Home Blog Page 1622

As NIA busts Pune ISIS module and UP ATS busts AMU ISIS module, here is all you need to know about how intricately they are linked, with an aim to burn India

Anurag
-
0
As NIA busts Pune ISIS module and UP ATS busts AMU ISIS module, here is all you need to know about how intricately they are linked, with an aim to burn India

On 11th November, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad confirmed that they had apprehended four members of the Aligarh module of the jihadi terrorist organisation ISIS. The arrested terrorists were identified as Rakib Imam Ansari, Naved Ansari, Mohammad Noman, and Mohammad Nazim. Three others were apprehended in the case, identified as Abdullah Arshlan, Maz Bin Tariq and Wajihuddin, making a total of seven arrests. The arrests were made based on ATS obtaining critical leads during interrogation. So far, the arrests have been made from UP, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh.

The ongoing investigation in the Aligarh ISIS Module case has shed light on the potential ties of ISIS operatives to Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). It has raised serious concerns about the security of the University and the possible radicalisation of the students studying at the institute. Reportedly, these ISIS operatives not only indulged in distributing Jihadist literature but also provided mental and physical training to recruits. ATS conducted several raids in Aligarh, Sambhal and nearby districts and detained around half a dozen suspects. Later, four of them, Rakib, Naved, Noman and Nazim, were officially arrested by the investigating agency for further questioning.

The Pune ISIS Module

Interestingly, the Aligarh ISIS Module was busted by the investigation agencies on the sidelines of arrests that were made in connection to the Pune ISIS module. In July 2023, the NIA busted an ISIS module in the state of Maharashtra. Four accused, identified as Tabish Nasser Siddiqui, Zubair Noor Mohammed Shaikh, Sharjeel Shaikh and Zulfikar Ali Barodawala, were arrested during raids in Pune, Mumbai and Thane. The central investigation agency received credible intelligence that these accused and their associates were recruiting youth and training them to make Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and weapons. They also shared Do It Yourself (DIY) kits and other relevant materials among themselves for creating IEDs and manufacturing small weapons, pistols and more.

Notably, the accused were also involved in creating content for the pro-ISIS magazine ‘Voice of Hind’. The online magazine led to several raids by the NIA in October 2021 in Kashmir. NIA registered a case in June 2023 and raided several locations linked to the accused. The official press release of NIA read, “Preliminary investigations by the NIA have established that the accused had hatched a conspiracy to further the terrorist activities of ISIS, known by different names, such as Islamic State (IS)/ Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL)/Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)/Daish/ Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP)/ISIS Wilayat Khorasan/Islamic State of Iraq and the Sham Khorasan (ISIS-K).”

On 18th July, Mohammed Imran Mohammed Yusuf Khan and Mohammed Yunus Mohammed Yakub Saki were arrested by Pune Police. They were arrested while attempting to steal a motorcycle. However, later, it was found they were connected to the Al-Sufa terror group. They had a reward of Rs 5 lakh on their arrest. According to the police, the accused stayed in an apartment in Chetna Garden, Mitha Nagar, Kondhwa. Khan and Saki are graphic artists from Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, and Alam from Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. Police teams searched their Pune residence and found a number of suspicious items, including a box containing “drone material,” a pistol pouch, a live cartridge, some “white coloured pills,” fake Aadhaar cards, and various other documents. Later, it was found that they were linked to the Pune ISIS module.

On 27th July, NIA made another arrest in the matter. A doctor identified as Adnan Ali Sarkar was arrested in Pune for promoting violent activities of the Islamic terror outfit ISIS. The accused worked as an anesthesiologist. According to the NIA press release, various incriminating evidence, including electronic devices and documents pertaining to ISIS, were discovered at Sarkar’s Kondhwa residence during the search. NIA alleged that the accused doctor was involved in furthering ISIS’s violent ideology by recruiting vulnerable youths. Furthermore, the agency said Sarkar hatched a conspiracy to advance ISIS terrorist activities.

On 5th August, the five accused were sent to ATS custody by a Pune court. ATS informed the court they found incriminating material from the accused, including an Indian map with several cities marked, laptops containing material to study the modus operandi of terror attacks and more. The initial probe revealed they have links to the Al Sufa module. However, a later investigation revealed they all were part of ISIS.

ATS also submitted an Indian map to the court with several cities marked as evidence. The investigation agency informed the court that Mohammad Imran Khan and Mohammad Yunus Saki were trained to make bombs by Zulfikar Ali and others among the five arrested by the Pune ATS in the case linked to the ISIS module.

So far, the accused arrested in the matter were Tabish Nasser Siddiqui, Zubair Noor Mohammed Shaikh alias Abu Nusaiba, Sharjeel Shaikh, Zulfikar Ali Barodawala, Mohammad Imran Khan,  Mohammad Yunus Saki, Simab Nasaruddin Qazi, and Aakif Ateeque Nachan. Qazi was arrested for helping Shahanawaaz Alam, who was absconding then. Reportedly, Khan and Saki were taught how to make bombs by Zulfikar. In 2022, they shifted to Pune. They used Aadhaar cards to buy drones, acids and explosives. Furthermore, it was found that they had downloaded and studied literature linked to terror attacks by different organisations.

On 11th August, NIA said in a press statement that they arrested Shamil Nachan in connection with the Pune ISIS module case. Shamil was involved in fabricating improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and collaborating with other accused in the matter.

Pune ISIS Module Chargesheet

A 2,700-page charge sheet was filed by the National Investigating Agency in Pune ISIS Module. The charge sheet revealed details about their activities and plans. NIA revealed that The accused, including Zulfikar Ali Barodawala and Zubair Shaikh, were involved in radicalising Muslim youth, promoting ISIS ideology, and planning attacks against non-Muslims.

A protected witness told NIA that the accused used WhatsApp groups to propagate ISIS ideology and lured Muslims to pledge alliance with the terrorist organisation. He disclosed that the discussions revolved around shirk, Khalifah, jihad, and the establishment of Sharia in India.

Furthermore, it was revealed that the accused tried to convince members, including himself, to join ISIS and commit terrorist attacks. They advocated against democratic participation, deemed the Indian Constitution as non-binding for Muslims, and expressed hostility toward other Muslim groups. Their ultimate goal was to ensure Muslims joined ISIS for the establishment of Islamic State in India. The witness also highlighted the group’s discussions on killing non-Muslims, with statements suggesting a readiness to carry out violent actions against them.

The Pune ISIS Module and Aligarh ISIS Module connection

During interrogation, Arshlan and Tariq told the investigation agency about a person named Wajiuddin. They pointed out that he played a crucial role in recruiting and planning terrorist activities. The revelation led to several raids and arrests in the Aligarh ISIS Module case.

Aligarh ISIS Module

It has been found that these ISIS terrorists aimed at establishing an ISIS module in and around Aligarh. The main focus of these operatives was to recruit and train new operatives for Jihadist activities in India. ATS seized material, including Jihadist literature, electronic devices and other documents. The forensic examination of the electronic devices is underway.

