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‘A fraud on Constitutional power’: Read how the Calcutta HC exposed Left and Mamata govt’s appeasement scheme of including Muslims in OBC category

Dibakar Dutta
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‘A fraud on Constitutional power’: Read how the Calcutta HC exposed Left and Mamata govt’s appeasement scheme of including Muslims in OBC category

In a landmark judgment on Wednesday (22nd May), the Calcutta High Court cancelled Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates issued to 77 groups by the Left and Trinamool Congress governments between 5th March 2010 and 11th May 2012.

The development came as a shocker for the incumbent government ahead of the upcoming 6th phase of Lok Sabha elections in the State.

While the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has openly announced to flout the verdict of the Calcutta High Court, let us take a deep dive into the raging controversy that began 13 years ago.

The Background of the Controversy

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) government, which preceded the TMC era, had declared 66 classes as OBCs between 1994 and 2009. About 12 of the classes belonged to the Muslim community

With the 2011 elections in mind, the CPIM government issued 7 executive orders between 5th March and 10th September 2010 to declare 42 new classes as OBCs. 41 of them belonged to the Muslim community.

These new groups thus became eligible for reservation and representation in jobs provided by the West Bengal government. To further appease their Muslim vote bank, the CPIM additionally announced a 10% reservation for Muslims in government jobs in February 2010.

After Mamata Banerjee became Chief Minister of West Bengal in May 2011, she continued with the appeasement politics of the Left Regime.

In an executive order issued on 11th May 2012, the TMC government declared another set of 35 new classes as OBCs. As expected, 34 of those classes belonged to the Muslim community.

Thus the Left and TMC regimes included 77 new classes (75 belonging to the Muslim community) in the OBC category within just 2 years.

The Mamata government enacted the West Bengal Backward Classes (Other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) (Reservation of Vacancies in Services and Posts) Act, 2012 and further categorised the 77 classes as OBC A (More Backward) and OBC B (Backward).

The first petition, challenging the decision of the Left government, was filed by a man named Amal Chandra Das on 18th January 2011. He questioned the declaration of 42 classes as OBCs on the sole basis of religion.

Das pointed out that the categorisation was not done based on any acceptable data and that the survey conducted by the Commission, constituted by the West Bengal government to aid and assist in the identification of OBCs, was pre-fabricated

Three other petitions were filed by Amal Chandra Das, Purabi Das and Atmadeep between 2012 and 2020 challenging the constitutional validity and various provisions of the West Bengal Backward Classes (Other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) (Reservation of Vacancies in Services and Posts) Act, 2012.

In the verdict announced by the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday (22nd May), all four petitions were tagged and heard together.

Primary arguments of the petitioners

The West Bengal government, run by the Left and TMC, came under scanner for its “unconstitutional” categorisation of classes solely based on religion, as laid down by the Supreme Court in the landmark Indra Sawhney case of 1992 (wherein the Judiciary upheld the validity of 27% OBC reservation).

“The recommendation for the classification of the 77 classes is made in undue haste. The classification is unscientific,” the petitioners had argued, adding that the Commission has failed to provide scientifically acceptable and identifiable data.

They emphasised, “The data of the Commission and its methodology are unscientific. Yet recommendations have been made based on such inadequate data. The Commission appears to have been required to meet a political deadline set by the government. The classification therefore appears to have been done for political reasons.”

The petitioners pointed out that the Commission constituted by the West Bengal government for the identification of OBCs have “illegally” focused only on the Muslim community and did not bother to compare the 77 classes with the unreserved categories to determine whether the newly incorporated classes within the OBC fold were “inadequately represented.”

They also highlighted how the Commission only surveyed 5% of the population belonging to the 77 classes and not the entire popular as mandated by the Indra Sawhney case.

“The inquiry by the Commission should have been conducted through public hearings. The documents disclosed by the Commission do not
indicate any such public notice or public hearings. Therefore, the documents of the Commission referred to in the affidavit and available on its website cannot be relied upon as bonafide,” the petitioners in the case argued.

They also pointed out that the sub-classification of the new 77 classes in the OBC-A and OBC-B categories was done without consulting the Commission, which is in direct violation of the West Bengal Commission for Backward Classes Act of 1993 [pdf].

It is interesting to note that once the West Bengal government made up its mind to notify several classes within the Muslim community as ‘backward’, the Department of Anthropology of the University of Calcutta conducted a study on its own and provided an executive summary to lend credence to the categorisation of the newly inducted ‘Muslim’ OBCs.

“Reliance on the executive summary report of the Department of Anthropology of the University of Calcutta, by the State for this sub-classification is illegal because the said department is not statutorily authorized to conduct such studies,” the petitioners stated

They further added, “Collusion and illegal and unholy nexus between the Commission and State is writ large even before this court. The Commission has therefore clearly admitted to having acted and made recommendations of classes as OBCs at the dictates of the State.”

Observations made by the Calcutta High Court

The matter came up for hearing before a 2-judge Bench of Justices Tapabrata Chakraborty and Rajasekhar Mantha of the Calcutta High Court.

In its 211-page judgment [pdf], the court took into account the arguments made by the West Bengal government and the petitioners and struck down 5 lakh OBC certificates issued by the government since 5th March 2010.

The Judges noted that the West Bengal government had placed “extensive reliance” on the Sachar Committee Report of 2006 [pdf], which had infamously concluded that the condition of Muslims in India was worse than those belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

The Calcutta High Court ruled that the Sachar Committee Report, relied upon by the State to justify the backwardness of Muslims and include them in the OBC category, has no constitutional sanction.

“This was done to support the argument that the Muslim community is in fact backward in the State. The report was placed to justify the inclusion of 99% classes of Muslims as OBC under the subject memoranda, and to bypass the Commission in the process of sub-classification. This court notes that the Sachar Committee was constituted by the PMO under the Cabinet Secretariat O.M. No. 105/1/1/75-CF dated 20.11.1975. It was not constituted under Art. 340 of the Constitution which empowers only the President to constitute a Commission for backward classes. Hence, the report of the Committee does not have Constitutional sanction or support.“

The Court also objected to the laxity on the part of the Commission, constituted by the West Bengal government for not conducting a detailed survey to determine the backwardness of the classes inducted into the OBC category. It pointed out that the reliance on the obsolete Mandal Commission report to notify OBC categories between 2011 and 2022 is not tenable.

“The learned AAG has placed reliance on the report of the Mandal Commission, which was prepared and tabled in the Parliament in the 1990s. It was argued that the said report has already identified certain classes of the Muslim community as backward. The argument cannot be sustained as the State would then have included such classes from the Muslim Community under the State OBC list in 1992 itself.“

The Calcutta High Court also noted that the West Bengal government committed “fraud on the Constitutional power of the State” by enacting the West Bengal Backward Classes (Other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) (Reservation of Vacancies in Services and Posts) Act, 2012 and excluding the role of Commission in the identification of new OBCs.

“Such exclusion of the role of the Commission, and arrogating to itself the power to ignore the Commission at its own sweet will whim and fancy therefore tantamounts to an exercise of fraudulent legislative power and consequently a fraud on Constitutional power under Art 16(4). It appears that the Act of 2012 has been enacted for the oblique purpose of bypassing the Commission or at the least to render the mandatory requirement of consulting the Commission optional.

The process of identification involves not only the ascertainment of backwardness but also an assessment of whether a backward class is
inadequately represented in the services under the State by comparing the same with the entire populace including the unreserved classes.
The role of the Commission, is therefore, indispensable since any process of classification and sub-classification is required to be preceded by, the identification of the classes.

