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Ankita murder case: Accused Naeem had stalked, harassed and threatened another minor Hindu girl for conversion to Islam and Nikah

OpIndia Staff
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Ankita murder case: Accused Naeem had stalked, harassed and threatened another minor Hindu girl for conversion to Islam and Nikah

Following the murder of 15-year-old Hindu girl Ankita Kumari by a Muslim man named Shahrukh, new revelations are being made every day. It is now reported that the second accused in the case, identified as Mohammed Naeem, was linked to a group indulged in Grooming Jihad.

Advocate Priya Dutt told Hindi daily Dainik Jagran that there is an organization active in Dumka that is allegedly targeting Hindu girls. The Muslim men linked to the group trap young Hindu girls in love affairs and convert them to Islam on the pretext of marriage and happy life. Advocate Dutt lives in the same area.

A minor Hindu girl who was harassed and stalked by Naeem has come forward to tell her shocking story. The girl is a resident of the Kepatpada area in Dumka. She said when she used to go for coaching in 2021, Naeem not only molested her but also threatened her that if she refused his advances, he would harm her family. She further added that he continued to force her to give him her phone number.

The girl has further stated that she was once forcibly taken by Naeem to an unknown place. He took her to a room and imprisoned her. During that time, he pressured her to convert and marry. When she refused, he threatened to kill her and said he would sell her to his brother, who lives in Dubai.

Later, her family members filed a complaint against Naeem at Dumka Nagar Police station, who rescued the girl and filed a case under the POCSO act. He was sent to jail but was later released on bail. His family members threatened her parents to revoke the complaint filed against Naeem. She said, “Since my family came to know that Naeem was involved in the case, we are all scared.”

It is notable that following the arrest of Naeem, the investigating officer in the case said that Naeem was highly influenced by a banned Islamic Jihadi organization from Bangladesh named Ansar-ul-Bangla.

Reportedly, Naeem was supporting prime accused Shahrukh at every step in his harassment of the now deceased Ankita. During the interrogation of Naeem, he confessed that Shahrukh was his best friend and that they both had met on the evening of August 22 (hours before the attack). He said that Shahrukh was upset as Ankita was not responding positively to his (Shahrukh) friendship.

“Shahrukh told me that he would burn Ankita if she refused to talk to him”, Naeem said during the interrogation. He further confessed that he supported Shahrukh’s idea saying that it was the only punishment she deserved. Ankita was burnt alive on August 23 at 4 am when she was fast asleep in her bedroom. The duo threw petrol in her room through a window and set her on fire.

Ankita Kumari murder case

On August 23, Ankita Kumari was set ablaze by her stalker neighbour identified as Shahrukh Hussain and his friend Naeem in Dumka, Jharkhand. She died in the hospital while receiving treatment for her injuries on August 28.

Dumka Police confirms Ankita Singh was 15 years old when burnt alive, adds sections of POCSO against accused Shahrukh and Naeem

OpIndia Staff
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Dumka Police confirms Ankita Singh was 15 years old when burnt alive, adds sections of POCSO against accused Shahrukh and Naeem

On Thursday, the Jharkhand Police added the sections of the POCSO Act to the Ankita Singh murder case of Dumka. The girl was set on fire alive while she was asleep at 4 am in her home on August 23. The accused were identified as Shahrukh Hussain and Naeem alias Chotu were booked under the relevant sections of the IPC. Now, POCSO charges have been added to the case.

This is after the Jharkhand Child Welfare Committee took cognizance of the incident and revealed that Ankita who was studying in class 12 was a minor as per her birth documents and certificates. Earlier the Police had claimed that she was 19 years old when she died. However, the CWC brought out the deceased’s class 10 mark sheet which mentioned her date of birth as November 26, 2006.

The CWC maintained that the girl was a minor when the incident happened. It demanded strict action against the accused and said that the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 would be applied to the case. The Dumka Police launched a further investigation to confirm that Ankita was 15 years old during the incident.

According to the reports, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act provides stringent punishment to those engaging in sexual crimes against children along with the death penalty in cases of aggravated sexual assault. Earlier, the National Commission for Women (NCW) chief had also taken cognizance of the event and had written to the Director General of Police (DGP) asking for a fair probe and time-bound investigation into the case.

To note, 15-year-old Ankita Singh, was a resident of Dumka and was burnt alive by two accused named Shahrukh and Naeem. The accused allegedly poured the inflammable fuel on her from the window of her bedroom when she was fast asleep. She was taken to the hospital shortly after the incident and on August 28, she succumbed to her burn injuries.

Days after Ankita’s death, videos of her last words went viral over social media where she could be heard demanding painful death for the accused who set her on fire. “He should die the way I am dying today,” the Dumka girl had said who breathed her last at 2.30 am on Sunday.

