The legendary Santoor player, musician Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma passed away earlier today at 84. Born on 13 January 1938 in Jammu & Kashmir, he started learning vocals and tabla at age 5. He started learning Santoor at age 13.
He was suffering from kidney related issues since past six months and was on dialysis. He passed away due to cardiac arrest.
Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma was awarded Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1986, the Padma Shri in 1991 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2001.
He was scheduled to give a jugalbandi performance in Bhopal live concert on May 15, 2022 along with flute legend Hariprasad Chaurasia under ‘Mahima Samaroh’. Shiv-Hari duo have given soulful music to films like Silsila, Lamhe and Chandni amongst others.
On Tuesday, the Punjab Police registered an FIR against SP Sangrur Karanveer Singh for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 3 lakh in a case handled by the officer. The Police also arrested ASI Davinder Singh for transferring the bribe money from the complainant to the Punjab Police SP.
According to the reports, SP Singh was handling the case of Hasandeep Singh who was accused of a criminal case. The matter came to light when Hasandeep Singh complained to Sangrur SSP Mandeep Singh Sidhu that SP Singh had demanded a bribe of Rs 3.5 lakh on April 2 to settle the case. Later, ASI Davinder Singh, the reader in the SP office, settled the case for Rs 3 lakh.
Punjab | FIR registered under Prevention of Corruption Act 2018 against Karanveer Singh PPS (SP Sangrur) for allegedly demanding and accepting Rs 3 lakhs through ASI Davinder Singh.
ASI Davinder Singh is arrested while SP Karanveer is absconding, confirms MS Sidhu, SSP Sangrur
Hasandeep Singh gave the bribe money to ASI Davinder Singh, who then passed it to the SP in his office, reports said. Sangrur SSP added that SP Karanveer Singh absconded after the arrest of his aide ASI Davinder Singh on May 10. While the Police have booked the duo for corruption under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2018, they have launched a massive manhunt to nab the accused SP in the case.
SP Karanveer Singh who has departed secretly is posted in the Sangrur district’s Bureau of Investigation. He leads the separate wing that has been created to investigate crimes. Interestingly, Singh is posted in Sangrur, the home district of Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, who repeatedly asks people not to tolerate corruption. The CM also launched an anti-corruption helpline yesterday to curb the menace of corruption at the government offices. “Corruption is the biggest challenge in front of the country and Punjab. The AAP, after coming to power, started an anti-corruption helpline to curb the menace in government offices. It is turning into a success”, he said.
SSP Sidhu stated that the Chief Minister after the recent incident has reiterated his order not to tolerate corruption and has warned that whoever indulges in corruption will not be spared. Reportedly, the ASI who has been arrested by the Punjab Police is a controversial officer. Earlier, in May last year, he was arrested by the NIA for his alleged links to terrorist organizations. The Union government had also issued an order seeking his dismissal from the office.
Also, the NIA had confirmed that it had adequate evidence against the rogue cop and that he was on the payroll of the Islamic terror organization. Singh was involved in multiple operations of trapping and killing militants or forcing their arrest or surrender.
In the current case, the Sangrur Police has arrested ASI Singh and has launched a special investigation team to search and arrest accused SP Karanveer Singh. Investigations in the case are underway.
On May 9, Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters located in Mohali was attackedusing a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG). The warhead was launched at the HQ just before 8 PM by unidentified persons. The officials said that the projectile penetrated the windows but it did not explode.
Punjab | A blast occurred outside the Intelligence Department building of Punjab Police in Mohali. The police have cordoned off the area around the office. pic.twitter.com/5sOPC7yJrP
Mohali Superintendent of Police (HQ) Ravinder Pal Singh called it a ‘minor blast’ and said, “The attack happened from outside the building. It has been done with rocket-type fire. No casualty or loss happened. Our senior officers and FSL team are investigating it.”
When asked about whether it can be considered a terrorist attack, Mohali SP (HQ) Ravinder Pal Singh says,” It can’t be ignored. We are investigating it”.
Notably, when asked if it was a terror attack, SP Singh said, “It can’t be ignored. We are investigating it.” As RPG was used in the attack, the possibility of a terror attack is higher as such ammunition is generally used in terror attacks.
