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Two weeks before the crackdown on Amritpal Singh and his Waris Punjab De, CM Bhagwant Mann had met union home minister Amit Shah: Here is what had happened

OpIndia Staff
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Two weeks before the crackdown on Amritpal Singh and his Waris Punjab De, CM Bhagwant Mann had met union home minister Amit Shah: Here is what had happened

On Saturday, 18th March 2023, the Punjab Police launched a massive crackdown on self-proclaimed radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh and Waris Punjab De led by him. While several of his associates were arrested, Amritpal Singh managed to escape after a high-intensity chase, and he is currently on the run. He was going in a convoy of three vehicles. During this time, the police caught two vehicles near Mehtabpur in Shahkot with six of his associates, but Amritpal Singh managed to escape in the third vehicle. The move came after the Punjab police launched a crackdown on the separatist leader and his group ‘Waris Punjab De’.

It is notable that the preparations for this operation were going on for the last few days. The Punjab police were bolstered especially after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed the Ajnala incident in which Amritpal Singh and his supporters forcefully entered the police station on February 24, following the arrest of one of his associates. During the clash, the supporters protested and clashed with the police. They were able to release the man from police custody after the seizure of the police station.

At the time when Amritpal Singh mobilized thousands of supporters and directed them to barge into a police station to get his aide released, Punjab’s Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that the law and order situation in Punjab state was fine. But fact remains that this major operation of arresting this Khalistan sympathizer came only after chief minister Bhagwant Mann met Amit Shah on 2nd March 2023 in this regard and the subsequent deployment of heavy forces in the state.

During this meeting, CM Bhagwat Mann briefed the Union Home Minister about the Ajnala incident and the law and order situations in the state. He urged that state and central agencies should work together. Notably, even before this meeting, The Ministry of Home Affairs requested that the Central Armed Police Force (CAPFs) send around 2,430 security personnel, including eight companies of its Rapid Action Force, to Punjab ahead of the annual Hola Mohalla celebration.

After this meeting, Bhagwant Mann tweeted, “In the meeting with Amit Shah, we discussed the issue of drones and drugs on the border. The issue of shifting the barbed wire on the border was also discussed. Asked to release Punjab’s stalled rural development fund soon. Centre-Punjab will work together on the issue of law and order.”

After this meeting, Union Home Ministry extended support to the border state in the wake of the programs regarding the G-20 summit organized in Amritsar from the 15th to the 17th of March 2023, amid reports that the event will be shifted to some other place outside Punjab due to the law and order situation. At the request of the Punjab government, the central government sent 50 teams of central paramilitary forces to Punjab. The additional deployment provided by the centre included 10 CRPF, 8 RPF, 12 BSF, 10 ITBP, and 10 SSB units. Besides, Union home Ministry also sent eight specialized anti-riot squads of CRPF to Punjab.

These troops reached Punjab on 6th March 2023. They were instructed to stay in the border state from 6th March to 16th March. Their further deployment in the state was kept subject to discussions between the state and centre.

Though these forces were deployed in Punjab days ahead of the G-20 program, the Union home Ministry also had an eye on Amritpal Singh’s activities. According to sources, inputs from the intelligence agencies were also discussed in the meeting between CM Bhagwant Mann and Home Minister Amit Shah.

After four to five months of tracking Amritpal’s actions, intelligence agencies compiled a dossier on the 30-year-old Amritpal Singh, documenting more than ten hate speeches he delivered, the flaunting of firearms by his accomplices, his interactions in cyberspace, social media accounts, and visits to drug rehabilitation centers, among other things. This dossier was also presented in the meeting between the two leaders.

Amritpal Singh’s arrest has come on 18th March – the very next day. The extra security forces heavily deployed by the center in the state during the G-20 program are still in Punjab.

Who is Amritpal Singh?

Amritpal is a 30-year-old pro-Khalistan leader who leads an organization named Waris Punjab De. Within six months of his arrival to India and taking over the organization started by late actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu, he has reached the point where he can mobilize thousands of supporters and direct them to barge into a police station to get his aide released.

He was born in Jallupur Khera, Amritsar, in 1994. In 2012, he moved to Dubai to join his family’s transport business. Amritpal’s LinkedIn page shows he was the operations manager at Sandhu Cargo, and his mail ID was [email protected]. He did his Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in Mechanical Engineering from Lord Krishna Polytechnic College, Kapurthala, Punjab, per his LinkedIn page.

After the death of Deep Sidhu, in a social media post, Amritpal Singh was declared heir of Waris Punjab De. However, the family of Deep Sidhu denied any connection to Singh. In May last year, Deep Sidhu’s relative came out as the chief of “real” Waris Punjab De, but it did not gain the traction Amritpal Singh managed to get. Amritpal Singh came to India in September 2022. He went to Georgia before coming to India, and intelligence agencies hinted at a possible connection to ISI in their reports.

