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How the liberal PM of Canada spent years fighting against compensation to indigenous children who faced discrimination

OpIndia Staff
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How the liberal PM of Canada spent years fighting against compensation to indigenous children who faced discrimination

Indigenous children in Canada are set to receive billions in compensation after overcoming the challenges put forth by the Trudeau government.

A federal court judge in Canada finally dismissed a pair of legal challenges made by the Canadian government thus ending the years of discrimination faced by the First Nations indigenous children in the hands of the Canadian government according to The Guardian report.

Two years ago, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal in a court ruling had accused the Canadian government of “willfully and recklessly” discriminating against the indigenous children living on reserves by depriving them of child and family services. However, the Trudeau government had legally challenged the order to compensate the First Nation children for the discrimination.

Cindy Blackstock, executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, who had launched the initial human rights complaint, said to media, “We had evidence-based solutions, in 2000 and 2005. If the government had acted on them and if they had even acted on them after we filed the case, there would not be victims to compensate.”

Assembly of First Nations national chief Rose Ann Archibald said on the court ruling that she hopes the government sees the federal court ruling as a fair decision and will move forward with compensation. “You can’t talk about truth and reconciliation and then turn around and fight our children in court,” she added.

The court had then ruled that the Canadian government was supposed to pay compensation of C$40,000 to each child who was removed from his or her home. But, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that his government would appeal against the ruling to “make sure we’re getting compensation right”.

A federal judge however decided on Wednesday that the tribunal’s compensation ruling was not unreasonable. Justice Paul Favel wrote in his decision that “No one can seriously doubt that First Nations people are among the most disadvantaged and marginalized members of Canadian society,” also adding, “The tribunal was aware of this and reasonably attempted to remedy the discrimination while being attentive to the very different positions of the parties.”

The court also mentioned the “Jordan’s principle” which was named after Jordan River Anderson, a five-year-old child who died due to a medical condition while governments fought over who should pay for his care. The judge concluded that the government failed to establish that the tribunal’s decisions were unreasonable in both cases.

 Justin Trudeau’s decision to fight both of these rulings have been criticized by the indigenous leaders while critics argue that Trudeau’s denying compensation to children is an indication of a government not committed to reconciliation.

This fight against the Canadian government for compensation is 14 years old. In the past, Cindy Blackstock, executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society equated underfunding of the child welfare on reserve to racial discrimination.

Trudeau administration spent millions fighting a court case against rights of indigenous children

Indigenous leaders and lawmakers celebrated Wednesday’s landmark ruling after a long battle against the Canadian government. Guardian cited Lawmaker Charlie Angus as saying, “Today was an absolute victory for First Nation children. For six years Justin Trudeau spent millions fighting the rights of Indigenous children and trying to overturn a ruling that found his government guilty of ‘wilful and reckless’ discrimination against vulnerable Indigenous kids. The court has thrown his case out,” 

First Nations Caring Society claimed the decision was a “huge win” for indigenous children and families, as per the report in the Guardian.

The Assembly of First Nations said in a tweet, “Today’s decision acknowledges the personal harm caused by Canada’s discrimination and affirms that First Nations deserve justice,”. It further added, “We hope that Canadians stand with us in recognizing that #EveryChildMatters.”

Canada’s government and Church had been discriminating against First Nation people for decades

For several decades, the Church and the Canadian government had forcibly taken indigenous children away from their families and put them in the infamous residential school system to “educate” them. The so-called “education” was the systematic wiping out of indigenous culture, languages and rituals. The children were forcefully ‘Christianized’ to fit in a White Christian society.

The First Nation people of Canada have been struggling for years to stop the discrimination and demand reconciliation for the injustice meted out to them.

Indigenous Canadians are marking September 30 as the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and celebrating it as #OrangeShirtDay to create awareness about the systemic racial discrimination and suffering endured by First Nation people.