Following the arrests, ATS has intensified efforts to locate two operatives of the module, identified as Abdul Samad Malik and Faizan Bakhtiyar, who remain at large. National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Delhi Police Special Cell are looking into another suspect, Harish Farukhi, in the matter. Farukhi is a former AMU student and associated with the SAMU group. He has been on the run since the investigating agencies in the Pune ISIS Module case arrested Shahnavaz. OpIndia’s sources revealed that Farukhi played a vital role in forming Students of Aligarh Muslim University (SAMU).

Furthermore, ATS is also looking into an MSW student at AMU named Abdul Samad Malik. As per the investigating agencies, Malik is the most radical among the group. On the other hand, Bakhtiyar allegedly used social media to lure youth towards extremist ideology. Following ATS’s crackdown on the module, Malik and Bakhtiyar closed their communication channels.

Two self-radicalised individuals, Abdullah Arslan and Maaz Bin Tariq, were arrested in the matter in connection to the Pune ISIS Module. Shockingly, both of them were married to Hindu girls, hinting towards possible cases of Grooming Jihad. The investigation into how these marriages took place is also underway.

Who is Wajihuddin?

On 8th November, it was reported that ATS detained Wajihuddin in the Aligarh ISIS module case. He was arrested from Durg, Chhattisgarh. Wajihuddin, who is a PhD student at AMU, was arrested by ATS on the charges of radicalising youth. Reportedly, he was teaching social science students, including Hindus, in Aligarh. ATS recovered inflammatory content on his phone.

In a press release, UP ATS said that Shahnawaz and Rizwan, previously arrested in the Pune ISIS module, were closely associated with students from the Students of AMU (SAMU) group. This connection highlights a disturbing trend of ISIS recruiting within educational institutions.

Further investigation revealed that Wajiuddin was, in fact, the mastermind behind the recruitment of Arshlan and Tariq in the ISIS module. ATS recovered ISIS literature, and the sharing of extremist ideologies among the arrested individuals underscored the magnitude of the threat. These arrests further led to the arrest of other operatives, including Shahnawaz, Rizwan, and Arshad Warsi, in the Pune ISIS Module.

Reportedly, they were planning attacks in Ayodhya, Akshardham Temple, and Chabar House. Warsi, who holds a BTech degree from AMU and is pursuing a PhD at Jamia Millia Islamia, was intricately involved in the Delhi anti-Hindu riots in 2020.

Furthermore, connections to Pakistan’s ISI were also revealed. Shahnawaz, Rizwan, and Warsi had pledged allegiance to ISIS, with their handlers having connections to both ISIS and the ISI, operating discreetly to avoid international scrutiny. Upon further investigation, it was revealed Warsi played a crucial role in the Delhi anti-Hindu riots alongside Sharjeel Imam. He sheltered Shahnawaz and showcased a broader connection between the Pune ISIS module, the Delhi riots, and the involvement of ISI.

Wajihuddin Ali Khan, the recently arrested ISIS terrorist, was associated with the Al Haya Min Allah campaign at AMU, promoting extremist ideologies against democracy, nationalism, and other religions. His connection with Arshad Warsi and their joint involvement in the anti-CAA protests further deepens the web of ISIS influence within educational institutions.

Radicalisation, relatives and how they worked

Interestingly, the mother-in-law of Wajihuddin works as a staff nurse at AMU. Wazihuddin held the position of an “Amir” in the Aligarh ISIS Module. Around ten years ago, he shifted to Aligarh from Durg. After shifting to Aligarh, he came in contact with radical elements at AMU and joined SAMU.

Sources revealed that the information about his links to radical elements dates back to 2010. At that time, Faruqi was trying to establish a terror module in Aligarh. He was also an ‘Amir’ in his group. Wajihuddin quickly gained ranks in SAMU and started making provocative speeches. He not only radicalised his followers against India but also against other religions. He also participated in violent protests against CAA-NRC.

Wajihuddin’s wife hails from Aligarh, and her mother-in-law works as a staff nurse at AMU. Wajihuddin’s religious views significantly influenced his wife. He has two children. One of them is in class 12th, while the other reportedly often falls in. Three months before his arrest, he was living in his mother-in-law’s house, which ATS subsequently searched.

Wajihuddin and Arshlan operated a YouTube channel where they uploaded provocative speeches. When they learned about the arrest of their associates, they tried to escape. Initially, Wajihuddin fled to Mathura and then went to Durg, where ATS arrested him.

The M-Tech terrorist

Another ISIS operative arrested in the case is Raqib, who is an engineer and did M Tech in Mechanical Engineering from AMU in 2020. Following his PG, he started teaching students. During that period, he also taught at Islamic Mission School in Aligarh as a teacher. This is the same school where a parent filed a complaint that his daughter was tortured for speaking Hindi. Furthermore, it was reported that the National Anthem was not played in the school. Initially from district Bhadohi in UP, Raqib also worked as a faculty member at Avanti Learning Center for JEE/NEET.

Along with Raqib, Nomani was arrested by ATS, who works as a fisherman. He is originally from district Sambhal and works at a fish farm in Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand.

ATS recovered a video of Abu Bakr Fazili where he was heard declaring acceptance of the rule not of any human but of God. The speech was given in the Kennedy Auditorium at AMU in 2015. He called for crushing those who come in the way of Islamic rule. Several other videos were recovered by the investigating agencies that included provocative speeches against Hinduism. Wazihuddin can also be seen on the stage in these videos.

The Pune ISIS Module and Delhi Anti-Hindu Riots Connection

The charge sheet further shed light on connections between the Pune ISIS module and the Delhi anti-Hindu riots as Warsi, an ISIS terrorist, was in contact with Sharjeel Imam, one of the masterminds of the riots. He played a significant role in orchestrating the conspiracy behind the communal violence during the CAA-NRC protests in Delhi and setting up the protest site at Shaheen Bagh.

It also revealed how the conspiracy was brewed in December 2019, a day after the introduction of the Citizenship Amendment Bill. It talked about the formation of the Muslim Students of the JNU group by Sharjeel Imam and their role in distributing communal pamphlets. The pamphlets aimed to incite hate in the Muslim community by invoking the Supreme Court decision in the Ram Janmabhoomi case.

Our detailed report on the ISIS module’s link to the Delhi Riots can be checked here.

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate and others use video from during the match to imply PM Modi was laughing after India’s loss

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Congress leader Supriya Shrinate and others use video from during the match to imply PM Modi was laughing after India’s loss

On 19th November, while the Indian Cricket Team and fans were heartbroken, the Congress leader found a way to use the loss in the ICC World Cup to target PM Modi. Congress’s Social Media and Digital Platforms chairperson Supriya Shrinate posted a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah sitting at the stadium during the match and insinuated if they were “smiling widely” over India’s loss in the Cricket World Cup 2023.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Shrinate wrote, “Our team is in tears, the nation is heartbroken — what is he smiling so widely about?”

Interestingly, the video clip was shot after the completion of 32 overs. At that time, Australia was at 172 runs with a loss of three wickets. At that time, there was still hope for the Indian Cricket team to make a comeback. The fans were also laughing in the row below where PM Modi and HM Shah were seated. If Shrinate was to be believed, did she mean that even the fans laughed at India’s loss?

