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Amritpal Singh tries to legitimize demand for separate Khalistan, compares it to calls for Hindu Rashtra

OpIndia Staff
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Amritpal Singh tries to legitimize demand for separate Khalistan, compares it to calls for Hindu Rashtra

Amritpal Singh, a pro-Khalistan preacher and the current head of “Waris Punjab De,” compared the concept of a “Hindu Rashtra” to the demand for a separate “Khalistan” in order to try and legitimize his cause. During an interview, wherein the radical leader was seated in a car, he was asked why there is a demand for a religion-based country, Khalistan, out of a democratic India. To this, Amritpal drew a bizarre parallel between the demand for Khalistan and the demand for declaring India a Hindu Rashtra. 

Amritpal claimed that demanding a separate country is not an “anti-democratic step” adding that in a democracy people’s opinions are respected, “so if people want to be separated it should be respected and it should not be a taboo.”

The radical preacher went on to claim that ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is a similar type of violence, even bigger violence than saying that we want a separate homeland. He further added that if ‘Hindu Rashtra’ is not criminalized, Khalistan also should not be criminalized and it should be discussed more ‘intellectually’.

Amritpal Singh went on to claim that the majority of Sikhs demand Khalistan and India should talk to them and maybe reach a middle ground. He further warned that if the ‘suppression’ of these voices continues, it will eventually lead to a disaster as India has had a history of disasters. 

“If India is ready for a disaster, they can crush Sikhs, suppress the voice of Sikhs, and eliminate all the Sikhs but they cannot eliminate the idea of Khalistan or Khalsa Raj as it is a ‘Hukum’ by our Guru and is there in our ardaas that Raj Karega Khalsa Baki Rahe Na Koye,” Amritpal said.

Interestingly, Amritpal Singh is persistently citing democracy to push his separatist agenda. It is notable that while Khalistan supporters aim to carve out a separate nation based on religious lines, the supporters of Hindu Rahstra do not intend to partition the country on the basis of religion. Contrary to the understanding of Amritpal Singh, a Hindu Rashtra does not aim to convert all Hindus or eliminate other religions or their followers. In fact, Hinduism is the only religion that believes in the philosophy of Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam-considering the entire world as one family.

Chaos in Punjab thanks to Amritpal Singh’s supporters

Amritpal Singh’s supporters, in a shocking act of lawlessness, stormed a police station in Ajnala, Amritsar, Punjab, on Thursday, to protest the arrest of Amritpal’s close aide Lovepreet Singh Toofan. They were armed with lathis, swords, and guns, in an attempt to intimidate the police force. 

The Khalistanis even took control of the police station for several hours, while the policemen looked on helplessly. No action was taken against the rioters. Punjab Police later canceled the FIR against Lovepreet Singh, giving into the demands of the Khalistanis.

The special investigation team (SIT) probing the case of kidnap and assault yielded to the pressure exerted by the radical leader and discharged Lovepreet Singh. As a result, the Punjab Police moved an application of discharge to the court, and he was released from Amritsar central jail on Friday.

Union Home Ministry seeks report on Ajnala incident, Intelligence Bureau monitoring situation in Punjab: Reports

OpIndia Staff
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Union Home Ministry seeks report on Ajnala incident, Intelligence Bureau monitoring situation in Punjab: Reports

Days after supporters of Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh laid siege on the Ajnala police station in Amritsar, the Union Home Ministry has sought a detailed report about the incident from the Punjab police, reported India Today.

Citing sources, the news report said that the Union government has been in touch with security agencies about the nefarious activities of Amritpal Singh. Meanwhile, the Intelligence Bureau has prepared a report on the recent developments in Punjab and has shared it with officials working at the Union Home Ministry, headed by Amit Shah.

