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Record-breaking monsoon rains leave India reeling: Yamuna floods Delhi, Punjab’s farmland submerged, and Himalayan states on flash flood alert

Shriti Sagar
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Record-breaking monsoon rains leave India reeling: Yamuna floods Delhi, Punjab’s farmland submerged, and Himalayan states on flash flood alert

India is once again in the grip of a harsh monsoon. For weeks now, heavy rains have been lashing many states, leading to floods, landslides, and cloudbursts. Swollen rivers are overflowing into villages, roads are caving in, and essential services have broken down in many areas. 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the downpour is not over yet, and more rain can be expected in the coming days. Delhi, which is not usually affected by such strong monsoon weather, has crossed the 1,000 mm rainfall barrier this year.

From the plains of Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh’s Himalayas, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir, humans are witnessing the worst of nature’s fury. 

Delhi crosses 1,000 mm rainfall as Yamuna floods

Rain after rain has pummeled Delhi, rendering this one of its wettest monsoons in recent years. On Monday, 1st September, the city experienced 37.8 mm of rainfall, followed by 16 mm the following day. With that, the capital’s season rainfall breached 1,000 mm, far exceeding its normal of 774 mm.

The Yamuna River, swollen because of excess inflows from upstream barrages, crossed the year’s evacuation mark for the first time. Entire floodplains in Delhi were flooded, and hundreds of families had to relocate to safer areas. Inhabitants rushed to rescue whatever they could as water entered their huts and temporary homes.

Situation of Yamuna Bazaar (Image via ANI)

Delhi Flood Control and Irrigation Minister Parvesh Verma maintained that the government was fully equipped. “We are working day and night. Boats, life jackets, and pumps have been dispatched, and our officers are present at the sites to oversee the situation,” he asserted.

Gurugram comes to a halt after heavy rain

Haryana also sees its own set of issues. The state’s corporate capital, Gurugram, was submerged in water after heavy rains on Monday, 1st September. Major roads, underpasses, and residential areas were flooded, and traffic came to a standstill.

Image via Hindustan Times

The situation further aggravated when Aravali dam in Kadarpur village was broken, leading to flooding of villages that surround it. Vehicles were stuck for hours, and schools were forced to adjust bus timings so that kids would be home without an issue. Authorities have suggested that private companies make it compulsory for employees to work from home, thereby minimising disturbances.

Farmers in rural Haryana reported extensive damage to crops as heavy rain inundated their fields.

Punjab faces its worst floods since 1988

Punjab is suffering from one of the worst floods in the last 37 years. Non-stop rain in the last week has converted huge tracts of the state into a sea of water. Massive rain in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir has driven rivers such as the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi to perilous heights, submerging villages and agricultural fields.

Earlier, the state had 12 districts affected by the floods, as per a bulletin released by the state government on the affairs from 1st August to 1st September.

As per a bulletin released on Tuesday, 2nd September, 23 districts of the state have been announced hit by the floods.

1,400 villages have been notified as hit with an estimated 3.5 lakh people affected till now, of which the deluge has claimed 30 lives in 12 districts. Pathankot alone has reported six fatalities.

Army launches rescue operation as Punjab grapples with the worst floods in 37 years (Image via IANS)

Punjab is facing its worst floods in almost four decades, with 29 individuals having lost their lives in 12 worst-affected districts of the border state.

As per the data gathered by the Punjab government between 1st August to 1st September, since rivers and rivulets began overflowing following heavy rain in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir hills, six persons lost their lives in Pathankot district following the swollen Ravi river, three each in Hoshiarpur, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Mansa, Rupnagar and Barnala districts.

The flood took one life each in Bathinda, Gurdaspur, Patiala, Mohali and Sangrur districts.

Three individuals are missing in Pathankot district after the flash floods devastated the area last week. Apart from the Ravi, the Beas and Sutlej have wreaked havoc in Punjab, causing one of the worst floods after 1988.

“Figures of deaths have been compiled based on the reports received at the district headquarters. It covers those who died by electrocution, incidents of house collapsing and died in drowning due to floods in the affected areas,” said a senior state government officer.

As per the official statistics, 56,834 acres of farm land have been damaged in Amritsar district, followed by 42,020 acres in Mansa district, 36,902 acres in Kapurthala, 29,363 acres in Tarn Taran, 27,754 acres in Ferozepur, 14,754 acres in Hoshiarpur and 6,034 acres in Pathankot district.

Relief efforts are at full capacity. 16,000 individuals have been evacuated, and 7,000 are residing in government-operated relief camps. 

Flash flood warnings for the Himalayan states

The IMD issued a flash flood warning on Tuesday, 2nd September, in parts of Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh amid continuing heavy rainfall. The forecast indicates a number of districts are at “moderate to high risk” of flash flooding in the next few days.

Districts such as Almora, Chamoli, Dehradun, Rudraprayag, and Pithoragarh of Uttarakhand, and Kullu, Shimla, Chamba, and Kangra of Himachal have been instructed to stay on high alert. Anantnag, Ramban, Kathua, and Kulgam districts in Jammu & Kashmir are under danger.

Uttarakhand affected by cloudbursts and landslides

Uttarakhand has been severely affected. Cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides have razed houses, bridges, and fields. Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts were severely affected. At Basukedar, four houses were destroyed, although fortunately, individuals were relocated in time.

During another incident in Chamoli, rubble had accumulated within houses, injuring a couple, while two people went missing in Dewal. In Bageshwar, cowsheds collapsed and some animals were killed.

Image via PTI

The Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers are flowing above the danger mark, forcing people to vacate their homes. The Hanuman temple in Rudraprayag got submerged, while a bridge was swept away in the Kedarnath valley.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that he is monitoring the situation himself. “Rescue teams are on ground, and schools in most districts have been closed as a precautionary measure,” he added.

Himachal declares itself disaster-hit

More than 300 people have died in Himachal Pradesh since 20th June as relentless monsoon rain triggered landslides, flash floods and widespread damage to homes, farms and infrastructure, officials said.

According to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), 166 people were killed in rain-related incidents such as landslides, drowning and electrocution, while another 154 died in road accidents linked to the weather. At least 379 others were injured.

Image via Hindustan Times

“Entire Himachal Pradesh has been declared a disaster-hit state and notification has been issued to declare the state as disaster-hit,” announced Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in the Himachal assembly on Monday in the wake of the widespread devastation faced by the state that has suffered ₹3,056 crore losses so far.

The Himachal Pradesh government declared the rain-battered entire state as “disaster-affected” under Section 34 of the National Disaster Management Act, following widespread devastation caused by incessant monsoon rains, landslides and cloudbursts since late June.

