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‘Today is a historic day’: Randeep Hooda flags off ‘Swatantraveer Savarkar Mukti Shatabdi Yatra’ to mark 100 years of freedom fighter’s release from jail

ANI
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‘Today is a historic day’: Randeep Hooda flags off ‘Swatantraveer Savarkar Mukti Shatabdi Yatra’ to mark 100 years of freedom fighter’s release from jail

Actor Randeep Hooda, who is all set to portray freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in the movie ‘Swatantrya Veer Savarkar’, on Saturday, flagged off the Swatantraveer Savarkar Mukti Shatabdi Yatra from Yerwada Central Jail in Pune. On January 6, 1924, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was released from the jail.

“Today is a very historic day, as today it has been 100 years since Savarkar Ji was released from jail and he was kept under house arrest in Ratnagiri and was in district arrest. The day he left from this jail, he first went to Bombay and then went to Ratnagiri, where he remained in the Restricted Movement for the next thirteen years,” Randeep told ANI.

He added, “He is such a great freedom fighter for our country, about whom people know very little. I hope that through my movie, people will know more about him. If you read about him in detail, you will come to know that his contribution to the country was very big. Whatever wrong concepts people have about him, watch the movie once and read about him, then decide.”

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was born on May 28, 1883, in the Marathi Chitpavan Brahmin Hindu family of Damodar and Radhabai Savarkar in the village of Bhagur, near the city of Nashik, Maharashtra. He was a freedom fighter, an activist and a writer. He was a leading figure in the ‘Hindu Mahasabha.’

Savarkar started participating in the freedom movement while still a high school student and continued doing so while attending Fergusson College in Pune. He got active with groups like India House and the Free India Society while studying law in the United Kingdom. He also published books that promoted revolutionary methods for achieving total Indian independence.

The British colonial authorities outlawed one of his works, ‘The Indian War of Independence’, which was about the 1857 ‘Sepoy Mutiny’ or the First War of Independence.

Like Bhagat Singh, Subhash Chandra Bose, Khudiram Bose, Madanlal Dhingra, and many others, Veer Savarkar also served as an inspiration.

However, according to director Sandeep Singh, he was misunderstood by many people throughout history, and the film will reveal the truth about him and his efforts.

Directed and co-written by Randeep Hooda with Utkarsh Naithani, Swatantrya Veer Savarkar is produced by Anand Pandit Motion Pictures and Randeep Hooda Films with Legend Studios and Avak Films. ‘Pavitra Rishta’ fame Ankita Lokhande will be seen opposite Randeep Hooda in the film.

PM Narendra Modi’s Lakshadweep visit, an attempt to promote it as tourist destination of choice in Arabian Sea ahead of china-tilting Maldives

Amit Kelkar
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PM Narendra Modi’s Lakshadweep visit, an attempt to promote it as tourist destination of choice in Arabian Sea ahead of china-tilting Maldives

Earlier this week, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea. PM Modi shared stunning images of the beautiful beaches of Lakshadweep and even went snorkeling. The Prime Minister also interacted with the locals during his visit to the beautiful islands.

The visit brought the attention of the world to the islands, and Lakshadweep remained the most googled keyword for 2 days in a row. The pristine beaches and the scenic beauty has become the focus of the world following PM Modi’s visit. The attempt by the PM to promote Lakshadweep as a tourist destination seems to have gotten off to a strong start.

While the Prime Minister also talked about several development projects in the archipelago, it was clear that tourism industry was the prime focus. Located in the Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep is a great destination for tourists who want to enjoy beautiful beaches and indulge in adventure sports in the water. This visit by PM Modi signals India’s intent to push Lakshadweep as an alternative to Maldives.

India’s neighbour in the Arabian Sea, Maldives, is the preferred tourist destination across the world, but particularly among Indians. The country of 1200 islands, mostly uninhabited, is highly popular as a destination in India. From film stars to sports persons to influencers, everyone likes to go to Maldives and share photos of their trip on social media.

However, located in the same geography, Lakshadweep doesn’t get that many visitors as Maldives and PM Modi’s government clearly wants to change that. The Indian Union Territory offers the same experience as the neighbouring country.

This pitch to promote Lakshadweep as the destination of choice over Maldives is also seen as a snub to the island nation which is recently being seen as “pro-China” and anti-India sentiments being fueled there. Last year, Mohamed Muizzu was elected as the President of Maldives, someone who is pro-China. Shortly after his election, he raised tensions with India by asking India toi withdraw its troops from the island nation.

Meanwhile, he is close to China’s communist party and is pandering to Chinese interests in the region. China has already started using Maldives territory to maintain its presence in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. A new Free Trade Agreement is also in the pipeline between China and Maldives.

Tourism still remains the main source pf revenue for Maldives however, and Indian attempt to cut its share in the tourism industry by promoting Lakshadweep as its alternative, is a clear signal to Maldives. By promoting Lakshadweep, India is sending a message to Maldives that their recent anti-India and pro-China steps are being noted, and India is displeased.

