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“Won’t support the Delhi ordinance”, Congress caves in front of AAP’s demand before the opposition meeting

OpIndia Staff
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“Won’t support the Delhi ordinance”, Congress caves in front of AAP’s demand before the opposition meeting

After a long deadlock, Congress finally surrendered before the demands of the Aam Aadmi Party regarding the Union government’s ordinance on Delhi. On the 16th of July, Congress announced that it would back the Kejriwal-led party on this issue as the opposition parties get set to meet again.

Speaking to PTI, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said that he is hopeful that the Aam Aadmi Party will join the opposition meeting to be held in Bengaluru tomorrow. He also cleared the Congress party’s stand on AAP’s precondition to join the opposition meeting. The Congress leader announced the party’s support for the Kejriwal-led political outfit on the issue of the Delhi ordinance. 


He said, “I think they (AAP) are going to join the meeting tomorrow. As for the ordinance (on control of services in Delhi), our stand is very clear. We are not going to support it.”

Responding to this AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha hailed this as a “positive development”. 

AAP had announced a meeting of its Political Affairs Committee (PAC) to decide its future course of action at 4 pm on 16 July. Apparently, after the Congress party’s open admission of support, the AAP’s PAC may decide to join the opposition meeting in Bengaluru. 

AAP’s pressure tactics and Congress’ biding time

Earlier, AAP had threatened to boycott the opposition meeting citing the non-committal and vague stance of the Congress party on the Ordinance issue. Back then, AAP leaders had put preconditions before the Congress party to accept its invitation to join the second opposition meeting. 

On the 7th of July, AAP leader Raghav Chadha hinted that they have paused any discussions to join the opposition meeting until the grand old party announces that it will not support the Union government’s ordinance on Delhi. 

While the Congress party was biding its time, AAP senior leaders, including Delhi CM Kejriwal and Punjab CM Mann had been exerting pressure on the Congress party. In their Chattisgarh rally, both of them accused Congress’ state government of indulging in rampant corruption. Apart from threats to boycott the opposition meeting, AAP surprisingly announced its ‘in-principle’ support for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), an issue that has been testing the strength of opposition unity.

On their part, regional Congress leaders had been targeting the AAP government for adopting the ‘My way, highway’ kind of approach. Congress leader Abhishek Dutt accused AAP of using pressure tactics and advised AAP leaders to behave maturely.

However, this decision of Congress may not have a smooth sail and it may find resistance from its Delhi outfit which had advised the Central unit to not support Arvind Kejriwal on this issue.   

Notably, the main issue in contention is an ordinance which the Union government passed on the 19th of May, 2023. The ordinance aimed to enact rules for the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) in relation to matters such as transfer posting, vigilance, and other related issues. AAP has been garnering support to block it in the Rajya Sabha, if and when the Union government tables it in the Parliament. 

TV actress Ratan Rajput opens up on facing casting couch, recalls when a famous director drugged her

OpIndia Staff
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TV actress Ratan Rajput opens up on facing casting couch, recalls when a famous director drugged her

Casting couch has been a dark reality of the entertainment industry globally. From Hollywood to Bollywood to the Indian television industry, many artists have opened up about their casting couch experiences with them. Recently, television actress Ratan Rajput narrated her experience with the casting couch in an interview with AajTak. Ratan Rajput revealed in the interview that she was drugged without her consent before an audition.

In simple terms, a casting couch is a situation in which an aspiring actor is told to perform sexual favours in exchange for a role in a film/show. Over the year, many actors have taken a stand against this blatant abuse of power in the industry. 

Before delving into the specifics of her casting couch experience,  Ratan explained why a discussion around the casting couch issue is necessary. 

“I would call the casting couch ‘neeyat’ (motive). Even during the #MeToo movement, I had never really spoken about the casting couch. However, we must talk about it happening in the (television) industry. I’m on YouTube, and I get a lot of personal emails, especially from youngsters, you know the future generation. They want that I guide them. This is what makes me feel that they should be aware of the truth. They should not feel desperate. Having stated that the entire industry is not bad if four persons among them have done something wrong. It is critical to understand that not everyone is the same. You should only need to know how to filter out,” Rajput said.

