Home Blog Page 1460

Jawaharlal Nehru’s portrait swapped with Dr. Ambedkar’s in Madhya Pradesh assembly, Congress accuses BJP of ‘erasing history’

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Jawaharlal Nehru’s portrait swapped with Dr. Ambedkar’s in Madhya Pradesh assembly, Congress accuses BJP of ‘erasing history’

A controversy erupted during the first session of the 16th Madhya Pradesh Assembly on Monday (18th December), when the portrait of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was replaced with Dr. BR Ambedkar’s picture. Nehru’s portrait, previously behind the Speaker’s chair, has now been swapped with Dr. Ambedkar’s. It was originally displayed alongside Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait, which remains on the other side of the chair.

According to Government officials, the portrait had been removed because it was in bad condition, and later it was decided to install an Ambedkar portrait there. However, Congress leaders launched a protest against the portrait swap alleging that it is a “conspiracy of the BJP to change history”. 

Objecting to the change, Congress leaders demanded the restoration of Jawaharlal Nehru’s portrait in its original state. The party leaders issued a warning that if the picture is not restored to its original state, Congress MLAs will personally do it themselves.

Accusing the BJP of “working day and night to erase history”, Congress party’s spokesperson, Abbas Hafeez tweeted, “We condemn the removal of Nehruji’s photograph from the Madhya Pradesh Assembly.”  

He said, “It is unfortunate for the country that the BJP is in power today. The BJP is working day and night to erase history. Removing the picture of the country’s first Prime Minister, which had been hung in the Assembly for decades, shows the mentality of the BJP.” 

He further declared, “The portrait should be put back up immediately… otherwise we will put up Nehruji’s photograph at the same place.” 

Congress MLA from Churhat Ajay Singh stated that Nehru’s contribution towards India can’t be ignored. He said, “We welcome the move to install the poster of B R Ambedkar, but it is highly objectionable that they removed the picture of Nehru. Nehru was a freedom fighter and his contribution towards India can’t be ignored like that. We will raise a demand to put a poster of Nehru again in the House.”

Meanwhile, the inaugural session of the 16th Madhya Pradesh Assembly commenced on Monday (18th December), with pro tem speaker Gopal Bhargava extending a warm welcome to the newly elected members. During the session, he administered the oath of office to them. The four-day winter session commenced almost a week after the new BJP government, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, assumed office. The party has nominated Former Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar for the post of assembly speaker.

Australia’s World Cup-winning skipper Pat Cummins becomes the most expensive player in IPL history, sold at Rs 20.5 crores to SRH

ANI
-
0
Australia’s World Cup-winning skipper Pat Cummins becomes the most expensive player in IPL history, sold at Rs 20.5 crores to SRH

Australia skipper Pat Cummins broke the roof as he became the costliest player in the history of the Indian Premier League as he was acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for Rs 20.50 crore on Tuesday at the Coca Cola Arena in Dubai.

With a base price of Rs 2 crore, Cummins attracted the attention of Mumbai Indians who entered the bidding war for the first time. As the price continued to rise, MI backed while Royal Challengers Bangalore joined the bidding war against CSK. When it seemed RCB would walk away with the players SRH entered the battle, and a high-bidding war unfolded in the next moments.

As he touched the 20 crore mark, the entire arena cheered and applauded. RCB eventually gave up and SRH acquired the services of the Australian World Cup-winning skipper for Rs 20.50 crore and Cummins became the most expensive player in the history of the IPL.

Earlier Sam Curran held the record with a price tag of Rs 18.50 crore. He was sold to Punjab Kings but now the World Cup and WTC winning captain has completely changed the dynamics.

He has taken 55 wickets in 50 T20Is for Australia, with the best figures of 3/15. His average of 16.90 while batting In 128 T20 games overall, including three fifties also makes him a useful lower-order batter.

