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Jahangirpuri violence preplanned? CCTV footage shows sticks being collected a day before the attack on the Hanuman Jayanti procession

OpIndia Staff
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Jahangirpuri violence preplanned? CCTV footage shows sticks being collected a day before the attack on the Hanuman Jayanti procession

The Delhi Police have obtained CCTV footage from the Jahangirpuri region of Delhi, where a Hanuman Jayanti procession was attacked on April 16. Some people can be seen gathering sticks in the clip the day before the incident.

The CCTV video was recorded somewhere around 2 AM on the 15th of April in Jahangirpuri. In the video, 4-5 young men can be seen gathering sticks from the streets in the neighbourhood. There appears to be opposition as well from the locals, which subsequently escalated into a minor skirmish. However, there has been no confirmation of the persons participating in the rioting, and the police are still investigating the matter.

The authorities are also trying to identify and locate people seen in the video.

Initially, police arrested 14 individuals for the rioting, including Aslam, who shot a Delhi Police Constable, and Anshar, the area’s supposed Muslim leader. Subsequently, members of the family that arranged the Hanuman Jayanti Shobha yatra were also apprehended.

On Monday, one Sheikh Hameed was also apprehended. He worked as a scrap dealer. During interrogation, he admitted to supplying the bottles used for pelting during the attack, further bolstering the theory that the attacks against the Hanuman Jayanti procession may indeed have been preplanned.

Yunus Imam alias Sonu Chikna, whose video of shooting bullets on the Hanuman Jayanti procession went viral earlier on Monday, was also apprehended by Delhi Police.

The attack on Hanuman Jayanti Shobha Yatra in Jahangirpuri

On Saturday (April 16), Islamists attacked a Hanuman Jayanti procession in Delhi’s Jahangarapuri locality. The procession was proceeding quietly, according to the FIR. When the procession arrived at the Jama Masjid in C Block at 6 p.m., a man named Anshar approached the procession with several of his friends and began an altercation.

The argument immediately turned into stone-pelting, culminating in a panic in the procession. According to the FIR, police sought to take control of the situation, but a select portion of the crowd ignored the commands and increased the sloganeering while burning down several vehicles. The mob continued to bombard the procession with stones and glass bottles. During the encounter, a police officer was also shot.

‘Sonu did nothing wrong. He fired shots to save masjid’ – Yunus Imam’s family makes bizarre excuses

OpIndia Staff
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‘Sonu did nothing wrong. He fired shots to save masjid’ – Yunus Imam’s family makes bizarre excuses

Just yesterday, Yunus Imam, alias Sonu Chikna’s mother, claimed that her son was a 5-time namazi and fired shots out of anger during the Jahangirpuri riots. However, his family has now claimed while speaking to Times Now that he fired shots to save the mosque. They have alleged that the Hindus had pistols and other weapons, but the media targeted only Muslims.

Family members of Yunus said, “They are not showing the weapons the other side had. They [Hindus] were coming towards us with weapons. They fired shots first. No one is showing that. Everyone is showing what Sonu did. Everyone is taking Sonu’s name. They are not blaming the other side. Only Muslims are being blamed.”

His sister has alleged that the media is exaggerating the matter. She said, “You come here to talk to us but present something else. Sonu fired shots to save the Masjid.” When asked why Yunus fired shots, she said, “Think about it. If someone comes to your temple, will you let him go? You will draw the weapons and fire shots.”

Yunus Imam has been sent to 4 days of police custody following the clash by the Rohini court.

Yunus Imam’s mother had claimed his son was innocent as no one got injured

On Monday, his mother said in a statement that Salim (Yunus Imam’s brother) was arrested for no reason and he was innocent. She identified Yunus (Sonu) in the video that had gone viral, where he was seen firing the shots. She said, “My son has a chicken shop. He was about to break his Ramzan fast when tensions between Hindus and Muslims erupted, and he went out. He does not own a gun. He snatched the gun from someone and fired shots as he was angry. No one was injured. They were threatening us. My son just wanted to scare them off. Someone with a personal grudge shot the video and made it viral.” The Police later arrested Yunus.