‘Bring non-Muslim girls to get money, pleasure’: What member of Fatehpur Mosque said about Maulana Firoze Alam and the conversion racket

OpIndia Staff
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‘Bring non-Muslim girls to get money, pleasure’: What member of Fatehpur Mosque said about Maulana Firoze Alam and the conversion racket

A committee member of a mosque in Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh has made stunning revelations about another cleric of the same mosque. As per Majeed Khan, Maulana Hafiz Firoze Alam encouraged youths to trap girls of other religions for conversion to Islam and sexual exploitation. He also solemnised nikahs after the conversions of these victims.

Firoze persuaded the youths to carry out the criminal activity by promising them ‘money and pleasure’. He allegedly told the youths that if they manage to lure non-Muslim girls and bring them to him, they would earn money as well get to enjoy themselves.

Majeed Khan revealed how Maulana Firoze had once solemnised one such nikah of a Brahmin girl whom a youth had lured to elope with him.

He added that Maulana Firoze’s place origin is also doubtful. Majeed Khan said that though the cleric maintained that he originally hails from Nepal, he felt that Firoze might be a Bangladeshi or a Rohingya who illegally entered India. He said that Firoze has never been able to produce any valid document to attest that he is a resident of Nepal and now, he has managed to get an Aadhar, a ration card and even a passport made in his name.

Many years ago, Alam was appointed to the Fatehpur mosque. Khan claims that after 14-15 years of service, he was dismissed from the mosque two years ago owing to his problematic teachings. He added that he had filed a complaint against Maulana Firoze with the police, including CO (Circle Officer) and SP so that the social peace of his village remains unhinged, but no action has been taken against him in this matter.

The Maulana was, however, arrested on September 24 after the Fatehpur police filed a case against the Maulana under IPC sections 419, 420, 467, 468, 471 and Section 12 of the Passport Act.

It may be noted that the Maulana has been arrested for procuring a fake Indian passport, Aadhar card and other identity proofs. However, the police have not yet evoked any charges of forced religious conversion against Maulana Firoze.

Meanwhile, Firoze Alam has refuted the conversion allegations levelled against him. He said that his two daughters live in Nepal. The passport he obtained in India was intended for Haj, but he was unable to go because of his wife’s demise.

Uttar Pradesh police investigate’s Fatehpur Maulana Firoze’s alleged links withUmar Gautam

The police are, however, investigating Maulana Firoze’s alleged links with the massive ISI-funded conversion racket operated by the recently arrested Umar Gautam of Islamic Dawah Centre.

Earlier, in June, the Uttar Pradesh ATS had busted a huge ISI-funded religious conversion racket and arrested Maulana Mohammed Umar Gautam and his accomplice Mufti Qazi Jehangir from Delhi for allegedly forcing over 1,000 people to adopt Islam. The duo, who ran an organisation named Islamic Dawah Centre (IDC), along with their other associates, were charged for mass conversion of people into Islam through inducements such as marriage, job and money and mental pressure.

In continuation with the crackdown, the Uttar Pradesh ATS, on the 21st of September arrested one Maulana Kaleem Siddiqui. Siddiqui had admitted that upper caste girls from the Brahmin and Kshatriya community were his targets for conversion to Islam. Following Siddiqui’s arrest, the Uttar Pradesh ATS, on September 26, made three more arrests in the conversion racket case. The arrested were identified as Mohammed Idris Qureshi, Mohammed Salim and Kunal Ashok Chaudhry alias Atif

PM Narendra Modi launches Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 and AMRUT 2.0, pledges to remove garbage mountains from cities

OpIndia Staff
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PM Narendra Modi launches Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 and AMRUT 2.0, pledges to remove garbage mountains from cities

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the Swachh Bharat Mission had a positive impact on people and it changed the mindset to an extent that even children now don’t throw toffee wrappers at public places. The Prime Minister said this while launching Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U) with the aim to ensure ‘Garbage-Free’ cities.

