Earlier this week, Radheshyam Pathak, a Hindu priest from UP’s Kushinagar, was brutally hacked to death by miscreants over a political debate that turned violent. Shubham Sharma, journalist and founder of Neo Politico, recently visited the village and met with the family members of the deceased to understand the details of the gory incident that led to the priest’s bloodcurdling murder.
According to the victim’s wife, a group of men supporting the Bahujan Samaj Party, killed her husband after their son said he would be voting for the BJP in the current elections.ย
Wife of Pujari is crying on camera and begging for justice. He was chopped with sharp weapons. The injuries on the body of Pujariโs daughter show the hatred of the accused against the Brahmins. The accused had also imposed 8-10 cases of the SC-ST act in the village. To humiliateโฆ pic.twitter.com/7TT7pTkqXU
“My husband was killed for supporting the BJP. Those guys from BSP came and thrashed him with sharp weapons,” the woman said while crying inconsolably over the tragedy that befell her family.ย
The woman reportedly said that they were slapped with 8 to 10 fake cases under the SC-ST Act by the accused. Demanding justice for them, the woman sought capital punishment and bulldozer action against the accused responsible for killing her husband.ย
The victim’s daughter, in conversation with Sharma, revealed that the accused attacked her as well when she had rushed in to save her father from a murderous mob raining iron rods on her father. “My father was mortally injured in the attack. From neck to the eyes, back, wrist, arms, and legs, they had brutally assaulted my father with iron rods and sharp weapons. They attacked me when I tried to intervene and protect him,” the lady said.ย
The background of the incident
An elderly man named Radheshyam Pathak was brutallyย killedย after a political debate turned violent in Uttar Pradeshโs Kushinagar. According toย reports, Shambhu Chaudhary and his three accomplices are accused of the murder. The family members of the deceased, who rushed to save Pathakโs life, were also brutally assaulted. The police have registered an FIR against a total of 4 accused and initiated an investigation. The incident occurred on Friday (10th May 2024).
According to reports, the incident took place in the Nebua Naurangiya Police Station area of Kushinagar. On Friday, some people were sitting under the shade of a tree near a temple in the Baghapurna village. They were discussing the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. According to the family members of the deceased, during this time, Shambhu Chaudhary and the people present with him talked about voting for the Bahujan Samaj Party. Amit Pathak, who was also present there, advocated voting for the Bharatiya Janata Party.
This led to a heated debate between both sides. It is alleged that Shambhu got enraged at the thought of voting for the BJP andย said, โMain jise kahunga, use vote dena padega.โ (Translation โ You will have to vote for whom I tell you to vote)
Some people intervened and calmed down the situation, sending both parties back to their respective homes. It is alleged that on the same night, Shambhu Chaudhary, along with some of his accomplices, reached Amit Pathakโs house. After reaching there, the accused first verbally abused the victims and then started mercilessly beating the entire family. The accused also assaulted Amitโs 55-year-old father Radheshyam Pathak and his 21-year-old sister Ritu. Hearing the commotion, people started gathering there.ย
Two separate incidents of ‘Gharwapsi’ have been reported from Uttar Pradeshโs Bareilly and Moradabad districts, where Muslim girls married Hindu youths after adopting Hinduism, leaving Islam. Notably, in Bareilly, Farhana, a native of Rampur, changed her name to Pallavi after embracing Hinduism. Similarly, Moradabad resident Nargis changed her name to Mansi. Both of them stated that they had faith in the Hindu religion for a long time and declared themselves free from the fear of Triple Talaq and Halala.ย ย ย
According to media reports, the first case is from the Shahi area of Bareilly. On Tuesday (14th May), Farhana, a resident of Rampur, arrived at the Agatsya Muni Ashram in Bareilly with her Hindu lover, Dharmaveer. She mentioned that she used to live with her family in Chandigarh, where Dharmaveer, a resident of Bareilly, used to work with his relatives. They met five years ago, and their acquaintance soon developed into a love affair. Eventually, they decided to marry; however, Farhana’s family was against this relationship.
At the Agatsya Muni Ashram, she brought all the necessary documents and urged Pandit KK Shankhdhar to perform rituals for her Gharwapsi and marriage with Dharmaveer, asserting that she is an adult. Upon her request, a Shudhikaran ritual was conducted for Farhanaโs Gharwapsi, and after embracing Sanatan Dharma, she adopted the name Pallavi. Following Vedic rituals, she entered into a marital union with her lover, Dharamaveer. Expressing happiness, she stated that she had faith in the Hindu religion for a long time and declared herself free from the fear of triple talaq and halala.
Gharwapsi in Moradabad, Nargis changes her name to Mansi
The second case pertains to Moradabad district of Uttar Pradesh. According to reports, on Monday (13th May), Nargis arrived at the Arya Samaj temple with her lover Sunil. Asserting that she is an adult, Nargis expressed her desire to marry Sunil. Both of them are residents of the same village and used to work together in the fields. They frequently visited each other’s homes. Within a few days, they entered into a love affair. However, when they expressed their desire to marry, Nargis’s family opposed it.
On Monday, they got married as per Vedic rituals at the Arya Samaj temple in Moradabad. On this occasion, expressing immense happiness, Nargis mentioned that she is now free from triple talaq and halala. Considering Sunil as her lifelong companion, Nargis revealed that she had been inclined towards the Hindu religion since childhood.
Meanwhile, Nargis’s family has filed an FIR against Sunil, accusing him of enticing and eloping with Nargis. She may soon approach the Police and record her statement. Nonetheless, Sunil’s relatives are eagerly awaiting Nargis’s arrival at their home as their daughter-in-law.
