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As ‘liberals’ cling on to dissent by Justice BV Nagarathna, here is how she praised the Demonetisation move

OpIndia Staff
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As ‘liberals’ cling on to dissent by Justice BV Nagarathna, here is how she praised the Demonetisation move

On January 2, the Supreme Court of India upheld the Central Government’s decision to go ahead with the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes that was announced in November 2016. The five-judge Constitution Bench dismissed a set of petitions filed against the demonetisation in a 4:1 judgment.

The Supreme Court said that there was consultation between the Centre and the RBI before demonetisation and that there was reasonable nexus to bring about the decision. The apex court further added that the doctrine of proportionality did not hit demonetisation. The doctrine of proportionality means that the action should not be more drastic than it ought to be to obtain the desired result.

The apex court had reserved its judgments on the batch of 58 petitions on December 7. Earlier, the SC had asked the Centre and Reserve Bank of India to place before it the records pertaining to the 2016 demonetisation decision in a sealed envelope. The SC had said that it has the power to examine the manner in which the decision for demonetisation was taken, adding that “the judiciary cannot fold its hands and sit just because it is an economic policy decision”.

Grasping at straws, a raft of self-described ‘liberals’ who supported their dying career by fearmongering over the Centre’s Demonetisation move on Monday fell over themselves to hail Justice BV Nagarathna for dissenting on the Supreme Court’s momentous verdict. However, they predictably ignored Justice BV Nagarathna’s praises for the Demonetisation move.

Hailing Justice BV Nagarathna, Rajdeep Sardesai said, “BIG DEMO verdict: 5 judge SC constitution bench holds 2016 demonetisation VALID. Boost for Modi govt. Justice Nagarathna differs from Justice Gavai majority view on whether due process was followed in decision-making. Key Qs unanswered: were the stated objectives of the Demo met or not?”

In a series of tweets, former Finance Minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram said once the Court has declared the law, everyone is obliged to accept it. “However, it is necessary to point out that the majority has not upheld the wisdom of the decision, nor has the majority concluded that the stated objectives were achieved. In fact, the majority has steered clear of the question of whether the objectives were achieved at all,” he added.

Furthermore, he said, “We are happy that the minority judgement has pointed out the illegality and the irregularities in the Demonetisation. It may be only a slap on the wrist of the government, but a welcome slap on the wrist.”

He added, “We are happy that the minority judgment has emphasised the important role of Parliament in a democracy. We hope that in future an unbridled Executive will not thrust disastrous decisions on Parliament and the people.”

Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi said, “Much respect for Justice BV Nagarathna for standing up and speaking out.”

In a tweet, NDTV noted, “Notes ban action by centre “unlawful”, says Supreme Court judge in dissenting order in 4:1 verdict. Notably, NDTV did not clarify if the judgment was in favour or against demonetisation.

Justice PV Naharathna praised demonetisation

Notably, Justice BV Nagarathna was not completely against demonetisation. The judge noted that the objectives of the central board may have been sound, just and proper. However, she raised an issue with how “objects were achieved and the procedure followed was not in accordance with law”.

She added, “It targeted evils such as black money, terror funding and counterfeiting. The measure is declared unlawful purely on legal grounds and not on the basis of objects.”

On November 8, 2016, Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi announced the demonetisation of high currency denomination notes of Rs. 500 and Rs.1000. The move was aimed at curbing corruption, black money, reducing Naxal movement, eliminating counterfeit currency, and terrorism funding.

Pakistani singer Sajjad Ali hints Vishal-Shekhar’s ‘Besharam Rang’ is a copy of his composition ‘Ab Ke Hum Bichare’

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistani singer Sajjad Ali hints Vishal-Shekhar’s ‘Besharam Rang’ is a copy of his composition ‘Ab Ke Hum Bichare’

The controversy around Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone’s upcoming film ‘Pathaan’ song ‘Besharam Rang’ has not subsided since its release on Monday (12 December).

Now, the song is once again in the spotlight after Pakistani singer Sajjad Ali took to social media a few days ago to drop hints of it being a copy of his 26-year-old song “Ab Ke Hum Bichare.”

