Home Blog Page 1785

‘I am not the son of a fodder thief, I will not bow down’: Another case registered against Manish Kashyap, Bihar govt suspends 5 policemen

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘I am not the son of a fodder thief, I will not bow down’: Another case registered against Manish Kashyap, Bihar govt suspends 5 policemen

Manish Kashyap, the founder of the YouTube channel ‘Sach Tak News’ was brought to a court in Patna by the Bihar Police on 22 September during which he talked to some reporters. Now, Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajeev Mishra has confirmed that the administration has suspended 5 policemen and sought clarification from the team that escorted the YouTuber from Beur jail to the court. He added that the matter is under investigation.

Furthermore, a fresh case has been registered against him. The senior official informed, “A case has also been registered against Manish Kashyap in this regard at Pirbahore police station in Patna. A letter has been written to the Beur Jail Superintendent to make arrangements to present him in the court through video conference during the hearing,” the media on 26 September.

The police headquarters has taken cognizance of the matter. Meanwhile, Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Nayyar Hasnain Khan of ‘Economic Offenses Wing’ stated that the Patna SSP Rajeev Mishra had been tasked with looking into what Manish Kashyap had uttered while in judicial custody.

What did Manish Kashyap Voiced

Manish Kashyap slammed Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo and former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi Yadav who is the incumbent deputy chief minister of the state. He addressed the media outside Patna Court and asserted, “I am the son of a soldier, not a fodder thief. I will die, but I will not bow down before these people.”

He lambasted Tejashwi Yadav and noted that although the RJD leader publicly disparages other communities and supports the Yadav caste, he always keeps his mouth shut when members of the same community are victims of caste-based violence in Bihar. He announced that after being released from prison, he would manage the government and demonstrate how it is run.

He showed his handcuffs and remarked that this time they were in the hands of an honest man. He conveyed that he had not said anything for six months and came to the court quietly and left. He declared that he would not be afraid. He mentioned that his grandfather had fought against China and his father went to war against Pakistan. He questioned whether the Bihar Police would have the guts to bring a case against those responsible for beating up Bihari labourers in Tamil Nadu.

Manish Kashyap expressed that his mother was crying when they met and promised to wipe the tears of other mothers when he comes out of incarceration. He charged, “I have been silent for so many days. I will speak today. I am not afraid of the NSA (National Security Act). I campaign against drug addiction, but police officers deliver smack, ganja, cigarettes etc., to the jail.”

He disclosed that 60-65 prisoners are put inside a single vehicle. They smoke ganja and exhale the smoke on his face and he is kept with those individuals. He had also predicted that a case was going to be brought against him for unveiling this. However, he vowed, “I will always keep my voice loud and try to ensure that the public hears us. I am the son of a solider. I am not scared.”

“Not constables, but those with stars. There, cigarettes and marijuana are consumed and smoke is blasted in my face. I get headaches. The court does not have any security measures in place. Nitish Kumar who talks about the freedom of journalists should arrange an inspection of the prison. Two grams of smack can land you in jail for years, however, a lot of it ends up in jail and nothing happens,” he further accused.

The majority of constables, he claimed, were upright and conveniently suspended in contrast to the majority of officers who were dishonest and frequently got away with crimes. Manish Kashyap was arrested in March of this year and handed over to Tamil Nadu Police for making videos of alleged attacks on Bihari labourers in the southern state where he spent months behind bars before he was lodged in judicial custody in Beur jail of Patna. The YouTuber was also slapped with the stringent NSA. His mother recently met the affected workers and also provided them with financial assistance.

Tovino Thomas starrer Malayalam film ‘2018 – Everyone Is A Hero’ to be India’s official entry to Oscars 2024

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Tovino Thomas starrer Malayalam film ‘2018 – Everyone Is A Hero’ to be India’s official entry to Oscars 2024

On Wednesday (27 September), the Film Federation of India (FFI) announced that the Malayalam film titled “2018- Everyone is a Hero” will be India’s official entry to the Academy Awards (Oscars) 2024. Renowned Kannada filmmaker and chairman of the selection committee, Girish Kasaravalli made this announcement while addressing a press conference today, PTI reported. 

Kasaravalli noted that the Malayalam movie has been picked for its very relevant theme on climate change and the travails of people vis-a-vis what has been understood as development in society. The FFI President Ravi Kottarakara said that a 16-member selection committee was led by Kasaravalli and it screened several films to represent India at the 96th edition of the Oscars to be held in March next year.

Notably, Tovino Thomas starrer Malayalam film ‘2018 – Everyone is a Hero’ is a survival drama film based on real-life happenings. The film was centered around the 2018 floods that devastated parts of Kerala. It was a commercial success and went on to become the second biggest Malayalam film of 2023, after ‘Romancham’.

