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Muslim encroachment of temple land, Karbala built in temple compound, and more: Ground report on Islamisation underway along the UP-Nepal border

राहुल पाण्डेय
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Muslim encroachment of temple land, Karbala built in temple compound, and more: Ground report on Islamisation underway along the UP-Nepal border

Several recent reports have shown that demography is changing rapidly along India’s border with Nepal. The number of mosques and madarsas is constantly increasing. From August 20 to 27, 2022, an OpIndia team visited several areas in Nepal bordering India to observe the ground situation. What follows here is the seventh episode of the series of reports documenting the facts noticed by the OpIndia team.

The Dang district in Nepal falls in the Lumbini state. We entered Dang from the Jarwa border in the Balrampur district of Uttar Pradesh. On the Shravasti road, there is a base camp of the paramilitary SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal) patrolling the Nepal border. This border is situated in dense forests. First and foremost, we gathered information regarding this district’s urban areas.

The very first thing one can see on entering the village is a Mosque

We observed a sugar factory from a distance as we neared Bhagwati Ganj village in Balrampur town along the Gonda road. The first thing we noticed when we entered the area was a mosque on the road itself. Neeraj Tiwari, a local resident of the same neighbourhood, told us that numerous sections in the town are Muslim-dominated, with the Balua Mohalla being the most well-known. It is worth noting that in September 2020, a bomb exploded at the house of a man named Akram in the Balua neighbourhood, resulting in huge destruction of life and property.

Mosque visible as one enters the village

We had only walked 500 metres in Balrampur’s Bhagwati Ganj village when we observed another mosque on the side of the road. The police outpost Bhagwati Ganj is not far from this mosque. From here, there was a road leading to Shri Dutt Ganj Bazar.

The second mosque at a distance of barely 500 metres

Illegal encroachment on Balarampur’s Hanuman Garhi temple

The OpIndia team arrived at the Hanuman Garhi temple, which is located in the heart of Balrampur. Mahendra Das Ji Maharaj, the successor of Ayodhya’s revered saint Kamalnayan Das Ji Maharaj, is the Mahant of this temple. This temple is linked directly to Choti Chawani, a revered structure in Ayodhya.

When we spoke with the manager here, Naresh Singh, he told us that there was formerly illegal Muslim encroachment on the premises of this temple, which is still present but much less than before. Naresh Singh further stated that two shops adjacent to the temple are still owned by Muslims and that a legal case against them is still ongoing in court. One is called Badruddin, and the other is called Cashew Hotel.

Balarampur’s Hanuman Garhi temple

Bones thrown inside the Hanuman Mandir

Pawan Shukla, a social worker from Balrampur, informed us that once the Yogi Adityanath assumed office, his government and the temple mahant worked together to restore many illegally encroached lands in the main city. He recalled how a former MP Munnan Khan had opened an eatery named Ajmeri Hotel beside Hanuman Mandir’s main gate and afterwards had his office built there.

Pawan Shukla added that Munnan Khan use to get non-veg food cooked in his restaurant and then throw the remaining bones inside the Hanuman Mandir. According to Pawan Shukla, a lot has changed now.

This particular area of the temple is said to have still illegally encroached

Mahants of the temple seek security from Yogi Adityanath’s government

Mahant Mahendra Das Ji of Hanuman Garhi temple has written to the government several times requesting additional security for himself.

Meanwhile, as we went closer to the temple, we saw two home guards stationed at the temple’s main gate. Within a one-kilometre radius of the temple, there are around a half-dozen mosques and madrasas.

There is also a Dharamshala of the Hanuman Garhi temple on the other side of the temple. According to the temple’s manager, Naresh Singh, a portion of Dharamsala was formerly occupied by Muslims and the temple authorities had to wage a lengthy court battle to get it back from them.

Mazar in the shape of Karbala constructed in Jharkhand temple pond

As we drove from Veer Vinay Chauraha Balrampur toward the SSB Camp, we crossed the railway line. There we spotted a temple named Jharkhandi Temple just next to the main road. There is a big pond just adjacent to this temple, which the local people called Jharkhandi Sarovar.

The Jharkhandi temple was packed with worshippers. The main deity revered here is Mahadev Shiva. However, some green flags were seen fluttering near Jharkhandi Sarovar.

Green flags were spotted near the Jharkhandi Sarovar

Local social worker Pawan Shukla told OpIndia that although this place is listed in official documents as Jharkhandi Sarovar, it has been turned into a Karbala. Every year, according to Pawan Shukla, new Tazias are interred in this water body. Shukla said even he is unaware as to who did this and why. Omkar Tiwari, a Balrampur resident, claimed that some individuals continued to maintain their supremacy despite the administration’s efforts.

