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Punjab-Haryana border sealed, mobile Internet suspended ahead of ‘Delhi Chalo’ march of farmers, 3 Union Ministers meet farmers in Chandigarh

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab-Haryana border sealed, mobile Internet suspended ahead of ‘Delhi Chalo’ march of farmers, 3 Union Ministers meet farmers in Chandigarh

Ahead of ‘Dilli chalo’ call on February 13 by farmers from Punjab, Haryana Police on Saturday blocked one side of the Patiala Delhi national highway at Data Singhwala-Khanauri border and deputed a heavy police force including women personnel. Reportedly, the local police have been asked to ensure a ban on entry of Punjab farmers in Delhi through Haryana on February 13.

On 10th February, the Haryana government also announced the suspension of mobile internet, bulk SMS and all dongle services in seven districts across the state till 13th February in view of the upcoming farmers’ protest. More than 200 farmers’ unions, including the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, have announced a ‘Delhi Chalo’ march scheduled for 13th February (Tuesday) demanding legal guarantee for MSP and other demands.

The mobile and communication services have been suspended in seven districts namely Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa.

According to the farmer unions, the march is to exert pressure on the central government to meet various demands, including the enactment of a law to guarantee a minimum support price (MSP) for crops. In view of the upcoming farmers’ protest, security has been heightened in Ambala and adjoining areas.

Meanwhile, security was also heightened at the Shambhu border near Ambala. Higher officials including Hisar range Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Matta Ravi Kiran visited the border and asked local police officials to ensure a ban on entry of Punjab farmers in the national capital on 13th February.

Jind police SP Sumit Kumar said that ‘taiyari puri hai aur Punjab ke kisano ko enter nahi karne diya jaayega’ (Complete arrangements have been made and Punjab farmers will not be allowed to enter Haryana). An adequate police force has been deputed at the border to deal with protestors.

Additionally, elaborate security arrangements are underway to secure the borders between Punjab and Haryana in Ambala, Jind, and Fatehabad districts. Haryana Police is said to have deployed around 50 companies of central paramilitary forces to maintain law and order in the state. 

While media has not been allowed to go close, as per reports, the police have stocked up concrete blocks, barbed wire, sandbags, barricades and other items at the Shambhu border in Ambala. 

Further, the road on the Ghaggar flyover at the Shambhu border was shut for traffic movement and police placed cemented barricades on the road. 

Officials said that the Ghaggar river bed was also dug up to prevent farmers from reaching the highway through tractors. The general public is appealed to travel to Punjab only in urgent circumstances, it said.

Similar arrangements are being made in Jind and Fatehabad districts. The farmers have planned to head to Delhi from the Ambala-Shambhu border, Khanauri-Jind and the Dabwali border.

Haryana Police blocked one side of the Patiala Delhi national highway at Data Singhwala-Khanauri border and deputed heavy police force including women personnel.

The protesting farmers have been asked not to participate without permission in a planned march. The police have warned them of strict action if they damage public property. 

Communters going from Chandigarh to Delhi have been asked by the Poice to take alternative routes via Derabassi, Barwala/Ramgarh, Saha, Shahbad, Kurukshetra, or through Panchkula, NH-344 Yamunanagar Indri/Pipli, Karnal.

Three Union Ministers held meeting with leaders of Farmer Organisations in Chandigarh

Meanwhile, as per reports, three union ministers including Piyush Goyal, Arjun Munda, and Nityanand Rai held a meeting with the leaders of farmer organisations in Chandigarh to allay their fears. The Union Ministers flew down to Chandigarh to reach out to farmer leaders. 

Additionally, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that an agreement was reached on multiple issues and was hopeful that another meeting would be held soon.

In 2020, farmers predominently from Punjab and nearby areas of Ambala gathered at the Shambhu border and broke police barriers to march towards Delhi. The farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, held a protest on Delhi’s border points- Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur- against the three now-repealed farm laws that lasted for nearly 13 months. 

OP Jindal Global University suspends student for a semester for ‘Destroy Ram Mandir, erect Mosque’ remarks at ‘Brahmanical Hindutva Fascism’ event

OpIndia Staff
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OP Jindal Global University suspends student for a semester for ‘Destroy Ram Mandir, erect Mosque’ remarks at ‘Brahmanical Hindutva Fascism’ event

Days after students at OP Jindal University in Sonipat, Haryana hosted a controversial event where calls for the destruction of Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir were made, the university’s disciplinary committee has suspended a student for the same. 

Notably, in a letter dated 10th February, the University Student Disciplinary Committee (“USDC”) suspended a student named Mukundan M Nair from this year’s Spring Semester. The student was one of the leading individuals behind the event titled “Ram Mandir: A Farcical Project of Brahmanical Hindutva Fascism” held on February 7, which sparked a controversy.

