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Scratch your memory, sir: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar fumes after P Chidambaram challenges the Chair on Rajya Sabha rules

OpIndia Staff
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Scratch your memory, sir: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar fumes after P Chidambaram challenges the Chair on Rajya Sabha rules

On Tuesday (July 25), Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar objected to the remarks made by Congress leader P Chidambaram with respect to the rules governing the proceedings of the Upper House.

The veteran Congress MP had accused Jagdeep Dhankhar of not admitting 50+ motions on Manipur violence under Rule 267 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States.

“Mr P Chidambaram raised this issue, with his own experience of having got into Parliament in mid 80s. I was a little surprised and stunned when he said ‘How can you do it?’ It came from a man of experience, who held senior positions in the Cabinet,” the Vice-President emphasised.

“How can the Chairman do it, he said. I will appeal to him to look into the rationale as to why I have done it. I am sure you will find a way out of it. But, such kind of extreme, intemperate, inappropriate expression for the Chair, emanating from such a senior member, surely is not wholesome,” he pointed out.

In his defence, P Chidambaram claimed that he did not challenge the authority of the Rajya Sabha Chairman. He asked, “You have rightly said that Rule 267 motion will take precedence over any other rule. Having said that, there are 51 fresh motions today. How can they be overruled by something that happened 3 days ago under Rule 176?”

The Congress MP then claimed, “You are contradicting yourself. How can you do that? Please look at the entire thing.” Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar intervened and said, “First, you directly challenged the Chair and said ‘How can you do it?’ This is number one (point).”

He added, “Sir, you were in governance for 10 years preceding this. Have you seen 50 motions earlier under Rule 267? Scratch your memory…On (the issue of) Manipur, I have already accepted the notice in accordance with Rule 176. The Minister has spontaneously agreed to a discussion.”

What do the Rules say?

The Rule 267 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States, says, “Any member, may, with the consent of the Chairman, move that any rule may be suspended in its application to a motion related to the business listed before the Council of that day and if the motion is carried, the rule in question shall be suspended for the time being: Provided further that this rule shall not apply where specific provision already exists for suspension of a rule under a particular chapter of the Rules.”

Thus, Rule 267 deals with the suspension of other Rules of the House. On the contrary, Rule 176 states, “Any member desirous of raising discussion on a matter of urgent public importance may give notice in writing to the Secretary-General specifying clearly and precisely the matter to be raised: Provided that the notice shall be accompanied by an explanatory note stating reasons for raising discussion on the matter in question: Provided further that the notice shall be supported by the signatures of at least two other members.”

Thus, Rule 176 deals with short discussions, less than 2.5 hours long, on matter of urgent public importance.

Jagdeep Dhankhar tells AAP MP Sanjay Singh to ‘keep silence’

On Friday (July 21), Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar reprimanded Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh for interrupting his address during the monsoon session of the Rajya Sabha.

“I give time to everyone in accordance with rules. This House is the upper House, the House of Elders. Our conduct is being watched by more than 1.3 billion people. We have to exemplify our conduct so that we can be appreciated,” he urged the members of the Rajya Sabha to maintain decorum.

At that point, the Vice-President was interrupted by Sanjay Singh, who claimed, “The whole country is seeing your conduct.” Jagdeep Dhankhar then directed the AAP leader to behave himself.

“Can you keep quiet for a moment? It has become your habit to rise and raise a point. I give time, every time,” he emphasised.

The Vice-President, who serves as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha told Sanjay Singh, “It is not a public street. It is not a platform. Keep your silence, please. No.”

Bengal: Madrasa teacher Faizuddin Mollah rapes and locks a minor student inside school washroom, arrested under POCSO Act

OpIndia Staff
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Bengal: Madrasa teacher Faizuddin Mollah rapes and locks a minor student inside school washroom, arrested under POCSO Act

On Monday, 24 July, the Dholaghat police arrested a teacher for allegedly raping and assaulting a minor girl. Reportedly, the teacher raped the minor girl inside the school premises in South 24 Pargana district. The accused was later identified as Faizuddin Mollah associated with the Dholahat High Madrasa. 

