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Gujarat police register FIR against Teesta Setalvad, Sanjiv Bhatt and R B Sreekumar for giving false testimonies in Gujarat riots case

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat police register FIR against Teesta Setalvad, Sanjiv Bhatt and R B Sreekumar for giving false testimonies in Gujarat riots case

A day after the Supreme Court said that false allegations of ‘larger conspiracy’ were made in the Gujarat riots case, Gujarat police have filed a case against former IPS officers Sanjiv Bhatt and R B Sreekumar, and activist Teesta Setalvad.

The crime branch of Ahmedabad police has booked the three under sections 468 (Forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using forged document or record as genuine), 194 (Giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of capital offence), 211 (False charge of offence made with intent to injure), 218 (Public servant framing incorrect record), and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the India Penal Code.

In the FIR, it has been said that the accused had tried to create sensation by making false claims on the Gujarat riots. The falsity of their claims had been fully exposed by the SIT after through investigation, the FIR says. It adds that the proceedings have been pursued for the last 16 years, including with the audacity to question the integrity of every functionary involved in the process of exposing the devious stratagem adopted to keep the pot boiling, obviously for ulterior design.

All those involved in such abuse of process need to be in the dock and proceed with in accordance with law, the FIR further states.

It states that the case relates to the petition filed by Jakia Jafri challenging the clean chit given to Narendra Modi by the SIT. The Supreme Court has rejected the petition, saying that the SIT probe was done under the supervision of the Supreme Court, and it can’t be questioned.

Among the three named in the FIR, former DGP R B Sreekumar and Teesta Setalvad have already been arrested today. Teesta was arrested by Gujarat police from her home in the Juhu area in Mumbai at around 3 pm on Saturday. Similarly, Sreekumar also have been taken to the crime branch in Ahmedabad. After his retirement, he was working with Teesta on the 2002 Gujarat riots cases. He is also a leader in AAP, which he had joined in 2014.

Sanjiv Bhatt is already in jail as he was convicted in a custodial death case.

In its judgement rejecting the Jakia Jafri’s petition, the Supreme Court had said that the testimony given by Sanjiv Bhatt, Haren Pandya and R.B. Sreekumar was only meant to sensationalise and politicise the matters. The court had said that their testimonies were ‘replete with falsehood.’

Sanjib Bhatt had claimed that he was present in a meeting chaired by then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi, and had claimed that Modi had asked police officers to go slow on acting against Hindu rioters to vent their anger due to the Godhra train burning incident. RP Sreekumar had also made the same claims in his testimony.

However, the SC appointed SIT had found that Sanjib Bhatt not present in the meeting that took place on 27 February in 2002. Late Haren Pandya, who also made the claims, was also not present in that meeting. The SIT had said that the allegations of ‘larger conspiracy’ were all false claims set up by Sanjiv Bhatt.

Similarly, the testimony of RB Sreekumar was not based on his personal knowledge, but they were on what he had heard from others after he was posted at the Additional Director General (Intelligence) in April, 2002.

‘Kut*i has ruined Islam’: Islamists abuse actor Hina Khan for posting pictures in swimsuit

OpIndia Staff
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‘Kut*i has ruined Islam’: Islamists abuse actor Hina Khan for posting pictures in swimsuit

Reality show and daily soap actor Hina Khan has drawn the wrath of radical Islamists on her social media account after she posted her picture in a monokini swimwear on the Abu Dhabi beach where she has currently been holidaying. While she received a lot of adulation from other social media users, Islamists brutally trolled the actor for posting ‘inappropriate’ pictures on social media.

On June 22, the actor took to her Instagram account to post a picture from a beach in Abu Dhabi. Though she did not mention her location, she uploaded these pictures soaking in the sun on a beach. Hina donned a green-coloured one-piece swimsuit with a printed cape over it. She captioned her post, ‘Soak up the sun Hon”.

As soon as she posted her picture in a swimsuit, Hina Khan’s Instagram post was deluged with criticism and hate from Islamists. A user named Saeeda Ruksar Zaidi, questioning Hina Khan’s outfit, commented, “Does this girl have nothing to be ashamed of?”

Source: Actor Hina Khan’s Instagram handle

“May Allah help you to walk on the right path,” another user named Ziya Fatima (ZiyaFatima421) wrote, rebuking the actor.

