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Delhi anti-Hindu riots, Jahangirpuri or Nuh- Aam Aadmi Party and its connection to the riots

Jhankar Mohta
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Delhi anti-Hindu riots, Jahangirpuri or Nuh- Aam Aadmi Party and its connection to the riots

On August 4, 2023 (Friday), OpIndia accessed the FIR filed in the brutal killing of Bajrang Dal activist Pradeep Kumar. Kumar was the third Hindu who fell prey to Islamist violence that convulsed Haryana on July 31 following an attack on a Hindu precession in the Nuh district.

The FIR was filed by Pawan Kumar, another Bajrang Dal activist who was accompanying Pradeep Kumar when he was attacked and killed. Pawan Kumar, in his complaint named one Javed Ahmed as the prime accused. OpIndia in its report gave ample evidence to prove that the accused Javed Ahmed is a leader of the Aam Aadmi Party.

AAP leader Javed Ahmed led the Islamist mob which killed Pradeep Kumar during Nuh violence: What does the FIR say

Notably, in the FIR filed in the Bajrang Dal activist Pradeep Kumar’s murder case, whom Islamists ruthlessly killed on the intervening night of July 31 (Monday) and August 1 (Tuesday), while he was returning from the police station during the Nuh violence, the complainant, Pawan Kumar, stated that the mob had launched the vicious attack on Pradeep Kumar and other Bajrang Dal members accompanying him, on Javed Ahmed’s orders.

Pawan Kumar further stated that Javed Ahmed, who was leading the mob shouted- “Kill them all, I will take care of the consequences.”

“Responding to the clarion call made by Javed Ahmed, 20-25 Islamists armed with iron rods, stones, guns and other weapons rushed towards us and started thrashing us,” he added in the FIR.

Since the FIR only mentioned the name of the accused, OpIndia, in its effort to try and get some more information about him, spoke to the complainant Pawan Kumar.

Pawan Kumar confirmed to OpIndia that Javed Ahmed in no other than the Aam Aadmi Party leader from the Sohna constituency in Haryana. He said that he was the one who had orchestrated the crowd and instigated them to launch a murderous attack on Pradeep Kumar and other Bajrang Dal activists.

Pawan Kumar continued, “The Islamist mob responded to his clarion call and charged at us and other defenceless Hindus present there while shouting ‘Allah hu Abar’ and ‘Pakistan Zindabad’.”

When we asked Pawan Kumar if he was certain that the AAP leader was leading the Islamists, he responded in the affirmative. He claimed that he recognises him very well since he has often seen him and his family members moving around through the lanes of Haryana’s Sohna district.

This is not the first time, though, when an Aam Aadmi Party leader’s name has emerged as the prime accused of instigating and orchestrating violence. A basic Google search could break open Pandora’s box that would reveal how several such AAP leaders’ hands have been soaked in the blood of hundreds of innocent people who have fallen prey to their hate politics.

Ironically, when Aam Aadmi Party first entered politics in 2012, they positioned themselves as champions of peace and brotherhood and crusaders against corruption, but over time, the party leaders have done exactly the reverse. Be it the 2020 anti-Hindi Delhi riots or the 2022 Jahangirpuri riots or the 2015 attack on the Delhi Burari police station, AAP leader’s names have emerged as the masterminds behind each such anti-India, anti-Hindu plot.

Former AAP leader Tahir Hussain involved in 2020 Delhi anti-Hindu riots

On the 24th and 25th of February 2020, India’s national capital Delhi saw large-scale anti-Hindu riots which marked the culmination of the hostility, hatred, and anger spread by the anti-CAA protests by the Islamists in Shaheen Bagh and other areas. Shahdara, Maujpur, Bhajanpura, Brahmapuri, and other parts of northeast Delhi witnessed violence perpetrated by the Islamists. 53 people died in these riots while more than 200 people were left injured.

The damage to the property in these riots had been enormous. An Intelligence Bureau Constable was murdered in the riots along with a Head Constable of the Delhi Police. A Hindu man Dilbar Negi was burnt to death after his hands and legs were chopped off by Jihadis. 

Investigation into the case revealed how Tahir Hussain, a politician of the Aam Aadmi Party and sitting councillor in EDMC played a pivotal role in the incident. A charge sheet filed by Delhi Police has revealed that Tahir Hussain orchestrated the anti-Hindu riots in February 2020 in the national capital. He is also accused of leading a mob from his house and masjid which led to IB officer Ankit Sharma’s murder.

OpIndia had earlier reported how Tahir Hussain confessed in a disclosure statement that he chose his house as a launchpad for the riots. It is alleged that he, along with his followers, threw stones, acid packs, petrol bombs and more from the roof of Hussain’s house at the crowd. Given that his house was a high-rise building and was under construction at that time, it was easy to collect stones and bricks without raising any suspicion. 

While gearing up for the riots and collecting ammunition to teach Hindus a lesson, Tahir Hussain instructed his supporters to be “ready for anything and in every manner” and also ensure that all the CCTV cameras in the area were broken (so the evidence of the riots could not be captured).

