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Two-year-old sentenced to life imprisonment after North Korean officials catch his parents with a Bible: Report

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Two-year-old sentenced to life imprisonment after North Korean officials catch his parents with a Bible: Report

The US State Department released its 2022 International Religious Freedom Report on May 15, wherein it revealed how the communist government in North Korea imprisoned a two-year-old toddler for life after the authorities found a Bible in the possession of his parents. The child along with his entire family was jailed in a political prison camp in North Korea in 2009, the report read.

The report also documented several additional incidents of Christians being killed in North Korea, including the execution of a woman and her grandchild in 2011 by North Korea’s firing squad.

Some other Christians were subjected to “pigeon torture,” in which they were suspended for days with their hands tied behind their backs, unable to sit or stand.

Some were tortured with sleep deprivation, including a lady in solitary confinement who committed suicide in 2020 after jail officers refused to let her sleep.

The report read that these atrocities on Christians happen in North Korea as they are perceived as a “hostile class” and a “serious threat to loyalty to the state.”

Notably, while North Korea’s constitution provides religious freedom to its citizens, the Kim Jon-un administration continues to restrict religious activity in the country. Shamanic practitioners in North Korea face punishments ranging from six months in a forced labour camp to three or more years in reeducation camps. Christians, on the other hand, risk execution or sentences ranging from 15 years to life in a prison camp, imposed on up to three generations of the immediate family of the person found guilty.

The report provided estimated figures on such incidents, stating that approximately 70,000 Christians, as well as individuals from other faiths, are imprisoned in North Korea.

It further stated that Christians imprisoned in these camps have described harsh conditions and different sorts of physical abuse. According to the report, 90% of reported human rights violations against both Shamanic believers and Christians were committed by the Ministry of State Security.

The State Department, citing a report by Korea Future, a non-profit organisation in North Korea said that the North Korean government persecutes individuals who engage in religious practises, possess religious items, have contact with religious people, or share religious beliefs. Individuals who are persecuted may be imprisoned, detained, forced to work, tortured, denied a fair trial, deported, denied the right to life or subjected to sexual abuse.

The report by Korea Future, which interviewed 151 Christian women who were abused, discovered that the most common forms of abuse in North Korea were arbitrary arrest, torture, deportation, forced labour, and sexual violence.

Several refugees who had fled North Korea recounted textbooks that featured sections on Christian missionaries. The missionaries were accused of a variety of “evil deeds,” including “rape, blood-sucking, organ harvesting, murder, and espionage,” according to the textbooks.

Such atrocities on people living in North Korea are very common. The communist country strictly controls the lives of its citizens.

North Korea publicly executes two teenagers for watching and distributing South Korean films

Last year, the North Korean government publicly executed two teenagers for watching and circulating South Korean drama shows among their friends, media outlet Radio Free Asia quoted two eyewitnesses as confirming. The execution of the minors aged 16 or 17 was carried out in October 2022.

According to the report, the teenagers were taken before the public, sentenced to death, and then shot down by a firing squad at an airfield in the city while residents in the area were forced to watch the execution.

In 2021, a North Korean man had been sentenced to death for smuggling the South Korean Netflix series ‘Squid Game’ on USB through China and sold their copies after seven high school students were caught watching the show. 

A student who bought the USB from the smuggler is given a life sentence while six others who saw it with him have been sentenced to five years of hard labour. Teachers and school administrators are also fired and banished to work in remote areas in mines, the report said citing sources.

West Bengal: CM Mamata Banerjee apologises for the Egra Blast after 11 days, says ‘could have avoided it’

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: CM Mamata Banerjee apologises for the Egra Blast after 11 days, says ‘could have avoided it’

On Saturday, 27th May 2023, West Bengal’s chief minister and Trinamool Congress Party supremo Mamata Banerjee apologised to the people of the East Medinipur district for the blast in an illegal firecracker factory in Egra that took place on 16th May 2023. She said that the blast that took 12 lives could have been avoided.

Eleven days following the explosion, the TMC chief arrived at Khadikul village. During her visit, she personally distributed compensation cheques to the families who had lost their loved ones and those who were injured in the tragic incident.

