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Gyanvapi survey: ASI files sealed report in Varanasi court regarding the survey of the controversial site

OpIndia Staff
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Gyanvapi survey: ASI files sealed report in Varanasi court regarding the survey of the controversial site

On Monday (18th December), the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) submitted its report on a scientific survey it had undertaken at the controversial Gyanvapi complex. The report was submitted after the Varanasi court had ordered ASI to ascertain whether the disputed mosque was constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple.

“We submitted the report in a sealed cover in the court today. The court has fixed December 21 as the next date to look into the report,” said advocate Amit Srivastava, representing the ASI, in Varanasi. The report will be shared with the petitioners on December 21.

During the 12th December hearing, the ASI had requested an extra week to submit the report, citing Superintending Archaeologist Avinash Mohanty’s risein blood pressure. The court had then given the ASI an extension to submit its survey report for the eighth time.

A scientific examination of the controversial complex was mandated by the Varanasi court on July 21 to determine whether the mosque was “constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple.”

The ASI was instructed to undertake scientific investigation at the property in question, i.e. settlement plot number 9130 (Gyanvapi site), by District and Sessions Judge AK Vishvesha. The survey was to exclude the ‘Wazukhana’ area, which was sealed on the Supreme Court’s order. 

The mosque committee, however, sought a stay on the survey from the Allahabad High Court and then the Supreme Court. The survey was resumed on 4th August under security arrangements after both courts cleared the way.

The ASI asked the court for more time to finish the survey after the allotted time had passed. “In compliance with the said order, the ASI is conducting a scientific investigation/survey at the site,” the ASI stated in its request asking for an extension of time.

Additionally, the ASI stated that a team of experts from the Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, is also conducting a GPR (ground-penetrating radar) survey and that acquired data is being analysed and studied.

The application stated that a large amount of debris has been discovered covering the original features of the structure in the mosque’s cellars. “Cleaning of this trash/debris etc above the working floor level is in progress to examine the structures scientifically. As the court has directed (the ASI) to conduct a survey beneath the grounds of all the cellars, it is necessary that soil/debris dumped or accumulated there is removed without causing any damage to the standing structure,” read the application.

“The debris is being removed very carefully and systematically, which is a slow process and going to take some more time before the ground of all the cellars is cleared for the survey,” the application added.

The Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, which had previously requested that the survey of the controversial mosque complex be halted, objected to giving the ASI more time.

In its response, the ASI stated that it was following the orders of the high court and the Supreme Court and that all precautions were being taken during the survey to ensure that the structure was not damaged.

The court also directed the ASI that the orders of the high court and the Supreme Court be complied with during the survey.

In August, the Varanasi High Court ordered the ASI and other stakeholders not to share information about the Gyanvapi site complex survey with anyone, especially the media. Apart from the ASI, the other parties involved in the case are the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee and the Hindu petitioners, as well as their representatives and the government counsel.

Last month, the ASI informed the court that it had completed a scientific survey at the site but that the ground-penetrating radar survey report was still being prepared, and that it would need more time to submit the survey report.

After banning animal sacrifice at Shyama Mai Temple, the next target may be Maa Kali’s narmund mala: How this Sanatana tradition differs from Bakrid

अनुपम कुमार सिंह
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After banning animal sacrifice at Shyama Mai Temple, the next target may be Maa Kali’s narmund mala: How this Sanatana tradition differs from Bakrid

The Bihar government has announced a ban on the practice of Pashubali (animal sacrifice) in the Shyama Mai Temple of Darbanga. The decision of the Bihar Government has angered the Hindu devotees. The Bihar State Religious Trust Council, chaired by Akhilesh Kumar Jain, imposed the ban. Jain was previously Law Secretary. Hindus have started agitation against the decision, demanding his resignation. They also burnt his effigy. Devotees are saying that Hindu traditions are being played with. They questioned why the state government is interfering in the practice that has been going on since ancient times in the temple.

Currently, the Bihar government is being run by the alliance of JDU, RJD and Congress headed by Nitish Kumar. Tejashwi Yadav is the deputy CM of the state. Following the state government’s decision, several Hindu organizations, including Bajrang Dal, have imposed the decision. Notably, all parties ruling the state government oppose the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While the BJP is vocal on Hindutva issues, the state government’s decision is being seen as against Hindu tradition. The devotees have questioned the intentions of the state government as the ban on Pashubali is being seen as tying the hands of the devotees who have faith in Shyama Mai and have been sacrificing animals for generations.

