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Transgenders to enjoy reservations soon? Govt likely to categorise the ‘third gender’ as OBCs

OpIndia Staff
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Transgenders to enjoy reservations soon? Govt likely to categorise the ‘third gender’ as OBCs

The transgender community in India will soon be able to enjoy the benefit of reservations in the country. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has moved a Cabinet note for their inclusion in the OBC category, The Economic Times has reported.

The report cited sources saying that an amendment has been moved to include transgenders in the OBC category, thereby making them eligible for the 27% reservation in educational institutions and government jobs that is available to OBCs. Currently, 25 castes are also awaiting inclusion in the central OBC list.

The inclusion will require the assent of the Parliament. The report quotes one unnamed senior government official as saying, “The inclusion will need parliamentary approval. After the Cabinet nod, the government will move an amendment to the presidential order, which will then go to Parliament. After this the inclusions will be done.”

The Supreme Court had paved the path for transgender reservations after recognising them as the “third gender” in the National Legal Services Authority vs Union of India case, who should receive benefits of reservations in educational institutions and jobs.

The Supreme Court judgment had instructed Central and state governments to treat the transgender community “as socially and educationally backward classes of citizens and extend all kinds of reservation in admission to educational institutions and in public appointments”. “It is the right of every human being to choose their gender,” the Court said.

There has been speculation since last year itself about the possible inclusion of transgenders in the OBC category. In November, The ET had reported that the education ministry was exploring ways to award them reservations in higher educational institutions.

Gujarat: Uncertainty clouds Munawar Faruqui’s Surat show as event organisers pull out, Bajrang Dal had warned of disruption

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat: Uncertainty clouds Munawar Faruqui’s Surat show as event organisers pull out, Bajrang Dal had warned of disruption

Days after Hindu organisations Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad protested against ‘comedy’ show by Munawar Faruqui the event organisers 2Jokers Entertainment has pulled out of the event. Bajrang Dal’s Rahul Sharma has confirmed that the show in Surat has been cancelled as the event management company run by one Parth Brahmbhatt has pulled out of the show. He said that Brahmbhatt is in talks with Bookmyshow, the ticketing platform, to get the show delisted as the ‘comedy’ show will no longer be held.

Earlier, Parth Brahmbhatt had refused to cancel the show and urged Bajrang Dal to take the legal route in case they want to get the show cancelled. Brahmbhatt had also said that Faruqui got ‘clean chit’ on the allegations of making anti-Hindu jokes during a comedy show and hence he (Brahmbhatt) would not back off from organising the show. However, after the Hindu groups insisted that they will take the tickets themselves and sit in audience to have their ‘own show’ by reciting Hanuman Chalisa throughout, Brahmbhatt seems to have decided to pull out of organising the show.

It is not yet clear whether the shows in Vadodara and Ahmedabad will go on as usual or they too will be cancelled. OpIndia tried to reach out to Parth Brahmbhatt, but was unable to get through. At the time of this report, Bookmyshow has not yet pulled down the upcoming show.

Earlier last week, members of Bajrang Dal in Surat issued a warning to the organisers of an upcoming show in the city featuring ‘Comedian’ Munawar Faruqui. Some of the ‘comedy clips’ of Faruqui have been allegedly insulting to the Hindu victims of the Godhra riots of 2002. He had also peddled conspiracy theories of RSS involvement in the Gujarat carnage and mocking Hindu deities in name of comedy.

Munawar Faruqui on 2002 Godhra Carnage and Amit Shah

In a video uploaded on YouTube in March 2020, Munawar Faruqui mocked the 2002 Godhra carnage where 58 Hindus returning from Ayodhya were burnt alive by a Muslim mob. In a part of the clip that had gone viral on social media, one can hear him refer to the carnage as a fictional film ‘directed’ by Amit Shah and ‘produced’ by RSS. He has also been accused of hurting the religious sentiments of Hindus through his ‘comedy’ shows.

Finance ministry approves capital expenditure projects worth Rs 2,903.80 crore in eight states

OpIndia Staff
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Finance ministry approves capital expenditure projects worth Rs 2,903.80 crore in eight states

Ministry of Finance has approved capital projects worth Rs. 2,903.80 crore covering 8 states under the scheme titled, “Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure for 2021-22”. It also released Rs. 1,393.83 crore to the eight states, which are Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Sikkim and Telangana.

The ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure for 2021-22′ scheme was brought in considering the higher multiplier effect of capital expenditure and provide the much-needed relief and resources after the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure for 2021-22′ scheme is divided into three parts. The first part of the scheme covers the eight North-Eastern states Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura and also includes the hill States of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. Assam, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand were allocated Rs. 400 crores each while the remaining seven North-Eastern states received an allocation of Rs. 200 crores each.

The second part of the scheme deals with those states not included in the first part with an allocation of Rs 7,400 crores which is to be distributed in proportion to the share of central taxes as per the award of the 15th Finance Commission for the year 2021-22.

The third part of this scheme is meant to provide incentives to State Governments and help them in privatization/disinvestment of the State Public Sector Enterprises (SPSEs) and also monetization/recycling of assets. Additional funds will be given to the states under this part of the scheme on “First-come First-served basis” with no state specific allocation. Rs.5,000 crores is allocated under this part.

Last year, the Ministry of Finance had approved ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure for 2020-21′ with capital expenditure proposals of Rs. 11,911.79 crores for 27 states. The released amount was Rs. 11,830.29 crores

Jammu and Kashmir: Former Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Jameel, who has been on the run for 19 years, arrested by police

OpIndia Staff
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Jammu and Kashmir: Former Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Jameel, who has been on the run for 19 years, arrested by police

On Saturday (September 25), the Jammu and Kashmir police arrested a former Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist who has been absconding for the past 19 years. Identified as one Dulla aka Jameel, he was successful in evading arrest for nearly two decades.

As per reports, Jameel was apprehended by the Jammu and Kashmir police from Kundwar Chatroo in Kishtwar. The accused is the son of one Ghulam Bakarwal and hails from Arnas in Reasi district. While speaking about the matter, a police official stated, “On specific information received through reliable sources, a special police raid was constituted. A team led by Chatroo SHO, inspector Sandeep Parihar, arrested the absconder.”

A case has now been registered at the Chatroo police station under Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 435 (mischief) and Arms Act Sections 7/27. Jameel was associated with Hizbul Mujahideen and was wanted in a terror case in 2002. There has been a massive crackdown on terrorists in the past 11 days, with the police arresting a total of 3 such absconders. This included Nazir Ahmad and Naeem Ahmed, nabbed after 12 and 13 years respectively.

Jammu and Kashmir police have arrested several terrorists in the past few weeks who were absconding for several years. On September 17, Jammu and Kashmir Police had arrested another former terrorist named Abdul Gani from Marwah in Kishtwar. Gani too had been evading arrest for the past 20 years. Similarly, on September 15, another former terrorist Nazir Ahmad was arrested after a long search of 12 years. Earlier on July 6, Kishtwar Police had arrested Naeem Ahmed, a resident of Kishtwar’s Tattani, who was wanted in a case filed 13 years ago.

Six government employees with terror links suspended in Jammu and Kashmir

Earlier, the Government of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir headed by Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha had dismissed six employees of the state government for maintaining links with terrorist organizations as well as working as overground workers of terror outfits. The six dismissed personnel included two constables of the Jammu & Kashmir police.

They were identified as Hamid Wani, a teacher from Anantnag, Zafar Hussain Bhat, a constable of Jammu & Kashmir police from Kishtwar, Mohammad Rafi from Kishtwar posted at Road and building department as a junior engineer, Liyakat Ali Kakru a teacher from Baramula, Tarique Mohammad Kohali of Poonch district posted as a ranger in the forest department and Saukat Ahmed Khan, a police constable from Badgam. 

West Bengal: Prashant Kishor registers as voter from Bhabanipur, BJP says Mamata Banerjee in need of votes from “outsiders”

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: Prashant Kishor registers as voter from Bhabanipur, BJP says Mamata Banerjee in need of votes from “outsiders”

The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) came down heavily on political strategist Prashant Kishor after he reportedly enrolled himself as a voter from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s constituency Bhabanipur just ahead of the upcoming bypolls on September 30.

The BJP also took a dig at the ruling party Trinamool Congress (TMC) for being forced to rely on “bohiragotos” or “outsiders” like Prashant Kishor to win the upcoming election. 

Media-in charge of BJP’s West Bengal unit Saptarshi Chowdhury took to Twitter to share Kishor’s voter registration details. “Finally, Prashant Kishor is a registered voter at Bhawanipore. Does the Bengal’s daughter want the vote of the outsider? The people of Bengal want to know,” tweeted Chowdhury. 