During this time, she said, “Today, my eyes have been opened, and I bow my head and humbly apologise for this incident. It is clear that had the intelligence system functioned effectively, this unfortunate accident could have been averted.”

Mamata Banerjee further said, “The families of the victims who lost their lives in the explosion at the firecracker factory in Egra will receive a compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh. Additionally, one family member will be offered a job as a home guard. I have brought the appointment letters of the same. Furthermore, in the unfortunate event of a lightning-related fatality, a support amount of Rs 2 lakh will be extended to the bereaved family.”

Mamata Banerjee added, “Our government has decided that a report will be prepared under the leadership of the Chief Secretary in the next two weeks regarding this incident. Under this, a cluster of green crackers will be created. The owner of the illegal factory and two members of the family of the main accused have been arrested.”

On May 16, seven people died, and several got injured in a blast at an illegal firecracker factory in Egra of district Medinipur, West Bengal. The factory building collapsed after the explosion. five more people died during the treatment.

China will save Pakistan from bankruptcy, Imran Khan to blame for the current financial crisis: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif

OpIndia Staff
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China will save Pakistan from bankruptcy, Imran Khan to blame for the current financial crisis: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif

On Friday, May 26, Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s prime minister, stated that an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has not been reached, but that China’s backing will be critical in keeping the country from default.

PM Sharif stated in his address to industrialists and businesses in Karachi that Pakistan has ‘successfully fulfilled all of the rigorous conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’, underscoring the government’s commitment to complete the IMF programme.

Lauding China, Shehbaz Sharif stated that China has shown its support for Pakistan’s growth by rolling over its commercial debt. It is notable that in March this year, China rolled over a $2 billion loan to protect Pakistan from an economic collapse. 

“In the understanding of our Ministry of Finance, the gap in IMF conditions was of x amount but for them (IMF) it was x+1, but even that gap was filled with the help of our ‘dost mumalik’ (friendly nation) China. As I speak, it is done and only some paperwork is left,” Sharif said. 

He further added that China also rolled over commercial loans of over $1.3 billion for Pakistan. 

“They completed all the procedures for these rollovers two or three months ago. I have not seen such friendship and brotherhood,” Sharif said.

He went on to say that Pakistan draws positive sentiments from friendly nations, demonstrating a shared desire to see the country flourish.

The Pakistani Prime Minister did not miss the opportunity to attack former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his government, pointing out that the previous government had flouted the IMF agreement.

“You all know that the previous government violated the IMF agreement,” PM Sharif said. 

For the past year, the country has been plagued by political uncertainty, which has continued even now. This prevailing instability caused price rises, worsening the problem of inflation.

The Pakistani PM also emphasised the importance of investors willing to take risks and invest in Pakistan, referring to them as ambassadors for the country.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has also sought US intervention for the completion of the IMF bailout programme, as it has requested the US to convince IMF to strike the staff-level agreement which earlier could not be reached.

According to Pakistani media reports, finance minister Ishaq Dar informed the US envoy that the current Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement would expire on June 30, 2023. Consequently, the IMF would have to make a decision to complete the pending 9th Review under the EFF programme.

Bihar: Snake found in mid-day meal served to students in a school in Araria, dozens fall sick after over 100 students consume the ‘Khichdi’

OpIndia Staff
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Bihar: Snake found in mid-day meal served to students in a school in Araria, dozens fall sick after over 100 students consume the ‘Khichdi’

On Saturday, 27th May 2023, a severe problem occurred at a government school in Forbesganj, Araria district, Bihar, when a snake was discovered in the mid-day meal provided to the children. Numerous students fell ill after consuming the food and were hospitalized in Forbesganj for necessary medical care.

Before the incident came to light, over 100 children had already consumed the food. The ‘Khichdi’ meal was served to a total estimated number of more than 150 students at Amauna Middle School, which is operated by Jogbani Municipal Council. As soon as the snake was discovered in the mid-day meal, pandemonium ensued within the school premises, leading to the arrival of numerous parents seeking information and assistance.

