In a startling development, on Thursday, Bengal police forcefully detained and apprehended a Republic TV journalist who was actively reporting on the Sandeshkhali incident. “I’m being taken into custody by the police. They’re arresting me for conducting interviews with the mothers of Sandeshkhali,” expressed Santu Pan, a reporter with Republic Bangla, as he was forcefully escorted by the police at the Sandeshkhali ferry terminal.
Journalist of @BanglaRepublic. Santu Pan has been arrested by WB Police in Sandeshkhali. This is how democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of press runs in Bengal. Kudos to the fearless reporter for this display of courage. pic.twitter.com/jEuWr1XbKF
In the footage, numerous heavily armed police officers were observed shoving and rough-handling the journalist before forcibly removing him. Earlier, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari informed the Republic, “There’s utter chaos in Sandeshkhali. Women are being prevented from expressing themselves.”
Besides his relentless coverage on Sandeshkhali, Pan is known for asking hard-hitting question to TMC strongman Abhishek Banerjee.
Santu Pan is the 1st journalist who dared to question Abhishek Banerjee.
Today he is arrested by WB POLICE.
The message is clear –
If you lick the feet of TMC as journalist you'll be sent to RS like Sagarika Ghose
In response to the arrest, Arnab Goswami, the Managing Director of Republic TV, announced that the company would promptly file a case in the Kolkata High Court challenging the arrest of Santu Pan.
Expressing dismay at the detention of the Republic Bangla reporter, Sukanta Majumdar, the President of Bengal’s BJP, conveyed to the Republic, “This marks a dark day, truly shameful. Mamata should feel ashamed of such actions. Such brutality arises from a leader who has lost public backing.” Before his arrest, Santu Pan was instructed to depart. “I’m just fulfilling my duty. Why obstruct me? Am I being detained?” Pan queried.
Mamata Banerjee attributed blame to the BJP and “a few media channels” for magnifying trivial matters, completely downplaying the events at Sandeshkhali. Following a temporary lifting of Section 144 for a week, the Kolkata High Court permitted Suvendu Adhikari and other plaintiffs to visit the areas affected by violence in Sandeshkhali.
The Background of the Controversy
On 8th February this year, hundreds of women in Sandeshkhali took to the streets to protest against land grabbing, non-payment of wages and sexual violence committed by Trinamool Congress goon Sheikh Shahjahan and his two aides Shiba Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar.
The women attacked Shahjahan’s illicitly obtained properties and set fire to a poultry farm owned by Shiba Prasad Hazra. They also surrounded the Sandeshkali police station and demanded the immediate arrest of the trio. The agitation in the village lasted for 3 days.
During that time, the TMC goons retaliated and the police acted as mute spectators. In several cases, the cops themselves resorted to harassment of the women. It had come to light that the residents were the subject of sexual violence by the TMC for a long time.
On 10th February, the local police imposed Section 144 in various areas in Sandeshkhali and also banned the use of the Internet in 16 panchayats scattered over the two blocks of Sandeshkhali-I and Sandeshkhali-II.
In a bid to pacify the angry villagers of Sandeshkhali, the TMC leadership suspended Uttam Sardar from the party for six years. The suspended TMC leader and Zilla Parishad member was subsequently arrested in the Sandeshkhali police station area.
The Mamata Banerjee-led-TMC government arrested a former CPI(M) MLA named Nirpada Sardar in connection to the case on 11th February. BJP leader Vikas Singh, who happens to be the Convenor of the Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency, was also arrested in connection to the women’s protest against TMC goons.
On Friday (17th February), the police arrested TMC leader Shibu Prasad Hazra over land grabbing and sexual exploitation of women in Sandeshkhali. The primary accused Sheikh Shahjahan, is still on the run from the law enforcement authorities.
On 22nd January 2024, the idol of Ram Lalla was consecrated at his Janmabhoomi (birthplace) in Ayodhya according to Hindu rituals. For over a month, the OpIndia team has been informing people about numerous anonymous devotees who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for the Ram Mandir for five centuries. Meanwhile, in our ground reports, several Ram devotees mentioned the names of a few villains in the Ram Mandir movement, with Munnan Khan being one of them.
Munnan Khan served as MP from Balrampur and was close to Former UP CM Mulayam Singh Yadav. It is alleged that Khan carried out the massacre of karsevaks in Ayodhya in 1990. As per the allegations, Khan’s henchmen killed Ram devotees while donning Police uniforms. However, they were not police personnel but rather Khan’s private militia. Since his demise, his son Qasim Khan has allegedly continued his father’s criminal legacy. Our investigation has revealed that not only streets, villages, and a competition are named after Munnan Khan but also his name is mentioned in government records.
Now, the residents of Gonda in Uttar Pradesh are demanding that the ‘Munnan Khan Chowk’ be renamed. Officials of various Hindu organizations, businessmen and even leaders of the Congress Party are among those who have raised this demand. However, some radical supporters of Munnan Khan are still averse to the idea of renaming the crossroad named after former MP and Mulayam Singh’s aide.
Earlier areas around Munnan Khan Chowk were Brahmin-majority areas
When OpIndia’s team arrived at Munnan Khan Chowk in Gonda, we saw not very many Hindus living in and around that area. The local vendors like those selling Gauva and peanuts fell completely silent when we asked them about Munnan Khan. Interestingly, even an FIR filed by the Gonda police in 2017 read that deceased Munnan Khan’s son Qasim Khan is so dreaded in the locality that no one dares to come out and testify against him.
An individual, who requested anonymity, told us how the Brahmin community of Hindus formerly made up the majority of the population in the now Muslim-dominated area around ‘Munnan Khan Chowk’.
