West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee campaigned for Malda North Lok Sabha candidate Prasun Banerjee on Saturday and asked what the BJP has done except causing harm to the people. She claimed that in Bengal, Congress and CPI(M) are helping the BJP.
At a public rally here, the West Bengal CM danced and played drums on the stage.
Mamata Banerjee said, “What has the BJP done for anyone? Has it done anything else except causing harm to people? During elections, we stay in rented hotels but on the other hand, PM Modi uses army benefits such as planes. Have you ever heard of anyone from the BJP or Congress going to Delhi and talking about Bengal?”
She hits out at incumbent BJP MP Khagen Murmu and asked where he was when funds were stopped for MGNREGA workers for 100 days of work.
“In Bengal, Congress and CPI(M) are helping the BJP. They suspended our MPs in Parliament but still, we went to Delhi and raised our demands. When the NRC was implemented in Assam, our leaders were stopped at Guwahati Airport; and seven cases were registered against me,” she added.
She further stated that the BJP won’t succeed in Bengal, South India, Punjab and Delhi, and the number of votes in MP and Rajasthan would be reduced to 50 per cent so the target of 400 seats is exaggerated.
“Last time during the election, they assured Rs 15 lakh in everyone’s account. Has anyone received the money yet?” she asked.
The state’s three parliamentary constituencies–Coochbehar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri–all of which were won by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, voted on Friday in the first phase of the general elections.
Polling in the 42 parliamentary constituencies in West Bengal is being held across all seven phases: April 19, April 26, May 4, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1. The counting of votes has been scheduled for June 4.
Though the TMC is part of the INDIA bloc, it does not have a seat-sharing arrangement with the other parties in the alliance, like Congress and the Left parties in the state.
In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC won 34 seats in the state, while the BJP had to settle for 2 seats. The CPI (M) won 2 seats, while the Congress bagged 4. However, the BJP came up with a much-improved showing in the 2019 polls, winning 18 seats against the TMC’s 22. The Congress’s tally dropped to just 2 seats, while the Left scored a blank.
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 agitation in Gujarat that started against a statement by BJP leader Parshottam Rupala has now reached death threats. Pragyaba, one of the women leaders of the Kshatriya community, made controversial comments about the union minister who hails from Gujarat. Pragyaba stated during an interview with a YouTube channel that even if he were to win, he would not remain alive.
The Kshatriya community is demanding that the BJP revoke the ticket given to Parshottam Rupala for the Lok Sabha elections for the Rajkot constituency.
She was talking to the YouTube channel “Jamawat.” A video of their conversation was uploaded on the channel’s Facebook page on 20th April. She claimed that Parshottam Rupala’s murder could also be arranged and even if he manages to win, he will not be alive for long. She claimed, “We will not be defeated. Many have fought against us in the past too, and we have always emerged victorious. This is just one Rupala. Many people have told me, ‘You just give the order, and we will see him’.”
Pragyaba further said, “If Rupala wants to stay alive, he needs to decide whether to withdraw his candidacy, continue in politics, or not. If Rupala wins, he won’t live long.” This conversation occurred after a meeting of the Rajput coordination committee in Ahmedabad on 19th April. According to Jamawat’s report, Pragyaba left the meeting early. It’s important to note that the coordination committee had given an ultimatum till 19th April and held a meeting to plan the future course of action. The committee decided to protest on all twenty-six Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat against Bharatiya Janata Party candidates.
“I left half because I didn’t like it. I walked out as it didn’t feel right to sit inside and rot my brain. I don’t like brainstorming without a purpose. Do whatever you want. I believe we’ll get rid of Rupala if it needs to be,” she conveyed after leaving the meeting. She then reiterated her threat and warned, “If Rupala wins then he will be in front of the Rajputs and won’t survive for long.”
Rajya Sabha MP Parshottam Rupala ignited a row on 22nd March after he claimed that the erstwhile “maharajas” had both broken bread with and married off their daughters to the British, at a Dalit event inciting the fury of the Rajputs, who are the descendants of Saurashtra’s former royal or princely families, as well as other Kshatriya organisations.