At approximately 9 am, an NGO delivered cooked food to the school, which was then consumed by approximately 150 children. Meanwhile, the remaining children were in the process of being served from the NGO’s pot. Subsequently, dozens of students who had consumed the meal fell ill and started vomiting, and they were immediately rushed to the Forbesganj hospital.

In the meanwhile, the atmosphere in the school quickly turned chaotic when a dead snake was discovered within the food, causing a commotion among the students and staff.

Word of the incident quickly spread, resulting in a significant gathering of parents and local residents within the school premises. Faced with the escalating situation, the school teachers took the precautionary measure of closing the entrance from the inside. Meanwhile, enraged individuals outside the school were attempting to forcibly break through the gate.

Senior officers including the SDM, the SDO and the DSP reached the spot to take stock of the situation. An investigation into the incident has started.

PM Modi acknowledges the 9 achievements of his govt in the last 9 years picked by netizens, here are the top 9 of them selected by most people

OpIndia Staff
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PM Modi acknowledges the 9 achievements of his govt in the last 9 years picked by netizens, here are the top 9 of them selected by most people

The Narendra Modi government will complete 9 years in office in two successive terms on 30 May. Bharatiya Janata Party has planned a month-long mass reach-out programme across the country.

Amid the celebrations of the 9th year anniversary of the govt, social media users are posting their top 9 picks for the achievements of the Modi government in the last nine years. The hashtag #9YearsOfModiGovernment was trending on Twitter as a result;

PM Modi today quote tweeted some of the tweets, saying that since morning he has been seeing many tweets on the hashtag #9YearsOfModiGovernment, in which people are highlighting what they have appreciated about the government since 2014.

“It is always humbling to receive such affection and it also gives me added strength to work even harder for the people,” he added. The PM then quoted several tweets from people who have picked the top 9 achievements of the Modi government.

“We have covered much ground in the last 9 years and we want to do even more in the times to come so that we can build a strong and prosperous India in the Amrit Kaal,” he said, quoting such a tweet.

PM Modi said that his government has been able to deliver because people elected a stable government. “This unparalleled support is a source of great strength,” he said. Responding to another tweet, he wrote, “You have highlighted key infrastructure and ‘Ease of Living’ projects which have been very impactful at the grassroots level.”

We looked at the tweets posted under hashtag #9YearsOfModiGovernment by users with considerable followings and engagements, apart from the tweets quoted by PM Narendra Modi, to gauge which accomplishments of the Modi government are most popular among Twitter users. Here are the top 9 achievements of the government in the last 9 years, on the basis of the tweets posted by people.

1. Abrogation of Article 370

Abrogation of Article 370, along with Article 35A, the two articles in the Constitution of India that gave a special status to the former state of Jammu and Kashmir. The special status implied that Jammu and Kashmir was different from rest of the country, and was instrumental in fuelling separatism. The two articles were abrogated by the Modi government in 2019, fulfilling a poll promise.

Article 35A gave the state the right to determine who is a permanent resident of the state, which was added to the constitution by a presidential order, not by an amendment. Article 370 said that all the provisions of the Constitution of India do not apply to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, and had listed the provisions that applied. While article 35A was abrogated and it no longer exists, article 370 was amended, and it remains in the constitution, saying that all the provision of the constitution also applies to the constitution.

Along with this, the state of Jammu and Kashmir was also bifurcated into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

2. Ram Mandir construction, Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and others

For BJP, the construction of a grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and freeing other ancient Hindu temples converted to mosques by Islamic rulers always have been a major promise. The dream of crores of Hindus came true on 2019, and the Supreme Court of India delivered its verdict in decades on Ram Janambhoomi – Babri Masjid title dispute, handing the entire disputed premises to Hindu parties.

Following the order, while the Hindu petitioners started the construction of the temple, the Modi govt contributed by facilitating the process. Less than a year later in August 2020, Narendra Modi conducted the Bhoomi Poojan of the Ram Mandir.

Another important achievement of the Modi government, according to social media users, was the freeing the Kashi Vishwanath temple and its surroundings from encroachments. The Kashi Vishwanath corridor was inaugurated in December 2021, which connects the iconic Kashi Vishwanath temple with the holy ghats along the river Ganga.