The letter stated, “You are hereby suspended for the remainder of the Spring 2024 semester.” The members of the USDC, unanimously decided to suspend the student noting that the said student not only breached the Code of Conduct but also violated the law of the land. While the University awarded leniency stating that it was the first violation, it noted that the student’s entry to the Campus will be subjected to the then prevailing situation on the University campus, the student’s conduct during the suspension, and the fulfillment of other condition(s), as specified by the Committee.

The Committee found that the student’s actions likely violated the law of the land. It noted, “For instance, the derogatory and provocative statements made in the poster, and the event advertised in the poster, may attract legal action against you under Sections 153A, 295A, 298, and 505, read with Section 120B, of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.”

The purported letter added, “Lastly, your deliberate comments to outrage the institution of ‘Ram Mandir and ridicule the ceremony of “Pran Prathishtha may also be charged as the contempt of the Supreme Court of India… By calling for the destruction of all temples, including the Ram Mandir, directly goes against the decision of the Supreme Court of India, and may constitute the offence of contempt of court.” 

The USDC concluded that the said student indeed violated the Student Code of Conduct and was involved in acts of indiscipline under Clause 28 of Section 5 of the O.P. Jindal Global University Code of Conduct for students (“Code of Conduct”).

The disciplinary actions came after the Chief Proctor’s Office (“CPO”) had taken suo moto cognisance of the incident that took place near the ‘Hangout’ area on 7th February 2024. As per the USDC, the student was allegedly involved in a serious violation of the Student Code of Conduct and was found to have been putting up posters and engaging in conversation that involved extremely derogatory and provocative words and/or phrases aimed at detrimentally affecting the integrity and tranquillity of the University space.

Subsequently, a Show-Cause Notice (“SCN”) was sent by the CPO on 9th February 2024. In a reply dated 10th February, the student contested all the allegations. However, despite being provided representation to defend, the student did not appear before the University Student Disciplinary Committee (“USDC”), which comprised Faculty and Staff Members, along with representation from the JGU Student Council. 

The letter noted that the student in writing argued for only exercising the right to free speech in a democratic setup and further claimed not to be a part of any student organisation that aligns with any specific political ideology, in particular.

However, in its findings, the USDC found that the said student along with three other students put up posters across the Academic Block of the University which contained extremely problematic and provocative statements that are capable of hurting the religious sentiments of a particular section of the JGU Community. Additionally, the committee noted that the student did not seek permission from any official authority before carrying out the event advertised in the poster nor did the student get the poster vetted by the administration before making it available to be publicly seen on the campus premises. 

The USDC also added that the student also went on to make derogatory and provocative statements, which are reasonably capable of hurting the religious sentiments of various JGU stakeholders. The student was also found in violation for posting the videos, shot during the advertised event, that contained the same derogatory and provocative remarks, on the Instagram handle of your political organisation, namely, Revolutionary Students League’s (“RSL”). This action clearly demonstrates a deliberate intent on your part to attract widespread viewership / outrage that further led to an unnecessary escalation of the present situation, the purported letter added.

The USDC, however, acknowledged that this was the student’s first violation of the Code of Conduct. Nonetheless, the USDC viewed the following factors as aggravating factors in this case:

1. Using the campus premises to conduct a politically motivated and religiously derogatory discussion(s) without any authorisation;

2. The derogatory and provocative statements, made by the student during the discussion, created unnecessary tension between the various stakeholders of the University, thereby disturbing the peace and tranquillity of the University campus:

3. The abject misuse of the safe and non-political academic space provided by the University to further a political discourse that is aimed at hurting be religious sentiments of the various stakeholders of the University; and

4. The student’s actions not only violated the Code of Conduct but are also likely to fall foul of the law of the land.

Accordingly, the members of the USDC unanimously decided to suspend the student. Additionally, he has also been asked to submit two undertakings – one signed by the student and the other by the student’s parents to the effect that any further breach of the Code of Conduct would render him liable for a graver punishment, including further suspension or expulsion.

The controversial event

On 7th February, the Revolutionary Students’ League (R.S.L), a frontal organisation of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) organised an event at the OP Jindal Global University titled “Ram Mandir: A Farcical Project of Brahmanical Hindutva Fascism.” At the event, the left-wing students affiliated with the organisation reportedly proposed the demolition of the Ram Mandir and the construction of a mosque in its place.

The event organizers contended that the Ram Mandir concept has come to be associated with hate crimes committed against Muslims and Dalits throughout India, in addition to a larger trend of saffronization within educational institutions.

