The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted raids at Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan’s residence in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali in the early hours of Wednesday in connection with the alleged Public Distribution System (PDS) scam case. Shahjahan is presently absconding.
The ED officials were accompanied by central forces during their operation.
Earlier on January 5, ED officials were attacked when they were on their way to carry out raids at the residence of Sheikh Shahjahan and fellow TMC leader Shankar Adhya at Sandeshkhali in the North 24 Parganas district.
Over 200 locals, all believed to be the TMC leader’s supporters, encircled the ED officials as well as the armed paramilitary forces accompanying the team when they tried to raid his residence in connection with the ration scam probe.
The loyalists circled the officials and demonstrated before assaulting them and forcing them to leave the area. They attacked the officers when they tried to break the lock of the gate, which the TMC leader did not open despite multiple calls made by the ED officials. Two ED officials were injured in the incident.
While the BJP gunned for the Mamata Banerjee government, claiming a complete of law and order in the state, the TMC said the locals responded to provocation from the central agency sleuths.
Taking a serious view of the incident, Governor CV Ananda Bose summoned the state Home Secretary and DGP to Raj Bhaban and sought the arrest of the absconding TMC leader at the earliest. However, several days have passed since and the TMC leader continues to be in the wind.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sought a detailed report from the West Bengal government over the attacks.
The raids against TMC leaders were being conducted in connection with the alleged ration scam in the state. Former Food and Civil Supplies Minister Jyotipriya Mullick is already behind bars in connection with this case.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
On 23rd January (Tuesday), the Maldivian Foreign Ministry confirmed that they had received a “diplomatic request” from the Chinese government for “rotation of personnel and replenishment”. The confirmation came a day after it was reported that a Chinese “research vessel” was heading towards the Maldives via the Indian Ocean Region.
In an official statement, the Maldivian Foreign Ministry said, “The Maldives has always been a welcoming destination for vessels of friendly countries and continues to host both civilian and military vessels making port calls for peaceful purposes.”
However, it claimed that the vessel would not be conducting any research while in Maldivian waters.
The statement added, “Such port calls not only enhance bilateral ties between the Maldives and its partner countries but also demonstrate the centuries-old tradition of the Maldivian people welcoming vessels from friendly countries.”
It further stated that Maldives continues to uphold international best practices, and relevant international maritime law on all such cases.
As per reports, the Chinese vessel is expected to dock in Male on 8th February. It has been widely reported that China has been notorious for disguising its spy ships as “research vessels”. The so-called research vessel was spotted in the Java Sea off the coast of Jakarta, Indonesia on 22nd January (yesterday).
On Monday (22nd January), an open-source intelligence researcher Damien Symon took to X to point out that the Chinese vessel Xiang Yang Hong 03 was en route to Male. According to the post, the vessel “is entering the Indian Ocean Region, displaying its destination as Male, the vessel is expected to run an ocean survey operation in the Indian Ocean Region raising concern in #India”.
XIANG YANG HONG 03 the Chinese ocean research vessel heading to Male, Maldives is no stranger to the region, having conducted ocean surveys in 2019 & 2020, the vessel has been observed in the IOR, Bay of Bengal & Arabian Sea raising fresh concerns in #Indiahttps://t.co/WsiMOzjYkZpic.twitter.com/8iDzCSuVEg
Following his observation, an Indian military official confirmed Symon’s finding and said they are monitoring its movement, Reuters had reported.
Meanwhile, India has so far not issued any statement about the movement of the Chinese “research” or spy vessel.
However, in the past, India has flagged similar movements by other Chinese research vessels with its island neighbour Sri Lanka. Since 2022, Sri Lanka has denied permission for such vessels to dock at its ports.
It is pertinent to note that apart from the latest pro-Chinese remarks by the Maldivian Ministry Maldives’ pro-Chinese government has been taking steps to worsen its diplomatic ties with India and increasing its tilt more towards Beijing.
Pro-Chinese Maldivian President worsening relations with India
Amid diplomatic tension with India, a 14-year-old Maldivian boy died on 20th January after President Mohammed Muizzu reportedly refused to allow a Dornier aircraft provided by India to airlift him.
On 14th January, reiterating his demand that India withdraw its troops from Maldives, the Maldives’ President Mohamed Muizzu asked India to withdraw its military deployment from the archipelago nation by 15th March.
Additionally, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on 9th January urged China to send more tourists to the archipelago. His remark came amid reports that a large number of Indians had cancelled their trips to Maldives in the wake of their Ministers’ unwarranted and deplorable comments on India, Indians, and PM Modi.
Notably, it all started on 4th January after PM Narendra Modi shared some pictures of his visit to Lakshadweep. He exhorted people to explore the scenic islands in what could be seen as a push to his ‘vocal for local’ slogan, and an effort to give a boost to tourism on the archipelago.
Following his visit to Lakshadweep, a large demand erupted among Indians to explore the Indian Islands and boost our tourism sector before visiting beaches or tourism sites in other countries. However, jittery Maldivian politicians interjected and reacted by making racial commentary on Indians.
It is important to note that neither the Indian PM mentioned any country nor it was targeted toward any nation, yet some Maldivians feared a potential hit to their tourism economy.
Mariyam Shiuna, Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information, and Arts, recently made insulting remarks against PM Modi, referring to him as a ‘clown’ and a ‘puppet of Israel’ after he posted pictures from his visit to Lakshadweep Islands. She later deleted the tweet and was among one of the three Ministers who were suspended by the Maldivian government for making disparaging remarks on India.
On Friday (5th January), Zahid Rameez, a Council member of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) also took to the microblogging site X to mock Indians.
