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“People linked to organised crime in Punjab welcomed in Canada”: EAM Jaishankar

ANI
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“People linked to organised crime in Punjab welcomed in Canada”: EAM Jaishankar

In a fresh critique of the Justin Trudeau-led dispensation for giving space and legitimacy to “extremism, separatism, and advocates of violence” in the name of free speech, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Canada has been issuing visas to people with links to organised crime despite warnings from New Delhi.

Sharing the stage with the state’s intellectuals and professionals for an interaction on his book ‘Why Bharat Matters’, Jaishankar said some people in Canada, with ‘pro-Pakistan leanings’, have organised themselves politically and taken the shape of an influential political lobby.

On the rise of pro-Khalistani activities in Canada and the arrest of three Indians over their alleged involvement in the killing of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Jaishankar said, “In some countries, these kinds of people have organised themselves politically and become a political lobby and in some of these democratic countries, the politicians of these countries are made to believe that if they defer to these people or pander to these people, these people have some ability to get a community to support them. So, they have tried to create space for themselves in the politics of these countries. I mean, at this time, it’s not so much a problem in the US.”

“Our biggest problem right now is in Canada. Because in Canada, actually, today the party in power in Canada, and other parties in Canada have given these kinds of extremism, separatism, and advocates of violence a certain legitimacy in the name of free speech. See, when you tell them something, their answer is no no we are a democratic country but it is free speech. The point that they need to understand, it is no longer a world that runs as a one-way street. If there are that which happen out there, there will be pushback. Newton’s law of politics will apply there also. There will be a reaction. Others will take steps or counter it,” he added. 

He said he saw reports that three people have been arrested, and, the Canadian police have conducted ‘some investigation’.

Nijjar was shot and killed after he had stepped out of a gurdwara in Surrey in June last year. A video clip of his killing reportedly surfaced in March this year, purportedly showing Nijjar being fatally shot by assailants, in what was claimed to be ‘contract killing’.

Jaishankar said Canada has been welcoming people from India with links to organised crime, ignoring warnings by New Delhi.  

“Often, when I see for example these kinds of attacks, threats to our embassies, because they concern me very deeply and I tell the foreign minister, suppose if (they) happened to you, if it was your embassy, your diplomat, your flag, how would you react. We have to keep our position strong on this particular report which has come. I also saw it yesterday night, I was coming to Odisha in the morning, somebody may have been arrested, their police may have done some investigation,” Jaishankar said at the event.

“But, the fact is that a number of gangland people, a number of people with organised crime links from Punjab have been made welcome in Canada. We have been telling Canada saying look these are wanted criminals from India, you have given them visas. Many of them have come in false documentation and yet you allow them to live there. If you decide to import for political purposes people with very dubious, actually, very negative backgrounds, there will be issues, they have in some cases created problems in their own country as a result of their own policies. No, why would we fear, if something happens there, it is for them to worry about,” he added. 

On May 4, Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh levelled a fresh allegation of an India hand in the killing of Nijjar. However, the Canadian police administration did not share any evidence suggesting India’s involvement in the killing of the Khaliatani leader.

Jagmeet’s party backs the Liberal minority government led by Trudeau in exchange for support on some key bills.

After the Canadian Police announced the arrest of three alleged accused in the killing of Hardep Nijjar, Jagmeet renewed his claim of an Indian hand in the incident.

“The Indian government hired assassins to murder a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil – at a place of worship. Today 3 arrests were made. Let me be clear – any Indian agent or state actor that ordered, planned or carried out this murder must be exposed and met with the full force of Canadian law. For Canada, democracy and free speech – there must be Justice for Hardeep Singh Nijjar,” Jagmeet posted from his X handle.

In 2023, the Canadian PM alleged an Indian hand in the killing, a claim that was vehemently denied by India which called it ‘absurd and motivated’. The Canadian Police have also not given any evidence linking India to the killing. 

Earlier, on Friday, Canadian police released photographs of all three persons arrested in the killing of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year amid an ongoing probe into alleged connections of the Indian government.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in a statement named the three men, all Indian nationals, as Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22 and Karan Brar, 22 and released their photographs. The trio were arrested in Edmonton City in Alberta.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) of Surrey, RCMP on Friday (local time) said that on the morning of May 3, IHIT investigators, with the assistance of members from the British Columbia and Alberta RCMP and the Edmonton Police Service, arrested the three men for the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey.

The trio have now been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in relation to the homicide, according to a Royal Canadian Mounted Police press release. Along with photographs of the three accused, the Canadian police have also released the photographs of the car believed to have been used by the suspects in the time leading up to the homicide, in and around the Surrey area.

Addressing reporters at a news conference on Friday, RCMP Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, who leads the Federal Policing Program in the Pacific Region, emphasised the active nature of the investigation into Nijjar’s murder.

“Three suspects have been arrested and charged for their alleged involvement in the killing of Nijjar… We are not able to make any comments on the nature of the evidence… Nor can we speak behind the motive of the murder of Nijjar… However, I will say this matter is very much under active investigation,” he said.

“There are separate and distinct investigations ongoing into these matters, certainly not limited to the involvement of the people arrested today, and these efforts include investigating connections to the government of India,” Teboul also said. 

