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Eggs pelted on Hinduphobic ‘comedian’ Munawar Faruqui during Iftar party in Mumbai, case registered

OpIndia Staff
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Eggs pelted on Hinduphobic ‘comedian’ Munawar Faruqui during Iftar party in Mumbai, case registered

On Tuesday (9th April), Hinduphobic ‘comedian’ Munawar Faruqui was pelted with eggs by seven persons at Noorani Milk Centre near Minara Masjid on Mumbai’s Mohammed Ali Road during Iftar dinner. The accused include the owner of the restaurant and five staff members. The incident comes just days after Munawar Faruqui was detained by Mumbai Police after a raid at an illegal hookah bar.

The owner of Mashallah Cuisine, a nearby rival shop, reportedly invited Munawar, but when Munawar declined, it infuriated them as they already had a dispute with the owner of Noorani Milk Centre. Chaos ensued, and in a video posted to social media, it can be seen that Munawar Faruqui got angry and his security had to intervene to calm him down. The owner of the restaurant and his employees are accused of hurling eggs, and the Police have reportedly filed a case against them and served them notice.

The accused that have been booked under CPC section 41 A have been identified as Abdula Naseer Shaikh and Rehman Naseer Shaikh, including seven other people who joined them.

The incident comes just days after Faruqui was detained during a raid at a hookah parlour in Mumbai on 27th March. Alongside Munawar Faruqui, thirteen others were also detained by the police in the late-night action.

As reported earlier, the police said that the hookah parlour in the city’s Fort area was operating illegally. A raid was undertaken, and Rs 4,400 in cash and nine hookah pots worth Rs 13,500 were confiscated. The social service branch of Mumbai Police raided the Sabalan hookah bar in Bora Bazar under the MRA Marg police station area after receiving a tip-off. The Hinduphobic comedian Faruqui was present at the hookah bar during the raids. Later, he was booked since his medical tests came back positive, however, he was soon allowed to leave.

Munawar Faruqui and his anti-Hindu remarks

The ‘comedian’ sparked public outrage due to his controversial portrayal and mockery of Hindu deities, as well as his mocking remarks regarding the victims of the Godhra train burning attack. The tragic event occurred when a Muslim mob set fire to the Sabarmati Express near Godhra station, resulting in the death of 59 karsevaks.

In January 2021, Faruqui was arrested for making indecent remarks about Hindu deities during his stand-up performances. Although he was later released, his comments on Hindu genocide and derogatory statements about Hindu Gods led to widespread protests against his shows.

Despite issuing an apology, claiming that he never intended to hurt anyone’s sentiments with his jokes, Munawar Faruqui continued to engage in demeaning portrayals of Hindus and their cultural heritage through his ‘comedy’ performances.

In May 2023, netizens hit out at Star Sports for getting Faruqui on board for its IPL coverage. In 2022, his shows were cancelled in several cities after Hindu groups were outraged against his derogatory comedy that demonised and maligned the faith.

‘Will shed blood for country, won’t allow CAA, NRC and UCC’: Mamata Banerjee’s message to Muslims on Eid

ANI
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‘Will shed blood for country, won’t allow CAA, NRC and UCC’: Mamata Banerjee’s message to Muslims on Eid

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday that she will not allow the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC), and Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state.

“We are ready to shed blood for the country but will not tolerate torture for the country. A uniform civil code is not acceptable. I want harmony among all religions. Your safety. Your life. No NRC, no CAA,” the West Bengal CM said while addressing a gathering in Kolkata on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Launching a scathing attack on the BJP government over the misuse of central agencies, the TMC supremo said, “If there is a blast, they (BJP) send NIA to arrest everyone. By arresting everyone, your country will become desolate. We want a beautiful sky for which everyone must stay together. If anyone comes to riot, you should keep quiet, keep your head cool.”

The West Bengal CM also extended her greetings for Eid during her address in Kolkata. “Eid Mubarak. It isa the Eid of happiness. It is the Eid of giving strength. It is a big thing to observe this Eid by fasting for a month without drinking water,” she said.

A post on the official X handle of CM Mamata Banerjee read, “My heartiest greetings to all on this joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. May this Eid bring happiness, peace and prosperity to all.”

Meanwhile, several top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, also extended their wishes for Eid-al-Fitr.

