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NewsClick China funding: Fresh case lodged under UAPA, Delhi Police special cell searches premises with forensic team at multiple locations, Teesta Setalvad raided too

OpIndia Staff
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NewsClick China funding: Fresh case lodged under UAPA, Delhi Police special cell searches premises with forensic team at multiple locations, Teesta Setalvad raided too

After raids by the Delhi Police early on Tuesday, 3rd October, news has surfaced that Abhisar Sharma, Urmilesh, former NDTV Managing Editor Aunindyo Chakraborty, and others have been detained, in the case related to foreign funding from China. As per reports, raids were underway at 30 different locations, all related to individuals related to NewsClick.

It is notable here that the news of detained journalists is yet to be confirmed. Republic TV reported that 8 journalists are being raided, apart from the official premises related to NewsClick. The journalists currently facing raid are expected to be taken to the Delhi Police special cell office later in the day.

Indian Express reported that comedian Sanjay Rajaura was taken to Delhi Police special cell office at Lodhi Colony. More individuals are expected to be detained and questioned.

As per some reports, multiple journalists related to NewsClick have been detained by the Delhi Police in the case as they raids continue. Earlier, Abhisar Sharma had tweeted that the police have raided his premises and have taken away his laptop and phone.

The Delhi Police has registered a fresh case under UAPA, other than the ED case, as per reports. UAPA is related to charges under terrorist activities and terror funding. if UAPA sections are applied, the case is going to be very difficult for the NewsClick and concerned individuals. A forensic team of the Delhi Police is also on site, seizing pieces of evidence, Republic reported.

As per reports, some of the evidence uncovered during the ED investigation demanded premises of investigation that are beyond the authority of the ED. Hence a fresh case has been filed under UAPA and a Delhi Police investigation has been initiated.

It is pertinent to note that NewsClick has been under the scanner for illicit foreign funding since the year 2021 – when Abhisar Sharma was working for the portal as well. Teesta Setalvad and Gautam Navlakha were also accused of taking funds form China that were obtained through newsClick.

Reports have surfaced that Teesta Setalvad’s property in Mumbai is also being raided by Delhi Police.

Earlier on August 22, the Delhi High Court issued notice to news portal NewsClick’s Editor in Chief Prabir Purkayastha on a plea filed by Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EoW), seeking direction to vacate its interim order asking the probe agency not to take any coercive action against the news site, news agency ANI reported.

The high court, on July 7, 2021, passed an order directing that Prabir Purkayastha shall not be arrested, adding, however, that he will have to cooperate with the investigation as and when required by the investigating officer.

Enforcement Directorate says NewsClick received funds from US-based companies worth crores

The investigation conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) unveiled that an overseas fund amounting to Rs. 38.05 crores was deceitfully injected into NewsClick over a span of three years.

The received funds purportedly found their way to numerous contentious journalists, among them Gautam Navlakha and individuals associated with Teesta Setalvad.

Under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted a thorough search at the premises of PPK Newsclick Studio, its affiliated entities, as well as the directors and shareholders (consisting of ten entities) situated in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) in February 2021.

Throughout the course of the search, foreign currency, documents indicating wrongdoing, and digital proof were confiscated.

Upon meticulous examination of the gathered evidence, it was uncovered that there were dubious transactions involving foreign inward remittances. Specifically, Rs. 9.59 crore was introduced through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and an additional Rs. 28.46 crore was purportedly generated through the export of services.

The ED Investigation brought to light that Prabir Purkayastha, the Director of Newsclick, had been acquainted with Neville Roy Singham of Worldwide Media Holdings LLC (Limited Liability Company) since 2017.

Based on the digital evidence seized, it was revealed that Prabir, in collaboration with Neville Roy Singham, who is reportedly linked to the Communist Party of China (CPC), had orchestrated a complex scheme.

To elaborate, the allegations suggest that Prabir Purkayastha and his associates, in an effort to secure a fund of Rs. 9.59 crores from a Chinese entity with significant emphasis, established a legal façade of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Furthermore, it is claimed that Neville Roy Singham had earlier transferred funds to Prabir under the pretext of consultancy fees, ostensibly to propagate a “leftist ideology”.

Both Prabir Purkayastha and the personnel at Newsclick Studio have been unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the receipt of Rs. 28.46 crore from foreign sources, as per reports.

NewsClick and China link

After the ED investigation in 2021, an investigation by the New York Times in August 2023 uncovered an ecosystem of activist organisations, non-profits, shell corporations, and their intimate ties to China and Chinese propaganda. Notably, Neville Roy Singham is at the heart of this network. The article read, “What is less known, and is hidden amid a tangle of nonprofit groups and shell companies, is that Mr Singham works closely with the Chinese government media machine and is financing its propaganda worldwide.”

It was highlighted that he has been successful in spreading talking points from the communist administration in nations including India, Brazil, South Africa, and the United States under the guise of progressive advocacy. The report pointed out, “In New Delhi, corporate filings show, Singham’s network financed a news site, NewsClick, that sprinkled its coverage with Chinese government talking points.”

