At least 12 people have been detained in connection to a clash which broke out between two groups in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district on Saturday, the police said.
“A clash broke out between two groups in Atarwal village of Jalgaon district after a statue was vandalised by unidentified people,” Jalgaon SP M Rajkumar said on Saturday.
“Police reached the spot and brought the situation under control. 12 people were detained. Further action is being taken,” Jalgaon SP said.
Earlier on March 30, 56 people were arrested in connection to a clash which broke out between two groups in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district over music being played outside a Mosque while Namaz on March 28, the police said.
Two FIRs were registered and currently, the situation is peaceful and is under control in the area, said Jalgaon SP.
There was a disagreement over music being played outside a mosque that escalated into stone pelting which led to clashes between the two groups, said police.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
A women-run radio station in Afghanistan has been shut down for playing music during the holy month of Ramadan, a Taliban official said on Saturday.
The radio station is named Sada-e-Banowan, which means women’s voice in Dari Persian, and it is Afghanistan’s only women-run station located in Faizabad, in Badakhshan province in northeast Afghanistan. Officials from the Taliban’s Directorate of Information and Culture and Directorate of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice arrived at the station on 30 March and shuttered it.
The officials accused the radio station of illegally airing music during the holy month of Ramzan. Moezuddin Ahmadi, the director for Information and Culture in Badakhshan province, said the station violated the “laws and regulations of the Islamic Emirate” several times by broadcasting songs and music during Ramzan and was shuttered because of the breach.
“If this radio station accepts the policy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and gives a guarantee that it will not repeat such a thing again, we will allow it to operate again,” Ahmadi added.
However, the radio station has denied any violation of Taliban rules, saying that the allegations are false. “We have not broadcast any kind of music,” Station head Najia Sorosh said. She alleged that it was a conspiracy against the station for the station’s programs focusing on women’s education and job opportunities in Badakhshan.
Najia Sorosh said that the officials from the Ministry of Information and Culture and the Vice and Virtue Directorate arrived at the station at 11:40 a.m. on Thursday and shut it down. She added that the ministry has not provided any further information regarding the closure.
Radio Sada e Banowan was established in 2014 and it is owned by Afghan female journalist Najla Shirzad. Local Taliban officials allowed the radio station to restart operations after taking over power in the country. The station has eight employees, and six of them are women.
On Friday, 31st March 2023, five youths participating in a torch rally organised by Congress at Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh suffered burn injuries. 2 of the 5 injured are reported to be critical and they will be sent to Raipur for further treatment. Other injured are being treated in the local hospital.
This torch march was taken out by the local Congress unit to protest the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha. Before the accident took place, two young men – who have suffered more injuries – were walking ahead of the rally holding fire torches in their hands.
Chhattisgarh BJP leader Kedar Kashyap has shared visuals of those injured in the accident. He said that the injured are students of Jawaharlal Nehru Hostel. He has accused the Congress party of using students for their political gains. During this, an injured student was also saying something in a hushed voice during treatment.
कांग्रेसियों द्वारा अपने निज राजनैतिक स्वार्थ के लिए बच्चों का उपयोग किया गया। जिसमें जगदलपुर के नेहरू छात्रावास के बच्चे आग से झुलस गए। pic.twitter.com/V4jWwjAZ1P
According to reports, the doctors treating the injured at Maharani Hospital in Jagdalpur told that 4 persons have sustained 10 to 15 per cent burns. A young man has suffered more than 30% burns.
Slogans like ‘save democracy’ were raised in this rally. The fire torches in this rally were overfilled with inflammable material. These five young men were standing near the torch being lit. All of them were caught by the sudden fire. At present, all the victims are said to be out of danger.
The Congress party is protesting all over the country after the termination of Rahul Gandhi’s Lok Sabha membership. Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from Lok Sabha after being sentenced to two years by the court in a criminal defamation case.
Former Indian cricketer senior Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu was released from Patiala jail today after serving a 10-month sentence for a road-rage incident that resulted in a man’s death 35 years ago. Although he was awarded a one-year jail sentence in May last year in a 1988 road rage case, he was released two months early due to his good behaviour in the prison.
