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Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress oppose the telecast of ‘The Kerala Story’ on Doordarshan, claim it will create ‘polarisation’

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress oppose the telecast of ‘The Kerala Story’ on Doordarshan, claim it will create ‘polarisation’

Doordarshan has announced that The Kerala Story film will be aired on Friday (5th April). Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday condemned Doordarshan’s decision. He said that this is an attempt at polarization just before the Lok Sabha elections. Kerala Congress leader VD Satheesan has also demanded that the government channel back off the move to screen the ‘The Kerala Story’ on Doordarshan, saying the movie is a “collection of untruth.”

On his X handle, Pinarayi Vijayan posted, “The decision by Doordarshan to broadcast the film ‘Kerala Story’, which incites polarisation, is highly condemnable. The national news broadcaster should not become a propaganda machine of the BJP-RSS combine and withdraw from screening a film that only seeks to exacerbate communal tensions ahead of the general elections. Kerala will remain steadfast in opposing such malicious attempts to sow hatred.”

The CPI(M) state secretary alleged that the BJP decided to screen the film as the general elections are approaching, hoping to push its political agenda as the BJP was unable to make inroads into Kerala’s society. CPI (M) said, “It is like challenging Kerala. When it was released, there were strong protests in Kerala. The censor board itself removed 10 scenes from the film.” When the film was released in 2023, it was strongly opposed by the CPI(M) and the Congress.

Kerala Congress leader VD Satheesan said, “The strategy of the Sangh Parivar administration led by Modi is to create division within secular society by screening the film ‘The Kerala Story’, which is a collection of untruth. Understanding that the politics of division cannot be used in Kerala, Sangh Pariwar using Doordarshan, a central government institution, for political gain cannot be accepted.” He further called the move “a flagrant violation of the election code of conduct.”

Meanwhile, Congress Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala also said that the move to screen ‘The Kerala Story’ on Doordarshan, which is filled with falsehoods about Kerala, is aiming for communal polarization. He said, “The central government should back off from it. It will become clear after the election that the BJP’s cheap politics will not work in Kerala. By showing the movie, the BJP is trying to spread falsehoods about Kerala. It creates division in society.”

The general election for 543 Lok Sabha seats across the nation is set to unfold in seven phases, commencing on 19th April and concluding on 1st June, with results slated for declaration on 4th June. Approximately 97 crore eligible voters are poised to participate in this electoral process. Kerala, will witness its Lok Sabha election in a single phase on 26th April.

It is important to note that Adah Sharma-starrer ‘The Kerala Story’ is one of the successful movies of 2023. The film saw popularity and ran well but there were attempts to corner the film and ban it for the subject matter. The film brought a spotlight on subjects like forced/lured religious conversions, ISIS brides, and love jihad. The film was even banned in West Bengal initially and the makers had to plead before the Honourable courts to get its ban lifted, which was eventually lifted. However, there were reports of the court’s order not being followed in its entirety. The story of the movie is based on the true story of Hindu girl Nimisha who was brain washed into marrying a Muslim, converting to Islam and leaving India to join ISIS.

Kerala has seen the highest number of jihadi recruitments where young men and women left the country to become terrorists for ISIS. Many of them died and some were imprisoned in the jails of Afghanistan or Pakistan after the fall of ISIS.

‘They came in chartered planes and did tamasha, picnic’: Former Congress leader says he opposed politicisation of Manipur crisis by Rahul Gandhi

OpIndia Staff
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‘They came in chartered planes and did tamasha, picnic’: Former Congress leader says he opposed politicisation of Manipur crisis by Rahul Gandhi

Former Manipur Congress minister and five-time MLA Irengbam Hemochandra Singh spoke with News 9 journalist Kartikeya Sharma on his programme “On Point” a few days after he resigned. During the conversation, the ex-Congress leader called Rahul Gandhi his main reason to quit the party.

Further, condemning the Gandhi scion’s decision to start the second leg of the Bharat Jodo Yatra from the violence-stricken state of Manipur, the former Congress MLA also went on to accuse the Gandhi scion of turning the road show into a “tamasha” and a “picnic”.

Hemochandra Singh resigned from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress and has also given up all other positions he held with the Pradesh Congress Committee on Sunday, March 31. He submitted his resignation to K Meghachandra, the president of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, stating that he no longer had any faith and confidence left in the party’s high command.

