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TMC leader Saket Gokhale ‘fact-checks’ terror threat to Amarnath Yatra as ‘fake’

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TMC leader Saket Gokhale ‘fact-checks’ terror threat to Amarnath Yatra as ‘fake’

TMC leader Saket Gokhale Monday dubbed the terror threat issued by Islamic terror outfit The Resistance Front to Amarnath Yatra as fake, alleging that it was probably the handiwork of the “BJP IT Cell”.

Gokhale tweeted that the letter might be fake because Kashmiri Pandits were referred to as “Kashmiri Pandiths”, and the language used in the letter is “classic Postcard News.”

Quoting a tweet that bore the threat letter, Gokhale said, “Fake. The biggest giveaway is the spelling “Pandiths”. The language, too, is classic Postcard News (if anyone remembers it). A BJP IT cell coolie sitting in Bengaluru probably made this.”

Saket Gokhale
Source: Twitter

While Saket is not new to peddling propaganda, spreading lies and misinformation, gaslighting and swindling his unsuspecting followers, disregarding a terror threat issued to the Pandits, a minority compelled to leave their homeland in the wake of rising Islamism in Kashmir, is a new low even for the TMC leader’s appalling standards.

Without relying on the confirmation from the security agencies, who are better equipped to gauge terror threats and verify their authenticity, Saket proceeded to declare it fake on the tenuous grounds that it referred to Pandits as “Pandiths”. Notwithstanding the fact that Amarnath Yatra has always been the prime target for the Islamic terrorists in the Valley, Gokhale claims that the terror threat was probably fabricated by the government, thereby giving a free pass to the Islamic terrorists who are, in all likelihood, planning to disrupt the annual Hindu pilgrimage.

In July 2017, a bus carrying 60 Amarnath yatris was attacked by a group of Islamic terrorists who sprayed bullets on innocent, unarmed Hindu devotees. The attack was not the first of its kind, Amarnath yatra has been the target of Islamic terrorists for a long time. There have been attacks previously too. in 2000, a total of 89 people were massacred in five different coordinated massacres that happened over two days. 

Islamic terror outfit The Resistance Front threatens to disrupt Amarnath Yatra; calls Yatris ‘stooges of Sanghi regime’

Terrorist organisation The Resistance Front (TRF) recently issued a warning to pilgrims participating in the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage this year. In a letter dated 22 May 2022, the outfit stated that if the Amarnath Yatra is leveraged for political and demographic benefits, it will do everything possible to impede the government’s plans.

The letter referred to the government as “fascist,” and stated that they are exploiting ordinary people for their evil schemes. It stated, “They used Kashmiri Pandith’s for their vote bank and results are in front of everyone. And now they are going to use Amaranth Yatra for their dirty politics. From mere 15 thousand to 8 Lac pilgrim registrations and from 15 days to 80 days is just to provoke the sensitivity of Kashmir situation…”

“We at #TRF are not against any religious matter but when such religious institutions are used against Kashmir struggle then it becomes our concern to take such matter in our hand,” the letter further added.

Threatening to disturb the Amarnath Yatra, it stated, “We want to make it clear if this Yatra is used for political and demographic gains then we at Resistance Front will do our best to hinder such filthy schemes of Fascist Sanghi regime.”

Ayodhya Ram Mandir: From Shilanyas to plinth work, here is how the construction work has been progressing

OpIndia Staff
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Ayodhya Ram Mandir: From Shilanyas to plinth work, here is how the construction work has been progressing

The construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is in full flow, with the foundation work finished and the next phase of plinth construction having commenced. The construction work on the Ram Mandir began on August 5, 2020, after the foundation stone laying ceremony by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra (SRJBTK), the authority in charge of Ram Mandir’s operations, is supervising the temple’s construction. Former IAS Nripendra Mishra is the chairman of the construction committee.

Larsen & Toubro is the main contractor for the construction of the temple and the ramparts, while Tata Consulting Engineers has been hired as the project management consultant, while four other engineers four engineers Jagdish Aphale (IIT- Mumbai), Girish Sahastrabhujani (IIT-Mumbai), Jagannathji (from Aurangabad), and Avinash Sangamnerkar (from Nagpur) are also working voluntarily on behalf of the Trust.

The entire project is projected to cost between 900 and 1,000 crores to build and will be spread over 110 acres of land. The temple complex will also include a museum, a research centre, and an archival centre. By December 2023, the temple’s lower floor, which will house the sanctum sanctorum and a Ram Lalla idol, would be ready for worship.

According to the most recent update, 1.85 lakh cubic metres of layered civilizational debris and ancient loose soil were removed from around six acres of land surrounding the Temple site.

