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Punjab: Illegal slaughterhouse busted in Gurdaspur where cows were killed by hitting their heads with hammers, 11 arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab: Illegal slaughterhouse busted in Gurdaspur where cows were killed by hitting their heads with hammers, 11 arrested

Punjab police busted an illegal slaughterhouse at Dhariwal locality in Gurdaspur district on Monday, where 11 accused were arrested for killing cows in a cruel way by hitting their heads with hammers.

Notably, about 10 days back Punjab governor Banwari Lal Purohit had launched a cow protection awareness campaign in Ludhiana to encourage people to adopt cows in gaushalas.

On Monday night a team of 40 police personnel and officials raided the illegal slaughterhouse on the instruction of Gurdaspur SSP Dr Nanak Singh. The slaughterhouse is located at a place between Kalyanpur and Bandesh village. When the police team reached here, they found three dead cows with head injuries caused by a blunt object. On further search, police personnel discovered an injured cow and rescued four cows.

The accused had tied these cows through nostrils and legs. Raid continued for three hours amid unbearable smells during which police also recovered unprocessed beef besides a huge quantity of offal and a pile of bones. Evidence suggested that slaughtering was going here for a long time.

Among the arrested accused is Niyamat Masih and his son Ravi from Tarijanagar of Dhaliwal, the masterminds of the cow slaughtering. Other accused were identified as Vicky Masih, Ravi, Thomas Masih, Jaisam Masih, Johnny and Balkar Masih from Dhariwal locality. The remaining three accused Wasim, Nasak and Tanveer are said to be residents of Nanajuta village of Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh.

They have been booked under sections of Prevention of Cruelty Act 1960, Punjab Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955 and sections 295, 428 and 429 of IPC. Police recovered hammers, knives and other sharp-edged weapons from their possession. All accused have been forwarded to judicial custody.   

The injured cow was rushed to a local veterinary hospital for treatment whereas police forwarded the dead cows for postmortem.

Gurdaspur SSP had formed a team to carry raids after getting inputs that some people were slaughtering cows at Kalyanpur to sell packed beef. After verifying inputs, the team was formed consisting DSP Rajesh Kakkad, CIA in-charge Vishwamitra, officer-in-charge of Gurdaspur police station Jitendra Kumar and officer-in-charge of Dhariwal police station Amandeep Singh.

Meanwhile, Gurdaspur SSP told the media that investigation has been launched which will make further disclosure about the accused and other illegal slaughtering activities.

Rajasthan: Education Minister says ‘institutions with more women employees report more squabbles’

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: Education Minister says ‘institutions with more women employees report more squabbles’

Rajasthan’s Education Minister Govind Singh Dotasra sparked outrage on Monday with his demeaning remarks against female employees at a women empowerment event. 

While speaking at an International Girl Child Day celebration in Jaipur, Dotasra said, “As the chief of my department, I must say whichever school has more women staffers, squabbles are bound to happen for various reasons.”

“Sometimes I see the school principal taking Saridon (a medicine to cure headache), sometimes the female teachers are fighting amongst themselves to go home early or for transfers,” Dotasra said further mocking women at workplaces.

Dotasra further claimed that the Congress-led Rajasthan government always ensures the security and comfort of women and gives them preferred postings in jobs, “yet they are found fighting.”

“If you (women) correct these small things (mistakes), you will always find yourselves ahead of men,” preached the minister after belittling and trivialising the women workforce.  

In the month of July, the minister was accused of wrongdoing in the selection of his two relatives to the state administrative services.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his ‘idea of women empowerment’

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also manages to make news every now and then for his ‘idea of women empowerment.’ 

Just last month, Gandhi had stirred controversy when in a bid to compare Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat with MK Gandhi, he had asserted that Gandhi was “always accompanied by two to three women on his side”.

Addressing a meeting organised by the All India Mahila Congress, Rahul Gandhi had said, “When you see (Mahatma) Gandhi’s picture, you’ll see 2-3 women around him. Have you seen a picture of Mohan Bhagwat with any woman? That’s because their organisation suppresses women and our organisation gives them a platform.”