Ex-Congress Minister of Manipur calls Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra nothing but a political stunt, questions his intent to choose violence-stricken Manipur to begin his campaign

Explaining his rationale behind calling Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra and Bharat Nyay Jodo Yatra, a political stunt and questioning Rahul Gandhi’s intent to begin his second Bharat Nyay Jodo Yatra from the violence-stricken Manipur, the former Congress MLA said, “When Rahul Gandhi embarked on his first venture, the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, he was seen walking 25 kilometres a day slugging it out in a thin t-shirt in the bitter winters of North India. This probably struck a cord in the people’s minds that Rahul Gandhi is trying to reinvent himself or probably trying to change his ways of thinking and approach towards politics. But, later on, when he came for his second avatar, his 63 days Bharat Naya Jodo Yatra, for some reason which at least was not agreeable to me, started in Manipur, which was in the middle of a crisis, where people were still suffering, living in pitiable conditions in relief camps. In such a situation, Congress felt it was right to start their Yatra from Manipur, which I felt was a total political step,” Hemochandra Singh stated, adding, “As an insider at the time, I felt that Manipur was not ready for the politicisation and that Manipur should have been the last place Congress should have chosen to begin the Yatra.”

Singh went on to denounce the Congress, asserting that it had solely chosen Manipur as the starting point for its Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra with the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in mind.

“The entire Congress leadership flew down in a chartered plane as if it was a big tamasha. Karnataka CM, Mallikarjun Kharge, etc. they all came down as if it was a whole jamboree (large, festive gathering) and Rahul Gandhi, who was braving the cold and walking, was this time in an air-conditioned Volvo. It was a picnic. It was a picnic. It was a roadshow which had no meaning for the pain we (the people of Manipur) were suffering from,” Hemochandra Singh added, lambasting the Congress scion and his party members for turning the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra into a political escapade.

On 16th March, Rahul Gandhi, the Congress scion, concluded his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra which commenced on 14 January 2024 from Thoubal in Manipur, the foot march he had started immediately after the party had lost three of the four states in the assembly elections last year.

The movement led by Rahul Gandhi was an extension of the party’s longstanding agenda driven by divisive politics and hate speeches. Similar to its prequel Bharat Jodo Yatra, there were numerous attempts to widen the rifts in Indian society, even resorting to purposeful fabrications and disinformation.

Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Satyendra Jain, Sanjay Singh and others: 16 AAP leaders who were arrested in corruption, criminal and other cases

Anurag
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Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Satyendra Jain, Sanjay Singh and others: 16 AAP leaders who were arrested in corruption, criminal and other cases

On 21st March 2024, Chief Minister of Delhi and Aam Aadmi Party’s supremo Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection to the Delhi Excise Policy Scam. Since then, Kejriwal remained in ED custody until 1st April and was sent to judicial custody until 15th April. Notably, polling for Lok Sabha Elections 2024 is set to commence on 16th April 2024. Kejriwal will stay in custody at least one day before the polling date. Kejriwal is the latest name in the long list of AAP leaders who were either arrested or went to jail for one or the other reason. Here is the list of AAP leaders who are currently in jail or went to prison at some point since AAP came into existence a decade ago.

Manish Sisodia

One of the top AAP leaders and former deputy Chief Minister of Delhi and one of the founding members of AAP, Manish Sisodia, was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection to the Delhi Excise Policy Scam in February 2023. Since then, Sisodia has been jailed and denied bail by the courts. When Sisodia was arrested, AAP called it a black day. While Sisodia was made to resign from his post, Kejriwal remains adamant about running the government from Tihar Jail. Sisodia is also lodged in Tihar and is awaiting trial in the case.

Satyendar Jain

Satyendar Jain was one of the key ministers of the Delhi government. In May 2022, he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection to a money laundering case. The court recently denied bail by the Supreme Court of India, stating prima facia he was involved in money laundering activities. Since his arrest, Satyendar Jain remained in Tihar for a long time. CCTV footage of his cell in the jail went viral on social media, where he was seen taking massages by a prison inmate. He claimed it was not massage but therapy, which was part of his treatment. He was released on bail for medical treatment, but on 18th March, the court denied extending his bail and asked him to surrender. He is currently lodged in Tihar.

Amanatullah Khan

AAP MLA from Okhla and prominent Muslim face of the party, Amanatullah Khan, was arrested and sent to jail for a brief period in a case related to illegal recruitment and financial misappropriation as the chairman of Delhi Waqf Board. He is currently out on bail. He was also accused of sexually assaulting, raping and killing a woman.