Note: This report has been updated with latest developments

Pakistan: Judge allows Imran Khan to leave after marking attendance, says hearing can’t take place due to clashes between cops and PTI workers

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: Judge allows Imran Khan to leave after marking attendance, says hearing can’t take place due to clashes between cops and PTI workers

Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Zafar Iqbal on Saturday permitted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan to leave after his attendance was marked outside the G-11 Judicial Complex amid unrest between police and party supporters, The Express Tribune reported.

Judge Zafar Iqbal stated that the hearing and appearance cannot take place in the current situation due to the ongoing hostilities between Islamabad Police and PTI workers outside the Judicial Complex, as per The Express Tribune report. He advised all those present to disperse peacefully without resorting to any form of violence, including shelling or pelting stones after Imran Khan’s attendance. The judge further said that the hearing cannot be conducted today and the next date for the hearing can be decided after obtaining Imran Khan’s signatures. PTI chairman departed for Lahore without stepping out of his bullet-proof vehicle at the gate of the Judicial Complex, as per the news report.

Intense clashes broke out between PTI supporters and police as former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s convoy reached the judicial complex ahead of the party chairman’s appearance before a district and sessions court in the Toshakhana case, according to The Express Tribune report.

Imran Khan’s vehicle was stopped merely 100 meters from the gate of the judicial complex as the police blamed party workers for blocking the route. Meanwhile, the PTI claimed the law enforcers were restricting the party chairman’s movement.

Despite the end of court hours, the PTI chairman could not appear before the judge. Earlier, Imran Khan filed an application in court, stating that he was present at the gate outside the complex and that his presence should be recorded at the gate.

Imran Khan was to appear in court for the first time today after repeated summons for hearings. A day earlier, the Islamabad High Court suspended the non-bailable arrest warrants issued against the former Pakistan PM till today, giving him the opportunity to voluntarily appear before the sessions court. His convoy reached the Islamabad toll plaza with reports of the route being blocked.

(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 court frames sedition charges against ‘The Kashmir Walla’ editor Fahad Shah for publishing ‘seditious’ article, was arrested last year for glorifying terrorism

OpIndia Staff
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NIA court frames sedition charges against ‘The Kashmir Walla’ editor Fahad Shah for publishing ‘seditious’ article, was arrested last year for glorifying terrorism

A special National Investigation Agency court in Jammu has slapped sedition and UAPA charges against The Kashmir Walla editor Peerzada Fahad Shah. According to reports, a special judge designated under the NIA Act, Ashwani Kumar, framed the charges on Thursday (March 16) for publishing a “seditious” article on his news website. Along with Shah, similar charges have also been framed against the writer of the article, Abdul Ala Fazili, a Kashmir University PhD student.

Peerzada Fahad Shah has been charged under sections 13 and 18 of the UAPA, IPC sections 121 and 153B and sections 35 (accepting foreign contribution in contravention of provisions of FCRA, or any order or rule therein) and 39 (violation of FCRA by a company tantamount to contravention by the persons incharge or responsible for business of such company) of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.

Fahad is the editor-in-chief of ‘The Kashmir Walla,’ an online news portal. The digital journal debuted in 2011. It claims to cover news and other socio-cultural concerns in J&K. The Kashmir Walla gained has been vocally opposing the Centre’s decision to withdraw J&K’s special status on August 5, 2019.

Meanwhile, Abdul Ala Fazili has been charged under sections 13 (unlawful activity) and 18 (conspiracy, advocating, abetting, inciting, facilitating a terrorist act or any preparation to commit a terrorist act) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and sections 121 (abetting waging of war against the Government of India), 153B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The case was filed after the news website The Kashmir Walla, the editor-in-chief of which is Fahad Shah, published an article written by Abdul Ala Fazili- The Shackles of Slavery Will Break. State Investigation Agency claimed that the article was found to be “against national integration and supported the claim of secession of a part of the country’s territory”.

Officials privy to the case said that the CIJ police station (SIA-Jammu) received information on April 4 2022, along with a copy of an article titled “The Shackles of Slavery Will Break.” SIA filed a chargesheet in the case in the special judge’s court on October 13, 2022, after procuring the requisite government sanction.

“The duo, under an active conspiracy and Pakistan’s support, resurrected a platform reviving the narrative in support of the terrorist and separatist ecosystem. They were spreading an anti-India narrative by exploiting digital platforms under a concealed and camouflaged set-up with the help of illicit funding received from hostile foreign agencies and proscribed terrorist organisations,” said the official. 

After hearing the arguments, the court decided that the SIA had gathered sufficient evidence against the accused and drafted charges against Fazili and Shah.

According to the official, the investigation revealed that the accused were in contact with secessionists across the border and with some local terrorists.

“Through their publications, they have brazenly advocated terrorism and glorified terrorists with the sole intention to radicalise youngsters in Jammu and Kashmir and entice and incite them in joining secessionist and terrorist organisations,” the official said.

