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‘They were directed towards Sanghis’: The News Minute rationalises Islamist slogans calling for the death of Hindus at PFI rally

OpIndia Staff
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‘They were directed towards Sanghis’: The News Minute rationalises Islamist slogans calling for the death of Hindus at PFI rally

The Popular Front of India’s rally in Kerala’s Alappuzha sent shockwaves of alert with many flagging deep-rooted Islamist extremism in Kerala. The videos of the PFI rally that went viral on the internet prompted the police to take cognizance of the incendiary sloganeering witnessed during the protest when participants threatened Hindus and Christians with dire consequences if they did not live peacefully in the country.

However, The News Minute, a digital media organisation based out of Bengaluru, was quick to rush in the defence of the Islamists, whitewashing their murderous tendencies and rationalising the menacing slogans made against Hindus and Christians. A report published in The News Minute justified the inflammatory slogans saying that they were directed towards ‘Sanghis’, asking them to live ‘properly’ or they will have to get ready for their final rites.

Screengrab of the report by The News Minute

With such assertion, PFI’s Jihadist threats that highlight the religious nature of the war it is waging against Hindus and in this case, Christians as well were whitewashed. With the TNM report, we were made to realise that the extremism was political in nature and not a religious one. Hindus were stereotyped as ‘Sanghis’ – a hateful monicker for supporters of the BJP or the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)—and considered fair game for the Islamists to abuse and attack as per their whims. The TNM report alluded that the slogans, which were patently violent and provocative in nature, were completely acceptable since they were directed towards ‘Sanghis’, an artificial distinction that the Left had created to confuse ordinary Hindus into believing that the hatred is not aimed towards them.

Moreover, the slogans were merely depicted as ‘provocative’, meaning – they would provoke a reaction from the other side. The disturbing Islamist nature of the incident was further swept under the carpet when the news portal described the PFI demonstration as a ‘rally protesting against the RSS’. The source given for this claim was a quote by PFI state secretary CA Raoof in an internal note released by the radical outfit to the media.

Despite PFI’s known security threat potential to the nation in communalising the discourse with Islamism, The News Minute toed its propaganda while the threats for Hindus and Christians were given in open. The whitewashing of Islamist activities, at the cost of Hindu and Christian, lives in Kerala should not come as a surprise at a time when the 18th-century tyrant Tipu Sultan, who massacred Hindus and Syrian Christians in Malabar is hailed as a national hero.

At a PFI rally in Alappuzha, Muslim boy chants for death to Hindus, offering ‘Sujood’ at Babri again

In one of the two videos that went viral on social media, a boy can be seen shouting, “Be ready for your death rituals if you won’t live in our land quietly. Be ready with rice flakes to fill your mouth, if you won’t live quietly (For Hindus). Be ready to burn amber in your home if you won’t live quietly (For Christians).” This came as a direct threat to the Hindu and Christian population living in Kerala, with PFI warning the death penalty if they don’t fall in line.

Further, the boy said, “We are coming, we are your death. We won’t go to Pakistan or Bangladesh, you have to live here as we say, or else we know how to make you live quietly, we will kill you even if we are attacked. We take pride in being a martyr, we salute them. If you won’t live quietly, we know how to ask for ‘Azadi’. Be prepared for your death,” the PFI members shouted after the boy in Malayalam.

Besides, the mob also vowed to conduct ‘Sujood’ ( kind of prayer ) in the disputed building of Babri Masjid at Ayodhya again. Also, they have decided to continue ‘Sujood’ in the disputed structure called ‘Gyanvapi Mosque’ which is built on the ruins of a temple in Varanasi. They said they are not leaving for Pakistan or Bangladesh and if they do so, they will take the Sangh Parivar along with them

Jammu and Kashmir: Police constable shot dead by terrorists in Srinagar, his seven-year-old daughter critically injured in the terror attack

OpIndia Staff
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Jammu and Kashmir: Police constable shot dead by terrorists in Srinagar, his seven-year-old daughter critically injured in the terror attack

On May 24, Tuesday, a police constable Saifullah Qadri was shot dead by terrorists in the Soura area in the Srinagar district of Jammu and Kashmir. His 7-year-old daughter was also injured in the terror attack. The officials said Qadri was rushed to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The Kashmir zone police shared the information on Twitter about the same. Police mentioned how terrorists had opened fire at Saifullah Qadri leaving him critically injured leading to his death. His daughter also got caught up in the terror attack and was left injured. In a subsequent Tweet, police informed that the police constable succumbed to his injuries.

