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A great critique of propaganda warfare: Binay Kumar Singh’s book, ‘The Elastic War’ exposes undisclosed facts about outlawed PFI

Siddhi Somani
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A great critique of propaganda warfare: Binay Kumar Singh’s book, ‘The Elastic War’ exposes undisclosed facts about outlawed PFI

In the month of September last year, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) began its operation dubbed ‘Operation Octopus’ and raided no less than 100 locations of the Islamist terrorist organization named the Popular Front of India (PFI). The raids executed in multiple locations across the country resulted in around 250 arrests of persons associated with PFI and a ban on eight other organizations closely associated with the PFI.

On September 28, 2022, the Ministry of Home Affairs imposed a ban on PFI and organizations including All India Imams Council, Campus Front of India (CFI), Rehab India Foundation, National Conf of Human Rights Org, National Women’s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation, and Rehab Foundation, Kerala. In its official statement, the Central government said that the organizations had been operating openly as socio-economic, educational, and political organizations, but they had been pursuing a secret agenda to show disrespect to the constitutional setup of the country. The government also indicated that the organizations had been attempting to radicalize a particular section of society towards undermining the concept of democracy.

It’s been a year since the ban and within this one year, the NIA has conducted multiple raids across the country and arrested several hundred members of the banned organization ensuring that no unlawful activity takes place in the country post-ban.

Demonstrating the entire account of the incident and exposing the PFI and its associate groups for possessing dangerous Islamist, terrorist ideologies, Author Binay Kumar Singh, associated with BJP Jharkhand, has come up with a new book named ‘The Elastic War: Story of Popular Front of India’. The book is all set for its official launch on September 28 this year marking one year of ban imposed on the terrorist organization.

PFI raised money through the Rehab India Foundation; Imams, women, and children were trained

The author, while exposing the dangerous ideology of the Islamist terrorist organization, also exposes its affiliate banned organizations and the medium through which they assisted the PFI in furthering its propaganda. The PFI raised funds through the Rehab India Foundation (RIF) was established in the year 2018 with the aim of helping the marginalized section of rural India. The RIF later adopted 60 villages in India and its chairman E Abubacker, was also the chairman of the PFI. The ED seized 33 bank accounts linked to the RIF which were used to raise funds for the terrorist organization.

Another banned affiliate, the National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO) was established in May 1997 and its task was to prepare biased fact-finding reports on sensitive issues that created massive tensions among two communities, an objective in line with the PFI’s decisive agenda.

The National Women’s Front trained women on ‘how to protest’ tactics while through the Junior Front, school-going children were often made part of radicalised religious and communal protest. The first-of-its-kind organization, the Junior Front taught the school-going children to be at the forefront of the protests and raise objectionable slogans in communal protests.

Further, the Imams were also trained through the banned All India Imam Council (AIIC) who were well-versed in the ideologies possessed by the PFI. The protests held by the AIIC against the arrest of Maulana Kareem Siddiqui who was accused of operating a conversion syndicate also has been highlighted by the author in the book.

How PFI prospered?

Binay Kumar Singh through this book allows the readers to understand all the basic laws relating to the ban and the punishments followed. It explains the powers the government holds to deal with such radical Islamist terrorist organizations who attempted to pose a threat to Indian democracy. The author sheds light on why and how PFI was different from other terrorist organizations and why the organization prospered.

“PFI provided a platform to the vulnerable minds of the country to recognize and comprehend the tactics of terror organizations that have predominantly transitioned to the 5th Generation Warfare techniques. PFI was a puppet of foreign powers seeking to disrupt and hamper the progress of the New Bharat. Its true agenda was regimentation and violent extremism,” the book reads in its second chapter.

It also highlights how PFI received support from major terrorist organizations that were declared illegal between 2001 and 2010 which helped the organization set its ground in the country. It strategically used violence to attract funding from the Gulf countries. The organization merged and allied with similar thinking groups and expanded its network to root its cause into the minds of vulnerable people, the book indicates.

PFI’s hatred towards Hindus, furthering the anti-India narrative in urban areas

The author further goes on to showcase PFI’s hatred towards Hindus. The units in PFI believed that Hindus were communalists and fascists which led to the sharp segregation of the Muslim community. Singh further moves to specify that similar agendas by similar organizations also led Dalits, Sikhs, and Christians against the Hindu communities. The initiative which began by targeting the rural population, slowly began to reach the urban localities that later began spreading the anti-India narrative, the book signifies.

