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‘Aaj kutton ka waqt hai, hamara daur ayega’: AIMIM leader Imtiaz Jaleel refers to Hindus as ‘dogs’ as he supports Mufti Salman Azhari

OpIndia Staff
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‘Aaj kutton ka waqt hai, hamara daur ayega’: AIMIM leader Imtiaz Jaleel refers to Hindus as ‘dogs’ as he supports Mufti Salman Azhari

In a recent rally in Maharashtra’s Akola, AIMIM leader Imtiaz Jaleel came out in support of hateful Islamic preacher Salman Azhari for his “Aaj kutto ka waqt hai kal hamara ayega” speech against Hindus. Speaking in the public rally in Akola on 19th February, Jaleel said that the Mufti Salman Azhari had only spoken a ‘Sher’ (couplet). He questioned why those offended with Azhari’s speech assumed that they are dogs.

“Unhone kaha ke aaj kutton ka waqt hai kal hamara daur ayega (He [Mufti Azhari] said that today it’s these dogs [Hindus] time but our time will also come. Toh Maulana Sahab ko lekar chale gaye (so they arrested the Maulana Sahab). But who said that you are dogs tum kyun samajh rah eke tum kutte ho (Why are you assuming that you are dogs)? Humne kaunsa tumhara naam leke kaha…lekin raat mein jitney bhi gaye ghar ke upar sab bhaunkna shuru kar diye (Although we did not name anyone, but they all started barking),” Jaleel said.

Notably, Gujarat Police arrested Mufti on 4th February for his inflammatory speech against Hindus in Junagadh on 31st January. Accused Mufti Salman Azhari gave a hateful speech during a program attended by a large number of Muslims on the grounds of Narayan Vidya Mandir near the Junagadh court.

In the video, Azhari was heard saying, “Abhi to karbala ka akhiri maidan baqi hai…Kuch der ki khamoshi hai, fir shore ayega… Aaj kutton ka wakt hai, kal hamara daur ayega.” (The final battle of Karbala is yet to come… a moment of silence, then there will be noise again. Today is the time of the dogs, tomorrow will be our time).” After saying this, he chanted, “Labbaik Ya Rasulallah” and the crowd repeated after him.

Then Azhari and the crowd start chanting the slogan ‘Ghulam Hai Ghulam Hai, Rasool Ke Ghulam Hai’.

Further citing research on Muslims, he said, “Muslims are beaten, slaughtered, children killed, women robbed, houses destroyed, mosques burnt, but it is not their leader who brings them back together. Now and then they have been scattered and reunited and come alive in the name of Mohammed, gathered in the name of Tajdar-e-Madinah.”

He continued, “Today we are yours. Not even asking about the condition of the necks, but the point is that our young man plays pubg all night, uses the internet, pain while the dogs are barking at the dignity of the presence when it comes to destroying their akhlaq (Urdu word meaning morality). happens. Your house is being set on fire and you are doing mujra on Tiktok.”

As reported earlier, Mufti Salman Azhari has a history of delivering inflammatory speeches and instigating Muslim youths against Hinduism. The Islamic preacher has multiple hate speech cases filed against him.  

Recently, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) said that an investigation will be conducted into the terror angle in the case against Azhari. As reported earlier, Gujarat ATS SP Om Prakash Jat said that ATS will probe the financing of Mufti Azhari’s trust ‘Al-Amaan Education and Welfare Trust’ in addition to his activities.

AIMIM MP Imtiaz Jaleel lauds Asaduddin Owaisi for instigating Muslims against Ram Mandir

The AlMIM MP was also heard talking about the demolished Babri structure and praised AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi for his speech in the Parliament earlier this month wherein he said, “Babri Masjid thi hai aur rahegi (Babri Masjid was, is and will continue to exist).

About Owaisi’s speech, Imtiaz Jaleel said, “Himmat lagti hai…300 baithe hain saamne, aur wahan par wo khade reh kar bolta hai ke hamare liye wo [Babri] masjid thi hai aur rahegi (It take courage..they have 300 MPs sitting in Parliament…and there he [Owaisi] stands up and says for us, Babri Masjid was, is and shall exist in perpetuity [at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir site]).”

The AIMIM leader’s assertion about the Babri structure came even as a grand Temple of Lord Ram was constructed at the Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya after the Supreme Court verdict. In a historic ruling in 2019, the Supreme Court settled the five-century-long dispute with a unanimous decision, allowing the entire 2.77-acre disputed site for the construction of a temple dedicated to Bhagwan Ram Lalla, one of the three claimants in the case.

“I join the ranks of Tibetan & Ukrainian exiles”: Anti-India propagandist Nitasha Kaul says denied entry into India by Centre, was invited to a Karnataka govt event

OpIndia Staff
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“I join the ranks of Tibetan & Ukrainian exiles”: Anti-India propagandist Nitasha Kaul says denied entry into India by Centre, was invited to a Karnataka govt event

On 25th February, Nitasha Kaul, an British academician and author, ranted on social media after being denied entry into India upon arriving at the Bengaluru Airport. Kaul, who resides in London, was deported allegedly for “unknown reasons”. The alleged incident occured after the Congress-led Karnataka government invited her to speak at the ‘Constitution and National Unity Convention’.

Kaul said she was detained at the airport by the immigration officials who cited “orders from Delhi” to not allow her entry into the country. She said that she possessed all the necessary documentation for her visit but faced a challenging situation. She claimed she would continue to advocate “democracy and civil liberties” despite the “adversities faced”. She consistently ranted against the “right-wing” and “Hindutva” throughout her post on X.

Kaul wrote, “The government at the centre in India refused me entry to a conference where the state government invited me. Unless this is fixed, I join the ranks of the Tibetan exiles and Ukrainian exiles and others throughout history who have faced the arbitrary exercise of brute unreasoning power.”