Srinate was not the only Congress leader or fan who pointed finders at PM Modi. Vijay Thottathil, who calls himself an “Indian National Congress Soldier forever” in his X bio, posted a screenshot of the same time and questioned why PM Modi was waving when India was on the verge of defeat.

Source: X

X user Rohiit Jain, who often shares pro-Congress posts on social media, wrote, “When ur country is losing and ur #PM is laughing !! Shamelessness at its peak. What a hypocrite he is !! #INDvAUS”.

Source: X

The Vice President of Rajasthan Congress‘s social media and digital platform department, Vinita Jain, also shared the video and wrote, “Shame on you Modi ji. He is literally laughing at our feelings and emotions..”

Source: X

Overseas Congress published videos from entirely different moments from the match to insinuate that PM Modi was laughing at the exact time when Indian players were crying after losing the match. They wrote, “Why Narendra Modi was shamelessly smiling at India’s loss? Look at the faces of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and see the laugh of Modi.”

Congress supporter Ankit Mayank wrote, “While India was on the verge of losing the WC’23 final, the Indian PM was laughing & enjoying. History will never forgive this shameless man.”

Source: X

As Congress was using the match for political brownie points, how could other parties fall behind? General Secretary and Core Committee Member of All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), Pritish Roy, called PM Modi “panauti” and wrote, “Here’s the #Panauti laughing at the defeat of the country! Shame.”

Pro-Congress and fake news peddler X user Cryptic Miind wrote, “Such is the hatred for word INDIA now that Modi ji seems to be happy while Team India is losing.”

Source: X

While the sadness of Indian cricket fans is understandable, winning and losing are a part of the game. That is the whole point of sports and the unifying power of cricket matches. The same sad Indian fans will soon be cheering for Australian players in the IPL. PM Modi was there to witness a great cricket match and he was also hosting the Australian Deputy Prime Minister. It is not expected that the PM of the hosting nation will put up a sad and sulking face and convey negative feelings towards his guests.

The final match of the ICC Men’s World Cup was played between India and Australia. The latter won the toss and chose to field. India scored 240 runs in 50 overs. Australia won the finals with 6 wickets in hand in the 42nd over. South Africa and Zimbabwe are scheduled to host the next ICC World Cup in 2027.

‘I will skip IPL, focus on Ashes and ODIs’: As Pat Cummins delivers 6th World Cup for Australia, his old tweet goes viral

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘I will skip IPL, focus on Ashes and ODIs’: As Pat Cummins delivers 6th World Cup for Australia, his old tweet goes viral

Hours after Pat Cummins-led-Australian cricket team won the 2023 edition of the Men’s World Cup final on Sunday (19th November), a tweet by the Australian skipper quitting the Indian Premier League (IPL) to prepare for Ashes and World Cup is going viral on social media.

In a tweet (archive) on 15th November, 2022, Pat Cummins had informed, “I’ve made the difficult decision to miss next years IPL.” He further added, “The international schedule is packed with Tests and ODI’s for the next 12 months, so will take some rest ahead of an Ashes series and World Cup.”

The Australian skipper is now being hailed on social media for voluntarily withdrawing from ‘money-making’ league cricket in favour of crucial cricket tournaments for the Australian side.

ESPNcricinfo tweeted, “Pat Cummins withdrew from the IPL this year and his sacrifice paid off! He led Australia to the WTC title, Ashes urn and a World Cup trophy in 2023.”

Another popular X handle ‘Johns’ wrote, “Pat Cummins decided to take a break from IPL 2023 due to hectic cricket season in International cricket then; – Won the WTC as captain. – Retained Ashes as captain. – Won the WC as captain. Captain, Leader, Legend, Cummins.”

“Pat Cummins Skipped IPL took rest won World Test Championship-> Ashes -> #CWC23. This is an example for putting Country ahead of money…Note: Indian players cannot skip IPL even if they want to,as BCCI & Franchises ll expect big players to participate,” another X user commented.

“Pat Cummins on 15th November 2022 decided to skip the IPL for Ashes and World Cup. Pat Cummins on 19th November 2023 – Won the World Cup after drawing the Ashes,” tweeted popular handle ‘Mufaddal Vohra.’

“This type of commitment is needed for becoming a champion. Pat Cummins was willing to lose millions of dollars in ipl to do extra preparation for ashes and world cup. Even though it hurts as an Indian to lose today, but we can still learn from him. #INDvAUS #CWC2023Final #Kohli” tweeted one Ayush Bhatt.

“Mitchell starc does not play IPL. Hardly plays it. And Pat Cummis sacrificed his IPL. Ipl gives you money for sure, but you prepare great players only though tests and 4 day games. On big day today. Starc and Cummins took 5 wickets,” wrote another X user.

Pat Cummins played for the Indian Premier League in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2021 and 2022. His last appearance in the IPL was for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Australia has managed to win 6 editions of the Men’s World Cup – 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015 and 2023.

Fake certificates, stolen pipes, manipulated tenders, bribes and more: Understanding the Rajasthan Water Scam and its role in assembly polls

Anurag
-
0
Fake certificates, stolen pipes, manipulated tenders, bribes and more: Understanding the Rajasthan Water Scam and its role in assembly polls

In June 2023, Rajya Sabha MP Kirodi Lal Meena of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) raised concerns over irregularities in executing the central Jal Jeevan Mission in Rajasthan. The allegations raised by Meena led to an investigation that slowly unfolded what happened with the scheme in Rajasthan. In the last few weeks, the investigation gained momentum, revealing details of the alleged scam.

The heart of the allegations lies with the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED). The agency is responsible for implementing the Central Jal Jeevan Mission across the state. The scheme aims at providing safe drinking water through household tap connections across the state.

Multiple raids led to the seizure of cash, gold and devices

In August this year, a First Investigation Report (FIR) was filed on the matter by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), leading to an investigation. Following the FIR, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) took over the investigation. The central investigating agency conducted a series of raids at 25 locations, including the properties and offices of a high-ranking bureaucrat, earlier this month.

The allegations implicate state Cabinet minister Mahesh Joshi, who oversees the groundwater portfolio and Additional Chief Secretary Subodh Agarwal. It has been alleged the scam is worth Rs 20,000. In his allegations laid by Meena, he alleged that the tenders worth Rs 900 crores were awarded to two companies who presented fake experience certificates. Around 48 Jal Jeevan Mission projects were handed over to these companies, leading to unwarranted delays in the project’s completion.

Responding to the ACB’s FIR, the ED investigated the proprietors of two tubewell companies and others accused of bribing public servants to secure illegal protection, manipulate tender processes, obtain bill sanctions, and conceal irregularities in projects under the PHED.

In September this year, the investigating agency conducted more raids in several locations in the state, including Jaipur, Alwar, Neemrana, Behror, and Shahpura. The ED seized unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 2.32 crores. During the raid, the agency also found gold worth Rs 64 lakh, several documents, digital evidence, hard drives and mobile phones.

Another raid was conducted in November 2023, leading to the seizure of 9.6 KG of gold, amounting to Rs 5.83 crore, and 6.4 KG of silver, amounting to Rs 3.9 lakh. The November raids targeted properties linked to ACS Agarwal. He holds several positions at the PHED, Ground Water Department, Water Resources Department, and State Water Resources Planning Department. The raids led to an investigation into several individuals connected to a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Gehlot claimed ‘political motivation’ behind raids.

