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‘Construction of unauthorised mosques, attempt to drive out Hindus’: Delhi’s Brahmapuri residents write to Amit Shah

OpIndia Staff
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‘Construction of unauthorised mosques, attempt to drive out Hindus’: Delhi’s Brahmapuri residents write to Amit Shah

On Wednesday, April 5, Hindus of Delhi’s Brahmapuri, who were the victim of the anti-Hindu riots in 2020 there, wrote a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. In this letter, the Hindus have complained about the gathering of non-local Muslims in the lane in the name of Namaz and Madrassa.

The Hindus have expressed concern about being compelled to evacuate their homes, as it has become difficult for them to step out of their homes. In the letter sent on Wednesday, Hindus have accused one Abdul Rafiq of bringing about the design to drive them away from the locality.

Along with complainant Sheeshpal Tiwari’s signature, the letter also bears the signatures of several other Brahmapuri residents.  The letter mentions the construction of unauthorised mosques and madrasas to push Hindus away. Moreover, Rafiq is accused of violating the agreement reached by the DCP of the Delhi Police in 2018. Only the residents of the street were permitted to offer Namaz under this agreement, but the complaint alleges that now people who live outside the area are going there to offer Namaz.

According to the complainants, it was an intentional act. Hindu families, it is claimed, are finding it increasingly difficult to step out of their homes. The complaint also claims that in order to evict Hindus, construction of a mosque and a madrassa was begun in lane number 8 at house C-76/4 in the years 2017–2018. The Hindu community strongly opposed this construction. The local administration called both communities in 2018 and got a mutual agreement between them. A copy of this agreement has also been affixed by the complainants. Sagar Kumar, a Journalist working at Sudarshan News has tweeted the said letter.

Moreover, Sheeshpal Tiwari and others alleged that the accused even spilled blood in their homes following which a complaint was lodged at the New Usmanpur police station. Residents of the lane have made the new accusation that the accused, Abdul Rafiq, is breaking the police’s 2018 agreement. Also, Rafiq is involved with encouraging outsiders including several anti-social elements to perform Namaz in the gully. The complainants have raised concern that Rafiq’s actions were prompted by a conspiracy to drive the local Hindus away.

It has also been hinted in the letter that there is a plan to construct a new Madrassa in the area. The letter concludes with a demand for strict action against accused Abdul Rafiq and his accomplices. It is further stressed that taking action against the accused is pertinent to stop the Hindus from leaving Brahmapuri.

A conspiracy has been ongoing for 8-10 years

OpIndia spoke to the complainant, Ramnaviwas Sharma, to confirm whether any such complaint letter has been written or not. Sharma confirmed sending the letter and alleged that certain Muslims frequently harass him and other locals in the name of Namaz. Sharma said that Namaz is offered in the street by shifting the location. He added that the administration had not yet taken any action.

OpIndia called DCP North East of the Delhi Police to find out what actions had been taken regarding the case, but the first time we tried, his phone was busy, and the second time, he did not pick up the call. ACP Seelampur’s official number was also switched off. The story will be updated once the police version is available.

US think tank: Pakistan needs to pay $77.5 billion in external debt; risk of default ‘real’

OpIndia Staff
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US think tank: Pakistan needs to pay $77.5 billion in external debt; risk of default ‘real’

Pakistan must pay back a staggering $77.5 billion in external debt between April 2023 and June 2026, all the while grappling with a severe economic collapse.

United States Institute of Peace (USIP), an American think tank has warned that the country’s enormous foreign debt might lead to the country’s economic default, which would have disruptive implications.

According to the USIP analysis, which was released on April 6, Pakistan is at risk of default due to soaring inflation, domestic political strife, an uptick in terrorist assaults, and a colossal foreign debt load.

“Amid skyrocketing inflation, political conflict between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, and surging terrorism, the country is facing the risk of a default due to its massive external debt obligations,” the report read.

The research stated that there would be a cascade of disruptive repercussions if the country defaulted on its $77.5 billion foreign debt repayment commitment from April 2023 to June 2026. Pakistan which is already groaning under a mountain of debt will have to make enormous repayments to Saudi Arabia, individual creditors, and Chinese financial institutions over the course of the next three years. 