She said that government should talk to her. She also appealed to academicians and the media to engage with her work and emphasised its “relevance” to democracy and geopolitical alignments. She claimed the “harrowing ordeal” and “intimidation” she faced only strengthened her resolve to champion the cause of “democracy”.

She added, “How can the world’s largest democracy be threatened by my pen & the word? How is it ok for the centre to not allow a professor to be at a conference on the Constitution where she was invited by the state govt? To give no reason? Not the India we cherish, is it?”

The left-liberal coterie has launched an uproar on social media in Kaul’s defense even as the anti-Indian propagandist has to her credit several objectionable statements. For instance, in 2019, she made unwarranted comments about India’s policies in Kashmir soon after Article 370 was repealed. Her comments have brought into question her motivations and the potentially damaging impact of her presence at the conference funded by the Congress-led Government of Karnataka.

Kaul’s comments during the US House Foreign Affairs Committee in 2019

During a US House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on South Asia Human Rights, Kaul claimed there was a “humanitarian crisis” in Kashmir. She blamed the Indian state for the “mass migration” of Kashmiri Pandits, thereby whitewashing the genocide by terrorists.

She said, “Indian state which has claimed sovereignty over Jammu and Kashmir singularly failed to protect the minorities while suppressing the majority. The denial of democratic rights in Indian-Administered Kashmir affects not only the residents but also those living outside in India and overseas.”

Kaul particularly called Kashmir “India Administered Kashmir” in her written submission, asserting that Kashmir is not an integral part of the country. She said, “Elections in Indian Administered Kashmir are deeply divisive with many people boycotting it since electoral participation is represented as the consent of Kashmiris to being ruled by India and thus making redundant the promise of the referendum that India and Pakistan made through United Nations Resolutions of 1947 and 1948. However, some Kashmiris do participate in elections since they believe in working within the Indian system. Even those pro-India leaders are now under indefinite arrest. This illustrates that the Indian government is fully aware of the erasure of autonomous statehood as being deeply unpopular, and thus, its action lacks democratic consent. To repeat, an imposition of a landmark change in governance while keeping the entire population locked is a sign of authoritarianism and not democracy.”

She also accused India of acting like a “colonial power” and went further to blame the ruling party, BJP, for suppressing the voices in the valley. She ran a propaganda claiming that Muslims were being lynched in India and said, “Muslim and Christian minorities are seen as enemies and obstacles in the agenda. Various rights organisations, scholars and news commentators have highlighted the spike in everyday discrimination, prejudices and violence that religious minorities have to endure. The primary focus is on demonising and marginalising the largest religious minority – Muslims. Several Muslims have been lynched, and instead of calling for the punishing of the culprits, members of the ruling party have justified the acts and sometimes valorised the culprits.”

Karnataka BJP criticises Congress for inviting Kaul

Karnataka BJP has strongly criticised the Congress party and the Chief Minister for inviting Kaul and accused them of disgracing the Constitution of India. In a post on X, BJP Karnataka wrote, “Congress party has disgraced Indian Constitution by inviting a Pakistani sympathiser who wants India’s break up. Don’t you have any shame left, CM Siddaramaiah? Are you trying to challenge the Constitution & threaten the unity & integrity of India? It is now apparent that the Congress party is now using Karnataka as its laboratory to prepare the ground for its divisive agendas, potentially undermining national unity & integrity.”

“At the expense of Karnataka taxpayers, the Congress govt is channelling funds to terrorist sympathisers, Urban Naxals, Anti-Nationals, and riots accused of destabilising India ahead of elections. Thanks to our security agencies, one such anti-India element was caught suspiciously entering India & detained at the airport. There is no money to spend on drought relief or Karnataka’s developmental needs. Still, Siddaramaiah is happy to finance the Break India Brigade to appease Rahul Gandhi and save his CM Chair, all in the name of Dr. Ambedkar’s Constitution. What a disgrace! #AntiNationalCongress,” they added.

Who is Nitasha Kaul?

Nitasha Kaul is an academic, author and economist whose work spans the region’s politics, economics and cultures around Kashmir. She is known for her divisive views on India particularly targeting the Central Government.

Allahabad High Court dismisses Muslim side’s plea against Puja in Vyas Ka Tehkhana, upholds Varanasi District Court order

OpIndia Staff
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Allahabad High Court dismisses Muslim side’s plea against Puja in Vyas Ka Tehkhana, upholds Varanasi District Court order

The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a plea filed by the Muslim side challenging the district court’s order that had allowed Hindus to offer Puja and prayers at the Vyas ka Tehkhana inside the Gyanvapi complex.

The plea was filed by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee challenging the Varanasi District Court’s January 31 order. In its order, the Varanasi District Court had allowed the Hindu petitioners to offer regular Puja and prayers at the Vyas Ka Tehkhana.

The Allahabad HC verdict dismissing the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee’s plea was delivered by the single judge bench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal. Justice Agarwal had reserved his order on February 15.

On January 31, the Varanasi District Court ordered Puja to be started and had given a time for 7 days to the administration to abide by the order. However, taking immediate measures to implement the court order, the Yogi Adityanath government got the Puja started in Vyas Ka Tehkhana on the same evening.

The mosque has four ‘Tehkhanas’ (cellars) in the basement, of which one is still in the possession of the Vyas family, who used to live there. Vyas had petitioned that, as a hereditary pujari, he be allowed to enter the Tehkhana and resume pooja.

on February 1, the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee moved to the Supreme Court with their plea against the Varanasi District Court’s order. However, the Supreme Court refused to entertain their plea and asked them to approach the Allahabad High Court.