Somnath Bharti

Another prominent AAP leader, Somnath Bharti, was arrested in September 2015 in connection to a domestic abuse case. As per the complaint filed by his wife, Bharti assaulted her on multiple occasions. A non-bailable warrant was issued in his name, and he surrendered at the Dwarka Police Station in September 2015. Later, in 2019, the Delhi High Court quashed the FIR against him and the proceedings were dropped against him in a domestic violence case. In another case in March 2021, he was sentenced to two years in prison for leading a mob that tried to break the boundary wall of AAIMS and pelted stones. Delhi High Court stayed his conviction, and he is currently on bail. The matter is sub judice.

Vijay Singla

Former AAP Minister in Punjab, Vijay Singla, was removed from the cabinet by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in May 2022. Singla was accused of corruption and arrested by Punjab Police. The matter is sub judice.

Tahir Hussain

Former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain is one of the main accused in the anti-Hindu Delhi Riots of 2020. He was charged in the murder case of IB officer Ankit Sharma. His name appeared in multiple FIRs and was booked under UAPA. During the Delhi Riots, Hussain allegedly led the mob of Muslims to attack Hindus. He tried to pose as a victim and posted fake videos claiming he was stuck at his residence and under attack. Later, during the investigation, police recovered stones, glass bottles, and other incriminating material from the rooftop of his residence. Islamists, left-liberals and propagandists sided with Tahir Hussain and claimed he was innocent, but later, the facts made it clear that he was directly involved in the riots. He is currently lodged in Tihar.

Sanjay Singh

ED arrested one of prominent AAP leaders and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh in October 2023 concerning the Delhi Excise Policy Scam. Initially, ED raided his house. Later, YSR MLA Shrinivasul Reddy’s son Raghav Matunga and businessman Dinesh Arora turned approver and their statements against Singh led to his arrest. The Supreme Court of India granted him bail on 2nd April. The matter is sub judice.

Sandeep Kumar

In 2016, MLA Sandeep Kumar was sent to jail in connection to the accusations of raping a woman in exchange for getting a ration card made for her. Later, an objectionable CD was leaked featuring Kumar. Before his arrest, he was the state Woman and Child Development Minister. The minority affairs ministry was also under Kumar.

Naresh Yadav

MLA Naresh Yadav was arrested by Punjab police in Malerkotala for allegedly using derogatory language against the Quran. The charges were dropped by the court in 2021.

Prakash Jarval

In July 2016, AAP leader Prakash Jarwal was arrested for sexually abusing a woman. In 2018, he was arrested for misbehaving with the chief secretary of Delhi. In 2014, he was arrested for slapping a Delhi Jal Board Employee. In February 2024, he was convicted in a doctor’s suicide case. As per reports, 52-year-old doctor Rajendra Singh died of suicide in April 2020 and accused Jarwal and his aide of harassing him in a suicide note.

Akhileshpati Tripathi

In November 2019, AAP MLA Akhilesh Pati Tripathi was arrested by Delhi police for not appearing at Rouse Avenue Court. A non-bailable warrant was issued against him. He was accused of instigating riots in 2015 and was arrested in November that year.

Manoj Kumar

In July 2015, AAP MLA Manoj Kumar was arrested by Delhi police for cheating and a land grab case. He was also accused of domestic violence, but the charges were dismissed by the court in 2020.

Sharad Chouhan

In June 2016, MLA Sharad Chouhan was arrested by Delhi police in abetment of a suicide case. He was accused of abetting AAP worker Soni Mishra to commit suicide.

Jitender Singh Tomar

In 2015, Jitender Singh Tomar, serving as law minister, got arrested by the police in a fake degree case. He spent 1.5 months in jail. Reportedly, his LLB Degree was fake. He was one of the first AAP leaders to go to jail.

Dinesh Mohania

Delhi police arrested AAP MLA Dinesh Mohania in June 2016 for misbehaving with a woman. He was also accused of sexually abusing and sexual assault. In 2020, he was acquitted of the charges.

‘I get offers from other parties’: Robert Vadra drops a big hint, says voters of Amethi expect him to represent them

ANI
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‘I get offers from other parties’: Robert Vadra drops a big hint, says voters of Amethi expect him to represent them

Spelling out his interest to contest the Lok Sabha polls, Robert Vadra, businessman and husband of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, has said that he gets to meet MPs from other political parties who make him offer to join their parties and also assure that they will ensure his victory in the election.

