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NIA may take over the probe into Khalistani attacks on Indian High Commission and Consulates in Canada and US: Reports

OpIndia Staff
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NIA may take over the probe into Khalistani attacks on Indian High Commission and Consulates in Canada and US: Reports

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is likely to hand over the investigation into the attacks on Indian High Commission in the US and Canada to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). This comes days after an NIA team reached London on May 23 to probe the attack on Indian High Commission there.

The Special Cell of the Delhi Police filed two separate FIRs in connection with the attacks on the Indian High Commissions in San Francisco and Canada in March of this year.

During the attack on the Indian High Commission in Canada, a grenade was also thrown, prompting the Special Cell to register an FIR under the UAPA and the Explosive Act in this instance.

In the same month, a similar attack on the Indian High Commission occurred in San Francisco. In this case, the Special Cell also filed an FIR under the UAPA.

Khalistani attacks on Indian diplomatic missions and consulates

At a time when Indian authorities launched a crackdown on pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh, a dinner reception for High Commissioner of India to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma in Surrey, British Columbia, on March 20, had to be cancelled due to violent protests by Khalistanis. Back then OpIndia reported how an Indian-origin journalist Sameer Kaushal was “pushed and threatened” by the Khalistanis protesting. 

Back then, India had registered its strong protest against the attacks by Khalistani elements. The foreign office in New Delhi had summoned Canada’s High Commissioner and sought an explanation on how the Khalistani elements were permitted to violate the security of the Indian diplomatic mission and consulates in the presence of police.

“The Government of Canada was reminded of its obligations under the Vienna Convention, and was asked to arrest and prosecute individuals who have already been identified as being involved in such acts,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated back then.

Khalistani terrorists attack Indian Consulate in San Francisco 

On March 19, 2023, the Khalistanis launched an attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco in the United States. The Khalistani terrorists breached the local authorities’ makeshift security barricades, placed two Khalistani flags inside the consulate, and caused significant damage to the building. Two consulate personnel later removed the flags.

The NIA Act was amended in 2019 allowing NIA probes abroad

On August 2, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi revised the NIA Act to allow the agency to conduct investigations on foreign land. A government notification said, “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Act, 2019 (16 of 2019), the central government hereby appoints the 2nd August 2019, as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force.” On July 17, 2019, the parliament enacted a law in this regard.

The amendment included a significant provision that extended the NIA’s authority to investigate offences committed outside of India. This provision, however, is subject to existing international treaties as well as the domestic laws of the countries involved.

NIA charge sheets 13 people including 10 foreigners in case linked to LTTE revival

OpIndia Staff
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NIA charge sheets 13 people including 10 foreigners in case linked to LTTE revival

In conjunction with its investigation into the smuggling of illegal substances and weapons, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a charge sheet against 13 people, including 10 Sri Lankans and three Indians. The case pertains to the efforts to resuscitate the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the two countries.

According to the NIA, a charge sheet against the apprehended individuals for using the illegal drug trade to fund, gather, and store weapons for the resurgence of the LTTE in India and Sri Lanka was submitted on Thursday. Selvakumar M, Vigneshwara Perumal alias Vicky, and Iyyapan Nandhu alias Ayyappan Nandhu are three Indians whose names appeared on it.

C Gunasekaran alias Guna, Pushparajah alias Pookutti Kanna, Mohammad Asmin, Alahapperumaga Sunil Ghamini Fonseka, Stanly Kennady Fernando, Dhanukka Roshan, Ladiya alias Nalin Chathuranga, Vella Suranga alias Gamage Suranga Pradeep, Thilipan alias Dileepan and Danarathnam Nilukshan are the accused Sri Lankan nationals.

Various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act are invoked against them. While Vigneshwara Perumal and Iyyapan Nandhu were arrested in April of this year, the others were caught in December of last year. On July 8 of last year, the NIA suo moto launched the probe and arrested the 13 perpetrators from Tamil Nadu.