Yunus Imam’s video went viral

On April 17, a video of Sonu Chikna alias Sonu alias Yunus Imam surfaced on social media platforms where he could be seen firing shots during Jahangirpuri Riots in Delhi. Several other people, including kids, can be seen pelting stones in the video. The violence happened in the Jahangirpuri area during a Hanuman Jayanti Shobha Yatra, which was attacked as it passed a Masjid in the region’s C Block. Gunshots were also fired in the incident, injuring a Delhi Police Sub Inspector, Medha Lal Meena.

Meet Shabina Anis Qureshi, wife of a Congress leader who threatens inter-faith couples to prevent Muslim girls from marrying non-Muslims

OpIndia Staff
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Meet Shabina Anis Qureshi, wife of a Congress leader who threatens inter-faith couples to prevent Muslim girls from marrying non-Muslims

Shabina Anis Qureshi is the wife of Anis Qureshi, a Maharashtra Congress politician. Anis is the Secretary of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) and the former Chairman of the MPCC Minority Department, Konkan Division.

Shabina describes herself as an activist and rose to notoriety on social media after beginning her campaign against inter-faith marriages in Mumbai. She claims to run an organization named Hifazt-e-Nasl to protect Muslim girls from marrying non-Muslims.

Shabina has been pushing against interfaith marriages and blackmailing couples to opt-out of the marriage. Her modus-operandi, however, is legally prohibited. Shabina first obtains information from the notice board of the Maharashtra Registrar of Marriages and filters the data to find out if a Muslim girl has registered to marry a Non-Muslim man. After sorting the details, she visits the couple’s house at their registered address as listed on the site.

Following that, she blackmails both the man and the woman who are willing to marry each other despite knowing their official names and embracing their religions. Shabina thereafter documents and publishes her interactions with the Muslim woman and the Non-Muslim man on social media and YouTube. This entire procedure is intended to persuade the Muslim girl not to marry the non-Muslim man at any cost. There have been several instances where she has publicly threatened the lady or the man, that if they proceed to marry, they would face the dire consequences of disagreeing with her warning.

She has become famous and is well-known as the voice of radical Islamists who are opposed to inter-faith marriages. There are several recent incidents highlighted by Hindupost that indicate she has been doing this for quite some time.

Shabina paid a visit to the family of a Muslim girl who was marrying a non-Muslim on October 14 in Mumbai last year. Shabina made a video in which she said, “Those who married non-Muslim girls have had their bloodline wiped out. In today’s case, I met a girl whose mother is Hindu and the children have not been raised in accordance with Islamic principles. The girl’s father is no longer alive. When I confronted the girl and her brother about the apostasy they were doing, they said they didn’t believe in such things. It is essential to prohibit Muslims from marrying outside of their religion.”

Shabina also runs a Facebook group where she frequently shares such incidents. Back in December 2021, a post was shared in the group where a video along with the details of two people marrying each other was shared. In the post, it was claimed that the marriage was stopped after the interference of Hifazt-e-Nasl.

The post.

Shabina stormed into the home of a man who was about to marry a Muslim woman who had come to India from Pakistan in February of this year. The police were also called in since the pair had lawfully applied for marriage in court and she was attempting to compel them to cease the proceedings of their marriage.

Shabina states on her social media channels that she has been doing this for a long time. But, what she does is against the law, and her actions warrant commensurate penalties. She obtains information on the couples who have registered to marry and then reportedly threatens them into withdrawing their applications.

Shabina has been intruding in people’s personal life, which is a violation of their right to personal liberty. It also demonstrates the administration’s and police’s reluctance to take action against such persons who have taken the law into their own hands in Maharashtra.

Rajasthan: Congress govt introduces new regulations for keeping cows at home, only 1 cow allowed, annual fees, strict fines, and more

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: Congress govt introduces new regulations for keeping cows at home, only 1 cow allowed, annual fees, strict fines, and more

The congress-led Rajasthan government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, has issued a series of regulations for keeping cows at home in the urban areas in the state. As per the new regulations, only one cow or buffalo is allowed per household. The regulations have been implemented in 213 cities across the state. The cow owners have alleged that the new regulations have made it impossible for the majority of people in urban areas to keep cows.

