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3 US Marines killed, 20 more injured after Marine Corps Osprey aircraft crashes during training drill in Australia

OpIndia Staff
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3 US Marines killed, 20 more injured after Marine Corps Osprey aircraft crashes during training drill in Australia

Three US Marines died and 20 were injured after a Marine Corps aircraft – Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft – crashed in Australia during a training exercise on Sunday, August 27.

The aircraft, which crashed at around 9.30 AM local time, was carrying 23 Marines, out of whom three died and five others were rushed to the Royal Darwin Hospital in a serious condition.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reportedly said that only Americans were injured in the crash. The Northern Territory Chief Minister Natasha Fyles has assured assistance in any possible way.

“We acknowledge that this is a terrible incident. The Northern Territory government stands by to offer whatever assistance is required,” Fyles said.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin offered his condolences to the families of the deceased and the ones injured. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, he wrote, “We tragically lost service members during a training exercise in Australia overnight. These Marines served our country with courage and pride, and my thoughts and prayers are with their families today, with the other troops who were injured in the crash, and with the entire USMC family.”

The Osprey crashed during Exercise Predators Run, a training exercise involving troops from the US, Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, and East Timor. The aircraft was flying from Darwin to Melville.

Northern Territory Police Commission Michael Murphy said that two US Marine Osprey aircraft had left Darwin on Sunday morning and flew towards Tiwi Islands, about 80 kilometres away. About 150 US Marines are reportedly based in Darwin and up to 2,500 troops rotate through the city annually.

The Osprey aircraft has infamously been involved in several such incidents in the past as well. Five US Marines had died last year after an MV-22B Osprey crashed during a training mission near California. Four more US personnel were killed when their Osprey aircraft crashed during a NATO training drill in Norway.

Reports say five crashes and 16 deaths since 2012 have involved Ospreys – a hybrid aircraft flown by the US Army, Navy and Air Force. The aircraft is similar to a chopper but can rotate its propellers forward and is faster.

Heartwarming gesture: ‘Can’t sign there,’ says Neeraj Chopra as Hungarian fan asks for his autograph on Tricolor, signs on her shirt sleeve instead

OpIndia Staff
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Heartwarming gesture: ‘Can’t sign there,’ says Neeraj Chopra as Hungarian fan asks for his autograph on Tricolor, signs on her shirt sleeve instead

Neeraj Chopra who bagged the gold medal at the prestigious World Athletics Championships in Hungary’s Budapest on August 28 won over millions of Indian hearts by showing his love and respect to the Indian National flag.

Chopra had a fan moment when a Hungarian woman asked for his autograph after his win. But the athlete refused to sign as the woman wanted him to give his autograph on the Indian National Flag. “Waha nahi sign kar sakta (I won’t sign there),” he said. However, he signed on her shirt sleeve leaving her delighted.

Neeraj Chopra is a Subedar in the Indian Army and he was enrolled in 4 Rajputana Rifles as a direct entry Naib Subedar on May 15, 2016.

The incident was brought to the light after a journalist from Sportstar posted a photograph of Neeraj signing on a Hungarian woman’s shirt sleeve. “A very sweet Hungarian lady (who spoke excellent Hindi) wanted Neeraj Chopra’s autograph. Neeraj said sure but then he realized she meant on India’s National Flag. ‘Waha nahi sign kar sakta’ Neeraj said. Eventually, he signed her shirt sleeve. She was pretty happy all the same,” wrote journalist Jonathan Selvaraj.

Several other sports enthusiasts also lauded the gesture of Chopra and praised him for showing respect towards the Indian National Flag. “Neeraj Chopra continues to win hearts both on the field and off the field,” one post read.

Chopra invited Pakistan’s Nadeem for a photo with the Indian National Flag

Chopra meanwhile is also being lauded for his gesture of inviting Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan for a photo with the Indian National Flag after the latter left the frame with Pakistan’s flag.

Following the historic gold medal victory, Neeraj and Nadeem hugged each other. Nadeem was not included in the picture when the Indian and Jakub afterward appeared in front of the cameras holding their respective flags, as has grown into custom. After holding the Pakistani flag, the silver medalist left the frame, but Neeraj invited him to join them for photos as they posed together with the Indian flag in the background.

The video of the incident is going viral over the internet with netizens praising Chopra for his gesture.

