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While police arrest mastermind Arbaaz Khan, read how TheWire blatantly lied just to blame Hindus for the Akola violence created by a Muslim mob

Anurag
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While police arrest mastermind Arbaaz Khan, read how TheWire blatantly lied just to blame Hindus for the Akola violence created by a Muslim mob

On May 20, police arrested 23-year-old Arbaaz Khan and Sameer Sonawane. While Khan is the mastermind of the violence the ‘godfather’ behind the violence was at large. Khan played a crucial role in spreading the violence in the city by making viral a selective, edited Instagram chat with Sonwane. Akola SP Sandeep Ghuge confirmed that the violence began and revolved around a controversial Instagram chat. The violence escalated in the entire city only after the controversial chat was made viral by Arbaaz Khan and he brainwashed a Muslim mob to go on a rampage against Hindus amidst chants of “Gustakh-e-Rasool ki ek hi saza, sar tan se juda”.

The incident was reported on May 13 when Islamists went on a rampage in the Old City police station area in the Akola district of Maharashtra. According to the police, stones were pelted and vehicles were damaged. One person, identified as Vilas Gaikwad, was reportedly brought dead to the Civil Hospital after the clash and eight others including two policemen were reported injured.

The Police booked 150 for the violence and had already arrested more than 100 persons in the case. However, the police nabbed the mastermind, Arbaaz Khan on Saturday and is still on the lookout for the ‘godfather’ behind the violence.

While the videos of the Muslim mob changing ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ were viral on the internet, Left media, Islamists and journalists who identify themselves as Muslims had already started spreading fake news and blaming Hindus for the Islamist rampage.

The first to do that was Leftist propaganda portal, The Wire, which is owned and run by US-citizen Siddharth Varadarajan.

How The Wire blamed Hindus for the Akola violence and the death of a Hindu man in that violence

On May 15, The Wire published a report on Akola violence that erupted on May 13. The violence was clearly initiated by the Muslim mob as videos of the mob chanting murderous slogans like Sar tan Se Juda were already viral. Here is one such video. Interestingly, this or any of the other videos where Muslim mobs were chanting for blood did not make it to The Wire report.

As a result of the violence unleashed by the Islamists, one person, identified as Vilas Gaikwad, lost his life and several were injured.

While all evidence even by the 15th pointed towards an Islamist mob going on a rampage, in its report, The Wire projected as if a Hindu mob was behind the death of Vilas.

In its report, The Wire claimed that Gaikwad was an auto-rickshaw driver who belonged to the Dalit community. He had “KGN” written on his auto which stands for Khwaja Gharib Nawaz aka Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti. Quoting an unnamed eyewitness, The Wire claimed that Vilas repeatedly told the mob he was not Muslim but they were not convinced.

However, there were several discrepancies in The Wire’s report. First of all, Vilas was not an auto-rickshaw driver but an electrician. He was in the profession for over 20 years. As per the Indian Express report, Vilas was the sole breadwinner of the family who worked as an electrician. On a fateful day, he was unaware of the violence and went out to repair an electric appliance in a nearby locality.

On the way back home, he was attacked by the mob with stones and a pipe. He was rushed to the hospital where Vilas was declared brought dead. Speaking to Times Now, eyewitnesses said a Muslim mob passed through their area and while returning, they pelted stones and damaged vehicles. They also pointed out several people were injured in the attack.

His family came to know about his death from the reports. Initially, Vilas’s family thought he was only injured and getting treated in the government hospital. Vilas is survived by his wife and three children who live in a 10×10 square feet room at Bhagat Singh Nagar. Police initially believed Gaikwad was part of the mob but later said he was attacked while returning home.

In a statement, inspector Sewanand Wankhade of Old City police station said, “He was unaware of the violence and while he was returning home, a group allegedly attacked him.” Other media outlets like Hindustan Times, Organiser, and The News Minutes etc. also identified Vilas as an electrician.

It is pertinent to note that in their report, The Wire had cited unnamed sources to claim that Gaikwad was an autorickshaw driver who begged a “Hindu mob” trying to convince them that he was not a Muslim. There is absolutely no evidence to support this. They flat-out seem to have lied about the entire incident they mentioned in their report given that he was not an autorickshaw driver at all (but an electrician). Therefore, it is safe to assume that there was no auto, there was no sign that supported Moinuddin Chisty Dargah and since the police have clarified that he was killed during the stone pelting by the Islamist mob, he did not beg the Hindus trying to convince them of his Hindu identity either.

The Wire’s lies did not stop there. The Wire claimed that the violence had erupted because one Karan Sahu had posted something on Instagram that insulted the Prophet of Islam. Further, The Wire ensured to tag this individual as a member of “radical right wing” group so as to blame the Hindus for violence that was committed by a Muslim mob – attested even by videos that had gone viral before The Wire published their report.

