In a tragic incident in Delhi’s Timarpur area, 21-year-old man Anshul Bhati was stabbed to death by two juveniles on Saturday after a heated argument broke out over a trivial matter of refusing to give a matchbox to light a cigarette.
According to the officials, a PCR call was received on Saturday at the Timarpur police station regarding a stabbing incident. When the police team reached the spot, Anshul Bhati was found in critical condition and rushed to Hindu Rao Hospital. Tragically, he was declared dead upon arrival by the doctors.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) M K Meena said, “On reaching the spot, a police team found that there was a pool of blood inside of an autorickshaw and around it”. He added that the crime scene was inspected, the statement of an eyewitness was recorded, and CCTV footages of the area were scanned.
Investigations led by the Crime and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) teams, in collaboration with the police, uncovered crucial evidence, including the identification of two juveniles in CCTV footage. This led to the arrest of the two suspects, identified as Criminals with Previous Records (CCLs), within 12 hours of the incident. Police also recovered a knife, believed to be used in the crime.
“On the basis of CCTV footage and local intelligence, two CCLs have been apprehended,” DCP North Manoj Meena stated. “A knife used in the commission of the offence has been recovered,” he added.
During interrogation, the two juveniles revealed that one of them had asked Anshul Bhati for a matchbox to light cigarettes, but he refused to do so, leading to a verbal spat. The verbal fight soon escalated and one of them attacked the victim with a knife. The duo then fled the spot.
Both suspects have been remanded to police custody and are currently under investigation.
Further revelations from the ongoing investigation indicated that one of the suspects had previously been implicated in a murder case in Timarpur the previous year.
In a series of tweets on Sunday (7th April 2024), the Election Commission of India (ECI) debunked fake news alleging that the total votes counted by EVM in several Parliamentary constituencies during the 2019 General Elections exceeded the total votes polled. The ECI shared a link to a document detailing important statistics from previous elections, including the polling data from the 2019 General Elections (Lok Sabha).
The poll body clarified that the claims are false and that the alleged letter, purportedly from the poll body, is itself fake. The fake letter aimed at spreading baseless allegations of EVM hacking which has been repeatedly rejected by ECI and honorable courts.
Responding to a post by a parody account named Ravish Kumar Parody, the Election Commission listed the fake claims and the reality of it. In the post, the parody account had shared a video of a YouTube channel named Mulniwasi Dastak in which a man named Waman Mesharam alleged that there was a mismatch in polling data (counted votes were more than the total votes polled) in around 373 Parliamentary constituencies out of total 542 Lok Sabha seats. The presenter specifically cited Varanasi alleging that in 2019, the EVM counted 12 lakh 87 thousand votes whereas the total votes polled were 11 lakh.
False Claim 1: false claim is made in a video regarding mismatch of electors & votes polled in #EVM in VaranasiPC during #GE2019
Reality: claim is misleading& fake. Total Electors in VaranasiPC were 18,56,791. Total votes polled & counted in EVM-10,58,744 & postal votes-2085 1/3 https://t.co/RIonUYT4Ef
— Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) April 7, 2024
Highlighting the first false claim made in the video, the ECI wrote, “False Claim 1: false claim is made in a video regarding mismatch of electors & votes polled in #EVM in VaranasiPC during #GE2019.”
Busting the fake claim, the post added, “Reality: claim is misleading& fake. Total Electors in VaranasiPC were 18,56,791. Total votes polled & counted in EVM-10,58,744 & postal votes-2085.”
False Claim 2: A false claim is being made quoting ECI letter that mismatch between total electors & votes polled in EVM were found in 373 PCs in #GE2019
Reality: claim is misleading, #fake & baseless. There is no such communication issued by #ECI. There was no mismatch.
2/3
— Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) April 7, 2024
Likewise, the post continued, “False Claim 2: A false claim is being made quoting ECI letter that mismatch between total electors & votes polled in EVM were found in 373 PCs in #GE2019.. Reality: claim is misleading, #fake & baseless. There is no such communication issued by #ECI. There was no mismatch.”