Ending the holy month of Ramzan and starting a new spiritual journey also marks the beginning of a new Islamic year. Eid-ul-Fitr marks the month-long Ramzan fasting and the beginning of Shawwal, which is the tenth month per the Islamic calendar. Since the observance of the moon is essential for ending Ramzan month and celebrating Eid, it is celebrated in different parts on different days, usually with a one-day difference.

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

How Modi hacks EVMs, part 7: Going from Congress’ 35% neem-coated Urea to 100%, eliminating pilferage, to soil health cards and more. How Farmers benefitted

S. Sudhir Kumar
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How Modi hacks EVMs, part 7: Going from Congress’ 35% neem-coated Urea to 100%, eliminating pilferage, to soil health cards and more. How Farmers benefitted

Urea as a fertilizer is widely used and because of this, it was also one of the highly pilferaged fertilizers in the country. There was a time in our country when farmers had to stand in long lines to buy Urea. The long lines often led to fights and occasionally led to even the police having to get involved. Urea that was supposed to land in the hands of the farmer often ended up with chemical industries or even rogue elements that used Urea to prepare adulterated milk.

What was the solution for this? Neem coating the Urea. This will increase its yield and also make it unusable for pilferage. In the year 2002, when NDA was in power, it was recommended that Urea be neem-coated and the same was experimented on at one plant. It took about 2 years for us to understand its success on a small scale. The decision to expand this to a large scale was to be taken in July 2004. Mysteriously, very mysteriously, the then UPA government led by the honest Manmohan Singh decides to only neem-coat 35% of the Urea! It doesn’t take a genius to figure out why this was done. After becoming the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi made neem-coated Urea 100% mandatory! I now don’t need to explain the immense benefits that our farmers got because of this one decision. So, we just have to ask ourselves why the farmer will not press the lotus button on the EVM.

Urea is not the only input needed for a good crop. Farmers will need to spend some money to buy equipment year after year. It took someone like Narendra Modi to come up with a unique scheme called Kisan Samman Nidhi. The scheme will transfer, directly to the farmers’ account, 6000 rupees per year in three equal instalments. Many state governments have attached themselves to this scheme and added some more amount. Therefore, crores of eligible farmers now get up to 10,000 rupees per year from the government, which they can use as Input credit. To date, nearly a whopping 2.5 lakh crore rupees has been transferred to over 11 crore accounts as Input credit. Now, ask yourself, why would they not credit Narendra Modi for their prosperity and press the Lotus button on the EVM?

Speaking about Inputs, one of the biggest inputs that a farmer will need is about the health of the soil. By issuing nearly 23 crore Soil Health Cards (a unique initiative), the Modi government has ensured that farmers are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of their soil and will make decisions accordingly! 

For most people in the organised sector, having insurance is a very common thing. For farmers, it was a nightmare to have insurance for their crops. In 2016, with the launch of the PM Fasal Bima Yojana, the Modi government fulfilled yet another long pending demand from the agricultural community. Did schemes not exist before 2016? Of course yes. The premium was high, coverage was low and settlement was a nightmare! After resolving these critical problems in 2016, the Modi government brought in further reforms to their scheme in 2020. The speed with which feedback is incorporated into schemes is a topic for another article! Today, nearly 30 crore farmers across the country have insured their crops under this scheme. Nearly 95,000 crore rupees have been paid by the government to the farmers on their claims! 95,000 crore rupees!

When Prime Minister Modi announced that his government aims to double the farmer’s income by the year 2022, many mocked him. They mocked him because they wanted statistical proof of the doubling of income from every farmer in the country. They were so busy mocking him that they lost sight of the many schemes that were being implemented by him. Today, Milk production in India is nearly 50% more than what it was in 2013! Today, there has been a more 50% increase in the production of pulses compared to 2013 (In fact, notice the stagnation in the production of pulses for a large part of UPA). I can go on and on about the increased production of various agricultural products but you get the picture! There was so much noise around giving MSP a legal status, while all along the Modi government increased MSP on multiple products thereby increasing the income of the farmers. Our farmers are producing more and earning more because of the government’s schemes, so is it any surprise that they will opt to press the lotus button 

Agriculture is not just about food grains. Through the PM Matsya Sampada Scheme, nearly 6 lakh fisher families get livelihood and nutritional support in their lean fishing periods; and heavy investments into fishing-related infrastructure. All these have led to India becoming the 2nd largest fish-producing country. I think you now understand how these lakhs of families will willingly become part of the project where they will go and press the relevant button on the EVM, come election day!