In his confession, Tahir Hussain also said that the extremist Islamic group Popular Front of India (PFI) helped him in the planning and arranging of funds.

Besides, Tahir Hussain, Delhi’s Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan had also emerged as the key instigator leading to the 2020 Delhi anti-Hindu riots. In December 2019, Amanatullah Khan was spotted at the venue where the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act turned violent in Delhi’s Jamia Nagar.

In March 2020, AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan came out in defence of Tahir Hussain. He raised the issue of Muslim victimhood to assert that Tahir Hussain was innocent and was being framed by the government because of his faith.

Jahangirpuri riots and AAP’s involvement

On April 16 2022, a Hanuman Jayanti procession was attacked by Islamists in the Jahangirpuri area of Delhi. The procession was moving peacefully but was stopped by one Ansar Sheikh and his accomplice near the Jama Masjid. They initiated an argument, which quickly escalated into stone-pelting, resulting in a stampede in the procession. According to the FIR, the police attempted to take control of the situation, but Islamists disregarded the orders and set vehicles on fire. They also pelted stones and glass bottles at the Hindu devotees. Later, a video of an Islamist named Sonu Chikna, firing shots at the procession, went viral on social media.

Ansar Sheikh was named as the main conspirator of the violence that erupted in New Delhi’s Jahangirpuri area.

A day after Ansar was sent to police custody, several proofs emerged of his association with the Aam Aadmi Party. In fact, several pictures surfaced on social media, which showed Ansar being garlanded by people. He was seen wearing the cap of the Aam Aadmi Party. 

AAP leader MLAs convicted in 2015 rioting, instigating mob case

On February 2, 2015, a mob barged inside the Burari police station in north Delhi and assaulted several policemen with the objective of assault, rioting and damaging public property.

Last year, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court convicted two Aam Aadmi Party MLAs, Akhilesh Pati Tripathi and Sanjeev Jha, along with 15 others, for being part of a mob that attacked policemen at Burari police station in north Delhi in 2015. The court said that both AAP leaders had played a major role in provoking and instigating the crowd.

AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha

The MLAs were part of a mob that attacked policemen at Burari police station in Delhi in February 2015 over allegations that the police is not acting in a kidnapping case. Police said that the mob was asking them to hand over the accused persons to them so that they themselves can act against the accused. When denied, the mob attacked the on-duty police officers.

The court noted that the 2 MLAs were not only a part of the mob, but they were actively provoking and instigating the crowd.

The prosecution witnesses claimed that both the MLAs and their supporters were saying that “policewalo ko sabak sikhane ka samay aa gaya hai”, the court order read.

“Could not compromise on self-respect”: Bombay High Court judge, who acquitted GN Saibaba over his Maoist links, suddenly announces resignation in his courtroom

OpIndia Staff
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“Could not compromise on self-respect”: Bombay High Court judge, who acquitted GN Saibaba over his Maoist links, suddenly announces resignation in his courtroom

On Friday, August 4, Bombay High Court judge Rohit B Deo resigned from his post citing personal reasons. Reportedly, the second-senior most judge at Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court was heard saying in the courtroom that he cannot compromise on his self-respect. Justice Rohit B Deo gained attention in October last year after he acquitted former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba in a case for his links with Maoists.

While announcing his resignation, Justice Rohit B Deo apologised to everyone present in the courtroom on Friday saying that he is sorry if he has hurt anyone. 

“I apologise to each and every one of you who are present in court. I scolded you because I want you to improve. I don’t want to hurt anyone of you because you all are like family to me and I am sorry to tell you that I have submitted my resignation. I can’t work against my self-respect. You people work hard,” Deo said.

One of Justice Deo’s most recent decisions was to stay the implementation of a government resolution authorising the Maharashtra government to cancel punitive action against contractors working on the Samruddhi Expressway Project.

In January this year, Justice Rohit B Deo heard a case submitted by Lalan Kishore Singh, a wager and activist, challenging a notice issued by the Nagpur Police. The daily wager was summoned for questioning after filing an RTI Act application requesting information regarding the security offered at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur. The government pleader apologised to the petitioner in court and assured the bench that no further action would be taken against him by the police. Based on this statement, the Court dismissed the petition.

GN Saibaba’s acquittal

In October 2022, the Division Bench of Bombay High Court comprising Justices Rohit B Deo and Anil Pansare acquitted GN Saibaba who was booked under UAPA due to procedural lapses.

Back then, the court stated that, while the charges against the accused are severe and terrorism poses a significant threat to the country, a civil democracy cannot ignore procedural safeguards provided to the accused. “Every safeguard, however minuscule, legislatively provided to the accused must be zealously protected,” the bench said last year.

It is notable that in March 2017, the Gadchiroli Sessions Court convicted and sentenced GN Saibaba and seven others to life in prison for their involvement with the Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF), an offshoot of the CPI(Maoist). Saibaba and the others were seen posing with Naxal literature, and the court stated that they meant to distribute the literature in Gadchiroli in order to urge others to join the Naxalites.

