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France rocked by nationwide protest over pension reforms after govt plans to raise the minimum retirement age to 64 from 62

OpIndia Staff
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France rocked by nationwide protest over pension reforms after govt plans to raise the minimum retirement age to 64 from 62

France has been hit by nationwide protests over the pension reforms, with demonstrators blocking access to transportation networks, oil refineries, and schools. The government is seeking to increase the minimum age for retirement from 62 to 64, which has been met with strong opposition from the public.

“I oppose this reform and I really oppose the fact that democracy no longer means anything,” a demonstrator told Reuters. “We’re not being represented, and so we’re fed up.”

Violent protests are underway in France after President Macron used his emergency presidential decree to push through a rise in the pension age from 62 to 64. The Senate passed the legislation on Thursday morning, and it was due to go to a National Assembly vote in the afternoon. Instead, Macron used an emergency presidential decree to allow the legislation without a vote.

The protests have caused widespread disruption, with transport networks severely affected. Demonstrators sat on train tracks, causing delays and cancellations, and some even blocked access to an airport terminal. Oil refineries have also been targeted.

On Thursday, the Bordeaux town hall was set on fire by protestors. More than a million people have taken to the streets against the reforms.

The protests have not been peaceful, with clashes reported between demonstrators and police in various parts of the country. Tear gas was used on crowds in some areas, and there have been reports of arrests and injuries.

The government has defended its proposed pension reforms, saying they are necessary to ensure the sustainability of the pension system. However, critics argue that the changes will disproportionately affect those in lower-income brackets and will be a setback for workers’ rights.

Macron had earlier said “When I started working, there were ten million retirees; today there are 17 million, and by 2030 there will be 20 million,” he said. “Do you really think we can continue with the same rules?” “When groups, as they have this week, use violence without any rules because they are not happy with something, then that is no longer a democracy,” Macron said.

This hasn’t gone down well with the public and the protests have received support from labour unions, who have called for further strikes and demonstrations in the coming days. The situation remains tense, and it is unclear how the government will respond to the growing public unrest.

Earlier OpIndia had reported that due to sanitation workers joining the protests, there was a garbage pile-up in Paris. The workers’ strike has impacted half of the districts in Paris, Nantes, Rennes, and Le Havre. The city’s waste piles weighed more than 7,000 tonnes, as per reports. While comparable issues are present in other French towns as well, the shambles in the nation’s capital are drawing attention globally.

While these protests have been ongoing for two months since the government unveiled the pension reforms proposal in January this year, Thursday marked the first day of coordinated action by Public and Labour Unions. It followed Macron breaking weeks of silence on the new policy to say he would not back down and the law would come into force by the end of 2023.

Macron and his government have defended the retirement reform and said that it is necessary to keep the pension system funded, claiming it would otherwise eventually go bankrupt.

‘Even after being asked by Supreme Court to be careful, his behaviour has not changed’: What Surat Court said while convicting Rahul Gandhi

OpIndia Staff
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‘Even after being asked by Supreme Court to be careful, his behaviour has not changed’: What Surat Court said while convicting Rahul Gandhi

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi is facing disqualification from Lok Sabha after Surat Court convicted him in a criminal defamation case and sentenced him to jail for two years. According to section 8(3) of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951, any MP or MLA convicted of any offence and sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two years shall be disqualified from the date of conviction. Therefore, Rahul Gandhi could be disqualified for his 2019 speech where he alleged that everyone with the Modi surname is a thief.

Harsh Hasmukhbhai Varma, the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Surat who delivered the verdict, made some scratching remarks on the Congress leader in the judgement. In the judgement issued in Gujarati, the CJM explained why Rahul Gandhi has been found guilty, and why he has been awarded maximum punishment.

The court said that even after being asked by the Supreme Court to be careful, Rahul Gandhi’s public conduct has not changed and he made defamatory comments, and as he is a parliamentarian, strong punishment is needed.

