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Uttar Pradesh: Yogi Adityanath govt orders stores, manufacturers to remove ‘halal’ certified products in 15 days

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Yogi Adityanath govt orders stores, manufacturers to remove ‘halal’ certified products in 15 days

The Uttar Pradesh government has granted department stores, outlet chains, and retailers a 15-day period to remove any food items with halal certification from their inventory.

Additionally, it has ordered 92 State-based manufacturers who obtained halal certification for their goods from non-certified organizations to either recall their products within Uttar Pradesh or repackage them. On 18th November, the State outlawed the manufacturing, distribution, storage, and retailing of food items bearing halal certification.

Following that, it looked into about 500 establishments in various districts and 97 locations throughout the state to find halal-certified goods. Up to this point, it has seized about 3,000 kg of halal-certified goods costing Rs 7 to 8 lakh.

UP police lodge FIR against 4 companies for irregularities in Halal certification

The case against four companies for irregularities in the halal certification of products was also transferred by the government to the Special Task Force (STF) of U.P. police from the Hazratganj police station.

The FIR has been registered under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 384 (extortion), 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), and 298 (intent to wound religious feelings) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in response to a complaint by a Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) office-bearer.

The BJYM personnel alleged that few companies certified certain products as halal to boost sales among people from a certain community for monetary gains, and this amounts to forgery and cheating.

Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration, Anita Singh commented on the issue and confirmed that all such companies that perform irregularities have been banned and have been asked to register at NABCB.

“As of now, there are only three organizations in India, including one in Lucknow, which is registered with the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) under I-CAS, which are authorized to give halal certification to meat and meat products for export. In addition to this, there are 700-800 organizations across India that have been issuing the halal certification. We have banned all such products, till these companies register with NABCB,” Singh said while speaking to TOI.

Super market chains, retailers sought one month’s time from the govt

She asserted that the Retailers Association of India and chains such as Spencer sought for a month to remove halal-certified products from their shelves but have only been given 15 days.

So far, the Department of Food Safety has seized several halal-certified food items, including sugar, oil, bakery items, sauces, rice, and so on. Many of these items have been produced in states such as Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, as well as in Gurgaon.

For the next two weeks or so, until retailers and other sellers recall halal-certified products, Singh said, the department will continue to inspect to ensure the new order is followed but will not take any punitive action.

The term Halal is used for products, services, or systems that are considered lawful (Tayeib) or permissible under the Islamic Shariah law that do not consist of or contain any part that is considered unlawful (haram) according to Islamic law, and/or the actions permitted by Shariah law without punishment imposed on the doer.

Tejashwi Yadav attacks Yogi Adityanath’s Hindu faith to boast about Bihar’s alleged ‘prosperity’: Here is how attacking Hinduism has been a party policy

Pragya Bakshi Sharma
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Tejashwi Yadav attacks Yogi Adityanath’s Hindu faith to boast about Bihar’s alleged ‘prosperity’: Here is how attacking Hinduism has been a party policy

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav while addressing an event in Darbhanga on Sunday (26th November) took a jibe at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attacking his faith.

Speaking at the Nonia Samaj Mahasammelan organised at the Darbhanga Medical Ground, he said that people from UP too are saying that the CM only “rings bells”.

“Yeh sab ladai, danga, fasaad nahin..ab toh UP ke log keh rahe hain..UP ke log aage kehta hai ki wahan ke jo mukhyamantri baba hain woh khali ghanti bajwa denge..lekin naukri lene Bihar hi ana pad raha hai. Samaj rahe hain? Ghanti bajane se pet bharega kya? (There is no fighting, rioting…now the people of UP are saying that the CM baba there only rings bells..but one has to come to Bihar for jobs. Do you understand? Will ringing bells bring food to the table?),” Tejashwi said.

He urged the people not to believe the BJP adding that Mandir and Masjid (temples and mosques) don’t fill the stomach.

“Theek hai astha hai, Bhagwan hain. Bhagwan ka ashirvaad chahiye. Puja paath dikhawti nahin hona chahiye. Lekin yeh sab dikhawti karta hai. Dil mein Bhagwan hona chahiye, mann mein Bhagwan hona chahiye, asli shraddha wahi hoti hai. Jhooth ka tika lagakar, bhagwa pehenkar, hehe hehe hoho hoho karnese nahin hota hai. (Fine, it is faith, there’s God. We need God’s blessings. But worshipping shouldn’t be for the sake of show-off. He (UP CM) does show off. God should be in the heart, that is true devotion. Putting fake tika, and wearing saffron is not it (devotion),” the RJD leader said.

