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Congress govt in Telangana sanctions Rs 2.4 crore for Tablighi Jamat event to be held at Parigi in January next year

OpIndia Staff
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Congress govt in Telangana sanctions Rs 2.4 crore for Tablighi Jamat event to be held at Parigi in January next year

Just a week after coming to power in Telangana, the Congress government in the state has approved the allocation of Rs 2,45,93,847 crore to host an Islamic congregation in Nematnagar village of Pargi Mandal in Vikarabad district from 6th to 8th January 2024. The Tabliqhi Jamat-organised Subaee Deeni Ijtema is expected to draw between three and five lakh Muslims from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh.

Pargi Mandal of Vikarabad district. (Source: Organiser)

After careful consideration and conversation with Chief Minister Revanh Reddy, Parigi Congress MLA Dr. T RamMohan Reddy stated he was able to swiftly acquire the funds marking his first major achievement since taking office just over a week ago. Syed Umar Jaleel, Secretary of Minority Welfare, released an order stating that the money from multiple departments had been approved for the program.

The Vikarabad district collector suggested setting aside the sum to provide several amenities at the venue. He is going to receive the money allotted by the Waqf Board. The CEO of the Waqf Board has been selected by the government as the nodal officer responsible for guaranteeing the timely completion of the proposed works.

GO-RT-123 issued by Syed Umar Jaleel. (Source: Organiser)

The different divisions receive their share of the assigned monies. A contribution of Rs 85 lakh has been made to Mission Bhagiratha which is focused on SUMP development and water delivery. The building of pipelines from ponds to the congregation location has been assigned a sum of Rs 68 lakh. The Panchayat Raj Engineering Department would supervise the development of the roads and parking areas with a budget of Rs 40 lakh. For Rs 48,35,847, transformers are going to be installed to provide a continuous power supply and transmission. The cost of the maintenance work would be Rs 4.58 lakh.

Earlier, when the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) was in power, on 23rd August, the district collector for Vikarabad calculated that about 7 crores would be needed for the occasion and he forwarded the proposal to the government for approval. Subaee Deeni Ijtema preparations are already underway.

Salman Khan, a member of Hyderabad Youth Courage NGO who was detained in a case involving bogus crowd fundraising and is subject to the Preventive Detention Act urged other Muslims to show up in strength for this rally. The media was told by the locals that three to five lakh Muslims are anticipated to travel to Parigi, which is located 85 kilometres from Hyderabad. This three-day Islamic assembly is scheduled to include members of Delhi Hazrat Nizamuddin.

Noatbly, in 2019 Syed Umar Jaleel, an IAS officer and former Vikarabad district collector was suspended for seven months. His willful breach of an Election Commission order by opening sealed 122 EVMs and VVPATs in the strong rooms resulted in this disciplinary penalty. It is important to remember that he took these measures despite a petition on the Vikarabad assembly elections still sitting in the high court and awaiting a decision.

He was appointed as the Commissioner of Intermediate Education and the Secretary of the Intermediate Board following a seven-month suspension. He subsequently announced his retirement in September 2022. Surprisingly, the BRS government once again elevated him to a prominent position in July 2022. This time for a two-year tenure, he assumed the duties of Secretary and Commissioner of the Telangana Minority Welfare Department.

A similar gathering was conducted by Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi in March 2020 during which the deadly Covid virus was prevalent and most of the attendees were infected. Moreover, they scattered around the nation, causing the virus to spread widely. It was found after a police inquiry that a large number of foreigners attended this event as well and travelled to different regions of the nation which presented a security danger.

The Tablighi Jamaat congregation and its activities are prohibited in many Islamic countries. Saudi Arabia outlawed Tablighi Jamaat in December 2021, referring to it as “one of the gates of terrorism.” The Tablighi Jamaat was outlawed and classified as an extremist organisation in Kazakhstan in 2013. Additionally, Iran, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan forbade the Islamic movement. 

Routine action against encroachment in Lucknow being peddled with misleading claims of harassment and assault of Kashmiri vendors, UP Police issues clarification

Paurush Gupta
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Routine action against encroachment in Lucknow being peddled with misleading claims of harassment and assault of Kashmiri vendors, UP Police issues clarification

On 17th December (Sunday), several usual X (Twitter) handles shared malicious claims that some Kashmiri dry fruit vendors were harassed and assaulted by the Municipal authority and Police at the Gomti Nagar bridge in Lucknow. The X users circulated the visuals from the Gomti bridge with misleading claims that the authority scattered their goods and assaulted the vendors. However, they were immediately fact-checked by the Lucknow Police. 