The new regulations require the cow owner to have at least 100 square yards of additional space at home for keeping the cow or a buffalo. It is mandatory to take a license for the same in exchange for Rs 1,000 annual fees. The cows and buffalos would not be allowed to roam free in the open. In case the administration finds a cow roaming on the roads, the owner will be slapped with a fine of Rs 10,000.

As mentioned above, no one can keep a cow without a license. Every cow must be tagged, and the tag should be placed on the ear of the cow. On the tag, the name, address, and phone number of the owner must be written. Every ten days, the cow owner must take the cow dung out of the city to the dumping ground. If anyone fails to adhere to the regulations, the license will be revoked by the administration.

For the license, the person has to provide details of the proposed place and fulfill requirements for sanitation. The educational, religious, and other institutes also have to pay the fees, but for them, the license fees is half the amount.

The state government has also banned the sale of fodder without a permit within cities. Also, it cannot be sold in public places. If anyone is found selling fodder without a license, he or she will be fined Rs 500. As per a report in Dainik Bhaskar, because of the new regulations, 95 percent of the population in urban areas will not be able to keep cows and buffaloes.

OpIndia reached out to a couple of cow owners living in Rajasthan. Speaking to OpIndia, Anant Singh Kachawaha of Cowsblike said it seems like the main motive of the government is to end the tradition of keeping cows in urban areas. He said, “They have made the regulations in such a way that it will not be possible for the majority of the households in urban areas to keep cows. Those who are keeping cows will have to let go of them.”

Anant has three cows Ganga, Gopi, and recently born Prabha, and one bull Prithu. Anant and his mother (fondly known as India’s first cow mom) take care of the cows. They have made social media accounts on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, where they share regular updates about the four of them. The most interesting aspect is that their cows freely roam inside the house and have a bed dedicated to them where they can rest. Now because of the new regulations, the only option left with them is to let go of one cow and one bull. Anant said, “They are our family members. How can we let go of our family members?”

‘It is an attack on our traditional values’

Anant added that Hindus have a tradition of giving the first roti to the cow. If there are no cows, where would they go? “There is a festival Bach Baras in Rajasthan. The mothers worship calves on that day and wish for the long life of their children. If there are no cows, where would they go to worship?” Anant questioned.

He gave the example of Vrindavan and said, “Imagine if such regulations are imposed in Vrindavan. There will be so much uproar, but no one is paying heed to us here in Rajasthan.” He added that there are no such regulations for those who keep goats and sheep. “Don’t they litter?” he questioned. Anant said the dog owners in the urban areas take their dogs out for walks and make them excrete outside others’ houses. “There is no one to stop them, but when it comes to cows, they have a problem with it. How can anyone justify it?” he said.

He added, “The government is calling cow dung garbage. On the other hand, the central government and other state governments like in UP are coming up with schemes to use cow dung for making products to increase their income. I am unable to understand why the Rajasthan government is hell-bent on passing such regulations that are completely against the ethos of Hinduism.”

Speaking to OpIndia, Sambhav and Sankalp, popular as Baawale Chore, also raised objections over the new regulations by the Rajasthan government.

The twin brothers have one cow, Jhumar, and two calves, Damru and Nandu, who live with them at their house in Rajasthan and regularly post updates about them on Baawale Chore Vlogs on YouTube and other social media platforms.

The duo said as per the regulations, they have to let go of one of the calves, which would be impossible for them. They said that the government has made it illegal to keep cows at home if there are less than 100 square yards of extra space. “In today’s time, how many of them would have so much space at home”, they questioned.

‘It is an indirect way to stop Hindus from keeping cows’

They said, “If any of my neighbors have a problem with cow dung and urine, I cannot keep a cow at my home. If someone complains against me out of grudge, they will cancel my license.” They added that the only justification for such regulations could be that they directly cannot stop Hindus from keeping cows as there will be protests. “They wanted to end the tradition of keeping cows at home but could not directly do so as Hindus would have protested. Hence they came up with these ridiculous regulations,” they added.

Giving the example of CM Yogi-led UP government, they said, “On one hand, Yogi government is giving Rs 900 per month to encourage people to keep cows at homes, and this government is going to charge us Rs 1000 per annum so that we can keep cows. It is my home, those are my cows, why should I pay the government fees to keep them at my home? It is like charging people money to let them keep their parents home. I think the day is not far that this government will come and say we cannot keep parents without paying the fees.”