Earlier, West Indies power hitter Rovman Powell went for a whopping sum, while Australia’s destructive opener Travis Head found himself a new home in Sunrisers Hyderabad as a direct replacement for Harry Brook.

Powell, who set his base price at Rs 1 crore, received the opening bid from Kolkata Knight Riders. Rajasthan Royals jumped in and competed for Powell. Powell captained Barbados Royals in the CPL and ended up walking away with a whopping sum of Rs 7.4 crore.

Kolkata bid hard but Rajasthan edged past them to acquire the services of the batter. The WI T20I skipper has featured in 66 T20Is, scoring 1,202 runs at an average of 26.71 and a strike rate of above 143, with a century and five fifties.

Head, who produced remarkable performances in the World Test Championship final and the ODI World Cup final earlier this year, was one of the names with a hefty price tag. Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad were engaged in a fierce bidding battle. However, Head became a part of the Orange family for a price tag of 6.8 crore.

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

‘Shameful, ridiculous’: VP Jagdeep Dhankar reacts to TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee doing mimicry in Parliament premises and Rahul Gandhi’s videography of it

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Shameful, ridiculous’: VP Jagdeep Dhankar reacts to TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee doing mimicry in Parliament premises and Rahul Gandhi’s videography of it

Shameful scenes emerged from the Parliament premises on Tuesday (19th December) as Opposition member of Parliaments (MPs) were seen mocking Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee was seen mimicking and mocking the Vice President at the Parliament premises while other Opposition MPs accompanying him laughed. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi was seen videographing the incident with a wide smile.

Jagdeep Dhankhar has called the act “shameful”. He said, “Imagine, a senior leader of your party (Congress) videographing another member of another party, mimicry of the Chairman, mimicry of the Speaker, how ridiculous, how shameful, how unacceptable.”

The cheap act was performed while Opposition MPs were staging protests against the suspension of at least 140 MPs from both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha since Monday (18th December).

Opposition MPs have disrupted proceedings in both Houses over the 13th December Parliament security breach incident. This comes despite an investigation launched into the case by the Delhi police.

As for Rahul Gandhi who had a wide smile while the Rajya Sabha Chair was being insulted, it is not the first time that Rahul Gandhi has been involved in such unparliamentary behaviour.

It must be noted that Rahul Gandhi got back his membership as a Parliamentarian only four months ago. He was disqualified from the Lok Sabha in March for mocking the Modi surname in an attack on PM Modi.

Meanwhile, some Congress leaders on X on 7th December shared a clip showing Jagdeep Dhankhar greet PM Modi with joined hands to imply that the Vice President bows down before the PM.

Dhankhar in a veiled response to the Congress said, “I can only express my pain, (and) my anguish if (this uploading is done) by an institution which has a high office in the country’s politics.”

“By nature I am humble, if not I try to be more humble. But we should not make fun of institutions,” he said.

Religious conversion row: SC grants interim protection from arrest to SHAUTS University VC, Director, and professors

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Religious conversion row: SC grants interim protection from arrest to SHAUTS University VC, Director, and professors

In a case involving forced religious conversion, the Supreme Court on Tuesday (19th December) granted Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology, and Sciences (SHUATS) administrators and faculty temporary protection from arrest.

A vacation bench comprised of Justices Aniruddha Bose and KV Viswanathan also requested the Uttar Pradesh government’s response to the issue and scheduled the case for the court’s reopening, subject to directives from the Chief Justice of India.

“Issue notice. There shall be an interim order protecting the petitioners from arrest in connection with FIR 305/2020”, the bench ordered. The Supreme Court was hearing a petition in a case involving an attempt to convert people to Christianity filed by the Director of SHUATS Vinod Bihari Lal, his brother Rajendra Bihari Lal, the Vice-Chancellor, and five other professors.

The complaint in the case was filed on 4th November. The petitioners have asked for both permanent anticipatory bail and the case to be quashed. On 11th December, the Allahabad High Court dismissed their appeal in this regard and ordered the petitioners to turn themselves in by 20th December. This resulted in an appeal to the highest court.