The 59-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician addressed the media outside the jail after he was released. During this time, a crowd of his supporters was seen outside the jail. Navjot Singh Sidhu’s supporters welcomed him by playing drums.
#WATCH | Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu released from Patiala jail, approximately 10 months after he was sentenced to one-year jail by Supreme Court in a three decades old road rage case pic.twitter.com/kzVB2vMnpk
During his media interaction, Navjot Singh Sidhu said, “There is no such thing as democracy right now. There is a conspiracy to bring President’s Rule in Punjab. Minorities are being targeted. If you try to weaken Punjab, you will become weak.”
Patiala | There is no such thing as democracy right now. Conspiracy to bring President’s Rule in Punjab. Minorities being targeted. If you try to weaken Punjab, you will become weak: Navjot Singh Sidhu soon after his release from Patiala jail pic.twitter.com/64UTOaCUJM
‘Wherever minorities are in majority, the central government conspires. First a problem of law and order is created, and then in an attempt to suppress it, it is claimed that we pacified it,’ he added.
Sidhu also called Rahul Gandhi a revolution. He said that whenever dictatorship appears in the country, then a revolution comes to defeat it, and now that revolution is Rahul Gandhi. ‘The ancestors of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi had liberated the country. Rahul Gandhi is a revolution that will shake the very roots of the central government,” he claimed.
He also claimed that there was a conspiracy to keep him in jail for a longer time. ‘I was to be released around noon but they delayed it. They wanted the media people to leave,’ he alleged.
Sidhu also didn’t spare the AAP govt in Punjab, saying that CM Bhagwant Mann has been reduced to a tabloid chief minister. Talking about the deteriorating law and order situation in the state and withdrawal of his security, he said, “One Sidhu (Sidhu Moosewala) has been killed, kill the other one too.”
Sidhu’s release date was announced on his Twitter account yesterday, March 31. He is reportedly getting released two months before the end of his sentence for his ‘good behaviour.’ His family also got an intimation from authorities regarding his release from the Patiala jail.
This is to inform everyone that Sardar Navjot Singh Sidhu will be released from Patiala Jail tomorrow.
Sidhu was imprisoned on May 20 last year after surrendering to a Patiala court and receiving a one-year severe punishment sentence from the Supreme Court in the case. The family of the victim had sought a harsher sentence and a reconsideration of the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision clearing him of murder.
Sidhu’s lawyer HPS Verma informed that the Punjab Congress leader is getting an early release under the state’s general remission policy. “Navjot Singh Sidhu’s scheduled release was in May, but for all prisoners with good conduct, all Sunday holidays get deducted from the sentence period. Therefore, he is getting a 48-day remission,” he stated.
On December 27, 1988, Patiala resident Gurnam Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu got into a fight over a parking space. The former MP and his friend, Rupinder Singh Sandhu, dragged the latter out of his car and hit him. He later died in a hospital. The Congress leader was accused by an eyewitness of killing the latter with a strike to the head.
The duo had parked their Gypsy in the middle of the road near the Sheranwala Gate crossing in Patiala. When the elderly man reached the spot in a car, he asked them to make room for his vehicle which lead to a violent altercation between them.
Popstar Justin Bieber and his wife Hailey are one of Hollywood’s most loved celebrity pairs. But the power couple recently came under fire from Indian television actress Gauahar Khan for their comments on fasting during Ramzan.
Their statement didn’t go down well with the former Indian model. She made her displeasure known by posting the video on her Instagram story and wrote, “Just proves how dumb they are. Only if they knew about the science behind it and the health benefits from it. Get an education. It’s okay to have an opinion btw! But be intelligent enough to put forth correctly.” She also tagged both Justin and Hailey.
Source: Gauahar Khan’s Instagram Account
Gauhar lost her cool after the duo discussed the concept of fasting in an interview shared by a page named Hijab Modern on Instagram. “I gotta really think about that, I have never really done it. I think our bodies need nutrition to think properly,” stated the singer. Hailey then maintained that without having food for the whole day does not make sense to her.
