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Exclusive details in Nanded case: Dalit man Akshay Bhalerao murdered, an arrest from Congress office, earlier attack on Durga Puja allegedly by victim. What we know

OpIndia Staff
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Exclusive details in Nanded case: Dalit man Akshay Bhalerao murdered, an arrest from Congress office, earlier attack on Durga Puja allegedly by victim. What we know

The state of Maharashtra has witnessed some gruesome incidents in the past month beginning in May. Several incidents of violence, abduction and assault were recently reported from the Ahmednagar, Samnapur, Parbhani and Kolhapur regions of the state which has sent shockwaves across Maharashtra and has also disturbed the law and order to some extent. Amid all this, one of the incidents from Nanded that has attempted to further the existent caste issue in the entire state is that of the murder of a Dalit youngster identified as Akshay Bhalerao.

22-year-old Akshay Bhalerao was murdered by a group of people in Bondhar Haveli village on Thursday, June 1 after which the Police booked around 9 persons under the Atrocity Act and arrested 7 of them. As per sources, two of the accused persons are absconding and the police have sent teams across to nab the accused.

As per the FIR copy obtained by OpIndia, the accused persons have been identified as Santosh Tidke, Datta Tidke, Krushna Tidke, Nilkanth Tidke, Narayan Tidke, Shivaji Tidke, Mahadu Tidke, Baburao Sonaji Tidke and Balaji Mungal. All the accused who are believed to be belonging to the Maratha community have been booked under sections 143, 147, 148, 149, 302, 307, 324, 323, 294, 504 of the Indian Penal Code, sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s), 3(2)(va) of the SC/ST Act and sections 4, 25 and 27 of the Arms Act, 1959.

Akshay murdered for organizing Ambedkar Jayanti, alleges brother Akash

Reportedly, the police happened to book FIR in the case based on the complaint of the victim’s brother Akash who alleged that the people from the Maratha community abused and killed his brother for organizing Ambedkar Jayanti in the village. He also mentioned in the complaint that all the accused were carrying weapons and could be heard saying, “You want to carry out Bheem Jayanti procession in the village? Today we’ll not spare you.” After this, as per Akash, the accused persons stabbed the victim in his stomach and tore it apart.

The brother of the victim also said that he and his mother were also assaulted and hit by the accused after they made an attempt to save Akshay during the attack.

Long standing dispute, deceased had allegedly attacked during the Durga visarjan event, 2022

Digging deeper into the case it was discovered that the village where this incident happened, majorly houses these two communities- Maratha and Dalits and that these two have been facing tensions living together for the past two years. Sources revealed to OpIndia that the deceased person was looked upon as a goon and also had allegedly launched an attack on the community during the Durga Visarjan event in the year 2022.

The videos of this attack have been going viral after Akshay’s murder in which he can be seen flaunting a sharp knife-like weapon. One of the other persons meanwhile is also seen controlling enraged Akshay from launching an attack on the people gathered for the Durga Visarjan event. These videos have been going viral over the web and so have also been obtained by OpIndia.

Locals also stated that the scuffle between the two communities is long-standing and that people in the past have launched several complaints against Akshay. Complaints have also been launched against a few persons from the Maratha community. But no action was taken by the police back then. “The issues were quite minor and internal. So maybe no action was taken. But the matter now is gaining attention after this recent murder,” a source confirmed.

On the day of the murder, the accused persons were dancing on a DJ in a wedding procession of Narayan Tidke who has also been named in the FIR. The procession was reportedly passing through a lane which divides the communities into two geographical localities, one each for Dalits and Marathas. As per the FIR, Akshay and his brother were buying grocery items in the same lane when the accused abused and murdered the victim.

Police confirm 7 of 9 accused arrested, teams sent to nab 2

While Akshay’s brother claimed in the FIR that his brother was murdered because he played a major role in organizing Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Jayanti in the village, the Police has stated that a minor scuffle occurred between the victim and the accused after which the victim was attacked during the wedding procession by 9 persons. “7 of these have been arrested. Two are absconding,” Police said.