Central govt does not nominate members to Press Council of India, sources clarify after outrage over nomination of The Caravan’s Vinod K Jose

OpIndia Staff
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Central govt does not nominate members to Press Council of India, sources clarify after outrage over nomination of The Caravan’s Vinod K Jose

Government sources have clarified to OpIndia that the Government of India is not responsible for nominating members to the Press Council of India. This comes after netizens outraged over the Centre’s choice of members for the Press Council of India on Tuesday.

The netizens expressed their displeasure on seeing the name of the Executive Editor of The Caravan, Vinod K Jose, nominated as one of the members. Vinod K Jose has long been furthering narratives that go against the Modi government and on occasion, even against Hindus of the nation. His magazine The Caravan has regularly peddled falsehoods and spreads anti-Hindu propaganda.

However, clarifying its stance, a government source informed, “The entire process, from seeking nominations to selecting them, is done by PCI which is a quasi judicial body functionally independent of Government of India. To impute that Government of India has nominated any member to PCI is a fallacy and totally unwarranted.”

On 7th March, 2021, the Press Council of India had issued notification inviting nominations for members as the present three-year term was concluding on 30th May, 2021.

PCI’s notification seeking nominations

Last date for filing nominations was 6th April, 2021. “Twenty of the 28 members of PCI are nominated as per the procedure set out in PCI Act 1978 and PCI Nomination Rules 1978,” the source said further. 

It is imperative to note that the Press Council of India is a quasi-judicial body that functions independently without any government interference. It had issued a notification requesting nominations in March this year and the process was closed in April.

Netizens question The Caravan’s Vinod Jose’s nomination to the PCI

Vinod K Jose was one among the six persons appointed under ‘Editors’. However, his nomination sparked outrage.  

Former civil services officer Sanjay Dixit termed Vinod’s inclusion in the Press Council of India as appeasement of the enemy of the nation. 

One of the users tagged cabinet minister Anurag Thakur and asked why a ‘rabid Hindu hater, anti-BJP and anti-Modi’ journalist Vinod Jose has been given a place on the Press Council of India. 

Caravan’s history of Hindu and Modi-hate

The Caravan’s anti-Hindu narrative was the reason behind the controversy. While the nation was mourning the dastardly Pulwama terror attack, The Caravan was busy checking out caste of the martyred soldiers. Their journalist Ajaz Ashraf, just a week after 40 CRPF soldiers were killed in a suicide bombing by Pakistan-backed terrorist, was wrote a morbid article conducting ‘caste analysis’ of the soldiers. He had even called up families of the deceased soldiers to inquire about their caste.

While their Hindu hate is evident, their hate for the Modi government is not hidden either. The Caravan has conducted several shoddy hit jobs on Amit Shah, PM Modi, NSA Doval and his son. There have been several lies peddled and shameless propaganda furthered by the magazine.

In February this year and FIR was lodged against The Caravan for spreading fake news about the death of a protester on Republic Day, where Khalistanis and so-called farmers had gone on a rampage. The Caravan had spread the fake news claiming that “An eyewitness told The Caravan that he saw the police firing from behind the grills of the Andhra Education Society.” In reality, the protester had died after his tractor overturned.

Vinod K Jose himself, who is the Executive Editor of Caravan Magazine had peddled the lie that the Delhi anti-Hindu riots were actually an organised carnage of the Muslims in India. Like most Leftists, Vinod Jose had failed to acknowledge that the violence by Muslim mobs against Hindus had started far before the Delhi riots and also, during the Delhi riots, which were planned by Muslims and Leftists, Muslim mobs had run rampage against Hindus. He had further tried to shield the Tablighi Jamaat when they were defecating and deliberately trying to spread the Coronavirus during the beginning of the pandemic.

NITI Aayog Delta Ranking: Seven UP aspirational districts in the top 10, Wayanad in the bottom five

OpIndia Staff
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NITI Aayog Delta Ranking: Seven UP aspirational districts in the top 10, Wayanad in the bottom five

On October 12, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that seven out of eight aspirational districts in the state had grabbed a position in the list of top 10 in the national July-August Delta Ranking. Since 2018, NITI Aayog has been giving Delta Ranking to all the 112 aspirational districts in the country.

