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Hathras: Parents say children forced to do Namaz, as they protest, school denies but suspends Principal, teachers Kambar Rizwan and Irrfan Elahi

OpIndia Staff
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Hathras: Parents say children forced to do Namaz, as they protest, school denies but suspends Principal, teachers Kambar Rizwan and Irrfan Elahi

In a shocking incident that has been reported from the Hathras district of Uttar Pradesh, the students studying in the BLS International School were allegedly forcefully made to offer Namaz inside the campus. The parents said that their wards had been made to read Namaz and protested outside the school. The parents also stated that their children were made to wear burqas.

Following the massive protests led by a Hindu leader named Deepak Sharma, the school authorities suspended the principal and two teachers over the incident. However, the school denied the allegations and said that the protest was the result of a conspiracy.

According to the reports, the suspended school officials have been identified as the principal, Sonia McPherson, and two teachers Kambar Rizwan and Irrfan Elahi. The saga began on April 18 when a special assembly was organized at the school to make the students aware of Indian festivals. The Assembly was based on the theme of World Heritage Day and Eid.

The parents stated that the students at the Assembly were made to forcefully offer Namaz and Fathia. The parents amid the massive protest on Wednesday also chanted Hanuman Chalisa and also displayed posters reading, “I am not secular”, “BLS Principal, Chairman, and Staff Apologise”, and “Make kids read Hanuman Chalisa, Save Hindu Religion.”

Some of the parents alleged that the “school students were not made to read Hanuman Chalisa on the recently happened occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, then why were they forcefully made to read Namaz.” Additionally, the demonstrators said that the kids were made to wear burqas. They demanded that the school administration be named in an FIR.

The school management meanwhile released a statement claiming that rumors were being spread by the protesters around the school campus. “A special assembly was organised on April 18. For the all-around development of the students, music, dance and drama skits were organised to make them aware of Indian festivals… The assembly was on the theme of World Heritage Day and Eid. Students enacted roles of Shivaji Maharaj, Fatima Sheikh, Symbol of Democracy, Cathedral Church, Taj Mahal, and Elephanta Caves to make everyone aware of the heritage and great personalities…they performed and sang,” the statement read.

“But some people tried to mislead by giving the name of this song as ‘Fatiha’ or ‘Namaz’ and spread false rumours. It is not at all the same. The school completely denies this. All this was done under a conspiracy by some people to tarnish the image of the school. Nothing like this had happened in the school. It was a normal program organised in the special assembly of the school. The management has suspended principal Sonia McPherson from the post with immediate effect. An internal committee of the school and the administrative committee have been constituted… which will submit their investigation report regarding the case,” it added.

Archana Verma, District Magistrate, Hathras has taken cognizance of the event and has ordered the inquiry against the school administration. Also, a committee headed by the deputy district collector and Hathras district school inspector has been constituted to investigate the matter.

Congress issues show cause notice to Angkita Dutta after she filed police complaint against Youth Congress president Srinivas BV alleging harassment

OpIndia Staff
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Congress issues show cause notice to Angkita Dutta after she filed police complaint against Youth Congress president Srinivas BV alleging harassment

On April 20, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) issued a show cause notice to Dr Angkita Dutta over the allegations she levelled against IYC National President and Rahul Gandhi’s close aide Srinivas BV. On the same day, Angkita Dutta filed a police complaint against Srinivas in Guwahati alleging harassment.

APCC President Bhupen Kumar Borah issued the notice seeking an explanation from the former President of Assam Pradesh Youth Congress Dr Angkita Dutta as to why disciplinary actions should not be taken against her. She has been given two days to respond.

Borah claimed that Dutta never informed him about the harassment. In a letter to Angkita Dutta, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee chief wrote, “I was not aware of the alleged grievances and was never apprised of the same by you. Hence, I called you the same day to discuss the matter with you. I ensured that if you had any issues they can be addressed at the highest level without making it a public spat as it is an internal matter of the party.”

Borah added that he had requested Dutta not to give any statements in the media as there is a mechanism within the party for any grievances, to which she had agreed.

“But you (Angkita Dutta) have decided to go ahead with public confrontation rather than heeding to party discipline despite my assurance to resolve the matter,” he said.

Adding that Dutta has not submitted any verbal or written complaint about her allegations to the Congress’ General Secretary in charge of Assam, Borah said, “such a stand goes against party discipline.”