In an interview with ANI, Vadra also said that the people of Amethi expect him to represent their constituency if he thinks of becoming a member of Parliament.

Vadra said he wants that Priyanka Gandhi, who is Congress general secretary, should become MP first and he can follow her.

“I always want that Priyanka (Gandhi) should become an MP first and she reaches parliament, and then I feel, I can also come. I feel that I should become (MP) with my hard work, with blessings of Sonia Gandhi and Congress party,” he said.

“I will also say that because for so much time, I have been meeting people and there are MPs from other parties, when I meet them, they speak with me with love also and say come (to parliament) from our party and why are you taking so long and we will ensure that you win with a huge margin,” he added.

While stating his ambitions to be an MP, Vadra also talked of the leaders he meets understating “the troubles” he faces “every day”.

Vadra indicated that he will join active politics “at the right time”.

“It is not that from different places in country, there are invites, it is also coming from different parties that you come from our side and we will support you because I have friendship with several people beyond party lines, they see my hard work, understand it, and the trouble I face everyday, they understand it…They feel that if you are in Parliament then the replies you give, you will be able to give on a big platform, and the work you am doing can be done on a large scale if you are in parliament. There are several invites, there is pressure and my thinking is to work harder and stay among people and I will take part definitely at the right time,”

Vadra targeted Union Minister Smriti Irani, who represents Amethi, saying she does not visit the constituency frequently and people feel they made a mistake by electing her.

Smriti Irani defeated Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Amethi, a Nehru-Gandhi family stronghold, in one of the biggest upsets of the polls.

Vadra, who has indicated his electoral ambitions earlier too, said the Gandhi family has worked hard in Amethi and surrounding areas.

“They want a member of the Gandhi family returns, they will make him the person’s victory with a huge margin, they also expect that if I take my first step in politics, and think of becoming an MP, then I should represent Amethi,” he said.

Vadra said that the decision on Amethi and Rae Bareli will be taken by the Congress leadership.

“I’m not saying that I will contest from Amethi or Priyanka will contest from Rae Bareli. The decision will taken by the Congress party,” he said.

Vadra said he joined hands with Priyanka Gandhi for Congress campaign in Amethi in the 1999 Lok Sabha polls.

“That time politics was very different, fear was sought to be created among people. We use to visit sensitive areas at night, put up posters, distributed bags, worked hard with our workers day and night and gave them trust that we are there and they should keep working in their areas and booths. They know how we hard we worked and there was brotherhood and love, which is still there,” he said.

“The people with whom I worked…outside my office, residence…they send message through social media, they cut cake on my birthday, arrange langar or other service for people because they know I like this. People in the country see that I stay among people, work hard as much as possible for the disabled and blind children and spend all n charity. I visit on religious tour and they celebrate my birthday and celebrate festivals in my name and distribute among people there,” he added.

Vadra was asked if he could be a candidate from Amethi.

He said the person who represents Amethi should talk about the welfare of the people of the constituency, their well-being, and security and should not indulge in politics of discrimination.

He said the people of the constituency are very upset with the present MP from the seat.

“They feel they made a mistake as I think she does not visit the seat frequently, she does not think of the progress of the constituency, she thinks how to make baseless allegations, raise questions on the Gandhi family and create noise and misuse her position,” he alleged.

“Gandhi family has for years worked hard in Amethi, Rae Bareli, Sultanpur, Jagdishpur…there was a lot of progress. When the people of Amethi feel that they made a mistake and voted for Smriti and Rahul had from there…..whatever, he had to go to another constituency or whatever…, I feel they want that a member of Gandhi family comes back, they will ensure win with a huge majority,” he said.

Congress has not yet named its candidates for Amethi and Rae Bareli seats in Uttar Pradesh, where it is contesting the Lok Sabha polls in alliance with Samajwadi Party.

Rahul Gandhi won the last Lok Sabha polls from Wayanad in Kerala and is recontesting from the seat.

The Congress election committee in Uttar Pradesh had last month “unanimously recommended” that members of the Gandhi family should contest from Amethi and Raebareli Lok Sabha constituencies.

Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi has been representing Rae Bareli since 2004. She has now been elected to Rajya Sabha.

Lok Sabha polls will be held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1.

