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Congress uses 2010 image from Kashmir protests to claim youth are unemployed under Modi government

OpIndia Staff
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Congress uses 2010 image from Kashmir protests to claim youth are unemployed under Modi government

On January 12, Congress shared a video from its official handle on Twitter alleging the Central government under PM Modi did not fulfil promises made to the youth of the country. In the tweet, Congress wrote, “Dear BJP, You can fool some of the people all the time. You can fool all the people some of the time. But you cannot fool all of the people all of the time. And our nation’s youth? You can never fool.

This #NationalYouthDay, our youngsters, have resolved to #DefeatBJP.” However, one of the images used in the video used to represent the unemployed youth of the country under the Modi government drew the attention of the netizens.

Screenshot of anti-India protesters used in Congress campaign.

Twitter user BefittingFacts pointed out that the questionable image was not of ‘unemployed youth’ under the Modi government, but of some protesters raising anti-India slogans during the funeral procession of a 19-year-old boy in Jammu and Kashmir, that too from a time when Congress was in power.

The image was from 2010 when Congress was in power at the centre. The said image was available on the image website Alamy as per the reverse-image search on Google.

Screenshot of reverse image search on Google.

Congress’s multiple bloopers in 2022

It has been just 13 days into 2022, and Congress has already made multiple bloopers while selecting images for their campaigns. On January 9, multiple such posts were reported where Congress chose images of BJP governments’ projects at the centre or in states. The first case was of an image that Congress shared claiming Congress would come to power. In the image, women were shown standing in front of pink buses.

Many Twitter users alerted that Congress had blurred the title of the bus in the picture. They pointed out that the original picture in the tweet was from Assam, where in January Last year, the Sarbanand Sonowal-led state govt had commenced a dedicated Pink Bus service for women and senior citizens in Guwahati. Congress later deleted the post.

On the same day, Twitter user BefittingFacts pointed out that Congress had posted a tweet about fighting rising prices but had ended up using an image that actually showcased PM Modi’s Ujjwala scheme, which provides LPG cylinders to women, so they don’t have to cook food using coal or wood.

SBSP’s OP Rajbhar calls BJP ‘enemy of OBCs’ but fails to list even one thing that his alliance partner Akhilesh did for non-Yadavs

OpIndia Staff
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SBSP’s OP Rajbhar calls BJP ‘enemy of OBCs’ but fails to list even one thing that his alliance partner Akhilesh did for non-Yadavs

Ahead of the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party leader OP Rajbhar had called BJP an ‘enemy of the OBCs’. The SBSP leader, who was with the BJP in the 2017 elections, had later joined forces with Akhilesh Yadav.

After the exit of Swami Prasad Maurya and Dara Singh Chauhan, OP Rajbhar had told the media that the BJP will see many more exits in the coming days because the party is ‘an enemy of the OBCs and Dalits’. Rajbhar, who was earlier a minister in the Yogi cabinet, had left the BJP 3 years ago.

Later yesterday, Sushant Sinha of Times Now Navbharat asked Rajbhar to list 10 things that the Samajwadi Party, his new alliance partner, has done for the OBCs and especially non-Yadavs in their years in power, Rajbhar was seen fumbling and making obscure allegations.

When Sinha asked Rajbhar to list 10 things that Akhilesh had done for the OBCs, Rajbhar first tried counter-allegations and false claims, saying that the BJP wants to finish reservations for the OBCs. At this point, Sushant Sinha asked even if one assumes that the BJP is anti-OBC, can he (Rajbhar) who had won elections as a BJP leader, can list 10 things that his new partner Akhilesh Yadav has done for the OBCs in Uttar Pradesh. Rajbhar again tried to deflect the question.

Rajbhar said that when he was with Mayawati, he used to ask such questions to her. He claimed that Mayawati called him problematic. Sushant Sinha further told Rajbhar that he was losing elections when he was with Mayawati and the only time he had won an election is when he was with the BJP. Rajbhar claimed that he had said it is upon the leaders of the OBCs and Dalits to fight for their rights.

When Sinha persisted in his question, asking Rajbhar to list ten things Akhilesh has done for OBCs, Rajbhar again fumbled, evading the question. He said that he has not been in a government with Akhilesh yet and when that happens he will give the list.

Sushant Sinha further asked, “when you will go before your community members, they will ask you that you had lost elections with other parties, but we gave you votes and made you a winner when you were with the BJP. But why did you leave the BJP?”