The CM said, “The monsoon reactivated on 21st August, triggering a fresh wave of extreme rainfall, landslides, and cloudbursts, affecting Chamba, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Shimla, Kangra, and Hamirpur districts the most.”

He said the Chamba district is the worst-hit. No district is untouched by the devastation, with maximum damage is of roads, power infrastructure and drinking water schemes.

The impact of the cloudburst has been severe in several locations. In Rudraprayag district, six people went missing. Water levels of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers at their confluence are continuously rising. In Kedarnath Valley’s Lawara village, a bridge on the motor road was swept away by strong currents. The situation in Chenagad has also turned critical.

Looking at the large-scale devastation being faced by the state, former chief minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Shanta Kumar has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a special grant for the state.

In his letter to PM Modi, he mentioned that the Government of India has around ₹2 lakh crore belonging to people without heirs. He had written to the Prime Minister, along with the complete list from all banks and LICs. “This ₹2-lakh crore belongs to those people who had deposited money but died without any legal heirs. This entire wealth belongs to the nation,” mentioned Shanta Kumar in his letter.

Flood alert in Jammu & Kashmir

In Jammu, the Chenab River is flowing dangerously high after heavy rains and water release from dams.

The authorities have opened the spill gates at the 900-MW Baglihar hydroelectric project and 690 mw Salal hydroelectric project over the Chenab River.

The 250 km long Jammu-Srinagar national highway (NH 44) has also been closed for traffic movement following heavy rains.

“It’s been raining heavily almost along the entire stretch of NH-44 since wee hours. Apart from sinking zones created at Tharad and Balli Nullah due to incessant rains, there are reports of slides and shooting stones at Tharad, Samroli Chanderkote, Mehar, Monkey Morh, Digdol, Kishtwari Pathe etc. In view of heavy rains, landslides, mudslides and shooting stones, traffic movement has been stopped,” said a traffic police officer.

The pilgrimage to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra remained suspended for the eighth consecutive day on Tuesday, 2nd September, due to inclement weather conditions in Trikuta hills in Reasi district, said officials.

Since 26th August, when 34 Vaishno Devi pilgrims were killed and scores injured in a landslide near Adhkuwari, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has suspended the pilgrimage, said a police officer.

He informed that repair and restoration work was on but the pilgrimage remains suspended in view of rains.

“Only members of the shrine board staff and a few security personnel attend morning and evening Arti,” he said.

Home Minister Amit Shah at the Tawi Bridge in Jammu (Image via PTI)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently visited Jammu, while Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired a meeting to ensure that essential services were restored and public infrastructure was made safe.

Heavy rain forecast in Northeast

IMD issues heavy rain alert, Arunachal to see widespread showers this week. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday, 2nd September, issued a heavy rain alert for West Kameng district, warning that intense showers are “very likely” at isolated places by 3rd September.

According to the district-wise weather maps, Arunachal Pradesh is expected to see scattered to widespread rainfall over the next five days, with varying intensities across different regions.

This monsoon season has turned out to be one of the toughest in recent memory. From Punjab’s farms drowning under floodwaters to Uttarakhand’s cloudbursts sweeping away bridges, and from Delhi’s Yamuna crossing danger levels to Arunachal’s looming threats, large parts of the country are battling nature’s fury.

PM Modi likely to visit Manipur later this month, marking his first visit to the state since the ethnic violence in 2023

OpIndia Staff
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PM Modi likely to visit Manipur later this month, marking his first visit to the state since the ethnic violence in 2023

Prime Minister Modi is reportedly set to visit Manipur in the second week of September 2025. This is going to be the first visit of the Prime Minister in two years since the ethnic violence erupted in the state in May 2023. The state has been under the President’s rule since February 13, 2023.

The speculation about PM Modi visiting the state was strengthened after Manipur Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel chaired a meeting on Sunday (29th August), which was attended by several officials. In the meeting, which was described as a “preparatory meeting for the proposed VVIP visit in September 2025”, police were reportedly directed to beef up security arrangements at two venues- the Kangla Fort in Imphal (the traditional seat of power in Manipur) and the Peace Ground in Churachandpur (a Kuki-majority district).

In addition to that, a notice was issued by the Manipur DGP, directing that no leave should be granted to any official or personnel between the 7th and the 14th September, except in case of extreme emergencies. PM Modi is likely to inaugurate a railway project on 13th September in Imphal.

Kuki-Zo Council representatives hoping to meet the PM

According to reports, some Union Home Ministry officials will meet representatives of the Kuki-Zo insurgent groups on Wednesday (September 3, 2025), to decide on the extension of the suspension of operations (SoO) agreement, which was signed by the Central and the state governments with the Kuki National Organisation (KNO). The Manipur government withdrew from the tripartite pact on February 29, 2024.

Spokesperson of the Kuki Zo Council, Ginza Vaulzong, expressed hope that PM Modi will meet the representatives of the Kuki community. “If he is stopping by Manipur to understand our hardship and address our issues, then it will be very good. We expect him to sit with our leaders to understand our situation and demands. We also expect him to visit relief camps to see the hardships our IDPs (internally displaced people) face,” said Vualzong.

On June 9, 2025, the Union Home Ministry resumed talks with the Kuki-Zo SoO groups after a two-year gap since the ethnic violence, to renegotiate the SoO agreement with stricter ground rules. One of the conditions is reducing the number of SoO camps from the existing 14 camps to 7, away from the Meitei-dominated areas. The insurgent groups will reportedly hold talks with the Home Ministry Adviser (Northeast), A.K. Mishra, and Intelligence Bureau officials today (September 3, 2025). Ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit, the Kuki-Zo civil society groups are likely to unblock NH2 and NH37, which pass through the Kuki-Zo inhabited areas. NH2 and NH37 connect the landlocked Imphal valley to Nagaland and Assam, respectively. The highways, which are the key routes for the supply of essential commodities, have been blocked for the Meitei people for the last two years.

What is the SoO agreement

The Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement is a tripartite agreement, signed by the central government and the Manipur government with the Kuki National Organisation on August 22, 2008, to put a stop to hostilities by Kuki militant groups. Under the pact, 25 armed Kuki armed groups agreed to stop violence in all forms. The central and state governments also agreed not to use force (army, paramilitary, state police) against the signatory Kuki militant groups as long as they follow the terms of the agreement.

After the agreement, a Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) was formed comprising the principal secretary (Home), the inspector general of the additional director general (intelligence), representatives of the army, paramilitary forces and the home ministry. The group was to meet every month and see if the signatory militant groups were sticking to the terms of the agreement.