Pakistan is under tremendous pressure to repay its debt between April and June 2023 because it must service USD 4.5 billion in external debt, as mentioned by the US institute. Significant repayments are allegedly anticipated in June when a $1.4 billion Chinese commercial loan and a $1 billion Chinese SAFE deposit will mature.

Noting that the Chinese government and commercial banks have previously done the same, the Pakistani government is attempting to convince China to refinance and roll over both liabilities.

Even if Pakistan is able to fulfil these obligations, the upcoming fiscal year would be more challenging since, as per the USIP, the cost of repaying the debt will climb to over $25 billion. The country still hasn’t received a much-needed $1.1 billion funding tranche from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The money was initially supposed to be given out in November 2022.

Analysts asserted that the payments are a crucial component of a $6.5 billion rescue plan that the IMF authorised in 2019 if Pakistan is to avoid defaulting on its commitments under external debt. The IMF programme expires on June 30, 2023, and under the current procedures, it cannot be extended after that date.

“This burden has been exacerbated by the derailment of the $6.5 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program Pakistan entered in 2019, as the international lender is unsatisfied with Pakistan’s commitment to reform and ability to arrange for funds to meet external financing requirements,” the report observed.

“Troublingly, Pakistan’s official foreign exchange reserves are hovering around $4 billion, which is insufficient to finance even a one-month of the country’s import bill,” it added.

There has been no progress on the relaunch of the programme despite months of talks between Pakistan and the IMF. The country’s government is confident that they have undertaken all the tough decisions required to restart the IMF plan that has been suspended, but there is no easy fix for Pakistan’s faltering economy.

Two solutions to the issue of foreign debt are highlighted in the assessment. The first measure is to take out new loans and explore the option of debt rollovers and the second one is that Pakistan seeks a pre-emptive restructuring of debt. 

The report remarked that there is a genuine risk that the country, a country with nuclear weapons and a population of close to 230 million, may be unable to pay its foreign debt commitments, leading to a sovereign default.

It is crucial to note that Pakistan is facing an unprecedented challenge from all directions as a result of the country’s worsening financial woes, political turmoil, and terrorist strikes, all of which have contributed greatly towards severe poverty, bloodshed and fatalities there.

Tamil Nadu Congress leader threatens to chop off the tongue of the judge who sentenced Rahul Gandhi in 2019 criminal defamation case, booked

OpIndia Staff
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Tamil Nadu Congress leader threatens to chop off the tongue of the judge who sentenced Rahul Gandhi in 2019 criminal defamation case, booked

The Congress loyalists have been crying hoarse ever since their boss Rahul Gandhi has been convicted and subsequently disqualified from the Lok Sabha. Such is the vitriol that a Congress leader in Tamil Nadu has recently gone on to threaten to chop off the tongue of the judge who sentenced Rahul Gandhi to two years in prison in the 2019 criminal defamation case.

Manikandan, the Congress Dindigul district president reportedly made the remark during a protest that was organised by the party on Thursday (April 6, 2023). “On March 23, the Surat court judge gave two years prison term for our leader Rahul Gandhi. Listen, Justice H Varma, when Congress comes to power, we will chop off your tongue. Who are you to give jail term to him?” said Manikandan, while addressing a crowd at the protest.

Manikandan made the comments at a protest by the Congress party against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi held at Dindigul.

After the video of the incident went viral, an FIR was filed against him under three sections including section 153B of the IPC on Saturday.

“We have registered a case against him (Manikandan) under three sections including section 153B of the IPC and an investigation is underway,” the Dindigul Police was quoted by news agency ANI as saying.

Congress senior leader Rahul Gandhi’s conviction

Gandhi was convicted by a Surat Court and sentenced to 2 years in prison in a 2019 defamation case. Gandhi’s conviction led to an automatic disqualification from Lok Sabha as per the regulations. His disqualification has been used by Gandhi and Congress leaders to attack Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming “democracy is in danger” and “Modi is suppressing the voice of opposition”. In 2019, Rahul Gandhi abused the OBC community by questioning “why all thieves have a common surname, Modi”. Irked by his comments, a defamation case was filed. Surat Court found him guilty and sentenced him to two years. He had 30 days to appeal against the sentencing.

Chennai: NIA conducts multiple raids, busts racket working for LTTE revival; 1 arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Chennai: NIA conducts multiple raids, busts racket working for LTTE revival; 1 arrested

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at many locations owned by suspects in Chennai as part of a recent crackdown on the Indo-Sri Lankan illegal narcotics and guns trafficking racket and arrested a man named Ayyappan Nandhu. He was found to be running the drug business for Muhammad Asmin, a Sri Lankan exile and drug dealer.

