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6 sites searched, no skeletons of any woman yet: Suspected attempt to defame the temple town of Dharmasthala in Karnataka is slowly falling apart

OpIndia Staff
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6 sites searched, no skeletons of any woman yet: Suspected attempt to defame the temple town of Dharmasthala in Karnataka is slowly falling apart

In the ongoing investigation into the sensational Dharmasthala mass burial case, no human remains of any females allegedly buried at the sites pointed out by the sanitation worker, who claimed to have conducted mass burials, have been exhumed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The SIT started the process of digging at the sites pointed out by the sanitation worker on 29th July. Five sites, out of the total 13 sites identified by the sanitation worker, were dug up by the SIT by 30th July, but no human remains were discovered. On the morning of 31st July, SIT exhumed some human remains at the sixth site, which is located in the forest area near the Netravathi river. An SIT official reportedly said that the prima facie examination of the remains by a forensic doctor indicated that they belonged to a human male.

However, a conclusive statement about the human remains could only be made after a proper forensic examination. The police reportedly found around 15 bones at the site, some of which were broken, but no skull was found. As of August 3rd, the police had carried out digging at 10 sites.

In addition to that, the SIT discovered a debit card belonging to a woman and a PAN card belonging to a man. When the investigation team tracked down the owner of the PAN Card, they reached his family. The PAN Card reportedly belonged to a man named Suresh, from Nelamangala taluk in Bengaluru Rural district. His father told the team that Suresh was an alcoholic and died of jaundice in March 2025. The investigation team suspects that he might have lost his PAN Card during his visit to Dharmasthala before his death. The SIT has asked for the details of the woman who owned the debit card from the bank.

Since no significant discoveries have been made during the excavations at the sites pointed out by the sanitation worker, this raises suspicions over the claims of the sanitation worker regarding the mass burials of dead bodies, most of which were allegedly women and girls. The investigation so far does not point at any foul play as alleged by the sanitation worker.

An “eyeswitness” appears before the SIT

An individual named Jayanth T appeared before the SIT in Belthangady on Saturday (2nd August), claiming that he could provide testimony about the alleged mass burials. He reportedly told the media that he had first-hand knowledge of multiple “unlawful burials” as he personally observed these burials at multiple locations.

Judge hearing the mass burial case recuses himself

Meanwhile, Judge Vijaya Kumar Rai B of the 10th Additional City and Civil Sessions Court in Bengaluru has recused himself from the hearing of the Dharmasthala mass burial case. The judge placed an application before the Principal City Civil Sessions Judge requesting that the case be moved to another court.

This comes after some journalists and activists raised concerns about the judge having studied in educational institutions run by the Dharmasthala temple trust. He is also said to have worked as a junior lawyer in a firm which represented Rajya Sabha MP Veerendra Heggade, whose brother D Harshendra Kumar had filed a plea seeking the removal of over 8,000 digital links, including news reports, social media posts, and videos. In his plea, Kumar stated that the media reports and social media posts contained defamatory content against him, his family, the Dharmasthala temple, and related institutions.

On the plea of D Harshendra Kumar, Judge Vijaya Kumar Rai B had passed an ex parte injunction prohibiting media coverage and commentary on the ongoing investigation into the allegations of the mass burials.

The mysterious sanitation worker and the chilling allegations

The case came to light a couple of months ago, when the mysterious sanitation worker came out of thin air and alleged that he was forced to bury hundreds of dead bodies at different locations in the temple town of Dharmasthala between 1998 and 2014. The sanitation worker, who was employed by the Lord Manjunatha shrine in Dharmasthala, filed a complaint with the police on June 3, 2025. An SIT was formed by the state government on 19th July to investigate his allegations.

The SIT took him to the bathing ghat in Dharmasthala, where he pointed out 13 alleged burial sites. In his complaint, he claimed that many of the dead bodies he buried were of women and minor girls who were sexually assaulted. His complaint was followed by the complaint of a 60-year-old woman named Sujatha, whose daughter had gone missing while on a trip to the pilgrimage town of Dharmasthala.

NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader Jitendra Awhad goes on a diatribe against Sanatan Dharma, says it ruined India and adds it is not even a religion

OpIndia Staff
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NCP (Sharad Pawar) leader Jitendra Awhad goes on a diatribe against Sanatan Dharma, says it ruined India and adds it is not even a religion

NCP-SCP leader and four times MLA, Jitendra Awhad sparked another controversy on Saturday, 2nd August, when he attacked Sanatan Dharma, calling it a harmful and regressive ideology that has “ruined India.”

Speaking to the media, Awhad said, “Sanatan Dharma has ruined India. There never was a religion called Sanatan Dharma. We are followers of Hindu Dharma.” According to him, Sanatan Dharma has historically been used to deny rights to great Indian icons and social reformers.

