On Friday, tensions erupted in the Gudhiyari region of Raipur district in Chhattisgarh after a gang of miscreants ripped down a poster of Lord Shiva and set it ablaze on the eve of Holi. The CCTV footage of the incident was largely circulated after which, many people gathered in the vicinity and began calling for the accused to be arrested right away.
The police have arrested seven people, including Mohammed Samir and Shahid Khan, in connection with the matter. The remaining 5 accused are reported to be juvenile.
#Chhattisgarh – रायपुर – पोस्टर विवाद मामला, 5 नाबालिग सहित 7 आरोपी गिरफ्तार, आरोपी समीर और शाहिद खान को किया गिरफ्तार, धार्मिक पोस्टर फाड़ने का है आरोप, गुढ़ियारी पुलिस ने किया गिरफ्तार#Raipur#BreakingNews#ChhattisgarhWithNews18
According to the reports, a massive posse of police officers was quickly deployed to the area to prevent any unpleasant occurrence. In addition, the police used force to disperse the gathering. The incensed crowd had been trying to barge into the houses of the accused but the police prevented them from doing so. The police have registered the case in the matter. As per the reports, the Police have arrested seven, including 5 minors, in the case.
Police officers tried convincing protesters for hours that those who tore and burned posters will not be allowed to let go at any cost. They formed different teams to apprehend the suspects. After that, the people agreed to move away from the street and the crowd dispersed.
“On the eve of Holi, unidentified miscreants allegedly tore the poster of Lord Shiva (Hindu deity) and later, threw it into ‘Holika’. In this connection, police have registered a case against unidentified miscreants and launched a manhunt to nab them,” Additional Superintendent of Police (West) D C Patel confirmed.
As per the reports, the officer assured that although the accused individuals could not be clearly seen on the CCTV footage of the event that was made available to police, the police would soon be able to identify and apprehend them.
“Demanding the immediate arrest of miscreants, people in large numbers gathered following which an adequate police force led by senior officials was deployed at the locality to prevent any untoward incident. Currently, the situation is under control and the placement of police force will be continued in the area as a preventive measure,” ASP Patel said.
Police investigation into this matter is underway. Further information about the developments is awaited.
Despite being hailed as one of ‘America’s Best Banks’ by Forbes magazine about a month ago, the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) was forced to shut shop on Friday (March 10).
In an article (archive) dated February 16, 2023, the American business magazine released its 14th annual list of the 100 best banks in the country. Forbes reportedly factored in key-performing metrics such as growth, profitability, non-performing assets (NPAs) and credit quality to make the assessment.
The SVB Financial Group (parent company of Silicon Valley Bank) was placed at 20th position in the list of ‘America’s Best Banks.’
Screengrab of the tweet by SVB Financial Group
In a tweet on March 7, the SVB Financial Group acknowledged the Forbes magazine’s recognition of its financial health. “Proud to be on Forbes’ annual ranking of America’s Best Banks for the 5th straight year and to have also been named to the publication’s inaugural Financial All-Stars list,” it had said.
The archive of the tweet can be accessed here. And just 3 days later, the bank was forced to close down by regulators after being in operation for the past 40 years.
The Background of the Controversy
On Friday (March 10), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) announced the shutdown of the US-based Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and the seizure of its assets.
The development was the result of the sudden shutdown of Silvergate Capital Corp and the unmindful fundraising of SVB, which created panic in the technology industry.
FDIC: “Silicon Valley Bank, Santa Clara, California, was closed today by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver.” pic.twitter.com/trqGu83CUB
Founded in 1983, Silicon Valley Bank operated out of Santa Clara in California, and provided various services such as online banking, treasury management, and foreign exchange trade.
Reportedly, the crisis came to light on March 8 this year after SVB Financial Group (parent organisation of Silicon Valley Bank) announced a sale of $21 billion of its securities.
This was further worsened by the sale of company shares worth $2.25 billion to shore up its finances, prompted by high deposit outflows at the bank, caused by a downturn in the startup industry. As a result, the Silicon Valley Bank shares fell 60%, leading to a whopping loss of $80 billion.
➡️On Thursday, March 9
CEO Greg Becker urged calm during a zoom call with venture firms.