During the demolitions for the project, several ancient temples were also discovered, which was hidden by constructions around them. Some such constructions were done deliberately to hide the Hindu temples so that they are not demolished like the original Kashi Vishwanath temple by Islamic rulers, but with time, those hidden temples were forgotten.

The Modi government has also taken up projects rejuvenate many other old temples across the country, which has been listed as an achievement by people.

3. Covid handling, vaccine

Almost all people who listed achievements of the Modi government thinks that its handling of the Coronavirus pandemic was a success. They appreciated how the govt acted swiftly after the pandemic hit the country, and how several vaccines were developed in the country with active participation of the government.

After that, the government of India ran world’s largest free immunisation program, under which over 200 crore doses of made-in-India Covid-19 vaccines have been administered. The Cowin platform developed to administer the vaccination program has been another success.

The Covid pandemic also saw India becoming self-reliant in medical items like personal protection equipment, which mainly were imported earlier.

4. UPI, digital economy

Social media users have pointed out that India’s transformation into a digital economy, primarily led by UPI of the NCPI, is one of the major achievements of the government. Today, India leads in terms of using digital translations, where even roadside vendors accept digital payments even for very small amounts.

The QR code which has become an integral part of India’s retail businesses have been widely covered by international media, marvelling how one can shop anything in India without the use of cash. People also listed demonetisation as one of the successes, as the temporary shortage of cash after withdrawing ₹500 and ₹1000 notes had accelerated the growth of the use of online transactions.

Today UPI is the most successful payment system in the world, with millions and users and billions of transactions every month.

5. Financial inclusion

The next achievement of the government, according to social media users who listed top 9 achievements of the govt, is the various steps taken by the govt for financial inclusion of people, most of those who were not associated with the banking system earlier. The JAM trinity, Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile, has been one of the major successes of the govt in bringing people into the formal financial system.

Under Jan Dhan Yojana, almost 50 crore people have got their bank accounts made. Apart from this, people also listed the Mudra loan scheme, and the Direct Benefit Transfer of subsidies as other achievements in the sector.

One major instrument in financial inclusion has been the Rupay card, which has been able to displace global majors like Visa and Mastercard in payment systems.

6. Infrastructure

Another major achievement of the government that most people have included in their lists is the massive development in the infrastructure sector in the country. People have noted the rapid construction of highways, expressways and other roads, massive expansion of the railway network and introduction of the made-in-India Vande Bharat Express train, and the Udaan scheme in civil aviation.

7. Swach Bharat, Jal Shakti

From day one in the office, PM Modi has been stressing on sanitation, clean water, and end of open defecation. According to people, the government has succeeded in its mission of cleaning India and providing clean water to people.

Under the Swachh Bharat mission, over 3 lakh villages have declared open defecation free, over 2.5 lakh villages have liquid waste management facilities, and almost 2 lakh have solid waste management arrangements.

Several schemes have been launched under Jal Shakti to improve the availability and quality of water in the country.

8. GST, Economy

Many people believe that the govt has succeeded in reforming the financial system and improving the economy. Implementation of the GST was a major milestone, which made doing business much easier by removing several different taxes and included them in Goods and Services Tax. It also eliminated barriers to inter-state trade by removing taxes.

Similarly, the PLI and other schemes have been lists as successes by the people in enhancing investment in the country. Several people have included financial stability, increasing GDP as major successes of the government.

9. Welfare schemes

Successful welfare schemes have a major hallmark of the Modi government, and many people have included it in their top 9 achievement lists. Schemes like the Ujjwala Scheme, Ayushman Bharat scheme, Housing scheme, monetary benefits given to farmers have benefited large number of people.

Apart from these nine picked by most people, many also listed development and better inclusion of northeastern states, foreign policy, indigenisation of the defence sector etc as the major achievements of the govt.