Source: Actor Hina Khan’s Instagram handle

Another Islamist reprimanded the actor saying she is unworthy of being called a Muslim.

Source: Actor Hina Khan’s Instagram handle

Another Islamic fundamentalist Armaan Ahmed went on to abuse the actor. “This kut*i has ruined Islam. I wish your father had survived and you would have died in his place,” said Armaan Ahmed.

Source: Actor Hina Khan’s Instagram handle

Infuriated by her picture, another Islamist ridiculed the actress by remarking, “After seeing your clothes, the beggars on my street look richer than you.”

Source: Actor Hina Khan’s Instagram handle

Arzoo Shaikh, an Islamic fanatic, directly threatened Hina Khan with death by asking whether she was not afraid of dying.

Source: Actor Hina Khan’s Instagram handle

Interestingly, this is not the first time actor Hina Khan has received hate for her bold fashion sense. In 2018, the actor was asked to ‘dress appropriately’ during Ramzan by radicals on her social media account. The actor had posted pictures where radical Islamists had told her she will go to hell for ‘dressing inappropriately’. They even tried to shame her for posting ‘such pictures’ during Ramzan.

Muslim celebrities have had to face the wrath of online fundamentalists

In fact, over time, many other Muslim celebrities have had to face similar harassment at the hands of radical Islamists. A day before the release of her much-anticipated film ‘Atrangi Re‘, Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan came under the vicious attack of Islamists for paying a visit to the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. Prior to this, Islamists had abused the Bollywood actress for visiting the Hindu shrine of Kedarnath along with Jahnvi Kapoor.

Similarly, a popular Bengali actress Nusrat Jahan was earlier insulted on Facebook for celebrating Durga Puja as it was ‘inappropriate’. 

Cricketer Mohammad Kaif was trolled by Muslim fundamentalists for celebrating Christmas with family. He was also attacked for doing Surya Namaskar. Cricketer Irfan Pathan, too, was told by fundamentalists that Raksha Bandhan is ‘against Islam’.

Mohammed Shami, too, has had his share of such incidents. In July 2017 he was trolled for celebrating the birthday of his daughter. They were offended especially by ‘the way Shami celebrated’ the birthday. He also in the past had to deal with angry comments about the photo of his wife in a gown.

Rajasthan: Israil Nadaf Mansuri pretends to be Instagram model, abducts 13-year-old girl through a gaming app, arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: Israil Nadaf Mansuri pretends to be Instagram model, abducts 13-year-old girl through a gaming app, arrested

Rajasthan Police on Tuesday arrested a person named Israil Nadaf Mansuri (25) for deceptively abducting a 13-year-old girl from the Bandikui area of Dausa district in Rajasthan. The Police nabbed Mansuri from Bihar’s Darbhanga bus stand while he was taking the girl to Nepal.

According to the reports, accused Mansuri is a resident of Nepal and works as a labourer in the Middle Eastern Country of Qatar. He trapped the girl through social media platforms where he had posed himself as a reputed model. Mansuri had used Instagram installed with his Qatar-based mobile number for this purpose.

The police investigating the issue stated that the 13-year-old minor girl was abducted while she was purchasing a few food products from a shop near the Agra rail line in Bandikui. The accused traveled all the way from Qatar to New Delhi and then to the state of Rajasthan to get hold of the victim.

Dausa SP Rajkumar Gupta said that during the investigation, the Police found out that the accused had trapped the girl through a mobile game named Garena Free-fire game. The victim used to play the game which highlighted the Instagram ID of the accused. The Police stated that the accused trapped the victim girl through the game and started blackmailing her.

On June 18, he took a flight from Qatar to New Delhi and travelled to Rajasthan to abduct the girl. The next day, he booked the ticket to New Delhi and took the girl with him. The Police first traced the suspicious Instagram ID and verified that it was operative from the Qatar-based mobile number. The Police also traced the CCTV footage installed at the Bandikui shop to confirm the identity of the accused.

Based on the initial investigation, the police tracked the train route and then reached Bihar to arrest the accused who is a resident of Dhanuji in Nepal. The Police arrested him from the Darbhanga bus stand. Reports mention that the Police have confiscated the citizenship certificate and the passport of the accused. The accused has been sent to 7-days Police remand.