Rupala had said, “Even kings and royals bowed down to the British, started family bonds with them, broke bread with them, and even married their daughters to them. But our Rukhi Samaj (a Dalit community) neither changed their religion nor established such ties though they were persecuted the most.”
After the massive backlash against him over these comments, he apologised for his remarks with folded hands on 29th March at a gathering of Rajput community leaders in Gondal town of Rajkot. He later stated, “I had already apologised, saying ‘I never meant what I said.’ It is a matter of great regret for me that such words came out of my mouth.”
However, the protests against him has not stopped, with a specific demand of BJP cancelling his candidature for the general elections, and now the protests have worsened to death threat against him.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Saturday that the people gave BJP full majority in the 2014 and 2019 elections, and they used that to abolish Article 370, build Ram Mandir, implement CAA and give 33 per cent reservation to women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
Addressing the Vijay Sankalp Mahasammelan here today, Amit Shah said, “You gave us a full majority in 2014 and 2019, we used the majority to abolish 370, build the temple at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi, implement CAA and give 33% reservation to women in Lok Sabha and Assemblies.”
“If you had voted for Congress in 2019, Kota would have become the house of PFI. You voted for PM Modi and he ended PFI and put them behind bars. They say that they will lift the ban on PFI. Congress is an anti-development party. For five years there was a Gehlot government but they did not let the Eastern Rajasthan Canal project move ahead for five years. After the Bhajanlal Sharma government came to power, within three months we signed the agreement for the Eastern Rajasthan Canal project,” Shah added.
Further, the Home Minister slammed Congress and said that the first phase of elections concluded, on Friday and all the seats in Congress had been wiped off.
“When we talk about crossing 400, Congress gets stomach ache. They are spreading lies that if BJP gets 400 seats then they will end the reservation. Modi ji gave Rs 20 thousand crore to 87 lakh farmers in Rajasthan as Kisan Samman Nidhi. Made 3 lakh lakhpati didi. Tap water was supplied to the homes of 51 lakh poor people. 2 crore people were given the benefit of the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Work was done to build toilets in the houses of 86 lakh poor people. Congress is an anti-development party,” Amit Shah said further.
The remaining 13 seats in Rajasthan will be contested in the second phase on April 26.
The remaining phases will be held on May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1 accordingly. The last general elections in 2019 were also held in seven phases.
In 2019, BJP registered a sweeping victory winning 24 out of 25 seats, while the remaining one seat was won by Rashtriya Loktrantrik Party Candidate Hanuman Beniwal.
(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 a string of mysterious deaths/murders of Indian youth studying in US colleges and universities, a 20-year-old student, who lost his life last month in Boston, reportedly took his own life. As per reports, the case could possibly be linked to ‘Blue Whale Challenge’, a game which has earned notoriety as the ‘Suicidal game’.
Notably, the Indian student whose identity has been kept confidential as per his family’s wishes, was a first-year student from the University of Massachusetts. He was found dead in an abandoned car on 8th March 2024. According to official sources, while purportedly playing the ‘Blue Whale challenge’, he was holding his breath for two minutes which reportedly led to his unfortunate demise.
Initially, his death was widely reported as a murder last month when he was misidentified as a student in Boston University. However, the spokesperson for the Bristol County District Attorney, Gregg Miliote said the case is being investigated as “apparent suicide“.
Miliote said, “We have no information on this. The case is being investigated as an apparent suicide. We are awaiting the medical examiner’s final conclusions before the case is closed. This happened on March 22. There has been no response to requests for an update. He did not respond to a text and a voice call message on Friday.”
It is pertinent to note that while the Boston Globe newspaper subsequently identified the Indian student by name, OpIndia has redacted his identity in respect of his family’s wishes.
However, the cause of his death allegedly by suicide while playing the “suicidal game”, ‘Blue Whale Challenge’ needs to be brought into spotlight to spread awareness about the “game” that has been preying on teenagers and young adults around the world.