The Pakistani singer took to Instagram to share a video of him singing his song Ab Ke Hum Bichare. Without taking any names, Sajjad Ali captioned his post, “After listening to a new movie’s song, It reminded me of my song I released 26 years ago, Ab Ke Hum Bichare. Enjoy!!”

As soon as the Pakistani singer posted the cryptic Tweet, many users in the comments section were quick to draw comparisons. The users were convinced that the Sajjad Ali song is the original song from which Besharam Rang composers Vishal-Shekhar have ‘copied’.

“This sounds like Besharam Rang from Pathaan,” one user wrote, as another quoted a lyric from Besharam Rang, “Besharam Rung kahan dekha”.

Another person commented, “Besharam song based on Sajjad ali music composition Indian always pirate our music composition and they did not even give credit to our Pakistani singers” even as one wrote, “Bollywood should better pay royalty…They hv ruined this song.”

The song ‘Ab Ke Hum Bichare’ by the Pakistani singer Sajjad Ali can be viewed here.

The controversy surrounding Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming movie ‘Pathaan’

The controversy around Shah Rukh Khan’s recent movie ‘Pathaan’ sparked after BJP leader Narottam Mishra from Madhya Pradesh objected to the movie song named ‘Besharam Rang’ and said that the song had hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindu community. The state Home Minister said that the way the colours saffron and green have been used in the costumes used in the song is objectionable.

Also, the Madhya Pradesh Ulema Board objected to the song claiming that the song and the movie have hurt the religious sentiments of the Islamic community.

Meanwhile, recently on December 29, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) advised the makers of Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone’s upcoming film ‘Pathaan’ to implement certain changes in the film, including in its songs, and submit a revised version.

Madarsa teachers from outside the state will be asked to appear regularly in the nearest police station: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

OpIndia Staff
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Madarsa teachers from outside the state will be asked to appear regularly in the nearest police station: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam administration continues to crack down on suspicious madarsas in the state that have ties to banned Islamic terrorist organisations. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Sunday, January 1, 2023, that all teachers who have come from outside Assam to teach in Madarsas in the state may be asked to appear from time to time at the nearest police stations.

The action follows a government crackdown on madarsas with suspected ties to the terrorist group Ansar-ul-Bangla or Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), which led to the identification of 51 Bangladeshis who were teaching in some of the madarsas in the state.

CM Sarma said that a checklist has been prepared for the Madarsas, though the state is yet to “enter into an agreement with stakeholders, but things are moving in the right direction.” He added that the Assam Police is working with Muslims in the state to “rationalise” Madarsa education.

The Assam CM said the police are coordinating with Bengali Muslims, who have a positive attitude towards education to create “a good environment” in the Madarsas.

Science and mathematics will also be taught as subjects in the Madarsas, and the right to education respected and a database of teachers maintained, he said. “They should not be considered as enemies, instead we want them as stakeholders,” the chief minister added.

It may be recalled that in September last year, a Madarsa in the Goalpara district in Assam had come under scrutiny with alleged ties to the Bangladeshi terrorist organisation Ansar-ul-Bangla or Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT). The Dargar Alga Madrassa located at Pakhiura Char had also been identified by the police for possible terror links.

Earlier, the founder of the Madarsa, Imam Jalaluddin, and two more persons were arrested by police for suspected terror links. Police had found that Jalaluddin had recruited suspected Bangladeshi Jihadis as teachers, and two of them are now absconding. Several incriminating documents, phones, and SIM cards were also seized from their possession. According to the Assam Police, the two were associated with the terror outfits named Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) which is based out of Bangladesh.

Assam CM Sarma orders the registration of non-local Imams of madarsas

Following the arrest of Imam Jalaluddin and one other imam identified as Abdus Subhan, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma designed Standard Operating Procedure to ensure that imams and other people coming to madarsas from other states register their names on the government portal.

According to the reports, the government portal is being created only for Imams and other people who are coming to Madarsas from outside the state.

