On Monday (18th March), climate activist Sonam Wangchuk stirred a controversy after making highly objectionable remarks about Goddess Sita during an interview. The activist who has been observing the ‘fast unto death’ protest for the last 13 days said that “Modi government has turned out to be such a Ram who rescued Sita from Ravan but sold her on the open market after that.”
In a conversation with NDTV, Sonam Wangchuk attacked the Bhartiya Janata Party while accusing it of not fulfilling the poll promise to include Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and give statehood to the region. However, during the interview, Wangchuk made an outrageous remark about Lord Ram and Goddess Sita and said, “In 2019 I never saw people of Ladakh so thankful when the Centre declared Ladakh a Centre-administered Union Territory. But, they saved us from one problem but landed us in another (Unhone ne hamein aasmaan se bachaya par khajoor mein atkaya).”
“I see it in the way that they [Central government] turned out to be such Ram who freed Sita from Raavan but didn’t take her home rather they put her on sale in an open market. So like this, they have left Ladakh open for industrialists and mining lobbies without any protection [from the government],” Wangchuk continued.
Many on social media have condemned the derogatory statements made against Hindu Gods.
Ravan came in disguise of Ravan but modern day Ravans come disguised as environmentalists, journalists, activists etc
This is Sonam Wangchuk whose only agenda is to talk against the Modi Government. This hatred has become so much that now he’s talking shit about Bhagwan Ram pic.twitter.com/hUtRB36BdX
On the 6th of March 2024, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk announced a ‘fast unto death’ to draw attention towards climate change and raise the demand for the restoration of statehood for Ladakh. The activist is joined by many locals in the protest demanding the government to give assurance to protect the identity of Ladakh under the sixth schedule in addition to providing democratic representation. Notably, at present Ladakh has one seat in Lok Sabha, however, no representation in Rajya Sabha. In addition, the protestors are also demanding that a public service commission be set up in Ladakh to ensure jobs for the local people.
Notably, the anti-Modi lobby has been at the forefront of amplifying the Sonam Wangchuk-led protests in Ladakh. Recently, propagandist German YouTuber Dhruv Rathee made a video in Wangchuk’s support.
Tyranny of distance. Had @Wangchuk66 been fasting at Ram Lila, all cameras would have rushed. More power to you!?? https://t.co/ac3CsYfiyn
In an X post on 17th March, Rajdeep Sardesai wrote, “Tyranny of distance. Had @Wangchuk66 been fasting at Ram Lila Maidan, all cameras would have rushed. More power to you!”
Last month a massive protest was held in Ladakh’s Leh district wherein the protestors pushed their four demands: Ladakh’s statehood, its inclusion in the Constitution’s sixth schedule which grants it tribal status, job reservations for locals, and one parliamentary seat each for Kargil and Leh.
Notably, after Articles 370 and 35A were repealed, Ladakh became a Union territory without a legislature in addition to the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories on August 5, 2019.
On 18th March, the Supreme Court of India dismissed the bail plea of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendar Jain and observed that prima facie Jain was guilty of money laundering. The court said, “Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the opinion that the appellants have miserably failed to satisfy us that there are reasonable grounds for believing that they are not guilty of the alleged offences. On the contrary, there is sufficient material collected by the respondent-ED to show that they are prima facie guilty of the alleged offences.”
The court rejected the plea to grant bail to the AAP leader and highlighted that the accused failed to fulfil the twin conditions under Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act for bail. Notably, Jain was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in 2022 for his alleged involvement in money laundering via four companies during 2010-12 and 2-15-16.
Additional Solicitor-General SV Raju appeared for ED and argued that Jain effectively controlled the companies involved in the alleged money laundering racket. His control remained on the companies even though he had left his position as director. Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Jain, refuted the allegations, claiming that there was a lack of credible links to tie Jain to the money laundering activities.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court concluded that Satyendar Jain was responsible for conceptualising the accommodation of entries against cash. The accommodation entries done by the companies under Jain totalled approximately Rs 4.81 crores. The two-judge bench comprising Justice Bela M Trivedi and Justice Pankaj Mithal observed, “There remains no shadow of a doubt” about Jain’s role in the racket.
The court further highlighted the assistance provided by Vaibhav Jain and Ankush Jain in making false declarations under the Income Declaration Scheme, 2016. The total amount under false declarations amounted to Rs 8.26 crores. These declarations were made allegedly to protect Jain. Later, the Income Tax Department deemed those declarations void. However, the court stated that the appellants could not be allowed to take advantage of it as they misled the authorities.