Arvind Kejriwal’s comments in an election rally that a vote for the “broom” (Aam Aadmi Party symbol) would ensure that he does not return to jail have come under fire from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Shah called the comment a “clear contempt of the Supreme Court”.
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Amit Shah also asked the judges who pronounced the interim bail judgement of Arvind Kejriwal to check if the order was “used or misused.”
“I believe that this is a clear contempt of the Supreme Court. So what he wants to say is that if he wins, even if he is guilty, the Supreme Court will not send him to jail. Now that judges who pronounced the judgement have to see if their judgement is used or misused,” Amit Shah told ANI.
He also said that many people feel the Supreme Court’s decision granting interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case is akin to him getting special treatment. Amit Shah said that the judgement in the case was not a routine judicial order.
#WATCH | On Supreme Court granting interim bail to Arvind Kejriwal, Union HM Amit Shah says, "…I believe this is not a routine judgement. A lot of people in this country believe that special treatment has been given…"
“Supreme Court has the right to interpret the law, I believe this is not a routine judgement. A lot of people in this country believe that special treatment has been given,” Shah told ANI.
Responding to a query about Kejriwal campaigning for the AAP and the Congress in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the Home Minister took a dig at the Delhi Chief Minister.
“Right now he (Arvind Kejriwal) is stuck in another issue (alleged assault on Swati Maliwal by CM’s aide), let him get free from that then let’s see what happens,” Shah said.
Dismissing Arvind Kejriwal’s claims that the central government installed cameras in Tihar jail to keep a watch on him, the Union Home Minister said that the Tihar jail administration is with the Delhi government.
“Tihar is with them (Delhi government), not with us. They are lying continuously. Jail administration is with the Delhi government, it’s with Kejriwal. Not with the Home Ministry,” Shah said.
The Supreme Court on May 10 granted interim bail to the Aam Aadmi Party supremo in the alleged money laundering case linked to Delhi’s excise policy. The Delhi CM spent over 50 days in Tihar Jail after he was arrested on March 21 this year by the Enforcement Directorate.
As per court order, the bail is applicable till June 1 and Kejriwal has to surrender to the jail authorities on June 2. The Delhi CM can participate in poll campaigning but cannot attend office as Chief Minister.
Responding to Arvind Kejriwal’s recent announcement of ten guarantees to the people, Amit Shah said the AAP leader’s comments need not be taken seriously as the party is contesting only 22 Lok Sabha seats.
“Don’t take him so seriously, he (AAP) is only fighting 22 seats. And he is giving a guarantee for the entire country. I will waive off the electricity bill of people etc. You are only contesting on 22 seats, where will your government come from?” the Home Minister asked.
Speaking on Kejriwal’s allegation that the BJP would go in for a change of leadership within a few months of the 2024 election results Amit Shah said PM Modi would remain the leader till 2029 and beyond. “I want to make it clear again, Modiji will remain till 2029. And Kejriwal ji, there is no good news for you. Even after 2029, Modiji is our leader. We will contest elections under his leadership,” Amit Shah said.
Four phases of Lok Sabha polls have been held and the voting will conclude on June 1 with results on June 4. Voting for Delhi’s seven seats is scheduled to be held on May 25. Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress are fighting the elections in alliance in the national capital with the AAP contesting four and the Congress three seats.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
Amid the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, the opposition leaders united under the leadership of Congress as I.N.D.I.A bloc to collectively face the ruling national party BJP, has engaged in unpleasant political activities by making personal remarks against the family of PM Modi. PM Modi on Tuesday (14th May) filed a nomination for the Varanasi constituency of Uttar Pradesh to seek a third term in power.
However, as the opposition sees itself in a weakening position, it is opting to make despicable remarks against the personal life of PM Modi. In a novel attempt on 15th May 2024, the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference’s Farooq Abdullah made vulgar remarks against the personal life of PM Modi saying that he could not take care of his wife, so he had no right to speak about the children of other communities.
“PM Modi says that Muslims have more kids. He couldn’t take care of his wife; how will he know what bond and respect a child shares with their parents?” Abdullah was quoted as saying. “What do you know how it feels to have kids? You are alone and probably die alone,” he added addressing a public meeting in Tangdar Kupwara.
"Aap apni biwi ko sambhal nahi paye, to aapke bachche kahan se aate?"
Another cheap personal attack on PM Modi & Jashodaben. What a crass politician Farooq Abdullah is! pic.twitter.com/3owMyOTG24
This reportedly comes a day after PM Modi clarified his โthose with more childrenโ remarks. “I am shocked. Who told you that whenever one talks of people with more children, the inference is they are Muslims? Why are you so unjust towards Muslims? This is the situation in poor families too. Where there is poverty, there are more children, irrespective of their social circle. I didnโt mention either Hindu or Muslim. I have said that one should have as many children as you can take care of. Donโt let a situation arise where the government has to take care of your children,” PM Modi said while talking to News 18.
Notably, this is not the first time when any opposition leader has made personal remarks against PM Modi aiming to ‘weaken’ him amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024. Earlier in March this year, RJD’s Lalu Prasad Yadav had intentionally hurt the PM saying that he had no family.
While addressing the I.N.D.I. alliance bloc gathering in Patna, Bihar, the RJD leader had said that PM Modi was not true and that he had no family of his own. “He keeps bragging about the Ram temple. He is not even a true Hindu. In Hindu tradition, a son must shave his head and beard after the death of his parents. Modi did not do so when his mother died,” Yadav said.