The Kashmir Walla editor Fahad Shah arrested for promoting anti-national content on Facebook, glorifying terrorist activities

It may be recalled that the Jammu & Kashmir Police had in February last year detained Fahad Shah, editor of the prominent Srinagar-based news portal The Kashmir Walla for anti-national activities and sharing provocative content on the social media platform Facebook.

In January last year, Sajad Gul, a trainee reporter with The Kashmir Walla, was also held for allegedly “provoking the people against the government and spreading animosity” through his tweets. Since then, Gul has been arrested under the Public Safety Act’s provisions.

Abdul Aala Fazili was arrested for his ‘Highly Provocative And Seditious’ article

Notably, on April 17, 2022, the Jammu and Kashmir State Investigation Agency (SIA) arrested a PhD scholar of the University of Kashmir for the “highly provocative and seditious” article he wrote for Faizal Shah’s The Kashmir Walla portal.

The officials had said then that Fazili’s article, titled ‘The shackles of slavery will break’, is “highly provocative, seditious and intended to create unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, and written with the purpose of abetting the youth to take the path of violence by glorifying terrorism”. It also “promoted and propagated the false narrative, which is essential to sustain secessionist-cum-terrorist campaign aimed at breaking the territorial integrity of India.”

“The article has used prescriptive language with instructional intent, encouraging secessionist elements to carry out terror activities,” the official said.

The official added that the repeated reference to freedom and terror outfits’ rhetoric made it amply clear that the article is not merely propaganda, “rather, it is the articulation of Pakistan ISI and the vision of its sponsored terrorist secessionist networks.” 

Some retired judges are part of ‘anti-India gang’, trying to turn judiciary against the govt: Law minister Kiren Rijiju

OpIndia Staff
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Some retired judges are part of ‘anti-India gang’, trying to turn judiciary against the govt: Law minister Kiren Rijiju

Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday slammed some of the retired judges for their anti-India activities while addressing the India Today Conclave. He said that there were a few judges who were part of an anti-India gang trying to turn the judiciary against the government.

“Recently there was a seminar on accountability of judges which somehow turned into how the executive is affecting the judiciary. There are few judges who are activists and part of anti-India gang which is trying to turn judiciary against government like the opposition parties. Judges are not part of any political affiliation and how can these people say that the executive needs to be reigned in. How can they say this?” he said.

Rijiju said that the topic of the seminar was ‘accountability in the appointment of judges’, but the discussion the entire day was on how the government is taking over the Indian judiciary. He said that there is a small number of retired judges and activists who want the judiciary to play the role of an opposition party.

He said that the judiciary can’t play the role of opposition because the judiciary is neutral.

The law minister stressed that nobody would get away, and those who turned against the country would pay a price. He also slammed the Congress party and said that the Collegium system was a mistake made by the Congress administration and that the Central government must adhere to it till a new system is put in place.

Rijiju said that the appointment of judges is not judicial work, it is administrative, and as per the constitution, judges are to be appointed by the president in consultation with the CJI or the Chief Justice of respective high courts. He said that the system of Collegium system came due to misdeeds of the Congress party, but this is not a permanent system.

Rijiju further discussed the issue of vacations, stating that judges need time off because they handle 50–60 cases every day in addition to their administrative responsibilities. “They have a huge mental pressure and need to go for vacation etc” he said.

While referring to the recent judgement on the appointment of the Election Commission, the minister said that the judges are getting involved into lots of administrative work, while they should be primarily involved in judicial work.

Kiren Rijiju also tore into Rahul Gandhi for his comments regarding Indian democracy. He said that Rahul Gandhi uses the same language that the anti-India propagandists use, that democracy is in danger in India. He said that Rahul Gandhi speaks the most, and he complaints that he is not allowed to speak.

The Union Law Minister, Kiren Rijiju, highlighted an interview with Justice RS Sodhi (Retd. ), a former judge of the Delhi High Court, on his Twitter account in January, during a dispute between the government and the judiciary over the collegium system for choosing judges.

Sodhi in his interview with the Editor of ‘Law Street Bharat’ had remarked that for the first time, the Supreme Court had hijacked the Constitution to the degree that they (the Judges) have opted to nominate themselves, denying the function of the government.

Rijiju quoted the interview and tweeted, “Voice of a Judge… Real beauty of Indian Democracy is- its success. People rule themselves through their representatives. Elected representatives represent the interests of the People & make laws. Our Judiciary is independent and our Constitution is Supreme.”

The Minister agreed with the retired Judge and stated, “Actually the majority of the people have similar sane views. It’s only those people who disregard the provisions of the Constitution and mandate of the people who think that they are above the Constitution of India.”

Meanwhile, he stressed that there can be some sort of regulation on how the holidays are charted out for the courts. Rijiju also said there he has never encroached the territory of the judiciary and denied any events of confrontation between the government and the Supreme Court.