Mosques found along other routes as well

The Jharkhandi Mandir is located just a short distance from the railway station. While travelling, we saw numerous Muslim-owned establishments, mosques, auto mechanics, etc. on Tulsipur Road in UP’s Balrampur city. Even within a radius of 2 km from the SSB camp, we could see the minarets of about half a dozen mosques.

A creeping Islamisation of Nepal and its border areas appears to be underway, with Islamists steadily establishing their foothold in distant villages, including those on the Indian border. In the first four parts of this series, OpIndia documented the demography change ongoing in Nepal, as well as the worrying surge in the number of mosques and madarsas in the Himalayan nation’s border villages. Additionally, we also spoke about the rising incidences of love jihad in Nepal, as well as its Delhi connection and smuggling and various other notorious activities that are threatening India’s border with Nepal.

The first report in this series can be read here in Hindi: कभी था हिंदू बहुल गाँव, अब स्वस्तिक चिह्न वाले घर पर 786 का निशान: भारत के उस पार भी डेमोग्राफी चेंज, नेपाल में घुसते ही मस्जिद, मदरसा और इस्लाम – OpIndia Ground Report

The same report can be read here in English: Demographic change hits other side of the border too, Mosques and Madarasas mushroom in former Hindu dominated areas in Nepal: Ground report

The second report in this series can be read here in Hindi:  घरों पर चाँद-तारे वाले हरे झंडे, मस्जिद-मदरसे, कारोबार में भी दखल: मुस्लिम आबादी बढ़ने के साथ ही नेपाल में कपिलवस्तु के ‘कृष्णा नगर’ पर गाढ़ा हुआ इस्लामी रंग – OpIndia Ground Report

The same report can be read here in English: Islamic flags flying atop houses and mosques, madarsas influencing businesses: The creeping Islamisation of Nepal’s Krishnanagar

The third report in this series can be read here in Hindi:  नेपाल में लव जिहाद: बढ़ती मुस्लिम आबादी और नेपाली लड़कियों से निकाह के खेल में ‘दिल्ली कनेक्शन’, तस्कर-गिरोह भारतीय सीमा पर खतरा – OpIndia Ground Report

The same report can be read here in English: Rising cases of love jihad in Nepal and its Delhi connection, smuggling plaguing India’s border with Nepal: Ground report

The fourth report in this series can be read here in Hindi: बौद्ध आस्था के केंद्र हों या तालाब… हर जगह मजार: श्रावस्ती में घरों की छत पर लहरा रहे इस्लामी झंडे, OpIndia Ground Report

The same report can be read here in English: Steady rise in mazars and madarsas adjoining Buddhist places of worship in UP’s Shravasti near Indo-Nepal border: Ground report

The fifth report in this series can be read here in Hindi: महाराणा प्रताप के साथ लड़ी थारू जनजाति बहुल गाँव में 3 मस्जिद, 1 मदरसा: भारत-नेपाल सीमा पर बढ़ती मुस्लिम आबादी का ये है ‘पैटर्न’ – OpIndia Ground Report

The same report can be read here in English: Rising number of mosques, madarsa along Indo-Nepal border: Ground report on Islamisation of village of Tharu tribe that fought along Maharana Pratap

The sixth report in this series can be read here in Hindi: बौद्ध-जैन मंदिरों के बीच दरगाह बनाई, जिस मजार को पुलिस ने किया ध्वस्त… वो फिर चकमकाई: नेपाल सीमा पर बढ़ती मुस्लिम आबादी – OpIndia Ground Report

The seventh report in this series can be read here in Hindi: हनुमान गढ़ी की जमीन पर कब्जा, झारखंडी मंदिर सरोवर में ताजिया: नेपाल सीमा पर बढ़ती मुस्लिम आबादी, असर UP के बलरामपुर में – OpIndia Ground Report

Delhi: 2 AAP MLAs convicted in a 7-year-old case of rioting and assaulting policemen

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi: 2 AAP MLAs convicted in a 7-year-old case of rioting and assaulting policemen

Two Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs Akhilesh Pati Tripathi and Sanjeev Jha, and 15 others have been convicted in a 7-year-old case by Rouse Avenue Court’s Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate. The two MLAs have been found guilty of rioting and injuring police personnel at a police station in Delhi in 2015.

