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Committed to making sure that US remains a safe destination for Indian students: US Ambassador to India amid rising attack on Indian students in the US

ANI
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Committed to making sure that US remains a safe destination for Indian students: US Ambassador to India amid rising attack on Indian students in the US

In the wake of recent incidents involving the deaths of Indian students in the United States, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Friday reassured that Washington is committed to make sure that United States remains a safe destination for Indian students.

Notably, five deaths of Indian students in the US have been reported this year, however, two were Indian nationals and the remaining three were of Indian origin.

Speaking on the unfortunate loss of Indian lives, Ambassador Garcetti said, “Our heart always is touched when any tragedy occurs, whether it is a life taken by somebody or any violence – no matter who they are. We are very committed to making sure that Indians know that the United States is a wonderful place to study and to be safe.”

Highlighting the significant number of Indians studing in the US, Ambassador Garcetti underscored the collaborative responsibility of both nations to address such incidents. “We have more Indians studying in the US than any country in the world,” he told ANI, emphasising the need for cooperation between the US and Indian governments to ensure the safety and well-being of students.

Acknowledging that tragedies can occur, Ambassador Garcetti expressed the joint responsibility of both countries to work together and inform the public about the measures they can take. He extended condolences to the affected families, stating, “Our hearts go out to the families in any of these tragedies.”

On Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) addressed the unfortunate deaths of five Indian students in the United States, emphasising that there was “no foul play or interconnectedness” in the incidents.

MEA spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, said, “There are five Indian students who have died that also includes students from the diaspora. These five deaths… Of these five deaths, two people are Indian nationals and the rest three are of Indian origin. They are US nationals.”

The MEA spokesperson stated that in the case in which Vivek Saini was brutally killed with repeated blows from a hammer by a homeless man inside a store in Lithonia, Georgia, US on January 29.

“The culprit has been arrested and the local authorities are investigating the matter and taking it forward,” Jaiswal said.

In another case at the University of Cincinnati, preliminary report suggests no foul play, although the medical report is awaited, the MEA spokesperson said.

“The second case of an Indian student in the University of Cincinnati. He passed away also. There is no foul play. This is what the preliminary report says. No foul play in that particular case as well. But we await the medical report,” Jaiswal said.

Jaiswal emphasised the lack of interconnectedness among the incidents and highlighted the nationality of the deceased individuals. Additionally, he said, the MEA is actively engaged with local authorities, consulates, and missions to support the affected families.

“The other three deaths that have happened are those of people of Indian origin who are US nationals. We are in touch with local authorities there in the cases of Indian nationals. As also our consulate and our mission they are in touch with family members. They are also in touch with the students,” the MEA spokesperson said.

While addressing concerns about the recent attack on a Hyderabad resident, Mazir Ali, in Chicago, Jaiswal stated that the Indian consulate in Chicago is in close contact with him and his family.

“The Indian consulate in Chicago is in touch with both the family as also Ali, he’s a student there. We are trying to see how best to help him with medical aid. Also to ensure his wellbeing. I understand that the local police have registered a case and the consulate is there to provide all possible support,” Jaiswal said.

Ali, a student, was attacked by four robbers, prompting his wife to seek an expedited emergency visa. The MEA is actively working to provide medical aid and support to Ali, who is now under the care of local authorities.

The MEA reiterated its commitment to assisting Indian nationals abroad and emphasised its ongoing efforts to coordinate with local authorities and ensure the well-being of affected individuals.

As investigations into these incidents continue, the MEA appealed to recognise that each case is independent, and there is no evidence of any interconnectedness among the tragic events involving Indian students and individuals of Indian origin in the United States.

“You will come to know more, when the time comes, but my request to you is that you must see that there is no interconnectedness in this, they are not related,” the MEA said.

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

Salman Azhari withdrew more than ₹27 lakhs from his ‘charitable trust’ in 2023, court sends Islamic hate preacher to police remand

OpIndia Staff
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Salman Azhari withdrew more than ₹27 lakhs from his ‘charitable trust’ in 2023, court sends Islamic hate preacher to police remand

Days after the arrest of Salman Azhari in connection to his genocidal speech against the Hindu community in Junagadh city of Gujarat, it has come to light that the Islamic hate preacher withdrew ₹27.75 lakh from a charitable trust account within 1 year.

