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Bangladesh: Mob led by Sohail attacks Hindu man for keeping his shop open during Ramazan, victim injured with sharp weapon

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh: Mob led by Sohail attacks Hindu man for keeping his shop open during Ramazan, victim injured with sharp weapon

On Friday (15th March), Islamists attacked a Hindu man named Rajiv Kumar Dey for keeping his shop open during the daytime in the month of Ramzan. The incident took place in Sylhet city of Bangladesh.

As per reports, the accused was identified as Sohail Hassan. He is said to be a member of the Chhatra League (the student wing of the Sheikh Hasina-led-Awami League government).

The victim ran a small shop near the Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital (SOMCH). Rajiv Kumar Dey was asked to pay chada (money) by Sohail Hassan and his accomplice from the start of Ramzan but he refused to give in to their demands.

Injured Rajiv Kumar Dey lying on hospital bed, image via Sylhet Today 24

The victim continued to run his business but put up a curtain outside his shop for the sake of Roja (fasting observed by Muslims during Ramzan). He said that he wanted to cater to the Hindu patients who visited the nearby hospital during the daytime.

In the evenings, Rajiv Kumar Dey would also sell iftari (food consumed during iftar) to his Muslim customers. On Friday (15th March) afternoon, Sohail Hassan and his accomplice went to the victim’s shop and accused him of hurting religious sentiments during Ramzan.

They also told him that a Hindu man could not sell iftari to Muslims. The Islamists then attacked Rajiv Kumar Dey with a sharp weapon and vandalised his shop.

The victim was later admitted to the Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital. The brutal attack resulted in 18 stitches on his head. During the unprovoked attack, Sohail and his men also looted the cashbox.

“They broke my cashbox and took money,” the victim lamented. His employee at the shop was also hurt during the attack. On learning about the matter, a police team lead by Officer-in-charge (OC) Mohammad Moinuddin reached the crime scene. A police case has not been registered so far in connection to the case.

This is however not the first time that a member of the Chhatra League has resorted to persecution of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. In January this year, it came to light that the convenor of the Chhatra League at the Kachua Government Bangabandhu Degree College, Ibrahim Miya, usurped the land of a Hindu family in the Basabaria village of Bangladesh.

Gujarat University clash: Ahmedabad Crime Branch arrests 2 persons after Namaz row between foreign students and locals turns violent

ANI
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Gujarat University clash: Ahmedabad Crime Branch arrests 2 persons after Namaz row between foreign students and locals turns violent

The Ahmedabad Crime Branch arrested two accused persons in connection with the attack on some overseas students at Gujarat University Hostel.

“In the incident that took place in the Gujarat University yesterday at 10.30 pm, an FIR was registered against a group of 20-25 people. Nine teams were formed to nab the accused…,” Zone 7 Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Tarun Duggal said in a statement on Sunday.

“Two of those accused have been arrested. They have been identified as Hitesh Mewada and Bharat Patel. Search operations to arrest the remaining accused are underway,” the DCP added.

The FIR has been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, he said adding that those arrested will be handed over to the Gujarat University Police Station for further investigation.

Earlier, on Saturday, as many as unidentified 20-25 people allegedly attacked a group of foreign students, pelted stones and vandalised hostel rooms in the hostel premises of Gujarat University in Ahmedabad while they were offering Namaz.

Describing details of the incident, Ahmedabad Commissioner of Police, GS Malik, said around 300 foreign students study at Gujarat University and around 75 of them stay in the A Block of the hostel.

“Yesterday, around 10.30 pm, a group of students were offering Namaz. Around 20-25 people came and asked them why they were offering Namaz there, adding that they should, instead, do it in a masjid. An argument broke out between them, stones were pelted and their rooms were vandalised by the people who came from outside,” the commissioner said.

“Police took swift action and FIR was registered against 20-25 people. Action will be taken against those involved in the incident. One of these outsiders has been identified. The law and order situation is under control now. Two injured students from Sri Lanka and Tajikistan have been admitted to the hospital,” he added.

The Vice Chancellor of Gujarat University, Neerja Arun Gupta, said an FIR has been registered in the matter and the police and the government have taken a serious note of the incident.

“Last night, around 10.30 pm, an incident took place in the hostel where our foreign students stay. Around 300 overseas students study here and 75 of them stay in the hostel’s A block, which is dedicated to foreign students. There was a clash between two groups after which, the issue escalated. Some foreign students were injured. An FIR has been registered. The police and the government have taken serious note of the matter and an investigation is underway. Some videos of the attack have gone viral and the police are in the process of probing what led to the incident,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) informed that it was in touch with the Gujarat government over the incident.