Dalit organizations stand by victim’s family; seek investigation

The victim’s family has meanwhile garnered support from various Dalit organizations like the Dalit Panther and the RPI who have demanded strictest action against the accused. Rahul Pradhan of the Dalit Panther while talking to the media on this issue condemned the murder and said that the boy was murdered only for organizing the Ambedkar Jayanti.

“Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Jayanti was not organized in the village since India’s independence. It is Akshay who took initiative to gather all the Dalits in the village and strived to organize the procession. He was an active member. It is out of anger that the other community persons have attacked him like this,” Pradhan said.

Also, Sachin Kharat of RPI extended support to the victim’s family and slammed the government for delaying action in this case. He further alleged that one of the members of the Shivsena (Shinde squad) was involved in the case and demanded imposition of Atrocity act on the member.

“I am going to meet Maharashtra CM and Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis for this case tomorrow and I am going to demand strictest action against the accused. Shivsena’s district president from Shinde squad is said to be involved in this case. If this is true, he should immediately be relieved from his post and booked under Atrocity Act,” Kharat added.

One of the accused arrested from Congress MLA’s office, sources confirm

However, Prakash Ambedkar, the President of Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi has demanded inquiry of several Congress leaders suspecting their involvement in the matter. “Some of the important leaders of the Congress party are said to be involved in the case. Their names have also been released in a local news outlet, Matrubhumi. The SP and the Collector must look into the case immediately and launch an inquiry into the matter. If a few political parties are going support the culprits, its unacceptable,” he said.

This is probably after name of Congress leader Mohan Hambarde has appeared in the case. Mohan Marotrao Hambarde is a member of the 14th Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and he represents Nanded South. According to the sources, one of the 7 arrested accused persons was arrested from the office of the congress MLA. Ambedkar further added that the Congress party should suspend its members or the MLAs who are trying to support and save the culprits.

Deliberate color of casteism, one wrongful arrest: Sakal Maratha Community

Recently, on June 9, the Sakal Maratha Community addressed a Press conference to reveal that one of the accused named Narayan Tidke has been wrongfully arrested and that he should be released with immediate effect. “It was his wedding and so as per the Maratha culture he was carrying a sword during the wedding procession. He should be released and the real culprits should be punished instead,” the members said.

The community meanwhile strongly condemned the murder and stated that a deliberate color of casteism was being given to the case, even after the police has taken swift action and arrested the accused persons. The members of the community also added that due to action of a few members, the entire community is being defamed across the state.

“Some people are deliberately adding the color of casteism in the case. This is all happening for votes. Now they’ve known that creating a divide in the society is going to polarize the votes and many be help them in the upcoming elections. We condemn the murder of course, but giving it a political angle is not acceptable. Poeple shall maintain peace and ignore to some socio-political organizations who are trying to create divide in the society,” the community appealed in the conference.

The Sakal Maratha Community who meanwhile, failed to address even a probable reason why Bhalerao according to them was murdered, has demanded CBI inquiry into the case. “The CBI shall investigate the case. Only then people will attain answers to several of their queries like whether there was a long standing quarrel, why was he murdered, so on and so forth. Maratha community have always had patience and have always worked for the betterment of the Dalits. We appeal to stop creating divide on this issue,” the members said.

Government Financial Assistance reaches victim’s family

After this incident, many people in the state have come to fore extending support to the deceased’s family as he belonged to the Dalit community and given that Akash Bhalerao in the complaint mentioned that his brother was killed for organizing Bheem Jayanti in the village. While some left leaning media channels like the Wire are claiming that CM Shinde and his faction is supporting the Marathas in this regard, the government led by CM Eknath Shinde has issued financial assistance of Rs 4,12,500 from its social welfare department on June 6 and has assured that the second phase of financial assistance will be given after filing the charge sheet. Also, the CPI(M) Maharashtra State Committee handed over the cheque of Rs 1 lakh to the deceased’s family.

Further, it is being claimed that the deceased person was preparing for civil service examinations and that he aimed to become a police officer. Given this his family and the community members are demanding a well-paid job for the brother of the deceased in addition to financial assistance, the first phase of which has already been issued to the family.

