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Problems mount for Pakistan International Airlines, losses touch PKR 600 Billion, unable to operate a single day without funds from the national kitty

OpIndia Staff
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Problems mount for Pakistan International Airlines, losses touch PKR 600 Billion, unable to operate a single day without funds from the national kitty

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the country’s national carrier, is facing an unprecedented financial crisis, raising concerns about its ability to continue operations without support from the national fund. The accumulated losses of PIA have soared to over PKR 600 Billion, compelling the government to contemplate a time-bound restructuring plan through shadow management to salvage the airline’s future.

According to reports, the situation has become so severe that Pakistan International Airlines was unable to pay USD 50 million in navigation charges to Saudi Arabia, leading to potential disruptions in its operations after June 30, 2023. A top official expressed concern that the airline’s financial woes could eventually force its closure if the government stops infusing funds into the loss-making entity.

To counter the crisis, Pakistan International Airlines has outlined plans to include a Boeing 777 in its fleet by securing it on a lease, expanding its number of planes to 11. Nevertheless, given the bleak financial position, a comprehensive restructuring plan is seen as the only viable solution, potentially resulting in the division of PIA into three to four separate entities.

In addition to PIA’s troubles, Pakistan’s overall economic situation presents various challenges. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has suggested that undertaxed sectors, such as agriculture and construction, could be potential revenue sources if brought fully into the tax net. However, the federal minister for finance and revenue, Ishaq Dar, has denied any plans to tax these sectors further, leading to contrasting views on potential revenue generation strategies.

The PIA management recently held a meeting with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to discuss reviving the airline. During the meeting, it was highlighted that the airline could not be privatised due to legal constraints arising from its conversion from a statutory organization to a corporatised entity in 2016.

The Pakistani economy also faces challenges in revenue mobilisation. Tax collection from the agriculture sector in Punjab and Sindh, despite contributing significantly to GDP growth, remains disappointingly low at just PKR 4 billion per annum. Experts argue that to raise additional revenue, it is essential to target undertaxed sectors, including agriculture and real estate.

With over 35 per cent of the workforce and 22.7 per cent of GDP dependent on agriculture, there is a need to explore avenues to enhance tax collection in this sector. One suggestion is to increase flat tax rates for agriculture, particularly on irrigated lands. Similarly, the possibility of imposing a capital gains tax and conducting a comprehensive property valuation to correct tax anomalies on real estate merits consideration.

West Bengal: BJP worker stabbed to death in Uttar Dinajpur, BJP alleges TMC-backed goons killed him for refusing to pay cut money

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: BJP worker stabbed to death in Uttar Dinajpur, BJP alleges TMC-backed goons killed him for refusing to pay cut money

On the 22nd of July, a trader named Aseem Saha, who was associated with the BJP was stabbed to death by some miscreants at his shop in the Uttar Dinajpur’s Islampur area in West Bengal. According to the Police, Saha was a businessman from Cooch Behar district. He had come to his maternal uncle Ratan’s saree shop when the incident took place.

It is alleged that he was killed for refusing to give extortion or cut money. The principal opposition party, BJP has alleged that TMC-backed goons are involved in the murder of their party worker. However, the Police claim that the murder was a result of personal rivalry. 

Meanwhile, a shocking video of this gruesome killing surfaced online. Around three to four men entering the trader’s shop are seen in the purported CCTV footage. They then overpower him and the assailants start stabbing the trader with a knife. When another trader tried to intervene, he also sustained injuries. Both the victims were rushed to a hospital in Siliguri where Aseem Saha was declared brought dead.

After analysing the CCTV footage and details from the eyewitnesses present at the crime scene, the police arrested a suspect a few hours after the brutal killing took place. The police have launched an investigation into the matter.

The police said, “This seems to be a personal dispute and not a political matter. An argument took place between the attackers and the victim and Saha was attacked with a knife.” 

However, according to the functionaries of the Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), Aseem Saha protested against the TMC-backed miscreants and refused to give extortion or cut money which led to his unfortunate demise. 