Rajbhar then referred to some papers and claimed Akhilesh Yadav had made the Agra expressway, DG office and brought the dial 100 facility.

Sinha then interjected, saying he is listing facilities that are for everyone, not just the OBCs and when listing infrastructure facilities, he should remember that the Yogi government far outranks any other government. But Rajbhar again evaded the question, failing to list even one thing that Akhilesh had done for the OBCs, based on which he is blaming the BJP for being anti-OBC and praising Akhilesh.

OP Rajbhar had become a first time MLA in 2017 from the Zahoorabad seat. He was made the minister for OBCs welfare and differently-abled people’s development, but was sacked from the Yogi cabinet in 2019 over ‘anti-alliance activities’.

Bihar Congress shares manipulated media of UP Deputy CM Maurya

OpIndia Staff
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Bihar Congress shares manipulated media of UP Deputy CM Maurya

On January 12, Bihar Congress’s official handle shared a manipulated video of Uttar Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister, Keshav Prasad Maurya. The video was edited in such a way that it appeared Maurya said, “Does the country knows while PM Modi is in power, farmers, country or the people of the country cannot be benefitted.”

Screenshot of manipulated media shared by Bihar Congress. Source: Twitter

The 19-second edited video had made rounds on social media platforms in February 2021 as well. Fact-checking website Fact Hunt had published a detailed analysis of the video when it went viral in February last year. The video was then shared by many verified users on Twitter and Facebook. According to Jantantra TV, in the original video, BJP leader Maurya was saying in Hindi “Kya desh jaanta hai PM Modi ke rehte hue na kisano ka ahit ho sakta hai, na desh ka ahit ho sakta hai aur na desh wasiyon ka ahit ho sakta hai. (Does the country know that till PM Modi is there, there cannot be disadvantage to farmers? Neither the country or the countrymen will be at a disadvantage)”

In the edited video, the person or group who manipulated the video cleverly “ahit” to “hit”, making it sound like Maurya was speaking against PM Modi. An FIR was registered in this case by Advocate Gaurav Dwivedi under IT Act.

Netizens demand action against Bihar Congress handle

Netizens have demanded action Bihar Congress’s handle. BJP Mumbai spokesperson Suresh Nakhua tagged UP Police and said, “Official Congress handle is spreading edited video of UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya Ji.” He also tagged Twitter alerting them about the manipulated media.

Twitter user Ankur Singh also tagged UP Police and alerted them about the edited video being circulated.

Verdict

The video of UP deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya shared by Bihar Congress is manipulated.

Arjun Kapoor and Malaika Arora overturn the rumors of break-up

OpIndia Staff
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Arjun Kapoor and Malaika Arora overturn the rumors of break-up

Bollywood couple Arjun Kapoor and Malaika Arora have recently overturned the rumors of their so-called break-up. Both of them were recently seen together in a photo posted from Arjun Kapoor’s Instagram handle. Earlier on Wednesday, there were so many reports-cum-rumours talking about their break-up. The couple has now put a full stop to any such news through this recent social media post.

Kapoor, 36, is 12 years younger to Arora, 48, who is ex wife of Arbaz Khan, brother of superstar Salman Khan.

Arjun Kapoor has recently posted a photo on his Instagram handle. In this photograph, he is seen with Malaika Arora. It is noted that both of them are in a relationship. They are dating each other for the last four years. The photo is a mirror selfie. Adding a caption to his photo, Arjun Kapoor has said that “Ain’t no place for shady rumors. Stay safe. Stay blessed. Wish well for people. Love y’all.” Malaika reacted to the post with a red heart emoji.

Earlier on Wednesday, there were rumours that after dating for more than four years, both of them have now separated from each other. The reports also underlined that Malaika Arora hasn’t stepped out of her house for long. She had not even joined Arjun Kapoor in a dinner party at Rhea Kapoor’s house. Therefore speculations were being made about their relationship status. It was later clear that Malaika Arora has limited the outings. She is supposed to have isolated herself as a precaution as the COVID-19 cases are on a surge. Her isolation is in no way connected to Arjun Kapoor and both of them are still in a relationship.

