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IIT-Bombay students demand termination of professor who invited pro-Hamas speaker, create ruckus over Devdutt Pattanaik’s lecture

OpIndia Staff
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IIT-Bombay students demand termination of professor who invited pro-Hamas speaker, create ruckus over Devdutt Pattanaik’s lecture

Today (Saturday, November 12), the students of IIT Bombay and volunteers of a student organisation called Vivek Vichar Manch protested at the main entrance of IIT Bombay. The protest was organized to demand the immediate termination of Prof Sharmistha Saha, who had according to the students, used her “position” to invite radical leftist Sudhanva Deshpande, a radical leftist actor-director who glorified Hamas terrorists during his talk.

X handle ‘IIT B for Bharat’, claimed to be operated by a group of IIT-B students also wrote, “The students & alumni of @iitbombay along with volunteers of @VivekVicharMnch strongly protested against the glorification of terrorists in IITB classrooms. While vehemently condemning the abuse of academic freedom to whitewash acts of terror, they demanded the permanent termination and arrest of Prof Sharmistha Saha and Sudhanva Deshpande.

IIT-Bombay students create ruckus as varsity invites author Devdutt Pattanaik

Prior to this, a group of students of the IIT Bombay created a ruckus on Friday, November 10. They were protesting against the varsity for inviting author Devdutt Pattanaik on the campus to deliver a lecture.

Devdutt Pattanaik is well-known for misinterpreting Hindu scriptures and has a history of hurling sexist, misogynist and sexual abuses frequently on social media. Contending that Devdutt Patnaik’s lectures are unnecessary and pointless, students of IIT Bombay said that many students have gone home for Diwali and the varsity taking advantage of the skeleton population on campus, organised the event.

Meanwhile, on Friday, volunteers of a student organization called Vivek Vichar Manch also wrote to the Mumbai Police Commissioner saying that a group of people are engaged in polluting the environment of the college campus. They urged the commissioner to take action against “elements” who were “vitiating the campus’ environment” and “instigating students” by adopting “divisive policies”. 

IIT-Bombay student files police complaint against professor for inviting radical leftist Sudhanva Deshpande

All of this came after, it was reported on November 8 that a student of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) filed a police complaint for allegedly extending an invitation to a pro-Hamas activist to give a talk at the institute.

According to the media report, a student of IIT Bombay named Omkar Supekar is a witness and complainant. Supekar has reportedly filed a complaint seeking action against Professor Sharmishtha Saha. It is alleged that Prof Shah invited Sudhanva Deshpande to conduct the lecture. Notably, Deshpande is an actor/director associated with Jana Natya Manch and is seen as a radical leftist. 

It is alleged that Deshpande supported Hamas and terrorists during the talk. Highlighting this, the complainant has sought action against him. 

The lecture reportedly was given on Monday (November 6), when incidentally the Vice President of India was also invited to a separate lecture in the institute.

IIT-Bombay cancels Prof Achin Vanaik’s lecture on Israel-Palestine conflict

It is important to note that on 7th November, the IIT Bombay announced the cancellation of a talk that was slated to be held earlier on Monday but was postponed to Tuesday. The proposed talk which now stands cancelled would have been given by the controversial Professor-turned-activist Achin Vanaik who recently courtesy controversy for his pro-Hamas and anti-Hindu remarks in the garb of giving a lecture on ‘Israel-Palestine conflict and its history’.

Loser Babar Azam and company: Pakistanis slam cricketer after he goes shopping before crucial match against England

OpIndia Staff
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Loser Babar Azam and company: Pakistanis slam cricketer after he goes shopping before crucial match against England

Ahead of the crucial World Cup match between Pakistan and England, Babar Azam was spotted shopping at the South City Mall in Kolkata.

As per reports, the Pakistani skipper bought 7 sarees, clothes from a Zara store and a pair of shades on Thursday (9th November). He was accompanied by fellow cricketer Imam-ul-Haq.

