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Times Now responds to ED charge sheet revelations in TRP scam, shares 2017 ‘clean chit’: What happened

OpIndia Staff
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Times Now responds to ED charge sheet revelations in TRP scam, shares 2017 ‘clean chit’: What happened

On September 29, media house Times Now responded to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) charge sheet revelations in the TRP scam. In its response, the media house shared a ‘clean chit’ given by BARC in 2017. In the tweet shared by Times Now, they said, “Nothing admitted by BARC. BARC’s clean chit letter to TIMES NOW. Take a look.”

In the letter dated December 26, 2017, BARC said that a show cause notice was issued on November 21, 2017, for breach by Bennett Coleman & Company Limited (BCCL is the parent company of Times Now) of the End User License Agreement that was signed between BCCL and Broadcast Audience Research Council (“BARC”).

The letter mentioned that based on the explanation provided by Times Now in the replies to the show cause notice regarding the abnormal increase in viewership raw data of the channel, BARC decided not to initiate any action against the channel. It added, “However, kindly note that in the event any further abnormal increase is observed in the viewership in the raw data of the Channel, we may proceed to initiate appropriate proceedings in terms of the EULA.”

In further discussion with the channel’s MD and CEO MK Anand, Times Now’s Editorial Director and Editor-in-Chief Rahul Shivshankar, they talked about the possible reason behind the “unusual spike”. Anand said during that period, they were doing some promotions, and because of that, there was a spike in the viewership. The panel of the Times Now team further claimed that BARC’s then-management tried to blackmail Times Now using forged data and “made-up video”.

In its statement, Times Now said, “As far as the spike shown in ratings on certain days in certain markets is concerned, we have already clarified the reasons for the same in our meetings. Most of the purported abnormalities can be explained by the use of Landing pages (LP) in such markets, and considering that LPs are the major marketing boost, they cannot really be referred to be abnormal in the real sense.”

They further added, “About the videos, we have clarified that we neither have any knowledge nor any involvement in any such unscrupulous activity. In fact, this clearly points to the involvement of some malicious party/ entity who is trying to spoil our reputation. In the past, we have been the victim of reduced channel share and, thinking that on-ground panel tampering by certain players may be the reason for the same, have shared our concerns with your agency where the ratings have shown abnormality/unprecedented spikes from time to time.”

Anand further questions where in ED report Times Now was implicated. He said, “Just because the channel’s name has been taken in the report for reference to certain vigilance committee show cause notice does not mean that investigation led to anything.

Rahul Ravishankar claimed they had “strong reasons to believe that this is a motivated & malicious act of certain organizations to tarnish the image of our channel TIMES NOW”.

What the ED charge sheet said about Times Now and TRP manipulation

OpIndia checked the charge sheet submitted by the ED in the matter. The PMLA investigation into the forensic report that was made on the instruction of BARC has revealed some troubling details. ED in its conclusions about the forensic report, that had apparently implicated Republic TV, says, “From the above discussion and table, it becomes apparent that the allegations made in the report are superficial and based on the analysis of limited aspects. Various other aspects such as the response of the Key Management Persons, video recording regarding allurement to three Households & show cause to Times Now, software developed by BARC to counter the TRP due to Landing Page, Vigilance Complaints, impact from surveying companies such as M/s Chrome were not taken into account while preparing the report”.

The charge sheet says there are two video recordings of two households that point towards the fact that Times Now had paid them to watch their channel. “A Show Cause was also issued to Times Now in this regard. This indicates certain irregularities vis a vis Times Now, which needs to be properly investigated”, it said.

“From the plain reading of these showcase notices and replies therein, it is apparent that there were three video clips of panel households wherein the panel households were supposedly indicating malpractices in viewing Times Now. There was further raw data analysis which showed an abnormal increasing average time spend watching Times Now vis-a-vis other English News Channels. The time period of this alleged maleficence on part of Times Now coincides with the period taken in the BARC audit report. In this regard, it may also be added here that viewership of English News Channel is very limited and even few compromised Households can increase TRP manifolds”, it says.

Further, the charge sheet says, “Further, BARC has also reported that they had received several complaints regarding certain Households that they are being paid money for watching Times Now channel and it is learnt that BARC vigilance team recorded videos of these Households stating that they are being paid for watching Times Now Channel. Further, BARC was requested to provide the said video through mails, however, the same has not been provided yet. Further investigation in this regard is under progress”.

