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AAP govt flouted reservation rules for SC, STs to induct ‘party workers’, run Delhi’s administration. Here is how

Dibakar Dutta
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AAP govt flouted reservation rules for SC, STs to induct ‘party workers’, run Delhi’s administration. Here is how

The Arvind Kejriwal-led-Delhi government has reportedly appointed 437 ‘private persons’ as advisers, fellows and consultants on hefty salaries by flouting reservation guidelines.

Most of these ‘private persons’ are said to be workers of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the National Capital. According to the sources at the LG House, these appointments were made through a rigged selection process.

They also informed that many of these ‘private persons’ have dubious qualifications but were inducted as specialists by the Delhi government with complete disregard to the constitutional provisions on the reservation.

As per reports, 49 such ‘private persons’ have been engaged at different designations at the Delhi Transport Corporation. A chief media advisor and a consultant (water bodies) have been hired by the Delhi Jal Board at a monthly compensation of ₹1.5 lakhs and ₹2 lakhs respectively.

Similarly, the Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi has 6 advisers, who draw a monthly salary of ₹2.65 lakhs. Besides, it has 21 consultants who make ₹1.25 lakhs each month. The Delhi Vidhan Sabha has 50 fellows, who earn about ₹1 lakh a month.

About 140 fellows and associate fellows have been appointed by the Delhi Assembly Research Centre (DARC) since the year 2019. The AAP government in Delhi has thus been accused by the LG office of creating a ‘parallel civil service’ without any accountability.

LG office slammed AAP for flouting reservation rules, benefitting party workers

The modus operandi of the AAP government, as alleged by the Lieutenant Governor’s office, involved circumventing constitutional norms and rules.

These private individuals, who were often political workers, were appointed to various departments, agencies, boards, and public sector undertakings (PSUs) under the Delhi Government. In some cases, they replaced senior government officers, seemingly to evade accountability and manipulate rules to their political advantage.

Despite guidelines set by the Union Government and the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) that mandate reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs in all temporary appointments lasting more than forty-five days, the Arvind Kejriwal government allegedly proceeded with the appointments without reserving any seats for these categories.

The Lieutenant Governor’s office claimed that a Brahmin Minister in the AAP Government, Saurabh Bhardwaj, facilitated government jobs for several fellow Brahmin AAP workers through unofficial channels, thereby depriving SCs, STs, and OBCs of their rightful opportunities.

Furthermore, the selection process was allegedly manipulated to appoint an unqualified individual as an associate fellow. Anchal Bawa, the wife of Aam Aadmi Party MLA Durgesh Pathak, who currently serves as AAP’s in-charge for MCD, reportedly claimed false NGO experience without providing any supporting certificate. This appointment was a clear violation of established rules.

The Lieutenant Governor’s office highlighted another case involving Deepshika Singh, who appeared to be working full-time while simultaneously attending college.

Her resume claimed full-time experience between 2013 and 2018, but the provided experience certificate from Manu Educational Cultural & Social Welfare Society, Delhi, raised suspicions.

Notably, she completed a regular post-graduation degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University in 2018, making it implausible for her to maintain full-time employment while attending university regularly.

In conclusion, the Lieutenant Governor’s office emphasised that the AAP government is seeking the annulment of the “Services Ordinance” as it exposes their dubious intentions to operate a parallel administration in Delhi. They allege that the government has been disregarding Constitutional provisions and misappropriating public funds by employing AAP workers in government positions.

Delhi Services Dept declares appointments by AAP as ‘void’

As per a letter sent by the Special Secretary (Service) YVVJ Rajasekhar to the Delhi government on July 5 this year, several appointments were made and contracts were renewed without the approval of the Lieutenant Governor.

“It is observed that the extant provisions of reservations for SC/ST/OBC have been prescribed by DOPT vide Office Memorandum No. 27/4/67(II)-Estt. (SCT) dated 24.09.1968 and reiterated vide OM No. 36036/3/2018-Estt.(Res.) dated 15.05.2018 for reservation in temporary appointments lasting for 45 days or more have also not been followed in these engagements. It is also observed that the above-mentioned engagements have been made in gross violations of the Constitutional Provisions on Reservation, thus, void ab initio,” the letter read.

YVVJ Rajasekhar also referred to the ordinance by the Union government, which reinstated the power of the Lieutenant Governor (LG) over ‘administrative services’ in the Delhi government (also called GNCTD).

The official letter thus directed the Delhi government to stop the services of ‘private persons’, approval of which was not obtained from the LG. It also asked the Finance Department to stop paying them salaries.

