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Ahead of Diwali, Calcutta HC orders complete ban on firecrackers after ‘activist’ Roshni Ali files PIL seeking blanket ban

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Ahead of Diwali, Calcutta HC orders complete ban on firecrackers after ‘activist’ Roshni Ali files PIL seeking blanket ban

The Calcutta High Court ordered a complete ban on all kinds of firecrackers throughout the state of West Bengal during Diwali/Kali Puja. According to reports, the ban on firecrackers would also apply for all other upcoming festivities in the state including Guru Nanak Jayanti, Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.

Earlier the state government had allowed green crackers for the upcoming celebrations but the court noted, “Keeping in mind the practical realities, we find that there is no mechanism in place to ascertain whether the crackers being sold/burst are only green crackers in compliance with the norms set in place by the relevant certifying body”.

The order further added, “That apart it would be an impossible task by police and law enforcement bodies to inspect classification of firecrackers under which they are sold…Laying the window open for green crackers to be used would positively entail abundant abuse”,

Notably, a PIL ( Public Interest Litigation) was filed by a so-called social worker and ‘environmental activist’ Roshni Ali in the Calcutta High Court, seeking a complete ban on firecrackers due to the existing pandemic situation.

According to reports, the petitioner also cited the 2020 order that had banned firecrackers and stated that Covid situation would worsen in the state if crackers were not banned.

Division bench including Justices Sabyasachi Bhattacharya and Aniruddha Roy passed the order noting the difficulties in establishing that only green crackers as permitted by the Supreme Court are burnt.

Here are Bombay HC’s 14 bail conditions on Aryan Khan: NCB can apply for cancellation of bail even if any one condition is flouted

OpIndia Staff
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Here are Bombay HC’s 14 bail conditions on Aryan Khan: NCB can apply for cancellation of bail even if any one condition is flouted

The Bombay High Court on Friday dictated the conditions of Aryan Khan’s bail, setting 14 conditions that Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan’s son need to strictly comply with.

After three days of the hearing, the Bombay High Court had finally granted bail to Aryan Khan, Munmun Dhamecha and Arbaz Merchant in the cruise ship drug bust case on October 28. While the bail was granted on Thursday evening, Justice Nitin Sambre had said that he would deliver an order setting out the bail conditions today.

Fourteen bail conditions imposed on Aryan Khan

The bail order states that Aryan Khan needs to pay a surety of Rs 1 lakh.

According to the bail conditions, Aryan Khan and two other accused Arbaaz Merchantt and fashion model Munmun Dhamecha are also not allowed to travel out of Greater Mumbai without informing the investigating officer (IO) and should give itinerary of travel to IO.

The accused should not leave the country without permission from a special judge for Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act (NDPS Act) at Greater Mumbai.

Accused shall not indulge in any activity similar to the activities on the basis of which the said CR stands registered against them for offences under the NDPS Act.

He should not try to establish contact with co-accused.

He should surrender his passport before the Special Court immediately.

He should not undertake any action which is prejudicial to the trial/proceedings before the special court.

The accused should not attempt to influence witnesses or tamper with evidence.

They should not make any statement to the media about the case.

They have to attend the office of the Narcotics Control Bureau every Friday between 11 am and 2 pm to mark their presence.

Should attend court on all dates.

Should join the investigation as and when called upon to do so before NCB authorities’.

Should not delay the trial.

NCB could apply for cancellation of bail even if one bail condition is flouted: Bombay HC

The court specified that even if one condition is violated, NCB would be entitled to apply to the special court for cancellation of bail.

Yesterday, Justice NW Sambre of the High Court stated that bail is allowed in the case of the three arrested individuals and the detailed order in the matter will be given later.

Aryan Khan granted bail 25 days after arrest in drug bust case

Aryan Khan, Arbaz and Dhamecha were arrested by NCB on October 3, following a raid on the cruise ship Cordelia in Mumbai by the bureau on October 2. It is after 25 days that Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan and two others (Arbaaz Merchantt, Munmun Dhamecha) were granted bail by the Bombay High Court. Former Advocate General Mukul Rohatgi had appeared for Aryan Khan in Bombay High court.

