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Madhya Pradesh: Mob attacks Garba pandal and organisers with stones, iron axe, administration demolishes houses of 3 accused

OpIndia Staff
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Madhya Pradesh: Mob attacks Garba pandal and organisers with stones, iron axe, administration demolishes houses of 3 accused

On October 4, the administration in district Mandasur or Madhya Pradesh razed illegally constructed houses of three of the 19 accused in the case where stones were pelted at a Garba venue following an argument between the two groups. As per reports, on the night of October 2, a stone pelting incident took place at Surjani Village which comes under the Sitamau police station area in Mandasur district. Not just stone pelting, some villagers were also attacked with iron axes by the mob. Four people were reportedly injured in the incident.

Anurag Sujania, Superintendent of police, said in a statement, “After receiving information about stone pelting at a Garba pandal due to a dispute between two groups, the police reached the spot and brought the situation under control.” The police registered a case against 19 people and apprehended seven of them during the initial investigation.

A case was registered against the accused under Section 307 (attempt to murder) and other relevant sections of the Indian Penal code. Mandsaur superintendent of police Anurag Sujaniya said that the accused persons are habitual offenders. Giving details about the incident, he said, “Devotees were playing Garba while worshipping Mata on Saturday night in Surjani village of Sitamau police station area. Salman Khan started hitting his bike on the pandal. One of the organisers, Shivlal Patidar, objected and also complained to his father. On Sunday, Salman along with others reached the Garba venue and started beating Shivlal and other organisers. Salman hit the head of a villager, Mahesh, with an iron axe.”

Illegal properties razed by the administration

During the investigation, the panchayat department accessed the documents and found that three houses that belonged to Salman’s father Aklu Pathan, Sohail’s father Jafar Khan and Raes Khan were constructed without taking proper permission. Notices were issued in this regard on October 3 and houses were razed on October 4.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate Shiv said, “The demolition was done as per the findings of the panchayat department. If there is any family who has any complaint, they can approach us.”

The SP added that the illegal construction belonging to three of the accused was spread over 4,500 square feet. It was worth 4.5 crores. The properties were demolished on October 4 with the help of the revenue department.

The series of events that led to stone pelting

According to the statement given by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Sandeep Shiv to the Indian Express, the clash between the two communities turned serious when the Muslim side pelted stones at the Garba event. As per reports, a man named Salman was performing stunts on a motorcycle near the Garba pandal which led to a scuffle between him and people from the Hindu community. One of the members of the Hindu community identified as Shivlal approached Salman’s father and asked him to stop Salman from performing stunts near the pandal.

Based on the complaint filed by Shivlal on October 3, an FIR was registered by the police. Shivlal said in his complaint that he saw Salman speeding his motorcycle on October 1 and complained about it to his father Aklu.

On the next day at around 9 PM, Shivlal was standing near the Garba pandal along with his friends. He noticed Salman was approaching the pandal with his father Akly, grandfather Hafiz Khan, Sohail Khan and his father Jafar Khan, Raes Khan and 13 others. They were armed with stones and sticks.

Before Shivlal and others could understand anything, the group started pelting stones on the pandal. Following his complaint, FIR was registered at Sitamau police station and seven people were detained by the police including Salman.

On the other hand, Salman’s grandfather Hafiz said the allegations were untrue. He said on October 2 at around 6:40 PM, Shilal approached him to complain about Salman. He said, “Salman then misbehaved with Shivlal. I slapped Salman. Then Salman’s friends arrived on the spot, followed by Shivlal’s friends who were armed with sticks.” Hafiz claimed stones were pelted from both sides.

At around 8 PM calls were made to the police control room following which a police team comprising over 200 police personnel was rushed to the spot. The situation was brought under control and the investigation into the matter is underway.

Mahesh Patidar and Shivlal, who were injured in the attack, were taken to the district hospital and their condition is said to be serious.

Shiv Sena divide: Eknath Shinde and Thackeray get into a war of words during the Dussehra celebration speeches

OpIndia Staff
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Shiv Sena divide: Eknath Shinde and Thackeray get into a war of words during the Dussehra celebration speeches

On October 5, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and former CM Uddhav Thackeray got into a war of words during the Dussehra celebration. 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 hospital.”

