Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday said that the induction of former Union Minister and Congress leader Milind Deora in his party was just a trailer and the full picture was yet to come, hinting at more influx from the opposition ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
Speaking after Deora joined his party in the presence of several leaders of Shiv Sena in Mumbai, Shinde said that he performed an “operation” one and half years before and didn’t even have to make stitches and the operation was done.
“I am not a doctor. Despite not being a doctor, I performed an operation one and half year before…didn’t even have to make stitches and the operation was done. I won’t say anything more than this…This is just a trailer, film is yet to come in,” he said.
Shinde drew parallels between the sentiments expressed by Milind Deora on the current occasion and the emotions he himself experienced 1.5 years ago when he severed ties with then Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray.
“The feelings that you (Milind Deora) have in your mind today are the same that I had 1.5 years back. Such situations arise when a decision has to be made,” Shinde said.
Deora on Sunday joined the Shiv Sena in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde after quitting the Congress earlier in the day.
The former South Mumbai Lok Sabha MP joined the ruling party in a function in Varsha, the official residence of the chief minister, in the afternoon. During the ceremony, Deora affirmed his commitment to strengthen Shinde’s leadership further and praised his vision for Mumbai and the state.
“I am joining him to strengthen his hands further. Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah also have a vision for the country. I want to strengthen their hands as well through the Shiv Sena,” Deora said.
The Maharashtra leader ended his 55-year-old association with the party which went back to his father Murli Deora.
The Maharashtra leader ended his 55-year-old association with the party which went back to his father Murli Deora.
While emphasizing his commitment to Congress, Milind Deora said that he remained loyal to the party during its most challenging decade.
“I have been receiving a lot of phone calls since morning that why did I sever 55-year-old ties of my family with Congress party…I was loyal to the party during its most challenging decade. Unfortunately, today’s Congress is very different from the Congress of 1968 as well as that of 2004. Had Congress and UBT given importance to constructive and positive suggestions and merit and capability,
Eknath Shinde and I wouldn’t have been here. Eknath Shinde had to make a major decision, I had to make a major decision,” he 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)
The authorities in Bihar’s Purnia district have solved the murder case of a 15-year-old girl who apparently ‘committed suicide’ and arrested Mohammad Tayyub and Nazir Khan for killing her. Tayyub had brought his friend Nazir Khan from Delhi and went to Purnia along with him where he called her girlfriend, proceeded to slit her throat and suspended the dead body on a tree.
Notably, her family members had registered a complaint with the authorities suspecting murder after the corpse was discovered. According to the investigation, she had a romantic relationship with Mohammad Tayyub. Interestingly, he was supposed to be in Delhi but electronic evidence showed his location in Purnia. Everyone was stunned when the police connected the dots and made the case public after 17 days of intense probe.
The incident transpired in the Amour police station area. The body of the girl was found hanging from a tree on the morning of 28th December in Haripur ward number 5 here. Her family believed that she was killed per the First Information Report (FIR) accessed by OpIndia. Now, the perpetrators have been taken into police custody as the cops have exposed the entire criminal conspiracy.
As per the media accounts, the two travelled to Purnia on 27th December and Mohammad Tayyub told the victim to meet them in a field at night. He carried out the horrible deed and returned to Delhi the next day. People were not even aware of his presence there.
Meanwhile, the girl’s family denied the allegations of suicide and lodged a police complaint against Mohammad Tayyub who is also from the village. It was uncovered that he was in Purnia when his device location was investigated based on the accusations. The police nabbed the two culprits and interrogated them after which the entire incident was revealed.
Girl was putting pressure on him for marriage
Mohammad Tayyub claimed that his girlfriend was forcing him to marry her. He then devised a thorough plot to remove her from his life. He sliced her neck due to which no one believed that she ended her own life. The police are now inquiring whether she was sexually assaulted or not.
Amidst diplomatic tensions between India and Maldives over racial commentary by three now-suspended Maldivian ministers on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India, south superstar Nagarjuna has reportedly cancelled his family holiday trip to Maldives.
“I was supposed to leave on January 17th for Maldives for a holiday since I couldn’t spare much time for my family. I worked nonstop for Big Boss and Naa Saami Ranga for 75 days. Now, I’ve cancelled my tickets and plan to visit Lakshadweep next week,” the actor says in a video alongside composer M M Keeravani, as he extended support to the ‘boycott Maldives’ campaign.