Such identification involves the analysis of the degree of harm, faced by the Other Backward Classes, which warrants an appreciation of a complex web of factors, for which a permanent Commission has been constituted by and under the Act of 1993.“

The learned Judges also highlighted that the Commission flouted constitutional principles to include Muslims in the OBC category.

“The Commission’s reports are not in accordance with the Constitutional value of the impartial and secular reservation. Although the reports of the Commission are prepared to show that it has not made a religion-specific reservation, it appears otherwise to this Court.

The Commission should have taken appropriate precautions and have been vigilant while dealing with the applications, filed by the classes from a particular community, regardless of the nomenclature of the community, since it cannot be expected that the Commission was totally unaware of the public announcement, made by the then Chief Minister of West Bengal.“

The court also noted how the Anthropology Department of the University of Calcutta worked in cahoots with the Left government to rationalise the decision to notify the first set of new OBCs on the sole criterion of religion.

“Admittedly within four months of the recommendation and declaration of the first set of these classes as OBCs the State procured and elied on an executive Summary of the Anthropology department of the University of Calcutta, to sub-classify the classes. The State must have known of the said study months earlier as a study of this nature takes many months to prepare. Such study itself was aimed at determining the reasons for the backwardness of the Muslim Community in the State.

This would justify the joining of dots and notice the curious timeline. The announcement by the Chief Minister, the recommendation of the
77 classes in lightening speed by the Commission the immediate declaration by the State of such Religious Classes as OBCs, and the Executive Summary of the Anthropology Department of Calcutta University and the subclarification based on the same.

All this in a span of 5 months could raise doubts in the mind of any reasonable man that the events are closely interlinked and were part of a common intention. Religion indeed appears to have been the sole criterion for declaring these communities as OBCs.“

The learned Judges came down heavily on the West Bengal government for treatment of Muslims as a ‘political commodity’ and exploiting them for electoral gains. They stated –

“This Court is of the view that the selection of 77 classes of Muslims as Backward is an affront to the Muslim Community as a whole. This
Court’s mind is not free from doubt that the said community has been treated as a commodity for political ends. This is clear from the chain
of events that led to the classification of the 77 Classes as OBCs and their inclusion to be treated as a vote bank. Identification of the classes in the aid community as OBCs for electoral gains would leave them at the mercy of the concerned political establishment and may defeat and deny other rights. Such reservation is therefore also an affront to Democracy and the Constitution of India as a whole.”

Conclusion

It is interesting to note that while most classes belonging to the Muslim community were included in the OBC category under the Left regime, it was the Mamata Banerjee-led-TMC government that issued the most number of OBC certificates to Mulims after coming to power in 2011.

‘Loony Left’ takes up generalised global ‘mental health’ concerns and vomits a word salad to blame it on Hindus of India, BJP, and Modi

Shraddha Pandey
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‘Loony Left’ takes up generalised global ‘mental health’ concerns and vomits a word salad to blame it on Hindus of India, BJP, and Modi

Amid the Lok Sabha elections, the left-liberal propagandist media outlets have played every trick at their hand to defame and vilify Hindus, Hindutva, the BJP-RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. From fear-mongering that Indian democracy is dying under Modi, Muslims are in danger, media voice being muzzled, EVM-VVPAT hacking, Modi being a Hindu nationalist dictator to whatnot, the leftist propaganda outlets and pens for hire over has been desperately trying to establish the narrative that somehow Modi, BJP, RSS, and Hindu nationalism is ‘destroying’ the ‘secular India’. Now, the International Health Policies (IHP) Network has joined the league of anti-Hindu propagandists to blame the Hindus, BJP-RSS and Modi for mental health issues.

On the 23rd of May, IHP published an article titled: “The Rise of the far-right in India and mental health ‘left’ in the lurch”. Relying on critical debates, the article situates mental health as  “psychological preconditions necessary (but not sufficient) for the conception of a good life, including well-being.” Before launching its tirade against Indian Hindus and the ‘right-wing’, the article says that the necessary psychological preconditions for good life and well-being are also determined by “political ideologies, discourses, and subsequent state policies”.

IHP report

While the initially arouses interest in finding out how it will connect mental and political ideologies, it turned out to be a typical anti-Hindu and anti-BJP propaganda piece with sine qua non-projection of Muslim ‘minorities’ as victims. “We argue that the weakening of democracy in India, accompanied by rampant communal polarization, has a bearing on the psychological preconditions required for the positive mental health of citizens.

The article somehow connected suicide rates, depressive disorders, neurotic and stress-related disorders, addictions, impact on mental health during Covid lockdowns, exposure to phones and social media as well as unemployment to the Modi government’s mission to ascend India to the position of the “Vishwaguru”.

IHP cites a George Soros-funded V-Dem Institute report to assert that Indian democracy is weakening under the Modi government and contributing to a ‘dire mental health’ situation

To make a case that somehow the political climate in the country could be a contributing factor in the “dire mental health” mental health situation in India, the IHP article cites V-Dem Institute’s Democracy Report 2024. The V-Dem report called India an “electoral autocracy” insinuating that India’s democracy is weakening under Narendra Modi-led government. The V-Dem report called the Modi government an “anti-pluralist, Hindu nationalist using UAPA, sedition, defamation and counter-terrorism laws to silence ‘critics’ and that it suppresses religious rights freedom and so on.

“…Over the years, India’s autocratization process has been well documented, including gradual but substantial deterioration of freedom of expression, compromising the independence of the media, crackdowns on social media, harassments of journalists critical of the government, as well as attacks on civil society and intimidation of the opposition. The ruling anti-pluralist, Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with Prime Minister Modi at the helm has for example used laws on sedition, defamation, and counterterrorism to silence critics…” the V-Dem report says.

Excerpt from V-Dem report

Now, the V-Dem [Varieties of Democracy] Institute is funded by the regime change enthusiast, and philanthropist George Soros’s Open Society Foundations (OSF) and has been involved in anti-India propaganda for several years. Citing an anti-India Soros-funded institute’s report and insinuating that ‘communal polarisation, the rise of ‘far-right’ and weakening of democracy contributes to India’s mental health situation.

IHP exploits a serious issue to peddle its cheap anti-Hindu politics

In attributing mental health challenges solely to the rise of the so-called far-right, the IHP piece deliberately overlooks the multifaceted nature of mental health issues in India since the objective perhaps is not to address mental health concerns but to add a new dimension to how Modi and Hindu nationalism are behind everything wrong in India.

Many countries are facing mental health challenges due to myriad factors, including social isolation, lifestyle changes, workplace stress, poor work-life balance, substance abuse, technology overuse, irregular eating patterns, traumatic incidents, political instability and humanitarian crises among others. Now these factors are not exclusive to India, literally every country is faced with these issues and is taking steps to improve the mental health of its citizens.

Besides India, the United States, the UK, Brazil, Australia and many more countries have and continue to face such challenges. Does IHP blame it on their majority community, governments, and elected leaders? In the USA, more than 1 in 5 adults live with a mental illness and 1 in 25 adults live with a serious mental illness, including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression. Does IHP blame the US government led by democrats for the mental health situation in the USA?

While stigmatisation and discrimination also harm the mental health of those discriminated against, in India’s case, particularly in a decade of Modi rule, the government has on no occasion through its policies mistreated the ‘minorities’, rather its policies have benefitted the masses across religious and regional lines.

The IHP report in its pursuit to vilify the Hindus and paint Muslims as poor victims of Hindu majoritarianism propagated by the ‘far-right’, ended up mocking a serious issue like mental health.

