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Fodder Scams: Ex-Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav sentenced to 5 years imprisonment, 60 lakh fine

OpIndia Staff
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Fodder Scams: Ex-Bihar CM Lalu Prasad Yadav sentenced to 5 years imprisonment, 60 lakh fine

A special CBI Court in Ranchi has sentenced former Chief Minister of Bihar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav to five years imprisonment and a Rs 60 lakh fine in the Fodder scam case. He was found guilty by the court on February 15.

This is the fifth and the biggest fodder scam case against Yadav. In the last four similar cases, he was convicted in 2013. During the conviction, he was present with 98 co-accused in the Doranda treasury case before Judge SK Shashi in Ranchi.

Lalu’s fodder scam

The scandal was first unearthed in 1996. By then, Lalu and his co-accused had siphoned off around Rs 950 crores under the pretence of spending on fodder and other expenses for cattle over many years. CBI had registered 53 separate cases during the investigation of the scam. The largest among which was the Doranda Treasury case RC 47 (A)/96 that involved the highest number of 170 people accused, including the RLD chief, who has been proven with embezzlement of collecting Rs 139.5 crore in the case.

Previous convictions in fodder scam

Infamous as Chara Ghotala, Lalu Prasad Yadav was convicted for the first time in the Chaibasa treasury case on September 30, 2013. He has accused scams worth Rs 37.30 crore in the case. As a result of the conviction, he was disqualified from Lok Sabha and sent to jail for five years. Later he was granted bail from Supreme Court in December 2013. In December 2017, he was convicted again pertaining to his involvement in the fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 89.27 lakh from the Deoghar treasury. While Lalu was sentenced to 42 months of jail term, in this case, he was out on bail within six months.

Later in January 2018, he was sentenced to five years of imprisonment in Chaibasa treasury that involved siphoning off Rs 33.13 crores. Also, in March the same year, the special court found him guilty of illegal withdrawal of Rs 3.76 crores from the Dumka treasury and sentenced him to 14 years of imprisonment.

#JusticeForHarsha trends after 26-year old Hindu activist is killed in Karnataka over a social media post

OpIndia Staff
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#JusticeForHarsha trends after 26-year old Hindu activist is killed in Karnataka over a social media post

On February 21, hashtag #JusticeForHarsha trended on social media platforms as support for the murdered Bajrang Dal activist poured in. From actress Kangana Ranaut and Raveena Tondon to BJP leaders and prominent members of the society expressed their anger over the cold-blooded murder of Harsha in Karnataka over a Facebook post in connection to hijab controversy.

In a story, Actress Kangana Ranaut said, “This is wrong, for social media posts to simply voice their opinions people are being killed on the streets.” She was quoting a post by Instagram handle total.woke where the handle posted how ground reality was different from what is presented in the mainstream media.

The handle has posted a screenshot of a Twitter post by TMC leader Mahua Moitra in which she had posted an image of Swastika stabbed with a knife with the caption “Liberals creates intellectual cover”. TMC leader’s post read, “The only good fascist is a dead one.” Alongside, the image of the dead body of Harsha was posted with the caption “Street action team executes.”

Source: Instagram

Actress Raveena Tondon posted the hashtag #JusticeForHarsha with Praying Hands and Om emojis.

Dr Pradip Verma, State General Secretary BJP Jharkhand, said, “The brutal murder of Bajrang Dal activist Harsha in Karnataka is a part of the well-thought-out chain under which Hindus are being murdered, such crimes are instigated by the jihadi mindset.” He further asserted Rupesh Kumar was also killed by people of the same mentality in Jharkhand and demanded strict action against the culprits.

Quoting a post on the matter by Scientist Anand Ranganathan, writer and director Jyoti Kapur Das said, “The fatwa against him was over six years old, and they finally got him yesterday. His ‘sin’- posting about the hijab row in Karnataka.”

Author Shefali Vaidya said, “So has Rajdeep Sardesai justified the brutal killing of Bajrang Dal activist Harsha in Karnataka yet like he justified the brutal murder of Prashanth Poojary of Moodbidri a few years ago?”