The matter came to light during a probe by the Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Junagadh district police into the financial dealings and foreign trips of Salman Azhari. This crucial piece of information was conveyed to the judicial magistrate of Junagadh by Inspector JJ Patel through an affidavit.

According to the LCB, a whopping ₹52 lakh was deposited in the bank account of Salman Azhari-run charitable trust ‘Al-Amaan Education and Welfare Trust’ in 2023. The police are now investigating the money trail and determining whether funds have been channelled for illegal activities.

“We are investigating who deposited this money…As per the bank account statement, (Azhari) himself withdrew Rs 27.75 lakh from it. We are investigating how he used the money. If it emerges that the money was used for illegal activities, we may need his presence for interrogation,” Inspector JJ Patel stated opposing the bail application of Salman Azhari.

Besides, the Local Crime Branch of Junagadh district police found three other bank accounts associated with the Islamic hate preacher and his family.

Inspector JJ Patel added in his affidavit, “Efforts are on to get details of all those accounts. Once we have those details, it is likely that we will need the presence of the accused for an in-depth investigation about each transaction.”

The cops are also probing the overseas travels of Salman Azhari from 2022 till now, based on his passport number.

Salman Azhari sent to police remand

On Thursday (8th February), the Kutch police produced Salman Azhari before the judicial magistrate and sought 14 days of custody.

After hearing the matter, judicial magistrate Yogita Sharma sent the hate preacher to police remand till Sunday (11th February). While speaking on the issue, police inspector N N Chudasama informed, “The court sent Azhari to three-days police remand.”

“We need to find the source of funding for the program where the alleged speech was made and who else were involved. We also need to check his social media accounts,” he added.

The controversy surrounding Salman Azhari

On 31st January, Salman Azhari made derogatory remarks against the Hindu community during his 56-minute-long speech in Junagadh city of Gujarat.

In the contentious video that went viral on social media, the radical Islamic preacher was heard saying, “Abhi to karbala ka akhiri maidan baqi hai…Kuch der ki khamoshi hai, fir shore ayega… Aaj kutton ka wakt hai, kal hamara daur ayega (The final battle of Karbala is yet to come… a moment of silence, then there will be noise again. The dogs are having their time today. Our time will come tomorrow).”

His provocative remarks against the Hindus were applauded by his supporters, who yelled ‘Labbek ya Rasulullah’ in unison. But this was not the only genocidal comment made by Salman Azhar on that day.

Prior to his ‘dog reference’, Salman Azhari spoke in the context of the Ram Mandir Pran Prathiostha at Ayodhya and the legal battle surrounding the disputed Gyanvapi Masjid in Varanasi.

“If you keep idols inside a mosque, then, it will not become an idol-worshipping place (referring to temples),” he had stated. Azhari defended the tendency of Islamic invaders to appropriate religious structures of non-Muslims and pagans.

“You have kept 1 idol ( at Ram Mandir) but there were 360 idols at Kaaba. Even then, the Kaaba belonged to the Muslims. This did not atop the Islamic pilgrimage of Hajj,” he continued.

“…Dear Muslims, the revolution will begin from your homes. They (Hindus) do not have the courage to convert your mosques to idol-worshipping places (referring to temples). You have yourself abandoned the mosques,” Azhari further added.

While referring to the Hindus as ‘dogs’, he emphasised, “We have a saying – When the ground is left open, dogs take over the place. But if you keep using the ground, then, they won’t become the shelter for dogs.”

Following his speech, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against him. On Sunday (4th February), a team of Gujarat police reached Mumbai and arrested Salman Azhari in connection to his genocidal comments.

The cops also obtained a 2-day transit remand to take the Islamic hate preacher to Junagadh in Gujarat. As expected, Muslim ‘journalists’ came to defend Azhari on social media and seek his immediate release.

Haldwani where Islamists rioted, destroyed temple to usurp land and forced Hindus to live in fear: Some disturbing facts OpIndia uncovered last year

OpIndia Staff
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Haldwani where Islamists rioted, destroyed temple to usurp land and forced Hindus to live in fear: Some disturbing facts OpIndia uncovered last year

Haldwani in Uttarakhand witnessed unbridled violence on Thursday, February 8. A raft of Islamists indulged in open acts of violence against policemen and civic authorities who went there to remove a structure illegally constructed on encroached government land in the Banbhoolpura police station area, which some labelled a madarsa and others a Namaz place.

