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Video shows Congress councillor leading violence in Ladakh? Sonam Wangchuk instigated violence, had instructed protestors to wear masks and hoodies to hide identity: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Video shows Congress councillor leading violence in Ladakh? Sonam Wangchuk instigated violence, had instructed protestors to wear masks and hoodies to hide identity: Details

On 24th September, violence erupted in Leh, Union Territory of Ladakh after a shutdown call by the Leh Apex Body’s youth wing spiralled into clashes, arson and chaos. The agitators, who were demanding statehood and inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, torched the local BJP office, burnt a police van, and clashed with the security forces deployed in the heart of the city. The protests were in solidarity with activist Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike, which was ended after violence.

Amid this, an undated video of Sonam Wangchuk has emerged, where he seemed to have advised the protestors to come prepared for violence. BJP IT cell heat Amit Malviya posted the video on X, where Wangchuk allegedly urged the protestors to wear masks and hoodies, a common tactic of protestors planning violence to avoid identification.

In the video, Wangchuk can be demonstrating wearing a mask and a hoodie. However, OpIndia independently could not verify what he was saying.

In the meanwhile, it has also been alleged that Congress leaders in Ladakh were behind the violence in Leh today. BJP on Wednesday claimed that Congress councillor Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag incited the violence.

Malviya posted visuals showing Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag leading the violent mob. He posted on ?, “This man rioting in Ladakh is Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag, Congress Councillor for Upper Leh Ward. He can be clearly seen instigating the mob and participating in violence that targeted the BJP office and the Hill Council. Is this the kind of unrest Rahul Gandhi has been fantasising about?”

Echoing the allegations, BJP leader Sambit Patra said, “Today, in Ladakh, attempts were made to portray some protests as being led by Gen Z. However, when investigated, it was discovered that these protests were not led by Gen Z, but by Congress. Congress councillor Stanzin Tsepang is the councillor from the Upper Leh ward. He is the main instigator, and numerous photos have surfaced of him and his workers instigating the violence. He can also be seen marching towards the BJP office with a weapon in his hand. He is instigating the mob and targeting the BJP office… A video of this has also surfaced, and the BJP has also posted it. Councillor Stanzin Tsepang is with Rahul Gandhi.”

Patra also accused Rahul Gandhi of “repeatedly instigating” situations similar to what had happened in Nepal and Bangladesh. He said, “Congress has nefarious designs. ‘Bharat tere tukde honge Inshallah, Inshallah’ is Congress’s main line… This is Rahul Gandhi’s plan with George Soros, since they cannot win through the people, so we are working to break the country. Rahul Gandhi is repeatedly instigating the situation in the country that has happened in Bangladesh, Nepal, and is currently unfolding in the Philippines. What kind of leadership is this for the Congress?”

In another video posted by Amit Malviya, Congress councillor from Saspol, Smanla Dorjey Norboo, could be heard openly challenging the administration. He dared the govt to deploy more CRPF personnel, and claimed that even a larger security presence would not stop the protestors from reaching the BJP Ladakh office and dragging people out.

As per Malviya, he further said that he would personally come to stone the BJP Ladakh office, and he urged people from across Ladakh to travel to Leh on 24 September to carry out the attack.

The attack on BJP office did take place on 24 September, as threatened by the Congress leader.

Tension had been simmering since Tuesday evening after two elderly people sitting on hunger strike collapsed and were rushed to hospital. Their condition sparked outrage among students and youth activists, many of whom had already expressed discontent over the Centre’s delay in resuming meaningful talks with Ladakhi leadership.

On Wednesday morning, crowds began assembling near the hunger strike site. They later moved towards the BJP office in Leh town. Police and paramilitary forces had already been deployed in anticipation. Barricades were raised to control the agitators. However, as the protesters attempted to break through, stone pelting began. Police used teargas shells in retaliation to control the violence.

The situation quickly spiralled out of control when a police van was set ablaze. Soon after, protesters stormed the BJP office, setting it on fire amid chants in support of Wangchuk and against what they claimed to be the Centre’s “failed UT experiment.” Several other vehicles were also damaged in the melee.

At least four people have been killed in the violence, and 45 others were injured including 22 police personnel.

Ladakh violence: A manufactured crisis?

The violence that shook Leh on September 24 did not arise in a vacuum. Evidence suggests it was not a spontaneous outpouring of anger but the result of deliberate provocation and political manoeuvring. Tragically, it is the young people of Ladakh who are bearing the brunt of these power games.

Dialogue already on track

The Centre had already committed to addressing Ladakh’s demands. A High-Powered Committee (HPC) meeting was scheduled for October 6, with the government even agreeing to include new names suggested by the Apex Body, Leh (ABL) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). In response to requests for earlier talks, September 25–26 was under discussion.

This was not the first attempt at dialogue. In July, talks were offered but did not progress as expected. Still, the HPC process had achieved significant outcomes: raising ST reservations from 45% to 84%, ensuring one-third women’s representation in local councils, granting official status to Bhoti and Purgi languages, and opening 1,800 government posts for recruitment.

A video recorded at Anshan just before the clashes shows LBA President Chhering Dorjay Lakrook telling a cheering crowd that a delegation would head to Delhi on September 26 for discussions with the Centre. Yet, within hours, optimism gave way to chaos.

Provocative rhetoric and escalation

On September 24, his supporters moved from the hunger strike site towards the BJP office and the Hill Council headquarters. Vehicles were set ablaze, police were attacked, and over 30 security personnel were injured in the clashes. Police were eventually forced to fire on the mob, resulting in casualties. By 4 PM, the situation was brought under control.

Notably, Wangchuk ended his fast the same day and left for his village in an ambulance, without taking visible responsibility for restraining his followers.

Centre’s official position on unrest

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has outlined the official position on the unrest. According to its release:

  • The government has been in continuous dialogue with Ladakh’s leadership through the HPC, sub-committees, and informal meetings.
  • The dialogue process has already delivered major benefits, including expanded reservations, official language recognition, and new job opportunities.
  • The issues highlighted by Wangchuk during his fast are already part of the HPC’s ongoing agenda.
  • Despite repeated appeals by community leaders to end his hunger strike, Wangchuk persisted, using provocative comparisons to movements abroad.
  • On September 24, the violence was triggered when a mob, allegedly influenced by such rhetoric, left the hunger strike site and targeted political offices, police vehicles, and government property. Over 30 policemen and CRPF jawans were injured before order was restored.
  • The government reiterated its commitment to Ladakh’s aspirations and appealed to the public not to share misleading or inflammatory content online.

Singapore shipping firm behind toxic Colombo port leak rejects $1 billion damages court order: Read about a tragic environmental disaster and an international legal battle

Shraddha Pandey
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Singapore shipping firm behind toxic Colombo port leak rejects $1 billion damages court order: Read about a tragic environmental disaster and an international legal battle

A month after the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka ordered a Singapore shipping company to pay USD 1 billion in damages for causing Sri Lanka’s worst environmental disaster, the Singaporean company, X-Press Feeders, has refused to comply with the court order. The tragic environmental disaster caused by the sinking of the MV X-Press Pearl near Colombo Port in June 2021.