Interestingly, the charge sheet alludes to the statement issued to ED by Dharamveer Mahecha (Retired Lt. Col.), Head-Vigilance and Investigations of BARC. On being asked about the investigation, he said that there were vigilance inputs regarding Times Now manipulating TRPs and thus, an investigation was carried out. The field investigation confirmed that Times Now had paid certain households to watch their channel.

The charge sheet then says, “On 28.11.2017, representatives from the channel visited BARC office, where they were shown the Times Now data Analysis (raw data) reflecting a spike in the viewership in week 15 to week 16 and week 25-26, 2017 while indexing the channel to other English News Channels, Week 34 to 39, 2017 in Mumbai, week 31 to 39, 2017 in Madhya Pradesh/Chhattisgarh, week 30 to 40, 2017 in UP/Uttarakhand. The channel representatives were also shown videos of three-panel homes, where the household alleged that certain individuals approached them and asked them to watch Times Now. He further stated that Shri Romil Ramgarhia, then COO of BARC was aware of the above vigilance proceedings on Times Now”.

the charge sheet says that in November 2017, Times Network sent their second response to these charges after being shown the videos of their manipulation. In December, they sent another response saying that they were not involved in the manipulation of TRP. Interestingly, there is no further information available on this. It is clear that BARC had evidence of TRP manipulation, but no information is available as to what steps were taken by BARC after Times Now said they were not involved in manipulation, despite being faced with video and data evidence.

Interestingly, when BARC got ACPCL to conduct a forensic audit, the ACPCL ex-founder and Managing Director told ED that they were not given the information regarding the vigilance inputs regarding Times Now’s manipulation of data or the video evidence that BARC had in its possession. “On being shown the inputs/documents relied upon in vigilance proceedings conducted against Times Now during 2017 and asked whether the said inputs related to vigilance proceeding was shared with him during the forensic audit. he stated that he was not shared with any specific inputs to vigilance proceedings against Times Now for the audit period”, the charge sheet says.

It is to be noted that ED has asked BARC to produce the video evidence in its possession against Times Now, however, the same has not been furnished yet. The ED says that investigation in this matter is on, therefore proving that Times Now is now under ED investigation as far as the TRP case is concerned.

Karnataka: Headmaster Abdul Munaf suspended for making students write an essay on Prophet Muhammad

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: Headmaster Abdul Munaf suspended for making students write an essay on Prophet Muhammad

A government school headmaster in the Gadag district has been suspended for allegedly organising an essay competition on the Prophet Muhammad secretly despite having no such directive from the Karnataka government. Additional Commissioner of Public Instruction, Sidramappa S. Biradar suspended Abdul Munaf Bijapur, headmaster of the government high school in Nagavi, Gadag taluk.

The investigation in the case came after members of the Hindu organisation Sri Rama Sene protested against the headmaster. The incident occurred in Nagavi’s Government High School. On Wednesday, the investigation was launched, and the block education officer stated that a complaint had been lodged and that he would forward a copy of the complaint to the deputy director of the state education department.

An investigation found that the headmaster had organised an essay contest after providing a book on Prophet Muhammad to 43 students in class 8 without telling other educators or the department. Headmaster Abdul Munaf purportedly gave books to kids and organised the essay competition with a cash award of Rs 5,000.

“During the preliminary inquiry, the allegations against him seemed to be true, which is why he has been suspended,” Mr. Biradar stated in the order.

“I came to know that the headmaster of the school was trying to impose Islam in the minds of students by conducting an essay writing competition and announcing Rs 5,000 prize money. The boys and girls, in the hope of winning Rs 5,000, were made to write essays. His intention was to convert students, that’s why I informed Sri Ram Sene activists. I want to know what’s the intention behind organising an essay competition on Prophet Muhammad,” Sharanappa Gowda Haplad, a parent, said.

Missionaries present even on land that once gave the message of ‘Satyamev Jayate’, Christian fairs and crosses in places that housed ancient temples and idols

अजीत झा
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Missionaries present even on land that once gave the message of ‘Satyamev Jayate’, Christian fairs and crosses in places that housed ancient temples and idols

‘Satyamev Jayate’ is the national motto of India. This mantra is taken from the Mandukya Upanishad. It is said that Sage Mandukya wrote this scripture while he lived on the Madku island. This island is located in the Mungeli district of present-day Chhattisgarh.

However, did you know that the largest gathering on this island takes place in February every year? And that this gathering is for the week-long Christian fair? And that this Christian fair has been going on for the last 113 years?