India and Canada are dealing with an unprecedented diplomatic crisis, after the Canadian Prime Minister accused agents of the Indian government of killing Canadian Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. However, India has dismissed the accusations as “absurd” and “motivated.” 

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

Gujarat: Islamic preacher Sohail arrested for threatening to kill Hindu activist, was planning to target Nupur Sharma and T Raja Singh

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat: Islamic preacher Sohail arrested for threatening to kill Hindu activist, was planning to target Nupur Sharma and T Raja Singh

On Saturday (4th May), the Surat police arrested a radical Islamic preacher for threatening to kill Hindu activist Updesh Rana, who runs an organisation named ‘Sanatan Sangh’.

As per reports, the accused was identified as Sohail Abubakar Teemol. He is a resident of Kathor area in Surat city of Gujarat. Surat Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot confirmed the development during a press conference.

Besides working as a factory manager, Sohail serves as an Aalim (Islamic scholar) at a madrassa. He had threatened Updesh Rana over WhatsApp, following which a police complaint was filed against him.

Besides Updesh Rana, Sohail was also planning to target ex-BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and Hyderabad MLA T Raja Singh. The Surat Police have also found anti-Hindu content on the mobile phone of the radical Islamic preacher.

The cops have initiated a probe into the matter and are interrogating him in connection to the case. According to the Surat Police Commissioner, Sohail and his henchmen had other Hindu leaders on their target as well.

The accused was reportedly in touch with handlers in Nepal and Pakistan for 1.5 years, besides people based in Indonesia, Vietnam and Kazakhstan. He used to use gaming platforms to chat with his accomplices.

During the press conference, Anupam Singh Gehlot informed that Sohail is an Islamic fanatic, who wanted to avenge those supposedly involved in mocking Prophet Mohammed.

Australia: Police shoot dead 16-year-old boy armed with a knife after he stabbed a man in Perth, the minor was enrolled in de-radicalisation program

OpIndia Staff
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Australia: Police shoot dead 16-year-old boy armed with a knife after he stabbed a man in Perth, the minor was enrolled in de-radicalisation program

A 16-year-old boy was shot dead by police in Perth’s south after stabbing a civilian and calling the police to threaten them with more “acts of violence.” He did not identify himself or give specifics about where he was when he initially contacted Triple Zero but a second call alerted the police to someone brandishing a huge kitchen knife and “running around a car park.” When Western Australia Police arrived at a Bunnings parking lot in Willetton on 4th May night, shortly after 10 pm, they discovered the accused wielding a knife. Authorities were also notified by several onlookers of a potentially dangerous situation that was taking place on the High Street.

Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese also reacted to the incident and sent his condolences to the victims. He stated, “I have spoken with WA Premier Roger Cook this morning, and I thank the WA Police for acting swiftly to contain the incident.” The AFP Commissioner and the Director-General of ASIO also briefed him on the circumstances. He added, “I’m advised there is no ongoing threat to the community on the information available. We are a peace-loving nation and there is no place for violent extremism in Australia.”

Within minutes of receiving a tip, three police officers arrived at the area, per Western Australia Police Commissioner Col Blanch. They found a lone guy scuttling around the parking lot while carrying a big kitchen knife. According to him, when the youngster refused to lay down the knife as ordered and instead lunged at the officers, two officers tried to tase him. “Both of them didn’t have the full desired effect, and the male continued to advance on the third officer, who fired a single shot and fatally wounded the male,” Col Blanch informed during a press conference on 5th May.

After reviewing the bodycam footage of the officers, the commissioner declared that he was satisfied with how the response had been appropriate given the gravity of the danger. During the news conference, Western Australian Premier Roger Cook stated that although the adolescent seemed to have been “radicalised online” by extremist ideology, there was no indication that he belonged to any kind of network or group.

Furthermore, a man in his 30s with stab wounds in his back was discovered at the Bunnings parking lot and was taken to a hospital. He is in a stable condition now. Officials stated that until the teenager was shot, they were unaware of a victim. Other reports noted that the person who was stabbed was “doing well” and in a serious but stable condition in the hospital.

According to Commissioner Blanch, the perpetrator was brought to the attention of law enforcement in 2022 while participating in a de-radicalization (countering violent extremism) initiative aimed at combating violent extremist beliefs. Police contend that it is premature to consider the incident to be an act of terrorism until the attack’s reasons have been investigated, which is why it hasn’t been labelled as such. “It certainly has the hallmarks of one (a terrorist attack) and the reason why I would declare it as a terrorist act going forward, it’s about timing. Sometimes you’ll see terrorist acts being claimed very early or declared very early.”

He highlighted, “I believe this is a person acting alone. I don’t need additional capability at this time whilst it meets the criteria or at least the definition.” The police commissioner described the attacker as a “caucasian male.” Since another 16-year-old boy attacked an Assyrian Orthodox bishop and priest in a church on 15h April, police and operatives from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation have been conducting a counterterrorism investigation in Sydney, a city on the east coast.