The court said that when Rahul Gandhi was asked about the crime, he had answered that the speech he gave was for the overall good of the citizens, and it was part of his duty towards the people. Rahul Gandhi denied discriminating against people, saying that he loves all people in the country equally.

Rahul Gandhi further claimed that he had no intention to insult any caste, and moreover, the complainant has not faced any loss or mental harassment due to his statement. The Congress MP also claimed that he has not been held guilty previously in any such cases, and he will not seek an apology.

But the court noted that Rahul Gandhi was earlier asked by the Supreme Court to tender a written apology for attributing his ‘Chowkidar Chow hai’ jibe against Prime Minister Modi to the Supreme Court. Gandhi had submitted an unconditional written apology to the apex court in May 2019, for saying in a speech that the Supreme Court had said that Chowkidar is involved in the theft (Chowkidaar ne chori ki hai).

The magistrate noted that Rahul Gandhi was asked by the Supreme Court to be careful in his speeches in future, but he still went ahead and said that everyone with Modi surname is a thief.

The order states that the accused is a Member of Parliament and if he is given lesser punishment, it would send out a wrong message in the society. Hence, taking into consideration the accused’s conduct, he is given highest punishment and also pay a fine.

“Considering the submissions of both the parties and facts of the case and various comments given by the accused and directions of the Supreme Court to be careful, one can see it has not impacted the accused’s public conduct and behaviour,” the CJM said.

“Further, he is a Member of Parliament and addressing people as an MP is a serious matter. When someone of an MP level addresses common people, the intensity of crime increases. If he is given lesser punishment, it gives out a wrong message to society that anyone can say anything and get away with it without consequences. Hence, keeping in mind everything, the accused is given two years imprisonment and is asked to pay a fine,” the judgement stated.

It is notable that the petitioner refuted the claims of Rahul Gandhi’s lawyer that the petitioner was not personally hurt and he didn’t defame any community. The audio-visual evidence clearly shows Rahul Gandhi accusing everyone with Modi of being thieves, comparing Narendra Modi with Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi. The court noted that the evidence presented has to be found genuine and not tampered with.

The petitioner stated that his name is Surat Purnesh Modi, and therefore Rahul Gandhi’s comments were defamatory to him also. The court agreed with these arguments and ruled that the petitioner has been able to prove the accusations in the court.

Khalistani aides of Amritpal Singh moved out of Punjab fearing recurrence of Ajnala episode, posters supporting fugitive seen at Indo-Nepal, Attari border

OpIndia Staff
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Khalistani aides of Amritpal Singh moved out of Punjab fearing recurrence of Ajnala episode, posters supporting fugitive seen at Indo-Nepal, Attari border

Following concerns from the Central Intelligence Agencies about a potential jailbreak and recurrence of the Ajnala episode, Amritpal Singh’s pro-Khalistan sympathizers and accomplices have been moved outside of Punjab on Friday, according to reports.

On February 23 of this year, thousands of followers of Amritpal stormed the Ajnala police station in Amritsar to release Amritpal Singh’s close aide who had been detained in connection with an abduction case. Singh’s frenzied supporters broke through the barricades and attacked the Ajnala police station. As reported, cops, on duty, had to brave attacks from Amritpal Singh’s radical followers who were equipped using lathis, swords, and even guns.

Intelligence agency officers stated that when met with state police authorities and submitted their information report on arrested “Waris Punjab De” (WPD) members under the National Security Act (NSA), they suggested moving them out of Punjab. Security concerns led to the relocation of Amritpal Singh’s associates to the Assam Dibrugarh prison. According to the report, if the captured individuals had been sent to jail in Punjab, they would have committed a jailbreak.

“They would have radicalized other jailed criminals and would have associated them in Anandpur Khalsa Fauj/AKF,” the report said. Moreover, it stated that by mobilizing opposition to the arrest, as was done in the Ajnala episode, they would have disturbed the law and order of the state or also would have operated their illicit enterprises from inside the Punjabi prison.

