Home Blog Page 2285

Canada: Male powerlifter participates in women’s competition to mock new trans-inclusive policy, smashes women’s record held by a trans ‘woman’

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Canada: Male powerlifter participates in women’s competition to mock new trans-inclusive policy, smashes women’s record held by a trans ‘woman’

On Saturday, 25th March 2023, Avi Silverberg – who was the head coach of the Canada Powerlifting Team for more than 10 years – identified himself as a female and participated in the Heroes Classic tournament in Lethbridge, Alberta. In this competition, he smashed a record held by a transwoman lifter who was watching on.

According to reports, Avi Silverberg participated in this competition with the intent to mock the discriminatory policy of the Canadian Powerlifting Union against women. According to this policy, athletes are allowed to register for events under their assumed gender identity and expression, rather than their sex or gender. This means men who identify themselves as women are allowed to participate in women’s sports events. According to this policy, the participants do not attract any consequences for doing so.

The policy also states that there should not be any requirement for hormonal therapy or surgery. It also states that individuals should be able to participate in the gender with which they identify and not be subject to requirements for disclosure of personal information beyond those required of cisgender athletes.

Avi Silverberg decided to protest these trans policies ruining his sport and did so by ‘self-identifying’ as a woman and shattering a record in the event.

A video of Avi Silverberg’s participation in this competition was shared by an athlete activists’ group called the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS). In this video, Avi Silverberg is seen fully bearded, and he was wearing regular men’s singlet.

ICONS said that Silverberg mocked the discriminatory policy of the Canadian Powerlifting Union that allows competitors to register for events under their “gender identity and expression, rather than their sex or gender”.

Avi Silverberg bench-pressed nearly 370 pounds to beat the current women’s record for Alberta by almost 100 pounds. The earlier record of 275 pounds was held by trans-woman athlete Anne Andres, a biological male. Interestingly, Anne Andres was also present while Avi Silverberg participated in the event. (S)he was volunteering at his event.

(S)he is also the Alberta women’s deadlift champion with a 544-pound record. With a total lift of 1245 pounds, Andres owns the local record for all three lifts. For the past four years, the trans lifter has won eight of nine events in the women’s category.

Anne Andres watched from the edge of the platform as Silverberg smashed her record; (s)he only went back onto the platform after the male lifter – participating in the women’s event – left.

Avi Silverberg is also known as a powerlifting columnist and an online coach. He has not specifically said anything about the competition. However, Anne Andres has shared detailed videos in this regard and called Silverberg a bigot and a coward with malicious intent. While ‘she’ claimed that she has undergone surgical transition, ‘she’ openly admitted that ‘her’ participation in the women’s category isn’t necessarily fair.

Even though Avi Silverberg participated in the women’s category despite being a man, he didn’t break any rule. Because the new rules say that athletes can participate in the gender category they identify with, without the requirement of any medical sex-change. The Trans Inclusion Policy was officially released in February and it essentially stated that if a man says he is a woman, (s)he can compete with biological women, no questions asked.

The policy was based on guidance provided by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports. “Based on this background and available evidence, the Expert Working Group felt that trans athletes should be able to participate in the gender with which they identify, regardless of whether or not they have undergone hormone therapy,” the policy says. Therefore, Silverberg took advantage of this policy and participated in the female category legally despite being biological male.

Bodybuilding influencer Greg Doucette said that Avi Silverberg correctly showed how ridiculous the new Trans Inclusive policy is. “I think this proves a point. If a guy can just show up and then set the … record, doesn’t that prove that it’s not fair? So how long before the powers-that-be suddenly wake up, smell the coffee and understand that if you’re born a female you’re not gonna be as powerful, as strong … as if you were born a male,” Doucette said.

Greg Doucette added that the solution to the problem is to add new category for trans people. “To me the answer is simple — we add a separate category, a new category, the trans category,” he said, saying it is especially important for combat sports where women competitors could get injured.

More legal trouble for Rahul Gandhi: Patna court asks the Congress leader to appear in person over ‘Modi surname’ remark

OpIndia Staff
-
0
More legal trouble for Rahul Gandhi: Patna court asks the Congress leader to appear in person over ‘Modi surname’ remark

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who has already been disqualified as a Lok Sabha MP following his conviction in a Surat court over his defamatory comments about Modi surname, is set to face more legal troubles. The former Lok Sabha MP has been asked by a Patna court to appear before it in person on April 12.