The MLAs were part of a mob that attacked policemen at Burari police station in Delhi in February 2015 over allegations that the police is not acting in a kidnapping case. Police said that the mob was asking them to hand over the accused persons to them so that they themselves can act against the accused. When denied, the mob attacked the on-duty police officers.

The court noted that the 2 MLAs were not only a part of the mob, but they were actively provoking and instigating the crowd.

The court in its judgment said, “This court is of the view that the prosecution has been able to establish that both the accused persons namely Sanjeev Jha and Akhilesh Pati Tripathi were present at the spot when the crowd turned violent and in fact had played a major role in provoking and instigating the crowd.” 

Along with the 2 AAP MLAs, 15 others were also found guilty by the court. They were found guilty under Sections 147 (rioting), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), and 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence commit­ted in the prosecution of common object) of Indian Penal Code.

The quantum of the punishment will be announced on September 21 by the court.

This is the latest legal setback for the Aam Aadmi Party which is currently ruling Delhi. Their Health Minister, Satyendra Jain, is still in custody for money laundering, while their Education Minister Manish Sisodia is also under the CBI scanner for the alleged Excise Policy scam.

Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan’s PA held with live cartridges at Patna Airport

OpIndia Staff
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Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan’s PA held with live cartridges at Patna Airport

On Sunday, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Amanatullah Khan’s Personal Assistant was caught with live cartridges at the Jai Prakash Narayan International Airport in Patna. Noman Ahmed, a resident of Abul Fazal Enclave, Shaheen Bagh, Delhi, has been identified as the passenger.

Noman Ahmed had arrived at the airport to catch a Spice Jet flight to Delhi. When the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officials searched his hand baggage, they discovered a 7.65 mm live cartridge. CISF couldn’t find any weapon license with Noman to explain the live cartridge. He was handed over to Patna Airport Police after the discovery.

During the police investigation, Noman revealed that he is the PA to Delhi’s Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan. He had arrived in Patna with the bag of Amanatullah Khan’s Personal Security Officer (PSO).

According to an airport official, Noman Ahmed had a ticket for Spice Jet flight SG-8390 to Delhi at 9:20 PM on Sunday. Following check-in, at around 8.23 PM, CISF officials searched his handbag in the security hold area. During the security check, a cartridge was found in his bag. During interrogation, Noman could not disclose any information regarding the cartridge. After which his journey was cancelled and he was handed over to Patna Airport Police. Further details in the matter are awaited.

Siddique Kappan bail: PFI celebrates the release of UAPA-accused journalist; his friend reportedly threatens witnesses of “dire consequences”

OpIndia Staff
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Siddique Kappan bail: PFI celebrates the release of UAPA-accused journalist; his friend reportedly threatens witnesses of “dire consequences”

Islamist organisation Popular Front of India celebrated the release of controversial journalist Siddique Kappan, who was granted bail by the Supreme Court earlier last week after being arrested in 2020 arrested while he was allegedly proceeding to cover the Hathras case of alleged rape & murder of a 19-year-old Dalit woman, was using the garb of journalism to create a caste divide and law & order disturbance in the state.

PFI chairman O M A Salam issued a statement hailing the apex court’s decision to grant bail to Kappan and said it was a relief for people everywhere who voiced for justice. 

“The judgement will reaffirm the trust in the judiciary and is a source of hope for political prisoners across the country”, Salam said as per the official Twitter account of PFI that shared its chairman’s statement over Kappan’s release. 

Salam, who leads the organisation accused of grievous crimes, including arranging funds to carry out violent protests in India, said the charges against Kappan were fabricated and that the UP police had been obstructing his bail to deflect public outrage from the gang rape that had taken place in the Hathras district. 

“Right-minded people in the country and outside have voiced against the unjust incarceration of Kappan and this is a moment of relief for them all. Let’s hope that this will end the ordeal of Kappan and his family soon and lead to the freedom of other innocents” Salam said.

The statement celebrating Kappan’s release came from PFI months after liberals embedded in mainstream media organisations desperately tried to portray the contentious journalist as a stellar scribe wronged by the state and attempted to scrub clean his links with the Islamist outfit. 

Best friend of Siddique Kappan threatening witnesses of “dire consequences”

Meanwhile, a report published in Janmabhumi highlighted how Kappan’s friends and associates have felt empowered after the court ordered his bail earlier last week. According to the report, Kappan’s best friend, Rasheeduddin Alappatta, is threatening the witnesses in the Kappan case. Rasheeduddin is the former Delhi Bureau Chief of Media One. Threats have been made against the Manorama correspondent and two other journalists. A Facebook post has been posted with the threat of ‘dire consequences’ to witnesses testifying in the Kappan case. 

