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Govt officials at Central Secretariat Service concerned over Kartavya Bhavan layout, claim ‘privacy and confidentiality will be affected’: Internet says ‘so privileged’

Shraddha Pandey
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Govt officials at Central Secretariat Service concerned over Kartavya Bhavan layout, claim ‘privacy and confidentiality will be affected’: Internet says ‘so privileged’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated Kartavya Bhavan-3, the first of the many upcoming Common Central Secretariat buildings, on 6th August 2025. Ahead of the inauguration, the Central Secretariat Service (CSS) Forum, a body representing government officials, reportedly wrote a letter to the Prime Minister’s office raising concern over open office space, compromised privacy and risk to confidentiality.

In a letter addressed to the PMO and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the CSS Forum, which represents 13,000 officials, claimed that the CSS officers are being allotted lesser spaces than mandated at the workspaces in Kartavya Bhavan, adding that this would negatively impact confidentiality and efficiency.

“The seating arrangement in Kartavya Bhawan-3 lacks the necessary spatial integrity and functional separation of sections. In addition, multiple sections are housed in a single work hall without clear demarcation. Assistant Section Officers (ASOs), who are central to file processing and examining, lack dedicated storage for both physical files and stationery, as well as partitions between their workspaces,” the CSS said in its letter.

According to the letter, low-height almirahs were used to create office spaces for Section Officer and Under Secretary level officers. The CSS Forum argues that this reduces privacy and creates sporadic distractions, which makes it difficult to handle important subjects discreetly.

“Under Secretaries, who are entrusted to handle highly sensitive and confidential matters like classified files, court cases, and vigilance issues, require a private workspace. However, they have been provided an open office space, wherein their telephonic and in-person discussions with senior authorities and other officials can easily be overheard, posing a serious risk to confidentiality. This is particularly problematic for sections dealing with sensitive matters, where premature disclosure could compromise outcomes,” the Forum’s letter reads.

The Central Secretariat Service Forum has demanded the ministries should be directed to review present seating arrangements. In addition, corrective measures which align with the prescribed norms, should be implemented.

“The seating arrangement in Kartavya Bhawan-3 lacks the necessary spatial integrity and functional separation of sections. In addition, multiple sections are housed in a single work hall without clear demarcation. Assistant Section Officers (ASOs), who are central to file processing and examining, lack dedicated storage… as well as partitions between their workspaces. Further, office space for Section Officer and Under Secretary level officers has been created by putting low height almirahs, which not only compromises privacy but also causes intermittent distractions, adversely affecting focus and critical thinking essential for analytical work, as well as the discreet handling of sensitive matters,” the CSS wrote.

The CSS Forum further sought allocation of adequate office spaces, including closed chambers for officials.

‘So privileged’ or legitimate demands? Netizens think ‘unwilling-to-change Babus’ are making excuses

The CSS letter, however, has sparked a debate on social media, with many suggesting that these demands by the government officials come across as angst against being deprived of the ‘privileges’ they previously enjoyed.

One X user Arihant wrote, “Everyone should read the letter written by Central Secretariat babus to the PM on their problems with shifting offices to the new Kartavya Bhavan. The phrases used. The language. What a masterclass in bullshitting.”

Another X user wrote, “This is a modern state of the art building. Babus must NOT be allowed to RUIN it by giving specious reasons. Winds of change are blowing. They must adapt to no nonsense no frills offices instead of the ‘Office Office’ across the table ones they are used to.”

Meanwhile, one X user wrote, “These insecure babus stuck with colonial overhang are the single biggest reason why our country is so slow at adopting modern ways. Appalling! They don’t deserve the swanky office.”

Another one had a rather hilarious take as he wrote, “The only ideal response from PMO should be “either it is Kartavya Bhavan or Kaziranga national park forest dept, make your choice.”

Meanwhile, NDTV journalist Akhilesh Sharma wrote, “Sitting in the open office of Kartavya Bhawan will cause difficulties for the clerks in performing their duties. They expressed their opposition through a letter, stating that in the new office, instead of separate sections, everyone is being made to sit together. This poses a risk of breaching confidentiality and concentration. By the way, it is true that the idea of an open office layout, borrowed from multinational companies, is nonsense. It adversely affects work efficiency, capability, and productivity. This creates a new system of discrimination in the office.”

The CSS forum argues that since Under Secretaries handle sensitive tasks like vigilance, court cases, and classified files etc, confidentiality is critical, and open-plan offices risk unintended disclosure. It is indeed a risk, given conversations can be overheard, compromising confidentiality of certain matters, which may also be linked to national security or legal processes.

Furthermore, a lack of functional separation, as claimed by the CSS, may cause distractions, reducing focus and hampering critical thinking, especially for Section Officers and Under Secretaries. This could overall impact productivity and that’s why the CSS has demanded enclosed spaces.

The MoHUA memorandum dated 16th March 2017, stipulates the minimum office space requirements, which are: Deputy Secretary/Director (Level 12/13): 240 sq. ft., Under Secretary (Level 11): 120 sq. ft., Section Officer (Levels 8–10): 60 sq. ft. Assistant Section Officer (Level 7): 40 sq. ft.

While the CSS forum says that it demands that workspaces meet functional needs, a section of netizens feels that such demands under the pretext of privacy and confidentiality reek of privilege, with many going as far as to claiming that open offices would not allow corruption, especially taking bribes.

Notably, the Kartavya Bhavan’s open-plan designs is in line with global trends toward collaborative workspaces. As the Central Vista project’s vision highlights, this plan is aimed at fostering innovation and inter-ministerial coordination. Thus, retrofitting for enclosed offices may not align with the aims of the new design.