The development came a few days after Babar Azam denied media reports about going on a shopping spree. After photos and videos from the South City Mall emerged on Thursday (9th November), Pakistani netizens lambasted the cricketer for wasting time ahead of the match against England.

Screengrab of the tweet

One Aaliya wrote, “Who goes out for shopping before their match? Only Babar and Imam. They are not at all serious about the World Cup. They want to lose their last chance to stay afloat in this competition. And here we are praying for them like illiterates. We seem more concerned about the match than the players.”

It must be mentioned that Pakistan will face England on Saturday (11th November). The said match will be their last chance to stay alive in the 2023 edition of the World Cup.

Other social media users also expressed anger at the casual attitude of the Pakistani skipper. “Loser Babar Azam and company,”

“Zimbabar for a reason,” wrote Ameer Hamza, reiterating the fact that Babar Azam’s dominating performance comes only against weak team such as Zimbabwe.

“After denying ‘shopping rumours’, Babar Azam goes on a shopping spree in Kolkata along with their teammates…Our team be like: Semi-final is anyway out of reach so let us go shopping instead,” mocked one Sara.

While sharing a picture of Babar Azam from Kolkata’s South City Mall, one Pakistani X (formerly Twitter) user stated, “He is shopping in preparation for his journey back home.”

“Babar Azam is fulfilling his shopping objective,” slammed another Pakistani user.

“And here I was expecting they will be in the nets preparing for the match what happened to you?” inquired one Kaneez Fatima.

“If they lose the match against England, then, they will have to return to Pakistan. Hence, Babar Azam is shopping in advance,” exclaimed one Komal Ansari.

Babar Azam rejected reports about shopping

Earlier on 6th November this year, the Pakistani skipper through his representative agency Saya Corporation rejected media reports about shopping in India.

“We vehemently reject the utterly false reports circulating on certain media platforms suggesting that Kaptaan Babar Azam engaged in clothing and jewellery shopping in India amidst the ongoing World Cup…This news comes as a surprise to him as well,” the statement from the Saya Corporation read.

“We categorically refute these baseless claims and implore such media outlets to exercise diligent fact-checking before participating in any dissemination of misinformation, disinformation, or propaganda,” it further claimed.

Pakistan knocked out of World Cup after Jos Buttler chose to bat, making it impossible for Babar Azam’s team to qualify 

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan knocked out of World Cup after Jos Buttler chose to bat, making it impossible for Babar Azam’s team to qualify 

The ongoing Cricket World Cup 2023 taking place in India has entered its last leg with just three matches remaining to play in the league phase. Nonetheless, the outcome of the remaining league matches will have virtually no impact on the tournament, as the fixtures for the two semifinals are practically certain barring just mathematical impossibilities raked merely for the sake of speculative challenge.  

Pakistan had a very very slim chance of remaining in the tournament ahead of their match today against England, but that chance disappeared even before the first bowl was bowled. Evidently, England Captain Jos Butler pulled the curtain down on the Pakistani Cricket team which was hoping to make it to the First Semi-final against India after running down the English side with a mammoth margin. However, Butler opted to bat first after winning the toss and trampled the remaining hopes of Babar Azam’s team. Now, Pakistan would have to chase down whatever target England set for them in a few dozen balls only, which is an impossibility.  

Currently, Kane Williamson-led New Zealand with 5 wins to their name are well poised on the fourth in the points table. Pakistan with 8 points and playing their last match against England is placed fifth in the tally with their Net Run rate (NRR) undoing their World Cup campaign even if they pull their last match against resurgent England. 

With a substantial +0.7 net run rate advantage, the New Zealand team has not only pushed Pakistan to match its 10 points but has also set forth an uphill challenge. Bridging this gap presents a herculean task for Pakistan, with mathematical calculations indicating the seeming impossibility in an international game. Additionally, the opponent side, aware of these probabilities in advance, may strategically play the role of a potential spoiler.   

