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‘The party high-command culture to expire soon’: Shashi Tharoor bats for workers taking party decisions rather than top leaders. What he said

OpIndia Staff
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‘The party high-command culture to expire soon’: Shashi Tharoor bats for workers taking party decisions rather than top leaders. What he said

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who has filed his nomination for the post of Congress president, said that the expiry date of the ‘high command’ culture has come closer. Shashi Tharoor made this statement on 30th September 2022 in an interview with ABP News.

Shashi Tharoor said that it is time that the party’s decisions be taken from the bottom and not from the top. Earlier, every decision was from the top, which was not right, he said. On being asked why he is contesting the election, Tharoor said, “Elections in our party are very good for India’s democracy. This is not a fight of enemies, we have worked together. Everyone is fighting elections together in a good atmosphere. India needs a strong opposition.”

He further said, “We have to pull back our voters. It is not that all have become staunch Hindutvawadis and will vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party. Many people are dissatisfied with the BJP, and they want to see whether the Congress is successful or not. I want to show that there should be a change in Congress.”

When asked about what is his opinion about the G-23 group of senior Congress leaders, Shashi Tharoor said, “There was no such group. It is in the minds of the media. Senior Congress leaders had written a letter. All those who were in Delhi had signed that letter. At that time only 23 people were in Delhi, so it is called G-23. Many of them have left Congress. I have always given many suggestions to the Congress high-command and said that there is a need for reform within our party. I had raised questions before the G-23 as well.”

Shashi Tharoor also expressed his views on top leaders leaving the party and the need to consider party workers while making any decisions. He said, “When so many people have left the party, it is time to implement the new model. In this, we should provide strength to the workers on the ground. Let them decide what their future will be. Socializing should increase and the grievances of the workers should be heard. Whenever a big decision is taken by the top leadership, it should be discussed with the party workers first.”

Shashi Tharoor was also asked, in this interview, about how he will revive the party organization if he becomes the president. He told in his answer to this question, “There is a need for de-centralization within the party. It has been a habit in the party for years that everything is fixed in Delhi. The party members come from blocks, districts, and states. The party should be strong there. No ground worker in the party has authority and all decisions are made at the top. It should be left to the states to do their job. Nowadays, the name of district Congress presidents is also decided from Delhi, whereas, its authority should be with the state office-bearer.”

Bihar: BJP leader and contractor Bablu Singh shot by two masked miscreants in broad daylight in Arrah

OpIndia Staff
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Bihar: BJP leader and contractor Bablu Singh shot by two masked miscreants in broad daylight in Arrah

On Friday, BJP leader and contractor Bablu Singh was shot in broad daylight by two masked criminals in the Arrah city of Bihar. Singh was shot from a very close range while he was on his morning walk. He was immediately shifted to the local hospital where he is undergoing treatment.

According to the reports, the doctors have removed the bullet from the body of the BJP leader and have decided to keep him under observation for three days. Superintendent of Police Himanshu confirmed the incident and said that the health condition of Singh is stable now and that the police investigation into the case is underway.

The incident happened on September 30 when the victim was exercising in the Friends colony of the city. Two masked criminals carrying guns arrived on a bike and shot at Bablu, injuring him severely. Reports mention that Singh and his family were being threatened by the head of Agiaon Panchayat and that the attack was also executed by the same persons.

Bablu Singh (42), son of Ramesh Singh and Prema Devi belongs to Agiaon village and had been staying at the Friends colony in Arrah district of Bihar. He is a contractor by profession and has executed a few national highway projects in the state. Prema Devi is the former head of Agiaon Panchayat. According to the reports, the attack was planned and executed as a result of the ongoing dispute in the Agiaon village.

Ritesh Kumar Singh alias Bhuar Singh, brother of the victim, stated that a project was undertaken by the Panchayat under some government scheme. One of the persons from the village had opposed the project and had alleged that the administration money was being misused by the current head of the Agiaon Panchayat. Bablu then demanded an investigation into the case and asked the villagers to call the police.

Following this, the son of the Agiaon Panchayat head threatened to shoot Bablu and his family members. Bablu had also informed the local police and the Superintendent of police about the threats issued by the family member of the Agiaon Panchayat head. However, Bablu was shot by two armed men in the Friends colony, Arrah on Friday.