Reportedly, Kishor has provided his “care of” address as that of Abhishek Banerjee, West Bengal Chief Minister’s nephew. Allegedly he was accommodated by Abhishek Banerjee during Covid lockdown. He was earlier registered as a voter from Bihar’s Sasaram district which is his native village.

‘Outsider vs Bengali’ rhetorics of Mamata Banerjee

Kishor’s enrollment as a voter especially from the Bhabanipur constituency is being mocked by the opposition after the current chief minister had launched an aggressive campaign against ‘outsiders’ for the state elections.

Calling BJP candidates and leaders as ‘goons from other states’, Banerjee in her election rally had claimed, “BJP ke vote dile apna ke desh theka tariya deba (If you vote for the BJP, then, they will drive you out of the State).”

“Baira thaka goondara aisa bangla ke dhokhol kora nibe, Banglar sanskriti ke dhokhol kore nabe, banglar asthitya dhokhol kore nabe.(Goons from other States will come here and take over Bengal, destroy its culture and identity),” Banerjee had alleged further. 

Prashant Kishor to be sent to Rajya Sabha?

Multiple reports had surfaced in the media claiming that the TMC has plans to send the poll strategist to the Rajya Sabha. Defending the move, TMC leader Saugata Roy was quoted saying that if one wants to contest the Rajya Sabha elections it is necessary to become a voter of that state.

“I see nothing wrong in this. He is an Indian citizen and can become a voter of any state. Secondly, if anyone wants to contest the Rajya Sabha polls, he has to be a voter of that state. I don’t know his plans. He is staying in a house and that’s why he became a voter,” he had said.

However, as per a News18 report, Kishor allegedly had already enrolled himself as a voter of Bhabanipur in March this year. It is said that he had also casted his vote in state assembly polls this year. 

Kishor, who is considered to be a close aide of Mamata Banerjee and her nephew, was also credited for TMC’s win in the state. 

“Vote for TMC even if cyclone comes”

Meanwhile, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Thursday urged people to go out and cast their vote for her in the September 30 Bhabanipur bypoll and not be deterred by the cyclone. 

“My party has the majority. There is no dearth of people who can become the chief minister. But if you want me to continue, bless me with your votes…Even if cyclone or tornado comes, come and cast your vote,” she announced at a rally. 

Singapore’s High Commissioner Simon meets UP CM Yogi Adityanath, hails connectivity and ease of doing business

OpIndia Staff
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Singapore’s High Commissioner Simon meets UP CM Yogi Adityanath, hails connectivity and ease of doing business

Singapore’s High Commissioner to India Simon Wong Wie Kuen on Saturday called upon Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He said that Singapore firms are willing for investment in Uttar Pradesh due to connectivity and ease of doing business in the state.

The meeting took place at the official residence of Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow. Simon was accompanied by deputy high commissioner Alice Cheng.

Later on Simon shared detailed of his interaction with Yogi Adityanath in a Hindi tweet and expressed his satisfaction.

“I was pleased to meet chief minister I told CM that we are impressed with connectivity and ease of doing business in Uttar Pradesh from 2017 onward. We have confidence in the leadership of CM and hope to make further investment in the state. Thank you CM,” the High Commissioner tweeted.

During the meeting the High Commissioner said that he has closely watched how Uttar Pradesh has progressed in the past four years. He said that Singapore would now want to become a partner in the development of Uttar Pradesh and has also identified several sectors for collaboration and investment.

Under the regime of Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh rapidly transformed its business climate and achieved second rank in ‘ease of doing business’ reforms in India. The Yogi Adityanath government developed infrastructure and introduced as many as 21 industry and investment friendly policies. After a successful Uttar Pradesh Investors Summit in 2018, Uttar Pradesh further attracted investment.

Yogi Adityanath said that Uttar Pradesh offers a vast possibility of trade, industries and investment. He informed the High Commissioner that Uttar Pradesh having agriculture based economy is the biggest market of the world. The chief minister added that Uttar Pradesh is number one in terms of production of milk potatoes, sugarcane and fruits and the dairy and food processing have emerged among key sectors where atmosphere is quite conducive. Yogi Adityanath said that people of Uttar Pradesh will be happy if Singapore join hands for development in Uttar Pradesh.

The chief minister informed that Uttar Pradesh has three international airports in Lucknow, Varanasi and Kushinagar. Hence, Singapore and UP can work on a number of sectors.