The dismissal was sought for the case filed by an ex-university Hindi stenographer who alleged that the petitioners attempted to convert her and other girls from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to Christianity through coercion.

Senior Advocate Siddhartha Dave, who was representing the petitioners during today’s hearing, said that there was a serious urgency because the right to anticipatory bail was being violated. “The High Court says since this is a heinous offence the accused must surrender before the majesty of court. My right of anticipatory bail is gone. It is a University established in 1910, and if you read the FIR it is like some corruption scam,” he argued.

The bench then issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and stayed the High Court order till January 5. “There shall be a stay on impugned judgment till January 12, or until further orders, whichever is earlier,” the bench stated.

Earlier, in a separate case involving the Lal brothers and religious conversion racket, the Supreme Court had in March 2023 halted their arrest and requested the State of Uttar Pradesh’s response.

The Director and VC had petitioned the Supreme Court for relief after the Allahabad High Court denied their anticipatory bail applications on February 28. The Sessions Court’s ruling was also upheld by the High Court.

Previously called Allahabad Agricultural University, SHUATS is a well-known university in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

90 people of the Hindu religion were gathered to convert to Christianity

According to the reports, the FIR, in this case, was filed last year in April 2022 in response to a complaint made by a person named Himanshu Dixit alleging that about 90 people of the Hindu religion had gathered at the Evangelical Church of India in Hariharganj, Fatehpur, to convert them to Christianity through coercion, undue influence, and the promise of easy money, among other tactics.

The government officials arrived at the scene after receiving this information and questioned the pastor, Vijay Massiah, who allegedly admitted that the conversion process had been ongoing for 34 days and was expected to be finished in 40 days.

8 of the SHAUTS officials were booked for conversion through coercion

Before that, it was reported that another FIR was filed against eight officials of SHUATS including the vice-chancellor and two pro-vice-chancellors for allegedly luring Hindus and forcing them to convert their religion to Christianity. The officials were booked under the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance 2020. RB Lal had pled that he was not named in the FIR. However, he was later implicated in subsequent stages based on the statement given by two witnesses whom he alleged were ‘biased’ against him.

The FIR was filed based on the complaint registered by a University’s former student named Savendra Vikram Singh on January 20 this year. The complainant stated that he was told that in exchange for converting to Christianity, he could have a job, Rs 15 thousand in cash, and ‘marriage to a beautiful girl’ in Fatehpur.

Police seized 70 bank accounts of Universities and NGOs founded by V-C

In January 2023, the Kotwali Police station in Fatehpur seized 70 bank accounts of the university, and the trust founded by Lal. Vice-Chancellor Bishop Rajendra B Lal is the founder of an NGO named Yeshu Darbar Trust which holds religious congregations in around 12 of its centres in Prayagraj and other cities of Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Jharkhand.

“Of the 70 bank accounts, four belong to the trust and the rest are that of the university. The Trust has 12 centres across three states, UP, Jharkhand, and Gujarat. An FIR was earlier lodged against people associated with the Gujarat centre years ago,” the police was quoted as saying.

Two old cases against SHAUTS were recently reopened

As the police began an investigation into the cases filed in April 2022 and January this year, two old cases registered against the University were reopened.

One case filed by Rakesh Dwivedi in 2012, accused the university’s top brass of getting arm licenses illegally by submitting fake information about names and addresses. The other one said that the University had not been granted minority status by the government but it claimed so.

In 2012, a case was filed against University Vice Chancellor Rajendra B. Lal, director (administration) Vinod B. Lal, current registrar Robin L. Prasad, and then registrar Ajai Lawrence under IPC sections 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of valuable security, will, etc), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), and 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record).

The FIR stated that the accused provided fake names and fake signatures despite holding government posts and took licenses for arms, revolvers, rifles, and double-barreled guns from DM Pratapgarh. It stated that, despite having lived in Prayagraj since 1980, the defendants had shown their addresses to be in Sadar Bazar, Pratapgarh, while holding government positions. 