This is a developing story.

Liberal ‘journalists’ start whining after raids on people connected to China-funded NewsClick, talk about ‘freedom of press’ when issue is about sovereignty of India

OpIndia Staff
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Liberal ‘journalists’ start whining after raids on people connected to China-funded NewsClick, talk about ‘freedom of press’ when issue is about sovereignty of India

On the morning of the 3rd of October 2023, several individuals connected to the online portal NewsClick were raided for illicit foreign funds, including from US organisations and Chinese organisations. Several journalists including Sanjay Rajoura, Bhasha Singh, Urmilesh, Prabir Purkayastha, Abhisar Sharma, Aunindyo Chakraborty and Sohail Hashmi. All the journalists raided have links with NewsClick.

As soon as the news of the raids emerged, the usual suspects started crying copious amounts of tears. The trope they used while tweeting leaves nobody surprised – according to them – the raids proved that the freedom of the press was under threat in India.

While the raids were being conducted, the Left ecosystem went on overdrive to pull the wool over people’s eyes and claim that any investigation of individuals who seem to have benefitted from illicit funding from a hostile nation to further propaganda against India was an attack on the free press.

Propagandist Rohini Singh, who fancies herself as a journalist, claimed that the news of the raids indicates that journalism is the greatest crime in India. It is pertinent to note that Rohini Singh’s name had even featured in the Radia Tapes controversy and has been in the habit of pushing not just political propaganda but also blatant fake news.

Self-proclaimed Muslim journalist from The Wire, who often shields Islamists, furthers fake news and pushes anti-Hindu propaganda, also toed the same line. Arfa Khanum Sherwani tweeted the report from The Wire with the question – “Mother of democracy, anyone?”.

Rajdeep Sardesai, the self-proclaimed vulture who gave a political context to the brutal murder of Prashant Poojari (a Hindu murdered by PFI Jihadis) and expressed his excitement about covering the Parliament terrorist attack, scripted history by getting his tweet right only after 1 edit.

In his tweet, Rajdeep said, “Breaking story this morning: Delhi police special cell raids homes of several journalists/writers associated with Newsclick website. Take away mobiles and laptops.. interrogation on. No warrant/FIR shown yet. Since when did journalists become state ‘enemies’ in a democracy?”

Pratik Sinha, the co-founder of Islamic propaganda outlet AltNews and whose partner dog-whistles against Hindu women on a regular basis, along with trying to whitewash Jihadi crimes, also declared that the government was “crossing all limits”.

It is pertinent to note that all the individuals who are being raided currently have been spreading anti-India propaganda for a very long time. None of them were prosecuted for their opinions and views and the raids are not because the government of India willy nilly decided to prosecute those who are journalists.

The individuals being raided were or are connected to NewsClick which is under scanner for taking money from a hostile nation – China – to further their state propaganda in India and against the sovereignty of India.

An investigation by the New York Times in August 2023 uncovered an ecosystem of activist organisations, non-profits, shell corporations, and their intimate ties to China and Chinese propaganda. Notably, Neville Roy Singham is at the heart of this network. The article read, “What is less known, and is hidden amid a tangle of nonprofit groups and shell companies, is that Mr Singham works closely with the Chinese government media machine and is financing its propaganda worldwide.”

It was highlighted that he has been successful in spreading talking points from the communist administration in nations including India, Brazil, South Africa, and the United States under the guise of progressive advocacy. The report pointed out, “In New Delhi, corporate filings show, Singham’s network financed a news site, NewsClick, that sprinkled its coverage with Chinese government talking points.”

Through this global ecosystem of activists and non-governmental organisations, China, which has been attempting to assert its economic and global might for quite some time, has created a system that covertly promotes the Chinese people and reiterates the official line. It showed how the country has been able to deflect criticism of its violations of human rights from around the world and how its position on global issues is woven into international discourses owing to this network.

Further, even before the New York Times investigation, NewsClick was already under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate in India.

The investigation conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) unveiled that an overseas fund amounting to Rs. 38.05 crores was deceitfully injected into NewsClick over a span of three years. The received funds purportedly found their way to numerous contentious journalists, among them Gautam Navlakha and individuals associated with Teesta Setalvad. Under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted a thorough search at the premises of PPK Newsclick Studio, its affiliated entities, as well as the directors and shareholders (consisting of ten entities) situated in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR). Throughout the course of the search at that time, foreign currency, documents indicating wrongdoing, and digital proof were confiscated.

Upon meticulous examination of the gathered evidence, it was uncovered that there were dubious transactions involving foreign inward remittances. Specifically, Rs. 9.59 crore was introduced through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and an additional Rs. 28.46 crore was purportedly generated through the export of services. The ED Investigation brought to light that Prabir Purkayastha, the Director of Newsclick, had been acquainted with Neville Roy Singham of Worldwide Media Holdings LLC (Limited Liability Company) since 2017.

