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Complaint against Ranbir Kapoor after video goes viral showing ‘Animal’ actor pour liquor over cake while saying ‘Jai Mata Di’

ANI
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Complaint against Ranbir Kapoor after video goes viral showing ‘Animal’ actor pour liquor over cake while saying ‘Jai Mata Di’

A complaint has been filed against Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor in the Ghatkopar Police Station for allegedly hurting religious sentiments over a viral video while celebrating Christmas.

The complaint has been filed by Bombay High Court’s advocates Ashish Rai and Pankaj Mishra in which they have demanded to register a case under sections 295A, 298,500 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

However, the police have not yet registered any FIR in the matter.

In the viral video, wine and liquor are poured over a cake and then Ranbir Kapoor sets it on fire saying, ‘Jai Mata Di’. The rest of the family members also chanted the same.

According to the complaint, the fire god is invoked in Hinduism before invoking other deities, but Ranbir Kapoor and his family members deliberately used intoxicants while celebrating Christmas and chanted “Jai Mata Di”.

The video has been made and circulated to insult the religious sentiments of the complainants, it alleged. (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)

As goons attack shops over ‘smaller Kannada fonts’ on signboards in Bengaluru, here is how Karnataka Congress leaders have been fanning the language divide to enable it

Paurush Gupta
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As goons attack shops over ‘smaller Kannada fonts’ on signboards in Bengaluru, here is how Karnataka Congress leaders have been fanning the language divide to enable it

Tensions have been escalating in Karnataka particularly Bengaluru after several outfits carried out violent protests over the language row. Members of pro-Kannada activist group Karnataka Rakshana Vedike stormed the streets in Bengaluru on 27th December (Wednesday). 

As per reports, the protestors pelted stones and vandalised and defaced the properties of several business establishments after accusing them of not using or boldly highlighting the mandated percentage of Kannada language in their signboards.  

Conspicuously, the goons displaying violent linguistic chauvinism gained strength from the fact that the administration and ruling party leaders had made statements fanning the language divide. Two days ago, the BBMP order made it mandatory to display signage covering 60% of space with content in the Kannada language while the rest 40% could be in English. And Karnataka Rakshana Vedike is demanding immediate implementation of this rule. They even attacked establishments having separate English and Kannada signboards, demanding that all signboards must have Kannada occupying at least 60% space.

The today’s vandalism comes after repeated comments of ruling Congress leaders, both before and after the elections, calling for wider use of Kannada in the state.

Earlier on 17th October, Karnataka CM and Congress stalwart Siddaramaiah asserted that everyone living in Karnataka should learn to speak Kannada. He said, “We are all Kannadigas, people speaking different languages have settled in Kannada land since the unification of Karnataka. Everyone living in Karnataka should learn to speak Kannada.”

He argued that in some parts, other language speakers didn’t learn or speak anything in Kannada for which he blamed the negligence and generosity of Kannadigas that allowed it.    

He demanded that Kannadigas should ask non-Kannada speakers to learn their language instead of themselves learning other languages. 

He added, “Instead of Kannadigas teaching our language to others, we are learning their language first. In some parts of the state, the diaspora does not speak Kannada at all. This is happening because of the generosity of the Kannadigas.”

The Chief Minister noted that although Kannada had been the official language for many years, negligence might have been the main reason behind the non-implementation of Kannada in the administration. He stressed that while one should respect other languages, one should not forget their own language. 

In May this year, just before the Assemby elections, Congress and other opposition leaders spread mass hysteria that ‘outside’ companies (non-Karnataka-based) will trample the local businesses, which could lead to ‘cultural, political, lingual, and economic subjugation’. 

The Congress party and its ecosystem which was also assisted by JDS back then, used the Amul-Nandini controversy to whip up regionalism and linguistic chauvinism by framing non-Kanadigas as outsiders, potential usurpers and cultural imperalists. Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah even appealed to the Kannadigas to boycott the Amul brand as it was not based in the state.

While speaking about the matter, he had said, “In addition to language treason by the imposition of Hindi and land treason by trespassing within the state borders, now the BJP government is going to betray the farmers by shutting down Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), which is the livelihood of millions of dairy farming families in the country.”