The poll body also attached a link to check Parliamentary constituency-wise details of electors and votes polled. PDF file of the same is included later in the article.
— Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) April 7, 2024
After busting the fake news, ECI issued an appeal to verify things before propagating them and used the hashtag, “#VerifyBeforeYouAmplify”, an ongoing awareness campaign of the polling body to fight misinformation and fake news.
However, the particular excerpt from the YouTube channel is not the single case where it made fake claims about EVM hacking. The channel has shared several videos alleging wrongdoings in EVM, EVM “scam” and how the voting machine (EVM) can be hacked in some DIY format videos.
It is pertinent to note the Supreme Court had rejected multiple pleas challenging the voting by EVM or alleging other malpractices through the voting machine noting that they found these allegations to be ‘baseless’. In March this year, while disposing of two pleas related to EVM and polling, Justice Khanna observed that more than 10 cases have been examined on various issues related to the functioning of EVMs by the court time and again.
Six security personnel and 12 terrorists were killed in separate incidents in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan on Friday night and Saturday, reported Dawn.
The six security personnel also included a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).
In one incident, eight terrorists were killed in a gun battle with security forces during an intelligence-based operation conducted in the Kot Sultan area of Kulachi tehsil, Dera Ismail Khan district, on Friday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Saturday.
The ISPR further stated that the security forces conducted the operation based on the reported presence of terrorists in Kot Sultan.
The terrorists have remained actively involved in numerous activities against security forces and targeted killings of civilians, reported Dawn.
Moreover, the security forces recovered weapons, ammunition, and explosives from them.
Meanwhile, two suspected terrorists were killed in a fire exchange with security forces in the North Waziristan district on Saturday.
The ISPR said the security forces carried out an operation in the district where the forces effectively engaged the militants’ location and killed two of them in the gun battle.
Meanwhile, in a similar incident in Lakki Marwat, a DSP and two cops were killed and a constable was injured by armed miscreants in two incidents on Friday night, according to the officials.
In the second attack the same night, a constable was killed when unknown assailants opened fire on him near his house in the Sra Darga area.
In another incident, a police official was killed and another was injured when a remote-controlled improvised explosive device went off in Mamund tehsil of Bajaur district on Saturday, as reported by Dawn.
According to the resident and police officials, the explosion occurred near a police post in the Barkholozo area just before iftar.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
On 7th April, Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders staged a protest at Connaught Place in Central Delhi against Aam Aadmi Party supremo and Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal. They demanded the resignation of Kejriwal from the CM post over his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi Excise Policy Scam.
The protesters used a replica of CM’s newly renovated official bungalow and called it ‘Sheeshmahal’. Basing the protest on the reported irregularities in the construction and renovation, they named it “Sharab Se Sheeshmahal Tak”.
A selfie point with the protest’s name was also set up at the site. It featured liquor bottle-shaped cutouts of AAP leaders who were accused of being involved in the alleged Delhi Liquor Policy Scam.
VIDEO | Visuals of protest by Delhi BJP against CM Arvind Kejriwal and AAP government.
Senior Delhi BJP leaders, Lok Sabha Candidates, MLAs and councillors including Virendra Sachdeva and Bansuri Swaraj participated in the protest. They raised slogans against Kejriwal and demanded his resignation. In a statement, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva said, “People aren’t getting clean water. There’s no electricity. Arvind Kejriwal has looted the public of Delhi.”
VIDEO | “People aren’t getting clean water. There’s no electricity. Arvind Kejriwal has looted the public of Delhi,” says Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva (@Virend_Sachdeva).
On the other hand, AAP leaders staged a protest in the form of a day-long fast against the arrest of Kejriwal.
