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As Hindus stand up for themselves after the recent Purola love jihad case Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind writes to Amit Shah playing the victim

OpIndia Staff
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As Hindus stand up for themselves after the recent Purola love jihad case Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind writes to Amit Shah playing the victim

On 13th June 2023, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind led by Maulana Mahmood Madani published a press release to inform that it has written a letter to the union home minister Amit Shah regarding the recent communal situation in Uttarakhand. In the letter, the president of the Islamic organisation Maulana Mahmood Madani urged the union home minister to halt the Mahapanchayat scheduled to be held in Uttarkashi town of the mountain state on 15th June 2023. Madani has stated that this event may lead to ‘communal conflict’ in the state.

In the press release, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind said, “President of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind Maulana Mahmood Asa’d Madani has expressed deep concern over the open threat of expulsion of the Muslim community in Uttarkashi Uttarakhand. In this regard, Maulana Madani wrote a letter to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, urging them to take strict action against the forces spreading division and to protect the lives and property of the citizens of India.”

According to the press release, Maulana Madani said that Uttarakhand has been an exemplary state in terms of law and order and communal harmony, what is happening in Uttarkashi does not match its nature. He alleged that people in Uttarkashi are openly inciting fear and fanning enmity between the two sects. Maulana Madani also said in the letter that the inaction on the part of the government and its agencies further aggravated this critical communal situation. He also mentioned that this was the land of Uttarakhand where some communal elements threatened to massacre Muslims by holding “Dharma Sansad”.

In his letter, Maulana Madani further said, “The people who organized these programs a year ago are not only beyond the reach of the law, but they are also among the hatemongers and intimidators in this current incident. They are openly putting up posters and releasing videos and unfortunately, local police are standing as mere spectators. The increasing Islamophobia and communalism in the state are further dividing society and eroding communal harmony.”

Maulana Madani further added in his letter to Amit Shah, “I request you to halt the event (Mahapnachayat) scheduled to be held on 15 June 2023, which may lead to a communal conflict in the state and further increase the gulf between Hindu and Muslim communities. I not only request you to personally intervene and issue the necessary order but also to take strict action against divisive forces, besides instructing the law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety and security of every citizen irrespective of their religion and ethnic background.”

Notably, on Wednesday, the Supreme Court of India rejected a request to stop a ‘maha panchayat’ planned by Hindu organisations in Purola, Uttarakhand. Since the Purola love jihad incident, racial tensions have been progressively rising in Purola and neighbouring towns in the Uttarkashi area. A sense of uneasiness has been created among many populations as a result of the increase in tension, along with fears of violence and probable social unrest.

The Purola Pradhan Sangathan has organised a Mahapanchayat to discuss this issue of growing love jihad in the state. This Mahapanchayat will be held on 15th June 2023. It is supported by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal. Earlier, Hindus in Uttarkashi held massive protests against love jihad.

The truth about Purola Love Jihad case: OpIndia ground report

The Uttarkashi region of Uttarakhand is currently the topic of conversation throughout all media outlets and social media. This happened after an alleged love jihad case was reported from the hilly town of Purola in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district. Uved Khan, who was accused of trapping a minor Hindu girl and then attempting to abduct her, was taken into custody on Friday (26 May 2023) from Purola.

While the local Hindus agitated as several similar cases of love jihad continued to emerge in Uttarakhand, Islamists and Leftists yet again made an attempt to whitewash the love jihad cases and instead painted the Muslims as victims. 

Many media outlets like Times of India, Zee News, News 18, etc furthered the ‘Dara Hua Musalman‘ narrative by claiming that Muslim traders are being forced to vacate their shops and leave Purola following protests and demonstrations and ultimatums by right-wing Hindu organisations. They further reported how threatening posters have been pasted on shops owned by Muslim traders in Purola town of Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, asking them to vacate the place immediately.

The Purola police had, however, denied several media reports claiming that members of the minority communities have left the city. “Nobody has left the town as it is not that easy to just leave businesses and homes behind in one night. The situation is completely under control. The accused, who were arrested, were produced before the local court which later sent them to jail,” V Murugesan, additional director general of police (law & order) was quoted as saying.

When OpIndia inquired about this issue with certain individuals connected to Hindu organisations in Uttarkashi, the situation turned out to be contrary to what had been reported. Hindu organisations alluded to the Hindus of Uttarakhand as being the victims of the rapid demographic changes and land, business and love jihad happening in the state, rather than the Muslim migrants whom the leftist media and the ‘liberal’ coterie are busy projecting as victims.