While the CSS forum demands enclosed offices, the open-plan design of the workspaces at Kartavya Bhavan are meant to be flexible, allowing reconfiguration in future, and permanent cabins might limit adaptability. Thus, making it difficult to accommodate changing ministry requirements.

However, the CSS forum’s concern about risk of undermining confidentiality, especially in ministries like Home Affairs cannot be outrightly dismissed. Promotion of transparency and collaboration cannot come at the cost of risking confidentiality in matters requiring the same. The concerned authorities must ensure that cost-cutting, modernisation and aesthetics don’t end up trumping smooth functionality public service.

Devbhoomi drowns, Islamists rejoice: How flash floods in Uttarakhand became a festival of hate against Hindus

Jinit Jain
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Devbhoomi drowns, Islamists rejoice: How flash floods in Uttarakhand became a festival of hate against Hindus

On Tuesday, August 5, devastating flash floods triggered by a cloudburst swept through parts of Uttarakhand, leaving death and destruction in their wake. Among the worst-hit regions was the serene village of Dharali, near Gangotri, where homes, people, and livelihoods were mercilessly washed away. The tragedy, captured in a viral video, evoked grief and sympathy from most quarters, except, disturbingly, from a certain section of India’s Islamist-leaning social media users.

Instead of prayers or solidarity, what emerged from some corners of the internet was a chilling spectacle of celebration. Figures like Ali Sohrab, Karishma Aziz, and their echo chamber of like-minded users responded to the footage not with empathy, but with unvarnished glee. Their posts gleefully dubbed the floods as “कुदरत का बुलडोज़र” (nature’s bulldozer), mocking the natural disaster as a form of divine retribution against the Hindu-majority state.

Source: X

The term “bulldozer” is no accident. Uttarakhand, also known as Devbhoomi (Land of the Gods), has recently become symbolic of a government-led campaign to root out illegal encroachments, many of which involved unauthorized Islamic structures. The Dhami government, with public support, has employed bulldozers to reclaim public land, a move that has drawn ire from Islamist quarters. And now, in an act of grotesque poeticism, the flash floods are being painted by these elements as ‘Allah’s vengeance’ for the bulldozing of illegal mosques.

One tweet mockingly asks, “Ye aapda hai ya bulldozer chal raha hai?” (Is this a disaster or a bulldozer at work?), while another suggests that this is divine punishment for the supposed mistreatment of Muslims in Uttarakhand. A user even rejoiced in how “Khuda ki laathi mein awaaz nahi hoti”, a vile justification of human tragedy as godly wrath. These reactions are not just distasteful, they reveal a deeper, festering moral rot that thrives in ideological echo chambers insulated from humanity.

This moral rot stems from decades of political conditioning that treated Muslims not as equal citizens, but as a pampered political bloc. The Modi-led Centre and the Dhami-led Uttarakhand government have systematically dismantled the UPA-era model of minority appeasement, where encroachments were ignored, conversions were brushed under the carpet, and political correctness ensured silence even in the face of lawlessness. The bulldozer, symbolic of governance without fear or favour, has disrupted this long-standing ecosystem of entitlement.

And it is this disruption, this end of unearned privilege, that has enraged a section of the Muslim community, particularly those with Islamist leanings. To them, equal treatment feels like oppression. Being held to the same legal standards is perceived as persecution. They are not angry because they are being targeted; they are angry because they are no longer above the law.

This explains the venomous reactions to the Uttarakhand floods. The fact that the affected region is popularly known as Devbhoomi—home to sacred Hindu shrines like Kedarnath and Badrinath, only fuels their ideological resentment. So when a cloudburst causes devastation in a Hindu-majority hill state, it is grotesquely recast by Islamists as “divine punishment,” a so-called “nature’s bulldozer” taking revenge for the state’s crackdown on illegal Islamic structures.

This is not political protest. This is a manifestation of hate so visceral that it dehumanises an entire population based on their religion. It’s the same mindset that justified the partition, cheered during communal violence, and continues to sympathize with terrorists and radicals so long as they serve an Islamist cause.

Even more disturbing is the silence from so-called liberal secularists and moderate Muslim voices. If Hindus had celebrated a disaster in a Muslim area, the outrage would have echoed from every media outlet and activist pulpit. But when the hate is directed at Hindus, it is conveniently ignored, if not quietly approved. This selective morality has become a shield for Islamist supremacism masquerading as victimhood.

Make no mistake, this isn’t about religious identity; it’s about ideological poison. These Islamists aren’t opposing state policies on principle. They’re opposing them because those policies dare to treat them equally. Their grievance is not about justice; it is about the loss of their historic immunity from accountability. The bulldozer is not the enemy, equality is.

The tragedy in Uttarakhand should have united people across religious lines in shared sorrow. Instead, it has been weaponised by a segment of bigoted ideologues to push a narrative of retribution and divine punishment. The glee with which they celebrate death is a mirror to their ideological bankruptcy and a warning sign for the rest of the nation.

No one, regardless of their religion or political beliefs, should find joy in the suffering of others. What we are witnessing is not just a digital provocation, it is a spiritual catastrophe. A nation cannot survive if a section of its people are taught to laugh when others bleed.

In times of tragedy, silence is not neutrality. It is complicity. The path to national integrity lies not just in infrastructure and reforms, but in moral clarity. India must call out this sickness firmly, unapologetically, and without compromise. Because when death becomes a joke, and nature’s fury is weaponised as communal vengeance, we are not dealing with political dissent. We are dealing with a toxic ideology that seeks to destroy the very soul of the Indian Republic.

