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Gang rape of a minor girl, attack on a temple, violence: Anti-social elements wreak havoc during Muharram processions throughout the country

Rukma Rathore
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Gang rape of a minor girl, attack on a temple, violence: Anti-social elements wreak havoc during Muharram processions throughout the country

Multiple reports of violence were reported from all over the country during the Islamic event of Muharram processions. The roads were covered with bricks and stones, temples were vandalised, and stones were pelted at police and the general public across the country which led to serious injuries, dozens of vehicles were damaged and traffic jams were caused by the anti-social elements who masqueraded as mourners in the Muharram processions.

In further shocking news, a minor girl was gang-raped in Bihar by two individuals participating in a Muharram procession. Many startling pictures of the chaos and unrest have surfaced from different places in the country including Delhi, Varanasi, Pilibhit and Kaimur among others.

Gang rape of a minor in Araria

An alarming case of gang rape of a 17-year-old girl surfaced in Bihar’s Araria district. Two men named Mohammad Ashfaq and Mohammad Mumtaz who were part of a Muharram procession took her to a field and sexually assaulted her till she passed out. Afterwards, she was left there in her unconscious state by them. The instance happened on the night of 28 July and pertained to the Farbisganj police station.

The police have started an investigation after launching a First Information Report. The perpetrators were apprehended by the villagers who then turned them over to the police. The latter has received a complaint from the victim’s mother. She revealed that her daughter left their residence at 9 on the night of 27 July to witness a stick-juggling performance in the procession.

The assailants forcibly took her away to a field there and raped her one by one. When the family members embarked on a search for their missing daughter, she was discovered in a field not too far away, without a single cloth on her body. She was brought to a hospital for medical attention.

Afterwards, she regained consciousness and informed the police that she was gang-raped and accused Mohammad Mumtaz and Mohammad Ashfaq of the crime. She disclosed that they picked her up and took her to the field during the commotion of Muharram and repeatedly raped her. She eventually fainted after which they abandoned her on the spot and fled.

She remained immobile in the field for a considerable amount of time and when the locals learned about the episode, they were enraged and took the offenders to the authorities. Both are now in police custody while an inquiry is underway.

Stone pelting and ruckus in Pilibhit

The Bareilly Highway near Khamaria Bridge in Pilibhit reportedly remained under the control of rioters for about five hours on 29 July during which stones were also hurled intermittently. Police had to resort to a lathi charge at around 9:15 pm to disperse the rioters and bring the situation under control after which Tazias were taken out from there.

Regular traffic was then able to move on the highway. Commissioner Soumya Aggarwal and Inspector General of Police Rakesh Singh also reached the spot in the night. The Superintendent of Police Atul Sharma briefed them about the occurrence. Furthermore, police personnel were also called from Bareilly.

A conflict arose near the Khamaria Bridge after Kanwariya pilgrims were asked to stop their DJ by people in a Muharram procession. The altercation started at 4 pm and continued to grow as the evening progressed. SP Atul Sharma summoned Pradeshik Armed Constabulary (PAC) along with the force from other police stations.

Heavy police force was deployed at the location. (Source: Amar Ujala)

Multiple phases of negotiations were conducted with both parties, but no conclusion was reached. Meanwhile, the tension and aggression intensified over the course of the time which led to the hurling of stones at about 7:30 pm. When the authorities realised the gravity of the situation, they took a strong stance and used force to clear out the crowd and also released traffic which brought relief to the commuters.

The windows of the roadways were broken due to heavy stone pelting. Moreover, windscreens on the vehicles of the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Tehsildar, Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) Inspector, among others were also shattered. There was a stampede, however, police chased the people away. Another bus which arrived there from Haridwar was also attacked with stones which led to broken glasses and injuries of many passengers.

Magistrate’s car was vandalised. (Source: Amar Ujala)

Here, a railway line goes behind a temple and the Kanwariya pilgrims were staying nearby. Mourners abandoned their Tazias and ran to the railway line when the cops lathi-charged in the evening to clear the traffic jam on the highway. Stones from the railway line were utilised in the second stone-throwing instance which led to major chaos in the area. Police also spread out due to the massive attack.

Policemen and PAC personnel kept taking charge throughout the assault which caused them to suffer several wounds. Sticks and stones were used by the assalinats. A circle officer (CO) was also among those who got injured. It took until late at night to stabilise everything.

The wounded circle officer. (Source: Amar Ujala)

The Jehanabad police network was ineffective in this case. According to information, the Muslim side was anchored close to the Khamaria Bridge three to four days ago while the other one disapproved and objected to the same. When the issue was brought up at the police station, the officers seemed indifferent about it which led to the violence on 29 July.

Attack on a temple in Kaimur

People who were part of a Muharram procession damaged a Hindu temple in Kaimur district of Bihar. Two groups confronted each other during the procession which first led to sloganeering and later the attacks commenced with sticks and stones.

The Muslim radicals targeted a Hindu temple during this and also threw stones at the police when they arrived at the scene after learning about the occurance. Police then applied physical force to scatter the thronge. The miscreants are also tearing the sacred flag of the temple as well as targeting the vehicles parked in the surrounding region. 

Local media was informed by witnesses that radical Muslims had targeted the temple of Lord Shankar. The Muharram procession, based on them, never passes by the area where the temple is located. Furthermore, they rushed into their homes out of panic when the individuals taking out the Tazia defaced the sacred place and assaulted it with stones.

Assault on police in Nangloi

A Muharram procession in Delhi on 29 July turned violent after the participants attacked the police. The incident happened in Delhi’s Nangloi neighbourhood, where those carrying Tazia got into an altercation with the police, threw stones and caused damage to vehicles.

