Sweedish cartoonist Lars Vilks who was included in the Al Qaeda’s hit list for making controversial sketches of Prophet Muhammad in 2007 killed in a traffic accident.
Terrible news from Sweden. Lars Vilks was a man, and an artist, of enormous courage. He should never have been in this situation, and if other artists and others across Europe had not been such cowards then he never would have been. https://t.co/kjeE2jTqjB
According to reports, the 75 year old artist Vilks was in a civilian police vehicle that crashed with a truck on its way. Two officers were also killed in the accident that took place in southern Sweden close to the town of Markaryd. Vilks was placed under police protection after he faced death threats over his drawings portraying Prophet Muhammad’s head on the body of a dog.
The police investigating the accident said, “This is a very tragic incident. It is now important to all of us that we do everything we can to investigate what happened and what caused the collision,” also adding, “Initially, there is nothing that points to anyone else being involved.”
A bounty of $100,000 was placed on Vilk’s head by Al-Qaida in 2007 for insulting the Prophet Muhammad.
In 2009, Jihad Jane or Colleen LaRose plotted to kill Lars Vilks. Later a suicide bomb attack was planned at Stockholm in 2010 by the Jihadists to punish Sweden for allowing Lars Vilks to publish his controversial drawings on the Prophet. According to reports, Lars Vilk was the main target of the Islamist terrorists for a long time and was continuously hounded by the Muslim protesters.
Lars Vilks was also included in the Al Qaeda hit list published in the Inspire 2013 edition, Al-Qaeda’s leading English-speaking magazine, with the heading “Wanted, dead or alive for crimes against Islam. The same list that included Charlie Hebdo editor late Stephane Charbonnier.
Source:Sydney Morning herald/Twitter
In 2015, the Copenhagen terrorist attacks happened in Denmark where Vilks was the star speaker at a free-speech event held at a cafe. A film director was killed in the attack and three police officers injured when an Islamist terrorist opened fire before going to a synagogue and killing a volunteer guard.
Unsurprisingly, the news of the Cartoonist’s death was celebrated by Islamist users on social media.
One of the users said, “Saved by the police of the world, can not run away from the police of God” while another user shared a video claiming it to be the video from the accident saying, “This is Lars pig burning video The one who insulted our master Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, with his dirty and ugly drawings.”
Diselamatkan polis dunia, tak boleh lari dari “polis Allah”. Nauzzubillahiminzalik https://t.co/2vlGoNAm00
Stefan Sinteus, head of Swedish southern regional investigation unit, said, “We want to completely exclude any external act targeting the car in which Lars Vilks found himself.” He added, “There is nothing to indicate that, but we want to be certain so we can rule it out.”
‘Protesting’ farmers in Haryana today held BJP MLA Kamal Gupta captive demanding the release of the BKU Haryana chief Gurnam Singh Charuni, who is detained in Uttar Pradesh.
The video of Kamal Gupta being held captive by farmers has gone viral on social media websites. In the video, Gupta can be seen trying to have a conversation with the farmers who gheraoed him.
Farmers have held BJP’s Kamal Gupta captive in Hissar. The farmers are demanding the release of Gurnam Singh Charuni. Gurnam singh has been detained by UP Police. #lakhimpurkhiripic.twitter.com/hT8q5ZuNHk
Kamal Gupta was held captive while he was on his visit to a PWD guesthouse in Hisar. Incidentally, ‘protesting’ farmers had convened for a meeting at the same guesthouse. When they came to know about Gupta’s presence in the guesthouse, they gheraoed him and locked the doors from the outside. The farmers demanded the release of BKU Haryana chief Gunam Singh Charuni’s release in exchange for Gupta’s release.
OpIndia spoke to BJP state general secretary Dr Pawan Saini about the incident. He confirmed that ‘protesting’ farmers had held Kamal Gupta hostage and were demanding Charuni’s liberation in exchange for Gupta’s release. The ‘protesting’ farmers also heckled Gupta and swarmed him to ensure the BJP leader does not escape. Saini said that Gupta’s release could be secured only after the police arrived at the spot and liberated the BJP leader.
Gupta’s captivity was in response to the detention of the BKU Haryana chief Gurnam Singh Charuni UP Police in Meerut on Monday. Charuni, who is also a leader of Samyukta Kisan Morcha, was detained by the police on Monday on his way to Lakhimpur Kheri, the recent flashpoint of clashes between ‘protesting’ farmers and BJP workers, which led to the death of 8 people.