Hindu activist Ramesh Solanki said, “We will just play trend-trend on social media. Shame on us.”

VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal said, “The Bajrang Dal youth Harsha (26) killed yesternight in #Shivamogga of Karnataka was attacked by Jihadists earlier too. The culprits must be hanged soon. Bajrang Dal to have statewide protest this Wednesday.”

Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, BJP State General Secretary, Andhra Pradesh, said, “Rana Ayyub to BBC – Students protesting in saffron scarves are ‘Hindu terrorists. Quint’s Sadhika Tiwari compared girls protesting in saffron scarves to Nazis. And who paid the price – An innocent student Harsha who was brutally murdered for wearing uniform.”

BJP leader Kapil Mishra said, “Every day they are killing Kishan, Rupesh, Hira Gujrati, Harsha somewhere. On the other hand, they are spreading rumours of Muslims being attacked in India. This is the new form of Jihad, media and political leaders are involved in it.”

On the night of February 20, Harsha, a Bajrang Dal activist was stabbed to death near Kamat petrol bunk in the Shivamogaa district of Karnataka. He was a tailor by occupation and hailed from Seegehatti. Harsha was a member of the Hindu organisation, Bajrang Dal, and was seen sporting saffron shawls to demand uniformity in the dress code of schools and colleges.

Harsha murder case: Deceased had received threats from Islamist outfits in 2015 over alleged blasphemy, usual suspects celebrate his death

OpIndia Staff
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Harsha murder case: Deceased had received threats from Islamist outfits in 2015 over alleged blasphemy, usual suspects celebrate his death

A day after the brutal murder of 26-year-old Hindu activist Harsha, it has come to light that he received ‘fatwas’ and threats from radical Islamists in 2015 over accusations of blasphemy. This information was first shared on Twitter by student activist Rashmi Samant.

In a post shared on December 31, 2015, by an Islamist page ‘Mangalore Muslims’ on Facebook, it threatened Harsha with physical harm for his remarks on Prophet Muhammad. The post read, “Harsha, a member of Hindutva terrorist group, has put out objectionable posts targeting Prophet Mohammad and Allah and has shared morphed images of holy Kaaba on social media platforms.”

It further emphasised, “We request the people of Shivamogga to file a case against him in the nearest police station and also give “proper treatment” to him. The brothers of Karavali (coastal Karnataka), please file as many complaints against Harsha at various police stations and make him spend the rest of his life in police stations or courts.”

Screengrab of the Facebook post by Mangalore Muslims’ page

“Leave a text in Inbox for more information about him, share this image and information,” the page appealed to Islamists. On the same day, another Facebook page by the name of ‘Karavvali Muslims’ shared the same message.

Screengrab of the Facebook post by Karavali Muslims’ page

A similar message was shared by a Facebook page named ‘Shimoga’s Muslims’ on January 3, 2016.

Screengrab of the Facebook post by Shimoga’s Muslims

Usual suspects celebrate the murder of Harsha

Following the death of Harsha, Islamists and so-called liberals took to social media to express their happiness.

One Twitter user (@OpinionatedBong) labelled the deceased Hindu activist as a terrorist. He wrote, “Hey ANI, let me fix the tweet for you. Here it goes – Karnataka| A 26-year-old Bajrang Dal terrorist Harsha was eliminated yesterday at around 9 pm in Shivamogga to protect Humanity from Hindu fascism.”

Screengrab of the tweet

Islamists spared no time in sending laughing emojis and congratulatory messages, on learning about the death of the Bajrang Dal activist.

‘Great’, ‘Bohot Badiya’, ‘Gajab’, the Islamists reacted to the news of Harsha’s death.

Apologist of Islamists, one C J Werleman, who often refers to himself as a journalist/columnist and is hailed by Indian ‘liberals’ and Islamists alike, referred to Harsha as a ‘terrorist’.

Harsha was killed after he shared a post where he opposed the hijab in school uniform. For that, it seems, Werleman, labelled him a ‘terrorist’.