Malaika Arora appeared her last on the reality show India’s Best Dancer as a judge along with Geeta Kapur and Terence Lewis, while Arjun Kapoor’s recent performance was seen in Bhoot Police, directed by Pavan Kirpalani. His upcoming film is The Lady Killer. In this film, Bhumi Pednekar is his coactor.

Chhattisgarh: Hindu man files complaint against Muslim wife and in-laws for converting minor son to Islam by forcibly circumcising him, case registered

OpIndia Staff
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Chhattisgarh: Hindu man files complaint against Muslim wife and in-laws for converting minor son to Islam by forcibly circumcising him, case registered

Chhattisgarh police have booked a Muslim woman and her family members for forcefully circumcising her minor son against the wishes of her Hindu husband. On 12th January 2022, the police registered an FIR against 3 accused including the woman under non-bailable sections in connection with the case in Sanna in Jashpur district of Chhattisgarh. All the supporters of Ghasi Ghasiya Samaj and former minister Ganesh Ram Bhagat, National President of Tribal Security Forum, had pursued the matter continuously. Jashpur ASP Pratibha Pandey informed the media about the development in the case.

It is noteworthy that for two days, Jashpur Police was involved in the investigation of this case. After recording the statement of the child’s parents and other people, the statement of the victim child was recorded before the childline and CWC.

The case

According to the reports, the father of the victim child, Chittaranjan Sonwani, is a resident of village Nagartoli which comes under police station Sanna of Jashpur in Chhattisgarh. Ten years ago he was married to Reshma – daughter of Mehandi Ansari – a girl from Muslim society, with full Hindu customs. The couple has an eight-year-old son and a six-year-old daughter. The whole family was living according to Hindu customs. On November 21, the 8-year-old son went to his maternal grandmother’s house with his mother. Chittaranjan has alleged that his in-laws took the child from Harradipa to Asta and then took him to Ambikapur and circumcised him. Apart from that, the boy was also given a Muslim name.

Initially, Chittaranjan was not aware of this. This circumcision was done secretly, after which several days had passed. It was only a few days ago that he came to know about the development. When the family and people from the community came to meet him and learnt more about the matter, all of them together reached the police station on Monday night demanding action. As the matter was sensitive, the CWC and the officers were informed. After the statement of the child, the police registered an FIR against 3 people.

Jashpur Additional SP Pratibha Pandey has informed that a Hindu youth has complained that his Muslim wife forcibly circumcised their minor son and changed his name to a Muslim name.

Enraged villagers protest outside the police station

As the news spread, the convener of All India Tribal Security Forum and former minister Ganesh Ram Bhagat, Hit Raksha chief Ram Prakash Pandey approached the police station late in the night. People also started gathering in big numbers outside the police station. People were angry about this incident. On Monday, till late night, they sat in a dharna by blocking the road in front of the police station, and then on Tuesday, a large crowd gathered and started shouting slogans against the police. On the one hand, the police were seen acting promptly on this very sensitive matter, while the father of the victim child and the people of the community together put pressure on the police.

The FIR

After the case was presented before the Women’s Cell, Child Welfare Committee, and ChildLine due to the matter being related to a minor child, finally the Sanna police registered the offence under Section 295A, 324,34 of IPC and Section 3,4 of Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act against the child’s mother, maternal grandmother and maternal aunt Reshma Sonwani, Rashida Khatoon, Hasina Khatoon. The police have arrested the accused mother and the maternal grandmother of the child, the search is on for the aunt.

Chittaranjan – the father of the victim child – has stated in the complaint that he was asked several times by his Muslim in-laws to convert to Islam but he never agreed to acccept Islam. Due to which his wife Reshma Begum and his maternal side’s brother etc. together got his minor son Saurabh Sonwani converted to Islam by circumcising him and giving him a Muslim name.

Chittaranjan has also said in his application that he has been pressured by his in-laws to convert to Islam and he has been given various temptations to convert to Islam. There was talk of giving him a car by the in-laws’ side to convert to Islam.

Politicians take cognizance of the matter

BJP leader Prabal Pratap Singh Judev has recently made a statement about this incident. He has said that it is unbearable to circumcise and convert a son without the approval of the Hindu father. The administration should immediately arrest all the workers involved and stop conversions. Prabal Pratap Singh Judev has been constantly spreading awareness against the return of converts and conversions.

