On Thursday, June 28, the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the introduction of the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023 in Parliament. The approved Bill will pave the way for establishing the NRF. The new foundation will seed, grow, and promote Research and Development (R&D) in the country.
Further, the NRF will foster a culture of research and innovation and impact Indian universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.
Cabinet approves Introduction of National Research Foundation Bill, 2023 in Parliament to strengthen research eco-system in the country
The approved Bill will pave the way to establish NRF that will seed, grow and promote Research and Development (R&D) and foster a culture of… pic.twitter.com/5YvFvN096k
After receiving approval in Parliament, the bill will establish the National Research Foundation (NRF) as the apex body responsible for providing strategic direction to scientific research in the country. Reportedly, this initiative aligns with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP).
As per the official statement of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the NRF will be established with a total investment of Rs. 50,000 crores over five years (2023-2028), after approval of the Parliament.
The statement adds that the Department of Science and Technology (DST) will serve as the administrative Department of NRF. Further, this department will be governed by a Governing Board that will consist of eminent researchers and professionals from various disciplines.
Furthermore, the scope of the NRF will be wide-ranging and it will impact all Ministers. Consequently, the Prime Minister will be the ex-officio President of the Board, and the Union Minister of Science & Technology & Union Minister of Education will be the ex-office Vice-Presidents.
An Executive Council chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India will oversee the functioning of NRF.
The intention of the bill is that NRF will forge collaborations among the industry, academia, government departments, and research institutions.
Additionally, this will facilitate the establishment of a mechanism to engage and involve industries and state governments, along with scientific and line ministries.
The NRF will primarily focus on two key aspects. First, it will work towards creating a policy framework that supports collaboration and cooperation. Second, it will establish regulatory processes aimed at encouraging increased spending by industries on research and development (R&D).
The new proposed bill, after approval from Parliament, will also repeal the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB). The SERB was earlier established in 2008 by an act of Parliament.
As per the Ministry’s statement, the new NRF, once established, will subsume the SERB. This would be possible as NRF would have an expanded mandate and cover activities over and above the actions of SERB.
As per media reports, the Monsoon Session of Parliament may likely function from July 17 to August 10 which is when the Union government will try to turn this bill into an Act.
ISRO on Wednesday announced that the launch of Chandrayaan-3 has been scheduled for mid-July. ISRO Chairman S Somnath said the agency is now awaiting its integration with the rocket.
“The Chandrayaan-3 is already fully built, assembled inside the fairing and we are waiting for integration with the rocket. Currently, the window of opportunity is between 12-19 of July, and we will take the earliest possible date,” Somnath said.
VIDEO | Chandrayaan-3 to be launched in July. "The Chandrayaan-3 is already fully built, assembled inside the fairing and we are waiting for integration with the rocket. Currently, the window of opportunity is between 12-19 of July, and we will take the earliest possible date,"… pic.twitter.com/oQhTARAJu9
The ISRO chief said that the window of opportunity to launch is between 12-19 July and the exact date will be announced once all tests are complete. Even so, some reports say the launch date has been fixed 13 July at 2.30 pm. It will be launched by Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
Chandrayaan-3 is India’s third lunar mission and a follow-on mission to Chandrayaan-2 to demonstrate end-to-end capability in safe landing and roving on the lunar surface. Chandrayaan-3 consists of an indigenous Lander module (LM), a Propulsion module (PM) and a Rover with the objective of developing and demonstrating new technologies required for Interplanetary missions.
The GSLV-Mk3 will place the integrated module in an Elliptic Parking Orbit (EPO) of around 170 x 36500 km size.
The propulsion module will carry the LM from launch vehicle injection till final lunar 100 km circular polar orbit and separate the LM from the PM. The propulsion module has a Spectro-polarimetry of Habitable Planet Earth (SHAPE) payload to study the spectral and Polari metric measurements of Earth from the lunar orbit. It has been added as a value addition which will be operated after the separation of the Lander Module.
The Lander will have the capability to soft land at a specified lunar site and deploy the Rover which will carry out in-situ chemical analysis of the lunar surface during the course of its mobility. The Lander and the Rover have scientific payloads to carry out experiments on the lunar surface.
The Lander will carry several instruments to study the lunar surface. These include Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) to measure the thermal conductivity and temperature, an instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) for measuring the seismicity around the landing site, and Langmuir Probe (LP) to estimate the plasma density and its variations. A passive Laser Retroreflector Array from NASA is also accommodated for lunar laser ranging studies.
The rover module will carry Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) for deriving the elemental composition in the vicinity of the landing site.
The mission objectives of Chandrayaan-3 are:
To demonstrate Safe and Soft Landing on Lunar Surface To demonstrate Rover roving on the moon and To conduct in-situ scientific experiments.
The launch was originally scheduled for 2021 but was postponed owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Aditya-L1 Mission
The ISRO chief also gave an update on Aditya-L1 Mission, India’s first mission to study the sun. “Satellites are now getting integrated. Payloads have been developed by various agencies. It has reached the satellite center. Payloads are getting integrated into satellites and it will go through a series of testing,” he said.