Interestingly, in line with the sinister narrative peddled by the opposition parties, their media allies, propagandist YouTubers and the extended ‘ecosystem’, the International Health Policies report also invoked the Nazi regime to draw an equivalence between the rule of Adolf Hitler, the notorious German dictator with that of a democratically elected popular leader like Narendra Modi. The IHP article brings Hitler and the Nazi regime in the context to insinuate that much like how Hitler’s hatred for Jews culminated in their otherization and Holocaust, the Indian Muslims are somehow being ‘otherised’ and ‘villains’ and face mental health challenges.

‘Far-right insecure Hindus perpetrate crimes against Muslim minorities, inflicting adverse mental health implications‘, IHP slanders Hindus to shield Islamists

“The far-right ideology has been recruiting citizens from the Hindu community (the majority), among others by exploiting their socio-economic and political vulnerabilities (cfr. the inequality, poverty and employment crisis),” the article states. The propaganda article linked to back this insinuation suggests that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is exploiting the ‘political vulnerabilities’ of Hindus. This, however, is far from reality as RSS does not teach its volunteers to hate, harass or attack any particular community but instils patriotism, discipline and a sense of national duty in them. RSS has a rich history of undertaking relief campaigns whenever the country faces any crisis as was seen during the Covid pandemic.

The IHP article invokes inequality and unemployment to claim that false narratives are designed to lure vulnerable Hindus many of whom turn into perpetrators of gross violations against Muslims. From projecting Hindus as perpetrators of crimes including lynching against Muslims to labelling them ‘insecure’ the leitmotif of IHP’s propaganda piece is to portray the Hindu majority as perpetrators attacking the ‘oppressed’ and ‘terrified’ Muslim minority due to their insecurity and vulnerability.

While the left-liberal propaganda outlets take delight in cherry-picking incidents of violence and blaming far-right, Hindutva, and Hindus for the same, they downplay and often dismiss crimes against Hindus including the brutal murder of Hindu Kanhaiyalal, Umesh Kolhe, among others. They dismiss grooming jihad [love jihad] as fiction, hoax, conspiracy theory and whatnot. Moreover, they even pass off incidents of planned violence against Hindus such as the 2020 anti-Hindu Delhi riots as violence against Muslim ‘minority’. There have been incidents when several Muslims resorted to mob violence attacking Hindu religious processions on festivals like Ram Navami taking offence to either Hindu religious songs, and slogans or merely because they entered the ‘Muslim area’. Would IHP discuss the psychological implications inherently peaceful and welcoming Hindus suffer due to targeted violence by religiously motivated mobs?

The propaganda piece authored by Malu Mohan and Sapna Mishra appears to be a cheap AI chatbot production with a word jumble.  Probably, the author duo randomly gave the “Hey ChatGPT, take keywords Hindus, BJP, Right-wing, Modi, India, Muslims and produce an article on mental health”  prompt to the AI chatbot and linked biased reports and news articles published in leftist propaganda portals to reinforce their malicious allegations against Hindutva and the BJP-RSS.

It is pertinent to note that the link between political ideology and mental health outcomes is complex and cannot be reduced to a simple cause-and-effect relationship. While political rhetoric and policies can influence societal attitudes towards mental health, in attributing mental health challenges solely to the ‘rise’ of the far-right the IHP piece deliberately overlooks the broader structural issues at play.

The mockery of mental health issues to garner sympathy for anti-CAA protestors

The IHP article goes on to project the 2019 anti-CAA protest demonstrators, particularly, ‘student activists’ as ‘politically conscious’ individuals opposing state repression who suffered “political depression” during the protests. Instead of hailing the anti-CAA protestors as ‘politically conscious’ activists, IHP should have advised them not to harbour pathological disdain for Hindus, especially in the case of CAA where the provision only intended to grant citizenship to Hindus and other religious minorities who were persecuted in India’s three Muslim majority neighbours—Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

In conclusion the International Health Policies (IHP) article ‘hypothesises’ that rising mental health challenges in India in recent years could also be due to a ‘weakening democracy’. “We hypothesize that the rising mental health concerns (including addictions) in recent years could partially be explained by how citizens mentally “process” the political unrest they experience, especially in the wake of weakening democracy,” the article says and suggests the research community to approach mental health from a “political lens”.

While IHP sees Indian democracy turning ‘weak’, the country remains a vibrant democracy and people are actively partaking in the greatest festival of democracy—general elections.

Instead of advising the research community to approach mental health from a “political lens” the authors of IHP’s propaganda piece should shun their bias against Hindus and the ‘far-right’ at least while addressing serious issues like mental health, depression, PTSD etc. IHP should refrain from making a mockery of mental health issues just to peddle anti-Hindu and anti-Modi/RSS-BJP narratives, and instead of a political lens, IHP should approach mental health from a humane, holistic, sensitive and unbiased approach.

Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty shoot “Singham Again” in Jammu and Kashmir: How peace and prosperity came in the valley after removal of Article 370

Rukma Rathore
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Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty shoot “Singham Again” in Jammu and Kashmir: How peace and prosperity came in the valley after removal of Article 370

Rohit Shetty’s “Singham Again” starring Ajay Devgn has created a lot of buzz on social media, not only for the project but also because of the videos and pictures from the shooting that went viral on social media as they were taken in Kashmir. It serves as yet another testament to the drastic change that Jammu and Kashmir has undergone in only around five years after the abrogation of Article 370 in an epochal move in 2019.

The audience will get to witness the beautiful valley on silver screens after a long break owing to the strong government initiatives and policies aimed at bringing peace and prosperity to the region. Kashmir was a favourite location to shoot Bollywood movies before terrorism hit the valley, after which the producers were forced to avoid the beautiful locations due to security reasons. However, now that situation have changed, and considerable number of movies and shows have been shot there in recent times.

The government has implemented various measures to progressively restore normalcy in Kashmir, and the union territory has been witnessing gradual changes in recent years that were inconceivable before 2019. The image of the new Kashmir of 2024 is defined by a sharp decline in terror, a significant increase in the tourism sector, a bustling first-ever multi-plex opened after decades and the “God of Cricket” strolling through its streets. The place which was earlier solely recognized for violence, stone-pelting, strikes and terrorism is now renowned for its development and peace.

300 films shot in Kashmir

Jammu & Kashmir has been the stunning backdrop for over 300 movies and web series over the last two years, winning recognition for the exquisite display of the region’s ethereal beauty. The year 2023 marked the approval of 102 web series and films from Tollywood and Bollywood to be shot in Jammu & Kashmir. Yami Gautam’s “Article 370,” John Abraham’s “Vedaa” and Shahrukh Khan’s “Dunki” are a few of the prominent projects among them.

Shah Rukh Khan was spotted in Sonamarg for “Dunki” shoot. (India Today)

The administration granted permission for up to 200 movies, web series and music videos to be filmed in Kashmir in the year preceding 2022. According to officials, the valley has been effective in drawing filmmakers, with several of them requesting authorization to shoot in Kashmir. They attributed the development to the film policy, which encouraged filmmakers to use Kashmir as their shooting location.

Moreover, the government has advocated for new destinations to be used as ideal film locations. The government of Jammu and Kashmir introduced its first film policy in 2021 in an attempt to foster interest in filmmakers. Furthermore, for the fiscal year 2022–2023, the government established a Film Development Fund (FDF) in the Information Department to distribute subsidies as specified in the Jammu & Kashmir Film Policy 2021.