Spinning Police action as oppression of the poor, Asif Khan tweeted, “Poor Kashmiri dry fruit vendors were harassed by Lucknow Municipality team. Why are they targeting these poor people?” 

‘Face checker’ Md Zubair also chose to create misinformation by sharing incomplete information.

While one X (Twitter) user used the incident to rant about Article 370, others claimed that the incident highlighted hatred towards the people of Kashmir.  

Clearing the air, Lucknow Police took to their official X (Twitter) handle and noted that the authorities took routine action during an anti-encroachment drive as the bridge is also a sensitive route for VIP movement. 

Sharing the details about the anti-encroachment drive, East DCP Lucknow said, “The Gomti bridge connecting 1090 Chauraha and Samata Mulak Chauraha which is also a VIP route is often prone to encroachment. VIP movement traverses through this route because of which the  Municipal corporation and police regularly carry out anti-encroachment drives.”

The corporation has notified vending zones and this route is sensitive because VIP movement takes place from here. Resultantly, this is not a vending zone, prompting the authorities to regularly undertake anti-encroachment drives.

The official added that the police had learned that for the last few days, some vendors had been selling dry fruits. He added that the corporation had taken action previously, and the police had communicated with the vendors.

East DCP Lucknow mentioned that today (17th December), the convoy of UP CM Yogi Adityanath also passed through this route. He added that today the dry fruit vendors showed indecency with the anti-encroachment team. Subsequently, when the police came to learn about the incident, they used the necessary force and brought the youths to the police station. They have been informed that this is a VIP route adding that they should cooperate with the anti-encroachment drives in the future as well.

It is also notable that while the X users claimed police threw away the dry fruits being sold by the street vendors, others have said that the vendors themselves dropped the products on the streets after police asked them to vacate the place.

Therefore, the police removed the street vendors not because of their identities as Kashmiris, but only because they were vending at an unauthorised place.

Canada: Amidst online Hinduphobic attacks on the new 55-feet Lord Hanuman statue in Brampton, temple decides to enhance security

OpIndia Staff
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Canada: Amidst online Hinduphobic attacks on the new 55-feet Lord Hanuman statue in Brampton, temple decides to enhance security

A temple in Canada’s Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is increasing security after receiving complaints and discriminatory remarks on social media about a massive statue of Lord Hanuman being put up on its grounds.

The Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton is constructing a 55-foot-tall statue of the Hindu deity Hanuman, which will be inaugurated in April next year to commemorate Hanuman Jayanti. According to a temple priest, the statue is 95% finished, with minor work on the pedestal remaining.

Notably, in recent months Brampton has seen a surge in pro-Khalistan activity. In July, “War Zone” posters threatening Indian diplomats in Canada appeared outside the Bharat Mata Mandir in Brampton.

Known for his expertise in sculpting Hindu deities, Rajasthan sculptor Naresh Kumawat is creating the Lord Hanuman statue. Kumawat has erected over 200 statues in more than 80 countries.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, the temple priest Phool Kumar Sharma said, “There is security at our temple, and we will be keeping watch at night as well.”

Sharma stated that there have been complaints to the authorities as well as social media outrage by some people who are discontented with the statue’s installation. The priest, however, clarified that the statue is sponsored by donations, is being made on the temple grounds and does not violate any municipal regulations.

Notably, a section of Canadian netizens have unleashed a bigoted attack on the Hindu community over the statue of Lord Hanuman with many posting derogatory comments about Hindu Canadians and the Hindu gods as well.

One Cosmin Dzsurdzsa wrote, “Hinduism is heavily invested in the meaning and power of symbols. Although Western thought has largely discounted religious symbolism as irrational and superstitious, ignoring an obvious projection of power in the form of a massive deific monument will be to our detriment. Why would somebody feel the need to erect a 50-foot idol outside for non-believers to see and not in a temple? The psychological motivation is curious and a legitimate question.”

