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Crowdfunding collects Rs 34 crore “blood money” in 4 days to save Kerala native Abdul Rahim, convicted of killing a 15 years old, from death penalty in Saudi Arabia

OpIndia Staff
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Crowdfunding collects Rs 34 crore “blood money” in 4 days to save Kerala native Abdul Rahim, convicted of killing a 15 years old, from death penalty in Saudi Arabia

People from Kerala came together to raise a staggering 34 crore in solidarity to save Abdul Rahim who was given a death sentence in Saudi Arabia. Kozhikode native Abdul Rahim has been imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for 18 years, after he was accused of killing a 15-year-old youngster in Riyadh in 2006. The young boy, who was under the man’s care and on a life support system, passed away while he was being driven by Rahim.

The minor ate and breathed through a special device that was fastened to his neck. Abdul Rahim claimed that he inadvertently dislocated the instrument while trying to calm down the adolescent who sat in the back seat. The teenager was apparently creating a fuss and demanding that the former run a red light on the street. The teenager fainted due to lack of oxygen and by the time the driver rushed him to the hospital, he had already died.

A court in Saudi Arabia sentenced Abdul Rahim to death and the nation’s highest court maintained the ruling. He was sentenced in 2012 and although there were appeals against the decision, the death penalty was upheld twice, in 2017, and also in 2022. Later, the deceased’s family stated that they would be willing to forgive Rahim in exchange for blood money worth 15 million Saudi riyals (around INR 34 crore). The deadline set by the mediators to pay the compensation and spare Abdul Rahim from the death penalty was 16th April.

The action group that was established to work toward Rahim’s release was only able to raise Rs 5 crores until five days ago, but as the campaign gained traction, support from Keralites all over the world began to flood in. The members of the action committee informed the media that although the highest courts had dismissed the appeals, the teenager’s family had subsequently agreed to pardon Rahim provided he paid the “blood money.” A member of the action group mentioned, “More than 75 organisations in Riyadh, Kerala-based businessman Bobby Chemmannur, various political organisations in the state and the common people all helped us to raise the money.”

“We have reached the goal of ₹34 crore needed to secure his release. Please do not send us any more money. We have raised Rs 34.45 crore, and the excess funds will be audited and used for a good cause. The global Malayali community has once again done its magic and joined hands irrespective of our political, caste and religious differences. This is the real story of Kerala,” noted trust member Ashraf Vengat.

Abdul Rahim’s mother Pathu claimed she never imagined that amount could be raised. “I had no hope as we have no means to raise Rs 34 crore. But somehow it was all made possible.”

Residents of his neighbourhood in Kozhikode established an action group during the last week of March with the goal of gathering the sum. They also released an app called ‘Save Abdul Rahim’ to facilitate crowdfunding.

The crowdfunding campaign garnered Rs 5 crore till last week. Then, when the call to rescue Abdul Rahim gained momentum on social media, many well-known people, prominent lawmakers and NRI organisations joined the cause. A yatra from Thiruvananthapuram in south Kerala to Kasaragod in the north was initiated by businessman Boby Chemmanur, chairman of the Boby Group of Companies, to generate one crore rupees. The action committee managed to raise the necessary Rs 34 crore by combining this donation with all other global contributions. Bobby Chemmanur also arranged several fund-raising events in the last several days. Furthermore, he planned the sale of one of his products and gave the full proceeds to the charity.

“Blood money” or “diya” in Arabic, is if someone makes a payment to the family of someone who has been killed, they pay that person’s family a sum of money as compensation, it is highly prevalent in Arabic countries. It is a monetary settlement decided upon by the court using Sharia law or negotiated by the parties involved. The Abdul Rahim Legal Assistance Committee is going to deposit the funds in a Saudi court by 15th April and anticipate Abdul Rahim’s release shortly after.

Abdul Rahim was 26-year-old at the time when he went to Saudi Arabia in 2006 to work as a driver for a family. Afterwards, the family gave him the responsibility of care-giving for their 15-year-old paraplegic son who required artificial breathing assistance. The boy died on 24th December of the same year. The incident occurred merely 28 days following Abdul Rahim’s arrival in the country and he has been incarcerated since then.