“The state government is taking strict action against the perpetrators and two foreign students were injured in the clash,” the MEA said in a post on X.

“An incidence of violence took place at Gujarat University in Ahmedabad yesterday. The state government is taking strict action against the perpetrators. Two foreign students were injured in the clash. One of them has been discharged from hospital after receiving medical attention. MEA is in touch with the Gujarat Government,” the MEA’s official spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, posted on X. 

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

Lawyer files complaint against Alt News co-founder Md Zubair for ‘spreading misinformation and inciting communal unrest’ over the Gujarat University incident

OpIndia Staff
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Lawyer files complaint against Alt News co-founder Md Zubair for ‘spreading misinformation and inciting communal unrest’ over the Gujarat University incident

On Sunday (17th March), advocate Chandni Shah wrote a complaint letter to the Delhi Police Commissioner seeking legal action against Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair “for spreading misinformation and inciting communal unrest”. Shah has alleged that Zubair attempted to incite communal unrest by deliberate dissemination of misinformation and incomplete facts concerning the Gujarat University clash over namaz in a public place.

Taking to X, advocate Shah shared the complaint letter e-mailed to the Delhi Police Commissioner urging the Police to file an FIR under various sections including 295A in connection with the Namaz row incident in Gujarat University involving foreign students. 

She tweeted, “Filed a complaint with @CPDelhi, @DelhiPolice against Md. Zubair @zoo_bear for attempt to incite communal unrest by deliberate dissemination of misinformation and incomplete facts. At such times when the country is preparing for the Loksabha Elections and is already fighting with misinformation being spread on CAA, we cannot afford another misinformation that has the potential to create communal unrest in any part or whole of the country. #ArrestZubair” 

Content of the complaint letter

In the four-page complaint letter to Delhi CP, the lawyer has sought an “urgent complaint against Mr. Mohammed Zubair for spreading misinformation and inciting communal unrest.”

Advocate Chandni Shah states, “I…hereby lodge a formal complaint against Mr. Mohammed Zubair (@Zoo_bear on “X”) who claims to be an Independent Fact Checker and runs a portal called ALT NEWS, for the deliberate dissemination of misinformation through social media that could potentially incite communal unrest and affect the public order, especially with the impending Lok Sabha Elections.” 

Explaining the context of her complaint, Shah refers to Zubair’s 17th March 2024 post on X in which he wrote – 

“A Student from Afghanistan while speaking to a journalist from @NewsCapitalGJ says, ‘15 Muslim students were praying Namaz inside the Hostal premise in A-Block. Three persons came and asked them not to offer Namaz. After completing their prayers, When the students asked what’s their problem with Namaz, The goons asked them to chant religious slogans and left, After sometime, They came back with at least 200-250 people, pelted stones at them, they were carrying knife and sticks, They pelted stones, broke our bikes, laptops, phones, AC, sound system etc.. Many students are injured but 5-6 students are admitted in hospital, 2 from Africa, 1 from Bangladesh, 1 from Srilanka, 1 from Uzbekistan and 1 from Afghanistan’. When asked if they complained to police, The student responds, ‘No we did not, The police was already here, Thry allowed the goons to go, They did not stop them, Whats the use of complaining, We are not safe here, We request Gujarat University to shift us to a safe place. #Gujarat University. (sic)”

The complaint letter stated that Zubair’s post incorrectly depicted the incident involving a group of students at Gujarat University. This tweet is not only inaccurate but also seemingly intended to provoke communal disharmony, it alleged.

Advocate Shah, as per the complaint letter, has attached video evidence that clearly contradicts the narrative presented by Mr. Zubair. It states that the videos showcase the actual series of events without any form of bias or incitement. 

“The video clearly shows that one of the student who was offering Namaz, stood up and committed an act of violence by slapping the student who can be seen asking the security/warden if it was the right place to offer Namaz. The incidents that followed was the reciprocation of this act of violence initiated by one of the students offering Namaaz. But Mr. Zubair, intentionally hid this information to paint this incident with a communal color,” the complaint letter reads. 

