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Imran in Agra slaughters a cow to implicate Rizwan: UP Police says it’s a Muslim vs Muslim case, rejects alleged links of culprits with Hindu Groups

राहुल पाण्डेय
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Imran in Agra slaughters a cow to implicate Rizwan: UP Police says it’s a Muslim vs Muslim case, rejects alleged links of culprits with Hindu Groups

On April 6, 2023, the Agra Police released a press release reporting the arrest of two cow-slaughterers, Imran Qureshi aka Thakur and Shanu alias Illi. Manish Jat, Saurabh Sharma, Brijesh Bhadoria, Jitendra, and Ajay all of who claimed to be members of the ‘Hindu Mahasabha’ were identified as accused in the case.

Sanjay Jat, Saurabh Sharma, Brajesh Bhadoria and Jitendra Kushwaha are also arrested. Notably, police are charging Jitendra with being a part of the conspiracy despite the fact that he is the complainant in the registered FIR.

Some political parties and media outlets used this issue as an excuse to disparage Hindu organisations. After speaking with all the stakeholders, OpIndia conducted a ground investigation of the entire matter to ascertain the truth behind all the allegations.

The backstory of the case

The entire incident began at 1 in the morning on March 30, when Jitendra filed an FIR of cow slaughter in the vicinity of the Agra Police Etmaddaula police station. As per the complaint, four people, including Rizwan, Nakeem, Bijju and Shanu were slaughtering a cow and selling beef in the bushes near the Gautam Nagar cave.

Jitendra and his friends, Vishal and Manish Pandit, the complaint said, had visited the spot, only to discover that the accused had fled, leaving the butchered cow behind. They urged the police to take strong action against the culprits, branding them as cruel cow slaughterers. The police began their inquiry after filing the FIR (a copy of which is available with Opindia) under Sections 429 of the IPC and 3/5/8 of the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act.

Police uncovered shocking facts during the investigation

On April 5, the police learned of the presence of five individuals in the city who were involved in the killing of cows. Furthermore, the police came to know that the perpetrators were planning to escape on a bike and a scooter. However, two of them, Shanu and Imran, were apprehended while riding a scooter during the police raid.

Three charges have already been filed against Imran in Agra while Shanu has six active cases in the city. Most of these cases are of cow slaughter. Salman and another offender managed to get away. 

Both of the arrested accused confessed that they had a history of animosity with Agra residents, including Nakeem, Bijo, and Rizwan, during their interrogation. They suspected that Nakeem, who worked for the Agra Municipal Corporation, had a role in sending Jhallu and Imran to jail some time back.

Since then, both of them desperately wanted to teach him and his friends a lesson. So they elaborately planned to slaughter a cow and later place the blame at the feet of Nakeem, Rizwan, and others. To execute their machinations, Shanu, Imran, and others killed a stray cow in an empty field in Gautam Nagar.

The dubious role of Sanjay Jat and his team

The cow slaughterers roped in Sanjay Jat, Saurabh Sharma, Brijesh Bhadoria, Ajay, and Jitendra to lure them to their adversaries. They added that Sanjay Jat and his friends knew about the occurrence beforehand and were prepared to instigate trouble for Nakeem and others by filing an FIR following the cow’s death.

It is alleged that all of them were continuously in touch with one another, both on the phone and in person, before and after the incident. According to the plan, Jitendra filed an FIR against Rizwan, Nakeem, and others after the occurrence, and he and his friends pressured authorities to take the latter into custody.

Two arrests are made so far

In view of the conspiracy in this case, the police have slapped section 120B of the IPC and section 420 of cheating after arresting Imran and Shanu. Salman and the others have evaded capture thus far. The name of the absconding accused, Jhallu, was mentioned, but he was discovered to be incarcerated. Afterwards, the police clarified that the arrested duo lied about his name.

The police are also looking for Jitendra, Sanjay Jat, Saurabh Sharma, Brijesh Bhadoria, and Ajay who are apparently a significant part of this arrangement. Police press notice is available on OpIndia.

The Chakrapani faction of ‘Hindu Mahasabha’ is conducting an internal inquiry

Sanjay Jat and his accomplices are rumoured to be connected to the Chakrapani group of the ‘Hindu Mahasabha.’ Rishi Trivedi, the state president of this organisation, cast doubt on the police’s premise while informing about the outfit’s ongoing internal probe. He disclosed that after the inquiry, the final result would be announced at a news conference. He also attacked the police for being late and cleared himself and his associates, except for Sanjay Jat, of any wrongdoing.

After being on for a time, Jitendra and Sanjay Jat’s cell phones were turned off when OpIndia contacted them to get their side of the story.

The police have strong evidence

When speaking to OpIndia, SHO Etmaddula Inspector Rajkumar emphasised that the police had not built their suspicions on the testimony of a single person but rather on the availability of concrete evidence against Sanjay Jat and the other members of his gang. He characterised the police’s procedure as completely impartial and highlighted that, as a result of their sharp vigilance, no unfavourable incident of any kind transpired even after the nefarious plans were hatched surrounding the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami.