“Toffee wrappers are now no more thrown on the floor. These are rather kept in the pocket. Children even ask elders not to litter around,” the PM said. He expressed satisfaction that the young generation has come forward to support the cleanliness mission.   

The Prime Minister also inaugurated Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0 (AMRUT). He launched both the programme through video-conferencing and said that SBM-U and AMRUT 2.0 are in “the line of our commitment to ensure top quality urban spaces that are garbage-free and water-secure,” to support the rapid urbanization of India.

He reminded how the nation had taken a pledge in 2014 to make India Open Defecation Free by 2019 and the target was achieved as 10 crore toilets were constructed.

He said that the second phase of SBM-U will help to remove mountains of garbage from cities, adding that Delhi too has one such mountain of garbage. Through AMRUT 2.0, the government aims to provide safe drinking water and improve sewerage and drainage systems across the country. It will also focus on grey and black water management. The PM said that both the programmes are the mission as well as pride of the country and this is an attempt to save rivers and water sources of the country.

The SBM 2.0 will focus on source segregation of solid waste, utilizing the principles of 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), scientific processing of all types of municipal solid waste, and remediation of legacy dumpsites for effective solid waste management.

The Prime Minister said that when SBM was launched in 2014, less than 20 per cent of the total waste could be processed.

“India is currently processing about one lakh tonne of waste every day. In 2014, when Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was launched, less than 20 per cent of the waste generated in the country every day could be processed. Today about 70 per cent of daily waste is processed but we have to  take it to 100 per cent,” he said.

He said that waste processing has also become the source of income that benefits people. He informed that both programmes are part of the visions of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar who emphasized that urbanization can remove evils of social disparity. He said that under the second phase, the government aims to provide 2.64 crore sewerage connections, 2.68 crore water connections.

The Prime Minister remembered how the Nirmal Gujarat Abhiyan became a public campaign and received a huge response in Gujarat when it was launched in 2007. He said that Gujarat received benefits of this campaign in the long run as it developed good civil sense and also boosted the tourism sector.

But the Prime Minister at the same time also advised that maintaining cleanliness is not an affair of a day, a fortnight and a year. “Cleanliness is lifestyle, cleanliness is life mantra and all should participate in it,” he said.

‘You may be strip searched’: Pakistani cricketer shares boarding pass for USA flight with ‘SSSS’ stamped on it. Read what it means

OpIndia Staff
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‘You may be strip searched’: Pakistani cricketer shares boarding pass for USA flight with ‘SSSS’ stamped on it. Read what it means

Pakistani cricketer Umar Akmal recently took to Twitter to share pictures of himself and his boarding pass of his flight to the United States. Akmal said he is travelling to the United States for some personal meetings and urged his supporters to pray for his success.

“I am travelling to the US for some personal meetings if all goes well I might have to stay there for some time! I need my supporters to pray for me as they have always prayed!” Akmal tweeted along with the pictures.

However, soon after he posted the picture of the boarding pass on Twitter, a social media user noticed Akmal’s boarding pass had “SSSS” printed on them. “You have been marked for extra screening on arrival and you gotta be there for a couple of hours at least—hope that went well,” the user tweeted.

Social Media users react to “SSSS” symbol stamped on Umar Akmal’s boarding pass

After it was found that Umar Akmal is going to be subjected to additional security checks in the United States, a raft of social media users reacted to his tweet, asserting that it might be par for course for Pakistanis to go through a thorough security check while visiting the US.

Another social media user said perhaps Pakistan PM Imran Khan did not travel to the United States to attend the UNGA assembly in person because he too dreaded being subjected to the secondary security checks at the New York airport.

Yet another Twitter user said Akmal will be strip-searched in the United States.

A Twitter user advised Umar Akmal to wear his undergarments stating that the history of the New York airport is not good.

What does “SSSS” on boarding pass means and what causes it?