Supreme Court grants interim stay on legal proceedings against YouTuber Elvish Yadav in rave party snake venom case

OpIndia Staff
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Supreme Court grants interim stay on legal proceedings against YouTuber Elvish Yadav in rave party snake venom case

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted an interim stay on legal proceedings against YouTuber Elvish Yadav in connection with a rave party case, where snake venom and other illegal drugs were allegedly supplied and consumed.

A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Joymalya Bagchi issued notice to the respondents, including the Uttar Pradesh government and complainant Gaurav Gupta on Yadav’s petition challenging the FIR, chargesheet, and the summoning order passed by the trial court, seeking their response to Yadav’s plea. The trial proceedings would not be allowed to proceed till the responses are received.

Yadav had approached the Supreme Court seeking quashing of the chargesheet filed against him and the summons issued in the case. Earlier in May, Allahabad High Court had dismissed his plea, observing that the allegations warranted a thorough legal examination as multiple FIRs had been registered in the matter.

The counsel appearing for Yadav informed the top court that his client has challenged the Allahabad High Court’s decision denying him relief. In his plea filed before the top court through Advocate Shahrukh Ali, Advocate Raman Yadav and Advocate Aman Jha, Elvish Yadav argued that cognisance of the offence under the Wildlife Protection Act has been taken without a complaint filed by a competent officer.

He further argued that the police have no authority to investigate offences under the WPA or to file a chargesheet in relation with it.

Yadav has also claimed that he was not present at the venue, and that no snake, narcotic or psychotropic substance has been recovered from him.

Elvish Yadav has been chargesheeted under Sections 9, 39, 48A, 49, 50 and 51 of Wildlife Protection Act and Sections 284, 289 and 120B of IPC and Sections 8, 22, 29, 30 and 32 of NDPS Act in the FIR lodged at Police Station Sector-49, Noida, District Gautam Buddh Nagar. A summons order has also been issued by the First Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Gautam Buddh Nagar.

Supreme Court permanently bars Allahabad HC’s Justice Prashant Kumar from hearing criminal matters, says his order ‘one of the worst and most erroneous’

OpIndia Staff
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Supreme Court permanently bars Allahabad HC’s Justice Prashant Kumar from hearing criminal matters, says his order ‘one of the worst and most erroneous’

Coming down heavily on Allahabad High Court judge Justice Prashant Kumar on Monday (4th August), the Supreme Court ordered the removal of criminal matters from his roster. The decision of the top court came after Justice Kumar allowed criminal proceedings in a civil matter.

Using strong language against Justice Kumar, a bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan termed the judgment passed by Justice Kumar as “one of the worst and the most erroneous orders we have come across”.

“The judge concerned has not only cut a sorry figure for himself, but has made a mockery of justice. We are at our wits’ end to understand what is wrong with the Indian Judiciary at the level of the High Court,” the bench harshly remarked.

“At times, we are left wondering whether such orders are passed on some extraneous considerations or it is sheer ignorance of the law. Whatever it be, passing of such absurd and erroneous orders is something unpardonable,” the bench added in order accessed by OpIndia.

The Supreme Court questioned the competence of the High Court judge

Raising question on the competence of Justice Kumar to handle criminal matters, the Apex Court directed the judge to sit with a senior High Court judge in a division bench. “The Chief Justice of the High Court shall immediately withdraw the present criminal determination from the concerned Judge… make the concerned judge sit in a Division Bench with a seasoned senior judge of the High Court,” the Supreme Court directed.

The Supreme Court was hearing an appeal against the judgment passed by a single bench of Justice Kumar, in which he allowed summons of criminal nature in a civil dispute. In his judgment, Justice Kumar refused to quash the summons issued by a magistrate against a company, which was accused of not paying the balance sum in a business transaction. Additionally, he allowed the initiation of criminal proceedings for the recovery of the balance amount, noting that the complainant would not be in a position to pursue civil litigation, as it would take a long time, and the complainant would have to spend money.

“To be more precise, it would seem like good money chasing bad money. If this court allows the matter to be referred to civil court on account of civil dispute between the parties, it would amount to travesty of justice and O.P. no. 2 (complainant) would suffer irreparable loss and he might even not be in a position to emerge from the financial constraints to pursue the matter,” Justice Kumar said in his judgment.

The Top Court expressed shock over the High Court order

Describing the High Court judgment as “shocking”, the Supreme Court said, “Is it the understanding of the High Court that ultimately if the accused is convicted, the trial court would award him the balance amount? The observations recorded are shocking. It is an extremely sad day for one and all to read the observations in the impugned order. It was expected of the High Court to know the well-settled position of law that, in cases of civil dispute, a complainant cannot be permitted to resort to criminal proceedings as the same could amount to abuse of process of law”.

“It was expected of the HC to understand the nature of the allegations levelled in the complaint. In substance, the High Court has said in so many words that the criminal proceedings instituted by the complainant in a case of pure civil dispute is justified because it may take considerable time for the complainant to recover the balance amount by preferring a civil suit,” the Supreme Court stated, setting aside the order of the High Court.

2 Chinese nationals arrested in the United States for smuggling Nvidia AI chips worth millions of dollars to China

OpIndia Staff
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2 Chinese nationals arrested in the United States for smuggling Nvidia AI chips worth millions of dollars to China

Two nationals of China have been arrested in the United States for smuggling top-of-the-range artificial intelligence (AI) chips valued at millions of dollars to China. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) disclosed the arrests on Tuesday, 5th August (local time), stating that the suspects illegally exported controlled technology without the required government licenses.