“If any administrative department finds it appropriate to continue such engagements, the detailed case with all records and proper justification shall be forwarded by the concerned Departments to the Services Department, GNCTD for onward submission to Hon’ble Lt. Governor for consideration and approval immediately,” it said.

The letter emphasised, “All the departments are accordingly directed to comply with the above instructions failing which action, as may deem ni, may be initiated against the concerned Administrative Secretary for violation of the Constitutional Provisions on Reservation.“

Defence of AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj

AAP Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj filed an additional affidavit before the Supreme Court on July 8 this year, justifying the decision of the AAP government to forgo reservation for SC, STs in the appointment of 437 ‘private persons.’

In his affidavit, he referred to the letter by the Delhi Services Department and claimed, “…(It) makes an unsubstantiated and bogus claim that the extant reservation policy for temporary appointments lasting for 45 days or more has not been followed in case of the aforesaid engagements.“

“That it is common knowledge that reservation in government service is only given in direct recruitment and promotion and not where consultancy or deputation services are availed. Since the aforesaid engagements are done through composite method of deputation/contract, the extant reservation policy is not applicable to such engagements,” Bhardwaj said, claiming it has no basis in law.

In the same affidavit, the AAP leader claimed that the ‘private persons’ appointed by the Delhi government are alumni of premier institutions such as IIT Bombay, NALSAR, IIM Ahmedabad and the University of Cambridge. He also added that they play significant role in facilitating day-to-day functioning of the various Departments of the Delhi government.

Centre’s stance over reservation in temporary positions

On November 21 last year, the Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions issued an Office Memorandum (OM), reiterating that reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) must be provided in temporary appointments.

The only exception highlighted by the Ministry was for appointments, which are less than 45 days. “…It has been reiterated that in respect of appointments to Central Government posts and services, there shall be reservation for Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe/ Other Backward Class candidates in temporary appointments which are to last for 45 days or more,” the OM emphasised.

It further added that the Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes has observed that the government’s directives are not being followed in letter and spirit.

A dead rat fell on the food table at Bengaluru IKEA: Customers left horrified at the lack of hygiene at popular outlet

OpIndia Staff
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A dead rat fell on the food table at Bengaluru IKEA: Customers left horrified at the lack of hygiene at popular outlet

On 16th July, Twitter user Sharanya Shetty shared a horrifying ordeal she had to face during her visit to IKEA in Bengaluru, Karnataka. As per her tweet, a mouse fell on her table from the ceiling while she was having food at the food court.

She wrote, “Guess what fell in our food table at IKEA. I can’t even. We were eating, and this rat just dropped dead… Most bizarre moment ever!”

Speaking to OpIndia, Sharanya said it was her first time at IKEA. Two of her friends and the son of one of the friends accompanied her to IKEA located at Nelamangala – Majestic Service Road, Manjunatha Nagar, Nagasandra, Bengaluru. After reaching the store at around 11:30 AM, they did some shopping, and one of her friends said he would go and pick up some desserts from IKEA’s food court. He asked them to keep the trolley in the parking area and meet him at the food court.

He went ahead and collected the food while she went to keep the cart at the corner. “I went back and looked for him. He waved from a place, and when I reached there, he handed me a chocolate cake and asked me to take it. This was the time when the rat fell from the ceiling. It was crazy and unbelievable. Everybody around us was eating and looking at the table while we were trying to find someone to do something about it. We called two cleaners and then another guy from Embassy group. That guy called another lady from IKEA, who then went on to call somebody else.”

While they waited for someone to help, nobody from the store came to cordon off the area or at least cover the rat’s dead body. “Instead, the tables around were let to continue eating. They took some time to come and change the table,” she added. Furthermore, Sharanya said no one bothered to do anything about sanitizing the area and went on by just changing the table.

She said, “I didn’t create a scene because there were way too many people, and it would create havoc. So I simply walked off to see what they would do, and what they did was terrible. There was no system in place. Kids and babies were eating around and on the table kept in the same place.”

OpIndia tried calling the IKEA store but could not connect. We have sent an email regarding the incident, and the mail bounced from their media contact email ID.

Interestingly, this is not the first time IKEA Bengaluru has been accused of maintaining low hygiene standards. During the research, we found that a person named Arjun Maniath left a review on Google Reviews stating he found a fly on the Mango cake at IKEA. In a sarcastic tone, he wrote, “Mango cake made with delicious house fly.. unfortunately, I don’t eat house flies so missed the opportunity.. superb hygiene also.. please visit IKEA Bangalore for more…”

Earlier, a costumer found a fly on IKEA’s mango cake slice. Source: Google Reviews

Why IKEA has a Food Court?