Jitendra Awhad went on to say that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was not allowed to have a coronation ceremony because of Sanatan Dharma, and that Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was defamed by his followers because of it. “They threw filth and cow dung at Savitribai Phule. They even tried to kill Jyotirao Phule. This very Sanatan Dharma also tried to kill Shahu Maharaj,” Awhad claimed.

Awhad further added, “Sanatan Dharma didn’t even let Babasaheb Ambedkar drink water or study. It was Babasaheb who finally stood up against it, burned the Manusmriti, and rejected these oppressive traditions. The person who created Manusmriti came from this same Sanatan tradition. We shouldn’t be afraid to say it openly, Sanatan Dharma and its Sanatani ideology are perverted.”

Not his first controversial statement on Sanatan Dharma

This isn’t the first time Awhad has made such provocative statements. In January 2024, he stirred another controversy by claiming that Lord Ram was not only a non-vegetarian but also a figure belonging to the Bahujan community. 

Attending an event at Shirdi, Jitendra Awhad said, “Ram belongs to us Bahujans. He used to hunt and eat. When you attempt to convert all to vegetarian, recall we are Ram’s followers and we eat mutton. That is Ram’s ideal. He was not a vegetarian.”

He also wondered if one who had been in the forest for 14 years could be a vegetarian. “Where would a person in the forest eat vegetarian food?” he asked the crowd, “Tell me if I’m wrong.”

In the same address, Awhad addressed India’s freedom struggle. He stated that Mahatma Gandhi was attacked a number of times prior to being assassinated in 1948 due to his caste. “Gandhiji was a tradesman and an OBC. They could not digest the fact that the head of such a huge movement was an OBC. That is why he was targeted so many times”, Awhad had said.

He even claimed that casteism was the real reason behind Gandhi’s killing and accused the RSS of not being able to accept Gandhi’s leadership because of his caste.

Similar comments from Jitendra Awhad in 2023

Awhad’s incendiary remarks are not confined to Lord Ram or Sanatan Dharma alone. In April 2023, he spoke against the motive of Hindu festivals Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti. Delivering a speech at an NCP rally, he stated, “A riot happened in Aurangabad. I mean Ram Navami. and what is that other festival? Hanuman Jayanti. Are these festivals made just for riots?”

He also asserted that the situation in cities during these festivals was never tense before, and even went to the extent of suggesting that there was some conspiracy behind such violence. “I don’t normally talk like this in the presence of Saheb (Sharad Pawar), but I strongly feel that the next year is going to be a year of communal riots”, Jitendra Awhad had said.

It must be noted that in March 2023, several cases of violence were reported during Ram Navami processions across the nation, ranging from stone-pelting in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. 

Walking in Udhayanidhi Stalin’s footsteps

Awhad’s constant criticisms of Sanatan Dharma are reminiscent of what DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin had to say in September 2023.

At the “Eradicate Sanatan Conference” in Chennai, Udhayanidhi Stalin likened Sanatan Dharma to maladies such as dengue, malaria, and corona. “Mosquitoes, dengue, flu, malaria, corona those have to be eradicated and not opposed. Same for Sanatan Dharma,” he added.

The remarks of Udhayanidhi Stalin were made at a function where multiple DMK leaders and left-wing activists, including Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister PK Sekarbabu, were present.

Donald Trump orders deployment of nuclear submarines near Russia: How the Nobel Peace Prize seeking US President is returning the world to Cuban missile crisis of 1962

Aditi
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Donald Trump orders deployment of nuclear submarines near Russia: How the Nobel Peace Prize seeking US President is returning the world to Cuban missile crisis of 1962

Following a war of words on social media with the former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian President and current deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, US President Trump announced on Friday (1st August) that he ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines in “the appropriate regions”. Writing on Truth Social, Trump said that he ordered the deployment of the nuclear submarines following the “foolish and inflammatory statements” of Medvedev on social media.

A heated exchange has been going on between the two global leaders over the past few days regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, things went further south after Dmitry Medvedev made a Telegram post on Thursday (31st July) invoking the Soviet-era “Dead Hand” automated nuclear system, referring to a Cold War-era doomsday protocol.

Besides, Medvedev also previously wrote on X, “Trump’s playing the ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10… He should remember 2 things: 1. Russia isn’t Israel or even Iran. 2. Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country. Don’t go down the Sleepy Joe road!”

Reacting strongly to Medvedev’s statement during an interview, Trump said, “When you mention the word ‘nuclear’… my eyes light up. And I say, we better be careful, because it’s the ultimate threat.” He also confirmed that submarines were deployed closer to Russia.”We always want to be ready. And so I have sent to the region two nuclear submarines. I just want to make sure that his words are only words and nothing more than that,” the US President added.