The guards positioned at the gate of the HQ reportedly heard two noises. The first was of the firing, and the second was of the projectile hitting the building. Initial investigation revealed there might be two persons involved who came in a Swift car. The building does not have any CCTV cameras, and the Police are scanning the CCTV footage from nearby areas.
After assessing the ammunition head, it was reported to be the RPG-22 codenamed ‘Netto’. It is a one-shot disposable Soviet anti-tank rocket launcher. It propels a 72.5mm fin-stabilised projectile. When required, it can be prepared within 10 seconds. The ammunition is capable of penetrating 1.2 metres of brick, 400mm of armour or 1 metre of reinforced concrete.
It is notable that in the last few months, the Punjab Police and security agencies have recovered explosives in the state. The Khalistani elements are re-emerging in the state. Some experts believe this attack could be a test run for a more serious attack.
Punjab CM called for a meeting over Mohali blast
On May 10, Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann called for an urgent meeting to discuss the attack in Mohali. In a Tweet, he said, “Police are investigating the blast in Mohali. Whoever tried to spoil the atmosphere of our Punjab will not be spared.”
Leaders expressed concerns over Law and Order
Sukhbir Singh Badal, leader of Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab, said in a Tweet, “Deeply shocked at the blast at Punjab Police’s Intelligence Bureau HQs, Mohali, exposing serious security lapses and highlighting once again the deteriorating law & order situation in Punjab. Thorough probe required to expose & punish those responsible.”
Deeply shocked at the blast at Punjab Police’s Intelligence Bureau HQs, Mohali, exposing serious security lapses and highlighting once again the deteriorating law & order situation in Punjab. Thorough probe required to expose & punish those responsible. pic.twitter.com/UlanC6w74N
— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) May 9, 2022
Former CM Amarinder Singh also shared his concern over the deteriorating law & order situation in Punjab. He said, “Shocked to hear about the blast at the @PunjabPoliceInd Intelligence headquarter in Mohali. Thankfully nobody was hurt. This brazen attack on our police force is deeply concerning, and I urge CM @BhagwantMann to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice at the earliest.”
Shocked to hear about the blast at the @PunjabPoliceInd Intelligence headquarter in Mohali. Thankfully nobody was hurt.
This brazen attack on our police force is deeply concerning and I urge CM @BhagwantMann to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice at the earliest.
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) May 9, 2022
On Monday (April 9), deceased Reuters photojournalist Danish Siddiqui was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for the second time. He was posthumously felicitated with the award for ‘Feature Photography’ alongside 3 others, namely, Adnan Abidi, Sanna Irshad Mattoo, and Amit Dave.
The Pulitzer Prize for feature photography is awarded to Adnan Abidi, Sanna Irshad Mattoo, Amit Dave and the late Danish Siddiqui of Reuters for the coverage of COVID in India https://t.co/qiFwmaxrLMpic.twitter.com/R0KjZVwx0h
Danish Siddiqui mocked India’s Covid-19 deaths through his pictures
During the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, Danish Siddiqui opportunistically minted the misery of people for his own benefit. He had posted multiple images of burning pyres of deceased Covid-19 patients without any regard for the privacy or sentiments of the family members of the deceased.
In a tweet on April 22 last year, the Reuters photojournalist wrote, “As India posted world record of COVID cases funeral pyres of people, who died due to the coronavirus disease were pictured at a crematorium ground in New Delhi, April 22, 2021.”
Siddiqui took pride in his insensitive coverage of the pandemic, which eventually won him the Pulitzer Prize. His pictures were weaponised to negate the all-out efforts made by the Indian government and countless frontline workers to contain the outbreak of the Wuhan Coronavirus.
As India posted world record of COVID cases funeral pyres of people, who died due to the coronavirus disease were pictured at a crematorium ground in New Delhi, April 22, 2021. @Reuters#CovidIndiapic.twitter.com/bm5Qx5SEOm
How Reuters had cashed on burning Hindus, denying them dignity even in death
People all over the world died, and are still dying in large numbers since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. But the vulturism and morbid obsession over their funeral pyres is somehow seen only in India, for Western publications that could not really care to accord dignity to Indians, especially, to Hindus.
