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CBI conducts massive nationwide search against fake crypto currency mining scam HPZ Token App

ANI
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CBI conducts massive nationwide search against fake crypto currency mining scam HPZ Token App

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has carried out a massive nationwide search operation covering 30 locations across 10 States and UTs. This is part of an ongoing investigation of a case related to App based fraudulent investment scheme – HPZ Token App.

The searches led to the seizure of significant digital evidence, including mobile phones, computer hard drives, SIM cards, ATM/ Debit cards, email accounts, and various incriminating documents, CBI said on Wednesday.

The central investigating agency CBI had registered a case against two private companies, along with their Directors, on the allegations that the accused were involved in a fraudulent investment scheme linked to the HPZ Token App.

According to the CBI the names of the alleged accused are Shigoo Technology Private Limited and Lillian Technocab Private Limited (both private companies) along with their Directors. Searches were carried out in states like Delhi, Rajasthan, UP, Bihar, MP, Maharshtra Odisha Andhra Pradesh Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

The scheme allegedly involved misleading the public into investing in non-existent crypto-currency mining machine rentals. The HPZ is an app-based token which promises users large gains by investing in mining machines for Bitcoin and other crypto currencies.

The fraudsters allegedly used a modus operandi that enticed victims to invest in the HPZ token app on the pretext of astronomical returns on their investments in Bitcoin mining.

According to the CBI, the investigation, so far, has revealed that approximately 150 bank accounts related to the accused were used to collect funds from investors. Allegedly, these funds were initially used for payouts to build trust, before being illicitly transferred out of India, often converted into cryptocurrency or moved through Hawala transactions.

“Searches conducted in this case, is a critical step in the ongoing investigation to dismantle the fraudulent scheme and gather evidence against the accused. Further investigation is continuing,” CBI said.

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

Columbia University: Protestor doing PhD in ‘romantic imagination’ demands humanitarian aid, encampment was also visited by woman who organised Rahul Gandhi talk in USA

Shraddha Pandey
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Columbia University: Protestor doing PhD in ‘romantic imagination’ demands humanitarian aid, encampment was also visited by woman who organised Rahul Gandhi talk in USA

In the early hours of Tuesday (30th April) morning, dozens of pro-Palestine protesters occupied Hamilton Hall at Columbia University by securing doors with zip ties, shifting metal gates to impede access, and obstructing entrances with wooden tables and seats. Later, the rioters took over the building and draped it with a Palestinian flag. They also renamed the iconic “Hamilton Hall” as ‘Hind’s Hall’. Following this, the New York Police Department arrested numerous protestors and cleared the building.

As reported earlier, the Pro-Palestine rioters quickly covered security cameras with tape and black trash bags and even clashed with other students while briefly holding some of the staff as hostages. After rioters took over Hamilton Hall in an overnight attack, the White House said that taking over campus buildings is wrong. 

Notably, these violent protests are led by two main protest groups – Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD). 

Pro-Palestine protestor demands ‘humanitarian aid’ for Hamilton Hall occupiers

Funnily enough, a pro-Palestine protestor identified as Johanna King-Slutsky while delivering the demands of the Hamilton Hall occupiers demanded ‘humanitarian aid’ for them. “I mean, well I guess it’s ultimately a question of what kind of community and obligation Columbia feels it has to its students. Do you want students to die of dehydration and starvation or get severely ill even they disagree with you? If the answer is no, then you should allow basic—I mean it’s crazy to say because we are on an Ivy League campus but this is like basic humanitarian aid we’re asking for. Like, could people please have a glass of water,” Slutsky said.

She was grilled by a journalist who said: “But they [protestors] did put themselves in that, very deliberately. In that situation, in that position, so it seems like you’re saying ‘We want to be revolutionaries, we want to take over the building, now would you please bring us some food and water.”

Interestingly, Johanna King-Slutsky is a typical “woke” actively involved in campus politics. On Tuesday morning, King-Slutsky was identified as a PhD student on Columbia’s website; but, by the evening, that page had disappeared.

Slutsky is doing PhD in “romantic imagination”. As per the Columbia biography, Slutsky is “interested in theories of the imagination and poetry as interpreted through a Marxian lens in order to update and propose an alternative to historicist ideological critiques of the Romantic imagination”, whatever that means.

Before joining Columbia, Johanna King-Slutsky worked as a political strategist for leftist and progressive causes” and is actively involved in “higher education labour movement”.

One of the Instagram posts suggests that Slutsky identifies as a lesbian. The ‘romantic imagination’ enthusiast has also participated in a “pride” march in 2013.

New York Police arrests protestors

Meanwhile, the New York Police Department came into action and arrested over a hundred pro-Intifada protestors at Columbia University and City College of New York. Reports say that the maximum arrests were made from Columbia University which has also been the epicentre of pro-Palestine protests spread across US varsities. The building has been cleared now and declared pro-Palestine encampments as “illegal”. The action came after Mayor Eric Adams warned the protestors to “leave the area” saying that the protests have been hijacked by “external factors”.