Binay Kumar Singh’s study and research come to the fore as he dives into the historical background of the PFI and its ideologies. He narrates how the organization adopted its working style from several other unlawful terrorist organizations, merged with similar thinking groups, and together routed the thinking to the urban regions leading to the participation of several anti-India heads in the protests like the anti-CAA protests or the Bhima Koregaon violence. “As a strategy, the PFI very tactfully attempted to align Dalits along with Muslims, portraying both of them as victims of the Indian government,” the book quotes.

It moves to feature various recent campaigns projects and mergers by PFI and its allies towards their only agenda, which was to make India an Islamic Nation by the year 2047, when the country will complete 100 years of its Independence.

PFI wanted India to become an Islamic nation and encouraged Islamists to target Hindu women

Last year during the raids, NIA recovered several incriminating materials from the PFI hideouts across the nation. The material seized by the NIA included Pen drives having videos of Gajwa-e-Hind, the 1993 Bombay riots, provocative speeches, and a few video clips from the Islamic States. The NIA also recovered the ‘Mission 2047’ document which showed that PFI had plans to establish Islamic rule in the country by 2047, the year that would mark 100 years of the country’s independence. Some GPS-enabled wireless communication devices and marine radio sets were also seized by the NIA.

The investigating agencies in 2022 also revealed that the PFI activists were deliberately encouraging the Islamists to trap Hindu women in love affairs and produce more children ultimately expanding the Muslim community. The PFI, when active asked its cadres and other Muslims to force the Hindu women to convert their religion to Islam. At every PFI gathering, the activists would influence Muslims to run the agenda of love jihad and religious conversion. The organization had also declared a financial reward of Rs 2 lakh, a shop, and a house to anyone who would convert a Hindu girl to Islam. Reports mention that several Islamic organizations from several Islamic countries provided funds to the PFI for this purpose.

Utilizing mass media to build anti-India lobby

Notably, the PFI also used the medium of mass media to set the narrative against India and voice their cause whenever necessary. It very well-coordinated and planned orchestra of the anti-India lobby. Publications like Unarvu (weekly), Egathuvam (monthly), Vivekam in Malayalam, Sedhi Mandal in Tamil, Rupantar in Bengali, Iqraa in Gujarathi, Tahreek in Hindi, Al Harkah in Urdu, and the Shaheen Times prospered the hate against Hindus and India in the minds of the readers.

The book also exhibits how the PFI and its affiliate organizations and other terrorist organizations targeted the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) members killing many of its members from across the country. It was reported that the PFI activists had shortlisted 100 BJP and RSS activists alone from Kerala for murder. This was revealed during the investigation of the murder of RSS activist SK Sreenivasan last year. The book also brings out the involvement of the PFI in Shimoga violence, Anti-CAA protests, Easter Bombings in Sri Lanka, Magaluru violence, Hathras rape case, Kerala gold smuggling racket, and many more such events.

Why to read The Elastic War?

The author says that the organization involved in the ‘Elastic model’ of battle can change its shape and size according to the situation. He also called for the need to adopt an ‘elastic defence’ to deal with this new mode of warfare. “There is a need to start to counter the tactics through counter-insurgency measures. There has been a need to counter this warfare at the intellectual level too,” the author adds.

Today, narratives determine politics, and agendas determine narratives. This is exemplified by recent anti-CAA riots, protests against the Agniveer program, farmer’s protests, and so on. We are living at a time when information is being weaponized to cause havoc in society, with aggressive forces using covert and overt propaganda outlets to exacerbate the faultlines in Indian society. Propaganda warfare is a mind-hacking technique in which the target gives up the ability to think critically.

The Elastic War: Story of the Popular Front of India, by Binay Kumar Singh, is a great critique of propaganda warfare. The book uses PFI as a model case to study propaganda warfare and dissects how neo-terror outfits implement transformative changes and have mastered the next-generation modus operandi of warfare.

Traditional methods make it difficult to decipher terrorist organizations like the PFI. These sophisticated groups have mastered the technique of weaponizing propaganda and are eventually perfecting the art of “Elastic Warfare.” They can change their appearances, sizes, and tactics in response to external pressures. The book appears to be a valuable counter-weapon in our nation’s internal security armoury.