Rameshwaram cafe blast mastermind Abdul and bomber Mussavir used fake Hindu identities while on the run, were planning the next attack

Paurush Gupta
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Rameshwaram cafe blast mastermind Abdul and bomber Mussavir used fake Hindu identities while on the run, were planning the next attack

After evading arrest by NIA for 42 days, the Rameshwaram cafe blast mastermind Abdul Matheen Tahaa and bomber Mussavir Hussain Shazib were nabbed from their hideout in West Bengal on Friday (12th April 2024). As per reports citing intelligence sources, the anti-terror agency tracked the pattern that the terrorist duo had been following for 42 days which ultimately led to their arrest from West Bengal’s Digha. 

Incidentally, in a clandestine move, the arrested terrorists had been using fake Hindu aliases to make logistical arrangements. Maintaining a low profile following the explosion, the Bengaluru cafe blast accused only stayed at low-cost hideouts like guesthouses and private lodges where verification is not strict. While on the run, they opted for road travel, paid in cash, used mobile phones for very short durations, and visited crowded tourist places to escape scrutiny. As per sources, parallelly they were also looking out for the “next target”. 

The intel sources said, “The interesting part is there was no desperation for money and the amount received was also not huge. They wanted things to settle down and were also on the lookout for the next target during these 42 days.” 

The officials said that Shazib had placed the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at the cafe and Tahaa was the mastermind behind the planning and execution of the blast.

Repeat of earlier terror modules: The arrested terrorists used fake identities, predominantly of Hindus

Intelligence sources added, “Nothing was planned after the blast. They decided everything on the spot and kept moving to avoid being apprehended. Their longest stay was at a Digha lodge which was a possible mistake. They used all identities, including of Maharashtra domicile, Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Tripura. They ensured different fake IDs for all hotels and lodges, including surnames like Patel, Das, and Agarwal according to the demography of the place.” 

A day after their arrest, new CCTV footage surfaced on social media in which both the terrorists can be seen checking into a guest house which is reportedly located in Kolkata’s Ekbalpur. As per reports, Shazib and Tahaa checked into this guest house on 25th March and stayed there for three days. They had told the hotel staff that they were tourists, hailing from Karnataka and Maharashtra.

Tahaa, the mastermind of the Bengaluru blast, had used fake Hindu names as aliases at various locations for accommodation. It is pertinent to note that the agency had released “wanted posters” for the terrorist noting that “he has been using hindu identity documents, forging names such as Vignesh or other similar forged ID documents”. 

During the absconding period, they had stayed at a lodge in New Digha for the past four days and had switched several locations in Bengal.

The Bengaluru blast bomber, Shazib had used a fake Aadhaar card of one Yusha Shahnawaz Patel from Maharashtra’s Palghar at the two Kolkata hotels. Likewise, Tahaa used fake Hindu aliases Vignesh BD from Karnataka at one hotel and Anmol Kulkarni in another.

According to a Times of India report, at another hotel, they used the identities of Hindu men namely Sanjay Agarwal and Uday Das, hailing from Jharkhand and Tripura respectively.

Linked with other ISIS modules

Following their arrest, the special NIA court gave the agency a three-day transit remand of the arrested terrorists. While presenting them before the court, the agency stated that they seized some electronic gadgets and about 70 articles from the arrested duo. 

Both the terrorists are residents of Thirthahalli in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district and are linked to the 2022 Mangaluru pressure cooker blast. While Tahaa is an IT engineer, Shazib is an accused in the Islamic State’s (IS) Shivamogga-based module.

The intel sources said, “They are close friends of Mohammad Shariq, who was involved in the Mangaluru blast. They may have been planning to make one big IED and carry out a major blast. Their handler is foreign-based, who is hiding and funding them.” 

OpIndia had earlier reported that according to intelligence sources, Rameshwaram cafe blast accused used the cryptocurrency route to finance the operation. 

As per reports, Shazib, Tahaa, and another suspect — Shareef — all associated with ISIS modules, were also involved in the Shivamogga graffiti case as well as the Mangaluru cooker blast case reported in November 2023. Tahaa is said to be linked with the Al Hind module case in 2020 as well.

