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“Hitler’s picture matches their leader”: Punjab Congress LOP Partap Singh Bajwa accuses alliance partner AAP of ‘dictatorial governance’

OpIndia Staff
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“Hitler’s picture matches their leader”: Punjab Congress LOP Partap Singh Bajwa accuses alliance partner AAP of ‘dictatorial governance’

On 17th January (Wednesday), Congress leader and the Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa launched a scathing attack on their I.N.D.I. Alliance partner AAP. He accused the Bhagwant Mann government of practising “dictatorial governance” and went on to claim that one of their leaders looks similar to the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler. 

He slammed Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann advising him to put up pictures of Hitler in his office. The Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa alleged that AAP’s “dictatorial governance” matches that of the Nazi leader. 

Bajwa said, “The first thing I would like to advise them is to pull down the pictures of Baba Saheb Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh from their offices and replace it with Adolf Hitler. And if you carefully see the picture of Hitler, it matches with one of their (AAP) leaders.” 

As per reports, Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and other party leaders were also present when Bajwa made a Hitler jibe against the AAP leader.  

Notably, the remarks came a day after Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira was released from jail after securing bail in a criminal intimidation case. Khaira was arrested on 4th January in connection with the intimidation case, right after being granted bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court concerning a 2015 drugs case.

Meanwhile, Bajwa also took to X and slammed the AAP government asserting that it can’t suppress their voice with bullying tactics.  

Bajwa tweeted, “Bhagwant Maan you and your government cannot suppress the truth and the voice of the opposition with such bullying. We will fearlessly raise our voice for the solution of the problems of the people of Punjab and against the excesses of the AAP government.” 

In another tweet, he lambasted the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government in the state for failure on reverse migration. He said that each year, scores of Punjabis leave illegally for other countries by paying huge money, and reportedly Punjab incurs a hit of about Rs 70000 crore.

The tweet read, “About 70 thousand crore rupees of Punjab is going abroad every year, @BhagwantMann about Reverse Migration?”  

It is important to note that the arch-nemesis turned allies had recently announced that they will jointly contest the Mayor elections in Chandigarh. The annual election for Chandigarh Mayor will take place on 18th January. 

The announcement was made by Pawan Bansal from Congress and Raghav Chaddha from AAP’s side. 

As part of the deal, AAP will fight for the Mayor’s post while Congress will be contesting for the posts of senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor. AAP’s Kuldeep Kumar Tita will be the joint candidate of AAP-Congress for the Mayor post against BJP’s Manoj Sonkar. Congress’ Gurpreet Singh Gabi and Nirmala Devi will fight for the posts of senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor respectively. BJP has fielded Kuljeet Sandhu, and Rajinder Sharma for the posts of senior deputy mayor, and deputy mayor, respectively. 

However, on the day of the announcement, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued notice to the Government of Punjab and its officials on a plea filed by Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu and others. In his plea, Sidhu accused AAP’s Punjab ministers of allowing illegal sand mining and indulging in corruption. 

The constant fights between alliance partners AAP and Congress in Punjab

While AAP and Congress have tried to put together a joint front at the national level, there have been constant allegations and counter-allegations between the two I.N.D.I.A. bloc partners at state level.

Punjab Congress leadership has previously denied any possibility of contesting elections with the Kejriwal-led party. On 26th December, it was reported that the majority of Punjab Congress leaders stood against the idea of an alliance with AAP for the General Elections during a meeting of Punjab’s Political Affairs Committee (PAC) chaired by All India Congress Committee president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was also present at the meeting.

Earlier, On 17th December, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s chief and Delhi’s Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, expressed his desire to contest all thirteen Lok Sabha seats in Punjab and one Lok Sabha seat in Chandigarh in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections.

State units of both parties has stated multiple times that they want to contest Lok Sabha elections alone in Punjab, leaving 0 seats for their supposed alliance partner.

We only targeted Iranian terrorists on Pakistan soil: Iranian foreign minister after Pakistan expels Iranian envoy over Iran’s missile strike in Balochistan

ANI
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We only targeted Iranian terrorists on Pakistan soil: Iranian foreign minister after Pakistan expels Iranian envoy over Iran’s missile strike in Balochistan

Amid the diplomatic standoff over Iranian airstrike on a terror camp in Balochistan, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahain said the air attacks in Pakistan targeted an “Iranian terrorist group” and Tehran government had asked Pakistan several times to take action on the group.

“The so-called Jaish al-Adl group, which is an Iranian terrorist group, was targeted,” Abdollahian said on Wednesday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

“The group has taken shelter in some parts of Pakistan’s Balochistan province. This group killed our security forces. We only targeted Iranian terrorist group on the soil of Pakistan.

He emphasised that while Iran respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan, it would not “allow the country’s national security to be compromised or played with”.

“We have no hesitation when it comes to national interests and those terrorist groups inside Pakistan” the Iranian Foreign Minister said.

Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice), a Sunni Muslim armed group, has previously launched attacks on Iranian security forces in the border area with Pakistan.

Following Iran’s launch of a barrage of missiles on Pakistan, Islamabad on Wednesday expelled the Iranian ambassador and recalled its ambassador from Tehran, Geo News reported.

“Pakistan has decided to recall its ambassador from Iran and that the Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan who is currently visiting Iran may not return for the time being,” Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said while addressing a press briefing in Islamabad.