Rasheed has reportedly said that Kappan told his wife that journalists with Manorama and other organisations had tipped the UP Police during his visit to Hathras close to two years ago. As per Rasheed, Kappan was framed by those involved with the Journalists’ Union and had worked at Media One and Manorama. 

It is worth noting that Rasheeduddin is the same man who conducted interviews with Kashmiri terrorists, videos of which were submitted by Pakistan to the UN to back their efforts in maligning the Indian Armed Forces and accusing them of committing atrocities against the natives.

SC grants bail to Siddique Kappan

On 9th September 2022, the Supreme Court granted bail to so-called journalist Siddique Kappan who is accused of planning to incite riots over the Hathras case. The court has asked him to deposit his passport and mark regular attendance at the police station as he is released on bail close to 2 years after his arrest.

Siddique Kappan was arrested by the UP Police on October 5, 2020, while he was proceeding to cover the Hathras case where a 19-year-old Dalit woman had died after a strangulation attempt. He was arrested along with three other persons, under stringent sections of UAPA and sedition charges for attempting to create a caste conflict in the state amidst the Hathras case controversy.

Dargah and mazar built around Buddhist and Jain temple premises, illegal mazar once demolished surfaces again: UP’s Shravasti near Nepal border

राहुल पाण्डेय
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Dargah and mazar built around Buddhist and Jain temple premises, illegal mazar once demolished surfaces again: UP’s Shravasti near Nepal border

Several recent reports have shown that demography is changing rapidly along India’s border with Nepal. The number of mosques and madarsas is constantly increasing. From August 20 to 27, 2022, an OpIndia team visited several areas in Nepal bordering India to observe the ground situation. What follows here is the sixth episode of the series of reports documenting the facts noticed by the OpIndia team.

Shravasti district is one of the districts of Uttar Pradesh. Shravasti was the capital of the ancient Indian kingdom of Kosala where Gautam Buddha spent most of his time after attaining enlightenment. It is near the Rapti river in the northeastern part of Uttar Pradesh India, close to the Nepal border. We learned during our visit to the area, that in Shravasti, it is very common to find mosques and madrasas next to Buddhist temples and places of faith. The majority of the settlements near Angulimal Cave are predominantly Muslim.

As we were exploring the area, we noticed a large mosque (dargah) named Meera Shah adjacent to the Angulimal cave. What is the relevance of a mazar right next to a Buddhist temple? We attempted to learn about the history of the area from people there, including the Khadim and Dargah’s custodian, in order to acquire answers to our questions.

Devotees from India, as well as Nepal, visit the Dargah every year on Basant Panchami

Mushtaq Ahmed, the mosque head, told OpIndia that every Jummerat, a wider set of devotees visit the Dargah. Salana Urs is also celebrated at the mosque every year on Basant Panchami or Saraswati Puja, the Hindu festival that is celebrated on the Panchami Tithi (fifth day) in the month of Magh (a Hindu calendar month corresponding to January/February in the Gregorian calendar).

According to Mushtaq Ahmed, hundreds of visitors converge at the dargah on this day not just from India but also from Nepal. The visitors belong to both the Hindu and Muslim communities, said Ahmed adding that the government deploys home guards, police and other personnel to regulate the throng.

Meera Shah Dargah situated near a Buddhist temple in UP’s Shravasti district

Mushtaq also informed us that Hazrat Meera Shah’s dargah is linked to the Dargah of Hazrat Ghazi Saiyyad Salar Masud in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh. Alluding to Salar Ghazi as the supreme authority, Mushtaq stated that these mazars have been present since the time Bahraich’s Dargah Sharif existed.

According to Mushtaq Ahmed, the dargah was registered with the Waqf Board and is overseen by a committee. He named Jawwad and Naib Sadar Mushtaq Raza the two chieftains of the dargah. We noticed that the dargah was adorned with Islamic flags.

Dargah adorned with rad and green Islamic flags

Dargah should receive facilities akin to Buddhist and Jain temples, demands Mushtaq Ahmed, the mosque caretaker

In response to the security and other public services made available to nearby Buddhist temples, the dargah’s patron Mushtaq remarked that the dargah is deprived of basic amenities. He claimed that anyone visiting the dargah has to sleep in the open because there are no facilities. Mushtaq observed that the Dargah committee handles everything.

