sahil. They recorded the entire episode and posted it on social media to boast about their act. The video caused significant tension in the village leading to the administration imposing Section 144 to ensure law and order were maintained. Station-in-charge of Motipur Police Station, Rajan Kumar, confirmed that the victim’s father filed a complaint in the matter, and they have registered a case. Four known and two unknown persons were named in the FIR. Three have been arrested while others are still absconding.

Bihar is experiencing a rise in criminal activities raising concerns about the law-and-order situation in the state. In this matter, the local authorities got in touch with the seniors from both parties and community representatives to resolve the situation peacefully without any further communal tension.

OpIndia tried contacting Motipur police in this matter but could not connect.

India will be biggest economy in world by 2050 followed by China, United States: Asle Toje, Deputy Leader of Nobel Peace Prize Committee

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India will be biggest economy in world by 2050 followed by China, United States: Asle Toje, Deputy Leader of Nobel Peace Prize Committee

India will be the biggest economy in the world by 2050, followed by China, the United States, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brazil, and Russia, said Asle Toje, Deputy Leader of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee, during the “Future Watch: The Emerging World Order” program organized by the Pehle India Foundation in Delhi.

Toje, a renowned political scientist and expert in international relations known for his insightful analysis of global political dynamics, stated that India is poised to become a juggernaut.

He questioned, “What kind of great power will India be? This is something worth considering.”

He emphasised the pivotal moment the world faces, particularly with global climate change, suggesting that it would be best if India proved to be a benign force that alleviates suffering and fosters peace, rather than imposing its ideals on others.

“You have no idea of the power of this country. You will see it in your lifetimes when emissaries from every nation come pleading for succour in Delhi. The lessons of the Vedas, the insights from history, and the gentleness that resides in this country, stemming from its 10,000-year-old civilisation, will guide its rise,” Toje remarked.

Rajiv Kumar, former vice chairman of NITI Aayog and founder of the Pehle India Foundation, emphasised the need for a completely different approach to development.

“We are the only country in world history that needs to grow at an exponential rate while reducing our carbon footprint. Nobody has done that before. We’re not going to follow any existing models or accept any models of development,” he stated.

Regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, Toje commented on the failure of diplomacy, stating, “It was a crisis of diplomacy. The West failed to recognise Russia’s legitimate geopolitical interests in the region. We disregarded Russia’s interests while not supporting Ukraine adequately to deter Russia’s extreme and illegal invasion.”

He added, “We engaged in a lot of talking but not enough serious diplomacy. The Russians were likely surprised by the Ukrainians’ willingness to fight for their country and the West’s support, but this conflict will ultimately break Europe, a reality no one wants to acknowledge.” 

‘How much did these people pay’: TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee publicly shames party MLA for allowing illegal encroachment

OpIndia Staff
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‘How much did these people pay’: TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee publicly shames party MLA for allowing illegal encroachment

On Monday (24th June), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lashed out at her party MLA Sujit Bose for encouraging illegal occupation in Kolkata.

While speaking at Nabanna (the building that houses the State Secretariat), she remarked, “I feel ashamed to even speak about it (Salt Lake area of Kolkata)…Encroachment has also begun in Rajarhat.”

“Sujit Bose is allowing encroachment as per his wishes. He has made it seem like a competition. Why will outsiders occupy that place (Animal Resources Development Department’s office)?” Mamata Banerjee was heard saying.

“Let me show you guys a picture. Do not live under the impression that I have come here without proof of documents. If I show you the picture, you will be ashamed yourself,” the West Bengal CM said.

“How much did the people pay (to encroach upon the area)? There is mass encroachment outside ARD office. They are putting up tents and occupying the place permanently,” she inquired.

“I want to know why, why, why?” Mamata Banerjee said in a fit of rage.

“I want to know. I want to know how much these people had to pay for us to allow this encroachment. Who took the money?” Mamata Banerjee asked.

She further inquired, “Why are councillors of Salt Laje Municipality not doing their work? They are an elected body.”

Maharashtra NEET paper leak: 4 including 2 teachers booked, 2 arrested, Delhi connection exposed

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra NEET paper leak: 4 including 2 teachers booked, 2 arrested, Delhi connection exposed

Days after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched its investigation into the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, the Maharashtra Police arrested a school teacher in Latur on Sunday (23rd June) night. The arrested individual has been identified as Jalil Khan Pathan. 

Pathan, the Latur-based teacher, appeared before a local court on Monday (24th June) and was remanded in police custody until 2nd July. He is one of four people charged by state police under the central government’s new anti-paper leak legislation.