As seen in the visuals of the police crackdown, the NYPD officers donning riot gear forcibly nabbed the protestors and removed media persons as well.

Interestingly, when it comes to protests on its own soil, the US takes stringent measures like mass arrests, using tear gas, rubber bullets, violently crushing the protests and whatnot. However, the very same US gives sanctimonious sermons on human rights, freedom of expression, right to protest, and democratic values when the Indian government acts against the same elements in the same manner.

George Soros’s proxy Sunita Vishwanath visits Columbia University

Although Columbia student-led magazine’s editor says that the anti-Israel protests are largely student-fueled, he does not deny the involvement of outsiders in the protests on the varsity campus. Interestingly, Sunita Vishwanath, the co-founder of a US-based anti-Hindu organisation, ironically named Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR) also visited Columbia University encampments. It is pertinent to note that Sunita Vishwanath has earned notoriety by organising anti-Hindu and anti-India events.

In February this year, HfHR announced a program with the sinister objective of blaming Hinduism for supposedly being ‘anti-pluralism.’ Notably, Sunita Vishwanath has also tried to create hysteria and panic among Indian Muslims about the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in 2019. She is also the co-founder of an organisation named ‘Women for Afghan Women’, which is funded by George Soros’ Open Society Foundations (OSF)/ Open Society Institute (OSI).

HfHR was formed in the year 2019 by the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) and the Organization for Minorities of India (OFMI), a DisInfo Lab investigation revealed.

Back in 2021, HfHR also endorsed the anti-Hindu event ‘Dismantling Global Hindutva’ conference. It also came up with a “special toolkit” to propagate against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his State visit to the US in June 2023.

It is pertinent to recall that in June 2023, Sunita Vishwanath had organised a talk event at Hudson Institute for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during his 10-day US tour.

Rahul Gandhi in USA at a meeting with ‘think tanks’ in June 2023

Interestingly, the Congress Party had in October last year declared support for Palestine nine days after Hamas attacked Israel leaving thousands of Israeli civilians dead.

Protesters set up tents in ‘Shaheen Bagh’ style, calling them ‘Liberated encampment zones’

Following the arrest of 108 Columbia University protesters, including Isra Hirsi, daughter of Islamist and Hamas sympathiser Rep. Ilhan Omar, institutions including New York University, Yale University, the University of Illinois, and the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Southern California, organised protests and extended ‘solidarity’. The protestors declared spaces occupied by them as ‘Liberated Encampment Zones’ inside these universities.

Hostile Maldives? Indian tourists assaulted, Israeli woman kicked out as tiny Island nation sinks deep into Islamic radicalisation

Siddhi Somani
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Hostile Maldives? Indian tourists assaulted, Israeli woman kicked out as tiny Island nation sinks deep into Islamic radicalisation

On Monday (29th April), a minor altercation was reported to have happened between Maldivians and a couple of Indians near Central Park in Hulhumale, around 7 km Northeast of Male. The clashes broke between the two groups at around 9 pm after which a couple of people suffered injuries and were shifted to the Hulhumale hospital. Meanwhile, the local Police detained one of the Maldivians for launching an alleged attack.

As per the reports, the unidentified injured persons were released after being treated well at the hospital. In another similar incident, an Israeli woman was harassed by the local people of Maldives and was kicked out of the Island on 30th April. The incident was proudly shared by Muad Mohamed Zaki, one of the founders of the Maldives multi-party democratic system.

Sharing the blurred photograph of the Israeli tourist woman, Zaki wrote on X, “Israeli tourist tried to enter one of the islands in the Maldives for a holiday while her country commits genocide. She was kicked out by the local island community and the last reports indicate she was on her way back to the airport after realizing humanity does not welcome them anymore.”

Extending support to Palestine and Hamas terrorist

It is important to note that the Maldives which is a densely Muslim-populated island stood by Palestine during the recent altercation that happened between Israel and Palestine. The Hamas launched an attack on Israel in October 2023 and brutally murdered men, raped women, and even killed children and elders. The women were stripped naked and paraded by the Hamas terrorist organization after which Israel launched a retaliatory attack on the Gaza strip. Amid this several Islamic countries including Iran, Iraq, Algeria, Maldives, etc sided with Palestine and criticized Israel for launching an attack on Palestine.

The Maldivian government voiced concern about the growing violence in the Gaza Strip and reaffirmed its support for the Palestinian people. Its administration stated that sustainable peace in the Middle East could only be possible through a two-state solution based on pre-1967 lines, with East Jerusalem serving as Palestine’s capital.