The petition in Patna was filed by former deputy CM of Bihar, Sushil Kumar Modi, before the Special Judge of MP MLA Court over Rahul Gandhi’s objectionable remarks on ‘Modi surname’. The Congress leader was granted bail in this defamation case on July 6, 2019.

Sharing the information, Sushil Modi’s lawyer, SD Sanjay, said, “The Court had taken cognisance of the matter & issued summon to Rahul Gandhi. He had come to Patna & was granted bail…Next hearing is on 12th April. His lawyer has been directed to make the accused appear before the court in person.”

Earlier last week, following the Surat court verdict sentencing Rahul Gandhi to two years in prison, Sushil Modi had tweeted, “He (Rahul Gandhi) is out on bail. Like Surat court, there is every possibility of him getting punished in Patna court as well.”

Rahul Gandhi sentenced to 2 years in prison

On Thursday, March 23, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was sentenced to two years of imprisonment by the Surat District Court in a 2019 criminal defamation case. The case against Gandhi was filed by BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi for his “Modi surname” remarks. The Congress leader was then given bail by the judge later, and the ruling was postponed for 30 days so that the Congress leader could file an appeal with a higher court.

The defamation suit was filed by Purnesh Modi after Gandhi made derogatory remarks against ‘Modi surname’ at a Lok Sabha election rally in Karnataka’s Kolar on April 13, 2019. “Why all the thieves, be it Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi or Narendra Modi, have Modi in their names,” the leader had said during the rally.

Purnesh Modi had filed a complaint under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code and had stated that the Congress leader had defamed every person who carried the surname ‘Modi’.

The Wayanad MP disqualified from Lok Sabha

Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from Lok Sabha following his conviction in the criminal defamation case. He was disqualified under section 8(3) of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951, which states that 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.

Apart from the current disqualification, Rahul Gandhi will also not be able to contest the next general election, and also perhaps the 2029 elections, if the conviction is not overturned by a higher court. According to the law, the disqualification will continue for six years after release from jail.

PM Modi makes surprise visit to new Parliament Building, see stunning photos of the almost completed structure

OpIndia Staff
-
0
PM Modi makes surprise visit to new Parliament Building, see stunning photos of the almost completed structure

The new parliament building, which is being constructed in the first phase of the Central Vista Redevelopment Plan, is almost ready. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a surprise visit to the new triangular parliament building and spent around an hour there.

PM Modi interacted with workers and inspected various works being carried out at the structure. He also visited the new Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha halls, which are almost ready, as per photographs posted by DD News.

The new Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha retain the green and red themes of the existing houses. Therefore, the carpets and upholstery of the new Lok Sabha are green and the same are red in the new Rajya Sabha.

New Lok Sabha (DD News)
New Rajya Sabha (DD News)

While the existing parliament houses only have sitting arrangement for the members, barring the front two rows that have desks, the new houses has desk arrangements for every member of the house. The desks are equipped with various connectivity options that will make the work of the parliamentarians much easier.

PM Modi inspects new Lok Sabha (DD News)

The size of Lok Sabha is three times the size of old Lok Sabha, while the Rajya Sabha size is four times. Lok Sabha has a capacity of 876 seats, while the Rajya Sabha has 400 seats. Apart from the main halls, both houses also have offices and lounges. The existing parliament does not have any lounge, and the central hall is used for that purpose. There is no central hall in the new parliament, as the new Lok Sabha can accommodate members of the both houses for joint sessions.

PM Modi inspects facilities for Rajya Sabha members (DD News)
PM Modi inspects new Rajya Sabha (DD News)

Photographs show that work on the interiors of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are almost complete, including decorated walls, ceilings, carpets, lighting, main hall and visitor’s gallery etc. Hand-knotted carpets from Bhadohi in Uttar Pradesh have been used in the parliament.

Apart from the two halls, PM Modi also inspected the Constitution Hall, public galleries, and other facilities coming up inside the parliament hall.