The court said, “The declarations made by Ankush Jain and Vaibhav Jain under IDS have not been accepted by the income tax authorities on the ground that they had misrepresented the fact that the investments in the said companies belonged to them, which belonged to Satyendar Jain. The appellants cannot be permitted to take advantage of their wrongdoing of filing false declarations to mislead the income tax authorities and now submit in the present proceedings under PMLA that the said declarations under the IDS were void. The declarations made by them under the IDS, though, were held to be void; the observations and proceedings recorded in the said orders passed by the authorities and by the high court cannot be brushed aside merely because the said declarations were deemed to be void under Section 193 of the Finance Act, 2016.”
The court concluded that Jain and his two aides failed to comply with the twin mandatory conditions in Section 45 of the PMLA, which led to the denial of bail to Jain. The court further directed Jain to surrender before the special court. He was out on bail on medical grounds.
The court observed, “It is needless to say that the right to speedy trial and access to justice is a valuable right enshrined in the Constitution of India, and provisions of Section 436A of the Code of Criminal Procedure would apply with full force to the cases of money laundering falling under Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, subject to the provisos and the explanation contained therein.”
ED arrested Satyendra Jain in May 2022 under the provisions of PMLA. In April 2023, the Delhi High Court denied him bail, and he was moved to the Supreme Court. The court heard the matter for four days and reserved the judgment in January this year.
Congress leader and cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu is back doing what he used to do a few decades back– cricket commentary. Star Sports, the broadcast partner for IPL, announced Sidhu’s return as a commentator in an X (formerly Twitter) post.
Star Sports wrote, “A wise man once said, “Hope is the biggest ‘tope’”, And this wise man, the great @sherryontopp himself, has joined our Incredible StarCast!”
A wise man once said, "Hope is the biggest ‘tope’"
And this wise man, the great @sherryontopp himself, has joined our Incredible StarCast! ?
Don't miss his incredible commentary (and gajab one-liners) in #IPLOnStar – STARTS MAR 22, 6:30 PM onwards, LIVE on Star Sports Network! pic.twitter.com/BjmFq9OKQ4
Star Sports further added, “Don’t miss his incredible commentary (and gajab one-liners) in #IPLOnStar – STARTS MAR 22, 6:30 PM onwards, LIVE on Star Sports Network!”, referring to Navjot Sidhu’s commentary.
In an interview facilitated by the IPL’s official TV broadcaster Star Sports, Navjot Singh Sidhu told PTI, “The IPL will set the tone for the World Cup. There is no other cricket happening. The eyes of the world are on IPL. This is where you can snatch a berth for the T20 World Cup, not only Indians, even the foreign players.”
Indian opener for majority of the 1990s, Navjot Sidhu is a seasoned politician as well. Sidhu is a former Punjab Congress chief, a former three-time Lok Sabha MP from Amritsar, a one-time Rajya Sabha MP, and a one-time MLA from Amritsar East. He is also a former cabinet minister.
With Navjot Sidhu accepting this commentary gig for IPL, it has become clear that he won’t be fielded as a candidate for Lok Sabha elections by Congress amid reports that he could contest from Patiala constituency. According to reports, Sidhu is likely to distance himself from campaigning for the Congress party. Notably, Punjab votes for the Lok Sabha elections on the 1st of June, days after the conclusion of the IPL.
Convicted Congress leader spent 10 months in jail for killing a man
The Congress leader had been at the centre of multiple conspiracies including hugging Pakistani Army Chief Qamar Bajwa but he had a particular bad stint when he was sent to jail for killing a man. In April 2023, Sidhu was released from jail after he served a 10-month sentence for a road-rage incident that resulted in a man’s death nearly three-and-a-half-decade ago. He was released two months before the end of his sentence for his ‘good behaviour.’
Navjot Sidhu was imprisoned on 20th May 2022 after surrendering to a Patiala court and receiving a one-year sentence from the Supreme Court in the case. The family of the victim had sought a harsher sentence and a reconsideration of the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision clearing him of murder.
On December 27, 1988, Patiala resident Gurnam Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu got into a fight over a parking space. The former MP and his friend, Rupinder Singh Sandhu, dragged the latter out of his car and hit him. He later died in a hospital. The Congress leader was accused by an eyewitness of killing the latter with a strike to the head.
On Tuesday (19th March), Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke down while recalling the contribution of several party workers in ‘hostile’ times, particularly Salem’s Auditor Ramesh who was hacked to death by Islamists outside his house.