Ban on Israeli tourists and products

Also, the Maldives Parliament recently unanimously voted on a resolution condemning Israeli aggression on Palestine, thus prohibiting the entry of Israeli passport holders and the import of Israeli-made goods. On October 14, 2023, Saud Hussain, Member of Parliament for Villingili, sponsored a resolution that gained unanimous approval from 41 members.

The parliamentary committee denounced the Israeli troops’ abuses against Palestinians in the occupied regions of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The majority of MPs called for an outright ban on Israeli passport holders entering the Maldives as tourists. The resolution additionally placed an absolute prohibition on all Israeli products and imports, and it urged the government to cut all existing diplomatic relations with Israel.

As per the Indian Today journalist Gaurav Sawant, the Maldives Islands have proceeded to become one of the most radicalized, extremist regions which is the hub of not only ISIS operatives but also Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). “The Maldives between 2014-18 sent more people to fight Jihad for the Islamic State than any other country in the world. 250 men and women from Maldives (a country of 500,000) went to fight for ISIS. Many died,” he said.

“That Israeli tourist should consider herself lucky she was only thrown out of that highly radicalized environment. She is lucky to have escaped alive. The level of radicalization of youth in Maldives has been a cause for concern. Pakistan ISIS, LeT & JeM have been active there too,” he further added in a series of X posts.

As per the reports, following the 2004 tsunami, the growth of Islamic radicalism in the Maldives accelerated. According to the 2022 census, the Maldives’ population is 5.15 lakh, with 1.32 lakh foreigners, the majority of them are from neighboring South Asian nations and work in different blue-collar jobs. Administratively, the Maldives currently has 189 islands, 18 atolls, and four cities.

Maldives adapting to Islamic communal ideology

For hundreds of years, the Maldives remained predominantly Buddhist. In the 12th century, however, many of them converted to Islam. In 2004, as the waters of the Indian Ocean dwindled, religious experts and people claiming to be part of civil society from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia gathered in large numbers in the capital Male to offer assistance to the population.

In actuality, the majority of these groups were linked to communal and armed groups, including Idara Khidmat-e-Khalq, Lashkar-e-Taiba’s charity wing, which used their arrival in Male to preach communal Islam. When these groups left the Maldives, they brought with them naive and unemployed teenagers for religious training in Pakistan and Arabia. The charitable arm was later classified as a terrorist organization by the US administration in April 2006.

In a paper delivered in December 2011 at the Naval Postgraduate School in California titled “Islamism and Radicalism in the Maldives” by Hassan Amir, it was highlighted that the capital city of Male had become more radicalized. Amir is now a senior officer in the Maldivian National Force. According to his argument, Maldivians have been seeking ideological and operational inspiration from regional radical groups since the 1990s.

“More than a dozen youths, who had attended an educational institution in Pakistan operated by Jamiyah al-Salafiyya, had been indoctrinated against the government of Qayoom. They entertained and expressed sentiments of anti-government coups and the desire to institute a theocratic sharia-based state in Maldives,” Amir wrote.

The thesis reveals that Maldivian youth in Pakistan were arrested and banished to remote islands, but continued preaching without fear of law and order. During the Afghan war, many students studied in Pakistani seminaries and traveled to jihadi camps. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami aided regional terrorist organizations in the Maldives, as the country suffered significant devastation. Terrorists under the guise of ‘Charity organizations’, provided humanitarian aid and financial assistance to affected populations.

These groups also provided ideological guidance to disaster-stricken Maldives youth, enrolling them in Pakistani religious seminaries or recruiting them for sinister purposes, particularly in the Laamu atoll region.

Maldives had 1400 radicals willing to kill people in service of Islam

Moosa Inas, one of the perpetrators of the 2007 Sultan Park (in Maldives) bomb explosion that injured more than twelve international visitors, was among those providing help on behalf of this mysterious financier.

Inas and his fellow fighters made it obvious to the unfortunate islanders that the money they had at their disposal would only be spent on those willing to join them in promoting their communal Islamic ideology. In addition to this specific group, ‘charitable organizations’ like as Idara Khidmat-e-Khalq (IKK) occurred to be very important. The IKK has a connection to the Ahl-e-Hadith sects that operate in the region, and they have also established themselves in the Maldives.

The IKK is linked to Jamaat-ud-Dawa (which engages in Tabligh, or active evangelizing) and the more dangerous Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Pakistan-based terrorist organizations responsible for several assaults in India, Pakistan, and other parts of the region. The linkages between Islamic ‘charity’ organizations and active evangelizing are visible in the shifting Islamic discourse and behaviors that are spreading throughout Maldivian society. The scope of radicalism in the Maldives became obvious later on.

In December 2019, the Maldives’ “Islamic ministry” suspended the preaching licenses of three professors accused of advocating terrorism, “spreading hatred, encouraging inhumane and degrading acts, and supporting civil wars in other countries.” It was part of the crackdown after information revealed that the Maldives had approximately 1,400 radicals willing to kill in the service of Islam.