The Wire’s report about Akola violence by Islamist mobs

The Wire blamed a Hindu youth leader and social media influencer Karan Sahu for publishing the alleged objectionable post against the Prophet. However, the police revealed in the statement that the account was fake and they were looking for the person who created the account. Later, the police found out that Sonawane was the one who created the Instagram page. To make it look real, Khan and Sonawane hurled abuses at each other. The account in question shared two numbers, one of police constable Raj Giri and the other of Karan Sahu. An investigation officer said, “In the whole conversation, both of them were just abusing and instigating each other. And when the complainant demanded his number, the anonymous account holder shared two numbers, which later appeared to be of police constable Raj Giri and another of a police informer, Karan Sahu.” Speaking to Indian Express, Giri said he was unaware of the intentions behind sharing his number. Despite the Karan Sahu angle fell flat, The Wire did not clarify that Sahu was not involved in causing violence.

Interestingly, further in The Wire report, they almost slyly admit that the violence was started by the Islamists. They mention some humbug about a Muslim man, who was a part of the mob, claiming that this mythical post was discussed after Namaz and that they were “Told” that Muslims would be targetted. They were also harbouring “hurt sentiments”.

After this, The Wire admits that the Muslim mob chanted slogans, however, deliberately leave out what those slogans were. While the videos of the Muslim mob baying for blood were already viral, The Wire chooses to not add to what the Muslim mob was chanting to ensure that they can be painted as a victim. In fact, The Wire admits that it was after the sloganeering that stone pelting started, admitting that it was the Muslim mob that initiated the stone pelting, however, keep it vague enough so the readers can assume by the general tone of their article that it was the Hindus who perhaps started the violence.

In the following paragraph of their report, they again tacitly admit that it was the Muslim mob which started the violence, however, keep it open-ended enough to confuse the readers.

In this paragraph, The Wire admits that “Hindus were informed of the stone pelting at the police station”, thereby admitting that it was not the Hindus who were pelting stones at the police station and that the violence was initiated by the Muslims. However, with their fantastical stories of how Gaikwad was killed and their stories about a member of a “radical right-wing Hindu organisation” posting something offensive, they ensure that the readers would blame the Hindus for the violence which was committed by Muslims. With the news of the mastermind being arrested emerging now, it becomes more than evident that The Wire was spreading fake news to shield Islamists and blame the victims – the Hindus.

Interestingly (but not surprisingly), even after the truth emerged in the public forum, The Wire has not bothered to amend its article or do a follow-up report to ensure that the truth is reported.

Here is an archived version of The Wire’s report as of 22nd May at 3:55 PM.

Statement by Akola Police ignored by The Wire

On May 20, five days after The Wire’s report, Akola Police issued a press release where they said that two main accused of the violence were arrested. It also provided details of the FIRs registered over the alleged objectionable post and against those who were involved in the violence. Furthermore, Police categorically said that members of the Muslim community gathered and conspired to indulge in violence in Hariharpeth, Pola Chowk, and other locations in the city. They pelted stones at the houses of Hindus and damaged public and private properties. They also attacked members of the Hindu community and police personnel. One person in the Hariharpeth area died during the violence. However, The Wire neither updated its report blaming Hindus nor published any update based on the police investigation.

OpIndia checked the Akola District and Sessions court documents and found that a person named Nadeem Ahmed has filed for bail in the matter linked to FIR 150/2023. The court will hear the matter on May 23.

The conspiracy behind the violence – what really happened

During the investigation, the police found that the complainant and one other member of the Muslim community chatted with each other and created fake screenshots. They broadcasted messages in social media groups linked to the Muslim community and called the Muslim community members to gather, which resulted in violence. First, a complaint was filed in the matter and then a mob came out on the street.

According to reports, police arrested 23-year-old Arbaaz Khan and Sameer Sonawane on May 20. While Khan is believed to be the mastermind of the violence the ‘godfather’ behind the violence was at large. Khan played a crucial role in spreading the violence in the city. Akola SP Sandeep Ghuge confirmed that the violence began and revolved around a controversial Instagram chat. The violence escalated in the entire city only after the controversial chat went viral.

The police stated that the Instagram account in question was in extended communication with the complainant and they hurled abuses and communal remarks at each other. Arbaaz Khan shared edited and selective screenshots of these conversations among the Muslim groups. In a statement, Superintendent of Akola Police Sandip Ghuge said, “We have written to Instagram seeking details on the account holder. We have also sought help from our cyber teams and are trying to find its IP address.” The account was deleted soon after the chat with the complainant ended.