(Bing AI-generated image by OpIndia Staff)
From simple dare to ‘watch movies’ to killing oneself in the 50th step: Blue Whale Challenge
Reportedly, the recent case might be the first instance of a Blue Whale challenge that resulted in the demise of an Indian student (in recent past).
Earlier, the Indian government had wanted to ban this game years ago but it settled for a more detailed advisory instead.
As per reports, the Blue Whale Challenge is an online game in which participants are given dares to perform in 50 steps. At first dares look harmless and simple like “Wake up in the middle of the night” or “Watch a film” but they become progressively harder with self-harm coming in the final stages. In the 50th step, the participant is ultimately asked to kill themselves.
The insidious nature of the game lies in its targeting of vulnerable teenagers and young individuals grappling with depression. It traps them with the allure of excitement and the adrenaline rush of daring challenges, exploiting their fragile emotional state for sinister purposes. Even if, some participants want to quit midway, they are threatened, blackmailed or cyberbullied to complete the ‘challenge’.
According to BBC, the tasks grow more sinister like “Stand on the ledge of a tower block” or “Cut a whale into your arm” and the final challenge is for the user to kill themselves.
As per BBC report, the Blue Whale challenge reportedly originated in Russia, but it soon spread to other countries like Ukraine, India and the United States and lead to hundreds of deaths.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) issued an advisory calling the game an “abetment to suicide”.
The advisory read, “The creators seek out their players/victims who are in depression and send them an invitation to join… Players of the challenge can’t stop playing once they’ve started; they are blackmailed and cyberbullied into completing the “game.”
Additionally, the Supreme Court had once described the Blue Whale challenge a “national problem” and directed television channels to help create awareness about the deadly game. The Centre had set up an expert committee to look into the issue.
There’s widespread speculation surrounding the connection between the game and blue whales. Some journalists suggest it’s because of the phenomenon where whales beach themselves, often leading to their demise. Others believe it could be a reference to lyrics from a Russian rock band called Lumen.
A suspect who later pleaded guilty was arrested in Russia for ‘creating’ the Challenge
In May 2016, an article by journalist Galina Mursalieva in Novaya Gazeta stated that inside certain online groups, some of them with enigmatic names like “Ocean Whales” and “f57”, existed a game.
In this game, so-called “curators” would set players 50 tasks over 50 days. On the last day the user was instructed to take their own life. The Novaya Gazeta report estimated that 130 children might have killed themselves between November 2015 and April 2016 because of their participation in these groups. It would come to be known worldwide as the Blue Whale challenge, the BBC reported.
Following the publication of the article, the governor for Ulyanovsk in western Russia went on television to compare the Blue Whale challenge to the Islamic State group.
While BBC in its report argued that the game doesn’t exist, 21-year-old Philipp Budeikin was arrested in November 2016. He was charged with inciting teenagers to suicide and Budeikin appeared to admit culpability.
He told Russian media outlet Saint-Petersburg.ru: “There are people, and then there is biodegradable waste. I was cleansing our society of such people. Sometimes I start to think that it’s wrong, but in the end I had the feeling I was doing the right thing.”
He said he had created the game in 2013 under the name “f57”, combining the sound of the start of his name, Philipp, and the last two digits of his phone number. On 10 May of 2017 he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in prison.
Meanwhile, while reports link the death of the Indian student who died in Boston, last month with the ‘Blue Whale Challenge’, around 11 Indian students have been found dead in the US under mysterious circumstances this year.
A month after the Indian government extended the ban on the ‘Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF)’, a sitting UK Parliamentarian named Rachel Hopkins met a leader of the Islamist terror outfit on Monday (15th April).
Hopkins is a member of the anti-India Labour Party in the United Kingdom and a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Lutton South constituency.
She had been advocating for the release of Yasin Malik, a pro-Pakistani separatist who terrorised Kashmiri Hindus and killed four Indian Air Force officers. Hopkins’ unwavering support for Malik comes despite his terror links and involvement in the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits.
This afternoon @JklfUk and my constituent @Zafarkhanjklf held an important meeting to update us on @YASINMALIKJKLF’s ongoing trial and appeal against the death sentence.
