Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of Neuralink, announced on Monday that the first human recipient of an implant from the brain-chip startup underwent the procedure on Sunday and is recovering well.
Taking to social media, X, Musk posted, “The first human received an implant from @Neuralink yesterday and is recovering well.”
Neuralink was given clearance by the US Food and Drug Administration last year to conduct its first trial to test its implant on humans.
“Initial results show promising neuron spike detection,” Musk’s post added.
According to Neuralink’s website, it has received approval from the independent institutional review board.
The PRIME Study (short for Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface) – an investigational medical device trial for fully-implantable, wireless brain-computer interface (BCI) – aims to evaluate the safety of our implant (N1) and surgical robot (R1) and assess the initial functionality of our BCI for enabling people with paralysis to control external devices with their thoughts, according to the company’s website.
During the study, the R1 Robot will be used to surgically place the N1 Implant’s ultra-fine and flexible threads in a region of the brain that controls movement intention. Once in place, the N1 Implant is cosmetically invisible and is intended to record and transmit brain signals wirelessly to an app that decodes movement intention. The initial goal of our BCI is to grant people the ability to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts alone, it also said.
The PRIME Study is being conducted under the investigational device exemption (IDE) awarded by the FDA in May 2023 and represents an important step in our mission to create a generalised brain interface to restore autonomy to those with unmet medical needs, it added.
Musk and his company have already faced massive criticism for the trial of “brain chips” on lab animals. In February 2022, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine submitted a complaint alleging that Neuralink did “invasive and deadly brain experiments.”
By December of that year, the company was being investigated by federal authorities for potential violations of animal welfare standards, with documents indicating that the company had murdered around 1,500 animals, including rats, monkeys, pigs, and mice, since 2018.
Neuralink fought back against these very serious allegations claiming that the rhesus macaque monkeys under its care were “respected and honoured” by the team. (ANI)
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
On January 29, clashes ensued between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters and local police in Barrackpore, West Bengal, during the law violation program led by State BJP President Sukanta Majumdar.
BJP activists clashed fiercely when their march towards the Barrackpore Police Commissionerate was halted, protesting against a deterioration in the law and order situation in the region.
A large group of BJP supporters participated in a march, attempting to breach barricades until police intervention. The situation escalated, leading BJP protestors to throw stones, and prompting police to use tear gas to restore order, resulting in widespread chaos. Some BJP supporters sustained injuries during the clash, and the confrontation also disrupted vehicular traffic.
State BJP president Sukanta Majumdar criticised the West Bengal Police for their failure to apprehend a fugitive Trinamool Congress leader, Sheikh Shahjahan, who attacked ED officials during a raid and managed to evade arrest. Despite this, the police demonstrated audacity by intervening in a peaceful BJP protest, injuring women members in the process.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the BJP secured victory in Barrackpore after Arjun Singh switched allegiance from Trinamool and contested on the saffron party’s ticket. Nevertheless, Mr Singh has now rejoined Trinamool, setting the stage for an intriguing contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha election for the seat.
Suvendu Adhikari, BJP leader and LoP in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly alleges that the use of water cannons against BJP workers in Barrackpore was directed by CM Mamata Banerjee. According to Adhikari, the incident involved unprovoked BJP workers, and despite the second barricade remaining intact, water cannons were deployed, resulting in injuries to 25 BJP workers.
#WATCH | On Police using water cannon against BJP workers in Barrackpore, West Bengal Legislative Assembly LoP and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari says, "The incident happened on the directions of CM Mamata Banerjee. They were unprovoked BJP workers. The second barricade was not… pic.twitter.com/gTthg909nM
On Police using water cannon against BJP workers in Barrackpore, West Bengal Legislative Assembly LoP and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari says, “The incident happened on the directions of CM Mamata Banerjee. They were unprovoked BJP workers. The second barricade was not broken, yet water cannons were used…25 BJP workers have been injured…”
On 22nd January 2024, Ram Lalla returned to his birthplace after 500 years of protracted struggle and was consecrated while the nation was glued to TV screens. Lakhs of devotees, overwhelmed with emotion by the Pran Pratishtha (infusion of life) of Ram Lalla, have marched towards Ayodhya to seek darshan. On this occasion, the Hindu society across the country and the world is paying tribute to those Karsevaks who sacrificed themselves for Ram naam, in the struggle that spanned from the Mughal to Mulayam period. Among all those known and unsung martyrs, the names of the Kothari brothers are taken most prominently.