In this calamity-based movie, Tovino Thomas plays the role of a young man who leaves the Indian Army with a fake medical certificate, however, he redeems himself during the floods and saves the lives of many people stuck in inundated houses or collapsed buildings. The film also features stars like Asif Ali, Lal, Narain, Kunchacko Boban, and Aparna Balamurali among others in key roles. 

The film was directed by Jude Anthany Joseph who was also its writer alongside Akhil P. Dharmajan. 

Earlier this year, India scripted history at the Oscars 2023 and lifted two Academy Award (Oscars) trophies. The hit sensation ‘Naatu Naatu’ from the blockbuster Indian film RRR won the Best Original Song award at the Oscars 2023 on March 12, 2023. Music composer MM Keeravaani and lyricist Chandrabose accepted the award. 

The song was performed live at the Dobly Theatre for the Oscars by the singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava.

Additionally, the Indian short documentary film ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ won the ‘Best Documentary Short’ category at the 95th edition of the Oscars. Directed by Kartiki Gonsalves and produced by Guneet Monga and Achin Jain, the documentary scripted history by being the first-ever recipient of the Academy Award for an Indian production in the category.

India’s previous submissions to the Oscars include films like Chhello Show (2022), Koozhangal (2021), Jallikattu (2020), Gully Boy (2019), Village Rockstars (2018), Newton (2017), and Visaranani (2016). However, they could not make it to the Oscar shortlist. Notably, only three Indian films—Mother India, Salaam Bombay, and Lagaan—have received Oscar nominations to date.

The 96th Academy Awards will be broadcast live on ABC on Sunday, March 10, 2024, and will be hosted in the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Saket Gokhale asks for details on Urban Naxals: Here’s how he should inquire about it to TMC ally and INDI alliance partner Congress

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Saket Gokhale asks for details on Urban Naxals: Here’s how he should inquire about it to TMC ally and INDI alliance partner Congress

On 25 September 2023, PM Narendra Modi said in a program in Madhya Pradesh that the Congress party is now run by a few urban Naxals. On 27th September 2023, TMC MP Saket Gokhale wrote to the special secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs to ask about the details of the term ‘urban Naxals’.

Saket Gokhale wrote in his letter, “In his speech, the Hon’ble PM made a startling allegation that the party Indian National Congress is being run by a group called ‘urban Naxals’. This is also not the 1st time the PM has used this term in public speeches. On several occasions, opposition parties, as well as some journalists, activists, & NGOs, have been labelled as ‘urban Naxals’ by the PM. This is a matter of grave concern with regard to internal security as a person no less than the Hon’ble Prime Minister has indicated the existence of a group called ‘urban Naxals’.”

Saket Gokhale further asked, “In this regard, you’re required to furnish the undersigned MP with the following information. Has the Ministry of Home Affairs identified a category called “urban naxals”? If yes, please state the details of this category of persons including their activities and the basis on which they’re identified.”

Image Source: X handle of Rahul Shivshankar

Saket Gokhale also inquired about the action taken by the Union home ministry in this regard. He asked in his letter, “How many prosecutions have been conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs or central investigation agencies into various ‘urban Naxals’ that the PM claims are allegedly operating in political parties, news organizations, & NGOS in India? Please state the standard SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) laid down by the Ministry of Home Affairs along with any communication extended to all state governments regarding the topic of ‘urban Naxals’.”

‘Urban Naxals’ first used in 2013, when Congress-led UPA was in power

Saket Gokhale accused the Prime Minister of labelling opposition parties, as well as some journalists, activists, & NGOs as ‘Urban Naxals’. However, it is not after Narendra Modi came to power in 2014 that this term has been introduced. In fact, it was in 2013, during the regime of Congress-led UPA that this term was first used by the government.

According to a report by the Times of India, the UPA government had in a counter-affidavit filed in the Supreme Court in November 2013 said that academicians and activists in urban centres had come to control “mass organisations” organically linked to Maoists under the cover of human rights.

The counter-affidavit in the ‘Kishore Samrite vs. Union of India & Others’ case elaborated on how Urban Naxal warfare constitutes a strategy employed by the CPI (Maoist) to garner public support through organisations associated with the party structure while maintaining distinct identities to evade legal responsibility.

In an indication of how governments, regardless of political affiliations, perceive ‘Urban Naxals’ as a threat, the UPA affidavit mentioned that these fronts are ‘organically linked to CPI (Maoist)’ and emphasised that these operatives are ‘in many ways more dangerous than cadres of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army’ (PLGA).

