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‘BJP strongly denounces insult of any religious personalities’: BJP issues statement amid threats by Islamists to Nupur Sharma over ‘blasphemy’

OpIndia Staff
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‘BJP strongly denounces insult of any religious personalities’: BJP issues statement amid threats by Islamists to Nupur Sharma over ‘blasphemy’

On June 5, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) issued a press release in which it stated that the party respects all religions and it is against any ideology which insults or demeans any sect or religion. The press release came amid threats by Islamists to BJP National Spokesperson Nupur Sharma over alleged ‘blasphemy’. However, it is unclear in what context BJP has issued the statement.

Press Release issued by BJP. Source: BJP.org

In the statement signed by National General Secretary Arun Singh, the party said, “During the thousands of years of the history of India, every religion has blossomed and flourished. The Bharatiya Janata Party respects all religions. The BJP strongly denounces insults of any religious personalities of any religion.”

They further added, “The Bharatiya Janata Party is also strongly against any ideology which insults or demeans any sect or religion. The BJP does not promote such people or philosophy.

India’s Constitution gives the right to every citizen to practise any religion of his/her choice and to honour and respect every religion.”

Speaking about the 75th anniversary of India’s independence, they said, “As India celebrates 75th year of its Independence, we are committed to making India a great country where all are equal, and everyone lives with dignity, where all are committed to India’s unity and integrity, where all enjoy the fruits of growth and development.”

Threats against Nupur Sharma

During a TV debate, Nupur Sharma, National Spokesperson of BJP, stated some facts as per the Islamic texts that irked the Muslims. She argued that since people are mocking the Hindu faith repeatedly, they can also mock other religions referring to Islamic beliefs.

Taking that video out of context, propaganda website AltNews cofounder Mohammed Zubair had shared it with his Twitter followers, declaring Nupur a rabid communal hatemonger and someone who can incite riots. He dog-whistled an online mob against Sharma and accused her of insulting Prophet Muhammad. He was supported by other Islamists, many of whom issued death and rape threats to her and her family. So far, no action has been taken against Muhammad Zubair.

Three FIRs against Nupur Sharma have been registered. First FIR was registered based on the complaint of dubious Islamic organization Raza Academy on May 29. The second FIR was registered against her based on the complaint of one Mohammad Gurfan of Mumbra. The third FIR was registered in Hyderabad, and it was shared on social media by AIMIM chief Assadudin Owais.

Sharma has received death threats, and bounties were announced against her not only in India but in Pakistan as well.

Statement by RSS Chief Mohan Bhagawat

Recently, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat had said that the disputed structure of the Gyanvapi mosque has a history that cannot be disputed. Several temples were desecrated by Islamic invaders, and Hindu society just intends to recover them.

The RSS chief further said, “We cannot change history. Neither today’s Hindus nor Muslims created it. It happened at that time. Islam was brought into India from outside by the Islamic invaders. In the attacks, hundreds of Devasthans (temples) were demolished to crush the morale of those who wanted independence. The Hindu society places a special emphasis on them, special reverence is about them.”

Mathura Krishna Janmabhoomi petitioner receives death threats from Agra Jama Masjid Committee President Jahid Qureshi, FIR lodged

OpIndia Staff
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Mathura Krishna Janmabhoomi petitioner receives death threats from Agra Jama Masjid Committee President Jahid Qureshi, FIR lodged

Mahendra Pratap Singh, the petitioner in the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah mosque dispute, has allegedly been given death threats by the President of Jama Masjid Intezamia committee Agra, Mohammad Jahid Qureshi.

The threats were issued by Qureshi in a viral audio clip. As per reports, a case has been registered against him at Mantola police station under Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 153 (provocation), 153 A (promoting enmity), 506 (criminal intimidation), and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act.

Meanwhile, Mahendra Pratap Singh has sought protection from the police after receiving the threat. While speaking to ABP News, he said, “I am an advocate and a petitioner in the Shahi Idgah case. I have received threats from some people. So, I have filed a complaint in this matter.”

“I have sent a legal notice to the ASI, seeking the return of Krishna idols buried under the stairs of Begum Sahiba Mosque in Shahi Jama Masjid complex of Agra. However, Zahid Qureshi has issued threats to kill me and so I require security cover,” he added.

