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Kerala court dismisses anticipatory bail plea of former MLA PC George, was earlier arrested for speaking against Islamic jihadism in the state

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala court dismisses anticipatory bail plea of former MLA PC George, was earlier arrested for speaking against Islamic jihadism in the state

Kerala court Wednesday, dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of former MLA PC George in the second case registered against him for an alleged ‘hate’ speech. Additional District and Sessions Judge G Girish dismissed the anticipatory bail plea moved by the former MLA.

On May 10, the Palarivattom Police in Kochi registered a suo motu case against George on the charge of delivering a speech at a temple in Vennala on May 8, wherein he spoke about the growing menace of Islamic Jihad in Kerala. The minister was booked by the Kerala police under IPC sections 153, 295A.

George then applied for anticipatory bail at the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

At the hearing on Wednesday, George’s lawyer, Geo Paul, claimed that the statement was not inherently provocative, at least in terms of its meaning.

Paul argued that it simply contained some observations made by George based on statistical data about all religious communities.

He further argued before the court that societal criticism is vital for any democracy’s progress, and that George’s speech was simply his honest opinion on the state’s social dynamics, regardless of the manner in which he presented it.

The Public Prosecutor disputed these claims, claiming that George broke a condition imposed by the Magistrate when he was granted bail in a previous case, namely that he would not use any sensitive issues in his public speeches. He claimed that George’s purpose is to disrupt communal harmony in the state.

The Court reserved its decision after hearing both parties on Wednesday.

Prior to this, on May 1, the 7-term-MLA from the Poonjar constituency in Kerala was arrested by the Pinarayi government from his residence. The arrest was made after he addressed the Ananthapuri Hindu Maha Sammelan in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday (April 29). Many Islamists took offence to his alleged ‘hate speech’ at the event and filed complaints against him.

While addressing the event the former MLA had reportedly spoken about various forms of Islamic jihad being practised in Kerala.

He had said that by controlling the population of other communities, the Muslims want to control this country. He added that the eateries run by Muslims spike the drinks they serve to customers belonging to other communities, which causes impotency. He went on to say that Muslims are attempting to take control of the country by doing so.

He also warned that Muslims spit in other people’s food. “Why should we eat their spit? Their scholars say spit is perfume,” he said.

He expressed his concern over the decreasing population of Hindus and Christians in the country, George said, “Hindu and Christian women were reluctant to give birth to more babies. Muslim women are doing that very sincerely. I should congratulate them. They are moving towards the aim of seizing this Hindu Rashtra. Both Hindu and Christian women should beget at least four babies.”

PK Firoz, the leader of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), had filed a complaint against George.

BJP slams the Kerala Govt for conniving with the Islamic fundamentalists in the state

On Sunday (May 1), Union Minister and senior BJP leader from Kerala V Muraleedharan attempted to see PC George at the AR camp but was denied entry. Minister Muraleedharan, speaking to media outside the police camp, chastised the Left government for using double standards.

“The CPM-led government holds the view that anti-national statements can be allowed. But it was quick in arresting PC George for his remarks. The government is showing undue haste in this matter when religious extremists who hack BJP workers are roaming free,” the BJP leader said.

In a series of Tweets, Minister Muraleedharan said, “Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has once again proved himself as a hypocrite. CPM Govt sits idle for days to arrest the killers of Sreenivasan. It won’t act on Islamic fundamentalists who create havoc in the state – but moves quickly to arrest who express their opinion.”

‘My arrest, a gift to the state’s Islamists from CM Pinarayi Vijayan’: PC George

“When I went to meet Mr PC George – I was not even allowed to meet him. If a Union Minister is not allowed to meet a civilian what is the situation for common people? Pinarayi Vijayan Govt is autocratic – it has no concern for others and their freedom of speech. Shame,” the BJP leader said

Later, PC George was granted bail by the court. As he exited the courtroom, George said that his detention was a gift to the state’s Islamists from Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Pala Bishop speaks about Narcotic Jihad and Love Jihad in Kerala

It may be recalled how last year, Pala Bishop had also spoken about Narcotic Jihad and Love Jihad in Kerala. On September 9, OpIndia reported how Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt, speaking at an event, stated that non-Muslim boys and girls are increasingly becoming the victims of Narcotics Jihad along with Love Jihad in the state. Going a step ahead, the Bishop added that there are specific groups operational in Kerala that are targeting non-Muslim youngsters and even providing assistance to carry out targeted exploitation of non-Muslim youth. 

