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Balrampur horror: Chhangur Baba offered Hindu man Rs 5 lakhs, house, and bike to convert to Islam, then threatened him with death framed him for rape when he refused

OpIndia Staff
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Balrampur horror: Chhangur Baba offered Hindu man Rs 5 lakhs, house, and bike to convert to Islam, then threatened him with death framed him for rape when he refused

In another development in the Balrampur Islamic conversion racket, a Hindu man, who used to work as a sweeper at Chhangur Baba’s residence, revealed that Chhangur Baba tormented him and his family for refusing to convert to Islam. The details disclosed by the victim, named Sanchit, show how Chhangur Baba and his men harassed and bullied those who refused to convert to Islam.

Speaking to Aaj Tak, the victim said that Chhangur Baba tried to lure him to convert to Islam by offering him ₹5 lakh, and even promised to build his house and gift him a bike. When Sanchit rejected the offer and refused to convert to Islam, Chhangur Baba threatened to kill him. “I worked at his house for 6 months. After that, he threatened that my family and I would be killed if I did not convert to Islam. He offered me ₹5 lakh, promised to build a house for my family and gift me a bike. But I told him that I follow Sanatan Dharma and that I would remain in the religion I was born into,” Sanchit said.

Sanchit said that after he refused to convert, the contractors working at Chhangur Baba’s residence also fought with him. He added that Chhangur Baba did not pay his wages and asked him to return all the money paid to him for his services so far. Chhangur Baba’s associate, Naveen (Jamaluddin), also reportedly abused and threatened Sanchit. “I told him (Chhnagur Baba) that I will not renounce my Hindu religion. I will keep reciting Hanuman Chalisa for the rest of my life,” the victim said.

Chhangur Baba implicated Sanchit and his wife in fake criminal cases

Bullied by Chhangur Baba and his men, Sanchit approached the DIG at night to file a complaint, but nothing happened. He wandered from place to place seeking protection, but all in vain. Unable to get any help, a helpless Sanchit moved to Lucknow with his family to escape Chhangur Baba and his men. However, Sanchit’s problems did not end here.

According to Sanchit, Chhangur Baba got criminal cases filed against him and his wife to pressure them. Sanchit alleged that Chhangur Baba paid money to some people in his village to pick a fight with his wife, which resulted in his wife spending 24 days in jail. Sanchit said that he sold his land, borrowed money and exhausted all his savings to get her out on bail and fight the cases filed against them. A fake case of rape was filed against Sanchit as well. Two criminal cases are currently pending against him. Sanchit said that Chhangur Baba harassed many people who came to work at his place. He said that many girls were brought to Chhangur Baba’s place.

The details revealed by Sanchit indicate how Chhangur Baba is so ‘well-connected’ that he managed to operate his conversion racket and target innocent people right under the nose of the authorities. Investigations into his conversion racket exposed his links with the criminal syndicate of mafia Mukhat Ansari.

Details revealed in the investigation so far

Jamaluddin aka Chhangur Baba’s Islamic conversion racket was busted by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of the UP Police, which nabbed him on 5th July. The ATS uncovered massive foreign funding, over 100 crores, flowing in from the Gulf countries. Around 40 bank accounts have been identified by the authorities in which the money was received. Chhangur Baba and his associates, Neetu and Naveen, used to make frequent visits to Gulf countries.

Jamaluddin had laid down an elaborate strategy to target and convert vulnerable Hindu women, wherein he paid Muslim men to lure and force them to convert to Islam. He had fixed incentives for converting Hindu women as per their caste. His conversion network was spread across various districts and had links in the UAE. Jamaluddin collected huge wealth through the racket. He bought luxury cars and proporties. His name had come up earlier in December 2022, in connection with a case of forced conversion. A Dalit Hindu family had accused Chhangur Baba and his associates Neetu and Naveen of forcing them to convert.

Investigations into his conversion network are currently underway.