ED arrested Arvind Kejriwal in liquor policy scam
On 21st March, ED went to Arvind Kejriwal’s residence in the evening for questioning. Later, he was arrested by the investigating agency in the Delhi Excise Policy Scam. AAP has claimed that Kejriwal’s arrest was politically motivated and illegal. However, his appeal in the court for interim relief was rejected. In November 2021, the Delhi Government introduced a new liquor policy. In June 2022, the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee filed a complaint against the policy. In July 2022, the Chief Secretary of Delhi flagged the anomalies in the policy. Delhi LG requested CBI to initiate a probe and ED joined the investigation by registering a matter under PMLA. Since then, multiple arrests have been made including Manish Sisodia.
A day after the attack on an NIA team at Bhupatinagar in Purba Medinipur district while carrying out a probe in connection with a blast case, the East Midnapore Police have registered an FIR and assured an investigation in the matter.
The police have registered an FIR against the NIA team and CRPF officials on the complaint of a woman. She alleged that NIA officials molested her by breaking the doors of their houses late at night.
The case has been registered at Bhupatinagar PS under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 325, 34, 354, 354(b), 427, 448, and 509.
Meanwhile, the NIA has also registered a case against the attackers at the Bhupatinagar police station.
SP Soumyadeep Bhattacharya said, “An NIA team had reached Bhupatinagar police station and we (police) fully cooperated with them. Earlier, another NIA team had come and there were reports of some arguments with them. During the incident, a vehicle was vandalised before the police arrived and one person was also reported to be injured. A FIR has been registered and an investigation is going on. Efforts for arrest are underway.”
Earlier on Saturday, some officers of the NIA were allegedly heckled in Purba Medinipur district while carrying out a probe in connection with a blast case.
According to sources in the elite anti-terror probe agency, an NIA team visiting Puba Medinipur in connection with an ongoing probe into the blast case came under attack on Saturday.
Sources said the vehicle in which the NIA officers were travelling was allegedly vandalised while a person was being picked up in connection with the case.
In a video of the alleged incident that was widely shared on social media, locals were purportedly seen gathering around a vehicle, trying to stop the NIA team from taking the suspect along with them.
The villagers also pelted the vehicle with stones, sources added.
Notably, a similar attack was made on ED team at Sandeshkhali on in the state’s North 24 Parganas district on Jan 5.
A team of ED officers were surrounded, heckled, and attacked by protesters in Sandeshkhali while raiding the residence of expelled and jailed TMC strongman Sheikh Shahjahan and another ruling party leader in connection with an alleged food scam.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
On Sunday, April 7, PM Modi heavily criticised Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge for his comment saying what do people of Rajasthan have to do with Kashmir. PM Modi was speaking at an election rally in Bihar’s Nawada where he questioned the Congress leader why he thinks Kashmir is not relevant in Rajasthan.
Addressing the crowd, PM Modi said, “The Congress’s national president, and it’s not a small post, said what is the use of talking about (Article) 370 after coming to Rajasthan? I feel ashamed in hearing that. Is Jammu and Kashmir not part of India?”
PM Modi further said, “I felt ashamed listening to it. Congress should listen to me. The youths of Rajasthan and Bihar gave their supreme sacrifice while protecting Jammu and Kashmir. And you are saying ‘Kashmir se kya lena dena’ (what is the relevance of Kashmir). This reflects the mindset of the ‘tukde-tukde gang‘. Should we apologise to these people for using such language? Should we entertain disrespect of those who sacrificed their lives?”
The Prime Minister also highlighted that the Congress party talks a lot about the Constitution, but Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s Constitution was finally implemented by Modi government in Jammu & Kashmir with the abrogation of Article 370.
During his speech, PM Modi also came down heavily on Congress for its recently released manifesto which smacks of appeasement politics. He emphasised that the Congress manifesto is similar to the one released by Muslim League pre-partition.
Earlier, during a political event in Jaipur on Saturday, Mr Kharge, had reacted at a question on scrapping special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
“Arre bhai, yahan ke logon se kya wasta hai (what has it got to do with the people here)?” Mr Kharge was heard replying to a question. He also incorrectly referred to Article 371, instead of Article 370, which the Congress later acknowledge was a slip of tongue.