The show cause notice was issued after Angita Dutta filed a complaint against Srinivas BV at Dispur Police Station in Guwahati on Thursday. In the complaint, she alleged that Srinivas made sexist comments, used abusive language, and mentally harassed her. She also added that he threatened her with dire consequences if she complained about him to the high office bearers.

She wrote in the complaint that the Youth Congress president “is persistently harassing the informant and torturing the informant since last almost 6 (six) months, not just mentally he has recently started harassing the informant by making sexist comments, using slang words and also threatening the informant to face consequences if the informant keeps complaining against him before high office bearers of the Congress Party about his ill treatment, misbehavior and sexist remarks using slang words full of threatening.”

In the complaint, she narrated a recent incident in Chhattisgarh, where Srinivas allegedly held her arm, pushed and pulled her, and used slang words to threaten her. She wrote, “Recently, on last 25th of March, 2023, when I was in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, I went to Hotel May Fair, at Raipur, Chhattisgarh, in the evening to meet the high office bearers of the Congress party present there, including Sri Bhupen Borah, the state president of Congress party, who were there at that point of time on the occasion of Plenary Session of the party. Suddenly I met the above named accused person Shri Srinivas BV, at the entrance of the hotel, where he heckled me holding my arm, pushing and pulling and threatened me using slang words, saying that he will ruin my career in the Congress party if I went there to complain against him before the high office bearers of the party.”

Angita Dutta added that she has informed the party’s high office bearers but no action was taken. “I, therefore, request your good office to take immediate action against Shri Srinivas BV who committed the above explained offences against me, by registering a case against him, under appropriate provisions of law,” she wrote.

Accepting the complaint, the police told her that they were looking into the allegations.

Indian Youth Congress sends legal notice to Angkita Dutta 

The show cause notice came two days after Roopesh S Bhadauria, National Chairman of the Indian Youth Congress Legal Cell, sent a legal notice to Dr Angkita Dutta. The notice was sent on behalf of Srinivas. In the notice, it was claimed that Srinivas was a “well-known public figure”, and the allegations levels by Dutta in tweets and other statements were “sexist, chauvinistic, false and frivolous”, and the language used was “unparliamentary, undignified, defamatory and malicious”.

IYC Legal Cell threatened to file a case against her under relevant Sections of the Information Technology Act and the Indian Penal Code. 

Dutta has been asked to apologise to avoid legal action against her.

Notably, a day after receiving the legal notice, Angkita Dutta Wednesday filed a complaint against Srinivas BV at the Dispur Police Station, charging him with verbal and physical abuse as well as using slang phrases over the last six months. The police, however, are yet to register a case. 

Dutta’s allegations against Srinivas

The Assam Youth Congress President took to Twitter to post multiple tweets on her timeline where she opened up about the alleged harassment she has been facing at the hands of National Indian Youth Congress President Srinivas BV and the lack of interest shown by higher-ups in her case.

She alleged that even though it has been six months since she first complained to the party bosses about Srinivas BV, Rahul Gandhi and others have not initiated an enquiry against Srinivas BV and are instead forcing her to keep quiet.

In her subsequent tweets, she elaborated how she had raised the issue with the higher-ups in the party, but no action was taken against Srinivas BV. She questioned why Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, who frequently advocate for women’s empowerment, have maintained a stoic silence on her issue.

Amartya Sen cries ‘arbitrary abuse of power’ after Visva Bharati University asks him to vacate illegally occupied 13 decimals of land

OpIndia Staff
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Amartya Sen cries ‘arbitrary abuse of power’ after Visva Bharati University asks him to vacate illegally occupied 13 decimals of land

Amartya Sen has cried hoarse, alleging ‘arbitrary abuse of power’ after Visva Bharati University in West Bengal ordered him to vacate the 13 decimals of land that he is reportedly holding illegally by May 6 or within 15 days of the release of the most recent decree on April 19.

Responding to the directive, the economist on Thursday stated that the proper authorities should be notified to stop the university from abusing its power in an arbitrary manner. “Visva Bharati has announced that they would like to take away a part of my ancestral property, ‘if need be by use of such force as may be necessary’ as they have put it,” he remarked in a text message from the US. “We must take note of this threat of violence and ask the appropriate authorities to prevent such arbitrary abuse of power,” he added.

According to university authorities, he is in unauthorised occupation of 13 decimals (0.13 acres) of the 138-decimal land on which his ancestral home, Pratichi, is located.

On Thursday, a district land officer alleged that the plot’s status quo had been ordered by Bolpur’s executive magistrate. He claimed that the police are monitoring the plot around-the-clock and would not allow the varsity to use any force.

