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Narendra Modi Government issues demarche to Canada over Khalistan referendum scheduled on November 6

Shraddha Pandey
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Narendra Modi Government issues demarche to Canada over Khalistan referendum scheduled on November 6

This week, the Narendra Modi government in India sent a demarche to the Justin Trudeau-led Canadian government urging that it halt the purported Khalistan referendum planned by a banned organisation for November 6 in Ontario since it would violate India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. A top Ministry of External Affairs official delivered the demarche to a senior official of the Canadian High Commission, and the Indian Embassy in Ottawa would also convey India’s deep concern to Global Affairs, Canada, in the upcoming week.

A purported referendum on Khalistan was held on September 19 in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. It was organised by the pro-Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice. Over 100,000 Canadian Sikhs reportedly turned out to participate in the “referendum.” Despite vehement objections from the Indian government, the Canadian government let the so-called referendum proceed. According to SFJ, they will contact the UN and other international organisations after getting the Canadian Sikhs’ approval for the Indian state Punjab’s independence from India.

On September 22, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi called the so-called Khalistan referendum as a ‘farcical exercise’ and conveyed India’s concerns over the use of Canadian territory by politically motivated extremists against India.

Despite stating on September 16 to respect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and assuring that the Canadian government will not recognise the so-called referendum, the Trudeau government due to its vote bank politics refrained from stopping the first phase of the referendum which took place in Brampton. The Trudeau government has offered a standard excuse that people in his country have the right to assemble and express their views peacefully and without violating the law, despite India raising the issue of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) run by Sikh extremist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu with the Canadian government and national security agencies.

Indian security agencies and senior officials warned Canada that if the Trudeau government fails to stop the Khalistani extremists from brainwashing Sikh youths and controlling Gurudwaras, they may end up carving out a Khalistan in Canada. 

Notably, the Indian government on September 23, issued an advisory for Indians visiting Canada. MEA advised Indians to exercise caution in the wake of increased hate crime anti-India activities in Canada.

Instead of taking action against the perpetrators of hate crimes against Indians and particularly Hindus, the Trudeau government issued a counter-advisory on September 27 advising Canadians to avoid traveling to the areas 10 kilometres in the vicinity of the international border with Pakistan in Punjab, Gujarat, and Rajasthan citing ‘unpredictable security situation and presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance.’ 

Recently, hate crime against Indians has increased in Canada. On September 14, In Toronto, several Khalistani terrorists spray-painted anti-Indian messages on the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple.  The Hindu temple’s walls were painted with the slogans “Khalistan Zindabad, Hindustan Murdabad.” The Indian High Commissioner in Ottawa had condemned the attack and demanded action to be taken, however, no strong action has been taken against the culprits till now. 

Although the Trudeau government maintained that it does not recognise the SFJ-backed so-called Khalistan Referendum, Canada’s National Democratic Party (NDP) has openly declared its support for the Khalistan Referendum in Canada, citing it as a basic human right granted to the Canadian Sikhs by local and international laws. NDP leader and MP Jagmeet Singh have backed the referendum. When asked about the same by the local media, he said, “Some people are spreading misinformation to create division, distract and misinform the public. The simple truth is that everyone has the unalienable right to pursue impudence through a referendum.” 

Now, the fact that NDP is an ally of the Trudeau government is what might prompt a strong reaction from the Modi government which is already putting pressure on the Canadian government against the rise of pro-Khalistan activities in the country.

Rajasthan: Girls block highway in Jaipur over repeated harassment and molestation bids from local miscreants, no action from government

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: Girls block highway in Jaipur over repeated harassment and molestation bids from local miscreants, no action from government

Rajasthan’s Congress government led by chief minister Ashok Gehlot and the entire Congress party is observing silence as hostel girls blocked a highway in Jaipur on Saturday 8th October 2022 against repeated harassment and molestation bids from local miscreants.