The OpIndia team also examined the so-called ‘threat’ posters that these leftist media outlets have extensively reported about. According to various media reports, posters asking Muslim shopkeepers to leave or “prepare for consequences” were found pasted on shops of Muslim traders. They were given a deadline of June 15 to flee or “face action”. The posters mentioned the name of an organisation- Devbhoomi Raksha Abhiyan which warned ‘Love Jehadis’ to vacate their shops by June 15. It also read that a ‘Mahapanchayat’ on the issue has been called by Hindu outfits on the same date.

When OpIndia spoke to the locals, we learned that contrary to the narrative that was being peddled, the local Hindus in Devbhoomi were the ones who were truly terrified. The Uttarakhand police also denied that Muslims in Uttarkashi town were under any sort of threat. Swami Darshan Bharti, the founder of the Devbhoomi Raksha Abhiyan Sangathan, spoke with OpIndia. He confirmed that he was in Purola on the day of the incident, but neither he nor anybody else he knows of had put up those posters. Swami Darshan Bharti termed the posters as a conspiracy by some individuals who want to project themselves as the victims.

It is also true that the Purola region has seen several cases of Love Jihad and onslaught by Islamist radicals. There were several cases, like that of a Hindu student being killed, a pregnant cow being murdered and her unborn calf being thrown away, a minor Hindu girl being held hostage for 5 days and more. Our full ground report on Purola can be read here.

Despite mounting evidence that the Islamists have been running a rampage in Purola, the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind craftily turned the Muslim community into the victim. After the onslaught by Islamists, the Hindus of Purola merely decided to stand up for themselves in the face of victimisation. As evidenced, the posters were not put up by Hindus, however, they did decide to hold a maha panchayat to discuss their plight and the way forward. It is interesting that Islamists believe that their religiously motivated crimes don’t create communal disharmony, however, the moment Hindus decide to take a stand for themselves, they become the victims and claim that the Hindu community merely voicing their plight would ruin communal harmony and brotherhood.

As the court rejects petition to stop Purola Mahapanchayat, Uttarakhand CM and DGP assure action if anyone breaks the law

OpIndia Staff
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As the court rejects petition to stop Purola Mahapanchayat, Uttarakhand CM and DGP assure action if anyone breaks the law

On 14th June 2023, the Supreme Court rejected a petition that demanded to put a stop to the Mahapanchayat scheduled to be held in Uttarkashi of Uttarakhand. The court said that it is the state’s responsibility to ensure that law and order in the state are maintained. After the apex court directed the petitioner to go to the high court, the CM and DGP of the mountain state assured that if anyone broke the law in the state, strict action will be taken. Notably, the Mahapanchayat in Purola is organised by the Hindu community to discuss the problem of love jihad prevailing and growing in the state.

However, the Uttarkashi district administration refused permission for the Mahapanchayat and imposed restrictions under section 144 of the CrPC. The Mahapanchayat was called by the Purola Pradhan Sangathan and has received support from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the Bajrang Dal among others. The situation in Purola has been tense after two men were caught in an alleged attempt to elope with a minor girl from Purola last month.

The chief minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “We have appealed to everyone to maintain peace and not to take law into their own hands. Whatever incidents have taken place till now, the administration has acted on it properly. There is no incident of violence against anyone or looting anyone. But still, we have appealed to the people that everyone must maintain peace. If anyone is guilty, the law will act against him. No one will be allowed to take the law into his hands. Everyone is instructed regarding that.”

Uttarakhand’s Director General of Police Ashok Kumar said, “District Police and administration are fully prepared. We’re taking all the steps to maintain the law & order in the state, no one will be allowed to disturb the peace. I appeal to all the parties to cooperate with us to maintain the peace. No one will be allowed to break the law. Action will be taken against those who will break the law. We have deployed all the forces there. We are alert and aware. We will not allow anyone to undertake any unlawful activity and the peace will be maintained at all costs.”

Hindus in Uttarkashi of Uttarakhand have organised a Mahapanchayat on 15th June 2023, to discuss the problem of love jihad that has rapidly grown in the state in the past few years. The Uttarkashi region of Uttarakhand is currently the topic of conversation throughout all media outlets and social media. This happened after an alleged love jihad case was reported from the hilly town of Purola in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district. Uved Khan, who was accused of trapping a minor Hindu girl and then attempting to abduct her, was taken into custody on Friday (26 May 2023) from Purola.