Punjab: 19-year-old Bakshish Singh beaten to death over alleged sacrilege, SGPC justifies the killing, calls for boycott of murdered boy’s family

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab: 19-year-old Bakshish Singh beaten to death over alleged sacrilege, SGPC justifies the killing, calls for boycott of murdered boy’s family

On 4th May, a 19-year-old youth identified as Bakshish Singh alias Gola was beaten to death by angry devotees over alleged sacrilege outside the premises of Gurdwara Sahib Baba Bir Singh, in village Bandala of district Ferozpur, Punjab. As per reports, Bakshish allegedly tore the ‘Holy Ang’ of Shri Guru Granth Sahib at the Gurdwara, after which the devotees present at the scene caught him. They dragged him outside where he was brutally beaten before handing over to the police. Bakshish succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. For those who are unaware, the pages of Shri Guru Granth Sahib are known as ‘Ang’.

Police were informed about the incident but the devotees beat him mercilessly before the police reached the scene. He was handed over to the police in an unconscious state. Police rushed him to the nearest private hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Devotees and villagers informed police that Bakshish never visited the particular Gurdwara ever before.

Speaking to the media, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), City Police Station, Sukhvinder Singh said that a young man committed sacrilege at Gurdwara Sahib Baba Bir Singh. Police added that after tearing the pages, Bakshish tried to run away. The devotees present at the Gurdwara held him and beat him to death. In a statement, Bakshish Singh’s father Lakhvinder Singh said he was mentally unstable and was on medication for the past two years. A video of people beating Bakshish Singh went viral on social media platforms.

An FIR under Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the deceased has been registered over sacrilege at the Arifke Police Station based on the complaint of chairman of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Committee’s chairman Lakhvir Singh. However, Bakshish’s father urged the police to file another FIR for the murder of his son.

SGPC justified killing the youth over allegations of sacrilege

Following the incident, Shri Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) issued a statement and justified lynching of youth over allegations of sacrilege. In the statement, SGPC said, “Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh termed the death of the accused of sacrilege as a reaction to the ‘failure to punish the culprits and give exemplary punishments by law’. Moreover, the Jathedar has also ordered the Sikh Sangat to socially and religiously boycott the family of the accused of sacrilege and not to allow the last rites of the accused to be held in any Gurdwara Sahib.”

The complete statement by SGPC read, “Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh today expressed deep grief over the incident of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji at Gurdwara Baba Bir Singh in Bandala village in Ferozepur district and termed the death of the accused of sacrilege as a reaction to the ‘failure to punish the culprits and give exemplary punishments by law’. Moreover, the Jathedar has also ordered the Sikh Sangat to socially and religiously boycott the family of the accused of sacrilege and not to allow the last rites of the accused to be held in any Gurdwara Sahib. Today in a statement issued from the Secretariat, Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh said that for a long time, incidents of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji have been taking place under a well-planned conspiracy. He said that the government’s law is neither proving successful in stopping the incidents of sacrilege nor in punishing the culprits. He said that today’s incident of sacrilege at Gurdwara Baba Bir Singh in Bandala village of Ferozepur district is a very unfortunate incident in this series which has hurt the sentiments of Sikhs. He said that for Sikhs there is nothing above Sri Guru Granth Sahib and incidents of sacrilege badly harm the soul and mentality of Sikhs. The Jathedar said that when the rule of law fails miserably in performing its duty, then people are forced to seek justice in their own way. He also warned the government that instead of troubling the Sangat or any Sikh regarding the death of the accused of sacrilege, the truth should be brought before the Sangat as soon as possible as to who sent the accused of sacrilege and under what conspiracy.”

Multiple cases of murders over alleged sacrilege in Punjab

This is not the first time there has been a case of murder over alleged sacrilege in Punjab. In January this year, Nihang Sikh killed a young man at a gurudwara in Phagwara, Punjab, on suspicion of sacrilege. The accused identified as Ramandeep Singh Mangu Math, posted the footage of the youth before murdering him and claimed responsibility for the murder.

In 2023, protests erupted after a man allegedly attacked two ‘granthis’ (Sikh priests) and desecrated the ‘Guru Granth Sahib’ at a gurudwara in Morinda. The accused, Jasvir Singh, had been apprehended by the Punjab Police.

In a video of the event that circulated on social media, Jasvir was seen entering the sanctum sanctorum of medieval Gurudwara Kotwali Sahib Kotwali after crossing the railing and then hitting two ‘granthis’ reciting Gurbani, before throwing the holy book on the ground. Jasvir was later overpowered and beaten by worshippers at the temple. He was then turned over to the police.

In another incident reported in November 2023, a Punjab home guards constable was killed and five policemen were injured in a clash with Nihang Sikhs in Kapurthala’s Sultanpur Lodhi. The deceased constable has been identified as Jaspal Singh, who was posted at Sultanpur Lodhi police station.

The incident happened as two of the Nihang groups had been at loggerheads for the past days over the control of the Gurudwara Akal Bunga situated opposite to main Gurudwara Ber Sahib. The Nihangs, who were heavily armed, had locked the Gurudwara from the inside. The police had barricaded the whole area and initiated talks with the Nihang group to vacate the possession. However, clashes erupted and the police home guard constable was killed.

On December 18, a man was lynched to death by the Sikh Sangat (Sikh devotees) in Shri Harmandir Sahib Gurudwara in Amritsar over an alleged attempt to disrespect the holiest book of Sikh religion, Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. As the CCTV footage showed, the young man jumped into the Sanctorum where the holy book was placed. He picked up the kirpan (sword) that was placed next to the holy book. By that time, Sikh Sangat present got into action and grabbed him. Reports suggest the Sangat alleged he was trying to desecrate Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The man was lynched by the Sangat, and his body was placed outside the Gurudwara premises. More such case cases can be checked here.