Bhopal: Faizan Baig stabs Shyam More to death for asking why he was with a Hindu girl, two others injured in the attack, police deny love jihad angle

OpIndia Staff
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Bhopal: Faizan Baig stabs Shyam More to death for asking why he was with a Hindu girl, two others injured in the attack, police deny love jihad angle

In a shocking incident, a Hindu man was killed while two others were seriously injured in Barkheda Pathani area in Bhopal after they were attacked with a knife by one Faizan Baig. The incident occurred after a minor altercation, which turned into a violent one. Faizan Baig was with a Hindu female friend, and some reports have termed it a matter of love jihad.

According to reports, Shyam More, the victim, came to the Ambedkar park with two friends on 10th July. The accused, Faizan Baig, was also present in the park with his girlfriend, a Hindu girl. The three friends were sitting on a nearby bench, talking and laughing loudly. They were also looking at Faizan and the girl.

Faizan thought that they were talking about them, and therefore called Shyam. When Shyam came near him, an argument started between them. Reportedly, Shyam questioned Faizan why he was with a Hindu girl. He accused Faizan of trapping Hindu girls in love jihad. This led to an escalation of the conflict.

Allegedly, Faizan’s girlfriend first slapped Shyam after hearing the allegations, and within a moment Faizan pulled out a knife from his pocket and stabbed Shyam More. When the other two youths rushed to protect Shyam, they were also attacked by Faizan.

All three were rushed to the hospital, but Shyam died on Thursday night. The other two youths are in serious condition and are undergoing treatment.

A injured youth said that while they were walking in the park, they noticed Faizan sitting with his girlfriend in an intimate posture. Faizan thought the group are laughing at his female friend. This led to an exchange of words. Faizan was asked why he had brought her here. Shyam alleged he is indulging her in Love Jihad. This angered Faizan. During the argument, Faizan’s girlfriend slapped Shyam, after which Faizan allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed him.

However, Faizan gave a different version of the story, claiming that it was Shyam who was carrying the knife and tried to use it to attack him. Faizan claimed that he snatched the knife from Shyam’s hand during the clash and then attacked him.

Police have initiated the probe and have arrested Faizan. Further investigations are underway. The girl’s role in the incident is also being probed, as she had attacked Shyam first. However, the police have denied the love jihad angle, saying that both Faizan and the Hindu girl are adults.

Faizan is a student of ITI second year, while Shyam More worked as a contract labourer at BHEL.

West Bengal: Madhu Molla shares derogatory image of child urinating on Lord Shiva, police issue warning against sharing image but omit name of the perpetrator

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: Madhu Molla shares derogatory image of child urinating on Lord Shiva, police issue warning against sharing image but omit name of the perpetrator

On Friday (11th February), BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari took to X (formerly Twitter) to inform about a derogatory, anti-Hindu imagery posted by a Muslim youth named Madhu Molla.

Molla, who runs the Facebook page ‘Pagalir Pagal’ (পাগলীর পাগল), posted an image wherein a child was seen urinating on Lord Shiva. The caption of the image read, ‘Mahadev ki maa ki (swear words directed at the Hindu God’s mother).’

The incident occurred in the Mandirbazar area in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. The accused is the son of one Mashruf Molla.

Screengrab of the tweet of Suvendu Adhikari

Following the incident, the locals filed a complaint with the Mandirbazar police.

In a tweet, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari informed, “Their audacity and insolence have reached such a level that they face no hesitation in spreading derogatory posts about Hindu gods and goddesses on social media. They know well that Mamata Banerjee’s police will not take any strict action against them.”

He directed the DGP of West Bengal police to take strict action against Madhu Molla and ensure his immediate arrest. The BJP leader warned that he would visit Mandirbazar and hold protests if the police failed to act against the accused.

After social media upheaval about the matter, the West Bengal police swung into action and put out a tweet.

“It has come to our notice that a religiously offensive image has been shared on social media, apparently by a resident of Mandirbazar PS. We have got the concerned profile locked and the post deleted. A specific case has already been registered and the offender will be legally dealt with at the earliest,” the police claimed.

It remains unclear whether the perpetrator has been arrested. It may be noted that the West Bengal police carefully omitted the name of Madhu Molla in its tweet.