Jharkhand: Hindu man stripped, assaulted by Mithun Shaikh and 4 others for refusing to eat beef

OpIndia Staff
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Jharkhand: Hindu man stripped, assaulted by Mithun Shaikh and 4 others for refusing to eat beef

On Saturday (December 31), a Hindu man was assaulted for refusing to eat beef (cow meat) in the Radhanagar village in the Sahibganj district of Jharkhand.

As per reports, the victim has been identified as Chandan Ravidas. He has accused 5 people, including one Mithun Shaikh of trying to force-feed him alcohol and cow meat.

When Chandan resisted, the men stripped him naked and beat him black and blue. He has now filed a complaint with the Radhanagar police and sought action against the accused.

While speaking to News18 Jharkhand, the victim narrated, “My name is Chandan Ravidas. I refused to eat cow meat. 5 Muslim men who were drinking and eating beef also tried to force-feed me. They assaulted me for refusing to give in to their diktat.”

“After thrashing me, they made me drink alcohol and eat meat. The accused also offered to pay me money to keep my mouth shut and not inform the law enforcement authorities,” he informed.

News 18 Jharkhand reported that Chandan had went to a shop at Pakinja Mor, which falls under the jurisdiction of Radhanagar police station, on Saturday night. When he went behind the shop to pee, he found 5 people drinking and consuming cow meat.

This led to a heated argument between the victim and the accused, following which they forced him to consume alcohol and eat beef. Chandan managed to escape but was later chased down by the accused men. He was then stripped naked and thrashed brutally.

‘Car took a sharp U-turn as it approached a police booth’: Another eyewitness recounts the details of the horrific Delhi accident

OpIndia Staff
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‘Car took a sharp U-turn as it approached a police booth’: Another eyewitness recounts the details of the horrific Delhi accident

Another eyewitness to the horrific Delhi accident, where a 20-year-old girl was killed after her scooty was allegedly hit by a car and dragged for a few kilometres on Sunday, recounted how that night, he saw the girl’s head hanging over the rear tyre of the car. He also said that the accused’s car had taken a sharp U-turn as soon as it approached a police booth.

Vikas, who works as a delivery executive for the food delivery aggregator Zomato, recalled how he was returning after delivering a food parcel on Kanjhawal road at around 3.20 am when he was almost hit by the same Baleno car.

In an interview with Mirror Now, Vikas explained that his bike and the car almost collided, causing him to lose his balance. Vikas went on to say that by the time he regained control of himself and his bike, the driver, who was driving at an approximate speed of 40 to 60 km/h, had taken a right turn towards Rohini. As soon as the driver saw a police booth about 150 metres ahead, he made a sharp u-turn on the single lane.

“When an automobile makes a sharp turn, it usually makes a loud noise. I instantly turned around when I heard the loud noise. This is when I noticed a girl’s head dangling over the car’s rear tyre. I was completely shocked. It was about 3.35- 3.40 am. at the time. Suddenly, I noticed two police officers passing by on a bike. I pulled over and told them what I observed. I even told them which path the automobile drove. In turn, the policemen inquired about my well-being. They asked me to leave and said they would check into it,” Vikas recalled.

Meanwhile, DCP Outer Delhi Harendra K Singh said in a video byte Monday that the police have identified the car and arrested the five accused who were sitting in the car at the time of the accident. The accused, he said have been arrested under IPC sections 279, 304(A) and 304. They would be produced in court later in the day today where the Delhi police would seek their remand so that the entire sequence of events can be established in their presence. DCP outer further assured that the police and the forensic team are working closely on the case. He asserted that all angles in the case are being looked into closely.

The accused dragged the body for 1.5 hours for about 18-20 km, eyewitness narrates horrific details of the Delhi accident

Notably, prior to this, another eyewitness Deepak Dahiya, who runs a confectionery shop on Kanjhawala Road in Ladpur village had recounted the horror. He had told ANI on Sunday that the accused kept dragging the body of the girl which got entangled to their vehicle for 18 to 20 kilometres and it lasted for about one and a half hours.