Brutal murder of Bajrang Dal activist Harsha

On Sunday (February 20) night, Bajrang Dal activist Harsha was stabbed to death near Kamat petrol bunk in the Shivamogaa district of Karnataka. He was a tailor by occupation and hailed from Seegehatti. Harsha was a member of the Hindu organisation, Bajrang Dal, and was seen sporting saffron shawls to demand uniformity in the dress code of schools and colleges.

The Hindu activist was rushed to Mc Gann district hospital, where he succumbed to his stab injuries. A probe has been launched into the case. During the investigation, it came to light that the victim had received threats prior to his brutal killing. Meanwhile, the Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister KS Eshwarappa had claimed that the Bajrang Dal activist was killed by ‘Musalman goondas’.

Pakistan: Imran Khan govt clamps down on dissent, cabinet approves 5-years jail for criticising Army, judiciary, ISI

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: Imran Khan govt clamps down on dissent, cabinet approves 5-years jail for criticising Army, judiciary, ISI

The government of terror state Pakistan led by Imran Khan has cracked down on dissenting voices by sanctioning a five-year prison sentence for people who use electronic media to criticise state institutions such as the Army, judiciary, and ISI (Pakistan’s intelligence agency).

The state administration, according to reports, has decided to alter the Electronic Crimes Prevention Act, 2016. According to a local news channel, the federal cabinet authorised the change to the Electronic Crimes Prevention Act through an ordinance on February 20, 2022. The ordinance will take effect after the president signs it, sources said.

Speaking on the recent decision taken by the Pakistan govt, union Information Minister Fawad Chowdhury said that those who disseminate slander on social media should now be feared. Those who shared offensive content on social media would be detained and held without bail, he added.

Fawad Chowdhury previously stated that proposed legislation to amend Pakistan’s code of conduct to make criticizing these institutions on social media a criminal offence has been sent to the federal cabinet for approval. Chowdhury said that under the first statute, members of the legislature could participate in election campaigns. People may utilise social media under the second law. Insulting people or government institutions, according to Fawad Chowdhury, would be a criminal violation.

With regard to defamation of others on social media, Fawad said that under the proposed law, courts are obligated to handle such matters within six months.

According to local media, the federal government has decided to make institutional criticism a violent police offence. The government has adopted modifications to the Electronic Crime Prevention Act 2016, according to media sources. Those who criticise the companies through the proposed amendment will be penalised three to five years, according to the report. As a result, an ordinance modifying the Electronic Crime Prevention Act is expected to be passed soon.

Opposition slams Imran Khan for trying to suppress freedom of expression

Meanwhile, the opposition has slammed reports that the government is planning to pass important legislation through the ordinance, which would make criticism on social media a criminal offence and allow parliamentarians to participate in election campaigns. The opposition has called the Presidential Ordinance a weapon, saying that ignoring Parliament for important legislation is an insult to democratic traditions and Parliament.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui of the PMLN, commenting on reports that the government intends to introduce an ordinance to amend the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act 2016 (PECA Act 2016), said that the abrupt cancellation of the National Assembly session two days after the Senate session and convening the National Assembly session indicates that the government has a malicious plan to introduce an ordinance and pass it through Parliament.

He stated It is sad that the ordinance was promulgated in a particular context by purposefully ignoring the Parliament. Irfan Siddiqui said that imposition of ordinances on sensitive issues like freedom of expression is a very negative step for any democratic society.

Pakistan a hotbed of terrorism

Notably, Pakistan’s leadership has been hands in glove with jihadis and is often criticized for patronizing radicals and terrorists. Pakistan’s civilian government, military, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and the multiple terrorist groups trained and armed in the nation have a well-established nexus. Pakistan has been recruiting, training, arming, equipping, and financing terrorists and assisting them in crossing the Line of Control (LC) into Kashmir for decades. It also backs terrorist organisations like the Taliban and the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP) in Afghanistan in their acts of bloodshed and terror.

In fact, in 2019, Imran Khan had agreed that the Pakistan Army and ISI had trained Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups to fight in Afghanistan.