Following this, Ratan Rajput recalled an incident dating years back when she was a newcomer in the showbiz industry. 

“That time, all the auditions used to take place at a hotel in Oshiwara. I went there for an audition and noticed many well-known actors. My audition went well, although the director was not present. Some lower-level co-ordinator took my audition and said, You did so well, ma’am. Sir has only been talking about you. “Aapka hi hoga,”  I said okay. In those days, I had this habit of not going alone (to auditions). I was accompanied by a friend who had come for a dance audition. Anyway, the coordinator instructed me to collect the script and prepare for a meeting. I was confused about what was going on”, the actor said remembering her audition.

The actress further narrated how people at the audition insisting her to have a cold drink. “They repeatedly insisted us to have a cold drink and we took a sip although we didn’t want to. They then said that they would call me for another audition. After returning home me and my friend felt uneasy and we doubted if something was mixed in the cold drink,” Rajput said.

Furthermore, she talked about another audition where she saw clothes thrown here and there and a girl lying unconscious perhaps due to alcohol. “I sensed that whatever was supposed to happen there is already done. Then a man came outside and rebuked me saying why have I come with my boyfriend, I told him that my brother was accompanying me. Something was there in that cold drink I had which made me feel out of control even when I was conscious. I said sorry and just ran away from there,” Rajput added. 

The ‘Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo’ actress expressed her wish to slap the director who was involved in that incident mentioning that the person is a big name in the industry even now. 

“I want to slap that person who did this to me. He is still a big name in the industry,” the actress concluded.

When ‘Pavitra Rishta’ fame Ankita Lokhande opened up about casting couch

This is, however, not the first time when an actress has opened up about the casting couch in the television industry. In the year 2021, Ekta Kapoor’s hit TV serial ‘Pavitra Rishta’ fame actress Ankita Lokhande shared her experience of facing the ‘casting couch’ in the industry. 

In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, the ‘Pavitra Rishta’ actress revealed that she had two encounters with predatory guys during her career. Ankita Lokhande recalled her first encounter with the ‘casting couch’ when she was in her late teens. She was asked to audition for a role in a South Indian film. To get a part in the film, she was asked to ‘compromise’ and sleep with the producer. Her second meeting with the casting couch occurred after she had already established herself as a popular actor through the TV serial ‘Pavitra Rishta.’

When Divyanka Tripathi refused a casting couch offer

In January last year, popular TV actress Divyanka Tripathi, in an interview with Bollywood Bubble, talked about facing the casting couch.

“There was a time when there I had no money. I had to pay my bills and EMIs. There was a lot of pressure. Then comes an offer, ‘You have to be with this director and you’ll get a big break’. But why me? I was told that ‘you are really intellectual, this, that.’ Selling it off like my life will be made just by that and everyone is doing it,” the Yeh Hain Mohabbatein fame actress said.

Other than the ones mentioned above many actors like Ankit Gupta, Madalsa Sharma, Kaveri Priyam, Urfi Javed, and others have openly talked about their casting couch experiences and how they dealt with such situations.

Mumbai: ‘Aadhar’ cards with QR codes given to 20 stray dogs outside the Airport

OpIndia Staff
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Mumbai: ‘Aadhar’ cards with QR codes given to 20 stray dogs outside the Airport

On Saturday morning, 15 July, identification cards with QR codes dubbed as ‘Aadhar cards’ were securely attached to the necks of 20 stray dogs outside Mumbai airport, reported TOI. The aim of the initiative is to enhance dog safety and establish a centralised system that can manage and track stray dogs in the city. 

The 20 canines now wear ‘Aadhar cards’ with QR codes that provide essential information which can be helpful in the event of the dogs getting lost or needing to be relocated. Scanning these QR codes will furnish information like the dog’s name, feeder’s contact details, vaccination records, and sterilization status. 