Citing the legal Grounds for the Complaint, Advocate Shah writes, “Mr. Zubair, who is followed by 1 Million people on X and has enough influence to incite communal unrest, his above-mentioned act falls under various sections of the IPC and IT Act, for which I seek legal action.” 

The complainant has sought legal action against Alt News’ Zubair under IPC Sections 

153A, 295A, 504, 505 and Section 66A of the IT Act. 

Through her complaint letter against Zubair, advocate Shah has urged the Delhi Police to –

1. Conduct an expedited investigation into this matter.

2. Compel a retraction and public apology from Mr. Mohammed Zubair.

3. Initiate legal proceedings in accordance with the aforementioned sections of the IPC and IT Act.

It notes that the prompt and resolute handling of the complaint will not only serve justice but will also prevent the erosion of communal harmony and public trust.

The Gujarat University Namaz Row incident 

On Saturday (16th March), a confrontation erupted between foreign and local students at the Gujarat University hostel, resulting in damages to laptops, AC units, and other items in room number 23 of the ‘A’ block, as well as to vehicles parked outside. The incident occurred around 10 PM. A police report was filed today at 12:45 AM, based on the complaint filed by the security personnel responsible for the Gujarat University hostel.

Approximately 300 foreign students, hailing from countries such as Afghanistan, Africa, Sri Lanka, and others, reside in the Gujarat University hostel. Among them, 75 are accommodated in the ‘A’ block. On 16th March, some of these students were offering Namaz in an open area in the hostel ground. A group of around 25 Hindu youths questioned their choice of location, stating that the ground was a public place and that it was neither a mosque nor a madrasa. In response to this, one Afghan student identified as Harun Afghani rushed forward and slapped a Hindu youth. This altercation quickly escalated into a clash.

Stones were pelted and rooms were vandalised during the clashes, resulting in damages to items and injury to some students.

Investigations have revealed that recently, a wall and stage were unlawfully utilised as an open mosque by foreign students. Arabic script reading ‘Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim’ (In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful) was written on the wall, where Namaz was performed by foreign students in groups five times a day.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, the external affairs ministry said that the government of Gujarat has initiated strict action against the perpetrators who engaged in an incident of violence at Gujarat University in Ahmedabad on Saturday. So far, Police have reportedly booked around 20 people and arrested 2 persons in this case. 

Odisha: 2 brothers arrested for impersonating ED officers and extorting money from government officials

OpIndia Staff
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Odisha: 2 brothers arrested for impersonating ED officers and extorting money from government officials

On Sunday (17th March), the Police officials in Odisha stated that they arrested two brothers in Dhenkenal district for allegedly posing as Enforcement Directorate officers, and extorting money from government officials. They have been arrested based on a complaint lodged by Chhatrapur sub-collector Debadatta Mohanta. 

The Police added that the two accused identified as Tarinisen Mohapatra (30) and Brahmashankar Mohapatra (27) were arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) of the state police from their home in Dhenkanal town on Saturday (16th March). 

According to reports, the accused duo, posing as ED officers, used to take payments through PhonePe and GPay to clear government officers from “charges” levied against them. For this purpose, they used to issue fake “clearance letters” to the officers. 

The officials stated that the brothers borrowed a huge amount of money and were not able to repay the lenders following which they hatched a plan to cheat government employees. 

According to reports, they posed as “Additional Director of ED Bhubaneswar” and contacted about 300 officers of different government departments of the state over the phone. The accused duo succeeded in extorting money from some of the officers. 

“They succeeded in extorting money from some of the officers, and in total payments of more than Rs 16 lakh have been traced. They used to take payments through PhonePe and GPay, and issued fake ‘clearance letters’ to the officers, clearing them of all ‘charges’,” the official said.

An STF officer said that the accused duo was arrested on the basis of a complaint lodged by Chhatrapur sub-collector Debadatta Mohanta. He added that a laptop, a desktop, five mobile phones, bank passbooks and chequebooks, fake ID cards, and 17 ATM cards were seized from them. Further investigation into the case is underway. 

Earlier in February this year, a similar case came to light from Tamil Nadu where five people were arrested for impersonating ED officials, conducting a fake raid at a businessman’s office, and looting Rs 1.69 crore. The culprits had also taken away 

two luxury cars and a couple of costly mobile phones with them in the fake raids. The accused were identified as Vijay Karthick (37), Narendra Nath (45), Rajasekar (39), Loganathan (41), Gopinath (46).

They were arrested based on the complaint filed by a person named Anguraj and his partner Durai in Tiruppur. 