The book has been written by Binay Kumar Singh and has been published by Garuda Prakashan Private Limited. It is scheduled to be released on September 28 this year, on the occasion of the completion of one year of the ban imposed on PFI. The 200-page book carries a foreword by YC Modi, former director general of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The book has also been praised by Vikram Singh (IPS), Former DGP, Uttar Pradesh, SM Sahay (IPS), former additional secretary, NSCS and RVS Mani, Former Under Secretary, MHA.

AAP Government in Delhi demands joint meeting of NCR states on stubble burning issue

ANI
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AAP Government in Delhi demands joint meeting of NCR states on stubble burning issue

The Delhi government has written to the Centre to conduct a joint meeting of the NCR states on stubble burning.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has written a letter to Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav and Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on this issue highlighting that despite an earlier meeting on August 3, incidents of stuble burning have started again.

“Last August 3, you had held a meeting with the concerned ministers of the NCR state regarding stubble burning, but the incident of stubble burning has started again, hence there is a need to hold a review meeting with all the concerned states immediately,” he wrote in his letter.

“Therefore, you are humbly requested to convene a review meeting of the concerned states as per your convenience, so that a meaningful joint action plan can be made and the incident of stubble burning can be stopped,” he added.

Referring to the increase in pollution levels in Delhi during the winter season, Gopal Rai has written, “…until the incident of stubble burning is stopped in the NCR states, all these steps taken will not be effective” adding that “the situation of air pollution in Delhi becomes serious during winter season.”

On the efforts undertaken by the Delhi government to curb air pollution, Gopal Rai said, “Delhi government is taking various steps under Winter Action Plan to reduce pollution, such as spraying of Pusa biodecomposer, anti dust campaign, special campaign for hot spots, anti open burning campaign etc.”

“The steps taken by the government have resulted in a 42 percent reduction in PM 10 and 46 percent reduction in PM 2.5 in the last nine years,” he 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)

‘No place for artist propagating divisive content’, short video platform Moj takes down songs by Canadian singer and Khalistani sympathiser Shubh

OpIndia Staff
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‘No place for artist propagating divisive content’, short video platform Moj takes down songs by Canadian singer and Khalistani sympathiser Shubh

Another Indian brand has disassociated with Canadian singer and Khalistani sympathiser Shubhneet Singh aka Shubh amid a widespread outrage around his India tour which was cancelled today. Evidently, on Wednesday (20 September), the Indian short video-sharing platform Moj, owned by Sharechat, announced that it has taken down songs by Shubh. 

Taking to X, the parent organisation, Sharechat made the announcement.

In its official statement, the video-sharing platform asserted that it is a proud Indian brand committed to supporting the creator community. It categorically stated that there is no space for artists propagating divisive content on its platform. 

The official release said, “Moj is a proud Indian brand deeply committed to fostering a vibrant creator community. In alignment with our values, any artist propagating divisive content has no home on our platform.” 

As a result, the platform announced that it has taken down his songs from its music library. 

It added, “With this in mind, we have taken down songs by the artist Shubh from our in-app music library. We are dedicated to providing our community with joyful moments that reflect our world.” 

Earlier, in the day, Shubh’s India tour was cancelled following mounting anger amongst Indian citizens against the Khalistani supporter. Online event ticketing website BookMyShow took to X to notify its users about the refund of the ticket amount to those who paid for the concert.

The development came just hours after netizens were trending the hashtag #UninstallBookMyShow on the social media platform X. 

Notably, his shows were scheduled from the 23rd to the 25th of September at Cordelia Cruises in Mumbai.

Earlier on 19 September, another Indian brand boAt had announced its decision to withdraw its sponsorship from Shubh’s India tour. 

On 19 September, Indian consumer electronic brand boAt withdrew its sponsorship for Shubh’s concert

Moreover, on 16 September, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) workers in Mumbai removed posters of his concert calling for the organisers to cancel the event. The BJYM categorically stated that there is no place for any Khalistan supporter in this country.

On 23 March 2023, Shubhneet Singh posted a story on his Instagram account captioned “Pray for Punjab” showing a distorted map of India. He posted a photo of the map without the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and North-eastern states. The Canadian singer did this at a time when the Punjab Police was on the lookout to nab Khalistani terrorist Amritpal Singh. Shubh had openly supported Khalistani elements at the time.