In this regard, the Labour Party MP had met JKLF terrorist Zafar Khan to learn about the trial and appeal against the supposed ‘death sentence’ awarded to Yasin Malik.
It must be mentioned that in May 2022, the JKLF supremo was convicted by a National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on charges of terrorism. Yasin Malik pleaded guilty to the charges and was awarded life in prison. In this way, he tactfully avoided the death penalty.
Although the NIA has sought the death penalty for Yasin Malik for waging war against the Government of India, the hearing in the case was postponed by the Delhi court in February this year.
As such, there is no death sentence against the JKLF terrorist as alleged by Rachel Hopkins. The Labour MP was seen repeating Pakistani talking points on the Indian Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
“I continue to stand up for #Kashmiris & their right to self-determination,” she continued to interfere in the internal matter of India.
A year on from the revocation of Article 370, I want to send my solidarity to the people of #Kashmir.
The UK must support international efforts through the UNSC to achieve peace.
Kashmir's right to self-determination must be respected; to choose how & by whom they are governed. pic.twitter.com/Dt2OXRH7CB
A year after the abrogation of Article 370 in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, Rachel Hopkins left no stone unturned to incite the British government against India.
“On the 5th of August, it will be one year since the Indian government revoked Article 370. The people of Jammu and Kashmir were locked down, human rights attacked and subsequent violence has resulted in many deaths,” she claimed.
“…The situation in Jammu and Kashmir is of urgent importance to many of my constituents in Luton South and other members. Will the Leader ensure that time is found early in September for a debate on human rights abuses in the region?” Hopkins had pleaded.
Labour Party and its vote bank interests
On 25th September 2019, the Labour Party in the UK passed a unanimous motion on Kashmir at their party conference in Brighton.
The motion stated that Kashmir should be given the right of self-determination as per UN resolutions and urged the Labour party to ‘stand with Kashmiris fighting against occupation’.
British Pakistani Uzma Rasool submitted the motion. In her speech, Rasool claimed that Kashmir has seen ’72 years of human rights violation’, gang rapes and mass rapes by the Indian Army, and pellet gun injuries.
It must be mentioned that notable Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had earlier made his anti-India stand clear on the issue. In a tweet, Corbyn had claimed that there weew human rights abuses taking place in Kashmir.
Mumbai Police on Saturday said that it received a threat call from an unknown person who informed that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s man was going to come to Mumbai and carry out a major incident.
“After the call, the Mumbai Police control contacted the local police station,” police said.
Further details are awaited.
Earlier, a 20-year-old youth was arrested for booking a cab from Bollywood superstar Salman Khan’s residence in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi on Friday.
According to Mumbai police, the accused has been identified as Rohit Tyagi, a 20-year-old man from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
Sharing details, police said that the accused had booked a cab in the name of Lawrence Bishnoi from Galaxy Apartment, the house of actor Salman Khan, to the Bandra Police Station.
“When the cab driver reached Galaxy Apartment at Salman Khan’s house and asked the watchman there about the booking, the watchman who was stunned at first, immediately informed about the booking to the nearby Bandra Police Station,” police said.
Earlier, on Tuesday, Kutch Police arrested the two accused persons and handed them to the Mumbai Crime Branch. Later, a city court sent the two accused to the custody of the Mumbai Crime Branch until April 25 in connection with the firing incident.
The accused, identified as Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21) from Bihar, were presented before the court after a medical examination.
The two men, who came on a motorbike, fired four rounds outside the Galaxy Apartments, where the actor resides, around 5 am on Sunday morning and fled.CCTV footage showed that both accused sported caps and carried backpacks.
After the arrest of the accused, Kutch DSP AR Zankant said preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were in contact with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Notably, since November 2022, Salman’s security level has been elevated to Y-Plus after threats from gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar.