The government of Jammu and Kashmir launched its first film policy in 2021 in an effort to pique the interest of filmmakers in the area. Moreover, in the fiscal year 2022-2023, the government created a Film Development Fund (FDF) within the Information Department to provide subsidies outlined in the Jammu & Kashmir Film Policy 2021. The Film Development Council of Jammu and Kashmir has introduced a single-window system to streamline the process of shooting and make it less complex.

Filmmakers have the option to submit their applications through the online platform jkfilm.jk.gov.in. Many directors have applied to shoot their films in Jammu and Kashmir since the film policy was introduced. The government provides financial assistance to filmmakers so they can film in the union territory.

It is essential to acknowledge that none of this could have been achieved if the area continued to exist as it did before 2019. “Lights, sound, camera and action” would have been drowned out by the roar of gunfire, stones being hurled and the cries of the hapless victims.

Kashmir’s first-ever multiplex opens in Srinagar

Kashmir’s first multiplex was inaugurated in the Sonwar neighbourhood of Srinagar in 2022 by the lieutenant governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha which marked the reopening of theatres after a three-decade hiatus. There are three movie theatres in the INOX-designed multiplex, totalling 520 seats. Additionally, there is a food court on the property to support regional cuisine. A “Khatambandh” made of Kashmiri wood is also utilized in the lobbies to showcase the region’s artwork and design, lending it a distinctively Kashmiri appearance. The public was invited to attend a special screening of “Lal Singh Chaddha,” starring Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor in leading roles.

Image via Moneycontrol

People in Kashmir will have access to the same recreational amenities as the rest of the country due to the permanent installation of the multiplex and the screenings of the newest films. Multipurpose cinema halls in Pulwama and Shopian were also opened.

After 33 years, cinema returned to north Kashmir in 2023 following the official launch of multipurpose movie theatres in Baramulla and Handwara by J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. Seven major movie theatres in North Kashmir existed before the rise of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. These theatres were owned and operated by the local community while the Army managed three theatres in Baramulla, Pattan and Uri towns that bore the names of notable generals.

However, the valley’s movie theatres were all shuttered on 31st December 1990, amid the escalating terrorist attacks. The terrorists threatened the proprietors and people stopped going to the movies out of fear. With the end of Article 370 and a significant drop in terrorist attacks, cinemas have made a comeback in Kashmir much to the delight of the general public.

Sachin Tendulkar visits the valley

Sachin Tendulkar, otherwise known as the “God of Cricket” went viral online earlier this year when he posted pictures from his trip to Kashmir. Sachin Tendulkar was enjoying the latter part of winter in the valley with his wife Anjali while on a week-long trip to Jammu and Kashmir. He shared his favourite travel memories from the trip and recommended people to add the mesmerising valley to their bucket list of places to visit. He termed Kashmir as “one of the several jewels” of the country and echoed the views expressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the abundance of natural beauty that the nation has to offer to tourists.

The legendary cricketer also prayed at the Shankaracharya temple in Srinagar. He wrote, “It felt surreal to visit the Shankaracharya temple last month, which is situated at an altitude of 1100 feet above the surface level of Srinagar city. During the 240+ steps ascent, every step felt like a step closer to divinity. I feel truly blessed to have had this experience with my family and friends,” while sharing the experience.

The former Indian opener also paid a visit to a Chursoo cricket bat factory, a nod to the area’s well-known expertise in crafting fine Kashmir willow bats. He heaped praise and stated that they are excellent representations of the global impact that “Made in India” products are making.

Furthermore, the Indian cricket maestro stunned one and all by engaging in a session of gully cricket in Uri. He got down from his car as he spotted some kids playing cricket on the road with an empty oil can and a cardboard carton for stumps. He even turned the bat upside down and played with the long handle to give the starstruck young boys a shot at dismissing him.

Who would have imagined, prior to 2019, that such images could be captured in a valley notorious for its horrific scenes of murder and violence?

Srinagar hosts maiden Formula-4 car racing event

Srinagar held its first Formula-4 car racing event in March in an effort to boost tourism and provide more opportunities for young people in the area. Professional Formula-4 drivers from all over the country participated and impressed the audience with their impressive performances and entertained them for almost four hours. Fans gathered in droves to see the exhilarating competition and many took advantage of the chance to interact with experienced drivers after the event. The latter provided advice to young people looking to get into motorsports.

Authorities made sure that attendees had a flawless experience by carefully organizing everything, including the setup of the track, the deployment of medical professionals to boost safety and a strong security system as sleek race cars thundered across a 1.7-kilometre course that stretched from Lalit Ghat on the banks of Dal Lake to the city’s Nehru Park.

The Federation of Motorsports Clubs of India, a member of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), arranged the inaugural event of its sort in the Kashmir Valley. Prime Minister Modi also expressed that the occasion will further highlight Jammu and Kashmir’s splendid scenery.

The Tourism Department facilitated the partnership between Formula-4 and the Indian Racing League which resulted in the event as a major step in demonstrating the region’s potential in motorsports. The race, according to its organisers, was about more than just rivalry and speed, it was also about unity and resiliency and urged the young people in the region to pursue careers in Formula-4 racing and enhance Kashmir’s growing motorsport presence. They voiced, “It goes beyond the usual motive. The event was grand and historic. Formula-4 will be an addition to the adventure in Kashmir.” Officials pointed out that the purpose of the event was to familiarize the valley with the culture of Formula-4, as motorsports has been growing in popularity there.

From a history of strife to the sound of engines, from young people gathering to throwing stones to youth lining the charming Boulevard road at the base of the Zabarwan mountain range to watch racing events, Kashmir has indeed come a long way.

Kashmir hosts G-20 meeting

The Indian government hosted over 100 meetings throughout the nation while it took on the G20 presidency in 2023. Furthermore, a working group meeting of the international forum was held in Kashmir from 22nd to 24th May at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar. The development grabbed a lot of attention since it was the first time in Kashmir’s history that representatives from so many different nations were present in the region, which had spent decades under the shadow of terrorism funded by Pakistan.

Enthusiastic delegates took pictures in traditional Kashmiri attire. (Source: Greater Kashmir)

A general strike in Srinagar would have been expected in the past in response to an incident of this magnitude, but according to MoS Jitendra Singh, people are now “going about with their activity.” He mentioned, “Jammu and Kashmir has moved on, the common man has moved on. He’s seen two generations of Kashmiris being sacrificed on the altar of Pak-sponsored terrorism, he’s no longer in the mood to succumb to that.” Jitendra Singh highlighted positive transformations in the Valley and noted, “It is indeed a moment of rejuvenation, a moment of reincarnation.”

The delegates had a “Shikara” boat trip on Dal Lake and visited other picturesque locations in Srinagar including the Nishat Mughal Garden and the 18-hole Royal Spring Golf Course. They also did some shopping at Polo View Market, the city’s all-pedestrian marketplace. They showed keen interest in the regional handicrafts and purchased some to bring home as mementoes of their exciting trip to the valley. A few of the local handicrafts that drew their interest were walnut wood carvings, Pashmina shawls, and papier-mache pieces, among others.

Tourism boom and influx of foreign investment in Kashmir

The G20 Tourism Working Group meeting and the Miss Universe press conference were just two of the major international events that the valley hosted in 2023 as part of the government’s ambitious plan to establish Kashmir as a global tourism hub which was followed by the first-ever Formula-4 (F4) automobile racing competition. Mercedes-Benz’s electric car also made its premiere in Gulmarg and many such events will be observed in the future, according to J&K tourism agency representatives. Furthermore, throughout the past few years, films featuring stunning landscapes from Jammu and Kashmir have been shot, reflecting the region’s allure and charm. This cinematic embrace and the government’s coordinated efforts to promote stability have been crucial in bringing the tourism industry back to life.

