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‘Chalte rehta hai’: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge dismisses Sandeshkhali horror as party politics irrelevant for national level debate

Shraddha Pandey
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‘Chalte rehta hai’: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge dismisses Sandeshkhali horror as party politics irrelevant for national level debate

Even as the Hindu women in Sandeshkhali came out in protest against TMC leaders Shahjahan Sheikh and his aides exposing the horror of rape, sexual exploitation, and threats unleashed upon them, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge remains unmoved, unaffected. Speaking at TV9 Bharatvarsh’s ‘What India Thinks Today’ conclave on Tuesday (27th February), he said that such things keep happening in West Bengal and its not relevant for a national debate.

When asked about what his and the Congress party’s stand is on the Sandeshkhali horror, Mallikarjun Kharge started talking about MSP and farmers instead. He said, “See, we need to do something for the farmers, for that we have promised legal guarantee [for MSP]. In our very first announcement we promised that if our [I.N.D.I.A.] alliance comes to power, we will help legalise MSP…”

Even when he somehow realised that the question was about atrocities against women in Sandeskhali and not about farmers or MSP, Kharge dismissed the incident as state-level party politics and not worthy of a national debate, “See in West Bengal it has been like this…on one side there is Congress party, one side the communists and on another is TMC…so about these things…I don’t want comment much about it on a national level. (Dekho, wahan par hamesha ye chalte rehta hai ki ek taraf Congress party ke log hain, ek taraf communist party ke log hain aur ek taraf TMC hai..toh ye cheezein…rashtriya star par uske baare mein main zyada comment nahi karna chahta hoon),” Kharge said.

While the question was about the Congress party’s position on the Sandeshkhali issue, the party president explained the political landscape of West Bengal instead after bringing in MSP out of nowhere. The TV9 Bharatvarsh’s anchor reiterated his question about the atrocities on women in Sandeshkhali. To this, Kharge finally said, “That we condemn…we condemn the atrocities on women…that is why we are fighting. After independence, it was Congress that gave voting rights to women. Adult franchise…it was not there even in England, France and the US…”

Ironically, in the same program, Mallikarjun Kharge had said before that his party was determined to “save the country and its constitution,” yet Kharge was unwilling to even discuss the rampant crimes against women in Sandeshkhali and seek justice for them.

His apparent attempts to dodge the question by discussing MSP and women’s voting rights, among other things, demonstrate that Congress’s sole goal right now is to oppose Modi, and the party is unwilling to upset TMC even though its leader, Shahjahan Sheikh, is the main accused perpetrator in the Sandeshkhali crimes and is still at large.

“Ye sab chalte rehta hai” (such things go on), stated by the Congress President in the context of Sandeshkhali, insinuating that it is more about regional party politics between the TMC, Congress and Communists, and not worthy of discussion at a national level, shows how the party trivialises crimes against women as per their political convenience.

How can a party whose leaders refuse to stand with women seeking justice and dignity after years of abuse, exploitation, threats, and other mistreatment at the hands of TMC leaders claim to fight for saving the country, its democracy, or its constitution? Are the women of Sandeshkhali, not Indian citizens, or is their plight not alarming enough to warrant national debate? The question arises as to whether the Congress party and Mallikarjun Kharge would have been as apathetic to the episode if it happened in a BJP-ruled state.

However, the Congress leader’s dismissal of the sexual exploitation and institutionalized harassment the women in Sandeshkhali faced at the hands of accused TMC leaders, is not surprising since the Congress party has a history of downplaying, brushing aside and even justifying riots and violence at times.