‘Are Maharashtra MLAs so poor that we need to pay their bills?’ Himanta Biswa Sarma denies Assam govt or BJP funding Shiv Sena rebels

OpIndia Staff
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‘Are Maharashtra MLAs so poor that we need to pay their bills?’ Himanta Biswa Sarma denies Assam govt or BJP funding Shiv Sena rebels

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has categorically denied claims that Assam govt or BJP is paying the bills of Shiv Sena MLAs staying in a Guwahati hotel. Saying that Assam govt and BJP have nothing to do with the ongoing crisis in Maharashtra, he said that there is no reason why Assam will pay the hotel bills.

When reporters asked about his comments on the matter of dissident Shiv Sena MLAs staying at Hotel Radisson Blu in Guwahati, the CM said that he has no idea about the matter as he is not updated with the same. Using an Assamese idiom that says ginger traders does not need to have information on ships, he said that Assam govt and BJP has nothing to do with the crisis in Shiv Sena, and therefore he is not involved in it and he has no information on it.

When asked if Assam govt is paying the bills for the rebel MLAs, Himanta Biswa Sarma categorically denied it. ‘Why Assam will spend money for them? Anyone can file an RTI to find it, why will we spend money for them? If someone comes to Assam, why Assam govt will pay their bills?’ he said.

When told that opposition is claiming that Assam govt is funding the stay of the Maharashtra MLAs, Sarma said that those who are claiming this have limited knowledge. ‘Are people in Maharashtra or their MLAs facing such severe financial crisis that we have to pay their lodging bill?’ he counter questioned. ‘Or, why will we even pay even if they ask?’ he further added. The Assam CM also said that he has not talked to Eknach Shinde.

Himanta Biswa Sarma added that instead of paying bills, Assam govt is actually getting money from the MLAs, in the form of GST that they are paying along with their bills in the hotel. Saying that he is not involved in the matter of dissident MLAs staying in Assam, he said that his only concern is that guests in Assam should be staying securely and comfortably. “Tomorrow, even if Congress MLAs come, I will extend the same welcome,” he added.

Responding to the demands of Congress, TMC and other opposition parties that the Shiv Sena MLAs should be evicted from the hotel and send back to Mumbai, Assam CM asked why should the govt evict people from hotels. ‘If we evict people from hotels, who will stay there?’ he asked.

‘Assamese youths work at Radisson Blu, why they want to kick at their abdomen?’ he further said. Sarma said that if govt does not allow people to stay in hotels, then nobody will stay in hotels in Assam.

Further referring to demands of the opposition MLA Akhil Gogoi to send the MLAs back from Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma said that he is doing this to create trouble in the state. ‘If we keep evicting people from hotels, businesses in the state will suffer, people will not get jobs, they will start agitations, he wants this only. But we want there should be prosperity in Assam, they want there should be poverty so that agitations keep happening’, he said. He also asked if Akhil Gogoi will compensate Radisson Blu for the loss of their income.

When the reporters asked about BJP leaders and MLAs and visiting the hotel, Himanta Biswa Sarma said that there is no bar on MLAs visiting hotels. They may know some people staying their personally, and visiting the hotel to meet them, govt can’t stop them from going there. ‘Everyone can go there, even I can go their there to have tea’, he said.

It may be noted that earlier in the day, the NCP had raised the question of the bill of the MLAs staying in Assam. “Who is paying the bills of hotels in Surat and Guwahati as well as the chartered flight?” NCP chief spokesperson Mahesh Tapase had asked. He had also demanded a probe by ED and Income Tax department to find the source of ‘black money’ used to fund the MLAs.

At least 45 Maharashtra MLAs are staying at Radisson Blu Hotel in Guwahati, including 39 Shiv Sena MLAs led by Eknath Shinde. They arrived in Guwahati from Surat on June 22. They had moved from Mumbai to Surat a day earlier, and next day they shifted to Guwahati on a chartered plane. Initially around 30 MLAs had came, and later more MLAs joined them. With the MLAs, several other Shiv Sena leaders also have joined them in Guwahati.