Neeraj Chopra scripts history

India’s Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra made history in the early hours of Monday, August 28, capturing his country’s first-ever gold medal at the World Athletics Championships and edging out Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem by less than a meter at the final of men’s javelin throw event in Budapest.

Neeraj recorded his best throw of 88.17 m in his second attempt and kept his lead intact till the very end. Nadeem, the Commonwealth Games champion with 87.82 m bagged a silver medal. Meanwhile, Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch secured the bronze with the best throw of 86.67 m. Kishore Jena (best of 84.77 m) finished fifth while DP Manu (best of 84.14 m) finished sixth.

Neeraj was seen respectfully folding the Tricolor at Tokyo Olympics

Notably, this is not the first time Chopra has been lauded for his love and respect for the Indian National Flag. Earlier, in the year 2021, he was also praised after he respectfully folded the Tricolor post celebrating the win at the Tokyo Olympics. Neeraj Chopra, a Subedar in Indian Army then adhered to the flag code and folded the tricolor before putting it inside his bag.

Reportedly, this current win of Neeraj Chopra is his second attempt at the World Championships after he secured a silver medal last year. After the renowned shooter Abhinav Bindra, Neeraj is now the first Indian to hold the Olympic and World Championships gold medals simultaneously. The feat now puts Chopra as India’s most successful athlete to date.

Fewer people, saints, local Hindu leaders: As Nuh police deploys 1900 police personnel, admin refuses ‘permission’, how VHP decided to complete the Yatra

Anurag
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Fewer people, saints, local Hindu leaders: As Nuh police deploys 1900 police personnel, admin refuses ‘permission’, how VHP decided to complete the Yatra

On 28th August, Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said in a statement that the scheduled Brijmandal Jalabhishek Yatra would commence with fewer people, saints, and local Hindu leaders. The Yatra, which was supposed to happen on 31st July 2023, could not be completed after Islamists attacked the devotees in Nuh and at Nalhar Shiv Mandir.

At least six people died, hundreds of devotees and police personnel were injured, several public and private vehicles were burnt to ashes, and the rioters destroyed a cyber crime police station. Reportedly, the rioters were equipped with batons, sticks, stones, bricks, and illegal weapons during the attack.

After the situation improved in Nuh, Sarv Hindu Samaj conducted a Mahapanchayat and decided to complete the Yatra on 28th August. Though the administration refused to give the permission, VHP and other Hindu organizations went ahead with the Yatra on the last Monday of Shravan Somwar, the auspicious month to worship Lord Shiva.

‘This is Bhagwan Bholenath’s Jalabhishek… the world knows his Raudra Roop’

Speaking to OpIndia, VHP Spokesperson Vinod Bansal said, “It was already announced in our press conference that in view of G20, we will complete the Yatra in a symbolic manner. However, symbolism does not mean devotees will not be there. The people from Mewat, our local leaders and saints, are participating in the Yatra.” When we talked to him, the devotees were on their way to the temple for Jalabhishek. He added, “Three days ago, in our press note, we made it clear that in view of G20 and administration’s action, it was decided that devotees will do Jalabhishek in their local temples and people [Hindu devotees] in Mewat will do Jalabhishek at Nalhar temple.” Jalabhishek will be done simultaneously at 11 AM on 28th August at all locations. VHP leader Alok Kumar and Panchayats members will participate in the Yatra with the devotees led by saints.  

When asked about the safety of the devotees, he said, “This is Bhagwan Bholenath’s Jalabhishek. The world knows about his Raudra Roop. There is nothing to be said here. The government is ours, the place is ours, and the people are ours. There is nothing to worry about. We curtailed the number of people, but that does not mean we will not complete the Yatra. We have full faith that the government and administration will support us.”

Over 1,900 police personnel deployed

In view of the Yatra announced by Hindu organizations, the Haryana district of Nuh has been turned into a fortress. Section 144 has been imposed, and the administration has urged Hindus to do Jalabhishek at their local Shiv Temples. In a statement, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the permission for the Yatra had been denied in the wake of the violence that took place in the region a few weeks ago. He said people are free to visit the temples in the local areas to observe the month of Shravan.

Yatra to have lesser devotees in view of the G20 event

Keeping in view the upcoming G20 events and as a precautionary measure after last month’s violence, the security in Nuh district has been increased. The mobile internet services were suspended till 29th August as a preventive measure. The administration has deployed around 1,900 police personnel and 26 companies of paramilitary forces to maintain law and order in the area. The Faridabad Police have also set up an anti-riot team to ensure the safety and security of the people. 