SSP Agra Sudhir Kumar Singh informed that Jahid Qureshi had made provocative remarks at Jama Masjid in Agra, following the Jumma Namaz on Friday. A clip of his speech had gone viral on social media.

“We also warn others against issuing communally provocative statements and placing them on social media because they will be strictly dealt with,” he told Hindustan Times.

“Let them (Hindus) bring any agency. That day their necks will be slit, let them dig mosques then. They are doing this everywhere. Their courage has increased,” Jaihd Qureshi was heard as saying. He had threatened Mahendra Pratap Singh with dire consequences for staking a claim on Shahi Jama Masjid.

“It is not the BJP getting involved in these issues of temple or mosque but there are people like Mahendra Pratap Singh who are issuing such statements about digging Shahi Jama Masjid in Agra. We are not against any government or nation but against individuals like Mahendra Pratap Singh,” he claimed in his defense.

Vadodara: Muslims seek FIR against BJP’s Nupur Sharma for her alleged ‘blasphemous’ remarks on Prophet Muhammad

OpIndia Staff
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Vadodara: Muslims seek FIR against BJP’s Nupur Sharma for her alleged ‘blasphemous’ remarks on Prophet Muhammad

On June 4, members of the Muslim community in Padra Taluka of district Vadodara in Gujarat submitted a memorandum to the Mamlatdar against BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. Around 15-200 members of the Muslim community had approached Mamlatdar and urged him to file a First Investigation Report (FIR) against Bharatiya Janata Party’s national spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her alleged objectionable and derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad. The community members alleged her remarks hurt their religious sentiments. It is unclear if Mamlatdar took any action based on the memorandum or not.

The office of Mamlatdar office refers to a tehsildar office of the revenue department. However, the office in Gujarat is also an executive magistrate under section-20 of the Indian Criminal Procedure Code 1973. While the office Mamlatdar largely deals with land related issues and disputes, including recovery of encroached govt property, the office also acts as the head of administration of a Taluka, just like the DC is head of administration of a district. Therefore, the Mamlatdar officer is also responsible for resolving other disputes in the community. The officer also have some limited judicial powers for local governance.

Threats and FIRs against Nupur Sharma

On May 27, BJP’s Nupur Sharma participated in a debate on Gyanvapi Mosque on Times Now. During the debate, she stated some facts as per the Islamic texts that irked the Muslims. She argued that since people are mocking the Hindu faith repeatedly, they can also mock other religions referring to Islamic beliefs.

Taking that video out of context, propaganda website AltNews cofounder Mohammed Zubair shared it with his Twitter followers, declaring Nupur a rabid communal hatemonger and someone who can incite riots. He dog-whistled an online mob against Sharma and accused her of insulting Prophet Muhammad. He was supported by other Islamists, many of whom issued death and rape threats to her and her family. So far, no action has been taken against Muhammad Zubair.

Three FIRs against Nupur Sharma have been registered. First FIR was registered based on the complaint of dubious Islamic organization Raza Academy on May 29. The second FIR was registered against her based on the complaint of one Mohammad Gurfan of Mumbra. The third FIR was registered in Hyderabad, and it was shared on social media by AIMIM chief Assadudin Owaisi.

Kanpur violence over Sharma’s remarks

The Islamists called for a Bandh in Kanpur on Friday over Sharma’s remarks during the debate. They tried to shut shops of Hindus after Friday Namaz. When the shopkeepers refused to shut shops, they started pelting stones, which turned into a communal clash. Following this, the UP Police rushed to the spot and dispersed the crowd. Multiple FIRs were registered, and several arrests were made following the violence.

Bounty against Nupur Sharma

Following the provocation by Zubair, Sharma received multiple threats on her life. Bounties were announced against her not only in India but also in Pakistan.

“This is not corruption, it’s humanity”: Himanta Biswa Sarma reiterates his wife had donated PPE kits, says Manish Sisodia will face legal consequences

OpIndia Staff
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“This is not corruption, it’s humanity”: Himanta Biswa Sarma reiterates his wife had donated PPE kits, says Manish Sisodia will face legal consequences

On June 5, Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma released more documents in connection to the ongoing controversy over allegations levels by Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. In a tweet, CM Sarma said, “The company in question wrote to Assam’s NHM stating that supply of around 1,500 PPE kits for Covid warriors must be treated as CSR contribution, and hence not a single rupee must be paid by Govt.”