By Monday (24th June) evening, the police additionally apprehended Sanjay Jadhav, the other teacher named in the case who was on the run. According to reports, the present case filed by the Maharashtra Police is expected to be forwarded to the CBI, and the central agency will seek their detention in due course. The bureau is investigating a nationwide scheme involving the suspected NEET-UG paper leak.

The police filed a case based on information provided by the Maharashtra anti-terrorism unit against Sanjay Tukaram Jadhav, Jalil Khan Pathan, Eranna Konalwar, and Gangadhar of Delhi. Jadhav and Pathan were district council teachers who also ran private tuition classes in Latur, whilst Konalwar lived at ITI Umarga in Dharashiv.

The case against the four accused has been registered at the Shivajinagar police station in Latur. An FIR has been lodged under Sections 3(v), 4, and 10 of The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act 2024 along with Sections 420 (cheating), 120 (b) (about criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

“ATS officials had received a tip-off that some suspects were running an illegal racket to help NEET students pass the exam in exchange for money,” stated Latur Police adding that one of the individuals detained had suspicious information related to the NEET 2024 exam on their mobile phone.

Congress and BJP’s political mud-slinging over NEET irregularities

Amid this Maharashtra Congress took a jibe at BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis saying that he was responsible for ruining the future of around 2,97,104 students who appeared for NEET from the state of Maharashtra. “Fadnavis has put the future of youth in danger, Maharashtra is in the grip of unemployment. Maharastra is becoming the center of a paper leak scam but Fadnavis is busy following the orders of the center,” Congress said.

To this, BJP Maharashtra responded by saying that instead of accusing Fadnavis of what he has never done, Congress shall contact its ally in Bihar, Tejaswi Yadav, and ask him about his involvement in the scam. “Blaming your sin on us when there is overwhelming evidence that your INDI Alliance colleague Tejashwi Yadav and his PA are involved in the NEET exam scam? Your corrupt hands have put the future of students at risk. So if you want to ask for answers, ask Tejashwi Yadav,” BJP said.

According to the complaint, the ATS’ Nanded section had certain leads on a racket operating out of Latur, so a covert operation was conducted. Two teachers were detained on Sunday (23rd June), and their responses were considered unjustified. Further investigation found WhatsApp discussions, money trails, and hall tickets from students indicating their alleged involvement.

The investigation indicated that Pathan allegedly transmitted exam-related materials to Jadhav, who in turn forwarded the students’ admit cards to Eranna Konalwar via WhatsApp, who subsequently contacted one Gangadhar in Delhi. The investigation is attempting to determine the chain and the racket, including the number of students contacted by the accused, the amount paid to obtain the papers, and the distribution of proceeds among the accused.

Boeing mess again? Starliner return delayed due to helium leaks, Sunita Williams and fellow astronaut await in the space station

OpIndia Staff
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Boeing mess again? Starliner return delayed due to helium leaks, Sunita Williams and fellow astronaut await in the space station

On 21st June, Boeing announced that the scheduled return of Starliner spacecraft from the International Space Station (ISS) has been delayed further to at least early July. Two astronauts, Indian-origin Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore went to ISS using Boeing Starliner on 6th June.

The astronauts were scheduled to return to Earth within a week. However, due to a series of helium leaks in the spacecraft’s propulsion system, the return was delayed multiple times. By 18th June, five such leaks were found since the spacecraft docked at the ISS. Adding to the reasons for the delay in the return, this time it has been postponed for two scheduled spacewalks and continued assessments of reported issues on the spacecraft.

The mission was Starliner’s maiden mission after a decade-long wait of development and errors. Notably, the launch was also briefly delayed due to helium leaks and a malfunctioning valve on the rocket. Though the issue was said to be resolved, it seems that the matter persisted and continued to cause delays in the return of the spacecraft.

The two spacewalks are scheduled for 2nd July. NASA and Boeing have said that the astronauts would not return until after those scheduled spacewalks are completed. These spacewalks were scheduled for 24th June but were postponed as the spacesuit malfunctioned impacting the return of the astronauts. Notably, initially, the spacewalk was supposed to happen on 14th June but it was delayed due to a spacesuit discomfort issue. Then it was postponed on 24th June as well.

Boeing in a statement said that though the astronauts were scheduled to return within a week, there are ample supplies available for them to stay through mid-August. The company added that in case of an emergency, the spacecraft is cleared to leave the orbit and return to Earth.

Vice president and program manager of Boeing’s Starliner Program Mark Nappi said in a statement, “The crew’s feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and they know that every bit of learning we do on the Crew Flight Test will improve and sharpen our experience for future crews.”