Mushtaq Ahmed noted that the dargah has not received any government aid despite repeated requests. He added that he alerted the Waqf Board about the same, which, in turn, presented the demands before the state government. The government, he believes, should construct a concrete boundary for the dargah and provide all public facilities within it. While bemoaning the lack of amenities, Mushtaq referenced a Jain temple 200 metres away from the dargah, which he described as well provisioned with all government resources and facilities.

Taps installed by the Government for local villagers, placed inside the dargah

When we asked about the bulbs that illuminated the dargah, Mushtaq Ahmed said the government was yet to provide them with electricity. According to Mushtaq, the Dargah committee has put solar light panels in the mosque at their own expense.

Besides, we noticed four government taps and four government dustbins, that were meant to be used in the village, installed inside the Dargah campus. When we inquired, Mushtaq said that earlier he was the head representative of Hussainjot village and stated that the taps and dustbins were installed from supplies provided for the village. Additionally, a generator had also been installed at the dargah to run the submersible pump.

Hand pump inside the dargah

BSP MP promised to provide facilities to the dargah: Mushtaq

Ram Shiromani Verma, the local MP of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), has shown his support for Ahmed, the dargah’s patron. According to Mushtaq, the BSP MP has assured all of them that he will fully assist in obtaining all government amenities for the dargah. Expressing his displeasure that the BSP MP didn’t adhere to his long-standing commitment, Mushtaq said that they would all go and remind him about his promise once again.

Women are not permitted in the dargah

Khadim Jawwad Ali of Mira Shah Dargah stated that as per the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) women are not allowed to enter the Dargah. When we questioned him if Allah will grant the wishes of such women who violate Shariat law by entering the Dargah, he replied in the affirmative. “Of course, it will be,” said Jawwad Ali.

Maulana wearing saffron gamcha

One thing we observed about this mazar was that the Hindu devotee whom Ahmed, the mazar’s patron, led us to talk to was clothed in saffron. He introduced himself as Harihar Baba and described himself as a follower of Meera Shah Dargah. At the same time, someone who looked like another Maulana had a saffron gamcha (scarf) wrapped around his neck.

Dargah’s caretaker Mustaq Ahmed (R), another Maulana with saffron gamcha around his neck (back)

Illaglly constructed Mazar demolished by authorities reappears

OpIndia learnt that in 2018, the Shravasti Police had written a letter alerting the Archaeological Department regarding the number of illegally built places of worship mushrooming rapidly in the area. However, what action the Department of Archeology took in response to the letter is not yet known, but it will be updated as soon as it becomes available.

We were also told that a Mazar, which was illegally built close to the road near this dargah, was removed by the district administration in the year 2020. However, the demolished tomb has since been reconstructed and people have started swarming the place.

A creeping Islamisation of Nepal and its border areas appears to be underway, with Islamists steadily establishing their foothold in distant villages, including those on the Indian border. In the first four parts of this series, OpIndia documented the demography change ongoing in Nepal, as well as the worrying surge in the number of mosques and madrasas in the Himalayan nation’s border villages. Additionally, we also spoke about the rising incidences of love jihad in Nepal, as well as its Delhi connection and smuggling and various other notorious activities that are threatening India’s border with Nepal.

The first report in this series can be read here in Hindi: कभी था हिंदू बहुल गाँव, अब स्वस्तिक चिह्न वाले घर पर 786 का निशान: भारत के उस पार भी डेमोग्राफी चेंज, नेपाल में घुसते ही मस्जिद, मदरसा और इस्लाम – OpIndia Ground Report

The same report can be read here in English: Demographic change hits other side of the border too, Mosques and Madarasas mushroom in former Hindu dominated areas in Nepal: Ground report

The second report in this series can be read here in Hindi:  घरों पर चाँद-तारे वाले हरे झंडे, मस्जिद-मदरसे, कारोबार में भी दखल: मुस्लिम आबादी बढ़ने के साथ ही नेपाल में कपिलवस्तु के ‘कृष्णा नगर’ पर गाढ़ा हुआ इस्लामी रंग – OpIndia Ground Report

The same report can be read here in English: Islamic flags flying atop houses and mosques, madarsas influencing businesses: The creeping Islamisation of Nepal’s Krishnanagar

The third report in this series can be read here in Hindi:  नेपाल में लव जिहाद: बढ़ती मुस्लिम आबादी और नेपाली लड़कियों से निकाह के खेल में ‘दिल्ली कनेक्शन’, तस्कर-गिरोह भारतीय सीमा पर खतरा – OpIndia Ground Report

The same report can be read here in English: Rising cases of love jihad in Nepal and its Delhi connection, smuggling plaguing India’s border with Nepal: Ground report