“If you want to fast off the TV, fast off your phone, I think I believe in that more, but fasting off food, it never really made sense to me or if you are fasting sweets or fasting sugar,” she emphasised. “We’re totally like yeah, that’s why you are stupid,” she added.
The ‘Love Yourself’ singer is among the most followed celebrities on social media. He and Hailey regularly treat fans with their pictures and videos on Instagram.
On 31st March 2023, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) MP Sanjay Raut received threats allegedly from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Sanjay Raut was threatened by a message that said that the MP will meet the fate of deceased Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. The threat message also said that Sanjay Raut will be killed in Delhi with an AK-47 gun. Sanjay Raut filed a complaint to the Mumbai police after which police arrested a suspect from Pune in this case on 1st April 2023.
The arrested suspect is identified as Rahul Talekar and he has no connection with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Sanjay Raut allegedly received these threats via a phone call and a series of messages. The messages read, “Anti-Hindu, I will kill you. You see me in Delhi. I will shoot you using an AK-47. Just like Moosewala. This is a message from Lawrence. Salman and you. Fix.” These messages were received on Sanjay Raut’s phone on Friday, 31st March 2023, at around 5 pm. Sanjay Raut also received a threat call at around 8:30 pm.
Threat messages to Sanjay Raut. Image Source: Loksatta
The Shiv Sena MP filed a complaint to Mumbai police in this regard on 1st April 2023. One of the police officers also confirmed that the MP complained. He said, “Sanjay Raut received death threats stating that he will meet Sidhu Moose Wala’s fate. He got the threat from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The message said that if you met in Delhi, will kill you with an AK-47. He wrote a letter to the police complaining about the matter.” A suspect Rahul Talekar was arrested from Pune in this regard on 1st April 2023.
Maharashtra | Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) leader & RS MP Sanjay Raut received a threat message from Lawrence Bishnoi gang mentioning murdering him like Punjabi Singer Sidhu Moose Wala in Delhi. Sanjay Raut has filed a complaint. Police are conducting probe: Police
After filing the complaint, Sanjay Raut interacted with the media. He said, “I got a threat message and I have informed the police. I won’t be scared. Similar attempts were made to carry an attack on me but what did the police do, what did the state’s home minister do? I have intimated the police about the threat call, but do not think any action would be taken. I received the call last night. Whenever I inform the government and home minister about such threats they mock me saying it’s a stunt. The government is busy sponsoring riots, hooliganism, and terror.”
Sanjay Raut further said, “Threats are issued. However, the present government does not take the threats to the opposition seriously. All the security arrangements have been put in place for MLAs, MPs, and office bearers of the traitor group (Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena). As a result, law and order in Maharashtra have completely collapsed.”
Sandipan Bhumre, an of Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) said, “I am not aware of the threat he has received. However, he tries to keep the name in the limelight.”
Ambadas Danve is a leader of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) and the leader of the opposition in the legislative council of Maharashtra. He said, “It was only last month that Sanjay Raut informed the home minister in this regard that his life is in danger. The manner in which the government made the statement without taking the entire threat issue seriously was wrong. Sanjay Raut is fighting a fierce battle against all this. That’s why such threats are issued to him. The government should take note of this at the earliest.”
Shooters of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang killed Sidhu Moosewala on 29th May 2023. In July 2022, Lawrence Bishnoi revealed that Salman Khan was his next target. His gang had threatened the Bollywood actor and also performed a recce near his house. Now, Sanjay Raut has allegedly received threats from this gang. Police are further investigating this case.
According to Aftab Poonawalla’s lawyer Akshay Bhandari, the prime accused in the Shraddha Walkar murder case was allegedly beaten up by inmates. It is reported that on Friday while being transported to Delhi’s Saket Court for the case hearing, he was assaulted by other prisoners. The jail administration has been ordered by the court to ensure his safety.
Session Judge Manish Khurana Kakkar was hearing the case. Akshay Bhandari was arguing in court alongside Public Prosecutor Amit Prasad and Madhukar Pandey who appeared on behalf of the Delhi Police.