It is possible that the way Hindus are being converted to Christianity, and the way Christian missionaries are spreading to every nook and corner of the country, it may not be surprising to you to have a Christian fair on this historically significant island. It will not only surprise you when you come to know about the geographical location of Madku Island, but it will also introduce you to the dangerous intention of Christian missionaries according to which they are occupying water, forest, and land everywhere. Under this strategy, they are spreading from populated grounds to even uninhabited islands.

Madku island is situated in the Shivnath river

Madku island is located about 40 kms from Bilaspur, a major city in Chhattisgarh. To reach this island, you have to cross the Shivnath River. The only means to cross the river is via boat. Before reaching the river, you pass through rural areas like Baitalpur, Sargaon etc. The Christian cross on the houses around the road and the adjacent cemeteries give you an idea of the reach of Christian missionaries in these areas.

There is a small dam (Annie Cut) on this river. When the water in the river is low, people also walk to the island on foot or they reach there by small vehicles through the Annie Cut.

One has to cross the Shivnath river in order to reach Madku island

Why it is named Madku island?

There are two main reasons behind the name of this place Madku Island. According to historian Dr. Vishnu Singh Thakur, this place was the place of penance of Rishi Mandukya. Madku is considered to be derived from the word Mandukya. Another reason stated is that due to the stream of the Shivnath river, this place looks like a floating frog. Mandook means frog. Over the period of time, Mandook became Madku.

The Harihar Kshetra at Madku island

When you reach Madku Island spread over about 50 acres by boat, you will see dense forest all around. Shri Harihar Kshetra is located in the middle of this dense forest. There are many temples in the Harihar Kshetra. The Ganesh temple, re-established only in 2021, is one of these ancient temples. The eight-handed idol of Lord Ganesha in this temple is said to be as old as 1,000 years.

There is a residence adjacent to this temple. In this residence, Virendra Shukla, the priest of the Harihar Kshetra, lives with his family. Shukla Ji told OpIndia that he is originally from Turbari Pathari village in Lormi block of Mungeli district. He came to the island with his father in 1985. The temple committee had appointed his father here for performing regular worship rituals. Virendra Shukla’s father died in 1990 and since then he has been responsible for offering prayers at the temples.

The Ganesh temple in the Harihar Kshetra, the residence of the priest, and the remains of idols found in the excavation. Image Source: OpIndia

A hut was also seen in the nearby area. Shukla Ji told us that a monk has been living in this hut for the last two and half years. He told us that the monk has come from Amarkantak. The day we reached, the monk was not on Madku island. The remains of ancient temples and sculptures that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has found during excavations on this island are also kept in the Harihar Kshetra. However, we did not see any adequate arrangements for the protection of these historically important heritages.

Shukla Ji told OpIndia, “After the Annie cut was made in 2010-11, there is some convenience in commuting to the island, but the island is submerged from July to October. No one usually comes to this place. Some devotees and tourists come on Saturdays and Sundays. Since the formation of a separate Chhattisgarh state, there has been some development in this place but there is still a severe lack of facilities. The island is most crowded for a week in February when the Christian fair takes place.”

How did the Christian fair begin on Madku Island?

When asked about the origin of the Christian fair here, Shukla Ji explained, “First, a hospital was opened for leprosy patients in Baitalpur. After that, people gradually started coming here. A few years later, there was a fair here. Except during the time of the fair, there is no activity of missionaries here.”

On the day we reached the island, only a few devotees were in the Harihar Kshetra. Ramakant Patel and Kolaram Patel had come with their families. Both are government teachers. They told OpIndia, “On holidays, we come here with children so that they can learn about their culture.” Another devotee, Sachi Narayan, hailing from Hyderabad was present there. Narayan, a doctor by profession, said he was on a visit to Chhattisgarh, and upon getting information about this place, he came here to visit.

He told OpIndia, “After seeing this place, the mind suffers a little. This is such a special land, holy land; special attention should be paid to developing it. It should be easy to come to such places so that more and more people can know about their culture.” (We will talk in detail in another report about the remains found in the excavation on Madku Island and the temples here.)

A cross was erected on a stage on Madku Island

There is a platform at some distance from the Harihar Kshetra. If you come to the island via Annie Cut, this platform can be seen on the left. The path that goes to the right takes you to the Harihar Kshetra. There is a plaque in front of the stage. Information about the Christian fair is recorded on it.

It is also mentioned that this plaque was installed on the completion of 110 years of the Christian fair in 2019. At some distance from this plaque is a long platform with Christian crosses. According to the information mentioned on the plaque, the Christian fair started here in 1909. In 2008, the Christian Fair was held from February 10-17. It was the centenary year of the event.