‘Baithiye na’, ‘chaliye chhodiye’: The awkward and embarrassing conversation on stage between Nitish Kumar and KCR over the 2024 PM candidate

OpIndia Staff
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‘Baithiye na’, ‘chaliye chhodiye’: The awkward and embarrassing conversation on stage between Nitish Kumar and KCR over the 2024 PM candidate

On August 31, Chief Minister of Telangana K Chandrashekhar Rao met Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar. There were some speculations that KCR might announce Nitish Kumar as the face of opposition parties for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but nothing like that happened. Instead, there was an awkward and embarrassing conversation between the two chief ministers when a reporter asked about the PM candidate for 2024.

Both the leaders were holding a press conference during which a reporter asked KCR who would be the PM candidate for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. As soon as the question was asked, Nitish Kumar stood up and asked KCR to leave with him. Contrary to what Nitish wanted, KCR held his hand and asked him to sit as he was not in the mood to leave the press conference without answering the question. He said, “Nitish Kumar is the country’s best leader.” He further added that the opposition parties that stand against BJP would come together and decide who would be the PM candidate. KCR was also asked if Congress would join them, but he avoided the question.

‘Baithiye na’ ‘Nahi aap chaliye’

The reporter had asked KCR if he would suggest Nitish Kumar’s name for PM candidate if they form a united front. KCR said, “Whom am I to decide…” While he was speaking, Nitish Kumar asked him to leave the press conference with him and stood up, but KCR continued. “Even if I suggest his name, someone may oppose it. Why are you in so much hurry,” he said.

Watching Nitish ready to leave, it appeared that some of the reporters also stood up. KCR kept sitting and urged Nitish Kumar to sit down and let him answer the questions, but Nitish was not ready to face the “difficult” questions about PM candidate for the Lok Sabha elections.

Nitish finally sat down, but the next question again irked him. The reporter asked if Rahul Gandhi would remain PM candidate as Congress keeps emphasizing the same. Nitish, with visible frustration, asked the reporter not to put up such questions. When KCR tried to answer, he also stopped KCR and sort of instructed him to ignore the question. KCR avoided answering the question and said, “You are clever, but I am cleverer. As I said, we will sit together with all anti-BJP parties. We will try to bring them together.”

While KCR was speaking, Nitish again stood up and kept interrupting him. When a reporter again questioned if Nitish’s name would be up for PM candidate, Nitish told KCR, “Let’s go. Why are you answering them?” But KCR wanted to listen and continued. Nitish said, “Don’t fall into this trap. Leave this.” KCR said, “Please sit down, Nitish Ji, please sit down.”

Lok Sabha elections 2024

The next Lok Sabha elections are scheduled for the first half of 2024. Home Minister Amit Shah has already hinted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will remain the PM candidate for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, the situation is tense on the other side. There are a number of leaders among the opposition parties who want to break the shackles of state politics and want to enter national politics, including Nitish Kumar, KCR, Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal amongst others. Congress has always been a “strong” candidate to put up its leader as PM face because they are the oldest political party in the country. However, putting up Rahul Gandhi as PM candidate hasn’t quite helped.

Madras High Court grants idol installation permission only with consent of Jamaat, procession not allowed. Here is why it sets a dangerous precedent

OpIndia Staff
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Madras High Court grants idol installation permission only with consent of Jamaat, procession not allowed. Here is why it sets a dangerous precedent

On Friday (August 26), the Madras High Court granted permission to a Hindu petitioner to install the idol of Lord Ganesha in her housing unit only after she receives the consent of the local Jamath.

The petitioner, Mahalakshmi, was initially stopped by the local police to bring the idol of the Hindu deity to the Pullakadu Housing Unit in Ukkadum South in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu.

In their defence, the cops claimed that the area was “predominantly surrounded by Muslim community” and how the celebration of the Hindu festival could lead to a law and order situation. Aggrieved by the situation, Mahalakshmi was forced to knock the doors of the Madras High Court.

Although Article 25 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the Right to Freedom of Religion, the petitioner felt it necessary to get the consent of the Muslim community to celebrate her festival.

Before the Madras High Court, Mahalakshmi contended that the Jamath Committee has expressed ‘no objection’ to the Hindu festival and even vowed to offer Annadhanam (to distribute food) to the devotees. The case was heard by Justice N Sathish Kumar. 

The Additional Public Prosecutor, appearing for the police, argued that the conduct of Ganesh Chathurthi in the Pullakadu Housing Unit can trigger a law and order problem.

While the Madras High Court could have limited itself to the petitioner’s right to observe her religious festival, it directed Mahalakshmi to file an undertaking at the local police station along with the affidavit of the Jamath Committee.

It is only then that the petitioner can celebrate Ganesh Chathurthi at her housing unit. On top of that, the Court has barred her from taking out any procession with the Ganesha idol.

“…It is made clear that the petitioner shall only install the Vinayakar idol inside their housing unit and celebrate the function and there should not be any procession along with the idol,” Justice N Sathish Kumar said.

By doing so, the Court has played into a long-standing civilisational fear of the Hindu community. With rapid changing demographics, Hindus are worried that their right to freely practice their religion will be curtailed.