Earlier, Home Minister Amit Shah had also slammed Mr Kharge for his comment on Kashmir. Shah attacked Congress chief for questioning the “relevance” of Kashmir in a Rajasthan rally and said that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. Shah also said that Congress party’s “Italian culture” is to blame for the party not understanding the very idea of India.
There has been a recent controversy about offering namaz in an open area at Gujarat University’s NRI housing where a conflict emerged between Muslim students from abroad and local students. Now, Gujarat University (GU) is taking strong measures regarding the incident. Seven Afghan students have reportedly been asked to leave the university. They were staying in the university dormitory unlawfully. They have completed their education but continued to live in the hostel and have now received orders to vacate the premises. Five students have already left the university.
The Afghanistan embassy has also received information about the notice directing the students to leave the dorm. Over a hundred international students are enrolled in the university’s undergraduate and graduate programs. This included seven Afghan students who extended their stay in the hostel citing frivolous excuses which is prohibited under university regulations. The university administration learned about it and took appropriate measures.
According to representatives of Gujarat University, these students had finished their coursework but were using the hostel under the pretext of obtaining transcripts or certificates. However, a student is not permitted to remain in the hostel after concluding the course, per university regulations. The seven pupils also fell into this category. It was also mentioned that out of the seven students, four have completed their studies and three have only administrative work pending.
The Gujarat University Chancellor, Dr. Nirja Gupta reported that the seven Afghan students belong to the alumni group. They were lodging at the hostel on account of trivial justifications. Now, arrangements have been made for these pupils to leave the hostel and return to their country because they are now former students. Furthermore, according to the Chancellor, two of the seven students are expected to follow the directive while the other five have already departed from the institution.
Dispute over offering namaz in the university
A brawl broke out on 16th March between international and local students over performing namaz in a public place in A Block of the university hostel, sparking a major row. One of the local Hindu students attempted to convince the Muslim international students not to offer namaz in public. However, a foreign student assaulted a local student and as the situation escalated local students retaliated by attacking the international pupils.
The Ministry of External Affairs also took action following this occurrence. The institution was visited by delegations from Afghanistan and Gambia. The foreign students were moved to the new dormitories after the university administration and the delegation discussed all the issues. Now, the students living there illegally have been given a notice to go back to their country.
On Sunday (7th April), the Aam Aadmi Party leaders are observing a day-long ‘Samuhik Upwas’ (mass hunger strike) to register a protest against the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister and the National Convenor of AAP Arvind Kejriwal. Fast generally means not eating and drinking anything, but AAP leader Sanjay Singh, recently relesaed from jail, was seen drinking water while addressing the party workers, attracting ridicule on social media.
While addressing the gathering of party leaders and supporters, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh repeated the same tropes to target the Modi government and BJP claiming the probe to be a ‘witch-hunt’. He alleged that only 4 out of 456 witnesses had named Arvind Kejriwal, so how could he be the kingpin of the scam, arguing that hence he is ‘innocent’ and will remain Delhi CM? However, during his address, he was interrupted by AAP leader and Former Delhi Law Minister Jitender Singh Tomar, the accused in the fake degree scam.
After Tomar handed a water bottle to Singh, he drank from it and asked his supporters loudly if they had come there without eating anything, saying, ‘Jor se bolo yaar, Kha kar nahi aye ho kya.’ Responding to someone’s interjection that they were fasting, he said, ‘I too am fasting.
Following the incident, the AAP Rajya Sabha MP found himself at the center of online backlash from netizens, who criticised his action during the party’s fast in support of Arvind Kejriwal. The specific occurrence can be seen at around 35 minutes into live streaming started by the party’s official YouTube channel.
AAP holds day-long 'mass fast' to protest Arvind Kejriwal's arrest.
Sharing the clip of AAP leader drinking during “Samuhik Upwas”, popular X user Bala wrote, “What kind of fasting is this @SanjayAzadSln? APiyas are capable of doing fraud anywhere & everywhere.”