Violence in Lakhimpur Kheri
On October 3, eight people died after BJP workers were attacked by protesting ‘farmers’ at Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh. As per reports, a large group of alleged farmers had gathered in Lakhimpur Kheri to mark their protest against the three Agriculture laws enacted in September last year. Deputy CM was scheduled to visit Lakhimpur Kheri. The protesters went violent and pelted stones at BJP’s convey.
One of the cars allegedly hit the protestors, after which the protestors not only burnt two vehicles but also ambushed the people and reportedly beat one driver to death. Disturbing visuals had emerged of the incident that led to several speculations.CM Yogi promised to take strict action against whoever was behind the incident. A heavy police force was deployed in Lakhimpur Kheri to maintain law and order.
There has been speculation that Varun Gandhi has removed ‘BJP’ from his bio on his Twitter profile after the violence at Lakhimpur Kheri. Zee News claimed that the BJP MP from Pilibhit has removed his party affiliation from his Twitter profile amidst the political slugfest that has erupted.
Source: Zee News
His Twitter account does show that Varun Gandhi does not have ‘BJP’ in his bio. What it does not say, however, is when was BJP removed from it or whether if he mentioned his party affiliation in his bio ever at all.
Source: Twitter
The Pilibhit MP’s comments on social media have led many to believe that there are differences between him and his party over the issue of ‘farmer protests’. In the aftermath of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, he paid “homage” to the farmers who were “martyred” in the incident.
लखीमपुर खीरी की हृदय-विदारक घटना में शहीद हुए किसानों को श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित करता हूँ। इस प्रकरण में उत्तर प्रदेश के मुख्यमंत्री जी से सख्त कार्यवाही करने का निवेदन करता हूँ। pic.twitter.com/e2tE1x4z3T
A few days back, Varun Gandhi had penned a letter to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, informing the latter of the fundamental problems faced by farmers, and expressed hope that the issues will be resolved soon.
किसानों की बुनियादी समस्याओं को इंगित करता मेरा पत्र उत्तर प्रदेश के माननीय मुख्यमंत्री श्री योगी आदित्यनाथ जी के नाम, उम्मीद है कि भूमिपुत्रों की बात ज़रूर सुनी जाएगी; pic.twitter.com/4rw8AduP0y
Nonetheless, there were no indications that he was displeased with his party or that he was mulling quitting the party. Nevertheless, it led to speculations and since he does not have BJP in his Twitter bio, some speculated that he had removed the same after the violence at Lakhimpur Kheri.
Did Varun Gandhi remove ‘BJP’ from his Twitter bio after violence at Lakhimpur Kheri?
There is sufficient evidence to indicate that Varun Gandhi did not remove BJP from his bio recently. When we checked his profile on Internet Archive, we found that there was no BJP in his bio in September 2021.
Screenshot of Varun Gandhi’s Twitter profile from September 5, 2021
Similarly, there was no BJP in his bio in May as well.
Screenshot of Varun Gandhi’s Twitter profile from May 30, 2021
In fact, Internet Archive shows that his Twitter bio was the same in January 2020 as well. And there was no BJP in it.
Screenshot of Varun Gandhi’s Twitter profile from January 2, 2020
Thus, it can be safely concluded that Varun Gandhi has not dropped BJP from his Twitter bio in the aftermath of the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
In a video shared by news agency ANI, Rajasthan police were seen raining batons at farmers protesting outside the District Collectorate office in the Hanumangarh area. The farmers had reportedly gathered outside the District Collectorate’s office to urge the administration to begin the procurement of paddy when they were baton-charged by the Rajasthan police.
#WATCH | Rajasthan: Police baton-charged farmers who were protesting at the District Collectorate office in Hanumangarh demanding to start the procurement of paddy pic.twitter.com/aoHupt5XWl
The farmers and the police are seen in the video standing on opposite sides of an iron gate that leads to the District Collectorate’s office. The agitated farmers tried to open the gate, but the police stood firm on the opposite side, refusing to let them in.
Eventually, the farmers overpower the cops and force open the iron gate, allowing them to enter the property. To disperse the crowd, the cops indiscriminately begin showering lathis on the farmers.
Farmers standing outside the District Collectorate’s office were also being baton-charged by Rajasthan police till the majority of them depart.