In the current case, 7 out of 9 accused persons including the groom have already been arrested. The police have launched a manhunt to nab the other two accused who are absconding at present. Interrogation, strict action is being conducted against the arrested accused. Financial assistance has reached the deceased’s family.

You are a black monkey: Romelu Lukaku suffers racial abuses on social media after Inter lose to Manchester City in Champions League final

OpIndia Staff
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You are a black monkey: Romelu Lukaku suffers racial abuses on social media after Inter lose to Manchester City in Champions League final

Romelu Lukaku was subjected to an array of racial remarks just after Inter Milan was defeated by Manchester City in the Champions League final.

The forward entered the game in the second half as his team was defeated 1-0 in Turkey. Rodrigo scored the lone goal. He first blocked Federico Dimarco’s header in front of the goal and afterwards created a fantastic opportunity for himself.

Rodrigo’s goal in the second half implied Pep Guardiola’s team would win the Champions League for the first time in their history. However, the game was marred after the final whistle when racial slurs were made in response to some of Romelu Lukaku’s earlier Instagram posts about his performance.

A netizen uploaded a picture of a gorilla to mock him.

Romelu Lukaku was referred to as black money and told to retire. He was accused of becoming a “culture of defeat.”

Gorilla and monkey emoticons along with a picture of the former were posted to attack the player.

A user told the football star to go back to the jungle and used multiple apes, watermelons and chicken legs emoticons.

Another commented with ‘multiple monkeys and middle finger’ emojis.

Romelu Lukaku had earlier discussed the persistent issue of racism in football with The Mirror and stated that things need to change at the top of clubs, countries, and the game.

“I think you need more diversity in positions of power, at the top. That’s where you need to start, that’s where we need to have diversity. People of colour, put them at the top of every boardroom. And that’s when the change will start,” he said.

He further continued, “That’s why, for example, in our Belgian federation, that’s where they started, they’re trying to put in people of colour, different sexualities and stuff like that. So that every situation that can happen, whether it is racial or any other form or type of discrimination, can be attacked straight away.”

He added, “If you put people of different colours in positions of power, I think things would get taken care of much faster than now.”

Americans4Hindus to host first ever Hindu-American Summit in America at the US Capitol

OpIndia Staff
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Americans4Hindus to host first ever Hindu-American Summit in America at the US Capitol

In a first, a group of prominent Indian-Americans from all over the United States have banded together to hold the Hindu-American Summit for Political Engagement at the US Capitol.  The organisers have said that the Summit will be addressed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, among others.

The Hindu-American Summit, hosted by the recently formed Americans4Hindus Political Action Committee (PAC) in collaboration with over 20 other diaspora organisations, will be held at the US Capitol on June 14 to bring the Hindu community’s issues to the attention of the lawmakers.

Around 130 Indian American leaders from Florida, New York, Boston, Texas, Chicago, and California are attending the event to represent 20 Hindu and Indian organisations.

On Saturday, Dr Romesh Japra, the founder and chairman of American4HIndus PAC said, “Politically, we believe we have never faced discrimination and that we are doing well. But unfortunately, the tides are changing. I’m from California, where they now want to add caste to the list of discriminating factors.”

Hindu Americans, he asserts, are doing well across the country, but they are far behind politically. He stated that organisations such as Equality Labs and CARE are attempting to destroy Hinduism. It is notable that Equality Labs is a prominent anti-Brahmin activism group in the United States. 

It is worth noting that the Seattle City Council in the United States passed Council member Kshama Sawant’s sponsored motion in February this year to designate ‘caste’ as a protected category under the City’s non-discrimination policy. With the passage of the resolution, Seattle became the first city in the United States to recognise ‘caste’ as a factor in discrimination. Hindu organisations and leaders warned that it would subject the community to further legal scrutiny.

“They are behind many of these (anti-Hindu acts). So we decided to gather all of the Hindu Americans, all of the leaders, all of the executive heads of the organisations, and come to Capitol Hill, to the powerhouses, the Congress, and present our case”, Dr Japra said.

Several other Congressional leaders, both Democrats and Republicans, are slated to speak at the conference alongside Kevin McCarthy, he said. McCarthy would deliver the keynote address, Japra said.