He added, “Starliner is performing well in orbit while docked to the space station. We are strategically using the extra time to clear a path for some critical station activities while completing readiness for Butch and Suni’s return on Starliner and gaining valuable insight into the system upgrades we will want to make for post-certification missions.”

Boeing was given contract to build Starliner for USD 4.6 billion but due to delayes, the company has lost USD 1.5 Billion developing the spacecraft.

Boeing aircraft suffer mishap after mishap, non-stop

In the January 2024 Alaska Airlines ‘door falling off mid-air’ incident, the US National Transportation Safety Board found that four key bolts, designed to hold the door securely in place, were not fitted.

Following the mid-air blowout, Alaska Airlines grounded all of its 65 Boeing 737-MAX 9 aircraft for inspection. A day after the Alaska Airlines incident, the United States air aviation regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered airlines to temporarily ground more than 170 Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft for “immediate inspections” following the Alaska Airlines incident. Since then, dozens of incidents involving Boeing aircraft have been reported.

‘His freedom is our freedom’: Wikileaks founder Julian Assange walks free after spending 5 years behind bars for ‘espionage’

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‘His freedom is our freedom’: Wikileaks founder Julian Assange walks free after spending 5 years behind bars for ‘espionage’

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has agreed to enter a plea deal with the Joe Biden administration that could pave the way for him to avoid imprisonment in the United States, according to recently filed federal court documents, CNN reported.

The WikiLeaks founder has reportedly consented to plead guilty to a felony charge connected to his alleged involvement in one of the largest breaches of classified US government material.

This agreement, if approved by a federal judge, would see Assange receiving a 62-month sentence, which matches the duration he has already served in London’s high-security Belmarsh prison while contesting extradition to the US.

The plea deal includes crediting his time served, potentially allowing Assange to immediately return to his native Australia.

Assange’s release from Belmarsh was confirmed by WikiLeaks, who announced on Tuesday that he had been granted bail by the High Court in London and subsequently departed from Stansted airport.

A video posted by the organisation showed Assange boarding a plane after leaving the UK, as reported by CNN.

According to the US District Court in the Northern Mariana Islands, a plea hearing and sentencing have been scheduled for Wednesday morning. Prosecutors explained to the court that Assange preferred not to set foot in the continental US for his guilty plea, hence the choice of venue near Australia, where he intends to return following the court proceedings.

The Justice Department prosecutors anticipate Assange will plead guilty to the charge and be sentenced accordingly. Assange had been sought by US authorities for publishing confidential military records leaked by Chelsea Manning between 2010 and 2011.

He faced 18 counts from a 2019 indictment related to the breach, which carried a potential maximum sentence of up to 175 years in prison, although it was unlikely he would receive the full term.


US officials alleged Assange had actively encouraged Manning to obtain extensive amounts of unfiltered US diplomatic cables, potentially endangering confidential sources, as well as significant Iraq war-related reports and Guantanamo Bay detainee information, according to CNN.

President Joe Biden had hinted at a potential deal, supported by Australian government officials, to facilitate Assange’s return to Australia. However, FBI and Justice Department officials insisted that any agreement include a felony guilty plea by Assange, according to sources familiar with the matter cited by CNN.

Last month, a UK court ruled in Assange’s favour, granting him the right to appeal his final challenge against extradition to the US. This decision marked a significant victory for Assange after years of legal battles aimed at avoiding prosecution in the United States for the charges levelled against him.

Assange’s case has drawn international attention and sparked debates over freedom of the press, government transparency, and the legal implications of publishing classified information.

His journey from the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he sought asylum for seven years, to incarceration in Belmarsh, and now potentially to a plea deal and return to Australia, has been closely followed by supporters, critics, and legal experts alike, CNN reported.

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

NEET-UG row: What is NTA? Why was it formed and how does it conduct exams

Paurush Gupta
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NEET-UG row: What is NTA? Why was it formed and how does it conduct exams

Amid controversies surrounding the NEET UG exam, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has emphasised the need for reform and improvements in the NTA. On Saturday (22nd June), the government announced a high-level committee of experts to ensure transparent, smooth, and fair conduct of examinations. The expert panel will make recommendations to further improve NTA, its structure, functioning, examination process, transparency, and data security protocols. 

This panel will be headed by Dr. K Radhakrishnan, former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairperson and the chairman of the board of governors, IIT Kanpur. The other members of the panel include – 

  • Dr. Randeep Guleria, former director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
  • Prof. BJ Rao, vice chancellor of Central University of Hyderabad
  • Prof. Ramamurthy K, Professor Emeritus, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras
  • Pankaj Bansal, co-founder, of People Strong and Board Member- of Karmayogi Bharat
  • Prof. Aditya Mittal, Dean of Student Affairs at IIT Delhi
  • Govind Jaiswal, joint secretary at the Ministry of Education (member secretary)

According to a statement from the Ministry of Education, the high-level panel will analyze the entire examination process and recommend ways to enhance system efficiency. The panel will conduct a comprehensive review of the National Testing Agency’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and propose measures to fortify them. Additionally, the members will recommend monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance at every stage.