Congress leader DK Shivakumar suggested a larger conspiracy in the entry of Amul into the Karnataka market. The controversy fueled sub-regionalism and stroked langague and culture war. An escalated langauge war also erupted after the prominent opposition leaders from Congress went after labels on FMCG products particularly Dahi.  

Additionally, on the counting day for assembly elections, Congress CM candidate Siddaramaiah had reprimanded journalists for using Hindi. Responding to media queries, he dragged the language divide, refused to answer questions in Hindi, and asked reporters to either use English or Kannada.

In April 2022, in a controversial response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s opinion that Hindi could be looked at as an alternative to English, the Congress leader had asserted that Hindi is not India’s national language and he will never let it happen. He alleged that it was an agenda of unleashing “cultural terrorism” against non-Hindi-speaking states.

He had demanded, “It is time for the BJP to understand that more linguistic and cultural autonomy should be given to states.” 

The language war stroked in the guise of so-called Hindi imposition and protection of interests of Karnataka had led to mainstreaminging rabid lingiustic chauvinist groups like Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) which has been working in tandem with Congress party on host of issues for years. Reportedly, it is the KRV that led today’s violent protests across the city coercing shopkeepers and vendors to make an immediate transition and using Kannada on their signboards.

During the Amul-Nandini fiasco, joining and supporting the then opposition party Congress’ narrative and call, Members of the ‘Kannada Rakshana Vedike’ had also hit the streets and staged protests against Amul while furthering its agenda of linguistic chauvinism and Hindi-imposition rhetoric.  

During the Cauvery water dispute this year, organisations like KRV meet Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah to extend their support. They also called a bandh over the issue.

Incidentally, just like the anti-farm law protest in New Delhi after the Centre passed three agriculture laws, the Karnataka Congress worked in tandem with outfits like KRV and staged violent protest against two amendments to the Karnataka Land Reforms (KLR) Act and the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act passed by the BS Yediyurappa government in 2020. 

Meanwhile, for several years, T-shirts with slogans like, “Hindi Gotthilla Hogo. Naavu Kannadigaru, Naavu Dravidaru” (We don’t know Hindi, go away. We are Kannadigas, we are Dravidians), have been allowed to go mainstream on social media platforms regularly. Similar campaigns have also been running in Tamil Nadu. 

A similar hashtag #ServeInMyLanguage had demanded that government services should be made available in Kannada for Kannada-speaking people. 

These hashtags started by the Kannada Grahakara Koota fan language divide and have been followed by groups like Karnataka Rakshana Vedike that hit the streets on to protest to fight against the so-called imposition of Hindi. Incidentally, these outfits have been on the same page with the Congress party in the state and vice-versa, emboldening them. 

Union Cabinet approves 6-lane extra dosed cable-stayed bridge on river Ganga between Digha and Sonepur in Bihar

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Union Cabinet approves 6-lane extra dosed cable-stayed bridge on river Ganga between Digha and Sonepur in Bihar

Union Cabinet approves 6-lane bridge on river Ganga between Digha and Sonepur in Bihar

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday has approved the construction of a 4.56 km long, 6-lane bridge on river Ganga, connecting Digha and Sonepur in Bihar.

The total cost of the project is Rs 3,064.45 crore.

The work is targeted to be completed in 42 months from the appointed date.

As per the government, the major impact of the project includes faster commute and better connectivity between the north and south ports of Bihar and will promote the socio-economic growth of the entire region.

The project is expected to generate direct employment for skilled and unskilled workers.

Union minister Anurag Thakur during the cabinet briefing, said that Bihar was, is and will remain a priority for the Central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Bihar has great potential and PM Modi has always given various big projects for the development of the state. Bihar was, is and will remain a priority for the Modi government,” Thakur said.

The Bridge will connect two Districts namely Patna at Digha on the south side and Saran on the north side across River Ganga, Bihar.

The government has declared the stretch “the Highway starting from its junction with NH-139 near Patna (AIIMS) connecting Bakarpur, Manikpur, Sahebganj, Areraj and terminating at its junction with NH- 727 near Bettiah in the State of Bihar” as NH-139(W) vide Gazette Notification dated 8th July 2021.