Adani Group to invest ₹1.2 lakh crore in FY 2024-25 through 11 companies, 70% to be in green businesses

ANI
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Adani Group to invest ₹1.2 lakh crore in FY 2024-25 through 11 companies, 70% to be in green businesses

Adani Group plans to invest USD 14 billion (Rs 1.2 lakh crore) in 2024-25 financial year through its portfolio of 11 listed companies, in developing the country’s infrastructure, according to sources.

The projected capital expenditure is 40 per cent higher than its it invested in the current financial year 2023-24, which is estimated at USD 10 billion.

India’s largest infrastructure conglomerate with showcase projects like Navi Mumbai Airport, Ganga Expressway, world’s largest renewable park at Khavda and Mundra Port has committed a USD 100 billion investment over the next 7-10 years.

This investment is expected to play a pivotal role in transforming India’s energy and transportation landscape.

With strong emphasis on green energy transition, it will be allocating more than 70 per cent of this USD 100 billion to its green businesses including renewable power, green hydrogen, green evacuation transmission lines, the sources said.

The conglomerate is building world’s largest renewable park at Khavda, Gujarat, spanning over 530+ square km area.

A large portion of total investments is earmarked for expansion and development of its fast-growing airports business and ports business, the sources added.

With a portfolio boasting 8 airports including the upcoming Navi Mumbai airport and 14 domestic ports, Adani Group wants to further solidify its presence in these sectors.

In the December quarter, it reported record quarterly EBITDA growth of 63.6 per cent year-on-year, taking its twelve-month EBITDA to all time high of USD 9.5 billion (Rs 78,823 crore) in calendar year 2023, led by its investments in previous years.

The net debt to EBITDA at the end of September was 2.5x, which is expected to further reduce by end of 2023-24, due to strong growth.

With higher investments, it is setting stage for an exponential growth in the coming years, said one of the sources.

In a media statement released in February, the group said that increasing cashflows and its robust credit profile has set stage for unrivalled ‘Green Investment.’

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

DMK tries to justify ₹509 crore received from Future Gaming in Electoral Bonds, offers ‘logic’ originally offered by The News Minute editor, here is why that doesn’t cut the ice

Paurush Gupta
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DMK tries to justify ₹509 crore received from Future Gaming in Electoral Bonds, offers ‘logic’ originally offered by The News Minute editor, here is why that doesn’t cut the ice

Hours after fresh data published by the Election Commission revealed that DMK received Electoral Bonds worth Rs 509 crore from Santiago Martin’s Future Gaming, the party responded quickly to claim innocence. 

In a bid to justify the donation that created a political furore and basis for speculative allegations by the opposition against the BJP, DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai argued that the ruling political party in Tamil Nadu doesn’t control probing agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), or the Income Tax Department. 

On Sunday (17th March), quoting a PTI tweet regarding the Rs 509 crore donation to DMK from Future Gaming, the DMK’s official Spokesperson, and Joint Secretary – Media Wing, Saravanan Annadurai wrote, “DMK does not control ED, CBI or Income Tax depts. They are under the control of BJP. DMK does not run extortion rackets.”

Pertinent to note that before the disclosure of Future Gaming’s funding to DMK, the opposition and its ecosystem had speculatively alleged that the donations from firms like Future Gaming were received through coercion by probing agencies. They selectively accused the BJP of using government machinery to solicit these donations.  

The opposition parties and its ecosystem have been alleging that the Electoral Bond scheme was a scam, “extortion”. According to their “calibrated” claims, selective donations including the one from firms like Future Gaming were part of a “quid pro quo”. According to their conspiracy theory, the BJP extorted money from scam-tainted firms to provide legal security or frame favourable laws. 

However, the theory provided a safety valve in case of failure. That is, if the same firms had funded opposition parties, it would not implicate opposition parties. They argue that the opposition parties, even in states where they are in power, don’t control ‘agencies’ to coerce or lure firms. 

But all this does not explain why scam-tainted company Future Gaming made such large donations to DMK. If the company could not be coerced by DMK, as per the party’s own claim, it could mean that the company is closely associated with the party.

Conspicuously, the same logic was predominantly peddled by ‘The News Minute’ Editor Dhanya Rajendran on 16th March. Taking to X, she argued, “No one said other parties aren’t making money out of bonds. If there are quid pro quo, everyone should be and will be questioned. But those parties didn’t control law enforcement agencies.” 

