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After having led the “India Out” campaign in the Maldives, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu arrives in India to attend PM Modi’s oath ceremony 

OpIndia Staff
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After having led the “India Out” campaign in the Maldives, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu arrives in India to attend PM Modi’s oath ceremony 

Several foreign delegates invited to the historic swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have landed in New Delhi. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived on June 8th, while Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu landed in the capital just hours before the event, where Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi will take the oath of office for his third historic term.

Notably, while seven foreign heads of state have been invited to the historic event, the presence of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu assumes greater significance amidst the strained diplomatic relationship between the two neighbouring countries.

Maldivian President Muizzu, who led the “India Out” campaign during his presidential election, on Saturday stated that he would be “honoured” to attend Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony. He accepted the invitation from India’s Higher Commissioner to the Maldives, Munu Mahawar, who presented the letter of invitation to the President during a courtesy call at the President’s Office.

Accepting the invitation, Muizzu added that his visit to India for the historic event would demonstrate that bilateral ties between the two countries are heading in a “positive direction”. Strikingly, this is Muizzu’s first visit to India after the pro-China leader assumed office in Male. 

Additionally, he was among the first heads of state to congratulate PM Modi and the BJP-led NDA on their electoral success. On June 4th, the day Lok Sabha election results were announced, he expressed his desire to work with PM Modi to advance the shared interests of the two countries.

On 4th June, he wrote, “Congratulations to Prime Minister @narendramodi, and the BJP and BJP-led NDA, on the success in the 2024 Indian General Election, for the third consecutive term. I look forward to working together to advance our shared interests in pursuit of shared prosperity and stability for our two countries.” 

From India Out Campaign to seeking debt relief: Economically-strained President Muizzu tones down anti-India rhetoric to seek assistance for the country

The diplomatic ties between India and the Maldives have been tumultuous since November last year when People’s National Congress leader Mohamed Muizzu assumed office and took charge as Maldivian President. Known for his pro-China tilt, the PNC leader led the ‘India Out’ campaign during his Presidential election campaigning. Hours after taking the oath of office, the pro-China leader asked India to withdraw Indian military personnel from his country. 

Following his government’s repeated statements, the Indian military personnel were replaced by civilians earlier this month.

Incidentally, the strained diplomatic ties further worsened after a few Maldivian Ministers made derogatory posts about India, Indians, and PM Modi over the latter’s visit to Lakshadweep. While PM Modi had made no mention of Maldives while promoting tourism potential in India’s islands, Maldivian Ministers made uncalled-for and derogatory remarks while responding to Indian social media users who claimed that Lakshadweep could replace Maldives as a preferred tourism destination for Indians. 

Strikingly, Political commentator Raushan Sinha shared PM Modi’s video ‘promoting tourism in Lakshadweep’ and asserted that it is a “big setback to the new Chinese puppet govt of Maldives”. The post irked Mariyam Shiuna, Maldives’ Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts. The Maldivian leader responded to Mr. Sinha’s post by calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “clown” and a “puppet of Israel”, which she later deleted. 

The Indian government had then raised strong objections with the Maldivian government against the remarks made by Mariyam Shiuna. Subsequently, Shiuna, along with two more ruling party leaders in the Maldives, were later suspended. 

On their part, several Indians announced a boycott of their trip to Maldives. After the boycott trend in India, Maldives, whose economy depends on tourism, approached China urging Beijing to send more tourists to their nation. Following massive backlash from India and Maldives opposition parties, President Muizzu appealed to India to provide debt relief calling India their “closest ally”, effectively sounding a reconciliatory tone amidst the diplomatic row and Male’s strained economic condition.   

In an interview with local media ‘Mihaaru’, Muizzu further claimed that he has “not taken any action nor made any statements” that may strain the relationship between the two countries. Notably, it was his first interview after he assumed office in Male. 

However, as the relationship was witnessing signs of thaw courtesy of India consistently heeding Maldivian requests for assistance, Maldivian Minister Mariyam Shiuna again made a derogatory post in April this year. Through the post which was later deleted, she mocked the Ashoka Chakra of the Indian National flag. 

