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Watch: Karnataka Congress MLA slaps a youth after he asks him to repair the roads in his village, refuses to apologise

OpIndia Staff
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Watch: Karnataka Congress MLA slaps a youth after he asks him to repair the roads in his village, refuses to apologise

A video has gone viral wherein Venkataramanappa, the Congress MLA from Pavagada, Tumkur district in Karnataka is seen slapping a youth in full public view. The incident reportedly took place on April 20, Wednesday near the tehsildar’s office in Pavagada. The minister slapped the youth when the latter urged the local Congress MLA to fix roads and solve water issues in his village, Nagennahalli in the Tumkur district.

According to reports, the Congress MLA was heading towards his car after attending a meeting on bagar hukum land at the tahsildar’s office in Pavagada on Wednesday afternoon, when the youth, who was part of the crowd, approached him. He told the Congress MLA how the roads in his village were in poor condition and urged him to get them fixed.

Angered by the youth’s demands, the MLA, however, went on to slap the youth. The Congress leader also reportedly threatened to put him behind bars. In the video which is now being widely shared on social media, the MLA’s security was also seen pushing the youth away from Venkataramanappa. The youth looks flabbergasted by the MLA’s reaction.

Since the video of the incident went viral, the Congress MLA’s high-handedness has drawn harsh criticism. The BJP state unit slammed the Congress party, calling it synonymous with hooliganism.

Meanwhile, the Congress MLA, in his defence, claimed that the youth used foul language while putting forward his demands, which irked him. “While asking for roads to his village, the youth used foul language. That angered me. Later, I learnt from locals that he is mentally retarded and this is his routine behaviour,” TOI quoted Venkataramanappa as saying.

When asked about the state of the roads in the village, the MLA retorted, “Are all roads in good condition? Is it possible to repair all of them overnight? Grants worth about Rs 4 crore have been sanctioned and next week asphalting work will start. The government released the grants only now. We will complete the work.”

The Congress MLA outrightly refused to apologise to the youth for the incident.

Prashant Kishor and his flawed calculations on how Congress is stronger than BJP

S. Sudhir Kumar
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Prashant Kishor and his flawed calculations on how Congress is stronger than BJP

What are the 3 weaknesses of BJP? Shekhar Gupta (SG) asked Prashant Kishore (PK) in a recent interview. At ~29th minute in this interview, PK begins to explain the second weakness of BJP – “their inability to do well in Eastern and Southern India”. Your mind immediately races to actually how well BJP has actually performed in the 2019 elections in the entire North-East and West Bengal. While the mind is trying to understand the statement, PK begins to elaborate.

PK: “You divide India’s 543 seats into parts. And you take the Eastern and Southern states. And you start from Bihar”.

Now you would assume that since he now says Bihar is from Eastern India, Jharkhand also will be included in his list. He yet again flummoxes you by (deliberately) not including Jharkhand but including Bihar in eastern India!

PK continues: “Start from Bihar, go to Bengal, down below is Odisha, united Andhra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala”

Maybe he meant East Coast states, but then why would Bihar get included? But if he meant Eastern India and if he wants to start Eastern India with Bihar, then what wrong did the poor NE states and Jharkhand even do to miss the radar of an astute person like PK?

PK continues: “All these states have approximately 200 seats. And BJP won only ~50 seats in these states”.

You must again be perplexed. Because NDA won 39 out of the 40 seats in Bihar alone! And that’s when you realise PK is again intelligently choosing to highlight only the BJP seats and not the NDA seats! His choice of Bihar still flummoxes me because he would have had a stronger argument if he actually didn’t include Bihar in it. He tells us in this interview that lot of people think BJP would sweep Bihar but “that’s not true”. Yet another googly – the NDA literally swept Bihar Lok Sabha seats in 2019 and came close to a sweep in 2014 – so why wouldn’t people see Bihar as a strong state for the BJP?

PK continues: “Despite everything that the BJP has (and he lists out a bunch of things) they have not been able to penetrate these states.”