Moreover, cricketers Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya have also unfollowed the Khalistani supporter on Instagram. The cancellation of the Canadian singer’s event in India, sends a message that Indians are no longer ready to let ‘celebrities’ get away with disrespecting the country.

Lok Sabha passes the Women’s Reservation Bill with 454 votes, 2 MPs opposed it

OpIndia Staff
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Lok Sabha passes the Women’s Reservation Bill with 454 votes, 2 MPs opposed it

The Women’s Reservation Bill, referred to as Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, has been passed by the Lok Sabha. The 128th Constitution Amendment bill got 454 votes in the lower house, and only 2 lawmakers voted against it. The bill comfortably got 2/3rd the vote required for a constitutional amendment.

The two parliamentarians who voted against the bill were AIMIM MPs Asaduddin Owaisi and Imtiaz Jaleel. Owaisi had opposed the bill during the discussion on the bill in the lower house. He opposed it because it does not include specific reservations for Muslim and OBC women, saying it would provide reservations only to “savarna women”.

The bill, when becomes law, will provide one-third reservation to women in the lower house of the parliament, and state assemblies including Delhi. The bill was presented in the Lok Sabha by the government on 19th September, a day after it was cleared by the Union Cabinet.

The bill has become the first bill to be passed by the Lok Sabha in its new chamber in the new parliament building. “The ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ will ensure more women become members of Parliament, assemblies,” PM Modi said in his first speech in the new Lok Sabha chamber after the bill was tabled.

While the bill has been passed by the Lok Sabha, there will be no reservation for women in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. The bill says that it will come into effect only after the delimitation exercise, which will be based on the latest census figures. As the delimitation had been paused till 2026, this means the bill can come into effect only after 2017. It is likely that 2029 Lok Sabha elections will see 33% reserved seats for women.

Once the bill becomes an Act, it will be in force for 15 years. However, the term of the law can be extended. According to law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, the number of women in the lower house will become 181 from current 82 after the law comes into effect.

It is notable that past several governments tried to pass the bill, but unable to do so because of lack of consensus among parties. The bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha in 2010, however, as it was not taken up by the Lok Sabha, it had lapsed.

The passage of the bill saw a rare consensus in the Lok Sabha, as almost all parties supported the bill, including the Congress party. Both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi spoke in favour of the bill. However, they demanded quota for SCs, STs and OBCs within the bill, and also demanded its immediate implementation.

Home Minister Amit Shah told the house that it is better if a Delimitation Commission decides seats to be reserved for women. He said that if the government prepares the list, and seats like Wayanad and Hyderabad get reserved, politicians like Rahul Gandhi and Asaduddin Owaisi will accuse the govt of playing politics using the bill.

US President Joe Biden invited as chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations: US envoy to India

OpIndia Staff
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US President Joe Biden invited as chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations: US envoy to India

India has reportedly invited the US President Joe Biden to attend the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2024, media reported on Wednesday (20 September). According to the media reports, US President Joe Biden along with heads of Australia and Japan have been invited by India as the chief guest for next year’s Republic Day Parade.

Speaking at an event organised by Ananta Aspen Centre, a non-partisan and not-for-profit centre, US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti revealed the same. 

He stated that the invitation was extended to Biden by PM Modi on the sidelines of the bilateral meeting that took place between the two leaders at the recently concluded G20 Summit. However, there hasn’t been an official confirmation from the government side about the invite to QUAD leaders.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi was the chief guest at this year’s Republic Day parade. Previously, in 2018, India had invited former US President Donald Trump as the Chief guest for the Republic Day celebrations, however, due to prior domestic commitments, he declined the invitation.

If these reports prove accurate and Joe Biden participates in the Republic Day event, he would become the second U.S. President to attend India’s Republic Day as the Chief Guest. Notably, In 2015, Barack Obama was the first US President to attend India’s Republic Day parade as Chief Guest.

Recently, US President Joe Biden visited India for the G20 Summit where PM Modi reportedly extended the invitation. During the bilateral, India and the US settled the seventh and last outstanding World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute. The previous six disputes were resolved during PM Modi’s state visit to the US in June 2023.