In May 2019, Sam Pitroda, Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, insulted the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots by dismissing the issue in an attempt to discredit Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Notably, the anti-Sikh pogrom had resulted in deaths of thousands of Sikhs in Delhi. In a blatant display of zero empathy for the victims of the riots, Rahul Gandhi’s political mentor said, ““Ab kya hai ’84 ka? Aapne kya kiya 5 saal mein, uski baat kariye. ’84 mein hua to hua. Aapne kya kiya? (now what about ’84? What did you do in 5 years, talk about that. What happened in ’84 had happened. What did you do?) You were voted to create jobs. You were voted to create 200 smart cities. Aapne wo bhi nahi kiya. Aapne kuch nahi kiya isliye aap yahan wahan gup lagate hain (you didn’t do that also. You didn’t do anything hence you are talking here and there).”

Back in November 1984, then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had justified the violence that took place against the Sikh civilians after former PM Indira Gandhi’s assassination by her Sikh bodyguards. He had said, “Jab bhi koi bada ped girta hai, to dharti thodi hilti hai. (When a big tree falls, the earth shakes.)”

It is notable here that Congress leaders like Sajjan Kumar were directly involved in the violence against Sikhs.

Protests in Sandeshkhali

On 8th February, hundreds of women in Sandeshkhali marched to the streets to protest land grabbing, wage nonpayment, and sexual abuse committed by Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his two aides, Shiba Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar.

The women attacked his illegally acquired properties, setting fire to a poultry farm owned by TMC leader Shiba Prasad Hazra. They also encircled the Sandeshkali police station, demanding the trio’s immediate arrest. The commotion in the village lasted three days. Notably, while Shiba Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar have been arrested, the main perpetrator, Sheikh Shahjahan, is still on the run from law enforcement. Meanwhile, CM Mamata Banerjee defended Sheikh Shahjahan and blamed the BJP-RSS saying that Sandeshkhali had become an RSS bunker.

Indian Navy and NCB seize boat with 3300 kgs of drugs near International Maritime Boundary in Arabian Sea off Gujarat

ANI
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Indian Navy and NCB seize boat with 3300 kgs of drugs near International Maritime Boundary in Arabian Sea off Gujarat

In a successful coordinated operation at sea, the Indian Navy, in coordination with the Narcotics Control Bureau, apprehended a suspicious boat carrying almost 3,300 kg of contraband off the coast of Gujarat. The seizure makes it the largest in terms of quantity, in recent times, said the Indian Navy in a statement.

The suspicious vessel was intercepted near the International Maritime Boundary Line off the Gujarat coast in the Arabian Sea. The contraband, along with the apprehended boat and crew, were handed over to the law enforcement agencies at an Indian port, on February 27, they added.

The items seized included 3089 kg of charas, 158 kg of methamphetamine, and 25 kg of morphine.

Based on the input of P8I LRMR aircraft on a surveillance mission, the IN mission-deployed ship was diverted to intercept the suspicious dhow engaged in contraband smuggling.

The seizure of drugs from the dhow, which is by far the largest in terms of quantity, was possible through the collaborative 4efforts of the Indian Navy’s mission-deployed assets with the NCB.

The coordinated response of the Indian Navy with law enforcement agencies is reflective of our resolute stance against narcotics trafficking in India’s maritime neighbourhood. 

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

Punjab: Idols in Ludhiana’s Hindu temple vandalized with sharp weapons, Shivlinga uprooted

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab: Idols in Ludhiana’s Hindu temple vandalized with sharp weapons, Shivlinga uprooted

Another shocking incident of vandalism in a Hindu temple has come to light, this time from Punjab’s Ludhiana. The temple vandalized incident reportedly took place on Monday night (26th February). As per reports, some unknown miscreants vandalized the Hindu temple located on the Delhi National Highway near the village of Sahnewal, in Ludhiana. 

The incident came to light on Tuesday morning (27th February) when the priest opened the temple and found that several idols were broken. According to reports, the miscreants broke a total of 14 idols with sharp weapons and uprooted the Shivalinga. Images of the vandalism reveal that the miscreants severed the heads of several idols. 

Subsequently, the priest informed the temple committee members who reached the spot. They then informed the police of the Sahnewal police station about the vandalized temple.