At first, it may appear as if IKEA’s food court does not benefit the company much. However, as per IKEA’s own research, around 30% of the shoppers visit IKEA just for the food. Reports suggest that the company made around USD 2.24 billion from food sales alone in 2017. It is considered to be among the top food retailers in the world.

The food court at IKEA not only impacts the revenue model but also improves sales. The food court is believed to change how customers think, feel and act at any IKEA store worldwide. Food’s smell and taste are directly linked to dopamine release, a hormone that gives the person a state of happiness. Customers are more likely to spend extra at the store as the mood shifts. The former head of IKEA food operations once said in a statement, “We’ve always called the meatballs’ the best sofa-seller. When you feed them, they stay longer, they can talk about their [potential] purchases, and they make a decision without leaving the store.”

As per an Economic Times report from 2018, Ingvar Kamprad, IKEA’s founder, realized that people buy less when they are hungry. He said, “It is difficult to do business with someone on an empty stomach”. The first self-service cafeteria in IKEA was opened in 1958. Initially, it was priced cheap, and the aim was not to profit but to bring people to shop at IKEA. The idea is to encourage people to spend more time in large stores. The more time they spend, the better their chances of spending more. This is why well-maintained public toilets exist in stores like IKEA.

UPDATE: Ikea has since apologised for the incident and has said that they are currently investigating the situation & ensuring to take all precautionary efforts.

Rajasthan: Minor girl gang-raped by three in front of her boyfriend in Jodhpur’s university campus, accused arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: Minor girl gang-raped by three in front of her boyfriend in Jodhpur’s university campus, accused arrested

On Monday, the 17th of July, Police officials shared that a minor girl, from the Dalit community, was allegedly gang-raped by three college students in front of her boyfriend in the Jodhpur district. After assaulting the victim’s boyfriend, the three accused reportedly took turns to rape the minor girl. Police added that they have arrested all the accused and further investigation has started. 

The three accused have been identified as Samandar Singh, Dharampal Singh, and Bhatam Singh. They have been booked under Section 376(g) of the Indian Penal Code and various sections of the POCSO, SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. 

According to police, the 17-year-old girl eloped from Ajmer with her minor boyfriend on Saturday, 15th of July. After reaching the Jodhpur bus stand on Saturday night, they searched for a place to stay nearby. 

Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Amrita Duhan stated that the minor couple went to a guest house to get a room. However, when the caretaker misbehaved with the girl, they left the place. On allegations of harassing the minor girl, the police later arrested the guest house caretaker.

DCP Duhan said, “The minors could not find a place to stay. They were walking on the road when three men approached them near Pawata Circle and offered to help them.”

When they came outside, the three accused approached and enticed them by offering food and promising to find them a place to stay. At around 4 AM on Sunday on the pretext of taking them to the railway station, they took the minor couple to a hockey ground at the old campus of JNVU. 

When they reached the ground, the three accused assaulted the boy, gang-raped the minor girl, and fled in haste as morning walkers had begun to arrive on campus. The minor boyfriend sought help from passers-by who then called the police. 

DCP Duhan stated that the police launched a search for the accused and deployed a dog squad and a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team. With the help of CCTV footage, they successfully traced the accused to a house in Ganeshpura, Jodhpur. 

DCP Duhan said, “One of the accused was identified based on CCTV footage. When police went to arrest him, they found the other two accused as well.”

He added, “The police have collected forensic evidence. We will try to present the charge sheet within a week. Once that is done, the police will seek a fast-track trial in the case.” 

In failed attempts to escape, the accused fell and got injured. While one accused sustained injury to his hand, the other two accused fractured their legs. 

USA: Pramila Jayapal apologises for calling Israel a ‘racist’ state, after House Democrats distance themselves from her statement

ANI
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USA: Pramila Jayapal apologises for calling Israel a ‘racist’ state, after House Democrats distance themselves from her statement

US Representative Pramila Jayapal has apologised for calling Israel a “racist” state.

Jayapal is the Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and is known for her anti-Israel positions. In an official statement on Sunday, Jayapal clarified that she does not believe the idea of Israel as a nation is racist. “Words do matter,” said Jayapal in the statement adding “and so it is important that I clarify my statement. I do not believe the idea of Israel as a nation is racist.”

Jayapal’s posted her statement on Twitter and said that she was attempting to “defuse a tense situation” and offered her “apologies to those who I have hurt with my words.”

“At a conference, I attempted to defuse a tense situation during a panel where fellow members of Congress were being protested. Words do matter and so it is important that I clarify my statement. I do not believe the idea of Israel as a nation is racist. I do, however, believe that Netanyahu’s extreme right-wing government has engaged in discriminatory and outright racist policies and that there are extreme racists driving that policy within the leadership of the current government,” Jayapal said.