Based on the ICC calculation, Pakistan faces the challenge of chasing specific targets within tight timeframes: 100 runs in 2.5 overs, 150 runs in 3.4 overs, 200 runs in 4.3 overs, and 300 runs in 6.1 overs. This scenario implies that for every fifty-run increment to the target England sets, they’ll have only a few balls—less than an entire over—to achieve the required scoring, increasing the extent of impossibility. 

(Image Source – ICC/Hotstar)

With 150+ on the board for England and the projected score showing 300+, Pakistan would have to come all guns blazing and chase down the total in 37 oddballs. However, smacking each ball for six will only yield them 222. Simply put, in all certainty, India and New Zealand will square off in the first semi-final to be played in the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 15th November. With the second semi-final to be played between South Africa and Australia, it has virtually revived its old invincibility spirit going into the Semis. The second semi-final will be played in Eden Garden, Kolkata on 16th November, from 2 PM onwards. 

It is important to note that in the early phase of their campaign, the Pakistani cricket team made headlines more for their political stands, tantrums, and off-the-pitch rivalry with their own cricket board officials putting it way behind the touchline to qualify for the semis on their own.

Land-for-jobs scam: ED arrests Lalu Prasad Yadav’s close aide Amit Katyal, his ‘office’ in Delhi used as residence of Tejashwi Yadav

OpIndia Staff
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Land-for-jobs scam: ED arrests Lalu Prasad Yadav’s close aide Amit Katyal, his ‘office’ in Delhi used as residence of Tejashwi Yadav

On Saturday, 10th November, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Amit Katyal, a promoter of AK Infosystems, in the land-for-railway jobs scam case during the tenure of Lalu Prasad Yadav as Union Railway Minister. Amit Katyal is alleged to be a close associate of RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi Yadav. Both the father-son duo are accused in the land-for-jobs scam.

Amit Katyal’s company, according to the investigation agency, was implicated in money laundering in the land-for-job scam. In conjunction with the matter, the anti-money laundering agency and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have been investigating the company, AK Infosystem. The company is alleged to be a “beneficiary’ in the scam.

Katyal had already received repeated summonses from the agency, and officials said he had been evading them for almost two months.

According to the ED, Katyal’s premises in Delhi’s New Friends Colony were declared as an AK Infosystem office but are being used as a residence by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.

According to media reports, the Delhi High Court recently refused Katyal’s request to cancel the ED summons in this matter. In March, the ED raided Katyal’s home, as well as those of Lalu Prasad, Tejashwi Yadav and others.

“The property has been though, on paper declared as office of M/s A B Exports Private Limited and M/s AK Infosystem Pvt ltd, it is being exclusively used as residential premises by Tejasvi Prasad Yadav, son of Lalu Prasad Yadav,” the ED said.

In July this year, ED seized assets of AK Infosystem and another company linked to the Yadav family.

Land for jobs scam

It may be recalled that the CBI initiated a preliminary enquiry in September 2021 into the charges that when Lalu Prasad Yadav was the railway minister during UPA 1, he obtained benefits in the form of the transfer of property in the names of his family members in exchange for the appointments of substitutes in Group “D” posts in various Railway zones. CBI had found that a number of residents of Patna obtained jobs in the Railways in different zones in the country after they had gifted, or sold at very low prices, lands in Patna, Delhi and other places, to Lalu Prasad Yadav’s family or to a company controlled by the family. AK Infosystems Private Limited is alleged to be one such company.

The ED case, which was brought under the criminal provisions of the PMLA, stems from the case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). According to the CBI, there was no advertisement or public notice for the employment issued, but certain Patna residents were employed as substitutes in various zonal railways in Mumbai, Jabalpur, Kolkata, Jaipur, and Hazipur.

Israel-Hamas War: Missile that hit Shifa Hospital was a misfire by Palestinian terror outfit, reveals IDF

OpIndia Staff
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Israel-Hamas War: Missile that hit Shifa Hospital was a misfire by Palestinian terror outfit, reveals IDF

On 10th November (Friday local time), a missile struck the premises of the notorious Shifa Hospital in Gaza City which according to Israeli Defence Forces has been housing critical terror infrastructure of Hamas underneath. Immediately after the missile blast, Hamas-run media blamed Israeli forces for the missile strike. 