They claimed that the January 22nd ceremony, which marked the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla at the grand mandir in Ayodhya, exposed what they described as the inherent brutality and anti-people nature of the ‘Brahmanical Hindutva fascist regime.’

In its event brochure, the Revolutionary Students’ League urged the attendees to read the contentious book “Fight Brahmanical Hindutva Fascism” by Bhima Koregaon accused Varavara Rao.

Water bottles were filled with petrol, and clothes of policewomen were torn by attackers: Hindu activist narrates the horror of Haldwani violence

राहुल पाण्डेय
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Water bottles were filled with petrol, and clothes of policewomen were torn by attackers: Hindu activist narrates the horror of Haldwani violence

The agitators turned violent when the authorities used bulldozers to destroy the unauthorized madrassa and mosque in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani in response to a court order. The Banbhoolpura police station and petrol pump were lit on fire, stones were thrown, shots were fired, cars were damaged and a bulldozer’s glass was smashed. There was an attempt to burn the police personnel alive. Hindu activists assisted the cops and the victims during this time. Several policewomen had to undergo hospitalisation.

A member of Bajrang Dal who was present at the scene recounted what he witnessed to OpIndia. Haldwani resident Joginder Singh Rana described it as an unfortunate tragedy. He mentioned that he hadn’t experienced such an incident since gaining consciousness. He added that there had been rioting in 1992 during the disputed Babri structure’s demolition, however, such scale of violence didn’t take place even at the time. He reported that stones were hurled at cops and the clothes of female police personnel were torn off.

He detailed the arson of the petrol pump and police station in Banbhoolpura. He characterised it as a terrifying experience. According to Joginder Singh Rana, he spoke with police and administration officials on 8th February (Thursday) at 10 pm. They informed him that four hospitals in Haldwani had admitted between 100 and 150 cops from Gaya. The Hindu activists were requested by the police administration to tend to the injured cops.

The Bajrang Dal member stated that they assisted half past one in the morning even though their safety was at risk while going to the hospitals due to the continuous confrontation between the police and the protestors. He pointed out that he was worried because a few months before, there had been tensions in Nuh when jihadists had attempted to break into the hospital and kill policemen. As a result, the Hindu activists were both helping and guarding the patients in the hospital.

He noted that all Hindu activists could handle such dire situations. He advised victims to file complaints with the administration, stressing that the Muslim extremists’ decision to assault the police amounted to an onslaught on democratic principles. He explained how the policewomen cried and fled for their lives. Some even broke into houses to protect themselves. Joginder Singh Rana while praising the people of the Valmiki community revealed that the local Valmiki people worked together with the police.

However, he also made the demand for the verification of the persons who came there from outside. He talked about how gasoline was poured into glass and plastic bottles to create bombs. The magazine was also snatched from the cops. Bottles that were lying in the trash were used to make a petrol bomb. He remarked that they are the same people who deal in garbage. Regarding the argument that “all Muslims are not the same,” he observed that he spotted all of them to be among those who targeted law enforcement.

He recalled that the ‘Bajrang Dal’ dropped an injured Muslim police officer at his home after aiding him at the Banbhoolpura police station. “The situation would have been worse if the police officers or the people of Valmiki Samaj had not stopped them. A gathering of five to six thousand persons was present. An inquiry should be conducted into how stones or gasoline were acquired in such a short amount of time,” emphasised Joginder Singh Rana. The Hindu activists put their lives in danger to assist and safeguard the police officers.

OpIndia was informed by another eyewitness, Deepanshu, that the female constable was sobbing and voicing that she was hurt. He highlighted, “Imagine the tears a person would shed if a brick were to fall on him. It was an excruciating scene. Stones were being thrown from the rooftops by the attackers and the tank was filled with stones instead of water. The video survey did not reveal any stones because they were hidden. Blood was donated by ‘Bajrang Dal’ and ‘Vishva Hindu Parishad’ workers. The administration is not at fault for this. They had come to carry out their duties as directed by the government.”

17th Lok Sabha had 97% Productivity, will be remembered for passing Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and more: Here is what PM Modi said on the last day of the House

OpIndia Staff
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17th Lok Sabha had 97% Productivity, will be remembered for passing Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and more: Here is what PM Modi said on the last day of the House

On Saturday (10th February), Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha on the last day of the 17th Lok Sabha before the upcoming General elections. 

PM Modi began his address by stating that the last five years helped the country “reform, perform and transform”. He emphasised that it was very rare to see all three things happening at once adding that he is sure that the country will keep blessing the 17th Lok Sabha.

PM Modi also recalled Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and heaped praises on the incumbent Speaker Om Birla. He said, “I thank you all as a Leader of the House and as a colleague. I thank you, the Speaker. You’ve always worn a smile on your face. You’ve dealt with every situation with patience and independence.”