Since assuming the office of the US President in January this year, Donald Trump has been blatantly trying to arm-twist countries by threatening them with reciprocal tariffs or military actions. Recently, he imposed a punitive 25% tariff on India after the latter refused to be bullied into stopping oil trade with Russia. A spiteful Trump not only imposed the tariffs on India but also ridiculed the two countries by calling their economies “dead economies”. “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care. We have done very little business with India; their tariffs are too high, among the highest in the world. Likewise, Russia and the USA do almost no business together. Let’s keep it that way,” the second-time US President posted on Truth Social.

Trump’s bullying tactics and Russia’s firm response have brought the countries to loggerheads once again, decades after the Cold War era. The US President’s deployment of nuclear submarines against Russia is reminiscent of the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, which went on for 13 days.

What was the Cuban Missile Crisis

The Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 had the potential of pushing the US and the Soviet Union into a full-fledged war. This was the point in the entire history of the Cold War when Washington, DC and the Kremlin came the closest to a nuclear war.

The Cuban Missile Crisis, also known as the October Crisis or the Caribbean Crisis, began when the United States, led by then-President J.F. Kennedy, planned to overthrow the Cuban government. For this end, the US deployed Jupiter nuclear missiles in Italy and Turkey in the vicinity of Russia in 1961. It trained a paramilitary force comprising Cubans in exile, who shared the US’s intentions of overthrowing the Cuban government with the US. The paramilitary force of Cuban expatriates was to invade Cuba under the lead of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

In November 1961, the US government started the Cuban Project and created unrest in Cuba by triggering terrorism and sabotage. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union’s apprehension was that Cuba might drift towards China in the face of US-caused internal unrest.

Compelled by the circumstances at the time, the Premier of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev and the Cuban President Fidel Castro met in July 1962. To ward off the possibility of US invasion and the possible overthrow of the Cuban government, both leaders agreed for the Soviet nuclear missiles to be set up on Cuban territory. Soon the construction of the missile facilities commenced.

In October 1962, a U-2 spy plane of the US captured visuals of missile facilities. As a result, Kennedy convened a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Security Council (EXCOMM) comprising the National Security Council and other advisors. The council advised Kennedy to launch an air strike on the Caribbean territory to hinder the Soviet missile supplies and subsequently invade the country.

Kennedy was aware that US aggression on the Cuban territory meant entering a full-scale war with the nuclear-armed Soviet Union. In a display of remarkable cool-headedness and political clarity, Kennedy opted for a less aggressive path, contrary to the advice of the council, and did not go ahead with the idea of a Cuban invasion. Kennedy’s political wisdom avoided a declaration of war with the Soviet Union, which could have impacted the entire world. He adopted a softer approach and ordered a naval blockade, which he referred to as “quarantine”.  The entire crisis lasted from October 16 to October 18, 1962.

Eventually, an agreement was reached between the US and the Soviet Union, according to which the former declared not to invade Cuba and the latter agreed to dismantle their offensive weapons in Cuba.

Whether Trump has the temperament to handle the US-Russia tensions with composure

Donald Trump is known for his controversial way of speaking, which is expected of a head of state. He is often not careful with his words and often indulges in verbal wars on social media. In his second term as the US President, which started earlier this year, he adopted an aggressive tariff policy against the countries that have trade relations with the US. He imposed reciprocal tariffs on several countries, for which he was widely criticised by trade experts who saw his moves as having the potential of kickstarting a global trade war. With such a controversial reputation and track record, it remains to be seen how he will handle the tensions between the US and Russia.

Rs 23 lakhs for ‘purchasing office’, Rs 5 lakhs for ‘wife’s birthday party’: FIR details against Mahesh Langa reveal extortion using political clout

OpIndia Staff
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Rs 23 lakhs for ‘purchasing office’, Rs 5 lakhs for ‘wife’s birthday party’: FIR details against Mahesh Langa reveal extortion using political clout

Nearly ten months after his arrest, Gujarat High Court has rejected the bail plea of Mahesh Langa, a former The Hindu journalist, who has been behind bars since February 2025 in a money laundering case. The court observed that the allegations against Langa were serious and backed by substantial evidence, suggesting a prima facie involvement in financial misconduct and extortion.

Langa was first arrested in October 2024 in a GST fraud case. Since then, multiple FIRs have been filed against him, including one in Gandhinagar for allegedly leaking government documents. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) entered the picture in November 2024 and later arrested him in February 2025 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

ED’s allegations: Extortion, fraud, and undisclosed assets

According to the ED, Langa allegedly extorted money under the pretext of offering favorable media coverage or helping resolve land disputes. In one case, a complainant claimed Langa took ₹23 lakh promising to return it in cash after buying an office space—money that was never returned. In another case, he allegedly extracted ₹5.68 lakh for his wife’s birthday party.

