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Could not convert to Islam to become captain of a cricket team: Danish Kaneria says nothing is above Sanatan Dharma

OpIndia Staff
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Could not convert to Islam to become captain of a cricket team: Danish Kaneria says nothing is above Sanatan Dharma

On Wednesday (25th October), former Pakistani cricketer Danish Kaneria gave an interview to the TV news channel Aaj Tak detailing his struggles as a Hindu in the Pakistan cricket team. In this interview with journalist Sudhir Chaudhary, Danish Kaneria reiterated his old statements against former captain Shahid Afridi and other Pakistani cricketers.

Kaneria accused Pakistani cricketers of religious discrimination against him and of attempts to convert him to Islam. He also praised India, current Indian PM Narendra Modi, and emphasised his commitment to Sanatan Dharma.

Danish Kaneria said that he is a staunch Sanatani and he holds Dharma above all. Kaneria said, “First of all, for me, my faith in Sanatan Dharma is above everything. Nothing is above the Sanatan Dharma. Lord Ram is the inspiration of my life. Lord Ram says to raise your voice to uphold the Sanatan Dharma every time. I am doing nothing wrong. I am telling just those things which are happening with people here in Pakistan, and I will keep talking about those things. I will continue to point out the wrongdoings taking place here. There are so many cases which go unreported, and these things are happening wide open in front of everybody.”

Danish Kaneria added, “I am a Sanatani. My Dharma teaches me to raise my voice for a Hindu brother of mine and the Hindu community. If Bhagwan has given me the power to speak, I must speak for them. I would like it if everyone like me raised their voice. I will like it more if the Indian media raises a voice for this cause, because a wrong must clearly be called a wrong.”

Kaneria further said, “By the grace of Bhagwan, my career was going well and I was doing well. After Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Imran Khan, I am the fourth-highest wicket-taker for Pakistan. Inzamam-Ul-Haq is the only person who supported me as a captain, Shoaib Akhtar also revealed it. Others, including Shahid Afridi, have harassed me a lot. They would not dine with me. They would always talk of conversion, but my Dharma is everything for me.”

Explaining more about how he was implicated in a spot-fixing case, Danish Kaneria said, “Many big players in the Pakistani team used to ask me to convert to Islam, Shahid Afridi was the main one among those players. I was wrongfully trapped in a false allegation of spot-fixing. Some people are also talking about me accepting those allegations after 8 years. I should make it clear now in front of everyone. The only thing I accepted was that through Mervyn Westfield, I was introduced to a bookie named Anu Bhat when I was playing county cricket alongside him in an English county team.”

kaneria added, “Apart from that, they pressured me to accept everything. In fact, I was completely unaware of any details of the fixing thing. However, the other person involved in this scandal was jailed in England. According to a report by Justice Qayyum, he has said that certain people in Pakistan cricket will never be allowed to become big figures.”

Danish Kaneria accused the Pakistan Cricket Board of discriminating against him on religious grounds. He said, “I was never backed by our cricket board. Ejaz Bhat or Najam Sethi, nobody helped me, nobody supported me just because I am a Hindu. They knew very well that if I had played for a long time, I would have broken all the records. Once I enter the ground, no one can stop me from taking wickets. That was bound to happen, and they knew that I had the ability to break all those records.”

Detailing more on this religious discrimination, Danish Kaneria said, “Do you know a Hindu in the history of Pakistan who rose to higher posts or became the greatest of all in any field ever? India is the only country that has given opportunities to people from all backgrounds. I was so disappointed in those days. As if it was not enough, my father also passed away. After being away for 8 consecutive years, I did not have any job. They finished me, but I believed in Bhagwan who always inspired me to be truthful. So, I agreed to just the fact that I was introduced to a person – nothing more than that. I did this in the hope that I would get an opportunity again if I spoke the truth.”

Pointing out the difference between the treatment given to players in the Indian cricket team and those in the Pakistani cricket team, Danish Kaneria said, “Players like Sharjeel Khan, who were actually caught and convicted in spot-fixing, were all brought back by the PCB but they do not support Danish Kaneria because he is a Hindu. This is not the case with India. India is an integrated country and people living in India have a very good bond with each other. For example, when Mohammad Shami was heavily trolled during a tournament, it was Virat Kohli who stepped in his support first of all. Virat Kohli answered the trollers saying ‘he is my teammate’.”

Kaneria further said, “You cannot show one such example in the Pakistani Cricket Team where someone has leveled accusations against me and some other player in the team stood up to back me. Shoaib Akhtar is the only exception. In Indian cricket team, all players are treated equally. They get so much respect and love. It is not just about Shami. You take the examples of Siraj, Irfan Pathan, Yousuf Pathan, and even Mohammad Azaharuddin. Even Mohammad Azaharuddin’s ban was also lifted after a period.”

Danish Kaneria also accused the Pakistani cricketers of abusing Hindu deities. He said, “Whatever I have faced in the Pakistani Cricket Team is horrific. They hurled religious abuses at me. They abused my deities. They asked me to convert to Islam. All I was thinking was that I should perform better. I would think that only my performance can be the key to ensuring a place in the team. There were also so many players who were in the team despite not performing. On the other hand, people in India are educated, and cultured. They respect each other. On the other hand, Pakistani cricketers need to learn the lesson of ‘live and let others live too’.”

Danish Kaneria said that during Inzamam-Ul-Haq’s captaincy, he got some support to remain in the team which disappeared after Haq’s retirement. He said, “For most of the years of my career, I played under the captaincy of Inzamam-Ul-Haq. I would get conversion calls from fellow players even during his tenure but he would advise me to focus on my game and ignore these things. I would get a call every day to join for the morning Namaz. One day I strictly told them that I should not be called for the morning Namaz hereafter. After Inzamam retired, the discrimination increased. One day, I realised that they just wanted to expel me out of the team by hook or crook.”