Today, our farmers produce more than before. Our farmers sell more than before (e-NAM is a brilliant example). And most importantly, our farmers earn more than before. Agriculture, Aquaculture, Diary-culture etc are thriving like never before. Now, ask yourselves, why would these crores of farmers not come out on election day and press the lotus button on the EVM?

This is the 7th article in the series Decoding How PM Modi hacks EVMs (an allegation the opposition often throws at him). Part-1 speaks about the focus on small-scale entrepreneurs; Part-2 speaks about the revolutions in the labour/employment sector; Part-3 speaks about the focus on both prevention and cure in health; Part-4 speaks about how the lives of women were made better at home, school and work. Part-5 speaks about the Focus on financial systems, along with Big Bang Reforms and simultaneous benefits to middle-class, economically weaker sections. Part-6 speaks about law-making and peace-making efforts that made India a much safer place to live in. 

CBI arrests BRS leader and MLC K Kavitha in Delhi liquor policy case, was apprehended by ED earlier

OpIndia Staff
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CBI arrests BRS leader and MLC K Kavitha in Delhi liquor policy case, was apprehended by ED earlier

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on 11th April concerning a case involving the Delhi excise policy. K Kavitha was questioned by the CBI earlier on 10th April in Tihar jail, where she was taken into custody following her arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on 15th March.

The special court allowed the agency to question the lawmaker regarding the documents pertaining to a land deal and the WhatsApp conversations that were found on co-accused Buchi Babu’s mobile device, as well as the alleged payment of Rs 100 crore in kickbacks to the Aam Aadmi Party to sway excise laws in favour of the liquor lobby.

She was reportedly questioned by the CBI on 6th April in Tihar jail and has already been added to the list of accused. The agency is allegedly going to demand ten days of custody. After the ED requested an extension, Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi on 9th April maintained her judicial imprisonment until 23rd April. The BRS leader entered a plea earlier this week, claiming that she was helping her son with his examinations, but the judge denied her request for temporary relief.

K Kavitha, an important part of the “South Group” that allegedly provided the ruling AAP in Delhi payments totalling Rs 100 crore in exchange for a significant portion of liquor licenses in the national capital, is the daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao. She was placed under judicial custody for 14 days on 2nd April. She was apprehended from her Banjara Hills residence in Hyderabad.

Notably, the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches on 245 locations across the country including Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai and other places and arrested 15 persons including Aam Aadmi Party national convenor and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, senior party leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh who is currently out on bail along with Vijay Nair in this case. 

Buddhism separate religion from Hinduism: Gujarat government issues circular saying Hindus converting to Buddhism must seek permission

OpIndia Staff
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Buddhism separate religion from Hinduism: Gujarat government issues circular saying Hindus converting to Buddhism must seek permission

On the 8th of April, the Gujarat government issued a circular stating that since Buddhism is a separate religion and thus any conversions from Hinduism to Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism would be permitted only after obtaining the concerned district magistrate’s approval under the provisions of the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003. The state home department issued this directive on the 8th of April to allay concerns about how conversion petitions are handled.

The circular emphasised that conversion applications must follow approved procedures and pointed out differences in the district magistrate offices’ interpretation of the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act. It recognised cases in which applicants and independent organisations disputed the requirement for prior authorization for Hindus to convert to Buddhism.

The circular issued a warning on possible legal challenges resulting from a lack of understanding of the laws pertaining to religious conversions. It emphasised the necessity for district magistrates to carefully review the laws when considering conversion applications.

“…it has come to notice that in applications seeking permission for conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism, procedure as per rules are not being followed. Moreover, sometimes, representations are being received from applicants and autonomous bodies that for religious conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism, prior permission is not required,” the circular stated.

“In cases where applications are filed seeking prior permission, concerned offices are disposing such applications while stating that under Article 25(2) of the Constitution, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism are included within Hinduism and so the applicant is not required to take permission for (such) religious conversion. It is possible that the replies given to applicants in the sensitive subject like religious conversion without sufficient study of legal provisions can result in judicial litigations,” it added.