Jayapal was responding to criticism about comments she made during a panel discussion at a conference in Chicago on Saturday.

In her official apology, the Washington Democrat said, “I believe it is incumbent on all of us who are striving to make our world a more just and equitable place to call out and condemn these policies and this current Netanyahu government’s role in furthering them.”

She reaffirmed her commitment to promoting a two-state solution that enables Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side in freedom, safety, and self-determination.

“I have always worked toward a two-state solution that allows both Israelis and Palestinians to live freely, safely, and with self-determination alongside each other and that is still what I am absolutely committed to. I also know that the many policies of the current Israeli government, including rampant settlement expansion, make it extremely difficult for Palestinians who simply want the same rights as their Israeli neighbors to believe such a solution is possible.”

“On a very human level, I was also responding to the deep pain and hopelessness that exists for Palestinians and their diaspora communities when it comes to this debate, but I in no way intended to deny the deep pain and hurt of Israelis and their Jewish diaspora community that still reels from the trauma of pogroms and persecution,” she continued.

Meanwhile, in a statement released on Sunday, the House Democratic leadership attempted to distance themselves from Jayapal by stating that “Israel is not a racist state.”

“As House Democratic leaders, we strongly support Israel’s right to exist as a homeland for the Jewish people,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) and Vice Chair Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) said, according to The Hill.

Jayapal’s remarks came at a time when Israeli President Isaac Herzog prepares to address a joint session of Congress on Wednesday during a trip to Washington, D.C., in order to commemorate Israel’s 75th anniversary of its founding.

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

Fewer takers for Biden? ‘The Donald’ trumps Biden’s treasure chest in the 2nd quarter of fundraising campaign for 2024 US Elections

OpIndia Staff
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Fewer takers for Biden? ‘The Donald’ trumps Biden’s treasure chest in the 2nd quarter of fundraising campaign for 2024 US Elections

Former US President Donald Trump has raised more than $22 million in the second quarter of the fundraising campaign, which concluded in June, for the upcoming 2024 US Presidential elections. Incumbent President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign trailed slightly with a collection of $20 million.

The financial disclosures were released on 15th July, Saturday after being filed with the Federal Election Commission. The disclosures do not include money collected by Political Action Committees (PAC), which raised a significant amount from the wealthiest donors. The PAC disclosures are expected later this month.

The Biden campaign early this month had claimed to have raised $72 million along with Democratic National Committee and their joint fundraising committees from April to June. The campaign revealed revised numbers at $19.9 million on the day of the 15th July deadline, finishing the quarter with a total of $77 million in the bank.

Donald Trump’s campaign claimed to have collected more than $35 million in the second quarter. Their collection in the first three months this year amounted to $18.8 million. The campaign reportedly involved heavy digital, email, and SMS advertising even as a legal trial stares at Trump over charges of illegally retaining classified state documents.

US Presidential Elections: Joe Biden’s collection lower than that of Obama and Trump in the preceding polls

Even as this is being touted as a neck-to-neck fundraising fight, Biden’s collection is lower than that of Obama and Trump in the preceding polls. Trump and the Republican Party raised over $56 million in the second quarter of 2019 for the 2020 elections. Former US President Barack Hussain Obama raised $37 million dollars in the second quarter of 2011 in his re-election bid for 2012.

Trump’s campaign took $15.3 million in the second quarter and spent $9.1 million. Its biggest expenditure was Campaign Inbox for SMS advertising and digital consulting at $2.3 million.

Republican Party, aka Grand Old Party (GOP) candidates will have to garner donations from at least 40,000 donors and poll more than one per cent in either three national polls or two national and state polls. The criteria were announced by the Republican National Committee (RNC).

RNC’s first presidential debate is scheduled for 23rd August on Fox News.

Three Jammu and Kashmir Government employees sacked for actively working with Pakistan backed terror outfits

OpIndia Staff
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Three Jammu and Kashmir Government employees sacked for actively working with Pakistan backed terror outfits

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has terminated the services of three government employees for their alleged involvement with Pakistani terror outfits, media reports have quoted officials who are privvy to the development as, confirming on Monday (July 17).

The three employees include Kashmir University PRO Faheem Aslam, J&K Police Constable Arshid Ahmad Thoker and Revenue Department Officer Murawath Hussain Mir. They were terminated from services by the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir UT, Manoj Sinha administration in accordance with Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution of India after it was known that they were working as overground workers for the terrorist outfits.

The Article gives the President of India or the Governor the authority to remove any government employee from their position without providing them with the chance to be heard if their participation in anti-national activities endangers the peace and security of the nation.