CM Sarma had added a scanned image of the letter dated March 26, 2020, sent to National Health Mission (NHM) Assam by JCB Industries. In the letter, JCB Industries had requested NHM to accept 1485 PPE kits under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The letter read, “We have delivered a consignment containing a total number of 1485 PPE kits of make Amaryllis Healthcare Pvt Ltd.” The company further requested NHM to acknowledge the same.

On March 26, 2020, NHM issued a letter to JCB Industries acknowledging the receipt of the consignment containing PPE Kits. The letter was undersigned by Dr Lakshmanan S, Mission Director NHM Assam. He said, “I appreciate your initiative to come forward and donate the above-said item as a part of corporate social responsibility.”

CM Sarma warned AAP’s Sisodia of legal action

On June 4, CM Sarma had warned Sisodia of legal action if he did not stop defaming CM Sarma and his wife. It all started when leftist media portal The Wire published a report alleging that a firm owned by Riniki Bhuyan Sarma was given an order to supply PPE kits and other Covid-19 essentials without following due procedure.

Riniki Bhuyan Sarma refuted the allegations made in the report by The Wire and said she didn’t take even a penny for the supply of the PPE kits. She said that she had donated the PPE kits to the National Health Mission under CSR, and no payment was taken for the same.

Using Wire’s report, on June 4 2022, Delhi’s deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia held a press conference and accused Himanta Biswa Sarma of corruption. He alleged that Himanta Biswa Sarma gave contracts of government purchase to the companies owned by his wife and close associates. He also posted copy of

Responding to these allegations, Himanta Biswa Sarma posted on his Twitter handle, “At a time when the entire country was facing the worst pandemic in over 100 years, Assam hardly had any PPE Kits. My wife took the courage to come forward and donating around 1500 free of cost to the govt to save lives. She didn’t take a single penny.”

Challenging Manish Sisodia to prove his claims in the court of law, Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote in a further tweet, “Stop sermonising, and I will see you soon in Guwahati as you will face criminal defamation.”

Responding to Himanta Biswa Sarma, AAP leader Manish Sisodia tweeted a photograph of a purchase order dated March 18 2020 issued by NHM to JCB Industries for supply of 5000 PPE kits, ignoring the fact that the PO was marked as cancelled. The NHM had issued another letter to the company informing that the PO has been cancelled.

PPE kit crisis in 2020

The AAP leader had also alleged corruption because the PO was issued without tender, overlooking the unprecedented emergency situation the country was facing at that time. While generally govt procurements must follow the tendering route, it can be bypassed for emergency requirements because tendering is a time-intensive procedure. Outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic was such an emergency situation, and at that time the country had almost nil PPE kits. All states were scrambling to get the vital protective suites, and therefore they had issued urgent purchase orders for PPE suits to regular suppliers. Assam NHM had also supplied such orders to several companies, including JCB Industries for 5000 kits.

But JCB Industries could manage only 1485 PPE kits, given the high demand and low supply at that time – India didn’t made PPE kits at that time, all were imported – and wrote to NHM on 26 Marth requesting to accept the 1485 kits as donations under CSR, and not to make any payment. The NHM had acknowledged it on the next day on 27th March, thanking the company for donation. However, as an PO was already issued on 18th March, the NHM issued a letter on 6th April cancelling the PO, which was just an administrative procedure. It is notable that the PO was cancelled 10 days after the company requested to accept the kits as donation under CSR. It is not that the company donated the kits after the PO was cancelled, as some AAP supporters are alleging.

It is notable that BJP leaders and netizens have also pointed out how Delhi govt had purchased PPE kits at higher rate than the cancelled PO issued to JCB Industries cited. While the cancelled PO cited ₹990, the Arvind Kejriwal had approved purchase of the kits at ₹1087.47 per kit.

While Manish Sisodia is accusing Himanta Biswa Sarma of corruption for emergency purchase of PPE kits, his own CM had said at that time that the issue was not money, but availability of PPE kits. Responding to a offer by BJP MP Gautam Gambhir pledging ₹1 crore, the CM had said instead of the money, it will be better if the MP can manage PPE kits from somewhere. “The problem is not of money but availability of PPE kits. We wud be grateful if u cud help us get them from somewhere immediately, Del govt will buy them,” he had said.