On 23rd January (Tuesday), the President of India announced Bharat Ratna for socialist leader Karpoori Thakur based on the recommendations of Union government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is India’s highest civilian award and it has been bestowed on the socialist leader posthumously. The announcement comes a day before his 100th birth anniversary.
Karpoori Thakur awarded the Bharat Ratna (posthumously).
He was a former Bihar Chief Minister and was known for championing the cause of the backward classes. pic.twitter.com/nG7H80SwSZ
Karpoori Thakur hailed from the Bihar state and had served as the state Chief Minister twice. He got the moniker 'Jan Nayak' during his career in politics.
Thakur served as the Chief Minister of Bihar from December 1970 to June 1971 (Socialist Party/Bharatiya Kranti Dal), and from December 1977 to April 1979 (Janata Party).
"The President has been pleased to award Bharat Ratna to Shri Karpoori Thakur (posthumously)," a Rashtrapati Bhavan communique said a day before his 100th birth anniversary.
Karpoori Thakur's son Ram Nath Thakur is a Rajya Sabha MP from Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) party. When he was the state Chief Minister, Thakur had decided to implement the Mungeri Lal Commission report, which recommended the institution of reservations for Backward Castes in government jobs.
Thakur aligned himself with the All India Students Federation during his student years. His political philosophy was additionally shaped by the Lohia school of thought.
In November 1978, Karpoori Thakur implemented a 26% reservation for backward classes in Bihar, laying the groundwork for the later recommendations of the Mandal Commission in the 1990s. When he was the education minister, Thakur also abolished English as a compulsory subject at the matriculation level.
On Tuesday, January 23, a day after the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya, students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune put up pro-Babri posters on the campus. The posters that read: ‘Remember Babri-Death of constitution’ were reportedly put up by FTII Students Association at the campus located at Law College Road in Pune.
After the video of the incident went viral, members of some Hindu outfits entered the campus and burnt the posters. This led to a clash between them and the students of the varsity. People from both sides got minor injuries in the clash.
Clashes Erupt at FTII Pune Over ‘Remember Babri’ Banner
On getting the information, security forces intervened and brought the situation in control.
Officers from the Deccan Gymkhana police station said that the incident took place around 2 pm on the FTII campus.
“Our initial information suggests that a banner was displayed on the campus by the FTII Students’ Association. The banner read ‘Remember Babri, Death of Constitution.’ Some members of various right-wing outfits entered the FTII campus on Tuesday afternoon and took down the banner and set it on fire while chanting slogans. At this point, a clash broke out between the members of the right-wing outfits and a group of FTII students,” said an officer from the Deccan Gymkhana police station.
Senior inspector Vipin Hasabnis, in-charge of Deccan Gymkhana police station, said, “As soon as we received information, teams were dispatched. Our personnel intervened and brought the situation under control.”
According to reports, three people have been detained by the police and investigations are underway.
Pro-Babri Masjid slogans raised at Jamia Millia Islamia on the day of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha
On 22nd January (Monday), tensions were high near Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia after videos of students raising Pro-Babri Masjid slogans on the university campus surfaced online. It came on the day when the nation marked festivities for Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya. The police official said that a group of youth gathered inside the campus carrying placards and raised slogans like “Strike for Babri”.
After the videos surfaced online, the Delhi Police deployed police personnel outside the campus and increased vigilance to avoid any untoward incidents.
A day after the nation celebrated the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla marking the fruition of 500 years of struggle, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi dismissed that there is any such phenomenon as Ram leher (wave).
Is Italian ko lagta hai Ram ki koi leher nahi hai. This hate for Shri Ram by Rahul Gandhi is unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/jeZ8G1AbSq
During media interaction, the Congress leader was asked what is the impact of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya which took place yesterday (on 22nd January) on places he is visiting in Assam. The journalist added that at places people are raising slogans of ‘Jai Shri Ram’. Responding to the query about what has Congress planned for Ram leher, Rahul Gandhi replied, “There is no such thing that there is a wave (leher).”
He added, ” I have already said that this was a political program of the BJP. We will present our plan in front of the country in the coming days. We will release our roadmap for justice for youth, farmers, and women.”
Notably, leher (wave), tsunami, phenomenon, etc have been used in the political and journalistic parlance as an event, act, or personality that has a sweeping effect/impact on people.
His remark soon went viral on social media attracting scathing criticism from several users. Some of the users claimed that the Congress party would be wiped out by Ram Bhakts for dismissing that Ram leher has swept the country.
One user wrote, “This hate for Shri Ram by Rahul Gandhi is unacceptable.”
Another user tweeted, “Shri Ram ki koi lehar nahi hai – Rahul Gandhi. In the upcoming elections, Ram Bhakts will make sure that Congress will be wiped off from Bharat!”
Notably, the devotion of Ram which can be crudely dubbed as Ram leher had swept the social media, general discourse in family, and events’ discussion with fresh content on Shri Ram’s bhakti hitting social media by lakhs in number. All who’s who of every sector – sports, entertainment, content creation, spirituality, chipping in with their efforts.
Even political leaders were swayed by their devotion to Lord Ram and hence defied their party line to show reverence to Shri Ram. Evidently, several Congress leaders visited Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha while the Central leadership – which had incidentally denied the existence of Shri Ram in Courts – had boycotted the grand consecration ceremony citing one excuse after another.
Additionally, Congress’ Himachal Pradesh CM had taken a contrasting stand with its party’s state government in Karnataka to announce a full-day public holiday for its state residents to celebrate the festivities and mark the homecoming of Shri Ram at his birthplace.