Subsequently, to register their protest against the gruesome killing, BJP’s youth wing called for a 12 hours general strike in Islampur. 

BJP District vice-president, Uttar Dinajpur Surajit Sen blamed the TMC-backed goons for the death of their party worker. He also urged the local residents to support their strike against the gruesome killings taking place in the state. 

He said, “Yesterday, a cloth dealer was stabbed to death for protesting against some goons associated with TMC who were demanding money from him. He died before reaching the hospital. We have called for a general strike in the Islampur area. We have requested locals in Islampur to support the strike.”

BJYM State President Indranil Khan claimed that the Mamata Banerjee government and the West Bengal police are not functioning properly. 

Khan said, “Aseem Saha was one of our workers. He was working in his store when some TMC goons stabbed him to death in daylight. After a few hours, Aseem was dead. The Police and administration under Mamata Banerjee are not functioning properly. We called a strike against the killing of Aseem Saha and the people of Islampur.”

In the wake of the gruesome daylight killing and a general strike called by the BJYM, the West Bengal police have beefed up the security in the entire stretch of Uttar Dinajpur’s Islampur area. 

Responding to the BJYM’s call for a strike, the Police said, “The BJP has called for a 12-hour bandh and if any attempt is made to disturb law and order, we will take legal action.” 

The TMC-ruled state has been witnessing an unceasing spate of violence particularly after the announcement of the Panchayat polls which have claimed the lives of more than 40 people. However, violent incidents and crimes against women are still continuing unabated in the state. In fact, in a political rarity, the left, Congress, and BJP have unequivocally termed the precarious situation in the state as an assault on the democratic setup in the state. 

Remembering ‘Operation West End’ and how Tehelka magazine framed an Army Major General in false corruption case

Dibakar Dutta
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Remembering ‘Operation West End’ and how Tehelka magazine framed an Army Major General in false corruption case

It was March 2001. Tehelka, a news outfit founded by Tarun Tejpal, decided to ‘uncover’ corruption within the defence establishments and political circles.

They floated a fake company by the name of ‘West End International’ and set out to sell hand-held thermal cameras/ imagers to the Government of India.

‘Journalists’ Aniruddha Bahal and Mathew Samuel posed as ‘arms dealers’ and tried to secure defence contracts as part of their sting dubbed ‘Operation West End.’

Tehelka’s team employed hidden cameras and audio recording devices to capture conversations with high-ranking officials and politicians involved in defence deals.

The undercover investigation spanned several months. Some prominent politicians, bureaucrats, and army personnel were caught on camera accepting bribes and discussing kickbacks in defence deals.

Tehelka was soon in the dock over entrapment charges, the missing ‘authenticity’ in its evidence, and lack of ethics as displayed through its bribing of officials to create sensationalism.

Use of prostitutes by Tehelka during Operation West End

As per reports, Tehelka journalists extended their sting operation, much beyond exposing corruption. Aniruddha Bahal and Mathew Samuel arranged for call girls and even filmed explicit encounters involving three defence officials.

The revelation has caused uproar and had also turned public sentiment against Tehelka, as it raised ethical questions and challenged the moral high ground that the news portal once took. Tehelka was criticised by politicians such as Madhavrao Scindia and Chandra Shekhar.

BJP’s George Fernandes had infamously said, “There cannot be any doubt that a crime against the country has been committed.” Another BJP MP Raghunath Jha emphasised, “If prostitutes were hawked, then certainly an offence is made out.”

Samata party demanded the arrest of the CEO of Tehelka. Party spokesperson Shambhu Shrivastava had said, “This is not journalism. We always maintained that they were pretenders playing into hands of anti-national forces.”

“The use of prostitutes have raised grave issues and we want stringent action to be taken against these blackmailers who were masquerading as journalists,” he pointed out.

Tehelka framed an Indian Army officer

On Friday (July 21) this year, the Delhi High Court directed ‘Tehelka’ magazine, its founder Tarun Tejpal and two other ‘jounalists’ to pay ₹2 crores to a retired Indian Army office for defaming him during their infamous sting, dubbed the ‘Operation West End.’

