On Monday (October 10), the Communist Party of India (Marxist) courted controversy for heaping praise on the totalitarian State of North Korea while simultaneously ‘championing’ the cause of democracy in India.
In a tweet, the Puducherry unit of CPIM praised the authoritarian Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) for constructing a ‘powerful sociality nation’ in the form of North Korea. It said, “77 years ago, The Workers’ Party of Korea was founded on October 10, 1945.”
“WPK is leading the construction of a powerful socialist nation to victory while resolutely overcoming unprecedented challenges in history,” it claimed.
Screengrab of the tweet by CPIM Puducherry
Social media users slam CPIM for hailing North Korea as a ‘socialist powerhouse’
Social media users were aghast at the ‘audacity’ of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for citing North Korea as an example of a ‘socialist powerhouse.’ Netizens suggested the party shift its base to Pyongyang instead of Puducherry.
“Shift to North Korea. India can be rid of filthy commies,” wrote one user.
Shift to Nkorea. India can be rid of filthy commies.
“Communist ideology itself is a challenge… why most people in the world left this ideology… In India too except Kerala, Marxist lose security deposits during elections and contribute substantially to national reserves… keep doing that…” wrote a Twitter user.
Communismlt idelogy itself is a challenge… why most people in world left this ideology… In India too except Kerala, Marxist loose security deposits during elections and contribute substantially to national reserves… keep doing that…
One Kanha pointed out the doublespeak of the Communists in the country. He tweeted, “One side Praising totalitarian dictatorship in North Korea and on another side, these jokers are fighting for democracy in India.”
One side Praising totalitarian dictatorship in North korea nd on other side these jokers r fighting for democracy in india… ??. #Hypocrites
Earlier, the CPIM Puducherry Twitter handle went all guns blazing after the death of former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Alongside a picture of Pizza Hut, it tweeted, “Mikhail Gorbachev, a traitor to socialism and the destroyer of the USSR, died at the age of 92.”
While staying true to its roots, CPIM also heaped praise on the mass murderer and architect of the 1962 Sino-Indian War, Mao Zedong.
The Muslim community in India and worldwide celebrated Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi on October 8 and 9 this year. The festivities happen on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad. Many processions were taken out to celebrate Prophet’s birthday across the country. However, several of these processions got tainted with the controversial Islamist slogans of ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ (call for the beheading of those who allegedly disrespect Prophet Muhammad).
Twitter user Maha Vinash Aghadi compiled a list of videos of alleged processions that were taken out on Eid-e-Milad. In these videos, recorded across India, Islamists can be heard raising the ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ slogans, openly calling for beheadings. Here are the eight instances where such slogans were raised.
Amravati, Maharashtra
In the first video that News18India journalist Vivek Gupta initially shared, Islamists were seen raising the violent slogan in Amravati (rural) Maharashtra. Notably, Hindu businessman Umesh Kolhe was also killed in Amravati by Islamists for allegedly sharing a post supporting the former spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Nupur Sharma.
BIG Breaking:
After Jodhpur and Una, now “Sar Tan Se Juda” slogans now being reported from Amravati (Rural).
FIR lodged on 9-10 people, investigation ongoing.
Previously Umesh Kolhe was múrdered by Islamists, for WhatsApp post supporting Nupur Sharma.pic.twitter.com/Q30vNSBkhK
As per reports, FIR has been registered in the matter against nine to ten people, and the investigation is underway. In the video, Islamists were raising the slogan with the song “Sar Tan Se Juda” playing on DJ. OpIndia has reported in detail about such provocative songs.
Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh
The second video in the list came from Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh. Dainik Bhaskar journalist Sachin Gupta shared the video. Reportedly, FIR has been registered in the matter, and the local SP has said that those who raised the slogans would be tried as communal goons.
“गुस्ताख–ए–रसूल की एक ही सजा, सर तन से जुदा”
UP के जिला आजमगढ़ में बारावफात के जुलूस में ये नारे लगे। पुलिस ने FIR दर्ज की। SP बोले – ऐसे आरोपियों को सांप्रदायिक गुंडे के रूप में जिला बदर किया जाएगा। #Azamgarhpic.twitter.com/cjSq7i61vI
The third video came from Una, Gujarat, and was shared by Kalinga Rights Forum. Kalinga Rights Forum filed a complaint in the matter with DGP Gujarat Police, Home Ministry, India, Gujarat Cheif Minister, Collector, and DM of Una for issuing murder threats with the slogan ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ terrorising and criminally intimidating Hindus while passing through Hindu shops and markets.