Notably, the Shyama Mai Temple is on the funeral pyre of Maharaj Rameshwar Singh of Darbhanga. Raja Rameshwar Singh was a devotee of Kali Maa and practised Tantra Sidhi. This is why the temple is also called Rameshwari Mai Temple. The temple was constructed in 1933 by his son Kameshwar Singh. Talking about the temple’s sanctum sanctorum, Mahakal is installed on the right side of the idol of Maa Kali and Ganapati and Batukbhairav are installed on the left side.

The Mundamala around the neck of Maa Kali has the same number of Narmunds as the number of letters in the Hindi alphabet. The Hindi alphabet is also considered a symbol of creation. Special events are being organized here during Navratri. Devi Maa is worshipped here in both Vedic and Tantric processes. In ‘Rameshwar Charit Mithila Ramayana’, Laldas, the servant of Maharaj, also describes Shyama Mai as the form of Mata Sita. In this story, Lord Ram was hit by an arrow from the demon Sahastranand, after which the angry Mata Sita’s complexion turned black, and her tongue came out.

This form of her was called Shyama Mai. It is said that Lord Shiva himself had to come to calm his anger. There are two things worth noting here – first, it is a Shakta temple, a place of goddess worship. Secondly, Tantra Sadhana has also been taking place in the temple since the beginning. Both of these are part of the Sanatan Hindu tradition. Animal sacrifices are made in Tantra Sadhna practices.

Bihar State Religious Trust Council has banned the practice of sacrifice, citing the Cruelty to Animals Act. The protesters have decided that hundreds of people will gather and sacrifice animals in the temple premises as a mark of non-cooperation with this order of the state government.

This is not the first time a government has banned Pashubali. In October-November 2020, an FIR was registered against those who sacrificed animals in the Durga temple of Kamathi in Nagpur, Maharashtra. In Kerala, animal sacrifice was banned by making a law.

Speaking to OpIndia, Mohit Bhardwaj, founder of ‘Vedic India’ and an expert on Hindu traditions, said that animal sacrifice is allowed in the Hindu religion but with many rules and restrictions. He said that in the Hindu religion, many communities offer animals as food to the deity. He gave the example of Shrauta and Grihya Sutras, in which animal sacrifice is permitted. Suchitra Samanta said in a research paper published in the ‘Association for Asian Studies’ that animal sacrifice is allowed in many Tantras and Puranas.

In the Hindu religion, there are provisions for offering meat and vegetables as food to the Gods and Goddesses. Animal sacrifice has special importance in Goddess worship. For example, meat is also offered as Prasad to the Goddess in Bengal during Navratri. Animal sacrifice is common there, as it is part of the Shakta tradition. Since ancient times, animal sacrifice has been done in the worship of Shakti and Tantra Sadhana.

Notably, the forest dweller community, which is part of Hinduism, offers meat as Prasad to the Gods and Goddesses as part of their daily routine. However, the “secular” law of India has stopped it. On the other hand, if someone kills an animal to eat meat, it is justified. It is evident that the religious traditions of only one community are being disrespected and stopped.

If the government wants to ban animal sacrifice, they should not allow such practices on Bakrid as well, where rivers of blood flow. Not to forget, Muslims follow the ‘Halal’ way of killing animals, where they are tortured and killed slowly. Interestingly, no one sees animal cruelty in that practice. Since there is unity in Muslim society, the political parties have to follow the path of appeasement, and they often avoid meddling with their traditions.

However, when it comes to Hindus, the governments become the contractors of the religion. It is a fact that the Islamic way of killing animals is barbaric. However, it should be the basis for the government or courts’ decisions regarding Hindu traditions. Hindu society needs to wake up and pay attention to preserve its traditions. The government has no right to ban animal sacrifice.

The Supreme Court had allowed women to worship at the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala based on a petition filed by activists with no faith in Hinduism. Misinformation was spread about the temple, and it was anti-women. Girls and elderly women are allowed to worship in Sabarimala Temple. On the other hand, the government or judiciary do not decide who will enter a mosque and who will not.

The Hindu religion will operate as decided by the traditions of the temples, scriptures, history, and opinions of the Hindu scholars, not by the government or the court. Sanatan Dharma has seen several changes since it came into existence. Some practices were added, and some were removed, but society did them. At that time, courts and governments did not exist in their present form. After a few days, the government may come and say that Maa Kali should not wear Narmund and it should be removed as it promotes violence. Will Hindus accept it?