Police said that 23-year-old Arbaaz Khan initiated the controversial chat. Then more people gathered in the vicinity of the police station making the chat viral. The same mob incited more people to commit violence in different parts of the city. Reports suggest that Sonawane created an Instagram page with the name ‘The Kerala Story’. Accused Arbaaz happened to notice the page and initiated a chat with the page. The conversation soon turned into an argument with the duo using objectionable words. Later, some controversial part of that chat was edited selectively, highlighted and made viral in his community by Arbaaz which led to the violence.

Slogans of Sar Tan Se Juda

Following Arbaaz Khan initiating a chat with the page praising The Kerala Story, instigating him (Sonawane) and making selective screenshots viral in Muslim groups, a violent crowd gathered at the police station and raised Sar Tan Se Juda slogans.

It is pertinent to remember that several individuals were murdered recently for allegedly insulting Islam. Kanhaiya Lal was merely beheaded for supporting Nupur Sharma after similar chants were raised by Muslim mobs across the country. Umesh Kohle had also met the same fate for extending support to Nupur Sharma.

Papua New Guinea full of Black Magic, they thought a magician has come: Uddhav Sena MP Sanjay Raut tries to mock PNG PM for touching PM Modi’s feet

OpIndia Staff
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Papua New Guinea full of Black Magic, they thought a magician has come: Uddhav Sena MP Sanjay Raut tries to mock PNG PM for touching PM Modi’s feet

On Monday, May 22, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut reacted to Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister James Marape touching Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s feet. Sanjay Raut tried to mock PNG and said that it is full of black magic and that people there practice a lot of black magic tactics.

“The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) needs to understand the history of the country Papua New Guinea. They thought some big magician had come from India and he would teach them magic, so they greeted him that way,” Raut said as he claimed that the BJP was hyping the matter unnecessarily.

The Uddhav Sena representative continued by saying that since PM Modi is an elderly person, people should respect him and touch his feet. However, he asserted that the BJP is unduly exaggerating the situation. Raut’s statement came during PM Narendra Modi’s visit to the island country.

The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, James Marape, bowed down and touched PM Modi’s feet to seek his blessings as he landed on Sunday, May 21.

In the video statement, Raut added that even earlier, Prime Ministers from India namely, Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shashtri, and Indira Gandhi were shown the same respect, and even their feet were touched by leaders from other countries to seek their blessings. Notably, this is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Papua New Guinea.

“It is good if anyone touches PM Modi’s feet as he is an elderly person. We also bend and do namaskar when we meet him. However, the way BJP is campaigning about it is not good. When our leaders like Pandit Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and Indira Gandhi used to go out of the country, people would touch their feet too,” Sanjay Raut added.

The visit by PM Modi is the first by an Indian prime minister to Papua New Guinea. His trip came while China is trying to increase its diplomatic and military might in the Indo-Pacific region.

Notably, Papua New Guinea awarded the Prime Minister the Companion of the Order of Logohu for promoting the unification of the Pacific Island nations and leading the “Global South” cause. This award has been given to a very small number of non-Papua New Guinean citizens.

The Indian Prime Minister met with James Marape, his counterpart from Papua New Guinea, earlier in the day to discuss and assess their bilateral ties. In addition, the two leaders talked about ways to increase collaboration in fields including business, technology, healthcare, and climate change.

PM Modi also reaffirmed India’s commitment to upholding and respecting the goals and preferences of the Pacific Island countries. Additionally, he met separately with the island nation’s Governor-General, Bob Dadae, to discuss ways to further solidify the two countries collaboration in a variety of industries.

Haryana: Panchayat committee allots 4-acre agricultural land to Bajrang Punia for wrestling academy, villagers protest

OpIndia Staff
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Haryana: Panchayat committee allots 4-acre agricultural land to Bajrang Punia for wrestling academy, villagers protest

On May 18, the residents of village Bhaproda of district Jhajjar in Haryana objected to the Panchayat Committee’s decision to allot four acres of agricultural land to wrestler Bajrang Punia for building a wrestling academy. The villagers submitted a complaint to District Deputy Commissioner Captain Shakti Singh in the mini secretariat regarding the matter.

Villagers informed DC Singh that on May 2, the village panchayat land was auctioned by the gram panchayat. However, during the auction, they left out four acres of land. When villagers inquired about it, they were informed that an attempt was being made to give that land to wrestler Bajrang Punia for building a wrestling academy.

The villagers alleged that head Sarpanch Pramod Kumar decided to give Punia the four-acre land as he has personal relationships with him.  Furthermore, one of the Panchayat members alleged they were called to sign the proposal so that the land could have been allotted to Punia but they were not informed of the motive. When they saw the details of the proposal, everyone refused to sign.

On the other hand, Kumar said, “Bajrang Punia had requested land of 4 to 5 acres to build a wrestling academy. A proposal was made only after I talked to the seniors in the panchayat and all of them were happy with the decision.” He added the people of the village were happy with the decision as they would receive coaching for free.