Initially, a group of regular feeders known to the dogs lured them but the canines became cautious when others approached them to affix the identification tags. After painstaking efforts, the team tagged 20 dogs with this uniquely designed QR code-based identification system. 

Meanwhile, BMC also used this opportunity to vaccinate the dogs outside terminal 1 of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Sahar.

An engineer from Sion, Akshay Ridlan spearheaded this unique identification system for canines through his initiative ‘pawfriend.in’. Feeling enthusiastic about this endeavour, he stated that these tags will play a vital role in reuniting lost pets with their owners and will create a centralised database of stray animals in the city. 

He said, “We began around 8.30 am, chasing the dogs to affix the QR code tags and provide them with vaccinations. These tags will prove invaluable in reuniting lost pets with their families and establishing a centralized database of strays within the city.”

Regular feeders, members from the pawfriend team, dog-catchers, vets from BMC, and airport officials were also part of this unique initiative.

The head of BMC’s veterinary health services, Dr. Kalim Pathan informed that the dogs were vaccinated and a basic health check was also done during the tagging process. 

Emphasising the need for population control, Dr. Pathan added that all the stray dogs caught during the process were sterilised. Speaking about the initiative, he said, “The QR code tagging done for dogs outside the airport is a pilot project and we will see how this can be taken forward.”

One of the regular feeders, Sonia Shelar helped to get the dogs close as vegetarians from BMC administered the vaccine. She has been feeding nearly 300 stray dogs daily including these dogs outside the airport. 

We do not blame others: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma takes potshots at AAP govt after it accuses other States of flooding Delhi and Punjab

OpIndia Staff
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We do not blame others: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma takes potshots at AAP govt after it accuses other States of flooding Delhi and Punjab

On Sunday (July 11), BJP leader and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took a dig at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) politicians for blaming other States for flooding in Delhi and Punjab.

In a tweet, he said, “Every year, we receive water from Bhutan, Arunachal, and even from China. We face floods with brave hearts. We experience pain and misery beyond human imagination, yet we do not blame others.”

Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasised, “Because we know that nature does not recognise geography.” The development comes days after prominent AAP leaders such as Atishi Marlena, and Arvind Kejriwal blamed Haryana for flooding in the National Capital.

The Background of the Controversy

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-run-governments in Delhi and Punjab have resorted to political blame games after they failed to prepare for the catastrophic floods in advance.

AAP supremo and Delhi CM, Arvind Kejriwal, has now blamed the Haryana government for putting the National Capital in such a perilous situation. As per reports, he has accused the BJP-ruled State of releasing water from the Hathnikund barrage and flooding Delhi.

On Wednesday (July 12), he wrote a letter to the Union Home Ministry and blamed the situation on the Haryana government instead of the incessant rain. Similar claims were made by AAP leader Atishi Marlena.

“It is a big question why all the water from Hathnikund Barrage was being released only for Delhi. Not a single drop of water was released into the canals going to UP and Haryana from there. Haryana will have to answer for this. Can the flood situation in Delhi have been avoided?” she hinted at a larger conspiracy of the BJP govt.

Meanwhile, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann claimed that the Centre, through the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), was scheduled to release 20000 cusecs of water into the Sutlej River and the situation was averted only after the government’s objection.

Another Punjab Minister named Chetan Singh Jauramajra accused the Haryana government of being responsible for waterlogging in several villages of Punjab. He claimed that the Manohar Khattar-led-government failed to clean a siphon in the Ghaggar River on the Hansi-Butana canal stretch on time.

Himanta Biswa Sarma thus took potshots at the AAP governments for failing to control the situation and instead passing on the blame to other states.