Dahiya said he also chased the car with his bike and was in contact with the police. 

After about one and a half hours, the body fell from the car near Jyoti village on Kanjhawala Road, after which the accused fled, he said. 

“It could not be just an accident,” Dahiya had stressed. 

The family of the 20-year-old woman who died in the horrific Delhi hit-and-run case on December 31, meanwhile, claimed that her death was not an accident. “The girl was dragged for around 10 metres. Scooty and the body has been found in two different places. It is not an accident, after seeing that girl alone, something wrong must have happened with her, that’s why the scooty and the body were found at two different places,” the girl’s uncle has alleged. 

Police say it was an accident but locals give a different version

Notably, yesterday, Police said that this case was of an accident. The police said that the condition of the girl after the incident was so bad, that after being dragged on, her clothes and even the back side of her body got ripped off. 

“The accused told police that the windows of the vehicle were closed and the music was playing on loud volume so they did not get to know…When they came to know they fled from the spot,” DCP said. 

While the police said that it is a case of an accident locals in the area refuted the claim. Talking to ABP News, multiple people who claimed to have witnessed the incident claimed that the girl was thrown out of the moving car in a naked state. They claimed that there was not much sign of injury on the body that would be caused by getting dragged for such a long distance.

Delhi Commission of Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal, meanwhile, also took cognisance of the matter and issued notice to the Delhi police. 

Avengers actor Jeremy Renner critical after snow plow accident in Nevada

OpIndia Staff
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Avengers actor Jeremy Renner critical after snow plow accident in Nevada

Jeremy Renner, widely known for his role as ‘Hawkeye’ in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is now recuperating from a serious accident he encountered while ploughing snow in Nevada’s Reno on Sunday. According to his spokesperson, Marvel star Jeremy Renner is in a ‘critical but stable condition.’

“We can confirm Jeremy is in critical but stable condition with injuries suffered after experiencing a weather-related accident while ploughing snow earlier today. His family is with him and he is receiving excellent care,” the spokesperson said.

According to the spokesperson, Renner’s family is with him and he is receiving excellent care. As per a report in Deadline, Renner had to be airlifted to the hospital after he met with the accident on Sunday.

While the exact location of the accident is unknown, Renner has had a house in Washoe County, Nevada, for several years, according to the Reno Gazette Journal. According to the publication, that area in northern Nevada saw substantial snowfall as a result of a storm on New Year’s Eve.

Renner is a two-time Oscar nominee and is the star of Marvel’s ‘Avengers’ and ‘Captain America’ films. Renner was nominated for Best Actor at the 2010 Academy Awards for his performance in ‘The Hurt Locker‘. He was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in ‘The Town‘.

Renner is currently appearing in ‘Mayor of Kingstown’, which is streaming on Paramount+. Its second season is set to debut this month.

Notably, in May last year, the actor was in India, shooting for the Disney+ reality series Rennervations. Jeremy Renner was spotted shooting with actor Anil Kapoor in Alwar, Rajasthan. He had shared pictures from Alwar and Delhi on social media.

Jains protest over Shri Sammed Shikharji: The history of the issue and the implications of turning a religious site into a tourist spot

Jinit Jain
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Jains protest over Shri Sammed Shikharji: The history of the issue and the implications of turning a religious site into a tourist spot

Earlier yesterday, Jains across the country protested against the Jharkhand government’s decision to turn Parasnath Hill and Shri Sammed Shikharji pilgrim centre into tourist hubs and the vandalism attack faced by Jain temples on Palitana hill in Gujarat.

Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, New Delhi, Surat, and many other cities saw large crowds of Jains hitting the streets demanding the rollback of the Jharkhand government’s decision to promote religious tourism at Parasnath Hills that they claim would tarnish the sanctity of Shri Sammed Shikharji, one of the most hallowed Jain pilgrimage centres from where 20 of the total 24 Tirthankars attained salvation. 