Filed Complaint with DGP @GujaratPolice, @HMOIndia Collector & DM @CMOGuj Una City , Gir Somnath District Gujrat against MU$LIMS for issuing Murder threats with Slogan “#SarTanSeJuda” terrorising & Criminally Intimidating Hindus while passing through Hindu shops & Markets pic.twitter.com/5msnP4t62J
Yogi Yogesh Agrawal of Hindu Dharmasena shared the following video. In the video, Islamists were seen raising slogans in Khandwa, Maharashtra. In his tweet, Agrawal said, “Sar Tan Se Juda slogans were raised in Eid Miladunnabi procession. Hindu organizations objected to the slogans raised in the procession, and they have submitted a memorandum to the Superintendent of Police demanding action.
खंडवा : ईद मिलादुन्नबी के जुलूस में लगे ‘सिर तन से जुदा’ के नारे
— योगी योगेश अग्रवाल (धर्मसेना) (@yogeshDharmSena) October 10, 2022
Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Twitter user Anshul Saxena shared the fifth video. He wrote, “Sar Tan Se Juda slogans raised during Eid Milad-Un-Nabi procession in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Does this not hurt their religious sentiments? Eid Milad-Un-Nabi is an annual celebration to commemorate the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad.” OpIndia has covered the incident earlier. It was reported that the main accused identified as Roshan Ali, was booked and arrested by the police.
Now, Sar Tan Se Juda slogans raised during Eid Milad-Un-Nabi procession in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
Does this not hurt their religious sentiments?
Eid Milad-Un-Nabi is an annual celebration to commemorate the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad. pic.twitter.com/vyCa1lhAI7
The next video came from Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, and Journalist Ashutosh Pathak shared it. “Slogans of Sar Tan Se Juda were raised during processing in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. The video of the incident went viral. The police have filed a case against 19 people, including ten unknown. Seven of the accused were arrested by the police,” said Pathak.
उत्तर प्रदेश के अमेठी में बारावफात के जुलूस में लगाए गए सर तन से जुदा के नारे, वीडियो हुआ वायरल, अमेठी पुलिस ने 9 नामजद और 10 अज्ञात के खिलाफ दर्ज किया मुकदमा ,सात नामजद अभियुक्त पुलिस की हिरासत में।#बारावफात#अमेठी#उत्तरप्रदेशpic.twitter.com/GD93JCM3uN
Amethi Police said a case against nine named and other unnamed accused in this case. Further investigation is underway and action will be taken based on technical evidence.
#amethipolice थाना क्षेत्र जायस में जुलूस के दौरान आपत्तिजनक नारा लगाने के संबंध में थाना स्थानीय पर अभियोग पंजीकृत कर आवश्यक विधिक कार्यवाही के संबंध में #SP_अमेठी द्वारा दी गई बाइट pic.twitter.com/9sSiBZnmil
The seventh video came from Dhule, Maharashtra and Advocate Rohit Chandode shared it. He wrote in the tweet, “Action should be taken after the offensive slogans of ‘Gustakh Ai Nabi Ki Ekhi Saja Sar Tan Se Juda Sar Tan Se Juda’ and ‘Agar Bharat Me Rahna Hoga, Nara Ai Takbir Allah Hu Akbar Kahena Hoga’ were raised by terrorist-minded people during the Eid-e-Milad procession in Dhule city.” (Translation done using Google Translate).
ईद ए मिलादच्या धुळे शहरातील मिरवणुकीत आतंकवादी विचारसरणीच्या लोकांकडून गुस्ताख ऐ नबी की एकही सजा सर तन से जुदा सर तन से जूदा,तसेच अगर भारत मे रहना होगा,नारा ऐ तकबीर अल्ला हू अकबर कहेना होगा, या आक्षेपार्ह घोषणा देण्यात आल्या यावर कारवाई करण्यात यावी.@Dev_Fadnavis@cbawankulepic.twitter.com/tFdGDboll4
The eighth video in the series was shared by UP Tak. As per reports, the slogans were raised in the presence of police. The police are investigating the matter.