Regarding the visit, the India-US joint statement read, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed United States President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., to India today, reaffirming the close and enduring partnership between India and the United States. The leaders expressed their appreciation for the substantial progress underway to implement the ground breaking achievements of Prime Minister Modi’s historic, June 2023, visit to Washington.” 

“Ukraine is like a drowning man, it can drag us into the depths”: Polish President Andrzej Duda

OpIndia Staff
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“Ukraine is like a drowning man, it can drag us into the depths”: Polish President Andrzej Duda

On Tuesday (19 September), Polish President Andrzej Duda likened Ukraine to a drowning man while defending his government’s decision to impose a grain embargo on Ukrainian agricultural products. During a media briefing outside the UN headquarters in New York, he targeted Ukraine for going against them at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and challenging their decision to ban grain imports from Kyiv.  

“We are dealing a bit with a drowning person. Everyone who has ever taken part in rescuing a drowning person knows that a drowning person is extremely dangerous; and that he can drag you to the depths. He has unimaginable strength due to personal fear, the influence of adrenaline, and perhaps “simply drown the rescuer,” the Polish President was quoted saying in Polish media outlet PAP.

The Polish President asserted that it has to first protect its own interest otherwise if Ukraine (drowning man) causes harm to it, they would not be able to help it.

Duda further said, “It is a bit like the situation between Poland and Ukraine. Ukraine is under Russian attack, undoubtedly in a very difficult situation, Ukraine is grasping at everything it can. Can you blame it for that? Of course, you can complain. Should we act to protect ourselves from the drowning person causing harm? Of course, we must act to protect ourselves from harm being done to us, because if the drowning person causes harm and drowns us, he will not get help. So we have to take care of our interests and we will do it effectively and decisively.”

Going ahead, he reminded Ukraine that it has been receiving help from Warsaw and that their country serves as a transit nation. He also highlighted that the ban doesn’t prohibit the transit of Ukrainian grain. He noted that Ukraine should remember that it receives help from Poland. 

He said, “It would be good for Ukraine to remember that it receives help from us and to remember that we are also a transit country to Ukraine.”

He added, “There are business circles that have interests in Ukraine and would like to sell grain as quickly as possible at the lowest possible cost. We have to defend ourselves against it.” 

Regarding his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, he claimed that despite his plans, the two could not meet because of “organisational reasons”. 

He said that the scheduled speeches by various leaders at UNGA got delayed which impacted their plans. However, he said that it was possible that he would meet Zelensky later.

On the issue of Ukraine’s move to sue their country at the WTO, Duda said that if Ukraine filed the complaint, Poland would explain the situation before the tribunal.

The backdrop of the ongoing Polish-Ukraine dispute

In May, the European Union imposed a restriction on Ukrainian grain. This was done to allow Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia to ban the domestic sales of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed, and sunflower seeds. However, this ban still permitted the transit of such cargoes for export elsewhere. 

On 15 September, the restrictions over the Ukrainian grains expired and the European Commission announced that it would not extend restrictions on imports of agricultural products from Ukraine. However, on its part, Kyiv agreed that it would take measures to limit imports from its side and not flood the neighbouring countries’ markets.

Nevertheless, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia went ahead and imposed unilateral restrictions on the import of Ukrainian agriculture products, a grain embargo. Additionally, Poland categorically asserted that their restrictions will remain in place indefinitely.  

Regarding the Polish-Ukraine dispute, media agency Politico reported that Kyiv will sue Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia over their refusal to drop a ban on Ukrainian agricultural products based on their interview with Ukraine’s Trade Representative Taras Kachka. 

Kachka said, “These arbitrary prohibitions are ridiculous.”

On Monday (18 September), Ukraine’s economy minister, Yulia Svyrydenko said that her country had filed a complaint with the WTO against the three countries over the ban.

Following the development, a WTO spokesperson confirmed that Kyiv had taken the first step in a trade dispute by filing a complaint to the global trade body, Reuters reported.

Ukraine’s decision to sue European nations some of which are its ardent supporters in the ongoing war against Russia, didn’t go well with Polish leaders who hinted that Poland could stop helping Ukraine if Polish citizens don’t support its move to assist Ukraine, hinting that Ukraine’s WTO move had caused angst in Poland. 

Hinting about its dissatisfaction, the government said that Poland will likely cut financial support to the million Ukrainian refugees it is hosting. 