The ranking is based on the incremental progress made by the districts in a quarter in different development sectors. Notably, Rahul Gandhi’s constituency Wayanad, Kerala, has been listed at 109th position, fourth from the bottom.

District wise performance

Odisha’s Gajapati district is at number one, while UP’s Fatehpur grabbed the second position. The main indicators that helped the district achieve a high position were basic infrastructure, agriculture and water resources, and financial inclusion and skill development.

Four out of top five districts are from UP. Wayanad in bottom five. Source: NITI Aayog

Standing at third position, UP’s Siddharthnagar made notable progress in rural road construction under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna, followed by agriculture and water resources.

Sonbhadra made it to the fourth position and made noteworthy progress in financial inclusion, health and nutrition and agriculture and water resources.

Chitrakoot grabbed the fifth position in the list by improving rural road infrastructure under PMGSY and other sectors, including agriculture and financial inclusion.

Standing at sixth position Shrawasti’s performance was majorly based on agriculture, financial inclusion and health and nutrition.

Chandauli made it to the ninth position by improving internet connectivity of the gram panchayats and making notable progress in agriculture, basic infrastructure and financial inclusion.

The eighth aspirational district in UP, Balrampur, is also making stealth progress and improving its position quickly in the list. Currently, it stands at 18th position.

Wayanad’s poor performance

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s constituency Wayanad managed to sustain a position in the bottom five and stood at 109th rank. Notably, Wayanad is the only district from Kerala that is among the list of aspirational districts.

The other districts in the bottom 5 are Ramgarh and Latehar in Jharkhand, Chamba in Himachal Pradesh and Namsai in Arunachal Pradesh.

Hindu boy assaulted by Muslim mob in Madhya Pradesh for requesting to chant Bharat Mata Ki Jai

OpIndia Staff
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Hindu boy assaulted by Muslim mob in Madhya Pradesh for requesting to chant Bharat Mata Ki Jai

A 19 years old Hindu boy Bharat Singh and others were assaulted by a group of Muslim youths on Tuesday on the issue of chanting Bharat Mata Ki Jai during prayer at the school under Barod police station of Agar-Malwa district of Madhya Pradesh.

On the complaint of the victim Agar-Malwa district police lodged an FIR against nine named and unknown persons under various sections of IPC and SC ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. The district administration has also deployed police in the locality to maintain law and order. Some of the accused persons could be identified as Tahir, Azhar, Azad, Shakil, Pintu, Saufi, Raja Khan, Arif Khan and others. According to the media reports police have detained four persons in this assault.

The victim is the native of Amba village under Barod police station and he studies in class 12th in Mahavir Jain Vidya Mandir. The dispute started during morning prayer at the school where after the national anthem, students chanted Bharat Mata Ki Jai. But Tahir, Sameer, Alfaz and Sahil, who are also students at the same school, remained silent.

The victim said that he along with his friends Kuldeep Singh, Yuvraj, Tarun, Rohit and others were participating in the morning prayer. When he found these boys silent and not chanting Bharat Mata Ki Jai, he inquired whether they have any problem in chanting. Victim told the police that on being inquired these boys said that they did not know who Bharat Mata was.

After school got over, the victim was walking towards bus stop they stopped him and questioned him why did he ask them to chant Bharat Mata Ki Jai. After that they allegedly beat him up with sticks. They also assaulted two more boys, Gopal and Prembai. They also threatened that if they ask them to say Bharat Mata Ki Jai again they will kill them. One Munnalal was assaulted as he tried to film the incident.

How to prove a crime when murder weapon is a snake? Here is how SIT nailed Kerala man who killed his wife with a cobra

OpIndia Staff
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How to prove a crime when murder weapon is a snake? Here is how SIT nailed Kerala man who killed his wife with a cobra

A court in Kerala’s Kollam convicted a man on Monday for murdering his wife by letting loose a cobra on her. Adding that it was a heinous crime, the court said that the convict did not deserve any sympathy.

The prosecution has sought capital punishment for P Suraj (32) of Kollam district who has been found guilty under the Indian Penal Code’s Sections 302 (murder), 328 (administering a drug to harm), 307 (attempt to murder), and 201 (destroying evidence).

