The Khalistan referendum held in Melbourne was an eye-opening incident for the world. Many Australians saw the aggressive and dangerous side of the so-called peace-loving Khalistani organisations in Australia, which often masquerade as charity organisations. They not only vandalised three big Hindu temples but also brutally attacked Indian protestors for holding Indian Tiranga at Federation Square.
I am one of the eyewitnesses to this drama which unfolded on the referendum day. But what surprised me is that the Indian diaspora in Australia and some in India were criticizing Hindu groups for holding the rally at federation square. Not only that but the Indian diaspora is also being criticised for holding the Indian flag. They even blamed the guys who got injured in an attack by Khalistanis while preventing the disrespect that the Indian flag was receiving. Their arguments are that the Hindu people should not have provoked the aggressive Khalistanis, and should have let the referendum happen. These arguments and verbal attacks on people who chose to stand up against this illegal separatist movement made me recall my history lessons on the Indian independence movement against colonial invaders.
In 150 years of colonial rule in India, millions of Indians lost their lives during the independence movement. One must understand that these people were not trained fighters but innocent civilians who willingly participated to regain their freedom. They knew very well about the dangers of fighting against the armed colonial rulers. Even though they chose to fight in whatever way they could instead of running away or surrendering. Indian history documents many such brave fighters such as Shirishkumar, Bhagat Singh, Khudiram bose, Shivdevi Tomar and many others. Detailed information about these brave people can be found in the book “Saffron Swords” by Manoshi Sinha Rawal and Yogaditya Sinha Rawal.
One of the excerpts from Khalistan Referendum guidance document distributed publicly on 29th January in Federation Square
Within 75 years of Indian Independence, it seems that the consciousness of the Indian Independence struggle is fading away in first-generation overseas Indians (1st members of the family who have travelled outside India). The majority of the Indian diaspora who have benefited from Indian passports now feel that it was pointless to show off the Indian flag at a public place like Federation Square on 29th January 2023. They have been distancing themselves from “Indian/Hindu social safety” issues arising on foreign lands.
It is unsurprising that Khalistanis peddle misleading information about Guru Nanak (Figure 1), the founder of the Sikh sect, as an anti-Hindu, when in fact he and all Sikh gurus, were staunch believers of the supreme Goddess Durga. What is surprising is that a lot of the Indian diasporas, due to intellectual laziness, believe in the Khalistani propaganda. Another misleading idea that is projected is that “all the Sikh gurus were enemies of Brahmins”. The truth, however, is far from it. The Khalistanis will never tell people that the Mohyal Brahmins form the backbone of the Sikh movement throughout its existence.
Bhindranwale as a Saint (and equal to Sikhgurus in stature) is also a misinformation spread by Khalistanis, as indicated in the guidance document distributed publicly by Khalistanis on 29th January in Federation Square
Another fact that Khalistanis conveniently do not talk about is why Bhindranwale and his militia were killed by the Indian Army. Before and after 1984, when Bhindranwale was killed by the Indian Army, his militia had killed more than 22,000 Hindus and Sikhs all across the world, far greater than what Al Qaeda has killed in its entire existence. Bhindranwale had publicly promised to kill 5,000 Hindus.
The rally with Indian flags only wanted to convey the pain of these Indians of not wanting further partitions and the horrors similar to that of 1947 which caused the death of 3 million people, and thousands more since the rise of Bhindranwale and his cult. Furthermore, Khalistani infiltration into the Sikh community is making the everyday lives of Sikhs miserable as collateral damage towards their hatred of Hindus. The rally exposed this hatred of Khalistanis towards global Sikh and Hindu communities. Many videos by Khalistanis were seen on social media abusing Kikhs celebrating the Indian Republic Day.
Indian diaspora who downplay Indians carrying out flag rallies must understand that they are not only encouraging Khalistanis to bully others but also inviting further trouble for themselves in terms of future public safety. Such absurd reactions by the diaspora will stop Australian policymakers from raising Hindu voices in the Parliament. I would like to request all Indians to revisit their history and take inspiration from it to fight against these evils together. The Khalistani cult has a history of terrorising people across the globe (e.g., the Air India Kanishka bombing, 1989) irrespective of who they are. In this context, they are one of the most significant dangers to the peace in Australian society at large and must be stopped before they become a significant public menace.