Nuh Shobhayatra Attack

On 31st July, a mob of hundreds of Muslim rioters attacked Hindu devotees participating in the Brijmandal Jalabhishek Yatra in Nuh, Mewat of Haryana. At least six people, including 4 Hindu civilians and two policemen were killed as a result of the riots.

Furthermore, a cyber crime police station was attacked in Nuh. Police officials were injured. Home guards were killed. The rioters first shot one of the Bajrang Dal activists Abhishek, then his throat was slit and his head was crushed leading to his death.

During the investigation into the riots, OpIndia accessed over 25 FIRs and complaints that provided a clearer picture of what happened during the violence. Based on information available via FIRs, complaints and witnesses, it appeared that the attack was planned. OpIndia came across several videos posted two days before the Jalabhishek Yatra that were instigating Muslims against Hindus.

Muslims have claimed the riots happened because of Bajrang Dal activist and Gau Rakshak Monu Manesar. Old videos of Manesar were circulated to instigate Muslims saying he was going to Nuh on that day. The video that was mostly circulated was from October 2022. Detailed reports can be checked here.

OpIndia’s complete coverage of the Mewat Shobha Yatra Attack can be checked here.

Supreme Court grants bail to PFI leader Abdul Razak Peediyakkal, accused of collecting over Rs 20 crores for the banned organization

OpIndia Staff
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Supreme Court grants bail to PFI leader Abdul Razak Peediyakkal, accused of collecting over Rs 20 crores for the banned organization

On 25th August, the Supreme Court granted bail to Popular Front of India (PFI) leader Abdul Razak Peediyakkal. He was in custody since 10th March 2022 in a money laundering case. Reportedly, Abdul collected over Rs 20 crores for the banned Islamist organization PFI.

While granting bail to Abdul, a division bench of Justice AS Bopanna and Justice MM Sudresh considered the argument that the material witnesses had been examined and all other co-accused in the matter had already been granted bail.

The bench directed the trial court to grant bail with certain conditions. Abdul has to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation officer once a week. In its order, the apex court said, “Among the conditions to be imposed, the trial court shall also direct the appellant to appear before the Enforcement Directorate at Lucknow, once in a week and also that the appellant shall not leave the State of Uttar Pradesh until the trial is complete or further orders are made. The appellant shall also surrender his passport if already not surrendered.”

Appearing for the ED, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju opposed the bail, saying that Abdul has been involved in terrorist activities and collected funds for such activities. He added while the co-accused in the matter have been granted bail, Abdul’s role was much graver. The apex court replied in case Abdul violates the bail conditions, ED might seek cancellation of the bail.

In December 2021, ED conducted raids on Abdul’s residence and the Munnar Villa Vista Project (MVVP) site. The investigation agency found several discrepancies in the receipt of foreign funds and cash expenses incurred and recorded in the books of accounts. Later, ED arrested Abdul and filed a charge sheet against him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act before a Special PMLA Court in Lucknow.

ED said in the charge sheet that Abdul and the co-accused hatched a conspiracy to collect funds in India and from abroad to fund PFI’s unlawful activities. Notably, Abdul is the largest shareholder in MVVP. ED said that the main aim to establish the company was to launder money collected from abroad and in India. ED further accused Abdul of using his position in some other companies for the same purposes.

Earlier, the Allahabad High Court refused to grant him bail because he could not claim parity with co-accused Siddique Kappan as Kappan was facing allegations of Rs 5,000 transferred into the co-accused Atikur Rahman bank account. The Court pointed out that in the case of Abdul, the proceeds of the crime were in crores.

In July this year, ASG Raju opposed the bail application of Abdul, saying he posed a threat to national security. The apex court, however, disagreed with the ASG and remarked the nation was not that weak. The Court added there was no reason to believe that the People’s Court destroyed it in any case. Furthermore, the bench noted Abdul was not at flight risk while inquiring ASG about the bail conditions that would not allow him to leave the country.

When asked why Abdul was kept behind bars after he had already spent a year in jail, ASG said there were protected witnesses, and if Abdul got out, those witnesses might turn hostile. ASG added Abdul was capable of threatening the witnesses. Furthermore, ASG mentioned a case where people escaped India via Nepal even after their passports were confiscated. He said monitoring such people has become very difficult as they have many secret places.