“SSSS” stands for Secondary Security Screening Selection or Secondary Security Screening Selectee, an airport security measure adopted in the United States which entails subjecting select passengers for additional inspection. Passengers who have been selected for secondary screening will have the letters “SSSS” printed on their boarding passes as a signal for the need for a thorough check-up at security checkpoints at the airport. While the list of those included on SSSS keeps on fluctuating, it is widely regarded that people from certain countries are included in the list by default.

There’s a variety of reasons that could land passengers on the SSSS list. According to an article, one of the reasons why passengers could be selected for additional security checks is because of their unusual or peculiar itinerary, which could include flights booked last minute, international one-way tickets, travel originating in “high-risk” countries, etc. With Pakistan having close ties with most of the Islamic terror outfits, it is entirely possible that they are listed among “high-risk” countries by the United States. Other reasons also include booking one-way tickets, tickets bought in cash, having a criminal record from the past, being charged with security-related offence at an airport, or have carried prohibited materials or weapons in the past.

The article further states there could also be some sort of list based on flying patterns, specific names or other reasons for which some people find their boarding pass stamped with “SSSS”. Sometimes, it is completely random. However, neither the Transportation Security Administration(TSA) nor the airlines publish the criteria that are used when boarding passes are issued to identify passengers who will be given extra screening or be denied boarding.

What happens at the airport if one is marked for the U.S. secondary screening?

Once the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) official finds “SSSS” marked on a boarding pass, he would ask the passenger to get out of the line and escort him for secondary screening. It usually takes 10 to 30 minutes for additional screening based on the compliance and readiness of the passenger to undergo it.

Passengers with an “SSSS” stamp are normally asked to walk through the metal detector, and then back again. They will be asked to remove their shoes and belts. They will also be asked to go through the full-body scanner. After that, they are subjected to a full-body pat-down, which the passengers can choose to have in private. This is where suspicious passengers are strip-searched by the authorities.

Besides, the luggage carried by such passengers is also checked thoroughly. They are scanned a couple of times in the scanner and based on the discretion of the officer-in-charge of the search, passengers may also have to open their bags and show things as needed.

Those who are carrying electronic devices with them such as phones, laptops, watches are usually asked to power up all of them after which the TSA agents check for any incriminating evidence in them.

Then, there is an explosives and narcotics contact scan as well, which includes rubbing a cotton/fabric/paper swab on the passengers’ clothes, luggage, belt, shoes and other belongings and scanning it under an ION scanner to detect contact with narcotics or explosive materials.

At last, a sticker would be pasted on the boarding pass by the TSA officer or security official, indicating that the additional security check of the passenger has been completed. Once the security authorities are satisfied with their inspection and find nothing wrong, passengers are allowed to leave the security area.

‘You have strangulated Delhi, obstructing security and defence personnel, it is all in the media’: Supreme Court slams farmer leaders

OpIndia Staff
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‘You have strangulated Delhi, obstructing security and defence personnel, it is all in the media’: Supreme Court slams farmer leaders

The Supreme Court on Friday, October 1, slammed the political farmers of Kisan Mahapanchayat for “strangulating” the entire Delhi. The farmer protestors had approached the apex court asking it to give directions to Delhi police to allow them to pervade Jantar Mantar to stage ‘Satyagraha’.

A Supreme Court bench led by Justice AM Khanwilkar said: “You have strangulated the entire city, now you want to come inside the city! Are the residents around happy with the protest? This business should stop.”

‘Are you protesting against the judicial system?’ SC slams the protesting ‘farmers’ for wanting to hold ‘Satyagraha’ at Jantar Mantar

“What is the point of doing satyagraha. You have approached the court. Have trust in court. Once you have approached the court, what is the point of protest? Are you protesting against the judicial system? Have faith in the system”, the bench observed.