The power of Hindu unity came true in the NCP-ruled town of Baramati in Maharashtra as thousands of Hindus from different sects participated in the Hindu Janjagruti Morcha organized on Thursday. More than 5000 Hindu participants joined in the rally and demanded a law against the forceful religious conversion in the state of Maharashtra.
The rally was organized by Sakal Hindu Samaj in Baramati and witnessed a massive presence of Hindus who raised slogans like, “Jai Shree Ram”, “Har Ghar Bhagwa Chayega, Ram Rajya fir ayega”, and “Vande Mataram”. Covering four main crossovers in the city, the participants demanded stricter laws against forceful religious conversion and cow slaughter. The Hindus also demanded that the Hindu religious places shall be allowed to maintain their sanctity and should not be given the status of tourist spots. It is notable that such rallies are being held in various towns and cities in Maharashtra, including Mumbai.
The rally was graced by the presence of Kalicharan Maharaj, who donned a red robe with a round tilak on his head. Kalicharan Maharaj who is a Shiv and Kali devotee was the chief guest at the rally and appealed to all the Hindu participants to vote for a Hindu leader. While addressing the mass Hindu crowd at the Teen Hatti Chowk ground in the town, Kalicharan Maharaj said that it is important for Hindus to become a crucial vote bank. “It is only this way that we can save the Hindu religion and our Sanatan Dharma,” he said.
Kalicharan Maharaj asks Hindus to become a ‘crucial vote bank’
According to Kalicharan Maharaj, out of the total Hindu population only 60% practice their right to vote however, all the eligible Muslims vote in the name of Islam. “Muslims at present act as a vote bank for the political leaders. They practice their voting right 100% while out of 100 Hindus only 60 vote. And out of those 60, only 30 vote for Hindutva. The rest have nothing to do with Hindu Rashtra. On the other hand all the Muslims vote in the name of Islam. They know the power of power and so aim to make India an Islamic nation,” Maharaj said.
He added that it is important for Hindus to understand the power of politics. Politics is the only way through which Hindustan can again become a Hindu Rashtra, he said. “At the time of 1947 partition, Pakistan was established because they (Muslims) wanted a separate nation, a Muslim nation. There is no place for Hindus there even today. But here in India, Hindus fight against Hindus, give lessons of secularism and invite Muslim leadership to rule over them. Hindus must vote for Hindutva and not for development or lower prices of rice and lentils. Once Hindu leader presides over the government, development and all your other needs will eventually be taken care of,” he added.
While saying this, he gave the example of Uttar Pradesh and said that the state is developing and growing as the leader ruling over the state is Hindu. “I dare you do something wrong there and bulldozers will be run over your homes. This is what a Hindu leader does. He does not tolerate nonsense and ensures justice is prevailed to all,” Kalicharan Maharaj stated.
Hindus in rally raised slogans like ‘Jai Shree Ram’, ‘Vande Mataram’
Love Jihad: ‘Hindu women must sense misdeed’, Kalicharan Maharaj
Further, demanding stricter laws against Love Jihad, he said that Hindu women must have the ability to sense the misdeed and that they should not fall prey to the Islamists wanting to convert them and ruin their lives. “It is a common practice in Islam to eliminate Kaafir to attain Jannat after death. And Kaafir is the one who does not follow Islam or Quran. These Islamists are taught to eliminate Kaafirs and abduct their wives (Hindu women). They call Hindu women ‘loot ka maal’ and share them. There are so many reports of gang rapes on Hindu women. They, 50 in number rape one woman and then force her to convert her religion to Islam. Yes, it has happened in Kashmir and many other states. This should stop and this is solely in the hands of Hindus,” he added.
He reiterated that Islamists want to make this country an Islamic nation and that they are partially attaining success in their aim. Blaming Hindus for the same, Maharaj said that Hindus must get together and do away with the caste and varna system. “We’ll save this country and our very own Hindu religion only if we all come together and stay together forever,” he stated. He meanwhile also lauded PM Modi for revoking section 370 from the former state of Jammu and Kashmir and said that no other leader would have been able to do this.
Farmers appealed not to sell their cows to slaughterhouses, offered Rs 1000 extra
The rally was also graced by RSS and senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Shankar Gaikar who raised his voice fiercely against the illegal conversion. He said that Islamists illegally convert lakhs of Hindus even today and try to weaken Hindu unity. “Their ultimate aim is to make this country an Islamic nation. And these people have been converting Hindus for thousands of years. This is not new. We Hindus need to take a vow now to protect our religion and also ourselves,” he said.