Manipur: 9 killed, 10 injured in a fresh terrorist attack using sophisticated weapons in Khamenlok

OpIndia Staff
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Manipur: 9 killed, 10 injured in a fresh terrorist attack using sophisticated weapons in Khamenlok

Police on Wednesday reported that at least nine people have been killed and ten were injured in a village in the Khamenlok region of the ethnically troubled state of Manipur in a new terrorist strike. The terrorists equipped with sophisticated weapons surrounded the residents of the village, which is located on the borders of the tribal-dominated Kangpokpi district and the Meitei-dominated Imphal East district. Police stated the attack started at one in the morning. The injured have been taken to the Imphal hospital. Based on some reports, the perpetrators also set a number of homes on fire in the village.

Armed militants and village volunteers engaged in gunfire on Monday night in the Khamenlok area. In accordance with accounts, security personnel and Kuki insurgents were also involved in a gunfight on Tuesday at Phougakchao Ikhai in the Bishnupur district. Security troops confronted the Kuki militants as they attempted to build bunkers near Meitei communities, which led to the exchange of fire.

District authorities have shortened the curfew relaxation hours from the customary 5 am to 6 pm in Imphal East and Imphal West to 5 am to 9 am in an effort to get the situation under control. In 11 of Manipur’s 16 districts, the curfew is still in effect, and internet access is not available anywhere in the sensitive northeastern state.

Imphal East police superintendent K Shivakanta Singh informed, “There was firing in the village around 10-10:30 pm and nine people were killed and 10 others injured. All injured have been admitted to hospital where the condition of one is stated to be critical.” He added that Assam Rifles is in charge of maintaining security in the region and everything was now under control.

On Monday, important civil society groups from the feuding Meitei and Kuki communities rejected to be a part of the Union government’s peace committee to mediate peace in the state.

The ethnic violence that broke out between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur a month ago resulted in at least 100 fatalities, 310 injuries and another 40,000 displaced. To reestablish peace in the state, the army and paramilitary forces were deployed there.

Violence erupted after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was called on May 3 by the All Tribal Students’ Union of Manipur (ATSUM) in all the 10 hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Many homes were destroyed in several parts, including Imphal Valley, inhabited mostly by the Meitei community. 

The majority of Meiteis, who make up around 53% of Manipur’s population, reside in the Imphal Valley. Another 40% of the population is made up of the Naga and Kuki tribal groups, who live in the hill districts.

Amit Shah also visited the state and appealed for peace and announced a judicial inquiry commission headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to probe the violence among other significant measures. He also declared the formation of a peace committee and an inter-agency unified command for better coordination.

In a worrying decline of democratic principles, former President Donald Trump looks at up to 400 years in prison, pleads not guilty as supporters say charges fabricated

OpIndia Staff
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In a worrying decline of democratic principles, former President Donald Trump looks at up to 400 years in prison, pleads not guilty as supporters say charges fabricated

On June 13 (local time), in a worrying decline of democratic principles, former President Donald Trump faced charges of allegedly unlawfully storing national security documents when he left office. The authorities also claimed that he lied to the officials who sought to recover the documents. Trump was arrested and presented in court, where he pleaded not guilty. His supporters said the charges against him were fabricated. If proven guilty by the court, Trump may face prison of up to 400 years.

Notably, Trump is the first President in US history to get charged with federal crimes. The upcoming trial in the case will be crucial as 77-year-old Trump is looking ahead to win back the Presidency in the 2024 elections scheduled in the month of November. As per experts, it may take a year for the trial to begin.

Soon after pleading not guilty in court, he was allowed to leave the court without any travel restrictions or conditions. The court did not order any cash bond to be in place for letting him leave. US Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman, in a federal court in Miami, ordered Trump not to communicate with potential witnesses in the case. As per reports, his former aide Walt Nauta was also charged in the case. Nauta also pleaded not guilty.

In April this year, Trump made the first courtroom visit of the year in an unrelated case. He pleaded not guilty to state charges in New York for allegedly paying hush to a porn star.

Trump said the Biden administration is targeting him

Trump has categorically denied the charges against him. He accused President Joe Biden’s administration of targeting him. In a Truth Social post, Trump said, “ONE OF THE SADDEST DAYS IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY. WE ARE A NATION IN DECLINE!!!” He also called Special Counsel Jack Smith, the leading prosecutor in the case, a “Trump hater” on his social media platform.