To salvage the business, SVB CEO Greg Becker held a conference call with clients and venture capital investors, requesting them to “stay calm” to avoid further withdrawals.
However, it was to no avail. Many venture capitalists instead instructed portfolio companies to minimise their exposure to Silicon Valley Bank, withdraw their cash, and look for other lenders (thus further exacerbating the crisis).
Elon Musk’s Twitter could soon face new competition from Facebook-owned Meta.
Meta Platforms Inc is considering launching a new Twitter-like social network. “We’re exploring a standalone, decentralized social network for sharing text updates,” a Meta spokesperson said in a statement to Variety.
“We believe there’s an opportunity for a separate space where creators and public figures can share timely updates about their interests.”
The rep said the company had no additional info on the prospective social network to share. News site Moneycontrol first reported on the potential Meta service, which is code-named “P92.”
The new Meta app would be based on — and interoperable with — the framework that powers Mastodon, a Twitter-like service that launched in 2016 and has seen a surge in popularity since Musk’s takeover of Twitter last October.
Meanwhile, Meta recently took another page from Musk’s Twitter playbook. Last month, the tech giant began rolling out Meta Verified, a subscription service for Facebook and Instagram users that includes a verified blue check-mark badge — just like Twitter Blue — as well as other perks.
Meta Verified is priced at USD 11.99/month on the web or USD 14.99/month on Apple’s iOS. The company initially launched the service in Australia and New Zealand with more countries “soon,” Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s chairman and CEO, said in announcing the plans.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
On March 10, 2023, Iran and Saudi Arabia made a significant announcement saying that they are restoring their diplomatic relations, which were severed in 2016. According to reports, the two countries have agreed to resume ties and re-open embassies in each other’s capitals. This development is significant not only for the two nations but also for the entire Middle East region.
The announcement came after a meeting between the top security officials of Iran and Saudi Arabia in Beijing in China. The meeting was going on for four days, which was not disclosed earlier.
According to a statement issued by Iran, Saudi Arabia and China, Tehran and Riyadh have agreed to resume diplomatic relations and re-open embassies within two months.
“In response to the noble initiative of His Excellency President Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, of China’s support for developing good neighborly relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the statement said, as posted by Saudi foreign ministry on Twitter.
“The three countries announce that an agreement has been reached between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, that includes an agreement to resume diplomatic relations between them and re-open their embassies and missions within a period not exceeding two months, and the agreement includes their affirmation of the respect for the sovereignty of states and the non-interference in internal affairs of states,” the joint statement added.
It further states that they also agreed that the ministers of foreign affairs of both countries shall meet to implement this, arrange for the return of their ambassadors, and discuss means of enhancing bilateral relations. They also agreed to implement the Security Cooperation Agreement between them signed in 2001, and the General Agreement for Cooperation in the Fields of Economy, Trade, Investment, Technology, Science, Culture, Sports, and Youth, which was signed in 1998.
The three countries expressed their keenness to exert all efforts towards enhancing regional and international peace and security.
The statement was signed by Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, Saudi national security adviser Musaad bin Mohammed al-Aiban, and Wang Yi, Director of the Foreign Affairs Commission of China, who is member of the national political bureau of the Communist Party of China.
Musaad bin Mohammed al-Aiban, Wang Yi and Ali Shamkhani
China’s top diplomat Wang Yi said that deal is a victory for dialogue and peace. He further added that Beijing would continue to play a constructive role in addressing tough global issues.
Media houses in both Iran and Saudi Arabia published reports about the agreement. Iranian state media published visuals of Ali Shamkhani, Musaad bin Mohammed al-Aiban and Wang Yi in the meeting.
One of the main reasons behind the severing of ties in 2016 was the execution of a prominent Shia cleric by Saudi Arabia, which led to widespread protests in Iran. This incident further strained the already tense relations between the two nations. However, the recent development suggests that both countries are willing to move beyond their past grievances and work towards building a more stable and peaceful region.
This move is expected to have a positive impact on the Middle East region, which has been fraught with tension and conflict for decades. The rivalry between Shia-majority Iran and Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia has played a significant role in shaping the dynamics of the region, as they support rival sides in several conflict zones across the Middle Eastern region.