Tejashwi’s over-the-top statement on employment stemmed from the teachers’ recruitment drive in the state-run schools which saw candidates from other states also getting the chance to apply.

In June this year, the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government announced the cancellation of domicile-based recruitment of candidates for teaching jobs in state-run schools paving the way for candidates from across India to apply.

However, former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi alleged that deliberate preference was given to UP candidates as many were from Phulpur and surrounding areas. Phulpur is reportedly speculated as a possible constituency where Nitish Kumar could contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Manjhi alleged that the recruitment exercise is a “money for job” scheme and demanded that the domicile criteria be restored to provide employment to Bihar youths.

BJP has been demanding a probe in the recruitment process alleging that 37,500 teachers already in service have been reappointed and 30,000 are from other states.

Notably, Tejashwi’s attack on Yogi Adityanath and the Hindu faith came while he was addressing the Nonia community, which falls under the extremely backward class category.

The Nitish Kumar-led alliance in Bihar recently published the data from the caste survey revealing that around 63% of the state population falls in the backward and extremely backward class category.

According to the Caste Census, Yadavs account for almost 14.27% of the total state population. Among the OBCs, they are the largest in terms of population. Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav hails from this OBC subgroup. The Kurmis, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s community, make up 2.87 percent of the population.

Based on this, the Bihar government raised the reservation for backward classes and castes from 50 to 65% in government jobs and educational institutions, taking the overall reservation of the state to 75%.

Attack on the Hindu faith

It is not uncommon for Opposition leaders to exchange political barbs at the cost of the Hindu faith and sentiment. But if Tejashwi Yadav really is one for not “showing off” his religious belief then he needs to look no further than his own home.

His hypocrisy is exposed when he chooses to question the faith of UP CM Yogi Adityanath – who is also a highly revered Hindu monk, and the Mahant of Gorakhpeeth– but turns a blind eye to the many theatrics of his own brother Tej Pratap Yadav.

But there is more than just a political war of words hiding behind such a statement. It exposes the kind of politics parties like the RJD and JD(U) have indulged in when communicating with the deprived ranks of the larger Hindu civilisation.

Demonising the symbols of Hinduism before a backward Hindu community is an attempt at ‘othering’ them to divide the Hindu vote and turn it into a separate branch.

And then again, the usual insult to anything Hindu is also common. In September, Bihar Education Minister Chandrashekar Yadav called Prophet Muhammad as “Maryada Purushottam” (a man of dignified character), a term used to describe Hindu God Bhagwan Shri Ram.

Then again, a few days later, the minister claimed that he saw Bhagwan Ram in his dreams who told him to save him from being sold in the market.

Around the same time, the Bihar minister also compared the revered Hindu scripture Ramcharitmanas with Potassium cyanide.

An RJD MLA Fateh Bahadur Singh in October said that Goddess Durga was imaginary and also made derogatory remarks against the Hindu deity.

RJD Bihar chief, Jagdanand Singh, was denounced by the BJP for his inflammatory statement that those who applied ‘tika/tilak’ (a Hindu religious sign) to their foreheads caused the country to become a slave and that such individuals are now attempting to do the same.

In August, the Bihar Education Department reduced the number of festive holidays from 23 to 11 between September to December in government schools citing the Right to Education Act. The holidays were largely on Hindu festival holidays.

The order was withdrawn following widespread criticism. In the process, a teacher who had criticised the government’s order was also suspended.

The RJD-JD(U) government in Bihar might like to manufacture its voter base by using caste and policies to its advantage. But it can only hide its shortcomings so much.

Water cannons and lathicharge were used on protesting Anganwadi workers outside the Vidhan Sabha demanding an honorarium hike. One of the protesters also fainted during the Bihar police’s action.

The Anganwadi workers claimed, the Supreme Court had also directed the government to give the workers the benefit of gratuity but the Bihar Government was not considering it.