Apart from bringing prosperity to the archipelago, development of Lakshadweep will also tell Maldives that they need to course-correct when it comes to relationship with its neighbour.

‘Kisi ke pita ka shraadh hai ya bete ka vivah hai?’: JD(U) MP mocks invite for Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha, gets slammed by Chief Priest of Ram Mandir

OpIndia Staff
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‘Kisi ke pita ka shraadh hai ya bete ka vivah hai?’: JD(U) MP mocks invite for Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha, gets slammed by Chief Priest of Ram Mandir

On 5th January (Friday), Janata Dal (United) MP Kaushalendra Kumar joined leaders of the I.N.D.I. Alliance in making disparaging remarks over the Ram Mandir inauguration ceremony which is set to take place on 22nd January in Ayodhya. Mocking the invites extended for the inauguration ceremony, the JDU MP stirred controversy by arguing against the need to send invites for the ceremony. 

During a program in Bihar’s Nalanda, JDU MP Kaushalendra Kumar mocked the invites for Ram Mandir asking if it is the wedding function of someone’s son or Shraadh (rituals performed as last rites) of someone’s father, that they are extending invites for the same. 

Speaking on a media query on invitations being extended to attend the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of Ram Mandir, JD(U) MP Kaushalendra Kumar said, “Kisi ke bete ka vivah hai, jo nauta de rahe hai. What is the need for this invitation? Kya kissi ke pita ka shraadh hai? Hume nauta nahi diya hai to kya hum Ayodhya nahi jayenge.” 

(Translation – Is it someone’s son’s wedding or father’s shraadh that they are inviting? We did not receive an invitation that doesn’t mean that will not go).

He added that the one who is inviting is a fool. The JDU leader, however, argued that Ayodhya belongs to everyone and if someone is trying to capture it won’t happen. 

He further claimed that those who will go there without their Sita (better half), they wouldn’t get the benefit in 2024. He argued, “Such people are arriving there on January 22 where both husbands and wives will seek blessings from Lord Ram and Goddess Sita. If someone goes there without Sita, they too won’t benefit in 2024…”

Following JD(U) MP Kaushalendra Kumar’s controversial remarks, Shri Ram Janambhoomi Teerth Kshetra chief priest Acharya Satyendra Das Ji Maharaj launched a scathing attack on the JDU leader. The Chief Priest stressed that a fool will always speak like one adding that the JDU leader himself is a ‘fool’. He emphasised that the invites are a “letter of honour” sent for the grand consecration ceremony. He noted that invites are sent on every small work and not just on someone’s death or marriage, alluding to the fact that the inauguration of Ram Mandir is a major feat for Indian civilisation.

The Chief Priest said, “A fool will always speak like one. He himself is a fool. Invites are letters of honour that someone is being invited to the grand works surrounding Lord Ram that are being done. We send invites for the smallest of the works that are done…A fool who has no knowledge will always use such language…He should keep his foolishness to himself…”

Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha

The consecration ceremony and inauguration of Ram Mandir at the birthplace of Lord Ram will take place on 22nd January in the presence of thousands of esteemed attendees. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will perform rituals at the grand ceremony. Around 7,000 distinguished guests have been invited to the ceremony. 

Meanwhile, several opposition leaders of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc had given controversial remarks in the wake of the invitation to the inauguration ceremony. 

On 4th January), the Malegaon Police in Maharashtra’s Nashik district booked Sushma Andhare from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction) for giving a derogatory speech insulting Lord Rama. Click here, to read details of the FIR and what the I.N.D.I.A. bloc leader said. 

Earlier, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) veteran and leader of opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Jitendra Awhad courted a massive controversy after he claimed that Lord Ram used to eat meat and he belongs to ‘Bahujans’. Following widespread outrage, he came forward with an apology and expressed regret over his statement. He, however, repeated his claim arguing that scriptures mention Lord Ram eating meat. 

Similarly, on 1st January, RJD MLA Fateh Bahadur Singh Kushwaha put up a poster outside the residence Lalu-Rabri and Tejashwi Yadav, which described temple worship as a path to “mental slavery”. Additionally, as per reports, the RJD leader has a history of making deplorable remarks on Sanatan Dharma, Hindu Gods, and Goddesses. 

Member of ruling party of Maldives Zahid Rameez passes racist remark against Indians while mocking Modi’s Lakshadweep visit, had sought Indian citizenship earlier

OpIndia Staff
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Member of ruling party of Maldives Zahid Rameez passes racist remark against Indians while mocking Modi’s Lakshadweep visit, had sought Indian citizenship earlier

On Friday, January 5, Zahid Rameez, a Council member of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) took to the microblogging site X to mock Indians. The PPM member’s highly racist remark against Indians came in response to a post by popular X user Mr Sinha, where he shared pictures of PM Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Lakshadweep. Outraged by the contemptuous remark made by the politician from the Maldives, Netizens resolved not to go to the Maldives for vacations in the future.