As a part of the Tourism Policy launched this July, the Jharkhand government decided to promote religious tourism at Parasnath Hills, the region that nestles the revered Jain pilgrimage centre from where 20 of the total 24 Tirthankars attained salvation. Every year, thousands of Jains from across the world. undertake the 27 km long trek of climbing the hills to reach the summit that houses the salvation shrines of 20 Tirthankaras. Besides, the hills are also considered holy by the members of the Santhal tribe, who regard it as ‘Marang Buru’ and hold an annual festival here in mid-April.

However, since then, Jains have been protesting against the state government’s attempt to shorn off the religious character of the site and turn it into a tourism cash cow. The protests reached a crescendo on January 1, when thousands of Jains hit the streets demanding a rollback of the Jharkhand government’s decision. Notably, the Hindu rights organisation Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), extended support to the protesting Jain community. In a statement issued by the VHP, it is stated that the organization is bound to protect the sanctity of the pilgrimage sites of India. The entire Parshwanath hill should be declared a holy site (teerth), and no tourist activities involving meat or drugs should be permitted.

“The Ministry of Pilgrimage should be established in Jharkhand immediately so that the development of Siddha Kshetra Parshwanath mountain and all other pilgrimage sites there is in accordance with the followers of the Jain faith. The relevant notifications should be amended as needed so that Siddha Parshwanath mountain and Tirtharaj Sammed peak are never turned into tourist destinations,” the VHP statement read.

Raghubar Das-led Jharkhand government issued the ‘Parasnath Hill Development Plan’ in 2015

With protests demanding the reversal of the Jharkhand government’s decision to declare Shri Sammed Shikharji a tourist spot intensifying, it is worth pondering over the provenance of the controversy. The issue dates back to 24 April 2015, when the then Jharkhand CM, Raghubar Das issued a ‘Parasthnath Hill Development Plan’ to develop tourism in Shikharji hills. 

As per the development plan envisioned by Raghubar Das’s government, a helipad akin to Vaishnodevi was to be constructed at the Shikharji hills, to help travellers reach the summit with little effort, given that it entailed walking about 25-30 kilometres on foot to complete the journey. The plan also included the construction of a Theme Park, Tourism Reception Centre, Car parking centre and Bus stand in Madhuban town, situated at the foot of the Parasnath Hills that cradle the Shri Sammed Shikarji pilgrimage centre. 

The state government had also planned to construct a Marang Buru Temple for the local tribes. 

But the government’s announcement then triggered protests from the Jain community, which demonstrated against the blatant attempt to commercialise one of their holiest pilgrim centres for boosting the state’s tourism revenues. The ‘Save Shikharji’ campaign was launched and Jains from across the country participated in it to create awareness about the Jharkhand government’s decision and garner support to stop Shri Sammed Shikharji from turning into a decadent tourist spot. 

After dragging its feet for over three years, the Raghubar Das government in August 2018 once again decided to pursue its project of transforming Shri Sammed Shikharji into a tourist attraction spot. As a token gesture to placate concerns among Jains, Das on 10 August 2018 banned the use of vehicles/motorcycles on the holy Parasnath hills. 

However, he reaffirmed his commitment to building the Marang Buru Temple for conserving the tribal culture within the stipulated time. He had also asked the Forest Department to clear all pending cases by 15 September 2018 and to issue clearances to all tourism-related projects by 10 October 2018.

Raghubar Das government declares Shri Sammed Shikharji a holy place and affirms commitment to maintaining the sanctity of the site

This once again set the ball rolling, prompting widespread protests from the Jain community, which asked the government to rescind its decision on turning the place where 20 out of 24 Jain Tirthankaras of the current cycle attained salvation into a tourism hub. On 22 October 2018, delegations of Jains, including the members of the ‘Save Shikharji’ campaign met with Raghubar Das and expressed their concerns over his government’s decision of altering the characteristics of Shri Sammed Shikharji. 

After rounds of meetings and deliberations, the ‘Parasnath Hill Development Plan’ was put in cold storage and the Jharkhand government issued an office memorandum accepting the hill as a holy place and affirmed its commitment to maintaining the sanctity of the site. 