According to a press release issued by the US Department of Justice, the accused, Chuan Geng and Shiwei Yang, were running a California-based company called ALX Solutions. Over the past three years, the company sent advance GPUs like Nvidia’s H100 and GeForce RTX 4090 from the US to China, bypassing strict export controls.

Nvidia AI chips at the centre of the case

Some of the shipments included Nvidia’s H100 graphics processing units (GPUs). These are among the most advanced GPUs used in AI development and are currently under heavy restrictions by the US government to prevent them from reaching China.

A spokesperson from Nvidia responded to the case, saying that any attempt to smuggle their chips is a “nonstarter.” The company said it only sells its products to trusted partners who ensure that all sales follow export control rules. If any product is illegally exported or diverted, it loses all official service, support, and software updates, the spokesperson added.

Fake customers and suspicious payments

The DOJ says ALX Solutions had only three known employees. Chuan Geng handled the finances, Shiwei Yang was the company’s secretary, and the CEO’s name is still unknown. Mr Geng was a legal permanent resident in California, while Ms Yang had overstayed her visa and was considered an “illegal alien.”

Between October 2022 and July 2025, ALX allegedly sent several shipments to companies in Singapore and Malaysia. However, the DOJ says these locations were just transit hubs to hide the fact that the final destination was China.

Interestingly, ALX didn’t receive payments directly from the shipping companies. Instead, it was paid by businesses based in Hong Kong and China. In one case, a China-based company transferred $1 million to ALX in January 2024.

One invoice from 2023, worth $28.4 million, claimed that Nvidia chips were ordered by a Singapore-based firm. But when US officials investigated, they couldn’t verify the delivery. The company listed in the invoice didn’t even exist at the stated address.

The DOJ also found that neither ALX Solutions nor its employees applied for or obtained an export license from the US Commerce Department. In December last year, one shipment containing restricted chips, including Nvidia H100 and GeForce RTX 4090, was flagged by US customs for further inspection.

Arrest and court appearance

Ms Yang was arrested on Saturday, and Mr Geng turned himself in shortly after. Both appeared in federal court in Los Angeles on Monday, 4th August (local time) They would get up to 20 years in prison if they are found guilty.

Up till now, ALX Solutions does not seem to have an official website. But another website belonging to another company named ALX-Cloud that provides cloud computing solutions claims to be a subsidiary of ALX Solutions.

The chip maker named in the case, Super Micro Computer, stated it is committed to complying with all US export laws. The company would not comment on the current legal action but promised to assist authorities if necessary.

Why the US is restricting AI chip exports to China

This case is part of a broader effort by the US government to stop advanced technology from falling into the hands of its geopolitical rivals, especially China and Russia.

In January 2025, the US introduced strict new rules that limit the export of AI chips to most countries. The regulations are particularly targeted at high-performance chips such as those made by Nvidia and AMD. The aim is to prevent nations such as China from employing AI technology for military applications or mass surveillance.

Only close US allies that follow American security and human rights standards are allowed to buy such technology. The US Commerce Secretary, Gina Raimondo, said the new rules were necessary to protect national security, even if they came with trade-offs.

“Managing national security risks requires trade-offs,” she said in a blog post from the White House. “This rule ensures our allies can access cutting-edge technology while safeguarding our interests.”

The US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, also said that these rules are meant to make sure that the future of AI remains in the hands of the US and its trusted partners. He explained that this is to prevent what happened with chip and battery manufacturing, where the US lost dominance to other countries, from happening again with AI.

The arrest of Geng and Yang shows that the US is taking its chip export laws very seriously and is willing to crack down even on small-scale exporters who try to bypass the system.

Uttarkashi flashfloods: Rescue and relief efforts continue on a war footing as death toll rises to 5, multiple security agencies come together to aid the residents in isolated areas

OpIndia Staff
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Uttarkashi flashfloods: Rescue and relief efforts continue on a war footing as death toll rises to 5, multiple security agencies come together to aid the residents in isolated areas

Flash floods due to cloud burst struck the Dharali village in Uttarakhand on the afternoon of August 5, killing at least five people and numerous others missing (at least 60), feared to be washed away in the Uttarkashi district of the state.

The village was cut off after the stretch close to the Bhagirathi river collapsed. An Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) rescue squad had been stuck in the region as well as a result.

The area which is on the way to the Gangotri pilgrimage destination was severely damaged as homes, businesses, hotels and other infrastructure were washed away by roaring rivers. According to officials, around 20–25 hotels and guesthouses may have been washed away, and large portions of Dharali market have been “completely swept away.” 

Heavy equipment, including JCBs, has been used to remove rubble and restore connectivity in the impacted areas as many sections of the Uttarkashi-Harsil route have been blocked.

A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has also been deployed. Despite heavy rains and difficult terrain that substantially slowed the ongoing efforts, Army, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local police personnel were able to rescue 70 individuals by midnight.

The Uttarkashi-Harsil route’s Bhatwadi road has been totally washed out. All night, the route to Harsil remained closed. The site is about 50 kilometres away from Dharali.

At least 163 roads, including five national highways, seven state highways, and two border routes have been closed due to landslides, seriously impeding rescue attempts and preventing access to the secluded region which is roughly 140 kilometres from Dehradun.

The Chandigarh-Manali National Highway remains closed due to heavy rainfall and multiple landslides along the stretch between Mandi and Kullu. Authorities have advised travellers to avoid the route until clearance operations are completed.

Meanwhile Sukhi Top region of Uttarakhand also experienced another cloudburst, hours after the the catastrophe in Dharali.