The arrested persons have been booked under NSA. The are believed to have induldged in creating violence and promoting gun culture via a private militia named Anandpur Khalsa Fauj (AKF). The accused persons are also believed to be a threat to national integrity as they openly declared that they do not believe in State and defyied orders of Punjab Government which did not allow display of weapons in open.

Several videos on March 24 appeared on social media which revealed that the members of the Anandpur Khalsa Fauj (AKF) formed by fugitive Amritpal Singh were undergoing arms training.

“Had action not been taken under NSA, goons of Waris Punjab De would have repeated such incidents as they did not believe in the majesty of the law. Their links with proscribed outfit SFJ (Sikhs for Justice) who have now come in open support of WPD,” the report said.

In the Ajnala incident, Amritpal’s supporters flashed swords and other weapons and warned the police of grave repercussions if they did not free Lovepreet Toofan whc was arrested in a abduction case. The supporters scaled the police barriers outside the Ajnala police station while brandishing swords and firearms.

Meanwhile it is important to note that the Punjab Police has booked the Waris Punjab De chief under the National Security Act, and a non-bailable warrant has been issued for his arrest. In the latest development the Police has put up posters of Amritpal Singh at the local airports and the Indo-Nepal border and the Attari border. This is after the agencies suspect that Singh might cross the border amid the tightening noose around him.

It should be further be emphasized that Amritpal is still on the run, while a massive search effort is underway throughout the state. Several soldiers have been stationed in Amritpal’s home village of Lallukheda. More than 120 people have been taken into custody so far including his driver and his uncle. Reportedly, Harjit Singh, Amritpal’s uncle had been transported by the Punjab Police to the Dibrugarh prison in Assam earlier. Now, based on the inputs from the Central agencies, all of the Amritpal Singh’s pro-Khalistan sympathizers arrested have been moved outside of Punjab.

Rahul Gandhi clarifies that he wasn’t wiping his nose on Mallikarjun Kharge’s jacket, claims had floated after a video had gone viral

OpIndia Staff
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Rahul Gandhi clarifies that he wasn’t wiping his nose on Mallikarjun Kharge’s jacket, claims had floated after a video had gone viral

On 24th March 2023, Rahul Gandhi clarified that he was not wiping his nose on Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s jacket in a video that had gone viral on 18th March 2023. Rahul Gandhi was seen saying so in a video that appeared on 24th March 2023. He is seen helping Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge down the stairs in this video.

While helping Mallikarjun Kharge come down the stairs, Rahul Gandhi said, “If I touch you now, they say I’m wiping my nose on your back. Utter nonsense. Have you seen that? That I am helping you over there, they’re saying that I’m wiping my nose on you.”

On 18th March 2023, a video of Rahul Gandhi went viral. The Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party tweeted that video and wrote in the caption, “Unfortunately, the video epitomises what ‘Gandhi’s’ think of senior leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge. It is highly condemnable that Rahul Gandhi uses somebody as his tissue paper! This Humiliation to a Kannadiga can not be forgiven.”

In an attempt to reply to the BJP, Congress’ social media in-charge Nitin Agarwal said that the Congress scion had invited Kharge to drop him at his house. He said, “Watch the full clip, he invited Kharge Ji to drop him to his house, The 40% Commission Government has left with nothing to campaign & as usual started fake Propaganda.”

Delhi authorities decide to construct public toilets in the vicinity of British High Commissioner’s house deeming it necessary, UK Govt objects

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi authorities decide to construct public toilets in the vicinity of British High Commissioner’s house deeming it necessary, UK Govt objects

Local officials in Delhi have chosen to construct public restrooms near the British High Commissioner’s residence because they believe it necessary. The UK government, on the other hand, has objected to the decision, citing security concerns, the Economic Times reported on Friday (March 24).