#Mirzapur: बारावफात के मौके पर जुलूस के दौरान पुलिस की मौजूदगी में लगाए गए सर तन से जुदा के नारे, वीडियो सोशल मीडिया पर हुआ वायरल।
The consequences of uncontrolled Islamists raising ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ slogans
The ‘Sar Tan Se Juda’ slogan has been around for a long time in India and Hindus have faced the consequences of ignoring its provocative nature. Most notable cases include the murder of Mahashay Rajpal (killed in the 1920s for publishing Rangeela Rasool), Kamlesh Tiwari (killed in 2019 for alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammed), Kanhaiya Lal (killed in 2022 for supporting Nupur Sharma), Umesh Kolhe (killed 2022 for supporting Nupur Sharma), Kishan Bharwad (Killed in 2022 for publishing a visual image of Prophet Muhammad), Harsha (killed in February 2022 for his fierce stand against wearing the Burqa at college campuses) and many others.
On Thursday, October 6 the West Yorkshire police charged another man named Omar Taj in the historic child sexual abuse case in Bradford, United Kingdom, taking the total number of accused to twenty-four. The accused had allegedly raped and pushed a 13-year-old child into prostitution. The sexual offences against the minor continued for four years, between 2007 and 2011.
Twenty four men in Bradford are charged with having sex with one thirteen-year-old child. This is just horrific. And it goes on again and again in town after town across the country so often that it’s barely commented on anymore. | ITV News Calendar https://t.co/d0jIIIxWQh
Omar Taj (35), who has been charged with the rape of a child, was presented before the Bradford Magistrates on Friday 7 October. The rest of the 23 accused have already appeared in court throughout September, the West Yorkshire police informed in a press release.
The crimes were committed between 2007 and 2011 against the victim, who was aged 13 years in the Bradford area.
The other accused men charged for sexual offences, including rape and child prostitution were, Pasquale Massimo (40), Khazer Hussain (41), Syed Shabir (39), Abbas Hussain (41), Mussadaq Hussain (37), Amjad Hussain )36), Syed Hassan Basharat (33), Hannan Miah (37), Burhan Uddin Ali (36), Abdul Basith (40), Asif Budhia (39), Shazad Khadam (38), Ibrahim Ali (35), Ashfaq Ahmed (34), Aftab Ahmed (33), Yousaf Bhatti (36), Anwar Aziz (32), Shahinul Haq (35), Jameel Ahmed (32), Brian Davis (53), Khalid Parvez (63), Mohammed Nadeem Ali (38) and Muhammad Yasir (36).
Besides the child sex abuse, the case also pertains to Grooming Jihad, a global issue which has become particularly stark in the UK, where Islamists prey on young girls and women, exploit their vulnerability and use rape as an instrument to inflict punishment.
In 2020, the police have charged 32 men for over 150 sexual offences against 8 underage teenage girls in West Yorkshire, United Kingdom.
The crimes were committed between 1999 and 2012 against the victims, who were aged between 13-16 years in the Kirklees, Bradford and Wakefield areas. Reportedly, several such victims were subjected to heinous crimes even after they turned adults.
A majority of the accused hail from the Batley and Dewsbury areas in the United Kingdom. They have been charged with serious sexual offences including rape, indecent assault, sexual activity with a child, trafficking, abetment of rape, conspiracy to rape, making indecent photos of children, and possession of extreme porn.
Nearly 19,000 children were sexually abused in England in 2018-2019
According to the official figures, it is being estimated that nearly 19,000 minors in England were sexually groomed in England in the last year, reported Dailymail. The local authorities in England have identified around 18,700 suspected victims in 2018-19, up from 3,300 five years ago. The latest figures showed a sharp increase in the number of child grooming victims over the last five years.
The highest rates of child grooming victims in Britain were reported in areas including Birmingham, Lancashire and Bradford.
A few days after the Telangana Rashtriya Samithi (TRS) changed its name to the Bharat Rashtriya Samithi (BRS), its leaders put up banners and posters showing an incomplete map of India in several places all across Hyderabad. The map, put up by party leaders including MLA for Khairatabad Danam Nagender and others, depicts Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the Aksai Chin outside of India.
Notably, the banners included pictures of local party leaders as well as a picture of BRS leader KCR on the map. The banners depicted a part of Jammu and Kashmir in Pakistan. Following the publication of this billboard, the ruling party has been called into question. Arvind Dharmapuri, a BJP MP from Nizamabad in Telangana, uploaded the poster on Twitter, in which half of Kashmir is missing from India’s map.