Ireland: Farmers on streets as govt wants to kill 200,000 cows to meet ‘climate change goals’

OpIndia Staff
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Ireland: Farmers on streets as govt wants to kill 200,000 cows to meet ‘climate change goals’

European countries are working ‘hard’ to meet their ‘climate change goals‘, and amidst the efforts, some ‘glorious’ ideas that need a golden page in history have become a reality. The Government of Ireland is considering one such idea as they want to kill around 200,000 healthy cows to meet their climate change goals. The farmers are protesting against the proposal, and Tesla chief Elon Musk also came forward against the idea. The Irish government wants to kill 65,000 cows every year for three years, and if they succeed, it will reduce the country’s livestock by 10 per cent.

Recently, on 13th July (local time), over 2,000 farmers took out a rally in Bandon, expressing their frustration and fears over a potential cut to the nitrates derogation stocking rate. Farmers attended the protests on foot, trucks and tractors. Not only dairy farms, but farmers from other agriculture sectors also turned up at the protest. IFA poultry chairman Nigel Sweetnam said, “This isn’t just a dairy problem, this is a problem for the whole rural economy. If you take cows and production out of the economy, it will have knock-on effects.”

Conor O’Leary, the chair of Cork Central’s Irish Farmers Association, said, “There are so many farmers that would be affected by this. We have done everything that’s been asked of us for 15 years, and we are saying that better measures can be undertaken. For a typical farmer, it would mean approximately a little more than 10 per cent reduction in cow numbers.”

“That last percentage of cows is where we make our income. Costs probably run at 70 per cent of income, and you make a profit on 30 per cent, but the last 10 per cent of cows, the profit might be 100 per cent,” he said. The nitrate derogation limit is 250 kg of organic nitrogen per hectare, which is being reduced to 220 kg of nitrate per hectare. According to Cornor, it will have a real economic impact on the farmers. We may have to reduce cow numbers, but the fixed costs will remain. It’s the first move by the European Commission that will affect the income of the farmers. We are concerned about that, and farmers are worried,” he added.

Irish Plan to kill cows

Notably, under the European Green Deal, 27 countries have agreed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030. For some countries, the goal is not that easy to meet. One such country appears to be Ireland, which has decided out-of-the-box idea to fulfil the goal of killing 200,000 cows in the next three years.

The bizarre proposal also caught the attention of Elon Musk, who replied to Authoor Ashley St Clair’s Tweet and said, “This really needs to stop. Killing some cows doesn’t matter for climate change.” Ashley had called the push to end the life of both animals and humans in the name of animal activism a “fundamental evil”.

According to The Trumpet, the project would cost Ireland USD 640 million, and it will result in reducing the emission by 25 per cent over seven years. The proposal will be offered to the ‘ageing farmers’ as a ‘retirement exit scheme’. That means the older farmers can take the money (Euro 5,000 per cow) and let the government kill cows to reduce GHG emissions.

Agriculture representatives, farmers and some politicians have called it “absolute madness”. Pat McCormack, president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, questioned the proposal and said, “We’re the one industry with a significant road map, and, to be quite honest with you, our herd isn’t any larger than it was 25 to 30 years ago. Can the same be said for the transport industry? Can the same be said for the aviation industry?”

AOC wanted to get rid of the ‘farting cows’

In 2019, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a US lawmaker, expressed her concerns over climate change and said if the issue were not addressed in time, it would end the world in 12 years. It was similar to the now-deleted statement of climate activist Greta Thunberg, who said humanity would end in five years in 2018. However, before the prophetic tweet completed five years, it came to premature death in early 2023.

Anyway, returning to AOC in 2019, she called for completely ditching fossil fuels and taking drastic steps, including totally overhauling transportation. She said, “We set a goal to get to net-zero, rather than zero emissions, in 10 years because we aren’t sure that we’ll be able to get rid of farting cows and aeroplanes that fast fully.” However, Fox News pointed out her remarks were first replaced with “emissions from cows” and then deleted completely.

Later, in an interview, she said the proposal did not mean to end cows but to find “innovative” ways to reduce cow flatulence.