On Tuesday, Deputy Foreign Minister Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk told Polish media PAP that the Polish government is “unyielding” on grain embargo from Ukraine citing the need to protect the interests of Polish farmers. 

According to him, the steps taken by Ukraine have a negative impact on mutual relations. He also asserted that Ukraine’s move undermined the sympathy for Ukraine that Poles have. 

He noted, “Ukraine’s actions make no impression on us… but they do make a certain impression on Polish public opinion. This can be seen in the polls, in the level of public support for continued support for Ukraine. And this harms Ukraine itself.”

He said, “We would like to continue supporting Ukraine, but, for this to be possible, we must have the support of Poles in this matter. If we don’t have it, it will be difficult for us to continue supporting Ukraine in the same way as we have been doing so far.”

Indian World Forum slams pro-Khalistan elements including Gurpatwant Pannun, Sikhs For Justice; asks Justin Trudeau to act against them

OpIndia Staff
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Indian World Forum slams pro-Khalistan elements including Gurpatwant Pannun, Sikhs For Justice; asks Justin Trudeau to act against them

Indian World Forum has issued a statement condemning the pro-Khalistan elements flourishing in Canada and asked the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to undertake measures to curb anti-Indian activities on its soil.

It read, “Indian World Forum strongly condemns the disgruntled activities by unlawful organizations including Sikhs for Justice for stalking and purporting violence on the Indian diaspora in Canada.” It mentioned that all members of the Indian diaspora, whether they are Christians, Hindus, Muslims, or Sikhs contribute significantly to the advancement of Canadian society on the economic and social fronts.

It highlighted the regular desecration and attacks on Hindu temples as well as the serious threats to the lives of Indian diplomats due to the violence inflicted by the Sikh separatists. “Repeatedly Indian diaspora and their places of worship have been targeted there. The harmful activities of such organizations including numerous attempts to target the Indian diplomatic missions and its personnel in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States of America is a matter of great for the Indian diaspora.”

The organisation asked the Canadian Government “to consider and act seriously on nefarious elements including Arshdeep Singh Dhalla and Gurpatwant Singh Pannun (both designated terrorists by India) from using its soil against mankind and heinous activities.”

The press release further added, “Any attempt to cause danger to the Indian diaspora and their investments in Canada will violate the sanctity of the UN Charter and its conventions. In India we warmly host our Canadian brethren and our culture ensures the well-being of the Canadian Diaspora in India.”

The notification was undersigned by Puneet Singh who is the president of the Indian World Forum.

The tension between Canada and India escalated particularly after the G20 summit when Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his serious grievances to his Canadian counterpart on the sidelines of the summit where the former pointed out the use of Canadian soil for anti-India and Hinduphobic activities by Sikh radicals.

India has repeatedly asked Canada to take action against the growing anti-India activities in the country, however, has only received a very underwhelming response from the other side.

On the other hand, the Canadian government blamed India based on ‘strong allegations’ for the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and expelled a top Indian diplomat. India then summoned Cameron MacKay, Canada’s High Commissioner to India and threw out a senior Canadian diplomat in response to the country’s hostile behaviour and political support to anti-India elements.

Furthermore, India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued an advisory for Indian nationals and students in Canada and advised them to exercise caution citing the surge in anti-India activities and politically-endorsed hate crimes.

Travel advice is also included in the MEA’s guidance which cautions Indian citizens from booking flights to Canada. The Ministry has recommended Indian nationals not to travel to violent areas emphasising the threats and attacks against Indian diplomats and patriotic Indians.

The government of Canada has shied away from taking stern action against the Khalistani extremists in its country and catered to vote bank politics despite frequent objections from India which have resulted in the souring of diplomatic relationships between the two countries.

NIA releases list of 43 most wanted criminals in India, including Canada-based gangsters with links to Khalistani groups

OpIndia Staff
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NIA releases list of 43 most wanted criminals in India, including Canada-based gangsters with links to Khalistani groups

On Wednesday, September 20, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) issued a list of wanted gangsters who have been accused in the terror-gangster nexus case registered by the probe agency in August last year. The list features dreaded gangsters including those known for supporting the Khalistan propaganda and are based in Canada. Among the gang leaders and criminals listed by the NIA, gangsters Goldy Brar, Arshdeep Singh Gill and Lakhbir Singh Landa are known for supporting pro-Khalistan terrorists.