By removing PoK frm Indian map,he is supporting Pakistan
This map is promoted&supported by Pakistan
Is KCR following legacy of Nizam who wanted to merge erstwhile Hyd. State with Pakistan? Is this the motive behind launching National Party?
The BJP MP wrote in his tweet, “The territory of the country has been defined in Article 1 of the Indian Constitution. Entire Jammu and Kashmir is a part of India. KCR’s party is supporting Pakistan by removing PoK from the country’s map.”
The BRS (previously TRS) has been embroiled in a slew of controversies in the recent past. On Monday, October 10, Y Satish Reddy, the social media convener of the BRS, received widespread condemnation for a Tweet mocking the most venerated Jain monk Tarun Sagar.
The fury erupted after the BRS leader tweeted an old picture of the Digambar Jain monk blessing PM Narendra Modi with his sacred Chamara or ceremonial fly-whisk. The BRS leader had captioned the Tweet, “Idiots working under him are now talking about black cats, tantriks, etc,” thereby implying that Tarun Sagar was doing “black magic” on PM Modi.
Deleted tweet by YSR.
Numerous religious leaders and Jain community members fiercely condemned Reddy’s social media post, which the TRS leader quickly withdrew after the outpouring of criticism.
TRS leader Rajanala Srihari was recently spotted handing away liquor bottles and chicken to Warangal locals on October 4. This was just before the TRS was launched on a national level under the name BRS.
#WATCH | TRS leader Rajanala Srihari distributes liquor bottles and chicken to locals ahead of Telangana CM KC Rao launching a national party tomorrow, in Warangal pic.twitter.com/4tfUsPgfNU
Telangana Chief Minister KCR changed the name of the TRS to BRS last week, heralding the party’s entry into national politics ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024. After a conference in Hyderabad, the party’s general body approved the name change proposal.
Though some believe that KCR’s decision to enter national politics would help him gain political clout, others believe that it will be a costly mistake for him. Meanwhile, the BJP accused KCR of abandoning Telangana’s people, claiming that the BRS president exploited the emotion of declaring Telangana as a distinct state as a bridge for his family to grab the state’s top power structure.
On Sunday (October 9), a Hindu man was forcibly converted to Islam by a cleric in the Sindh province of Pakistan, reported ANI News.
The victim was identified as one Ajay Kumar. Maulana Rashid Mahmood Soomro, the General Secretary of Jamiat Ulama-e-Sindh, facilitated the forced conversion at the Jamia Islamia Masjid in Larkana city of Sindh.
ANI reported that Ajay seemed unhappy during the process of his coerced conversion to the Islamic Faith. The Islamic country of Pakistan has been a hotbed of religious persecution, especially for those belonging to minority Hindu, Christian and Sikh communities.
Mass conversion of Hindus in Sindh
In July last year, Opindia reported that as many as 60 Hindus were converted en masse to Islam in the Sindh province of Pakistan.
A man, identified as one Abdul Rauf Nizamani, had been the facilitator of the mass conversion process. In a Facebook post, the accused rejoiced, “Alhamdullilah aj meri nigrani me 60 log musalman hui hain inke liye dua karen (Today, 60 people accepted Islam under my watch. Please pray for them).”
Screengrab of the visuals from the mass conversion
According to the Facebook profile of Abdul Rauf Nizamani, he is the Chairman of the Municipal Committee in Matli in Sindh of Pakistan. The accused boasts of a whopping 4,275 followers on his personal profile.
In a video posted by him, the Islamic cleric could be seen making the 60-odd Hindus chant Kalma (Islamic oath of allegiance) and ensuring their full-fledged conversion.
In a subsequent video, the said Islamic cleric could be seen claiming that it was their recitation of the first-ever Namaz. “The only objective in the life of a Muslim is to make Allah happy. Only then, the purpose of your life will be fulfilled. Only the lives of those, approved by Allah, move forward,” the cleric could be seen speaking to the new converts.
Most film superstars would dream of having one tenth of Amitabh Bachchan’s body of work. He has starred in myriad films that are now regarded as classics.
Zanjeer, Deewaar, Don, Sholay, Trishul, Kabhie Kabhie, Amar Akbar Anthony, Muqaddar Ka Sikander, Kaalia, Shehenshah, Agneepath, Hum, and myriad others have transcended cinematic boundaries to become cultural milestones. Many of the one-liners and moments from the films are quoted in regular conversations
But the downside of having so many blockbusters in a filmography is they steal the limelight from many other equally commendable efforts and didn’t receive the same affection from fans, critics, and film historians.