The translated version of the tweet reads, “The MDP is heading towards the mouth. We need not fall into their mouth again.” The post also included a morphed election campaign poster of the opposition party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), replacing the image of a compass with an image of Ashoka Chakra, insulting the Indian flag. The image of the fake poster also included the symbols of BJP along with the symbol of MDP, accusing of collusion between the two parties. Notably, MDP has been highly critical of Mohamed Muizzu’s government’s anti-India policy. 

However, despite derogatory posts by Maldivian ministers and anti-India rhetoric by PNC leaders, India has been assuring that China doesn’t tighten its grip on Male and that Maldives doesn’t go bankrupt under the Chinese debt trap strategy. India has been able to salvage the situation in the economically strained country and prompting the Muizzu government to sound a reconciliatory tone and further build, improve diplomatic ties with India. 

Last month, the Maldivian government thanked India for $50 Million in budgetary support and described it as a “gesture of goodwill”. 

President Muizzu’s visit to India for PM Modi’s swearing-in ceremony has broken the ice, allowing the Maldivian leader to move past his anti-India campaign rhetoric and work towards rebuilding strong ties with India. The visit can accelerate the thaw in both countries’ diplomatic relationship and prompt Muizzu to take a balanced approach in International politics while maintaining cordial ties with India, or could end up as a redux of Shahbaz Sharif’s invitation to India for the oath-taking ceremony.

Indonesia: Woman missing for three days found dead inside 16-feet long python

OpIndia Staff
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Indonesia: Woman missing for three days found dead inside 16-feet long python

On Saturday, 8th June, an Indonesian woman, who was missing for three days, was found dead inside a python snake. The incident took place in the village Kalempang of South Sulawesi province where 45-year-old Farida’s dead body was discovered inside the reticulated python by her husband and residents of the village. Reports suggest that the python that swallowed the victim was around 5 metres or 16 feet long. Notably, Farida was the fifth person to be swallowed whole by a python in Indonesia since 2017.

Farida was reported missing on the night of 6th June. She went out for some work but did not return home, following which a search operation was launched. Village chief Suardi Rosi said while speaking to the media, “Her husband found her belongings, which made him suspicious. The villagers then searched the area. They soon spotted a python with a large belly.”

He added, “They agreed to cut open the python’s stomach. As soon as they did, Farida’s head was immediately visible.” Farida was fully clothed inside the python’s stomach.

Daily Mail’s report suggests that the python bit her on her leg and coiled around her body leading to her death by suffocation after which he swallowed her head first. In a statement, her husband Noni said, “I am forever sorry that I let my wife go out alone. If I had been with her that day, the snake would not have dared to touch her. I feel sorry for the suffering she went through. I am sorry for our family.”

Though such instances are rare, there have been reports where individuals were swallowed whole by large pythons. In 2023, a farmer was killed by an eight-metre python in the Tinanggea district of Southwest Sulawesi. When the residents of the village saw the snake, it was devouring the dead body of the farmer. The villagers then killed the snake.

A similar incident came to light in 2018 when the dead body of a 54-year-old woman was discovered inside a 7-metre-long python in Muna town in Southeast Sulawesi. In 2019, a farmer from West Sulawesi went missing and was later found eaten by a four-metre python on a palm tree plantation.

Indonesia is known for its large population of giant snakes. Interestingly, unlike the neighbouring countries, urban developments did not affect the population of giant snakes in the country.

Bangladesh MP Anwarul Azim Anar’s murder in West Bengal: CID recovers parts of human bones from bank of a canal in Kolkata

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh MP Anwarul Azim Anar’s murder in West Bengal: CID recovers parts of human bones from bank of a canal in Kolkata

West Bengal police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) detectives who are looking into the murder of Bangladesh MP Md Anwarul Azim Anar retrieved bones from the bank of a canal in North 24 Parganas on 9th June. The bones prima facie are suggested to be that of a human.