While addressing the rally in Tamil Nadu’s Salem, PM Modi paid emotional tribute remembering Auditor Ramesh, remembering his ardent sacrifice for the party. During his address, PM Modi mentioned several leaders, including former State BJP president late K.N. Lakshmanan, who contributed enormously to the expansion of the BJP in Tamil Nadu. PM Modi recalled how workers like Lakshamanan were actively opposing the Emergency and undertook welfare measures.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi gets emotional as he remembers Former State BJP president late K.N. Lakshmanan & his contribution towards the expansion of BJP in the state. pic.twitter.com/7ZN4m3MbQx
PM Modi mentioned list of such devoted party workers, noting that it is but natural to remember Auditor Ramesh, as the teary-eyed Prime Minister experienced an emotional breakdown.
He said, “I remember Auditor Ramesh. He was a dedicated leader of our party. He was a great orator and a very hardworking man. I pay homage to him.”
Who was V Ramesh aka Auditor Ramesh
The former BJP state general secretary ‘auditor’ V Ramesh (54) was attacked with sharp-edged weapons near his house in Salem town by Islamists in July 2013. At that time, the then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi had demanded that culprits in the shocking murder of Tamil Nadu BJP leader V Ramesh be punished at the earliest.
Later, Police had taken two accused identified as ‘Police’ Fakruddin and Bilal Malik into custody.
Ramesh, who served twice as the general secretary of the state BJP, was widely known for his staunch Hindutva stance. During the NDA’s tenure in office, he was appointed as a trustee of the Chennai Port Trust.
Ramesh’s brother, Seshadri, held the position of ABVP national secretary. Just a week before his tragic murder, Ramesh was appointed as the official party spokesperson for the state. Prior to his untimely death, he had survived several attacks unscathed. In a disturbing incident in 2011, his car was set ablaze by a group of miscreants in an apparent attempted murder.
The problem of pirates in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean Region was repeatedly seen in the last few months. Most of the pirates hail from Somalia. What caught global attention was the role played by the Indian Navy in the rescue operations for captured ships on multiple occasions. It, therefore, becomes necessary to know why Somalia has so many pirates and what are the conditions in the Sunni Muslim country leading people to resort to piracy. Before delving into the Somali realms, we will first take a fresh look at the recent rescue operations.
The Indian Navy rescued MV Ruen of Bulgaria
On Monday (18th March), the Bulgarian President expressed his gratitude to the Indian Navy for successfully carrying out a rescue operation on the hijacked Bulgarian ship, MV Ruen. The “Rouen” ship with eight Bulgarians, nine Myanmarese and one Angolan citizen on board was captured by pirates in the Arabian Sea in December last year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reaffirmed India’s commitment to safeguarding freedom of navigation and combating piracy and terrorism in the Indian Ocean region. PM Modi expressed appreciation for the President of Bulgaria Radev, and conveyed India’s satisfaction that the seven Bulgarian nationals were safe and would soon be returning home.
Appreciate your message President @PresidentOfBg . We are happy that 7 Bulgarian nationals are safe and will be returning home soon. India is committed to protecting freedom of navigation and combating piracy and terrorism in the Indian Ocean region. https://t.co/nIUaY6UJjP
The ship “Rouen” with eight Bulgarians, nine Myanmar and one Angolan citizen on board was captured by pirates in the Arabian Sea on 14th December 2023. It was rescued by the Indian Navy on 16th March 2024.
The Indian Navy rescued Al Naeemi of Pakistan from the clutches of the pirates of Somalia
On 30th January 2024, the Indian Navy warship INS Sumitra successfully rescued a hijacked fishing vessel Al Naeemi and the 19 crew members onboard, all Pakistani nationals. The Pakistani vessel was hijacked by 11 Somali pirates, around 800 miles off the coast of Kochi, along the East Coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden.
#INSSumitra Carries out 2nd Successful #AntiPiracy Ops – Rescuing 19 Crew members & Vessel from Somali Pirates. Having thwarted the Piracy attempt on FV Iman, the warship has carried out another successful anti-piracy ops off the East Coast of Somalia, rescuing Fishing Vessel Al… https://t.co/QZz9bCihaUpic.twitter.com/6AonHw51KX
The Indian Navy took to social media to inform about the anti-piracy operation successfully thwarted by INS Sumitra, the indigenous offshore patrol vessel of the Indian Navy, deployed for anti-piracy and maritime security operations in the east of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden.