Another land broker accused Langa of taking ₹40 lakh for positive press coverage and later threatening defamation when he demanded the money back.

The ED claims that proceeds from these alleged acts were used to buy property in the name of Langa’s wife, Kavita, with the declared value being ₹30 lakh but the actual market value crossing ₹70 lakh. The agency flagged this as a classic case of undisclosed cash being funneled into real estate.

In a separate deal with a person named Milan Mehta, Langa is said to have sent ₹30 lakh in cash for a land transaction, which eventually fell through. Mehta claims the deal collapsed because Langa failed to pay the remaining ₹72 lakh. Langa, however, claimed the deal broke down due to non-transfer of possession.

The ED also cited inconsistencies in family testimonies. Langa claimed ₹20 lakh found at his home belonged to his sister-in-law, Naina Langa—who denied any such financial transaction. His wife Kavita claimed it was a “gift,” raising further questions about the money’s origin.

Financial trail raises red flags

Several suspicious financial transactions were flagged, including ₹55 lakh transferred by Langa’s father to a firmwhere his wife Kavita was a partner. The ED submitted that the total proceeds of crime exceeded ₹1 crore, justifying the application of PMLA charges. Langa, on the other hand, argued that the ED was inflating the numbers to make bail conditions stricter.

Adding to the concerns, the ED alleged attempts to influence witnesses. On June 18, 2025, Naina Langa gave a statement denying financial dealings, but just weeks later, an affidavit was submitted by Langa’s lawyer seeking to retract it. The agency also noted that Langa and his family were not cooperating with the investigation.

Court’s final word

The Gujarat High Court, after reviewing all arguments and evidence, ruled:

“Based on the available facts and material on record, the Court cannot conclusively say that the accused is not involved in the offence. The possibility of the accused influencing the investigation or committing further offences if granted bail cannot be ruled out.”

Court order

With his bail plea dismissed, Mahesh Langa will continue to remain in judicial custody. The case is now being closely watched, not just for its legal implications but also for its broader impact on journalism, media ethics, and financial accountability.

Around 650-750 private hospitals in Haryana may withdraw Ayushman Bharat services over non-payment of dues

OpIndia Staff
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Around 650-750 private hospitals in Haryana may withdraw Ayushman Bharat services over non-payment of dues

Around 650-700 private hospitals in Haryana may withdraw from the Ayushman Bharat scheme starting August 7 due to pending dues of around ₹500 crore. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Haryana has claimed that despite multiple assurances from government officials, payments continue to be delayed, with some hospitals experiencing delays of up to 4-5 months.

Speaking to ANI, Dr Ashok Mahajan, who was the Former President of Haryana IMA, said, ” IMA Haryana does not want to withdraw Ayushman services; it is being forced to! Hospitals have bills running into crores and are unable to pay their doctors, staff and vendors. They are forced to take this step to prevent further losses. They seem to be funding this government scheme; SHA pays late, and deductions are made without any reason.” He further added, “Nearly 650-700 private hospitals all over Haryana will withdraw services. Assurances are plenty, but payment is much less! After our protests, the government pays every 3-4 months and then waits for the next protest. Even after assurances from the highest offices in the State, our dues keep on piling up.”

IMA Haryana has written a letter to the CEO AB HPA Haryana, saying that the scheme is facing several challenges. The letter states that the sche,e is facing recurrent problems in Haryana due to the apathy of the Government itself. It added, “Time and again, we have been apprising officials of irregular payments, at times delayed by 4-5 months.”

This decision will affect numerous hospitals across districts like Gurugram, Faridabad, and Karnal, which have significant numbers of beneficiaries relying on the scheme for medical treatment. Over 1.2 crore people in Haryana are enrolled in the Ayushman Bharat scheme, including low-income families and senior citizens. The withdrawal of private hospitals may lead to difficulties in accessing healthcare services, putting additional pressure on government hospitals.

The Haryana government has assured that the process of releasing funds has begun, and they are hopeful of resolving the issue within a week.

Hindus killed in Pahalgam after religious profiling, Opposition denies jihadist motive: How Opposition leaders gave cover to Islamic terrorists

Jinit Jain
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Hindus killed in Pahalgam after religious profiling, Opposition denies jihadist motive: How Opposition leaders gave cover to Islamic terrorists

The Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, was one of the most horrifying instances of hate-fuelled violence India has witnessed since Pulwama. Twenty-six innocent civilians, all but one Hindus, were executed in cold blood by terrorists who demanded they recite the Kalma and identified them via circumcision. Testimonies from survivors such as Asavari Jagdale and Sujatha Bhushan have painted a blood-soaked account of religious profiling and ideological hate, executed with surgical brutality by Pakistan-backed radicals.