The trial was completed in 17 months. The investigating team adopted a scientific approach as there were no eyewitnesses to the murder. The SIT has been praised by authorities for its thorough investigation and scientific approach. The prosecution has sought capital punishment for Suraj.

‘My daughter has been murdered’

The state of Kerala records thousands of snakebite cases every year.

On May 06, 2020, Uthra had succumbed to snakebite at Anchal, Kollam. Uthra had suffered a cobra bite when she was already under treatment for another prior snakebite. Her death had made her family suspicious. Her father Vijayasena had approached the police after his daughter’s death and met S. Harisankar who was the then rural SP of Kollam.

He informed the police that his daughter had sustained the first bite on March 02, 2020, that is two months before her death. On February 28, a viper snake was found beneath the staircase at their home.

After the second snakebite that led to his daughter’s death in May, he requested an investigation. On May 07, the police filed a case of unnatural death. Harisankar in a statement to the media said, “There were several factors that led us to the preliminary assumption that it was not a case of an accidental snakebite.”

Uthra gets bitten twice 

Sharing more information, Harisankar said, “We had reasons to doubt that it was a well-planned and well-executed murder. We discussed the matter with several experts in veterinary science and herpetology. Some of the factors sounded strange.”

Reportedly, Uthra was first bitten by a viper in the bedroom located on the first floor of Suraj’s (Uthra’s husband) house on March 02, 2020. However, this raised suspicions during the investigation as ‘a Russell’s viper (a terrestrial species) is rarely found in such places.’

Uthra was again bitten by a cobra on the night of May 06, 2020, when she was asleep. This too did not fit the ‘accidental death’ theory as a cobra is generally active between 5 and 8 pm. “It is highly unusual for cobras to be active late at night,” Harisankar said.

Additionally, the doors and windows of the room were also shut as Uthra had switched on the air conditioner that night. “So the entry of the snake could not be rationally explained,” the officer said. 

Investigation revealed forced bite marks

As the investigation progressed, it was observed that two puncture wounds in close proximity, 2.3cm and 2.5cm deep were found in the post mortem. However, scientific studies show that the Indian cobra’s fang marks are not more than 2cm deep. 

“Punctures wounds caused by two successive bites should be of similar depth. The variation (0.5cm) shows force was possibly used. If an external force is applied on the head of the cobra, that would cause the fang to penetrate deeper,” informed Harisankar further who concluded that the bites were not natural, but induced by someone skilled in handling snakes. 

A test conducted by forensic experts on the cobra that was clubbed to death established that the reptile was kept in a plastic bottle found in the house. As per the reports, the DNA from the scales found inside the bottle matched with the DNA of the dead cobra.

Experts from veterinary science, forensic medicine, herpetology, cyber forensics, DNA fingerprinting and even pharmacology were brought together to investigate the matter. The investigating team also performed an experiment with a live snake and a dummy ‘victim’ to confirm the ‘forced bite’ theory.

Autopsy of the snake had also found that it was starved for a week at least to make it more aggressive.  

Uthra was being harassed for dowry

A history of domestic violence and dowry harassment unearthed during the investigation shifted the needle of suspicion towards Uthra’s husband Suraj. 

Suraj who had a passion for wildlife and had been a member of wildlife clubs was at home when both incidents of snakebites occurred. 

The investigation further led the police to a man named Chavarukavu Suresh, from Kalluvathukkal in Kollam who knew Suraj. Suresh revealed to the police that Suraj had purchased two venomous snakes, one viper and one cobra from him on dates corresponding to the snakebites.

Suraj was then immediately picked up by the police who broke down and confessed to his crime. 

Suraj wanted to get rid of Uthra without divorce

Suraj had married Uthra, who had a mild disability in the greed of extorting a good sum of money as dowry. Soon he started to look for ways to get rid of his wife without having to undergo a divorce that would have hurt him financially. 

He then planned to eliminate her using snakes as it could have easily been passed off as an accident. 

Suraj sedated Uthra after a failed first attempt

In the first attempt, Suraj had dropped the viper on Uthra while she was asleep. However, Uthra immediately woke up and screamed for help. Suraj was left with no option but to take her to the hospital and Uthra survived the first snakebite. 

Making no mistakes in the second attempt, Suraj sedated her with a sleep-inducing medicine mixed with fruit juice to ensure she does not wake up from sleep. 