According to a report in India today, the incident took place on Friday, the 21st of July. The accused teacher Mollah followed the minor victim to the toilet and raped her. When the victim cried for help, he physically assaulted and locked her inside a washroom.

Afterward, the minor victim was rescued by her friends and subsequently, they informed her mother about the incident. The victim’s family have blamed the school administration for not taking cognizance of the crime. 

The family also alleged that local leaders of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) threatened them and asked them to remain silent on the issue and not speak about the matter. 

The victim’s mother stated, “Mollah hung a lock outside the toilet and left my daughter. On reaching there, I enquired as to why she was left in such a condition. The school administration was ignorant.”  

Later, on Sunday, 23rd of July, the victim’s family filed a complaint at the Dholahat police station. After getting the complaint, the police filed a case under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Subsequently, on Monday evening, 24 July, they arrested the accused Mollah, and produced him before the Kakdwip Sub-Divisional Court.

Following the family’s allegation against local leaders’ of TMC, BJP raised the issue and demanded Justice for the minor victim. BJP’s district Juba Morcha secretary Mahabrata Das stated that this kind of incident is happening in Maldah while Trinamool Congress is preoccupied with Manipur.

However, TMC’s local cadre came out to reject all these allegations. TMC’s Kakdwip block vice-president Satyabrata Maiti claimed that no TMC worker is involved in this heinous crime. 

Maiti said, “I have heard the whole incident. No one from Trinamool is involved in it. What is being said is false. I am demanding an inquiry.”

The investigation is still ongoing and Police said that they are waiting for the medical report to proceed further. 

SC refuses urgent hearing on plea against ban on SIMI: All you need to know about the terrorist outfit

OpIndia Staff
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SC refuses urgent hearing on plea against ban on SIMI: All you need to know about the terrorist outfit

On Tuesday, July 25, the Supreme Court of India refused an urgent hearing on a batch of pleas against a ban imposed on the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).

The bench of Justices SK Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia instructed the attorney who requested the matter be listed to approach the court after the hearing on the matter of Article 370 of the Constitution is completed.

The attorney informed the bench that the case was scheduled for hearing on January 18 but has not been listed since.

To this the bench said, “Next week, hearing in the Constitution bench (on Article 370) is starting. Mention it after it is over.” 

Center says SIMI wanted to establish Islamic rule in India

Notably, in January this year, the central government filed an affidavit in the apex court wherein it said that the objective of the outlawed Student Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) is to establish Islamic rule in India cannot be allowed to subsist and that the activists of the banned outfit are still indulging in disruptive activities that are capable of threatening the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The affidavit was submitted in response to a petition contesting the 2019 notification that extended the outfit’s ban under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

According to the Centre, the organisation’s goal is to engage students and the youth in the preaching of Islam and to gain support for Jihad. Through ‘Islami Inqilab,’ the group also promotes the establishment of ‘Shariat’-based Islamic rule. The group rejects the nation-state and the Indian Constitution, especially its secular orientation. It also considers idol worship to be a sin and considers it a ‘responsibility’ to put a stop to such behaviours.

The affidavit also stated that SIMI, through its members, has ties in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh and Nepal and is inspired by and exploited by different fundamentalist Islamic terrorist groups functioning inter alia from the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Furthermore, terrorist organisations like Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba have effectively recruited SIMI cadres to fulfil their anti-national aims, as stated by the administration.

About its continued activities, the authorities declared that “After the prohibition, SIMI is carrying out its activities under the garb of cover groups in many states of the nation. Many SIMI cadres have reorganised under various names, including ‘Wahadat-e-Islami’ in Tamil Nadu, ‘Indian Mujahideen’ in Rajasthan, Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Delhi, ‘Ansarullah’ in Karnataka, ‘Muslim Muttahida Mihad’ in Uttar Pradesh, ‘Wahadat-e-Ummat’ in Madhya Pradesh, and ‘Nagarik Adhikar Suraksha Manch’ in West Bengal.”