The land belongs to the SC community

Villagers have alleged that the land in question belongs to the SC community. They are using it for agriculture. One of the members of the community told India Today that his family survived on the agricultural income of the land. If it is taken away from them, they would not be able to survive.

Villagers vowed to approach CM, courts

The villagers said that if the administration failed to do justice, they would approach Chief Minister and courts if required. Villagers have demanded an inquiry into the matter. A villager was quoted by India Today saying, “If the investigation is not through in the next 5 to 7 days, we will approach Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar. We will also go to the High Court or Supreme Court if needed, but we won’t allow the construction of a wrestling academy on this land.” Villagers said there are many international and national players in the village who deserve such an opportunity. There are two Arjun Awardees in the village. However, the land was being given to Punia who is from the Sonipat district.

Bajrang Punia and the wrestlers’ protest

Bajrang Punia is among the wrestlers who are protesting against the President of the Wrestling Federation of India Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat are the other top wrestlers protesting against Singh. They have accused Singh of sexually harassing 500-1000 wrestlers. An FIR was registered against Singh and a probe into the matter is currently underway. Meanwhile, Singh has said he was ready for the polygraph test provided the wrestlers agreed to get it done as well. The protest took political colour as many opposition leaders and farmer unions joined the protesting wrestlers.

After Shubman Gill, RCB fans abuse Vijay Shankar for scoring a half-century against their team

OpIndia Staff
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After Shubman Gill, RCB fans abuse Vijay Shankar for scoring a half-century against their team

Hours after Gujarat Titans (GT) defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), leading to the latter’s elimination from the 2023 edition of the IPL, fans of RCB took to social media to abuse cricketer Vijay Shankar.

Once hailed as a ‘3-D player’, Shankar went on to score 53 runs in just 35 balls during the closely contested match and ensured the victory for Gujarat Titans. He hit 7 fours and 2 sixes before being caught by Virat Kohli.

The superlative performance of Vijay Shankar and his teammate Shubman Gill ruined the chances of the RCB to make it into the playoffs. As such, enraged fans of the franchise went on to abuse the duo with the choicest of expletives.

Vijay Shankar uploaded an Instagram post, wherein he congratulated his side for a great match. Soon after, RCB fans descended on his timeline and abused his family.

“Why do you get your as* fucked while performing for India then?” wrote one abusive fan. “Madarc*od hai tu“, and “Teri mummy kaha c**di thi behen ke lo*e,” other RCB fans wrote.

Screengrab of the abusive comments directed at Vijay Shankar

The tirade of abuse did not stop at Vijay Shankar but also extended to his mother and father.

Screengrab of the abusive comments directed at Vijay Shankar

“This mother f*cker performs only in IPL but while representing India, he becomes useless,” wrote one user. Expletives such as ‘Maderch*d’ and ‘bhos*iwala’ were freely hurled at the cricketer by vile fans of Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Screengrab of the abusive comments directed at Vijay Shankar

Vijay Shankar was also ‘greeted’ on his Instagram timeline with cuss words such as ‘Gan*u’, ‘Mtherc*othh,’ ‘chut*ya’ and ‘maa ki ch*t.’

Screengrab of the abusive comments directed at Vijay Shankar

While some RCB supporters urged everyone to unfollow Shankar on Instagram, others lamented why he had to play well against their team. One Aman predicted that Gujarat Titans will surely lose their upcoming match against Chennai Super Kings.

As expected of a typical RCB fan, expletives such as ‘Behan ch*d’, ‘Bhos*ike’, and ‘Maderc*od’ were also hurled.

Screengrab of the abusive comments directed at Vijay Shankar

Earlier, RCB fans also issued death threats to cricketer Shubman Gill and his sister Shahneel Gill. One Twitter user (@VamosVirat) posted a picture of a burnt car and wished that it was the vehicle driven by Shubman Gill. “With no one outside to put him into hospital,” he added.

Another Royal Challengers Bangalore fan posted the link of Shahneel Gill in the hopes of unleashing his troll army against her. As expected, her posts on Instagram were flooded with hate comments, ranging from remarks about her sexual orientation to prayers for her brother’s death.

This is not the first time that supporters of Virat Kohli have resorted to such behaviour. Earlier, they wished death upon Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Rohit Sharma and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni.

As PNG PM vouches to ‘rally behind India’s leadership at global forums’, Read about India’s consistent support to PNG over the years

OpIndia Staff
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As PNG PM vouches to ‘rally behind India’s leadership at global forums’, Read about India’s consistent support to PNG over the years

On Sunday, May 21, Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian PM to visit the Pacific Islands nation Papua New Guinea. He received a warm welcome from the Island nation’s Prime Minister James Marape who broke all protocols to receive PM Modi at the airport. PM Marape also sought blessings from PM Modi by touching his feet, an Indian gesture of seeking blessings from elders.