Dubai-returned Amritpal Singh is heading the pro-Khalistan group ‘Waris Punjab De’, which was founded by the late actor and activist Deep Sidhu. A few days ago, Amritpal Singh issued a veiled threat to Home Minister Amit Shah. He said that if Amit Shah tried to suppress their voice, he would face a similar fate as Indira Gandhi.

Singh said, “Indira tried to suppress, what happened? Now Amit Shah can fulfill his wish and see”. His threat came after the union home minister had said that the Home Ministry is keeping an eye on the Khalistani supporters in Punjab.

Amritpal Singh became the head of Waris Punjab De following Deep Sidhu’s death in a car accident in February 2022. He came to India in September 2022.

The Background of the Controversy

The Northern State of Punjab has been faced with the imminent threat of revivalism of the Sikh separatist movement aka Khalistan, following the meteoric rise of radical preacher Amritpal Singh.

On Thursday (February 24), his frenzied supporters broke through the barricades and attacked the Ajnala police station. Cops, on duty, had to brave attacks from Amritpal Singh’s radical followers who were equipped using lathis, swords, and even guns.

The police were quick to give in and release Singh’s aide, Lovepreet Toofan, even though he was arrested a few days earlier on February 18 in connection to a kidnapping and assault case.

The complete breakdown of the law and order apparatus in the State and the failure of the Punjab police were visible from the footage of the clash. But this did not stop Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann from falsely claiming that the situation was under control in the Northern State.

Even the Punjab police did not shy away from making bizarre excuses to justify their failure in taming the violent mob, saying that they didn’t retaliate because the mob was carrying the Guru Granth Sahib and Palki Sahib.  The Instagram account of Amritpal Singh, who heads the Khalistani outfit ‘Waris Punjab De’, has now been withheld in India.

Congress ally Sanjay Raut demands Bharat Ratna for Veer Savarkar

ANI
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Congress ally Sanjay Raut demands Bharat Ratna for Veer Savarkar

Uddhav Thackeray faction leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday appealed to the Central government to confer the country’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna on Veer Savarkar.

Asserting that Savarkar was a “brave son” of Maharashtra, Raut said, “Veer Savarkar was a legend of Maharashtra. He is a brave son of Maharashtra. Central Government should give Bharat Ratna to him.”

He further hit out at the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi, saying that the latter is “provoking” Muslims.

“BJP and Asaduddin Owaisi are ‘Ram and Shyam ki Jodi’. Shiv Sena will fight alone. Asaduddin Owaisi is provoking Muslims by wearing black Sherbani,” Shiv Sena veteran said.

He also said that Muslims would suffer if they get separated from Hindus.

“Muslims are a minority in the country, Muslims should not separate from Hindus, otherwise Muslims will suffer,” Raut said.

On Saturday, Owaisi, during a rally in Maharashtra’s Thane, slammed the Shiv Sena leaders, saying, “When NCP’s Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule can become leaders, Uddhav Thackeray can become a leader solely on the virtue of being his father’s son, Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis can become leaders, can’t Maharashtra’s Muslims be like Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde,” Owaisi asked.

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

Pakistan: Security cameras stolen from Gaddafi stadium in Lahore ahead of PSL matches, Punjab govt refuses to provide security to the tournament without payment

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: Security cameras stolen from Gaddafi stadium in Lahore ahead of PSL matches, Punjab govt refuses to provide security to the tournament without payment

Several security cameras, which are installed to prevent crimes like theft, were stolen from the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore before the first game of this season’s Pakistan Super League (PSL). According to Pakistani media reports, eight CCTV cameras apart from fibre optic cables for the cameras and generator batteries with millions of rupees were stolen by thieves.

According to reports, the value of the stolen items is approximately PKR 10 lakh (around 3,21,675.31). While the optical fibre cables are essential for CCTV coverage of the event, the batteries are essential to run the generators for lighting and other power requirements at the stadium during the matches.

It is notable that the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is Pakistan’s version of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

While the thieves took away the cameras and their cables from inside the stadiums, cameras on outside the stadium recorded them escaping after the theft. However, they have not been identified using this footage.