Desperate BBC passes off Congress worker, arrested for spreading fake news, as Telangana Chief Minister to create ‘Darr ka Mahol’

Dibakar Dutta
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Desperate BBC passes off Congress worker, arrested for spreading fake news, as Telangana Chief Minister to create ‘Darr ka Mahol’

On Saturday (4th May), the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) attempted to cast aspersions on Indian democracy and the integrity of the ongoing elections by trying to build a case for a Congress worker named Arun Reddy.

Reddy, who runs the propaganda X (formerly Twitter) handle ‘Spirit of Congress’ was arrested on Friday (3rd May) night for disseminating a maliciously edited video of BJP leader Amit Shah and falsely claiming that he promised to end reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs.

Through a propaganda piece (archive), BBC came to the rescue of Arun Reddy and elevated his stature from a mere Congress worker to the Chief Minister of the state of Telangana.

Screengrab of the article published by BBC

The article was dubiously titled ‘India elections: Telangana Chief Minister Arun Reddy held over edited video’. From the very onset, BBC tried to give the impression that the arrest of the Congress worker was an act of ‘political vengeance.’

It claimed, “Police in India have arrested the social media head of one of the country’s main opposition parties over a doctored video of the interior minister.“

“The Congress says Mr Reddy was not involved, and accused the authorities of clamping down on rivals as the country votes in a national election,” the national broadcaster of the UK further added.

BBC claims Arun Reddy is Telangana CM

The BBC article then went on to point out how Amit Shah is a heavyweight politician, insinuating that Arun Reddy has been arrested for messing with the ‘second most powerful man after Narendra Modi.’

In its desperation to cast aspersions on India’s democracy and integrity of elections, the British Broadcasting Corporation passed off the arrested Congress worker as ‘CM of Telangana.’

It wrote, “The doctored video in question showed Mr Shah giving a campaign speech promising to end help for Muslims in the southern state of Telangana, where Arun Reddy is chief minister.“

Screengrab of the misleading headline of BBC article

Later in its article, the BBC quoted a Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed to claim that Arun Reddy is not involved in any doctored video.

BBC attempts to do ‘course correction’

The BBC later tweaked its headline to refer to Arun Reddy as ‘top India opposition official,’ which too is a misleading description of the arrested Congress worker. A few hours later, it changed the headline again to ‘India opposition official’.

As expected, the propaganda news outlet however did not bother to cite an apology or issue any clarification for its outrageous and misleading claims.

Screengrab of the modified headline of BBC News

Nonetheless, the BBC continued to reiterate its dubious narrative about the state of India’s politics under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

To further amplify the ‘Darr ka Mahol’ narrative, it claimed, “Mr Modi has promoted a brand of muscular Hindu nationalism since coming to power a decade ago. He is expected to win a third term.“

In recent times, several Western propaganda news outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian and ABC News have upped their ante in peddling disinformation in the hopes of influencing the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

‘Why bother responding when you don’t care about outside noise?’ Sunil Gavaskar lashes out at Virat Kohli over strike-rate rant

OpIndia Staff
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‘Why bother responding when you don’t care about outside noise?’ Sunil Gavaskar lashes out at Virat Kohli over strike-rate rant

Virat Kohli’s performance in IPL 2024 has placed him among the top run-getters, yet concerns persist over his strike rate, particularly against spin bowlers. Despite this, his recent explosive 70 not out off 44 balls against Gujarat Titans showcased significant improvement, with a strike rate of 179 against spinners, marking his third-best performance in this regard in a T20 innings. This performance came amid criticism, prompting Kohli to lash out at his detractors.

However, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar expressed frustration on air over Kohli’s behaviour during RCB’s clash with GT in the IPL 2024.

Gavaskar was displeased with Kohli’s remarks and criticized the former RCB captain just before the start of the match against GT at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. He pointed out that commentators only scrutinized Kohli when he got out before the slog overs, having registered a strike rate below 120.

Slamming Kohli over his unwarranted rant against commentators, Gavaskar said, “They questioned only when the strike rate was 118. I’m not too sure. I don’t watch too many matches, so I don’t know what the other commentators have said otherwise. But if you have a strike of 118 and then you get out on the 14th or the 15th with a strike rate of 118, I mean, if you want applause for that, that’s a little bit different. That’s different.” Additionally, Gavaskar called out Kohli for his hypocrisy in responding to critics after previously stating that he cared little about outside noise. He emphasised that commentators don’t operate with hidden agendas and are simply doing their job.

“When you talk about all these guys talk about, oh we don’t care about outside noise, acha. Then why are you replying to any outside noise or whatever it is. We all played a bit of cricket, not a lot of cricket. We don’t have agendas. We speak about what we see. We don’t necessarily have any likes and dislikes. Even if we have likes and dislikes, we actually speak on what is happening,” Gavaskar said.