The Arrah Police have taken cognizance of the event and have assured a proper investigation in the case. “We are looking for the CCTV footage. The affected person just isn’t in a position to communicate. The exact trail of incidents will be confirmed only after the statement of the victim is recorded”, the Police added. Meanwhile, Ritesh, the brother of the victim, has accused the son of the present head of Agiaon Panchayat of attacking Bablu Singh.

Return of Jungle Raj in Bihar after CM Nitish Kumar joined hands with RJD

To note, the incidents of murder, theft, and other crime have been on the rise since CM Nitish Kumar broke the alliance with BJP to join hands with the Rashtriya Janata Dal in the state. Earlier similar incidents were reported in which the criminals unapologetically shot innocents.

On September 15, unknown criminals shot dead a businessman in Bhagalpur, Bihar. According to the reports, the attackers had planned to kill the businessman and fired four bullets before fleeing from the spot.

Also, before that two bike-borne miscreants had carried out the firing at several places on National Highway 28 and 31 in Begusarai, Bihar. The miscreants had shot 11 innocent people while travelling over a distance.

On August 18, a vegetable vendor’s 15-year-old daughter was shot in the neck allegedly over a love affair in the Indrapuri area of Sipara in Patna. The incident happened at around 7:30 in the morning when the girl was returning from coaching classes.

On August 11, a journalist named Gokul Yadav was shot dead in broad daylight in Gopalganj. He was shot five times by five miscreants leading to his death on the spot.

On the same day, a Ram Janki temple priest named Rudal Sah was murdered in Bettiah, Bihar. While the objective of the murder is as yet unclear, reports mention that the murderers carried the severed head of the priest to Pipra Kali temple.

Also, the Buddha Toyota showroom was robbed of Rs 9 lakhs in Patna, Bihar. As reported, 12 miscreants had entered from the back door, killed a private security guard, and looted the showroom cash and 6 laptops.

Jamia Millia Islamia university student Zalal shoots another student Nauman Ali inside a hospital following a fight between two groups

OpIndia Staff
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Jamia Millia Islamia university student Zalal shoots another student Nauman Ali inside a hospital following a fight between two groups

On Thursday, September 30, a Jamia Millia Islamia University student was injured after allegedly being shot at by another student inside the Holy Family Hospital premises.

According to Delhi Police, a PCR call was received at Jamia Nagar police station at 9 pm on Thursday about a brawl at the library of the varsity campus.

Following an investigation, authorities discovered that the fight had occurred between two groups of students. Noman Chaudhary (26), a law student from Meerut’s Sardahan village, was injured in the head in the incident. He was sent to Holy Family Hospital to be treated.

According to the police, another student, Nauman Ali, a friend of Nauman Chaudhary, also went to the hospital to meet the latter. Meanwhile, one of the second group’s students, Zalal, a resident of Mewat, Haryana, arrived at the hospital with his friends and opened fire on Nauman Ali outside the Emergency ward of the hospital.

Nauman Ali received a superficial scalp injury, according to authorities. He has been transferred to the AIIMS Trauma Center, where he is undergoing treatment.

The police, meanwhile, have launched an investigation into the incident.

The crime scene is being examined by the investigation team. Legal actions have been initiated at the Jamia Nagar and New Friends Colony police stations, according to the police.

Notably, the Jamia Millia Islamia University students have often been at the heart of many controversies. Recently, Students at Jamia Millia Islamia University protested and shouted slogans after the college revoked admission of anti-Hindu Delhi riots accused Safoora Zargar. Provocative and aggressive slogans such as ‘RSS Ki Kabr Khudegi, Jamia Ki Dharti Par’ and ‘ABVP Ki Kabr Khudegi Jamia Ki Dharti Par’ were raised on the campus by a group of students waving banners and placards.

Safoora Zargar was booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for her alleged role in the conspiracy that led to the Delhi Riots in February. She was arrested in April 2020. The Delhi Police had claimed that she was part of the conspiracy to “destroy, destabilize and disintegrate the Government of India in order to compel to withdraw the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the alleged National Register of Citizens.”

Notably, following the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Act in December 2019, violent riots erupted across India, with universities such as Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University at the forefront of this anti-Hindu violence.