Constitution Hall (DD News)
Public Gallery (DD News)

The Prime Minister had laid the foundation stone of the New Parliament Building in December 2020. He unveiled the National Emblem cast on the roof of the New Parliament Building in July last year. The National Emblem is made of bronze with a total weight of 9,500 kg and is 6.5 m in height.

The new parliament building is part of the larger Central Vista Development and Re-development Master Plan which includes the construction of a new Parliament building, redevelopment of Central Vista Avenue and construction of Common Central Secretariat Buildings by demolishing several existing buildings on both sides of Kartavya Path, formerly Rajpath.

Apart from 10 Common Central Secretariat Buildings, there will be a central conference centre and an expanded national archive. The plan also includes construction of new residences for the vice president and the prime minister in front of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, and a new Prime Minister’s office near the residence. The North Block and South Block buildings will be converted to public museums.

Pakistan: Islamabad court reserves verdict in case seeking disqualification of Imran Khan for not mentioning his alleged daughter

ANI
-
0
Pakistan: Islamabad court reserves verdict in case seeking disqualification of Imran Khan for not mentioning his alleged daughter

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday reserved a verdict on the admissibility of the case seeking Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief Imran Khan’s disqualification for not mentioning his alleged daughter Tyrian Jade White in nomination papers, ARY News reported on Thursday.

As per the details, IHC Chief Justice Amir Farooq and other judges reserved the verdict. Earlier, the larger bench of IHC sought a response from PTI chairman Imran Khan in the case.

The IHC had issued notices to the former prime minister, asking him to submit a reply by March 13.

The application was filed last year by Muhammad Sajid, a native of Islamabad, seeking Khan’s disqualification, according to ARY News.

According to petitioner Sajid Mehmood, he is seeking Imran Khan’s disqualification on the grounds that he concealed the existence of his alleged daughter, Tyrian White, in nomination papers.

He said one such piece of information is about the children, who are dependent on a candidate, and in this regard, Imran had wrongly mentioned two children — “Qasim Khan and Sulaiman Khan” — and had omitted the third.

Imran Khan is a member of the National Assembly from the NA-95 Mianwali-I constituency. 

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq had on December 9 issued a pre-admission notice to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on the petition of Sajid Mehmood, a citizen, asking their counsels to help the court decide if the petition is maintainable, reported Dawn.

Mehmood contended in his plea that all candidates contesting elections for either national or provincial assemblies are required to furnish an affidavit with respect to their credentials and assets.

“The respondent no. 1 [Imran Khan] has deliberately and willfully failed to declare his daughter Tyrian White in the relevant columns of the nomination papers and the affidavit appended therewith, hence he is not sagacious, righteous, honest and a man of good character in terms of Article 62 of the Constitution,” read the petition, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com.

It continued, “Article 62 of the Constitution, as interpreted by various judgments of the superior courts, prescribes that a candidate shall only qualify to be elected as a member of the National Assembly if he is of good character and is not commonly known as one who violates Islamic Injunctions; and he has adequate knowledge of Islamic teachings and practices; obligatory duties prescribed by Islam as well as abstaining from major sins.”

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

NIA files chargesheet against two Lashkar terrorists in Udhampur bus IED blast case, charges them with reviving terror activities in Jammu

ANI
-
0
NIA files chargesheet against two Lashkar terrorists in Udhampur bus IED blast case, charges them with reviving terror activities in Jammu

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday filed a chargesheet against two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives involved in Udhampur Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast cases hatched by the banned outfit through their Pakistan-based handlers. the agency said on Thursday.

According to NIA, Mohd Aslam Sheikh alias Adil and Mohd Amin Bhat alias Abu Khubaib alias Pinna were charged for their efforts towards “revival of terrorist activities in Jammu by carrying out recruitments from the pool of Over Ground Workers (OGW) and surrendered terrorists and activating a d motivating them to carry out terrorist acts”. The NIA, which had taken over the investigations into the case on November 15, 2022 from Jammu and Kashmir Police, said Adil was in touch with Pinna, an ‘individual terrorist’ of the LeT listed by Government of India, who was now operating from Pakistan. Pinna recruited Adil to carry out the two IED blasts on buses parked in the public areas of Udhampur District of Jammu and Kashmir, which had inflicted injuries to two persons.