CM Dhami takes stock of the situation, talks to PM Modi

As relief and evacuation efforts continue throughout the state ravaged by rain, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, on 6th August, stated that 130 people have been rescued thus far. However, rising river levels, washed-out roads and landslides have left various areas isolated. The chief minister rushed to the district to assess the situation, and is going to visit the affected villages.

With ten Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), three Superintendents of Police (SPs), and approximately 160 police officers actively participating in the operation, he informed that extensive rescue attempts are currently in progress. “Food packets have been prepared, and a team of doctors is ready to provide medical assistance,” CM Dhami conveyed. Damaged power lines are also being restored.

“All our agencies, including the Indian Army, ITBP, SDRF, NDRF and locals, are doing the rescue work. A search and rescue operation is underway. Due to damage to the roads and a bridge, it has become difficult to reach the spot. The Disaster Operations Station in Dehradun is working 24 hours to provide all possible assistance. We are putting in efforts to rescue everyone safely,” he highlighted.

PM Modi also expressed his condolences and prayed for the well-being of all the victims. He held a phone conversation with the Chief Minister and stated that every possible effort is being made by rescue and relief teams. “No stone is being left unturned in providing assistance to the people,” the Prime Minister further assured.

CM Dhami also wrote that PM Modi was briefed about the “ongoing relief and rescue operations in Dharali.” The latter was told about how people were rescued and taken to safe locations as well as ensuring the availability of essential services and resources. The Chief Minister added, “I am in constant contact with the team engaged in the rescue operation. I am also heading to Dharali myself to inspect the incident site.”

Massive rescue efforts underway

Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) CEO Ashish Chauhan mentioned, “We have 4 to 5 helicopters on standby and are prepared to begin air operations as soon as weather conditions improve.” Helicopter landings in one of the main impacted areas are being hampered due to the submerged Harsil helipad.

Drones, earthmoving machinery, and army tracker dogs are all being used for evacuation and the distribution of necessary supplies. A red alert is in place and helpline numbers have also been released. So far, no corpse has been recovered from the debris. The Army is searching for the stranded people using its Chinook and MI-17 helicopters.

On the other hand, at least least eight soldiers went missing from a camp in lower Harsil but the Army continued to carry out relief activities. Colonel Harshvardhan, the 14 Rajputana Rifles commanding officer, led 150 military personnel during the rescue and relief efforts.

“Army and Airforce helicopters for essential supplies, medicines and evacuation of the marooned are also being coordinated. In the meanwhile, the residents have been moved to higher reaches in view of rising water levels due to incessant rains,” the Army informed.

According to a statement released by the PRO of Defence in Dehradun, Lieutenant Colonel Manish Shrivastava, the team is operating with steadfast commitment despite being cut off, an adversly affected unit base and 11 members believed to be missing.

The first-ever cadaver dog team was sent out by the NDRF to assist in finding the people who may have died in the cloudburst. Even as three force teams, each with 35 rescuers, were rushed to the scene from different parts of the state, two of these canines were scheduled to be airlifted from Delhi. At the Dehradun airport, two additional NDRF teams are also ready to be airlifted.

DIG NDRF Mohsen Shahedi outlined, “Teams of ITBP, SDRF, NDRF, BRO (Border Roads Organisation) are carrying out rescue operations at the spot. Around 150 people have been taken to safe spots. Our three teams are on the way and they will reach the spot as soon as the road reopens. Our teams in Pant Nagar, Gauchar and Joshimath are on standby. They will be sent once the weather improves.”

There are 201 members of the Army, ITBP, Police, Revenue, BRO, and ambulance services working together at the location. A second team of 211 responders wis ready to join them. Senior administrative officers continue to supervise the Emergency Operations Center’s operations.

Residents near riverbanks in Bhattwadi, Gangori and Uttarkashi have received alerts and helipad operations have been initiated at Jhala to facilitate airborne rescue. A number of institutions have been converted into camps and shelters for relief efforts.

The Ganga river’s water levels have increased to almost dangerous levels due to incessant rain. Haridwar was also placed under an orange alert by the Indian Meteorological Department, which predicted thunderstorms and 5 to 15 millimetres of rain per hour.

“This incident is even bigger than the one which took place in 2013. Help from the centre and the state is being sent. Rescue teams are also on the way, but it is taking time because the roads are blocked in some places, it is an unfortunate incident,” voiced Bharatiya Janata Party’s Tehri Garhwal MP, Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah.

SC rejects plea by deceased UAPA accused Saquib Nachan challenging Govt of India’s declaration of ISIS as a terrorist organisation, claiming ‘Caliphate’ and ‘Jihad’ can’t be associated with terrorism

Aditi
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SC rejects plea by deceased UAPA accused Saquib Nachan challenging Govt of India’s declaration of ISIS as a terrorist organisation, claiming ‘Caliphate’ and ‘Jihad’ can’t be associated with terrorism

The Supreme Court of India, on Tuesday (5th August), dismissed a petition filed by the deceased terror accused, Saquib Nachan, challenging two government notifications declaring ISIS and its related groups as terrorist organisations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. The plea, which was filed in December 2024 by Nachan, who died of a brain hemorrhage in June this year, came up for hearing before a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymala Bagchi on Tuesday.

In his plea, Nachan had alleged that he and his son, Shamil Nachan, were wrongfully arrested for their suspected ISIS links. The top court observed that the allegations could only be addressed through proceedings before a competent criminal court.

Dismissing the petition, the bench said that it was not inclined to entertain a blanket challenge to the notifications issued by the government under Section 35 of the UAPA in February 2015 and June 2018.