Delhi Floods: Yamuna recedes, PM Modi assesses the situation, NDRF rescues thousands, AAP continues blame game

Gopal Tiwari
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Delhi Floods: Yamuna recedes, PM Modi assesses the situation, NDRF rescues thousands, AAP continues blame game

Delhi continues to grapple with severe flooding caused by the swollen Yamuna River. While the water levels of the Yamuna have started to recede, challenges persist as heavy rainfall poses a threat, and the city faces waterlogged regions, infrastructure issues, and health risks. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has taken prompt action, assessing the situation upon his return from abroad.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been actively involved in rescue and relief operations, rescuing thousands of individuals. However, amidst the crisis, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ruling in the Delhi government has engaged in a blame game with the Lieutenant Governor (LG) and the BJP, raising concerns about effective coordination in mitigating the floods.

PM Modi took stock of the situation

Upon his arrival in Delhi from his foreign trips, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wasted no time in reaching out to Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to assess the flood-like situation in the capital. On Saturday, July 15, PM Modi spoke to LG Saxena to gather information about the progress made in dealing with the flood crisis in Delhi. Officials reported that the Prime Minister emphasised the need for effective mitigation efforts and instructed authorities to work collaboratively with the central government’s support.

LG Vinai Kumar Saxena shared the details of the conversation on Twitter, stating, “Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, called up as soon as he reached home and took a detailed account of the flood situation in Delhi and took complete information about the related efforts being made. He again instructed us to do all possible work in the interest of the people of Delhi with the help and cooperation of the Centre.”

Rescue efforts of NDRF

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been at the forefront of rescue and relief operations in the flood-affected areas of Delhi. With a total of 16 teams deployed in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), the NDRF has been actively engaged in saving lives and providing assistance to affected residents.

According to the NDRF spokesperson, the force has successfully evacuated a total of 6,345 people, including men, women, and children, from the flood-affected regions. In addition, the NDRF teams have rescued 912 animals, including cows and buffaloes, that were stranded due to the rising water levels. The force has been working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected individuals.

The NDRF has also provided medical attention to around 500 individuals who required immediate medical assistance due to injuries or health issues related to the floods. The force’s medical teams have been deployed to offer on-site medical support, ensuring that the affected residents receive the necessary care.

Water Level Updates

While the water levels of the Yamuna River have slightly receded, the situation in many parts of Delhi remains challenging. As of Sunday morning, July 16, the water level of the Yamuna was recorded at 206.02 meters, which is still above the danger mark of 205.33 meters. The Central Water Commission predicts a further decrease in the water level to 205.75 meters by 10 pm on the same day, indicating a slow improvement in the flood situation.

Waterlogging continues to be a significant issue in various parts of the city, with several arterial roads and low-lying areas severely affected. The Delhi Traffic Police have reported ongoing disruptions in traffic movement due to waterlogging, creating inconvenience for commuters.

Water Supply and infrastructure issues

The closure of water treatment plants at Wazirabad and Chandrawal has significantly impacted the water supply in Delhi. However, the Delhi government has announced that normal water supply is expected to resume as the water treatment plants are set to start functioning. The restoration of the water supply will help alleviate the difficulties faced by residents in accessing clean and safe water. The Chandrawal water treatment plant was restored late on 15th July 2023.

Infrastructure issues, such as damaged roads and overflowing sewers, have exacerbated the flooding situation in several areas. The authorities are working towards addressing these issues and ensuring the smooth flow of traffic as the floodwaters recede.

Weather Forecast

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a weather forecast indicating the possibility of light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) over the next few days. This forecast raises concerns about the potential for further waterlogging, flooding, and additional challenges in relief and rehabilitation efforts. Residents are advised to remain vigilant, take necessary precautions, and stay updated with official advisories.

AAP-BJP Blame Game

Amidst the flood crisis, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ruling in the Delhi government has engaged in a political blame game, targeting the Lieutenant Governor (LG) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). AAP ministers have alleged a lack of cooperation from the LG’s office and blamed the BJP-led central government for the mismanagement of the floods.