They added, “The government says we cannot sell the milk if we keep the cow at home. Some cows give 3-liter milk, and some may give 10 liters. How can someone consume so much milk daily at home? Also, there are many farmers who keep cows for additional income. On the one hand, the central government is trying to find more ways to generate employment, this government is hell-bent on killing one of the major sources of employment in the state.”

They said such regulations would end private dairies in urban areas. Only large dairies outside city limits would be able to function. They added, “Majority of the people here do not buy packed milk. A private dairy supplies milk at their doorsteps. Where will they go?”

“We do not have a problem with the government bringing regulations for keeping cows. They can take the cows roaming on roads to Gaushalas and take care of them. But at least allow Gau Palan at home,” they added. 

They added the government had banned the sale of fodder in the city without a license. “Can you imagine how many jobs will be lost just because of these regulations?”

Congress justified the regulations

State Cabinet Minister Pratap Singh khachariyawas said in a statement that there was a demand to allow at least one cow in homes in urban areas. “This is the permission to keep one cow. No one will cause trouble for them. It is a big decision for Gau Sewa.” Contrary to what media reports suggest, khachariyawas said people can keep one cow without permission and if they want to keep more than one cow, they would need permission.

Efforts by the government to increase usage of cow dung

Notably, NITI Aayog is working on a roadmap for the commercial use of cow dung to improve the economy. They are exploring possibilities of producing bio-CNG using cow dung as an alternative for petrol. NITI Aayog believes it will help in dealing with the problem of stray animals. UP Government has come up with several schemes to encourage people to keep cows at home. Last year, paint made of cow dung was launched by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. There are many NGOs and start-ups that are making products using cow dung like idols, diyas, seeding pots, and more.

VHP shares official letter of consent in Jahangirpuri Hanuman Jayanti procession, proves it had sought permission from Delhi Police in advance

OpIndia Staff
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VHP shares official letter of consent in Jahangirpuri Hanuman Jayanti procession, proves it had sought permission from Delhi Police in advance

Refuting the claims made by Delhi Police in the case of Jahangirpuri violence, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Tuesday released an official letter with Delhi Police’s stamp on it saying that the organisation had sought permission and security from Delhi Police in advance for the Hanuman Jayanti procession on April 16.

The letter was shared by journalist Aditya Raj Kaul on social media. “Hindu group shares proof of the official letter with Delhi Police stamp. Cops had earlier claimed no permission was sought”, he said on Twitter as he shared the official letter.

According to the reports, the Delhi Police had registered a case against the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal for allegedly taking out Hanuman Jayanti procession without prior permission. DCP NW Usha Rangnani had claimed that the organizations had taken no permission for the procession.

Image Source- Zee news

Meanwhile, Delhi Police’s Special CP Dependra Pathak when asked ‘if Delhi police didn’t give permission why they were present along with people who were protesting or carrying the religious procession?’, said that Police has focused role of maintaining law and order. “If any such situation erupts, we have to see to it that the situation doesn’t worsen. That is the reason an adequate Police force was already there to contain the situation. And Delhi Police did it successfully with almost no injury”, he added on April 19.

On April 16, the Hanuman Jayanti procession was attacked by Islamists who pelted stones and glass bottles at the procession. Several people got injured as the violence escalated after 6 pm. They (Islamists) also fired gun stots amid the violence and injured Sub Inspector Medha Lal Meena.

The Delhi Police arrested 14 people in the case and lodged an FIR under provisions 147 (Rioting), 148 (Armed rioting), 186 (Obstructing duty of public servant), 353 (Assault on public servant), 307 (Murder attempt), 427 (damage to property), and 436 (Attack by explosives) of the Indian penal code along with section 27 of the Arms Act 1959.

According to the FIR, the procession was moving peacefully. However, when the procession approached the Jama Masjid in C Block at 6 pm, a man named Ansar approached the procession with some of his companions and initiated an argument. The dispute quickly devolved into stone-pelting, resulting in a stampede in the procession. The police attempted to control the situation, but a specific segment of the mob disregarded the orders and intensified the sloganeering, and set ablaze some vehicles. The crowd kept pelting stones and glass bottles at the procession.