On Saturday night, a protest against local criminals was organized by hostel girls from Prem Nagar’s Social Welfare Department in the Jamdoli area of Jaipur – the capital city of Rajasthan. After some miscreants harassed a girl in the hostel, enraged girls protested and blocked the highway.

After learning about the event, angry girls took to the streets to demonstrate against the law and order breakdown in the state. Despite the rain around, the girls continued with their protest. Protesting girls claimed that they had been complaining about the repeated harassment by local miscreants but to no avail.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s government has been observing silence over this protest by the girls. In fact, no leader of the Congress party has come forward to acknowledge the problem.

Officials from the Jaipur Kanota police station arrived after learning about the demonstration and monitored the situation. Police officers promised tough punishment against the miscreants and tried to calm the situation. Women police officers have been stationed close to the hostel after the protest. The administration, however, has not taken any steps to apprehend the criminals. Though the situation is under control and the girls returned to their hostels, the state government has not responded to this issue so far.

Bharatiya Janata Party has criticized the law and order situation in Rajasthan after this protest by the hostel girls. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala tweeted, “In Jaipur’s Jamdoli, goons harassed a girl & tore off her clothes! Now, girls are out on the street protesting in the rain because law & order has collapsed! Ladki hoon par kya bach sakti hoon? Gehlot is busy in Satta Bachao as Rajasthan has become no1 in rapes Priyanka Vadra is silent?”

He said in a next tweet, “Last week Rajasthan saw how 8 men gang-raped a minor, blackmailed her, and released the video! We also saw how two wow men were attacked with acid in Jaipur Meanwhile Gehlot Ji was busy in Delhi! Priyanka Vadra has got no time to even speak about it! Why the selective outrage?”

Details of the miscreants have not come out in public so far.

Bangalore-Mysore Tipu Express renamed Wodeyar Express; MP Pratap Simha and Karanataka CM Bommai welcome the decision, Owaisi expresses displeasure

OpIndia Staff
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Bangalore-Mysore Tipu Express renamed Wodeyar Express; MP Pratap Simha and Karanataka CM Bommai welcome the decision, Owaisi expresses displeasure

On Sunday, October 9, Indian Railways renamed Bangalore-Mysore Tipu Express as Wodeyar Express. The name is given after the Wodeyar dynasty that ruled the Mysore state from the late 1300s till 1950. Bharatiya Janata Party MP Pratap Simha had written a letter to the Railway Ministry regarding the renaming of the train. The Ministry of Railways has now issued a letter to change the name of this train.

MP Pratap Simha tweeted, “Good news on Friday! Now instead of Tipu Express, ‘Wodeyar Express’ will serve you!! Mysore-Talaguppa train will be ‘Kuvempu Express’!!! Thank you Ashwini Vaishnav Ji and Prahlad Joshi Ji for supporting this effort, Sir!”

He further tweeted, “Thanks to my friend DP Satish for the cool name suggestion – ‘Kuvempu’! Thank you for your blessings.” It is notable that Kuvempu is the pen name of the great Kannada poet Kuppali Venkatappa Puttappa after whom the Mysore-Telangana train is named now. Pratap Simha had requested the name change in a meeting with the railway minister.

Pratap Simha also shared the letter he wrote to the Ministry of Railways requesting the name change. In this letter, Pratap Simha said, “Considering the contributions of the Wodeyar Dynasty not only for the development of the Railways but also for transforming it as a modern state, there is a strong sentiment among the people of my parliamentary constituency to rename T.No.12614113 super fast daily express between Mysore-Bengaluru City-Mysore as WODEYAR EXPRESS.”

Karnataka’s chief minister Basavaraj Bommai has welcomed this step by the Ministry of Railways. He tweeted, “Thanks to the Union Railway Minister Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw for renaming the Mysore – Bangalore Express and Talaguppa – Mysore Express as Wodeyar Express and Kuvempu Express respectively. It is an apt recognition of our rich heritage & glorious past.”

However, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has expressed his displeasure with the decision. He tweeted, “BJP govt renamed Tippu Express to Wodeyar Express. Tipu irks BJP because he waged 3 wars against its British masters. Another train could have been named after Wodeyars. BJP will never be able to erase Tipu’s legacy. He scared the British while alive & scares British slaves even now.”

Asaduddin Owaisi is known for admiring the Islamist tyrant Tipu Sultan and presenting him as a patriot who fought against the British.

Complaint filed against Justice DY Chandrachud accusing him of passing order benefiting his lawyer son’s client, Bar Council dismisses claims

OpIndia Staff
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Complaint filed against Justice DY Chandrachud accusing him of passing order benefiting his lawyer son’s client, Bar Council dismisses claims

Justice DY Chandrachud, who is next in line to become the Chief Justice of India, has been accused of benefitting his son by a complainant named Rashid Khan Pathan.

In a letter, the President of ‘Supreme Court and High Court Litigant Association’ alleged that Justice Chandrachud passed orders in a case where his son Abhinav Chandrachud appeared as a lawyer before the Bombay High Court.

“Having perceived an adverse atmosphere and having realized that their plan to commit extortion is failed, all the accused including Adv. Abhinav Chandrachud and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud hatched a further conspiracy to exert pressure upon the other Petitioners & also upon the High Court,” Pathan claimed.

The case relates to an extortion case where Advocate Abhinav Chandrachud is the counsel of the accused named Sagar Suryavanshi and Sheetal Tejwani. In this case, Sagar Suryavanshi had filed an intervention petition in relation to several other similar FIRs by making her a complainant, but it was rejected by the High Court, the letter says.

The complainant in the letter says that this petition was bogus as it was based on the false claim that there is one application filed by the state for vacating the stay granted to the Petitioners and that the Bombay High Court is not hearing the said application. The complaint says that actually there is no application filed by the state and the state has not approached the Supreme Court. But despite that, the matter came up for hearing before the Supreme Court bench of Justice Dr. D.Y. Chandrachud, and he passed an order on a non-existent applicant, the letter further alleged.

The letter says, “On 29.11.2021 the matter came up for hearing before the Bench of accused Justice Dr. D.Y. Chandrachud. Then as a part of a pre-planned conspiracy, Justice D. Y. Chandrachud without hearing the Counsel for the state and without issuing any notice to the other parties straightaway passed a blatantly illegal order regarding a non-existent application allegedly filed by the state. This was done to serve the ulterior purposes of his son and other syndicates of the mastermind extortionist accused Sagar Suryawanshi”.

According to the complaint against the Supreme Court judge, Justice Chandrachud was disqualified to hear any case where his son is representing any of the parties. While accusing the Supreme Court Judge of conflict of interest, the complainant said, “But then also he heard the matter and passed the order beneficial to his son’s client. This is an offence under sections 166, 219, 409, 120(B), 34 & 52, etc., of the Indian Penal Code.”

Pathan further alleged that the future Chief Justice violated settled principles of law while disposing of a petition, challenging restrictions on the movement of those who were not vaccinated against Covid-19. He also accused Justice Chandrachud of providing ‘wrongful profits’ to the tune of crores to vaccine companies.

Complainant Rashid Khan Pathan has also asked CJI U.U. Lalit not to recommend the name of Justice DY Chandrachud as the next chief justice of India.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court Judge also has been accused of possessing a US Green card. A Twitter user named Indra Vajra made the allegation on the micro-blogging platform and asked, “Is it not a clear case of conflict of interest?”

Screengrab of the tweet by Indra Varja

Bar and Bench, in a fact-check, claimed that the allegation was false and that Justice DY Chandrachud is an Indian citizen. Recently the apex court Judge courted controversy after excerpts of his judgment in the 2018 adultery case went viral on social media.

“Justice D.Y. Chandrachud held that a married woman can make her own sexual choices. By marrying, she has not consented to refrain from sexual relations outside of marriage without the permission of her husband. A husband is not the owner of his wife’s sexuality,” a report by The Hindu from September 2018 has been doing the rounds of social media.