OpIndia has reported multiple cases where Hindus were barred from celebrating their festivals in Muslim-dominated areas. The menace was such that even the Madras High Court had to intervene in May last year.

Screengrab of the judgment by Madras High Court in 2021

The Madras High Court had then said, “Merely because one religious group is dominating in a particular locality, it cannot be a ground to prohibit from celebrating religious festivals or taking processions of other religious groups through those roads…If religious intolerance is going to be allowed, it is not good for a secular country. Intolerance in any form by any religious group has to be curtailed and prohibited.”

The Judges had then reiterated that the dominance of one religious group in a locality could not be a reason to curtail religious processions of another religious group through the locality. The Court argued that if such a rationale was accepted, then, minority communities would not be able to celebrate their festivals in most parts of India. 

This demarcation of Hindu-Muslim areas is exactly what led to the partition in 1947. News reports from 100 years ago talk about the same stone-pelting on Hindu processions for passing through these allegedly Muslim areas, and now Indian liberals want to see that again. Baba Saheb Ambedkar talked about this same violence against Hindu religious processions in the 1920s.

Islamists have targeted Hindu processions during the festivals of Hanuman Jayanti, and Ram Navami. The Madras High Court’s decision to ban the procession of Ganesh Chaturthi is an affirmation of the invisible ‘Muslim veto.’

The situation is so grim that Hindus, for whom India remains a civilisational State, now require the consent of another community to be able to celebrate their festival. And this is simply because they do not form a numerical majority in a particular area.

Courts have been sermonising the Hindu community for long, even blaming BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for the gruesome murder of Kanhaiya Lal by Islamists. And each time, the onus has fallen on the Hindus to uphold values of brotherhood and harmony.

It raises an important question in the end: Would the Madras High Court have allowed the installation of the idol of Lord Ganesha in the absence of Jamaat’s consent? Probably not.

Dholkal Ganesha of Dantewada – Maoists tried to destroy the idol of Ganesh at the place that gave him Ekdanta name, but couldn’t stop the divinity

Siddhi Somani
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Dholkal Ganesha of Dantewada – Maoists tried to destroy the idol of Ganesh at the place that gave him Ekdanta name, but couldn’t stop the divinity

Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival commemorating the birth of Lord Ganesh, started today across India. After restricted celebrations in the last two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year has seen the return to full fledged celebrations of the holy festival. While most individual households and puja pandals get clay idols of the elephant-headed God for the occasions, temples and many other places worship permanent idols, many of them centuries old. Among those idols of Lord Ganesha, one in Chhattishgarh is really unique, the Dholkal Ganesha of Dantewada.

This unique idol of Lord Ganesha is located on Mountain Dholkal in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada at the height of around 3000 feet. The idol, brilliantly carved out of stone, was the victim of the systematic vandalism and destruction of Hindu icons and objects of worship recently, when it was vandalised by Maoists in 2017. But the Maoists could not kill the divinity of the idol and the mountaintop, and devotees complete a difficult trek to climb 3000 feet on foot to reach the idol to have a darshan and worship it.

The idol was carved and installed in the 11th century and was worshipped regularly. But with time it went out of people’s memory and got covered by trees, and remained hidden for many years until it was rediscovered by the British in 1943 before opening the Bailadila mines. The idol is around 3 feet tall and weighs more than 500 kgs. The Ganesh idol, carved from a solid piece of granite, is perched on its beautiful circular perch amid the deep, impenetrable woods of Bastar in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada region.

However, post-independence, the idol got vanished from public memory again until the year 2012 when a journalist marched on a trek into the dense forest leading to the Dholkal mountain peak. This rediscovery created a sensation, so much so that the Dholkal Ganesh temple became a popular destination for pilgrims, trekkers, and history lovers. The Chhattishgarh state government had also started taking efforts to recognize the travel spot and had begun promoting the same in its travel programs.

Dholkal Ganesh Idol (Image source- Getty Images)

Also, the local tribes began hoping for prosperity as increased tourism would mean increased employment opportunities and increased income. Many also employed themselves as tour guides and tour operators and the dense forest from the base camp named Farsal suddenly was teeming with people who were walking up the way to pay respects to the 1100-year-old Ganesha idol.

Maosists threw the idol from Bastal hilltop

The scene of the Dholkal Ganesh idol bringing prosperity to the local tribal people of Bastar and the Dantewada region was unbearable for the Maoist terrorists who resided in the areas around Bastar. They could not watch the local tribes earning money and hoping for a better life due to state-promoted tourism. In January 2017, the huge Dholkal Ganesh idol was dropped from its lofty position 3,000 feet into the Bastar forests. The idol naturally shattered into smithereens resulting in killing the hopes of local poor residents.

The Bastar Police then launched an investigation to find and gather the idol pieces at the foothill dominated by the Maoists. The Police also stated that the Maoists had executed the destruction to stop the economic development of the region and also to prevent visitors from entering the area. Reports mention that the incident happened after the state government had announced sanctioning Rs 2 crore for developing the area as a tourist spot.