Two cases have been registered against them at Gulberg police station. Police are yet to apprehend the thieves, and no arrests have been made so far.

Notably, this comes amid a standoff over PSL security costs between the Punjab government and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), as the Punjab government is asking the PCB to pay for the security coverage for the tournament. While the caretaker provincial government had initially demanded PKR 450 million, they have lowered this demand to PKR 250 million. According to the government, the original cost was PKR 900 million but they sought only half of it, and then further reduced it to KR 250 million. However, PCB has maintained its position saying that it will not pay for security.

Ramiz Raja, the former PCB chairman, claimed that the board would go bankrupt if it began to pay security expenses. He said that it is the responsibility of the Punjab government to organise funds and look into the security of the stadia, and the PCB should not do the job of others. PCB has said that it has already paid PKR 700 million in provincial tax to the government exclusively, and the government will further benefit from the tournament due to the positive economic activity generated as a result.

According to reports, the demand by Punjab government is unprecedented, as generally, local governments do not require additional payment for security provided. They only seek remuneration for the security personnel, which the PCB has already paid. Reportedly, the remuneration cost for security personnel is PKR 30 million in Sindh, where Karachi is located, and PKR 50 million in Punjab, and the board has already made these payments.

PCB may shift the matches scheduled to be held in Lahore and Pindi to Karachi if the Punjab government keeps asking the board for paying for security. However, preparations have already started in Lahore, and TV production kits have been installed at Gaddafi stadium.

Pakistan Super League has six teams, based out of Multan, Peshawar, Islamabad, Quetta, Lahore and Karachi. For the 2023, matches are scheduled at Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi.

BBC World Services contributor asks media to not brand a ‘law and order’ issue in Punjab as a separatist movement

OpIndia Staff
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BBC World Services contributor asks media to not brand a ‘law and order’ issue in Punjab as a separatist movement

On February 25, Ravinder Singh Robin, a freelance journalist who regularly contributes to BBC World Services, published a video on Twitter urging his colleagues in Delhi not to paint the situation in Punjab as a separatist movement. In the tweet, he wrote, “A humble request to my colleagues in Delhi who are representing and anchoring media houses. For God’s sake, please don’t term the deterioration of the law and order situation in Punjab as a separatist movement.”

He appeared to be speaking at a panel discussion online. While clarifying that his views were his own and not the company he represents, Singh said, “A vacuum has been created in Punjab in the last 5-7 years in terms of political leadership, religious leadership, and social services. The last two governments of the Aam Aadmi Party and Capt Amarinder Singh promised to end the drug menace in the state. Capt Amarinder Singh took an oath of the holy book and promised to end the menace in four months, but nothing happened in five years. The present government also promised the same.”

“You need to understand, as the DGP has said, there is resentment among youth. The whole of Punjab is not migrating to Canada and America. Maybe 5%-12% may go. The rest of them will live here. They do not have any work. They do not have skilled labour. There are many issues. Radical organisations and leaders like Amritpal Singh are filling that vacuum. More may pop up with time. But you cannot say that 50-100 people represent the three crore people of Punjab. Those who are sitting in Delhi have termed the deterioration of law and order as Khalistan. They pushed the whole of Punjab and Punjabis into the narrative. They should show the reality,” he added.

Punjab unrest raises concerns over Khalistan revivalism

While many supported his views on Twitter, others on social media highlighted the revivalism of Khalistani sentiments, especially in the wake of unrest witnessed in Punjab. Whatever happened in Anjala Police Station was not a mere law and order problem involving 50-100 men. It was a mob of hundreds of armed Sikhs who used Shri Guru Granth Sahib as a shield and attacked Police personnel with swords, batons, and other sharp weapons. There are videos showing them storming into the Police station and overpowering the police.