However, unconcerned about what is going on in their own backyard, the Congress scions are busy exploiting Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri episode to play vulture politics. While the Rajasthan police at the behest of the Congress government in the state are seen mercilessly raining batons at the farmers, here in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is standing resolute in solidarity with those protesting ‘farmers’ who attacked BJP workers’ convoy leading to the death of at least eight people.
Despite knowing how the unwarranted rage of these so-called farmers in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri led to the death of as many as eight innocent people, the brother-sister duo, particularly Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, has grabbed on the tragedy to gain political brownie points.
A new leaked email conversation between Dr. Anthony Fauci and James LeDuc showed that the US National Institutes of Health funded an institute that trained researchers at the Wuhan lab’s biosafety level four facility, reported The National Pulse. While Fauci is the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), LeDuc is the Director of Galveston National Laboratory (GNL) funded by NIAID.
The relationship between Galveston National Laboratory and the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) is established through a 2017 email conversation between Dr. Anthony Fauci and James LeDuc. The email showed how GNL, funded by NIAID, was directly involved in training Chinese scientists at the Biosafety level four (BSL4) facilities. Importantly, these facilities deal with viruses that are spread through aerosols/can cause deadly diseases in human beings.
Bearing the subject line ‘China BSL4 labs’, the email written by James LeDuc reminded Dr. Anthony Fauci about their earlier correspondence regarding collaboration with the Wuhan lab’s Biosafety level four (BSL4) facilities. He had highlighted how the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (Harbin BSL4), Directors of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Wuhan BSL4), and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (Kunming BSL4), had agreed to visit the Galveston National Laboratory. LeDuc also mentioned the importance of ‘building collaborations’ and opportunities to meet ‘important leaders of China.’
Email correspondence between Dr Fauci and GNL Director
The email read, “In follow up to our brief discussions at the UT meeting regarding collaborations with the new Chinese BSL4 labs, the US National Academy of Sciences will be hosting a meeting here at the GNL Tuesday, 16 Jan to Thursday, 18 Jan 2018 with counterparts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Wuhan BSL4), the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (Kunming BSL4), and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (Harbin BSL4). Each of these labs has been constructed and they are about to begin operations.”
Screengrab of the email bey James LeDuc to Dr. Anthony Fauci, image via The National Pulse
It further read, “The directors of each of these 3 new labs has agreed to come to Galveston, as has George Gao (if his schedule permits) and about 6-8 other accomplished Chinese scientists. The meeting will focus on a balance of science and operations with the goal of building collaborations and ensuring that the new labs are exposed to US best practices in safety and security. I’m wondering if you would be interested in joining us.”
“This is not a “command performance” so no pressure is intended, but it would be a good opportunity for you to meet and interact on a personal and informal basis with these important leaders of China. We expect about 10-12 senior Chinese and a comparable number of senior US scientists from outside UTMB, plus several UTMB folks. I will be hosting a dinner at our home on Tuesday evening to facilitate informal discussions. Let me know if you’re interested and we can work to accommodate your schedule—again, no pressure. Happy to chat if you like,” read the concluding paragraph of the email.
Screengrab of the email by Dr. Anthony Fauci to James LeDuc, image via The National Pulse
Dr Anthony Fauci received the email on the same day and forwarded it to one ‘NIAID OD AM’ with the message, “Let us discuss.” However, on the following day, the NIAID director told James LeDuC that he could not attend the meeting due to conflicts with his existing schedule. “Thanks for the note and the invitation. Unfortunately, that week in January, 2018 is all tied up for me and so I regrettably will not be able to come to Galveston. Thanks for thinking of me. Best regards, Tony,” the email by Dr Gauci read.
Screengrab of the email by Dr. Anthony Fauci to James LeDuc, image via The National Pulse
Wuhan lab’s research on deadly viruses was funded by the US under Anthony Fauci: Book
A new book, which was released last month, claimed that the United States funded the research of WIV on ‘deadly viruses with pandemic potential’. The book titled, ‘What Really Happened in Wuhan: The Cover-Ups, the Conspiracies and the Classified Research’ is authored by award-winning Australian journalist Sharri Markson. Published by Harper Collins, the book delved into a ‘secretive project’ that the US-funded at the Wuhan laboratory in China. Daily Mailreported that the contentious lab was being used to create a database of ‘lethal viruses’.