The police warned netizens against sharing the image posted by him. “In the same breath, we urge all to behave responsibly and not to fuel disharmony by sharing screenshots of the image,” it claimed.

The West Bengal police have previously attempted to pass off extremists involved in temple vandalism as ‘individuals with unsound mind.’

Widow of Kanhaiya Lal writes to PM Modi requesting to release ‘Udaipur Files’ after Delhi HC stayed the release of the movie

OpIndia Staff
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Widow of Kanhaiya Lal writes to PM Modi requesting to release ‘Udaipur Files’ after Delhi HC stayed the release of the movie

After the Delhi High Court put a stay on the release of ‘Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder’, Jashoda, the wife of late Kanhaiya Lal, has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging to release the film. She said the movie shows the painful truth of what happened to her husband.

In her letter shared on social media, Jashoda said she had watched the film. It was hard to watch, but it told the real story. She said her husband was murdered just for wearing a tilak on his forehead. The film shows this clearly. Even though the scenes were disturbing, she said the film gave her a feeling that her pain was being heard.

She also mentioned that the lawyer of the accused, Kapil Sibal, showed the film in court. She believes the film is being used in the wrong way to protect the killers. Jashoda said it’s unfair that her husband’s murderers are still alive, and now the film is being stopped too. According to her, the movie is not spreading hate, but telling the truth. She said the people of the country have the right to see what happened.

She requested PM Modi to take action and allow the film’s release. She also asked for a chance to meet him. She said she wants to come to Delhi with her children to share their pain in person.

The Delhi High Court had stayed the release of the film on Monday, 10th July. This happened after a petition was filed by Maulana Arshad Madani, President of the Islamic group Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, which has a history of protecting terrorists. They said the film could disturb peace. They have approached the High Courts of Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra to stop the release of ‘Udaipur Files Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder’. 

The court directed that till the Central government makes a decision on the revision application of the Islamic outfit, the stay on the release of ‘Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder’ would continue.

“Since we are relegating the petitioner to invoke revisional remedy, we provide that till the application for grant of interim relief is decided by the government, if moved by petitioner, there shall be a stay on release of the film,” it directed.

Orissa High Court grants bail to key accused in DRDO Chandipur espionage case after nearly 4 years in jail

OpIndia Staff
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Orissa High Court grants bail to key accused in DRDO Chandipur espionage case after nearly 4 years in jail

The Orissa High Court has released on bail Basanta Kumar Behera, one of the key accused in the high-profile Chandipur spy case, involving the leakage of sensitive defence data of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) of DRDO in Balasore district.

The bail order was ordered by Justice Gourishankar Satapathy, who stated that Behera had remained in jail for long enough without a trial and had also not abused the interim bail provided to him in the past. Nevertheless, Behera remains in Balasore jail as he hasn’t yet complied with the bail conditions.

He was booked under Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (abetting the waging of war against the Government of India), 121-A (conspiracy for offence under 121) and 34 (acts done with common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, read with Sections 3 (penalty for spying), 4 (communications with foreign agents to be evidence of commission of certain offences) and 5 (wrongful communication, use, retention, or failure to protect official information) of the Official Secrets Act.

Behera approached the High Court for regular bail last year. His counsel argued that the investigating officer had failed to present any conclusive evidence directly linking him with the alleged leak of defence secrets. 

As per the court order, Behera was ordered to furnish a bail bond of Rs 5 lakh with two solvent sureties and compliance with several conditions, including fortnightly attendance at the local police station for six months and a ban on leaving the trial court’s jurisdiction without permission.

Behera, who worked as a contractual AC operator at ITR, was arrested in September 2021. He was among several people accused of spying for a Pakistani handler after allegedly falling victim to a honey-trap. The case was first investigated by the Odisha Police and later handed over to the State Crime Branch. It is currently being heard in the 3rd Additional Sessions Court in Balasore.

The judge noted that while the charges are serious, the trial hasn’t moved forward, and other co-accused like Sachin Kumar Chhata and Tapas Ranjan Nayak have already been granted bail. He said that under Article 21 of the Constitution, a person cannot be kept in jail endlessly just because the case is serious.