Pandit Bharat Kishore Pandey said that he reached the temple at around 6 am. On reaching the temple, he found that the locks were broken. Several idols including that of Maa Durga and Shani Dev were broken. 

The attackers have not been identified as there are no CCTV cameras installed in the temple. The police are analyzing the footage from CCTV cameras installed in factories and other buildings on the highway. A case has been registered under section 295 A.

As per reports, prima facie it appears that crowbars, iron rods, and hammers have been used to smash the idols and ransack the temple

Temple vandalism sparks outrage in the area

The incident sparked outrage among the Hindu community. Leaders of Shiv Sena and other outfits along with police reached the temple. 

They expressed outrage against the lax action of the police administration. Shiv Sena leader Bhanu Pratap said that today it is a matter of great shame that the religious sentiments of the Hindu society have been hurt. A few days ago, the head of a cow was found, in that case also the accused had not been caught yet. He added that if the attackers are not caught soon, Shiv Sena Punjab will launch protests. 

Hindu leader Amit Kaundal said that temples are being attacked in Punjab every day. In the name of action, the police administration just gives a lollipop (assurances). The festival of Shivratri is coming. Till now no Shivratri committee of the city is reaching the temple to express their anger.

Singer Roshan Prince shared a video where he expressed his grief at the incident and called for strict action against the perpetrators.

After reaching the spot, ACP Guraiqbal Singh said that nearby CCTV cameras were being checked. Stating that it is a very sad incident, he assured that the accused will be caught soon. He, however, urged people to maintain peace.

Kangana Ranaut drops hint on entering politics, says if she wants to get into politics, this would be the right time: What she said

OpIndia Staff
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Kangana Ranaut drops hint on entering politics, says if she wants to get into politics, this would be the right time: What she said

Dropping a hint about her readiness, Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut confessed that this was the right time for her to join politics. However, she maintained that not being a politician has never stopped her from working for the country. She also highlighted that she had been taking on political parties from the film sets. 

Notably, in a recent interview with TV9 Bharatvarsh, the actor was asked whether she would take a plunge into politics. To which, Kangana replied, “I have literally fought from film sets with political parties. That doesn’t keep me away, it doesn’t take me a seat to do what I want to do for my country. But, if I want to get into politics, I probably think this is the right time.” 

However, she stressed that it was not only up to her to decide whether she should contest elections or not. She said, “It is not my place to announce whether I should be contesting or not. It has never kept me away from being a really aware person. I have done more than anyone could from this so-called seat for the country.” 

During the interaction, the Bollywood actor noted that she had received love from all corners of the country be it North, South, or Central parts of India. However, she added that her nationalist image has taken over her decade-long acting career. 

Nationalist image overshadowed my acting career: Kangana Ranaut

She added, “This country and its people have given me wings, and love from all corners. I come from up North, I have worked in the South, I have done roles about Delhi girls, and Haryana girls, and I have also done Jhansi ki Rani from central India. This country has given me so much, that I feel deeply responsible for giving back. I have always been more of a nationalist and that image has taken over even my very glorious acting career. I do have the awareness that I am deeply loved and appreciated.” 

The four-time National Award winner Kangana Ranaut has been a vocal supporter of several key initiatives of the Bhartiya Janata Party and PM Narendra Modi. She recently attended the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya last month where PM Modi was the Chief guest and carried out the rituals. 

She had consistently maintained her identity as an actor first and foremost. However, last year, in response to a media query about contesting Lok Sabha elections, she said, ‘Shri Krishna ki kripa rahi to ladenge (If Lord Krishna showers blessings, I will fight).

In the cinematic domain, Kangana Ranaut will be next seen in Emergency. She is the actor, director, and producer of the film. In the movie, she will be seen playing the role of India’s former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The film is slated to be released on 14th June. 