The stage with the cross where the Christian fair is organized on Madku island. Image Source: OpIndia

The boat operator Sudarshan told OpIndia, “Christian people live in Baitalpur. In the British era, the movement on this island started from Baitalpur, then the fair began. The cross marks their territory, the rest belongs to Hindus.” He further said, “All the nearby villages are Christian-dominated. They (Christian missionaries) still keep visiting. Sometimes someone in the village even becomes a Christian.”

He also told us that ever since the Congress government was formed in Chhattisgarh under the leadership of Bhupesh Baghel, no work has been done on the island. In fact, whatever development is seen, it has been done during the era of the BJP government led by Raman Singh.

The uninhabited island, the remains found in the excavation depicting an important chapter of the Sanatan tradition, a stage with a cross erected just near the Yagya site, and the annual gathering of converted Hindus show how Christian missionaries are occupying our heritage sites.

‘Burn her alive along with her family’: Uttar Pradesh BJP leader Rubi Asif Khan gets death threats for performing Navaratri rituals

OpIndia Staff
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‘Burn her alive along with her family’: Uttar Pradesh BJP leader Rubi Asif Khan gets death threats for performing Navaratri rituals

Rubi Asif Khan, a Muslim woman in Aligarh of Uttar Pradesh received death threats because she worshipped Hindu gods and goddesses. A poster threatening to burn Rubi Asif Khan alive along with her family is found pasted outside her house. The posters were pasted on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at night. The victim woman happens to be a BJP leader. Police have registered an FIR against unidentified persons and started an investigation.

The incident took place in the Mamudnagar Shahjamal area which comes under the Rorwar police station. BJP Jay Ganj unit’s vice-president Rubi Asif Khan, who lives here, made it to the news as she worshipped Lord Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi. At that time, a fatwa was issued against her. It is notable that she is also the district convenor of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch.

This time, Rubi Asif Khan installed a Durga idol at her home during the Navratri festival. She is also keeping a 9-day fast as per Hindu rituals. Rubi Khan’s husband Asif Khan said that when they woke up in the morning, saw the black and white printed poster pasted outside their house and also in front of their lane. The poster reads, “Rubi Asif Khan has turned a Kafir. She performs Havan. She sings Vande Mataram. Abandon her from Islam. Burn her alive along with her family. We are true Muslims. Jamaatul Musalman. Nara-e-Takbir Allah hu Akbar.” After the matter came to light, Police seized the poster. CCTV cameras in the vicinity are also being checked to find out who put it there.

SP City Kuldeep Gunawat said, “A case has been registered on the complaint of the woman. The matter is being investigated and the surrounding CCTV cameras are also being scanned in order to find out who has put up posters outside her house. The safety of the woman and her family is also being taken care of so that no untoward incident takes place.”

The poster in front of Rubi Asif Khan’s house shows a photo of her worshiping Hindu gods. In her complaint, she has cited the respect for Hindus and worship she offers to Hindu deities as the reason for the threats. Earlier she was in the news for celebrating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday and applying a tilak his picture with her blood during the same time.

She also said that after Navratri and Durga Puja, she will also perform puja of Goddes Lakshmi on Diwali, and will also keep fast on the occasion of Karva Chauth seeking long life for her husband. Rubi Khan said that Hindus and Muslims should celebrate all festivals together.

Jharkhand: Rameez Ahmed breaks into Hanuman temple, vandalises idol, Police claims accused is ‘mentally unstable’

OpIndia Staff
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Jharkhand: Rameez Ahmed breaks into Hanuman temple, vandalises idol, Police claims accused is ‘mentally unstable’

On the night of September 27, a man identified as Rameez Ahmed broke into a Bhagwan Hanuman temple in the Hindpuri Police Station area of Ranchi, Jharkhand, and vandalised the idol there. The locals came to know about the incident the next morning. A Police complaint was filed, and upon checking the CCTV footage, it was learned that the miscreant behind the incident was one Rameez Ahmed.

Ahmed was subsequently arrested by the police. Notably, the police are claiming that Ahmed is mentally unstable. The locals are reportedly not satisfied with the reasoning provided by the police. Islamists had earlier pelted stones at this temple on June 10 this year following the tension that erupted over alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammed by former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. An additional police force has been deployed in the area.