Liberals selectively quote Swami Vivekananda to “secularise” the Hindu icon, but here’s how he continues to inspire a billion youth

OpIndia Staff
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Liberals selectively quote Swami Vivekananda to “secularise” the Hindu icon, but here’s how he continues to inspire a billion youth

As the country celebrates national youth day on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, ignorant liberals and agenda-driven leftists are seen appropriating Swami Vivekananda to push their anti-Hindu agendas ahead. Swami Vivekananda had said that ‘before you read Geeta, make sure you are strong and to become strong you must play football.’ This message to the youth by Swami Vivekananda is being peddled as a tool to establish ‘how Swami Vivekananda himself has asked the youth to leave Geeta aside and play football.’

Alongside this silly logic, even a few facts or incidents from the life of Swami Vivekananda himself are being used to strengthen this argument. Here is a brief account of what exactly Swami Vivekananda had said and how it is being distorted to push anti-Hindu propaganda.

It has been the old habit of liberals to use Hindu icons and their quotes selectively against Hinduism itself and the current appropriation of Swami Vivekanand is no different either. It is now becoming an annual ritual to appropriate Hindutva icons on their birth or death anniversary using their very quotes and statements with prompt knavery to establish how they were against the popular idea, belief, and founding principles of Hinduism.

When it comes to appropriate Swami Vivekananda, there are very few quotes by him that are taken by the liberals for such a heinously dauby experiment with truth, because the youth icon was very clear in his expression and articulation. But if you are an Indian leftist liberal secularist, you will easily find a quote or two to prove your point. One such quote by the monk who inspired generations of Indians is ‘better you play football than reading Gita.’ To put it more exactly, the sentence is – “You will be nearer to heaven playing football than studying the Bhagavad Gita.”

Quoting Swami Vivekananda either as fashion or to prove one’s own point

On his birth anniversary, when the whole nation celebrates national youth day, some Twitter users have used this quote to appropriate Swami Vivekananda and imply that he was against reading Bhagavad Gita. Author and the president of Football Delhi, Shaji Prabhakaran has tweeted – “My tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his Jayanti. His famous quote, You will be nearer to heaven playing football than studying the Bhagavad-Gita.”

Football ambassador Ananya Kamboj has tweeted – “You will be nearer to heaven through football than through the study of Bhagavad Gita.” – Swami Vivekananda, 1897 One of the most intriguing quotes whether you’re a football fan or not.

Even last year, on the same occasion, Joy Bhattacharjya had tweeted something very similar. He went on to use this statement by Swamiji to couple it with a liberal testimony that named Mohammad Shami – an Indian cricket player who happens to be Muslim. His tweet said – “You will be nearer to Heaven through football than through the study of the Gita.” Swami Vivekananda, born on this day in 1863. He also once took 7 wickets representing Town Club in the 1880s. Incidentally, the most recent Town Club player to make it big is Mohammed Shami.

Of course, Joy Bhattacharjya’s purpose here was not to glorify the Geeta or to remember Swami Vivekananda. His gesture was to slyly prove Swami Vivekananda’s statement that reading the Geeta is a useless task and football is a better option. If he had indicated anything other than this, he would have mentioned some football player rather than mentioning Indian cricket player Shami – who is a Muslim. No doubt Shami is a great player, but such expression also unmasks someone like Joy Bhattacharjya.

Original context of Swamiji’s saying

This advice to the youth of India by Swami Vivekanand has often been in discussion. Even his followers are sometimes confused as to what exactly Swami Vivekananda wanted to say through this. Does Swami Vivekananda’s statement of ‘Football instead of Geeta’ mean the same thing as some try to prove through their deviousness? For this, it is very important to understand the story from where Swami Vivekananda’s statement about the Geeta started.

It was Acharya Satyendra Banerjee, the poetic adaptation of the lyrical verses of the Geeta in Bengali, who expressed his desire to read the Geeta from Swami Vivekananda as a child. On this Swamiji told him that he would have to play football for the first 6 months, help the poor and helpless, only then he would be able to talk to him about the Geeta.

On this, when the child asked Swami Vivekananda that the Geeta is a dharmik book, then why is it necessary to play football for its knowledge? To this Swamiji said in his reply, “Geeta is the great book of brave people and renounced persons. Therefore one who is full of valour and service, only he will be able to understand the secret of the esoteric verses of the Geeta.”