Brahmapuram fire: NGT imposes Rs 100 crore fine on Kochi Corporation for poor waste management

OpIndia Staff
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Brahmapuram fire: NGT imposes Rs 100 crore fine on Kochi Corporation for poor waste management

The Kochi Municipal Corporation has been ordered to pay an environmental penalty of Rs 100 crore by the National Green Tribunal’s (NGT) Principle Bench for poor garbage management which led to a major fire on March 2 at Kochi’s Brahmapuram trash disposal yard. The fire resulted in severe air pollution in the city of Kochi for about two weeks at the beginning of this month.

The decision was delivered in response to the Supreme Court’s observations, that the State of Kerala and its officials were an ‘utter failure’ and routinely flouted the law regarding solid waste management. The civic body has been asked to deposit the money with the Chief Secretary in a month for necessary remediation measures, including dealing with the public health issues of the victims.

A bench headed by Justice A K Goyal put the onus on the State Government after taking up the case voluntarily based on media reports. The media reported that a massive environmental emergency was brought on by the fire at the Brahmapuram waste dump site as a result of the state authorities’ abject inability to carry out their fundamental obligations to maintain a pollution free environment.

The tribunal held the Kerala government responsible for the fire, the delay in putting it out, and the resultant threat to public health.

Fire at Brahmapuram waste plant

On March 2, a massive fire broke out at the Brahmapuram waste facility, and as a result, the air quality in the port city and the other districts deteriorated as they were shrouded in a thick envelope of smoke. Locals in the region reported many issues, including breathing difficulties, dry coughs, discomfort, and dry eyes as the smoke proceeded to cover the entire town. Toxic fumes contaminated many adjacent areas.

On March 5, as massive and dense clouds of toxic smoke billowed from the site and blanketed the city, the district government of Ernakulam issued a holiday for students in all schools in regions under the Kochi corporation and the neighbouring municipalities and village panchayats.

Amid complaints of breathing difficulties and dry eyes by residents, the local administration advised people to remain indoors and use N-95 masks when they step out.

Supreme Court’s comments

The Bench said, “It is self-evident that good governance in the matter of waste management is being neglected for a long time to the detriment of the environment and public health and no one has taken moral responsibility for the gross failure of rule of law and damage to public health. It is difficult to understand what is the value of citizens’ right to life and safety with such an attitude of total neglect by authorities in Government. This calls for soul searching and also high-level inquiry to determine culpability in the larger public interest.”

“No accountability for such serious failure has been fixed and no senior person has been held accountable so far. Except for giving future plans, no fixing of accountability is proposed even now which is a matter of regret. No prosecution has been launched against the guilty for criminal offences under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and also under relevant provisions of IPC nor action taken for violation of the Supreme Court orders,” it added.

The court noted that the state’s authorities’ conduct poses a danger to the rule of law. In order to protect the Constitution and the objectives of environmental law, the Bench expressed optimism that the matter would be resolved at the higher levels of the State, such as the DGP and the Chief Secretary.

Court instructed the Chief Secretary of Kerala to determine who is responsible for such egregious errors, start criminal and departmental investigations using the proper procedures, and make the information public within two months.

Kochi Corporation to appeal against the decision

Mayor of Kochi City Adv. M. Anilkumar affirmed that an appeal will be filed against the NGT fine because the corporation lacks the financial resources to pay the fine. The panel hasn’t heard the corporation’s in-depth arguments, he continued. He added that the company would carry with all directives given by NGT, including addressing health issues.

Tony Chammani, the former mayor, deemed the NGT ruling to be exceedingly regrettable. The municipality would come to a standstill as a result of this liability, he warned.

The tribunal had been briefed by the State Government on the actions taken to put out the fire. The State Government’s attorney claimed, that while the Kerala High Court voluntarily brought a case against the government regarding the issue, the tribunal should not file a parallel case against the government. The bench retorted that they are not meddling with the High Court’s processes.

Kerala High Court findings

A committee consisting of the Ernakulam district collector and top officials of various departments, including the local self-government, the state pollution control board, Kochi corporation, and the district legal services authority was constituted by the Kerala High Court.

The committee found, that the Brahmapuram waste treatment facility did not adhere to the 2016 Solid Waste Management Regulations. According to its report, a major piece of a building has already collapsed and been removed from the site. It revealed, that the site’s existing building is in a poor state and might collapse at any time.

Operating without license

Since 2017, the civic organisation has operated the plant without a licence, according to sources with the pollution control board. The Kochi civic body was also slammed by the fire department for failing to provide the bare minimum in terms of facilities to prevent fire accidents at the landfill. The corporation was given a show-cause notice and fined Rs. 1.8 crore by the state pollution board.

Opposition and public backlash

As the CM rose to address the Legislature about the Brahmapuram fire, opposition MLAs in the assembly staged a walkout. In addition, people assembled in front of the Kerala Assembly Speaker’s office to demonstrate against the violation of their rights. They stated that they had been harassed by security personnel at the congressional complex.

Netizens denounced the government for the occurrence and demanded the adoption of stringent regulations. They also charged the ruling CPI(M) administration for staying mute on the issue and claimed that not a single leader had spoken out against the poor management.