‘Is Bajwa the sports Minister’: Pakistanis slam their Chief of Army Staff for inaugurating a sports ground

OpIndia Staff
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‘Is Bajwa the sports Minister’: Pakistanis slam their Chief of Army Staff for inaugurating a sports ground

On Thursday (September 29), Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Bajwa courted controversy after inaugurating a newly renovated Chakala cricket ground in Rawalpindi.

In a statement, the media wing of the Pakistan army (ISPR) said, “The cricket ground was upgraded to provide state-of-the-art sports facility to cricket fans, especially to the youth of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.”

It further added, “The ground will be available to students and cricket clubs of the twin cities to promote the game of cricket and provide a healthy sports environment.” General Bajwa also applauded the Rawalpindi Corps’ effort in the renovation of the old cricket ground.

While the inauguration of sporting arenas and stadiums is done by government officials and sports authorities, the sight of the Pakistan Army chief overtaking the role left several Pakistanis shocked. Facebook users in Pakistan were angry at the Chief of Army Staff for clearly overstepping his role.

“Another milestone for our respected Chief, after PM, FM, now the Minister of Sports as well. We the general masses will never forget your services after your retirement but don’t go to Belgium after retirement. Keep the good job,” said Waqazz Ahmad.

“O Thank God now our Chief have Cricket ground to Play his game and crush his opponents in the stadium….. maybe now he will stop playing with Nation,” wrote Rasheed in a sarcastic tone.

Screengrab of the Facebook comments

Another Pakistani Facebook user, Wakar Baksh, lamented how the country’s army is incapable of resolving internal security issues but keen on poking its nose into every other issue.

“Which new player will be prepared in this lumber one ground who will be the Prime Minister of Pakistan? Earlier Imran Khan Niazi was prepared very well but he proved to be extremely incompetent…” said Shafait Ur Rehman.

Screengrab of the Facebook comments

Several Pakistani netizens pointed out that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) may lose its Chief Selector soon. “Now the cricket team chief selectors job is also in danger!” wrote one Aaqib Khan.

One Qazi Fahad asked, “Why do we have a sports minister if this is all to be done from their end?”

Screengrab of the Facebook comments

“MashAllah cricket, movies, songs, drama serials, housing, construction, banking, transport, hospitals, and schools such great performance in all fields and yet PM house gets bugged with hundreds of hours worth of sensitive audio conversations leaked,” wrote one Sarki Atta Shaan.

Pakistani user Umair Murtaza remarked, “Diversifying the empire even further with a new cricket venture…Fauji Cricket Company Limited (FCCL).”

Screengrab of the Facebook comments

Pakistanis slam their Air Force for wasting money on Independence Day songs

On August 14 this year, the Pakistani Air Force drew the ire of the citizens for releasing a brand new song on the occasion of the country’s Independence Day (also called Partition Horrors Remembrance Day in India).

The 4-minute long song was based on the theme of the cash-strapped country’s Diamond Jubilee of Independence. In a statement, PAF said, ” (The song is) a tribute to the courage and bravery of the soldiers of the Pakistan Air Force who created stories of bravery in air battles with the enemy and raised the prestige of the country.”

However, Pakistanis were not impressed with the theatrics of the PAF. They slammed the country’s Air Force over misplaced priorities at a time when the people are faced with economic distress.

While anticipating the reaction of the ordinary citizens, the official Youtube channel of the Pakistan Air Force turned off the comment section. However, this did not stop Pakistanis from venting their anger on social media posts about the new song of the PAF.

NCPCR points toward complaints from Punjab and Rajasthan about Christian priests converting children in the name of ‘healing’, asks to email evidence

OpIndia Staff
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NCPCR points toward complaints from Punjab and Rajasthan about Christian priests converting children in the name of ‘healing’, asks to email evidence

On Thursday, National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) chairman, Priyank Kanoongo tweeted that there have been several complaints concerning Christian priests promoting superstition in the name of treatment of children and pushing them towards conversion to Christianity.

“Some complaints have been received from Punjab and Rajasthan about priests spreading superstition in the name of treatment of children and deceiving them for conversion, action is being taken,” NCPCR chairman tweeted.

He further recommended people to send their complaints and recordings to “[email protected]” and refrain from sharing the videos on social media, in order to maintain the privacy of children.