This time he succeeded. “Cobra venom is neurotoxic in character. It attacks the central nervous system, leaving the chance of survival quite low,” Harisankar said.

The cyber forensic analysis done on Suraj’s mobile phone revealed that he watched several videos and read literature to learn the behaviour of snakes.

Police chief congratulated SIT

Kerala Police chief Anil Kant lauded the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which probed the case, for its scientific approach to the investigation and for ensuring justice to the victim’s family. 

It is a shining example of how scientific methods can be applied to crack a murder mystery. The team led by S Harishankar did an excellent job,” Kant remarked. 

Satisfied with the verdict, Uthra’s father said, “I am happy finally my daughter got justice. We expect maximum punishment for Suraj. We pray no other parents should undergo our experience.” 

It is notable here that Suraj’s parents have also been held guilty of dowry harassment. They had filed a counter-complaint against Uthra’s brother in an attempt to derail the investigation.

Nainital, Uttarakhand: Land encroachment, Muslim migrant influx making locals leave state in search of livelihoods

OpIndia Staff
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Nainital, Uttarakhand: Land encroachment, Muslim migrant influx making locals leave state in search of livelihoods

The influx of Muslims from neighbouring states and the subsequent problem of land encroachment in Uttarakhand has become a major source of concern for state officials. As in many other parts of the state, Nainital’s demographics has also been changing very rapidly. The local residents of Nainital, which is also the headquarter of the Kumaon division, are worried about the rapid demographic shift and its impact.

Many reports have highlighted the concerns that the Muslim migrants, who have pervaded Nainital, one of the most popular hill stations in North India, have started interfering and snatching businesses from the locals living there.

The government’s intelligence agencies believe that Muslim migrants’ intervention in the leasing of horses, taxis, ferries, tourist guide jobs, and hotels has increased dramatically. As a result, locals find themselves being pushed out of jobs and livelihoods they had been holding for generations.

More importantly, Muslim migrant workers who had first built kutcha houses in restricted areas including upper hill and Barapathar behind CRST school, are gradually converting them to illegal pukka houses. Locals have been also complaining of illegal land encroachment and grabbing, neglected by the local government on a large scale.

Locals say that these migrants have been continuously snatching away small businesses run by locals in Nainital. Their interest in buying and selling land in the hills have also grown and they have started acquiring land through illegal means. The local police administration, instead of taking meaningful action, is said to have sat on its hands until now.

In fact, Uttarakhand BJP leader Ajendra Ajay had also written to CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, raising concerns about the recurring issue of ‘land jihad’. He had raised objections to the purchase of land in the hills and setting up places of worship by members of the Muslim community. In the official communique, the BJP leader had said: “The rapid population growth in some areas of the state had led to a demographic shift, whose ill-effects had started showing in the form of migration of people of certain communities”.

Dilip Singh Rawat, a BJP MLA from Lansdowne, even claimed that a ‘cultural war’ is being waged by the migrant population, many of whom are illegal immigrants into India too, against Hindus in the state of Uttarakhand.

Owing to this increasingly serious issue, the BJP Government led by CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken cognisance of the issue. The state government has now constituted a committee, which will be tackling the issue of the sudden influx of Muslim migrants and the associated issue of land encroachment in the state.

The government’s directives about changes in demography and information about migration would be implemented in letter and spirit, Nainital DM Dhiraj Gabryal stated. The land registry will also be given special attention. In this case, there will be no leniency. This is something that local residents should be aware of, Gabryal added.

Raising concerns about the ‘demographic change’ in certain parts of the state due to ‘excessive population growth in a particular community, the Uttarakhand CM had stated that exodus of locals from the state is a matter of serious concern.

Dhami stated that there was a communal atmosphere developing in the state. Ordering authorities to launch an investigation into the demographic changes in the state, Dhami promised a non-biased probe that would not target members of any one community.

“The government has taken this step only after much deliberation. Migration and population imbalance is a matter of concern,” said the Uttarakhand CM.