During the questioning, Prabir allegedly stated that he had no knowledge about Navielle’s company. After the NYT story, it was proven that Prabir had clearly lied to the investigation agencies in 2021. In fact, even during the ED investigation, Prabir’s lie did not hold.

Based on the digital evidence seized, it was revealed that Prabir, in collaboration with Neville Roy Singham, who is reportedly linked to the Communist Party of China (CPC), had orchestrated a complex scheme. To elaborate, the allegations suggest that Prabir Purkayastha and his associates, in an effort to secure a fund of Rs. 9.59 crores from a Chinese entity with significant emphasis, established a legal façade of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Furthermore, it is claimed that Neville Roy Singham had earlier transferred funds to Prabir under the pretext of consultancy fees, ostensibly to propagate a “leftist ideology”. Both Prabir Purkayastha and the personnel at Newsclick Studio have been unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the receipt of Rs. 28.46 crore from foreign sources.

The overview of the investigation clearly reveals that NewsClick was accepting illegal funds from abroad and a large part of the fund was in lieu of spreading anti-India commentary. This is the classic example of undermining the sovereignty of a nation and manipulating the people to believe propaganda against their own nation. In a democracy, it is essential that people are allowed to elect their representatives without the interference of foreign powers who wish to undermine national interests. While those like Rajdeep Sardesai and Pratik Sinha cry copious amounts of tears, these elementary facts are pushed under the rug by those who support foreign interference in India’s democracy simply because they don’t like the outcome of the said democracy.

Rajdeep claimed that ‘journalists cannot be considered the enemy of the state’. He is patently wrong. Any individual can be considered an enemy of the state if they have accepted funds from a hostile nation to undermine the democracy of India. In fact, if the law did not take its course for a specific set of individuals (journalists) who are undermining India’s sovereignty simply because of what they do for a living (journalism – apparently), that would be the very definition of a dysfunctional democracy where the law is unequally applied to citizens.

Any individual accepting money to undermine India’s democracy by a foreign power is liable to be prosecuted. Whether that individual is a plumber, an army man, a police official, a politician or a journalist – is inconsequential. In fact, journalists, who fancy themselves as one of the pillars of democracy must be far more ashamed of undermining the very democracy they claim to uphold after accepting money from foreign powers.

Those “liberals” whining today are not whining because India’s democracy has been compromised. They are upset because the treachery of some elements from the journalist class, who have peddled their paid propaganda against India under the garb of neutrality and the freedom of the press – are being investigated and exposed for what they truly are – pens for hire.

Delhi Police raids residence of Abhisar Sharma, Prabir Purkayastha and others related to China-funded NewsClick, laptop and phone confiscated

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi Police raids residence of Abhisar Sharma, Prabir Purkayastha and others related to China-funded NewsClick, laptop and phone confiscated

On the 3rd of October 2023 morning, it was reported that the Delhi Police had raided several locations in connection with the online portal NewsClick, which had received several crores in funding from China.

One of the locations raided by the Delhi Police in connection with the Newsclick scandal was that of television journalist turned YouTuber Abhisar Sharma.

Abhisar Sharma took to X (formerly Twitter) to inform that the Delhi Police had landed at his residence and was confiscating his laptop and phone.

According to reports, several individuals have been raided – all of them connected to NewsClick. “Police raids Sanjay Rajoura, Bhasha Singh, Urmilesh, Prabir Purkayastha, Abhisar Sharma, Aunindyo Chakraborty and Sohail Hashmi’s places this morning. Phones and laptops taken. Some of them taken to police station. All of them associated with Newsclick”, one journalist tweeted.

It is pertinent to note that NewsClick has been under the scanner for illicit foreign funding since the year 2021 – when Abhisar Sharma was working for the portal as well.

Enforcement Directorate says NewsClick received funds from US-based companies worth crores

The investigation conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) unveiled that an overseas fund amounting to Rs. 38.05 crores was deceitfully injected into NewsClick over a span of three years.

The received funds purportedly found their way to numerous contentious journalists, among them Gautam Navlakha and individuals associated with Teesta Setalvad.

Under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted a thorough search at the premises of PPK Newsclick Studio, its affiliated entities, as well as the directors and shareholders (consisting of ten entities) situated in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR).

Throughout the course of the search, foreign currency, documents indicating wrongdoing, and digital proof were confiscated.

Upon meticulous examination of the gathered evidence, it was uncovered that there were dubious transactions involving foreign inward remittances. Specifically, Rs. 9.59 crore was introduced through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and an additional Rs. 28.46 crore was purportedly generated through the export of services.

The ED Investigation brought to light that Prabir Purkayastha, the Director of Newsclick, had been acquainted with Neville Roy Singham of Worldwide Media Holdings LLC (Limited Liability Company) since 2017.

During the questioning, Prabir allegedly stated that he had no knowledge about Navielle’s company.

Based on the digital evidence seized, it was revealed that Prabir, in collaboration with Neville Roy Singham, who is reportedly linked to the Communist Party of China (CPC), had orchestrated a complex scheme.