The officer, identified as Major General MS Ahluwalia, had filed the defamation case in 2002 after the magazine accused him of taking bribes in defence deals.

He had named Tehelka and its journalists Tarun Tejpal, Aniruddha Bahal and Mathew Samuel, saying they published false allegations against him. Zee TV, its chairman Subhash Chandra and CEO Sandeep Goyal were also named in the defamation case, as the sting operation was broadcast on Zee TV.

As a result of the false allegations against him, Major General MS Ahluwalia was court-martialled by the Indian Army with the recommendation to dismiss him from the service. Later, the punishment was downgraded and he was awarded Severe Displeasure (Recordable)’ by the army chief.

A case was also lodged against him under Sections 9 and 10 of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) by the Central Bureau of Investigation. At that time, he was the Director-General, Ordnance, in the Indian Army and oversaw the functioning of the central depot for ammunition and technical stores.

In the sting, Ahluwalia was seen offering a bribe of ₹50,000, but he refused to accept it. However, it was alleged that he had said he would need money to introduce West End officials with top army brass.

Tehelka had also claimed that the army officer had demanded a bottle of Blue Label. MS Ahluwalia had denied the allegations made by Tehelka and said that when Tehelka did the sting, he was not involved in any post related to the selection or purchase of imported weapons.

“I am not involved in process of cases of import of equipment which is handled by Additional Director General, Weapons and Equipment (ADGWE) and has never held any post which is involved in selection and import of new equipment,” he had said.

It is notable that initially, Tehelka had claimed he had demanded ₹1 lakh, but later changed it to ₹50,000. In the army’s court of inquiry, Tehelka journalist Mathew Samuel admitted that Ahluwalia never demanded any money or expensive whiskey

Conclusion

In the late 1990s, the Indian defence sector was mired in controversy over the procurement of defence equipment and arms deals. After sensing an opportunity, Tehelka decided to embark on its ambitious mission of investigative journalism.

For Tarun Tejpal’s close-knit ‘ecosystem’ of journalists and activists, the ‘Operation West End’ of Tehelka is perhaps a watershed moment in Indian investigative journalism. However, it failed to capture the imagination of the Indian public for a long time.

“The alleged use of women, liquor, and money by the reporters to lure the unsuspecting in this whole episode have worked against Tehelka in the long term,” wrote Media Ethics Magazine in its case study.

While Tehelka set out to expose the dark realities of corruption within the Indian defence establishment, it uncovered its own lack of journalistic ethics and integrity in framing Major General MS Ahluwalia.

Delhi: Family including women arrested for assaulting another family in Sant Nagar over a parking dispute, video of the incident went viral

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi: Family including women arrested for assaulting another family in Sant Nagar over a parking dispute, video of the incident went viral

Several members of a family were arrested on 22 July for attacking three individuals over a parking dispute in southeast Delhi’s Amar Colony. According to a senior police officer, on 23 June, Amar Colony Police Station received a call which reported a brawl in Sant Nagar’s B-block.

Police discovered that the altercation between two Sant Nagar residents sparked over a parking matter. The victims were beaten up by Daljeet Singh, his wife Kudrat Kaur and son Harjap Singh, along with some of their family members. An official informed that the elderly couple along with Harjap and another woman were apprehended after a complaint was filed against them.

The anticipatory bail requests for three of the women involved in the instance were twice denied. Two of them were consequently taken into custody and arrested by the police. However, the high court granted temporary protection to one female.

A video of the entire occurrence surfaced on social media showing the perpetrators assaulting the three people. Following a more extensive investigation, police amended the initial First Information Report to include sections 354 and 147, 148, and 149 of the Indian Penal Code which are all related to assault or rioting with lethal weapons.

The appalling video

A video of the incident went viral on social media. A man in a blue t-shirt, accompanied by his female companion in orange, was seen standing in a parking area surrounded by several parked cars in the footage. It seemed the issue was regarding the parking of a brown Maruti Suzuki S-CROSS ZETA car. An old Sikh man in a white t-shirt with a stick in hand was conversing with the presumed owner of the vehicle while gesturing with a stick in his hand, asking him to remove the vehicle from that spot.