The Indian Navy rescued FV Iman of Iran
The rescue of the Pakistani fishing ship Al Naeemi came within 36 hours after INS Sumitra, which was deployed on anti-piracy operations, rescued another Iranian fishing vessel FV Iman with 17 crew members on board. In a total of 36 hours, INS Sumitra rescued two hijacked fishing vessels along with 36 crew, 17 Iranian and 19 Pakistani, in the southern Arabian Sea.
On 29th January 2024, INS Sumitra responded to a distress call regarding the hijacking of FV Iman to safely rescue the crew members and arrested the hijackers. The Indian Navy spokesperson said, “A swift response by the Indian Navy’s mission-deployed warship ensures the safe release of the hijacked vessel and crew. INS Sumitra, on anti-piracy operations along the East coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, responded to a distress message regarding the hijacking of an Iranian-flagged Fishing Vessel (FV) Iman. The FV had been boarded by pirates, and the crew had been taken as hostages. After that, the fishing vessel was sanitized and released for onward transit.”
“The pirates have been disarmed and asked to move towards Somalia. The INS Sumitra has now moved out of the area. The ALH Dhruv choppers on board the warship had encircled the hijacked vessel to issue warnings to the pirates on board it,” said defence officials.
The Indian Navy rescued MV Lila Norfolk near Somalia
On 4th January 2024, merchant vessel MV Lila Norfolk was hijacked by pirates 300 nautical miles east of Somalia, while it was sailing from Port Du Aco in Brazil and was bound for Khalifa Bin Salman in Bahrain. After a high-voltage drama in the high seas, all 21 crew members including 15 Indian nationals from the hijacked vessel MV Lila Norfolk off Somalia coast were safely evacuated by the Indian Navy on 5th January 2024.
#IndianNavy’s Swift Response to the Hijacking Attempt of MV Lila Norfolk in the North Arabian Sea. All 21 crew (incl #15Indians) onboard safely evacuated from the citadel.
Sanitisation by MARCOs has confirmed absence of the hijackers.
The Indian Navy’s Mission Deployed Platforms responded swiftly to the hijacking attempt on board a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier after it received a message on the UKMTO portal indicating boarding by approximately five to six unknown armed personnel. In response to the situation, the Indian Navy launched a Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and diverted INS Chennai, deployed for maritime security operations, to assist the vessel. The attempt of hijacking by the pirates was probably abandoned with the forceful warning by the Indian Navy, and MPA of interception by the Indian Naval warship.
What about Somalia?
Somalia is a country located in the Horn of Africa, bordered by Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, the Gulf of Aden to the north, the Indian Ocean to the east, and Kenya to the southwest. It has a population of around 15 million people, consisting mainly of ethnic Somalis, with Islam being the predominant religion and Somali and Arabic being the official languages.
Somalia has experienced significant political instability and conflict since the overthrow of President Siad Barre in 1991, leading to the collapse of central government institutions. This has resulted in various societal and economic challenges, including widespread poverty, inadequate infrastructure, lack of access to basic services such as healthcare and education, and internal displacement of populations. Additionally, the country has been plagued by inter-clan conflicts and the presence of terrorist groups like Al-Shabaab.
Maritime piracy in Somalia
One of the most notable issues arising from the instability and lawlessness in Somalia is maritime piracy. Economic desperation, coupled with the absence of effective governance, led to the emergence of piracy as a lucrative business. Somali pirates hijacked ships passing through the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, often demanding hefty ransom payments for the release of the vessels and crew.
Somalia has a long seashore. Image Source: Google Maps
Piracy in the region posed significant risks to international trade, maritime transportation, and the safety of seafarers. It resulted in increased insurance costs for shipping companies and disrupted vital supply routes. Moreover, the violence associated with piracy, including hostage-taking and occasional clashes with naval forces, made it a serious threat to regional stability and security. The problem of Somalian pirates reached to its peak during 2010-2012. Then the combined efforts and international cooperation gradually brought it down.
Efforts to control the problem
Efforts to combat piracy in the waters of Somalia involved international naval patrols, cooperation between various countries and organisations, and the -implementation of best practices for ship security. Additionally, some efforts focused on addressing the root causes of piracy, such as poverty and lack of economic opportunities, through initiatives aimed at promoting economic development and strengthening governance structures onshore. But these efforts were less effective than the concrete action against pirates.
