Home Blog Page 253

Orissa High Court grants bail to key accused in DRDO Chandipur espionage case after nearly 4 years in jail

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Orissa High Court grants bail to key accused in DRDO Chandipur espionage case after nearly 4 years in jail

The Orissa High Court has released on bail Basanta Kumar Behera, one of the key accused in the high-profile Chandipur spy case, involving the leakage of sensitive defence data of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) of DRDO in Balasore district.

The bail order was ordered by Justice Gourishankar Satapathy, who stated that Behera had remained in jail for long enough without a trial and had also not abused the interim bail provided to him in the past. Nevertheless, Behera remains in Balasore jail as he hasn’t yet complied with the bail conditions.

He was booked under Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (abetting the waging of war against the Government of India), 121-A (conspiracy for offence under 121) and 34 (acts done with common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, read with Sections 3 (penalty for spying), 4 (communications with foreign agents to be evidence of commission of certain offences) and 5 (wrongful communication, use, retention, or failure to protect official information) of the Official Secrets Act.

Behera approached the High Court for regular bail last year. His counsel argued that the investigating officer had failed to present any conclusive evidence directly linking him with the alleged leak of defence secrets. 

As per the court order, Behera was ordered to furnish a bail bond of Rs 5 lakh with two solvent sureties and compliance with several conditions, including fortnightly attendance at the local police station for six months and a ban on leaving the trial courtโ€™s jurisdiction without permission.

Behera, who worked as a contractual AC operator at ITR, was arrested in September 2021. He was among several people accused of spying for a Pakistani handler after allegedly falling victim to a honey-trap. The case was first investigated by the Odisha Police and later handed over to the State Crime Branch. It is currently being heard in the 3rd Additional Sessions Court in Balasore.

The judge noted that while the charges are serious, the trial hasnโ€™t moved forward, and other co-accused like Sachin Kumar Chhata and Tapas Ranjan Nayak have already been granted bail. He said that under Article 21 of the Constitution, a person cannot be kept in jail endlessly just because the case is serious.

Balrampur Islamic conversion racket: Jalaluddin used code language with his associates, referred to Hindu women as ‘Project’ and conversion as ‘soil tilling’

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Balrampur Islamic conversion racket: Jalaluddin used code language with his associates, referred to Hindu women as ‘Project’ and conversion as ‘soil tilling’

New layers are emerging each day in the Balrampur Islamic religious conversion racket, operated by Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba, who was arrested last week. The multi-crore Islamic conversion racket, being run on massive foreign funding, used to target vulnerable Hindu women, including widows, poor women, and those lured into relationships by Muslim men, for conversion.

According to a Jagran report, Jalaluddin, the mastermind of the coordinated racket, used to talk in code language with his associates. He used to refer to Hindu girls as “Project” and to conversions as “Mitti Palatna” (Soil Tilling). The code word “Kajal” meant giving mental trauma, and “Darshan” implied meeting with himself.

To convert Hindu women to Islam, Jalaluddin prepared an elaborate strategy. He used to pay Muslim men for luring vulnerable Hindu women. He fixed an incentive for converting Hindu women based on their caste. Muslim men working for him used to adopt fake Hindu identities to target Hindi women. They used various ways to contact their victims, which included creating fake profiles with Hindu names on social media. When their victims developed an emotional attachment with them, they would ask them to convert to Islam as a precondition to marry them.

In some cases, they used to make lucrative offers to their targets, such as promising jobs, scholarships, free education in Islamic educational institutions, and sending them to foreign countries for a better life. Chhangur Baba portrayed himself as a saint and brainwashed vulnerable Hindu women by demeaning the Hindu religion.

The Nepal Nexus

Jalaluddin’s Islamic conversion racket was not limited to Balrampur. It was spread across the districts along the India-Nepal border. He had set up several madrasas and religious institutions in these districts, all running on foreign funding. He used to target children from poor backgrounds in these districts through his institutions. In addition to that, Jamaluddin was in constant touch with some international NGOs and religious institutions in Nepal, which he used to visit frequently. Police had earlier uncovered a financial funding network of over 100 crores linked to the Gulf countries.

Jalaluddin and his conversion racket

Jalaluddin alias Chhangur Baba originally from the Rehra Maafi village in the Balrampur district, used to sell gemstones and rings. He was arrested by the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on 5th July for running an Islamic conversion racket. His son Mehboob was arrested by the authorities in April this year. The initial investigation into the conversion racket was led by a Special Task Force (STF) of the UP Police. Based on the initial investigation, a case was registered by the ATS against 10 people, including Jamaluddin.