Not been able to penetrate these states? In the year 2019, BJP won 18 seats in West Bengal as opposed to 2 it won in 2014. In the year 2019, BJP won 8 seats in Odisha as opposed to 1 in 2014. It won 4 in Telangana as opposed to 1. In Bihar, NDA won 39 in 2019 as opposed to 31 in 2014! If you remove Bihar from his list, then the grand total of seats won by BJP in 2014 in the other states he mentions are in single digits! How much more penetration was PK expecting to happen in a short span of 5 years in states where one assumed BJP did not even exist?

Undeterred and uninterrupted, PK continues: “In the remaining 300 seats….where BJP is strong…if for some reason a party or a formation snatches 100 seats from BJP in Western and Northern India, then the power balance will tilt”

Shekhar Gupta had been silent during this bit, so he had to intervene at this moment and give his insight – “BJP is like the Janata Party of 1977 which swept the Hindi heartland and the west, but Mrs Gandhi still retained the South”.

PK’s reaction and analysis of this comment is even more insightful than his inclusion of only Bihar in Eastern India. He says: “Hindi heartland has now extended to Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka” The mind is in a tizzy trying to understand this statement coming from a man of PK’s stature in an interview with a man of SG’s stature. Your mind boggles at how the analysts are altering basic concepts of geography, language, and common sense! How does Karnataka remotely get classified as a “Hindi
heartland” state? How do Gujarat and Maharashtra get into the bracket of “Hindi heartland” when crores of people in these states speak and take pride in their own languages?

Other analysts elsewhere have already cancelled out Goa and Karnataka from South India because the states have voted for BJP. Now, they are continuing this game of splitting the country, not based on sub-regions but splitting the sub-regions themselves according to how they voted for the BJP!

PK has repeated these statistics in other interviews too. The gist of all his interviews is that the Congress does not need to win even 150 seats to regain power at the centre. The burden of winning 272 is only on the BJP. The congress just needs 120-140 seats (in his own words). His version of “Eastern and Southern” India areas are already offering 150 seats against the BJP, and so according to him, all that needs to be done is “snatch away 100 seats from the BJP from the remaining ~350 seats”.

PK has been on record saying that he spent “every minute” of 5 months post the Bengal elections in 2021 to devise a plan for Congress and join Congress. In this interview with SG, he tells us that the primary reason he fell out with Prime Minister Modi is because of the delay in enabling lateral entry into the Government. If he feels so strongly about an issue like this (which by the way, the Modi government has begun to implement), how oh how does he think the Congress party will remotely think of enabling reforms like this?! PK is also on record in all these interviews that the BJP is doing well because they are ensuring door delivery of welfare schemes. Hearing all this, it really beats me why PK thinks Congress is the alternative to a party that is actually reforming the country!

PK met Sonia Gandhi, her children, and some congress leaders a couple of days back, for nearly 4 hours. In fact, Sonia Gandhi again met PK yesterday, indicating that PK has certainly proposed something big to have shaken Sonia Gandhi. While we can’t be blamed for assuming that this will also end up as a damp squib, given the history around the Congress under the Gandhi family, you can never write off the remote possibility of a genuine surprise being sprung.

Irrespective of the result of the latest activities, it was staggering to hear an astute strategist like PK indicate his thoughts that centered around changing geographical indicators, reviving a corrupt and inefficient Congress and defeating the BJP despite himself claiming that they are doing a lot of good for the people of India. It is therefore an opportune time to ask the question – Is the bubble of PK going to burst soon?

PS: In the interview, notice how Shekhar Gupta keeps on saying that his colleague Neelam Pandey will soon ask a question but goes on asking multiple questions himself!

AAP associate accuses Satyendra Jain of corruption, harassment, says Jain took Rs 1.15 crore for MCD election ticket and asking for more

OpIndia Staff
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AAP associate accuses Satyendra Jain of corruption, harassment, says Jain took Rs 1.15 crore for MCD election ticket and asking for more

On Wednesday, Aam Aadmi Party associate Deepak Madan Deepu accused Delhi Health Minister and AAP leader Satyendra Jain of corruption and harassment ahead of the 2022 Delhi Municipal Corporation election (MCD). Deepu claimed that Satyendra Jain had demanded a bribe of Rs 1.5 crore to issue the ticket for the Delhi Municipal Corporation election.

Deepu further stated that Satyendra Jain had traumatized him and harassed him to such an extent that he has thought about ending his life. On April 20, Deepu sat on a hunger strike outside the house of Jain and demanded his money back denying to fight the upcoming elections.