Dr Japra stated that the community is striving to establish the first Hindu Caucus, a group of lawmakers dedicated to preserving the interests of Hindu Americans in the House of Representatives.

“We are trying to form the Hindu Caucus, in which we will invite all of these political leaders, Senators, and Representatives to join,” Dr Japra said.

Dr Romesh Japra further indicated that Americans4Hindus would back and fund Congressional leaders who agree with Hindu values and principles and have the willingness to help the community and discuss Hinduphobia, Hindu hatred, and immigration problems.

American Hindu Coalition, American Hindu Federation, Americans for Equality PAC, Ekal Vidyalaya, Federation of Indian Americans, Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies, Hindu Action, Hindu Action PAC of Florida, Hindu PACR, Hindu Swyamsevak Sangha, Hindu University of America, Kashmir Hindu Foundation, Patriot America, Sewa International, US India Relationship Council, and World Hindu Council are among the organisations participating in this Hindu American Summit.

About American4Hindus PAC

The organisation has been operating as a non-partisan Super PAC and Hybrid PAC since October 2019 and recently became a Multi-Candidate PAC.

The organisation has endorsed and funded candidates who won in the 2020 and 2022 elections, including Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Devin Nunes, Darryll Issa, Troy Nehl, Pat Fallon, Dr Rich McCormick, Kim Young, Gregory Meeks, Michelle Steele, and Linda Sanchez.

Americans4Hindus intends to increase awareness about Hinduism and advocate for it while also recognising the Hindu community’s contributions to America.

In addition, the organisation aims to tackle the concerns of the Hindu community, such as Hindu hatred, Hinduphobia, immigration, education, the genocide of Bangladeshi Hindus and Kashmiri Pandits, and Indo-US relations.

Canada: Brampton mayor says Indira Gandhi assassination tableau ‘not a hate crime’

OpIndia Staff
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Canada: Brampton mayor says Indira Gandhi assassination tableau ‘not a hate crime’

On June 10 (local time), Brampton’s mayor said in a statement that the tableau depicting the assassination of former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, during a procession on the 39th anniversary of Operation Blue Star was not a “hate crime”. The law enforcement of Canada said they have ruled out any “hate crime” in the display.

Brampton’s mayor rejected the accusations and claimed the tableau did not constitute a hate crime. He said, “Police have looked at the video, and it’s their determination it does not constitute a hate crime.” He added that Canadians have the freedom of thought, belief, and expression under Section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. His statement read, “Any decision to change Section 2 would be at the federal level. Police enforce laws. They don’t write them.”

The reaction came days after the Indian government expressed its displeasure over giving space to elements promoting violence in the country. The controversial tableau was displayed on June 4. Other tableaux at the event displayed scenes referring to the anti-Sikh riots following Gandhi’s assassination.

Following the event, India’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar expressed displeasure over the displays and said, “It is not good for relationships between the two countries”.

He said, “I think there is a bigger issue involved. Frankly, we are at a loss to understand other than the requirements of vote bank politics why anybody would do this…I think there is a larger underlying issue about the space which is given to separatists, to extremists, to people who advocate violence. I think it is not good for relationships, not good for Canada.”

Canadian high commissioner in India, Cameron MacKay, also expressed his concerns saying, “There is no place for hate in Canada or for the glorification of violence”.

Canada’s foreign ministry refused to comment further on the matter and said they do not have anything to add to MaKay’s tweet from June 5. In his tweet, MacKay said, “I am appalled by reports of an event in Canada that celebrated the assassination of late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. There is no place in Canada for hate or for the glorification of violence. I categorically condemn these activities.”

Indo-Canadian organisations also expressed displeasure with the tableau. Canada India Foundation’s Satish Thakkar said that the event “Celebrated an act of terrorism against the democratically elected leader of a country that has been the place of origin for nearly two million law-abiding Indo-Canadians”.

Controversial tableau at Operation Blue Star anniversary

On June 4, in the Canadian city of Brampton, the pro-Khalistani elements featured a tableau glorifying the assassination of late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards. The tableau was a part of the annual Sikh Martyrdom Parade which saw the participation of a large number of people in the city where the largest number of Sikhs live in Canada.

