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Watch: New York celebrates Diwali with fireworks show over Hudson River

OpIndia Staff
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Watch: New York celebrates Diwali with fireworks show over Hudson River

On November 3 (Local Time), New York City celebrated Diwali with a fireworks show over the Hudson River. It was a part of three-day Diwali celebrations.

Notably, Carolyn Maloney, Congresswoman, New York, will introduce a bill in Washington to make Diwali a federal holiday on Wednesday. Congressman Ro Khanna, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and other advocates are co-sponsoring the bill along with Indian American community members Sanjeev Joshipura, Executive Director, Indiaspora. Maloney has been a long supporter of Indians living in the US.

If the bill gets approved, a holiday will be observed on Diwali in federal institutions. It will be the 12th federal holiday observed by the United States. Notably, there is a significant population in the US that celebrates Diwali. In the past, Maloney has successfully urged the US Postal service to approve and issue a commemorative stamp to honour Diwali. The stamp has been in circulation since 2016.

In a tweet, she said, “I am so excited to introduce my Deepavali Day Act which would enshrine Diwali as a federal holiday. Let’s celebrate light over darkness, the triumph of good over evil, and the pursuit of knowledge over ignorance during this special time of year!”

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi also joined the press conference on the resolution to make Diwali a federal holiday.

In a tweet, he thanked Maloney and said, “Thank you to Carolyn Maloney for hosting a press conference today on your resolution to make Diwali a federal holiday, which I’m proud to cosponsor. The celebration of the triumph of light over darkness is especially important during this pandemic.”

In his statement during the conference, he said, “On this Diwali be the light we wish to see in the world. Be the light in the community that is needed to dispel the darkness. Be the light in this community that brings hope to the hopeless. Let us be the light that helps the last, the least and the lost.”

Delhi: Gang war in Khyala leaves one dead, three injured, brutal video goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi: Gang war in Khyala leaves one dead, three injured, brutal video goes viral

On Monday (November 1), a gang war broke out between two groups, resulting in one death and multiple injuries. The incident took place at night in Raghubir Nagar in the Khyala area of West Delhi.

In a tweet on Wednesday (November 3), Akali Dal leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa informed, “Shocking pictures of an alleged gang war in Khyala! Son of granthi Jarnail Singh Ji was brutally beaten & killed.” He added, “I spoke to DCP Delhi to take strict action. She apprised me that a case has been regd against attackers; 2 ppl arrested so far & section 302 would be added to case.” Sirsa had also shared a video where two men could be seen brutally thrashing the son of the granthi with batons.

The victim was identified as one Jaskaran and was involved in a criminal case. The two perpetrators were identified as Ramesh and Sadick (aka Ajju). At about 9:13 pm on Monday (November 1), the police control room had received information about a firing incident and a gang war at Raghubir Nagar. During the preliminary investigation, the police found that a scuffle broke out between the gangs of Jaskaran, Heera and Firoz and that of Fateh and Sachin Manchanda (Bunty). The trio had fired at Bunty, post which he suffered a bullet injury to his thigh.

Fateh, on the other hand, was shot in the stomach. However, the other accomplices of Fateh and Bunty managed to overpower the gang of Jaskaran. Firoz sustained a bullet injury to his stomach while Jaskaran was beaten black and blue by Saddick and Ramesh. The son of the granthi was rushed to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday (November 2). Reportedly, Firoz has been recovering his bullet injury while Heera had been absconding since the time of the incident. The cops had recovered firearms and cartridges from the crime site.

It must be mentioned that a social media user named Imran Haider had earlier tried to give a communal spin to the incident. He had claimed that religious minorities such as Sikhs and Muslims were unsafe in India. While reacting strongly to it, Manjinder Singh Sirsa underlined, “It’s better if you don’t bring any communal element to this. FYI the one who attacked this guy is named Atik and a Muslim!”

Lawlessness and violence in Khyala area

Khyala in New Delhi is where one of the most high-profile cases of a Hindu man, Ankit Saxena, becoming the victim of a hostile Muslim family because they disapproved his relationship with their daughter, took place. The young man was killed by her Muslim girlfriend’s family because they were strongly opposed to their relationship. Ankit was stabbed and beheaded by the family members of his girlfriend Shehzadi on February 1, 2018.

Eyewitness accounts suggested that Shehzadi’s mother wore a helmet and rode her scooter to the traffic intersection where they knew Ankit was present. She then rammed her scooter into Ankit’s vehicle so that Ankit would be forced to step out to help. As she was wearing a helmet, Ankit could not identify her and stepped out to help.