According to her own admission, a party allegedly solicited funds from these firms through coercion or allurement, and the same was done either in lieu of ‘drafting favourable policies’ or “helping” them in their legal matters. 

In a tweet that selectively targeted the BJP, she explained, “Party against corruption aka BJP comes to power. Makes changes in many laws, allows companies to donate as much as they want, removes caps, allows Indian subsidiaries of foreign companies to donate. Also increases action by ED, IT etc. Who benefits the most? BJP.” 

The post drew massive criticism as several users, some sarcastically, pointed out how states also enjoy the same capabilities. While states do not have control on ED and CBI, they do have state police and other anti-corruption mechanisms, which they regularly use.

Contrary to the claims, state governments also enjoy executive powers including drafting laws and they also control agencies like CID, Police, ATS, Crime Branch, Vigilance Department, etc. As per the theory peddled by the opposition and its ecosystem, the state government including opposition-ruled ones also has the apparatus for both coercion and the ability to amend or draft laws as part of quid pro quo. 

OpIndia had earlier highlighted the political links of Future Gaming’s Santiago Martin, the largest buyer of electoral bonds with opposition parties including CPIM, DMK, Congress, and TMC. 

As per the speculative theory peddled by the opposition and its cabal, it raises questions about why lottery king Future Gaming donated to the ruling party in Tamil Nadu where lottery is banned. Luck-based lotteries and contests are banned in the state as per the Tamil Nadu Prize Schemes (Prohibition) Act, 1979. In 2022, the Tamil Nadu govt further banned online gambling. This means, Future Gaming has no business presence in the state.

Therefore, it raises the question of whether the company funnelled large sums of money to DMK in an attempt to change the state’s policy to allow it to open lottery business in Tamil Nadu.

Interestingly, while the EC disclosure has revealed Future Gaming’s Santiago Martin’s Rs 509 crore donations to DMK, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin had earlier filed a defamation suit against a publication ‘Vikatan’ for alleging link to ‘Lottery King’ Martin. However, now that link has been proven.

Pakistan: People continue to encounter gas outages at sehri and iftar times during Ramazan in the cash-strapped country

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: People continue to encounter gas outages at sehri and iftar times during Ramazan in the cash-strapped country

Residents of Karachi in Pakistan who were fasting on 12th March endured extreme challenges when they found out that there was either no gas supply or very low gas pressure in practically every area of the city, dispelling the gas utility’s exalted assurances of a perpetual gas supply during Iftar and Sehri in the Islamic holy month of Ramazan.

A few days ago, the gas utility promised the public that there would be a continuous supply of gas for the preparation of Iftar and Sehri. Gas supply will be guaranteed between 3 and 9 am for Sehri, the meal used to obtain vital nutrients for fasting and between 3 and 10 pm for Iftar, the evening meal when the fast is broken, according to an announcement.

Sui Southern Gas Company Limited declared, “SSGC wishes a blessed Ramazan to its esteemed customers and would like to assure them of uninterrupted gas supply for Sehri and Iftaar preparations.” However, a large portion of the city was without gas during Sehri and Iftar, adding to the plight of those who had not made other arrangements due to the gas utility’s repeated promises of uninterrupted supply.

A representative for the gas utility stated that an endless supply of gas was guaranteed during the Iftar and Sehri hours. He claimed that because the nation’s gas reserves were being depleted by about 10% annually, there was a growing disparity between supply and demand. The posh regions Defence Housing Society, Bath Island, Clifton, PECHS and their nearby regions were most heavily impacted.

People from all throughout the city complained about the extremely low pressure, and others expressed that they could access gas by using suction devices, which the gas utility claimed were prohibited. The majority of citizens were compelled by the worsening gas crisis during Ramazan to switch from natural gas to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in order to fulfil their gas needs, which led to an increase in the sale and purchase of gas cylinders.

Additionally, they charged that while many portions of the city received no gas supply, areas near the Sui Southern Gas Company Limited’s infrastructure did receive enough gas supply. Insiders at the power company informed Dawn that one of the primary causes of the city’s low gas pressure was the gas utility’s outdated and inadequate distribution system. However, they claimed that because most people were using stoves at the same time between Sehri and Iftar, the pressure decreased. They argued that low pressure in some areas had also been brought about by the widespread usage of suction pumps.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) cautioned its ally in the Centre that the ongoing gas crisis in Karachi and other parts of Sindh might cause consumers in the nation’s second-most populous province to lose their patience, and that the SSGC would be held accountable for any unfavourable outcome.