As per media reports, on the morning of September 28, Vicky Vishwakarma went to the temple for cleaning. He noticed that the lock of the temple was broken. When he entered the temple, Vicky found out that the forehead and mace of Bhagwan Hanuman’s idol were also broken. Notably, the rest of the items, including the donation box, were safe inside the temple, pointing out that the accused entered the temple just to vandalise the idol.

Speaking to Aaj Tak, locals said that though the police have been claiming that the accused was mentally unstable, the way he targeted only the idol raises several questions. The locals told the media channel that the accused left the silver crown and donation box untouched. Furthermore, some locals also claimed that on the night of the incident, when they were discussing Durga Puja preparations, some miscreants raised religious slogans to provoke them.

When the locals were informed about the incident, they gathered in large numbers outside the temple. The police reached the spot and pacified the situation. They checked the CCTV footage and arrested Rameez Ahmed for the alleged crime.

Keeping the incident in mind, the police did a flag march in the city. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has blamed the state government for the incident. The devotees have further announced that they will now purify the temple.

“Mentally unstable” – the excuse for multiple attacks on temples

This is not the first time that a temple or a Hindu religious place has been attacked, and then the police claimed that the accused was mentally unstable. The most recent case is from Hyderabad, where two Muslim women entered Puja Pandal and damaged the idol of Maa Durga. The devotees present on the spot caught them and handed them over to the police. Following their arrest, the police claimed that both the burqa-clad ladies were suffering from schizophrenia, a mental disorder.

In another incident of an attack on Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur, the police initially claimed that the accused might have a mental disorder. It is notable that the ‘mentally unstable’ persons from a particular community always attack a Hindu temple ‘out of rage’ due to their illness and not any other religious establishment of their own religion or other religions.

Kerala High Court orders now banned PFI to pay Rs 5.20 crores for damages caused during flash hartal on September 23

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala High Court orders now banned PFI to pay Rs 5.20 crores for damages caused during flash hartal on September 23

On Thursday, the Kerala High Court ordered the now banned organisation Popular Front of India (PFI) to pay Rs. 5.20 crores for the damages estimated by the State Government and the Kerala State Road Transport (KSRTC) as a result of the violent flash hartal in the state on called on September 23 by the banned organisation. The PFI has been ordered to deposit the fine within a period of two weeks with the Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department.

The directive was given by Kerala High Court during suo motu proceedings against PFI leaders for calling an illegal dawn-to-husk hartal and for the vandalism and damage done to both public and private property. The now banned group has called the bandh in protest against the arrest of its leaders during a nationwide raid on its offices in several states. PFI was banned for five years by the union govt on September 27 following the raids and arrests.

Political parties who engage in flash hartals in direct defiance of the Court’s prior direction will suffer severe repercussions, according to a division bench comprising Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Mohammed Nias CP.

“Regardless of the political parties, flash hartals in the State are not going to happen. Citizens’ daily lives cannot be harmed. The message is unmistakable. Anybody who does this will face repercussions. The Constitution allows for organizations to hold protests in support of any cause, but it forbids flash hartals. Any demonstration that causes inconvenience to the public by way of blockage of roads, traffic, etc. is not permitted,” the bench observed.

It is noteworthy that the Kerala High Court in a 2019 order had banned flash hartals in the state. The Division Bench of Chief Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice A K Jayasankaran Nambiar ordered that hartals can be declared only after giving prior notice of seven days and that any citizen can challenge the declaration of hartal within seven days.

Flash hartals, or strikes called without following the protocol of giving seven days’ clear public notice, would be declared illegal or unconstitutional and would have detrimental ramifications for the person(s) or party initiating the strike, the Court had stated.

On Tuesday, the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) moved to the Kerala HC seeking reimbursement of Rs 5.06 crores from the Popular Front of India (PFI) for losses caused to the corporation during the strike called by the PFI. On September 13, the PFI staged statewide demonstrations against the NIA raids and damaged around 71 KSRTC buses.

Taking up the matter today, the court ordered the State Government to make PFI General Secretary Abdul Sattar an additional accused in all the cases registered in connection with the flash hartal.

Every time the word hartal is said, the meaning among the populace varies. People are living in perpetual fear. What does a common man have to do with all this? Ordinary citizen suffers, and for what? Not supporting your ideology?” the Court asks.

The court strongly condemned the act of terror that caused mayhem in the state during the PFI’s flash hartal and stated that immediate and swift action will ensure that such an act never occurs again.

The court also criticized the government for failing to enforce its clear ruling prohibiting flash hartals in the order it issued today. It asserted that if the government had acted in this way, significant damage to citizens’ daily lives and property would have been averted.