According to reports, the aforementioned racket purportedly worked to revive the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The agency also confiscated a huge amount of cash, gold bars, digital gadgets, narcotics, and papers during its operations in addition to other evidence. Muhammed Asmin had conspired with other accused to resurrect the LTTE through the sale of narcotics and weapons.

The NIA has made 14 arrests so far since it started an inquiry into the scam in July 2022. 13 individuals were apprehended in December 2022 amid searches at 21 different places around Tamil Nadu. The accommodations allotted to nine accused at Tiruchirappalli’s special detention camp were among the targets of these searches.

All nine were apparently working with Haji Salim, a drug dealer with ties to Pakistan who is suspected of being involved in the March 2021 incident near Kerala’s Vizhinjam port, in which Indian defence forces had seized a boat carrying 300 kilogrammes of heroin, five AK-47 assault rifles, and 1,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Investigations into the matter have revealed that the proceeds of drugs and arms trade in Sri Lanka were received in India through hawala agents, including one Shahid Ali of Chennai. The transactions were discovered to have been carried out through hotels and companies situated in Mannadi, Chennai.

The recent seizure on April 6 comprised Rs. 68 lakhs in Indian cash, $1,000 in Singapore Dollars, and nine gold biscuits (totalling 300 grammes) from Shahid Ali’s shop. The Hotel Orange Palace in Chennai was where the NIA also found Rs 12 lakhs in Indian currency.

President Murmu chooses Tezpur air base to fly maiden sortie on Sukhoi 30 fighter jet amid China’s new stand on Arunachal Pradesh: Read the significance

OpIndia Staff
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President Murmu chooses Tezpur air base to fly maiden sortie on Sukhoi 30 fighter jet amid China’s new stand on Arunachal Pradesh: Read the significance

As China intensified its brazen effort to emphasise its claim over India’s Arunachal Pradesh, President Droupadi Murmu opted to fly her maiden sortie in an Indian Air Force fighter jet from the Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam on Saturday, April 8. The President undertook a sortie during her three-day visit to the state as Supreme Commander of the defence forces.

Group Captain Naveen Kumar Tiwari flew her in a Sukhoi-30 MKI that took off from the Indian Air Force base in Tezpur in Assam.

Murmu, who is on a three-day trip to Assam, reached Tezpur from Guwahati. She was received at the air base by Air Marshal S P Dharkar, Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Several visuals have emerged from the Tezpur airbase in Assam, where President Droupadi Murmu chose to fly her maiden sortie on the Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi-Su 30MKI combat aircraft.

The decision to fly Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft from Assam’s Tezpur Air Force Station holds a lot of significance considering it coincides with China’s recent brazen move to rename some places in Arunachal Pradesh, which India has categorically rejected.

The Tezpur air base is among the major bases in the northeast region where the Sukhoi-30 MKI jets are stationed to counter the Chinese threat. Notably, the headquarters of the IV Corps of the Indian Army is also located in Tezpur.

India rejects China’s attempt to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh

On April 4, OpIndia reported that China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs announced the names of 11 places on Sunday (April 2) and also gave precise coordinates, including two residential areas, five mountain peaks, two rivers and two other areas. China’s Ministry of Civil Affairs also listed the category of places’ names and their subordinate administrative districts. India, however, outrightly rejected China’s attempt to rename places of Arunachal Pradesh, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Tuesday. He asserted that Arunachal Pradesh will always be an integral part of India.  

Now, by flying a sortie on Sukhoi 30 fighter jet from the Tezpur airfield, which is extremely significant because of its proximity to the Sino-Indian border, India is once again giving an oblique signal of its readiness to counter China’s nefarious intents and military aggressiveness along India’s Northern boundary.

Tezpur Air Force Base and its Significance

The Tezpur Air Force station was constructed by the British Royal Indian Air Force during the Second World War in 1942. It subsequently developed into a full-fledged air force base in 1959. Since its inception, it has been one of the most active bases in the Northeast with a variety of fixed and rotary-wing aircraft operating from here.