OpIndia met and spoke with Purnima Kothari, sister of martyred Karsevaks Ramkumar and Sharad Kothari, and gathered information about the current situation. Purnima Kothari was invited to the Ram Mandir Pran Pratistha. She is very happy to have witnessed that historic moment. At present, she along with her colleagues, are busy serving devotees who are coming from far away places. They have set up a camp near Tedhi Bazaar in Ayodhya where she is providing tea and snacks not only to the devotees but also to the police personnel deployed nearby at her own expense. This camp is being organised under the banner of ‘Ram Sharad Kothari Smriti Manch’.
(‘Ram Sharad Kothari Smriti Manch’ managed by Purnima Kothari serving tea and snacks to devotees and police personnel deployed near Ram Mandir at their own expense)
Originally from Rajasthan, settled in Kolkata due to business
The Kothari family originally hails from Bikaner, Rajasthan. During his youth, Purnima’s father had gone to West Bengal for business purposes. There, he established a small iron plant. This was the source of livelihood for the family. Over time, he became the father of three children. This includes two sons named Ramkumar and Sharad, and a daughter named Purnima. Along with pursuing their graduation, Sharad and Ramkumar were also involved in their father’s business. Purnima, too, helped her mother with household chores while pursuing her studies.
Both had joined ‘Bajrang Dal’ in their adolescence
Purnima Kothari told OpIndia that the first generation of their family to join the Hindu organisation were her martyred brothers. Ramkumar and Sharad received their initial education in Betul district of Madhya Pradesh. Both brothers were students of Bharat Bharati Vidyalaya, managed by Vidya Bharati. Influenced by the education at Bharat Bharati Vidyalaya, both brothers also started attending the shakas of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Kolkata. Ramkumar and Sharad would also take their cousin along with them to the Shakas and engage in preaching Dharma during their free time after studying and doing business.
Their parents had come to see them off as they boarded the train to Ayodhya
Purnima recounts that when the announcement for Karseva in Ayodhya was made in 1990, Ramkumar and Sharad started preparing to go there. They pursued their family members. Since both brothers had always been together since childhood, they would go everywhere together. Finally, on 22nd October 1990, Ramkumar and Sharad Kothari boarded the train for Ayodhya. According to Purnima, their parents went to the railway station to see off their sons.
Police shot them on the pretext of asking for water
Purnima Kothari revealed that she got to know about the incident on 2nd November 1990, from a journalist who was present at the spot in Ayodhya. At that time, the Kothari brothers were hiding in a house near Lal Kothi along with other Karsevaks. During that time, the name of a Muslim officer was mentioned who was inflicting cruelty towards the devotees of Lord Ram. After some time, there was a knock on the door of the house where Ramkumar and Sharad were hiding. When someone asked for water from outside, 19-year-old Sharad thought that perhaps a kar sevak was stuck outside.
Purnima further told OpIndia that due to a misconception, Sharad opened the door, thinking that the person asking for water might be a kar sevak. From outside, police officers grabbed Sharad by his collar and dragged him onto the road. There, Sharad was shot in the chest and struggled in pain. Witnessing his younger brother’s agony, Ramkumar, who was around 23 years old, also stepped out. He lay down on top of his brother to shield him from further gunfire. It was then that the surrounding soldiers aimed at Ramkumar Kothari’s head from close range and fired. The brothers sacrificed their lives together at the same place.
Their last rites took place in Ayodhya itself
An emotional Purnima Kothari told us that on 1st November 1990, her brothers had called from Ayodhya on a landline near their house. They assured about their safety and promised to return soon. On 2nd November 1990, shortly after the sacrifice of both brothers, their fellow organisation members informed Purnima over the phone. However, it was not until 3rd November that Purnima reluctantly informed her mother about her brothers’ martyrdom. After coming to Ayodhya from Kolkata, relatives conducted the final rites of both Ram devotee brothers in Ayodhya.
