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MHA recommends a CBI inquiry against Harsh Mander’s ‘NGO’ Aman Biradari for FCRA violations

OpIndia Staff
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MHA recommends a CBI inquiry against Harsh Mander’s ‘NGO’ Aman Biradari for FCRA violations

The Ministry of Home Affairs has recommended a CBI inquiry into Aman Biradari, an organisation run by so-called activist Harsh Mander. It is learnt that orders were issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs to probe the alleged FCRA violations by Mandar’s organisation. Harsh Mandar was part of the controversial NAC headed by then-UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

As per the rule, all NGOs receiving foreign funding have to compulsorily register with the Home Ministry under the FCRA.

According to its website, Aman Biradari is a ‘grassroots movement’ dedicated to creating a secular, peaceful, just, and compassionate world. Its goal is to achieve this by establishing community-based organizations at the village and district levels, primarily consisting of young people and women from various backgrounds and faiths, the website says. It further adds that these organizations aim to foster greater tolerance, fraternity, respect, and peaceful coexistence between individuals of different religions, castes, and linguistic groups.

Earlier in October 2022, the MHA had cancelled the FCRA registration of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF) and the Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust (RGCT), two NGOs headed by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, for alleged violations of FCRA laws.

While the MHA has recommended a CBI inquiry into Harsh Mandar over FCRA violations, the controversial left-wing ‘activist’ has a chequered history of bringing disrepute to the judiciary and inciting Muslim mobs against the Indian state.

In March 2020, Mander courted controversy after a video of him inciting Muslim mobs against the Indian State and judiciary went viral on social media. Mander had said that decisions pertaining to matters of the state shall not be delivered by the Supreme Court or the Parliament but will be made in the streets. Following the incident, the Delhi Police had filed an affidavit against Harsh Mander in the Supreme Court accusing him not only of inciting violence but also of bringing disrepute to the Judiciary and had sought contempt of court proceedings against him. 

Who is Harsh Mander

Harsh Mander had worked in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) for almost two decades and quit the services ‘in protest’ against the ‘state-sponsored riots’ in Gujarat in 2002. Since he left the IAS, Harsh Mander has spent quite a colourful life in ‘civil society’ organizations. Among his many contributions, he has worked as the country director of ActionAid India. However, he is most famous for his service in Sonia Gandhi’s National Advisory Council (NAC) which drafted the anti-Hindu Communal Violence Bill.

Judicial Interventions by Harsh Mander

Harsh Mander is also a known Ishrat apologist, the female LeT operative who was killed in an encounter along with three others by Crime Branch Officials in Gujarat. He was also one of the individuals who had signed a mercy petition for the Mumbai Attack Terrorist Yakub Memon, was among the 203 persons who had signed the mercy petition for Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab and had signed the mercy petition for Afzal Guru also. Apart from such antics, his judicial interventions have been many. Last year, Harsh Mander filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking the recusal of then Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi from hearing a case relating to the condition of detention camps and deportation of illegal immigrants from Assam.

Harsh Mander was also one of the forty ‘activists’ who had filed a review petition in the Court against the Ayodhya Verdict that paved the way for a Bhavya Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. He was also part of the coterie that had filed a petition against the Citizenship Amendment Act. It is important to remember here that Harsh Mander did all of this while being associated with foreign-funded NGOs.

Harsh Mander’s role in the CAA unrest

Harsh Mander with his organization ‘Karwaan-e-Mohabbat’ published a report on the violence at the Aligarh Muslim University that absolved the students of all sins and peddled numerous lies against the Uttar Pradesh Police. Later, of course, the entire report turned out to be a massive fraud. Harsh Mander had also promised to register himself as a Muslim if the CAB was passed but OpIndia has not been able to confirm yet if he has gone through with his promise after the CAB became CAA. He has also spread great lies about the NRC in the past and the foreign tribunals in Assam.