In recent years, there has been a significant decline in piracy off the coast of Somalia due to these concerted efforts. Naval patrols, improved ship security measures, and international cooperation have helped deter pirate attacks and disrupt pirate networks. However, the underlying issues that contributed to the emergence of piracy, such as instability and poverty, persist in Somalia, highlighting the need for continued efforts to address these root causes to ensure long-term stability and security in the region.
The Indian Navy is dedicated to acting as the primary responder in the region, ensuring the safety of merchant shipping in collaboration with international partners and friendly foreign countries. In the recent few months, the Indian Navy has rescued multiple ships from these pirates of Somalia and ensured safety in the Indian Ocean Region.
On Tuesday (19th March), many BJP leaders and members of Hindu organisations staged a massive protest in Central Bengaluru’s Nagarthpete area. Raising slogans of Bharat Mata ki Jai and chanting Hanuman Chalisa, they expressed solidarity with the Hindu shopowner Mukesh who was assaulted by a group of locals, including Muslim youth, for playing Hanuman Chalisa in his shop.
According to a Republic TV report, protestors have gathered in large numbers outside the shop where the incident took place on Sunday (17th March). They have demanded stringent action against the perpetrators involved in the incident. In the video, the protestors can be seen in large numbers gathered in the street on Jumma Masjid Road in the Siddanna Galli area, raising slogans of Bharat Mata ki Jai and chanting Hanuman Chalisa.
#BREAKING | Massive protests break out in Bengaluru after Mukesh was thrashed for playing Hanuman Chalisa on Sunday, BJP workers, leaders chant Hanuman Chalisa where the shopkeeper was attacked
In the video shared by ANI, a large number of protestors can be seen holding saffron flags which have photographic inscriptions of Hindu deities on them and raising chants of Jai Shri Ram.
#WATCH | Karnataka: Police arrive at the Siddanna Layout, in Bengaluru where people were protesting after an altercation occurred between a group of people and a shopkeeper during 'Azaan' time. pic.twitter.com/jvt3oeEtbe
In the wake of the massive protest, local police also arrived at the spot in the Siddanna Galli area. After reaching the protest site, Police officers tried to clear the lanes and pushed several protestors aside. As per the ANI video, the police also videographed the protest outside the shop where the altercation took place on Sunday (17th March).
Major developments in the case
After the incident, victim Mukesh’s father came before the media and shared his ordeal. He lamented that his son was brutally assaulted for simply playing Hanuman bhajans inside his store.
He said that Mukesh, his elder son, was playing the Bhajans softly inside the shop, yet the Muslim youths thrashed him. “When I reached, I saw Mukesh soaked in blood,” Gopal Singh told the media while demanding strict action against the perpetrators.
“I was not present here but my son told me that he was playing devotional songs at that time. In the evening we do puja, so obviously, he must have played bhajans only. I learnt that they came to fight with him. The sound was low only, however, they beat him up. We want justice…,” said Gopal Singh, father of Mukesh, who fell victim to an attack by a group of Islamists for upholding his religious convictions.
Meanwhile, the Bengaluru Hindu shop owner Mukesh also told the media how a group of local youths, including Muslims, in the area attacked him and threatened to kill him if he failed to comply with their demands to stop playing Hindu devotional songs.
Regarding the miscreant’s claim that it was time for Azaan, Mukesh added that he attempted to persuade them that there was still time for Azaan, but they refused to hear him and grabbed him by the neck. When Mukesh stepped out of his shop to confront them, the accused started beating him up and threatened to stab him with a knife, he said.
Mukesh responded in the positive when asked if he would be able to identify the accused. He said they were Muslim youths from the area.
The Bengaluru Police, however, has maintained that there was no communal angle in the incident.
Yesterday, Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, after meeting Mukesh, said, “By tomorrow, if the other three accused aren’t arrested, the BJP will call for a bandh in Nagarathpete and will protest outside the shop.”
Charging the Congress with appeasement politics, he added, “The emboldening of such elements is a direct result of Congress’s appeasement politics. Just a few days back, people who shouted Pakistan Zindabad were given bail.”
He asserted that under the Congress government, FIRs are deliberately filed in such a manner that the main issue of it is removed. He added that had people not intervened in this case, the Hanuman Chalisa angle would not have been included in the FIR making it a dummy FIR.
ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ನ ಆಡಳಿತದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಿಂದೂಗಳನ್ನು ತೃತೀಯ ದರ್ಜೆಯ ನಾಗರಿಕರನ್ನಾಗಿ ಪರಿಗಣಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ.