Responding to the post, one user quipped, “They meant ‘we will eat fast and drink fast’”.
They meant "we will eat fast and drink fast"
— Peacefully Political ?? (@peacefullypolit) April 7, 2024
Another popular X user wrote, “The Aam Aadmi party had announced Roza for Kejriwal. Sanjay Singh who has gained 6 kg weight in jail broke his Roza while addressing the gathering.”
The Aam Aadmi party had announced Roza for Kejriwal. Sanjay Singh who has gained 6 kg weight in jail broke his Roza while addressing the gathering. ??? pic.twitter.com/VdtgaXa9uv
— Mr Sinha (Modi's family) (@MrSinha_) April 7, 2024
Taking a dig at the AAP, BJP’s Delhi unit tweeted, “AAP’s fast is going on. Sanjay Singh is asking after drinking water – haven’t you eaten before? Activists – Raising their hands and saying yes.” The saffron party is also holding a counter-protest in Delhi, “Sharab se sheesh Mahal” against the AAP.
AAP का उपवास चल रहा है ?
संजय सिंह पानी पी कर पूछ रहे हैं – खा कर नहीं आए हो क्या?
Several users also mocked the Aam Aadmi Party claiming that on one hand, it claims that its leaders are having a hard time in jail, facing health concerns and losing weight, but the fact is that AAP leader Sanjay Singh reportedly gained 6 kgs of weight during his stay in jail.
While the Tihar jail had refuted claims about the worsening health condition of jailed Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, it also shared Sanjay Singh’s medical report which showed improvement in his health while he was in jail.
During his six-month stay in Tihar jail, AAP MP Sanjay Singh, who recently got bail in the Delhi Liquor Policy case, showed improvement in health. His weight went up from 76 kg to 82 kg, and his blood pressure levels decreased from 153/103 to 136/70 mm Hg between October 2023 and April 2024, according to medical reports.
In March, a Delhi court had instructed the concerned authorities to ensure that Singh receives a nutritious diet and bottled drinking water. This came after the MP alleged inadequate basic amenities, such as clean water, proper food, and hygienic living conditions, during his court appearances outside Delhi.
Meanwhile, contrary to the AAP leader’s claim, Arvind Kejriwal has been allowed access to home-cooked food and various amenities like electric kettle, books, table, chair, etc in Tihar jail cell.
The Delhi CM is currently in judicial custody following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate last month in the Delhi liquor policy scam case. The party has claimed that its leaders are ‘innocent’ and alleges that the scam didn’t happen in the drafting, and implementation of the Excise Policy 2021 which was hastily scrapped following criticism rather it happened afterward.
In the wee hours of 6th April, a 29-year-old man, identified as Anas Qureshi, allegedly stabbed his 27-year-old female friend, identified as Ekta, to death in the Sunny Enclave area of Kharar in district SAS Nagar, Punjab. As per reports, he entered her house on the intervening nights of 5th April and 6th April.
The girl was living with her family, and on the night of the incident, they had gone to attend a Jagran. The victim returned home late at night from work while her family was at the jagran, and Anas followed her to the house. After some time, he was seen on CCTV footage coming out in different clothes. He escaped in the victim’s car but met with an accident 80 km away near Shahbad, Haryana.
Anas is a native of Uttar Pradesh. After the accident, the accused was admitted to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Sector 32, Chandigarh. He is in critical condition. Reports suggest that he lived in a rented accommodation in Sector 38, Chandigarh and owned an eating joint in the same market.
Source: Dainik Bhaskar
The victim was serving as a manager in a multi-national company in Mohali. She shifted to Sunny Enclave six months ago with her family, including her mother, an elder, and a younger brother. The family had gone for Jagran on the day of the incident and stayed back for the night. Her younger brother told police she had asked her to come for Jagran, but she refused and said Anas was coming to meet her. After completing her office shift, she returned home at around 2:30 AM, and Anas was seen following her.
Anas left the house three hours later in different clothes. Meanwhile, he was seen taking some alcohol bottles with him. He took Ekta’s car and tried to escape but met with an accident.