Aryan, Arbaz and Munmun had moved to the Bombay High Court on October 20 after the NDPS court in Mumbai refused to grant bail.

The NCB had arrested over a dozen people in the cruise ship drug case. NCB had stated in Court that Aryan Khan has international links and has been in contact with drug peddlers.

The Court had noted that no drugs were found on Aryan’s person, though the NCB had stated that he was aware that Arbaz had concealed drugs in his shoes.

Zayn Malik beats up girlfriend’s mother, parts ways with Gigi Hadid: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Zayn Malik beats up girlfriend’s mother, parts ways with Gigi Hadid: Details

Pop sensation Zayn Malik is parting ways with his girlfriend Gigi Hadid after being together for almost six years. According to the reports, the couple had a fallout after Zayn allegedly hit Gigi’s mother, Yolanda Hadid. Zayn later denied having any scuffle with Gigi’s mother but sources cited by multiple news agencies claim Yolanda came close to filing a police complaint against the singer for punching her in the face. 

Malik has “adamantly” denied those allegations and alleged that the singer said in a statement that there was nothing more than an “exchange of harsh words” during an argument over his 1-year-old daughter’s safety and privacy.

“I firmly deny striking Yolanda Hadid, and I decline to provide any further specifics for the sake of my daughter, and I hope that Yolanda will reconsider her false charges and move towards healing these family issues in private,” he told TMZ.

As rumours started doing the rounds, Zayn rushed to social media and published a lengthy response. In the post, the former One Direction star claims that something happened after Yolanda entered his and Gigi’s home while Gigi, 26, was away, but he did not elaborate on what actually transpired in the house that led to his separation with Gigi Hadid. 

“As you all know I am a private person and I very much want to create a safe and private space for my daughter to grow up in. A place where private family matters aren’t thrown on the world stage for all to poke and pick apart. In an effort to protect that space for her I agreed to not contest claims arising from an argument I had with a family member of my partner’s who entered our home while my partner was away several weeks ago,” Zayn said in his statement. 

“This was and still should be a private matter but it seems for now there is divisiveness and despite my efforts to restore us to a peaceful family environment that will allow for me to co-parent my daughter in a manner in which she deserves, this has been “leaked” to the press. I am hopeful though for healing for all involved with the harsh words shared and more importantly, I remain vigilant to protect Khai and give her the privacy she deserves,” he added.

Gigi has so far chosen to maintain silence on the reported altercation. However, a source close to her was reported as saying that the model had requested “privacy” as the family was working its way through the complicated situation. 

“Gigi is only concerned with what is best for Khai. “She requests privacy throughout this period,” her representative said.

While Gigi has remained muted on the controversy, her sister Bella took to Instagram and shared a cryptic message after Zayn issued the statement. Bella shared a picture that spoke of working ‘on yourself’. It read, “I can do nothing for you but work on myself. You can do nothing for me but work on yourself.”

Gigi and Zayn had been in an on and off relationship since 2015. The rumour mill about their romantic link up had kicked up into high gear after they were pictured leaving an American Music Awards after-party together in November 2015. In December of the same year, the couple opened up about their relationship on social media. 

The couple had gone through several highs and troughs before Gigi announced reconciliation with Zayn in February 2020. Later in September, they welcomed their child, a girl they named Khai, whom have jealously guarded from prying media eyes.

Gurugram: Local Muslims want Namaz in public places to end, say prayers are being offered forcibly in front of their shops

OpIndia Staff
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Gurugram: Local Muslims want Namaz in public places to end, say prayers are being offered forcibly in front of their shops

Local Muslims in Gurugram, Haryana want the Namaz in public places to end as they believe it is vitiating the communal atmosphere in the area. Local Muslims in Sector 12 have told Gurugram News that they want things to go back to as they were before when Namaz was not offered in the area.

A shopkeeper in the area, Raees Khan, has said that Namaz is offered in front of his shop which affects business. He said that he has told people to not offer Namaz there but his pleas go unheeded. He further says that Namaz has only been offered there 5 or 6 times, which has caused tensions in the area.