Image via CNBC TV18

Diversification became prominent as a crucial tactic, with a focus on marketing isolated and rural locations that enhance visitor experiences while accentuating the area’s natural and cultural heritage. Notably, border tourism underwent a notable uptick as a result of the army and tourism authorities working together to provide travellers with immersive and safe experiences. Greater peace and order has a noticeable effect on the local economy, based on the tourism-dependent business owners who credit it with aiding their ventures.

The first foreign direct investment (FDI) for the Union Territory was initiated by the creators of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, last year with their ambitious and intended multipurpose tower and retail mall on the outskirts of Srinagar. Around 10,000 employment opportunities are expected to be created in the Kashmir Valley as a result of the Rs 500 crore project. Moreover, bids totalling Rs 50,000 crore are being processed, while investment projects worth Rs 10,000 crore are being carried out in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Union Territory has received proposals worth Rs 84,544 crore till 2023 in as many as 42 industrial sectors in nearly three years after the Jammu and Kashmir administration launched a new industrial policy in January 2021.

Major decline in terror incidents

Modi government informed the Parliament in December of last year that there has been a notable decline in terror occurrences in Jammu and Kashmir over the last six years, with 2023 recording all-time low figures. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai stated that the government has a “zero tolerance against terrorism and its approach is to dismantle the terror ecosystem” in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. He unveiled, “There were 42 terrorist-initiated incidents in Jammu and Kashmir till November 15 this year. In 2022, 125 such incidents were recorded in the region, 129 were recorded in 2021, 126 in 2020, 153 in 2019 and 228 in 2018.”

The minister added, “Due to this, there was also a reduction in civilian casualties resulting from terror incidents. The toll this year has been 13 so far, while 31 civilians were killed last year, preceded by 41 in 2021, 38 in 2020, 44 in 2019 and 55 in 2018. Rai also informed the Parliament that 44 gunfights between militants and security personnel took place in Jammu and Kashmir this year, as compared to 117 last year, 100 in 2021, 118 in 2020, 102 in 2019 and 189 in 2018. The toll of security personnel killed in action has also declined. This year, 20 security personnel lost their lives in terror incidents, as compared to 32 in 2022, 42 in 2021, 63 in 2020, 80 in 2019 and 91 in 2018.”

Record voting percentage in Kashmir

The Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, which was previously infamous for its high levels of terrorism reached a historic milestone by recording its highest-ever voter participation during the ongoing Lok Sabha election. The seat, where the first parliamentary polls were held here in 1967, recorded a healthy turnout of 59 per cent in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections. The Baramulla Lok Sabha seat reached its highest voter participation in 1984, with 59.10% of the vote cast. The achievement was also lauded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

With a commendable 37.99% of votes cast in the districts of Srinagar, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Budgam, and partly Shopian, the fourth round of voting for the 18th general elections ended peacefully. Chief Election Officer, Pandurang K Pole stated, “The corresponding percentage for the last Lok Sabha election in 2019 was 14.43 per cent. This time, there was no boycott and no polling station recorded zero per cent or nil voting which speaks of people’s firm trust in the democratic system as imperative for their overall welfare.”

He attributed the significant increase in the polling percentage to several factors, including the enhanced security and law and order situation over the past four to five years, the mobilization of 24 candidates and political parties, the implementation of election awareness campaigns by the CEO office and Deputy Commissioners through SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) activities, and, especially, the strong belief among people that voting can lead to sustainable development.

Image via Business Standard

Voter turnout in the notoriously low-voting constituencies of Srinagar and Baramulla was 38.49% and 59.10%, respectively, for the first time in decades. The greater voter turnout was credited by Home Minister Amit Shah to the revocation of Article 370, and he asserted that it was a “befitting reply” to concerns about what had changed following the centre’s decision in August 2019.

Conclusion

Repeating the words of Shehla Rashid, “I have not changed. Things have changed,” who once was a significant voice of the anti-Modi camp and rebuked the government on all its actions. Even the most vocal opponents of the Modi government were compelled to modify their views after witnessing the resurgence of Kashmir. Kashmir has indeed undergone a massive transformation for the better. While its other half “Azad Kashmir” is enduring brutal oppression at the hands of its administrators merely for seeking basic rights and needs, the Indian side is flourishing and making giant strides on the path of historical achievements and development.

The success story of Kashmir has spread across the world, reaching even India’s hostile neighbours. People in Pakistan-Occupied-Jammu and Kashmir are now also expressing a desire to join Indian Kashmir and raising the tricolour as they show their contempt and anger towards the administration. Kashmir now represents a positive symbol of a transforming, resilient and advancing India.

Activist Medha Patkar convicted in defamation case filed by Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena, suit was filed over her allegations in 2006

OpIndia Staff
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Activist Medha Patkar convicted in defamation case filed by Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena, suit was filed over her allegations in 2006

A Delhi Court on Friday convicted activist Medha Patkar in a defamation case filed by Delhi LG VK Saxena. Saxena had filed the defamation case against the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) leader for making derogatory remarks against him on a TV channel and issuing a defamatory press statement against him.

Medha Patkar and Vinai Kumar Saxena are involved in a legal battel since 2000, after Patkar filed a case against him for publishing ads against her and Narmada Bachao Andolan. At that time, Saxena was the chief of Ahmedabad-based NGO National Council for Civil Liberties. At the same time, Saxena filed two defamation lawsuits against her over her comments against him.

The defamation suit was filed in response to Medha Patkar’s statements in April 2006. In a panel discussion on a news channel, Patkar had alleged that Saxena received civil contracts from Gujarat-based Sardar Sarovar Nigam, which manages the Sardar Sarovar Dam. The allegation was denied by Saxena.

After her comments, Sardar Sarovar Nigam Ltd wrote to Gujarat Police denying her charges. They stated that Saxena never applied to the Nigam for the award of any civil contract and/or for any supply contract in the past, nor the Nigam ever gave any civil or any other contract to him or to his NGO.

After years of hearing, Metropolitan Magistrate Raghav Sharma found Medha Patkar guilty of criminal defamation.

In July 2018, the Delhi court had framed defamation charges against Patkar in the case filed by VK Saxena, who was the Khadi Village and Industries Commission (KVIC) Chairman at that time. While framing the charges, the court had said, “Prima facie case is made out against the accused for the offences.”

Earlier in 2017, the court had slapped a fine of ₹10,000 for not appearing in the court hearings. The court had warned that her complaint against Saxena would be dismissed if she fails to appear in the court. The imposed the fine after her lawyers told the court that she couldn’t appear in the court because she was on a hunger strike in Madhya Pradesh.

‘There is an international Khan Market gang as well’: Dr Jaishankar on anti-India ecosystem operating abroad with domestic support

ANI
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‘There is an international Khan Market gang as well’: Dr Jaishankar on anti-India ecosystem operating abroad with domestic support

Taking a swipe at the anti-India ecosystem over their ‘negative’ portrayal of India, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that just like the ‘Khan Market Gang’ in India, there is also a global extension of it, like the ‘International Khan Market Gang’.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Jaishankar said, “In the country today, there is a certain thought process, or entitlement process, which the metaphor of ‘Khan Market Gang’ is a very good description. I want to tell you there is an international Khan Market Gang as well.”