Maharashtra: Wasim, Arif, Mustakim gang-rape 22-year-old in Nashik, record obscene videos and threaten her

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: Wasim, Arif, Mustakim gang-rape 22-year-old in Nashik, record obscene videos and threaten her

The Maharashtra Police has booked three individuals, identified as Wasim Sayyed, Arif Khan, and Mustakim Sayyed aka Raj Sayyed, for sexually assaulting a 22-year-old girl repeatedly and threatening her with death. The accused also recorded obscene videos of the woman and blackmailed her to fulfill their sexual demands. The incident has been reported from Nashik district of Maharashtra.

The accused have been booked under sections 376(2)(n), 376D (gang rape), 377 (Unnatural offenses), 313 (Causing miscarriage without woman’s consent), 384 (extortion), 354D (Stalking), 341 (Punishment for wrongful restraint), 467 (Forgery), 468 (Forgery for purpose of cheating), 471, 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

FIR copy obtained by OpIndia

The girl, as per the FIR, has been under torture and has been sexually assaulted since July 2020. However, she was threatened by the accused to keep quiet if she wanted her family members to stay alive. The girl gathered the courage to narrate her ordeal to her cousin, who helped her register a complaint against the accused after they brutally raped her in October 2023. The FIR was registered on 22nd November, 2023.

The incident is said to have taken place in the Yeola region of Nashik district. The ordeal for the girl began in the year 2019 when the girl was studying for her First Year college degree. She was followed and harassed by the accused for over a year while on her way to the college or other curriculum classes. The primary accused, Wasim, used to work in a local autorepair shop which is across the victim’s home. He also developed a friendship with the brother of the victim to get close to her.

He once followed her and forced her to take a selfie with him while she was on her way to some class. The girl denied but the accused grabbed her phone and refused to give it back until she agreed to click a picture with him. The accused then used this picture to blackmail the girl. He threatened her that he would spread the picture in the village and to her family if she failed to be ‘friends’ with him. The girl refused but the accused forced her to talk to him and be ‘friends’ with him.

Wasim started following the girl daily on her way to her college and classes. The girl preferred to ignore Wasim, however, on 17th July 2020, he forcefully dragged her to a local hotel and brutally raped her. He further fed her with some unprescribed medication and dropped her at one of her friend’s homes.

After this incident, the girl got scared and the accused began sexually assaulting her frequently. He had threatened the girl to keep quiet and also had recorded some obscene videos while he raped her. Wasim used these videos to blackmail the girl to fulfill his sexual demands. “I have your private video recordings. I’ll leak them if you don’t obey me,” he used to say to the girl and torture her sexually.

The victim eventually stopped going to college and preferred to stay at home out of fear. After 7-8 months, she thought that it would be safe and easy to rejoin the college again. However, the accused Wasim was still looking for ways to harass and torture the girl. He and his friend, Arif (second accused) now together started following the girl to her college as she rejoined her studies.

FIR copy obtained by OpIndia

The accused had shared the obscene videos of the girl with his friend Arif and the duo now started threatening and harassing the girl. They threatened her to obey them and said that they would spread private videos of the girl in the village. They took her to Jain Palace in Yeola region and brutally gang-raped her. As per the FIR, the accused also prepared forged documents of the woman and submitted her fake religious identity to check in at the hotel in Yeola.

The girl was threatened with the death of her family as well so she was scared and could not narrate the ordeal to anyone. “In 2022, I got pregnant after being raped by Wasim. I told him but he did not take that seriously. I had no option but to ask him to marry me. So I did. But he blatantly refused and asked me to abort the child,” the woman said in the FIR.

The victim was then forcefully taken to a maternity hospital by Wasim and his brother Raj Sayyed. The duo forced the girl to abort the child. They used the obscene videos of her to threaten her to do so. “The doctors said that I would be required to stay at the hospital for 7 days. Wasim and his brother then forced me to inform my parents that I would be attending a college seminar in Pune. The child was aborted against my will. I had asked Wasim to marry me but he refused. I wanted to keep the child but he threatened me to keep my mouth shut. The duo also took Rs 30000 from me to pay the hospital bill. When I said that I had no money, Wasim blackmailed me saying that he would make my videos viral,” the victim stated in the complaint.

In June 2022, the parents of the girl who were unaware of this matter, fixed her marriage to a man from the Niphad area of Nashik. The accused however got to know about the event and forced the girl to call off the marriage. He again used the obscene videos as a weapon.