Speaking to news agency AFP, X-Press Feeders chief executive Shmuel Yoskovitz said he believed paying would have wide-ranging implications on global shipping and “set a dangerous precedent”.

Sinking of the Singapore-flagged MV X-Press Pearl and Sri Lanka’s worst maritime pollution disaster

The MV X-Press Pearl was a 1,098-foot container vessel owned by Singapore-based EOS Ro Pte LTD, which is a part of the X-Press Pearl Group, and was operated by X-Press Feeders Pte LTD, a prominent Singaporean shipping company specialising in intra-Asia routes. The ship was en route from Hazira Port in India’s Gujarat state to Sri Lanka’s Colombo, carrying 1,496 containers, 81 labelled as “dangerous cargo”.

The vessel carried 25 containers of nitric acid, a corrosive chemical used in fertilisers and explosives, in addition to lead ingots, calcium carbide, and hundreds of metric tons of plastic nurdles. The plastic nurdles are used for manufacturing plastic products like bottles and bags, and are non-biodegradable. These nurdles are highly polluting when released into the environment.

On 20th May 2021, while the vessel was still in the Arabian Sea, a container holding 26 metric tons of nitric acid began leaking. The crew attempted to contain it; however, the acid’s fumes damaged the ship’s electrical systems. This led to a cascade of failures. For obvious reasons, ports in Qatar and India denied the vessel entry to offload the hazardous cargo. Thus, the vessel was forced to proceed to Colombo.

The MV X-Press Pearl anchored 9.4 nautical miles (around 17 kilometres) off Colombo on 25th May 2021. By 26th May, the nitric acid leak had triggered a fire, which burned uncontrollably for 11 days, despite efforts by the Sri Lankan Navy, Air Force, and international salvage teams. The fire spread to other containers, causing explosions and the release of toxic fumes visible from the shore.

Finally, on 2nd June 2021, the vessel split into two and sank in 180 feet of water near Negombo Lagoon, a UNESCO-recognised Ramsar wetland site.

Reports say that the scale of maritime pollution caused by this incident was one of the worst in many decades. Over 87 tons of plastic nurdles were spilt into the sea, washing ashore along an 80 km stretch of Sri Lanka’s western coastline, from Negombo to Kalutara. In no time, these pellets contaminated beaches, estuaries and mangroves, entering the food chain and drastically affecting marine life.

Image via AFP

The spilt chemicals and nitric acid contaminated coastal waters, killing thousands of fish, 417 olive ridley sea turtles, 48 dolphins, eight blue whales, and countless other marine species that washed up dead on beaches.

In addition, the fire released toxic smoke containing nitrogen oxides and heavy metals, harming air quality in Colombo. Seagrass beds, coral reefs, and plankton populations suffered long-term damage that disrupted the ecosystem.

The tragedy was not confined to sea and air but also had human and economic impacts. A fishing ban was imposed for more than a year in impacted areas. Consequently, over 20,000 fishermen and their families lost their livelihoods.

Meanwhile, tourism also declined due to polluted beaches. Cleanup costs exceeded USD 7 million initially. Funds were allocated for compensating affected fishermen. At a time when Sri Lanka was already going through an economic peril, this disaster exacerbated the country’s economic crisis.

Amidst all this, environmental groups like the Centre of Environmental Justice (CEJ) and affected communities approached Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court to seek accountability under the country’s constitution and the international laws, particularly, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea’s “polluter pays” principle.

Besides, the MV X-Press Pearl ship’s Russian captain, Vitaly Tyutkalo, was arrested and barred from leaving Sri Lanka since June 2021. X-Press Feeders offered a fine for Tyutkalo’s release; however, the Lankan authorities rejected the offer.

Sri Lanka Supreme Court’s landmark judgment and the refusal by Singapore-based X-Press Feeders to pay damages

In July 2025, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka gave a 361-page verdict, ruling against X-Press Feeders and related entities, including EOS Ro Pte LTD. The verdict described the incident as causing “unprecedented devastation to the maritime environment” and violating fundamental rights.

The Lankan Supreme Court ordered that an “initial” USD 1 billion be paid to the government within one year, starting with USD 23 million by 23rd September 2025. The court said that future payments could be directed as needed for restoration.

Notably, the court calculated damages based on economic losses, ecosystem restoration costs, and long-term harm. The apex court emphasised the Singaporean company’s alleged negligence in cargo handling and failure to declare hazards properly.

The verdict received global praise and was hailed as a step toward global accountability. This verdict was supposed to be the culmination of four years of litigation and the quest for justice and accountability. However, a layer of conflict has been added to the case by X-Press Feeders, as the company has refused to pay the “initial” damages (USD 1 billion).

X-Press Feeders CEO Shmuel Yoskovitz recently told news agency, AFP, that his company will not pay the ordered amount and even called the court order a “hanging guillotine”. Yoskovitz argued that it would set a “dangerous precedent” for the global shipping industry by exposing operators to unlimited liability.

“We are not paying because the whole base of maritime trade is based on the limitation of liability. This judgment undermines this limitation of liability. Any payment towards the judgment could set a dangerous precedent for how maritime incidents will be resolved in the future,” Yoskovitz said.

He further raised concern that the absence of limitations could lead to higher insurance premiums, which would ultimately be passed on to consumers.

Yoskovitz apologised for the incident, adding that X-Press Feeders had already spent US$170 million to remove the wreck, clean up the seabed and beaches, and compensate affected fishermen.

“We are not trying to hide … We are willing to pay more, but it has to be under certain marine conventions and an amount that is full and final, and then it can be settled, and we can move on. But to live under this hanging guillotine – it is simply impossible to operate like this,” he said.

In August this year, X-Press Feeders issued a statement expressing dismay over the Sri Lankan Supreme Court’s ruling.

The Court has effectively pronounced the vessel’s Master (Captain Tyutkalo) and local Agents guilty of criminal charges before their trials have concluded, and in the case of the Agents, even before formal charges have been filed on some of the allegations. The shipping company said that the ship’s Master is languishing in Sri Lanka, unable to resume his life and career. Even during the trial, he was not present in the court or legally represented.

“The court’s intent to lay all blame and liability on the vessel’s owners and operators is blatantly apparent in their judgment on the Sri Lankan authorities’ role in the incident. It exonerates the actions of the Harbour Master and Director General of Merchant Shipping, despite their own experts boarding and inspecting the vessel and raising no alarm or immediate reason for concern, more than a week before the X-Press Pearl sank. It also ignores the vessel’s pleas for help and the refusal by three ports (in Qatar, India, and Sri Lanka) to offload the container before the fire started,” the X-Press Feeders’ statement reads.

Notably, in July 2023, X-Press Feeders secured a ruling from London’s Admiralty Court capping its liability at £19 million or USD 25 million, under the 1976 Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC). Sri Lanka has appealed against this.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan government has also sued the owners in Singapore’s International Commercial Court for unspecified damages. This case is reported to be on hold pending the London appeal.