“The injured police personnel succumbed to his injuries and attained martyrdom. We pay our rich tributes to the martyr and stand by the family at this critical juncture. @JmuKmrPolice”, the Kashmir Zone Police Tweeted.

According to reports, police have now cordoned off the entire area to nab the terrorists.

The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has recently been witnessing an increase in the number of targeted attacks. Apart from murdering Kashmiri Hindus like Rahul Bhat, the terrorists are also targeting Muslims working for the Indian government. OpIndia reported how Manzoor Ahmad Bangroo, the Sarpanch of Goush-bugh village in Kashmir had been shot dead by terrorists on April 15th. Bangroo was elected as an independent candidate and wasn’t even affiliated with any political party. That was the 4th incident in the Valley this year when a Sarpanch was killed by terrorists.

Qutub Minar case: ASI opposes plea seeking restoration of Hindu, Jain temples; verdict reserved for June 9

OpIndia Staff
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Qutub Minar case: ASI opposes plea seeking restoration of Hindu, Jain temples; verdict reserved for June 9

The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) on Tuesday opposed the petition seeking restoration of Hindu and Jain temples inside the Qutub Minar complex stating that the existing status of the monument cannot be altered.

“Since 1914, Qutub Minar monument been a protected monument under section 3(3) of the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904 and is being maintained in-situ in the same condition. There is no provision under AMASR Act 1958 under which Worship can be started at any living monument”, it said as the Delhi Court concluded the hearing on a plea seeking restoration of Hindu and Jain temples inside the Qutub complex.

The Court was hearing the plea filed by advocate Hari Shankar Jain on behalf of Jain deity Tirthankar Lord Rishabh Dev which claimed that the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque inside the Qutub complex was built after the demolition of 27 temples. “It is the admitted position for the last 800 years, it wasn’t used by the Muslims. When there is a temple which was in existence much before the mosque, why it can’t be restored?”, Hari Shankar Jain was quoted as saying in a report published in Live Law.

The plea also sought permission to resume worship. However, the ASI asserted that Qutab Minar is not a place of worship and since the time of its protection by the Central Government, Qutab Minar or any part of Qutab Minar was not under worship by any community.

“Fundamental right cannot be availed in violation of any status of the land. The basic principle of protection /conservation is not to allow starting of any new practice in a monument declared and notified as a protected one under the Act. Revival of worship is not allowed wherever it is not practised at the time of protection of a monument,” it added.

ASI admits images of Hindu and Jain deities were used in the construction of the Qutub Minar Complex

The ASI however admitted that architectural members and images of Hindu and Jain deities were re-used in the construction of the Qutab complex. Also earlier, Dharamveer Sharma, the former Regional Director of the ASI had claimed that Qutub Minar was actually Surya Stambh. He said it was erected by Emperor Vikramaditya, not the Mughals. He also stated that the edifice was not built in sections as some historians claim.

Dharamveer Sharma is one of India’s most well-known archaeologists. He has served three times as Superintending Archaeologist at ASI’s Delhi division. Sharma explained that the tower was used as a constellation observatory. The Minaret has 27 binocular sites to compute 27 constellations. He further stated that Surya Stambh is mentioned on the third floor of the Minaret.

The National Monuments Authority (NMA) had also recently requested the ASI for the removal of two Ganesha statues from the Qutub Minar complex. The NMA chairman wrote to ASI, asserting that two Ganesh idols are known as Ulta Ganesh and Ganesh in cage be shifted from the Qutub Minar complex to the National Museum. He considered the placement of the idols insulting and felt their location should be changed.

The ASI on May 24 stated that one image of Lord Ganesha which is on the lower portion of the wall is protected with a grill to prevent any possibility of someone stepping on it. While another image of Lord Ganesh is in the upside-down position and is embedded in the wall, therefore, may not be feasible to remove or reset the same.

The Court has reserved 9 June for the verdict.