Another one wrote, “The Libertarian ideas that are used to defend this eye sore of a statue are exactly what needs to die in the Canadian Right Wing. If you’re not fighting to defend Canadian culture & Canadian people then you’re honestly not helping.”

One Harrison Faulkner wrote, “Canada in 2023. Toronto: John A. Macdonald statue at Queen’s Park in a wooden box for over 2 years. Brampton: A brand new 55-foot-tall statue of Hanuman, the Hindu monkey commander of the monkey army.”

Another one wrote, “Countless Canadians are noticing huge changes in their country that they don’t like. It’s completely valid that they feel this way. There’s nothing wrong with thinking that things were better decades ago. Traditional Canadian culture is being erased, and people aren’t happy.”

The same person had in a now-deleted post written, “A 55-foot Hindu statue is going up in Brampton, Ontario….which is another reminder that we need an immediate halt on all immigration into Canada.” Amusingly, the person opines that a mere statue of Lord Hanuman installed on a private property has power to ‘erase’ the ‘Traditional Canadian culture’.

It is ironic that Canadians who day in and out boast to be the most tolerant and champions of religious freedom and free speech and whatnot are offended by a Hindu deity’s statue being built on private land in absolute compliance with the local laws. The recent online attacks only expose the deep-seated hatred for the Hindu faith and Hindus in general.

If we look at the data, according to a 2021 census, Canada has a Christian population of over 19.3 million making up over half of the Canadian population. It is interesting to note that India, a Hindu majority country is home to more Christians than a Christian majority Canada with a population of over 28 million, according to 2011 census data, making them the third largest religious community in the country. Despite being a Hindu majority nation, India has always been tolerant towards religious institutions, places of worship, statues etc.

When Hindu temples are attacked by Khalistani terrorists, the same intolerant Canadians go into hibernation, yet go berserk over a 55-foot statue of a Hindu god, claiming that Hindu religious symbolism is being forced in a Christian-majority Canada. In recent months, Khalistani terrorists have attacked Hindu temples in several parts of Canada, vandalising the temples and defacing the walls with anti-India and anti-Hindu graffiti, with Canadian authorities taking no concrete action. The question arises as to how one immigrant community, whose places of worship are constantly subjected to hatred and attacks by extremist sections of another and yet remains law-abiding, will obliterate or destroy “Canadian culture,” which it does not seek to do.

Bihar: Doctors seen consuming alcohol during Paediatrics conference at Darbhanga in the dry state, probe ordered after video went viral

OpIndia Staff
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Bihar: Doctors seen consuming alcohol during Paediatrics conference at Darbhanga in the dry state, probe ordered after video went viral

On 17th December (Sunday), photos and visuals of doctors allegedly consuming alcohol at a party in the dry state of Bihar started doing rounds on social media platforms. The incident of doctors partying with alcohol reportedly took place inside the guest house of Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH). However, it was interrupted when someone barged in with a camera.

As per reports, the party took place during the ongoing conference of paediatricians, Pedicon 2023, which is being organised at DMCH between 14-17 December.

Notably, the visuals of the alcohol party were captured on camera. The footage revealed sealed imported liquor bottles abandoned on the floor after those consuming it quickly dispersed upon noticing the camera. 

After the visuals of medical professionals consuming alcohol in the dry state went viral, the Darbhanga Police sprung into action. 

Speaking with India Today TV, Darbhanga’s Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Amit Kumar confirmed the authenticity of the viral visuals. He stated that raids were conducted at DMCH after the video emerged, leading to the recovery of three bottles of foreign-made liquor. 

Kumar said, “It is claimed that a liquor party was organised on the DMCH campus. All video evidence will be examined and people concerned questioned.” 

Following the viral videos, opposition leaders launched a scathing attack on the Bihar government’s claim of making Bihar a dry state. Sharing photographs of the incident, Jan Adhikar Party (JAP) chief Pappu Yadav alleged that the Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) served as an “adda for sharab, shabab and Kabab (hub for women, wine & dine)”. He also claimed that he saw it firsthand when he was taken for treatment while in jail.

As per reports, the doctors caught in the viral frame included DMCH Principal Dr KN Mishra who outrightly denied the allegations. He claimed that he did not consume any alcohol and if anyone proves this, he will immediately leave his post. 