The work is to be implemented in EPC mode with the use latest technology like 5D-Building Information Modelling (BIM), Bridge Health Monitoring System (BHMS), and monthly drone mapping to ensure quality of construction and operations, as per the government.

Digha (situated at Patna and the south bank of the Ganga River) and Sonepur (north bank of the Ganga River in Saran District) are presently connected by a rail cum road bridge for the movement of light vehicles only. Therefore, the present road cannot be used for the transport of goods and commodities which is a major economic blockade. The constraint will be removed by providing this bridge, between Digha and Sonepur and; goods and commodities can be transported once the bridge is constructed, unleashing the economic potential of the region.

This bridge will provide direct connectivity from Patna to the Golden Quadrilateral Corridor via NH-139 at Aurangabad and Sonepur (NH-31), Chhapra, Motihari (East-West corridor old NH-27), Bettiah (NH-727) in the northern side of Bihar. This Project is a part of the Buddha circuit. It provides better connectivity to the Buddha Stupa at Vaishali and Keshariya. Also, NH-139W provides connectivity to the very famous Areraj Someshwar Nath Temple and the proposed Viraat Ramayan Mandir (the largest religious monument in the world) at Kesariya in the East Champaran District.

This project is falling in Patna and will provide better connectivity to north Bihar and the south part of the state through the state capital. The Bridge will make the movement of vehicles faster and easier resulting in the overall development of the region. The Economic analysis results have shown an EIRR of 17.6 per cent in the base case and 13.1 per cent in the worst case which may be attributed to the savings in distance and time travelled.

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

Rajasthan CM fulfils party’s poll promise, slashes down Ujjwala gas cylinder prices to Rs 450

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan CM fulfils party’s poll promise, slashes down Ujjwala gas cylinder prices to Rs 450

On Wednesday, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma of Rajasthan declared a reduction in the price of Ujjwala gas cylinders, bringing the cost down to Rs 450 in the state. Emphasizing alignment with the BJP’s Sankalp Patra (manifesto), he highlighted that the revised pricing reflects the government’s commitment. Previously set at Rs 500, the BJP-led administration has successfully implemented a reduction of Rs 50 in gas cylinder prices.

In the ‘vision document,’ the BJP pledged a subsidy of Rs 450 per LPG cylinder for beneficiaries of the Ujjwala scheme, along with the commitment to create 2.5 lakh government jobs.

The party, staging a comeback by triumphing over the Congress, also committed to investigating paper leaks and other alleged scams during the Congress government’s tenure.

The BJP’s leader, JP Nadda, announced plans to establish a ‘Mahila thana’ in each district, introduce a ‘Mahila desk’ in every police station, and deploy an anti-Romeo squad in every city. Additionally, he declared the initiation of a savings bond amounting to Rs 2 lakh for the birth of a girl child and the implementation of a compensation policy for farmers whose land underwent auction.

In April, the preceding Congress government led by Ashok Gehlot declared that households enrolled in the Ujjwala scheme would receive 12 LPG cylinders annually for Rs 500 each. Approximately 76 lakh families below the poverty line enjoyed the benefits of subsidized rates under this initiative.

Ram Mandir inauguration: Ayodhya Dham Railway Station undergoes a significant transformation with state-of-the-art facilities

ANI
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Ram Mandir inauguration: Ayodhya Dham Railway Station undergoes a significant transformation with state-of-the-art facilities

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate ‘Ayodhya Dham,’ a railway station with cutting-edge facilities, on December 30. While the station’s development is planned to occur in three phases, the first phase has been fully completed ahead of its inauguration, according to an official statement from the government of UP on Wednesday.

What distinguishes this station is its meticulously planned development, which outperforms even airport facilities in terms of quality and convenience. Infant care, a sick room, a tourist information centre, a fire exit, and the country’s largest concourse are all available at the railway station, added the statement.