#WATCH | ISRO chief S Somanath gives an update on Aditya-L1 Mission, India's first mission to study the Sun.
ISRO’s target is to launch Aditya-L1 by the end of August this year.
Aditya L1 will be the first space-based Indian mission to study the Sun. The spacecraft shall be placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system, which is about 1.5 million km from the Earth. A satellite placed in the halo orbit around the L1 point has the major advantage of continuously viewing the Sun without any occultation/eclipses. This will provide a greater advantage of observing the solar activities and their effect on space weather in real-time.
The spacecraft carries seven payloads to observe the photosphere, chromosphere and the outermost layers of the Sun (the corona) using electromagnetic and particle and magnetic field detectors.
On June 28, the Allahabad High Court resumed the hearing regarding the two pleas that had challenged the objectionable dialogues and scenes in Adipurush. Notably, a day earlier, on June 27, the court had conducted an hour-long hearing in this matter.
After resumption, the court questioned the portrayal of religious characters shown in the film. It stressed that no one thinks like this about Ramayana characters as the filmmakers have shown in the movie. The court observed, “Does anyone imagine the religious characters to be in existence in the way they are shown in the movie? The attire worn by the characters in the movie, do we imagine our Gods to be like this? Ramcharitmanas is a sacred text, people recite it before leaving their homes and you depict it in such a pathetic way?”
Court criticised CBFC for certifying the movie
The Court questioned the Film certification board and remarked that it has committed a blunder by certifying such a movie. Responding to this, Dy. SGI argued that the certification was done by a board comprising sensible members.
To which the court said, “Aap keh rahe hain ki sanskar wale logon ne is movie ko certify kiya hai (referring to board members) jahan Ramayana ke baare mein aisa dikhaya gaya hai to wo log dhanya hai.” (You are saying people with culture have certified this film (referring to board members) where Ramayana is shown like this then those people are blessed).
During the hearing, the court also directed the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to submit their separate affidavits in this matter.
Such depictions hurt people’s sentiment
The Court acknowledged that the movie’s depiction of religious characters from Ramayana may have offended people’s sentiments. It further mentioned that there have been instances in recent times where Hindu deities were portrayed in a funny manner in various movies.
The court remarked, “If we will shut our mouths today then you know what will happen? These incidents are increasing day by day. I saw a movie wherein Lord Shankar was shown running with his Trishul in a very funny manner. Now, these things will be showcased? The filmmakers earn money as films do business.”
#AllahabadHighCourt: "I am unable to comprehend what went through the minds of the Film makers that they made such a movie. Unhe to sirf paise kamane hain film hit karakar. Maine jaisa kaha ki bade funny tarah se Hindu devi devtaon ko dikhaya jaata hai.#Adipurush
The court highlighted that there would have been severe consequences if any documentary would have depicted wrong things about Quran. However, it categorically asserted that sacred texts such as Quran, and Bible should not be touched and any religion should not be portrayed in a negative way.
Additionally, the court assured everyone that the courts belong to all religions, it is by chance that the concerned case relates to Ramayana.
The court added, “Suppose you (the filmmakers) make even a short documentary on the Quran, depicting wrong things, then you will see what will happen. However, I may once again clarify that it is not about any one religion. It is by chance that this issue is concerned with Ramayana, otherwise, Court belongs to all religions.”
The bench further stated that it sought opinions from various individuals regarding the film, and the feedback indicated that the film is intolerable and many had left it mid-way.
The Court said, “Few people could not watch the film completely. Those who respect Lord Rama, Lord Laxman, and Maa Sita, can not watch such a movie.”
Earlier observations of the court
A day earlier, on June 27, the two-judge bench comprising Justices Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Shree Prakash Singh conducted an hour-long hearing in the case.
On day 1, the court slammed the makers of the film for objectionable portrayal of Ramayana’s character. In a strong criticism, the court stated that if a religion is tolerant, will it be put to the test?
The bench remarked, “If we close our eyes on this issue too, because it is said that the people of this religion are very tolerant, will it be put to test as well?.”
The court added, “The one who is gentle should be suppressed? Is it so? It is good that it is about religion, the believers of which did not create any law and order problem. We should be thankful. We saw in the news that some people had gone to cinema halls (wherein the movie was being exhibited) and they only forced them to close the hall, they could have done something else as well.”
On the issue of the disclaimer, the court asked a sharp question and said do the people who put the disclaimer consider the countrymen, and youth to be brainless? You show Lord Rama, Lord Laxman, Lord Hanuman, Ravana, and Lanka and then say it is not Ramayan.
The court also remarked that Ramayana is a paragon for us and people read Ramcharitmanas before leaving home. The court also asserted that such things should be left untouched.
Additionally, the court also made film dialogue writer Manoj Muntashir Shukla a petitioner in the case and ordered to send him a notice.
The Court will continue to hear the pleas in the coming days.