‘Hamid Ansari used to help gangster Mukhtar Ansari despite being the Vice President’: BJP MLA Sushil Singh

राहुल पाण्डेय
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‘Hamid Ansari used to help gangster Mukhtar Ansari despite being the Vice President’: BJP MLA Sushil Singh

On 15th December (Friday), a Varanasi MP/MLA court sentenced mafia-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari to five and a half years in prison for threatening a witness in the kidnapping of the Vishva Hindu Parishad treasurer. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on Ansari for threatening Mahavir Prasad Rungta, the brother of coal businessman and VHP treasurer Nand Kishore Rungta, who was kidnapped by Ansari’s henchman from his Varanasi office on 22nd January 1997. 

This was the jailed mafia’s seventh conviction since September last year. Ansari, who appeared through video conferencing, was visibly upset after hearing the ruling. Reportedly he began pleading with the judge. When Judge Ujjwal Upadhyay started pronouncing the sentence, Ansari sat with his head down and his hands on his forehead. Following this, he pleaded before the judge, saying, ‘Judge Sahab, please have mercy so that all my sentences proceed simultaneously.’ However, in the decision given by the court, it was already mentioned. 

Notably, Nand Kishore Rungta, a coal businessman from Jawahar Nagar of Bhelupur police station area of Varanasi, was murdered after being kidnapped on 22nd January 1997. Reports say that Nand Kishore was killed even after the family paid a ransom of Rs 1.25 crore to the kidnapper. After this, on the evening of 5th November 1997, Nand Kishore Rungta’s brother Mahavir Prasad Rungta, a witness in the case, and his family received bomb threats on his landline not to file a complaint with the police.

However, the victim’s family lodged an FIR in the Bhelupur police station of Varanasi in which the court pronounced its verdict. 

Strikingly, in May this year, the OpIndia team visited several districts in Purvanchal that faced the severe brunt of violence at the hands of Ansari and his henchman. During the visit, OpIndia spoke with BJP MLA Sushil Singh who made several shocking claims and called Mukhtar a traitor.

‘Mukhtar Ansari is not only a criminal but also a traitor‘

It is important to note that different courts have served Mukhtar Ansari with punishment ranging from 2 years to life imprisonment in different cases. At present, hearings are underway in courts for 21 out of the 65 cases registered against him. He is currently lodged in Banda jail and is being kept under strict surveillance.

In May, the OpIndia team had visited various districts of Purvanchal including Varanasi, Mau, Ghazipur, and Chandauli. These districts were once badly affected by the crimes of Mukhtar Ansari. During this Purvanchal tour, the OpIndia team met Sushil Singh, BJP MLA from Chandauli’s Saidaraja Assembly.

Speaking with OpIndia, BJP MLA Sushil Singh had said that Mukhtar Ansari is not only a criminal but also a traitor. He asserted that Mukhtar Ansari not only committed various crimes but also committed offenses like stealing the army’s LMG (Light Machine Gun). Notably, Ansari reportedly bought the army’s LMG (Light Machine Gun) from an Army deserter in 2004 to penetrate Krishnanand Rai’s bullet-proof SUV.

Haven’t seen the death of loved ones, so don’t feel the pain

BJP MLA Sushil further told OpIndia that Mukhtar and his family have been involved in crime along with politics. He said that Mukhtar continued committing crimes because no one in his family suffered untimely death as a cost of his criminal enterprise, haece he doesn’t know how it feels to pay the price of violence.

SP government boosted the morale of criminals

BJP MLA Sushil Singh told OpIndia that Mukhtar Ansari got at least 100 of his political opponents killed. It is alleged that these murders continued unabated under the patronage of the Samajwadi Party government. According to Sushil Singh, Mukhtar Ansari primarily targeted Hindus, orchestrating plans in which Hindus killed Hindus.

‘The then Vice President Hamid Ansari used to call the police station‘

BJP MLA Sushil Singh added that while the Samajwadi Party shielded and advocated the crimes of Mukhtar Ansari from Lucknow, the Congress did the same and protected him from Delhi. According to Sushil Singh, the Congress Party had imposed MCOCA on Mukhtar’s entire family at the latter’s instructions.

Naming the then Vice President Hamid Ansari, the BJP MLA Singh alleged that Hamid Ansari used to lobby for Mukhtar by dialing the police station. Additionally, Hamid Ansari also missed his powers to register cases at the police station against those who stood against Mukhtar.