The AAP worker who does social service by providing free ambulance service across Delhi, explained his plight in a Facebook live video yesterday while he sat on hunger strike at the doorsteps of Jain. He said that he had helped AAP leader Satyendra Jain in winning the Delhi Legislative Assembly election, 2020 and that Jain had promised to give MCD ticket to him.

“I had campaigned very hard for Satyendra Jain in the 2020 elections. He had praised me and thanked me for helping him throughout. Even Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal had called me and appreciated my efforts. Me and Satyendra Jain began maintaining good relations since then. Earlier this month I requested him to issue the ticket for the MCD elections and he asked me to deposit 1.5 crores in the Aam Aadmi Party fund. He said that the market rate was Rs 2 crore but was allowing me to pay Rs 50 lakhs less due to friendly relations”, Deepu said.

As demanded by Jain, Deepu reportedly managed to deposit Rs 1.15 crore in the party fund and assured to deposit a balance of Rs 35 lakhs before elections. “Jain deposited Rs 1.5 crore in the party fund in my name and began demanding Rs 35 lakhs from me. But the elections got postponed so I decided to give Rs 35 lakhs later. Jain began harassing me. I told him that I wanted to withdraw my name and that I had no interest in MCD elections now”, Deepu added.

According to the video, Satyendra Jain then called Deepu at his residence on April 10 and abused him for cheating him for money. The AAP worker listened to him and reiterated that the dates of the MCD elections are not known yet and that he was no longer interested in fighting the elections. Deepu demanded back his Rs 1.15 crore. Instead of responding to his demand, Jain threatened him to pay the balance of Rs 35 lakhs to the party fund.

The AAP worker further stated that he felt betrayed as he was traumatized by AAP leader Satyendra Jain. He has demanded Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to look into the matter and has said that he will continue to protest until he gets back all his money. It is important to note that AAP associate Deepak Madan Deepu is former BJP member and RSS karyakarta.

Image source- Facebook profile of Deepak Madan Deepu

Pertinently, this is not the first time that an AAP leader has been accused of corruption. Earlier, AAP councillor Geeta Rawat was caught red handed while taking bribe of Rs 20000 from a person for extending him the favor to lay the roof of his building. CBI had arrested Rawat and a small scale businessman named Sanaullah for mediating the money to the office.

Also, Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta on April 18 claimed that AAP in Delhi was indulged in corruption in Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Transport Corporation and other departments, and that its minister, Satyendar Jain, was being investigated over corruption charges.

Municipal elections in Delhi were planned to be held in April 2022 to elect 104 councilors of North Delhi Municipal Corporation, 104 councilors of South Delhi Municipal Corporation, and 64 councilors of East Delhi Municipal Corporation. However, the elections were postponed and the new dates are not yet declared.

Jahangirpuri: Hindus remove the gates of temple voluntarily ahead of anti-encroachment drive

OpIndia Staff
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Jahangirpuri: Hindus remove the gates of temple voluntarily ahead of anti-encroachment drive

Amidst the ongoing anti-encroachment drive by the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri, the Hindus in the area were seen voluntarily removing the gates of a temple that was extended outside the legal limit.

A day after NDMC officials razed down many illegal encroachments on public space using bulldozers in the C Block of Jahangirpuri, Hindu devotees arrived at a local temple in the area to remove the gates that were built as an extension.

The gates at the temple were installed as a security measure in the Muslim-dominated neighbourhood and were reportedly beyond the legal area of the plot. Ahead of the government’s anti-encroachment drive, the local Hindus decided to remove them.

The devotees said that they wanted to remove the extra structures voluntarily so that no one should point fingers at them.

Earlier on Wednesday, the NMDC had started its anti-encroachment drive in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri area amidst a heavy police presence. Bulldozers brought down illegal structures, shops and other encroachments. However, within hours of the start of the demolition drive, the Supreme Court granted an injunction to maintain the status quo on the subject and halted the drive.

NDMC demolish illegal structures outside a mosque in Jahangirpuri

The NDMC officials also razed down illegal structures of a mosque from which the stones and empty wine bottles were pelted on the Hanuman Jayanti. The structures were constructed by encroaching the road. The gate of the Masjid was constructed on the road by stretching an extension for almost 10 feet.