The home ministry pointed out that one ‘Karuna Foundation’ in Kerala was used by ex-SIMI members as well. Another organisation by the name ‘Amanat Foundation’ also showed pro-SIMI leanings. “At all India levels, SIMI has been regrouped under various names including ‘Tahreek-e-Ehyaa-e-Ummat,’ a movement for the revival of the Community, ‘Tehreek-Talaba-e-Arabia;’ ‘Tehrik Tahaffuz-e-Sha’aire Islam’ etc. Besides, there are over three dozen other front organizations through which SIMI is being continued. These front organisations help SIMI in various activities including collection of funds, circulation of literature, regrouping of cadres, etc,” the Centre stated.

SIMI and the terrorist attacks carried out by the banned terrorist organisation

The Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) was formed in 1977 at Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, initially as a student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH). It is believed that SIMI was established to renew Jamaat-e-Islami’s older student wing, the Students Islamic Organisation (SIO). However, SIMI split off from the main organisation due to ideological differences and proclaimed independence in 1993.

SIMI, run by the most fundamentalist and extremist students, worked on the ideas of establishing Sharia and governing the country based on the Quran, propagation of Islam and carrying out “Jihad” for the cause of Islam. The banned terror outfit was against the “Western ideals” and rejects secularism, democracy and nationalism. It seeks the restoration of the “khilafat” or caliphate and establishes Dar-ul-Islam (Islamic land) in India by converting the populace.

In addition, SIMI sought to emphasise “ummah”, or the Muslim brotherhood and the need for a Jihad to establish the supremacy of Islam. As a result, the SIMI, a student body, transformed itself into a terrorist outfit to fulfil its intended objective. SIMI became active in the country for the next few decades and carried out some of the deadliest terrorist attacks on Indian soil.

Some notable terrorist attacks involving SIMI include:

  1. 1992 Bombay Riots: SIMI was allegedly involved in the communal riots that occurred in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) in 1992-1993.
  2. 2001 Indian Parliament Attack: Several members of SIMI were suspected to have connections with the terrorist organizations responsible for the attack on the Indian Parliament in December 2001.
  3. 2006 Mumbai Train Bombings: SIMI was suspected to have been involved in the serial train bombings in Mumbai in July 2006 that claimed the innocent lives of over 209 people.
  4. 2008 Ahmedabad Bombings: SIMI members were alleged to have played a role in the coordinated bomb attacks in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in July 2008.
  5. 2013 Bodh Gaya Blast: Members of SIMI were suspected of being involved in the blasts at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, in July 2013.
  6. Abdul Sattar, a SIMI operative, was arrested in the case relating to a 2007 terror training camp held at Wagamon in Kerala after he was deported from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). NIA also suspected Sattar’s involvement in other cases, including the 2008 Bangalore blasts.
  7. In April 2015, there was another incident in which two alleged SIMI members, Mohammed Eijazuddin and Mohammed Aslam, who had escaped from Khandwa Jail in Madhya Pradesh in October 2013, shot dead Telangana policemen.

SIMI also has a history of even aiding Pakistan’s ISI against India. The SIMI was originally banned in 2001 under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) and the organisation’s ban has been extended on a regular basis since then. The MHA extended the ban on SIMI for five years in its January 31, 2019 announcement. This was the eighth time the ban has been extended. Nevertheless, SIMI was active for nearly four decades in the country.

How the banned terror outfit later metamorphosed into the Indian Mujahideen

The dreaded organisation SIMI is also considered the parent organisation of Indian Mujahideen, founded by several radicalized members including Iqbal Bhatkal, Riyaz Bhatkal, Yasin Bhatkal, Abdul Subhan Qureshi, Amir Reza Khan and Sadiq Israr Sheikh, among others. Some analysts suggest that IM split off from SIMI, attracting extremist elements, thus becoming the terrorist wing of SIMI. According to Indian intelligence, the IM had members from the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and terrorists Harkat ul-Jihad-e-Islami (HuJI).

In fact, HuJI, ARCA, Jamaat-e-Hind, Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) and Lashkar-e-Taiba, all have links with Indian Mujahideen. Also, there is strong evidence linking IM and Pakistan’s ISI.