On the current Pakistani cricket team offering Namaz on the ground, taking stands on political issues, and backing Hamas terrorists in Gaza, Danish Kaneria said, “This team is prioritising the religion. Secondly, they are into politics. Cricket is on the third spot in their priority list. In fact, cricket should have been their first priority and they are ignoring that. No wonder we are seeing such results. I don’t understand why they do a show-off by offering Namaz in front of all on the ground. They may just pray inside the dressing room for a while. We too believe in our deities. Do we all start pooja and aarti in the ground itself after taking a wicket? But they have a certain mindset. They want to show-off all these things. Virat Kohli does puja, doesn’t he? Doesn’t Rohit Sharma do puja? Doesn’t Shami offer Namaz? Doesn’t Siraj offer Namaz? They do all this, but not on the playground.”

On the Pakistani cricket team blaming BCCI and the Indian audience for the defeats in the World Cup, Danish Kaneria said, “Why do Pakistani cricketers want to show the world what they are? They should focus on cricket. They have a coach who asks why the ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ song was not played instead of ‘Jai Shri Ram’. First of all, I would like to tell him what is meant by ‘Jai Shri Ram’. It is a greeting. People welcome you by saying it. They are not starting any jihad by saying ‘Allah Hu Akbar’.”

Explaining more on Jai Shri Ram, Danish Kaneria said, “All they are saying is that the path shown by Lord Ram is a good path and one should follow it. Glory to Lord Ram. It is the way people are greeting each other. It is not a call to fight. You are a coach, talk about cricket. You talk of ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ in a press conference. You talk about the BCCI event. Was it a BCCI event in the games against Australia, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh? Pakistani cricket team should talk about cricket only. They should think why 8 players were dismissed for just 33 runs. They do other things just to keep their shops running.”

On getting citizenship in India, Danish Kaneria said, “I congratulate Narendra Modi Ji for the way he is working. He does fast-paced development. Recently, the Chandrayaan was also a grand success and I congratulate him for all these achievements. India’s economy is also on a very positive track. I have always said that it is not a question of nationality. If I am given Indian nationality, I would happily take it.”

Kaneria said, “Had I become a Muslim, I would not have faced this problem in my career. Maybe I would have become the captain of the Pakistani cricket team. Maybe I would have broken all the records of bowling from Pakistan, but converting to Islam just for the sake of this? I cannot think of it in the wildest of my dreams. It is impossible for me to degrade to this level.”

Talking more about his faith in Sanatan Dharma, Danish Kaneria said, “I am a hardcore Sanatani. I follow Sanatan Dharma. I love Sanatan Dharma and it is everything for me. It is okay if I don’t get any job. I will tell everyone that they should not compromise on Dharma. If there is Dharma, then there can be all other things in life. Without Dharma, one gets nothing. I was told so many things. I was promised so many things in exchange for conversion. All I told them was ‘Jai Shri Ram’.”

When asked if he wants to see Pakistan winning this World Cup or India becoming the champions, Danish Kaneria said, “It will be a big achievement for the Pakistani cricket team even if they get a spot in the top 4 teams, forget about becoming the champions. Right now they are relying on other teams to get in the top four. They are praying for some team’s victory and some other team’s defeat to get there. I don’t see them performing well even in the upcoming matches. They are yet to play against England which will be a pressure game. On the other hand, India is a very balanced team. They look rock solid and they are the favourite ones to win this world cup”

When asked about Danish Kaneria getting online attacks by Indians like Arfa Khanum Sherwani and a recent response by BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia, he said, “I think Indians who troll me are probably not honest to themselves and their religion. They should be honest to the party they represent. Their party works for Dharma with honesty. They should think before saying anything. They should think first about who are they targeting. They should have this much knowledge. I won’t comment on any of their internal political matters, but call me out if I am wrong. If I am not wrong, then you should not try to prove me wrong.”

He added, “They should understand that I am raising my voice for Dharma. You going against me looks very sad. People know the truth. They judge the things. I don’t pay attention to that. It can be his (Gaurav Bhatia’s) belief, but he should introspect. He should see that I am doing this for a cause, for Sanatan Dharma.”

Danish Kaneria was born on December 16, 1980, in Karachi, Pakistan. The leg spinner represented the Pakistani national cricket team in both Test and One Day International (ODI) matches. He made his Test debut on November 29, 2000, against England in Faisalabad, ultimately participating in 61 Test matches for Pakistan.

Throughout his Test career, he secured an impressive total of 261 wickets, with best figures of 7/77 in an innings and best match figures of 12/94. He claimed 15 five-wicket hauls and 2 ten-wicket hauls during his career.

In the One Day International (ODI) format, Kaneria played 18 matches, taking a total of 15 wickets, with his best bowling figures being 3/31 and an average of 39.80. While his ODI career was relatively limited, his performance in Test cricket solidified his reputation as a talented leg-spinner in the cricketing world.

Israeli troops and tanks launch a brief raid into the Gaza Strip ahead of the full-scale ground offensive

OpIndia Staff
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Israeli troops and tanks launch a brief raid into the Gaza Strip ahead of the full-scale ground offensive

The Israeli military reported that following more than two weeks of deadly airstrikes, Israeli troops and tanks conducted a brief ground operation into northern Gaza overnight into 26 October. They destroyed multiple terrorist targets with the aim of “preparing the battlefield” for a widely anticipated full-scale ground assault.

According to the Israel Defense Force, the raid was led by the Givati infantry brigade, and it was part of preparing the border area for the “next stages of the war,” referring to the full ground offensive promised by Israeli officials. They added that the troops struck numerous terrorists, infrastructure, and anti-tank guided missile launch positions during the brief operation, and “operated to prepare the battlefield.” No injuries were immediately reported on either side.