The incident was investigated, and the investigating officer produced a final report (FR, a predecessor to the closure report) in March 2012 after concluding that the accused were not deficient under the sections implicated. Furthermore, the STF is investigating charges that the university did not get minority institution designation from the National Commission for Minority Education Institutions (NCMEI), the authority authorized to provide minority status to educational institutions.

Also on November 8, 2019, the UGC stated in an RTI response to Prayagraj-based Suvrat Kumar Singh, who had written to the UGC inquiring if SHUATS had minority institution status, that minority status is not awarded by it to an educational institution. Since the NCMEI grants minority status, the UGC submitted the inquiry to the commission, which responded on December 11, 2019, that it has not bestowed minority status certificates to SHUATS. 

LK Advani and MM Joshi accept invitation to attend Ram Temple idol consecration ceremony extended by VHP

OpIndia Staff
-
0
LK Advani and MM Joshi accept invitation to attend Ram Temple idol consecration ceremony extended by VHP

Amid media reports that Lal Krishna Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi have politely declined to attend the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodha, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has reached out to the veteran BJP leaders.

Alok Kumar, the International Working President of the VHP, has requested both Advani and Joshi to attend the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ programme of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on 22nd January next year.

The VHP leader said both leaders assured him they would try their best to attend the event. It must be mentioned that LK Advani is 96 years old while Murali Manohar Joshi is 89 years old.

According to some media reports, the duo had previously turned down the invites to the Ram Mandir’s inauguration event due to their advanced age.

Notable individuals who have been invited to the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple include actors Arun Govil and Dipika Chikhlia who played Lord Ram and Goddess Sita in the hit TV series ‘Ramayana,’ industrialists Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani and Ratan Tata, cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan among other actors.

Over 7,000 guests comprising 3,000 VIPs have received invites from the Ram Mandir Trust. There will also be an invitation sent to the families of the karsevaks who lost their lives in the temple movement.

Further invitees consist of 4,000 seers, writers, journalists, scientists, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) president Mohan Bhagwat, yoga guru Ramdev and esteemed figures from all around the nation.

The construction of the Ram temple has been moving along steadily under the direction of the Ayodhya Trust. The general secretary of the Sri Ram Janmbhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust, Champat Rai released splendid images of the temple’s sanctuary sanctorum on 9th December ahead of the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on 22nd January 2023 between noon and 12:45 pm.

Arvind Kejriwal likely to dodge ED summons in Delhi liquor scam for the second time, will go for 10-day Vipassana instead

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Arvind Kejriwal likely to dodge ED summons in Delhi liquor scam for the second time, will go for 10-day Vipassana instead

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal, who has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi liquor policy scam on 21st December, is likely to skip the agency’s summons, as per AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha. On Tuesday (19th December), AAP leader Chadha said that Kejriwal is planning to go for a 10-day Vipassana meditation session from Tuesday. 

As per reports, Arvind Kejriwal will be attending the Vipassana session at an undisclosed location from 19th December to 30th December. It is still uncertain whether Kejriwal will attend the fourth meeting of the opposition bloc I.N.D.I. Alliance which is the first gathering of the bloc since Congress defeat in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

Regarding the ED summons to AAP Supremo, Chadha said that the Delhi Chief Minister’s Vipassana meditation camp had been scheduled in advance and legal advice was being taken from lawyers. He added that a response would be given to the ED accordingly. 

Chadha claimed that the BJP is “afraid” of Arvind Kejriwal and accused it of trying to “weaken” him. He said, “If today, Satyendar Jain, Manish Sisodia, and Sanjay Singh join BJP, they will welcome them with drums and get the cases closed.” 

Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, both AAP leaders, were arrested in connection with the same scam by central probe agencies. Satyendar Jain is currently on interim bail until January 8, 2024, as he faces an investigation in a money laundering case by the ED.

