Home Blog Page 3130

Young Indian, controlled by the Gandhis, has assets worth Rs 800 crore even though they started off with Rs 5 lakh in 2010, finds ED probe

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Young Indian, controlled by the Gandhis, has assets worth Rs 800 crore even though they started off with Rs 5 lakh in 2010, finds ED probe

The Enforcement Directorate has summoned interim Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi in connection with a money laundering case related to National Herald. According to the ED probe, the NGO, controlled by the Gandhis, that started off with only Rs 5 lakh in 2010 now has assets over Rs 800 crores. At this time, a passport office works out of Herald House.

This story starts in 2008 when Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), the publisher of the National Herald was on the verge of becoming defunct. This was a time when AJL’s owners found an opportunity to discontinue the printing and publishing business. Instead, properties owned by AJL at prime locations in Delhi, Mumbai, Panchkula, Lucknow and Patna were rented out to meet the commercial viability of the company. Reportedly, these properties were pulled in during the Congress regime at meagre costs for the sole purpose of publishing. By now, AJL was only a publishing house in name, whereas the money was minted through renting out its precious properties in prime locations.

In November 2010, a new entity called ‘Young Indian’ entered the scene. As reported by The Times of India, the new company was formulated by Sonia Gandhi as the President of INC, senior Congress leader Oscar Fernandes and other close aides of the Gandhi family. To this date, Sonia Gandhi along with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra continue to be the majority stakeholders in the company. The company was born to take over AJL as means to acquire the properties owned by the ailing company.

The ‘non-profit’ way of getting tax exemptions

While during its inception, Young Indian started off with Rs 5 lakh capital, and now has properties worth Rs 800 crore sprawling across the country. In 2017, the Income-tax department challenged the takeover of AJL by Young Indian. After going through the IT department’s charges, the file of I-T returns by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi had again come into the scanner.

Young Indian caught the attention of the Income Tax Department after it was revealed that the organisation was listed as a Section-25 company. Such companies are exempted from paying taxes for being a charitable non-profit organisation. The company applied for IT exemption in March 2011 and the same was granted to the company on May 9, 2011. This was right under the behest of the Congress Party when the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government was in power.

Despite being listed as a non-profit company, the Young Indian started acquiring properties under the guise of being a publishing house. It also enjoys tax exemption from the year 2010-11. However, the company has been struggling to keep its leased properties, which have recently caught the ire of the ED. The Congress era saw many politicians, business tycoons and individuals with high net worth investing in prime properties by acquiring the company which owned the asset instead of directly purchasing the property. This gave them leverage to not get involved in paying the stamp duty and capital gain tax for the purchase.

Properties owned by Young Indian

Reportedly, Young Indian holds properties amounting worth Rs 800 crore which were acquired by the company during the UPA era at petty sums. This includes properties at prime locations in Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Patna and across other cities in the country.

The Herald House, located on the Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, was one of the first properties acquired by AJL. The building is currently rented out to the Government of India, which runs a Passport Seva Kendra on its premises. Currently evaluated worth hundreds of crores, the ministry of housing and urban development cancelled its lease deed citing a violation of the allotment clause.

Herald House, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg. Image Courtesy: Live Law

Young India, which was listed as a non-profit company was found using the property for commercial gains by renting it out, instead of publishing newspapers. Writ petition submitted by the Gandhis against the Ministry of Housing order was dismissed by the Delhi High Court.

In 2019, the ED took possession of 65-acre land acquired by AJL in Panchkula after charges of money laundering were attracted on the Gandhis regarding possession of the property. The case of money laundering against the Gandhi family started after properties owned by AJL were transferred to Young Indian after its acquisition. The ED revealed the information about the land stating – Plot No C-17, Sector 6, Panchkula was allotted to AJL by then Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda for the first time in 1982.

The allotment was revoked 10 years later after the company was found using the land for commercial interests. However, the same piece of land was allotted to the company in 2005 for merely Rs 59,39 lakh.

