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‘Ever Forward’ vessel now stuck near Washington DC, earlier ‘Ever Given’ of the same company was stuck in Suez canal for a week: Details

OpIndia Staff
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‘Ever Forward’ vessel now stuck near Washington DC, earlier ‘Ever Given’ of the same company was stuck in Suez canal for a week: Details

On Sunday (March 13) night, a massive cargo ship named Ever Forward, owned by the ‘Evergreen’ corporation ran aground after departing from the Port of Baltimore at the Seagirt. The development comes a year after another vessel named Ever Given, owned by the same company had blocked the Suez canal for over a week.

As per reports, the 1096-ft vessel was stranded at the Chesapeake Bay near Washington DC while it was en route to Norfolk in Virginia. Interestingly, both the Ever Forward and Ever Given are operated by the same Taiwan-based container shipping company called Evergreen Marine Corp.

William P. Doyle, the Executive Director of Maryland Port Administration, had informed, “The ship’s grounding is not preventing other ships from transiting to the Port of Baltimore. Efforts have been underway since last night to try and free the ship and will continue today. The Coast guard is monitoring the situation!”

Ironically named the ‘Ever Forward’, the US Coast Guard is unsure about what caused the vessel to run aground. Meanwhile, the Taiwan-based Evergreen Marine Corp had hired divers to inspect the vessel for possible damages and help in refloating the ‘Ever Forward’.

As per a report in CBS Baltimore, Maryland-National Capital Region Sector Commander Capt. David O’Connell said that the Craighill Channel is 50 metres deep but the vessel got stranded in shallow waters of 25 ft depth.

A senior researcher at the Citizen Lab, John Scott-Railton, had explained the possible causes that led ‘Ever Forward’ to run aground. He informed, “Looking at charts, #EVERFORWARD may have slightly deviated from dredged navigation channel into shallower waters after departing Baltimore. And got stuck.”

Raialton added, “The #EverForward’s AIS track is… interesting. People may read it as: she missed a waypoint (didn’t make a turn) heading from Craighill Angle into Craighill Channel. Caveat: accidents = complicated & AIS tracks can be imprecise so take all guesses w/big grain of salt!”

The researcher informed that in all likelihood, the vessel missed a crucial turn. He said that the wind speed was not substantial and the draught was not strong.

“The #EverForward is aground in a shoal area of ~24 feet of water. She lists as 42.6 feet of draught (depth below waterline). Takeaway: VERY stuck. Getting her un-stuck & back into the 51-foot deep Craighill Channel is likely to be a big production,” he tweeted.

John Scott-Railton remarked that even a high tide could not help in refloating the ‘Ever Forward.’ He pointed out, “Investigating what led #EverForward to plow into the shoal’s mucky bottom may take a while. Pilot error? Rudder malfunction? Key info will live in the Voyage Data Recorder.”

“Meanwhile, just to make the storyline more interesting, the #EverGiven will soon arrive at the #SuezCanal. Battling very strong headwinds at the moment. We hope she has calmer winds during her transit. No ghusts!” he concluded.

Suez Canal blocked by ‘Ever Given’ in March 2021

A huge container ship named ‘Ever Given’ ran aground the Suez Canal in March last year after being blown off course by a “gust of wind”. It resulted in a huge traffic jam of vessels at either end of the crucial international trade route.

The cargo ship, which is four years old now and is registered in Panama, was on its way to Rotterdam in the Netherlands from China when it got stuck in the Suez Canal. Estimates said, the block was holding up goods worth 9.6 billion dollars a day, that is 400 million dollars an hour.

Weighing 220,000 tonnes and running 400 metres long, the “mega-ship” Ever Given had jammed itself diagonally across a southern section of the canal and thereby blocked shipping traffic. On March 29, 2021, the container ship was finally refloated.

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) had demanded $916 million in compensation from the owners of the giant Ever Given vessel. The high compensation was sought to cover the revenue loss, reputational damage and cost of salvage operations.

In June 2021, it was reported that the negotiation could not be finalized since March, leading to the ship being anchored in a lake between two stretches of the canal. The ship inspired some of the best, most creative memes in the year 2021.

Suez Canal is a crucial lane that links the Mediterranean to the Red Sea and is the fastest maritime link between Asia and Europe. The watercourse, which is around 193 km long, was built by the Suez Canal Company in the mid-1860s and was officially opened in 1869.