“These are people, who are sort of linked to entitled people out here. They are socially comfortable with them, they know them, they feel like them,” he added.

Further taking a jibe at the anti-India ecosystem, the EAM said, “The sales are down in the domestic Khan Market, the international Khan Market Gang feels like ‘I need to pep up these guys and give them support’.”

On being asked about the Prajwal Revanna case; why the former JD(S) leader’s passport was not impounded and why was he allowed to leave, Jaishankar said that the Ministry of External Affairs got a request from the Karnataka government only on May 21 and MEA has to function only as per the law.

“The MEA got the request from Karnataka only on 21st May…people were saying a lot of things to the press. I don’t know how others, other state governments, function, we at least in MEA function as per the law,” he added.

Regarding the claim of Opposition parties that BJP will be ‘Dakshin mein saaf aur Uttar mein half’ (rout in the South, and half in the North), Jaishankar exuded confidence in the Modi government’s return to power with an even bigger majority.

“For us (BJP), it would be dakshin mein double (twice in South), and for the Opposition, I would say uttar mein even more trouble,” he stated.

He also rebuffed the allegations by Congress and other Opposition parties that the BJP government is “against the Constitution”, highlighting that it was the Congress party under whose rule, around 80 amendments were made to the Constitution.

“Constitution does not provide for faith-based reservation. You are actually implementing and advancing faith-based reservations, and then you are saying I have respect for Constitution…this is against the Constitution….80-odd amendments were done to the Constitution by whom, by the Congress party,” Jaishankar further added.

Catch the entire podcast of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at ANI YouTube channel.

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

Skinned, bones shattered and minced flesh disposed of across Kolkata: Chilling details of Bangladeshi MP Anwarul Azim Anwar’s murder

OpIndia Staff
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Skinned, bones shattered and minced flesh disposed of across Kolkata: Chilling details of Bangladeshi MP Anwarul Azim Anwar’s murder

Anwarul Azim Anwar, a Member of Parliament from Bangladesh, who was found dead in Kolkata was subjected to horrific violence, a report published in India Today citing sources within the West Bengal Crime Investigation Department (CID) said. Before being disposed of throughout the city, he was skinned and his bones were shattered. These gruesome details came to light following the arrest of a suspect by the CID team.

The suspect, identified as Jihad Hawladar, allegedly a skilled butcher from Barakpur in Bangladesh’s Khulna district, had been residing illegally in Mumbai. Reportedly, he was recruited for the crime by Akhtaruzzaman, a friend of the Awami League MP and a US citizen. The murder took place in Akhtaruzzaman’s rented accommodation in Kolkata, where Hawladar had arrived approximately two months prior, according to CID sources.

The report also stated that Hawladar, who was residing in a hotel close to Kolkata airport, received a portion of the Rs 5 crore that Akhtaruzzaman reportedly invested in orchestrating the murder of the Bangladeshi MP.

During interrogation, Hawladar admitted to his involvement in the murder alongside four other Bangladeshi nationals, stating that they suffocated the MP at an apartment located in Kolkata’s New Town area. He asserted that they carried out the killing under the directives of Akhtaruzzaman.

According to CID sources, they proceeded to skin the entire body within the apartment and then minced the flesh to erase the victim’s identity. Subsequently, they broke the bones into fragments and packaged them in multiple plastic bags. The perpetrators then utilized various modes of transportation to travel to different parts of Kolkata, where they disposed of the packets.

The last sighting of the Bangladesh MP was when he entered the flat in New Town. Authorities had previously disclosed that the apartment was rented to the MP’s acquaintance by its owner, an employee of the excise department.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister, Asaduzzaman Khan, has confirmed the tragic demise of the MP who disappeared from Kolkata on May 13. He stated that three individuals have been apprehended in connection with the case, but the victim’s body has yet to be located.

The three-time Bangladeshi MP had reportedly travelled to Kolkata on May 12 for medical treatment. Initially, he stayed at the residence of his family friend, Gopal Biswas, who resides in Baranagar, north Kolkata.

On May 13, Anwarul Anwar departed from Biswas’s residence to consult a doctor. However, there has been no contact with the MP since May 17, prompting Biswas to lodge a missing person report a day later.

Modi government empowering women: Read about how PM Modi has ushered economic development and health-related improvement in the lives of women

Debraj B
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Modi government empowering women: Read about how PM Modi has ushered economic development and health-related improvement in the lives of women

MK Gandhi famously said – “If by strength is meant moral power, then woman is immeasurably man’s superior.” Women empowerment and gender equality have been priorities for nations, developed and developing alike. Of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals propounded by the UN, that form part of its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Goal mentions that – ‘Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.’    

Guiding principles 

American Indologist Edwin Bryant, whose landmark work around Yoga and Sutras are acclaimed the world over, talks in ‘Krishna: A Sourcebook’ of the reverence accorded to women in Hinduism. Chapter 18 mentions – “Nowhere in the panorama of world religious traditions, from ancient times to the present, do we find such a strong presence of the feminine voice within the divinity as we do in the Hindu complex of religion”. Vedic literature profoundly espouses the reverence for feminism. In the 10th Chapter of Rigveda, Devīsūktam propounds that the feminine is the supreme principle behind all of the cosmos. 

The same guiding principles have pivoted present-day Central government to focus on ‘Nari Shakti’ across all walks of life. Women empowerment as envisioned by Centre can be bucketed under a few distinct heads:

  • Economic empowerment of women 
  • Health and infrastructural provisions 
  • Quality education for girl child 
  • Social progress of women

In this first of a two-part series, I will focus on the former two viz. Economic empowerment and health-related improvements for women and girl child, and how India has seen steady advancements in these over the past 10 years.  

Economic empowerment

Few notable schemes have helped women in this regard.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): This was launched in 2015 to encourage skill development via free short-duration skill training and incentivise this through monetary rewards for skill certification. This successful scheme has seen over 59 lakh women getting trained from 2015 to 20222. Not just training, 12.51 lakh women candidates have been employed under this scheme from 2015 to 2023. A positive testament to this is borne by the fact that e-shram portal has registered 2.67 crore domestic and household women workers. A notable fallout of this has been, the female labor participation rate has increased to 37% in 2022-23.   

1. PM Jan Dhan Yojana: This is one of the largest financial inclusion initiatives in the world, with 52.20 Crore beneficiaries banked so far since its launch in 2014, and INR 231,154.51 Crore balance created in beneficiary accounts. Out of 52.20 Crore beneficiaries thus far, 29.03 Crore are female. This means, that around 55.6% of beneficiaries of this landmark Direct Benefit Transfer program happen to be women. This, augmented by the fact that 13 lakh banking touchpoints have been mapped on the GIS-based Jan Dhan Darshak App, makes ease of access to banking for our women force easier and less tedious.

2. PM Mudra Yojana (PMMY): This is a flagship scheme launched by PM on April 8, 2015, for providing micro-credit/loans up to INR 10 Lakhs to income-generating micro-enterprises, facilitated by Member Lending Institutions (MLIs), that include PSBs, Private sector banks, MFIs, NBFCs, and others. For FY 2023-24, a total of INR 532358.35 Crore had been disbursed, out of which INR 222297.27 Crore was disbursed to women entrepreneurs. More than 69% of the beneficiaries under this scheme were women. This has significantly enhanced access to collateral-free institutional credit for women, aiding directly in their empowerment. Notably, NPAs in PMMY have reduced significantly from 3.17% in March 2022 to 2.68% in June 2023.