While the IDF is conducting localised raids daily near the border areas to search for bodies of missing Israelis and also to clear the ground of any explosives left behind by Hamas terrorists after the October 7 attack, this ground invasion went beyond that. The brief discussion went deep into the Gaza Strip, unlike the searches that take place around the border, the military said.

Israel has said that following the targeted air strikes, it will launch a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip especially Northern Gaza including Gaza City, to ‘wipe out’ Hamas from the enclave. While IDF had positioned tanks and troops along the border days after the terror attack, the ground invasion has been delayed due to various reasons.

On 13 October, Israel warned residents of north Gaza to move to South Gaza within 24 hours, to the south of a stream named Wadi Gaza, ahead of the ground operations. However, Hamas appealed to Palestinians not to leave their homes, and even actively prevented them from evacuating to the south. Israel has said that Hamas is not allowing civilians to leave to use them as human shields.

Apart from this, there was pressure from the international community on Israel to postpone the operation. Given that almost half of residents in Gaza live in north Gaza, UN officials said that it is not possible to evacuate 1.1 million people in just a day. Given the concerns about civilians still present in the north, IDF didn’t launch the ground invasion. IDF has been urging the residents of Gaza to evacuate multiple times for their own safety.

However, Israel’s patience has run out, and on 22 October, it issued a final warning to the Palestinians still in north Gaza to leave immediately to south Gaza. In a leaflet dropped in Gaza, Israel warned that if the residents fail to comply with the instructions, they could be perceived as supporters of a “terrorist organisation”. 

The message in the leaflet said, “Urgent warning to residents of Gaza. Your presence north of Wadi Gaza puts your life in danger. Whoever chooses not to leave North Gaza to move to the south of Wadi Gaza might be identified as an accomplice in a terrorist organisation.”

Apart from the leaflet, audio messages were sent to the mobile phones of the people living across the Gaza Strip, issuing the same warning. 

In the meanwhile, a report by Wall Street Journal claims that Israel has agreed to delay the ground invasion at the request of the US government. As per the report, the US is sending missile defence systems to the region and has requested Israel to delay the operation till the systems arrive. The Pentagon is deploying around a dozen air defence systems to the region to protect civilians and its troops positioned in the region. The United States has sent a significant amount of naval power to the Middle East in recent weeks, including two aircraft carriers, their support ships and about 2,000 Marines.

Israel has said that its war against Hamas is aimed at destroying the Iran-backed terror group’s infrastructure and has vowed to dismantle the organization after the October 7 massacres, while minimizing harm to Gaza’s civilians.

Even as Israeli forces are preparing for a ground attack, airstrikes targeting Hamas sites have continued. Yesterday Israeli jets struck over 250 sites belonging to Hamas, including infrastructure, command centers, tunnels, and rocket launchers, the army said. Navy forces also struck a Hamas surface-to-air missile launch position that was situated next to a mosque and kindergarten, in Khan Younis, Gaza.

Israeli Air Force sources have said that more than 10,000 sites belonging to Hamas and other terror groups have been struck since the beginning of the war following the 7 October terror attack.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza has said that over 6500 people have been killed in the Israeli strikes, and most of them are civilians including children. However, the numbers given by Hamas can’t be verified independently. On the other hand, over 1400 people were killed in the Hamas terror attack in Israel. Hamas also continues to keep over 200 people hostage, who were abducted after the October 7 attack.

Tit-for-Tat: Congress put up posters as ‘Rahul Gandhi as PM’ and ‘Ajay Rai as CM’ after SP posters show Akhilesh as I.N.D.I. Alliance’s PM face

OpIndia Staff
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Tit-for-Tat: Congress put up posters as ‘Rahul Gandhi as PM’ and ‘Ajay Rai as CM’ after SP posters show Akhilesh as I.N.D.I. Alliance’s PM face

Akhilesh Yadav has desperately been seeking to contain the split between his Samajwadi Party and the Congress Party, the two major parties in the I.N.D.I. Alliance, by publicly claiming that everything is OK between them. In actuality, though, it appears that the internal conflict between the two political parties is getting worse.

The Congress workers in Uttar Pradesh have now, in what can be seen as a tit-for-tat move, put up posters portraying Congress MP Rahul Gandhi as the Prime Ministerial face of the I.N.D.I. bloc. The posters were placed outside the party’s headquarters in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow on Thursday, October 26. The move comes merely three days after the Samajwadi Party had put up posters in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow showing Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav as the future prime minister of India.

The poster also showed the state Congress Chief Ajay Rai as the Chief Ministerial candidate for the 2027 state assembly polls.

Source: Live Hindustan

Amid Congress-Samajwadi rift SP workers put up posters showing Akhilesh Yadav as I.N.D.I. Alliance’s PM face

It may be recalled that on October 23, the Samajwadi Party workers in Lucknow, UP had put up numerous posters showing Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav as the future prime minister of India.

The posters were put up outside the Samajwadi Party headquarters in Lucknow by the party workers.

Akhilesh Yadav warns about the future of alliance after Congress’ refusal to share seats with SP in MP polls

The posters have come at a time when the rift between the Congress party and Samajwadi Party, the two most important members of the I.N.D.I. bloc, an unholy nexus of 28 political parties formed solely with the aim to defeat the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, is at its peak, with Akhilesh Yadav warning about the future of alliance after Congress’ refusal to share seats with them in Madhya Pradesh polls.

Akhilesh Yadav, the head of the Samajwadi Party and a key figure in the I.N.D.I. alliance, recently said that he would not have gone to any meetings if he had known that there was no state-level cooperation between his party and the Congress. The rage surfaced after his party was utterly disregarded in the impending Madhya Pradesh assembly election, which is set to take place next month. Never mind the promised six seats, the Samajwadi Party was not even assigned a single seat, leaving Akhilesh Yadav belittled and infuriated.