It is important to note that the number of Christian sects is rapidly increasing in Punjab. These self-styled pastors and ‘ministers’ organize healing sessions or Changai Sabhas and often employ weird techniques to fool gullible people that Jesus Christ is healing their fatal illnesses and thus trick them into conversion.

Following two appalling incidents of atrocities against girls in Dumka, Jharkhand, Priyank Kanoongo had previously scheduled a visit to Dumka to meet with the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police.

“The Commission has learned of yet another alleged rape and murder of a young tribal girl on Friday by a guy by the name of Arman Ansari…under Mufassil police station. In its report, ANI cited an NCPCR official notification as saying, “The culprit, named Arman Ansari, has been apprehended and a complaint has been registered under relevant sections of the IPC, POCSO, and SC-ST Act.

“In addition to the scheduled visit of NCPCR team led by Shri Priyank Kanoongo, Chairperson, NCPCR to Dumka on September 5, 2022, as communicated by letter dated August 31, 2022, the team will also take notice of the status of the said incident on September 5, 2022, by convening a meeting with the DC, SP, Investigating Officer of the case, Doctors who conducted the autopsy of the minor victim girl, as well as to meet/interact with the family of the minor girl,” it added.

“Murder and rape case reported under the SC/ST Act and the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act. Armaan Ansari, the accused, was arrested. The Superintendent of Police for Dumka, Amber Lakra, indicated that soon after gathering evidence, a charge sheet would be filed.

In this case, a 14-year-old indigenous girl was found hanging from a tree.

Notably, the NCPCR chairman on September 5 had alleged that the Jharkhand government is being uncooperative and impeding the probe into the deaths of two young girls in separate incidents in Dumka district. The NCPCR director shared his difficulties contacting and visiting the victims’ relatives on Twitter.

In a tweet, Kanoongo wrote back then, “I have come to Dumka to investigate two cases, had informed the Jharkhand government earlier that the family of a Scheduled Tribe girl who was raped and hanged from a tree, will be visited by a team of @NCPCR_ on which the local collector had also consented.”

He continued, “And after deciding the program to go to the victim’s residence, the administration had confirmed us,” in a later tweet. However, when we arrived in their village and the parents were nowhere to be found, the neighbors informed us that the parents had been taken in a vehicle before we arrived. The government’s approach is very uncooperative and impeding the probe.

Controversial civil society organisation ‘People’s Union for Civil Liberties’ calls to revoke the ban on PFI

OpIndia Staff
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Controversial civil society organisation ‘People’s Union for Civil Liberties’ calls to revoke the ban on PFI

The controversial civil society outfit ‘People’s Union for Civil Liberties’ (PUCL) called on Thursday that the ban on the Popular Front of India (PFI) be lifted and that all detained individuals be released. PUCL is a fraternal organization of the People’s Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR). The People’s Union for Civil Liberties is the same organisation that has substantial links to Maoists, as OpIndia reported earlier.

The PUCL stated in a release that a dialogue with the PFI should be started. The organisation demanded that the authorities refrain from using their arrest powers arbitrarily to target Muslim youths based on their involvement or support of the PFI and its affiliates.

It urged that the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the NIA Act be repealed, but that in the meantime, the NIA Act be altered to guarantee that the State government concerned was contacted and approval was obtained before the NIA conducted a search or arrested a resident of that State.

According to the PFI, the PUCL stated that approximately 300-400 members of its cadre had been apprehended, with nearly the whole senior leadership and the Social and Democratic Party of India (SDPI) being detained.

The statement by PUCL reads, “The PUCL is deeply concerned about the implications for democracy and the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and association in the light of the ongoing ‘Operation Octopus’ which is being carried out against the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates, across the country as a joint operation of the CRPF, the home ministry, ATS, NIA, ED, RAW, State police, and other agencies. It has consisted of mass raids being carried out in two rounds, in more than 16 states of India over hundreds of locations and with over 300 arrests.”

“The raids, which have been conducted as a media spectacle showcasing massive state power, bodes ill for a constitutional democracy based on rule of law, pushing the Muslim community further into fear, intimidation, alienation, and silence,” it further adds.