However, in August 2019, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, notified an area to an extent varying from zero kilometres to 25 kilometres (208.82 sq km) around the boundary of Parasnath Hill and Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuaries, in Giridih and Dhanbad districts in the State of Jharkhand as the Parasnath and Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuaries Eco-sensitive Zone. 

The declaration of areas in the vicinity of Parasnath Hills into an Eco-sensitive Zone did not mean that the place cannot be turned into a tourism hub. Instead, it acted as a regulation to limit the deleterious impact of developmental activities on a spiritually rich and ecologically diverse geography like the Parasnath Hills.

Parasnath Hills designated under Eco-sensitive Zone and its implications on Shri Sammed Shikharji

The National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) stipulated that state governments should declare land falling within 10 km of the boundaries of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries as eco-fragile zones or Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986. 

Though the 10-km rule is implemented as a general principle, the extent of its application can vary. Areas beyond 10 km can also be notified by the Union government as ESZs if they house larger ecologically important “sensitive corridors”. In Shri Sammed Shikharji’s case, the state government requested a range of 25 kilometres to be declared as ESZ for the development of tourism projects, with the aim of regulating certain activities around it so as to minimise the negative impacts of developmental activities affecting the fragile ecosystem encompassing the protected areas. 

The categorisation under ESZ meant activities such as commercial mining, sawmills, industries causing pollution (air, water, soil, noise etc), the establishment of major hydroelectric projects (HEP), commercial use of wood etc. would be prohibited in the area. Similarly, tourism activities like hot-air balloons, discharge of effluents or any solid waste or production of hazardous substances were also banned.

But, it allowed the felling of trees, construction of hotels and resorts, commercial use of natural water, erection of electrical cables, changes in the agricultural system, adoption of heavy technology, pesticides, and widening of roads among other things.

In essence, the declaration of ESZ did not stop a place from being turned into a tourist spot. Instead, it sought to minimise the impact of urbanisation and other developmental activities in the areas adjacent to protected areas declared as Eco-Sensitive Zones.

However, in December 2019, the Raghubar Das government lost the Jharkhand assembly elections, and Hemant Soren was sworn in as the chief minister. The Parasnath development plan, which was in abeyance for over two and a half years, was given a fresh lease of life earlier this year when the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government decided to pursue the past government’s plan and turn the Parasnath Hills and Tirtharaj Sammed Shikharji into eco-tourism spots.

The impact of Jharkhand government’s decision: Jains raise alarm over irrevocable alteration of the religious character of Shikharji

Concerns of violation of religious sanctity of sacred places, and the possibility of vandalism attacks plague Jain devotees

The move to turn a religious site into a tourism hub could irredeemably alter the spiritual characteristics of the place and strip it of its divine significance, Jains fear. 

“It is a dangerous move because it sets a precedent for the governments to use religious sites for boosting their tourism revenue. The government exchequer is filled at the expense of the religious salience of a holy site,” said Kirti Vora, a member of the Anandji Kalyanji Trust, an esteemed body that looks after another sacred Jain pilgrimage centre in Palitana, Gujarat. 

“When a cultural site is thrown open to tourism, it not only results in the violation of its religious sanctity but also leads to the degeneration of the place and artefacts attached to it,” Vora said while highlighting the chronic vandalism of historical monuments caused by tourists. 

Mr Ashish Shah, a member of Parshvanath Mandir Trust in Ahmedabad, said turning a religious site into a tourism centre robs it of its spiritual significance and lowers its pre-eminence among the adherents. 

“Jains have spiritual feelings and sentiments attached to Shri Sammed Shikharji. If the place is turned into a tourism hub, those sentiments will eventually evaporate and cease to exist. Over time, the fact that place serves as the resting abode of 20 Tirthankars will lose its significance among Jains,” he added. 

Mr Shah also raised alarm bells that turning Sammed Shikharji into a tourist destination could result. He pointed out the recent vandalism attack on an ancient Jain shrine in the holy town of Palitana, where vandals had removed poles and tried to damage the footprints of Lord Adinath, the founder of the Ikshavaku dynasty and the first Jain Tirthankar in the current cycle of 24 Tirthankars. The footprints are regarded by some Jain devotees to be older than the Palitana itself.