Several videos emerged showing Islamists pelting stones, shooting guns, and indulging in rampant arson and violence. There are testimonies from police officials which claim that the Muslim mob wanted to set them on fire. As many as 6 people lost their lives and more than 300 policemen were injured in the Islamist violence.

This was, however, not the first time that tensions have flared in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. Radical Islamists have targeted this place earlier too. In fact, even in January last year, when the court ordered the demolition of illegal encroachments from the railway land last year (a decision that was later stayed by the Supreme Court), these individuals had attempted to ruin the atmosphere of the area. At that time, OpIndia journalist Rahul Pandey visited the location to carry out an in-depth investigation that yielded many shocking facts.

The crew arrived in Haldwani on January 3, 2023, and worked tirelessly to uncover the truth behind the protest and debunk the ‘Muslims in India under attack’ narrative that was being propagated then.

During the investigation, OpIndia spoke to locals in Haldwani who apprised us of the rapid demographic shift in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani area. Hindus in the Banbhoolpura area explained how their predicaments increased over the last ten years since the Muslim population there rose significantly. They said they were clueless about how the Muslim population expanded so quickly and from where and why these people were coming.

Some alleged that Muslims moved to Rampur, Nazimabad, and Bijnor in search of work and settled there after illegally acquiring land in the area. According to information provided by a Hindu, there are an infinite number of weapons gathered around the region by these extremists.

Love jihad, forced conversion and looming threats: Hindus in Banbhoolpura, Haldwani narrated their pitiful plight to the OpIndia team

When the OpIndia journalist spoke to some Hindus residing in Indira Nagar in Banbhoolpura in Haldwani, they looked visibly worried for their and their family’s safety. A 72-year-old elderly man who reluctantly shared the plight of the handful of Hindus remaining in the Banbhoolpura area in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani city alleged that people of the Muslim community, under the influence of alcohol and drugs, come to their houses and start kicking their doors at random odd hours. When the Hindus oppose, they hush the matter by pinning the blame on others.

A disabled Hindu resident of Banbhoolpura lamented how he and his family want the Government of India to relocate them since the conditions are no longer tenable for Hindus to live there. Another Hindu residing there told us how Hindu-Muslim clashes are common there and how it has occurred several times in the past.

Another Hindu resident of Indira Nagar lamented how incidents of love jihad remain common in the Banbhoolpura locality. Meanwhile, another individual bemoaned how his Hindu brother was forcefully converted to Islam. The Hindus of Indira Nagar told us that they couldn’t even play Holi properly under past governments. 

House constructed by demolishing a Shiva temple

An elderly man in his sixties told us that a man named Satyanarayan Tiwari, who once lived in the Banbhoolpura area, had constructed a small Shiva Mandir near his house. After a few days, when Satyanarayan Tiwari went away, some Muslims in the area not only forcefully acquired his house but also the Shiv Mandir he had constructed near it. The Muslims demolished the Mandir and built the house, where they are now living, the man recalled.

Hindu children compelled to learn Urdu and recite Namaz in school

We were told by two minor Hindu children from Banbhoolpura that they were taught Urdu in school. When we requested him to recite the school prayer, he recited some Islamic prayers to us. 

Meanwhile, the children’s parents told us that when they discovered that their children were being taught Urdu and made to recite Namaz in school, they took them out of this school and got them admitted to some other school.

Some Hindu women residing in the locality revealed how they are subjected to harassment whenever they walk down the street. 

Rohingyas and Bangladeshis are also settled in the illegal colony

OpIndia team which conducted a ground investigation into the controversy over the eviction of illegal encroachers on railway land in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, also discovered how Rohingyas and Bangladeshis had also illegally encroached upon Indian Railway land and settled there.

Since the illegal encroachers were mostly Muslims and state administration was getting the encroachment removed on High Court order (later stayed by Supreme Court) the leftists had things served on a platter to make a communal issue out of it and cry ‘Muslims under attack by Hindu nationalist party’ on international platforms. Protests were orchestrated and efforts were made to turn it into yet another ‘Shaheen Bagh‘.