Supreme Court set aside Bombay HC order acquitting GN Saibaba

In April of this year, the Supreme Court overturned Saibaba’s acquittal and remanded the case to the Nagpur bench for reconsideration by a different panel. The Supreme Court also urged the High Court to rule on the case within four months.

The High Court’s October 14, 2022 order granting Saibaba’s appeal against a 2017 trial court decision convicted and sentencing him to life in prison was challenged in the case that resulted in the verdict. The Maharashtra government argued that, in light of Section 465 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, failing to obtain sanction cannot result in acquittal.

Justice Rohit B Deo’s term was set to end on December 4, 2025, but in an unprecedented move, he announced his resignation.

ASI survey of Gyanvapi resumes for second day after recording trishul, swastika etc, Muslim side refuses to open basement saying survey is illegal, to move court

OpIndia Staff
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ASI survey of Gyanvapi resumes for second day after recording trishul, swastika etc, Muslim side refuses to open basement saying survey is illegal, to move court

On Friday, 4th August 2023, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) resumed its investigation of the Gyanvapi structure in Varanasi with the aim of determining whether it was constructed atop a Hindu temple after getting the go-ahead from the Supreme Court. During this phase, the top archaeology organisation utilised videography and photography to document various artefacts such as a trident (trishul), swastika, bell, and flower-like symbols found engraved on the walls and pillars of the Gyanvapi complex.

The ASI team continued its survey operations on the consecutive second day on Saturday, 5th August 2023. The team is surveying the structure in two phases today. It will first examine the building from 8 am to 12:30 pm. It will continue the work after a break, surveying it from 2:30 pm to 5 pm.

The ASI has formed four teams for the survey on Saturday. Two teams started checking the western wall of the complex. One team was deployed for investigation in the eastern wall and the other in the north wall and its adjoining areas. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is being used around the outer walls of the building. During the survey, 9 people from the Muslim side and 7 people from the Hindu side are present in Gyanvapi.

However, the Mosque committee refused to hand over the key to the basement today. While the mosque caretaker Ejaz Ahmed gave the key to the main gates of the mosque, the tehkhana was not opened and the key was not given. Muslim side’s lawyer Mumtaz Ahmed said ‘why should we give them the key to the basement, they will open wherever they to open’. He said that the ASI started the work without giving any notice to them, and they will move to court against it.

Reportedly the basement is filled with garbage and it was to be cleaned today before work could be done there. However, now the Muslim side is going back to court again alleging that the survey is illegal as they didn’t get any notice.

On Friday – the initial day of the survey, the archaeologists meticulously examined the symbols adorning the walls, domes, and pillars of the disputed Gyanvapi structure. Each design’s construction style and historical significance were thoroughly documented during this comprehensive investigation, which also encompassed the engravings found on the domes and pillars. To maintain peace and order in the vicinity of the Gyanvapi complex, the district authorities deployed a substantial number of security personnel.

The survey continued for approximately seven hours on its first day, during which the ASI meticulously recorded the layout and took images of the various structures within the Gyanvapi complex. To gather precise data, dial test indicators were strategically positioned on all four corners of the complex, enabling the measurement of depth and height for different sections of the site.

A team of 37 members from the ASI was joined by additional experts from IIT, forming a combined team of 41 individuals. This team was further divided into four groups to commence the survey. On Saturday, the survey entered its second day, with the Muslim side expressing their willingness to cooperate.

One of the four petitioners in this case said, “Yesterday, videography was done by the ASI. There are chances that the survey of underground places (tehkhana) may be carried out today. One can see various symbols on the structure. Through Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), all the idols that were submerged inside may be discovered. The survey will start at 9 am on Saturday. Yesterday was a big day for celebration for us. The survey will continue now. The Muslim side will cooperate with us today.”

Mumtaz Ahmed, the lawyer for the Muslim side, said on the ASI survey, “We are satisfied with the ASI survey. Until yesterday we were not participating in the survey but today we are participating and assisting the ASI team.”

On Friday, 4th August 2023, the Supreme Court dismissed the plea of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee (AIMC) challenging the ASI survey of the disputed structure at the Gyanvapi complex in Varanasi. A team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on Friday morning arrived at the Gyanvapi structure premises adjacent to Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi and started a scientific survey of the complex amid tight security. Notably, the Allahabad High Court on Thursday, 3rd August 2023, allowed the Archaeological Survey of India to conduct a survey of the Allahabad High Court dismissed Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee’s plea, challenging the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) survey of the disputed structure.

Umesh Pal murder case: Atiq Ahmed’s lawyer shared the victim’s location before he was murdered, would FaceTime to plan the crime, arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Umesh Pal murder case: Atiq Ahmed’s lawyer shared the victim’s location before he was murdered, would FaceTime to plan the crime, arrested

In a shocking development, Atiq Ahmed’s lawyer, Vijay Mishra, has been arrested outside Hotel Hyatt Legacy, Lucknow, in connection with the murder of Umesh Pal. He recently made headlines for his involvement in the crime and was gifted an iPhone and used FaceTime to communicate with the now-deceased gangster and his brother Ashraf alias Khalid Azim.