Another shopkeeper, Mahmood Khan, also says the offering of Namaz in the area has created a lot of problems for them. He said that it has affected their business. Mahmood said that he does not know the people who offer Namaz there but only knows Haji Shahzad Khan.

One Mahmood Khan told Hindustan Times, “A group of Muslims has been offering namaz in front of my furniture shop for the past few months. I had requested maulvi in the past not to conduct Friday prayers here, but they ignored my request stating that they were not offering prayer on private land but on government land.” It is not clear if it is the same Mahmood Khan interviewed by Gurugram News but it appears likely.

Another elderly woman said that they have been living there for 40 years and they just want the Namaz to stop. Advocate Kulbhushan Bhardwaj, who has been opposing Namaz in the area, said that he was called there by “Islam Bhai”. Bhardwaj said that he was told by the Muslims there that they had told Shahzad several times to not offer Namaz there.

“Islam Bhai” has passed away four months previously but his sons are now opposing the same. It is being alleged Namaz is being offered forcibly there. Bhardwaj also said that Shahzad goes to all places where Namaz is offered, be it Sector 12, Sector 47 or Sector 40.

Local Muslims and Bhardwaj, both, alleged that Shahzad was behind the entire plot to offer Namaz at the public place in Gurugram. Bhardwaj questioned where is the funding for Shahzad coming from. Haji Shahzad Khan, however, denies the allegations and claimed that he is being targeted.

On the 29th of October, Haryana Police deployed 500 personnel to ensure that Namaz could be offered peacefully at the public places. However, like previous weeks, Hindus protested against the same this Friday as well. The Police have detained dozens of Hindus over the same and the prayers were offered under police protection.

According to a Hindustan Times report, Muslim groups had called Muslims from Nuh and Pataudi for ‘support’. However, it is not clear whether the calls were answered.

‘Working for establishment of Sharia’: France bans ‘anti-Islamophobia’ org as part of its campaign against Islamists

OpIndia Staff
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‘Working for establishment of Sharia’: France bans ‘anti-Islamophobia’ org as part of its campaign against Islamists

France shuts down a supposed anti-Islamophobia organization CRI for spreading “hatred, violence and discrimination”. According to reports, the organization CRI (Co-ordination against Racism and Islamophobia) is accused of provoking violent acts through social networks by the French authorities. In its statement, the Council of Ministers noted that the organization was actively participating in cultivating the suspicions of Islamophobia within the French society.

Speaking against the actions taken by the French government, CRI said, “We are dismayed by the fallacious arguments put forward by the government, and for those who know our actions since our creation in 2008 this despicable attack is in fact only a PR exercise with an electoral aim..” and also added that the association always worked to support victims and had never supported terrorism hatred or violence.

The move by the French government against anti-Islamophobia organizations is part of the French crackdown on radical Islamists after Samuel Paty, a school teacher, was publicly beheaded by radical Islamists last year.

The French government had also ordered the closure of a mosque in Allonnes near Le Mans for harbouring ‘radical Islam’ and ‘legitimising terrorist attacks’. Interior minister Gerald Darmanin had informed that the managers and imams at the mosque allowed actions that run counter to the ‘values of the Republic’.

Interior Minister Darmanin said that the mosque had been shut down for six months and that the bank accounts of the mosque’s administrators were seized.

The mosque faced charges of inciting hatred towards France, Westerners, Christians, and Jews. Darmanin said, “The sermons propagated in this mosque cultivating hatred toward France,” while the administration also noted that besides hatred and discrimination, the mosque promoted “the establishment of sharia” in France.

Assam: Rafiul Hussain poses as Hindu to marry girl, forces conversion to Islam, then abandons her

OpIndia Staff
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Assam: Rafiul Hussain poses as Hindu to marry girl, forces conversion to Islam, then abandons her

A case of alleged grooming jihad (love jihad) has come to the fore in the Sivasagar district of upper Assam where a Hindu girl has approached the Sivasagar Sadar police station on Thursday, October 28, with a complaint against a man named Rafiul Hussain. The girl has accused Rafiul Hussain of fraud, forced conversion and torture, reports Organiser. Based on her complaint, the Sivasagar police has registered a case against Hussain and started investigating the matter. 