In his address at the Forum of India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC), PM Marape said that the Pacific Islands nations consider PM Modi as the leader of the Global South. He further added that the Pacific Islands nations would rally behind India’s leadership at the International forums. He pointed out that his country is the victim of global powerplay and said, “We are victims of global powerplay… You (PM Modi) are the leader of Global South. We will rally behind your (India) leadership at global forums.”

Speaking on the issue of Russia Ukraine war, PM Marape added that small economies like his country “imported inflation” as a result of the war. He said, “The issue of Ukraine war with Russia or Russia war with Ukraine rather, we import the inflation to our own small economies. These nations sitting before you, Mr Prime Minister (PM Modi), have high costs of fuel and power tariffs in their own countries and we suffer as a result of big nations at play in terms of geopolitics and the power struggles out there.”

He further urged PM Modi to become an active voice of the small island nations at the global forums including G7 and G20. He said, “You are the voice that can offer our issues at the highest as advanced economies discuss matters relating to economy, commerce, trade and geopolitics.”

PM Marape added, “We ask you, using this moment where I am co-chairing and I speak for my small brother and sister nations of the Pacific. Whilst our land may be small and the number may be small, our area and space in the Pacific are big. The world uses it for trade, commerce and movement.”

Wishing to see PM Modi as PNG’s advocate on international forums, he said, “We want you to be an advocate for us. As you sit in those meetings and continue to fight for the rights of small emerging nations and emerging economies. Our leaders will have a moment to speak to you. I want you, Mr Prime Minister, for you to spend time hearing them. And hopefully, at the end of these dialogues, may India and the Pacific’s relationship is entrenched and strengthened.”

Calling PM Modi the leader of the Global South, he added, “But more importantly, the issues that are facing the Pacific island nations, especially the smaller ones amongst us ahead in its right context and given support by you, the leader of the Global South.”

PM Marape wants Indians to establish business in PNG

Before PM Modi’s arrival at PNG, PM Marape gave an exclusive interview with DD India. In the interview, he talked about his plan to import India’s expertise in the field of technology, medicine and other sectors. He specifically talked about India’s growing expertise in technology and said he would talk to PM Modi about importing a biometric identification system (Aadhaar) and Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) for future elections, especially the general elections in PNG that are scheduled for 2027.

PM Marape also talked about inviting Indian entrepreneurs to settle in PNG and establishing businesses to export products including agriculture, fisheries, forest, oil, gas and mineral not only to India but also to the rest of the world.

Indian Diaspora in PNG

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, there are 4,500 members of the Indian Diaspora living in PNG. They include professionals like Chartered Accountants, University Professors, School Teachers and Doctors. Some are engaged in professions like IT, finance, trading, business, missionary work, etc.  There are influential Indians owning, directly or in partnership, prominent super stores and businesses in the country.

Humanitarian aid from India to PNG

India has a long history of humanitarian aid and disaster relief to PNG. During the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, India donated 1,32,000 doses of AstraZeneca Vaccine to PNG. There are only two vaccines available and approved in PNG, both AstraZeneca Vaccine’s variants. The first is from India and the second is from South Korea.

According to MEA, in 2016, Indian High Commission handed over a consignment of 7.2 million dosages of anti-retroviral drugs that cost around US 3 million to PNG’s government.

In 2017-18, India provided computers and peripherals worth USD 7,60,000 as part of the grant-in-aid under India’s Regional Assistance to Pacific Island Countries to the PNG’s government.

In February 2018, the Government of India provided USD 1 million grant to PNG’s government for earthquake relief work.

In June 2019, India extended another financial aid of USD 1 million for relief and restoration work of areas affected by the Ilawun volcano.

In November 2022, India handed over a cheque of USD 50,000 as Grant in-Aid for providing IT equipment to the National Cultural Commission of PNG.

Recently, India has approved a Grant in Aid proposal to provide financial support of USD 1,53,893 to improve ICT infrastructure at the University of Technology in Lae.

Under an MOU for the Establishment of a Centre of Excellence in IT, India has set up a Centre of Excellence in Info Tech (CEIT) at the University of PNG in Port Moresby. Two IT Experts from India were stationed at the centre for two years till November 2021 to provide support.

In October 2022, India approved a proposal to send an IT expert for CEIT for 2 years.

Mastermind of Akola violence arrested, Arbaaz Khan instigated mob, edited and made selective chat viral, leading to ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ slogans, violence: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Mastermind of Akola violence arrested, Arbaaz Khan instigated mob, edited and made selective chat viral, leading to ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ slogans, violence: Details

The Maharashtra Police on Saturday arrested the mastermind of the violence unleashed by a Muslim mob in Akola. The arrested individual has been identified as Arbaaz Khan. Khan is believed to be the mastermind of the violence against Hindus in Akola. Reportedly, the police are still on the lookout for the ‘godfather’ behind the violence.