Replying to Thackeray, CM Shinde said, “They call me ‘Katappa’. I want to tell you, that even ‘Katappa’ had self-respect, was not double standard like you.”

Uddhav Thackrey attacked Shinde during his public address

In his address on Dussehra, Uddhav targeted Shinde for “betraying” him. He called the Shinde camp “parasites” and said, “They (the rebels) are parasites who have crept up the Shiv Sena tree. They should understand that without a tree, they have no worth. We are happy that these traitors have left us. Now, new leadership will emerge.”

He further said that Shinde was what he was because of him. He pointed out that Shinde’s son was also made Lok Sabha MP. He said, “People who come here love Sena and the Thackeray family.” Uddhav refused to accept the Shinde camp as ‘Shiv Sena’ and said, “They are parasites who have grown on the Shiv Sena tree. They should understand that without a tree, the parasite has no value. We are happy that these traitors have left us. Now, new leadership will emerge.”

He claimed that despite leaving BJP’s alliance, his party did not leave the Hindutva line. He said, “We left the BJP, not Hindutva. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat recently visited a mosque. Does that mean that RSS left Hindutva? The BJP has no authority to speak on Hindutva.”

Uddhav blamed Shinde for letting go of development projects from Maharashtra and shifting to Gujarat. He said, “We have no ill-will against Gujarat. However, our chief minister (Shinde) keeps visiting Delhi. In the last 100 days of this new government, Shinde might have gone to Delhi for 99 days. He has no authority…even hike mike was snatched by his deputy.”

Shinde hits back

Shinde addressed a huge crowd during Dussehra celebrations. Justifying the steps he took that brought BJP and Shiv Sena alliance back to power, he said, “What we did was in the interest of the state. This Shiv Sena is neither Uddhav Thackeray’s nor Eknath Shinde’s. This Shiv Sena belongs to Shiv Sainiks. This Shiv Sena is the ‘thoughts of Balasaheb’.”

Targetting Uddhav he added that Balasaheb used to run the government by ‘remote control’ but Uddhav was running the government with the ‘remote control’ of Congress and NCP. He blamed Uddhav for ‘selling the thoughts of his father’ for power. He said, “Yes there is betrayal. But betrayal happened in 2019. Balasaheb’s thoughts were betrayed. The people were betrayed.”

He further added, “Who is the real traitor? Who committed treason? We are not traitors, you are traitors. In the real sense, you betrayed the thoughts of Saheb.”

He pointed out that the crowd came to listen to him as they noticed the betrayal done by Uddhav. “They do not want to support the traitors,” he said.

Shinde accused Uddhav of not only selling his father’s thoughts but ‘father himself’. He said, “You called us father-stealing gang. In reality, you sold your father’s thoughts. You tried to sell ‘father himself’.”

Furthermore, he targeted Uddhav for calling for a ban on RSS. He said, “The demand for a ban on RSS is ridiculous. The contribution of RSS in nation building is important.” Shinde also welcomed the decision to ban PFI.

Shinde further targeted Uddhav by saying that his family members including Raj Thackeray left him and he needed to introspect why it happened.

Shinde hit back at Thackeray for accusing him of letting development projects leave Maharashtra and said Vedanta-Foxxon left the state allegedly because a share was demanded from the company when Uddhav was in power.

Who is Katappa?

Katappa is a fictional character from the film series Baahubali who was a loyal servant to the royal family but eventually killed (read stabbed in the back) Amarendra Baahubali, the crown prince of Maahishmati. In the second part of the film Bahubali, Katappa joined hands with the son of Amarendra, Mahendra Baahubali and helped him to take revenge for the death of his father and got her mother released from the captivity of Bhallaaladeva, the serving king of Maahishmati.

Uttar Pradesh: Kannauj youth Aarif becomes Amit, befriends a Hindu woman, promises job, then rapes her, later blackmails her to convert to Islam

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Kannauj youth Aarif becomes Amit, befriends a Hindu woman, promises job, then rapes her, later blackmails her to convert to Islam

Kannauj resident Aarif pretended to be a Hindu youth named Amit, befriended a woman and promised her a job in the Railways. After that he allegedly called her to a hotel and raped her. The woman has alleged that he even threatened her with consequences if she would not convert her religion to Islam and marry him, he would release her compromising videos.