‘Dogs urinate on Ram Mandir bricks’: Gujarat Congress leader makes vile remarks against Hindus, Hardik Patel responds

OpIndia Staff
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‘Dogs urinate on Ram Mandir bricks’: Gujarat Congress leader makes vile remarks against Hindus, Hardik Patel responds

Bharatsinh Solanki, a senior Gujarat Congress leader and former Gujarat minister, has made vile and derogatory remarks about the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Bharatsinh Solanki stated at a gathering in Gujarat that the BJP had collected money in the name of Ram but dogs were peeing on the bricks of the Ram temple. Since he made those comments, he has received wide backlash on social media.

Solanki said, “women were so naïve that they would apply tilak on the bricks, worship them before they were sent to Ayodhya to be used in the construction of the Ram temple. What has happened to those bricks? Dogs used to pee on them.”

He went on to say, “What do you do with this collection, I asked a Ramsevak? Then he suggested that we collect them and toss them into the air. Rama takes what he needs, and we retain the rest for us.”

Solanki said that people from all across the country sent Ramshila for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, with great devotion and trust. “These bricks were stockpiled in villages to be used in the temple’s building. But, you must have seen dogs urinating on them,” he added.

The Congress party arranged the gathering in Vataman, Dholka. Bharatsinh Solanki, a former cabinet minister, also participated in the event.

Hardik Patel slams Solanki, calls Congress a Hindu-hating party

Following the Congress leader’s derogatory statements, Patidar leader Hardik Patel lambasted the Congress party on Twitter. Patel remarked in a tweet that the Congress party strives to hurt public sentiment. He said, “I had said earlier also that the Congress party works to hurt the sentiments of the people, always trying to damage the faith of Hindu religion. Today former Union Minister and Gujarat Congress leader made a statement that dogs urinate on the bricks of Ram temple..!”

“I want to ask Congress and its leaders what enmity do you have with Lord Shri Ram? Why hate Hindus so much? After centuries, a temple of Lord Shri Ram is also being built in Ayodhya, yet the leaders of Congress keep making statements against Lord Shri Ram,” he further added.

Controversies around Bharatsinh Solanki

Bharatsinh Solanki’s estranged wife, Reshma Solanki, had addressed a letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi in December 2021, outlining serious accusations against her husband. She accused Solanki of using his political influence to ruin the Gujarat Congress. She further accused him of having an illicit relationship with several women and of distributing election tickets to women he was acquainted with.

Congress questioned the existence of Ram

It should be noted that in 2007, the then-Congress government filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court claiming that there was no historical proof of Lord Ram. The Congress government told the Supreme Court, “Valmiki Ramayana and Ramcharitamanas are considered important parts of ancient Indian literature. But these texts cannot be considered historical records to prove the existence of the characters and events depicted in them.”

California recognises the difference between peaceful Hindu Swastika and Nazi Hakenkreuz

OpIndia Staff
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California recognises the difference between peaceful Hindu Swastika and Nazi Hakenkreuz

On May 23 (local time), California Legislative Assembly Member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan read Assembly Bill 2282 for the second time with specific amendments that would differentiate between peaceful Hindu Swastika and Nazi Hakenkreuz. Once the bill is passed by the Assembly, it would decriminalise the Hindu Swastika.

Notably, Hindu American Foundation has been extensively working on educating the general public as well as the lawmakers about the difference between the Nazi Hakenkreuz (hooked cross) and the Hindu holy symbol Swastika. In a tweet, the organisation wrote, “California Legislative Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan responds to education efforts of Hindu American Foundation and California Dharma communities to amend #AB2282 & decriminalise the Hindu Swastika!”

Executive Director of the organisation Suhag A Shukla said, “This is the first time in American history that a state legislature bill recognises that the Nazi #Hakenkreuz is a hooked cross, not a #swastika! We thank Bauer-Kahan for collaborating with Hindu American Foundation and call on the full Legislature to pass amended CA-AB 2282!”

Assembly Bill No 2282 of the California Legislative Assembly

In February 2022, Assembly Members Baurer-Kahan and Levine introduced Assembly Bill No 2282 to amend Section 11411 of the Penal Code that deals with the crimes. At that time, the bill did not differentiate between Nazi Hakenkreuz and Hindu Swastika and called for punishment for anyone who places or displays the signs of hate, including “Nazi Swastika”.