The family was informed about the accident at around 6 AM, and the person driving the car was critically injured. They immediately called Ekta, but she did not pick up her phone. The family rushed back home and found that the doors were open. Upon entering the house, they found Ekta’s dead body in a pool of blood on the first floor near the bed. She was stabbed multiple times in the neck with a sharp weapon.
Reportedly, Ekta and Anas have been in a relationship for four years. They met at the company where Ekta was working. Ekta had informed her family that the relationship had not been on good terms for some time. Anas was allegedly mentally harassing her. Her brother Rohit, who filed a complaint in the matter, told the police that Anas attended his wedding too.
Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar, DSP Karan Singh Sandhu said a police team was watching Anas at the hospital. Once his health gets better, the police will take him into custody and further investigate the matter to find the reason behind the murder. Speaking to Hindustan Times, he said, “He will be taken into custody once he gets discharged from the hospital, following which we will seek his remand to know the exact reason behind the murder. There was no sign of forcible entry or struggle. The murder weapon also remains untraced.”
Speaking to Hindustan Times, the investigating officer said, “We are yet to ascertain the exact reason behind the murder. The incident came to the fore after the victim didn’t answer repeated calls from her maternal uncle, following which he went home to check on her, only to find her lying in a blood pool. The inconsolable family then informed the police around 9.30 AM, after which a forensic team was also rushed to collect crucial evidence.”
Ekta’s dead body has been moved to Kharar Civil Hospital for autopsy—the accused as been booked under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
On Sunday (7th April), Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged everyone to watch the 1.5-hour-long interview of Madhavi Latha, the BJP candidate who has been fielded against AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi from the Muslim-majority Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency.
He said in a tweet, “Madhavi Latha Ji, your ‘Aap Ki Adalat’ episode is exceptional. You’ve made very solid points and also done so with logic and passion. My best wishes to you. I also urge everyone to watch the repeat telecast of this programme at 10 AM or 10 PM today. You all will find it very informative.”
A social worker by profession, Madhavi Latha has been tasked by the saffron party to take AIMIM head-on in its bastion of Hyderabad. Her interview with journalist Rajat Sharma in ‘Aap Ki Adalat’ programme was first aired on India TV on Saturday (6th April).
मोदी जी मुझे निडर होकर सच बोलने की हिम्मत आपसे ही मिली है और हमारी पार्टी का आदर्श #SabkaSathSabkaVikas ही मेरी प्रेरणा है। हम आखिरी सांस तक आपके दिखाए रास्ते पर चलेंगे और इस बार हैदराबाद लोक सभा में भाजपा की जीत सुनिश्चित करेंगे। #AbkiBaar400Baar#HumSabModiJiKaParivar
— Kompella Madhavi Latha (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Kompella_MLatha) April 7, 2024
At the very onset, the BJP candidate took the blessings of Kashi Visvesvaraya and Lord Shankara and promised to speak nothing but the truth during the programme.
When journalist Rajat Sharma inquired about her image of being ‘Lady Singham’ and ‘Lady Don’, Madhavi Latha emphasised that it is the need of the hour in Telanga politics. “It is necessary and I am proud of that,” she was heard saying.
She expressed contentment over her ‘tough image’, adding that it has instilled a sense of confidence in her supporters and their pursuit of truth.
100 Hindu houses now reduced to 5: Madhavi Latha
During the programme, Rajat Sharma showcased pictures of her childhood before the audience. Madhavi Latha became nostalgic and recounted how a flood in 1998 destroyed her old albums.
The BJP candidate informed that she was raised in an area, which falls under the Yakatpura Vidhan Sabha constituency in Old Hyderabad. She lamented that the impoverished condition of the area had not changed in the past 25 years.
“The area gets flooded like old times whenever there is rainfall. There are no proper schools and colleges,” she emphasised. Madhavi Latha also said that appeasement politics in the name of secularism has rendered the Muslims equally poor as the Hindus.