The bomes were discovered in Bhangar’s Krishnamati village on the southeast bank of the Bagjola canal after Muhammad Siyam Hussain (33), a crucial suspect in the case, was questioned on 8th June. He was apprehended by the Nepal Police and extradited to India. He was remanded to 14-day custody of the CID by a local court in Barasat in Bengal’s North 24 Parganas.

AK Chaturvedi, Inspector General of Police (IG), CID stated, “We have recovered some bones. Prima facie it appears to be human bones. We are sending them for forensic analysis. The bones appear to be that of the human rib cage and arms. The skull is yet to be recovered.”

An official mentioned, “If the forensic report confirms that they belong to humans, we will go for DNA analysis to ascertain that they belong to the murdered MP. For that, permission from the court is required. It is a long process.”

Another officer noted, “We have been searching this area for over two weeks based on the information provided by another accused Jihad Hawaldar, who was arrested on May 23. Hussain gave the specific location during interrogation.” According to CID officials, the location where the bones were uncovered at Polerhat in North 24 Parganas, on the side of a canal, is about fifteen kilometres from the New Town apartment where the MP was killed and his body was dismembered.

A senior official informed, “The bone parts appear to be of a human being as suggested by medical officers and forensic experts who were present when these were recovered. Search is underway to trace other body parts of the Bangladeshi politician.” Siyam Hussain, who has reportedly been instrumental in disposing of the MP’s body parts, was taken into custody by the CID on 7th June evening. According to officials, he guided the police to the location where the bones were found.

Investigation has revealed that Hussain and Jihad Hawaldar, an illegal immigrant from Bangladesh who lived in Mumbai, disposed of the body parts and murder weapons. Hawaldar, a skilled butcher deskinned 55-year-old Azim’s body after he was slain in the New Town apartment, separated the flesh from the bones and sliced the body parts. He and Hussain discarded the murder weapons and bones in a canal while the flesh was flushed in a commode. Some flesh was recovered from a sewage tank in the New Town apartment where the MP was killed and has been sent for forensic analysis to determine whether or not they belong to a human.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch and CID have together apprehended five people in the case. Hussain and Hawaldar were arrested by CID, while three people were caught by the Dhaka police. US citizen Aktaruzzaman Shaheen, the murder’s architect and the assassinated MP’s longtime business partner, is still at large. The CID claimed that he is in possession of a US passport and escaped to the country. He reportedly used local accomplices to assist him in killing Azim and then fled via Kathmandu, Nepal, to the United States. The crime took place in his rented flat in Kolkatta and he paid around Rs 5 crore to those involved in the crime. He had landed in Kolkata over two months ago.

The Awami League leader was first strangled to death and then had his body hacked into pieces, according to circumstantial evidence. The search for the missing lawmaker began on 18th May after Gopal Biswas, a friend of his and a resident of Baranagar in north Kolkata, lodged a complaint with the local police. The MP landed in Kolkata on 12th May for medical treatment. Azim had arrived at Biswas’s house and was staying there. Azim was supposed to return for dinner on 13th May after leaving the house for a doctor’s visit in the afternoon, according to Biswas’ complaint. However, he registered a police report following the politician’s disappearance.

Anwarul Azim Anar was killed in a fancy apartment in the New Town neighbourhood outside of Kolkata. Hawaldar cut his body into pieces, mixed them with turmeric and dumped the body parts in various locations. The murder could have resulted from a disagreement between Azim and Akhtaruzzaman regarding gold smuggling, per the authorities. According to initial inquiries, Azim was tricked into giving out his location by Silasti Rahman, a model from Bangladesh who is believed to be a participant in the murder as well as an associate of one of his killers. The lady, who lives in the Khulna district of Bangladesh, is suspected of luring the MP to his demise before leaving with Amanullah Khan, another important accused. She has been nabbed by the Bangladesh police.