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

Iran: Security forces eliminate 18 members of Jaish al-Adl after the armed group killed 11 soldiers in a coordinated attack in Sistan-Baluchestan area

OpIndia Staff
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Iran: Security forces eliminate 18 members of Jaish al-Adl after the armed group killed 11 soldiers in a coordinated attack in Sistan-Baluchestan area

On 3th April, an attack on the headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the border province of Sistan-Baluchestan in the southeast of Iran resulted in the deaths of at least 11 members of the country’s security forces. Iranian state TV reported that 18 members of the Sunni armed group Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) had been neutralised in a subsequent overnight conflict with security troops. The armed group had attacked multiple locations targeting Iranian security forces on Wednesday night.

The commander of the IRGC’s Ground Force, Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour, informed Iranian national television that the armed group known as Jaish ul-Adl attacked an IRGC headquarters, a marine police station and a police station in the counties of Rask and Chabahar simultaneously. He revealed, “The terrorist elements were all equipped with suicide vests. The clashes in Rask ended. The operation is going on to purge the area (of terrorists) and the number of terrorists killed may increase,” according to Press TV. He added, “Currently, the security situation in Chabahar and Rask is normal and there is no problem there.”

According to Pakpour, 15 attackers were killed but their number in the clashes could rise to eighteen. Afterwards, the IRGC declared in a statement that security troops had eliminated all 18 militants who had received support from foreign elements. Following the deaths of the terrorists, the public relations of the IRGC Ground Forces’ Southeast Security Base claimed in a press release that normalcy had been restored to the cities. The statement also mentioned that terrorists had carried out assaults on five military and public sites located in Rask and Chabahar.

“10 members of security forces were also martyred and a number of others were injured,” the statement announced, however, the death toll rose to 11 later. The IRGC commander added, “Security forces freed the people the terrorists had taken hostage.” Terrorist attacks targeting people and security forces have occurred in Sistan and Baluchestan, which borders Pakistan and Afghanistan on multiple occasions in recent years.

Iran has placed Jaish al-Adl which came into existence in 2012 on a blacklist as a “terror” organisation. The outfit took responsibility for one of the bloodiest attacks in recent memory, which ended the lives of eleven police officers at a police station in Rask, Sistan-Baluchestan, located roughly 1,400 kilometres (875 miles) southwest of Tehran. The attack occurred in December.

Furthermore, it claimed responsibility for the 10th January that killed one officer at the Rask police station. Later that month, Iran fired missiles at two of the group’s strongholds in Pakistan, which prompted Islamabad to launch a military counterattack against what it alleged were armed separatists in Iran. The confrontation led to serious diplomatic tensions between the two Islamic countries. Islamabad also recalled its envoy from Tehran and dismissed Iran’s ambassador after Tehran launched a volley of missiles against Pakistan.

The region has long been rife with instability and the scene of regular skirmishes between drug traffickers and Iranian security personnel as well as Sunni fighters. Narcotics transported from Afghanistan to the West and other places pass through Iran on a regular basis.

‘Should take lessons from our PM’: Hema Malini tears into Randeep Surjewala for his sexist remark; NCW urges EC to take action against the Congress leader

OpIndia Staff
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‘Should take lessons from our PM’: Hema Malini tears into Randeep Surjewala for his sexist remark; NCW urges EC to take action against the Congress leader

The controversy surrounding the vile and sexist remark of Congress leader Randeep Surjewala against veteran actor and BJP Mathura MP Hema Malini has only gotten worse. On Thursday, the National Commission of Women (NCW) condemned the offensive remark made by Surjewala and asked the Chief Election Commissioner to take immediate action against him. The statutory body also requested an Action Taken Report within 3 days.

The Haryana State Commission for Women also took cognisance of the remark against the actor and BJP MP and issued a notice to the Congress MP. The state statutory body has asked him to appear before it on April 9.

Hema Malini reacts

Reacting to the controversy, Hema Malini, said that the leaders of the opposition should learn how to respect women from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking to the reporters in Mathura, before filing her nominations for the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP leader and Bollywood veteran said that the opposition targets only ‘popular people’.

“They target only popular people because targeting the unpopular ones won’t do them any good… They should learn how to respect women from PM Narendra Modi,” she said.

Randeep Surjewala brazens out his sexist remark, accuses BJP of editing and distorting video

Congress’ Randeep Surjewala responded to the BJP’s criticism over his remark on Hema Malini. He denied insulting the actor-turned-politician. He also accused the saffron party of editing and distorting his video to distract people’s attention from the government’s failures.