Yet, astonishingly, certain Opposition leaders have made a public display of gaslighting this tragedy. In a now-viral snippet from Kapil Sibal’s YouTube channel ‘Dil Se with Kapil Sibal’, four Indian lawmakers, Kapil Sibal, Sagarika Ghose, Gaurav Gogoi, and Sanjay Raut, can be seen and heard denying the religious nature of the attack, claiming it was “politicised” by the Modi government to milk the situation. They attempt to present the systematic killing of Hindus as a “random act of violence.”

This deliberate whitewashing isn’t just factually indefensible, it’s strategically dangerous.

The facts they obfuscate: Pakistani terrorists confirmed and eliminated

On July 28, 2025, Operation Mahadev brought closure to this attack. Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed in Parliament that the three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists responsible—Suleman alias Faizal Jatt, Hamza Afghani, and Zibran, all Pakistani nationals, were gunned down by Indian forces in Dachigam after a two-month-long intelligence-led manhunt involving the IB, CRPF, Army, and J&K police.

Forensic reports confirmed the weapons used in the attack matched those recovered from the encounter site. Pakistani voter ID cards, Pakistani-made chocolates, and eyewitness testimony established the attackers’ nationality and motives beyond any reasonable doubt.

This makes the Opposition’s stance not just irresponsible but outright reprehensible. When the enemy is caught, identified, and neutralised, and still your narrative is to give them a pass despite the fact that Islamic jihad has long been a scourge emanating from Pakistan, you are not doing politics; you are enabling the enemy’s psychological warfare by providing them with cover fire.

Dangerous narratives: Pakistan’s ‘False Flag’ crutch and domestic deniers

Pakistan has long leaned on the tired lie of “false flag operations” to escape accountability for the terrorism it exports. But such denials used to be limited to Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Today, they’re being echoed in New Delhi television studios and YouTube podcasts.

By downplaying the religious and cross-border nature of the Pahalgam attack, Indian opposition leaders have handed Pakistan a rhetorical shield. Their desperate bid to deflect from Prime Minister Modi’s handling of national security has led them to whitewash terror and sow confusion at home.

Instead of demanding justice for the victims, they demand evidence that contradicts the findings of ballistic experts, 3,000 hours of NIA interviews, and ground intelligence. In doing so, they insult the martyrs, dishonour the security forces, and embolden future attackers who now know that parts of India’s political class will provide ideological cover.

From selective outrage to strategic betrayal

The Pahalgam attack was not merely a human tragedy; it was an act of jihadist extremism targeting Hindus. Survivors weren’t just witnesses to murder; they were living testimonies to a genocide in miniature.

To hear elected lawmakers dismiss these accounts and attribute blame to the Indian government is deeply disturbing. What began as opposition to Modi has mutated into a dangerous distortion of the national interest. And sadly, this mutation has not even spared the dead, as opposition leaders deny them the dignity and distort their cold-blooded murders for scoring political brownie points.

It is clear: The Opposition’s compulsive contrarianism is giving ideological oxygen to Pakistan-sponsored jihad.

Truth goes for a toss as the opposition turns desperate

There is room for political disagreement. There is no room for terror denial.

This attack was religiously motivated. The attackers were Pakistanis. They were neutralised after methodical intelligence operations, and their identities and motives have been forensically verified. To claim otherwise is not dissent; it is disinformation.

By playing down Islamist terror and painting every national tragedy as an opportunity to target the BJP, some Indian opposition leaders have crossed a red line. They have chosen vote-bank appeasement over national unity, and in doing so, have handed terrorists in Pakistan the one thing they crave more than ammunition: legitimacy in denial.

The fact that this snippet of Rajya Sabha leaders went viral on the day senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was caught lying when he claimed late Arun Jaitley threatened him over farm laws demonstrates the depths India’s opposition could go in their bid to dislodge the Modi government from the Centre. It is perhaps an understanding among the opposing ranks that respecting truth is no longer their priority. 

Therefore, India must choose truth over lies. Reality over delusion. Justice over appeasement. And memory contrived narratives.

Christian missionaries bargain using social service: CM Sai speaks on religious conversion in Chhattisgarh, and how the tribal society is being uplifted from homestays in forests to ‘Bastar Olympics’

अजीत झा
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Christian missionaries bargain using social service: CM Sai speaks on religious conversion in Chhattisgarh, and how the tribal society is being uplifted from homestays in forests to ‘Bastar Olympics’

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai interacted with journalists at ‘Chhattisgarh Sadan’ during his Delhi visit on Friday (August 1, 2025). In this discussion held in a very light atmosphere, topics ranging from anti-Naxal campaign and Christian conversion in Chhattisgarh to connecting tribal society with the mainstream and providing a market for food and wood products of the state were discussed.