He noted, “A former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh asked us about our performance in the state. We told him how many seats we had won and when as well as in which seats we stood at number two. We had a comprehensive discussion. They woke up Samajwadi Party leaders even at 1 a.m. They assured us six seats. However, when the lists were announced, there were zero seats for the Samajwadi Party.”

Angered by the betrayal by the Congress party, the Samajwadi Party announced to contest the elections on its own and has fielded its candidates in as many as 31 seats.

The two parties have been in strife for the past few days, particularly since Ajay Rai, the president of the Uttar Pradesh Congress requested the Samajwadi Party to withdraw from Madhya Pradesh as it “did not have a base” there. He claimed that the battle had always been between the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party. He added insult to injury and pointed out that the party won only one seat in 2018 and that its sole MLA in the state assembly had later switched to the latter.

Akhilesh Yadav’s U-Turn

Given the hype surrounding the formation of the I.N.D.I. Alliance to challenge the BJP in the upcoming national elections, the rift between the Samajwadi Party and the Congress Party not only became the newest topic of discussion in the political spectrum but also began to receive a lot of media attention. Realising that the tension between the Samajwadi and the Congress Party was highlighting a lack of clarity in the scope and contours of the I.N.D.I. alliance, the Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was quick to take a U-turn.

Hours after the Samajwadi Party posters emerged, Akhilesh Yadav told the media in Dehradun on Monday (October 23) that “the alliance is very strong, and there are no differences with the grand old party.”

“They have a different way of thinking; we have a different way of thinking… We hope that the people of Uttarakhand will come together with the Samajwadi Party…” the Samajwadi Party chief clarified.

500 terrorists of Hamas and Palestine Islamic Jihad were trained by Iran to attack Israel on October 7: Reports

OpIndia Staff
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500 terrorists of Hamas and Palestine Islamic Jihad were trained by Iran to attack Israel on October 7: Reports

A Wall Street Journal article published on Wednesday (25th October) indicates that weeks before Hamas’s attack on Israel, hundreds of Palestinian terrorists received “specialised combat training” in Iran.

The publication cited individuals familiar with the intelligence surrounding the 7th October Hamas massacre in Israel, which killed 1,400 Israelis, mostly civilians. As per the report, 500 terrorists from both Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad took part in training last month led by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Iran has been accused repeatedly by Israel of serving as a key force behind the organised Hamas attack. The terrorists, during the attack, succeeded in disabling the high-tech Gaza border fence and streamed across the border to carry out its devastating assault on nearby communities, including the kidnapping of at least 224 people.

Iran commended the Hamas attack but denied any involvement in the planning. According to the WSJ, Iranian Brig. Gen. Esmail Qaani, the chief of the Quds Force, participated in the IRGC-led training exercises. Hours before the report was released, IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari publicly blamed Iran for assisting in the planning of the heinous act.

Brig. Gen. Esmail Qaani, the head of the Quds Force (WSJ)

“Iran had directly aided Hamas before the war, with training, supplying weapons, money, and technological know-how. Even now, Iranian aid to Hamas continues in the form of intelligence and online incitement against the State of Israel,” the IDF spokesman said.

During the attack, terrorists from Hamas deployed drones to take down Israeli observation posts and high-tech monitoring equipment. Some also flew into Israel using para-gliders while others rode on motorbikes.

According to US officials, Iran has regularly trained jihadists in Iran and overseas, but there is no proof of widespread training before the attack. According to US officials and those knowledgeable with the intelligence, there is no evidence that Iran took training particularly to prepare for the events of 7th October.

Since the Hamas attack, Israel has carried out a massive air campaign, advancing on thousands of targets in Gaza. Israel is also planning a ground campaign in Gaza to counter Hamas. The country has stated that its goal is to demolish Hamas and terminate its authority in Gaza.

Israel and the United States have pushed to underline Iran’s role in helping Hamas and other anti-Israel organisations, including the Lebanese Shiite terrorist organization Hezbollah, which has engaged in periodic clashes with Israeli troops on Israel’s northern border.

However, with the threat of a wider war approaching, the United States has stated that it has no evidence that Iran was directly involved in the planning or approval of the 7th October attack.

A gunman in the Gaza Strip on the day of Hamas’s recent deadly attack on Israel (WSJ)

However, according to the Wall Street Journal, which cited senior Hamas and Hezbollah sources, the Quds Force helped plot the strike and committed to carry it out during a meeting with Hamas and Hezbollah commanders in Beirut on 2nd October. An adviser to Syria’s government and a European official have also confirmed Iran’s involvement.

According to an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ‘scholar’ at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Iran has long provided training to terrorists throughout the Middle East, including Gaza terrorists, Afghan mercenaries serving in Syria, Hezbollah troops from Lebanon, Shiites from Iraq, and the Houthis from Yemen.

This week, one of the hostages released by Hamas also confirmed that it seemed Hamas terrorists were well prepared for the situation. While she said that she had to face hell on Earth due to the terrorists, it seemed that the terrorists had planned and were prepared to abduct the Israelis.

After the attack by Hamas, Israel launched a counter-attack on Gaza last week. Ministry of Health in Gaza has reported that over 5,000 Palestinians have been killed so far in the counter-offensive.

Telangana: BRS MLA K.P. Vivekananda assaults BJP leader Kuna Srisailam Goud and grabs his throat on live TV debate, video goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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Telangana: BRS MLA K.P. Vivekananda assaults BJP leader Kuna Srisailam Goud and grabs his throat on live TV debate, video goes viral

Telangana is heading toward assembly election and the political fervor is palpable. Amid this, a live TV debate turned ugly with Bharat Rashtra Samithi Quthbullapur MLA K.P. Vivekananda who is also running from the same constituency physically assaulted Bharatiya Janata Party’s Kuna Srisailam Goud who is a candidate from the same seat.