BJP tears into Surjewala for his misogynistic remark against Hema Malini

Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also hit out at the Congress party over Surjewala’s remark. Calling it a “vulgar sexist” remark, Yogi said that the women would teach a lesson to the I.N.D.I.A. bloc.

Prior to this, Kangana Ranaut also reacted to the vile and misogynistic remark of the Congress leader. She posted from her X handle, “There was talk of opening a shop of love but Congress has opened a shop of hatred. Congress leaders, who have degrading views towards women, are deteriorating their character day by day in frustration and despair of inevitable defeat.” She also embedded the sexist video of Randeep Surjewala in her tweet.

Surjewala came under fire after BJP leader Amit Malviya yesterday (April 3) shared a video in which the latter could be heard saying that BJP MP Hema Malini had been chosen as an MP only because of her beauty. He also indicated that the other leaders in the Lok Sabha liked staring at her.

“Why do we elect MLA/MP? So that they can raise our voices, and get our views accepted. They are not Hema Malini who is made MP to lick her,” Surjewala was heard saying, the video of which is going viral on social media.

BJP’s Amit Malviya shared the video and slammed Surjewala saying, “Who thinks of women as something to lick? That is the most disgusting description someone can come up with. Just the other day, Surjewala’s colleague was asking the ‘rate’ of another BJP woman leader, and now this… This is Rahul Gandhi’s Congress. It is misogynistic and abhors women.”

Hema Malini is a BJP Lok Sabha member from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh and is again contesting the 2024 general elections from there.

It is important to note that, earlier, Congress leader Suriya Shrinate had made vile and sexist remarks against BJP candidate from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut, indicating that the latter was a ‘slut’.

“Bharat will teach them a lesson for insulting Shakti”: UP CM Yogi Adityanath hits out at Congress, INDI bloc over Surjewala’s insult to Hema Malini

OpIndia Staff
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“Bharat will teach them a lesson for insulting Shakti”: UP CM Yogi Adityanath hits out at Congress, INDI bloc over Surjewala’s insult to Hema Malini

Randeep Surjewala’s sexist remark against BJP MP from Mathura, Hema Malini has come back to bite him. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has retorted saying that other parties are unable to find candidates to field for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections which is why Congress leaders have lost their sanity and are insulting fifty per cent of the country’s population that is women.

On Thursday, 4th April, BJP leader Amit Malviya shared a video of Congress leader Randeep Surjewala in which the latter could be heard saying that BJP MP Hema Malini had been chosen as an MP only because of her beauty. He also indicated that the other leaders in the Lok Sabha liked staring at her.

“Why do we elect MLA/MP? So that they can raise our voices, and get our views accepted. They are not Hema Malini who is made MP to lick her,” Surjewala was heard saying, the video of which is going viral on social media.

While addressing a public meeting in Mathura, Yogi Adityanath took a jibe at the Surjewala and the Congress party. He said, “When Hema Malini has become a candidate for the third time here, no other party is being able to find a candidate. They are bringing candidates as gifts or offerings.”

He added, “Unable to get candidates, Congress leaders have lost their calm. They have stooped so low as to insult half of Bharat’s population by making disrespectful remarks against Bharat’s Matri Shakti. But the Congressis and INDI Alliance should know that this is Radhe Rani’s land and Yamuna has blessed this land; if they insult half the population then entire India will teach them such a lesson that they won’t be left to play politics.”

The UP Chief Minister’s statement was made while addressing a rally in Mathura where he shared the stage with Hema Malini and other BJP leaders. Hema Malini is the BJP Lok Sabha member from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh and is again contesting the 2024 general elections from there.

It is important to note that, earlier, Congress leader Suriya Shrinate had made vile and sexist remarks against BJP candidate from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut, indicating that the latter was a ‘slut’.

Following the announcement of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy for the Mandi Lok Sabha constituency in Himachal Pradesh, Congress leaders and party trolls attacked her on 25th March with sexist and derogatory remarks.

Congress National Spokesperson Supriya Shrinate posted, “Kya bhav chal raha hai Mandi me koi batayega? (Will someone tell me what the rating system in Mandi is),” in an Instagram post alongside a photo of Kangana Ranaut.

The post was later deleted.