Sanjay Jat has more than 1 dozen cases in his name

The station in charge has already declared Sanjay Jat as wanted in 14 counts which were recorded in Agra and its neighbouring areas. We were also informed that he was arrested for extortion just days before in Agra. The police officer contended that he is aware of how sensitive the subject is and that only conclusive proof is being used to guide the action.

Sanjay Jat is rejected by ‘Hindu groups’

A member of the ‘Bajrang Dal’ in Agra spoke with OpIndia on the condition of anonymity and unveiled that the working methods of Sanjay Jat and his associates are already under question. He labelled the accused and his aides as being capricious. Moreover, SHO Etmaddaula informed us that Sanjay Jat and the other conspirators are already rejected by the ‘Hindu Mahasabha’ and other authentic Hindu bodies.

Leftists and Islamists indulge in rumour mongering

The leftist group of media and some political parties have tried to establish that the members of ‘Hindu Mahasabha’ had slaughtered cows to trap Muslim youths. Rahul Ishwar, Prashant Bhushan, Rana Ayyub, Saurabh Bhardwaj of ‘Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’, The Wire, Samajwadi Party Media Cell, Scroll, Manisha Pandey etc. did not even mention the names of the cow slaughterers in their posts.

They are overlooking facts and desperately trying to pin the guilt on Hindus. Interestingly, the image they are circulating is that of Imran and Shanu in police custody and not any member of ‘Hindu Mahasabha.’

Source: OpIndia Hindi

According to them, the Muslims are the target of a Hindu plot to blame them for cow slaughter. Police disclosures, however, indicate that the conflict was amongst Muslims, with participants from Hindu groups apparently acting as collaborators. It is also important to note that Imran and Shanu, the young men who killed the cow, are Muslims who apparently cooperated with other Hindus to file a lawsuit in order to end their long-standing animosity with Rizwan and others.

Conman Sukesh releases alleged chat conversations revealing connection of Telangana’s ruling party with Delhi’s liquor scam, ’15 kg ghee’ makes an appearance

OpIndia Staff
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Conman Sukesh releases alleged chat conversations revealing connection of Telangana’s ruling party with Delhi’s liquor scam, ’15 kg ghee’ makes an appearance

Conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar, who is presently incarcerated in Delhi’s Mandoli jail in connection with the Delhi Liquor Scam, recently released sensational screenshots of a WhatsApp conversation he had with Kalvakuntla Kavitha, an MLC and the daughter of Telangana’s chief minister, K. Chandrasekhar Rao. Recently he had said that he will release 700 pages of WhatsApp chats showing the involvement of AAP leaders in the liquor scam.

Chandrasekhar frequently referred to Kavitha as his ‘Akka’ (older sister) in the messages. Notably, K. Kavitha has been questioned by both the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding this case.

“Sorry to bother you, need a small detail,” the text stated and mentioned a package to be given to someone called ‘AK.’ “Should I send it to JH,” he questioned to which apparently K. Kavitha replied, “No, I will ask Arun to call you. It should be sent to the office.”

He agreed and told, “SJ bro said it has to be sent to you today itself,” and assured her that he will coordinate everything. The TRS leader then inquired about his father’s health. He thanked her for asking and said, “He is undergoing therapy.”

The MLC urged him to, “Get out soon.” He responded with, “Yes Akka, God willing on it!” She told him that they will talk later to which he responded with, “Ok Akka anytime,” and gave his regard to her father, the incumbent Telangana CM, KCR.

He sent another message, “Akka delivered,” and requested her to inform AK or SJ. She answered, “Spoken to Manish,” and he thanked her in response. According to Sukesh, AK and SJ here means Arvind Kejriwal and Satyendar Jain.

More messages unveiled the conversation about 15 crores which are referred to as ’15 kg ghee’ by them. “Bro ghee tin ready,” he announced to the politician. “Full na,” she inquired to which he assured her that it is indeed 15 kg. She then told him to send it to ‘sister HYD.’ He appeared to be a little confused at that and asked, “Bro? Not Delhi?” When she affirmed in response, he quipped, “Ok bro will do.”

Sukesh Chandrasekhar has already said that 1 kg ghee means Rupee 1 crore, a codeword used to talk about money given to TRS by AAP. He had claimed that Kejriwal gave instructions for the delivery of Rs 15 crore to the TRS office, referring to it as 15 kg ghee.

Moreover, he had recently released a letter in which he accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) of being complicit in the Delhi Liquor Scandal.

“The chat will clearly show your instructions for the delivery of the 15 crores to the TRS office and also will show the token of acceptance and confirmation from the TRS leader, which was instructed by you (Kejriwal ji) and Satyendar Jain (currently in Tihar Jail),” the letter read.