Mishra was charged with revealing Umesh Pal’s location from Prayagraj court before he was killed on 24 February 2023 along with two other police personnel. He was held in accordance with multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code sections, the Explosives Act, the Criminal Law Amendment Act, and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

He would reportedly be taken into custody by the Uttar Pradesh Police and the cops will search through his phone to recover the chats. According to police sources, both the mafia and his notorious brother provided iPhones to individuals working with them while orchestrating the murder of Umesh Pal. They further added that Asad Ahmed, son of Atiq Ahmed, had FaceTime IDs so everyone could communicate conveniently.

Umesh Pal and two police officers who had been assigned to his security were shot dead in February. He served as a key witness in the murder of Bahujan Samaj Party MLA Raju Pal. The primary accused in the case, Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf, were gunned down by three youngsters on 15 April outside a hospital in Prayagraj while being transported for a medical examination by police.

The report further stated that the gunmen and other accomplices in the assassination received iPhones in addition to Asad Ahmed and Vijay Mishra. Police submitted a charge sheet against eight individuals in the gruesome killing of Umesh Pal last month. Atiq Ahmed, Rakesh alias Nakesh alias Lala, Arshad Katra, Niyaz Ahmad, Iqbal Ahmad, Shahrukh, Akhlaq Ahmad, and Khan Shoulat Haneef were all named as accused in the charge sheet.

The mobster’s second attorney Khan Saulat Haneef told the police in May that the criminal-turned-politician had presented him with an iPhone so he could use the FaceTime application to communicate with him, his brother and his son.

The trio’s FaceTime ID had been discovered by law enforcement on the iPhone as well. While looking through a chat history that had been retrieved after interviewing the counsel, the police uncovered a log of transactions totalling several crores. Moreover, he disclosed to the police that Umesh Pal was killed as a result of a phone argument between Atiq Ahmed and the latter.

Goa: Catholic priest booked over comment on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, had apologised earlier

OpIndia Staff
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Goa: Catholic priest booked over comment on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, had apologised earlier

A Catholic priest in Goa was arrested on 4 August after he made a statement during a sermon pertaining to the Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. According to the authorities, Father Bolmax Pereira was accused of violating the Indian Penal Code’s provisions for offending religious emotions.

The case was reportedly filed at 10 p.m. at Vasco police station. Furthermore, complaints were also submitted to Cuncolim and Canacona in south Goa police stations. The perpetrator had already apologised, but stated that his comments about the Maratha ruler of the 17th century had been “taken out of context and misinterpreted.”

Bajrang Dal demanded his arrest and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant promised legal action would be taken against him. The priest from a church in Chicalim, outside of Vasco, was captured mentioning that “Chhatrapati Shivaji cannot be considered as a God” in a recent video. His opinion was denounced by a number of right-wing organisations in the state, including Bajrang Dal.

He later apologised for the controversy surrounding his utterance and the “misunderstanding” that ensued over the name of the Maratha warrior in the press release he issued late on the night of 3 July.

It read, “The purpose and intent of making a mention of the great national hero and valiant warrior during the sermon was to tell devotees and viewers that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was revered by people across the country and abroad cutting across religions, castes, creed, languages. Hence, attributing him (Shivaji Maharaj) to only one religion would reduce his stature and greatness among the people of other faiths.”

He expressed dismay at learning that his sermon had been “maliciously omitted” and only one portion of it had been “selectively taken out of context” while the other part highlighted Shivaji Maharaj’s bravery and valour in defending his people and kingdom from invaders. The deletion of that particular aspect of his views, he claimed, was carried out with the intention of provoking rage and sowing discord among the communities.

“If any individual or organisation has been hurt due to this episode and misunderstanding, I express my deepest regret and hope and pray that the long-lasting bond between communities that have existed for centuries is maintained and grows stronger,” he alleged.

In the meantime, a large group of Bajrang Dal workers marched to the Vasco police station on 4 July night and asked for his arrest. Their agitation at the police station created tension in the vicinity.

The outfit’s Goa co-convener Viraj Desai asserted, “An FIR should be filed against the priest for hurting our religious sentiments. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is no less than God for us.” They continued to protest despite promises that a First Information Report would be lodged, according to Vasco police station inspector Kapil Naik.

CM Pramod Sawant assured the priest will face legal repercussions. He further added that the situation in Vasco was under control and the superintendent of police and other officials were present there. Some demonstrators persisted in their outrage outside the police station after the case had been initiated, while another group dispersed.

The matter even came up during the Goa assembly’s current Monsoon session. While the CM brought up the priest’s observation Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai argued that since the latter has offered an apology, the controversy should be put to rest.

 

‘100 guests, maximum 10 dishes and not more than Rs 2500 for gift’: Congress MP’s bill seeks to restrict ‘wasteful’ expenses in Indian weddings

OpIndia Staff
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‘100 guests, maximum 10 dishes and not more than Rs 2500 for gift’: Congress MP’s bill seeks to restrict ‘wasteful’ expenses in Indian weddings

On Friday, 4th August 2023, the Lok Sabha took up for discussion the Prevention of Wasteful Expenditure on Special Occasions Bill 2020. Congress MP Jasbir Singh Gill introduced the private member’s bill in January 2020. The new bill aims to impose limits on the number of guests to be invited and dishes to be served at weddings, in addition to capping the amount spent on gifts to newlyweds.