“The attacks we have witnessed in recent days, especially in Palitana and other Jain temples across the country, there is little doubt what opening up Sammed Shikharji to tourists would do to the numerous temples hosted on its hills. Will the government provide security to each and every temple on the hills? And what’s the guarantee that such attacks would not take place on Shri Sammed Shikharji once it is commercialised as tourist hub?” Mr Shah questioned. 

Tunisha Sharma’s mother and ‘uncle’ harassed her, made her beg for her own money: Actor Sheezan Khan’s family says all allegations against him are false

ANI
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Tunisha Sharma’s mother and ‘uncle’ harassed her, made her beg for her own money: Actor Sheezan Khan’s family says all allegations against him are false

Family of TV actor Sheezan Khan, who has been in jail since December 25 in connection with Tunisha Sharma’s death case, on Monday named an “uncle” who the late actress was in mortal fear of. 

TV actor Tunisha Sharma, who allegedly died by suicide on Christmas eve, was in frightful awe of her uncle from Chandigarh, who instigated her mother, Vanita, to strangulate Tunisha, Sheezan’s advocate told the media. Sheezan’s sisters also accused Tunisha’s mother of causing her childhood trauma and making the late actor “beg before her for every penny”. 

“Tunisha used to panic a lot upon hearing the name of Sanjeev Kaushal. At the instigation of Sanjeev Kaushal, Tunisha’s mother broke her phone and tried to strangulate her,” advocate, Shailendra Mishra said. 

“Sanjeev Kaushal and Tunisha’s mother used to control Tunisha’s life,” said Mishra here at a press conference that was called by the ‘Ali Baba: Dastaan-E-Kabul’ actor’s family — her two sisters Falaq and Shafaq Naaz and his mother. 

Mishra, speaking on behalf of Sheezan’s family, further alleged that Sanjeev and Tunisha’s mother controlled her finances and Tunisha often had to plead in front of her mother for her own money, that she was earning. 

“Tunisha and Sanjeev Kaushal (an uncle in Chandigarh) had terrible relations. Sanjeev Kaushal and her mother, Vanita, used to control Tunisha’s finances. Tunisha often pleaded in front of her mother for her own money,” said Sheezan Khan’s advocate. 

Sheezan Khan’s advocate added that Pawan Sharma, Tunisha’s “so-called uncle”, who was the 21-year-old actor’s former manager was fired as he behaved harshly with her. 

“Tunisha’s so-called uncle Pawan Sharma was her former manager, who was fired four years ago because he used to interfere in her affairs and behave harshly with her,” said Mishra at the presser in Mumbai that came days after Sheezan was arrested on December 25, by Waliv police after Tunisha’s body was recovered from a TV set in Vasai on December 24. 

Sheezan’s sister and co-actor Falaq Naaz, meanwhile, accused Tunisha’s mother and said that the deceased actor’s depression was due to her childhood trauma. 

“Tunisha’s mother accepted that she has been neglecting Tunisha and that she didn’t take care of her. Tunisha’s depression was due to her childhood trauma,” said Falaq Naaz, who had on the day of Tunisha’s cremation already announced that they will speak to the media and put their side of the story. 

Falaq Naaz also denied that Sheezan had any other girlfriend, other than Tunisha and called it a false narrative. 
“Sheezan didn’t have any other girlfriend. That girl was called to record her statement. There’s no secret girlfriend,” said Falaq Naaz. 

Refuting the claims made by Pawan Sharma, that the actor started wearing Hijab after meeting Sheezan Khan, his sister and co-actor Shafaq Naaz said that the picture of Tunisha in hijab being circulated is from the set of the show which was part of the shoot. 

Earlier on December 28, Pawan Sharma claimed that Tunisha’s behaviour and lifestyle changed after she met Sheezan Khan, and that she even started wearing a ‘Hijab’ (a headscarf worn by Muslim women). 