However, how Sri Lanka plans to enforce the ruling extraterritorially remains unclear. The Lankan government has limited options, such as asset seizures in international ports, Interpol notices, or pressuring insurers. Besides, criminal probes could also target executives if they visit. However, in the absence of any reciprocity treaty between Singapore and Sri Lanka, the courts in Singapore or other countries where X-Press Feeders have assets are under no obligation to recognise the ruling.

Sri Lanka may also raise the matter at the state-to-state level, and the Singaporean government may ask X-Press Feeders to negotiate a settlement. In addition, Sri Lanka can also bring a claim in the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS); however, given that arbitration requires the consent of both parties, this option may not yield much positive results for Colombo, as it is highly unlikely that X-Press Feeders or Singapore would give consent for the same.

While there has been a visible cleanup, experts warn of invisible long-term damage, including the persistence of microplastics in sediments and food webs for decades. This case reflects the tussle between national environmental justice and international maritime law. Sri Lanka wants accountability, Singapore’s X-Press Feeders offers accountability, but on their own terms. It remains to be seen if actual accountability will be secured or if this quest will go on for many more years with significant results.

Mumbai hoarding collapse: Probe panel indicts suspended IPS officer, BMC official & Ego Media — All you need to know

Rukma Rathore
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Mumbai hoarding collapse: Probe panel indicts suspended IPS officer, BMC official & Ego Media — All you need to know

The investigation into the hoarding collapse disaster in Ghatkopar of Mumbai, Maharashtra which killed 17 people and injured 80 last year identified “criminal conspiracy,” according to a high-level committee led by retired judge Justice Dilip Bhosale, reported The Indian Express.

It highlighted the involvement of businessman Mohammed Arshad Khan, BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) official Sunil Dalvi, suspended IPS officer Quaiser Khalid and Ego Media executives Bhavesh Bhinde and Janhavi Marathe.

The report stated, “The sequence of events not only points the needle of suspicion towards a criminal conspiracy hatched between Khalid, Bhinde, Marathe, Dalvi and Arshad Khan, in order to perpetrate illegalities and circumvent the BMC regulations, but it also seems that they have actually committed illegalities, which untimely led to loss of 17 lives in the incident on 13th May 2024.”

The Maharashtra cabinet adopted the report, its recommendations and findings on 23rd September after the committee delivered the same to the government in May. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis led the council of ministers which also instructed the relevant departments to implement the suggestions within a month.

The committee was chaired by former Chief Justice Bhosale of the Allahabad High Court and consisted of the director general of police, the assistant commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, an income tax official, a chartered accountant and a structural engineer from IIT Bombay.

The shocking findings of the committee

According to the committee, Khalid authorised unlawful relaxations while he was the GRP (Government Railway Police) commissioner, such as expanding the size of the hoarding, extending its operational period and erecting a fourth hoarding without a tender which allowed for the systematic violation of municipal regulations.

The report conveyed that the officials were able to get around BMC regulations which stipulate that hoardings cannot be larger than 40 by 40 feet, because the land where they were erected was misclassified as “Railway property” under the Railways Act 1989. The land was partly held by the Police Welfare Corporation as well as partially by the Government of Maharashtra for Railway Police usage.

Ego Media was initially awarded three hoardings, each 40 x 40 feet, consecutively (3 x 1600 x 2 or 9,600 sq ft) for a period of ten years by a Railway Police e-tender. The three hoardings were expanded to a total frontage of 38,400 square feet after Khalid took office. He also increased their operational time from 10 to 30 years and sanctioned a fourth hoarding that measured 120 x 140 feet in tandem (16,800 x 3 or 33,600 square feet) all without requesting approval from the DGP (Director-General of Police) or issuing new tenders.

Monetary fraud and procedural shortcomings

According to the report, the order of money transactions, size increases and approvals amply demonstrated a coordinated network of misconduct. The accused directly caused the catastrophe by increasing hoardings beyond approved limitations, granting operating rights, allowing a fourth hoarding without a tender and enabling payment transfers, including one for Rs 84 lakh.

Additionally, it drew attention to procedural flaws in the procurement process and pointed out that Qicom, a competitor was denied permission to build a hoarding without being asked to submit a business proposition. The committee observed that these actions took place in defiance of the BMC and BPCL’s protests which significantly contributed to the fall of the hoarding.

Mohammed Arshad Khan, a long-time associate of Bhavesh Bhinde handled blank checks totalling Rs 84 lakh from Ego Media. He deposited them in several accounts and turned the money into cash that was presented to Khalid, based on the report which also revealed financial irregularities.

The investigation mentioned that Sunil Dalvi, the BMC senior inspector (Licence), N-ward at the time, maintained continuous communication with Bhinde throughout the hoarding construction process. He approved an unsecured loan of Rs 45 lakh to Ego Media directors Bhinde and Marathe without any security. According to the report, Dalvi was able to facilitate the financial irregularities as he was also the chairman of a credit society.

Khalid continued to be suspended and the other four listed by the committee in its report (Dalvi, Bhinde, Marathe and Arshad Khan) were already arrested but are currently free on bail.

The recommendations detailed in the report

According to the committee’s 21-point recommendations, hoardings should be regularly inspected, a nodal enforcement agency should be appointed, municipal authorities should be given full authority to take action against illegal structures. It further stated that size restrictions should be strictly adhered to, hoardings on terraces or compound walls should be prohibited and steps should be taken to ensure pedestrian and traffic safety, including making access accessible to people with disabilities.

An insider disclosed, “The inquiry highlights growing concerns over regulatory non-compliance in Mumbai, where illegal hoardings have repeatedly posed serious risks. By mischaracterising private land as railway property, bypassing tender procedures, and facilitating financial inducements, including cash dealings of Rs 84 lakh, the accused exploited loopholes in the system, putting public safety at risk.”

He unveiled that in addition to financial gains from the Rs 84 lakh cash transactions and Rs 45 lakh unsecured loan, the audit particularly outlined Bhavesh Bhinde and Janhavi Marathe whose company profited from an expansion in size, an extension of operational rights and permission of the fourth hoarding.

Anatomy of a colossal fraud

On 13th May 2024, a billboard on a petrol pump fell, killing 17 people and wounding at least 80 others, in Ghatkopar. Later, the BMC found out that it was operating without an Occupation Certificate (OC). The local civic authorities didn’t take any action on the petrol pump.

Meanwhile, Nine hoardings were granted to Ego Media in December 2021, according to a series of correspondence exchanged between Ego Media and GRP officials, according to an earlier report in The Indian Express. The company was allowed to run nine hoardings on GRP land, including four at Ghatkopar (including the fallen hoarding) and five at the Dadar Tilak bridge. However, only three of the 40 by 40 feet hoardings at Ghatkopar underwent the tender procedure.

The remaining six hoardings, five at the Dadar Tilak bridge and one at Ghatkopar, were leased to Ego Media without a tender process and the GRP lacked any documentation of their tendering procedure. After the Ghatkopar incident, four of the five hoardings at the Dadar Tilak bridge were taken down because they were too big and didn’t comply with BMC rules which limit hoardings to 40 by 40 feet.