The decision was taken after it was discovered that the three were actively working with Pakistani terror outfits, providing logistics to terrorists, propagating terrorist ideology, raising terror finances and furthering the secessionist agenda.

“The activities of these employees had come to the adverse notice of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as they have been found involved in activities prejudicial to the interests of the security of the state,” Republic TV quoted an official as saying.

Kashmir University PRO Faheem Aslam

Kashmir University PRO Faheem Aslam has been a key propagandist for terrorists and terror outfits in Kashmir Valley. According to sources privy to the investigation, Faheem Aslam was planted in Kashmir University in August 2008 by Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

He was initially appointed as a contractual employee and was subsequently confirmed. Later, he was chosen by the University to serve as a media reporter in order to maintain the separatist-terrorist campaign as the university campus was well-known as one of the hubs of secessionist activism and a crucial breeding ground for terrorism.

According to reports, Faheem’s appointment was made without any public advertisement, interview and police verification.

“In complete violation of the constitutional requirement of affording equal opportunity to all similarly placed persons for a position funded by the public exchequer, he was issued with an appointment letter without holding any interview or any competition or police/CID verification. Simply put, he was clandestinely allowed to enter into public employment through a backdoor,” Republic TV quoted sources as saying.

Faheem Aslam, besides being a close aide of Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, shared a very close relationship with terrorist and Kashmiri separatist Yasin Malik, who was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Special NIA court for terror funding activities in Jammu and Kashmir in May last year.

“Faheem Aslam has played a huge role as an activist, secessionist-narrative peddler and organizer in violent agitations of 2008, 2010 and 2016. He has been at the forefront of these agitations in planning and organizing demonstrations, especially in Kashmir University campus,” sources said.

When Kashmir is inching towards peace after the abrogation of Article 370, Faheem is still influencing university students towards secessionism,” said sources, adding, “His move is seen as a threat to national security.”

Journalist Aditya Raj Kaul in the tread of tweets, spoke about the development. He added how investigators revealed that Faheem Aslam had written several posts, which were later deleted, which campaigned for the secession of J&K and its merger with Pakistan, after abrogation of Article 370.

These posts have been retrieved during the course of the investigation.

Sharing some of the anti-national posts written by Faheem Aslam, Journalist Aditya Raj Kaul tweeted, “These posts depict beyond doubt that he is a hardcore Pak Embedded High-Value Asset (PEHVA) of Terror Outfits, responsible for promoting and glamorising terrorism.”

According to reports, Faheem Aslam was spreading his secessionist agenda through his writings that are published in the Kashmir-based newspaper – ‘Greater Kashmir’.

While drawing a salary from the state exchequer, Faheem Aslam was simultaneously taking a salary from Greater Kashmir newspaper since 2008. As per inputs, he was given a salary in cash to hide his wrongdoings as a public servant. He had taken no permission from University to work with Greater Kashmir. The available record suggests that he had been a permanent staffer of the Greater Kashmir newspaper filing reports and functioning as a full-time sub-editor.

It is pertinent to note that in 2020, National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out raids at multiple locations in Srinagar, including the office of the Kashmir-based newspaper – ‘Greater Kashmir’. The NIA had registered a case to investigate the allegations of fund-raising activities of the NGO, which was accused of using the Hawala racket to fund terror in the Kashmir valley.

Revenue Department Officer Murawath Hussain Mir terminated by Jammu and Kashmir administration

In 1985, Murawath Hussain Mir was hired by the Revenue Department as a Junior Assistant. As soon as the terrorist and secessionist movement in J&K began in 1990 under the sponsorship of Pakistan, he became heavily involved in it. He not only became an ideologically ardent supporter of the secessionist narrative, but he also served as the point man for various terror organisations that were outlawed, including Pakistan-backed Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) and the J&K Liberation Front (JKLF), giving them unrestricted access to the Pampore Tehsil Office.

According to sources, Murawath served as a conduit for terrorists to extort monthly “donations” from fellow employees.

Murawath Hussain did more than only help terrorist organisations with extortion. He eventually became one of HM and JKLF’s most crucial and trusted over-ground workers (OGW).

Hussain was arrested by security authorities in Srinagar’s Rajbagh in October 1995, together with 4 other HM and JKLF terrorists. They revealed during interrogation that they were planning to blow up a crucial installation in Srinagar city for which they had arranged a substantial quantity of explosives/bombs which was later recovered from their possession.

“Murawath was behind bars for only 8 months before getting released and managing re-entry in the government. That all checks and balances of the system so far has failed to even initiate a modicum of accountability of the misdeeds of Murawath Hussain despite a lapse of 28 years is evidence of near state capture by the adversary,” sources said.