The ATS investigation into the cases led to the busting of the Islamic conversion racket, which involved foreign funding of crores funnelled into 40 accounts. Jalaluddin amassed huge wealth by running the racket. He owned luxury cars and acquired properties across the states. Investigation has revealed that Jamaluddin had close ties with Mukhtar Ansariโ€™s criminal syndicate.

Jalaluddin’s name had earlier come up in December 2022 after a Dalit Hindu family in the Balrampur district accused Chhangur Baba and his associates Neetu (Nasreen) and Naveen (Jamaluddin) of beating them up and forcing them to convert to Islam.

UNESCO recognises the ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ as World Heritage site: Read about the significance of the 12 strategically located forts of the Maratha Empire

OpIndia Staff
-
0
UNESCO recognises the ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ as World Heritage site: Read about the significance of the 12 strategically located forts of the Maratha Empire

During the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, Indiaโ€™s โ€˜Maratha Military Landscapes of Indiaโ€™ were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The decision was taken during Indiaโ€™s official nomination for the 2024โ€“25 cycle.

With this, the heritage site becomes the 44th property to receive this recognition. This global honour celebrates Indiaโ€™s enduring cultural legacy, demonstrating its diverse traditions of architectural brilliance, regional identity, and historical continuity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister of Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, along with the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis, glorified and highly praised the historic achievement and congratulated the people of India on this milestone.

Out of 390 forts in Maharashtra, only 12 forts were selected under the Maratha Military Landscapes of India. The discussion on the inclusion of this site lasted 59 minutes during the committee meeting in Paris, France. Eighteen out of 20 State Parties supported Indiaโ€™s proposal.

Following the positive recommendations by 18 State Parties, all member states, UNESCO, the World Heritage Centre, and the Advisory Bodies of UNESCO (ICOMOS, IUCN) congratulated the Indian delegation on this momentous opportunity.

The proposal was sent for consideration by the World Heritage Committee in January 2024. After a rigorous eighteen-month-long process involving several technical meetings with the advisory bodies and a site visit by the ICOMOS mission to review the locations, this historic decision was taken by the members of the World Heritage Committee this evening at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris.

Maratha military landscape (Source: PIB)

Significance of the Site

The Maratha military ideology originated in the 17th century under the rule of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1670 CE, extending through subsequent rulers until the Peshwa rule concluded in 1818 CE. These forts are not just stone structures โ€“ they are enduring symbols of Maratha valour, organization, and strategic brilliance.

Spread across mountains and coastlines, their architecture reflects tactical genius in resisting invasions. This unique blend of natural defense, military efficiency, and cultural grandeur is now being appreciated by the entire world.

From the 17th to the 19th centuries CE, this brilliant network of twelve forts demonstrates the military strategic vision and architectural ingenuity of the Maratha Empire. The sites, spread across the states of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, include Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, along with Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu. The forts are protected under two divisions. Shivneri Fort, Lohgad, Raigad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala Fort, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg, and Gingee Fort are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. Rajgad, Khanderi Fort, and Pratapgad are protected by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra.

Salher, Shivneri, Lohgad, Raigad, Rajgad, and Gingee are situated in hilly terrains and are therefore known as hill forts. Pratapgad, nestled within dense woods, is classified as a hill-forest fort. Panhala, located on a plateaued hill, is a hill-plateau fort. Vijaydurg, positioned along the shoreline, is a notable coastal fort, while Khanderi, Suvarnadurg, and Sindhudurg, surrounded by the sea, are recognized as island forts. Located across a diverse range โ€” from coastal outposts to hilltop strongholds โ€” these forts reflect a profound understanding of geography and strategic defense planning. Together, they form a cohesive military landscape that outlines the innovation and regional adaptation of fortification in India.

Recognition of the Site

This recognition is not just a celebration of history, but also a result of strong administrative will. In 2021, when the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government was in power in Maharashtra, the proposal to grant these forts permanent UNESCO World Heritage status was rejected, and they were placed only on a tentative list.

At that time, ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites), which evaluates nominations on behalf of UNESCO, had recommended rejecting the nomination, stating that the proposal lacked โ€œconcrete and credible evidence of how the military defense system of the 12 forts functioned in an integrated manner.โ€ That gap has now been addressed. With a stronger, revised submission, the Maratha Military Landscapes have been granted full World Heritage status.

The Ministry of Culture, the Archaeological Survey of India, and Maharashtraโ€™s concerned departments worked together to prepare comprehensive reports and present the historical importance of these military landscapes on the international stage. It is worth noting that the first initiative to seek such recognition for these forts was taken in 2015 by Devendra Fadnavis during his first term as Chief Minister.