The circular, according to a senior Home Department official, has been released as a clarification on the matter. “Some district magistrates were wrongly interpreting the Act and its rules while deciding applications of the religious conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism. Also, some district magistrates had sought guidance on the subject. So, we have issued the clarification through this circular,” an official told IE.

“This circular has made it clear that Buddhism is a separate religion and it has nothing to do with Hinduism,” said Ramesh Banker, Secretary of the Gujarat Buddhist Academy (GBA), in response to the issuance of the said circular.

The banker welcomed the circular’s release and highlighted that the GBA has always followed the established procedures for conversions. On 25 October, last year, around 400 people were converted to Buddhism in Ahmedabad. In a similar vein, about 900 people in Gir Somnath converted to Buddhism in October 2022.

PM Modi on Newsweek cover, first Indian PM since Indira Gandhi: From China, minorities, economic growth, to Ram Mandir, details of the interview

Shraddha Pandey
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PM Modi on Newsweek cover, first Indian PM since Indira Gandhi: From China, minorities, economic growth, to Ram Mandir, details of the interview

In an interview with New York-based Newsweek magazine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed a plethora of issues, including Indian politics, coming Lok Sabha elections, economic policies, China, the global economy, Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Mann Ki Baat, minority rights, Kashmir and much more.

PM Modi was interviewed by the New York-based magazine where he discussed several India related issues. He responded to written questions from Newsweek and had a 90-minute interview later. After Indira Gandhi, PM Modi became the second Indian prime minister to appear on the cover of Newsweek magazine with this interview. The cover of the April 1966 issue of Newsweek magazine featured former prime minister Indira Gandhi.

Speaking about his much popular radio program Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi said that he channelises his positive energy into this program. PM Modi opined that communication with the people of the country is a two-way street. “A leader should have the ability to connect to the grassroots and get unfiltered feedback”, he said.

Notably, in Mann Ki Baat radio program, PM Modi shares his ideas, vision, and some interesting stories he comes across, with the general masses. The Prime Minister often highlights the grassroots change-makers to inspire the citizens to become ambassadors of positive change and contribute to nation-building. 

Mann Ki Baat is broadcast in 11 foreign languages, including French, Chinese, Indonesian, Tibetan, Burmese, Baluchi, Arabic, Pashtu, Persian, Dari, and Swahili, in addition to 22 Indian languages and 29 dialects. Mann Ki Baat is broadcast by over 500 centres of All India Radio. 

PM Modi on lessons to learn from the success of UPI

Highlighting the success of the UPI digital payments system, PM Modi asserted that technology should be open, interoperable, scalable and secure. He also advocated for the democratisation of technology.

“UPI is a fine example of Indian innovation at its best. I see UPI as a simple tool that broke countless barriers, from financial barriers to geographical barriers. It has opened the world of digital transactions to the person at the last mile,” PM Modi said.

Notably, in 2023, UPI processed 117.6 billion transactions in total. According to data, last year’s UPI processed a little over Rs 182 lakh crore in total value over the payments infrastructure. Between January and December of 2023, there was an increase in UPI monthly transactions of more than 49%.

“Human-centered development”

On India being compared to Japan and China in terms of economic growth, PM Modi said that instead of comparison with other countries, his focus is on “human-centred development” woven around India’s traditional values. 

“India has run the world’s largest poverty-eradication drive in the last 10 years and has pulled 250 million people out of poverty,” PM Modi said.

Notably, the Modi government has pulled out over 24.82 crore people from multi-dimensional poverty in the last nine years, reducing poverty from 29.17% in 2013-14 to 11.28% in 2022-23 i.e. a reduction of 17.89 percentage points.

Modi on QUAD and China

Speaking about QUAD and countering the growing influence on China, PM Modi said that the plurilateral framework comprising India, Australia, Japan, and the USA is not essentially China-centric. He said, “We are present in different combinations in different groups. Like many other international groupings, like SCO, BRICS and others, QUAD is also a group of like-minded countries working on a shared positive agenda. It has established itself as an important platform for ensuring peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.”

PM Modi hails India as the natural choice for supply chain diversification

PM Modi asserted that India being a democratic polity and global economic growth engine, is a natural choice for those looking to diversify their supply chains.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the economic reforms including Goods and Service Tax (GST), corporate tax reduction, bankruptcy code, reforms in labour laws, and relaxation in FDI norms. PM Modi asserted that the country under his leadership has significantly improved in ease of doing business.