In July this year, Supreme Court Justice DY Chandrachud admonished critics of the Indian Judiciary. “I recently read a news article saying the Supreme court is delaying the hearing in the matter (of violence against Christians). Give us a break!” he said.

“One of the judges was down with covid, that’s why we couldn’t hear it. There’s a limit to how much you can target judges”, Justice Chandrachud s.

Bar Council of India issues statement

In a statement, the Bar Council of India refuted the allegations against Justice Chandrachud and condemned ‘some people with vested interests’ for supposedly interfering with the administration of Justice and the functioning of the Judiciary.

Questioning the timing of the letter, the Bar Council remarked, “It is nothing but a scurrilous and malicious attempt to interfere with the functioning of Judiciary and the administration of Justice. Such growing tendency is really a matter of serious concern for the country and it has to be checked anyhow.”

It dismissed allegations of conflict of interest and said that the orders by the Supreme Court “do not show that Justice Chandrachud knew that his son had appeared in the matter before the High Court.

“This long letter is nothing, but a device to gain cheap popularity. This man has also defamed the litigants-mass of our country. This is also very sad. Such persons deserve strong penal and disciplinary action”, the Bar Council of India said.

While recommending disciplinary action against Rashid Khan Pathan, it said, “The country and the Indian Bar has complete faith in Dr. Justice D. Y. Chandrachud. Hon’ble Dr Justice D. Y. Chandrachud is an asset for the world’s Judiciary and is known for his knowledge, honesty and integrity.”

The Council also appealed to Justice Chandrachud to ignore the letter and said that Judges are not under compulsion to defend their verdicts against ‘scandalous and baseless attacks’ from anti-institutional people.

Urvashi Rautela-Rishabh Pant memes flood the internet as the actress ‘follows her heart’ to Australia ahead of T20 World Cup

OpIndia Staff
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Urvashi Rautela-Rishabh Pant memes flood the internet as the actress ‘follows her heart’ to Australia ahead of T20 World Cup

Netizens have given a fresh push to the drama between Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela and Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant, filling social media with memes after the latest social media post by the actress. Urvashi uploaded photos of herself on Facebook and Instagram as she boarded a plane bound for Australia, where the T20 World Cup will be held.

When Urvashi shared pictures of herself, confirming that she, too, will be in Australia soon, fans couldn’t help but share funny memes about the Bollywood actress and Rishabh Pant. Notably, Rishabh Pant is already in Australia, getting ready with his teammates for the upcoming ICC World Cup.

Social media users made a variety of memes following this post by the Bollywood actress. Sports journalist Avinash Aryan wrote on Twitter, “Somebody save our Rishabh Pant..Hey Bhagwan kaisa julm hai ye..”

Twitter user Aditi wrote, “Boys: Ladkiya to khud se msg bhi nahi krti. Meanwhile humari ladki :”

Notably, this comes after the actress made waves earlier when she posted an anonymous ‘Happy Birthday’ message on Rishabh Pant’s birthday, along with a kiss. Several memes followed the post by Urvashi Rautela.

Urvashi Rautela, a Bollywood actress and model, has recently made news for her cryptic messages and constant veiled jabs at cricketer Rishabh Pant. For the people unfamiliar with the matter, Urvashi Rautela and Rishabh Pant previously locked horns when the actress claimed that a man she described as ‘Mr RP’ once waited for her in a hotel lobby for hours to see her and ended up dialling her several times. After her followers pondered whether Urvashi was referring to Rishabh Pant, the cricketer responded on Instagram, labelling the actress a “liar” and “thirsty for fame.”

Later that month, Urvashi sparked yet another controversy when she made an apologetic video. She apologised to Pant in a video interview message that went viral on social media. However, the actress then denied any such rumours, claiming that they were false and that her message was intended for her fans rather than the batsman.