After this several BJP leaders including Amit Shah, J P Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Nitin Gadkari, and Anurag Thakur, and veteran BJP leader and former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan added ‘Modi ka Pariwar’ label after their names on social media.
Surprisingly, Jammu Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) Vice President Omar Abdullah criticized comments made by Lalu Prasad Yadav. “I have never been in favour of such slogans and we have never benefited from them. Voters are not influenced by all of this, they want to know how the issues they are facing at present will be resolved… We actually do self-goal or remove the goalkeeper by giving such statements and allow PM Modi to score a goal,” Omar Abdullah son of Farooq Abdullah said.
Earlier, in the year 2022, AAP leader Gopal Italia had also used abusive words for PM Modi’s mother calling her ‘nautankibaz’ among other more abusive words. Also recently, the DMK leader had hurled abuses at PM Modi and his family during one of the election campaigns.
— Alok Bhatt (Modi Ka Parivar) (@alok_bhatt) March 23, 2024
Further, PM Modi’s mother was also abused by the Congress leaders in the year 2019 when the latter asked who Modi’s actual father was. Listing the abuses hurled by Congress leaders at him, PM Modi slammed the party and its puppets for comparing him to totalitarian figures like Hitler, Gaddafi and Mussolini.
“They even abused my mother and asked who my father was. Those who talk about chopping me into pieces, Congress has given them election tickets and increased their morale because they want to chop Modi into pieces. But see the fun of democracy in a large country. No one is questioning them,” he was quoted as saying.
It is crucial to note that the opposition leaders are moving to make personal remarks against PM Modi and are trying to ‘irk’ him by making deliberately controversial remarks to weaken the political power and support of the leader amid the Lok Sabha elections. Recently, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee who has been criticizing Modi for years said that she wished to cook food for Modi but had no idea whether he would accept food cooked by her.
In the given case, the leaders who have moved to make direct remarks against PM Modi, Farooq Abdullah, and Lalu Prasad Yadav presumably believe that PM Modi is alone and has no family around him. However, PM Modi who dedicated his entire life to serving the people of India says that he is not alone and that the 140 crore population of the country is his family.
After being attacked by the opposition leaders over his family, PM Modi said that opposition leaders didn’t even think before abusing him, his mother, or his family and then claimed that he was a dictator or fascist.
PM Modi at present is one of the top constitutional functionalities and as per the Supreme Court rule, nobody in this democracy, even the opposition leaders cannot insult the CM or PM of the country just because he/she is not from a particular political party.
Despite this, several leaders from various opposition parties including Congress, RJD, TMC, DMK, AAP, etc continue to target PM Modi, insult him, and make deliberately abusive remarks against him. The matter shall be looked deeply into by the relevant authorities as parties claiming that India is no longer democratic since PM Modi came to power, are themselves insulting democracy by not respecting the dignity of the topmost constitutional functionalities of India.
With the latest ‘biwiย bachche’ย jibe against the Prime Minister, the opposition perhaps thinks that procreation is some sort of achievement, oblivious to the fact that every living being, be it bacteria or elephants, everyone reproduces.ย
A day after Aam Aadmi Party officially admitted that its Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal was assaulted at Delhi CMโs residence, senior party leader and MP Sanjay Singh met Swati Maliwal at her residence. Reacting to the development, her ex-husband Naveen Jaihind slammed Singh saying โDonโt do drama/actingโ. He advised the AAP leader that if he really considered Maliwal as his sister, then he should go ahead and file an FIR in this matter. He claimed that the AAP leader was acting and in the name of calling Maliwal his sister and visiting her residence, he was threatening and intimidating her.
— เคจเคตเฅเคจ เคเคฏเคนเคฟเคจเฅเคฆ?? (@NaveenJaihind) May 15, 2024
In the short video message, Jaihind said, โI have recently learned that AAP MP Sanjay Singh went to Swati Maliwalโs residence. Tell me one thing, if you say she is your younger sister, then why are you doing โMandwaliโ (negotiations/settlement to not press the issue)? If you consider her as your younger sister then you should go ahead and file an FIR in this case. Either go to the Police station with her or you go alone and file an FIR. Take action.โ
โYour acts of visiting her house, and making videos achieve nothing. The incident was an insult to Swati Maliwal and it is an insult to all women. This is not a personal matter. By going to her house, you are doing drama by saying that you are with her while also threatening and intimidating her. You will achieve nothing by threats. At least spare your younger sister from Mandwali,โ Jaihind said.
The former AAP leader, Jaihind also concluded by asking Sanjay Singh to approach Delhi Police and seek security for Swati Maliwal. He said, โHer safety is of paramount importance. Go and meet the CP of the Delhi Police or Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure that she gets adequate safety.โ
Earlier in the day, he described Sanjay Singh as Kejriwalโs parrot and demanded that an FIR should be registered against all the AAP leaders who were present during the incident including Arvind Kejriwal. He also claimed that Singh knew such an incident would take place but now he is doing acting/drama by calling Maliwal his sister. He further claimed that there was a threat to Maliwalโs life and sought security for her.ย
#WATCH | AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal assault case | Her ex-husband Naveen Jaihind, says, "…FIR should be lodged against Arvind Kejriwal because this happened at his home…Sanjay Singh is a parrot of Arvind Kejriwal. Singh knew that such an incident would take place, heโฆ pic.twitter.com/zAkvnlc9UH
He argued about what would happen any day if Swati Maliwal met with an accident or she took some untoward step. However, he described her former life partner, Maliwal as โJhansi ki Raniโ and โMurdaniโ who fears no one. He added she should come out and speak up. He noted that he doesnโt know who is putting pressure on her. He dubbed the assault incident at CMโs residence as very dangerous and a major scandal. He went on to label Kejriwalโs house as a โGutter (Sewer) Houseโ.ย
Speaking with ANI, he reiterated that the assault against Maliwal was an insult to women and it was not a personal matter. He added, “This is not just my ex-wife’s case. This case is of millions of women. If it was just my ex-wife’s case, by now, those who have raised their hands against Swati would have been broken, and the one who gave the orders with his mouth… his mouth would have been shut. This case is not personal to me.”