The Maldives also has the terrible reputation of supplying the most foreign fighters per capita to Syria and Iraq, who went on to fight for ISIS. The research by Amir, among other things, cautioned that ultra-conservative religious ideologies supported by foreign sources were radicalizing traditional religious beliefs to the detriment of progressive societal objectives embodied in the Maldives’ democratic constitution. From 2013 to 2018, the Maldives has the highest per capita number of fighters heading to Syria.

Spat between India and Maldives

Recently, in January 2024, a major conflict erupted between India and Maldives after a couple of Ministers from the Island made derogatory comments against PM Modi. Ministers namely Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef, and Mahzoom Majid, had called Prime Minister Modi a ‘clown’ and a ‘puppet of Israel’ in response to his posts about Lakshadweep islands. The ministers were later suspended by the Maldivian government.

Later though the government distanced itself from the comments made by the Maldivian ministers, several Indian tourists canceled their plans to visit Maldives and considered visiting Lakshwadeep instead under the ‘Explore Indian Islands’ trend that had emerged on social media amid the spat between the two countries.

Maldives is a small island nation with a population of 520,000 and is significantly reliant on India for essentials such as food, infrastructure, and technological developments. However, its radicalized, extremist ideological shift towards Islam supporting the Hamas terrorists against Israel and other groups alike remains a concern. Maldives is also known for its lack of religious freedom for non-Muslims. As per reports, tourists cannot practice their religion in Maldives and cannot worship in public areas. Recently, three Indian visitors were arrested in Maldives for placing the idols of God there. 

In the given case also a Maldivian has been detained for launching an attack on Indians. However, the injured individuals have been released from the hospital after being provided with proper medical care. Further investigations are underway.

‘Anupamaa’ fame Rupali Ganguly joins BJP, says she wants to be a part of ‘Mahayagya’ of development

OpIndia Staff
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‘Anupamaa’ fame Rupali Ganguly joins BJP, says she wants to be a part of ‘Mahayagya’ of development

Renowned television actress Rupali Ganguly made headlines on Wednesday by officially joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Ganguly, celebrated for her iconic roles as Manisha “Monisha” Singh Sarabhai in the beloved sitcom Sarabhai vs Sarabhai and as Anupamaa in the popular drama Anupamaa, took the step in New Delhi, accompanied by BJP leaders Vinod Tawde and Anil Baluni.

Expressing her sentiments after joining the BJP, Ganguly exclaimed, “I am filled with joy and a sense of familiarity. It feels like destiny led me here. I am deeply impressed by the Prime Minister. Interacting with people from various walks of life due to my profession made me contemplate why not contribute to this noble cause.”

“When I see this ‘Mahayagya’ of development, I feel that I should also take part in this…I need your blessings and support so that whatever I do, I do it right and good,” she further elaborated.

Earlier this year, Ganguly shared a cherished moment on her Instagram, recounting her ecstatic encounter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “A day I will not stop reliving in my mind and feel euphoric about! It was the day my dream came true…that of meeting our Honourable PM Shri Narendra Modiji @narendramodi. It was indeed a fan-girl moment! For 14 years I probably manifested the hour and more that I got to share the stage with him on such a huge platform that he has created for the remarkable digital content creators which shall not only be most coveted in the future but also an award that endorses Modijis vision of a digitally global India,” she wrote on Instagram with a video.

USA: NY Police enter Columbia University to clamp down on pro-Hamas protesters, dozens of students arrested

ANI
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USA: NY Police enter Columbia University to clamp down on pro-Hamas protesters, dozens of students arrested

Pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University were arrested by New York Police Department (NYPD) officials, as they entered the premises on Tuesday night, according to The New York Times, escalating the tensions further that have gripped the varsities across the US currently.

The arrests took place hours after protesters had caught hold of a campus building.

The protesters had stormed and occupied a building on Columbia University’s main campus overnight, flying a Palestinian flag from Hamilton Hall.

The officers burst through a second-floor window to enter Hamilton Hall, then led demonstrators in zip ties into law enforcement buses parked near campus. In a statement, the university stated that the facility had been “vandalised and blockaded,” leaving the administration with “no choice” except to summon police to campus for the second time in less than two weeks.

According to the New York Times, the student protesters were taken by NYPD (New York Police Department) officers off Columbia University’s campus, one by one, and their hands were tied at the back with zip ties.

Students were seen, chanting as they walked out, “Free, free Palestine,” as per NYT.

A cluster of police officers, continue to remain at the university campus, especially outside the entrance of Hamilton Hall, the report said.

The NYPD cops arrived at Columbia University just after 9 pm (local time) on Tuesday and began dispersing the encampment. Special police teams used a big vehicle and a ramp to enter Hamilton Hall through a window, where the demonstrators flew a massive Palestinian flag in place of the US flag on Monday.