VHP leader Shankar Gaikar addressing the Hindu participants
He also commented on the cow slaughter issue and said that though there is a law against the act of slaughtering cows, the animals are being illegally transported and slaughtered. Meanwhile, Kalicharan Maharaj also added that cows are murdered by pouring hot boiling water on their skin and are then mercilessly stuffed in a huge truck. “We Hindus consider cow as God, we call her our mother. How can we see our mothers getting murdered,” Gaikar added.
The VHP leader said that stricter provisions should be included in the law against cow slaughter and the same should be implemented all over the state of Maharashtra. The VHP also announced a scheme for the farmers who sell their cows to slaughterhouses on becoming old. The VHP leader from Baramati said that under the scheme, farmers will be paid Rs 1000 extra to not sell their cows to the slaughterhouses. “NCP leader Ajit Pawar sealed 8 slaughterhouses in Baramati. But the slaughterhouses continue to operate illegally. We have received many complaints from the locals following which several memorandums have also been submitted to the Nagar Parishad. Since no action in the case is being taken, we have come up with a scheme for farmers who want to sell their old cows or buffaloes. We’ll pay Rs 1000 extra over the sale price to the farmers, but they should not give away their cows to slaughterhouses,” the leader said.
The rally began at 1 pm and covered the entire city before the chief guests addressed the gathering at the Teen Hatti Chowk area in Baramati. Several Hindu women also participated in the rally and demanded stringent laws against illegal religious conversion. The women could be seen holding placards that read, “Dharmantaran Bandi Kayda, Zalach Pahije (Law against conversion is must)” and “Tirthakshetranna paryatan sthalacha darja dena band kara (Hindu religious places are not tourist spots)”
Hindu women participants at the event
Several cases of Love Jihad reported from Baramati and nearby areas, says RSS leader Vivek Pandkar
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) member Vivek Pandkar meanwhile talked to OpIndia to reveal that there are around 50 ongoing cases of Love Jihad reported from Baramati and nearby areas. He said that the rally was organized today to raise a united Hindu voice against Love Jihad, cow slaughter, and illegal forceful conversion.
“Hindus today have put up four crucial demands. We want a law against illegal religious conversion, law against cow slaughter, and a specific law against love jihad and we also want religious places be allowed to maintain their sanctity. Around 5000 Hindus participated in the rally,” he said.
Speaking specifically about the issue of Love Jihad, Pandkar said that it is worrisome that Hindu women all over the country are trapped by Muslim men and are then forced to convert their religion to Islam. “The recent Shraddha Walkar case is an example. The man cut her into 35 pieces and had no regrets. These Muslims are schooled to trap Hindus and ruin their lives to attain ‘Jannat’ post-death. They are told that by eliminating Hindus (Kaafir as they call it) they would meet 72 huurs (beautiful virgins) in the Jannat. The government needs to look into this and get the laws as soon as possible,” he added.
‘BJP diverting attention by giving importance to Love Jihad’, Ajit Pawar
It is important to note that the Leader of the Opposition from Baramati, Ajit Pawar had earlier stated that the ruling party in Maharashtra is trying to divert the attention of the citizens by unnecessarily giving importance to the issue of Love Jihad. He had said on January 23 that the BJP was trying to instigate poison in the society against one particular community to attain political benefits.
Also Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar had earlier said that BJP was raising the ‘communal issue’ to divert the people’s attention from inflation and unemployment. Pawar, while addressing media in Baramati had spoken on ‘love jihad’ and had said, “Those in power want to divert the attention from basic problems that are hurting interests of the common people and thus coming up with issues such as love jihad.” He had said this as BJP leaders in the state demanded to bring anti-conversion law in Maharashtra.
Notably, around 30 such ‘Hindu Jan Aakrosh Morcha’ rallies have been organized across Maharashtra to date. Thousands of Hindus gather at such rallies and demand the implementation of stringent laws against forceful religious conversion. Such rallies have been organized in over 20 districts, including Mumbai, Parbhani, Nanded, Ahmednagar, Kolhapur, Gadchiroli, Satara, Karad, Sangli, Solapur, Pune, Dhule, Jalgaon, Nagpur, Amravati, Hingoli, Buldhana, Kolhapur and Jalna.
The outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has refuted claims by former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan that people from South Waziristan were involved in planning his assassination, Dawn reported.