On the one hand, some regional parties are accusing the current state government of compromising Marathi identity, especially due to the promotion of Hindi in primary education. But the truth remains that it is the BJP government that has actively worked to preserve and globalize Marathi heritage.’ โ€œPreserving history is not just about remembering the past โ€” it is about giving future generations a sense of identity. And now, that identity has received a new honor on the global stage.โ€

Recognition at the Global Level

The site received its nomination under UNESCOโ€™s criteria (iv) and (vi), which recognize its outstanding representation of a living cultural tradition, remarkable architectural and technological value, and strong connections to significant historical events and practices.
UNESCOโ€™s inclusion of such sites is aimed at safeguarding and promoting globally shared heritage, focusing on Outstanding Universal Values (OUVs) found in cultural, natural, and mixed properties across 196 member countries.

India’s heritage recognition at global level (Source: PIB)

India, currently serving as a member of the World Heritage Committee for the 2021โ€“25 period, has been actively showcasing its cultural legacy on the international stage. This prestigious recognition reflects New Indiaโ€™s consistent efforts to elevate Bharatโ€™s heritage globally and highlights the dedicated work of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Maharashtra government in preserving these monumental landmarks. In the previous year, the Moidams of Charaideo in Assam were added to the World Heritage List during the 46th session of the committee held in New Delhi.

India now holds the 6th position worldwide and ranks 2nd in the Asia-Pacific region in terms of the number of World Heritage Sites. The World Heritage Convention of 1972 has been ratified by 196 nations. Currently, India has 62 sites on the Tentative List โ€” a prerequisite for future consideration for World Heritage status. As per the norms, each country may nominate only one site annually for final inclusion.

The Archaeological Survey of India acts as the central authority handling all matters related to World Heritage on behalf of the Government of India.

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta launches project to make the city overhead wire-free, says โ€œa time will come when not a single wire will be visibleโ€

ANI
-
0
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta launches project to make the city overhead wire-free, says โ€œa time will come when not a single wire will be visibleโ€

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday inaugurated several developmental projects in Shalimar Bagh, including a pilot project to convert overhead wires into an underground power network.

The inauguration took place at the Janata Flats area, where CM Gupta was joined by Delhi Minister Ashish Sood.

Speaking to mediapersons, CM Gupta said the government aims to make the national capital free from overhead wires.

“Making overhead wires underground is a pilot project for Delhi. It is a vision and idea that our Delhi becomes overhead wire-free… I am happy that through this project, the government is working to provide a new facility to the people of Delhi… A time will come when not a single wire will be visible in Delhi,” CM Gupta said.

She added, “We used to always wonder why there’s such a tangled mess of overhead wires–why can’t they be underground? In these narrow, crowded lanes, there’s always the fear of sparks. This is a gift for Delhi, for which we had allocated Rs 100 crore in the budget.”

“The streets here are so narrow that even two scooters cannot pass side by side at the same time. Now people will be able to look up and see the blue sky,” she further said.

Minister Ashish Sood said the government is working to strengthen Delhi’s power infrastructure and reduce hazards caused by overhead wiring.

“Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, there is an effort to make Delhi free from wires. The Delhi government had zero funds in the name of capital expenditure. We are gradually working to make Delhi’s electricity infrastructure robust… With the blessings of Delhi’s people, we will take this work forward,” Sood said.

Meanwhile, CM Gupta also expressed concern over the waterlogging seen across several parts of the city on Thursday following heavy rainfall.

She issued strict instructions to the officials of the concerned department to take effective steps to prevent waterlogging so that people of Delhi do not have to face problems during the monsoon season.

According to a release, the Chief Minister expressed satisfaction that despite heavy rains, there was no waterlogging on Minto Road and ITO crossings this time. She told the officers that they will have to show similar efficiency in the entire Delhi.

To find a solution to waterlogging and the problems arising from it, Chief Minister Gupta, along with PWD Minister Pravesh Verma, called a special meeting with top officials of PWD, the irrigation-flood control department and departments related to waterlogging and said that any kind of negligence will not be tolerated in the matter of waterlogging.

CM Gupta said that the officials will have to take immediate and effective measures during the rains so that the problems arising from waterlogging can be controlled in time. She instructed to immediately and continuously check the drains built on the roadside, from which water flows out and eliminates waterlogging on the road.

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

Cover-up to protect Boeing? How western media outlets twisted facts in Air India crash report to blame ‘pilot error’ for Ahmedabad tragedy

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Cover-up to protect Boeing? How western media outlets twisted facts in Air India crash report to blame ‘pilot error’ for Ahmedabad tragedy

On Saturday (12th July), foreign media publications such as Reuters, BBC, Daily Mail and others attempted to blame the pilots of the Air India flight AI171 by deliberately misinterpreting a preliminary report of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). They did so with the nefarious agenda to shield Boeing, which is under scanner for manufacturing faulty commercial jetliners

Indiaโ€™s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary report on the June 12 crash of Air India flight AI171, which killed 260 people, including 19 on the ground. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, had taken off from Ahmedabad and was headed for London. But within seconds of takeoff, both engines shut down, and the aircraft crashed into a densely populated area near the airport.