To elaborate, the allegations suggest that Prabir Purkayastha and his associates, in an effort to secure a fund of Rs. 9.59 crores from a Chinese entity with significant emphasis, established a legal façade of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Furthermore, it is claimed that Neville Roy Singham had earlier transferred funds to Prabir under the pretext of consultancy fees, ostensibly to propagate a “leftist ideology”.

Both Prabir Purkayastha and the personnel at Newsclick Studio have been unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the receipt of Rs. 28.46 crore from foreign sources.

NewsClick and its China link

After the ED investigation in 2021, an investigation by the New York Times in August 2023 uncovered an ecosystem of activist organisations, non-profits, shell corporations, and their intimate ties to China and Chinese propaganda. Notably, Neville Roy Singham is at the heart of this network. The article read, “What is less known, and is hidden amid a tangle of nonprofit groups and shell companies, is that Mr Singham works closely with the Chinese government media machine and is financing its propaganda worldwide.”

It was highlighted that he has been successful in spreading talking points from the communist administration in nations including India, Brazil, South Africa, and the United States under the guise of progressive advocacy. The report pointed out, “In New Delhi, corporate filings show, Singham’s network financed a news site, NewsClick, that sprinkled its coverage with Chinese government talking points.”

Through this global ecosystem of activists and non-governmental organisations, China, which has been attempting to assert its economic and global might for quite some time, has created a system that covertly promotes the Chinese people and reiterates the official line. It showed how the country has been able to deflect criticism of its violations of human rights from around the world and how its position on global issues is woven into international discourses owing to this network.

‘Missing brain cells’: The Print columnist Shivam Vij trolled for asking why 15.5 per cent of upper caste in Bihar has a 50 per cent quota

Amit Kelkar
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‘Missing brain cells’: The Print columnist Shivam Vij trolled for asking why 15.5 per cent of upper caste in Bihar has a 50 per cent quota

Intelligence has never been the forte of The Print columnist and self-described ‘liberal’ Shivam Vij, who recently had an embarrassing moment when he shot himself in the foot in an attempt to attack the upper caste population living in Bihar.

Vij, who seems intellectually challenged if his utterances on X, formerly known as Twitter, are considered a credible indicator of his mental fitness, recently questioned why 15.5 per cent of the upper caste population in Bihar commands a 50 per cent quota in reservations.

Taking to X, Vij shared the results of the Bihar caste census released by the JDU-RJD government earlier today. The author, who has authored columns for various portals, including Shekhar Gupta’s The Print, provided a percentage-wise caste breakdown of different communities living in Bihar.

The EBC forms 36 per cent of Bihar’s population, Backward classes 27 per cent, Scheduled Castes 19 per cent, Upper castes 15.5 per cent, and Scheduled Tribes 1.8 per cent. Shivam’s gripe, however, was with the Upper Castes that form 15.5 per cent of the total population living in Bihar.

In a display of hilarious tomfoolery, Vij asked why 15.5 per cent of the population has 50 per cent of the quota. And before long, a raft of X users descended on his timeline and on the social media platform to point out the glaring flaw in his logic.

Popular X user Gabbbar Singh took a dig at Vij, referring to him as the JNU humanities expert and highlighting his dimwittedness. The user rightly pointed out that everyone, including the reserved classes, can fight for the remaining 50 per cent unreserved.

For the unversed, the Indian law sanctions 50 per cent of reservations for reserved classes such as ST, SC, OBC, NT, and other castes, while the remaining 50 per cent is unreserved, wherein everyone, including general category applicants and those belonging to the reserved classes, can compete based on the merit.

But Vij assumed that just because the law mandates 50 per cent reservations to reserved castes and groups, it meant the remaining 50 per cent is reserved exclusively for upper castes.

Now, such examples of foolishness are why leftwing ‘liberals’ are fast losing credibility among the masses. When they can’t process something as fundamental as basic math, one would be naturally inclined to harbour reservations over their understanding of complex topics such as geopolitical issues, scientific discoveries, and inter-community dynamics. 

Social media users troll Shivam Vij

The disdain for Vij and his class of ‘intellectuals’ was visible on X, where users mocked The Print columnist for his inability to comprehend fundamental mathematics.

An X user quoted Shivam’s tweet saying, “Missing brain cells.”

“Gazab c**tiya hai bhai tu”, said an X user over Vij’s tweet.

“Akal jab bhagwan baat rhe the tb sabse peeche khade the kya? Ki mili he nhi paayi? (When God was distributing wisdom, were you standing last in the queue)” asked another user.

Many others tried to knock sense in him, pointing out that there is a difference between open and reserved seats. 

But any attempts to bring him to reason appeared futile as Vij doubled down his spectacular buffoonery. He rambled on why the SC had come up with only a 50 per cent reservation figure and not 49.5 or any other. He further claimed that OBC, ST, and SC couldn’t get the seats in the 50 per cent unreserved or general seats, although he did not furnish proof to back his astounding claim.