“In 2007, Murawath Hussain founded the Falah-e-Behbood committee in Pampore town and became its founding president and continues to be so till date. Intelligence inputs suggest that this committee has played an important role during public unrests of 2008, 2010 and 2016,” sources added.

Police Constable Arshid Ahmad Thoker 

Arshid Ahmad Thoker was hired by the Jammu and Kashmir Police as a constable, initially in the Armed Police in 2006 and then in the Executive Police in 2009. He managed his transfer to District Srinagar after completing his Basic Recruitment Training Course (BRTC) there. He then primarily remained attached as a PSO/Driver with various police/civil personnel and protectees.

Arshid interacted with Mushtaq Ahmad Ganie, nicknamed RK, a fervent Over Ground Worker (OGW) for the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist group who lives in Sheikhpora Wathoora, Budgam. RK is the son of Mohammad Kamal Ganie.

Arshid was introduced to the JeM network by Mushtaq, and as a result, he became a crucial logistical supporter and conduit for this deadly terrorist group in Budgam and Pulwama, particularly in the Chadoora-Kakapora region.

Following specific information received by Police Station Chadoora on May 31, 2020, on the suspicious movement of terrorists and their allies in the vicinity of Wathoora and Dooniwara, a joint naka of the Police, CRPF, and Army was set up at Dooniwari Bridge to apprehend the terrorists and their associates. He along with his associates was detained during the checking.

It was revealed that he used vehicles to ferry the JeM terrorists. Investigators asserted that because Arshid was a police officer, he illegally and dishonestly exploited his authority and credentials and evolved to be an incredibly effective OGW.

Notably, in February this year, three government employees were sacked in a similar manner. Last year too, in a similar move the Jammu and Kashmir administration suspended five of its employees after their links with terrorist outfits including Hizbul Mujahideen, Jamaat e Islami and Islamic State were established. 

According to reports, with the latest order of termination of three government officials, 52 officers have already been fired due to their affiliation with various terror organisations.

Home Minister Amit Shah chairs regional conference on Drugs Smuggling and National Security, 1,44,000 kgs of seized narcotics destroyed

ANI
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Home Minister Amit Shah chairs regional conference on Drugs Smuggling and National Security, 1,44,000 kgs of seized narcotics destroyed

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the regional conference on ‘Drugs Smuggling and National Security’ in Delhi on Monday.

Over 1,44,000 kilogram of drugs worth Rs 2,416 crore was destroyed in various parts of the country by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in coordination with Anti-Narcotics Task Forces (ANTFs) of all states in the presence of the Home Minister in the event.

With the destruction of these drugs, the total quantity of drugs destroyed in one year reached around 10 lakh kilograms, which has a value of around Rs 12,000 crore.

The drugs destroyed include 6,590 kg by NCB’s Hyderabad unit, 822 kg by Indore, and 356 kg by Jammu.

Along with this, various law enforcement agencies of different states also destroyed a total of 1,44,122 kg of drugs, including 1,486 kg drugs in Assam, 229 kg in Chandigarh, 25 kg in Goa, 4,277 kg in Gujarat, 2,458 kg in Haryana, 4,069 kg in Jammu and Kashmir, 1,03,884 kg in Madhya Pradesh, 159 kg in Maharashtra, 1,803 kg in Tripura and 4,049 kg in Uttar Pradesh.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said, the Government has adopted a ’Zero Tolerance’ policy against narcotics to create a drugs-free India.

Since June 1, 2022, till July 15 this year, all regional units of NCB and ANTFs of states have collectively destroyed around 8,76,554 kilogram seized drugs worth around Rs 9,580 crore, which is more than 11 times the target.

“In order to realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of a  Drugs-free India, this campaign of destruction of drugs will continue actively, with the same zeal,” the MHA has 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)

Iran: Government announces fresh campaign reintroducing moral police to force women to wear hijab

OpIndia Staff
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Iran: Government announces fresh campaign reintroducing moral police to force women to wear hijab

On 16th July, the Iranian government reintroduced mandatory hijab for women with moral police back on the streets. Notably, for months, the moral police were away following the death of Masha Amini in September 2022. Amini was picked for not wearing a hijab and later killed in custody. The authorities announced a new campaign forcing women to wear Islamic headscarves in public following that.

In early 2023, Iranian authorities launched a heavy crackdown on the protesters, virtually ending the protests against the mandatory hijab. Reportedly, 500 protesters were killed, and over 20,000 were detained by the police during the protests.