The instance took place near the Surjmal Stadium, after the Muslim side wanted to divert from the approved route and enter the facility. They assaulted the cops when they forbade the same and sealed the stadium gates.

The miscreants began throwing stones at the police when an argument over the matter broke out and resulted in a fight. In addition, they caused damage to buses and police vehicles. Several buses travelling by the vicinity at the time of the occurrence had their glass panes smashed. The mob was carrying swords which were drawn during the conflict.

Now, Nangloi police station has registered three First Information Reports and is looking through the area’s CCTV cameras to identify the assailants after launching a case against them.

Shia-Sunni clash and Pakistan Zindabad slogans in Varanasi

Muslims belonging to the Shia and the Sunni community clashed with each other during a Tazia procession on the occasion of Muharram in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh on 29 July.

Both sides indulged in sloganeering and threw stones at one another. More than 12 automobiles were set on fire during this time. Stones were also hurled at police cars. Tazias belonging to both communities endured damages during the commotion. Many people were also hurt as a result of the dispute.

Some even reportedly shouted Pakistan Zindabad during the episode, but there was no official confirmation of this as of yet. Tazia procession was being taken out from the Jaitpura Doshipura at around 2 pm.

A disagreement between some members of the Shia and Sunni communities amid this rapidly escalated into a full-fledged conflict. The participants began shouting slogans and attacking one another with rocks and stones. Notably, Shia and Sunni Muslims have a long history of sectarian violence and disagreements on various subjects relating to Islam.

More importantly, there is a long history of similar attacks on various Hindu festivals and religious processions as well. From Ram Navami, Kanwar Yatra to Durga Puja, no Hindu occasion is left without the mark of violence by the Muslim extremists. It is even more concerning that as the years go by, the instances have exacerbated and become more frequent.

Deaths caused by accidents

Apart from the violence during Muharram processions, several accidents also took place on Saturday resulting in several deaths. At least six people died and several were injured in 3 separate incidents of electrocution in Gujarat, Bihar, and Jharkhand. In all these incidents, the Tazia carried in Muharram processions hit high-tension electric wires and electrocuted participants.

The most serious of them was an incident in the Bokaro district of Jharkhand, where 4 persons died and 13 were injured when a battery exploded after coming into contact with a 11,000-volt power line through a meta flag pole attached to a Tazia. Similarly, two people lost their lives while 24 others suffered electric shocks in Dhoraji area of Gujarat after a Tazia touched a high tension line. Another similar incident took place in Gopalganj in Bihar, where 8 people were injured, after bamboo poles and tree branches carried by people touched an electric wire.

Sharad Pawar set to felicitate PM Modi in Pune despite firm opposition by I.N.D.I.A. parties including his own faction of NCP

OpIndia Staff
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Sharad Pawar set to felicitate PM Modi in Pune despite firm opposition by I.N.D.I.A. parties including his own faction of NCP

The 26 opposition parties, under the banner I.N.D.I.A., have announced that they will stage a protest and raise black flags during PM Modi’s recent visit to Pune on the 1st of August. In Pune, PM Modi will be conferred with Lokmanya Tilak National Award for 2023 for his outstanding leadership and ‘awakening the feeling of patriotism among citizens’. 

During the event, NCP founder Sharad Pawar and Former Union Home Minister and senior Congress leader Sushilkumar Shinde, who is a trustee, will also be present at the event to honour PM Modi. 

It is important to note that NCP veteran Sharad Pawar will not only be present at the event, but he will also be the one conferring the award on PM Modi during the facilitation programme at the S P College ground. This development is coming in the wake of the vertical split that recently took place within the NCP. It was seen as a major dent in the image and politics of Sharad Pawar and the Maga Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Maharashtra.  

This contrarian public stance by Pawar to felicitate PM Modi has not gone down well among the opposition alliance. Speaking to the media, several leaders in the MVA alliance have issued a public appeal urging Pawar to not attend the programme and share the stage with PM Modi.  

Subsequently, a delegation led by socialist leader Baba Adhav decided to meet Pawar, later on Sunday, 30 July. The delegation included political parties – Shiv Sena (UBT), AAP, CPI(M) and Pawar’s own faction. They asked him to change his mind and not attend the event as it will send the wrong signal. According to them, this would mean a thaw with Ajit Pawar’s faction and that he has extended his support to his nephew. 

When asked about the decision taken by their party head, NCP (Sharad Pawar)’s Pune chief Prashant Jagtap said, “An all-party delegation will be meeting our party chief to convince him to not attend the event. He is likely to come to Pune from Mumbai this evening after which we plan to meet him and urge him to drop out of the function.”

MVA alliance urges Sharad Pawar to not send the wrong signals

The Shiv Sena (UBT), an NCP(Sharad Pawar) ally in MVA, stated that Pawar’s decision “does not look appropriate” and asserted that Pawar should not be seen felicitating PM Modi. 

The party’s spokesperson Sanjay Raut said, “When the Prime Minister is calling the constituents of INDIA all sorts of names and when he and his party have wrecked the NCP, it does not look appropriate for the NCP chief to attend the event and bestow the honour on the Prime Minister.”

Raut claimed that if Pawar attended the event and honoured PM Modi, he would harm his own image and reputation. 

He added, “The BJP has not just broken the NCP into two factions but the PM has described the NCP as a corrupt party. If the NCP has suffered so much, then how can its party head felicitate the Prime Minister? By doing so, Pawar will be harming his own image and reputation. I think Pawar should avoid attending the function.”

UBT’s mouthpiece Raut argued that by this move, Pawar would have sent the wrong signal. He stated that this will create confusion in the minds of the people and the NCP workers and supporters. It will mean that Ajit Pawar has the support of the NCP national president. 