Sushil Singh further added that Mukhtar Ansari, along with his political patrons like SP and Congress, not only got his opponents murdered, but also used to break them mentally by filing many cases against them. 

Sushil Singh noted that even in this bad time, he got the support of Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath, based on which he continued his struggle against Mukhtar Ansari.

Mukhtar got BJP MLA’s uncle murdered

Speaking with OpIndia, BJP MLA Sushil Singh became emotional. He said that his innocent uncle Satish Singh, a farmer, was also murdered by Mukhtar Ansari. According to Sushil Singh, the murder was carried out to instill fear in the minds of people. He added that the murder of Krishnanand Rai was also done by Mukhtar Ansari to create terror.

‘My own life was under threat‘

Recalling the year 2004, Sushil Singh mentioned that during Manoj Sinha’s Lok Sabha election campaign in Ghazipur, he had visited the area for campaigning. He claimed that the police had surrounded him intending to harm him. After leaving, several BJP workers were apprehended, held in the police station, and subjected to torture. According to him, he survived because of God’s grace. 

Sushil Singh also recalled the 2009 elections when there was a contest in the Lok Sabha elections in Varanasi between BJP’s Murli Manohar Joshi and Mukhtar Ansari. At that time, Sushil Singh was an MLA from the Bahujan Samaj Party.

He alleges that, at Mukhtar Ansari’s behest, Mayawati imposed numerous cases on him overnight. According to him, this was done so that Sushil Singh could be murdered in the future. He admitted that at that time he was opposing Mukhtar Ansari and supporting Murli Manohar Joshi for Hindutva.

BJP MLA Sushil Singh had claimed that even though the mafia don Mukhtar Ansari has become weak due to the change of government, the roots of his crime empire are still spread across UP. Sushil Singh admitted that many victims are still hesitant to come out due to fear of Mukhtar.

‘Bali tradition is practiced since ancient times’: Giriraj Singh asks if restrictions on sacrifices at Shyama Mai temple extend to Bakrid

OpIndia Staff
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‘Bali tradition is practiced since ancient times’: Giriraj Singh asks if restrictions on sacrifices at Shyama Mai temple extend to Bakrid

The Bihar State Religious Trust Council has issued a directive prohibiting offering sacrifices at Darbhanga’s Shyama Mai Temple. Locals are taking to the streets in protest of this order. Giriraj Singh, a Bihar MP and Union Minister from Begusarai, has also objected to this directive. He has questioned whether Bakrid can be subject to the same restrictions placed on sacrificers at the Shyama Mai temple. 

“Offering sacrifices is a part of our religion as well,” said Giriraj Singh, the Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department in the ministry headed by Modi. According to him, Sanatan has been practicing sacrifices since the beginning of time. He asserted that only jhatka meat should be consumed by Hindus.

Speaking in his Lok Sabha constituency Begusarai on Sunday (December 18, 2023), he said that he ‘appreciates’ Muslims who are dedicated to their religion. Those Muslims have decided that they will consume only Halal meat. Hindus should also show a similar commitment to their religious traditions, Singh said.

“I admire the Muslims who make it a point to consume only halal meat. Now Hindus should demonstrate a similar commitment to their own religious traditions. The Hindu way of slaughter is jhatka. Whenever Hindus perform ‘bali’ (animal sacrifice), they do so in a single stroke. As such, they must not corrupt themselves by eating halal meat. They must always stick to jhatka,” he said.

He asserted that to preserve their faith, Hindus should only consume Jhatka meat. “Don’t eat meat if you fail to find it,” he said. Additionally, he revealed that the Sanatan method of sacrifice involved a single act of killing called ‘Jhatka’. In contrast, the animal in halal is killed slowly. It is not appropriate for Hindus to consume this kind of meat and violate the traditions. 

He administered an oath to the people present in the meeting that they would all eat Jhatka meat only and would not eat Halal meat. He urged the young people to visit the temple in the evening. He said that there is no better religion than Sanatan in the whole world.

Singh administering oath (India Today)

Remarkably, Giriraj Singh recently demanded in a letter to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar that the state bans the sale of halal goods, just like Uttar Pradesh does.

Last month, the Uttar Pradesh government took a decisive step against the illegal issuance of ‘Halal Certificates,’ issuing an order prohibiting the manufacture, storage, distribution, and sale of food products bearing the halal certification. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman defended the UP government’s decision as well. She stated that food certification should only be performed by government agencies and not by non-governmental organizations.