Indian Mujahideen (IM), the Islamist terrorist group has been active since at least 2005. It carried out several serial bombings in Indian cities in the following years including the Varanasi blasts in March 2006, the Mumbai sequential explosions in July 2006, the detonations in the courts of Uttar Pradesh in Varanasi, Faizabad and Lucknow in November 2007 as well as the Jaipur periodic bomb blasts, Delhi serial explosions and the Hyderabad twin blasts in August 2007.

The terrorist group claimed responsibility for the 13 May 2008 Jaipur bombings in an e-mail addressed to Indian media, threatening to “demolish the faiths (all religions aside from Islam) of the infidels of India.”

The group’s largest and most audacious strike to date was the series of explosions in Ahmedabad in 2008, which received national attention due to the more than 50 casualties.

Recently, on July 13, 2023, a special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Delhi handed down 10-year prison sentences to four individuals involved in the Indian Mujahideen conspiracy case. The probe pertained to a plot orchestrated by Pakistan-backed terrorists to carry out bomb blasts across India.

The NIA revealed that the perpetrators were closely associated with Indian Mujahideen members, notably the prime accused Riyaz Bhatkal with ties to Pakistan and Yasin Bhatkal, who is based in India.

The NIA stated that Yasin Bhatkal, one of the founding members of the Indian Mujahideen, was “instrumental in motivating young Muslim boys into the path of violent Jihad and to further indoctrinated them and to induct them into Indian Mujahideen.” He actively participated in “causing bomb blasts resulting in the loss of several lives and destruction of properties,” based on the agency’s submission.

It is noteworthy to mention the inclusion of the Indian Mujahideen in the UAPA’s First Schedule as a prohibited terrorist group as of 22 June 2009.

Allahabad High Court agrees to listen to the Muslim side in the case of the disputed Gyanvapi ‘mosque’ structure: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Allahabad High Court agrees to listen to the Muslim side in the case of the disputed Gyanvapi ‘mosque’ structure: Details

On 25th July, Allahabad High Court agreed to hear the petition of the Muslim side against ASI survey at the disputed structure called the Gyanvapi mosque case in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The matter will be listed for hearing on 26th July. Hindu and Muslim sides will be in the court for the hearing. The High Court may pass the orders tomorrow itself in the matter.

Notably, on 24th July, the Supreme Court of India halted the Archeological Survey of India’s (ASI) survey at the disputed structure for two days till 26th July (Wednesday) at 5 PM. Earlier, Allahabad High Court reserved judgment in other matters related to the disputed structure, which will be pronounced on 28th July.

Supreme Court halted Varanasi district court orders for ASI survey

On 21st July, the district court of Varanasi allowed an ASI survey at the disputed site, excluding the sealed area where Shivling was found. However, while the ASI team already reached to survey the disputed structure, the Muslim side approached Supreme Court and got a stay for two days on 24th July. The Supreme Court initially asked to approach High Court without giving any relief to the Muslim side.

However, Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi representing Anjuman Intezamia Committee (AIC), misled the court by claiming ASI was using penetrative methods for the survey. SG Tushar Mehta confirmed only measurement and photography were being conducted by ASI, and not even a brick was being touched or will be touched in the future. However, Ahmadi kept asking for a stay on the survey. SC asked the Muslim side to approach High Court for the matter.

Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu petitioners in the Shringar Gauri-Gyanvapi complex case, said in a statement that the Muslim side misled the court. He said, “The Muslim side, Anjuman Intezamia misled the Supreme Court and gave the wrong statement that excavation is being held there, whereas no such excavation process has begun there.”

Explosives haul in Mizoram: NIA arrests 3 including one Myanmar national in 2022 case

ANI
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Explosives haul in Mizoram: NIA arrests 3 including one Myanmar national in 2022 case

 The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested three persons, including a Myanmar national, in connection with its ongoing investigation in the Mizoram explosives, arms, and ammunition seizure case, the agency said on Tuesday.

The arrested accused have been identified as J. Rohlupuia (55), Henry Siangnuna (48), and C Laldinsaga (43). They were arrested on Monday after an extensive search operation conducted by the agency. NIA said the accused will be produced before the Special NIA Court, Aizawl on Tuesday where the agency will seek their remand in the case.

The trio were taken into custody by the NIA after raids at four locations in Mizoram, including two in the Champhai district and one each in Aizawl and Lawngtlai districts.