Shockingly, while the man in a t-shirt and shorts was responding by saying something, the sikh man struck the man with a thick stick. When a woman tried to stop him, he aggressively pushed her. Meanwhile, the women who were with the turban-clad male hauled her back as he continued to hit the victim from behind.

The victim man didn’t try to assault back the old Sikh man despite the fact that he was hit several times by the stick with full force amid the confrontation.

Interestingly, the brown S-Cross car has an ANI sticker on its windshield, indicating that its owner works at the media agency.

Reaction of netizens

Social media users reacted to the video pointing out how one family was relentlessly attacking another family over a parking dispute.

Dibakar Dutta referred to the family as uncivilised and stated, “Possibly 55 years old but hasn’t learnt to co-exist in a civilised manner. In India, there is no outrage over casual assaults such as this, especially if it does not lead to grievous hurt. The man’s wife and daughter are equally uncivilised.”

One user raised a question about the horrible conduct and commented, “Aren’t these our elders?”

Ajay Sapra wrote that this is “glimpses of time to come.” He remarked, “People are losing their sanity, behavioural changes in action and thoughts.” He went on to blame the inability of the executive and the judiciary for the incident.

However, another countered the claim and posted, “A lot of Sikhs that I have met over the years always had the conviction that they can get away with anything. Let us tell the truth that this is not influenced by something recent, Sikhs are also ready to play the victim card when needed.”

One netizen expressed his distress over the situation and voiced, “People are living on very short fuses these days. I’m sure, but for the parking issue that’s got them going, they must be perfectly good people who would jump to help each other when in distress. Sad.”

Similar recent incident

The instance transpired a few weeks after some of the residents of Delhi’s Mangolpuri neighbourhood battered a 37-year-old man and his parents with sticks over a parking issue. The startling event took place on 2 July at night while Kapil, a Rohini resident, was visiting his parents in the area. He was assaulted by Diler Singh and his three sons Sher Singh, Armaan and Sibbo over the parking of his motorbike.

He told the police that his 55-year-old mother and 60-year-old father Naresh were also attacked when they tried to protect him. There had always been animosity between the families.

The pair were taken to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial (SGM) Hospital for medical attention after the confrontation was reported to the police. Despite still being hospitalised, the injured are in stable condition. Diler Singh and Sher Singh were arrested for attempted murder and common intention, respectively, in accordance with the Indian Penal Code sections 307 and 34.

Bengaluru: Woman alleges Rapido driver masturbated during ride, sent ‘love you’ messages to her, accused arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Bengaluru: Woman alleges Rapido driver masturbated during ride, sent ‘love you’ messages to her, accused arrested

On 22nd July, Bengaluru’s Electronic City Police arrested 23-year-old Rapido driver Kuruvettappa Shivappa from Haveri for allegedly masturbating during the ride and sending ‘love you’ messages to the female Rapido passenger afterwards. The incident was shared by the female Rapido customer Athira Purushothaman on social media on 21st July. Following her tweets, several other Rapido customers came forward with similar stories of harassment. Rapido runs a bike taxi service where two-wheelers are used as taxis instead of cars or autos.

In a tweet thread, Athira said the incident occurred on 21st July while she was returning from a protest near Town Hall in Bengaluru. As she could not book an auto, she opted for a Rapido bike. When the driver came for pickup, she noticed that the bike differed from the one on the app. The driver gave the excuse that his original bike registered with the app was gone for servicing. After she confirmed the booking on his phone, she proceeded for the ride.

During the ride, the driver allegedly indulged in inappropriate behaviour when they reached a secluded area. She said that he started driving using one hand and masturbate with the other hand. Feeling unsafe, she remained silent. She then asked the driver to drop her 200 meters before the scheduled location so that he does not know her real residence.