Madhya Pradesh ATS carried out a RAW and IB-style operation to bust the HuT terror module

OpIndia Staff
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Madhya Pradesh ATS carried out a RAW and IB-style operation to bust the HuT terror module

Days after Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) busted the Bhopal-Hyderabad terror module of the Islamist terrorist organisation Hizb-Ut-Tahrir (HuT), it has been disclosed that the MP ATS conducted a RAW and IB-style operation to nab 16 HuT terrorists on May 9.

According to a Nai Dunia report, the MP ATS deployed one of its officials as a spy in order to keep tabs on the alleged HuT member. As part of the plan of operation, the ATS guard became friends with the suspect and gradually ‘joined’ the terror organisation. This ATS officer was instrumental in exposing the HuT terror module. The operation stretched over four months.

It is worth noting that the case was taken over by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday.  The ATS apprehended 16 people from various locations, including ten in Bhopal, one in Chhindwara, and five in Hyderabad. The arrested persons are currently held in judicial custody.

The ATS guard entrusted with spying on HuT members became friends with one of the suspects, who used to go to a gym in the morning every day. He told the HuT member that he has a private job. Gradually, he won the trust of the HuT operatives with his effective communication skills.

Following this, the ATS officer began attending meetings with the Islamic fundamentalists. He stated that, while he is a Hindu, he is more drawn to Islam as unlike Hinduism, Islam brings people together. He also told the terrorists about changing his religion. He was frequently invited to the group’s secret meetings since he had earned the confidence of the HuT members. He was also given literature to read on Islamic extremism. Meanwhile, he kept the ATS updated on the operation’s progress and any additional feedback.

Once the complete information was prised out and the total number of terrorists active was determined, the ATS chalked out a master plan to nab all the Hizb-Ut-Tahrir terrorists simultaneously.

When the ATS official was almost exposed in front of the HuT terrorist

According to Nai Dunia’s report citing an ATS source, there was a point when the ATS official working undercover was nearly exposed in front of the HuT member. A police officer once noticed a HuT member strolling with the ATS guard and questioned him why the police were looking for him. The HuT member, however, did not take the question seriously. Following this, the arrest of HUT members was postponed for almost a month as a precautionary measure.

According to the MP ATS, as many as eight of these terrorists converted to Islam. There are three arrested from Bhopal who married Hindu girls and later forced them to convert to Islam. The terror module was commanded by Mohammad Salim, who was formerly Saurabh Rajvaidya Jain. He worked as a professor at AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi’s Deccan Medical College in Hyderabad.

Saurabh converted to Islam in the year 2010. His parents and the rest of the community were opposed to his conversion. Saurabh’s wife afterward converted to Islam in 2012. Yasin Khan, another arrested terrorist, worked as a gym trainer in Bhopal.

ATS asserted that the organization’s strategy was to identify susceptible and vulnerable non-Muslims and influence them to convert to Islam by brainwashing them with provocative speeches and lectures. They intended to foment terrorism and wage war against the country.

The MP ATS team also recovered anti-national documents, technical equipment, radical literature and other materials from the accused at the time of the arrest. 

A case was registered against these accused under UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967) and other relevant sections. Notably, the Bhopal NIA court had sent these accused to judicial custody till June 2. 

‘We gave our 75% vote,’ Banjara community protests after their leader is not given ministerial post in Siddaramaiah cabinet

OpIndia Staff
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‘We gave our 75% vote,’ Banjara community protests after their leader is not given ministerial post in Siddaramaiah cabinet

Ahead of the swearing-in-ceremony in Karnataka on Saturday, the supporters of Congress leader Rudrappa Lamani staged a dharna (protest) outside Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office. The supporters of Lamani, who represents the Banjara community, protested by raising slogans against the Siddaramaiah government for not giving their leader a ministerial post in the cabinet.

The Congress workers were miffed that not even one minister representing their community found a place in the cabinet, despite Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ensuring a caste and region-wise representation in his cabinet.

A week after taking over, the Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah carried out a cabinet expansion exercise by inducting 24 legislators at the Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru on Saturday. However, the list of inducted ministers did not include Congress MLA Rudrappa Lamani.