The Bishop’s remark had created quite a flutter amongst the missionaries. The Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) held a meeting in Kochi on Wednesday, September 29, in which it decided to ‘guard its official communications and religious sermons in future

Arrested for making derogatory remarks against Shivling, DU professor tells court he is a follower of Hindu religion, gets bail

OpIndia Staff
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Arrested for making derogatory remarks against Shivling, DU professor tells court he is a follower of Hindu religion, gets bail

A Delhi court has granted bail to Delhi University professor Ratan Lal who was arrested over a derogatory social media post after a Shivling was found in the disputed Gyanvapi complex.

In his bail plea, the Delhi Professor touted himself as a follower of Hindu religion. ”It is further argued that the accused is a person of repute who is himself a follower of a Hindu religion and does not seek to create animosity between religious groups,” the bail plea read.

The court ruled that the professor can walk out on bail after furnishing a bond of Rs 50,000.

On Saturday, May 21, Lal was produced in Tis Hazari court before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Siddhartha Malik. Lal had applied to the Delhi High Court for bail and protection. The court has also ordered Ratan Lal to desist from making any social media posts or interviews about the Shivling.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has also filed an application for Ratan Lal’s judicial custody. The police claimed that the case is important since social media posts have a large impact on society.

Making a statement on the issue, Ratan Lal’s lawyer said, “We are moving his bail plea. He is not a criminal and will not run away. You [Police] did not serve any notice to him or give him a chance to reply to the complaint. The offences are bailable.”

Ratan Lal, a Delhi University professor, was arrested on Friday night for making derogatory remarks about the Shivling discovered within Varanasi’s disputed Gyanvapi Mosque, which was erected on the remnants of a temple.

Lal, an assistant professor at Hindu College, was initially called for interrogation. He was arrested based on a complaint registered by Supreme Court advocate Vineet Jindal, who had accused Lal of offending religious sensitivities.

Ratan Lal was arrested by the Cyber Police Station, North under IPC sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on the basis of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony) and 295A (deliberate act to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion).

“Your security is equivalent to ours”: Turkey pledges support to strengthen Pakistan’s military infrastructure

OpIndia Staff
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“Your security is equivalent to ours”: Turkey pledges support to strengthen Pakistan’s military infrastructure

Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday 20th May 2022, that Turkey will provide all support needed to strengthen Pakistan’s military infrastructure. He said this in a video message sent to the launching ceremony of the third vessel of the MILGEM Ada class corvette – a joint venture of Turkey and Pakistan. He also said that he considers Pakistan’s security, stability, and prosperity equal to that of Turkey.

According to a report by The Express Tribune, Erdogan said, “The production process of all these ships, which are equipped with the most modern weapons and sensor systems developed by our country, continues as planned.” MILGEM vessels are 99 meters (325 feet) long with a displacement capacity of 24,00 tons and can move at a speed of 29 nautical miles. The anti-submarine combat frigates can be hidden from the radar. It is notable that Turkey is one of the 10 countries in the world which can build, design, and maintain warships.

In July 2018, the Pakistan Navy signed a contract for the acquisition of four MILGEM-class ships with Türkiye’s state-run defense firm ASFAT. According to the plan, two corvettes are to be built in Turkey and the next two are to be built in Pakistan, which also involves technology transfer.

The third vessel was named Badr and it was launched at Karachi Dockyard in Karachi city of Pakistan. Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Pakistani Defense Minister Muhammad Israr Tareen, and other officials attended the launch ceremony. Erdogan said that the deliveries of the ships, which will be able to perform all kinds of military duties from air defense to submarine defense, will be made at six-month intervals starting from August 2023. “The other vessel of the project, named Kaibar, is to be launched in September in Istanbul”, he said

Erdogan said that the project is one of the most concrete and recent examples of the deep-rooted historical ties between Turkey and Pakistan, voicing hope for the project to be a harbinger of greater cooperation. Extending a helping hand to Pakistan, Erdogan also tried to underline the bond Turkey shares with Pakistan. He said, “Throughout history, this region has been the apple of the world s eye with its ancient culture and wealth. Pakistan and its people have a special place for us.” It is quite obvious that this special place is on account of the Islamic religion.

In October 2019, Erdogan, along with then-Chief of Pakistan Navy Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, had cut the metal plate of the first MILGEM Ada class corvette during a ceremony in Istanbul. Erdogan has shown his pro-Pakistan attitude from time to time. In February 2020, Erdogan dragged up the Kashmir issue, asserting that Ankara will back Pakistan as the matter is of paramount importance to both countries. Turkey had also set up a propaganda team, in collaboration with Pakistani ISI, to further their anti-India propaganda

Current inflation caused by global events over which Indian govt have no control: OpIndia talks to a chartered accountant, Sumeet Mehta, over inflation

Sachin R
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Current inflation caused by global events over which Indian govt have no control: OpIndia talks to a chartered accountant, Sumeet Mehta, over inflation

Amid the global uncertainty over economy due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, inflation has become a major concern. Earlier this month, the Reserve Bank of India raised the repo rate by 40 basis points to 4.40%, to combat rising inflation. RBI governor Shaktikanta Das defended this decision by saying that the Central Bank chose price stability over growth as RBI feels that India’s macroeconomic fundamentals are intact, barring food and fuel inflation.