These overlooked gems were enough to make him a huge star. But Bachchan redefined the rules of film superstardom and set new standards for success at the box office. Consequently, these films are regarded as second-tier.
On his 80th Birthday, here’s a look at some of Bachchan’s eminent but almost forgotten works, in no particular order of importance.
Bachchan’s character is a jilted lover who hatches an elaborate plot to exact revenge against the individual who stole the love of his life. The Big B delivers a nuanced performance as a brooding artist who goes to the dark side. It is always fascinating to see an actor prior to achieving superstardom where he is unaware of his strengths.
The running time of the film is just 2 hours and it still is a thrilling experience.
Once again this is pre-superstardom Bachchan playing a character with shades of grey. He plays an unwitting participant in a bank robbery to pay off his father’s debts. Another sterling performance by the Big B playing a man who is in a moral quandary. We are used to seeing Amitabh play the tough and resourceful hero, but here we watch him crumble under pressure both physically and metaphorically.
The film is based on the Hitchcock thriller “The Man Who Knew Too Much”. Amitabh plays an executive in a multi-national company who finds himself embroiled in a sinister conspiracy after he, from the goodness of his heart, transports a stab victim to the hospital in his car, while on his way to a party.
Big B plays the ordinary man trapped in an extraordinary situation to perfection.
Do Anjaane
The film explores greed, lust, and revenge with Shakespearean undertones.
The Big B plays a regular man who struggles to keep up with the demands of his ambitious wife, Rekha. An old wealthy friend of Bachchan’s character with a proclivity for ostentatiousness appears who has his eye on Bachchan’s attractive wife.
Another sterling performance by Bachchan as a flawed and insecure husband, the loving father, and the avenger.
The Great Gambler
It is surprising that this film doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.
This is 007 territory with exotic locations, two beautiful leading ladies, sinister dual agents with phone Italian accents, and colorful villains humming Beethoven symphony No. 9 IV while planning to sell state secrets to sinister foreign powers. There are amazing fights including one with a butcher, there are chases in cars and speed boats, there is mistaken identity, great music, and above all, Bachchan in James Bondian form in two spectacular roles.
Faraar
Bachchan plays a fugitive from justice who holds the family of a policeman hostage while on the run from the law. As luck may have it, the family has links. This is a tight suspenseful thriller with a fine performance by Bachchan as an artist who unwittingly breaks the law after being wronged. This was among the rare films that were released with two different endings across cinemas
Shaan
Ramesh Sippy’s follow-up to Sholay was destined to fail because the expectations from Sholay were impossible to match. Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor play loveable con men whose brother Sunil Dutt is a principled policeman determined the punish the sinister master criminal Shakaal. A fast-paced thriller with plenty of humor and Bachchan at his charismatic and comic best. Some have called this Sholay in the city, but it is much more than that.
Main Azaad Hoon
This was a remake of Frank Capra’s Meet John Doe. While Capra’s original was light-hearted, this film explores the murky nexus between industrialists, politicians, and even the news media. The film examines celebrity culture and the perpetual quest that the public has for messiahs who can deliver them. How the citizen is often cannon fodder in a politician’s quest for power. This has another sterling performance, Bachchan. The film has several funny, poignant, and very meaningful moments and survives the test of time with ease.
Nishabdh
This is Ram Gopal Varma’s most sensitive film. Bachchan plays Vijay, a world-class photographer who finds himself swamped by the mundaneness of life. He often cannot relate to his wife who is occupied by the household chores and his daughter who is focused on her own life. Enter Jiah a free-spirited girl who is there to spend her summer with the family. Jiah is the only person curious about Vijay’s life and his art and treats him with playful irreverence that he finds intriguing. The two form an emotional bond.
This is a master class in film acting from Bachchan where he is often understated. Watch him recounting his experiences and reliving his guilt-ridden affection for Jiah. If you were to press the mute button, his eye would convey everything that his words do and much more. This is a story beautifully told. It is a great shame that RGV’s sleazy promotional campaign ended up hurting this very poignant film.
Ek Ajnabee
Bachchan plays a retired colonel suffering from almost debilitating PTSD which he drowns with scotch. He is hired by a wealthy businessman as a bodyguard for his young daughter. After an initial frosty exchange, Bachchan’s character warms up to the little girl becoming a father figure, mentor, and coach. Alas, danger is always lurking around the corner.