However, the IDF revealed that the hospital building was hit by a Palestinian outfit’s missile that misfired. According to the IDF, intense fighting had been going on in the vicinity of the Shifa Hospital and when the Hamas terrorists tried to hit Israeli defence personnel, one of their missiles misfired hitting their own ‘Military HQ’ guised underneath the Shifa Hospital.   

Speaking on Friday’s missile attack on Shifa Hospital, the IDF’s Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee said that the blast at the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City was caused by an errant missile launched by a Palestinian terror group. Citing “an analysis of the IDF’s operational systems,” Adrae asserted that the terrorists were trying to target Israeli forces operating near the hospital, missed and struck the medical centre itself. 

Apart from Shifa, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society claimed that Israeli snipers had also shot at Al-Quds hospital in which at least one person lost his life. However, no independent organisation has validated its claims so far.

But it is important to note that Israel has maintained that they will not restrain and kill terrorists if they attack their soldiers from hospitals, schools, or religious buildings. 

The military spokesman Richard Hecht said Israeli forces would “kill” Hamas militants if they saw them “firing from hospitals”. 

Taking to X, IDF stated, “An examination of IDF operational systems indicates that a misfired projectile launched by terrorist organizations inside the Gaza Strip hit the Shifa Hospital. The misfired projectile was aimed at IDF troops operating in the vicinity.”

It also released a picture highlighting the trajectory of the missile that struck Shifa Hospital, as detected by IDF radar systems. 

Strikingly, earlier as well, Israel had busted Hamas propaganda run by several International media houses about its claim that Israel struck Al-Alhi Hospital in Gaza killing around 500 civilians. However, the IDF released images, telephonic conversations between Hamas terrorists, and other evidence highlighting that it was a Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket that misfired and struck Al-Alhi Hospital and that the death count was fudged. 

According to media reports, another blast took place at Gaza City’s Al-Buraq school killing dozens which reportedly included Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s granddaughter. However, Israel has not commented on that blast.

Meanwhile, on Friday night (10th November local time), the IDF announced that the 401st Brigade had destroyed Outpost “Badr” of Hamas’s Shati Battalion, leading to 150 terrorists being killed in the terrorist stronghold. The “Badr” Outpost is the main outpost of the Shati Battalion located near a refugee camp and civilian buildings.

The assault team of the 401st Brigade launched an attack on the area of the Shati Battalion and during the days of fighting, the IDF eliminated about 150 terrorists and gained control over Hamas’s strongholds in the northern Gaza Strip.

Earlier on 9th November, the IDF troops announced that they had captured a major Hamas stronghold in west Jabaliya, just north of Gaza City, as they pushed further into the heart of Gaza City where the terror group is believed to have its underground headquarters.

Benjamin Netanyahu hits back at Emanuel Macron for saying ‘Israel must stop bombing civilians’

On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron gave an interview to the BBC at his official residence in which he asked Israel to “stop” killing women and children in Gaza. 

During the interview, Macron maintained that Israel had the right to protect itself after the 7th October massacres carried out by Hamas terrorists. He added that France “clearly condemns” the Hamas-led cross-border attack in which Palestinian terrorists killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 240 hostages. 

Speaking on the sidelines of an international peace forum in Paris, Macron said, “We do share [Israel’s] pain. And we do share their willingness to get rid of terrorism. We know what terrorism means in France.” 

However, the French President insisted that there was “no justification” for the bombing of civilians. He added, “It’s extremely important for all of us because of our principles, because we are democracies. It’s important for the mid-to-long run as well for the security of Israel itself, to recognize that all lives matter.” 

Claiming that there was “no justification” for Israel’s bombing, Macron further added, “De facto – today civilians are being bombed. These babies, these women, these old people are being bombed and killed. So there is no reason for it and no legitimacy. So we do plead with Israel to stop.” He also hoped that other Western leaders would also join him in making this appeal.