Parents also passed away, and the business was closed
After the martyrdom of their two sons, their parents were mentally distressed. Later, on 16th January 2002, Purnima’s father passed away. In such circumstances, only Purnima and her mother remained in their family. Purnima got married and now she is a mother of one daughter. In 2016, Purnima’s mother also passed away while waiting for the construction of the Ram Mandir. However, in her final moments, she passed away with the hope that Narendra Modi would build the Ram Mandir, if not today then tomorrow.
The iron factory, which supported the livelihood of the Kothari family, also closed down during the COVID period. Currently, the family is managing their livelihood through the job of Purnima’s daughter.
Sorrow of losing brothers is personal, but the happiness of the Ram Mandir is collective
Remembering the sacrifice of her two brothers, Purnima Kothari became emotional for a while. Collecting herself, she said, “Both of my brothers are no longer here. This personal sorrow will stay with me for life, but seeing the construction of Lord Ram’s Mandir fills me with immense joy. This collective happiness is for the entire Hindu society of the country and the world. It was for this purpose that my brothers sacrificed themselves, which has now become meaningful.” Purnima is also very satisfied that as long as history mentions Lord Ram and the Ayodhya Janmabhoomi movement, people will remember Ramkumar and Sharad Kothari.
According to Purnima, Mulayam Singh’s challenge that “Ayodhya mein Parinda bhi par nhi maar sakta” – meaning ‘not even a bird can flutter wings in Ayodhya (referring to tight security to stop Ram Bhakts) – was the most stinging remark that troubled the Ram devotees the most and ultimately, the pride of Mulayam was shattered by the Ram devotees.
Reply to Mulayam Singh’s statement
Purnima Kothari got angry after being reminded of the then Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav’s statement that ‘If necessary, we would have killed more karsevaks’. She said, “No one has ever been born in their family who sacrificed their life for the country or religion. If they had ever experienced the pain of losing loved ones, perhaps they would understand our agony.” Purnima considers the condition of Mulayam Singh in his old age, family discord, and the current state of his party as a curse of the family members of Ram devotees.
(Purnima Kothari while Speaking with OpIndia)
Blood donation and more in the memory of her brothers
In memory of the Kothari brothers, their sister engages in various social activities including blood donation. Under the ‘Ram Sharad Kothari Smriti Manch’, her family periodically honours individuals who contribute to society by donating blood to the needy, assisting the poor as much as possible, supporting the education of their children, and those who perform good deeds for the country or religion. Along with her well-wishers and supporters, Purnima Kothari herself bears the expenses incurred in all these activities.
In a bizarre incident, a resident from a society in Greater Noida was brutally assaulted by a security guard on Sunday (28th January). The victim complained about the incident to the police after which three security guards working in the society were arrested.
The video of the incident is going viral over social media in which the resident can be seen being slapped and beaten by a security guard and bouncer. As per the reports, the incident is said to have happened in the Amrapali Lazer Park Society in Greater Noida. The incident happened when the security guard was engaged in a verbal fight with a delivery boy on the 28th of January night.
One of the residents identified as Avnish Kumar reached the spot and tried to resolve the matter. However, the security guards began assaulting Kumar. Other residents of the society also then reached the spot and tried to resolve the matter. But they were also beaten.
A resident of the society who witnessed the incident claimed that around 20-25 security guards were beating the delivery person. However, Avnish Kumar and one other person were also beaten as they tried to resolve the ongoing fight. As per the witness, the fight is said to have begun over inappropriate security management.
The police, meanwhile, said that the fight began over the entry of a delivery person in the society. “Three security guards have been arrested so far. Further investigations are underway,” the police said.
BJP MLA from Hawa Mahal Balmukund Acharya has issued a clarification following allegations by some Muslim girls of a public school that he objected to their hijab.
Jaipur हवामहल के विधायक बालमुकुंद आचार्य के खिलाफ मुस्लिम महिलाओं द्वारा नारेबाजी करवाई जा रही है क्योंकि उन्होने स्कूल यूनिफॉर्म से हिजाब हटवाने के लिए आवाज उठाई।#Karnataka के बाद अब #Rajasthan में उठेगा विवाद?#balmukundacharyapic.twitter.com/J1J7l3tKo1
Muslim girls of a government school in Jaipur’s Gangapol took to the streets earlier today (29th January) staging protests against BJP MLA from Hawa Mahal Balmukund Acharya.