Furthermore, it was not a one-off event. Many reports of pro-Khalistan marches and discussions have been happening across the state. Amritpal Singh is gaining momentum in the state and calling for a separate country openly while the state political leadership claims everything is under control. Amritpal is accumulating his followers in the state, strikingly similar to how Bhindranwale gained popularity in the late 1980s. Singh dresses like Bhindranwale and walks with armed guards just like him.

Not to forget, hours after getting Toofan released from Police custody in Ajnala, Amritpal visited Golden Temple in Amritsar, and thousands of his followers visited the Gurudwara just to get a glimpse of their new “beloved” leader. On many occasions, Amritpal Singh has openly supported Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and Sikhs For Justice’s Referendum 2020 that calls for a separate Khalistan. Furthermore, Amritpal Singh’s social media accounts were restricted in India recently. Home Minister Amit Shah also said in a statement that his ministry is keeping an eye on the actions of Singh and his followers, after which he issued a threat against HM Shah. In “merely” law and order situations, involved parties do not threaten the Union Home Minister.

Haryana: National flag torn and disrespected at Ambala Municipal Corporation office, FIR registered

OpIndia Staff
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Haryana: National flag torn and disrespected at Ambala Municipal Corporation office, FIR registered

The national flag atop the municipal corporation headquarters in Ambala City was discovered in a heavily vandalized state on Saturday, prompting police to file a criminal complaint.

An unidentified person was charged at the Ambala City police station with violating Section 2 of the Prevention of Insult to National Honours Act, after assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Satish Kumar, assigned to police post number 4, filed a report.

The response came when an online channel revealed that the shredded flag had been left unattended at the workplace.

The ASI said that he was watching the news from the area on his mobile. “The video showed the national flag hoisted on the building of municipal corporation, Ambala City, torn and dirty, which is a disrespect to the Tricolor,” he stated.

Inspector Ram Kumar, SHO at the Ambala City police station, reported that the flag was raised by municipal corporation (MC) officials on Independence Day last year and that it had not been taken down or changed since.

He informed, “The matter came to our notice from a news video published by a web channel. Upon verification, it was found that the national flag was torn and dirty, and a case was registered. It has been informed to us that the flag was hoisted by MC officials on Independence Day on August 15, and it was not removed or changed since then. With time, the fabric of the flag got old and got torn, which is a disrespect to the national honor. There is a code to hoist the national flag.”

According to the SHO, an inquiry is being conducted, and before taking any further action, accountability will be established.

On August 13 to August 15 of last year, the country observed the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign to commemorate ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mohatsav.’

The Flag Code of India, 2002 was revised by the Union government in July of last year to permit the national flag to fly through the night if it is done in the open and by a member of the public. The flag could previously only be flown between sunrise and dusk.

A damaged or soiled national flag must be destroyed, however, “as whole in private, preferably by burning or any other way recognizing the dignity of the national flag,” according to the code.

Armaan Malik and his two wives hit out on Armaan Malik, the singer, for saying he finds news about his namesake ‘disgusting’

OpIndia Staff
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Armaan Malik and his two wives hit out on Armaan Malik, the singer, for saying he finds news about his namesake ‘disgusting’

YouTuber Armaan Malik (real name Sandeep) and his two wives have lashed out on Armaan Malik, the singer, who had pulled up media for printing news on Malik and his two wives who are pregnant at the same time. On February 24, 2023, Armaan Malik, the singer, tweeted and asked media houses to stop calling Armaan Malik (YouTuber) by that name as his real name is Sandeep.

Armaan Malik, the singer, hits out on Armaan Malik, the YouTuber

Malik (Singer) was reacting to a news item where in Malik (YouTuber) had ‘slapped’ one of his pregnant wives. The Maliks, in their many problematic videos which also involve their minor son, stage such scenes of violence and abuse and portray them as ‘prank’ videos for an audience of over 10 million subscribers on YouTube. In the above video, too, it was a prank where Malik (YouTuber) would ‘slap’ his pregnant wives.