On the political front, the Chief Minister of Congress-led Rajasthan accused the central agencies, including the ED of targeting the Opposition. Gehlot claimed the Congress party was being targeted at the behest of BJP-led central government. He questioned the timing of the actions, and the investigation paced up just ahead of the state elections. He criticised the working methodology of the investigating agencies and claimed there was a need to target the corrupt individuals and not the political parties.

Furthermore, Gehlot claimed the credibility of the ED comes under the radar with such actions countrywide. He claimed the actions taken by the ED in recent times were “politically motivated” and called for a “re-evaluation of ED’s credibility”.

On the other hand, BJP capitalised on the situation and opened a strategic line of attack on Congress. The attack forced Congress to drop sitting Hawa Mahal MLA Mahesh Joshi from the election lineup. Notably, Joshi is confident of Gehlot. He was among the leaders who boycotted a Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting last year.

PM Modi attacked Congress over alleged scam

During his rallies in the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has actively targeted the Congress-led Rajasthan government over the alleged scam. On 15th November, he highlighted the Central Government’s efforts to provide tap water to nearly 50 lakh houses in Rajasthan. However, the project was delayed due to the alleged scam. He added that despite sending ample funds for the Jal Jeevan Mission, the money was misused, with commissions being taken even for this essential service. Citing the feedback from Barmar and Jaisalmer villages, where payments were reportedly misused, he attacked the Congress leaders for alleged corruption.

HM Amit Shah attacked Congress govt

Union Home Minister Amit Shah opened an attack on Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot ahead of elections, alleging corruption documented in the “Laal Diary”. He alleged that the diary contained Gehlot’s financial improprieties that surpassed all previous state governments’ corruptions since independence. He listed scams in mining and secretariat offices, including the water supply scam, and urged the voters to choose the “double-engine” government for prosperity under Narendra Modi’s leadership. The ‘Laal Diary’ controversy became prominent after a former minister suggested it held incriminating information about Gehlot’s financial transactions.

What is the Jal Jeevan Mission Scheme?

Under the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme, drinking water was to be provided in rural areas. In this, 50 per cent of the expense was to be borne by Rajasthan and 50 per cent expense was to be borne by the Central Government. Under this, the DI duct iron pipeline was to be laid, but with the connivance of water supply department officers and contractors, the HDPE pipeline was laid.

A scam worth crores of rupees has come to light in this work. The pipes that were stolen from Haryana were passed off as new and laid. Money was taken by claiming that the pipeline was new. Moreover, many kilometres of pipeline were not laid. In lieu of this, payment worth crores of rupees was taken.

Rajasthan Congress minister Mahesh Joshi’s son accused of rape and torture

Last year in May, a 23-year-old woman filed a rape complaint against Rohit Joshi, the son of Dr Mahesh Joshi, the Rajasthan government’s water supply minister. The young woman working for a Rajasthan-based news channel had filed a rape case with Delhi’s Sadar Bazar police station. A zero FIR had been filed in Sadar Bazar police station and forwarded to Sawai Madhopur.

The FIR stated that Rohit repeatedly threatened the victim in the name of his father. Rohit further stated that he has had contacts with miscreants and the mafia and that he is not frightened of the cops. He warned her about being treated like Bhanwari Devi. The woman claimed that the father-son duo posed a threat to her and her family’s lives, after which the Rajasthan High Court had granted police protection to the woman.

Despite the complaint, the son of the Rajasthan Congress leader was not arrested. In fact, within a month, a court in Delhi granted anticipatory bail to cabinet minister Mahesh Joshi’s son Rohit in a rape case filed against him by a 24-year-old woman.

Rajasthan Assembly Elections

Voting for the Rajasthan Assembly Elections is scheduled for 25th November. The result will be announced on 3rd December.

Australia wins the 13th ODI Cricket World Cup by defeating India by 6 wickets in Ahmedabad, slow middle overs cost the host the title

Paurush Gupta
-
0
Australia wins the 13th ODI Cricket World Cup by defeating India by 6 wickets in Ahmedabad, slow middle overs cost the host the title

In a massive disappointment for over a lakh spectators in Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and crores of cricket fans in the country, India lost the final in the ICC World Cup against Australia, the first loss in the tournament. Australia won the match by 6 wickets, easily chasing a target of 240 runs in 43 overs.

Travis Head led the victory with 137 runs in 120 balls, aided by Marnus Labuschagne. Head was out with just one needed to win, and they scored 241 in 43 overs after the loss of 4 wickets.

After a brief moment of scare, the Australian batters Travis Head and Marnus Labuschange steaded the ship to the finish line prompting the Pat Cummins-led side to lift their sixth World Cup trophy. The duo stitched a 192-run partnership when the Aussies were rocked by three quick back-to-back wickets and were in shaky waters at 47-3 inside the first powerplay. 

While Head maintained a near run-a-ball strike rate throughout his innings and scored an impactful ton, Labuschange upped his game when it mattered the most. In a low-scoring game, he held the one end despite pitch spitting odds balls at times. 

Strikingly, right from the toss, Australians demonstrated the hunger to stretch their record of the most number of World Cup titles and choked runs for the Indian batters once Indian skipper Rohit Sharma departed courtesy of Travis Head’s spectacular running catch. The boundaries were hard to come by, at one time, cautious Indian batters could only manage to strike just a boundary in around 30-odd overs. Notably, the odd bad balls were backed by precise field settings and fired-up Australian fielders throwing themselves around. 

On the other hand, Indian batters particularly opener Shubhman Gill and Shreyas Iyer allowed nerves to get the better of them and knicked at all the wrong times. In their less-than-over innings, they looked shaky and added pressure to toll up on the Indian squad.  

However, the old adage that it is the middle overs game that decides the fate of any close encounter again manifested in the much-awaited finals. The biggest difference between both sides and one that ended India’s hope is how India and Australia played through the middle overs. While India, rocked by back-to-back two wickets of Rohit and Iyer, struggled to score at more than 2-3 per over even against Australia’s sixth balling option. 

Additionally, whenever Indian batters were on the brink of putting their foot down on the accelerator after consolidation they suffered major blows. Virat Kohli, who has been in stellar form and ended as the leading run scorer in this World Cup 2023 tournament, chopped on Cummin’s delivery. 

Australia, on the other hand, despite being under pressure after three wickets, churned runs at will in the middle overs, and with an odd boundary here and there, they kept narrowing the gap till the time ensuring a convincing victory. 

After negating the moving ball by Indian pacers Shami and Bumrah who had their tail up, Head and Labuschange stitched 192 the record run-partnership in any World Cup final.  

Kashmir separatism, anti-Hindu tropes, obsession with Kerala Model: How CCP supporter Neville Roy Singham financed ‘The People’s Forum’ is peddling anti-India propaganda

Dibakar Dutta
-
0
Kashmir separatism, anti-Hindu tropes, obsession with Kerala Model: How CCP supporter Neville Roy Singham financed ‘The People’s Forum’ is peddling anti-India propaganda

‘The People’s Forum’, which has been at the helm of anti-Israeli protests in the United States, has now come under the scanner over its financing by Chinese Communist Party (CCP) supporter Neville Roy Singham.