This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
There have been reports of an attack on a Hindu family in the Haryana region of Nuh by Islamists. Other Backward Class (OBC) member Santram filed a case against Idris, Junaid, Zubair, Akhlaq, Zafar, Akram, Shamim, Javed, Ayub and one other for assaulting him. Two women, Sahuni and Raveena are also named as the assailants. They are all charged with beating and mistreating the women in Santram’s family in addition to robbing his shop. Furthermore, the victims revealed that they were under pressure to leave the village and convert to Islam. Authorities have apprehended two perpetrators and submitted a First Information Report. The attack reportedly transpired on 16th April.
The matter pertained to the Pinangwan Police Station area where Santram lives with his family in the Ranyala Patakpur village. He lodged a police complaint sharing that at approximately 10:30 pm on 16th April, Akhlaq, Zubair and Nahid broke into Rameshchand’s residence and physically assaulted him. The three also made threats to shoot him while brandishing weapons. On 17th April, he launched a complaint at the Pinangwan police station. Around 7 PM on the same day, the cops responded to the report and went to the village to conduct an investigation.
Zubair and his companions were reportedly furious that Rameshchand had called the police. Santram is a grocery store owner and a member of Rameshchand’s family. On 17th April, after police returned, Idris and a few of his friends broke into Santram’s business armed with sticks. They threatened him saying, “We will kill the Kumhar,” after which Wasim, Akram and Javed also launched an attack on Rameshchand, Santram and Rajesh.
The culprits repeatedly struck the Hindu familywith sticks. The victims suffered injuries to their heads, hands and backs. Meanwhile, the family members of the Islamists started robbing Santram’s store after noticing that he was wounded. Akhlaq and a woman by the name of Sahuni are alleged to have joined Wasim during this robbery. About twenty-three thousand rupees were looted and women of Santram’s household were also harassed when they attempted to thwart the offenders. Junaid even tore the clothes of one of the Hindu women.
A family member of the victim attempted to capture the attack on a cell phone when Idris grabbed the phone and broke it. All of the villagers gathered when they heard the loud noises. The police were notified of the ruckus as well. The attackers began to flee as soon as they spotted the police and threatened, “Today the police saved you but we will kill you the next time.” Apart from Idris, Junaid, Zubair, Akhlaq, Zafar, Akram, Shamim, Rabina, Javed, Ayyub, Sahuni and Wasim, around 25 to 30 other unidentified people were also reported to be among the assailants.
Akram is also charged with starting a fire on 31st July 2023, at the mill of a person named Bunty. The victim family have disclosed that they were utterly terrified at the end of the complaint. They have also highlighted the fear of being attacked in the future. Santram has disclosed in his complaint that they are under pressure to embrace Islam and leave the village. He has demanded severe punishment for the accused, as well as protection of his family and belongings. OpIndia has a copy of the complaint.
Additionally, the victim’s family shared some videos with OpIndia. Vandalism is visible in the shop in the footage. Some of the injured, who are from Santram’s family, are shown in other photos. The family members have begged for his life and belongings, voicing his displeasure with the police response.
OpIndia spoke to the complainant who told us that his village is Muslim-majority with only 4-5 houses of Hindus. Santram provided details of the injuries sustained by three individuals from his home and conveyed that they were receiving medical attention at the hospital located in Rohtak.
OpIndia requested details regarding the actions taken thus far from the Pinangwan police station. According to Station House Officer (SHO), two suspects have been taken into custody following the filing of a formal complaint. He added that investigations and other legal procedures were underway.
At least two prisoners were killed while two others suffered severe injuries after clashes broke out among inmates at the Sangrur jail on Friday (19th April), police said. According to officials, the injured inmates are said to be in critical condition and have been transferred to Patiala for advanced medical care. The deceased have been identified as Harsh and Dharminder, while the injured inmates include Gagandeep Singh and Mohammad Sehwaz.
#WATCH | Punjab: 2 dead after a fight broke out between prisoners in Sangrur Jail
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Patiala range) Surinder Singh Saini said that nine inmates attacked four prisoners kept in a barrack when they were being shifted to a cell at 7 pm. He said the police were investigating the cause of the clash.
VIDEO | Here’s what DIG (Jail) Surinder Singh Saini said on Punjab’s Sangrur jail clash incident.