‘Modi pledging to kill Canadians in their homes’: Canadian media publishes propaganda article with false claims, says Khalistan movement is ‘romantic tendency’

Paurush Gupta
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‘Modi pledging to kill Canadians in their homes’: Canadian media publishes propaganda article with false claims, says Khalistan movement is ‘romantic tendency’

In yet another damp squib and shoddy attempt to peddle fake propaganda, Canadian media house The Globe and Mail recently published an Opinion piece by Journalist Doug Saunders that is riddled with lies, fake news, and a brazen attempt at white-washing Khalistani terrorism. Distorting PM Narendra Modi’s assertations that India will fight terrorism in India and in other countries if needed, Saunders claimed that Modi was threatening to kill foreigners in their home countries including Canadian citizens in Canada.

In the Opinion piece titled (archived): Narendra Modi’s threat to kill foreigners ‘in their homes’ can’t simply be ignored, the Canadian scribe goes on to make unhinged political rants based on sheer lies. Pertinent to note that Saunders has based his falsehoods and smear campaign on the misquoted speech of PM Modi where he had reaffirmed stern action against Pakistan-based terrorism.  

Posting a link to the article, Saunders wrote on X, “In recent weeks, Narendra Modi has been pledging, in campaign speeches, to kill Canadians and other foreigners “in their homes”.”

He claimed that PM Modi has adopted a violent new campaign message during the ongoing elections, claiming that “Mr. Modi has taken credible accusations from Western officials that his government has sent agents abroad to kill Canadians and other foreigners – the most overt form of foreign interference – and turned them into taunts.”

He claimed that by saying “India no longer sends dossiers, it kills enemies in their homes,” PM Modi issued threats to Muslim and Sikh foreigners.

Busting the bogus lie which is the foundation of the propaganda piece

Foremost, the central premise of the article that PM Modi made statements declaring India’s intent to kill “foreigners” in their homes, is a blatant lie. While referring to the menace of terrorism, the majority of which is Pakistan state-sponsored acts against India, PM Modi had repeatedly asserted, for years, that New India strikes terrorists inside their own territory, Ghar me ghuske marenge. 

Additionally, for years, PM Modi has highlighted the policy measures of his government including the Surgical and Air Strikes in the backdrop of terror incidents carried out by Pakistani nationals or Pakistan-backed terrorists in the Uri and Pulwama regions. Notably, these were counter-terrorism operations and India had shared relevant information about the same to concerned allies and players on the matter. Every major military power, including Canada, conducts such operations against terrorists in foreign countries. Additionally, there had been no reports of civilian casualties in these strikes as it was specifically targeted against terrorists, not ‘foreign citizens’ let alone targeting them for their religious beliefs. 

In the recent incident which has spooked the Western media including the author of the hit piece, PM Modi had referred to foreign media reports that accused India of eliminating terrorists deep inside Pakistan allegedly through its spy network run by Intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW). While several Independent observers have pointed out grave inaccuracies in these unsubstantiated articles cum conspiracy theories, it is pertinent to note that the purported slain individuals were dreaded terrorists who had links with or directly involved in orchestrating, funding, and carrying out terror acts in India. 

Furthermore, Western media reports seem to operate in a vacuum as they omit PM Modi’s direct dig at Pakistan in such rallies including references like a nation that can’t afford flour (atta), a crumbling economy, and cross-border killings of Indian soldiers while vowing to respond to every terror threat that looms large on the country. 

The reality behind the misquoted speech and genesis of the ‘Ghar me Ghuske marenge’ remark

Doug Saunders starts the article by adjudging that PM Modi has “adopted a violent new campaign message” forgetting that affirming state policy of counter-terrorism is not a criminal act or a violent message. 

Based on a falsely attributed speech to PM Modi, the article states, “In recent speeches, Mr. Modi has taken credible accusations from Western officials that his government has sent agents abroad to kill Canadians and other foreigners – the most overt form of foreign interference – and turned them into taunts.” 

Citing a report from The Washington Post, it falsely attributes PM Modi as saying, “Today, even India’s enemies know: This is Modi, this is the New India. This New India comes into your home to kill you” during his rally on 5th April. 

Incidentally, in reply to a journalist query on these “Ghar me ghus ke marenge” remarks, the White House had noted that it was limited to bilateral issues between India and Pakistan. It had further sermonised that India and Pakistan should avoid any escalation and find a resolution through dialogue. Further, the catchphrase became popular in India after PM Modi vowed to avenge Indian soldiers Killed in Action in the dastardly Pulwama terror attack in 2019 asserting that the terrorists would be hunted down and coined this phrase which has been popular ever since. 

Peddles anti-Muslim and anti-Sikh propaganda

The article cites another speech by the Indian Prime Minister and goes on to brazenly include lies along the lines of anti-Muslim and anti-Sikh tropes against the Modi government and the BJP. 

Citing a report by NDTV, the article rants, “That threat, aimed at Muslim and Sikh foreigners his party considers enemies, was repeated on Tuesday, as reported by India’s NDTV: With regard to foreigners ‘who look at our borders with malicious intent,’ he bragged at an event, ‘India no longer sends [documents], it kills enemies in their homes.’ Out of ignorance of Indian political parlance or nefarious agenda, apart from painting BJP as haters of Muslim and Sikh ‘foreigners’, it has interchanged terrorists and anti-India elements with the word foreigner. 