For example, in conflict-ridden Yemen, Iran is supporting the Houthi rebels while Saudi Arabia is backing the government. Similarly, both countries back rival sides in Lebanon and Syria. The restoration of diplomatic ties between the two countries is likely to have far-reaching implications in this regard.
The restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia is also expected to have significant economic benefits for both countries. Iran, which has been struggling with economic sanctions for several years, is likely to benefit from the lifting of Saudi Arabia’s economic blockade. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, will have access to Iran’s vast energy resources, which could help to diversify its economy.
The announcement has been welcomed by the international community, with many expressing hope that it will lead to a more peaceful and stable Middle East. The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has commended the move and called on both countries to continue their efforts towards building trust and cooperation.
The USA has welcomed the move, saying it was aware of the talks. A White House national security spokesperson said that the United States welcomed any efforts to help end war in Yemen and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.
On Tuesday (March 7), on the occasion of Holi, a man identified as Mohammad Shabbir in Telangana set his ‘friend’ identified as Anjaiah on firejust because the latter threw colours on him. ‘The News Minute,’ like various media houses, reported the horrific crime but there was a stark difference.
The digital news platform worded their article carefully in order to justify the man’s rage for attacking his friend. But, when enraged Twitter users pointed out the impudence, the news agency discreetly changed the text of the report.
The Twitter user also pointed out that Dhanya Rajendran, the editor-in-chief of The News Minute, had also tweeted about the matter, but had later deleted her tweet following the online outrage over the organisation’s justification of Shabbir’s act of violence against his friend.
Notably, the report by The News Minute report was published on March 9, two days after the horrific incident took place where a Hindu man was mercilessly set on fire by one Mohammed Shabbir for simply applying colours on him. The headline of the report read, “Upset at being smeared with colour, a man allegedly sets friend ablaze in Telangana.”
To begin with, The News Minute justified the perpetrator in the headline itself, implying that it was the victim’s fault that he spread colour on him.
The media house, however, was not finished here. It even went so far as to write in the report’s body how Shabbir felt “insulted and disrespected,” because of which, he committed the crime.
Screenshot of the original report published by TNM on March 9, 2023 (source: @Saiarav)
The bias of TNM while reporting the incident was very visible to the people online, and quickly got highlighted. Twitter users outraged over the matter, after which, the media house quietly changed the text of the article.
Screenshot of the updated report by TNM
As can be seen above, in the updated version of the report, the news website has quietly deleted the two adjectives it had used to justify the horrific crime perpetuated by Mohammad Shabbir.
This is a standard operating procedure for most liberal media outlets. In order to hide Muslim perpetrators, media organisations frequently turn to deception, either withholding comprehensive facts or cutting out the criminals’ identity entirely, or rationalising or toning down the crime by making it appear as if the perpetrator was coerced to commit the crime. OpIndia has several reports on how these leftist media houses work overtime to “give a ‘Hindu spin’ to crimes committed by Muslims”. We even reported how these self-proclaimed ‘secular media’ houses even use featured images of Hindu rituals and Hindu words/symbols to whitewash Islamists even when the crime involves non Hindus.
Holi, the cheerful Hindu festival of colours meant to bring people together, which is celebrated with tremendous fervour and enthusiasm around the world, has long been despised by Islamists who harbour deep contempt for the Indic faiths and believe in the supremacy of Islam. Year after year, reports have surfaced of rabid Islamists carrying out vicious attacks and engaging in arson and vandalism during Holi celebrations, displaying their blatant hatred for the Hindu community.
Reportedly, this year’s Holi festival which was on Wednesday (March 8) and coincided with the Muslim festival Shab-e-Barat was no different. When some members of the Hindu community celebrated Holi, Islamists, like the previous years, resorted to violence to protest the once-a-year Holi celebrations.
Below we have listed five instances of attacks on Hindus by rabid Islamists during this year’s festival of Holi.
Telangana: Hindu man was set on fire for applying Holi colours on a Muslim man
On March 8, 2023, in Marpalli village, Regode Mandal, Medak district, Telangana a man set another man on firejust because the victim threw colours on him, turning the festival of colours tragic.
According to the reports, the man who was burned has been identified as Anjaiah.