The politicians exchanged charges of seizing land and when Kuna Srisailam Goud criticised the BRS MLA and accused his father of land-grabbing. K.P. Vivekananda lost his tamper in response to these allegations and proceeded to physically assault the BJP leader. He barged towards Goud menacingly and grasped Goud’s neck with his hand.

However, the police and others intervened immediately and brought the situation under control. Members of both political parties rushed to the stage, smashed barricades, threw chairs and yelled slogans as the scene descended into chaos.

The intensive verbal argument rapidly escalated into a violent action when K.P. Vivekananda aggressively advanced towards Kuna Srisailam Goud. Within seconds, he went from pushing his political opponent to setting aside his microphone and reaching for the BJP leader’s throat and slamming him back with force.

The video of this incident went viral on social media. The show was organised to talk about the Telangana legislative elections, however, the ugly conflict disrupted the television programme. The polling in the state is scheduled to be held on 30 November.

BJP reacted sharply to the unruly behaviour of the BRS leader and proclaimed that the rowdy action was a result of their displeasure at their upcoming defeat at the hands of the former. “What better can be expected from a party of goons,” noted BJP Telangana.

Prominent Telangana BJP leader G Kishan Reddy denounced the incident and pointed out, “The hallmark of BRS is goondaism (thuggery).” He forewarned the people of the state and observed, “It’s shocking when a contesting opposition candidate is attacked and scuffled in open public. Imagine if BRS returns to power even common people will be attacked in the same manner.”

Firebrand BJP leader and Goshamahal MLA T. Raja Singh also condemned the instance and remarked that the attack displayed the frustration and arrogance of the leaders of K. Chandrashekar Rao’s party.

BRS defended its lawmaker and its spokesman Sravan Dasoju claimed that the BJP leader had mentioned the father of the BRS MLA, considering that both were expected to behave properly and politely throughout the discussion. He asserted that Kuna Srisailam Goud was a legislator before K.P. Vivekanand who is presently serving in the position.

“Both of them are supposed to have maintained decency, decorum and be restrained.” He contended that the MLA should not have assaulted his opponent and the ex-MLA should not have targeted the former’s parents. “Both could have been sensible and realised the whole world is watching them.”

India to account for 18% of global growth by 2028, says IMF; Here’s how India has economically grown stronger after 2014

Siddhi Somani
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India to account for 18% of global growth by 2028, says IMF; Here’s how India has economically grown stronger after 2014

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts India to further boost its contribution to global growth over the course of the next five years as the Indian economy continues to grow fast. According to the study, Krishna Srinivasan, director of the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Department, believes India will contribute 18% of global growth by 2028, up from 16%.

According to the latest IMF estimates, India’s stronger growth in comparison to China’s economic slump will result in India contributing more to the global growth.

China, however, continues to lead in terms of the size of their economies. According to the IMF’s most recent projections, China’s nominal GDP would rise to $23.61 trillion by 2028, while India’s will rise to $5.94 trillion. According to IMF estimates, China and India will provide over half of global growth in both 2023 and 2024.

The International Monetary Fund said in its latest World Economic Outlook report, released in the first week of October, that India’s GDP is expected to increase by 6.3% in the current fiscal year, up 20 basis points from its previous projection in July. Notably, the IMF increased its India GDP growth prediction for 2023-24, the second increase in three months. This forecast pushed India’s GDP growth rate closer to the 6.5% figure anticipated by the Indian government.

However, the IMF made no adjustments to its forecast for the subsequent year, maintaining India’s GDP growth rate of 6.3% for fiscal year 2024-25. “Growth in India is projected to remain strong, at 6.3% in both 2023 and 2024, with an upward revision of 0.2 percentage point for 2023, reflecting stronger-than-expected consumption during April-June,” the body noted.

It is important to note that the economic growth of India has been on the rise since the BJP government took over the governance in the year 2014. The Indian economy has grown significantly in the 9 years since then. India has risen from the tenth-largest economy in 2014 to the fifth-largest economy in terms of GDP. It has outperformed countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Canada, and Brazil in the last nine years. In just 9 years, the government has turbocharged nation’s economy, turning it into a global powerhouse.

IMF forecasts for India before 2014

The International Monetary Fund, in the years 2010 and 2011, had expected the Indian economy’s growth to rise by 9.7% and 8.4% respectively. However, the body had noted the elevated levels of inflation. “With robust growth spurring elevated levels of inflation, India should speed up its return to pre-crisis monetary and fiscal policies to keep the economy in check,” the IMF suggested in the year 2011 in its annual assessment report.

Further, in the years 2013 and 2014, the IMF projected India’s economy to grow by 4.6% and 5.4% respectively. The IMF also noted that though India had restored macroeconomic and financial stability, there was a major scope to work on the structural impediments to growth and the persistently rising inflation.

Change in economic outlook after PM Modi came to power in the year 2014

A year after PM Modi came to power in India, India’s economy saw stability and an increase in the growth rate projections. The IMF, in its yearly assessment report that year, stated that the growth rate estimate was 4.6% in 2013 but in 2014 it rose to 5.4% helped by slightly stronger global growth and improved export competitiveness.

The GDP growth forecasts then increased to 7.5% in 2015-16, 7.6% in 2016-17, and 7.2% in 2017-18 driven by stronger investment following improvements to the business climate. Meanwhile, China’s economy was expected to steadily slow down to 6.6% in 2017 and 6.2% in 2018.

Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) stated that India’s GDP growth rate would fall from 6.8% in 2022 to 6.1% in 2023. The IMF also forecasted that growth would accelerate to 6.8% in 2024.