Earlier, Iran attacked the headquarters of a terrorist group opposed to Tehran with drones and missiles inside Pakistan territory on late hours of Tuesday.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty is “completely unacceptable” and warned of serious consequences. It further said that Iran has taken this action despite the existence of several channels of communication between the two nations.

“Pakistan reserves the right to respond to this illegal act and the responsibility for the consequences will lie squarely with Iran,” Baloch said, adding that Islamabad had conveyed the message to the Iranian government.” The foreign ministry spokesperson said.

Formed in 2012, Jaish al-Adl, designated as a “terrorist” organisation by Iran, is a Sunni terrorist group that operates in Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan.

Over the years, Jaish al-Adl has launched numerous attacks on Iranian security forces. In December, Jaish al-Adl took responsibility for an attack on a police station in Sistan-Balochistan that claimed the lives of at least 11 police personnel, Al Arabiya News reported.

Sistan-Balochistan borders Afghanistan and Pakistan. The region has a history of clashes between Iran’s security forces and Sunni terrorists, as well as drug smugglers, Al Arabiya News reported.

Dawn news reported that last month, at least 11 Iranian police officers were killed in an attack overnight on a police station in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan. Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi, while visiting the site, had urged Pakistan to prevent terrorist groups from establishing bases within its borders.

The attacks in Pakistan were carried out a day after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched missiles into Iraq’s Kurdistan region at what it called an Israeli “spy headquarters” and at alleged ISIS-linked targets in Syria, the report 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)

When Professor Sharda Sinha hit the road after arrest of LK Advani during Ram Rath Yatra, women were ready to celebrate Chhath at the Circuit House in Samastipur

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When Professor Sharda Sinha hit the road after arrest of LK Advani during Ram Rath Yatra, women were ready to celebrate Chhath at the Circuit House in Samastipur

Petty politics has brought two major disreputes to Samastipur: the murder of Lalit Narayan Mishra and the arrest of Lal Krishna Advani.

Akhileshwar Prasad Narayan Singh, an 80-year-old, made this observation while recalling the incident in which Lal Krishna Advani was arrested from the Circuit House in Samastipur, Bihar, on the intervening night of 22nd and 23rd October 1990. Originally from Siwan, Singh was a history professor at Ram Nirikshan Atma Ram College, Samastipur (RNAR College Samastipur) at that time. He also served as the president of the BJP in Samastipur.

Speaking to OpIndia, Singh said that due to age, he has now started to forget old things. However, he still remembers the anger that was prevalent among the common people of Samastipur at that time, after Advani’s arrest. Professor Sharda Sinha says that even today, that anger fills her with thrill. Sinha has also been a history professor at Samastipur Women’s College. Currently, she resides with her daughter in Mohali, Punjab.

Professor Sharda Sinha recounts that upon hearing the news of Advani’s arrest, a large number of women took to the streets in Samastipur on the morning of October 23, 1990. Sinha herself left her two young children at home and ran to the Circuit House. She told OpIndia, “It was the day of Kharna. I was going to celebrate Chhath for the first time. The women decided that they would not go home. They would celebrate Chhath at the Circuit House itself. After this, the administration was left helpless.”

Confirming Sinha’s statement, Akhileshwar Prasad Singh added that there was a litchi orchard beside the Circuit House at that time. In it, there was a pond where women had decided to celebrate Chhath. However, after the persuasion of BJP leader Kailashpati Mishra, the women agreed to return home.

According to Singh, at that time, the means of communication were not as advanced as they are today. Those who heard the news of Advani’s arrest rushed to the Circuit House, wanting to break its gate. Following his arrest, Advani was taken from the Circuit House to the guest house at Masanjore Dam in Dumka by helicopter. Subsequently, people’s anger intensified. Kailashpati Mishra then announced a meeting at Patel Maidan. 

Recalling that gathering, Sinha recounts, “At 8 in the morning, people had gathered in Samastipur city as if there was a rally. Kailashpati Mishra pacified the crowd at Patel Maidan’s meeting. He mentioned that both governments (Bihar and Central) want something to happen so that the BJP could be defamed, and tarnished. Only after this people were pacified. Women went back home to prepare for Kharna. However, for several days thereafter, there was simmering unrest in the city of Samastipur regarding this matter. People were angered by Advani’s arrest.”

When Advani was arrested, it is worth mentioning that V.P. Singh led the central government, and Lalu Prasad Yadav was in power in Bihar. Advani had embarked on a Rath Yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya on 25th September 1990. However, before reaching his destination, late on the night of October 22, he was arrested from the Circuit House in Samastipur.

Recalling the anger that arose from the decision of the Bihar government, Professor Sharda Sinha mentions, “It is impossible to imagine what people would have done if they had met Lalu Yadav at that time. People were saying that this is a ‘parachhut’ (despicable) government. It has to pay the price.” 

According to Akhileshwar Prasad Narayan Singh, Advani was supposed to arrive in Samastipur from Hajipur on the 22nd of October. However, he reached the Circuit House around 1 AM. After that, he was arrested. He explains that there was significant enthusiasm among the people at that time regarding Advani’s Rathyatra. The society was uniting as Hindus. Samastipur stayed awake the entire night in anticipation of Advani’s arrival.

He said that seeing rising discontent among the public, the administration lodged BJP workers and activists who were led by Kailashpati Mishra in buses and took them to Muzaffarpur. After showing their arrest, they were released. However, this did not calm people’s anger. In protest against this incident, people continued to surrender themselves for arrest for the next one or two days.