Senator Waqar Mehdi, the general secretary of the PPP Sindh, additionally rendered it obvious that his party would support the residents of the province as hundreds of thousands of households were subjected to tests for their fundamental rights during the holy month. He accused, “It’s a sheer incompetence and failure of the SSGC that it has been unable to supply gas even during Iftar and Sehri.”

The Sui Southern Gas Company Limited has also come under heavy fire from Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Ameer Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman for unexpectedly slashing gas supplies to home customers in different parts of the megalopolis during Ramazan.

On 13th March 13, he remarked that it was a major failure of the gas company as it was unable to adhere to its own load-shedding schedule. He maintained that many customers in different places had their gas supplies abruptly cut off, leaving them to deal with severe hardships and emotional anguish. He added that despite exaggerated promises regarding the gas supply during Iftari and Sehri over the entire month of Ramazan, the SSGCL failed on the first day of the sacred month.

‘Mein hoon na, Khela hobe’: TMC candidate Prasun Banerjee follows the footsteps of Mamata Banerjee, threatens central paramilitary forces

OpIndia Staff
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‘Mein hoon na, Khela hobe’: TMC candidate Prasun Banerjee follows the footsteps of Mamata Banerjee, threatens central paramilitary forces

On Sunday (17th March), a video of Trinamool Congress candidate (North Malda) Prasun Banerjee went viral on social media wherein he was heard threatening the central paramilitary forces.

“I am telling the BSF, central paramilitary forces…You stay within the law and we will also stay within the law. Elections should be peaceful, free and fair. If the central paramilitary forces intimidate you, then, I am Prasun Banerjee. Mein hoon na (I am there),” he had warned.

“The forces should be respected as long as you get respect and they are not infringing upon your democratic rights…Khela hobe,” the IPS officer turned TMC candidate cautioned.

While issuing veiled threats to the Election Commission, Prasun Banerjee said, “Just say Prasun Bandyopadhyay has come to play (Kheta esche). He is entering the booth within 30 mins…The election observer will understand everything”.

In the run-up to the 2021 West Bengal Vidhan Sabha elections, Mamata Banerjee claimed that the central security personnel had been working in cahoots with the BJP as a part of a sinister conspiracy to defeat the Trinamool Congress.

“Don’t listen to them. If they try to intimidate you, then, you must unite and chase them away with sickles, sticks and brooms,” the West Bengal CM recommended the people of Falakata in Alipurduar district to resort to violent means.

A few days later, she urged the women in Sitalkuchi in Coochbehar district to gherao the paramilitary forces.

“If the CRPF creates trouble, you, the women, gherao them totally. While one group will keep the forces gheraoed, another will go to cast your votes,” Mamata Banerjee claimed in April 2021.

She also accused the central forces of molesting women and obstructing electorates from exercising their right to vote. While acting on her advice, TMC goons attacked the CAPF in Sitalkuchi.

TMC candidate Prasun Banerjee seems to be following the footsteps of the party’s supremo ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The many controversies of Prasun Banerjee

Prasoon Banerjee is an ex-IPS officer who served as the Inspector General of Police of Raiganj range in West Bengal.

Despite more than 5 years remaining for the completion of his service, he tendered his resignation abruptly on 9th March this year.

A day later, he joined the TMC and was fielded as a candidate from Malda North. Soon after, his tweet from September 2015, objectifying women went viral on social media.

Screebgrab of the 2015 tweet by Prasun Banerjee

The tweet read, “Why men prefer women with sharp curves.” The controversial post also included a link to an article explaining men’s fantasies about women’s body types.

The development came at a time when Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides Shibu Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar had been under the scanner for the sexual exploitation of women in Sandeshkhali village in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.

Prasun Banerjee was slammed by netizens, with many comparing him to a ‘pervert’ incapable of providing safety to the women in his constituency.

Screengrab of the Twitter Profile of Prasun Banerjee

Following backlash on social media, the TMC candidate from Malda North quickly deactivated his account. Banerjee did not bother to cite any apology or reassure the residents of his constituency.

Niger suspends military agreement with US with immediate effect, country’s military rulers accuse US delegation of violating protocol

ANI
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Niger suspends military agreement with US with immediate effect, country’s military rulers accuse US delegation of violating protocol

In a blow to the US security presence in Niger, the latter has suspended its military agreement with the former “with immediate effect”, Al Jazeera reported quoting the Niger’s ruling military spokesman, Colonel Amadou Abdramane.