The terms of the agreement included-

  • The cadres of the signatory militant groups were to remain in designated camps.
  • The routine administration of the camp would be controlled by the groups staying therein.
  • A monthly stipend of ₹6,000 was paid to the cadres.
  • These camps will not be located near populated areas, the National Highways, or the international border.
  • The special branch of state police will be provided with a complete list of all the cadres, with details like names, date of birth and latest photographs.
  • All cadres will be issued identity cards.
  • Members of the groups, which move frequently, will be provided with different photo identity cards by the IGP (Intelligence) Manipur.

Some terms of the agreement have been revised over the years. The agreement has been extended every year since 2008, and its last extension ended on February 29, 2023.

Ethnic violence in Manipur

Violent clashes erupted between the Meitei community and the Kuki-Zo tribal community in Manipur after the Manipur High Court passed an order on March 27, 2023, directing the Manipur state government to submit recommendations to the Union government for the inclusion of Meitei in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list. The order was passed by the High Court on several petitions filed by Meitei activists seeking the said direction. The Kuki-Zo community was opposed to the conferment of ST status on the Meitei community. The ethnic violence involved killings, arson and incidents of sexual violence, resulting in around 260 deaths and 60,000 people being displaced.

‘Americans died for China’ – Trump fumes at Xi accusing him of conspiring with Russia and North Korea

OpIndia Staff
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‘Americans died for China’ – Trump fumes at Xi accusing him of conspiring with Russia and North Korea

As China hosted its largest-ever Victory Day parade on 2nd September marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, Nobel Peace Prize aspirant and US President Donald Trump could not hold back from claiming credit of China’s 1945 war victory against Japan. Trump published a post on Truth Social urging China to recognise the US’s role in securing China’s freedom.

“The big question to be answered is whether or not President Xi of China will mention the massive amount of support and “blood” that The United States of America gave to China in order to help it to secure its FREEDOM from a very unfriendly foreign invader. Many Americans died in China’s quest for Victory and Glory. I hope that they are rightfully Honored and Remembered for their Bravery and Sacrifice! May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration.” Trump wrote.

Source: Truth Social

Days after saying that strengthening ties of Russia and China with other nations does not pose a threat to the US, Trump accused Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korea’s dictator Kim Jong Un of ‘conspiring’ against the US.

“Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America,” Trump posted.

Interestingly, while Donald Trump expects Xi Jinping to give credit to the US for its ‘role’ in securing Japan’s surrender in 1945, the Chinese Communist Party does not even give proper credit to the Chinese leaders who fought and defeat the Japanese forces. It was the Republican government of China under the leadership of Chiang Kai-shek, who majorly fought the Japanese.

In fact, the communists were accused of attempting to grab power in the name of fighting the Japanese. The People’s Republic of China under CCP was formed in 1949 after ousting the Republicans following the latter’s defeat in the civil war. While the People’s Republic of China did not even exist in 1945, the CCP now pushes the narrative that somehow it was the communists who led the resistance. So, if Trump expects CCP-ruled China to give credit to the US for its victory, he is up for a big disappointment.

China’s Victory Day parade

China held a massive military parade on Tuesday (2nd September) to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were in attendance as Beijing exhibited its military prowess.

China showcased its HQ 9C missiles during the Victory Day Parade in Beijing. A version of the HQ-9 missile system has been acquired by Pakistan for its defence network. It purportedly saw action as per the Pakistan media in Operation Sindoor; however, it failed to protect Pakistani airspace from Indian missiles.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, terming the country “unstoppable,” assured its commitment to peaceful development. “China will adhere to the path of peaceful development. The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable, and humanity’s cause of peace and development will prevail,” Xi Jinping said.

Noting the conflicts around the world, Xi Jinping assured that China will firmly stand on the “right side of history” and will join hands to build a community with a shared future for humanity.

“Humanity is again faced with a choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, and win-win outcomes or zero-sum games. The Chinese people will stand firmly on the right side of history and on the side of human progress, adhere to the path of peaceful development, and join hands with the rest of the world to build a community with a shared future for humanity,” Xi said.

Congress’s hypocrisy on ‘Vote Chori’ deepens as Pawan Khera’s wife found with multiple voter IDs

Anurag
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Congress’s hypocrisy on ‘Vote Chori’ deepens as Pawan Khera’s wife found with multiple voter IDs

On 3rd September, fresh allegations have been made against Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera as his wife Kota Neelima has been found to have her name registered as a voter in three different polling stations across two states. According to the details shared by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya, Kota Neelima has her name registered in the electoral roll at three locations, two in Hyderabad, Telangana, and one in New Delhi’s Kaka Nagar constituency. The presence of her name in the electoral roll at two locations was confirmed by OpIndia.

According to the details shared by Malviya, in her 2023 affidavit, which was cross-checked by OpIndia, Neelima was registered as a voter in Khairatabad with EPIC number TDZ2666014. The EPIC number, according to Malviya, was at two polling booths.

Source: Election Commission of India

One was confirmed by OpIndia during an independent search on the Voter Helpline App and the other was confirmed while checking the details of the electoral roll available on the Election Commission of India’s website for the 2024 General Elections.

Source: Election Commission of India/Voter Helpline App

In addition, she holds another EPIC number SJE0755975 in New Delhi’s Kaka Nagar constituency, the same address as her husband Pawan Khera.

Source: Election Commission of India/Voter Helpline App

Duplicate voter IDs of Pawan Khera

This revelation follows the embarrassment of 2nd September when it was revealed that Khera himself had two EPIC numbers, one in Jangpura and another in New Delhi. Both were verified by OpIndia to be active. The controversy grew further when it was noted that even deletions for a deceased family member, Khera’s sister Roopam Khera, had not been carried out.

Rahul Gandhi’s silence and contradictions

Despite making “vote chori” a political slogan, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has not commented on the duplications involving his own close aides. Not to forget, he has been holding press conferences targeting common citizens, at times even revealing their identities without consent. His silence on the irregularities of Pawan Khera and Kota Neelima now stands in sharp contrast to his accusations against others.

Counter-allegations by Pawan Khera

Pawan Khera came into offence mode on the allegations of him having two EPIC numbers. In a post on social media platform X, Khera claimed that this is exactly what Congress has been accusing the ECI of. He demanded to see CCTV footage and asked who voted in his name as he, according to his claims, had applied for the deletion of his name from the New Delhi constituency. However, the post was later deleted and he reposted a video shared by ANI on the same.