Pinna, who was initially a resident of Doda district in Jammu and Kashmir, joined the terrorist ranks of Hizb Ul Mujahideen in 1997 and was involved in the execution of various terrorist acts in Jammu and Kashmir, said the anti-terror agency.

The NIA further said Pinna later escaped to Pakistan in 2009 and is presently an active LeT handler who is playing a vital role in reviving and accelerating terrorist activities in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the NIA, Adil collected the explosives consignment delivered by Pinna’s associates from across the border in Kathua sector.

“Pinna used drones and the dead drop method for this delivery. Pinna trained Adil in cyberspace on how to prime the IEDs,” said the agency.

On September 28, Adil planted two IEDs in two different buses, which were plying between Basnatgarh and Udhampur, said the NIA, adding, “one blast took place around midnight of September 28 and the other in the early hours of September 29”.

After his arrest, the NIA said Adil made disclosures about hoarding of explosives for future attacks.

Two more IEDs, three sticky bombs, three detonators and two PTD (Programmable Thermostat Display) timers were recovered from Adil’s residence. “These were part of the consignment that was delivered from Pakistan,” said the agency.

NIA unravelled all these facts and filed a chargesheet on March 28 against Adil and Pinna under sections 120B, 121A, 122, 307 and 407 of the Indian Penal Code, sections 3 and 4 of the Explosives Substances Act, 1908 and sections 16, 18, 18B, 20, 23, 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

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

West Bengal: Violence erupts during Ram Navami procession in Howrah, several vehicles and shops torched

OpIndia Staff
-
0
West Bengal: Violence erupts during Ram Navami procession in Howrah, several vehicles and shops torched

After West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee advised Hindus to avoid ‘Muslim areas’ during Ram Navami processions, such a procession came under attack in Howrah today. Stones were pelted on the procession from the terraces of the buildings in the Shibpur area of Howrah, the twin city of Kolkata. This led to a clash between two groups, leading to violence and arson.

Vehicles and shops were also torched during the violence. Videos from the place show several vehicles on fire on the road, while many other vehicles were lying overturned. The damaged vehicles include a police vehicle. The neighbourhood where the violence was reported is dominated by Muslims.

Reportedly, when the Ram Navami procession reached the area, suddenly trouble began and people in the area started shouting and pelting stones at the devotees. Reportedly some people in the procession retaliated, leading to a clash between the two groups. Soon after the mob started burning shops and vehicles.

Several police personnel have been deployed in the area. A police team conducted a flag march after the ruckus broke out. Police fired tear gas shells to control the situation, and chased away the rioters.

Several processions were taken out on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami including that by the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders. The leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari was also holding a procession near Ramrajatala, only 1.5 km away from where the chaos happened.

Videos show stones pelted from rooftops by the attackers on the peaceful procession. There was a complete breakdown of law and order.

The state administration hasn’t released any official statement on the incident yet. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader hit out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and charged her for being ‘directly responsible’ for the violence.

It is notable that earlier today, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee cited the occasion of Ram Navami to indicate that Hindus create violence in the so-called “Muslim areas” during Ram Navami processions and attack the community. She asked the Hindus to avoid going to “Muslim areas” because it is the month of Ramzan. “I want to request those who are taking out the Ram Navami procession, please do but do it peacefully. Kindly avoid Muslim areas as Ramzan is going on. Celebrate peacefully but don’t try to create violence. Don’t get provoked,” she said.

Notably, stones were pelted at a Ram Navami procession near a mosque in Vadodara’s Fatehpura area today. Some vehicles got damaged in the incident.

The violence against Hindus during their religious festivals is a regular occurrence throughout the country. Last year also, the Ram Navami procession in Howrah was attacked, including stone pelting, which resulted in injuring many devotees. The participants had to abandon the procession because of the assault.

“Your visit is not really necessary”: West Bengal govt’s child rights body asks NCPCR not to visit the state for human sacrifice and child rape cases

OpIndia Staff
-
0
“Your visit is not really necessary”: West Bengal govt’s child rights body asks NCPCR not to visit the state for human sacrifice and child rape cases

On March 30, West Bengal Government asked National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) not to visit the state in connection to a human sacrifice case where a man killed a neighbour’s child to prevent his wife from suffering another miscarriage in Tiljala. Another case that was under the NCPCR scanner was the sexual abuse of school girls in Maldah.