Gujarat ATS takes Teesta Setalvad into custody: Watch video of her arrest

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat ATS takes Teesta Setalvad into custody: Watch video of her arrest

A team of Gujarat’s Anti Terrorism Squad has taken so-called activist Teesta Setalvad into custody on 25th June 2022. She was arrested from her home in the Juhu area in Mumbai at around 3 pm on Saturday, June 25. According to reports, the action was taken after an FIR for forgery was registered against Teesta Setalvad and others under section 468 of the Indian Penal Code.

Reportedly, the police want to take the activist to Ahmedabad for questioning.

According to ANI, Teesta Setalvad has been taken to the Santa Cruz police station for questioning.

A video has now emerged of ATS arrested her.

The arrest came hours after Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Setalvad gave baseless information to the police about the 2002 Gujarat riots.

SC gives clean chit to PM Modi, Amit Shah and others in the 2002 Gujarat riots case

Friday saw the Supreme Court reject claims of a larger conspiracy into the Gujarat riots by PM Narendra Modi and other top Gujarat officials. These allegations were levelled by Zakia Jafri, the wife of deceased former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri. At that time, Modi was Gujarat’s chief minister.

While delivering its verdict, the apex court said that the “appeal is devoid of merits”. A bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar refused to order a probe into allegations of a “larger conspiracy” behind the Gujarat riots.

The Supreme Court said in its judgment that Teesta Setalvad, a co-petitioner in the case, exploited the emotions of Zakia Jafri. The court denied Zakia Jafri’s request to reconsider the Special Investigation Team’s decision to exonerate Modi in the riots case.

After the Supreme Court’s judgment, Union Home Minister Amit Shah named NGO activist Teesta Setalvad and her involvement in the case to defame the authorities and the government. Amit Shah said in an interview with ANI, “Even the affidavits of the victims were signed by the NGOs. Things were fabricated this way. Teesta Setalvad’s name is openly known to all. Everyone knows how she has been involved in this.” Teesta Setalvad is being taken to Ahmedabad by the Gujarat ATS.

Hindu org objects to issuance of new licenses for meat shops due to Gurugram being home to Sheetla Mata temple, cite CM’s assurance, write memorandum

OpIndia Staff
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Hindu org objects to issuance of new licenses for meat shops due to Gurugram being home to Sheetla Mata temple, cite CM’s assurance, write memorandum

On Friday, a Hindu organisation urged the Gurugram Municipal Corporation not to award any additional licences for new meat shops in the city. The Sanyukt Hindu Sangharsh Samiti has requested that the issuance of newly granted licences be revoked given the existence of the Sheetla Mata shrine in the area, in a memorandum written to Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

The Sanyukt Hindu Sangharsh Samiti was outraged by Gurugram Municipal Corporation’s (GMC) decision to provide 126 new licences for meat selling in the city. According to the Samiti, CM Khattar had guaranteed that no new licences for the selling of meat will be allowed in Gurugram because it is home to the Sheetla Mata Temple.

In the memorandum, the Samiti stated, “it was in October 2017 that you promised that no fresh meat sale licences will be issued in respect of Sheetla Mata Temple and Guru Dronacharya. We want this application process cancelled. In addition, all current meat shops should be moved out of the 10 km perimeter of the Sheetla Mata temple, and existing illegal shops closed.”

The Samiti asserts that the Sheetla Mata temple is a respected site for the residents of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan and therefore the area in the vicinity should be meat-free. “A separate market or area should be earmarked for registered legal sale and illegal shops should be shut. This is non-negotiable and the CM himself had announced it. We will not accept this (issuance of licences) lying down,” said Mahaveer Bhardwaj, the chairman of the Sanyukt Hindu Sangharsh Samiti.

There are 1,500 unregistered meat vendors in Gurugram compared to 119 regulated ones. There haven’t been any new licences granted in a while. If the Gurugram Municipal Corporation decides to forward with the procedure, the Samiti has warned to protest against the move.

Zee News editor-in-chief recalls SIT quizzing him in 2002 Gujarat riot case, says Congress was desperate to implicate CM Modi: Details of court judgement

OpIndia Staff
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Zee News editor-in-chief recalls SIT quizzing him in 2002 Gujarat riot case, says Congress was desperate to implicate CM Modi: Details of court judgement

A day after the Supreme Court upheld SIT’s clean chit to then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the 2002 Gujarat riots, Zee News editor-in-chief Sudhir Chaudhary has expressed his happiness that truth had prevailed while castigating SIT for compelling him to misquote Modi under pressure from the then Congress government.