A larger pattern of electoral irregularities

The duplications raise questions not just about individual lapses but about Congress’s larger relationship with electoral rolls. From Sonia Gandhi’s name appearing on voter lists before she became a citizen in 1980, to the recent duplications of its spokesperson and his wife, the pattern fits a history of Congress exploiting electoral systems while accusing others of malpractice.

Pakistan floods: Defence minister Khawaja Asif calls floodwaters a “blessing”, asks people to store them in tubs and containers

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan floods: Defence minister Khawaja Asif calls floodwaters a “blessing”, asks people to store them in tubs and containers

As Pakistan grapples with one of its worst flood disasters in recent memory, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has triggered a storm of criticism with a bizarre suggestion that citizens should treat floodwaters as a “blessing” and store them at home.

In a video clip amid the current monsoon deluge, Asif can be heard telling Dunya News: “People who are protesting against the flood-like situation should take the floodwaters home. They should store this water in tubs, in lakes, in containers. We should look at these waters in the form of a blessing and hence should store it.”

The remarks have resurfaced at a time when Punjab province is reeling under catastrophic rains. At least 33 people have died, 2,200 villages have been inundated, and more than 700,000 residents displaced. Thousands of livestock have also been moved to safer areas, but anger simmers among villagers in Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, and Kasur, who accuse the government of apathy.

Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) chief Irfan Ali Kathia admitted Punjab is facing one of its severest floods in history. Although water levels in the Sutlej River near Kasur have begun receding, officials fear fresh inflows could devastate downstream districts.

The national picture is even grimmer. Since late June, torrential rains and flash floods have killed more than 850 people and injured over 1,100, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). More than 9,000 houses have been damaged, over 2,000 completely destroyed, and tens of thousands forced into relief camps. Altogether, some 2.4 million people have been affected across Pakistan.

Yet, against this backdrop of misery, Asif’s so-called “bucket plan” has fueled widespread ridicule. With millions displaced and entire communities submerged, the suggestion to collect floodwater in tubs and buckets appeared grossly out of step with the magnitude of the crisis. Critics accused the government of trivialising the plight of citizens and failing to provide effective relief.

Meanwhile, authorities remain on high alert. Rising waters from the Chenab are expected to hit Multan soon, merging with inflows from the Ravi. The Panjnad River is forecast to peak around September 5, while the Sutlej continues to push dangerously high volumes toward Suleimanki and Head Islam barrages.

16 days, 23 districts, 1300 km, 67 constituencies: Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ set out to move mountains in Bihar, but only ended up undermining Tejashwi Yadav

श्रवण शुक्ल
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16 days, 23 districts, 1300 km, 67 constituencies: Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ set out to move mountains in Bihar, but only ended up undermining Tejashwi Yadav

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s controversial 16-day ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ has ended. This yatra covered 23 districts, 1300 kilometres and 67 assembly seats in poll-bound Bihar. While the purpose of this yatra was to gain public support and bolster I.N.D.I. Alliance by peddling the ‘Vote Chori’ (vote theft) bogey, its impact has been the exact opposite.

The Congress party which led this Voter Adhikar Yatra neither managed to win the trust of the people nor could unity be seen within the alliance. The controversy, mutual differences and the indifference of the local people during the yatra made it a topic of discussion. Let us understand every aspect of this yatra in detail.

Voter Adhikar Yatra and its failure

Rahul Gandhi started the Voter Adhikar Yatra from Sasaram, in which RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav was with him. Its aim was to make vote theft a big issue and tell the people of Bihar that their voting rights are in danger. In addition, this march’s aim was to demonstrate the unity of I.N.D.I. bloc and make Tejashwi Yadav the face for the post of Chief Minister in Bihar. However, both these goals could not be achieved.

The local people did not pay much attention to this yatra. Talking to Dainik Bhaskar, senior journalist Sanjay Kaushik says, “The biggest loss of the Voter Adhikar Yatra was in the selection of issues. The issue of vote theft could not resonate among the people of Bihar. People consider SIR (Special Electoral Registration) necessary, because they believe that the names of outsiders, infiltrators and dead voters should be removed from the voter list.” Due to this, Rahul Gandhi failed to garner local support.

OpIndia also covered Rahul Gandhi’s Voter Rights Yatra. During this, our team talked to the people. People not only rejected Rahul Gandhi’s visit, but also called Bihar SIR very important. The local people also seemed troubled by the influx and dominance of infiltrators.

The route map of the Yatra was also made keeping in mind the Muslim dominated areas, so that this community could be attracted towards the I.N.D.I. alliance. The Yatra which started from Sasaram, Rohtas passed through Aurangabad, Gaya, Wazirganj, Sheikhpura, Munger, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Purnia, Supaul, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Bettiah, then Gopalganj, Chhapra, Bhojpur and ended in Patna. But this strategy also did not work. Left parties were included in areas like Ara, but there too they could not gather large crowd.

Rahul Gandhi’s limelight hogging, rift in the alliance and its impact on Tejashwi Yadav’s image

RJD hoped that this yatra would make Tejashwi Yadav the face for the post of Chief Minister in Bihar, however, this did not happen. During the yatra, Rahul Gandhi drew all the attention towards himself, which damaged Tejashwi’s image. Talking to Dainik Bhaskar, senior journalist Nachiketa Narayan says, “Rahul Gandhi exposed the internal bitterness of the alliance by avoiding declaring Tejashwi as the face for the post of Chief Minister.”

In addition, tensions also emerged between RJD and Congress regarding seat sharing. Before the yatra, there was a discussion that Congress will not get even 40 seats in the Mahagathbandhan. But after the yatra, it seems that Congress can get some more seats. Despite this, no significant benefit is seen at the ground level.

Controversies sank the boat of Voter Rights Yatra

Many controversies during the yatra further weakened it. The biggest controversy arose over the participation of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. Stalin joined the yatra in Muzaffarpur on 27th August. But people remembered the old anti-Bihari and anti-Hindu statements of DMK leaders.

DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran had called people from Bihar and UP ‘toilet cleaners’, while Stalin’s son Udhayanidhi had called Sanatan Dharma a disease. BJP spokesperson Prabhat Malakar said, “This yatra was a yatra of insult to Bihar and Biharis. Rahul and Tejashwi travelled with people who questioned the DNA of Bihar.”

The second major controversy took place in Darbhanga, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was abused from the stage. Mohammad Rizvi was arrested in this case. The video of this incident went viral and the BJP made it an issue across the country.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said during his Assam visit, “Rahul Gandhi should apologize for the abusive words he used against PM Modi and his late mother.” PM Modi himself also raised this issue in front of the public. In such a situation, this controversy further damaged the credibility of the visit. Even Prime Minister Modi has condemned the abusive language used against his deceased mother and said that she had nothing to do with politics and yet the opposition leader insulted her. PM Modi added that insult to his mother, is insult to all the mothers in India.