However, her ordeal did not stop as the driver started calling and messaging her on WhatsApp. When she questioned why he was calling her as payment was already made, he sent “love you” messages. Athira shared the screenshots of the letters on social media. She then blocked her number.

Expressing her concern on social media, she questioned the verification process by Rapido. She demanded immediate steps to ensure the passengers’ safety. Bengaluru Police, in response to the incident, said the SJ Park Police station was informed about the incident to take further action.

In a tweet, Athira said she filed an official complaint, and the driver was arrested. She expressed her gratitude for the tremendous support she received on social media. She added she would take appropriate legal action against the driver and demand an investigation into Rapido’s safety measures as it was not an isolated incident.

Responding to her tweet, Bengaluru City police said that an FIR was registered at Electronic City Police Station and the accused has been arrested. CK Baba, DSP of South East Bengaluru Police, tweeted, “Just nabbed a real sicko on wheels!” He said that a criminal case is lodged at Electronic City Police Station on a guy who was pretending to be a Rapido bike rider.

Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, the Rapido team said that they took strict action against the driver involved in the incident and suspended him from the platform. “We fully cooperate with the investigating authorities and provide all necessary support to the affected passenger during this challenging time. Our dedicated team is working closely with all relevant parties to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident,” Rapido representative said.

Rapido further added to ensure secure communication, the conversations between customers and Rapido drivers take place using a third-party call masking service and urged customers not to share their personal numbers with the driver.

Cracks appear in the opposition’s I.N.D.I.A. alliance, Bengal Congress President Adhir Ranjan says TMC entering alliance only because it needs Congress

OpIndia Staff
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Cracks appear in the opposition’s I.N.D.I.A. alliance, Bengal Congress President Adhir Ranjan says TMC entering alliance only because it needs Congress

On 22nd July, Congress’s party floor leader in Lok Sabha and Bengal Congress President Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury launched a fresh attack on Trinamool Congress (TMC) led by Mamata Banerjee. His statement came days after the opposition parties formed a new alliance named Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance or I.N.D.I.A. to contest against NDA in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024.

In less than ten days, the cracks among the allied parties have started to get wider. Earlier, Punjab Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa had openly opposed any alliance with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) after their entry into I.N.D.I.A. coalition.

Speaking at a press conference, Choudhury said, “She (Mamata) came to power in 2011 with the help of the Congress. Then she denied that. The people of the state have become disillusioned with Mamata Banerjee now. So, she felt that she should now join hands with Congress… The Trinamool now desperately needs the Congress.”

He added, “Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra united the entire country. Rahul Gandhi’s leadership is a clear sign of change in India as a whole. The TMC realised that if they did not join with the politics of Rahul Gandhi, then the party would split.”

Interestingly, TMC leaders have shown restraint in giving any statement in return, keeping the alliance in mind. TMC leader Shantanu Sen said, “The TMC came to power in West Bengal with more than 180 seats. That number has only increased, but Congress became zero in 2021. Keeping in mind the alliance, we are not attacking Congress, but that doesn’t mean we are weak. We are powerful enough in West Bengal to fight against the BJP. We do not need anybody’s help.”

Taking a dig at the situation, BJP West Bengal president Suvendhu Adhikari said, “Those who want to fight against this (the TMC) government, come and fight with the BJP. Or create a platform where you can stand and fight all out against the tyrannical state government… If you want to fight against this state government after seeing the pictures of the leaders who attended the alliance meeting, the people of West Bengal will not believe you. This is friendship in Delhi and wrestling in Bengal.”

Punjab Congress revolted against any alliance with Congress

Earlier on 22nd July, Punjab LoP and Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa said that Punjab Congress were against forming an alliance with the ruling AAP party.

Speaking to ANI, he said, “Congress for a long time has been one of the two major parties of Punjab…People wanted a change, they brought these people (AAP) to power, and people have been suffering…Punjab has been suffering economically, law & order and otherwise also…I am sure in the 2024 parliamentary elections, Congress will come back with a big margin. One alliance is led by BJP, the other by Congress, so when they cast their vote, it is going to be either for BJP or for Congress. AAP does not figure anywhere. Why should we form an alliance with AAP?”