Similarly in May 2020, The ED attached the assets of AJL in Bandra, Mumbai including a 9-storey building with 2 basements worth Rs 16.38 crores. The attachment order by the ED pertaining to an angle of money laundering was issued against the AJL & Moti Lal Vora who served as the Chairman-Cum-Managing Director in the company.

Indian delegation in Kabul to meet Taliban members, to oversee India’s humanitarian assistance of food, medicine and vaccines provided to Afghan people

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Indian delegation in Kabul to meet Taliban members, to oversee India’s humanitarian assistance of food, medicine and vaccines provided to Afghan people

On Thursday, India sent a team led by a senior official from the Ministry of External Affairs to Kabul to oversee and analyze the delivery operations of India’s humanitarian assistance provided to Afghanistan. This is India’s first official visit to Kabul after the Taliban took over the country in August last year.

According to the statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs, the India team will meet the senior members of the Taliban, and hold discussions on India’s humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. The team will also meet representatives of the International Organisations involved in the distribution of humanitarian assistance.

The development comes as India, in response to the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people has extended several shipments of humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. The shipments sent to Afghanistan consisted of 20,000 MTs of wheat, 13 tons of medicines, 500,000 doses of Covid vaccine, and winter clothing. These consignments were handed over to the Indira Gandhi Children Hospital, Kabul, and UN specialized agencies including WHO and WFP.

“In continuation with our developmental partnership with Afghan brethren, we have gifted one million doses of India-made COVAXIN to Iran to administer to Afghan refugees in Iran. We have also assisted UNICEF by supplying almost 60 million doses of polio vaccine and two tons of essential medicines”, the official statement read.

“India’s development and humanitarian assistance have received a widespread appreciation across the entire spectrum of the Afghan society. In this connection, the Indian team will meet the senior members of the Taliban, and hold discussions on India’s humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan”, it added.

The Ministry also underlined that India has “historical and civilizational ties with the Afghan people” and that “these longstanding linkages will continue to guide our approach”. It is important to note that though India does not recognize the Taliban regime, it has been sending humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. Reportedly, on March 22, the Taliban praised India for supplying high-quality wheat. Many Afghans had also expressed their gratitude to India for its generosity.

Reports mention that the Indian team is led by the Joint Secretary, Pakistan Afghanistan Iran (PAI) division, MEA, JP Singh. Last year, Singh had met the Taliban leadership, on the sidelines of the Moscow format of talks on Afghanistan in Delhi. The India team that has been sent to Kabul, Afghanistan is also expected to visit various places where Indian programs and projects are being implemented.

Congress party to shift its Rajasthan and Haryana MLAs to hotels ahead of Rajya Sabha elections to prevent cross-voting

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Congress party to shift its Rajasthan and Haryana MLAs to hotels ahead of Rajya Sabha elections to prevent cross-voting

The Congress has decided to shift its MLAs in Rajasthan to a hotel in Udaipur ahead of then Rajya Sabha elections to prevent the possibility of cross-voting. The Rajya Sabha elections are scheduled for 10th June 2022. Independent legislators and MLAs of other parties supporting the Congress will also be shifted. According to party sources, this step is being taken because the party fears that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will buy the MLAs before the June 10 Rajya Sabha elections.

According to a report by Outlook Hindi, a source from the party has said, “The MLAs have been asked to reach Udaipur. Some were likely to leave yesterday and the rest are likely to reach Udaipur today.” The Congress party is likely to take its MLAs to Aravali Resort in Udaipur. The MLAs will stay at the hotel where the Congress Chintan Shivir was held last month. The MLAs will be taken on 2nd June 2022. This will be done after the ongoing training camp at Clark Hotel in Jaipur ends.

Not only Rajasthan but the Congress MLAs from adjacent state Haryana will also be taken to a resort in Rajasthan ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections. They will be taken to Jaipur. Besides, around 40 rooms have been booked in Jaisalmer’s Suryagarh. Congress is fielding its senior leader Ajay Maken from Haryana state. The situation for Congress has become worrisome because of an independent nominee’s candidature.