Pappu Yadav and Kanhaiya Kumar’s role is limited, they remain on the backfoot

Leaders like Pappu Yadav and Kanhaiya Kumar were also included in the yatra, but their role was also not untouched by controversies. Pappu Yadav was used in Purnia, but later he was not even given a place on the stage. In Patna, he was seen sitting behind the stage, while he even called Tejashwi Yadav ‘Jananayak’. Kanhaiya Kumar was seen in the yatra in the beginning, but later disappeared.

RJD is still not ready to accept people like Pappu Yadav and Kanhaiya Kumar. In such a case, RJD did not accept both of them completely, due to which the gap of mutual distrust in the alliance has widened.

Disappearance of Tejashwi’s issues

RJD was hoping that this yatra would make Tejashwi Yadav the front face of the I.N.D. Alliance in Bihar, but the opposite happened. Rahul Gandhi hogged all the limelight. Due to this, differences also came to the fore between Congress and RJD that Rahul Gandhi dominated Tejashwi Yadav. Due to this, the conclusion of the yatra was changed and the yatra was ended in Patna in a very disappointing atmosphere.

There is a section of people in Bihar who has only read the stories of Jungle Raj, has only heard about that time, they have not lived through Jungle Raj. This class of voters has seen Nitish Kumar in power for 20 years. There was an anti-incumbency factor in this class of voters who did not know about Jungle Raj. This class was also looking towards Tejashwi Yadav as an option out of helplessness. They were looking at him in 2020 and are still looking at him.

This is the reason why Tejashwi Yadav used to talk about education, employment and all constructive issues. But the fake agenda of vote theft imposed by Congress made Tejashwi Yadav lose his issues and chance establish an impression in the minds of voters that he could be their leader. It is clear – Congress’s agenda of vote theft suppressed the issues Tejashwi Yadav could have played on.

Due to all this, the popularity of Tejashwi who was emerging among the new voters with the issues of education and employment also slipped out of the hands of Tejashwi and the Indy alliance. Nachiketa Narayan says, “Congress was successful in putting itself at par with RJD. Apart from this, it did not gain much. The issue of vote theft was rejected by the people. The evidence shown during the yatra either turned out to be wrong or the public did not accept it.”

What did the Indy Coalition get?

The I.N.D.I. Alliance got mixed benefits from the yatra. For the Congress, it was an opportunity to strengthen the organization. Sanjay Kaushik says, “The Congress organization in Bihar was almost finished. This yatra breathed new life into the workers.” But it is not clear how much benefit it will have in terms of votes.

The yatra was not a profitable deal for RJD. Talking to Dainik Bhaskar, senior journalist Manikant Thakur says, “This yatra did not prove to be a profitable deal for RJD. The only benefit it got was to prevent division of Muslim votes. Strategically, it suffered a loss.” However, Nachiketa Narayan believes that the chemistry between Rahul and Tejashwi can make seat sharing and vote transfer easier.

Smaller parties like CPI (ML) gained some benefit from this visit. Party general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya was seen with Rahul for the entire 16 days, which increased the importance of his party.

Has the political atmosphere of Bihar changed?

Out of the 67 assembly seats included in the route of the yatra, NDA had won 39 seats in 2020, while Congress had won only 9 seats. Rahul Gandhi had the challenge of breaking the strength of NDA on these seats, but it could not happen. A big rally was planned at Gandhi Maidan in Patna at the end of the yatra, but due to lack of crowd, it was converted into a roadshow. Rahul Gandhi soon left Bihar.

Lost more, gained less

Overall, the discussion that was there before this yatra that Congress will not get even 40 seats in the Indi alliance has changed after this yatra. Now it seems that Congress might snatch some more seats. However, it has also become clear from this yatra that even if Congress gets some more seats in the Indi alliance, it will not benefit them on the ground. Because despite being in the opposition for years, neither Congress nor RJD has any issue. In such a situation, it does not seem at all that Rahul Gandhi’s Voter Rights Yatra has made any significant difference on the ground.

India ushers in Semiconductor revolution: ISRO-built ‘Made-in-India chip ‘Vikram’ handed over to PM Modi. All you need to know

Rukma Rathore
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India ushers in Semiconductor revolution: ISRO-built ‘Made-in-India chip ‘Vikram’ handed over to PM Modi. All you need to know

India’s quest towards semiconductor self-reliance reached a significant milestone on 2nd September when Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw presented Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the country’s first domestically produced Vikram 32 bit processor chip at Semicon India 2025 in Delhi.

After PM Modi launched Semicon India 2025 alongside Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada, Vaishnaw additionally presented him with test chips of four projects that had been authorised. “Oil was black gold, but semiconductor chips are a digital diamond,” the prime minister stated, highlighting their crucial role in the country’s progress and development.

Vaishnaw conveyed, “Just a few years ago, we met for the first time to make a new beginning driven by our prime minister’s farsighted vision, we launched the India Semiconductor mission. In a short span of 3.5 years, we have the world looking at India with confidence. Today, the construction of five Semiconductor units is going on at a rapid pace. We just presented the first Made-in-India chip to PM Modi.”

He further emphasized, “We are living in unprecedented times. Global policy turmoil has created huge uncertainty. In these turbulent times, India stands as a lighthouse of stability and growth. In these uncertain times, you should come to India because our policies are stable.”

Vikram 32 bit chip and its features

The Vikram 32 (formally known as Vikram 3201) is the first 32-bit microprocessor that is completely indigenous. It is specifically made for rockets and satellites in contrast to the processors found in everyday devices like laptops and smartphones. It has been developed to survive the harsh conditions (temperatures from -55 degrees Celsius to +125 degrees Celsius) of rocket launches and space environment by the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) Chandigarh of the Indian Space Research Organisation.

The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre created the Vikram 32 chip which was manufactured at SCL’s 180nm (nanometers) CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) plant in Punjab’s Mohali. The 16 bit Vikram 1601 microprocessor which has been powering the space agency’s launch vehicles since 2009 has been replaced with it. The Kalpana 3201 chip and the new processor were officially included into the program in March.

The 32-bit structure on which the Vikram 32 is based enables it to process more data more effectively and can do intricate computations needed for satellite and aeronautical missions since it supports floating-point processing. A specially designed Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) for space applications is used by the processor.

The Ada language which is extensively utilised in aeronautical engineering is supported for programming. ISRO produced the compiler, assembler, linker and simulator, among other supporting software tools, domestically. Moreover, efforts are being made to include support for the C programming language.