‘No armed foreign soldiers in Maldives’: Ex Maldivian FM says President Muizzu’s claim of “thousands of Indian military personnel” in Maldives a lie

ANI
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‘No armed foreign soldiers in Maldives’: Ex Maldivian FM says President Muizzu’s claim of “thousands of Indian military personnel” in Maldives a lie

The former Maldivian minister of foreign affairs, Abdulla Shahid, said on Saturday that the claims made by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu about “thousands of Indian military personnel” were just another in a string of lies, adding that there are no armed foreign soldiers stationed in their country.

Posting on his social media X, the newly elected president of the Maldivian Democratic Party said, “100 days in, it’s clear: President Muizzu’s claims of ‘thousands of Indian military personnel’ were just another in a string of lies. The current administration’s inability to provide specific numbers speaks volumes. There are no armed foreign soldiers stationed in the country.”

He further stressed that transparency matters and that the truth must prevail.

“Transparency matters, and the truth must prevail,” he stated.

Notably, the removal of Indian troops in the Maldives was the main campaign of Muizzu’s party. Currently, there are around 70 Indian troops, along with Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters, stationed in the Maldives.

On the second day of assuming office, Muizzu officially requested the Indian government withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives.

In December last year, Muizzu claimed that, after talks with the Indian government, an agreement was reached to withdraw Indian military personnel.

The president also stated that diplomatic negotiations were underway for the withdrawal of Indian troops. He detailed that, as agreed in the last negotiations, the military personnel on one of the three aviation platforms would be withdrawn before March 10, 2024, and the military personnel on the remaining two platforms would be withdrawn before May 10, 2024.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of External Affairs said that India will replace military personnel at aviation platforms in the Maldives with competent Indian technical personnel. (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)

Pakistan: Mob assaults woman wearing dress with random Arabic words mistaking the text to be Quranic verses, woman apologises after police rescue her

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: Mob assaults woman wearing dress with random Arabic words mistaking the text to be Quranic verses, woman apologises after police rescue her

In Lahore in Pakistan, Islamic fanatics assaulted a woman because they believed she committed blasphemy by wearing a dress with Arabic calligraphy. The mob, led by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan members, thought that the colourful Arabic text on the white dress was Quranic verses, and therefore she committed blasphemy, which is punishable by death in Pakistan.

The woman was spotted wearing the dress by the fanatics while she was dining at a restaurant in Ichhra Market in Lahore. A large group of people assembled soon after, who surrounded her, and hurled abuses and threats. Some of the crowd surrounded the woman, leaving her frozen in fear, while some bystanders attempted to protect her from lynching by the bloodthirsty mob.

As the situation escalated, police arrived at the scene and escorted the woman out from the spot. Videos of the incident have gone viral on social media, which show a female police officer escorting the woman, who was covered in a burqa by the cops. Reportedly, Assistant Superintendent of Police Gullberg (ASP) Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi took quick action to save the woman,

Punjab Police IG Dr. Usman Anwar praised the ASP for saving the woman, saying that the female police officer put her life in danger to rescue a woman from a violent crowd. “ASP Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi, the brave SDPO of Gulbarg Lahore, put her life in danger to rescue a woman from a violent crowd. For this heroic deed, the Punjab Police has recommended her name for the prestigious Quaid-e-Azam Police Medal (QPM), the highest gallantry award for law enforcement in Pakistan”, the IG said.

However, it was fund that the entire outrage was baseless, because there was no Islamic verse on the dress the woman was wearing. Those were just random Arabic words. It had words like beautiful, sweet etc in Arabic calligraphy.

ASP Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi said that they studied the dress on the dress and found that it didn’t have any Islamic verse. “It was a confusion,” she stated. Police said the woman and her husband had gone shopping when they were attacked by a mob who mistook the Arabic words on her dress as verses from the holy Quran.

Later it was revealed that the dress is from Saudi Arabian label Shalik Riyadh, which was launched during Ramazan in 2022. “The best Ramadan 2022 collection has arrived,” Shalik Riyadh had captioned while posting an image of the dress on Instagram.

On the other hand, the victim woman said that she wore the dress without knowing the content of the dress. She said that she thought the dress had just designer patterns, and didn’t know it was Arabic text. She apologised for wearing a dress with Arabic text, even though those were not religious verses.

“I didn’t have any such intention, it happened by mistake. Still I apologize for all that happened, and I’ll make sure it never happens again,” she said. The woman, who has not been identified, added, “As a Sunni Muslim, I could never think of doing any such action.”

She reiterated that she is a devoted Muslim and she will never commit any blasphemous act.

After the visuals went viral, some Pakistani netizens condemned the incident. However, some of them warned fashion labels against using such designs, as they are easily misunderstood, creating such incidents.

‘They are ending MSP under WTO policy’: As farmers justify demand to exit WTO, read how India is resisting western pressure to reduce farm subsidies

OpIndia Staff
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‘They are ending MSP under WTO policy’: As farmers justify demand to exit WTO, read how India is resisting western pressure to reduce farm subsidies

Apart from the enactment of a Law to ensure Minimum Support Price (MSP) for all crops, the protesting farmers also raised the demand that the Indian government should withdraw the agriculture sector from the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Speaking with media persons on Sunday (25th February), the leader of the protesting farmers Jagjit Singh Dallewal reiterated the same and explained the reason behind this demand.

He accused the Modi government of working under the WTO policy and trying to end the MSP at the multinational non-governmental forum adding that it will be harmful for Indian farmers.

He alleged, “We want MSP guarantee from the government, but under WTO policy, they are working to end MSP. If MSP ends under WTO, it will be harmful for our farmers as well, and we can’t let that happen. So, our demand is that the government should remove the agriculture sector from WTO’s agreement.”