The woman then confronted Ankit and soon she was joined by her other family members. They all began to heckle and abuse Ankit blaming him that he had influenced Shehzadi to leave the house. When Ankit bent down to help his mother get up, the girl’s uncle and brother then caught him by his hair and pulled him up. At that moment, while the two of them held Ankit’s arms from behind, the girl’s father had slit his throat using his butchering knife.

‘Dangerous proposition’ to remove PM Modi’s picture from vaccine certificate, says Kerala HC

OpIndia Staff
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‘Dangerous proposition’ to remove PM Modi’s picture from vaccine certificate, says Kerala HC

While hearing a petition on the removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s picture from the Covid-19 vaccine certificate, the Kerala High Court orally remarked that it is a highly dangerous proposition. 

Justice N Nagaresh while hearing the plea remarked, “This is a very dangerous proposition. Tomorrow someone can come here and protest that they don’t like Mahatma Gandhi, and seek the removal of the image from our currency saying it’s their blood and sweat and they don’t want to see his face on it. What will happen then?”

‘Vaccination certificate is a private space’

The petitioner- a senior citizen and RTI activist alleged that a vaccination certificate is his private space and he has certain rights over it. 

Aggrieved on receiving a vaccine certificate from a private hospital with PM Modi’s photograph, the petitioner moved the court alleging several fundamental rights violations.

The activist further prayed that he should be issued another Covid-19 vaccination certificate without the Prime Minister’s photograph affixed on it. 

‘Photograph serves no purpose’

Apart from claiming violation of fundamental rights, the petitioner also stated that a photograph of the Prime Minister on the Covid-19 vaccination certificate serves no utility and has no relevance.

The activist also took strong objection to the messaging on the certificate and claimed the content in the certificate is no more than ‘preaching to the converted.’

He claimed that the recipient of the certificate is already convinced of its utility and has taken the vaccination voluntarily and hence the photograph, as well as the messaging, serves no purpose. 

‘State has no right to claim credit’

Ironically, the petitioner also objected to the ‘state claiming credit’ for the vaccines which were made available by the very same state. 

The activist said that he had paid for his vaccination with no subsidy available. In fact, it was the non-availability of free vaccines that forced the petitioner to opt for the paid vaccination. Citing this as a reason, the petitioner claimed that the state has no right to insert the image of the Prime Minister or take credit. 

However, the petitioner himself stated that getting jabbed was voluntary and the government had made available the options of both free and paid vaccines. 

While the Kerala High Court discouraged the plea, the Additional Solicitor General has sought more time to file a statement in the matter. The case will be heard next on November 23.

As security forces continue operations against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, PM Modi to celebrate Diwali with soldiers in Rajouri

OpIndia Staff
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As security forces continue operations against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, PM Modi to celebrate Diwali with soldiers in Rajouri

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will celebrate Diwali on October 4 along with armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir. He is expected to visit Nowshera, Rajouri border post on the Line of Control (LoC) to join the celebration where a massive security operation is underway against Pakistan sponsored terrorists. Senior army officials will accompany him in the Diwali celebrations at the border post.

Modi has just returned to India after his five-day visit to Rome and Glasgow where he attended the G-20 Summit and the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference respectively.

Celebrating the festival of light with armed forces is the tradition that Modi had started after he became the prime minister in 2014. Last year, PM Modi was at the Longewala border at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. Prior to this, in 2019, Modi had celebrated the festival with soldiers at the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Prime Minister’s Nowshera and Rajouri visit for Diwali celebration has come at a time when security forces have launched a massive operation to eliminate Pakistan-sponsored Islamic terrorists, including the ongoing encounter in Poonch. The encounter at Bhimber Gali in Poonch is still going on and it has entered its 24th day. There were attempts of infiltration in Rajouri and Poonch that security forces foiled.

In the past few weeks, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed the targeted killings of minorities, both Kashmiris and non-Kashmiris, by terrorists. While Union Minister of Home and Affairs Amit Shah has already visited the Valley and supervised the ongoing operation. Quoting the officials, media reports said that the presence of Modi will boost the morale of the jawans on the ground and it will be a message for Pakistan that India will respond to any such proxy war in its own way.

War hero Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman promoted to the rank of Group Captain in Indian Air Force

OpIndia Staff
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War hero Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman promoted to the rank of Group Captain in Indian Air Force

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday promoted its war hero, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, to the rank of Group Captain. The position is equivalent to the post of Colonel in the Indian Army. The IAF has cleared the promotion of this decorated officer and he will be putting on the new rank shortly.