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), a fresh discussion has started across the country. Meanwhile, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) held a meeting on Tuesday, June 27. The AIMPLB wrote a letter to the Law Commission seeking six months’ time to give its suggestions. On June 14, the Law Commission sought the views of all stakeholders and religious organisations on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The letter tweeted by AIMPLB on 28th June 2023 is actually dated 23rd June 2023.
It is pertinent to note that AIMPLB and its members have often discarded the idea of UCC and said that nobody, not even the State, can alter Sharia law.
In this letter addressed to the secretary of the law commission and signed by All India Muslim Personal Law Board General Secretary Mohammad Fazlur Rahim Mujadidi the AIMPLB said, “We have got to know about the above-referred notice issued by the Commission. We are sure that, we being the largest confederation of Muslim religious organizations in India shall submit a proper response to the said notice as we have also done in the past.”
— All India Muslim Personal Law Board (@AIMPLB_Official) June 28, 2023
The letter further said, “However, considering the vast nature of the issue involved, the time duration given for the filing of response is too short. Secondly, the content set out in the above-referred notice is vague, too general and unclear. Thirdly, the terms for the suggestions to be invited are missing. Fourthly, we are not clear how this issue has become so important at this stage keeping in view that this commission’s predecessor had examined the very same issue and reached a conclusion that UCC is neither necessary nor desirable.”
The AIMPLB further said, “We are in the process of drafting and finalizing our response to your notice (though the ambit of the notice is open-ended and vague), but considering the mammoth task we will request you to extend this time by at least by 6 months so that appropriate response can be prepared by religious organizations individuals and public-spirited persons.”
On Tuesday, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board decided to continue its opposition to the Uniform Civil Code, saying it will present its arguments more strongly before the Law Commission in this regard.
Senior board member Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali told news agency PTI that various office bearers and members of the board, including chairman Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, attended the board meeting. He said the meeting, which lasted till late in the night, deliberated on the draft of objections to be raised by the board’s lawyers before the Law Commission on the UCC issue.
Maulana Farangi Mahali said that in the meeting it was decided to continue the opposition to UCC and it was decided that the board will put its arguments more strongly before the Law Commission in this matter.
On the 27th of June, PM Modi batted firmly in support of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), after the Law Commission set the ball rolling over the proposed single personal law for all religions. Several political leaders from the Muslim community have opposed the move. This prompted the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) to hold an emergency online meeting late in the evening.
As per media reports, the Islamic personal law body decided to oppose the proposed implementation of the law “more strongly” in the wake of PM Modi’s UCC pitch earlier in the day. The Islamic personal law body also decided to prepare a draft that will be presented in front of the Law Commission. Reports add that the draft will include important parts of Shariah mentioned in it.
AIMPLB member Khalid Rasheed Farangi Magli said, “Our stand is that UCC is against the spirit of the Constitution and we will oppose it strongly.” He added that all prominent Muslim leaders of the country were present in the online meeting.
AIMPLB executive committee member Dr. Qasim Rasool said, “The UCC is neither necessary nor does it benefit our country in any way. India is a multi-religious, multicultural nation that must respect its diversity. The Constitution enshrines religious freedom as a fundamental right and the UCC interferes with this right as Muslim personal law is a part and parcel of our religious freedom.”
Earlier in the day, on June 27, AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi claimed that by bringing UCC, PM Modi wants to strip the country of its pluralism and diversity. He even labelled UCC as Hindu Civil Code.
#WATCH | AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi speaks on PM Modi's statement on Uniform Civil Code in Bhopal; says, "India's PM considers India's diversity & its pluralism a problem. So, he says such things…Will you strip the country of its pluralism & diversity in the name of a UCC?…… pic.twitter.com/XeBhdBDycD
Similarly, Maharashtra MLA Abu Azmi claimed that all religions will oppose the interference in Shariat through UCC.
He said, “Modi Ji should also say that people of only one religion will live in this country. In our country, languages, culture, religion, etc change after going a few kilometers away, so do you want to destroy them all? Not only Muslims but people of all religions will oppose the interference in Shariat through #UCC whose religious laws you will interfere with.”
मोदी जी को #UniformCivilCode पर ये भी कह देना चाहिए के इस देश में एक ही धर्म के लोग रहेंगे। हमारे देश में कुछ किलोमीटर दूर जाने पर भाषाएं, संस्कृति, धर्म आदि बदलते है तो क्या आप उन सब को ख़त्म कर देना चाहते है? #UCC के ज़रिए शरीयत में दखल अंदाजी का विरोध सिर्फ मुसलमान ही नहीं… pic.twitter.com/Yz9T4IQ3RS
AAP asks BJP to “convince” all religions to implement UCC
The Aam Aadmi Party shared a tweet expressing their “in principle” support on the issue of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
However, AAP National General Secretary Organisation Sandeep Pathak emphasised that these matters have long-term impacts and can’t be reversed later. He also urged the Union government to build consensus with all religions, political parties, and organisations.
Speaking to the news agency PTI, Pathak said, “In principle, we support Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as Article 44 also says that there should be UCC in the country. However, it should be implemented after wider consultation with everyone. We feel that there should be wide consultation with all religions, political parties, and organizations and a consensus should be built.”