DIG (Jail) Saini said, “When the prisoners were being counted and shifted to their respective cells, nine inmates went inside the barrack and attacked four prisoners. There was a serious attack with sharp weapons.”
“Despite being rescued by the police, two prisoners died and two have been admitted to a government hospital. The whole matter is being investigated and action will be taken against the culprits,” he added.
The police are analysing the CCTV footage, and once the investigation is concluded, they will file a case against the accused.
The inmates suffered injuries caused by sharp objects: Doctor treating the inmates
Dr. Karandeep Kahel said, “A total of four patients were brought to this hospital from jail. Two of them were brought dead, and two others are in serious condition.”
#WATCH | Dr Karandeep Kahel says, "A total 4 patients were brought to this hospital from jail. 2 were dead and 2 people are in serious condition, they were referred to Patiala for further treatment" pic.twitter.com/IOeIatzeXj
He added that they were referred to Patiala for further treatment.
According to the doctors, the injured prisoners have suffered injuries on their backs, heads, arms, and ears. They added that the injuries were caused by a sharp object.
The clashes among inmates in Sangrur jail has sparked concerns regarding prison security and administration. Meanwhile, following the incident, security measures have been heightened both within and outside the jail premises.
A PhD candidate at the Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS) was suspended for two years for “repeated misconduct and anti-national activities” on 18th April. The Progressive Students Forum (PSF) claimed that Ramadas Prini Sivanandan’s involvement in a protest march in Delhi in January against the central government’s purportedly anti-student policies was a factor in the decision. However, the institute’s administration has asserted a “serious violation of discipline code made for students.”
The suspension order also restricted the student from all TISS campuses and cited a show-cause letter that was delivered to him on 7th March that questioned his participation in the march and listed several other actions on the Mumbai campus of the university. The suspension decision mentioned a show-cause notice that was delivered to him on 7th March and specified that on 17th April, a committee that was formed in response to the notification presented its recommendations. The pupil has 30 days to file an appeal.
The order read, “The Committee recommended your suspension for two years and your entry shall be debarred across all campuses of TISS,” with the addition that the recommendations have been approved by the appropriate authority. According to the 7th March notification, he participated in the protest under the PSF-TISS banner, misusing the institute’s name. According to the letter, the application of the name gave the institute which receives funding from the Ministry of Education a false impression because PSF is not an officially recognized student body.
“Save Education, Reject NEP, Save India, Reject BJP” was the slogan used during the January Parliament march, which was organized by United Students of India, a coalition of sixteen student groups, in opposition to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. “The march was an attempt to make student voices heard against the ruling BJP and its anti-student policies in the form of the National Education Policy 2020. However, by suspending a student and debarring his entry into campus for two years, the TISS administration is indirectly trying to curb all dissent against the BJP government,” read a statement released by the PSF.
Ramadas acknowledged that he took part in the “Parliament March” in Delhi on 12th January. The committee labelled the event “politically motivated,” given that the pamphlet’s slogan was “Save Education, Reject NEP, Save India, Reject BJP.” The committee noted that the organisers allowed him to participate due to his status as a TISS PhD student. The committee declared that these kinds of activities are wasteful of the institute’s resources and unlawful.
Ramadas was the PSF’s previous general secretary. He presently serves on the Student Federation of India (SFI), the PSF’s governing body, as a member of the central executive committee. Furthermore, he works as the SFI Maharashtra State Committee’s joint secretary. The institute also objected to social media posts made by him in January, urging students to attend the 26th January screening of Anand Patwardhan’s controversial documentary “Raam Ke Naam,” referring to it as “a mark of dishonour and protest against the Ram Mandir inauguration in Ayodhya,” in its 7th March show-cause notice.
“The documentary is also available for public viewing on YouTube and has also been screened on Doordarshan. The current TISS administration, however, wants to censure voices even in the online space in what students want to share and talk about,” PSF accused in a statement on 19th April.
Ramadas alleged that he had posted his personal opinions on social media and urged people to watch the documentary, which was prohibited but had previously been officially screened at the institute several times. However, the committee argued that he was utilizing the institute’s resources to pursue his own political goals. The committee came to the decision that the institute would not challenge any legal action taken by the authorities.