Balrampur Islamic conversion racket: Jamaluddin used code language with his associates, referred to Hindu women as ‘Project’ and conversion as ‘soil tilling’

OpIndia Staff
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Balrampur Islamic conversion racket: Jamaluddin used code language with his associates, referred to Hindu women as ‘Project’ and conversion as ‘soil tilling’

New layers are emerging each day in the Balrampur Islamic religious conversion racket, operated by Jamaluddin alias Chhangur Baba, who was arrested last week. The multi-crore Islamic conversion racket, being run on massive foreign funding, used to target vulnerable Hindu women, including widows, poor women, and those lured into relationships by Muslim men, for conversion.

According to a Jagran report, Jamaluddin, the mastermind of the coordinated racket, used to talk in code language with his associates. He used to refer to Hindu girls as “Project” and to conversions as “Mitti Palatna” (Soil Tilling). The code word “Kajal” meant giving mental trauma, and “Darshan” implied meeting with himself.

To convert Hindu women to Islam, Jamaluddin prepared an elaborate strategy. He used to pay Muslim men for luring vulnerable Hindu women. He fixed an incentive for converting Hindu women based on their caste. Muslim men working for him used to adopt fake Hindu identities to target Hindi women. They used various ways to contact their victims, which included creating fake profiles with Hindu names on social media. When their victims developed an emotional attachment with them, they would ask them to convert to Islam as a precondition to marry them.

In some cases, they used to make lucrative offers to their targets, such as promising jobs, scholarships, free education in Islamic educational institutions, and sending them to foreign countries for a better life. Chhangur Baba portrayed himself as a saint and brainwashed vulnerable Hindu women by demeaning the Hindu religion.

The Nepal Nexus

Jamaluddin’s Islamic conversion racket was not limited to Balrampur. It was spread across the districts along the India-Nepal border. He had set up several madrasas and religious institutions in these districts, all running on foreign funding. He used to target children from poor backgrounds in these districts through his institutions. In addition to that, Jamaluddin was in constant touch with some international NGOs and religious institutions in Nepal, which he used to visit frequently. Police had earlier uncovered a financial funding network of over 100 crores linked to the Gulf countries.

Jamaluddin and his conversion racket

Jamaluddin, originally from the Rehra Maafi village in the Balrampur district, used to sell gemstones and rings. He was arrested by the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on 5th July for running an Islamic conversion racket. His son Mehboob was arrested by the authorities in April this year. The initial investigation into the conversion racket was led by a Special Task Force (STF) of the UP Police. Based on the initial investigation, a case was registered by the ATS against 10 people, including Jamaluddin.

The ATS investigation into the cases led to the busting of the Islamic conversion racket, which involved foreign funding of crores funnelled into 40 accounts. Jamaluddin amassed huge wealth by running the racket. He owned luxury cars and acquired properties across the states. Investigation has revealed that Jamaluddin had close ties with Mukhtar Ansari’s criminal syndicate.

Jamaluddin’s name had earlier come up in December 2022 after a Dalit Hindu family in the Balrampur district accused Chhangur Baba and his associates Neetu (Nasreen) and Naveen (Jamaluddin) of beating them up and forcing them to convert to Islam.

UNESCO recognises the ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ as World Heritage site: Read about the significance of the 12 strategically located forts of the Maratha Empire

OpIndia Staff
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UNESCO recognises the ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ as World Heritage site: Read about the significance of the 12 strategically located forts of the Maratha Empire

During the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, India’s ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The decision was taken during India’s official nomination for the 2024–25 cycle.

With this, the heritage site becomes the 44th property to receive this recognition. This global honour celebrates India’s enduring cultural legacy, demonstrating its diverse traditions of architectural brilliance, regional identity, and historical continuity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister of Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, along with the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis, glorified and highly praised the historic achievement and congratulated the people of India on this milestone.

Out of 390 forts in Maharashtra, only 12 forts were selected under the Maratha Military Landscapes of India. The discussion on the inclusion of this site lasted 59 minutes during the committee meeting in Paris, France. Eighteen out of 20 State Parties supported India’s proposal.