PM Narendra Modi hosts high tea for would-be ministers at his residence ahead of the swearing-in ceremony

ANI
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PM Narendra Modi hosts high tea for would-be ministers at his residence ahead of the swearing-in ceremony

Newly elected members of parliament who are among those probable to be included in the new Cabinet and Council of Ministers of Narendra Modi-led government were on Sunday afternoon invited for high tea at the Prime Minister’s residence ahead of the oath-taking ceremony later this evening.

BJP leaders Nirmala Sitharaman and Sarbananda Sonowal were seen arriving at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, the residence of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi to attend the tea meeting today.

Telangana BJP president G Kishan Reddy and party leader Bandi Sanjay arrived together in the same car.

BJP leaders Piyush Goyal, S Jaishankar and Dharmendra Pradhan and RLD Chief Jayant Singh Chaudhary were also seen arriving for the customary high tea ceremony.

LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan while leaving from his residence in the national capital said earlier today, “I am going to meet the PM.”

BJP leaders Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Rajnath Singh, Kiren Rijiju, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Manohar Lal Khattar, Shivraj Singh Chouhan were among others who arrived for the tea meeting.

Speaking to ANI, Republican Party of India Rajya Sabha MP Ramdas Athawale said, “The Prime Minister has got a chance for the third time and history is being created under his leadership. I am happy that I am from the independent community and he has given me this responsibility, for which I thank the Prime Minister. Whatever portfolio I get, I will fulfil it with responsibility.”

Speaking to mediapersons today, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan said, “It is the good fortune of the country that Modiji is taking oath for the third time. The resolution of a developed India will be fulfilled…the country will become a world leader …” On being asked about getting a ministerial post, Shivraj Singh Chouhan said, “I have no information as of now…”

BJP leaders Jyotiraditya Scindia, Manohar Lal Khattar, Raksha Khadse, Nityanand Rai, Harsh Malhotra Bhagirath Choudhary and JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy were the other leaders seen arriving at the Prime Ministr’s residence this morning.

BJP MP-elect Rajnath Singh was seen leaving from his residence in the national capital on his way to the PM’s residence.

BJP leaders Jitin Prasada, Ravneet Singh Bittu arrived at 7, LKM this morning.

PM Modi will take the oath of office at 7.15 pm today along with his council of ministers in a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) unanimously passed a resolution to elect Narendra Modi as their leader on June 5.

Around 1,100 traffic police personnel of the Delhi Police have been deployed and an advisory has been issued to the public for the traffic movement route arrangements have been made for the delegates as part of the arrangements for Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi’s oath ceremony on Sunday.

Apart from this, NSG commandos, drones, and snipers will also guard the Rashtrapati Bhavan for the mega event.

Several leaders and State heads of neighbourhood region and Indian Ocean region have been invited for PM Modi’s swearing-in ceremony as distinguished guests, a testament to India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.

As per the results announced by the Election Commission of India on Tuesday, the BJP won 240 seats and the Congress 99 seats. BJP had won 303 seats in the 2019 general elections and 282 seats in the 2014 general elections.

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

Who is Ram Mohan Naidu – The TDP MP who is set to become the youngest cabinet minister in Modi Govt 3.0

OpIndia Staff
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Who is Ram Mohan Naidu – The TDP MP who is set to become the youngest cabinet minister in Modi Govt 3.0

On 9th June evening, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra Modi will take oath for the third consecutive time as Prime Minister of India. Several cabinet ministers will take oath with him. One of the names that have come up as one of the cabinet ministers to take oath is Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu. Notably, he is set to be the youngest cabinet minister in Modi Government 3.0. He won the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 by defeating YSRCP’s Tilak Perada with an impressive margin of 3.2 lakh votes.

In a post on X, former TDP MP and industrialist Jayadev Galla congratulated Naidu on his new role and said, “Congratulations to my young friend @RamMNK on being confirmed as a cabinet minister in the new #NDA Government! Your sincerity and humble nature will surely be an asset to the development of the country. Wishing you all the best in your new role!”