Rudrappa Manappa Lamani, who represents the Banjara community in the state had won the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections from Haveri constituency.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had ensured caste and region-wise representation in his cabinet, but when Rudrappa Lamani, who represents the Banjara community in the state, did not find a place in his cabinet, his supporters expressed disappointment and staged a protest outside the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office.

Expressing displeasure over Congress’ list of leaders who will be sworn in as Ministers, one of the supporters of Lamani stated, “Our Banjara community leader Rudrappa Lamani’s name was there on the list till last night, but today we saw that his name was not there on the list. If our leader will not get the ministerial post, we will protest against this because we gave our 75% vote to Congress in the election, so there should be at least one leader from our community.”

Notably, three days ago, supporters of Congress MLA D Sudhakar held a protest on Wednesday outside Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s residence here demanding a ministerial post for him. However, he was later given a ministerial post.

Karnataka cabinet expansion, 24 Congress MLAs take oath

On May 26, the Congress party in Karnataka released a list of 24 legislators who will take over as ministers on Saturday (May 27). The Karnataka government can have 34 ministers. Ten of them, including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar, were sworn in on May 20. The rest 24 legislators would be sworn in today (Saturday, May 27).

According to reports, Siddharamiah arrived in the national capital on May 24 to discuss Cabinet expansion with party leadership. On May 26, the Karnataka CM arrived at 10 Janpath in Delhi on May 26 to meet Congress Leader Sonia Gandhi. This was the first time Siddaramaiah met Sonia Gandhi after he took oath as Karnataka CM. He met Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to discuss Cabinet expansion.

After several rounds of discussion with the party’s top leadership, including AICC general secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Surjewala, the names of the 24 MLAs were decided. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi gave the final nod to the list. Reports suggest that some differences between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar had emerged over names of probable ministers but it was eventually sorted out during the course of discussions.

MLAs H K Patil, Krishna Byregowda, N Cheluvarayaswamy, K Venkatesh, H C Mahadevappa, Congress working president Eshwar Khandre and former state Congress president Dinesh Gundu Rao are among those who will take oath on Saturday noon.

Others on the list are Kyathasandra N Rajanna, Sharanabasappa Darshanapur, Shivanand Patil, Ramappa Balappa Timmapur, S S Mallikarjun, Shivaraj Sangappa Tangadagi, Sharanaprakash Rudrappa Patil, Mankal Vaidya, Laxmi Hebbalkar, Rahim Khan, D Sudhakar, Santosh Lad, N S Boseraju, Suresha B S, Madhu Bangarappa, M C Sudhakar and B Nagendra.

Amongst those who have been named few ministers namely Lakshmi Hebbalkar, Madhu Bangarappa, D Sudhakar, Cheluvaraya Swami, Mankul Vaidya and M C Sudhakar are reported to be very close to Deputy CM Shivakumar.

As per the list released, nine SC/STs, eight Lingayats, five Vokkaligas, one Muslim, one Christian, one Jain and one Brahmin leader have found places in the cabinet, which is why, now the supporters of the Banjara community have started protesting questioning the Congress government why their representative did not find a place in the cabinet.

Complaint filed against Arvind Kejriwal, Mallikarjun Kharge, and others for bringing up President Droupadi Murmu’s caste ahead of new Parliament’s inauguration

OpIndia Staff
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Complaint filed against Arvind Kejriwal, Mallikarjun Kharge, and others for bringing up President Droupadi Murmu’s caste ahead of new Parliament’s inauguration

Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and other political figures have been accused of making inciting remarks by bringing up the caste of President Droupadi Murmu over the inauguration of the new parliament building.

In order to further their political goals, the complaint charged the opposition leaders with inciting animosity across groups and attempting to sow discord against the Government of India.

The complaint accessed by OpIndia was lodged under sections 121, 153A, 505, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code and was registered by Vineet Jindal, an advocate in the Supreme Court.

The complaint pointed out the words by the Congress President where he said, “It looks like the Modi Government has ensured the election of President of India from the Dalit and the Tribal communities only for electoral reasons. While former President, Shri Kovind was not invited to the new Parliament foundation-laying ceremony, the President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu is not being invited for the inauguration of the new Parliament building.”