Yesterday, in a video message on X, Jaihind claimed that the former DCW chiefโs life was in danger and urged her to come forward and speak out.
An Islamist mob attacked a Sikh man named Jeevandeep Singh in the Bilaspur area of Chhattisgarh earlier this month, reported Organiser. According to the perpetrators, the reason for the attack was that he had entered Muslim-dominatedย Talapara, an area referred to by the residents as “Mini Pakistan” and was wearing a tulsi mala. Jeevandeep, who somehow managed to avoid death, has been living in constant danger ever since he made a complaint.
The culprits, who were eventually identified as Raja Khan, Nafees, and two more individuals were first placed under arrest and were then released on warning but they persisted in their threats against Jeevandeep and his family. The Chhattisgarh police then apprehended them again.
The culprits are in police custody. (Source: Organiser)
Jeevandeep, who moved to Bilaspur about three years ago to explore business prospects in finance, left his hometown of Bhilai city in the Durg region of Chhattisgarh and is staying apart from his family. He has two daughters, the youngest of whom was born less than a month ago. They live in a humble place in the Urja Vihar colony of the Chakar Bhata area. Riteshwari Satnami, Jeevandeep’s wife revealed that lack of sleep following the incident had caused him to have a seizure earlier in the morning of 12th May and had a serious negative effect on his mental health.
He was in a comatose state as the powerful medication took its toll on him. Riteshwari clarified that he had been experiencing a lack of appetite and sleep deprivation for the preceding three days, which had been made worse by the morning seizure. She eventually succeeded in waking him up after thirty minutes after which he narrated the horrifying ordeal. He recounted that he had thrown a small party for friends and family on 6th May on the occasion of his daughter’s birthday. He dropped off a friend named Arif and his mother at Talapara Square at around 12:30 in the morning. He came upon an Innova parked in the square, from which people he recognized as Raja Khan, Nafees and others emerged, cursing him over his vehicle’s headlights.
Arrest and subsequent release
The tulsi mala around his neck led them to believe he was Hindu and they questioned him about his presence in “Mini Pakistan” where Hindus were not permitted to enter. “You are Hindu, why have you come here? No Hindus are allowed, this is mini Pakistan,” they barked at him. A few seconds later, almost ten individuals encircled Jeevandeep’s car and launched a vicious attack. They battered his head against the driving wheel, broke the side glass, and attacked him with knives, iron rods and belts.
They broke Jeevandeep’s mala and beat him ruthlessly with sticks, rods, and baseball bats. They intended to murder him, but other villagers stepped in and prevented the outcome. There were a lot of members from the attackers’ own community were present through the assault but did nothing and watched as mute spectators. One of them even brandished a sword. The car’s windshield was broken by the assailants. Sitting next to him, Arif didn’t step in until Jeevandeep had suffered severe injuries and passed out after which he was hurried to the hospital by locals.
Arshad, Nafees and his younger brother as well as Raja Khan were among the people Jeevandeep named as the offenders. On 7th May, Jeevandeep went to the Civil Lines police station in Bilaspur and filed a First Information Report (FIR number: 419/2024) in response to the assault. The Indian Penal Code’s 294 (Obscene acts), 506 (Criminal intimidation), 323 (Voluntarily causing hurt), 427 (Mischief causing damage) and 34 (Acts done by multiple persons in furtherance of common intention) sections are some of the ones under which the accused were charged, according to the official complaint.
The accused signed a notice and were freed an hour after their arrest because all of the allegations against them were bailable. They targeted Dhananjay Giri Goswami, a local Bharatiya Janata Party politician who encouraged the police to open a case and supported Jeevandeep in filing the FIR, shortly after they were released. “If you wish to reside in Talapara, this Hindutva rhetoric cannot be tolerated,” Raja Khan and others threatened to mutilate Dhananjay when they showed up at his office waving swords. They brought up the assassination of Naveen Mahadeva, who was shot dead in Talapara by an Islamist mob for discussing Hindutva in a public park. There have been similar instances, including the deaths of Sunny Pandey and Ishwar Batra in the past as well. They issued threats to dismember Dhananjay.
Dhananjay Goswami with Jeevandeep Singh. (Source: Organiser)
The accused signed a notice and were freed an hour after their arrest because all of the allegations against them were bailable. They targeted Dhananjay Giri Goswami, a local Bharatiya Janata Party politician who encouraged the police to open a case and supported Jeevandeep in filing the FIR, shortly after they were released. “If you wish to reside in Talapara, this Hindutva rhetoric cannot be tolerated,” Raja Khan and others threatened to mutilate Dhananjay when they showed up at his office waving swords. They brought up the assassination of Naveen Mahadeva, who was shot dead in Talapara by an Islamist mob for discussing Hindutva in a public park. There have been similar instances, including the deaths of Sunny Pandey and Ishwar Batra in the past as well. They issued threats to dismember Dhananjay.