However, despite mounting proof of Pakistan’s role in international terrorism sponsorship, the country has taken no significant counter-terrorism measures on its own turf. In truth, it has simply taken cosmetic measures prior to each plenary session of the global watchdog FATF, which has kept Pakistan on its ‘grey list‘ for failing to curb money laundering and terror financing.

In fact, a New York-based Artificial Intelligence startup revealed in April 2020 that Pakistan had quietly removed the names of around 4,000 terrorists from its so-called proscribed person’s list, including the mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack and LeT commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, as part of its efforts to comply with FATF recommendations.

The superficial steps are merely taken to avoid being placed on the Black List, while the country remains a hotbed of terrorism in reality.

Thousands join the final journey of deceased Hindu activist Harsha, brutally hacked in Shivamogga district of Karnataka

OpIndia Staff
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Thousands join the final journey of deceased Hindu activist Harsha, brutally hacked in Shivamogga district of Karnataka

Thousands of people have joined the final journey of Bajrang Dal activist Harsha who was brutally stabbed to death near Kamat petrol bunk in the Shivamogga district of Karnataka, on February 21, 2022, for demanding uniformity in dress code.

According to images shared by news agency ANI, thousands of people gathered to accompany the body of the 26-year-youth while it is being taken to his residence amid Police security after postmortem.

Following the killing of a 26-year-old Bajrang Dal activist in Shivamogga on Sunday, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced on Monday that police had gathered a few leads in the case, the investigation into which started last night. CM Bommai said, “One Harsha was stabbed to death yesterday. Few leads have been gathered in the incident during the investigation which started last night.”

Harsha was killed by ‘Musalman goondas’, won’t allow goondaism: Karnataka minister on the killing of the Bajrang Dal activist

Karnataka BJP minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, KS Eshwarappa on Monday while reacting to the brutal murder of a Hindu activist in Shivamogga district, said, “I’m very disturbed by the murder of a Bajrang Dal activist. He was killed by ‘Musalmaan goondas’ (Muslim goons)…We’ll not allow goondaism.”

The identity of the perpetrators is yet to be ascertained. Following the murder of Harsha, the situation in Shivamogga has become tense. A probe has been launched into the case. During the investigation, it came to light that the victim had received threats prior to his brutal killing.

The Hindu activist was rushed to Mc Gann district hospital, where he succumbed to his stab injuries.

Karnataka youth Prakash Lonare attacked over posting ‘smileys’ on a social media post on Tipu Sultan

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka youth Prakash Lonare attacked over posting ‘smileys’ on a social media post on Tipu Sultan

A Hindu youth was attacked by a mob over his comment on a social media post on Tipu Sultan in Karnataka’s Bagalkote. On February 19, A youth named Prakash Lonare had allegedly commented a ‘smiley emoji’ on a post dedicated to tyrant Tipu Sultan that triggered an enraged mob of 15-20 people who attacked him. The news was shared on Twitter by journalist Chiru Bhat.

On the night of February 19, Saturday, a mob of 15 to 20 people attacked Prakash Lonare, a youth in Bagalkote, Karnataka. According to local journalist Somashekar, Prakash had commented with a smiley emoji on a post concerning Tipu Sultan, which angered his followers. The enraged mob confronted Prakash and after picking up an argument they attacked him with sharp weapons.

The news of attack on Prakash comes after reports emerged that 26-year-old Harsha, a Bajrang Dal activist in Shivamogga was killed over a social media post opposing the hijab ban.

Brutally injured Prakash was admitted to the city hospital. Local MLA Veeranna Charantimatha and Rashtriya Hindu Sena Chief Pramod Mutalik visited him on Sunday. A case has been registered against the accused in the Bagalkot city station.

Tipu Sultan, the eighteenth-century tyrant who was infamous for carrying out atrocities against Hindus and Syrian Christians, is revered by many in present-day Karnataka. Siddharamaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka had decided to celebrate his birth anniversary as a state festival; a move that had caused a massive uproar in the state. In 2015, in an agitation against the festival, two people including one VHP member were killed in the clashes in Karnataka’s Kodagu.

The legacy of the Islamic bigot while painting him as a secular icon is equally divisive and violent, as was his rule in the 18th-century Mysore.