“The worsening outlook of inflation warrants timely action to forestall second round effects which could lead to unanchoring of inflation expectations. Heightened uncertainty and volatile financial markets could also add to such unhinging of expectations. Accordingly, decisive and measured monetary policy response is necessary to avoid any unintended shocks to the economy”, the governor had said.

The retail inflation was 7.79% in April, a 8 year high, and RBI expects it to be remain high as the Russia-Ukraine war is expected to run longer than earlier anticipated. In this backdrop, OpIndia talked to Chartered Accountant Sumeet Mehta to know more about the situation. Here is a transcript of the interview.

1.   Today inflation has emerged as a big challenge. Every person is noticing it in their day to day life. What is the source of this inflation?

Mehta- A study on the impact of Russian invasion on inflation done by the economists in SBI found that 59 per cent of the jump in prices is due to geopolitical events. This is also called imported inflation, because the major reason for inflation is increase in global commodity prices including crude, metals, agricultural produce, and fertilizers. Increase in crude prices has resulted in higher fuel prices, pushing transportation costs northwards. Add to that, the global crisis arising from shortage of ships due to war has increased freight and charter costs.

2.   Is this an Indian problem?

Mehta- No, this is a global problem. Majority of the countries in the world are facing the problem of inflation. In her Speech dated 11th May 2022 in Vienna on the issue of the globalisation of inflation, Isabel Schnabel, Member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank, said that “In April, inflation in the euro area is expected to have increased to a new record high of 7.5%, causing significant concern among firms and households. Because the euro area is a net importer of energy, this surge in inflation is often referred to as “imported inflation” – in other words, inflation over which monetary policy has no, or very little, control.”

Now compare this with India, who is also an importer of energy (read crude oil), and compare that with the inflation in India, which is 7.8%. Even in OECD countries, inflation surged to 8.8% in March 2022 due to increase in energy prices.

3.   What can the govt do to control inflation and to protect the people?

Mehta- There is very little leg room for the government to manage this crisis. India imports potash fertilizers from Ukraine and Russia. Now that supply has got disrupted and potash prices have shot up globally. Though, the government of India has not increased the prices in the local market and is subsidizing potash, so that farmers don’t feel the pain of increased potash prices.

However, these subsidies are inflationary in nature, because it results in a higher fiscal deficit, which in turn pushes inflation northwards. Add to that, the government will have to increase its borrowings, which will result in pulling out liquidity from money markets, again driving interest rates upwards. This in turn will result in higher borrowing cost for the government, and that will have a negative impact in the form of higher fiscal deficit. This again will push inflation upwards.

My intent to explain this whole cycle is to highlight how this is a vicious cycle and we will get hurt from all sides, irrespective of whatever means we use to curb inflation.

As such, the government is providing food grains and daal to below poverty line people at a highly subsidized cost, which is much below the cost of production and price at which the government purchases it. In this manner the government has ensured that the BPL section is largely cushioned from the increase in inflation, especially food price inflation.

However, the middle class is not within the BPL benefit net, and hence they aren’t protected from rising inflation. If at all the government decides to bring the middle class within the subsidized food grain and daal scheme, then the fiscal deficit will shoot up significantly, and that will result in higher inflation. So, there is no easy solution for this problem.

4.   What should the people do to protect themselves?

Mehta- Everyone’s financial situation is different. So generally speaking it can be said that people need to be aware of the impact a spike in inflation has on their income and saving goals. The measures one takes depend on their personal situation. Someone may change the oil they use or temper the usage. Someone may look for alternative investment avenues for their savings etc. Awareness is important.

Sumeet Mehta is a Chartered Accountant by qualification and a corporate finance professional with 20 plus years of experience in equity research and private equity investment banking. He specialises in real estate and infrastructure finance and advisory, including PPP, and has authored the book “Diagnosing GST for Doctors”. Mehta has Closely worked with Ministry of Housing and Environment, Government of Maldives and Urban Development Authority, Government of Sri Lanka.