This is not the first time that Rajasthan Congress is keeping its MLAs in a hotel ahead of a Rajya Sabha election. Even in 2020, Congress MLAs in Rajasthan were shifted to a hotel. When Congress leader Sachin Pilot was unhappy with the party leadership and the treatment he was getting within the party, he had also taken 18 of the MLAs supporting him to a resort.

This time, the Congress party has decided to move its MLAs to a hotel after Subhash Chandra, supported by BJP, has filed his nomination form for the Rajya Sabha seat from Rajasthan state as an independent candidate. Subhash Chandra is currently a member of the upper house of the parliament and he represents Haryana state. His current term completes on 1st August. After Chandra filed his candidature, Rajasthan’s chief minister Ashok Gehlot had alleged that BJP is involved in the horsetrading of MLAs.

Gehlot made the statement when the ruling Congress, with its 108 MLAs in the state assembly, is set to win two of the four seats in the Rajya Sabha elections. 41 votes are needed to win a Rajya Sabha seat in Rajasthan state. After securing 2 seats, the Congress party is left with 26 spare votes which is 15 less than the required tally for the third seat.

On the other hand, BJP has 71 MLAs in the state assembly and it is all set to win at least a seat in the Rajya Sabha. BJP has a surplus of 30 votes which is 11 less than the magic figure it needs for the second seat. Interestingly, Gehlot and Congress candidates had held a meeting with 10 of the 13 independent MLAs in Rajasthan on Tuesday 31st May 2022.

On Wednesday, BJP leader and deputy leader of the opposition in the state assembly Rajendra Rathore alleged that the Congress is an expert in ‘Elephant Trading’. Rathore was essentially implying towards Bahujan Samaj Party, whose election symbol is an elephant. It is notable that six BSP MLAs in Rajasthan left their party and joined Congress in 2019.

Rathore further said, “This time too, the Chief Minister has hinted at keeping all congress MLAs together before the Rajya Sabha elections. The Chief Minister has set a record of fortification. Why is he afraid? And who is bearing the expenses for this?”

BSP also wrote to Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra and Speaker C P Joshi demanding that the six MLAs of BSP who joined the Congress be barred from voting in the Rajya Sabha polls. BSP state president Bhagwan Singh Baba said in the letter that a case is going on against the MLAs in the Supreme Court under the anti-defection law. “In such a situation, these six MLAs should be stopped from voting in the Rajya Sabha elections as the BSP has decided that it will not support any party or independent in the Rajya Sabha elections”, said Baba.

Reacting to this, state Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra said six MLAs have merged with the Congress and are now party MLAs.

Congress vs Congress in Chhattisgarh: District unit of the party in Surguja joins locals to protest against the state govt. Read why

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Congress vs Congress in Chhattisgarh: District unit of the party in Surguja joins locals to protest against the state govt. Read why

The Surguja district unit of Chhattisgarh Congress has joined the locals against the Congress-led Chhattisgarh government over the cutting of trees in Hasdeo Aranya forest for mining projects. Adani Enterprises Ltd is set to mine an extension of Parsa East Kente Basan (PEKB) coal block and an adjacent coal block in Parsa for the Rajasthan government.

On Tuesday, the state forest department started the process of clearing land in the forest for the mining project. The tribal people started a massive protest against the project, after which the forest department workers had to stop the work. By that time, 100 trees had already been cut.

The tribal people of Hasdeo Aranya have been protesting against the project for months. Around 300 people marched to Raipur from their villages in October 2021 to mark their protest over the project.

District Congress Unit joined Tribal protests

On June 1, members of the district Congress unit in Sarguja met the tribal people and joined their protests. Balkrishna Pathak, who is a local Congress leader and chairperson of the Chhattisgarh Aushadhiya Padap Board, promised the protesting tribal people that he would not let the forest get destroyed. He said, “Rahul Gandhi’s words are like a Lakshman Rekha for us. We shall not let any tree get cut from the forest against the wishes of the tribals.”