Local and religious leaders had used children in the protests that they orchestrated to save these illegal encroachments from bulldozer action.

During the course of our investigation, when we spoke to some small children playing near the railway tracks they revealed how they were driven to participate in the ‘protest’. One of the minor children playing there, who identified himself as Mohammad Sameer, told OpIndia how one Imran Hafeez had coerced him and many other children to participate in the Haldwani ‘protest.’ He also revealed how Hafiz Imran has asked all the children to come dressed up in their Madarsa uniforms.

He added that one Madeen bhai, on the orders of Hafeez Imran, had gathered 10-12 children and brought them to the demonstration venue to participate in the protest.

The Wire supported spreading the propaganda

During the course of our investigation, we also revealed how the leftist media had geared up to make the Haldwani protests by the illegal encroachers their new propaganda tool. Since most of the illegal encroachers on the railway land were Muslims, social media was flooded with viral videos claiming that the court-ordered removal of illegal encroachers was a ‘conspiracy’ against Muslims.

During our time at the location, we spotted a man who identified himself as a journalist who was talking to the encroachers and tutoring them on what to say. Notably, he clearly asked them not to speak in Urdu but to speak in Hindi and how it would come on channels such as the leftist propaganda outlet The Wire. 

He showed them a video of Arfa Khanum Sherwani of The Wire and said, “She is a Muslim. She is from your community. She speaks so well.” He said that the video would appear on the likes of The Wire.

Haldwani violence

Notably, illegal encroachment on government land has been a perennial issue in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani district with the administration finding it challenging to deal with the situation. On February 8 also, violence erupted when the administration was trying to demolish one such illegally constructed structure, which some claimed was a madarsa. A frenzied Muslim mob pelted stones at police personnel and civic authorities and indulged in arson.

As many as 4 people were reported dead and over 300 police personnel were injured in the violence.

Several videos emerged showing Islamists pelting stones, shooting guns, and indulging in rampant arson and violence. There are testimonies from police officials which claim that the Muslim mob wanted to set them on fire.

Notably, after the incident took place, the DM of Nainital category explained that the violence was pre-planned and that the Islamists had decided that the day the authorities came to demolish the structure following the High Court order, they would indulge in violence against them.

Haldwani violence: The mob took out petrol from parked motorbikes to make petrol bombs for the attack

OpIndia Staff
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Haldwani violence: The mob took out petrol from parked motorbikes to make petrol bombs for the attack

Petrol bombs were hurled at police, Haldwani Municipal Corporation workers and media persons in Banbhoolpura on 8th February 2024 after the administration demolished an illegal madarsa built on encroached government land. On Friday (9th February) Nainital DM Vandana Singh told the media that the first attack was with stones targeted and the mob then launched a second attack with petrol bombs and hurled them inside the police station.

According to reports, rioters extracted petrol from motorcycles parked on the roads and used it to make petrol bombs. A TV9 report shows a petrol-filled bottle and a lighter next to a parked motorbike. The video showed numerous bottles littered along the road, brought there by scrap pickers. These bottles were used by rioters to make petrol bombs. These bombs were subsequently thrown at the police and municipal corporation teams, as well as their vehicles, following the demolition of the illegal construction.

Speaking about the mob violence, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “Anti-encroachment drive has been going on as per the court’s direction…administration had notified people beforehand… administration were attacked with petrol bombs, stones, there was arson also. Some people tried to create tension in Uttarakhand. The law will take strict action against it. Video footage of the whole incident is being retrieved, and those who damaged govt and public property will be made to pay for it…we are with the people who got injured…”

As reported earlier, Nainital District Magistrate Vandana Singh told the media that the attack on the police and the Haldwani Municipal Corporation team on 8th February was pre-planned. 

The angry mob attacked authorities who went there to demolish the construction on illegally encroached government land near the Banbhoolpura police station under the ongoing drive against illegal encroachments. The mob pelted stones at the policemen and Haldwani Municipal Corporation workers present there.

The action by the police municipal corporation authorities against the illegal construction on government land was taken after the Uttarakhand High Court on Thursday, did not grant relief to the petitioners Safia Malik and others seeking a stay on the demolition exercise.