This has come as a Diwali gift for Abhinandan who was also conferred with Vir Chaktra for showing exemplary courage while defending the nation when a war-like situation between India and Pakistan had escalated in February 2019. He had shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet in Pakistan occupied Kashmir with his Mig-21 Bison on February 27, 2019, when India and Pakistan’s air forces had engaged in a dog fight after India had destroyed terrorist camps in Balakot.

Abhinandan was captured by enemies after his Mig 21 was shot down by a Pakistani missile right after he destroyed a Pakistani jet. But Pakistani Army and Imran Khan government released him within 48 hours of his capture after India signaled to Pakistan that it would further carry Balakot like strikes if Abhinandan was not released. India also warned Pakistan against harming its officer. On 28th February, Imran Khan had announced that his govt has decided to return Abhinandan as a “gesture of peace”, and the Wing Commander had crossed the India-Pakistan border at Wagah on 1 March 2019. Some of his videos in the custody of the Pakistani army became viral where he can be seen bravely confronting his questioning.

Abhinandan was part of the Srinagar-based 51 squadron and he had flown to foil an aerial attack launched by the Pakistanis on February 27, 2019.

India had carried a massive aerial at a terror training centre in Balakot of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on February 26, 2019. This was done to avenge Pulwama terrorist attack on February 14 that left 40 soldiers dead. Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed was behind this attack.

‘We are for no cracker ban’: ISRN’s Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe clarifies after controversy over the NGOs 2020 cracker ban petition gathers steam

OpIndia Staff
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‘We are for no cracker ban’: ISRN’s Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe clarifies after controversy over the NGOs 2020 cracker ban petition gathers steam

As parts of India celebrate a cracker-less Diwali, social media users yet again, spoke about how a New Delhi-based NGO working in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility and with several BJP functionaries on the board had filed a PIL seeking a ban on firecrackers. The posts spoke about how it was the ISRN petition that started the cracker ban fiasco in India.

The conversation gathered steam after criticism faced by several states over their decision to ban bursting firecrackers during the Diwali festivities. So far, many states, including Punjab, Haryana, Odisha, and Rajasthan have placed a ban on firecrackers.

However, social media user Alok Bhatt pointed out how it was one Chirag Jain and one Shobit Shukla on whose plea the NGT had ordered a ban on crackers last year. 

“Both the orders – one banning sale in NCR of 9 Nov 20 and later order of 1 Dec 20 for extending ban in NCR to every city with poor ambient air quality was NOT passed on ISRN petition but ON those filed by Chirag Jain and Shobhit Shukla,” Bhatt said in a tweet. 

Bhatt further informed that ISRN had withdrawn its name from the petition. He also said that the original application moved by ISRN was limited to NCR only and that for a limited time during the COVID-19 pandemic amidst the repeated warnings of the rising number of cases.

Moreover, the plea was not moved by ISRN but by one of the functionaries of the NGO in his personal capacity.

As it turns out, the official Twitter account of ISRN had on November 2, 2020, tweeted that the petition for firecracker ban was filed by Santosh Gupta, one of the functionaries of the NGO, in his personal capacity.

“A plea about banning firecrackers filed by Shri Santosh Gupta who is a functionary of @ISRN is in his personal capacity! ISRN or its Governing Body has nothing to do with the plea. It is hereby made clear that ISRN as an organisation is not associated with this plea!” the tweet by ISRN said. 

‘Petition filed by one of the functionaries in his personal capacity’: Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe

As the conversation around ISRN mounted this Diwali, OpIndia got in touch with Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Vice Chairperson at Indian Social Responsibility Network (ISRN), for his views on the controversy. Dr Sahastrabusshe is a Member of the Parliament of India representing the state of Maharashtra in the Rajya Sabha. He has also served as National Vice President of Bharatiya Janata Party from Aug 2014 – Sep 2020

Dr Sahasrabuddhe said the PIL that was filed in the name of ISRN has already been withdrawn. He further added that neither he nor BJP is associated with the NGO group anymore. 

“We are all for no cracker ban,” Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe said. 

Reiterating what was tweeted by ISRN a year ago, Dr Sahasrabuddhe said the petition that is being bandied around on social media to insinuate that the group had asked for a cracker ban was unilaterally filed by one of the functionaries without any consultation with trustees. It was strongly objected to by the group, after which it was withdrawn. 

Sumeet Bhasin, an advisor to the NGO group, corroborated the statement saying that the petition was withdrawn as it was taken unilaterally.