He claimed that his disclosure will reveal the connection between AAP, TRS and the infamous South Block, asserting, “The chat screenshot will show how the leader of TRS instructs the delivery of 15 crores @ 15 kg ghee to an associate Arun Pillai who kept the boxes of cash in a black Range Rover Sport 6060 with an MLC sticker on the front windshield parked inside the TRS headquarters.”

The Delhi Liquor Policy scam pertains to the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22. It was scrapped on July 30 after Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena recommended a CBI inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the policy. The former deputy chief minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia is in jail in connection to this case. The AAP leader was arrested in February following an interrogation by the CBI.

Bathinda army station shooting described as ‘fratricide’ by police, say 2 persons in civilian clothes behind it, two jawans reportedly detained for questioning

OpIndia Staff
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Bathinda army station shooting described as ‘fratricide’ by police, say 2 persons in civilian clothes behind it, two jawans reportedly detained for questioning

On April 12, two Jawans of the Indian Army were detained by the security agencies in Bathinda Army Station shooting case, as per a report by DD News report. On the other have, police have said that two people in civilian clothes were behind the attack. Four jawans were shot and killed in the shooting incident that happened at around 4:35 AM. No other soldiers were injured. A search operation was conducted by Quick Reaction Teams and the area was cordoned off and sealed. In a statement, defence minister Rajnath Singh said an inquiry into the matter is underway.

The incident has been described as ‘fratricide’ by officials, which means the killing of a member of one’s own group, or the killing of one’s brother or sister. This means that two jawans are suspects in the case. However, it is not clear if the two jawans detained for questioning are the same jawans who are prime suspects in the case. Reportedly police have said that the shooters are still at large.

The four victims of the unfortunate event have been identified as Gunners Sagar Banne (25), Kamalesh R (24), Yogeshkumar J (24) and Santosh M Nagaral (25). None of them was from Punjab. The families of the deceased Jawans have been informed by the Army.

Though the Punjab Police denied any terror links in the case, the investigation is being carried out from all possible angles. On the hand, Bathinda SP D Ajay Gandhi said in a statement that two people in civilian clothes opened fire at the Army Station and an FIR against two unknown attackers has been filed.

Reports suggest that the shooting incident happened due to some internal reason, and the enquiry will also focus on an INSAS rifle and 28 bullets that went missing two days back. It is believed the shooting was carried out using that rifle as empty cartilages of INSAS rifles were found at the scene. Of the 28 missing bullets, 19 empty shells have been recovered, but the rifle is still missing.

“It is not a terror incident, it is an internal issue, appears to be fratricidal issue. Our investigation teams have reached with all forensic equipment,” a Punjab Police official said.

In a press release, Army said, “The area continues to be sealed off and joint investigations with Punjab Police are being coordinated to establish the facts of the case. All aspects including the possible case of involvement of an INSAS rifle along with 28 rounds reported missing two days back are being ascertained.”

While police along with military police are investigating the matter, no arrests have been made so far. However, the terrorism angle has been ruled out.

The military base at Bathinda is located about 280 km northwest of the national capital Delhi, and the Pakistan border is less than 100 km west of the town.

Singer Mika Singh thanks PM Modi for being able to use Indian currency at Doha airport, here is how it shows INR getting stronger

OpIndia Staff
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Singer Mika Singh thanks PM Modi for being able to use Indian currency at Doha airport, here is how it shows INR getting stronger

On 12th April 2023, singer Mika Singh posted a video from his Twitter handle in which he thanked PM Narendra Modi for enabling transactions in the Indian currency at the Doha airport in Qatar. Mika Singh made this video in a shop at the Doha airport.

Mika Singh wrote, “Good morning. I felt so proud to be able to use Indian rupees whilst shopping at the Doha airport in the Louis Vuitton store. You can even use rupees in any restaurant. Isn’t that wonderful? A massive salute to Narendra Modi for enabling us to use our money like dollars.”

In the video attached, he said, “Hello, I am in Doha right now. And it is a very proud moment that using the Indian currency, we can shop. You can buy the things you want by using Indian currency. Thanks to Modi Ji. Salute to you. Because of you, this Indian currency will be accepted in the whole world, like it is accepted in Qatar.”

This is not the only instance when Indians visiting foreign countries have shared on social media about the Indian currency being accepted for transactions abroad. One Arun Deshpande has also shared it from his Twitter handle on 5th April 2023. He wrote, “Payment in Indian rupees for coffee at Dubai airport. Did we ever think we would see this day when Indian rupees are used in regular shops in other countries? Modi hai to mumkin hai”

In this post, Arun Deshpande shared the Facebook page of one Vynateya Iyengar who wrote about his experience of using the Indian currency at the Dubai airport as he was returning to Bangalore.