Raja Khan’s violent actions didn’t end there as he was observed sword-wielding and bellowing as he prowled the streets, demanding to know “who had told his name.” They were again arrested as a result of this deadly posturing, which prompted another police complaint. The police nabbed these males, who were all Talapara’s Taiba Chowk residents, without delay. The police brought charges under the Arms Act against Raja alias Sajjad Ali, Shoaib Khan, Mohammad Faizan, and Sabir Khan in response to the fresh accusation. Notably, Naveen Mahadeva’s case implicated two of these culprits as well.
To teach the accused a lesson for their transgressions, the Chhattisgarh police paraded the suspects through court after their arrest and then placed them in lockups. Dhananjay mentioned how the Talapara region’s population is changing due to an inflow of migrants. Historically a predominantly Muslim region, the last five years have seen an important increase in population, especially with the influx of Muslims who speak Bengali and are known as Rohingyas. Dhananjay lives in Talapara, just 500 meters away from the location of Jeevandeep’s attack.
The accused paraded in the city. (Source: Organiser)
Dhananjay’s mother had been a councillor twice, but a local Muslim leader became victorious in the most recent election. He demanded a comprehensive probe and criticized the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government for permitting unauthorized colonies in the region. He charged that there are six mosques in Talapara and all the shops are owned by Muslims while just about twenty Hindu households are living in the colony. Interestingly, it became apparent that there might be more underlying linkages to the attack on Jeevandeep. More shocking disclosures come to the fore.
Further disclosures come to the fore
As a Direct Sales Assistant (DSA), Jeevandeep works directly with clients to market and close deals on banking goods and services. DSAs help customers with things like loan applications, investment products and account openings. They usually work in branches or call centres. He is employed with Ahuja Marketing, where he serves with other independent contractors who refer clients in search of loans. Arif Mohammad was one such independent contractor. He brought up a man from his community about three months ago who needed a car loan.
Nevertheless, the man started to avoid payments as soon as the repayment procedure started. He attacked Jeevandeep after the matter was probed and he was summoned into the office. Likewise, Sameer Khan and several other Muslim males tried to harm Jeevandeep in a car repair shop when he discovered they were engaged in illicit betting and trade. Jeevandep called the police to file a complaint in both cases, but nothing came of it. Jeevandeep shared his opinion that there is an ominous connection between all of these occurrences. He felt that he was being singled out by these people since he was new to the community.
Jeevandep called the police to file a complaint in both cases, but nothing came of it. Jeevandeep shared his opinion that there is an ominous connection between all of these occurrences. He felt that he was being singled out by these people since he was new to the community. Jeevandeep conveyed that given his substantial monthly revenue of Rs. 2 lakh from his business, Arif had attempted to extract money from him. Jeevandeep and his wife, who is a Dalit, are in a love marriage that transcends caste lines. They have an old mother and two daughters. The women in the household have no one to take care of them as Jeevandeep is facing grave issues. Due to the attack, Jeevandeep had to close his firm for more than a week due to devastating personal and professional repercussions. He no longer has faith in Arif and doubts that he played a role in the incident. He is worried about the safety of his family, especially his young daughters.
At present, Arif is the only person who witnessed the attack. The accused made fun of Jeevandeep after they were arrested and boasted that Arif would help them with their case. Jeevandeep’s car, with its front and side glass damaged, was parked outside his house. Riteshwari is demanding justice since her husband hasn’t been able to find peace since the event and has been having anxiety as well as fearful and restless nights. She worries that they are abandoned in a far-off colony.
On Wednesday (15th May), the first batch of citizenship certificates under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) were issued to 14 people, kicking off the process of providing Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla presented the certificates to the 14 people after their applications were processed online through a dedicated portal, according to an official spokesperson.
In a press release, the Ministry of Home Affairs said, “Home Secretary congratulated the applicants and highlighted salient features of the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024.ย Secretary Posts, Director (IB), Registrar General of India and senior officers were also present during the interactive session.”
“The Rules envisage manner of application form, procedure for processing applications by District Level Committee (DLC) and scrutiny and grant of citizenship by State Level Empowered Committee (EC). In pursuance of these rules, applications have been received from persons belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who have entered into India up to 31.12.2014 on account of persecution on grounds of religion or fear of such persecution,” MHA added.
The Ministry said that upon successful verification of documents, the designated officers administered oath of allegiance to the applicants. “After processing as per rules, DLCs have forwarded the applications to the State Level Empowered Committee headed by Director (Census operation),” it said.
The first set of citizenship certificates after notification of Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 were issued today. Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla handed over citizenship certificates to some applicants in New Delhi today. Home Secretary congratulated the applicantsโฆ pic.twitter.com/RBTYSreN9O
Notably, the Modi government notified CAA on 11th of March 2024 enabling the persons eligible under CAA-2019 to apply for a grant of Indian citizenship. Under the CAA, people belonging to persecuted minority groups in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistanโincluding Christians, Parsis, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Hindus, and Sikhsโwho came to India on or before December 31, 2014, will be granted Indian citizenship.
The CAA, enabled in December 2019, offers Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who arrived in India on or before December 31, 2014. These include Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians. Following the enactment, the CAA received the president’s approval but the rules under which the Indian citizenship was granted were issued in March this year following over four years delay.
Notably, the CAA will not affect Indian citizens. It was introduced solely for the benefit of six minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
In an exclusive interview with Samdish, girlfriend of anti-Hindu riots accused Umar Khalid, Banojyotsna Lahiri, talked about Khalid becoming headlines in 2016 during Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) protests in favour of terrorist Afzal Guru and his role in anti-CAA protests. Lahiri, who herself is a PhD scholar and defines herself as an activist just like her partner Umar Khalid, claimed he was innocent.