The role of Bangladeshi settlers in Jahangirpuri involved in the Hanuman Jayanti attack is also being pondered over after sub-inspector Meda Lal alleged that slogans were raised in Bangla as the riot escalated.

According to authorities, the case of the Jahangirpuri incident is being investigated by the Delhi Police’s special cell and crime branch. Ten investigation teams have been constituted to look into the incident. The Delhi Police has assured that harsh action will be taken against rioters and has urged the civilians not to believe rumors and fake news on social media. Section 144 in the area stays imposed as investigations are underway.

‘Non-Hindus in Char Dham Yatra will have to undergo verification, preserving state’s cultural heritage important’: U’khand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami

OpIndia Staff
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‘Non-Hindus in Char Dham Yatra will have to undergo verification, preserving state’s cultural heritage important’: U’khand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced that non-Hindus participating in the Char Dham Yatra will have to undergo verification at the outset. CM Dhami made the announcement on Tuesday while talking to the media on various issues concerning the state.

In his media interaction, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami talked about his stand concerning the demand for banning Non-Hindus in the Char Dham Yatra happening this year. Such a demand, on various fronts, was raised by Hindu religious seers in the state who demanded a complete ban on non-Hindus in the Char Dham Yatra concerning the recent incidents of violence on Hindu temples and processions.

On Tuesday, CM Dhami addressed this issue saying, “We should live in peace. The religion and culture of the state should be preserved. On an administrative level, the government will also run a drive on this issue. Those who have not been verified here correctly will undergo a process of verification. No person will be allowed to enter the state who s intended to disturb the law and order of Uttarakhand.”

The decision hinted at by CM Dhami comes after Shankaracharya Parishad Chief and Shambhavi Dham Head Priest Swami Anand Swaroop wrote a letter to him reiterating that only Hindus be allowed to participate in the Char Dham Yatra. BJP leader Sadhvi Prachi had also demanded the same, besides asking to make a dress code compulsory for pilgrims during the visit. The demand was backed by the Akhil Bhartiya Akhada Parishad with Chief Ravindra Puri stating, “The way Hindu processions and rallies are being attacked in different parts of India, one day, it could be Char Dham shrines.”

Char Dham Yatra to commence on May 3

The Char Dham Yatra will commence on May 3, this year after the gates at Gangotri and Yamunotri open. The Yatra entails religious visits to four holy Hindu places of worship including Kedarnath, Badrinath and Gangotri and Yamunotri. In response to the expected increase in footfalls this year, the state Ministry of Tourism has decided to make verification and registration mandatory for all pilgrims participating in the yatra.

Afghanistan: At least 6 dead and over a dozen injured after multiple explosions hit a school in Kabul

OpIndia Staff
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Afghanistan: At least 6 dead and over a dozen injured after multiple explosions hit a school in Kabul

According to reports, at least three blasts rocked a boys’ school in Afghanistan today. There has been a confirmation of at least six deaths and more than a dozen injured in the blasts. The explosions took place in a boys’ school in a Hazara Shia neighborhood of the capital Kabul.

The blasts were triggered by improvised explosive devices, Kabul police spokesperson Khalid Zadran told AFP. He also mentioned another blast in the same region at an English language centre, but declined to say if it was caused by explosives.

According to Zadran, two improvised explosive devices were positioned outside the two-story Abdul Rahim Shahid high school in the Dasht-e-Barchi area’s western suburb. 

It is notable that  Dasht-e-Barchi is predominantly inhabited by the Hazara people, an ethnic and religious minority that has previously been targeted by Sunni terrorist organisations such as the Islamic State. Hazaras make up between 10% and 20% of Afghanistan’s 38 million residents.

The explosions occurred when the kids were leaving their lessons. As of now, no terrorist organisation has claimed credit for the incident.

The Taliban’s recent ascension to power in Afghanistan has heightened the dread of the Hazara population, who had previously been targeted by ISKP. The Islamic State of Khorasan Province adheres to hardline Sunni doctrine and has been implicated in a number of terrorist actions, including a bombing at Kabul International Airport on August 26, 2021, which killed 13 US soldiers. ISKP is the branch of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) that operates in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

‘Noise of loudspeakers should not come out of the premises, should not inconvenience others’: UP CM Yogi Adityanath

OpIndia Staff
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‘Noise of loudspeakers should not come out of the premises, should not inconvenience others’: UP CM Yogi Adityanath

Days after Islamist violence against Hindus disrupted peace and harmony in many parts of India including the recent one at Jahangirpuri, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday, issued a set of guidelines to be followed during religious processions in the state. Ahead of Eid and Akshay Tritiya, Uttar Pradesh CM said that no religious procession should be taken out without permission and that usage of loudspeakers should not inconvenience others.