Conspicuously, contrary to the allegations of the protestors, the Indian government has been resisting the pressure of several agriculture-exporting countries at the WTO and the multinational agency itself to reduce subsidies in agriculture, including MSP. Notably, an influential group of 19 agri-exporting countries – the Cairns Group has been trying to get India to “dismantle” the MSP scheme or “reduce its scope”, as per Abhijit Das, an expert on international trade and the former head, Centre for WTO Studies.  

The Cairns Group consists of countries such as Australia, Brazil, and Canada, which have accused India of heavily subsidising its public stockholding (PSH) program. They allege that India’s agricultural support distorts global food prices and negatively impacts the food security of other nations.

Despite their pressure on India to reduce agriculture subsidies including MSP, India has been maintaining it as per the Peace Clause of the Bali Declaration 2013 and fighting to get better legal protection for its MSP program.

Notably, Canada is one of the countries demanding the end of MSP in India at the WTO, while the same country is supporting the demand of legal guarantee of MSP by Punjab farmers.

The technicality explained

The peace clause was negotiated as a temporary solution at the Bali Ministerial Conference in 2013. It insulates developing nations against legal action in case they breach subsidy limits. 

However, it is restricted as it applies only to programs that existed before 2013. The existing Agreement on Agriculture puts a cap on public stockholding (PSH) programs of developing nations, including minimum support price (MSP), at 10 percent of the value of production of particular crops. This restricts developing countries from funding food security programs for millions of its poor and vulnerable population.

Additionally, the peace clause has many conditions or restrictions attached to it that make the country liable to legal proceedings in case of breaching the prescribed limit. 

India has invoked the ‘peace clause’ twice for exceeding the prescribed MSP limits. But, it faces scrutiny at the WTO over meeting conditions. At the WTO, India reported its rice production value for 2019-20 as $46.07 billion, with subsidies of $6.31 billion (13.7%), exceeding the 10% limit. However, the Government officials pointed out that India’s farmer subsidy is $300 per farmer, far lower than the US’s $40,000.

Farmers’ groups demand the government insist on a permanent solution to food security at Abu Dabi’s Ministerial conference

Pertinent to note that if the Union government agrees to the demands of the protesting farmers and if new schemes are implemented, then for those products, India will have to comply with the 10% subsidy ceiling and they will not be protected under the ‘Peace Clause’, as explained by Abhijit Das. 

According to Das, this means that if the government were to agree to farmers’ demands for an MSP law, it would not be covered under the peace clause that gives India protection from legal disputes at the WTO.

For this, the farmer groups have been demanding that the government push for a permanent solution to food security issues at the WTO’s 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) because of the shortcomings and restrictions in the Peace clause. 

The Indian Coordination Committee of Farmers Movements (ICCFM) recently wrote a letter to Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal over this issue. It is a network of farmers’ organisations and includes farmers movements from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Maharashtra.

In its letter to Union Minister Piyush Goyal, the ICCFM wrote, “Attempts by agricultural export powerhouses to first allow only an onerous peace clause and then challenge the application of the peace clause highlight the need for a permanent solution. Amending the Agreement on Agriculture (allowing subsidies for food security under the Green Box without any limit) would provide greater legal certainty and address the limitations of the current clause.” 

India is working towards achieving more flexibility in providing agricultural support by advocating for a permanent solution at the upcoming inter-ministerial summit in Abu Dhabi, scheduled from February 26 to 29. India aims not only to revise the formula for calculating the food subsidy cap but also to ensure that programs implemented after 2013 are covered by the ‘Peace Clause.’

India will be represented by Union Minister Piyush Goyal at WTO MC13 in Abu Dhabi. At the meeting, many developed members, led by the US, would want to further postpone a permanent solution to public stockholding (PSH).

Read the grand history of Lord Krishna’s Dwarka where PM Modi performed underwater pooja, the divine city is older than the Indus Valley Civilization

ભાર્ગવ રાજ્યગુરુ
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Read the grand history of Lord Krishna’s Dwarka where PM Modi performed underwater pooja, the divine city is older than the Indus Valley Civilization

Four dhams (Hindu pilgrimage sites) and seven cities are regarded as exceedingly holy and sacred in Sanatan Dharma. Badrinath, Dwarka, Jagannathpuri and Rameshwaram are the four dhams whereas Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya (Haridwar), Kashi, Kanchi, Avanti (the former Malvani capital of Ujjain) and Dvaravati (Dwarka) are the seven holy cities. The 34th and 56th slokas of the Garuda Purana’s Pretkhand contain references to it. Furthermore, the Skandapuran’s Kashikhand also mentions the seven locations. It is stated that these four dhams and seven cities offer redemption. Dwaraka Dham is the most revered of them all. Dwarka is the only place that is both among the holy four dhams and the sacred seven cities. Dwarka possesses a fascinating and remarkable past of its own.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the sacred city of Dwarka on 25th February. He worshipped Lord Krishna there and inaugurated the “Sudarshan Setu” which connects Bet Dwarka to the mainland. He later took a deep dive to offer prayers at the ancient submerged city of Dwarka where he offered a peacock feather in prayer. The Prime Minister remarked, “Praying in the water-filled Dwarka city was a divine experience. I experienced a sense of kinship with the ancient era of unending dedication and spiritual grandeur. May everyone be blessed by Lord Krishna.”

Lord Krishna built the great Dwarka, the most advanced and modern city of ancient India

Dwarka is regarded as a sacred and historic landmark. This gorgeous city’s illustrious past is also a fascinating subject. Dwarka was, at one point in time, the most developed and contemporary city in ancient India. Establishing a whole metropolis in the midst of the sea could have seemed extraordinary at the time. Remains of the underwater golden city of Dwarka have also been discovered on numerous recent expeditions.