ನಿನ್ನೆ ಪುಂಡರಿಂದ ಹಲ್ಲೆಗೆ ಒಳಗಾದ ನಂತರ ಪೊಲೀಸ್ ರಿಗೆ ದೂರು ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಲು ತೆರಳಿದಾಗ,ಕರ್ಕಶ ಶಬ್ದಕ್ಕೆ ದಾಂಧಲೆಯಾಗಿದೆ ಎಂದು ನಮೂದಿಸಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
— Tejasvi Surya (ಮೋದಿಯ ಪರಿವಾರ) (@Tejasvi_Surya) March 18, 2024
In a scathing attack against Congress’ Karnataka government, he further said, “With such political backing available to Jihadis, naturally such incidents of crime against Hindus have risen in our State.” Reportedly, the five accused were identified as Suleman, Shahnawaz, Rohith, Dyanish and Taruna. The police arrested three accused based on the CCTV footage of the shop while three others are still absconding. Further investigation is underway.
A year after UAPA accused Kerala-based ‘journalist’ Siddique Kappan was granted bail after serving more than two years behind bars, a report has surfaced describing how he directed the banned Islamist terror outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) ‘hit squad’ to assassinate BJP leaders Parvesh Verma and Kapil Mishra following the 2020 anti-Hindu riots in Delhi.
According to a report published on March 19, 2024, by a local Malayalam media outlet Janmabhumi, Siddique Kappan, infuriated by the BJP leader’s efforts that thwarted PFI members’ attempts to target Hindus during the 2020 anti-Hindu riots in Delhi, reportedly ordered the now arrested Popular Front of India (PFI) Hit Squad Commander Kamal KP, a native of Malappuram, to kill Kapil Mishra and Parvesh Verma. The order was given during a meeting held at the banned outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) controlled Green Valley Academy at Manjery in Kerala’s Malappuram district in September 2020. The English-translated archived version of the report by Janmabhumi can be viewed here.
The revelation was made when the NIA interrogated the PFI member Kamal KP and his hit squad members Anshad Badruddin and Firoz Khan. Notably, Kamal KP was arrested on March 3, 2023, from Melattur in the Malappuram district of Kerala for attempting to stir up unrest and incite protests in Hathras in 2020 after the death of a 19-year-old Dalit woman there.
Kamal KP was a member of the PFI’s ‘hit squad’ and a mentor of Anshad Badruddin and Firoz Khan who were apprehended with improvised explosive devices (IED) in Lucknow in 2021. Kamal KP was also among the top five members of the PFI.
On the 24th and 25th of February 2020, India’s national capital Delhi saw large-scale anti-Hindu riots which marked the culmination of the hostility, hatred, and anger spread by the anti-CAA protests by the Islamists in Shaheen Bagh and other areas. Shahdara, Maujpur, Bhajanpura, Brahmapuri, and other parts of northeast Delhi witnessed violence perpetrated by the Islamists. 53 people died in these riots while more than 200 people were left injured.
Siddique Kappan directed PFI hit squad to assassinate Kapil Mishra and Pravesh Verma
The Janmabhumi report said that after the anti-Hindu riots broke in the national capital in February 2020, Islamists and members of the banned PFI were going around killing innocent Hindus as per their plan. Even the Delhi Police was infuriated by the crafty planned and executed brute and macabre displays of street violence displayed by the Islamist mobs. At the time when innumerable Hindus were falling victim to this violence, BJP leaders Kapil Mishra and Parvesh Verma led the Jat and Gujjar forces from Haryana to push back these Islamists. The Jat and Gujjars did what the Delhi Police could not. Angered by this, Badruddin and Firoz Khan were directed to devise a scheme to assassinate the BJP leaders who foiled the PFI insurrection plot.
Accordingly, both of them came to Delhi along with Kappan and stayed together at the National Confederation of Human Rights Organizations (NCHRO) office in the national capital.
Meanwhile, in October 2020, when the country was still reeling under the shock and anger of the worst violence that Delhi had witnessed in the last seven decades, the Hathras incident happened. Siddique Kappan along with other members of PFI and Campus Front of India (CFI) left in one car for Hathras, while Anshad Badruddin and Firoz Khan were sent in another car to execute the task assigned to them. However, Kappan was arrested on the 5th of October 2020, while on his way to Hathras. Scared upon learning about Kappan’s arrest, Badruddin and Firoz Khan dropped their plan and returned to Delhi.