As per a report by The Free Press, Singham and his wife Jodie Evans have donated over $20.4 million to the organisation between 2017 and 2022. The American tech entrepreneur and his Chinese connections were exposed in a report published by The New York Times on August 5 this year.

Neville Roy Singham had financed the likes of NewsClick and disseminated pro-Chinese propaganda through the Indian leftist news outlet. OpIndia has found that ‘The People’s Forum’, funded almost wholly by the American entrepreneur, has been peddling anti-India narratives since 2019.

The People’s Forum and its role in fuelling ‘Kahsmiri seperatism’

‘The People’s Forum’ has been organising teach-in sessions, seminars and movie screenings to disseminate a distorted idea of Jammu and Kashmir to its global audience.

It has openly called for the secession of the integral part of the Indian territory and extended support to extremist elements, calling for ‘Azadi.‘ On March 18, 2019, the organisation conducted a 1 hour 50 minute 50-minute-long session, presenting India as an ‘occupying’ force in Jammu and Kashmir.

‘The People’s Forum’ reiterated pro-Pakistani talking points about Kashmir, referring to the region as ‘Indian Occupied.’ The event synopsis made its nefarious agenda crystal clear –

“Indian Occupied Kashmir is the world’s most militarized zone. Since 2008, a generation of Kashmiri youth has protested against Indian rule, demanding azadi, or freedom. Nonetheless, despite a mass movement for self-determination, the international community has largely remained silent on Kashmir and India is able to leverage its soft power to silence Kashmiris. During this teach-in, the instructors will present a brief historical overview of the Kashmir issue, and discuss the contemporary context of state violence and repression and youth resistance.“

Screengrab of ‘The People’s Forum’ event

One of the instructors of the pro-Pakistani indoctrination programme was Hafsa Kanjwal, who had earlier downplayed the Pulwama terror attack in an opinion piece in The Washington Post.

As per a report by OSINT handle ‘DisinfoLab’, Hafsa Kanjwal has maintained close ties with convicted ISI agent Ghulam Nabi Fai through her organisation ‘Stand With Kashmir (SWK)’. She is an Assistant Professor at Lafayette College and featured prominently in several events of ‘The People’s Forum.’

On September 14, 2019, the Neville Roy Singham-funded organisation conducted another ‘teach-in session’ dubbed ‘Self-Determination and Solidarity in Kashmir.’ The anti-India event was sponsored by the likes of ‘Codepink’, founded by Neville Roy Singham’s wife Jodie Evans.

The synopsis of the programme read, “This teach-in is geared towards building solidarity between the Kashmiri and Palestinian anti-occupation movements. The instructors will give a history of the Kashmiri struggle for self-determination, provide an analysis of the Indian occupation of Kashmir, and reflect on the ties between India and Israel, as well as the need for greater mobilization between the Palestinian and Kashmiri solidarity movements.“

Screengrab of the tweet by Suchitra Vijayan of The Polis Project

Besides Hafsa Kanjwal, ‘journalist’ Azad Essa was also included as the instructor for the pro-Pakistani indoctrination.  Essa is the same scribe who passed off the Islamic terrorist organisation, ‘Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT),’ as a ‘Pakistan-based group’ in December 2022.

While trying to cast aspersions on the role of LeT in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, he had claimed, “Saturday marked the first day of the (Mumbai) attack, 14 years ago, which India blamed on the Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba.” 

In March this year, the same dubious ‘journalist’ was invited by ‘The People’s Forum’ to promote his book ‘Hostile Homelands: The New Alliance between India and Israel.’ The People’s Forum also promoted his propaganda film on the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir, titled ‘Out of Sight.’

Screengrab of the banner of the event hosted by The People’s Forum

Hafsa Kanjwal too was invited by ‘The People’s Forum’ to the screening of a propaganda film titled ‘Khoon Diy Baarav’ on March 29, 2019. The unknown movie was directed by one Iffat Fatima about the supposedly ‘abject plight’ of Kashmiris in the Valley.

Despite all-out efforts by the Neville Roy Singham-financed organisation to spread the word about the film, it failed to make an impact. As such, another screening of the same propaganda movie was held by ‘The People’s Forum’ on March 20, 2020.

As recently as August this year, the organisation was seen endorsing a book written by ‘ISI operative’ Hafsa Kanjwal titled ‘Colonising Kashmir: State Building under Indian Occupation.’

“August 5 marks 4 years since India’s complete annexation of Kashmir—Author Hafsa Kanjwal & Mohamad Junaid will also discuss recent developments in the region,”The People’s Forum lamented the abrogation of Article 370.

The People’s Forum, anti-India events and targeting of Hinduism

In October 2019, the Neville Roy Singham-financed organisation held a seminar on Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and seized the opportunity to attack Hinduism under the pretext of condemning ‘Hindutva’.

The event synopsis read –

“Gandhi, a practicing Hindu, also believed in love as a fundamental human emotion and practice and he was able to weave this love of everyone and all creation into all his beliefs, principles and practices. Gandhi’s Hinduism was not exclusive and excluding and did not identify an ‘other’. It is important to differentiate Gandhi’s Hinduism from today’s Hindutva.“

It is a classical trope used by Hinduphobes who claim ‘Hinduism’ and ‘Hindutva’ are different. In reality, they do not make any such distinction. Interestingly, the event was co-sponsored by ‘Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR).

HfHR was also seen endorsing the Hinduphobic event titled, ‘Dismantling Global Hindutva’ conference. As per OSINT handle ‘Disinfo Lab’, HfHR was formed in the year 2019 by Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) and the Organization for Minorities of India (OFMI).

Interestingly, the three organisations had formed another outfit called the Alliance for Justice and Accountability (AJA). As per an article in The Hindu, the Alliance for Justice and Accountability had been at the forefront of leading demonstrations against the visit of PM Modi to Houston on September 22, 2019.

Sunita Vishwanath, the co-founder of ‘Hindus for Human Rights’ had also tried to create hysteria and panic among Indian Muslims about the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in 2019.

“We are especially appalled by the most recent nightmare of the Kashmiri people, and the situation of 1.9 million people in India who are rendered stateless due to the imposition of the travesty called the National Register of Citizens,” she claimed.

Sunita Vishwanath is also the co-founder of an organisation named ‘Women for Afghan Women’, which is funded by George Soros’ Open Society Foundations (OSF)/ Open Society Institute (OSI). In October 2023, the X (formerly Twitter) account of HfHr was withheld in India.

The People’s Forum had been trying to exploit fault lines between the incumbent Indian government and the farming community in the country. Amid the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, it conducted a seminar by a Communist party-affiliated Student Federation of India (SFI) leader V Srinivasa Rao.

The event titled ‘Make the land proud: India’s Peasant Struggles and the 2019 Election’ hoped to capitalise on the growing resentment of farmers towards the Modi government and impact the outcome of the polls.