Indian rupees are accepted for transactions at airport terminals in the Gulf countries since 2019. In July 2019, Gulf News reported that duty-free shops at all three terminals of Dubai International Airport and at Al Maktoum Airport had started accepting the Indian rupee. Before that, Indians were required to convert the rupee into Dollar, Dirham or Euro to do shopping at Dubai’s duty-free shops. Doha airport in Quatar started accepting the rupee since last year, resulting in the pleasant experience by Mika Singh.

It is notable that in March 2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) gave permission to banks from 18 countries to open Special Vostro Rupee Accounts (SVRA) and use Indian rupees to settle payments. The 18 countries are Fiji, Botswana, Guyana, Germany, Kenya, Israel, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, New Zealand, Oman, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda and the United Kingdom. The banks from these countries operating across the world can now use Indian currency for transactions directly. This is why many Indians who travel to foreign countries have started sharing their experience of using Indian rupees abroad.

The government also provided this information in the parliament. In answer to a query, Union Minister of State for Finance Bhagwat Karad remarked that banks from these 18 countries will have to approach authorised dealer banks in India, which will seek authorization from the RBI to create such an account following the proper procedure.

The decision was made against the backdrop of the commodities crisis that followed the commencement of the Ukraine war. Local currency trade has been proposed as a remedy to wartime sanctions.

‘Right to trade does not mean a carte blanche to run illegal meat shops, abide by public safety rules’: Gujarat HC

OpIndia Staff
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‘Right to trade does not mean a carte blanche to run illegal meat shops, abide by public safety rules’: Gujarat HC

On Tuesday, April 11, the Gujarat High Court noted that the right to freedom of trade may be a fundamental right but it is not carte blanche as it ruled that the rights of meat traders and vendors even if fundamental, have to yield to public safety and hygiene. 

A division bench comprising Justices NV Anjaria and Niral Mehta denied relief to illegal meat shops. The owners of the meat shops sealed by the civic authorities for not complying with mandatory norms and on the grounds of selling meat in unhygienic conditions sought permission to continue the business. 

According to a division bench of Justices, NV Anjaria and Niral Mehta, the State authorities have a responsibility to guarantee that food is safe, which they do by implementing the food safety standards and other regulatory measures outlined in the various statutes into practice.

There is a right to food safety for consumers of all foods, including meat and meat products. Together with the right to the food itself, Article 21 of the Constitution also guarantees the right to hygienic food. A right to safe food is envisaged under Article 21 as well. When meat dealers persist in conducting business even when the meat is unstamped or the slaughterhouse is not licensed or in compliance with regulations, this would represent the flip side of the coin, the bench noted.

According to a public interest litigation (PIL) petition, which claimed that the businesses were operating in breach of a number of mandatory regulations, the High Court issued an order closing the shops.

The PIL petition demanded that the Supreme Court’s ruling and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act’s requirements that only licensed slaughterhouses be permitted to conduct animal slaughter be put into effect. It was argued in the PIL that thousands of meat shops were selling unstamped meat which clearly indicated that the meat was not procured from slaughterhouses but was procured by killing animals in the local shops.

While the shop owners invoked the fundamental right to freedom of trade under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution, the High Court bench stated that the Right to freedom of trade may be a fundamental right, but not carte blanche.

“The freedom to trade or right to do business have to yield the public health norms and the restrictive compulsions needed to be enforced in the larger public good. The right to free trade in food items like meat, or any such food has to be sub-serving to public health and food safety requirements,” the bench noted.

Furthermore, they emphasized that since Ramzan is underway, the State should liberally intervene to allay their complaints and approve the opening of the shops, allowing them to sell the meat.

To this, the court outlined that the meat shop owners who were otherwise flouting the norms of the law, cannot be allowed to assert unrestricted freedom to run their shops or slaughterhouses. 

“The applicants cannot draw for them a such unrestricted right to do the business on the canvass. A bare ground may not be permitted to be advanced to justify seeking laxity in food safety or pollution norms. The activity of running unlicensed slaughterhouses and selling unstamped meat could not be approved or permitted without the stakeholders complying with the applicable laws,” the bench stated.

It further stated that the petitioners had not disputed any of the Acts’ or Regulations’ provisions on the grounds of which action had been taken against them.

According to the Court, the provisions of the 2006 Food Safety and Standards Act and the Food Safety Regulations requiring meat shops to uphold sanitation and other requirements are legitimate constraints on the owners’ ability to operate their businesses.

Furthermore, it was said that not all slaughterhouses and meat shops were required to close, and those that complied with the rules were allowed to continue operating.

Religiously and racially motivated sexual grooming gangs targeting non-Muslim girls: Joint faith group writes to UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman

OpIndia Staff
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Religiously and racially motivated sexual grooming gangs targeting non-Muslim girls: Joint faith group writes to UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman

On April 12, a joint faith group wrote to Suella Braverman KC MP, Secretary of State for the Home Department of the UK government, expressing their views on the ongoing efforts of the government to curb grooming gangs in the country.