Four months later, in February 2021, Badruddin and Firoz Khan, went to Lucknow with explosives and guns to execute multiple bomb blasts in Lucknow and other parts of UP, where they were apprehended by the UP Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
PFI hit squad were individually coached by PFI’s ‘think tank’ Kappan
After two years in hiding, Kamal KP was also arrested by the UP police on March 4, 2023. When he was interrogated by the NIA in the Lucknow jail, Kamal KP owned up to the plans that were made to assassinate the BJP leaders at the PFI-controlled Green Valley Academy at Manjery in Kerala’s Malappuram district in September 2020. Badruddin and Firoz Khan had earlier confessed in their statement to the magistrate that Siddique Kappan had instructed them to kill the BJP leaders. The details of the plan were, however, revealed when Kamal KP was also interrogated.
They further revealed that the members of the PFI hit squad were individually selected and coached by PFI’s “think tank” Siddique Kappan. KP has verified the UP Police chargesheet, which stated that Kappan is a member of the PFI.
Kappan was granted bail by the Supreme Court on the grounds that he works in the media. The Supreme Court granted bail to Kappan in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act case on September 9, 2022. He stayed in prison, however, due to a pending PMLA lawsuit. In February 2023, the Lucknow Sessions Court finally approved bail orders releasing Kerala-based ‘journalist’ Siddique Kappan from the Lucknow prison in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case as well. The mastermind, Kappan, was granted bail, while Firoz Khan, Kamal KP and Anshad Badaruddin are still in Lucknow jail.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday, 19th March, directed the Managing Director of Patanjali Acharya Balakrishnan and co-founder Baba Ramdev to make a personal appearance before the Court.
The directive was issued by the bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah in a case wherein it previously issued a contempt notice to Patanjali Ayurved and its MD for flouting the court’s November orders regarding the ‘misleading claims advertisements’ of Patanjali Ayurved products.
Noting that the reply to the contempt notice was not filed, the apex court sought the personal appearance of Acharya Balakrishna and Baba Ramdev.
The Court stated, “On the last date of hearing, notice to show cause was issued to the Respondent No. 5 (Patanjali) and its Managing Director as to why the contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against them…a period of two weeks was granted to file a reply and reply is not on record. In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances, it is deemed appropriate to direct the presence of the MD of Resp 5 on the next date of the hearing. Further, having gone through the advertisements issued by Respondent No. 5 in the teeth of the undertaking given to this Court on 21.11.2023 and on noticing that the said advertisements to issue show cause notice as to why the contempt of proceedings should not be issued against him in view of the fact that this Court is prima facie of the opinion that he has also violated the provisions of Section 3 and 4 of the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act.”
The Court further stated, “List on…the proposed contemnor/managing director of respondent no 5 shall remain present on the next date of hearing along with the newly impleaded proposed contemnor Acharya Ramdev.”
The Court was hearing a writ petition filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) which raised concerns over the spread of misinformation regarding allopathy and the modern system of medicine.
The IMA has accused Patanjali of misleading advertisements which disparage allopathy and make false claims about curing certain diseases.
The IMA sought to direct the Centre, Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) and the CCPA (Central Consumer Protection Authority of India) to take action against such advertisements and campaigns to promote Ayush system by disparaging the Allopathic system.
A day after PM Modi held a rally and a roadshow in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha constituency, the BJP workers happened to engage in the Swachhata mission ensuring no litter lays on the streets post-rally. The BJP workers from the city carried garbage bags and cleared all the disposable litter that was created by the participants during the rally.
The incident came to the fore after the Tamil Nadu BJP leader K Annamalai shared pictures of BJP workers clearing the litter on the streets immediately after the rally and appreciated them. “We sincerely thank our BJP Tamil Nadu family who stayed back after the roadshow of our beloved PM Thiru PM Modi in Coimbatore today to ensure that the streets are litter-free,” he said.
We sincerely thank our @BJP4TamilNadu family who stayed back after the roadshow of our beloved PM Thiru @narendramodi avl in Coimbatore today to ensure that the streets are litter-free.
‘Be the change you want to see’, which our Hon PM would have wished of our Karyakarthas &… pic.twitter.com/rv8bfYn7xY
— K.Annamalai (மோடியின் குடும்பம்) (@annamalai_k) March 18, 2024
He also added that the BJP karyakartas showcased consciousness for cleanliness and that PM Modi has always encouraged people to do this. “Be the change you want to see, which our Hon PM would have wished of our Karyakarthas & Karyakarthas of BJP Tamil Nadu have showcased their consciousness for a Swachh Bharat,” he added.