However, the Congress leader’s remark dismissing Ram leher seemed to have stemmed from the innate dismissal of such a phenomenon called Modi leher.
While the media later admitted that Modi leher (wave) had an impact on the outcomes of 2014 and 2019, Congress and the opposition dismissed such a phenomenon. In antagonism to the Modi wave, a phenomenon which had impacted Congress’ political fortune, the Congress leader seems to have missed the pulse of the nation overlooking the cultural and deep-rooted connection and impact Lord Shri Ram has on India and Indians. Ram Leher which may have been subdued for years has been rekindled by once in a millennium event like Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha.
Greece’s history has diverse cultural aspects prominently featured by the Byzantine Empire and Ottoman rule. The country has a complex heritage that is visible via architectural landscape. Numerous churches were once converted into mosques during the Ottoman occupation. Later, they were reclaimed and restored to their original religious purpose.
As the Western media unleashes its propaganda onslaught against India over the completion of the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha in Ayodhya, it is pertinent to highlight how Greece, too, had reclaimed churches that had once fallen to the Islamic despotism and converted to mosques under the Ottoman Empire. Several Western media outlets have fallen over themselves to malign the Indian government over the completion of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha, making disingenuous claims and resorting to obscurantism as they downplayed the legacy of Muslim rule in India that involved usurping temples and destroying the presiding deities within them to humiliate and punish the ‘idol-worshipping kafirs’.
So while the Western media make a beeline to defame India, it is worth revisiting how Greece, a European country intimately cognisant of the horrors of the Islamic rule, took measures to restore its Christian legacy and rich cultural heritage that predated the oppressive Ottoman rule it had to endure for centuries.
The Byzantine Empire lasted for thousands of years and fell to the Ottomans in the 15th century. The period marks a profound transformation in the religious and cultural landscape of the region. When Ottomans established their rule in Greece, they brought a significant change to convert churches to mosques. It is a practice that has been common among the Islamic rule over centuries regardless of geography. Wherever Islamic rulers went, they destroyed religious places that stood for hundreds of years to build mosques over them or simply converted the buildings into mosques. It was done to reflect the religious identity of the “new ruler” of the region and humiliate the natives by destroying their religious places that often served as the epicentre of their civilisational history.
X user Paul Antonopoulos, a PhD Candidate, wrote a thread on the Churches that were once converted by Ottomans to mosques and were later converted back to their original religious purpose. In 1493, Agios Demetrios’s church in Thessaloniki was converted into a mosque. The church was built in the 4th century AD. It was reclaimed and converted back to a church in 1949.
When Greece became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1830, and as Greece expanded over the next century, the long task of reverting mosques into churches.
Hagia Sophia Church in Monemvasia was constructed in 1150. It was turned into a mosque in 1715. Later, in 1827, repair works began to turn it back into a church.
Hagia Sophia Church in Monemvasia dates to about 1150 but turned into a mosque in 1715. Repair works to turn it into a church again began in 1827. pic.twitter.com/BBmPS4P2Lr
The construction of Hagia Sophia in Mystras dates back to the 1300s. It was converted to a mosque by the Ottoman invaders. The exact year of its conversion into a mosque is unknown. It was converted back into a church immediately after Greece’s independence in 1830.
Hagia Sophia in Mystras was constructed in the 1300's, was converted into a mosque at an undisclosed date during the Ottoman occupation (from the 1400's onwards, unntil being converted into a church almost immediately after Greece's independence in 1830. pic.twitter.com/71ddRJ02Ao
Agios Spyridon church in Rhodes was constructed in the 1200s. It was turned into a mosque in 1522. It was turned back into a church after the Ottoman Empire fell.
Agios Spyridon church in Rhodes was constructed in the 1200's, turned into a mosque after the Ottomans captured the island in 1522, but turned back into a church after the Ottomans were booted. The minaret still survives. pic.twitter.com/EtEDeGPJv0
The Church of Panagia Chalkeon in Thessaloniki was constructed in 1028. It was converted into a mosque in 140 and restored to a church in 1934.
Church of Panagia Chalkeon in Thessaloniki was constructed in 1028, became a mosque after the Ottomans captured the city in 1430, but was restored in 1934. pic.twitter.com/NzPL4mGYAJ
Holy Trinity Church in Rhodes was constructed between 1365 and 1374 as a catholic church. Paul wrote, “[It was] converted into a mosque under the name Khan Zade Mescidi by the Ottomans, then turned into an Orthodox church when Greece annexed the island after World War II.”
Holy Trinity church in Rhodes was built between 1365 and 1374 as a Catholic church, converted into a mosque under the name Khan Zade Mescidi by the Ottomans, then turned into an Orthodox church when the island was annexed by Greece after World War II. pic.twitter.com/KrBXIkaSZs
The Church of Prophet Elijah in Thessaloniki was constructed in the 1300s. In 1430, it was converted into a mosque and restored into a church in the early 1900s.
The Church of Prophet Elijah in Thessaloniki was constructed in the 1300s, turned into a mosque immediately after the Ottomans captured the city in 1430, and restored again after liberation in the early 1900s. pic.twitter.com/QUqhmgWKzt
Church of Saint Nicholas in Chania was a Catholic church built around 1320. It was converted into a mosque by the Ottomans. It was reclaimed in 1918 and turned into an Orthodox Church.