Productivity of the 17th Lok Sabha

Lauding Parliamentarians for working during COVID times, PM Modi added that over the last five years, humanity has dealt with the biggest challenge of the century and the situation was such that even coming to the House was a challenge. 

“Speaker Sir, you ensured all measures were taken… and the work of the country never stopped,” said the Prime Minister.

He applauded the Members of Parliaments for letting go of their allowance during the Covid pandemic without “giving even a second thought”. He added that the MPs decided to have a 30% reduction in their salaries, similarly, canteen prices were also rationalised during this time, sending out a message to the people.

PM Modi also highlighted the high productivity standard which was maintained throughout various sessions of the 17th Lok Sabha. He pointed out that the 17th Lok Sabha had 97 percent productivity. The productivity was over 100 percent in seven sessions, he added, hoping that more sessions of the new Lok Sabha will register more than 100% productivity. 

PM Modi further stated that 30 bills were passed in both Houses of Parliament in the first sitting of the 17th Lok Sabha which was a record in itself.  

PM Modi lauds Speaker Om Birla’s co-operation and leadership for new Parliament building

PM Modi praised Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for holding regular meetings for the construction of the new Parliament building, for building a digital and paperless Parliament. 

He said, “Everyone used to discuss that there should be a new building of the Parliament. But no decision was taken. It was your (Lok Sabha Speaker) leadership that decided this, too matters forward, held meetings with the government, and as a result, the country received this new Parliament building.”

PM Modi recalled how India demonstrated its capability during its Presidency of the G20 grouping. He said, “India received the opportunity of G20 presidency. India received a great honour. Every state of the country displayed India’s capability and their own identity before the world. Its impact continues on the mind of the world even to this day.”

Further in his address, PM Modi added that the Parliament passed stricter laws to curb terrorism and abrogated Article 370. He said, “During this Lok Sabha’s term, several decisions for which many generations waited for long were taken. Article 370 was also abrogated during this Lok Sabha’s term… I feel that those who drafted the Constitution would bless us for this.” He added that with this, the people of Jammu and Kashmir will also get justice now. 

He also highlighted several key achievements of his government in the last five years. He stressed that many “game-changing reforms” will lay the foundation of a strong India. He mentioned that the Parliament passed the Jan Vishwas Act, de-criminalised over 180 sections to make it liberal and free people from going behind bars for petty reasons like not painting the toilets of their firm at regular intervals. 

PM Modi added that the 17th Lok Sabha will be remembered for passing Nari Shakti Vandhan Adhiniyam adding that the Parliament also un-shacked Muslim women and passed the law criminalising instant triple talaq. He also mentioned that the Parliament did away with the Penal code framed by the Britishers and brought Nyay Sanhita.

During his address, PM Modi asserted that sooner or later everyone would have to work to make Viksit Bharat in the next 25 years, and those who wouldn’t but still reap the benefit of Viksit Bharat. He stressed that political activities have their place but the aspirations, expectations, dreams and resolve of the country is that these 25 years are something in which country will achieve the desired results.

PM Modi also added that the government withdrew several laws and compliance to ease people’s lives. PM recalled that the 17th Lok Sabha worked for the rights of transgenders. He also mentioned Padma Shri awardee Manjamma Jogathi, the transgender dancer from Karnataka who was conferred the Padma Shri in 2021 for her contribution to folk dance. He added that even developed countries of the World are amazed when they notice that India has a 26-week pregnancy policy.

Towards the conclusion, PM Modi said that the Parliament passed the Thanking Motion on Ram Mandir which according to him gave constitutional power to upcoming generations to take pride in our country’s values. 

Notably, the government’s motion of thanks regarding the Ram temple in Ayodhya was discussed and passed in the Parliament today. This discussion was done in the Lok Sabha under Rule 193. On behalf of the BJP, Baghpat MP Satya Pal Malik started the discussion.

Updating on the work of the 17th Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla said, “In this House, we sat and worked for 345 more hours, and 387 hours were wasted due to disruptions.”

‘Stones were kept in the water tank, riotous mob raised Allahu Akbar slogans’: Eyewitness of Haldwani violence to OpIndia

राहुल पाण्डेय
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‘Stones were kept in the water tank, riotous mob raised Allahu Akbar slogans’: Eyewitness of Haldwani violence to OpIndia

Following the Uttarakhand High Court order, the police and Haldwani Municipal Corporation officials arrived with bulldozers on February 8 to remove unlawful structures on government land, but the Muslim mob turned violent and began pelting stones. Subsequently, there was an outbreak of violence, including arson and firing. The police station and petrol pump were both set on fire. Numerous vehicles were also set ablaze. Amidst the riots, a video showing a person sitting on a bike went viral on social media. The youth seen in the video recorded the stone pelting incident on Thursday and narrated what was going on.