Hitting out at Sharad Pawar and terming the NCP feud as ‘nautanki’, VBA chief Prakash Ambedkar, another ally within MVA, argued that it was all a fixed match and this decision indicates that.  

He stated that Pawar’s decision was a “clear indication that the so-called Ajit Pawar-led rebellion has his backing. He said, “I think it was all a ‘nautanki’. By attending the event, Pawar will be providing legitimacy to the BJP’s act. You are honouring the same person for breaking your party into two halves. This is beyond imagination.”

Although Congress leaders will be part of the delegation that will meet Pawar, state Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe stated that Congress’ state chief Nana Patole has already said the NCP chief has to take the call about whether to attend the function or not. Therefore, we are leaving it to him.

Similarly, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan refused to comment on Pawar’s decision. However, its state vice president Mohan Joshi stressed that some Congress leaders will be part of the opposition parties under the banner of INDIA would raise black flags when Modi arrives in Pune.

Sharad Pawar sidelines the opposition to his decision, trust Vice-President confirms his participation

The Lokmanya Tilak Award is conferred by the Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust and Congress leader Rohit Tilak is a trustee and vice-President of the trust. 

Confirming that Pawar will attend the event, Tilak said, “We have received confirmation of his participation. The award will be presented to the Prime Minister by the trust president, who is my father, and the chief guest.” 

Reflecting on the opposition parties objections over the event, Tilak who is the great-grandson of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, categorically asserted that this is a non-political dais. 

He added that in the past, the trust has honoured PMs Manmohan Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The trust honoured people from diverse fields and different ideologies for their outstanding work.

Claiming that PM Modi is the right recipient of the award, Rohit said, “Swadeshi and Rashtriya Shikshan were close to the heart of Lokmanya Tilak. The Prime Minister has lived up to the vision of Lokmanya Tilak. He has preserved and protected our cultural roots. He is pursuing concepts like Atma Nirbhar India, and making India self-reliant which Lokmanya strongly believed in and propagated during the pre-Independence days. And therefore, the PM was our choice for the award.”

Meanwhile, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale claimed that PM Modi and Sharad Pawar might discuss stitching an alliance for the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. 

In an exclusive interview with India TV, Athawale said that both leaders will meet in Pune and speak on several matters including a possible alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

“Insulting Mahatma Gandhi will not be tolerated”: Devendra Fadnavis condemns Hindutva activist Sambhaji Bhide, reminds protesting Congress of its comments on Savarkar

OpIndia Staff
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“Insulting Mahatma Gandhi will not be tolerated”: Devendra Fadnavis condemns Hindutva activist Sambhaji Bhide, reminds protesting Congress of its comments on Savarkar

After saying that True Indology should be hanged for alleged comments on Savitribai Phule, Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis has targeted another right-wing activist Sambhaji Bhide. Fadnavis condemned Sambhaji Bhide for his alleged derogatory statement against Mahatma Gandhi, saying that ‘Gandhi is seen as the leader of the history of India’s freedom struggle’.

Devendra Fadnavis said they will not tolerate Gandhi’s insult, adding “I condemn the statement of Sambhaji Bhide. Mahatma Gandhi is the father of the nation. He is viewed as the leader of the history of India’s freedom struggle.” The BJP leader made the comments while talking to the media in Mumbai, stressing that action will be taken against Bhide by the Maharashtra government.

Fadnavis further added, “Such a statement against him is inappropriate, people will not tolerate it. State Government will take appropriate action in this case. Insulting Mahatma Gandhi will not be tolerated under any circumstances.”

He also tried to distance BJP from the Hindutva activist, saying “Sambhaji Bhide has no connection with BJP, he has his own organisation. No need to give it political colours deliberately.”

However, Devendra Fadnavis also targeted the Congress party, which has raised its voice against Bhide for alleged comments on MK Gandhi, for the party’s comments on Savarkar. He said that the Congress party should not “stay quiet” when Rahul Gandhi speaks anything against Veer Savarkar. “The manner in which the people of Congress are taking to the streets over this, they should similarly do so when Rahul Gandhi speaks against Veer Savarkar. But they stay quiet at that time,” Fadnavis said.

90-years-old Sambhaji Bhide, founder of Shri Shiv Pratishthan Hindustan, allegedly made derogatory comments on MK Gandhi at an event in Amravati district on Thursday. The Congress party had raised the matter in the assembly on Friday condemning the comments demanding action. After that, an FIR was registered against Bhide under Indian Penal Code section 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony).

The case was filed by Rajapeth police station in Amravati district after Congress state secretary Nandkishore Kuyate filed a complaint against Bhide. Congress leaders have also demanded his arrest in the matter.

Sambhaji Bhide had questioned the family background of MK Gandhi while making the controversial comments. He had said, “Mahatma Gandhi’s name is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, but Karamchand Gandhi was not Mahatma Gandhi’s father. His real father was a Muslim landlord.” He had further claimed that ‘Karamchand had stolen a large sum of money from the Muslim landlord with whom he was working. As a result, the angry Muslim landlord abducted Karamchand’s wife and brought her home. After he took her as a wife and father Mahatma Gandhi.’

Sambhaji Bhide, a former RSS leader, also claimed that he has evidence about his claims.

Madras Reporters Guild condemns the arrest of journalist-writer Badri Seshadri by Tamil Madu police, demands immediate release

OpIndia Staff
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Madras Reporters Guild condemns the arrest of journalist-writer Badri Seshadri by Tamil Madu police, demands immediate release

Political analyst and journalist Badri Seshadri’s arrest has sparked outrage online and now Madras Reporters Guild has condemned Seshadri’s arrest. It is notable that Badri Seshadri was arrested for his alleged ‘derogatory’ comments on Manipur unrest. 