Regarding his presence at the alcohol party caught in the viral videos, he argued that someone had misused his photo and video as people could find his photo and video somewhere. 

According to him, the photo looks edited and he got information from news channels and newspapers. At the Pedicon conference, many doctors have come from Delhi, Mumbai, and Gujarat, for whom arrangements have been made to stay in many hotels and guest houses in the city. Now it is not possible to check their luggage, he further argued in his defence.

He added that now that the incident has come to light, they are forming three to four investigation committees. This committee will investigate and submit a report in three days as to how and by whom the liquor was brought to the guest house. Presently Pedicon is going on in the guest house in which more than 509 doctors have come from outside. 

Regarding Pappu Yadav’s allegations of setting up a liquor den, the DMCH principal added that if any doctor is caught drinking or sees someone drinking then they should tell the hospital authorities. He added that the Pedicon is not an organisation of DMCH, it is organised by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP). In this institution, there are four times more doctors from outside Darbhanga than the number of doctors there, he added.

It is important to note that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar imposed a ban on alcohol consumption in 2016, making it a dry state.

I’m sorry for making reels at railway platforms: Instagram content creator apologises after viral dance at Andheri station draws police attention

OpIndia Staff
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I’m sorry for making reels at railway platforms: Instagram content creator apologises after viral dance at Andheri station draws police attention

There has been a staggering increase recently in the trend of people dancing inside metro trains, train platforms and other public areas, causing trouble for others. Content creators don’t appear to be stopping anytime soon even in the face of criticism from the public and constant reminders from the authorities. One such social media celebrity recently found herself in trouble when police intervened over a widely shared video of her dancing inside Mumbai’s railway stations. Instagram user Seema Kanojiya posted a video on her account issuing an apology for her illegal act.

She has now expressed regret for bothering the passengers. Seema Kanojiya recently released a clip surrounded by two police officers as she apologised for her objectionable behaviour. The dance video was uploaded on 2nd December by the social media influencer who has over 5.59 lakh Instagram followers. Since then, it has minted over 94.5 million views. She could be witnessed stepping off a stationary train while a Bollywood song plays in the background and running into two men who were crossing the platform. She began to dance on the platform and a large group gathered around her, leaving the men looking bewildered.

She wrote, “Don’t make videos or reels at railway platforms and inside trains. Passengers face problems and it’s an offence. I’m sorry to make reels at the railway platform at Andheri and CSMT,” along with the footage of her apologising while a male and female police personnel stood on either side of her.

She agreed that it was a legal offence to record such content on a train platform that caused inconvenience to other people and expressed surprise at the video’s popularity. She also implored other social media influencers to take note of her error and not repeat the mistake. 

The Central Railway reacted in a tweet earlier after the footage of her leaping off a train and performing dance moves in front of guys on a railroad platform gained traction on social media. It read, “Passengers are requested to refrain from such activities which cause disturbance to other passengers. Under Railway Act sections 152 & 153, it’s a punishable offence with a penalty & imprisonment of up to 10 years for the charges of hurting/attempting to hurt other passengers. The above case is being investigated by RPF for further action.”

Content creators frequently use dancing on public transportation as a way to attract attention online. Social media has been regularly used by metro authorities and railroads around the country to urge people not to capture recordings while riding public transit.

Arvind Kejriwal says AAP wants to contest all 13 seats in Punjab, leaving 0 for I.N.D.I. Alliance partner Congress

OpIndia Staff
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Arvind Kejriwal says AAP wants to contest all 13 seats in Punjab, leaving 0 for I.N.D.I. Alliance partner Congress

On 17th December, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s chief and Delhi’s Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, expressed his desire to contest all thirteen Lok Sabha seats in Punjab and one Lok Sabha seat in Chandigarh in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections. Notably, AAP is part of I.N.D.I. Alliance with eighteen other anti-BJP parties, including Congress, Trinamool Congress, Janata Dal (United) and others.

During a public meeting in Bathinda, Punjab, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Arvind Kejriwal said, “All these parties are sad. They feel that their jobs have been taken away permanently. No one is going to vote for them again. The way [AAP formed] government three times in Delhi, you will give a majority vote to AAP in the next elections. Lok Sabha elections are not far away. There are 13 seats in Punjab and one seat in Chandigarh. My heart says the way people are getting benefitted; you should give all 13 seats to us and make us strong.”