According to the reports, Khan is 23 years old and played the main role in spreading the violence in the city. Akola SP Sandeep Ghuge confirmed that the violence began and revolved around a controversial Instagram chat, which Arbaaz Khan had edited and selectively made viral. The violence escalated in the entire city at the behest of Khan.

How Arbaaz Khan lit fire in Akola against Hindus, leading to unbridled violence by Islamist mob

The saga is said to have begun after Sameer Sonawane created an Instagram page regarding the recently released movie ‘The Kerala Story’, which shows how ISIS indoctrinates and traps innocent Hindu girls, converts them to Islam and then turns them into ISIS terrorists and sex slaves. Accused Arbaaz saw the Instagram page, which merely supported the movie, and started chatting with the page admin.

The conversation soon turned into an argument with the duo using objectionable words. It is pertinent to note that on social media, this is a usual technique used by Islamists where they initiate a conversation and instigate the Hindu individual. While both parties used abusive language during the argument, Arbaaz Khan edited the chat and made only a selective portion viral to brainwash the Muslim community and light a fire against the Hindus of Akola.

Police said that 23-year-old Arbaaz Khan initiated the chat with Sonawane who had made a page supporting the movie.

Once Khan made the selective portion of the chat viral through social media, a Muslim mob gathered in the vicinity of the police station. The same mob incited more people to commit violence in different parts of the city.

According to reports, Khan incited the mob through social media saying how objectionable things were being said towards the Muslim community and their religion. After this, hundreds of people from the Muslim community gathered at the police station first and intended to file a complaint. Reportedly, Arbaaz instigated the people and provoked them to escalate the violence.

While the Muslim mob had gathered at the police station, Sar Tan Se Juda slogans were also raised. It is pertinent to remember that several individuals were murdered recently for allegedly insulting Islam. Kanhaiya Lal was merely beheaded for supporting Nupur Sharma after similar chants were raised by Muslim mobs across the country. Umesh Kohle had also met the same fate for extending support to Nupur Sharma.

Apart from arresting the mastermind of the Islamist violence, the police have also arrested the Hindu man, Sameer Sonawane, who made an innocent Instagram page supporting the movie The Kerala Files and provoked into a conversation by Arbaaz Khan.

The incident was reported on May 13 when Islamists went on a rampage in the Old City police station area in the Akola district of Maharashtra. According to the police, stones were pelted and vehicles were damaged. One person was reportedly brought dead to the Civil Hospital after the clash and eight others including two policemen were reported injured.

The Police booked 150 for the violence and had already arrested more than 100 persons in the case. However, the police nabbed the mastermind, Arbaaz Khan on Saturday and is still on the lookout for the ‘godfather’ behind the violence.

IPL: Delhi and Punjab never win, Rajasthan always fall short, Kolkata and Hyderabad are in doldrums, but only RCB’s fans abuse opponents for their team’s failure, why?

Amit Kelkar
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IPL: Delhi and Punjab never win, Rajasthan always fall short, Kolkata and Hyderabad are in doldrums, but only RCB’s fans abuse opponents for their team’s failure, why?

Indian Premier League (IPL) started in 2008 on the back of India’s surprising win in the 2007 T20 World Cup. The league was an instant success thanks to Brendon McCullum’s insane 158 in the very first game of the league. Since then, the title has been won by Mumbai Indians (5 times), Chennai Super Kings (4 times), Kolkata Knight Riders ( 2 times), Hyderabad ( 2 times, once as Deccan Chargers and once as Sunrisers), Rajasthan (once, the inaugural edition), and once by newly formed franchise Gujarat Titans.

The three teams who have played every season of IPL and haven’t managed a win are Delhi Capitals (earlier Delhi Daredevila), Punjab Kings (earlier Kings XI Punjab), and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Kochi Tuskers, Pune Warriors India, Rising Pune Super Giants, Gujarat Lions, and Lucknow Super Giants are the other teams who never won the IPL. However, the first 4 out of them only had a brief guest appearance in the tournament while Lucknow are still there but only in their second season. Though Lucknow has made back-to-back playoff appearances and who knows, this may still be their year.

Among all these teams who have never won the IPL, one team’s fans stand out, and that is the Bangalore franchise. Widely known on “cricket social media” as the most abusive and vitriolic fans, RCB fans gave another example of their worst behaviour when Gujarat Titans easily brushed them aside in the last league match of the season. The humbling loss knocked RCB out of the tournament and made sure Mumbai Indians made it through to face Lucknow Super Giants in the first eliminator.

The star of the show for Gujarat Titans during their comfortable win against RCB was Shubman Gill, who stroked a brilliant century leading his team to a 6-wicket win. Gill ended with 104 off 52 balls in innings studded with 5 fours and 8 sixes. However, little did Gill anticipate what was to follow on social media after that impressive knock. Shubman Gill’s social media accounts were flooded with thousands of abuses, there were people wishing for his death all over the internet.