Nagarjuna further asserted that the derogatory comments made by the three Maldivian ministers were in bad taste adding that PM Modi represents 1.5 billion Indians and is respected globally.
“I had gone to Maldives quite a few times, but this time I chose not to go there. But their ministers’ comments against our Prime Minister Narendra Modi were in bad taste and they are going to pay a price. PM Modi is the leader of 1.5 billion people and much respected across the world,” the Telugu superstar said.
It all started after the now-suspended Maldivian ministers, namely Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef and Mahzoom Majid, recently called Prime Minister Modi a “clown” and a “puppet of Israel” in response to his posts about Lakshadweep islands.
This soon escalated into a heated debate on social media followed by a “Boycott Maldives” campaign and the cancellation of trips to Maldives is picking steam in India. Moreover, the Indian online travel company, Ease My Trip, also suspended all flight bookings to Maldives amidst the controversy. Consequently, the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) wrote to Ease My Trip CEO Nishant Pitti seeking his assistance in fostering positive relations between the two countries.
As reported earlier, the tensions between India and Maldives resulted in a significant drop in queries for holidays in Maldives.
Recently, many Bollywood actors including Akshay Kumar, sportspersons and noted personalities came together for a campaign to encourage Indians to “Explore Indian Islands” instead.
Notably, according to the Maldives Ministry of Tourism, India was the main source of tourist influx in 2023. Between January 1 and December 31, 2023, 209,198 Indians visited Maldives. According to the Indian government, India is the 2nd leading source market for Maldives with an 11.1% market share. However, with the recent developments and the Maldivian government’s pro-China stance, the Maldivian tourism industry which the archipelago’s main source of revenue will suffer significantly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive at Guruvayur temple in Kerala’s Thrissur to participate in the wedding ceremony of actor-turned-politician and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Suresh Gopi’s daughter Bhagya Suresh which is scheduled to take place there on 17th January. Ahead of the visit, a claim is being on social media that 48 weddings scheduled to be held at Guruvayoor on that day have been cancelled due to this visit.
Author Mini Nair was one among such persons who tried to disseminate misinformation by claiming that “48 weddings that were scheduled at the Guruvayoor were cancelled” because of PM Modi’s visit.
Notably, the Guruvayur Devaswom has clarified that no marriages will be cancelled on 17th January in light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the temple, notwithstanding the confusion caused by the propaganda campaign on social media. The marriage ceremonies scheduled on the day have been only rescheduled by the temple authorities. 39 of the 65 marriages planned for that date will be held between 5 am to 6 am whereas 9 ceremonies were set in this period earlier. Now, a total of 48 marriages will occur from 5 am to 6 am and the remaining will be solemnised after 9:30 am.
Attendees will need to obtain a pass from the police by providing a copy of their ID card and a photo. The prime minister will reportedly show up at the temple at 8 am to perform darshan and proceed to the wedding ceremony before leaving at 8.45 am. There will be stringent limitations in place from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. The control measures will be implemented in cooperation with the police and central security agencies.
Guruvayur Devaswom Board Chairman Dr V K Vijayan proclaimed, “I would like to assure the families who have booked marriage at Guruvayur on January 17 that no marriage will be cancelled. But we will have to reschedule the timings and a decision will be taken regarding this at the meeting with SPG officials scheduled at 10.30 am on Sunday. I urge the families not to get confused over rumours. The marriages would have been fixed months ago and the families arrive after a lot of preparations. There is nothing reprehensible than forcing these families to cancel the marriage. Guruvayur Devaswom will never do that.”
After the temple announced that some weddings would be rescheduled, people were showing apprehension that it could mean the massages being solemnised outside the prescribed auspicious time. However, the temple said that there is no auspicious time or muhurtham at the Guruvayur temple.
Vijayan explained that since marriages in Guruvayur are sanctified in front of Lord Krishna, there is no ‘muhurtham’ or auspicious period for them to take place. “It is a matter of devotion and Guruvayur Devaswom will provide all possible help to realise their desire to get the marriage solemnised in front of Guruvayurappan. As many as 64 marriages were booked till Thursday and now the number has crossed 70.”
Concerning the limitations on the guest count for weddings, he noted that a maximum of 20 individuals can attend a wedding and that these constraints have been in place for years. “There will be more than 100 marriages on some days and if all the devotees throng the temple there will be a huge rush. The restrictions were implemented to avoid stampede.”