The first aircraft that flew at this base were Vampires and Toofani 101 reconnaissance squadron. In fact, in the last 25 years, it was home to the MiG-21 fleet which was used extensively to train rookie pilots for the Indian Air Force. The aircraft continues to serve the air force, operating from other bases in the Northeast. Over a period of time, the Station has been home to a range of frontline fighters.

In 2009, the IAF inducted four Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft into its Eastern Air Command in Tezpur, Assam, in the presence of Eastern Air Commander Air Marshal S.K. Bhan. Besides, the SU-30 MKI squadron, a squadron of Akash Missile was also introduced to the Tezpur Air Force base, while Brahmos missiles were expected to be inducted into the base.

The Tezpur Air Force station is located at a distance of 172 km from the China border, 146 km from the Myanmar border and 160 km from the Bangladesh border. Due to its strategic position, it is easy for the Indian air force to keep a close watch on Chinese military activities from the Tezpur air base.

In fact, last year, after the clash between the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, the Indian Air Force (IAF) held a two-day exercise from bases Tezpur, Chhabua, Jorhat in Assam and Hashimara in West Bengal. The exercise involved all IAF combat aircraft close to the front line and other resources deployed in the region. The purpose of the exercise is also to test the combat capability of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and display its preparedness to tackle escalation from the opposing side.

This well-thought-of decision to fly a sortie from the Tezpur Air Base amid China’s new stand on Arunachal Pradesh is yet another example of exemplary sharpness and responsiveness of Droupadi Murmu, India’s first President from the tribal community, who represents limitless possibilities and a million dreams.

Droupadi Murmu was elected as India’s 15th President in July 2022. This appointment was marked by a slew of firsts. This was a historic first in which a woman from a tribal background assumed India’s highest office. We have so many reasons to feel proud as Indians!

When Droupadi Murmu took the oath of office as India’s President, we witnessed history being made. Our new President, on the other hand, took the oath of office after a protracted period of struggle. Her successes and setbacks are a result of her hard work and dedication.

There is a lot to learn and take away from Droupadi Murmu’s story. She is a message of hope for millions of people in this country. A tribal girl from the region in Odisha that is called ‘backward’ and ‘undeveloped’, struggling with personal losses, rising from the grassroots level and becoming who she is is no mean feat. But that feat is possible. Achievable. President Murmu is a symbol of power and hope, not just for her community, but for all of us. She is a message to every little girl in this country that nothing is beyond their reach.

Shirmomani Akali Dal alleges Rs 200 crore liquor scam by AAP govt in Punjab, says Manish Sisodia is the architect

OpIndia Staff
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Shirmomani Akali Dal alleges Rs 200 crore liquor scam by AAP govt in Punjab, says Manish Sisodia is the architect

On Friday, April 7, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia exposed an alleged Rs 200-crore scam in the Excise Department of Punjab. SAD also demanded a CBI investigation into the alleged scam and take action against the persons involved, as was done in the case of the Delhi excise policy scam. 

Speaking at a press conference, Majithia also accused Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Finance Minister Harpal Cheema of lying when they stated that the Excise revenue had jumped by 41% whereas it actually had increased by just 10.26%. He also stated that the current excise revenue was inflated by adding Rs 926 crore from last year adding that even Value Added Tax (VAT) collected by the State had been added to this head.

Majithia presented documents to the media, including the report of a group of ministers, and documents that had been cleared by the Cabinet to expose the Rs 200 crore scandal. He released a document from the Excise Commissioner, who had set up a commission to examine the gaps and inadequacies in the current excise policy. He claimed that the memo also stated that L-1 holders were abusing their dominant position to demand rebates from retailers and that the transfer of rebate benefits from manufacturer to retailer via L-1 was not granted to the retailers.

Majithia asserted that the committee report and the Group of Ministers report were both attempts at a cover-up. Majithia also accused former Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia, who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail, of being the ‘architect’ of the Punjab liquor scam as well.

“The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has increased projected deposits by Rs 150 crore for this year after collecting Rs 28 crore from L-1 holders last year. This occurred as a result of the crackdown in Delhi that resulted in the arrest of Manish Sisodia, who is also the architect of the Punjab excise policy,” Majithia said. 

Moreover, Majithia claimed that everything was being done to avoid arrests and charges, but he added that the AAP government and its staff could not avoid accountability for the theft from the state coffers last year.