The BJP was embroiled in a squabble, with opposition leaders condemning the move. Akhilesh Yadav, the chief of the Samajwadi Party, attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party for banning Halal products, accusing them of causing a divide between communities.

Giriraj Singh thanked the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for the investigation into ‘Halal Products’ at the time.

Adhir Ranjan, A Raja and more: Lok Sabha suspends 33 more MPs for misconduct during Winter Session, total suspension stands at 46

ANI
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Adhir Ranjan, A Raja and more: Lok Sabha suspends 33 more MPs for misconduct during Winter Session, total suspension stands at 46

Thirty-three opposition MPs, including Congress leader Adhir Ranjan, TMC’s Saugata Roy and Kalyan Banerjee and DMK’s TR Baalu, A Raja and Dayanidhi Maran, were suspended from Lok Sabha for the remaining part of the winter session for “misconduct” and not obeying the directions of the Chair.

Opposition leaders said a total of 33 MPs had been suspended for the remainder of winter session.

The motion for the suspension of MPs was moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi. When the House reassembled at 3 pm after adjournments earlier, BJP MP Rajendra Agrawal, who was in the Chair, said that the members had been violating rules.

“You have been repeatedly requested not to bring placards to the House,” he said. He then named the members and Joshi moved a motion to suspend them from the remaining part of the winter session, which ends on December 22. The motion was later adopted.

The House earlier suspended 13 members for displaying placards and violating the directions of the Chair. Opposition members have been demanding a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah over the breach of Parliament’s security on December 13.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said in post on ‘X’ earlier in the day that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah had spoken on the issue outside the Parliament when the winter session is underway.

“The Prime Minister speaks to a leading newspaper on the very serious December 13th security breach in the Lok Sabha. The Home Minister speaks to a TV channel on the security breach. Parliament is in session. INDIA parties are demanding a statement from the Home Minister in both Houses on the shocking incidents. It is a simple, straightforward and legitimate demand. But Home Minister refuses to make a statement which is his duty and responsibility. This is why Parliament is getting adjourned repeatedly,” Jairam Ramesh said.

Rajya Sabha has also witnessed repeated adjournments on the issue.

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

‘We are a part of Sanatan Dharma’: Descendant of Nihang, who performed Havan in 1858 at Babri structure to organise Langar in Ayodhya

OpIndia Staff
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‘We are a part of Sanatan Dharma’: Descendant of Nihang, who performed Havan in 1858 at Babri structure to organise Langar in Ayodhya

Jathedar Baba Harjit Singh, the descendant of Nihang Baba Fakir Singh Khalsa, who had barged into the disputed structure in Ayodhya and performed Havan in 1858, will organise Langar in Ayodhya.

Speaking to ANI, Baba Harjit Singh said, “We are part of Sanatan. This is our Dharma. We have worked to keep it alive.” He requested Hindus and Sikhs to celebrate the consecration of the Ram Mandir for Ram Lalla together on 22nd January 2024.

Speaking to the media, Baba Harjit Singh asserted his ancestors had devotion towards Bhagwan Ram. He added that he would like to carry forward the legacy of Nihang Sikhs by holding ‘Guru Ka Langar’ in Ayodhya. He said, “Now, when Lord Rama’s Prana Pratishtha (consecration) is being done on January 22, 2024, how can I lag behind?”

Baba Harjit Singh categorically denied affiliation to any political party and said, “I have no affiliation with any political party and am only a bearer of eternal traditions. I had to face criticism while maintaining harmony between Nihangs and Sanatan Dharma because, on the one hand, I am an amritdhari (baptised) Sikh. Still, on the other hand, I wear rudraksha mala around my neck.”

In an interview with Chardikla Time TV, Baba Harjit Singh said the Langar Sewa would start on 10th January 2024, and they would try to continue it till the end of February 2024.

The events of 1858

Notably, Nihang Baba Fakir Singh Khalsa had barged into the disputed structure along with 25 Nihang Sikhs in November 1858 and performed Havan inside. 165 years after the event, his eighth descendant, Jathedar Baba Harjit Singh Rasulpur, said he would conduct Langar started from Maghi in January in Ayodhya.