Once again, the Canadian journalist overlooks India’s direct reference to Pakistan, as India has sent numerous dossiers to Pakistan regarding the 26/11 and other terrorist attacks. Instead, the journalist bases the argument solely on a stand-alone line, disconnected from the broader context, and works in a vacuum. Further, the India-Pakistan dossier and the menace of Pakistan-state-sponsored terror and India’s response on exactly similar lines predate Justin Trudeau’s unsubstantiated allegations or diplomatic row between India and Canada. 

To buttress his canards, the article cites two incidents that transpired this week. The article then paints India’s action to summon and reprimand the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner over the incident of Pro-Khalistan slogans being raised in the presence of Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and opposition leader Pierre Poilievre in bad light. 

While admitting that Pro-Khalistan slogans were raised during the said incident for which India took the diplomatic step, the article claims that the action was taken because some in the crowd shouted ‘anti-Modi slogans’.  Defending the Pro-Khalistan slogans, the article states, “Others, as some often do at this event, chanted slogans supporting the implausible idea of turning the Punjab region into a separate Sikh nation of Khalistan.” 

The journalist claimed that India was in the wrong to point out that Pro-Khalistan sloganeering in the presence of the Canadian Prime Minister amounted to an endorsement of radical Khalistani terrorism.  

According to the author, India’s diplomatic move came at the time when The Washington Post was going to publish a so-called expose and the name of a senior Indian spy who allegedly carried out or attempted to assassinate Khalistani terrorists on US and Canadian soil while calling them “Prominent Sikhs”.  

Once again interchanging terrorists with ‘foreigners’ and falsely claiming that they are being targeted for their religious beliefs, the article cited the Washington Post to state, “The report described a campaign of ‘defensive offence’ aimed at assassinating and persecuting foreign non-Hindus who are at odds with Mr. Modi’s policies. At least five other Canadians, it claimed, were assassination targets.”

Whitewashes Khalistani terrorism

The opinion piece suggests that the diplomatic strain in India-Canada ties traces back to Trudeau’s tumultuous visit to India in 2018. However, it proceeds to blame India, alleging that the strained ties occurred because Canada did not overlook or tolerate what India would have preferred—New Delhi’s extrajudicial acts.

The Canadian journalist then goes on to brazen it out saying, ‘The problem is that there are no “Khalistani terrorists”.’

While it acknowledges the Khalistani terrorism that rocked India in the 1980s, it claims that it has vanished in thin air, is non-existent in India and it is just a romantic tendency in Western Canada. 

In his opinion piece, Saunders goes on to white-wash the ongoing acts of Khalistani radicalism and terrorism in India and abroad, stating, “Yes, Sikh nationalism was a fearsome terrorist movement in the 1980s, responsible for the Air India bombing, which remains Canada’s deadliest terrorist incident, and for the 1984 assassination of Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi. But after the 80s, Sikh terrorism vanished as quickly and completely as Quebec-separatist terrorism did after 1970. Today’s Khalistani activists are a romantic tendency in Western Canada, and non-existent in India. It is not wise for Canadian prime ministers to be associating with ethnic separatists of any variety, but these ones are considered by experts to be no more harmful than Bloc Québécois MPs.”

A Non-Exhaustive List of Recent Attacks: Evidence that Khalistani Terrorism remains a serious threat to India and can’t be taken lightly let alone consider it as non-existent or non-harmful

While the author, citing ‘experts’, claims that Khalistani terrorists are ‘non-harmful’, it overlooks Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s repeated threats against Hindus, threats against PM Modi, including bombing airlines, disrupting the World Cup with attacks, targeting Indian diplomats outside India, and the involvement of Khalistani terrorist Amritpal Singh in attacks, as well as the RPG attack on Punjab Police’s Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali, India among other attacks.  

Apart from defending and whitewashing Khalistani terrorists, Saunders rants that these allegedly targeted terrorists were killed or faced attempted assassination attempts because of their religion which can’t be further from the truth. 

It states, “He (PM Modi) does not target them for condemnation, and perhaps for assassination, because they are actually terrorists, but because they are Sikh.” 

It is pertinent to note that while the article accuses India of killing Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar because of his religious belief, and Justin Trudeau alleged the Indian government’s hands in the alleged assassination, it was recently revealed that Canadian police have arrested three persons for the murder who are members of an alleged hit squad linked to Khalistani terrorism.

As per a report by the Canadian media house CBC, the names of the persons arrested are Kamalpreet Singh, Karanpreet Singh, and Karan Brar, incidentally all of them hail from the Sikh community busting the lies that the Khalistani terrorist was killed because of his religious belief. 

Furthermore, the report also mentioned that the three arrested accused are members of a group that is associated with the gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Notably, as per the NIA, Lawrence Bishnoi, Goldy Brar, and several other gangsters have close links with the proscribed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and several other pro-Khalistani terrorist outfits. The recent findings give strength to the reports that claimed that the Nijjar murder case was a result of gang violence rather than India’s so-called extrajudicial step. 

Claiming that the numbers of BJP is slumping but it will retain its government, Saunders alleges that PM Modi has amped up his attacks on Muslims. Again Western Media forgets to mention that for several years, PM Modi has been advocating for the upliftment of the Pasmanda community which is considered to represent nearly 3/4th of the Muslim community and had lacked behind in terms of development because of sheer appeasement politics and tokenism in the name of vote bank. Additionally, several Indian Muslims have shredded the falsehoods of anti-Muslim tropes against the Indian government.