If that wasn’t bad enough, RCB fans dug up the social media accounts of Gill’s family members, including his sister, and started showering abuses at them as well just because Gill played well for his team. The deluge of abuses and threats makes you hope that the Gill family doesn’t check their social media accounts for a few months.

Gill wasn’t the only Gujarat player to get abused by RCB fans, his teammate Vijay Shankar, who scored a half-century and put on 123 for the second wicket with Gill wasn’t spared either. At least in Shankar’s case, the abuses were limited to him alone and no family member was targeted but still, he had to see his Instagram feed turn into a flood of abuses just because he played well.

Gill and Shankar are not exceptions but rather the rule when it comes to RCB fans. Throughout this season of IPL, RCB fans have become infamous for their terrible behaviour. Whether it was shouting “Vadapav” at Indian captain Rohit Sharma or trolling and abusing Indian legend Gautam Gambhir, or even trolling the youngster from Afghanistan Naveen-ul-Haq, RCB fans’ behaviour made more news than their players’ performances.

Over the years, we have seen sportspersons get abused on social media if they don’t play well as passionate fans go over the edge, but RCB fans have turned the trend on its head. They start abusing anyone who plays well for their team. Interestingly, RCB fans never take a look at their perennially unbalanced team and question their pathetic management but are more willing to abuse the opposition for playing well against them.

Why is it always RCB, why is it always RCB fans, is the team leadership paying any heed to their fans’ behaviour online or are they comfortable with this image of the “abusive franchise”? The silence from RCB seniors and their management suggests they are very happy to see their “fans” abuse everyone and their families if they perform well against the Bengaluru franchise.

Don’t rush to the bank, says RBI Governor: Read what he said about the currency note being withdrawn and the deadline to deposit

ANI
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Don’t rush to the bank, says RBI Governor: Read what he said about the currency note being withdrawn and the deadline to deposit

Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das on Monday reiterated that Rs 2000 notes will continue to be a legal lender, after the Central bank’s announcement that the notes will be withdrawn from circulation. 

He also said he doesn’t expect a rush in the branches and urged people to not rush to banks. The Governor said the Rs 2000 note was primarily issued to replenish money, taken out from the system during the demonetisation of Rs 500 notes and Rs 1,000 notes. 

Shaktikanta Das in an interaction with media persons today said that the higher value of currency was manufactured in a brief period of time to increase liquidity in the economy. He also added that Rs 2000 notes circulation came down below 50 per cent since then. 

On being asked about the deadline of September 30, the governor said the deadline, given for Rs 2000 notes exchange, was decided so that it would be taken seriously. 

The apex bank’s governor said that it will revisit the September deadline based on the situation. 

The Reserve Bank of India on Friday withdrew the Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation but they will continue to remain as legal tender. It advised banks to stop issuing Rs 2000 denomination banknotes with immediate effect. 

Meanwhile, RBI said that people would continue to be able to deposit Rs 2000 banknotes into their bank accounts and/or exchange them into banknotes of other denominations at any bank branch up to September 30, 2023. 

The Rs 2000 denomination banknote was introduced in November 2016, primarily to meet the currency requirement of the economy in an expeditious manner after the withdrawal of the legal tender status of all Rs 500 and Rs 1000 banknotes in circulation at that time. 

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

Congress cries foul over phasing out of Rs 2000 currency notes: How several Congress govt followed the ‘demonetisation’ path to control black money

Gopal Tiwari
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Congress cries foul over phasing out of Rs 2000 currency notes: How several Congress govt followed the ‘demonetisation’ path to control black money

On 19th May 2023, the Reserve Bank of India announced that it is withdrawing the circulation of ₹2000 currency notes. However, the central bank said that the currency notes will still continue to be legal tender, and added that the public can exchange the notes till 30 September. RBI also said that printing of the high-value banknotes was stopped almost five years ago.

However, all the opposition parties including Congress engaged in attacking the union government over this decision. The people have been given time till September 30, 2023, to exchange notes or deposit them in the bank. The 4-month deadline for exchanging notes is considered sufficient. However, the opposition is trying to politicize this issue. They are also trying to create panic by comparing it to demonetisation, which was a completely different move. In fact, this move to phase our Rs 2000 notes is not sudden at all and was being planned for the past many years. It was, in fact, only supposed to be a temporary move from the beginning.

It is, therefore, necessary to take an account of similar decisions taken by various Congress governments in the past when currency notes were either discontinued or demonetised.

Be it the Jawaharlal Nehru government which took over immediately after independence or the Manmohan Singh government that led the country for a decade in the twenty-first century, there have been many instances of significant decisions regarding currency notes. Sometimes the decisions were about introducing the currency, while at other times the decisions were about discontinuing the currency. But while accusing the Modi government of miscalculating demonetisation in 2016 and withdrawing Rs 2000 notes in 2023, congress has forgotten the currency decisions it took.