Earlier, Mander was part of a coterie that had penned a letter against the CAB. Harsh Mander and his NGO Karwan-e-Mohabbat were very active at the protests in Shaheen Bagh, the anti-CAA protests masterminded by the notorious Radical Islamist Sharjeel Imam. Interestingly, Harsh Mander has spoken on the ‘importance of solidarity’ and ‘how we can practice civil disobedience in today’s India’. Karwan-e-Mohabbat had also urged people to join the protests at the notorious Shaheen Bagh protests.

Other Ventures

Harsh Mander has taught courses in numerous highly esteemed colleges and universities including the Jamia Milia Islamia. His other NGO venture, Karwan-e-Mohabbat, had used the ‘lynching’ of a man to peddle the narrative of rising hate crimes in the country.

Attacks on Indian missions in London and San Francisco by Khalistanis: Indian advocacy group FIIDS suspects ISI behind them

ANI
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Attacks on Indian missions in London and San Francisco by Khalistanis: Indian advocacy group FIIDS suspects ISI behind them

Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), an Indian advocacy and awareness group on Sunday (local time) said that it “strongly suspect Pakistan’s spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is behind,” attacks on Indian missions in UK and US.

“We strongly suspect Pakistan’s ISI is behind instigating and funding Sikh radicalization with false propaganda. We ask Indian Americans including Sikh-majority to rise against the extremism,” read FIIDS statement. Khalistan supporters have started creating chaos across the world. After vandalism in London, Khalistan supporters allegedly attacked Indian Consulate in San Francisco (SFO). Videos of supporters breaking the doors and barging into the office surfaced on social media.

The visuals of the San Francisco consulate vandalism has been doing the rounds on social media, however, its yet to be confirmed by Indian officials.

As per visuals it can be confirmed that this happened outside the consulate, but the date cannot be confirmed.

“We are also appalled by the complete law and order failure in both in London as well as in SFO where a few radicalized separatists attacked India’s diplomatic missions,” added the statement.

Visuals shared online showed a huge mob brandishing Khalistan flags mounted on wooden poles, using it to smash glass doors and windows of the consulate building. They raised pro-Khalistan slogans as they broke through makeshift security barriers raised by the city police and installed two Khalistani flags inside the premises.

“It is extremely concerning to see that the United Kingdom and United States of America are failure to fulfill the commitments as per Vienna convention to protect diplomatic missions. We would urge law and order institutions like Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the FBI as well as the CIA to ensure that terrorism finds no place and support in the United States of America,” added the statement.

The senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi was summoned on Sunday night after the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom was vandalised.

The senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi was summoned late evening today to convey India’s strong protest at the actions taken by separatist and extremist elements against the Indian High Commission in London earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release on Sunday.

An explanation was demanded for the complete absence of British security that allowed these elements to enter the High Commission premises. She was reminded in this regard of the basic obligations of the UK Government under the Vienna Convention.

“India finds unacceptable the indifference of the UK Government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK,” the MEA press release said.

The British High Commissioner Alex Ellis condemned the attack on the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom today. He condemned the “disgraceful acts” and called it totally unacceptable.

“I condemn the disgraceful acts today against the people and premises of the High Commission of India – totally unacceptable,” British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis tweeted.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Victoria police on Monday released images of Khalistani supporters who indulged in violence on January 29th. In a statement, the Victoria Police appealed to identify six men following an affray in Melbourne.

“Melbourne East Neighbourhood Policing Team are appealing for public assistance following an affray at Federation Square in late January,” read the statement.

The targeted attack took place during the voting for the ‘Khalistan independence’ referendum, organised by the ‘Sikhs for Justice (SFJ)’ on January 29 this year.

The men from pro-Khalistani groups attacked Indians carrying the national flag in their hands.

The Indian group was seen running away from the scene while the Khalistani group continued to hit them.

Police were in attendance at a Khalistan Referendum event at Federation Square on January 29 when two fights broke out, one at about 12.45 pm and the other at about 4.30 pm.

There has been a rise in attacks by these Khalistani elements in foreign countries off late. These come in the wake of reports that the Pakistani spy agency ISI has been urging and funding such elements to carry out such attacks in a bid to rake up the Khalistan movement in Punjab.