Senior Advocate Mukta Gupta was assisting the court as amicus curiae after the death of Nachan. She submitted before the court that the notifications breached the fundamental rights of the petitioners under Article 25 of the Constitution by ‘misterpreting’ terms like “Caliphate” and “Jihad” and equating them with terrorism. Gupta added that the petitioner contended that no procedure similar to that prescribed under Section 3 of the UAPA for “unlawful associations” was followed by the government in making the declaration.

“He says the word ‘caliphate’ is wrongly interpreted. That violates his fundamental right to religion. He has given substantial portions indicating what, according to the Quran, is the meaning of caliphate and jihad,” Gupta said.

The Apex Court disagreed with the reasoning of the petitioner and clarified that the religious terms used in the impugned notifications had to be interpreted in the context of the alleged terrorist activity, not scripture.

“When the notification used the word ‘caliphate’, it was in relation to terrorist activity. So it has to be read in that context,” said Justice Bagchi.

The amicus curiae stated that the question of whether an organisation is unlawful or not is examined by a tribunal, but Section 35 of the UAPA does not lay down any mechanism for declaring an organisation as a terrorist outfit. Besides, she claimed that the term ‘terrorist organisation’ is not defined in the UAPA and therefore the government can only declare an organisation as ‘unlawful association’ under Section 3 of the Act.

Responding to Gupta’s submissions, Justice Kant pointed out that the Act defines the term ‘terrorist act’ and thus any organisation involved in such activities can be declared as a ‘terrorist organisation’. He added that through this petition, the petitioner intended to secure relief in individual criminal proceedings and that the petition did not pose a constitutional challenge to the notifications.

“It seems to us that instead of a challenge to the impugned notifications, the remedy for the petitioner and his son lies in approaching the appropriate forum,” the Court noted.

Justice Kant observed that the petitioner had the option of seeking bail or other relief before the appropriate criminal forum. “He can always avail his remedy before the appropriate forum,” Justice Kant said, disposing the petition.

Saquib Nachan, who converted an entire village into a hub of terrorism

Terrorist Saquib Nachan was accused of orchestrating three deadly bomb blasts in a span of four months (6th December 2002 to 13th March 2003) in the financial hub Mumbai. In the last blast, 11 people were killed while 82 were injured. He targeted busy railway stations and markets to maximise the impact of his terror plots. He was arrested by Mumbai police on April 10, 2003, and served 8 years in jail. He was thereafter released on bail on a bond of ₹1 lakh.

In March 2016, Saquib was convicted in the blast case. However, he spent less than 2 years in jail and was released in November 2017, five months earlier than expected, on account of being ‘disciplined’ in jail. In the meantime, he was arrested on 4th August 2012 in connection with the attempted murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activist Manoj Raicha. He was released on bail in August 2014.

Conviction and imprisonment could not deter Saquib, who continued his terrorist activities after being released. He was arrested by the NIA on 9th December 2023 for running an ISIS module in Maharashtra. Preliminary investigation revealed that Saquib had declared the village of Padgha in rural Thane as a ‘liberated zone’ and ‘Al-Sham’. This nomenclature for referring to areas is reportedly followed in Syria. NIA also revealed that he was at the helm of motivating impressionable Muslim youth to relocate to Padgha from their places of residence to strengthen the Padgha base.

On August 11, 2023, the NIA arrested his son, Shamil Nachan, in connection with Pune ISIS module case. He was sent to judicial custody. The central agency discovered incriminating evidence from his home in Thane. Shamil Nachan, along with five other accused, assembled Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at a house in Pune. He had also organised a bomb (IED) assembly and training workshop in the same location in 2022.

Donald Trump says ‘I don’t know anything about that’ when Indian journalist asks about USA importing Uranium and chemical fertilisers from Russia

OpIndia Staff
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Donald Trump says ‘I don’t know anything about that’ when Indian journalist asks about USA importing Uranium and chemical fertilisers from Russia

On 5th August (local time), US President Donald Trump said that he didn’t know the United States was still doing business with Russia, even as he criticised India for continuing to import oil from Russia. 

When ANI reporter Reena Bhardwaj asked about the billions of dollars in American imports of Russian goods like uranium and fertiliser, Trump responded, “I don’t know anything about it. We will have to check it out, and we will get back to you.”

His comment was made during a press conference at the White House, which was called to talk about the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 

When asked about his threat that whether it was fair for the US to threaten India with 100% tariffs over Russian oil, while the US itself continued trading with Russia. Trump didn’t give a clear answer but hinted that more trade penalties could be on the way for countries buying Russian energy.

“I never said a percentage, but we’ll be doing quite a bit of that. We’ll see what happens over the next fairly short period… We have a meeting with Russia tomorrow. We’re going to see what happens,” he said.

The US still importing Russian goods

Even three years after Russia invaded Ukraine, the United States has not fully cut off its trade ties with Moscow. The US has imported more than $24.5 billion worth of Russian goods since January 2022. This year alone, it bought $1.27 billion worth of fertilisers, $624 million in uranium and plutonium, and nearly $878 million in palladium.

This ongoing trade has not gone unnoticed in India. New Delhi has pointed out this contradiction to counter Washington’s growing pressure to stop buying discounted Russian crude oil. Indian officials say it’s unfair to criticise India while the US continues business with Moscow.

Tariff threats and accusations

This week, Donald Trump again threatened to sharply increase tariffs on Indian goods. Speaking to CNBC, he said that the current 25% tariffs on imports from India could be raised “very substantially” within 24 hours. He didn’t give an exact figure but said the reason was India’s ongoing oil trade with Russia.

“They’re fueling the war machine, and if they’re going to do that, then I’m not going to be happy,” he said.

Trump also repeated his long-standing complaint that India’s tariffs on US goods are too high, calling them “among the highest in the world.”