The description of the seminar made its nefarious intention clear –

“Earlier this year (2019) more than 160 million peasants and workers went on strike in India.  In the last few years, India has seen an upsurge of peasant struggles across the country as the Indian politics have moved to the far right under Modi’s rule. This has been one of the largest general strikes in the world. The workers, exhausted by almost three decades of neoliberal policies and by the attack on their rights, came onto the streets to make their case for better livelihoods and workplace democracy.Because of India’s government policies, agrarian distress is acute: An average of 12,000 farmers committed suicide every year of this government’s rule.“

When the Modi government introduced three historic farm laws to alleviate concerns among the farming community, The People’s Forum came out with all guns blazing and lent credence to the politically motivated farmer’s protest and the eventual repeal of the landmark legislation.

This became evident when it promoted the propaganda-laden book ‘When Farmers Stood Up’, celebrating the repeal of a law due to the ‘street veto’. One of the speakers invited to the panel discussion was Aishe Ghosh, who was involved in the infamous JNU riots of 2020.

Screengrab of the event

Since early 2020, The People’s Forum began targeting Indian businesses and fostering ant-capitalistic sentiments in the country. A 4-day seminar was organised to this effect in January of that year.

On October 26, 2022, the Neville Roy Singham-led organisation partnered with ‘The Polis Project’ for an anti-India event dubbed ‘Plunder as Politics: Economic Inequality and Political Power in Modi’s India.’ As expected, it targeted Indian businessman Gautam Adani and accused the ruling BJP of ‘crony capitalism.’

“The rise of Adani and his peers are symptomatic of a deep polarization of wealth and income in Indian society, where the poorest 50% of the population earns a mere 13% of all national income and owns as little as 6% of all wealth in the country. Despite these perverse inequalities, Modi and the BJP appear to have a firm hold on political power and even enjoy support among poor and marginalized groups. How do we explain this conundrum? In this talk, Alf Nilsen will discuss the relationship between economic inequality and political power in Modi’s India, focusing on how the politics of Hindu nationalism deflects popular discontent and nurtures both the hegemony of the ruling party and the wealth of the country’s corporate tycoons,” read the event description.

The Polis Project has extensively published content claiming Muslims are single-handedly facing atrocities in India. The organisation’s reports described the anti-Hindu riots in Delhi in 2020 as a “pogrom against the Muslim community”.

The organisation also propagated separatist views on Kashmir and shared content favouring terrorists such as Burhan Wani, Yasin Malik and others. It has also been at the helm of fear-mongering its audience about an ‘impending genocide’ in Kashmir and the rest of India.

The Polis Project gave a clean chit to Pakistan in the Pulwama attack and called Indian media “BJP’s propaganda machine”. The Banned organisation Jamaat-e-Islami has their content in their course material on “Stand With Kashmir (SWK)”.

Uncanny obsession with Kerala and Communists

The Neville Roy Singham-funded organisation was also seen disseminating the myth of the ‘Kerala Model’ in one of its events, organised on April 11, 2020.

The People’s Forum claimed, “While Indian PM Modi follows the example of fellow neoliberal strongmen around the world, and fails to protect lives from this pandemic while downplaying the crisis,  Kerala offers a different example. The state of Kerala, led by a coalition of leftist and communist parties, has set the standard in successful testing, containment, and socialized care for the well-being of its people. How has this been achieved in Kerala, and what can we learn from this experience? Join researcher Subin Dennis and journalist Prasanth R for the discussion.“

Screengrab of the event

A year later on August 7, 2021, ‘The People’s Forum’ held another event, promoting a book titled ‘Local Democracy and Development: The Kerala People’s Campaign for Decentralized Planning’. Interestingly, the book is written by a Communist Party of India (Marxist) politician Thomas Isaac.

A panel discussion was organised by the Singham-financed outfit, claiming that Kerala “mobilised over 3 million of Kerala’s 30 million people and resulted in bottom-up development planning in all of its 1,052 villages and urban neighbourhoods.”

Screengrab of the event

The uncanny obsession with Kerala did not end with praising the Communist Party of India’s make-believe governance model. Along with the Tricontental Institute, ‘The People’s Froum’ appeared fascinated with Communist hardliners such as EMS Namboodiripad.

Namboodiripad, who was the first Chief Minister of the State of Kerala, had infamously called Mahatma Gandhi a ‘Hindu fundamentalist.’

‘The People’s Forum’ chose to organise a presentation on his life to further disseminate his “insights on Marxist theory, the international communist movement, caste, women’s struggle, and national liberation.”

Screengrab of the event

‘The People’s Forum’ also endorsed a book on rabid Communist leader Ramchandra Babaji More, who organised the public burning of the Hindu religious text ‘Manusmriti’ on December 25, 2027 at Mahad city in Raigad district of Maharashtra.

Interestingly, Chinese-funded NewsClick also published eulogies about RB More in May 2020.

Legitimisation of pro-China Vijay Prashad

In August this year, OpIndia reported in detail about Vijay Prashad, the Executive Director of a leftist think tank named ‘Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research.’ His organisation has been one of the beneficiaries of the riches of Neville Roy Singham.

The pro-China Vijay Prashad has been invited as a speaker on multiple occasions by ‘The People’s Forum’, funded wholly by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) supporter Neville Roy Singham. He is an ‘expert’ on every geopolitical issue, involving the US’

Be it the intervention of the United States in Haiti (archive) or America’s supposed ‘anti-communist crusade’ (archive), Vijay Prashad finds himself in events hosted by ‘The People’s Forum’ to hail Chinese socialism and oppose Western imperialism.

Screengrab of the event
Screengrab of the event

Occasionally, Prashad is invited to events hosted by the organisation, funded by Neville Roy Singham, to discuss his books.

Screengrab of the event
Screengrab of the event

The pro-China Executive Director of Tricontinental has recently been on a panel discussion about a book titled ‘The anti-Capitalist Chronicles,’ written by one David Harvey.

Screengrab of the event

Neville Roy Singham, NewsClick funding and the aftermath

On August 5 this year, The New York Times published a detailed article, revealing the ties of Neville Roy Singham with the Chinese government and his financial support to an Indian leftist propaganda outlet NewsClick.

“What is less known, and is hidden amid a tangle of nonprofit groups and shell companies, is that Mr. Singham works closely with the Chinese government media machine and is financing its propaganda worldwide,” the article stated.

The New York Times pointed out that Singham has been successful in disseminating Chinese government talking points under the pretext of ‘progressive advocacy’ in countries such as India, Brazil, South Africa and the United States.

Screengrab of the news report by The New York Times

Neville Roy Singham, who holds strong ties with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), is at the forefront of China’s smokeless war. In its article, The New York Times stated, “Under the rule of Xi Jinping, China has expanded state media operations, teamed up with overseas outlets and cultivated foreign influencers. The goal is to disguise propaganda as independent content.”

It further added, “The result is a seemingly organic bloom of far-left groups that echo Chinese government talking points, echo one another, and are echoed in turn by the Chinese state media.” During its investigation, the American newspaper found that Neville Roy Singham had financed an India-based leftist propaganda outlet named NewsClick. 