Punjab Christian missionaries menace: Concerns raised over how Dalit Sikhs are lured to Christianity and their lack of representation in Sikh body

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab Christian missionaries menace: Concerns raised over how Dalit Sikhs are lured to Christianity and their lack of representation in Sikh body

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh on the 101st anniversary of the restoration of Dalit Sikhs’ rights held on Tuesday attacked the Christian missionaries for running a ‘forced conversions campaign’ in the border areas of Punjab. 

Singh who is the head priest of the Sikh community’s highest temporal seat said, “Christian missionaries have been running a campaign in the border belt for forced conversions over the past few years. Innocent people are being cheated or lured to convert. We have received many such reports.” 

‘Dalit Sikhs are discriminated against’

Reacting to the Jathedar’s statement on forced religious conversions, Dr Kashmir Singh who heads the Dalits and Minorities Organisation Punjab, gave several reasons explaining what makes the Dalit Sikhs susceptible for conversions. 

“There are many reasons behind such conversions. One reason is the discrimination that Dalits face in villages. There is also illiteracy and poverty among Dalits, which make them easy targets. They are told that conversion would help them settle in foreign countries,” he said. 

‘We need SGPC preachers from the Dalit community’

Kashmir Singh opined that to counter the menace of missionaries in the Dalit Sikh community, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) should include the Dalit community. 

“The missionaries approach Dalits at their homes to convince them. There is no such effort from the SGPC. We need SGPC preachers from the Dalit community, and more Dalit representation in the SGPC and its institutions to stop such conversions,” added the head of Dalits and Minorities Organisation. 

He further urged the SGPC to appoint Dalit Sikhs in key positions in SGPC. He said, “Strict orders to be issued from Akal Takht against any discrimination. They (Dalit Sikhs) should also receive free education in all educational and professional institutions under the SGPC.”

Jathedar urges people to support SGPC in new campaign 

Giani Harpreet Singh who hails from the Dalit Sikh community urged people to support SGPC in its ‘Ghar Ghar Andar Dharamsaal’ campaign launched to counter Christian missionaries. 

“Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has started a campaign ‘Ghar Ghar Andar Dharamshal’ to counter forced conversions, which is a dangerous attack on the Sikh religion,” he added. 

‘Forced conversion cannot be justified’

The Jathedar further asserted the need for strengthening SGPC’s campaign in which Sikh preachers have been visiting villages to distribute literature on Sikhism. 

“Religion is a matter of spirituality. Forced conversion or luring someone can never be justified….SGPC campaign should be run all over India. Right now, we have been focusing on the areas that are more affected,” the Jathedar assured.

Anniversary of the restoration of Dalit Sikhs’ right

It is only on October 12, 1920, that the Dalit Sikhs’ were given uninterrupted entry and offering of ‘Karah Prasad’ at Golden Temple and Akal Takht. That event is believed to have played a key role in the formation of the SGPC.

The 101st anniversary of the event was observed on Tuesday. 

From Hindutva to the intention behind maligning Veer Savarkar and use of the word ‘minority’: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at book launch

OpIndia Staff
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From Hindutva to the intention behind maligning Veer Savarkar and use of the word ‘minority’: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat at book launch

Speaking at the launch of the book “Veer Savarkar: The Man Who Could Have Prevented Partition” written by Uday Mahurkar and Chirayu Pandit, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said that there was a deliberate attempt to malign Veer Savarkar and the target was not actually the freedom fighter but nationalism itself.

He further said that given the situation at the time, Veer Savarkar had thought it necessary to expound on the subject of Hindutva. Further talking about the campaign to defame Veer Savarkar, he said that after him, the vested interests would start defaming Swami Vivekananda, Swami Dayanand Saraswati and Yogi Arvind since it was these tall thinkers that Veer Savarkar got his inspiration from.

“He didn’t hate Muslims, he knew Urdu too. There are many thoughts in a democracy. Those who do not know the generosity of Savarkar’s ideas, they defame there. Savarkar had given a statement that Gandhiji is needed by the country. Gandhiji should work keeping his health in good health, because he is needed. Ambedkar and Gandhiji have been appreciated by all, but petty people have made frivolous things and condemnation about Savarkar”, said Bhagwat.

Talking about Hindutva, RSS chief said that in the current political scenario in the country, the thoughts of the flagbearer of Hindutva are much needed.