In a press statement, TTP said that the war was against the security forces and intelligence agencies not against any political personality. TTP said its war was against the security forces and intelligence agencies, not against any political personality.
“We have received information that the head of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf in a meeting with the party’s provincial spokespersons claimed an assassination attempt was being planned by the TTP and South Waziristan residents have been tasked with executing the task,” a TTP statement said.
It added that a similar baseless claim was made by some party members 10 days ago, according to Dawn. However, it warned politicians of attacks if they became part of the war.
Khan was attacked in Wazirabad on November 3 while he was leading the “Azadi March” against the PML-N demanding snap polls. The law enforcement agencies arrested suspect Naveed Meher from the site of the attack. The suspect also admitted to opening fire on the PTI leadership.
Earlier, Imran Khan had accused former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari of hatching a conspiracy to assassinate him by giving a contract to a terrorist outfit, Express Tribune newspaper reported.
Khan while holding a news conference from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore via a video link, termed the alleged conspiracy ‘Plan-C’ for which he accused Zardari of paying money to a terrorist outfit to carry out the assassination attempt, the Pakistan-based newspaper reported.
“Now they have made a Plan C, and Asif Zardari is behind this. He has loads of corruption money, which he loots from the Sindh government and spends on winning elections. He [Zardari] has given money to a terrorist outfit and people from powerful agencies are facilitating him,” Imran said, according to The Express Tribune Newspaper.
“This has been decided on three fronts and they will act soon,” he added. “I am telling you this because if something happens to me the nation should know the people who were behind this so that the nation never forgives them,” Khan said.
The first information report of the incident was lodged on November 7 under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997. The probe into the assassination attempt on Imran Khan had been handed over to an anti-corruption officer, as per the sources within the JIT.
(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 February 7, Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad police took to Twitter to inform that they have arrested 10 youths for creating a ruckus by celebrating birthdays on the elevated road of Ghaziabad under the Indirapuram police station area. The police have also seized three vehicles. The group of youths were blocking the traffic by celebrating a birthday by dancing and cutting a cake when the police arrived and took them away.
थाना इंदिरापुरम पुलिस टीम द्वारा एलिवेटिड रोड पर गाडी खडी कर मार्ग अवरुद्व करते हुए लोगो की जान को खतरे मे डालकर केक काटने वाले 10 युवक गिरफ्तार, बरामद 03 गाडी सीज।@Uppolice@DCPTHindonGZBpic.twitter.com/oUPuPBBvkW
— POLICE COMMISSIONERATE GHAZIABAD (@ghaziabadpolice) February 7, 2023
According to the police, the arrested youths, namely Samiuddin, Sameer, Sahil, Aman Khan, Moon Ahmed, Farhan Ali, Khazr Khan, Hamza, Apfaan and Qasim, halted their cars in the middle of the road, blocking traffic. They were reportedly dancing to loud music, making videos, and cutting a cake on the bonnet of their parked car while celebrating a birthday, thus creating a ruckus and disrupting traffic on the signal-free stretch.
Notably, the accused youths namely Samiuddin, Sameer, Qasim, Sahil and Aman are Ghaziabad locals, while Moon Ahmed, Farhan Ali, Khazr Khan, Hamza, and Apfaan are residents of Delhi.
According to the police, the UP police’s cheetah patrol squad apprehend these individuals as soon as they received information that a group of people were causing disruption on the Ghaziabad elevated roadway. Cheetah police are a group of bike-riding cops who respond to events as soon as they are reported.
The Ghaziabad elevated road, inaugurated in March 2018, connects UP Gate on the Delhi-Ghaziabad border with Raj Nagar Extension in the Uttar Pradesh city, drastically cutting travel time and enhancing commuting comfort.
Regardless of the fact that police have issued several warnings and made regular arrests in the past, the disturbing and risky trend on the Hindon elevated road continues unabated. People stop their vehicles on the elevated road to take selfies, drink alcohol etc, causing disruption to traffic.
On February 5, a video shot on the elevated road of Ghaziabad went viral on social media wherein a group of men could be seen brandishing rifles while drinking alcohol, while loud music played from the car. Another video showed a man loading bullets into a rifle and firing in the air from the vehicle while driving.
In December last year, police arrested a man and two women for dancing and blocking the same road.