The foundation has been laid, and the plinth/pedestal raising work began on January 24 this year and is still ongoing. The plinth is raised using granite stone blocks from Karnataka and Telangana. The installation of carved sandstones around the sanctum sanctorum will also commence soon. The Mandir will be built from pink sandstones from the hills of the Bansi-Paharpur region in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur district.

Ram temple: Second-phase construction work likely to start from Diwali in November - Hindustan Times
Image: HT

White marble from Rajasthan’s Makrana hills will be utilised in the Mandir’s Sanctum Sanctorum. Makrana white marbles are being engraved, and some of these carved marble slabs have begun to arrive in Ayodhya.

Temples dedicated to Bhagwan Valmiki Rishi, Kewat, Mata Shabari, Jatayu, Mata Sita, Vighneshwar (Ganesh), and Sheshavatar (Lakshman) are also in the works and will be erected in the area surrounding the 8-acre temple complex. In the first phase, a pilgrim facility centre (PFC) would be established near the Mandir approach road on the eastern side, designed to provide vital services to roughly 25,000 pilgrims a day.

राम मंदिर निर्माण के लिए तराशे पत्थरों को 23 तरह के केमिकल से चमकाया जा रहा, ये काम दिल्ली की एक कंपनी कर रही | Ayodhya Ram Mandir Construction (Nirman) Karya Status
Image: Bhaskar

Every month, the construction committee, which includes all of the engineers and architects, meets for two to three days under the chairmanship of Nripendra Mishra to go over every element in great detail. The temple and Parkota (ramparts) are designed by C.B. Sompura of Ahmedabad, while the remainder of the area beyond the 8-acre presiding temple area is designed by Shri Jay Kaktikar of Design Associates in NOIDA.

On February 13, 2022, Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust posted a 3D view of the whole temple via its official Twitter handle. The grandeur of the Ram Mandir to be built in Ayodhya is very much evident in the video animation.

Vadodara: Idols of Hindu deities found lying in debris, mayor performs pooja, assures to re-establish them

OpIndia Staff
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Vadodara: Idols of Hindu deities found lying in debris, mayor performs pooja, assures to re-establish them

A controversy erupted in Gujarat’s Vadodara after idols of Hindu deities, including Hanuman and Ganesha, were found lying in the debris. As hinted by local citizens, the idols belonged to the small temples on the Old Padra road that were demolished for the ongoing work of a flyover there.

On Saturday, May 21, residents near the Navlakhi ground were shocked to see the sight of Hindu deities lying in the debris. Local residents led by Advocate and Activist Niraj Jain sat in protest on the site to demand rehabilitation of the demolished temples. The activists from Hindu organisations, including Viren Rami, Swejal Vyas, along with Jain started chanting Hanuman Chalisa in protest. Registering his concern about the helpless state in which the idols were found, Advocate Jain claimed that the idols belong to the small temples (deris) which were razed for the construction of the flyover on the Old Padra Road.

Jain said, “These are from the temples on the Old Padra Road. There are idols and images of deities along with Lord Hanuman.” After seeing the idols lying near the artificial pond at Navlakhi ground, Jain declared to sit on a protest at the site until local authorities did not come there.

Following the controversy, Vadodara Mayor Keyur Rokadia and Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agrawal reached the spot. The authorities ensured that the idols will be displaced and reestablished with respect on an urgent basis. Rokadia and Agrawal reportedly performed pooja of the idols after reaching the spot. The mayor said that the idol of Hanumanji will be placed near Shanidev Mandir at Tasali temporarily, and ensured that the idols will be established at their original location.

He said an investigation about whether the idols belonged to the temples at Old Padra Road near Rockstar Circle will also be launched. According to a Vadodara Municipal Corporation official, the idols did not belong to those from the temples on the Old Padra Road. “Idols from the temples so demolished were installed in a dignified manner at a Hanuman temple in Gorwa, Baliyadev temple in Salatvada and Bhathiji temple in Akota,” he informed.

Kashmir: Islamic terror outfit The Resistance Front threatens to disrupt Amarnath Yatra, calls Yatris ‘stooges of Sanghi regime’

OpIndia Staff
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Kashmir: Islamic terror outfit The Resistance Front threatens to disrupt Amarnath Yatra, calls Yatris ‘stooges of Sanghi regime’

Terrorist organisation The Resistance Front (TRF) has issued a warning to pilgrims participating in the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage this year. In a letter, the outfit stated that if the Amarnath Yatra is leveraged for political and demographic benefits, it will do everything possible to impede the government’s plans.

The threat letter.