Threats, allegations of foul play and sit-in protest: AAP candidate who lost Kapurthala assembly seat ends her 4-day dharna on a bitter note

OpIndia Staff
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Threats, allegations of foul play and sit-in protest: AAP candidate who lost Kapurthala assembly seat ends her 4-day dharna on a bitter note

On March 14, Aam Aadmi Party’s candidate from Kapurthala Assembly seat, Manju Rana, ended her 4-day protest with a roadshow. Rana had been sitting on ‘dharna’ outside the counting centre at Virsa Vihar since the results were announced, and she lost to Congress candidate Rana Gurjeet Singh by over 6,200 votes. The election commission officials and police officials tried their level best in those four days to convince her to file an appeal in High Court as per the procedure, but she kept creating ruckus outside the counting centre.

The result and accusations of foul play

On March 10, after it was announced that Manju Rana, a former Judge, lost the Assembly elections to Congress candidate Rana Gurjeet Singh, she alleged foul play by the police, administration and counting staff. Rana sat on protest and alleged all of them were involved in helping Singh to win the election and indulged in foul play during polling and counting. Rana lost the election to Singh amidst the AAP wave across Punjab. Notably, Singh won the seat for the fourth time.

‘If I am my father’s daughter, I will see you’: Rana threatens Congress candidate

On the day of counting, Rana had allegedly threatened Singh of consequences post results were announced. In a video shared by Web Khabristan, Rana could be heard threatening the winning candidate Rana Gurjeet Singh with dire consequences. She said, “If I am my father’s daughter, I will see you. I will see how you live peacefully here [in Kapurthala] with me in the same city.”

Rana alleged at booth number 3 though only 292 votes were polled, the counting showed 635 votes. “How could this be possible? We are asking all the officials, but no one has a satisfactory answer.” Her followers alleged Rana had proof of the foul play, but the election commission was not listening to her plea.

‘It is my government. I will pull your tongue and file cases against you’: AAP candidate Manju Rana to Rana Gurjeet Singh

During these four days of dharna, Deepti Uppal, Deputy Commissioner, and other officials tried to convince her that she had to file a plea to raise the objection, but Rana did not listen to any of them. A video went viral where she could be heard arguing with police officials. She told DSP not to argue with her and threatened to cut his tongue if he kept talking. She said, “It is my government in the state. I will pull your tongue and file cases against all of you.”

When DSP tried to tell her that he was sitting quietly, she said, “You are still arguing with me. You have no right to talk to me.” When DSP said it was her who was arguing and not him, she said, “I am not arguing. I will slap you if you keep talking.” She further alleged DSP was mentally torturing her, and he must be removed from the premises.

Dharna ended with a roadshow

On March 14, she ended her protest, saying her health was not good as she was not eating correctly for the last 4-5 days. She said, “As I was sitting on protest, I could not take proper diet that resulted in complete hair fall. I am thankful to the AAP leaders, including Raghav Chaddha, Sandeep Singh, and CM designate Bhagwant Mann, for giving me a chance to contest the election.” She had covered her head while giving her statement and alleged she had lost all of her hair.

While ending her protest, she said the SSP, Kapurthala assured her that legal action would be taken based on her complaint. She said, “Even my party wants that since it has now come to power, I must not confine myself to a dharna and move out and work for the people. Since I have been a judge, they want to use my legal knowledge and go about in villages and city areas to help people solve matters of the people in the best possible ways.”

DC Uppal said, “Any candidate who is not satisfied with the counting procedure has to file an election petition before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which she is free to do. Her allegation of more votes from a ballot unit than polled was proven wrong to her right in front of the election observer. To settle her second issue that one person voted at two booths, she has to move the court. Only the court can allow us to open the re-sealed EVMs and VVPAT machines now and verify any complaint.”

Punjab Assembly elections results

On March 10, the results of the Punjab Assembly elections were announced. Aam Aadmi Party won the majority with 92 seats. CM designate Bhagwant Mann would take oath as Chief Minister on March 16.

‘The Kashmir Files’ success: Local businesses offer discounts, incentives to encourage people to watch the movie

Suyash
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‘The Kashmir Files’ success: Local businesses offer discounts, incentives to encourage people to watch the movie

The Kashmir Files has truly become the people’s film. Looking at the overwhelming response the film has garnered in just four days of its release, it is clear that the masses are finally ready to acknowledge brutalities inflicted on the Kashmiri Hindus by Islamic terrorists in the valley. While the film has been made tax-free in the states of Haryana, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat among others, private businesses in many cities are coming forward with discounts and attractive offers to encourage people to watch the movie.

From small-scale service providers, influencers to internet entrepreneurs, businesses across the country, incentives are being given to customers, employers, etc to watch the film through discounts on products, services, casual leaves to watch the film, etc.

Chirag Barjatya, a fitness entrepreneur who runs a wellness coaching service, Project Fitness Company announced on Twitter that customers on his website will get flat Rs. 500/- off on showing a ticket of The Kashmir Files. Overwhelmed by the response Chirag formulated a code ‘TheKashmirFiles’ which could be used by his customers to get the discount on any of the products on his website.