If there is one reason why India’s education system needs an urgent overhaul, Vij’s tweet attached below provides a compelling case. Vij claimed that SC, ST, and OBC seats are converted into general because suitable candidates cannot be found. He then goes on to claim that raising the quota limit to 75 per cent would result in the implementation of the 50 per cent reservations.

If 50 per cent of reservations do not yield candidates required to fill the reserved seats, as claimed by Vij, how is 75 per cent of reservations going to be of any help?

Nevertheless, such fallacies in arguments have been a hallmark of Shivam Vij’s brand of journalism, which is replete with frivolous analyses, denial of reality, pathetic understanding of basic concepts, and a perverse desire to back oneself even when called out for intellectual dishonesty. With his refusal to accept his mistakes in this case, Vij demonstrates that he is perhaps among those journalists who try to distort facts to support their preconceived notions rather than allow factual accuracy to inform their inferences.

Carpooling is not banned in Bengaluru, people can use commercial vehicles with yellow number plates for carpooling: Karnataka Transport Minister

OpIndia Staff
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Carpooling is not banned in Bengaluru, people can use commercial vehicles with yellow number plates for carpooling: Karnataka Transport Minister

On Monday (2 October), Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy dismissed reports that the state government has imposed a ban on carpooling in the state and called it ‘false news’. He said that the government has not issued any such order but stakeholders will need to take permission to operate such carpooling services.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Reddy asserted that Commercial Vehicles with yellow number plates can be used for carpooling. He added that carpooling in non-commercial private vehicles with white number plates is illegal. 

The Karnataka Transport Minister Reddy said, “Carpooling is not banned, it is false news. First, let them take permission. When they have not taken the permission where is the question of banning? Everyone should follow the rules and regulations. It is illegal to use non-commercial private vehicles with white number plates for carpooling purposes. Commercial Vehicles with yellow number plates can be used for carpooling by following appropriate guidelines.”

Earlier, stating that carpooling affected their daily earnings, several taxi associations had complained against carpooling and submitted a demand to the state government to take action against them.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Reddy said, “According to the Motor Vehicles Act, it is illegal. Among the 32 demands of several transport unions, banning carpooling was also one. The argument is that whiteboard vehicles which are for private use are being used for commercial purposes. If they are using private vehicles for commercial purposes, then they will need to get permission.” 

This comes a day after BJP leader and Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya wrote a letter to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to revisit the rules of Karnataka Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, and requested the government not to ban carpooling in the state. 

In his open letter to the state CM, Tejasvi Surya asserted, “While it is the Government of Karnataka’s contention that private vehicles cannot be used for commercial purposes, it must also be remembered that the law needs to be amended as per the changing times. As far as carriage of persons in private or contract vehicles is concerned, the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, are outdated and are insufficient to meet the needs of the present day.”  

He highlighted that the public transport infrastructure in Bengaluru is not able to cater to its population and reiterated that carpooling could be the solution to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.

Notably, Carpooling is considered an effective step to reduce the number of vehicles on roads and limit pollution. Basically, it is an activity where several officer workers or acquaintances commuting to the same places regularly use one car for travelling purposes. Meanwhile, Bengaluru, the IT city has the highest traffic density for any major city in the country.

Major accident averted on Udaipur-Jaipur Vande Bharat Express, stones and rods were kept on railway tracks in a potential derailing attempt

OpIndia Staff
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Major accident averted on Udaipur-Jaipur Vande Bharat Express, stones and rods were kept on railway tracks in a potential derailing attempt

On Monday (October 2), the driver of the Udaipur-Jaipur bound Vande Bharat Express averted a major mishap by applying the emergency brake to foil a potential derailing attempt. As per official information, the crew onboard the Vande Bharat Express noticed that stones and fish plates were kept on the railway track. 

A video, possibly shot by railway employees, is doing rounds on the internet in which the stones on railway tracks and rods fixed in plates can be clearly seen.   

Notably, the incident raised concerns of possible sabotage. It took place at around 9:53 AM between Gangrar and Soniana railway stations in the Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan. Following the incident, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) registered a case under the Railways Act. 

Regarding the incident, a railway official said, “As the train passed Gangrar, Loco Pilot Mubarak Husain observed an alarming sight on the tracks – two iron rods, each approximately one foot long, were maliciously placed on the rails.” 

The official added, “These iron rods were affixed to a joggle plate, a component used for connecting railway tracks. Additionally, stones had been deliberately stacked on the rails, posing a grave danger to the passengers on board.” 

The official assured that an FIR has been registered in this case and a comprehensive investigation will be conducted to hold the culprit responsible for this act of sabotage. 

“An FIR has been registered against the unknown accused at the Gangrar GRP police station under the relevant section of IPC, and a comprehensive investigation is underway to identify and apprehend the culprits responsible for this act of sabotage,” the railway official said.

After getting the information, DSC Ajmer, IPF Bhilwara, PWI Gangarar, local Police, and GRP officials visited the spot. 