Taking to X, the probe agency released the pictures of 43 accused gang leaders and criminals in the case numbers RC-38/2022/NIA/DLI and RC-39/2022/NIA/DLI registered in August last year. The accused persons have been involved in killings, extortion, and running and promoting crime syndicates. The NIA had alleged that the accused persons were allegedly involved in conspiring to carry out terror attacks in Delhi and were obtaining funds for the same through smuggling of weapons.

In its post, the NIA included pictures of Lawrence Bishnoi, Jasdeep Singh, Kala Jatheri alias Sandeep, Virender Pratap alias Kala Rana, and Joginder Singh, as well as their full names. It underlined that many of these gangsters are based in Canada.

The NIA also asked for information on the properties/assets/businesses they owned in their own names or in the names of associates, acquaintances, and relatives. It has also requested details regarding their business partners, workers, employees, and collection agents.

“Persons shown in the photos below are accused in the NIA Cases RC-38/2022/NIA/DLI or RC-39/2022/NIA/DLI. If you have any information about properties/assets/ business owned by them in their name or in the name of their associates, friends & relatives, please WhatsApp DM @ +91 7290009373,” the NIA posted on X.

The full list of 43 names released by NIA is given below:

  1. Lawrence Bishnoi
  2. Jasdeep Singh
  3. Kala Jatheri alias Sandeep
  4. 4.Virender Pratap alias Kala Rana
  5. Joginder Singh
  6. Rajesh Kumar alias Raju Mota
  7. Raj Kumaralias Raju Basodi
  8. Anil Chippi
  9. Mohammad Shahbaz
  10. Goldy Brar Ansari
  11. Sachin Thapan Bishnoi
  12. Anmol Bishnoi
  13. Vikramjit Singh alias Vikram Brar
  14. Darman Singh alias Darmaniot Kahlon
  15. Arshdeep Singh Gill
  16. Surender Singh alias Chiku
  17. Dalip Kumar alias Bhola
  18. Parveen Wadhwa aliasPrince
  19. Yudhveer Singh
  20. Vikas Singh
  21. Lakhbir Singh alias Landa
  22. Gaurav Patyal alias Saurav Thakur
  23. Sukhpreet Singh alias Budda
  24. Amit Dagar
  25. Kaushal Choudhary
  26. Asif Khan
  27. Naveen Dabas alias Naveen Bali
  28. Chhotu Ram alias Bhat
  29. Jagseer Singh alias Jagga
  30. Sunil Balvan alias Tillu Tajpuria
  31. Bhupinder Singh alias Bhupi Rana
  32. Sandeep alias Bandar
  33. Sukhdool Singh
  34. Gurpinder Singh
  35. Neerai alias Pandit
  36. Daler Singh
  37. Dinesh Sharma
  38. Manprit Singh Peeta
  39. Hariom alias Titu
  40. Harpreet
  41. Lakhveer Singh
  42. Irfan alias Chhenu Pehalwan
  43. Sunny Dagar

The NIA’s move comes after hostilities between India and Canada rose after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently accused the Indian government of being involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. On June 18, Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, was killed outside a Gurdwara in a parking lot in Canada’s Surrey, British Columbia. 

The controversy around Nijjar’s murder recently erupted after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on September 18 accused India of killing the Khalistani terrorist on Canadian soil. Without providing any proof, Trudeau claimed that Canada is pursuing “credible information” about Indian agents being involved in Nijjar’s killing. After the bizarre statement by Trudeau, Canada expelled one Indian diplomat over it, the Indian government rejected all of Canada’s allegations. In a swift response, the Ministry of External Affairs stated that any allegation of India’s involvement in Nijjar’s killing is ‘absurd and motivated’.

‘Monumental disaster’, ‘cringeworthy’: Cricket fans slam ICC over the newly released World Cup anthem

OpIndia Staff
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‘Monumental disaster’, ‘cringeworthy’: Cricket fans slam ICC over the newly released World Cup anthem

The International Council of Cricket was at the receiving end of online criticism on Wednesday afternoon after it released its much-awaited World Cup anthem ahead of the quadrennial tournament scheduled to take place in India starting this October.

A raft of social media users took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to haul ICC over the coals for the anthem, claiming that it was a big disappointment for everything that the tournament represents.