On Sunday (17th July) evening, following the reports of attempts to arrest the women without the hijab, thousands of protesters gathered in Rasht, northern Iran. According to Iran International, thousands of people were there at the protest after the moral police whisked away three women. The onlookers rescued them, and there were unverified reports of tear gas and gunshots.

In December 2022, there were reports of moral police patrolling the streets, but the authorities denied it. There were claims that the moral police was disbanded, but the government denied it amidst the protests.

Police spokesman Gen Saeed Montazerol Mahdi said in a statement that moral police would resume notifying and then detaining women if they were found without hijab in public. Masih Alinejab, one of the most prominent Iranian activists currently living in the United States, shared a video of a woman being threatened and beaten by the female moral police.

She wrote, “This is Iran today, and this is how the morality police arrested a teenager for not wearing a hijab. Mahsa Zhina Amini was taken away like this and then killed. Where are those journalists who excitedly reported the cancellation of that morality police?”

Death of Mahsa Amini and anti-hijab protests

Iran saw a wave of protests after a 22-year-old girl named Mahsa Amini died in the custody of Iran’s Morality Police that detained her for improperly donning her headscarf. Several Iranian citizens hit the streets in solidarity with Amini. In support of the victims, a number of women, including schoolgirls, burnt their hijabs, and women everywhere chopped their hair in protest. Protests broke out in hundreds of places around the nation after her death.

Jalgaon Collector bans entry to disputed Jumma Masjid, trust moves HC: Here’s how the disputed mosque was illegally expanded on temple land

OpIndia Staff
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Jalgaon Collector bans entry to disputed Jumma Masjid, trust moves HC: Here’s how the disputed mosque was illegally expanded on temple land

On Sunday, July 16, the Jalgaon District administration issued an interim order refraining people of the Muslim community to enter a disputed mosque structure that resembles an old temple. The administration has sealed the century-old disputed mosque temporarily and has issued an order under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, immediately banning prayers on the premises.

In the order, the collector has also directed police deployment in the area and has asked the local administration to take charge of the mosque, which has been officially declared as ‘disputed’.

This is after a local Hindu organization Pandavwada Sangharsh Samiti complained that the structure located in Erandol region in the Jalgaon district resembles an old temple and that the Muslim community, the Jumma Masjid Trust Committee has encroached over the temple land.

In the course of May, Prasad Madhusudan Dandawate, the complainant, submitted a plea to Aman Mittal, the Jalgaon district collector. This petition of Dandawate is said to have garnered support from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), the Bajrang Dal, and the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS). According to the complaint, the mosque has been illegally constructed over a Hindu place of worship and should be taken over by the authorities. The complainant further asserts that the Hindu character and structure of the vicinity have been destroyed by the Jumma Masjid Trust who illegally encroached on the area to call it a Mosque. 

Trust managing disputed Mosque moves to the Bombay HC

Reportedly, the trust managing the Mosque has moved the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court against the collector’s order banning entry into the premises for offering prayers.

The petition, filed by the Jumma Masjid Trust Committee’s president Altaf Khan claims that the collector passed the ‘arbitrary and illegal’ order on July 11 which directed them to hand over the keys of the Mosque to the Erandol municipal council’s chief officer.

As per the trust, the mosque has reportedly been around for a while, and the Maharashtra government has designated its construction as an ancient and historical monument and that it has been included in the Schedule of Protected Monuments.

The trust also says that it has been taking the utmost precautions, and neither the state government nor the Archaeological Department have ever received any grievances in regard to the structure.

The said petition filed by the trust through advocate S S Kazi is slated to be heard on July 18.

History of Pandava Wada in Erandol

The Pandav wada sites in the Erandol region of Jalgaon district, are under Islamic encroachments. It is believed that the Pandavas spent their years in exile in Erandol region and that the Hindu and Jain temple-like structures built here are 800-1000 years old. Later due to the severe indifference among Hindus, Muslims slowly started encroaching on Pandav Wada more than 125 years ago, and they eventually built a mosque there while claiming it to be Wakf property.

Hindu groups like the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) and Pandavwada Sangharsh Samiti have been battling to reclaim Pandavwada from the Wakf Board’s intrusions and restore the areas. The contested mosque has records of existence of at least 100 years, whereas the principal buildings in Pandava wada (built in the style of Jain and Hindu temples) are reportedly 800-1000 years old.

Hindu organizations maintain that the mosque was constructed by destroying a Hindu temple that is mentioned in the Mahabharata epic. Further, the associated Wakf committee had been working to build the disputed mosque in order to ruin the Pandavwada’s Hindu culture as described in the Mahabharata and local chronicles.