Ayodhya Dham Railway Station boasts a range of facilities that go beyond typical railway stations, surpassing even airport standards. Notably, the Infant Care Room occupies a prominent position, providing medical attention to infants of passengers. In the event of an injury or illness during the journey, a dedicated sick room at the station is available for first aid and medical assistance.

The station also features a Passenger Facilities Desk and Tourist Information Centre, providing passengers with comprehensive information about spiritual and tourist destinations in the area, including the Shri Ram Temple, along with convenient means of access. These facilities are situated on the ground floor, and the entire complex follows a G+2 model (ground plus middle and first floor).

In addition to these distinctive amenities, Ayodhya Dham provides standard facilities found in newly developed stations, such as cloakrooms, a food plaza, waiting halls, staircases, escalators, lifts, and toilets. All floors are connected to fire exits, ensuring a safe evacuation route in the event of any unforeseen situations.

The middle floor of Ayodhya Dham station accommodates various facilities, including retiring rooms, a ladies dormitory, AC retiring rooms, a gents dormitory, staircases, lodging rooms for relieving staff, and dedicated spaces for the station master and women employees.

At the same time, the country’s largest concourse setup will be on the first floor. This process is to be completed in 3 phases and the work of the first phase has been completed. Once all three phases are finalized, the concourse will span an impressive 7200 square meters.

The first floor will also feature additional facilities such as a food plaza, waiting hall, toilets, drinking water stations, escalators, lifts, staff rooms, shops, waiting rooms, and an entry footbridge. Furthermore, the station has taken into consideration the needs of individuals with disabilities by incorporating specially designed toilets.

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

Dua Lipa in India: British-Albanian singer visits Rajasthan, Delhi with family and friends, shares beautiful images on social media

OpIndia Staff
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Dua Lipa in India: British-Albanian singer visits Rajasthan, Delhi with family and friends, shares beautiful images on social media

India has long been a popular travel destination, drawing visitors from around the world for an incredible experience. Interestingly, its standing as one of the favourite tourist attractions keeps growing with time. Many foreigners including famous individuals like Hugh Jackman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Julia Roberts, Will Smith and others frequently visit the country to experience its natural beauty, cuisine and culture among other things. Now, English and Albanian singer-songwriter Dua Lipa who has been vacationing here with her family is the newest addition to the long list of celebrities.

“Happy Holidays from me to you. Sending love light health and happiness for the year ahead,” wrote the ‘Levitating’ hit-maker on 24th December with a heart emoticon as she posted a bunch of photos on Instagram while travelling in Rajasthan. She appeared to be having a wonderful time while admiring the state’s natural splendour and cultural nuisances. In the first photo, she posed in her bed in a blue shirt and striped pants while an exquisite artwork of Radha-Krishna adorned the background wall.

The following image showed the ‘One Kiss’ singer standing close to a desk while donning a crimson and golden dress. She also uploaded a snap of a group of women huddled up close to a building. The subsequent photograph featured her posing in black attire. Furthermore, she shared a slightly grainy picture of herself wearing a dark pair of sunglasses, a golden top and a leather jacket. The next one displayed her posing with her friends and then a close selfie of her face. Along with the stunning shots of the iconic Umaid Bhavan Palace in Jodhpur, she also published another image of herself seated in a car wearing jeans, a white shirt and a bright red jacket.

After she pleasantly surprised her fans with the photographs from Rajasthan, her father Dukagjin Lipa took to the social media app and shared pictures from their amazing trip. He stated, “Jodhpur was captivating. Celebrating beautiful customs, beautifully preserved crafts, beautiful colours and beautiful people,” with folded hands and the Hindu symbol of ‘Om.’ He also tagged the luxury car brand Porsche and remarked, “This is the best form of transport,” and added auto-rikshaw emojis with the hashtag ‘tuk-tuk’ which is a popular three-wheeled motorized vehicle used as a taxi in the country. He also posted a series of photographs with his daughter and the rest of their family including them riding in an autorickshaw and a snap of a temple.

Dukagjin Lipa also uploaded pictures from their visit to Humayun’s Tomb and Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in New Delhi and mentioned, “The Indian journey starts at New Delhi, India.” The family was clicked with their heads covered with saffron clothes inside the Gurdwara beside their picture outside the tomb.