Source: Truth Social

Notably, Smith has accused him of risking national security by keeping sensitive documents in his possession after leaving the White House in January 2021. He claimed the documents were stored in a “haphazard manner” at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida and at New Jersey Gold Club. The indictment released last week also includes photos of boxes of documents stored on a ballroom stage, in a bathroom and on a storage-room floor. The indictment claimed the documents included information about the secretive nuclear program and potential vulnerabilities in case of an attack on the US. It was further claimed that Trump lied to the officials who tried to recover the documents from his possession.

Charges against Donald Trump

In the unsealed 49-page indictment against former President Trump, he faces up to 400 years of prison and USD 9,250,000 in fines for the alleged storage of classified documents on private property. He has been charged with 37 counts.

Count 1 to 31 – Willful retention of national defence information

Per the indictment, he has been charged with 31 counts of retaining national defence information. If proven, he will face a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison, a maximum supervised release period of three years, and a USD 250,000 fine for each count. As per the law, the information the accused retains does not have to be classified as “illegally retained”.

Count 32 – conspiracy to obstruct justice

Trump faces one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice. If proven, he will face a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison, a maximum of three years of supervised release and a fine of USD 250,000.

Count 33 – withholding a document or record

The former President also faces one count of withholding a document or record. If proven, he will face a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison, three years of maximum supervised release and a USD 250,000 fine for the alleged crime.

Count 34 – corruptly concealing a document or record

Ex-commander in chief of the US Armed Forces faces one count of corruptly concealing a document or record. If proven, he will face a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison, a maximum of three years of supervised release and a fine of USD 250,000.

Count 35 – Concealing a document in a federal investigation

He has been charged with one count of concealing a document in a federal investigation. If proven, he will face a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison, a maximum of three years of supervised release and a fine of USD 250,000 for the alleged crime.

Count 36 – Scheme to conceal

Trump faces one charge of scheme to conceal. If proven, he will face a maximum punishment of five years in prison, a maximum of three years of supervised release and a fine of USD 250,000.

Count 37 – False statements and representations

He has also been charged with one count of fake statements and representation. If proven, he will face a maximum punishment of five years in prison, a maximum of three years of supervised release and a fine of USD 250,000.

Supporters rallied in Trump’s support

Hundreds of Trump supporters came out on roads wearing Make America Great Again hats and carrying American Flags. They chanted “Miami for Trump” and “Latinos for Trump” as his vehicle passed outside the courthouse.

The case has not clouded Trump’s campaign to regain access to the President’s office. After the court hearing, he went to New Jersey Golf Club to speak. His voters came in large numbers to listen to their beloved leader.

As per a recent poll released by Reuters/Ipsos, 81 per cent of Republican voters believe the charges against him are politically motivated. His Republican rivals have also lined up behind him and accused the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of political bias. One such candidate, Vivek Ramaswamy, said if he gets elected, he will pardon Trump. In a tweet, he said, “I challenge every US Presidential candidate to join me in standing for TRUTH. Commit to pardon Donald Trump for these federal charges on Day 1, or explain why you won’t. No one should hide. Not Biden. Not DeSantis. Not Haley. Not Pence. Not RFK. Not Scott. Not anyone. Principles over politics.”

Author Brigitte Gabriel said, “We, The People, stand with President Donald Trump!”

Anchor Richrd Grenell said, “The President of the United States had his opponent arrested. The Democrats hatred of Donald Trump have pushed them to give up America’s moral authority on the world stage.”

Pakistan: Bike-hailing app Bykea gets hacked, users receive PKMKB and other abusive notifications

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: Bike-hailing app Bykea gets hacked, users receive PKMKB and other abusive notifications

On Tuesday, 13th June, a Pakistani bike-hailing and parcel-delivery app named Bykea was hacked. Several Pakistanis started receiving abusive notifications cursing Pakistan after the hacking. Several users of the app complained to the app owners over the abusive messages they received. 

Upholding their tradition of blaming India for everything wrong in Pakistan, several Pakistani blamed India for it, alleging that Indian hackers hacked the app. Several others speculated if it was a marketing strategy of Bykea’s marketing team. Meanwhile, many wondered if someone at Bykea was not having a good day and it was an insider job. 

The first notification, which featured offensive language, flashed on users’ screens at about 12:10 p.m., followed by another notification 40 minutes later, notifying users in Urdu/Hinglish that the application was still hacked. “Are b** valo abhi tak app hacked hai,” stated the notification.