However, Macron’s remarks met swift pushback from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who asserted that World leaders should condemn Hamas and not Israel. He also argued that the blame for the civilian deaths lies squarely with Hamas terrorists. 

In a statement released from his office, Netanyahu likened Hamas to the Jihadi terrorist outfit ISIS. He said, “While Israel is doing everything to refrain from harming civilians and calling on them to leave areas of fighting, Hamas-ISIS is doing everything to prevent them from leaving for safe areas and is using them as human shields.” 

Netanyahu added that Hamas is “cruelly holding our hostages — woman, children and the elderly — in a crime against humanity” and “uses schools, mosques and hospitals as terror command centers.”

He asserted that the responsibility for harming civilians lies with Hamas and not with Israel. 

Warning the world leaders about the possibility of this happening in their own backyard if not acted timely and appropriately, Netanyahu added, “These crimes that Hamas-ISIS is coming today in Gaza, will tomorrow be committed in Paris, New York and everywhere around the world. World leaders must condemn Hamas-ISIS and not Israel.”

Indian couple behind New York hate crime involving anti-Semitism and covering up of pictures of Israeli hostages held by Hamas: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Indian couple behind New York hate crime involving anti-Semitism and covering up of pictures of Israeli hostages held by Hamas: Details

An Indian couple has been identified as the suspects behind the New York hate crime involving the covering up of pictures of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in New York and harassing a Jewish man, The Post Millennial journalist Andy Ngô revealed on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The incident, which took place on Nov. 9 near 68th St. and Riverside Blvd., involved the individuals Kurush Mistry and Shailja Gupta, both Indian nationals, harassing a Jewish man. They were also observed concealing photos of civilians kidnapped by Hamas with signs reading “OCCUPIERS FACE CONSEQUENCES.”

When a Jewish man accosted the couple for removing the pictures of Hamas captives and started recording them, they allegedly asked him to “return to his country”, with the woman, identified as Shailja Gupta, claiming to hail from Palestine herself. Journalist Andy Ngô had shared the video of the incident.

Ngô subsequently shared an update stating that he had identified the two people who were racially harassing a Jewish man in New York city and covering up photos of civilians kidnapped by Hamas with “OCCUPIERS FACE CONSEQUENCES” signs. “They are husband and wife Kurush Mistry and Shailja Gupta. The two Indian nationals told the American Jewish man to “go back to [his] country.” Shailja claimed to come from Palestine,” he tweeted along with the pictures of the couple Kurush Mistry and Shailja Gupta, both of whom are of Indian descent.

The video of the incident quickly went viral on the internet, igniting discussions about anti-Semitism and hate speech in the city. As of now, the NYPD has not issued a statement regarding potential charges or any further actions.

While the couple has so far not released any statement on the incident, an X user provided further insight into the woman accused of anti-Semitism and harassment on the streets of New York. The X user, who goes by @YearOfTheKraken, tweeted that the woman in question, Shailja Gupta, is the same person who made merchandise for Shah Rukh Khan-starrer superhero movie Ra.One.

In a subsequent tweet, the X user shared Shailja Gupta’s interview where she revealed that Shah Rukh Khan not only threw open the doors of his post-production facility in Mumbai for her movie ‘Walkaway’ which was released in 2010, but he had also offered financial assistance to her for the completion of her movie.

Besides being charged with anti-Semitism, Gupta has also been deeply Hinduphobic. Ahead of the Indian festival of Rakshabandhan in 2021, Gupta took to Facebook to characterise it as a ‘sexist holiday’. She insinuated that Rakshabandhan was a “Goldmine for child labour” and a “yet another opportunity to pivot the emotional festival into Export Cash Cow.”

Besides Shaija, the man who harassed the Jewish man in the viral video is reportedly identified as her husband, Kurush Mistry. Mistry hails from Chennai and is working as an Oil Analyst at Freepoint Commodities, as per her Facebook page which appears dormant, given that the last post it had was from May 2017.