Earlier, the NIA had declared rewards of Rs 10 lakh on information leading to the arrest of each person on the run on 29th March. Various state police agencies including those of Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, West Bengal, and Karnataka assisted the NIA in apprehending the duo. 

As per India Today report, mastermind Tahaa is suspected to be one of the “high-value assets” of the Islamic State terrorist group in India. For NIA, he has been a wanted terrorist for the past five years. He maintained direct communication with an individual identified as a ‘colonel,’ whose name has emerged in numerous cases spanning South and Central India. 

NIA officials intend to interrogate Tahaa and Mussavir Hussain Shazib regarding the ‘colonel’s’ identity, the frequency of their meetings with him, methods of payment for terrorist activities, and their future intentions. 

According to sources speaking to India Today TV, following the cafe explosion, Tahaa devised an escape plan for himself from Tamil Nadu and one for Mussavir Hussain from Bengaluru.

Muzammil Shareef, who was arrested two weeks ago, was told by Tahaa to gather materials for the IED and assemble it before placing it in the cafe. Tahaa spent over a week scouting the cafe to find its weak spots. He also made plans for how the bomber could enter and exit the hotel and the city.

Nation-wide manhunt for 42 days and how NIA tracked down the terrorists in their hideout in West Bengal

Following the low-intensity IED blast in Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram cafe, the investigators found the first clue in the form of CCTV footage of Shazib leaving a bag that contained the IED device near the restaurant’s cash counter. On tracking his movements, the officers learned that he boarded a Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation(BMTC) bus that took him outside of the city limits and then again in a Karnataka state government bus in Tumakuru.

He was next spotted at a bus stand in Ballari where he was seen speaking to two other persons. 

An NIA officer said, “Two unreserved seats were occupied by individuals who alighted at the Ram mandir circle and central bus stand in Kalaburgi late on March 1.” 

According to NIA officials, another clue discovered by investigators was a cap left behind by Shazib. Their investigation revealed that it was purchased from a mall in Chennai. The NIA officers stated that this detail helped establish a connection between Shazib and Taha. Additionally, they found that the two had stayed in Tamil Nadu in January and February while preparing for the blast, as one officer added.

According to the Hindustan Times report, the officer said that the central agency was able to trace the movements of the two accused from Bengaluru to north Karnataka, to Mumbai, and then to Ratnagiri in Maharashtra.

The officer said, “It appears from there they went to Nellore in Andhra Pradesh and then to Chennai. After staying in Chennai for a few days, they went to Assam and finally reached West Bengal a few days ago.” 

Investigations also revealed that the two men rented a room at Hotel Paradise in Lenin Sarani in central Kolkata on 13th March. From there, they checked out the next day. They had used fake documents of men named Y Shahnawaz Patel and Anmol Kulkarni. 

On 26th March, the NIA carried out raids at 18 locations across three states. During these raids, they arrested Muzammil Shareef, who has since been charged with helping with logistics. 

17 days later on 12th April, at around 2 am, Shazib and Tahaa were arrested by the NIA officials in a joint operation with the West Bengal Police.

Supreme Court to hear Arvind Kejriwal’s petition against his arrest in Delhi excise policy scam case on 15 April

ANI
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Supreme Court to hear Arvind Kejriwal’s petition against his arrest in Delhi excise policy scam case on 15 April

The Supreme Court will hear on April 15 the plea of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal challenging his arrest by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) and his subsequent remand in the excise policy case.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta will hear the matter.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Kejriwal approached the Supreme Court challenging a Delhi High Court judgement that dismissed his plea against arrest by the ED and his subsequent remand in the excise policy case.

While filing an appeal in the apex court, he contended that his arrest after the announcement of the general elections was “motivated by extraneous considerations.”

The appeal stated that the sitting Chief Minister had been arrested in a “motivated manner” in the middle of the election cycle, especially after the declaration of the schedule of the Lok Sabha election in 2024.

On April 9, the High Court dismissed his plea for release from jail and rejected his argument of political vendetta amid the looming Lok Sabha elections.

The High Court had said that Kejriwal’s absence from nine ED summons over six months undermined any claims of special privilege as Chief Minister, suggesting his arrest was an inevitable consequence of his non-cooperation.