In its letter addressed to NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo, the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) appreciated the commission’s concern but added, “Your visit is not really necessary on these issues, as the State Commission has already taken cognizance.”

WBCPCR Chairperson Sudeshna Roy said the state commission has already received the first Action Taken Report in the Maldah case. In the Tiljala matter, Roy said she visited the area on March 28 and met the victim’s family.

WBCPCR expressed its displeasure that instead of “informing them or taking them into confidence”, NCPCR took cognizance of the matter on its own. “We expect at least a letter from you regarding your plans of visiting the State,” the state commission added.

It is notable that the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) comes under the Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare of the West Bengal government.

NCPCR’s communication to WBCPCR

Dharmendra Bhandari, Principal Private Secretary to the chairperson, NCPCR, wrote a detailed letter to WBSPCR recently informing the state commission about a planned visit by the national commission. NCPCR noted that as per the functions assigned under Section 13 of the CPCR Act, 2005, the commission had been mandated under Section 13(1)(j) to take suo-moto notice of matters related to deprivation and violation of child rights.

Further, NCPCR provided a detailed itinerary of Kanoongo and Member Secretary Rupali Banerjee Singh for the scheduled visit on March 31. The commission members were to stay in WB for one day. NCPCR’s consultant, Kapil Sharma and legal consultant Aadhithya Sarathy were to accompany the commission members during the visit. The commission also asked the state commission to provide information about the state officer(s) who would accompany them for a visit.

Human Sacrifice reported in West Bengal

On March 26, in Kolkata’s Tiljala neighbourhood, Alok Kumar brutally attacked and killed a 7-year-old girl after being instructed to do so by a Tantrik. According to the authorities, the accused was asked to sacrifice a child in order to guarantee that his wife would give birth to a healthy child.

The cops located the minor’s body in the same building from where she had been kidnapped earlier in the day. To ascertain whether or not the youngster had been sexually tormented, the body was sent for post-mortem examination.

According to sources, the man and his wife had been trying to conceive for a while and had suffered a miscarriage in the past. They consulted a Tantrik or spiritual healer, but nothing seemed to work. Then, the Tantrik suggested the unthinkable – to sacrifice a child to appease the gods and ensure a healthy pregnancy. On March 28, NCPCR issued notice to WB DGP and CS to send a report in 48 hours.

Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar: CCTV footage shows stones pelted outside Ram Mandir, police vans torched, local MP Imtiaz Jaleel claims ‘inside of the temple is safe’

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar: CCTV footage shows stones pelted outside Ram Mandir, police vans torched, local MP Imtiaz Jaleel claims ‘inside of the temple is safe’

Hours after the violent clashes broke between two groups at the Kiradpura area of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, several CCTV videos have emerged showing that the decorations outside Ram Mandir in the area were attacked by a violent mob on Wednesday night.

The CCTV footage making rounds on social media shows a violent mob vandalising vehicles and property outside the Ram Mandir by pelting stones at it. The mob in the video could also be seen vandalising several vehicles parked in the area including the police vehicles.

As per the ABP Majha report shared on Twitter, the Police have filed an FIR in the case and have booked around 400 to 500 unidentified people. As reported earlier, the mob executed the attack in presence of the police officers and even attacked police vehicles. The conflict in Kiradpura allegedly started on the intervening night of March 29 and 30.

The clashes started after a fight broke out between two people outside a Ram Mandir in the area. The situation worsened when more people arrived at the scene and started throwing stones at one another, according to the police, who also confirmed that the crowd set many police and public vehicles on fire outside the temple.

Nikhil Gupta, CP Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar said, “Stones were pelted, and some private & police vehicles were set on fire. Police used force to disperse the people and now the situation is peaceful. Police will take strict action against the miscreants.” He also informed that a mob of around 500 to 600 people was involved in the incident adding that the efforts to nab them are on.