“A year passed. I began attending my classes again. But the threat was not over yet. On 13th October this year, Wasim again followed me and dragged me to a local hotel. He brutally raped me. It was his birthday that day. I had no courage to face this all. So I went to stay with my cousin in Kopargaon region. I told him about Wasim, his friend, and his brother. He then helped me register an FIR and also told my parents about the incident,” the victim said in the complaint.

OpIndia tried to contact the Police while drafting this report but the calls remained unanswered. The report will be updated once the police updates on this case are obtained. The FIR against the accused has been filed under the relevant sections of the law. FIR Copy of the case is with OpIndia. Further investigations are underway.

Canada: Khalistani elements disrupt peace at Mississauga’s Kalibari Temple, raise slogans, and trample the Indian Tricolour

OpIndia Staff
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Canada: Khalistani elements disrupt peace at Mississauga’s Kalibari Temple, raise slogans, and trample the Indian Tricolour

On 25th November, pro-Khalistani elements staged a protest outside the Kalibari temple in Mississauga, Canada. The Hindu temple is also known as Toronto Kalibari. Over a dozen Khalistani supporters were waving Khalistani flag and chanting anti-India slogans. They called for “justice” for Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar who was shot dead by unknown assailants in June 2023.

Nijjar’s death caused diplomatic turmoil between India and Canada as the latter accused the former of the murder of a terrorist on Canadian soil.

In the video, the Khalistani supporters can be heard saying, “The murderous diplomats of India. And letting the Mandir know, why are they sponsoring the killers of Hardeep Singh Nijjar? Why are they inviting the killers of Hardeep Singh Nijjar? The Hindu community is also a Canadian citizen. How could they stand for the murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil? We will not stop until we get Justice for Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar. And we ask the Mandir to stop shielding the killers of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. We are calling out these terror houses and we will not stop until we get justice for Hardeep Singh Nijjar.” In the background, there were chants of “Khalistan Zindabad”.

As per the reports, the local administration and intelligence community are aware of the Khalistani supporters who were present outside the temple. They have become a nuisance for the Hindu community as they intimidate the Hindus coming to the temple for worship. Notably, reports suggest that this was not a one-time incident but the pro-Khalistani elements have been lingering around the temple for extended periods and troubling Hindu worshipers. Despite being aware of the situation, the local police and administration did not intervene or try to stop them from intimidating Hindus.

In images of the incidents, the Khalistanis were seen standing on the Indian Tricolour and trample it.

In April this year, the Kalibari authorities expressed concerns about attempted theft at the temple. However, it is believed that the main aim of the suspects was to demoralise the Hindu community and cause disruption among the regular visitors. The temple is located at 6815 Professional Court, Mississauga. It was constructed around 30 years ago. The temple has been facing the heat due to the rising tensions due to the inaction of the Canadian authorities against Khalistani elements in the country.

The government of India has repeatedly raised concerns over the increasing Hinduphobia and attacks on temples in Canada. However, the inadequate reaction from the Canadian government has added to the deterioration of the relations between the two countries.

Attacks on Hindu temples in Canada

In September this year, Khalistani elements vandalised the Shree Mata Bhameshwari Durga Devi Society in Surrey British Columbia. In February 2023, unknown miscreants defaced a Ram temple in Mississauga with anti-India graffiti. In January 2023, the Gauri Shankar Mandir was desecrated by Khalistani extremists in Brampton City in Ontario province of Canada. The walls of the temple were defaced with anti-India graffiti by Khalistanis associated allegedly with the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ).

In September 2022, some Khalistani terrorists defaced BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Toronto with anti-India slogans. Several videos circulating on social media showed slogans of ‘Khalistan Zindabad, Hindustan Murdabad’ painted on the walls of the temple. In February 2022, six Hindu temples were attacked in Toronto.

India-Canada relationships and the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar

In June 2023, Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed in Canada by unknown assailants probably as a result of a gang war. However, in September 2023, the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, accused India of being involved in the murder. Following the accusations, Canada also expelled a senior Indian diplomat. India categorically denied any involvement in the murder and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in retaliation. Furthermore, 41 more diplomats were asked to leave the country and warned to strip them of their diplomatic immunity. In October, the diplomats of Canada left India.