The agreement that allowed US military personnel and civilian defence staff to operate from Niger lost its existence a week after senior US officials, led by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee and US Africa Command head General Michael Langley, visited the West African country earlier this week to discuss democratic transition.

The pact played a central role in the US military’s operations in Africa’s Sahel region and is home to a major airbase.

Speaking on local television, Abdramane said the US delegation did not follow diplomatic protocol, and that Niger was not informed about the composition of the delegation, the date of its arrival or the agenda, Al Jazeera reported.

“Niger regrets the intention of the American delegation to deny the sovereign Nigerien people the right to choose their partners and types of partnerships capable of truly helping them fight against terrorism,” Abdramane said.

The US military had some 650 personnel working in Niger in December, according to a White House report to Congress. The US military operates a major airbase in the Niger city of Agadez, some 920km (572 miles) from the capital of Niamey, using it for manned and unmanned surveillance flights and other operations.

According to the Al Jazeera report, a drone base known as Air Base 201 near Agadez was built at a cost of more than USD 100 million. Since 2018 the base has been used to target ISIL (ISIS) fighters and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate, in the Sahel region.

Reporting from Washington, DC, Al Jazeera correspondent Shihab Rattansi said the move is “a huge blow to the US”.

“Niger is the centre of US operations in west and north Africa, notably at its Air Base 201, the most expensive construction project ever undertaken by the US government. It’s there for war on terror operations but it’s really there also for great power projection against countries like Russia and China.”

Last October, Washington officially designated the military takeover as a coup. But in December, the top US envoy for Africa, Phee, said the US was willing to restore aid and security ties if Niger met certain conditions.

The military said the delegation had accused Niger of partnering with Russia and Iran on “secret” deals, which the government denies. Officials also said the US had “threatened” action against Niger if the Niamey fails to cut ties with both countries.

The military government “forcefully denounces the condescending attitude accompanied by the threat of retaliation from the head of the American delegation towards the Nigerien government and people”, spokesman Abdramane added.

Niger has been under military rule since July 2023 when an elite guard force led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani detained President Mohamed Bazoum and declared Tchiani ruler.

Like the military rulers in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger has also kicked out French and other European forces. Both Mali and Burkina Faso have turned to Russia for support.

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

Uttar Pradesh: Professor Ehsan Ahmed does ‘ghar wapsi’ and embraces Sanatan Dharma, changes his name to Anit Pandit

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Professor Ehsan Ahmed does ‘ghar wapsi’ and embraces Sanatan Dharma, changes his name to Anit Pandit

On 14th March, a Muslim professor named Ehsan Ahmed did ‘ghar-wapsi‘ and returned to the fold of Sanatan Dharma in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj district. Now, he will be known as Anil Pandit. The man is posted as an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at CMP Degree College and is associated with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He married a Hindu woman who is a lecturer at Inter College in the Ballia district of the state. The two married according to Hindu rituals and customs.

He is busy preparing official documents for his ‘ghar-wapsi’ at present. He has already submitted an application to the administrative authorities to amend his religious identity. Ehsan Ahmed stated in his application that he became a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in 2020. He learned about the religion extensively and gained a profound understanding. He asserted that he noticed many positive aspects of Hinduism and as a result, he took the decision to revert to the faith out of his own free will.

He added that he became a Hindu without any pressure following deep consideration and of his own volition. He has also informed that his name has been changed from Ehsan Ahmed to Anil Pandit. He will be referred to by the new name officially after the certificate is issued.

Prayagraj Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Administration Pooja Mishra mentioned that the documents and applications filed by Ehsan Ahmed regarding his ‘ghar-wapsi’ have been received. All of the documents are being examined. Ehsan Ahmed will receive a certificate of conversion soon once the probe is completed. He will then be able to update the name on his paperwork.

According to media reports, Professor Ehsan Ahmed has done his studies at Allahabad University. He completed his Ph.D. and post-graduation course from there. Furthermore, he taught for a few days at university after his doctorate. He was thereafter recruited by Allahabad Degree College as a lecturer. Ehsan Ahmed was influenced by Hinduism for a long time. He is a devotee of Bajrang Bali (Lord Hanuman) and used to visit the temple often to offer prayers.

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