The joint faith group extended their support to the ongoing efforts of Home Secretary Suella Braverman to curb the grooming gangs operating around the UK. Calling it a difficult and sensitive matter, the joint faith group praised the MP for courageously speaking on the over-representation of British Pakistani men in sex grooming gangs.

It read, “The evidence contained within a number of independent inquiries – Rotherham, Telford, and Rochdale support her position on what is indeed a sensitive and difficult matter.” The joint faith group pointed out that the evidence based on the previous cases points towards the fact that non-Muslim girls including Hindu, Sikh, and White Christian girls are being systematically targeted in the country. The reason behind targeting them has been mentioned as a ‘form of religiously and racially motivated hatred’ towards non-Muslims.

They added that the act of a “small minority” of Pakistani men who see white girls as fair game, as suggested by Baroness Warsi in a statement, has stained the whole community that is “otherwise a law-abiding community”. “The unfortunate consequence of government and police inaction in protecting victims is the hate-filled narrative of far-right groups, who maliciously and falsely label all Pakistani Muslim men as ‘groomers’. We can’t allow them to hijack the debate with their poisonous and divisive message, nor can we allow political correctness to stifle obtaining justice for victims by addressing the actions of a minority. Indeed, police failures in protecting young girls from grooming gangs have also contributed to rising community tensions in the UK and have negatively impacted social cohesion,” the letter read.

Citing different cases, the group pointed out that the Rotherham survivor confirmed in her statement that she was targeted for being non-Muslim. In a case from Rochdale in 2012, Judge Gerald Clifton made a similar observation while sentencing the culprits. The judge noted the Muslim men had targeted their victims because they were not part of the offenders’ ‘community or religion.’

The joint faith group added the issue of grooming gangs is not a new phenomenon for the country as the Hindu and Sikh communities in the UK have been raising the issue since the 1980s. High-profile cases of Rotherham, Telford, and Rochdale came much later. Furthermore, BBC1’s Inside Out programme in 2013 was the first time media covered Sikh girls being targeted by grooming gangs. The Times also covered the cases in Leicester where several men were sentenced. In 2018, a BBC report was pulled possibly out of “fear of offending the Muslim community”.

The joint faith group further called for more discussions on the cases including that of Telford, Rotherham, and Rochdale. They said these discussions should not be censored by fear of being labeled ‘racist’ or ‘Islamophobic’.

The response was sent on behalf of Lord Singh of Wimbledon, Director, Network of Sikh Organisations, Mohan Singh Khalsa, The Sikh Awareness Society UK, Dal Singh Dhesi, The Sikh Youth Movement UK, Anil Bhanot OBE, Interfaith Relations Director, Hindu Council UK, Pt Satish K Sharma MBCS FRSA, Director, Global Hindu Federation, Vinod Popat, The British Hindu Voice, Hindu Community Organisations Group and Ashish Joshi, The Media Monitoring Group UK.

Speaking to OpIndia, Pt Satish K Sharma said, “According to survivors, this problem is worse today than ever and the refusal to provide such vulnerable victims with even a semblance of justice, is directly attributable to the betrayal of the British Justice system. The lack of political will is clearly attributable to vote bank domination, which if still unacknowledged by Parliamentarians, especially Labour MPs, means no young child is safe in this country unless protected at all times, by parents. I’m hearing on the streets, the question “Of what value is such a Parliament?’ which does not bode well for British democracy.”

UK Government’s action against grooming gangs

On April 3, the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a new Grooming Gangs Taskforce to assist police forces in investigating the serious problem of Muslim grooming gangs in the country. As per the official statement from his office, the task force will have specialist officers to assist in the investigation to ensure the criminals behind grooming gangs will be brought to justice.

The announcement came a day after Home Secretary Suella Braverman lashed out at the previous governments for ignoring the grooming gang menace in the country. Mandatory reporting, as suggested by the Home Secretary, was one of the key recommendations given after an independent inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse cases.

UK Muslim groups upset with Suella Braverman

On April 11, it was reported that Muslim organizations from all around the UK wrote to Rishi Sunak to express their deep concern on what they called home secretary Suella Braverman’s “ill-considered and divisive statement”. Muslim groups called for the withdrawal of the statement immediately. Muslim organisations in England, Wales, and Scotland described it as “an act of collective punishment for the reprehensible acts of a few”.

Nearly 19,000 children were sexually abused in England in 2018-2019

According to the official figures, it is estimated that nearly 19,000 minors in England were sexually groomed in England in the last year, reported Dailymail. The local authorities in England identified around 18,700 suspected victims in 2018-19, up from 3,300 five years ago. The latest figures showed a sharp increase in the number of child grooming victims over the last five years.

The highest rates of child grooming victims in Britain were reported in areas including Birmingham, Lancashire, and Bradford. One of the most horrific cases was of Charlene Downes who disappeared from Lancashire. She was feared to be groomed by Muslim gangs and murdered. Her body was allegedly minced into pieces and served as kebabs to customers at a takeaway restaurant in the area.

Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy writes to PM Modi, seeks more humanitarian aid

ANI
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Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy writes to PM Modi, seeks more humanitarian aid

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking additional humanitarian aid including medical equipment from India, the external affairs ministry said on Wednesday.

The request came during the recent three-day visit to India by Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova who handed over Zelenskyy’s letter to Union Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi, a statement from the foreign ministry said.

“Dzhaparova also called on Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, Meenakshi Lekhi. Besides holding discussions on a wide range of bilateral and international issues of mutual interest, she handed over a letter from President Zelenskyy, addressed to Prime Minister Modi. Ukrainian request for additional humanitarian supply, including medicines and medical equipment was also shared by her,” according to the statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs.

The statement read that the next Inter-Governmental Commission between New Delhi and Kyiv would be held in India on a mutually convenient date.

Both the ministers, Dzhaparova and Lekhi exchanged views on bilateral and global issues of mutual interest.
India has assured of providing enhanced humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Following their meeting, MoS Lekhi took to her Twitter handle to reiterate what Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, during a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in September last year, “Today’s era is not of war.”

She tweeted, “Not a time for War – PM @narendramodi. Pleased to meet Ukrainian First Dy FM @EmineDzheppar. Exchanged views on bilateral and global issues of mutual interest. Cultural ties and women empowerment also figured in the discussion. Ukraine was assured of enhanced humanitarian assistance.”

Meanwhile, Dzhaparova also took to Twitter to post her thanks on Tuesday. “Had a fruitful meeting with @M_Lekhi. Briefed Minister on #Ukraine’s efforts to fight unprovoked aggression. Discussed deepening bilateral cooperation in various fields, in a particular culture. Bookshelves and audio guides under the patronage of @ZelenskaUA will be available soon in India,” she tweeted.

During her visit, Dzhaparova held bilateral talks with Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), MEA.
The bilateral agenda included – spheres such as economic, defence, humanitarian assistance, and global issues of mutual interest.

The Ukraine deputy foreign minister briefed Secretary (West) about the prevailing situation in Ukraine. The two sides agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in Kyiv on a mutually convenient date, according to a statement released by the MEA.

“The Ukrainian Deputy FM also proposed that rebuilding infrastructure in Ukraine could be an opportunity for Indian companies. Secretary (West) shared that India has provided medicines, medical equipment and would provide school buses etc. to Ukraine,” the MEA statement added.

Dzhaparova visited the Manohar Parrikar-Institute of Defence Studies and also delivered a talk at the Indian Council of World Affairs. During her visit, she highlighted Ukraine’s desire to build a stronger and closer relationship with India.

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

Arif, Saras and Wildlife Protection Act: When an Odia woman befriended a wild boar and a forest officer adopted a tigress as his daughter

Shraddha Pandey
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Arif, Saras and Wildlife Protection Act: When an Odia woman befriended a wild boar and a forest officer adopted a tigress as his daughter

The strongest emotional bond in the world, whether it be between humans or between humans and animals, is believed to be the bond of love. Such a unique camaraderie was witnessed when Mohammad Arif who belongs to Mandhka village in Amethi district of Uttar Pradesh met his separated ‘friend’, a Saras crane, at the Kanpur zoo days after the forest department officials took it away from him.

An FIR was also registered against Arif for flouting the Wildlife Protection Act, of 1972. It is notable that Saras is the ‘state bird’ of Uttar Pradesh and it is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 (amended in 2022). 

In the video of Arif’s meeting with his friend whom he affectionately calls ‘baccha’, the bird was seen overwhelmed at the site of his friend. It can be seen in the video how the Saras crane spread its wings and was trying to find its way out of the enclosure to meet Arif. 

In an Instagram post, Arif shared a video of the moment he met ‘baccha’ and captioned it as “Kaidiyon ki tarah reh raha mera dost Saras” (my friend Saras is staying here like a prisoner).

It is pertinent to recall that Arif found the Sarus crane in August 2022, when it was bleeding, unconscious, and in need of medical attention. Arif initially thought the bird to be dead, but upon realizing it was still alive, he brought him home. The bird recovered in his home, but instead of flying away, it accompanied Arif around, the videos of the same went viral on social media leaving people amazed by the human-bird bond.

Odisha woman and her bond with a wild boar

In 2021, a woman named Kuntala Kumari Penthei belonging to the Purushottampur village in the Keonjhar district of Odisha fostered a wild boar whom she named ‘Dhuda’. Kuntala had been taking care of the wild boar she found months ago as it reportedly came to her during her daughter’s funeral. The wild boar became a part of Kuntala’s family until the forest department got to know about this and arrived at her home on March 9, 2021, to take the wild boar away and release it in the jungle. Following the separation, a devastated Kuntala desperately searched for ‘Dhuda’. 