The complaint also contained the tweet by the Aam Aadmi Party supremo invoking the caste of former President Ram Nath Kovind and incumbent President Droupadi Murmu. “Modi ji did not call the then President Shri Ramnath Kovind ji on the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Lord Ram Mandir. Modi ji did not call Shri Ramnath Kovind ji even at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the new Parliament building. Now, the inauguration of the new building is also not being done by the current president Droupadi Murmu. The SC (Scheduled Caste) and ST (Scheduled Tribe) community of the country is asking ‘Are we considered unlucky, is that why we aren’t invited’?”

The complaint said that the statements made by both the opposition leaders intentionally indicated the caste of the esteemed President of India in order to suggest that the current administration, led by PM Modi purposefully did not invite the President to the inauguration of the new Parliament building.

“These statements are widely published and circulated in news and social media and would result in provoking the ST and Adivasi community as our honourable President too belongs to Adivasi and ST community,” it conveyed.

It further included that such remarks against the democratically elected government and on the basis of caste made by powerful political leaders in an effort to foster strife among communities and groups are strongly condemned. Political leaders shouldn’t be permitted to degrade themselves to the point of defaming the highest constitutional positions only for the purpose of their own political benefit.

“Besides, it would cause fear in the community creating distrust against the duly elected government, which are offences under section 121, 153A, 505, 34 IPC. which are cognizable offences and very serious in nature. The links to the news reports are also attached to this complaint,” the complaint posited and requested strict legal action against the politicians.

Yesterday, 270 eminent personalities wrote an open letter condemning the opposition for its boycott of the new Parliament building inauguration, which is a part of Central Vista‘s revivification as the country’s power corridor.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to inaugurate the new Parliament House on May 28, in a seven-hour programme. A puja and a havan will commence the ritual, and PM Modi will deliver an address at its conclusion.

Gujarat: Sahil Rafiq from Anand arrested for raping a married Hindu woman by threatening to make their chat viral

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat: Sahil Rafiq from Anand arrested for raping a married Hindu woman by threatening to make their chat viral

A 25-year-old married Hindu woman from Anand, Gujarat, has filed a complaint against a Muslim man named Sahil Rafiq Vohra, accusing him of raping her for a period of two and a half years. The woman alleged that he used the threat of making their private conversations public to manipulate and control her. Following the victim’s complaint, the Anand police promptly arrested the accused and initiated legal proceedings.

According to the complaint, the woman has accused the accused named Sahil Rafiq of stalking her, obtaining her phone number, and engaging in chats with her. The woman further alleged that Sahil threatened to publicly expose their conversations to destroy her life and even made threats of physical harm. In response to the complaint, the police have registered a case against the accused under relevant sections pertaining to rape.

As per reports, the 25-year-old married woman, residing in a village near Petlad, was employed at a showroom in Anand. Sahil Rafiq, the accused, also worked in a shop adjacent to her workplace. They were introduced to each other and subsequently became friends, leading to Sahil obtaining the woman’s contact number. Following this, Sahil started sending frequent messages to the woman, and their communication shifted to WhatsApp. Disturbingly, Sahil began stalking her during her travels between Anand and Petlad. When the woman refused to respond to his advances, Sahil resorted to threatening her.

According to the complaint, the accused had issued threats to the woman, intending to tarnish her image by making their conversations public. In the victim’s statement, she mentioned that the accused explicitly said, “No matter what you do, I like you, and I will have you by any means.” The complaint further revealed that the accused had taken her to hotels on multiple occasions, engaging in physical relations, while continuously warning her of dire consequences if she dared to tell anyone about it. After enduring two and a half years of exploitation and persistent threats, the victim finally approached the police and lodged a formal complaint.

Following the victim’s complaint, the Anand police took prompt action and registered a case against the accused, Sahil Rafiq Vohra. As per the reports, when the police went to search for him, they discovered Sahil in a drunk state at his residence. Subsequently, the police arrested him, and the legal proceedings are currently in progress.