On February 2, the Ekadanta idol was then restored to its original site atop Dholkal hill by the Archaeological Survey of India and was consecrated by local religious rites.

Ekadanta- the unique idol

The Ganesha idol exclusively named ‘Ekadanta’ was installed in the 11th century by the kings of the Chhindak Nagvanshi dynasty and holds an axe (farsa) in one hand and a broken tusk in the other hand, to signify the story behind the installation of the idol. The idol located at a peak of Dholkal mountain which is part of the Bailadila hill range was established in memory of the battle between sage Parashurama and Ganesha.

According to a tale that is well known and has been repeated several times in the history of India, Lord Ganesha lost one of his tusks on Dholkal hill during this battle. According to the tale, a fierce battle had occurred between sage Parshuram and Lord Ganesha in which the former attacked the latter with his ‘farsa’ or axe. This battle had resulted in the loss of one tusk of Ganesha when it was hit by Parashuram with his axe, giving Lord Ganesha the unique identity of ‘Ekdanta’.

In the 11th century, the rulers of the Chindak Nagvanshi dynasty erected the stone statue of Lord Ganesha on the mountaintop to commemorate the battle. Reports mention that the 3 ft idol is carved out of stones that are found in the foothills of the Indravati River. The idol of Lord Ganesha is shaped to look like a ‘Dholak’ which is a popular musical instrument, giving the peak its name as ‘Dholkal’.

The idol also exhibits artistic brilliance showing Lord Ganesha seated in his customary ‘lalitasana’, or cheerful and relaxed position. The locals worship Ganesha all year, and a particular fair is conducted at this location in the month of ‘Magha’, between January and February.

Locals worship the idol and commemorate the battle

People also worship the idol during Ganesh Chaturthi which started today. People trek to the mountaintop, walk over a series of rocks to reach the stone where the idol is located, climb over that rock, and offer prayers. Due to its location, only physically fit people can reach the place, and only a small number of people can reach the idol at a time, as there is not much space on the rocks in that place. But the locals still reach the place on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi and conduct puja as per rituals.

Trek root leading to the Dholkal mountain (Image source- Getty Images)

The Ganesha idol established at the mountaintop of the Bailadila hill range is unique as it holds some special features. The idol which is around 1100 years old is naturally protected with no roof covering the statue. It features a ‘Sheha Nag’ on the stomach of the idol of Lord Ganesha and also shackles instead of Janeu which is a Hindu sacred thread. According to the experts, these features symbolize the creation of the Chhindak Nagvanshi dynasty and make the idol one of its kind worldwide.

Locals believe that the Bhogami tribals of South Bastar are descended from the female priest of Dholkatta Dholkal, and they worship the Dholkal Ganesha idol every day. According to another legend, the Dholkal Ganesha statue was initially worshiped by a Bhogami tribal lady. Locals claim that the residents of Faraspal village woke when she blew a conch from the top of the mountain. The locals worship the Ganesha statue throughout the year, and a special fair is conducted at this location in the summer.

Even after a difficult trek to the mountaintop, reaching the Dholkal Ganesha idol is not easy. Screenshot from a YouTube video)

During this period, apart from Lord Ganesha, Parashurama and other local deities are worshipped. To reach the peak of the mountain where the historic idol of Lord Ganesha is located, one has to travel through extremely dense forests, mountains, and ravines. Farsapal village which is named after the weapon used by sage Parshuram in the battle forms the base point for the Dholkal trek. Reportedly, the majority of the visitors to the spot hail from neighbouring areas.

Pertinently, the news of damage to the idol in 2017 has travelled far, attracting several visitors to the spot, including YouTubers. The state security forces after the year 2017 have also extended their operations to the location to drive away the Maoists and protect the visitors.

Islamists attack Shah Rukh Khan for the fifth year in a row as he celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi, ‘cancel’ him again for bringing Bappa home

OpIndia Staff
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Islamists attack Shah Rukh Khan for the fifth year in a row as he celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi, ‘cancel’ him again for bringing Bappa home

On Wednesday 31st August 2022, Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan took to social media to share a picture of an idol of Lord Ganesha on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. Welcoming Ganpati Bappa at his home, Shah Rukh Khan wrote in his post, “Ganpatiji welcomed home by lil one and me….the modaks after were delicious…the learning is, through hard work, perseverance & faith in God, u can live your dreams. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to all.”

Immediately, Islamists on social media started posting their comments and replies to Shah Rukh Khan’s post attacking him for committing ‘Shirk’ which is the worst sin according to Islam.

A Twitter user Sadique Srd wrote, “Till when will you upset Allah just for the sake of making others happy? You have already earned a lot from them. Giving respect to them is one thing. What you are doing now is called Shirk.”

Another Twitter user Niaz wrote, “May Allah give you Hidayat.”

One Twitter user named Asad PK decided to take away SRK’s religious certificate and replied, “He is not a Muslim.”