Meanwhile, AIMIM MP from Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Imtiaz Jaleel released a video claiming that the Ram temple was not attacked but only the outer portion was attacked. “I am standing inside the Ram temple. Nothing has happened here. This place is safe. The attacks are happening on the outer side of the temple. People are spreading rumors and saying that the temple is attacked. This is untrue,” he said.

He also appealed to everyone to maintain peace and order. In another such video, Jaleel could be heard saying that “this is the month of Ramzan and we should celebrate it peacefully together.”

Yesterday, following the violence, the police fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Three fire brigade vehicles also reached the spot to extinguish the fires. Further, more police personnel were deployed in the area and security was beefed up to prevent any more untoward incidents.

Meanwhile, Devendra Fadnavis, the deputy chief minister, stated that the police had brought the situation under control and that action will be taken against those responsible for the arson. He also urged everyone to maintain peace. Quoting the police, Indian Express reported that over 20 vehicles were set ablaze during the clashes.

A similar incident is said to have happened in Paldhi, in the Jalgaon district of Maharashtra. A fight broke out between two groups when DJ music was played as a religious procession passed by a mosque in Paldhi. The Police have so far made 45 arrests and registered two FIRs.

In another case of violence disrupting Ram Navami celebrations, radical Islamists attacked the Ram Navami procession in Vadodara, Gujarat. The Islamists pelted stones and caused damage to several vehicles. According to the reports, around 200-500 Muslims arrived on the street during the procession and began pelting stones at the procession and the Hindu participants. The procession was attacked as it passed by the mosque in the city.

Pakistan: Imam drugs a Hafiz-e-Quran boy and rapes him all night at a mosque in Gujrat, case registered and arrested

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Pakistan: Imam drugs a Hafiz-e-Quran boy and rapes him all night at a mosque in Gujrat, case registered and arrested

In Pakistan’s Gujrat, a case of an unnatural sex offence has come to the fore wherein a Maulvi sexually assaulted a boy by calling him to the mosque on the pretext of offering the Taraweeh prayer during the month of Ramzan. An FIR has been registered against the accused Maulvi who has been identified as Mohammed Riyaz and has been sent to jail. Gujarat Police confirmed the arrest of the accused on March 27.

According to reports in Pakistani media, the incident took place on the night between March 9 and 10, 2023. The incident took place in the Jamia Masjid Buraq at Khalidabad in the Shaheen Chowk police station precinct in Gujrat. The victim stated in his complaint that Maulvi Muhammad Riyaz of Jama Masjid called him on the night of March 9 and asked him to come to the mosque.

Maulvi had asked the boy to lead the Taraweeh prayers in the mosque, as the boy is Hafiz-e-Quran, which means someone who has completely memorized the Quran. After the Taraweeh prayers, the Maulvi asked the victim boy to sleep in the mosque itself, as the mosque committee members were not available. The complaint says that accused Riyaz mixed sleeping medicine or intoxicant into the food he gave to the victim.

The victim said that he had fallen unconscious during the night. The victim witnessed Maulvi Riaz raping him when he regained consciousness in the morning. After he woke up, the Maulvi began threatening the victim to keep his mouth shut when he attempted to stop him. It is alleged that the maulvi abused and thrashed the victim.

The victim has demanded stern punishment against the maulvi in his complaint. The police registered an FIR under section 377 of the Pakistan Penal Code on this complaint. The accused Maulvi has been arrested and sent to jail.

The Police said that an investigation is being conducted into the matter. The accused Maulvi used to give religious teaching to the people in the mosque.

Clueless or malicious? International media house spreads propaganda that the Modi govt is jailing Rahul Gandhi over his conviction

Rukma Rathore
-
0
Clueless or malicious? International media house spreads propaganda that the Modi govt is jailing Rahul Gandhi over his conviction

The Associate Editor of the British daily business newspaper, Financial Times, Edward Luce recently wrote an article on the political developments around the world, including India.

In the article ‘Biden’s awkward democracy summit’, he criticises world leaders and shared an snippet of it on his Twitter account, “…India, which is jailing its opposition leader on a trumped up defamation charge… ”

Luce was talking about Rahul Gandhi’s conviction in recent defamation case following which he was disqualified as an MP. The Surat court, to set an example on how one’s actions and words could have consequences gave Rahul Gandhi highest sentence under the relevant provisions, the judge had said in his observations. However, Luce made it appear like Indian courts following due legal procedures, which he seems completely clueless about, is something he should comment on and pontificate.