So much desperate the situation was that the Delhi CM was asking opposition MP to arrange for PPE kits from somewhere. But but now the Delhi govt and AAP have forgotten all of them.

Rajasthan: Maulana Mufti Nadeem threatens to gouge eyes and chop hands over ‘blasphemy’ in presence of Police, watch video

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: Maulana Mufti Nadeem threatens to gouge eyes and chop hands over ‘blasphemy’ in presence of Police, watch video

On June 4, a video of Maulana Mufti Nadeem of Bundi, Rajasthan, went viral on social media in which he threatened to gouge eyes and chop the hands of those who speak against Prophet Mohammad. The controversial statement came in the backdrop of the remarks made by Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Nupur Sharma. Maulana Mufti gave the provocative statement in the presence of Rajasthan Police.

The Muslim community had gone to meet the collector on June 3 to submit a memorandum regarding the remarks made by Sharma. While addressing the crowd at Collectorate premises in the presence of Police, Maulana Mufti said, “If the administration says it is not against the law, we will go against the law. If it is against the law, the local administration and the union government must listen… If she has done blasphemy against my master, which she has done, and if someone else does the same, listen carefully… take action against them. If you fail to take action, Muslims will take the matter into their hands.”

He added, “If Muslims give reactions, look at the history, whenever Muslims gave reaction against any community they became homeless. If you do not take action, we will react. This is not a request. This is an open threat. The Muslims from everywhere around the world will rise, and we know how to take revenge for the blasphemy against my master.”

Threatening to chop hands and gouge eyes for blasphemy, he said, “You can abuse me, I will tolerate. You can abuse my father, I will tolerate it. You can abuse my family, I will tolerate it. But if you speak even a word against my Nabi, your tongue will be cut. If you raise your hands, they will be chopped. If you raise your finger, it will be chopped. Even if you raise your eyes, we will gouge the eyes and throw them away. After that, you can throw us in jail or do a lathi-charge, we will tolerate it. But we cannot tolerate a word against Nabi.”

Threats against BJP’s Nupur Sharma

During a debate on Times Now over the disputed Gyanvapi structure, Nupur Sharma argued that if people are criticising Hinduism, they can also criticise other religions, referring to Islamic teachings. Zubair from Alt News took the video out of context and shared it with his Twitter followers, calling Nupur a communal hatemonger capable of instigating bloodshed.

Immediately, troll accounts appeared on Nupur Sharma’s timeline, threatening her with numerous threats, including threats to behead her, indicating that the dog-whistling had succeeded. In other similar situations, such as those involving Kamlesh Tiwari and Kishan Bharwad, a similar type of threat resulted in their deaths.

So far, multiple FIRs have been registered against Sharma in the matter.

Kanpur violence: Curfew in Bareilly after Maulana Tauqir Raza, who has been baying for blood of Hindus, gives call for protest

OpIndia Staff
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Kanpur violence: Curfew in Bareilly after Maulana Tauqir Raza, who has been baying for blood of Hindus, gives call for protest

The district administration in Bareilly has imposed a curfew after controversial Islamic cleric Maulana Tauqir Raza announced that a protest will be held on June 10 against BJP’s Nupur Sharma over her remarks on Prophet Muhammad.

As per reports, the curfew will remain effective until July 3, 2022, to avert any law and order situation. The administrative action has been taken as a precautionary measure in the aftermath of the recent violence in Kanpur.

Reportedly, the assembly of more than 5 people will not be allowed in public places. No demonstrations can be held during the imposition of curfew. It must be mentioned that Maulana Tauqir Raza has a history of inciting violence against the Hindu community.

Tauqir Raza incited violence against Hindus

In January this year, he addressed a gathering of 20 lakh Muslims in Bareilly and threatened that Hindus would have nowhere to escape if the rage of Muslims flared. Tauqeer Raza, once an ally of the Samajwadi Party and Congress, was heard as saying, “If we rise, you can’t hide”.

“I see the anger within my Muslim youths and I am afraid that the day this anger bursts out, the day I lose control over them… I want to warn my Hindu brothers that I’m scared that the day my Muslim youths are forced to take the law into their hands, you will not find a place to hide anywhere in India”, said the Islamic leader while displaying his hate for the Hindus.