It is notable that PLGA is the armed division of the CPI(Maoist). According to the reports, since 2001, the Maoists of this outfit have been responsible for the deaths of 5,969 civilians, and 2,147 security personnel, and the theft of 3,567 firearms from different police and central paramilitary forces.

Congress leader Sushilkumar Shinde was the Union home minister when this affidavit was filed in the Supreme Court. In this sworn statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs acknowledged that commencing legal actions against these “ideologues, including academicians and activists,” frequently led to unfavourable publicity for law enforcement agencies, owing to the efficacy of the Maoist propaganda apparatus.

The affidavit said, “These ‘mass organisations’ are generally manned by ideologues, who include academicians and activists, fully committed to the party line. Such organisations ostensibly pursue human rights-related issues and are also adept at using the legal processes of the Indian State to undermine and emasculate enforcement action by the security forces and also attempt to malign the state institutions through propaganda and disinformation to further the cause of their ‘revolution’.”

It is evident from this that the term ‘urban Naxals’ was not coined during the tenure of the Modi government. In fact, it was explained in detail in an affidavit submitted by the Union home ministry in the apex court in the regime of Congress-led UPA. The accusations on the Prime Minister of linking various activists, NGOs, self-styled intellectuals and academicians with this term are also baseless because the affidavit filed by the Congress government itself says that persons from the said clouts are actively engaged in furthering the Maoist violent ideology. Saket Gokhale thus needs to first inquire this to the leaders of Congress which is one of the allies of TMC in the I.N.D.I. Alliance, rather than asking the home ministry about the details of the term ‘urban Naxals’.

Khalistani terrorist Pannun issues threats through recorded call, says cricket world cup will be ‘world terror cup’, ‘advises’ to shut down embassy in Canada

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Khalistani terrorist Pannun issues threats through recorded call, says cricket world cup will be ‘world terror cup’, ‘advises’ to shut down embassy in Canada

Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has threatened the ICC Cricket World Cup, especially the match to be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Gujarat on October 5. He said that there will be no World Cricket Cup on October 5, it will be the start of the World Terror Cup.

Many people in India received a call from a UK phone number +44 7418 343648 wherein a prerecorded audio message by the terrorist was played. In the newly issued threat message, Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said, “On Shaheed Nijjar’s assassination, we are going to use ballot against your bullet. We are going to use the vote against your violence. This October, it will not be the World Cricket Cup. It will be the beginning of the World Terror Cup. The message is from Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the SFJ general council.”

The SFI leader also issued threats to Indian diplomats in Canada, especially Sanjay Verma, High Commissioner of India to Canada. The Khalistani terror group ‘advised’ India to shut down its mission in Ottawa and recall the envoy posted there.

The threat message added, “India and the Modi regime have insulted Prime Minister Trudeau. Modi regime, it is advisable that you shut down your embassy in Ottawa and bring back your ambassador Verma. This advice is from the Canadians and this advice is from Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the SFJ general council. We are going to hold Modi and Ambassador Verma accountable for disrespecting Prime Minister Trudeau. It’s very wise to bring back Verma and shut down the Ottawa embassy.”

Journalist Aditya Raj Kaul was one of the persons who have received the pre-recorded call, which seems to have been made using an IP-Calling facility.

It is notable that since the death of Khalistani Terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, Canada, Khalistani groups have been accusing India, a claim now supported by the Canadian govt. The Khallistanis have put up posters in Canada calling for the assassination of heads of Indian missions in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver. Recently, such posters put up in front of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple in Surrey were removed.

On September 23, National Investigation Agency (NIA) confiscated the properties of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in Sector 15 C Chandigarh. As per reports, the investigation agency has issued a new dossier on the Khalistani terrorist that will be shared with the investigation agencies in other countries. As per the new dossier, Pannun wants to create Khalistan and divide India into multiple parts. There are 16 cases registered against him in different states.

As per the NIA dossier, there are 16 cases registered against him in different states, including Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Uttarakhand. The dossier noted that Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was born in February 1967. His family had migrated from Pakistan to Amritsar in Khankot village in 1947. He is an attorney at law in the US and runs a firm. His organisation, Sikhs For Justice, is a secessionist group that supports the secession of Punjab from India as Khalistan. He was declared a terrorist under UAPA in July 2020.

‘Ontario very permissive of organised crime, violence and extremism’: EAM Jaishankar slams Canada, takes a dig at Five Eyes nations and FBI

ANI
-
0
‘Ontario very permissive of organised crime, violence and extremism’: EAM Jaishankar slams Canada, takes a dig at Five Eyes nations and FBI

Amid the ongoing India-Canada row, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the “organised crime, related to secessionist forces, violence and extremism” in Canada, raising concerns over them being “very permissive” due to political reasons.