Telangana: Mohammed Shabbir sets Hindu man on fire by pouring petrol for applying Holi colours on himhttps://t.co/UuwclXEDaJ
Anjaiah was playing Holi with other villages when they came across Md Shabbir and wanted to apply Holi colours on him. But Shabbir opposed it, asking them not to do it. Anjaiah ignored his objection and approached him with colours in hand. Shabbir asked to stop him and threatened that he will burn him by pouring petrol if he applies colour.
Anjaiah ignored his objection and threats, perhaps he thought that Shabbir was joking, and threw colours on him anyway. After that, he proceeded to apply colours to Shabbir’s face, despite his objections. This angered Mohammed Shabbir, and he left the place but returned with a bottle of petrol. He poured the fuel on Anjaiah and set him on fire.
Unnao, Uttar Pradesh: Muslim woman throws broom and stones from the roof at Holi procession
On March 8, Wednesday, the celebration of Holi was disrupted in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, as a woman belonging to the Muslim community threw brooms and stones at a group of Hindus who were singing songs and playing Holi in the area. The incident reportedly happened in Jogiana Mohalla of Ganj Moradabad in UP.
2. Jogiana: Ganj Moradabad, Bangarmau, Unnao, UP: Muslim woman throws broom and stones from roof at Holi procession! After which stones were pelted at each other.
According to reports, when the Muslim woman started pelting stones and hurling brooms at the Hindus playing Holi, they too retaliated and the matter escalated. On getting the information, Unnao police reached the spot and brought the situation under control. Videos of the incident went viral on social media.
Meerut, UP: Hindu youths attacked by Shahzad and his associates for seeking donations for Holika Dahan
On the evening of Sunday (March 5), clashes between Hindus and Muslims erupted in the Purwa Ilahi Baksh area that falls under the jurisdiction of Brahmpuri police station in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut district, over the ritual of Holi Dahan, ahead of Holi that is to be celebrated on March 8. According to media reports, stones were pelted and glass bottles were hurled between two groups.
Mohammedans had pelted stones on Hindus on eve of holi in Meerut
Watch 0ne hindu lady narrate the ordeal faced by hindu community
On what triggered the violence, several news agenciesreported that Muslim youths mocked two Hindu men seeking donations for the ceremony by comparing it to begging. The Muslims also allegedly kicked the ritualistic wooden pyre that is set up and lit on Holika Dahan, symbolising the burning of Holika.
After this stone pelting started from both sides. According to reports, two people from the Hindu community, who were injured in the violence blamed several Muslim men from the area for attacking them and threatening to ruin their Holi celebrations.
Delhi: Muslim students in Jamia Millia Islamia intimidate, threaten other students against celebrating Holi on the campus; raise Naara-e-Takbeer and Allah-hu-Akbar slogans
Some Muslim students of the Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMIU) reportedly created a ruckus and opposed the celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi on the campus. The incident allegedly occurred on March 1, 2023, during an event named ‘Rangotsav’ organised by the university’s YUVA chapter, to celebrate the upcoming Hindu festival on campus. Holi will be observed on March 8 this year.
Twitter user Jatin Jain shared a thread of tweets on Thursday, March 3, with snippets from the varsity’s campus where a group of students were seen threatening and intimidating their peers against celebrating the festival on the premises. The user also shared a screenshot of an Instagram story posted by a Muslim student of JMIU where he instigates Muslims against Hindus and forbids them from participating in the Hindu festivals.
— जतिन जैन (Jatin Jain) (@NijVaani2019) March 2, 2023
In another video shared by Jatin Jain, Islamists of the university opposing the celebration of Holi on the campus are heard raising “Naara-e-Takbeer, Allah-hu-Akbar,” slogans.
Pakistan: Islamists attack Hindu students for celebrating Holi at Punjab University
On March 6, at least 15 Hindu students were injuredafter Islamists of Islami Jamiat Tulba (IJT) attacked them for celebrating Holi inside Punjab University, Lahore. IJT is a radical Islamic student organisation.
As per reports, around 30 students gathered to celebrate Holi. After the attack, when the victims protested against the attack outside Vice Chancellor’s office, the university guards thrashed them. Videos of the incident went viral on social media.