Netizens referred to Kerala as ‘God’s own trash,’ which was derived from ‘God’s own country,’ a popular appellation of the state.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s statement

While addressing the state Assembly on March 15, CM Vijayan said, “a Special Investigation Team of the State police will investigate the case registered related to the Brahmapuram fire. A vigilance inquiry will also be conducted into the cause of the fire and the proceedings of the plant right from the time of its inception.”

He declared, that the Brahmapuram fire had been totally extinguished on March 13 and that no inhabitants had suffered any significant health problems as a result of the incident. “The State government, district administration, and the Kochi Corporation worked on a war footing to control the fire.”

‘Pols aayi Pols aayi’: Reports of Waris Punjab De head Amritpal Singh’s detention triggers a memefest

OpIndia Staff
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‘Pols aayi Pols aayi’: Reports of Waris Punjab De head Amritpal Singh’s detention triggers a memefest

The reports that Waris Punjab De chief and pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh was detained by Punjab Police has triggered a memefest.

Social media users on Twitter, Facebook, and other portals are sharing memes after Punjab Police detained Amritpal Singh and his associates.

Netizens expressed their amusement after Amritpal and his aides tried evading Punjab Police’s operation to arrest them.

BJP spokesperson Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga also took a dig at Amritpal and his associates following their arrest.

Then there were some who shared memes from popular movies and series after Punjab Police launched a crackdown to arrest Singh and his aides.

Amritpal Singh still on the run

While it was reported earlier on Saturday that Punjab Police detained self-proclaimed radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh and his six accomplices, later the police said that he is still on the run. Amritpal Singh escaped after a high-intensity chase while his associates were nabbed. He was going in a convoy of three vehicles. During this time, the police caught two vehicles near Mehtabpur in Shahkot, but Amritpal Singh managed to escape in the third vehicle. 

The move came after the Punjab police launched a crackdown on the separatist leader and his group.

Note: This report has been updated with latest developments

Uttar Pradesh: Muslim woman alleges her husband allowed his brother and other men to sexually exploit her, threatens to convert to Hinduism if justice is not done

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Muslim woman alleges her husband allowed his brother and other men to sexually exploit her, threatens to convert to Hinduism if justice is not done

On Friday, the Uttar Pradesh Police registered a police complaint against a man named Alisher and his brother for sexually assaulting Alisher’s wife in the midst of her heavy pregnancy months. Alisher also allegedly sold her during her pregnancy to several customers for temporary sexual favours in exchange for money.

The Muslim woman has appealed to UP Yogi Adityanath for action in the matter and said that if she does not get justice, she will leave Islam and convert to Hinduism. The woman alleged that she was sexually exploited by her husband’s brother and many other men.

According to the reports, the incident is from the Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh. The woman reached the office of Muzaffarnagar SSP to file a complaint against her husband and demanded action against him. She mentioned in the complaint that she was mentally tortured and physically assaulted by her husband Alisher and his brother. The duo raped the woman during her pregnancy and also allowed other men to sexually exploit her in exchange for money.

She also said that her husband used to abuse and assault her for refusing to sleep with other men. Reports mention that the woman filed a complaint against her husband at the local police station but was not paid attention to. After that, she reached the Muzaffarnagar SSP office with the complaint.

The woman accordingly has asked state CM Yogi Adityanath and PM Narendra Modi to look into the matter and has demanded justice. She further said that if the police do not take legal action against her husband, then she will leave Islam and convert to Hinduism. The Police have now registered the case and started investigating the matter based on the complaint.

As per the reports, the woman, a resident of Bijnaur in Afzalgad got married to Alisher, a resident of Kakrauli in Muzzafarnagar five years ago. Her husband Alisher is a quack doctor. Alisher and his brother have been mentally torturing and sexually harassing the woman since her marriage. They used to beat her if she refused. The torture crossed the limits when her husband started to invite other men to have sex with her for money, that too during her pregnancy. When she protested, her husband and brother-in-law attacked her with a knife and injured her neck and hand.

The 9-month pregnant woman met SP city Satyanarayan Singh and demanded justice in the case. She said that she would either commit suicide or convert her religion to Hinduism if she is not heard and assured justice. Commenting on the matter, Singh said that her complaint has been registered at the local police station and that investigation into the case is underway. He said that the woman has also complained of domestic violence and dowry against her in-laws.

‘Troubled to see Rahul Gandhi drooling over China’: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar slams Rahul Gandhi over his Cambridge speech

OpIndia Staff
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‘Troubled to see Rahul Gandhi drooling over China’: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar slams Rahul Gandhi over his Cambridge speech

On Saturday, March 17, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar slammed Congress MP Rahul Gandhi saying that it was troubling as a citizen to see somebody ‘drooling over China’. This comes days after Rahul Gandhi said that the EAM does not understand the threat posed by China to India.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave in New Delhi, EAM Jaishankar said, “I followed what all Rahul Gandhi said when he was in the UK, a lot of it was politics, so I am keeping that aside as there is some discount when it comes to politics. I am troubled as a citizen of India to see someone drooling over China and being dismissive about India.”