PUCL and its ties with Urban Naxals

PUCL is a fraternal organization of the People’s Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR). The People’s Union for Civil Liberties is the same organisation that has extensive links to Maoists. ‘Urban Naxals’ who were arrested in the Elgar Parishad case and in connection with an alleged assassination plot against the Prime Minister are intimately linked with the PUCL. The PUCL and its associate organisations have a history of ties to Naxals and separatists in Kashmir as well as Manipur.

Over the years, numerous members of the organisations have been arrested for their links to Maoists. One of those raided in connection with the violence at Bhima Koregaon, Sudha Bharadwaj, is the General Secretary of the Chhattisgarh unit of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL). 

Father Stan Swamy was also associated with the PUCL. The narrative that PUCL propagates is quite often antithetical to a layman’s idea of civil society. Although the link is broken, on its website, it can be seen that the organization condemned the hanging of the Islamic terrorist Afzal Guru.

As per the report of Delhi PUCL for 2016-17, they assisted Islamist outfit PFI “in the matter relating to violation of their right to protest and their freedom of speech violated by the Delhi police on 5th Nov. 2017 in Delhi.”

‘Naxalite’ Binayak Sen was also the Vice President of the PUCL even after his conviction by Raipur Sessions Court. The West Bengal unit of PUCL also published a book exonerating Sen of all his crimes and branded him a “victim of state atrocity.”

Odisha: Congress MLA Md Moquim sentenced to 3 years of rigorous imprisonment in a loan fraud case, granted bail

OpIndia Staff
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Odisha: Congress MLA Md Moquim sentenced to 3 years of rigorous imprisonment in a loan fraud case, granted bail

In a 22-year-old loan fraud case, a special Vigilance court sentenced Congress MLA Md Moquim and sacked IAS officer Vinod Kumar to three years behind bars on Thursday. Moquim represents the Cuttack-Barabati Assembly Segment, and his status as a lawmaker is now being called into question as a result of the court’s decision. Nonetheless, the Congress leader was granted bail and stated that he will take the case to the high court.

Peeyush Mohanty, director of Metro Builders Private Limited, and Swosti Ranjan Mohapatra, a former company secretary of the Odisha Rural Housing and Development Corporation (ORHDC), were both imposed the same punishment in the case by the Court of Special Judge, Vigilance. The four convicts were sentenced to three years in prison and fined Rs 50,000 each. They would be imprisoned for an extra six months if they did not comply.

During Vinod Kumar’s tenure as ORHDC’s managing director, between January 4 and May 15, 2001, the loan scam took place. For its Metro City-II project, the state PSU approved Metro Builders’ request for a Rs 1.5 crore term loan, which it later received.

Kumar was not given financial power by the ORHDC board of directors at the time he approved the loan, nor was he permitted to sign the cheques. Neither the lending committee nor the board of directors of the ORHDC was presented with the loan proposal in favour of Metro Builders for approval. The Bhubaneswar Development Authority’s design, project estimate, and fire certificate, among other documents, were fabricated in order to get the financing without doing site verification.

The parties did not sign a tripartite agreement. The outstanding loan amount against Metro Builders as of October 31, 2007, was Rs 6,22,25,214. By forming a criminal conspiracy, all of the accused people caused enormous damage to the government and hence unlawful benefit to the builder.

17 witnesses were examined by the court before the judgement was announced. The Congress MLA responded to the sentencing by claiming that he had been set up in the case and that he would appeal to the High Court. The company had repaid Rs 1.26 crore of the Rs 1.5 crore, according to Moquim, who claimed that neither he nor his business had committed any wrongdoings. He said, “My bail has been granted, and I will move High Court against the ruling.”

Vigilance SP, M. Radhakrishna said, “The court of Special Judge (Vigilance), Bhubaneswar sentenced Cuttack MLA Moquim, former IAS officer and Managing Director of ORHDC, Vinod Kumar, Company Secretary, ORHDC  Swosti Ranjan Mohapatra, and realtor Peeyusdhari Mohanty, Director, Metro Builders Pvt. Ltd to three years RI and imposed a penalty of Rs 50,000 on each of them.”

Gujarat: Rickshaw driver who hosted Arvind Kejriwal for dinner attends PM Modi’s rally, says he is a BJP voter and a Modi fan

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat: Rickshaw driver who hosted Arvind Kejriwal for dinner attends PM Modi’s rally, says he is a BJP voter and a Modi fan

Vikram Dantani, an auto-rickshaw driver who invited AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal to his house over dinner earlier this month, was seen in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public meeting in Ahmedabad. 