Lahiri called Umar Khalidโs journey a โfight for democracyโ
During the interview, Lahiri claimed that they were fighting for democracy. She said, โWe are fighting for democracy without electricity, while those in power live in their palaces.โ She claimed that the activists face struggle every day and the โprivileged lives of the ruling eliteโ. Interestingly, in a democracy, there is freedom of speech and expression but it is not absolute.
The constitution of India and the laws do not allow anyone to indulge in actions that can be deemed anti-India. For example, raising slogans of โBharat Tere Tukde Honge, Inshaallahโ and โAfzal Hum Sharminda Hain, Tere Kaatil Zinda Hainโ cannot be allowed just because people in the country have a democratic right to freedom of speech. Furthermore, indulging in terror activities like planning riots or agitating people cannot be allowed. During the 58-minute interview, Lahiri consistently tried to paint a clear picture of Khalid and pose him as a โheroโ.
JNU controversy
Lahiri talked about the โvibrant political environmentโ at the JNU and extensively talked about how Khalid was deeply involved in politics and activism. She said, โJNU was a place where free speech thrived, but the government’s crackdown on dissent has changed everything.โ Recalling the incident of 2016 after which Khalid came to the limelight, she pointed out that the event was kind of a private one meant only for the students of JNU. Interestingly, she claimed it was about the atrocities that Kashmiri people faced but failed to acknowledge that it took place on the death anniversary of terrorist Afzal Guru and slogans were raised in his favour.
Lahiri claimed there was nothing wrong at the event and it was against Capital Punishment. However, there are videos available where people were raising slogans like โBharat Tere Tukde Hongeโ while Khalid, the organiser of the event, was around. Being a responsible citizen, Lahiri tried to project him as it was Khalidโs duty to stop the anti-India sloganeering but he did not.
Lahiri said initially they thought it would pass but things turned against Khalid quickly and soon Kanhaiya Kumar, Khalid and others were arrested. The so-called assassination attempt on Khalidโs life was also raised during the interview as a โshocking incidentโ of their lives. However, she claimed Khalid was fearless and continued to go wherever he was called, especially during CAA protests.
Not to forget, Khalid expressed his separatist views about Jammu and Kashmir in his speeches. He accused the Indian Army and Central Government of atrocities against the local Kashmiris, just like other anti-India elements with vested interests do.
Notably, Lahiri further claimed that the challenges Khalid faced were due to his identity as a Muslim. ย However, she failed to mention that Khalidโs father was a SIMI operative. SIMI or Students’ Islamic Movement of India is a banned terrorist organisation. The similar tactic was used by his lawyers while appealing for bail.
Lahiri also mentioned an event where former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh came and interacted with the students. She said that Singh instructed the Vice Chancellor of the university not to take any strict action against those who asked tough questions. She claimed that such an event is not possible in todayโs time. She completely ignores the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian governmentโs ministers often interact with students and the general public. The criticism they face on social media hardly becomes a problem unless the post may lead to law and order problems.
Some Indians have short-lived memories, not all.
If Umar Khalid's gf Banojyotsna Lahiri and @Samdish believed they could spin the Afzal Guru incident at JNU & portray Umar Khalid as a victim, then they are highly mistaken. pic.twitter.com/jpiksFWmbI
While Lahiri painted a happy picture of the UPA government, she failed to acknowledge that thousands of journalists and activists have been arrested during Congress rule since independence. While such arrests happened between 2004 and 2014, no one can forget how the Congress-ruled Indian government behaved during an emergency in the 1970s. It seems to be convenient for people like Lahiri to cherry-pick incidents and events to paint BJP in bad light.
The CAA Protests
Umar Khalid played a significant role in the nationwide protests against the Citizen Amendment Act (CAA). People like Umar Khalid extensively worked on spreading disinformation about CAA and claimed it was anti-Muslim. While Lahiri acknowledged Khalid was actively involved in the protests and travelled to every possible nook and corner of the country to give speeches, she conveniently ignored the fact that Khalid was also involved in orchestrating violent protests.
“He always advocated non-violence and love in response to hatred,” she claimed. However, according to the chargesheet filed by Delhi Police in the Delhi Riots larger conspiracy case, it was mentioned that Khalid called for violent protests on 24th and 25th February 2020 when then-President of the United States, Donald Trump, was in the country. She added, โKhalid’s speeches often drew on the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, calling for peaceful protests and civil disobedience. “If they spread hatred, we will respond with love,” Khalid would often say, echoing the principles of Gandhi.โ
Lahiri claimed accusations against Khalid in CAA case were false
Lahiri claimed that media channels branded Khalis as a โmastermindโ of the Delhi riots without any evidence. She called the situation a โtraffic comedyโ. However, the Delhi Police chargesheet and arguments placed by the public prosecutor during his bail pleas pointed out that prima facie he was involved in the riots. Notably, it does not matter if the person who orchestrated the riots was present at the scene when violence broke out or not.
While recalling the events that led to Khalidโs arrest, she blamed the media for running a parallel trial on the accused. She also claimed that his speeches were not provocative. On the contrary, his presence at the โsecret meetingโ over CAA protests, WhatsApp chats and witness confessions prove that he was involved in the planning of the riots. “The media trial was swift and merciless, painting him as a villain without any proof,” she added. Contrary to what she claimed, speeches of Umar Khalid available in the public domain show that he tried to provoke Muslims against the Central Government.