Church of Saint Nicholas in Chania was originally a Catholic church built at around 1320, converted into a mosque during Ottoman occupation, and in 1918 was turned into an Orthodox Church. pic.twitter.com/n3YL0o1Dm6
In the case of India, the Mughals did the same with temples associated with Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Hundreds of temples were razed down to build mosques. For example, the Hindu Temple of Bhagwan Ram was demolished in Ayodhya by Babur to build a mosque in the mid-1500s. The disputed structure stood on the spot for almost 500 years. Hindus could reclaim the land and build the Bhavya Ram Mandir after the Supreme Court of India handed the disputed piece of land to Hindus in November 2019. The temple was open to the public in January 2024 after Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha on 22nd January.
Cultural Significance of Reclaiming Religious Structures
The reclamation of religious places is about more than just restoring the buildings. It is a representation of the reclamation of the historical identity and cultural memory of the region. The reclaimed structures stand as a symbol of resilience and continuity. They create a bridge between the past that was once thought to have been lost, the present and the future. They serve as a reminder of the historical and cultural unification inherited by the region’s people. The reclamation of religious structures not only provides a sense of justice but also reignites the hope and desire to move forward among the people who have suffered atrocities for centuries.
The journey of reclaimed religious buildings, whether in Greece, India, or any part of the world, narrates the story of resilience, collaboration, and respect for diversity. Such reclamations often highlight the complex but essential parts of history, culture and religion. They underscore the importance of preserving the true history of the region to ensure future generations can experience them in their proper forms.
On Monday (22 January 2024), the idol of Ram Lalla was consecrated in the Ram temple built in the religious city Ayodhya. Many attribute the success of this day to the Ram devotees who gave up their lives for the reclamation of the Ram Janmabhoomi, the struggle which began during the Mughal era and stretched for almost 500 years. In 1990, the Mulayam Singh-led government inflicted more brutalities on the devotees of Lord Ram than even the Mughal tyrant Babur.
The families of hundreds of such Karsevaks who braved the brutalities and contributed to the 500-year-long struggle to reclaim their sacred land were extended a special invitation to visit the Pran Pratistha ceremony.
While the world has been riveted by Ram Lalla’s homecoming, OpIndia focused on the untold tales of these hundreds of Karsevaks, who happily gave up their lives for the Ram Janmbhoomi movement. Today, however, we have tried to dispel a long-running lie being peddled by the Islamist-leftist media about this one particular ‘Karsevak’.
For years, several Islamists and the leftist-liberal ecosystem have been peddling a story around ‘Karsevak’ Balbir Singh, the person who reportedly made the first strike on the disputed Babri structure on December 6, 1992. These media outlets for years have reported how he suffered the worst bout of paranoia for his contribution towards the demolition of the Babri structure and seemingly converted to Islam and took up the name Mohammed Aamir.
While the OpIndia team was in Ayodhya, reporting from the ground, we dispelled this myth that has been propagated by Islamists, the leftist-liberal echelon and their friendly media for many years by looking through documents and speaking with witnesses.
What the Islamists and leftist-liberals have been claiming?
Many media organizations had published interviews of Balbir who converted to Islam and became Mohammad Aamir. In those videos, Balbir had described himself as a resident of Panipat, Haryana. He had claimed that he was a member of Shiv Sena, but Hindu organizations filled his mind with hatred against Muslims, due to which he later joined Bajrang Dal.
Balbir claimed that he was forcibly taken to Ayodhya on December 1, 1992. On December 6, 1992, he was the first to strike on the central dome of the disputed Babri structure. He also claimed that he was felicitated publicly after coming back from demolition, but his parents were furious at him. Balbir further claimed that after the demolition, he was paranoid with the fear that Muslims wouldn’t spare him for his act and to atone for Babri’s demolition and placate his family’s rage, he decided to convert to Islam and vowed to build 100 mosques across the country.
Around five years back, reports emerged wherein Balbir confirmed that he had contributed to the construction of ninety-two mosques. He further declared that he would soon complete the task of building the 100 mosques he had promised. Balbir Singh alias Mohammed Aamir went around claiming to be an ex-Karsevak after his conversion to Islam.
Balbir, during those days, became the eye candy of leftist media outlets. Media outlets like Aaj Tak also interviewed Balbir Singh aka Mohammed Aamir. Later it was reported that he left Haryana and started living in a rented house in Hafiz Baba Nagar in Hyderabad, Telangana. In the year 2021, reports emerged that Balbir Singh aka Mohammed Aamir passed away under mysterious circumstances.
Reports suggested that the local public informed police after a foul smell was emanating from his rented house in Baba Nagar, upon which a team from Kanchanbagh police reached his residence and found him dead.
Saints of Ayodhya called the reports a conspiracy
OpIndia during its visit to Ayodhya, interacted with several eyewitnesses of the Babri Masjid demolition on December 6, 1992. Speaking with us, Mahesh Das, the Mahant of Nayak Temple, which is situated in the Pramod neighbourhood of Ayodhya, called the reports “a bunch of lies.” He asserted himself to have witnessed the full December 6, 1992, Karseva incident.
Mahant Mahesh Das asserted that only a small number of people ascended the dome, although thousands of devotees were present there at the time of the incident. He said he remembered distinctly that Balbir alias Md Aamir, who claimed that he struck the Babri dome first, was not the one who did it.
Mahant Mahesh Das (Image Source: Hindi OpIndia)
Some other residents of Ayodhya, namely Hanumanth, Ajay Das, Raghuveer, Ashutosh, Meera, and Kapil also stated that they too are aware of what exactly transpired on December 6, 1992. All of them asserted to have never heard of any Balbir alias Mohammad Aamir, who was directly involved in the incident on December 6, 1992, outside of the media discourse. All of these people called the news that was going viral an illicit attempt to promote religious conversions, and they went on to demand that the government take tough measures against those who disseminated such false information.