While many complimented Danish for his heroism, Reuters milked the images of Hindus being cremated to the hilt. This morbid obsession that Reuters seems to harbour of watching Hindus burn was not related to telling people about the COVID-19 deluge.
To write about the COVID-19 deluge and tell people just how alarming the situation was, one did not need to splash images of burning Hindus on their front page, all over their website and in multiple articles published. But Reuters would rather splash images of crematoriums, denying Hindus dignity in death.
Danish Siddiqui was brutally killed by the Taliban
Danish Siddiqui was killed by the Taliban on July 16, 2021, during an assignment in the war-torn country of Afghanistan. He had travelled with the Afghan National Forces to the Spin Boldak region to cover the clashes between Afghan forces and the Islamists.
A report by PTI said that the Taliban attacked the Afghan forces when they reached a customs post. The Afghan forces split up, leaving Siddiqui with three other Afghan troops. During this attack, Siddiqui and Afghan forces were hit by shrapnel, who escaped to a local mosque where they received first aid.
Soon, the Taliban got to know that the Indian journalist was taking refuge inside the mosque. The local investigation suggested that the Taliban attacked the mosque only because of Siddiqui’s presence there.
“Siddiqui was alive when the Taliban captured him. The Taliban verified Siddiqui’s identity and then executed him, as well as those with him. The commander and the remainder of his team died as they tried to rescue him,” a report in the Washington Examiner said.
It was also reported that the Islamists had mutilated his body simply because he was an Indian. Afghan Army Commander Bilal Ahmed had disclosed that the Taliban first shot Danish and then ran a car over him.
The Taliban had mowed his lifeless body with the car, displaying their hatred for Indians. The revelations by the Afghan commander came to the fore when certain sections of the “liberal-secular” media in the country were absolving the crimes of the terrorist group by claiming that the Muslim photojournalist was killed during a crossfire.
Dr Darakhshan Andrabi, Chairperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board, cautioned threatened ‘encroachers’ of Waqf land and assets that a demolition campaign will be launched shortly across the Union Territory to restore the ownership of the so-called encroached properties to Waqf.
“The encroachers of Waqf land and assets will face bulldozers soon,” Dr Andrai stated during a one-day Waqf Convention in Kashmir. “This is a warning to all encroachers served through media that they should come to us and surrender their right of illegal occupation or otherwise they will have to face the wrath of bulldozers,” she further added.
Dr Andrabi claimed in her speech that serving in Waqf implies serving Allah, and that openness, devotion, and honesty must rule day-to-day operations.
What is Waqf?
It is notable that Waqf is the permanent donation of any movable or immovable property by a Muslim to any purpose recognised as pious, religious, or charitable under Muslim law. This means that any property possessed by a user can be registered with the Board and designated as a ‘waqf,’ which will continue to exist even if the original owner dies. ‘Once a waqf, always a waqf, the Supreme Court had ruled.
This essentially means that an owner of the property, who uses his property for religious practice of Islam, can get it registered with the waqf. Example, if your Muslim neighbour who offers namaz at his home, may get his house registered as masjid with the waqf and the property now becomes waqf property and you will be living next to a mosque.
After the Indian Armed Forces and Indian Railways, the Waqf is third largest owner of properties in India.
The Waqf Act
In India, the Waqf Act serves as required constitutional legislation that defines and governs Waqfs. The first of its sort was the Waqf Act of 1954. The Central Waqf Council was established by the Act, although it was amended several times (1959, 1964, 1969, and 1984) due to several complications.
Finally, on November 22, 1995, the Waqf Act of 1995 was adopted and implemented. The Central Waqf Council and the State Waqf Board were constituted by this Act. These two entities, together with the Chief Executive Officer, who reports to the board, are in charge of the administration and oversight of Auqaf (Plural of Waqf).
Dispute around the Waqf Act
On April 20, 2022, the Delhi High Court issued a notice in a case challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf Act 1995. Ashwini Upadhyay, an advocate, filed the petition. In his petition, Ashwini Upadhyay said that the Waqf Act is antagonistic to secularism in India.