In April 2022, he provoked Muslims to take action after several BJP-led governments demolished the illegal houses of rioters. “If this government continues to do such injustice, the countrywide Jail Bharo Andolan will become so big that government will be unable to contain it. And the day Muslims come to the streets, one must understand that they will be uncontrollable, he had said.

Violence in Kanpur

On Friday (June 3), violence erupted in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur district over allegations of blasphemy committed by BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. The Muslim community had given a call for a shutdown in the area to protest, which turned violent after the Friday prayers.

As per reports, the members of the Muslim community clashed with the State Police and other civilians and pelted stones in the Becongunj area near Yatimkhana. Controversy erupted after Muslim leader Hayat Zafar Hashmi called for a ‘market bandh’ in protest against the alleged remarks made by Sharma last week.

Hundreds of Islamists joined the protest on June 3 and began to pelt stones after the Friday Namaz. The Police responded to the violence and lathi-charged some of the protesters. While they tried to get the situation under control, fierce stone pelting continued intermittently.

No issue in sending Afghan soldiers to India for training, says son of Taliban founder Mullah Omar

Dibakar Dutta
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No issue in sending Afghan soldiers to India for training, says son of Taliban founder Mullah Omar

Hours after an official delegation of India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) met Taliban leader Amir Khan Mottaki, the interim government of Afghanistan has expressed interest in sending Afghan soldiers for training in India.

In an exclusive interview with CNN News18, the Defence Minister of the Afghan Taliban Mullah Yaqoob was asked whether he will be willing to send Afghan soldiers for training in India. Yaqoob is the son of former Taliban supreme leader Mullah Omar.

“Yes, we don’t see any issue with it. Afghan-India relations get strengthened and set the ground for this. There will be no issues with it,” he had remarked. The Afghan Defence Minister was also asked whether he will be open to integrating Afghan officers who are currently residing in India and trained by the Indian Military Academy.

“We have taken many steps in this regard and have called upon, invited and requested all those Afghans who went to foreign countries. Many of them returned and are working here with their duties,” Yaqoob said.

He further claimed, “Those men who remained here, we are aware of this and call upon them to return. It is Afghan tradition not to desert anyone and we are pledged to this.”

It must be mentioned that India had trained thousands of Afghani security personnel in counter-terrorism, jungle warfare, signals, intelligence gathering, information technology besides other tailored capsule courses.

On average 700 to 800 Aghan soldiers used to receive training at various military establishments in India including OTA, IMA and National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla (Pune), Vairengte (Mizoram) among others.

Taliban takes over Afghanistan

On August 15, 2021, the Taliban entered Kabul and overthrew the USA-backed government. The Afghan forces surrendered without showing any resistance. Leaders such as Ashraf Ghani fled the conflict-torn country.

On September 7 last year, the Taliban announced the names of cabinet members of the interim government, which would rule the ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’ till a permanent government was constituted.

It was declared that Mullah Mohammad Hasan Akhund would be the acting Prime Minister and have two deputies, namely, Mullah Abdus Salam and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. 

The Wire gives cover to ‘Dara Hua Musalman’ through fake reporting as illegal encroacher re-occupy the streets of Jahangirpuri

राहुल पाण्डेय
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The Wire gives cover to ‘Dara Hua Musalman’ through fake reporting as illegal encroacher re-occupy the streets of Jahangirpuri

On June 2, 2022, leftist propaganda website The Wire published a report about the violence that took place in Jahangirpuri Delhi. They quoted the locals and claimed that the people of the Muslim community are migrating from Jahangirpuri.

The Wire painted a grim picture of the situation in Jahangirpuri. They claimed that unilateral action of the Police against illegal encroachers was the basis of the so-called exodus of Muslims from the area. They attempted to blame Police for the so-called ‘atmosphere of fear’ in Jahangirpuri and claimed the Police were harassing innocent Muslims for extorting money.

OpIndia conducted an on-ground investigation into the claims made by The Wire. On June 3, 2022, our team reached Jahangirpuri, just a day after The Wire’s report was published. We talked to the locals to confirm the ‘facts’ presented in the report. Most of the people we talked to outright rejected the claims made in the report. Also, upon investigation, we found that the ground situation was much different from what was claimed by The Wire.