According to him, the daughter of Suresh Gopi has been given the same time slot as three other marriages. Families shared a wish that the couples be allowed to receive the prime minister’s blessings. During a meeting with the Special Protection Group (SPG) authorities, a decision regarding these requests will also be reached. However, customs such as ‘choroonu’ (rice feeding ceremony) and ‘thulabharam’ (Hindu practice in which a person is weighed against commodities which are later donated) will be suspended while PM Modi is in the temple.
His presence at the temple would be restricted to the bare minimum of staff and priests required to carry out the rituals. Dr V K Vijayan highlighted, “The families who arrive for ‘choroonu’ may be provided opportunity after the departure of the PM. But I would like to request parents to avoid the function as the heavy rush and restrictions may be unbearable to the children.”
PM Modi will arrive at Kochi Naval Airport at 5 pm on 16th January where he will undertake a roadshow from Maharaja’s College to Ernakulam Government Guest House. He will spend the night there. He is taking a helicopter at 7 am to Guruvayur the next day. He will return to Kochi after the wedding to officially inaugurate the International Ship Repair Facility and Dry Dock at Cochin Shipyard at 10 in the morning. He will also address a meeting of party workers of the ‘Shaktikendra,’ the party’s booth-level organisational empowerment committee in the state at Marine Driveat Marine Drive at 11 am and return to Delhi after lunch.
Students of a government school in Kalaburagi, Karnataka were allegedly forced to clean the toilets of the school and do gardening work at the residence of their school principal. As per reports, the principal of Maulana Azad Model English Medium School has been allegedly forcing students to indulge in these activities for the last one year. Reportedly, over the year, students of various classes have been forced to clean toilets and do gardening work at the principal’s residence.
Notably, the Maulana Azad Model schools were started by the Karnataka government across the state under the Directorate of Minorities.
(Video Courtesy – India Today)
MD Zameer, the father of a boy who studies at the same Maulana Azad government school, has written a complaint letter to the Roza police station. In the complaint letter, the student’s father has sought a thorough investigation and immediate action into the matter.
According to the complaint MD Zameer, when the parents of the students confronted the principal, she said that there was not enough manpower in the cleaning department. As per media reports, till now no action has been taken against the school principal in this matter.
Nonetheless, the police have stated that they would take appropriate action after a thorough investigation into the allegations against the school principal.
However, this is not a stand-alone incident of alleged student exploitation as numerous incidents of this kind have come to light in the last few months from the state of Karnataka.
Evidently, in December 2023, the District Block Education Officer filed a report after a video went viral on social media in which students were seen cleaning toilets in Shivamogga which is the home district of Karnataka education minister Madhu Bangarappa.
It was alleged that headmaster Shankarappa and other educators had made students clean restrooms.
On 23rd December, the Karnataka Police took into custody the headmistress of a government school in Bengaluru for allegedly forcing the students to clean the school’s restrooms.
As per reports, it was alleged that students at Bengaluru North’s Andrahalli Government School were forced to scrub down restroom walls and clean toilets.
Footage of the distressing incident went viral on social media, bringing the situation to public attention and prompting concerned authorities to intervene.
On Tuesday (9th January), an Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the United States floated a ‘caste survey’ on social media to perpetuate the dubious narrative of caste-based discrimination in the country.
Identified as Ankita Nikalje, the ‘academic’ sought a pool of 300 people to answer a set of randomised and unrelated questions to determine the extent of supposed ‘caste discrimination’ in the United States. Interestingly, she is the daughter of Indian gangster Chota Rajan.
“Data collected will be de-identified and will be used to gather evidence of (how) often caste discrimination happens and what is its impact,” read the objective of the survey.
Screengrab of the survey’s poster
Funded by ‘research startup funds’ of the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, the survey is about 45 minutes long.
Ankita Nikalje has pledged to donate $3 (₹248) for each completed survey to one of the controversial organisations, including, the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, the International Dalit Solidarity Network, or Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.
While previous attempts to pass ‘caste discrimination’ as a rampant phenomenon in the United States failed to make an impact, a new strategy has been devised in the form of a ‘survey’ to mainstream the dubious narrative.