The video of the tableau has gone viral over the internet in which Indira Gandhi is shown being assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards. The tableau also displays Khalistani flags and a poster reading, “Revenge of the attack on Shri Darbar Sahib.” Another poster that the tableau carried read, “Never Forget 1984. Sikh Genocide.”

Pro-Khalistani elements in Canada

Canada has been long infested with Khalistani elements. The relationship between India and Canada has taken a hit due to the inaction of Canadian authorities against the pro-Khalistani elements. Khalistani sympathisers in Canada, like Jagmeet Singh, repeatedly propagated the Khalistani agenda and spoke against India on several occasions.

Maharashtra: Infant miraculously survives after falling from the 4th floor of her building in Virar. Here is what happened

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: Infant miraculously survives after falling from the 4th floor of her building in Virar. Here is what happened

On Thursday (June 8) night, a 4-year-old got away with minor injuries after falling from the fourth floor of her building in Virar in the Palghar district of Maharashtra.

As per a report by The Times of India, she landed miraculously on the lap of a resident of the same building, who was sitting on the ground floor. The infant was identified as one Devashi Sahani.

She was walking in the common balcony area where repair work was being undertaken. The metal railing had been removed and replaced with a green cover. The girl reportedly slipped through the gap in the passage and fell on the lap of a resident, who has been identified as 28-year-old Shivkumar Jaiswal.

Initially, other residents of the building assumed that construction material had fallen off the balcony. It was only later that they realised what had happened. Jaiswal, who also sustained minor injuries, notified the girl’s parents and she was rushed to a nearby hospital.

The child was reportedly administered 8 sutures on her forehead. Meanwhile, a case has been filed against the builder and the contractor for negligence at the Virar police station.

Yet another mass shooting in USA, 9 injured in Mission district of San Francisco

OpIndia Staff
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Yet another mass shooting in USA, 9 injured in Mission district of San Francisco

On Friday, a mass shooting in San Francisco left nine injured in a “targeted and isolated incident” as stated by the police. The shooting took place at around 9 pm during a party hosted by a clothing store Dying Breed near the intersection of 24th Street and Treat Avenue in the Mission district. According to the media reports, no arrests have been made so far.

According to the San Francisco Police Department, all of the victims are “expected to survive their injuries.” However, according to a statement from Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, one of the victims was still in critical condition as of Saturday afternoon.

Another victim was claimed to be in critical condition, four were stable, and three had been discharged. According to the hospital, the victims were eight men and one woman from the age of 20 to 34.

According to a witness who was present when the shooting occurred, the block party took an unanticipated turn for the worst as she saw blood and bodies on the floor.

“We were on the roof and all we saw was blood and bodies on the ground.” “It was just a terrifying sight,” Raymond Hou said. “It was funny because I was there just ten minutes ago, no problem, no worries.”

Taking to Twitter, San Francisco Mayor London Breed said that the authorities are analysing the situation. Breed further thanked the 911 dispatchers, paramedics, and medical staff for their prompt response to the horrific incident.

“Last night’s shooting in the Mission is still under investigation. I know there are a lot of questions and concerns in the community, and people want answers. We are still working to understand exactly what happened and why and we will share information as soon as we can. What we do know is our @SF_emergency 911 dispatchers, @SFPD, paramedics, and medical staff at @ZSFGCare all responded quickly to this shooting, and no lives were lost. Thank you to all our City workers who responded to this horrific event in the Mission”, he added.

San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott in a tweet stated that such incidents of violence are unacceptable.

“This kind of violence on our streets is unacceptable. People should feel safe to go out in San Francisco without fear of being victims of gun violence. Investigators are working diligently, and we will have a visible police presence in the community where this occurred.”

This comes just days after gunfire erupted on Tuesday evening at a theatre in Richmond, Virginia, causing hundreds of students and guests to flee in panic. The Huguenot High School graduation ceremony was held at the venue on Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)’s Monroe Park campus. Two people were killed and five others wounded in the unfortunate incident that took place outside the Altria Theater in Richmond.