The fourth report in this series can be read here in Hindi: बौद्ध आस्था के केंद्र हों या तालाब… हर जगह मजार: श्रावस्ती में घरों की छत पर लहरा रहे इस्लामी झंडे, OpIndia Ground Report

The same report can be read here in English: Steady rise in mazars and madarsas adjoining Buddhist places of worship in UP’s Shravasti near Indo-Nepal border: Ground report

The fifth report in this series can be read here in Hindi: महाराणा प्रताप के साथ लड़ी थारू जनजाति बहुल गाँव में 3 मस्जिद, 1 मदरसा: भारत-नेपाल सीमा पर बढ़ती मुस्लिम आबादी का ये है ‘पैटर्न’ – OpIndia Ground Report

The same report can be read here in English: Rising number of mosques, madarsa along Indo-Nepal border: Ground report on Islamisation of village of Tharu tribe that fought along Maharana Pratap

The sixth report in this series can be read here in Hindi: बौद्ध-जैन मंदिरों के बीच दरगाह बनाई, जिस मजार को पुलिस ने किया ध्वस्त… वो फिर चकमकाई: नेपाल सीमा पर बढ़ती मुस्लिम आबादी – OpIndia Ground Report

Punjab: Police initiates probe after video of a woman under the influence of drugs goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab: Police initiates probe after video of a woman under the influence of drugs goes viral

A video of a young woman from Amritsar, who is visibly under the influence of drugs and struggles to move, has gone viral on social media. The reports suggest she allegedly ‘injected herself with smack’. The Punjab Police has initiated a probe in the matter. The video is believed to be from the Maqboolpura locality of the Amritsar East constituency.

In the video, the young woman dressed in a red suit and wearing chooda was almost in a state of unconsciousness as she stood in the middle of the road unable to move. She was trying to walk but she was under such a strong influence of the drugs that she could not take even a single step.

The man recording the video talked about the sad state of the region that has been plagued by cases of drug abuse. The man was heard saying that the condition of the woman was because of the smack that she injected herself with.

Following the video that went viral on social media, the Police initiated a search operation in the area. As per reports, three people were detained by the Police, and drugs were recovered from them. A case has been filed under appropriate sections by the Police.

Police commissioner Arun Pal Singh said in a statement that the government of Punjab is trying to tackle the drug problem in the state. He added that the person who shot the video should have informed the Police about the incident instead of uploading the video on social media.

He urged people and the media to inform the Police department about such cases or any other crime. He further added that the Police have registered 483 cases under NTPC Act and arrested 650 people since April 1. Commissioner Singh said without the support of the Public it is not possible to eradicate drug abuse from the state.

One more video was uploaded on social media by journalist Nikhil Choudhary in which a woman said she has been taking drugs for 10-11 years. She further added she visited Maqboolpura as drugs are easily available in the area.

In recent times, there have been several cases of drug abuse in the region. The Police launched several de-addiction drives in the area to change the situation.

‘It is Congress Yatra, not UPA Yatra’: Ajit Pawar on NCP staying out of Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra

OpIndia Staff
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‘It is Congress Yatra, not UPA Yatra’: Ajit Pawar on NCP staying out of Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra

Former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar reacted to the Congress’s ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ on Monday, saying it was the party’s own campaign and not the collective effort of the United Progressive Alliance.

When asked if the Opposition parties backed Rahul Gandhi’s 150-day Container Yatra, Ajit Pawar said, “Congress started Bharat Jodo Yatra, they started on their own. It’s not the UPA’s Bharat Jodo Yatra and they won’t ask us about it.” The response by Pawar comes at a time when Congress has been slammed for the so-called Bharat Jodo Yatra and the intent behind the move is questioned by several political parties.

On September 7, Rahul Gandhi, together with other political personalities, Congress members, and other ‘activists,’ started the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra.’ It started in Kanyakumari and is expected to end in Kashmir after 150 days. The Yatra will cover 3,500 kilometres and pass through 12 states.

Though the party claims to be trying to avoid disruptions during the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra,’ it has made headlines for all the wrong reasons from the outset. The luxurious containers in which the leaders sleep, the involvement of so-called activists such as Yogendra Yadav, and the inclusion of anti-Hindu speakers such as George Ponnaiah have all raised eyebrows.

During a press briefing over his ‘Bharat Jodo yatra’ in Tamil Nadu, Rahul Gandhi recently stated, “we’re not fighting anymore a political party. It’s now between the structure of the Indian state & opposition.”