The letter referred to the government as “fascist,” and stated that they are exploiting ordinary people for their evil schemes. It stated, “They used Kashmiri Pandith’s for their vote bank and results are in front of everyone. And now they are going to use Amaranth Yatra for their dirty politics. From mere 15 thousand to 8 Lac pilgrim registrations and from 15 days to 80 days is just to provoke the sensitivity of Kashmir situation…”

“We at #TRF are not against any religious matter but when such religious institutions are used against Kashmir struggle then it becomes our concern to take such matter in our hand,” the letter further added.

Threatening to disturb the Amarnath Yatra, it stated, “We want to make it clear if this Yatra is used for political and demographic gains then we at Resistance Front will do our best to hinder such filthy schemes of Fascist Sanghi regime.”

Openly warning to attack the pilgrims, the terror outfit stated “We will openly target any stooge who becomes a pawn of this Fascist Sanghi regime and the blood of such stooges and pawns will spill like anything everywhere from Jammu to Kashmir. Keep that in mind.”

“Don’t become scapegoats like Kashmiri Pandith’s and don’t get provoked by Fascist Regime’s safronization talks. We are fully monitoring the situation,” the letter added demeaning the suffering of the Kashmiri Hindus in the valley.

Meanwhile, the Srinagar Police has apprehended two local terrorists affiliated with the outlawed outfit The Resistance Front (TRF). In connection with the arrest, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have filed a complaint under relevant sections.

Incriminating documents, weaponry and ammunition, including 15 pistols, 30 magazines, 300 rounds, and one silencer, were confiscated from the terrorists’ possession, according to Vijay Kumar, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir.

Hybrid Terrorists: What are they, and why are they a threat to national security

OpIndia Staff
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Hybrid Terrorists: What are they, and why are they a threat to national security

On May 23, Srinagar Police arrested two local hybrid terrorists affiliated with the terror outfit The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba. In a tweet, Kashmir Zone Police said they had recovered arms, ammunition, and incriminating material from the terrorists. Inspector-General of Police Vijay Kumar called it a big success for Jammu & Kashmir Police. Further investigation into the matter is underway.

What are hybrid terrorists, and why they are dangerous?

In the last couple of years, the number of hybrid terrorists or part-time terrorists is increasing in the valley. ‘Hybrid’ terrorists can be defined as unlisted radicalized persons who carry out terror strikes and slip back into their routine life often without leaving any trace. As per security agencies, these terrorists are not ultras. However, they are radicalized by the anti-national forces enough that they are willing to carry out a terror strike.

Security agencies define these terrorists as ‘boys next door’ who are kept on standby mode by the terrorist organizations. In between two tasks, these hybrid terrorists live their normal life. As they live among the general population, it is hard for security agencies to track and trace them.

To make the risk posed by them clearer, in 2021, dozens of attacks were initiated against soft targets like civilians, policemen on leave, political workers, and more. As per security agencies, most of these attacks were carried out by hybrid terrorists. In a statement in January 2021, IG Kumar said that the use of technical gadgets and monitoring social media activities help in tracing these hybrid terrorists.

Recent hybrid terrorist attacks in India

On May 1, it was reported that two hybrid terrorists were arrested by the security agencies in Kulgam and Srinagar districts. Police recovered incriminating material, arms, and ammunition, including a pistol, two grenades, and 51 pistol rounds from their possession.

On May 8, two-hybrid terrorists of Hizbul Mujahideen were arrested by Police in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir. The police had acted upon a specific input against these terrorists. Two youths were seen trying to hide their identity at a Naka point set by the police. When challenged, they tried to flee by breaking the checkpoint. However, they were apprehended by the Police. A large cache of ammunition was recovered from their possession.

Water crisis in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad, supply disrupted across city: BJP to hold ‘Jal Akrosh Morcha’ to protest

OpIndia Staff
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Water crisis in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad, supply disrupted across city: BJP to hold ‘Jal Akrosh Morcha’ to protest

Much like the rest of the Marathwada region, a severe water crisis has hit Aurangabad, an important urban centre in central Maharashtra. The water problem which has been rampant in the city for two decades has escalated so much that citizens are reporting water supply once every eight days in some areas of the city.

The water crisis has added to much worry of Aurangabad residents as the heatwave engulfs cities across South Asia. As if the acute power cuts in Maharashtra were not enough, the water crisis has come as an additional challenge. Now, the water problem is affecting the industries in the Aurangabad region with manufacturing processes in power plants already on a halt.

Citizens in the city have taken to protest amidst the water shortage in the city. Activists in the city have put the blame on the ruling Shiv Sena who has been ruling the Municipal Corporation for the last thirty years, sporadically in an alliance with the BJP. Citizens have alleged that many administrative officers own private water tankers in the city and benefit much during such crises. Citizens have reported a scarce water supply once every eight days, for a minuscule 45-minute window.