“The picture of Tunisha in hijab being circulated is from the set of the show which was part of the shoot. It can be seen. We never made her wear hijab, it was from the channel,” said Shafaq Naaz. 

Sheezan Khan was reportedly dating Tunisha Sharma, who was allegedly found hanging at a TV serial set on December 24, a fortnight after the two broke up their few-months-long relationship. 

Addressing a press conference in Mumbai on Friday, Tunisha’s mother made several allegations against Sheezan and also raised suspicion of “murder”. 

“Sheezan took her from the room but did not call the ambulance. This could also be a murder, how is it possible that she was found in Sheezan’s room and it was Sheezan only who brought her down, but did not call the ambulance or doctors? Sheezan forced her to wear Hijab as well,” Vanita Sharma said addressing a press conference on Friday.

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

Kerala: Communist leader insults Adi Shankaracharya, calls him ‘a strong advocate of cruel caste system’

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala: Communist leader insults Adi Shankaracharya, calls him ‘a strong advocate of cruel caste system’

Communist leader MB Rajesh has stirred a controversy with his derogatory remarks against Adi Shankaracharya. In a statement, Rajesh said Shankaracharya was not the Acharya of Kerala as he “preserved caste system and varnashrama system”. Rajesh made the controversial statement at an inaugural event of an organisational meeting linked to the Sivagiri Pilgrimage.

Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan condemned Rajesh’s statement and said both Adi Shankara, the Vedanta Philosopher and Sree Narayana Guru, the saint and social reformer, belonged to the same ascetic linage of the country. He added that Rajesh’s attempt to create a division in Hindu dharma and his statement should be condemned. He added that his statement showed the intolerance of the communists towards ancient Indian traditions and philosophy. Calling it false propaganda, Union Minister said even a hundred Communists’ manifestos could not match the philosophy propagated by Adi Shankar and Sree Narayan Guru.

MB Rajesh’s controversial statement

In his statement, Rajesh claimed that Shankaracharya preserved the caste system while Gurudeva worked on weeding it out from society. He added that Shankaracharya was the “implementer of the cruel caste system based on Manusmriti”. He claimed that the devotees realised by the teachings of Swami Chidanandapuri that Guru’s vision had nothing to do with other Indian Sanyasa Traditions.

Notably, Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Pandita Sannyasivaryan Chidanandapuri Swami recently noted the similarities in the works of Shankaracharya and Sree Narayana Gurudeva and stated they both are the same. Their statement allegedly angered the left, leading to the statement by Rajesh.

‘Your kidney seems dislodged’: Hrithik Roshan’s toned body triggers joke and meme fest

OpIndia Staff
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‘Your kidney seems dislodged’: Hrithik Roshan’s toned body triggers joke and meme fest

On Monday (January 2), Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan shared a picture of his toned body on social media.

In a tweet, he wrote, “Alright. Let’s go. #2023.” The tweet was accompanied by a picture of him, lifting his shirt and exposing his chest and abs.

The picture left netizens amused, with many wondering whether the actor had dislodged his kidney in the process of being toned.

“This cannot be accomplished, brother (by us). So let it go instead of let’s go,” wrote one user.

One Nishant Trivedi inquired, “Did your kidney dislocate and move in the front?”

Another Twitter user shared a picture of a desert and suggested that Hrithik Roshan would develop abs that look like sand dunes. “Hrithik Sir in 2030,” he suggested.

One Twitter user, Roushan Raj, commented, “Please eat something. Your health does not look good to me. Only your bones are visible.”

“Are you a human or a fish?” asked another user.

Another user mocked the actor’s string of failed relationships. “What’s the use of this body when you get only girlfriends such as Saba Azad, Kangana Ranaut and Sussanne Khan?” he remarked.

In 2021, Hrithik Roshan courted controversy after he wrote a heartfelt note to Aryan Khan, Shah Rukh Khan’s son, who was then in the custody of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in connection to the luxury cruise drug bust case.

Hrithik Roshan’s next film ‘Fighter’ with Deepika Padukone directed by Siddharth Anand is set to release in 2024.

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