Notably, the well-known artist has been enjoying every minute of her vacation with no knowledge of her identity held by Indians. This blessing in disguise has allowed her to walk around freely, unlike when hordes of people congregate around any recognized face whenever they are noticed outside. However, she didn’t have to encounter any such issues and has been moving around with her family and friends without any problems. A clip showed her meandering casually around a marketplace while going undetected by the general population despite being a worldwide celebrity.

The popular star was last seen in India as she made her debut performance in the country back in November 2019 when she commented, “At the Ganesh Temple in Jaipur. A lady outside the temple helped me and taught me how to put on my sari before I entered. We joined in with the locals and offered sweet treats to the Gods and the people inside.” 

Dua Lipa visited a Ganesh temple in Jaipur in 2019. (Source: The Times of India)

The three-time Grammy Award winner has already celebrated Christmas in India this year and presumably is going to welcome the new year in the country as well.

UP: Riyaz among 4 arrested for raping a Dalit woman in Barabanki

OpIndia Staff
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UP: Riyaz among 4 arrested for raping a Dalit woman in Barabanki

On Monday (December 25), a Dalit woman was raped in Uttar Pradesh’s Barabanki district by the accused identified as Mughal-e-Azam alias Riyaz and his accomplices. The matter pertains to Dewa Police Station precinct and a case has been registered against accused Riyaz and his three unidentified accomplices based on a complaint lodged by the victim’s father with surname Rawat on Tuesday (December 26).

The complainant is a resident of Sidwaahi village in Dewa police station area in Barabanki. According to the FIR copy obtained by OpIndia, the victim’s father stated that his daughter had an altercation with the woman in her in-laws’ family on December 25 at around 9 p.m., after which she became enraged leaving her house and walked towards the road outside the Sidwaahi village. However, once her anger subsided, she decided to return home. While she was returning home, accused Mughal-e-Azam alias Riyaz, a Dewa resident, and his three accomplices arrived in a white car abducted the woman and held her captive in a building near the Dewa BSNL Tower. Following that, the accused raped the victim one by one.

Following this, the victim woman managed to call her father on the phone at 1:30 a.m. and inform him about the incident. The victim’s brother then dialled 112 to call the police. However, by the time the police arrived, the perpetrators had fled. The victim’s father filed a complaint with Dewa Police Station on Tuesday. The police filed a case against the four accused based on the complaint under sections 376 (rape), 342 (wrongful confinement), and 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST Act.

Meanwhile, Additional Superintendent of Police (North), Barabanki C.N. Sinha informed that the main accused in the matter Riyaz was arrested. During questioning, the accused revealed the identities of his accomplices, who have been identified as Bhoore, Shabbu, and Ismailuddin.

According to Sinha, the police examined the CCTV footage and also found evidence against the perpetrators. Following that, the other three accused were also apprehended. He also stated that the victim’s medical examination is being conducted adding that further action is being taken in the case.

Bengaluru: Karnataka Rakshana Vedike workers detained for violent protests and vandalisation demanding ‘60% Kannada’ on all signboards

ANI
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Bengaluru: Karnataka Rakshana Vedike workers detained for violent protests and vandalisation demanding ‘60% Kannada’ on all signboards

The Bengaluru police on Wednesday detained the members of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), a pro-Kannada activist group, who were staging a protest in Karnataka’s Bengaluru demanding that all businesses and enterprises in Karnataka should put up nameplates in Kannada in their shops to fulfil the state government obligation that 60 per cent of the nameplate should be in Kannada.

The public awareness protest was held under the leadership of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike State President T A Narayan Gowda.

Meanwhile, it has also come to the fore that the KRV activists vandalised some of the shop boards carrying English nameplates. The members of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike also broke flower pots outside the Mall of Asia in Bangalore, broke English signboards and sprayed black ink.

KRV State President T N Narayan Gowda said, “People from various states are doing business in Bangalore. But they don’t put Kannada nameplates on their shops. They are only putting up the nameplates of their shops in English. If they want to stay back in Bangalore then they have to put nameplates on their shops in Kannada or else they have to move from Karnataka to other states.”