Bachchan aces every aspect of his character, from the alcoholic retired army man struggling with his past to the father figure of the little girl and finally the avenger.
There are a few other notable mentions such as Mili, Bemisal, Jurmana, Manzil, Shamitabh, Eklavya, Armaan, Aks, Aarakshan, Te3n, etc.
Some of the above-mentioned films may not exactly be works of eminent filmmaking, but Bachchan dazzled in all of them, proving this his brilliance was irrespective of the kind of film he was starring in.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is carrying out searches at multiple locations in Jammu and Kashmir in connection with its ongoing probe into the terror funding case on Tuesday, October 11. According to reports, the raids are being carried out in the case relating to the suspicious activities of Al Huda Educational Trust, Rajouri.
National Investigation Agency (NIA) carries out searches at multiple locations in Jammu and Kashmir in a terror funding case: Sources
The case was registered suo-moto by NIA about the funding pattern and activities of Al Huda Educational Trust, which serves as a frontal organisation for the Islamic organisation Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir, which was banned by the central government in 2019 for the next five years for its active support to terror and secessionist activities.
Al Huda Trust under scanner for terror financing
It is alleged that the members of Al Huda Educational Trust were involved in funding terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the rest of India.
Sources revealed that the funds collected by the Trust were allegedly being diverted to terrorist organisations, such as Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba, etc., for promoting terrorist activities in Kashmir valley as well as the rest of India. The case was registered by the NIA suo moto on February 5, 2021. The NIA had earlier filed a chargesheet against four persons in the case.
The anti-terror agency conducting raids in coordination with Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), has been searching various locations in the districts of Rajouri, Poonch, Jammu, Srinagar, Pulwama, Budgam, Shopian and Bandipora in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sources privy to the development confirmed that NIA’s multiple teams have been carrying out these raids based on specific inputs.
NIA raids PFI offices and houses across 10 states, over 100 members, including top leaders arrested
It may be recalled that prior to this, the National Investigation Agency, on the intervening night of September 21 and September 22, conductedseveral raids on locations linked to the Islamist organization Popular Front of India (PFI) across 10 states, including Bihar, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana.
The agency arrested around 100 cadres, including top leaders of the organization. The maximum number of arrests was made in Kerala (22) followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka (20 each), Tamil Nadu (10), Assam (9), Uttar Pradesh (8), Andhra Pradesh (5), Madhya Pradesh (4), Puducherry and Delhi (3 each) and Rajasthan (2).
As per reports, the raids were conducted by joint teams of NIA, Enforcement Directorate (ED), and respective State Police, and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs was monitoring the action against the organization.
Following the raids, the Popular Front of India (PFI) as well as any related or connected factions were immediately banned on September 27 by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, by the provisions of Section 3’s sub-section (1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, for a period of five years.
On Sunday, the CNN news organisation apologized for covering the massacre in a childcare center in Thailand that left 37 people, including 23 children, dead. CNN International’s executive vice president and general manager Mike McCarthy said that the organisation deeply regrets the distress or offense that the news report might have caused. He also stated that the organisation has stopped broadcasting the report and removed the massacre coverage video from its website.
This apology came after the Immigration Bureau withdrew the visas of the two CNN reporters and asked them to leave the country. Immigration Bureau deputy commissioner Achayon Kraithong stated that the two reporters had illegally attained access to the massacre site and covered the incident for a news report. He also said that the duo was on a tourist visa and was not eligible to work in the country.
The saga began last Thursday (October 6) when two CNN journalists identified as Anna Coren, 47, an Australian citizen, and cameraman Daniel Hodge, 34, a British national, illegally entered a daycare center of the Uthai Sawan Tambon Administration Organisation which was brutally attacked. The two were on tourist visas till November 19 and were not allowed to work in Thailand. However, the two trespassed the crime scene and covered the attack in which 24 children and 13 others were murdered.
Coren and Hodge could be seen jumping over the fence to enter the crime scene illegally to cover the incident. Reports mention that the journalists were denied entry into the daycare center but they managed to get the footage of the brutal massacre including blood stains inside the premises. The director at the Office of Uthai Sawan Municipality, Danaichok Boonsom, took cognizance of the event and filed a complaint to the police in response to CNN’s coverage.