Speaking at the ‘Discussion at Council on Foreign Relations’ in New York, Jaishankar said, “In the last few years, Canada actually has seen a lot of organized crime, relating to the secessionist forces, organized crime, violence and extremism. They’re all very, very deeply mixed up. So in fact, we have been talking about specifics and information.”

He further stressed that the Indian government has provided the Canadian side with a lot of information about the crime, and there has been a large number of extradition requests.

“We have given them a lot of information about organized crime and leadership, which operates out of Canada. There are a large number of extradition requests. There are terrorist leaders, who have been identified,” he added.

The EAM raised concern over these incidents of threats to Indian diplomats and attacks on Indian consulates, stating that these are “very permissive” because of political reasons.

“Our concern is that it’s really been very permissive, because of political reasons. So we have a situation where our diplomats are threatened, our consulates have been attacked…A lot of this is often justified, as saying that’s how democracies work. If somebody gives me something specific, it doesn’t have to be restricted to Canada. But if there’s any incident which is an issue and somebody gives me something specific, as a government, I would look at it,” Jaishankar further said.

Regarding PM Trudeau’s allegations, Jaishankar assured that the Indian side will take action if the Canadian side provides specific information in connection with Khalistani leader Hardeep Nijjar’s killing.

“We told the Canadians that this is not the government of India’s policy. Secondly, we said if you have something specific and if you have something relevant, let us know. We are open to looking at it…The picture is not complete without the context in a way,” he said.

Notably, Canada has yet to provide any public evidence to support the claim about the slaying of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Early last week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an explosive statement accusing the Indian government of being involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – a claim that India has outrightly rejected, calling it ‘absurd’ and ‘motivated’.

India has suspended its visa services in Canada, following Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau’s allegations of Indian involvement in the killing.

Amid strained ties, India issued an advisory for its citizens and those who are travelling to Canada to exercise “utmost caution in view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence” in the country.

Jaishankar takes a dig at Five Eyes alliance over Nijjar’s killing

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday (local time) said that he is not a part of the intelligence group when asked for comment on the reported sharing of intelligence between Five Eyes countries on Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing. 

He was asked about the reports citing the role of the Five Eyes group regarding the intelligence behind the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and reports of the FBI warning US Sikh leaders about “credible threats” to them.

Responding to the question during the ‘Discussion at Council on Foreign Relations’ in New York, Jaishankar said, “I am not part of The Five Eyes, I am certainly not part of the FBI. So I think you are asking the wrong person”.

The Five Eyes is an intelligence alliance comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US and the UK.

Earlier, David Cohen, the US Ambassador to Canada, said that it was “shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners” that led the Trudeau administration to make the claim of a potential link between “agents” of the Indian government and the killing of separatist Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

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

Eradicate Sanatana Dharma comment: Supreme Court refuses to issue notice to Udhayanidhi Stalin and others on fresh PIL, tags it with existing cases

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Eradicate Sanatana Dharma comment: Supreme Court refuses to issue notice to Udhayanidhi Stalin and others on fresh PIL, tags it with existing cases

On Wednesday (27 September), the Supreme Court refused to issue notice for the registration of an FIR against Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and others in response to a fresh plea in connection to their hate speeches against Sanatan Dharma. The bench noted that a similar plea had been filed before the apex court in this matter. Subsequently, it ruled to tag it with the existing plea in this case. 

The two-judge bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Bela M Trivedi was hearing the matter. Delhi-based lawyer Vineet Jindal had moved the Public Interest Litigation (PLI) urging the Supreme Court to treat this case of hate speech against Sanatan Dharma at par with cases that pertain to hate speech against Muslims. 

Tamil Nadu’s Additional Advocate General (AAG) Amit Anand Tiwari representing the DMK-led state government, argued against the filing of another PIL claiming that it makes the job of state governments difficult. 

Arguing before the court, he said, “These are public interest litigation in the nature of ‘publicity interest litigation’. What is the need for another petition?” He lamented, “There are 40 writ petitions filed across the country in different high courts. It makes it incredibly difficult for the State.” 

To which, Justice Bose noted that he has an appropriate remedy under the Constitution. 

However, the Tamil Nadu government’s counsel continued and lamented that writ petitions are being filed before the high courts to get publicity. 

He said, “Everyone filing PILs for publicity, they will go to the media and circulate these.”

However, the petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Raj Kishor Choudhary objected to his statement. He asserted that a genocidal call was made by the leaders of the Tamil Nadu government.  