It is noteworthy that Advani’s Rath Yatra was scheduled to reach Ayodhya on 30th October. Although Advani was arrested, and the rath yatra halted, the yatra ensured that the Ram Janmabhoomi Mukti (liberation) Andolan reached every household. People’s devotions were so attached that some even used to apply soil from the place where the chariot passed by onto their foreheads as a mark of devotion. 

When Advani was arrested, he was accompanied by Narendra Modi

While Lal Krishna Advani was leading the Rathyatra from Somnath to Ayodhya, Narendra Modi was its charioteer. Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of Bharat since 2014. Meanwhile, at that time Modi was the organisational general secretary of the Gujarat BJP. Notably, Modi came into prominence at the national level through this Rath Yatra.

Even when Advani was arrested in Samastipur, Modi was with him. However, only Advani was arrested and taken to the guest house in Dumka. Professor Sharda told OpIndia, “When Narendra Modi became the Chief Minister of Gujarat, people had said that he was also with Advani at the time of his arrest. But I do not know whether he had come to Samastipur or not. I was neither inside the Circuit House nor was Modi so popular at that time. I still remember Advani gesturing his arrest with his hand.” 

Akhileshwar Prasad Narayan Singh said, “We did not recognize him at that time. But Modi ji was also with him. This fact came to light when Modi established himself in politics. However, we did not recognize him at that time.”

In his book ‘Yudh Mein Ayodhya’, Journalist Hemant Sharma has also written about Narendra Modi’s role in this Rath Yatra. He has described Modi as the strategist and architect of this journey. According to Sharma, it was Modi who was the first to formally give information regarding the route and program of the yatra on 13 September 1990. It is said that the only person who had the information about this yatra was Modi. Some information was later shared with Advani.

In the book ‘Narendra Modi: Ek Shakhsiyat, Ek Daur’, Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay quotes Modi as saying, “This experience gave me an opportunity to develop my management abilities.”

Recently, Former Deputy PM LK Advani recalling the Rath Yatra stated, “At that time (in September 1990, a few days after the yantra began) I felt destiny had decided that one day a grand Ram temple would be built in Ayodhya. Now it is only a matter of time. And, a few days after the ‘rath yatra’ began, I realised I was just a ‘charioteer.’ The main messenger of the Rath Yatra was the chariot itself and was worthy of worship because it was going to Shri Ram’s birthplace Ayodhya to fulfill the sacred purpose of building the temple.”

Heaping praise at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he referred to PM Modi as “the devotee chosen by Lord Ram to renovate his temple” for overseeing the construction of the sacred place.

Advani and Modi taught Dharma is politics

For decades, the politics in independent India has been dominated by the group that nurtured the politics of appeasement. They wanted to remove the idol of Ram Lalla from Ayodhya. For them Iftar is secularism. This Jamaat also vigorously promoted the idea that religion should be kept away from politics. But this idea ruined the country. Distorted secularism. Here, it is important to note that religion is not the same as Dharma. 

Both Dharma and politics aim to establish good governance. The Rath Yatra of Advani and Modi showed India that Dharma and politics are complementary to each other and not hostile to each other. They showed that Dharma should be at the heart of politics. 

It is our good fortune that today’s India is moving forward with that idea. It is the good fortune of that tradition that has ensured that on 22 January 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the host of the consecration of Ram Lalla at Bhagya Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and Lal Krishna Advani, the Bhishma Pitamah of today’s Indian politics, will be its witness.

Pakistan receives $700 million from International Monetary Fund as part of bailout programme after govt implemented IMF-prescribed measures

ANI
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Pakistan receives $700 million from International Monetary Fund as part of bailout programme after govt implemented IMF-prescribed measures

Under crisis, Pakistan has received USD 700 million from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of its ballout programme, Geo News reported quoting State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) governor Jameel Ahmed on Wednesday.

The loan was approved after the IMF Executive Board completed its first review last week, bringing the total disbursements under the USD 3 billion Standby Arrangement (SBA) to about USD 1.9 billion.

Following the board’s approval last week, Antoinette Sayeh, Deputy Managing Director and Chair, said, “There are now tentative signs of activity picking-up and external pressures easing.”

The nine-month SBA approved by the Executive Board on July 12 last month, aims to provide a policy anchor for addressing domestic and external balances and a framework for financial support from multilateral and bilateral partners.

Geo News reported that to secure the bailout, Pakistan implemented tough IMF-requested measures: a revamped budget, a record interest rate hike, and painful increases in electricity and gas prices.

Under the bailout deal, the IMF also got Pakistan to raise USD 1.34 billion in new taxation to meet fiscal adjustments. The measures fueled all-time high inflation of 38% year-on-year in May, which is still hovering above 30%.

“The authorities took challenging steps to bring both electricity and natural gas prices closer to costs in 2023. Continuing with regularly-scheduled adjustments and pushing cost-side power sector reforms are vital to improving the sector’s viability and protecting fiscal sustainability,” Sayeh said.

As Pakistan has secured the IMF loan, analysts expect the struggling South Asian nation to secure more multilateral and bilateral loans.

In a statement, the SBP also confirmed that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has rolled over two USD 1 billion deposits, which were maturing soon, providing respite to the friendly country.