In his petition, Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay stated that if the disputed Act is to defend the rights granted in Articles 29-30, it must include all minorities, including followers of Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism, Bahaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and not only Muslims.
Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay emphasised how the government pays the Waqf Board but does not collect any revenue, and how it gets money from Hindu temples but does not spend it on them.
The petition further requests that the Central Government or the Law Commission of India create a “Uniform Code for Trust-Trustees and Charities-Charitable Institutions” in the spirit of Articles 14 and 15 and make it available for public debate and discussion.
Previously, the Supreme Court refused to consider a petition seeking directives from the national government or the Indian Law Commission to create the aforementioned Uniform Code.
On May 7, Delhi Police arrested Tabrez Khan for instigating rioters to attack the Shobha Yatra on Hanuman Jayanti in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri area. The Police arrested three more accused on the day in the case, and Tabrez was one of them. The other two were Zaheer Khan and Anabul alias Sheikh. The arrest of Tabrez as an accused for instigating rioters serves as a wake-up call for the investigating agencies and media houses.
While Tabrez was busy organizing protests and communal violence in the background, he remained in the limelight as a ‘peace-loving’ person who was part of the Aman Committee formed after the Jahangirpuri violence. He was seen sitting next to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Usha Rangrani during the meeting of the peace committee. He also organized Tiranga Yatra to promote peace and harmony in Jahangirpuri after the riots that were not only attended by higher officials of the Delhi Police but were widely covered by the mainstream media.
Twitter user The Hawk Eye dug up how the media had made Tabrez a poster boy of communal harmony even during anti-CAA protests and the Covid pandemic. According to multiple reports, he was allegedly named in Delhi Riots as well. Tabrez had joined AIMIM a few years back but shifted to Congress later. Currently, he is preparing to contest Delhi Municipal Corporation Elections.
..who organized Shaheen Bagh protest by arranging logistics, and assembling women at the protest site.
He was named in Delhi Riots too but let-off as ‘approver’ for police later as per some reports.
This was quite missing detail from the Delhi Poice side!
Hawk-Eye wrote, “Tabrez Khan, who was actively participating in DP’s Aman Committee sitting next to cops, was arrested in the Jahagirpuri riots case as one of the conspirators by Crime Branch. He was an organizer of ‘Tiranga harmony Yatra’ for peace calls. Interestingly he is the same guy who organized Shaheen Bagh protest by arranging logistics and assembling women at the protest site.”
Tabrez was made ‘local representative’ of the Muslim community
According to HuffPost, Tabrez Khan is a member of the ultra-orthodox Tablighi Jamaat sect. He was active during anti-CAA protests. During that time, India was looking at the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, and he became one of the victims of the virus at Shaheen Bagh. Media outlets had covered him contracting the disease.
The Print had reported that Tabrez Khan had allegedly organized anti-CAA protests. He had contracted the virus and was admitted to LNJP Hospital for treatment. His sister, who returned from Saudi Arabia and his mother were also tested positive for the virus. Tabrez had gone to the protest site after meeting his sister more than once. As a result, the protests were called off in light of him getting the infection.
After contracting the virus, it looks like he took on the mission to prove himself a good samaritan. Of course, the intentions might have been linked to his desire to become a politician and representative of the community in the area. After contracting Covid-19, he got multiple chances to stay in the limelight. The easiest way was to donate plasma. Unlike blood donation, which requires at least an 8-weeks gap between two donations, plasma can be donated once every 15 days.
During Covid, the demand for plasma from a Covid patient who had recovered from the disease at least two weeks ago had increased as it was seen as a treatment for the critical patients. Tabrez took the chance and started donating plasma often. He was covered multiple times by media houses for the “good deed” he was doing.
In April 2020, ANI quoted him saying, “I decided to donate plasma after I heard CM’s appeal to recovered #COVID19 patients for plasma donation. I feel really good that my plasma will be useful in saving someone’s life.”
Source: Twitter
In a video interview with The Print, he said, “Covid didn’t spare me, the Tablighi Jamaat or the priest in Ayodhya.”
Source: Twitter
TOI journalist Somrita Ghosh quoted him saying, “People turn their faces away when they see me. Earlier neighbours would invite me for evening tea, but now they ignore us, it does hurt.” When she published the tweet, Tabrez had already donated plasma seven times.