Kerala: Bajrang Dal holds massive “Shourya Rally” in response to Islamist organization PFI’s ‘Save the Republic’ march

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala: Bajrang Dal holds massive “Shourya Rally” in response to Islamist organization PFI’s ‘Save the Republic’ march

On Saturday (May 21), the Hindu organization Bajrang Dal held a massive Shourya rally in the Alappuzha district of Kerala. The rally was in response to the Islamist outfit Popular Front of India’s ‘Save the Republic’ march. Reportedly, the ‘Save the Republic’ campaign was started by the PFI on Republic Day this year.

Although Bajrang Dal had plans to stage its march in the evening, the police claimed that it could lead to a law and order situation.

“The country cannot be consigned to anti-nationals and religious terrorists,” Bajrang Dal said in a statement. Earlier a writ petition was filed before the Kerala High Court, seeking to ban both rallies by PFI and Bajrang Dal. The Court had directed the police to ensure that the PFI event did not lead to any law and order situation.

Prior to the start of the event, PFI had shared that a grand people’s conference will be held in Alappuzha as part of a nationwide campaign. “People from all over the State are expected to take part in the program, which is beginning shortly,” PFI had tweeted.

In a Facebook post, the radical organization had informed that the event would be inaugurated by Chairman Oma Salam. Former Rajya Sabha member Obaidullah Khan Azmi was invited as the Chief of the ‘volunteer march.’

Oma Salam told The Indian Express that PFI would lead in safeguarding the ‘Republic of India.’ He also claimed that the ongoing dispute over the Gyanvapi Masjid is a part of RSS agenda.

While speaking about the rally, PFI leader Yahiya Thangal alleged, “Indian Muslims are on the brink of a genocide. Sanyasi meetings have been reduced to debates about Muslim genocide. In Kerala, even former legislators, who are part of secular and democratic parties, have been uttering hate against Muslims.”

He further claimed, “We are going to have a very strong campaign against the RSS. The Save the Republic campaign will continue till August this year. After Saturday’s rally in Alappuzha, a similar event would be held in Kozhikode on August 6.”

PFI, SDPI extremist outfits indulging in serious acts of violence

Earlier on May 5, the Kerala High Court observed that the Popular Front of India (PFI) and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) are extremist organisations, which have not yet been banned in India.

The court made the remarks while hearing the petition of the wife of deceased RSS worker A Sanjith, seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). “No doubt, SDPI and PFI are extremist organisations indulging in serious acts of violence. All the same, those are not banned organisations,” Justice K Haripal had stated.

The Kerala High Court further noted that both SDPI and PFI have a history of attacking members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. It added, “It is the common case that activists of the SDPI/PFI were behind the attack.”

“There were clashes between the activists of the SDPI/PFI on the one hand and activists of the RSS on the other. There are series of attacks and counter-attacks between them,” Justice K Haripal emphasised.

Self-manifested Jyotirlinga of Lord Adi Vishweshwara lies 100 feet below the surface at the disputed Gyanvapi site: Advocate Rastogi in Court

OpIndia Staff
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Self-manifested Jyotirlinga of Lord Adi Vishweshwara lies 100 feet below the surface at the disputed Gyanvapi site: Advocate Rastogi in Court

On Friday, May 20, 2022, Advocate Rastogi argued in the Allahabad High Court that there is a self-manifested Jyotirlinga of Adi Vishweshwara at the site of the disputed Gyanvapi structure.

In the Allahabad High Court, Vijay Shankar Rastogi, the counsel for Lord’s next friend, told Live Law that the Shivling found in the wuzukhana is not the Shivling of Adi Vishweshwar, it is Tarakeshwar Mahadev. He said that the Shivling of Adi Vishweshwara may be just below the central dome of the Gyanvapi structure. This self-manifested Shivaling is located 100 feet below the earth’s surface.

It should be noted that self-manifested means that which has appeared itself, i.e. which has not been created. In this sense, Lord Adi Vishweshwara is believed to have manifested himself as the Shivling, which represents the form of Lord Shiva. According to the Puranas, the Shivling at Kashi is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is the oldest. The Jyotirlingas have a long history and their description is inscribed in many Hindu scriptures including the Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas.

Advocate Rastogi said, “During the British rule, an old map of the Vishwanath temple was made by the then District Magistrate of Varanasi, James Prinsep. That map is mentioned in ‘History of Banaras written by Dr. AS Altekar (Head of Department, BHU Varanasi)’. It shows which places were the temples of which deity.

Vijay Shankar Rastogi, appearing for Adi Vishweshwar in the Kashi Vishwanath and Gyanvapi Mosque case, which has been going on in the civil court of Varanasi since 1991, said that on the basis of that map, the location of the wuzukhana points to the Tarakeshwar temple. He said that this temple was demolished and flattened. Rastogi said that if it is a Shivling, it can be of the same Tarakeshwar Mahadev.