Majorly, Columbia University, which has turned into the epicentre of protests, at least 200 students barricaded the University’s entrance to Hamilton Hall.

Hamilton Hall is one of the buildings occupied during 1968 student protests erupted over institutional apparatus supporting the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War.

The university, according to NBC News has notably asked the NYPD to remain on campus until at least May 17, two days after the scheduled graduation, according to NBC News.

Earlier, students at Columbia had voted to defy the order to vacate the encampment, which has been a focal point of pro-Palestinian protests on campus.

The action to suspend students at Columbia University comes amid a wave of arrests and tensions at universities across the United States, with demonstrations in support of Palestinians drawing attention and, in some cases, police intervention.

While these recent arrests have garnered significant attention, colleges across the US have been employing law enforcement measures, along with academic penalties such as suspensions and, in some cases, expulsion, to manage student protests since Hamas’ October attack on Israel, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and numerous hostages.

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

‘Links with LeT terrorists, gave funds to Sharjeel Imam and Naxals, spread lies about Covaxin’: Here is what the Delhi Police chargesheet says about NewsClick founder Prabir Purkaystha

OpIndia Staff
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‘Links with LeT terrorists, gave funds to Sharjeel Imam and Naxals, spread lies about Covaxin’: Here is what the Delhi Police chargesheet says about NewsClick founder Prabir Purkaystha

The Special Cell of the Delhi Police has filed an 8000-page chargesheet against NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha, exposing his ties with the banned Islamic terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

As per reports, Purkasyastha was also involved in providing funds to LeT terrorists. “Active association with terrorists, ie, LeT. Also gave financial assistance to them,” the chargesheet read.

According to the Delhi police, the NewsClick founder was at the helm of a disinformation campaign under the pretext of protesting against the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

The chargesheet stated that Prabhir Purkayastha was using the employees and partners of his propaganda news outlet to hand over money to rioters, some of whom are now in judicial custody under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

These rioters include those who created mayhem in Shaheen Bagh and Chand Bagh during the anti-CAA protests and the so-called farmers who protested against the three progressive farm laws in the National Capital.

The NewsClick founder also conspired with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) member Neville Roy Singham to defame the Indian government and its efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 and cast aspersions about the efficacy of Indian vaccine ‘Covaxin’ developed by Bharat Biotech.

“Prabir Purkayastha in furtherance of common conspiracy with businessman Neville Roy Singham and others during the Covid-19 time had criticized noble efforts of the Indian government to control Covid-19 and also published his articles against the vaccine manufactured by the Indian pharmaceutical companies with the intention of causing disaffection against India,” the chargesheet read.

As per the Special Cell of the Delhi Police, witnesses testified that NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and ‘urban naxal’ Gautam Navlakha gave money to Naxals to carry out violence. At the same time, NewsClick received 91 crores, later routed to fund terror activities.

The 8000-page chargesheet noted that the propaganda news outlet run by Prabir Purkayastha deliberately distorted the map of Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir to show that these territories belong to China.

It emphasised, “Five of the protected witnesses are associated with the Newsclick, and three with the case. Police have also recorded the statement of Amit Chakraborty, who turned approver…He has been granted pardon by the Hon’ble Court… He is now a witness in the case and, therefore, he is not being chargesheeted.“

Testimonies of witnesses who worked with Prabir Purkayastha

The Delhi police included the testimonies of several protected witnesses, named ‘Gama’, ‘Gama2’ and ‘Gama3’ in its chargesheet.

It quoted ‘Gama’ as saying, “During the CAA protest, Purkayastha used to send the employees to take part and incite the Muslim community to do violent acts and rioting. He also used to give cash to employees to distribute among rioters…Prabir, Chakraborty and other members had extreme Marxist and Maoist ideologies… I came to know that these people were being funded by the Chinese Communist Party.”

Another witness ‘Gama2’ said that the NewsClick founder sent a man to Shaheen Bagh to give money to Islamic extremist Sharjeel Imam, currently behind bars for his role in anti-Hindu Delhi riots. “From this money, they should purchase weapons and other equipment to incite violence and rioting,” he added. ‘Gama2’ also testified that money was later routed to Naxals in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to spark violence.

“Articles and videos which showed the vaccine developed by India in a poor light and Chinese vaccines to be better,” he further added. One witness, ‘Gama3’ informed, “Funds (received by NewsClick) were used in funding CAA/NRC protest, farmers’ agitation, supporting Kashmiri separatists against abrogation of Article 370 and Maoists groups”.”

It must be mentioned that the NewsClick founder was arrested on 3rd October, 2023, along with the company’s HR Head Amit Chakraborty for receiving illegal funds from China via the United States.