In Gujarat’s Palanpur, Jalaram Breakfast House has rolled out an interesting offer on delicacies. Owner Jayesh Thakkar has invited people after they watch The Kashmir Files to his store and provided they show the ticket, a plate full of Fafda and Khova Jalebi will be offered for free. Similarly in Palanpur, The Om Sanatan Pujapa Bhandar has offered a packet of premium scented essence sticks worth Rs. 70/- for free for people who watch The Kashmir Files movie.

A jeweller in Palanpur, Shree Keshar Gold Palace has offered a discount of Rs. 500/- on the making charges of jewellery in Gold, silver or diamond. The inventive ways by business establishments to encourage people to watch the film are paving a way for an ecosystem of civilizational awareness among the masses. Satkar Infotech, a technical service provider in the city has decided to offer free service on repair of printers.

Nana Garud who runs a restaurant named ‘Hotel Khandesh’ in Pune’s Pashan has decided to give a 20% discount to all the watchers to The Kashmiri Files. A board placed at the entrance says, “An offer for all the nationalists, submit the ticket of The Kashmir Files and avail a 20% discount on your bill.”

In a similar tone, Delhi’s Hashtag Pizza offers a 50% discount on the bill on the ticket of The Kashmir Files. Hashtag Pizza is owned by Delhi BJP Politician Harish Khurana who has also congratulated filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri on the success of the film. Internet and WhatsApp groups are brimmed with offers to all the watchers of The Kashmir files while netizens are sharing the same on Twitter.

Incentives from independent businesses have come as an encouragement for the masses to come out and watch the film in large numbers. In 4 days, the film has collected Rs 42.20 crore at the box office. Directed by Vivek Agnihotri, the film intends to record the truth behind Kashmir Hindu Genocide which unfolded in the Kashmir valley in 1990 on the silver screen. With its successful release and people finding innovative ways to support the story, the exercise in economic solidarity has become a new trend.

PM Narendra Modi praises ‘The Kashmir Files’, says it presents the truth, so certain people are running a campaign against it

OpIndia Staff
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PM Narendra Modi praises ‘The Kashmir Files’, says it presents the truth, so certain people are running a campaign against it

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday, while chairing the BJP parliamentary meeting, lauded the recently released movie on the Kashmiri Hindu genocide- ‘The Kashmir Files’. He said that the movie presents truths based on facts. He asserted that movies on celebrities and major events after independence should be made, just like The Kashmir Files. 

In a snippet from the meeting shared by BJP leader Amit Malviya, PM Modi slammed the so-called liberals who have tried to dismiss the entire plot as fiction even though it is based on real events. He asserted that the entire “Jamaat” (ecosystem), who pretend to be proponents of freedom of expression and speech are completely flummoxed since the release of the movie. They are doing all it takes to discredit the movie, which is actually based on true events.

The entire ecosystem has launched a full-fledged campaign to discredit the film: PM Modi

“Instead of engaging in healthy debates based on facts and truths, this entire ecosystem has launched a full-fledged campaign to discredit the film. An individual has shown the courage to expose the truth, but this ecosystem is hell-bent on shaming his efforts. They also do not want to understand or allow others to do the same. They do not want to accept the truth, nor do they want the truth to be revealed in front of the world. The type of campaign that has been launched against the movie in the last few days is astounding”, PM Modi stated.

“My intention is not to advocate for a specific film, all I want to say is that it is critical to present the facts in their entirety to the world. There can be varied aspects to it. Some will see one aspect while someone else might see it from a different perspective. The people who feel that this movie is not up to the mark, are free to make another movie… who is stopping them,” Modi further added.

The Prime Minister, slamming critics for peddling various conspiracy theories to shamelessly deny the brutal genocide of Hindus in the 1990s, said these people are flabbergasted that the truth, which had been shrouded for so many years, has finally come out in the open, and that too with facts that validate the claims.

“Through such films, people come to know about the truth and understand who was responsible for any incidents in the past. Who exploited or who did the correct thing, films like these try to project,” asserted PM Modi as he lauded the filmmakers’ efforts to bring to light the harsh reality that had been buried for years.

PM Modi added that more good films should have been made narrating the thoughts and ideas of Mahatma Gandhi so that the world can know more and more about him. “People make tall claims like freedom of speech and expression, but have you seen any movie made on the Emergency of 1975. Why? Because there has been a constant effort to suppress the truth.

Modi went on to explain how this particular ‘ecosystem’ had reacted negatively when his government declared August 14 as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the pain caused by the country’s partition cannot be forgotten and that the day commemorates the struggle and sacrifices of the people of India. These people, on the other hand, were agitated by my announcement. The partition was a significant event, but no one has dared to make a film about it, according to Modi. 