Ektaa Kapoor calls Godhra massacre a ‘train burning incident’ as she shares teaser of Vikrant Massey starrer ‘The Sabarmati Report’

OpIndia Staff
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Ektaa Kapoor calls Godhra massacre a ‘train burning incident’ as she shares teaser of Vikrant Massey starrer ‘The Sabarmati Report’

On Tuesday (27th February), Bollywood producer Ektaa Kapoor, filmmakers, and the lead actor shared the teaser of their upcoming film titled, ‘The Sabarmati Report’, 22 years after the horrific Godhra massacre, on the same day. However, in her post on X, Ektaa Kapoor referred to the massacre of 59 innocent Hindus as a “train burning incident”.

Taking to X, she wrote, “Paying homage to the 59 innocent people who lost their lives in the Godhra train burning incident 22 years ago, today. Presenting ‘The Sabarmati Report’, in cinemas on 3rd May 2024.” 

Incidentally, the same caption has been shared by the film team drawing criticism for calling the incident ‘a burning incident’. Soon after she shared the post, it drew intense criticism as people slammed the Bollywood producer for watering down the horrific Godhra massacre in which 59 innocent Hindu devotees, including women and children, were burned to death in a cold-blooded massacre by Islamists. 

Reacting to her post, an X handle asked, “WTF do you mean by ‘the train burning incident’? Oh you mean the train self-combusted? Say it like it is if you have the guts.”

Journalist Nirwa Mehta wrote, “It was not ‘train burning incident’. It was set on fire by a rioting Muslim mob to specifically kill karsevaks returning from Ayodhya. Have that much honesty.”

Meanwhile, based on the reference “train burning incident”, many users also feared that the film could whitewash the dastardly act of the Islamist mob that set the train ablaze, killing 59 Hindus. 

One X user wrote, “So your movie is coming out hope you portray the truth and nothing but the truth and not whitewash the Islamist mob that set the train on fire and locked the doors so no one would escape.” 

Meanwhile, in the teaser, Vikrant Messy is seen playing the role of a journalist named Shravan Kumar. In the opening sequence, Kumar is seen in a TV studio and breaking the news of the Godhra incident. However, as he starts reading from the teleprompter which describes the incident as an accident, Kumar stumbles before firmly stating that it was not an accident.

The film will be released on 3rd May this year and it will see Vikrant Massey and Rashi Khanna in the lead roles.

Godhra massacre

The dreadful incident took place on 27th February 2002, in which 59 innocent Hindu pilgrims were killed as the Islamic jihadis set on fire the S6 coach of the Sabarmati Express near the Godhra railway station in Gujarat. This incident is known as the Godhra carnage or massacre.

On that day, the Sabarmati Express was scheduled to reach Godhra station at about 3:30 am. On that day, the train was running four hours late. As such, it arrived at Godhra by 7:40 am. 8 minutes later, a mob of 2000 Islamists set 59 Hindus, including 25 women and 15 children, in the coach S6 of the train on fire in Godhra’s predominantly Muslim area – Signal Falia.

31 Islamists were found guilty of the Godhra massacre on February 22, 2011, by the trial court (with only 11 receiving the death penalty and 20 receiving life in prison), and all 31 convictions were affirmed by the Gujarat High Court in October 2017, resulting in everyone receiving a life sentence. Prior to that, based on the testimony of witnesses and survivors, it was established that it was not an accident rather the Islamists had set the train on fire. An elaborate campaign was carried on for years by Leftists and Islamist apologists to shift the blame from the Muslim mob and whitewash, even sometimes justify the cold-blooded massacre.

‘Not Untouchability’: Kerala HC upholds tradition of Sabarimala, Malikappuram temples over appointment of Malayala Brahmin only as Melsanthi (chief priest)

OpIndia Staff
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‘Not Untouchability’: Kerala HC upholds tradition of Sabarimala, Malikappuram temples over appointment of Malayala Brahmin only as Melsanthi (chief priest)

On Tuesday (27th February), the Kerala High Court dismissed writ petitions challenging the tradition of the appointment of Melshanthi (Chief Priests) in Sabarimala temple. The court upheld the temple’s age-old tradition that only Malayala Brahmins can be appointed as ‘Melsantis'(Chief Priests) at Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples. The court rejected the argument that the condition amounts to “untouchability” or violates Article 17 of the Constitution.