Congress leader Balkrishna Pathak with supporters and tribal people to protest against falling of trees by Congress-led Chhattisgarh Government. (Image: Patrika)

Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had extended support for the protests in Hasdeo and had claimed that he was working on a solution ‘within the party. Notably, the Zila Panchayat of district Sarguja has also extended support to the protesters. They have written to the collector and other officials against cutting trees.

Tribal members have claimed there were irregularities in the project, but it was cleared to help Adani. Umeshwar Singh Armo, a member of the Hasdeo Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, said, “We have been complaining that the gram sabha report that they’ve been showing is fake. There are other irregularities too that the government has been covering up in a hurry to facilitate Adani.” Hasdeo Bachao Sangharsh Samiti is an organization comprising tribal residents that were formed to save the forests.

Chhattisgarh allowed mining in March 2021

Notably, the Congress government in Chhattisgarh was against the mining project. In December 2021, it was reported that the Congress-led Rajasthan Government had approached the BJP-led Central government against the Congress-led Chhattisgarh government and requested to intervene in the matter. Reportedly, Rajasthan has blamed Chhattisgarh for stalling the projects at two coal blocks that were allocated to the former.

As both states were unable to find a solution to the problem, Subodh Agarwal, additional chief secretary, Rajasthan, wrote to power and coal secretaries Alok Kumar and Anil Jain. In his letters to the secretaries, he emphasized the need for intervention of the Central Govt to pursue the Chhattisgarh government to take immediate action so that the production from the mines could start. In 2020, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot wrote to Chhatisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and requested him to speed up the clearance process for the mines.

Congress leader and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot met Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel; the project was moved forward. The coal blocks were allotted to Rajasthan in 2015, but the project was stuck for one or the other reason.

The Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) had granted permission to Adani Enterprises to start mining for the second phase of the PEKB coal block. In March Chhattisgarh govt approved the diversion of forest land for non-forest activities. Reportedly, this project will cover 1,136 hectares of forest land.

India is ready with plans, Pakistan will be broken into 3 parts, denuclearised and demilitarised: Former Pak PM Imran Khan

OpIndia Staff
-
0
India is ready with plans, Pakistan will be broken into 3 parts, denuclearised and demilitarised: Former Pak PM Imran Khan

Imran Khan, the ousted Pakistan Prime Minister and Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), said on Wednesday that if the government did not make a good decision, Pakistan will split into three parts because India was ready with its plans.

In an interview with BOL News, the former prime minister, who was removed from office following a no-confidence vote earlier this year, claimed that the country is on the verge of death if “right decisions” are not made, and that it may default. Imran Khan stated that if Pakistan is devastated, it would default, and the international community will pressure Pakistan to denuclearize as Ukraine did in the 1990s.

When questioned about his future plan in light of the possibility that he may not be able to return to power, Imran Khan responded, “The actual problem here is of Pakistan and establishment. If the establishment does not take the right decision, then I will give it to you in writing that they will be destroyed, and the armed forces will be the first ones to be devastated,” he told the interviewer adding, “Pakistan will be broken in three parts.”

“If the right decisions aren’t made at this time then the country is going towards suicide,” Imran Khan stated. “Think tanks in India are mulling to separate Balochistan, they have plans, this is why I am putting pressure,” Imran Khan further added.

During the interview, PTI chief Imran Khan also acknowledged that his ascent to power had been fragile from the start since he lacked the majority. Khan emphasised that he had been stripped of ultimate authority and had to rely on coalition partners to form the government, a mistake he vowed he would not repeat, adding that he would prefer reelections but would never accept a compromise.

Former president Asif All Zardari slammed Imran Khan over these comments and said that no Pakistani could talk of tearing the country apart. “This language is not of a Pakistani but of Modi. Imran Khan’s power is not everything in the world, be brave and learn to stand on your feet and do politics now,” Zardari said.

PML-N leader Talal Chaudhry responded to Imran Khan’s remarks and said that only a ‘mentally ill person’ could make such statements. “In the past, Imran Khan said it is better to drop nuclear bomb on Pakistan, he also asked people to start civil disobedience movement and send money through hundii,” Chaudhry said.