It read, “This bill would expand these offences to include hanging a noose, placing or displaying a sign, mark, symbol, emblem, or other physical impression, including, but not limited to, a Nazi swastika, and burning, desecrating, or destroying a religious symbol, such as a cross, on public properties, such as school campuses, public parks, and other public spaces, as specified, for the purpose of terrorising a person, as specified. The bill would, for the first and any subsequent convictions, punish a person who hangs a noose or places, displays certain symbols, or burns or desecrates a religious symbol, as specified, with imprisonment for 16 months or 2 or 3 years, by a fine of not more than $15,000, or both the fine and imprisonment, or by imprisonment in a county jail not to exceed one year, by a fine not to exceed $10,000, or by both the fine and imprisonment. The bill would make conforming changes.”

Source: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

After it was introduced, Hindu organisations called for the amendments to differentiate between the Nazi symbol of hate and the Hindu holy symbol. The efforts of the Hindu organisations worked in their favour, and the amendments introduced by the authors of the bill on May 19 added the required differentiation between the two.

Source: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

As per the proposed amendment, the law would read, “It is the intent of the Legislature to criminalise the placement or display of the Nazi Hakenkreuz (hooked cross), also known as the Nazi swastika, that was the official emblem of the Nazi party, for the purpose of terrorising a person. This legislation is not intended to criminalise the placement or display of the ancient swastika symbols that are associated with Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism and are symbols of peace.”

Canadian MP called for differentiating Nazi Hakenkreuz and Swastika

On March 1, Chandra Arya, an Indian origin member of the Canadian Parliament, issued a speech calling upon the members of the house and all Canadians to distinguish between the Hindu religious sacred symbol Swastika and the Nazi symbol Hakenkreuz.

He said, “On behalf of over one million Canadians of several religious faiths and in particular Hindu-Canadians and as a Hindu-Canadian myself, I call upon members of this house and all Canadians to distinguish between the Hindu religious sacred symbol Swastika and the Nazi symbol of hatred called Hakenkreuz in German or the hooked cross in English.”

“In the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit, Swastika means that which brings good luck and well-being,” he added. He reiterated that Swastika should not be equated with the German symbol of hatred, Hakenkreuz.

NDTV twists ‘pro-choice’ comment of boxer Nikhat Zareen to legitimise Karnataka hijab row, other media houses amplify misinformation

OpIndia Staff
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NDTV twists ‘pro-choice’ comment of boxer Nikhat Zareen to legitimise Karnataka hijab row, other media houses amplify misinformation

Days after Nikhat Zareen brought accolades to India by winning gold at the Women’s Boxing World Championships, leftist media portal NDTV deliberately misquoted her to give credence to the Karnataka hijab row.

The ace boxer was invited as a guest during a program on NDTV to speak about her life after winning the gold medal in Istanbul. During the event, the interviewer zeroed in on her Muslim identity in the hopes of pushing a political narrative.

“Aaj kal bahut charcha chal rahi hai whether girls should wear hijab in public places or not? What is your opinion about wearing a hijab?” the NDTV anchor asked. Given that it was a general question about a woman’s right to wear a hijab, Nikhat Zareen emphasized that the decision must be left to women.

“It is totally their own choice. I can not comment on their choices. I have my own choice (referring to her sports gear). I like to wear such clothes. I do not mind wearing such clothes. My family does not mind me wearing such clothes. So, I do not care what people say about me,” remarked Nikhat Zareen.

She further added, “But if they want to wear hijab and follow their religion, it’s their personal choice. I don’t have any problem with them wearing hijabs. After all, it’s their own choice. I am okay with that.”

As can be seen from her response, nowhere did Nikhat Zareen speak about the ‘right to wear hijab in schools’ or to make exceptions for anyone when it comes to school uniforms. However, this did not stop NDTV from quoting her out of context and suggesting that she supports the right of the ‘hijabi girls’ of Karnataka to take classes in their religious attire.

Screengrab of the news report by NDTV

NDTV published an article on Monday (May 23) titled, ‘On Hijab Row, Boxing Champ Nikhat Zareen’s Pro-Choice Strike.’ Interestingly, the first line of the article itself misled the readers into believing that the ace boxer spoke about the Karnataka hijab row.