Notably, a batch of petitions had challenged a notification issued by the Travancore Devaswom Board in May 2021 in which it invited applications only from Malayala Bhramins for appointment as Melshanthi(chief priest) of Sabarimala-Malikappuram temples.

Not untouchability, Article 25 not absolute: High Court

A division Bench comprising Justices Anil K Narendran and PG Ajithkumar passed the verdict upholding the traditions of the temple in the appointment of High priests. The court rejected the petitioner’s arguments that the conditions amounted to “untouchability” and violated Article 17 of the Constitution.

The court explained, “The right protected under Article 25(2)(b) of the Constitution is the right to enter a temple and worship. This right is not absolute and unlimited in character. No member of Hindu public could claim as part of the rights protected under Article 25(2)(b) that a temple must be kept open for worship at all hours of the day and night or that they could perform the services which the archakas alone could perform. Therefore, we find absolutely no merit in the contention of the learned counsel for the petitioners that the conditions stipulated in the notification issued by the Devaswom Commissioner that the applicant for appointment as Melshanthis at Sabarimala Devaswom and Malikappuram Devaswom shall be a Malayalee Brahmin would amount to untouchability abolished under Article 17 of the Constitution.”

The Court dismissed the writ petitions on the ground that they had no merit and lacked proper pleadings.

“There is a total lack of pleadings and grounds raised in the writ petitions. Though the counsel for the petitioners addressed arguments with respect to the provisions of Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India, the challenge made in these writ petitions is regarding the selection of Melshanthis in Sabarimala and Malikapuram temples for the year 1193 ME and 1197 ME. In the absence of proper pleadings on Articles 25 and 26 we are of the view that there is no need to keep these writ petitions open for the larger bench of the Supreme Court to decide on the issue. However we make it clear that the contentions of both sides in this respect are kept open to be raised in an appropriate proceedings at an appropriate time,” the Court added.

It is not a secular activity: Advocate J Sai Deepak

Apart from claiming that the notification violated several Articles of the Constitution including 14,15,16,17 and 21, the petitioners said that the appointment to the post of Melshanthi has been held to be a secular act. 

They argued that the post of high priest can’t be confined to one particular community, especially in an institution administered by the Travancore Devaswom Board, which is fully controlled by the Government of Kerala.

Challenging the argument, Advocate J Sai Deepak had submitted that the petition was filed on a false premise that the appointment of an individual as Melsanthis was a secular activity.

it was argued that Sabarimala temple is a tantric temple with diverse traditions and peculiar practices while referring to Article 26 of the Indian Constitution. It was thus stated that insisting on the selection of Malayala Brahmins alone amongst other Brahmins to the position of Melsanthis is not a caste-based reservation, but a religious requirement.

Meanwhile, following the court’s verdict, elated J Sai Deepak tweeted, “The practice of the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple with respect to appointment to the position of Melsanthi will remain unaffected. Tradition of the Temple upheld on all counts. Writ Petitions dismissed. Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa.” 

In another tweet, Sai Deepak also shared a link to the written submissions by the People for Dharma in this case. He added, “Here is the link to the counter affidavit and written submissions filed on behalf of People for Dharma, since this was being selectively circulated by Dravidianists and their closet Left and non-Left sympathisers over the last few weeks.” 

Congress and CPM are enemies in Kerala but BFFs outside: PM Modi exposes Congress and Left’s hypocrisy during address in Thiruvananthapuram

OpIndia Staff
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Congress and CPM are enemies in Kerala but BFFs outside: PM Modi exposes Congress and Left’s hypocrisy during address in Thiruvananthapuram

On Tuesday (27th February), Prime Minister Narendra Modi came down heavily on the I.N.D.I. Alliance partners Congress and CPM during his visit to the Southern state, Kerala. PM Modi said that both parties take a hypocritical stand as they are enemies of each other in Kerala but become BFFs (best friends forever) outside the state politics. He accused them of working only for the welfare of their own families adding that they consider their family welfare above the welfare of Indians. 