Liberals, genocide deniers discredit The Kashmir Files

The Kashmir Files, the latest film from writer and director Vivek Agnihotri has set the cat among the liberal pigeons. The film, which was ignored by everyone before its release, has stunned everyone with the overwhelming response at the box office. With success, come the detractors, and Kashmir Files has had plenty of them- people who tried to dismiss the entire plot as fiction even though it is based on real events.

Perturbed by the success of Kashmir Files and people’s reaction to the genocide of the Kashmiri Hindu community in 1990, the Congress party had also officially stepped in to defend the radical Islamists who carried it out.

On January 19, 1990, amid repeated attacks against the minority Hindu community, mosques in Kashmir had issued a warning to Kashmiri Hindus while terming them as Kafirs. They had three options, leave Kashmir, convert to Islam or be killed. It has been over 30 years, but the pain, agony and tears of tens of thousands of Kashmiri Pandits still echo the valley. As per records, around 219 Kashmiri Pandits were killed at the hands of Islamists. While some studies suggest around 100,000 Kashmiri Pandits left the valley during the 1990s, the number may be as high as 300,000, according to a survey by the Hindu American Foundation.

During that period, not only Hindus were forced out of Kashmir, but temples were destroyed, houses were burnt to ruins, and millions were rendered homeless.

Chhattisgarh: Congress again blames BJP for Kashmiri Hindu genocide as BJP accuses the govt of trying to sabotage The Kashmir Files movie

OpIndia Staff
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Chhattisgarh: Congress again blames BJP for Kashmiri Hindu genocide as BJP accuses the govt of trying to sabotage The Kashmir Files movie

The public reaction to ‘The Kashmir Files’, a film based on the genocide of Kashmiri Hindus, continues to upset the Congress party. As the truth of the genocide comes out in front of the people, Congress is busy trying to pin the blame for the same on the BJP. First Congress Kerala tried to blame BJP for the genocide, and now the party’s media head in Chhattisgarh has tried the same, effectively giving a clean chit to the Islamists who carried it out.

“We want people to go and watch the movie and understand that the situation arose in the country when VP Singh was PM and BJP was in support of him. Jammu and Kashmir Governor was BJP leader and state was under the President’s rule which means the BJP was indirectly ruling the state”, said Congress spokesperson Sushil Anand Shukla on 15th of March.

Even though the ‘Jagmohan conspiracy‘ has been debunked a million times during the last 3 decades, Congress continues to peddle it. In an attempt to divert the blame from the terrorists who actually carried out the genocide, the party is willing to blame everyone else.

This statement from Congress spokesperson came after Chhattisgarh BJP MLA Brijmohan Agrawal noted that the film’s release is being restricted in the state. “The Kashmir Files movie is declared tax-free in several states. In Chhattisgarh, it is being screened at 3 theaters, with owners being threatened to take it down so that people don’t watch it. Is this state govt anti-national or pro-nation?”, he asked.

Agrawal added that the film intends to keep the region united with the nation. However, people in Chhattisgarh are being deliberately kept away from theaters. “Theaters are not allowing the tickets to be sold and ‘Houseful’ boards are being put up only to turn the audiences away”, he was quoted as saying.

He also said that this act of the Chhattisgarh government was an attack on the freedom of expression. He even went on to say that the Congress party is responsible for the division of Kashmir. “In the film, Article 370 and emergence of anti-national sentiment in universities like JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University) is shown, that is why the Congress can’t tolerate it, and is opposing it”, he added.

Responding to Agarwal’s statement, Shukla said that the BJP leader was lying and that there were no restrictions of any kind imposed on the movie by the state government. “The movie is running in the theatres and the people are free to watch it at their will”, he said as he blatantly blamed the BJP government for the atrocities faced by Kashmiri Hindus.

It is important to note that several states including Haryana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have declared the movie ‘The Kashmir Files’ tax-free.

The film ‘The Kashmir Files’ takes viewers back to 1989, when due to rising Islamic Jihad, conflict erupted in Kashmir, forcing the great majority of Hindus to flee the valley. According to estimates, roughly 100,000 of the valley’s total 140,000 Kashmiri Hindu inhabitants escaped from the valley at the start of 1990. More of them fled in the years that followed, until just about 3,000 families remained by 2011.

The movie, based on the lived experiences of the Hindu victims of the Kashmir Genocide, was originally slated for release on January 26 2022, but was postponed because of the spike in COVID-19 cases. It is now running across the country to packed cinema houses to great commercial and critical success.