Congress’ Manish Tewari confirms party’s plan of wealth redistribution, asserts that party will take away money from the rich and give it to poor

Anurag
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Congress’ Manish Tewari confirms party’s plan of wealth redistribution, asserts that party will take away money from the rich and give it to poor

On 30th April, Congress leader Manish Tewari admitted to the wealth redistribution plan of Congress and openly claimed on social media “India will become great only when wealth is distributed evenly”. In an X post, he said, “Absolutely we will not allow chaebols and oligarchies to flourish. We will not allow 1% of Indians to hold 77% of India’s wealth. Jab Paisa bate Ek Samman Tabhi Hoga Bharat Mahan.”

Paisa bate ek saman means “when money is distributed equally’. Essentially, Congress believes that the solution to poverty is not wealth creation and job creation, but snatching the wealth of wealth creators and job creators and ‘distributing’ it equally among the poor, thus making everyone equally poor.

For those who are unaware, the “Tharoor-style” words Chaebol and Oligarchies refer to a small group of people that controls a country. In South Korea, Chaebol means a ‘large family-owned business conglomerate’. Oligarchies means a ‘small group of people having control of a country or organisation’. Though he hid the sinister plan behind the shades of “taking money from the wealthy”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeatedly warned during election rallies that Congress is eyeing on the wealth of all citizens including poor.

Tewari was replying to a question posed by political commentator Tushar Gupta where he sought an explanation on a specific point mentioned in Congress’s Manifesto. On Page 28 of Congress’s Manifesto for Lok Sabha Elections 2024, there is a point 21 that reads, “We will address the growing inequality of wealth and income through suitable changes in policies”.

Interestingly, if we go by their definitions and what Congress has planned, Tewari himself would fall under the category of the “1%” the grand old party claims own 77% of the country’s wealth. As per affidavit submitted by Manish Tewari for Lok Sabha Elections 2019, he owns assets worth Rs 15 crores. It was pointed out by Gupta as well.

Speaking to OpIndia, political commentator Tushar Gupta said, “If the interpretation of point 21 on page number 28 of the Congress Manifesto is that everyone should have equal amount of money, even if it means snatching wealth from those who have earned it or inherited it, then we must prepare ourselves for a country that would be pushed towards communism by Rahul Gandhi’s Congress.”

PM Modi warned Congress is coming for the wealth of Indians to redistribute it to illegal immigrants for its appeasement policies

On 21st April, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched an attack on the Congress party and pointed out Congress’s plans to do an economic survey to find out who owns how much wealth and asserted it will be redistributed to illegal immigrants that the Congress is so keen to settle in India. He warned that the Congress Party plans to take away the wealth of poor families and would not even leave the mangalsutra of married women.

Congress termed PM Modi’s statement as “fearmongering” and claimed they never talked about wealth redistribution in their manifesto. It was indeed true that they directly did not say it but several aspects of the manifesto hints towards the sinister plan.

Under the Section Equity on page 5 of the manifesto, the first point reads, “Congress will conduct a nationwide Socio-Economic and Caste Census to enumerate the castes and sub-castes and their socio-economic conditions. Based on the data, we will strengthen the agenda for affirmative action.” This is the first, open “hint” that Congress is all set to find out who owns how much wealth.

Notably, Congress never mentioned how it would work. Rahul Gandhi simply said in his statement that it would be redistributed among those who do not have wealth. Interestingly, Gandhi or Congress did not explain what would be counted as wealth. Is the gold that families own would be counted? What about the family jewellery? What about the inherited property of the middle class the lower middle class or the poor families? There is always someone poorer in the society. What would Congress take away and to what extent?

Gandhi in his statement on wealth redistribution simply said “It will be redistributed”. However, he did not explain the process or anything related to it leaving a major loophole in the system they are planning to bring.

Now coming to the section “Religious And Linguistic Minorities”, sub-section 5 reads, “The economic empowerment of minorities is a necessary step for India to realise its full potential. We will ensure that banks will provide institutional credit to minorities without discrimination.”

‘False and baseless’: Ram Janmbhoomi Trust condemns Rahul Gandhi’s repeated lies that President Murmu was not invited to Pran Pratishtha ceremony

OpIndia Staff
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‘False and baseless’: Ram Janmbhoomi Trust condemns Rahul Gandhi’s repeated lies that President Murmu was not invited to Pran Pratishtha ceremony

Refuting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s claim of not inviting President Droupadi Murmu for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya because of her tribal origin, Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Tuesday (30th April) said that the allegations of the Wayanad MP are “absolutely false, baseless, and misleading”.

Asserting that the President of India was invited to the event held in January this year, Champat Rai, general secretary of the trust said that he has “serious objection” to the allegations levelled by Rahul Gandhi.

“In a meeting in Gujarat, Rahul ji has said that the President Droupadi Murmu was not invited to the occasion of Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya because she is a tribal. As the General Secretary and Trustee of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, I have serious objection to these statements of Rahul ji. These statements are absolutely false, baseless, and misleading,” he said.