He said that over time the number of Muslims continued to rise and as a result, the demography of the areas stretching several kilometres from Gonda Chowk to Khorhasa Bazaar and Darji Kuan changed. However, there is a small hamlet called Budhai Ka Purwa near the Munnan Khan Chowk which is still predominantly occupied by the Brahmin community.
He added that the place which is now called ‘Munnan Khan Chowk’ was known as Kamal Tanki before 1990. At that time there used to be a petrol pump named Kamal in the same place.
Posters of Maharishi Patanjali put up by BJP MLA who demanded the renaming of ‘Munnan Khan Chowk’ were torn
During the first term of the Yogi government, Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Prateek Bhushan Singh attempted to rename Munnan Khan Chowk. He wanted to name this intersection after Maharishi Patanjali, the ‘father of Yoga’. The BJP MLA had at that time put up posters of Maharishi Patanjali at the crossroad named after Munnan Khan.
Gonda’s VHP karyakarta Rakesh Verma Guddu told us that the radical Muslims in the area, who hero-worship Munnan Khan, were so agitated by this initiative that they tore all the posters of Maharishi Patanjali that the BJP MLA had put up in the area. However, no legal action could be taken against the accused as that crossroad’s name wasn’t Maharishi Patanjali Square.
Dhirendra Pandey, a social worker in Gonda, also told us that the fundamentalists had also gone on to destroy a board that was installed in Maharishi Patanjali’s honour.
Similarly, full-fledged protests were carried out when it was proposed that a police station falling on the Munnan Khan intersection be named Sadbhavna.
Sadbhavana PS in Munnan Khan Chowk (Image credit: Hindi OpIndia)
Bharat Yadav, a retired police officer who served as the district superintendent of Gonda in 2017, spoke to OpIndia. He asserted that he was instrumental in the setting up of the police station at the Munnan Khan Chowk. He added that the exponential increase in criminal activities in and around Munnan Khan Chowk, necessitated authorities to open a police station in that area. The police station was inaugurated with the help of locals on 22nd October 2017. VHP official Rakesh Verma said that at that time many people from the Muslim community had opposed the formation of a police station there.
Rakesh Verma listed two specific reasons why the Muslim community had opposed the police station. He said that the primary reason for the opposition was that the daily crimes being committed by anti-social elements would be curbed and secondly, it was not named after Munnan Khan.
Along with ex-DSP Bharat Yadav, SP Umesh Kumar Singh had also faced a lot of opposition from the local Muslims, when the police station was being set up. Yadav also confirmed that a massive protest was carried out in 2017 when the police station was inaugurated in the area. “Some people like darkness and some people like light,” said Yadav while recalling the protests that were carried out by Munnan Khan’s aides.
Gonda ex-DSP Bharat Yadav (Image credit: Hindi OpIndia)
Many including a Congress leader demanded the renaming of Munnan Khan Chowk
During our investigation, OpIndia’s team met many residents in Gonda. Almost every permanent and temporary resident of Gonda City was aware of the Munnan Khan intersection. Most of them were in favour of renaming the intersection. District Vice President of Congress Party Dilip Shukla was also among them. While talking to us, Dilip said that he wants the Munnan Khan intersection to be named after a person who has contributed to the independence and progress of the country.
Congress leader Dilip Shukla (Image credit: Hindi OpIndia)
For instance, Dipika Shukla proposed renaming the Chowk after the Gonda king, Raja Devi Baksh Singh. It was approximately in the year 1850 that Raja Devi Baksh defeated Wajid Ali Shah and acquired control of the Ramjanmabhoomi complex from the Mughals and constructed a Ram Chabootra (platform) there.
Dilip Shukla said that Munnan Khan utilized his political connections and clout to get the intersections named after him. Shukla added that Munnan Khan was a strong, authoritative figure at that time.
A Gonda businessman named Chandan Gupta, while talking to OpIndia, also raised the demand to change the name of the Munnan Khan intersection. Chandan Gupta said that no civilized person likes former MP Munnan Khan because in 1988 when extremist Muslims started rioting when Hindus were carrying out a Shobhayatra in Colonelganj, Gonda, he had instigated attacks on Hindus with his gang.
Chandan added that if this intersection was named after some revolutionary or great man, it would have sent a good and positive message to the people. In the end, Chandan expressed hope that the current UP Government led by Yogi Adityanath would rename this intersection soon.
PWD Board placed in Munnan Khan Chowk (Image credit: Hindi OpIndia)
Suresh Gupta, a social worker from the Gonda district, also spoke to OpIndia. He said that his heart weeps every time he notices the PWD board when he passes the intersection. Suresh lamented how previously it was Munnan Khan and now several of his family members who are involved in criminal activities in the area. He also alleged that the Munnan Khan Chowk had become a hub for several goons and criminals from the surrounding districts.
Gupta recalled how the local goons used to gather at the Chowk, adding that in those days hooliganism was at its peak in the area.
He asserted that if Munnan Khan Chowk was not renamed during Yogi Adityanath’s regime, then perhaps it would be impossible to bring about the change. As an alternative, he suggested that the Chowk could be named after any legendary revolutionary and leader who has contributed to the nation.
Dhirendra Pratap Pandey, a social worker and resident of Gonda, spoke with OpIndia. He said that there is no justification as to why the crossroad was named after Munnan Khan because he, in those days was an MP and had used his political connections to get the intersection named after himself.
Saying this, he urged the Yogi government to rename the intersection. He too believed that maybe the government should consider renaming the Chowk after Raja Devi Baksh Singh, the Gonda monarch who fought for the Ram Mandir between the years 1847 and 1857 and constructed a Ram Chabootra (platform) there.
Dhirendra added that since Munnan Khan was an anarchist more than a political leader, renaming the Chowk after Mangal Pandey would also be a better option.