Responding to his assertion, AAG replied, “Scurrilous remarks. It’s very unfortunate.” 

Afterwards, Justice Bose ordered to tag the current plea with another similar plea ongoing in this case.  Justice Bose said, “We have not issued notice. Let it be tagged. We will see on that day.” 

It is important to note that last week, the Supreme Court issued a notice in another similar plea against Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin over his hate speech against Sanatan Dharma.

On Saturday (2 September), the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Stalin Jr. equated Sanatan Dharma with diseases like Malaria and Corona and blatantly asserted that it should not be opposed but rather should be eradicated. 

The DMK leader said, “Mosquitoes, dengue, flu, malaria, corona – we should not oppose these things. They’ve to be eradicated completely. The same is the case with Santanam (Hinduism). Our first work should be to abolish/eradicate Sanatanam instead of opposing it,” from the dias of “Eradicate Sanatan Conference”.

Many other leaders of DMK, the ruling party in Tamil Nadu, have also given anti-Sanatan remarks. Evidently, in the long list of such leaders, DMK leader A Raja argued that Sanatan Dharma should have been compared with HIV, leprosy and Udayanidhi Stalin was soft in comparing it with dengue or malaria.

Ilhan Omar, with links to terrorists, supports Canada’s baseless allegation against India, asks US govt to answer if India has killed Khalistanis in the USA too

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Ilhan Omar, with links to terrorists, supports Canada’s baseless allegation against India, asks US govt to answer if India has killed Khalistanis in the USA too

On 27th September 2023, US lawmaker Ilhan Omar took to social media platform X to support Canada’s baseless allegation that Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Niijar was assassinated by the Indian government. She also asked the US government to investigate if India has performed any similar operations there and eliminated a few in the USA too.

Ilhan Omar posted, “The allegations that Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Niijar was assassinated by the Indian government are deeply concerning. The US must fully support the Canadian investigation. We are also requesting a briefing on whether there are similar operations in the United States.”

Who is Ilhan Omar?

Ilhan Omar, who was elected to the House of Representatives from Minnesota on a Democrat ticket, has achieved celebrity status in the Muslim world. Outside the global Muslim brotherhood or the Ummah, Omar is seen as someone running errands for the powerful Islamist lobbies, whose only aim is to push radical Islam in modern societies.

In fact, the origins of Omar, who hails from Somalia, have also been controversial. Omar arrived in the US at the age of 12 in 1995 as a refugee fleeing Somalia’s civil war. She became a citizen five years later, at the age of 17. In November 2016, she won the election to become the first Somali-American in the US Congress.

There are allegations that Omar married her biological brother to bypass the US immigration process. Former President Donald Trump had asked the Justice Department to investigate Ilhan Omar’s marriage to her brother and her subsequent migration to the US illegally.

Ilhan Omar’s history of bias against Hindus, a known anti-India propagandist

A representative of Minnesota, Ilhan Omar, has several times in the past parroted the same lies peddled by the radical Islamists. For years now, Omar has indulged in propagating anti-India narratives, especially targeting the Narendra Modi government, and has sought the Biden Administration’s official help to further her propaganda war.

With support from other ‘left-liberal’ circles, both in India and the West, Ilhan Omar has been at the forefront of raking up the issue of Kashmir in the US House of Representatives with a pro-Pakistan stand demanding US agencies to intervene in the matter. Omar has also peddled lies about the alleged attacks on minorities, issues of human rights, and freedom of speech in India, claiming that Muslims in the country are facing atrocities at the hands of Hindus.

In June 2023, when PM Narendra Modi was on his state visit to the USA, Minnesota 5th District Congresswoman Ilhan Omar accused PM Modi’s government of “repressing minorities, emboldening violent Hindu nationalist groups, and targeting journalists/human rights advocates with impunity.” Now, she has come ahead to support Canada’s baseless allegations against India that the agents of the Indian government killed Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

A report by The Washington Post has claimed that at least six men and two vehicles were involved in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey on 18 June 2022. Another report has further claimed that the two killers who shot Nijjar were Sikhs.

The current diplomatic situation between India and Canada

Tensions rose between India and Canada after Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau accused India of involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. Canada expelled an Indian diplomat after the allegations, but other allied countries refused to issue a joint statement against India.

The government of India has categorically denied any involvement in Nijjar’s murder, adding that the Canadians have not shared any evidence in that regard and have just been making unsubstantial allegations.