This is not the first time Congress and AAP have come face-to-face over seat sharing in Punjab. On 12th December, Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said that his party would contest all 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab. Furthermore, he added that the high command had not given any instructions for contesting the upcoming General elections in any alliance.

On 14th December, AAP chief spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang said, “While the party high command’s final decision is to be taken, we are already preparing in all 13 Lok Sabha constituencies. The Chief Minister had declared in the Hoshiarpur rally that we will contest in all 13 seats.”

I.N.D.I Alliance meeting scheduled for 19th December

Notably, Kejriwal’s statement came just two days before the I.N.D.I Alliance meeting that is scheduled for 19th December. This is going to be the first meeting of the alliance after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defeated Congress in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh assembly elections. Following the defeat, Congress called for a meeting of its allies, which was first scheduled for the 6th of this month, before getting postponed to the 19th.

Party wanted to deny him ticket, those who helped him are dead or in BJP: Rajdeep Sardesai tries to defend Congress over scam accused Dhiraj Sahu

OpIndia Staff
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Party wanted to deny him ticket, those who helped him are dead or in BJP: Rajdeep Sardesai tries to defend Congress over scam accused Dhiraj Sahu

Days after the Income Tax (IT) Department recovered a whopping ₹353 crore from the offices of Dhiraj Prasad Sahu, ‘journalist’ Rajdeep Sardesai came to the rescue of the Congress MP.

In a video posted on his YouTube channel on Friday (16th December), Sardesai claimed that the scam-tainted politician had no chance of being a Parliamentarian. While citing a make-believe ‘source’, he alleged that the Congress wanted to deny Sahu a ticket to the Rajya Sabha in 2018.

The controversial ‘journalist’ claimed that the party relented after leaders, who have now defected to the BJP, lobbied for him. He also made reference to a ‘dead’ Congress leader who supposedly influenced the decision of the party to send Dhiraj Prasad Sahu to the Rajya Sabha.

At a time when the grand-old-party is under scanner over allegations of corruption, Rajdeep Sardesai was seen making a last-ditch effort to give a clean chit to the Congress’ high command.

“A senior Congress leader from Jharkhand claims Sahu was to be denied a ticket in 2018 but he reportedly managed to get his Rajya Sabha nomination at the very last moment with the help of a very key people in the Congress hierarchy in the National Capital,” he was heard saying.

“Among his key benefactors is someone who is no longer alive and held the purse strings of the Congress for a very long time. Interestingly some of the others who also helped him have now switched to the BJP,” Sardesai brazened out.

The controversy surrounding Dhiraj Prasad Sahu

Dhiraj Prasad Sahu is a Rajya Sabha MP for Congress from Jharkhand. His family has been associated with the Congress party since independence. He became RS MP in by-polls in 2009 for the first time.

In 2010, he was elected as RS MP for the second time; in 2018, he was re-elected for RS by Congress for the third time. He actively participates in parliamentary proceedings. Sahu was part of Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra.

In recent raids at Odisha-based Boudh Distillery Pvt Ltd, where Dhiraj Prasad Sahu is a partner, the Income Tax Department recovered ₹353 cr of unaccounted cash. Congress Party has distanced itself from the controversy.

Karnataka: BJP MP Pratap Simha slams Congress MLA’s proposal to rename Mysuru Airport after Tipu Sultan, says the name “Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar Airport” was already approved

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: BJP MP Pratap Simha slams Congress MLA’s proposal to rename Mysuru Airport after Tipu Sultan, says the name “Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar Airport” was already approved

On 16th December, Pratap Simha, the Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Mysuru-Kodagu in Karnataka strongly objected to the Congress party’s suggestion to rename the Mysuru airport in honour of Tipu Sultan, the Islamist monarch of the 18th century. He criticised the proposal saying that the formal procedure to name the airport after Mysuru’s 20th-century king Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar was already almost finalised.

He responded by calling the proposal to name it after Tipu Sultan ridiculous and pointing out that the airport had previously received approval to be renamed in commemoration of Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar.

The BJP leader disclosed in a statement that he had earlier recommended that the Mysuru airport be renamed “Sri Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar Airport” in May 2022. He further maintained that the cabinet had accepted the same and that Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had requested that Rs 35 crore be allotted for the airport’s runway development.