Seeking urgent intervention from the Supreme Court, the Chief Minister’s appeal stated, that it is an issue of illegal curtailment of Kejriwal’s liberty.

Kejriwal’s arrest also constitutes an “unprecedented assault on the tenets of democracy” based on “free and fair elections” and “federalism,” both of which form significant constituents of the basic structure of the Constitution, the appeal further stated.

The petition, while seeking the release of the Delhi Chief Minister from jail, said the ED has “allowed its process to be used and misused by vested interests” as an instrument of oppression to not only “invade the liberty of the political opponents” in the midst of general election, 2024 of such vested interests but also “to tarnish their reputation and self-esteem.”

Such lawlessness cannot be allowed to be perpetrated under any circumstances, it said while urging the apex court to declare Kejriwal’s arrest illegal.

“The petitioner’s arrest, therefore, bears serious, irreversible ramifications for the future of electoral democracy in India, for if the petitioner is not released forthwith to participate in the upcoming elections, it will establish a precedence in law for ruling parties to arrest heads of political opposition on flimsy and vexatious charges before elections, thereby eroding the core principles of our Constitution,” the petition stated.

Filing the appeal against the High Court judgement, Kejriwal said that there is no material in the possession of the Enforcement Directorate on the basis of which an inference of guilt can be made under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

“Moreover, the circumstances and chronology of events clearly show that there was no necessity to arrest the petitioner (Kejriwal),” it added.

The arrest was made solely based on the subsequent, contradictory, and highly belated statements of co-accused who have now turned approvers, the appeal stated.

An appeal against the High Court order stated, “Moreover, such statements and material were in possession of the Enforcement Directorate for the last nine months and still the arrest has been made illegally in the middle of the 2024 general election.”

These statements relied upon in the grounds of arrest were recorded by the ED from December 7, 2022, until July 27, 2023, and subsequently no further material has been collected against Kejriwal, it stated.

“There was no legal or factual basis for “reason to believe” or “material in possession” to consider the petitioner “guilty” for effecting an arrest. Obviously, there was no necessity for the arrest on March 21, 2024, based on this “material,” as stated in the appeal.

Also, no statement was recorded before the arrest on March 21, 2024, to seek any explanation about this old material, before deciding on the requirements of Section 19 of the PMLA, it added.

Kejriwal was arrested by ED on March 21 in connection with a money laundering probe relating to alleged irregularities in the now-cancelled Delhi excise policy 2021-22.

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

Uttar Pradesh: Shehzadi pretends to be ‘Naina Verma’ to entrap Hindu man in Meerut, forces him to convert to Islam and circumcises minor step-son

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Shehzadi pretends to be ‘Naina Verma’ to entrap Hindu man in Meerut, forces him to convert to Islam and circumcises minor step-son

A Hindu man named Vipin Verma has filed a police complaint against his wife Shehzadi, who entrapped him into her love trap by pretending to be a Hindu woman. The incident took place in Meerut city of Uttar Pradesh.

As per reports, Shehzadi forged documents and assumed the identity of ‘Naina Verma’ before getting married to Vipin. According to the victim, she had forcibly circumcised his 10-year-old son during a trip to Saharanpur.

Vipin has informed that Shehzadi also coerced him and his three children (from a previous marriage with a woman named Komal Verma) to offer Namaz and convert to Islam. He was given custody of the children after his divorce from his first wife in 2022.

Vipin said that Shehzadi’s behaviour with his children was not good from the start of their marriage. He added that the Muslim woman passed off as Hindu by forging documents.

He informed the police that she forcibly circumcised his underage son with the help of her sister Rani. According to Vipin, Shehzadi also burnt the skin of his child by pouring hot water.

The victim further added that he was held hostage and thrashed by 3-4 men during his visit to Saharanpur. He narrowly escaped from the hostage situation and filed a complaint with the police.

FIR registered against Shehzadi and her accomplices

Based on the complaint of Vipin Verma, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against Shehzadi, her sister Rani and 4 other unknown people for fraud.

They were also booked under relevant provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. While speaking about the matter, SP Ayush Vikram Singh stated that the accused would be arrested soon.