“Now all of a sudden, the AAP government had realised in its own words that there should be a justification for deciding the margin of L-1 holders supported by strong economic principles,” the SAD leader added.

He alleged that the scam was of at least Rs 200 crore and that it required an extensive investigation. He further revealed that Aman Dhall and Tushar Chopra, two of the major liquor contractors in Punjab, were already the subject of an inquiry in Delhi for excise theft, with Dhall even being arrested. Majithia claimed the Chief Minister was directly to blame for the current mess because the CM had decreased the number of L-1 licences from 74 to seven in accordance with the AAP high command’s orders.

In addition to creating a monopoly, he said that the increase in profit from 5% to 10% had allowed L-1 holders to make enormous sums of money without contributing anything back to the state. He claimed that it was “clear” that kickbacks were given to AAP members at the expense of the government.

It is notable that Aman Dhall, who owns Brindco, a key importer and distributor of liquor brands and related beverages, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in March this year in connection with the Delhi excise policy scam. 

Dhall has been booked under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED accused him of coordinating and facilitating kickbacks to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the South Group’s recovery of those kickbacks through various ways.

Stray dogs menace: 5-year-old girl mauled to death in Chhattisgarh

OpIndia Staff
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Stray dogs menace: 5-year-old girl mauled to death in Chhattisgarh

A five-year-old girl was mauled to death by a pack of dogs in the Koriya district of Chhattisgarh, in yet another terrible incident highlighting the threat posed by stray dogs. The incident happened early on Friday morning in Baikunthpur, close to Margdarshan School Road.

The child, Sukanti (5 years old), was mauled by stray dogs at approximately 6 am on Friday while attending to nature’s call. The victim was attacked, sustained severe injuries, and passed away.

The police hurried to the scene to start an investigation after learning about the occurrence. The police, based on their preliminary inquiry suspect that the victim’s death was caused by the dogs’ assault. Her corpse was submitted for an autopsy by the authorities, and further probe is underway.

This horrific event has once again emphasized the danger presented by stray dogs in India. In most Indian cities and towns, stray dogs are a regular sight and a serious menace to public safety. The elderly and children are particularly at risk from their attacks.

Rajasthan: Dalit woman dies after raped and set on fire, police file FIR only after locals protest, accused Shakur Khan arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: Dalit woman dies after raped and set on fire, police file FIR only after locals protest, accused Shakur Khan arrested

A Dalit woman who was allegedly raped, attacked with acid and then set on fire by a man named Shakur Khan in Rajasthan’s Barmer district succumbed to her injuries on Friday, April 7. She was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Jodhpur where she was admitted in critical condition on Thursday. The police said that the woman suffered 50 per cent burns and her face was disfigured.

The incident occurred late in the evening on Thursday, April 6 in the Pachpadra police station area of Rajasthan’s Barmer. The accused who had fled after committing the heinous crime and had been absconding ever since was apprehended by the police on Friday.

Barmer additional superintendent of police (ASP) Nitesh Arya confirmed the development.

The police informed that Section 302 (punishment for murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has also been added to the first information report (FIR) which was filed under several sections of the IPC and the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The body of the deceased would be handed over to her family members after the autopsy.

The police took action based on a complaint lodged by the deceased’s husband on Thursday. In the complaint, the victim’s husband alleged that his wife was alone at home on Thursday as he had gone out for work and their children were in school. The accused, identified as Shakur Khan, made use of the opportunity to break into the house and raped her. Hearing his wife’s cries, their neighbour rushed to help her, but the accused, while shoving the neighbours away, poured some acid-like liquid on his wife, set her on fire, and fled the scene.

Relatives of the victim allege Rajasthan police delayed filing the FIR in the case

The woman’s relatives alleged that they approached the police at 1.30 am, but the officers first declined to file an FIR. Members of the Dalit community gathered outside the police station to protest the police’s failure to intervene in the matter. The police ultimately filed the FIR around 3.30 am. on Friday; until then, the case had become critical.

Members of the Dalit community demonstrated outside the police station after relatives of the woman claimed that the police hesitated to register the case initially. 

The woman was first admitted to a government hospital in Balotra and was later referred to a higher medical institution in Jodhpur, where she succumbed to her injuries during treatment. Police said that the victim’s statement could not be recorded as she was not in a condition to talk before she died.

The police nabbed accused Shakur Khan late on Friday evening.