“UAE has confirmed rollover of its two deposits of USD 1.0 billion each placed with State Bank of Pakistan for another one year which were maturing in January 2024,” the statement mentioned.

The IMF’s nod follows the staff-level agreement reached between the IMF and Pakistan on November 15, 2023, emphasising the nation’s commitment to implementing key reforms.

The current IMF programme of USD 3 billion is scheduled to end in the second week of April 2024, with around USD 8 billion remaining undisbursed. The IMD released its first tranche of USD 1.2 billion in July.

With the approval of the IMF board, Pakistan will receive a further installment of about 700 million US dollars. Officials in the Finance ministry said Pakistan has achieved all IMF targets and, ‘hopefully’, will be able to get the required results.

The officials said Pakistan strictly implemented the economic reforms as advised by the world body.

On November 16, last year, Pakistan and IMF reached a staff-level agreement on the first review under the SBA.

The agreement supports the authorities’ commitment to advance the planned fiscal consolidation, accelerate cost-reducing reforms in the energy sector, complete the return to a market-determined exchange rate, and pursue state-owned enterprise and governance reforms to attract investment and support job creation, while continuing to strengthen social assistance.

The total debt burden on Pakistan rose to a whopping 63,399 trillion Pakistani Rupees (PKR) by the end of November last year in the financial year 2023-24, ARY News reported citing an official report.

According to the report, the country’s total debt increased by over 12.430 trillion PKR during the tenure of the PDM and the caretaker government.

Pakistan’s overall debt burden surged to PKR 63.390 trillion including PKR 40.956 trillion in domestic loans and PKR 22.434 trillion in international loans.

The report stated further that the country’s overall debt stood at PKR 50.959 trillion in November 2022. The burden of the loan was recorded at PKR 63.390 trillion in November 2023, ARY News reported.

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

‘Aurangzeb built mosques after breaking temples in Varanasi and Mathura’: Old video of Irfan Habib admitting to temple destruction by Mughals goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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‘Aurangzeb built mosques after breaking temples in Varanasi and Mathura’: Old video of Irfan Habib admitting to temple destruction by Mughals goes viral

Ahead of the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony scheduled to take place on 22nd January, an old video of the Marxist historian Irfan Habib is making rounds on social media in which he is seen admitting that several temples in Mathura and Varanasi were demolished by Mughals to built Mosques on them.

The video dates back to May 2022, days after the Shivling was discovered in the Gyanvapi structure. “Temples in Varanasi and Mathura were demolished by Aurangzeb,” he stated as he further questioned the government over the demolition of the disputed structure. “Can the government demolish something that was built in 1670?” he said.

“It is correct that Aurangzeb demolished the temple but it is not specified that it was Lord Shiva’s temple. It became a Shiv Temple after they found a Shivling. Aurangzeb demolished this temple in Varanasi. Another temple was demolished in Mathura. There’s no two ways about it. The question is can the government demolish something that was built in 1670? It is against India’s Monument Protection Act,” he was quoted as saying.

The video was shared by Journalist Abhijeet Majumder who hinted that Gyanvapi, Krishna Janmasthan, and Mathura must be returned to their rightful custodians.

The video was also shared by Kanchan Gupta who is a senior adviser at the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Gupta stated that the ‘historian’ Irfan Habib of AMU spent his life singing paeans to the Mughals and now was revealing the truth that Hindu temples in Varanasi and Mathura were demolished by Aurangzeb to build Mosques.

Hindu temples demolished by Mughals

It is important to note that several temples in India were demolished by the Mughals to establish their rule over the country and build Mosques instead. The Ram Mandir also has a similar history which dates back to 492 years. The temple believed to have been demolished by the Mughal tyrant Babar in 1528, has been at the centre of a historical and spiritual quest for centuries. This quest, deeply embedded in the hearts of millions, has seen countless devotees laying down their lives for the cause. Today the temple is being built and every Hindu devotee is looking forward to the ceremony of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha scheduled on 22nd January in Ayodhya.

Also, the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi had stood tall for centuries before becoming an eye sour for the Mughals. The Islamic rulers, who were on a mission to destroy anything that was against Islam, saw Kashi Vishwanath Dham as one of the main targets challenging the supremacy of their faith. 

On April 18, 1669, Islamic ruler Aurangzeb gave the order to demolish Kashi Vishwanath Temple. In his order, he had written that the temple was the place where “the foolish Pundits teach evil knowledge from junk books.” On the explicit orders from Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, Kashi Vishwanath Dham, one of the holiest Hindu sites of pilgrimage, was plundered, desecrated, demolished, and converted into Gyanvapi Mosque in 1669. 

Further, after the Ram Mandir verdict, the Krishna Janmabhoomi Nirman Nyas is hoping to reclaim the four-and-a-half-acre land next to the mosque to use it as a ‘Ranga Manch’ for religious and cultural functions organized by it and the temple authorities.

Ever since the Babri mosque was demolished in 1992, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has been calling for the ‘liberation’ of Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura and the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi.

Following the Supreme Court verdict on the Ram Janmabhoomi case, there has been a growing demand among Hindus to reclaim Kashi and Mathura, along with Ayodhya. Taking back the disputed sites of Kashi Vishwanath temple and Krishna Janmabhoomi temple at Mathura has now become a priority for various Hindu groups in the country.