Dantani, who was donning the saffron cap of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said he is a fan of PM Modi and has always been a BJP voter. He also added that he hailed from Dantaniwas locality, a traditional bastion of the BJP. 

Speaking to the media, Dantani said a bus full of people from Dantaninagar had come to PM Modi’s rally today. He also added that he was never aware that Kejriwal would do politics over visit to his home.

In his interview, the rickshaw driver also revealed that the invitation to Arvind Kejriwal during AAP’s meeting in Ahmedabad earlier this month was preplanned and he merely did what the auto-rickshaw union had asked him to do.

AAP’s PR stunt: Arvind Kejriwal accepts an auto-rickshaw driver’s invitation for dinner

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 asks when 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.

Khalistan supporter Amritpal Singh becomes president of deceased actor Deep Sidhu’s organization ‘Waris Punjab De’

OpIndia Staff
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Khalistan supporter Amritpal Singh becomes president of deceased actor Deep Sidhu’s organization ‘Waris Punjab De’

On Thursday, 29th September 2022, Khalistan supporter 29-year-old Amritpal Singh took charge as the president of ‘Waris Punjab De’ – an organization founded by deceased actor Deep Sidhu in September 2021. The organization aims to protect the rights of Punjab and raise social issues. Actor Deep Sidhu, one of the accused in the 2021 Republic Day riots, died in a road accident on 15th February 2022. The actor’s family has distanced itself from the new president Amritpal Singh who is known for openly endorsing Khalistan and slain Khalistani terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

Amritpal Singh was declared president of the ‘Waris Punjab De’ organization on Thursday in a ‘Turban Tying’ ceremony held at Moga’s Rode which happens to be the native village of the slain terrorist Bhindranwale. The program took place near Gurdwara Sant Khalsa which is built in Bhindranwale’s memory. Jasvir Singh Rode, a member of Bhindranwale’s family, attended the ceremony on Thursday, while his older brother Harcharan Singh Rode watched it online from the US.

Amritpal Singh and his speech promoting the idea of Khalistan

Addressing the public amidst the slogans of ‘Raj Karega Khalsa’, Amritpal Singh said, “Bhindranwale is my inspiration. I will walk the path shown by him. I want to be like him because that’s what every Sikh wants, but I am not copying him. I am not even equal to the dust of his feet.”

He further said, “Each drop of my blood is dedicated to the freedom of our community. Our battle started from this village in the past, future battles will also start from here. We all are still slaves. We have to fight for freedom. Our waters are being looted, our Guru is being disrespected. The entire youth of Punjab should be ready to give up their lives for the sect. People like Sidhu, who was on Guru’s duty, can never die in accidents. We know how he died, who killed him.”

Amritpal Singh was based in Dubai. He came back to Punjab months after Deep Sidhu’s death. He dresses like Bhindranwale and is accompanied by armed men. He will now be leading the organization formed by late actor Sandeep Singh alias Deep Sidhu. Deep Sidhu had described his organization as a pressure group to protect the rights and culture of Punjab, raise social issues such as health, and education, and raise voices against the dictatorship of Delhi.

Deep Sidhu’s family member denies any connection with the Khalistan supporter Amritpal Singh

However, Deep Sidhu’s family members have distanced themselves from Amritpal Singh’s appointment to the president’s post in this organization. Deep Sidhu’s brother Mandeep Singh Sidhu is an advocate in Ludhiana. He said that his family never made Amritpal Singh head of the organization.

Mandeep Singh Sidhu said, “We never met him before. Deep too never met him. He was in touch with Deep over the phone for some time but later Deep blocked him. We do not know how he has declared himself as head of my brother’s organization. He is misusing our name to propagate anti-social activities. He somehow got access to my brother’s social media accounts and started posting on them.” Notably, Mandeep Singh Sidhu had participated in the farmers’ protests with his deceased brother.

Mandeep Singh also underlined that his deceased brother was not a Khalistan supporter and it is Amritpal Singh who is going to create unrest in the state. He said, “My brother had made this organization for a social cause, to raise issues of Punjab and to provide legal aid to the needy, not to propagate Khalistan. Amritpal is talking about creating unrest in Punjab. He is befooling people using my brother’s and Khalistan’s name. My brother was not a separatist.”