Justice Khanwilkar stated that the farmer groups have already approached the court against the three farm laws and as such, there is no point in protests. “You are obstructing the security and defence personnel. This was in the media. All this should stop. There is no point in protests once you come to the court challenging the laws,” he added.

To this, the counsel for the Kisan Mahapanchayat submitted that the Kisan Mahapanchayat is not a part of farmer groups that are squatting on highways. He also submitted that it is the police that has blockaded the roads and not farmers.

‘Farmers’ asks permission for protests

The Supreme Court was responding to a writ petition filed by the Kisan Mahapanchayat on Thursday, September 30 urging it to give directions to authorities under the Central Government, Lieutenant Governor and Commissioner Delhi Police, the respondents in the case, to grant permission to them to hold ‘Satyagraha’ at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

These ‘farmers’ who had threatened to establish a ‘parallel government’ in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar after being granted permission to pervade the area by the AAP government in the month of July, told the Supreme Court that the respondents should not stop them from proceeding towards Jantar Mantar and provide space for at least 200 ‘farmers’ to carry out ‘peaceful’ or ‘non-violent’ protests in the area.

In the writ petition filed through Advocate on Record Ajay Choudhary, the Kisan Mahapanchayat argued in the apex court that the Delhi police are being “patently discriminatory, arbitrary and unreasonable” for denying permission to hold the rally.

Calling themselves ‘Satyagrahis’, these so-called farmers contended that the right of citizens to protest and gather peacefully without arms is a basic democratic right under the Constitution of India, which they are being deprived of.

“Action of the respondents in permitting the similar protest at the same site is unfair and violative of Right to Equality under Article 14, 19 and 21”, the petition stated.

While these political protestors have said fanciful things like ‘being stripped of their basic fundamental rights’ and holding ‘Satyagrahas’, the scars of the violence they unleashed in the country’s capital on the occasion of 72nd Republic Day are still fresh in the minds of the people.

Republic Day Riots

On January 26, so-called protesting farmers entered Delhi on the pretext of Tractor Rally using unauthorized routes. They caused property damage worth crores and injured innumerable police personnel. A group of protestors had reached Red Fort and hoisted two flags with the Sikh Holy symbol. Notably, terrorist organization Sikhs For Justice had announced a cash reward for anyone who hoists such flags on Red Fort. There have been several reports suggesting Khalistan separatists and Naxal sympathizers have infiltrated the farmer protests.

There were visuals of one of the protestors throwing away Tricolour while trying to hoist the alien flag. The protestors at several places tried to mow down the police personnel with tractors. Police personnel were attacked with lathis, stones, swords and other sharp weapons by the protestors. RTI replies reveal that around 299 police personnel were injured, which is lesser than the actual number as some data was not revealed due to ongoing investigation.

The Republic Day insurrection was not the only instance where these political farmers had resorted to violence. Several reports have emerged where these ‘farmers’ have resorted to stone-pelting, turned violent towards police, threatened to hold MPs and MLAs hostages.

Massive ongoing protests by farmer groups have been blockading highways routes around Delhi for months now. The farmer protestors have vandalised Jio mobile towers in Punjab, blockaded an Adani logistics facility and stopped trains for months, causing damages worth hundreds of crores to the public and private companies.

Odisha: Villagers foil Priest’s attempt to convert Hindus to Christianity, make evangelist sign a bond promising to never return

OpIndia Staff
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Odisha: Villagers foil Priest’s attempt to convert Hindus to Christianity, make evangelist sign a bond promising to never return

On Sunday (September 26), a Christian priest was detained by a group of villagers over charges of forced conversion, reported Organiser. The incident took place in Tangardihi village in the Sundargarh district of Odisha.

The priest, identified as Mahendra Sahu, was a regular visitor to the Tangardihi village. According to the villagers, he would come to the village in a bid to convert Hindus to Christianity. Despite their refusal, Sahu went unabated about his proselytism. He continued to visit the village and attempt to lure others to his religion. On Sunday, the villagers caught him and made him write an affidavit, stating that he would never return to Tangardihi.