Following the positive recommendations by 18 State Parties, all member states, UNESCO, the World Heritage Centre, and the Advisory Bodies of UNESCO (ICOMOS, IUCN) congratulated the Indian delegation on this momentous opportunity.

The proposal was sent for consideration by the World Heritage Committee in January 2024. After a rigorous eighteen-month-long process involving several technical meetings with the advisory bodies and a site visit by the ICOMOS mission to review the locations, this historic decision was taken by the members of the World Heritage Committee this evening at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris.

Maratha military landscape (Source: PIB)

Significance of the Site

The Maratha military ideology originated in the 17th century under the rule of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1670 CE, extending through subsequent rulers until the Peshwa rule concluded in 1818 CE. These forts are not just stone structures – they are enduring symbols of Maratha valour, organization, and strategic brilliance.

Spread across mountains and coastlines, their architecture reflects tactical genius in resisting invasions. This unique blend of natural defense, military efficiency, and cultural grandeur is now being appreciated by the entire world.

From the 17th to the 19th centuries CE, this brilliant network of twelve forts demonstrates the military strategic vision and architectural ingenuity of the Maratha Empire. The sites, spread across the states of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, include Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, along with Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu. The forts are protected under two divisions. Shivneri Fort, Lohgad, Raigad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala Fort, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg, and Gingee Fort are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. Rajgad, Khanderi Fort, and Pratapgad are protected by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra.

Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Raigad, Rajgad, and Gingee are situated in hilly terrains and are therefore known as hill forts. Pratapgad, nestled within dense woods, is classified as a hill-forest fort. Panhala, located on a plateaued hill, is a hill-plateau fort. Vijaydurg, positioned along the shoreline, is a notable coastal fort, while Khanderi, Suvarnadurg, and Sindhudurg, surrounded by the sea, are recognized as island forts. Located across a diverse range — from coastal outposts to hilltop strongholds — these forts reflect a profound understanding of geography and strategic defense planning. Together, they form a cohesive military landscape that outlines the innovation and regional adaptation of fortification in India.

Recognition of the Site

This recognition is not just a celebration of history, but also a result of strong administrative will. In 2021, when the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government was in power in Maharashtra, the proposal to grant these forts permanent UNESCO World Heritage status was rejected, and they were placed only on a tentative list.

At that time, ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites), which evaluates nominations on behalf of UNESCO, had recommended rejecting the nomination, stating that the proposal lacked “concrete and credible evidence of how the military defense system of the 12 forts functioned in an integrated manner.” That gap has now been addressed. With a stronger, revised submission, the Maratha Military Landscapes have been granted full World Heritage status.

The Ministry of Culture, the Archaeological Survey of India, and Maharashtra’s concerned departments worked together to prepare comprehensive reports and present the historical importance of these military landscapes on the international stage. It is worth noting that the first initiative to seek such recognition for these forts was taken in 2015 by Devendra Fadnavis during his first term as Chief Minister.

On the one hand, some regional parties are accusing the current state government of compromising Marathi identity, especially due to the promotion of Hindi in primary education. But the truth remains that it is the BJP government that has actively worked to preserve and globalize Marathi heritage.’ “Preserving history is not just about remembering the past — it is about giving future generations a sense of identity. And now, that identity has received a new honor on the global stage.”

Recognition at the Global Level

The site received its nomination under UNESCO’s criteria (iv) and (vi), which recognize its outstanding representation of a living cultural tradition, remarkable architectural and technological value, and strong connections to significant historical events and practices.
UNESCO’s inclusion of such sites is aimed at safeguarding and promoting globally shared heritage, focusing on Outstanding Universal Values (OUVs) found in cultural, natural, and mixed properties across 196 member countries.

India’s heritage recognition at global level (Source: PIB)

India, currently serving as a member of the World Heritage Committee for the 2021–25 period, has been actively showcasing its cultural legacy on the international stage. This prestigious recognition reflects New India’s consistent efforts to elevate Bharat’s heritage globally and highlights the dedicated work of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Maharashtra government in preserving these monumental landmarks. In the previous year, the Moidams of Charaideo in Assam were added to the World Heritage List during the 46th session of the committee held in New Delhi.