Petrol and diesel prices to come down from tomorrow as centre cuts excise duty, urges states to reduce VAT too

OpIndia Staff
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Petrol and diesel prices to come down from tomorrow as centre cuts excise duty, urges states to reduce VAT too

Giving some relief to the common man on the eve of Diwali, the central govt had decided to reduce the excise duty on petrol and diesel, which will lead to a cut in the price of both fuels.

The Government of India has announced that the excise duty on petrol will be reduced by Rs 5, and the excise duty on diesel will be cut by Rs 10 from tomorrow, according to a tweet by news agency ANI.

According to ANI, govt sources have said that this tax cut will come as a boost to the farmers during the upcoming Rabi season. The central govt also urged the state governments to reduce VAT on petrol and diesel to give relief to consumers.

Despite this cut, the price of petrol will remain more than Rs100 in most places, as the current price is more than Rs105 almost everywhere, and more than Rs110 in most states.

On the other hand, with a cut of Rs10, the price of diesel is expected to come down below Rs100 in most places. If the state govts follow suit and cut VAT on petrol and diesel, the prices will come down even further.

The petrol and diesel prices have risen sharply in the last few months, caused by price rise in global oil prices. This has led to a price rise of almost every other commodity due to cascading effects. Taxes, both the excise duty levied by the central govt and VAT levied by state governments constitute the major part of the fuel price in India. In fact, taxes comprise more than 50% of the retail fuel prices.

The Union government has been trying to bring petroleum products under the ambit of GST, which will result in a significant decrease in fuel prices. But almost all state governments are against it, as it is a major source of income for the states.

‘Are you a Muslim or do you share your lineage with a prostitute’: Islamists attack actor-director Farhan Akhtar over his Diwali post

OpIndia Staff
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‘Are you a Muslim or do you share your lineage with a prostitute’: Islamists attack actor-director Farhan Akhtar over his Diwali post

Actor Farhan Akhtar attracted the wrath of Islamists online after he took to Instagram to share Diwali greetings. The ‘Rock On’ actor had shared a picture of himself with others offering puja on the occasion of Diwali and wished “Happy Diwali”.

In the image, Farhan could be seen putting a tilak on the forehead of his girlfriend Shibani Dandekar, who is sitting to his right. Farhan’s business partner and producer Ritesh Sidhwani is also seen with his wife Dolly Sidhwani, who could be seen sitting around the puja paraphernalia. Reportedly, the two families had gathered for a pooja held on the occasion of Dhanteras, which was held at their office in Excel Entertainment.

However, this did not sit well with Islamists, who were quick to take offence at the picture and accused Farhan of indulging in activities which are prohibited in Islam. Idolatry or worshipping any other god other than Allah is considered an unpardonable sin according to Islamic texts. 

Soon after the picture was uploaded on Instagram, a raft of Islamists descended on Farhan’s post and abused him for celebrating a Hindu festival.

Islamists slam Farhan Akhtar for indulging in ‘shirk’ over his Diwali post

A Twitter user seemed particularly worked up on Farhan’s Instagram post where he was seen celebrating Diwali. He posted a string of comments reviling the actor for indulging in Diwali festivities, saying Islam did not permit it. The user also questioned if the actor if he has any faith or if he shares his lineage with a prostitute.

Source: Instagram

Another Islamist seemed so perturbed by Farhan’s post that he ranted in Urdu what appeared like feelings expressing shock and despair.

Source: Instagram

There were other Islamists who accused Farhan of practicing ‘shirk’. Shirk is idol worshipping or idolatry. It is worth noting that idol worshipping or idolatry is considered an unpardonable sin as per Islamic texts and carries strict punishment. The Quran considers shirk as a sin that will not be forgiven if a person dies without repenting of it.

Source: Instagram
Source: Instagram

Farhan Akhtar is returning to direction with Jee Le Zaraa, another road trip movie. Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt will play the lead roles in this female road trip story.

Actor Sara Ali Khan slammed by Islamists for visiting Kedarnath temple

Earlier this week, actor Sara Ali Khan came under the firing line of Islamists after she posted pictures of herself and Janhavi Kapoor from their visit to Kedarnath temple on her Instagram account.

The Islamists then took to Sara’s Instagram post and started reviling the actor for visiting the Hindu shrine despite being a Muslim. A barrage of despicable comments were made against the actor saying she committed a big sin as per Islam by visiting the hallowed shrine of Kedarnath, the abode of Hindu God Lord Shiva. One of the Islamists even called her a ‘Kafir Muslim’.