On basis of the complaint, police has filed a case against four accused and has started further investigation.

As per reports, the girl is a student of B.Sc. and Nahar Ghati Miyan Ganj resident Aarif befriended her by giving his name as Amit about six months back. They then started talking on phone. During this time, he also got her video in compromising position. In her complaint, the woman has said that the Aarif and his family members came to her house and threatened her while forcing her to change her religion. They also tried to force her to have nikah (Islamic wedding) with Aarif.

According to reports, SP Kunwar Anupam Singh said that the accused has been arrested and sent to jail. A case has been registered against Aarif alias Tanveer Mirza, his cousin Noor Alam, brother Shehnaz and sister in law Baby and further investigation is underway.

West Bengal: Flash flood during Durga Visarjan in Jalpaiguri leaves 8 dead, several missing

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: Flash flood during Durga Visarjan in Jalpaiguri leaves 8 dead, several missing

On Wednesday, at least 8 people died after drowning during flash floods in the Mal river in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district during Durga idol immersion on the occasion of Vijayadashami.

The tragic incident happened in the evening when hundreds of devotees gathered on the banks of the Mal river to celebrate the festival.

According to a PTI report, Jalpaiguri District Magistrate Moumita Godara informed that 50 persons have been rescued so far after being swept away by the river’s sudden swell. There are 13 people with mild injuries hospitalized.

“Teams of the NDRF, SDRF, police and local administration are working together to conduct search and rescue operations. Downstream, the search operations have started,” Godara stated.

Bulu Chik Barack, State Backward Class Minister, who also is the MLA from Mal constituency said that he was present when the incident took place and feared that the death toll is likely to go up, PTI reported.

“I was on the spot when this incident happened. Several people have been swept away, many are missing. Hundreds of people were present here when this incident took place,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office informed in a tweet that PM Modi has offered his condolences to those who lost their loved ones.

“Anguished by the mishap during Durga Puja festivities in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones,” the PMO quoted the Prime Minister as saying.

Suvendu Adhikari, BJP leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Assembly, urged the state government to increase rescue efforts.

“Saddening news coming from Jalpaiguri as a flash flood in Mal river during Durga Puja immersion swept away many people. Few deaths have been reported till now. I request the DM of Jalpaiguri & @chief_west to urgently step up rescue efforts & provide assistance to those in distress,” he tweeted.

Rajasthan: Bikaner youth Madhusudan Modi stabbed for resisting molestation of girls at Garba event; Shahrukh, Zubair, Sameer and others booked

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: Bikaner youth Madhusudan Modi stabbed for resisting molestation of girls at Garba event; Shahrukh, Zubair, Sameer and others booked

A youth named Madhusudan Modi was attacked with a knife by three youths named Shahrukh, Zubair, and Samir at a dandiya event held in Bikaner in Rajasthan. These Muslim youths were molesting girls who had come to play Garba. As Madhusudan Modi resisted them, they had an argument with him. The Muslim youths then attacked Madhusudan Modi with a knife. Police have arrested one of the assailants, Sameer Nadsa, while the others are said to be absconding.

According to local news reports, on Saturday, October 1, 2022, a dandiya program was going on at the railway ground under the Kotgate police station area of Bikaner. During the event, some Muslim boys were molesting girls playing Garba there. Madhusudan Modi was already present there with his friends.

When Madhusudan saw that Muslim boys were constantly molesting the girls who had come there, he tried to stop those boys. After this, there was an argument between them. Madhusudan’s family has alleged that it was during this argument that Muslim boys threatened to kill Madhusudan. When Madhusudan came out of the dandiya pandal with his friends, the Muslim boys surrounded him and attacked him.

Madhusudan’s father Dinesh Modi has said in a statement to the police that on October 1, around 10:25 pm, he received a call from Madhusudan’s friend Kishan Daiya. Kishan Daiya informed that at 8 pm, he, Ajay Ojha, Kishan Bhati, and Madhusudan Modi had gone to play dandiya at the railway ground. There were some Muslim boys molesting girls. When Madhusudan Modi tried to resist them, they got into a fight and threatened to kill him when he steps out.