A villager recounted, “His only intention was to convert our people into Christianity. All the villagers objected to his visit to our village. So we advised him not to come to our village. But he did not listen to us. On September 26, our villagers lost patience and called a meeting. Villagers asked Mahendra Sahu to give a written bond that he will never come to our village and block in the future”. The Organiser reported that Sundargarh has been the prime target of Christian evangelists.

Anti-conversion law not being implemented in Odisha, alleges VHP

This is despite the fact that the State of Odisha has an anti-conversion law named Odishan Freedom of Religion Act, 1967. While speaking about the matter, VHP Secretary (Sundargarh) Rama Chandra Naik said, “The Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, 1967, provides that no person shall convert or attempt to convert, either directly or otherwise, any person from one religious faith to another by the use of force or by inducement or by any fraudulent means. But unfortunately, the act is not being implemented properly by the state Govt.”

Protests, election rallies are virus free, but Hindu festivals are Covid carriers: How Govts are harassing Hindus in the name of the pandemic

K Bhattacharjee
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Protests, election rallies are virus free, but Hindu festivals are Covid carriers: How Govts are harassing Hindus in the name of the pandemic

The festive season is upon us, and with that, the season of intensified illogical Covid-19 restrictions have begun. Multiple states have issued a series of orders that clearly have nothing to do with the pandemic itself but only serve to inflate the ego of the Leviathan that is the Secular State of India.

The West Bengal Government has announced that like last year, no one will be permitted to enter pandals this year as well. It is the same state where politicians across all parties had gathered huge rallies for the assembly elections during the peak of second wave of the pandemic.

Not merely that, by-polls for the Bhawanipore constituency were held on the 30th of September which saw the gathering of huge crowds during the campaign. There were no Covid-19 restrictions observed for that. But during Durga Puja, the state will suffer the restrictions.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has gone several steps ahead with their restrictions for Navratri. They have decreed that Murthis cannot be taller than 2 feet for homes and 4 feet for public mandals.

Deciding the height of Murthis was not enough. BMC has also ordered that flowers and sweets have been banned for devotees at mandals and only five people are allowed to be present there.

Rajasthan has banned the sale and bursting of firecrackers between the 1st of October to the 31st of January, 2022.

Odisha has banned firecrackers for Diwali as well. Odisha had earlier in August imposed restrictions that could only be called crazy, along the lines of the restrictions BMC has imposed now. The state government had ordered that no Murthi could be taller than 4 feet, apart from other bizarre guidelines.

Meanwhile, Chhat Pooja has been banned in public places by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, the Chairman of which is the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory.

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.

Haryana, a BJP ruled state, has banned firecrackers in 14 districts of the state. While the restrictions have been imposed citing Covid-19 as an excuse, the measures clearly indicate that they have very little to do with controlling the pandemic itself. No state has taken any measure to control or restrict the gathering due to ‘farmer protests’.

Meanwhile, states have continued to witness huge crowds due to political rallies or protests of one sort or the other. Unless political parties have some incontrovertible evidence that only Hindu festivals spread Covid-19, such restrictions have no valid justification whatsoever.

The Covid-19 restrictions and dire warnings last year

It is pertinent to recall that dire warnings had been issued last year as well, claiming that the festive season could spark a new wave of the Coronavirus pandemic. Multiple states had issued such sermons and authorities had proclaimed that the expected gatherings at festivals posed a serious threat to public health.

But despite such warnings, Covid-19 cases saw a decline during the festive season and it was only in 2021, in April and May, that the second wave of the pandemic reached its peak. Even so, without issuing an apology for getting it wrong the previous year, authorities singled out the Kumbh Mela for blaming the second wave on, despite significant evidence that the ‘farmer protests’ all political parties had either tolerated or encouraged had played a much greater role.