Police have registered a case under IPC sections 302 (punishment for murder) 376 (punishment for rape ), 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means), 450 (house trespass in order to commit an offence punishable with imprisonment for life) and relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the accused.

Hyderabad police detains Congress leaders ahead of PM Modi’s visit to Telangana

OpIndia Staff
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Hyderabad police detains Congress leaders ahead of PM Modi’s visit to Telangana

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state of Telangana later today, Hyderabad police apprehended a number of Telangana Congress leaders on Saturday including Balamuri Venkat, the president of the National Students Union of India (NSUI), Shivsena Reddy, Pritam, the head of the Dalit Congress, and others. 

This is probably after the NSUI and Youth Congress demanded PM Modi to speak about Bandi Sanjay’s jail in connection with the 10th class paper leak issue and threatened to obstruct the PM’s visit at all costs.

Prior to PM Modi’s arrival, a traffic advice has been issued regarding limitations on vehicular movement. In addition to five National Highway projects, PM Modi is slated to formally lay the foundation for AIIMS Bibinagar. Additionally, he will lay the foundations for the renovation of Secunderabad Railway Station and dedicate other railway-related development projects to the country.

Passengers travelling as pilgrims would benefit most from the new Vande Bharat train’s nearly three and a half hour time reduction between the two cities. After his visit to Hyderabad that day, PM Modi is slated to depart for Tamil Nadu.

West Bengal: BJP and TMC trade charges over ‘atonement’ of Tribal women by performing Dandavat Parikrama for leaving TMC to join BJP

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: BJP and TMC trade charges over ‘atonement’ of Tribal women by performing Dandavat Parikrama for leaving TMC to join BJP

On Friday (April 7) night, BJP (West Bengal) President Dr Sukanta Majumadar alleged that the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) party forced four tribal women to do ‘Dandavat Parikrama’ for daring to join the saffron party.

He tweeted, “Martina Kisku, Shiuli Mardi, Thakran Soren and Malati Murmu, resident of Tapan Gofanagar, Tapan, joined BJP yesterday. They belong to ST community. Today, TMC goons forced them to return to TMC and punished them by asking to do Dandavat Parikrama.” Another woman

“TMC has time and again insulted tribal people. This takes it even higher. This is highly condemnable. We firmly stand with our karyakartas and will do everything to protect them,” he further added.

The tweet of Dr Sukanta Majumadar was accompanied by a 27-second video of three women stretching on the road as if they were emulating the ‘Dandavat Parikrama.’

As per a report by TV9 Bangla, the incident occurred on Friday (April 7) in Balurghat in the Uttar Dinajpur district of West Bengal. About 200 people had defected to the BJP from the Trinamool Congress on the previous day.

BJP leader Swarup Chowdhury accused the TMC leadership of successfully coercing 3-4 of the 200 party workers into joining the TMC again. “The way TMC leaders forced the women to rub their noses on the road for them to be accepted back into the party is highly shameful and insulting,” he said.

Chowdhury also vowed to approach the State Women’s Commission about the incident. This has led to a war of words between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress. TMC leader Pradipta Chakraborty claimed that the women realised their mistake within 24 hours of joining the BJP, and therefore they returned to TMC the next day and performed the atonement by crawling on the ground and rubbing their noses on the ground. She said that the party will meet the others who joined BJP to convince them to rejoin TMC.

Pradipta Chakraborty also said that the people who joined the BJP on April 6 were not members of any political party but they were supporters of TMC, and BJP misled them into joining the party. “Some women, who were not affiliated with any political party but supported the Trinamool Congress were misled into joining the BJP. They later realised their mistake and performed ‘Dandavat Parikrama’ to repent for it,” she claimed.

Tribal woman claims she willingly performed Dandavat Parikrama

Meanwhile, one of the women, who was seen rubbing her nose on the road in the viral video, claimed that she acted out of her own accord. Martina Kisku told TV9 Bangla that she could not sleep all night after deserting the Trinamool Congress.

“After we joined BJP, we thought about our decision all night? We thought what did we do? It then dawned to us that West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has provided us with several schemes such as Kanyashree, and Lakshmi Bhandar. We will not leave her and hence came back,” Hindustan Times Bangla quoted her as saying.

However, political circles in the district say that this was a ‘punishment’ by the TMC for the women for deserting the party and joining BJP.

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