The Nihang Sikhs had written ‘Ram’ on the walls of the disputed structure and hoisted a saffron flag. A case was registered against the 25 Nihang Sikhs at the Awadh Police Station on 30th November 1858 on the complaint of the muezzin of the officer of the Masjid. In the Supreme Court’s judgment favouring Hindus in the Ram Janmbhoomi case, the event of 1858 was cited.

A report by Sheetal Dubey, the Thanedar of Oudh, stated, “Today Mr Nihang Singh Faqir Khalsa, a resident of Punjab, organised Hawan and Puja of Guru Gobind Singh and erected a symbol of Sri Bhagwan, within the premises of the Masjid. When pitching the symbol, 25 Sikhs were posted there for security.” The report further stated that the summons was delivered to Nihang Singh Faqir Khasla, who told the Thanedar that “every place belonged to Nirankar”.

Half of Bengal’s population will one day speak Urdu: Old video of Kolkata Mayor thanking Mamata Banerjee for making it second language goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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Half of Bengal’s population will one day speak Urdu: Old video of Kolkata Mayor thanking Mamata Banerjee for making it second language goes viral

On Saturday (16th December), a video of incumbent Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim endorsing Urduisation of West Bengal went viral on social media.

In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter) by user ‘Mintu Roy’, Hakim was heard saying, “Inshallah, one day will come when half of the population of Bengal will speak Urdu and recite poetry.”

His remark aimed at the promotion of Urdu in West Bengal was greeted with applause by Muslims present at the event. It must be mentioned that Bengalis have a history of resisting the imposition of non-native languages particularly Urdu.

In fact, one of the reasons leading up to the Bangladesh Liberation War was the imposition of Urdu over Bengali in then-East Pakistan.

As such, the prophecy by Kolkata Mayor that half of the State of West Bengal will one day speak in Urdu was meant to spark controversy. The viral video of Firhad Hakim was recorded on 11th February 2021 during an event hosted by the West Bengal Urdu Academy.

During the event dubbed ‘Mushaira 2021’, he was heard saying, “There was a time when Urdu speakers did not feel like they belonged to Bengal. There was no official status for Urdu. I want to thank Mamata Banerjee for making Urdu the second official language of Bengal.”

“We have increased the budget of the Urdu Academy to ₹15 crore,” he informed. Firhad Hakim said that his ancestors came from Bihar and spoke Urdu at home. He also called upon the West Bengal Urdu Academy to take measures to propagate the language in the State of West Bengal.

It must be mentioned that Mamata Banerjee engaged in appeasement politics soon after becoming the Chief Minister of West Bengal in 2011. A year later in February 2012, she made Urdu the second language in areas of the State where Urdu speakers were equal to or more than 10% of the population.

The Trinamool Congress government had identified a total of 18 such Urdu-speaking areas -Goalpokhar I and II blocks, Islalmpur block, Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Islampur Municipality, Garulia Municipality, Titagarh Municipality, Kamarhati Municipality, Bhatpara Municipality, Champdani Municipality, Bansberia Municipality, Bhadreswar Municipality, Rishra Municipality, Asansol Municipal Corporation, Jamuria Municipality, Raniganj Municipality, Kulti Municipality and Bally Municipality.

Firhad Hakim not new to controversies

However, this is not the first time when the Mayor of Kolkata has been in the news for the wrong reasons. In April 2016, he had dubbed a Muslim-dominated area of Kolkata as ‘Mini-Pakistan‘

In February 2021, he was spotted delivering a political speech at a masjid in Kolkata, in blatant violation of the Model Code of Conduct. To pacify Muslim rioters during the anti-CAA movement, Firhad Hakim referred to them as ‘brothers.’

The Kolkata Mayor was earlier seen referring to the Central Armed forces and the BJP as ‘Suar er baccha‘ (progency of pigs).

Ashok Gehlot ruined Rajasthan’s economy, left a debt of Rs 5.37 lakh crore on the state, failed to boost GDP

अर्पित त्रिपाठी
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Ashok Gehlot ruined Rajasthan’s economy, left a debt of Rs 5.37 lakh crore on the state, failed to boost GDP

The state of Rajasthan welcomed its new Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma last week. Sharma took the oath of office as Rajasthan’s 16th chief minister. Additionally, he’s made some important decisions. But much remains to be done, particularly because Rajasthan’s economy suffered considerable harm due to the previous Congress administration under Ashok Gehlot.

In Rajasthan, changing the government every five years has become a trend for the past thirty years. Nevertheless, the state’s economy has suffered each time the Congress government has taken office. The statistics indicate the same thing this time around.