36-year-old Ram Mohan Naidu is a close aide of TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu. He was born on 18th December 1987 in Nimadda, Andhra Pradesh. Ram Mohan Naidu is the son of former MP and TDP leader Yerran Naidu. He did his initial schooling from RK Puram-based Delhi Public School and earned a degree in Electronic Engineering from Purdue University in the USA after which he gained his MBA degree from Long Island.

Naidu was pursuing his career in Singapore when his father passed away in a road accident in 2012. He joined politics after his father’s death and became MP at the young age of 26 in 2014. He was the second youngest MP in the 16th Lok Sabha.

When Chandrababu Naidu was in jail, he stood by his son Nara Lokesh and led a front against the arrest of the TDP chief. Ram Mohan Naidu’s importance in TDP can be evaluated by the fact that he was entrusted with the responsibility of accompanying the TDP chief on all his visits to Delhi.

In 2020, he was awarded with Sansad Ratan. He has been a member of several committees including agriculture, animal husbandry, railways, home ministry, tourism and more.

On the personal front, Ram Mohan Naidu got married to Shri Sravya Bandaru in June 2017. Sravya is the youngest daughter of former minister and TDP vice president Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy.

Notably, his father Yerran Naidu was the youngest cabinet minister in 1996.

Separatist Amritpal Singh’s family move plea for his release to take oath as MP, mother dedicates his victory to slain Khalistani terrorists

OpIndia Staff
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Separatist Amritpal Singh’s family move plea for his release to take oath as MP, mother dedicates his victory to slain Khalistani terrorists

The parents of “Waris Punjab De” chief and Khalistani separatist Amritpal Singh have started making every effort to get their son out of jail following his stunning victory in the recently concluded Lok Sabha election. An application has reportedly been filed for his release or parole so that he can take oath as a member of parliament.

His parents went to meet their son at the central jail in Assam’s Dibrugarh where he is currently incarcerated. Amritpal Singh’s wife Kirandeep Kaur, who has links with the terrorist organisation Babbar Khalsa, has been here since 5th June. The family members claimed to be doing everything within their power to secure Amritpal Singh’s release.

The family of the newly elected Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha MP filed an application for his temporary release or parole in order for him to take the oath of office as required by the constitution for all Members of Parliaments (MP). His family members reached Dibrugarh to complete all the legal formalities before filing the plea before the local District Magistrate (DM) for his temporary release for the oath-taking. According to legal experts, the jail officials would now have to approve his plea following the suggestion of the local District Magistrate. However, it seems that he is unlikely to get any immediate relief and the oath can be administered later.

Tarsem Singh, his father stated, “We are very happy that our son has won the elections. We have come to meet him so that he will also feel happy that people love him and elected him by such a huge margin. He asked to thank every voter who supported him. He will work to serve the public. The public has given him such a huge mandate. The government should withdraw all the cases and allow him to raise Punjab’s voice in the Lok Sabha.” “He was very happy and we felt very happy after meeting him. He asked to thank everyone who supported him,” voiced Amritpal Singh’s mother.

Meanwhile, Amritpal Singh will also write to the Punjab government to seek temporary release or parole to take the oath. “Under Section 15 of the NSA, Amritpal Singh is writing to the Punjab government seeking temporary release or parole for the oath-taking. First, it is the government’s prerogative to give him parole. If the government does not release him, we will move court,” his lawyer Imaan Singh Khara conveyed on 8th June.

As an independent, Amritpal Singh defeated Congressman Kulbir Singh Zira by a margin of 1,97,120 votes, with Aam Aadmi Party candidate Laljit Singh Bhullar finishing third. The imprisoned activist received 4,04,430 votes, compared to 2,07,310 for Zira and 1,94,836 for Bhullar. Amritpal Singh’s controversial election manifesto, which went viral on social media, promised to close all barber shops and beauty parlours besides meat, liquor and tobacco stores. It also declared that sects like Dera, Radha Saomi Satsang, Nirankari Mission, churches and mosques would also not be allowed to function. It mentioned that Sikh youths would be trained in modern weapons.