The students have alleged that Balmukund Acharya, who was invited to the school’s annual function as a guest by the students, raised Jai Shri Ram slogans and objected to their hijab.
राजस्थान : भाजपा विधायक बालमुकुंद आचार्य के ख़िलाफ़ मुस्लिम छात्राओं का प्रदर्शन
◆ बालमुकुंद आचार्य ने हमारे हिजाब को लेकर बातें की और धार्मिक नारे लगाए, यह हमें कतई मंजूर नहीं है
The BJP MLA in a clarification video said that he had sought information from the school that when national events are being celebrated on 26th January and so, is there a provision for two types of dress codes.
He said that the school said no such provision is there but “the children don’t listen”. “I saw two types of atmospheres unfolding in the school as some girls were wearing burqa or hijab. I asked the principal what if our (Hindu) girls also came in their respective clothes then? When there is a decided dress code given by the school and they are not even objecting, they just need to be guided. This is what I asked the principal,” Balmukund Acharya said.
He alleged that his complete video from the event will clear the picture and that some people are politicising the issue and blowing it out of proportion.
Responding to the Muslim students objecting that the BJP MLA raised religious slogans, he said that he had chanted ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’. “Is it wrong?” he asked. The BJP MLA said these points are not justified.
A video of the same has gone viral showing the BJP leader’s discussion with the school principal and authorities about the institution’s dress code.
Jaipur- A video of BJP MLA Balmukund Acharya went viral on social media in which he says that the Environment is bad because of Hijab.
Muslim Girl students surround Subhash Chowk police station, demand action against Bal Mukund Acharya.? pic.twitter.com/A3ktDC0ble
In the video, the BJP MLA can be heard asking the principal why are the girls’ students wearing hijab. In the video, Balmukund Acharya can be heard telling the school authorities not to allow hijab. However, no derogatory remarks can be heard as is being propagated.
Furthermore, when the BJP MLA is on his way out of the school amidst a crowd of students, one of the students can be heard chanting Jai Shri Ram to which the MLA responds with the same chant. This is followed by chants of ‘Vande Mataram’.
Enraged over this, the Muslim girls along with their families staged a protest near the Subhash Chowk police station and indulged in sloganeering holding placards. Some motivated accounts on X are also taking to sensational language.
This is from Jaipur.
BJP lawmaker Balmukund Acharya made derogatory remarks about Hijab in a school. He demands Hijab ban in school.
Muslim girls allege that he asked them to chant "Jai Sri Ram".
Several videos of the protest are going viral on social media. In the videos, the Muslim students can be heard saying that they invited the BJP MLA and objecting to Hindu slogans chanted by him.
One of the protest videos shows the girls chanting “Nara-e-takbeer, Allah-hu-akbar”, the Jihadist clarion call or slogan that calls for the consolidation and expansion of the Muslim Ummah. Among other slogans were “Hijab humari shaan hai”, “Baba maafi mangega (Baba will apologise), and “Patti patti phool phool ya rasool ya rasool”.
In another video, a Muslim woman can be heard objecting to Balmukund Acharya, PM Modi and UP CM Yogi’s clothes. She can be heard making allegations that the BJP MLA asked the Muslim girls to chant Jai Shri Ram.
The woman asked why the BJP MLA objected to the dress code of Muslim girls. The woman goes on to incite on video seeking support for the protests. She said that she had raised the issue after the Karnataka hijab incident and had written a letter to Ashok Gehlot too.
Another student studying for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) has committed suicide in the educational hub of Kota, Rajasthan. This is the second suicide this month as a result of increased stress among students ahead of the upcoming exams.
An 18-year-old girl from Kota’s Borkheda was discovered hanging at her home. Although her family acted quickly and admitted the girl to the hospital, healthcare professionals declared her dead.