Gonda’s electricity department also officially uses the name ‘Munnan Khan Chowk’ for the intersection (Image credit: Hindi OpIndia)
Gonda District Court lawyer Arvind Shukla spoke to OpIndia. He told us that there have been many revolutionaries in the Gonda district and it would be better if the Munnan Khan intersection was named after one of them.
Let us tell you that Indian revolutionary Rajendra Lahri, the mastermind of the Kakori incident during the British era, was hanged in Gonda jail on 17 December 1927. This jail is situated just a short distance from the so-called Munnan Khan intersection.
During our conversation, Rakesh Verma aka Guddu, a member of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, expressed hope that the Yogi government will soon issue an order to rename the places that bear Munnan Khan’s name and remove his name from all official government records. He said it was regrettable that the crossroad and other locations were named after Bahubali Munnan Khan. A village or crossroads bearing Munnan Khan’s name does not send the correct message to a civilized society, claims Rakesh Verma, because Munnan Khan devoted his entire life to playing communal politics to advance the interests of the radical members of his community and carrying out criminal activities.
The Chowk was and will always remain in the name of Munnan Khan
OpIndia talked with the owner of a store at the Munnan Khan crossroads that sold gutka cigarettes and other items. There were festoons with moon and stars imprinted on them hanging on the entrance of the store. We asked the shopkeeper whether the intersection should be renamed. The shopkeeper retorted sharply, “Does not matter what people say, this Chowk is called Munnan Khan Chowk and it will remain that way. People can say whatever they wish.”
Another shopkeeper who makes punctures right in front of Munnan Khan’s house shared similar views. He said that there are rumours that the Munnan Khan intersection’s name is being changed, however, it is still called Munnan Khan Chowk.
The gutka cigarettes shop at Munnan Khan Chowk (Image credit: Hindi OpIndia)
Muslim community also views Munnan Khan as a criminal
OpIndia came across two Muslim individuals near the Munnan Khan crossroads. Iqbal was the name of one of them. They both said that Munnan Khan was a criminal. However, out of fear for their safety, they both urged us to not disclose their identities.
“We have to go back home at night. Who knows what is going on in someone’s mind? Iqbal said, acknowledging that there was a lot of lawlessness in the area when the Samajwadi Party was at the helm in Uttar Pradesh which the Yogi government has ended.
Notably, OpIndia had previously reported on how not only streets, villages, and a competition are named after Munnan Khan but also his name is mentioned in government records.
In a major claim on Monday (19th February), West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could soon visit violence-hit Sandeshkhali and meet the women victims who have raised allegations of systemic sexual harassment and rape against TMC leaders.
In an exclusive Interview with India Today TV, LoP Adhikari stated that PM Modi is likely to pay a visit to West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district and meet the Sandeshkhali victims of sexual harassment and rape.
Adhikari told India Today that preparations are being made for the visit of PM Modi. He, however, added that the dates for his visit will be finalised by the Prime Minister’s Office. But India Today citing sources mentioned that the Prime Minister will visit Barasat in North 24 Parganas on 7th March.
Meanwhile, after the Calcutta High Court granted him permission, Adhikari will Sandeshkhali on Tuesday (20th February). According to him, he will be accompanied by four to five MLAs. Pertinent to note that he was forced to approach the court after West Bengal police stopped him from going to the violence-hit Sandeshkhali village twice, last week.
Earlier in the day, the state BJP unit launched a scathing attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) over the Sandeshkhali horror alleging that “goons” were “hunting down” Hindu women and sexually assaulting them. BJP MP Locket Chatterjee addressed a press conference in Delhi. In the press conference, she said that houses of women, who alleged sexual assault by local TMC leaders, were being looted after they shared their ordeal in news interviews.
She addressed the press conference a day after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spoke on the Sandeshkhali unrest stating, “an incident was made to happen”. She blamed it on the BJP alleging that it scripted this along with the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Sandeshkhali horror
Tensions have been high in Sandeshkhali which initially began a month ago when an ED team was targeted by a mob when it was bound to conduct a raid on TMC strongman leader Sheikh Shahjahan. In the violent attack, ED officials were severely injured. Following the attack on ED persons, TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan went into hiding. Meanwhile, the financial probe agency conducted raids on his house in Sandeskhali in connection with an alleged ration scam.
While Sheikh Shajahan went into hiding, multiple women from the village, came out to share their ordeal with local media in his absence. The Sandeshkhali women have alleged that the TMC leaders led by Sheikh Shahjahan and his accomplices Uttam Sardar and Shibu Hazra carried out systemic sexual exploitation, rape, and land grabbing among others.
When a woman victim gave a statement before the magistrate, West Bengal police added sections of rape in the FIR against the three TMC leaders. As per the latest reports, the woman has alleged that her home was attacked by ‘men wearing police uniform’.
Currently, Shahjahan is absconding, and his close aides Shibu Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar have been arrested by the West Bengal police.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has reportedly issued a clarification after Mamata Banerjee claimed that the Modi government is ‘secretly’ cancelling the Aadhar Cards of people of West Bengal.
The development was confirmed by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Monday (19th February). In a tweet, he shared the screenshot of the ‘feedback’ page of UIDAI and remarked, ” UIDAI has issued clarification that no Aadhar Card has been cancelled.”
“I urge everyone not to believe any gossip or misinformation. The Chief Minister is unnecessarily trying to create panic. No one should be worried,” he emphasised.
UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) has issued clarification that no Aadhar Card has been cancelled.