Vishnudev Sai, who went on from being a village Panch in 1989 to becoming the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh in December 2023, has also been the state BJP president three times. This speaks volumes about his contribution to the party in the state. He has also been a minister in the Narendra Modi government at the Centre. Besides, he is among the key tribal faces of the BJP. This time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to attend the silver jubilee celebrations of the establishment of Chhattisgarh on CM Sai’s invitation.

Amit Shah boosted the morale of the soldiers through proposals of investment worth lakhs of crores

Talking about Naxalism, he said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Bastar several times in one and a half years and encouraged the security forces. Meeting and interacting with the soldiers has finally paid off as one and a half years of continuous campaign have broken the back of the Naxalites, and now the Naxal crisis is breathing its last. He reiterated that Chhattisgarh is a mineral-rich state, with an abundance of mineral wealth like iron, coal, gold, diamond, tin and rare lithium. 44% of the state is covered with forests, and the state’s hardworking farmers are its real strength. He said that “Chhattisgarhis are the best”, and now the negative image people have about the state has gradually faded away.

He mentioned the Special Technical Region Development Zone announced in the Assembly, which will include areas around Raipur. A metro project is planned in Raipur, and projects for semiconductor chips and AI-based data centres have also started. Under the new industrial policy, one can access all documents online through an application. Entrepreneurs employing more than 1,000 people will get various incentives.

The Chief Minister informed that the state has received investment proposals worth Rs 6.5 lakh crore, on which work has started. A new vision document has been prepared keeping in mind the goal of a developed India by 2047. For this, suggestions were taken from one lakh youth, farmers, women, businessmen and labourers of the state. At present, the GSDP of the state is ₹5 lakh crore, which is expected to reach ₹75 lakh crore by 2047.

Special focus on upliftment of the tribal society

Efforts are also being made in the field of health services. A super speciality hospital is being built in Jagdalpur at a cost of ₹200 crore. The state is moving towards green energy, where focus has been laid on solar energy and other clean energy sources. The homestay project has been started in Bastar, and tourism has been given the status of an industry. Homestays are being built in villages in the 5000 square km forests of Abujhmad. Earlier, when the locals struggled to get even ration cards made, now they come to Raipur to visit the airport, mall and station. The tribal youth, who did not step out of their villages earlier, are being brought to Raipur to link them to the mainstream.

The proof of the success of the anti-Naxal operation is the killing of Maoist Central Committee leader Basavaraj. The Chief Minister said that now the Maoists have dispersed, are in defensive positions and are forced to hide. A police camp has now been opened in the notorious village of Hidma. He clarified that trust will be created not only by the efforts of the security forces but also through development. Around 1.65 lakh people participated in the Bastar Olympics. There was a grand display of dance, song and tribal culture. Now it will be organised in the name of ‘Khelo India Tribal Games’.

When asked about some people opposing development in Bastar in the name of Ambani-Adani, the Chief Minister said that the government really wants development, and there is no intention to sell land. He mentioned the ‘Umbrella Scheme’ under which agriculture is being promoted, and women are being empowered through community participation. The plan to connect Indravati and Mahanadi is being reviewed, and irrigation will be arranged in 7 lakh hectares of area.

Russian oil still not sanctioned by US or EU, crude prices will reach USD 200 per barrel if India stops buying Russian oil: Sources

OpIndia Staff
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Russian oil still not sanctioned by US or EU, crude prices will reach USD 200 per barrel if India stops buying Russian oil: Sources

If India were to stop purchasing Russian crude oil, global prices could surge to as much as $200 per barrel, according to internal government estimates cited by sources. Such a development, officials warn, would trigger severe disruptions across international energy markets and spark inflationary pressures worldwide.

The officials explained providing context for India’s energy security policy, that Russia, the world’s second-largest crude oil producer with about 9.5 million barrels per day output, nearly 10% of global demand, is also the second-largest exporter, shipping roughly 4.5 million barrels per day of crude and 2.3 million barrels per day of refined products. In the past, fears of Russian oil being banned from global markets had driven Brent crude prices to a high of $137 per barrel in March 2022.

Russia’s share in India’s oil basket has risen sharply over the past three years, climbing from negligible levels in 2021 to nearly 40 percent by 2024. This growing dependence highlights the scale of disruption that could follow if India were to bow to external pressure and cut imports altogether. A report from brokerage CLSA recently cautioned that such a move would drive prices well past $100 per barrel, while internal Indian assessments suggest the figure could soar as high as $200.

“In this challenging environment, India, as the world’s third-largest energy consumer with 85% import dependence, strategically adapted its sourcing to secure affordable energy while fully adhering to international norms,” the govt sources said.

Earlier, United States President Donald Trump on Friday ( EST) claimed that India may cease purchasing Russian oil, calling it “a good step” if confirmed. However, Indian govt has defended its sovereign right to pursue an energy policy in its own national interest.