In the video, the man is seen saying “If police officers can be pelted with stones, so can you and I.” In the video, he states, “This is brotherhood. Come, let me show you brotherhood.” He captured on camera how stones were thrown at the police. OpIndia has identified the man seen in the viral video. His name is Deepanshu. Deepanshu told OpIndia that this video is from Thursday (February 8, 2024) after 5 p.m.

He said he was there at the scene, that he was on his way somewhere, and that after witnessing the chaos, he learned that a mob had unleashed violence after an illegal mosque-madrasa was bulldozed by the authorities. Deepanshu saw 100-150 female officials running wearing helmets to save their lives. He added that many of them suffered injuries. Some of them were taken to the hospital. Deepanshu stated that he offered water to the injured and took them to the hospital.

‘Muslims were offering water to the policeman’ – In response to this narrative, Dipanshu stated that he had not witnessed anything like this, and in fact, Muslims were pelting stones. Deepanshu added that several government officers were injured, with some bleeding from their heads, feet, and hands. Deepanshu stated that he was saddened to find that the officers in uniform themselves were suffering and crying in pain. He said that he made the video to show the reality to those who talk about Hindu-Muslim brotherhood. 

Deepanshu told OpIndia about a woman police officer who was injured in the riots. He said, “Imagine how much someone would grieve if a brick fell on them. It was an extremely painful scene. The assailants began throwing stones from the roof, and the tank was filled with stones rather than water. No stones were found in the video survey, they were kept hidden. It was  VHP and ‘Bajrang Dal’ workers who came forward to donate blood. There is no fault of the administration in this as they had only come to do their duty in compliance with the court order.”

Furthermore, Deepanshu told us that slogans like ‘Allahu Akbar’ were raised by the rioting mob. He revealed that Congress MLA Sumit Hridayesh is still with the rioters. He said that the police administration did not torture anyone, instead they were assaulted like demons. Deepanshu runs a photography shop. Let us inform you that Haldwani DM Vandana Singh stated that an attempt was made to kill the officers alive. Following the incident, a curfew was imposed in Haldwani’s Banbhoolpura, with orders to shoot rioters on sight.

I will not tolerate insult of Chaudhary Charan Singh: Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar scolds Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge 

OpIndia Staff
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I will not tolerate insult of Chaudhary Charan Singh: Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar scolds Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge 

Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on 10th February slammed the opposition for interfering with parliamentary proceedings while discussing the Bharat Ratna award for former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh. The incident transpired when Chaudhary Charan Singh’s grandson and national chairman of the Rashtriya Lok Dal Party Jayant Choudhary was addressing the upper house.

Attempting to keep the house in order, a visibly agitated Vice-President questioned Congress MP Jairam Ramesh, “Why are you shouting like a commando? Jairam something is seriously wrong with you,” and told the opposition leaders to quiet down and take their seats. He further asked Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to “either control his people or rise and address the house.”

He added, “When Karpoori Thakurji was conferred with the highest civilian order ‘Bharat Ratna’ I looked Ram Nathji in the eyes and indicated that we are lucky that we have his son here (in the Rajya Sabha). Karpoori Thakur doesn’t belong to a family. He belongs to the entire nation. I respect him as much as you do but since you were there, I gave you that opportunity. Similarly, Chaudhary Charan Singh doesn’t belong to one family but since his grandson is in the house, it is a matter of pride for us.”

Mallikarjun Kharge in response stated that they respect all the Bharat Ratna awardees but the chairman uses his authority to ask members of the house to speak according to his desire when he should employ his discretion in a judicial manner.

Jagdeep Dhankhar reacted to the allegations and noted, “I would appeal to you to please observe complete silence because I am deeply pained and hurt by the kind of language that has been used against me by the leader of the opposition. I have yielded to the sentiments in the house, more than a dozen times.” Meanwhile, Congress MP Shaktisinh Gohil started to shout when the chairman asserted, “I will not tolerate such insult of a farmer and the farmer class. Have it from me. India is about farmers and villages.”

Jagdeep Dhankhar declared, “Don’t use this language. I will not tolerate insult to Chaudhary Charan Singh. I will not accommodate this. He stands for impeccable public life, unimpeachable integrity and commitment to farmers. You want to create a dispute on his legacy Pramodji (Pramod Tiwari)? This is the kind of environment created in my presence over this issue.” When Congress leader Pramod Tiwari attempted to brush the issue aside by offering his respect to the Bharat Ratna awardees, he underlined, “I don’t want any coverup. I have seen with my eyes, ruckus, chaos, condemnation, shouting and sloganeering.”