Furthermore, it was presented in the court by the public prosecutor how Khalid actively created narrative in the media and on social media.
Samdish and right-wingโs short-term memory
In recent months, right-wing accounts on social media consistently shared Samdishโs videos where he was seen mocking leaders of the opposition including Tejasvi Yadav, Arvind Kejriwal and more. Ideally, when it comes to sharing someoneโs views, it is essential to note if the person has a past have some anti-social behaviour.
This interview with Samdish proves that vloggers and influencers should not be trusted blindly. The same goes with other such vloggers like Barkha Dutt. Her videos where she or her guest were seen praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi often go viral, thanks to the right-wing accounts on social media. But how can someone forget how she behaved during the Kargil War and the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks?
This is New now… PM Modi needs new enemies, the old ones became his fans.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that many people feel the Supreme Court’s decision granting interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case is akin to him getting special treatment.
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Amit Shah said that the judgement in the case was not a routine judicial order.
“Supreme Court has the right to interpret the law, I believe this is not a routine judgement. A lot of people in this country believe that special treatment has been given,” Shah told ANI.
Responding to a query about Kejriwal campaigning for the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the Home Minister took a dig at the Delhi Chief Minister.
“Right now he (Arvind Kejriwal) is stuck in another issue (alleged assault on Swati Maliwal by CM’s aide), let him get free from that then let’s see what happens,” Shah said.
Dismissing Arvind Kejriwal’s claims that the central government installed cameras in Tihar jail to keep a watch on him, the Union Home Minister said that the Tihar jail administration is with the Delhi government.
“Tihar is with them (Delhi government), not with us. They are lying continuously. Jail administration is with the Delhi government, it’s with Kejriwal. Not with the Home Ministry,” Shah said.
The Supreme Court on May 10 granted interim bail to the Aam Aadmi Party supremo in the alleged money laundering case linked to Delhi’s excise policy.
The Delhi CM spent over 50 days in Tihar Jail after he was arrested on March 21 this year by the Enforcement Directorate. As per court order, the bail is applicable till June 1 and Kejriwal has to surrender to the jail authorities on June 2. The Delhi CM can participate in poll campaigning but cannot attend office as Chief Minister.
Responding to Arvind Kejriwal’s recent announcement of ten guarantees to the people, Amit Shah said the AAP leader’s comments need not be taken seriously as the party is contesting only 22 Lok Sabha seats.
“Don’t take him so seriously, he (AAP) is only fighting 22 seats. And he is giving the guarantee for the entire countryโฆI will waive off the electricity bill of people etcโฆ You are only contesting on 22 seats, where will your government come from?” the Home Minister asked.
Speaking on Kejriwal’s allegation that the BJP would go in for a change of leadership within a few months of the 2024 election results Amit Shah said PM Modi would remain the leader till 2029 and beyond.
“I want to make it clear again, Modiji will remain till 2029. And Kejriwal ji, there is no good news for you. Even after 2029, Modiji is our leader. We will contest elections under his leadership,” Amit Shah said.
Four phases of Lok Sabha polls have been held and the voting will conclude on June 1 with results on June 4. Voting for Delhi’s seven seats is scheduled to be held on May 25. Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress are fighting the elections in alliance in the national capital with the AAP contesting four and the Congress three seats.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
The work on Indiaโs third aircraft carrier, one of the long-cherished dreams of the Indian Navy, will start soon, as recently revealed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Speaking with The Tribune, Defence Minister Singh said that India will soon start making its third aircraft carrier and emphasised that India will not stop at three aircraft carriers. He asserted, โWe will make five, six more.โ
The Defence Minister made these remarks while referring to the proposal of the Indian Navy lying before the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) for approval. The DAC is headed by the Defence Minister and is Indiaโs highest decision-making body on issues related to policy and capital procurement for the defence sector. The Navyโs proposal is about building another indigenous aircraft carrier. It will have the same displacement weight (45,000 tonnes) as that of INS Vikrant which was commissioned in September 2022.
(Picture during the commissioning of INS Vikrant, it is first Made in India Aircraft carrier, Image Source – India Today)
According to the proposal, the second Made-in-India aircraft carrier will be built with an estimated cost of nearly $5 billion, and around 28 fighter jets and choppers will be deployed on it. The Cochin Shipyard Limited has the experience of building INS Vikrant in 15 years. It is now believed to be capable of building another carrier in less than a decade.
(Specifications of the India’s Indigenous Aircraft carrier, Image Source – Indian Express)
India currently has two aircraft carriers โ INS Vikrant which is slated to get combat-ready by mid-2024 and INS Vikramaditya which has been in service with the Indian Navy for ten years. It was sourced from Russia and commissioned in November 2013.
(India currently has two aircraft carriers, one Made in India – INS Vikrant and one sourced from Russia — INS Vikramaditya, Image Source – Defence Decode YouTube Channel)
Notably, while India had previously considered the possibility of having three aircraft carriers, Defence Minister Singh’s announcement of plans to build five or six more is the first indication of the Indian Navy’s long-term strategy, emphasising aircraft carriers’ centrality in realising strategic objectives, geopolitical power projection, and extending the reach of Indiaโs carrier battle groups (CBGs) to thwart maritime terrorism and secure strategic trade routes as well as HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) operations. Additionally, this matches Chinaโs expansionist plans in the maritime domain.
Indian Navy balancing the geopolitical power projection by the Chinese Navy
It is pertinent to note that three years ago, a US Department of Defence report, โMilitary and Security Developments Involving the Peopleโs Republic of China 2021โ, warned, โChina continues to build a multi-carrier force. Plans are for six carriers by 2030.โ
China has been building more aircraft carriers at a breakneck speed with reported plans to deploy one aircraft carrier permanently in the Indian Ocean.