The show-cause notice stated that Ramadas has a history of organizing unapproved programs and protests under the auspices of PSF-TISS. It also listed further events, including the screening of the banned BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the campus on 28th January 2023, the holding of the Bhagat Singh Memorial Lecture with the participation of “contentious speakers” and late-night sit-ins with loud sloganeering outside the TISS director’s bungalow.
Although Ramadas declined to comment on the events, a close friend of his stated that he has answered every notice from the institute. “He has responded to the March 7 notice too. We are shocked with the action taken by the institute.” A student voiced that the fellowship amount along with the HRA (Rs 48,000/month) is likely to be discontinued following the suspension. According to the PSF, the administration’s actions demonstrate a pattern of actively supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party government, which is in power, at the expense of the prospects of students from underprivileged backgrounds.
“As a first-generation learner, Ramadas has unequivocally defended student rights on campus. Beyond his work as an activist, Ramadas is also a meritorious student, receiving the National Fellowship for Scheduled Castes by the Ministry of Social Justice, Government of India, for excelling in the UGC-NET examination. The autocratic actions of the TISS administration are a direct attack on marginalised students who hope to pursue higher education in public-funded institutions,” PSF alleged in a statement.
However, a top administrative officer at the institute pointed out that Ramadas is more akin to a political activist than a student and added, “He has been involved in many violations of discipline codes made for students. Such activities bring a bad name to the institute and impact the prospects of other students studying in the institute.”
Ramadas repeatedly received warnings and reminders before one show-cause notice, to which he responded with “vague, disrespectful, and unsatisfactory justification.” Notwithstanding this, the institute did not take any action because of his potential career path.
The notice highlighted that the two issues (parliament march and screening of the documentary ‘Ram ke Naam’) are highly severe and that it is against the institute’s Honor Code clauses for students to propagate their own opinions as TISS views in any medium. Furthermore, the notice stated that since TISS is a public institution, “it cannot permit or tolerate its students indulging in activities which are anti-national and bringing bad name to the country” and that such activities constitute a “serious criminal offence.” It also stated that Ramadas’ activities “are not in the interest of the nation.”
According to an administrator from the institute, the student has been engaging in “illegal” activities on a regular basis. He observed, “Students are expected to focus on studies, but a section of students are involved in political activities, which is bringing a bad name to the brand value of the institute and also affecting its placements. We are a public-funded institution,” and expressed that some other students had faced disciplinary punishment for acting violently and inciting hatred on campus.
Ramdas was pursuing his PhD in the growth and evolution of plantation workers. According to sources, he would seek legal help about the matter.
Kerala’s cultural capital Thrissur marked the famous Thrissur Pooram festivities on 20th April this year. Notably, devotees and onlookers gather near the temple to celebrate the festival with music, procession, fair and fireworks and it also involves friendly rivalry and competition between different temples. However, Thrissur Pooram which is known as one of the largest temple festivals celebrated across the world, was marred by Police excesses. The devotees encountered issues last night (19th April) due to the police’s use of excessive force to control the celebrating crowd. Nonetheless, LED-adorned canopies in honour of Lord Ram were a major attraction this year.
As per local media reports, it is widely being alleged that the unwanted interferences of the Police caused the delay in fireworks which had happened only twice in the past owing to extreme weather conditions. The excessive Police interference reportedly created a ruckus during the early morning rituals as police are accused of restricting devotees’ entry, manhandling them, and imposing severe restrictions on the festivities.
The Thiruvambady section, one of the participating temples, stopped the festivities when the police erected barricades during the ezhunallippu (procession) at the Madathil Varavu panchavadyam. As a result, the percussion artists left the Vadakkunnatha temple, and the elephants, as well as the festival fans, did the same.
In response, the Thiruvambady Devaswom staged a symbolic protest and turned off the lights at the Pooram panthal in Naduvilal junction which happened for the first time in the glorious history of this popular festival.