हम सैद्धांतिक रूप से UCC के समर्थन में हैं क्योंकि Article 44 भी कहता है कि देश में UCC होना चाहिए।
कुछ मुद्दे ऐसे होते हैं, जिन पर आप Reverse नहीं जा सकते हैं, ऐसे मुद्दे लागू करने से आपसे कई धर्मो, सम्प्रदाय के लोग नाराज़ हो सकते हैं
In its tweet, the party stressed that there are some issues on which people of many religions and sects can get angry with you. AAP asserted that the government cannot implement such issues in an authoritarian manner, and therefore a consensus should be built by discussing on a large scale with all religions, political parties and organizations.
On June 28th evening, the convoy of the Bhim Army founder and National President of Azad Samaj Party Chandrashekhar Azad was attacked by unidentified assailants in Uttar Pradesh’s Saharanpur. The car-borne armed assailants fired shots at his convoy in which Aazad was reportedly injured. Subsequently, he was quickly rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Informing about the attack, Saharanpur SSP Dr Vipin Tada stated that the convoy of Chandrashekhar Aazad was fired at by a few car-borne armed men. He added that Aazad is stable and was taken to CHC for medical treatment.
SSP Tada said, “Half an hour back, the convoy of Chandrashekhar Aazad was fired at by a few car-borne armed men. A bullet brushed past him. He is alright and has been taken to CHC for medical treatment. Police are investigating the matter.”
Uttar Pradesh | Chandra Shekhar Aazad, national president of Aazad Samaj Party – Kanshi Ram and Bhim Army leader's convoy attacked by armed men in Saharanpur.
SSP Dr Vipin Tada says, "Half an hour back, the convoy of Chandra Shekhar Aazad was fired at by a few car-borne armed… pic.twitter.com/RUoh15yYWY
Speaking about the attack, Aazad claimed that he doesn’t remember what exactly unfolded and claimed that his supporters identified them.
He said, “I don’t remember well but my people identified them. Their car went towards Saharanpur. We took a U-Turn. Five of us, including my younger brother, were in the car when the incident occurred.”
#WATCH | "I don't remember well but my people identified them. Their car went towards Saharanpur. We took a U-Turn. Five of us, including my younger brother, were in the car when the incident occurred..," says Bhim Army leader and Aazad Samaj Party – Kanshi Ram chief, Chandra… pic.twitter.com/MLeVR8poaN
Reports add that two bullets were fired at his car. One of the bullets grazed his waist as it passed through the door. The second bullet narrowly missed him after hitting the back door. The Bhim Army shared photos of their injured leader and his damaged vehicle.
In a statement, the Bhim Army said, “The deadly attack on Bhim Army Chief and National President Bhai Chandrasekhar Azad in Deoband of Saharanpur is a cowardly act of stopping the Bahujan Mission Movement!”
The party demanded that strict action should be taken against the accused and they should be quickly arrested. Further, they also demanded security for the party’s National President Chandrasekhar Azad.
Several social media handles have also shared photos and videos of injured leader and his damaged vehicle.
Azad samaj party chief Chandrashekhar Azad was attacked by an identified gunmen in the Deoband, Saharanpur (UP). Gunmen opened fire at his car in the convoy. A bullet brushed past him. He is currently under observation. pic.twitter.com/bZ1vHFdiYm
Hours after massive controversy erupted in the JP Infra Housing Society, Mira Road in Mumbai over a Muslim couple getting goats to their apartment ahead of the Bakrid, the residents of the housing society who protested against the couple revealed that they were publicly abused by the couple on June 27.
The saga began on Tuesday as the Muslim couple identified as Mohsin Sheikh and Yasmin Khan got two white goats for the purpose of slaughtering ahead of the Bakrid. The couple could be seen taking the lambs to their apartment, the video of which was captured in the CCTV footage and now it has gone viral over the media platforms.
Later the residents of the society demanded that the lambs be removed from the society premises and said that they won’t allow any kind of slaughter within the society. But the couple took the lambs to the apartment after which the police were informed. The police who reached the spot immediately tried to maintain peace and communal harmony and assured the other residents in the society that no slaughtering would take place within the society premises.
The police are also believed to have allowed the goats saying that there is no such rule or law against a man getting goats or animals into his house. However, the authorities said that Mohsin would get arrested if he slaughters animals in his apartment or within the society premises.
‘Those people abused us, used derogatory language for women,’ allege residents protesting against Mohsin
Amid the uproar, the residents of the society talked to OpIndia and confirmed that Mohsin has been problematic to the society and that he has broke several regulations of the premises. “All the buildings in the society had decided earlier and had disallowed anyone to bring animals for slaughter in the society. In spite of this, Mohsin Sheikh got two lambs and took them to his apartment straight. He attained nobody’s permission, not the police, not even the society. He has broken the laws and he should be punished,” said one of the residents.