PM Modi on bilateral relations with China

Regarding the relations between India and China, PM Modi said relations with China are significant for India. He also stressed the need to address the border issues to restore normalcy in bilateral interactions. He added that peace in Indo-China border areas can be upheld through constructive bilateral dialogue at diplomatic and military levels.

“It is my belief that we need to urgently address the prolonged situation on our borders so that the abnormality in our bilateral interactions can be put behind us. Stable and peaceful relations between India and China are important for not just our two countries but the entire region and world. I hope and believe that through positive and constructive bilateral engagement at the diplomatic and military levels, we will be able to restore and sustain peace and tranquillity in our borders,” he said.

Modi on Pakistan

Over the years, Prime Minister Modi has adopted an unannounced policy of not giving unnecessary importance to Pakistan. When asked about Indo-Pakistan ties, PM Modi kept it short and simple said that “India has always advocated for advancing peace, security and prosperity in our region in an atmosphere free from terror and violence.”

On being asked about former Pakistani PM Imran Khan’s imprisonment, PM Modi refused to comment saying that it is Pakistan’s internal matter.

Modi on Article 370 abrogation and the changed picture of Jammu and Kashmir

On criticism of the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, Prime Minister Modi said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir now have a new hope in their lives. He added that people are reaping peace dividend. Modi pointed out the sharp decline in terrorist attacks and the unprecedented boom in tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.

“I would encourage you to visit Jammu and Kashmir to witness firsthand the sweeping positive changes happening on the ground. Do not go by what I or others tell you. I went to Jammu and Kashmir just last month. For the first time, people have a new hope in their lives. The process of development, good governance, and empowerment of the people is to be seen to be believed,” PM Modi said.

He added, “People are reaping the peace dividend: over 21 million tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir in 2023. There has been a significant decline in terror incidents. Organized bandh/hartals, and stone pelting, which once disrupted normal life, are now a thing of the past.”

Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi underlined that since Article 370 was revoked, which granted Jammu and Kashmir special status, the region has developed into an amiable host for international events, including major conferences like the G20 and Formula 4 racing events. Innovation, smart solutions, startups, and the digital economy are all gaining traction.

PM Modi on the significance of Ayodhya Ram Mandir

Regarding the significance of the recently opened Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, PM Modi stated that India’s national consciousness is etched with the name of Shri Ram. He asserted that the ideas and ideals of the nation’s “civilisation” have been shaped by the life of Lord Ram.

“The name of Shri Ram is imprinted on our national consciousness. His life has set the contours of thoughts and values in our civilisation. His name echoes across the length and breadth of our sacred land. Therefore, during the 11-day special ritual I observed, I made a pilgrimage to the places that carry the footprints of Shri Ram. My journey that took me to various corners of the country showed the revered place Shri Ram holds within each of us,” PM Modi told Newsweek.

He added that the return of Lord Ram to his birthplace marked a historic moment of unity for the nation. “It was a culmination of centuries of perseverance and sacrifice. When I was asked to be part of the ceremony, I knew I would be representing the 1.4 billion people of the country, who have waited patiently for centuries to witness Ram Lalla’s return,” PM Modi said.

Modi on religious minorities and allegations of discrimination

When asked about allegations that his government discriminates against certain religious minority groups, PM Modi said, “Such claims are made by a section of people who don’t bother to meet people outside their bubbles. Even India’s minorities don’t buy this narrative anymore. Minorities from all religions, be it Muslim, Christians, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain or even a micro-minority like Parsis are living happily and thriving in India.”

PM Modi highlighted his government’s saturation coverage approach in their schemes and initiatives. He emphasised that the schemes and initiatives undertaken by his government are not limited to any particular community or religious group but rather are designed in a manner that leaves no scope for discrimination.

“Be it amenities like houses, toilets, water connection or cooking fuel or be it collateral free credit or health insurance, it is reaching every citizen irrespective of his community and religion,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi highlights 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State Legislatures

On being asked about the status of women in India during the Modi regime, PM Modi said that Indian women are at the forefront of the country’s development. He highlighted the shift in the lexicon from women’s development to women-led development.