According to the reports, CM Yogi Adityanath issued directions after he chaired a law-and-order review meeting on Monday. During the meeting, he said that every religion has the freedom to follow the religious method of worshipping God but clerics should make sure that people are not disturbed due to loud noises.

Commenting on the usage of loudspeakers by the Mosques for Azaan, Yogi stated that mics can be used but the sound should not come out of the premises. “Other people should not face any problem”, he said denying permission to install loudspeakers at new sites.

Regarding the religious processions, he affirmed that no religious procession shall be carried out without permission. The organizers need to submit the affidavit ensuring to maintain peace and harmony during the procession. Meanwhile, he also said that permission shall be given only to traditional religious processions. “New programs should not be given unnecessary permission”, he added.

The Uttar Pradesh CM further asked the Police and the administrative officials to be on duty for 24 hours. He cancelled the leave of all the police officers till May 4 and ordered those on leave to join within 24 hours. He also has asked the administrative officials to deploy drones and keep watch on every single moment in the sensitive areas.

The statement of CM Yogi Adityanath comes particularly after the Islamists attacked the Ram Navmi procession and Hanuman Jayanti procession in the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Delhi. The Islamists pelted stones and glass bottles at the procession and the Hindu participants and disrupted peace and harmony in the areas. They also torched vehicles and homes belonging to Hindus in some parts.

At present, the UP Police have been asked the foot patrol ahead of the Eid and Akshaya Tritiya and keep active the police response vehicle. “All necessary efforts should be made keeping in view the local needs so that every festival is held in peace and harmony”, CM Yogi Adityanath said ordering to sternly deal with those issuing mischievous statements.

Watch: PM Modi gets emotional as women of Banaskantha bless him for delivering Narmada Canal project

OpIndia Staff
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Watch: PM Modi gets emotional as women of Banaskantha bless him for delivering Narmada Canal project

Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned emotional during his visit to the Banaskantha district of Gujarat as several women wished and blessed him for fulfilling the promise of supplying water to the northern Gujarat district. PM Modi was in town to inaugurate a new dairy complex and a potato processing plant.

PM Modi, who is on his three-day visit to his home state Gujarat, was cheered and welcomed by the women of Banaskantha. Several women had arrived at PM Modi’s rally in the city on Tuesday and blessed him for delivering on the promise of providing water for drinking and irrigation to Banaskantha district, the northernmost district of Gujarat.

As women cheered and blessed him, Prime Minister Modi became emotional during the rally.

The people of Banaskantha district are among the several beneficiaries of the Narmada Canal project. The Narmada Canal is an irrigation and drinking water project that brings water from the Sardar Sarovar Dam to the state of Gujarat and then into Rajasthan state. It is a lifeline for the dry areas of northern Gujarat like Banaskantha and Mehsana districts.

PM Modi landed in Ahmedabad on Monday on a three-day visit to his home state Gujarat. His visit to Gujarat comes months ahead of the state assembly elections.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister visited the Banas Dairy and praised the efforts of the BJP government for turning the area into a hub for empowering local communities, especially farmers and women.

“I want to applaud the people of Banaskantha for their hard work and spirit of resilience. The manner in which this district has made a mark in agriculture is commendable. Farmers embraced new technologies, focused on water conservation, and the results are for all to see,” PM Modi said while praising the local community.

Allahabad High Court dismisses PIL seeking transport of meat from outside to ‘restricted wards’ in Hindu pilgrim cities of Mathura and Vrindavan

OpIndia Staff
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Allahabad High Court dismisses PIL seeking transport of meat from outside to ‘restricted wards’ in Hindu pilgrim cities of Mathura and Vrindavan

In an order dated March 28, 2022, the Allahabad High Court dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking permission to transport meat from outside to restricted wards of Vrindavan and Mathura during ceremonial occasions such as marriages.