Pushparajah and C Gunasekaran ran a drug ring in the island nation and collaborated with Haji Salim, a supplier of both drugs and weapons from Pakistan. “The drugs were being sourced from Salim, who is suspected to be residing in Pakistan. The accused persons were using foreign WhatsApp numbers to carry out the clandestine trade.” NIA highlighted this in its official statement.

Salim Haji has reportedly worked with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He was in charge of practically all marine drug and weapon smuggling to India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and other adjacent nations.

NIA stated, “Investigations in the case had exposed their conspiracy to fund the revival of LTTE through the drug trade. They were arrested (last year) at the Trichy Special Camp. Investigations had further revealed that the accused were using the proceeds of crime to live a lavish life.”

“Several mobile phones with pre-activated Indian SIM cards were also seized from them along with various digital devices, documents relating to drug transactions, cash to the tune of ₹80 lakh, and nine gold bars. The cash and gold were proceeds from the sale of narcotics and were being channelled through hawala networks between Chennai and Sri Lanka. Several transactions using Crypto platforms were also unearthed,” it added. 

At least four separate instances involving a plot to relaunch the LTTE’s operations in Sri Lanka and India are being looked into by the federal agency.

Former LTTE intelligence officer Satkunam alias Sabesan was captured by the NIA in October 2021 in connection with an investigation into March 18, 2021, Coast Guard interception of the fishing vessel Ravihansi off the coast of Minicoy in Lakshwadeep, which resulted in the seizure of 300 kg of heroin, thousands of rounds of 9 mm ammunition, and five AK47 rifles.

Mumbai: Munnawar and Azeem try to convert minor girl by luring her with gold chain, threaten to shoot her when she refuses to wear burqa

OpIndia Staff
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Mumbai: Munnawar and Azeem try to convert minor girl by luring her with gold chain, threaten to shoot her when she refuses to wear burqa

On Friday, June 16, the Mumbai police informed that two men, namely, Munnawar Mansoori and Azeem Mansoori have been arrested in Bhayander, located in the suburbs of Mumbai, for allegedly sexually harassing and threatening a 13-year-old girl to convert her religion.

The action was taken based on a complaint filed against them by the victim’s mother. They were arrested under Sections 354, 354 (A), 366 (A), 506 and Sections 8, 12 of the POCSO Act.

According to reports, the mother reportedly told the police that on June 12 at around .30 in the evening, the accused took her minor daughter to the terrace of a building and tried to lure her to convert to Islam. They also coerced her to wear a burqa and elope with one of them by offering her gold ornaments. When she refused, the accused molested and sexually assaulted her daughter. After that, they threatened to shoot her using a fake pistol.

The victim’s mother further said that Munnawar and Azeem Mansoori had been following her daughter since June 1 and hurling obscene slurs.

However, after the June 12 episode, the girl narrated the entire incident to her mother, who filed a complaint against both the accused. The cops arrested both men under the relevant sections of the law, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).

“An FIR has been registered under the jurisdiction of the Bhayandar police station. The FIR states that a minor girl was harassed and threatened to convert to another religion. The accused have been taken into custody under POCSO and section 354 of the IPC,” said DCP Jayant Bajbale.

“A dummy pistol used to threaten the girl has also been recovered,” DCP Bajbale added.

Further probe into the matter is underway.

‘Kapda tere baap ka’: Manoj Muntashir justifies TikTok level dialogues in Adipurush movie, cites ‘contemporary style and diversity’

Sanghamitra
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‘Kapda tere baap ka’: Manoj Muntashir justifies TikTok level dialogues in Adipurush movie, cites ‘contemporary style and diversity’

Om Raut’s mega-budget movie Adipurush was released yesterday. The movie is based on Ramayan and the makers had spent a massive amount on PR, promising a magnificent retelling of the Hindu epic. However, though the movie saw full theatres on the day of release, many people have expressed shock and displeasure over the dark themes, cheap-looking VFX, and ‘inappropriate’ dialogues unfit for religious characters.

The Lanka Dahan scene apparently has Hanuman saying to one of Ravan’s sons, “Kapda tere baap ka, tel tere baap ka, aag tere baap ki, aur jalegi bhi tere baap ki”. (The clothes, oil, and fire all belong to your father, it is him who will get burned).