As Madhusudan and his friends came out of the pandal, 15-20 boys were standing near Saras Booth in the lane opposite the railway ground. As soon as all these companions reached there, they tried to kill Madhusudan and attacked him with sticks, rods, and sharp knives. During this time, some people were holding Madhusudan and one of them stabbed Madhusudan on the right side of his stomach with a knife. Immediately after the attack, Madhusudan’s friends admitted him to PBM hospital’s trauma centre. His condition remains critical.

On the basis of the statement of Madhusudan’s father, the police have registered a case against Sameer Nadsa, Shahrukh Pathan, Zubair Pathan, and others under Sections 307, 323, 324, 341, and Section 143 of the IPC. The police have managed to arrest Sameer Nadsa, the accused in the case of the fatal attack on Madhusudan Modi, while the others are said to be absconding. The police are interrogating Sameer and raiding the premises of the other accused.

Police informed that a case is already registered against Sameer Nadsa under the arms act. The police said that at present it is not possible to reveal details about the case as the probe is in preliminary stage.

Balasaheb Thackeray’s eldest son Jaidev Thackeray joins the Shinde group, attends the Dussehra rally with Maharashtra CM

Gopal Tiwari
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Balasaheb Thackeray’s eldest son Jaidev Thackeray joins the Shinde group, attends the Dussehra rally with Maharashtra CM

Balasaheb Thackeray’s son and Uddhav Thackeray’s elder brother Jaidev Thackeray has joined the Shinde group. Jaidev Thakre attended the ongoing Dussehra Mela at Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai. He also said that he is joining the Shinde group. Nihar Thackeray has already joined the Eknath Shinde group. He is the son of Uddhav Thackeray’s late brother Bindumadhav Thackeray. Smita Thackeray was also present for this rally.

Jaidev Thackeray said, “We Thackerays never deliver a scripted speech. Eknath is my favorite. He has now become the chief minister. I should call him Eknathrao. For the last five to six days I am getting phone calls inquiring if I have joined the Shinde group.”

“Let me make it clear that I am a Thackeray who does not believe in joining some group. But Eknath Shinde has taken a stand on certain issues. I liked that. Such an active person is what Maharashtra needs. Therefore, for the sake of his love, I have come here,” he further said.

Jaidev Thackeray added, “We have a history with the name Eknath. There was a Saint Eknath. Then, recently, we saw another Eknath (Eknath Khadse). His companions only finished his political career. Don’t isolate this Eknath now. He should not become a lonely Nath. Let him be Eknath only. That is all I can request from you all. Dismiss all, hold re-elections in the state. Let there be a Shinde regime in the state.”

Balasaheb Thackeray, in his will, had bequeathed a majority of his property to Uddhav Thackeray. Jaidev Thackeray was not given any share in the property. According to his will, Bal Thackeray left all of his assets to Uddhav Thackeray and members of his close family, with the exception of the first floor of his three-story “Matoshree” bungalow in suburban Bandra. The family bungalow’s first floor was left to Aishvarya, the son of Jaidev and his ex-wife Smita.

Jaidev Thackeray filed a suit challenging the will of December 13, 2011, after Balasaheb Thackeray’s death in November 2012. In January 2013, Uddhav Thackeray petitioned the high court seeking to probate his father’s Will. In November 2018, Jaidev Thackeray withdrew his suit citing any reason.

As netizens question claims of Alt News founders being shortlisted for Nobel Peace Prize as per TIME magazine, here is what we know about the nominations

OpIndia Staff
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As netizens question claims of Alt News founders being shortlisted for Nobel Peace Prize as per TIME magazine, here is what we know about the nominations

In a piece written on Wednesday, October 5, by Sanya Mansoor for TIME, the magazine listed some of the shortlisted candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2022. While there were mostly expected names on the list, like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, climate activist Greta Thunberg, Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny etc, there were a couple of names in this list that left most people scratching their heads.