How the structure of the disputed Jumma Masjid was illegally expanded?

As per the report by Hindu Existence, the HJS team of experts is said to have discovered that the Jumma Masjid once existed near Pandav Wada, exactly behind the Pandava Wada. In 1880 AD, the mosque collapsed as a result of extensive rainfall. subsequently, the then-British government and the mosque’s controlling trust entered into a contract. The agreement, which stated that the trust would rent space from the government for a 25-year period to keep resources like wood and fodder, was attested to by a one rupee stamp paper. It was decided on a two rupee annual rent.

Even though the agreement was simply for storage, numerous important historical structures were eventually demolished. Numerous intricately carved stone pillars and window frames were charred or destroyed. More than 150-year-old trees were uprooted. The pillars were repurposed to construct platforms and shelters after the exquisite carvings were removed to destroy the Hindu-Jain motifs. The tunnels beneath the surface were closed. Nothing of the sort was done with consent. The Hindu organizations have called this a cognizable offense because Pandav Wada was covered under the Ancient Monument Act. The mamledar of Erandol was ordered to act by the Maintenance surveyor, and a trustee of Jumma Musjid Sandekhan Rahimakha is said to have apologized in writing. 

HJS calls it a case of ‘Land Jihad’

Sunil Ghanwat of HJS Maharashtra called it a ‘land jihad case’ and said, “There was a total 4 lakh acres of land with Wakf boards as Wakf property in 2009. But, the lands have been increased to 8 lakh acres as of 2023 in a miraculous way. How can this happen without encroachment over other’s land?”

“In Tamilnadu, an entire village of Thiruchenthurai has been declared as Wakf property including a 1500-old Sundareswarar Chandrasekhara Swamy temple situated in the village. Due to the culpable Waqf law, many places like Dwarka Island and Surat Municipal Corporation in Gujarat; Chandrashekhar Azad Park in Prayagraj, Gyanvapi of Varanasi, and Mathura in Uttar Pradesh have been declared as Waqf property. This aggression of Wakf must stop,” he said.

Disputed Mosque claims collector’s order as illegal

Meanwhile, the mosque committee continues to hold that the collector’s order to seal the mosque is ‘illegal’ as the mosque stands on a registered waqf property. “It’s only the Waqf tribunal that takes decisions with regard to Waqf properties. The collector has bypassed the waqf tribunal,” the committee says.

The Bombay High Court is slated to hear the petition filed by the trust of the disputed mosque on July 18.

West Bengal: TMC goons abduct Dalit BJP worker, assault and urinate on him amid the panchayat polls, complaint filed

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: TMC goons abduct Dalit BJP worker, assault and urinate on him amid the panchayat polls, complaint filed

In another incident of violence reported from West Bengal’s West Midnapore district, Trinamool Congress goons are accused of abducting a local BJP worker, assaulting him, and urinating on his face when he asked for water.

According to the reports, the incident happened on Thursday, July 13 when the BJP worker was employed as the polling agent for the recently-concluded panchayat polls. The TMC workers abducted the BJP worker and took him to the Garbeta office where he was tortured and humiliated.

The TMC party workers are said to have assaulted the BJP worker and urinated on him after he asked for water to drink. The victim was then admitted to a local hospital late on Friday evening. The victim is identified as Barun Ruidas, a Dalit.

The victim while in the hospital was paid a visit by BJP’s vice-president Samit Das where the former narrated his ordeal to the latter. “Trinamool Congress hooligans demanded money from our party worker to celebrate their victory. Being very poor, he refused to pay up which infuriated them. Then he was abducted and taken to a local party office. First, he was beaten up severely. When he asked for water, the inebriated assailants urinated on his face. We have already filed a police complaint in the matter. We will be going for a bigger movement on this issue,” Das was quoted as saying.

However, Trinamool Congress MLA and the party district coordinator in West Midnapore Ajit Maiti refuted the allegation and said that the election in the Garbeta area was absolutely peaceful. “We had organized victory processions in a limited and humble way to avoid any kind of tension. BJP is cooking up stories now to create tension in the area,” Maiti said.

A similar case was reported from the Sidhi region of Madhya Pradesh recently on July 5 when state police arrested one Pravesh Shukla for peeing on a poor tribal man named Dashmat Rawat. A video of the crime went viral on social media on 4 July, prompting the police to file a complaint and apprehend the former. Meanwhile, the state police investigating the case mentioned that the footage was one-year-old.

Later Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan apologized to the victim and washed his feet at his official residence in Bhopal. Dashmat Rawat also received financial support from the state government in the amount of Rs 5 lakh and another Rs 1.5 lakh for the construction of his home.

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