‘Will not allow goondaism’: Karnataka minister minces no words, says 26-year old Harsha was killed by ‘Musalman goondas’

OpIndia Staff
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‘Will not allow goondaism’: Karnataka minister minces no words, says 26-year old Harsha was killed by ‘Musalman goondas’

A day after the brutal murder of 26-year-old Hindu activist Harsha, Karnataka BJP Minister KS Eshwarappa did not mince any words while speaking about the victim’s killing.

While speaking to the media on Monday (February 21), he remarked, “I’m very disturbed by the murder of a Bajrang Dal activist. He was killed by ‘Musalmaan goondas’ (Muslim goons)…We’ll not allow goondaism.”

The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister informed that he would be leaving Bangalore for Shivamogga to analyse the ground situation.

26-year old Harsha, a Bajrang Dal activist brutally murdered in Shivamogga

On Sunday (February 20) night, Bajrang Dal activist Harsha was stabbed to death near Kamat petrol bunk in the Shivamogaa district of Karnataka. He was a tailor by occupation and hailed from Seegehatti. Harsha was a member of the Hindu organisation, Bajrang Dal, and was seen sporting saffron shawls to demand uniformity in the dress code of schools and colleges.

The Hindu activist was rushed to Mc Gann district hospital, where he succumbed to his stab injuries. A probe has been launched into the case. During the investigation, it came to light that the victim had received threats prior to his brutal killing.

Uttar Pradesh: Architect Danish becomes Devesh to trap Hindu girl, forces to covert, harasses for years before trying to kill

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Architect Danish becomes Devesh to trap Hindu girl, forces to covert, harasses for years before trying to kill

Yet another case of grooming jihad has come to light in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. An architect identified as Danish had claimed to be Devesh to trap a Hindu girl around seven years ago. After marriage, he forced the girl not to worship Hindu Gods and Goddesses while he practised Islam. Before his true identity got revealed, the girl already had a child.

On February 16, he tried to kill her by strangulation. She somehow managed to escape and filed a complaint at Para Police Station, Lucknow. Danish has been arrested by the Police.

As per reports, Danish met the victim around seven years ago. He hid his identity and told the girl a Hindu name, Devesh. They had got married and started living in Munnu Kheda on rent.

After the marriage, Danish started to show his true colours. He would stop the victim from praying to Hindu Gods and Goddesses while practising Islam himself. Meanwhile, the victim had a daughter. She was not comfortable with the behaviour of Danish and tried to dig further. She was shocked to learn Devesh’s real name was Danish. When confronted, he started abusing her and forced her to convert and do Nikah, to which she refused.

As she already had a child, she continued to live with him. As per reports, Danish would abuse her and keep her hostage in the house. On February 16, he tried to strangulate her allegedly with the intention to kill her. The victim somehow managed to push him away and escaped. She filed a complaint at Para Police station against her husband.

The Police has arrested Danish in the case on Friday. Reports suggest the girl is from a well-off family, and her father is a bank officer. The girl met Danish during graduation. Further investigation is underway.

OpIndia tried to reach out to Para Police station, where the FIR was registered by the victim but could not connect to the investigating officer.

Karnataka hijab row: 26 year old Harsha brutally murdered in Shivamogga, situation tense, had demanded uniform dress code

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka hijab row: 26 year old Harsha brutally murdered in Shivamogga, situation tense, had demanded uniform dress code

Amidst the ongoing hijab row, a 26-year-old Hindu activist was brutally murdered in the Shivamogaa district in Karnataka. The incident took place near Kamat petrol bunk on Sunday (February 20) at around 9:30 pm.

As per reports, the victim was identified as one Harsha. He was a tailor by occupation and hailed from Seegehatti in the Shivamogaa district. Harsha was a member of the Hindu organisation, Bajrang Dal, and was seen sporting saffron shawls to demand uniformity in dress code.

The identity of the perpetrators is yet to be ascertained. Following the murder of Harsha, the situation in Shivamogga has become tense. A probe has been launched into the case. During the investigation, it came to light that the victim had received threats prior to his brutal killing.