Police have initiated an investigation and sent the girl’s body for a post-mortem. Police have also discovered a suicide note at the student’s house. The suicide note read, “Mummy Papa, I can’t do JEE. So I suicide. I am a loser. I worst daughter. Sorry Mummy, Papa. This is the last option I have.”
According to police, the deceased was living with her father, who worked in a bank and was repeating Class 12. The girl was under a lot of pressure because of the competitive tests.
Despite devoting more than seven hours per day to her studies, she was left in a state of extreme tension. Last week, a student from Kota who had been studying for the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) committed suicide.
The student, in his teens, was discovered hanging in his room at a Kota hostel. The youngster had enrolled in a private NEET coaching institution. However, no suicide note was discovered.
The terrible incident took place late on 23rd January under the jurisdiction of the Jawahar Nagar police station. Police responded to a distress call and transported the boy’s remains for post-mortem after alerting his family.
Kota has the highest rate of suicide among coaching students. The city continues to experience a shortage of professional psychologists to address the mental health concerns of around 2.50 lakh kids studying for various admission tests away from home.
The Psychological Counselling Centre, which was established in September 2023 at the New Medical College Hospital in Kota following the Rajasthan government’s budget declaration, does not have a professional psychologist.
As per the reports, there is only one clinical psychologist appointed at the NMCH against the demand of at least five, and it lacks an adequate number of trained staff.
The day was 11th January, 2024. A 12-year-old Kintan Saraswat returned home, covered in bruises, from the government-run Sarvodya Bal Vidyalaya School in North Delhi.
He was assaulted by a group of seniors after he accidentally hit one of them. Kintan was lifted in the air and thrown on the ground. The boys continued to thrash him. The 12-year-old was limping and in extreme pain after school ended on that fateful day.
His father Rahul Saraswat, who works as a daily wage worker at a private company, toldThe Quint, “My son told me that during recess, he went to use the washroom. When he was returning to the classroom, he accidentally hit a senior boy.”
12-year-old Kintan Saraswat, a class 6 student at a Delhi government school, died on 20 January, a week after he was allegedly beaten by senior boys in his school. While the #DelhiPolice is yet to register an FIR, @sriram_varsha spoke to his parents. pic.twitter.com/YEt3MxgztR
“He told me that the senior called other kids and beat him up. He told me that they lifted him forcefully, threw him on the ground down and continued beating him,” Rahul stated.
Concerned over Kintan’s health condition, the family rushed him to the Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital in Ashok Vihar. After initial treatment, Kintan was referred to the orthopaedic department.
Rahul informed, “The staff told us that the orthopaedics specialists were unavailable and on leave and asked us to come back after three days.”
Health of Kintan Saraswat deteriorated after assault
On 12th January, Rahul Saraswat went to the Sarvodya Bal Vidyalaya School during which two classmates of Kintan told him that the latter was indeed assaulted by some senior boys.
While the victim was initially relieved by the medications, he started experiencing pain again after a few days. On 15th January 2024, the family took Kintan to another orthopaedic clinic in Rohini instead of the Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital.
“Since then, he began eating less and started to feel worse. On 20 January, his condition deteriorated further,” Rahul Saraswat stated. The victim was then taken to the Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital for treatment.
The doctors administered drips to him, which initially eased his condition. According to Soni (Kitan’s mother), he feels hungry for the first time in 9 days. So, arrangements were made to feed him Khichdi.
Kintan unfortunately passed away before the food could reach him. While speaking about the matter to The Quint, Rahul Saraswat said, “I didn’t lose a child; I lost my soul with him…what did my child do to deserve this? Why did God do this to us?”
Kintan is now survived by his father, mother and 13-year-old sister Tannu. He wanted to become an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer. The police are awaiting the autopsy report to file a First Information Report (FIR) in connection to Kintan’s untimely death.
Rahul Saraswat blames negligence of hospital and school
The parents of Kintan Saraswat have squarely blamed the incident on the negligence of the school and the hospital authorities.
“The school does not even have proper CCTV camera. Isn’t it their responsibility to identify the students who hurt my son? We send our kids to school only so that they get educated, get a good job and prosper in life. We do it to ensure that they do not become daily-wage workers like us. Is this what we get in return?”, remarked Rahul Saraswat.