Trade dispute between India and US

The latest developments come shortly after Trump announced on 30th July that the US would be imposing 25% tariffs on Indian goods. These tariffs are expected to take effect from 7th August. 

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the move was partly due to India’s trade with Russia, including oil and weapons purchases.

He said he considered India a friend but argued that its tariffs were too high and that such trade policies could no longer be tolerated. “But now I’m in charge, and you just can’t do that,” he said.

Source: Truth Social

India, on its part, has said it is working towards a “fair, balanced, and mutually beneficial” trade deal with the US. Last year, the US had a trade deficit of $45.8 billion with India.

Back in April, Trump had already announced plans to slap tariffs of up to 27% on Indian goods, though that was later paused. Now, with the 1st August deadline passed, pressure is again mounting on both sides to reach an agreement.

HM Amit Shah and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar to lay foundation stone of Sita Prakatya Sthal Punaura Dham project in Sitamarhi: All you need to know

शिव
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HM Amit Shah and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar to lay foundation stone of Sita Prakatya Sthal Punaura Dham project in Sitamarhi: All you need to know

5 August 2020: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the grand temple at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya

8 August 2025: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will lay the foundation stone of a grand temple at Sita Prakatya Sthal Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi.

Islamic invaders demolished the Shri Ram Mandir and erected the Babri structure there, Bharat Mata remained enslaved, and in independent India, the matter reached courts. Hindus, thus, had to wait for five centuries to see Shri Ram Lalla in his rightful abode. While this wait of 500 long years became a constant battle for Hindus, Sita Ma’s home Mithila remained neglected for decades. Now, a grand temple is being planned in Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi, where it is believed that Sita Ma appeared from the Earth. CM Nitish Kumar and Home Minister Amit Shah will lay the foundation stone of the temple on August 8.

People are being invited with Akshat-Tulsi

At Punaura Dham reparations are going on in full swing to make the foundation stone laying ceremony of Janaki temple and corridor grand. Several big leaders including Amit Shah and Nitish Kumar, saints and common people will participate in this program. It is estimated that lakhs of people will attend this event.

A door-to-door invitation campaign is also being run for this foundation stone laying ceremony, and devotees are being invited with yellow sacred rice grains and Tulsi leaves. Along with this, passersby passing through the city are also being invited to the program.

Notably, this foundation stone laying program will be celebrated as a three-day grand festival and holy water from 11 rivers will be brought for the foundation of the divine temple of Mata Janaki. These include Ganga, Yamuna, Bhagirathi, Alaknanda, Mandakini, Pindar, Dhauliganga, Lakshmana Ganga, Saraswati, Kamla and Saryu rivers.

The temple management has also decided to organize Deepotsav at the temple on the evening of the foundation stone laying ceremony. For this, people are being appealed to come with a lamp on the day of foundation stone laying. On that day, there is a plan to decorate the temple as well as the Sitakund complex with 51,000 lamps.

Development plan of Punaura Dham

On 1st July 2025, the Bihar Cabinet approved a budget of Rs 882.87 crore for the construction of the temple at Punaura Dham. Out of this amount, Rs 137 crore will be used for the construction of the Janaki temple, Rs 728 crore will be used for the development of tourism-related infrastructure. A provision has been made to spend Rs 16.62 crore on its maintenance for 10 years.

For the development of this shrine, 50 acres of land will be acquired. The development project includes the construction of a huge temple in accordance with traditional architecture, its conservation and beautification. In addition, entrance gate, rest house, Yagyashala, Bhojanalaya, meditation center and discourse hall will also be constructed around the temple complex.

Under the development of tourism facilities, hotels, rest houses, museums, Smriti Dwar and memorial buildings will be constructed in the complex. To maintain greenery in the area around the temple, beautiful reservoirs and fountains will be installed and gardens will also be constructed. Along with this, ‘Sita-Vatika’ and ‘Lav-Kush Vatika’ will also be developed.

For the convenience of the devotees, a bus terminal will be constructed and infrastructure will also be developed for reaching the temple and for staying there. Also, modern parking spaces, wide roads and footpaths with street lights will be built. Apart from this, digital information centers and cameras will be installed in the area for security.

Janaki Janmasthan was neglected for decades, Nitish Kumar discontinues this neglect of the holy place

Much like the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya, the birthplace of Maa Sita has also been a victim of neglect and ignorance for years. In Ayodhya, the construction of the temple was postponed for decades on the pretext of controversy and politics. However, there was no controversy or dispute on this sacred place of Mithila, yet this holy place remained immersed in the darkness of neglect. Neither a grand temple was built nor any large-scale development work was done.

For years, not only the local people but also devotees from far-off places have been waiting for a grand temple here, but now Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has taken the responsibility of changing these circumstances. After his efforts, the grand temple of Mata Janaki is going to take shape of reality. This grand temple will not only become the centre of faith of the devotees, but will also be a symbol of religious-cultural pride of Bihar.

After the construction of Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya, the birthplace of Maa Sita has also got a new lease of life. CM Nitish Kumar says that the construction of a grand temple here will boost tourism and a large number of devotees will come here to worship Mother Janaki. Also, he says that the arrival of tourists will also create employment.

Nitish Kumar is continuously visiting Punaura Dham and reviewing the preparations. On 26th July, CM Nitish and Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary reached Punaura Dham and apart from performing puja there, they also reviewed the preparations. Recently, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai also visited this holy place.

CM Nitish Kumar inspecting the preparations at Punaura Dham

How will the temple of Mata Janaki be?