Power ministry issues order to operationalise all gas-based power plants to meet increased electricity demand during summer

OpIndia Staff
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Power ministry issues order to operationalise all gas-based power plants to meet increased electricity demand during summer

In order to help meet the high electricity demand in the country during the summer season, the Government of India has decided to operationalize the gas-based power plants in the country. To ensure maximum power generation from Gas-Based Generating Stations, the Government has issued directions to all Gas-Based Generating Stations under Section 11 of the Electricity Act, 2003, said a statement issued by the power ministry.

Under Section 11 of the Electricity Act, 2003, the appropriate government may specify that a generating company shall, in extraordinary circumstances operate and maintain any generating station in accordance with the directions of that Government.

The order under Section 11, which is on similar lines as done for imported-coal-based power plants, aims to optimise the availability of power from Gas-Based Generating Stations during the ensuing high demand period. The order shall remain valid for the generation and supply of power from May 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024.

The decision has been taken in view of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMO) predicting above-normal maximum temperatures over most parts of the country during the 2024 hot weather season till June 2024.

As per the ministry, a significant portion of the Gas-Based Generating Stations is currently unutilized, primarily due to commercial considerations. At present, 85% of demand during non-solar hours is being met through coal and lignite generation. “It is necessary to ensure that the operational capacity of the Gas-Based Generating Stations (GBSs) is utilized during the crunch period to optimise the availability of power during ensuing high demand period,” said the order issued by the ministry.

As per the arrangement, GRID-INDIA will inform the Gas-based Generating Stations in advance, of the number of days for which Gas-based power is required. Gas-Based Generating Stations holding Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Distribution Licensees shall first offer their power to PPA holders. If the power offered is not utilised by any PPA holder, any other Distribution Licensee may schedule such capacity.

If no Distribution Licensee schedules the power, the Gas-Based Generating Station shall then offer such power in the power market. Any surplus capacity shall be made available to GRID-INDIA to provide grid support.

A high-level committee headed by Chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority has been constituted to facilitate the implementation of this direction.

The decision to operationalize gas-based generating stations is part of a series of measures taken by the Government of India, to ensure that the electricity demand in the summer season is met. The Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri R. K. Singh held a series of meetings on this, emphasizing the need for ensuring adequate availability of power to meet the load during the hot-weather season.

Apart from operationalising gas-based power stations, the government has also taken several other steps to meet the increased demand for electricity during the summer. This includes:

  • Planned Maintenance of Power Plants to be shifted to Monsoon Season.
  • New Capacity Additions to be Speeded up.
  • Partial Outages of Thermal Power Plants being brought down.
  • Surplus Power with Captive Generating Stations to be Utilized.
  • Surplus Power to be offered for sale in Energy Exchange.
  • Section 11 Directions for Imported-Coal-Based Power Plants, to make full capacity available for generation.
  • Shifting of hydro power generation to peak hours.
  • Advance planning by all stakeholders to ensure coal availability.

India’s electricity demand has been rising rapidly, driven by economic growth, particularly during hot-weather and high-demand periods. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted above-normal maximum temperatures over most parts of the country during the 2024 hot weather season. The above measures are being taken in this context, in anticipation of the high electricity demand during the season.

‘Muslims not bonded labours of RJD, won’t tolerate Nazi attitude’: RJD leader Sarfaraz Alam slams Lalu and Tejashwi after party gives his ticket to his younger brother

OpIndia Staff
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‘Muslims not bonded labours of RJD, won’t tolerate Nazi attitude’: RJD leader Sarfaraz Alam slams Lalu and Tejashwi after party gives his ticket to his younger brother

Former Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Sarfaraz Alam got emotional and broke down in tears after the party cancelled his ticket and replaced him with his younger brother Mohammed Shahnawaz Alam as Lok Sabha candidate from Araria constituency in Bihar. On 12th April, he was holding a meeting with supporters in Araria during an Eid Milan event organised by him. He also remembered his late father who was the ex-Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mohammed Taslimuddin. He also lashed out at the party president Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi Yadav.

The politician was seen in tears as people around him tried to pacify him. He claimed that Muslims in Bihar, particularly in the Seemanchal region are not RJD’s bonded labour. Muslims have historically been a voting bloc for the party. The current party candidate, according to him is a kind leader. However, he declared that he is the son of Seemanchal’s Gandhi Taslimuddin and flattery and sycophancy are absent in his DNA.