PM Modi and his efforts to make India fastest-growing economy

The Indian economy’s expansion has attracted a lot of attention around the world. India has surpassed China as the fastest-growing significant economy. Notably, this has not been an easy task. Prime Minister Modi’s government has implemented several policy reforms along with public investments in hundreds of projects during the last nine years. These reforms and investments have had an unprecedented influence on important industries like agriculture, manufacturing, and services. The variety of programs, many of which have longer gestation periods, will continue to provide results over time.

Prime Minister Modi has incorporated best practices in economic management that are pragmatic and more importantly, well-suited for the country. This is indeed refreshing since for many decades India was hamstrung by ill-advised ideological paradigms that only resulted in poor growth rates and endemic poverty.

The country in the past few years witnessed unparalleled excellence in executing these economic reforms and policies. It began the direct transfer of benefits and implementation of GST, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), recapitalisation of public sector banks, unprecedented investments in national highways and railways, and 100% electrification. The government also ensured that, at least at the political level, there was no corruption, pilferage, or fraud. These have been some of the core secrets of the swift economic transformation we see today.

Reportedly, PM Modi’s most notable accomplishment appears to be the establishment of a favourable policy environment, infrastructure development, and large public investments that have since unleashed growth in the economy.

PM Modi’s strong determination and expertise in execution are unparalleled in India today across the political spectrum. He has given India’s political and economic class a new mantra: perform or perish. He has raised the bar for performance to a level that many in today’s political scene may not be able to live up to.

‘Activist’ who contested on AAP ticket laments about rise of Hindu temples in US, tries to bring anti-Hindu bill to stop mythical ‘caste discrimination’

Anurag
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‘Activist’ who contested on AAP ticket laments about rise of Hindu temples in US, tries to bring anti-Hindu bill to stop mythical ‘caste discrimination’

On 24th October, the New Jersey Monitor published a report authored by journalist Dana Difilippo that revolved around so-called caste discrimination among Hindu Americans. The report focused on the life and activism of Dalit activist Deelip Mhaske, who presents himself as a passionate advocate against caste discrimination. However, his past and statements given for the report, especially about the construction of Hindu temples in the US, should be scrutinised.

The report asserted that Indian-Americans, especially Hindu-Americans, have imported caste discrimination to the United States. The statement is overly sweeping and generalising. Despite the fact that caste exists in several religions, including Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam, in countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and others, Hindus were sidelined in the report. Above all, there is a serious lack of data on caste discrimination in the United States.

Mhaske’s objectionable comments on Hindu temples

Another problematic statement that Mhaske made while speaking to the New Jersey Monitor was about Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam (BAPS) Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, which is the second largest temple in the world. Mhaske said, “The rise of temples throughout the country is really, really alarming for us because that’s the centre point of starting the caste system, untouchability and discrimination.”

Temples do not discriminate against people based on caste. Some temples do not allow people from other faiths to enter the Sanctum Sanctorum; in some cases, only priests who perform Puja at those temples are allowed. Otherwise, there is virtually no discrimination based on caste in any public temple. The problem with so-called activists and “intellectuals” like Mhaske is that they do not understand traditions and equate them with discrimination.

He also pointed out the alleged case of discrimination and human trafficking filed against the temple administration. However, the matter is sub judice, and there were reports that the case was filed by luring the workers into believing that if they spoke against the temple, they would get a green card. BAPS has publicly stated that they oppose caste-based discrimination and welcome people from all castes and religions.

Mhaske pushed the anti-caste discrimination bill in California and New Jersey

Mhaske is actively pushing an anti-caste discrimination bill similar to the one that was passed in California but vetoed by the governor in New Jersey. Assemblywoman Sadaf Jaffer was the only politician supporting him, but she will leave office in January with no chance of contesting again. Interestingly, speaking to NJM, Jaffer said, “Caste hierarchies can be found in Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, and other faiths and in countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Bhutan.”

Mhaske also lobbied for the California anti-caste discrimination bill SB403. However, Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed it, stating it was unnecessary and there were already provisions in the existing law to fight any kind of inherited discrimination. Mhaske, after the bill was vetoed, blamed “wealthy businessmen” for lobbying against the bill.

He is pushing the anti-caste discrimination bill in New Jersey and lobbying other states to introduce similar bills.

The former Permanent Representative of India called out Mhaske to the UN

In 2018, then-Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations Syed Akabaruddin called out Mhaske and others for spreading disinformation about celebrations of Baba Saheb Ambedkar at the UN. An X (formerly Twitter) user, Lubdhak Vedh, had asked Akbarudding about the reports suggesting India voted against the proposal of celebrating BR Ambedkar’s birthday at the UN. The user pointed out that Mhaske and Dr Munagekar created a “storm” over the issue. Quoting the tweet, Akbaruddin said the birthday would be celebrated at the UN and urged the user not to “go by those who don’t speak for our great country” while calling out Mhaske.

Interestingly, another X user, Kailash Vishnu, had replied to Vedh’s tweet and pointed out dubious posts by Mhaske on his now-deleted Facebook account. He pointed out that on 2nd April, he had tried to incite violence in a now-deleted social media post. In that post, he had written, “9 brothers who were martyred in the fight for self-respect. Hundreds of salutes to him. The entire society promises that these warriors. The sacrifice will not go in vain. I will support all the families personally.”

For those who are unaware, on 2nd April 2018, people from the SC/ST community protested against a Supreme Court order that no arrest could be made without prior permission in the SC/ST Act and allowed a court to grant an anticipatory bail in case the complaint appeared to be an abuse of the law. However, the Government of India amended the law, nullifying the judgment.

Kailash also asserted that Mhaske often posted, deleted and recycled his old photos with senior government officials to gain access and traction on social media.

Interestingly, Mhaske uses photos with leaders and even with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his website, which gives the idea that he works for the government.