Aftab Poonawalla has been charged under sections 201 and 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). His solicitor was opposed to him being charged under Section 201 of the IPC. The section deals with the destruction of evidence and providing false information by an offender.
During the hearing, Aftab’s attorney informed the court that during his appearance, other prisoners in the jail attacked him. After hearing the arguments provided by him, the court ordered the jail administration to ensure Aftab’s safety. The court announced that the next hearing in this matter is scheduled on April 3, 2023, at 2 PM.
A 6,629-page chargesheet against Aftab Poonawala, who killed his live-in girlfriend Shraddha Walkar and dismembered her body into multiple pieces, was previously submitted.
The document revealed that on May 18, 2022, he strangled her to death and then cut her dead body into 35 parts. He hid the pieces in Mehrauli and the surrounding areas for several days and also bought a huge fridge for the same purpose.
The Gujarat High Court on Friday quashed a Central Information Commission (CIC) order issued in 2016 directing Gujarat University to furnish information regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Master of Arts (MA) degree to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on Delhi CM Kejriwal for using the RTI mechanism to get PM Modi’s degree which is available in the public domain as they were published in the media.
Opposition parties keep questioning the educational qualifications of the Indian prime minister. Responding to such questions, BJP had displayed the degree certificates issued to Narendra Modi earlier. But opposition leaders including Kejriwal continues to question the same. In such an attempt to prove that the certificates are fake, a Congress leader made a hilarious claim today.
The Delhi resident Shantanu, who called himself Nehruvian, Gandhian and Congressman, claimed that Modi’s Gujarat University MA degree is fake because it is from 1983, and a font used in the certificate didn’t exist before 1992. Therefore it is not possible to use it in a 1983 certificate, he tried to insinuate.
Delhi University used a MS font for the degree of their brilliant student Narendra Modi in 1983, which came into existence in 1992.
The font in question is Old English Text MT, a font by Microsoft. He posted a screenshot of the Microsoft webpage about the font, which shows that the software giant had copyrighted it in the year 1992.
While it is true that this particular font named Old English Text MT was copyrighted in 1992, it does not mean that the certificate uses exactly this font. This is because this calligraphic font has been in use for over a thousand years now, the reason why it is literally called “Old English Text”.
Fonts or typefaces didn’t start with Word Processing programs like MS Word, they were made thousands of years ago, since the time human civilisation invented writing. Many manuscripts were written using particular fonts, and several calligraphic fonts were developed during that period. Later, these fonts were incorporated into printing technology, and then computer DTP programs.
This particular style of typography is called the Gothic or Blackletter script, and they are in existence since their use in Western Europe, including Germany and England, since the 12th century. This was a major style of text used in manuscript books and other documents throughout Europe, mostly in the German language. Later its use expanded to other languages including English which uses the Latin script.
Many historical monuments have text engraved in such styles, apart from historical documents and coins preserved in museums.
The Microsoft webpage that Shantanu referred to itself mentions that there are two main kinds of what people tend to call Gothic letters: the German Frakturs and the English Blackletter. It states that the particular font, Old English Text MT, looks remarkably like the famous Cloister Black designed by Morris Fuller Benton in 1904.
Moreover, on closer inspection, it is found that the text in the certificate is not exactly as the Microsoft font, there are subtle differences in the glyphs. On the other hand, it matches Mariage font by Morris Fuller Benton in 1901 and Cloister Black by the same person in 1904.
Gutenberg Bible
One of the most famous books printed using Blackletter is the Gutenberg bible, published in 1455. Filled with colourful illustrations, the entire book was printed using metal moveable typefaces, a technology that pioneered mass printing.
First edition of NYT
In modern times, such Blackletter or Gothic fonts are generally used in titles and not in the main text. One of the widespread uses is Newspaper mastheads. Mastheads of several well-known newspapers were designed using such Old English Fonts, which are in use now.
For example, The New York Times was founded in 1851 as New-York Daily Times, and its masthead was designed using Old English fonts.
Washington Post from 1974
Back home, The Tribune and The Assam Tribune have their mastheads designed in similar Old English Fonts.