The journalist took to Twitter on June 25 to share a copy of the SC judgement that dedicated 2 pages to Zee News editor-in-chief Sudhir Chaudhary’s interview with PM Modi who was the CM of Gujarat at the time. He recalled how SIT formed to probe the Gujarat riots had quizzed him twice for his interview with then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi.

Chaudhary made some very serious allegations against the SIT and the then UPA administration at the centre, claiming that when it was questioning him, the SIT tried to coerce him into misquoting Modi since the UPA administration was desperate to implicate the latter. “They wanted me to say what he didn’t say. UPA Govt wanted this IV badly to implicate Modi,” said the senior journalist adding that he is “happy truth prevailed in Supreme Court’s order.”

Chaudhary also shared the SC judgement’s copy wherein Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary’s interview with PM Modi, who was then Chief Minister of Gujarat was mentioned.

Observing the outcome of additional research, the SC order mentioned that a request was sent to Zee TV during the investigation to provide a copy of the CD of an interview with Modi at the time. This interview was conducted by Chaudhary, who was a correspondent at the network at the time, on March 1, 2002.

The order stated that after the then Gujarat CM Modi’s press conference, Chaudhary reportedly asked for a quick 10-minute interview.

“After going through the Editor’s Guild Fact-Finding Mission report dated 03.05.2002, Shree Chaudhary had stated that the same was only a few excerpts from the said interview and the original CD of the said interview was not before him,” the judgement said.

“As per his recollection, he had questioned Shri Narendra Modi about the Chamanpura massacre (Gulberg Society case), in which former Congress MP Late Ahesan (Ehsan) Jafri had been killed with many others to which the Chief Minister had replied that the mob had reacted on account on private firing done by Late Ahesan (Ehsan) Jafri, Ex-MP. After refreshing his memory from the Editor’s Guild report, Shri Sudhir Chaudhary has stated that the Chief Minister was of the view that he neither wanted action nor reaction,” it added.

SC judgement mentions Zee News editor-in-chief Sudhir Chaudhary’s 2002 interview with Modi 
SC judgement mentions Zee News editor-in-chief Sudhir Chaudhary’s 2002 interview with Modi 

The judgement further stated that Chaudhary further claimed that he had asked the CM about the widespread violence that followed the Godhra incident. In response, the CM had said, “Godhra main jo parson (day before yesterday) hua, jahan par chalees (40) mahilaon aur bacchon ko zinda jala diya is main desh main aur videsh main sadma pahunchna swabhavik tha. Godhra ke is ilake ki criminal tendencies rahi hain. In logo ne pahele mahila teachers ka khoon kiya aur ab yeh jaghanya apraadh kiya hai jiski pratikria ho rahi hai.”

The top court judgement further said that Sudhir Chaudhary was unable to recollect the exact sequence of events after a span of 9 years, and moreover, the CD was not available to him.

“Shri Narendra Modi had been questioned about the aforesaid interview given to Zee TV on 01.03.2002. He has stated that those who have read the history of Gujarat would definitely be aware that communal violence in Gujarat has a long history and the State had witnessed serious incidents of such communal violence. As regards the Zee TV interview of 01.03.2002 is concerned, Shri Modi has stated that after a period of eight years, he did not recollect the exact words, but he had always appealed only and only for peace. He (Shri Modi) further stated that he had tried to appeal to the people to shun violence in straight and simple language. He had also stated that if his words cited in this question are considered in the correct perspective, then it would be evident that there is a very earnest appeal for people to refrain from any kind of violence. He had denied all the allegations against him in this regard,” it added.

It may be recalled that on June 24, the Supreme Court upheld SIT’s clean chit to then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the 2002 Gujarat riots. The SC was hearing a plea filed by Zakia Jafri, widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, who was killed during the violence at Gulbarg Society in Ahmedabad on February 28, 2002, challenging the clean chit given by the SIT to PM Modi and 62 others for their alleged role in the violence.

While delivering its verdict, the apex court said that the “appeal is devoid of merits”. A bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar refused to order a probe into allegations of a “larger conspiracy” behind the Gujarat riots.