The terms were further amended in favour of Ego Media by the GRP officials at the time of the time of awarding them hoardings. Quaisar Khalid granted a similar request on 7th July 2022 for Ego Media to prolong the contract tenure for the hoardings in Ghatkopar. Ego Media’s expenses were reduced when the GRP extended the contract and reduced the annual rate per square foot for the Ghatkopar hoardings by about 14%.

Numerous tender documents and correspondences between Ego Media and GRP regarding the Ghatkopar hoardings show that almost all of the key terms and conditions listed in the Ghatkopar hoarding tender document were modified after Ego Media received the contract in December 2021, providing the company with greater leeway.

Who is Bhavesh Bhinde

Bhavesh Bhinde was arrested from Udaipur after he absconded following the instance in Ghatkopar. The 120-by-120-foot hoarding that demolished the Ghatkopar petrol station was even recorded in the Limca Book of Records for its massive size.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation already imposed 21 penalties on him for unlawful hoardings. He was also booked under the Negotiable Instruments (NI) Act which addresses cheque and bounce issues. He even entered the 2009 Maharashtra legislature as an Independent from Mulund. The Bharatiya Janata Party accused that Bhinde was close to the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray).

The Mulund police charged Bhinde with rape, molestation and criminal intimidation. The authorities arrested him two months ago after his girlfriend complained that he had sexually exploited her in the name of marriage. The Bombay High Court granted him anticipatory bail after his submission. According to the police, the chargesheet was filed and the case was being investigated.

Guju Ads which Bhavesh Bhinde once owned and ran was blacklisted by the BMC following many complaints made against both the company and Bhinde. He launched his own business, Ego Media Pvt Ltd, and despite being on the blacklist, he began to secure contracts for hoardings and billboards.

Statehood protest turns violent in Leh: BJP office set ablaze, police van torched, BJP accuses Congress leader for rioting – What sparked violence in Leh?

Anurag
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Statehood protest turns violent in Leh: BJP office set ablaze, police van torched, BJP accuses Congress leader for rioting – What sparked violence in Leh?

On 24th September, violence erupted in Leh, Union Territory of Ladakh after a shutdown call by the Leh Apex Body’s youth wing spiralled into clashes, arson and chaos. The agitators, who were demanding statehood and inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, torched the local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office, burnt a police van, and clashed with the security forces deployed in the heart of the city. Notably, BJP has accused Congress leader of participating in rioting.

The violence marks the sharpest escalation of the ongoing agitation spearheaded by controversial activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on hunger strike since early September demanding Ladakh’s constitutional and political rights. The violence also forced the District Magistrate of Leh, Romil Singh Donk, to invoke Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, banning assembly of more than four people, rallies, and unauthorised use of loudspeakers.

How the violence unfolded

According to media reports, eyewitnesses said that the tension had been simmering since Tuesday evening after two elderly people sitting on hunger strike collapsed and were rushed to hospital. Their condition sparked outrage among students and youth activists, many of whom had already expressed discontent over the Centre’s delay in resuming meaningful talks with Ladakhi leadership.

On Wednesday morning, crowds began assembling near the hunger strike site. They later moved towards the BJP office in Leh town. Police and paramilitary forces had already been deployed in anticipation. Barricades were raised to control the agitators. However, as the protesters attempted to break through, stone pelting began. Police used teargas shells in retaliation to control the violence.

The situation quickly spiralled out of control when a police van was set ablaze. Soon after, protesters stormed the BJP office, setting it on fire amid chants in support of Wangchuk and against what they claimed to be the Centre’s “failed UT experiment.” Several other vehicles were also damaged in the melee. Reports from the ground suggest dozens were injured in the clashes, with claims, unverified at the time of filing, that three to five young protesters were killed in police firing.

Wangchuk ends hunger strike, appeals for peace

Following the violence, Wangchuk issued a statement expressing sorrow over the turn of events and called off the hunger strike. He wrote on social media platform X, “Very sad events in Leh. My message of peaceful path failed today. I appeal to youth to please stop this nonsense. This only damages our cause.”

Wangchuk described the unrest in Leh as a “Gen Z revolution”, blaming the younger generation’s frustration for the violent turn of the statehood protests. He said the hospitalisation of two elderly hunger strikers ignited anger among Ladakhi youth, pushing them onto the streets. Wangchuk stressed that repeated neglect of Ladakh’s demands for statehood and constitutional safeguards had created deep social unrest. However, by shifting the blame onto Gen Z, the same demographic credited with toppling KP Oli’s government in Nepal, he was arguably trying to escape responsibility and cover up his own inability to rein in the protesters.

Later in the day, Wangchuk addressed a press meeting and ended his 15-day hunger strike. He said the decision was taken in view of the deteriorating situation. “Three to five young people have been killed because there was police firing,” he claimed. “We have reports that many people have been injured. We don’t know the exact count. This is not the way forward. We have decided to end the hunger strike.”

Notably, Wangchuk has been at the front of the protests for over five years seeking statehood for Ladakh. While he claimed to be peaceful in his protests, he admitted that the peaceful message had “failed today.”

Political responses and calls for dialogue

Following the violence, BJP IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya accused a Congress leader of participating in rioting. In a post on X, he identified a rioter as Phuntsog Stanzin Tsepag, Congress Councillor for Upper Leh Ward and wrote, “He can be clearly seen instigating the mob and participating in violence that targeted the BJP office and the Hill Council. Is this the kind of unrest Rahul Gandhi has been fantasising about?”

Soon after, Wangchuk issued statement giving Congress a clean chit. In a statement, he said, “Congress doesn’t have such influence here that it can manage to get 5000 youth on the roads…A Congress councillor yesterday reached a hospital in anger because two people from his village were brought injured to the hospital…”

Political leaders from opposition parties accused the Government of India of delaying the dialogue. Sajad Kargili of the Kargil Democratic Front wrote on X, “Whatever is happening in Leh is unfortunate. Ladakh, once peaceful, is now gripped by frustration & insecurity due to Govt’s failed UT experiment. The onus lies on the Govt, resume dialogue, act sensibly & fulfil Ladakh’s demand for Statehood & Sixth Schedule without delay.”

National Conference leaders, too, criticised the Centre’s handling of Ladakh since the abrogation of Article 370. Sheikh Bashir Ahmad said, “This is very unfortunate. Our belief is that the 5 August 2019 decision was never accepted by the people of Leh or Jammu and Kashmir. They have been demanding autonomy and legislative rights ever since. The Centre’s indifference has led to this explosion of anger.”

Tanvir Sadiq, another NC leader, said, “It is a matter of deep sorrow that everything is being mishandled. What happened in Jammu and Kashmir is happening again in Ladakh. We condemn the violence but call upon the central government to open its doors for meaningful dialogue.”

The demand for statehood and Sixth Schedule

The roots of the agitation in Leh go back to August 2019 when Article 370 was abrogated and the state of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two Union Territories, J&K with legislature and Ladakh without one. While many in Leh initially welcomed UT status, activists like Sonam Wangchuk started protests demanding legislative power and “constitutional safeguard”.