The primary objective behind this legislation is to curb “wasteful expenditure” associated with such occasions.

Furthermore, the proposed bill suggests redirecting the focus from extravagant gifts towards making donations to support the underprivileged, such as the poor, needy, orphans, weaker sections of society, or non-governmental organizations engaged in charitable activities.

Jasbir Singh Gill, the Member of Parliament representing Khadoor Sahib in Punjab, stated that the Bill aims to put an end to the culture of extravagant weddings, which often places a significant financial burden, particularly on the bride’s family.

While explaining the motive behind this bill, he said, “I came across stories of how people had to sell their plots, properties and opt for bank loans to solemnize marriages in a lavish manner. The cut in wasteful expenditure on marriages could go a long way in checking female foeticide, as a girl child then would not be seen as a burden.”

Gill revealed that the idea for the Bill came to him when he attended a wedding in Phagwara back in 2019. At the event, he witnessed an excessive display of 285 trays with dishes, out of which around 129 trays remained untouched and went to waste, with not even a spoonful of food taken from them. This observation prompted him to draft the Bill.

The proposed Bill sets limits on wedding guests from both the bride and groom’s families, capping the number at 100. It also restricts the number of dishes served to 10 and imposes a maximum value of Rs 2,500 for gifts. Additionally, the Bill advocates for directing contributions toward those in need, such as the poor, needy, orphans, and weaker sections of society, or donating to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) instead of extravagant gifts.

Gill added, “I implemented this in my family first. There were 30 to 40 guests when I married off my son and daughter this year.”

The statement of objects and reasons of the Prevention of Wasteful Expenditure on Special Occasions Bill 2020 introduced by Gill reads, “These days, it has become fashionable to spend like feudal on special occasions such as marriages and festivals. The guest list is very long and the food menu layout is vast which leads to a lot of wastage. Not only this, a lot of wastage occurs at the time of distribution of marriage cards or post-wedding gifts. Similarly, a lot of wastage occurs on festivals due to practices of exchanging gifts. That also deserves significant attention.”

It further says, “On weddings, the practice of a vast food layout, decoration, bands, music and the number of guests invited has become a status symbol and a symbol of a show-off. Analogously, on festivals, the thoughtless exchange of gifts is very wasteful. Festivals must be a time to remember the almighty and do good to society. But often, the core concept of festivals gets lost in the show-off that many do, by exchanging fancy gifts. That money could instead be donated and smaller gifts distributed.”

Giving a view of food wastage, it says, “In fact, on special occasions, food waste and loss has been rapidly increasing in India. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), every year around 1.7 billion tonnes, or almost one-third of food produced for human consumption, is lost or wasted globally.” Referring to Global Hunger Index 2019, the bill states that India is ranked 102 of 117 countries.

It adds, “The NFHS4 (2015 &16) estimated 46.8 million under-five children in India are stunted and this represents one-third of total stunted children across the globe. Food loss or waste also amounts to a major squandering of resources, including water, land, energy, labour and capital and it also needlessly produces greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global warming and climate change. It is high time for our country to stand up against this unmeaningful and wasteful expenditure. So we should decide that not more than one hundred guests and not more than ten dishes should be allowed. Hence this Bill.”

The attempt to regulate and limit the extravagant expenses incurred on “big fat Indian weddings” is not new. In December 2017, BJP’s Gopal Chinayya Shetty, the Lok Sabha MP from Mumbai North, introduced a private member bill with the same intention. The bill aimed to prevent and prohibit excessive expenditure on weddings and related ceremonies across the country.

Prior to that, in February 2017, Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan introduced The Marriages (Compulsory Registration and Prevention of Wasteful Expenditure) Bill, 2016. This bill also sought to restrict the number of wedding guests and dishes served and proposed that those spending above Rs 5 lakh on a wedding contribute 10% of the amount to support marriages of girls from poor families.

However, the chances of these private member bills being passed in Parliament are typically low. According to data from PRS Legislative Research, a think tank, only 14 such bills have been passed by both Houses of Parliament since 1952.

Rockefeller Foundation lambasts Washington Post over its misleading claims on solar power systems in India. Here is what happened

Dibakar Dutta
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Rockefeller Foundation lambasts Washington Post over its misleading claims on solar power systems in India. Here is what happened

On Thursday (August 3), the US-based Rockefeller Foundation lambasted The Washington Post for a misleading report on India and its solar power systems.

The leftist propaganda newspaper published a contentious article titled, ‘India joins rush to renewables, but sites rural solar systems fall off the grid’ on July 31, 2023.

Written by one Karishma Mehrotra, the article claimed that India has severely failed in its transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as solar power.

“India’s experience is a cautionary tale for a world that is racing into renewables, installing solar energy systems at a breakneck speed with scant planning for how to maintain them in the years to come,” the article read.