The article cites Hartosh Singh Bal as an expert to claim that Khalistani terrorism is non-existent in India. 

The articles conclude by ranting that the alleged extrajudicial killings are an assault on the virtues and fundamental values of Canada and that Canada should adopt the US policy against India.  

It concludes, “Mr. Modi is not attacking a threat harboured within Canada, as he claims; he is attacking Canada’s fundamental values of freedom of speech, pluralism, and physical security. The United States has realized this – which is why Canadians know about it – and is taking legal action. No Canadian leader, of any party, should tolerate or dismiss Mr. Modi’s violent threats.” 

Ultimately truth prevails: Suvendu Adhikari after BJP member featured in alleged ‘sting video’ on Sandeshkhali called it fake saying his voice was altered

OpIndia Staff
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Ultimately truth prevails: Suvendu Adhikari after BJP member featured in alleged ‘sting video’ on Sandeshkhali called it fake saying his voice was altered

On 4th May, the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC or TMC) reported an alleged sting operation carried out by a local television channel, charging that accusations made against its leaders and workers by women in Sandeshkhali were untrue and the protests were concocted at the insistence of Bharatiya Janata Party MLA and Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari. The president of the BJP’s Sandeshkhali mandal (booth), Gangadhar Koyal, was heard in the sting video laughing and claiming that women who had not experienced sexual assault were being portrayed as “rape” victims at the behest of Suvendu Adhikari.

Now, Gangadhar Koyal has come forward and released another video asserting that the footage in the sting video was altered and he didn’t said the things heard in it. Suvendu Adhikari shared it on social media and wrote, “The truth can be twisted and a misleading version can be circulated. However, its shelf life is very very short. Ultimately, truth prevails. Next time, keep it in mind, Koyla Bhaipo (referring to Abhishek Banerjee who is reportedly involved in a coal scam).”

Gangadhar Koyal in the 50 second video charged, “I am Gangadhar Koyal and I am a mandal president of Sandeshkhali-2. The viral video targeting me is part of a conspiracy and collusion. My words have been tampered with. High-tech method has been used to tamper my voice. Me, my party and the women of Sandeshkhali have been targeted to tarnish their image and also tarnish the image of LoP Suvendu Adhikari. This was their conspiracy. I demand CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) inquiry into this. I will approach the CBI and ask for an investigation against I-PAC and Abhishek Banerjee so that they get punished.”

The man in the ‘sting video’ claimed that Suvendu Adhikar helped frame TMC leaders and further alleged that the former warned him that the TMC’s strongmen in the area wouldn’t be prosecuted unless they were falsely accused of rape. He could be heard conveying that Suvendu Adhikari was the mastermind of the plot and that he had instructed him and other local BJP leaders to “instigate three-four local women to level allegations of rape against three TMC leaders, including Sheikh Shahjahan.” Additionally, he claimed that the Nandigram MLA “himself had planted guns at a house in Sandeshkhali, which was later shown as the seizure by central agencies.” The television network, which revealed the sting operation, did not, however, attest to the authenticity of the video.

The official handle of TMC uploaded the video and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee responded to it charging that the startling Sandeshkhali smear reveals the extent of the BJP’s corruption which she called anti-Bengal. She further accused those who were hostile to Bengal’s progressive culture and ideas had planned a plot to discredit our state in all respects. She added, “Never before in the history of India has a ruling party in Delhi tried to malign an entire state and its people. History will witness how Bengal will rise in rage against Delhi’s conspiratorial regime and ensure their bishorjon (end).

Mamata Banerjee’s nephew and Lok Sabha MP from Diamond Harbour Abhishek Banerjee also claimed that the people should see through the BJP’s attempts to tarnish the state’s image and reputation to advance and achieve its political ends while reacting to his party’s post. He added, “This abhorrent act epitomizes the grossest abuse of power in history.” He declared that Bengalis would respond appropriately to this “staged” act.

The official account of TMC shared the entire 32:43 minute video in another social media post and claimed, “Seeing is believing so hear it straight from the horse’s mouth. Here’s the entire sting operation video of how Suvendu Gaddar Adhikari went out of his way to hatch the Sandeshkhali conspiracy with the sole motive to tarnish Bengal’s image.”

Sheikh Shahjahan enjoyed strong patronage in the TMC and rose to the status of ‘Betaj Badshah‘ from a mere truck driver and has engaged in various illegal activities since 2006 including the murder of Bharatiya Janata Party members. However, as a precautionary measure against potential legal action, he has consistently surrounded himself with influential individuals. He grabbed national headlines after he perpetrated an attack on Enforcement Directorate officials on 5th January this year.

Sandeshkhali Horror

Hundreds of women from Sandeshkhali staged a protest on 8th February this year, over the land grab, unpaid wages and sexual harassment committed by Sheikh Shahjahan and his two assistants, Shiba Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar. The women stormed the premises that he had unlawfully acquired and destroyed Shiba Prasad Hazra’s chicken farm. Additionally, they encircled the Sandeshkali police station and made demands for the trio’s quick arrest. The village experienced three days of unrest.