“Boxing world champion Nikhat Zareen on Monday weighed in on the smouldering controversy over Muslim girls wearing the hijab in schools and colleges, saying one’s attire was entirely the subject of their choice,” NDTV claimed in its article.

Screengrab of the news report by NDTV

The Quint, Times Now shares misinformation peddled by NDTV

The deliberate misinformation peddled by NDTV was then further amplified by other news portals such as The Quint and Times Now. Both news portals had cited NDTV as the source of their claims.

“World boxing champion Nikhat Zareen on Monday, 23 May, spoke on the controversy regarding Muslim girls wearing hijab in educational institutions, saying that a person’s attire was completely their choice”, The Quint had erroneously claimed.

Screengrab of the news report by The Quint

Times Now went a step further ahead and claimed, “She weighed in on the controversy surrounding Muslim girls wearing Hijab in schools and colleges that the Karnataka High Court ruled was a violation of institutional discipline which is above personal choice.”

Screengrab of the news report by Times Now

Karnataka Hijab row and the test of essentiality in religion

The Karnataka Hijab row started out in January this year at a Pre-University College in Udupi where a group of 6 Muslim girls insisted that they be allowed to take classes in their hijab.

Given that uniforms were in existence at the said PU college since 1985, the school administration refused to relent to their religious diktat. Thereafter, the girls refused to enter classrooms and began holding protests within the premises of the college.

With the backing of Islamist outfits such as PFI and Campus Front of India, the ‘hijab movement’ spread to other schools and colleges in Karnataka. Leftist propaganda media outlets hopped on the bandwagon of ‘Islamophobia’ to defame India at an international level.

They cast aspersions about a ‘blanket ban on hijab in India’ whereas the dispute was only limited to the wearing of religious attire (hijab) in secular educational institutions. The hijab row witnessed the mobilization of Islamists and counter-protests by Hindu students, demanding the concept of uniformity in schools.

When the matter reached the Karnataka High Court, it ruled that Hijab is not an essential practice in Islam and that uniform is a reasonable restriction on the ‘Right to Religion.’

In a typical move for the news channel, NDTV tried to use Nikhat Zareen’s general opinion, about women’s liberty to wear clothes of their choice, to legitimize the demands of Muslim students to wear hijab in schools even though Court has already settled the issue with their ruling.

Rahul Gandhi meets Jeremy Corbyn in London, the anti-India, anti-semitic, terror sympathising former leader of the British Labour party

OpIndia Staff
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Rahul Gandhi meets Jeremy Corbyn in London, the anti-India, anti-semitic, terror sympathising former leader of the British Labour party

Congress scion Rahul Gandhi is currently on a visit to England where he is attending an event at Cambridge University to discuss the future of India after 75 years of independence. From dismissing India’s existence as a nation to seeking western intervention in domestic Indian issues, Rahul is busy making one anti-India statement after another during this event. Continuing in the same anti-India spirit, Rahul Gandhi even met Jeremy Corbyn, the anti-India and pro-Pakistan anti-semite, who used to head the Labour Party in Britain.

Accompanied by Indian Overseas Congress President Sam Pitroda, Rahul Gandhi was pictured with the former Labour leader who led his party to 2 defeats in national elections, just like Rahul Gandhi.

So who is this Jeremy Corbyn and why his meeting with Rahul Gandhi is especially troubling for Indians. We take a look at his past record of Corbyn to understand why anyone trying to win an election in India should not even come close to him.

Attempts to interfere in the Indian territory of Jammu & Kashmir

Corbyn has always supported Kashmiri separatists and perpetuated Pakistan’s rhetoric on the subject of Kashmir. During his time as the head of the Labour Party, his party’s MPs tried to interfere in the Kashmir issue several times, repeating Pakistan’s talking points. The Labour Party even passed a resolution asking for international intervention in Kashmir and a call for a UN-led referendum during Corbyn’s tenure.

Corbyn himself directly tried to interfere in Kashmir through the Congress party when he met their representatives to discuss the issue of Kashmir, though neither Corbyn nor Congress was in power at that time.