The 15-page report has revealed some critical technical details. It says the plane had reached a speed of 180 knots just before both engines lost power. The Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” within one second of each other, which stopped the fuel supply and caused both engines to fail. There was a brief moment when the engines seemed to recover, but they failed to stabilise. The aircraft began losing altitude right after liftoff and didnโ€™t even make it past the airportโ€™s boundary wall.

The report also notes that the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), a device that deploys automatically in case of total power loss, was triggered soon after takeoff. This confirmed that the aircraft had lost all electrical and engine power. The AAIB has finished on-site inspections, drone photography, and videography. Both engines have been moved to a secure hangar, and important components have been isolated for further examination. The investigation also ruled out a bird strike as a possible cause, as there was no bird activity recorded in the area during takeoff.

Western media frames the crash as pilot error

Despite these facts, some international media outlets seem to be shaping the narrative in a way that indirectly blames the pilots for the crash. Without waiting for a full investigation or proper conclusions, these reports are picking selective details from the preliminary report and suggesting that the accident was likely due to human error.

This has led to concerns that Western media is attempting to twist the story to shield aircraft manufacturers like Boeing, while making the late pilots look responsible.

The Guardian reports have focused heavily on the fuel switches being moved to the โ€œCUTOFFโ€ position seconds after takeoff, without clearly stating that the report does not confirm who or what caused it. 

BBC mentioned that the cockpit fuel switches were turned off during takeoff, something that should only be done in emergencies or after landing. There is then confusion heard in the cockpit, with one pilot asking the other why they had switched off the fuel. The Gatwick-bound plane was being piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kundar. The report does not specify which voice is which.

The Daily Mail also described the same in their report, how cockpit confusion was heard on the voice recorder, where one pilot asked the other why he had cut off the fuel.

The AAIB report goes on to say that the cockpit voice recording provided a crucial insight into the moments before the crash. One of the pilots is heard asking the other, “Why did you cut off?” to which the second pilot replied that he had not done so. The pilot tried restarting the engines by moving the switches back to RUN. Engine 1 showed signs of recovery, but Engine 2 continued to struggle. 

This exchange has raised concerns over possible miscommunication or a technical malfunction in the critical seconds before both engines shut down.

FAA Advisory on Boeingโ€™s fuel lock issue

An important aspect of the AAIB report has been omitted by several media outlets – the FAA advisory regarding a known fuel lock issue in Boeing aircraft.

Instead of reporting that both pilots denied turning off the fuel switches and that a possible technical malfunction was involved, the focus has been shifted to cockpit confusion and what appears to be pilot error.

This framing can mislead the public and even affect the direction of the ongoing investigation.The truth is, the AAIB has not yet made any findings. It has not incriminated the pilots, nor has it exonerated Boeing and the engine manufacturer.

The report merely mentions what is currently known and advises that further investigation is ongoing. Incriminating the dead pilots at this point without final evidence is unjust and disrespectful, not just to them, but also to the truth.


Uttar Pradesh: Muslim mob brutally assaults Hindu boy, victim says he was attacked for being a Gau rakshak, police arrest 3 accused

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Uttar Pradesh: Muslim mob brutally assaults Hindu boy, victim says he was attacked for being a Gau rakshak, police arrest 3 accused

In a recent incident of violence, a young Hindu boy was brutally beaten up by Muslim youths in Khoda colony of Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh.

A video of the incident went viral after one of the Muslim men posted it on social media. The video shows the Hindu boy, named Nitu Ram, being brutally slapped, punched and kicked by a group of Muslim men surrounding him.

The Hindu boy was also forced to apologise and kneel down while being thrashed. The victim, Nitu Ram, is a resident of Khoda colony in Ghaziabad.

After the incident, he approached a social worker for help, who shared Nitu’s story on social media and urged police to take action.

According to Nitu Ram, he is a Gaurakshak and is associated with the RSS and the Banjrang Dal. He said that he has been the target of the Muslim mob because of his work for the welfare of the Hindu community.

On the day of the incident, when he was in the area for some work, the accused named Waseem, Faheem and Faiju, along with 15 other people, physically attacked Nitu Ram and recorded a video.

The victim said that the culprits have also threatened to kill him. Ghaziabad police have arrested three of the culprits who attacked Nitu Ram and are on the lookout for others. An investigation in underway in the incident.