The Court has directed ASG to provide information about the protected witnesses in the matter and inform the apex court about the progress of the trial.

The case against Abdul Razak

In May 2022, ED filed a prosecution case against two PFI leaders, Abdul Razak Peddiyakkal and Asharaf Khadir, for laundering over 22 cr. According to the charge sheet, the Popular Front of India leaders established a business in Munnar, Kerala, to launder money acquired abroad and support the organisation’s “radical activities.” It is also claimed that these leaders formed a purported “terror group” by the PFI.

Abdul, the divisional president of PFI’s Perumpadappu unit in Malappuram, was nabbed at Kozhikode airport while attempting to leave the country. Ashraf MK was arrested in Delhi last month.

The ED claims Razak transferred almost Rs 34 lakh from the UAE to Rehab India Foundation (RIF), a cover organization for PFI. He also reportedly transferred Rs 2 lakh to MK Faizy, the PFI’s political front leader, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI).

The ED has been examining PFI leaders’ purchase of various overseas properties, including a bar-cum-restaurant in Abu Dhabi, following the discovery of some papers in raids on its members in Kerala on 8th December last year as part of the money-laundering investigation.

France bans Islamic attire Abaya in schools: French education minister Gabriel Attal implements stricter dress code from the upcoming school session

OpIndia Staff
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France bans Islamic attire Abaya in schools: French education minister Gabriel Attal implements stricter dress code from the upcoming school session

On Sunday 27th August 2023, the French education minister Gabriel Attal said that the wearing of abaya dresses by Muslim women in schools will be banned in France. He asserted that the attire contravenes stringent secular regulations in the field of education in France. Abaya is a full-length loose-fitting dress worn by Muslim women. This baggy garment is worn by Muslim women to comply with Islamic beliefs on the so-called ‘modest dress’.

Gabriel Attal said, “It will no longer be possible to wear an abaya at school.” He mentioned his intention to provide “clear rules at the national level” to school administrators before the resumption of classes across the country on September 4. The declaration made by Attal marks a significant step forward, as it comes shortly after his promotion to the position of education minister earlier this summer.

This decision follows months of discussions regarding the use of abayas within French schools, where there has already been a prohibition on women wearing the Islamic headscarf. Reports have emerged of a rising trend in the wearing of abayas within schools, leading to escalating tensions between educators and parents on this matter.

The education minister of France further said, “Secularism means the freedom to emancipate oneself through school. Abaya is a religious gesture, aimed at testing the resistance of the republic toward the secular sanctuary that school must constitute. You enter a classroom, you must not be able to identify the religion of the students by looking at them.”

In contrast to headscarves, abayas, which are loose-fitting, long garments worn in adherence to Islamic principles of modest attire, have existed in a somewhat uncertain territory and had not encountered a complete prohibition until this point. However, the education ministry had previously released a directive on this matter in November 2022. This directive classified the abaya as part of a collection of clothing items that could potentially be prohibited if they were “worn in a manner that visibly showcases a religious association.” The circular also included bandanas and lengthy skirts within this same grouping.

In March 2004, France enacted a law that prohibited students from displaying religious affiliations through attire or symbols within schools. This encompassed items such as prominent crosses, Jewish kippas, and Islamic headscarves.

Notably, Islamic fanaticism in France has continuously increased in the past few years. In 2020, a Chechen refugee carried out the beheading of teacher Samuel Paty over alleged ‘blasphemy’ after he reportedly showed the Charlie Hebdo cartoons on Prophet Mohammad in a class.

Protests and unrest ensued in Paris suburbs after a teenager, Nahel Merzouk who was a delivery agent was killed by a police officer on 27 June. He was stopped by the police and was asked to show documents while he was driving when he tried to flee the scene during which shots were fired. One of the bullets hit him in the chest and he died on the spot.

Riots and chaos virtually took over France in less than a week, creating a situation that many compared to civil war. More than 45,000 police officers were stationed across the country. Protesters clashed with police, torched vehicles, looted stores and burnt them down. The largest library in Marseilles, Alcazar, also fell victim to the violence and was set on fire.

School, where Muslim boy was punished for not doing homework, shut because it did not meet ‘standards’, father, others had said there was no communal angle to the case

OpIndia Staff
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School, where Muslim boy was punished for not doing homework, shut because it did not meet ‘standards’, father, others had said there was no communal angle to the case

On Sunday (August 27), the local administration shut down the Neha Public School, located in Khubbapur village in Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh. The development comes days after a video of a student being slapped by his classmates was given a communal spin by the left-Islamist ecosystem.