Karsevak named in CBI’s FIR also called the news a rumour
To confirm the veracity of these reports, OpIndia looked for the Karsevak whose name was included in the FIR filed by the CBI in connection with the December 6, 1992 incident. On studying the FIR we got to know that Ramji Gupta, a resident of Tanda (now Ambedkar Nagar district), which is close to Ayodhya district, was the first person arrested in the incident on December 6, 1992. OpIndia got in touch with Ramji Gupta, who too confirmed that no one by the name of Balbir was amongst the Karsevaks who demolished the Babri dome. He said that he knew all those Karsevaks who were involved in the demolition by their name and face and Balbir Singh was not amongst them.
Vowing to be an eyewitness to every single moment, Ramji Gupta said that no Karsevak can ever convert to Islam and this particular news that Balbir Singh was the first to strike the Babri dome and that he later converted to Islam was nothing but a devious and well-thought-out conspiracy.
Ramji Gupta speaking to OpIndia (Image source: Hindi OpIndia)
‘I was near the dome, not Balbir’: Karsevak busting media lies about Balbir Singh
We further spoke with a Muzaffarnagar resident named Ambrish Goyal. Goyal had participated in the December 6, 1992, Kar Seva. He said that several groups from all across the country had come at that time and that he knew most of the Karsevaks who came from western Uttar Pradesh and the surrounding areas.
Ambrish said that he had seen the picture of Balbir Singh alias Mohammad Aamir on social media. He declared his complete confidence that the individual claiming to be the one who had first struck the Babri Dome was not even in the vicinity of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992, let alone being involved in the demolition. Ambrish Goyal described these reports as an attempt to defame the Karsevaks and vowed to file a complaint against those spreading the malicious news with the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath.
Karsevak Ambrish Goyal (Image source: Hindi OpIndia)
OpIndia spoke to the National President of Rashtriya Hindu Dal, Roshan Pandey, who recently made headlines after he sent a letter to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav informing that they will install a statue of his father and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav in the mosque which will be constructed in Dhannipur, Ayodhya. Pandey said, “I have carefully studied all the government documents and court proceedings related to the demolition of the disputed structure. There is no mention of any Balbir from Haryana even in a single place in any of the documents.”
Further recalling the day the dispute Babri structure was demolished, Roshan Pandey added that those who were not even involved in the demolition but were only present there, their names were also added as accused by the then Congress government, why then Balbir Singh’s name was not even mentioned in the FIR?
Explaining the rationale behind his name not being there in the FIR, Pandey added that Balbir Singh alias Mohammed Aamir, who himself appeared before the media and spoke about being the first to strike the Babbri dome and then spoke about converting to Islam to atone for the Babri demolition, was not named in the FIR because obviously, he was not even present there at the time of the demolition.
He said that media organizations should desist from propagating such conspiracies against Hindus.
National President of Rashtriya Hindu Dal, Roshan Pandey (Image source: Hindi OpIndia)
If he was such a big devotee of Ram then why did he not come in 1990?
Shubham Hindu, a resident of Etah and national president of an organization called Hindu Ekta Group, spoke to OpIndia on this matter. Shubham said the news that Balbir Singh converted to Islam to atone for the Babri demolition was completely bogus and just a figment of the mind of some conspirators.
Shubham questioned the media outlets that featured Balbair’s interview, and said, “If Balbir was such a devoted follower of Ram, why didn’t he reach Ayodhya to do Kar Seva in 1990 when the Mulayam Singh Yadav led government order to open fire at the kar sevaks.”
Shubham Hindu said that he intends to expose the conspirators who spread false information by writing a letter to the government. Shubham also wants an investigation to be conducted as to how much damage the conspirators have caused to the Hindu society by making such false news viral.
एक ग़मनाक खबर, मुहम्मद आमिर (बलबीर सिंह) इतंकाल कर गये, इन्ना लिल्लाहि व इन्ना इलैयहि राजिऊन
बाबरी मस्जिद की शहादत में पहला कुदाल चलाने वालों में मुहम्मद आमिर भी शामिल थे उस समय वो बलवीर सिंह थे उसके बाद पश्चाताप की आग में जलते हुए मुसलमान बन गये… pic.twitter.com/lWjfrwgwLu
Islamic scholar Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui accused of running India’s ‘biggest religious conversion syndicate’ was Balbir alias Mohammed Aamir’s mentor
In the interview, Balbir Singh asserted that after meeting Islamic scholar Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui who has been accused of running India’s ‘biggest religious conversion syndicate’, he was radically drawn towards Islam. Balbir said that after staying in Kaleem Siddiqui’s madarsa for some days, he converted to Islam.
Meanwhile, a report by Jansatta also said that Balbir went to Deoband to assassinate Kaleem Siddiqui after the disputed Babri structure was demolished, but he later changed his mind. However, Jansatta had not revealed the time of this incident.
Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui, who is one of the biggest clerics from western UP, was arrested on charges of religious conversions by the state’s anti-terrorist squad in 2021. According to Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist, Kaleem Siddiqui was running India’s ‘biggest religious conversion syndicate’, and had been pushing several people into conversion since 2016. In fact, his criminal network was found to be spread to Mumbai and Gujarat. He has been in jail for a long time and the UP ATS is still collecting evidence against him.
Balbir Singh kept changing his statement
Media houses like Jansatta asserted that Balbir had gone to assassinate Maulana Kalim Siddiqui and had changed his mind there. However, in an interview, Balbir stated that fear had taken hold of him following the demolition of Babri and that he had gone to Kaleem Siddiqui to obtain an amulet that would protect him from the fear. Even though he was sick of seeing so many specialists and commentators, his worry persisted.