He voiced that the Muslims of Seemanchal will not tolerate the Nazi attitude of Tejashwi Yadav. He charged that they (RJD leadership) solely offered tickets to their family members and then sold the rest. He complained that not only had RJD deceived him, but also stabbed a knife in his back.

Sarfaraz Alam noted that RJD is acting as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s B team because they are afraid of the Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). “My tone was devoid of fawning. What was my fault more than this,” he asked and added, “I don’t do politics by selling my conscience.” He took the opinion of his supporters about contesting the Lok Sabha election. The RJD has nominated his sibling and Jokihat MLA Mohammed Shahnawaz Alam as I.N.D.I Alliance candidate from Araria state which has infuriated Sarfaraz Alam and he lambasted Lalu Prasad Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav.

Sarfaraz Alam is the subject of multiple criminal cases in several areas including Araria. He came into the limelight for misbehaving with a couple in Rajdhani Express while being an MLA from Janata Dal-United. He was also arrested later. His younger brother, according to the locals, is completely different from him and was given the ticket for this reason only. The miffed politician slammed Lalu Prasad Yadav and accused him of selling tickets for the poll.

Meanwhile, former RJD MP Ahmad Ashfaque Karim has also quit the party and accused Lalu Prasad Yadav of oppressing the Muslims. He was also angry about not receiving a ticket from the Katihar constituency. He is expected to join JDU soon.

Karnataka: Congress MLA Laxman Savadi seeks Mallikarjun Kharge’s permission to chant ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ during a rally

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: Congress MLA Laxman Savadi seeks Mallikarjun Kharge’s permission to chant ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ during a rally

On Friday (12th April), Karnataka Congress MLA Laxman Savadi sparked controversy as he sought permission from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to chant the slogan Bharat Mata Ki Jai (Hail Mother India) during an election rally held in Kalaburagi in Karnataka. Laxman Savadi represents Congress in the state legislative assembly from the Athani constituency. The Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party criticised this act by the Congress MLA and asked why should one hesitate or seek permission to hail the motherland.

During this rally, Laxman Savadi said, “I hope Kharge sahab doesn’t misconstrue this. I wish to say this to you all. I shall say ‘Bolo Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and you all have to repeat it after me with tight fists.”

Karnataka BJP Chief BY Vijayendra conveyed his disappointment regarding Savadi’s reluctance, viewing it as emblematic of a broader cultural schism within the Congress. He further claimed that within the Congress, expressions of patriotism and admiration for “Bharat Mata” were often met with guilt and explanation, contrasting this with the BJP’s steadfast dedication to nationalist principles.

He said, “It is rather very unfortunate and depressing to know that a senior leader like Laxman Savadi hesitates to openly raise the slogan ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ on a Congress platform in front of its national president Mallikarjun Kharge. Isn’t it very pitiful and dangerous that a Congress leader trying to express his patriotism and praise “Bharat Mata” feels guilty and hence seeks to clarify his stand of raising the slogan to party chief?”

BY Vijayendra added, “Today’s incident reinforces the fact that Savadi’s attempt to prove Congress’ patriotism is a very futile effort and can’t compare itself to BJP, which has the nationalistic and patriotic ideals very much ingrained as part of its core culture.”

Karnataka’s Leader of the Opposition, R Ashoka, rebuked Savadi’s actions and attributed his reluctance to Congress leadership.

R Ashoka said, “MLA Laxman Savadi, who understood the true ideology of the Congress after seeing how Minister Priyank Kharge advocated on behalf of those who shouted the slogan ‘Pakistan Zindabad’, was now scared whether or not he should shout the slogan ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’, and asked permission from Kharge. Whatever party you are in, you don’t need any top leader’s permission to shout ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ Savadi ji. If they misconstrue, so be it. Bharat Mata ji Jai!”