The emotional reunion

Eight days after the forest officials took the wild boar away from Kuntala, the villagers reportedly noticed the movements of a wild boar in the Kamalang reserve forest and informed Kuntala about the same. A sanguine Kuntala along with her daughter Rajashree rushed to the jungle and identified the boar as it came running to her when she called her name, ‘Dhuda’. An overwhelmed mother-daughter duo then fed the wild boar some raw rice and brought it back home. 

It is notable that wild boar is listed under Schedule III of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. Even though they are not endangered as those on Schedules I and II, animals in Schedule III are nevertheless protected. The Act prohibits capturing or hunting them.

Khairi the tigress and a forest officer who raised her as his own daughter

In October 1974, a little tiger cub was found in Odisha’s Similipal forest by local tribals hunting for honey. The cub was brought to IFS Officer Saroj Raj Chaudhury at his official bungalow in Jashipur, Mayurbhanj. Chaudhury, an expert wildlife conservator, cared for the little tigress as his own daughter. She was named Khairi, after the river where she was found. Khairi grew fast and provided ample opportunities for forest researchers to study the royal cats in the initial days of India’s tiger conservation efforts.

Khairi’s bond with Chaudhury and her familiarity with humans made it possible for wildlife researchers to learn significant details about tiger behaviour, territorial markings and pheromones.

Chaudhury and his cousin Nihar cared for the little Tigress like their family member. Chaudhury went on to be known as one of the pioneers of Project Tiger. The tigress was also very familiar with Odisha’s then CM Nandini Satpathy. Khairi used to roam freely in the forest office area and slept on the bed. She used to follow Chaudhury around like a pet cat. In 1982, Khairi died of rabies. Chaudhury died in the same year.

Former Odisha CM Nandini Satpathy with Khairi, image via Odisha Plus

Provisions of punishment under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

According to Section 51, anyone who violates any of the Act’s provisions—aside from those concerning the trade, commerce, and taxidermy of specific animals and the ban on teasing animals in zoos, which have separate penalties—shall be subject to a sentence of up to three years in prison, a fine of up to Rs. 25,000, or both. This includes any violation of a rule, directive, or restriction imposed by a licence or permit. 

The latest amendment to the 1972 Act, which was passed on August 2, 2022, upped the penalties to one lakh rupees. A fine of Rs 25,000, up from the previous Rs 10,000 fine, may be imposed with or without a sentence of three to seven years in jail if the offence under the first two Schedules relates to animals. 

According to Section 57, it shall be presumed that a person is in “unlawful possession, custody, or control” of any captive animal when “it is established that a person is in possession, custody, or control of any captive animal” or its article, meat, trophy, or uncured trophy during prosecution for an offence under the Act. It is the accused’s responsibility to adduce evidence to the contrary.

Should laws be implemented without considering exceptions?

While protecting the animals listed in Schedule I to IV of the Wildlife Protection Act is the duty of the authorities, it should also be taken into consideration that the animal in the cases of Arif and Kuntala the animals were not held captive or tormented in any manner and were rather free to roam around and apparently chose to stay back like domesticated animals.

As populations grow and forests shrink, stories of man-animal conflict are a regular feature in newspapers. However, the Saras bird’s connection with Arif seems to be one rare example where humans and wild animals have opened their hearts to each other.

This may be one of the cases where the authorities should draw an exception to the existing laws and find a way where the Saras and Arif get to see each other more often, and the Saras bird gets a bigger, better, and happier space than that small cage.

Alleged journalist casts doubts on history because it was shared by a Sikh BJP leader: History of Nihangs defending Ram Mandir

Gopal Tiwari
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Alleged journalist casts doubts on history because it was shared by a Sikh BJP leader: History of Nihangs defending Ram Mandir

On 11th April 2023, BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga shared the details of the contribution by the Nihang Sikhs in the historic movement to free the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi. In his tweet, Bagga shared the documentary evidence of the first FIR filed in regard to the case. He wrote, “In Ram Mandir Andolan, First FIR was filed against Sikhs for entering Forcefully to Babri Masjid on 30th November 1858 and Doing Pooja Paath.”

He also attached the photographs of the complaint filed by one Mohammad Asghar on the rituals performed by the Nihang Sikhs inside the disputed Babri structure and the report filed by the police station in charge on the eviction of the Nihang Sikhs from the said location.

Quoting his tweet, alleged journalist Mrunal Pande wrote, “Oh Lord! Our Bagga ji also turned out to be a historian!!”

Mrunal Pande apparently insinuated that what Tajinder Singh Bagga has tweeted is a piece of incorrect information. It, therefore, becomes necessary to know the contribution of Nihang Sikhs in freeing the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi from the clutches of Muslims.

Mrunal Pande doubted documented history

1858 is not a Mughal era history where one can insinuate anything, imagine or assume things ‘out of the box’, or write the history to praise and please the Islamic rulers. 1858 is when British rule was taking root in India, in the wake of the Queen’s proclamation after the famous mutiny of 1857.