“You (opposition) virtually insulted Chaudhary Charan Singh, you insulted his legacy. You had no time for Bharat Ratna Chaudhary Charan Singh. You are hurting every farmer in the country by creating such an environment inside the house on the issue of Chaudhary Charan Singh. Our heads should go in shame. I am myself very disheartened and sad.” the Vice-President commented.

He highlighted, “A farmer has been conferred with an honour and the house has become disorganised. How upset are you.” Furthermore, he warned to “go to the extreme step” if the opposition continued to create a ruckus.” While Congress MP Pramod Tiwari was speaking amidst the uproar, Jagdeep Dhankhar pointed out, “I have heard what Jairam Ramesh said to Jayant at a time like this. He said ‘You are a person who can fish on the cremation ground.’ As a matter of fact, you (Jairam Ramesh) don’t even deserve to be a part of this house due to this misconduct. You have hurt the sentiments of millions of farmers. You have gone to the extreme limit.”

Addressing Mallikarjun Kharge the Vice-President charged, “I belong to the community of farmers but that doesn’t mean I am a weak chairman. I have endured a lot in this house. You use any language you like against me. You don’t read the book and don’t follow precedence. Sometimes you behave as a teacher and treat me like a student.”

Cabinet Minister in the Modi government and Leader of the House Piyush Goyal referred to the statement by Mallikarjun Kharge in which he called the Bharat Ratna awardees “all these people” as “cheap.” He accused Congress of behaving in such an inappropriate manner rather than being glad that PV Narasimha Rao, a Congress prime minister received the Bharat Ratna. He mocked, “If he had been from the first family of Congress or if his surname included Gandhi or Nehru, they would have been pleased. However, the family members were occupied in bestowing themselves with Bharat Ratna.”

“How could the party that even disregarded his corpse comprehend his contribution? His body was not even allowed inside the party office. The president of Congress locked the office and placed the body on the sidewalk. Congress has belittled PV Narasimha Rao, MS Swaminathan and Chaudhary Charan Singh, all recipients of the Bharat Ratna. The leader of the opposition should apologise from the house and the country. They have insulted the entire nation, every farmer, every scientist and all those who work for the country,” he mentioned.

Union Minister Parshottam Khodabhai Rupala also condemned Congress and declared, “Nobody in this nation is born with the ability to silence the of voice farmers. It is not going to happen. Even the praise of a farmer is unlistenable to you. Why do you take such offence at a farmer receiving Bharat Ratna? This is not the way things are done. You (Jagdeep Dhankhar) always advise us to listen to the leader of the opposition but now he is challenging your chairmanship and claiming that you are denying them a chance to speak on such a momentous occasion as this one when the prime minister of India announced Bharat Ratna for a farmer.”

He further continued, “This is the true face and real character of Congress. The fact that the leader they removed from office is receiving Bharat Ratna infuriates them. Congress has been stripped off. They’re not even able to express congratulations, much less show respect. I am ashamed of them.”

Watch the entire video below:

“These five years were about reform, perform and transform in country”: PM Modi in Lok Sabha on last day of budget session

ANI
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“These five years were about reform, perform and transform in country”: PM Modi in Lok Sabha on last day of budget session

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that the past five years of BJP-led government were about “reform, perform and transform” in the country and it is rare that transformation due to these measures can also be experienced in the same period.

Addressing the 17 Lok Sabha on the last day of its last session, PM Modi greeted the members and lauded the role of Speaker Om Birla in running the House.

“These five years were about reform, perform and transform in the country. It is very rare that both reform and perform take place and we can see transformation right in front of our eyes…The country is experiencing this through the 17th Lok Sabha and I firmly believe that the country will continue to bless the 17th Lok Sabha,” he said.

PM Modi said that it is an important day in the great tradition of democracy.

“In five years of the 17th Lok Sabha, several important decisions have been taken and facing several challenges everyone according to their capability tried to give right direction to the country,” he said.

“In a way, it is a day to rededicate ourselves to the country after five years of ideological journey and time devoted to the service of the country,” he added.

The Prime Minister said that 17th Lok Sabha had 97 per cent productivity.

The budget session of Parliament began on January 31 and was extended by a day till February 10. This is the last session of Lok Sabha before the general elections expected in April-May this year.

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

‘Pakistan bashing is in our blood’: Mohammed Shami speaks out on Sajdah controversy and construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya

OpIndia Staff
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‘Pakistan bashing is in our blood’: Mohammed Shami speaks out on Sajdah controversy and construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya

On Tuesday (6th February), Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami acknowledged that bashing Pakistan is in the blood of Indians.