To put things in perspective, prior to the Modi government, in 2013 when Congress-led UPA was in power and Rahul Gandhi’s mother Sonia Gandhi was acting like SuperPM to Dr Manmohan Singh, Rahul Gandhi had torn up an ordinance that could have save his disqualification today. The ordinance offered a 3-month protection against disqualification instead of immediate one which is in place currently.

And it is not that Rahul Gandhi was jailed immediately. He was sentenced to two years of imprisonment and was granted bail immediately. The Congress legal team could overturn his disqualification by appealing in higher court and getting a stay order on conviction.

Luce’s lack of knowledge about Indian laws which he commented on so confidently was called out by netizens.

People pointed out what he was asking for in Rahul Gandhi’s case was asking the government to interfere in judiciary, which goes against the principle of democracy. What Rahul Gandhi is facing legal consequences of his actions. The court of law, which is an independent body, served the sentence. To paint it like a political move is undermining the sanctity of judiciary.

Netizens even pointed out how he, as a journalist who is pontificating about democracy, should actually learn to respect judiciary of the world’s largest sovereign democracy.

And really, if the charges were trumped up, how come Rahul Gandhi’s legal team has not filed an appeal in higher court even a week after conviction? Last we heard they were translating order from Gujarati to English. What are Gujarat Congress leaders like Jignesh Mewani and Shaktisinh Gohil doing?

Of course, while in his tweet Luce asserted that India is jailing Rahul Gandhi, after being called out on social media and likely someone informing the editors at FT that this is factually incorrect, the body of the article seems to have now been edited. Instead of asserting that Rahul Gandhi is being sent to jail, the article now reads, he is ‘in process’ of being jailed. It reads, “Among the participants is India, which is in the process of jailing opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on a trumped-up defamation ruling.”

And while Luce wants its otherwise uninformed and biased audience to believe that Rahul Gandhi is first to face disqualification upon conviction, it is not true. Lalu Prasad Yadav, former chief minister of Bihar, was barred from the Lok Sabha in 2013 following his conviction in the fodder scandal. Congress Rajya Sabha member Rasheed Masood was disqualified after a CBI court found him guilty of criminal conspiracy, cheating, and forgery in the allocation of seats in a Tripura medical college in October 2013. Former Tamil Nadu chief minister and leader of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), late J Jayalalithaa, was disqualified from the state assembly in September 2014 after being found guilty in a case involving disproportionate assets. At the time of her conviction, she was the chief minister of Tamil Nadu and was forced to resign.

Nobody came crying death of democracy in India when all these disqualifications happened. In fact, law taking its due course strengthens democracy. It just shows law is equal for all so why should Rahul Gandhi be treated differently?

The anti-India propaganda which toes Congress’ line does not end there. Quoting India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s statement last year, “Europe has to grow out of the mindset that Europe’s problems are the world’s problems, but the world’s problems are not Europe’s problems,” he alleged that the former diplomat excluded the US and accused the US President Joe Biden for refusing to mention ‘India’s democratic backsliding.’

He wrote, “Here it gets even muddier. India’s treatment of its Muslim minorities is arguably as bad as China’s policies in Xinjiang. The US state department has labelled the latter ‘genocide,’ the gravest charge possible. Yet barely a peep is heard from Washington about what is going on in Kashmir.” He equated the persecution of Uyghur Muslims living in Xinjiang, China to that of the Muslims living in Kashmir, India, but conveniently didn’t provide any empirical data or evidence in support of any of his outrageous charges.

As Luce tries to paint Muslims in India a victims, at least half a dozen incidents of violence have taken place across India after Muslim mob pelted stones on the Ram Navami procession. Ram Navami is celebrated by Hindus to mark birth of Lord Ram. But for some communal people, these Hindus celebrating their festivals is ‘provocative’ and they resort to violence. Perhaps time to brush up the knowledge one has about India, eh, Luce?

Now, if only the international media houses could keep their racist bias aside while writing on India, even pigs would come home flying.

1...2,2842,2852,286...7,596Page 2,285 of 7,596