The OpIndia team reached the part of Jahangirpuri where the violence had erupted, and the mob had caused the maximum damage. It was already 4 PM, and we could notice the hustle and bustle in the market. The shops were operating normally. There was a negligible presence of the Police. The barricades that were placed in the area had been removed. The barricades were present only till the temple located on the road where the mosque, which was the centre of discussion after the violence, was located. Also, people continued doing their daily chores.

Encroachments back on the road where Bulldozers acted

The Wire claimed in the report that the atmosphere of the region where bulldozers removed the encroachments was filled with fear. The locals, especially the people of the Muslim community, were scared. However, when we cross-checked the situation on the ground, it contradicted The Wire’s report. The encroachments were back on the roads. Junk deposits were visible on the sides of the roads of C block just like before.

Junk deposits at the roads of Jahangirpuri.

At Shorab’s shop

Apart from junk, shops selling goods like electronics items and clothes without tax or GST were operating openly on the road. This was the same road where stone-pelting at Hanuman Yatra had started. Locals said all of those shops belonged to the people of the Muslim community. The encroachment was to the extent that a four-wheeler could not pass through that road comfortably. The fear that The Wire claimed in its report was nowhere visible in the people on that street.

Shops selling cloths and other items on roadside.

Normal activity in front of the mosque

The next stop was the mosque and the area around it from where the Hindu Organizations have alleged that the stone-pelting had started. Upon reaching the spot, we noticed that the nearby shops were open from one line. There were bikes and some e-rickshaws standing on the spot to ferry people. There was a commotion around the mosque, and no signs of any ‘fear’ were visible.

Everything was normal around the mosque area.

Loading-unloading of junk

In its report, The Wire claimed that where bulldozers removed encroachments, people were scared for their future. However, on the same spot, we noticed loading and unloading of junk was ongoing without any fear of the authorities or the administration. The junk that was moved to Dhobighat of Block D during the anti-encroachment drive has been brought back.

Trucks laden with junk, children working at shops and handcards parked near shops.

There were trucks laden with junk standing on the spot. Also, very young boys were seen working at those shops without any restrictions. There were several handcarts standing at the spot to move the junk around that was unloaded from the truck.

The pending case against encroachment in Jahangirpuri

The authorities had initiated action against the encroachments in Jahangirpuri on April 20. Though such actions were common, it was seen as the aftermath of Jahangirpuri violence, where stones were pelted on Hanuman Jayanti Yatra, and the Hindus in the Yatra were attacked days before the anti-encroachment drive.

There were several political parties, leaders and activists who protested against the anti-encroachment drive and approached Supreme Court for a stay. The Court ordered to maintain the status quo at Jahangirpuri. The hearing in the encroachment case is still pending in the Court.

This report was first published in OpIndia Hindi.

Death row convict Balwant Rajoana’s sister to contest Sangrur Lok Sabha by-poll as SAD-BSP candidate on the Shiromani Akali Dal symbol

OpIndia Staff
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Death row convict Balwant Rajoana’s sister to contest Sangrur Lok Sabha by-poll as SAD-BSP candidate on the Shiromani Akali Dal symbol

A day after Aam Aadmi Party announced its candidate for the Sangrur Lok Sabha by-poll, the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bahujan Samaj Party (SAD-BSP) alliance decided to field Balwant Rajoana’s sister Kamaldeep Kaur as the candidate from the same seat. She will contest the election on the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) symbol. The Sangrur Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after Bhagwant Mann resigned from there having won the Dhuri assembly constituency in this year’s Punjab assembly elections.

It is notable that Balwant Rajoana is given the death penalty for his role in the assassination of Punjab’s former chief minister Beant Singh. Kamaldeep Kaur met her brother in the Patiala Central Jail before her name was announced as the candidate. She will file her nomination on 6th June 2022.

A SAD delegation, including Sikander Singh Maluka, Virsa Singh Valtoha, Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Harish Rai Dhanda, and Prabhjot Singh Dhaliwal visited Kamaldeep Kaur in Ludhiana on Saturday morning. The delegation conveyed to her the decision of the party to field her as the SAD contestant for the upcoming by-poll. 46-year-old Kamaldeep Kaur met her convicted brother Balwant Singh Rajoana in the Patiala Central Jail and then gave her consent to fight the election.