The girl in her complaint alleged that Rafiul Hussain befriended her on Facebook in the year 2016 by posing as Rajiv Hazarika alias Raj Hazarika. He had shaved off his beard to mask his Muslim identity and instead posed as a Hindu. Gradually, she started meeting Hussain and both fell in love.

The accused, source: Organiser

As per the Organiser report, the duo got married in the year 2017. However, things did not remain the same post marriage. After three months of marriage, the victim discovered that Rajiv aka Raj’s real name is Rafiqul Islam. However, it was too late by then. By then, Rafiul had started physically and mentally tormenting her. He compelled her to convert to Islam and changed her name to ‘Ayesha’. She was also forced to wear a Burkha to conceal her identity.

Subsequently, it was revealed that Rafiul was already married four times before he married the victim.

The victim further told the police that when she started revolting against her husband, Rafiqul abandoned her and went back to live with his previous wives. She added that she is now living alone in Sivasagar town in a rented house. 

The girl further revealed that her paternal family had also abandoned her for marrying a Muslim man without their permission and now Rafiul was also not providing her with the basic expenses. Worried about her future, she approached the police for help.

Divulging details regarding Rafiul Hussain’s modus operandi, the girl said Rafiul Hussain changed his name to Rajiv Hazarika alias Raj Hazarika in 2016 to trap Hindu Assamese girls. He created a fake Facebook account in the name of Rajiv alias Raj to befriend Hindu girls. He even shaved his long beard to give himself a Hindu identity. 

Speaking to media outlet Organiser, the victim revealed that Rafiul is again trying to trap another Hindu girl and that this is one of the reasons for their conflict. She said the Rafiul had threatened her with life if she disclosed his secret to anyone. Narrating her ordeal, she appealed to the Assam government to protect Hindu girls in the state so that impostors like Rafiul Hussain could not ruin any Hindu girl’s life.

The victim appealed to the Assam police to immediately arrest Rafiul and save her and other girls’ lives.

Last week, in another similar case of alleged love jihad, a Muslim man had been arrested in the Hojai district of Assam for marrying a woman by faking his identity pretending to be a Hindu. According to reports, after staying with the woman for some time, the accused named Jasimuddin robbed the woman of her money and jewellery and fled to his home in Hojai District of Assam.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee welcomed to poll-bound Goa with ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans and posters

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee welcomed to poll-bound Goa with ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans and posters

West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee was greeted with ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans and posters in poll-bound Goa on Thursday, October 28. Banerjee was in Goa for her maiden visit after her party declared contesting the 2022 state assembly elections.

When the TMC supremo reached the Goa airport many people present there, allegedly workers of the Bhartiya Janata Party, greeted Banerjee with the ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogan. Besides, many ‘Jai Shri Ram’ posters were also out up across the coastal state.

‘Jai Shri Ram’ poster emerge in Goa ahead of Mamata Banerjee’s visit to the poll-bound state

Reacting to the incident, the former Goa CM and TMC leader in Goa Luizinho Falerio said: “Some BJP supporters were protesting with slogans of Jai Shree Ram. Mamata Banerjee gestured a namaskar to them and we moved on.” “I am a devotee of Ram as well. But it is not our culture to tear down images of a woman,” he said.

The state BJP unit has, however, denied its involvement in the incident. “We are certainly not involved in the hoardings issue,” a BJP worker was quoted by local media as saying.

Mamata Banerjee and her aversion towards the ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogan

In January 2021, Mamata Banerjee was seen walking out of the stage refusing to address the public gathered at Kolkata’s Victoria Memorial for Netaji birth anniversary celebrations.

WB CM Mamata Banerjee, who was sharing the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, refused to address the gathering and lamented of “being disrespected” because she could not stand the slogans of Jai Shree Ram, Bharat Mata ki Jai, etc when she was invited to address the event.