NTA’s Origin story

While the government has announced a panel to improve the NTA, it’s important to note that the agency was established seven years ago to overhaul the examination process and address the shortcomings that had plagued state-level exam bodies and multiple other agencies. The call for establishing such an agency through legislation has been voiced for several decades. 

Incidentally, the agency’s inception can be traced back to the Programme of Action 1992, which advocated for national-level common entrance tests as outlined in the National Policy on Education 1986. 

In 2010, a committee of directors from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) recommended establishing the agency through legislation to ensure autonomy and transparency. Modeled after the Educational Testing Service (ETS) in the US, the agency’s development was furthered in 2013 when the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now the Ministry of Education) formed a task force to devise plans. The establishment of the NTA was officially announced in 2017, followed by Cabinet approval.

The demand for the NTA arose from concerns over shortcomings in state-level exam-conducting bodies and the need to streamline the process for students who had to independently clear multiple entrance exams. 

In a statement, the HRD ministry said, “The rationale for setting up the NTA lies in ensuring that multiplicity of entrance examinations leading to stress on the students is addressed comprehensively by formulating a uniform entrance examination for admissions in different branches of higher learning.”

National Testing Agency

In 2017, the central government established the National Testing Agency (NTA) as an autonomous body under the Department of Higher Education within the Union Ministry of Education. It conducts examinations for admissions and fellowships in higher education institutions. Currently, it is responsible for conducting various national-level exams for admission and recruitment in fields such as engineering, medicine, management, and pharmacy including JEE Main, NEET-UG, NET, CMAT, and GPAT. Overall, it conducts 15 highly competitive entrance exams for admissions to higher educational institutions.

With an initial budget of Rs 25 crore for its first year, it became operational on 5th September 2018 and conducted only the UGC-NET exam in the first year of its functioning. From 2019 onwards, it gradually started taking over the responsibility for other exams. Currently, it oversees more than 2,546 centres. 

The NTA is officially registered as a society under the Societies (Registration) Act, of 1860. Initially, it administered exams previously managed by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), as well as the CMAT and GPAT exams designated by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

At present, the agency is led by former UPSC chairperson Pradeep Kumar Joshi. Its governing body comprises a team of 14, including directors from esteemed institutions such as three IITs, two NITs, and two IIMs, along with other educational and medical experts and bureaucrats. 

As per its mandate, the NTA handles everything from test preparation to delivery and marking in a “scientific manner,” consulting with subject matter experts and psychometricians throughout the process.

Major controversies over the years

In 2021, the JEE Main exam was compromised when Russian national Mikhail Shargen hacked the exam software, benefiting over 800 candidates. This breach allowed students to cheat by enabling teachers or coaches to take control of their computers and take the test on their behalf, according to NDTV. 

Additionally, there have been a few cases of gross misreporting of student numbers which, although not a major controversy that could raise questions about the functioning of the NTA, eliminating such errors is paramount, as they significantly affect individual students.

Over the years, the exams conducted by the NTA have faced allegations including a lack of transparency in allocating grace marks, issues of technical glitches at exam centers, and instances of hacking/fixing. However, many of these issues, such as technical glitches, inadequate infrastructure, malpractice, and corrupt activities, often arise due to the involvement of officials at a few local centers. This underscores the need for increased scrutiny in the selection process of examination centers.

How does NTA select centres for examination?

The NTA claims to follow a rigorous process to select exam centres. Initially, it identifies potential centres from a list that includes government schools previously used by CBSE and the NTA. The performance of these schools as exam centres is reviewed, and AICTE-recognized institutions and colleges may also be considered. Once a final list is created, the NTA seeks permission from the schools and conducts background checks on new centres.

A third-party organization is contracted to evaluate the exam centres and their management. This includes assessing infrastructure, and seating capacity, and ensuring the absence of conflicts of interest, particularly with coaching institutes. The centres must also be accessible and friendly to the differently-abled. Any centre with a poor record is blacklisted by the NTA. A virtual tour is conducted to inspect security measures, including personnel at key entry and exit points.

The NTA, which will be reformed as per the recommendations of the recently constituted expert panel, has been formulated as a major stride in the process of streamlining the exam process, overcoming loopholes faced by previous agencies, and incorporating decades of suggestions from educational experts and institutions.

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