Islamist attacks on Hindu festivities have become a regular occurrence
Celebrating Hindu festivals is considered Haram in Islam and Islamists have for long opposed and perpetuated violence during every Hindu festival. Be it the Hindu religious processions for Hanuman Jayanti, Ram Navami, Navratri, or Saraswati Puja, Islamists have never missed an opportunity to create disturbances. In fact, several incidents of stone-pelting, arson, and vandalism are documented each year, but what is concerning is how these vicious attacks on Hindus are increasing in both number and intensity with each passing year. Last year, OpIndia chronicled a list of incidents where Islamists displayed Hinduphobia during the festival of Holi. We also compiled a list of attacks carried out by Islamists against Hindu processions from 2019 to 2022.
A teenage girl was shot on Monday, 6 March, in northeast Delhi’s Subhash Park of Nand Nagri area. The 16-year-old Hindu girl was shot just because she was talking to a boy on the phone, and she is being treated at a hospital. The accused is identified as 19-year-old Qasim and he has been arrested by the police. He has been charged under IPC Section 307 (attempt to murder).
Qasim tried to escape but he was arrested in Haryana. Both the girl and the boy live in the same locality. The victim girl is a class 10 student and is currently appearing for her board exams, while the boy works in a mobile phone shop.
#UPDATE | The girl was shot in the shoulder. Her friend Kasim, aged 19-20 years fired at her over an argument. We formed multiple teams to nab him. The accused Kasim has been caught. A case under IPC 307 has been registered. Probe underway: Joy Tirkey, DCP (Northeast), Delhi pic.twitter.com/mzizqQ3arS
According to reports, the accused and the victim knew each other, and he shot her because he found her talking to another boy on the phone.
On the day of the incident, Qasim went to the girl’s house. The girl was alone in the house at that time, and she was talking to someone on the phone when Qasim entered her house. He asked her who was on the other end of the line. But she refused to divulge any information, which led to an argument between the two.
He announced that he would not permit her to have a relationship with any other man. After that, Qasim grabbed her phone and reviewed the call log. When he called the last number on the phone log, it was picked up by a boy.
This infuriated him so much that he shot her with a country-made pistol he was carrying. He was furious with her because she was talking to another boy and was not responding to his advances.
Delhi: Mohd Qasim shot a 16-year-old Hindu girl, he was angered over her friendship with another boy in the Nand Nagri area of the city.
The Minor’s condition is critical and she is admitted to the GTB hospital. A case has been registered at the Nand Nagri PS.@DelhiPolicepic.twitter.com/5pj4pL5BYA
The girl fell down on the ground after Qasim shot her, and seeing this he fled from the spot. Hearing the gunshot, neighbours rushed to the house and informed her family members about the incident. After that, the family members of the girl rushed her to the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital. She sustained a bullet wound on her shoulder.
Police reached the spot immediately after being informed, but Qasim had disappeared by then. The police formed 7 teams to nab him, and he was arrested late in the night after raids in several places.
The girl’s mother said that Qasim’s family moved into the locality just two months ago, and since then he has been harassing her. She alleged that he was stalking her, and forcing her to marry him.
Deputy Commissioner of Police for North East Delhi, Joy Tirkey, stated to the media, “A firing incident took place in the Nanda Nagri area of the city. We received a call at around 8:27 pm and soon the Station House Officer and Assistant Commissioner of Police reached the spot.”
“The team was informed that a minor girl has sustained firing shots and she has been admitted to the GTB hospital,” he continued.
As per him, the victim informed that her neighbour and friend Qasim shot a bullet at her. “He used a zip pistol to fire during an altercation. He ran away from the scene afterwards, but police officers quickly apprehended him,” the official proclaimed.
Due to the tension following the occurrence, heavy police force was deployed to the area. According to reports, the authorities are also looking into whether or not the victim was being pressured to convert to Islam.
Earlier instances of the same kind
Notably, this isn’t the first time that an incident like this has come to light. One of the most infamous and grisly case is of Shraddha Walker where the accused, her live-in partner Aaftab Poonawala, chopped her body in more than thirty pieces, last year.
Mamata Devi, a married woman from Jharkhand, was battered to death in January of this year by Armaan Khan, aka Rocky, for refusing to get a divorce and run away with him.