Notably, over 90% of the population in Ladakh belong to Scheduled Tribes. Leaders and activists argue that this makes it a natural candidate for inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, similar to several northeastern states, which would allow the creation of autonomous district councils with powers over land, culture, and resources. Without these protections, Ladakhis fear that their land, jobs, and unique cultural identity are at risk of being eroded by outside interests.

The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), coalitions of religious, social and political organisations, have been at the forefront of this agitation. Since 2020, they have held several rounds of protests and negotiations with the Centre. The last meeting, held on 27th May this year, led to the introduction of a domicile policy for Ladakh, but the core demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion remain unaddressed.

Centre’s meeting with Ladakhi representatives scheduled for 6th Oct

On 20th September, the Union Home Ministry had announced that talks with Ladakhi representatives would resume. The next round is scheduled for 6th October in New Delhi. A high-powered committee (HPC) was constituted on 2nd January 2023 to address these demands. However, Ladakhi representatives have claimed that the progress has been slow and unsatisfactory.

Wangchuk had expressed scepticism over the efficacy of these talks, calling them “non-result-oriented” and accusing the Centre of dragging its feet. He kept protesting and sitting on hunger strikes, claiming he was doing so to bring the attention of the people of India to Ladakh. However, the violence that erupted on 24th September may affect the dialogue between Ladakhi representatives and the Central government.

In the immediate aftermath, the KDA has called for a shutdown on Thursday, intensifying pressure on the Centre. With elections for the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) scheduled next month, political stakes are also high.

District Magistrate’s order

In response to the spiralling unrest, District Magistrate Romil Singh Donk invoked Section 163 of the BNSS 2023, citing the need to prevent disturbances and maintain tranquillity. The order prohibits any procession, rally or march without prior approval, bans the use of loudspeakers, and forbids any statement likely to disturb peace. Most notably, gatherings of five or more persons have been prohibited within Leh district.

Source: Dainik Bhaskar

“Immediate prevention and remedial measures are necessary to maintain public order and tranquillity,” the order stated, warning of punitive action under Section 223 of BNSS 2023 for violations.

Conclusion

Wednesday’s violence has transformed Ladakh’s agitation from a peaceful, if persistent, campaign into a volatile flashpoint. For years, Wangchuk and others had claimed that the protests would remain non-violent. They claimed to draw moral strength from hunger strikes and symbolic marches. The eruption of violence may force the Central Government to harden its stance.

Legendary Kannada novelist SL Bhyrappa passes away at 94: Read how his books, from ‘Parva’ to ‘Aavarana’, enthralled readers for several decades

Shriti Sagar
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Legendary Kannada novelist SL Bhyrappa passes away at 94: Read how his books, from ‘Parva’ to ‘Aavarana’, enthralled readers for several decades

Well-known Kannada writer and Padma Bhushan awardee SL Bhyrappa passed away on Wednesday, 24th September, at the age of 94. He took his last breath at Jayadeva Memorial Rashtrotthana Hospital and Research Centre in Bengaluru. 

SL Bhyrappa had been under treatment for the past three months. On Tuesday, 23rd September, doctors said he suffered a cardiac arrest at 2.38 p.m. He was struggling with age-related ailments for some time and had collapsed during a morning walk a few months ago. 

He was shifted from Mysuru to Bengaluru for advanced medical care, but despite treatment, his health declined. According to the media reports, his cremation will take place in Mysuru on 26th September, the city where he spent many years of his life. On 25th September, his body will be left at Ravindra Kalakshetra in Bengaluru so that individuals can pay their last respects.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke of his profound sadness on an X post. He said, “In the demise of Shri S.L. Bhyrappa Ji, we have lost a towering stalwart who awakened our conscience and penetrated deep into the soul of India. A fearless and ageless thinker, he richly enriched Kannada literature with his provocative works. His work inspired generations to think, inquire and interact more deeply with society.”

The Prime Minister also appreciated Bhyrappa’s interest in India’s history and culture and said it would keep inspiring generations. “My heart goes out to his family and fans at this hour of sorrow. Om Shanti,” Modi further added.

Early life and career

Born as Santeshivara Lingannaiah Bhyrappa in Channarayapatna taluk in Hassan district, Bhyrappa grew up in Hassan and Mysuru districts and worked as a professor of philosophy in different regions of India, such as Gujarat and New Delhi. He had also worked as a member of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). He retired as a professor in the Regional Institute of Education (RIE) in Mysuru.

Though he toiled as an academic, Bhyrappa’s passion was always to write novels. His literary career started with Bheemakaya in 1958 at the age of 27. Such is the popularity of Bhyrappa’s books that his first novel is still being reprinted and sold.

In the next sixty years, he wrote 25 novels, and his last book was Uttarakanda (2017), a retelling of the Ramayana from the women’s point of view. Post this, he declared his retirement as a writer.

Bhyrappa was the most popular and best-selling Kannada novelist. His novels have gone into several editions, and even his first novels are continuously being reprinted. His popularity was not confined to Karnataka as all his novels have been translated into several Indian languages, English, and even European languages.

Among his most famous works are Vamshavriksha (1965), Gruhabhanga (1970), and Parva (1979), which is a retelling of the Mahabharata. He received the Saraswati Samman award for his novel Mandra (2001) in 2010. He received the Padma Bhushan in 2023.

Aavarana: One of his masterpieces

One of Bhyrappa’s most controversial novels was Aavarana (2007). Written after years of research, the book challenged the way India’s medieval past, the Mughal era, had been dealt with in school books and public discourse. He believed numerous unpleasant truths had been “imposed” in the interests of secularism.

The novel tied these debates in history to contemporary concerns such as interfaith marriage, religious liberty, and identity.

Although critics charged Bhyrappa with being anti-Muslim and politically motivated, his fans greeted the book as a courageous endeavour to counter “whitewashed” history. Controversy notwithstanding, Aavarana became a bestseller and was translated into several languages, and it is one of the most debated novels of contemporary Indian literature.

Parva, a different picture of the Mahabharata

Another of Bhyrappa’s signature writings was Parva (1979), regarded as his masterpiece. It repaints the image of Mahabharata, not as a mythological tale with gods intervening at every turn, but in realist tones based on human conflict and psychological tension. In removing gods and miracles and painting Mahabharata characters as humans, Bhyrappa rendered the epic as a historical and social chronicle.

The book delved into the interior lives of legendary figures such as Bhishma, Draupadi, Karna, and Krishna and portrayed them as human beings stirred by ambition, suffering, personal trauma and ethical conundrums.

Phulwari Sharif to Kishanganj, a vicious plan at work to turn India into an Islamic nation by 2047: Read how Islamic radicalism has spread its roots in the land of ‘Darbhanga Module’

रुपम
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Phulwari Sharif to Kishanganj, a vicious plan at work to turn India into an Islamic nation by 2047: Read how Islamic radicalism has spread its roots in the land of ‘Darbhanga Module’

Several deep-rooted conspiracies to convert India into an Islamic country have been hatched in Bihar. From Seemanchal to Mithila, the entire region is within the grasp of these conspiracies. Radical Islamic networks like the Darbhanga module, the Phulwari Sharif module, and the Indian Mujahideen have positioned their sleeper cells across the region.