The gate was demolished as a part of the demolition drive, and so was a mazaar which was illegally built on the road. Several houses had built extensions on the road, reducing a 30-feet wide road to a mere 10-feet narrow street. Those extensions were all destroyed by bulldozers when the local administration commenced the demolition drive earlier today.

Along with this, numerous surrounding shops were demolished. The action was taken against only those sections of the houses and stores that were under encroachment of government land. 

On April 16, a Muslim mob attacked a Hindu procession celebrating Hanuman Jayanti with stones, bottles, and firearms in the area. So far, over two dozen people have been arrested for the violence. As reported earlier by OpIndia, the region is a hotspot for unlawful encroachment and criminal activity.

‘Bangladeshi and Rohingya illegal immigrants are cancer to the country’: BJP’s Kapil Mishra asks political parties to unite on the issue

OpIndia Staff
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‘Bangladeshi and Rohingya illegal immigrants are cancer to the country’: BJP’s Kapil Mishra asks political parties to unite on the issue

On April 21, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kapil Mishra lashed out at Bangladeshi and Rohingya illegal immigrants. He said these people are just like ‘cancer’ and hurting society. Calling them a threat to national security, Mishra urged all political parties to rise above politics and find a solution to the problem. Mishra added the issue is not about Hindus or Muslims, but it is about the safety of the country and our future generation.

Mishra, in his statement, said, “The issue of Bangladeshi and Rohingya illegal immigrants is not about Hindu and Muslim. It is about India. Wherever these people are, they are hurting society like cancer. These illegal immigrants are increasing the crime rate. Bangladesh and Rohingya illegal immigrants indulge in crimes like chain snatching, theft, murder, kidnapping and drug peddling etc. Hanuman Janmotsav Shobha Yatra was attacked in their colony. Police personnel were shot. From where these illegal immigrants are gaining such courage?”

Questioning why renowned advocates are fighting their cases in Supreme Court, he said, “Renowned advocates are fighting their cases in Supreme Court. These people are a threat to national security. These people are a threat to the security of Delhi. These illegal immigrants are a threat to our children. I feel all political parties should rise above the politics and stand together against these illegal immigrants. Do not make it a Hindu-Muslim issue.”

Mishra urged everyone not to make it a Hindu-Muslim issue by giving inflammatory statements. He said, “Do not give statements like ‘Muslims are in danger’ or ‘The houses of Muslims are being attacked. No. These are illegal immigrants. These Bangladeshi and Rohingya illegal immigrants are cancer. We have to find a solution together. The people of Delhi, the people of India, must come together. It is a matter of the safety of our children. It is a matter of India’s security.”

Jahangirpuri violence and aftermath

On the auspicious occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, a Shobha Yatra was being taken out by Hindu organizations and devotees from Jahangirpuri. When the Shobha Yatra reached the front of the mosque located in the area, stones were pelted, and shots were fired at the procession. Police personnel and devotees got injured during the attack. Several arrests were made by the Police.

On Wednesday, North Delhi Municipal Corporation ran an anti-encroachment drive in the region. However, the Islamic organization Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind approached Supreme Court against the drive. The court ordered to maintain the status quo. Dushyant Dave and Kapil Sibal argued against the anti-encroachment drive. 

Gujarat Congress supporter and Vadgam MLA Jignesh Mevani arrested by Assam police: Read details of the complaint

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat Congress supporter and Vadgam MLA Jignesh Mevani arrested by Assam police: Read details of the complaint

Gujarat Congress supporter and Vadgam MLA Jignesh Mevani was arrested on Wednesday night by Assam Police over objectionable tweets.

According to the reports, controversial MLA Jignesh Mevani was arrested by Kokrajhar police from Gujarat’s Palanpur Circuit House at around 11:30 pm on Wednesday and was later taken to Ahmedabad. He will be taken to Assam on Thursday.

Mevani has been arrested in connection with some of his tweets. Mevani’s Twitter account shows that some of the recent tweets put out by him have been withheld due to a request by authorities.

As per Mevani’s team, some cases were filed against him in Assam.