The documents, records, etc. are thus available with the least additions of the pinch of liberal pseudo-secular salts. The document shared by Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga is the first FIR registered in the Babri Mosque versus the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi dispute case. This document was also a part of the evidence reviewed and upheld by the courts (from the local district court of Faizabad to the Supreme Court of India). So, it should be clear that what Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga shared was not a false claim but a documented historical fact. Mrunal Pande apparently doubted this nugget of history possibly because it ran counter to her assumptions and was shared by a Sikh politician from the Bharatiya Janata Party.

What is the incident quoted by Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga?

On November 28, 1858, an FIR was filed by an Awadh police official stating that around 25 Nihang Sikhs entered the Babri structure and performed ‘HawanPujan’ for many weeks. They also used charcoal to graffiti the name Ram on the inside walls. This shows that the name Ram is significant among the various Dharmic faiths born in India.

The FIR was filed in response to a complaint lodged by Mohammad Asghar Salim, the Moazzin of the Babri mosque. The Moazzin agreed that the Ram Janamsthan symbol had been there for hundreds of years, and Hindus performed puja within the three-domed building.

Sheetal Dubey, the station house officer of Awadh, confirmed the complaint in his report on December 1, 1858, and even said that the Sikhs had built a platform. This was the first recorded proof that Hindus were present not just in the outside courtyard but also in the inner courtyard. This document has thus become the base for the court to uphold the claim by the Hindus that the exact space below these three domes is the actual place of the sanctum sanctorum. This document proved a great piece of evidence that Muslim parties didn’t have exclusive ownership of the structure. The document razed to the ground the argument that Hindus never had access to the Masjid.

Assam Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson arrested for spreading fake news regarding mega Bihu dance performance organised by Assam govt

OpIndia Staff
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Assam Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson arrested for spreading fake news regarding mega Bihu dance performance organised by Assam govt

Sushant Kumar Nath, the spokesperson of Assam unite of Aam Aadmi Party, was arrested on 11 April for sharing fake news on Facebook claiming that the Assam govt was doing business in the name of Bihu by selling tickets. Nath had commented on Facebook yesterday that the state govt is selling tickets for an event scheduled on 14 April where around 11000 people perform a Bihu dance together in Guwahati in an attempt to create a Gunnies Word Record in the presence of PM Narendra Modi.

The AAP leader had posted in Assamese, ‘So this is the real matter. The government selling tickets by opening a shop in the name of Bihu also should be recorded in Gunnies Book. Now Assamese people will have to stand in long queues at Kalakshetra to watch Bihu. Can they stoop so low?’

Screenshot of Facebook post by AAP Assam Spokesperson Sushant Kumar Nath

After the comments of Sushant Kumar Nath were reported by the media, minister Pijush Hazarika posted on Facebook, ‘People of Assam should be beware of such anti-Assam and anti-Assam fraudsters and scammers.’

Soon after that, Sushant Kumar Nath was arrested by Panbazar Police in Guwahati. The reason for this is that what he had claimed is completely false, as the govt is not selling any tickets for the event. People can watch the event for free to be held at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati.

However, as it is expected a large number of people will want to watch the historic event, the govt has decided to issue passes in advance, so that there is no unmanageable crowd at the stadium on Friday. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on 9 April said that free passes will be issued at Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati from 11 April to 13 April.

He had said that around 10,000 passes will be issued to the public. The system of issuing passes was necessary because seats are limited at the stadium. While it has 30,000 seats, a significant portion of it will be occupied by the Bihu performers, over 4000 men who will be playing various Bihu instruments will be on the stands. The ground will be occupied by over 7,000 girls performing the Bihu dance.

At no point the CM said that tickets will be sold for the event, he had said entry passes will be issued for free.

However, a media house called Prag News distorted the news, using the word ‘ticket’ instead of ‘pass’, and claimed that the entry might not be free. While they said that it was possible that tickets might be sold, Sushant Kumar Nath made it a confirmed news. He used a screenshot of the same to claim that the govt was selling tickets.

Even as the AAP leader had posted this, local news channels were showing people lining up to collect the passes. The reports made it clear that it is being distributed for free, on one pass per person basis.

Ever since the Himanta Biswa Sarma govt announced the initiative of Bihu dance by around 11000 youths, some opposition leaders have been trying to attack the govt over it, claiming it to be a waste of money and other such claims. Assam govt has already announced that any fake news regarding the event will not be tolerated.

The event will be held on Friday evening, where around 11000 youths, including around 7000 girls and around 4000 boys will perform a 15 Bihu dance in front of PM Modi and officials of Gunnies Book of Records. Bihu performers from each district in Assam are participating in this, and they have been practising in their respective districts for last one month, under the watch of master trainer who were trained in Guwahati.

All the performers reached Guwahati on 10 April, and they have been doing combined rehearsals from 11 to 13 April at the Sarusajai Stadium. The general public can visit the stadium to watch the rehearsals for during these days without any ticket or pass.

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