Taking to X, the North Western Railway zone issued an official statement saying, “Today, in front of Vande Bharat Express going from Jaipur to Udaipur, between Gangrar and Soniana stations, anti-social elements have tried to damage the train by placing stones and iron rods on the railway track. Strictest action is being taken by the Railway Administration against anti-social elements and the culprits will not be spared.” 

The Udaipur-Jaipur bound Vande Bharat Express was recently introduced by the North-Western Railways Ajmer Division. On 24 September, PM Modi virtually flagged off its inaugural run.

Meanwhile, this Vande Bharat is covered under the “14-minute miracle” scheme which was launched on October 1 at Terminal Stations across Indian Railways as part of the ‘Swachhata-Hi-Seva’ campaign.

They are not against us but the truth: Director of the Young Thinkers’ Forum, hounded by leftists for Conclave at NLIU, speaks exclusively to OpIndia

Dibakar Dutta
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They are not against us but the truth: Director of the Young Thinkers’ Forum, hounded by leftists for Conclave at NLIU, speaks exclusively to OpIndia

Days after a small group of leftists failed to ‘cancel’ the Young Thinkers’ Conclave held at the National Law Institute University (NLIU) in Bhopal, the Director of the Young Thinkers’ Forum, Ashutosh Singh Thakur, spoke exclusively to OpIndia on Monday (October 2).

There has been a ‘hue and cry’ on social media over some books, which were being sold at the event. Leftist media outlets made a fuss about caricatures of some ‘historians’, which were inspired by the book ‘Ten Heads of Ravana: A Critique of Hinduphobic Scholars.’ What do you want to say about the controversy?

I want them (leftists) to first read those books, find the so-called lies/ fabrications and then debate them. They are not disputing the contents of the books. They are not even debating on the book ‘Ten Heads of Ravana.’ They simply want to cancel and ban these books.

They are simply putting up labels of ‘hate-mongering’ and ‘hate speech’ on the speakers of the Young Thinkers’ Conclave. They are not willing to engage in dialogue even though we presented them the opportunity.

Most of these students did not know that the caricatures were based on the book of Rajiv Malhotra and Divya Reddy. I had to explain to some of them that ‘Ten Heads of Ravana’ is a book, which was published 6 months ago.

I request them to read the book and provide a befitting reply to the authors and publishers if they can. This is an opportunity for them. But they just wanted us to remove it altogether.

Why do you think that the ‘leftist ecosystem’ has been rattled by one event?

They are reluctant to talk about facts. They opposed the Young Thinkers’ Conclave because it did not suit their personal opinions. They do not want anybody on their campus (NLIU Bhopal), who does not subscribe to their worldview.

The majority of the student community did not have a problem with the event. It’s only a handful of leftist students who created this hue and cry. They are afraid of exhibitions, books, and events that do not suit their propaganda, ideology and opinions. As such, they wanted to ban us.

Only truth was spoken at the event. They are not against us but the truth. We will keep speaking the truth no matter who opposes us.

Did they try to intimidate you and other members of the Young Thinkers’ Forum?

Yeah. They tore our flex posters with cutters. This happened on the intervening night between September 29 and September 30. On the day of the event, we found that our branding material had been destroyed.

I don’t know what kind of events are held at NLIU Bhopal. Maybe there have not been many events so far, which have challenged the ideology of these handful of students.

A lawyer on X (formerly Twitter) claimed that the Young Thinkers’ Forum was denied permission to host a similar Conclave at the National Law Institute University in 2020. Is there any truth to such allegations?

In 2020, we did not try to organise the event offline. We did it online. It was the time of the Covid-19 pandemic. Why would we approach NLIU at the time of Covid-19? These people post anything to propagate their agenda.

They didn’t even check that there was a pandemic at that time and no question arose about hosting such an event offline at NLIU Bhopal. We never tried to contact the college administration before this event.

It was only this time that we contacted the college. They provided us with a venue, and we hosted an academic event.

How would you respond to the issues raised by the handful of students at NLIU?

If they give any proper academic rebuttal to any of the talks in the Conclave or whatever was presented in the event, then we could do something about it

They have no right to tell us to not go ahead with the event or ban speakers that they do not like. Now, they are reposting tweets of Neeraj Atri but not providing a counter to his tweets.

If they think that his tweets are wrong, then, why don’t they prove it wrong? Their objection is not academic, logical or factual. Just because it does not suit their agenda, they are not able to digest it.

You must have read the articles by the left media, which targeted the Young Thinkers’ Conclave for supposedly ridiculing ‘historians’. What do you want to say about it?

We know the track record of these ‘historians’. They (the left media) are writing as if we are ‘villanising eminent intellectuals’. These liars are intellectuals and our speakers are somehow hatemongers. This is the irony.

The Background of the ‘NLIU Bhopal’ Controversy

The Young Thinkers’ Forum, a Madhya Pradesh-based group of young intellectuals and thought leaders, held its 5th annual ‘Young Thinkers’ Conclave’ at the prestigious National Law Institute University (NLIU) in Bhopal.