Another Twitter user Shimorekato posted, “Have you forgotten that Allah is supreme? Allah will never forgive you. As a true Muslim, I completely boycott Shahrukh Khan.”

A user by the name of Alishba quoted Jinnah in the tweet and wrote, “Jinnah was right when he said, Muslims who want to stay in India, that they would have to prove their patriotism to India for the rest of their lives?”

Shah Rukh Khan also shared the same post on his Instagram handle and Facebook account as well. These posts received an equal amount of hate from the Islamists. A Facebook user Mir Najmu Saqib wrote in a comment, “This is what happens when you run after worldly desires, you will start going to any extent to get worldly gains. Let Gauri khan Ji celebrate it, why are you celebrating? Remember SRK it’s shirk and Allah hates this sin the most.. may Allah protect you from the success that makes you commit idolatry.”

Another Facebook user Ahmed Mamdouh wrote in a comment, “indeed, whoever associates others with Allah then surely for him Allah has Forbidden the Garden of Paradise and his shelter is Fire. May Allah guide u to the right path.”

Unfortunately, this is the fifth year in a row that Shah Rukh Khan has been attacked by Islamists for celebrating a Hindu festival. SRK continues to face online trolling and attacks every year for bringing Bappa home on Ganesh Chaturthi.

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most widely celebrated festivals across India, but in Maharashtra in particular with people from every religion enthusiastically participating in the celebrations.

On the 25th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death, a look back at her controversial interview where she talked about depression, bulimia, and Charles-Camilla affair

OpIndia Staff
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On the 25th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death, a look back at her controversial interview where she talked about depression, bulimia, and Charles-Camilla affair

On 31st August 1997, a car crash ended the young life of the much loved and popular Diana, the Princess of Wales. Diana Spencer married Prince Charles, the first in line to the British throne on 29 July 1981, and became Princess of Wales. While the problems in their marriage started soon after the wedding and the couple separated, the final blow to their marriage was delivered on 20 November 1995 when BBC aired an interview with Princess Diana.

“An Interview with HRH The Princess of Wales”, the episode of BBC’s current affairs program Panorama, aired on 20 November 1995. Soon after the controversial interview, Queen Elizabeth wrote to Charles and Diana, advising them to finalise their divorce.

In the 54 minutes long interview, Diana spoke openly about all the problems their marriage had faced over the years and Diana’s own personal issues. Talking about Prince Charles’s affair with Camilla Parker (now wife of Prince Charles), Diana said, “Well, there were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded.” Diana also questioned the suitability of Prince Charles to be the King after Queen Elizabeth.

During the interview, Diana also admitted her own personal issues, including her battles with depression and bulimia. She also admitted that she had engaged in self-mutilation a number of times during her marriage, hurting her arms and legs. In the years following the interview, a few of her biographers have said that her statements during the interview showed that she had borderline personality disorder.

Diana admitted to her own extra-marital affair with James Hewitt as well during the interview. She also talked about the abusive nature of the media and how she was constantly harassed by them.

The interview got record viewing figures in England and even around the world as public curiosity about the Charles-Diana marriage was at its peak. Nearly 40% of the British population tuned in to watch the interview with around 200 million tuning in from around the world. It turned out to be the last chapter of their marriage as a month later, Buckingham palace announced that the queen has advised both of them to divorce. It took another 8 months to finalise the divorce which was finally granted on 28 August 1996.

BBC obtained the interview with Princess Diana through fraudulent means

It later emerged that the interviewer Martin Bashir and the BBC had used fraudulent means to get the interview with Diana. Forged bank statements were prepared that falsely indicated that people close to her, including her former private secretary Patrick Jephson and another former royal household member, had been paid for spying on her.

Initially, BBC cleared Bashir of any wrongdoing after conducting an internal enquiry in 1996. However, years later, in 2020, BBC Director General apologised to Earl Spencer, brother of Diana, for the use of the forged statements to get the interview. Spencer refused to accept the apology and asked for an independent investigation.

Princess Diana’s death

On 31 August 1997, Princess Diana died in a tragic car crash in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel in Paris while trying to flee the paparazzi. She was accompanied by Dodi Fayed, the driver Henry Paul, and Fayed’s bodyguard who ended up surviving the crash.

‘Hindus killed for being Hindus’ series: Story of BJYM member Praveen Nettaru, killed by Islamists after police denied him protection

OpIndia Staff
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‘Hindus killed for being Hindus’ series: Story of BJYM member Praveen Nettaru, killed by Islamists after police denied him protection

On July 26, Bharatiya Janata Party Yuva Morcha worker Praveen Nettaru was hacked to death by Islamist assailants. Nettaru, who ran a poultry business, was returning home when the attack happened. The killers came on a bike in Bellari, Dakshina Kannada of Karnataka, in the late evening and attacked Nettaru with sharp weapons. The assailants escaped after the attack. Nettaru was rushed to the hospital, but he could not be saved.