In this survey, the following as seen as symbols of caste:
– Village you are from (??) – Dietary Preference – If you're asked whether you go to temple (no other religious institution mentioned)
Ridiculous methodology and sampling bias of the survey
At the very onset, the Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee posed four ‘screening questions’ to determine the ideal ‘candidate’ for the survey. These included:
Are you 18 years of age or older?
Are you currently located in the United States of America (U.S.)?
Do you identify as South Asian or South Asian American? (i.e., associate at least some of your cultural heritage to one of the following countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, or Afghanistan)
Have you experienced caste discrimination in the U.S.?
Interstingly, anyone can participate in the survey and as many times as they want using the ‘incognito mode’ in the web browser. OpIndia tried it out first-hand and noticed that those who profess against experiencing caste discrimination are automatically debarred from participating further in the survey.
“Sorry.. based on your responses to the screening questions, you are not eligible to participate in this research survey. We appreciate your interest and time taken to answer the questions,” it said.
The survey presupposes what caste is and predetermines the following four markers last names vegetarianism, celebration of Hindu festivals, and skin color as pointers of caste and caste discrimination. This is a serious violation of Title VI at a publicly funded university. It… pic.twitter.com/i21IzQspYy
Survey questions equate rude behaviour with caste discrimination
When OpIndia re-attempted the same survey using ‘incognito mode’ and claimed to have experienced ‘caste discrimination in the US’, we were asked to answer dubious questions aimed at ‘determining’ alleged discriminatory behaviour. Those included-
You were asked what your surname was…How often this has happened to you in the US? How stressful was this for you?
You were asked if you were vegetarian or non-vegetarian…How often this has happened to you in the US? How stressful was this for you?
You were asked why you did not celebrate a particular festival…How often this has happened to you in the US? How stressful was this for you?
Others make negative comments or jokes about the way you speak English…How often this has happened to you in the US? How stressful was this for you?
You were shamed for your eating habits (e.g.. eating with your hands, eating non-vegetarian food). How often this has happened to you in the US? How stressful was this for you?
As evident from the above questions, it is crystal clear that none of it remotely implies caste-based discrimination. These broad-spectrum, open-ended questions are designed with the agenda of equating bad interpersonal behaviour as evidence of casteism.
There were 94 such questions, most of which did not address caste-based discrimination in any form or manner. After the multiple-choice questions were answered, we were asked to respond to another set of subjective questions.
Donations to George-Soros-funded organisations
The daughter of Indian gangster Chota Rajan, Ankita Nikalje, had vowed to donate $3 for each completed survey to one of the three organisations, namely, the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, the International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN), or Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.
One of the donors of the IDSN happens to be the Open Society Foundations (OSF) of far-left billionaire Geoge Soros, who has been eyeing a colour revolution in India.
Donors of International Dalit Solidarity Network
India has been fighting a ‘perception war’ on all fronts since the start of 2023. On February 16 last year year, George Soros exploited the Adani-Hindenburg controversy and launched a scathing attack on the Indian government.
He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of crony capitalism. The Hungarian-American billionaire also said that the ‘shakedown’ caused to the Indian markets due to the Hindenburg Research report will result in ‘much needed institutional reforms’ and ‘democratic revival’.
George Soros and his vicious ecosystem of NGOs, activists and journalists had been trying to prove PM Modi as an ‘electoral autocrat’ who needed to be ousted for the ‘greater good’ of this country. And it has been a work in progress for a long time.
The Hungarian-American billionaire has also tried to use international institutions, which are funded by him, including Freedom House and V-Dem (Varieties of Democracy) Institute to tarnish the image of India at a global level.
In January 2020, the American billionaire committed $1 billion to start a global university to “fight nationalists” and climate change, calling them twin challenges that threaten the survival of our civilisation.
Ankita Nikalje and her connection to anti-Brahmin activist
In January 2023, Ankita Nikalje was seen moderating an online session on ‘caste’ conducted by anti-Brahmin activist Thenmozhi Soundarajan, who also happens to be the founder of ‘Equality Labs’.
Soundarajan had shot to fame in 2018 after the then Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey clicked pictures with a poster, designed by her, carrying the tagline ‘Smash Brahmanical Patriarchy.’
In April 2022, tech giant Google cancelled a talk by Thenmozhi Soundararajan, owing to the fear that it might create ‘division and rancour’ in the workplace. Google spokesperson Shannon Newberry had said, “We also made the decision to not move forward with the proposed talk which — rather than bringing our community together and raising awareness — was creating division and rancour.”
Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey with anti-Brahmin poster designed by Thenmozhi Soundarajan
In November 2022, she went on an unhinged tirade against Yoga. During the one-and-a-half-hour-long podcast, Soundararajan cast aspersions on the history of the ancient Indian Hindu practice and claimed that it was used by Brahmins to oppress the Dalit community. She also insinuated that Yoga had an in-built system of hierarchy, which supposedly made it vulnerable to abuse.
Former Congress leader Milind Deora joined Shiv Sena on Sunday (14th January) in Mumbai. Maharashtra’s chief minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde was present at this time. Milind Deora said that opposing Modi is the only agenda Congress has. He said that if Modi says that Congress is a very good party, the Congress would oppose it. He underlined that he joined the Shiv Sena party under the leadership of Eknath Shinde because he believes in positive politics.
#WATCH | Former Congress leader Milind Deora joins Shiv Sena in the presence of Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, in Mumbai.
Milind Deora said, “The same party that used to offer constructive suggestions to this country, on how to take the country forward, has now just one goal – speak against whatever PM Modi says and does. Tomorrow, if he says that Congress is a very good party, they will oppose it. I believe in the politics of GAIN – Growth, Aspiration, Inclusivity and Nationalism. I don’t believe in the politics of PAIN – Personal Attacks, Injustice and Negativity.”
#WATCH | After joining Shiv Sena, Milind Deora says, "The same party that used to offer constructive suggestions to this country, on how to take the country forward, has now just one goal – speak against whatever PM Modi says and does. Tomorrow, if he says that Congress is a very… pic.twitter.com/HQBvV73ZXm
He further said, “I have been receiving a lot of phone calls since morning that why did I sever 55-year-old ties of my family with Congress party. I was loyal to the party during its most challenging decade. Unfortunately, today’s Congress is very different from the Congress of 1968 when my father joined the party and the Congress of 2004 when I joined the party. Had Congress and Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray given importance to constructive & positive suggestions and merit & capability, Eknath Shinde and I wouldn’t have been here. Eknath Shinde had to make a major decision, I had to make a major decision. 30 years ago when our former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh was working as the union finance minister, it was the same Congress party that assured economic reforms. Today it is very unfortunate that this party is abusing industrialists, abusing businessmen, and calling them anti-national.”
#WATCH | After joining Shiv Sena, Milind Deora says, "I have been receiving a lot of phone calls since morning that why did I sever 55-year-old ties of my family with Congress party…I was loyal to the party during its most challenging decade. Unfortunately, today's Congress is… pic.twitter.com/PVU6SdibOv
Talking about Narendra Modi’s leadership, Milind Deora said, “Friends, today we need a strong government not only in the centre but also in every state. It is a matter of pride for all of us that under the leadership of PM Modi, India is stronger today. In Maharashtra, we have our successful chief minister. I mentioned it in Marathi in my speech, he is a leader who is on the ground. I have never seen the Varsha Bungalow – the official residence of the chief minister of Maharashtra so much accessible before this. This is a major achievement for the people of Maharashtra. We should take Mumbai and Maharashtra ahead under his leadership. Mumbai and India are safer under the leadership of Eknath Shinde and Narendra Modi.”
#WATCH | After joining Shiv Sena, Milind Deora says, "A strong government is needed at the Centre and States in India. It is a matter of pride for all of us that under the leadership of PM Modi, India is stronger today…I would like to add that in the last 10 years not one… pic.twitter.com/I6BOAmaUn5
He added, “Today the economy of Mumbai and the economy of India are more stable. We can see that a large-scale infrastructure roll-out is happening in Mumbai and India. I thank Eknath Shinde on behalf of the people of Maharashtra. We could have never imagined what happened in the past few years in Mumbai. I would like to add that in the last 10 years not one terror attack has happened in Mumbai. This is a major achievement for Mumbaikars. We could achieve this because of Narendra Modi and Eknath Shinde.”
While speaking on this occasion, Maharashtra’s chief minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde said, “The feelings that you (Milind Deora) have in your mind today are the same that I had 1.5 years back. Such situations arise when a decision has to be made.”