Who is Francesca Albanese, the United Nations rapporteur for Gaza strip, now facing US sanctions for “political and economic warfare against the United States and Israel”

Rukma Rathore
-
0
Who is Francesca Albanese, the United Nations rapporteur for Gaza strip, now facing US sanctions for “political and economic warfare against the United States and Israel”

The United States declared on 9th July that it has sanctioned an independent expert who had been designated by the United Nations to look into claims of the alleged human rights violations in the Palestinian territory. Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the West Bank and Gaza, has been a vocal opponent of the Jewish state.

She called its actions in Gaza Strip “genocide” against the Palestinian people and “violation of international laws.” She firmly endorsed the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed that he was slapping sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the Special Rapporteur for the UN Human Rights Council, for her despicable and illegal attempts to compel the ICC to commence action against US and Israeli officials, firms and executives.

He warned that her “campaign of political and economic warfare against the United States and Israel will no longer be tolerated. We will always stand by our partners in their right to self-defense.” Rubio further asserted that the Western power intends to continue pursuing every measure it believes is necessary to combat lawfare and defend its sovereignty alongside that of its allies.

Albanese reacted to the development and claimed that the powerful are penalising those who advocate for the weak and added that “it is not a sign of strength, but of guilt. Let’s stand tall, together.”

The UN rapporteur expressed, “It looks like I’ve hit a nerve. My concern is there are people dying in Gaza while you and I are speaking, and the United Nations are totally unable to intervene,” in a conversation with the Middle East Eye.

She in an earlier post stated that everyone’s attention must be on Gaza, where children are starving to death in the arms of their mothers while their fathers and siblings are being bombed to pieces as they try to find food. “Enough. Send navies. Break the siege. Together, we can. Together, we must,” she urged.

The sanctions, according to Albanese, were “calculated to weaken my mission.” She declared, “I’ll continue to do what I have to do,” during a press appearance in Slovenia. Furthermore, she questioned the motive behind the action and asked “for having exposed a genocide? For having denounced the system? They never challenged me on the facts.” Both Israel and the United States which offers military assistance, have vehemently refuted her allegations.

Volker Turk, the UN high commissioner for human rights, demanded that the US sanctions be “promptly reversed.” He stressed, “UN member states should engage substantively and constructively, rather than resorting to punitive measures, even in the face of fierce disagreement.”

Notably, the White House sanctioned four ICC judges last month for their “illegitimate and baseless actions” against the United States and its allies.

What is a rapporteur

Albanese is a high-profile member and part of an expert panel selected by the Geneva-based 47-member UN Human Rights Council. They communicate with the body to facilitate the monitoring of human rights records in diverse countries and the global compliance with specific rights.

They regularly submit reports to the body in order to maintain records on the global observance of particular rights as well as the human rights records in different nations. Special rapporteurs have no official power and do not speak for the United Nations. However, their findings help prosecutors in the International Criminal Court and other venues working on transnational justice issues. Additionally, their reports could pressurize countries.

There are now 13 experts on particular nations and territories chosen by the council including Albanese. Documenting abuses and violations of human rights, special rapporteurs often have one-year renewable mandates and frequently operate independently of the nation they are probing.

Afghanistan, Belarus, Burundi, Cambodia, North Korea, Eritrea, Iran, Myanmar and Russia all have their own rapporteurs. One on Syria is expected to take over once a protracted commission of investigation on the nation concludes its mandate. Additionally, the Central African Republic, Mali and Somalia each have three “independent experts” who specialise in providing technical support.

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) appoints an impartial expert known as the special rapporteur to provide updates on “human rights abuses” occurring in Palestinian territory. The 1993 Committee on Human Rights resolution is the source of the special rapporteur’s mission. The rapporteur publicly shares the evaluation of the state of human rights while collaborating with governments and civil society. They receive logistical support from the UNHRC, which also conducts yearly reports and frequent site inspections.

Albanese has expertise in international law and migration, having worked with the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and other international organisations on refugee and displacement issues, according to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Her position is reportedly an integral part of an established system to monitor and document the rights of Palestinians living under Israeli control.

Who is Francesca Albanese

Italian human rights attorney Francesca Albanese gained notoriety as the special rapporteur for Gaza and the West Bank, a position she has since occupied May 2022. She is a Middle East and human rights expert, an international lawyer and an affiliate scholar at Georgetown University’s Institute for the Study of International Migration since 2015.

She previously taught and lectured at several universities in Europe and the Middle East. She has written extensively about Palestine and the mission along activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in various publications. She is a co-author of Palestinian Refugees in International Law (2020).

According to her biography on the Georgetown University website, she worked with the UN from 2003 to 2013, including its human rights office along with its Palestinian humanitarian organisation and the legal affairs division of UNRWA. During an Ebola outbreak in West Africa, she served as a protection adviser for Project Concern International, an American non-governmental organisation, while she was in Washington from 2013 to 2015.