The anthem, titled ‘Dil Jashn Bole,’ features Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh in the lead role. Pritam, a highly accomplished music composer, has crafted the music for this anthem. Additionally, the anthem showcases the choreography of Dhanashree Verma, who is married to Yuzvendra Chahal, the renowned India leg-spinner. In the three-minute and 22-second-long anthem, viewers embark on a visual voyage across India aboard the ‘One Day Express.’

But the anthem failed to dazzle X users, who were particularly critical in roasting the ICC for releasing a song that failed to strike a chord with the audiences like earlier ones had done, primarily the one released before the 2011 World Cup.

A social media user deemed the World Cup anthem a “Monumental disaster” and expressed disappointment at the song released by the ICC.

Another user appeared bewildered as to what ICC had created in the name of the World Cup anthem.

Ajeet Bharti, a popular political analyst and commentator, was so disappointed with the new anthem that he remarked that it would have been better if ICC had not released the song altogether if it had to come up with something like this.

Another popular X user, @theskindoctor, who is known for his sarcastic jibes, took a dig at the ICC in his characteristic manner, asking ICC to not release “masterpieces of such magnitude for the public as it diminishes their exclusivity and sanctity.”

The World Cup commences with defending champion England facing off against New Zealand, the last edition’s runner-up, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. India will embark on their World Cup campaign against the five-time winners Australia on October 8 at the Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. In this year’s event, a total of 10 teams are participating. Each team will compete against all others, and the top four teams will progress to the semi-finals.

Madhya Pradesh: Several BJP leaders including former MP Bodh Singh Bhagat join Congress ahead of assembly polls

OpIndia Staff
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Madhya Pradesh: Several BJP leaders including former MP Bodh Singh Bhagat join Congress ahead of assembly polls

Ahead of the assembly polls slated later this year, several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including a former member of parliament (MP) of BJP from Balaghat Bodh Singh Bhagat have joined the Congress party along with their supporters.

These leaders took the membership of the Congress in the presence of state Congress chief and former chief minister Kamal Nath at the state Congress office in Bhopal on Wednesday.

The leaders who joined the congress party include Bodh Singh Bhagat from Balaghat, Dilip Singh from Rewa, Rajesh Patel and Sumit Choubey from Budni and Prabhat Joshi, Dr Bhim Singh Patel and Chandrashekhar Patel from Vidisha along with their supporters.

According to the Congress, Rajesh Patel from Budhni, Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s constituency, came with convoy of around 150 vehicles to joined the party.  

Addressing the program on the occasion, Bodh Singh Bhagat said, “It is my fortune that I am taking membership of Congress. Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi led the Bharat Jodo Yatra in the severe cold and gave a message that there should be an atmosphere of brotherhood in the country. I was very impressed by it.”

The 15-month tenure of the Congress government has left an impact on the people’s heart which they did not forget. The congress government was collapsed by conspiracy but he can assure that the public would not forgive them (BJP), he added.

“My fight with the BJP was of adulteration, fake fertiliser, fake seeds, fake medicines. I also raised this issue but my voice was overshadowed. Balaghat MLA Ghori Shankar Bisen has been included in the cabinet against whom and there is a case in Lokayukta in connection with disproportionate assets,” he added.

When elections are near Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is giving lollipops to people but people of the state have understood everything. Today, there is not even the right to speak in the country. If someone speaks that person is put behind the bars, Bhagat said.

“Today, I have taken the membership and there are no conditions in love. I have not demanded anything from Kamal Nath. Whatever responsibility is given to me, I will accept it,” he added.

On the other hand, speaking on the occasion Kamal Nath said, “I welcome everyone in the congress party. Bodh Singh has been in Parliament with me. You are not supporting the Congress, you are supporting the truth.”

Today, there is no limit to corruption in the state. Every person is either a victim or witness to corruption. Such a system has been created that gives money and takes work. Today, farmers are facing problems in getting fertilisers and seeds, he added.

“The upcoming assembly polls is not an election of any party or any candidate, it is the election of the future of Madhya Pradesh. In the last 5 months, CM Chouhan’s lie machine has been running at double the speed. If CM Shivraj did not lie, then his food didn’t digest,” Nath said.

Don’t support Kamal Nath or the Congress party but support the truth, he added.

The state is scheduled to go for the Assembly polls later this year. Through the polls, the state will elect legislators from 230 Assembly constituencies.

(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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