One of the key points of controversy arose when Atishi, a prominent AAP leader, shared screenshots of WhatsApp messages allegedly sent to Ashwani Kumar, the Divisional Commissioner, Delhi. These messages purportedly highlighted the lack of coordination and support from the administrative officers during the flood crisis. Atishi’s allegations suggested that the IAS officers did not cooperate adequately with the government, leading to challenges in managing the flood situation.

In response to the allegations, Ashwani Kumar addressed the controversy, stating, “This is very unfortunate to make such accusations during such a critical time. I had a word with Atishi Ji. I spoke with her yesterday. This shows that maybe they want to do politics. If you say I am responsible, then I am ready to take on the responsibilities. Unlike others, I won’t blame anyone.”

Gautam Gambhir, the Member of Parliament from East Delhi and a prominent BJP leader, also criticized the AAP administration for its inadequate efforts in improving the city’s infrastructure, which he believes is a significant factor contributing to the present emergency. In response to the blame game, Gambhir expressed his concerns, stating, “It’s unfortunate that Delhi is flooded today. This situation does not come as a surprise to me as the present government has not invested in building infrastructure in the city. The Chief Minister had promised to make Delhi a world-class city.”

The ongoing blame game between the AAP and the BJP raises concerns about effective coordination and the prioritization of relief efforts in this hour of crisis.

Key challenges for Delhi residents post-flood

The challenges ahead for Delhi residents after the recent floods include the risk of encountering snakes and snake bites, the spread of waterborne diseases due to contaminated water sources, increased incidence of vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria, limited access to healthcare services, the need for rehabilitation and infrastructure repair, and the importance of monitoring weather predictions for potential rainfall. Timely actions, collaboration, and awareness are crucial in addressing these challenges and ensuring the well-being of the affected population.

Uttar Pradesh: Two Arrested in Kaushambi for converting Hindus to Christianity under the guise of quack medical treatment

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Two Arrested in Kaushambi for converting Hindus to Christianity under the guise of quack medical treatment

On 15th July 2023, two individuals were arrested by the police in Uttar Pradesh’s Kaushambi district for their involvement in converting Hindus to Christianity under the guise of quack medical treatment. The arrests were made following an FIR filed by Mahendra Tiwari, a resident of Akbarabad, at Sarai Akil Kotwali on June 27. Three persons were already arrested in the case, and now two more have been nabbed.

According to the complaint, a group of people, including Ramchandra Pal, Gulbbo, Nanka, Panna, Govind from Athraha Mawai, and Gulbadan from Rasoolpur in Pipri, were organising a weekly gathering called the ‘Changai Sabha.’ During these meetings, they purported to cure people’s ailments by waving a broom in front of them.

However, it was alleged that their primary motive was not to provide any medical assistance but rather to exploit vulnerable individuals by pressuring them to renounce Hinduism and convert to Christianity. It was reported that many people had fallen victim to this scheme, enticed by promises of monetary incentives.

After a thorough investigation, the police arrested three individuals, Govind, Gulbadan Pal, and Abhishek, who were subsequently sent to jail. The latest arrests of Nanka and Panna on 15th July marked another significant development in the case. Following their arrest, both individuals were produced before the court and subsequently remanded to judicial custody.

Several such cases of conversions in the guise of quack medical treatment in the regions have emerged in the recent past. Several people have been arrested after locals filed cases against them. It is alleged that the quacks organise Changai Sabhas for this purpose and they mainly target Dalits as their easy prey.

The police authorities have taken the matter seriously, considering the serious allegations of religious conversion through deceptive means. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding religious freedom and maintaining respect for diverse faiths within society. The police are likely to continue their efforts to identify any additional individuals involved in this alleged conversion racket. It is anticipated that further legal proceedings will shed light on the extent of the operation and bring about justice for those affected by these fraudulent activities.