I urge everyone not to believe any gossip or misinformation. The Chief Minister is unnecessarily trying to create panic. No one should be worried:- pic.twitter.com/ynVnkOEmK8
— Suvendu Adhikari • শুভেন্দু অধিকারী (@SuvenduWB) February 19, 2024
The feedback page of the UIDAI states that no Aadhar number has been cancelled. It further adds that messages are sent to Aadhar card holders from time to time to update the database.
“Aadhaar, as the most commonly used digital identity, is used to avail of numerous subsidies, benefits and services. In view of the same, for maintaining the accuracy of the Aadhaar database, UIDAI had initiated an exercise for update of documents and Aadhaar information. In the course of activities undertaken to keep the Aadhaar database updated, intimations are issued from time to time to Aadhaar number holders. In this connection, it is clarified that no Aadhaar number has been cancelled,” UIADI pointed out.
It must be mentioned that Mamata Banerjee on Sunday (18th February) accused the Modi government of secretly cancelling people’s Aadhar numbers without any prior imitation. She made the contentious remarks during a public rally in Birbhum district of West Bengal.
At about 44:35 minutes into the programme, she alleged, “Many of you are not aware of this. Stay alert! I have several news stories. They (the Modi government) are cancelling the Aadhar card of a lot of people. 50 people in Jamlpur in Bardhaman district have had their Aadhar cards suspended. It is also happening in Birbhum, North 24 Paraganas, South 24 Parganas and even North Bengal.”
“First they tell you that you cannot make a bank account without Aadhar. How dare you cancel the Aadhar cards of people without their permission? Don’t you have any shame? You are doing this before elections so that people cannot access their bank account, direct benefit transfer schemes, free ration? This is your conspiracy,” Mamata Banerjee brazened out.
She then vowed to transfer funds to beneficiaries by bypassing the Aadhar card and using other identity cards. “I want to reassure the people of Bengal that no scheme in the State will be linked to your Aadhar cards,” the West Bengal Chief Minister claimed.
This is not the first time that Mamata Banerjee has tried to create hysteria about Aahdar cards. In April last year, she alleged that Aadhar verification was supposedly a ploy to implement CAA and NRC in Bengal.
Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad on Monday stirred a controversy when he asked whether the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya would eradicate poverty.
Lad said the construction of the temple was driven by political motives. “The construction of Ram Mandir will not eradicate poverty. It was constructed for their (BJP) political gains,” he said.
Lad said the chosen location of the temple deviated from the Supreme Court’s suggested site.
“We are not opposing Ram Mandir construction. The place where it has been constructed is not correct. It was not constructed where the Supreme Court suggested. They have constructed only 40 per cent of it,” he said.
He challenged the government’s narrative, asking whether the construction of the Ram Mandir had led to the eradication of poverty or brought any benefits to the farmers. Lad pointed to the ongoing farmer protests, questioning the government’s commitment to addressing their concerns
“What did you benefit from it, what did our sisters benefit from it? Why is the BJP asking for votes on the basis of a mandir? Have the farmers benefited? If they would have benefited, why are farmers protesting? Why are bulldozers and tear gas being used against the farmers?” he asked.
Reacting to the statements made by the Congress leader over the site of the construction of Ram Mandir, former Karnataka Chief Minister Basvaraj Bommai said, “The place where the Ram Mandir is built, is the site where Ram Lalla (sanctum sanctorum) was there 500 years ago. Santosh Lad was not born 500 years ago to ascertain all this. There are lot of things in the state for him to do, he should concentrate on that,” he said.
Condemning the statement made by Santosh Lad, former Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, C.N Ashwathnarayan said, “Santosh Lad must know the history of Ram Mandir, people waited for the temple to be built and people are happy. Instead of speaking politics, Santosh Lad must speak reality. I strongly condemn his statement.”
Meanwhile, Karnataka Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad backed the statements made by Santosh Lad and said, “What is wrong in speaking truth? BJP is using the narrative of Ram Mandir and other emotional things for many reasons. It is a hard truth that they utilize only emotional issues because they don’t have developmental things for any election.”
It has been almost ten days since the Haldwani violence took place. Since then, the region has been under the radar from the Chief Minister to media houses. Ground reports and official investigation revealed that an unruly mob attacked police and government officials who went there to remove illegal encroachment in Banbhoolpura. Witnesses and circumstantial evidence pointed fingers at the rioters. Ordinary citizens who had nothing to do with the dispute suffered due to the violence.
OpIndia ground reports revealed that the administration and peaceful ordinary citizens together faced a violent mob that was prepared in advance. While the situation was returning to normal in Haldwani, a self-proclaimed “fact-finding team”, including Harsh Mander, reached there, possibly to instigate locals. The first thing that the fact-finding team did was to give clean chit to stone pelters, arsoners and illegal encroachers and then blamed the administration for what happened.
They accused District Magistrate (DM) Vandana Singh of the violence and implicated Municipal Corporation officials for the incident of violence. So-called activist Nadim Khan led the fact-finding team. He accused DM Singh of the violence. Harsh Mander, facing a CBI investigation due to irregularities in his NGO, was also part of the fact-finding team. They accused the administration of demolishing a 20-year-old mosque. Furthermore, they also accused the administration of not taking the clerics into confidence before taking action. One of the clerics claimed that no information was given before demolition.
The report by the fact-finding team went viral on social media. Ali Sohrab, who had been arrested for spreading fake news, and several other social media handles posted objectionable posts. They used the hashtag #ArrestVandanaSingh to trend propaganda against the administration. Social media users like ItxHuzaifa61 used abusive language against DM Singh.
Source: X
Source: X
The cleric of Haldwani exposed the fact-finding team
The fact-finding team’s report claimed that Nainital’s DM did not meet anyone. However, in the grounds report of OpIndia, it was revealed that she not only met people from various parts of the city but also met ordinary people who were affected by the violence. She also convened a meeting of all concerned people from different sections of the society on 17th February, where everyone expressed their views openly.