3. Udyam Sakhi Portal: To foster women’s empowerment, Udyam Sakhi is a network that was created to boost financial entrepreneurship, innovative business models, and access to finance for women. As of 2023, around 6 lakh women-owned MSMEs have turned into reality. Over 1.45 lakh women MSMEs have fulfilled 7.32 lakh orders amounting to INR 15,922 Crore through the Government e-marketplace.

4. PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi): This scheme aims to provide collateral-free working capital loans of up to INR 10,000 for one year tenure, to approximately 50 lakh street vendors. The 1st loan target up to March 2024 had been set at INR 74,96,503, and 43% of street vendors covered under this scheme are women.   

5. Mahila Samman Savings Certificate Scheme: In her budget speech 2023-24, FM Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate Scheme, which will offer a maximum deposit limit of INR 2 Lakh in the name of women or girls. This is provided for 2 years of maturity duration, with a fixed interest rate of 7.5% pa. To date, around 14 lakh Mahila Samman Savings Certificate Accounts have been opened.  

6. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY): This is a small deposit scheme launched by the Ministry of Finance, exclusively for a girl child. Inaugurated by Hon. PM on 22nd January 2015 as part of the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign, this scheme encourages parents to build a fund for the education of their girl child, as well as to meet marriage expenses. SSY accounts offer an 8.2% interest rate, and the maturity period is 21 years. As of February 2024, more than 3.77 Crore accounts had been registered, and more than INR 2.13 Lakh croredeposited.11

Lakhpati Didi Yojana: This is a self-help group member with an annual household income exceeding INR 1 Lakh. They inspire not only through financial independence but by adopting sustainable livelihood practices too. Through SHG, 1 crore+ women have become Lakhpati Didis. 1000 drones were distributed under Namo Drone Didi, and INR 7.68 Lakh Crore loans have been distributed under National Rural Livelihood Mission11.    

Health and infrastructure: A few snippets of information will set the stage for this conversation better.

Utilization of maternal health services improved substantially between 2005-06 and 2019-20, as evidenced by National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data. 

Access to health facilities for giving birth has gone up remarkably over past 10 years. 

Sex ratio at birth (SRB), which is number of girls for every 1000 boys, notched up steadily from 918 in 2015 to 934 in 2022.

These have been possible owing to a few schemes that were introduced by the Centre. 

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) – This flagship program aims to reduce maternal mortality among pregnant women by encouraging them to deliver in Gov health facilities. As of date, more than 8.55 Cr women have benefited under this program. One key outcome that has been witnessed is a sharp decline in Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), from 130/lakh in 2014 to 97/lakh in 2020.

Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK): JSSK entitles all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions to absolutely free and no-expense delivery, including Caesarian section. Free drugs and consumables, free diet, free provisions of blood, and free to-and-fro transportation from home to health institution and back – are features of this scheme. Newborn Care Corners (NBCCs) were established to provide essential newborn care at points of delivery, while for sick newborns, Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) were started across the country. 

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA): This scheme was launched to provide fixed-day assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care to all pregnant women (in the 2nd and 3rd trimester), on the 9th of every month. As of date, 20,752 facilities nationwide are providing PMSMA services, with 6,813 volunteers registered.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): This is a Centrally sponsored DBT scheme, with cash incentives of INR 5000, being provided directly to bank/post office accounts of pregnant women and lactating mothers. As of 15.07.2022, more than 2.89 crore beneficiaries have been enrolled, and INR 11,217.39 Crore disbursed under this scheme.    

The improvement in prenatal care for mothers aged 15-49 with alive children, and basic immunizations for children, have been remarkable over the past 10 years.

A key tenet of the BJP-led Centre has been to transition from a ‘Women-centric development’ to a ‘Women-led development’. As part of this mission, Interim Budget 2024-25 saw a substantial increase of the Gender Budget by 38.6% over 2023-24. This is also a whopping 218% increase over UPA’s allocation in 2013-14. 

Way forward

On 13th March 2024, UNDP came out with their Human Development Report 2023/2024. The Gender Inequality Index (GII) 2022 saw India ranked at 108 out of 193 countries, a jump of 14 notches over the 2021 ranking (122 out of 191 countries). Over the last 10 years, India’s rank has slowly yet steadily improved, up from 127 in 2014. This has been possible due to a razor-sharp focus on improving the condition of women and girl children through policy initiatives, around socio-economic and political development. 

“Women hold up half the sky” famously said former CCP Chairman Mao Zedong. As India’s skies open up to a glorious trove of opportunities, courtesy a set of bold and pragmatic decisions by the Central government over the past 10 years, women are taking wings in ways one could barely imagine a decade back. And, in the process, they are turning out to be the true harbinger of India’s Viksit Bharat dream of 2047!

Mamata govt to approach higher court after Calcutta HC cancels OBC certificates over the inclusion of 77 classes of Muslims in the backward category list

OpIndia Staff
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Mamata govt to approach higher court after Calcutta HC cancels OBC certificates over the inclusion of 77 classes of Muslims in the backward category list

On Friday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared that her administration will seek a higher court’s intervention to overturn the Calcutta High Court’s decision to revoke all OBC certificates issued in the state since 2010.

During an election rally in Sagar, South 24 Parganas district, Banerjee stated that the government would file an appeal with the higher court after the summer break.

“We do not accept the ruling that nullified OBC certificates. We will challenge it in a higher court after the summer vacation,” Banerjee announced.

The Calcutta High Court had ruled on Wednesday that the OBC status granted to various classes in West Bengal since 2010 was illegal, igniting a political controversy amid the Lok Sabha elections. The court noted that including 77 classes of Muslims in the backward categories list was an attempt to use them as a vote bank.

Banerjee also appealed to voters to support the TMC and reject the BJP and other parties, stressing the need for the INDIA bloc to form a government at the Centre.

On Wednesday (22nd May), the Calcutta High Court cancelled an estimated 5 lakh Other Backward Classes (OBC) certificates issued by the Mamata Banerjee-led-Trinamool Congress government since 2011.

Following the verdict, Mamata Banerjee has announced to not follow the verdict of the Calcutta High Court and continue to grant OBC reservations to groups that are now invalid.

“I don’t accept Calcutta HC’s verdict. OBC reservation will continue as it is,” the West Bengal Chief Minister was quoted as saying by the West Bengal CM.

In June 2023, the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) found that Rohingyas and illegal Bangladeshi immigrants had received Other Backward Classes (OBC) certificates in West Bengal.

NCBC also found that there were more Muslim OBC castes in the state compared to Hindus (although the latter constitute the majority in West Bengal).

NCBC chief Hansraj Gangaram Ahir informed that 118 out of 179 castes, which were granted OBC status in West Bengal, belong to the Muslim community. The matter came to light during field surveys conducted between February and May 2023.

Nupur Sharma murder conspiracy: More terrorists apprehended after Maulvi Sohail’s arrest, Pakistani links emerge

OpIndia Staff
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Nupur Sharma murder conspiracy: More terrorists apprehended after Maulvi Sohail’s arrest, Pakistani links emerge

Many more terrorists who were living in India and working for Pakistan were apprehended following the interrogation of Maulvi (Islamic scholar/cleric) Sohail Abu Bakar Timol, a terrorist who was recently caught in Surat, Gujarat. Now, one such terrorist by the name of Abu Bakar, who worked as a carpenter, was caught by the Surat Crime Branch in Rajasthan’s Bikaner. The authorities produced him before the court on 23rd May, which led to several shocking revelations. The court has now remanded him for 7 days.