She offers lectures on “the question of Palestinian refugees in context” at several academic institutions and research facilities, such as the University of Bethlehem’s MICAD program, where she also oversees thesis of master’s students.

She has a BA in law from the University of Pisa (cum laude) and an LL.M. in human rights from School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). She has links with the American University of Beirut’s Issam Fares Institute and ISIM (Institute for the Study of International Migration) as of 2015 (she has not been a resident since 2016).

Loud detractor of Israel

Albanese has vehemently denounced Israel’s actions in Gaza since the start of its conflict with Hamas in October 2023. She has also slammed the Trump administration’s repeated efforts to shut down opponents of Israel’s counterterrorism efforts. She called the situation in Gaza “apocalyptic” and accused Israel of committing “one of the cruellest genocides in modern history” in her 3rd July speech to the UNHRC.

According to her, Israel’s actions were a part of a “settler colonial project of erasure” that had been intensified in recent months by the use of military force, mass displacement and famine.

Albanese in a March 2024 report submitted to the UN Human Rights Council that there were “reasonable grounds to believe” that Israel had committed genocide through mass murder, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, and the establishment of circumstances that might result in the physical extermination of Palestinians in Gaza.

In June 2025, she presented a report in which she named many multinational companies, including banks and armaments manufacturers, that were allegedly supporting or making money because of Israel’s opeartions. She called on member nations to follow through on prosecutions at the International Criminal Court (ICC), halt military transactions and apply targeted sanctions on Israel.

Her report was described as “legally groundless, defamatory, and a flagrant abuse of her office” by Israel’s diplomatic mission in Geneva and charged with “whitewashed Hamas atrocities.”

She recently alleged that her analysis “shows why Israel’s genocide continues: because it is lucrative for many.” She then proceeded to take the names of multiple major US corporations involved in supporting Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza.

Furthermore, she has also been infamous for her remarks. She implied that the “Jewish lobby” was influencing US government choices about Israel and the Palestinians in 2014. According to reports, she later expressed regret, but denied that it was antisemitic.

Israel has accused the Human Rights Council, Albanese and past rapporteurs of prejudice as well as shared a tense relationship with them for a long time. Israel reportedly declined to work with a special “Commission of Inquiry” that was set up after the fight with Hamas in 2021.

Aam Aadmi Party tries to instigate people against action on illegal encroachments, asks Delhi youths to head to Faridabad on 13 July to attend ‘Maha Panchayat’

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Aam Aadmi Party tries to instigate people against action on illegal encroachments, asks Delhi youths to head to Faridabad on 13 July to attend ‘Maha Panchayat’

Largely irrelevant after losing power in New Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party has resorted to instigating people against the government’s action on illegal encroachments. The Aam Aadmi Party has extended support to the Maha Panchayat to be held on 13th July 2025, against the demolition drive in Anangpur in Haryana’s Faridabad.

The party has appealed to the youth of 360 villages of Delhi rural to reach the Maha Panchayat of Anangpur Sangharsh Samiti in maximum numbers.

Addressing a press conference on 11th July, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said, “To protect our village, we appeal to the youth from all 360 villages of Delhi, especially the younger generation, to join us on 13th July at the Mahapanchayat in Anangpur. Together, we will plan a united strategy to resist the government’s actions,” said AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj while addressing a press conference.

The AAP leader alleged that the government has already acquired the land in question. Now, the government is trying to forcibly snatch whatever little land is left from the villagers. The AAP leader said that his party oppose this and a delegation of Aam Aadmi Party will also participate in the Maha Panchayat. He has also called upon all the workers of AAP to reach Anangpur.

Faridabad Aravalis, illegal encroachments and politics

Anangpur is a historic village in Faridabad and comes under the Aravali forest region. This region is protected under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) of 1990. This restricts non-forest activities in reserve forest land across 10 districts, including Haryana’s Faridabad.

In July 2022, the Supreme Court stated that Aravali land protected under PLPA (special orders) should be treated as forest, with provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, and any illegal structures should be demolished. This was followed by a 2013 National Green Tribunal (NGT) order banning non-forest activities in the protected forest land.

Subsequently, over 5,000 notices warning of demolition were served to property owners across Faridabad as part of the intensified crackdown on illegal structures

In December 2023, the Haryana government undertook a ground-truthing exercise and identified 6793 illegal structures across four villages in Faridabad: 5,948 in Anangpur, 339 in Ankhir, 313 in Lakkarpur, and 193 in Mewla Maharajpur. These illegal structures include houses, farmhouses, and banquet halls constructed on protected forest land.

Notably, reports say that the Forest Department has cleared encroachments at 85 of the 730 protected forest areas in Faridabad’s Aravali region.