Dwarka city is mentioned in all contemporary texts of Mahabharata. Following the killing of his maternal uncle and the despotic ruler of Mathura, Kansa by Lord Krishna, The former’s father-in-law and king of Magadha Jarasandha began a campaign of retaliation against the Yadavas. Lord Krishna decided to relocate to protect Vrajabhumi from constant assaults. He selected the Kushasthali region of Surashtra (present-day Saurashtra) for the purpose. Before arriving in Kushasthali, Lord Krishna battled and defeated the demons Kushaditya, Karnaditya, Sarvaditya, and Grihaditya and founded Dwarka on the shore.

As per the Srimad Bhagavatam, Lord Krishna asked for land and water to be diverted from the sea before building Dwarka. Varuna Dev gave a vast location in the heart of the ocean after realizing the Lord’s tenderness following which Vishwakarmaji constructed Dwarka. Dwarka was established by Lord Krishna, who also made it the main centre of his leela (divine play). Dwarka city itself hosted numerous significant events in the life of Lord Krishna, including Rukmani haran (elopement) and the marriage, Jambavati, Rohini, Satyabhama, Kalindi, Migvinda, Satya, Nagnajiti, Sushilamadri, Lakshmana, Datta Sushalya and Aniruddha among others. Other notable events included the management of the Mahabharata War, the protection of Draupadi from disrobing, Shishupala’s end and more. God performed all his leela from the Dwarka land.

Dwarka, a prosperous city of ancient India

Dwaraka’s material prosperity had reached its pinnacles of success during the period of Lord Krishna. Dwarka rose to prominence as ancient India’s most developed metropolis. Ancient Dwarka was a trailblazer in both science and international trade. Lord Krishna was also leading the Yadava dynasty to prosperity. Lord Krishna built a whole kingdom without the use of modern machinery amid the sea with vast mansions and palaces, as well as superior road and lighting systems. In ancient times, India was far ahead of the rest of the globe, and Dwarka had already reached the peak of urban development. Lord Krishna commanded the mightiest army in the ancient world. It was referred to as Narayani Sena (Army of Lord Vishnu). Great empires submitted in his name.

As time progressed, everything began to change, and the Yadavas began to indulge in pleasures as a result of advancements in material facilities. Tragedies began to occur often in Dwarka. The sages residing in the Pindtarana region were persecuted by the Yadavas but the sages pardoned them. However, the Yadavas began interfering with the religious practices of the sages. Therefore, the Yadavas were cursed by them. This was the first curse on the Yadava clan.

Gandhari’s curse and drowning of Dwarka

The curse of the sages was growing more potent by the day. Lord Krishna took part in the violent Mahabharata war at the same time. He arrived in Kurukshetra as Arjuna’s charioteer while the Kauravas were supported by his Narayani army. Throughout this intense, eighteen-day battle, Lord Krishna carried out numerous rituals. Arjuna received heavenly insight into the Srimad Bhagavad Gita. The Pandavas defeated the Narayani army because of the sages’ curse. The fierce war also resulted in the death of the Kauravas.

Gandhari broke down in tears upon learning that her and Dhritarashtra’s 100 sons had perished in this horrific clash. The Pandavas were being crowned at that moment. It was Yudhishthira who was going to take the throne, donning the auspicious Sangol. The mother of the Kauravas showed up in the Rajya Sabha (court) at the same moment. She cursed, “Just as the entire Kaurava dynasty collapsed, so will the Yadava dynasty succumb. Floods will inundate even the world’s most beautiful city, Dwarka,” blaming Lord Krishna for the war and the fate of her sons.

Lord Krishna gladly accepted her curse. However, when Gandhari realized her mistake and sought forgiveness from God. Lord Shri Krishna then remarked, “You have only become a mere object. The destruction of the Yadava dynasty was certain. A civilization that sleeps in greed and obscene luxury will surely perish.”

The Yadhuvanshi finally reached a point when they began to rebel and fight among themselves. In the meantime, Lord Krishna was dozing off one day in the Prabhas region’s forests. Unexpectedly, a hunter, who believed that there was an animal, fired an arrow that struck the feet of the Lord. As the hunter approached, he became aware of his error and started pleading with God for forgiveness. However, God told him at that moment that everything happens because of the former’s will. Lord Krishna abandoned his mortal form as a result. The Yadava dynasty crumbled as soon as Lord’s leela ended and Dwaraka was carried away in a massive tsunami. The lovely and divine city sank at that moment and thus the powerful empire of Lord Sri Krishna ceased to exist. There is other evidence to imply that the self-sacrifice of Lord Krishna marked the start of the Kali Yuga.

Dwarka is older than the Indus Valley Civilization

The illustrious past of Dwarka has been painstakingly researched by numerous historians. This comprises Jadunath Sarkar and a large number of international historians. However, no historian has been able to uncover its origins to date. Countless maritime expeditions have revealed the ruins of ancient Dwarka which also contain pillars, stones, vases and the complete celestial city of Lord Shri Krishna’s palace. It has been determined through testing that all of these findings date back more than 5000 years.

There is information about Dwarka in multiple contemporary Hindu texts. Dwarka’s literal meaning is ‘Gate of Heaven.’ Renowned historian AJ Chawda asserted that the empire of Lord Krishna predates the Indus Valley Civilization. The world’s oldest civilization is thought to have originated in the Indus Valley, with the Aryan culture. However, Dwarka City’s ruins date back more than 5,000 years. The Indus Valley Civilization expanded from the Sindh region to several Indian states, about 4,000 years ago.

AJ Chawda maintained that the Dwarka Civilization was what we refer to as the Indus Valley Civilization. Historians unearthed ancient sculptures of the Indus Valley Civilization which is estimated to be 4000-4500 years old. These idols include images of several deities as well as images of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Therefore, it is evident that the civilization rooted in Sindh was an Aryan civilization. He noted that Lord Krishna established Dwarika between 5500 and 6000 years ago and laid a foundation for Aryan culture at that point. The Dwaraka civilization covered parts of North and South India, as well as Saurashtra, Kutch, Sindh and many parts of Gujarat.