Malik (singer) said that he did not like waking up to such news and it disgusted him and felt his name being misused. “Hate waking up and reading articles like this,” he had tweeted.

Responding to this tweet, the Maliks (YouTube) have come out with a video pulling him up.

In a video titled ‘Jaise log waisa jawab’, Malik (YouTuber) said that the topic he is to broach today is critical and might even raise controversy but he doesn’t care as they are right in their place. He said that many people could have similar sounding names. He (YouTuber) said that he is five years older to Armaan (singer) and he had two names at home, Sandeep and Armaan.

YouTuber Malik said that he has never met Malik (singer) and that if media prints news about them which make him feel disgusted, it is not their fault. His friend then said that there might be at least 1 crore Armaan Maliks all over the world and no one has patented the same.

YouTuber Malik then said that Malik, the singer, and his family have long been associated with Bollywood which made him a singer and became famous. Malik said that he is a self-made man and that he has always done TikTok and YouTube and all under the name of Armaan Malik and it was not inspired from the singer’s name.

“If you would have tried to achieve what you have on your own, then I would have been more famous than you. More people would have known me than you. This is the bitter truth,” he said.

Then his wife, Kritika, said that they have never misused his name either. She said they make videos about themselves and have neither used his name or his thumbnail. Armaan then asked him to not be jealous.

Armaan Malik (singer) is son of Daboo Malik, who is brother of music composter Anu Malik. He is also grandson of veteran music composter Sardar Malik. YouTuber Armaan Malik recently made it to media after news of his two wives being pregnant at same time broke. Some reports suggest he was earlier married to another woman and got divorced from her. He also has one child from his wife Payal who is currently expecting twins. You can read more about him here.

PM Narendra Modi reacts as Korean embassy staff grooves on ‘Naatu Naatu’ from RRR

ANI
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PM Narendra Modi reacts as Korean embassy staff grooves on ‘Naatu Naatu’ from RRR

The popular ‘RRR’ song ‘Naatu Naatu’ is gaining worldwide popularity! The song has already won many awards – be it Golden Globes or Critics Choice Award. The song has also been nominated in the ‘Original Song’ category. 

Well, the hysteria has travelled to South Korea as well! A video of the South Korean embassy in India’s staff grooving to the hit track has gone viral on social media. Not just that, the viral video also piqued the interest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi!

The video was shared by the official Twitter handle of the embassy. The caption read, “We are happy to share with you the Korean Embassy’s Naatu Naatu dance cover. See the Korean Ambassador Chang Jae-bok along with the embassy staff Naatu Naatu!!”

In the video, the staff at the embassy could be seen dancing together to the beats of ‘Naatu Naatu’. Reacting to the video, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, “Lively and adorable team effort,” accompanied by a thumbs-up emoji.

‘Naatu Naatu’ is competing for the Academy awards this year. The song was nominated for the best original score, where it will be pitted against heavyweight names like Rihanna and Lady Gaga’s songs.

Helmed by SS Rajamouli, RRR, which stars Jr NTR and Ram Charan in the lead roles, collected over Rs 1,200 crore worldwide. The film is an amalgamation of fact and fiction. Ajay Devgn and Alia Bhatt also played important roles in the movie.

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

When Pakistan Defence fan account said ‘Sleep tight because PAF is awake’ hours before India’s air strike on Pakistan terror camps

OpIndia Staff
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When Pakistan Defence fan account said ‘Sleep tight because PAF is awake’ hours before India’s air strike on Pakistan terror camps

In the wee hours of February 26, 2019, the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted a pre-meditated bombing raid on Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camps in Balakot town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.

This was done to avenge a suicide bombing attack, executed by a JeM terrorist named Adil Ahmad Dar, which led to the death of 40 Indian jawans in Pulwama on February 14 of that year.