India now holds the 6th position worldwide and ranks 2nd in the Asia-Pacific region in terms of the number of World Heritage Sites. The World Heritage Convention of 1972 has been ratified by 196 nations. Currently, India has 62 sites on the Tentative List — a prerequisite for future consideration for World Heritage status. As per the norms, each country may nominate only one site annually for final inclusion.

The Archaeological Survey of India acts as the central authority handling all matters related to World Heritage on behalf of the Government of India.

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta launches project to make the city overhead wire-free, says “a time will come when not a single wire will be visible”

ANI
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Delhi CM Rekha Gupta launches project to make the city overhead wire-free, says “a time will come when not a single wire will be visible”

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday inaugurated several developmental projects in Shalimar Bagh, including a pilot project to convert overhead wires into an underground power network.

The inauguration took place at the Janata Flats area, where CM Gupta was joined by Delhi Minister Ashish Sood.

Speaking to mediapersons, CM Gupta said the government aims to make the national capital free from overhead wires.

“Making overhead wires underground is a pilot project for Delhi. It is a vision and idea that our Delhi becomes overhead wire-free… I am happy that through this project, the government is working to provide a new facility to the people of Delhi… A time will come when not a single wire will be visible in Delhi,” CM Gupta said.

She added, “We used to always wonder why there’s such a tangled mess of overhead wires–why can’t they be underground? In these narrow, crowded lanes, there’s always the fear of sparks. This is a gift for Delhi, for which we had allocated Rs 100 crore in the budget.”

“The streets here are so narrow that even two scooters cannot pass side by side at the same time. Now people will be able to look up and see the blue sky,” she further said.

Minister Ashish Sood said the government is working to strengthen Delhi’s power infrastructure and reduce hazards caused by overhead wiring.

“Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, there is an effort to make Delhi free from wires. The Delhi government had zero funds in the name of capital expenditure. We are gradually working to make Delhi’s electricity infrastructure robust… With the blessings of Delhi’s people, we will take this work forward,” Sood said.

Meanwhile, CM Gupta also expressed concern over the waterlogging seen across several parts of the city on Thursday following heavy rainfall.

She issued strict instructions to the officials of the concerned department to take effective steps to prevent waterlogging so that people of Delhi do not have to face problems during the monsoon season.

According to a release, the Chief Minister expressed satisfaction that despite heavy rains, there was no waterlogging on Minto Road and ITO crossings this time. She told the officers that they will have to show similar efficiency in the entire Delhi.

To find a solution to waterlogging and the problems arising from it, Chief Minister Gupta, along with PWD Minister Pravesh Verma, called a special meeting with top officials of PWD, the irrigation-flood control department and departments related to waterlogging and said that any kind of negligence will not be tolerated in the matter of waterlogging.

CM Gupta said that the officials will have to take immediate and effective measures during the rains so that the problems arising from waterlogging can be controlled in time. She instructed to immediately and continuously check the drains built on the roadside, from which water flows out and eliminates waterlogging on the road.

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

Cover-up to protect Boeing? How western media outlets twisted facts in Air India crash report to blame ‘pilot error’ for Ahmedabad tragedy

OpIndia Staff
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Cover-up to protect Boeing? How western media outlets twisted facts in Air India crash report to blame ‘pilot error’ for Ahmedabad tragedy

On Saturday (12th July), foreign media publications such as Reuters, BBC, Daily Mail and others attempted to blame the pilots of the Air India flight AI171 by deliberately misinterpreting a preliminary report of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). They did so with the nefarious agenda to shield Boeing, which is under scanner for manufacturing faulty commercial jetliners

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary report on the June 12 crash of Air India flight AI171, which killed 260 people, including 19 on the ground. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, had taken off from Ahmedabad and was headed for London. But within seconds of takeoff, both engines shut down, and the aircraft crashed into a densely populated area near the airport.