Places of Worship Act – a major hurdle

However, the major roadblock for the Hindus to reclaim its spiritual and cultural sites that have been lost due to Islamic conquest in the past comes in the form of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which was passed by the then PV Narasimha Rao government. The controversial law prohibits the conversion of places of worship, like churches, mosques, and temples, into places of worship of a different religion.

Section 4 of the Act claims to preserve the “religious character” of a place of worship, as it existed on August 15, 1947. It also says that any court proceeding regarding any such conversion would cease after the Act came into force.

However, there was a relaxation in the law concerning the Ram Janmabhoomi dispute as Section 5 of the Act specifically mandated an exemption to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute under the law and its court proceedings.

‘Historian’ Irfan Habib’s statements against RSS, PM Modi

It is worth mentioning that Marxist ‘Historian’ Irfan Habib has always praised the Mughals and criticized the Hindu community. He has also time and again criticized the BJP government for making changes to the history of the NCERT syllabus. In an exclusive interview with NewsClick the ‘historian’ had criticized the Hindu outfits saying that Mughals would not disappear from history just because Sangh wished so.

Also, in the year 2020, Habib said that in Aligarh Muslim University RSS was formed to attack Muslims and that the Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar was responsible for the partition of the country, extenuating Mohammad Ali Jinnah who propounded the two-nation theory.

Habib had also said that there is strong circumstantial evidence that Savarkar was involved in the murder of Mahatma Gandhi, and referred to PM Modi as ‘Jahil’.

Notably, Author Meenakshi Jain, in an interview with Open Magazine, asserted that leftist historian Irfan Habib was among the pro-Babri group who tried to discredit in vain an inscription that fell from the walls of the Babri structure during its demolition in 1992. The inscription said it was built for the person who destroyed the 10-headed Ravan.

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes resulted in over ₹1.03 lakh crore investment till November 2023, contributes to exports over ₹3.20 lakh crore

OpIndia Staff
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Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes resulted in over ₹1.03 lakh crore investment till November 2023, contributes to exports over ₹3.20 lakh crore

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes launched by the Modi government has resulted in over Rs. 1.03 lakh crore of investment till November 2023, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry said on Wednesday, 17th January 2024. A statement issued by the ministry said that this has led to production/ sales of Rs. 8.61 lakh crore and employment generation (direct & indirect) of over 6.78 lakhs. PLI Schemes have witnessed exports surpassing Rs. 3.20 lakh crore, with significant contributions from sectors such as Large-Scale Electronics Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Food Processing, and Telecom & Networking products.

As on date, 746 applications have been approved in 14 Sectors with expected investment of over Rs. 3 lakh crore, the ministry informed. 176 MSMEs are among the PLI beneficiaries in sectors such as Bulk Drugs, Medical Devices, Pharma, Telecom, White Goods, Food Processing, Textiles & Drones. Several MSMEs are serving as investment partners/ contract manufacturers for large Corporates.

Incentive amount of around Rs. 4,415 crore has been disbursed under PLI Schemes for 8 Sectors -Large-Scale Electronics Manufacturing (LSEM), IT Hardware, Bulk Drugs, Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals, Telecom & Networking Products, Food Processing and Drones & Drone Components.

As a result of the PLI scheme, manufacturing of various electronic components like battery, chargers, PCBA, PCB, camera modules, passive components and certain mechanics have been localized in the country. This has also caused green shoots in the component ecosystem wherein large companies such as TATAs have entered into component manufacturing.

PLI beneficiaries account for around 20% of the market share only, however, have contributed to nearly 82% mobile phones exports during FY 2022-23. Production of mobile phones increased by more than 125% and export of Mobile Phones increased around 4 times since FY 2020-21. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased by ~254% since the inception of the PLI scheme for LSEM.

Due to the PLI Scheme, there has been a significant reduction in imports of raw materials in the Pharma sector. Unique intermediate materials and bulk drugs are being manufactured in India including Penicillin-G. Production of 39 Medical Devices have commenced such as CT-Scan, Linear Accelerator (LINAC), Rotational Cobalt Machine, C-Arm, MRI, Cath Lab, Ultrasonography, Dialysis Machine, Heart Valves, Stents, etc.

Import substitution of 60% has been achieved in the Telecom sector and sales of Telecom & Networking Products by PLI beneficiary companies in FY 2023-24 increased by 370% vis-a-vis Base Year (FY 2019-20). Significant impact on investment in the Drone industry with a CAGR of 90.74%.

Under the PLI Scheme for Food Processing, sourcing of raw materials from India has seen significant increase which has positively impacted income of Indian farmers and MSMEs. Sales of Organic Products increased and Indian brand visibility enhanced in the international market through Branding & Marketing abroad. The Scheme has also led to increased Millet procurement – from 668 MT (FY 20-21) to 3,703 MT (FY 22-23).

Keeping in view India’s vision of becoming ‘Atmanirbhar’, PLI Schemes for 14 key sectors [with an incentive outlay of Rs. 1.97 lakh crore (over US$26 billion)] are under implementation to enhance India’s Manufacturing capabilities and Exports.

PLI Scheme across these key specific sectors has started to make Indian manufacturers globally competitive, attract investment in the areas of core competency and cutting-edge technology; ensure efficiencies; create economies of scale; enhance exports and make India an integral part of the global value chain.

PLI Schemes have transformed India’s exports basket from traditional commodities to high value-added products such as electronics & telecommunication goods, processed food products etc.