On January 4, PM Narendra Modi shared some pictures of his recent visit to Lakshadweep as he exhorted people to explore the scenic island in what could be seen as a push to his ‘vocal for local’ slogan, and an effort to give a boost to tourism in the island.

Mr Sinha shared a picture of PM Modi’s recent visit to Lakshadweep. In the picture, the Indian Prime Minister was seen taking a walk on the pristine beach of the scenic island. Mr Sinha wrote, “What a great move! It’s a big setback to the new Chinese puppet gvt of Maldives. Also, it will boost tourism in #Lakshadweep.”

In response to Mr Sinha’s post, Zahid Rameez wrote on January 5, “The move is great. However, the idea of competing with us is delusional. How can they provide the service we offer? How can they be so clean? The permanent smell in the rooms will be the biggest downfall.”

Several X users expressed their outrage at the racist statement made by the PPM member which implied that Indians were unhygienic and dirty. They vowed to boycott the Maldives and promote Lakshadweep as the preferred holiday destination.

“Indians should boycott Maldives and visit Lakshadweep instead @narendramodi Thanks Modi Ji for making a special visit to generate interest for this beautiful union territory of ours @presidencymv,” wrote a user going by the handle @Abhind8.

“Now check the data of tourists footfall after a year, you will see a surge which might surpass Maldives too & going by the recent developments from Maldives,this might well be a message to them of realising what tourists from Bharat means to its economy but i guess its too late!!” wrote another X user.

Another X user going by the handle @HinduHate also condemned the racist remark passed by Rameez. He stated, “Here is Maldives govt official says “permanent smell in the rooms” after PM Modi’s Lakshadweep trip triggered a meltdown and a possible reduction in number of Indian tourists visiting Maldives. Indians, stop spending money on those who don’t deserve it. Make them bend!”

In response to @HinduHate’s post, another user highlighted how Zahid Rameez, who went on to insult Indians had recently sought Indian citizenship. Sharing a screenshot of Rameez’s June 28, 2023 post, X user Sandeep Neel wrote, “He’s seeking Indian citizenship. It’s crucial that @MEAIndia and @HMOIndia ensure individuals like @xahidcreator, known for spreading hate, are barred from obtaining it.”

As evidenced by Zahid Rameez’s post, on June 28, 2023, he had tagged the High Commission of India in Maldives and urged them to grant him citizenship of India.

After several social media users took offence to Zahid Rameez’s racist remark against Indians, the member of the ruling PPM, instead of apologising or retracting his statement, brazened it out. Using the opportunity to play his victim card as a ‘Muslim’, Rameez wrote, “I was born in India, and FYI, I’m not a lawmaker. I share my thoughts through tweets. It’s confusing why there’s a reaction, especially when there have been more hurtful comments about us, Muslims, and Palestine by your people. Anyway, I usually don’t comment, so this one time, deal with it, please.”

Viral photographs of PM Modi in Lakshadweep cause huge jump in people searching for more information on the islands and snorkelling

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Lakshadweep on 2 and 3 January, as part of his South India visit which also included programs in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The PM reached Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, 2nd January, from there he flew to Agatti in Lakshadweep on the same day. He spent the night in union territory, attended several programs, before moving to Kerala for a road show on 3rd January.

On January 4, PM Modi shared several photographs on X, showing that apart from attending public programs, he also took part in some adventurous activities in the scenic islands. He tried snorkelling, and shared photographs on the same.

PM Modi also shared two underwater photographs of coral reefs and other marine life.

He also shared images of enjoying some time on the beach, saying, “In addition to the scenic beauty, Lakshadweep’s tranquility is also mesmerising. It gave me an opportunity to reflect on how to work even harder for the welfare of 140 crore Indians.” PM Modi said he took early morning walks “along the pristine beaches” which proved to be “moments of pure bliss”.

After PM Modi posted those images, the number of searches for the terms Lakshadweep and snorkelling skyrocketed. The Google searches for snorkelling has jumped by over 2000%, while the searches for Lakshadweep has increased by around 350%.

During his visit to Lakshadweep, the Prime Minister inaugurated development projects worth more than Rs 1,150 crore. 

New pro-China president of Maldives Dr Mohamed Muizzu asks India to withdraw its military from the country

Meanwhile, the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) recently came to power in the country after its candidate Dr Mohamed Muizzu, became the newly elected president of the Maldives after defeating his predecessor Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Muizzu is viewed as being more pro-China than his predecessor Ibrahim Mohamed Solih who had pushed for deeper ties with India. 

In fact, in November last year, Dr Mohamed Muizzu asked India to withdraw its military forces from the country. A notification issued by the president’s office stated that this request was formally made to Indian Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who visited the country to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new president.

Responding to the development, Indian officials said that both countries will try to find a ”workable solution”.

The development comes after the president had declared that he would expunge foreign military forces from the nation and reiterated his support for the withdrawal of a tiny Indian force from the Indian Ocean archipelago, which is a region where China and India compete for influence. The 45-year-old leader is the ninth president of the strategically placed island nation in the Indian Ocean.

Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama leader booked over “Muslim women not wearing Hijab are of loose morals” remark

OpIndia Staff
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Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama leader booked over “Muslim women not wearing Hijab are of loose morals” remark

On Thursday, 4th January, Kerala’s Kozhikode city police registered an FIR against Muslim cleric and Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama leader Mukkam Umar Faizi over his alleged remark “Muslim women who did not wear hijab were persons of loose morals” during a television debate. The accused Islamic scholar has been booked under sections 295A (outraging the religious sentiments) and 298 (uttering words to insult religious feelings). The Nadakavvu Police registered an FIR against Faizi based on the complaint filed by VP Zuhara, president of NISA, a forum of progressive Muslim women on 9th October 2023.

Faizi allegedly made comments about women who do not wear the ‘thattam’ (headscarf worn by Muslim ladies in Kerala) during a television programme last year, sparking a major controversy in the state as a large number of women leaders and activists spoke out against it. According to the Samastha leader, women who do not wear hijab are of “questionable character”.

During the Television debate on 7th October 2023, Faizi was asked to respond to CPM leader K Anilkumar’s comment that no one can force a Muslim woman to wear a purdah (thattam), on Umer Faizi said: “Muslim women have to wear a purdah, they should not exhibit their bodies in front of other men….letting a Muslim woman lead a debauched life in front of other men is not a progressive thing. Muslim women shouldn’t exhibit such debauchery. You may call us old-fashioned, but we stick to that belief.”

Following this, VP Zuhara lodged a complaint against the Samastha leader two days after the outrageous comments were made. However, reports say that the police commissionerate told Zuhra that it needs to take a legal opinion on the matter. The women’s rights activist was allegedly abused for filing a complaint against Umar Faizi.

Notably, VP Zuhara had hit out at Faizi’s remark during the inaugural session of the Kudumbashree’s “Thirike Schoolil” (back to school) campaign at Mallalam in the city in October last year. She stated that it was a woman’s personal choice whether or not to cover her head. A few attendees, including some office-bearers of the school’s parent-teacher association (PTA), held a protest as she addressed the alleged statement by removing her hijab. Zuhara then left the venue.

On Friday (5th January 2024), Zuhara welcomed the filing of an FIR against Umar Faizi as she said, “We have had several such incidents. They want to paint the Muslim community and women in a poor light. They want to create tension in the community by dividing the women into those wearing veils and those not wearing it. Faizi has insulted all the women who do not wear the headscarf.’’

Hamas-sympathising UN employee Lamia Burkart targets whistleblower Khaled Hassan on X, UN first says she didn’t have any X account, later says it was hacked

Gopal Tiwari
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Hamas-sympathising UN employee Lamia Burkart targets whistleblower Khaled Hassan on X, UN first says she didn’t have any X account, later says it was hacked

On Friday (5th January), the United Nations told the media that its employee Lamia Burkart accused of sharing pro-Hamas posts on X did have an account on social media. UN said that both her LinkedIn and X accounts were hacked. This explanation by the UN came days after UK-based whistleblower Khaled Hassan exposed that an X handle in the name of the UN employee had repeatedly shared terror-sympathising content on X. Interestingly, in a formal response to Khaled Hassan’s complaint, the UN officials claimed that Lamia Burkart did not have an active X account in the first place.

It started with Khaled Hassan exposing Taqadum Al-Khatib

On 4th December 2023, Khaled Hassan exposed Taqadum Al-Khatib, the antisemitic, pro-Hamas Germany-based Egyptian academic on X and YouTube.

This revelation was followed by a campaign to hold him accountable because supporting Hamas is a criminal offence in countries like Germany and the UK. Subsequently, Taqadum Al-Khatib lost his seat as an academic in Germany. Khaled Hassan shared this update from his X handle.

X handle of Lamia Burkart attacked Khaled Hassan

In response to this post by Khaled Hassan, an account named Lamia Burkart with X handle @TweetingLamia unleashed an attack against the whistleblower. From her Twitter handle (which does not exist anymore) it was revealed that she is working with the United Nations as a communications strategist and is responsible for various communications of the UN concerning Human Rights. She also handles United Nations social media communications about Human Rights. Details from the LinkedIn profile named Lamia Burkart also confirmed that she was living in Germany and working as a communications strategist for the United Nations.

X and LinkedIn handles in the name of Lamia Burkart implied that this is the same person. Image Source: YouTube Channel of MENA House

In her attack against Khaled Hassan, Lamia Burkart on X called him a despicable person and said that as she was in Germany, she could see how “it was marching towards the 3rd Reich directed against the Arabs this time”. She was essentially referring to the expulsion of Taqadum Al-Khatib after being exposed as an antisemitic Hamas-sympathiser. This Lamia Burkart on X also accused Khaled Hassan of manufacturing consent for what she called the Gaza genocide. She further said that she did not see any evidence of what Khaled Hassan had claimed about Taqadum Al-Khatib.