Recently, Mehboob Alam Nadvi, alias Mehboob Alam, former president of the banned Islamic fundamentalist organisation Popular Front of India (PFI), was arrested in Kishanganj in Bihar’s Seemanchal region. It took the National Investigation Agency (NIA) three years to arrest him. Nadvi plans to make India an Islamic country by 2047. Following Nadvi’s arrest on the 11th September, several shocking details were revealed by him during interrogation, which went on for three days.

Nadvi is linked to the 2022 PFI-Phulwari Sharif Terror Module case, in which the accused and some PFI members hatched a terror conspiracy to disrupt a political event on the arrival of PM Modi to Patna. A chargesheet was filed by the police in the case, and the evidence in the case led to Nadvi’s arrest. He is the 19th accused in the case.

Who is Mehboob Alam

Mehboob Alam Nadvi is a resident of Hasanganj in Katihar district. He had been living in a hideout in the Seemanchal region for several years since the PFI was banned. For the past six months, he had been teaching at the Fatima Girls’ School in Kishanganj. His appointment at the school is also being scrutinised, as he lacks the necessary documents and did not disclose his identity. He was appointed merely based on a demo class.

To discreetly strengthen the PFI and transform India into an Islamic country, he had been recruiting Muslim youth in Muslim-majority areas. He visited Seemanchal districts like Purnia, Katihar, and Araria several times, and distributed misleading lietrature to among them.

According to the NIA, Mehboob Alam Nadvi played a key role in both the Phulwari Sharif terror module and the Darbhanga module. He recruited individuals from the PFI and provided them with weapons training. He organised secret meetings to expand the Islamic fundamentalist organisation’s network, raised funds, and distributed them to its cadres. The presence of Islamic fundamentalists in Bihar is not a new phenomenon; it has existed for years, since the time Yasin Bhatkal established Indian Mujahideen and developed the Darbhanga module.

Phulwari Sharif module exposed

On July 11, 2022, before PM Modi visited Patna, the NIA arrested several individuals. They were involved in a criminal conspiracy in Phulwari Sharif, Patna, prior to the visit. The NIA filed a case against 26 individuals, all members of the PFI. They had hatched a conspiracy to disrupt the Prime Minister’s visit to Bihar. The NIA became aware of this on July 11, a few days before the visit. The PFI had sent 11 terrorists to Phulwari Sharif for this purpose.

The NIA conducted raids in Bihar, from Patna to Madhubani, to gather evidence related to the case. Amongst other things, the investigating agency found digital equipment used for the aid of terrorists. Incriminating literature, including books and diaries, was also discovered at the terrorist hideouts. An examination of the incriminating literature revealed that the terrorists set a target in 2023 to make India an Islamic country by 2047.

During the raid of their Patna facility, the police uncovered a weapons training camp being run in the guise of a martial arts training centre under the banner of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the political wing of PFI. People from other states were being recruited there. Six individuals were arrested by the police at the training camp.

PFI’s aim is to make India an Islamic country

During the investigation of the PFI-Phulwari Sharif case, the NIA found a document titled “India 2047: Towards the Rule of Islam in India.” The document detailed how the Islamic terrorists conspired to transform India into an Islamic country by 2047 by accelerating anti-India activities. It elaborated on the process of increasing terrorist activity, involving youth, and expanding the PFI network.

In 2010, the terrorist plan for “Ghazwa-e-Hind” in Bihar commenced, when Yasin Bhatkal poisoned the minds of Muslim youth in Mithila. He radicalised the Muslims and convinced them to work towards making India an Islamic country, implementing Sharia law, eliminating non-Muslims, and implementing the “Jizya tax.” He trained them to kill anyone who refused to convert to Islam.

The Darbhanga module was created by the Indian Mujahideen founder

Yasin Bhatkal lived in Darbhanga and established the Indian Mujahideen there. Terrorist-maker, Yasin Bhatkal, trained Nuruddin Jangi and Sanaullah, who were active in the Phulwari Sharif terror attack. A homoeopathic doctor by profession, Yasin cleverly spread the organisation in Darbhanga. Along with his ‘sweet medicines’, he was distributing the “poison of Islamic fundamentalism.” He connected youth with the Indian Mujahideen in areas like Darbhanga and Samastipur. When explosions occurred in various parts of the country, including Bengaluru, Chennai, and Varanasi, their links were traced to Darbhanga. At that time, the Darbhanga module came into the spotlight. The NIA arrested Yasin Bhatkal at the Nepal border while he was trying to flee.

Sleeper cells are an important part of the Darbhanga module

Terrorist Yasin Bhatkal turned Darbhanga and other areas of Mithila into a haven for terrorists. He trained individuals to operate as sleeper cells. This information was revealed when the NIA arrested terrorists operating as sleeper cells. Bhatkal developed sleeper cells to link terrorist groups. Tahseen Akhtar, a resident of Samastipur who succeeded Yasin as head of the Indian Mujahideen, was a part of the whole plan.

After the ban on PFI, a conspiracy was being hatched secretly

In 2022, the PFI was banned by the government, and several terrorists associated with the Islamic fundamentalist organisation, who were considered a threat to national security, were subsequently arrested. Due to the ban, former PFI president Mehboob Alam Nadvi had been secretly strengthening the radical outfit for the past three years. Mehboob Alam’s arrest will provide the NIA with crucial information about PFI’s funding, weapons, and members.

With the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar, the security agencies have become active to ward off any possible threat from Islamic fundamentalists.

(This article is a translation of the original article published in OpIndia Hindi.)

After announcing additional $100,000 fee, Trump now aims to abolish H1B visa lottery system: All you need to know about the new rule 

OpIndia Staff
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After announcing additional $100,000 fee, Trump now aims to abolish H1B visa lottery system: All you need to know about the new rule 

The H-1B visa, one of the most sought path for foreign tech professionals to secure employment in America, is again about to undergo a massive overhaul. Only days after President Donald Trump declared a massive massive addition of $100,000 in fees to apply for the visa, his government has now made another announcement on Tuesday, 23rd September, scrapping the existing lottery system.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the idea is to replace the random lottery with a weighted system that gives higher chances to workers in better-paid jobs. In simple terms, this means that the more a company is willing to pay the employee, the greater the company’s odds of securing a visa for its foreign employees.

“The current lottery system, which caps the visas at 85,000 per year, will remain in place for now. However, under the new rule, DHS would give greater preference to applications from employers offering higher wages if annual requests exceed the statutory limit of 85,000. The move aims to better protect Americans from unfair wage competition from foreign workers,” the department further said.

Under the proposed rule, workers in the top wage bracket, those earning around $162,500 or more annually, will get four entries in the selection pool. Mid-level workers will get fewer entries, and those in the lowest wage tier will only receive one. That effectively tilts the system towards senior, highly paid roles in big tech firms, while entry-level positions will struggle to get through.