The philosopher was asked to return the 13 decimals that Visva-Bharati asserted he was illegally occupying in addition to the 125 decimals that were leased to his family, in three letters delivered to him in January of this year.

The notice reported that in accordance with the government of India advisories and CAG reports, the century-old Central institution was in urgent need of obtaining control of encroachments and also submitting a report to the ministry. It pronounced, “Amartya Kumar Sen and all concerned persons are liable to be evicted from the said premises if need be, by use of such force as may be necessary.”

“It is decided that 13 decimals of land having the dimension of 50 ft x 111 ft in the north-west corner of the scheduled premises is to be recovered from him,” the notice issued by Joint Registrar Asish Mahato read.

“Thus he can lawfully occupy 1.25 acres of land only, as lesses (for the residual period of lease) in the scheduled premises. He does not have the authority to occupy 1.38 acres of land in the scheduled premises,” it further proclaimed.

Amartya Sen lives in his ancestral home, ‘Pratichi,’ during his visits to Santiniketan. A few days ago, the central university sent him another notice, giving him until April 19 to respond and leave the ‘unauthorised’ area of land or face further action.

His response to an earlier show cause, per the institution, was false and factually erroneous, and Visva Bharati was the true owner of all the lands that had been infringed upon in the past, including the 13 decimals that he had inhabited.

Amartya Sen, however, continually refuted the accusation, arguing that while Visva Bharati had leased his father 1.25 acres of land for a specific amount of time, the disputed 13 decimals were actually purchased by his father, and he has all the necessary paperwork to prove it.

Gitikantha Majumdar, a resident handling the issue on Sen’s behalf in his absence, said the eviction order had surprised him. “The entire 1.38-acre leasehold has already been transferred in his (Sen’s) name by the land department,” he voiced.

“We have issued the order and our duty is to wait for the next 15 days. Then you will see the further developments,” informed a university official. His name has already appeared on the list of individuals illegally occupying land belonging to Visva Bharati University.

UK: Deputy PM Dominic Raab tenders resignation over bullying allegations

ANI
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UK: Deputy PM Dominic Raab tenders resignation over bullying allegations

UK Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab on Friday resigned in the wake of bullying allegations.

“I am writing to resign from your government, following receipt of the report arising from the inquiry conducted by Adam Tolley KC. I called for the inquiry and undertook to resign if it made any finding of bullying whatsoever. I believe it is important to keep my word,” read Raab’s statement.

Allegations surfaced about Raab in November, with former staff claiming he created a “culture of fear” in their departments.

He denied the allegations and requested an investigation into himself after two formal complaints were made.

The Dy PM and Justice Secretary, Raab was appointed by Rishi Sunak after he took power in October.

“It has been a privilege to serve you as Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work as a Minister in a range of roles and departments since 2015, and pay tribute to the many outstanding civil servants with whom I have worked,” he said.

Raab’s departure follows Sunak’s decision to dismiss Tory party chairman Nadhim Zahawi from his post in January after the former chancellor was found to have broken the ministerial code over his tax affairs.

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

Poonch terror attack: Security forces suspect LeT terrorists operating in two groups, launch massive search operations

OpIndia Staff
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Poonch terror attack: Security forces suspect LeT terrorists operating in two groups, launch massive search operations

A day after five jawans of Rashtriya Rifles were martyred in a terror attack in Poonch in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the army has launched a massive search operation. The security personnel suspect that the Pakistan-based LeT terrorists had executed the attack and are hiding somewhere in Poonch.

According to reports, the security forces have received inputs about the presence of 6-7 terrorists operating in two groups who killed five Army personnel and injured one in the terror attack.

The Army has sent a number of special forces teams, along with drones and observation helicopters, to conduct search and destroy operations in the suspected region. The actions are being coordinated by security forces such as the Army, Police, and Intelligence Agencies, a report by India TV quoted sources as revealing.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police confirmed, based on the inputs received, that the terrorists used rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles against the RR jawans travelling in the truck. However, the army is still investigating whether the truck got fire through the direct RPG hit or was set on fire by terrorists after the gunning down of the Indian troopers.

More information is being gathered concerning the terrorists’ route of ingress into the area. According to sources, considerable search is being performed in the area where various cave-type natural features are present.

Five Rashtriya Rifles soldiers were martyred on Thursday, April 20, 2023, in a terrorist attack in Poonch, in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, on an army vehicle. Five jawans were killed when terrorists attacked the vehicle with grenades.