In September, 18 people were arrested, along with eight luxury vehicles, for reportedly throwing a birthday party on an elevated road and causing a commotion. They were also seen cutting a cake on the car’s bonnet while playing loud music.
Today is the birth anniversary of Telanga Kharia, the renowned tribal hero who embodied tribal autonomy, self-determination, and sovereignty. Between 1850 and 1860, Kharia led the movement against British brutalities and land alienation of tribal people in the Chotanagpur Region. He was born on February 9, 1806, in Gumla, Jharkhand. This unsung hero fought against colonial injustices and paved the way for Indian independence.
Kharia is also known for preparing the brewing ground for Birsa Munda‘s “Ulgulan” or revolt against the British and the Dikus– the outsiders.
Telanga Kharia was also known as ‘Budha Sher’ (old lion) because of his incredible power even at 50. Telanga is derived from the Kharia word ‘Teblega,’ which indicates someone with excellent oratory and leadership abilities. He became interested in social and political issues when visiting the palace of Nagvashi King of Ratu with his father Thuiyan Kharia, who worked as a storekeeper there. Kharia began his campaign against British oppression in 1849.
Image source: Divya Rashmi samachar
The tribals had their own traditional, autonomous form of self-governance for a long time, known as the Parha system. The British, who had established their rule over the Chotanagpur region, were threatening this traditional system. The tribals were now required to pay a tax known as ‘malgujari’ on the land they had been cultivating for centuries. They lived in misery, exploited by local zamindars and sahukars (money lenders) who worked hand in hand with the British. When they were unable to repay the loans, the sahukars confiscated their lands.
Enraged by the constant ill-treatment of his fellow tribesmen, Telanga Kharia started a full-fledged revolt against this oppressive system. He started recruiting people and creating awareness among them. He founded ‘Jodi Panchet’ (Jury Panchayats) at Gumla, Simdega, Sisai, Kolebira, and Chainpur, where he taught youths above the age of 20 how to use teer (arrow), bhala (speer), kulhadi (axe), barchi (harpoon), and pharsa (battleaxe).
Every hamlet had a Jodi Panchet that communicated when Britishers arrived. Due to their great organizational skills, the Britishers had a tough time locating them. Kharia amassed an army of approximately 1500 trained troops. He initiated a series of ambush operations against the British and their stooges using guerilla tactics.
Telanga Kharia waged an active revolt against the British in Chotanagpur from 1850 to 1860, launching attacks from his forest hideouts to evade detection. His followers launched many attacks and raids on the British, thereby challenging their control. When the British realized they had underestimated the tribals, they began to hunt for Kharia.
Unfortunately, one day, one of the Zamindar’s henchmen informed the British of his presence. The latter quickly encircled the Jury Panchayat which he had organized then and arrested him. He was initially brought to Lohardaga prison, and then relocated to Kolkata, where he was imprisoned for 18 years.
After his release from prison, he reconvened with his followers at the Sisai Akhara with the purpose of revitalizing the cause. The British planned to get rid of him as soon as the information reached them.
On April 23, 1880, Telanga Kharia was shot while offering daily prayers by a British agent named Bodhan Singh. Telanga’s followers buried his body in Gumla district’s Soso Neem Toli hamlet, ‘Telanga Topa Tand’ is the name of the burial site. Chotanagpur residents revere this location. Every year on this day, the people remember his martyrdom, and a week-long ‘Shahid Telanga Mela’ is organized.
Telanga Kharia is an inspiration for his bravery, sacrifice, and martyrdom for fighting against the mighty colonial power.
On Monday, February 6, parts of Turkey and Syria were rocked by a deadly earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter Scale. The earthquake has already claimed the lives of 17,000 people and thousands more have been left injured. Following the devastation left in the wake of the earthquake, the world community has stepped up to help Turkey. However, while most of the world is focused on helping Turkey, this has given an opportunity to scamsters as well.
Following the earthquake, Haluk Levent, a Turkish musician, met with the country’s financial watchdog to allow the set up of crypto wallets to collect donations to help in relief efforts. The donations started pouring in and soon, over $ 3 Million were collected in crypto donations by Wednesday morning. However, there was one problem, soon, fraudulent accounts started popping up on Twitter making a plea to donate money for Turkish victims.
Tweets like the one shared below started appearing everywhere, particularly in replies below the tweets of popular Twitter accounts, like Elon Musk for example.