In Anangpur, several villagers are opposed to the encroachment clearance drive, citing the village’s historical significance. It is said that this village was founded by Anangpal Tomar over 1,300 years ago. On 3rd July, three people were arrested in Anangpur for attacking a demolition team and police. The arrested trio were booked for obstructing government work.

In an attempt to exploit the local fury over the demolition drive in Anangpur and nearby 12 villages, the Aam Aadmi Party has lent support to the upcoming Mahapanchayat and is also instigating people against action on illegal encroachments.

So far, over 200 illegal structures have been reported to have been razed in Anangpur, while around 6000 are marked for removal. The Forest Department is also reviewing records in Lakkarpur to continue the anti-encroachment drive.

In Anangpur, the demolition drive has been ongoing for about 20 days, and the Forest Department, in collaboration with the Municipal Corporation, has demolished about 80 big farm houses so far.

Meanwhile, the Union Minister of State Krishan Pal Gurjar has assured the affected locals that none of the legitimate houses will be demolished. However, the residents of Anangpur remain concerned.

The anti-encroachment drive is being undertaken on the orders of the Supreme Court, and the Forest Department has to submit the report of the action to the Supreme Court by the end of July. Yet, the Aam Aadmi Party is politicising the court-ordered action for its own gains. By inciting Delhi youth to head to Faridabad to protest against a court-ordered action, the Aam Aadmi Party is trying to derail the encroachment clearance drive simply expand its appeal beyond Delhi by positioning itself as the ‘defender’ of the distressed communities in Haryana ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.

Bhagwant Mann doubles down on his attack on PM Modiโ€™s foreign visits, makes false claim that Modi reached the countries uninvited

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Bhagwant Mann doubles down on his attack on PM Modiโ€™s foreign visits, makes false claim that Modi reached the countries uninvited

Unbothered by the Ministry of External Affairs’ condemnation of his insulting remarks regarding PM Modi’s recent 5-nation visit, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann continues to poke fun at PM Modi’s foreign trips.

The comedian-turned-politician brought up PM Modi’s 2015 stopover in Pakistan to meet the then Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif, and said that he goes to countries uninvited. โ€œIt seems that when the PM is flying in his plane, he looks down and asks, โ€˜Which country is that?โ€™ When told it’s so-and-so, he says, โ€˜No worries, we will reach an hour late where we are going; letโ€™s land here now.’ He decides to land just anywhere. That’s how he landed in Pakistan too,โ€ Mann said in the Punjab state assembly on Friday (11th July). “The PM goes to countries at times without even an invitation. He landed in Pakistan to eat Biryani. We canโ€™t go to Pakistan, but the PM can go,” he added.

Justifying his distasteful comments, the Punjab CM asked if he did not have the right to question the government’s foreign policy. “Donโ€™t we have the right to ask the PM what foreign policy is? Who has supported us? Then why are you moving around?โ€ Mann said on Thursday (10th July).

Further ridiculing PM Modi, Mann said that the government publicised that PM Modi stopped the war between the two nations, but he was not able to resolve the issues between Punjab and Haryana. “Ads coming that Modi has stopped a war between two nations. Then why canโ€™t the PM resolve issues between Punjab and Haryana?” Mann said. After the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the remarks of Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann poking fun at PM Modi’s recent 5-nation visit, Mann on Thursday (10th July) asked if he could not question the government’s foreign policy.

โ€œDonโ€™t we have the right to ask the PM what foreign policy is? Who has supported us? Then why are you moving around?โ€ Mann said. The AAP leader had earlier alleged that PM Modi frequently visits countries without any diplomatic reasons or outcomes. โ€œPM is going to nations that we donโ€™t even know the names. Taking honours from such small nations. The same number of people gather here while a JCB is at work here,โ€ he said.

No visit was uninvited

Mann’s claim that PM Modi reached countries uninvited is completely false and baseless. One of the visits during the recent 5-nation tour was to Brazil to attend the BRICS summit. As a founding member of the bloc, it is customary for the PM to attend the summit every year. He went to Ghana, the first stop in the 5-nation visit, on the invitation ofย President John Dramani Mahama.

No head of government or country visits another country ‘uninvited’. Such state visits are preceded by extensive preparations, and multiple rounds of meetings of officials. Before PM visits a country, officials, sometimes even foreign ministers, visit those countries for preparatory work. The groundwork for agreements and MoUs signed during the state visits are prepared in such preliminary meetings.

For the AAP leader, visit to countries like Ghana, Namibiaย and Trinidad & Tobago may look like insignificant, but close relation with every country is important for India. Some of these countries, especially the African nations, are rich in natural resources, important for India’s emerging industries like semiconductors and EVs. Similarly, Brazil and Argentina are major economies and important members of the global south.