The raids were conducted at the suspects’ homes, linked with pilferage and transportation of explosives and arms from Mizoram to Myanmar. Several incriminating materials were seized during the raids.

The case pertains to the seizure of two Pick-up trucks, laden with explosives and firearms, from Kulikawn Police Station, Aizawl, Mizoram by the Assam Rifles Naka team of 2nd Battalion Asam Rifles on May 1 last year. The consignment consisted of 223 boxes of 200 sticks each, gunpowder, and weapons.

“Investigations have revealed that Henry Siangnuna, a Myanmar national, in connivance with Rohlupuia had illegally purchased arms, by using the Arms Dealer license of Rohlupuia, which were further being transported across the border to Myanmar,” said the NIA.

During the search at his house, one smartphone with two SIM cards, one Airgun, two Compressed Air Cylinders, one Myanmar Entry/Exit document and an Aadhar Card were seized.

In the course of the search at J Rohlupuia’s premises, one smartphone along with SIM cards and the original Arms License used for procuring Arms was seized.

“Investigations further revealed that Laldinsaga’s Explosive license was used for procuring explosives, from an Explosives Suppliers firm at Guwahati, for onward supply to Myanmar. The entire consignment consisting of explosives and arms was caught at Kulikawn, Aizawl leading to investigations in the instant case,” said the agency.

NIA is continuing with its investigations to unravel further links of the accused in the arms and explosives smuggling racket, it added.

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

UP: Sonam Sharma lured into a live-in relationship by Mohseen posing as Rahul, dies after ‘falling’ from their building

OpIndia Staff
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UP: Sonam Sharma lured into a live-in relationship by Mohseen posing as Rahul, dies after ‘falling’ from their building

On 22nd July, a 30-year-old woman named Sonam died after she fell from the third floor of the building where she lived in a live-in relationship with a man identified as Mohseen. Reportedly, Mohseen introduced himself as Rahul and lured Sonam into a relationship with him around two years ago. The incident took place in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh.

The police were informed about the incident, after which Hapur police confiscated the dead body and sent it for post-mortem. Sonam’s brother filed a complaint at Hapur City police station, based on which an FIR under Sections 323 and 306 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered. In a tweet, Hapur police said they had arrested Mohseen. Further investigation into the matter is underway.

Sonam, who divorced her first husband, was working as a nurse at Tilak Hospital in Hapur. She met Mohseen at the hospital and later fell in love with him. They started living together around two years ago at Anand Vihar Society. Mohseen was also married and had two children. He was not living with his mother and wife and used to meet them once in a while. Reports suggest that Mohseen was in multiple relationships before Sonam.

Sister of the victim alleged Mohseen introduced himself as Rahul. He was Muslim and physically assaulted Sonam frequently. She further alleged Mohseen killed her sister by pushing her from the second floor of the building. “He used to beat her daily. We were not aware that he was a Muslim. My sister had been living away for over four years. She called me last night and sounded sad. When I called her later, a woman named Priyanka picked up the call and informed us that she was in the hospital. She said Sonam fell from the roof, and Rahul pushed her. However, in the morning, she said Sonam fell herself. She fell on her head,” said the victim’s sister.

In the complaint, Sonam’s brother Mukul Sharma said he and her sisters Vinita and Monika were in regular touch with Sonam. She used to tell us that Mohseen physically assaulted her and demanded money. She informed Mukul that Mohseen had bought a bike using her money. When Vinita called her on the night of her death, Mohseen was beating Sonam and was shouting at her. At around 1:30 AM, Monika informed him that Sonam had died after falling from the building.

According to the FIR, Sonam called Priyanka, the daughter of the flat owner where Mohseen and Sonam were living, and informed her that Mohseen was fighting with her. She told her father, Rajpal, about the fight, after which Rajpal went to the flat. At that time, Mohseen was at another flat and returned in Rajpal’s presence. He started fighting with Sonam in front of Rajpal. Seeing the intense situation, Rajpal intervened and pulled Mohseen away from Sonam.

Mukul said, “My sister jumped from the building as she was fed up with the atrocities done by Mohseen.” He demanded strict action against Mohseen.