Six days before Sonia Gandhi is supposed to appear before ED, she allegedly tests positive for Covid-19

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Six days before Sonia Gandhi is supposed to appear before ED, she allegedly tests positive for Covid-19

Congress President Sonia Gandhi has reportedly tested positive for Covid-19 and has isolated herself. The Congress party has informed about the same on Twitter today. The news of the Congress chief contracting the virus has come 6 days before she is supposed to appear before the Enforcement Department for questioning in the National Herald scam. The department summoned the Gandhi scions for questioning on June 8.

Sonia Gandhi, according to Congressman Randeep Singh Surjewala, has held a series of meetings with leaders and activists in the recent week and on Wednesday she tested Covid-19 positive.

“Some of those tested positive Covid. Last evening, Sonia Gandhi got mild fever. She tested Covid positive and has isolated herself. Medical consultation has happened and she is recovering,” he said.

It is notable that the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday summoned Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over the National Herald case. it was reported that Sonia Gandhi will appear before the ED on June 8. Interestingly, Rahul was initially asked to appear on June 2, Thursday, but he had sought a postponement of the date as he would be abroad till June 5.

However, the party is maintaining that Sonia Gandhi will appear before the ED as scheduled. Randeep Surjewala said, “As of today, her date of appearance before ED on June 8th stands as it is.” he further informed that the Congress chief has developed mild fever and some symptoms, has isolated herself, and she has been given requisite medical attention.

ED will record statements of both under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The summons has elicited sharp reactions from the Congress party, which has alleged that the case was closed by the investigating agency in 2015. 

National Herald Scam

The National Herald scam is one of the most notable legal cases in Indian history, as the Gandhis are directly accused. The Mother-Son duo of Congress President Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia, along with their aides – Oscar Fernandez, Motilal Vohra and Sam Pithroda are alleged to have been involved in massive ‘cheating and breach of trust’ in the acquisition of Associated Journals Ltd (AJL) by Young Indian Pvt Ltd (YIL). Assets worth crores of rupees had been allegedly transferred for purposes other than originally intended for a paltry sum. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi got unconditional bail in December 2015.

A tale of two ‘Chaddis’: Both were part of viral videos, but one gets welcome, other is mocked

Siddharth Chhaya
-
0
A tale of two ‘Chaddis’: Both were part of viral videos, but one gets welcome, other is mocked

Disclaimer: The conversation below is fictional, thankfully, and is meant for light-hearted entertainment. It may or may not be directly or indirectly connected to some of the recent viral videos of certain politicians from a certain state of the great nation that India is. Do read it in right spirit.

Location: A terrace of a house, somewhere in Gujarat

Scene: Of all the clothes hanging on the clothesline, a Pink Chaddi and a Yellow Chaddi are having a heart-to-heart conversation

Pink Chaddi: Hey, why are you so upset?

Yellow Chaddi: Leave it, I am not in a good mood.

Pink Chaddi: Why? What happened that you are in a bad mood this early in the morning? Every morning we are washed in soap and detergent and hung out here and we have such a great time. And you are upset?

Yellow Chaddi: I got ‘washed up’ yesterday in a viral video, you didn’t see? That too more than once. It has been embarrassing.

Pink Chaddi: Oho, no big deal. A video of mine as well has gone viral in the past, heh heh heh. *winks*

Yellow Chaddi: That’s different. At least in your video you were having a good time.

Pink Chaddi: Stop being a liar. Even you were about to have ‘fun’. Heh heh heh.

Yellow Chaddi: Yeah, yeah, now don’t rub salt on my wounds.

Pink Chaddi: You know, there were many other people with me in the video that had gone viral. But only I was dragged and got a bad name. Such bad luck.

Yellow Chaddi: Yeah, so? Look at how many people were there in my viral videos. But man, only the violent ones *winces with pain* went viral. I got beaten up and they got sympathy. And to add insult to injury, I even got ridiculed on social media.