Alleged fact-checkers from India, and founders of propaganda website Alt News are also mentioned by TIME in their list as the shortlisted candidates for the peace prize. Since the only notable accomplishments this year of Mohammed Zubair and Pratik Sinha, the founder of Alt News, are sending a lynch mob towards Nupur Sharma and anyone supporting her, their inclusion left everyone bewildered. Zubair was also arrested for hurting religious sentiments, but even that doesn’t quite explain why TIME thinks they deserve Nobel Peace Prize.

Taking a cue from TIME, Indian leftist outlets like NDTV and The Wire regurgitated that Alt News founders are among the contenders for the Nobel Peace Prize this year. NDTV even went on to confirm that Zubair and Sinha are on the list of 343 candidates in contention for the award this year referencing TIME. The TIME piece itself says that data is taken from Reuters, however, there is no mention of Zubair and Sinha as nominees in Reuters.

Nobel Committee does not disclose the names of the candidates nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize

While NDTV has reported that the names of Mohammed Zubair and Pratik Sinha definitely figure in the list of candidates nominated for the prize this year, the Nobel committee itself does not disclose any names. As per their website itself, any information about the nominations can not be revealed for 50 years after the award.

Some nominations do become public, like the ones made by Norwegian lawmakers but even in those nominations, the names of Zubair and Sinha do not figure. This made netizens curious how the leftist propaganda outlets were so sure that not only were Alt News founders nominated but that they were among the shortlisted candidates to win the award.

The ‘wishlist’ for Nobel Peace Prize by Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)

One place where Mohammed Zubair and Pratik Sinha’s names do figure in relation to the peace prize is the wishlist of the directors of George Soros-funded Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO).

Every year, the directors of Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) shortlist people from around the world that they deem fit to receive the Nobel Prize. Though their list has nothing to do with the actual list of laureates that receive the prize, they have been doing it since 2002.

This year, PRIO’s director Henrik Urdal, who has been on the post since 2017, named the five shortlisted candidates that he thinks would be the best fit to receive the Nobel Prize. Interestingly, even in this list of 5 names, he doesn’t first mention Zubair and Sinha, but another Indian Harsh Mander, and his campaign of ‘Karwan-e-Mohabbat’.

While making a case for Mander, Urdal added as an afterthought that Alt News’s Mohammed Zubair and Pratik Sinha are also worthy candidates for a prize focused on “combating religious extremism and intolerance in India” as they have contributed significantly “to debunking misinformation aimed at vilifying Muslims in India.”

Now this wishlist of the PRIO director, in which the Alt News founders don’t even make the original list of 5 candidates, has been taken as definitive proof that they have been nominated for the prize. In fact, not just nominated, they have been shortlisted to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

While there is no independent way to verify if they have been nominated or not till the Nobel committee releases details in 50 years’ time, leftist portals in India will undoubtedly use this ‘Nobel Peace Prize nominated’ credential to peddle propaganda in their names.

AAP workers share old video of crowded farmers rally from Punjab claiming to be from Gujarat, get trolled

OpIndia Staff
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AAP workers share old video of crowded farmers rally from Punjab claiming to be from Gujarat, get trolled

A video of a large audience listening to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is being circulated online with the assertion that it is from Gujarat where the state assembly elections are scheduled this year. However, it is found that the assertion is false and that the video is from a Kisan Maha Sammelan that the party held in Punjab’s Moga district in March 2021. This Kisan Sammelan was held as the party was preparing for the Punjab state assembly elections held in February 2022.

A Twitter user AAP Sunil Jodhpur posted this video with the caption, “O brother, can you believe it? This is Gujarat. Feeling like the Ramleela ground. OMG.”

Many users posted this video on Facebook with the caption “Oh brother, what a crowd! The people of Gujarat are listening to Kejriwal’s speech while sitting on the streets.”

However, contrary to what is claimed in these posts, this video was found to be originally from Kisan Maha Sammelan held at Moga in Punjab on 21st March 2021. In this video, Arvind Kejriwal is heard saying, “They hatched a plan to convert nine stadiums into jails and keep the farmers as prisoners.” Arvind Kejriwal has said this in the program held in Punjab and not in Gujarat as claimed by AAP supporters.