It noted that the news outlet had repeated the talking points of the CCP in the past. “In New Delhi, corporate filings show, Mr. Singham’s network financed a news site, NewsClick, that sprinkled its coverage with Chinese government talking points. “China’s history continues to inspire the working classes,” one video said,” noted The New York Times.

After the funding details of NewsClick and its Chinese connection came to light, it was revealed that Neville Roy Singham had close ties with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Prakash Karat.

We have mail transcripts, which clearly suggest that NewsClick owner Prabir Purkayastha was instructed to praise China’s handling of COVID-19 by Neville Roy Singham. Emails exchanged between Prabir Purkayastha and Neville Roy Singham also revealed discussions on how to report the India-China border dispute.

On November 16, the Enforcement Directorate issued summons to Neville Roy Singham in China in the NewsClick-Chinese funding case.

Shaista used to teach her kids how to extort money, Atiq Ahmed’s grave is surrounded by those he killed: Explosive claims of mafia’s relative, praises CM Yogi

राहुल पाण्डेय
-
0
Shaista used to teach her kids how to extort money, Atiq Ahmed’s grave is surrounded by those he killed: Explosive claims of mafia’s relative, praises CM Yogi

The Uttar Pradesh administration has launched ‘Operation Octopus’ to investigate the benami assets of deceased mafia Atiq Ahmed in Prayagraj. The initiative consists of 20 members headed by officers who are equal to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.

The operation aims to gather information about the late mafia’s benami properties through both online monitoring and on-the-ground research. The bank accounts of all of his associates and their activities are being scrutinised. His relative, meanwhile, claimed to OpIndia that he was also a victim of the mafia’s illegal actions.

According to media reports, the administration had earlier launched ‘Operation Giraffe’ against Atiq Ahmed under which two of his benami properties including plots and premium flats located at Prayagraj and Lucknow were seized. The goal of this effort is also to identify the individuals who upon Atiq Ahmed’s passing, came into ownership of his belongings. Operation Octopus and Operation Giraffe are being conducted simultaneously to bring an end to his financial empire.

Zeeshan, Atiq Ahmed’s brother-in-law, was interviewed by OpIndia. Their residences in Prayagraj are within a distance of 2 kilometres. He informed us that matters such as Hindu-Muslim relations mean nothing to the late don, his wife Shaista Parveen and his delinquent children and alleged that the family is merely in need of financial support. He claimed that Shaista Parveen attacked her own brother-in-law in addition to sending goons and her son Ali Ahmed to take over her sister’s land.

Atiq Ahmed’s grave is among those who he killed

Zeeshan unveiled that Atiq Ahmed’s grave in the cemetery is surrounded by those he murdered. “Countless persons killed by Atiq Ahmed and his family can be found where he, his brother Ashraf Ahmed and his son Asad Ahmed are buried. Among the people buried here are Nassan, Ashraf, Qari Ahmed, Kunnu, Jagga and Mubba among others.” Zeeshan mentioned that the only thing these people had done wrong was to stand their ground in the face of Atiq Ahmed’s intimidation.

Shaista Parveen used to incite her sons to commit crimes

Zeeshan stated that although every mother in the world makes an effort to shield her kids from wrongdoing and crime, Shaista Parveen was an exception to this norm. He asserted that she had a habit of berating her kids for not kidnapping another person or demanding a ransom. She is believed to have personally instructed his son Ali Ahmed to seize his own sister’s land using bulldozers and thugs. Her sister begged for her land and her husband’s life but to no avail.

Leftists and extremists’ support for Atiq Ahmed

Zeeshan was questioned by OpIndia over the statements made by Atiq Ahmed’s radical and leftist supporters following his death. He noted that whenever those who pay their obeisance at his grave and pray for him to go to heaven die, they would find Atiq Ahmed in the same condition as them. He emphasised that criminals like Atiq Ahmed who commit crimes all their lives never attain paradise.

Many people died from mental stress

Zeeshan disclosed that apart from the beating and shooting by Atiq Ahmed’s goons, many innocents have died due to the mental stress he inflicted on them. Some people even fled the city. He stressed that Atiq Ahmed’s henchmen used to follow their target and were seen walking around their house. Sometimes he used to order his people to thrash his victim a little. There used to be stone pelting on their house. People who were under a lot of stress from him would often consider poisoning themselves or their entire family in such circumstances.

When someone was under strain, they would as a last resort fall at Atiq Ahmed’s feet and agree to everything he demanded. He even threatened Zeeshan’s driver and friends. He also brought up the name of a Sikh from Prayagraj who passed away as a result of Atiq Ahmed’s fear. Zeeshan did not, however, disclose his name.

Asad’s glorification propaganda in the media

Following Asad Ahmed’s encounter he was reported to have a bright mind and to read extremely quickly. Zeeshan, however, brushed the news aside as hearsay. All of these things, he claimed are manufactured and trivial. Regarding Asad Ahmed, he explained that although the former had not been a criminal during his childhood, he had grown to aspire to be like his father in a matter of years.

Massive difference between the governments of SP and BJP

Zeeshan recounted that under Samajwadi Party leader and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav’s administration, even ministers would crumble before Atiq Ahmed’s reign of terror, but it was only under Yogi Adityanath’s current government that individuals such as the dreaded don were able to be brought under control. According to Zeeshan, Atiq Ahmed’s mansion used to be frequented by influential politicians who travelled through Prayagraj and its surrounding areas. At present, things are different in the Yogi administration. The common people have bravery and a reawakened faith in the law.

Read the report in Hindi here.

Canada: Female Boxer withdraws from championship after learning that her opponent is man identifying as woman

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Canada: Female Boxer withdraws from championship after learning that her opponent is man identifying as woman

A biological female boxer, Katia Bissonnette, withdrew from a Canadian championship match when she reportedly learned that her opponent in the bout was transgender, a man identifying as a woman, as reported by ABC News. 

According to an outlet named Reduxx, Bissonnette opted out of the fight against Mya Walmsley, who is biologically male but has assumed the identity of a woman. She made this decision when she learned of Walmsley’s biological sex an hour prior to the 2023 Provincial Golden Glove Championship last month.

As per media reports, Canadian boxer Bissonnette explained, “My coach suddenly took me aside and told me he received information by text message, which he had then validated, that my opponent was not a woman by birth.” 

Since she withdrew from the match, Walmsley won the match by default as officials were unable to find another boxer in the same weight class.

Bissonnette, hailing from Saguenay, referred to a 2020 strength study conducted by the University of Utah to support her choice of abstention.

She said, “According to a study, a male blow has 163% more impact than a woman’s, even adjusted for weight.” 

According to the ABC report, she argued that biologically female athletes should not have to endure the “physical and psychological risks” brought on by an opponent’s decisions regarding “personal life” and “identity.”

However, her opponent Walmsley expressed displeasure with her withdrawal. In a statement, Walmsley wrote, “Rather than turning to me, my coach, or the Quebec Olympic Boxing Federation for more information, she decided to turn directly to the media to out me. This kind of behavior puts athletes at risk of being excluded or receiving personal attacks based on hearsay.”

As per Walmsley, there is a possibility that Bissonnette’s accusations could be used to delegitimise transgender female athletes and justify certain regulations. Walmsley further added that athletes should “trust” each other when it comes to gender identity.