The event featured Hindu rights activist Rashmi Samant, journalist Swati Goel Sharma, author Neeraj Atri and several other young, nationalist speakers. The ‘Young Thinkers’ Conclave’ conducted a total of 6 sessions, which were spread out between two days (September 30 and October 1).

The event was organised at the auditorium of NLIU after seeking permission from the administration of the public law school. A small group of leftists (comprising some students and members of the alumni) learnt about the Conclave on September 25 and attempted to coerce the organisers into cancelling the event.

They objected to the list of nationalist speakers, and accused them of being involved in ‘hate mongering.’ The same coterie of leftists also opposed key sessions of the Young Thinkers’ Conclave, including ‘From Dogma to Dharma: Hindu View of Prophetic Monotheism’ and ‘Unravelling Wokesism: Examining the DNA of Social Activism.’

On Saturday (September 30), the vicious group of leftists cried foul over a banner, which featured caricatures of ‘historians’ such as Audrey Truschke, and Ramachandra Guha. Both of them hold the distinction of distorting facts in pursuit of their agenda.

The cabal of leftists also created hullaballoo over the sale of critical, non-mainstream books at the event, including ‘Jesus Christ: An Artifice for Aggression’, ‘Tipu Sultan: Villain or Hero?’, ‘Hindu Rashtra’ and ‘Jihad.’ 

The small group of leftist students and alumni on campus were also aghast at Professor Ram Sharma for calling out woke culture and the hegemony of the ‘pronoun lobby’ in a session titled ‘Unravelling Wokesism: Examining the DNA of Social Activism.’

Despite their all-out attempts to discredit the Young Thinkers’ Forum and disrupt the ‘Young Thinkers’ Conclave’ 2023 held at NLIU Bhopal, the event was a success. As expected, the leftists had a prolonged meltdown on social media.

To lend credence to the social media outrage by leftists, propaganda news outlets such as The Wire and The Quint published vicious articles targeting the ‘Young Thinker’s Conclave’ 2023.

Arrested ISIS terrorist Shahnawaz had converted his wife Basanti Patel to Islam: Delhi Police

OpIndia Staff
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Arrested ISIS terrorist Shahnawaz had converted his wife Basanti Patel to Islam: Delhi Police

On Monday (2 October), the Special Cell of Delhi Police revealed that the suspected ISIS terrorist Shahnawaz, who was arrested earlier in the day, converted his wife Basanti Patel to Islam. As per media reports, he had married a Hindu woman named Basanti Patel, a resident of Gujarat. After marriage, he got his wife converted to Islam, and her name was changed to Maryam.

Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) HS Dhaliwal made this revelation while responding to media queries regarding Shahnawaz’s arrest. The police added that Shahnawaz, who was on NIA’s most wanted list, did mining engineering at the prestigious Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology.  Dhaliwal said, “Shahnawaz is a mining engineer from Visvesvaraya Institute of Technology. His wife, Basanti Patel, is converted to Islam and is now known as Maryam.”

Earlier in the day, Shahnawaz alias Shafi Uzzama was arrested by the Delhi Police special cell from a hideout in Jaitpur, South Delhi. In the course of the operation, they also detained two other individuals who were wanted by the NIA. 

Addressing the press briefing, Dhaliwal said, “Last month NIA declared an award on three persons who have alleged involvement in blast cases. Out of them, Mohammad Shahnawaz, the main accused, has been arrested with his two associates- Mohammad Rizwan Ashraf and Mohammad Arshad Warsi.”

He added that the security forces recovered bomb-making literature which was sent from Pakistan-based handlers, and other incriminating materials from Shahnawaz’s hideouts. 

The Special CP (Special Cell) informed, “Several explosives-making materials including, plastic tubes, and iron pipes, were recovered. (Apart from it) Pistol, cartridges, and bomb-making literature sent from Pak-based handlers were (also) recovered.” 

Shahnawaz is an engineer by profession and was wanted in the ISIS Pune module case. According to media reports, he is originally from Delhi but had moved to Pune. Two of his associates were arrested in a raid in July, while he managed to flee, returned to Delhi, and lived in a hideout.

According to the Delhi Police, the module planned to carry out terror attacks across India on instructions from foreign-based handlers. 

Police stated that the initial interrogation revealed that the accused had conducted elaborate recce in Western Ghats, southern India, including Hubbali, Dharwad, and Ahmedabad in Gujarat to establish their hideouts.

The NIA had earlier announced a cash reward of Rs 3 lakh each for information about Shahnawaz and three other terror suspects namely Rizwan Abdul, Haji Ali, Abdulla Faiyaz Shaikh alias Diaperwala, and Talha Liyakat Khan. 

According to media reports, Shahnawaz, Abdulla, and Rizwan were radicalised into joining the ISIS mission over the Telegram app and planned to engineer violence and terror in the country. 