The Guild, also known as Chennai Nirubargal Sangam, demanded that Seshadri be released immediately, asserting that there is no reason to arrest him for his statements, no matter how distasteful or even disparaging they may be.

The government has the option of filing a case against the writer and letting the law run its course, rather than resorting to arrest, which violates freedom of expression as well as civil liberties, the guild said.

In matters of contempt of court, it is up to the courts to take whatever action they see fit. The Guild expressed worry over the approach of governments across the country, including BJP and non-BJP administrations, to “straightaway arrest persons for comments in the media and social media” instead of taking the prosecution route.

The guild urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to expedite Seshadri’s release and to direct the police not to arrest anybody for making public comments about current events.

“Arrest should be used only as a last resort and only based on final court judgements after the due legal process has been followed.”

It is pertinent to note that a Kunnam judicial magistrate court has sent Badri Seshadri to judicial custody till August 11. Seshadri is currently lodged at Trichy central prison. Seshadri was arrested after a complaint was lodged by an advocate P Kaviarasu from Kadoor in Perambalur district. 

As reported earlier, Seshadri was arrested early Saturday from his Chennai home following his statements about the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud in connection with Manipur violence. 

“Yesterday, the Supreme Court like a big…I don’t know what words to say. ‘If you can’t do it (contain the violence), we will get down and do it.’ We should give a gun in the hand of Chandrachud (Chief Justice of India) and ask him to go there and do what he can to restore peace. Simply, talking anything without relation,” he had reportedly said.

“Can you (judiciary) enter into the realm of governance? What fault did you find in what is being done [by the government] there [to restore normalcy]? Two groups are fighting. It is a hilly terrain. A complex land. In that, a few murders will happen. Why did they fight? Could we have prevented the reason for the two groups fighting? It can’t be done easily,” Seshadri was quoted as saying.

‘Only pureblood candidate’, ‘Trump on steroid’, Indian-American Hirsh Vardhan Singh joins the 2024 US presidential race

OpIndia Staff
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‘Only pureblood candidate’, ‘Trump on steroid’, Indian-American Hirsh Vardhan Singh joins the 2024 US presidential race

Indian-American Engineer turned-politician Hirsh Vardhan Singh announced, on Thursday, 27 July, that he will seek the Republican nomination for the US Presidential election in 2024. With this, he has become the third Indian-American person to join the fray seeking presidential nomination from the Republican party. The 38-year-old Singh took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to declare that he is formally “entering the race for President.” 

In a 3-minute long video, Singh described himself as an “America First constitutional carry and pro-life conservative who helped restore the conservative wing of New Jersey’s Republican Party starting in 2017.”

In the video, Singh reiterated his support for conservative values and launched an all-out offensive against the “corruption” of Big Tech and Big Pharma. He asserted that they had “relentlessly attacked our freedoms.”

Singh said that “Bolsheviks” (left-liberal ecosystem) have been “imposing” their ideology on children in America. He then went on to describe the current schooling system as “centers of indoctrination” which are permanently harming children.

In the announcement video, Hirsh Singh said, “There is an all-out attack on American family values, parental rights, and the marketplace of ideas and open debate. We need strong leadership to reverse the changes that have occurred in the past few years and restore American values. That is why I have decided to seek the Republican Party’s nomination for the 2024 election for the office of President of the United States.” 

In the video, Singh categorically expressed that former US President Donald Trump has had his support from day one, however, he argued that Americans need more.  

He said, “While President Trump was undoubtedly the greatest president of my lifetime and had my support as a MAGA (Make America Great Again) Republican since day one, America needs more.”

The 38-year-old called himself the only pure-blood candidate in the President’s race and pointed out that his opponents have been name-calling him “Trump on Steroids”. 

Republican Presidential hopeful, Singh said, “Today I am the only pure-blood candidate for president because I never gave in to the Covid vaccinations. Even New Jersey Senate president labelled me as ‘Trump on steroids’. It’s time to move past outdated politicians of a bygone era.”

Hirsh Vardhan Singh’s personal and political career

Hirsh Vardhan Singh’s parents were Indian immigrants who moved to the USA. Currently, Singh is living in Atlantic City. He is an aerospace engineer and did his bachelor’s in engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology in 2009. Earlier, in 2003, he was awarded Aviation Ambassador by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Later, he assisted his father in managing their family business, which specialises in missile defence, satellite navigation, and aviation security.

In 2017, with a $1 million contribution from his father, Singh entered into New Jersey politics as a candidate for the post of governor. However, he secured only 9.9 percent of the vote share and ended up in the third position in the race.

Following his gubernatorial campaign, he made subsequent attempts at running for the US Senate in 2018, Congress, and again for the US Senate in 2020, and finally for governor in 2021. Unfortunately, he did not succeed in any of these endeavours. 

As mentioned in his website profile, he has held positions as an engineer and federal contractor. He is described as a “Magnet for conservatives, libertarians, Indians, Filipinos, Hispanics, and Black-American voters.”

‘Amrit Sarovars, Haj without Mehram, Mini Brazil and more’: Here are the key highlights of PM Modi’s 103rd Mann Ki Baat

Shraddha Pandey
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‘Amrit Sarovars, Haj without Mehram, Mini Brazil and more’: Here are the key highlights of PM Modi’s 103rd Mann Ki Baat

On Sunday, July 30th, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 103rd episode of his popular radio programme Mann Ki Baat. During the broadcast, PM Modi discussed a plethora of relevant themes. PM Modi talked about the natural calamities endured by the citizens in recent times including flooding in Yamuna and other rivers. He also spoke about landslides in hilly areas as well as the impact of the Biparjoy cyclone in the western part of the country including some areas of Gujarat.