One Hammad Naseem shared a picture of the abusive notification he received from Bykea on his smartwatch.

Another user named Shariq posted a similar screenshot, and wondered if someone was not having a good day at Bykea as he wrote, “what is this some one is not having a good day at Bykea?

Another user Yashfa posted a message saying that the app is still hacked. She seemed to have received intelligence input that the app was hacked by Indians as she tweeted, “Our neighbours have nothing better to do.”

Another Twitter user wrote, “I think I have downloaded the wrong Bykea,” posting a screenshot of the abusive message.

Some Twitter users opined that the bike-hailing app’s marketing team could have been behind the abusive notifications.

The incident also triggered a meme-fest on Twitter.

Soon after, an apology was issued by the Bykea app through its Twitter handle. The company also confirmed that the third-party communication tool was compromised, however, it has been restored.

Meanwhile, the CEO of Bykea app, Muneeb Maayr said that a laptop used by one of his employees working at the Karachi office was accessed by someone outside the country. He added that their third-party communication tool lacked two-factor authentication, allowing the hackers to breach the system and gain access to the application. Maayr, however, did not reveal the name of the compromised tool.

According to Bykea’s Facebook page, the app and the service are available in various Pakistani cities, including Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, and Wah.

Delhi Police ropes in foreign Wrestling Federation to seek proof in the sexual harassment case against former WFI President Brij Bhushan

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi Police ropes in foreign Wrestling Federation to seek proof in the sexual harassment case against former WFI President Brij Bhushan

Delhi Police have sought information and CCTV footage from Wrestling federations of five nations in connection to the sexual harassment case against Former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. These five nations are Indonesia, Bulgaria, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. The action came after the protesting wrestlers in their FIR on April 21 alleged that they were harassed during tournaments in these countries. 

Delhi Police widens probe in the sexual harassment case 

As per media reports, Delhi Police had sent these notices within a week of lodging the FIR against Singh, the news, however, came to light recently only. 

A senior Delhi Police official said, “We had written to different federations within a week of lodging the FIRs and some of them have even replied. I don’t know why this issue is being raked up again.”

This news came to light as the Delhi Police is preparing to file the chargesheet in the case by the latest date of 15th June. As of now, reports suggest that the Delhi Police officials have recorded statements from more than 200 people. These include protesting wrestlers, coaches, referees and other officials or former postholders of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

Delhi Police sought evidence from two women wrestlers

The Delhi Police earlier asked two women wrestlers to provide photographs, audio, and video as evidence to back their allegations against Singh. 

Apparently, the wrestlers alleged that Singh touched their breasts and stomachs under the guise of checking their breathing. On Sunday, the 11th of June, four of the six women wrestlers submitted audio and visual evidence to corroborate their allegations against Singh.

Father of minor wrestler admits in that he filed a complaint against Brij Bhushan in anger

It may be recalled that last week the father of a minor wrestler who had filed a complaint against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh admitted to a television channel that he has “corrected” the statement as he had filed a false complaint against him “out of anger”. 

In his interview with ‘Khabrain Abhi Tak’, the minor wrestler’s father said that there was no external pressure on him to change his earlier statement.

No supportive evidence till now to arrest Brij Bhushan Singh: Delhi Police

Delhi Police sources had said on May 31, that till now no supportive evidence has been found to arrest the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, in connection with the allegations levelled by wrestlers against him. 

Past antecedents of the case

The wrestlers in the likes of Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik had been protesting against former WFI President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, demanding his arrest. On the 7th of June, the protesting wrestlers met Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, after which they halted their protest till the 15th of June. The wrestlers claimed that they have been assured by the Minister that a charge sheet will be filled against Singh by 15th June.

However, initially, two FIRs were registered against Singh on the complaint of seven women wrestlers, including one allegedly minor wrestler. After this, Singh was booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and POCSO Act. However, it was recently reported that the minor wrestler had withdrawn her statement in front of the magistrate and recorded a new one under Section 164 of the CrPC.

Delhi: Rishu and Anand attacked with a knife by Anas, Saqib and another minor over Gilli-Danda dispute, two accused arrested, search on for the third

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi: Rishu and Anand attacked with a knife by Anas, Saqib and another minor over Gilli-Danda dispute, two accused arrested, search on for the third

Two boys have been reportedly attacked with knives in the country’s capital on Monday. They were assaulted and wounded in the Jaitpur neighbourhood of Delhi’s Kalindi Kunj police station. Anand Mathur, 19, and Rishu Tiwari, 16, have been named as the victims. While the former is still in critical condition, the latter has been released from the hospital following medical treatment. The entire occurrence was captured on the CCTV camera.