The now deleted tweet says that the person is a student in Turkey and needs help, and goes on to share a Bitcoin address where people can send money.
Warning about such scams, Arda Akartuna, a senior cryptocurrency threat analyst at Elliptic, a blockchain and crypto analytics firm, said, “In situations where it’s clear that a Twitter account has started up on the same day as the earthquake, or has been active previously but changed its name, chances are in those situations it’s more likely than not to be a scam.”
Akartuna advised people to check the history of the account sharing a Bitcoin wallet address before proceeding with the donation. Checking the followers list, whether it is a new account set up just to seek donations in cryptocurrency or not, are all useful indicators as per Akartuna.
Despite the risk of fraud, many people prefer to donate in cryptocurrency because of the speed and ease of transfer.
BitMEX is one of those donating to Red Crescent for Turkey earthquake victims and their CEO said that they are doing it because of the ‘much much faster’ nature of transfer using cryptocurrencies.
Our thoughts are with all the people who have been affected by the tragic Turkey-Syria earthquake today.
BitMEX will be donating the proceeds of this week’s Trading Competition to the @RedCrescent, and we encourage those who can donate to do the same. #GeçmişOlsunTürkiye
While Turkey, and Syria, need help desperately in the wake of the devastating earthquake, and every mode of money transfer is acceptable, still, donors need to do a bit of diligence to ensure that they are not falling for fraud. Since cryptocurrency once transferred to a crypto wallet is not recoverable, it is better to check before making that transfer.
The Indian army’s field hospital set-up in Turkey’s Hatay to provide assistance to the earthquake-affected people, has started functioning with running medical, surgical, and emergency wards; X-ray lab and medical store.
“The army field hospital in Iskenderun, Hatay, Turkiye has started functioning with running Medical, Surgical & Emergency Wards; X-Ray Lab & Medical Store,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted on Thursday.
An Additional Directorate General of Public Information team will work 24 x 7 to provide relief to the affected people, according to Jaishankar.
The army field hospital has been set up under India’s ‘Operation Dost’ to provide assistance to Turkey’s earthquake-hit people.
Jaishankar, sharing photos of the facility on Twitter on Wednesday, posted: “This field hospital in Hatay, Turkiye will treat those affected by the earthquake. Our team of medical & critical care specialists and equipment are preparing to treat emergencies.”
Jaishankar on Thursday said the sixth plane from India carrying rescue personnel, essentials, and medical equipment for earthquake relief efforts has reached Turkey.
The sixth flight carries more rescue teams, dog squads, and essential medicines for the quake-hit country.
Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar wrote, “The sixth #OperationDost flight reaches Turkiye. More search and rescue teams, dog squads, essential search & access equipment, medicines, and medical equipment ready for deployment in the relief efforts.”
Turkey’s Ambassador to India Firat Sunel described India’s ‘Operation Dost’ as a “very important operation” that demonstrates the friendship between the two nations.
Firat Sunel made the remarks at the Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad from where Indian Air Force’s C17 Globemaster aircraft with the NDRF team, medical equipment, and relief equipment, took off for Turkey, as part of the ongoing ‘Operation Dost.’
He said, “‘Operation Dost’ is a symbolic operation. It already proves that we are friends. We have to deepen our relations.”
Meanwhile, according to CNN, the death toll from the devastating earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria earlier this week has risen to at least 16,035.
At least 12,873 people have died in Turkey, according to the Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) on Thursday.
In Syria, the total number of fatalities has been pegged at 3,162, including 1,900 in rebel-held areas in the country’s northwest, according to the ‘White Helmets’ civil defense group.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
A bizarre incident happened during the Urs fair in the Dharashiv (erstwhile Osmanabad) district of Maharashtra, where several people were injured after a bull ran through the packed crowd. At least 14 people were injured as a bull entered the Urs fair of Khwaja Shamshuddin Ghazi on Wednesday night. The incident also caused panic at the fair. The incident took place around 3 late in the night on Wednesday.
About 15,000 people attended the Urs fair late at night as the main program, the Charag ritual, was being held. Meanwhile, a bull entered the venue and ran through the crowd, hitting people. In the sudden attack of the bull, there was chaos all around and people started running here and there.
Videos of the incident have appeared on social media, where a large bull can be seen creating panic by running through people, and jumping on them, at the fair venue. The bull created a stamped like situation at the fair for some time.