The High Commissioner said there are good opportunities for Singapore firms to invest in the Defence Industrial Corridor besides there are several other sectors like religious tourism, logistics, infrastructure and likes.

Notably, Defence Industrial Corridors are being developed in Uttar Pradesh in Lucknow, Kanpur, Aligarh, Agra, Jhansi and  Chitrakoot worth Rs 20,000 crore as part of Defence Industrial Corridor in Bundelkhand.

The High Commissioner added that advantage of Singapore being an international hub of air service can be used to attract foreign tourists in Uttar Pradesh.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan claims ex-US President Ronald Reagan compared ‘mujahideens’ to America’s founding fathers, but he’s wrong

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan PM Imran Khan claims ex-US President Ronald Reagan compared ‘mujahideens’ to America’s founding fathers, but he’s wrong

During his virtual address at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday (September 24), Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan claimed that the former US President Ronald Reagan had compared ‘Afghan mujahideen’ with the founding fathers of the United States.

Imran Khan seemingly inadvertently conceded that Pakistan, along with the United States, was responsible for training the radical Islamists in Afghanistan. “Pakistan and the United States trained Mujahideen groups to fight for the liberation of Afghanistan. Amongst those Mujahideen groups was Al-Qaeda, various groups from all over the world. There were Mujahideen, Afghan Mujahideen. These were considered heroes. President Ronald Regan invited them to the White House in 1983. And according to a news item, he compared them to the founding fathers of the United States. They were heroes,” he alleged.

The video of the Pakistani Prime Minister, making false and outrageous claims, at an international forum has gone viral on social media. On Saturday (September 25), Pakistani journalist Gharidah Farooqi dubbed the faux pas as ‘international embarrassment’ and ‘fake news.’ She remarked, “PM Khan refers to a fake “news item” to launch case at such a prestigious forum! Who wrote speech for PM Khan? Fire him.”

What is the truth?

Human rights activist Saleem Javed also pointed out how Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan had quoted an out of context and clipped video to claim that US President Ronald Reagan drew analogies between the Afghan Mujahideen and the founding fathers of the United States. He had also posted the original video clip which was recorded on March 2, 1985. Ronald Reagan had made the remarks during annual conference of the Conservative Political Action Conference.

Contrary to the claims of Imran Khan, the former US President was speaking about overthrowing the Nicaraguan Government by extending support to the rebels. He had announced $14 million in aid for the Nicaraguan rebels and called them equivalent to the founding fathers of the United States, not Afghan Mujahideen. Although Reagan would frequently refer to the Afghan Mujahideen as ‘freedom fighters,’ he did not draw the same conclusion as he did for the Nicarguan rebels.

“I have recently spoken about the freedom fighters of Nicaraguan. You know the truth about them, you know who they’re fighting and why. They are the moral equal of our Founding Fathers and the brave men and women of the French Resistance. We cannot turn away from them. For the struggle here is not right versus left, but right versus wrong,” the former US President had stated.

Screengrab of the New York Times article

The transcript of the former US President’s comments can be found in the archives of The New York Times.

Imran Khan supporters defend him, come up with bizarre theories

Despite debunking the false information peddled by Pakistan’s Head of State, supporters of Imran Khan continued to defend the misinformation and their leader. One Shahid Pervaiz claimed, “IK made those comments in a broader context but here U go some people r master of twisting things in both cases they were freedom fighter backed & funded by USA! In a way U r discriminating calling ‘Nicaraguan Rebels’ as ‘US Founding Fathers’ & Mujahideen as ‘Freedom Fighters’ !”

Screengrab of the tweet

Another Pakistani Twitter user came up with his own theory. He wrote, “He praised them both in the same speech & if anyone had asked him to clarify whether Mujahedeen were as equal to the Nicaraguan rebels in regard to their association with the founding fathers, I have little doubt that he would have responded in the affirmative. Rest is semantics!”

Screengrab of the tweet

Another Imran Khan supporter alleged, “But PM Khan’s broader point–that the US supported the mujahideen–is 100% true. The US viewed them in the same light as Nicaraguan rebels–two groups fighting Communism. Further the comment of “Founding Fathers” was a continued sentence after mentioning Afghan & then Nicaraguan.

Screengrab of the tweet

Earlier, citing a top-level Pakistan official, Reuters reported that the Pakistanis had decided to send security and intelligence officials, including the head of the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, to Afghanistan to help the Taliban reorganise their military. Pakistan intended to help the radical Islamic outfit to re-organise its army and also provide necessary training to the Taliban, largely made up of Pashtun fighters trained in Pakistan madrasas.