Screenshots of old anti-Hindu and anti-India tweets of Pakistan cricket presenter Zainab Abbas go viral as she heads to India for the World Cup

OpIndia Staff
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Screenshots of old anti-Hindu and anti-India tweets of Pakistan cricket presenter Zainab Abbas go viral as she heads to India for the World Cup

On Monday (2 October), Zainab Abbas, a Pakistani cricket presenter expressed her excitement to host the upcoming Cricket World Cup in India. Reportedly, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has picked her to be a presenter for the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 which will commence on the 5th of October in Ahmedabad. However, she quickly became the centre of a social media storm because of her controversial past tweets. 

Apparently, her old tweets are doing rounds on social media in which she had written deplorable things about India and Hindus. In several of her past tweets, the Pakistani presenter Abbas had mocked India and Hindus telling them to eat meat and using phrases like ‘stinking cow piss’ to describe India. Notably, Pakistan has been notorious for using such slurs to derange Indians as meek Hindus who are afraid of their ‘martial race’. 

In one of these old tweets, she ranted, “This 120 crore population can’t produce one fast bowler. Eat some f*c*ing meat u shud shakaharis.” 

In another tweet, she used the cow piss jibe to target Indians, particularly Hindus. She wrote, “..true it does Man went Delhi and it smells of cow piss. Oops, that’s their maa Kaali maa.”  

She has however deleted these tweets now and even changed her handle several years ago. However, an analysis of her old Twitter handle (zainablovessrk) and its interaction clearly reveals that the same handle has now been changed to ZAbbasOfficial, current X (formerly Twitter) account of Zainab Abbas.

Now that the ICC Men’s World Cup is being hosted in India, she finds it intriguing that India and Pakistan share many cultural similarities, more than differences. Having gotten an opportunity to earn a fortune in India, the Pakistani presenter claimed that she is feeling humbled to host the ICC event in India. 

She wrote, “There was always intrigue on what lies on the other side, more cultural similarities than differences, rivals on the field but camaraderie off the field, the same language & love for art & a country with a billion people, here to represent, to create content & bring in expertise from the best in the business. Humbled to be presenting in India at the Cricket WC2023 for the ICC again, a journey away from home of 6 weeks  starts now.” 

When her old tweets surfaced online, social media users highlighted how so-called Pakistani celebrities spew venom against India in their homeland but sing different tones altogether to keep enjoying earning opportunities in India. 

Khalistan supporters gather outside Indian High Commission in London over terrorist Hardeep Nijjar’s death

ANI
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Khalistan supporters gather outside Indian High Commission in London over terrorist Hardeep Nijjar’s death

Khalistan supporters gathered outside the Indian High Commission in London to stage a protest on Monday.  There was a heavy presence of British security forces at the High Commission and the protestors were restricted to the opposite side of the High Commission.

Khalistan supporters claimed that they were staging the protest over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, was killed outside a gurdwara in Canada’s Surrey on June 18.

The protest by Khalistan supporters comes days after the planned interaction of Indian High Commissioner to Britain Vikram Doraiswami by Gurudwara Committee in Glasgow was deliberately disrupted by three persons- all from areas outside Scotland.

The Indian High Commission in London issued a statement on Saturday and said the interaction was to discuss community and consular issues. “On September 29, 2023, three persons- all from areas outside Scotland-deliberately disrupted a planned interaction organised by the Gurudwara Committee for the community, the High Commissioner and the Consul General of India. The organizers included senior community leaders, ladies and Committee members, and a member of the Scottish Parliament,” the statement said.

“They were threatened and abused by these elements. In an effort to prevent any potential altercation, the HC and CG decided to leave the premises shortly upon their arrival,” it added.

The Indian High Commission said it reported the incident to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Metropolitan Police.

It said multiple community organisations, including the organisers, have formally regretted the incident and have urged the authorities to take action against the culprits.

“One of the non-local extremist elements attempted to violently force open the HC’s car door – a matter that will require suitable police consideration. It is due to the quick reaction of one of the organizers, who physically intervened at the car door, that a bigger incident was avoided,” the statement said.

The statement was released after social media videos showed Doraiswami being accosted near the parking area of the Gurudwara, located on Albert Drive in Glasgow, by pro-Khalistani elements, who blocked the Indian envoy from entering the gurudwara. 

Police said it responded to a report of a disturbance in the Albert Drive area of Glasgow around 1:05 pm (local time) on Friday, adding that an inquiry is ongoing to establish the full circumstances around the incident. Glasgow Gurdwara “strongly” condemned the incident.

“An incident occurred on September 29, 2023 at Glasgow Gurdwara where the Indian High Commissioner was on a personal visit, facilitated by a member of Scottish Parliament. Certain unknown individuals from outside the Glasgow area attempted to disrupt this visit, following which the visiting party decided to leave the premises,” Glasgow Gurdwara Guru Granth Sahib Sikh Sabha said in a statement.

It further said that the “unruly individuals” continued to disturb the congregation, adding that the Scotland Police has taken cognizance in the matter.

“Glasgow Gurdwara strongly condemns such disorderly behaviour to disrupt the peaceful proceedings of a Sikh place of worship. The Gurdwara is open to people from all communities and backgrounds, and we welcome everyone openly as per our principles of faith,” the statement added.

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

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