Pink Chaddi: I am the colour of love, so I only spread love. *Blushes*

Yellow Chaddi: Yeah, right. Even I was trying to spread love. I wonder how the villains got a whiff of what I was up to and came and beat me up.

Pink Chaddi: Dear, learn from me. Spread love at one place only till you get love in return. Then move on to greener pastures.

Yellow Chaddi: I was going to do the same, you idiot. But the one who did not reciprocate my love got mad at me for spreading love elsewhere. And came and beat me up instead.

Pink Chaddi: For that you need experience. And patience to wait for the right time.

Yellow Chaddi: Oho, now you will teach me. I have more than three times your experience, so you please shut up.

Pink Chaddi: But even then you got ‘washed up’ like never before. Heh heh heh.

Yellow Chaddi: Now don’t be arrogant, okay. It is not good.

Pink Chaddi: Why should I not be? My not-so-pleasant clips may have gone viral but look at me now. I am welcomed like a hero. I can go anywhere I want with my head held high and I will be welcomed.

Yellow Chaddi: Yeah, yeah. Even I had a good run at one point. I was also President of the Akhil Gujarat Yellow Chaddi Association. In fact, my great father was a tall leader of this association and played significant role in development of Gujarat Chaddis. And I had even reached the national level politics at one point in time, all the way to Delhi.

Pink Chaddi: So what? Even I set so many villages on fire just because I felt like. Some even set themselves on fire for me. And look at me now. How far I have come. By the way, why don’t you try joining other associations the way I did.

Yellow Chaddi: Now that the video has gone viral, I am quite sure my own association will kick me out. You are still a new player. You have a long life ahead of you – you will get ‘adjusted’ anywhere. But me…

Pink Chaddi: Heh heh you want all ‘fun’ in this old age, eh? Heh heh heh

Yellow Chaddi: Shut up now…

Note: Originally published in Gujarati. You can read it here.

Another targeted killing in Kashmir: Hindu bank manager from Rajasthan shot dead by Islamic terrorists in Kulgam

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Another targeted killing in Kashmir: Hindu bank manager from Rajasthan shot dead by Islamic terrorists in Kulgam

In another terror act of targeted killing in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Islamic terrorists shot dead a bank employee named Vijay Kumar in the Kulgam district on June 2, Thursday. The deceased Vijay Kumar, who hailed from Hanamangarh in Rajasthan, was the Bank Manager of Elaqahi Dehati Bank. Kumar was reportedly rushed to a nearby hospital after he was fired upon by the terrorists at the Arreh Mohanpora Branch in the Kulgam district, where he succumbed to his injuries. The killing comes two days after a school teacher, Rajni Bala, was shot dead by terrorists.

The Kashmir Zone police informed about the incident on Twitter. They said that the area has been cordoned off and the police are searching for the terrorists involved in the heinous crime.

The fresh attack yet again sparked outrage amongst the migrant Hindus, who took to the streets in Jammu and Kashmir Thursday, demanding security for members of their community.

This is the fourth such cowardly incident in the last two months where a Hindu has been targeted by Islamic terrorists in the valley. Pertinently, due to the recent spate of attacks on Hindu migrants in the valley, only yesterday (June 1), the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor chaired a key meeting wherein he suggested that PM Package employees and others who belong to minority communities posted in the Kashmir division will be posted at secured locations. LG had set June 6, 2022, as the deadline for the process of transferring the vulnerable employees. Kashmir being a Muslim majority region, minorities in the region include Hindus, Sikhs and other non-Muslim communities.

The decision to relocate minority employees to ‘secure locations’ in the valley came after a series of targeted killings of Hindu government employees by terrorists in Kashmir and fears of their exodus from Kashmir.

Targeted killings of Hindus in Kashmir

In the last few months, several Kashmiri Hindus especially including were employed under PM Package, were targeted by terrorists in the valley. The Kashmiri Hindus threatened to leave the valley following the repeated attacks.