Imam Mohammad Mukeem Kazmi of Umra Mosque in Haldwani was also at the meeting. Expressing deep regret over the violence, he praised the open-heartedness of the Nainital administration. He appealed to the administration not to spare any rioters, irrespective of their background. Furthermore, he also praised the administration and police for not losing their cool when stones were pelted at them.
Despite the violent activities, he thanked the ordinary people in the meeting for not considering the people of Banbhoolpura as outsiders. He said that due to consistent efforts of the local administration, the situation came under control.
The lease was over, and the land was to be used for the welfare of the poor
The fact-finding team’s report claimed that the 20-year-old mosque was demolished and claimed the madarsa was legal. However, on 17th February, DM Singh said the encroachment was removed as the lease was over. Despite the notice, the encroachers were not ready to leave. The state government wanted to use the land for welfare projects. These projects will specifically focus on the children of the poor whose family members come to Haldwani to earn livelihood from other regions. However, the fact-finding committee failed to acknowledge that the land meant for the welfare of the poor was illegally encroached on by Abdul Malik, the main accused of the violence.
नगर निगम की जिस भूमि की लीज खत्म हो गई है, प्रशासन द्वारा उन्हें कब्ज़ा मुक्त करा के वहाँ जनहित के काम कराने की योजना है। देश के विभिन्न हिस्सों से आने वाले श्रमिकों, उनके परिजनों-बच्चों के लिए भी उस क्षेत्र में काम होंगे।
Ignoring the misleading allegations and abuses against her, DM Singh maintained a firm stance against the culprits. She said that people involved in the wrongdoings in the district are being identified, and necessary action will be taken against them following an investigation.
Compensation to the victims and not the rioters
On 17th February, Uttar Pradesh Minority Commission’s Deputy Chairman Mazhar Naim Nawab was also present in the meeting held in Haldwani. In a statement, he categorically ignored the reports of the fact-finding committee. He demanded compensation for the victims, police and municipal staff who got injured during the violence and urged not to compensate the rioters. He said a letter in this regard has already been sent to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Mazhar extended support for the administration and not the rioters.
Rumours and fake reports by so-called fact-finding teams
The fact-finding team was not the only one spreading misinformation about the Haldwani violence. Within 48 hours, a group of media started spreading rumours that the supply of essential items was stopped in the affected areas and Muslims were left hungry. However, the OpIndia team on ground zero revealed that the administration was supplying essential items such as milk, etc., in the violence-affected area. Despite OpIndia’s fact-check, propagandists did not delete their posts or apologise for spreading fake news.
On 22nd February 2024, PM Modi will attend the consecration of the Shiv Linga at the grand temple of Valinath Mahadev in Mehsana’s Tarabh. The consecration ceremony is slated on the auspicious occasion of Guru Pushya Amrit Siddhi Yoga in the presence of many saints and ascetics who will be coming from all across the country. The history of Valinath Mahadev Mandir is quite fascinating and magnificent. It is said that worship of Lord Valinath has been ongoing here since the time of the Mahabharata period. The faith of the local people is deeply connected with this divine Shivdham.
OpIndia reached out to the locals to find out about the glorious history of Mehsana’s Valinath Mandir. The Rabari community has a special reverence for Valinath Mahadev and the local Hindus also worship Valinath Mahadev. OpIndia contacted the local Rajdeepbhai Rabari whose entire family holds Valinath Mahadev in high esteem. Additionally, the Rabari community also takes special care of this temple. Rajdeepbhai Rabari told OpIndia about the glorious history of Valinath Mahadev Temple.
Lord Krishna himself installed the Shiva Pratima
According to Rajdeepbhai, Lord Shri Krishna settled in Dwarka. During that period, he frequently travelled to various places and forests in Gujarat for sightseeing. Once, he ventured into the forests of Darbha (the area where the recent Valinath temple stands) in North Gujarat. There, Lord Shri Krishna stayed along with his companions and engaged in a grand Rasleela with the gopis. However, in this Rasleela, the participation of any outsider men was strictly prohibited. It was during this time that Lord Mahadev expressed his desire to witness Lord Shri Krishna’s divine Rasaleela. Despite the prohibition, Mahadev decided to participate in the Rasleela in disguise, assuming the form of a gopi.
As the Gopis and even Mahadev himself were engrossed in the Rasaleela with Lord Krishna, Shri Krishna recognized Mahadev’s presence. He addressed Shivaji, saying, “You are the Lord of Lords, Mahadev, and are revered by all of us. Your presence brings immense auspiciousness to this occasion. How can we restrict your entry into this Rasleela? Please bless us with your divine form.” Upon hearing these words from Lord Shri Krishna, Mahadev revealed himself in his eternal and true form.
However, when disguised as a gopi, Mahadev had adorned vali (an ornament worn in the ear) which remained clung to his ears. At that moment, Lord Shri Krishna addresses him as Valinath.
After this entire sequence of events, Lord Krishna found the form of Mahadev to be supernatural and divine. Afterwards, Lord Krishna himself installed a statue of Lord Mahadev adorned with the vali there. Since then till now the idol of Lord Shiva is known as Valinath Mahadev. While in predominantly all Shiva temples, devotees worship Shivalinga, this (Valinath Mahadev) is perhaps the first temple in India where a Shiva idol is worshipped.
Connection with the Rabari community
The Rabari community of North Gujarat holds a great reverence for Valinath Mahadev. Behind this lies the magnificent history of the Valinath Mahadev Mandir. Several centuries passed after Sri Krishna installed the idol. During the cycle of time, amidst adverse circumstances, the Valinath Mahadev Mandir gradually deteriorated, and there came a time when the temple was buried under the earth. However, where there is truth, power, and divinity, it does not remain dormant forever.