Shubman Gill shares a cryptic tweet after his controversial dismissal in the WTC Final

OpIndia Staff
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Shubman Gill shares a cryptic tweet after his controversial dismissal in the WTC Final

On June 10, Indian cricketer Shubman Gill shared a cryptic message on his social media accounts after his controversial dismissal in World Test Championship final. On his Twitter account, Shubman, who is visibly displeased over the dismissal on the fourth day of the match at The Oval, used a lens and facepalm emoji with a screenshot of the controversial catch.

On his Instagram story, Shubman used the same image with four clapping emojis. The cricketer did not say anything about the dismissal in the posts other than posting emojis to express his disappointment over the controversial catch.

Screenshot of Instagram story by cricket Shubman Gill. Source: Instagram

Experts were divided on whether Cameron Green was able to catch the ball properly without it touching the ground. Videos and screenshots of the catch have raised questions over the decision taken by the third umpire, who thought the catch was fair and declared Gill out.

India closed day four of the match at 164/3 with a target of 444. Gill was at 18 off 19 balls and part of a rollicking opening stand with skipper Rohit Sharma when he was declared out. Despite all the doubts over the catch, the batsman did not get the benefit of the doubt in this case and Gill was sent on his way by the umpire.

By the time day four was over, Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Cheteshwar Pujara had lost their wickets. Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane will start day 5 with India needing 280 more runs to win the World Test Championship.

As Donald Trump is indicted in classified documents case, questions emerge over intent, critics compare brouhaha with Hillary Clinton’s email scandal

OpIndia Staff
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As Donald Trump is indicted in classified documents case, questions emerge over intent, critics compare brouhaha with Hillary Clinton’s email scandal

Former U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly stored sensitive documents including nuclear weapons secrets at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. U.S. media reports cited the indictment papers which were unsealed by federal prosecutors on Friday. However, except for the general descriptions of the “potentially sensitive documents”, the indictment does not reveal what’s in the classified documents.

What the indictment alleges

As per the indictment, Trump stored in cardboard boxes information “regarding defense and weapons capabilities of both the United States and foreign countries; United States nuclear programs; potential vulnerabilities of the United States and its allies to military attack; and plans for possible retaliation in response to a foreign attack.”

“The unauthorized disclosure of these classified documents could put at risk the national security of the United States, foreign relations, the safety of the United States military, and human sources and the continued viability of sensitive intelligence collection methods,” the indictment reads.

Images of the “classified documents” shared by the U.S. media show cardboard boxes labelled, stacked and stored in the rooms.

A photo published in the indictment released by DoJ shows cartons containing classified documents stacked and stored at Trump’s Florida residence. (Source: ABC News).

One such image shows some documents labelled “SECRET//SCI” and “TOP SECRET//SCI” scattered on the floor. The contents of the documents are dedicated. However, this raises an imperative question as to why the Dept of Justice (DoJ) would release clear images of “secret & top secret” documents even if it is meant to prove the charges against Trump.

A photo published in the indictment released by DoJ shows documents containing state secrets scattered on the floor of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida. (Source: Market Watch)

Former Trump Attorney Timothy Parlatore while speaking to NBC News said, “Is it the type of thing where they want to declassify these things, if they haven’t already been declassified and put them out publicly? Even if he (Trump) did a lot of the things that they’re saying that he did, prosecuting him…there are the same reasons why you wouldn’t want to prosecute him as to why back in 2016 I was of the opinion that Hillary Clinton shouldn’t be prosecuted, because there are all of these other problems. You have to actually take these documents, show them to the jury and then prove to them that it constitutes national defence information. In doing you so, you…

When the NBC News Anchor asked, “…you’re declassifying that”, Parlatore answered, “to NBC News: “Exactly.”

Former House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz while speaking to Fox News pointed out another such questionable image. “I find these photos to be gratuitous at best. I mean for the FBI and Department of Justice to put those photos out…remember Mar-a-Lago is not just someplace you go walk-by, go check in…these are protected by the United States Secret Service. And if you look really closely at some of that photos that have come on, the ones that spilled on the ground, those are pictures of newspapers and of personal pictures of the President. That’s not classified material right there,” Chaffetz said.