Dwarka was a sophisticated city in ancient India

Several scholars highlighted that Varanasi belonged to the Dwarka civilization as well. Varanasi is reputed to be the oldest city in the world. The unique aspect is that the cities of the Indus Valley Civilization, such as Mohenjo Daro, Lothal, Harappa, and Dholavira, were regarded as developed. Mohenjo Daro was seen as a highly advanced city. Its urban planning was excellent. However, there were similarities between the urban layouts of Mohenjo Daro and Dwarka but it was inferior to the latter in many aspects. However, Dwaraka is relegated to a minor role in the annals of history. The fact that Lord Krishna of Hinduism lived in Dwarka is one of the primary reasons behind it. However, the identity of the people who founded Mohenjo Daro is not known.

The field of history was dominated by left-wing historians from the British era till India gained independence. As a result, the existence of these holy cities and temples was kept a secret from the vast majority of the nation. Hindu animosity of the left-wing historians of that time is another reason as to why Dwarka’s name isn’t found in the venerable and old history books. Dwarka is mostly known as a holy destination, yet it has a 6000-year history. The Indian government has launched many missions and projects to bring the world’s attention to the underwater Dwarka. The glorious and divine history of the modern city of Dwarka in ancient India is gradually emerging through the initiatives of the Indian government.

Rajasthan Police rescues 125 cattle from forests in Karauli district after receiving a complaint of hearing strange sounds

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan Police rescues 125 cattle from forests in Karauli district after receiving a complaint of hearing strange sounds

The Rajasthan Police recently rescued around 125 cattle from the forests along the Gambhir River in Rajasthan’s Karauli district, as informed by the Police on Saturday (24th February). The Police carried out the rescue of these cattle under ‘Operation Nandi’. According to the Police, the cattle smugglers fled from there after noticing Police vehicles adding that a search operation is underway to nab them. 

According to reports, a person informed the police that strange noises had been heard for the past few days from the forests along the Gambhir River in Rajasthan’s Karauli. Subsequently, the police began patrolling and searching in the forest. Upon reaching the scene, the police team found around 125 hapless cattle tied in the forest along the Gambhir River. The police then released the cattle. 

Karauli district Police Superintendent Sumit Mehra stated that under Operation ‘Nandi,’ a team from the Hindoun City Police station in the New Mandi area freed 100 to 125 cattle from the forests near Khedli Gurjar village along the Gambhir River on Friday night. According to the police, as soon as the operation began, the cattle smugglers fled, and efforts are underway to apprehend them. 

In a statement, the SP mentioned that during the search operation in the forests along the Gambhir River near Khedli Gurjar village, the police found 100-125 cows and bulls tied together and in a starving and thirsty condition.

According to him, the villagers reported that the smugglers had gathered these cattle here and were planning to transport them to other states. According to the police, the smugglers likely fled upon seeing police vehicles. The police have handed over 32 cows and 26 bulls to the Banjar Gaushala in Phulwada.

The Karauli district SP stated that further investigation into the matter is underway.

Recently, the Alwar Police had carried out a crackdown operation after a ground report by Dainik Bhaskar journalists had busted a Beef Mandi operating in Kishangarh Bas of district Khairtal-Tijara. While the entire concerned Police Station was attached to the police line (line hazir), 4 Policemen were suspended in the Beef Mandi case. Additionally, the administration also carried out bulldozer action on the beef mandi. As per the FIR, Police booked Ibbar, Aslam, Saddam, Khalid, and others in Alwar’s illegal beef market case. 

PM Modi to lay foundation stone for over 2000 railway projects worth over ₹41,000 crore on 26 February, including 553 Amrit Bharat stations and 1500 overbridges

ANI
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PM Modi to lay foundation stone for over 2000 railway projects worth over ₹41,000 crore on 26 February, including 553 Amrit Bharat stations and 1500 overbridges

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the Nation around 2000 railway infrastructure projects worth more than Rs. 41,000 crores on 26th February at 12:30 PM via video conferencing.

In a major step in providing world class amenities at railway stations, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for redevelopment of 553 railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. These stations, spread across 27 States and Union Territories, will be redeveloped at a cost of over Rs. 19,000 crores.

Over 1300 stations across the country have been selected for the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, and foundation stones for 553 of them will be virtually laid by the PM tomorrow. Amrit Bharat Station scheme envisages development of stations on a continuous basis with a long-term approach.

It involves preparation of Master Plans and their implementation in phases to improve the amenities at the stations like improvement of station access, circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, lift/escalators as necessary, cleanliness, free Wi-Fi, kiosks for local products through schemes like ‘One Station One Product’, better passenger information systems, Executive Lounges, nominated spaces for business meetings, landscaping etc. keeping in view the necessity at each station.

These redeveloped railway stations will act as ‘City Centres’ integrating both sides of the city. They will have modern passenger amenities like roof plaza, beautiful landscaping, inter modal connectivity, improved modern façade, kids play area, kiosks, food courts, etc. The stations will be redeveloped as environment friendly and also Divyang friendly. The design of these station buildings will be inspired by local culture, heritage and architecture.

One major feature of the Amrit Bharat stations will be that they will have accesses from both sides of the track. At present, most railway stations are accessible from only one side.

Further, Prime Minister will inaugurate Gomti Nagar station in Uttar Pradesh which has been redeveloped at a total cost of around Rs 385 crores. To cater to the increased future passenger footfall, this station has segregated arrival and departure facilities. It integrates both sides of the city. This centrally air-conditioned station has modern passenger amenities like Air Concourse, congestion free circulation, food courts and ample parking space in upper and lower basement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation 1500 Road Over Bridges and Underpasses in the country. These Road Over Bridges and Underpasses spread across 24 States and Union Territories, the total cost of these projects is around Rs. 21,520 crores. These projects will reduce congestion, enhance safety and connectivity, improve capacity, and efficiency of rail travel.