Lashing out after hearing ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans, Mamata Banerjee lamented before walking off the stage: “Inviting people and then disrespecting them does not behove the government. This is a government programme, not a political party’s programme”.

In 2019, Mamata Banerjee had taken to social networking site Facebook to let the world know that she will continue to oppose ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans as they are a deliberate attempt ‘to sell hatred ideology’.

In fact, there have been several occasions, where Mamata Banerjee has gone to the extent of slapping and getting people arrested for chanting the slogan. Likewise, her party cadres have gotten so provoked by the slogan that they have retaliated by resorting to violence multiple times in the past.

BJP too has used this situation extensively to their advantage. Before the West Bengal polls, in order to rile Mamata Banerjee, the saffron party had included the ‘Jai Shree Ram’ slogan in its campaign video. The video had snippets of the long-drawn violence inflicted on the common people of the state, with a background score including the slogan.  The video showed various incidents where Mamata Banerjee opposed the Jai Shree Ram slogans.

Posters of WB CM vandalised in Goa

The ‘Jai Shri Ram’ posters had emerged in Goa close on the heels of several hoardings carrying pictures of the Trinamool Congress president being defaced in Goa ahead of her visit. Several TMC hoardings and billboards across Goa were pulled down, destroyed, and Mamata Banerjee’s face on the banners was smeared with ink. The Goa unit of the party has pinned the blame on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

TMC releases political cartoon showing Mamata Banerjee crushing PM and HM with her slippers

While the TMC had attempted to use the issue to launch an attack on the BJP with allegations that have no evidence to back them up, it’s worth remembering that Mamata Banerjee’s party only two days previously released posters wherein TMC not only normalised but also celebrated violence.

The political cartoon showed a woman, clad in a white saree with a blue strip, something which the West Bengal Chief Minister wears, crushing three people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and one civilian under her slipper-wearing foot.

Gurugram: Muslim groups call ‘more people’ from Rohingya infested Nuh for ‘support’, police detain Hindu activists protesting public prayers

OpIndia Staff
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Gurugram: Muslim groups call ‘more people’ from Rohingya infested Nuh for ‘support’, police detain Hindu activists protesting public prayers

The Haryana Police have deployed 500 of its personnel in Gurugram to help Muslims offer Namaz in public places on Friday after Hindu groups have been protesting against the same for weeks. The Commissioner of Police, KK Rao, has said that policemen have been directed to take “strict action” against those protesting against Namaz in public spaces.

Meanwhile, Muslim groups have called more people from Nuh and Pataudi for ‘support’, a report by the Hindustan Times says. It is not clearly, however, whether Muslims from Nuh and Pataudi actually responded to the call. Nuh is in Mewat and reportedly, a large number of Rohingyas have been settled there in the recent past. Mewat has high crime rates and is often referred to as ‘Mini Pakistan’.

The chairman of Muslim Ekta Manch, Haji Shehzad Khan, said, “If they (Hindu groups) shout slogans, we will not sit silent. We don’t want to disturb law and order situation, but if they target us, we will not sit quiet.” He proceeded to add, “We don’t want any confrontation and conflict; we are ready to relocate to another place provided the administration can guarantee peace.”

The Haryana Police has detained several Hindus over the matter on Friday. Hindustan Times journalist Leena Dhandhkar described the protesters as “rightwing Hindus” who were taken to the nearest police station after detaining them to ensure “peaceful prayers”.

The Haryana Police also detained women over the matter.

Namaz was offered under police protection at Sector 12.

Hindus have been protesting vociferously against the matter. They have sung bhajans, raised slogans and demonstrated with placards to protesting against Namaz in public spaces. Residents say that the Namaz creates public nuisance and traffic jams. They also say that most Muslims who offer Namaz there come from far off places.

The Police, however, claims that the specific spots were decided for Namaz after ‘mutual understanding’ between the two communities. “The Namaz spots at public places have been decided by both Hindu and Muslim communities after mutual understanding and this place is one among them. Maintaining communal harmony and peace is our utmost responsibility and we will ensure that,” the Gurugram Police had said through its official Twitter handle in later September.