The report reads that a public toilet has been deemed necessary in the neighbourhood of British High Commissioner Alex Ellis’ residence at Rajaji Marg at Meena Bagh in Lutyens Delhi. However, the UK government has resisted the decision stating security reasons.

This news comes on the heels of India’s decision to remove external security from in front of the British High Commission and the residence of the British High Commissioner in Delhi. The decision, which came as a surprise, is being seen as a reaction to the recent attack on the Indian High Commission in London by Khalistani extremists.

On March 22, reports emerged that the Indian authorities had removed barricades placed in front of the British High Commission and the British High Commissioner’s residence and removed all external security provided to the British mission in India.

Apart from removing barricades and bunkers installed in front of the gate of the British High Commission on Shantipath at Chanakyapuri diplomatic enclave, the team of Delhi police along with PCR vans stationed there has also been removed. Similarly, the barricades installed in front of the residence of British High Commissioner Alex Ellis at Rajaji Marg at Meena Bagh in the Lutyens Delhi area also have been removed by Delhi police.

Special security measures such as road diverter, speed breaker, bunkers made of sandbags, PCR vans and local police stationed outside the premises have been removed, visuals posted on social media show. Reportedly, the Indian govt is of the opinion that the British High Commission in India is already in the safe zone, and there is no requirement for such additional security measures.

UP Police attaches properties worth Rs 9 crore belonging to BSP leader and meat mafia Haji Yakub Qureshi, properties worth over Rs 31 crore identified

OpIndia Staff
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UP Police attaches properties worth Rs 9 crore belonging to BSP leader and meat mafia Haji Yakub Qureshi, properties worth over Rs 31 crore identified

The Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday, March 23, attached properties worth Rs 9 crore that belonged to BSP politician and meat mafia Haji Yakub Qureshi, as part of the UP government’s ongoing action against meat mafias in Uttar Pradesh. Other unlawful assets totalling over Rs 31 crore have also been identified. On the other hand, on the third day of the Income Tax Department’s raid on the residence of Aligarh meat businessman Haji Zaheer, property worth crores of rupees has been found.

Speaking about the police action on the properties of Yakub Qureshi, Circle Officer (CO) Kithore Rupali Roy said, “two plots of lands of Haji Yakub Qureshi which have been attached today are in the name of Haji Yakub Qureshi’s wife Sanjeeda Begum. These properties were purchased with money obtained through criminal activities.”

CO Roy added that Yakub’s other illegal assets, worth Rs 31 crore 77 lakhs, have also been marked. Action will be initiated on these also.

A total of 26 properties, including both land and buildings, have been identified as belonging to Yakub. There are 32 cars in all. There are more than 24 premium four-wheelers and some two-wheelers.

Haji Yakub Qureshi, a former minister in the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) governments, is currently held in Sonbhadra Prison. Imran and Firoz, two of his sons, are presently out on bail.

Seven luxurious houses are among the 26 sites that have been designated as land and buildings. These mansions are located at various locations in Meerut. Yakub’s school, hospital, meat factory, land, two homes in Sarai Bahlim, and other unlawful properties have been identified by the police on Hapur Road.

Yakub Qureshi owns property in ten villages. Some construction work has also been done at these places. Two bungalows in Sarai Bahlim Kotwali were bought in the name of Sanjeeda Begum. In Zahidpur, a bungalow, and six buildings have been identified.

Registered in the names of Yakub and his sons Imran and Firoz, luxury and expensive vehicles such as Mercedes, Jaguar, and Range Rover have also been found. There are 23 vehicles registered to the Alfahim Meatex Company, including the Innova, Pajero, Balero, and 5 Scorpio.

Former minister Haji Yaqoob Qureshi owned and ran Al Fahim Meatex Private Limited. This meat factory is situated in Village Allipur Jijmana Dhikauli under the Kharkhauda police station area. There was an illegal business of meat packaging and processing going on in the factory. Police charged 18 people, including Yakub Qureshi, his wife Shamjida, and sons Firoz and Imran, after recovering meat from the spot. Meat worth five crore rupees was caught in the factory. 