It is important to note that this would be the second time in a row that AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal would skip deposing before the Enforcement Directorate. Last month, the ED had asked him to appear before the agency on 2nd November, but he skipped the summons citing his busy schedule as an election campaigner. He claimed that he is a star campaigner with state elections coming up and therefore, he has other commitments which would not allow him to attend the summons. He added that the summons was “motivated and issued for extraneous considerations” and asked ED to withdraw it.

Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had questioned him in connection with the Delhi liquor case in April this year.

Vipassana Sessions after Election defeats

According to officials, Arvind Kejriwal goes for a 10-day Vipassana course every year as he has been practicing Vipassana sessions for a long time. He has been to several places, including Dharamkot, Nagpur, Jaipur, and Bengaluru in the past. 

As per an earlier report, AAP leaders stated that Kejriwal had completed over 35 sessions of the 10-day meditation course in the last ten years or so. 

The announcement for this year’s Vipassana sessions comes at a time when the party faced heavy defeat in the recently concluded assembly elections. AAP lost deposit in 201 out of 204 seats and scored less than NOTA in all 3 states where it contested elections. Additionally, AAP and its national convener are currently facing heat in the Delhi excise scam case. 

Previously, Kejriwal joined the Vipassana session after it performed poorly in the Lok Sabha elections in 2014. The party had lost all seven seats in Delhi and Kejriwal personally lost on the Varanasi seat against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As per reports, he attended a 10-day course in Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh in August.

In 2016, he underwent Vipassana sessions in Nagpur, and the following year, he visited Igatpuri in Maharashtra and Dharamkot in Himachal Pradesh for the ancient meditation technique. However, media reports claim that he tries to attend a Vipassana session before or after every major election the party contests.

49 more Lok Sabha MPs suspended for unruly behaviour in Parliament, over 110 MPs suspended so far during winter session

OpIndia Staff
-
0
49 more Lok Sabha MPs suspended for unruly behaviour in Parliament, over 110 MPs suspended so far during winter session

On 19th December, 49 Members of Parliament were suspended for the rest of the winter session of Lok Sabha for unruly behaviour. So far, 114 MPs have been suspended from the Parliament during the ongoing session. The MPs were repeatedly asked by the chair not to show placards in the house.

Earlier, in a meeting with Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla, the MPs of the opposition parties had promised they would not bring placards into the house but they failed to fulfill their promise. Cabinet Minister of Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal moved the resolution to suspend the members for unruly behaviour which was accepted by the House via voice vote. The list of suspended members includes Farooq Abdullah, Supriya Shrinate, Manish Tewari, Shashi Tharoor, Md Faisal, Karti Chidambaram, Sudip Bandhopadhyay, Dimple Yadav, and Danish Ali among others.

In a statement, Union minister Pralhad Joshi in Lok Sabha said, “It was decided not to bring placards inside the House. Due to the desperation after losing recent elections, they are taking such steps. This is the reason we are bringing a proposal (to suspend MPs).”

On 18th December, 33 MPs were suspended from the House for the same reason. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan, TMC’s Saugata Roy and Kalyan Banerjee, and DMK’s TR Baalu, A Raja and Dayanidhi Maran, were suspended from Lok Sabha for the remaining part of the winter session for “misconduct” and not obeying the directions of the Chair. The House earlier suspended 13 members for displaying placards and violating the directions of the Chair. Opposition members have been demanding a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah over the breach of Parliament’s security on 13th December.

Jalgaon: Muslim crowd booked for ‘raising Hamas flags’, Sar Tan Se Juda slogans, SP MLA Abu Azmi demands withdrawal of complaint. What FIR, videos show

Siddhi Somani
-
0
Jalgaon: Muslim crowd booked for ‘raising Hamas flags’, Sar Tan Se Juda slogans, SP MLA Abu Azmi demands withdrawal of complaint. What FIR, videos show

On Monday (18th December), the Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Azmi demanded the withdrawal of a police case filed against 11 Muslims in Dharangaon, Jalgaon, Maharashtra for allegedly raising Hamas and Palestine flags and raising anti-India slogans on 8th November 2023. Azmi claimed that ‘no Hamas flags were raised’ during the rally and that the allegations leveled against the 11 accused are ‘false’.