The army Jawans killed in the attack were reportedly returning after getting vegetables and other stuff for the Iftar Party organized by the Rashtriya Rifles in Sangiote. The local village heads of nearby areas were also invited to the Iftar party.

Earlier reports suggested that the Jaish-backed terror group People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF) has claimed responsibility for the terror attack.

Atiq Ahmed shootout: Accused Arun Maurya was part of WhatsApp group ‘Sher-e-Atiq’ created by Atiq’s son Asad, later joined Gang-90

OpIndia Staff
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Atiq Ahmed shootout: Accused Arun Maurya was part of WhatsApp group ‘Sher-e-Atiq’ created by Atiq’s son Asad, later joined Gang-90

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the assassination of the mafia don Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed revealed on Friday that one of their assailants, Arun Maurya, was a part of the Whatsapp group ‘Sher-e-Atiq’ created by Atiq Ahmed’s son Asad Ahmed. The revelation was reportedly made while SIT was interrogating the three shooters, Arun Maurya, Sunny Singh and Lovelesh Tiwari.

According to reports, the Whatsapp group was created to glorify Atiq Ahmed. Photos and videos of the dreaded gangster and stories extolling his supremacy and clout were regularly shared on the group with the aim to “target politically aware youth in Prayagraj and encourage them to work for Atiq.”

The Whatsapp group was created by none other than Atiq Ahmed’s son Asad Ahmed, who was killed in retaliatory firing by the Special Task Force of the Uttar Pradesh police on 13 April. The WhatsApp group was created before the murder of Umesh Pal. Old videos of Mafia Atiq Ahmed and stories of how he used to terrorise people used to be shared in the group.

Asad Ahmed was the administrator of this group, which included 56 members from 14 districts. Asad’s friends and members of the Ateeq Ahmed gang were associated with the Sher-e-Ateeq group. The WhatsApp group was deleted a couple of days before the murder of Umesh Pal.

Maurya joined another group Gang-90 after ‘Sher-e-Atiq’ was shut down. He met co-accused Sunny and Lovelesh through this Gang-90. Gang-90 was named after the RTO registration number 90 of Banda.

The fact that Arun was part of a group made by Asad shows that he was known to the gangster.

SIT recreates the crime scene as part of probe into Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf Ahmed’s murder

Meanwhile, yesterday (April 20) the Special Investigation Team (SIT) recreated the crime scene as part of its ongoing investigation into Atiq Ahmed and his brother’s murder. Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed were shot dead while being taken for a medical checkup on 15th April 2023 at around 10:40 pm.

Atiq and his brother Ashraf were interacting with media persons when 3 miscreants, who posed as media persons, opened fire at Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed on April 15.

The police had arrested the three from the spot at the time of the incident. Many cases were already registered against the trio. The court sent the three killers, namely, Arun Maurya, Sunny Singh and Lovelesh Tiwari to judicial custody for 14 days. 

Assasins reveal their motive behind the shooting of the mafia dons

During interrogation, the three had reportedly revealed their motive behind the murder. According to Jagran, the trio informed that they took out Ahmed for killing innocent people. “Atiq Ahmed use to kill for grabbing land and would not spare those who testified against him. His brother Ashraf was also involved. So, we killed both of them”, they were quoted as saying. The trio also told the police that they killed Atiq Ahmed and his brother over their ties with Pakist

According to Times Navabharat, Atiq Ahmed and his gang had killed a relative of one of the assassins and they eliminated the gangster-politician to avenge that murder.

As per a report by Times Now, the assassins were small-time criminals who wanted to become famous by killing Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf.

It has also come to light that Sunny, Arun Maurya and Lavlesh Tiwari had previously gone to jail in different cases.

‘We are in readiness’: MEA reassures Indians stranded in Sudan; EAM S Jaishankar holds talks with UN Secretary-General

OpIndia Staff
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‘We are in readiness’: MEA reassures Indians stranded in Sudan; EAM S Jaishankar holds talks with UN Secretary-General

Amidst the ongoing conflict in Sudan, the Ministry of External Affairs has reassured Indian nationals, stranded in the Northeastern African nation, of all possible help.

As per reports, about 3000 Indian nationals are believed to be stranded in Sudan. This also includes 100 members of the Hakki-Pikki tribe, who originally belong to the Indian State of Karnataka.

On Thursday (April 20), MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi informed, “We are in readiness. We are in close touch with our teams on the ground but it all depends on how long there is a ceasefire in fighting and safe locations available for evacuation.”