In February, Mohammed Arif, Chanda’s live-in partner, strangled a 35-year-old widow to death for refusing to convert to Islam, in Uttar Pradesh. He had disguised himself as a Hindu, Guddu Rajput, in order to befriend the victim.
Akhlaq, a married banker, entraped a Hindu MBBS student. He and his father proceed to rape her. Then they force her to convert to Islam in order to marry Akhlaq.
There are numerous such recorded incidents where Hindu girls and in some cases even Hindu boys have fallen victim to the opposite gender of Islam.
A case of a Hindu girl being threatened by a Muslim youth to marry him has emerged in the Kannauj district of Uttar Pradesh. It is alleged that a youth named Mohammad Saqlain used to do obscene acts with a girl student studying in class 9th in Kashiram Colony of the Chhibramau police station area. When she refused, Saqlain and his family members assaulted her, hurled acid at her, and threatened to kill her. The victim has lodged a complaint against the accused Saqlain. Additionally, a letter has also been written to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
The victim, a class 9 student, said in her complaint that a man named Saqlain regularly followed her on her way to school and pressured her to marry him. She also stated that Saqlain threatened to kill her if she refused to do Nikah with him. After the victim told her mother about the incident, the mother went to the house of the accused and voiced her complaints to the accused’s family. Even after this, Saqlain persisted in his threats to shoot the victim dead.
#कन्नौज : कक्षा नौ की छात्रा पर मुस्लिम युवक ने धर्मांतरण व निकाह करने का बनाया दवाब, शिकायत करने पर तेजाब फेंककर जान से मारने की दी धमकी देने का पीड़िता ने लगाया आरोप, परिवार ने सीएम को लिखा पत्र, कॉलेज जाते समय भी युवक करता है छेड़खानी, छिबरामऊ कोतवाली का मामला @kannaujpolicepic.twitter.com/3VL2dJO7Ew
— UttarPradesh.ORG News (@WeUttarPradesh) March 10, 2023
The victim’s mother writes a letter seeking help from CM Yogi Adityanath
The victim’s mother has penned a letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath seeking justice. Now, this letter is going viral on social media. In this letter, the victim’s mother claims that Saqlain stalked, and molested her daughter. He is also pressuring her to perform Nikah with him.
The victim’s mother also stated in the letter that she had complained about this even after visiting the home of the accused Saqlain where the accused’s sister Sabubi and mother Picchi instead of stopping Saqlain confronted the victim’s mother asking her what is the problem in marrying off her daughter to accused Saqlain. Following this, the accused Saqlain went to the victim’s home with his mother and sister to assault the victim’s siblings. In addition, he threatened to kill the victim on her refusal to marry him and torment the victim every day and throw acid at her father.
Meanwhile, Kannauj SP said that a complaint was lodged against the accused in 2021. A case was registered in this matter. The SP stated that earlier the accused was also lodged in jail in this case.
The Inspector in charge Santosh Kumar Kushwaha said that the investigation is being conducted on the basis of the complaint lodged by the victim. Necessary legal action will be taken against the accused youth if the accusations levelled by the victim against the accused are found true.
Gautam Adani is looking to offload a share in his cement enterprise valued at roughly $450 million, as a strategy to decrease debt and reestablish investor trust in his conglomerate, a report published in Financial Times said.
According to three individuals who have firsthand information about the matter, Adani submitted a formal proposal to global financiers on Thursday, requesting authorization to divest 4 to 5 per cent of Ambuja Cement.
Adani, who possesses a 63 per cent stake in Ambuja Cement, has not revealed the identity of the potential buyer for the stake, and the proposal has not been finalized yet, according to the sources. A fourth source confirmed the discussions but did not provide any further information.
In the event of its execution, the sale of Adani’s stake in Ambuja Cement would signify the conglomerate’s initial asset divestiture, as it strives to decrease its debt burden.
The closing price of Ambuja shares on Thursday was Rs384.3, indicating that a 5% stake would have been valued at approximately $465 million.
Adani has addressed worries about its debt levels by highlighting its strong record of never defaulting and the ability of its operating companies to generate enough cash to easily meet interest payments.