Regarding her decision, Bissonnette reportedly claimed that the Australian athlete would not have been able to box in a women’s category at home. Bissonnette asserted, “(Walmsley) would have boxed as a man in Australia. In Quebec, on his [sic] file, it is mentioned that he [sic] had zero fights as a woman.”

Bissonnette stressed that categories in sports should be limited to one for biological males and another for biological females. 

Several leaders across nationwide agreed with her as nine Republican governors urged the NCAA to reevaluate its transgender athlete inclusion policy in a letter last month.

The governors wrote, “The NCAA has the chance to guarantee an environment where female college athletes can thrive without the concern of inequities. We trust that you also want to guarantee just such an environment. But this policy allows the NCAA to avoid responsibility for ensuring the fairness of collegiate sports –therefore it must be changed.”

Taking to X, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem posted the letter saying, “Only girls should play in girls’ sports.” She also claimed that the current policy lets the NCAA avoid responsibility for ensuring collegiate sports are fair.

Woke insanity in Canadian sports

Notably, Canada allows trans athletes to compete in their chosen gender category without any sex transition. While some Western countries only allow transgenders in their chosen category only if they have gone through surgical and hormonal sex transitions, Canada is more woke in this regard and merely identifying as the opposite gender is enough. This has resulted in several controversies of men competing in the women’s category.

Earlier this year, Avi Silverberg – who was the head coach of the Canada Powerlifting Team for more than 10 years – identified himself as a female and participated in the Heroes Classic tournament in Lethbridge, creating a record. He smashed a record held by a transwoman lifter who was watching on. However, Avi Silverberg participated in the event in protest against the anti-woman policy in Canada that allows men to compete in women’s sports categories. His participation was deemed legal due to this policy.

The policy in Canada states that individuals should be able to participate in the gender with which they identify and not be subject to requirements for disclosure of personal information beyond those required of cisgender athletes. The policy also states that there should not be any requirement for hormonal therapy or surgery.

Author Namdev Jadhav files complaint against NCP goons after ink attack, holds Sharad Pawar responsible

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Author Namdev Jadhav files complaint against NCP goons after ink attack, holds Sharad Pawar responsible

On Saturday (18th November), author Namdev Jadhav filed a complaint against NCP goons hours after Sharad Pawar’s faction of the NCP smeared ink on him. He alleged that the provocation for the attack came from “senior leaders” of the party. He indirectly pointed fingers towards Sharad Pawar.

45-year-old Namdev Jadhav hails from the family of maternal ancestors of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He is an author and motivational speaker. He had claimed that it was Sharad Pawar who while working as the chief minister of Maharashtra in the past had laid down policies against Maratha reservation. Goons of the Nationalist Congress Party’s Sharad Pawar faction attacked Namdev Jadhav and smeared ink on him on Saturday in Pune. Namdev Jadhav then lodged a complaint based on which an FIR was registered at the Vishrambag police station in Pune.

Namdev Jadhav said in his complaint, “Ten to 15 NCP workers threatened me that I would be finished from the face of the earth if I ever took a stand against Sharad Pawar in future. They smeared ink on my face and body and also manhandled police guard Akshay Kamble. The provocation of this attack came from the senior leaders.”

Sub-inspector Ganesh Fartade said, “We have launched a probe in the case. The process to identify the suspects is on. No arrests have been made yet.”

Namdev Jadhav was going to attend an event scheduled to be held on the premises of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI) in Pune. Following awareness of the agitation, BORI denied permission for the private event. As Pawar supporters gathered, police were deployed.

NCP goons later went to Patrakar Bhavan, where Jadhav was present for another event. While he was interacting with the media, NCP workers began shouting slogans in support of Pawar. A policeman tried to calm them, but one protester smeared Jadhav’s face with black ink. More protesters joined, throwing ink on Jadhav despite the policeman’s protective embrace.

The police have pressed charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including those related to unlawful assembly, rioting, criminal force against a public servant, causing harm, endangering public safety, wrongful restraint, intentional insult, and criminal intimidation.

Namdev Jadhav said, “This is an attack on democracy. This is an attack on five crore Marathas. I will not hold party workers responsible for this. The primary figure behind this is Sharad Pawar, followed by Rohit Pawar. I will leave no stone unturned to make sure that they lose their seats in Parliament and the state assembly respectively.”

Meanwhile, Prashant Jagtap, the Pune city president of the Nationalist Congress Party, has accepted responsibility for this attack against Namdevrao Jadhav. Jagtap said that Jadhav was making accusations without providing evidence.

Manipur: Imphal airport shut down for over 3 hours after unidentified object detected over it, several flights diverted and delayed

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Manipur: Imphal airport shut down for over 3 hours after unidentified object detected over it, several flights diverted and delayed

On 19th November (Sunday), an unidentified object, reportedly a drone, was detected in the vicinity of the Imphal Airport. The spotting sparked a sensation and the security measures were enhanced while both Police and airport authorities were reportedly on high alert. 

Following the incident, the authorities responded by shutting down the airspace in and around Imphal for over three hours. This disrupted flight services and left passengers stranded. The decision to suspend all flight operations was made due to concerns regarding potential threats or security breaches, pending a comprehensive assessment to ensure safety.

According to the Northeast live report, airspace over Imphal airport was shut since 2:30 PM today after an unidentified flying object was sighted at a high altitude. The sightings were reportedly above the Imphal airport. The Indian Air Force is ascertaining the situation. The authorities are looking into whether it is an act of some anti-India elements. They are probing whether there is a possibility of any security threat from the unidentified drone.

According to the TV9 Bangla, the initial report stated that an unidentified drone was spotted by airport security personnel on Sunday afternoon.

A press release issued by the airport director said, “Due sighting of an unidentified flying object within Imphal controlled Airspace, two flights have been diverted and three departing flights have been delayed. Flight operations commence after receipt of clearance from competent authority.”

As a result of the suspension of operations at the airport, a few flights were cancelled to and from Imphal, and other incoming flights were turned back from Imphal airspace and diverted to other destinations. This included two IndiGo flights originating from Kolkata and Delhi were diverted. Instead of landing in Imphal, both aircraft touched down at Guwahati airport. A flight from Guwahati was sent back to Guwahati after it hovered over Imphal for around 25 minutes.

On the other hand, three flights scheduled to depart Imphal were not allowed to take off. Around 1000 passengers were stranded at the airport as a result.

Reportedly the blockade was lifted in the evening, and the stranded flights took off one by one at around 6 PM. The airport authority had awaited security clearance from CISF, local Police and IAF Eastern command to restart aircraft operations from Imphal airport. The Air Traffic Control and Airport Authority of India gave clearance at 5:45 pm after sanitization of air space. As per inputs, the flights were 80 per cent empty as passengers cancelled their flights and rescheduled for tomorrow.

The incident unfolded soon after the Manipur government extended the internet services ban by an extra five days until November 23. This decision was made in response to the difficult law and order situation in the state, which has been adversely impacted by incidents of violence.

1...1,6211,6221,623...7,651Page 1,622 of 7,651