Despite no truth in the claims, an inquiry was initiated into the management of the school that was registered in 2019. According to Basic Education Officer Shubham Shukla, the school failed to meet the criteria of the Department and as such, a decision was taken to seal it.

“We have conducted an inquiry… We found that the school doesn’t meet the criteria of the department. We have issued a notice to the school to seal it and authorities are conducting an investigation to take further action. Notice has also been served to the teacher for hitting the child,” he said.

At the same time, another officer of the Education Department claimed that the classes were being conducted at an under-construction building and that there were no lights and fans or different sections for classes 1-5. Besides, notices had also been sent to the Uttar Pradesh Education Board to de-recognise the school.

“All the 50 students will be moved to a government school [in the village] or other schools in the district within a week,” an officer said.

Muzaffarnagar school case

On Friday (August 25), a video of a student being slapped by his classmates, on the instructions of the teacher, went viral on social media. The incident took place at the Neha Public School in Khubbapur village in Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh.

As per reports, the incident took place on Thursday (August 24) when a student got his multiplication table wrong. The class teacher, who is a handicapped woman, instructed other kids in the class to slap him. She was identified as Tripta Tyagi, the owner of the Neha Public School.

In a video that went viral on social media, the said student could be seen in tears while other kids slap him one by one. Tyagi was also heard saying, “Kya tum maar rahe ho? Zor se maaro na (Why are you hitting him lightly? Hit him hard).” She had also made a reference to ‘Mohammedan students.’

Police, father and cousin of the victim deny communal angle

While speaking about the incident, SP (Muzaffarnagar) Satyanarayan Prajapat, informed, “In the video, the teacher said that the Mohammedan children, who are not looked after by their mothers, go astray. This was also confirmed by the man who shot the video.”

The victim’s father categorically stated that there was no religious or Hindu-Muslim angle in this case as was being wrongfully portrayed by the Islamo-leftist cabal on social media to fan communal disharmony.

Additionally, the cousin of the kid who recorded the video of the incident and identified himself as Nadeem son of Mohd Imtiaz also asserted the same.

While elaborating on the incident, he highlighted that the accused teacher was asking other students to beat his cousin. However, he added that the teacher’s remark and the video were edited to make aggravated and communal claims regarding what transpired in front of him. 

He stressed that the teacher said Muslim mothers take their kids to their relatives’ house during the examination period which negatively impact their studies. He categorically highlighted that she didn’t make any anti-Muslim remarks. 

Arib, who is 32 years old, revealed to OpIndia that Tripta Tyagi had also taught him English when he was young. He added that Tripta never treated him differently because of his religious identity. He added that currently his two-year-old daughter is going to the same school. He asserted that she is doing very well academically and has never experienced religious discrimination at the school.

Neeraj Chopra becomes first Indian to win Gold at World Athletics Championships, Indian Army congratulates

ANI
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Neeraj Chopra becomes first Indian to win Gold at World Athletics Championships, Indian Army congratulates

Soon after Neeraj Chopra bagged the gold medal at the prestigious World Athletics Championships in Hungary’s Budapest, the Indian Army congratulated the athlete on his special and monumental achievement.

The Indian Army took to the social media platform ‘X’ and said, “Neeraj Chopra makes us proud again!! IndianArmy congratulates Subedar Neeraj Chopra on bagging Gold Medal in Men’s Javelin at the World Athletics Championship 2023 in Budapest with a throw of 88.17 meters.”

India’s Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra made history in the early hours of Monday, capturing his country’s first-ever gold medal at the World Athletics Championships and edging out Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem by less than a meter at the final of men’s javelin throw event in Budapest.

Neeraj recorded his best throw of 88.17 m in his second attempt and kept his lead intact till the very end. Nadeem, the Commonwealth Games champion with 87.82 m bagged a silver medal.

Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch secured the bronze with the best throw of 86.67 m. Kishore Jena (best of 84.77 m) finished fifth while DP Manu (best of 84.14 m) finished sixth.

Now, India has medals of all colours at the World Championships.

This is Neeraj’s second medal at the World Championships after he secured a silver last year. Before his two medals, India’s last medalist was Anju Bobby George back in the 2003 World Championships, getting a bronze for the women’s long jump.