Source: Twitter
There were many other tweets praising him for his deeds that can be seen here.
Source: Twitter
Source: Twitter
Source: Twitter
Source: Twitter
Source: Twitter
Source: Twitter
Tabrez had become a hero at that time. He became the representative of the Muslim community and was highlighted as one by many media outlets. His media prominence as a ‘good Muslim’ in numerous interviews is now looking suspicious as he is named as one of the instigators of violence in that area.
NDTV called him a representative of the Muslim community and quoted him saying, “We want to live in harmony. We will ensure such incidents are not repeated. We request the police to reduce force and barricading.”
Economic Times quoted him saying, “Last month was quite tough for the people of Jahangirpuri. Today, on the occasion of Eid, we gathered at Kushal Chowk. We exchanged sweets and hugged each other and sent a message of harmony and peace. This shows people in Jahangirpuri live in harmony and respect each other’s religions.”
However, his plans were busted by the Delhi Police, and he was arrested for his alleged involvement in Jahangirpuri violence. 33 persons have been arrested in the case so far.
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has responded to Congress leader Shashi Tharoor who had used Singapore’s ban on The Kashmir Files movie to target the Modi government. Tharoor had shared a media report that mentioned the film would not get classification in Singapore for ‘one-sided portrayal of Muslims’. He wrote, “Film promoted by India’s ruling party, #KashmirFiles, banned in Singapore.”
— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) May 10, 2022
Quoting Tharoor, Agnihotri said, “Singapore is the most regressive censor in the world. It even banned The Last Temptations of Jesus Christ.” He also shared a long list of films that were banned by Singapore for one or the other reason.
Tharoor shared a report that called Kashmir a ‘disputed region’
The excerpt of the report that Tharoor shared in his tweet called Kashmir a ‘disputed region’ in the first line. It reads, “A movie on the exodus of Hindus from the disputed Muslim-majority Kashmir region will be banned in Singapore.” Interestingly, Tharoor had cropped the portion where the report mentioned Kashmir as a ‘disputed region’ and shared only the portion that suited his agenda.
IMDA refused classification for The Kashmir Files
The Infocomm Media Development Authority, which is a statutory board under the Singapore Ministry of Communications and Information, has refused classification for The Kashmir Files. In its statement, IMDA said, “The Kashmir Files” is a Hindi film that revolves around a university student who learns about the religiously charged political turmoil that led to the death of his parents in Kashmir in the 1990s. The film has been refused classification.”
It further said, “IMDA, in consultation with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has assessed the film to have exceeded the Film Classification Guidelines for its provocative and one-sided portrayal of Muslims and the depictions of Hindus being persecuted in the on-going conflict in Kashmir. These representations have the potential to cause enmity between different communities and disrupt social cohesion and religious harmony in Singapore’s multi-racial and multi-religious society. Under the Film Classification Guidelines, “any material that is denigrating to racial or religious communities in Singapore” will be refused classification.”
‘My husband was asked to sambalo me’ – Agnihotri shared screenshots of late Sunanda Pushkar
In a follow-up Tweet, Agnihotri shared some screenshots of Late Sunanda Pushkar, where she had mentioned that she was asked by her husband (Shashi Tharoor) not to speak on Kashmir. Pushkar was a Kashmiri Hindu herself.
— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) May 10, 2022
Speaking to OpIndia, Agnihotri said, “Singapore has one of the most regressive censor boards. They do not allow any film that even slightly talks about any issue. Singapore’s censor board also banned the movie Badhai Do which talked about the LGBTQ community. Only films made by Karan Johar and his likes are approved in Singapore. If Karan Johar makes ‘The Hotel Leela Files’, it will definitely get approval in Singapore.”
The continuous attack on ‘The Kashmir Files’
The Kashmir Files by Vivek Agnihotri is the top-rated Hindi film of 2022. Based on the exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits from the valley in the 1990s, the film has been under continuous attack from the left-liberal section of the media and society. This is the first movie that has portrayed the brutal atrocities on Kashmiri Hindus and their eventual exodus from the valley brought by Islamic jihadis in an honest manner, without trying to cover up facts to appease a political agenda. Agnihotri has stated time and again that every incident of brutality shown in the movie is based on hard facts and the actual testimony of victims.