EAM Jaishankar also pointed out the ‘description’ used by Rahul Gandhi for China in his Cambridge remarks. “He puts his suo motu description of China in the Cambridge talk, you know harmony is the word that comes to his mind while talking about China. His one-word description of China is harmony and for India it is discord. 

In response to Rahul Gandhi’s assertion that India is “afraid of China,” Jaishankar said, “Rahul Gandhi talks admiringly of China. He says China is the greatest manufacturer and says ‘Make In India’ won’t work. When you make Covaxin, the Congress party says Covaxin won’t work. 

‘Rahul Gandhi was gushing over Belt and Road which violates India’s integrity’: S Jaishankar slams Rahul Gandhi for his ‘China-love’

Moreover, S Jaishankar said that there is nothing wrong with the objective assessment of the progress of other countries but undermining the morale of your own country.

“You are saying I am scared, I am asking why is somebody undermining national morale like this,” EAM Jaishankar said.

The minister also criticized the Congress scion for hailing China’s Belt and Road initiative and comparing it to the Yellow river in China. He outlined the fact that the ‘Belt and Road’ violates India’s national integrity and sovereignty, as it passes through the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). 

“He is gushing over the Belt and Road and compares it to the Yellow river in China. The Belt and Road goes through PoK and it violates our national integrity and sovereignty and he does not a have a word to say about it,” EAM Jaishankar said.

When Panda huggers try to be China hawks, EAM Jaishankar stated, “It doesn’t fly,” in a stern rejoinder to Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi hails China and its Belt and Road initiative

It is worth mentioning that during his lecture ‘Learning to Listen in the 21st Century’ at the Cambridge Judge Business School earlier this month, the Congress scion heaped praises on China as his presentation slide noted the country as an ‘aspiring superpower’ and a ‘force of nature’.

“The Chinese value harmony in the same manner that Americans value individual liberty. As a result of severe tremors, immense suffering, a cultural revolution, and civil war, China does not place a high priority on individual liberty; rather, it places a greater emphasis on social harmony,” Rahul Gandhi said at Cambridge.

Lauding the Belt and Road initiative, Rahul Gandhi claimed that a prominent Communist Party leader told him once that China would be in disarray if it could not harness the Yellow River. He adds China, therefore, examines energy, flow, and processes before it shapes them. 

“So China looks at energy, flow, and processes and then tries to shape them. If you use this metaphor, you can see what Belt and Road is,” Rahul Gandhi said.

Interestingly, Rahul Gandhi has time and again expressed his admiration for China. Last year as well in a conversation with The Print columnist Shruti Kapila at the Cambridge University event, Rahul Gandhi praised Belt and Road and claimed that China wanted the countries around it to prosper. 

S Jaishankar on US Ambassador Eric Garcetti

During his conversation with anchor Rahul Kanwal, EAM Jaishankar also spoke about Eric Garcetti, the newly appointed US Ambassador to India and his views regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Notably, Garcetti had said the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was discriminatory towards Muslims and that the law would be a core piece of his engagement.

EAM Jaishankar on being asked about Garcetti and his statements on CAA, Jaishankar said, “I explained to different countries to look at your citizenship criteria and tell me are you less specific in your citizenship criteria than we have.”

He cited various amendments pertaining to citizenship in the United States and European countries on the basis of language, culture, and faith. 

When interrupted by Rahul Kanwal that India does not have one faith, EAM Jaishankar explained that everything cannot be seen from the point of view of political correctness. 

“In many cases, people have nowhere else to go than India. Suppose if you are a Hindu in Pakistan who is oppressed, where else will you go if not India? You should not subject common sense to political correctness. On your question about the US Ambassador, let him come, Pyar Se Samjha Denge (We will explain it to him with love),” EAM Jaishankar said.

Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)

The Citizenship Amendment Act is a law passed by the Indian Parliament that is directed toward providing citizenship rights to people who belong to minority religions in the neighboring Islamic countries of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. The Act also reduces the minimum term required to stay in India before applying for citizenship by naturalization to five years instead of 11 years. Thus, the law applies to Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs, Zoroastrians, and Christians from the specified neighboring Islamic countries.

Is George Soros trying to influence Karnataka elections through his proxies? Here is what a report says

OpIndia Staff
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Is George Soros trying to influence Karnataka elections through his proxies? Here is what a report says

Ahead of the Karnataka Assembly elections that are scheduled to take place this year, a report by news outfit The Lede has reported attempts by Hungarian-American businessman George Soros and his Open Society Foundations (OSF) to influence the electoral process.

Journalist Sandhya Ravishankar, who covered the story in detail, has reported that OSF Vice-President Salil Shetty is sabotaging the political fortunes of the incumbent BJP government through his ‘Yuva Shakti’ mission.

Shetty, who met Congress scion Rahul Gandhi during the Karnataka leg of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, runs his youth-based organisation in Nelamangala and Doddaballapura in the State.