However, Tarsem Singh denied that his son had released any such manifesto. His family had alleged that they would not celebrate his victory until 6th June and his mother attributed his success in the Lok Sabha election to the killed Khalistani terrorists.

Since 19th March of last year, ten members of the pro-Khalistani outfit including Amritpal Singh and one of his uncles have been imprisoned in Dibrugarh jail under the National Security Act from different parts of Punjab following a crackdown on the outfit.

Rashid Sheikh, another newly elected MP who is also in jail, has already moved Delhi’s Patiala House court for interim bail to take oath as a Member of Parliament. The Kashmiri separatist leader has been lodged in the Tihar Jail in Delhi since August 9, 2019, on charges of alleged terror financing in a case lodged by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Rashid defeated former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah from the Baramulla Lok Sabha seat with a margin of over 2 lakh votes.

Rajasthan: After befriending Hindu girl on Instagram, Muslim man raped her, forced her into Nikah, and gave her a new name after religious conversion

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: After befriending Hindu girl on Instagram, Muslim man raped her, forced her into Nikah, and gave her a new name after religious conversion

A shocking case of rape and forced religious conversion has come to light in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, where the accused, who is from Ahmedabad ,first married a Hindu girl in court and then pressured her to change her religion after Nikah (Islamic religious ceremony) and even gave her a new name. The victim girl has registered a complaint against the perpetrator at Pratap Nagar Police Station. The cops then conducted her medical examination. The authorities are also looking into the charges of rape, deception, and forced religious conversion.

The victim revealed that she became friends with the perpetrator through social media. They initially liked each other’s reels on Instagram and then started chatting through the application after which the pair grew closer and started meeting each other. The guy proceeded to sexually assault her in the name of marriage, around five months ago.

According to Pratap Nagar Sadar police station, the perpetrator called the victim to meet near Kaylana and the duo went to Machiya Safari Park. He also took her to visit his grandmother’s house where he sexually exploited her. Afterwards, he regularly pressured her to meet him and continued to sexually abuse her. She didn’t disclose anything to her family as the young man was from a different religion. On 5th June he once again called her and then they left for the court where they tied the knot.

However, a moulvi (Islamic scholar/cleric) also married them in the garden outside the court and changed her name. Afterwards, she returned home and told her family members about it. They took her to the police station on 7th June and lodged a complaint. Pratap Nagar Police Station Officer Satish Kumar mentioned that a case had been registered based on the female’s report and an investigation is underway into the accusations.

While Canada claims they won’t accept promotion of violence, Khalistani extremists freely glorify Indian PM Indira Gandhi’s assassination in the North American country

OpIndia Staff
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While Canada claims they won’t accept promotion of violence, Khalistani extremists freely glorify Indian PM Indira Gandhi’s assassination in the North American country

In a recent parade in Brampton, Ontario, on 6th June, a float depicting former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination has sparked international outrage. The float graphically reenacted the murder of the former PM of India by her bodyguards. The float was part of a parade organised by radical Khalistani supporters who want a separate independent Khalistan to be carved out of India. Both Indian and Canadian officials have sharply reacted to the parade and the tensions between the two countries have further heightened following the diplomatic stand-off last year.

Canada’s High Commissioner to India Cameron MacKay strongly condemned the float. He said, “This week, there were reports of imagery depicting the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in Vancouver. The promotion of violence is never acceptable in Canada.” While Canada tried to show that the government is committed to maintaining peace and preventing the spread of extremist ideologies, the reality is entirely different.

Reacting to media query about the float, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said, “As you are aware, we have repeatedly raised our strong concerns regarding the violent imagery being used by extremist elements in Canada against our political leadership. Last year, a float depicting the assassination of our former Prime Minister was used in a procession. Display of posters of Indian diplomats have also been put out across Canada threatening violence against them. Celebration and glorification of violence should not be a part of any civilized society. Democratic countries which respect the rule of law should not allow intimidation by radical elements in the name of freedom of expression. We continue to remain concerned about the security of our diplomatic representatives in Canada and expect the Government of Canada to ensure that they are able to carry out their responsibilities without fear. We again call upon the Government of Canada to stop providing criminal and secessionist elements a safe haven and political space in Canada.”