Ram Mandir including Garbhagriha and five Mandapas complete: Construction committee chairman Nripendra Mishra on controversy over Pran Pratishtha

ANI
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Ram Mandir including Garbhagriha and five Mandapas complete: Construction committee chairman Nripendra Mishra on controversy over Pran Pratishtha

Amid the allegations that the Pran Pratishtha ceremony is being done when the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya is unfinished, chairman of the Ram Mandir Construction Committee Nripendra Mishra on Wednesday said that the temple of Ram Lalla is complete.

The construction committee chairperson said that the temple of Ram Lalla has a sanctum sanctorum–Garbhagriha–and it is complete.

“Mandir Toh Ban Gaya Hai. The temple of Ram Lalla will have ‘Garbhagriha’, five mandaps and that temple will be on the ground floor. That temple is complete. The first floor, which is under construction, will have Ram Darbar…The second floor is just for ‘Anushthan’, the different types of ‘Yagyas’ and ‘Anushthan’ will take place there,” he said.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, Mishra said that the ‘Shubh Muhurt’ or auspicious time for the Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla at the temple in Ayodhya is 12.30 pm on January 22.

“The ‘Muhurt’ on January 22 is around 12.30 pm. The prayers and rituals have already begun. The Ram Lalla will probably be brought inside the sanctum sanctorum tomorrow morning. Different types of rituals, like the Abhishek (bath) of the idol, among others, will be performed. Finally, when the auspicious time comes at 12.30 pm on the 22nd of this month, the Pran Pratishtha will be done,” he said.

The ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of the Ram Temple will be held in the temple town. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to attend the installation of the idol of Ram Lalla at the grand temple on that day.

The black-stone idol of Ram Lalla, exquisitely sculpted by a Mysuru-based sculptor–Arun Yogiraj–has been selected for enthronement.

The rituals started on Tuesday and will continue for seven days. Thousands of VIP guests have received invitations from the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust for the ceremony.

The Trust has made elaborate arrangements to welcome and honor all attendees, presenting them with gifts that include ‘Ram Raj.’ As part of the celebration, Teerth Kshetra Trust will also distribute special ‘Motichoor laddus’ made from desi ghee as ‘Prasad’ to the guests.

A member of the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust shared that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, set to attend the event, will be presented with a 15-metre picture of the Ram temple enclosed in a jute bag featuring an image of the sacred structure.

More than 11,000 guests nationwide have received invitations from the Trust for the Pran Pratistha ceremony, with special arrangements underway to provide memorable gifts to all attendees. According to a Trust member, the revered Ram Raj soil excavated from the temple will be bestowed upon the guests, serving as a cherished memento.

This sacred gift can be used in home gardens or pots, adding a touch of divinity to their homes. Even those unable to attend the Pran Pratishtha program may receive this meaningful gift in the future.

A team of priests led by Lakshmikant Dixit will perform the main rituals of the Pran Prathistha.

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

France: Angry farmers dump manure and rotting produce in central Toulouse in a major demonstration against agricultural policies

OpIndia Staff
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France: Angry farmers dump manure and rotting produce in central Toulouse in a major demonstration against agricultural policies

In Toulouse, a city in southwest France, furious farmers buried mounds of manure in front of city buildings on 16th January in a strong statement against the government’s agricultural policy which they claim is putting them at a greater disadvantage. About 400 tractors and 1,000 farmers from all around southwest France descended upon the city and assembled at various locations around the region before daybreak.

Rumbling into the ancient city centre of Toulouse in the early morning light, they blocked full lanes on certain roads and created enormous traffic jams while blowing their horns and towing trailer loads of hay and excrement.

The head of the local police force urged people to stay away from central Toulouse and bus services were forced to alter their routes. The tractors dumped dozens of trailer loads of rotten fruit, hay and manure in front of the regional authority headquarters as soon as they arrived. Approximately one thousand farmers flocked to the Capitole square on foot and later in the day, a delegation was scheduled to meet with the chief of police in the area.

Protesters contended that farmers around the region are suffering as a result of rising taxes and social charges. The cost of living has risen nationwide and this is in addition to the tax increases and other levies, other expenses include rising fuel and animal feed prices.

Farmers in other parts of the neighbourhood set out to destroy manure in the parking lots of big suburban supermarkets. According to the farmers, a lot of large grocery chains won’t provide their produce at fair prices. The development came after multiple demonstrations in the area in November of last year when farmers expressed fear for their livelihoods.

Earlier, German farmers began a week-long statewide agitation on 8th January by clogging roadways and major highways in almost all 16 Federal states of Germany with thousands of tractors and trucks. There have been reports of blockades in Bavaria, Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Baden-Württemberg. Notably, the administration has reversed its prior plan to eliminate diesel subsidy reduction, yet the protests have persisted.

The convoys also stopped production at a Volkswagen auto plant in the city of Emden in northwest Germany, bringing thousands of tractors and trucks with them. The staff were unable to report to work due to the roadblock. The blockade in the northern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania received backing from haulage companies protesting against the increase in lorry tolls. Reports highlighted that thousands of participants carried banners with the words “No farmer, no future” as they gathered in front of Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate.