The 15-page report has revealed some critical technical details. It says the plane had reached a speed of 180 knots just before both engines lost power. The Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” within one second of each other, which stopped the fuel supply and caused both engines to fail. There was a brief moment when the engines seemed to recover, but they failed to stabilise. The aircraft began losing altitude right after liftoff and didn’t even make it past the airport’s boundary wall.

The report also notes that the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), a device that deploys automatically in case of total power loss, was triggered soon after takeoff. This confirmed that the aircraft had lost all electrical and engine power. The AAIB has finished on-site inspections, drone photography, and videography. Both engines have been moved to a secure hangar, and important components have been isolated for further examination. The investigation also ruled out a bird strike as a possible cause, as there was no bird activity recorded in the area during takeoff.

Western media frames the crash as pilot error

Despite these facts, some international media outlets seem to be shaping the narrative in a way that indirectly blames the pilots for the crash. Without waiting for a full investigation or proper conclusions, these reports are picking selective details from the preliminary report and suggesting that the accident was likely due to human error.

This has led to concerns that Western media is attempting to twist the story to shield aircraft manufacturers like Boeing, while making the late pilots look responsible.

The Guardian reports have focused heavily on the fuel switches being moved to the “CUTOFF” position seconds after takeoff, without clearly stating that the report does not confirm who or what caused it. 

BBC mentioned that the cockpit fuel switches were turned off during takeoff, something that should only be done in emergencies or after landing. There is then confusion heard in the cockpit, with one pilot asking the other why they had switched off the fuel. The Gatwick-bound plane was being piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kundar. The report does not specify which voice is which.

The Daily Mail also described the same in their report, how cockpit confusion was heard on the voice recorder, where one pilot asked the other why he had cut off the fuel.

The AAIB report goes on to say that the cockpit voice recording provided a crucial insight into the moments before the crash. One of the pilots is heard asking the other, “Why did you cut off?” to which the second pilot replied that he had not done so. The pilot tried restarting the engines by moving the switches back to RUN. Engine 1 showed signs of recovery, but Engine 2 continued to struggle. 

This exchange has raised concerns over possible miscommunication or a technical malfunction in the critical seconds before both engines shut down.

FAA Advisory on Boeing’s fuel lock issue

An important aspect of the AAIB report has been omitted by several media outlets – the FAA advisory regarding a known fuel lock issue in Boeing aircraft.

Instead of reporting that both pilots denied turning off the fuel switches and that a possible technical malfunction was involved, the focus has been shifted to cockpit confusion and what appears to be pilot error.

This framing can mislead the public and even affect the direction of the ongoing investigation.The truth is, the AAIB has not yet made any findings. It has not incriminated the pilots, nor has it exonerated Boeing and the engine manufacturer.

The report merely mentions what is currently known and advises that further investigation is ongoing. Incriminating the dead pilots at this point without final evidence is unjust and disrespectful, not just to them, but also to the truth.


Uttar Pradesh: Muslim mob brutally assaults Hindu boy, victim says he was attacked for being a Gau rakshak, police arrest 3 accused

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Muslim mob brutally assaults Hindu boy, victim says he was attacked for being a Gau rakshak, police arrest 3 accused

In a recent incident of violence, a young Hindu boy was brutally beaten up by Muslim youths in Khoda colony of Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh.

A video of the incident went viral after one of the Muslim men posted it on social media. The video shows the Hindu boy, named Nitu Ram, being brutally slapped, punched and kicked by a group of Muslim men surrounding him.

The Hindu boy was also forced to apologise and kneel down while being thrashed. The victim, Nitu Ram, is a resident of Khoda colony in Ghaziabad.

After the incident, he approached a social worker for help, who shared Nitu’s story on social media and urged police to take action.

According to Nitu Ram, he is a Gaurakshak and is associated with the RSS and the Banjrang Dal. He said that he has been the target of the Muslim mob because of his work for the welfare of the Hindu community.

On the day of the incident, when he was in the area for some work, the accused named Waseem, Faheem and Faiju, along with 15 other people, physically attacked Nitu Ram and recorded a video.

The victim said that the culprits have also threatened to kill him. Ghaziabad police have arrested three of the culprits who attacked Nitu Ram and are on the lookout for others. An investigation in underway in the incident.

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