About nine centuries ago, there was a Rabari settlement known as Moidavad near the forests of Darbha, close to the banks of a river known as Rupen River. A Rabari named Tabhovan Moydav was grazing cows when he started feeling sleepy and took shelter under the shade of a tree near the riverbank.
Tabhovan Rabari was feeling restless. In the meantime, he had a dream in which some divine power made him aware of the entire temple and its location. In the dream, he learnt that he should inform a hermit sitting under a tree at that place. He told that saint about the dream. As time passed, the saint was recognised as the first head priest Mahant Viramgiri Bapu of the Valinath temple. Tabhovan Rabari had discussed the dream with Viramgiri. After this excavations were carried out in which the remains of an ancient temple and a statue of Valinath Mahadev were discovered.
Subsequently, Tabhovan Rabari installed the idol of Valinath Mahadev there. At the same time, the Rabari community built a temple there and established it as the seat of saints. They installed Viramgiri Bapu as the first Mahant and Guru of Valinath Gadi. Tabhovan Rabari started the Gurugadi service in the Valinath area, established a village there, and started a settlement there. The village is Mahesana’s Tarabh, which was settled by Tabhovan Rabari 900 years ago. Because of this, the people of the Rabari community have a special reverence for Valinath Mahadev.
A prime example of social harmony, the temple is also mentioned in ancient scriptures
The journey of the revered Gaadipatis Mahants of the sacred Valinath Gaadi, established as the seat of the Rabari community’s spiritual lineage, is mentioned in ancient scriptures. During this journey, they travelled across the Kathiawad region of Saurashtra, receiving hospitality and imparting spiritual teachings. Hence, over the years, even the Kathi community of Saurashtra held as much reverence for Valinath Mahadev as the Rabari community did. Once, a Kathi gifted ‘Remi Ghodi’ to Gadipati Mahant, whose lineage is still alive today. Over time, changes have occurred in the Valinath temple established by Lord Krishna. Even after excavations, every Gaadipati Mahant has renovated this temple during their tenure and given it a new form.
At present, the construction of the magnificent and divine Valinath temple was initiated by former Gaadipati Baldevbapu at the cost of several crores. It has now been completed by the current Gaadipati Jayramgiri Bapu. Although established as the spiritual seat of the Valinath Rabari community’s lineage, the temple has been a centre of reverence for every community since ancient times and serves as an exemplary symbol of social harmony.
Each Gaadipati has contributed to the spread of their good deeds in every society. In this premises, many saints and devotees have attained living samadhi. Not only followers of the Sanatan Dharma, but many Muslims also had immense reverence for Valinath Mahadev in ancient times. A Muslim girl named Nathi Bai attained living samadhi in the temple at the age of 12, the evidence of which still exists today.
An ancient manuscript titled Kanhadde Prabandha, penned centuries ago by Padmanatha, also mentions the temple of Valinath Mahadev in the Darbha forest of Rupen Kantha. According to the locals, the antiquity, religious significance, and historical importance of the Valinath Mahadev temple, which serves as the focal point of faith for people of all castes, have been upheld by every ruler and chief minister even after independence. For centuries, if there is one major pilgrimage site in North Gujarat, it is Valinath. Furthermore, Valinath occupies a significant position among the 13 holiest akhadas of India. These 13 akharas participate in the Kumbh Mela, where they partake in royal baths and receive royal honours.
The Mahant of the Rabari community performs rituals as a temple priest
It is to be noted that people from different castes perform priestly duties in many temples and shrines in Gujarat. For centuries, temples in Gujarat have been breaking the myth that only Brahmins perform the duty of priest. Jayaramgiri Bapu, the current Gadipati of Valinath Temple was also born in the Rabari community. However, later he took Sanyasa as Mahant of Dashnami Akhara, but he is not a Brahmin by birth but works as a priest and Mahant of Valinath Mahadev temple, further promoting social harmony.
Not only in the Valinath Mahadev Madir but there are hundreds of temples in Gujarat where people from the entire Hindu community perform priestly duties. Even the famous pilgrimage site of Gujarat, Guru Ashram Bagdana does not have a Brahmin priest. There a person from the Ramanandi tradition has been given the status of a priest.
The magnificent history of the Valinath Mahadev temple in Mahesana is very interesting and popular. References to this history are found in many ancient texts as well. According to locals, Lord Valinath is worshipped by every community. It is not just a temple of the Rabari community. Devotees from every caste bow their heads to the deity. Along with that, many folk traditions and cultural practices are also associated with the Valinath Mahadev temple.
On Monday (19th February), the Supreme Court dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking an investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the violence in Sandeshkhali village in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.
The matter came up for hearing before a 2-Judge Bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan. The petitioner, Alakh Alok Srivastava, pointed out allegations of sexual violence in Sandeshkhali and highlighted the prior concerns of the apex court about a similar situation in Manipur.
At that point, Justice BV Nagarathna intervened and said, “Please do not compare with what happened in Manipur to what happened here. Please.”
The Supreme Court asked the petitioner to move the Calcutta High Court instead, adding that High Courts have the power to constitute an SIT with officers of other States.
The 2-Judge Bench noted that the Calcutta High Court has already taken cognisance of the matter and that multiple proceedings before different courts should be avoided.
“This plea is dismissed as withdrawn with liberty reserved to approach High Court,” the Supreme Court ruled. Petitioner Alakh Alok Srivastava had said that women in Sandeshkhali were equally oppressed as women in Manipur.