Therefore, the Old English font is in existence for hundreds of years, and as it is a preferred font for titles, it is no wonder that Delhi University used it in its degree certificates. In fact, many universities use such typefaces in the Degrees, as it gives the certificates a royal hue.
With the advent of computer-based printing technology, many fonts have been developed based on such old typefaces, and the persons or companies that develop such fonts for computers hold the copyright for these fonts. It does not mean a particulate style of text didn’t exist before that, it only means that the font developer holds the copyright for the computer file of the font.
Unibersity?
Some people also claimed that the word university is misspelt in the certificate, therefore it has to be fake. This is also a low IQ claim, because in the Old English Fonts, the top of v is joined by a thin stroke, making it look like b. Anyone can check this by selecting an Old English font and typing the letter on a computer.
Is Modi Degree fake ? 1. Modi name spelling wrong. 2. "Unibersity" spelling wrong. 3. There is no MA degree with name Entire political science. 4. This used font wasn't in existence at that time.#AnpadhPMpic.twitter.com/LAY2TGupHU
Therefore, the word university is not misspelt as unibersity in the certificate, it is the result of the calligraphic font that creates the misconception. It is also seen in the degrees of several other universities which use such fonts.
Regarding the claim that the certificate is fake because PM Modi’s middle name is written Damoderdas instead of Damodardas, minor variations in spellings were common in those times. In fact, most people had their date of birth mentioned wrongly in their school documents during that time. While his name was spelt Narendra Damodardas Modi in some certificates and marksheets, in others it was spelt as Narendra Damoderdas Modi
Some latest satellite imagery released in January this year revealed how mysterious constructions of military infrastructure have come up in Coco Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
The images uphold India’s long-held belief that China is increasing military activities on the Myanmar-controlled Coco Islands, one of South Asia’s most strategic islands, which India lost control of due to Jawaharlal Nehru’s lack of strategic comprehension and his inability to bargain hard with the Britishers.
The images that were captured by Maxar Technologies in January reveal that Myanmar may soon be intending to conduct maritime surveillance operations from Great Coco Islands.
According to media reports, the satellite images revealed new developments in the Great Coco Island region, including two newly-built hangars in the centre and a few new buildings in the north, as well as a large pier possibly for accelerating naval activities.
A satellite image shows the construction of two newly-built hangars in the centre and a few new buildings in the north on Coco Island (source: Chatham House)
On March 31, 2023, Chatham House, an independent policy institute headquartered in London, published an article written by Satellite imagery expert Damien Symon, who goes by the Twitter handle @detresfa_, and foreign affairs and security issues expert John Pollock that read that the satellite images show that there are two new hangars, a new causeway, and what appears to be an accommodation bloc — all of which are visible in proximity to a newly lengthened 2,300-metre runway and radar station.
New construction activity on Myanmar’s Great Coco Island transforms the island from a subject of previous speculation into a possible security threat for India in the Andaman region – a deep dive with @John_Pollock22@TheWorldTodayhttps://t.co/OTBfF4SeaY
Visible as of late March on the southern tip of Great Coco, just beyond the causeway connecting the islands is evidence of land clearing efforts indicating construction work to come, the article read.
Initially, a length of 1,300m, the runway on Great Coco Island has been extended over the last decade to reach its current reported length of 2,300m (Source: Chatham House)
Chinese presence in Coco Islands
The Coco Islands give India an immense strategic advantage in the region, considering its proximity to the strait of Malacca which is a crucial point for the global supply routes of oil from the Gulf. With the reports of increasing military activities of China on the Myanmar-controlled Coco Islands, the region becomes another hotspot for potential Chinese notoriety.
Coco Island, which is north of Andamans is strategically important to India. China, which has been eyeing to encircle India in the Indian Ocean Region with its aggressive ‘String of Pearls’ policy has shown keen interest in this island for the last four decades. Since the early 1990s, there have been frequent reports of China using those islands for military and naval purposes. There are even reports that the islands have been leased out to China in 1994, but Mynamar denies it.