Hours before the infamous Balakot air strike, a fan account of Pakistan Defence (@Defence__Pak) had tweeted, “Sleep tight because PAF (Pakistan Air Force) is awake.” The archive of the tweet can be accessed here.

Screengrab of the tweet by the Pakistan Defence fan account

The tweet was posted minutes after the clock struck midnight, unknowing of the events that were to follow. IAF fighter jets were successful in conducting aerial bombardment and neutralising terrorists.

Although Pakistan tried to retaliate against the Indian Air Force strike, they had to turn back after seeing the size of the Indian formation. In fact, the then Pakistan Defence Minister Pervez Khattak had gone on record to say, “raat ka waqt tha pata nahin chala (We couldn’t understand since it was right).”

Far from ‘being awake’, the Pakistan Air Force failed to stop the breach of its own air space. Every year on this day, Indians not only commemorate the valour of the IAF personnel but also mock the false bravado of those who have faith in the Pakistani Air Force.

“Sleep tight because PAF is also sleeping, don’t disturb PAF’s peaceful sleep,” mocked one user.

“What a joke…Sleep Tight because PAF is awake,” wrote another user.

One Adith Kotian tweeted, “Happy ‘Sleep tight because PAF is awake day. Rest is history.”

“Happy 4th year anniversary of “Sleep tight because PAF is awake,” remarked another user.

In December last year, former Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane (Retd) said that the air strike by Indian Air Force targeting Jaish-e-Mohammed’s (JeM) advance training camp in Balakot was a clear message that if anyone tried to harm India, then they would suffer more

Hong Kong: Famous model Abby Choi dismembered and stuffed in a fridge in a case eerily similar to Shraddha Walkar murder, 4 arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Hong Kong: Famous model Abby Choi dismembered and stuffed in a fridge in a case eerily similar to Shraddha Walkar murder, 4 arrested

Four people have been detained by Hong Kong police in connection with the murder of 28-year-old model Abby Choi. The model’s body was dismembered, and her legs were discovered in a refrigerator in a home on the outskirts of the city, in a chilling resemblance to the Shraddha Walker case. The instruments used to amputate the body have also been recovered by the authorities from the same location.

According to the police, a 63-year-old lady has been booked for perverting the course of justice, and two men, aged 31 and 65, have also been charged jointly with one count of murder. They are scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

Choi’s body was discovered by police on Friday. However, they have not yet located Choi’s head, torso or hands. They also uncovered an electric saw and a meat cutter at the scene in the remote Tai Po neighborhood of the financial district.

Police Superintendent Alan Chung said, “After breaking into a village house rented by the father of the victim’s ex-husband (Alex Kwong, 28) on Friday afternoon, officers discovered two legs in a refrigerator as well as the victim’s identity card, credit cards and other items in the house.”

“Police also have found that the flat was arranged by the cold-blooded killers meticulously. Tools that were used to dismember human bodies were found in the flat, including meat grinders, chainsaws, long raincoats, gloves, and masks,” Chung said. He even shared that the pots of soup had human tissues in them.

The superintendent reported, that the home had only recently been rented by her ex-husband’s father. “The fact that the village house had just been rented out and was unfurnished suggests that it was intended to be used to dispose of Choi’s remains,” he affirmed.

Earlier, he stated that while they were looking for her ex-husband, they had arrested his parents and brother. “They’ll be charged with murder,” he informed.

The ex-husband has now been arrested while trying to flee at a pier in Tung Chung, on one of the city’s outlying islands, Lantau, and taken into custody. Police believed that he had intended to abscond via water transport at the time of the arrest.

Chung revealed that Choi and her ex-husband, as well as his family, are believed to have been involved in financial conflicts totaling tens of millions of Hong Kong dollars, and claimed, “certain individuals were not pleased with the way Choi handled her financial holdings.”

Choi was first reported missing on Wednesday. Her brother-in-law who served as her chauffeur is said to have last seen her. Police also alleged that the family had earlier lied to mislead investigators.

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