CPIM organises anti-UCC event but avoids inviting Muslim women to speak on the issue, fearing backlash from Islamic outfit

OpIndia Staff
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CPIM organises anti-UCC event but avoids inviting Muslim women to speak on the issue, fearing backlash from Islamic outfit

On Saturday (July 15), the Communist Party of India (CPIM) organised a ‘people’s seminar’ against the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the Kozhikode city of Kerala but did not allow Muslim women to speak about the issue, reported Onmanorama.

The event, which was inaugurated by CPIM leader Sitaram Yechury, had 28 speakers in total but not a single Muslim woman made it to the list. While speaking about the matter, noted Malayalam author Dr Khadeeja Mumthas said that it was a wrong decision by the CPI(M).

She informed that the organisers of the ‘people’s seminar’ approached her but did not send her a formal invitation as some of her views of UCC were in contrast to that of the CPIM.

“They (the organisers) asked me about my willingness to speak at the seminar during a meeting ahead of the programme. As I opened up about my stand at the time, their response was not positive…Muslim women are facing difficulties resulting from the Muslim personal law,” she emphasised.

Dr Mumthas further added, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken about implementing the UCC; that said, the issues faced by Muslim women are still a reality. In this context, a seminar to discuss the UCC must include Muslim women as speakers at the least.”

CPIM justifies decision to not invite female Muslim speakers

The Communist Party of India was however quick to justify that inviting Muslim speakers for an event on the Uniform Civil Code was not necessary.

MLA Kanathil Jameela claimed, “There were women representatives on the stage, like Mayor Dr Beena Philip, and Women’s Commission Chairperson Advocate P. Sathidevi and former minister PK Sreemathy. Apart from that, leaders of the Muslim community (referring to men) were also there to talk on behalf of Muslim women. That’s enough.”

She further said that there were hundreds of women in the audience and thus it was not mandatory to invite Muslim women to speak on the Uniform Civil Code.

Influence of Islamic outfit ‘Samastha’ in the decision-making process

An ultra-conservative Islamic outfit named ‘Samastha’ was invited by the CPIM to be a part of the event. The organisation has vowed to provide full support to the Communist Party in opposing the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code.

The secretary of Samastha, Umar Faizy Mukkom, said, “Whoever reacts strongly against UCC, Samastha will stand alongside them. Our president Jifri Muthukkoya Thangal has already stated this. Samastha will stand with CPIM in this matter.”

According to the founder of NISA, which advocates for reformation in Muslim Personal Law, CPIM did not invite Muslim women to appease leaders of Samastha.

V P Zuhara “They can’t invite Muslim ladies on stage, as they want to appease Samastha (Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama) leaders…Now we demand inclusion of Muslims under the Indian Succession Act…”

Writer Dr Hameed Chennamangaloor also attributed the absence of Muslim women in the ‘people’s seminar’ to the presence of Samastha leaders.

Kanwar Yatra: Six kanwariya pilgrims electrocuted to death, more than 10 injured after coming in contact with a high tension wire, investigation underway

OpIndia Staff
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Kanwar Yatra: Six kanwariya pilgrims electrocuted to death, more than 10 injured after coming in contact with a high tension wire, investigation underway

Six kanwariya pilgrims, including an eight-year-old boy, were electrocuted to death when their DJ vehicle came in contact with a high-tension overhead wire near Rauli Chauhan village, Bhawanpur area of Meerut district on the evening of 15th July.

One of the deceased, Manish, was declared dead on the spot while the rest succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. In addition, more than 10 kanwariyas received injuries and are being treated at multiple hospitals. Some are reported to be in critical condition.

Following the mishap, devotees jammed the roads to protest about the incident and accused the electrical department staff of recklessness. District Magistrate Deepak Meena confirmed the deaths and stated that the wounded are being medically treated.

The tragic incident transpired around 8.15 PM, some 500 metres from the village, while the pilgrims were on their way home after carrying water from the Holy Ganges, per the police. According to Senior Superintendent of Police Rohit Singh Sajwan, the former’s DJ car which was playing celebratory music collided with a low-hanging high-tension power wire that was traversing the road. The minor who passed away was reportedly standing adjacent to the four-wheeler.