While questioning the charges in the indictment, Chaffetz also questioned Trump asking, “Why not just turn them (the documents) back in?”

Image published in the report shows newspapers and some photos of Donald Trump spilled on the floor from one of the cartons containing secret state documents. (Sources: Fox News)

Parallels with Hillary Clinton Email Scandal

Supporters and critics alike are drawing parallels between Trump’s case with that of Hillary Clinton’s email scandal during her tenure as Secretary of State in the Obama administration. The 2016 Presidential nominee had used her private email server for official communication which led to a federal investigation by the FBI in 2015 for holding classified information. Then FBI director James Comey despite alleging that Clinton mishandled classified information, did not recommend prosecution and the DoJ declined to proceed in the case. Clinton was never charged.

Contrary to a 2018 U.S. govt report claiming 193 emails were classified, Clinton in 2022 had claimed that there were “zero classified email” on her private server. Further speaking to Fox News, Jason Chaffetz said, “I don’t understand why Hillary Clinton on the very day she started her Senate confirmation put up her own home brewed computer and then the FBI director comes out and says that ‘there was no intent to bypass the Federal Records Act.’ That thing was chock full of tens of thousands of documents, highly classified.”

Meanwhile, Clinton faced backlash on social media for mocking Trump over his indictment by downplaying the email scandal. She shared an image of herself from her tenure donning a black cap with the phrase “But Her Emails”.

“Bringing this back in light of recent news: Get a limited-edition But Her Emails hat and support Onward Together groups working to strengthen our democracy,” Clinton wrote on Friday, including a link to buy the $32 “unstructured dad hat.”

One of the users Audsauce @Audjuice9989 tweeted the same image of Hillary Clinton with the text on the cap altered to, “Lost to Trump”.

Another user named Tribe @tribe_zero tweeted, “Gloating about getting away with crime isn’t the win you think it is…”

Does this impact Donald Trump’s 2024 bid?

The former U.S. President, who is in the race for a second term in the 2024 Presidential Election, gave an exclusive statement to Fox News. He said his federal indictment is “election interference at the highest level,” telling Fox News Digital that the Biden administration is “the most corrupt” in history.

Notably, the indictment, a second one, does not impact Trump’s 2024 Presidential Campaign as per U.S. laws and he can still run for and be elected President even if tried and convicted. So barring more legal troubles, the case in itself is no threat to Trump’s Presidential bid provided he can swing public opinion in his favour.

“They come after me because now we are leading in the polls again by a lot, against Biden by a lot,” he said. Republican rivals to Trump for 2024 have also come out in his support.

Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida said, “The weaponization of federal law enforcement represents a mortal threat to a free society. We have for years witnessed an uneven application of the law depending upon political affiliation.”

Nikki Haley, Former UN Ambassador and South Carolina Governor tweeted, “This is not how justice should be pursued in our country.”

Vivek Ramaswamy, Entrepreneur tweeted, “We shouldn’t be some banana republic where the party in power uses police force to arrest its political opponents.”

Meanwhile, the DoJ reportedly believes that it will take prosecutors about a month in court to present their case to a jury at trial. Trump has been directed to appear before a federal court in Miami on June 13.

West Bengal: TMC leader found carrying a pistol at a protest against the murder of a Congress leader in Murshidabad, arrested

ANI
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West Bengal: TMC leader found carrying a pistol at a protest against the murder of a Congress leader in Murshidabad, arrested

A Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader was arrested after a pistol was allegedly found in his possession during a protest over the alleged murder of a Congress leader in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district.

The protest over the alleged killing of the Congress leader was staged during the filing of nominations for the panchayat polls on Saturday. The Congress leader was allegedly murdered at Khargram of Murshidabad on Saturday.

The police arrested the TMC leader after finding a pistol on his person. He was taken to a police station nearby.

Congress workers, meanwhile, staged a demonstration outside the office of the West Bengal State Election Commission in Kolkata on Saturday over the alleged killing of a fellow party member.

Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary slammed the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government over the alleged killing of the party member, claiming that the state administration was shielding the culprit.