The X handle then shared Khaled Hassan’s post and wrote, “Here’s the kind of despicable 3rd Reich agent x Kristallnacht reveller contributing to censorship of Arab intellectuals in The attack was directed against Taqadum Al-Khatib, PhD scholar at Princeton and FUB for speaking out against Gaza Genocide. Probably on Israel payroll.”

Image Source: YouTube Channel of MENA House

Lamia Burkart has a history of pro-Hamas antisemitism

This X handle named Lamia Burkart had repeatedly posted antisemitic and pro-Hamas content in the past. Khaled Hassan showed it all in his X posts as well as in his YouTube video that Lamia preferred Hamas 1000 times more than Israel.

Image Source: YouTube Channel of MENA House

She also called Israel a Nazi state and asked for dismantling it. She further went on to call it a Nazio state – a slur that combined both terms Nazi and Zionism. She also wished ‘Henry Kissinger rest in Hell’. She also demonised the star of David – a Jewish symbol.

Image Source: YouTube Channel of MENA House

Lamia Burkart opened LinkedIn to check the details of Khaled Hassan

After Khalid Hassan started calling out her on X for her pro-Hamas bias, Lamia Burkart allegedly visited Khalid Hassan’s LinkedIn profile to check his credentials, educational background, and profession. She then posted on X and criticised him based on his background and profession. She wrote, “Haha a manager of a close protection and guard service with barely a BA from an unknown university taking on a high level academic on false pretence. Trying to compensate for something?” With this post, she also posted a GIF to indicate ridicule over a small-sized penis.

Image Source: YouTube Channel of MENA House

Khaled Hassan wrote to the United Nations

After this, Khaled Hassan contacted the United States. He wrote in his email, “I was targeted today by a member of your staff, Lamia Burkart. I am a proud Jew and activist. I dedicate many hours of the day to countering antisemitism and terrorism. Recently, your Germany-based employee, Lamia Burkart, accused me of being a “despicable 3rd Reich agent x Kristallnacht reveller. She tweets under @TweetingLamia and continues to make the most horrifically antisemitic tweets. In addition to supporting terrorism.”

He added in his complaint, “Responding to a post by Rabbi Shmuel Reichman, she referred to the Star of David as a symbol of “Nazio” and suggested that Germany moved from Nazism to “Nazio” by allowing the star of David to be publicly displayed. She also explicitly called for “dismantling the Nazi Israel State”, and asserted proudly that “we prefer Hamas to Israel 1000 times”. You can find additional details about me in the below articles. Several British/American media outlets have been informed and I am in the process of reporting her to German counter-terrorism police. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.”

United Nations said Lamia Burkart does not have an X handle

In response to this email, the United Nations wrote, “Dear Mr Hassan, Thank you very much for your message. We have taken your concerns very seriously and appreciate you bringing them to our attention. We have thoroughly looked into this matter, and we can confirm that the account you mention, @Tweetingiamia, a definitely not run by our colleague Lamia Burkart, who does not have an active presence on. The only public account Ms Burkart has is a LinkedIn account that has been hacked. Therefore, we would greatly appreciate it if you could set the record straight on X and urgently take down your tweets against her.”

UN said in this response that Lamia Burkart did not have any X handle in the first place to post anything Khaled Hassan claimed. Khaled Hassan had not claimed anything about her LinkedIn account in the first email, yet the UN clarified that the LinkedIn account of Lamia Burkart was hacked. Khaled Hassan had written to UN about her LinkedIn handle in his next email.

Revisiting the LinkedIn angle in the story

Khaled Hassan wrote in his next email to the UN, “I got some abuse from a person called Lamia on X, who is listed as a “Comms planner” and based in Germany. Immediately after this abuse (I am talking within less than 2 minutes), your colleague’s LinkedIn account, under the name of Lamia Burkart, visited my LinkedIn account. This LinkedIn account shows that Lamia is listed as a “Comms Strategist” at the UN. I then called this person out for her antisemitism and support for terrorism. Immediately after my tweet calling this person out, the LinkedIn account was deleted.”

Lamia Burkart’s X handle does not exist anymore. Image Source: X

He added, “You are now suggesting that someone with the same name, industry (Comms), and the same location (Germany as per her own statement on X), just happened to have an X account and hurl antisemitic abuse at me and then immediately check my Linkedin account? Moreover, you are also suggesting that the person who hacked your colleague’s LinkedIn account simply happened to delete the account immediately after I called her out. Could that be another coincidence or was the hacker potentially concerned for her reputation and decided it’s probably wise to delete the LinkedIn account?”

Khaled Hassan further said, “I would like to see what evidence you obtained in such a short time, almost 7 hours, to conclusively decide that the X account in question doesn’t belong to your colleague and that her LinkedIn account was indeed hacked. At the moment, you are asking me to simply take your word for it, despite ample evidence that it is indeed your colleague using this X account to hurl antisemitic abuse and support Hamas.”