Canada tried to gather support from its Western allies but failed to do so. Even after two months of the diplomatic blunder that Canada made, India is yet to receive any credible evidence that Indian agents were involved in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has also raised the issue that the Canadian government has been harboring terrorists and giving them political and financial power on its soil.

‘Neem Ka Patta Kadwa Hai, Khalistani…’: Canadian Hindus give a befitting reply to Khalistanis creating ruckus outside Lakshmi Narayan Temple

OpIndia Staff
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‘Neem Ka Patta Kadwa Hai, Khalistani…’: Canadian Hindus give a befitting reply to Khalistanis creating ruckus outside Lakshmi Narayan Temple

On 26th November (local time), the Khalistani elements harassed the Hindu devotees outside Laxmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey in Canada, prompting the Hindu community to respond with a peaceful counter-protest.

Following the protest by the Hindu community, the pro-Khalistani elements ran away from the scene. In response to the Khalistanis, the Hindu community gathered outside the temple and raised pro-India slogans.

They waved religious saffron flags with Om printed on them and chanted Vande Mataram while the patriotic song played in the background.

They also raised anti-Khalistan slogans such as ‘Neem Ka Patta Kadwa Hai, Khalistani bha*wa hai’, ‘Khalistan is porkistan’ and others.

Khalistanis detained by Surrey police but temple authorities remain worried

Some Khalistani elements were detained by the local police which controlled the situation further. Despite the apparent solution, the temple authorities believe that the situation will remain worrisome as the safety of the devotees and the sacred place are under threat.

Notably, when Hindus demanded to remove the covers from pro-Khalistani elements’ faces, one of them charged at the Hindus in front of the police.

News18 quoted an unnamed source from the temple who said the situation has been the same for a long and it has become a regular feature. The source said, “This is a regular feature. Khalistanis come and protest. We fear for our lives because of them.”

The source further added that despite repeated complaints filed by the temple authorities against the Khalistani elements, the Canadian government has failed to address their concerns.

The source said, “The Canadian government is showing no interest and has never taken any action despite repeated complaints from us against these groups.”

Protests outside Kalibari Temple

Just a day before the Surrey protests, Khalistani elements staged a protest outside Kalibari Temple in Mississauga, Canada. Over a dozen Khalistani supporters were waving Khalistani flag and chanting anti-India slogans.

They called for “justice” for Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar who was shot dead by unknown assailants in June 2023.

Attacks on Hindu temples in Canada

In September this year, Khalistani elements vandalised the Shree Mata Bhameshwari Durga Devi Society in Surrey British Columbia. In February 2023, unknown miscreants defaced a Ram temple in Mississauga with anti-India graffiti.

In January 2023, the Gauri Shankar Mandir was desecrated by Khalistani extremists in Brampton City in Ontario province of Canada. The walls of the temple were defaced with anti-India graffiti by Khalistanis associated allegedly with the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ).

In September 2022, some Khalistani terrorists defaced BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Toronto with anti-India slogans. Several videos circulating on social media showed slogans of ‘Khalistan Zindabad, Hindustan Murdabad’ painted on the walls of the temple. In February 2022, six Hindu temples were attacked in Toronto.

India-Canada relationships and the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar

In June 2023, Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed in Canada by unknown assailants probably as a result of a gang war. However, in September 2023, the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, accused India of being involved in the murder.

Following the accusations, Canada also expelled a senior Indian diplomat. India categorically denied any involvement in the murder and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in retaliation. Furthermore, 41 more diplomats were asked to leave the country and warned to strip them of their diplomatic immunity.

In October, the diplomats of Canada left India. Canada tried to gather support from its western alias but not of it supported accusations against India wholeheartedly.

Even after two months of the diplomatic blunder that Canada made, India is still to receive any credible evidence that Indian agents were involved in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Retired IAS officer VK Pandian, seen widely as Naveen Patnaik’s ‘heir’, formally joins BJD: Who is this Tamilian who might be Odisha’s next CM

Sanghamitra
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Retired IAS officer VK Pandian, seen widely as Naveen Patnaik’s ‘heir’, formally joins BJD: Who is this Tamilian who might be Odisha’s next CM

Retired IAS officer VK Pandian has formally joined the Biju Janata Dal, Naveen Patnaik’s party that has been ruling Odisha for over 20 years now. VK Pandian had recently taken voluntary retirement from the civil services and was immediately given a cabinet minister equivalent in the Odisha government. He is currently the chairman of “5T” and the Nabin Odisha programs.