‘The attack on police and journalists was pre-planned’, says journalist Mukesh Singh who was injured in Haldwani mob violence

OpIndia Staff
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‘The attack on police and journalists was pre-planned’, says journalist Mukesh Singh who was injured in Haldwani mob violence

One after the other, shocking revelations are being made in the Haldwani violence incident. On Friday (9th February), Nainital District Magistrate Vandana Singh told the media that the attack on the police and the Haldwani Municipal Corporation team on 8th February was pre-planned. Now, a journalist and victim of the riots Mukesh Singh has said that the attack was pre-planned to target police officials and mediapersons.

“Police personnel and mediapersons were targeted in the attack. They were targeted in such a way that several police officers have been seriously injured and vehicles of journalists have been set ablaze and they also sustained injuries. This [attack] was carried out with full planning. The incident unfolded at around 4:30 pm the illegal encroachment was demolished and by 4:45 pm there were around 1500 people at the spot. This was all done with planning by the residents of Banbhoolpura who hurled stones and petrol bombs,” Singh said.

Journalist Mukesh Singh injured during Haldwani violence speaks up from OpIndia Videos on Vimeo.

The journalist further added that the colony where the demolition exercise was undertaken is illegal. He said that action taken by the authorities against the illegally constructed madarsa-mosque on government land was in compliance with the Uttarakhand High Court order.

Moreover, Mukesh Singh said that several outsiders have settled in Banbhoolpura. “These people only know where they came from…many of them have no verification or IDs…they have come here from UP and that place [encroachment site] is illegal and they [madarsa-mosque authorities] had illegally encroached the government land. When the government reached yesterday to claim its land they were attacked with stones. The land is also not registered but only Rs 50 lease (pachaas rupay patte par zameen hai wo) and it belongs to Nagar Nigam (municipal corporation),” Singh said adding that Banbhoolpura police station and several vehicles were set ablaze by the rioters and petrol bombs were also hurled.

The violence in Banbhoolpura on Thursday left over three hundred police officials injured. Several videos of police officials injured in the mob violence have surfaced online. A woman police officer injured in the attack narrated the horror unleashed by the Islamist mob and said, “We sought refuge in a house to shield ourselves from the stone-throwing, when approximately 15 -20 individuals barged in, attacked us, stones were being hurled on us from all the sides, even from the rooftops. They also attempted to set the house ablaze, evidently with the intent to burn us alive. They wanted to burn us alive,” the injured officer said.

As reported earlier, an  Islamist mob unleashed violence in Banbhoolpura in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani over the demolition of an illegal madarsa and mosque on 8th February.

The angry mob attacked authorities who went there to demolish the construction on illegally encroached government land near the Banbhoolpura police station under the ongoing drive against illegal encroachments. The mob pelted stones at the policemen and Haldwani Municipal Corporation workers present there.

Speaking about the illegal structure in question, Senior Superintendent of Police Prahlad Meena said that the madarsa-mosque was constructed on unlawfully encroached government land. The officer said that the demolition exercise was undertaken in compliance with a court order.

Notably, Nainital DM Vandana Singh on Friday refuted claims of the property being a Madrasa, the DM specified that it was an empty property.

“It is an empty property that has two structures, which are not registered as religious structures or have been given any such recognition. Some call the structure a Madrasa,” she said.

It is pertinent to note that the action by the police municipal corporation authorities against the illegal construction on government land was taken after the Uttarakhand High Court on Thursday, did not grant relief to the petitioners Safia Malik and others seeking a stay on the demolition exercise.

Karnataka: Zeeshan, Mubarak and two others stabbed Susheel in Shivamogga for asking a 16-year-old not to perform bicycle stunts on road

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: Zeeshan, Mubarak and two others stabbed Susheel in Shivamogga for asking a 16-year-old not to perform bicycle stunts on road

Four Muslim youngsters stabbed a 23-year-old Hindu youth named Susheel in Karnataka’s Shikaripura town of Shivamogga gravely injuring him because he stopped them from performing stunts in the street in front of his residence. This infuriated the accused who brutally attacked him in the stomach and chest. According to the information, the incident transpired on the evening of 6th February. Two assailants who assaulted Susheel have been identified as Zeeshan and Mubarak.