महाराष्ट्र के उस्मानाबाद में ख्वाजा शमशुद्दीन गाजी के उर्स मेले में घुसा सांड..बुधवार देर रात उर्स मेले में सांड घुसने से लोगो मे अफरा-तफरी मची..सांड के हमले में करीब 14 लोग हुए घायल..उर्स मेले करीब 15 हजार लोग हुए थे शामिल @indiatvnews@CMOMaharashtrapic.twitter.com/bijblU9OtT
The incident took place at 3 am when there was a crowd of thousands. 14 devotees were injured in the incident. The injured have been admitted to the district general hospital in Dharashiv for treatment. The crowd could be controlled immediately as the police and medical team were present. The injured were also given first aid and sent to the district hospital.
As soon as the injured were admitted to the hospital, the district surgeon Dr. Rajabhau Galande was present there. He led the team of Dr. Kurund, Dr. Raut, and others. The team immediately started the treatment. 11 of the injured devotees are from Dharashiv. 2 are from Karnataka state and one is from Paranda town in the Dharashiv district. The condition of all of them is stable, said Dr. Rajabhau Galande.
There had been no Urs fair for the last two years due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The US has stated that it is at ease with India’s strategy of purchasing oil from Russia. According to Karen Donfried, the US assistant secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, Washington is not seeking to impose sanctions on New Delhi for continuing to buy oil from Russia because the relationship between the two countries is of utmost importance. “We are not looking to sanction India. Our relationship with India is the most consequential relationship,” she said in a telephonic press conference.
India strongly advocated for maintaining trade relations with Russia during the Russia-Ukraine conflict while denouncing the violence. In spite of pressure from the West, the position was upheld,
The country imported 33 times more Russian oil last month than it did the year before, setting a new record. After supplanting Iraq and Saudi Arabia a few months ago, Russia is now without a doubt India’s largest oil supplier.
Donfried also praised India for offering humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people and for calling for a quick halt to Russia’s assault against Ukraine.
The US official stated, in response to a media inquiry on India purchasing oil from Russia, “By end of the decade Russia’s oil and gas will decline by 50 percent. We do not believe that sanction policy to have universal hearings. We are comfortable with the approach India has taken. We are already seeing results in the budget deficit that Russia has reported.”
Donfried further added, “We welcome PM Modi’s assertion that today’s era is not of war and his comments at the Nov 2022 G20 Summit in Bali calling for dialogue & diplomacy. India’s leadership role right now in G20 is commendable.”
According to US Assistant Secretary for Energy Resources Geoffrey Pyatt, the joint US-India energy security agenda is especially crucial in view of the actions taken by Russian President Vladimir Putin over the past year to disrupt the world’s energy markets.
“By weaponizing Russia’s oil and gas resources, Russia has demonstrated that it will never again be a reliable energy supplier. It also caused a short spike in global oil and gas prices which continue to ripple around the world,” he commented. Despite not taking part in the price limitations, in his opinion, India has successfully leveraged the negotiation power it has gained from them, as well as the fact that Russia can no longer access a sizable chunk of the global market, to lower the price of Russian oil.
In response to a media probe on Russia being India’s oil supplier, Pyatt replied, “US crude production continues to grow to reach a new record in 2024. Minister Hardeep Puri said in Bangalore that we have shared resources and minimized role in carbon footprint, India was one of the top ten markets for US LNG.”
“Russia alone can end this war today. My boss US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that if Russia stopped fighting, the war will end but if Ukraine stops fighting then Ukraine will end. If Putin wins it would mean defeat for Ukraine and for all of us. I continue to be inspired by the people of Ukraine,” Donfried said.
Previously, US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken had encouraged India not to purchase extra Russian oil during the April 2+2 ministerial dialogue between the US and India in Washington’s State Department.
On November 11, in New Delhi, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated, that India may purchase as much Russian oil as desired as long as it avoided using Western financial, insurance, and maritime services that were subject to the cap.
Other than China, India is Russia’s biggest oil consumer.
On February 8, Chief Minister of Jharkhand Hemant Soren took cognizance of the Gurugram minor torture case and asked the district commissioner of Simdega to take immediate action. Furthermore, he also directed the Cabinet Minister, Department of Women, Child Development and Social Security Joba Manjhi, to initiate action in the matter.