Farmers protests rock Europe

Tractor columns have been obstructing roads in Germany, causing traffic jams and hassles for commuters. The most intense pushback has been in the Netherlands, where government efforts to dismantle farms and reduce the number of animals on them have been met with violent and ongoing protests following a 2019 court ruling on nitrogen emissions. Similar brawls in Belgium resulted in tractor convoys jamming Brussels’ European Union district in March of the previous year. Dairy farmers in Ireland, where there have been fewer demonstrations, marched last month with their cows to the offices of three government officials in protest of the nitrogen restrictions.

Following the government’s announcement in January 2023 that it would limit the amount of water farmers may extract from the drought-stricken Tagus river, farmers protested in Madrid’s streets following the country’s warmest year ever. French farmers protesting a ban on pesticides drove tractors through Paris the following month.

The German government softened a plan to reduce subsidies for diesel in farmyard vehicles after incensed farmers dumped manure on Berlin streets in December. However, advocacy groups are pressuring them to abandon the idea completely. The German Farmers’ Association President, Joachim Rukwied, announced that 100,000 tractors had taken to the streets for a week of disruptive protests. “Farmers today sent a clear signal to the federal government to completely withdraw the planned tax increases.”

The cost of having to pay for more of their pollution is too much for some farmers, who are already trying to make ends meet in the wake of the energy crisis and epidemic. Some complained that they are devalued by city people who eat the food they raise without understanding its source and that they are burdened by excessive regulations. Farmers in agricultural superpowers like the Netherlands and France have voiced their dissatisfaction with government pressure to reduce production after years of encouragement to increase it.

Shot in the head, put in jail, tortured: Karsevak Jairaj Yadav passed away after fighting death for 32 years, daughters say ‘Ram Mandir a true tribute’

राहुल पाण्डेय
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Shot in the head, put in jail, tortured: Karsevak Jairaj Yadav passed away after fighting death for 32 years, daughters say ‘Ram Mandir a true tribute’

On Monday (22nd January), the idol of Ram Lalla is to be consecrated in the Ram temple under construction in Ayodhya. Hindus across the country and the world are preparing to celebrate a Deepawali-like festival on this occasion, which came after a struggle for Ramjanmabhoomi for 5 centuries.

The Hindu community is remembering those Ram Bhakts who laid their lives for Ram Janmbhoomi from the Mughal period to the Mulayam period. Karsevak Jairaj Yadav was one such Ram Bhakt.

Jairaj Yadav was shot in the Sandpur village of Basti district on 22nd October 1990. He was protesting against the police team entering the village in search of karsevaks and committing atrocities. Subsequently, Jairaj Yadav experienced persistent health issues, ultimately succumbing to them in May 2023. OpIndia paid a visit to Jairaj Yadav’s residence to gather information regarding the present circumstances of his family.

Family living in distress

Martyr Karsevak Jairaj Yadav originally hailed from the Hengapur village in the Basti district of Uttar Pradesh. He is survived by 50-year-old widow Radha Yadav, two daughters Khushbu and Chanchal and a son Durgesh. All of Jayaraj’s children are aged between 18 and 24 years.

When the OpIndia team reached their house, Radha and Durgesh had gone out somewhere. Both daughters were present at home. Jayaraj’s family is living in abject poverty.

Numerous sections of the house lacked plaster, and instead of a finished floor, there were brick pebbles. The kitchen items were in a state of disarray. The living conditions were such that for external visitors, the only offering available was water, presented in a broken glass.

Jairaj Yadav was shot in the head

Khushbu Yadav, the younger daughter of the late Karsevak Jairaj Yadav, told us that her mother had narrated to her the true story of her father’s work on Ramjanmabhoomi in her childhood.

During those times, karsevaks from different parts of the country used to stay in the Sandpur village. The villagers used to provide food and shelter to the karsevaks. They would also help karsevaks to cross the river by boat and reach Ayodhya. Meanwhile, someone informed the police. On 22nd October 1990, the police raided this village early in the morning.

When the police could not find any karsevak, they started harassing the women and children. The villagers started protesting this police action. Jairaj Yadav was also involved in this protest. The police force, along with the paramilitary, then opened fire at the protestors.

Khushbu Yadav welled up with tears as she remembered her father. She explained that shrapnel from a police-fired bullet hit her father Jairaj Yadav’s head, causing him to collapse in injury immediately upon being shot.

The police team moved forward to apprehend him and take him along. Simultaneously, a few villagers shouldered the wounded Jairaj Yadav, attempting to move him away from the gunfire. However, the police rushed to snatch him from the villagers.

Jairaj Yadav was sent to jail without better treatment in an injured condition. According to family members, the pellet that hit Jairaj’s head caused pus formation in Jairaj Yadav’s brain. The villagers also claim that Jairaj was brutally tortured at the police station despite being injured.

Jairaj Yadav was made an accused despite being shot at

Jairaj Yadav encountered a dual setback when the government of Mulayam Singh Yadav implicated him as an accused in the police onslaught on the village. On 23rd October 1990, the case was filed based on the complaint by the then SHO Dubaulia. Jairaj Yadav, among numerous villagers from various castes and classes, faced charges under section 7 of the Criminal Act, along with sections 147, 149, 307, 332, 333, 353, and 336 of the IPC.

Jairaj Yadav’s already frail health further deteriorated after learning about the case. Yet, the fellow villagers arrested alongside Jairaj Yadav supported him. This helped him become normal.