The Lede reposted a 2020 video of Salil Shetty wherein he discussed the objective behind the ‘Yuva Shakti’ mission in Bihar. “The state of affairs in the country has made us start this,” he was heard saying.

“About 30-40 of us got together from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru and we discussed that the country is in bad shape and we need to do something about this. There is a big crisis in the country and the financial condition of the nation is weak,” he claimed.

Shetty further insinuated, “The second issue is that religious tension and polarisation have increased. On top of this, healthcare, education & unemployment have come to a very critical state in this country. We discussed solutions. The future and the present are in the hands of youngsters. This is how Yuva Shakti was launched.”

According to The Lede Editor, Sandhya Ravishankar, the ‘Yuva Shakti’ mission is anything but an awareness programme about Indian Constitution and citizen rights.

She alleged that Salil Shetty and his aides, namely, Gagan Sethi, Biraj Patnaik, Amitabh Behar, Paul Divakar, and Namala Annie Namala, are focused on building political narratives.

She pointed out how the ‘Yuva Shakti’ mission in Doddaballapuratar regularly targets Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhak while the branch at Neelamangala co-opts Congress party’s slogan of ‘40% sarkar’ against the BJP.

Sandhya Ravishakar accused the Soros-affiliated organisation of orchestrating protests in Kalpi (Uttar Pradesh) and Nelamangala (Karnataka) in February 2021 at the time of farmer’s protest in the National Capital.

She alleged that Yuva Shakti is attempting to exploit fault lines in society, destroy social cohesion, and subvert the democratic process through undue interference in Karnataka elections.

Anti-India propaganda of George Soros

George Soros has several intellectuals on his payroll, including the former PM Manmohan Singh’s daughter Amrita Singh. Not to forget the curious case of ‘author’ and ‘social activist’ Harsh Mander who had been at the forefront of creating civil unrest during the Anti-CAA protests.

In 2018, George Soros-funded NGO, Sherpa, had attempted to thwart India’s defence deal with France and stall the delivery of Rafale fighter jets.

Moreover, Open Society Foundations (OSF) run by the billionaire had funded the Socio-Legal Information Centre (SLIC), which had been active in seeking the repeal of the sedition law currently used against anti-India elements.

In September 2019, George Soros also met Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan shortly after US President Donald Trump attended Narendra Modi’s ‘Howdy Modi’ event in Houston, Texas.

Interestingly, he is also friends with prominent Congressman Shashi Tharoor, who also happens to have a Pakistani connection. In 2021, there was a hullabaloo in India over allegations of snooping by the Modi government through the use of Israeli spyware, Pegasus.

These allegations stemmed from a report by the leftist-propaganda news outlet, The Wire, which in turn was fed the story by ‘Forbidden Stories (FS). Coincidentally, George Soros’ Open Society Foundation (OSF) happens to be one of the donors of the organization.

George Soros had been unabashed in his attempt to fuel a dangerous anti-India narrative through media and ‘civil society. Organizations funded by him played a key role in creating chaos and unrest under the pretext of anti-farm law protests.

In 1999, the Open Society Foundation began activities in India by providing scholarships and fellowships to pursue studies and research at Indian colleges. Through the OSF, George Soros made significant contributions towards the spread of instability in India.

The Hungarian-American billionaire has also tried to use international institutions, which are funded by him, including Freedom House and  V-Dem (Varieties of Democracy) Institute to tarnish the image of India at a global level.

Maharashtra: Aman Sheikh, Salman, Taufik, 2 others brutally assault 4 Hindu activists in Manmad over social media posts, booked

Siddhi Somani
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Maharashtra: Aman Sheikh, Salman, Taufik, 2 others brutally assault 4 Hindu activists in Manmad over social media posts, booked

On Friday, several members associated with a Hindu organization named Rashtriya Shriram Sangha were brutally assaulted by a mob of Muslims in Manmad area of Nashik district in Maharashtra. The Sangha members including its President, Yogesh Chuniyan were thrashed for posting social media status regarding the change of name of Aurangabad district.

On February 24, the Maharashtra government changed the nomenclature of Aurangabad and Osmanabad districts and renamed them as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Dharashiv respectively. The members of the Rashtriya Shriram Sangh since then have been posting social media stories lauding the decision and praising the government.

However, on March 17, a mob of around 15 to 17 Muslims arrived at the Manmad office of the Sangh and assaulted its President and three other Hindu persons identified as Ganesh Inglae, Prasad Shirsat and Kanhaiya Pawar. The Manmad police filed an FIR in the case based on the official complaint filed by Chuniyan. The complaint copy has been obtained by OpIndia in which it is mentioned that the incident happened on March 17 at around 3:30 pm.