Protest by the BJP

Since the start of May, the city has witnessed protests against the administration over the issue. On May 14, the residents of the Pundalik Nagar area led by the local BJP unit climbed atop a public water tank to register their discontent. Now in a recent development, Maharashtra Opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis will be in Aurangabad on Monday, May 23 for a city-wide agitation. Fadnavis will be joined by other BJP leaders including Central government ministers Raosaheb Danve and Dr Bhagwat Karad.

Calling it a ‘Jal Akrosh Morcha’, the BJP leaders will participate in a rally alongside party workers and residents in Aurangabad on May 23. The rally will kick off from Paithan Gate at 4 PM and will reach the Municipal Corporation office with a host of BJP workers carrying empty water containers and Cauldrons to stage a symbolic dissent.

Aurangabad’s water crisis

The city of Aurangabad has been facing a chronic water shortage for two decades. The primary reason behind this is the lack of infrastructure to draw water to the city from the Jayakwadi reservoir. In 2005, The state government came up with a project to upgrade the pipelines which never saw the light of the day. When BJP and Shivsena entered into an alliance, it ideated a Rs 1680-crore water project for the city. However, political differences between the parties derailed the project, which was finally scrapped by the MVA government when Uddhav Thackeray became the Chief Minister of the State.

The citizens of Aurangabad however, continue to face the brunt of water shortage amidst the damaging heatwave and heated politics in the month of May.

Assam: Bulldozers in action, 5 illegal houses of rioters accused of setting police station on fire demolished

OpIndia Staff
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Assam: Bulldozers in action, 5 illegal houses of rioters accused of setting police station on fire demolished

On Sunday (May 22), the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led-Assam government demolished the houses of rioters who set up a police station on fire in the Nagaon district of Assam.

As per reports, bulldozers were sent to the Salonbari village, which is located about 6 km away from the Batadrava police station. Under the watchful eyes of the Nagaon authorities, the motorised machine razed down 5 illegal houses that belonged to the rioters.

While speaking about the development to The Indian Express, Assam Special DGP (law and order) GP Singh informed that the demolished houses belonged to illegal settlers. He stated, “They have settled on the land illegally or with forged documents. Everything is under control now.”

“We have ordered an independent probe into the alleged custodial death, and if any officer is found guilty, we will take strong action. But such an allegation does not mean you set fire to a police station. You don’t target the police and expect nothing to happen. Arson cannot be allowed,” he further added.

While speaking about the matter, Assam Chief Minister Himanata Biswa Sarma expressed grave concern over the incident. “We will take stringent action against those involved. At the same time, I would like to warn that we will not tolerate and excuse such acts till the SUP government is in power” he remarked.

“Large-scale encroachment is there at Batadrava. I have instructed the DC and police to either evict or take other legal action against elements posing a threat to peace and security in the area,” he further added.

Reportedly, the houses demolished by the Naogaon administration also included that of deceased fish trader Shafiqual Islam and his relative Majibur Rahman. The locals of the area had cried foul over the demolition drive and claimed that Shafiqul had purchased the land during his lifetime.

Mob burns down police station and assaults cops 

On Saturday (May 21) this year, an enraged mob burnt down a police station after fish trader Safiqul Islam allegedly died in police custody. The incident occurred in Batadrava in Nagaon district in Assam where a mob of around 2,000 people assaulted cops and burnt down the police station.

After learning about his death, people from his community gathered around the police station and attacked it. The mob assaulted policemen on duty and set the station ablaze.

The family of Safiqul Islam had alleged that he was beaten to death because he refused to pay bribe to the police officials. They alleged that the cops had demanded Rs 10,000, a duck and a chicken from his family in exchange for his release from custody.

Intelligence Agencies issue alert over Pakistan’s ISI-sponsored terror attacks on railway tracks in India

OpIndia Staff
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Intelligence Agencies issue alert over Pakistan’s ISI-sponsored terror attacks on railway tracks in India

Intelligence agencies have alerted the authorities about possible attacks on railway tracks in Punjab and the surrounding states of India. As per reports, Pakistan’s Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) has conspired to target the railway tracks in the country. As per the agencies, a plan has been formulated to mainly target the freight trains responsible for transporting commodities, including coal, across the country.

The Intelligence agencies further stated that ISI has funded its operatives in India on a large scale to target the tracks. The sleeper cells in the country have allegedly been paid large amounts to carry out these attacks.