After the meeting created a furore in India over Congress meeting a pro-Pakistan propagandist, Congress tried to backtrack by saying they met the Labour party leader only to condemn the resolution passed by them on the Indian territory of Jammu & Kashmir.

Not only that, Labour MP Liam Byrne was at the forefront of a March led by Pakistani mobs that vandalized the Indian High Commission in London. Byrne had previously vigorously supported the Pakistani stand on Kashmir, owing to his largely Muslim constituency.

Jeremy Corbyn: The terror sympathiser

Jeremy Corbyn has a long and chequered history of supporting terrorists and extremists everywhere. Whether they were from Ireland or Kashmir, Lebanon or Gaza, Corbyn has always found a soft spot for them.

In the past, Corbyn has referred to Hamas and Hezbollah, radical Islamic terrorists, as ‘friends’, a statement which he later said he regretted but vowed that he would not stop talking with them. In return, Corbyn received a ringing endorsement and a “salute” from Hamas. “We have received with great respect and appreciation the solidarity message sent by the British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn to the participants in the mass rally,” Hamas said in a statement.

Corbyn has also publicly backed the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in the past which committed a series of acts of terrorism in its pursuit of freeing Ireland from Britain. Corbyn was the general secretary of the editorial board of the far-left journal Labour Briefing that supported IRA violence and explicitly backed the Brighton Hotel Bombing, which killed 5 people and maimed 31 others.

In 2015, on BBC Radio Ulster, Corbyn refused five times to specifically condemn IRA violence and terrorism. He chose to hang up rather than answering the question. According to Leo McKinstry, a British historian and a journalist, writing for The Telegraph, Corbyn “is the man who sympathised with violent Irish Republicanism in the 1980s, invited IRA representatives to the Commons a fortnight after the Brighton bombing in 1984 and, at a Troops Out meeting in 1987, stood for a minute’s silence to “honour” eight IRA terrorists killed in a SAS ambush.”

Allegations of antisemitism against Corbyn

During Corbyn’s time as the leader of the Labour Party, there were widespread claims of antisemitism within the party. The blatant antisemitism left many Labour supporters disenchanted with the direction in which the party was heading under Corbyn. The human rights watchdog in the UK found Labour responsible for “unlawful” harassment and discrimination during Corbyn’s four-and-a-half years as the leader. Corbyn was eventually suspended from his party after the damning report when he refused to accept the scale of antisemitism on his watch and called the claims ‘overstated’.

Other ‘misdemeanours’

As per details shared by Jeremy Corbyn’s friends, he used to show off his then-girlfriend, and now British MP, Diane Abbott while she was naked in his bed to impress his Left-wing activist friends following the breakdown of his first marriage.

Jeremy Corbyn also received payments up to £20,000 (about $27,000) for appearances on the Iranian state broadcast network Press TV, a channel that participated in the filming of the tortured-forced confession of Iranian journalist Maziar Bahari. He appeared on the channel five times between 2009-12.

Corbyn has also lent his support to Raed Salah, a rabid Islamist with a morbid hatred for Jews. Salah once spread the ‘Blood Libel’ against Jews, the antisemitic slur that Jews use the blood of gentile children to make their bread. Not merely that, he was charged with inciting racial hatred and violence and claimed that Jews were behind 9/11. On several different occasions, Corbyn said of him: ‘Salah is a very honoured citizen’, ‘Salah’s is a voice that must be heard’, ‘Salah is far from a dangerous man, and ‘I look forward to giving you tea on the terrace because you deserve it!’.

Thus, we have the Congress scion Rahul Gandhi, meeting with a dangerous UK politician who has a history of supporting terrorists and extremists, has always backed Pakistan’s rhetoric on Kashmir, and even tried to interfere in Kashmir earlier. A politician whose antisemitism got too much even for his own party which he was leading and they had to suspend him. A politician who calls some of the most dreaded terrorists in the world his friends.

India beats China to become the world’s third strongest air force in the Global Air Powers Ranking for 2022

OpIndia Staff
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India beats China to become the world’s third strongest air force in the Global Air Powers Ranking for 2022

According to the Global Air Powers Ranking of 2022 by the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA), the Indian Air Force has emerged as the third strongest Air Force in the world after America and Russia. The Indian Air Force has not only overtaken the Chinese Air Force but also the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, the Israeli Air Force, and the French Air and Space Force in terms of strength, as per the report.