During an interview on News 18, journalist Rubika Liaquat asked Shami, “Sabse zyada toh aap Pakistan ko dhote hain (You tend to bash Pakistan the most).” The pace bowler smiled and replied, “Woh toh khoon mein hai (It’s in my blood).”

Mohammed Shami, who took 24 wickets for India during the 2023 World Cup, also rubbished the ‘sajdah’ conspiracy theory peddled by Pakistanis. It was claimed that the Indian cricketer wanted to do ‘Sajdah‘ during a match against Sri Lanka but couldn’t do so due to a supposed ‘lack of religious freedom’ in India.

“I was bowling a fifth over in a row, I think, and was bowling with effort beyond my ability. I was tired. The ball was beating the edge so often, so when I finally got that fifth wicket, I went down on my knees. Someone pushed me, so I moved forward a bit. That photo was widely circulated across social media. People thought I wanted to do Sajdah but didn’t. I’ve got only one advice for them, please stop such nuisance,” clarified Mohammed Shami.

He further added, “First of all, I’m not afraid of anyone when it comes to this. I’m a Muslim, and I’ve said this before, I’m proud of being one. And I’m a proud Indian too. For me, the country comes first. If these things bother someone, I don’t care. I live happily, and I represent my country, nothing matters more to me. As far as the controversies are concerned, those who only live to play these games on social media, I don’t care about them. As far as Sajdah is concerned, if I wanted to do it, I would have. It shouldn’t concern anyone else.”

Mohammed Shami also spoke about the construction of the majestic Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

“Like how the topic of Sajda came up… If Ram Mandir is being built, then what’s the problem in saying Jai Shri Ram… say it 1000 times. If I want to say Allahu Akbar then I will say it 1000 times… what difference does it make?” he was heard saying.

Pakistan: PML(N) and PPP mull forming coalition govt while PTI-backed independents become the largest bloc, Imran Khan gets bail in 12 cases

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: PML(N) and PPP mull forming coalition govt while PTI-backed independents become the largest bloc, Imran Khan gets bail in 12 cases

The Pakistani elections have always faced allegations of institutional rigging in favour of its Army’s “choice”. Despite reservations against “free and fair” elections, polling concluded across the country on 8th February, amid widespread allegations of mass rigging and the shutdown of mobile and internet services. With more than 40 hours passed since the counting began, the Pakistani Election Commission is yet to announce the results of around a dozen seats of the 266-strong National Assembly.  

As per the Pakistani News outlet Dawn, jailed and barred from elections, Imran Khan has led PTI which has performed well despite being at odds with its Army. Around 92 PTI-backed Independent candidates have taken the lion’s share in the National Assembly while Nawaz Sharif-led PML (N) has emerged as the ‘single-largest party’ with 71 seats. It is important to note that as part of the Army’s crackdown against Imran Khan-helmed PTI, the party was stripped of its national symbol – a cricket bat and its leaders had to contest as Independents. 

The PML (N) is followed by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) which has secured 54 seats. 134 is the halfway mark in Pakistan’s National Assembly, however, no ‘political outfit’ has crossed this on its own. This has led to intense rounds of talks – including ‘wheeling and dealing’ among the PML (N), PPP, and other major political outfits to form a coalition government and keep Imran Khan at bay. 

Regarding this, Former PM and brother of Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz met with PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari and his son, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, at the residence of Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi to discuss all possibilities. As per Dawn, Shehbaz also spoke to MQM-P Convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui to extend support to their outfit. 

Pertinent to note that before the general elections, the MQM-P had announced that it would extend support to Nawaz Sharif to become Prime Minister after the elections. 

However, according to the Dawn report, the dismal performance of the PML-N has allowed the MQM-P to rethink its strategy as its senior leader Aminul Haque refused to comment on their party’s electoral deal with PML (N). 

Additionally, MQM-P convener Dr Siddiqui invited all independent candidates who won the elections to join his party, Dawn reported.

Meanwhile, other outfits have also started their outreach to form an alternate coalition government which could include “ostracised” PTI leaders.  

Notably, the Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM) has had a long-standing relationship with the PTI since the latter’s sit-in outside Parliament House in 2014. Amid talks between PPP and PML (N), MWM is also in the run of play. 

Dawn citing sources in both parties reports that there is the possibility of PTI-backed independents merging with MWM. This will reportedly help it maintain discipline among its cadre and clinch reserved seats for women and minorities. The reserved seats 60 for women and 10 for Minorities are awarded based on the party’s performance in the National elections. 