Gujarat state administration has demolished illegal property belonging to Botad don Siraj alias Shero. Here are the visuals of the bulldozer razing down the illegal property.
Siraj was earlier arrested by the police on May 8. Over 20 officials including the DSP and PI had reached Siraj’s place for razing down illegal construction at Mohammadpura.
On May 5, Siraj had allegedly threatened businessman and VHP leader Mahendrabhai Laljibhai Mali alias Munnabhai Mali. Threatening to kill Munnabhai, Siraj Don said, “You will face the same consequences as Kishan Bharwad.”
Speaking to OpIndia, the complainant Mali said that he is satisfied with the action taken by the administration on his complaint. The accused was immediately nabbed on his complaint. He added that for the further safety and security of his family he will apply for police protection.
A complaint in this regard was lodged by Munnabhai Mali at Botad police station on 7th May 2022. The accused Siro Don has a long criminal history and complaints have been registered against him for several offenses in the past.
The accused allegedly threatened Munnabhai Mali by saying “In the village, you have put loudspeakers on Hanumanji’s temple. Get it down or else you will face the same consequences as Kishan Bharwad. What will you do to us? If I get you in the car and kidnap you, you can’t do anything to me. We are watching all of you. Stay within your limits, or else I will kill you.” And further he spoke in a loud voice and again threatened to kill him (Munnabhai Mali).
Siraj Don has as many as 34 cases filed against him including ones for illegal gambling and attempt to murder.
On 25th January 2022, a 27-year-old youth, Kishan Bharwad, was shot dead in Dhandhuka taluka, which falls in Ahmedabad (Rural), over an allegedly blasphemous social media post. Kishan Bharwad’s murderers Shabbir and Imtiyaz Pathan were arrested by the police and further investigations also revealed the involvement of a Muslim cleric.
On May 9, Amarakeerthi Athukorala, Sri Lanka’s MP from the ruling party Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), was found dead amidst violent clashes. The incident happened hours after Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned from the post. As per reports, Athukorala’s car was blocked by the protestors in Nittambuwa.
He had allegedly opened fire at the protesters and critically injured two people. He tried to escape and take refuge in a nearby building where his dead body was found.
Some media reports have suggested that Athukorala killed himself. However, according to Ceylon Today, both MP and his driver were found dead. The MP allegedly shot himself after he was attacked by the anti-government protesters. His driver is alleged to have hung himself. Those who had sustained gunshot injuries after the MP had opened fire were admitted to Wathupitiywala Base Hospital in Nittambuwa.
Leader of Opposition in Sri Lanka Sajith Premadasa had criticized the Rajapaksha family amid the new clashes. He said the emergency laws would not slow down the momentum of the change in Sri Lanka. He also warned the ruling party of repercussions if the protesters or the media were harmed. In a tweet, he said, “Every single time the Rajapaksa’s take the back alley instead of the high road. Violence, Emergency laws and fake followers will not stop the momentum of change. Expect serious repercussions if any peaceful protestors or media are harmed.”
Every single time the Rajapaksa’s take the back alley instead of the high road. Violence, Emergency laws and fake followers will not stop the momentum of change. Expect serious repercussions if any peaceful protestors or media are harmed. https://t.co/gGmnAvSYxg
Reports suggest that thousands of pro-government protesters were brought in buses and dropped where anti-government protesters were lodged. They allegedly damaged and burned anti-government posters and banners. Many anti-government protesters were reportedly injured, including women, children and the elderly. At least 78 people were reported injured and were admitted to Colombo National Hospital.
A number of houses, including the family home of the Rajapaksas in Hambantota, has been set on fire, reportedly by protestors.
Ancestral home of the Rajapaksa family in Medamulana, Hambantota set on fire by protesters. pic.twitter.com/QIEnREphjq
Not just the Rajapaksa family home, but the houses of a number of other ministers, including Sanath Nishantha, MPs, mayors and many politicians have been set on fire by protestors.