He further said that there is a Karnataka government law that 60 per cent of the nameplate should be in Kannada.

“No one is following it properly, so today we are doing a massive awareness protest rally. If the police stop us today, our struggle will not stop. We will continue the rally every day till our demands are met,” he added.

He further alleged that Mall of Asia (Bengaluru) has not put a Kannada nameplate.

“We told them to put a Kannada nameplate but Mall of Asia (Bangalore) did not bother and has not put a Kannada nameplate so we will fight against this. Today police are providing full protection to the Mall of Asia (Bengaluru), but tomorrow who will provide protection? Tomorrow again our activists will protest, till our demand is fulfilled,” he added.

The rally was held from Nada Prabhu Kempegowda International Airport Toll (Sadarahalli Gate) to Cubbon Park.

Earlier, Tushar Giri Nath, chief commissioner of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), said that by February 28, commercial stores under the administrative body need to install 60 per cent Kannada language nameplates, which, if failing to do so, will attract legal action.

Addressing a meeting at Malleswaram IPP hall with the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike regarding the mandatory use of Kannada language in the nameplates of all types of commercial shops under the corporation, he said that a meeting will be held with all the zonal commissioners regarding the mandatory use of Kannada language on the nameplates and appropriate directions will be given.

“There are 1400 km of arterial and sub-arterial roads in the city, and all the commercial shops on these roads will be surveyed zone-wise. After the survey, a notice will be given to the shops that do not use 60% Kannada language. After issuing the notice, they will be given time till February 28 to implement Kannada language nameplates and submit compliance to the respective zone commissioners,” Tushar Giri Nath 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)

Former Pakistan FM Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who dreamed of ‘destroying Somnath temple’, manhandled and insulted by police after re-arrest outside jail

OpIndia Staff
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Former Pakistan FM Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who dreamed of ‘destroying Somnath temple’, manhandled and insulted by police after re-arrest outside jail

On Wednesday (27th December), Former Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who had vowed to destroy Somnath temple in India, was rearrested by the Pakistan Police hours after he was released from Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail in a cipher case. He was recently granted bail by the Pakistan Supreme Court in the given case.

Qureshi, the Vice Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was arrested on 9th May in a GHQ protest case. The PTI released several videos across social media and claimed that the leader was manhandled and mistreated by the Pakistan Police. “Former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi being mistreated by police officers as he was stating his rights. This is absolutely shameful, disgusting conduct by those who get paid by us!” the party said on X.

“I was released on bail by the Supreme Court, this is injustice, I am being punished for serving the nation,” Qureshi said while standing in an armored car. The videos, which were shared on the social media platform, showed Qureshi being pulled into the police van, with spectators asking the officers to be “careful” with the former minister.

“Police have re-arrested Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi on bail release from Adyala Jail following the Supreme Court’s verdict last week. Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner of Rawalpindi had withdrawn the observation order issued under MPO. This treatment of a person with unparalleled service to Pakistan who are internationally respected senior politician is a sign of the arrogance of authority. The law has been made a joke and the fundamental constitutional rights of citizens have been openly violated. Pakistani people will never forget this oppression and injustice,” the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf wrote on Instagram.

On 22nd December, the Pakistan Supreme Court awarded bail to Qureshi and former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the cipher case. Given their involvement in other cases, their immediate release from jail was not possible.

As the 67-year-old Qureshi was being discharged on Wednesday, a large contingent of police detained him again in the GHQ protest case and reportedly shifted him to an unknown location. According to the report, a case has been opened against Qureshi at the RA Bazar Police Station for attacking the GHQ during the 9th May riots.

Qureshi was arrested a day after Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Hassan Waqar Cheema delivered an order under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) for his 15-day imprisonment. This law allows the government to arrest someone if there is a risk of public disorder.

Cheema stated in his order that the Rawalpindi city police officer (CPO) informed him that Qureshi was a member of a political party, engaged in anti-state activities, and triggered damage to public and private property during the 9th May protest.