Opposition alliance ‘I.N.D.I.A’ plans to move no-confidence motion against Modi government in Lok Sabha

OpIndia Staff
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Opposition alliance ‘I.N.D.I.A’ plans to move no-confidence motion against Modi government in Lok Sabha

The newly formed Oppositions alliance ‘I.N.D.I.A’ is mulling moving a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi Government during the ongoing monsoon session in the Lok Sabha, media reports quoted sources as confirming on Tuesday.

According to media reports, a decision on submitting the notice is likely to be taken on Wednesday, July 26, when the floor leaders of Opposition parties meet at Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge’s office. Efforts are on to bring non-I.N.D.I.A parties on board in the Lok Sabha.

However, reports quoted a senior leader from the Opposition alliance as saying that a final decision wouldn’t be made before additional consultations and consideration of the consequences, as the loss of a vote of confidence would be perceived as a win for the government.

This development comes after the monsoon session of the Parliament remains disrupted for the fourth day with the opposition demanding a discussion on the situation in Manipur by suspending other business of the day.

According to the sources, the Opposition parties after much discussion have thought this to be the best way to persuade the government to start a discussion on the Manipur issue.

Given that the BJP has an overwhelming majority in the Lok Sabha, the government will undoubtedly pass the trust vote. Given this, the Opposition alliance’s choice to introduce the no-confidence motion against the Modi administration may cause great embarrassment for the alliance as a whole.

Reacting to the development, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said, “During our first term also (Opposition) brought a no-confidence motion against us and in 2019 our seats increased from 282 to 303. Let them bring a no-confidence motion this time also and we will win more than 350 seats.” 

Notably, the last time the government was challenged by a motion was in 2003, during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s second term as prime minister. By winning the ballot, the government became the first non-Congress administration to serve the full five-year term in the Centre.

‘Indian Mujahideen, East India Company, PFI also have INDIA’: PM Modi slams opposition bloc in BJP parliamentary meeting

OpIndia Staff
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‘Indian Mujahideen, East India Company, PFI also have INDIA’: PM Modi slams opposition bloc in BJP parliamentary meeting

On the 25th of July, BJP held its parliamentary party meeting to discuss the government’s strategy for the remaining period of the ongoing monsoon session. PM Modi, party President JP Nadda, all Union Ministers and MPs from both Houses – Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were present in the key party meeting.

On the fourth day of the monsoon session, PM Modi launched a scathing attack on the opposition alliance for continuously disrupting the Parliamentary proceedings. Taking a jibe at the opposition bloc for naming their alliance as I.N.D.I.A, PM Modi argued that merely using the word ‘India’ would not work. 

Going ahead, he highlighted that the colonising power East India Company was founded by a foreigner, the same was the case with the Indian National Congress. He stressed that just like EIC, the opposition is presenting itself in the name of India. He added that even banned terror organisations like the Indian Mujahideen and Popular Front of India have also added the country’s name. 

Accusing the opposition of misusing the country’s name to hide their real intentions, PM Modi said Chehre par chehre laga lete hai log (people hide their real faces behind masks and masquerade as well-wishers and whatnot).  

“As the Britishers came and named themselves East India Company, in the same way, the Opposition is presenting itself in the name of India. India was also in the name of Indian Mujahideen and PFI,” PM Modi said during the key party meeting.

Speaking to the media, Former Union Law and Justice Minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad quoted PM Modi saying, “Like the East India Company, the Indian National Congress was also founded by a foreigner. Even the Indian Mujahideen and People’s Front of India (PFI) have the word India in them.” 

PM Modi further tore into the opposition alliance and claimed that by their conduct it seems that they have decided to remain in the opposition for a long time to come while asking his party leaders to ‘focus’ on work. 

PM Modi stated that today, India’s image before the world has improved significantly and his government is committed to keep working in this direction. He added that under his leadership, the government will work to make India a ‘developed nation’ by the end of the ‘Amrit Kaal’ — 2047.

Addressing the meeting, PM Modi said, “From the Opposition’s conduct, it seems that they have decided to remain in the Opposition. We have to work in the interest of the public and move forward.” 