It currently has two operational aircraft carriers โ Liaoning and Shandong. Earlier this month, Chinaโs third aircraft carrier, Fujian completed its 8-day maiden sea trials. Fujian is a next-generation aircraft carrier with a displacement weight of 80,000 tonnes and is bigger than carriers made by the UK, France, India, and Japan.
(Video Courtesy – Military Forces)
This supercarrier is Chinaโs first carrier to be equipped with electromagnetic catapults for launching aircraft from the deck. China has become the second country after the USA to equip a supercarrier with this technology. A catapult launch allows jets to carry heavier payloads and reduces the time between the launch of two jets.ย
Apart from India and China, other Asian countries are also racing to project power at sea and build aircraft carriers. The Japanese have converted the helicopter carrier, JS Izumo, into an aircraft carrier that is capable of flying F35 fighter jets. Additionally, it is converting another helicopter carrier, JS Kaga. Similarly, South Korea has plans to launch a carrier by 2030. The United States with 11 Aircraft carriers, has been dominating the maritime landscape with a loomimg presence in all theatres including the Indian Ocean Region, the South China Sea, and the Pacific Ocean among others.
Amidst the race for more aircraft carriers, it is important that India now has an inherent advantage in that it is one of the few countries in the world that has the capability to design and build aircraft carriers indigenously.
Strategic Imperative for India to have more Aircraft carriers
It is important to note that over 90% of Indiaโs trade by volume depends on maritime routes. These routes are frequently threatened by piracy, attacks from hostile or rogue actors, raging global or regional conflicts, natural disasters, and challenges to the free and open access of international waters, especially for transshipments, such as fuel tankers, and for small regional or island nations. These challenges are particularly prominent near the shores of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and due to Chinaโs expansionist maneuvers.
In addition to this, India has actively served as the first responder in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, especially in the extended vicinity of the Indian Ocean Region.
Furthermore, the Indian Navy has demonstrated its increased capacity for maritime power projection by effectively combating piracy and hijacking incidents in international waters. It has also safeguarded crucial maritime routes near the Gulf of Aden and the Strait of Hormuz, preventing them from becoming battlegrounds for warring factions. This role has become particularly crucial amidst ongoing conflicts such as the Israel-Hamas war, where attacks on fuel tankers and private vessels have occurred. Unfortunately, Indian crewmembers have sometimes found themselves unwittingly caught in hostage-like situations, prompting India to take action to rescue them.
With the Indian Navy bolstering its power projection, it becomes strategically imperative for India to increase its number of aircraft carriers. The late former US Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, had once famously said, “An aircraft carrier is 100,000 tons of diplomacy.”
The doctrinal and strategic significance of aircraft carriers is paramount for every major naval power as they serve as the primary means for power projection. Pertinent to note that nuclear-powered submarines that have long-range ballistic nuclear missiles are restricted only for retaliatory deterrence. The deployment of the supercarrier, USS Gerald R. Ford to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in support of Israel is one of the recent examples of material power projection through aircraft carriers.
At a time when the Indian Ocean is getting heavily militarized and China has a plan to permanently station an aircraft in the Indian Ocean region, the third carrier will bolster the capability of the Indian Navy to protect the countryโs 7,500-kilometre-long coastline and operate hundreds of kilometres away from its shores on the high seas, extending its maritime reach and operationality.
So far, it was argued that the Indian Navy requires a minimum of two operational carriers at all times, with a third undergoing regular maintenance. This arrangement enables two carrier battle groups (CBGs), consisting of multirole destroyers, frigates, anti-submarine vessels, and submarines, to protect Indiaโs eastern and western coastlines, while the third carrier undergoes maintenance.
(Strike Carrier battle groups (CBGs), lead by Aircraft carrier also include frigates, destroyers and submarines etc, Image Source – Defence Study YouTube Channel)
Despite the argument that aircraft carriers are cost-intensive and their expense, which amounts to nearly a year’s entire defense budget over a decade, could be allocated to other state-of-the-art defense hardware, defense analysts emphasise the importance of having aircraft carriers. With India’s ambitions to enhance its role in global politics, movable battle carrier groups, facilitated by aircraft carriers, serve the following major strategic purposes:
Extended Maritime Reach: Aircraft carriers would enhance Indiaโs ability to project power across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), crucial for safeguarding sea lines of communication, securing trade routes, and responding to emerging threats.
Deterrence Capability: The presence of an aircraft carrier in active theater would reinforce Indiaโs deterrence posture, signaling readiness to respond decisively to threats and contributing to regional stability.
Power Projection: It would provide enhanced capabilities for sustained operations in various strategic theaters, enabling a comprehensive approach to safeguard national interests.
Operational Advantages: More than two aircraft carriers would help bridge operational gaps during maintenance cycles, sustain a formidable force structure, and facilitate effective responses to evolving threats.
Amphibious and Humanitarian Operations: It would support combat capabilities and provide critical assistance for amphibious and humanitarian operations, serving as a mobile airbase for rapid response.
Geopolitical Considerations: It would symbolise Indiaโs commitment to regional naval dominance and enhance strategic partnerships through joint exercises.
With Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s announcement that the Indian Navy will build five or six more aircraft carriers in the coming decades, India has demonstrated its commitment to actively safeguard the free access of international waters from all hostilities, threats, and dangers, while also showcasing its burgeoning power projection capabilities.