PM Modi praises the collective efforts of people and authorities amidst natural calamities

PM Modi lauded the collective effort of the common people, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) jawans and the local administration to combat such calamities. He also called the spirit of ‘Sarvajan Hitaye’ as the “hallmark” and strength of India. 

“But friends, in the midst of these calamities, all of us countrymen have once again brought to the fore the power of collective effort. The local people, our NDRF jawans, and those from the local administration have worked day and night to combat such calamities. Our capabilities and resources play a big role in dealing with any disaster; but at the same time, our sensitivity and the spirit of handholding is equally important,” PM Modi said.

60 thousand Amrit Sarovars built during “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”

The Prime Minister stressed the significance of water conservation and tree plantation in the monsoon season. He talked about how over 60,000 Amrit Sarovars built during Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav are “radiating their glow.” 

He added that presently over 50,000 Amrit Sarovars are being built across the country. 

According to the official data, construction work of around 63,890 Amrit Sarovars has been completed as of July 30. Moreover, work has been commenced on 79,709 sites identified for the construction of Amrit Sarovar.

Graph via amritsarovar.gov.in

PM Modi further recalled his visit to Madhya Pradesh’s Pakaria village where he interacted with tribal people about the conservation of water and nature.

The Prime Minister told the listeners that people in Pakaria village have in collaboration with the local administration converted around a hundred wells into water recharge systems.

“Now I have come to know that the tribal brothers and sisters of Pakaria village have already started working on this. Here, with the help of the administration, people have converted about a hundred wells into water recharge systems. Rainwater now flows into these wells, and from the wells, the water enters the ground. This will gradually improve the groundwater level in the area,” PM Modi said adding that the villagers have set a target of using 800 wells as water recharge systems.

Water recharge systems

The purpose of artificial recharge to groundwater is to replenish groundwater reservoirs by changing the natural flow of surface water using appropriate civil construction techniques. Artificial recharge approaches are typically used to increase long-term yield in places where overdevelopment has drained the groundwater supply. These water recharge systems facilitate the conservation and storage of excess surface water for future demands, as these needs vary frequently within a season or timeframe.

PM Modi lauds UP government’s record of planting 30 crore trees in a day

Prime Minister Modi heaped praises on the people of Uttar Pradesh and the state government led by CM Yogi Adityanath for its recent feat wherein over 30 crore trees were planted under the annual plantation campaign Vriksharopan Janandolan 2023. The drive was started by CM Yogi as he planted a Kalvriksh at Vidur Kuti in the Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh.

“One such encouraging news has come in from Uttar Pradesh. A few days ago, in Uttar Pradesh, a record of planting 30 crore trees in a single day has been made. This campaign was started by the state government; it was completed by the people there. Such efforts are great examples of public participation as well as public awareness,” PM Modi said urging citizens to be a part of such plant and water conversation drives.

Sawan: A holy month of Sadashiv Mahadev’s worship as well as joy and greenery 

Moving ahead, prime minister Modi emphasised the spiritual and cultural significance of the holy month of Sawan, as he talked about the festivities of Sawan.

“My dear countrymen, at present the holy month of Saawan is going on. Along with worshipping Sadashiv Mahadev, Sawan is associated with greenery and joy. That’s why, Sawan has been very important from the spiritual as well as cultural point of view. The swings of Sawan, the mehendi of Sawan, the festivities of Sawan, that is, Sawan itself means joy and enthusiasm,” PM Modi said.

He also talked about the Kanwar Yatra undertaken by the devotees of Lord Shiva and people visiting the 12 Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva.

Moreover, PM Modi drew the attention of the listeners to the remarkable spike in the number of devotees reaching Banaras with around 10 crore devotees reaching Kashi every year. 

“You would also be happy to know that the number of people reaching Banaras is also breaking records. Now more than 10 crore tourists are reaching Kashi every year,” PM Modi said.

The prime minister further asserted that the major boost in spiritual tourism in prominent pilgrimage sites such as Ayodhya, Mathura and Ujjain is providing employment to the poor and assisting them in sustaining their livelihood. 

Notably, OpIndia recently reported that around that the holy city of Varanasi received a footfall of 7.16 crore tourists last year as compared to 85 lakhs received by Goa.

PM Modi praises 100-year-old French Yoga practitioner

PM Modi further discussed American tourists who came to India for Amarnath Yatra. The prime minister mentioned a French Yoga practitioner Charlotte Chopin who he met during his recent France visit. 

“Recently, when I had gone to France, I had met Charlotte Chopin. She is a Yoga practitioner and teacher, and she is more than 100 years old. She has crossed a century. She has been practicing yoga for the last 40 years. She gives credit for her health and this age of 100 years only to yoga. She has become a prominent face of India’s science of yoga and its strength, in the world. We all should learn from her,” PM Modi said.

NashaMukt Bharat Abhiyan and the destruction of 10 lakh kilograms of drugs 

Prime Minister Modi stated that the growing participation of youth in the anti-drug campaign is very promising and that these efforts contribute a lot of strength to India’s anti-drug campaign. “If we want to save future generations of the country, we have to keep them away from drugs,” he added.

PM Modi talked about the ‘NashaMukt Bharat Abhiyan,’ which was launched on August 15, 2020, saying that “more than 11 crore people have been connected with this campaign. He added that India launched a massive anti-drug campaign two weeks ago. After seizing about 1.5 lakh kg consignment of drugs, it has been destroyed. “India has also established a record by destroying 10 lakh kilograms of narcotics. The cost of these drugs was more than Rs 12,000 crore,” PM Modi said.

In addition, PM Modi talked about the innovative efforts to save the youth of Jammu and Kashmir from drugs. He talked about programs like Musical Night, Bike Rallies happening there for the said cause.