Importance of Vikram 32 chip

Space-grade processors must endure radiation, high temperatures and launch vibrations They are not commercially available off-the-shelf devices. India has relied on foreign processors for numerous vital tasks up to this point. India obtained autonomy in this area with Vikram 3201 which lowers dependency on exports and supply chain interruptions.

The new version can process more data at once with increased accuracy owing to its 32-bit design. Its 64-bit floating-point capabilities are essential for precise navigation and trajectory computations. Ada programming language is commonly employed in aerospace systems that are crucial to safety.

It can be linked to other avionics modules of a rocket due to on-chip communication interfaces (1553B bus). It is made with 180-nanometer CMOS technology, a process node that is dependable for aerospace-grade applications despite being small by consumer electronics standards.

The Vikram 32 has been designed mainly for satellites and rockets but it is also applicable in other vital applications due to its sturdy construction. High-reliability energy systems, innovative automotive solutions, aeronautical technology and military systems are among its possible uses.

Space tests of the Vikram 3201 have already been completed. During its flight on the PSLV-C60 mission, it supplied power to the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module’s (POEM-4) Mission Management Computer. ISRO gained the confidence to pursue broader adoption after its successful in-orbit validation.

MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology) Secretary S Krishnan formally turned over the first production lots of Vikram 3201 and Kalpana 3201 to ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan on 5th March. The 32-bit SPARC V8 RISC microprocessor Kalpana was created to work with open-source toolchains. It employs a distinct design methodology while still accomplishing the same goal of indigenous capabilities.

Boost to “Make in india”

ISRO has created a whole ecosystem around Vikram 3201 to reduce reliance on imports, including Ada compilers, assemblers, linkers, simulators and integrated development environments. Furthermore, a C compiler is being developed to increase the flexibility of programming. India would retain control of the development tools and hardware required for mission-critical applications because of this integrated ecosystem.

The space agency unveiled four other domestic devices in addition to the Vikram 3201 with the goal of downsizing launch vehicle avionics: Two Reconfigurable Data Acquisition System (RDAS) variations, a Relay Driver IC and a Low Drop-out Regulator IC with multiple channels. All of these elements work together to minimise the burden placed on foreign electronics for launch vehicles.

Consumer to creator

The first “Made in India” chip is anticipated to be released by semiconductor manufacturer CG-Semi from the Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) pilot plant in Sanand, Gujarat. The initial plan to develop a semiconductor facility in Sanand was authorised by the Narendra Modi administration in 2023.

23 chip design projects have been approved under the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) program to assist inventors and companies. Businesses such as Vervesemi Microelectronics are producing cutting-edge chips for energy systems, electric vehicles, aerospace and defence, demonstrating India ambitious leap in the field.

The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) was started by the Indian government in 2021. It appears that in just three and a half years the mission has already paid off. Ten semiconductor manufacturing projects totalling over ₹1.60 lakh crore have been sanctioned by the government so far in six states: Gujarat, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Five more semiconductor units are already under construction.

Modern technology relies heavily on semiconductors. They supply vital systems for communication, transportation, healthcare, defence and space. Semiconductors are now essential to both economic security and strategic independence as the world becomes more automated and digitalised.

Although India now employs around 20% of the world’s chip design experts, the country’s manufacturing capabilities have not kept up with demand. Hence, Vikram 32 chip is a significant step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat (India that is self-sufficient) and lessens its reliance on imported microchips.

Semicon India 2025 

The goal of the three-day Semicon India conference which was launched in New Delhi is to improve the semiconductor ecosystem in the nation. The conference’s sessions will cover areas such as advanced packaging and semiconductor fabrication projects, infrastructure preparedness, research and artificial intelligence advancements, investment prospects, smart manufacturing and the execution of state-level policies.

Likewise, there will be dedicated sections on workforce development, international collaboration, the startup ecosystem, and the Design Linked Incentive program.

More than 2,500 delegates from 48 countries, 150 presenters and more than 350 exhibitors are among the more than 20,750 attendees of this year’s event. The program also includes pavilions and roundtables tailored to each countries. Greater Noida (2024), Gandhinagar (2023) and Bengaluru (2022) have hosted Semicon India conferences in the past.

Delhi Riots 2020: Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam prima facie had role in the larger conspiracy, says High Court

Anurag
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Delhi Riots 2020: Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam prima facie had role in the larger conspiracy, says High Court

On 2nd September, the Delhi High Court dismissed the bail application of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 anti-Hindu Delhi riots larger conspiracy case. The division bench of Justice Naveen Chawla and Justice Shalinder Kaur noted that at this stage, prima facie material exists to show both of them played a role in planning and mobilising protests that spiralled into riots. While rejecting the bail applications of Khalid and Imam, the court clarified that it was not going into the merits of the case but found no ground for parity with other accused who had been granted bail earlier, as the roles attributed to the two were of a different nature.

Court on early mobilisation after CAB

The Delhi High Court observed that in the events that unfolded soon after the Citizenship Amendment Bill was passed in December 2019, it was Khalid and Imam who allegedly took the first steps towards mobilising dissent. The judgment noted, “prima facie it appears that the appellants were the first ones to act after the CAB was passed in early December 2019, by creating WhatsApp groups and distributing pamphlets in the Muslim populated areas calling for protests and Chakka-Jaams, including the disruption of essential supplies.”

Source: Delhi High Court

The bench noted that the prosecution has alleged that there was a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, specifically the Muslim community, into believing that CAA and NRC were anti-Muslim laws. According to the court, this went beyond simple political opposition and was aimed at laying the groundwork for disruption.

Khalid and Imam described as intellectual architects of conspiracy

The court also emphasised the role of speeches delivered by Khalid and Imam, and observed that when considered together with other material, they revealed more than just routine political expression. During the hearing, the Solicitor General argued that Imam and Khalid were “the intellectual architects behind the entire conspiracy, working in tandem with the other co-conspirators.”

Source: Delhi High Court

Though the bench did not comment on the ultimate merits, it accepted that, prima facie, “the alleged inflammatory and provocative speeches delivered by the appellants, when considered in totality, prima facie indicates towards their role in the alleged conspiracy.”

The court was satisfied that the speeches could not be viewed in isolation. Such speeches had to be read in the wider context of coordination, mobilisation and disruption that the prosecution alleged was by design.

Physical absence not enough to negate role

The defence had strongly pressed the point that Sharjeel Imam had been in custody since January 2020 and therefore could not have had a role in the riots. In the case of Umar Khalid, he was also not present at the protest sites on the day of the riots. The High Court, however, dismissed this line of argument.