The Indian Intelligence agencies have been warning about a rise in the activities by the ISI backed Khalistan elements.

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

Twitter account of pro-Khalistan Canadian lawmaker Jagmeet Singh withheld in India

OpIndia Staff
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Twitter account of pro-Khalistan Canadian lawmaker Jagmeet Singh withheld in India

On March 20, the Twitter account of Canadian lawmaker Jagmeet Singh was withheld in India. If anyone tries to access his account from India, it reads, “@theJagmeetSingh’s account has been withheld in India in response to a legal demand.” The action against him appeared to have been taken by the Government of India over his tweets on the ongoing operation against pro-Khalistani separatist Amritpal Singh in Punjab.

Canadian Lawmaker Jagmeet Singh’s account withheld in India. Source: Twitter

In a series of Tweets, Jagmeet expressed “concerns” over the ongoing operation in Punjab and compared the Punjab Government’s efforts to curb pro-Khalistani elements to the steps taken by the governments during the Punjab insurgency. He said, “I am deeply concerned by reports that India has suspended civil liberties and imposed an internet blackout throughout the state of Punjab.”

Jagmeet Singh’s tweets may have led to his account being withheld in India. Source: Twitter

He added, “These draconian measures are unsettling for many given their historical use to execute extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances during the 1984 Sikh Genocide. I am calling on Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government to immediately contact their Indian counterparts to express concern regarding the suspension of civil liberties and the safety of Canadians abroad.”

This is not the first time Singh tried to meddle in India’s matters. During farmer protests, Jagmeet Singh was one of the leading voices from Canada to speak against the Govt of India. Questions were raised on his alleged role in getting Rihanna to tweet about the issue. Singh has been called out several times for his pro-Khalistani views. Interestingly, while he protested over the Indian Govt’s steps against protesting farmers, he supported the strict action taken by the Government of Canada against protesting Truckers who took on roads last year.

Meet Daljeet Kalsi, the Punjabi actor and Deep Sidhu’s close aide, who played a key role in establishing Amritpal Singh as Waris Punjab De chief

OpIndia Staff
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Meet Daljeet Kalsi, the Punjabi actor and Deep Sidhu’s close aide, who played a key role in establishing Amritpal Singh as Waris Punjab De chief

On March 18, Daljeet Kalsi, a close aide and financer of Amritpal Singh, was arrested by Punjab Police with the help of Haryana Police from Gurugram. Kalsi is a Punjabi actor who was also actively involved with actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu. Earlier, OpIndia reported how Amritpal Singh was using social media to gain followers on the ground. We accessed a few Clubhouse discussions and the report can be checked here.

In one of the discussions, Kalsi was also a speaker and talked about his experience with the so-called Hindi imposition in a mall in Chandigarh.

Who is Daljeet Kalsi?

Daljeet Singh Kalsi alias Sarabjeet Singh Kalsi is a popular Punjabi actor. He is best known for Sardar Saab and Jagga Jiunde E. Kalsi was a close aide of the founder of Waris Punjab De and actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu. Like Sidhu, Kalsi also propagated for Khalistan. After Sidhu’s death, he got associated with Amritpal Singh. It is believed that Kalsi was not only financing Amritpal Singh’s endeavours in Punjab but also played a vital role in bringing him from Dubai and establishing him as the organisation’s chief.

Notably, the family of Deep Sidhu has claimed they have no links to Amritpal Singh. Sidhu’s brother claimed that two organisations named Waris Punjab De and Amritpal Singh use ‘Warris Panj-ab De’ as spellings. His family claimed Amritpal’s organisation was not the original one, as Sidhu did not name him as his successor.

Tracking Kalsi’s association with Sidhu and Amritpal

OpIndia tracked Kalsi’s association with Deep Sidhu and Amritpal Singh via his social media posts. Kalsi has been active on Instagram since June 2015. His Twitter account was created in 2010, and his Facebook page was created in 2012. Notably, his Facebook page’s access has been blocked in India. His social media accounts remained mostly about his film career, family and friends. However, things changed with the farmer protests that started after the Government of India implemented the now-repealed three Agriculture Laws.