Balbir was heard claiming in a video interview that went viral at the time that he had heard about Kaleem Siddiqui from someone else and that, after a lot of imploring, he got the chance to meet Kaleem Siddiqui, who indoctrinated him and assisted him in converting to Islam. In a matter of days, Balbir became the media’s poster boy. Balbir was sent to Hyderabad, where he took up the management of Deeni Idara, an Islamic education centre. It was here that Balbir was married to a Muslim girl.
बलवीर सिंह उर्फ मोहम्मद आमिर!! अल्लाह बाबरी मस्जिद गिराने वालों से ही उसकी हिफ़ाज़त करा रहा है…! फ़बिअय्यि आला ए रब्बिकु मातुकज़्ज़िबान… https://t.co/8swXpbu5fE
In July 2021, Balbir passed away under mysterious circumstances. This death happened while the Uttar Pradesh ATS was hard at work gathering proof against Kaleem Siddiqui. In September of 2021, Kaleem was taken into custody. With his arrest, the UP ATS busted his nationwide conversion racket, in which most of the victims were from the Hindu community.
Balbir was not a Shiv Sainik, will send legal notice
Institutions like Lallantop had claimed that the converted Balbir was a Shiv Sainik. To confirm these claims, OpIndia spoke to Haryana state youth Shiv Sena chief Rituraj. Rituraj clearly termed the news of Balbir being a Shiv Sainik as complete nonsense. Rituraj said that such news was spread as part of a deep conspiracy to tarnish the image of the organisation.
Rituraj said, “We’re proud that many Shiv Sainiks actively contributed to the destruction of the structure, which was a stigma, drawing inspiration from Bala Saheb Thackeray. However, it’s unacceptable that a conspiracy was hatched to damage our reputation by labelling individuals like Balbir as Shiv Sainiks. Individuals such as Balbir have never belonged to the Shiv Sena and neither do they now nor will they in the future.”
Bajrang Dal mulling to file an FIR to expose the conspiracy
Lalit Bhati, the leader of the Bajrang Dal state students in Haryana, also spoke to OpIndia about this entire issue. Lalit Bhati informed us that he had also learned about these stories from various media outlets and social media. He said that he had gathered information from his sources and he was absolutely sure that Balbir Singh was never a Karsevak.
Lalit asserted, “After the demolition of the disputed structure, Muslim groups hatched a big conspiracy and made a person named Balbir their pawn. Balbir became their easy prey because he belonged to a family that was loyal to the Nehru-Gandhi family. He was linked to Babri, which he most likely never even visited.
Lalit Bhati claimed that by using Balbir as a scapegoat, the conspirators intended to promote Islamisation and aid in the fundraising efforts for the building of mosques. Since Lalit thinks that a conspiracy of this kind cannot continue, he said he would bring this up at the organization’s meeting and expose the issue by filing a formal complaint.
On Tuesday (23rd January), the Mumbai Police and the Mumbai administration took stern action against the Islamists who attacked the Hindus on 21st January ahead of the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya. The Hindus were attacked in the Mira Road region, Mumbai, as they celebrated the return of Lord Ram to his home in Ayodhya after 500 years.
As per reports, the illegal construction of the accused persons involved in the Mira Road clash was razed to the ground in the presence of Maharashtra Security Force and Mumbai Police.
?LIVE Visuals: Bulldozer action in #Mumbai's Mira Road where clashes took place after #RamTemple rally.
In the incident reported from Mira Road, Mumbai, Islamists hurt the Hindu religious sentiments by tearing flags bearing images of Lord Hanuman. OpIndia contacted the Police to know the details of the incident. The police confirmed that around 13 persons have been arrested in the case, however, IO Dilip Rakh revealed no information about the accused persons given the sensitivity of the case.
Following Police action on the accused, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reiterated the government’s firm commitment to “zero tolerance” against those who disturb law and order in the state.
Informing about the Police action, Deputy CM Fadnavis stated that he had taken detailed information about the incident that took place in NayaNagar in Mira Bhayender.
He added that Police were instructed to take strictest action against the culprits who were involved in yesterday’s attack.
About the incident occurred last night at Mira Road : I took detailed info on what happened in NayaNagar in Mira Bhayender last night itself. Also was constantly in touch with Mira Bhayender CP till 3.30 am. Police were instructed to take strictest action against the culprits.…
The incident took place on 21st January at around 10:30 at night. OpIndia obtained an FIR in the case in which the complainant mentioned that around 50-60 people from a specific community threatened him and attacked his car while he was traveling in the Mira Road region. The Islamists attacked his car with rods and also took down the Hindu flag that he had been placed atop his car.
The complainant further stated that the accused persons saw Lord Hanuman’s poster on the car bonnet and puked on it. “They raised slogans of Allah-hu-Akhbar, hit me on my head with an iron rod, and tried to kill me. They also saw a poster of Lord Hanuman on the car and puked on the poster. This has hurt our Hindu religious sentiments. They even pelted stones at women and small kids who accompanied me for a ride,” the FIR read.
The said complaint has been filed under sections 307 (attempt to murder), 341 (Punishment for wrongful restraint), 295A (Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups), 141 (Unlawful assembly), 143, 147, 149 and 427 (Mischief causing damage) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
The situation in Maharashtra’s Mumbai continues to remain tense following the violence in Mira Road. The Police have been deployed at several locations to avoid any untoward incident from happening.
The Union Home Ministry has issued a notice to French journalist Vanessa Dougnac asking why her Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card should not be withdrawn. The notice has reportedly been issued over her “malicious” work which has created a “biased negative perception” of India and over alleged violation of visa rules.