Praveen Nettaru’s murder and initial speculations about the reason behind the crime

Praveen Nettaru was an active member of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s youth wing popularly known as Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha. He was an executive committee member of the Dakshin Kannada district unit of the organization. He owned a poultry business in Bellari. On 26th July 2022, when he was returning home after closing his shop, he was attacked by sharp weapons and hacked to death by the attackers.

According to the eyewitnesses of the incident, the assailants came on a motorcycle. The motorcycle had a Kerala registration number. The location where the incident happened is close to the Kerala border. The assailants fled immediately after Praveen Nettaru fell down. Praveen Nettaru was taken to hospital but he could not survive.

As the Karnataka police registered an FIR in this case and launched an investigation, different theories began to appear along with the initial speculations and subsequent arrests. Primary reports suggested that two recent incidents, including the murder of a Muslim man and a matter related to a mosque, could have led to the murder of Praveen Nettaru. But before details of all those theories appeared first in the investigation and then in public, the Karnataka government and the state unit of the BJP witnessed a massive outrage staged by the party workers and Hindus across the state.

Investigations and Arrests

On July 28, the Karnataka Police arrested two persons on suspicion of involvement in the BJP Yuva Morcha member Praveen Kumar Nettaru’s murder case. The accused were identified as Zakir and Mohammed Shafiq. The duo was arrested from Kasargod, Kerala. Zakir is 29 years old and is a resident of Savanoor whereas Mohammed Shafiq who is 27 years old belongs to Bellari. These two were the conspirators of the murders and not the actual assailants.

Hours after the arrest of the two accused, reports emerged that Shafiq and Zakir are linked to the Islamist terrorist organization PFI and SDPI. The wife of Shafiq has confirmed that her husband was an active member of the PFI and that he used to participate in all the ‘social’ activities. She also said that on the day of the incident, he was not at home hinting that he might be involved in executing the murder of the BJP youth member. “My husband was a PFI member. He was aware that the murder took place,” Shafiq’s wife told India Today.

Shafiq was also associated with SDPI (Social Democratic Party of India) and had organized various ‘social’ events. The wife after the arrest while talking to the media also said that initially, her husband was not aware of the murder. Later he had tears in his eyes when he came to know about who was murdered in the village. 

Shafiq’s father worked in Praveen Nettaru’s shop

Another important fact in the matter is that father of the accused Shafiq and his father Ibrahim worked as a butcher at the chicken shop of Praveen Nettaru. This was revealed by Shafiq’s father Ibrahim himself while talking to the media. Ibrahim told India Today,  “I work at Praveen’s shop. My son and Praveen used to talk there.” Ibrahim denied his son’s involvement in the crime and alleged that they are targeted because they are Muslim. The brutal killing of Praveen Nettaru happens to be the latest case where the perpetrator and his family were known to the victim.

Kanhaiya Lal – a tailor from Udaipur – and Umesh Kolhe – a chemist from Amravati – were killed by Islamists for sharing social media posts supporting former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. In both these cases, the informers or conspirators were known to the victims. The photograph and location of Kanhaiya Lal were leaked and made viral by his neighbor Nazim. Nazim and his co-religionists also conducted a recce of his shop.

The tragedy that befell upon the family of Umesh Kolhe was also facilitated by his close friend of 16 years named Yusuf Khan. Like Kanhaiya Lal, Kolhe was hacked to death for supporting Nupur Sharma. While prioritizing his Faith over friendship, Yusuf provoked Islamists to kill his friend. According to police, Yusuf Khan had forwarded Umesh Kolhe’s message supporting Nupur Sharma in WhatsApp groups, instigating Islamists against him by saying that he was supporting someone accused of blasphemy.

Theories hatched about the reasons for the murder

Till now three different theories citing various reasons for the murder came to light. One is that he was killed because he posted on social media supporting Kanhaiya Lal, who was beheaded by Jihadis recently for supporting Nupur Sharma and criticizing the Congress government. The second theory was that he may have been murdered as retaliation for the death of a Muslim man, who had been beaten up by Hindus after he had beaten up a Hindu youth. The third theory said that the chicken shop that Praveen Nettaru had opened, where accused Shafiq and his father worked, had overtaken the meat shops run by Muslims in the area and had become an object of hatred for the Islamists there.

Apathy by the police department

According to the second theory, many local Hindu leaders were allegedly on the hitlist of Islamists in that area. This was to avenge the death of a Muslim named Masood who is said to be an alleged victim of the so-called cow vigilantism. According to reports, Praveen Nettaru informed the local police about the threats and asked for protection. But, the police denied providing him any protection saying that he is not that big a leader to get such threats.

More arrests linked to PFI and SDPI in the Praveen Nettaru murder case

On Thursday 11th August 2022, three main accused in the Praveen Nettaru murder case were arrested. Mangaluru police nabbed the suspects near Talapady check post at 8 am on August 11. The arrested accused were identified as Shiyabuddin Ali and Bashir from Sullia and Riyaz from Subramanya. He also suspected that the arrested accused can be linked with the Islamic organization Popular Front of India and its political wing the Social Democratic Party of India. On 18th august 2022, National Investigation Agency took custody of the five key accused in this case for further investigation.