VK Pandian has been the de facto ‘right-hand’ man of CM Naveen Patnaik for over a decade. He was an Odisha cadre IAS officer from the 2000 batch who hails originally from Tamil Nadu.

Pandian’s increasing influence and power projection in Odisha politics was raising many eyebrows as Opposition leaders questioned how a serving IAS officer could be projected as the CM’s envoy and ‘replacement’, flying around in helicopters and being welcomed with garlands and flowers by the public and party leaders wherever he goes. Many opposition leaders had challenged Pandian to quit his job and join active politics.

Pandian openly declared in public meetings that he was there to meet people on behalf of CM Patnaik. CM Patnaik, who is 77, is not very physically active and does not step out of the CM residence very often. His continuous absence from the Odisha assembly has also been a talking point in political circles.

On October 23, Pandian finally took VRS, and just hours later, he was given a cabinet minister rank by CM Patnaik. Pandian was appointed the chairman of “5T” and Nabin Odisha programs, Odisha government initiatives aimed at the transformation of education, governance, and healthcare across the state.

Pandian has had a stellar career as an IAS officer, he was called frequently to give lectures at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Education (LBSNAA ), where selected eurocrats are trained, and had received many accolades and awards for his work over the years.

In 2011, Pandian was appointed as the Private Secretary of CM Naveen Patnaik. Though he was said to be very close to the CM and was widely seen as his ‘right hand’ man, Pandian rose to prominence in Odisha’s political and executive scenario after 2019, when he was appointed as the ‘5T secretary’.

5T is an Odisha government initiative by CM Patnaik to bring in 5Ts (transparency, transformation, teamwork, technology, and time management) across govt bodies. Pandian has been associated with the redevelopment of high schools across the state, the renovation of ancient temples, and the implementation of Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, a healthcare initiative that provides free-of-cost medical facilities to people.

As Pandian started becoming the “face” of the Naveen Patnaik government, the Opposition raised questions, asking why a serving IAS officer is being projected as the ‘boss’ over elected MLAs and ministers in the state.

However, ending all speculations, Panidan has finally (formally) joined Odisha politics. He already enjoys the perception of being the most powerful man currently in Odisha politics, and speculations are rife that he may now contest elections in 2024, paving the way for him to officially become a powerful minister, or even the CM of the state eventually.

Pandian’s wife Sujata Karthikeyan is also a senior IAS officer in the state.

It is notable here that Naveen Patnaik is a 5th term CM and his party BJD has been ruling Odisha since 2000. BJD has a thumping majority in the state assembly and the next largest party, the BJP, has less than one-fourth of the seats compared to BJD.

US: Jewish professor barred from teaching in South Carolina university for calling Hamas ‘murderers’

OpIndia Staff
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US: Jewish professor barred from teaching in South Carolina university for calling Hamas ‘murderers’

An Economic Professor at the University of South Carolina (USC), John Strauss, was barred from attending the varsity after he called for the death of Hamas terrorists on 9th November this year.

The 72-year-old Jewish Professor had condemned the actions of the Islamic terror outfit that led to the killing of 1400 Israeli civilians. On 9th November this year, he saw a large mob of pro-Palestinian students raising genocidal slogans such as ‘From the river to the sea’, ‘Destroy Israel’ and ‘Revoke funding to Israel’ on the campus.

Miffed by the demonisation of the only Jewish State in the Middle East, John Strauss responded, “Hamas are murderers. That’s all they are. Every one should be killed, and I hope they all are killed.”

One pro-Palestinian student scoffed, “Professor Strauss, shame on you.” The Jewish Professor replied, “No, shame on you…You people are ignorant, really ignorant.”

Pro-Palestinian students recorded it on camera and circulated an edited version of his remarks on social media. They vilified him as ‘racist and xenophobic’ and collected more than 6500 signatures in a week’s time to permanently oust Strauss from the campus.

The pro-Palestinian students also accused him of deliberately stepping on a paper containing the names of deceased Palestinians. On 10th November this year, the Jewish Professor was barred from entering the college campus and teaching undergraduate students.