Chaos in Rajasthan Congress days ahead of polls: 400 workers quit the party after suspension of 3 leaders over charge of campaigning for BJP

OpIndia Staff
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Chaos in Rajasthan Congress days ahead of polls: 400 workers quit the party after suspension of 3 leaders over charge of campaigning for BJP

The Congress party suffered a major setback in Rajasthan just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, as 400 party workers resigned from the membership of the party. The mass resignation took place on Friday (12th April) amid anger over the party’s alliance with the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) on the Nagaur Lok Sabha seat. Congress leader Tejpal Mirdha addressed a press conference and shared the details regarding this decision by the party workers.

The Congress party has forged an alliance with the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) for the Nagaur Lok Sabha seat, leaving it vacant for the RLP’s candidacy. Hanuman Beniwal, the incumbent Nagaur MP and leader of the RLP, is the alliance candidate from this constituency.

The uproar within Congress arose following the suspension of three Congress leaders for six years. Based on a complaint filed by Beniwal, the leaders were accused of campaigning in support of BJP candidate Jyoti Mirdha in Nagaur. Among the suspended individuals were former MLA Bhararam, Tejpal Mirdha, Chairperson of Kuchera Municipality, and Sukharam Dodwadiya. In response to their suspension, the trio resigned from their memberships in the Congress party in protest.

Congress leader Tejpal Mirdha said in the press conference held on Friday, “Congress was in a strong position in Nagaur during Assembly polls. It won four out of eight seats. Even in Lok Sabha polls, its position was equally strong. Despite this, why was the alliance formed with the RLP.”

He added, “Hanuman Beniwal is a tool who is trying to destroy the Congress in Nagaur. Congress workers have been deeply shocked by the formation of an alliance with such a person. That’s why we all are giving our collective resignation letter.”

He further said, “Congress high command allied with RLP without the consent of the local Congress state unit. This alliance has been imposed on us. RLP had worked to defeat Congress in the entire district. We never shared the stage with the BJP. Still, Beniwal expelled us from the party. The Congress, without any information or show cause notice, directly issued a Tughlaqi decree and expelled us.”

Tejpal Mirdha remarked, “Now Congress is no longer the same party which it used to be in the past. Here one person is running the party according to his wish and will. This message must reach the Congress high command that the party is destroying itself in Rajasthan.”

Elections in Rajasthan will take place in two phases, on 19th and 26th April, with Nagaur set to go to polls in the first phase on 19th April.

US President Biden says he expects Iran to attack Israel ‘sooner than later’

ANI
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US President Biden says he expects Iran to attack Israel ‘sooner than later’

Amid fears of the ongoing hostilities in Gaza devolving into a larger Middle-Eastern conflict, US President Joe Biden on Friday said he expects Iran to attack Israel ‘sooner than later’, CNN reported.

“I don’t want to get into secure information but my expectation is sooner than later,” Biden told reporters when asked how imminent an Iranian attack on Israel would be.

As has been reported globally, Tehran vowed revenge after Israel launched airstrikes on the Iranian embassy in the Syrian capital, Damascus, taking out three top military generals.

On his message to Iran at this time, the US President said, “Don’t.”

In response to more shouted questions from reporters in the White House, asking if American troops were at risk, Biden returned to the podium saying that the United States was ‘devoted’ to the defence of Israel, CNN reported.

“We are devoted to the defence of Israel. We will support Israel we will help defend Israel and Iran will not succeed,” Biden said.

The US has been on high alert for a significant Iranian retaliatory attack on Israel in recent days, as fears grow of a wider regional war.

There remains a “real, credible and viable” threat of Iran launching strikes, the White House said on Friday, following Israel’s attack on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria last week, killing three Iranian generals.

Biden, who warned this week that Iran was threatening a ‘significant attack’ on Israel, has been receiving constant updates on the situation from his national security team.

The US and several other countries, including India, Britain and France, issued new travel guidelines for government employees in Israel as the Iranian threat loomed.

“In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indians are advised not to travel to Iran or Israel till further notice. All those who are currently residing in Iran or Israel are requested to get in touch with Indian Embassies there and register themselves,” the Ministry of External Affairs stated in an official release.

“We’re watching this very, very closely,” said John Kirby, the US National Security Council spokesman, who declined to provide information about the expected timing of the threat.

The US will attempt to intercept any weapons launched towards Israel, if it’s feasible to do so, two officials in Washington told CNN, an indication of the level of ongoing cooperation between the two militaries.