Previous threats to railway tracks

This is not the first time ISI has hatched a conspiracy to target railway tracks in India. In July 2021, it was reported that similar attacks were planned by ISI to target tracks in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. At that time, the migrant workers from these two states were the prime target, as per the reports.

The plot came to light after a Railway officer had written to 11 SPs in Bihar and provided details of the threat. The sleeper cells in Punjab were offered time bombs to execute the attacks.

ISI backed terror plots in Punjab

In recent times, Pakistan’s ISI has hatched several terror plots, especially in Punjab and surrounding states. It was reported that ISI worked with Khalistani terrorists in the recent attack on the Intelligence Office of Punjab Police in Mohali. Several incidents were reported in recent months where Security agencies, including Punjab Police and BSF, intercepted large caches of explosives and contrabands in Punjab that were allegedly sent from Pakistan.

Khalistani terrorists including organizations like Sikhs For Justice are getting support from Pakistan for their anti-India activities. Designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu had approached Pakistan on several occasions seeking support for the so-called Khalistan referendum. Pakistani bots also often share the so-called “Free Khalistan” agenda on social media platforms.

Kashmir: ‘Human rights activist’ mocks Shivling found at Gyanvapi, netizens demand police action

OpIndia Staff
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Kashmir: ‘Human rights activist’ mocks Shivling found at Gyanvapi, netizens demand police action

Several social media users called for police action against Waqar H Bhatti, a ‘human rights activist’ from Jammu and Kashmir who insulted the Shivling found in Varanasi’s Gyanvapi complex on Twitter. In a recent tweet, Waqar made a derogatory remark by comparing a fountain with Shivling and calling the followers of Hinduism ‘Gobar Bhakt.’ Waqar deleted the tweet following the outrage by social media users.

Image
The tweet.

Following his tweet, social media users outraged with several of them asking for strict actions against him. A famous Twitter account Farrago Abdullah wrote, “I request @JmuKmrPolice to file a case against @WaqarHBhatti14 for hurting religious sentiments of Hindus. He is calling himself a “Human Right Activist”. This is how they are abusing Hindus in the disguise of “Activism”. #ArrestWaqarBhatti”

Another user Dr Sonam Sharma showed her anger by writing that such people have demeaned the name of Jammu & Kashmir by making fun of Gods.

Tagging the prominent authorities handles, a user wrote, “I request the Jammu and Kashmir Police to take action against such people at the earliest.”

In another tweet, Waqar Bhatti went defensive and stated that he did not make fun of the Shivling and target any religion as the matter is still in court.

The tweet.

In a subsequent tweet, he wrote, “I never ever disrespect any religion nor I will in my life because I respect every Religion. The people who are demanding FIR against me are actually doing Politics nothing else.”

The tweet.

Waqar was booked by the Madhya Pradesh Police in July 2018 for disturbing communal harmony. He was booked for allegedly disrupting social peace by sharing a video on Facebook. In the FIR filed at the Padav police station in the Gwalior district, Bhatti was accused of fostering hatred between various communities under Section 153A of the IPC.

Jharkhand: 62 people, including newly elected panchayat member Amina Khatoon, booked for allegedly raising pro-Pakistan slogans

OpIndia Staff
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Jharkhand: 62 people, including newly elected panchayat member Amina Khatoon, booked for allegedly raising pro-Pakistan slogans

On Saturday, an FIR was filed against 62 persons, including 50 unidentified people, for allegedly raising pro-Pakistan chants during a panchayat election victory march in Hazaribag, Jharkhand. The incident’s unverified video has also gone viral on social media.

According to Hazaribag Superintendent of Police (SP) Manoj Ratan Chothe, a video clip of the event outside Bazar Samiti, where numerous individuals were heard yelling ‘Pakistan Zindabad,’ went viral on social media. This prompted the police to act, and file a complaint. SP Chothe acknowledged the FIR was filed on Sunday but added that no one has been detained yet.

“An FIR has been lodged against 12 named people, including Amina Khatoon, the newly elected Panchayat Samiti member of Shiladih, and 50 unknown persons. The team is working to ascertain the truth behind the viral video. If it is found to be authentic, strong action will be taken against everyone,” he stated.

According to reports, Amina’s supporters organized a victory march in the neighborhood following her election as a Panchayat Samiti member.

This is the second such incident to be reported during the four-phase panchayat elections in Jharkhand. On April 21, Md Shakir, a candidate for the office of Gram Panchayat head at a village in Giridih district was detained, along with two of his followers, for reportedly shouting similar pro-Pakistan chants while on his way to register his candidacy for the election.

The first two rounds of the elections have already taken place, while the third and fourth phases will take place on May 24 and May 27, respectively. 

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