She informed that the communal riots in the area led to the exodus of Hindus from Yakatpura Vidhan Sabha constituency in Old Hyderabad. “Hindus pehela 100 the, aaj sirf 5 Hindu ghar hai (There were 100 Hindu houses before but now they are around 5 in the area),” she lamented.
On being asked by Rajat Sharma about the image of Hyderabad as a major metropolis, Madhavi Latha promptly responded, “The Hyderabad you know as IT hub is the capital city of Telangana. The Hyderabad I am talking about is the Parliamentary constituency of 7 Vidhan Sabha constituencies.”
BJP candidate rubbished claims of being anti-Muslim
During the 1.5-hour-long interview, Rajat Sharma quizzed the BJP candidate about her comments involving the Muslim community. He also read about comments by AIMIM, labelling her as ‘anti-Muslim.’
While dismissing such allegations, Madhavi Latha pointed out that she has been vocal about poor Muslim families sending their children to madrassas instead of regular schools.
“There are Maulanas who have threatened to break my legs when I went to visit these Islamic seminaries,” she informed. Despite threats of physical harm, the BJP candidate continued to strive for justice for Muslim women.
She has also spoken in support of the Triple Talaq law and pointed out how some Muslim women have been forced to bear several children against their wishes.
“Mazhab ka naam lekar ya gaalat karte hain, Quran ya nahin kehte hai ki aapko Talaq, Talaq, Talaq ek saath kehna chahiye (They take the name of religion and commit atrocities. Quran does not permit a Muslim to give Talaq instantly),” she emphasied.
Madhavi Latha pointed out that all schemes of the Indian government cater to all sections of society, including Muslims and none have been barred from benefitting
Jabse aayi Madhavi Latha, tabse Asad bhai lapata
At about 27 minutes into the ‘AAP ki Adalat’ programme, Madhavi Latha was asked about the challenge of breaching the AIMIM bastion of Hyderabad. “If we get bogus votes like Owaisi, then, we will win for 4000 years at a stretch,” she said.
While asking Rajat Sharma to wait for the right time, the BJP candidate emphasised, “Dekhte rahein harakar rahungi (Keep watching. I will defeat Asaduddin Owaisi).”
Journalist Rajat Sharma pointed out how her supporters have been elated ever since her candidature was announced by the BJP from the Hyderabad Lok Sabha constituency.
“Jabse aayi Madhavi Latha, tabse Azad Bhai lapata (Asaduddin Owaisi has been missing ever since Madhavi Latha came into the election fray),” he pointed out one of the election slogans.
Madhavi Latha speaks on Akbaruddin Owaisi
The BJP candidate did not mince words before attacking Akbaruddin Owaisi, the AIMIM leader infamous for making genocidal speech against the Hindu community.
Madhavi Latha pointed out the sacrifices made by Hindus to protect Hyderabad from the onslaught of Razakars belonging to AIMIM.
“Vesa toh Akbaruddin ne 2-3 goliya khayi hai, par humara dada-pardada toh Hindustan ke top o ka samna kiya hai (Akbaruddin was shot 2-3 times. Our fathers and grandfathers in Hindustan had to brave cannon fire),” she said with a sense of pride.
Madhavi Latha promised, “Abhi Akbaruddin ka gad hilega (We will now shake the bastion of Akbaruddin Owaisi)”
At about halfway into the interview, the BJP candidate highlighted how AIMIM has been using the contentious issue of ‘beef’ to consolidate the Muslim vote bank.
She read out a newspaper cutting, wherein the party claimed that Muslims would not be able to eat beef if AIMIM is not voted to power. “Have you seen anyone write in their manifesto that you will not be allowed to eat chicken if you do not vote for us?” she mocked the Owaisi-led party.
“Ek hi kaam hai – gumrah, gumrah, gumrah (AIMIM has only one job i.e. to mislead the people), Madhavi Latha stated. She also read out a fatwa, which said that Muslims must obey the rules of the land.