Some other dialogues that have the audience react in disgust are:

  • “Teri bua ka bageecha nahi hai jo hawa khane chala aya”
  • “Mere ek sapole ne tere Sheshnaag ko lamba kar diya”
  • “Marega bete”
  • “Apne bandaron ko lekar nikal ja”

The lowbrow style and the coarse language of the dialogues are fit for a movie depicting street goons and prison gangs, not an epic that is one of the main religious scriptures for over a billion Hindus all over the world.

Social media users are surprised that Manoj Muntashir, who wrote the heart-touching lyrics in the superhit songs ‘Teri Mitti’, ‘Galliyan’, and ‘Kaun Tujhe’, etc would be so off the mark in the dialogues of Adipurush.

Manoj Muntashir justifies the dialogues

Following the widespread condemnation and social media criticism, Muntashir has spoken to the media and has tried to justify the dialogues. As per reports, the popular poet and lyricist has stated that he wrote the dialogues keeping the ‘modern, contemporary’ speaking styles of the general public in the country.

He has also stated that all the characters in a story cannot be speaking the same kind of language and that is why he has tried to give different speaking styles for Ram and Hanuman.

Muntashir said that the dialogues are not a mistake, but have been written with much thought and after meticulous deliberating. He even claimed that “Kapda tere baap ka, tel tere baap ka” etc is how many popular Kathavaachaks in India tell Ramayan stories. He added that they never wanted to ‘Sanskritise’ Adipurush and the dialogues are kept that way so people can relate to them.

It is notable here that in all the narrations and depictions of the Ramayana done so far, nowhere it is shown that Ram and Hanuman are on different levels of linguistic sophistication. In fact, Lord Hanuman is addressed as “Gyan gun sagar”, the ocean of knowledge and good qualities.

As per Hindu beliefs, Hanuman is the son of Vaayu Devta, the Lord of the wind, and a manifestation of Lord Shiva. He is one of the Chiranjeevis (immortals), he was blessed with knowledge and unfathomable power by Surya Deva himself and is a disciple of Rishi Matang too. Hanuman learned all the Vedas, Yoga, and arts from childhood and was blessed by all the Gods with unmatched wisdom, valor, and power.

In fact, in Valmiki Ramayana, there are instances where Lord Ram praises the extent of Hanuman’s knowledge and his way of speaking.

No one knows how did Manoj Muntashir conclude that ‘Gyan gun sagar’ Hanuman’s communication style would be the same as that of a local TikTokiya.

Manoj Muntashir had declared that he is fortunate to be writing Ramayana for this age

Amid the criticisms over the loutish, uncivilized language uttered by Ramayana characters, an old tweet of Manoj Muntashir is going viral where he claimed that he is fortunate to be writing the Ramayana in our times.

However, Muntashir’s attempt to justify the boorish, tacky dialogues he has added in Adipurush are in contrast to previous statements and declarations by the movie makers, that Adipurush is a sincere attempt to retell the Ramayana.

Cringe-level dialogues and ‘cheap VFX’ disappoint viewers of Adipurush

Adipurush has received disappointing reviews from movie critics and audiences alike. Many have pointed out that not only do the costumes, and appearances of the main characters seem odd and unpleasant, but the movie itself comes across as a mockery of a widely popular and revered epic that is worshipped in every Hindu household all over the world.

One Twitter user commented that the one scene of Ram Charan appearing as the bow and arrow-wielding Ram in RRR was more powerful than the entire Adipurush movie.

Many also reminisced about the legendary portrayal of Ravana by NT Rama Rao, the way he depicted the most defining characteristic that made him the demon he was: Arrogance.

Apart from the cringe dialogues, people are also giving a thumbs down to the ‘cheap VFX’ and the blatant attempts to copy Hollywood scenes.

Some users have commented that the scene of Ravana kidnapping Seeta is almost the same as Disney’s Maleficient, the Vanar Sena fighting scenes have a strong resemblance to King Kong scenes, and even the ‘revival’ of Lakshman using Sanjeevani has been done as the scene where Lady Mellisandre revives Jon Snow in Game Of Thrones.