While addressing a rally in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram, PM Modi said, “BJP has never come to power in Kerala but I have laid my track record in front of you. Congress and its other communist alliances have only one priority. They only let their family to rule the country. For them, the welfare of their family is superior to the welfare of Indians…In Kerala, they are each other’s enemies but outside Kerala, they are BFFs, which means Best Friends Forever…”

Elaborating on the same, PM Modi stated that both these parties accuse each other of political murders, putting other party leaders’ lives in danger. He added that Congress accused the Communist party CM of corruption and called him ‘fascist’, in retaliation Communist party did a lathi-charge on Congress leaders and accused the previous Congress dispensation of Corruption.

PM Modi further pointed out that Communists are now advising Congress’s Yuvraj, a reference to Rahul Gandhi, to not contest from Kerala. Notably, Rahul Gandhi, fearing a defeat in Amethi from BJP’s Smriti Irani had contested two Lok Sabha seats in 2019 – Amethi in UP and Wayanad in Kerala. He lost his election from Amethi and is currently an MP from Wayanad.  

Further in his rally, PM Modi slammed CPM and Congress stating that outside the state, they sit in I.N.D.I. alliance meetings and have snacks together. Pointing out their hypocrisy, PM Modi highlighted that both of them adopt one line in Thiruvananthapuram, and have a different narrative in Delhi. The people of Kerala will respond to this in the upcoming elections, the PM asserted. 

PM Modi also slammed the two alliances in Kerala – LDF and UDF. He said that they had been forming governments in the state alternatively but LDF retained its power in the last assembly elections. He accused them of ruining the education system in the state. Pm Modi vowed that it is a ‘Modi guarantee’ that BJP will work on the development of educational institutions in Kerala during the third term of the Modi government. 

Addressing the rally, PM Modi blasted left-front alliances saying, “Everyone knows what LDF and UDF have done to the education system in Kerala. Everyone knows about the struggle faced by the students of the poor and the middle class of Kerala while pursuing higher education. Our third term will work on the development of educational institutions in Kerala. This will pave the way for opportunities for students hailing from poor and middle-class families.”

PM Modi emphasised, “Everyone is talking about the third term of the Modi government. In our third term, India is set to become the world’s third-largest economy. This is ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’. In our third term, our fight against corruption is going to be more defined…”

The opposition has accepted defeat: PM Modi

Addressing the rally ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, PM Modi said that the opposition parties have accepted defeat reiterating that the voters will make sure that BJP wins over 370 seats. PM Modi lambasted the opposition arguing that they don’t have any agenda and have united only to abuse Modi. 

Taking a jibe at the opposition, PM Modi asserted, “The opposition has accepted its defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. It does not have a road map for the development of the country, hence it has made only one agenda, to abuse Modi. I know that Kerala will never stand with those having such negative thoughts, Kerala will bless the BJP and NDA for nation-building. People are walking shoulder to shoulder with BJP on the streets, which in itself is a big message…”

During his address in Kerala, the PM reiterated that his government is returning for the third time. 

He said, “There is a different level of enthusiasm among the people of Kerala. The hope that was aroused for the BJP in Kerala in 2019 seems to be changing into confidence in 2024. In 2019, the people of Kerala voted for BJP-NDA in double digits, in 2024 the people of Kerala will give double-digit seats to us. In 2019, the country was giving slogans of ‘Phir ek baar Modi Sarkar’, in 2024, everyone is saying ‘Abki baar, 400 paar’…”

He also stressed that the Bhartiya Janata Party doesn’t work with the mindset of vote-bank politics noting that BJP worked to empower Kerala when it was not that strong in the state. 