Lamia Burkart. Image Source: Together

Now UN says Lamia Burkart had an X handle

The UN did not respond to this email. However, in an interaction with The Jewish Chronicle, the UN said that Lamia’s social media accounts with X and LinkedIn were hacked without her knowledge and that she did not make the abusive posts in question. A UN official told the media, “We were very concerned about the allegations and immediately followed up with Ms Burkart, who assured us she had not used her X account in years. Upon checking, she said she discovered a data breach involving both her X and LinkedIn accounts. She has subsequently closed her X account to prevent any further hacking.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, the unfolding situation involving United Nations employee Lamia Burkart and whistleblower Khaled Hassan exposes a troubling facet of the UN’s approach towards complex international issues. The inconsistent responses from the UN regarding Burkart’s alleged social media activities not only raise questions about its internal oversight but also suggest a possible undercurrent of bias and hypocrisy within the organization. Despite multiple resolutions condemning Israel annually, the UN’s apparent reluctance to similarly censure Palestinian authorities, who are accused of tacitly supporting Hamas—a group internationally recognized as a terrorist organization—casts a shadow over the UN’s impartiality.

Burkart, holding a significant position as a Communications Strategist, becomes a focal point in this controversy. Her role, pivotal in shaping the UN’s communication, becomes controversial when allegations of her harbouring pro-Hamas sentiments surface. Instead of addressing these serious allegations with the rigour they deserve, the UN’s response, which included instructing Hassan to delete his posts, seems to be a defensive manoeuvre protecting its own rather than a stride toward unbiased truth and accountability. This scenario reflects poorly on the UN, indicating a descent into a realm where defending the indefensible becomes a norm, undermining its credibility and the values it stands for.

Bhupesh Baghel paid Rs 508 cr by Mahadev Betting App promoters, accused Asim Das agrees he was sent to ‘deliver’ cash to Baghel: ED

OpIndia Staff
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Bhupesh Baghel paid Rs 508 cr by Mahadev Betting App promoters, accused Asim Das agrees he was sent to ‘deliver’ cash to Baghel: ED

On 6th January, reports emerged suggesting that Congress leader and the former chief minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel has been named in a supplementary chargesheet that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed in connection with the money laundering case investigation linked to the alleged illegal gaming and betting through the Mahadev online book application.

The chargesheet is related to the allegations that Bhupesh Baghel had received Rs 508 crores from the promoters of the Mahadev App.

On January 1, the agency filed a new chargesheet in the matter before a special court in Raipur. The PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) special court received the chargesheet. Shubham Soni, Amit Kumar Aggarwal, Rohit Gulati, Bhim Singh Yadav and Asim Das are the five individuals named in the chargesheet.

ED told a court that Asim Das, the arrested accused, has withdrawn his denial and he stands by his testimony. Das had, notably, claimed he had been sent to “deliver” cash to former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel but later he denied making the statement. Now, once again, he has retracted his denial of having made the charges, saying he stands by the statement.

The agency highlighted that Asim Das confirmed in his statement that he received instructions from Subham Soni, a well-known person in Mahadev Online Book to give Bhupesh Baghel a sizeable sum of cash.

According to the chargesheet, on 25th October Subham Soni summoned Asim Das to Dubai and presented him with money to be passed to the Congress senior leader. The allegations were further supported by a voicemail that was found on Asim Das’s phone in which Shubham Soni gave him directions to transfer between Rs 8 and 10 crore to the Congress stalwart when he returns to India.

The Enforcement Director told a court that Asim Das, before the recent Chhattisgarh assembly elections which witnessed the victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party, worked as a courier for the promoter of the Mahadev betting app in India.

The central agency had arrested Das from a hotel in Raipur in November 2023 just before the Assembly polls in Chhattisgarh after the central agency recovered a sum of Rs 5.39 crore from his hideouts.

The agency informed that promoters of the Mahadev App were sending this money to a particular politician in Chhattisgarh. Asim Das acknowledged that Subham Soni had entrusted him with the assignment to bring the money to Bhupesh Baghel. The email exchanges between Subham Soni and other witnesses, such as Chandrabhushan Verma suggested that Bhim Singh Yadav served as a middleman for Mahadev Online Book when it came to the payment of “liaisoning money.”

The previous disclosure of Bhim Singh Yadav’s role in supplying the “liaisoning money” came to light through Chandrabhushan Verma in his testimony recorded under section 50 of PMLA, 2002.

The agency had previously revealed in its chargesheet that the reportedly illicit proceeds from the app were distributed as bribes to state officials and legislators. It asserted in November that before the first round of the Chhattisgarh elections, a forensic inquiry and Asim Das’s statement had led to “startling allegations” that the promoters of the Mahadev betting app had handed over approximately Rs 508 crore to Bhupesh Baghel.

Baghel, however, refuted the allegations and claimed that the accusations were manufactured to “malign” his reputation.