In retaliation, India denied the allegations and expelled a Canadian diplomat. The dispute led to India stopping visa issuance to Canadian citizens and halting trade talks between the two countries. India had previously expressed concerns about increasing Khalistani activities in Canada, including speeches by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun during a so-called Khalistan referendum. It was also revealed that Nijjar was on the US No Fly list, leading to questions about why Canada was providing a haven for designated terrorists and organized crime, as noted by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

200 vehicles set ablaze, 700 booked: Violence erupts during ‘Gurjar Mahakumbh’ in Gwalior, SP MLA and BSP MP booked for instigating mob

OpIndia Staff
-
0
200 vehicles set ablaze, 700 booked: Violence erupts during ‘Gurjar Mahakumbh’ in Gwalior, SP MLA and BSP MP booked for instigating mob

Violence erupted during the Gurjar Mahakumbh was held on Monday, September 25 at Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, where a large number of vehicles were set ablaze. Reportedly, a BSP MP and an SP MLA instigated the riots during the event, which was attended by several politicians. The mob attacked police personnel and pelted stones, vehicles were set ablaze, and other public properties were also vandalized.

Gurjars from numerous states, including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana, attended the Gurjar Mahakumbh to voice their demands. The primary request made by the Gurjars during the Mahakumbh was the demolition of the tin shed surrounding Emperor Mihirbhoj’s statue. The Gurjars also demanded tickets from the BJP and Congress in proportion to the population.

According to the reports, after provocative speeches by BSP MP Maluk Nagar from Bijnor in UP and SP MLA Atul Pradhan from Sardhana in UP’s Meerut, the crowd got agitated, and some miscreants created a ruckus which soon expanded. At around 1:30 pm on Monday, September 25, around 2000 youngsters arrived at the Phoolbagh crossroads and caused an extensive ruckus following the incendiary speech by the politicians at the Gurjar Mahakumbh held at the Phoolbagh ground.

Following this, at around 4:30 p.m., young Gurjar people created an uproar while marching towards the Collectorate to submit a memorandum. However, the gate of the office was closed, and police officers present there asked them to submit the memorandum at the gate itself. But the crowd was adamant on entering the office. Following an argument over the issue, some in the crowd suddenly created a ruckus and demolished the barricades. They also pelted stones at police vehicles and broke the glasses of the collectorate office. The police tried to control them but were unable to do so, and the violence soon expanded.

The mob started vandalising vehicles and assaulted pedestrians in the area. About 200 vehicles were reportedly destroyed by Gurjars, and the majority of the damaged cars were set on fire. The mob also pelted stones at police and several cops were injured in this attack. Houses in the area were also targeted by the mob. The aggressive Gurjars were later lathi-charged and tear-gassed by the police to control the violence.

Additional SP M Shiyaz said that when the police detained some suspected miscreants, the mob blocked Jhansi Road and Sikaroda intersection, stopped many vehicles and vandalized them. Not only this, these people also beat up the passersby. When the situation did not come under control for several hours, the police released tear gas shells and dispersed the crowd by lathi-charge. Police had to fire around 200 tear gas shells.

5 FIRs have been filed in the case. According to reports, 23 people connected to the violence have been detained thus far. The police also confiscated around 200 two-wheelers parked in front of the Collectorate and around a nearby petrol pump. In addition to the 20–25 identifiable individuals, 700 unidentified people have been added to 5 FIRs. These include Maluk Nagar, a BSP MP from Bijnor, and Atul Pradhan, an SP MLA from Sardhana in Meerut, close to Delhi.

According to media reports, these individuals delivered aggressive speeches and incited violence. FIR has now been filed in their name. The noteworthy thing is that both these leaders are from near Delhi and belong to opposition parties. These people had instigated their accompanying supporters to violence. It is being told that cases have been registered against them for rioting and obstructing government work.

The violence in Gurjar Mahakumbh is also being linked to electoral politics since seats for Gurjars in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan were also requested from political parties during the Mahakumbh. Additionally, this Mahakumbh was meant to demonstrate the Gurjars’ political clout. The entry of BSP and SP leaders in such a situation and the increase in violence in the state that the BJP controls are indicators of electoral politics.

When a Hindu King did a ‘Sardar Patel’ 575 years ago: How Gajapati Kapilendra Deva from Odisha liberated Telangana from Islamic rule

Nihar Ranjan Nanda
-
0
When a Hindu King did a ‘Sardar Patel’ 575 years ago: How Gajapati Kapilendra Deva from Odisha liberated Telangana from Islamic rule

A few days ago, we commemorated the Hyderabad Liberation Day, paying homage to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s strategic genius, which promptly put an end to the oppression of the Razakars under the Nizams, sparing the Hindu majority from further suffering. The well-coordinated and decisive action by the Indian Army dealt a crippling blow to the barbaric Razakars, who had subjected Hyderabad’s Hindus to unspeakable cruelty. This marked the realization of a long-cherished dream for the people of the region — freedom from the Nizam’s rule.