“To spread this message in Chandigarh, Local Clubs have been linked with it. They call these VADA clubs. VADA means Victory Against Drug Abuse. Many sports groups have also been formed in Punjab, which are running awareness campaigns to focus on fitness and get rid of drug addiction,” the prime minister said.

Modi thanks the US for returning 100 Indian artefacts

During his ‘Mann Ki Baat,’ PM Modi expressed gratitude to the United States for returning “over 100 rare and ancient artefacts” to India. 

The PM emphasised that the ancient artefacts belonged to various parts of the country, saying, “Statues belonging to the Chola dynasty, busts of Lord Murugan associated with Tamil Nadu’s culture, and a 1000-year-old Lord Ganesha’s statue have been returned to India from the US. A few days ago, there was a craze across social media, America has returned us over 100 rare and ancient artefacts. These relics returned to India are around 250 to 2500 years old,” PM Modi said.

4,000 women performed Haj without Mehram

PM Modi mentioned letters he got from women who returned from the Haj pilgrimage without mehram or a male companion. “I thank the Saudi government for bringing in women coordinators to assist women who do not have male companions,” Prime Minister Modi remarked. 

He added that the changes made in the Haj policy in recent years have received appreciation from the people.

“More and more people are getting the opportunity to perform ‘Haj’. “The blessing given by those who have returned from the Haj pilgrimage, especially our mothers and sisters, through their letters is very inspiring in and of itself,” Prime Minister Modi stated.

PM Modi hails Uttarakhand’s “Bhojpatra” 

The Prime Minister talked about the heart-warming letters he receives from the women of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. He mentioned a letter he received from a woman from the Chamoli district who described how ‘Bhojpatra’ became a means of livelihood there. The women in Chamoli’s Mana Valley are making Bhojpatras and souvenirs. These artefacts and souvenirs are purchased by pilgrims arriving there and thus financially empower these women.

“These are the women who presented me with a unique artwork on Bhojpatra in October of last year. I was also overwhelmed upon receiving this gift. After all, our texts and writings have been preserved on these Bhojpatras from ancient times. The Bhojpatra was also used to write the Mahabharata. Today, these Devbhoomi women create exquisite products and souvenirs from the Bhojpatra.

It is notable that during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mana visit in October last year, tribal women from the self-help group presented the Prime Minister with an artwork created on Bhojpatra.

PM Modi shares the inspiring story of ‘Mini Brazil’

Prime Minister Modi also shared an inspiring journey from Madhya Pradesh where a Mini Brazil of rising football stars is thriving.

“This is Mini Brazil’s Inspiring Journey. You’re probably wondering where Mini Brazil came from in Madhya Pradesh, and that’s where the twist comes in. Bicharpur is a the village in Shahdol, MP. Bicharpur is known as “Mini Brazil.” ‘Mini Brazil,’ since the tiny community has become a bastion for football’s rising stars. I saw many such football players when I visited Shahdol a few weeks ago. I felt that our compatriots, particularly our young friends, needed to be aware of this.”

PM Modi announces ‘Meri Mati Mera Desh’ campaign

The Prime Minister announced the ‘Meri Mati Mera Desh’ campaign to honour the valiant soldiers who gave their lives for the sake of the country.  “In the country, a significant campaign called ‘Meri Maati Mera Desh’ will be organised to honour the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country.” During this campaign, an ‘Amrit Kalash Yatra’ would be undertaken, with 7500 Kalash carrying soil and plants from villages and various parts of the country to Delhi. “‘Amrit Vatika’ will be created from the soil and plants carried in these ‘Kalash’ near the National War Memorial,” he explained.

As August 15 is only a few days away, the Prime Minister has asked people to raise the tricolour flag at their houses to mark Independence Day calling upon citizens to continue the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign.

Mann Ki Baat

Prime Minister Narendra through his monthly radio programme connects with the common people in India and listeners abroad. He shares his ideas, vision, and some interesting stories he comes across with the general masses. The Prime Minister often highlights the grassroots change-makers to inspire the citizens to become ambassadors of positive change and contribute to nation-building. 

Mann Ki Baat is broadcast in 11 foreign languages, including French, Chinese, Indonesian, Tibetan, Burmese, Baluchi, Arabic, Pashtu, Persian, Dari, and Swahili, in addition to 22 Indian languages and 29 dialects. Mann Ki Baat is broadcast by over 500 broadcast centres of All India Radio. 

3 FIRs registered over stone pelting on police by Muharram procession participants in Nangloi, CCTV footage being scanned to identify culprits

OpIndia Staff
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3 FIRs registered over stone pelting on police by Muharram procession participants in Nangloi, CCTV footage being scanned to identify culprits

The Nangloi police station in Delhi has registered 3 First Information Reports in relation to stone-pelting on the police and the common public during a Muharram procession on Saturday. They are looking through the vicinity’s CCTV cameras to identify the assailants after launching a case.

The first FIR has been registered under sections 147, 148, 149, 151, 152, 153, 186, 323, 324, 332, 353, 307 and 427 of the Indian Penal Code and the relevant sections of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act on the complaint of Nangloi SHO Prabhu Dayal. The second FIR has been registered on the basis of a complaint lodged by Nanag Ram, the law and order inspector at Nangloi police station, for an incident at Nangloi Chowk. The third FIR was registered on the complaint of Mukesh Kumar, a head constable, for an incident near the metro station at Nangloi. 

All three FIRs were registered on Sunday, a day after the incident. After registering the FIRs, the police started to identify the culprits based on footage captured by CCTV cameras installed at the area.