Rajkot: PM Modi inaugurates and lays foundation stone for projects worth over Rs. 48,100 crores including 5 AIIMS, over 200 health projects, power plants, pipelines and others

OpIndia Staff
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Rajkot: PM Modi inaugurates and lays foundation stone for projects worth over Rs. 48,100 crores including 5 AIIMS, over 200 health projects, power plants, pipelines and others

Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth more than Rs 48,100 crores in Rajkot, Gujarat today, 23 February. The projects encompass important sectors like health, road, rail, energy, petroleum & natural gas, and tourism among others.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister acknowledged the virtual presence of Hon’ble Governors and Chief Ministers of States, Members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies and Union Ministers and thanked them. The Prime Minister recalled the time when all key development programs were carried out in New Delhi alone and highlighted that the present government changed the trend and took the Government of India to every corner of the nation. “Today’s organization in Rajkot is a proof of this belief”, PM Modi said, underlining that the dedication and foundation stone laying ceremony is taking place in multiple locations in the country as it takes forward a new tradition. Recalling the inauguration of educational institutions of IIT Bhilai, IIT Tirupati, IIIT Kurnool, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Jammu, IIM Visakhapatnam and IIS Kanpur from a program in Jammu, Prime Minister Modi said that today marks the inauguration of AIIMS Rajkot, AIIMS Raebareli, AIIMS Mangalagiri, AIIMS Bathinda and AIIMS Kalyani. “The developing India is getting work done at a fast pace, especially when you look at these 5 AIIMSs”, Shri Modi added.

The Prime Minister recalled his long association with Rajkot and said that 22 years ago he was elected MLA from here. On 25th February 22 years ago, he took oath as the MLA. He said that he has done his best to live up to the trust of the people of Rajkot. “I can see that generations have changed but affection for Modi is beyond any age limit”, said a grateful Prime Minister.

Apologizing for the delay in today’s programme, the Prime Minister told the audience about his activities in Dwaraka earlier during the day where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of many development works including Sudarsan Setu. He once again narrated his divine experience of offering prayer at the submerged holy city of Dwarka. “Reading the archaeological and religious text fills us with wonder about Dwarka. Today I got an opportunity to see that holy scene with my own eyes and I could touch the holy remains. I offered prayers and offered ‘Mor-Pankh’ there. It is difficult to describe that feeling”, said the Prime Minister, still overcome with emotions from the experience. “In those depths, I was wondering about the glorious past of India. When I came out, I came out carrying the blessings of Bhagwan Krishna as well as the inspiration of Dwarka”, the Prime Minister said. “This gave a new strength and energy to my resolution of ‘Vikas aur Virasat’. A divine belief has become associated with my goal for Viksit Bharat”, he added.

Noting the development projects of today worth more than Rs 48,000 crores, the Prime Minister mentioned the New Mundra-Panipat pipeline commissioned to transport crude oil from the Gujarat coast to Indian Oil’s refinery in Panipat in Haryana. He also mentioned projects related to roads, railways, electricity, health and education. “AIIMS Rajkot is now dedicated to the nation after the inauguration of the International Airport”, the Prime Minister said, congratulating the people of Rajkot and Saurashtra. He also conveyed his best wishes to citizens of all cities where AIIMS is being inaugurated today.

“Today marks a historic occasion not just for Rajkot but the entire nation”, Prime Minister Modi said, highlighting that Rajkot today presents a glimpse of the desired levels of health facilities in Viksit Bharat. He pointed out that the nation had only one AIIMS for 50 years of independence, that too in Delhi. He added that even though only seven AIIMS were commissioned during the seven decades of independence, some of them couldn’t be completed. “In the last 10 days, the nation has witnessed the foundation stone laying and inauguration of seven new AIIMS”, the Prime Minister remarked, highlighting that the present government has accomplished things at a faster pace than what was done in the last 70 years, thereby taking the country on the path of development. He also mentioned laying the foundation stone and dedicating more than 200 health infrastructure projects including medical colleges, satellite centers of multi-speciality hospitals and centers for the treatment of worrying ailments.

Reiterating the promise of ‘Modi ki Guarantee meaning the guarantee of fulfillment of guarantee’ the Prime Minister said that the foundation stone for Rajkot AIIMS was laid by him 3 years ago and today that guarantee was fulfilled. Similarly, a guarantee of an AIIMS was given to Punjab and the foundation stone as well as inauguration was done by PM Modi. The same cycle has taken place for Raebareli, Mangalgiri, Kalyani, and Rewari AIIMS. In the last 10 years, 10 new AIIMS have been sanctioned in different states. “Modi ki guarantee begins where expectations from others end”, said PM Modi.

The Prime Minister said that the pandemic could be handled in a credible manner due to the improvements in the healthcare system and infrastructure in the last 10 years. He mentioned the unprecedented expansion of AIIMS, Medical Colleges and Critical Care Infrastructure. There are more than 1.5 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in villages for small ailments. The Prime Minister said that today, the number of medical colleges has reached 706 from 387 in 2014, more than 1 lakh MBBS seats from 50 thousand ten years ago, 70 thousand post-graduate seats, up from 30 thousand in 2014. More doctors will come out of these colleges in the next few years than the number of doctors in the entire 70 years since independence, he said. There are 64 thousand crore rupees worth Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission going on in the country. Today’s event also saw projects like medical colleges, TB hospital and research center, PGI satellite center, critical care blocks and dozens of ESIC hospitals.