Karnataka hijab row verdict: Liberals, Islamists get triggered as judiciary does not take the knee to Sharia

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka hijab row verdict: Liberals, Islamists get triggered as judiciary does not take the knee to Sharia

The Karnataka High Court has issued its verdict in the hijab case, ruling that it is not an important Islamic practice and so cannot be permitted in educational institutions which have uniform dresses and hijab does not form part of the same. The ruling has given the country’s left-liberals and Islamists a lot of discomforts.

Several Muslims and leftists have had nervous breakdowns, and are expressing their dissatisfaction with the decision on social media platforms. Many people have rushed to Twitter to express their displeasure with the verdict, calling it a “fatwa from a secular court” and labeling the court as “majoritarian” to restrict hijab in educational institutions. Interestingly, while the petitioners’ lawyers were arguing in favour of hijab, they cited Sharia (Islamic law) in the judiciary of the secular country.

A Twitter user named Mubashir (@rubusmubu), saying that he no more trusts the Indian judiciary, wrote, “Wow, a Secular court gave Fatwa of #Hijab being not essential religious practice! It must make happy all those Nangi women who have Muslim names, Karnataka High Court “Disrobed” Muslim women today, Sorry to say I have no faith left in Indian Judiciary.”

Fatima khan, whose Twitter bio says that she is a journalist with The Quint wrote, “Heart goes out to all Hijab-wearing women. Cannot even begin to fathom the anxiety. What a shameful day in the history of this country.”

Targeting a judge of the bench which delivered the verdict, A Twitter user (@Umar__sofi) wrote, “Read that again, the judge Mr. Awasthi decided for Muslims whether Hijab is essential to Islam or not. #HijabControversy”

Another user Ashif Gm tweeted, “Karnataka High Court dismisses petitions filed by Muslim girls seeking permission to wear hijab in classroom. This is not Court judgment, it’s #RSS decision.! #KarnatakaHijabRow #HighCourt #HijabControversy #HijabVerdict”

Arfa Khanum Sherwani, associated with leftist propaganda website The Wire joined in to express her contempt for the Indian state and spread her majoritarianism rhetoric. She wrote, “The only ‘essential’ thing in India now is majoritarianism. The majority will dictate the terms for minorities. It has got a legal stamp today.”

Kaushik Raj, who claims to be a journalist and has been with The Wire, tweeted saying, “Karnataka High Court upholds Hijab ban. Basically gives an order in favour of this pre-planned protest by Hindutva groups. Your rights can be seized if Hindutva groups protest against them.”

Ex Delhi Minority Commission chief Zafarul Islam Khan took to Twitter and wrote, “Karnataka Hijab Ban Stays; Not Essential Religious Practice: Court. Ahead of the order, the state govt banned large gatherings for a week in Bengaluru. A sad day for human & religious rights in India. Muslim scholars must be heard. Appeal to SC must.”

Jamia student and well-known face during the protests against the CAA, Aysha Renna played the victim card and wrote, “Imagine the dehumanisation and villification Muslim women are going to face following this order. We will fight this. #handsoffmyhijab #HijabisOurRight”

In another tweet, Aditya Menon, a so-called journalist took after liberals and those Muslims who may have argued for the hijab as a non-essential Islamic practice. He wrote, “Those liberals and Muslims who gave lectures on what is an essential part of Islam and what isn’t, the grief of the hijabi girls of Karnataka is on you.”

Omar Abdullah, the head of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, criticized the verdict and demanded that the hijab be regarded as a right for Muslim women rather than merely a covering. He wrote, “Very disappointed by the verdict of the Karnataka High Court. Regardless of what you may think about the hijab it’s not about an item of clothing, it’s about the right of a woman to choose how she wants to dress. That the court didn’t uphold this basic right is a travesty.”

Dilip Mandal, ThePrint columnist, and self-proclaimed Dalit reformer expressed his disgust with the Karnataka High Court’s verdict in the hijab case. Batting for the congress party, he wrote, “During the Congress rule, there was an unwritten contract with the minority that they will have their limited say, provided they accepted the hegemonic position of the Hindus. After the ascent of the BJP, that contract is fraying. #hijab”

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also took to Twitter and wrote a thread of 15 tweets saying he disagrees with the verdict and justifying the hijab to be allowed in educational institutions. Reiterating the commitment of Muslims to only Allah, he wrote “For Muslims it’s Allah’s command to be educated while also following his strictures (salah, hijab, roza, etc). Now govt is forcing girls to choose. So far judiciary has declared masjids, keeping a beard & now hijab as non-essential. What is left of free expression of beliefs?”