The victim was reportedly strolling his dog when he spotted a 16-year-old doing wheeling and pulling off stunts on his bicycle in the street. Susheel told him to stop which led to an argument between the two. Afterwards, the juvinile left and then returned with more men and attacked the Hindu male. After brutally attacking Susheel, the group absconded from there. Susheel is undergoing medical treatment at a private hospital in Shivamogga and is out of danger. He is employed as a commuter operator in a college.

Authorities informed that they registered a case and already apprehended three culprits, one of whom is a minor. A senior police officer stated, “The preliminary enquiry has revealed that the accused was riding recklessly. The victim questioned them about the rash riding which led to the incident. Further investigation is going on. We have secured three accused including the juvenile. Teams have been formed to nab the fourth accused in the case.” The police mentioned that the offenders and Susheel were strangers.

After the incident, BY Vijayendra, the president of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s state unit and MLA from Shikaripura launched a scathing attack on the Congress government in Karnataka. He charged, “Whether it is the incident in Belagavi district or Haveri or Mangaluru or yesterday in Shikaripura, it seems as though anyone can do anything. The situation seems to be as though the entire police system has collapsed in the state. But the Chief Minister is sitting in Delhi along with his entire Cabinet.”

He added, “The Siddaramaiah government has failed on all fronts including in maintaining law and order, and the occurrence in Shikaripura is the result of it. There is a feeling that anyone can stab or murder anyone, there is no one to ask, police won’t do anything. There is especially a feeling that no one will touch the minorities under the Congress government and this has led to such incidents. Our (Shivamogga) MP B Y Raghavendra and party officials had visited the spot. I’m in touch with police officials.”

It is noteworthy that there was violence in Shivmogga even before the instance when a 26-year-old tailor and Bajrang Dal worker named Harsha was murdered in February 2022 because he used social media to make post regarding hijab and demanded uniform dress code in educational institutes.

Haldwani: Hindu man Ajay battling for life in hospital after Islamists shoot him in the abdomen, his uncle speaks exclusively to OpIndia

राहुल पाण्डेय
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Haldwani: Hindu man Ajay battling for life in hospital after Islamists shoot him in the abdomen, his uncle speaks exclusively to OpIndia

On Thursday (8th February), Islamists attacked a Hindu boy named Ajay while he was en route to the market to buy medicines for his mother. The incident took place during the outbreak of violence in Haldwani City in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand.

The victim was shot several times and is currently battling for his life at the hospital. In a video that has now surfaced on social media, the family members of Ajay are seen crying inconsolably and narrating what transpired on Thursday evening.

“We were at home at that time. He (Ajay) was coming from the gym and was getting medicines for my mother. It was around 6 pm. There was darkness all around,” the brother of Ajay stated.

“We do not know who shot my brother. I only pray to God that my mother gets fine,” he added. The brother of Ajay requested the local administration to ensure the quick recovery of the victim and provide ration to his family.

A picture of Ajay, undergoing treatment in a hospital in the aftermath of the attack, has gone viral on social media. In the meantime, OpIndia reached out to Santosh Kumar, the uncle of Ajay and the Head of the village.

During the exclusive conversation, he informed us that the victim lived in the Muslim-dominated Gafoor basti. On Thursday (8th February), the victim went to buy Ayurvedic medicine for his ailing mother from a Muslim practitioner.

Ajay undergoing treatment at a hospital, image via X/Mr Sinha

Kumar narrated that Ajay was shot in the lower abdominal area and the bullet exited his body, leaving him in a critical condition. He added that the spine of the victim had been seriously injured.

He added that the bullet has damaged Ajay’s private parts and the bladder too. There was internal bleeding in his abdomen.

“At that time, the police were not firing shots. Only the rioters were raining down bullets,” he said on being asked about the perpetrator behind the shooting incident. The uncle of Ajay also told us that the victim was operated by doctors from 11 pm to 3:30 a.m.

He added that all medical expenses incurred in the treatment of the victim are being taken care of by the Uttarakhand government. “Ajay is roughly between 22-23 years of age. He was recently married, has one kid and worked as a scrap dealer.”

Santosh Kumar told OpIndia that a large contingent of police have been deployed in the area to prevent any untoward situation. He added that the cops are proactively apprehending those involved in violence in Haldwani.