Talking to the reporters, Rahul Gandhi further said, “As I’ve said, the BJP has taken control of all the institutions of this country. They have inserted most of their people in most of the institutions. They pressurize through these institutions. You know the role of the CBI, of the ED, of the Income Tax Department. You know how they deal with these things. So, we’re not fighting anymore a political party. We used to fight a political party. Now the fight is between the structure of the Indian state and the opposition.”

Actor Prabhas to do Ravan Dahan during the iconic Luv Kush Ramlila at the Red Fort in Delhi

OpIndia Staff
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Actor Prabhas to do Ravan Dahan during the iconic Luv Kush Ramlila at the Red Fort in Delhi

According to reports, Telugu actor Prabhas will be in Delhi on the eve of Dussehra to burn the effigy of Ravan at the historic Luv Kush Ramlila at the Red Fort. Arjun Kumar, chairman of the Lav Kush Ramlila committee, confirmed this news. According to sources, in addition to Prabhas, several other actors from the south are expected to be gracing the Dussehra celebration this year.

Speaking about the reason why Prabhas has been chosen to be the guest, Arjun Kumar said, “Besides being a very popular name in the south film industry, Prabhas has been doing projects which are deep-rooted in our Indian history. He did Baahubali films and will be seen playing the role of Ram in his upcoming project, Adipurush. So, we felt he is the best choice to do Ravan Dahan this year.”

“Another reason we extended an invite to Prabhas is that because he is so popular, and actors from the South film industry have gained so much popularity all across India today. So, Prabhas is the biggest extension this year,” Arjun Kumar added. “While we are yet to invite other celebrities, and as of now, we are happy that Prabhas is coming. With him being present for the celebration, he will also attract a newer generation and younger people towards our culture,” he further added.

Arjun Kumar has stated that there will be three effigies, one for Raavan, one for Kumbhkaran, and one for Meghnaad, and Prabhas will shoot his arrow into the air to light each of them off. He also stated that this year’s effigies will be 100 feet tall. The Luv Kush Ramlila committee has also invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Draupadi Murmu, whose presence has not been confirmed yet.

It is worth noting that Prabhas is now promoting his upcoming film Adipurush, which is based on the Hindu epic Ramayana. In addition to Prabhas, Sonal Chauhan, Saif Ali Khan, and Kriti Sanon have been cast in key roles in the film. The film is produced by T-Series Films and Retrophiles, and was shot in both Hindi and Telugu at the same time. There will also be dubbed versions in Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada.

The movie, which is based on the legendary historical epic Ramayana, would star Prabhas as Raghava (Ram), Kriti Sanon as Janaki (Sita), and Saif Ali Khan as Lankesh (Ravana). Adipurush is set to release in theatres on January 12, 2023.

Shri Ram’s homecoming: Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla to be done in the newly built temple in Ayodhya by Makar Sankranti 2024

OpIndia Staff
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Shri Ram’s homecoming: Pran Pratishtha of Ram Lalla to be done in the newly built temple in Ayodhya by Makar Sankranti 2024

The idol of Lord Ram in Ayodhya, which has waited for close to 500 hundred years, will be returning to its rightful abode in January 2024, media reports say.

According to the reports, the construction of the new Ram Mandir will be completed by December 2023, and Lord Ram is expected to be seated in the Garbhagriha around the Makar Sankranthi festival in January 2024, months before the 2024 general elections.

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the body that is looking after the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, took the decision during a meeting held at the Faizabad Circuit House. As per sources, the construction of the sanctum sanctorum and one floor of the Ram Temple will be completed by December 2023. In the meeting, the Trust also decided to construct seven more temples within the temple premises. These smaller temples will be dedicated to various seers and rishis from the Ramayana such as Devi Shabri.

“The construction of the temple is expected to be completed by December 2023 and Lord Ram is expected to be seated in the sanctum sanctorum by the Makar Sankranti festival in January 2024,” general secretary of the trust, Champat Rai, said.

“The trust has also decided to make space for idols of prominent Hindu seers and the main characters from the Ramayana period in the temple complex,” Rai further added.

It is also reported that 40 per cent of the construction work has been completed so far, and the trust has estimated that the construction cost of the Ram Temple will be about Rs 1800 crore.

The date of installation is also in accordance with the announcement made by VHP earlier this year, when it said that the foundation stone of the sanctum sanctorum would be laid on June 1, and the deity would be installed in January 2024.

Ram Mandir construction began with PM Modi laying the foundation stone, temple to be built such as the first rays of Sun to fall on Ram idol

It is worth noting that the construction of the Ram Temple began on 5 August 2020, with Prime Minister Modi laying the foundation stone.