Screengrab of the article by The Washington Post

The Washington Post claimed that out of 4000 solar mini-grids installed in India, 3300 are owned by a subsidiary of the Rockefeller Foundation. It then went on to claim that only 5% of those grids, which are also financed by the Indian government, are in an operational condition.

“About 4,000 solar mini-grids have been installed in India, of which 3,300 are government financed and owned, according to information collected early this year by Smart Power India, a subsidiary of the Rockefeller Foundation, and provided to The Washington Post. Only 5 percent of the government grids are operational, the group found,” the paper alleged.

It then claimed that solar-powered villages in the Indian States of Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha have failed miserably. “In Jharkhand, at least 90 percent of the state’s more than 200 mini-grids are defunct, according to a consultant for the renewable-energy authority, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to comment freely about the mini-grids,” the paper said.

The Washington Post had blamed the supposed failure of solar power systems on a lack of local technical expertise and funds for maintenance.

“Jharkhand, for example, holds onto 10 percent of the contract price after installation and releases the balance in annual installments to pay for maintenance. But this sum may not cover the cost of traveling to remote areas, so the technical crews often desert their contracts after installation,” the paper said.

“Moreover, the government, in trying to keep electricity affordable for its customers, often lacks the revenue needed to pay for upkeep. Private providers have a better record in maintaining the systems because their revenue models are stronger,” it concluded.

Response of Rockefeller Foundation

On Thursday (August 3), the Rockefeller Foundation slammed The Washington Post over its contentious piece and informed that the paper did not bother to respond to a letter sent to its Editor.

In a tweet, it said, “Two days ago, we submitted a letter to the editor about this article making clear it not only misses context but also the real facts. Unfortunately, the @washingtonpost has yet to print it or even respond.”

The American private foundation said that the 100% rural electrification achieved by the Modi government resulted in the redundancy of the first-generation solar systems.

“First, these first-generation solar systems were degraded because they were made redundant by an aggressive rural electrification effort launched in 2016 by the current government, that achieved almost 100% electrification,” it said.

The Rockefeller Foundation informed, “Second, the article incorrectly implies that mini-grid solutions have failed, without recognising that the improving electrification landscape & positive regulatory environment have actually paved the way for successful commercial mini-grid operators that complement the grid.”

It added, “Companies such as Husk Power System, OMC Power, Tata Power, and Hamara Grid, have raised over $150M of private capital, operating over 1,000 mini-grids that serve homes and entrepreneurs in rural India with reliable, productive-use clean energy.”

“Third, much was learned from the first generation of government funded mini-grids, like the need to be far more responsive to communities, and the importance of serving local businesses,” the Rockefeller Foundation said.

“Far from failing, India’s effort to provide electricity from both grid-based and distributed renewable energy is a success that should be replicated globally…Indeed it offers a model for public and private sector innovation that can put developing economies on a high energy, low carbon growth pathway,” it said.

The Rockefeller Foundation informed that it has been working on mini solar grids in India since 2009. “We’re proud to be a partner to those in India seeking to unlock opportunity for those often left behind without triggering climate catastrophe,” it concluded.

Jammu & Kashmir: 3 army jawans succumb to injuries after encounter with terrorists in Kulgam

ANI
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Jammu & Kashmir: 3 army jawans succumb to injuries after encounter with terrorists in Kulgam

Three army jawans, who were injured during an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Friday, succumbed to their injuries, officials said.

“The three injured jawans succumbed to their injuries. Search operations are ongoing,” the Army said in a statement.

The jawans were undergoing treatment at a hospital, Jammu and Kashmir Police informed on Friday.

Earlier in the day, officials said the encounter broke out in the high reaches of the Halan forest area in Kulgam district.

“Army and Kulgam Police are carrying out the operation. Three jawans were injured and shifted to a hospital for treatment,” an official said earlier.

Earlier, on Friday, the Kashmir Zone Police informed that the encounter had broken out in the Halan forest area of Kulgam district, adding that the Army and Kulgam Police were on the job.

“An encounter has started at high reaches of Halan forest area of #Kulgam district. Army & Kulgam Police are on the job. Further details shall follow,” the Kashmir Zone Police stated earlier in a tweet.

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

‘102 FIRs, over 200 arrested’: Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij say Nuh violence was the result of ‘big planning’

OpIndia Staff
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‘102 FIRs, over 200 arrested’: Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij say Nuh violence was the result of ‘big planning’

On Friday, August 4, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said a “big game” was planned for Nuh violence. Minister Vij, however, added that the state government will not draw early conclusions without proper investigation. It is notable that violence erupted in the Nuh area after a mob attacked Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s Jalabhishek Yatra on Monday. Anil Vij said that internet services will be reinstated in the violence-hit areas as the situation improves.

“There is a big game plan behind this. People climbed hills next to the temples, had lathis in their hands, and gathered at entry points, all this is not possible without a proper plan. Bullets were fire, some people had arranged weapons as well. All this is part of a plan. We will not rush to an early conclusion without a thorough investigation being done. Internet services will be restored after the situation improves,” Vij said.