In March 2018, career diplomat Rick Switzer along alongside US consul-general Jamie Fouss discovered that China had initiated its own version of the Global Virome Project (GVP). The objective of the project was to detect all the viruses with ‘pandemic/epidemic potential’ on planet Earth within 10 years. It was supposed to be a collaborative effort among the international community and not just limited to Chinese scientists. During their visit to WIV, the duo found that the Chinese scientists were conducting experiments with complete disregard to safety practices and no US surveillance.
The Chinese version of ‘GVP’ was being led by virologist Shi Zhengli. In April that year, Rick Switzer sent a cable to the US State Department highlighting how the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Switzer pointed out how the research work included experimentation with Coronaviruses. “NIH was a major funder, along with the National Science Foundation of China, of Sars research by the Wuhan Institute of Virology…In the last year, the institute has also hosted visits from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation, and experts from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston,” the cable read.
According to Daily Mail, the laboratory technicians at the Wuhan Institute of Virology were trained by the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston while National Science Foundation conducted workshops with 40 scientists from China and the United States. Despite the training and funding, only a limited number of US researchers were given access to the facility. The information came to light from one of Switzer’s cable wherein he mentioned how WIV clarified that there would be ‘limited availability of domestic and international scientist
Senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) was pursued into the toilet after a group of protesters heckled her while she was preparing to leave the Arizona State University in Pheonix on Sunday. The protesters accosted the Senator and followed her into the bathroom where she locked herself in a stall and refused to answer their questions.
As she was moving out of a classroom at ASU’s campus in downtown Phoenix, protesters belonging to the Living United for Change in Arizona, or Lucha, waylaid Kyrsten Sinema, asserting her that “we need a ‘build back better’ plan right now,”referring to the $3.5 trillion domestic policy bill that would expand the social safety net.
The incident was captured on mobile phones, the video of which has gone viral on the internet. In the video, Senator Sinema could be seen hurriedly rushing to the restroom as a protester follows her right into the toilet urging her to pass the reconciliation bill that she has held locked in negotiations.
When confronted, Kyrsten Sinema told them she is actually heading out and then walks into a bathroom. One of the protesters follows her into the bathroom while another person stood at the entrance recording the incident.
After the Senator went into the stall and locked herself up, another protester said, “We need solutions and the build back better plan has the solutions that we need.”
“We knocked on doors for you to get you elected. And, just how we got you elected, we can get you out of office if you don’t support what you promised us,” one of the protesters warned after the Senator had denied supporting the bill floated by the Biden administration.
“My name is Blanca. I was brought to the United States when I was three years old. In 2010 both my grandparents got deported because of SB1070. My grandfather passed away two weeks ago and I wasn’t able to go to Mexico because there is no pathway to citizenship,” the activist said.
“This is the opportunity to pass it right now, and we need to hold you accountable to what you promised us that you were going to pass when we knocked on doors for you. It’s not right.”
Later, another female protester comes forward to confront Se. Sinema while she was washing her hands, telling her she is “a survivor of human trafficking”.
Sinema had hit the headlines after she refused to support Biden’s $3.5 trillion bill that aims to expand America’s social safety net. She, along with others, have objected to the bill, demanding that the $3.5 trillion budget for the legislation be trimmed down. However, Biden and his supporters have argued that the bill addresses important initiatives such as addressing climate change and increasing federal social safety-net programs.
Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan, has been remanded to NCB custody till the 7th of October. Arbaz Seth Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha have also been sent to NCB custody along with Aryan.
Cruise ship party case | Mumbai's Esplanade Court sends Aryan Khan, Arbaz Seth Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha to NCB custody till 7th October pic.twitter.com/mU8wP06Jt4
Aryan Khan was represented in the Court by Satish Maneshinde, who said that no substance was recovered from him. Maneshinde also said that if Aryan was permitted to be released on bail, then he will make himself available to assist in the investigation.
The NCB was represented in the Mumbai city court by ASG Anil Singh. Singh said that Aryan had gone to the cruise ship on invitation and there are chats between him and others involving drugs. Therefore, there must be an investigation.
Cruise ship party case | ASG says accused Aryan Khan had gone to the ship on invitation, he was present there among people who've been apprehended with drugs. There are chats between you & others about drugs. So there must be a thorough investigation of all these things, he says.