Mhaske used old photos on his websites without mention of the date possibly to show he is close to the government authorities. Source: humanhorizon.org

Deelip Mhaske contested the Lok Sabha elections on AAP’s ticket

Interestingly, Mhaske contested the Lok Sabha elections on AAP’s ticket in 2014 from the Jalna constituency in Maharashtra. Of 10,66,259 votes, Mhaske had secured 4,622 votes or 0.43 per cent of the vote share. In other words, Mhaske lost his deposit in the election.

Source: X

Mhaske, who has been pushing anti-caste discrimination bills across states in the US, has a dubious past and is often seen passing anti-Hindu comments. In July 2023, he wrote for The Print, in which he tried to assert that while thousands of SC/ST/OBC students were quitting IITs and central universities, PM Modi was busy inaugurating and building temples. Interestingly, he mentioned the Ram Mandir, which is being constructed in Ayodhya. Mhaske forgot that the temple is not being built by the government but with money donated by the devotees. He cited the data shared in Rajya Sabha, where it was mentioned that 17,545 marginalised students dropped from central universities and 8,139 marginalised students dropped out from IITs.

However, he conveniently ignored the fact that in the case of postgraduate and PhD programmes, the main reason for dropping was cited as “offers for placement in public sector enterprises and personal preference for better opportunities elsewhere”. For undergraduate programs, the reason was noted as “wrong choices filled, poor performance, and personal and medical reasons”. Going by the cited reasons, accusing PM Modi of the same was going over the board. Furthermore, it was also mentioned that the government took corrective measures in the universities and IITs to reduce dropouts. Still, it was nowhere mentioned in the article written by Mhaske.

India slams Pakistan for raising Kashmir issue during Israel-Hamas Debate at UNSC

ANI
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India slams Pakistan for raising Kashmir issue during Israel-Hamas Debate at UNSC

India slammed Pakistan for raising the Kashmir issue in the midst of a debate meant for the Israel-Gaza situation and termed the action as of a ‘habitual nature’.

R. Ravindra, India’s Deputy Permanent Representative (DPR) to the United Nations on Wednesday before concluding his remarks at the forum called that the remarks from the Pakistan side unworthy of a response and not worth dignifying.

“Before I end, there was a remark of habitual nature by one delegation referring to Union Territories that are integral and inalienable parts of my country,” Ravindra said, adding, “I would treat these remarks with the contempt they deserve and not dignify them with a response in the interest of time.”

He also underlined New Delhi’s efforts to send humanitarian assistance to civilians in the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, saying that it has sent 38 tons of food and critical medical equipment to the region.

Ravindra made the statement while representing India at the United Nations Security Council Open-debate on the “situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.

Thanking the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the open debate on the latest chapter of hostilities in West Asia, he said India was deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation and large-scale loss of civilians in the ongoing conflict.

“The mounting humanitarian crisis is equally alarming,” he said. “India has sent 38 tons of humanitarian goods, including medicines and equipment, to the people of Palestine. We also urge the parties to work towards creating conditions necessary for peace and for restarting direct negotiations, including through de-escalation and issuing violence,” Ravindra added.

“The escalation of our utilities in the region has only exacerbated the dire humanitarian situation,” he said, adding, “It has once again underscored the fragile nature of the ceasefire.”

The terror attacks that happened on October 7 in Israel were shocking and India condemned them unequivocally, the deputy permanent envoy to the UN noted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first global leaders to convey his condolences over the loss of lives and “prayers for the innocent victims and their families”.

“We stood in solidarity with Israel at their moment of crisis when they were facing these terror attacks,” Ravindra added. “We have also expressed deep shock at the tragic loss of lives at the Al Hali hospital in Gaza, where several hundreds of civilian casualties have occurred and thousands injured. Our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured,” India’s deputy permanent envoy to the world body added.

PM Modi had also said those involved in the attack “must be held responsible”, Ravindra added, noting that the civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict are a matter of serious and continuing concern. All parties must protect civilians, especially women and children. “The Unfolding humanitarian crisis needs to be addressed. We welcome the efforts of the international community for de-escalation and delivery of humanitarian goods to the people of Gaza,” he added.

Also reaffirming India’s support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine issue, he said the same can lead to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine, living within secure and recognized borders, side by side in peace with Israel, taking into account the legitimate security concerns of Israel.

“Towards this, we reiterate the need for an early resumption of direct peace negotiations. We also continue to support the Palestinian people through our bilateral development partnership, which covers a wide range of sectors including health, education, women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship and information technology,” Ravindra said.

He added India was also supporting grassroots Palestinian institutions in their development initiatives. “In these challenging times, India will continue to send humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine,” India’s deputy permanent envoy to the UN said.

He stated that the current escalation of the conflict has once again underscored the need for immediate resumption of credible, direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine. “Every effort must be made to create conducive conditions for the resumption of these talks. We welcome all efforts of regional and global players aimed towards restoring normalcy,” he said.

Ravindra concluded his statement by reaffirming India’s firm commitment to achieving a “just, peaceful and lasting solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict”. 

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

Haryana becomes first state to open schools under Center’s PM-SHRI scheme; 124 schools inaugurated in first phase, 128 more to come up soon

OpIndia Staff
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Haryana becomes first state to open schools under Center’s PM-SHRI scheme; 124 schools inaugurated in first phase, 128 more to come up soon

On 25 October, Haryana became the first state to launch schools under the PM SHRI (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India) initiative. The first phase of the scheme includes the official opening of 124 schools throughout the state by state education minister Kanwar Pal Gujjar and union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. 128 additional schools are going to be added to the program in the second phase.

The Central Government has allocated Rs 85 crore for the first phase of the construction of 124 schools with the objective of boosting educational standards in the state. Meanwhile, 128 other schools have already been chosen for the second phase of the PM SHRI scheme.