The 11 accused persons booked in the case on 16th December 2023 are Sheikh Rafiq Sheikh Musa Qureshi, Irfan Sheikh Armaan, Mohammed Ismail Yusuf, Nagar Momin, Nadimoddin Ejajoddin Kazi, Kalu Ustad, Mohammed Saleem Mohammed Isac Momin, Ibrahim Janab urf Ittu Janab, Amjad Khan Gulab Khan Beldaar, Mohammed Ayas Mohammed Siddiqi, Junaid Khan. These persons have been booked by the Jalgaon Police under sections 153(A)(1)(b) (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion) and 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

Azmi on Monday (18th December) said that the rally was organized by Muslims in support of Palestine with police permission and that no flags of Hamas were raised. “Muslims in Dharangaon (Jalgaon district) had organized a rally in support of Palestine with proper permission on 8th November. A local group later organized a counter rally and raised provocative slogans. This rally was organized without permission, but no police case was registered against them,” he said.

He also claimed that the participants of the counter-rally maintained that Hamas flags were carried during the rally by Muslims but nothing as such happened.

Azmi’s comments came after Maharashtra Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis assured in the state assembly that strict action would be taken against the accused who raised pro-Hamas slogans and flags in a rally at Dharangaon, Jalgaon in Maharashtra.

Image PTI

The issue was raised in the state assembly by BJP MLC Prasad Lad who demanded a thorough investigation into the case. He stated that individuals supporting Hamas had participated in the Dharangaon rally, prompting the deputy chief minister to promise a thorough examination of the information provided by Lad and appropriate action.

Muslims carried steel rods, raised ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’, ‘Hamas Jindabad, Bharat Murdabad’ slogans, flags

Team OpIndia obtained the FIR of the case filed on 16th December 2023. The FIR has been filed based on the complaint of one of the members of the Rashtriya Suraksha Manch, Dharangaon and it is the same which Azmi wants the Police to withdraw.

As per the FIR, the rally in support of Palestine, ‘Julus-e-Gaosiya’ was organized by a Muslim organization named Rafiq Qureshi Foundation in Dharangaon on 8th November 2023. The rally was attended by around 2500 to 3000 people from the Muslim community. Even the Muslim children studying in Madarsas nearby participated in the rally.

FIR copy obtained by OpIndia

The participants in the rally including the 11 accused persons raised anti-India slogans and ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ slogans. They also hailed Pakistan, Palestine, and Hamas during the rally and condemned India’s support to Israel. The slogans raised by the accused as per the FIR are- “Gustakh-e-Nabi ki ek hi saja, Sar Tan Se Juda Sar Tan Se Juda,” “Hinduo ka raja, Mera Khwaja,” “Hamas Jindabad, Bharat Murdabad,” and “Hamas tera naam roshan hoga, insha allah insha Allah.”

The FIR also says that the accused persons raised the Palestine flags and flags supporting the terrorist organization ‘Hamas’ during the rally as it reached the Jain lane and main market area of Dharangaon. They also carried steel rods. Some videos of this incident were captured by the locals and were obtained by OpIndia in which the accused persons and the Muslim participants of the rally could be heard raising anti-India, pro-Hamas slogans.

Palestine flags, Pakistan flags raised in rally organized by Muslims in Dharangaon, Jalgaon from OpIndia Videos on Vimeo.

One of the members of the Rashtriya Suraksha Manch, Dharangaon exclusively informed OpIndia that the Hamas flags were raised by the accused and they hid the flags after seeing people making videos. “Some of the people also threw the flags as they saw cameras capturing the incident,” he added.