Jai Shri Ram Sena objects as YouTuber Sahil Khan insults Hindus by making half-nude bar dancers dance on Shiva Bhajan

Pallav
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Jai Shri Ram Sena objects as YouTuber Sahil Khan insults Hindus by making half-nude bar dancers dance on Shiva Bhajan

Hindu organisation Jai Shri Ram Sena has vehemently condemned a video posted by a fitness instructor and former Bollywood entertainer Sahil Khan on YouTube. In the video, semi-naked bar dancers are dancing on a Shiva Bhajan. Sahil posted the video as a live story on Instagram.

A screen recording of the story was shared on Instagram by Indian bodybuilder Bharat Singh Walia. In the story, two girls are dancing in what appears to be a disco bar, with a Shiva bhajan playing in the background.

The Jai Shri Ram Sena has served Sahil Khan with a legal notice demanding that he apologise for playing the song and offending Hindus. They also requested that he create a video apologising to Hindus and acknowledging the significance of the Mantra in the song. The letter reads, “This notice is served to you on behalf of Jai Shri Ram Sena Sanghthan & whole Hindu community for disrespecting our almighty Bhagwan Shiv/ Mantra by propagating them in a lustful and disrespectful manner.”

The notice by JSRS.

Referring to the video, it says, “This scene of yours is deliberate and maliciously intended to outrage religious feelings of Hindus/ Sanatanis and Hindu/ Sanatani beliefs by visual representation of Shiva’s Mantra in a disrespectful manner in the following video and this act is punishable under section 295-A and 298 of IPC 1860.”

The letter went on to say that Sahil Khan will have to record a video that conveys the meaning of the Mantra, as well as one apologising for releasing the video that offended the religious sensibilities of the Hindu/ Sanatani community, and that the video should be deleted immediately. If he fails to do one of the two prayers listed above, the Hindu/ Sanatani Community will be forced to pursue legal action against him.

Sahil Khan has been involved in a number of controversies in the past. Ayesha Shroff, the wife of Bollywood star Jackie Shroff, filed a case of cheating and fraud against Sahil Khan in November 2014. In October of the same year, Sahil Khan was bashed in the gym by actress Sana Khan’s lover Ismail Khan, who claimed that Sahil had given false information about Sana to the press.

On social media, Sahil Khan presents himself as a wealthy influencer who enjoys his luxurious lifestyle always surrounded by girls. While in Dubai and other places around the world, he continues to share images and videos on social media.

Indore: 52-year-old Maulana booked under POCSO Act for molesting a minor girl in a madarsa

OpIndia Staff
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Indore: 52-year-old Maulana booked under POCSO Act for molesting a minor girl in a madarsa

On Saturday, Indore police said that a Maulana molested a 12-year-old girl at a Madarsa in the city of Madhya Pradesh. The 52-year-old cleric has been booked under relevant sections of the IPC and POCSO Act after the incident came to light. The maulana’s family members also have been booked for assaulting the relatives of the victim girl.

According to the information provided by Chandan Nagar police station inspector Abhay Nema, the police on Friday registered an offence against the 52-year-old Maulana of the Madarsa under section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (assaulting or using criminal force to any woman) and the relevant sections of the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

According to the complaint lodged by the victim’s family, the girl had enrolled in the madarsa in September this year. In the classes in the madarsa, the accused maulana allegedly touched the student in an appropriate manner while giving lessons. The girl further said that earlier this week when she and other students were leaving the madarsa after class, he held her right hand and then touched her inappropriately.

When the girl reached home, she narrated the entire incident to her family, and when her father and two relatives reached the madarsa to confront the cleric. But in the madarsa, they were assaulted by two sons of the madarsa teacher with iron rods. “The victim later narrated her ordeal to her parents. When the victim’s father and two other relatives reached the Maulana’s residence to confront him, two sons of the accused Maulana attacked the victim’s family with iron rods leaving them injured,” Nema told PTI.