SAD leader Harish Rai Dhanda while interacting with the media said, “We conveyed the party’s decision to her and asked her to contest so that the cause of Sikh political prisoners can be highlighted. She appreciated the party’s decision but wanted to consult her brother before confirming.”

Balwant Singh Rajoana is on death row for the assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. He had appealed to electors to vote for the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in the run-up to the assembly elections earlier this year. He made this appeal when he was visiting a gurudwara in Ludhiana on January 31 to attend the bhog ceremony of his father. His father Jaswant Singh passed away on January 22.

In July 2007, Rajoana was convicted for his involvement in the explosion outside the Punjab civil secretariat that killed Beant Singh. The blast took place on August 31, 1995 outside the Punjab and Haryana civil secretariat in Chandigarh. Along with Punjab’s former chief minister Beant Singh, 16 others were killed in this explosion.

Candidates for the by-election to the Sangrur Lok Sabha seat can file their nominations till June 6. By-election to the Sangrur Lok Sabha seat in Punjab will be held on June 23 while the results will be announced on June 26.

The Sangrur Lok Sabha seat is considered to be a stronghold of the Aam Aadmi Party. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had won the Sangrur Lok Sabha seat twice in 2014 and 2019. In this byelection, Aam Aadmi Party is fielding Gurmail Singh who is the Sangrur district in charge of AAP.

Advanced times leading to mistakes…feel sorry: Telangana Home Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali resorts to victim shaming in Hyderabad rape case

OpIndia Staff
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Advanced times leading to mistakes…feel sorry: Telangana Home Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali resorts to victim shaming in Hyderabad rape case

On Saturday (June 4), Telangana Home Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali courted controversy after he subtly blamed the minor victim in the Hyderabad rape case. While talking about the case, he said that people commit mistakes in modern times, implying that the victim girl made a mistake by going to a party in a club

He mad this comments when talking to media. On being quizzed about the action taken by the state govt against the culprits, Ali said that no leniency will be shown to any of the accused. He also assured that the investigation will be impartial.

“Because minor people are involved in the case, the probe has delayed by a day or two. Telangana police is strictly working on the case,” the Telangana Home Minister added. He then went on to blame the ‘modern times’ where people supposedly commit mistakes.

Home Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali remarked, “Advance zamana aa chuka hai… kuch galtiya ho rahi hai uska bohot dukh hai par police zaroor control karegi (These are modern/advanced times that is giving rise to such mistakes. I feel sorry about it. The police will do everything to control it).”

Rape apologists in India often blame a myriad of things, other than the perpetrator, to rationalise the heinous crime of rape. These include accusing the victim of provocation, wearing short clothes or not being vigilant about her surroundings.

In extreme cases, some politicians have trivialised rape by suggesting that young boys tend to commit ‘mistakes.’ While Mohammed Mahmood Ali didn’t directly blame the victim, he made references to ‘changing times’ and ‘societal advancement’ to contextualise rape.

The attempt by the Telangana Home Minister to suggest that factors other than that of the perpetrators’ actions could have been a contributing factor to the rape has drawn the ire of people.

It is notable that yesterday Telangana Congress and several others had alleged that the home minister’s grandson is also one of the minor culprits in the case. However later police had clarified that Ali’s grandson is not a suspect in the case.

Ali had blamed a rape victim for not immediately calling the police in 2019

However, Mohammed Mahmood Ali has been a habitual offender in this regard. In November 2019, he courted controversy after he blamed a deceased rape victim for calling her family members instead of dialling the police.

“She is a doctor, she is educated. Why did she call her sister first? She should have called 100 first,” he had infamously remarked.

Rape of minor girl in Hyderabad

On May 28 this year, a 17-year-old minor girl went to attend a party at the Amnesia and Insomnia Pub in Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad, which was hosted by two of her friends.

In his complaint to the jubilee hills police station on June 1, the girl’s father informed that the accused took her out of the pub, forced her in a Mercedes car and then gang-raped her.

Based on the complaint of the minor girl’s father, a case was registered against the accused under Sections 354, and Section 323 of the IPC and Sections 9 and 10 of the POCSO Act.

Later, the girl was sent to the counselling centre. Following her statement to the police, she was medically examined and Section 376 of the IPC was added to the FIR for gang rape. The police had identified all five accused involved in the case. Out of the five, three are juveniles and the rest are adults.

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