PM Modi said, “BJP has never seen any Indian state from the perspective of a vote-bank. Even when the BJP was not strong in Kerala, even then we worked day in and day out to empower Kerala. Over the past 10 years, the benefits of development have been reaped by Kerala as much as by the BJP-ruled states…”

Composer Bunty Bains, close aide to assassinated singer Sidhu Moosewala, narrowly escapes assassination attempt

OpIndia Staff
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Composer Bunty Bains, close aide to assassinated singer Sidhu Moosewala, narrowly escapes assassination attempt

Punjabi music composer and lyricist Bunty Bains narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Mohali, Punjab. The incident is said to have occured on Monday (26th February) when he went to a restaurant with his family and friends in the city’s Sector 79. According to reports, he had left the restaurant when the unknown assailants opened fire. Consequently, he managed to escape unhurt in the attack.

Reportedly, Bains was close to the late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala who was fatally shot in his car in May 2022.

Following the incident, Bunty Bains filed a police complaint. Cracked windows and a bullet embedded in the wood frame could be seen in the visuals of the incident.

Bains told Aaj Tak/India Today that after the attack, he received a threatening phone call. The caller was trying to extort Rs 1 crore from him. The caller also reportedly warned him that failure to meet the demand would lead to his death.

It is said that the threat was made in the name of Lucky Patial, said to be operating from Canada. Patial is a notorious gangster and is said to have connections with the Lawrence Bishnoi and Bambiha gangs. These two gangs have been allegedly involved in various criminal activities across Punjab.

The police are investigating the incident from all angles including personal enmity and extortion bid. ADGP Jaskaran Singh stated that the pattern seems to be related to extortion, and an investigation is underway, as per Punjab-based Journalist Gagandeep Singh.

Bains allegedly attacked for closeness with Sidhu Moosewala

Bains is considered to be close with the late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. His closeness with Moosewala is also suspected to be one of the reasons for the attack on him. Notably, he is credited for shaping the careers of several prominent Punjabi singers, including the late Moosewala. Before Moosewala’s death, Bains’ company used to manage his affairs. 

Moosewala was killed on 29th May 2022. Back then, assailants shot and killed Moosewala in his car in Jawaharke village, Mansa district, Punjab. Gangster Goldy Brar had claimed responsibility for the murder.

That year, Sidhu Moosewala contested unsuccessfully for the Punjab Assembly seat in Mansa on a Congress ticket. He lost the polls to Vijay Singla of the Aam Aadmi Party in the 2022 Punjab elections.

31 people have been charged in the Moosewala murder case. These include criminals Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar, while 25 have been arrested.

Earlier in the day, Moose Wala’s parents announced that they are expecting to welcome a new family member shortly.

Rajya Sabha elections – Cross-voting by 9 MLAs likely to give BJP an edge in Himachal Pradesh: Report

OpIndia Staff
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Rajya Sabha elections – Cross-voting by 9 MLAs likely to give BJP an edge in Himachal Pradesh: Report

On Tuesday (27th February), voting for 56 Rajya Sabha seats from 15 states is underway. In January, the Election Commission notified elections for 56 seats across 15 states that would fall vacant in April, but only three states are holding polls because the remaining MPs were elected unopposed.

Despite the BJP’s strong Assembly election victories in three Hindi heartland states in December and the changing political dynamic in Bihar, earlier estimates projected that the composition of the Rajya Sabha would remain relatively stable. However, in Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Karnataka, where there have been indications of cross-voting, the votes might surprise some.

Before voting day, the ruling NDA had 109 MPs in the Upper House, 10 short of the halfway point in the 238-member Rajya Sabha. The opposition group had 89 MPs.

Uttar Pradesh has the most seats up for vote (10), followed by Maharashtra and Bihar (6 each), Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal (5 each), Karnataka and Gujarat (4 each), Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan (3 each), and Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Chhattisgarh (1 each).

According to the Assembly’s strength, the BJP and the main opposition Samajwadi Party (SP) had enough seats to send 7 and 3 members to the Upper House, respectively, but this changed when the BJP fielded Sanjay Seth as their eighth candidate. The result in one seat could now be decided by cross-voting.