After following the methods of Swamiji for six months, when the child returned to Swami Vivekananda, Swamiji gave him the knowledge of Geeta. The real meaning of Vivekananda’s playing of football must have been that the sluggish and slothful body cannot be home to intense thoughts. Look at our daily routine. Seldom do we go to the playground and play until we sweat. Then how can a youth lacking basic awareness and attention towards his physical existence be able to look to a knowledge that takes him beyond physical realms?

Explanation of the quote in Swamiji’s own words

Let’s see what Swamiji has exactly said. He says that “First of all, our young men must be strong. Religion will come afterwards. Be strong, my young friends; that is my advice to you. You will be nearer to Heaven through football than through the study of the Gita. These are bold words; but I have to say them, for I love you. I know where the shoe pinches. I have gained a little experience. You will understand the Gita better with your biceps, your muscles, a little stronger. You will understand the mighty genius and the mighty strength of Krishna better with a little strong blood in you. You will understand the Upanishads better and the glory of the Atman when your body stands firm upon your feet, and you feel like men. Thus we have to apply these to our needs.”

Swamiji is not asking anyone to throw Geeta and just play football. He is saying that a healthy body is necessary for the fulfilment of the same ‘Karma Yoga’ as described by Lord Krishna in the Geeta. There are hundreds of people like Joy Bhattacharya, who seem to object to all the ideals of Swami Vivekananda. Also, there are a few others like Ananya Kamboj and Shaji Prabhakaran who conveniently use Swamiji’s quote without mentioning the original context or implying his original directions. No wonder, leftists, and liberals support the mentality of tampering with the statue of Swami Vivekananda in JNU and they do not see any element of violence and hatred in it.

Let’s know Swami Vivekananda as he was

Before misusing or appropriating Swamiji against Hindutva or Hinduism (both terms put in whatever sense anyone wishes to understand them), any liberal leftist must remember that Swamiji is one of the makers of modern India who proudly carried a saffron turban on his head. It is true that in many of his addresses in Europe and America, Swamiji has quoted sayings by seers from various countries, religions, and civilizations. He has also comprehended their teachings and incidents from their life to clarify his point to his audiences in the most relevant way possible. But this does not necessarily shake the foundation on which he had built an invincible fortress of philosophy. He essentially was and remains an Indian youth icon who inspired millions through his call that embeds the nectar of Hindu scriptures and philosophy in itself.

Congress leader Rita Yadav, who was shot in Sultanpur, had planned the attack herself to get a ticket in the UP elections

OpIndia Staff
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Congress leader Rita Yadav, who was shot in Sultanpur, had planned the attack herself to get a ticket in the UP elections

A Congress leader who was shot months after she had shown a black flag during PM Modi’s rally in Sultanpur, had got herself shot to raise her status in the party, police have revealed. Probing the incident on January 3 when Congress leader Rita Yadav was shot at her leg by unidentified persons, police informed today that she herself was behind the conspiracy. Reportedly, Rita Yadav got herself shot to come to prominence so that she can get a ticket for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections.

The Police have arrested Rita Yadav for the conspiracy and sent her to jail. Along with her, her associates including driver Md. Mustakim and one Dharmendra Yadav also have been arrested for participating in the conspiracy.

On January 3rd, Rita Yadav had complained that she was shot by some people in the evening. She was immediately rushed to the hospital, and after regaining consciousness, she had said that when she had gone to got some posters and banners made, three people stopped her vehicle by overtaking it and started abusing her. Reacting to this, she got out the car and slapped one of them. But after that, they shot at her and escaped.

The Congress party had used this allegation to target the BJP in the poll-bound state. Sharing a photograph of the three-man physically manhandling Rita Yadav, UP Congress had alleged on Twitter that the ‘Goondaraj’ in UP is harbouring such goons who pull saree of women and shoot them.

Congress leader from Sultanpur, Rita Yadav, arrested after police found that she had got herself shot to raise her political status

Targeting Smriti Irani, UP Congress had tried to imply that Rita Yadav was shot because she had shown a black flag to the PM.

However, the probe by police has now revealed that the ‘goons’ who shot the Congress leader are her associates only, and they did it on her instructions. Lambhua CO Satish Chandra Shukla informed that after investigating the case minutely and talking to people, they learnt that Rita Yadav had planned this attack on her to raise her political status in the party, so that she is given a ticket in the assembly polls.

The police official informed that Rita Yadav gave different statements on different occasion, raising suspicion about the incident. The police also found it suspicious that she was shot legs, as only cops target the legs of criminals to catch them alive.