He said Rahul’s baseless charge about the event that took place three months ago could create divisions in the society. “These parts of the speech are seriously objectionable for us,” he added.

He also said that both President Murmu and former President Ram Nath Kovind were invited to the Pran Pratishtha. “People from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and the extremely poor were invited and they came. Also, the shramiks involved in the construction of the mandir were also present in the Prana Pratishtha ceremony. Even during the Prana Pratishtha rituals, many families belonging to scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward castes were given the opportunity to worship in the “Goodh Mandap” of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir,” Rai added. Notably, President Droupadi Murmu will visit Ayodhya and have the darshan of Ram Lalla on Wednesday.

According to the Rashtrapati Bhavan press release, President Murmu will also perform the Saryu pujan and aarti. “During her stay in Ayodhya, the President will make darshan and aarti at Shri Hanuman Garhi Temple, Prabhu Shri Ram Temple, and Kuber Teela. She will also do the Saryu pujan and aarti,” the release stated.

The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of Shri Ram Lalla at Ayodhya’s historic temple was held on January 22, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi performing the Vedic rituals, led by a group of priests. The ceremony was attended by representatives of all major spiritual and religious sects in the country. People from all walks of life, including representatives of various tribal communities, will also attend the ceremony.

Notably, Rahul Gandhi has repeatedly been lying about President Droupadi Murmu not being invited to Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony. On 13th April, he claimed that President Draupadi Murmu was not invited to the Pran Prathistha ceremony of Ram Mandir for virtue of being an Adivasi. “They had told her not to come for the Pran Prathistha of the Ram Mandir. Why? Because she is an Adivasi. This is the only reason,” he claimed.

The truth is that President Murmu was formally invited by a delegation representing the Ram Temple Trust to attend the consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.

The invitation was extended on 12th January this year by a delegation comprising Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) working president Alok Kumar, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Ram Lal, and Ram Mandir construction committee chairperson Nripendra Mishra.

USA: Violent pro-Palestine ‘students’ occupy Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall shouting “Intifada”: All we know so far

OpIndia Staff
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USA: Violent pro-Palestine ‘students’ occupy Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall shouting “Intifada”: All we know so far

In a late-night violent protest on Monday, April 29, (US local time), a mob of masked pro-Palestine University ‘students’ smashed their way into an academic building at Columbia University. Later, the rioters announced that they had taken over the building and draped it with a Palestinian flag. They also renamed the Iconic “Hamilton Hall” as ‘Hind’s Hall’. The building was previously named in honour of founding father Alexander Hamilton. Notably, it has a historic significance as demonstrators had taken it over during anti-Vietnam War protests in 1968.

(Rioting Pro-Palestine students have renamed ‘Hamilton Hall’ as “Hind’s Hall’ after violently taking over the academic building, Image Source – BBC)

Once inside the Hamilton Hall, Pro-Palestine rioters quickly covered security cameras with tape and black trash bags, according to the student-led Columbia Daily Spectator. Reportedly, the protesters also clashed with other students and briefly held some of the staff as hostages as well. 

(Pro-Palestine rioters have taken control over the Hamilton Hall, locking entries, Image Source – New York Post)

Regarding the recent violent protests, a statement posted by students’ groups said that protesters have “taken matters into their own hands.” They warned that the students will remain in Hamilton Hall until Columbia (University) divests financially from Israel, that is, the University drops financial ties with its Jewish backers. The group has also shared videos of the “protest” in which rows of students could be seen entering the building and carrying barricades.  

As per reports, after the rioting students unraveled the banners, demonstrators raised chants of “Free Palestine,” “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” – a war cry calling for Genocide of Jewish people – and “Columbia, you will see – Palestine is almost free.” 

Shocking videos, in which the ‘Students’ of the “Ivy League” could be seen indulging in violent acts have surfaced on social media. In one of these videos, a hammer-wielding rioter can be seen smashing through a glass-paneled door and placing a bike lock around its handles.

(‘Students’ stormed their entry into the academic building in support of Palestinian war against Israel, Image Source – New York Post)

In another clip, the mob is seen beating up University staffers who had tried to block the rioting students from getting inside the building. As per reports, the rioters have also brandished “Intifada” signs. A large Intifada flag has been hung from Hamilton Hall, Columbia University. Pertinent to note that Intifada is Palestine’s armed action (involving terrorist acts as well) against Israel.

(University Staffer trying to prevent rioters from entering the Academic building, Image Source – New York Post)

Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters have also swarmed outside the campus building, with some linking arms to form a human chain blocking the entrance. They demanded that they would not leave until Columbia University met each one of their demands.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson labeled the scenes an “utter disgrace” and called on the University’s president to step down. Likewise, one student described the campus as “lawless, utter anarchy”, with demonstrators breaking the building’s windows to enter, before blocking the doors with furniture.