“Government prioritizes the prevention of disease as well as the capacity to fight it”, the Prime Minister said, highlighting the emphasis on nutrition, Yoga, Ayush and cleanliness. He underlined the commitment to promoting both traditional Indian medicine and modern medicine and gave examples of the two big hospitals and research centers related to Yoga and Naturopathy being inaugurated in Maharashtra and Haryana today. He also mentioned WHO’s global center related to the traditional medical system is also being built here in Gujarat.

In a bid towards helping the poor and middle class save money while also availing better healthcare facilities, the Prime Minister threw light on the Ayushman Bharat Yojna which has helped save Rs 1 lakh crore, and Jan Aushadhi Centers that provide medicines at an 80% discount thereby saving Rs 30 thousand crores. Under the Ujjwala Yojna, the poor have saved more than Rs 70,000 crores, citizens have saved Rs 4,000 every month due to low cost of mobile data and taxpayers have saved about Rs 2.5 lakh crores due to tax-related reforms.

The Prime Minister also elaborated on the PM Suryaghar Scheme that will bring the electricity bill to zero and will create income for the families. Beneficiaries will get 300 units of free electricity and the remaining power will be purchased by the government. He also mentioned large wind energy and solar projects such as two plants in Kutch for which foundation stones were laid today.

Noting that Rajkot is a city of workers, entrepreneurs and artisans, the Prime Minister talked about PM Vishwakarma Yojana worth Rs 13,000 crores benefitting lakhs of Vishwakarmas. In Gujarat only 20,000 Vishwakarmas have already been trained and every Vishwakarma received an assistance of Rs 15,000. He also informed that in PM SVANidhi scheme, assistance of Rs 10,000 crores has been disbursed to street vendors. Street vendors of Gujarat received about Rs 800 crores worth of assistance. In Rajkot itself, more than 30,000 loans have been disbursed, he said.

The Prime Minister underlined that the mission of Viksit Bharat gets stronger when the citizens of India get empowered. “When Modi guarantees to make India the world’s third largest economic superpower, the goal is health for all and prosperity for all”, the Prime Minister concluded.

Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya and Member of Parliament, Shri C R Patil were present on the occasion among others.

Background

In a significant step towards strengthening tertiary health care in the country, the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation five All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Rajkot (Gujarat), Bathinda (Punjab), Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh), Kalyani (West Bengal) and Mangalagiri (Andhra Pradesh).

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation more than 200 Health Care Infrastructure Projects worth more than Rs 11,500 crore across 23 States /UTs.

The Prime Minister dedicated the Medical College of JIPMER at Karaikal, Puducherry and 300 bedded Satellite Centre of Post Graduate Institute of Medical and Educational Research (PGIMER) in Sangrur, Punjab among others. He inaugurated 90 bedded Multi Specialty Consulting Unit of JIPMER at Yanam, Puducherry; National Centre for Aging in Chennai;  new Government Medical College in Purnea, Bihar; 2 field units of ICMR namely, National Institute of Virology Kerala Unit, at Alappuzha, Kerala and National Institute of Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT): New Composite TB Research Facility, Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu among others. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for various health projects including 100 bedded Satellite Centre of PGIMER at Ferozpur, Punjab; new Medical College building in RML Hospital, Delhi; Critical Care Block in RIMS, Imphal; Nursing Colleges at Koderma and Dumka in Jharkhand, among others.

In addition to these, under the National Health Mission and Prime Minister-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), the Prime Minister also inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone of 115 projects. These include 78 projects under PM-ABHIM (50 units of Critical Care Blocks, 15 units of Integrated Public health Labs, 13 units of Block Public Health Units);  30 units of various projects like Community Health Centre, Primary Health Care Center, Model Hospital, Transit Hostel etc. under National Health Mission among others.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated the National Institute of Naturopathy named ‘Nisarg Gram’ in Pune. It comprises Naturopathy Medical College along with 250 bedded hospital with multi-disciplinary Research and Extension Centre. Further, he will also inaugurate the Central Research Institute of Yoga & Naturopathy at Jhajjar, Haryana. It will have apex level Yoga and Naturopathy Research facilities

During the event, the Prime Minister inaugurated and dedicated to the nation 21 projects of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), worth around Rs. 2280 crores. Projects being dedicated to nation include  2 medical colleges and hospitals at Patna (Bihar) and Alwar (Rajasthan); 8 hospitals at Korba (Chhattisgarh), Udaipur (Rajasthan), Adityapur (Jharkhand), Phulwari Sharif (Bihar), Tiruppur (Tamil Nadu), Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh) and Raigarh & Bhilai in Chhattisgarh; and 3 dispensaries at Neemrana, Abu Road, and Bhilwara in Rajasthan. ESI dispensaries at 8 locations will also be inaugurated at  Alwar, Behror & Sitapura in Rajasthan, Selaqui (Uttarakhand), Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh), Koratty & Navaikulam in Kerala and Pydibhimavaram (Andhra Pradesh).

In a step to boost the production of renewable energy in the region, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for various renewable energy projects including 300 MW Bhuj-II Solar power project; Grid Connected 600 MW Solar PV Power project; Khavda Solar Power Project; 200 MW Dayapur-II Wind Energy Project among others.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the New Mundra-Panipat pipeline project worth over Rs. 9000 crore. The 1194 km long Mundra- Panipat Pipeline with an installed capacity of 8.4 MMTPA was commissioned to transport crude oil from Mundra on the Gujarat coast to Indian Oil’s refinery at Panipat in Haryana.

Strengthening the road and rail infrastructure in the region, the Prime Minister dedicated doubling of Surendranagar- Rajkot Rail line; four laning of Bhavnagar- Talaja (Package-I) of old NH-8E; Pipli-Bhavnagar (Package-I) of NH-751. He also laid the foundation stone of six laning with paved shoulder of Samakhiyali to Santalpur section of NH-27, among others.

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