Complaint against Mevani

Mevani is booked under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), section 153(A) (promoting enmity between two communities), 295(A), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), and sections of the IT Act.

As per reports, the complaint has been filed against Mevani for a tweet dated 18 April where he had written that PM Modi worships Godse as his God. The complainant is from Kokrajhar, Assam.

Copy of the complaint against Mevani.

Jignesh Mevani is a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Gujarat’s Vadgam. Mevani, who is an independent MLA, had extended support to Congress. As Mevani is elected as an independent MLA, he cannot join any political party.

Under the tenth schedule of the constitution, which has provisions pertaining to defections, if an independent legislator wins a seat and then decides to join a party, he or she would have to give up their seat. Otherwise, the speaker has the power to disqualify his or her membership from the house.

Hence, Mevani had only extended his support and had not joined the Congress party.

Actor Akshay Kumar ‘steps back’ after being made brand ambassador of popular gutkha brand, ads to stay

OpIndia Staff
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Actor Akshay Kumar ‘steps back’ after being made brand ambassador of popular gutkha brand, ads to stay

On April 21, Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar announced that he was ‘stepping back’ as a brand ambassador of the Vimal Elaichi brand. Kumar had recently signed up as a brand ambassador of the company’s Elaichi products. Vimal also make tobacco brands, and Kumar endorsing the brand was seen as an endorsement of those products. Notably, actors Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn are already endorsing the brand.

In a social media post, Akshay apologized to the fans for endorsing the brand and pledged to donate the fee to a charity. In his post, Kumar said, “I am sorry. I would like to apologize to you, all my fans and well-wishers. Your reaction over the past few days has deeply affected me. While I have not and will not endorse tobacco, I respect the outpouring of your feelings in light of my association with Vimal Elaichi. With all humility, I step back. I have decided to contribute the entire endorsement fee towards a worthy cause. The brand might continue airing the ads till the legal duration of the contract that is binding upon me, but I promise to be extremely mindful in making my future choices. In return, I shall forever continue to ask for your love and wishes.”

Akshay was trolled on social media for endorsing Vimal’s ‘Zubaan Kesari’ universe

On April 13, it was reported that Akshay Kumar signed up as a brand ambassador for Vimal brand’s Elaichi products. A new trailer was announced by the brand. Soon after the announcement, netizens took on social media to criticize Kumar for the endorsement. While the reports triggered a meme war on social media, some users shared his old clips where he was seen criticizing other actors for endorsing such brands.

Vimal Elaichi is owned by the Manikchand Group, a privately owned group of industries in India headquartered in Pune. It primarily started out as a company that produced chewable tobacco products called ‘Gutkha’. It is one of the leading producers of Gutkas in India, with One of the most successful gutka called RMD, which became famous for its brand ambassador Moiz Miya during the year 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Russian and Belarusian players banned from Wimbledon, British events

OpIndia Staff
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Russian and Belarusian players banned from Wimbledon, British events

All England Lawn Tennis Club released a statement on 20th April 2022 in which it declared that the tennis players from Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to compete at Wimbledon due to Russia’s invasion on Ukraine. The grass court grand slam will be held between 27th June and 10th July this year.

In its statement, the All England Lawn Tennis Club which organizes the Wimbledon said, “On behalf of the All England Club and the Committee of Management of The Championships, we wish to express our ongoing support for all those impacted by the conflict in Ukraine during these shocking and distressing times. We share in the universal condemnation of Russia’s illegal actions and have carefully considered the situation in the context of our duties to the players, to our community, and to the broader UK public as a British sporting institution. We have also taken into account guidance set out by the UK Government specifically in relation to sporting bodies and events.”

The statement further said, “Given the profile of The Championships in the United Kingdom and around the world, it is our responsibility to play our part in the widespread efforts of Government, industry, sporting and creative institutions to limit Russia’s global influence through the strongest means possible.”

Declining entires to Russian tennis players, the statement further said, “In the circumstances of such unjustified and unprecedented military aggression, it would be unacceptable for the Russian regime to derive any benefits from the involvement of Russian or Belarusian players with The Championships. It is, therefore, our intention, with deep regret, to decline entries from Russian and Belarusian players to The Championships 2022.”