Although Rajasthan has one of the highest debt-to-GDP ratios in the nation and a massive debt load, its GDP has not increased significantly over the previous five years. Apart from this, the Gehlot government’s profligacy has left the state in the throes of a severe economic crisis.

Rajasthan got buried under debt in Ashok Gehlot’s rule

Rajasthan is presently drowning in debt. A report by the Reserve Bank of India shows that Rajasthan has a debt of Rs 5.37 lakh crore by the end of the financial year 2022-23. This debt was only Rs 2.81 lakh crore in 2018 when Ashok Gehlot took over the office. Ashok Gehlot has imposed a new loan of Rs 2.55 lakh crore on Rajasthan in the last five years.

The Congress government looted the government treasury continuously to bring in new appeasement schemes and get votes. It is noteworthy that Ashok Gehlot referred to the Rs 1.63 lakh crore loan taken by the previous Vasundhara Raje government as extremely high when he took office in 2018. He is now the one who has buried the state in debt.

Rajasthan’s financial situation is appalling. This state’s debt amounts to 40% of its GDP. It shouldn’t go over 20% in any state, according to the FRBM Act, which establishes borrowing caps for the federal government and the states. However, it has doubled as a result of the Congress government’s extravagant spending.

GDP has not increased, but debt continues to rise

It’s not like accepting this loan would have allowed Ashok Gehlot to propel the state’s development in a new direction. Conversely, the economy of Rajasthan has expanded at a fairly normal rate during his tenure. When the state’s Congress government left office in 2013, Rajasthan’s GDP was Rs 4.93 lakh crore.

Under the BJP government, it rose to Rs 6.28 lakh crore by 2018. Following this, the state’s GDP was Rs 7.99 lakh crore in 2023 compared to 2018. Over these two periods, the state’s GDP grew by 27.2%. Yet, the Congress government borrowed far more money to achieve the same growth.

Income decreased, Expenses increased

The Congress government has indulged in careless expenses to carry on its appeasement policies over the last 5 years. The difference between the state’s revenue and expenses, or the fiscal deficit, has grown dramatically over the previous five years. It was Rs 25,342 crore in 2018, the year the BJP government was forced to resign, and it has more than doubled to Rs 58,212 crore when Ashok Gehlot leaves office in 2023. This represents 4.3% of the GDP of Rajasthan. The rule says it should not exceed 3%.

Ashok Gehlot has left office after taking the state’s economy on a nosedive. Under these circumstances, Bhajanlal Sharma, the new chief minister, will need to exercise extreme caution. He will need to pay back debts while simultaneously bringing the economy back to life. Apart from this, strengthening law and order will be critical to the growth of the economy.

Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist and recruiter Habibullah alias Khan Baba killed by ‘unknown gunmen’ in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Report

OpIndia Staff
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Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist and recruiter Habibullah alias Khan Baba killed by ‘unknown gunmen’ in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Report

Amidst a string of terrorists dropping dead in mysterious circumstances in Pakistan, a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist and recruiter Habibullah was reportedly killed by unknown gunmen on Sunday evening (17th December). According to unconfirmed reports, a few unknown gunmen opened fire at him in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Tank district. 

As per reports, Habibullah goes by several aliases including Bhola Khan and Khan Baba. The reportedly slain Lashkar terrorist was accused of being involved in the Pulwama and Uri terror attacks. He is the cousin of PTI leader Dawar Khan Kundi, a Former Member of the National Assembly (MNA). 

According to the 24News HD TV Channel, culprits opened fire at Bhola Khan in Runwal, a village in Tank, and he died on the spot. Local police immediately reached the village and shifted the dead body to the Civil Hospital in Tank. As per the initial police report, Bhola Khan was a cousin of former district Nazim, Mustafa Khan Kundi. 

As per an old Dawn report, several members of the Kundi family have been active in politics, and their father Amanullah Kundi even served as Minister in the Pakistani government and died in January this year. 

According to several media reports, Habibullah’s reported death is the 23rd such incident in which terrorists have been killed by unknown gunmen at different places in Pakistan in the last few months. The most recent killing comes after the assassination of Adnan Ahmed, a close associate of Hafiz Saeed, the founder of LeT and mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Adnan Ahmed was shot in Karachi city just weeks ago. You can click here, to read details about these recent mysterious killings and antecedents of these Pakistan-backed terrorists.  