Yogi delivers on his promise, bans sale of liquor, cannabis within 10 km of Krishna Janmabhoomi temple, shops shut by the administration

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Yogi delivers on his promise, bans sale of liquor, cannabis within 10 km of Krishna Janmabhoomi temple, shops shut by the administration

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has shut down as many as 37 shops selling alcohol and cannabis in areas surrounding Sri Krishna Janmasthan Mandir in Mathura. The government has also cancelled the licences of several liquor shop owners operating within a 10 km radius of the Krishna Mandir in Mathura.

According to reports, around three bars located in hotels and two model shops will also remain shut in Mathura from Wednesday.

It was in August 2021, during the Krishna Janmotsav celebration, just before the elections, Yogi Adityanath had promised that liquor, meat and cannabis would be banned around the temple. “The officers concerned are directed to make plans for the ban as well as for the engagement of people involved in such activities in some other trade,” he had said while addressing a Krishnotsava 2021 programme.

The action was taken after the excise department received a government order asking it to stop the sale of narcotics and liquor falling within 10 km radius of the temple. The government said that the order should come into immediate effect from June 1, 2022, Wednesday.

The officials said that the Yogi government has once again reiterated that a 10 square km area with the Krishna Janmasthan in Mathura at its centre is a religious pilgrimage site and therefore the sale of alcohol and meat here would be completely banned. Following the order, the official sprung into action on Wednesday, June 1, 2022, and shut the 37 shops selling liquor and cannabis within a radius of 10 km of the Sri Krishna Janmasthan Temple. 

Municipal Commissioner Anunay Jha confirmed the development, saying that the Excise Department has shut down businesses and bars selling wine, beer, and cannabis in 22 wards of the city.

According to District Excise Officer Prabhat Chand, the government issued an order two days ago to close the alcohol shops on June 1.  Chand added that after that, the selling of liquor was absolutely prohibited in the area.

The state government has reportedly advised that traders to instead sell milk to help resurrect the dairy business in Mathura, which is known for generating large amounts of dairy milk.

Similar action has been taken against similar shops in and around the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Last year in September, keeping the Krishna Janmabhoomi at the centre, the UP government declared that an area comprising 22 wards of the Mathura municipality will henceforth be identified as a holy pilgrimage site and will have a complete ban on the sale of meat and liquor. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made this announcement while speaking at the Krishnotsava 2021 programme.

While meat shops in the said area were shut down the next day by the administration, shops selling liquor, beer, and cannabis were not shut down for technical reasons. But now, after the order received from the Yogi government two days ago, the District Excise Department has shut down all 37 such shops falling under the purview of 22 wards of the municipal corporation.

‘No man should marry multiple women, daughters deserve equal property rights’: Assam CM says polygamy, instant talaq must be prohibited

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘No man should marry multiple women, daughters deserve equal property rights’: Assam CM says polygamy, instant talaq must be prohibited

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has declared that the Assam government is quite clear about prohibiting Muslim males from marrying multiple women. According to him, no Muslim male should marry more than one woman. “It takes one wife, one husband, and two children to live a happy life,” he said.

“We don’t want to complicate things. We are adamant that if you are a parent, you should give your daughter the same portion of the property as you do to your son. There is no ambiguity here,” Sarma remarked during an event.

Himanta Biswa Sarma also stated that the stand of the Assam Government is very clear. “Do not give Talaq. File a Divorce legally. Share half of the property with your spouse. Also, do not marry 3 people at a time. If you’re a Muslim father, give respect to your daughters at par with the men in the society,” Sarma said adding that the stand of the state government on the issue is very clear and the Muslims of Assam are in support of this too.

Sarma also advocated for the banning of the Popular Front of India and the Campus Front of India during his media exposure. He said, “We always see PFI’s hand in communal tensions. Even in the latest Batadrava incident, we are now picking up signals of involvement of PFI.”

Himanta Biswa Sarma also slammed the Congress, predicting that Congress will struggle to preserve its role as the main opposition party in the upcoming parliamentary elections. “They will come down to roughly 30-35 seats in 2024, as per my assessment,” he stated.

1...3,1293,1303,131...7,582Page 3,130 of 7,582