Jairaj Yadav mentioned in FIR. Image Source: OpIndia Hindi

In an injured condition, Jairaj Yadav was kept in jail for about 1 month. The family members somehow got him bailed with the help of the villagers. Munnilal Yadav, saddened by the torture on his son, also suffered from many diseases after a few days. About 20 years ago, Jairaj Yadav’s father Munnilal died.

Jairaj Yadav combated against death for 32 years

Jairaj’s elder daughter Chanchal Yadav told us that Jairaj was undergoing treatment since 1990 when he was shot at. She told that some bullet shrapnel was stuck in the head. Due to this, pus had formed in a part of the head. Despite extensive medical care, Jairaj never fully recovered. He lived for approximately 32 years but never managed to regain normalcy. Jairaj was treated from Basti to Lucknow but the bullet shrapnel in the head never allowed him to become normal.

Jairaj’s younger daughter Khushbu Yadav told us, “Our father’s head ached almost every day. He would start screaming in pain. Many times he even fainted. For this reason, we would not send him anywhere alone. After becoming conscious, he used to remain normal for a short time but later suddenly the pain would start.” According to Khushbu, all medicines were ineffective in her father’s treatment. Finally, after fighting death for a long time, Jairaj Yadav passed away on 29th May 2023.

Chanchal and Khushbu Yadav still cry when they remember their late father. Image Source: OpIndia Hindi

Jewelry and fields sold for treatment and lawsuit

Khushbu, the younger daughter of the late Jairaj Yadav, shared that their family’s financial situation is currently dire. The household is facing a shortage even of basic food grains. The extensive medical treatment endured by Jairaj over nearly three decades and the legal proceedings against him compelled the family to sell their jewelry and farmland.

In addition to this, they are burdened with debts amounting to lakhs of rupees, presenting a separate and considerable challenge. Money lenders visit their home daily, demanding repayment. Jairaj Yadav’s dependents are left with some farmland and a house. The family expresses concern that selling these remaining assets would leave them homeless.

Inside Jairaj Yadav’s house. Image Source: OpIndia Hindi

Khushbu Yadav wanted to become a doctor, but had to quit education

All three children of Jairaj Yadav have dropped out of studies. His son Durgesh Yadav is trying to improve the family’s financial condition by doing some job. At the same time, both daughters Chanchal and Khushbu have also stopped going to school due to financial constraints. Khushbu Yadav told us that since childhood she wished to become a doctor but circumstances kept her away from school. Khushbu told that now her first priority is to help her mother. However, after getting some help, the daughters of late Jairaj Yadav are still mentally ready to fulfill their dreams by studying.

The family of late Jairaj Yadav worships by Lord Ram. This family is very happy about the Ram temple being built in Ayodhya. Khushbu and Chanchal Yadav said that their father had sacrificed for Ramjanmabhoomi. Today, the daughters of Jairaj Yadav consider the construction of the temple as a true tribute to their father.

Wild wild Bihar: Car parking argument leads to 4 murders in Aurangabad; 6 arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Wild wild Bihar: Car parking argument leads to 4 murders in Aurangabad; 6 arrested

On the night of 15th January, a heated argument about parking turned violent in the Aurangabad region of Bihar. Three of the victims were travellers from neighbouring Jharkhand and two others suffered significant injuries as a result of a full-fledged altercation between the two parties. An argument broke out between a shopkeeper and a person after the latter parked his car in front of his shop in the Nabinagar locality. Police on 16th January arrested six persons for beating three people from Jharkhand to death and wounding two others.

The incident occurred in Tetaria Mod under the jurisdiction of the Nabinagar police station while five people from Palamu district, Mujahid Raain, Arman Ansari, Charan Mansoori, Wakil Ansari and Ajeet Sharma were driving towards Sasaram. They got into a fight with the store owner over parking the car after stopping at a restaurant. One of them pulled out his pistol and fired a shot at the store owner as they were arguing. However, 60-year-old villager Ramsharan Chouhan was wounded by the bullet and then died while receiving treatment.

The event incensed the locals who beat Mujahid, Arman and Chaman who were all in their mid-30s to death after holding all five individuals captive. Wakil and Ajeet are receiving medical attention at a hospital after sustaining severe injuries.

“Six persons have been arrested in the case, based on technical evidence. We have registered two FIRs, one for the murder of Ramsharam Chauhan and another for the death of the three youths,” proclaimed Sapna Gautam Meshram, Superintendent of Police Aurangabad.

Aurangabad Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mohd Amanullah Khan informed, “Although the incident involves members of two different communities, there was no communal angle to the clash. Nonetheless, adequate deployment of forces has been made to prevent any eventuality.” He stated that the passengers were from the Hydernagar region and the four-wheeler had come from the Palamau district.

He mentioned, “Upon reaching Nabinagar, the driver stopped by, parking the vehicle in front of a shop in Taitariya Mod. The shopkeeper objected, leading to a heated exchange. One of the occupants of the car whipped out a gun and fired a shot which hit a bystander.” He added that a bystander identified as local Ramsharan Chauhan passed away instantly which angered the onlookers who had gathered there.

The official noted, “The irate mob pounced upon the occupants of the car, hitting them with whatever they could lay their hands on. By the time a police party reached the spot and dispersed the mob, Mohd Mujahid, Charan Mansoori and Mohd Ansari had been beaten to death.” Ajeet Sharma was referred to a hospital in Gaya due to his serious condition whilst Vakil Ansari who was admitted to the Sadar Hospital in Aurangabad was stable.

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