“Two sons of the Maulana have also been booked for thrashing the victim’s father and uncle, meanwhile the search is on for nabbing the perpetrators,” inspector Abhay Nema added.

Prashant Chobey, ADCP Indore, said that the Maulana used to call the girl in a separate room and would touch her private parts.

“A 15-year-old minor girl filed a complaint at Chandan Nagar PS accusing her Madrasa teacher, a 50-year-old Maulana, of molesting her, touching her private parts in a separate room where she’s been going to study for 1-1.5 months, said Chobey, as reported by ANI.

After her parents visited the teacher with the complaint, the Maulana engaged in beating & abusing them. Police immediately registered the case under POCSO Act & other sections; will arrest the guilty soon,” ADCP Indore Prashant Choubey added.

As Owaisi claims Muslims are highest condom users, here is what Islam says about the permissible usage of condom

OpIndia Staff
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As Owaisi claims Muslims are highest condom users, here is what Islam says about the permissible usage of condom

On October 8, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that Muslims use condoms the most. He was responding to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s remark on community-based population imbalance. He further claimed that the total fertility rate (TFR) of Muslims in the country has fallen.

In a statement, while addressing a gathering, Owaisi said, “Don’t fret, the Muslim population is not increasing, it’s rather falling… Who’s using condoms the most? We are. Mohan Bhagwat won’t speak on this. His statement came as a response to Bhagwat’s statement from October 5, where he raised the issue of ‘demographic imbalance’ and called for a well-thought-out and comprehensive population control policy that would be applicable to all social groups equally. Bhagwat further emphasised the importance of ‘community-based’ population imbalance and said it should not be ignored.

While giving reference to Quran, Owaisi said, “I invite you, Bhagwat Sahab, to read the Qur’an. Allah tells us that killing a foetus is a very big sin. The gap between two pregnancies is done by Muslims, and condoms are mostly used by them.”

AIMIM chief claimed that the TFR of Muslims has declined by 2 per cent. He said, “The total fertility rate of Muslims has declined to 2 per cent as per records of the National Family Health survey. If you misrepresent history, then it is your mistake. In 2020 the Modi government filed an affidavit in the Supreme court stating that compulsion regarding family planning cannot be done, nor do we want it. But Mohan Bhagwat says the population is increasing.”

Owaisi claimed due to lack of “employment” and “inadequate salaries”, half of the population will be dependent on their child for food and medicine by 2061. “Who will feed them?? The BJP and RSS have decided that they will not feed them but will assault Muslims.” It was interesting to see Owaisi talk about BJP in power and the year 2061. It appears he is affirmative that, at least till 2061, BJP is going to remain in power.

What does Islam say about the permissible usage of condom

According to Darulifa Deoband’s website, the use of condoms without a valid reason is unlawful. Furthermore, the use of a condom just for the sake that the man does not want to let the family members, including parents, know about their intercourse relationship with the ‘future wife’ is not permissible.

The condom is allowed only if the wife is too weak and cannot bear pregnancy or is a victim of continual sickness. It can be assumed that the Darul Ifta while answering the question, stated that it was alright to have sex with a wife who is “too weak” or a “victim of continual sickness”.

In a question submitted to the website, someone asked, “Is using condoms allowed in Islam? If not, then how to avoid unwanted pregnancy?” Darul Ifta, while answering the question, said, “The use of condoms without a valid reason is not lawful. However, if the wife is too weak and cannot bear pregnancy or a victim of continual sickness, then in such case of exigency, using a condom is allowable.”

source: darulifta-deoband

In another question, a person asked, “Is the usage of a condom allowed in ISLAM at the time of intercourse with wife because the person and his future wife will not let anyone know of our intercourse relationship before rukhsati (not even our parents).”

source: darulifta-deoband

Darul Ifta replied, “When the Nikah is known to all, then there is no wrong if your wife gets pregnant. The excuse put by you is not enough for using a condom. Therefore, it will be makrooh to use a condom in the abovementioned case.” As per Darul Ifta, the use of a condom after Nikah (marriage) is ‘makrooh’ or ‘an offensive act’.