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra (SRJBTK), the authority in charge of Ram Mandir’s operations, is supervising the temple’s construction. Former IAS Nripendra Mishra is the chairman of the construction committee.

Larsen & Toubro is the main contractor for the construction of the temple and the ramparts, while Tata Consulting Engineers has been hired as the project management consultant, while four other engineers four engineers Jagdish Aphale (IIT- Mumbai), Girish Sahastrabhujani (IIT-Mumbai), Jagannathji (from Aurangabad), and Avinash Sangamnerkar (from Nagpur) are also working voluntarily on behalf of the Trust.

The entire project is projected to cost between 900 and 1,000 crores to build and will be spread over 110 acres of land. The temple complex will also include a museum, a research centre, and an archival centre. By December 2023, the temple’s lower floor, which will house the sanctum sanctorum and a Ram Lalla idol, would be ready for worship.

Meanwhile, Acharya Satyendra Das, the head priest of the Ram temple, had said that the temple was being constructed in such a way that the first rays of the Sun fell on the idol of Lord Ram.

“The devotees are expecting a huge and beautiful temple. The temple is being constructed in such a way that when there is a sunrise, the first rays should fall on Lord Ram,” he said in May 2022. “The sanctum sanctorum is being made of red stone. The Chief Minister will visit here to place that stone. The prayers will go on for nine days. The red stones are being installed to give people peace.”

AAP replicating Punjab model in Gujarat? Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal accepts an ‘impromptu’ dinner invitation from an autorickshaw driver

OpIndia Staff
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AAP replicating Punjab model in Gujarat? Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal accepts an ‘impromptu’ dinner invitation from an autorickshaw driver

With Gujarat Assembly elections just months away, the Aam Aadmi Party seemed to have upped their PR stunts to strike an emotional chord with the citizens of a state it is desperately seeking to make inroads in, especially with the absence of a formidable opponent. To this end, they have relied on replicating the Punjab model, where Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal had accepted a dinner invitation made by an auto-rickshaw driver who later turned out to be a committed AAP worker.

A similar kind of PR stunt took place at a recent AAP meeting in Gujarat, where an auto-rickshaw driver invited Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal over for dinner. Kejriwal could not hide his enthusiasm at the invitation and agreed to have dinner at the said auto rickshaw driver’s house. The official Twitter handle of AAP shared the video of the interaction on the microblogging website, trying to create an impression that AAP is gaining popularity among the masses in Gujarat.

In the video, Kejriwal gloats over how auto rickshaw drivers in Punjab loved him, and now auto rickshaw drivers in Gujarat are also showering their love on him. He then goes on to ask at what time the auto-rickshaw driver will come to fetch him from his hotel and if his two trusted aides can accompany him to the auto driver’s house for dinner. The auto driver accepts Kejriwal’s request and agrees to collect him and his trusted aides from their hotel at 8 pm.

While the Aam Aadmi Party and Arvind Kejriwal would have us believe that the entire interaction was genuine and unscripted, the eerie similarity it bears with what had transpired at an AAP conference in Punjab, where an auto-rickshaw driver had invited the AAP supremo over to his place for dinner.

On 22 November 2021, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had dinner at an auto driver’s house in Ludhiana. As per his story, the auto driver had invited him for dinner, and Bhagwant Mann and Harpal Singh Cheema accompanied the Delhi CM. The alleged feel-good story being run by AAP’s leadership has a twist, though. According to Hindi daily Dainik Bhaskar, the auto driver, identified as Dilip Kumar Tiwari, has been associated with Aam Aadmi Party for a long time.

However, as per a Bhaskar report, Mahendra Kumar Tiwari, elder brother of the auto driver, was a long time member of AAP and has been attending party’s programs regularly. Dilip also attended these programs with his elder brother.

A carefully made video of the entire incident, with emotional background music and special effects, was shared by AAP’s social media handles, showing how the Delhi CM accepted the impromptu invite by a ‘common man’ auto driver for dinner.

After having the meal at Dilip’s house, Kejriwal praised the food and said it was the same as he likes, without chillies. The reports suggest after getting photographs clicked with the family members, Kejriwal and his team left in the Innova Crysta vehicle donning Delhi number that was, interestingly, already parked outside Dilip’s house before Kejriwal arrived.

With registering a stunning success in Punjab, Kejriwal and company seemed inclined to replicate every propaganda and PR tactic in Gujarat that it had employed in the north Indian state, including organising ‘impromptu’ dinner invites with seemingly ordinary folks but possibly linked to the party in some capacity.

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