Netizens trend “झुक_अंजुम_और_सलामी_दे” demanding journalist Ajit Anjum keeps his promise of 10 salami to Yogi over COVID vaccination

OpIndia Staff
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Netizens trend “झुक_अंजुम_और_सलामी_दे” demanding journalist Ajit Anjum keeps his promise of 10 salami to Yogi over COVID vaccination

As of September 25, Uttar Pradesh has achieved the milestone of administering a total of 10.02 crore doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had announced “Mega Vaccination Drive” or “Vaccine Mahaabhiyan” from July 1, under which the target was to administer nine crore doses by the end of three months. The target has already been achieved before the end of the third month.

Total doses administered in UP by September 25. Source: CoWin Dashboard.

Notably, on July 2, alleged journalist Ajit Anjum had published a video on his YouTube channel in which he had challenged CM Yogi that if the state achieves the target, he will salute CM 10 times.

In the video, he had said, “The UP government has claimed that the Mega Vaccination Drive would start in UP for three months from July 1. Under that mega vaccination drive, ten lakh people will get vaccinated every day. According to that, there is a plan to vaccinate 10 lakh people, i.e. three crore in a month and nine crore people in 3 months.”

Coming to the achievement of the Yogi government in Uttar Pradesh, the state has achieved the milestone and became the first state to administer ten crore doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Maharashtra, the state at second position in terms of doses administered, is almost two crore doses behind UP. CM Yogi published a tweet about the achievement and said, “Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and tireless efforts of the Uttar Pradesh government, the state has administered over ten crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine. The achievement is dedicated to committed health workers and disciplined citizens. You should also get ‘Vaccine of Victory’…”

As the state has completed the target in the stipulated time frame, people have sought a follow-up video from Ajit Anjum saluting CM Yogi ten times for the achievement. Twitter user Jay shared a snippet of Anjum’s video and said, “Today UP has accomplished the target of 10 crore vaccines, there are still 5 days left in 3 months and according to the average 10 lakh doses per day, 9 crore vaccines should have been administered by the end of three months. Now let’s see Ajit Anjum, Do you have the guts to make a video saluting CM Yogi or not? Will wait Anjum ji.

Quoting Jay, former bureaucrat Sanjay Dixit questioned Anjum and said, “When are you putting a video saluting Yogi? 9 crore doses have been administered and 5 days are left for your challenge!”

Journalist Ashok Shrivastav said, “If he releases a video saluting Yogi ji, then someone should also tell me as I am blocked.”

Twitter user Payal Bbhayana wrote, “Rishtey mein to Yogi Tumhare…” referring to the famous dialogue of the movie Shehenshah.

Some netizens just used image of Yogi Adityanath with the hashtag to send a message in few words.

Hashtags like “सलाम_ठोक_अजीत_अंजुम” and “झुक_अंजुम_और_सलामी_दे” asking Anjum to salute CM Yogi are trending on Twitter.

After the hashtags on Anjum became top trending on Twitter, he responded and claimed that his challenge for the ten salamis was for completing 10 crore doses in just the three month period and not cumulative figure.

He said that since the total doses administered by UP Govt had already crossed 3 crore figure till 30th June 2021, his challenge remains unfulfilled.

He further claimed that had the UP govt managed to administer 9 crore doses in three months (calculating 10 lakh doses per day for three months), he would have given 10 salami the way ‘BJP’ is demanding by trending the hashtag, #झुक_अंजुम_और_सलामी_दे.

Pakistani journalist claims US removed ‘Haqqani Network’ from blacklist after Imran Khan’s speech at UNGA, except, he’s wrong

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistani journalist claims US removed ‘Haqqani Network’ from blacklist after Imran Khan’s speech at UNGA, except, he’s wrong

Raja Faisal, a Pakistani journalist on Sunday claimed in a tweet that the US has removed terrorist organization ‘Haqqani Network’ from the blacklist following Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly.

“A day after the “World must help Taliban” addresser of Pakistan Premier IMRAN KHAN at #UNGA US removes ‘Haqqani Network’ from the blacklist,” tweeted Faisal.

Raja Faisal’s Tweet.

Haqqani Network is an Islamist terror group from Afghanistan and is often considered an ‘offshoot’ of the Taliban, the Islamist group which now governs Afghanistan.

However, that is not true. Here’s the reality.