Ian Hewitt is the chairman of the All England Lawn Tennis Club. He said, “We recognize that this is hard on the individuals affected, and it is with sadness that they will suffer for the actions of the leaders of the Russian regime. We have very carefully considered the alternative measures that might be taken within the UK Government guidance but, given the high profile environment of The Championships, the importance of not allowing the sport to be used to promote the Russian regime, and our broader concerns for public and player (including family) safety, we do not believe it is viable to proceed on any other basis at The Championships.”

The statement published by the club concluded with the remarks saying, “If circumstances change materially between now and June, we will consider and respond accordingly. We also welcome the LTA’s decision in declining entries from Russian and Belarusian players to UK events to ensure that British tennis is delivering a consistent approach across the summer.”

Russian Tennis Federation president Shamil Tarpischev talked with the Russian newspaper Sport Express and said, “I think this decision is wrong but there is nothing we can change. The (Russian) Tennis Federation has already done everything it could. I don’t want to talk about this, but I will say that this decision goes against the athletes. We are working on the situation, that’s all I can say.”

According to a report by Reuters, British Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said, “The UK has taken a leading role internationally to make clear that President (Vladimir) Putin must not be able to use sport to legitimize Russia’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine. We have set out our position with sports governing bodies and event organizers and will continue to encourage them to take appropriate action for their sport.” It must be noted that it was Nigel Huddleston who had earlier said that he would not be comfortable with a Russian tennis player winning the Wimbledon grand slam title in London.

This ban will prevent Russian players world number two Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, ranked eighth, from competing in the men’s draw. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is 15th in the women’s rankings. She will also miss the competition due to this decision. Women’s world number four Aryna Sabalenka and two-times Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka of Belarus will also be not allowed to enter the competition this year as per the declared ban. After the ban on the German players during world war two, Wimbledon banned the athletes from countries for the first time.

Pakistan: Sikh leader Mastan Singh and his two sons brutally beaten allegedly by local land mafia in Nankana Sahib

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: Sikh leader Mastan Singh and his two sons brutally beaten allegedly by local land mafia in Nankana Sahib

Pakistani Minority Sikh leader Sardar Mastan Singh and his family was brutally attacked by local Muslims at Nankana Sahib, Pakistan. Sardar Mastan Singh and his sons Dilawar Singh and Palla Singh were beaten by the Islamist radicals at Nankana sahib in Pakistan.

Sardar Mastan Singh is the former president of Pakistan Sikh Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee and a Sikh leader. He and both his sons were badly injured in the attack, and are undergoing treatment at the government hospital in Nankana Sahib.

A video of the family member appeared on social media on 20th April 2022.

In this video, Dilawar Singh said, “We are the ones who raise the slogans for freedom. Do watch what has happened to us. For the last ten years, these people have repeatedly assaulted us. We had a fight with them in Nankana today. I am Dilawar Singh. I live in Nankana Sahib. My maternal uncle and we have our own lands there. It is around five and a half acres of land. We have somehow managed to maintain it. But the people and the police keep on negotiating with us. This bothers us. Today, when we were harvesting the crop, a few people suddenly came there and beat us brutally.”

He further said, “They fired some bullets from the guns they had. They did this for threatening us. This is my brother. He is injured as they beat him with sticks. Two more persons have left this hospital a while ago after getting treatment for the injuries they sustained in this fight. Nobody listens to us. We are presented as jokers in society. Tell me how come we are free? Is this the freedom we have here? These people are causing harm to us and our properties here. Forget freedom, we are not safe here in the first place. Real freedom is that here I can say a thing on this camera that our matter is not solved for the last ten years. We are troubled by everyone including the police here. We are treated like jokers. I request the Supreme Court to listen to our plea.”

Dilawar Singh said that his brother Palla Singh’s condition is critical, and police have not made any arrests so far for the attack. He said that with the connivance of the government representatives and the police, the land mafia groups are getting stronger day by day by occupying the lands of the people. He said that many people have lost their lives in the hands of these dangerous groups which were out of the custody of the police.