In the order, the Court directed Magistrates and Sessions courts in the State to ensure that payment of any amount quantified toward damage or destruction of property by any of the accused is insisted upon by the accused in question as a condition for the grant of bail to him when considering the applications for release on bond of those people against whom the police have registered cases in connection with the PFI’s flash hartal.

The court further clarified that the fine amount imposed on the PFI shall be purely provisional and duly accounted for and held by the state government in a separate and dedicated account for disbursal to those claimants who are identified by the Claims Commissioner to be entitled to such amounts. Additionally, the respondents will also be liable for any additional sums determined to be due to the claimants during the adjudication process before the Claims Commissioner.

‘Marital rape’ to be included in the definition of rape if a woman wants to abort her child: What the Supreme Court said

OpIndia Staff
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‘Marital rape’ to be included in the definition of rape if a woman wants to abort her child: What the Supreme Court said

While delivering a verdict in support of an unmarried woman seeking termination of her pregnancy, the Supreme Court today made significant remarks regarding marital rape. A bench led by Justice DY Chandrachud said on Thursday that for the purpose of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act and Rules, rape includes ‘marital rape’.

The court was delivering its verdict on a plea filed by an unmarried woman challenging a Delhi High Court judgement denying her permission to terminate her pregnancy because it was result of consensual sex. Overturning the HC order, the apex court said that all women, both married and unmarried, have the right to abortion, saying that “All women are entitled to safe and legal abortion”.

The issue that the court was deliberating was whether the exclusion of unmarried women from Rule 3B of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Rules is valid. This specifies the categories of women who can seek termination of pregnancy. Rule 3B mentions the categories of women whose pregnancy in the duration of 20-24 weeks can be terminated. The categories include survivors of (a) rape and incest, (b) minors, (c) change of marital status during pregnancy like widowhood and divorce, (d) women with physical disabilities, mentally ill women, (e) mentally ill women, (f) foetal malformation, (g) pregnant women in humanitarian settings or disaster or emergency situations.

The Supreme Court was defining the term ‘rape’ in this context of rule 3B of the abortion law. The Court said that married women who become pregnant due to forced sex by their husbands, will also come within the ambit of “survivors of sexual assault or rape or incest” mentioned in Rule 3B(a) of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Rules.

The para on marital rape in the judgement said, “Married women may also form the part of the class of survivors of sexual assault or rape. The ordinary meaning of the word rape is sexual intercourse with a person without consent or against their will. Regardless of whether such forced intercourse occurs in the context of matrimony, a woman may become pregnant as a result of non-consensual sexual intercourse performed upon her by her husband.”

The judgment also mentioned that violence in marriage is a reality, saying, “We would be remiss in not recognising that intimate partner violence is the reality and can take the form of rape. The misconception that strangers are exclusively or almost exclusively responsible for sex and gender based violence is a deeply regrettable one. Sex and gender based violence in all its form in the context of family has long formed a part of the lived experiences of women.”

The court said that Indian law already recognises various forms of domestic violence. “We have also briefly touched upon the Exception 2 of Section 375 of IPC. Notwithstanding Exception 2 to Section 375 of IPC, the meaning of the word “sexual assault” or “rape” in Rule 3B(a) includes the husband’s act of sexual assault or rape committed on his wife,” the bench stated.

By this, the court said that while forced sex by a husband is not defined as rape under IPC section 375, it is considered rape for the purpose of the abortion law. The bench further clarified that marital rape has been included in rape only for the purpose of defining rape under Medical Termination of Pregnancy Rules, and not for rape related laws.

“The meaning of rape must therefore be understood as including marital rape solely for the purpose of the MTP Act and any other rules and regulations framed thereunder. Any other interpretation would have the effect of compelling a woman to give birth to and raise a child with a partner who inflicts mental and physical harm upon her,” the bench clarified.

The Supreme Court also said that a woman need not prove that she was raped to seek an abortion under the law. A woman can seek to terminate her pregnancy resulting from rape without proceeding with legal procedures for the rape. For the right to abortion to be granted to a woman, the accused need not be convicted of rape charges under IPC.

Only for the purpose of the abortion act, such an act of rape need not be proved in a court or any other forum, because such a requirement will be in conflict with the MTP Act, the court said.

It may be noted that the Supreme Court is already hearing petitions relating to terming marital rape as rape. The matter went to the apex court after a two-judge bench of Delhi High Court delivered a split verdict in May this year. The apex court issued notices to in the case earlier this month.