Indian Air Force
WDMMA ranking (Source: eurasiantimes.com)

Presently, the WDMMA tracks 98 countries, covering 124 air services and following a total of 47,840 aircraft. It assesses modern military aviation services around the world based on a variety of parameters and gives a complete report summarising their current strengths and inherent limitations. It gives users a visual, distinctive, and analytical look into a major feature of modern warfare and control of the skies through an in-depth resource.

The formula generates the ‘TrueValueRating’ (TvR), which helps WDMMA separate powers based on their overall strength and elements like modernization, calculating help, assault, and guard abilities.

The tactical air force of a country is broken down in this approach not just by the number of planes it has, but also by the quality and diversity of its stock.

The highest attainable TvR score is 242.9 held by the United States Air Force (USAF) followed by Russia, whose TvR score stands at 114.2, followed by the Indian Air Force with a TvR score of 69.4.

According to the report, the Indian Air Force (IAF) now has 1,645 active aircraft in its inventory. OpIndia had in 2018, detailed the evolution of India’s air power in global times. We reported how the future procurement of Dassault Rafale, one of the most lethal fourth-generation aircraft and the addition of Super Sukhois-the updated version of the Sukhoi-30 MKI, LCA Tejas and India’s decision to develop a fifth-generation medium multirole combat aircraft (AMCA), Indian Airforce will be one of the destructive airforces in the world, arguably after the United States and Russia.

Nigeria: Muslim mob burns shops and houses in anger after it fails to locate another Christian woman to lynch over blasphemy allegations

OpIndia Staff
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Nigeria: Muslim mob burns shops and houses in anger after it fails to locate another Christian woman to lynch over blasphemy allegations

On Monday, an enraged Islamist mob went on a rampage and set fire to over a dozen commercial and residential properties after they failed to nab a 40-year-old Christian lady whom they wanted to lynch over the charges of alleged blasphemy.

The incident was reported from a town in Warji, Bauchi where the violent mob was upset over a message that was posted by the Christian lady on social media. The message was deemed offensive to Islam and was declared as an act of ‘blasphemy’.

Last week, a staffer of the Medical Department of Warji council area named Rhoda Jatau used Whatsapp social media to post a video message that was allegedly critical of Islam. The video message that reportedly originated from Ghana was allegedly forwarded by Jatau in a 20 membered group, out of which 15 were Muslims. She was threatened by several Islamists to take down the video. Also, the deputy director of the Medical Department of Warji was forced to interfere in the matter.

Upon getting wind of the impending danger, the neighbours of the female medical worker made safety arrangements for her. Reports mention that the rampaging Muslims in the area created a ruckus and protested by blazing six houses, and seven shops and leaving several people injured after they could not nab Jatau. The police said the incident happened at about 5:45 pm on Friday, May 20. The authorities have since then deployed all tactical teams, mobile police force, and Rapid Response Squad (RRS) whose joint efforts brought the situation under control.

Blasphemy allegations and mob lynching in Islamic countries

As reported earlier, any sort of criticism of Islam draws a fierce pushback from Muslims around the world. In a similar case 10 days ago in Nigeria’s Sokoto, a Christian student named Deborah Samuel was beaten to death by an Islamic mob over an allegation of blasphemy. As per reports, the violent mob, comprised of Deborah’s fellow students in a WhatsApp group, was upset over some of her comments and had declared her a blasphemer.

In videos of the brutal mob lynching and burning that went viral, Deborah’s killers could be seen shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’, showing off the matchbox with which they burned her battered corpse and rejoicing in the violent deed. The Sokoto administration in Nigeria imposed a curfew in the northwestern Nigerian city after hundreds of protesters came out on the streets and demanded the release of culprits who had been arrested after the Christian student was brutally murdered over allegations of ‘blasphemy’.

Also in the year 2020, a Nigerian singer named Yahaya Sharif-Aminu was sentenced death penalty by the upper Sharia court in the Hausawa Filin Hockey area of Nigeria for blaspheming against the Prophet Muhammad. He was guilty of committing blasphemy for a song he circulated via WhatsApp in March. According to the reports, the singer had gone into hiding after he composed the song. Protesters had burnt down his family home and gathered outside the headquarters of the Islamic police, known as the Hisbah, demanding action against him.