The assailants have been identified as 19-year-old Anas alias Balli, son of Fakruddin, Saqib, son of Alimuddin and another minor. The police are still searching for the juvenile whereas the other two have already been arrested. The police have also filed a report of the incident and began an inquiry.

Rishu Tiwari stated that on Monday evening, he and a companion were travelling by bike. Just as he approached street number 4, he was stopped by a group of boys who were present there. They first started hitting him and then Balli stabbed him. His friend Anand Mathur came to know about this and he came running to intervene in the situation. However, he was also attacked with a knife.

Rishu Tiwari mentioned that he was involved in an altercation with the perpetrator before as well. The matter was also reported to the police once or twice, but no action was initiated.

The culprits admitted during interrogation that they had a fight with the victim on June 1 of last year over a trivial matter in gilli-danda. They have been at odds with one another ever since. Afterwards, as soon as he had the opportunity, he knifed him.

Eyewitnesses told that 4 boys were already standing on the spot on Monday evening and started beating Rishu Tiwari as he arrived there immediately after pulling him from his moving two-wheeler. One of the boys used a knife on him. Afterwards, Anand Mathur reached the location and the accused also attacked him with a knife and injured him severely.

According to Deputy Commissioner Of Police (DCP) Rajesh Dev around 6.45 pm on Monday, a call was made regarding a knife attack in Khadda Colony to the Kalindi Kunj police station. A police team rushed to the site after they received the information. Two youths were found wounded by the police there and were admitted to a hospital for treatment. Anand Mathur and Rishu Tiwari who are the residents of the area were listed as the injured.

The police registered a case and started the investigation. A squad consisting of Sub-Inspector (SI) Vedprakash, Head Constable Gulab Singh, and Constable Samay Singh was assembled under the direction of Station House Officer (SHO) Rajesh Sharma to apprehend the offenders. The police used the CCTV footage, eyewitnesses and statements of the injured to identify the three accused and after receiving a tip, captured two of them. Police further informed that the matter is of mutual animosity.

Madras HC disposes petition filed by students for a ‘peacekeeping committee’ after ‘beef fest’ in IIT Madras: Here is what happened in 2017

OpIndia Staff
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Madras HC disposes petition filed by students for a ‘peacekeeping committee’ after ‘beef fest’ in IIT Madras: Here is what happened in 2017

On Tuesday, the Madras High Court disposed of a petition filed for establishing a ‘peacekeeping committee’ at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, following incidents of violence that occurred after a ‘beef fest’ was organised on campus in 2017. “While students have a right to protest, such rights must be exercised mindfully,” the Court observed.

One has the right to demonstrate, but the demonstration must be lawful, peaceful, and orderly, noted a bench of Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice PD Audikesavalu. The court was considering a PIL that former student and research scholar Ditty Mathew and other students had filed in the case.

According to a police report, students participated in lawlessness during the rallies that were staged in response to the 2017 event and they allegedly ‘squatted on roads, obstructing traffic’.

“They (students) have rights, but there is a way to exercise rights. It is true that students must be handled delicately, but at the same time, students can’t be permitted to go berserk. It says here they were squatting on roads, obstructing traffic, being part of unlawful assembly,” the Court remarked.

The Court discovered that a total of six First Information Reports (FIRs) had been filed after an investigation into the violence that followed the “beef fest,” and that the trial court was now hearing the cases.

The Court further stated that it did not wish to comment on the case’s merits because it was still being heard by the trial court. It also refused to look into whether such a committee was still necessary or whether the victims of the assault needed to be compensated.

“You are asking for a Committee and action against some people. But what about you? Should action not be taken against the students who squatted on the roads, obstructing traffic, and breaking the law? The police report says the students were part of an unlawful assembly. Why should action not be taken against them (the protesting students)? They must have all passed out (graduated) by now,” the bench remarked.

A group of students who were pursuing their studies at IIT Madras at the time filed the PIL in 2017. The petitioners demanded the creation of a commission made up of professors and presided over by a retired judge from the High Court to offer recommendations on how to prevent future acts of violence on campus.