The state home minister further informed that 102 FIRs have been registered and 202 people have been arrested in connection with the communal violence. In addition, 80 people are in preventive detention. Minister Anil Vij also said that the firing incidents were pre-planned adding that stones were collected for attack and rioters were firing bullets from hills. 

“A total of 102 FIRs have been registered. 202 people have been arrested and 80 are in preventive detention. We are getting information that firing incidents were pre-planned…stones were collected on the roofs and people went to the hills and opened fire. We are collecting information and taking action against the people responsible. We will run bulldozers as and when required. We will investigate if there was any prior input regarding the incident,” Vij said.

Notably, OpIndia earlier reported that the FIR specifically mentions that the Muslim mob was firing from the mountainside.

Minister Vij on Friday also hinted that there may have been a mastermind behind the communal violence. He added that the “culprits of the violence will not be spared and whoever masterminded the violence will also be made to pay.” The minister went on to say that the rioters will be made to pay for the damage caused to public property. He also assured “bulldozer action” as and when necessary.

Vij stated that police were taking statements and inspecting CCTV footage. He also requested media covering the Nuh clashes since Monday to send videos and feeds to police to assist them in their investigation. He made the same appeal to those who were in the Yatra procession where the violence commenced.

Nuh Superintendent and Deputy Commissioner transferred

According to official directives, Nuh Superintendent of Police (SP) Varun Singla and Deputy Commissioner (DC) Prashant Panwar were transferred on Friday.

Haryana government’s Posting/Transfer orders for Nuh SP and Deputy Commissioner (Image via IndianExpress)

Narendra Bijarniya, who previously had the additional charge in Singla’s absence, will be the new SP of Nuh, according to one of the orders. Meanwhile, Singla, who was on leave when violent clashes erupted in the district on Monday, will now serve as the SP of Bhiwani. Prashant Panwar, who was also the CEO of the Mewat Development Agency, will be succeeded by Dhirendra Khadgata. Panwar had been transferred to the Fisheries Department as a Special Secretary.

“Nuh was becoming the new Jamtara”

As reported earlier, a Cyber Police Station in Nuh was attacked and vandalised during the recent violence. The communal attack was allegedly used to erase cybercrime history from police records. Speaking about the incident on Friday, Minister Vij said that “the government has taken the incident seriously and a probe is on to find who attacked the police station and what all criminal records were destroyed.”

Minister Anil Vij further asserted that Nuh was becoming a new Jamtara, the Jharkhand district often dubbed India’s cyber crime hotspot. 

As part of a massive crackdown on cybercriminals in April of this year, the Haryana Police carried out numerous raids in the Nuh district. Over 5,000 police officers from 102 police units raided 14 villages in Nuh and apprehended 125 cybercriminals. During the raids, the police teams seized a sizable quantity of items, including card swipe machines, smartphones, computers, Aadhaar cards, and ATM cards.

“Now the cyber station that has been attacked, and the way attempts have been made to tamper with the files, has made us launch an investigation into whether cyber thugs attacked the computer systems also of the police station,” the Haryana Home Minister said as he recalled police action on cybercriminals in April.

Nuh Shobha Yatra attack

On 31st July 2023, violence broke out in Haryana’s Nuh district during the ‘Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra,’ which was organized by Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal. As Islamist mob attacked the Hindu procession, triggering clashes, arson and firing. The death toll from the clashes has now reached 6, including two personnel from the Haryana home guard. The deputy commissioner urged people to stay indoors, venture outside only for essential tasks, and disregard any circulating rumours.

Vehicles were burnt and stones pelted at the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s Jalabhishek Yatra as Islamists unleashed violence against thousands of Hindus in the Muslim-dominated region of Nuh, Mewat in Haryana.

‘Lappu sa Sachin hai, jhingur sa ladka’: How the neighborhood woman’s comments became a viral meme spin-off in Seema Haidar’s love story

Sanghamitra
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‘Lappu sa Sachin hai, jhingur sa ladka’: How the neighborhood woman’s comments became a viral meme spin-off in Seema Haidar’s love story

Seema Haidar from Pakistan literally crossed mountains and rivers and complicated borders to reach India, to meet her online boyfriend Sachin. The love story has been ruling the Indian news space for weeks now. However, the story now has a meme spin-off. And the star of that spin-off is neither Sachin nor Seema. It is the random neighborhood Bhabhi.

For weeks now, media personnel have been swarming around Seema Haidar as if she is not an ordinary human but a fairy descended from heaven, to marry a mere mortal. Well, the whole world has been strangely fascinated with cross-border love stories ever since movies came into play. Be it Veer Zara, Refugee, Gadar Ek Prem Katha etc in Bollywood or Crash Landing On You in Korea, lovers crossing dangerous borders to meet the love of their life gets just everyone excited.

Though Seema Haidar has been dominating Indian news media at a level that only Modiji can do, her boyfriend Sachin has literally been in the background. In front of the beautiful, vivacious Seema, Sachin just stays silent, shy, and behaves as if he is still trying to believe what he sees.

As media personnel have been thronging the humble residence of Sachin’s father in Greater Noida, they found Sachin’s neighbours and asked them for their reactions on the filmy love story.