The Bharatiya Janata Party criticized the Congress shortly after the anti-corruption charges that the former chief minister was involved in the Mahadev betting app case. It declared that he was a “corrupt CM” and his party had robbed the populace of Chhattisgarh.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla voiced, “Bhupesh Bhagel was paid over Rs 500 crore in bribes because, for the Congress party, Chhattisgarh has always been an ‘ATM machine’. During the elections, this money was sent to Baghel and it was caught red-handed.”

Mahadev betting App owner accuses former Chattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel of being involved in the scam

On 5th November 2023, Shubham Soni, one of the primary culprits in the Mahadev Betting App case published a video in which he purported to have provided Bhupesh Baghel Rs 508 crores and implicated him of being complicit in the scam.

According to him, extortion began when he met with a man called Verma. He was required to give the latter Rs 10 lakh each month. After some time, Verma requested him to come see “someone” when he called after his men had been arrested once more. Shubham Soni pointed out that Bhupesh Baghel was the “someone” in question and alleged to have sent in a written statement regarding the arrangement he brokered with him.

Following a search operation on 2nd November last year, the Enforcement Directorate which is looking into the Mahadev app for possible money laundering activities on the next day revealed that it uncovered through new evidence that regular payments had previously been made and Bhupesh Baghel obtained about Rs 508 crore from the promoters of the Mahadev app. The agency seized Rs 5.39 crore in cash on 2nd November before the state election.

Bihar: Two different teams turn up to represent the state in Ranji Trophy, police intervenes after scuffle between officials over who will represent Bihar

OpIndia Staff
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Bihar: Two different teams turn up to represent the state in Ranji Trophy, police intervenes after scuffle between officials over who will represent Bihar

Bihar cricket is making news for all the wrong reasons these days. Either it is the poor state of the Moin-ul-Haq stadium, or the fight between state cricket association President and the Secretary. Now, things have turned truly bizarre as 2 teams arrived to represent Bihar for their Ranji Trophy match against Mumbai.

The team that had reached the ground first was picked by the BCA president Rakesh Tiwary, while the other team was chosen by secretary Amit Kumar. Both of the sides wanted to play the match and represent Bihar.

The confusion led to a delayed start to the game after heated exchanges and a scuffle between the officials of the Bihar Cricket Association (BCA) who were present at the ground. The match eventually began around 1 pm after intervention by local police.

Eventually, the team selected by BCA President Rakesh Tiwary played the game. Interestingly, there was not a single common name in the 2 selected teams.

Speaking to Indian Express, Tiwary said, “We have picked the team on merit and that is the right team. You see the talent that is coming from Bihar. We have a cricketer (Sakib Hussain), who is picked in the IPL. We have a 12-year-old prodigy making his debut in the game. The other is being picked by the secretary who is suspended, so it can’t be the real team.”

In response, the BCA Secretary Amit Kumar said, “First things first: I won the election, and I am an official secretary of the BCA. You can’t suspend a secretary. Secondly, how can a president select a team? Have you ever seen BCCI president Roger Binny announcing the squad? You will always see the signature of Secretary Jay Shah.”

Bihar is playing in the Elite group of Ranji Trophy. 12 years and 284 days old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who played for the Bihar team, has become the fourth-youngest Indian to make his debut in a recorded first-class match.

Hyderabad woman Fareeda Begum trafficked to Oman by Shenaz Begum, pleads Center government to rescue her

OpIndia Staff
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Hyderabad woman Fareeda Begum trafficked to Oman by Shenaz Begum, pleads Center government to rescue her

A 48-year-old woman from Golconda, Hyderabad, named Fareeda Begum has claimed she was trafficked to Muscat, Oman. Fareeda said she was drawn to the Gulf country by a woman named Shenaz Begum who offered her a job as a housemaid. Fareeda’s sister has written to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar requesting that Fareeda be rescued from the Arab country. Fareeda Begum was reportedly promised a salary of 1,400 Dirhams (around Rs 31,700) in Dubai apart from accommodation and meals.

The saga began when Fareeda Begum was seeking a job to support her financially poor family. Reports say that when she was in India, she was offered the job of a housemaid in Dubai and not Oman. Moreover, Fareeda was assured that she can return to India if finds the job unsatisfactory. Subsequently, Fareeda accepted the job offer and left for Dubai on 4th November 2023. She went to the UAE on a visitor visa valid for 30 days. She was given the job to work as a housemaid in an Arab’s home upon her arrival in Dubai.

Fareeda became ill after working for a month and asked to go back home to India. The agent, however, refused to return her passport. Following this, she was admitted to the hospital. Afterwards, the agent trafficked Fareeda Begum to Muscat, Oman, promising her return to India. Meanwhile, her health worsened, and she was diagnosed with a kidney infection.

Fareeda’s sister Fahmeeda Begum requested in her letter that the Minister of External Affairs rescue her sister. Taking to X, Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) spokesperson Amjed Ullah Khan shared the Hyderabad woman’s information as well as her sister’s request to Dr S Jaishankar to rescue Fareeda from Oman.