The Vishweshwara temple was demolished several times by invaders

According to Dr. Vishwanath Pandey, a former officer on special duty at Kashi Hindu University, the proof of the construction of the Kashi Vishwanath temple five times is found in history. The first was built by Maharaja Vikramaditya near the Varuna-Ganga Sangam 2050 years ago. Fahian, the first Chinese traveler who came to Kashi in 402 AD to learn Sanskrit, has written about seeing the Shivling of emerald of Adi Vishweshwara consecrated by Maharaja Vikramaditya.

For the second time, the Vishweshwar temple was built near the pond of Ganj, but the historians did not get any specific information about this place. Dr. Vishwanath Pandey said that during the archaeological excavation at Rajghat in Varanasi, a 2,500 years old Avimukteshwar seal was found, which was associated with the worship of Lord Shiva.

According to the book ‘Kashi Ka Itihas’ written by Raja Motichand of Kashi, the Adi Kashi Vishweshwar was broken for the first time by Qutubuddin in 1194 AD. After that, the temple was rebuilt, but in 1447 AD, the then Sultan of Jaunpur, Mahmud Shah Sharki, demolished it again.

After this, in 1585, during the reign of Akbar, Raja Man Singh built the Kashi Vishweshwar temple through finance minister Todarmal. Narayan Bhatt had helped in this construction. It was demolished and in 1669 AD Aurangzeb built the disputed Gyanvapi structure.

During the reign of Aurangzeb, Raja Jai Singh ‘II’ built Adi Vishweshwara temple in 1680 AD. After that, in 1780 AD, Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar got the Kashi Vishwanath temple ready. It is said that in this temple, the original argha (on which the Shivling is installed) of Lord Adi Vishweshwar temple is kept to protect it from the Muslim invaders.

As anti-conversion ordinance becomes reality in Karnataka, police arrest Kerala’s Christian pastor couple for forcefully converting over 1000 Adivasis

OpIndia Staff
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As anti-conversion ordinance becomes reality in Karnataka, police arrest Kerala’s Christian pastor couple for forcefully converting over 1000 Adivasis

The day the Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot gave his assent and promulgated the ordinance brought in by the government on the anti-conversion Bill, the state police Tuesday, May 17, arrested a Christian Kerala-based pastor couple for forcing Adivasis to convert to Christianity in the Kodagu district. According to reports, the couple is accused of the illegal conversion of more than 1000 Hindus working in the coffee estates of Kodagu district. 

The couple namely, Pastor V. Kuriyachan (62) and his wife Selenamma (57) was arrested under IPC Section 295A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), a cognisable and non-bailable offence punishable with up to three years in jail. After being arrested the couple was sent to 14 days of judicial custody on Tuesday. The incident, however, came to the fore only on Wednesday.

Police said that despite the fact that the anti-conversion law has been notified, they are yet to receive any information that would allow them to charge the pastor couple under the new law. For the time being, the couple has been charged under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, and if necessary, they would be charged under the new law depending on higher-ups’ orders.

Notably, the Karnataka Right to Freedom of Religion Ordinance got the assent of Karnataka governor Thawar Chand Gehlot on Tuesday. It aims to prevent conversions under various circumstances. A jail term of 3-5 years and a fine of Rs 25,000 has been proposed for people violating the law and converting people from general categories and a jail term of 3-10 years and a fine of Rs 50,000 for people converting minors, women and persons from the SC and ST communities.

Meanwhile, according to reports, some Bajrang Dal members had caught the Christian Pastor couple red-handed while trying to convert a tribal couple in Karnataka’s Kodagu district’s Manchahalli village and filed a written complaint in the matter. The police arrived at the scene and took the two into custody.

The pastor couple was reportedly caught trying to get Paniyaravara Mutha, a tribal, and his family to pray with them after handing over copies of the Bible.

Mutha said in a written complaint that the pastor and his wife attempted to convert them to Christianity in the same way that they had previously converted his nephew and niece-in-law. The nephew and his wife have been regularly attending church in Tholpetty, a village in Kerala’s Wayanad district. Muthu added that the pastor often used his nephew’s example to convince him to embrace Christianity.

Sajan Ganapathy, a member of the Hindu organisation was quoted by The Telegraph as saying that they got a “tip-off” about the conversion and rushed to Mutha’s house. “The couple had come ready to convert them and even had a list of people whom they had already converted in the area. So we handed them over to the police,” Ganapathy said.