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

‘Declare moon a Hindu Rashtra with Shiv Shakti Point as capital before Jihadis claim it’: demands Swami Chakrapani Maharaj

OpIndia Staff
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‘Declare moon a Hindu Rashtra with Shiv Shakti Point as capital before Jihadis claim it’: demands Swami Chakrapani Maharaj

On Sunday (27 August), the All India Hindu Mahasabha National President, Swami Chakrapani Maharaj put forth a demand that has stirred a social media storm. Following the successful soft landing of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, the senior functionary of the Mahasabha demanded that the Moon should be declared a “Hindu Rashtra” before other ideologies, religions, or countries including Jihadi elements lay their claim on it.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he aired this demand publicly and shared a video message as well regarding the same. In his post, he pressed that India should declare Moon as a Hindu Rashtra by passing a resolution from the Parliament. 

In the video message, he said, “I want India to declare the Moon as a Hindu Rashtra with a resolution in Parliament and efforts from the UN.”

In the attached video message, he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for naming the landing site of the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft as “Shiv Shakti Point”, and gave it the alternate name of Shiv Shakti Dhaam. 

For those unversed, following the scientific procedure of nomenclature, PM Modi while addressing ISRO scientists, named the landing site of the Chandrayaan-3 mission as ShivShakti point and that of Chandrayaan-2 will now be known as Tiranga. 

Going ahead, he stressed that a Hindu Rashtra should be established on the moon and Shiv Shakti Point or Shiv Shakti Dhaam should be developed as its capital, saying that the Hindu Mahashabha has passed a resolution in this regard.

He voiced his concern stating that the announcement of the moon as a Hindu Rashtra is needed so that others don’t carry out Gazwa-e-hind on the moon. He urged that this should be done before any person having a Jihadi mentality steps foot on the moon and start spreading radicalism, fundamentalism, or Islamic terrorism.

For this, he pointed out the moon’s reverence in the Hindu belief system and that it adorns Lord Shiva’s forehead. Additionally, he added that we have a deep and age-old connection with Moon and that we colloquially refer it to as Chanda Mama. 

He added that the purity and sanctity of the moon should be kept intact and for that the Earth’s natural satellite, that is, the moon should be declared Hindu or Sanatan Rashtra. He further said that he would be sending a letter in this regard to the parliament and the UN.

Swami Chakrapani Maharaj also announced that when travel to the moon becomes convenient, a grand temple for Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti will be built by the Mahashabha at the Shiv Shakti point on the moon.

Ladli Behna Yojana: MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan announces instant Rs 250 for rakhi, cheaper electricity & gas, and 35% job reservation for women

OpIndia Staff
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Ladli Behna Yojana: MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan announces instant Rs 250 for rakhi, cheaper electricity & gas, and 35% job reservation for women

On Sunday (27 August), Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan organised a ‘Ladli Bahna Sammelan’ at Jamboree Maidan in Bhopal to mark the upcoming festival of Raksha Bandhan. Speaking at the event, he gave several gifts to nearly 1.25 crores of women in the state, while honouring them as his own ‘mothers’ and sisters, in line with his endearing nickname ‘mama’. 

For those unversed, the women and girl child have affectionately given him the moniker mama.  

Citing the holy month of ‘Shrawan’, the state Chief Minister announced a 25% hike in the financial aid that is given to women under the Ladli Behna scheme by his government. Now, under this scheme, the women will get Rs 1,250 per month. 

In a slew of announcements, CM Chouhan added that the state government will now give 35 percent reservation for women in government jobs. Regarding job reservations, he conveyed that the reservation for women in government jobs has been raised to 35 percent from the current 30 percent and it will be 50 percent in teachers’ recruitment. 

Further, he added that the government will make a permanent system to provide a gas cylinder for women at Rs 450 from the current month onwards. 


He said, “Women will get cooking gas at Rs 450 in the holy month of Sawan. Later, a permanent system will be evolved in this regard. I have also transferred Rs 250 into the accounts of 1.25 crore women so that they can celebrate Rakhi (on Tuesday) well. The rest of the Rs 1,000 (under Ladli Behna Yojana) will be credited in September.”

Electricity bills will be slashed to a bare minimum

Further, CM Shivraj added that many sisters conveyed to him that their electricity bills have increased a lot in the recent past. Responding to that, he assured them that his government has decided that there will be no recovery of increased electricity bills and he will make necessary arrangements for that. 