Accordingly, the police picked up her driver Md. Mustakim and questioned him, who finally revealed the conspiracy.

On 17 November, during the inauguration of Purvanchal Expressway by PM Modi, Rita Yadav had tried to get publicity by waving a black flag and chanting ‘Narendra Modi murdabad’ slogan. She was taken way by the cops after she was sloganeering at the rally venue in Sultanpur.

BJP MLA asks UP Police to book Rohini Singh under IT act for conspiring to defame him: Details

OpIndia Staff
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BJP MLA asks UP Police to book Rohini Singh under IT act for conspiring to defame him: Details

BJP MLA from Bhadohi Ravindra Nath Tripathi has asked Uttar Pradesh police to file a case against The Wire journalist Rohini Singh under the IT act over a tweet where she alleged that he had left the saffron party. The BJP leader accused Singh of conspiring to defame him, spreading rumours and causing him mental stress with her tweet.

‘It is a request to Uttar Pradesh police to book a case under IT act and initiate action against @rohini_sgh for conspiring to defame me, spreading falsehoods and causing me mental agony,” Tripathi tweeted.

Tripathi’s request to UP police was in reference to the now-deleted tweet by Rohini Singh where she took a swipe at the BJP MLA, stating that he is next in the line of UP BJP legislators to resign from the party.

“Bhadohi MLA Ravindra Nath Tripathi also left the BJP. However, the former announcement will be made when Keshav Maurya tweets: ‘I don’t know why he left the BJP. He should reconsider his decision’,” Rohini Singh tweeted.

The tweet sparked outrage on social media, with many accusing Ms Singh of fanning unfounded rumours and misleading information, following which the journalist who is said to have close links to the Samajwadi Party deleted it.

As assembly polls approach, legislators change parties in the hope of greener pastures

Uttar Pradesh, Cabinet Minister Dara Singh Chauhan tendered his resignation from the Yogi Adityanath led BJP government. Dara Singh Chouhan who handled the Forest and Environment portfolio submitted his resignation to the Governor today afternoon. He served as the Minister of Forest and Environment in the UP government. 

In his resignation letter, he had accused the BJP-led Government of neglecting the issues of Dalits, members of the backward castes, farmers and the unemployed youth. Chauhan’s resignation comes a day after Senior Minister Swami Prasad Maurya resigned from his post accusing the party of similar reasons.

Amidst the volatile political happenings in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, several leaders have resigned and joined new parties to claim new relevance. Last week, MLA Avtar Singh Bhadana had left the BJP to join RLD in Delhi. Today morning, Samajwadi Party leader Hariom Yadav from Sirsaganj has joined the BJP. Yadav happens to be a close aid and relative of Mulayam Singh Yadav. Apart from this, Congress leader Naresh Saini and Ex-BSP MLA Dharampal Singh have also reflected towards the BJP.

Turkmenistan President orders officials to find a way to extinguish the fire at ‘Gateway to Hell’, the gas grater that is burning for half a century

OpIndia Staff
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Turkmenistan President orders officials to find a way to extinguish the fire at ‘Gateway to Hell’, the gas grater that is burning for half a century

Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has instructed experts and officials to find means to extinguish a fire in a huge natural gas crater, the Darvaza gas crater. This massive five-decade-old fire in a giant natural gas crater in the Central Asian country is also known as the ‘Gateway to Hell’. The Turkmen President appeared on state television on Saturday 8th January 2022, telling officials to put out the flames at the Darvaza gas crater. The crater is situated in the middle of the vast Karakum desert.

The crater has been a tourist attraction but the Turkmen President Berdymukhamedov has reportedly asked his cabinet to find a way to extinguish this fire. According to the state-published newspaper Neytralny Turkmenistan, several reasons were given for extinguishing the famous fire. Out of these, major reasons are negative effects on the health of people living nearby; wasting of valuable natural gas resources; and environmental damage. Turkmenistan’s deputy prime minister was instructed to gather scientists, and if necessary, to attract foreign consultants and find a solution for extinguishing the fire. However, no specific deadline for this task has yet been decided.

“We are losing valuable natural resources for which we could get significant profits and use them for improving the well-being of our people,” the president said while announcing the decision to extinguish the fire. He also cited environmental reasons for the same.