He said that all the people living in India have the same ancestors and therefore, all those living in India are Hindus.

The Sangh chief said all the religions that came to India were welcomed. “So don’t talk of separation, don’t talk of special rights.”

According to an India TV News report, objecting to the use of the word minority, Mohan Bhagwat said that there is no such thing as a minority. “We are one, we are the inheritors of the same culture, in spite of different rituals and languages. No appeasement, and welfare of all. Everyone has rights, so also duties,” he said.

He further said that it had become a fashion to differentiate between the Hindutva of Veer Savarkar and the Hindutva of Swami Vivekananda. “Hindutva is one and will remain so”, he said.

On the occasion, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was also present. Singh said that “people are not able to understand” Savarkar because a lot has been said by many people with different ideology.

“This book is written after so much hard work and research. I congratulate the authors for it. Reading about nationalist Veer Savarkar is not easy. He has done so much that it’s difficult to put that into just one book. This book will clear out rumours about the life of Savarkar. A lot has been written on Savarkar by those who have a certain ideology. Hence people are not able to understand him,” Rajnath Singh said.

“You may have a difference of opinion about our heroes but to have one perspective about them is not right. Savarkar was a great freedom fighter. Ignoring him and insulting him is not pardonable. He will always be a great freedom fighter. Some people who have certain ideologies raise questions on Savarkar. Twice he was sent to lifetime imprisonment by the British. He used to believe in discussion,” he added.

After banning Chhat puja, Manish Sisodia does drama, writes to Modi govt to ‘issue guidelines’

OpIndia Staff
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After banning Chhat puja, Manish Sisodia does drama, writes to Modi govt to ‘issue guidelines’

Following the Delhi Disaster Management Authority’s (DDMA) prohibition on Chhath Puja celebrations on riverbanks, water bodies, and other public areas across the city, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodiya has written to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday, September 12 to issue guidelines for the upcoming festival.

In a letter to the Union Health Minister, Sisodia wrote: “You are aware that for the last 18 months, Delhi, as well as the entire nation, has faced the situation arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic in an unprecedented manner. Last year also, in view of the threat of the Covid-19 epidemic, decisions were taken to celebrate the Chhath festival throughout the country as per the instructions of the Government of India.”

“I request that the Government of India, in cooperation with health professionals and other concerned parties, publish recommendations for the celebration of the Chhath festival this year as well, so that all North Indian devotees can be safe,” he added.

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP has in a Tweet asserted that the Chhath Puja will be celebrated in a grand manner following all COVID protocols and the municipal corporations will make proper arrangements for it.

Pertinently, much like last year, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) in its recent order had prohibited the celebration of Chhath at public places including riverbanks and temples.

The decision to put a ban on the celebration of Chhath, a hugely popular festival especially amongst Bhojpuri and Biharis, garnered a lot of criticism for the Kejriwal government.

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari slams Delhi govt’s hypocricy, says complete ban on Chhath ‘unacceptable’

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari launched a protest on Tuesday to challenge the Kejriwal government’s arbitrary decision to ban Chhath Puja celebrations in the city. Tiwari urged Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to allow devotees to celebrate Chhath Puja while adhering to COVID-19 norms, saying that a complete ban would be unacceptable.

Tiwari slammed the Kejriwal administration, accusing it of allowing markets, public transportation, and even alcohol stores to open in the city while applying a ban on the festival. He said the Chhath ban was an “insult” to Purvanchali pride.

While Kejriwal had justified his govt’s decision saying that it had prohibited Chhath at public places to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and for the safety of people, the Bhojpuri actor turned politician took a dig at the Delhi government’s double standards. He said that it was paradoxical that the Kejriwal government reopened swimming pools, where people spend hours in the water, but prohibited Chhath, where devotees only spend a few hours that too only in knee-deep water.

However, according to reports, the BJP leader was injured while protesting in front of Arvind Kejriwal’s house and has to be rushed to the emergency wing of Safdarjung Hospital on Tuesday afternoon.

It becomes imperative to note here that the Delhi Government has also banned effigy burning during Dussehra, which is part of its larger ban on firecrackers. Earlier in September, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced a complete ban on the sale and bursting of firecrackers.

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