Despite the consistent efforts of mainstream media to whitewash forced religious conversion by calling it a figment of ‘right wing’ imagination, the fact is that this menace has been increasingly plaguing many parts of the country in the last few years. In fact, as recently as May 18, a Hindu woman from Tamil Nadu had attempted to set herself on fire in front of the Ramanathapuram Collector’s office after being forced to convert to Christianity.

Calcutta HC orders CBI-NIA probe into forceful conversions, VHP demands strong anti-conversion law

On May 19, OpIndia reported how the Calcutta High Court ordered a joint probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the allegations of forceful religious conversions at Kaliachak in Malda district of West Bengal. 

The matter came to light after a video of a female BJP worker, narrating the ordeal of the said women, went viral on social media. In the undated video, the BJP worker informed that several posters had come up near the post office in the Englishbazar area of the Malda district. The protesting women were seen holding several placards saying that the police officer is forcing them to convert to Islam. They had also hung several banners behind them in front of the Malda post office saying that they will resist this and will not change their religion.

Amiya Kumar Sarkar, east zone secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad demanded a strong anti-conversion law for the state to check illegal proselytization of innocent Hindus and stop Jihadi barbarism

What Rahul Gandhi said about Industry, Industrialists and business in London, and how he regurgitated PM Modi’s ideas that he insults and mocks in India

OpIndia Staff
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What Rahul Gandhi said about Industry, Industrialists and business in London, and how he regurgitated PM Modi’s ideas that he insults and mocks in India

On Friday, Rahul Gandhi stirred up a hornet’s nest by making some of the most controversial statements defining his ‘Idea of India’ at a conference in the United Kingdom. The Gandhi-scion discussed several issues, where he promoted sub-nationalism besides instigating anarchy in the country by calling for a ‘mass action’ against the Indian state.

In his talk at the ‘Ideas for India’ conclave in the United Kingdom, the Congress leader also discussed the issues of India’s sectors of the economy and his ideas about India’s growth story. Rahul Gandhi touched upon several topics ranging from jobs, industrial sector revival, business environment and the role of private and public sectors in the country.

During the event, the interviewer put out false assertions about the growth of the Indian economy asking Rahul Gandhi to share his views on the present state of the Indian economic planning. The interviewer misleadingly suggested that the Indian economy has declined over the past four years, especially the last year. However, it is untrue that the Indian economy has slid in the previous year as a UN report suggests that India is still the fastest-growing economy despite the ongoing Ukraine conflict that has impacted the global GDP.

Responding to a question, Rahul Gandhi shared his ideas on the economic front, however, he ended up reiterating the same policies and ideas of the Modi government. On the question of manufacturing, Rahul Gandhi claimed that he believed that India needs to focus on its manufacturing sector, especially on the revival of Small and Medium Enterprises in India.

The Gandhi-scion noted that the Chinese dominate the production, just like the Americans once did, and added that India could not fulfil the promises of its people without a robust production system. Rahul Gandhi said the jobs for the vast majority of the people could be given only by focusing on the manufacturing sector.

“Moving from an idea that growth is enough to an idea where growth is important, but production and manufacturing are key. I think there is a huge opportunity for us if we think about it properly,” said Rahul Gandhi, emphasising the need to build a strong manufacturing sector in India.

Essentially, Rahul Gandhi was highlighting the very same vision often shared by Prime Minister Modi, whose government has been on the task of reviving India’s manufacturing sector in the last eight years. The Modi government has launched several mission-mode projects, including the ambitious ‘Make in India’ program to place India on the world map as a manufacturing hub. The government aims to create 100 million new jobs in the sector by 2022. The Modi government has launched several incentive schemes to promote setting up of manufacturing plants, and has seen good participation from the industry in the initiative.

Ironically, Rahul Gandhi, who often insults and mocks the Prime Minister over his economic policies, is regurgitating the same ideas which have been translated into action by the Modi government. Ever since the Modi government came to power, the manufacturing sector had contributed 25.92 per cent of the Gross Value Added (GVA) of the economy in 2021, which was less than 17 per cent in 2014 when UPA was in power.

Rahul Gandhi’s ideas mimic the Modi government’s policies on MSME

Further, Rahul Gandhi also stressed another concept of the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their role in creating employment. He claimed that the SME sector had been systematically attacked and destroyed by the BJP through his initiatives such as demonetisation, Goods and Service Tax and the farm laws.

The Congress MP also added that it is essential that SMEs be strengthened and a proper funding system to support them.