In another question asked on the website, Darul Ifta said that condom is only allowed if the couple wants to delay the next pregnancy to ensure the nourishment of the newborn child. However, if the couple wants to use the condom to avoid pregnancy as they are not well off, the use of a condom is not allowed as it would be considered a “weakness in belief”. Furthermore, if the couple wants to use a condom to delay childbirth to continue “enjoyment”, it would be considered Makrooh.

source: darulifta-deoband

If the stated facts are right as per Islamic teachings, Owaisi either wants to point out that Muslims are going against Islam, or he might want to point out that Muslim men are having “a lot of sex before or outside marriage”. Only Owaisi can tell what he means.

Rahul Gandhi and his doublespeak on the Adani Group, which he and his party had defamed over the years

Dibakar Dutta
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Rahul Gandhi and his doublespeak on the Adani Group, which he and his party had defamed over the years

Congress scion Rahul Gandhi, who had been accusing the Modi government of being hands-in-gloves with the industrialists of the country, had a change of heart after Gautam Adani announced ₹65000 crores worth of investment in Congress-ruled Rajasthan.

The Gandhi dynast was caught on the wrong foot after Rajasthan Chief Minister heaped praises on the Adani Group. Over the years, Rahul Gandhi had hurled abuses, spread falsehoods and accused industrialists of crony capitalism.

The Congress leader was forced to tweak the anti-business sentiment, which he helped foster in the Indian psyche. “I am in no way against the corporates, and businesses, but against the complete monopolization of businesses as that weakens the country,” Rahul Gandhi said in his defence of doublespeak.

“And today what we are seeing is a complete monopolization of all businesses. And that’s my problem,” he further added. Just last month, Rahul Gandhi insulted a female journalist from NDTV because the controversial media house was acquired by the Adani group.

He repeatedly told the female journalist that she has a ‘new owner’ before eventually moving on to not answering her original question.

The Congress party had also helped ‘mainstream’ the disinformation that the Adani group, which manages the operations of the Mundra port, was somehow responsible for 3000 kg of heroin found in a shipment from Afghanistan in September 2021.

The Adani group was forced to issue a media statement in a bid to nullify the unsubstantiated claims of the grand-old party. In June this year, Rahul Gandhi amplified fake news published by leftist propaganda outlet, The Wire, which suggested that PM Modi influenced a deal in Sri Lanka on the behest of the Adani group.

Even though the Sri Lankan president rejected any such collusion or favour for any specific company, Rahul Gandhi seemed upset that an Indian company won a bid for a project in Sri Lanka.

Again in April 2022, the Congress IT cell Head Saral Patel tweeted fake news about ‘Adani Apples’ and alleged that they were dominating the market over the produce of local farmers. On being called out on social media, he quietly deleted his tweet without citing any apology or word of regret.

In March last year, Rahul Gandhi accused PM Modi of helping his ‘two friends’ Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani. When reports emerged that Gautam Adani gained the highest amount of wealth in 2021, it was a perfect moment for Rahul Gandhi to use the news to attack industrialists.

In the year 2011, the chairman of the Adani Group was the highest wealth creator in the country, with his wealth doubling to Rs 33,211 crore. At that time, Dr Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister of India, while Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. However, Rahul Gandhi avoided mention of that to avoid discrepancies in his fallible conspiracy theory.

In December 2020, the Congress party also accused the Adani Group of transferring the ownership of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International airport in Ahmedabad to its name for ‘free’ (with the supposed help from the Modi government).

Adani Airports was simply involved in managing the operations of the Ahmedabad Airport, just like the GMR Group, an infrastructure behemoth, manages the operations of the Indira Gandhi Airport in Delhi. Besides, Adani Airports won the contract to through a competitive bidding process.

The fake news about crony capitalism and favouritism, disseminated by Congress on a regular basis, led to real-life acts of violence and vandalism during the anti-farm law protests. Jio towers, belonging to the Ambani group, were damaged.