Viral video alleges ‘gold scam’ at Kedarnath, temple management dismisses them, says legal action to be taken against fake news peddlers

OpIndia Staff
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Viral video alleges ‘gold scam’ at Kedarnath, temple management dismisses them, says legal action to be taken against fake news peddlers

On Thursday (June 15), a video of ‘Acharya’ Santosh Trivedi surfaced on social media wherein he accused the Badri-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) of engineering a ‘gold scam.’

Trivedi, who serves as the Vice-President of Char Dham Tirth Purohit Samaj, claimed that the gold plating inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Kedarnath temple has transformed into brass.

In a viral video, he could be heard saying, “The sanctum sanctorum of the Kedarnath temple was studded with gold, only a few months ago. Today, when I came to visit the sacred shine, I saw that the gold plating has transformed into brass.”

“Why did the authorities not examine the gold? And who is responsible for this? Which member of the temple committee is liable for this? A scam of ₹125 crore has taken place in Kedarnath,” he claimed.

Trivedi alleged, “Gold which was said to be worth ₹125 crores has changed into brass…This is a fraud…Who did this? There should be immediate action against those accused. The gold was given to the temple committee. Why didn’t they inspect the gold?

He further added, “When we opposed the decision of putting up gold plates in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, they put up these plates overnight in contravention to our tradition. At that time, the deity was asleep. But, they nevertheless put up gold plates stealthily.”

“If action is not taken against those accused, then, we will launch a protest and drive them away from the temple,” the Congress-friendly Acharya warned.

Several news reports reiterate the allegation of a ‘gold scam’

Several news publications including Congress mouthpiece National Herald reiterated the allegations levelled by ‘Acharya’ Santosh Trivedi about a supposed gold scam at the Kedarnath temple.

It must be mentioned that a Maharashtra-based businessman donated 230 kg of gold to the Kedarnath temple as he wished to see the walls of the sanctum sanctorum plated with the precious metal.

His ‘long-held wish’ was granted by the Badri-Kedarnath Temple Committee and the Government of Uttarakhand.

Badri-Kedarnath Temple Committee debunks viral claims

The Committee, which manages the Kedarnath temple, has rubbished the claims of ‘Acharya’ Santosh Trivedi. In a press release on Thursday (June 15), it said, “The work of decorating the sanctum sanctorum of Shri Kedarnath Temple with gold plates was done in the year 2022 with the help of a donor.”

At present, a video is being circulated on social media by some people that gold worth ₹ 1,15,00,00,000 (One Billion Fifteen Crore rupees) has been placed in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Misleading information is being circulated without facts. Efforts are also being made to hurt the sentiments of the public,” the press release read.

Screengrab of the press release by

It pointed out, “…The Shri Badri-Kedarnath Temple Committee would like to clarify that a total of 23,777.800 grams of gold has been placed in the sanctum sanctorum of Shri Kedarnath Temple with the help of a donor. The current value of the used gold, according to the market rate is approximately Rs ₹14.38 crores.”

The Badri-Kedarnath Temple Committee added that copper plates along with gold have been used to decorate the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. “The total weight of the copper plates used is 1,001.300 kg, whose total value is ₹29,00,000,” it emphasised.

While refuting the outrageous claims of ‘Acharya’ Santosh Trivedi, the Committee said that legal action has been initiated against those found peddling fake news about the Kedarnath temple.

Kerala student goes missing from Chennai hostel, father accuses ‘friend’ Fahad of abduction and forced conversion

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala student goes missing from Chennai hostel, father accuses ‘friend’ Fahad of abduction and forced conversion

The father of a 22-year-old student from Kannur in Kerala has filed a habeas corpus in Kerala High Court alleging that his daughter has been forcefully converted and married by a man named Fahad.

He stated in his petition that his daughter studying in Chennai’s SRM College, has been missing since June 8. He alleged that a man named Fahad had befriended her. He feared that Fahad may have taken her without her will and forced her to convert to Islam and marry him.