“We passed the pathbreaking legislation to provide 33% reservation for women in our Parliament and State legislatures. In the forthcoming general elections, we have 15% more women enrolled as new voters,” PM Modi said.

He highlighted the drop in maternal mortality rate from 130 [out of 100,000 live births] in 2014 to 97 in 2020 adding that the nutritional status of women has also improved remarkably.

Highlighting the maternity benefit laws in India, PM Modi told Newsweek, “We have among the most progressive maternity benefit laws in the world, offering fully paid leave of 26 weeks and have mandated compulsory creche [day care] facilities in any establishment with more than 50 employees.

The Prime Minister outlined that women in India today are actively participating in all sectors including the armed forces. PM Modi also highlighted several women-centric schemes launched by his government including the Lakhpati Didi scheme, he launched on Independence Day last year.

“Millions of women are being benefited due to innovative schemes like Namo Drone Didi scheme, in which women are enabled to become drone operators in rural areas, and Lakhpati Didi scheme, in which 30 million women from self-help groups are being economically empowered to have an annual household income of more than one lakh rupees,” PM Modi told Newsweek.

PM Modi on coming Lok Sabha elections

On his government’s performance in the last ten years, PM Modi said that people were earlier not used to poll promises being fulfilled by politicians. However, the Modi government maintained an “excellent” track record of fulfilling its promises. “Our government has worked with the motto of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas,” which means—Together, for everyone’s growth, with everyone’s trust and everyone’s efforts,” he said.

Exuding confidence in public support for his government, PM Modi said that usually, even popular governments start losing public support by the end of the second term, however, India is an exception, he said.

“India stands out as an exception, where popular support for our government is increasing,” PM Modi asserted.

PM Modi on his legacy and how he wants the people to remember him

Despite being a highly popular leader, PM Modi is not much concerned about how he will be remembered. PM Modi said that if people are able to live a life of dignity and achieve their dreams then he will consider his task done.

“I think it is not my job to think about how I will be remembered, neither does this thought motivate me. My motivation is the impact I could make in the lives of every Indian, whom I consider my family. If they are able to live a life of dignity, and achieve their dreams, I would consider my task done. But till then, I am going to work tirelessly and devotedly to fulfil the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians,” Prime Minister Modi said.

Dehradun: Rahman posing as Aman threatens to throw acid on married woman for refusing his advances, had forced her to meet him by threatening suicide

OpIndia Staff
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Dehradun: Rahman posing as Aman threatens to throw acid on married woman for refusing his advances, had forced her to meet him by threatening suicide

On 9th April, a Muslim youth named Rahman threatened a married woman to hurl acid in her face for not befriending him. The incident transpired in the Dalanwala police station area of Uttarakhand’s capital Dehradun. He also tried to force the woman to sit on his bike. Initially, he had introduced himself as Aman to the victim. The accused has been arrested by the police.

On 28th March a married woman received a message which only stated, “Hello” from an unknown number on WhatsApp. When asked about the identity of the sender, the person introduced himself as Aman, the proprietor of a restaurant in Dubai. Aman claimed to have obtained her mobile number from her neighbour’s child. He told her that he had just come from Dubai to Dehradun and started compelling her to become friends with him, however, she turned him down.

He was unaffected by her denial and even threatened to kill himself by cutting the veins in his hands, to force her to talk to him. She eventually got fed up and revealed the entire story to her husband. The couple then planned to get the perpetrator apprehended by the authorities.

The woman told him that she was ready to meet him, and the man sent her a location for the meeting. The woman arrived at the place sent by Aman. Her spouse pulled up in a car a little distance away and started to keep an eye on things. Their plan was to engage the man in conversation and then call the police.

He arrived there on his motorbike after some time and unveiled that his real name was Rahman, but his friends call him Aman. He proposed to go somewhere else to talk and asked her to accompany him on his two-wheeler. However, the woman refused, making Rahman angry. He held her hand and tried to forcibly make her sit on his motorcycle.

When she continued to resist, he took a small vial from his pocket and said her that it was acid. He threatened to toss it in her face if she didn’t listen to him. She started to scream upon hearing this and her husband rushed to the spot. The culprit then began fighting with him and threatened to kill both of them. A crowd gathered there due to the commotion and rescued the woman. The police also reached the scene after learning about the incident and nabbed the accused.