US: Lawmaker introduces bill to declare Diwali as a federal holiday in the country

OpIndia Staff
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US: Lawmaker introduces bill to declare Diwali as a federal holiday in the country

A prominent US lawmaker Grace Meng submitted legislation titled “Diwali Day Act” in Congress on Friday, May 26, to make the Hindu festival of Diwali a national holiday in the country and tweeted about the same.

“Diwali is one of the most important days of the year for billions of people across the globe and for countless families and communities in Queens, New York, and the United States,” she stated during a virtual news conference in the US soon after introducing the bill in the House of Representatives.

The Festival of Lights would become the 12th legally acknowledged holiday in the United States if the proposed act is enacted by Congress and signed into law by the President. Different communities from throughout the nation have applauded the development.

“Diwali celebrations are a wonderful time here in Queens, and each year it is easy to see how important this day is to so many people. America’s strength is derived from the diverse experiences, cultures, and communities that make up this nation,” the First Vice Chair of the Congressional Asian-Pacific American Caucus remarked.

“My Diwali Day Act is one step toward educating all Americans on the importance of this day and celebrating the full face of American diversity. I look forward to shepherding this bill through Congress,” she added.

“This year, we saw our entire state speak with one voice in support of recognising Diwali and the South Asian community,” New York Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar said while welcoming the move.

She further mentioned, “My extraordinary partner in government, Congresswoman Meng is now taking the movement national with her historic legislation to make Diwali a federal holiday. Together, we are showing that Diwali is an American holiday. To the over 4 million Americans who celebrate Diwali, your government sees you and hears you.”

Senator Jeremy Cooney of New York State praised Grace Meng for her ongoing efforts to raise awareness of the Asian-American community and noted that designating Diwali as a federal holiday not only respects individuals who observe it but also draws attention to a cultural custom that some Americans do not experience generally.

New York City Councilman Shekar Krishnan commented, “Diwali is a special holiday for so many South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities. As the first Indian American ever elected to NYC government, I am so proud to support Congresswoman Meng’s legislation to establish ‘Deepavali’ as a federal holiday. It is crucial that children like my own are able to officially celebrate our holidays with their families in a way that I was not able to grow up.”

The Diwali Day Act was introduced in the House of Representatives to widespread support from the Indian community. Sim J Singh Attariwala, Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager of The Sikh Coalition voiced, “The recognition of Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas is pivotal to enriching the cultural fabric of the United States and fostering greater understanding and appreciation for the rich South Asian diaspora.”

“Today is a milestone that demonstrates our visibility, our contributions, and the progress we are making in the United States with the Diwali Day Act,” proclaimed Richard David, Board Member at the Indo-Caribbean Alliance.

Nikunj Trivedi, president of the Coalition of Hindus of North America, congratulated the Congresswoman and said that this joyful festival is observed by millions of Americans and represents the triumph of good over evil and of light over darkness. He added that it also brings people from all walks of life together to cherish goodness, well-being, peace, and prosperity, things that everyone can value and benefit from.

Ria Chakrabarty, Policy Director for Hindus for Human Rights noted, “As Hindu Americans, we are so glad to see a bill to honour the multitude of celebrations that take place across the Indian subcontinent, the Caribbean, and beyond on Diwali.”

“It is high time to recognise Diwali as a holiday in US public schools. Our children should be treated equally. As our children celebrate other cultures, others should celebrate and learn about our culture as well. This is the only way we can teach children to have mutual respect, mutual understanding, and mutual acceptance,” said Dr. Neeta Jain, founder, and president of the International Ahimsa Foundation.

Notably, in April, the US state of Pennsylvania declared Diwali as a state holiday. The state House passed a bill recognising the Hindu festival as an official holiday.

The legislation designating Diwali as a state holiday was submitted in February of this year by two Pennsylvania senators, Greg Rothman and Nikil Saval. According to India American Impact, Pennsylvania is home to more than 600,000 Asian Americans, with Indian Americans making up the largest segment. Nearly 200,000 Indian Americans in the state celebrate Diwali each year.

The auspicious Hindu festival of Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is observed by millions of people all over the world. It is referred to as the “Festival of Lights” and represents the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. The Indian diaspora as well as people from other ethnic backgrounds celebrate the festival in the United States.

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