He said that despite visiting the school on 4 different occasions, no action has been taken against the accused senior boys. Rahul added that the school administration has sent him away each time under one pretext or the other.
He and his wife Soni have also accused the staff of Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital of medical negligence, which has been denied by the administration.
While speaking about the matter, the superintendent of the hospital Dr Vatsala Aggarwal said, “The patient had first come on January 11 and upon seeing his condition, which was not severe at the time, he was attended to at the OPD. His X-ray was taken and a painkiller was given to him.”
“He was asked to come back a few days later but he did not do so and came directly on January 20. He reached the hospital at a very critical stage with a high fever, vomiting and a high BP. Physicians, paediatricians and orthopaedic doctors saw him but the child could not be revived,” he concluded.
The chief Imam of All India Imam organisation Dr Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, who recently attended the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha on 22nd January has been receiving threats and abuses from the Muslim community, as revealed by him in media interactions. Regarding his experience of attending the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha, he said that he liked it. Rather than getting intimidated, the Imam said that he felt ‘welcomed’ at Ram Mandir.
Imam Ilyasi asserted that he went there with paigham-e-mohabbat (message of love) and advice that we need to forget about the past and move forward. According to him, being a chief cleric who is responsible for 5.5 lakh mosques, his job was to spread the message of love and harmony.
Speaking with The Print, the Imam said, “Humein puraani ranjisho (rivalries) aur dushmaniyon (enmity) ko khatam karke aage ka sochna hai (we have to end old rivalries and enmity, and move forward.”
He opined, “We have to ensure our future generations work for the betterment of the nation”, adding that while attending the event the thoughts in his mind were about the “country, development and love”.
However, the Chief Imam has been receiving severe criticism and threats from the Muslim community for his decision to attend the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha.
In an interview with Rajdharma’s Archana Tiwari, he was asked, “What has been the reaction from your own community to attending the consecration ceremony?”
In response, the Imam claimed that attending it was the biggest decision of his life. He said, “It was not an easy decision and I took it after a lot of thought. This was the biggest decision of my life to attend the ceremony and what could happen.”
Replying to whether the Muslim community accepted his decision, Imam Ilyasi said, “They will not accept it so easily, challenges/problems were posed and there are many problems.”
He added that he has been receiving numerous threatening calls and messages in which nasty things are hurled at him but he hopes things will get better.
Saffron is the Colour of Protection
Imam Ilyasi was asked that some Muslim intellectuals and ‘Journalists’ have alleged that they feel intimidated on seeing Bhagwa (saffron) colour, in that context whether he felt fear or intimidation seeing saffron-clad Sadhus and flags there.
He retorted saying, “Pehle to, Bhagwa darane wala rang nhi hai, bachane wala rang hai. (First of all, saffron colour is not the colour of intimidation rather it is the colour of protection.) Those saying so are entitled to their views but I felt welcomed there not fear or intimidation despite being the lone Imam there.”
In reply to ‘Did anybody see you as a lesser being’, Chief Imam Ilyasi stated that nobody is inferior, we all are Bhartiya, nobody is first nobody is second, reiterating that he felt welcomed there.
Our faith and religion can certainly be different… Our main dharm is insaan and insaniyat. We live in Bharat and are Bharatiya. We all need to make Bharat strong. Rashtra sarvapriya (the nation is supreme), he added.
Imam Ilyasi said, “To the parties and people who are opposing me — and I am being opposed a lot across the country — I just want to say apna nazariya badliye, nazaara khud badal jayega (change your perspective, and the view will change).”
In both media interactions, he stressed, “Purani baaton ko bhool kar, miljul kar, pyaar se mohabbat se aage badhne ka waqt hai (it’s time to forget bygones and move forward with love).”
The Imam also said, “The job of the opposition is to oppose. I am a chief imam… and the message we want to give is that we want to live with each other peacefully.” He emphasised that Indians needed to forget about the past and move forward, noting that dialogue was the only way ahead.
According to Ilyasi, the enmity and strife between the two sides had gone on for too many years, and it should end as this is the time to move forward. He added, “We have to coexist and fight hatred.”