He conveyed, “The Cabinet also approved this nomination. The previous government led by former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had already proposed to name Mysuru airport after Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. He subsequently wrote to the Centre on August 1, 2022, making the recommendation. The union government will soon make an official statement about the name, and it is in the final stages. It is unfair for Congress to create such confusion among people by passing unruly statements.”

Furthermore, he charged that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is attempting to cater to a particular community in the Mysuru area. “Siddaramaiah has no respect for Yaduvansha. During his first term, Siddarmaaiah permitted Tipu Jayanti to hurt the feelings of the people of Mysuru and Kodavas when they were against it. Congress is trying to appease a community for their vote bank politics by twisting the history. I will not allow the Congress to rename Mysuru Airport after Tipu Sultan.”

“Who is he trying to appease by elevating Tipu Sultan as a heroic figure,” the parliamentarian asked. He announced, “Under no circumstances will I permit Mysuru airport to be named after Tipu Sultan. I will steadfastly support the sentiments of the people of Mysuru-Kodagu, who unanimously desire the airport to be named after Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar. I stand as their voice, unwavering in my stance.” 

Congress MLA Prasad Abbayya from Hubballi-Dharwad (East) came up with the proposal of renaming the Mysuru airport after Tipu Sultan during a discussion about the state government writing to the Centre to change the names of airports. “I am 101 per cent still defend my decision demanding the Mysuru Airport to be named after Tipu Sultan. He gave Dalits and backward classes respect in society. Tipu Sultan brought the Land Reforms Act and helped backward-class people. I am a fan of Tipu Sultan. There is no need to appease any community,” he claimed while defending his controversial decision.

Parliament Security Breach: Lalit Jha shared the video of the intrusion with a friend from Bengal urging him to circulate it

OpIndia Staff
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Parliament Security Breach: Lalit Jha shared the video of the intrusion with a friend from Bengal urging him to circulate it

On 17th December, a friend of Parliament security breach’s mastermind, Lalit Jha, told India Today that he had received the video of the breach from Jha with a request to circulate it on social media. Sourav Chakraborty, who hails from West Bengal, said he had known Jha since May 2014 and had met him via Facebook. However, he never knew what Jha was planning.

Chakraborty said, “We met on Facebook. He used to like and comment on my posts on social media. He used to support me in my Facebook posts. I have known him since May 14, but he never told me anything along these lines (Parliament security breach incident).” He further stated that if the incident had taken place “before 1947”, he would have supported it. He called it an “unnecessary” act now. He said, “He (Jha) used to speak about social justice and welfare. He never told me or hinted at such a kind of plan.”

Lalit Jha and Chakraborty met in Kolkata during two rallies. Jha had helped Chakraborty in making arrangements for a rally in Uttar Pradesh.

Lalit Jha sought seven lakhs from his father

Reports suggest that Jha had sought Rs 7 lakh from his father a few months ago. A team from Baheda Police Station questioned his parents at their house in district Danbanga of Bihar. During questioning, his father, Devanant Jha, said he was informed about Lalit’s arrest via phone by Delhi Police on 15th December.

The police also checked his mobile phone and asked about some photos and videos stored on the device. Lalit’s father said in a statement that he had asked for Rs 7 lakh a few months back. He claimed to have cleared the NEET exam and sought money for admission to a private college as his rank was low. However, due to his financial condition, Devanand could not help his son. He claimed his son was innocent and urged police not to take any strict action against him.

Security breach in parliament

On 14th December, the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack, a major security breach occurred when two intruders entered the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitor gallery during Zero Hour. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) ordered an inquiry into a Parliament security breach incident. Seven accused have been arrested in the matter. Further investigation into the Parliament Security Breach is underway.

Porn scandal rocks US Capitol: Democrat Senator Ben Cardin’s legal aide fired after filming gay sex tape in Senate Hearing room

OpIndia Staff
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Porn scandal rocks US Capitol: Democrat Senator Ben Cardin’s legal aide fired after filming gay sex tape in Senate Hearing room

The US Capitol has recently been rocked by a porn scandal involving one of the legal aides of Democratic Senator Ben Cardin who has now been fired. As per US media reports, a staffer named Aidan Maese-Czeropski associated with Cardin’s office filmed himself while copulating with a man in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill. The scandal came to light on Friday (15th December) after the video was leaked online.