Source: Delhi High Court

The bench noted, “it is irrelevant whether the appellant was physically present at the protest sites or in meetings” that were held after 28th January 2020 as the key acts attributed to them, “initial planning, creation of groups, conceptualisation, and incitement regarding the CAA/NRC”, had already been completed.

The absence of Imam and Khalid, therefore, could not wipe away their involvement in the larger conspiracy behind the riots. The order concluded that “the mere absence of appellant Sharjeel Imam a few weeks prior to the ultimate riots, and the appellant Umar Khalid’s absence a day or two before, at this stage, may not be sufficient to mitigate their role, as they have been alleged to be the key conspirators in planning and designing the scheme of events.”

Bail rejected on distinct roles

While refusing bail, the court stressed that though it was not entering into a detailed evaluation of the evidence or the merits of the charges, bail could not be granted on parity. The court noted that unlike some other accused, including Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal, who had obtained bail, Khalid and Imam could not be granted bail as they stood on a different footing. Their actions, as recorded in the observations, showed a degree of planning and leadership that could not be equated with others.

Trump and Navarro’s unhinged policy against India invites domestic backlash: American media and commentators question anti-India stand

Shraddha Pandey
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Trump and Navarro’s unhinged policy against India invites domestic backlash: American media and commentators question anti-India stand

US President Donald Trump’s tariff war against India has backfired monumentally. Not only has India embarrassed Trump by stating that it will continue buying Russian oil, exposed US’s hypocrisy and its own profiteering off Russia-Ukraine war but also bolstered its ties with Russia and China. India’s resilience coupled with the unintended consequences of Trump tariffs, particularly, the consolidation of BRICS, has sparked backlash against Trump administration within the US media.

China buys most of Russian oil but faces no tariffs, Trump’s mindless ‘punishment’ to India brought RIC and BRICS together

Ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Summit, former US Trade Representative, Michael Fronman, appeared on CNBC TV’s show Squawk Box’ and discussed how and why of India’s drift away from China. When asked by anchor about how the US has for decades been trying to keep India away from China, but Trump’s 50 percent tariffs have brought India and China closer, Fronman said that since the Clinton administration, the US has “changed” the nature of Indo-US ties.

“The recent actions on tariffs have very much struck India by surprise to be among the highest tariff countries in the world…  This is Modi’s first trip to China in seven years, and it’s a direct reaction to the fact that Us imposed these tariffs. They don’t feel they can rely on the United States as a strategic partner going forward, and they’re exploring their other options with China and the other members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization… India’s been wondering why it’s facing a 25 percent tariff because of the oil it is buying from Russia, where China, which buys more oil from Russia, faces no such tariff,” Fronman said.

He added that while India and China have a lot of issues which are not going to get resolved anytime soon, India and China’s recent bonhomie is a “signal to the US and a very important domestic political signal for Modi that they are not going to be taken f or granted by the United States going forward.”

Interestingly, India knows why China gets a pass despite being the biggest buyer of Russian oil. The US cannot afford a discontinuation of the supply of rare earth magnets from China, and fearing that, Trump has on one hand threatened to impose 200 percent tariff if rare earth magnet supply is curbed, on the other, he has also said that the US is interested in bringing in 6 lakh Chinese students.

Pakistan bribed Trump by nominating him for Nobel Peace Prize, India got tariffed not dancing to Trump’s tunes: American podcaster criticises Trump’s ‘bromance’ with Pakistan

Popular American podcaster, ‘Speaknsee’, slammed the European leaders for having failed to reach out to Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the Russia-Ukraine war. He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him the “greatest of all time/G.O.A.T”. The podcaster compared the approval ratings of Western leaders, most of whom having their rating below 50% including Trump with a 45% positive approval rating, with PM Modi’s who has 72% approval rating. He went on to criticise Trump for his ‘bromance’ with Pakistan. He further asserted that Trump should stop daydreaming about Nobel Peace Prize, adding that “there’s no way that a phone call (by Trump) offering a deal can stop something (India-Pakistan conflict) like that magnitude.

The Speaknsee podcaster proceeded to say Pakistan has “bribed” Trump by nominating him for the Nobel prize, while Narendra Modi has never tried to bribe Trump to get things done his way.

Trump administration is a combination of “stupid and desperate” to bring India and China together and is isolating itself

A Dialogue Works discussion on 31st August, featuring American economists Richard D Wolff and Michael Hudson, garnered over 3 lakh views on YouTube. The discussion revolved around White House Trade Adviser, Peter Navarro’s unhinged rants against India, particularly, the one where Navarro called Russia-Ukraine war as “Modi’s war”.

Richard D Wolff called Navarro “not the sharpest knife in the drawer”, asserting that anyone have trade relations with Russia is in some way making money off that trade because that is why trade happens. Wolff pointed out that Russia is having trade with over 100 countries but only India gets singled out and targeted by Navarro.

Calling Navarro’s reasoning “stupid” Wolff said, “On that grounds, there should be an endless war of everybody against everybody because Mr. Mr. Putin would be able to say exactly the same thing about the United States and everybody who trades with the United States. You are providing uh profits for the United States which are taxed and used by the government to kill Russians in Ukraine.”

He went on to say that while Trump administration is blaming PM Modi and India for the Russia-Ukraine war, the war in Ukraine runs through Washington DC, which decided to push NATO to the frontier of Russia. Wolff stressed that in its quest to ‘punish’ the whole world, Canada and Mexico then and India now, the US is isolating itself.

Meanwhile, Michael Hudson also expressed his discontent over Trump’s approach towards India. He highlighted that American foreign political-economic policy has left out the political aspect, while India has not. Both Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have explicitly said that the 50% import tariffs are an attack on India’s sovereignty and freedom to have trade with whichever country it wants. PM Modi refuses Trump’s calls because he knows that Trump would want PM Modi to agree to his terms, which the Indian PM cannot.

Emphasising that since 1945, America has a policy of making other countries dependent on its grain exports to weaponize food and even got regime change operations executed in foreign countries for its own interests, Hudson said that the US want India to open its markets for American food exports. Hudson asserted that PM Modi is not going to comply with Trump’s demand. He added that is impasse has resulted in India’s pivot towards China despite having its own set of issues to resolve with Beijing.

“Trump has performed the act of peace by driving Russia and China together for the next generation.  Trump has now driven India together with China and Russia,” he said.

He speculated that while India was earlier seen as the “weakest link” in the BRICS giving India’s vicinity with the US in the technological arena, now with Trump’s failure to grasp the political aspect of the situation, Beijing and New Delhi might join hands to dominate equal halves of the Silicon Valley. He highlighted that PM Modi and the Indian people are nationalistic, and by neglecting this fact, Trump has achieved opposite results from his tariffs against India.