Despite the claims by the Police, the protests have continued and on the 29th of October, Hindus were detained to ensure that Muslims could offer Namaz in public places.

Popular Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar suffers a massive heart attack, dies at 46

OpIndia Staff
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Popular Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar suffers a massive heart attack, dies at 46

On Friday (October 29), popular Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar passed away in Bengaluru after suffering a massive heart attack, reported Cinema Express. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Vikram Hospital, where he was attended by doctors.

While speaking to ANI, one Dr Rangnath Nayak had earlier informed, “Actor Puneeth Rajkumar (in pic) was admitted after suffering chest pain at 11.30 am. Trying our best to treat him. His condition is serious. Can’t say anything as of now. His condition was bad when brought to the hospital, treatment on in ICU.”

Born on March 17, 1975, Puneeth Rajkumar went on to become one of the highest-paid actors in the Sandalwood industry. He had acted in over 29 films as the lead character. Some of his highly acclaimed films include Appu, Abhi, Ajay, Arasu, Raam, and Anjani Putra. His last film was Yuvarathnaa, which was released earlier in 2021. Puneeth Rajkumar was the son of legendary Kannada actor Rajkumar. Earlier in the day, he had congratulated the entire team of Bhajarangi2 in a tweet.

His untimely death was mourned on social media by his fans and well-wishers. “Extremely sad to know of the passing away of our dear Puneeth Rajkumar. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fans. I request his fans to maintain calm and pray for his Sadgati in this excruciating time for the family. Om Shanti” tweeted cricketer Venkatesh Prasad.

Actress Pooja Hegde wrote, “Cannot believe what I’m hearing ? Life is so unpredictable. Such a big loss for Indian Cinema. Sending out loads of love and light to his family and loved ones in these difficult times. R.I.P Puneeth Rajkumar.”

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj S Bommai had also visited the actor at the hospital.

Weeks after post-poll violence in Bengal, tennis star Leander Paes and actress Nafisa Ali join TMC in Goa

OpIndia Staff
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Weeks after post-poll violence in Bengal, tennis star Leander Paes and actress Nafisa Ali join TMC in Goa

Calling Indian tennis star Leander Paes her younger brother, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed the former sportsman into the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Goa on Friday. 

“We are extremely delighted to share that Shri @Leander joined us today in the presence of our Hon’ble Chairperson @MamataOfficial! Together, we shall ensure that every single person in this nation sees the Dawn of Democracy that we have been waiting for since 2014!” read the Tweet by TMC’s official Twitter handle. 

Banerjee at the event further said, “I am too happy. He is my younger brother. I know him since I was the youth minister and he was very very young.”

The TMC supremo further stated that she will create a system for Goans to ‘manage themselves’ and free them from ‘Dilli ki Dadagiri.’ 

Actress Nafisa Ali joins TMC

Prior to Paes, the TMC welcomed actress Nafisa Ali into the party. To join with Nafisa was Mrinalini Deshprabhu. 

Banerjee is on a three-day tour to strengthen her party’s presence in the coastal state of Goa. She had arrived at the Dabolim airport on Thursday evening where she was received by TMC MP Derek O’Brien and local leaders.

The West Bengal CM is set to hold a press conference followed by a visit to Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa and Bodgeshwar Temple at Mapusa on Saturday. 

However, several posters and hoardings with Banerjee’s face were found vandalised and defaced in the poll-bound state, just ahead of her visit. Several TMC hoardings and billboards across Goa were pulled down, destroyed, and Mamata Banerjee’s face on the banners was smeared with ink.

The party had pinned the blame on the Bhartiya Janta Party. 

Violent streak to continue?

As Banerjee has been talking about upholding democracy in her speeches at Goa, her party early this week had released posters wherein they not only normalised but also celebrated violence.

The political cartoon showed a woman, clad in a white saree with a blue stripe, similar to what the West Bengal Chief Minister wears, crushing three people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and one civilian under her foot.

The image was shared with the text “HATERS BEWARE! SHE IS COMING.”

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