Meanwhile, a woman resident revealed that Moshin and his associates abused the women residents of the society while the latter tried to oppose and demand the removal of the lambs. “There was no brawl, no fist fight, nothing. They (Mohsin and his associates) are claiming that scuffle happened here. But we all are here and nothing that sorts happened. Instead the women residents here were abused and verbally assaulted. Everybody now is furious and want those lambs outside the society. Nobody will return to their apartments unless the lambs are removed,” she said.
Mohsin broke the society law and illegally got the goats to the apartment
One another resident who had applied tilak on his face stated that Mohsin got the lambs deliberately in the society and tried to showcase his power. “He went against the rules and got the lambs. There are other Muslims who stay in the society but none has got animals for slaughter since the society has denied permission to do so. Mohsin wanted to showcase his intimidating power. JP Infra Housing Society has already allotted them a land for keeping the animals in a place nearby but he wanted to get it here only. His wife has alleged that she was harassed and beaten but nothing sorts of this has happened and we have proofs to show,” the male residents added.
Wife of Mohin claims she was physically assaulted and abused, residents call it ‘fabrication’
This is after Yasmin Khan w/o Mohsin has filed an FIR u/s 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 149, 354 (criminal force on woman), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 341, 504 (insulting to provoke) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code claiming that she and her husband were harassed and assaulted by the society members. Around 8 persons identified as Ashish Tripathi, Lal Singh, Chandra Sen, Amit Tiwari, Dharmendra Singh, Ram Lakhan Singh, Anand Patwari and Shrimant Shekhar have been named in the FIR filed by Yasmin.
FIR copy obtained by OpIndia
The woman in the FIR stated that the society residents allegedly threatened her and her husband and asked her for the apartment number in which she was residing. She later said that the persons named in the FIR allegedly held her husband by his neck, pushed her away and also thumped her on her chest. Later she added that the men also allegedly tore the clothes that she was wearing.
Woman said that she was abused
Yasmin claimed she was ‘mob lynched’, though Hindu residents didn’t even touch her
Interestingly, several videos are going viral over social media platforms in which the woman is seen talking to someone on her phone claiming that she and her husband are being ‘mob lynched’ by the residents of the society. Meanwhile, the protesting Hindu residents are seen just standing around the couple seeking answers to their act of breaking the society rules and illegally getting the lamb on the premises. Mohsin, in the video, can also be seen abusing and using derogatory language for the residents of the society.
Mohsin Khan and his wife were trying to play "mob lynching" victim card, and when the Society ppl made video to bust their Propaganda, Mohsin started abusing the Hindu members of the society to trigger the them so that someone hits him and he can play the victim card of "mob… pic.twitter.com/bBO0Jr5gqX
Responding to the complaint by Yasmin, one of the Hindu residents clarified to OpIndia that the woman was fabricating the incident and that she was never beaten or abused by anyone. “We have the society CCTV records. We all gathered at first and very calmly talked to the couple about the lamb. Nobody touched the woman or held the man. All our CCTV footages are in a well working condition and can be checked for evidence. The woman is lying,” he indicated.
The man also said that the society had allotted a place for the Muslim people to keep and slaughter their lambs but Mohsin deliberately had got it in the premise to showcase his ‘power’. As stated by the residents, Mohsin is associated with the Shiv Sena party but has been removed from the party after the incident.
Muslims had warned JP Society that they would get lambs in their apartments
In the FIR copy obtained by OpIndia, Mohsin himself said that the JP Infra Housing Society had provided a separate premise for keeping the lambs to the Muslim residents. However, after 2022, the premise got occupied in a construction project as a result of which the society ran out of space to provide for the Muslims to keep the lambs.
JP society had given the land to Muslims
Later, as per one of the Hindu residents, the society had allotted a separate land in a nearby area for Muslims in the society to store animals. But Mohsin and the other Muslim people emailed the society authorities to provide a premise within the society. They also threatened the authorities and said that they would take the lambs to their apartments if no such separate place is provided by the society. “Builder is ready to give us a separate premise. Please let us know the same soon otherwise we’ll take the lambs at our homes,” the Muslim community had written to the society, as mentioned in the FIR copy obtained by OpIndia.
Earlier, it was reported how Islamists and left-liberals were outraged about residents opposing potential animal slaughter on Eid inside Mira Road housing society calling them ‘uncivilized’. The Islamists cabal continues to support the Muslim couple and claims that the lambs were not brought for slaughter in the apartment. Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zu bair also happened to blame the society for allegedly not providing the land for keeping the lambs. However, as mentioned in the FIR filed by Mohsin, the society had provided the land but after 2022 the land was taken away due to the extended construction.
Several News Channels have reported that Mohsin Khan, A resident of private housing colony Estella Society at Mira Road had brought goats to his flat for sacrificial purpose. This is Not true. He brought the animals to keep them at his flat till bakrid. All the residents would… pic.twitter.com/wbDHqA2rt8
JP Infra Resident confirms the land allotment, says Mohsin deliberately wanted to get the lambs in the apartment
One of the JP Infra residents named Gigraj Kumavat confirmed to OpIndia that Mohsin and Yasmin were lying and that they were not assaulted by any of the residents from the society. “These people were permitted by the society to keep lambs in a separate location since the land originally allotted to them was taken away due to the ongoing construction job. The builder has taken the land on rent and allowed them to keep the lambs there. But these people want the land within the society premises. They also had threatened the builder earlier that they would get the lambs in their apartment,” Kumavat said.