PM Modi arrives in Varanasi for ‘One World TB Summit’, to dedicate and initiate development projects worth over 1780 crores

ANI
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PM Modi arrives in Varanasi for ‘One World TB Summit’, to dedicate and initiate development projects worth over 1780 crores

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, arrived at Rudrakash Convention Centre in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, where he will be addressing the ‘One World TB Summit’.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is also present with PM Modi at the summit. PM Modi will be addressing the summit on World Tuberculosis Day at Rudrakash Convention Centre.

This summit is being organised by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the Stop TB Partnership.

Founded in 2001, the Stop TB Partnership is a United Nations-hosted organisation that amplifies the voices of the people, communities, and countries affected by TB.

During the event, Prime Minister will launch various initiatives including the TB-Mukt Panchayat initiative; the official pan-India rollout of a shorter TB Preventive Treatment (TPT); a Family-centric care model for TB and the release of India’s Annual TB Report 2023. PM will also award select States/UTs and districts for their progress towards ending TB.

In March 2018, during the End TB summit held in New Delhi, Prime Minister called for India to achieve TB-related SDG targets by 2025, five years ahead of the stipulated time.

One World TB Summit will provide an opportunity to further deliberate upon the targets as the country moves forward to meet its TB elimination objectives, according to the official statement.

It will also be an opportunity to showcase learnings from National TB Elimination Programmes. International delegates from over 30 countries are scheduled to be present at the summit.

Later in the day Prime Minister will dedicate and lay the foundation stone of projects worth over Rs 1780 crore, during the programme at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University ground. In the last nine years, Prime Minister has put a special focus on transforming the landscape of his parliamentary constituency Varanasi and enhancing the ease of living for the people living in the city and adjoining areas. This is believed to be another step in this direction.

The PM will lay the foundation stone of the Passenger Ropeway from Varanasi Cantt station to Godowlia. The cost of the project is estimated to be around Rs. 645 crores. The ropeway system will be 3.75 km in length with five stations. This will facilitate ease of movement for the tourists, pilgrims and residents of Varanasi.

The PM will lay the foundation stone of 55 MLD sewage treatment plants at Bhagwanpur under Namami Ganga Scheme, to be built at a cost of more than Rs. 300 crores. Under the Khelo India Scheme, the foundation stone of Phases 2 and 3 of the redevelopment work of Sigra Stadium will be laid by the Prime Minister. PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone of the LPG bottling plant at Isarwar village, Sewapuri to be built by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd.

Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of various other projects including a primary health centre in Bharthara village, a floating jetty with changing rooms, among others.

Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, PM Modi will dedicate 19 drinking water schemes, which will benefit more than 3 lakh people in 63 Gram Panchayats. To further strengthen the rural drinking water system, the PM will also lay the foundation stone of 59 drinking water schemes under the Mission.

For farmers, exporters and traders in and around Varanasi, the grading, sorting, and processing of fruits and vegetables will be possible at an integrated pack house which has been constructed at Karkhiyaon. Prime Minister will dedicate this project to the nation during the event. It will help in boosting agricultural exports of Varanasi and the surrounding region.

He will dedicate various projects under the Varanasi Smart City Mission including redevelopment work of Rajghat and Mahmoorganj government schools; beautification of internal city roads; redevelopment of 6 parks and ponds of the city among others.

The Prime Minister will also dedicate various other infrastructure projects including the ATC tower at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport; the 2 MW solar power plant at water works premises, Bhelupur; 800 KW solar power plant at Konia Pumping Station; the new Community Health Center at Sarnath; infrastructure improvement of Industrial estate at Chandpur; rejuvenation of temples of Kedareshwar, Vishweshwar and Omkareshwar Khand Parikrama among others.