Vanessa Dougnac currently resides in India. She is married to an Indian and has been living here for 22 years. She has been given a deadline of 15-days due to end 2nd February for a response failing which she could lose her OCI status and would have to leave the country and apply for a visa to return.
Reports quote the FRRO notice served to Dougnac, which states that she has been “undertaking journalistic activities without any special permission as required under Citizenship Act 1955 and rules/regulations issued thereunder”.
Screen grab of Vanessa Dougnac’s X account
The Foreigners Registration Office (FRRO) notice of the MHA was issued to her on 18th January.
As per the notice, Dougnac’s reportage was “malicious and critical in manner that they create biased negative perception about India”.
It also accused her work’s ability to “provoke disorder and disturb peace in certain sections of the society.”
Vanessa Dougnac’s work permit was cancelled in October 2022 and has not been reporting since then at least within India. She has been reporting from Sri Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal largely for French Newspaper Le Croix (The Cross), which is known for spreading fake news.
The Print quoting government sources said that Le Croix has published reports authored by Dougnac which have been factually wrong. This has been taken up by the concerned department, as per Print report.
Moreover, the sources have said that Dougnac is in “serious violation” of her visa rules despite the same communicated to her repeatedly.
If Dougnac does not respond to the FRRO notice, it will reportedly be presumed that she has “nothing to say in the matter and appropriate legal action under the Citizenship Act 1955 shall be taken by the competent authority without any further notice,” as per the notice.
The Print has quoted sources who claim that Dougnac is working with a team of lawyers to issue a timely reply.
Fake news peddler Ashok Swain has also tweeted on this development crying victim. Taking to X, the troll wrote, “They started it with me 4 years ago – Now it has become a trend.” Notably, Ashok Swain’s X account is withheld in India and his OCI card was cancelled in 2022.
Ashok Swain’s post on X on notice served to Vanessa Dougnac over her OCI card withdrawal
A journalist with Financial Times, John Reed, who has often written bitterly about the majority-elected Narendra Modi government, also decried the notice issued to Dougnac. “French journalist issued notice for withdrawal of OCI card over ‘malicious’ reporting, visa violations. Vanessa Dougnac has been in #India for 22 years,” he whined.
Heaps of anti-India, anti-Hindu reporting by Vanessa Dougnac
Vanessa Dougnac has extensively authored reports on India’s COVID-19 situation, particularly in the period before the cancellation of her visa.
All of Dougnac’s reports on India’s COVID-19 were heavily sensationalised adding to the uncertainty, fear, loss and pain of Indians.
Dougnac’s reports added to such narrative of the ecosystem that was set on damaging India’s global image even as the government took daily measures followed by press briefings to counter fake news and prevent collateral damage that may result out of the then prevailing situation.
In a French news website, a report published under Vanessa Dougnac’s name was titled “The Ganges, ghost cemetery of health carnage” – a title that shamelessly insults the revered Mother Ganga (river). She also used the word “illegal cemetery” for the Holy River saying that “Ganges symbolizes the ravages of the epidemic out of control.”
Here’s how she described the largest Indian state in this report: “The epicenter of social and political violence in India, the rural state of Uttar Pradesh has been hit hard.”
She quotes a so-called political scientist in this report, Gilles Verniers, who is thoroughly and motivated anti-Indian. Naturally, Dougnac has found voices that will target the UP government in this report. She goes onto identify the CM’s religion and identity and links him to PM Modi to malign them both.
A 4-minute 7-second-long video report filed by Dougnac on Covid-19 was published by the French media portal Le Temp. The highly sensationalised video was enough to bring down the morale of any number of Indians who would have watched it.
The video showed death and more death, as if to rub it in our faces when hope was most needed. This wasn’t reporting, this was exploiting the news that had become the life of many Indians.
Dougnac also published a report decrying the arrest of a staunch India-hater and anti-Hindu Disha Ravi. This was published in La Croix, the newspaper/website that also maligned India’s global image during the pandemic by publishing fake news about PM Modi and the country. Le Croix has also published anti-Semitic reports in the past.
"L’arrestation est perçue comme une stratégie visant à couper la sympathie accordée aux agriculteurs. « Face au soudain intérêt international, le gouvernement est inquiet, estime la commentatrice politique Arati Jerath »" @vanessadougnachttps://t.co/Mp4XanytYT
Disha Ravi, a self-proclaimed climate change activist for the want of fame, was arrested after the toolkit leaked by brattish environmentalist Greta Thunberg showed her involvement in manufacturing the notorious farmers’ protests which led to casualties.
Dougnac’s report on her arrest is titled, “India: the arrest of climate activist Disha Ravi, a “chilling message to youth”.” Similar such reports have been published by Dougnac in La Croix on the Farmers’ Protests too, all maligning India and Hindus.
Vanessa Dougnac has targeted Hindus through her reports on Love Jihad in Le Croix. One such report is titled “The ‘Love Jihad, ghost crusade of Hindu nationalists”.
A full-blown Hindu bashing, targeting and maligning followed in this report without actual proof to support Dougnac’s basic argument that love jihad is a conspiracy theory. The report takes one case of an inter-religious marriage and follows it with anti-Hindu holier-than-thou rant.
On Kashmir, Dougnac believes that it was the temporary internet ban that had “stifled” the valley and not terrorism, largely Pakistan-sponsored.
Going by the tone of her report, she finds the revocation of Article 370 abrupt and wrong. She quotes Pakistan-sympathisers in this report.
A post from 2019 on X shows the malafide intentions of the likes of Vanessa Dougnac.