According to the PIL, some students sent an invitation on Facebook to their friends and other classmates for a “beef fest,” where participants would eat cooked beef dishes and discuss the effects of the Union government’s notification governing the sale of cattle for slaughter. According to the petitioners, the discussion was attended by about 50 individuals who also ate cooked beef and bread.

Following this, it was reported how selective media reports in the media emerged claiming that one of the participants was attacked by certain students with allegiances to the Right Wing groups. According to the petitioners, the victim student was hospitalised after suffering significant injuries. They said that while the attackers had been located, IIT had taken no action.

The High Court noted on Tuesday that an affidavit given by the IIT and a police report brought before the Court made it evident that the college management had taken action after an investigation. The bench further noted that the police had filed FIRs in the case and that the legal process had already begun.

What had happened at the time and how the media selectively reported the incident of beef eating at IIT

In 2017, some students of IIT Madras too wanted to do their bit and reportedly organised a beef-eating ‘festival’ at the campus on Sunday night. Following this, reports in the media emerged that a PhD student by the name of R. Sooraj, who had taken part in that beef fest, was attacked on Tuesday by certain students with allegiances to Right Wing groups.

The reports claimed that R Sooraj, who was part of an Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle, was ironically having lunch at a vegetarian mess with a friend when a student named Manish asked him if he had eaten beef at the festival. He was then suddenly surrounded by 7-8 students and before he could react, was hit behind the head by Manish. Picture of him with a swollen eye was splattered across media platforms.

However, that appeared just one side of a story which the media chose to highlight. According to SG Suryah, the Vice President of the BJP’s Tamil Nadu youth wing, Sooraj himself is an aggressor who has injured Manish in a much worse way. Suryah pointed out that the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle, of which Sooraj was a member, had a history of indulging in violence on campus. Suryah also denied the reports that it was Manish had any links to Right Wing organisations.

Suryah then put forth the version of events which he claims were largely ignored by the media. He claims that Manish saw Sooraj at the Jain mess and asked him what he was doing there after organizing a beef party. This evolved into a verbal spat in which Sooraj made some provocative statements. This resulted in a fight between the two and unlike what the media reported, Manish suffered a fracture on his hand while Sooraj suffered injuries below his eyes.

According to the BJP leader, Sooraj had made provocative statements like he would feed Manish beef and even cut Manish to pieces and eat him. The BJP leader also posted the picture of an injured Manish who had to go through an operation.

This version of events as narrated by the BJP leader were reiterated in this report which carried a quote from an IIT Madras spokesperson. The spokesperson also claimed that it was an altercation between two students and both suffered injuries.

Comedian who appeared on The Kapil Sharma Show attempts suicide on Facebook Live, accuses live-in partner of blackmail after he found out she was a ‘prostitute’

OpIndia Staff
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Comedian who appeared on The Kapil Sharma Show attempts suicide on Facebook Live, accuses live-in partner of blackmail after he found out she was a ‘prostitute’

On Tuesday, June 13, actor and comedian Tirthanand Rao tried to commit suicide on Facebook Live by consuming insect repellent. The comedian popularly known as “Junior Nana Patekar” was taken to the hospital after some people informed the nearby police station. 

‘After receiving the call, we arrived at flat number 703 of B 51 building, Shanti Nagar, Mira Road’, Havildar More said Aaj Tak. “We noticed that the flat’s door was open and that there was a dog in the room. We found Tirthanand in a semi-conscious state and then rushed him to the hospital.”

During the Facebook Live session, comedian Tirthanand blamed a woman for his suicide attempt alleging that he was in a live-in relationship with her, however, he wanted to get rid of her after learning that she works as a “prostitute”. He claimed that the said woman has been blackmailing him and also filed a case against him. The comedian also claimed that he is in debt of around Rs 3-4 lakhs due to her. After narrating the incidents he poured the liquid into a glass and consumed it saying that nobody wished to die but he is tired of the alleged harassment and torture he is facing.

“I met a woman a few months ago. She has two daughters. We were also staying in a live-in relationship. During our relationship, I learned that she is a prostitute. I wanted to get rid of her. Meanwhile, the woman began to threaten me. This woman has left me in debt to the tune of Rs 3-4 lakhs. I have known her since October. She even filed a case against me in Bhayandar. I’ve been staying away from my home for a long time because I’m afraid of the case. I was forced to sleep on the footpath. I’m fed up with all this, which is why I want to commit suicide,” Tirthanand said.