A picture of a wounded Harsha had been doing the rounds of the internet. The Hindu activist was rushed to Mc Gann district hospital, where he succumbed to his stab injuries.

His murder prompted large-scale protests in Shivamogaa. Several vehicles were set on fire in Seegehatti, following which the district administration imposed Section 144 in the area. A large contingent of police had been deployed to prevent any law and order situation.

Reportedly, all schools and colleges have been ordered to remain closed on Monday in light of Harsha’s killing. Besides, cinema halls and commercial establishments have been asked to close by 9 o clock at night.

While speaking to OpIndia, the locals alleged that the persons from the Muslim community hacked the Hindu activist to the death. They informed that the killers came in a car and attacked Harsha with sharp weapons.

Twitter removes cartoon posted by Gujarat BJP hailing judiciary for awarding death sentence to 38 convicts in 2008 Ahmedabad serial blast case

OpIndia Staff
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Twitter removes cartoon posted by Gujarat BJP hailing judiciary for awarding death sentence to 38 convicts in 2008 Ahmedabad serial blast case

Twitter has removed a cartoon posted by BJP Gujarat, which represented the court order awarding death sentence to 38 convicts in the 2008 Ahmedabad bomb blast case. The cartoon posted by the official Twitter handle of Gujarat BJP, @BJP4Gujarat, showed a group of Muslims in skullcaps being hanged together. The cartoon accurately depicted the verdict by the special court in Ahmedabad, as all the 49 convicts in the case are Muslims.

It is notable that a special court in Gujarat announced its verdict in the 13-year old case on 18th February 2022 in which 38 out of the 49 convicts were sentenced to death and the remaining 11 were punished with life imprisonment till death.

The post by BJP Gujarat was a cartoon in which a bunch of Islamic terrorists was shown hanging collectively on the hanging ropes. Their faces were frightened. In the background, there were two more sketches in that cartoon. One was of the bomb blasts and the other was that of a court building with the Indian flag on it. In the caption of the image, it wrote, “Satyamev Jayate” which means “Truth only triumphs”. This slogan is there on the emblem of the government of India. The caption further read, “Those who spread terror, will not be spared.”

The post shared by BJP4Gujarat

However, the usual suspects including the left-liberals and Islamists had slammed BJP for this tweet, calling it a call for genocide. While it only represented a court verdict where all convicts are actually Muslims, they deliberately misrepresented it by claiming that BJP is calling for killing Muslims. As a result, the tweet was reported widely by Islamists and left-liberals, and subsequently, Twitter deleted the post.

Many netizens have come ahead to condemn this move by Twitter while others have rushed in to claim the credit for this removal. A Twitter user Naweed has posted from his Twitter handle @Spoof_Junkey, “Twitter says this picture violated Twitter rules, ever seen Twitter taking any action against people who tweet Tilak, Kalawa, Janeu, etc relating them to so-called Bhagwa Aatankwad?”

Another Twitter user Squineon has written in his post, “Twitter has deleted BJP4Gujarat Cartoon tweet where it showed terrorists getting capital punishment. This is the time govt should really drag Twitter India to the court but I really doubt they gonna do anything about it.”

On the other hand, left-liberals and wokes who had reported this tweet by BJP4Gujarat have now come ahead to claim the credit of this removal. One such Twitter account ‘Team Saath Official’ has written in its credit claiming post, “We did it Team Saath. The gen•cidal tweet of BJP4Gujarat has been removed by Twitter upon reporting. Do not stay silent. Do your bit. No matter how big or small it is. We will, someday, see the results of raising our voice against the wrong.”

On 26th July 2008, 20 serial bomb blasts had left the city of Ahmedabad in shock. The haunting memories of this terror attack still leave the people in a trauma-like situation. Within three weeks of the attack, major arrests, in this case, had taken place owing to the coordinated efforts of the Gujarat police and the ATS. A big network of the Indian Mujahidin terrorists was exposed. These terrorists were also involved in the bomb blasts in other cities of the country. Then Gujarat CM Narendra Modi had extended every possible support to the investigating officers in order to ensure that a strong case is built against the terrorists.

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