This year, again without any significant evidence, political parties across the spectrum have decided to implement restrictions that are unscientific by all metrics. The announcement comes days after the Union Health Ministry urged states to enforce ‘Prompt and Effective Measures’ until the 31st October.

Rules for thee but not for Tikait Gang

Quite clearly, the restrictions are not about Covid-19. If political parties really cared about curbing the pandemic, they would have put an end to the ‘farmer protests’ first. This is about the tyrannical nature of the Secular State of India that seeks to enslave a community that it perceives as meek.

The manner in which the menace of stubble burning has been dealt with by numerous state governments provides some insight. After criminalising the practice because it causes air pollution, governments were very quick to fold and roll back their orders against it in the aftermath of the ‘farmer protests’.

Thus, quite clearly, all state governments have bent over backwards to placate the unruly mobs that have become the hallmark of the protests against the farm laws. There was no risk of Covid-19 then. But cometh the festive season, cometh the tyrannical inclinations of the Indian State and the oppressive restrictions that come along with it.

Indian government denies media reports about Tata Sons winning the final bid on Air India

OpIndia Staff
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Indian government denies media reports about Tata Sons winning the final bid on Air India

Hours after Bloomberg Quint reported that the acquisition of national carrier Air India went to Tata Sons, the Indian government has rubbished all such media reports.

The Secretary to the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) stated in a tweet, “Media reports indicating approval of financial bids by Government of India in the AI disinvestment case are incorrect. Media will be informed of the Government’s decision as and when it is taken.”

Screengrab of the tweet by Secretary (DIPAM)

Bloomberg had earlier reported, “Tata Sons is set to take over Air India. A panel of ministers accepted a proposal from bureaucrats, who recommended the conglomerate’s bid ahead of an offer from entrepreneur Ajay Singh. An official announcement is expected in the coming days.”

The Economic Times (ET) had also reported that the Indian government had chosen the winning bid, after judging the offers made by Spicejet founder Ajay Singh and Tata Sons against a ‘minimum reserve price’. The sale involved 100% ownership of the airline, besides a 50% stake in Air India SATS Airport Services Pvt Ltd/Citing sources, ET stated that the government had put the minimum reserve price between ₹15000- ₹20000 crores.

The airline was founded by JRD Tata in 1932 as ‘Tata airline’ and was renamed ‘Air India’ in July 1946. It was in July 1953 that the then-Nehru government took over a majority stake in the airline from Tata Sons. At the time, JRD Tata was extremely anguished by the manner Nehru had nationalised Air India without any dialogue or notice.

‘Can’t be in Congress, did not discuss alliance with BJP or prospect of new party’: Amarinder Singh dispels rumours

OpIndia Staff
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‘Can’t be in Congress, did not discuss alliance with BJP or prospect of new party’: Amarinder Singh dispels rumours

Captain Amarinder Singh, who has dominated the news since stepping down as Punjab Chief Minister, has spoken to the media portal The New Indian, and addressed some of the rumours that have been circulating. The former Punjab CM has said that he had met NSA Ajit Doval to discuss the security situation in Punjab.

“Raised some security concerns about Punjab with NSA Ajit Doval. Informed NSA how we eliminated drone attacks in Punjab in the last few years”, the media platform quoted Captain Amarinder as saying.

Singh had added that he does not trust Navjot Singh Sidhu’s control in Punjab.

After his meeting with NSA Ajit Doval yesterday, September 30, ANI had also quoted him as saying: We discussed security-related issues, can’t share them here”.

Amrinder Singh’s meeting with Ajit Doval is significant given the fact that just a few days ago, he had termed Navjot Singh Sidhu a national security threat. After resigning from the post of CM, Singh had said that he will fight any move to make Sidhu the Punjab CM, terming him as anti-national, dangerous, unstable, incompetent and a security threat to the state and the country.