Notably, he was a Hindu named Ashoka but converted to Islam after he met a Pakistani girl on social media who seduced him to change his religion under the pretext of marriage. Afterwards, he came in contact with Maulvi Sohail and started threatening Hindu leaders along with planning attacks on them at the behest of the Pakistani handler. It was further disclosed that the former was luring other Hindu youths to marry Pakistani girls and honey-trapping them. He eventually converted them and also involved them in anti-Hindu activities.

The police investigation has found more than 40 Pakistani numbers from Abu Bakar’s mobile, which he used to threaten Hindu leaders and was in constant contact with his Pakistani handler.

Co-accused arrested from Nepal has dual citizenship

Another man named Mohammad Ali from Muzaffarpur in Bihar was also arrested recently in this case, and many startling disclosures came to light during his interrogation. He was unveiled to be a dual citizen of India and Nepal. He was questioned about the same, and cops even travelled to the neighbouring country for inquiry.

Maulvi Sohail and his followers were using Pakistani numbers to threaten Hindu leaders like Sunil Rajput, Updesh Rana, Ishaan Sharma, Kuldeep Soni, Nupur Sharma and even Shabnam Sheikh, who went to Ayodhya to visit Ram Mandir. The police, in their statement, divulged that they are also looking at the terror funding angle in this matter.

Gujarat Police arrested 27-year-old Maulvi Sohail Abu Bakar Timol from Surat on 4th May. He is accused of conspiring to kill suspended Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Nupur Sharma, party MLA from Hyderabad’s Goshamahal T Raja Singh, Sudarshan News editor-in-chief Suresh Chavhanke, and Sanatan Sangh national chairman as well as social media activist Updesh Rana. The Maulvi considered them ‘gustakh’ (blasphemers). He maintained contact with supervisors living in Pakistan and Nepal to execute his nefarious plans. He was also using a foreign SIM card to evade security agencies. Now, further revelations are expected during his interrogation.

PM Modi’s big reveal on how Congress benefitted from Rajiv Gandhi’s death, how the ECI flouted rules and postponed entire polling process instead of just his seat

Shraddha Pandey
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PM Modi’s big reveal on how Congress benefitted from Rajiv Gandhi’s death, how the ECI flouted rules and postponed entire polling process instead of just his seat

On the 23rd of May, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress recalling the 1991 Lok Sabha elections after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge recently said that the BJP is not providing a “level playing field” in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls. Kharge in a PTI interview asked why opposition leaders including JMM’s Hemant Soren and AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal were arrested during elections. The Congress party recently accused the Election Commission of inclining towards the BJP.

In an interview with IndiaTV, the Prime Minister responded to the Congress party’s allegations pertaining to the “level playing field”. PM Modi while rejecting the allegations recalled the 1991 Lok Sabha elections. PM Modi recalled how the then-Chief Election Commissioner TN Seshan postponed polling across the country for 22 days after Congress leader Rajiv Gandhi was killed in Sriperumbudur on the 21st of May 1991, with only one round of voting conducted. The elections were postponed until mid-June, and voting resumed on 12 and 15 June.

It is notable here that Rajiv Gandhi was not even the PM at that time, but a Congress leader and a candidate for the Lok Sabha elections.

“Was that a level-playing field? Normally, when a candidate dies, the election in his constituency is adjourned and conducted on a later date. However, in 1991, election across the country was postponed, Congress was provided 21-22 days, and polling dates were given only after the funeral of Rajiv Gandhi and his ashes were toured across the country, what level playing field was it? And later he [the then-CEC TN Seshan] fought against [Lal Krishna] Advani ji on a Congress ticket,” PM Modi said.

“You [Congress] are talking about the election commission. And that’s why the justice being done will not seem a level playing field to Congress since they have so far taken the benefit of special category and favours…” the Prime Minister added.

How the Election Commission facilitated Congress’s poll campaign after Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination

While the Election Commission of that time should have cancelled the polling on the Amethi seat from where Rajiv Gandhi was contesting, the ECI postponed the elections across the country flouting the rules. Thus, giving ample time to the Congress party to benefit from the sympathy wave across the country.

Such was Congress’s hold on the ‘system’ that the ECI cancelled the Lok Sabha election entirely instead of just in Amethi when Rajiv Gandhi was no longer the Prime Minister. At that time, Gandhi was just a Congress candidate contesting against BJP’s Ravindra Pratap Singh.

The exit polls of that time also suggest how Rajiv Gandhi’s death generated a sympathy wave in favour of Congress and the postponement of elections by the ECI allowed a window for the party to encash the outpouring of sympathy. Media reports from 1991 show the dramatic surge in voter turnout and swing towards the Congress. 211 seats were polled before Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination and 332 seats after. The Congress(I) lost 5.7% of the vote in the first round of voting in May but gained 1.6% in the second round in June. Conspicuously, the assassination played a significant role in enhancing Congress(I) voter turnout.

Source: IndiaToday

After Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination by LTTE terrorists, Bihar’s 6% swing against the Congress(I) in the first phase turned into a 1.8% swing in its support in the second phase. In Madhya Pradesh, turnout increased from 42% to 49%, and the Congress(I) gained more than 4%. Rajasthan had the most dramatic shift in Congress(I) fortunes between the two rounds of voting. From a minor 2% swing in its favour, the Congress(I) saw a tremendous 14% swing in the June round.

The Congress with its allies won 256 seats with 38.1% of the vote, followed by the Third Front with 133 seats (27.1%). The BJP and its allies with 124 seats (20.9%). Congress received the highest 36.4% vote share followed by BJP, Janata Dal, CPM, and so on.

Partywise vote share percentage in 1991 Lok Sabha elections (Source: IndiaVotes)

CEC TN Sheshan and Rajiv Gandhi

It is pertinent to note that the then-Chief Election Commissioner TN Seshan was very close to Rajiv Gandhi. In his autobiography “Through the Broken Glass” Seshan talked about having been friends with Rajiv Gandhi. He had even advised Rajiv Gandhi to include former PMs and their families as protectees when the SPG Act (1988-89) was being drafted. Later, in 1999, TN Seshan contested on a Congress ticket against BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani from the Gandhinagar seat and lost.

The Congress party is now lamenting about “level playing field”, just because it is not them “controlling” the playing field anymore. While complaining about the arrest of Hemant Soren and Arvind Kejriwal, who are out on bail for the election campaign, it should reflect on its own past conduct when the Gandhi family and the Congress party used the ‘system’ in their favour at their whims. While the Congress is accusing the ECI now of “not fulfilling its constitutional duty, was it ECI’s constitutional duty to countermand elections across the country instead of doing the same on just Amethi seat after Rajiv Gandhi’s killing?

PM when asked about the timing of the arrest and subsequent incarceration of Hemant Soren arrested in connection to an alleged land scam and Arvind Kejriwal who was arrested over his alleged role in the Delhi liquor scam, said that the two opposition leaders were sent to jail by courts. “We did not send them to jail. The courts sent the two chief ministers to jail. We do not have the power to send someone to jail or keep anybody in jail. Only courts have the powers. Look at what the Supreme Court said,” PM Modi said.

Notably, On 22nd May, the Supreme Court refused to entertain Soren’s plea challenging his arrest saying that Soren was pursuing parallel remedies by submitting this bail application while also appealing the HC ruling on the legal validity of the arrest.

Interestingly, much like the EVM-VVPAT blame game, the  Congress party’s attacks on the Election Commission accusing it of being biased only reflects the party’s frustration and fear of failing to defeat the BJP-led NDA.

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