“I want them to be respectful to us. They should not do whatever they want to do or only think about getting their ratings. Why do they have to do this? What is it for?”, he asked while talking to the media after filing the complaint. According to Boonsom, the people around the daycare were mourning over the loss of loved ones and the journalists did not care about anything around them but the news report. The journalists were then taken to the police station in Nong Bua Lam Phu province for questioning where they were also fined 5,000 baht each.
CNN reporter apologized for her actions
Reporter Anna Coren also apologized for her actions in a message directed to the Thailand citizens. “We know your country is going through a painful time and we never came here to cause more grief. My deepest apologies especially to the families of victims of this tragedy – we are so sorry to have caused you more pain and suffering”, she said. The Police further investigated the matter after several other local journalists criticized the duo for violating the ethics of journalism.
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand and the Thai Journalists’ Association issued statements alleging that the two had breached journalistic ethics in crime reporting. “Would one of their crews have behaved in the same way at a serious crime scene in the United States”, the statement noted. Two Thai ministers also slammed the reporter and the cameraman for entering the crime scene without permission. However, the Thai Police during the investigation found out that the two accused were permitted by the local Health Department officials.
CNN said journalists entered the center ‘in good faith’ with permission
CNN, in the statement issued on October 9, also stated that the journalists were granted permission by the local health guards and that the team had entered the building to gain a fuller impression of what transpired inside and to humanize the scale of the tragedy. “Had they known that this was not sufficient, they would not have gone inside. We deeply regret any distress or offense our report may have caused, and for any inconvenience to the Thai police at such a distressing time for the country”, the official statement read.
It further argued that the reporters entered the center ‘in good faith’ with permission, despite subsequently learning that the authorities who granted them access lacked authority. Meanwhile, the Thai Journalists Association questioned the justification and said that even if permission was granted, the two should have exercised their judgment on the spot and avoided going inside. According to Immigration Bureau deputy commissioner Achayon Kraithong, the two journalists have not yet left the country.
Thai nursery massacre
Thirty-Seven people, primarily children, were murdered by a former police officer who opened fire and attacked people in a massacre that began at a preschool in Uthai Sawan. The shooter then drove away from the nursery, firing at passersby before returning home and shooting his wife, kid, and himself later. The event, which happened on Thursday, shocked Thailand and has also drawn international media attention.
Violence broke out during a Durga idol immersion procession in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday, resulting in at least twenty people being injured. The conflict emerged due to Muslims objecting to music being played by DJ during a Durga Puja immersion ceremony in the Baldirai region. The police reached the spot and controlled the situation. An investigation has been initiated into the matter.
UP के सुल्तानपुर में दुर्गा पूजा विसर्जन शोभायात्रा में DJ तेज आवाज में बजाने पर टकराव। मस्जिद के सामने शोभायात्रा पहुंचने पर विवाद बढ़ा। पथराव और तोड़फोड़ में पुलिसकर्मियों सहित कई घायल। #Sultanpurpic.twitter.com/cGSBbpA2el
On Monday, the Maa Bhagwati immersion procession began in Para Bazar town and progressed till near the Baba Junglenath Mahadev Temple. Because the procession was so long, it made its way around a nearby mosque. Following this, members from the mosque came out and demanded the procession to stop playing the songs. Upon this, individuals from both sides confronted each other, and an altercation ensued. Hundreds of people arrived within minutes, and the disagreement escalated into stone pelting, injuring numerous individuals and torching several vehicles.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Amarendra Prasad Singh, DM Ravish Gupta, and SP Somen Verma arrived on the scene and took control of the situation. Apart from constable Drigpal and Vishal Sonkar, Matafer of Raina Jagdishpur, Dilip Kumar of Walipur, Lalu Yadav of Jagdishpur, Jitendra, Brijlal, Neeraj Jamuna Prasad, Shubham of Hemanpur and others are among the injured, as per reports.
According to reports, the event was not random and appeared to be pre-planned, since hundreds of individuals assembled in minutes to disrupt the procession. According to Somen Verma, SP Sultanpur, the injured have been taken to the hospital by ambulance. “To ensure law and order, a huge police force has been deployed on the spot. The matter has been calmed. In this case, fair and rigorous action will be taken. The guilty will never escape punishment,” he said.
Police are probing the whole matter. Along with reviewing the film from the CCTV cameras positioned nearby, the persons present on the scene are being questioned in the probe. Mahesh Kumar Jaiswal, head of the Central Puja Committee Sultanpur, has stated that the Durga idols would not be submerged until the idols of the Walipur region progress. He has urged that the miscreants face the harshest punishment possible.