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

‘Bhagwan Rama was sent by Allah’: Farooq Abdullah claims quoting Pakistani Maulana

OpIndia Staff
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‘Bhagwan Rama was sent by Allah’: Farooq Abdullah claims quoting Pakistani Maulana

On Thursday, March 23, the National Conference President and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah said that Lord Rama was ‘sent by Allah’ to guide the people on the right path.

He also claimed that Lord Rama is not a deity of Hindus only rather he is revered by all just like Allah is not just the “god of Muslims” but the god of people belonging to other religions as well. He also accused the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) of using Lord Rama for gaining political power.

“You will see a lot of money will be invested like anything. People will be fed about Lord Rama again and again. It might happen that they will inaugurate the ‘Ram Mandir’ at the same time. But get this in your mind that Lord Rama is not a deity of only Hindus. He is the lord of everybody who keeps faith in him, irrespective of religion, be it a Christian or Muslim, American or Russian. Similarly, ‘Allah’ is not only for the Muslims, he is everyone’s Rabb (god),” Abdullah said while addressing a rally in Udhampur.

Citing one recently deceased Pakistani Maulana Asar’s exegesis in Quran, Abdullah claimed that he had written that “Lord Rama was sent by Allah to preach to the humans and guide them to the right path”. He also claimed that the Shri Ram Temple in Ayodhya will be inaugurated ahead of the elections to divert the attention of the common people.

Taking a dig at the central government and the BJP, Abdullah said that “the ones who claim to be Ram Bhakt (devotees of Lord Rama) are the fake bhakts. They are not his devotees; they just want to sell Lord Rama to serve their political purpose. Therefore, I appeal you to go among the people and ask them to stop their propaganda of hatred. You must have seen how some women were extracting oil from the ‘diyas’ after the ‘Deepotsav’ in Varanasi, they told the media there that Bhagwan does not need the oil so they are taking it so that they could cook meal for their children, this was the condition.”

Maulana Arshad Madani had made similar claims recently

It is pertinent to note that recently, the president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind (Arshad faction), Maulana Syed Arshad Madani had made similar assertions saying that “Om and Allah are same”. Maulana Madani said this in his address at the 34th general session of Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, at Ramlila Maidan, in Delhi in February this year. Madani’s controversial remarks drew sharp reaction from Jain Guru Lokesh Muni who was also present at the session.

“Both the first and last prophets, Adam in India and Mohammad in Arabia, were sent down by Allah. He is referred to as Manu by Hindus and Adam by us. The sound of ‘La ilaha illaah’ first descended in India. Adam worshipped the same Allah as Manu did when he revered the Om. Allah and Om are one.” He continued, “Manu is our ancestor and you tell us to return home (revert to Sanatan Dharma). We will die but never forget our Allah, Madani claimed.

Following this, Madani’s assertion was opposed by Jain Guru Lokesh Muni, who then left the podium with other religious figures. Before leaving the stage, Acharya Lokesh Muni expressed his displeasure and stated that every other religious person spoke of peace and love at the conference and they don’t share Madani’s sentiments. “We only agree with living in harmony and brotherhood, but all the stories regarding, Om, Allah and Manu are rubbish. The tales he weaved, I can narrate even better stories than that. You are like my father. I invite you to come to Delhi for a discussion with me, or even I can come to visit you in Saharanpur”, Acharya Lokesh Muni said.

The Jain Muni stated that Mahavir was twenty-fourth Jain Tirthankar. There was Lord Parshvanath before him. Arishtanemi was Lord Krishna’s cousin. The foremost Jain Tirthankar was Rishabhanatha, and his sons were Bharata and Bahubali, on whose name this country ‘Bharat’ was named.

“You can’t erase this history. None of us agrees with his statements. He completely spoiled the atmosphere of the session,” the Acharya Lokesh Muni had said slamming Maulana Madani.