Deep Sidhu himself was a Khalistan sympathizer

It is notable that Deep Sidhu was also a Khalistan sympathizer and was arrested last year in February after he participated in the desecration of the Red Fort after the tractor rally held by farmers that turned violent. The Khalistani supporters had brutally attacked the security personnel and police officials stationed at Red Fort, they had disrespected India’s national flag by hoisting two other flags with Sikh symbols on the Red Fort. Now Amritpal Singh has taken over his organization.

Madhya Pradesh: 8 Muslim youths arrested for entering Garba venues hiding identities after govt directed to check IDs at pandals

OpIndia Staff
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Madhya Pradesh: 8 Muslim youths arrested for entering Garba venues hiding identities after govt directed to check IDs at pandals

For the first time in Madhya Pradesh, the state government has directed the Navratri Garba organisers to allow entry only after checking the identity cards. In some places, ‘Non-Hindus Are Not Allowed To Enter’ posters are also put up outside Garba pandals. In the last two days, 8 Muslim youths have been arrested for entering Garba pandals by hiding their identity. Muslim youths are accused of clicking pictures and making obscene comments on Hindu girls.

Following the directions of the state government, the identity cards of participants are being checked and Tilak is applied on the forehead of those allowed entry in Ujjain. Posters have been put up outside the Garba venues saying that non-Hindus are not allowed in the pandal, and volunteers are checking ID documents like driving licence, Aadhaar card etc of the participants. However, they are particularly stringent about checking the identity of single men and are allowing families to enter the venue without checking ID. In Narmadaupuram, Kesariya Garba Utsav organisers have imposed a dress code. Men can only enter in kurta-pyjamas; women can enter in saree and salwar-suit. People are not allowed to enter the venue in jeans, trousers and t-shirts. Single men are also not allowed entry. Similarly, identities of Garba participants are checked in Bhopal also.

On September 8, the Culture Minister of State, Usha Thakur said that Garba Pandal has become the medium of love Jihad. Thus, an entry in Garba Pandals will be allowed only after an ID check. She also asserted that Garba dance is a form of worship of Ma Bhagvati and non-Hindus and especially those with malicious intentions of molesting Hindu women will not be allowed to enter Garba pandals.

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra in a media briefing said that “Navaratri is a festival of worshipping Ma Shakti and as Culture Minister Usha Thakur said, showing Identity card will be mandatory to enter Garba pandals, to avoid any untoward incident.”

In Nana Kheda in Ujjain, participants are allowed entry only after showing ID and applying Tilak. ‘Seva Hi Sankalp Sanskritik Samiti’ has put up posters with ’Non-Hindus Not Allowed To Enter’ written on it as per a report by Dainik Bhaskar. 

The team has been stationed outside the pandal at the main gate, according to committee president Bahadur Singh Rathore. Every movement is closely monitored by the team. Only once the Aadhar card or other identity card has been verified is access granted. Yes, individuals traveling with families shouldn’t encounter any issues, therefore admission is granted without inspection. The reason for doing this is to stop the molestation of girls in Garba.

In Bhopal, Collector Avinash Lavania has asked the Garba organizers to check identity cards before allowing access. If not, action will be taken against the organizers.

A Muslim youth was caught by Bajrang Dal on Thursday night in Indore’s Palsikar Colony Garba Pandal. Imran Khan is accused of making obscene comments on girls. He was handed over to the police after being beaten. He was brought to the police station by Raoji Bazar police.

On Wednesday, 7 Muslim youths were arrested by the police from the Garba pandal of Pandharinath in Indore. They were reportedly making videos of Hindu girls. The Bajrang activists requested the names and IDs of the suspected Muslim youths. The Muslim youngsters initially pretended to be Hindus and refused to even show ID; but, after further inquiry, after their genuine names were confirmed, they were handed over to the police. Under the prohibitory sections, a case was filed against Muslim youths.

In Khandwa, Kesariya Garba Mahotsav organiser Ritesh Kapoor told Dainik Bhaskar “be it, family or women, showing an ID card is mandatory to enter Garba pandal.”

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