Nicole Gunara, a Principal Immigration Attorney at Manifest Law, explained it with an example. “Imagine an engineer at Meta earning $150,000 a year, that person might now have multiple entries in the lottery. But a junior developer at a startup, earning say $70,000, will only get one. So the system favors established giants who can pay top salaries and leaves smaller, emerging companies at a disadvantage,” she said.

She added that the changes could push the US workforce towards more senior, high-paying roles and reduce opportunities for fresh graduates or younger talent looking to start their careers in America. 

“The lottery will no longer be random. Higher-paid workers will have a much better chance, while early-career professionals will find the odds stacked against them,” she added. 

This move follows Trump’s earlier announcement last week to add an additional $100,000 fee for H-1B visa application per filing. Defending the decision, the White House said the hike was meant to stop companies from misusing the system and hiring foreign workers at low wages. 

White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said the step would ensure American workers are prioritized while giving certainty to businesses that genuinely want skilled talent.

Trump stated while signing the order that the “incentive is to hire American workers. He has often criticised the H-1B visa program as being “abused” by corporations to save money rather than providing an opportunity to US citizens.

The effect of these changes may be enormous, particularly on Indian IT firms such as TCS, Infosys, and Wipro, which have a great dependence on H-1B visas to deploy staff to America. Indians presently represent almost 71 percent of all H-1B approvals, as per US government statistics. With both the fee hike and the new weighted selection process, experts warn that these firms may cut down hiring or even move more jobs back to India to avoid the extra costs.

With Trump’s re-election campaign focusing heavily on his “America First” agenda, the changes to the H-1B system reflect his promise to protect US jobs, even if it means shutting the door a little tighter on foreign talent.

Apple ignores Trump’s threats, ramps up production of phone making machines in India after increasing iPhone production, ties up with dozens of Indian companies

OpIndia Staff
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Apple ignores Trump’s threats, ramps up production of phone making machines in India after increasing iPhone production, ties up with dozens of Indian companies

Despite repeated threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to stop manufacturing in India, Apple Inc. is doubling down on its Indian manufacturing ambitions. The company is not only expanding iPhone assembly lines in India, but now also increasing the localisation of the production of specialised machinery critical to the process.

The move comes despite Trump’s repeated pressure on Apple CEO Tim Cook to shift production back to the U.S. from India, including threats of a 25% tariff on iPhones not made domestically. In May, Trump publicly warned that iPhones sold in the U.S. should be “manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else,” or face steep penalties.

Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on Indian imports in retaliation for India’s Russian oil purchases. However, smartphones like the iPhone secured a key exemption, allowing Apple to maintain cost competitiveness without immediate price hikes for American consumers. However, the U.S. President can remove that exemption anytime and impose tariff, as this entirely depends on his whims. In May this year, he had threatened 25% tariff on iPhones sold in the USA if they are made in India.

But these tariff threats have done little to derail Apple’s strategy, with India now supplying over 70% of iPhones sold in the U.S., a sharp rise from 31% a year ago. Production hit a record 22.88 million units exported from India in the first half of 2025, up 52% year-over-year, driven by diversification from China amid geopolitical tensions.

Now in a bold escalation, Apple is now venturing beyond component sourcing to manufacture the very capital equipment and tools used in iPhone production. As per a report by Moneycontrol, approximately 35 companies in India are active in this ecosystem, with nearly half, around 17, now directly partnering with Apple over the past 20-24 months. Major players like Titan Engineering and Automation Ltd (TEAL), Jyoti CNC Automation, Bharat Forge, and Wipro are supplying these machines, alongside smaller non-Chinese firms establishing local operations.

These companies make equipment used in the assembly of iPhones, and they are used after Surface Mount Technology (SMT) line production. In the SMT process, various electronic components and microchips are mounted onto printed circuit boards with micro-precision.

Apple holds the know-how and Intellectual Property Rights for these machines. “There are different types of machines required and that’s where Apple is localising the manufacturing of this machinery in India,” the source quoted by Moneycontrol said.

The report added that Apple’s Indian partners are also helping miniaturise capital equipment for electronics, especially smartphones. “With Apple’s IP and know-how, these companies are helping build the tools required for iPhone production,” the source reportedly said.

“This localization addresses logistical risks, cuts costs, and builds resilience,” one source further said.

The development comes amid China increasing restrictions on exports of critical machinery to India. Apple intends to match China’s production sophistication within two to three years in India.

Beijing has halted machinery shipments to Indian facilities run by Apple’s assemblers like Foxconn, Tata Electronics, and Jabil. The Chinese government has also recalled Chinese experts from India and has urged its firms to shutter India operations. Apple understands this escalating issue and is working to mitigate it.

Apple’s broader India footprint now spans five factories, including two new plants, producing iPhones and AirPods. The company engages 35-40 suppliers for components like batteries, chargers, and cables, achieving about 20% domestic value addition. The govt of India aims to push this to 30-40% via schemes like ECMS 2.0.

The report added that Apple is also engaging with Indian firms to explore joint ventures with Chinese, South Korean, Taiwanese and Japanese companies for the local production of critical components such as displays and camera modules. For example, Foxconn’s Yuzhan Technology investing $1.5 billion in a Tamil Nadu facility.

Despite Trump’s threats and Apple’s pledge of $100 billion in U.S. investments over four years, India’s low costs and maturing ecosystem make relocation to the U.S. unlikely. While China still dominates with 157 of Apple’s 470 global suppliers, India’s rise, from 14% of iPhone production in 2024 to a targeted 25% by year-end, positions it as a resilient alternative.

With iPhone 17 production in India ramping up, the tech giant’s India bet signals confidence that tariffs, while disruptive, won’t halt the “Make in India” momentum.

‘Graves turning into pilgrimage sites for radical elements’: PIL seeking removal of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat’s graves from Tihar jail dismissed by Delhi HC

OpIndia Staff
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‘Graves turning into pilgrimage sites for radical elements’: PIL seeking removal of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat’s graves from Tihar jail dismissed by Delhi HC

On 24th September, the Delhi High Court denied a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought to have the graves of Kashmiri terrorists Mohammad Afzal Guru and Mohammad Maqbool Bhat removed from the Central Jail in Tihar.

The prayer which was filed by the Vishwa Vedic Sanatan Sangh wanted authorities to move the remains to a hidden location if needed to stop the glorification of terrorism and exploiting the jail’s facilities.

Mohammad Maqbool Bhatt, the founder of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru were given the death penalty and were executed at Tihar jail. Guru was put to death in February 2013 while Bhatt was hanged in February 1984.

What did the plea say

The plea mentioned that the two planned and carried out terrorist attacks that seriously jeopardised India’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity while working under the umbrella of “extremist Jihadi ideology.” It argued that the members of a particular community now uses the graves to pay respect to the terrorists.