Assertions that Hindu deities like Rama were sent by Allah or that Manu, who in Hinduism is the archetypal man and the progenitor of humanity, worshipped Allah are repeated deliberate attempts to establish the thought that India is the progeny of Islam, and are nothing more than an attack on the civilisational identity of Hindus and other Indic religions.

Listen to BJP leader Tajinder Bagga say ‘polis aa gayi polis’ for 2 minutes straight as Canadian Khalistani continues to abuse and threaten him

OpIndia Staff
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Listen to BJP leader Tajinder Bagga say ‘polis aa gayi polis’ for 2 minutes straight as Canadian Khalistani continues to abuse and threaten him

On Friday (March 24), BJP spokesperson Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga brutally trolled a Canadian Khalistani sympathiser, who abused and threatened him with the choicest of expletives over a telephonic call.

Bagga uploaded the 2-minute-long audio clip on his Twitter profile, which has now gone viral on social media. The development comes at a time when Punjab police are closing in on fugitive Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh.

During the telephonic interaction, Bagga was heard trolling the Khalistani sympathiser by continuously repeating the phrase ‘polis aa gayi polis.’ Interestingly, the phrase became popular ever since a Khalistani leader named Bhagwant Singh was heard saying it while looking for cover to escape the police.

“Polis aagayi polis…polis aagayi polis…Come here, I will make you (run like) Amritpal… Cheap version of Amritpal,” Tajinder Bagga said during the abusive phone call.

Meanwhile, the Khalistani sympathiser (who called from a Japanese phone number) informed that he was a Canadian citizen. During the course of the phone call, he was heard abusing the BJP spokesperson and his family.

“You are such a bit**h,” the man said, followed by unspeakable cuss words. However, Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga appeared unbothered as he went about trolling the Khalistani sympathiser. “Sasta Amritpal calling now from Online Numbers”, he even captioned his tweet.

Tajinder Bagga and his open criticism of Khalistan

As early as 2017, Tajinder Bagga had been vocal in his criticism of Khalistanis and terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

In a tweet dating 6 years ago, the BJP leader had said, “Jarnail Singh Bhindrawala died, his dream to make Khalistan died & Pakistan agenda to divide India too died with his death. Hail Indian Army.”

He has often mocked the idea of a ‘separate nation for Sikhs’. This becomes evident from his tweet in May 2021 when he said that 10 bottles of Toilet cleaners could create Khalistan.

Tajinder Bagga did not shy away from calling Bhindranwale a terrorist. While responding to Khalistani sympathiser Ravinder Singh in March, he tweeted, “Mr Ravi Singh, not a single FIR or Investigation is pending against My beloved Mr Modi but your beloved Bhindrawala is terrorist as per Indian Constitution.”

During the anti-farm law agitation, the BJP leader pointed out how pro-Khalistanis had been masquerading as ‘poor farmers’. He also pointed out how the farmer protests are in fact a cover for the anti-India agenda.

Tajinder Bagga had also sought the intervention of the then Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh over Khalistani posters in the city of Amritsar.

Renuka Chowdhury believes herself to be Surpanakha, wants to prove it in court by citing PM Modi’s Ramayana statement in Parliament

Sanghamitra
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Renuka Chowdhury believes herself to be Surpanakha, wants to prove it in court by citing PM Modi’s Ramayana statement in Parliament

On Thursday, March 23, Rahul Gandhi was found guilty in a defamation case. The Surat District Court held Congress leader and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi guilty in a criminal defamation case filed against him over his remarks insulting the entire community that uses the Modi surname.

Gujarat BJP leader Surat Purnesh Modi had filed a criminal defamation case against the Congress leader, accusing him of defaming the entire Modi community, because the Congress prince had said during a speech that “everyone with the Modi surname is a thief.”

Since Rahul Gandhi is a sitting MP from the Wayanad Loksabha seat, the conviction and sentencing have triggered a legal debate, because, According to section 8(3) of The Representation of the People Act of 1951, any MP or MLA convicted of any offence and sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two years shall be disqualified from the date of conviction. That means, there is a chance the Congress prince might lose his Lok Sabha seat.