While dismissing a plea challenging the clean given to PM Narendra Modi by SIT in the 2002 Gujarat riots, the Supreme Court also said that the Tehelka tapes are of no avail. The petitioner had heavily relied on the tapes to alleged that Modi was involved in the riots. The court also said that claims made by people like Sanjeev Bhatt and Haren Pandya were only to seasonalise and politicise the issue.

Dismissing the petition, the apex court said that doubting the wisdom of the court would be a travesty of justice, because the entire investigation was completed by the SIT under the supervision and monitoring of the court.

Meanwhile, OpIndia had written a detailed report busting popular myths the left-liberal cabal conjured up to implicate PM Modi and HM Amit Shah in the 2002 Gujarat riots case.

Another ‘blasphemy’ arrest: 28-year-old arrested from Thane in Maharashtra for allegedly ‘insulting’ Prophet Mohammad

OpIndia Staff
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Another ‘blasphemy’ arrest: 28-year-old arrested from Thane in Maharashtra for allegedly ‘insulting’ Prophet Mohammad

On Friday 24th June 2022, Nikesh Raju Pashte (age 28) of Sangampada, in the Thane district of Maharashtra, was detained for posting allegedly insulting remarks on Prophet Mohammad on social media. The arrested accused is a ‘mathadi’ worker (a wholesale market porter) from Sangampada in the district’s Bhiwandi town.

An official in the Nizampura police station said, “A plumber complained to the police about the objectionable and provocative post on the Prophet made in a WhatsApp group. Based on the complaint, the police registered the offense and arrested the accused. The complainant said that the post could trigger tension between two communities.”

An offense was recorded against the accused under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 153(A) (promoting enmity between different communities), 295(A) (deliberate and malicious conduct, designed to outrage religious sentiments of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), and 499 (defamation).

It is notable that the Bharatiya Janata Party suspended national spokesman Nupur Sharma and dismissed Delhi BJP media chief Jindal on June 5 after their alleged disparaging statements about the Prophet sparked controversy in India and the Gulf countries. Violent protests were carried out by Islamists in various cities in India after this incident. Public properties were vandalized and stones were pelted at the security personnel who were trying to control the situation. The rioters spread this violence, especially after the Friday Namaz on June 3 and June 10.

This is not the first arrest in Bhiwandi for allegedly insulting social media posts against the Prophet Muhammad. On Sunday (June 12), a young Muslim boy named Saad Ashfaq Ansari was arrested by the Bhiwandi police in Maharashtra for supporting ex-BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and questioning the nature of the relationship between the Prophet Muhammad and his wife Ayesha. Before getting arrested, he was assaulted and abused by a Muslim mob for his stand in the ongoing blasphemy row and for supporting Nupur Sharma.

‘Modi@20 Dreams Meet Delivery’: A book about the journey of Narendra Modi and how he became a phenomenon

Guest Author
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‘Modi@20 Dreams Meet Delivery’: A book about the journey of Narendra Modi and how he became a phenomenon

It is a tough task when one wants to acknowledge and capture the works of a great leader, whose 20 glorious years of governance, first as a chief minister and then as the prime minister, have empowered the country and its people to look beyond a ‘New India’. An India which is not only a global economic and social powerhouse, but also a beacon of hope and unity, leading with the principles of ‘Vasudaiva Kutumbakam’.

Today, we are on a transformative path, and it is needless to say that it has been carefully laid by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on the tenets of inclusivity, empowerment, transparency, reforms, wellbeing, and democracy.

‘Modi@20, Dreams Meet Delivery’ is a guide to his journey in which he has impacted citizens from every walk of life and has worked tirelessly to what we now know as a resurgent India.

Carefully compiled with chapters by subject-matter experts, eminent professionals and personalities, and intellectuals, the book has governance as its fulcrum. 

And, interestingly, it’s five main sections too represent the pillars of governance – People First, Politics of Unity and Development, Jan Dhan: An Economy for Everyone, A New Paradigm in Governance and Vasudaiva Kutumbakam: India and the World.

It is a fact that India today stands tall globally among other nations with pride and head held high. During my days as a youth, I do not recall any instance where I could say India stands tall in the global arena. 

To add, during the 90s and the 2000s, the country was hit by one scandal after another, frustrating citizens with the complete lack of good governance. 

From those days to now, it is like a fresh breath of air the country had never experienced! Clearly, the future generations will need to understand India’s political landscape and history in the pre-Modi and post-Modi eras. The two are as distinct as black and white. 