Since the release of the short-seller report in late January, the conglomerate has repaid loans amounting to roughly $2 billion that was secured against the shares of Adani’s publicly traded firms. The group has announced its plans to completely prepay all share-backed financing by the conclusion of this month.
The acquisition of Holcim’s Indian assets, Ambuja Cement and its subsidiary ACC, for $10.5 billion was Adani’s largest-ever acquisition in the infrastructure and materials sector, and it propelled Adani to become India’s second-largest cement producer almost overnight.
A group of 14 global banks, including Barclays, Standard Chartered, and Deutsche Bank, led the way in providing $4.5 billion in financing.
According to two individuals with knowledge of the matter, Adani has already repaid a $500 million bridge loan that was set to mature in the early part of this month and was included in this financing package.
As per an individual familiar with the company’s thoughts, their philosophy has generally been to not divest. However, they acknowledge that they have several businesses and are currently debating whether to change this approach.
In a deal that took place this month, a private entity belonging to the Adani family sold $1.9 billion worth of shares in four publicly traded group companies to GQG Partners, an asset manager based in Florida and listed in Australia.
Financial Times quoted individuals with knowledge of the matter as stating that the Adani Group informed its bondholders in March that it had access to a $3 billion credit line from backers that included at least one sovereign wealth fund. However, the group dismissed media reports regarding this matter as “sheer speculation.”
Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair, the man responsible for unleashing his army of Islamists and jeopardising the safety of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, is now being painted as a victim by leftist propaganda outlets.
On Thursday (March 9), The Wire journalist Alishan Jafri claimed that the dubious fact checker has been the subject of multiple death threats over his reporting on the plight of migrant workers in Tamil Nadu.
Jafri, who was part of the now-banned BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, made the claims not just in The Wire but other propaganda media portals including Newslaundry, The News Minute, Scroll and Article 14.
Screengrab of the news report by The Wire
It is pertinent to note that Alishan Jafri is a journalist who writes for The Wire, The Quint, British state-run media BBC Hindi, Article 14, NewsClick, Qatar state-run media Al Jazeera and other platforms that are famous for anti-Hindu and anti-India rhetorical. Jafri was part of the now-banned BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the British broadcaster falsely accused PM Modi of orchestrating the Gujarat Riots of 2002.
Although Jafri tried his best to allege ‘occupational hazard’ faced by Mohammed Zubair and how ‘Hindutva forces’ at large were preventing him from doing his job, the fact remains that the threats (if any) were limited to his age-old habit of dog-whistling against the Hindu community.
On Wednesday (March 8), the Alt News co-founder threatened a man named Abhishek Singh over a meme on Holi and jeopardised his life at the same time. Singh was forced to delete his LinkedIn profile to avert physical harm to him and his family.
Screengrab of the tweet by Mohammed Zubair
Aghast at his actions and the lack of legal action against him, columnist Harshil Mehta called for extrajudicial action against the dubious fact-checker in a fit of rage.
Essentially, the threat that was issued to Mohammad Zubair was only a response to Zubair himself brazenly threatening a Hindu man merely for posting an image where a Hindu man was seen playing Holi with a Muslim woman. The threat by Zubair was taken to a point where the Hindu man was forced to delete his LinkedIn profile and his Twitter ID, given the history of Zubair unleashing Islamists against those he disagrees with.
The threat, while being illegal, was a result of the frustration that is often felt by common Hindus because Zubair continues to endanger the lives of Hindus, send Islamists their way and threaten their livelihood, with no consequence whatsoever. The beheading and rape threats that were issued to Nupur Sharma, the former BJP spokesperson, were also a result of Mohammad Zubair posting a selective clip of a television debate. While Nupur Sharma today is confined to her home with Islamists across the globe baying for her blood, Zubair has propagandists like Alishan Jafri writing articles in his support and glorifying him, while he continues to threaten Hindus on a daily basis.
Despite the fact that Zubair has endangered the lives of many, Harshil, the man who had called for extrajudicial action against Zubair, was quick to do a course correction and wrote, “Clarification regarding my tweet on Mohammed Zubair: my words could be used to provoke or commit criminal offences against him. However, I hold no such intent to cause any injury or harm to any individual. Thus, the tweet is deleted.”