Reportedly, the Ministry of External Affairs is co-ordinating with countries such as the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates (UAE), United States (US) and Saudi Arabia to ensure the safety of the Indian nationals in Sudan.

Citing sources, The Tribune reported that the Indian ambassador in Washington DC and High Commissioner in London are in constant touch with the host governments. The Indian diplomats are also working closely with the United Nations, which has a large presence in Sudan.

As part of its overall effort to rescue stranded Indian nationals in Sudan, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar held talks with the UN Secretary-General Antonia Guterres.

“Discussed the current developments in Sudan, G20 Presidency and Ukraine. Focus understandably was on Sudan. India strongly supports efforts towards an early ceasefire, leading to creation of safe corridors. Will continue to work closely with UN and other partners in this regard,” he informed in a tweet.

Earlier on Tuesday (April 18), the Indian Embassy in Sudan issued a precautionary advisory for Indian citizens against venturing out, suggesting to ration supplies as the “situation may continue for a few more days.” 

UP: 13-year-old boy arrested for raping his minor cousin in Mohanlalganj

OpIndia Staff
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UP: 13-year-old boy arrested for raping his minor cousin in Mohanlalganj

On the evening of Wednesday, April 19, a 13-year-old boy allegedly raped his two-year-old cousin in Mohanlalganj in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. According to the police, the juvenile accused brought the minor girl to a tin shed where he allegedly forced himself upon her before fleeing when she began to cry out of pain. When the girl eventually returned home, her mother noticed her wounds and thought something was not right.

It has been reported that the accused allegedly made a similar attempt earlier as well, however, he was let go. This time, however, the accused boy has been arrested by the police on the basis of the complaint lodged by the victim’s father. 

According to the police, the accused has a habit of watching pornographic videos on his phone.

It has been stated in the complaint that it was when the girl was playing outside her house that her cousin, came over to play with her. The victim’s father and her mother had left to work in the field with their 8-month-old second child. Meanwhile, the accused took the victim to his house. According to the victim’s father, his brother, and sister-in-law were also not present at home at that time.

The cousin took advantage of the situation and raped his sister. He allegedly left the girl close to the house after she reportedly began bleeding from her private parts. She was crying in pain. When the girl’s parents arrived home, they enquired as to why she was crying. The girl said her brother assaulted her. Everyone at the time tried to calm her down. However, the minor girl began to cry out in pain the following morning, and the victim’s mother saw wounds and bleeding near the victim’s private part. 

Meanwhile, SHO Mohanlalganj, Kuldeep Dubey stated, “When asked, the victim revealed the name of her cousin.” When the victim’s father went to the accused’s house to complain to him, he was allegedly abused, harassed, and assaulted with a stick.

“The accused boy, who is in class 9, also engaged in lewd behaviour with the girl a few days earlier. The SHO stated, “We arrested him and sent him to a juvenile home,” SHO Dubey added.

‘Why the vengeance against this man?’ CJI questions application of NSA in Manish Kashyap case

OpIndia Staff
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‘Why the vengeance against this man?’ CJI questions application of NSA in Manish Kashyap case

The Tamil Nadu government’s act of invoking the National Security Act (NSA) against Bihar-based YouTuber Manish Kashyap for allegedly spreading fake videos of attacks on migrant labourers in the state was questioned by the Supreme Court of India on Friday.

“Mr Sibal, why NSA for this?”, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud questioned Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, who appeared for the state government. “Why this vengeance against this man?” he asked further.

In response to this, Sibal said that Kashyap had made fake videos saying Biharis were getting attacked in the state of Tamil Nadu. “He has got 60 lakh followers. He is a politician. He has contested elections. He is not a journalist”, Sibal added.

According to the counsel, several FIRs have been filed against Kashyap in both Bihar and Tamil Nadu at present. Kashyap has been described as a habitual offender by Bihar’s attorney and he faces substantial charges, including Section 307.

In light of the several FIRs filed against Kashyap, the state was also urged by the supreme court to refrain from transferring him from the jail in Madurai to another facility.

Manish Kashyap, a YouTuber from Bihar, was held on April 6 under the National Security Act (NSA) in Bihar after he circulated alleged fake videos showing assaults on migrant labourers in Tamil Nadu. Kashyap surrendered as the Bihar Police conducted raids on the possible hideouts of the accused.

It was reported earlier that Kashyap had tweeted a ‘fake video’ of the attacks on migrant workers from Bihar in Tamil Nadu which went viral over social media. The video was however created by the main accused Rakesh Ranjan Kumar, a native of Gopalganj district in rented accommodation in Patna. The videos were debunked as fake by the police department.