He also added that the lambs have now been removed from the society premises but the Muslim couple has filed a fabricated complaint against some of the residents in the society. “The woman is lying. She has claimed that her husband was held and her clothes were pulled down. Nothing like this happened. All the society was on ground. Even the women residents. How could anything like this happen,” he added.
Tensions continue to disrupt the peace in the Mira road society of Mumbai forcing the protesting residents to think that they reside not in India, but Pakistan. OpIndia has obtained several videos in which the residents are seen expressing their frustration over the ‘fabricated’ police complaint filed by Yasmin Khan. The residents have denied any incident of brawl and assault on the woman as claimed by Yasin.
The Police meanwhile has assured the residents that the lamb will not be slaughtered in the society premises come what may. The police continue to monitor the situation at the society and are trying to maintain communal harmony.
In the ongoing investigation into the Covid-19 jumbo centre scam in Maharashtra, it has now appeared that not only fake doctors but fake patients were also listed in a bid to source funds from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The contract to run the centres was allotted to Lifeline Hospital Management Services (LHMS).
The Enforcement Directorate suspects that the private contractors manipulated the number of patients admitted to fraudulently draw more money from the civic body. LHMS was operating four centres in Mumbai and allegedly took Rs 22 crore through shell companies from the BMC against the names of fake doctors.
The total estimate of the scam is amounting to Rs 4,000 crore involving other contractors besides LHMS. The agency also suspects the involvement of some BMC officials.
According to the central agency, 80% of the names of doctors submitted by the contractor to BMC were fake. Counterfeit resumes and certificates for about 150 doctors were also submitted which were not verified by the concerned authorities.
An ED source quoted in a report said, “We suspect that the management exaggerated the number of doctors required, and in order to meet this fabricated demand, patient numbers were also manipulated.”
A further probe has exposed the purchase of medicines and body bags at exorbitant rates, overbilling, and rents paid to hotels and other accommodations when there was no restriction on movement.
What is the case?
An FIR was filed on 24 August 2022 by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya against Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut’s partner Sujeet Patker & Lifeline Hospital Management Services under sections IPC 420, 406, 304A, and 34.
He alleged that the Worli, Mulund, Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Mulund, and Pune Shivaji Nagar centres contracts were obtained by fraud amounting to at least ₹100 Crore.
₹100 Crore COVID Center Scam Police registered My FIR 756 against Sanjay Raut Partner Sujeet Patker & Lifeline Hospital Management Services under sections IPC 420 406 304A 34
Worli, Mulund, Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Mulund, Pune Shivaji Nagar Centers contracts obtained by Fraud pic.twitter.com/bZShUfVmkO
Meanwhile, Aditya Thackeray’s close aide and Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Suraj Chavan was quizzed by the Enforcement Directorate on 26 June in the money laundering case linked to the BMC jumbo covid centre scam.
Raids linked to Sanjay Raut’s close aide Sujit Patkar were also conducted by the Enforcement Directorate on 21 June.
Another two of Sanjay Raut’s close aides, Rajiv Nandakumar Salunke and Bala Ramchandra Kadam, were arrested in the case in February this year.
The Human Rights Commission of Maharashtra on 12 June directed Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), PMC, Sujit Patkar and LHMS to file a reply to a petition for criminal negligence resulting in the alleged death of COVID Patients at Shivaji Nagar Jumbo COVID Center Pune.
Somaiya has filed a petition with Human Rights Commission of Maharashtra against Lifeline Hospital Management Services for criminal negligence resulting into alleged death of COVID Patients at Shivaji Nagar Jumbo COVID Center Pune
The ED has reportedly retrieved WhatsApp chats, dairies and details of cash transactions made allegedly by Suraj Chavan with the contractors, suppliers, politicians and BMC officials.
Aditya’s aide allegedly pressurised BMC officials to grant contracts to LHMS and its partners namely Sujit Patkar, Dr Hemant Ramsharan Gupta, Sanjay Shah and Rajiv Salunkhe.
Notably, LHMS is said to have no prior experience in the healthcare service.
On Wednesday, June 28, Union Minister and senior BJP leader Smriti Irani slammed Congress scion Rahul Gandhi for having links with controversial financier and billionaire George Soros. She also questioned if Rahul Gandhi met Sunita Vishwanath, the co-founder of a US-based organisation called “Hindus for Human Rights”. Notably, Vishwanath’s organisation, funded by George Soros, has a history of peddling vicious lies and propaganda against Hindus.
Minister Irani’s remarks came after an FIR was lodged by the Congress government in Karnataka against BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya who recently criticised Rahul Gandhi over his regular calls for foreign intervention in India’s internal affairs.