An associate dean informed John Strauss that he had been sent on ‘paid administrative leave’ after 19 years of service. The Jewish Professor was told that he could teach graduate students remotely via Zoom.

While speaking about the development, John Strauss clarified, “That’s what I heard (genocidal sloganeering) and I got angry. I am Jewish and very pro-Israel.

He also dismissed claims that he desecrated the names of Palestinians who died in the Israel-Hmaas war. The Jewish Professor emphasised, “The allegation was that I said, ‘Kill all Palestinians.’ I never said that and I never would say that. I said, ‘Kill all Hamas.’ That’s quite different.”

John Strauss continues to hold his ground despite being hounded by Muslim groups

The Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Los Angeles, Hussam Ayloush, called for a probe by the University of South Carolina against the Jewish Professor.

The Muslim Student Union of the University of South Carolina falsely claimed that Strauss called for the murder of the entirety of Palestine. “Such remarks are not only beyond the boundaries of academic discourse, but also dangerously incite violence and contribute to a hostile campus atmosphere,” it claimed in a statement.

The Jewish Professor received a barrage of hateful emails from pro-Palestinians. The University of South Carolina continues to bar him from entering the campus in the name of ‘protecting the safety of our community.’

In a statement, John Strauss clarified that he has no regrets about his statement on Hamas. “I did nothing wrong, and I’d probably do it the same way,” he was heard saying.

It must be mentioned that Hamas has been designated as a ‘Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO)’ by the US State Department since October 8, 1997. The ongoing Israel-Hamas war has triggered a vicious cycle of anti-semitism throughout the world, especially in the US ‘Ivy League’ colleges. 

CAA rules to be framed by March 30, says Union MoS Home Affairs Ajay Mishra Teni

OpIndia Staff
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CAA rules to be framed by March 30, says Union MoS Home Affairs Ajay Mishra Teni

Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra Teni on Sunday (26th November) said that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) will definitely be implemented in the upcoming months adding that the legislative committee of Rajya Sabha has set the deadline to frame rules by March 30 in 2024.

Addressing a public meeting in North 24 Paraganas, Ajay Mishra Teni said, “There are many political parties which spread anarchy when CAA was passed. These parties have also gone to the Supreme Court and filed petitions. There are 220 petitions filed by opposition parties against us. We are definitely going to make a law on CAA. We will definitely fight our case in the Supreme Court to uphold this law. This is our promise. CAA will definitely be implemented.”

Earlier in the day, Ajay Mishra Teni also held a press conference and informed that work is ongoing for the CAA act as the committees of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are working on it.

“This bill was passed in Lok Sabha on Dec 9, 2019. In Rajya Sabha, it was passed on Dec 11, 2019. On December 12 it was made an Act. On January 10, 2020, the Act came into force. After becoming an Act, there are certain laws and regulations to be framed. The legislative committee of Lok Sabha has set the deadline for January 9 next year. The legislative committee of Rajya Sabha has set the deadline for March 30, 2024. Definitely, the CAA will be implemented.”

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 aims to facilitate the grant of citizenship to migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who entered India on or before 31.12.2014.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 was notified on December 12 and came into force on January 10 in 2020. (ANI)

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

Not Ramayana or Mahabharata, NCERT should include the Quran in textbooks because there is no greater book: Samajwadi Party MP Shafiqur Rahman Barq

OpIndia Staff
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Not Ramayana or Mahabharata, NCERT should include the Quran in textbooks because there is no greater book: Samajwadi Party MP Shafiqur Rahman Barq

While speaking about possible changes in school textbooks, Samajwadi Party MP from Sambhal, Shafiqur Rahman Barq has raised the demand to include the Quran in the NCERT books. He, however, opposed the purported inclusion of Ramayan and Mahabharata in textbooks. 

The Samajwadi Party MP argued that there is no greater book than the ‘Quran Sharif’ in the world and hence the Quran should be included in the NCERT syllabus.

Notably, the media persons asked Sambhal MP Barq about the possible inclusion of chapters of Mahabharata and Ramayana in NCERT textbooks. He replied by saying that if NCERT includes religious books in curriculum, it should be the Quran, not Ramayana or Mahabharata because there is no bigger book than the Quran. Barq said, “There is no greater book in the world than the Quran. It is not written by us or the people of the country but the book is written by Allah. It should be included in NCERT.” 