The MEA harshly criticised Mann

The AAP leader had earlier alleged that PM Modi frequently visits countries without any diplomatic reasons or outcomes. โ€œPM is going to nations that we donโ€™t even know the names. Taking honours from such small nations. The same number of people gather here while a JCB is on work here,โ€ he said.

Mann undermined PM Modi’s visits to the five nations of Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia by making fun of the small size of their populations. โ€œPM has gone somewhere. I think it is Ghana. He is going to be back and he is welcome. God knows which countries he keeps visiting, โ€˜Magnesiaโ€™, โ€˜Galveaisaโ€™, โ€˜Tarvesiaโ€™. He does not stay in a country with 140 crore people. He is visiting countries where the population is 10,000 and he is getting the โ€˜highest awardsโ€™ there. Here, 10,000 people gather to watch a JCBโ€ฆ What has he gotten himself into!โ€ฆ,โ€ he said.

The Chief Minister’s remarks were harshly criticised by the MEA, which described them as โ€œirresponsible and regrettableโ€. โ€œWe have seen some comments made by a high state authority about Indiaโ€™s relations with friendly countries from the Global South. These remarks are irresponsible and regrettable and do not behove the state authority,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said without naming Mann.

Prime Minister Modi’s 5-nation visit ended on 9th July. During his trip, PM Modi’s was conferred with the highest civilian honours of Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil and Namibia. His strategic visit to the countries was aimed at building bilateral partnerships and countering the influence of China’s aggressive policies. These visits were significant for strengthening India’s position as a responsible global power as all these countries expressed interest in building long-term partnerships with India.

Digital India Foundation opposes Pakistanโ€™s membership bid for AI Alliance Network citing security concerns, highlights potential weaponisation of AI

ANI
-
0
Digital India Foundation opposes Pakistanโ€™s membership bid for AI Alliance Network citing security concerns, highlights potential weaponisation of AI

The Digital India Foundation (DIF), a founding member of the AI Alliance Network (AIANET), has strongly objected to the membership application of Pakistan’s AI Technology Centre (AITeC) to AIANET, citing serious risks to the alliance’s credibility, security, and shared values, according to a statement released by Digital India Foundation.

Digital India Foundation stated that Pakistan’s systemic support of terrorism, ongoing scrutiny by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), potential weaponisation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) through AITeC’s specialised labs, and the absence of institutional accountability in Pakistan’s AI ecosystem, pose a direct threat to India’s national security and to AIANET’s foundational principles.

Dr. Arvind Gupta, Co-Founder and Head, Digital India Foundation, said, “The membership application of AITeC should be seen as Pakistan’s way of gaining access to our R&D and technology with the aim of weaponizing AI through their specialized labs. We need to ensure that this does not happen. The Pahalgam terrorist attack and the recent Indo-Pak conflict highlight the need for continued vigilance by India to ensure that Pakistan’s efforts to undermine regional stability do not succeed.”

Digital India Foundation also raised concerns about several of AITeC’s centres, which it said have dual-use and military applications. The Autonomous AI & Decision Support Lab, Computer Vision Lab, and Software Optimization for Edge Computing Lab were cited as possessing capabilities that could be redirected toward offensive cyber operations, cross-border attacks, and autonomous targeting systems.

The Foundation said that these technologies, in the hands of a state with a record of supporting terrorism, could enable operational enhancements for nonstate actors. It referenced the 2025 U.S. Country Reports on Terrorism, noting Pakistan’s continued protection of groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Further, highlighting security concerns, Digital India Foundation pointed to Pakistan’s ongoing FATF grey-list status due to failures in countering terror financing and money laundering. It warned that AITeC’s Data Science Lab and Quantum Machine Learning & Cognitive Computing Lab could potentially be misused to automate illicit financial flows and cryptocurrency-based fundraising for extremist networks.

Digital India Foundation contrasted this with AIANET members, which are governed by democratic institutions, enforceable data protection laws, and independent oversight bodies that uphold ethical and accountable AI development, conditions absent in Pakistan’s current environment.

The Foundation said in its letter that Pakistan’s AI ecosystem suffers from major deficiencies in education, research, and governance. It noted that Pakistan’s draft National AI Policy remains vague and unenforceable, and the country lacks a national data protection law. It added that military-led entities such as the Pakistan Air Force’s Centre of Artificial Intelligence and Computing (CENTAIC) dominate the nation’s AI strategy, undermining civilian innovation.

Digital India Foundation emphasized that AITeC’s integration into this militarised AI framework directly contradicts the AIANET’s mission to advance AI for the public good and peaceful global cooperation.

In its concluding appeal, Digital India Foundation urged AIANET members to reject AITeC’s application entirely to preserve the alliance’s integrity, protect global AI collaboration, and uphold the principles of responsible, democratic, and peaceful technological advancement.

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

1...252253254...7,604Page 253 of 7,604