Apart from the National Assembly, the MWM can also benefit PTI in the Punjab State Assembly which has 297 general seats, with 66 reserved for women and eight for non-Muslims. On Joining the MWM or any other party, the PTI could gain around 24 women legislators in Punjab.

Continued attacks, rigging, and challenges to election results

Mohsin Dawar, a former member of the Pakistan National Assembly, has been reportedly injured in a “firing” incident in North Waziristan’s Miranshah. Dawar is the chief of the National Democratic Movement and the co-founder of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement.

He was contesting from the district’s NA-40 constituency, where he had alleged rigging in election results. The recent attack on him comes more than a month after he survived a gun attack on his convoy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s tribal districts.

Daughter of PTI Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Meher Bano Qureshi contested elections from NA-151 as a PTI-affiliated candidate. She has announced that she would approach a court against the polling results in her Multan constituency.

Taking to X, Meher stated that she reached the returning officer’s (RO) office to request a recounting of the votes but neither the RO nor anyone else to receive the request was present there. 

Imran Khan granted bail in 12 cases related to attacks on army property, is it a thaw in the Khan-Army feud?

In a dramatic turn of events, Imran Khan who was recently awarded a slew of jail terms in three back-to-back cases of 7,10, and 14 years, has secured bail in 12 cases related to attacks on army properties on 9th May 2023. An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan granted bail to former Prime Minister Imran Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in 12 cases related to attacks on military installations in May last year.

Conspicuously, after Imran Khan backed independents’ registered surprisingly good performance, securing the most seats in NA as a bloc, despite opposition from even the Pakistan Army, the former cricketer has suddenly received a respite but he will still remain in jail in Rawalpindi and faces around 150 odd cases. The majority of them are related to the May 9 incident which the Pakistani army dubs as an act of insurrection and blames Imran Khan and PTI for it. 

Back then, the properties of Corps Commander Lahore, Askari Tower, and Shadman police station were attacked while police personnel outside Khan’s Zaman Park residence were reportedly assaulted. Following the incident, hundreds of protesters linked to Khan’s PTI were arrested. In that context, respite for Khan could be seen as a possible sign of a thaw between the Army and the former Cricketer.  

As per the things poised currently, the Pakistani Army who wanted to achieve smooth sailing for its “selected candidate” Nawaz Sharif, would still be contended with the formation of a PML (N) and PPP-led coalition government, sensing the popular support to its biggest dissenter currently, Imran Khan. However, with more relief to Imran Khan in the offing, the Army may signal its openness to crown Khan again on negotiated terms to avoid an impending Civil war kind of uprising, akin to 1971 when Sheikh Mujeebur Rehman’s victory was snatched by the army and it culminated into the formation of Bangladesh, albeit with Indian support.   

Maharashtra: Post on X lands user ‘Aparajit Bharat’ behind bars, booked under SC/ST Act, remanded to 3-day police custody​

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: Post on X lands user ‘Aparajit Bharat’ behind bars, booked under SC/ST Act, remanded to 3-day police custody​

X, formerly Twitter, user @AparBharat has reportedly been arrested for a post on the social media platform in Mulund. As per reports, he was arrested on the night of 9th February without notice.

According to the first information report (FIR) accessed by OpIndia, the accused – identified as Ameya Pradhan, posted some tweets against Ambedkar which “hurt the religious sentiments” of his followers.

He has been booked under the SC/ST Act by the Nashik cyber police station. As per reports, the Nashik Police had produced Ameya Pradhan in court where he was remanded to 3-day police custody.

The following are the tweets for which he has been arrested:

Tweet 1

“I am glad that you accepted that Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s ideology has failed in this country. He never saw Bharat, all he knew was a British distorted history about India.”

Tweet 2

“They have realized that slowly Ambedkar will get exposed in the 21st century. Hence they are trying to push fake narrative”

Tweet 3

“Why is Ambedkar mentioned as Freedom Fighter…?”

The complaint was filed by another X user named Hemant Tayade at a Nashik police station.

According to the FIR, the complainant submitted the screenshot of the three posts made by Pradhan on his X handle.

The complainant submitted that he has no personal enmity with the accused and is not associated with any political party.

The three tweets mentioned in the FIR as posted by the accused

“While going through my profile @hemanttayade2 at 11.30 AM on 7/2/2024, I came across a post by Prakash Ambedkar to which the user name AParajit Bharat had replied with an insult to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar,” the complaint read.

The complaint further read that the posts by Pradhan could potentially create tensions between the two communities. The complaint mentions that the accused belongs to the “upper caste”.

“Our community worships Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, respects him, we consider him our god and we worship him. The X user @AparBharat has hurt my and my community’s religious and social sentiments by attempting to create a divide between two communities and threatening social unity and disrupting peace through his post,” the complaint read.

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