As per his Facebook page, Mistry is an IIM Ahmedabad pass-out and has worked as a Commodities Trader at Morgan Stanley.

On October 7, armed Hamas terrorists raided the southern border areas of Israel, killing people with abandon and taking captives with them. According to reports, over 240 Israelis have been abducted and taken to Gaza after the October 7 attack, which also led to the deaths of 1,400 Israelis, triggering a national mourning and subsequent Israeli retaliation against the Hamas terrorists.

Since then, propagandists and Hamas sympathisers around the world have tried to downplay the attacks on October 7 that triggered the Israeli retaliation and blamed the Netanyahu government and Israelis by dehumanising them as “settlers” and “occupiers” as a means to justify the attacks against them and hold them instead responsible for Hamas’ depravity.

Pakistan’s move to expel Afghan refugees will increase Afghanistan’s mistrust towards Pakistan: Taliban spokesperson

ANI
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Pakistan’s move to expel Afghan refugees will increase Afghanistan’s mistrust towards Pakistan: Taliban spokesperson

As Pakistan forcefully expelled Afghan refugees, Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said that this move will increase the mistrust of the Afghans toward Pakistan, TOLO News reported.

He further denied the presence of terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan.

Mujahid’s reaction comes after the Balochistan caretaker information minister Jan Achakzai claimed that their government would start the same campaign against those living with legal documents in Pakistan with the “state’s decision.”

“And no one should be mistaken. This is the decision of a ‘sovereign state’ to repatriate all illegal immigrants. So any political government comes to power after the elections, this process will continue. The new government will be bound to follow this policy,” he added, according to Dawn.

However, earlier Achakzai called on the Afghan officials to hand over the refugees coming to Afghanistan from across the Durand Line, according to TOLO News.

Furthermore, he stated that the Afghan soil is used against Pakistan.

However, the Taliban spokesperson denied Achakzai’s remarks and said that Afghan soil is not used against anyone, TOLO News reported.

“Some of the actions, remarks and movements by Pakistan cause hatred among the people of Afghanistan and they will doubt its (Pakistan’s) government, complain, and even hate Pakistan. We don’t want such space because it causes damage to both sides,” Mujahid added.

Meanwhile, the president of Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Pakistan, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, called for the formation of a joint commission between Kabul and Islamabad to facilitate the deportation of the Afghan refugees, according to TOLO News.

He added that the issue of Afghan refugees is a bilateral matter and that a unilateral decision in this regard will affect Kabul-Islamabad relations.

Moreover, Pakistan has been continuously blaming Afghanistan for the surge in terror attacks in their country, TOLO News reported.

After Pakistan announced a deadline for undocumented Afghans to leave the country, around 2,00,000 Afghans have returned home via the Torkham border, The News International reported.

The rise in repatriations comes after the Pakistan government ordered 1.7 million Afghans, “living illegally” in the country, to leave or face deportation, Dawn reported.

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

Diara Ghat: The place where Lord Ram celebrated Diwali for the first time ever and initiated the Deepdaan tradition

श्रवण शुक्ल
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Diara Ghat: The place where Lord Ram celebrated Diwali for the first time ever and initiated the Deepdaan tradition

Ayodhya, the holy city where Lord Ram was born, becomes a mesmerising spectacle during Diwali. For every Hindu, Ayodhya holds special significance on Deepavali. It ties us all together because of its connections to Lord Shri Ram. Every year, on this auspicious occasion, lakhs of diyas (earthen lamps), illuminate the ancient city of India, creating a surreal atmosphere that resonates with the essence of the festival. When it comes to lighting lamps on Diwali in Ayodhya, not just one, but several world records are set and shattered every year.

Decked heavily with around 24 lakh earthen lamps, the UP government is this year planning to create a new Guinness World Record, breaking last year’s record of lighting 15.76 lakh diyas across 37 ghats of Sarayu river.