Riots in Haldwani

On Thursday (8th February), Islamists resorted to stone pelting and arson in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani area. The frenzied mob attacked authorities who went there to demolish a madrasa, which was built on illegally encroached govt land near the Banbhulpura police station.

The Islamists pelted stones at the policemen and Haldwani Municipal Corporation workers present there. Later, they surrounded the police station and went on to set fire to the vehicles stationed outside the Banbhulpura police station.

The mob also set a transformer on fire, resulting in a power outage in the area. Several journalists and administration officials were trapped inside the police station as a mob surrounded the Banbhulpura police station.

“Four people died in the violence-hit Banbhoolpura and more than 100 policemen were injured,” said State ADG Law & Order AP Anshuman.

Following the unrest, the district administration suspended internet services and ordered the closure of all schools and colleges. Uttarakhand government has put high alert in the state as a precaution after the violence.

Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary confirms joining NDA, says no question of refusing after Bharat Ratna for his grandfather

OpIndia Staff
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Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary confirms joining NDA, says no question of refusing after Bharat Ratna for his grandfather

Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary has confirmed that he will be joining the alliance with the BJP in Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming general elections. “How can I refuse now”, Chaudhary stated, hours after the government announced Bharat Ratna for former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh.

Chaudhary Charan Singh was Jayant Chaudhary’s grandfather. After Karpoori Thakur and LK Advani, today Bharat Ratna was announced for 2 former Prime Ministers, PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, along with scientist MS Swaminathan.

Speaking to the media, Jayant Chaudhary stated that PM Modi’s government did what no other party could.

“Talking about seats or votes will make this day less important when I am being congratulated and PM Modi has given a decision which proves he understands the basic sentiments and character of the nation,” Jayant Chaudhary added when asked details about his party’s imminent alliance in UP.

RLD has its influence in Western Uttar Pradesh among the jat community. As reported by India Today, RLD may get to contest 2 Lok Sabha seats and a Rajya Sabha set as per understanding with the BJP.

Jayant Chaudhary joining NDA is a big setback for the I.N.D.I.Alliance because recently Akhilesh Yadav had mentioned about letting RLD contest 7 seats.

RLD and SP had an alliance in the 2019 general elections. However, RLD lost all the 3 seats it contested and SP won only 5 seats. In the 2022 UP assembly elections, while BJP secured a brute majority, SP won 111 of the 347 seats it contested and RLD won 9 of the 33 seats it had contested in.

Supreme Court to hear Subramanian Swamy’s plea to delete ‘secular’ and ‘socialist’  from the preamble of constitution in April

ANI
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Supreme Court to hear Subramanian Swamy’s plea to delete ‘secular’ and ‘socialist’  from the preamble of constitution in April

The Supreme Court on Friday adjourned the petition filed by BJP leader Subramaniam Swamy seeking to delete the words ‘secular’ and ‘socialist’ from the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Dutta posted the matter in the week commencing from April 29.

Swamy in his petition had said that the two words, inserted in the Preamble through the 42nd Constitution Amendment Act of 1976 during the Emergency, violated the basic structure doctrine enunciated in the famous Kesavananda Bharati judgment by the 13-judge bench in 1973, by which Parliament’s power to amend the Constitution was barred from tinkering with the basic features of the Constitution.

“The framers of the Constitution had specifically rejected the inclusion of these two words in the Constitution and alleged that these two words were thrust upon the citizens even when the framers never had intended to introduce socialist and secular concepts in democratic governance,” Swamy had contended.

It is argued that such insertion was beyond the amending power of the Parliament under Article 368.

It was further stated that Dr BR Ambedkar had rejected the incorporation of these words as the Constitution cannot thrust upon the citizens certain political ideologies by taking away their right to choose.

Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament and the Communist Party of India leader Binoy Viswam had also approached the Supreme Court opposing Swamy’s plea saying that ‘secularism and socialism’ are inherent and basic features of the Constitution.

“It is the intent of the plea filed by Swamy to have a free rein on Indian polity leaving behind secularism and socialism,” Viswam had said.

“Swamy’s petition is an absolute abuse of the process of law and is devoid of merit and deserves to be dismissed with exemplary costs as it challenges the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution of India,” the application of Viswam had stated.