“Even in Bharat Jodo Yatra in Karnataka, the Global Vice President of the Open Society Foundation funded by George Soros was found accompanying Rahul Gandhi. What is extremely distressing is the link with the Islamic Circle of North America. Those in the public domain who will research how the registration process for NRI interaction with Rahul Gandhi in New York ensued will find contact of Tazeem Ansari – he has an organisational link with Jamaat-e-Islami,” Irani said.
The BJP leader further recalled her earlier press conference wherein she talked about George Soros’s intention to destabilise the democratically elected government in India. Smriti Irani then mentioned the 2019 resolution passed in the US House of Representatives in which concern was raised about the threat posed to democracy and human rights by theocratic groups operating in South Asia.
During her press conference in February, Smriti Irani slammed George Soros for claiming that the Adani Group dispute would significantly weaken Modi’s grip on India’s federal government.
“The man who broke the bank of England, a man who is designated as an economic war criminal has now pronounced his desire to break the Indian democracy. George Soros, who hedges bets against many countries has now declared his ill intentions in the democratic processes of India,” Irani said on February 17 this year.
Pointing out at the resolution stating the affiliation between Jamaat-e-Islami and Islamic Circle of North America, Irani today (June 28) said, “Irrespective of these documents available in the public domain, the Congress has neither refuted a meeting between an individual supported and funded by George Soros nor has the Congress party rejected the role of certain Mr Tazeem Ansari who has links to an organisation the US resolution (H. Res. 160) openly declares is affiliated to Jamaat-e-Islami.
The BJP leader also alleged that in view of Congress’s “draconian past, the party will leverage any instrument available to stifle those who voice their opinion against the Gandhi family.”
Moreover, Smriti Irani reiterated her question regarding Rahul Gandhi’s meeting with Sunita Vishwanath during his recent US visit.
“Despite every Indian knowing the intentions of George Soros and his aides, what was compulsion behind Rahul Gandhi meeting an aide of Soros in the US,” Irani said.
It is worth recalling that Rahul Gandhi on June 4, spoke at Javits Centre in New York. A registration form urging Muslims living in different areas around New York to attend the event was circulated on social media.
In the said form, the list of persons whom people can contact for more information has raised concerns as it contains the names of people who have alleged links to anti-India activities. List of people and mosques that have called for the registration are Tazeem Ansari and Niaz Khan of Masjid Al-WALI/MCNJ North Edison Woodbridge TWP NJ, Jaweed Syed, Habeeb Siddiqui and Mir Quadri of Masjid MCMC South Edison/Piscataway / East Brunswick NJ, Mohammed Aslam and Minhaj Khan of ISCJ/MCGP South Brunswick/ Kendall Park/Princeton NJ, Aquil Mohammed and Nazeer Syed of Masjid Sadar Sayreville/Old Bridge NJ and Shaheen Khateeb and Hashir Qazi of (Darul Islah) Teaneck NJ.
After pointing out Tazeem Ansari and other Soros-funded individuals having connections with Jamaat-e-Islami, Irani said that “since it is the month of June, the Gandhi family reminded of the Emergency, as even if they have power in one state, they will go to any extent to suppress the truth.”
Notably, on Wednesday, the Congress government in Karnataka filed an FIR against BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya for tweeting out his criticism against former Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and his regular calls for foreign interference in India’s internal affairs.
The FIR has been filed under sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), 120b (criminal conspiracy), 505(2) (promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) and 34 (criminal conduct in pursuit of a common intention) of the Indian Penal Code in Bengaluru’s High Grounds Police Station based on the complaint filed by Congress’s Ramesh Babu.
A man in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar filed a complaint at the City Chowk police station against TV9 Marathi for allegedly addressing Islamist tyrant Aurangzeb as “Aurangya”. A popular Marathi YouTube channel ‘Analyser News’ has now started a movement to essentially mention the Islamic tyrant as ‘Aurangya’ and challenged the Islamists to file complaints if they want. Shrikant Umrikar of Analyser News released a video in this regard on 28th June 2023.
The complaint filed at City Chowk police station was regarding a TV9 news report on Prakash Ambedkar’s visit to Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khultabad. Notably, the complainant is a former ACP who retired in 2016. Calling it a “cognizable offence”, Riyazuddin Ghiyasuddin Deshmukh said that the alleged insult to Aurangzeb hurt his religious sentiments.
In a video titled ‘Yes, we will call him Aurangya only, file the cases, we won’t be afraid’, Shrikant Umrikar challenged ex-ACP Riyazuddin Ghiyasuddin Deshmukh and anyone who bears a mindset like him. Shrikant Umrikar said, “Yes, we will call him Aurangya only. Whosoever wants to file cases against me or Analyser News is free to do so. Ex-ACP Riyazuddin Ghiyasuddin Deshmukh has filed a complaint against TV9 Marathi in a police station in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar saying that the news channel has hurt his religious sentiments by addressing Aurangazeb as Aurangya. The channel had used this word while reporting Prakash Ambedkar’s visit to Aurangzeb’s tomb on June 17.”