Arrested PFI Jihadis worked as lecturers and govt employees to conceal their agenda to make India an Islamic country by 2047: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Arrested PFI Jihadis worked as lecturers and govt employees to conceal their agenda to make India an Islamic country by 2047: Details

In a major development, the Central Government on Wednesday banned the Islamist outfit Popular Front of India (PFI) and its associate organizations for 5 years. The government maintained that the organizations operated as unlawful associations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The action by the Ministry of Home Affairs came days after the NIA in its two rounds of raids arrested around 250 persons associated with the PFI and also recovered several incriminating documents from PFI hideouts settled in almost 17 Indian states. The documents included a training module to make IEDs and bombs from available domestic material and also the ‘Mission 2047’ document underlining the PFI goal in the Indian subcontinent for the years to come ahead.

According to the TOI report, the arrested PFI jihadis posed as civil beings and led a normal life, ultimately hiding their agenda to make India the Islamic Republic by 2047. They also influenced the Muslims to wield weapons against the Hindus residing in the country. They employed themselves in government jobs and services and also served as the crucial fanatic segment of the now banned organization.

Among the 250 arrested PFI leaders are OMA Salam, E M Abdur Rahiman, V P Nazarudeen, and P Koya. These PFI jihadis were arrested from Kerala and they worked as employees at government or private institutions. Reports mention that PFI Chairman OMA Salam was a Kerala government employee who was suspended in the year 2020. Whereas the others, E M Abdur Rahiman, V P Nazarudeen, and P Koya served as retired librarians at Cochin University, clerical staff in Madhyamam daily, and a lecturer in a government college in Kozhikode respectively. P Koya had also worked as an employee at a private company in Qatar.

On the other hand, two arrested Karnataka-based PFI Islamists Abdul Wahit Sait and Anis Ahmed were techies. Sait who is one of the founding members of the PFI operated a software company dealing in accounting software in Bengaluru. Meanwhile, Ahmed worked in a private company named Ericson. He was a global technical manager there until he was suspended recently. Ahmed was also active on social media and commented on current issues on TV news channel debates.

OMA Salam who worked as an employee at the Kerala State Electricity Board was suspended in December 2020 after the state knew that he was chairman of the PFI. Reports mention that Salam is associated with PFI since 2007 and has a case registered against him. He also is associated with Rehab India Foundation which has been banned by the MHA.

E M Abdur Rahiman who worked as a retired librarian at Cochin University in Science and Technology department hails from the Ernakulam part of the state. He had joined the SIMI in the 1970s and later became its all-India President. He was the one who suggested the formation of NDF and other PFI fronts like Campus Front of India and Confederation of Human Rights Organisation. He is a director member at Students Islamic Trust, New Delhi, and also is a member of the All India Milli Council.

Further, one arrested individual named E Abubacker hails from Calicut but was Kerala state president for two years from 1982 to 1984. He has been the founder member of NDF, Rehab India Foundation, SDPI, and All India Muslim Personal Law Board. He also worked as an editor of India Next Hindi magazine and Thejas daily newspaper.

P Koya also was an active member of SIMI and also the national general secretary of now banned PFI front NCHRO. However, VP Nazarudeen who worked at Madhyamam daily was first a teacher at MES College in Aluva and Calicut Orphanage. He also contested the 2014 Lok Sabha election as an SDPI candidate from Malappuram.

Minarul Sheikh who was arrested from West Bengal was state PFI president and focused on organizational activities in Murshidabad, Malda, and Kolkata. He pursued his Ph.D. in History from AMU and operated a coaching center for students.

Law enforcement agencies have recovered hundreds of incriminating materials from the hideouts of the accused organization. Prominent amongst them include a brochure and CD related to ‘Mission 2047’. A huge amount of undocumented cash has also been recovered from the PFI leaders of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and also document in a ‘short course on how to make IEDs using easily available materials’.

PFI has a long history of claiming victimization on behalf of Muslims in India everywhere at times. However, the violence engineered by its leaders and cadres following the arrest of its leaders exposed the organization’s violent inclinations and demonstrated to the public that the arrests were conducted in the right direction.

Punjab: Woman delivers child on the corridor floor in Pathankot civil hospital as staff refuses to admit her

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab: Woman delivers child on the corridor floor in Pathankot civil hospital as staff refuses to admit her

On Tuesday night, a 38-year-old pregnant lady, who was reportedly denied access to the labour room, was forced to give birth on the floor of the corridor of Pathankot Civil Hospital, Punjab. Video footage of the lady and her newborn baby girl laying on the floor has also gone viral on social media. The video was also shared by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla.