He added, “I am an individual, society (representative of the community) but the country comes first for me, and I intended that my presence there would bring love and affection and everybody welcomed me there and I was successful in it.” He opined that the misunderstandings would only be over after we attend events of each other and it is time for unity.
Pakistan should do Gharwapsi
The anchor Archana Tiwari asked Imam Ilyasi about Pakistan’s contentious remarks on the Ram Mandir despite the dwindling minority Hindu population in their nation adding that they are showing concerns for Indian Muslims.
In reply, Ilyasi said, “I feel like laughing to hear their response. They should look inwards, they should learn from Indian Muslims.” He added that things are getting so much worse in Pakistan that it should do “Ghar Wapsi”. Their people are fed up, they don’t have power, employment, or food. They feel they were better off in India.
Regarding the query on Karsevaks who demolished disputed structure in 1992, Imam Ilyasi opined that we should be forward looking and not talk about the past adding it is our duty to make things (communal bonhomie) better. India under PM Modi is progressing well and is heading to become Vishwa Guru and we should shun enmity, he added.
When asked whether he wanted to skip the query about the demolition of the disputed structure, the Chief Imam added that his motive is not to skip or overlook it but we should be forward-looking in our approach.
In response to the query that it is often alleged by Muslims that BJP/RSS is fanning hatred, he added that during earlier governments, there was no social media and there were limited communication mediums, everybody knows how many riots occurred earlier. He added that rioters and hatemongers are anti-nationals and they want to hamper and stall the ongoing progress of India and they can’t digest India’s current progress.
However, Imam Ilyasi refrained from making future predictions about whether the Kashi and Mathura issues will also be harbingers of brotherhood like Ram Mandir.
When asked, “Have the Indian Muslims been sidelined, threatened, or intimidated”, he inquired, “Where? By whom? In Pakistan? I have not heard such a thing, if you have reports about such a thing, tell us where it is happening? in India everybody is living comfortably.”
(Video Courtesy- The Rajdharma)
He, however, added that every society has some rotten apples and the whole community can’t be blamed for the wrongdoings of some person.
The imam also said that the Prime Minister’s speech was not just for Hindus, but for all “Bharatwasis”. He added, “PM has declared Ram Mandir a ‘rashtra mandir’. He meant this for everyone. He has given a message that all Indians need to come together and make India and Indian-ness strong.”
The 7th October terror attack on Israel by Hamas has caused a long shadow over the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Several staff members of UNRWA have been accused of being involved in the attack. The accusations have sparked a crisis of confidence and triggered funding cuts from major donors, including the United States, Germany, Italy, and other European Nations. Can this be the beginning of the unravelling of the United Nations itself? Notably, there have been calls for reforms in the United Nations bodies for years, including the recent one by billionaire Elon Musk.
The charges against the now-expelled contractors of UNRWA are serious. Israel has alleged that the attackers had the IDs given by UNRWA. Furthermore, the agency facilities and vehicles were misused in the assault. UNRWA has denied the direct involvement in the attack. However, their initial response was delayed. It was in contrast to their response and statements to the so-called human rights violations in Gaza. The disproportion between the timings of the comments coming from UNRWA raised concerns about the agency’s neutrality and its potential infiltration by Hamas.
Notably, there is a lack of transparency regarding the recruitment of UN staff in conflict zones. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure persons with vetting interests in volatile regions remain elusive. It has raised questions about the possibilities of loopholes and vulnerabilities within UN agencies. The opacity of the recruitment process only adds up to the case against the UN as it may lack accountability and strict vetting procedures. It has to be pointed out that the hiring policies of UNRWA have been under the radar multiple times.
During our research, we found that The Government Accountability Office report in May 2009 talked about the measures to prevent accidental payments to terrorists under Palestinian Aid Programs. It was then pointed out that UNRWA was not doing pre-employment screening of the staff; the screening was done once every six months. Furthermore, UNRWA should have included Hamas and Hezbollah in the list of organisations during the screening process. Interestingly, the US body found that UNRWA needed to assess the control for all cash assistant programs. Things have not changed much in over a decade.