It turns out, Sachin’s neighbours are not very happy about the couple. They have been saying all the mean things about Seema, commenting on her age, and her ‘audacity’ in coming to India leaving behind a husband in Pakistan.

The feisty UP ladies in the neighbourhood did not mince words while expressing their displeasure over the strange love story.

As the reactions started going slowly viral, a good samaritan on Twitter collected all the videos and posted them together.

Here are some of the most popular reactions from Sachin’s neighbours. Apparently, body weight is a serious issue for the neighbourhood ladies and they had already dismissed Sachin as a non-significant person. They are utterly shocked and surprised how the non-significant Sachin, who apparently does not even speak much, managed to ‘patao’ a woman like Seema, and made her cross the borders from Pakistan to India via Nepal.

‘Pav bhar ka Sachin, 5 kilo ki Seema’

“Wo Sachin ki kya ho jayegi? Pao bhar ka toh Sachin hai, 5 kilo ki Seema hai. Kisi din daba ke baith gayi toh Sachin ki awaz bhi na nikle”, said one neighbourhood Bhabhi sneering. It roughly translates as “How can she become Sachin’s partner? He barely weighs 250 grams, Seema weighs 5 kgs (in comparison). If she sits on him someday, the poor boy won’t be even able to speak out for help. “

Pyar ne Seema ko Seema Paar karwa diya?

Another neighbourhood bhabhi was suspicious of Seema’s intentions. She was curious how did she manage to cross the borders and come to India. “Can you cross the border with just love? Why don’t any of you people try it? Why did not Sachin go to Pakistan if love is the only thing one needs to cross borders? Can any of our young men enter Pakistan?”

Mr. Doval and the BSF should contact this Bhabhi for any available job offers.

‘She has been married twice, Sachin is a punctured tire’

Another Bhahi was the personality development specialist. She opined that considering Seema’s wide experience in romantic relationships and marriage, Sachin was no match for her. The reporter asks if she is disapproving of the relationship because Seema is beautiful and Sachin does not have a good ‘personality’. To which the woman kindly replies, “Sachin is half her age, He is barely an adult. How will it look ok if some woman of my age runs away with a boy half her age?”

The most viral of all: ‘Lappu sa Sachin, Jhingur sa ladka’

Among the plethora of caustic remarks against Sachin and Seema, came a blockbuster. One Bhabhi in a green saree, with formidable oratory skills, shared the most viral dialogue of the last few weeks in the Indian social media space.

“Sachin? Kya hai Sachin main? Lappu sa Sachin hai, bolna usko aave na, bolta toh vo hai na. Jhingur sa ladka hai, usse pyar ho gaya isko”

The short 9-second clip has now gone viral all over Indian social media.

Lappu is a local version of ‘Pappu’ while jhingur means cricket. We are not sure why the poor boy is being compared to an insect.

Someone swapped the Bhabhi’s face with Smriti Irani’s face, and used the legendary remarks for Rahul Gandhi.

A woman found therapy in the statement. She shared that ‘Lappu sa, jhingur sa ladka’ can be totally used to tell oneself to get over an ex.

Someone decided to go graphic and provided a sample of a jhingur.

One of the wittiest posts came from the handle ‘EducatedMoron, which reminded us that this is exactly how NASA had revoked the planet status of Pluto back in 2006.

Music producer Yashraj Mukhate, who immortalized ‘Rasode main koun tha’, has gone a step ahead and has created a song out of it. Yes. Lappu sa Sachin, jhingur sa ladka’ is now a catchy song.

Seema Haidar has been showered with gifts and as per reports, has even been offered a role in a movie. Amid all this, the super-talented bhabhi in Sachin’s neighborhood has proven that she is no less a star.

There is a philosophy in all this. A jhingur sa ladka should never be underestimated, and neither should the demure Seemas. The way things are going, however, it won’t be surprising if political parties flock to hire the green saree Bhabhi ji for election campaigning. ‘Lappu sa toh candidate hai, jhingur sa’, sounds like a very effective jibe against a political opponent.

Though we are not experts in Urdu poetry, Googling ‘jhingur’ took us to Rekhta, where there is a Shayari on jhingur, yes, jhingur.

ilm meñ jhīñgur se baḌh kar kāmrāñ koī nahīñ
chaaT jaatā hai kitābeñ imtihāñ koī nahīñ

Apparently, this means that the ‘jhingur’ is the most fortunate in matters of study because it consumes book after book but never has to write an exam. We are not sure what this exactly means. But since it is Urdu poetry, it must be heavy philosophical stuff.

Seema Haider was arrested on July 4 from Palwal in Haryana by Noida Police in Uttar Pradesh. The Uttar Pradesh police had also registered an FIR against Seema Haider’s boyfriend Sachin and Sachin’s father Netrapal under Section 120B of the IPC and Section 14 of the Foreigners Act, 1946 for conspiracy.

Seema Haider grabbed headlines after she was arrested on July 4, for illegally entering India. She was later released on bail on July 7. The Pakistani woman had entered India via Nepal around a month ago with her four children to be with her lover, Sachin Meena, in Uttar Pradesh’s Greater Noida.

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