It is, however, well known in defence circles that the islands, specifically the Great Coco Island, are under Chinese control and they have established a strong military presence there. They have signal intelligence facilities, maritime bases, and radar facilities that they use to monitor the activities of Indian armed forces, especially the Indian Navy based in nearby Andamans. The Great Coco Island had a short airstrip of around 1000 metres that allowed the operation of small aircraft. But the Chinese have now extended it to an almost 2500 metre runway, which is used solely for military planes as no civilian plane flies there.
An analysis of satellite images shows that the runway was extended only 5-6 years ago when China increased its military presence in other countries. Apart from extending the runway inward, the Chinese also reclaimed lots of area on the coast to extend it towards the sea, which can be seen in the two images from Google Earth given below, from 2006 and 2020.
The airstrip at Great Coco Island was extended by China in the past decade (Google Earth photo)
China has also installed a SIGINT facility to monitor Indian missile launches into the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. It is noteworthy that all Indian missile tests happen on the eastern coast along the Bay of Bengal, and thanks to the monitoring station at the island, now China can closely watch such launches and estimate even the classified details of the missiles, apart from being able to monitor movements of Indian navy.
The Radar station at the island is located at the highest point of the island at around 90-metre altitude, giving it the best monitoring capabilities.
Therefore, thanks to its strong military presence at the Coco Islands, the Chinese can maintain a close watch on India’s defence preparedness. Had the Island not gone to Myanmar and remained with India, China would not have such a strong military presence so close to India. Hence, not being able to retain Coco Islands cost India dearly, and it must be considered a costly strategic blunder by the Congress party under the leadership of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Two physical education teachers from a renowned school in Alipore, Kolkata, were found guilty of raping a 4-year-old girl enrolled in a nursery class in 2017. The girl was allegedly raped in the school bathroom by Mohammed Mofizuddin and his assistant, Abhishek Roy. Both were found guilty by the court on March 29, 2023, per Sections 376D of the IPC and 6 of the POCSO act.
After the conviction, Mofizuddin was handed down a life sentence on Friday, March 31, 2023, along with Roy. Both were additionally ordered to pay a fine of Rs 50,000.
Mohammed Mofizuddin, a PT teacher at a top reputable school in Kolkata along with his assistant A.Roy, gang r@ped a 4 year old toddler inside the school. They have been awarded life imprisonment yesterday by a posco court. But thinking about Supreme Court, depresses me, which… pic.twitter.com/azphhmAchX
— Radharamn Das राधारमण दास (@RadharamnDas) April 1, 2023
“Apart from life imprisonment, the court imposes a fine of Rs 50,000 and once this money is deposited, it will be given to the victim immediately,” the Alipore court stated while pronouncing the judgment. The court further awarded Rs 5 lakh to the victim as compensation.
The girl’s father said he is relieved and satisfied with the court’s decision. “Such criminals will think before touching a child. This decision is a triumph for me, my wife, and my daughter. I have fought for about five years. I will be able to sleep peacefully after a long time.”
The victim’s father said that he lost his job during the struggle to get justice for his daughter after which he started doing business. However, he never gave up his quest for justice and attended every hearing.
“I had to often travel out of the city due to my job. I had to frequently attend court for the first three months after the case began. Consequently, I was unable to continue working. I decided to seek justice. At that time, I advised other parents to refrain from any violence against the school since that was not my objective”, the victim’s father stated
The girl’s father produced 21 prosecution witnesses, according to Madhavi Ghosh, the special public prosecutor for POCSO cases. Meanwhile, the girl child’s testimony in a closed room served as the main evidence.
The complaint was made by the child’s parents on November 30, 2017, alleging that their daughter was led into the washroom by two men—one of whom was known to the children as “Chocolate Kaku”—and then sexually assaulted.
According to the girl’s father, she had complained of abdominal pain when she got home from school that day. The victim’s mother noticed bloodstains on her uniform as well.
“We initially took her to a pediatrician as we thought she had an infection. We were left shocked when the doctor said it was a case of sexual assault,” the victim’s father said.
Later that evening, he brought the child to the Jadavpur police station. The child was taken to SSKM Hospital for a checkup after a complaint was lodged.