In Karnataka, three Congress MPs and one BJP MP will retire. However, by forming an alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular) and nominating one of its members for a Rajya Sabha seat, the BJP has ensured a struggle between five contenders for four vacancies. Congress, which has 134 MLAs, claims to have the support of three Independents, while two BJP and many JD(S) MLAs were expected to vote for Congress candidates. The BJP-JD(S) alliance has 85 MLAs, five less than the 90 votes needed to elect two MPs.

In Himachal Pradesh, where the Congress has 40 MLAs after winning the 2022 Assembly elections, there is just one Rajya Sabha seat, which was vacated by the BJP President J P Nadda. However, due to internal party unrest, at least 9 MLAs are reported to have cross-voted on Tuesday.

The Congress has fielded Abhishek Manu Singhvi, while the BJP’s candidate is Harsh Mahajan. Interestingly, with 25 MLAs, the BJP is nine votes shy of the halfway point in the 68-member Assembly.

Of the 56 retiring MPs, 28 are from the BJP and 10 from the Congress. The BJP, which was anticipated to retain around the same number of seats, could possibly win more seats in Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. The Congress, which was expected to win 9 seats and possibly 1 more in Bihar with the support of its ally Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), is certain to lose in Himachal Pradesh.

Notably, polling for Himachal Pradesh’s lone Rajya Sabha seat began at 9 am on Tuesday and finished with Congress MLA from Chintpurni Sudershan Babloo casting the final ballot. The polling was quick, and all 68 members voted. Ashish, an independent MLA from Hamipur, cast the first vote.

Congress MLA Babloo was flown to the Assembly via helicopter due to illness. Further, after casting his vote, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated that the MLAs voted based on the party’s principles.

In Himachal Pradesh, the Congress had issued a whip urging all MLAs to vote for the party’s nominee, Abhishek Manu Singhvi. The BJP then criticised the measure, claiming that parliamentarians have the freedom to vote based on their views.

Meanwhile, of the 56 Rajya Sabha seats up for grabs today, 41 have effectively secured their positions in the upper house.

Khalistan-organised criminals nexus case: NIA raids 16 places in Punjab, Rajasthan; 6 persons being examined

ANI
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Khalistan-organised criminals nexus case: NIA raids 16 places in Punjab, Rajasthan; 6 persons being examined

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday conducted raids at 16 locations in Punjab and Rajasthan in its ongoing investigations against Khalistan and organised criminals’ nexus, detaining six persons to question them.

The raids are underway at these 16 locations, which include 14 in Punjab and two in Rajasthan. The NIA’s investigations are ongoing and include efforts to destroy the nexus between terrorists, gangsters, and drug smugglers. The NIA’s goal is to dismantle the nexus’s infrastructure, including funding channels.

The agency has carried out the search operation since early Tuesday morning in close coordination with state police forces. The raids are being conducted based on some specific inputs.

The places being searched are residential and other premises of the suspects having links with Khalistani supporters and those involved in criminal nexus.

“NIA is conducting searches in ongoing investigations against Khalistan and organised criminal nexus at 14 locations in Punjab and 2 locations in Rajasthan. Subsequent to searches, six people are being examined for their involvement in terrorist activities,” said the NIA.

The six persons picked for questioning are reportedly having indulged in terrorist activities and are in close contact with some fugitive designated Khalistani terrorists through social media networks and other means of communication.

The move comes almost two months after NIA Director General Dinkar Gupta raised candid and wide-ranging issues in December 2023 while meeting with the Director of the FBI, Christopher A Wray. He had raised activities of terrorist-organised criminal networks, ongoing investigations in the US in the attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, and investigations of cyber-terror and cyber-crimes of various kinds in the meeting.

Gupta then highlighted the active nexus between the terrorist outfits and terrorist elements with members of organised criminal syndicates, which was spreading to the US as well. (ANI)

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

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