An economist Jean-Joseph Boillot wrote on X, formerly Twitter, ““The largest democracy in the world” at #Kashmir under the leadership of PM Modi. Ah, there are fewer demonstrators or journalists than at #HongKong except our correspondent Vanessa Dougnac who brought back these photos for the next Modi-Macron meeting.”
"La plus grande démocratie du monde" au #Kashmir sous la houlette du PM Modi. Ah, il y a moins de manifestants ou de journalistes qu'à #HongKong sauf notre correspondante Vanessa Dougnac qui a ramené ces photos pour la prochaine rencontre Modi-Macron -> https://t.co/YTBIlzCaMKpic.twitter.com/n9F0B4UGE1
Vanessa Dougnac’s anti-Hindu face exposes itself completely when she begins a report on the French people residing in India by maligning a Hindu religious ritual.
Dougnac has also used the chilling rape and murder of Nirbhaya to malign Indian men altogether by inciting stereotypes using leftist dictionary words like “patriarchal”. This after the woman herself is married to an Indian and been living amongst Indians.
Fed and fattened by UPA
Vanessa Dougnac has been a South Asia correspondent for the French news magazine Le Point. She arrived in India in 1998 reportedly as a backpacker.
She has reportedly researched on the Ambanis and on Gujarat in the past. She has been a member of the Indian Women’s Press Corps.
As per a report dated 2010, Dougnac had said that visas are non-issue for her and that she had a person of Indian Origin (PIO) card since she was married to an Indian.
In this report, she was quoted saying, “Nobody asks me anything. And I can actually work on my stories instead of doing the rounds of government offices.”
The minority Hindu community in Bangladesh has been living in fear ever since the federal elections in Bangladesh were conducted on 7th January this year.
As per a report by the Bangladeshi newspaper ‘The Daily Ittefaq’, the Hindus had to brave arson attacks, forcing many to flee their homes.
There have been communal attacks across Bangladesh including Faridpur, Sirajganj, Bagerhat, Jhenaidah, Pirojpur, Kushtia, Madaripur, Lalmonirhat, Daudkandi, Thakurgaon, Munshiganj and Gaibandha.
Screengrab of the news report by The Daily Ittefaq
On 7th January 2023, two Hindus named Piplu Saha and Ranjan Saha, supporters of the Awami League party, were brutally attacked by sharp weapons at the Begum Amena Sultan Govt. Girls’ High School in Daudkandi in Comilla.
On the same day, Islamists associated with the Awami League attacked the homes of Hindu supporters of independent candidate AK Azad in the Faridpur-3 constituency of Bangladesh.
According to The Daily Ittefaq, about 15 people were injured in Majhipara in the post-poll communal violence. Two Hindus namely Suresh Chowdhury and Pankaj Chand were attacked by Awami League supporters in Boalkhali Upazila in Chittagong.
Attacks on Hindu community continue unabated
The shop of Bhogirath Chandra Roy and his son Rajesh Roy was also vandalised by local leader Moshiur Rahman Mridha along with his nephew Sifat Mridha.
On 8th January 2023, Rajesh Roy was attacked while he was en route to the market. The Hindu man was hacked with sharp weapons. He suffered injuries to his eyes and knee.
Bangladeshi freedom fighter Keshab Lal Mandal informed that houses, shops and businesses of Hindu community leaders, who supported independent candidates, were attacked on the night of polling. MP Habibun Nahar is accused of orchestrating the attack.
Islamists associated with the Awami League attacked four Hindu houses in Kulipatti village in the Gaibandha-5 constituency. They took away 8 goats, amounting to Tk 5 lakh from the house of a Hindu man named Shibu Roy.
The Hindu family is said to be a supporter of independent candidate Farzana Rabi. On the following day, it came to light that the houses of the Hindu communities were attacked and looted in Debhatta and Sirajganj.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council informed that minorities were intimidated with batons and sharp weapons in Lalmonirhat upazila on 6th January 2023.
It added that two Hindus named Roshani Roy and Jaydev Barman were attacked in Thakurgaon-1 constituency by BNP-Jamaat workers while they were returning home after casting vote at Tenai Tola Primary School Center. Many Hindus have been forced to flee their homes.
Bangladeshi Hindus protest against communal violence
On Saturday (20th January), the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad formed a human chain in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka, demanding a complete cessation of the post-poll communal attacks against the Hindu community in Bangladesh.
Demonstrations were also organised in Khulna and Barisal. They have demanded immediate action against the culprits and ensure the safety and security of the minority community.
Although the administration has taken action in this regard, the situation is far from being under control.
Bangladesh: Masked man sets 150-year-old Buddhist monastery on fire
On 5th January night, a fire broke out at the entrance of an ancient Buddhist monastery in the Cheranghata area in Ramu upazila in Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh.
According to the officer-in-charge of Ramu police station Abu Taher Dewan, the incident took place at 2 a.m. when the priests of the 150-year-old monastery were asleep. Dewan said that after the priests shouted for help, the locals came to the rescue and doused the fire.
he fire that broke out at the 150-year-old monastery completely gutted the stairs. It must be mentioned that the holy shrine is sacred to the Rakhine community of Cheranghata. A large contingent of police was deployed in the area in the aftermath of the incident.
The cops began investigating the matter and analysing CCTV footage in the area. They were trying to determine whether the incident was an accident or an act of sabotage.
It later emerged that a ‘masked man’ scaled the wall of the monastery, poured kerosene on the staircase and set it on fire. The development was confirmed by Rapid Action Battalion-5 spokesperson Jamilul Haque.
“Everything will be clear once we identify the youth in the CCTV footage and the person who called the Fire Service,” remarked Officer-in-charge of Ramu police station Abu Taher Dewan.