His first appearance at a protest site appeared on social media on October 6, 2020, when he went to Shambhu Morcha.

Daljeet Kalsi at Shambhu Morcha. Source: Instagram

On November 22, he published a photograph with Deep Sidhu and talked about going to Shambhu Morcha with him. Deep Sidhu became an integral part of the Shambhu Morcha, a protesting group that was settled at the Shambhu Barrier between Punjab and Haryana for over two months. Deep Sidhu and other members of the Punjabi film fraternity went to the protest site to extend their support. What made him stand apart was the fact that Sidhu remained there for over two months and then moved with the group to the Delhi border to continue protests.

Interestingly, between October 6 to November 22, one incident particularly caught the eyes of the media. On October 27, a youth raised the ‘Khalistan Zindabad‘ slogan at the protest site. He was caught by Advocate Hakam Singh immediately and handed over to the Police present there. Irked by the slogan, Hakam Singh, a management team member, offered to become the complainant in the matter. By then, Deep Sidhu was among the management at the protest site. Sidhu was not pleased with the action taken by Hakam Singh and expelled him from the team.

Daljeet Kalsi and Deep Sidhu. Source: Instagram.

On November 29, another photo appeared on Instagram in which he was seen with Deep Sidhu and others. The group was heading towards Delhi to participate in the farmer protests.

Daljeet and Deep on their way to Delhi for farmer protests. Source: Instagram.

Instigating his followers against the Indian government, Daljeet wrote in a post on January 6, 2021, that the situation in the country was bad. “India will cease to exist after cheating farmers,” he wrote. In a set of photographs, Kalsi was seen talking to the media. Kalsi and Deep Sidhu used their popularity and communication skills to become the frontrunners at the protest sites as the media preferred people with skills, fame and “knowledge” for bytes. Deep Sidhu became the face of the protests and Kalsi became a strong supporter who often gave bytes to the media himself.

Kalsi claimed the situation in India was bad. Source: Instagram

On May 6, 2021, he published a photograph with Deep Sidhu and controversial Sikh preacher Barjinder Singh Parwana who was later arrested for instigating Sikh youth during Patiala violence in May 2022. Parwana is chief of Damdami Taksal Jatha Rajpura. He came out to support assailants who killed an Army personnel over alleged sacrilege in July 2021.

Daljeet Kalsi with Deep Sidhu and controversial Sikh preacher Barjinder Singh Parwana. Source: Instagram

Daljeet Kalsi appeared to be involved in the election campaign for Simarjit Singh Mann who was elected as Lok Sabha MP from Sangrur. Mann also contested the election for Punjab Assembly against Jaswant Singh Gajjamajra in Amargath Assembly Constituency but could not win.

Kalsi with Simranjeet Singh Mann. Source: Instagram.

However, when the by-poll for the Sangrur Lok Sbaha constituency was vacated after then-MP Bhagwant Mann became Chief Minister of Punjab, Mann contested from the Sangrur seat and won by a margin of over 5,800 votes. Kalsi’s photographs with Mann in a rally after winning by-polls speak a lot about his association with him. Recently, Simranjit Singh Mann’s account was withheld in India.

Kalsi celebrating Mann’s victory in a by-poll. Source: Instagram

Kalsi was one of the four key members who announced Amritpal Singh as the new chief of Waris Punjab De. In a video statement, he called Amritpal Singh “equal to Deep Sidhu”.

In April, he went to Dubai and met Amritpal. A photograph was shared on Instagram.

In September 2022, after Amritpal returned to India, they announced that he would officially take over the organisation at an event in the village of Rohde, Punjab, the birthplace of Khalistani terrorist Bhindranwale.

After that, he consistently posted about Amritpal Singh, Khalsa Vaheer (the march that Amritpal Singh took across Punjab) and more. During the Ajnala incident, Kalsi not only shared Amritpal Singh’s appeal video to his followers to reach Ajnala but also actively shared videos of the attack on the police station.