The 8-second graphic video was published by the Daily Caller on Friday. The video was embedded in an article authored by Henry Rodgers, who reported that the video was initially shared in a group chat for gay men in politics. The video appears to show a pair of men copulating in Hart 216, the same room where the 9/11 commission hearings were held and former FBI Director James Comey delivered testimony about Donald Trump in 2017. 

After media reports surfaced, the United States Capitol Police initiated an investigation into potential criminal violations when the video started circulating.

Meanwhile, initially, Cardin’s office declined to comment on the video, calling it a “personnel matter.” But on Saturday (16th December), his office confirmed to Politico that Maese-Czropski “is no longer employed by the U.S. Senate.” 

A spokeswoman from Cardin’s office told The New York Post, “Aidan Maese-Czeropski is no longer employed by the U.S. Senate. We will have no further comment on this personnel matter.” 

Although the Daily Caller which published the graphic video did not identify the two men caught in the leaked video, several conservative outlets identified Aidan Maese-Czropski, Maryland Democrat Senator Ben Cardin’s aide, as one of the participants caught in the obscene video. 

NYT reported that Maese-Czeropski, a 24-year-old legislative aide, was accused of posting a video of himself in flagrante delicto with another man on a public X account. His face appeared to be clearly visible, according to The Spectator, which first broke the story on Friday. 

Following the reports, Maese-Czropski on Friday, in a cryptic post on LinkedIn, claimed that while “some of my actions in the past have shown poor judgement,” he would “never disrespect [his] workplace.” He, however, did not make any reference to the video.

Alleging that he is being attacked for a ‘political agenda’, his post read, “This has been a difficult time for me, as I have been attacked for who I love to pursue a political agenda. While some of my actions in the past have shown poor judgement, I love my job and would never disrespect my workplace. Any attempts to characterize my actions otherwise are fabricated and I will be exploring what legal options are available to me in these matters.”

Additionally, on Friday, Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) told the Daily Caller that Maese-Czeropski was the staffer who approached him and said “free Palestine” during an interview with NBC News earlier this week. 

While responding to the claims that he yelled ‘Free Palestine’ slogans at a Jewish Congressman in the Capitol hallway, Maese-Czropski noted in his LinkedIn post, “As for the accusations regarding Congressman Max Miller, I have never seen the congressman and had no opportunity or cause to yell or confront him.”  

Moreover, according to his LinkedIn profile, he has been employed in Cardin’s office since October 2021. Before this role, he served as a field organiser for the Democratic Party in Virginia and worked as a climate researcher for the charity Friends of the Earth.

NYT further reported that Maese-Czeropski had previously featured in an ad for President Biden which earned Biden a shoutout from his mother’s now-deleted X account. 

In a November 2020 post, his mother said, “Thank you for including my son, Aidan Maese-Czeropski, in your thoughtful message to everyone who has supported you. He has worked tirelessly with the DNC of Virginia. Congratulations to All!!” 

The same year, Maese-Czeropski reportedly wrote on the payment platform Venmo, “I want Joe Biden to spit in my mouth.”

Republican leaders and netizens launched a scathing attack on the Biden administration with many of them re-sharing old “decency” posts by the most powerful couple in the US, Joe and Jill Biden. 

Taking to X, Republican George Santos wrote, “Having sex in a United States government building and filming it is the reason you got heat. You being gay and having gay s*x NO BODY gives a rats a*s.” 

(Republicans slams Democratic party for pron scandal at the US capitol)

Slamming the Biden government, several netizens shared the couple’s “decency” posts along with obscene pictures of LGBTQ+ activists outside the White House as well as scandalous pictures of Hunter Biden with seemingly minor kids or banned substances. 

Sharing the old remarks of Democrat Senator Ben Cardin, an American X user wrote, “Democrat Senator Ben Cardin previously ranted about how the US Capitol was a ‘sacred space’ and is ‘so much more’ than a building while comparing J6 to 9/11. Yesterday, video was released of his staffer having gay s*x in this ‘sacred space’.… and what did Cardin have to say?”

He added, “Besides announcing the staffer was fired, Cardin simply said: ‘We will have no further comment on this personal matter’. So much for this ‘sacred space’!”

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