According to the Rawalpindi DC, Qureshi’s imprisonment is “necessary and expedient in (the) public interest” to prevent him from acting in any way that is detrimental to public safety or the maintenance of public order. 

Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s detention order was issued shortly before Special Court Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain issued his release orders from the Adiala Jail in the cipher case.

The March 2022 case involves Imran Khan waving a piece of paper at a public gathering and later naming the United States, claiming that the cipher was proof of an “international conspiracy” to destabilize his government. He made the allegations ahead of a vote of confidence, which he ultimately lost.

Qureshi was Khan’s Foreign Minister at the time, and he was indicted in the cipher case in October last year. 

It is important to note that Qureshi in the year 2020 had vowed to destroy the Somnath Temple in India’s Gujarat. The vow of the video had gone viral over the social media platform.

In the video, Qureshi could be heard saying how Shah Mehmood, like Mahmud Ghaznavi, has come out to destroy the Somnath temple. The crowd could be heard cheering for his vow in the background.

This video appears to be at least a decade old. The exact time of this speech of Qureshi cannot be verified.

“Inciting people to establish Islamic rule”: MHA declares Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction) ‘Unlawful Association’ under UAPA

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“Inciting people to establish Islamic rule”: MHA declares Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction) ‘Unlawful Association’ under UAPA

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday declared the ‘Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction)’ MLJK-M as an ‘Unlawful Association’ under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act with immediate effect for the next five years, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah saying that “anyone acting against the unity, sovereignty, and integrity of our nation will not be spared and face the full wrath of the law”.

The MHA issued a notification declaring that the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction), referred to as the MLJK-MA, chaired by Masarat Alam Bhat, is known for its anti-India and pro-Pakistan propaganda.

The Ministry’s action against the group followed input that “the objectives of MLJK-MA are to get freedom of Jammu and Kashmir from India so as to realise the merger of Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan and establish Islamic rule in Jammu and Kashmir.”

“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the Central Government hereby declares the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction) as an unlawful association with immediate effect for a period of five years,” reads the notification.

Soon after the notification was issued, the Home Minister took to ‘X’, formerly Twitter, mentioning that “the ‘Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction)’/MLJK-MA is declared as an ‘Unlawful Association’ under UAPA.”

“This organization and its members are involved in anti-national and secessionist activities in J&K supporting terrorist activities and inciting people to establish Islamic rule in J&K. The PM @narendramodi government’s message is loud and clear that anyone acting against the unity, sovereignty, and integrity of our nation will not be spared and face the full wrath of the law,” Amit Shah posted on ‘X’.

As per the MHA notification, the members of the MLJK-MA have been indulging in the secessionist activities in the Jammu and Kashmir, and the leaders and members of the group have been involved in raising funds through various sources including Pakistan and its proxy organisations for perpetrating unlawful activities, including supporting terrorist activities, sustained stone-pelting on Security Forces in Jammu and Kashmir.

The notification points that the MLJK-MA and its members by their activities show sheer disrespect towards the constitutional authority and constitutional set up of the country; and its leaders and members, particularly its Chairman Masarat Alam Bhat, have been indulging in unlawful activities, which are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty, security and communal

harmony of the country.

The MHA said there had been a number of inputs showing linkages of the MLJK-MA with banned terrorist organisations; as well as the MLJK-MA and its members have been involved in supporting terrorist activities with an intent to create a reign of terror in the country, thereby endangering the security and public order of the state, and its anti-national activities also show disrespect and disregard to the constitutional authority and sovereignty of the state, hence an immediate and prompt action is required against the organisation.

“The Central government is of the opinion that if there is no immediate curb or control of unlawful activities of the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction), it will use this opportunity to continue with the anti-national activities which are detrimental to the territorial integrity, security and sovereignty of the country; continue advocating the secession of Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India while disputing its accession to the Union of India; and

continue propagating false narratives and anti-national sentiments among the people of Jammu and Kashmir with the intention to cause disaffection against India and disrupt public order,” mentions the notification.

Noting these reasons, the notification says, the Central government is firmly of the opinion that having regard to the activities of the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction), it is necessary to declare the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction) as an ‘unlawful association’ with immediate effect. 

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

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