The Reserve Bank of India printed the highest denomination note, which was the Rs 10,000 note, in 1938 along with other higher denominations of Rs 100, 500 and 1000. It was demonetised in January 1946 but later reintroduced in 1954. During the reintroduction in 1954, Jawaharlal Nehru served as the Prime Minister of India.

In the first demonetisation, Rs 500, Rs 1,000 and Rs 10,000 notes were demonetised to control black money. the date was 12th August 1946. Jawaharlal Nehru became the de-facto Prime Minister – that is, the chief of the interim government – on 2nd September 1946. In 1954, his government reintroduced Rs 1000, 5000, and 10000 currency notes which were earlier demonetised to control black money. Essentially, this move by Jawaharlal Nehru was one of the factors which led to the problem of black money in the first place.

On 16th January 1978, the Morarji Desai government had to take a bold decision to demonetise all the denominations above Rs 100 in order to control the menace of black money. This included demonetisation of the currency notes of Rs 500, 1000, 5000, and 10000. After this announcement by the government, it was decided to close all the banks and their branches in the country as well as the treasury of the government on January 17, 1978. Dr Manmohan Singh played an important role in this demonetisation. He served as the finance secretary in the Morarji Desai government.

However, this step taken by the Morarji Desai government was not enough to revive the economy. Meanwhile, India saw two more Congress governments having a full majority in the Lok Sabha. Naturally, the corruption and black money went up, and despite a growing economy, the currency kept losing purchasing power. In October 1987, Rs 500 notes were reintroduced. Later, in 2000, Rs 1000 notes were also reintroduced.

Among other withdrawals of currencies during the Congress governments, Rs 1 and Rs 2 notes were removed from circulation in 1995 while 25 paise and all paise coins below this denomination were withdrawn in 2011.

In early 2014, the Congress-led UPA government was in power at the Centre with Manmohan Singh as the prime minister. Then, on January 22, 2014, the RBI announced the withdrawal of all pre-2005 notes. It also included notes ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 500 and Rs 1000. However, then Congress leaders and their other allies did not try to oppose this decision of the government.

This decision came just before the Lok Sabha elections of 2014 – when Narendra Modi had come up as the challenger to this decade-long corruption-hit government whose evaluation was left to the historians by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh himself weeks before taking this decision. Congress leaders and their other allies did not try to oppose this decision of the government in 2014. But they did demonstrate a vocal and abusive opposition in 2016 and they are repeating the hues and cries in 2023 against Narendra Modi.

PM Modi conferred with Fiji’s highest ‘Companion of the Order’ honour, says, ‘This is the honour of 140 crores Indians’

OpIndia Staff
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PM Modi conferred with Fiji’s highest ‘Companion of the Order’ honour, says, ‘This is the honour of 140 crores Indians’

The highest distinction conferred upon a non-Fijian, the Companion of the Order of Fiji, was awarded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, May 22, in acknowledgment of his leadership on a worldwide scale.

During their meeting in Papua New Guinea, PM Modi was given a medallion as part of the honour by Sitiveni Rabuka, the prime minister of Fiji. “This honour is not just mine but that of 140 crores Indians, of centuries-old India-Fiji relations,” Prime Minister Modi remarked while receiving Fiji’s highest distinction.

In acknowledgment of exceptional achievement or the highest level of meritorious service to Fiji or mankind, the Companion of the Order is given to citizens or other foreigners as part of an Honorary Award.

In addition, Papua New Guinea awarded the Prime Minister the Companion of the Order of Logohu for promoting the unification of the Pacific Island nations and leading the “Global South” cause. This award has been given to a very small number of non-Papua New Guinean citizens.

In addition, Surangel Whipps, Jr., President of Palau, gave PM Modi an Ebakl. One of the most crucial instruments for the people of Palau, the Ebakl has a close connection to the indigenous way of life. It also represents knowledge and leadership.

On the eve of the third summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) in Port Moresby, the Prime Minister met with President Whipps. FIPIC was established when PM Modi visited Fiji in 2014.

The visit by PM Modi is the first by an Indian prime minister to Papua New Guinea. His trip coincides with China’s ambitions to increase its diplomatic and military might in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Indian Prime Minister met with James Marape, his counterpart from Papua New Guinea, earlier in the day, to discuss and assess their bilateral ties. In addition, the two leaders talked about ways to increase collaboration in fields including business, technology, healthcare, and climate change.

PM Modi also reaffirmed India’s commitment to upholding and respecting the goals and preferences of the Pacific Island countries. Additionally, he met separately with the island nation’s Governor-General, Bob Dadae, to discuss ways to further solidify the two countries’ collaboration in a variety of industries.

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