Surprisingly, a strikingly similar historical parallel unfolded in the very same region nearly 575 years ago. During the reign of the formidable Bahmani Sultanate, ruled by Allaudin Ahmad Shah, almost the entire expanse of Telangana came under his dominion by 1448 CE. This conquest followed the expulsion of local Hindu chiefs who had held sway in the region for years.

With most of Telangana under his control, Ahmad Shah appointed Sanjar Khan as the region’s governor. Khan proved to be a ruthless despot harbouring a profound hatred for the local Hindu population. He captured Hindus and forced them into servitude(Mukherjee Prabhat, The history of the Gajapati kings of Orissa, p.29), with women and children bearing the brunt of his brutality mostly. Throughout his rule, Hindus lived in perpetual fear of enslavement.

Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Odisha, significant developments were underway. Under the leadership of Kapilendra Deva of the Suryavamsi Gajapati dynasty, a dynamic and forward-thinking ruler emerged. Unlike many of his contemporaries who adopted a defensive posture against Islamic kingdoms, Kapilendra Deva believed in taking the battle to enemy territories. Starting with a relatively modest domain comprising 5-6 districts surrounding his capital, Cuttack, in Odisha, he expanded his realm all the way to the Krishna River in modern-day Andhra Pradesh by 1448 CE. Along the way, he decisively defeated the Sultanate of Bengal and Malwa, annexing their territories.

With his dominion bordering that of Bahmanis he was not unaware of what was happening in Telengana. Therefore, the clash with the Bahmanis was just a matter of time. Sultan Ahmad Shah was well aware of the formidable Gajapati army’s military might, often reputed to include an astounding 2 lakh elephants (Mohapatra R P, Military history of Orissa, p. 122). While this might seem like an exaggeration, the Odia army indeed boasted a considerable number of elephants, which earned their kings the moniker “Gajapatis.” Nevertheless, the Sultan advised the stubborn Sanjar Khan to avoid tangling with the “possessors of elephants,”(Indian Antiquary Vol. XXVIII P. 237) recognizing that he was no match for them.

This counsel fell on deaf ears, and haughty Sanjar Khan engaged the Gajapati army in battle. The Gajapati army was well prepared and had eagerly awaited this opportunity to strike at the Bahmanis. The stage for a fierce confrontation was set in modern-day Khammam, Telangana. Leading this pivotal battle was Hamvira Deva, Kapilendra’s son, and it ultimately led to the slaying of the tyrant Sanjar Khan (Subrahmanyam R, The Suryavamsi Gajapatis of Orissa, p.49). Finally, the Hindus of the region could breathe a sigh of relief.

This marked the beginning of a series of invasions by Kapilendra into the Bahmani Sultanate’s territory. He not only liberated the entire Telangana region from the Bahmanis but also captured Mahur Fort, located in the modern-day Nanded district, Maharashtra from them. Other important forts like Racakonda, Devarkonda, Warangal (Subrahmanyam R, The Suryavamsi Gajapatis of Orissa, p.54) and many more fell into his hand. Ultimately, the Gajapati army laid siege to Bidar, the capital of the Bahmani kingdom in modern Karnataka. Sanjar Khan’s brutal reign was met with a resolute response from the Hindu conqueror Kapilendra Deva, culminating in the capture of the Bahmani capital (Subrahmanyam R, The Suryavamsi Gajapatis of Orissa, p.58). This historical episode bears an uncanny resemblance to the events in newly independent India. In the same region, the Razakars perpetrated heinous atrocities against the Hindu populace, and we witnessed how Sardar Patel’s brilliance ensured their demise.

Such historical events underscore the importance of leaders with a profound understanding of prevailing geopolitical circumstances and an unwavering commitment to Hindu interests. However, it is essential to remember that such responses require meticulous long-term planning and years of preparation. Our history stands as a testament to our ability to execute such strategies successfully, both in the past and potentially in the future. Unfortunately, the significant achievements of this great king who at one point ruled along the east coast from the Hooghly River of West Bengal in the north to Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu in the south, have not been much explored by earlier scholars due to various reasons. This author has tried to put those in the form of a book titled “Gajapati Kapilendra Deva, The history of the greatest Hindu conqueror of 15th Century India”.