Most of these ‘liberals’ are arguing how the courts have banned hijab, but the fact is that the verdict was on petitions whether the hijab is an essential part of Islam. Hence, if the governments disallow hijabs which do not form part of school uniforms, it is not an attack on the Muslims in India. Women in India, those who wish to wear a hijab or burqa, are allowed to wear as freely as they want. The controversy was regarding colleges which have uniforms for all students and hijab is not a part of the same. The college students, obviously, can wear their hijabs outside of school should they so wish.

‘Everything was recorded but the Govt did not act’, says ex-CRPF soldier who worked at control room during Kashmiri Hindu genocide

OpIndia Staff
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‘Everything was recorded but the Govt did not act’, says ex-CRPF soldier who worked at control room during Kashmiri Hindu genocide

The Kashmir Files, directed by Vivek Agnihotri, has received an overwhelming response from audiences, with many able to connect with the film’s attempt to portray the 1990s Kashmiri Hindu genocide tragedy truthfully. Since the release of the movie, several videos have surfaced wherein audience members can be seen coming out of the theatre with tears in their eyes. They can be seen touching the feet of director Vivek Agnihotri, hugging him as they tell him that the film portrayed the horrific realities they have suffered in life.

Amidst this, another video has been doing the rounds on social media wherein an ex-CRPF officer, who had worked at the CRPF Control room in Delhi during Kashmiri Hindus Genocide, is heard sharing his first-hand account of how things had unfolded back then.

After watching the film ‘The Kashmir Files’ at Varun Inox theatre in Vizag, Sri Purushothama Rao, the ex-CRPF officer reveals how the administration had turned a blind eye to the atrocities that were being perpetrated on the Kashmiri Hindus in the early 1990s when insurgency was raging in the valley.

“When all this was happening, I was in CRPF, in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) control room in Delhi. We were getting all the information. Everything was recorded but the government did nothing. No action was taken,” said Sri Purushothama Rao.

He added that during those days since he was in the CRPF, he frequented Kashmir. He and his colleagues even neutralised many terrorists in the valley, said Rao, asserting that the Kashmiri Hindu genocide by Islamic terrorists and the subsequent exodus of lakhs of them is real. All of this actually happened, bemoaned the ex-CRPF officer.

In another snippet from the same event, the ex-CRPF officer is heard recalling the Northeast anti-Hindu Delhi riots and the Direct Action Day, the day when Hindus were butchered on the streets of Calcutta in 1946, as he worries about the future of Punjab.

The ex-CRPF officer, who opposes Sharia law and advocates for the uniform civil code, urges people to put pressure on the government to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) across India under Article 44 of the Indian Constitution. “We will be gone after 10-15 years, but your children, your grandchildren will remain. For their future, y’all have to bring in a movement to exert pressure on the government to bring in the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) throughout the territory of India,” he said.

Liberals, genocide deniers discredit The Kashmir Files

The Kashmir Files, the latest film from writer and director Vivek Agnihotri has set the cat among the liberal pigeons. The film, which was ignored by everyone before its release, has stunned everyone with the overwhelming response at the box office. With success, come the detractors, and Kashmir Files has had plenty of them – people who tried to dismiss the entire plot as fiction even though it is based on real events.

On January 19, 1990, mosques in Kashmir issued a warning to Kashmiri Pandits while terming them as Kafirs. They had three options, leave Kashmir, convert to Islam or be killed. It has been over 30 years, but the pain, agony and tears of tens of thousands of Kashmiri Pandits still echo the valley. As per records, around 219 Kashmiri Pandits were killed at the hands of Islamists. While some studies suggest around 100,000 Kashmiri Pandits left the valley during the 1990s, the number may be as high as 300,000, according to a survey by the Hindu American Foundation.

During that period, not only Hindus were forced out of Kashmir, but temples were destroyed, houses were burnt to ruins, and millions rendered homeless.

Maldives lifts health emergency declared during COVID-19, President Solih thanks India for providing vaccines and monetary assistance

OpIndia Staff
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Maldives lifts health emergency declared during COVID-19, President Solih thanks India for providing vaccines and monetary assistance

On Tuesday, Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih hailed the Indian government for generously helping the country to overcome the impact of the pandemic posed during the COVID-19 spread.

“India has generously aided us on many occasions. We received a lot of equipment from India essential to provide health services,” he said as he lifted the health emergency and mandatory mask rule in the Maldives. He added that India had provided the maximum number of vaccines and had also eased up access for Maldivians needing urgent health care, further allowing them to travel to the country.

“India purchased financial bonds worth $250 million to help recover our economy. A travel corridor was enacted between our countries to ensure continued tourist arrivals. India also allowed urgent health care service”, the Maldives President said on March 15.