Objecting to the alliance between AAP and Congress, he added, “Punjab Congress unit is completely against this (forming an alliance with AAP)… I will meet Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday and request that he not forge an alliance with them (AAP). We were not in alliance with them in the past and will not be in future also.”

Earlier, Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Warring also spoke against alliance with AAP. He accused AAP of targeting Congress leaders and said former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister OP Soni was “forcibly put in jail”.

Meiteis living in Mizoram start to leave the state after ex-militant outfit warns them to leave ‘for their own safety’

OpIndia Staff
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Meiteis living in Mizoram start to leave the state after ex-militant outfit warns them to leave ‘for their own safety’

Days after outrage over the incident in Manipur where two women were paraded naked and sexually abused, the Meitei community residing in Mizoram is compelled to leave their homeland. 

This comes after a former militant organisation named Peace Accord MNF Returnees Association (PAMRA) issued a  statement warning the Meiteis to leave Mizoram saying that they should “leave the state for their own safety as there is anger among Mizo youth” over the incident involving two Kuki-Zomi women being paraded naked and sexually assaulted. 

PAMRA stated that the brutality meted out to the Zomi-ethnic group in Manipur has profoundly affected Mizo sensibilities, adding a warning that if violence transpires against Meiteis in Mizoram, they will shoulder the burden of blame. “The Meiteis will be held responsible if they fail to leave Mizoram,” the PAMRA statement said. It is notable that the Mizos have close ties with the Kuki-Zomis of Manipur.

The statement issued by PAMRA

PAMRA said in its statement, “The situation in Mizoram has become tense and it is no longer safe for Meitei people from Manipur to live in Mizoram in the wake of barbaric and heinous acts committed by miscreants in Manipur.”

Despite PAMRA Secretary General C Lalthenlova’s claim that it was a ‘normal’ safety appeal and that their statement expressing ‘concern’ was misconstrued as a threat, Meiteis were said to have started leaving Mizoram on Saturday, assuming a threat. Most people have started leaving Mizoram by road, driving towards Assam.

It is notable that over 2,000 Meitei people live in Aizawl, Mizoram’s capital, including government employees, students, and workers. Many hail from Barak Valley in Assam.

“Many of the Meiteis are running, leaving their belongings behind in their rented houses. Many of the people from Barak Valley are leaving by road, and there are also many people who are seeking shelter at Aizawl airport. People are scared,” a person who works in a private company and leaving Aizwal with his family of 4 in his car told Indian Express.

According to a report by The Hindu, airline officials who operate flights to and from Lengpui airport in Aizawl, approximately 60 people took flights to Imphal’s Tulihal airport. According to Imphal airport officials, 56 Meiteis arrived from Mizoram on an Alliance Air flight. Meanwhile, several Meitei people are said to have departed Aizawl and other areas of Mizoram by means of buses and taxis.

Nagaland Chief Minister Zoramthanga had earlier assured Manipur CM N Biren Singh regarding the safety of Meiteis in Mizoram during their telephonic conversation.

Following the issuance of the statement on Friday night, Mizoram’s DIG Northern Range issued an order asking that security personnel be sent to four locations to “ensure the safety of Meiteis in Aizawl.” Mizoram Home Commissioner H Lalengmawia said that he spoke to PAMRA and they said that their messages has been misinterpreted. “They said that it was not a threat but an expression of concern for the security of the Meitei people, issued in good faith. Because of the effect it has had, we resolved that they will withdraw their statement,” he said, but the Meitei people in Mizoram are scared after seeing the violence in Manipur and don’t want to face the same.

Lalengmawia also met representatives of All Mizoram Manipuri Association and assured them of their safety and security. He asked them to persuade the Meiteis to not leave the state.

On the other hand, the Manipur government said it is willing to evacuate them from the state through chartered flight. The Manipur government’s spokesperson said that people had started leaving Mizoram after tension following the PAMRA statement, but the tension may reduce after the Mizoram home department’s assurance.