Earlier on Monday (19th February), the Calcutta High Court refused to entertain a PIL for an urgent hearing, which sought protection for women residing in the Sandeshkhali area amid allegations of sexual violence perpetrated by individuals affiliated with the ruling Trinamool Congress.
The Background of the Controversy
On 8th February this year, hundreds of women in Sandeshkhali took to the streets to protest against land grabbing, non-payment of wages and sexual violence committed by Trinamool Congress goon Sheikh Shahjahan and his two aides Shiba Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar.
The women attacked Shahjahan’s illicitly obtained properties and set fire to a poultry farm owned by Shiba Prasad Hazra. They also surrounded the Sandeshkali police station and demanded the immediate arrest of the trio. The agitation in the village lasted for 3 days.
During that time, the TMC goons retaliated and the police acted as mute spectators. In several cases, the cops themselves resorted to harassment of the women. It had come to light that the residents were the subject of sexual violence by the TMC for a long time.
On 10th February, the local police imposed Section 144 in various areas in Sandeshkhali and also banned the use of the Internet in 16 panchayats scattered over the two blocks of Sandeshkhali-I and Sandeshkhali-II.
In a bid to pacify the angry villagers of Sandeshkhali, the TMC leadership suspended Uttam Sardar from the party for six years. The suspended TMC leader and Zilla Parishad member was subsequently arrested in the Sandeshkhali police station area.
The Mamata Banerjee-led-TMC government arrested a former CPI(M) MLA named Nirpada Sardar in connection to the case on 11th February. BJP leader Vikas Singh, who happens to be the Convenor of the Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency, was also arrested in connection to the women’s protest against TMC goons.
On Friday (17th February), the police arrested TMC leader Shibu Prasad Hazra over land grabbing and sexual exploitation of women in Sandeshkhali. The primary accused Sheikh Shahjahan, is still on the run from the law enforcement authorities.
On 16th February, India Today’s executive editor, Preeti Choudhary, was seen putting a lot of effort during the “Democratic Newsroom” program to defend violence by the “farmer protestors”. During the program, she lied about the farmer protests 1.0 as well.
Democratic Newsroom is a program where India Today’s reporters and editors join in a debate on a specific topic. On 16th February, they were discussing the farmer protests when Choudhary defended the violence by the “protestors” on 26th January 2021 when they entered Delhi and hoisted alien flags on Red Fort.
She said, “What did they ask for? They asked for access. They asked for access to the Ramlila Maidan. They were not given it. Perhaps Republic Day also happened because you did not allow them access to Ramlila Maidan for a year.” She further claimed that the right to protest is a Fundamental Right and that occupying public spaces is how protests happen in India.
The contention that protesting is a fundamental right is flawed. Articles 12 to 35 in Part III of the Constitution of India deal with the Fundamental Rights given to the country’s citizens. It says, “Right to freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association or union, movement, residence, and right to practice any profession or occupation (some of these rights are subject to security of the State, friendly relations with foreign countries, public order, decency or morality).” That means, while you are free to protest, it is subject to the security of the State and public order. Moving around with swords, batons, and pelting stones is NOT a fundamental right.
When Gaurav Sawant, Managing Editor of India Today, pointed out that several incidents during protests were not appropriately reported, she cut her in the middle. She questioned how many farmers died during the protests. The panellist continued to claim over 700 farmers died. The contention that 700+ farmers died during farmer protests 1.0 is entirely false and based on dubious data. In January 2022, OpIndia did a detailed analysis of the list the protesters and opposition leaders used. It was revealed that many of the deaths claimed in the list did not happen in or around the protest sites.
For example, a farmer drowned at his native place but was added to the list just because he joined farmer protests multiple times. Another farmer died while boarding a moving train far from the protest sites. However, his name appeared on the list as well. There were some reports of suicides which needed investigation as there were injury marks on the dead bodies.
When Akshita Nandagopal, Deputy Editor, India Today, mentioned that there were intel notes that suggested that thousands of farmers were planning to march towards Ramlila Maidan and it would have created havoc in the national capital, Choudhary said it was not an intel and farmers asked for permission. Nandagopal countered and asked if it would not have made the problem, to which Choudhary suggested it would not have if they were given Ramlila Maidan to protest. Choudhary’s claims there was not intel was false. Intelligence agencies had warned about modified tractors to be used by protesters. Interestingly, India Today itself covered the intelligence report.
Interestingly, Choudhary completely ignored the fact that the visuals coming from the Haryana borders, where the police stopped the protesters, clearly showed they were equipped with weapons. The so-called protesters mocked the police, challenged them and put up posters of Khalistani terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Furthermore, they used modified tractors and machines to move the barricades; they pelted stones at the police and created tension at the Haryana border. The national capital could have a law and order problem if they entered Delhi.
The so-called farmers climbed the sign board and put up posters of terrorist Bhindranwale, Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh and Khalistan supporter Deep Sidhu.
Are these posters related to MSP and farmers? What type of farmers' protest is this? pic.twitter.com/fMzYnL1ld8
Not to forget, when the protesters were allowed to take a tractor rally in January 2021 through a pre-decided route, they not only went out of the route but also attacked the police and damaged both public and private properties.
Choudhary also claimed that protesters brought tractors because there was concrete barricading. However, concrete barricading was done after reports that the farmers were getting modified tractors to break the usual traffic barricading.
Interestingly, during farmer protests 1.0, Choudhary had expressed concerns about sexual harassment of female reporters by the protesters. She said on X (then Twitter) that a ‘sizeable chunk of depraves’ are sexually harassing reporters and that others are letting it happen. Detailed report can be checked here.