‘When next karseva happens, not bullets but flowers will be showered on the devotees of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna’: Yogi Adityanath

OpIndia Staff
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‘When next karseva happens, not bullets but flowers will be showered on the devotees of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna’: Yogi Adityanath

A day before Diwali, UP CM Yogi Adityanath said that in the next karseva, not bullets but flowers will be showered on the devotees of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna. Yogi was referring to the firing order issued by Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav who was chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and had ordered the police to open fire on karsevaks and Ram Bhakts in 1990.

Yogi Adityanath hailed the power of people and democracy, saying it is because of them that those who ordered firing on Ram Bhakts are now bowing in front of them.

“31 years ago, bullets were fired at Rambhakts & Karsewaks in Ayodhya. Chanting Jai Shri Ram & voicing support for Ram Temple were considered a crime. But it is power of the people & democracy that those who ordered firing on Rambhakts today bow to your power,” UP mC Yogi Adityanath said while addressing the public during Deepotsav in Ayodhya.

Speaking about the power of democracy, Yogi said if people continued the way they did, those who ordered firing on karsevaks, along with their families will line up for the next karseva. 

“Today it appears that if you continue like this, they & their entire family will line up for next Karsewa. When next Karsewa would happen, not bullets but flowers will be showered on devotees of Lord Rama & Lord Krishna. This is power of democracy,” Yogi Adityanath said.

The chief minister had earlier announced that nine lakh earthen lamps will be lit up in Ayodhya to celebrate Diwali. The celebration will be enlightened with a special show of 500 drones that will showcase Ramayan scenes in the sky.

What happened in 1990

On the last week of October in 1990, orders from the powers that be to then IG SMP Sinha were clear. The Mulayam Singh government in Uttar Pradesh reportedly asked him to clear the streets occupied by karsevaks who were peacefully demonstrating to reclaim Ram Janmabhoomi. Sinha told his subordinates: There is a clear instruction from Lucknow that the crowd will not sit on the streets at any cost.

It was 9 am on the auspicious day of Kartik Purnima on October 30, when Hindu saints and thousands of karsevaks, comprising also of women and elderly people, resumed their march towards the Ram Janmabhoomi site where the disputed structure then stood. The security forces, who were instructed to stop the Hindus from reaching the site, lined up on the road to block the way.

In a report published the next day by Jansatta, the number of dead karsevaks was stated to be 40. It had also stated that 60 others were badly wounded in the incident while it could not give the exact number of people who escaped with minor injuries. However, many other news agencies pegged the number of casualties in hundreds.

Police had again fired on Karevaks on November 2, killing and injuring many.

Mulayam Singh Yadav earns the nickname of ‘Mullah Mulayam’ for ordering police to fire on karsevaks

The firing took place on the explicit orders of then chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav. On the morning of October 30, the police had barricaded about 1.5 km-long pathway to the disputed structure. Ayodhya was in an unprecedented security cordon. Curfew had been imposed. Yet, sadhus and Karsevaks marched towards the structure.

By noon, police received orders from then Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav to open fire at the karsevaks. The firing led to chaos and stampede. Police chased down the karsevaks in the streets of Ayodhya.

Another round of clash erupted on November 2, when the karsevaks came back and resumed their march towards the Ram Janmabhoomi site.

Mulayam Singh Yadav earned the sobriquet ‘Mullah Mulayam’ by the Muslim community for issuing orders to fire at karsevaks

Iran accuses the US of stealing oil in the Sea of Oman, confrontation reported

OpIndia Staff
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Iran accuses the US of stealing oil in the Sea of Oman, confrontation reported

The Elite Revolutionary Guards of Iran have allegedly obstructed the United States from attempting to steal the oil in the Sea of Oman that belongs to the Islamic Republic. As per Iranian state TV, the incident took place recently. Reuters reported that Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet of the US said they have seen the reports of the incident but had no additional information on the matter.

As per Iran’s state TV, the US forces used warships and helicopters to block an oil tanker of Iran in the Sea of Oman. According to Anadolu Agency, a US military vessel confiscated the oil tanker of Iran and diverted oil to another tanker. It was headed to an undisclosed location. Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) naval forces got into action and took control of the second tanker. The US forces tried to chase the tanker with helicopters and warships but failed twice. It was brought back in Iran territorial waters.

IRGC claimed that it would soon release video footage of the whole incident. The United States has been reportedly warned by Iranian authorities on multiple occasions regarding its military activities in the Gulf. Iran has increased patrols to secure the passage of Iranian ships and put a curb on oil smuggling.

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