6 months of protest, demands for restoration of normal lives: Here’s why thousands of Pakhtuns in Pakistan are protesting at border along Afghanistan

OpIndia Staff
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6 months of protest, demands for restoration of normal lives: Here’s why thousands of Pakhtuns in Pakistan are protesting at border along Afghanistan

On the Wesh-Chaman border which lies between the Islamic countries of Pakistan and Afghanistan, thousands of Pakhtun protesters have been encamped and are protesting against the government for its new policy which disallows movement across the border without a valid visa and passport. As per a report by Dawn, the decision has affected the lives of around 1.2 million people of Chaman who are now not allowed to travel through the border freely as they used to do earlier.

The national apex committee of Pakistan, composed of civil and military leaders, ruled last year that only people with legitimate passports and visas would be permitted to access the Chaman border crossing. Previously, Pakistanis and Afghans would cross the border by showing their respective identity cards. However, the shift from a relatively open to a regulated crossing with severe paperwork requirements has unintentionally impacted the lives of the people. 

So, for about 180 days, hundreds of Pakhtuns have been tented at the Friendship Gate, the authorized border crossing between Chaman and the Afghan district Spin-Boldak, in protest of the one-document policy. Demonstrators have watched changing seasons, endured tear gas, and also sustained bullet wounds. They are determined not to abandon their positions until their views are heard.

The protest termed ‘Chaman Parlat’ is being led by Chaman resident Akhwond who says that the Pakhtuns are not demanding freedom, but they just want their normal lives back in which they could travel freely across the border.

Akhwond refers to both Chaman on this side of the border and Wesh in Afghanistan. Notably, even before the continually monitored checkpoints and wire walls were established, this land was simply a home for the Pakhtuns. People by the border lived together like a family, united not only by nationality, tribe, or culture but also by strong emotions.

Sir Mortimer Durand, British Foreign Secretary, established the boundary between Afghanistan and India in 1893, which separated the Pakhtun province. The Durand Line, which spans 2,430 km, runs across Pakhtun tribal territories and divides them into two distinct countries. While Pakistan inherited the Durand Line after independence, there has been no formal agreement or recognition of it.

According to Kashif Panezai, the vice chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), the area that stays divided along the border is not just a piece of land, it is their home. “The Durand Line splits numerous villages in half and divides others from their agricultural territories; it cuts tribes and other groups in half,” he said.

“Pakhtuns have been traversing on either side of the border for years. The people on our side have half their families living in Spin-Boldak, their sisters have been married on the other side of the border, they have their businesses set up there … they even bury their dead in one graveyard,” he added describing normal life of a Pakhtun there.

But for over six months now, the Pakhtuns of Chaman have been cut off from friends, families, and livelihoods, he says.

Over the last six months, the demonstrators have engaged in multiple rounds of negotiations with the administration. However, to no avail. The meetings would always finish with the authorities stating that the situation was beyond their control because it was the military leadership who decided on visa and passport requirements.

Akhwond is even prepared to travel to Islamabad and speak with the army head. Despite many attempts, he has failed to schedule a meeting.

Meanwhile, the authorities are blaming the protesters’ ‘inflexibility’ for unsuccessful negotiations. “If you look at it through the legal lens, the government’s decision is in line with internationally outlined processes. Every state has a right to form its own border rules. The problem of Afghan nationals entering Pakistan without authentic documentation is worrisome and needs to be addressed,” Chaman Deputy Commissioner Captain Raja Athar Abbas was quoted as saying by the Dawn.

At the same time, Captain Abbas acknowledges that the citizens of Chaman experience genuine challenges. He stated that the state had been doing everything it could to accommodate the demonstrators and had been lenient on humanitarian issues such as fatalities and health concerns.

The protests still continue with thousands in tents demanding the restoration of their normal lives.

‘Will we keep Ram Lalla awake 24 hours’: Champat Rai on admin’s decision to keep Ram Mandir open whole day for Ram Navami, expresses concern on increased visitors

OpIndia Staff
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‘Will we keep Ram Lalla awake 24 hours’: Champat Rai on admin’s decision to keep Ram Mandir open whole day for Ram Navami, expresses concern on increased visitors

As the district administration in Ayodhya has decided to open the Ram Mandir for 24 hours during the festivals of Ashtami, Navami, and Dashmi falling on the 8th, 9th and 10th of April, Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra’s General Secretary, Champat Rai has raised concerns.

While speaking to the media recently, Rai asked how long can they keep Ram Lalla, a five-year-old deity, awake. “Many suggested organising ‘darshan’ for 22 hours, but that is also not possible. ‘Ram Lalla ko 24 ghante jaga kr rakhenge kya (Will we keep Ram Lalla awake for 24 hours)?” Rai said on Saturday.