Shrikant Umrikar also shared an image from the OpIndia report about this matter and underlined how Riyazuddin Ghiyasuddin Deshmukh turned from a clean-shaved duty-bound cop to a maulana-look-alike within a few years after his retirement and said that his complaint is a deliberate attempt to unnecessarily glorify a villain as a hero towing him on religious lines.
Shrikant Umrikar said, “This is not the first time that someone has addressed Aurangzeb as Aurangya. Marathi seer and poet Samarth Ramdas was the first Marathi person to call him Aurangya. He wrote “बुडाला औरंग्या पापी” in his poetry “आनंदवनभुवनी” in the 17th century.”
It is notable that Samarth Ramdas wrote this 59-verse poetry to express his happiness as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj established a Hindu Swarajya by getting himself coronated by Hindu rituals on 6th June 1674. The said reference is from the 33rd verse of the poetry.
Umrikar said, “In chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, we will call him Aurangya only. This is because that sinner is buried under the soil here. We can never forgive him for the cruel murder of our king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Whosoever wants to preach whatever secular liberal philosophy to the people, is free to preach to people other than us. We are not ready to listen to it at all. We will not only call him Aurangya but also abuse him even worse if someone is going to file cases against us for this. I – deliberately wearing this saffron colour shirt – challenge you and the people who think like you that if you will file cases for calling him Aurangya, then we all will come together and launch a movement to call him Aurangya again and again. File cases against whatever number of people you can.”
He added, “Let me make it clear that this all is against Islam in the first place. If nobody except Allah deserves worship as per Islam, even Prophet is just a messenger and not a deity, he too cannot be worshipped; then how come mentioning Aurangzeb as Aurangya hurts the religious sentiments?”
He further said, “Aurangzeb was just another man who died like everyone has to die one day. He was a sinner and cruel person. The history written by the court historians of this evil sinner Aurangya is full of references and numbers about the temples he destroyed, the people he converted and the women he and his forces looted and raped. They tell this all with pride. Committing some crime with a criminal mindset or perverted tendency is a different thing. Cases are lodged against the people who commit such crimes. But if someone commits some heinous crime just because his religion orders him to do so, then it becomes totally different case.”
Shrikant Umrikar further said, “I don’t think his religious feelings are really hurt. He is doing this deliberately. I am not doing this video just for our channel or supporting some other channel. I am doing this because this is a deliberate attack on the faith of people who believe in Sanatan Dharma. People like Mohan Bhagwat and other RSS officials have always taken a generous stand and said that the DNA of people living in this country is the same. Be it Hindus or Muslims, we are one entity. Sanatanis have at times shown generosity of even recognising Muslims as another caste or sect of Hinduism because most of the Muslims in India are originally Sanatanis who got converted at some point of time in history. The way they worship dargahs, Mazars, makbaras, etc. is all anti-Islamic. It is not at all acceptable in Puritan Sunni Islam which believes in a formless and shapeless deity and denies worshipping any symbols whatsoever.”
Shrikant Umrikar clarified how Islamists prefer Sharia in civil matters like marriage, divorce, inheritance, etc. and opt Indian Penal Code in criminal cases. He also mentioned that no Muslim denies taking an interest in any FDs or other financial schemes citing Islamic rules regarding the same. He underlined how Islamists demand hijab for Muslim women and girls but when it comes to men, they comfortably forget that Islam specifies dress code for men with equal emphasis. “These are their double standards. This is how they are changing their stance according to their convenience. These intellectual corrupts oppose CAA, NRC, etc.”, he said.
Reiterating the movement undertaken, he said, “To condemn this in as harsh words as one can, we all should run a movement ‘Yes We will call him Aurangya only’. We are starting this movement and we are taking the whole responsibility of that. If a case is registered against me or Analyser News for addressing Aurangzeb as Aurangya, we will not seek any bail. Lock us in jail for any duration you can. But, yes, we will call him Aurangya. We will even abuse him more in a worse language. We cannot use that language on video, but we will use it in offline talks for sure.”
Analyser News is a Marathi YouTube Channel run by sushil Kulkarni and Shrikant Umrikar. While a complaint was filed against a Marathi news channel TV9 Marathi, no other Marathi news channel or newspaper or media house took any stand against it. Nobody cried that press freedom is endangered. Analyser News took this selective silence head-on and launched a campaign to address Aurangzeb as Aurangya every single time.
An engineer by education, Shrikant Umrikar is a well-known publisher in Marathi and has raised his voice on many civil, cultural, and civilisational issues from time to time. He also heads the activities of Devgiri Sangeet Pratishthan and Marathawada Prachin Waastu Samvardhan Samiti.
Sushil Kulkarni became a more known face in Marathi journalism when he fearlessly criticised the corrupt Maha Vikas Aghadi government in a series of videos on this channel. Sushil Kulkarni’s family was attacked by the MVA goons for this. Devendra Fadnavis who was the leader of the opposition during the MVA regime had mentioned the attacks on the voices against the government. He mentioned how the father of a young journalist Sushil Kulkarni who runs a youtube channel called Analyser News was attacked by goons because Sushil Kulkarni had criticized the MVA government in his videos.