He gave the title to a video “When we arrive today, the atmosphere will get heated” on the day the Ajnala incident took place hinting at possible agitation.

A snapshot of video at Ajnala Police Station.

Source: Facebook.

Daljeet Kalsi’s track on social media makes it evident that he was not only a close aide of Deep Sidhu but also played an important role in establishing Amritpal Singh as the chief of Waris Punjab De.

After attacking Indian High Commission in London, Khalistanis attack Indian consulate in San Francisco

OpIndia Staff
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After attacking Indian High Commission in London, Khalistanis attack Indian consulate in San Francisco

On Sunday, March 19 (Local Time), Khalistan supporters launched an attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco in the United States. This attack on the Indian consulate comes shortly after an attack on the Indian High Commission in London by Khalistan supporters.

A video of the attack has now gone viral on social media in which Khalistani elements can be seen damaging the property at the consulate while waving their Khalistan flags.

The Khalistanis broke through makeshift security barriers installed by the local authorities, installed two Khalistani flags inside the consulate, and caused significant damage to the building. Two consulate personnel later removed the flags. San Francisco police have not commented on the incident.

In the video, one can also see the Khalistani flags being used to break the doors and windows of the consulate. The attackers also painted #FreeAmritpal graffiti on the walls of the building as well.

Indian High Commission building attacked in London by Khalistanis

Earlier, pro-Khalistani elements barged into the Indian High Commission in London and removed the tricolour from the premises.

In a video that came to light, a mob of Khalistanis could be seen staging a protest outside the Indian High Commission. Amidst chants of ‘Khalistan Zindabad’, a man sporting an orange turban was seen scaling the walls of the building and pulling down the Indian flag.

He then waved the Khalistani flag jubilantly while Indian officials at the building seized the tricolour from the man. Some of the Khalistanis were also spotted holding a poster of ‘fugitive’ Amritpal Singh.

India has now sought an explanation from the top UK diplomat in the country over the lack of security outside the Indian High Commission in London.

Crackdown on Amritpal Singh in Punjab

The latest round of attacks against Indian commissions abroad has started after action was taken against pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh in Punjab.

While Amritpal Singh managed to escape, over 100 associates of the ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief were arrested by Punjab Police. At the same time, Amritpal was declared a ‘fugitive‘ by the police, and the search is on to nab him as soon as possible.

Amritpal Singh used drug rehab centres and gurdwara to store weapons and brainwashed youth to execute suicide attacks: Reports

OpIndia Staff
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Amritpal Singh used drug rehab centres and gurdwara to store weapons and brainwashed youth to execute suicide attacks: Reports

Amritpal Singh, the absconding leader of the Khalistani outfit ‘Waris Punjab De,’ has been accused of using drug rehabilitation centres and a gurdwara for storing weapons and training youths for suicide attacks.

An intelligence dossier, which has been prepared with inputs from various security agencies, has revealed that Singh has been brainwashing youths to become “khadkoos” or human bombs at the behest of Pakistan’s ISI and Khalistan sympathisers residing overseas.

The report also stated that Amritpal Singh used drug de-addiction centres run by ‘Waris Punjab De’ and a gurdwara in Amritsar to stockpile weapons and prepare youth for suicide attacks (following the footsteps of Khalistani terrorist Dilawar Singh).

The development comes after Tarsem Singh, the father of absconding Amritpal Singh’s father, praised his son for keeping the youth off drugs.

“Amritpal is working against drugs. It is the reason that there is political pressure to arrest him. This action against Amritpal is unjustified. There are drugs in every home. But there is no focus on that issue. If someone is trying to end the drug menace, he is being stopped,” he had alleged.

Amritpal Singh still on the run from law enforcement authorities

On March 18, the Punjab Police and central agencies launched a massive crackdown on Amritpal Singh. 78 of his associates were arrested during the first day of the operation.