This is a day after the Maldives lifted the health emergency and mandatory mask rule declared at the beginning of the year 2020. The country reported wide vaccine coverage and a low positivity rate and said that it had also decided to relax the mandatory mask policy. According to the reports, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih also announced that the country had suffered a huge loss amounting to $4 billion due to the pandemic. “Wearing masks is now optional, except in hospitals and health care centres, and should the COVID-19 positivity rate go above 20% in any island”, he was quoted.

He thanked India for playing an important role in helping the country overcome the pandemic’s impact. It is important to note that India had announced a $250 million package to the Maldives during the pandemic. Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid had then thanked India and said, “Even in such distressing times, India has proved to be our great friend”.

India had also provided the Maldives with 1 lakh doses of Serum Institute made Covishield vaccine in January 2021 to boost their fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Further, additional 1 lakh doses were sent in February 2021. Earlier in February 2020, a special Air India flight had evacuated 323 Indians and 7 Maldives citizens from the Wuhan province in China. Foreign Minister of Maldives, Abdulla Shahid expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar for rescuing Maldivians from Coronavirus hit Wuhan province of China.

‘India First’ Campaign launched by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih

This also comes amid President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih launching the ‘India first’ campaign and denying the presence of the Indian military in the country. The opposition party led by the Former President of Maldives, Abdullah Yameen is spreading the false narrative in the Maldives about the agreement between India and Maldives, saying that it is to allow India to station its forces in the island country.

Yameen had further alleged that the bilateral agreement allowed Indian ships to enter the waters of Maldives without any clearance. According to the reports, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih criticized Yameen and his supporters and said that there was no presence of the Indian troops in the country. The Maldives Defence Ministry released a statement saying that all the statements about Uthuru Thilafalhu being a foreign base were false. “Foreign military vessels that arrive in the Maldives do not need a diplomatic clearance, and does not require a permit from the National Defense Force to enter this port, is untrue”, the statement added.

Reportedly, a bilateral agreement was signed between India and Maldives last year in February according to which the Indian government had promised to develop the harbour of the Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard at Sifvaru-Uthuru Thilafalhu. The opposition party led by Yameen then had registered protests against India’s presence in the country and called for the ‘Indian military out’.

This triggered the current Maldivian government to reiterate its ‘India First’ stance. In recent years, the Maldives has gained international interest as part of India’s and China’s rising rivalry. Former President Abdulla Yameen is widely regarded as being dangerously close to China. Reports mention that Yameen’s close affiliation with the Chinese government is the reason behind him launching the ‘India Out’ campaign.

Shah Rukh Khan announces his own OTT platform, here is what we know

OpIndia Staff
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Shah Rukh Khan announces his own OTT platform, here is what we know

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan on Tuesday announced his OTT platform, SRK+. He did the same by taking to social media accounts.

While he has not given any details, Shah Rukh Khan hinted that it is coming soon.

In September 2021, it was widely speculated that Khan was to make his OTT debut on Disney Hotstar.

But the same was put on hold after Aryan was involved in drugs case.

Now it seems, Khan himself will launch an OTT platform. On the big screen, Shah Rukh Khan will be seen with Deepika Padukone and John Abraham in Pathaan which is set to be released on 26th January 2023.

Meet Asiya Andrabi – a Pakistani agent who sought to free Kashmir from Hindus

Shashank Bharadwaj
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Meet Asiya Andrabi – a Pakistani agent who sought to free Kashmir from Hindus

The Kashmir Files – a movie directed by the national-award-winning director Vivek Agnihotri which depicts a brutally honest account of the Kashmiri Pandit genocide, has turned out to be a national sensation with people flocking to theatres to witness the story that has never been told before.

The audience, most of whom are unaware of the atrocities committed against the innocent Hindus of Kashmir, are coming out of the theatres with a deep sense of shock and disbelief on how someone could carry out atrocities against fellow humans, neighbours and friends.

One of the significant impacts of the movie – The Kashmir Files is that Indians are now discovering the uncomfortable truths that were hidden from them by the country’s ‘liberal-secular’ establishment. More people are unearthing details of the terror that was unleashed upon the innocent Hindus and discovering the truth of the radical Islamic terrorists operating in the valley for decades.

One such name is Asiya Andrabi, one of the prominent names among the secessionist anti-India forces that had been active in the Kashmir valley for decades.

Asiya Andrabi, the chief of banned secessionist organisation Dukhtaran-e-Millat, is a pro-Pakistan separatist who has been dreaming for years now to free Kashmir from India. Dukhtaran-e-Millat is Kashmir’s biggest network of ‘women jihadis’, as claimed by Andrabi herself.

According to reports, in the early 1980s, Asiya was associated with running a madrasa for women – “Talimul Quran”, a precursor to Dukhtaran-e-Millat, where she invited women to read, understand and practice their faith. She is considered to be the one who radicalised the Muslim women in the valley and mobilised them against India.