The feelings that you (Milind Deora) have in your mind today are the same that I had 1.5 years back. Such situations arise when a decision has to be made: Maharashtra CM and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde pic.twitter.com/97Iy5m42J8
He added, “I am not a doctor. Despite not being a doctor, I performed an operation one and a half years before. I didn’t even have to make stitches and the operation was done. I won’t say anything more than this. This is just a trailer, the film is yet to come in.”
I am not a doctor. Despite not being a doctor, I performed an operation one and half year before…didn't even have to make stitches and the operation was done. I won't say anything more than this…This is just trailer, film is yet to come in: Maharashtra CM and Shiv Sena chief… pic.twitter.com/mdlAmn7QMJ
Before joining the party, Milind Deora had visited the Siddhivinayak temple and had the darshan of Lord Ganesh. Milind Deora joined Shiv Sena at Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s residence ‘Varsha’. Former Congress corporators, office-bearers and workers have also joined the Shiv Sena. Earlier today, Milind Deora resigned from the primary membership of the Congress party. He informed in a post on X that he is ending the 55-year-old ties with the party.
On Friday (12th January), the air quality index of Delhi-NCR deteriorated to the ‘severe’ quality. Anti-pollution restrictions were reimposed in the national capital. As part of GRAP-III’s anti-pollution efforts led by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the central commission has mandated the prohibition of non-essential construction activities and the operation of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles. Additionally, state governments have been recommended to consider the suspension of in-person classes for students up to Class 5. All this was done 2 months after AAP ministers and the court remarked against Diwali firecrackers and banned the crackers during the Hindu festival blaming it for the air pollution.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said in a statement, “The committee for operationalisation of GRAP called an emergency meeting today morning given the sudden deterioration of air quality of Delhi-NCR from last evening. The Sub-Committee decides to invoke an 8-point action plan as per Stage-III of revised GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect.” On Sunday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi surpassed the 400 mark for the 24 hours, categorising it as ‘severe’.
The commission has decided to close down the operations of stone crushers, mining, and associated activities in NCR. It will also impose strict restrictions on the operation of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel LMVs. A strict ban on construction and demolition activities in the entire NCR is also under consideration. As the air pollution in Delhi remains unsolved even after two months, it becomes necessary to consider how AAP leaders and the court blamed the Hindu festival Diwali and Diwali firecrackers for the air pollution ignoring the underlying factors contributing to the problem.
On 12th November 2023, Delhi environment minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Gopal Rai appealed to the people of Delhi not to burst crackers on Diwali. He asserted that people should avoid bursting crackers on the Hindu festival as it would make it difficult for everyone to breathe. Even while wishing people on the occasion of Diwali from his X handle, he urged people to take a ‘pledge’ not to burst firecrackers.
Giving a clean chit to the stubble burning in AAP-ruled Punjab, Gopal Rai held the stubble burning in BJP-ruled Haryana and Uttar Pradesh responsible for the air pollution in Delhi. He claimed that wind is not carrying smoke from Punjab to Delhi, at the same time, he also claimed that smoke from stubble burning in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh was reaching Delhi, responsible for the national capital’s poor air quality index.
Notably, the Delhi government imposed a ban on firecrackers weeks before Diwali citing air pollution. The Supreme Court backed that decision. On nd September 2023, the Supreme Court rejected the plea seeking the manufacture, sale and use of green firecrackers. The apex court also refused to interfere with the Delhi government’s decision to ban the use of firecrackers in Delhi ahead of Diwali. The court added that the 2018 ban shall be duly enforced by all authorities. The court even went on to ask people to find ‘other ways to celebrate the festival’.
The persistence of severe air quality in Delhi, even two months after restrictions on Diwali celebrations, prompts a reconsideration of the initial blame placed on the Hindu festival. The emphasis on banning firecrackers and attributing pollution solely to Diwali appears either misguided or politically motivated, as the recent deterioration indicates. Instead, it underscores the need for a more comprehensive strategy that addresses the underlying contributors to pollution. The focus on Diwali may have diverted attention from more systemic issues, questioning the efficacy of targeted measures. The challenge lies in adopting a nuanced approach that tackles the root causes rather than fixating on the Hindu festival.
Hours after Milind Deora resigned from the Congress party, several Congress leaders have come out in public to lampoon their estranged colleague arguing that his departure will be ‘inconsequential’ for the party as he was a ‘losing’ candidate. Some of them also accused him of being a ‘puppet’ and a ‘greedy’ leader.