It is notable that a sudden ruckus broke out in a Muharram procession in the Nangloi neighbourhood of outer Delhi on 29 July which ended up in the injury of multiple policemen and the general public, after youths participating in the procession started attacking police. 12 people including 6 policemen were injured in the stone pelting.

The first FIR based on NangloiStation House Officer (SHO) Prabhu Dayal’s statement states that the police pushed attendees in the Tazia (paying condolences, homage and respect to the deceased) march when they started deviating from the predetermined pathway. The crowd then began pressurising to proceed to Maharaja Surajmal Stadium even though they didn’t have any permit to go there.

The FIR states that in meetings held with Tazia organisers, it was decided that the procession will proceed towards Surajmal Stadium via the metro station, take a U-turn from the Nangloi depot red light and return to their designated place. During the entire day, various Muharram processions were taken out following the designated routes. But in the evening, some processions from the Prem Nagar and Aman Vihar areas of Rohini district crossed the Kirari Gate and reached the front of Surajmal Stadium via Rohtak Road. From there, instead of proceeding on designated routes, some people tried to deviate, pushing and shoving their way ahead.

According to the police, over ten thousand individuals gathered by that time. While it carried on peacefully, some unruly elements began leading it off the designated route and attempted to force their way into the Maharaja Surajmal Stadium which is close to the Maharaja Surajmal Stadium Metro Station.

The police attempted to stop them since they did not have authorisation to enter the facility and locked the stadium gates. Enraged at this, the Muslim youths in the Muharram procession started a ruckus and argued with the police. The cops on duty asked them not to deviate from the route and tried to pacify them, but the youths started to fight instead.

The procession organisers stood on carts and rikshaws and started instigating people to enter the stadium. The people in the procession were encouraged by the organisers to make their way to the stadium for refreshments that arrived on six to seven carts. Many of them were carrying weapons such as swords, knives, sticks and iron rods, the FIR stated.

When police stood their ground and didn’t allow them to enter the stadium, they attacked the police and began hurling stones. They also pelted stones at moving buses on the road and damaged police vehicles.

Many youngsters were seen chucking stones in videos of the area that came to light. They flung stones at persons crossing the street. Stones were also tossed at the windows of passing buses, which frightened the passengers inside them. Hundreds of youths were spotted running. People closed their stores and left in view of the escalating trouble. Police lathi-charged the offenders and close the market in order to settle things down.

“One of them, having a knife in his hand, attacked sub-inspector Parveen, on which Parveen grabbed the knife in order to save himself and received injury,” the FIR states. It adds that there were heavy traffic on the Rohtak road and the stone pelting posed a danger to lives and property.

Numerous police officers and passersby were wounded as a result of the violence. The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses and vehicles plying on the road, including those of the police also sustained damages due to the attack.

The police sensed the gravity of the situation and used force in order to deter the miscreants from throwing stones. Lathi-charge was used to disperse the mob. There was a traffic gridlock on Nangloi Rohtak Road caused due to the instance. The atmosphere returned to normal as a result of their intervention and later more police force was deployed to maintain law and order.

Senior police officials of many districts also reached the location and the Joint Commissioner of Police assessed the entire episode. Things were back to usual by the evening, but the police force continued to be in the area.

Karnataka: College couple commits suicide after their intimate video goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: College couple commits suicide after their intimate video goes viral

On 28th July, an intimate video of a college couple went viral on social media. When the girl learned about the video, she committed suicide out of distress. Following her suicide, the boy also committed suicide on Friday night. The incident took place in Devangere, Karnataka. Both victims were students in the second year of First Grade Government College.

As per reports, they were in a relationship, and the video was allegedly recorded by someone around two months ago when they were sharing private moments on the terrace of the college building.

The parents of both students have lodged separate complaints with the police. They have sought justice and accountability for circulating the video on social media. District Superintendent of Police Dr K Arun assured the families and the public that a thorough investigation into the matter would be conducted. The investigation into the matter is underway and the police are tracing the culprit who recorded and circulated the video.

The Udupi secret video case

On 18th July, a matter came to light from Udupi Karnataka where three girl students were accused of recording private videos of fellow students in Netra Jyothi College in the washroom. FIR has been registered in the matter. Initially, the college administration and liberal media attempted to paint it as a case of “prank”, but following immense pressure from the public, cases were registered and the accused girls were arrested. The court granted all three girls bail. Investigation into the matter is underway.

Russian Wagner group is preparing “hybrid attack” on Polish territory from Belarus: Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki

OpIndia Staff
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Russian Wagner group is preparing “hybrid attack” on Polish territory from Belarus: Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki

On the 29th of July, Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki addressed a news conference during a visit to an arms factory in Gliwice, in southern Poland – the place where the Ukrainian army’s Leopard tanks undergo repairs. While addressing the media personnel, the Polish PM warned that the situation at the Polish – Belarusian border is getting increasingly dangerous.

He expressed concerns about the hostile movement of Russia’s private militia, Wagner mercenary forces inside Belarusian territory near the Polish border. He claimed that the Wagner mercenaries are preparing a “hybrid attack” on Polish territory from the Belarusian side and more than 100 mercenaries had charged towards the narrow but strategic Suwalki gap near Grodno.  

Poland’s Prime Minister said, “We have information that more than 100 Wagner mercenaries have advanced towards the Suwalki Gap, not far from Grodno in Belarus.”

Morawiecki claimed that the Wagner group will try to destabilise Poland through the influx of illegal immigrants and disguising themselves among these immigrants and infiltrating Polish territories.  

He said, “They will probably be disguised as Belarusian border guards and will help illegal immigrants to enter Polish territory, and destabilise Poland, but they will also probably try to infiltrate Poland pretending to be illegal immigrants and this creates additional risks.”