Historical context of the Indira Gandhi float

The controversy that has erupted with the float is deeply rooted in the history of Operation Blue Star. It was a military exercise that was initiated in June 1984 to remove Khalistani terrorists from Shri Harmandir Sahib Gurdwara, Amritsar. Though the terrorists were neutralised, the operation at the Sikh holy place resulted in widespread anger within the Sikh community leading to the assassination of Indira Gandhi, who was Prime Minister at that time. Indira Gandhi was killed on 31st October 1984.

The parade at Brampton, which was organised by Khalistani supporters, included a blood-stained depiction of Gandhi. Notably, it is not an isolated incident and such floats have appeared in similar parades in the past. While freedom of speech and expression is a protected right in Canada, such incidents test the limits of freedom especially when such incidents incite hatred and glorify violence.

Canada has a diverse population and its government claims that its aim is to maintain harmony among different ethnic groups. However, the claims are under scrutiny as the Canadian government has repeatedly failed to address the issue of criminals, extremist groups and terrorist organisations operating from its territory. Despite official condemnations from the Canadian authorities, the frequency of such incidents suggests that there is a lack of proactive measures. Canadian government appears to be in favour of Khalistani supporters as they are the ruling party’s voters.

The celebration of Indira Gandhi’s assassination in Canada by Khalistani supporters is a reminder that Canada needs to act swiftly against incidents that promote violence. So far, the Canadian government has failed to act on India’s inputs about criminals and terrorists using its soil for illicit activities. Instead of acting on India’s inputs, Canada has openly accused India of killing Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.

Canada has to work with India to address the issues raised by the latter and ensure that freedom of expression does not become a cover for hate and violence. Canada needs to show respect to the world’s largest democracy and understand that it is to its benefit to maintain the delicate balance of ensuring internal harmony while respecting international relationships.

While Delhi government indulges in blaming neighbouring Haryana, queues by tankers grow as many areas in national capital continue to grapple with water shortage

ANI
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While Delhi government indulges in blaming neighbouring Haryana, queues by tankers grow as many areas in national capital continue to grapple with water shortage

Residents of Delhi continue to face severe water crises as long lines of people around water tankers are seen in many areas of the national capital.

With piped supply affected in various residential areas, water is supplied to the people through tankers. Visuals from Mayur Vihar and Okhla Phase 2 showed on Sunday residents huddling around water tankers with buckets and cans in their hands to carry water. Delhi government blamed the water crisis on the Haryana government “blocking” its share of water.

“On one hand, the Supreme Court is trying to solve the water crisis in Delhi, and Himachal Pradesh is ready to give more water to Delhi. On the other hand, Haryana is blocking Delhi’s share of water,” Atishi, Delhi Minister, said while speaking to reporters in Delhi on Saturday.

“Under the agreement between Haryana, Delhi, and the entire Upper Yamuna region regarding water, 1050 cusecs of water come to Delhi through the Munak Canal. Two sub-canals of the Munak Canal supply water here. It is measured by the flow meter installed here. If we look at the data from the last five years, out of the 1,050 cusecs of water released by Haryana, 1000 to 980 cusecs of water reach Delhi. But for the last five days, this amount of water has been continuously decreasing. At least 1,000 cusecs of water should reach Delhi, but since June 1, it has decreased a lot. On June 7, only 840 cusecs of water reached Delhi,” she added.

For many residents in the city, their daily lives are being disrupted because of the water crisis.

Ambati, a resident of Delhi’s Geeta Colony, told ANI that she has to face a lot of trouble fetching water from the tankers. “We have to face a lot of trouble. We get only one tanker, from which we have to fetch water. We have no other option, though,” she said.