In a first response to Deora’s resignation, Congress General Secretary Communication in charge Jairam Ramesh argued that his departure will have “no affect” on the party. Arguing that BJP leader PM Modi was making Congress leaders take such decisions, Jairam Ramesh said that Milind Deora is just a “puppet”.
Speaking with media persons, he argued that Deora is inconsequential and the party will raise “lakhs of Mind Deoras”.
VIDEO | "It will have no affect. One Milind Deora will go, but lakhs of other Milind Deoras would join us. It will not affect our organisation at all," says Congress leader @Jairam_Ramesh on Milind Deora quitting the party.#MilindDeorapic.twitter.com/Z2x9DCQbvP
#WATCH | Imphal: On Milind Deora's resignation from Congress, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh says, "Prime Minister has decided this, there is no doubt about it." pic.twitter.com/yKNPctoKyZ
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole mocked Milind Deora and referred to him as a ‘twice defeated candidate’. Taking to X, Patole alleged that Deora’s resignation was a ploy of the BJP to divert attention from Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.
आजपासून सुरु होणा-या राहुलजी गांधी यांच्या भारत जोडो न्याय यात्रेला भाजप आणि त्यांचे सहकारी पक्ष घाबरले आहेत. त्यामुळेच यात्रेपासून दुसरीकडे लक्ष वळवण्यासाठी ED, CBI, IT यासारख्या केंद्रीय संस्थांची भिती दाखवून आमच्या काही सहता-यांना आपल्यासोबत घेत आहेत.
Patole added, “The BJP and its divisive allies, who are raising fears of a split of the Congress, are trying to divert attention from the launch of the Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra by taking the two-time defeated candidate with them, but it will not succeed. ”
Responding to a media query on Milind Deora’s resignation from the party, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari termed it a “petty thing”.
#WATCH | Imphal, Manipur | On Milind Deora's resignation from the party, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari says, "Forget these petty things. Unless all Indians get justice, our struggle will continue. We will get justice for everyone."
Further, Senior Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit accused Milind Deora of being a greedy and fearful person to leave the Congress party. He said that Deora has become more of a business or enterprise machine than a human.
#WATCH | On Milind Deora's resignation from Congress, party leader Sandeep Dikshit says, "…I will be surprised if someone like him, after leaving Congress would join an alliance party of the BJP…There are two big weaknesses in humans and those are greed and fear…" pic.twitter.com/E3PmgXToUC
Former Chief Minister and Congress Working Committee member Ashok Chavan while admitting that it was for Deora to take his own decisions, claimed that Deora made the decision because he wanted to contest from the South Mumbai Lok Sabha seat but the party decided not to disturb the sitting candidate.
MP Gaurav Gogoi claimed that leaving the party was only Milind Deora’s loss.
#WATCH | Guwahati, Assam: On Milind Deora's resignation from Congress, party MP Gaurav Gogoi says, "We have come to Manipur and the people here have welcomed us because only Congress and INDIA alliance talk about the issues of Manipur. At this time, if Milind Deora ji is not here… pic.twitter.com/547W1sEnBM
Responding to a major setback to his alliance partner, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut accused Deora of being a power-hungry politician. He claimed, ‘It’s all power politics. This is kiosk politics and nothing else.”
VIDEO | "Things like loyalty and ideology don't exist now, it is all politics now. I knew Milind Deora, he was a big leader and had a special attachment with Congress," says Shiv Sena (UBT) leader @rautsanjay61 in response to a media query on Milind Deora quitting Congress.… pic.twitter.com/Ru0uL3RStF
However, some of the Congress party leaders termed the latest development as a major disappointment or setback for the party, adding that the Former Congress leader should reconsider his decision. It is important to note that by afternoon he had joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
Mumbai Congress President Varsha Gaikwad said it is unfortunate that former Union Minister Milind Deora has decided to leave the party on the day the Rahul Gandhi-led ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ is starting from violence-hit Manipur. Gaikwad said that Deora should reconsider his decision.
#WATCH | On Milind Deora's resignation from Congress, Congress leader and Mumbai Congress President Varsha Gaikwad says, "…The Deora family has a different equation with the Congress family. Milind Deora's resignation from Congress' primary membership is unfortunate. Today I am… pic.twitter.com/FEjyzxb05L
Gaikwad released a video urging the former South Mumbai MP to reconsider his decision. She said, ‘It is unfortunate that Deora has decided to step down on the day when the Bharat Jodo Nyaya Yatra is starting from Manipur. I urge him to reconsider his decision. Congress has always stood with him.”