The ongoing Farmers’ Protest 2.0 could severely hit trade and industry as well as loss of employment in the Northern states, as apprehended by the Industry body PHDCCI. According to the President of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sanjeev Agrawal, the ongoing farmers’ protest in Delhi-NCR will cost more than Rs 500 crore every day and will negatively impact the quarter-four Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) numbers of Northern states.
While appreciating the constructive talks between the farmers’ unions and the Union government, Sanjeev Agrawal stated that the cost of lingering agitation will be more than Rs 500 crore per day and will have an impact on the Q4 GSDP of Northern States. He added that the Industry body is looking forward to an early resolution of the issues from both the Government and the farmers, with a common consensus for the welfare of all in the country.
He pointed out that the Farmers’ agitation is severely impacting the businesses of MSMEs in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan as raw materials of such units are procured largely from other states to execute production processes and to meet up the demand of the consumers.
Pertinent to note that in the wake of the Farmers’ Protest 2.0 that commenced on 13th February, several major routes leading to Delhi have been sealed to stop the large influx of agitating farmers from Punjab, to avoid a repeat of ugly scenes witnessed during the previous Farmer protest in 2020-2021. Additionally, traffic has been substantially diverted leading to traffic congestion in the protest-hit areas, added logistical challenges, and losses in time and money.
According to an old estimate, more than 50 thousand trucks come to Delhi daily carrying goods from different states across the country while about 30 thousand trucks carry goods from Delhi to other states. As Delhi is neither an agricultural nor an industrial state, to maintain its distributive character of trade, it has to depend upon the buying and selling of goods. Delhi as well as local businesses in the protest-hit areas are the major sufferers of farmers’ protest as it is leading to logistical barriers, road blockages, and forced adoption of alternate – remote or longer routes.
The major hit will be on the MSMEs in Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. PHDCCI President Agarwal further noted, “The combined GSDP of Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi is estimated at Rs 27 lakh crore in 2022-23 at current prices. There are around 34 lakh MSMEs in Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi which employ about 70 lakh workers in their respective factories”
He added, “The economic activities such as food processing, cotton textiles, garments, automobile, farm machinery, information technology, trading, tourism, hospitality, and transport will be severely impacted by the continuous farm agitation with the disrupted supplies of many raw materials to the industry.”
As per media reports, major tourist destinations are also facing the negative impact of the farmers’ protest with reduced tourist footfalls from the Delhi-NCR and neighbouring regions.
Earlier on 13th February, the members of the Confederation of Bahadurgarh Industries (COBI)-District Jhajjhar in Haryana urged farmers not to harm their livelihoods and not stage the protest in the industrial hub of Bahadurgarh. During the peaceful demonstration, the members of the Confederation were seen raising posters appealing to the protesting farmers not to congregate in the Bahadurgarh area to ensure minimum impact on their business.
The posters raised by the COBI members read “Industries and workers of Bahadurgarh humbly request our farmer brothers not to gather and take away our means of livelihood.”
Speaking to AajTak, the employees of Bahadurgarh Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that “last time they suffered the loss of Rs 20,000 crore due to the farmer protest as they blocked the Tikri border for one year and seventeen days.”
The farmers’ protests have also started to inflate the prices of basic amenities like food, milk, and other commodities in the Delhi-NCR area. The traders in Ghazipur Mandi recently reported a Rs 4 increase in carrot prices over the past 15 days due to supply chain disruptions amidst farmers’ protests.
It is important to note that Businesses suffered an estimated loss of Rs 60,000 crores during the Farmers’ Protest in 2020-2021 that continued for over a year against the three farmer laws rolled back by the Union government as demanded by the agitating farmers to call off their protest.
Evidently, the Confederation of All India Traders(CAIT) had back then pegged the losses endured by the country during 12 months of farmers’ protest at Rs 60,000 crores. The trade body said that the losses were predominantly incurred in the initial phase of the protests—November, December 2020, and January 2021.
Furthermore, in March 2021, Union Minister for Roads, Transport, Highways and MSMEs Nitin Gadkari gave a written reply to the Rajya Sabha about the losses incurred because of farmers’ protest. The Union Minister informed the house that the National Highways Authority of India suffered a toll revenue loss of Rs 814.4 crore till 16th March 2021 as a result of farmers’ agitation in three states. The total losses to NHAI escalated further as the protest was called off in December of that year.
Farmers’ Protest 2.0 and the development so far
As reported earlier, a large number of farmers marched towards the national capital on 13th February. The police have deployed concrete slabs, iron nails, barricades, barbed wires, and police and paramilitary personnel at Kurukshetra in Haryana because of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march by the farmers. The police fired tear gas on the protestors at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu Border. The protestors are seeking legal guarantees for MSP and other demands.
In addition to drafting a law on MSP, the protesting farmers have been demanding that India should quit the World Trade Organisation (WTO), halt trade agreements with other nations, and a monthly pension of Rs 10,000 to farmers who attain the age of 60 years among others. The protest has been called by Sanyukt Kisan Morcha and Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, led by farmer union leaders Jagjeet Singh Dallewal and Sarwan Singh Pandher.
So far there have been four rounds of talks between the representatives of the agitating farmers’ Unions and three Union Ministers on 8th,12th,15th, and 18th February. After the fourth round of meetings yesterday, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said that the talks were “positive”. During the meeting, the Union government presented a five-year plan for the purchase of pulses, maize, and cotton crops by government agencies at minimum support prices to boost crop diversification.
Minister Goyal said, “We proposed a solution involving cooperative societies like NAFED entering into five-year contracts with farmers, ensuring purchases at MSP without quantity limitations.” He also highlighted the proposal’s focus on diversification into pulses, cotton, and maize with MSP assurances without limitations on the quantity.
Following the government’s proposal, the farmers have decided to temporarily halt the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march while they go through the proposal and decide on a further action plan.