Several images shared by BJP leader K Annamalai showed BJP workers picking up disposable cups, glasses, pamphlets, and posters after the rally. They could also be seen working till late at night on 18th March, after the rally.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi carried out a roadshow here on Monday (18th March), amid nonstop chanting of ‘Modi, Modi’ by BJP activists, and paid floral respects to pictures of the 58 persons killed in the 1998 serial terrorist bombing.
The roadshow, held amid strict police security, comes only days after the Madras High Court approved the event and directed the police to allow it under reasonable terms. The police first declined authorization, citing grounds such as the area’s “communally sensitive” nature and ongoing public school exams. However later, the permission was approved.
As Modi began his journey in an open, flower-decked truck, people gathered on both sides of the road showered him with flower petals, and chanted chants in his honor. While traditional music played to greet him, several of them enthusiastically danced and waved at him.
This is the first time the BJP has held such an enormous-scale road show in Tamil Nadu, and it ended up well-attended. “Meendum Modi, Vendum Modi,” (Once again Modi, we want Modi), was one of the slogans chanted by BJP supporters. Many people lined up along roads to greet Modi, holding lotus flowers and shouting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” slogans.
On 19th March, in a significant political move ahead of the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) formalised their alliance. They have agreed upon the seat-sharing for the General Elections in the state. Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai and PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss inked the agreement in Thailapuram, Tamil Nadu.
மாண்புமிகு பாரதப் பிரதமர் திரு @narendramodi அவர்கள் கரங்களை வலுப்படுத்தவும், தேசத்தின் நலன் காக்கவும், தேசிய ஜனநாயகக் கூட்டணியில் இணைய, பாட்டாளி மக்கள் கட்சி முடிவெடுத்துள்ளது பெரும் மகிழ்ச்சி அளிக்கிறது. இன்று, நமது மாண்புமிகு மத்திய இணை அமைச்சர் திரு @Murugan_MoS அவர்களுடன்,… pic.twitter.com/OD5po6AiQ9
— K.Annamalai (மோடியின் குடும்பம்) (@annamalai_k) March 19, 2024
Ramadoss expressed dissatisfaction with the Dravidian parties dominating Tamil Nadu over the past six decades. He asserted that the people of Tamil Nadu are looking forward to a change. He said that the alliance between PMK and BJP is a response to the public sentiment in the state.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) President Anbumani Ramadoss hold a meeting to discuss seat sharing in Tamil Nadu for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. pic.twitter.com/pibk0564oN
Speaking on the alliance, Annamalai termed it a “strong” alliance and expressed confidence that it has the potential to reshape the political scene in Tamil Nadu. He said the coalition would consolidate anti-DMK and anti-Congress sentiments in the state. He said, “It is a strong alliance. The political scenario has changed due to the decision taken by the PMK to align with the BJP-led NDA. We came to Thailapuram from Coimbatore overnight. Both leaders Ramadoss and Anbumani Ramadoss will participate in the public meeting in Selam today where PM Modi will deliver his speech.”
After PMK founder S Ramadoss and Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai signed the seat-sharing agreement, K Annamalai says "It is a strong alliance. The political scenario has changed due to the decision taken by the PMK to align with the BJP-led NDA. We came to Thailapuram from… pic.twitter.com/hFRIknsPik
PMK has been allocated ten parliamentary constituencies as part of the alliance. Ramadoss expressed optimism about achieving a significant victory in Tamil Nadu and at the national level. “For the last ten years, PMK has been part of the NDA in Delhi. Today, PMK has decided to join the NDA in Tamil Nadu, and an agreement was signed. We are happy to have joined the NDA in Tamil Nadu for a change. The last 57-58 years have seen that the parties have ruled and ruined Tamil Nadu,” said Ramadoss.
Anbumani Ramadoss is currently a Rajya Sabha member, elected unopposed in 2019. PMK founder Ramadoss will announce the PMK candidates’ names for Lok Sabha on Wednesday. “PMK decided to ally with the BJP. Regarding constituencies and candidates, PMK founder Ramadoss will make an announcement the day after tomorrow,” PMK General Secretary Vadivel Ravanan said.
The Election Commission recently announced the dates for polling for the Lok Sabha elections. The voting in Tamil Nadu will take place during the first phase on 19th April.