(SP MP Shafiqur Rehman Barq demands inclusion of the Quran in NCERT syllabus, Video Courtesy- India TV)

It is important to note that a seven-member committee of NCERT was constituted last year to supervise the revision of school textbooks. The NCERT is revising the school curriculum in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Initially, there were extensive reports, with media houses claiming that a high-level committee constituted by NCERT and chaired by CI Issac’ had recommended the inclusion of epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata in social sciences textbooks. 

However, when the reports went viral, NCERT, on 22nd November refuted claims that said Ramayana and Mahabharata would be included in the school syllabus as part of history. As per reports, NCERT denied the claims, stressing that there is no such panel and that “whatever Isaac is saying is in his personal capacity.”

As per media reports, the NCERT has not taken a call on the recommendations yet but the new NCERT textbooks are likely to be ready by the next academic session.

Meanwhile, this is not the first time that SP MP Shafiqur Rehman Barq has made headlines for his remarks and demands. He recently expressed displeasure when the UP government imposed a ban on Halal-certified products. He alleged that the government’s decisions are full of hatred and all the decisions are anti-Muslim. 

Previously in October this year, in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war, Barq stressed that Hamas is not a terrorist organisation. He also stated that the Palestinian terror group should be supported claiming that they are ‘fighting for their rights’

The Samajwadi Party MP has also made communal statements over several issues in the past. In September, Rahman demanded that there should be space to offer Namaz in the new Parliament building.

In February this year, he asserted that India has never been and would never be a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ and claimed that Islam is the only true religion.

In October 2022, Shafiqur Rahman Barq went on a misogynistic rant and claimed that allowing women to walk without a burqa in public would only enhance wildness and promiscuity in men. He had also asserted that chanting Vande Mataram was against the tenets of Islam.

The Samajwadi Party leader was earlier booked for hailing the Taliban and comparing the radical Islamist outfit to Indian freedom fighters. He was also booked in connection to violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh.

Russia puts Meta Spokesman Andy Stone on a wanted list with criminal charges, the country labels Meta as a “terrorist and extremist” organisation

OpIndia Staff
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Russia puts Meta Spokesman Andy Stone on a wanted list with criminal charges, the country labels Meta as a “terrorist and extremist” organisation

On 26th November (Sunday), Russia placed Andy Stone, the Spokesperson of Meta – the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram – on a wanted list. However, it has not specified charges against him. But media reports have highlighted that the US social media giant Meta is classed as “extremist” by Moscow.

Andy Stone has been named in the list of wanted people by Russia’s interior ministry, without further detail, as reported by Moscow Times. 

As per state-run Russian news agency TASS, Andy Stone, the press secretary of the US-based Meta corporation was put on the wanted list in Russia with criminal charges, according to the search base of the Russian Ministry of Interior. 

According to the statement in the database, “Andy Mark Stone is wanted under an article of the Russian Criminal Code.” The media report added that the database does not indicate the specific article for the search. However, Stone was repeatedly placed on the wanted list, the report added. 

Notably, earlier in October 2022, Russia listed Meta as a “terrorist and extremist” organisation. It also opened possible criminal investigations and fines for its users in the country. Prior to that, in April 2022, Russia had placed Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on a blacklist of people banned from entering the country.

According to Reuters, in March 2022, a Russian investigative committee said that it opened a criminal investigation against the “illegal actions of Meta’s employees” and mentioned Andy Stone. The investigative committee had accused Stone of inciting extremist activity. The development came after Stone “lifted a ban on calls for violence against the Russian military on its platforms”. 

Further, the report of Meta Spokesperson Andy Stone being put on the wanted list comes three days after a Russian court on Thursday (23rd November) fined Alphabet’s Google 4 million roubles (USD 44,582). It was fined for not deleting what it called fake information about the country’s “special military operation” in Ukraine.

Since the start of the Ukraine-Russia war, Facebook and Instagram have been blocked in Russia. They are only accessible via VPN. Similarly, Twitter is also banned, while media reports also claim that Russian independent media that are critical of the Kremlin are also banned in the country. 

Prior to the conflict with Ukraine, millions of Russians used these applications belonging to Meta, especially Instagram. As per reports, it still remains hugely popular among young Russians. 

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