Speaking with The New Indian Express, Thiruvambady Devaswom president Sundar Menon expressed anguish stating, “The stand taken by the police department has been troubling us and it reached a stage where organising pooram became difficult. Though we had explained our concerns multiple times during meetings, it seems no one cared and hence we had to take such a decision.”
It is pertinent to note that an argument broke out between members of the Thiruvambady Devaswom and cops as they imposed several restrictions in the Swaraj Round before the fireworks, the main attraction of the festivities. It is alleged that police allowed only 175 people in the Swaraj Round during the fireworks display. The devaswoms found it impractical as hundreds of people had volunteered to organise pooram and they couldn’t be barred from watching the fireworks and taking part in the celebrations.
Consequently, the Devaswom official called off the Pooram proceedings. They held the customary practices in a low-key manner at the Thiruvambady temple in the presence of only a single elephant. Similarly, the fireworks which were scheduled at 3 AM eventually happened at 7 AM after a lot of discussions.
Moreover, the procession of the Paramekkavil section, another temple participating in the event, faced police barricades, causing considerable disturbance. Only a single elephant and a handful of attendees were permitted to proceed, while entry was denied to others, and some Pooram enthusiasts were allegedly manhandled. Musicians and elephants were also halted during last night’s procession.
Nonetheless, several videos of the Thrissur Pooram (festival) are doing rounds on the internet with netizens highlighting the presentation in honour of Shri Ram (Ram Lalla at Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh).
Kerala Joins Ram Mandir Celebrations: Ramlallas Appear at Thrissoor Pooram
The unexpected happened yesterday during the iconic Thrissur Pooram celebration in Kerala. Devotees who had come for the celebrations were pleasantly surprised to have darshan of Ramlallas. Staying true… pic.twitter.com/O2ugSlzYTh
Kudamattam is the most colourful event of the Thrissur Pooram festival. The ritual, which has two rows of 15 elephants standing face to face displaying innovatively designed parasols one after the other, symbolises the friendly rivalry and camaraderie between the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Temples. LED parasols featuring Lord Ram and Chandrayaan were the major attractions of this year’s Kudamattam.
#WATCH | Visuals of Kudamattam from Thrissur. LED parasols featuring Lord Ram and Chandrayaan were the major attractions of this year's Kudamattam.
Kudamattam is the most colourful event of the Thrissur Pooram festival. The ritual, which has two rows of 15 elephants standing… pic.twitter.com/9CMzz4dphN
Hundreds of people witnessed the Thrissur Pooram festival!
The colorful celebrations captivated the viewers. LED parasols featuring Lord Ram and Chandrayaan were the major attractions of this year's Kudamattam. #ThrissurPooram2024pic.twitter.com/Gc7YalUpvw
Kerala’s popular centuries old festival: Thrissur Pooram
Observed in the Malayalam month of Medam, Thrissur Pooram is a seven-day festival. Its sixth day is considered to be the most important one. On this day, Thrissur Pooram festivities takes place. This festival is celebrated when the moon rises with the Pooram star.
As per official website of Thrissur Pooram festival, the celebrations involve several temples including – the Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple, Laloor Bhagavathy Temple, Sree Karthyayani Temple, Kanimangalam Temple, Nethila Kavu Bhagavathy Temple, Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple, e Paramekkavu Bagavathi Temple, Panamukkumpally Sastha Temple, Pookattikkara – Karamukku Bhagavathy Temple, Chembukkavu Bhagavathy Temple, and the Parakkottukavu Bhagavathy Temple.
During this day, 50 adorned elephants, accompanied by traditional music, parade in the Thekkinkadu Maidanam of Thrissur. At the heart of Thekkinkadu Maidanam stands the renowned Vadakkunnathan Temple, dedicated to Lord Vadakkunnathan. People from all over India and abroad participate in the processions and visit Thrissur Pooram to offer prayers to Lord Vadakkunnathan on this special day. The fireworks display at Vedikkettu is one of the festival’s main highlights. This year, it is being marked on 20th April. However, the alleged unwanted police interferences and excesses marred this year’s festivities.