The complainant in the FIR said that along with him many others shot the videos of the incident which were submitted to the police while filing a police complaint.

“Such incidents create a divide among the society and are a threat to communal peace and tranquility. Strict action against all the accused is a must,” the FIR dated 16th December read. The FIR in the case has been filed under sections 153(A)(1)(b) and 188 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Further probe is underway.

The rally was organized in support of the terrorist organization Hamas which launched a brutal attack on Israel on 7th October. The Hamas terrorists abducted and killed hundreds of civilians and also raped women in Israel. They stripped them naked and paraded them in their vehicles as a part of the attack. Several similar rallies were organized by Islamists in different parts of the country showing their support to the terrorist organization, Hamas.

Mahuagate: Delhi HC refuses to grant interim relief to TMC’s Mahua Moitra against orders to vacate govt bungalow

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Mahuagate: Delhi HC refuses to grant interim relief to TMC’s Mahua Moitra against orders to vacate govt bungalow

On 19th December, the Delhi High Court refused to pass a stay order on the plea by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra challenging the government of India’s order to vacate the government-allotted bungalow. She has been asked to vacate the bungalow by 7th January 2024 in the wake of her expulsion from the Lok Sabha.

During the hearing, Justice Subramonium Prasad noted that a similar plea was submitted by Moitra in the Supreme Court. Hence, any orders passed by the High Court could amount to impinging on the apex court’s proceedings. Justice Prasad said, “You have challenged the order by filing a writ petition. One of the prayers can be a stay of the order. If the Supreme Court grants a stay in your favour, your suspension will be stayed. If we adjudicate on this, it will be directly impinging on the SC proceedings.”

The matter will be heard in the Delhi High Court on 4th January after the Supreme Court hears the plea on 3rd January. Justice Prasad noted, “We will have it on January 4 after the Supreme Court opens and deals with your case. The matter is listed on January 3 (before the Supreme Court).” Furthermore, Justice Prasad refused to pass any interim order which was requested by Moitra’s lawyers.

In her plea in the High Court, she said that the matter of her expulsion is yet to be heard in the Supreme Court. She urged the Delhi High Court to quash the 11th December order of the Directorate of Estates of the Government of India to cancel her government accommodation and vacate the premises by 7th January 2024. Furthermore, she asked the court to allow her to continue to live in the bungalow till the results of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 are announced.

She said in her plea, “In the event that the petitioner is so allowed, she will readily undertake to pay any charges that may be applicable for the extended period of stay.” She argued that if she vacated the bungalow, it would affect her ability to carry out activities required to do in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections. She submitted, “Instability in accommodation, however, would pose a significant impediment to the Petitioner’s ability to host and engage with party members, parliamentarians, fellow politicians, visiting constituents, key stakeholders and other dignitaries, which is essential, especially in the lead up to a general election. In addition, the Petitioner is a woman living alone in New Delhi. She has no place of residence or alternative accommodation in Delhi. Therefore, if evicted from her government accommodation, she will have to fulfil the duties of campaigning while also finding, and then shifting to, a new residence all by herself. This will place an onerous burden on the Petitioner.”

Mahuagate, expulsion and orders to vacate the bungalow

On 8th December, Lok Sabha passed a resolution to expel TMC leader Mahua Moitra from the parliament. The decision was taken on the recommendations based on the Ethics Committee report in cash-for-query matter. Notably, on 15th October, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey accused Moitra of taking cash and gifts for asking questions in Lok Sabha. The allegations were based on a complaint filed by Moitra’s ex-partner advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai.

Moitra was accused of sharing her Lok Sabha credentials with businessman Darshan Hiranandani who is a rival of businessman Gautam Adani. It was alleged that the majority of the questions raised by the MP in Lok Sabha directly or indirectly favoured Hiranandani. Furthermore, in a sworn affidavit submitted by Hiranandani in the Indian Embassy in Dubai, it was noted that the businessman paid Moitra for questions in the form of expensive gifts etc.