PAMRA representatives expressed regret that their statement was misconstrued, insisting that they didn’t issue a threat. They assured that they will not do anything that would affect peace and tranquillity in the State.

Notably, Meiteis make up around 53% of Manipur’s population and dwell predominantly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, account for 40% and reside primarily in the hill regions. 

Manipur has been burning amid conflict between the two ethnic groups, Meiteis and Kukis. Tensions flared up on May 3 following a ‘Tribal solidarity march’ which was organized against the Meitei community seeking ST status.

Oppenheimer’s Bhagavad Gita scene sparks row, Save India Save Culture Foundation urges Union I&B Minister to take action

OpIndia Staff
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Oppenheimer’s Bhagavad Gita scene sparks row, Save India Save Culture Foundation urges Union I&B Minister to take action

Amidst outrage over a scene from actor Cillian Murphy starrer Oppenheimer, wherein he is seen reciting Bhagavad Gita’s shloks while having sex, Uday Mahurkar of Save Culture Save India Foundation (SCSIF) on Saturday, July 22, issued a statement urging the Information and Broadcast Ministry to take action in this regard. He said that the film has hurt the Hindu religious sentiments. The Christopher Nolan directorial venture had a theatrical release on July 21, 2023.

“It has come to the notice of Save Culture Save India Foundation that the movie Oppenheimer, which was released on 21st July, contains scenes which make a scathing attack on Hinduism. A scene in the movie shows a woman making a man read Bhagwad Geeta aloud while getting over him and doing sexual intercourse,” the statement tweeted by Uday Mahurkar read.

Moreover, the statement issued by Save Culture Save India Foundation expressed shock over how even the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) approved the scene without any cuts or alterations. 

“A divine gift to human civilisation by Bhagwan Sri Krishna, the Bhagwad Geeta, is one of the most revered scriptures of Hinduism. Geeta has been the inspiration for countless sanyasis, brahmacharis and legends who live a life of self-control and perform selfless noble deeds. One is perplexed as to how the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) could approve the movie with this scene,” the statement reads. 

The Save Culture Save India Foundation further urged Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting to investigate and take action in this regard. 

“We are living in a very polarised world. So this should be investigated by the I & B Ministry on an urgent basis and those involved should be severely punished. As observed by Union I & B Minister Anurag Thakur ji recently and even courts in the last couple of years, the entertainment we get is insensitive to the cultural and moral sentiments of masses,” the statement adds.

The SCSIF further asserted that people are compelled to remain “powerless recipients” of continuous attacks on their core values, while content creators get free rein to spend millions creating and promoting unacceptable, even filthy content in the name of creativity. 

The statement concludes with SCSIF urging Union Minister Anurag Thakur to do everything to uphold the dignity of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and make necessary alterations in the processes involving content moderation so that such things are not repeated again. 

“The Foundation urges, on behalf of the public of this nation and the timeless tradition of lives being transformed by revered Geeta, the I & B Ministry to do all that is needed to uphold the dignity of the revered holy book of the Hindus, punish those involved and setting processes in place that such things do not happen in future,” SCSIF stated.

Oppenheimer and the Bhagavad Gita

It is notable that American scientist J Robert Oppenheimer recited the Bhagavad Gita Shlok after seeing the explosion of the atomic bomb. “Now I am become Death, destroyer of worlds,” Oppenheimer had said. 

The original shlok quoted from the Bhagavad Gita chapter 11 is told by Lord Krishna to prince Arjuna:

कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्प्रवृद्धो लोकान्समाहर्तुमिह प्रवृत्तः।
ऋतेऽपि त्वां न भविष्यन्ति सर्वेयेऽवस्थिताः प्रत्यनीकेषु योधाः॥॥ (11.32)

The shlok means, “I am mighty Time, the source of destruction that comes forth to annihilate the worlds. Even without your participation, the warriors arrayed in the opposing army shall cease to exist.”