Pakistan journalist Faisal in his tweet used an old image of Badruddin Haqqani to make claims about the terror organisation removed from the blacklist. As per a Wall Street Journal report, the US Treasury Department in 2013 had announced the delisting of Badruddin Haqqani, an operational leader of the Haqqani Network from the blacklist after he was confirmed dead in August 2012. Haqqani was branded a ‘global terrorist’ by the US State Department in 2011.  

The deceased terrorist was then also pulled down from the list by a United Nations Security Council sanctions committee in the same week.

Badruddin’s death was confirmed by his family. A family member of the terrorist had said that he was killed in a drone strike in Pakistan’s North Wazrisitan in August 2011.

It is imperative to note that the Haqqani Network continues to be on the US State Department’s Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) sanction list. 

At present, the Haqqani Network is a part of Afghanistan’s caretaker government sharing responsibilities with the Taliban. According to the reports, Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan, is currently under the control of nearly 6,000 jihadis of the Haqqani Network led by Khalil al-Rahman Haqqani.

Essentially, Pakistani journalist used a 2012 news about a Haqqani Network terrorist being removed from the blacklist after he was declared dead to claim the Islamist group itself has been removed from the blacklist.

The Haqqani Network

The Haqqani Network, an offshoot of the Taliban, is the Afghan Mujahideen group that emerged in the 1980s to wage ‘Jihad’ against the Soviet troops and later the US-led NATO forces. The network now has become more integrated within the Taliban and coordinates closely with the Islamist outfit.

The Haqqanis hail from southeastern Afghanistan, near the border with Pakistan. The network has been accused of some of the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan, including the 2008 assault on the five-star Serena Hotel in Kabul, the 2012 attack on a US base in Khost, and the 2017 truck bombing near the German Embassy in Kabul that killed 96 people.

The Haqqani Network in association with Al-Qaeda had conducted joint terror training camps in Pakistan’s North Waziristan region after the US invasion. 

According to expert Peter Bergen, the Haqqani Network had also helped Bin Laden to escape Afghanistan when American forces were closing in on him during the Battle of Tora Bora in 2001.

PM Narendra Modi to bring back 157 artefacts and antiquities returned by the United States

OpIndia Staff
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PM Narendra Modi to bring back 157 artefacts and antiquities returned by the United States

Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is on a historic tour to the United States is bringing back home 157 artefacts and antiquities from the United States. According to reports, the artefacts and antiquities were handed over by the United States administration to Prime Minister Modi.

Among the Artefacts & antiquities being returned by the US administration includes an 18th-century sword with the name of Sikh Guru Hargobind Das in Persian.

Source: Sidhant Sibal /Twitter

According to reports, around 71 artefacts among these are cultural while 60 among them are connected to Hinduism, 16 belong to Buddhism and 9 of them connected to Jainism. Most of the items largely belong to the period between 11th & 14th century. However, some are much older, like a copper anthropomorphic object from 2000BC and a terracotta vase from 2nd CE.

The artefacts to be returned include items such as a relief panel of Revanta in sandstone from the 10th CE and 8.5 cm tall exquisite bronze Nataraja from the 12th CE. 

Source:Sidhant Sibal/Twitter
Source: Sidhant Sibal/Twitter

Apart from figurines of Lakshmi Narayana, Buddha, Vishnu, Siva Parvathi, Kankalamurti, Brahmi and Nandikesa etc, the returned objects also include figurines of unnamed deities. The artefacts are made of various kinds of metal, stone and terracotta. The antiques related to Hinduism include Three-headed Brahma, Chariot Driving Surya, Vishnu and his Consorts, Siva as Dakshinamurti, Dancing Ganesha etc, from Buddhism it includes standing Buddha, Boddhisattva Manjushri, Tara, and from Jainism, Jain Tirthankara, Padmasana Tirthankara, Jaina Choubisi etc.

Source:Sidhant Sibal/Twitter
Source:Sidhant Sibal

While returning the historic Indian artefacts, PM Modi & President Biden made a commitment to work towards strengthening their efforts to combat theft, illicit trade & trafficking of cultural objects.

Earlier this year, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism G Kishan Reddy had said that after Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of India in 2014, India successfully repatriated 41 heritage artefacts back to the country which is more than 75% of the total objects returned to date.

According to the written reply to Rajya Sabha, Reddy mentioned that India recovered a total of 54 antiquities from foreign countries till date since 1976, and 41 of them were recovered under PM Modi’s leadership.

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