Fareeda also pleaded with the central government to save her in an emotional video. In the video, she can be heard whispering, claiming that she was told to keep her voice soft. Fareeda stated that she was in a lot of pain and that her children and husband were concerned for her.

Responding to Amjed Ullah Khan’s X post, the Indian Embassy in Oman informed that the officials are in contact with the affected woman and requisite assistance will be provided to her for her repatriation. “Embassy officials have spoken with Fareeda Begum. All assistance will be provided for her early repatriation in coordination with local authorities,” the Indian Embassy in Oman posted.

Speaking to PTI, Fahmeeda said, “My sister, Fareeda Begum, went to Dubai for work through an agent, but she fell sick after 21 days of working there. In that condition, she was again sent to Muscat for work. She is unable to even talk on the phone as her health continues to deteriorate. I request that the Indian Embassy rescue my sister and bring her back home.”

Mob of 800-1000 attacked with intention to kill: Enforcement Directorate on attack during raid on TMC leader in West Bengal

OpIndia Staff
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Mob of 800-1000 attacked with intention to kill: Enforcement Directorate on attack during raid on TMC leader in West Bengal

On Friday (5th January), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued a statement after its team, along with CRPF, and journalists was attacked and their vehicles were targeted in Sandeshkhali of North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal. In its statement, the probe agency said that a violent mob comprising 800-1000 people attacked the ED team with CRPF, with an intention to cause death. It added that the attackers were carrying sticks and stones.

“As officers with the assistance of CRPF Personnel were trying to pursue to get door opened even by trying to contact the concerned person. At the time, his mobile location indicated that he was inside this house. Thereafter, ED team was taken by surprise that within half an hour, crowd /mob of around 800-1000 persons marching towards them with weapons in their hands such as lathis, stones, bricks etc. and gheraoed the ED officials and CRPF personnel. Suddenly, they started attacking the ED officials and CRPF personnel and started pelting stones and brick at them and attacked the officers as well as CRPF personnel (27 in Nos in two premises) with stones/lathis / hands (using physical force) and also raising/shouting slogans against the ED officers and the Central Government,” the ED said adding that the attackers also damaged ED’s vehicles.

The probe agency added that the mob is suspected to be instigated by TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his associates. It further informed that three of its officials had been injured in the mob attack and admitted to hospital for treatment. In addition to injuring the on-duty ED officials, the violent mob also stole their laptops, mobile phones, wallets, cash and other belongings.

“ED officials while discharging their duties were badly attacked by crowds (suspected to be instigated by Sahajahan Sheikh and his associates). Three officers have suffered grievous injuries as the mob has marched towards the ED officials with an intention to cause death. They are receiving medical attention at the hospital. Other officers had to escape from the place of the incident without conducting search to save their lives as the mob became very violent and even chased the officials so as to deter the officials from performing their official duty. The Mob also snatched/robbed/stole the personal/official belongings of the ED officials such as their mobile phones, laptop, cash, wallets, etc,” the ED statement reads.

Meanwhile, ED had made the requisite complaint to jurisdictional Police for registration of FIR and necessary action against culprits.

Taking to X on Friday, the probe agency posted, “ED was conducting searches on the three premises of Sahajahan Sheikh, Convenor of TMC, North 24 Parganas in case of PDS scam of West Bengal. During the searches. On one of the premises, ED team with CRPF personnels was attacked by 800-1000 people with an intention to cause death as these people were carrying weapons such as Lathis, stones & bricks. In this incident 3 ED officials have been grievously injured. Injured ED officials are being admitted to hospital for treatment. Violent mob also snatched/robbed/stole personal/officials belongings of ED officials such as their mobile phones, laptop, cash, wallets, etc. and badly damaged some of the ED vehicles.”

Notably, other than ED officals, it was reported that a journalist was also attacked by the violent mob on Friday. As reported earlier, a news correspondent of News18 Bangla was also attacked. His car was also damaged and the camera of the journalist crew was also broken by these goons. Due to the assault by Shahjahan Sheikh’s supporters on the ED officials, the planned raid on the TMC leader could not be completed.

Public Distribution System Scam

On 26th October, ED raided the residence of West Bengal Minister Jyoti Priya Mallick in Kolkata in connection to a corruption case related to ration distribution. Mallick is a senior TMC leader serving as the forest minister of Bengal. Previously, he held the food minister portfolio. In response to the raid, CM Mamata Banerjee strongly criticised the central agency and accused the BJP-led government at the centre of using such actions as part of a “broader strategy” ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Interestingly, Mallick’s daughter Priyadarshini reportedly deposited Rs 3.37 crores in her bank account after the 2016 demonetisation. Being a school teacher, she draws an annual salary of 2.48 lakhs. During ED’s interrogation, she claimed to have earned the money as tuition fees. Furthermore, ED found a deposit of Rs 4.3 crores in the IDBI bank account of Mallick’s wife, Mandipa. ED arrested Mallick over an accusation of laundering Rs 95 crores using shell companies.

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