Reuters claimed on July 31st that Indian state-run refiners suspended purchases of Russian oil amid tariff threats from President Trump and also due to narrowing price discounts. However, India has now rebutted these reports, clarifying that Indian refiners have continued to buy Russian crude based on commercial viability.

Notably, Russian oil has never been sanctioned by the west, but rather subjected to a G7/EU price-cap mechanism to limit Russian revenues while keeping global supplies flowing. This means, EU has lowered the price for Russian oil, and India oil refiners’ purchases are fully legitimate under international frameworks.

The officials added that “Had Indian oil refiners not absorbed discounted Russian crude, combined with OPEC+ production cuts of 5.86 million barrels per day, global oil prices could have surged well beyond the March 2022 peak of 137 dollars per barrel, intensifying inflation globally.”

It was also highlighted that Indian oil marketing companies (OMCs) have refrained from buying Iranian or Venezuelan crude, which is actually sanctioned by the US, and have complied with the $60 per barrel price cap recommended for Russian oil by the US. The European Union has recently recommended a lower price cap of $47.6 per barrel for Russian oil, to take effect in September.

Commenting on Europe’s continued Russian energy imports, govt sources noted the EU was the largest importer of Russian-origin liquefied natural gas (LNG), buying 51% of Russia’s LNG exports, followed by China at 21% and Japan at 18%. For pipeline gas, the EU remained the top buyer with a 37% share, followed by China at 30% and Turkey at 27%.

While Trump calls India a ‘dead economy’ over buying Russian oil, PM Modi highlights how India is on the way to become 3rd largest economy in the world

OpIndia Staff
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While Trump calls India a ‘dead economy’ over buying Russian oil, PM Modi highlights how India is on the way to become 3rd largest economy in the world

In a sharp attack that stirred up political and diplomatic circles, former US President Donald Trump recently called India a “dead economy” over its continued trade ties with Russia. Just a day before this, on Wednesday, 30th July, he had announced new trade penalties on India, including a 25 per cent tariff on almost all Indian imports, effective from 1st August.

Trump’s remarks came through a fiery post on his platform, Truth Social, where he not only mocked India’s economy but also questioned its trade practices. “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care,” Trump posted, clearly taking a jibe at both New Delhi and Moscow. He complained about India imposing “the highest tariffs in the world” and blamed it for the low trade volume between the two countries.

Trump’s criticism vs Modi’s vision

While Trump continues to lash out over India’s oil trade with Russia and imposes tariffs, Modi has taken a different route, highlighting India’s potential and pushing for unity. Modi’s vision of India becoming the third-largest economy stands in sharp cookntrast to Trump’s description of India as a “dead economy”.

Trump may be trying to use tough words to appeal to his base, but India’s leadership has shown no signs of backing down. Instead of responding with anger, Modi used the moment to boost national pride and confidence.

PM Modi counters with confidence in India’s economic rise

Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not specifically name Trump during his speech, but his words on Saturday, 2nd August, in Varanasi spoke to the broader narrative. Modi asserted that India is not merely running the global economic gauntlet but is well on its way to emerging as the world’s third-largest economy. 

“There is global instability, and every country is looking after its interests. India must do the same. We are going to be the world’s third-largest economy, that is why India will have to stay alert as far as its economic interests are concerned,” PM Modi said at a rally in Varanasi.

Modi emphasised that the government is doing everything in its power to strengthen the Indian economy and protect the country’s interests. His tone was calm but assertive, signalling that India won’t bow down to foreign pressure.

‘Swadeshi’ is the way forward, says Modi

What stood out most in PM Modi’s speech was his strong pitch for ‘swadeshi’ or made-in-India products. Calling it the need of the hour, Modi said that Indians should choose local products over foreign ones to build a self-reliant economy.

“We will buy only those things that are made by Indians. We need to become vocal for local,” he said passionately. He also appealed to all political parties, irrespective of their political ideologies, to join this cause of encouraging Indian-made products and transforming India into an economic powerhouse.

His words appeared as a sharp contrast to the combative tone of Trump.  While Trump talked down India, Modi spoke with optimism and called for a collective national effort to strengthen the economy.

Targeting Pakistan and the Opposition

Apart from economic issues, PM Modi also took the opportunity at the Varanasi rally to issue a stern warning to Pakistan and terrorist groups. Referring to Operation Sindoor, he said that India will not spare those who try to harm the country, even if they hide in ‘paataal lok’, a mythological underground world.

“When there is injustice and terrorism, Mahadev takes his Rudra form. The world saw this during Operation Sindoor. No one who messes with India will be spared,” Modi warned.

He didn’t stop there. The Prime Minister also lashed out at the Congress and Samajwadi Party, accusing them of sympathising with Pakistan and criticising India’s military actions.