The woman’s husband can also be heard in the video alleging that the attendants threw them out of the labour room. Presumably, other patients in the hospital recorded the video. The person who was shooting the video can also be heard alleging that the senior medical officer (SMO) at the hospital refused to admit the pregnant patient.

The incident happened on Tuesday, September 27, at around 11:30 PM when Jangi Lal (51), a labourer from Pipli Mohalla in Pathankot, used the 108-Ambulance service to bring her pregnant wife to the hospital.

“My wife was suffering from labour pain and I took her there for the delivery. Instead of admitting my wife, the hospital staff behaved rudely and closed the labour room’s doors. They asked me to take my wife to Amritsar. The driver of the ambulance also requested the staff to admit my wife, but to no avail,” Jangi Lal said while talking to Hindustan Times.

“It was not possible for me to take my wife to Amritsar during the night. I was left with no other option, but to depend on the mercy of the hospital staff. My wife was crying in pain while lying on the floor, but no staff member came to provide us even a bed,” he further said.

The victim’s husband appealed that the hospital workers and administration be held accountable for their heinous behaviour. “I may have lost my wife and the baby’s life due to the inhumane behaviour of the medical staff,” he stated. He further said that staff workers threatened to call the police if they did not leave the facility.

Dr Sunil Chand, the hospital’s senior medical officer (SMO), rejected the charges about the staff’s poor attitude but confirmed that the woman had given birth on the floor. “The woman was nine months pregnant, but she had never had her medical tests and ultrasound,” he explained.

“As soon as they came to the hospital, we asked them to conduct medical tests required for delivery, from a lab which is in tie-up with us for giving free service, but the woman’s husband refused this. He was in an inebriated state and even refused to let his wife be admitted to the labour room,” he further said. Dr Sunil stated that they were attempting to find the victim for more healthcare coverage, but the woman’s husband was not answering their calls.

Ashok Gehlot out, Digvijaya Singh in: Here’s the latest drama from the Congress party president race

OpIndia Staff
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Ashok Gehlot out, Digvijaya Singh in: Here’s the latest drama from the Congress party president race

The high-voltage drama surrounding the Congress party’s presidential chair is clearly heating up. Until today, Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress senior leader Ashok Gehlot and the party’s loyalist Shahi Tharoor were being regarded as the race’s frontrunners. Now, if reports are to be believed, Congress loyalist Digvijaya Singh has injected a new twist into the battle.

As per reports, the veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has confirmed that he was at the AICC headquarters in Delhi on Thursday, September 29 to collect the nomination papers. Speaking to reporters at the AICC headquarters in Delhi, he added that he will likely file the nomination on Friday.

“Today I have come here to collect the nomination form and will possibly file it tomorrow,” Singh said. Singh further maintained that the choice to run for the Congress President was his own and that he had no discussions with the Gandhi family about it.

Until now, Ashok Gehlot and Shashi Tharoor were being regarded as the two prominent prospects for the position. According to PTI, senior party leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Kamal Nath, Sushilkumar Shinde, Mukul Wasnik, and Kumari Selja are all being considered for the position.

Now, the presence of Digvijaya Singh has heightened the stakes in the race, since G23 leader Shashi Tharoor is expected to register his nomination on Friday as well.

The news of Digvijaya Singh entering the fray started doing the rounds immediately after Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced Thursday that he will not contest the Congress presidential polls. 

“I met Rahul Gandhi in Kochi & requested him to fight in the polls (for Congress President). When he didn’t accept, I said I’ll contest but now with that incident (Rajasthan Political Crisis), I’ve decided not to contest the elections,” Gehlot was quoted by ANI as saying.

I won’t contest these elections in this atmosphere, with moral responsibility, said Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot. On being asked if he will remain Rajasthan CM, Gehlot said, “I won’t decide that, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi will decide that.”

It may be recalled that last week, the Congress party has declared that no one from the Gandhi family will run for the post of the President of the age-old party. 

On Wednesday, September 21, CM Gehlot expressed his intention to continue as the CM of Rajasthan even if he is elected as the chief of the Congress party. However, he gave up on his plan as Rahul Gandhi had made it clear that one person will hold a single post in the party. The confirmation of Gehlot had contributed to the bustle around the Rajasthan chief minister’s office, which the senior politician would have had to leave in accordance with the party’s Chintan Shivir reforms, which called for “one party, one post.”

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