Regarding the United Nations bodies, the 7th October incident is not an isolated case. Other UN Bodies have regularly come under the radar for lack of transparency, unnecessary meddling in a country’s affairs and inability to function correctly. Take the example of the World Health Organisation (WHO). It delayed and ultimately failed to properly conclude the investigation into the origins of COVID-19. United Nations Human Rights Council, or UNHRC, has a long history of meddling in the affairs of several countries, including India. Such shortcomings cast doubt on the UN’s effectiveness and raise concerns about how it can uphold its core principles.
India has always been a leading voice for reform within the United Nations. It has long advocated for a fairer and more representative Security Council. The current structure is dominated by the US, the UK, France, Russia and China as its permanent members. Such leadership fails to reflect the realities of the 21st century with emerging powers such as India, Brazil and the African Union.
There are cracks in the United Nations’ facade, and no one can deny it. The crisis that emerged on the sidelines of the terror attack on Israel, followed by the tension in the region, presented a crucial opportunity for introspection and reform. It is high time that the United Nations comprehensively address the charges against UNRWA with complete transparency. Merely, funding cuts are not going to work. Robust SOPs for staff recruitment in conflict zones are essential to regain the trust of the member nations. Furthermore, reforming UN bodies to sync them with the global power shift is long overdue and should happen sooner rather than later.
October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel
On 7th October, Hamas terrorists launched an all-out attack on Israel from sea, land, and air. At least 5,000 rockets were launched into Israel from Gaza, and tunnels were used to breach the Israeli territory and butcher Israeli civilians, particularly in the border villages. A music festival hosting more than 200 people was turned into a slaughter ground with many women raped, mutilated and abducted to Gaza. At least 1,300 people, including some foreign nationals, babies, women and senior citizens, died in the attacks. More than 200 were abducted and taken to Gaza. Following the attack, Israel launched a counterattack to eliminate Hamas. The Israel-Hamas war entered its 114th day on 29th January 2024.
What is UNRWA
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 1949. Its primary mission is to offer humanitarian aid and protection to registered Palestine refugees within its designated operational area. UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
UNRWA facilitates the realisation of the full potential in human development for Palestine refugees by delivering high-quality services in education, healthcare, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and enhancement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. The agency relies heavily on voluntary contributions for its funding.
Israel has provided information to the agency that its employees were involved in conspiring the terrorist attack by Hamas on 7th October 2023. In response to the allegations, the UNRWA has terminated the employees and launched an investigation. The Israel-Hamas conflict started after this terrorist attack. Israel is in the middle of a war against Hamas following the terrorist attack.
The Patiala House Court on Monday extended the judicial custody of Prabir Purkayastha, founder and editor-in-chief and Amit Chakravarty, HR Head of news portal in the case registered by Delhi Police under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, following allegations that news portal NewsClick received huge money for pro-China propaganda.
The Additional Sessions Judge Dr Hardeep Kaur on Monday extended their judicial custody till February 17, 2024.
Recently the court allowed Amit Chakravarty to turn approver in the case.
Prabir was represented by Advocate Arshdeep Singh Khurana and Amit Chakravarty was represented by Advocate Lalit Kumar during the hearing.
The approver, an accomplice who decides to testify against the co-accused in exchange for a pardon, is subject to examination and treatment under the CrPC. Safeguards are in place to prevent coerced or deceitful confessions, and the approver’s testimony must be supported by corroborative evidence as per the law.
Earlier, the same court granted the Delhi Police Special Cell grants 2 months more time to complete the investigation. Police had sought an extension of time to complete the investigation in the case.
The court earlier had dismissed Newsclick’s founder and Editor-in-Chief Prabir Purkayastha’s application, which sought directions to release his electronic devices seized by Delhi Police.
In October last year, the Delhi Police arrested Purkayastha and Newsclick HR Head Amit Chakraborty under the provisions of UAPA.
The Delhi Police’s Special Cell, in its FIR against Purkayastha, stated that the People’s Dispatch Portal, owned and maintained by PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt. Ltd., has been used for intentionally peddling false narratives through paid news in place of crores of illegally routed foreign funds as part of a conspiracy.
The FIR further stated that foreign funds in crores have been infused illegally in India by Indian and foreign entities inimical to India in pursuance of a conspiracy to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, to cause disaffection against India and to threaten the unity, integrity, and security of India.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