Another resident of Geeta Colony, Ghanshyam Jha, said, “We have to face the water crisis daily. We have to bear a lot of trouble while getting water from tankers. Sometimes, we skip work due to this. One tanker doesn’t seem to be enough for the entire population of this colony, but anyway, we only get one.”

The record-high temperatures and heatwave in Delhi, which has resulted in maximum temperatures rising to around 50 degrees Celsius in some places, have caused an extraordinary and excessive surge in water demand in the city.

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

Punjab: Farmer unions to hold protest march in Mohali in support of CISF constable Kulwinder Kaur who assaulted MP-elect Kangana Ranaut

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab: Farmer unions to hold protest march in Mohali in support of CISF constable Kulwinder Kaur who assaulted MP-elect Kangana Ranaut

On 9th June, farmer unions will hold “Insaaf March”, a protest march in Mohali in support of now-suspended CISF woman constable Kulwinder Kaur who assaulted MP-elect of Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, Kangana Ranaut at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Chandigarh on 6th June. The march is scheduled to begin at 10 AM from Amb Sahib Gurudwara in Phase 8, Mohali, and proceed towards the SSP office located in Sector 76.

Bhartiya Kisan Naujawan Union, Samyukta Kisan Morch (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee will lead the protest to show their support for Kaur. Notably, Kaur was booked under Sections 323 and 341 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) on the complaint filed by CISF.

SKM leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal said in a statement during a press conference, “We will demand a proper investigation and we will tell him that there should be no injustice with the woman constable.” Dallewal and Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher have planned to meet Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav to seek a proper investigation into the matter.

Kaur was suspended almost immediately after the incident on 6th June. Her husband is also a CISF official posted in Jammu.

Kangana Ranaut assault

On 6th June, MP-elect from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, Kangana Ranaut, was scheduled to take a flight from Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Chandigarh. During a security check, Kulwinder Kaur slapped her and justified her actions saying that she was irked by the statement Ranaut gave during farmer protests where she alleged that Punjabi women were sitting at protests in exchange for money. Kaur claimed her mother was also sitting at the protest site at that time.

Speaking on the matter, her brother Sher Singh came out in her support. Kaur’s brother, Sher Singh Mahiwal, leads a group of farmers and serves as the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee’s organisational secretary. Her mother also came out to defend her daughter. His organisation is one of the three organisations leading the protests on 9th June in favour of Kulwinder Kaur. Her mother Veer Kaur justified her daughter’s actions, stating that whatever she did was absolutely justified. She argued that Kangana must have instigated her by using inappropriate language, claiming that her daughter wouldn’t have done this otherwise.

CISF top officer Vinay Kajla, who is serving as DIG CISF, Airports (North Sector), said in a statement that Kulwinder acted due to a “rush of blood” as she was agitated by the statement made by Ranaut during farmer protests. He claimed that Kulwinder was apologetic and realised the extent of the damage she had caused to CISF.

It appears that the family is now trying to whitewash the irresponsible and dangerous actions of Kulwinder Kaur. According to Tribune’s report, Kulwinder’s husband told DIG Kajla that 15 days ago, a girl approached Kulwinder for a photograph to which she obliged and gave the little girl a chocolate. Such stories are often put in front to tone down criminal actions. Reportedly, Kulwinder’s husband has also been sent on leave for a few days.

Furthermore, DIG Kajla himself said that Kulwinder was not supposed to be at the spot where the incident took place. She was deployed in the frisking zone and Ranaut was passing through an adjacent area when the incident happened. He said, “Kulwinder was not supposed to be there and came to know about the MP’s presence only after a Punjab Police cop informed her. The incident took place outside a cubicle. We have a digital footprint of every happening inside the airport. The CISF is reviewing the protocol related to the personnel here.”

It is clear that Kulwinder Kaur not only slapped a newly elected MP while being in uniform but also went against the rules and left her position at the airport leaving other passengers’ safety in jeopardy just to act in the “rush of blood”.

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