In fact, it seems like Rahul Gandhi has picked up these very ideas straight from the BJP. One of the most successful interventions of the Modi government, especially in the last few years, is its major focus on the MSME sectors. As many as 28 schemes and several packages have been launched by MSME Ministry in the previous eight years to provide impetus to the MSME sector. More than Rs.3 lakh crore collateral-free automatic loans have been disbursed for MSMEs to meet their operational liabilities and restart businesses that suffered from the pandemic.

Perhaps, Rahul Gandhi wants the Modi government to credit him for its policies on the MSME sector.

Also, citing China’s success in the manufacturing sector, Rahul Gandhi highlighted that they have taken their traditional networks and supported them through finance. We have clusters across the country, in every state, and we need to connect these clusters to the financial system of the country, he said.

Yet again, Rahul Gandhi’s idea revolved around integrating small and medium-sized industries into the formal economy, besides bringing these entities under the financial system. The Modi government has successfully implemented several schemes such as MUDRA, Stand Up India scheme, Atma Nirbhar packages, etc., to aid the SMEs. Besides schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana, an Emergency credit line, the digital economy has only provided a fillip to the MSME sector.

Rahul Gandhi’s flip-flop on the private sector

Repeating his usual rhetoric on big industrialists, Rahul Gandhi also claimed that there were only two business houses that were in control of the manufacturing sector in the country. Rahul Gandhi also flip-flopped on his position on the private versus the public sector debate, an issue which has taken the limelight in recent months.

Rahul Gandhi, who otherwise is a very great critic of the private sector, claimed that the private sector is the one which drives the economy and added that the public sector has to operate in areas which are only strategic and key. Rahul Gandhi also noted that the private sector should be freed from the bureaucracy and the attack that has been taking place from the ‘deep state’.

Rahul Gandhi again makes the same mistake of parroting the ideas of the Modi government. The Gandhi-scion has been so far very critical of the Modi government over its privatisation drive. Every time the government plans to sell its stakes from the loss-making PSUs, Rahul Gandhi has attacked them, saying that PM Modi was selling the country’s assets to his ‘industrialist friends’.

In fact, the Modi government has a strategic vision for disinvestment of the public sector undertakings, and it is also in the process of selling or closing down loss-making PSUs, just as we saw in the recent case of Air India. The centre intends to keep control of certain PSUs that operate in the strategic sector and wants to dissolve or disinvest in the non-strategic sector.

The very ideas of the Modi government are now being stressed by Rahul Gandhi, a strong opponent of the Modi government. It seems like Rahul Gandhi appreciates the policies pursued by the Modi government, however, he feels he is too entitled to appreciate them within India and has now found a foreign soil to sell them as his own ideas.

Strangely, Rahul Gandhi takes a u-turn again during his speech as he refers to the Modi government’s privatisation drive as “very dangerous”. He also said that most of the country’s key infrastructures are owned by one company, indirectly hinting at Adani Group.

“I think it’s very dangerous for one company to control all airports, all ports, all the infrastructure. It (Private sector monopoly) has never existed in this form. It has never existed with such a massive concentration of power & capital,” said Rahul.

The Gandhi-scion also made some unverified claims against the central agencies saying the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate were extorting businesses.

Besides Rahul Gandhi, opposition leaders, including CPI(M) ‘s Sitaram Yechury, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav and TMC’s Mahua Moitra, have also travelled to London to participate in the event organised by the non-profit think-tank Bridge India.

Complaint filed against TMC’s Mohua Moitra, Saba Naqvi and others for their tweets against Shivling: Here is what they had said

OpIndia Staff
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Complaint filed against TMC’s Mohua Moitra, Saba Naqvi and others for their tweets against Shivling: Here is what they had said

A complaint has been filed against TMC MP Mahua Moitra, ‘journalist’ Saba Naqvi, Retd IAS Surya Pratap Singh, Peace Party’s Shadab Chouhan and RJD leader Kumar Divashankar for making derogatory tweets against Lord Shiva after the discovery of a Shivling inside the wuzukhana of the disputed Gyanvapi mosque.

Following the discovery of a Shivling inside the disputed structure, several people, including Mahua Moitra, Saba Naqvi, Surya Pratap Singh, Shadab Chouhan and others had made disparaging posts against Lord Shiva, in a bid to take a sly dig at the Shivling discovered inside the Gyanvapi mosque.

Disparaging tweets made against Shivling

Inveterate fake news peddler Saba Naqvi shared a picture of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre to take a swipe at the Shivling discovered inside the Gyanvapi compound.

Source: Twitter

Attributing it to Whatsapp, Naqvi shared an image of a huge dome that said “Huge Shivling discovered at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.”