The villagers hurried to the scene and contacted the power station to disconnect the electricity supply amid the chaos. Afterwards, they organised a demonstration and demanded action against the electricity department’s officials for their negligence.

A local resident said, “The accident was a result of negligence in the preparation for the Kanwar Yatra,” resonating with the views of the others. Their demand for responsibility and justice highlighted the unrest following the horrible instance. Police informed that additional forces have been deployed to avoid any untoward incident.

Kanwar Yatra

Kanwar Yatra is an annual pilgrimage of devotees of Shiva, known as kanwariyas to Hindu pilgrimage places of Haridwar, Gaumukh and Gangotri in Uttarakhand and Sultanganj in Bhagalpur, Bihar to fetch the holy waters of Ganges River.

Millions of devotees fetch sacred water from the river Ganga and carry it on their shoulders for hundreds of miles to offer it in their local Śiva shrines, or specific temples such as Pura Mahadeva temple in Baghpat district and Augharnath temple in Meerut, Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, Baidyanath temple in Deoghar etc.

It is the biggest religious event in the country, attracting between 10 and 12 million people from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Jharkhand each year. The pilgrims, who wear saffron attires, usually walk barefoot beside moving vehicles on roads as a sign of their devotion.

Rajasthan: Junaid Khan poses as Rohit Pradhan to lure a Hindu woman, rapes her repeatedly and takes her money, threatens to kill after truth came out

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: Junaid Khan poses as Rohit Pradhan to lure a Hindu woman, rapes her repeatedly and takes her money, threatens to kill after truth came out

On Saturday, July 15, a woman in the Alwar district of Rajasthan filed a case at Sadar police station alleging that a Muslim man lured her into marrying him by posing as a Hindu. The complainant alleged that Junaid Khan, a resident of Kakrali village pretended to be Rohit, got married to her and raped her for over a year. 

In her complaint, the 24-year-old Hindu woman who works at a beauty parlour stated that she met Junaid Khan in February last year at a marriage function. She added that Junaid introduced himself as Rohit Pradhan and the two soon started chatting over Instagram. 

The complainant alleged that accused Junaid often asked for money from her saying that the financial condition of his family is not good. He took a total of Rs 8 lakh from her often in cash or through online payments. 

Moreover, the victim alleged that when she went to Alwar on April 11, 2022, the accused Junaid intoxicated her at a hotel and raped her. She alleged that Junaid Khan also took obscene pictures and videos of the same. He used the pictures and video to blackmail her and rape her multiple times. 

On 3rd July this year, the woman alleged that when she went to Jodhpur for some work, Junaid alias Rohit arrived there as well and blackmailed he using her objectionable pictures and videos. The accused allegedly raped the victim again. Later on, when she talked about getting married, Junaid took her to a rented accommodation in Alwar and on July 12 raped her again.

In the meantime, Junaid posing as Rohit married the Hindu woman. She showed a photo as evidence, which shows the man applying vermilion on her forehead, the Hindu custom of marriage. She also used to talk to his family. But despite the marriage, he didn’t keep her with him. But he used to meet her at various places and have forcefully physical relations with her despite her objections.

The woman said that accused Junaid Khan’s mother often used to ask her for money giving some or the other excuse.

The complainant woman said that when she went to Kakrali village, she came to know that the person she knew as Rohit Pradhan is actually Junaid Khan. Moreover, she learnt that the accused Junaid Khan is already married to another woman. Upon learning the truth, the victim returned to Alwar. 

According to the complaint, on July 13th, accused Junaid Khan barged into the victim’s house at around 8 pm with a knife. He threatened to kill her if she talked about marriage or asked for the money she gave to him. Junaid also threatened to circulate the victim’s obscene photos and videos on social platforms. 

Meanwhile, Thana SHO Tarachand Sharma said that a complaint in the matter has been received. A woman has alleged that a man befriended by faking his identity and raped her. Police are investigating the matter and the search is on to arrest accused Junaid Khan. 

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