The outrage after the murder of Praveen Nettaru

There was a massive protest in southern parts of Karnataka after Praveen Nettaru’s murder. Protests broke out in Bellari and Sullia, and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad called for a bandh. Hundreds of people escorted Praveen Nettaru’s dead body as it was taken to his home on July 27 in the morning.

After this murder, outraged BJP Yuva Morcha members started to furnish mass resignations. Members of the youth wing of the party were distressed after this incident and expressing their concern they took to social media to put up posts threatening mass resignation.

Karnataka BJP MLA Renukacharyra also said that Hindus are not safe despite there being a BJP regime and he also threatened of tendering his resignation from the MLA post if the Hindus in the state are not protected.

Hindu activists and BJP workers surrounded BJP state party president Nalin Kumar Kateel’s car and heckled him as they protested Praveen Nettaru’s murder, demanding answers from senior party leaders.

Karnataka BJP had planned an official event at Soudha, and ‘Janotsava’, a mega rally at Doddaballapur, on July 28 to mark Bommai’s one year in the office. National President of BJP JP Nadda was scheduled to attend the event. In view of the murder and the subsequent massive protests, the party canceled the program.

Stand of the state government

On Thursday, 28th July 2022, Karnataka’s chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said that he will not hesitate to implement the UP model of dealing with the anti-national and fundamentalist miscreants in Karnataka. 

CM Basavaraj Bommai said, “Whatever possible we will do that. If need be, if the situation says ‘UP model’ or much stricter than that we will not hesitate for that also.” The term UP model means the strong measures taken by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to control anti-national activities in Uttar Pradesh, including the use of bulldozers against miscreants and mafia. 

On the intervening night of July 27 and July 28, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced that the state government would form a commando force with special training, intelligence, ammunition, and resources to go after anti-national and terror groups conspiring to disrupt the peace and stir communal tension in the state.

Hinduphobia following Islamism in Karnataka in 2022

Though northern parts of the country have been historically known for repeatedly waged invasions by barbaric Islamist tyrants, Deccan too had its own issues regarding medieval Islamic rules and demographic alterations in certain pockets which later went on to expand in larger territories. Secularized glorification of Tipu Sultan and liberal attempts to justify Nizam or Muslims who ‘willfully stayed back in India‘ after dissolving Hyderabad are therefore unavoidable parts of the Hindu-Muslim discourse in the southern parts of India. Forming the current situation in Karnataka in 2022, before the murders of Hindus thus has shades of historic facts lying at the core of its causality added to the rise of the Indian Mujahideen led by the Bhatkal brothers in the 21st century.

Karnataka witnessed a yet worse shade of Islamism at the very beginning of the year 2022. The issues mainly responsible for triggering the Islamic unrest in the state were Azaan and Hijab. Muslim girl students in various educational institutes in Karnataka took an adamant stand over wearing headscarves as per Islamic traditional costume despite prescribed uniform dress codes in those institutes. This went on to become a big issue in the early months of 2022. Azaan from the loudspeakers in the mosques five times a day – especially in the early morning – causing disturbance to nearby residents was the other one. Besides, incidents of protests or violence under the guise of protest over Nupur Sharma’s alleged blasphemous remarks against the Prophet Muhammad also added to the prevalent sensitive situations in the state months ahead of the murders of Bajrang Dal activist Harsha and BJYM leader Praveen Nettaru.

India’s GDP grows by 13.5% in the first quarter of the financial year 2022-23, fiscal deficit under control

OpIndia Staff
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India’s GDP grows by 13.5% in the first quarter of the financial year 2022-23, fiscal deficit under control

Continuing with the trend of recovery of the economy following the devasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Indian economy grew by 13.5% during the first quarter of the current financial year. It was revealed in the estimates of Gross Domestic Product for the April – June quarter of the FY 2022-23 published by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation.

The ministry said that the real GDP at Constant (2011-12) Prices in Q1 2022-23 is estimated to attain a level of ₹ 36.85 lakh crore, as against ₹ 32.46 lakh crore in Q1 2021-22, showing a growth of 13.5 percent as compared to 20.1 percent in Q1 2021-22. On the other hand, nominal GDP or GDP at Current Prices in Q1 2022-23 is estimated at ₹ 64.95 lakh crore, as against ₹ 51.27 lakh crore in Q1 2021-22, showing a growth of 26.7 percent as compared to 32.4 percent in Q1 2021-22.

The Quarterly Estimates of National Accounts are indicator based and data sourced from various Ministries/ Departments/ Private Agencies were used as valuable inputs in the compilation of the estimates. The sector-wise estimates have been compiled using various indicators like Index of Industrial Production (IIP), financial performance of listed companies in the Private Corporate Sector based on available quarterly financial results for these companies, Crop Production Targets for 2022-23, Production Targets for Major Livestock Products for 2022-23, Fish Production, Production/ Consumption of Cement and Steel, Net Tonne Kilometres and Passenger Kilometres for Railways, Passenger and Cargo traffic handled by Civil Aviation, Cargo traffic handled at Major Sea Ports, Sales of Commercial Vehicles, Bank Deposits & Credits, Accounts of Central & State Governments, etc., available for Q1 2022-23.