Asiya Andrabi – a Pakistan-sponsored secessionist involved in stoking violence in valley

Asiya Andrabi is alleged to be the backbone behind the stone-pelting apparatus in Kashmir. She had supported Pakistani separatist Masarat Alam in the series of stone-pelting rallies across Kashmir by using her village network of Dukhtaran-e-Millat operatives. She has several cases against her for instigating terror in the valley.

Andrabi, known for her hateful anti-India activities, is also a member of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference and has been arrested on several occasions for her involvement in separatist movements. During the peak of ‘Jihadi’ terrorism in the valley in the 1990s, she was arrested for her anti-national activities was later released in 1994. Following her release, she went underground until 2004.

She was again arrested in 2010 for waging war against India and for inciting violence against the Kashmiri Hindus. However, she was released later, only to be picked up again in 2015 in connection with other terror-related cases. Asiya Andrabi was also sent to NIA custody in 2018 for allegedly “waging war against India” and other unlawful activities.

The NIA had revealed that Asiya Andrabi had received funds from abroad to stoke terror in the valley, however, she utilised them for personal gains, including the funding of educational expenses of her son in Malaysia from 2011 onwards. In 2020, Asiya Andrabi and her two associates were charged for allegedly waging war against India, sedition and conspiracy to commit acts of terror in the country.

During the investigation, Asiya Andrabi had revealed that she came in close contact with Lashkar-e-Taiba kingpin Hafeez Saaed through a serving Pakistan Army officer. It is important to note that Andrabi’s nephew is a captain rank officer in the Pakistan Army. She also has close relatives having links with Pakistan Army and its intelligence agency ISI.

Andrabi is also believed to have relatives and fundraisers in the middle east, who funds her organisation regularly to carry out subversive activities against India. As per NIA, Andrabi has direct links with that Saeed, who funds her for instigating terror in the valley. The money was used to mobilise stone-pelters and supporters of Hurriyat who organised violent protests against the government in Srinagar and other parts of the valley.

Asiya’s husband, Ashiq Hussain Faktoo, a founding member of terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen, is currently serving a life term in Srinagar Jail. In 2003, Faktoo was sentenced for the murder of a noted human rights activist and a Kashmiri Pandit Hriday Nath Wanchoo in 1992.

Hoisted Pakistan flag, sang national anthem in Kashmir

In addition to instigating terror in the valley, Asiya Andrabi’s anti-national activities include hoisting the Pakistani flag and singing Pakistan’s national anthem at an event in Srinagar.

Defending her action of hoisting the Pakistani flag, the pro-Pakistan separatist had claimed that there was nothing wrong in hoisting the Pakistani flag and singing the national anthem of Pakistan.

“It is not a new thing in Kashmir. Whenever people get a chance to come on the roads, the people of Kashmir will raise slogans against the illegal occupation of Kashmir by India and in favour of Pakistan,” she had noted in an interview in 2015.

She had in the past had claimed that all Muslims in the Indian subcontinent were Pakistanis by default. She has been rooting for Kashmir to become part of Pakistan and has always proclaimed the same.

In 2015, the burqa-clad Asiya Andrabi was linked with the Islamic terrorist group ISIS as three youths arrested by Hyderabad Police on suspicion of joining the Islamic State (ISIS) had made shocking disclosures saying that they had sought help from Asiya Andrabi. The arrested radicalised Muslim youth had confessed that they were planning to move towards the caliphate of Iraq and Syria, through Afghanistan, Pakistan via Kashmir, and had claimed that they were in touch with Andrabi. 

In 2018, she was again found celebrating Pakistani National Day and giving provocative statements in Kashmir.

She can be heard saying, “We are Pakistanis, Pakistan is ours” in the video and instigating young women while saying they would stomp over all kinds of nationalism. Further, media reports have suggested she is regularly in touch with terrorists of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

In 2015, Andrabi had threatened to slaughter cow at Lal Chowk in Kashmir to protest against the beef ban.

Known for instigating local Muslim youth to pick up arms against the Indian state, Andrabi was also quoted as saying that people are either Muslims or Kafirs, and a Muslim country is Pakistan which was founded based on Islam and not based on nationality.

Interestingly, her son is studying in Malaysia on an Indian passport and not a Pakistani one despite their hearts bleeding for Pakistan. Interestingly, pro-Pakistan separatist leader Asiya Andrabi had also rejected her son’s love affair as the girl in question belonged to a “lower caste”. 

The younger son of the Dukhtaran-e-Milat chief reportedly had an affair with a girl from Srinagar. He was pretty adamant about marrying her. However, as the girl’s father is a tailor, Andrabi is unhappy with the match.

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