The police have filed a First Information Report against him on the victim’s submission. Inspector Dalanwala Rakesh Gusain confirmed the action while talking to the media. Rahman hails from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh. He is studying hotel management while residing in a rented home on Dehradun’s Sahastradhara Road.

Bengaluru water crisis: ₹20 lakh fine collected from over 400 families for using potable water in activities like washing vehicles and gardening

OpIndia Staff
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Bengaluru water crisis: ₹20 lakh fine collected from over 400 families for using potable water in activities like washing vehicles and gardening

The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has fined 407 people in the city for using potable water for gardening and washing vehicles. A fine of Rs 20.3 lakh was collected from these people in the city that has been facing acute water scarcity for the last 2 months. Notably, since 10th March, a fine of Rs 5000 has been imposed in Bengaluru city for using potable water in such activities. If the user proves that the water is treated and recycled, he need not pay a fine. An additional fine of Rs 500 is levied if the offence is repeated.

Due to the water scarcity, the board has banned the use of potable water for vehicle washing, gardening, filling swimming pools, construction and maintenance activities since March 10. It has asked the people to use treated water for such purposes.

According to a report by the Times of India, 407 citizens in the capital of the Kannada state have been fined for using potable water for other household tasks like gardening and washing vehicles. The BWSSB has asked people to use recycled water for these activities. A middle-aged man from Vignananagar, near Doddanekkundi in east Bengaluru, was the latest case of such a fine collection. He was caught while washing his scooter on the occasion of Ugadi on Tuesday (9th April).

A BWSSB officer said, “We have fined 407 persons till April 9 and collected Rs 20.3 lakh from the violators so far.” BWSSB officials are also responding to public alerts regarding the inappropriate use of drinkable water and they are also acting on their own as well.

BWSSB chief engineer Suresh B said, “The public too is passing on information to the board about those families using potable water for gardening or cleaning vehicles. BWSSB doesn’t collect fines just because it sees someone cleaning vehicles. We cross-check with them by asking about the source of the water. If they fail to prove it is treated water, we collect a fine from them.”

BWSSB officials reported that out of the 407 fines issued, 90% were for vehicle washing and the remainder for gardening. They have cautioned offenders against repeating the infraction, stating that for each subsequent violation, an additional Rs 500 will be added to the Rs 5,000 fine. BWSSB emphasized that the objective is not merely to collect fines but rather to urge individuals to conserve potable water amidst the current scarcity.

Notably, the Bengaluru water crisis has made living in the IT city more miserable than ever. The scarce rainfall in 2023 due to the El Nino effect has caused the groundwater table to disappear, not just lower. Many borewells in and around the city including the one owned by Karnataka’s deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar have dried. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s residence is also dependent on tankers for the water supply.

UP: Abdul poses as Ajay to trap a Nepali minor girl, commits gang-rape with his other relatives, forces the girl to convert to Islam and eat meat

OpIndia Staff
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UP: Abdul poses as Ajay to trap a Nepali minor girl, commits gang-rape with his other relatives, forces the girl to convert to Islam and eat meat

A new case of love jihad surfaced in the Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh. A minor girl from Nepal has accused one Abdul Salam of posing as a Hindu and forcing her to marry her and later convert to Islam. The victim has also accused him of forcibly feeding meat. The police have arrested Abdul Salam by registering an FIR against 6 named and 2 unidentified persons.

In a case reported from the jurisdiction of Budhana police station in Muzaffarnagar district, a 26-year-old Hindu woman hailing from Kapilvastu district, Nepal, has filed a complaint with the police. According to her statement, she had been residing in Sultanpur, South Delhi, since 2015 when she was a minor. It was during this time that she encountered Abdul Salam, who introduced himself as Ajay.

The victim said that Ajay befriended her and started pretending to love her. Later, he raped her on the pretext of marriage while she was a minor. The victim said that as she was from another country and living alone, so taking advantage of her situation, Abdul Salam raped her several times.

The victim also disclosed that due to repeated rapes, she also got pregnant several times, but Abdul made her undergo abortions. When the victim pressured her to marry him, Abdul Salam married her on 6th August 2019, at an Arya Samaj temple in Delhi. In this marriage, the victim was forced to sign on blank paper. In 2021, the victim became the mother of a girl child.