The cops watched in silence as the TMC thugs retaliated. The police themselves mistreated the women in multiple instances. It had been revealed that the party leaders had been abusing the locals sexually for a considerable amount of time. The TMC leadership expelled Uttam Sardar from the party for six years in an effort to appease the irate Sandeshkhali residents. On 10th February, the suspended TMC leader and Zilla Parishad member was subsequently taken into custody in the vicinity of the Sandeshkhali police station.

TMC politician Shibu Prasad Hazra was apprehended by the police on 17th February for allegedly stealing land and abusing women in Sandeshkhali. The main offender, Sheikh Shahjahan, who had been at large for 55 days was eventually taken into custody by the authorities on 29th February 29 in Minakhan, North 24 Parganas district following widespread protests and the involvement of the Calcutta High Court. The TMC administration had initially refused to hand him over to the Central Bureau of Investigation but was forced to comply after the high court intervened.

(With inputs from ANI)

Bengaluru: Former PM Deve Gowda’s son HD Revanna detained by SIT in Mysuru kidnapping case

OpIndia Staff
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Bengaluru: Former PM Deve Gowda’s son HD Revanna detained by SIT in Mysuru kidnapping case

HD Revanna, the son of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and a JD(S) MLA, was detained by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with a kidnapping case. The case against HD Revanna was filed at the KR Nagar police station in Bengaluru.

Facing new challenges, HD Revanna and his son Prajwal Revanna are implicated in a case following a complaint by a youth alleging the abduction of his mother. This complaint emerged after a video purportedly showing the youth’s mother being tied and assaulted by Prajwal surfaced.

Prajwal, the incumbent JD(S) MP from Hassan, is accused of sexual misconduct.

To investigate the matter, the state government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) following the circulation of numerous explicit videos allegedly involving the 33-year-old MP in recent days.

Prajwal contested the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency as the NDA candidate in the April 26 elections. The JD(S) aligned with the NDA in September of the previous year.

Already facing a molestation case filed against them at the Holenarasipura police station, the father-son duo now faces another complaint, as revealed by State Home Minister G Parameshwara.

In the latest case filed on Thursday night, a 20-year-old complainant from Krishnaraja Nagar town in Mysuru district claimed that his mother was kidnapped by Revanna. According to the complainant, his mother used to work at Revanna’s residence in Holenarasipura six years ago but returned to her hometown three years ago. The complainant alleged that Revanna’s confidant, Sathish Babanna, visited their house and warned them not to divulge any information to the police. The complainant further stated that on April 29, Sathish Babanna took his mother away on a motorcycle, and since then, her whereabouts remain unknown. The complainant received information on May 1 that a video surfaced showing his mother being tied with a rope while Prajwal allegedly assaulted her. He expressed concern for his mother’s safety and sought police intervention to locate her.

Following the complaint, the KR Nagar police under the Mysuru Rural sub-division registered a case against H D Revanna and Sathish Babanna for kidnapping, wrongful confinement, and collusion.

In response to the accusations and the case, Revanna asserted his readiness to confront the situation, stating, “I have the strength to face these conspiracies. I will cooperate with the investigation. I have nothing to hide. I am prepared for any inquiry and will address it through legal means.”

Unilateral decision, not going to change ground reality: S Jaishankar on Nepal introducing new Rs 100 note with map including disputed territories

ANI
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Unilateral decision, not going to change ground reality: S Jaishankar on Nepal introducing new Rs 100 note with map including disputed territories

Contesting Nepal’s decision to introduce a new Rs 100 currency note featuring disputed Indian territories External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that New Delhi’s position is very clear adding that Kathmandu unilaterally took some measures on their side.

He also said that while both countries were having talks on boundary matters, by doing something unilaterally, Nepal is not going to change the on-ground reality.

“I saw that report. I have not looked at it in detail, but I think our position is very clear. With Nepal, we were having discussions about our boundary matters through an established platform. And then in the middle of that, they unilaterally took some measures on their side. But by doing something on their side, they are not going to change the situation between us or the reality on the ground,” said Jaishankar while interacting with professionals in Bhubaneswar on “Why Bharat Matters.”

A cabinet meeting on Friday decided to incorporate a new political map of Nepal on 100 rupee banknotes, covering the controversial territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura and Kalapani as part of its territory.

Earlier in May 2020, Nepal’s updated map prepared incorporating the missing territories was submitted to the Ministry of Land Management by the Department of Survey which claims to have taken accurate scale, projection and coordinate system.

Tension had mounted between New Delhi and Kathmandu after the issuance of a political map by Nepal in mid-May 2020, including the Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura, which India earlier had included in its November 2019 map.

The earlier map issued in 2032 BS left Gunji, Nabhi and Kuri villages, which have now been included in the recently revised map, adding 335 square kilometres of land.

Diplomatic ties between the nations worsened after the inauguration of a road linking Kailash Mansarovar via Lipulekh on May 8, 2020, after which Nepal handed over a diplomatic note to India objecting to the move.

Prior to the handover of the diplomatic note, Nepal also had strongly objected to India’s unilateral move to construct the road. Following a strong objection from Nepal, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said the road going through Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district “lies completely within the territory of India.”

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

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