The father, Varghese Abraham, alleged that his daughter, Benita Grace Varghese, used to call him up two-three times in a day. But after 7:45 pm on June 8, he has not heard from here and her phone is also switched off.

The father said that after he was unable to contact his daughter, he contacted the hostel authorities. The hostel authorities told him that his daughter Banita had left the hostel on June 8 saying she was going to her cousin’s house.

The victim’s father said that the next day at 9:30 pm, he received a voice note from a mobile number saying she is going with a person whom he did not know. The father said that they later learnt that the mobile number from which the voice note was sent belonged to a person named Fahad.

The father recognised this person as a Muslim man his daughter befriended when she was in Kuwait before moving to Chennai for higher studies.

Fahad lived as an NRI in Kuwait where he met Benita Grace Varghese and the two became close friends. The family does not know much about him except that he is a resident of Mattannur in Kannur, the petition read.

Varghese Abraham expressed doubts that Fahad has taken his daughter to Mattannur without her consent. There, the people of his community have forcibly converted her and got her married to Fahad against her will, he said.

The petition stated that the petitioner is an NRI in Kuwait. His daughter too was in Kuwait but moved to Chennai for higher studies.

Manipur Violence: Mobs try to torch houses of BJP leaders, 2 injured following overnight clashes

OpIndia Staff
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Manipur Violence: Mobs try to torch houses of BJP leaders, 2 injured following overnight clashes

In fresh violence in the troubled state of Manipur, on Saturday, officials informed that protesters clashed with security personnel through the night. Attempts were also made to set Bharatiya Janata Party leaders’ houses on fire, which led to the injuries to two individuals.

A mob of around 1000 individuals assembled to torch buildings adjacent to the palace grounds. It was dispersed by the Rapid Action Force (RAF) using tear gas and rubber bullets. It also cleared out an additional crowd that wanted to set MLA Thongam Biswajeet Singh’s residence on fire.

A second mob surrounded the BJP office in Sinjemai at midnight, but it was chased away by an Army column and failed to do any damage. Around midnight, a group of people tried to vandalise the president of the women’s wing of the BJP, Sharda Devi’s home in Imphal’s Porampet neighbourhood. They were successfully chased away by security officers.

Furthermore, a burglary attempt was made at Imphal West’s Iringbam police station, however, no weapons were taken. The government has imposed a curfew in eleven districts and banned the internet.

Around 9:45 p.m. on Friday, 400–500 rounds of automatic fire were reportedly fired in Kwakta town, Bishupur, and Kangvai village, Churachandpur. Sporadic bursts of firing have been reported since then.

Officials stated that multiple instances of crowd gathering, attempted damage, and arson against public figures and property hasve been confirmed. Army, Assam Rifles, Rapid Action Force, and police members worked together to conduct a flag march in Imphal East till midnight to halt rioters from congregating.

Meanwhile, former Army Chief Ved Prakash Malik also responded to the alarming situation in the northeastern state and wrote, “An extraordinary sad call from a retired Lt Gen from Manipur. Law & order situation in Manipur needs urgent attention at the highest level,” while reacting to a post by another Army veteran on Twitter. He also tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, and defence minister Rajnath Singh.

The house of Union Minister Rajkumar Ranjan Singh was recently set on fire on Thursday night in Kongba, Imphal, while the minister was in Kerala. Despite being a member of the Meitei community, he has persisted in pleading with both sides to refrain from violence and allow for the return of peace to the state. Miscreants also tried to set Manipur minister Nemcha Kipgen’s official bungalow on fire in Imphal West and managed to partly burn it.

Manipur was rocked by violence on May 3 this year when confrontations broke out during a rally called by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) to protest the demand that Meitei be included in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list. Since the Manipur High Court ordered the state administration to consider incorporating the community into the ST list, ethnic violence has been continuing in the state for more than a month. In order to quell the unrest, central paramilitary forces are stationed there.

Home Minister Amit Shah visited the northeastern state on May 29 for a period of four days during which he held meetings with Chief Minister N Biren Singh, leaders of all political parties, civil society, women groups, tribal groups, and security personnel. He announced the formation of a peace committee and a judicial commission under the chairmanship of a retired Chief Justice of a High Court to investigate Manipur violence.