‘Can’t be in Congress, did not discuss alliance or prospect of new party with HM’: Amarinder Singh

Speaking on his meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah and on speculations of him joining the BJP, Singh told the media platform that he met the HM to discuss the farm bills. “I didn’t hold any talks with any BJP leader or HM who I met in Delhi on prospects of any new party in Punjab or alliance for 2022 polls yet. But I can’t be in Congress, that I have already decided. Thank you to them”, Captain Amarinder Singh was further quoted by The New Indian as saying.

Earlier, we reported how media had been speculating that with only months left for the Punjab assembly elections, Singh may float his new party in the next 15 days. However, with this statement, the former CM of Punjab has, at least for now, put this speculation to rest as well.

Prior to this, Singh had also dispelled rumours of joining the BJP.

Captain resigns as Punjab CM

Amarinder Singh had resigned from the post of chief minister on September 18 saying that he can’t continue with the humiliation he was facing in the party. He had taken the decision after the party had called for a meeting of the Congress legislative party in Punjab without informing the CM, who is also the leader of the legislative party.

Trouble brewing for Congress in Rajasthan as SC issues notices to six former BSP MLAs who had joined Congress

OpIndia Staff
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Trouble brewing for Congress in Rajasthan as SC issues notices to six former BSP MLAs who had joined Congress

The central leadership of the Congress, which is busy dousing fire in Punjab as well as tackling emerging problems in Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand, is likely to face problems in Rajasthan also.

Six former BSP MLAs who had joined the Congress in September 2019 may land in legal trouble as the Supreme Court has issued them notice. The Supreme Court has asked them to file their counter affidavit within four weeks reminding them that it was the last opportunity for them. The court has asked them to reply whether or not their merger was in accordance with the Anti-Defection Law.

This development has come at a time when Sachin Pilot camp is learnt to have started a fresh move against Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot. Four out of six turncoat MLAs have rushed to Delhi.

In September 2019 all six MLAs of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Rajasthan assembly namely Rajendra Singh Gudha ((Udaipurwati), Jogendra Singh Awana (Nadbai), Wajib Ali (Nagar), Lakhan Singh (Karauli), Sandeep Yadav (Tijara) and Deepchand (Kishangarh Bas) had joined the ruling Congress. The BSP MLAs had merged their legislative party with the Congress party. They were apparently promised ministerial berths in Congress government led by chief minister Ashok Gehlot.

The BSP had challenged their merger in Congress. However, the Rajasthan High Court on August 24, 2020 had dismissed a petition of BSP challenging the merger order passed by Rajasthan Assembly Speaker CP Joshi. The BSP had then moved Supreme Court against Rajasthan High Court judgment.

Four out of six MLAs namely Rajendra Singh Gudha, Wajib Ali, Sandeep Yadav and Lakhan Singh are camping in Delhi. However, they said that they are in Delhi to file their response to the Supreme Court notice. But they are clearly unhappy that they were not rewarded in terms of ministerial berths and political appointments. They are miffed that chief minister Ashok Gehlot ignored the support they had extended when deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot had rebelled against him. 

According to reports, they want to meet the Congress high command to convey that may reconsider their support to the Congress government in Rajasthan if the cabinet expansion doesn’t take place with assured ministerial berth for them.

But at this moment they are desperate to save their membership. Sandeep Yadav told the media they want to save their membership as MLA at any cost. And, they are ready to meet Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and even union home minister Amit Shah. He said that they will support whoever save their membership.

Currently, the Gehlot cabinet has 21 ministers and another 9 ministers can be accommodated. Out of 9 vacant berths, the Pilot camp wants 4 berths and some of the Independent supporting the government also have demanded ministerial berth. The party may be able to accommodate a few former BSM MLAs in a future cabinet expansion.

In the house of 200-member where the support of 101 MLAs is required, the Congress party currently has 106 members. This includes these six former BSP MLAs. Other than this, there are 13 Independents, 1 RLD MLA and two from CPM MLAs who support the government.

    

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