It is notable that this is not the first time that the comedian has attempted to kill himself, on 27 December 2021, Tirathanand Rao tried to commit suicide during a Facebook Live session though that time due financial crunch during the Covid pandemic. Back then, he claimed that his family has severed ties with him. Tirthanand also stated that he was in a relationship with a bar dancer though they never got married but had a daughter. 

Actor-comedian Tirthanand Rao has appeared in popular shows like ‘The Kapil Sharma’, ‘Wagle Ki Dunia’, among others.

Delhi Police denies claims of ‘raids’ by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey: What police said about Twitter India MD misleading them during farmers’ protest

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi Police denies claims of ‘raids’ by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey: What police said about Twitter India MD misleading them during farmers’ protest

On June 13, Delhi Police denied claims by Twitter founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey about Twitter India office and employees being raided by the Indian government. Times of India quoted sources at the Delhi Police saying that only a single officer of DCP rank had gone to Bengaluru to question Manish Maheshwari, who was managing director of Twitter India in 2021. The officer went to Bengaluru only after Twitter’s MD did not reply to the notices sent by the Delhi Police to join the investigation.

As per reports, Delhi Police had sent queries about the origin of anti-India tweets that claimed PM Modi was preparing for “genocide of farmers” and more. However, Twitter did not respond to the queries. On May 21, 2021, another query was sent regarding the information of the infamous ‘Greta Thunberg Toolkit’ that was used to stir anti-India sentiments on social media.

In a report, Delhi Police said, “Twitter marked the toolkit as ‘manipulated media, arriving at its own conclusion, even as Delhi Police was investigating the matter. Since Twitter Inc. seemed to be acquainted with the facts and material to decide the veracity of the toolkit, Delhi Police asked it to join the investigation to provide any information they possessed.”

Delhi Police noted that Maheshwari attempted to mislead the investigating officers by suggesting he did not represent Twitter. His reply was termed as mischievous by the police. Another three notices were sent to Twitter. When the went unanswered, police visited the Gurgaon office. Meanwhile, Maheshwari kept evading the investigation with different excuses, including Covid-19. He also claimed not to be the right person to respond to the notices.

Police said, “This was an astounding situation where the senior-most employee, identified in multiple places as MD of Twitter India, was saying he did not represent the company, and so wouldn’t cooperate with the inquiry.” In its report, Delhi Police noted to have found a “deliberate corporate veil” spun to avoid any responsibility towards the law of the land. All this was happening while Twitter enjoyed all the benefits of being in a large market like India.

On May 31, Delhi Police officials visited Maheshwari in Bengaluru. He claimed not to be an employee of Twitter but of TCIPL. He further added that Yu Sasamoto of Singapore was his boss. When police questioned why he designated himself as MD of Twitter India, he claimed it was his market-facing title among advertisers. Delhi Police’s report read, “Incidentally, Maheshwari accepted that TCIPL employees received and accepted complaints and forwarded them to Twitter Help, thus also accepting that they know and are in touch with Twitter.” Interestingly, Maheshwari’s email ended with Twitter.

Upon investigation into TCIPL, Delhi Police found that out of 10,000 shares of the company

Twitter International Company owned 9,999, and Twitter Netherlands BV owned the remaining one share. The police said, “The shareholding pattern established that TCIPL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Twitter Inc and that the entire facade of being different entities was to make a mockery of Indian laws.”

Jack claimed India threatened Twitter

In a recent interview, founder and former CEO of Twitter Jack Dorsey claimed in an exclusive interview on Breaking Point that the Indian government threatened to shut down Twitter if it did not take action against “particular journalists” and accounts “critical of the government”.

He talked about the takedown requests by India and other countries and how they impacted Twitter’s crusade for “Free Speech” during his time at the company. Speaking on how Elon Musk has taken the principle of following the law of the land on what should be allowed on the platform, he said, “Countries like India and Turkey made many requests to us back in the day to take down particular journalist accounts or give contact information and to remove them from the platform.”

Moving further in the interview, Jack specifically targeted India and claimed that requests were made from the GoI to take down accounts of “particular journalists” who were “critical of the government”. He said, “India is a country that had many requests of us around the farmer’s protest around particular journalists that were critical of the government. It manifested in ways such as ‘we will shut Twitter down in India’, which is a very large market for us. ‘We will raid the homes of your employees’, which they did. ‘We will shut down your offices if you don’t follow suit’, and this is India, a democratic country.”

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