He categorically stated that the increased bills would become zero in September. He added that afterward, the electricity bill of poor women will be brought within the range of Rs 100 every month. 

CM Shivraj asserted that those women who are homeless and have been left under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana will be given houses under the Chief Minister Awas Yojana. 

He said, ‘The government will give free plots to those sisters who do not have land to live on. We have got rid of a lot of land in the city from the mafia. Will build houses for the poor on that land. And those houses will be registered in the name of sisters.”

Ladli Behna Yojana scheme

As per the announcement made by CM Shivraj Singh, around 1.25 crore women will get Rs 1,250 (under Ladli Behna Yojana) from October month. Later on, the amount will gradually be hiked to Rs 3,000 per month so that the aim of uplifting the economic and social condition of women is fulfilled, the CM added.

The Ladli Behna Yojana started on June 10 this year and as per official data of the state government, around Rs 3,628.85 crores have been given as financial aid to eligible women under this government scheme. 

In this scheme, women in the age group of 23-60 years receive Rs 1,000 per month in their bank account if they are not paying income tax and their families earn less than Rs 2.5 lakh annually.

During the event, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also showered flower petals on the women present in the program and sang songs eulogising the brother-sister relationship. Meanwhile, many women tied Rakhi on his wrist to celebrate the upcoming festival of Raksha Bandhan. 

Major jolt to I.N.D.I.A. bloc: After Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP to contest Bihar assembly polls

OpIndia Staff
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Major jolt to I.N.D.I.A. bloc: After Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP to contest Bihar assembly polls

In a major blow to the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday (26 August) announced that it would be contesting the next Assembly elections in Bihar which will take place in 2025. Reportedly, AAP general secretary Sandeep Pathak held a meeting with leaders and workers of the party’s Bihar Unit in the national capital regarding the same. 

During the meeting, Sandeep Pathak emphasised that there is a need to strengthen the party in Bihar and build a strong organisational structure in the state. Apart from him, AAP MLA from Delhi and Bihar in-charge Ajesh Yadav also attended the meeting. 

Pathak said, “It is the misfortune of Bihar that, due to dirty politics, the state has not been able to move forward where it should have been. The AAP will contest elections in Bihar. But, to contest elections, it is necessary to have a strong organisation.” 

He stressed that AAP will fight polls in Bihar with full might as it did in Gujarat. Elaborating on his plans, he added that the party will enter the state through local body polls first.

Highlighting the fact that opinions may differ, the party’s general secretary further stated that AAP is a national party and will contest Lok Sabha polls and the decision on alliances will come later.

Reacting to the development, the BJP took a jibe at the opposition alliance. BJP leader and former Union minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain asserted that AAP can contest Lok Sabha polls in Bihar and BJP doesn’t have any problem with that. He claimed that BJP will win all 40 Lok Sabha seats. He, however, added that AAP contesting elections in Bihar will be problematic for those who invited them to Bihar.

Responding to Sandeep Pathak’s announcement, RJD MP Manoj Jha reminded AAP that there are certain principles of an alliance, colloquially known as alliance Dharma in political parlance, which AAP should adhere to in order to be an alliance partner. 

RJD leader Manoj Jha said, “When the foundation of the INDIA alliance was being laid down some principles were formed. There was a detailed talk held about these principles. Keeping aside this statement, I think they(AAP) will adhere to those principles.”

This move could further escalate the tensions within the opposition alliance which is finding it hard to even forge a consensus on minor issues. 

Earlier in the day, the Leader of the Opposition in Punjab and Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa advised the party’s high command to not forge an alliance with AAP in the state claiming that “Reluctant marriage harms both families”. 

Prior to that several Congress leaders including Sandeep Dikshit have been making snide remarks against their so-called alliance partner – AAP. On its part, AAP senior leaders including Delhi and Punjab Chief Ministers have been touring Congress-ruled poll-bound states to campaign against the Congress party accusing them of indulging in rampant corruption. 

Apart from denting Congress’ election pitch ahead of the assembly polls, AAP had earlier announced that it would contest assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, adding worries to the grand old party, Congress. 

As both Congress and AAP are constantly engaging in heated exchanges lock, stock, and barrels, there are wide speculations that the ideologically amorphous I.N.D.I. alliance could precipitate even before the 2024 Lok Sabha election begins, if the infighting escalates any further. 

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