Clarification regarding my tweet on @zoo_bear : my words could be used to provoke or commit criminal offences against him. However, I hold no such intent to cause any injury or harm to any individual. Thus, the tweet is deleted. ?
— Harshil Mehta (હર્ષિલ મહેતા) (@MehHarshil) March 10, 2023
While Mehta realised the far-reaching implications of such tweets, Mohammed Zubair had no qualms about ensuring that radical Islamists threatened and caused harm to former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
Far from being apologetic, the dubious fact checker pretends that he has no role in Sharma not being able to make public appearances anymore. To add icing to the cake, the likes of Alishan Jafri are now suggesting that Zubair is being threatened for his ‘fact checks’ on Tamil Nadu’s migrant crisis.
This has further emboldened Zubair to play his perpetual victim card and not take responsibility for putting the likes of Abhishek Singh in danger.
While an isolated threat could be considered illegal, there were other tweets included in the article by Alishan Jafri to paint Mohammad Zubair as a victim, that could not remotely be considered as “threats”. One such was a tweet by lawyer Shashank Shekhar Jha. He had merely said that he would never forgive Mohammad Zubair for endangering the life of Nupur Sharma and the fiasco that followed, including the death of innocent Hindus.
This tweet was then quoted by Jafri and called a death threat to Zubair.
Jha has now taken to Twitter to to say that if his name is not removed by all of these portals in the next 24 hours, he would taken legal action against the portals and the author of the article.
Mohammed Zubair and the aftermath of his dog whistle against Nupur Sharma
In May 2021, ex-BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma found herself at the centre of a raging storm after Islamists, egged on by the likes of AltNews co-founder Mohammed Zubair, issued multiple threats against her and her family for expressing her views on Prophet Muhammad and Islam.
Sharma was part of a debate panel on Times Now, discussing the finding of Shivling in the Gyanvapi complex and the subsequent mockery of the Hindu Gods and Goddesses that followed in the wake of the discovery.
Islamists had claimed that the Shivling discovered inside the wuzukhana of the Gyanvapi disputed structure was not a Shivling but a fountain. Across social media platforms, detractors had repeated ad nauseam that the Shivling found inside the Gyanvapi premises was a fountain and not an idol of a Hindu God.
In response to the contempt and scorn poured over Hindu Gods and Goddesses, BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma asked them to refrain from insulting Hindu Gods and cited Islamic scriptures and Holy Quran for substantiating her remarks on Prophet Muhammad and Islam.
Zubair shared an incomplete video of the debate, touching off Sar Tan Se Juda protests all over the country. While Islamists went on a rampage on the streets in many cities across the country, it was essentially Mohammed Zubair who was responsible for kindling a fire that had gone on to assume uncontrollable proportions.
It was Zubair’s dog-whistling that made a mountain out of a molehill and painted a target behind the back of Nupur Sharma and anyone and everyone who came out in her support.
The ominous hounding of Nupur Sharma prompted many to extend their support to her. Kanhaiya Lal from Udaipur, Umesh Kolhe in Amravati, and many others extended their solidarity with the beleaguered leader, voicing their support for her amid the death threats from Islamists.
And so, Lal was a marked man the moment he came out in support of Nupur Sharma. Islamists, provoked by Mohammed Zubair, dished out death threats to him for what they considered an unpardonable sin committed against Prophet.
And days later, the Hindu man was killed for something as trivial as just sharing a social media post in support of Nupur Sharma.
A similar fate befell Umesh Kolhe, a chemist living in Maharashtra’s Amravati, who was murdered by four Muslim assailants while he was returning from his pharmacy on the night of June 22, 2022. Kolhe, too, was murdered for his social media post supporting Nupur Sharma.
Opindia had reported in details cases of murders and assaults faced by the Hindu community for extending their support to the former BJP spokesperson.
This makes Mohammed Zubair guilty of ‘stochastic terrorism’, a concept defined as the public demonisation of a person or group resulting in the incitement of a violent act, which is statistically probable but whose specifics cannot be predicted.
It was Mohammed Zubair who spearheaded a campaign against Nupur Sharma, accusing her of insulting the Prophet Muhammad and letting loose an army of Islamists against her that ultimately snuffed out the life of Lal, Kolhe, and many others.