Resignation of Mahinda Rajapaksha
Sri Lanka is going through the worst economic crisis. On Monday, Rajapaksa announced that he had officially handed over his resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is his younger brother.
Effective immediately I have tendered my resignation as Prime Minister to the President.
Mahinda Rajapaksa has appealed to the public to exercise restraint and not take to violence. On Friday, a state of emergency was imposed in Sri Lanka, which gave tremendous power to the military to arrest and detain anyone. The Defence Ministry on Sunday alleged that the anti-government protestors were behaving in a threatening manner and disrupting essential services.
On April 20 this year, the Punjab police wrote to Twitter, seeking personal details of a political analyst and activist Ramnik Singh Mann for uploading a leaked conversation between Arvind Kejriwal’s wife Sunita Kejriwal and her friend on the micro-blogging platform.
Ramnik Singh Mann has been vocal against Khalistani terror in Punjab and the nexus that ails the state. He has regularly reiterated that Khalistan is a failed Pakistani project and hardly any Sikhs in Punjab support it.
The Nurpur Bedi police station, located in the Rupnagar district of Punjab, had issued a notice to Twitter under Section 91 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
“It is submitted that the FIR no. 35, dated 16/04/2022 U/S 171F, 465, 469, 471, 120B IPC and 66 of IT act have been registered in PS Nurpur Bedi, Punjab(India) regarding the circulation of fabricated audio conversation by impersonating voice,” the notice read.
Screengrab of the notice to Twitter by Punjab police, image via Twitter/ @ARanganathan72
It further added, “So, kindly assist us with the following details related to the aforementioned account on the priority basis for further investigation in this aforesaid case: 1) Kindly provide us the complete IP logs details and mobile no. of the above mentioned Twitter ID from dated 01/02/2022 to 20/04/2022.”
The Punjab police also directed the micro-blogging platform to comply with the notice and send a compliance report in this regard.
The Background of the controversy
Earlier on February 20 this year, political analyst Ramnik Singh Mann had uploaded a leaked conversation between Sunita Kejriwal and her friend wherein she could be heard claiming that AAP leader Raghav Chadha had bought a bungalow in Chandigarh.
“Raghav ji is taking care of the PR. He has now bought a kothi (bungalow) in Section 8 of Chandigarh. You know that the environment there is great. Let’s wait. The election results are due on March 10, 2022,” Sunita Kejriwal was heard as saying.
While posting the audio clip, Mann inquired, “Raghav Chadha, how much money did you collect? Bought a Kothi (Bungalow) in Sector 8, Chandigarh? I have been working hard for 24 years, couldn’t buy a Kothi in Chandigarh. #Corruption”
Soon after, the Nurpur Bedi police station registered a First Information Report against him for allegedly circulating a ‘fabricated’ audio clip.
Ramnik Singh Mann reacts to the development
The matter came to light when scientist Anand Ranganathan posted about it on the micro-blogging platform.
“After TajinderBagga it is now the turn of Ramnik Mann. Acting on an FIR he says is purely to intimidate him, the Punjab Police is demanding a two-month log from Twitter. ArvindKejriwal is going to make sure everyone who tweets against him is put in Jail. I Stand with Ramnik,” he had tweeted.
While reacting to the development, Ramnik Singh Mann had tweeted, “Come, oh tyrant, lets test our skills. You put your arrows to test, I will test my courage.”
Intimidation of BJP leader Tajinder Bagga
In a high voltage drama on May 6, Tajinder Bagga was arrested by Punjab Police from his home without due process, which led to a case of kidnapping against Punjab Police.
Bagga immediately through his counsel moved to the Dwarka Court. His plea mentioned that he was being taken by some unknown persons. The Delhi Police, therefore, swung into action after the Court ordered his production. The Delhi Police informed the Haryana Police who stopped the Punjab police from taking Bagga to Punjab.
Earlier, Punjab Police had registered an FIR against Tajinder Bagga for his criticism of Arvind Kejriwal after the Delhi CM mocked ‘The Kashmir Files’ movie during the budget session of the Delhi assembly calling it a jhoothi film. The film depicts the sufferings of the Kashmiri Hindus during the genocide they suffered in Kashmir in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