A representation was made before the District Magistrate of Mathura by a ‘social worker’ named Shahida on January 17 this year. She had sought exceptions for non-vegetarians against a UP government notification, issued by the Additional Chief Secretary of the UP government on September 10, 2021.

The said notification had barred the sale of meat, fish, eggs and liquor within 10 kilometres of Krishna Janmabhoomi in 22 wards (Holy Place of Pilgrimage) of Mathura Vrindavan Nagar Nigam. It officially came into force on September 17 through a government order. The UP government had also suspended the license of non-veg hotels and shops through a consequential order on September 11 last year.

Although Shahida did not challenge the ‘constitutional validity’ of government order, she sought immediate relief against the ban and permission to transport the restricted food items into the 22 wards during events such as marriages. The petitioner requested the court to direct the police to not harass individuals indulging in the transport of non-vegetarian items into the restricted zone.

“It is contended that on account of such restrictions imposed, the non-vegetarian persons residing in the Wards so notified are being deprived of their choice of meals and also from carrying on their business and livelihood,” the petition had claimed.

Shahida further alleged that the majority of ward residents shared the same sentiment and that the government notification was violative of Article 19 (1) (g) (Right to practice any occupation) and Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) of the Indian Constitution.

When her petition was rejected by the District Magistrate of Mathura, she moved a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) through her counsel Surendra Kumar Tripathi before the Allahabad High Court.

Arguments made by the State

While defending the decision of the Uttar Pradesh government, Addl. Advocate General Manish Goyal had pointed out that both Mathura and Vrindavan are religious and historical places of importance. He argued that devotees from both India and abroad travel to the twin cities for darshan and virtuous upliftment.

“The State Government with a view to maintaining the historical, religious, tourism importance and above all the sanctity of the Holy places issued a Notification dated 10.9.2021 declaring 22 Wards of Nagar Nigam Mathura Vrindavan to be “Holy Place of Pilgrimage”, he had submitted.

The Addl. Advocate General further pointed out that restrictions on the sale of meat and liquor only applied to 22 wards and not in other places in the city which falls under the ambit of reasonable restriction as upheld by the Supreme Court of India in past cases. He also dismissed the argument of petitioner Shahida that fundamental rights were being infringed upon by virtue of the government notification.

“It is accordingly submitted that the relief claimed in the Writ (PIL) is not tenable and the Writ (PIL) is liable to be dismissed,” Manish Goyal had argued.

Observations made by the Allahabad High Court

The matter came up for hearing before a 2 Judge Bench of Justices Pritinker Diwaker and Ashutosh Srivastava. The Court noted that the writ petition by Shahida did not challenge the UP government notification dated September 10, 2021 or the government order dated September 17 last year.

“In the absence of any challenge to the above Notification and the Government Order, it can safely be presumed that the petitioner is not aggrieved by the same,” the Judges had observed. “This Court, therefore, does not deem it appropriate to dwell into the validity of the aforesaid Notification and the Government Order,” they added.

The Court stated that it could not conclude that Shahida had any grievance with the categorisation of the said 22 wards of Nagar Nigam Mathura Vrindavan as “Holy Place of Pilgrimage.”

“We also do not find any clear violation of any Constitutional provision by the said Notification. It is the prerogative of the Government to declare any place as “Holy Place of Pilgrimage. Mere declaration of any particular place as “Holy Place of Pilgrimage” does not mean that any restriction has been imposed and the said act is illegal,” the Allahabad High Court had held.

The Court stated, “We are of the opinion that it is the privilege of the State to do so. India is a country of great diversity. It is absolutely essential if we wish to keep our country united to have tolerance and respect for all communities and sects. It was due to the wisdom of our founding fathers that we have a Constitution which is secular in character and which caters to all communities, sects lingual and ethnic groups etc. in the country.”

“This restriction has been imposed only with respect to 22 Wards and is not applicable to other Wards of the city. Thus, there is no complete ban. The allegation of the petitioner that State Authorities are harassing such consumers of the restricted material (meat, liquor and eggs) in the transportation of the same is merely a bold and sweeping statement. No material has been brought on record to substantiate this allegation.” the Court ruled before dismissing the PIL.

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