Upon admission to the hospital, the victim discovered that Ajay was not a Hindu. She came to know from the documents that he was Abdul Salam and belonged to the Muslim faith. Allegedly, Abdul Salam then issued threats to the victim and her daughter, coercing them into silence. Seven months following the birth of their daughter, Abdul Salam brought the victim to his village for the first time. This village, known as Jaula, is situated within the jurisdiction of the Budhana police station in Muzaffarnagar.

According to the copy of the FIR available with OpIndia, Abdul, his father Idris, brother Asif and Amil, maternal uncle and 2 brothers-in-law raped the victim one after the other. They threatened to kill the victim and her daughter. After a few days, all these accused started pressuring the victim to convert to Islam. She was forcibly fed meat.

The victim says that in between, when she went to Delhi, Abdul used to call her back to his village and get her raped by his family members. From November 2023, Abdul Salam started distancing himself from the victim. The victim found out that he had married another girl and mostly stayed in the village. When the victim went to Abdul’s village to investigate this, she was beaten up there.

Finally, the victim released a video narrating her ordeal and demanded strict action against Abdul Salam and other accused. After the matter reached the Hindu organisations, they met the victim and took her with them to the police station to file a complaint. Eventually, an FIR was registered against Abdul Salam, Idris, Asif, Amil, Abdul, Shamsher and 2 other unknowns.

The police have filed a case against all implicated individuals under sections 493, 494, 419, 376, 313, 504, and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), in addition to the POCSO Act and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act 2021. On 8th April, Muzaffarnagar police announced that Abdul Salam had been apprehended, while efforts to locate the remaining suspects are ongoing.

Madhya Pradesh: Former Deputy Collector Nisha Bangre, who resigned to pursue politics, asks for job back after Congress backtracks on promise of ticket

OpIndia Staff
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Madhya Pradesh: Former Deputy Collector Nisha Bangre, who resigned to pursue politics, asks for job back after Congress backtracks on promise of ticket

Former Deputy Collector Nisha Bangre, who resigned from her post to contest Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections in 2023, is asking for her job back. Bangre was promised a ticket by the Congress Party but did not get one for the Assembly Elections. Later, the party allegedly promised her ticket in Lok Sabha Elections which also did not happen. Reportedly, Bangre applied to get her job back in January 2024 but the government is yet to reply to the request.

Notably, on 27th March this year, Madhya Pradesh Congress appointed Bangre as chief spokesperson. However, when reporters called her to participate in debates, she told them that she had applied to get her job back and was waiting for a response.

Nisha Bangre was the Deputy Collector of Chhatarpur district. Her husband was posted as SDM in the same region. Bangre was hoping to contest elections on a Congress ticket from Amla constituency in district Betul. However, when her resignation was accepted, Congress gave the ticket from the Amla constituency to Manoj Malve.

Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar, Nisha Bangre said that she kept waiting for an update from Congress over the ticket or any responsibility. As there was no update, her family asked her to apply to get the job back which she did in January 2024. She added Congress promised her ticket for Lok Sabha Elections from Bhind or Tikamgarh constituencies but it did not formulate.

Bangre claimed that there had been instances where civil officers resigned to contest elections but joined back after losing. She said, “I did not even contest elections.” She added that she would keep applying to get the job back as she needs a platform to stay among the public. When asked if she was planning to meet the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh to get her job back, she said as the Model Code of Conduct is in place, he would not be able to take any decision so she would meet him after the elections.

On the question of joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nisha Bangre said she did not receive any offer from the ruling party.

In the letter in Hindi, she wrote, “From April 1, 2018, I was posted as Deputy Collector in the Madhya Pradesh government. During my tenure, I faithfully and dedicatedly adhered to all the rights, duties, and directives provided by the government administration. I worked diligently to ensure that the rights of the common people and the government’s policies reached the grassroots level. I did not receive any notice or departmental inquiry during my term of service.”

Source: X/psamachar1

“After resigning, keeping in mind the interests of the nation and the public, I applied to withdraw my resignation to contest in the 2023 Assembly elections as a candidate again on September 12, 2023. However, the resignation was accepted on October 23, 2023. My lawyer was summoned on October 24, 2023, the day of leave. On October 26, 2023, I received the order accepting the resignation through email”, she added.

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