Today, as Hindus across the world gear up to celebrate the most revered festival, let us talk about some interesting lesser-known facts about Diwali or Deepavali. Not a lot of people are aware of the place where Diwali was celebrated for the first time ever and from where Lord Shri Ram initiated the lamp donation or Deepdaan tradition. This historical place is called the Dyara or Diara Ghat, situated in the Sultanpur district next to Ayodhya.

The ancient name of Sultanpur was Kushbhavanpar. Kushbhavanpur got its name from Kush, who was the son of Lord Ram. A traditionally held belief is that Lord Ram’s son Kush founded the city situated on the banks of the river Gomti. Diara Ghat, located on the banks of the Gomti River, also known as the “Adi Ganga,” is roughly thirty kilometres from the district headquarters. This is the location where Diwali was celebrated for the first time ever, even before it was celebrated in Ayodhya.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shri Ram, who reached the Diara Ghat after defeating the King of Lanka, Ravana, had offered the first lamp at this place. Not only did the locals take part in the lamp donation ceremony to commemorate the safe homecoming of Shri Ram, Lakshman, and Sita from Lanka, but also the people of Ayodhya who had travelled from their hometown to welcome their Lord Ram. The fact that the festival of lights is thought to have originated in their town still makes the surrounding locals extremely happy.

Lord Ram rested at Hari Shyani

Legend has it that before giving away the lamp Lord Shri Ram had bathed in Dhoop. After that, Lord Ram rested in a village called Harishayani. It is believed that the village was named Harishayni because ‘Hari’ means Lord Vishnu, and Lord Ram is the seventh avatar of Vishnu and ‘Sayan’ means sleeping or to sleep.

The district gazetteer has also referred to all of this. The residents of Harishayani village still count themselves lucky to have welcomed Lord Rama as their guest.

Yogi government brought about significant change in the situation, raising hopes for a bit more!

For the commencement of Diwali, there is nothing more historic or sacred than Diara Ghat. The development of this ghat would enhance the Diwali festival’s grandeur and appeal. However, the government should put in more effort to develop this ghat.

Locals complain that the UP government, which is busy making arrangements for Deepotsav in Ayodhya, is ignoring Sultanpur’s Diara Ghat. Even though Diara’s conditions have improved significantly since Yogi’s administration took office, much work still has to be done. We would like to inform you that a concrete road has been constructed all the way to the Diara ghat.

Significance of Diwali in Diara Ghat

Every year, on the eve of Diwali, Deepotsav is also celebrated at the Diara Ghat, however, it is done in a much simpler way here compared to the one organised in Ayodhya.

Locals say that the government should take the initiative to develop this place as well so that it can become a centre of attraction for tourists. They want the Yogi government to build a grand Ram Mandir, like the one being made in Ayodhya, here too. Besides, locals say that the government should organise Deepotsav in Diara as well as this place holds equal historical and spiritual significance if not more than Ayodhya.

Israel revises death toll in October 7 Hamas terror attack from 1,400 to 1,200, mix-up with killed terrorists could be the reason

OpIndia Staff
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Israel revises death toll in October 7 Hamas terror attack from 1,400 to 1,200, mix-up with killed terrorists could be the reason

The govt of Israel on Friday announced that it has revised the death toll of the October 7 Hamas attack from around 1400 to roughly 1200 people. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lior Haiat provided the revised number. The update comes as Israel continues to identify the victim of the massacre last month.

Lior Haiat didn’t provide details on the reason for revising the number of victims. But it is likely that some people included as victims have been now identified as Hamas terrorists. It is notable that Israel has said that around 1,500 Hamas terrorists were killed in Israeli response to the terror attack on October 7. This meant the authorities had almost 3000 dead bodies to process and identify.

Israeli authorities have continued for the past month their work to identify the victims of Hamas’s massacre in southern Israel in the surprise attack by land, air and sea. Thousands of Hamas terrorists had broken through the border fence and slaughtered families in their homes and on the streets, and a massive gathering near the border for a music festival. Apart from civilians, hundreds of soldiers were also killed in action.