Meanwhile, Wolff opined that Trump is either “desperate” or “stupid” or a “combination of both, to be going after Indian exports and to be bringing together China and India, the two giants of future technology.

American conservative political commentator, Victor Davis Hanson, noted that India and the US have had good relations in the past. India’s geography and its democracy made it an ideal counterweight to a communist autocratic China. Indian immigrants coming to America have also been skilled and law-abiding rich minorities. However, the Indo-US relations nosedived after Donald Trump imposed 50 percent tariffs on India for buying Russian oil. He highlighted that despite traditionally getting benefits from the US, Trump’s tariffs have made India and China improve relations, while Russia has always been India’s ally. He added that even historically, the US was on the wrong side by supporting an Islamic Pakistan against a democratic India, which Russia backed.

“…my point is that it has strong ties historically with Russia and it’s developing ties with China and it’s pulling away from us (America)…” Hanson said and wondered how it is going to end.

Trump tariffs ruined America’s reputation

 The Daily Show put out a video in April this year, with the title “Trump’s Tariffs Ruined America’s Reputation. Does Anyone Still Respect Us?, wherein the anchor discussed how during his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly said that under his leadership, America will be ‘respected again’, however, the reaction of Chinese government and social media, French and Italians, Canadians, Polish, Singaporeans, Germans, Australians, and Britishers, shows that under Trump’s leadership, America has not gained but lost respect.

Trump worries more about Rose Garden patio in the White House than his policies

YouTuber Tim Miller for The Bulwarks criticised Donald Trump over his misplaced priorities as the latter put up a Truth Social post on 31st August, raging against the contractor for allegedly damaged newly installed stonework in the White House Rose Garden. Miller said that Trump’s focus on trivial issues over policy matters amidst speculations around his deteriorating health, raises the question whether Trump is even fit for the job.

Trump’s presidency is in chaos after tariffs struck down

Recently, American YouTuber Mallen Baker, published a video on YouTube, wherein he criticised Trump’s utilisation of tariffs as an economic bludgeon and political punishment weapon against India and Brazil for political, not economic, reasons. He asserted that with the US court saying that Trump exceeded his powers and authorities in slapping these arbitrary tariffs, Trump’s presidency will be left in chaos and invite embarrassment to the US, as all the tariffs will have to be paid back in the court upholds its decision against him.

Besides tariffs, Donald Trump unexpected reneging on his poll promise of releasing the Epstein Files has also triggered discontent among his supporter base. Trump supporter and popular radio show host, Alex Jones has slammed Trump over Epstein Files and also said that MAGA is turning out to be a “cult”.

The damage is done: India will no longer trust America, says Fareed Zakaria on CNN

The seriousness of the strain in Indo-US ties due to Trump’s tariff tirade against India can be understood from the fact that even known Modi detractor, CNN journalist Fareed Zakaria has said that the damage by the Trump administration is beyond repair and India will never trust the US.

Zakaria said two weeks back that Donald Trump’s sudden inexplicable hostility toward India reverses policies pursued under five administrations including his own previous one. “If it holds, this reversal may be the biggest strategic mistake of the Trump presidency so far.”

He highlighted that while India has over the years been cooperating with the US, Trump in his second term, has “undone decades of painstaking effort by American diplomats. He has placed India in the highest category of 12 countries, long with Syria and Myanmar, while placing Pakistan at just 19%and offering joint efforts to look for oil in that country.

Zakaria said that Trump hosted lunch for Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, his family backed firm has done crypto deal with Pakistan’s newly-created National Crypto Council and at the same time, called India’s economy ‘dead’ even as it is thriving. “India had slowly but surely been embracing closer ties with America. No more. Even if Trump reverses course once again,

the damage is done. The country is united in its shock and anger at Trump’s insulting behaviour,” he said.

Indeed, the damage is done. India has a long memory and Indians will never forget Trump’s ‘dead economy’ jibe and the anti-India rhetoric unleashed by his attack dogs Peter Navarro and Scott Bessent, who accused India of profiteering from Russia Ukraine war even as US has profiteered the most, and continue to vilify New Delhi.

Donald Trump was already facing backlash for having backtracked from his promise of releasing the Epstein Files. Now the unintended consequences of his tariffs against India, especially what is said to be the revival of the Russia-India-China troika, consolidation of BRICS and needless antagonization of the only country which has been an effective counterweight to China, has added to his slumping popularity. The American angst against Trump is comprehensible given Trump promised MAGA – ‘Make America Great Again’ but ended up delivering ‘Make Asia Great Again’.

Uttar Pradesh: Nihal abducts minor Hindu girl, converts victim to Islam and marries her off to Maulvi, abuses victim’s father as ‘kafir’ and attempts to lynch him

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Nihal abducts minor Hindu girl, converts victim to Islam and marries her off to Maulvi, abuses victim’s father as ‘kafir’ and attempts to lynch him

A disturbing case of kidnapping and religious conversion of a minor Hindu girl has come to light in the Konia area of Adampur police station in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

A case has been registered against four accused, including an unidentified person, at the direction of the Commissioner of Police, Mohit Aggarwal.

According to reports, the father wrote to the Commissioner of Police, informing him about the kidnapping and religious conversion of his daughter and requested legal action against the accused.

The complainant said that the accused Nihal, a resident of Konia, had kidnapped his daughter three months ago. When the complainant came to know about this, he confronted Nihal and demanded the release of his daughter.

However, Nihal dismissed him, saying that his daughter had been converted to Islam and was married to a Maulvi. He reportedly referred to the complainant as ‘Kafir‘ and said that he would send him to ‘Jahannum‘ (hell).

Nihal told the father of the victim that now his daughter belonged to them and would not return. Nihal’s father, Abbu Shareef, brother, Lalu, and a few other relatives threatened to kill the complainant.

Soon, a mob of around 200 people surrounded the victim’s father and tried to lynch him. He somehow managed to escape from there and save his life.

The father alleged that he informed the local police at the Kazzakpura police post and the Adampura police station, but was turned away without any help.

The disheartened father finally appealed to the Commissioner of Police, Mohit Aggarwal, for help. On Monday (1st September), the Commissioner of Police ordered the filing of the FIR, after which the police sprang into action.

Two people were arrested by the police, including Nihal and a woman, in connection with the case late on Monday (1st September).

The police are looking for the father and the brother of Nihal, who are on the run. The accused have been booked under Section 137(2), 351(2), 352, and 191(2) of the BNS and Section 5(3) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.

The police have assured to take strict legal action against the accused and rescue the girl. An investigation is currently underway.

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