The company which was appointed for the master planning and architectural services of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, has been appointed as the design consultant for the development of this pilgrimage site in Punaura Dham. On 22nd June, CM Nitish Kumar shared the design of the temple and other structures.

Ashish Sompura, who was the architect of Ram Mandir, is also the architect of this temple. He says that every effort will be made to ensure that the architecture of Maa Janaki’s temple is as grand as that of Ram Mandir. Special preparations have been made to ensure that this temple of Maa Janaki remains strong for centuries.

This temple will be constructed using red sandstone from Bansi Paharpur in Rajasthan due to which the entire temple will have a unique appearance. This stone strengthens the structure for centuries without breaking or getting damaged. The height of this temple will be 151 feet.

Historical significance of Sitamarhi

As per the Hindu scriptures and beliefs, King Janak found Sita in a golden pot while plowing the land. Because she appeared from the Earth, Mother Sita is also called Bhumiputri or Bhusuta. According to mythology, after a severe famine in Maharaja Janak’s kingdom Janakpur, a sage advised him to perform a yagya and plow the barren land.

According to the official website of the district, King Janak was ploughing somewhere near Sitamarhi to persuade Lord Indra to bring rain. It is said that King Janak dug a tank at the spot where Sita appeared and installed stone idols of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana to mark the spot after the Ram-Sita wedding.

This pond is now known as Janaki Kund and is located south of the Janaki temple. According to the website, over time the place turned into a forest and about 500 years ago a Hindu ascetic named Birbal Das was divinely inspired to discover the place.

When he came from Ayodhya, he cleared the forest and found the idols installed by King Janak and built a temple there and started worshiping Mata Janaki. The existing temple at this place is believed to be about 100 years old.

‘It is Indo-Pacific now, not Asia Pacific’, says President Marcos of Philippines. Read how culture, BrahMos, and maritime cooperation are bringing India, Philippines together

Shriti Sagar
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‘It is Indo-Pacific now, not Asia Pacific’, says President Marcos of Philippines. Read how culture, BrahMos, and maritime cooperation are bringing India, Philippines together

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday, 5th August. President of Philippines is on the five-day state visit to India. The visit, which aligns with the 75th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries, is being viewed as a step in strengthening their strategic and economic cooperation.

In his address to the media following the welcome ceremony, President Marcos initially discussed the changing character of the Indo-Pacific region. He said, This is a reaffirmation of the alliance and the partnership that we are strengthening. What used to be referred to as the Asia Pacific Region, we now refer to it as the Indo-Pacific Region, which is, I think, the correct evolution of that understanding because of the global nature of all of politics, all of trade and all of economy. To build upon what we already have and to certainly explore the many opportunities that have arisen in the past few years because of the new technologies and the changing state of the global economy and the geopolitics around us now.

He added that there are numerous new things for both nations to discover, particularly with the emergence of new technologies and the changing state of global economy and geopolitics. “This visit is about consolidating what we already have,” Marcos emphasized.

Marcos highlights India’s growth and his family connection

While talking about about India, Marcos expressed his delight to be in India and he also praised India’s development in recent years. He remembered his father, and said late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr, was the first Philippine President to travel to India in 1976.

It is a big honor to be in India as I am following the footsteps of four of my predecessors.  “I extend my compliments on India’s remarkable achievements under your guiding hand. Landing in Delhi, the evidence of rapid transformation and the energy of the world’s fourth-largest economy are readily palpable”, he said. 

President Marcos also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the hospitality and support, such as the recent granting of the Philippines’ exemption from India’s export ban on non-basmati rice. “Cooperation between us has greatly expanded in recent years,” he averred. “I am thrilled that we are now taking this friendship to a full-fledged strategic partnership.”

Philippines is visa free country for Indians: President Marcos

President Marcos also delivered a speech on actions to enhance people-to-people relations. He introduced a visa-free entry privileges and extended the invitation for more Indian tourists to visit the Philippines. 

He also his gratitude to PM Modi for the introduction of a scheme to grant visa-free of charge to Philippines tourists travelling to India. 

He further said, “We welcome the resumption of direct flights from October this year and renewed our commitment to sustaining and expanding such direct air connectivity”.  

Defence and maritime cooperation in focus

A major aspect of the two leaders’ conversation was defence and sea cooperation. President Marcos thanked the Prime Minister for cooperation in the area of defence industry, the export of defence platforms to India, including the BrahMos. He also called for greater cooperation in the area of the defence industry.

As part of our broader defence cooperation, we were talking about capacity building, joint exercises,  joint cooperative maritime activities, exchange of training programs between our officials and all standard elements that we talk about when it comes to defence cooperation.

We talk about more opportunities for  India to export our defence platforms. I think we have indeed exported a number of defence hardware platforms to many, many countries. 

The Philippines certainly showed interest in working with us to explore opportunities for more defence platforms. We’re also talking about ship visits, cooperation as part of multilateral formats.

So basically aimed at sharing best practices, enhancing maritime domain awareness on both sides,  talking about enhancing interoperability, working together to enhance our disaster response readiness in the coming years and so on. 

“We highlighted our capabilities in space and the cost-effectiveness of our space program.  President Marcos said he had indeed studied how cost-effective our space program is and they wanted to try and use some of our space technology, space capabilities to effect social transformation in terms of helping predict weather events, helping with agriculture, helping with disaster relief”, he said. 

India-Philippines defence relations: The BrahMos agreement

India and the Philippines have already made significant moves in the defence industry. In April 2024, India delivered the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines as part of the USD 375 million deal between the two sides signed in 2022.

The missiles were transported by the Indian Air Force on its C-17 Globemaster aircraft, which was India’s first significant defense export to the Southeast Asian nation.

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