Bigg Boss season 16 is tainted with controversies because of Sajid Khan’s history with ‘Me Too’ accusations. Over the last two to three years, several actresses, models and female journalists have come forward and raised allegations against Khan for exploiting his position in the industry. Actress Sherlyn Chopra, one of the alleged victims of Sajid Khan, has opened up in an interview with Filmibeat.
He had flashed his private part at me & asked me to rate it on a scale of 0 to 10. I’d like to enter into the house of Big Boss & give him the rating! Let ?? watch how a survivor deals with her molester!
— Sherlyn Chopra (शर्लिन चोपड़ा)?? (@SherlynChopra) October 10, 2022
Sherlyn Chopra recounts how Sajid Khan molested her, and asks Salman Khan to take a stand against the MeToo accused
In her statement, Chopra questioned the silence of actor and Bigg Boss host, Salman Khan, over the matter. She said, “If Sajid had molested a girl close to or known to Salman Khan, would he have allowed the molester to enter into the house of Big Boss??? What about the pain & sorrow of all those women who have dared to share on public platforms about their dreadful, shocking experiences with Sajid?”
She further added that it was high time Salman Khan took a stand against the alleged molesters. “What’s the point in being a Bhai-Jaan just for name’s sake?” she said. Chopra continued by saying that those who deny the existence of nepotism and favouritism in the industry need to “stop living in denial and face reality”.
Terming the film industry as ‘mafia’, Chopra said a lot of other accused continue to get work in the industry. She said, “Molesters, druggists, rapists, sexists are all given a zillion second chances as they strongly believe that every sinner has a future. Sadly, they don’t care much about the future of the victims and survivors. Most celebs feel that it is best to keep mum and work quietly without disturbing the status quo. Little do they understand that unless we unite as one force against the mafia, it will continue to exist and flourish.”
In a message to the makers of Bigg Boss, Sherlyn said, “When I had visited Sajid at his house for a story narration, he had flashed his private part at me and asked me to rate it on a scale of 0 to 10. I would like to enter the house of Big Boss and give Sajid the rating that he had sought so desperately from me! Let India watch how a survivor deals with her molester!”
Chopra further talked about the changes she had brought to her lifestyle. She said, “I don’t do drugs. And I lead a disciplined life. I work out religiously as I am a fitness enthusiast. My priorities in life tend to irk the mafia gang.” Chopra is also pursuing law as she believes understanding the law empowers the person.
Notably, Sherlyn Chopra had earlier accused KWAN talent agency co-founder Anirban Blah of sexual misconduct. In 2018, Anirban Das Blah was asked to step down from KWAN after #MeToo allegations were levelled against him. Four women had accused him of sexual harassment.
Delhi Commission for Women wrote to IB Ministry against Sajid Khan
The head of the Delhi Commission for Women, Swati Maliwal, has written to Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, requesting that MeToo-accused Bollywood filmmaker Sajid Khan be removed from the forthcoming season of the reality show Bigg Boss.
DCW chief Swati Maliwal wrote in a letter addressed on Monday that the minister should take action and that under no circumstances should a person like Sajid Khan be permitted to participate in television reality shows.
In a tweet, Sherlyn thanked Swati for taking steps against Sajid Khan. She wrote, “Thanks Swati Ji! If Sajid Khan did some abominable act with a close female friend or relative of Salman Khan Sir, wouldn’t he take action against Sir Sajid? Why Salman sir cannot become bhai-jaan of victim women?”
धन्यवाद स्वाति जी! ??
अगर @BeingSalmanKhan सर के किसी करीबी महिला मित्र या रिश्तेदार के साथ साजिद ख़ान कोई घिनौनी हरकत करता, तो क्या सलमान सर साजिद के ख़िलाफ़ एक्शन नहीं लेते?
— Sherlyn Chopra (शर्लिन चोपड़ा)?? (@SherlynChopra) October 11, 2022
Mentioning the names of the victims who accused Sajid Khan of sexual misconduct at the office place and otherwise, Swati wrote, “As the complaints against him reveal, it appears that Sajid Khan has acted as a sexual predator for a long time. Clearly, it is inappropriate for an alleged sexual offender such as Sajid Khan to be included in a primetime show which is watched by adults and children alike. This apparently gives him an undue opportunity to ‘whitewash’ his wrongs and be re-launched amongst Indian audiences.