The police intercepted a three-SUV convoy of Amritpal Singh outside his paternal village. Two of the SUVs were stopped, and seven associates of Singh were arrested.

Singh managed to escape, and the chase continued for around 25 KMs, after which he ditched the vehicle and escaped. His other car and phone were recovered on the second day of operation.

On March 19, the police detained 21 of his supporters near Boaprai Kalan in Jalandhar after they tried to stage a protest. So far, the cops have recovered nine weapons, including one .315 bore rifle, seven rifles of 12 bore, one revolver, and 373 live cartridges of different calibers during the operation.

Waris Punjab De workers are involved in four criminal cases relating to spreading disharmony among classes, attempting to murder, attacking police persons, and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duties of public servants.

A police spokesperson said all persons involved in criminal offences shall be dealt with in accordance with the law and that all persons wanted by the police should offer themselves to the process of law. Their constitutional rights of legal defence shall be protected, he added.

Sikhs protest outside British High Commission in New Delhi over the pulling down of the Indian flag, chant Bharat Mata Ki Jai

OpIndia Staff
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Sikhs protest outside British High Commission in New Delhi over the pulling down of the Indian flag, chant Bharat Mata Ki Jai

Hundreds of Sikhs gathered outside the British High Commission in New Delhi today waving Indian Flags and chanting slogans like Bharat Mata Ki Jai.

This comes a day after the British Government allowed violent protests outside the Indian High Commission in London in which the Indian Flag was pulled down from the mast and a Khalistani flag was put in its place. New Delhi immediately took cognizance of the matter and summoned the British High Commissioner late in the evening of Sunday.

The protests outside the British High Commission are seen by many Indians as the commensurate answer to the British indifference to the attack on Indian High Commission in London.

Following the attack on the Indian High Commission and the visible lack of effort by British law enforcement agencies to stop the wrongdoing, the Ministry of External Affairs issued a strongly worded statement. The statement read “An explanation was demanded for the complete absence of British security that allowed these elements to enter the High Commission premises. India finds unacceptable the indifference of UK Government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK”

UK’s High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, tweeted, “I condemn the disgraceful acts today against the people and premises of the @HCI_London – totally unacceptable.”

India however responded by putting an even bigger flag at its High Commission.

It must be noted that this was not the first time the British government was a mute spectator to violent protests outside Indian Mission in London. In September 2019, the Indian High Commission in London witnessed an attack after protests over the abrogation of Article 370. A 10,000-strong mob of British Pakistanis marched in London as part of the ‘Kashmir Freedom March’ and then launched an attack at the building. Several windows and window panes were smashed by the attackers

Sartaj and Shahrukh murder their sister in a suspected case of honour killing in Greater Noida: Report

OpIndia Staff
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Sartaj and Shahrukh murder their sister in a suspected case of honour killing in Greater Noida: Report

In a disturbing incident, two brothers in Greater Noida murdered their sister because they doubted her character. Prima facie the case appears to be that of a suspected honour killing, reports reveal.

DCP Central Ram Badan Singh said that on March 14, a decomposed dead body of a woman was recovered from the Hindon river in the Ecotech-3 police station area. During the investigation, the deceased was identified as Najma, daughter of Akhtar, a resident of Kakrala village.

Najma was married, but she was having a dispute with her husband. Najma was living in Surajpur in a separate room without her husband. His brothers Shahrukh and Sartaj doubted his character.

On getting information about this, when station in-charge Sunil Dutt interrogated both the brothers on the basis of suspicion, they confessed to killing their sister. He said that on the night of March 8, he coaxed his sister Najma to a deserted place in the Bisrakh area and strangulated her to death.

After committing the murder, they threw the dead body in the Hindon river for the purpose of disposing of it. The dead body had come to the police station Ecotech-3 area.

Both the brothers told during interrogation that their sister had left her husband and was living separately. Because of this, various discussions were happening in society about his character. Tired of these discussions, he killed Najma.