White House condemns violent protests and takeover of the Hamilton Hall

After rioters took over Hamilton Hall in an overnight attack, the White House said that taking over campus buildings is wrong. 

Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates said, “President Biden respects the right to free expression, but protests must be peaceful and lawful. Forcibly taking over buildings is not peaceful — it is wrong. And hate speech and hate symbols have no place in America.” 

Bates added, “President Biden has stood against repugnant, antisemitic smears and violent rhetoric his entire life. He condemns the use of the term ‘intifada,’ as he has the other tragic and dangerous hate speech displayed in recent days.” 

US rocked by violent protests across various Ivy League Universities

It is pertinent to note that violent Pro-Palestine protests have created anarchic scenes on campuses across the US in recent weeks. As per reports, the recent incident of rioting was sparked after New York police cleared an earlier encampment at Columbia University. 

So far, hundreds of protestors have been arrested across the country, including dozens of protesters at the University of Texas at Austin on Monday (29th April). Officials there said protesters had ignored directions to take down their tents and that “baseball-size rocks” had been found in the encampment.

“Continuing criminal activity”: Universities urge genuine students to stay indoors

California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, a small college in Northern California, issued a shelter-in-place order for students living on campus, due to “continuing criminal activity” early Tuesday morning, according to the university’s website.

Some of the Universities have caved into violent protests and rioting by Pro-Palestinian “Students” and agreed to a settlement. As per reports, there has been a rare agreement reached in Evanston, Illinois, between Northwestern University and protesters who have camped out for days in solidarity with the Palestinians. Under the deal, the university said it would permit “peaceful demonstrations”, provided the encampment was limited to a single tent.

The epicenter of these pro-Palestinian protests, Columbia University, also advised “members of the University community” to stay away from its main Morningside Heights campus as protesters barricade themselves inside Hamilton Hall.

Meanwhile, as per US media reports, the University officials haven’t publicly said how they plan to address the latest wave of violence. It also wasn’t immediately clear if the NYPD would be called in to clear out the rioters.

Earlier, the University adopted a stern approach and it went on a mass suspension spree. It suspended Pro-Palestine students who defied Monday’s deadline to leave their two-week encampment nearby.

However, after the deadline passed, dozens of rioting students rallied at the site. The current violent demonstrations are led by two main protest groups – Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD). 

After breaching the deadline, SJP vowed to defy the order in a post on X, and called on activists to “protect the encampment”. Later, the group announced the takeover of Hamilton Hall. CUAD said it had “reclaimed” the building in honour of Hind Rajab, a six-year girl who died in Gaza earlier this year.

For those unversed, Columbia University is an elite Ivy League University in Upper Manhattan, USA. Its annual tuition fees is around $90,000 (£72,000) for undergraduates, making it one of the most expensive universities in the US.

‘Enough of dilly-dallying’: Tired of waiting, Amethi Congress holds a sit-in protest against the ongoing suspense over the 2024 Lok Sabha polls

OpIndia Staff
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‘Enough of dilly-dallying’: Tired of waiting, Amethi Congress holds a sit-in protest against the ongoing suspense over the 2024 Lok Sabha polls

The Amethi unit of the Congress, weary of the prolonged wait for a candidate announcement, is holding a sit-in protest in the long-standing VIP constituency of Uttar Pradesh. Today, outside the party office, Congress workers voiced their demands with chants of “Amethi demands the Gandhi family.”

With just four days remaining until the nomination deadline for the upcoming elections on May 20th, tension mounts as the Congress has yet to name contenders for the prestigious seats of Amethi and Raebareli. These constituencies, once held by Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi and previously by Sanjay Gandhi, hold significant historical weight.

“Enough time has been spent dilly-dallying. We are running out of patience. They should just hurry up and announce the names,” one of the Congress party workers was quoted as saying to NDTV.

With the uncertainty looming over whether the Gandhis would be able to mount a successful campaign against BJP leaders, especially Smriti Irani, who had defeated Rahul Gandhi last time, the Congress high command is predictably keeping its cards close to its chest, not revealing its future course of action. The reluctance is also compounded by the fact that Gandhi, who had fought from Wayanad in Kerala, has been accused by his opponents of betraying his constituents in the south Indian district should he choose to fight from any other constituency. 

In the previous election, Rahul Gandhi, a three-time MP from Amethi, lost the seat to BJP’s Union Minister Smriti Irani, who filed her nomination yesterday, expressing optimism for a second consecutive term.

However, the Congress remains in limbo regarding candidate selection. Despite Rahul Gandhi’s contest in Kerala’s Wayanad in 2019, the party has yet to finalize its choices for Amethi and Raebareli.

While hopes were pinned on a decision post-Kerala elections, progress has been sluggish over the past four days. Party insiders suggest a decision may be forthcoming in another day or two.

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