On April 28, 2020, an activist named Mubarak Bala had posted a message on Facebook that was considered to be critical to Prophet Mohammed and Islam. The post reportedly caused outrage among Muslims in many parts of Northern Nigeria. Bala, the president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria then was arrested at his home in Kaduna State.

Blasphemy has even more severe roots spread in the country of Pakistan. In February 2022, a court in Pakistan sentenced Notan Lal, a Hindu teacher, to life imprisonment on the charges of blasphemy. Lal, owner, and principal of a private school was accused of ‘insulting’ Prophet Muhammad during an Urdu class as accused by a student named Muhammad Ihtisham who later said he had lied.

Earlier in 2021, a Sri Lankan man named Priyantha Kumara was burnt alive by a murderous mob in Pakistan’s Sialkot on allegations of blasphemy. Disturbing visuals of Kumara’s body burning even as the mob gathered around to take selfies and videos with the burning man had gone viral on social media. Prior to that, an American citizen named Tahir Ahmed was killed inside a courtroom in Pakistan. The murderer was then hailed as ‘Ghazi’ and a hero by the Muslim community of Pakistan.

‘Don’t you think your idea of India is flawed and destructive?”: Cambridge scholar questions Rahul Gandhi on his “India is a union of states” remark

OpIndia Staff
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‘Don’t you think your idea of India is flawed and destructive?”: Cambridge scholar questions Rahul Gandhi on his “India is a union of states” remark

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was caught flat-footed during his recent interaction with Cambridge students when one of the attendees questioned him over his repeated assertion that “India is not a nation but a union of states.”

Siddharth Verma, a Civil Servant with the IRTS Association and a scholar in public policy at Cambridge, accosted Rahul Gandhi over his constant refrain that India is not a nation but a union of states.

“You quoted Article 1 of the Constitution saying India, i.e Bharat, is a Union of States. If you turn the page back and read the preamble, it does mention India as a nation. Bharat itself is one of the oldest surviving civilisations in the world. And the term finds its origins in Vedas…even Chanakya described India as a nation to his students while teaching at Takshashila,” Verma said.

In a bid to counter Verma, Rahul pointedly asked if Chanakya had used the word “nation” while describing the idea of India to his students. To this, Verma responded saying Chanakya used the term “Rashtra”, a Sanskrit word for “nation” to characterise India. However, Rahul dug his heels in, insisting that “Rashtra” meant “Kingdom” and not “nation”.

“The term nation is a western concept,” said Gandhi, seemingly attempting to vindicate himself and prove that the concept of nation-states originated in the west and that India was just a union of states.

However, Verma countered him saying, “So when I talk about nation, I don’t just talk about political entities because we have had these experiments across the world. You had USSR, you had Yugoslavia, you had the United Arab Republic. So unless nations have a strong socio-cultural and emotional bonding and a composite culture, a Constitution cannot make a nation. Nations make constitutions,” Verma declaimed.

“My question to you is that, as a political leader, don’t you think your idea of India is not only flawed and incorrect but also destructive as it attempts to whitewash a history of thousands of years,” Verma asked.

Rahul Gandhi continues to question India’s national identity

For some time now, Rahul Gandhi has been constantly questioning the very idea of India. In February 2022, Rahul Gandhi said in the Indian parliament that India was just a “union of states” and not a nation.

“India is described in the Indian Constitution as a union of states and not a nation. One cannot rule over the people of a state in India. Different languages and cultures cannot be suppressed. It is a partnership, not a kingdom,” claimed Rahul Gandhi, who launched a tirade against the Modi government.

In his speech, Rahul Gandhi insisted that the power arrangement between the states and the centre is a “negotiation” and insinuated that India did not have a single national identity, instead, the idea of India rose from an agreement or a negotiation between the provincial units. The Gandhi-scion also brought the reference of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, imagining them to be distinct entities and asserted that the ruling dispensation treated these constitutional units as its kingdom.

Since then, the Gandhi scion has been steadfast in his attempt to dismiss India’s national identity, routinely asserting that India is just a union of states and not a nation and peddling the left-liberal narrative of India’s non-existence as a nation before 1947.

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