The death toll is not final yet, as around 240 people remain abducted by Hamas in Gaza. Bodies of several hostages have been recovered during IDF operations in the Gaza Strip. Moreover, some people who were believed to be kidnapped by the terrorists now have been confirmed dead after forensic and other evidence gathered at the attack sites.

This week the Israel Antiquities Authority said archaeologists who joined efforts to identify victims had uncovered the remains of at least 10 people in houses burned during the grisly onslaught.

Of the 1200 deaths, 318 are military soldiers died during the Hamas attack on October 7, apart from 59 policemen. This means around 800 civilians died in the attack, as per the revised estimate.

In response to the attack, Israel declared war against Gaza Strip terror organizations and embarked upon an unprecedented air and ground campaign in the Strip that it says is meant to eliminate Hamas. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says over 11,000 people have been killed in Gaza, without differentiating between civilians and combatants. Those figures cannot be independently verified and are believed to include those erroneously killed by terror operatives amid the fighting.

Bombay High Court further restricts window for burning of firecrackers during Diwali: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Bombay High Court further restricts window for burning of firecrackers during Diwali: Details

On Thursday (10th October), the Bombay High Court imposed restrictions on the burning of firecrackers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). It has reduced the window for the activity to 2 hours on the occasion of Diwali.

As per reports, the court directed that firecrackers could only be burnt in MMR between 8 pm and 10 pm. “The SC order says people should burst firecrackers at a designated time and designated places. Also that if banned firecrackers are sold the senior PI of the area would be held personally responsible”, it said.

The matter was heard by a Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice GS Kulkarni. The court had earlier banned the transportation of construction debris during Diwali and restricted the burning of firecrackers between 7 pm and 10 pm in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

The order was modified to further restrict the window for bursting firecrackers to 2 hours. The court said, “There were committees in Delhi and Punjab as well but the problem persisted. We are saying, please advise the govt. to come up with a statutory mechanism to monitor pollution. We should not have to be burdened with all this. This is Bombay! Please understand”.

“The statutory commission has wide powers…In the NCR region. We request the AG to ask the State to constitute such a statutory committee so that the problem of air quality management can be dealt with more effectively in Mumbai.”

The Bombay High Court expressed concern over sale of crackers with ‘banned chemicals’ and continued the ban on debris transportation in MMR till November 19 this year.

No blanket ban on firecrackers, only the ones with barium salt: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (7th October) directed Rajasthan and other states to follow its earlier order relating to firecrackers during the festive season and stated that it was the duty of everyone to manage pollution.

A bench of Justice AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh directed Rajasthan to take steps to minimise air pollution, especially during the festival season.
The court was hearing an application relating to the issue of firecrackers in Rajasthan.

One of the advocates urged the court to issue directions to comply with earlier orders. The lawyer told the court that the court’s earlier order was applicable to Delhi National Capital Region. The lawyer sought a pan India ban on firecrackers.

The court said there is a wrong perception that it is the court’s responsibility on the issue of the environment. The court remarked that it is everyone’s duty to manage pollution. The court remarked that every citizen has to see that Diwali is celebrated environment-friendly with fewer crackers.

The court also shared his observation that these days elders burst more firecrackers as compared to schoolchildren. The court also directed the state of Rajasthan to take immediate steps to control pollution in Udaipur. Meanwhile, another lawyer apprised the court about the other application that relates to stubble burning.

The court has asked the Meteorology Department to file its reply in two weeks. The court also remarked that they see that there is a blame game relating to the issue. Earlier the top court on September 22 rejected the plea seeking the manufacture, sale and use of firecrackers containing barium chemicals.

Meanwhile, it also refused to interfere with the Delhi Government’s decision to put a complete ban on the use of firecrackers in the national capital. The top court was dealing with the issue relating to firecrackers.

One of the pleas was filed by BJP leader Manoj Tiwari in 2022, challenging the blanket ban on firecrackers during Diwali celebrations in Delhi. In 2021, the Supreme Court clarified there is no blanket ban on the use of firecrackers and only those fireworks which contain barium salts are prohibited.

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