US Navy personnel in the Red Sea previously intercepted long-range missiles launched from the Houthis in Yemen towards Israel. US forces in Iraq and Syria could also potentially intercept drones and rockets targeting northern Israel, depending on the location from which they’re launched, CNN reported.

The US Defence Department was also moving additional assets to the Middle East “to bolster regional deterrence efforts and increase force protection for US forces”, a US defence official told CNN, as Israel and the US braced for a potential Iranian attack.

The Pentagon has been working specifically to bolster air defences for the US troops stationed in Iraq and Syria, who came under attack by Iran-backed proxy forces over 100 times between October and February, CNN reported.

In January, three US servicemembers were killed when a drone got through US air defences at the Tower 22 base in Jordan.

The US is not anticipating that Iran or its proxies will attack US forces as part of its retaliation but is moving assets just in case.

“It would be imprudent if we didn’t take a look at our posture in the region to make sure that we’re properly prepared,” Kirby said.

CNN reported last week that the US was on high alert and actively preparing for an attack by Iran targeting Israeli or American assets in the region. Officials said such an attack could come within the week. (ANI)

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

Pakistan: Ancient Hindu temple in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa demolished for commercial complex, was earlier attacked by Islamists in 1992

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: Ancient Hindu temple in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa demolished for commercial complex, was earlier attacked by Islamists in 1992

A historically significant Hindu temple near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has been demolished in Pakistan. Construction has commenced for a commercial complex at the site, which had remained closed since 1947 when the original occupants migrated to India. Known as the ‘Khyber Temple,’ it once stood in the border town of Landi Kotal Bazaar in the Khyber district but had gradually fallen into disrepair over the years with the Islamic state ignoring its upkeep. The construction work for the shopping complex began approximately 10-15 days ago. Officials from various administrative departments of Pakistan either claimed ignorance about the temple’s existence, or asserted that the construction was being carried out in compliance with regulations.

Local journalist Ibrahim Shinwari questioned the claims of the district administration and municipal authorities that the temple has no official land records. He said, “The temple was located in the centre of the Landi Kotal bazaar, which was closed in 1947 after the local Hindu families migrated to India. It was partially damaged by some clerics and others in 1992 following the demolition of the disputed structure at Ayodhya in India.”

He added, “There is no doubt in it that there was a temple named ‘Khyber Temple’ in Landi Kotal.” He also recalled that as a child, he heard many stories about the temple from his forefathers.

Haroon Sarabdiyal, representing the Pakistan Hindu Mandir Management Committee, emphasised that it falls upon the district administration and pertinent government bodies to guarantee the preservation and restoration of historically significant religious structures belonging to non-Muslim communities.

He said, “The archaeology and museums department, police, culture department, and local government were bound by the 2016 antiquity law to protect such sites, including places of worship.”

Muhammad Irshad, the Assistant Commissioner of Landi Kotal, expressed unawareness regarding the demolition of the temple. He stated that the official land records of the Khyber tribal district did not refer to the temple’s existence. He said, “The entire land in Landi Kotal Bazaar was owned by the state.”

The official affirmed that a “no objection certificate” has been issued to the builder for the restoration and repair of certain old shops in Landi Kotal Bazaar. Furthermore, the tehsil municipal authorities have authorised the construction of commercial buildings or shops in all commercial and trade hubs within tribal districts.

Shahbaz Khan, the Tehsil Municipal Officer (TMO), clarified that the local government is empowered to approve the construction of all commercial buildings in the region only after their maps or blueprints are sanctioned and the necessary fees are paid. Abdus Samad, the former TMO under whose administration the agreement for the construction of a commercial building was made, expressed total unawareness regarding any directives issued by his office.

Ibrahim Shinwari reacting to this apathy by the administration said, “It is the responsibility of the auqaf department to maintain and preserve historical non-Muslim places of worship, but the department had no office or employees in the Khyber tribal district. Many aged tribal elders would bear testimony to this fact that there was a temple in the main Landi Kotal Bazaar.”

Haroon Sarabdiyal of the Pakistan Hindu Mandir Management Committee said that the places, which were either not used by minorities or in a dilapidated condition, could be utilised for any social welfare activity for the collective benefit of the local communities.

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