The original video was posted on 21st March 2021 by Harbhajan Singh E.T.O. who is currently the power minister of Punjab. He has also mentioned the location to be Baghapurana.

Therefore, an old video from Punjab was shared claiming to be from Gujarat as part of the ongoing propaganda being spread by the AAP to create the illusion of grand support for the party in Gujarat. After winning Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party has targeted the Gujarat assembly elections and they are regularly making claims of huge support for the party in the state.

Clement Lakda’s battle against Christian evangelists: Ground report on how missionaries in Chhattisgarh converted tribals to grab their lands

अजीत झा
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Clement Lakda’s battle against Christian evangelists: Ground report on how missionaries in Chhattisgarh converted tribals to grab their lands

If there can be any testimony of the tyranny Christian missionaries have caused to the lives of innocent tribals, none could be more honest and disturbing as that of Clement Lakda who says, “My father was cheated. Fooled. The day I understood this, my mind was detached from it (Christianity). I have vowed that will take back from them the Sarna which they (the Catholic institution) desecrated and will reembrace the religion of my forefathers. I’ll see how long I can fight.”

Clement Lakda is 56 years old. He is in the middle of a legal battle against the Catholic institution in Jashpur for the last 30 years. His father passed away in 2000 while fighting the same case. In recent years, the court ruled in favour of Clement Lakda. But, instead of handing over his land back, the Catholic institution is involved in harassing his family.

Clement Lakda, a father of two daughters, lives with his family in Duldula in Chhattisgarh’s Kunkuri assembly constituency. His wife Sushma Lakda is the Sarpanch of Duldula. Pictures on the walls of their house show that the family has converted to Christianity. But the documents lying on a table in the corner of the house showcase the pain that this family has suffered after the conversion.

About 10 acres of Clement’s land is occupied by the Catholic institution. There is a church and a school on this land. There are houses for the father and nun to live in. The people of the institution cultivate on the vacant lands. The land was lost by Clement Lakda’s father Bhade alias Vashil Oraon in exchange for becoming a Christian.

Clement Lakda told OpIndia that his father was converted in 1957-58. A priest had asked him to leave Sarna Puja and become a Christian. This was the time his father’s first wife died. According to Clement Lakda, the pastor had told his father, “You convert to Christianity. Let us make a church here. We will fix a cross in your Sarna. The Lord will bless you in your home. Your house will prosper. Ghosts will run away from the house.” Clement Lakda adds, “Father was scared since his wife’s death and he immediately believed what the missionary told him.”

This was followed by Bhade’s second marriage. Clement Lakda was born after this marriage. According to Clement Lakda, his father had not received any money in exchange for the land. He said, “The most painful fact is that they desecrated the holy Sarna. They razed it and fixed a cross there.”

According to Clement, his land was initially owned in the name of a local Father Theodor Lakda. After that, the Catholic Organization grabbed it in its name. This is a clear violation of Section 170(b) of the Land Revenue Act. We have told you in detail about this law in our previous report.

In 1992, the government of undivided Madhya Pradesh conducted a survey to remove the encroachment of scheduled tribe lands. The case of encroachment of Bhade’s land was also reported at the same time. Then the matter went to court. The Kunkuri SDM’s court ruled in favour of Bhade. The Catholic body was directed to return the vacant land and pay compensation in lieu of the land on which the construction had taken place. Against this order, the Catholic organization appealed in the civil court. But even there, the decision came in favour of the Lakda family. Copies of court orders are with OpIndia.

Clement Lakda said that he is fed up with the harassment by the Christian missionaries and wants to return to the faith of his forefathers. Image Source: OpIndia

Clement Lakda told OpIndia that after the court order when he tried to get possession of the land in his name, the Catholic body went to the additional district sessions court. Seeing itself on the weaker side, the Christian institution later withdrew the petition and started putting pressure on the Lakda family in different ways. Later, in January 2022, Clement Lakda went to the Tahsalidar court to get the land back. In response, the Catholic body again filed a suit in the same civil court which had already ruled in favour of Clement Lakda.