Honour killings show the ugly side of our society, OpIndia had earlier reported an incident in which a 19-year-old girl was smothered with a pillow by her brothers Tohid and Danish for reportedly having a love affair with a youth whom the latter did not approve of. The brothers learned that the victim was planning to elope with her boyfriend and marry him in court. They were infuriated over this and killed her

Hate crime in Canada: Sikh student assaulted, his turban ripped off and taken away

OpIndia Staff
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Hate crime in Canada: Sikh student assaulted, his turban ripped off and taken away

In an apparent hate crime in the British Columbia province of Canada, a 21-year-old Sikh student of Indian origin was brutally assaulted by a group of unknown men. Gagandeep Singh, the Sikh student, was assaulted on Friday night (local time) when he was heading home after grocery shopping.

The local councillor Mohini Singh rushed to meet Gagandeep shortly after the assault and shared his ordeal with the local news channel, CTV news.

Mohini Singh told the news channel that Gagandeep told her that he was heading home around 10:30 pm after grocery shopping when he encountered a group of between 12 and 15 other young people on the bus. It was St. Patrick’s Day and the rowdy group on the bus was throwing a wig around.

The councillor added that the group was harassing him and they threw the wig at him. When Gagandeep told them not to bother him or he would call the police, they continued to harass him.

Following that, Gagandeep got off the bus but the group got down after him, and once the bus left, they swarmed him and beat him up. As per the councillor, he was hit in his face, in his ribs, arms, and legs. The group then proceeded to grab his turban, pulled his hair and dragged him, the councillor Mohini Singh narrated.

After the brutal attack, Gagandeep was left in a pile of snow on the side of the road. After regaining consciousness, he called one of his friends who came to meet him and then they called 911.

Mohini Singh said that Gagandeep’s fellow international students have been left shaken by the attack, and they are now feeling less safe in their community. She added that Gangandeep being Sikh, and from India, were undoubtedly factors in the assault.

She added, “I entirely believe this is racism and it should be treated as that. It should be looked at through the lens of being a hate crime. This is so wrong on so many levels.”

Tamil Nadu: Catholic priest Benedict arrested for sexual abuse, intimate videos with several women leaked on social media

OpIndia Staff
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Tamil Nadu: Catholic priest Benedict arrested for sexual abuse, intimate videos with several women leaked on social media

A Christian priest from the Syro Malankara Catholic Church in Kanyakumari has been arrested after scandalous videos and pictures of him with several women surfaced on social media. The priest in question has been identified as Benedict Anto, who was serving as a priest in the church for many years.

According to sources, the videos were put on social media by a group of people who ‘attacked’ him a few days earlier and took away his laptop. The content of the videos and pictures was extremely scandalous and has caused wide outrage. The videos and pictures show Benedict Anto in compromising positions with multiple women.

Anto has been accused of predatory sexual behaviour. He would send obscene messages to women and also kiss and touch women inappropriately, as per reports. He would record himself with women doing intimate acts and use the videos to threaten the victims to keep quiet. Tamil media has reported that the priest’s targets include minor girls too.

A woman named Mini Ajitha complained to the police stating that Priest Anto had filed a false case against her son Austin Gino because he had confronted him for harassing his female friend, who is a medical student.

According to a report published in Organiser, Benedict Anto is a Syro Malankara Catholic church priest in Kanyakumari West District. The 30 -year-old Christian priest is from Marthandam near Nagercoil in the Kanyakumari district.

This is not the first case where a Christian priest has been accused of predatory sexual behaviour. Opindia in 2022 had reported about Priest Pondson John who was arrested for sexually abusing a minor girl twice, once at Church while ‘counselling’ her and once in her own home.

In 2018 we reported that A Priest, who was also a principal in a reputed English medium convent school in Pune, was arrested from Mumbai for allegedly sexually abusing a student.

The abuse by Church fathers is a global phenomenon. In 2019, an Argentinian court sentenced two Catholic priests to more than 40 years in prison in Mendoza on after they were found guilty of the sexual abuse of as many as 10 deaf children of a Catholic-run school.

Similar incidents have been reported in other parts of the world, leading to calls for greater accountability and transparency within the Church.

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