Gujarat: Violent mob attacks police and sets vehicles on fire over municipality notice to demolish illegal Daragah in Junagadh

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat: Violent mob attacks police and sets vehicles on fire over municipality notice to demolish illegal Daragah in Junagadh

On Friday, June 16, a mob comprising hundreds of people attacked a police post in Majievadi Chowk in the Junagadh district of Gujarat after a notice was issued to demolish an illegal dargah located near Uperkot Extension. The angry mob vandalized public property and set fire to vehicles parked outside the police post. The mob pelted stones at the police personnel present there, leaving several police officers including Deputy SP and a woman PSI injured. 

The visuals of the incident emerged online wherein it is seen that the large mob hurls stones at the police while officers try to bring the situation under control by using tear gas shells. An additional police force was deployed and a lathi charge was done to control the violent mob. The situation remains tense in the region. Meanwhile, police teams and Rapid Action Force has been deployed in the affected area.

Several vehicles have been burned or damaged and multiple police personnel have been injured, as per reports.

According to media reports, the Junagadh Municipal Corporation issued a notice on June 14 to demolish an illegal dargah built near the Majevadi Gate area. According to the notification issued by the senior town planner, the dargah in question was built unlawfully and will be dismantled within the next five days. It further ordered the Dargah authorities to furnish evidence to show the legality of the structure. The notice stated that if the authorities fail to provide necessary documentation the dargah will be demolished and the authorities will have to bear the costs.

In a statement, the police mentioned that one civilian has died in the incident and prima facie it appears that stone pelting was the reason for his injuries. Junagarh SP Raviteja Vasamsetty has informed that about 400-500 people had blocked the road near Majewadi Gate and had pelted stones. After the police tried to disperse the violent mob they attacked police personnel. Several police personnel have been injured in the incident. The police have so far caught 174 people and investigation is on.

The officers of the Municipal Corporation had arrived on Friday night to put up this notice, however, soon some miscreants gathered and started raising slogans against the authorities. The situation later took a violent turn. 

BJP Tamil Nadu State Secretary arrested for criticising Communist MP for his silence on the death of a sanitary worker

OpIndia Staff
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BJP Tamil Nadu State Secretary arrested for criticising Communist MP for his silence on the death of a sanitary worker

On Friday (June 16) night, BJP (Tamil Nadu) State Secretary SG Suryah was arrested by the cybercrime unit of Madurai police.

His arrest comes days after he accused a Communist ward councillor named Viswanathan of being responsible for the death of a hygiene worker. SG Surya said that Vishwanathan compelled the deceased to clean a drain filled with faecal matter, which resulted in allergies and his eventual death.

The BJP leader had also written a strongly-worded letter to CPI(M) MP Su Venkatesan, complaining about the death of the worker and questioning his silence on the matter. It is believed that the tweet triggered the arrest of SG Suryah.

In his tweet on June 7 this year, the BJP State Secretary pointed out, “Madurai Pennadam town panchayat 12th ward councillor Viswanathan had forced the worker to undertake the job after which the worker got infected and died. The hypocritical politics of the MP stinks.”

He further added, “The deceased is a scheduled caste brother! Where’s your red flag! Where is your fighting spirit? Where are your passionate words? If you are against the ruling BJP government, you will come forward immediately. Where have you gone now? Did you sneak out?”

“Why doesn’t your red flag fly against your fellow comrades? Or won’t your red flag take to the streets and fight in support of the Scheduled Caste brothers? Your fake politics draped in red flag stinks worse than the manhole. Find a way to live as a human being, my friend,” SG Suryah had written.

Police complaint against BJP leader

Soon after, a police complaint was filed against the BJP leader by the Madurai Urban unit of CPI(M). They accused him of tarnishing the image of MP Su Venkatesan on social media and sought action against SG Suryah.

“Suryah is intentionally creating tension among the conservancy workers as well as the public on an incident that did not happen in the city. The BJP functionary is creating tension,” the Communist Party of India (Marxist) claimed. 