Sampat Rai also raised concerns about the preparedness in the city to host a massive number of devotees during the upcoming Ram Navami. He said, “Devotees between 1 lakh and 1 lakh 50 thousand are coming here to offer prayer to Ram Lalla. The number of devotees has increased after Pran Pratishtha. At the Holi Milan, I received information that a huge crowd came. Ram Navami is coming ahead. But is Ayodhya ready to welcome a large number of guests?”

The Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Lord Ram’s idol took place on January 22, 2024, and the number of devotees visiting the temple is going up. Rai highlighted the challenges that Ayodhya faces, particularly concerning the anticipated influx of over 2 lakh guests during Ram Navami. “Heat is the biggest challenge. More than 2 lakh guests coming here (on Ram Navami) will be a big challenge. water is available, but still, food is a challenge. Till now, no incident of stampede has been witnessed here, and we hope that this will not happen in the future either,” Rai said.

He suggested that people visiting Ayodhya bring ‘sattu’ with them to eat, saying that it will save them from heat. Notably, with the onset of summer, Ram Lalla has started to wear comfortable cotton attire. On Saturday, Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra announced that the Bhagwan Shri Ramlala will be wearing cotton vastra due to rising temperature. On that, the deity wore a vastra made of handloom cotton malmal, dyed with natural indigo and adorned with gotta flowers.

Ram Navami is celebrated all over India every year on the last day of Chaitra Navaratri to mark the birth of Lord Rama. On this auspicious day, young girls, representing the nine forms of the goddess Durga, are offered gifts and Prasad.

Notably, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had during his Ayodhya visit last month directed the local administration to make sure that temple doors during these three days (Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami) should only be closed for special ceremonies. Moreover, CM Yogi asked the officials should collaborate with the transport department and make arrangements for e-buses for the devotees.

Samajwadi Party struggling to find a candidate against TV’s ‘Ram’ Arun Govil, replaces Meerut candidate for the second time

OpIndia Staff
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Samajwadi Party struggling to find a candidate against TV’s ‘Ram’ Arun Govil, replaces Meerut candidate for the second time

Leading up to the Lok Sabha elections, there’s a notable atmosphere of uncertainty stemming from the Samajwadi Party’s repeated changes in candidates across several constituencies. In Meerut, the SP has altered its candidate for the third time. Initially, Bhanu Pratap Singh was designated as the SP’s candidate for the Meerut Lok Sabha seat. After cancelling his ticket, the SP nominated Sardhana MLA Atul Pradhan, who even filed his nomination.

However, on the final day of filing nominations in Meerut, the party replaced him with Sunita Verma, the wife of former MLA Yogesh Verma, as their Lok Sabha candidate. It is evident from the recent development that the party is struggling to find a candidate against Arun Govil of the BJP who had played the role of Lord Ram in the television serial Ramayan.

According to reports, Atul Pradhan has expressed displeasure over the discussion of changing the candidate. He has reportedly warned that he will also resign from the legislature. However, on his X handle, there was a post suggesting that he agreed with the party’s decision. He wrote, “Whatever is the decision of National President Shri Akhilesh Yadav Ji, I accept it. I will soon sit and talk with my colleagues. Jai Bhim. Jai Samajwad. Inquilab Zindabad.”

Atul Pradhan filed his nomination papers for the Meerut Lok Sabha seat on Wednesday (3rd April). But the party has decided to go ahead with Sunita Verma. In Meerut, BJP’s Arun Govil will be the Lok Sabha candidate. Samajwadi Party is not getting a suitable candidate to fight against the actor who played the role of Hindu deity Lord Ram in the television serial Ramayan. Consecration of the idol of Lord Ram took place in Ayodhya on 22nd January 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present as the chief guest in this program held at the grand Ram Mandir.

Meerut isn’t the sole constituency where the Samajwadi Party is grappling with candidate confusion. In Moradabad, the SP initially nominated ST Hasan, only to later rescind his ticket and replace him with Ruchi Veera, both of whom had already filed their nominations. Subsequently, Akhilesh Yadav intervened by writing to the Election Commission, asserting that the official SP candidate remained ST Hasan, and thus, he should be granted the party’s symbol, the cycle. Additionally, there are discussions about potential changes in the SP candidate for the Badaun Lok Sabha seat. Speculations suggest that Akhilesh Yadav might replace his uncle Shivpal Yadav and give the ticket to Shivpal Yadav’s son Aditya Yadav in this constituency.

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