The ‘protestors’ had targeted Reliance Jio towers because of claims that Reliance, as well as the Adani group, were out to exploit farmers with help from the now-scrapped farm laws. The site managers were slapped and abused for trying to stop the protestors from destroying the infrastructure.

“Rajasthan CM didn’t give any preferential treatment to Adani or use his political power to help his (Gautam Adani’s) business. The day they do that, I will stand in the opposition,” Rahul Gandhi said recently while defending the investment made by the Adani group in Rajasthan.

The Congress scion thus insinuated that other States, run by non-Congress governments, had been able to draw investments from large business houses due to favouritism. This is quite rich coming from a party that has been at the helm of kickbacks and massive scams during its reign from 2004-2014.

Election Commission freezes Shiv Sena’s “bow and arrow” symbol amid tussle between Shinde and Thackeray faction

OpIndia Staff
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Election Commission freezes Shiv Sena’s “bow and arrow” symbol amid tussle between Shinde and Thackeray faction

According to an interim order from the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday, neither of the two factions would be permitted to use the “Bow & Arrow” symbol, which is reserved for the “Shiv Sena” party.

Additionally, separate symbols will be assigned to each group from the list of free symbols made available by the Election Commission for the upcoming by-elections slated for November 3.

In its order, the Commission stated ” The commission hereby makes the following Interim Order, to cover the purpose of the current Bye-elections and to continue until the final ruling of the dispute in the matter in terms of Paragraph 15 of the Symbols Order, in order to place both the rival groups on an equal footing and to protect their rights and interests, and going by the past precedent:- Neither of the two groups led by Eknathrao Sambhaji Shinde (Petitioner) and Uddhav Thackeray (Respondent) shall be permitted to use the Bow and Arrow symbol, which is only allowed to be used by “Shivsena”.

“Both groups will receive different symbols from the list of free symbols notified by the Election Commission for the purposes of the current bye-elections, and they will be known by the names they choose for their respective groups, if they desire linkage to their parent party, the Shiv Sena,” the Commission added.

The Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena met the election commission on Friday to assert ownership of the party’s “bow and arrow” election symbol. Uddhav Thackeray had received a letter from the EC requesting a response to the claim by Saturday. 

The Uddhav Thackeray faction on Saturday termed the Election Commission’s order barring both the Thackeray and Eknath Shinde factions from using the party name and election symbol in the coming Andheri East Assembly bypoll as “injustice”. On the other hand, the group led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde regarded the EC order as appropriate.

According to Ambadas Danve, Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council and a Thackeray loyalist, the Election Commission should have made a decision holistically after considering all the factors rather than giving an interim decision for the by-election. “This is injustice,” he said to PTI.

The commission’s ruling came amid the ongoing tussle between the Uddhav Thackeray camp and the ruling Eknath Shinde camp over the party’s symbol. 

On October 5, both Uddhav Thackeray and Eknath Shinde engaged in a war of words, with Thackeray calling Eknath Shinde ‘Kattappa’ and Shinde hitting back. During a speech, Thackeray called Shinde ‘Katappa’ and said, “The only thing I feel bad and angry about is that when I was admitted to the hospital, the people whom I gave the responsibility (of the state) became ‘Katappa’ and betrayed us. They were cutting me and thinking that I will never return from the hospital.”

On this Shinde responded while addressing a huge crowd on Dussehra celebrations, “They call me ‘Katappa’. I want to tell you, that even ‘Katappa’ had self-respect, and was not double standard like you.”

Shinde had revolted against Uddhav Thackeray for forming an “unnatural alliance” with Congress and NCP. Thackeray was forced to step down as Maharashtra Chief Minister after more than 40 of the Shiv Sena’s 55 MLAs supported Shinde. Shinde, who later claimed to be the leader of the original Shiv Sena, received backing from 12 of the Shiv Sena’s 18 Lok Sabha members.

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