According to the submission, Tihar has become a “radical pilgrimage spot” for extremist outfits due to the burial sites close to Jail No. 3. The PIL noted that the continued presence of these graves inside a state-controlled prison is illegal, unconstitutional, and against public interest.

“This not only undermines national security and public order, but also sanctifies terrorism in direct contravention of the principles of secularism and rule of law under the Constitution of India,” it expressed.

However, a Division Bench consisting of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela pronounced that it is unable to consider the request since the government must make that decision while taking law and order into consideration. They added that the government’s decision to bury them within the prison was a critical one and could not be changed after more than ten years.

The PIL emphasised that the installation of tombs, shrines, or other religious structures on jail property is prohibited by the Prisons Act of 1894, the Delhi Jail Manual of 2018 and other established prison laws. Additionally, it noted that the Delhi Prisons Rules of 2018 and the Delhi Prison Act of 2000 both prohibit the interment of prisoners within prison walls.

Citing the treatment of executed terrorists like Ajmal Kasab and Yakub Memon, where every effort was made to prevent glorification, the petitioners asked the court to step in immediately and order the dismantling of the graves and relocation of the remains in a secure and concealed manner.

The Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, specifically Section 397, which forbids burial at undesignated locations was also referenced in the plea. “The existence of graves inside the jail premises poses a serious risk of contagious and dangerous diseases to both the inmates and the employees of Tihar Jail,” it added.

The plea further contended, “The Jail Manual provides that bodies of executed prisoners are to be disposed of in a manner that maintains prison security, discipline, and public order. Nowhere does it permit the construction of permanent graves or shrines inside prison premises. By allowing such graves, the authorities have set a dangerous precedent that undermines the very purpose of prison discipline and order.”

The court agrees with the PIL

The court upheld the petitioner’s statement that the graves could not be used as a place of pilgrimage or glorification. However, it stated that a PIL asserting the same cannot be founded on newspaper stories and should be based on empirical evidence. “We understand there should not be glorification. But you say people are going there as a pilgrimage. Where is the data? If that is so, there can be directions to stop all this. But as of now, we do not know,” the court asked.

It added, “Somebody’s last rites have been performed, and that has to be done with solemnity. Removing a grave which might have been in existence for the last 12 years? The government decided it keeping in view the fallout regarding permitting giving the body to the family or burial outside the Tihar jail? These are very sensitive issues. There are so many factors. The government (took a decision) keeping in view all the aspects and took a call. Can we now challenge that decision after 12 years?”

The petitioner then applied for permission to withdraw the PIL and submit a new one with information on the site being visited and exalted by radicals. In light of this, the bench dismissed the petition as withdrawn.

Mamata Banerjee overtakes Kejriwal in blaming others, says Kolkata flooding is due to water coming from UP, Bihar, and Farakka dam

OpIndia Staff
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Mamata Banerjee overtakes Kejriwal in blaming others, says Kolkata flooding is due to water coming from UP, Bihar, and Farakka dam

Kolkata woke up on Tuesday, 23rd September, to one of the worst downpours it has seen in nearly 40 years. The heavy overnight rain submerged major sections of the city during the height of Durga Puja. Eleven individuals died, the majority of them from electrocution, and thousands of locals were stranded indoors.

The city, which was already abuzz with Durga Puja festival preparations, was totally paralysed as its roads, railways, and even Metro operations were submerged. 

India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, “the city received 251.4 mm of rainfall in less than 24 hours, the highest since 1986. In some areas like Garia, the downpour touched 332 mm, while the northern parts of the city received around 195 mm.” 

Officials further said the intensity was nearly equal to a cloudburst, with the rain pouring at 98 mm per hour at its peak. For the 15 million people living in Kolkata, it was a night and morning of chaos, cars floated on water, homes were flooded, and major roads turned into rivers.

Amid this, chief minister Mamata Banerjee not only expressed her shock at the scale of the disaster but also blamed several factors outside the state’s control. She said the flooding in Kolkata was not just because of the rainfall but also because water from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other states had flowed down into Bengal through the Ganga (Hooghly). 

According to her, the Centre has failed to properly dredge the Farakka Barrage, which has reduced the river’s capacity to hold water. “When the Ganga’s holding capacity goes down, where will Kolkata’s water drain out?” she asked.

Notably, the Hooghly River receives majority of its water from Ganga through the man-made Farakka Feeder Canal. The Farakka Barrage diverts a portion of Ganga water to this canal.

Mamata did not stop there. She also accused central agencies like the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) and the Metro authorities of making matters worse. She said, “the state was already flooded because of the unilateral release of water by the DVC (another central utility), all rivers and canals were in a state of chaos. A lot of water is coming from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh through the Farakka Barrage; there was a problem because there was no dredging there. On top of that, this sudden heavy rain arrived.”

The Bengal chief minister made it clear that the situation was beyond what the state government could control. “This is nature’s fury. I had never seen rain like this in my life. Nobody can stop water from entering Bengal from outside,” she said. 

Mamata also slammed political opponents for trying to “play politics” over the crisis. “Instead of helping people in this calamity, they are spreading lies and misinformation,” she said.

She further hit out at the Centre, accusing it of taking away Bengal’s share of funds through GST while not helping the state in times of disaster. “Our own funds are being spent to deal with natural calamities. The Centre is not helping us at all,” Mamata added.

Back on the ground in Kolkata, the situation remained grim throughout Tuesday. In many neighbourhoods, people waded through waist-deep water while power cuts were imposed in several areas to prevent further electrocution deaths. 

The 11 deaths, nine of them due to electrocution from unattended live wires, exposed the city’s lack of preparedness for such extreme weather. “It breaks my heart that so many people died like this. Their families must be compensated and given jobs. CESC also has a responsibility here,” Mamata said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sharply criticised the West Bengal CM on the social media platform X. “Durga Pujo celebrations are starting this week. Yet, due to Kolkata’s extremely poor drainage system, Puja pandals are submerged under water. Years of anarchy under the CPM [Communist Party of India-Marxist] and nearly 15 years of corruption in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation under TMC [the ruling Trinamool Congress] have forced Bengalis to suffer even during their biggest festival, Durga Puja,” the BJP said on its X handle. 

Transport services were badly hit. Metro services between Dakshineswar and Shahid Khudiram on the Blue Line were halted on some sections due to waterlogging. Local train services from Sealdah were disrupted in both the North and South areas, and tracks at Howrah and Kolkata stations were also inundated, which caused multiple trains to be delayed. 

Traffic on the roads all over the city came to a standstill, and flights at the airport also suffered delays as runways were waterlogged.

The timing of the disaster could not have been worse for the people of Kolkata, as the city was halfway through preparing for Durga Puja. Several well-known outdoor pandals were destroyed by the rains, raising fears of whether the celebrations would be able to proceed as planned. Across the city, 3,000-odd puja pandals were submerged. The IMD also warned that another low-pressure system may form over the Bay of Bengal around 25th September, raising fears of prolonged disruption in south Bengal.

Seeing the current situation, Banerjee declared a holiday at all state-run schools and asked the universities to hold online classes. “I request private schools to prepone their already declared Puja holidays by two days,” she said.

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