.@JharkhandPolice मामले में एफआईआर दर्ज कर सख्त कार्रवाई करते हुए सूचित करें। जानकारी के अनुसार बिटिया सिमडेगा से है।@dc_simdega बिटिया को चिकित्सा सुविधा उपलब्ध कराते हुए राज्य वापसी तथा उसे शिक्षा तथा सरकारी योजनाओं से जोड़ते हुए सूचित करें।@JobaMajhi जी कृपया संज्ञान लें। https://t.co/BdAmbYR6hY
Notably, a 14-year-old girl was rescued from New Colony in Gurugram on February 7 by a joint team of Gurugram Police and Sakhi OSC. The girl was hired as a housemaid by a couple who tortured her for months. She was kept hungry, beaten up and burnt with hot tong repeatedly over a period of 3-4 months.
The couple sent to custody by a court
As per reports, the team of Gurugram Police and Sakhi reached the society at around 1 PM. The couple was out at work at the time. They rescued the girl who had multiple injuries on her body. Speaking to OpIndia, journalist, filmmaker and activist Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj said the girl was rushed to the hospital for a checkup and treatment.
The couple, identified as Manish Khattar and Kamaljeet Kaur, was booked under relevant sections of IPC, Juvenile Justice Act and POCSO Act. While the husband was arrested on the same day, Kamaljeet was let go for the night. OpIndia’s sources informed us that she was handed over to Manish’s brother and instructed to come back the next morning. As per law, women cannot be kept in lockup overnight.
The next day, the couple were presented in court. While the husband was sent to two-day police custody, the wife was sent to two-day judicial custody. Sources further informed us that there was some reluctance in booking Kamaljeet as the couple has a 3.5-year-old girl child at home.
Meanwhile, Kamaljeet’s employer Udit Sagar Pathak, founder of Media Mantra, informed on Twitter that his company terminated her after the matter came to light. Our sources informed us that Manish’s employer Max Life Insurance has also terminated his services from the company. Final confirmation from the company is yet to come.
The Jharkhand government initiated action.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren took cognizance of the matter and ordered a probe. OpIndia reached out to Cabinet Minister Joba Manjhi’s office for updates. Speaking to OpIndia, PS Ved Ratna Mohan said, “The department has sought a report on the matter. The minister herself followed up on the matter and instructed Secretary to initiate a probe. Jharkhand Police have registered FIR.”
माननीय महोदय उक्त मामले को संज्ञान में लिया गया है एवं AHTU की टीम रेस्क्यू के लिए कल प्रस्थान करेगी। चिकित्सा, शिक्षा, पुनर्वास एवं योजनाओं का लाभ त्वरित रूप से उपलब्ध कराया जाएगा।@HemantSorenJMM@JobaMajhihttps://t.co/xZtif2WZRG
He added that an anti-human traffic task force team has reached Gurugram and is investigating the matter. A team of Jharkhand police was also expected to reach in a day or two.
Jai hind sir. We have got in touch with the Gurugram Police and the parents of the girl at Simdega. A team is being sent to Gurugram for further investigation and rescue sir.
“The girl went to Gurugram with his maternal uncle (Mama). He got her the job via a placement agency in Gurugram for household work. The complaint was filed with Gurugram police based on the information provided by the neighbours. The girl was recovered by the Child Line team and NGO. She was shifted to the hospital for treatment. Her statement was recorded with the magistrate under Section 164. The girl is recovering. He added that there is nothing to worry about, but she is under trauma,” he added.
Furthermore, the girl’s family was traced, and a video call was arranged by the police so that the girl could talk to her family. “It will take another 2-3 days for the family members to reach Gurugram.”
OpIndia also reached out to Nachiketa, Nodal officer, Integrated Resource cum Rehabilitation Centre (IRRC) New Delhi Office, Bal Kalyan Samiti (BKS), Jharkhand, who is monitoring the case in Gurugram. She said, “A team is coming from Jharkhand. It will reach in a day. We will see if the girl is medically fit to travel. We will rehabilitate her in Jharkhand.”
When asked if any action was taken against the placement agency involved in her employment, she said, “The girl came with her maternal uncle. Her aunt works as a house-help, and she joined her in the beginning. Later, via some contacts, she was placed at the house of the accused couple.”
Emphasising the importance of awareness among the parents, she said, “We are seeing a lot of cases of human trafficking from Jharkhand. Our government is working extensively to curb the trends, but there is a lack of awareness in such matters. If the parents know how their children suffer, they will stop sending them to metro cities for work.”