While J Robert Oppenheimer’s interest towards Hindu Scriptures like Bhagvad Gita, Meghdut, and to some extent even Vedas is well known along with his fascination for Sanskrit, however, the veracity of the controversial scene depicting Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) reciting Gita Shlok while having sexual intercourse with Jean Tatlock (played by actress Florence Pugh) remains doubtful. 

‘X.com is coming’ – Elon Musk to ‘bid adieu’ to Twitter brand and logo

OpIndia Staff
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‘X.com is coming’ – Elon Musk to ‘bid adieu’ to Twitter brand and logo

On 22nd July (local time), Twitter’s chief and CTO Elon Musk said that the Twitter brand and all the ‘birds’ will soon be things of the past. He wrote, “And soon we shall bid adieu to the Twitter brand and, gradually, all the birds.” Earlier, Musk had said he would be rebranding Twitter as X.com.

In a follow-up tweet, Musk said that if a good enough logo was posted, it would be made live worldwide the next day.

Soon after his tweet, Twitter users posted several suggestions for the logo. After his initial tweet, Musk shared a logo posted by Sawyer Merritt, co-founder of Twin Birch USA. The logo was initially created for the now-discontinued X-Pod, a podcast about Musk and his ventures.

When Musk purchased Twitter for USD 44 billion in the last quarter of 2022, he announced that the purchase was an accelerant to creating X, ‘the everything app‘. Notably, when Musk launched his financial service in 1999, it was named ‘X’ but was later rebranded as PayPal. In 2017, Musk re-acquired X.com; since then, it has been one of his unused assets. In August 2022, he said that the x.com domain could be an alternative to social media platforms if he did not buy Twitter.

Further details about X.com are awaited.

Raigad Landslide: Death toll reaches 27, 78 still missing, authorities fear that death toll may go up to 100

OpIndia Staff
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Raigad Landslide: Death toll reaches 27, 78 still missing, authorities fear that death toll may go up to 100

The devastating Irshalwadi landslide in Raigad, Maharashtra, has resulted in the loss of 27 lives. Tragically, 78 people still remain unaccounted for, days after the landslide, leading to fears that the death toll could even surpass 100. Among the victims recovered on Saturday were four women and one man.

According to data from the Raigad district collectorate, Irshalwadi was home to 229 people, with 43 families residing in the area. Based on this information and the current tally of 27 fatalities and 78 missing individuals, it is estimated that 124 people survived the landslide. At present, 73 survivors are housed in relief camps, while 31 students remain at a residential tribal school. Additionally, four injured individuals are receiving medical care, and 16 others have sought refuge with their relatives.

Kamlu Pardhi (65), the Chief of the Irshalwadi tribal hamlet, explained the extent of the devastation, stating that out of the 48 houses in the area, only 10 houses and the Raigad Zila Parishad school remain standing. The landslide has not only shattered their lives but also robbed them of their livelihoods. The recovery efforts are hampered by the challenging task of extracting bodies buried under 20 feet of mud.

Authorities are grappling with the grim reality that chances of finding survivors diminish with each passing day. Decomposing bodies are posing further challenges for rescue teams, making identification increasingly difficult.

NDRF deputy commandant (operations), Deepak Tiwari, indicated that the district and state administration will determine whether to continue the rescue efforts. To aid in the operation, Cidco has deployed over a thousand labourers from its construction sites in Navi Mumbai. CM Eknath Shinde has instructed Cidco to construct houses for the landslide victims in a safer location nearby. The company has already provided 25 stretchers and 5,000 bottles of drinking water to support the relief efforts at the site.

On Saturday, 22nd July 2023, the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) announced that Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will provide support and adopt the children who have lost both their parents in the devastating landslide at Irshalwadi.

The Irshalwadi landslide occurred on Wednesday, 19th July 2023 in Irshalwadi village near Irshalgad. However, there is no paved road to reach that place.

During his visit to the site of the tragedy on Thursday, the chief minister assessed the ongoing relief and rescue efforts and extended an ex-gratia amount of ₹5 lakhs to the families of the deceased, providing financial support in their time of grief.

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