It is important to note that the development came at a time when social media was abuzz with rumours of the death of wanted terrorist Dawood Ibrahim, who has been hiding in Pakistan for decades.

As per the rumours, Dawood was poisoned by an unknown person, and he was rushed to the hospital. Some posts on social media claimed he was critical, while others claimed that he died. The rumours began spreading on Sunday (17th December) after Pakistan’s internet went down.

Responding to media reports of a spate of targeted killings of terrorists in Pakistan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stressed that individuals wanted by India should be extradited to face our legal system.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated, “Those who are wanted in India to face justice for criminal and terrorist activities, we would like them to come to India and face our legal system, but I cannot comment on developments that are taking place in Pakistan.”

Pakistan: Thousands join Baloch march against genocide as it organises sit-in vigil at Dera Gazi Khan

ANI
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Pakistan: Thousands join Baloch march against genocide as it organises sit-in vigil at Dera Gazi Khan

Massive crowds gathered at Dera Gazi Khan in Balochistan as the March against Baloch genocide staged a sit-in against the arrest of several Baloch cadre as well as against the disappearance of Baloch people.

Thousands of people were seen participating in the ongoing rally by the Baloch Unity Committee in Dera Ghazi Khan. Ghayur Baloch of Makran, Jhalawan, Sarawan, Kohistan, Koh-e-Sulaiman and Dera Ghazi Khan are raising their voice against state terrorism. The protestors held placards and banners with slogans like ‘Stop your terrorism in the state of Balochistan’. The Protestors said the the Baloch nation will no longer accept the process of kidnapping, killing and killing people in fake encounters.

Mehrang Baloch a political worker in her post on X said “If this state thinks that it has the force of paid soldiers, then it should remember that we have people’s power and with this people’s power the sit-in will continue till the recovery of our youth in DG Khan. Baloch people should ensure their participation in Dharna and tomorrow’s protest rally.”

Earlier, n Turbat, Balochistan, the Long March had faced resistance as at least 20 participants, including women, were detained as the Baloch Yakjehti Council’s (BYC) long march reached Dera Ghazi Khan, Dawn reported.

Led by Mohammad Asif Laghari, the BYC’s long march was intercepted on Shah Sikander Road. The police claimed the participants resisted, leading to the detention of several men and women, although the women were later released.

“Baloch Solidarity Committee’s Dharna is continuing at DG Khan, Gadai Changi, but the police have blocked the road from all sides and are continuously harassing and harassing the Baloch people participating in the dharna,” posted the Baloch Yakjahti Committee on X.

ASP City Rehmatullah Durrani informed protesters of the imposition of Section 144, prohibiting processions or rallies, a directive the participants defied, as reported by Dawn.

Legal proceedings have been initiated under Section 144, with police warning of action against violators until December 19, according to police.

Previously, a rally in Barkhan expressed solidarity with Balaach Mola Bakhsh’s family. The BYC’s spokesman reported the marchers’ departure from Kohlu town to Dera Ghazi Khan via Barkhan, where they were halted by a heavy police contingent. Attempts to enter Dera Ghazi town, observing a partial strike, resulted in a police baton charge.

Approximately 20 participants, including two women, were taken into custody and moved to an undisclosed location. BYC leaders condemned the baton charge, vowing to continue their struggle and reach Islamabad to protest the ‘extrajudicial killing’ of Bakhsh.

The committee also stated that the sit-in would continue until the arrested activists from DG Khan are released.

“The sit-in of Baloch Yakjehti Committee continues at Gadhai Chowk, Dera Ghazi Khan till the arrested activists from DG Khan are released. Despite hurdles and repression, a huge amount of people came from all areas of DG Khan to welcome the Caravan of the long march against the Baloch Genocide. We urge the people of Dera Ghazi Khan and peripheries to come and join the sit-in and protesting rally tomorrow at midnight to halt the collective genocide of the Baloch nation,” the committee said in another post on X.

The committee also requested Baloch people of Dera Ghazi Khan and surrounding areas to reach DG Khan where the dharna is currently being staged.

The committee said “The brutal actions taken by the police in DG Khan for the last two days prove how much the state is afraid of the Baloch unity. By erecting obstacles in Sakhi Sarwar, Bawata Check Post and all other areas, the state sent a message to the Baloch that Baloch has no human and constitutional rights.”

The Baloch Long March is being organised by the Baloch people, who have called for an end to state terrorism and massacres in Balochistan.

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

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