The BJP candidate pointed out that the cow is a scared animal for the Hindu community and its slaughter is illegal (in most States). She urged AIMIM to follow the Islamic fatwa and Quranic teachings and adhere to the laws and dietary restrictions of India.
Madhavi Latha also lashed out at AIMIM for brainwashing the Muslim community in the name of beef and the disputed Babri Masjid. “Jinnah nahin jinnah ke baap nikal rahein idhaar (They are turning out to be the father of Mohammed Ali Jinnah),” she added.
‘Mera muh toh nahin chup kara sakenge’: Madhavi Latha
During her interview on ‘Aap ki Adalat’, Madhavi Latha also junked claims about AIMIM being the B-team of the BJP. She pointed out how the Congress, BRS and the TDP in Telangana have been working in tandem with the Owaisi-led party.
“Like we take blessings at the Bhagya Lakshmi Mandir, they take blessings from AIMIM and Owaisi,” she informed. The BJP candidate made it crystal clear that no amount of intimidation can stop her from speaking the truth.
“Mera muh toh nahin chup kara sakenge (They will not be able to shut me up),” she added.
On being asked by journalist Rajat Sharma about the need to speak on the affairs of the Muslim community, Madhavi Latha stated, “I am a citizen of this country. This gives me the right to interfere in the pain of any woman or citizen.”
BJP candidate slams Asaduddin Owaisi
She did not hold back from showing a mirror to AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi. “Uniform Civil Code mein bedroom kaha aagaya sahab (How did the discussion of bedroom come into picture on the topic of Uniform Civil Code), she said while reacting to his ill-informed comments on UCC.
On being told about Owaisi’s allegations that UCC will strip Muslims of their religious identity, Madhavi Latha responded, “Keval Asad ji ki pehchan nikal jayegi (Only the identity of Asaduddin Owaisi will be exposed).“
She also reacted to his comments about making a hijab-wearing Muslim girl the Prime Minister of India. While attacking his patriarchal mindset, she said, “Pradhan Mantri banna ke baad bhi, aurat ka surat kisiko dekhna nahin chahiye (Even after a woman becomes Prime Minister, she is still not allowed to show her face/ uphold her identity).”
Madhavi Latha also slammed Owaisi for refraining to refer to the land of India as his ‘Maa.’ She lambasted him for sympathising with an ISIS terrorist and recently deceased gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari.
The BJP candidate also spoke at length about the role of AIMIM and its Razakars in tormenting the Hindus before the liberation of Hyderabad.
“Razakar chale gaye, Qasim Razvi ke wafadar reh gaye (Razakars have gone, but the loyalists of Qasim Razvi are left behind)…As long as they do not leave India, the development of Muslims of India won’t take place,” she said.
“They will not just lose in the Hyderabad Parliamentary constituency but wherever they contest elections in India. Hindus and Muslims will unite and defeat them,” Madhavi Latha underlined.
She also accused Asaduddin Owaisi and his brother of ignoring the plight of mosques in Hyderabad and remaining fixated on the disputed Babri Masjid, which was built atop a majestic Ram temple. “They broke a mosque, joined hands with builders and built apartments in Hyderabad,” Madhavi Latha continued.
What will he understand about Bharat Mata: Madhavi Latha on Rahul Gandhi
Towards the end of the interview, Madhavi Latha also spoke about Congress scion Rahul Gandhi and his recent comments about fighting Shakti. She said that she is an embodiment of Shakti for virtue of being a woman, who is ready to take him head-on.
“Rahul Gandhi said the right thing – the Hindu religion is an embodiment of Shakti and he wants to fight it. I am sitting right here. For the first time in his life, he has said one thing correctly,” she said.
“Even his grandmother Indira Gandhi was Shakti. One who could not understand his grandmother cannot understand other women in the country. What will he understand about Bharat Mata?” the BJP candidate added.
Madhavi Latha concluded by saying that both AIMIM and Congress target only Prime Minister Narendra Modi since he helped realise the historical claim of the Hindu community on the Ram Mandir.