PM Narendra Modi has ushered winds of sweeping changes across the country that have touched the lives of every Indian – be it urban or rural for the better.

Naysayers and critics will always be quick to drub this book as propaganda and the easiest thing to do for a party in power. But it is high time such people had a rethink and read the book in totality to understand the depth and diversity of information and how anecdotal the book is. 

Releasing the book, our Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said emphatically that even those who are the detractors of our Prime Minister agree that he is a “phenomenon.”

From scoffing and ridiculing the ‘Modi Model of development’ two decades ago, experts, analysts, and even some of his detractors view it with awe and appreciation. We have transformed from an eternally developing nation to a nation on the path of development and inclusivity. As our External Affairs Minister Shri S Jaishankar puts it in the book, “One of the shifts that PM Modi brought into Indian foreign policy is its focus on leveraging external relationships for domestic development.” 

Such achievements and accolades that one receives are not chance coincidences. It is to the credit of our leader, who has consistently masterminded and tirelessly executed the plan. 

‘Modi@20, Dreams Meet Delivery’ is a must-read for everyone to understand the thought and strategy behind our country’s transformation. It helps to put things in perspective. The book is not one person’s narrative. It is an anthology that has drawn the best minds to come together and share their views, anecdotes, and factual analysis. Read to know your country today. Read to understand and appreciate your Prime Minister better. 

(The article has been authored by Dr Ashwathnarayan C.N. He is the Minister for Higher Education; IT & BT, Science & Technology; Skill Development, Entrepreneurship & Livelihood, Government of Karnataka).

Restrictions under section 144 imposed in Mumbai and Thane after Shiv Sena workers vandalise offices of rebel leaders

OpIndia Staff
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Restrictions under section 144 imposed in Mumbai and Thane after Shiv Sena workers vandalise offices of rebel leaders

Amid the continuing political crisis in the state of Maharashtra, the Mumbai Police on Saturday imposed section 144 of the CrPC in the city till July 10. Also, the Thane District Administration has imposed restrictions under section 144 of the CrPC in the district, which is the stronghold of rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde. With this, the administration has also imposed a ban on any kind of political procession till June 30.

According to the reports, the Mumbai Police has issued orders to avoid any kind of public gathering in the city. Similarly in Thane, which is the fortress of the rebel Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde, the administration has also banned the carrying of sticks, or any kind of arms, and also burning of posters and effigies.

“To maintain law and order situation in Thane, the District Collector and District Magistrate, Thane, issues prohibition order of 24 hours till June 30th. Along with the ban on carrying of sticks or arms, shouting slogans or playing songs on the speaker will also not be allowed”, the order read.

This is hours after a national executive meeting of the Shiv Sena, supported by NCP and Congress passed a resolution reposing faith in the leadership of Thackeray. Reportedly, Uddhav Thackeray has been given powers to take action against rebels those who have allegedly betrayed the Shiv Sena.

Reports mention that notices have been sent to 16 rebel MLAs and Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal has asked them to appear in person in a matter of a petition filed by the Sena seeking their disqualification. Also, the MVA government has withdrawn the security cover provided at the residences of 16 rebel legislators, including Eknath Shinde.

Shinde who is in Guwahati at present called the action a ‘political vendetta’ and wrote to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil. In the letter that was signed by 16 MLAs, Shinde stated that the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance will be responsible if any harm is caused to their family members.

However, Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil refused to accept the claims made by Shinde regarding the protection. “There have been on orders issues either by the CM or the Home Ministry to withdraw the security of any MLA. Allegations being leveled to this effect are mischievous and false,” Patil said on June 25.

It is important to note that Shiv Sena workers have been executing severe protests in the state of Maharashtra against the rebel Shiv Sena leaders. They vandalized the offices of Shiv Sena leaders like Mangesh Kudalkar, Dilip Lande, and Sada Sarvankar who are in Guwahati. Also, today Shiv Sena workers in Pune ransacked the office of Sena legislator Tanaji Sawant, who is among the rebel MLAs currently camping in Guwahati.

The Mumbai Police who has imposed section 144 of the CrPC in the city has also issued a high alert and has asked all police stations to ensure security at all political offices in the city. Officer-level police personnel has also been directed to visit every political office to ensure the safety of all politicians.

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