According to the ministry, GDP is derived as the sum of the gross value added (GVA) at basic prices, plus all taxes on products, less all subsidies on products. The total tax revenue used for GDP compilation includes both Non-GST Revenue and GST Revenue.

Among various sectors, Public Administration, Defence and Other services sector showed the highest growth rate of 26.3% at constant prices, with Trade, Hotels, Transport, Communications and Broadcasting coming second at 25.7%. Agriculture grew by 4.5% in the quarter and manufacturing grew by 4.8%.

However, these are estimates and the data will undergo changes in revised estimates to be published later, as individual source agencies will revise their numbers as per data release calendar.

During the same period, the fiscal deficit of the government stood at 20.5% of the full-year target, which was 21.3% in the first quarter of the last FY, showing an improvement. During April-July 2022, the fiscal deficit of the country, or the difference between revenue and expenditure, was ₹3.41 lakh crore.

The government’s receipts, including taxes, stood at ₹7.85 lakh crore or 34.4% of the Budget Estimates (BE) for 2022-23. According to data released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Net tax receipts was ₹6.66 lakh crore while total expenditure was ₹11.27 lakh crore during this period.

The union govt is targeting a fiscal deficit of 6.4% of the GDP for financial year. July was particularly good in this regard, as the govt posted a surplus of Rs 11,040 crore for the month.

‘Figment of their imagination’: Delhi Lt General VK Saxena to take legal action against AAP leaders for defamatory allegations of corruption

OpIndia Staff
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‘Figment of their imagination’: Delhi Lt General VK Saxena to take legal action against AAP leaders for defamatory allegations of corruption

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena will take legal action against four Aam Aadmi Party leaders for defamatory allegations against him. On August 31, LG House Officials said in a statement that the Lt Governor would take legal action against a number of Aam Aadmi Party leaders Saurabh Bhardwaj, Atishi, Durgesh Pathak and Jasmine Shah, among others, for highly defamatory and false allegations of corruption.

Notably, AAP leaders have launched a series of attacks against the LG, claiming he indulged in money laundering and more. On August 29, AAP MLA Durgesh Pathak claimed that during his tenure at Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) as chairman, VK Saxena had forced his employees to exchange old currency notes with new ones. AAP leaders alleged that the currency exchanged by LG tuned to 1,400 crores.  “A cashier working there has given in writing that he was forced to carry out exchange of notes. It is unfortunate that he was suspended. Those who levelled all dismissed. But we want a probe in this. There is a news report also and there are statements by the affected employees,” Pathak said.

Pathak said that two Khadi cashiers have claimed under oath that the Delhi L-G made them exchange old demonetised currency notes. Durgesh Pathak also accused VK Saxena of misusing his power by investigating the allegations himself and suspending the cashiers who exposed him. “Clear cut case of money laundering, there should be an ED investigation into the matter,” he had demanded.

LG Saxena has denied all the allegations, calling them a “figment of their imagination”. The LG’s office said in a statement, “This has been the hallmark of Kejriwal and co. to shoot and scoot and then when pushed for truth, apologise.” The statement issued by the LG House Officials further said, “The LG has taken a serious view of these blatantly false, defamatory and obviously diversionary allegations made by these AAP leaders and has decided to take legal action against them so that the AAP does not get away with its characteristic shoot and scoot.”

The LG informed that a vigilance inquiry was ordered when it was alleged that some demonetised notes were deposited in the account of Khadi Gramodyog Bhawan, and four officials were suspended in the matter. The case is currently being probed by CBI, and the CBI has found that Rs 17,07,000 in demonetised notes were deposited by two officials, not Rs 1,400 crore as claimed by AAP leaders.

“The matter being falsely touted by the AAP is with regards to just ₹ 17.07 lakh as against the claims of ₹ 1,400 crore, which is nothing but a figment of imagination for which the habitual liars will face the consequences,” the statement by LG’s office added.

On Monday, AAP MLAs raised slogans against the LG in the Delhi assembly and protested into the well of the House, demanding the immediate removal of Saxena from the post of Delhi Lt Governor. The AAP leaders had also sought a CBI-ED investigation against him.

The allegations came at a time when several AAP leaders are facing corruption charges. AAP leader Satyendra Jain is currently lodged in custody, while Deputy CM of Delhi Manish Sisodia is facing accusations of corruption in liquor policy. The opposition party BJP has called out the Delhi government over unfulfilled promises, including 500 schools, better infrastructure and more.

Apart from the allegations of corruption against AAP leaders, LG has recently schooled Delhi CM and instructed him to sign the files before sending them for approval to him, which irked the AAP leaders against LG.

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