Rahul Gandhi’s conviction and sentencing triggered a lamenting spree within the Congress cadre. As usual, there is a contest among the Congress leader as to who can be the most stupid, most vocal and most loud in proclaiming undying dedication to the Gandhi family.

One of the weirdest displays of unwavering loyalty came from Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury. Though many may have forgotten her, she used to be a Rajya Sabha member and even the Union WCD minister under the Sonia Gandhi government.

Renuka Chowdhury has gone ahead and announced to the whole world that she won’t sit silent and watch Rahul Baba go to jail, not be an MP and get generally humiliated before the nation. She has declared revenge against PM Modi.

Renuka Chowdhury has declared that she will file a defamation case against the Prime Minister of India, for calling her ‘Surpanakha’ in the Parliament. She even referred to the PM as a ‘classless megalomaniac’.

There is a certain brand of amazing stupidity that is only found in Congress leaders. They have strange priorities even after losing election after election. For some reason, they seem to believe that by proving themselves as the staunchest, fiercest, and loudest supporters of Sonia Gandhi and her children, they would gain political benefits.

But this is 2023.

Sonia and her children cannot even politically sustain themselves. The son had to run from Amethi to Wayanad to save a seat in the Parliament. The daughter made Congress lose deposits in 63 of the 67 seats in UP which it contested in the last general election under her leadership. In the 2022 assembly elections, Congress was reduced to 2 seats and 2.33% vote share under her leadership again. How are they going to provide political sustenance to a bunch of old hangers-on and camp followers?

Renuka Chowdhury’s claim of being called Surpanakha

Well, that scene from the Rajya Sabha from 2018 is rather popular. Renuka ji won’t be scoring any points from sharing a snipped clip where only the PM’s statement about Ramayana is heard. Everyone in the country heard that screeching, resounding, echoing, ear-piercing, bone-rattling, skeleton-quaking, glass-shattering laughter that day. The hearty, overwhelming laughter of Renuka Chowdhury.

There is nothing wrong about a woman laughing so loudly, freely and heartily, parliamentary decorum be damned to the deepest patriarchal hell. PM Modi had actually acknowledged this much. As can be clearly seen in the video from the Rajya Sabha on February 7, 2018, PM Modi had requested the then Vice President Venkaiyah Naidu to let Renuka Chowdhury laugh.

On that day, while Congress leaders were being their usual selves inside the Parliament, making noise and interrupting the PM’s speech, Renuka Chowdhury suddenly laughed very loudly, making RS chairman Venkaiyah Naidu warn her in a stern voice.

PM Modi’s exact words were, “Sabhapati Ji, meri aapko prarthana hai Renuka Ji ko aap Kuch mat kahiye. Ramayan serial ke baad aise hasi sunane ka aaj saubhagya mila hai. (Respected Chairman, I am requesting you not to say anything to Renuka Ji. We got the privilege to hear such laughter for the first time after the Ramayana serial.) It is noteworthy that PM did not say to whom he compared her laughter.

There is another little problem. If statements inside the Parliament cannot be taken to court. Also, one cannot file a case against the current Prime Minister. But for Renuka ji’s benefit, let’s ignore those details.

PM Modi never mentioned the word Surpanakha. There are dozens of female characters in the Ramayana. So how did Renuka ji arrive at the conclusion that the PM was calling her Surpanakha? She has assumed it herself.

If the case hypothetically goes to court, Renuka ji has to prove that her laughter was indeed like that of Surpanakha and she was indeed behaving like the demon princess to arrive at the conclusion that it was indeed Surpanakha PM Modi was referring to. So basically, Renukha Chaudhary wants to prove in court that she laughed like Surpanakha.

Strange priorities for a party facing an existential crisis.

Poor Sonia ji. What did she ever do to deserve a bunch of party workers like this?

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