She added, “The Congress party is extremely saddened by this.”
Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam linked Milind Deora’s resignation with the party’s decision to not attend the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha. He said, “Congress has been infested with people who neither want to listen to the truth, nor support Sanatan Dharma or Lord Ram. Those who talk about Lord Ram, truth, or the ground reality, are slowly drifting away from the party. Milind Deora’s resignation is unfortunate… I pray to god that the whole party does not suffer due to the mistakes of some people…”
#WATCH | On Milind Deora's resignation from Congress, party leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam says, "Congress has been infested with people who neither want to listen to the truth, nor support Sanatan Dharma or Lord Ram. Those who talk about Lord Ram, truth, or the ground reality,… pic.twitter.com/UiAPs7lJPY
He added, “Those who talk about the nation and Lord Ram, are not liked by the inner circle of Congress, which is influenced by the leftist ideology… This is why senior leaders who were the closest to the Gandhi family, have left the party…”
Reiterating his demand that India withdraw its troops from Maldives, the Maldives’ President Mohamed Muizzu has asked India to withdraw its military deployment from the archipelago nation by March 15. On Sunday (14th January), Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim, the public policy secretary at the Maldives President’s Office, addressed a press conference and informed that President Muizzu has formally asked India to withdraw its military personnel by March 15. This comes two months after Male sought their withdrawal.
“Indian military personnel cannot stay in the Maldives. This is the policy of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and that of this administration,” Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim said.
Reports say that at present, there are 88 Indian army personnel in the Maldives. The Maldives and India have formed a high-level core group to negotiate troop disengagement. On Sunday morning, the committee met for the first time at the Foreign Ministry Headquarters in Male’. Indian High Commissioner Munu Mahawar also attended the meeting.
As per a SunOnline report, Ibrahim Khaleel, Minister at the President’s Office for Strategic Communications said that the high-level core group meeting was held as per the decision taken by Maldives and India during a meeting on the sidelines of the COP28 in Dubai in December between Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
#Livestream: Press Conference by the Principal Secretary to the President on Public Policy, Abdulla Nazim Ibrahim https://t.co/dVM07fBRXc
According to Khaleel, the group discussed the withdrawal of Indian troops as well as the acceleration of India-backed development projects in the Maldives. However, the Ministry of External Affairs has not issued any statement on the reported meeting so far.
In December last year, Muizzu announced that India had agreed to withdraw its soldiers from the Maldives. This came after Muizzu requested India on November 17, 2023, to withdraw the Indian troops deployed in the island nation.
The development comes amidst diplomatic tensions between India and Maldives escalated after a controversy erupted over derogatory and racist remarks made by the three now-suspended Maldivian ministers on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India. It is to be noted that on social media platform X, the suspended ministers, namely Mariyam Shiuna, Malsha Shareef and Mahzoom Majid, recently called Prime Minister Modi a “clown” and a “puppet of Israel” in response to his posts about Lakshadweep islands.
Pertinently, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) leader Mohamed Muizzu won the presidential election in October last year after running a vicious “India Out” campaign. The Maldivian President is also known for his pro-China stance. Just days after the diplomatic row erupted between India and Maldives, Muizzu, while on a state visit to China, urged the country to send more tourists to the island nation.
Back in 2020, then in the Opposition, the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) kickstarted the “India Out” campaign under former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. The party backed by a news outlet named “Dhiyares” took to the streets donning red shirts with the text “India Out”, a demand to remove the Indian military forces deployed in the island nation.
Notably, Maldives is dependent on India for the majority of goods, making India one of its primary trade partners. India’s exports to the Maldives accounted for Rs 49 crore of the overall trade between India and the Maldives in 2022 making India the island nation’s second-largest trading partner.
In addition to providing essentials like food, water and infrastructure, and higher education, India has also been a major support for the island nation in the arena of medical tourism. Reports say that India is the most preferred destination for Maldivian medical travellers. Notably, according to the Maldives Ministry of Tourism, India was the main source of tourist influx in 2023. Between January 1 and December 31, 2023, 209,198 Indians visited Maldives. According to the Indian government, India is the 2nd leading source market for Maldives with an 11.1% market share.