Smriti Irani schools Rajdeep Sardesai on Women’s Reservation Bill after he tries to hail Mamata Banerjee as a women’s rights champion

Shraddha Pandey
-
0
Smriti Irani schools Rajdeep Sardesai on Women’s Reservation Bill after he tries to hail Mamata Banerjee as a women’s rights champion

‘Journalist’ Rajdeep Sardesai has time and again expressed his admiration for the West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee. From downplaying political violence in the state to choosing to eat Rasgulla over asking tough questions to CM Banerjee, the IndiaToday journalist has apparently been a ‘fan’ of Mamata Banerjee defending her on her wrongs and eulogising her even at the slightest possibility of appreciating her.

Union Minister Smriti Irani in a recent interview on IndiaToday reminded Sardesai of the crimes committed by TMC workers against village women in the state for opposing Mamata Banerjee in the elections, as Rajdeep Sardesai attempted to credit Mamata Banerjee for advocating for women’s reservation.

Minister Smriti Irani explained the procedures involved in the implementation of the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ simply Women’s Reservation Bill saying that it can be implemented post 2026 following the census and the delimitation. Sardesai then questioned Minster Irani if it is assumed that the women’s reservations would be implemented in the 2029 elections, “in the interim all political parties must make a greater effort to give more tickets to women.”

“Mamata Banerjee, to her credit has given forty percent tickets, Naveen Patnaik gave thirty-three percent tickets, do you think parties like yours (BJP) and the Congress need to follow suit? Sardesai continued.

In response to Rajdeep Sardesai’s attempt at establishing the TMC’s assertion that they had an upper hand in championing the women’s reservation, Minister Irani said, “Mr Sardesai, mine is the only political organisation in the country, that created a reservation for women within our organisation. If you think that Mamata Bandhopadhyay (Mamata Banerjee) is the flag bearer of women’s rights, I think looking at the tyranny of distance you need to go and visit those villages in West Bengal where women were raped for opposing Mamata Bandhopadhyay.”

“You need to interview those families where women were not allowed back to their villages till such time they were sexually assaulted by TMC goondas. For you to hold Mamata Banerjee as the flag bearer of women’s rights knowing this information is outrageous,” Irani continued.

Rajdeep Sardesai being his usual self, decided not to speak a word on the political violence in West Bengal under the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government, and moved back to questioning the Minister if she is hopeful that political parties would give more tickets to women. The union minister responded to this by saying “My political leadership has done what no other political party has managed to do in this country, to pass the women’s reservation bill,” adding that the other political parties could not do so despite being in power for decades.

It is worth noting that the Bhartiya Janata Party announced in 2007 that it would reserve 33% of its organisational positions, including national office bearers, for women. While Rajdeep Sardesai is curious whether the BJP will follow Mamata Banerjee’s suit in giving more tickets to women in the coming elections, it was the BJP only that first adopted a formal resolution in support of 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State Legislatures and demanded a necessary Constitutional amendment in this regard in 1994.

It is not surprising that Rajdeep Sardesai sees Mamata Banerjee as a women’s rights champion despite being aware of the political violence unleashed by her party workers during the recently held Panchayat elections or the last state assembly elections. In July this year, while speaking to ‘The Lallantop‘ journalist Saurabh Dwivedi, Sardesai not only tried to contextualise the violence but also gave a clean chit to the TMC leader when asked to speak on the West Bengal CM’s failure to hold a free and fair election in the state by bringing in the ‘chronology’ and ‘political culture of Bengal’. Moreover, he also asserted that the Panchayat election was a fight for relevance and sustenance of political stature, thus implying that violence was a political compulsion.

To ask tough questions or eat Rasgulla: Rajdeep Sardesai prefers Rasgulla

In August 2021, the veteran ‘journalist’ conceded that he would have been denied ‘rasgulla’ (a traditional Bengali sweet) by Mamata Banerjee if he asked her about her post-poll pogrom in West Bengal.

Rajdeep Sardesai was asked whether he questioned Banerjee over the saga of political violence in West Bengal. He chuckled and said, “I was not there to take her interview. I went there casually on ‘chai pe charcha’. Had I asked her about the post-poll violence I would not have gotten to eat rasgullas”.

Ignores panchayat election violence in Bengal and covers it up with ‘women chief minister’ argument, just Rajdeep things

While speaking at a The Lallantop program in August this year, Sardesai talked about the crimes against women during riots. In this context, Rajdeep mentioned the Mumbai riots in 1992-1993 and the riots in Muzaffarnagar in 2013. However, when questioned about why he did not mention West Bengal in this context even when it was the recent example of crimes against women, Sardesai tried to do a cover-up by saying that Bengal is the only state at present that has a woman chief minister.

1...1,7841,7851,786...7,649Page 1,785 of 7,649