“Everyone understands that Pakistan is upset. But the Congress and the Samajwadi Party cannot handle the pain that Pakistan is going through. Pakistan is crying, and here, the Congress and SP are crying, seeing the condition of terrorists. Congress is constantly insulting the valour of our forces and has called Operation Sindoor a ‘tamasha’,” the Prime Minister said.

Modi criticises the Opposition’s vote bank politics

Modi didn’t mince words while attacking the opposition parties for their alleged appeasement politics. Referring to comments made by Samajwadi Party leaders, he questioned their logic for asking why terrorists were killed on a particular day.

“Should I call them before taking action? Should we wait and give terrorists a chance to escape?” he asked, mocking the Opposition’s stand. He also accused the Congress of giving a “clean chit” to terrorists during its rule, putting politics above national security.

Tensions between Russia and US escalate after US President Donald Trump mocked ex-Russian President Medvedev, reports emerge of nuclear submarines being deployed by both

OpIndia Staff
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Tensions between Russia and US escalate after US President Donald Trump mocked ex-Russian President Medvedev, reports emerge of nuclear submarines being deployed by both

In a sharp message to Russia, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday, 1st August, that he has ordered two American nuclear submarines to be moved to “appropriate regions.” This decision came after a series of aggressive online posts by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who hinted at possible war with Russia’s adversary.

Trump posted the announcement on his social media platform, explaining that Medvedev’s “highly provocative statements” left him with no choice. “I’ve ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that,” Trump wrote.

He further said, “Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences. I hope this will not be one of those instances.”

Amid these tensions, a video has surfaced, and some reports claim that Russian “Borei Class submarines equipped with thermonuclear Bulava missiles are now close to the US coast.” However, there is no confirmed news of any fresh Russian submarine activity off the US coast.

Later, according to media reports, Trump said he was worried about Medvedev’s tone and attitude. “He’s got a fresh mouth,” Trump said, clearly unhappy with the former Russian leader’s behaviour.

Donald Trump also confirmed that his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is travelling to Russia to try and negotiate a ceasefire in the Ukraine war. Trump had earlier given Russia 50 days to respond positively, but he has now cut that deadline to just 10 days. This shorter deadline is set to expire next week.

The argument between Trump and Medvedev started earlier in the week. On Thursday, 31st July, Trump had called Medvedev a “failed former President of Russia” and warned him to “watch his words.” Medvedev quickly replied, saying, “Russia is right on everything and will continue to go its way.”

In his earlier post, Medvedev criticised Trump’s 50-day deadline, saying, “Trump’s playing the ultimatum game with Russia: 50 days or 10.” He added, “He should remember 2 things: 1. Russia isn’t Israel or even Iran. 2. Each new ultimatum is a threat and a step towards war. Not between Russia and Ukraine, but with his own country.”

When reporters asked Trump where the submarines were being sent as he was leaving the White House for his weekend at his New Jersey estate, he didn’t give a straight answer. “We had to do that. We just have to be careful,” he said. “A threat was made, and we didn’t think it was appropriate, so I have to be very careful.”

He also said the move was made “based on safety for our people” and to “protect our people.” Referring to Medvedev, Trump said, “He was talking about nuclear. When you talk about nuclear, we have to be prepared. And we’re prepared.”

He told that the submarines were being sent “closer to Russia,” but again did not offer any further specifics.

Medvedev, who served as Russia’s president from 2008 to 2012 while Vladimir Putin took a break from the top post, now serves as the deputy chairman of Russia’s National Security Council. That council is chaired by Putin himself.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Medvedev has gained a reputation for aggressive and extreme rhetoric. This is very different from his previous image as a more moderate and liberal president when he was in power.

He often posts insults about Western leaders and threatens nuclear action. Some political experts believe that Medvedev is doing this to please Putin and appeal to Russia’s hardline military supporters.

This week is not the first time Trump and Medvedev have taken their beef online. In late June, the two men likewise sparred and flexed their nuclear arsenals.

“Did I hear Former President Medvedev, from Russia, casually throwing around the ‘N word’ (Nuclear!), and saying that he and other Countries would supply Nuclear Warheads to Iran?” Trump wrote on 23rd June.

He then pointed to the recent US attack on Iran as an example of how the country might respond to other threats.

“If anyone thinks our ‘hardware’ was great over the weekend, far and away the strongest and best equipment we have, 20 years advanced over the pack, is our Nuclear Submarines,” Trump wrote. “They are the most powerful and lethal weapons ever built.”

He also took a jab at Medvedev’s position under Putin, suggesting that Medvedev’s threats were irresponsible.

“I guess that’s why Putin’s ‘THE BOSS,” Trump quipped.

One recent example came on 15th July, when Trump said he would send more weapons to Ukraine through NATO allies and would consider more tariffs against Russia. In response, Medvedev mocked Trump by writing, “Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin. The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didn’t care.”

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