The CPI MP in his impleadment application had said the real purpose behind the PIL is to allow political parties to seek votes in the name of religion.

“The 42nd amendment is challenged by the petitioner as an eyewash to succeed in striking down sub-section 5 of section 29(A) of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951,” the application had stated.

The section mandates the political parties seeking registration with the Election Commission to abide by the Constitution and its principles of “secularism, socialism and democracy”.

Another plea was also filed in the apex court seeking the deletion of ‘secularism and socialism’ from the preamble by lawyers Balram Singh and Karunesh Kumar Shukla.

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

‘Won’t tolerate bulldozers..will kill whoever attacks us’: Tauqeer Raza threatens CM Dhami with violence after bulldozer action against illegal ‘madarsa’ in Haldwani

OpIndia Staff
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‘Won’t tolerate bulldozers..will kill whoever attacks us’: Tauqeer Raza threatens CM Dhami with violence after bulldozer action against illegal ‘madarsa’ in Haldwani

Maulana Tauqeer Raza, known for his contentious remarks, has sparked yet another controversy. This time, he has declared his intention to eliminate those who even attempt to harm any member of his community.

Speaking after the Haldawni violence, where a frenzied Muslim mob attacked police personnel and civil authorities who went to demolish a madarsa built on illegally encroached govt land near the Banbhulpura police station, the Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) chief Maulana Taufeeq Raza Khan threatened the administration with violence.

Irked by the bulldozer action on the illegally constructed structure in Haldwani, which some labelled as a madarsa while others called it a namaz place, he threatened both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami with violence. Tauqeer declared that the Muslim community won’t tolerate any further bulldozer action. He continued by saying that they would kill anyone who attempted to harm them since it was their constitutional right to do so.

Tauqeer Raza Khan is a repeat offender

Notably, Tauqeer Raza is known for his incendiary remarks. It may be recalled that on 3rd February, Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan had threatened a civil war in the country. He made the remark after the central government announced that it would award Bharat Ratna to veteran politician Lal Krishna Advani.

He said that it is due to the patience practised by Muslims that religious tensions are not escalating. Cautioning against Muslims losing control, he said, “If our youth go out of control, then no one can save India from a civil war.”

The controversial remarks by Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan are not new. Tauqeer Raza, who came out in support of Congress in the 2022 Assembly Elections in Uttar Pradesh, has repeatedly warned of riots.

In April 2022, irked by the bulldozer action against criminals in UP, he said, “If this government continues to do such injustice, the countrywide Jail Bharo Andolan will become so big that government will be unable to contain it. And the day Muslims come to the streets, one must understand that they will be uncontrollable. Therefore, I warn the government and Narendra Modi in particular that if he fails to correct this way of taking action with immediate effect….. And his silence. You are the Prime Minister for all of us. Such acts are taking place in your country, and you remain silent?”

In January 2022, he made similar remarks while addressing a crowd of 20 lakh Muslims. He said, “I see the anger within my Muslim youths, and I am afraid that the day this anger bursts out, the day I lose control over them… I want to warn my Hindu brothers that I’m scared that the day my Muslim youths are forced to take the law into their hands, you will not find a place to hide anywhere in India.”

Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan has allied with Congress on multiple occasions. He also supported the party in the 2009 General Elections in UP.

Islamist violence in Haldwani, Uttarakhand

On Thursday, February 8, an incident of stone pelting and arson was reported in Uttarakhand’s Haldwani area. According to reports, the mob attacked authorities who went there to demolish a structure, labelled as a madarsa, built on illegally encroached govt land near the Banbhulpura police station under the ongoing drive against illegal encroachments. As many as 4 people were reported dead and over 300 police personnel were injured in the violence.

Several videos emerged showing Islamists pelting stones, shooting guns, and indulging in rampant arson and violence. There are testimonies from police officials which claim that the Muslim mob wanted to set them on fire.

Notably, after the incident took place, the DM of Nainital category explained that the violence was pre-planned and that the Islamists had decided that the day the authorities came to demolish the structure following the High Court order, they would indulge in violence against them. She also explained how there were multiple mobs and after the initial mob pelting stones was pushed back by the police, another emerged with petrol bombs. She further explained how there was an attempt to burn police officers alive.

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