Complaint copy obtained by OpIndia

Chuniyan stated in the complaint that accused Aman Sheikh, Salman Pathan, Taufik Sheikh, Sameer Sheikh and Lalyya Pathan barged into the Sangha office at around 4 pm and began abusing him and other Sangha members for posting social media stories regarding the change of name of Aurangabad district to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. Later they thrashed the Hindu members with iron rods and fighter weapon resulting in massive injuries and chaos. The Muslim mob also happened to vandalize the Sangha office before running away from the spot.

Dy SP confirms assault, files FIR

OpIndia contacted Deputy Superintendent of Police Manmad, Samar Singh who confirmed the incident and said that around 15-17 persons attacked the Rashtriya Shriram Sangha members and abused them over a social media story. “Around last week, one of the Hindu persons had posted a story regarding name change of Aurangabad district to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. The story was not well received by some of his friends from the Muslim community. It went viral and later the Hindu persons and the Muslims engaged into a brawl. Later the Hindus happened to repost the same story in which it was said that how changing the named of Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar is good for Hindus. The Muslim people then gathered and abused the Hindu persons who were engaged in some routine tasks outside the Rashtriya Shriram Sangh office. Then they barged into the office and assaulted the Hindu members. Around 4 have been reported injured,” he said.

Singh further added that the Police have filed an FIR in the case and have booked 5 Muslims identified as Aman Sheikh, Salman Pathan, Taufik Sheikh, Sameer Sheikh and Lalyya Pathan. “The FIR has been filed under the Atrocities Act and section 324 of the Indian Penal Code (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means). A detailed report will soon be made public,” he said.

Rashtriya Shriram Sangh President claims mob around 300 Muslims attacked

Meanwhile, OpIndia also talked to Yogesh Chuniyan, the president of the Rashtriya Shriram Sangha, Manmad, who was also assaulted by the Muslim mob. He claimed that there were around 300 Muslim people who arrived at the Sangha office and assaulted the Hindu members for posting Aurgangabad-related social media stories.

While exclusively talking to OpIndia over the incident, he said, “Manmad is a Muslim-dominated town and these kinds of incidents happen here frequently. On March 17, I was in a meeting and we all were preparing for the upcoming Ram Navami festival. Suddenly, around 5-6 Muslims entered the Sangha office and began abusing us for uploading Aurangabad-related social media stories. Later they used iron rods and weapons to hit us and threaten us. I am associated with Sangh. But I had called Prasad Shirsat for making Ram Navami banners ahead of the festival. Also, Ganesh Inglae and Kanhaiya Pawar had come to the office for some work. All of us were assaulted and have suffered severe injuries.”

Earlier banner containing photo of Lord Rama was allegedly vandalized

The victims were then shifted to the local hospital which recommended admitting them at the Nashik Hospital. Chuniyan talked to OpIndia while he was undergoing treatment at the district hospital. He added that there have been communal tensions in Manmad for the past 8 days. Earlier, on March 12, the Muslims happened to tear the banner of the Rashtriya Shriram Sangh which contained the image of Lord Rama. The Muslims also threatened the Sangh members to stop their activities. Yogesh Chuniyan then filed a police complaint at the local police station and said that the incident had hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindus.

“We filed a police complaint. But the Police then did not heed us. Instead one of the officers said that I am a history-sheeter and that I should ignore such incidents. The Police have good connections with the Mulsim community and many of the community members hold administrative offices here. So they (police) asked me to forget and settle the incident. But I filed an official complaint. Though no action was taken in the case,” Chuniyan alleged.

Complaint filed by Chuniyan in the matter of banner tearing (Opindia copy)

He also suspected that the current incident was planned and supported by some of the police officers. “In the past, the police have filed several fake complaints against me. They have charged me for murder and also for indulging in illegal liquor sale. Last year during Navratri, I was in Puntamba for some Sangh associated work. We also performed pandal pooja there, footages of which are available. The Manmad police at that time raided a liquor store here and filed a fake FIR against me. They have also charged me for murder. I have asked them several times to show the evidences and proofs of my involvement but to no avail. All this is I think because I am a Sangh member,” he claimed.

Muslims threatening over social media

Chuniyan also stated that the accused Muslims have been targeting and threatening him over social media since he filed a complaint against tearing off the banner of the Rashtriya Shriram Sangha which contained the image of Lord Rama. He also shared audio messages of the threats in which one of the accused could be heard saying, “Iske baad ye jaati wale status dikhne nh mangta samjha kya. Itna marunga na gharme ghuske. Dikhna nh chaiye ye sab (Here onward you shall not post any religious status. Otherwise I’ll hit you very badly).”

Audio threats received by Chuniyan from his Muslim ‘friends’

The Rashtriya Shriram Sangha led by Chuniyan has demanded strict action in the case. He said that the accused members named in the FIR should be severely punished for assaulting, abusing and threatening the Hindu members. As stated by the Deputy Superintendent of Police Manmad, Samar Singh, five accused persons named Aman Sheikh, Salman Pathan, Taufik Sheikh, Sameer Sheikh and Lalyya Pathan have been booked under the Atrocities Act and the Indian Penal Code. Further investigations into the case are underway.

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