Addressing the program, Chief Minister Manohar Lal remarked that a person cannot be complete without education. The Haryana CM said, “Therefore, everyone needs education. We have improved education so that the spirit of culture and love of nation and country can be inculcated in the youth. PM Shri Schools were established so that schools could be respected. The new education policy would bring change to the country. It addresses the necessity of providing education from an early age.”

CM Khattar highlighted, “Education encompasses culture, behaviour, attributes and politeness. It is necessary to be attached to them. The government has made such provisions apart from education and employment.”

He further added, “4000 Play Way Schools have been started in Haryana. They are called ‘Bal Vatika.’ Simple methods should be used to deliver education. The teachers must take this into account.” The Haryana CM also shared examples by telling the story of a simple method of teaching. “There are mischievous children in the class and they have to be taught in their own method. Morals must also be taught in education. Efforts are being made to provide such education”, he said.

According to officials, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 curriculum would be taught in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)-affiliated institutions. The schools currently operating under PM SHRI include both, co-educational and all-girls government schools, that have undergone specific infrastructural renovations.

This initiative, which was authorised by the Cabinet in September 2022, is to upgrade 6,448 schools throughout India. According to Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal, the Center has identified 3,893 schools in the state for further consideration based on an evaluation of accessibility, student population, and current infrastructure.

Furthermore, the state has also upgraded 67 more Government Senior Secondary Schools (GSSS) to Model Sanskriti Schools and linked them to the CBSE. Anjana Dhingra, the principal of GSSS Chakkarpur, one of the city’s four upgraded schools stated, “Students currently enrolled at the PM SHRI schools will start studying the CBSE from the next academic session.”

The new curriculum is set to be implemented for students in classes 6-8 to ensure that board preparations for students in senior classes are unaffected. The PM SHRI schools would carry out a five-year growth plan, with each school receiving approximately Rs 1 crore in funding annually to improve the teaching-learning environment, per officials.

Sanjay Kumar, secretary (school education and literacy) in the Ministry of Education said, “The scheme will be implemented from 2022-23 to 2026-27, after which it shall be the responsibility of the states/Union Territories to continue to maintain the benchmarks achieved by these schools. The total cost of the project will be Rs 27,360 crore spread over a period of five years, of which the Centre’s share is Rs 18,128 crore.”

A senior department of secondary education official while talking about the scheme said, “This includes smart classes, better arrangements for students to sit and study, sports labs and other facilities. Students can also choose their medium of study, English or Hindi.”

The official added, “Besides having ICT-based teaching infrastructure, these schools have been developed keeping carbon neutrality and environmental sustainability in mind. They have facilities such as solar panels, nutrition gardens, a plastic-free environment and waste management units.”

Every PM SHRI School has connections to the local entrepreneurial community to improve internship and career options along with a university for mentorship. Each year, the schools would receive subsidies that cover sports, libraries and the cost of science and math equipment. At the national level, 14400 schools are to be upgraded under the scheme.  

PM Modi reviews progress and implementation of projects worth Rs 31,000 Cr in 7 states, including West Bengal, instructs on 4G coverage in villages: Details

OpIndia Staff
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PM Modi reviews progress and implementation of projects worth Rs 31,000 Cr in 7 states, including West Bengal, instructs on 4G coverage in villages: Details

On Wednesday (25th October), Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the meeting of the 43rd edition of PRAGATI, the ICT-based multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, involving Center and State governments. In this meeting, he reviewed the progress and implementation of projects worth Rs 31,000 crores across 7 states. The Prime Minister also reviewed the ‘Mobile Towers and 4G Coverage under USOF Projects’ during this meeting.

During the PRAGATI meeting, eight projects underwent review. Out of these, four projects centered on water supply and irrigation, two projects aimed at enhancing National highways and connectivity, and two projects focused on rail and metro rail connectivity.

Collectively, these projects amount to approximately Rs. 31,000 crore and pertain to 7 states viz. Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana, Odisha, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. Notably, up to the 43rd edition of PRAGATI meetings, a total of 348 projects, with a combined cost of Rs. 17.36 lakh crore, have undergone review.

In a post from his X handle, PM Narendra Modi wrote, “Yesterday, I chaired the 43rd edition of PRAGATI where projects worth over Rs. 31,000 crore across 7 states were reviewed. Ways to make the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan Portal even more effective were also discussed.”

According to a press release by the PIB, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of leveraging the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan Portal and satellite imagery technology to tackle implementation and planning challenges related to project location and land requirements. Additionally, he directed all stakeholders involved in projects within densely populated urban areas to designate nodal officers and establish teams to ensure improved coordination.

Regarding irrigation projects, Prime Minister Narendra Modi advised organising stakeholder visits to areas where successful rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts have been undertaken. Demonstrating the transformative impact of these projects could serve as a motivation for stakeholders to expedite the execution of projects.

During the discussion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also assessed the progress of ‘Mobile Towers and 4G Coverage under USOF Projects.’ As part of the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), the aim is to provide mobile connectivity to 33,573 villages through the installation of 24,149 mobile towers. The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of establishing mobile towers in all unreached villages within the current fiscal year, underlining the necessity of regular meetings with all stakeholders. This approach will guarantee mobile network coverage even in the most remote regions.

What is PRAGATI?

PRAGATI stands for “Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation.” It is an ICT-based (Information and Communication Technology) multi-modal platform that was launched by the Government of India. This platform was established for the purpose of addressing the common man’s grievances, as well as simultaneously monitoring and reviewing important programs and projects of the Government of India, as well as major infrastructure initiatives.

PRAGATI enables the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to interact directly with central and state government officials, allowing for real-time monitoring and reviewing of important projects. By utilising technology, PRAGATI aims to ensure effective governance and timely implementation of government schemes and policies.

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