The Communist party workers claimed that there is no councillor by the name of Vishwanathan or any ‘Pennadam town panchayat’ in Madurai district.

Annamalai backs SG Suryah

Following the arrest, BJP Tamil Nadu President K. Annamalai has extended his support to SG Suryah. In a tweet, he said, “The arrest of BJP Tamil Nadu
State Secretary Thiru @Suryah SG avlis highly condemnable. His only mistake was to expose the nasty double standards of the communists, allies of DMK.”

“Using state machinery to curtail free speech & getting jittery for the slightest criticism is unbecoming of a democratically elected leader and, indeed, are signs of an autocratic leader in the making. Drawing inspiration from autocrats, TN CM Thiru @mkstalin is turning the state into a lawless jungle,” he emphasised.

“These arrests will not deter us & we will continue to be bearers of the uncomfortable truth!” Annamalai added.

West Bengal Panchayat polls: State govt and state election commission to move Supreme Court challenging Calcutta HC’s order to deploy central forces

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal Panchayat polls: State govt and state election commission to move Supreme Court challenging Calcutta HC’s order to deploy central forces

In a significant development, on 16th June 2023, the West Bengal Government and the State Election Commission decided to challenge the order of the Calcutta High Court regarding the deployment of central forces during the upcoming Panchayat elections. The High Court, on June 15, had directed the deployment of central paramilitary forces in all districts of West Bengal, a decision that faced opposition from the state government. The court had asked the SEC to seek central forces from the centre within 48 hours.

The Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, TS Sivagnanam, and Justice Uday Kumar had issued the order, emphasizing the need for the presence of central forces throughout the state, not just in sensitive areas. The court had criticized the State Election Commission for its failure to identify sensitive areas for the deployment of central forces, as previously instructed by the court.

Initially, the State Election Commissioner, Rajiva Sinha, had indicated compliance with the court’s order, but within 24 hours, the state government and the election commission changed their position. In a meeting with the ADG Law and Order and the Home Secretary, they decided to challenge the High Court’s decision in the Supreme Court.

The state government and the State Election Commission will file separate cases in the Supreme Court tomorrow, seeking to challenge the order to deploy central forces. The Commission’s argument will revolve around the ongoing evaluation of sensitive booths, claiming that no decision has been made in this regard yet. It is notable that the High Court had ordered the deployment of central forces in all districts only because SEC could not identify sensitive areas.

The state government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has strongly criticized the deployment of central forces and intends to contest the verdict in the apex court. The state will argue that it has the necessary police force to conduct the election and doesn’t need central forces. The state govt has even proposed to deploy police from other states but is unwilling to allow the presence of central forces during the polls which is expected to be violent and volatile. Earlier in the morning today, the West Bengal govt withdrew a review petition it had filed at the High Court against the order, indicating that it was moving Supreme Court instead.

SEC and West Bengal govt will file the petitions at the apex court on Saturday morningng through e-filling, and will demand early hearing.

Opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, have filed caveats against the High Court ruling, demonstrating their concern over the implications of the decision on the electoral process.

The dispute surrounding the deployment of central forces during the Panchayat elections in West Bengal has brought to the forefront the political dynamics and the debate over maintaining law and order. The state government had advocated for the deployment of police from opposition-ruled states to ensure fair elections, but the High Court’s order firmly asserted the necessity of central forces to safeguard the electoral process.

The Calcutta High Court’s stern remarks towards the State Election Commission for impeding the implementation of its order highlighted the judiciary’s determination to uphold its decisions. The court warned the Commission against delay tactics and even raised the possibility of contempt proceedings if the court’s orders were not adhered to.

With the West Bengal Government and the State Election Commission now challenging the High Court’s decision in the Supreme Court, the legal battle over the deployment of central forces is poised to continue. The outcome of the apex court’s verdict will be eagerly awaited by political circles and the residents of West Bengal, as it will have a profound impact on the conduct and fairness of the Panchayat elections.

The Supreme Court’s decision will ultimately determine whether central forces will be deployed as ordered by the Calcutta High Court or if alternative measures will be considered to ensure a smooth and secure electoral process in West Bengal.

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