However, soon after she shared the picture, a raft of social media users objected to her tweet, accusing Naqvi of hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus by insulting Shivling and trivialising a consequential discovery made at the Gyanvapi mosque that could have profound implications in determining the result of the ongoing dispute.

Naqvi deleted the tweet and apologised for her callous tweet mocking Lord Shiva. However, others who mocked the Hindu God showed little concerns for the feelings of Hindus.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra too had shared a picture of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre with a snide remark saying that hope it is not next on the digging list.

Shovling Moitra
Source: Twitter

Even though, social media users accused her of mocking Shivling and hurting the sentiments of Hindus, the said tweet continues to remain on Moitra’s Twitter page.

RJD leader Kumar Divashankar made a derogatory reference to Shivling in his tweet mocking the BJP. 

Shivling Moitra
Source: Twitter

Peace Party’s Shadab Chouhan, who is known for his polarising tweets, posted a scornful tweet after a Varanasi court ordered to seal Gyanvapi mosque after a Shivling was found inside its wuzukhana. Chouhan had posted a picture of a curb-side lined with small poles to claim judge would seal the area if someone makes a claim of Shivling.

Shivling Moitra
Source: Twitter

Shivling discovered inside the wuzukhana of Gyanvapi mosque

On completion of the videographic survey of Gyanvapi mosque on Monday (May 16), petitioner Sohan Lal Arya informed the media that a Shivling was found inside the complex of the disputed structure. The Shivling was reportedly recovered after draining out the water from wuzukhana, the place for ceremonial ablution that Muslims have to undergo before offering namaz.

“Baba mil gaye…Jiski Nandi pratisha kar rahi this(The Shivling has been found. The sacred bull Nandi was waiting for it),” he exclaimed. “We already knew what was inside… but found more than what we had imagined,” the petitioner emphasised.

The existence of a Shivling inside a disputed structure did not sit well with liberals, Islamists and woke leftists, who felt no qualms in mocking Lord Shiva and insulting the religious beliefs of millions of Hindus in their attempt to undermine the significance of the discovery of a Shivling inside the Gyanvapi mosque.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury claims his Twitter account was hacked to share Rajiv Gandhi’s words, files Police complaint

OpIndia Staff
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Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury claims his Twitter account was hacked to share Rajiv Gandhi’s words, files Police complaint

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Saturday complained to the Delhi Police that his social media account was hacked in the morning by unidentified people. A tweet was posted from Chowdhury’s account which shared the infamous words of Rajiv Gandhi to justify the Anti-Sikh pogrom of 1984.

In the complaint filed at the South Avenue Police Station, Chowdhury said that unscrupulous, biased content was posted from his Twitter handle when he was busy with the Party Program and was not carrying his mobile phone.

“The content posted smacks of malice and I believe that my Twitter Account had been hacked by some wrongdoers, for the reasons best known to them”, he said on May 21.

On the occasion of the 31st death anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, Chowdhury’s Twitter account this morning paid tribute to the former PM by sharing his infamous words “when a big tree falls, the ground shakes”, made by him in the wake of the Sikh pogrom that ensued in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination in 1984.

The infographic shared on Twitter contained pictures of Rajiv Gandhi and Chaudhury and read “Remembering Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary”. The post also contained the contentious comment that was seen as a brazen justification of the horrifying spate of violence unleashed against the Sikhs after two Sikh bodyguards assassinated the then PM Indira Gandhi.

Later, the Congress leader deleted the said infographic and posted a similar picture with the changed quote. This time the quote read, “Development is not about factories, dams, and roads. Development is about people. the goal is material, cultural and spiritual fulfillment for the people. The human factor is of supreme value in development”.

Further, in a series of tweets, the Congress leader also distanced himself from the infographic that quoted Rajiv Gandhi’s infamous comment after the Sikh genocide. “The tweet against my name in the tweeter account has nothing to do with my own observation. A malicious campaign is propagated by forces inimical to me”, Chowdhury tweeted.

Screenshot from Twitter

In the Police complaint, Chowdhury has urged the authorities to take immediate cognizance of the matter and seal the IP address of the unidentified accused. He also has asked the Police to identify the accused and take appropriate action under the cyber law.

Rajiv Gandhi’s infamous comment

On 19th November 1984, while giving a speech in front of thousands of people, then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi justified the violence that took place after Indira Gandhi’s assassination. He had said, “Jab bhi koi bada ped girta hai, to dharti thodi hilti hai. (When a big tree falls, the earth shakes.)”

Incidentally, this is not the first time that a Congress handle has shared those words on Twitter. Back in 2016, West Bengal Congress had also shared those words from their official Twitter handle. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is also coincidentally from Bengal.

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