The Darvaza gas crater

The crater was created in 1971 during a Soviet drilling accident that hit a gas cavern. As a result, the drilling rig fell in and the earth collapsed underneath it. To prevent the dangerous fumes from spreading, the Soviets decided to burn off the gas by setting it on fire. The pit is burning ever since then. This crater is 70 meters wide and 20 meters deep. It has been a tourist attraction for four to five decades. Despite continuous fire inside, there is no fencing to the crater which makes it an even more thrilling experience to sit on its edge. In 2018, the President had officially renamed it the “Shining of Karakum”.

A popular site for desert adventure

Known locally as the door to hell, this fiery inferno would have been one of the largest gas reserves in the world. In 1971, a group of Soviet geologists went to the Karakum, in search of oil. They came across the crater and decided, it was a good place to drill. But shortly after they started drilling, the crater collapsed and began emitting dangerous methane gases. To stop the gas, the geologists came up with an idea to set the crater on fire expecting it to extinguish within a few weeks. But they underestimated the amount of gas hidden inside, so badly that a week-long blaze turned into a half-century-long bonfire that continues even today. Now it attracts thrill-seekers from all around the world. Despite the danger of an open fiery hole, it is not yet fenced off. One can stand right on its edge. This is why the place has become a popular site for desert adventure.

Hyderabad: FIR against Tamil actor Siddharth on the complaints of Hindu Jana Shakti for his crass comments on Saina Nehwal

OpIndia Staff
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Hyderabad: FIR against Tamil actor Siddharth on the complaints of Hindu Jana Shakti for his crass comments on Saina Nehwal

Days after actor Siddharth courted controversy with his distasteful tweet about badminton champion Saina Nehwal, an FIR has been filed against him on a complaint filed by the Hindu Jana Shakti in Hyderabad. Actor Siddharth has been charged by Hyderabad Police station and the Cyber Crime City Police under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the IT Act.

Supreme Court Advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha who is also fighting to provide justice to the Palghar Sadhus case, shared the information on social media. Prerna Thiruvaipati, Vice President of Hindu Jana Shakti and RTI activist, advocate Neelam Bhargava Ram together lodged an official complaint against actor Siddharth for using derogatory remarks on social media against a woman, he said.

On January 6, Siddharth had attacked ace Badminton player Saina Nehwal with a crass, sexual comment responding to her tweet on PM Modi’s security lapse in Punjab. “Subtle cock champion of the world… Thank God we have protectors of India. Shame on you #Rihanna”, he had said. ‘Cock’ is a slang used for the male sexual organ. By twisting the badminton term ‘shuttlecock’, Siddharth was trying to insult Saina in a crass, sexual manner.

Saina had condemned the comment and said that she had lost respect for the actor. “Yeah, I’m not sure what he meant. I used to like him as an actor but this was not nice. He can express himself with better words but I guess it’s Twitter and you remain noticed with such words and comments,” Saina had said.

Yesterday, the actor officially apologised to Saina after the netizens targeted him for insulting the celebrated player who is a woman. Identifying himself as an ‘ally’ of the feminist movement, Siddharth wrote in his open letter, “Dear Saina, I want to apologise to you for my rude joke that I wrote as a response to a tweet of yours, a few days ago. I may disagree with you on many things but even my disappointment or anger when I read your tweet, cannot justify my tone and words. I know I have more grace in me than that. As for the joke… If a joke needs to be explained, then it wasn’t a very good joke to begin with. Sorry about a joke that didn’t land”.

However, he defended his cation terming it a joke. “I, however must insist my word play and humour had none of the malicious intent that so many people from all quarters have attributed to it. I am a staunch feminist ally and I assure you there was no gender implied in my tweet and certainly no intent to attack you as a woman. I hope we can put this behind us and that you will accept my letter. You will always be my Champion. Honestly, Siddharth”, he continued.

Saina Nehwal today wondered why the actor changed his stance after making the comment and responded to Siddharth’s apology saying that the matter was about women. “He only said it and he is now apologising. See, it is about women, he shouldn’t target a woman like that but it’s okay, I am not bothered about it, I am happy in my space and god bless him,” she said on the sidelines of the ongoing India Open.

Pertinently the National Commission for Women (NCW) had earlier urged Twitter India to ‘immediately’ block the actor’s account. The NCW also has written to the Maharashtra police seeking registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against actor Siddharth.

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