Following the allegations, the Ethics Committee summoned Moitra to participate in an investigation into the matter. During the committee meeting, Moitra accused the committee members of asking personal questions and stormed out of the room. Later, the Ethics Committee submitted its report in which Moitra was found guilty of sharing credentials and taking cash and gifts for asking questions in the House. The committee recommended her expulsion from the House.

J&K: Illegally obtained Indian documents seized from Rohingyas & Bangladeshis, facilitators also booked in FIR filed against illegal settlement

OpIndia Staff
-
0
J&K: Illegally obtained Indian documents seized from Rohingyas & Bangladeshis, facilitators also booked in FIR filed against illegal settlement

The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday (19th December) launched a search in the Rohingya colony in Bathindi area of Jammu. A house to house search was conducted by the police leading to recovery of illegally obtained documents.

PAN cards, Adhaar cards and bank documents were seized among other incriminating material. Three FIRs have been registered against ten foreigners (Rohingyas and Bangladeshi nationals and their facilitators for illegally procuring Indian identity documents like Domicile Certificates, Aadhaar Cards and illegally staying in Doda district.

Shakti Pathak, DIG Jammu said that the police is checking what kind of documents the Rohingyas settlers have and who have helped them in providing these documents. “Investigation is underway,” he said.

Speaking to reporters in Jammu on Tuesday about the searches, DIG Pathak said, “In different places in Jammu city, people have given their plots to those who’ve come from outside. We are checking who is giving them these facilities and helping them get the Indian government facilities…”

He said that seven police stations are involved and searches are underway at around 29-30 locations in Jammu.

As per reports, 7 FIRs have been lodged at different police stations in Jammu against persons for allegedly giving shelter and government benefits to Rohingyas.

The FIRs have been lodged in Satwari, Trikuta Nagar, Bagh-e-Bahu, Channi Himmat, Nowabad, Domana, and Nagrota after the searches were carried out.

Reports quoting officials said that magistrates were present at the search locations where Rohingyas are living and also at the homes of their facilitators.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, police said several First Information Reports have been lodged at different police stations against the people found to be accused of providing shelter to the Rohingya.

“Today, an action was initiated against all those who have been facilitators in providing shelter and availing government benefits to the non-citizens of the country, Rohingyas,” the release further stated.

According to the press release, FIR’s are lodged in the following Police Stations vide FIR numbers P/S Satwari FIRno.270 , P/S Trikuta Nagar FIR no. 352, P/S Bagh-e-Bahu FIR no.107, P/S Channi Himmat FiR no.184, P/S Nowabad FIR no.191, P/S Domana FIR no.370, P/S Nagrota FIR no.527 respectively.

“In these FIR’s people who have been found to be accused of providing shelter to the people of foreigners outside of the nation (Rohingyas),” it added.

As per reports, on Monday (18th December), police registered a case against Rohingyas in Kishtwar district after recovering illegally obtained documents like Adhaar cards.

The case was registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of important documents), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating) and 471 (using as genuine a forged document) at Dachhan police station.

Rohingya menace in J&K

In November, 5 people including a Rohinhya man were arrested in connection with a case of alleged human trafficking in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, police said. The accused trafficked Rohingya women via Bangladesh and got them “married” to locals in the Union Territory “in exchange for money.”

The arrests came two days after the police busted a human trafficking network.

Earlier in July this year, Rohingyas lodged at the Holding Center in Hiranagar town of Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir attacked the police by pelting stones.

Several people including the police officials suffered injuries in the violence that ensued.

Senior police officials stated that clashes erupted after the police moved in to rescue the centre’s in-charge and two other staff members who were being held captive by the Rohingyas and that around six officers were hurt in stone pelting by the Rohingya detainees.

1...1,4591,4601,461...7,577Page 1,460 of 7,577