In a razor-sharp attack, PM Modi lambasted the opposition for continuous disruption and described the opposition as “defeated, tired, hopeless, with a single-point agenda – opposing Modi”. 

PM Modi lamented that he had never seen such a “directionless opposition” and added that the opposition is “scattered and desperate”. 

Meanwhile, several leaders of I.N.D.I.A. are strongly mulling to move the no-confidence motion against the government.

Patwari tries swallowing the bribe amount seeing Lokayukta police in MP’s Katni: Watch

ANI
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Patwari tries swallowing the bribe amount seeing Lokayukta police in MP’s Katni: Watch

A patwari tried to swallow the bribe amount of Rs 4500 after seeing the Lokayukta police team in Madhya Pradesh’s Katni district, an official said.

The incident occurred at Patwari’s office located in the Bilhari area of the district on Monday. The patwari, Gajendra Singh had demanded a bribe of Rs 5000 from a complainant, Chandan Singh Lodhi, a resident of Barkheda in the district in connection with giving him a land document. Following this Lodhi lodged a complaint to the Lokayukta Police Jabalpur.

Lokayukta Inspector Kamal Kant Uikey said, “Complaint Lodhi had applied for the demarcation of his grandfather Puranlal’s land and its demarcation was done on July 5, 2023. The concerned Patwari Gajendra Singh was demanding a bribe of Rs 5000 in lieu of giving the report of that demarcation. After which the deal was finalised for Rs 4500.”

The accused patwari had called Lodhi with the amount to his office situated at Bilhari in the district on Monday. Lodhi handed over the bribe amount to the patwari and as soon as the patwari saw the trap team of Lokayukta arriving there, he kept the bribe currency notes in his mouth and tried to swallow them, Uikey said.

After that, the team caught Patwari and took him for a medical examination. Further investigation into the matter is underway, he added.

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

Barack Obama’s personal chef Tafari Campbell found dead in a lake near ex-president’s home

OpIndia Staff
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Barack Obama’s personal chef Tafari Campbell found dead in a lake near ex-president’s home

On Monday, July 24, the Massachusetts police recovered a body from a lake near Barack Obama’s family’s mansion in Martha’s Vineyard. The body was identified as that of Obama’s personal chef Tafari Campbell who went missing in the waters of Edgartown Great Pond on Martha’s Vineyard on Sunday, July 23.

The Obamas have a property on Martha’s Vineyard, but according to Massachusetts State Police, they were not there when Campbell died. The Massachusetts police further said that Campbell was working for the Obamas at the time of his death and had been in Martha’s Vineyard.

Campbell, of Dumfries, Va., had been a sous chef in the Obama White House and worked for the family after the 44th president left office in 2016.

Police recovered the body of Tafari Campbell, 45, roughly 100 feet from shore and eight feet underwater in a coastal inlet called Edgartown Great Pond just before 10 am on Monday, according to a news release from the Massachusetts State Police.

The search was launched on Sunday night for “a male paddleboarder who had gone into the water, appeared to briefly struggle to stay on the surface, and then submerged and did not resurface,” according to a police report.

“Another paddleboarder was on the pond with him at the time and observed him go under the water,” it added.

On Monday, his body was found “approximately 100 feet (30 meters) from shore at a depth of about eight feet,” the police report added.

After the discovery, the Obamas released a statement mourning the death of their “beloved” chef. “Campbell was a beloved part of our family who worked in the White House and continued on with the family after Obama left office. When we first met him, he was a talented sous chef at the White House – creative and passionate about food, and its ability to bring people together,” the couple said in the statement. “In the years that followed, we got to know him as a warm, fun, extraordinarily kind person who made all of our lives a little brighter.”

“That’s why, when we were getting ready to leave the White House, we asked Tafari to stay with us, and he generously agreed. He’s been part of our lives ever since, and our hearts are broken that he’s gone” the statement read.

Campbell is survived by a wife and twin boys, the Obamas said.

“Today we join everyone who knew and loved Tafari – especially his wife Sherise and their twin boys, Xavier and Savin, in grieving the loss of a truly wonderful man,” USA’s ex-president and his wife said.

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