Bulldozers in Jahangirpuri: Gate of Masjid razed, mazaar and other encroachments removed before SC order halts demolition drive

Pallav
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Bulldozers in Jahangirpuri: Gate of Masjid razed, mazaar and other encroachments removed before SC order halts demolition drive

Following the violence that occurred during the Hanuman Jayanti Shobha Yatra on April 16, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation on Wednesday demolished many illegal encroachments on public space using bulldozers in the C Block of Jahangirpuri. However, within hours of the start of the demolition drive, the Supreme Court granted an injunction to maintain the status quo on the subject and halted the drive.

OpIndia reached the ground and had comprehensive coverage of the demolition drive to get a good understanding of the situation in the area. Upon reaching, we found that a part of the Masjid from which the stones and empty wine bottles were pelted on the Hanuman Jayanti was itself constructed by encroaching the road. The gate of the Masjid was constructed on the road by stretching an extension for almost 10 feet. The gate was demolished as a part of the demolition drive and so was a mazaar which was illegally built on the road.

Jahangirpuri Bulldozers
The demolished gate of the Masjid.

In front of the mosque, there is also a liquor store, which is now closed. It should be noted that liquor bottles were also pelted during the Shobha Yatra, and there is a possibility of those bottles being supplied from the same shop.

Jahangirpuri Bulldozers
The liquor shop.

Several houses had built extensions on the road, reducing a 30-feet wide road to a mere 10-feet narrow street. Those extensions were all destroyed by bulldozers when the local administration commenced the demolition drive earlier today. Along with this, numerous surrounding shops were demolished. The action was taken against only those sections of the houses and stores that were under encroachment of government land. The remaining parts have been left untouched. Bulldozers are still present in Jahangirpuri, however, they are not in operation at the moment.

Jahangirpuri Bulldozers
Demolished illegal structures.

We also tried to speak with several of the persons whose unlawful properties were targeted by the action, but they refused to comment on the matter. The Muslim locals in the area were furious and enraged at the officials for the disciplinary action undertaken by the administration in the wake of the clashes on Hanuman Jayanti.

A Muslim man who appeared disappointed with the action said the roof above his shop, which had been pulled forward to beat the heat, had also been destroyed. ‘When will you get it built?’ we inquired, to which he answered that he did not know. At the same time, an elderly Muslim walked by, screaming, “Why are you fighting with the weak, fight with the strong?” He said this to the security personnel present on the spot.

Many senior officers are present in Jahangirpuri’s C block to maintain the uncertain calm in the aftermath of the Hanuman Jayanti clashes. Small temporary tents have been erected from which officials are monitoring the situation. Barricades have also been installed to prevent crowds from gathering at the place. Aside from Delhi Police, many units of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are also deployed in the area. According to officials, the demolition campaign was carried out by the NDMC, with Delhi Police on the site to maintain law and order.

Jahangirpuri Bulldozers
Senior officials are present at the spot.

Angrily, a young Hindu man stated that whoever hurled the first stone on the Shobha Yatra is the worst human. At the same time, other people were spotted discussing brotherhood. Significantly, the demolition drive has brought to the fore the ubiquity of illegal encroachment sites in the region.

A large government park in the neighbourhood has been filled with scrap. The stink emanating from it is noisome and there’s no place to step inside the park. There were several e-rickshaws parked in the park, with no one claiming ownership.

Jahangirpuri Bulldozers
The park is filled with scrap.

While on one side of the road we discovered illegally demolished parts of houses and stores, on the other side of the road we found a massive heap of scrap lying on the pavement. Anshar, one of the prime accused in the riots, is also a scrap dealer. Several cases of outraging women’s modesty, assault on police, running gambling rackets, and violating the Arms Act have been lodged on Anshar in the past.

The entire purpose of the campaign was to demolish the illegally constructed structures in the region. However, because the Supreme Court halted the destruction, a major part of the unlawful structure still remains in the locality. Dushyant Dave, a Supreme Court advocate, brought the matter to the attention of Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana. The Court said it will hear the matter tomorrow and ordered to maintain the status quo in the region.

The NMDC had requested over 400 personnel from the Delhi police to carry out the anti-encroachment drive in the Jahangirpuri area Tuesday evening. 

On April 16, a Muslim mob attacked a Hindu procession celebrating Hanuman Jayanti with stones, bottles, and firearms in the area. So far, over two dozen people have been arrested in connection with the violence. As reported earlier by OpIndia, the region is a hotspot for unlawful encroachment and criminal activity.

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