The Court has decided to hear the case next on April 29.

BJP slams Congress for Imran Pratapgarhi’s inclusion in ‘star campaigners’ list for Karnataka after an old video of Atiq Ahmed praising him goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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BJP slams Congress for Imran Pratapgarhi’s inclusion in ‘star campaigners’ list for Karnataka after an old video of Atiq Ahmed praising him goes viral

After Rajya Sabha member Imran Pratapgarhi was added to the list of the Congress’ 40-star campaigners for the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections on Wednesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party launched an attack against the party on Thursday, branding him an ‘anti-national.’ The 224-seat Karnataka Assembly will go to polls on May 10 with results rebounding on May 13.

Shobha Karandlaje, the convener of the party’s Karnataka Election Management Committee and the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, wanted to know the ‘relationship’ between the Congress and the recently shot dead gangster turned politician Atiq Ahmad.

She asserted that Pratapgarhi was a close ally of the slain mafia and had referred to the criminal as his teacher and brother. She stated that he had written poems in celebration of the notorious criminal who had attended his ‘mushaira’ (a gathering in which poets recite Urdu poetry).

“One name (in the list of Congress star campaigners) that makes us anxious is that of a person who was a close aide of dreaded gangster of Uttar Pradesh, Atiq Ahmed, Ashraf Ahmed and his son Asad Ahmed. Asad was killed in a police encounter while Atiq and his brother Ashraf were killed by the public on their way to the hospital. Pratapgarhi is a close friend of Atiq Ahmed and kept referring to him as his ‘guru’ (teacher) and ‘brother.’ He used to write ‘shayaris’ (poetry) about him,” she charged.

“Despite knowing that Imran Pratapgarhi was involved in ‘anti-national activities’, you (Congress) send him to the Rajya Sabha and appoint him as Karnataka’s star campaigner,” she slammed the opposition party.

She alleged that Imran Pratapgrahi had composed and recited poetry not just in favour of Atiq Ahmed, but also against India, and society and incited Muslims against Hindus.

The Congress, according to BJP MP and spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi, is ‘allowing the entry of destructive elements and fundamentalists.’ “Imran Pratapgarhi used to write poetry praising Atiq. Atiq too attended Pratapgarhi’s poetry concerts. Imran’s poems laud anti-nationals, anti-socials and instigated Muslims against Hindus,” he remarked.

However, defending the party’s move, Congress spokesperson Gourav Vallabh commented, “Imran Pratapgarhi is the chairman of our party’s minority cell and he will be coming. What is wrong with that? We are not calling the person who has committed a crime or is behind the bars.” 

The background of the issue

Recently, a video of Imran Pratapgarhi was making the rounds on social media, where he can be heard showering high praise on Atiq Ahmed in his poetry. “This is a poet’s declaration which can never be dispelled. Now no one will ever be able to match your stature. People of Allahabad, remember my words, there will be no Atiq Ahmed for many centuries,” he sang in a reportedly 7-year-old video.

Kanchan Gupta, a senior adviser at the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in the Government of India also took to Twitter to post about the close bond shared between the poet and the mobster. The poet is seen with both Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed in two different pictures, who were invited to the former’s residence.

Now, another undated video has surfaced in which Atiq Ahmed is lauding Imran Pratapgarhi in a rally. The former complimented the poet and called him ‘his heartbeat.’ He even asked for people to vote for Imran Pratapgarhi who was in Samajwadi Party then and make the latter a ‘king’ of Pratapgarh. The gangster complimented him as someone who always speaks the truth because he is a poet.

The entire video can be watched here where Atiq Ahmed is applauding Samajwadi Party and its leaders, particularly, late Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav.

Atiq Ahmed’s criminal history

Atiq Ahmed was just 17 years old when he was first accused of murder. He was the subject of 102 cases, including kidnapping, attempted murder, and threats. The initial complaint was filed against him in 1979 and he was the first person to be charged with a crime under the ‘Gangster Act’ in Uttar Pradesh. The act was invoked against him thrice. He conducted meetings and maintained his criminal enterprise even while confined to various jails in the state. He was one of the prime accused in the murder of both BSP MLA Raju Pal and its primary witness Umesh Pal.

He was shot dead along with his brother Ashraf Ahmed alias Khalid Azim, another accused who had 52 cases against him when they were on their way to hospital by three perpetrators, Sunny Singh, Lovelesh Tiwari and Arun Maurya, who immediately surrendered and were taken into custody by the police present at the scene.

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