Suwalki corridor: The crucial missing link connecting the Russian mainland to its Baltic exclave via Belarusian territory

The Suwalki Gap is a very strategic stretch of Polish territory and is only 60 miles long. It has equal strategic significance not only for NATO members particularly Poland and Lithuania but also for Russia and its all-weather ally Belarus. It is situated between Belarus and Russia’s Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad. 

Image Source – CNN

If this strategic land corridor comes under Russian-ally Belarusian control through Wagner mercenaries or by other means, Russia’s only exclave surrounded by NATO members will have the land corridor for logistic requirements and meet any eventuality with NATO members in case of conflict in the Baltic region, a territory far from Russia’s mainland. 

The Polish government has alleged that more than a thousand Wagner mercenaries were stationed in Belarusian territory to achieve its objective on this strategic Suwalki corridor. 

Evidently, the current theatre where the action is supposedly taking place is Grodno. It is located in the west of Belarus just 15km (nine miles) from its border with NATO members Poland and Lithuania. 

The heightened threat of illegal migrants and Wagner Mercenaries post Mutiny fall-out in Russia

Poland is a member of both the European Union (EU) and NATO. Still, it has been expressing concerns regarding its security at the eastern border with Belarus. Polish government’s fears gained strength ever since Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko brokered peace to end the short-lived Wagner’s rebellion in Russia. 

As part of the ‘peace deal’, Lukashenko gave refuge to the rebel Wagner group and asked the mercenary group to train his country’s military. Additionally, Wagner and Belarusian forces held joint military exercises near the border with Poland, increasing security concerns for the Polish side. 

As a countermeasure, Poland moved more than 1,000 troops to the eastern border earlier this month. 

In his press conference, Polish Prime Minister Morawiecki stated that approximately 16,000 migrant attempts to cross the border from Belarus had been documented this year. He blamed Belarusian President Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin for pushing migrants through to Poland. 

The Polish government has alleged that Russia and Belarus have been using migrants to destabilise Poland and other EU member nations. According to Poland, this is part of hybrid warfare. Following the migrant row, Poland has built a high wall along part of its border with Belarus.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, 30 July, RT reported that the Belarusian president Lukashenko told Putin that the Wagner fighters were keen to “go on tour to Warsaw”. The report added that the Wagner mercenaries want to settle a score with those they believe have been providing Ukrainian troops with military hardware.

Amid Poland-Belarus border row, Russia claimed that it foiled a Ukrainian “terrorist attack”

On Sunday, 30 July, the Russian Defence Ministry stated that it has foiled a Ukrainian ‘terrorist attack’ on Crimea. The Ministry added that all of Kyiv’s drones were either downed by air defenses or neutralized by electronic warfare. 

The Defence Ministry said that the Russian forces have intercepted a Ukrainian attack on the Crimean peninsula involving 25 drones. However, no casualties or destruction in these drone raids were reported. 

In a statement early on Sunday, the ministry said Moscow had repelled “an attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack with 25 aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles” on facilities in Crimea.

According to the Russian Defence Ministry, 16 Ukrainian drones were shot down by Russian air defenses while another nine were suppressed by electronic warfare. They crashed in the water near Cape Tarkhankut in the western part of the peninsula. 

Russian Ministry of Defence added that three drones were intercepted in Moscow City in an attempted attack on the business and shopping development in the west of the Russian capital.  

In their statement, the Ministry said, “One Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was destroyed in the air by air defense forces over the territory of the Odintsovo district of Moscow region. Two more drones were jammed using electronic warfare capabilities and after losing control, they crashed on the territory of a complex of non-residential buildings in Moscow City.”

According to the Russian state news agency TASS, there was a strike in the building of the “IQ-Quarter” located in “Moscow City” (shopping center). In the wake of these drone attacks, Russia had to briefly shut its Vnukovo airport. 

Apart from drone attacks, Ukraine also launched conventional missiles as a part of its major offensive against Russia on Saturday, 29 July. 

UP STF to probe Christianity conversion racket in Ghaziabad after a couple was arrested for offering money to people of marginalised communities to convert

OpIndia Staff
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UP STF to probe Christianity conversion racket in Ghaziabad after a couple was arrested for offering money to people of marginalised communities to convert

After a couple was recently arrested in the Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh for converting the members of marginalised communities in Ghaziabad by offering them money, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has taken over the investigation into the matter. 

The accused pastor Mahinder Kumar and his wife Seema are residents of Peernagar Sudana in the Hapur district. The action was taken after an FIR was filed based on a complaint that some people were pressing and offering money to needy people in the Modinagar area to convert them to Christianity. The police had also seized three mobile phones during the arrest and are analysing the call details. 

According to authorities, the couple ran a charitable trust called Bethlehem Gospel and was receiving funds from overseas to allegedly convert members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes communities to Christianity.

According to ACP Modinagar Gyan Prakash Rai, the duo was operating 10 bank accounts in foreign banks, and transactions worth several thousand rupees were discovered during the inquiry. Moreover, Pastor Mahinder Kumar received Rs 30 lakh from foreign sources. Police have also learned of two people from Mumbai and Chennai who were involved in the conversion ring.

According to the police, more than a hundred persons who were baptised by the couple are in contact with them.

On Saturday (July 30), a six-member UP STF team arrived at Modinagar police station and sought details regarding the case and also inquired about the action taken by the police so far.

According to a Live Hindustan report, a person named Ashish had on July 22 lodged a complaint against a mother-son duo in Shahjahanpur. He alleged that the mother and her son Rohit were trying to convert others to Christianity by offering money. However, during the investigation, the role of the mother-son duo in question could not be established. Consequently, the police may grant them a clean chit. Meanwhile, the accused Pastor Mahinder Kumar and his wife Seema have been arrested and incarcerated. 

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