“A Congress worker was murdered at Khargram in Murshidabad. The incident took place in the run-up to the panchayat elections. The accused is being shielded by the administration in the wake of the killing. We will hold protests against this. Does the TMC want a bullet election or a ballot election? We will not allow TMC to indulge in this politics of blood,” he said.

He further accused the TMC of “intimidating” the Opposition parties ahead of the Panchayat polls.

“Our worst fears around the panchayat polls are ringing true. The ruling party in Bengal is resorting to unchecked hooliganism and using the administration to unleash terror on the Opposition forces ahead of the panchayat polls. We are being intimidated in a planned manner. They don’t want the panchayat polls in Murshidabad and elsewhere to be held in police,” Chowdhury told ANI.

The panchayat elections in West Bengal are to be held on July 8 in a single phase and votes will be counted on July 11, the state poll panel said on Thursday.

The rural polls are likely to see a fierce contest between the ruling TMC and the principal Opposition, the BJP. They are being seen as a litmus test for both parties ahead of the Lok Sabha elections next year. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Delhi: Shahrukh pretends to be Hindu to lure a Hindu girl, starts blackmailing after she broke up knowing the truth, arrested but police say it’s not love jihad

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi: Shahrukh pretends to be Hindu to lure a Hindu girl, starts blackmailing after she broke up knowing the truth, arrested but police say it’s not love jihad

Another case of alleged ‘love jihad‘ came to light from the Karawal Nagar area of Delhi on 10th June 2023. A Muslim youth named Shahrukh allegedly concealed his identity to trap a Hindu girl. He introduced himself as a Hindu and befriended a Hindu girl and allegedly raped her. On the complaint of the victim, the Karawal Nagar police station registered an FIR and arrested the accused Shahrukh. However, the police have denied the love jihad angle in this incident citing that there was no religious conversion involved in this case.

According to the complaint lodged by the victim girl, she befriended the young man on Instagram where he identified himself as Golu – a Hindu person. First, a deep friendship developed between the two on Instagram and then both started meeting. In October 2020, the victim girl met Golu, but in January 2023, it was revealed that Golu’s real name is Shahrukh.

The victim alleged that when she came to know that Golu’s real name was Shahrukh, she started distancing herself from him. Despite this, the accused threatened to make her photos viral and kill the family members. The victim alleged that the accused used to threaten her as he had allegedly taken some compromising videos and photos. She complained that Shahrukh started blackmailing her repeatedly. The girl said in the complaint that the accused Shahrukh repeatedly forced her to have physical relations.

While speaking to the media, the victim girl said, “I first met him on Instagram where he identified as Golu. When my mother’s health was not well, I could not meet him. During those days, he became angry with me and told me his real name – Shahrukh Khan. after that, he started threatening me. He would roam around my college where he once molested me. I lodged a complaint in the police station and he is arrested now.”

The Karawal Nagar police have registered an FIR and arrested the accused Shahrukh. Northeast Delhi Additional DCP Sandhya Swami said, “Yesterday we received a complaint from the girl. In the complaint, she said that she befriended a person on Instagram in October 2020. At that time, the person had told her that his name is Golu. He told the girl that he is a Hindu. This is why the girl befriended him. Recently he came to know that Golu’s real name is Shahrukh and that he is a Muslim.”

She added, “The girl wanted to break up the relationship. However, the accused did not want to break up. He continued to talk to her and follow her. He told the girl to continue the friendship. We have registered an FIR in this matter. We have arrested the accused – Shahrukh.”

Additional DCP Sandhya Swami further said, “There is an angle in the complaint that the accused had made some videos of the girl and he threatened her to upload those videos if she does not talk to him. However, he had not uploaded anything. He just issued threats. We seized his mobile phone. We will check his phone too.”

When asked why did the accused commit this crime, Additional DCP Sandhya Swami said, “It is not yet clear why did he do this. But it seems that he created the social media ID with the intent of increasing the closeness and getting acceptance. He is 22 years old and has passed 10th standard. He works in a tailor’s shop in Silampur. We are investing in this case.

Interestingly, the DCP claimed that this is not a case of love jihad, as Shahrukh didn’t force the girl to convert to Islam. She said, “there is no angle of religious conversion found so far in this case. There is no angle of love jihad.”

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