Apart from the legal battle, Clement Lakda claims that officials of the Catholic body and their associates are torturing his family. Development works of the Duldula panchayat are being hampered. “Tell your husband to withdraw the case”, these people ask Sushma Lakda. Referring to one such incident, Clement Lakda told OpIndia, “A meeting was convened at the church in February 2022. In this meeting, I was told that if I do not withdraw the case, I will be boycotted by the community. And that who will marry my daughters then?”

He added, “For a tribal, his land, however small or big, is everything. We are agricultural people. Families are raised by farming. What do we do with this Christianity if we don’t have land?” Clement Lakda said that people like the late Dilip Singh Judeo, Ganesh Ram Bhagat, national convenor of the All India Tribal Security Forum, and Hindutva organizations have helped him a lot in this fight. Even after being isolated in his community, he is able to fight this battle only with the help of these people.

It is not that Clement Lakda is the only one tortured by the Christian institution. There are many more Clements whose forefathers were first converted by temptation and later evicted from their land and all of them are now fighting Christian missionaries. But the biggest question is, when will these people, persecuted by Christian missionaries, get justice? When will they be able to return to their lands?

Rahul Gandhi’s Dussehra greeting fails to include images of Hindu Gods, revives social media discussions of ‘minority appeasement’

OpIndia Staff
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Rahul Gandhi’s Dussehra greeting fails to include images of Hindu Gods, revives social media discussions of ‘minority appeasement’

On Wednesday (October 5), Rahul Gandhi yet again avoided posting images of Hindu deities while sharing his greetings on the occasion of Dussehra.

In a tweet, the Congress scion wrote, “Let the Lanka of hate burn, and the spate of violence end. Hope there is the extermination of ego and victory of truth and justice.”

“I wish all Indians a Happy Dussehra,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted, while conveniently avoiding any mention of the Hindu community. This is despite the fact that Dussehra marks the victory of Lord Ram over the demon king Ravana and is a Hindu festival.

Screengrab of the tweet by Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi has shrewdly avoided sharing images of Hindu deities and this is not the first time that he has resorted to such a practice. In July, Rahul Gandhi included an infographic with the word “Rath Yatra” and a picture of three ’empty’ chariots.

As is customary with the Congress leader, Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra’s images were absent from his Twitter post.

On the occasion of Ram Navami in April 2020, Rahul Gandhi posted an infographic that read, “Shree Ram Navami”. Interestingly, the image of Prabhu Ram was missing from the post.

Rahul Gandhi’s Tweet on the occasion of Ram Navami (source: Twitter)

A month prior to this, Gandhi-scion Rahul Gandhi was caught shaming ‘Hindus’ on the occasion of Saraswati Puja as he politicised the festival by dragging the hijab row.

Rahul Gandhi’s tweet on Saraswati Puja was about promoting Hijab and shaming Hindus on their festival

Last year, the Congress leader had wished his followers on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. He had shared a graphic with the inscription “Ganesh Chaturthi ki hardik shubhkamnaye”. However, one crucial element is missing from the tweet. The image of Lord Ganesh himself.

Rahul Gandhi Dussehra
Image source: Rahul Gandhi’s Twitter account

In another instance, Rahul Gandhi had wished Hindus on the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmasthami. However, the image of Bal Gopal or baby Krishna, the deity who is worshipped on the occasion of Janmashtami, was missing.

Rahul Gandhi Dussehra
Rahul Gandhi’s Tweet on last year’s Janmasthami (source: Twitter)

In June last year, Rahul Gandhi’s Ratha Yatra tweet just had the image of the Puri Jagannath temple.

Rahul Gandhi Dussehra
Rahul Gandhi’s last year’s Tweet on the occasion of Rath Yatra (Source: Twitter)

Again during Maha Shivarathri, Rahul Gandhi put out an image of the Kailash mountains instead of posting Lord Shiva’s images or his symbols in his tweet.

Rahul Gandhi Dussehra
Rahul Gandhi’s last year’s Tweet on Mahashivratri (source: Twitter)

Such tweets have often triggered discussions on social media platforms as to whether they are meant to ‘appease’ or confirm certain Abrahamic beliefs. Netizens have time and again accused Rahul Gandhi of mistreating Hindus and often hinted at a larger conspiracy by the Congress leader to secularise Hindu festivals.

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