An India Today report had earlier said that the NCB had recovered drugs from a lens case owned by Aryan. Drugs were also seized from other accused who had them hidden in medicine boxes, shoes and between sanitary pads.
Aryan Khan was booked under four sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS). Other accused arrested in the case are Arbaz Seth Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha. NCB had also arrested 5 others namely, Nupur Satija, Ishmeet Singh Chadha, Mohak Jaiswal, Gomit Chopra and Vikrant Chhokar.
On October 2, NCB raided a rave party that was taking place on a cruise ship. NCB said in a statement that they received a tip about the party around two weeks ago. Initially, no names of the detained persons were revealed. Later, NCB informed in a statement that they had detained and then arrested Shahrukh Khan’s son Aryan on the charges of drug possession. Several raids were conducted across Mumbai in connection to the case.
A video from Chhattisgarh’s Kawardha district has surfaced online where allegedly a Muslim mob can be seen uprooting a saffron coloured flag and tearing it, leading to clashes and stone-pelting.
It is being said that both the groups wanted to install their religious flag at the Chowk which led to a clash. The incident took place on Maa Karma Chowk who is revered for taking care of Hindu God Lord Krishna.
A Hindu flag is always hoisted on the Chowk, however, the Muslim mob installed their religious flag as well. In the video, one person was seen climbing the pole, uprooting the Hindu flag, tearing and insulting it.
See how peacefools thrown the Bhagwa flag on ground & disrespected it… It’s happening in Kawardha, Chhatisgarh…. Govt-Police is also with them..
As per officials, the police had conducted a ”Shanti Samiti” meeting with people on Sunday asking them to remove religious flags from the Chowk in view of upcoming festivals and in order to maintain peace and harmony. “The groups even agreed to the same, however, some youth from both sides reached the site later and created a ruckus,” said the police officer further.
Section 144 imposed
Section 144 of CrPc (Criminal Code Procedure) was imposed later to bring the situation under control. No arrests have been made as yet.
As per a local journalist, the verbal fight soon turned violent followed by stone-pelting. Ajay Thakur, Shoyab Adri, and Durgesh Devangan from the two groups have sustained injuries.
Commenting on the violence, District Collector Ramesh Sharma said, “The police had to use mild force to keep the situation under control and to disperse the frenzied mob. Nobody will be allowed to take law and order into their hands. We have put the situation under control including enforcement of section 144 in the area, all other precautionary measures have been taken.”
“The police will remain deployed in the area till the tension is diffused,” Sharma informed further.
Additionally, the police have been tasked to identify the miscreants using CCTV footage. All schools and colleges have been shut in the area.
Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is looking for ways to enter Uttar Pradesh after the Yogi government barred Congress leaders from visiting the violence-affected farmer protest site of Lakhimpur Kheri.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Gandhi Jayanti announced a clear strategy to make the water of Maa Ganga Ji and other rivers pollution free. Recently interacting with Gram Panchayats and Pani Samitis over the Jal Jeevan Mission of the the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Prime Minister Modi revealed the development of large scale comprehensive infrastructure of water management and irrigation in the country.
देश में पानी के प्रबंधन और सिंचाई के व्यापक इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर के लिए बड़े स्तर पर काम चल रहा है।
पहली बार जल शक्ति मंत्रालय के अंतर्गत पानी से जुड़े अधिकतर विषय लाए गए हैं। मां गंगा जी और अन्य नदियों के पानी को प्रदूषण मुक्त करने के लिए हम स्पष्ट रणनीति के साथ आगे बढ़ रहे हैं। pic.twitter.com/eHxxLqhElQ
Prime Minister Modi said, “Work is going on on a large scale for the comprehensive infrastructure of water management and irrigation in the country. For the first time most of the water related subjects have been brought under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. We are moving ahead with a clear strategy to make the water of Maa Ganga Ji and other rivers pollution free.”
Groundwater management scheme Atal Bhujal Yojana which was launched by PM Modi in 2019 was mentioned as one of the schemes which the government was working on raising the ground water level in seven states.
PM Modi also spoke about the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana meant to attract investments in irrigation system at field level. He said the scheme was extensively focused on improving the pipe irrigation and micro irrigation. More than 13 lakh hectares of land was brought under micro irrigation.
Prime Minister Modi also talked about Mahatma Gandhi and Gram Swaraj and said that he used to say that the real meaning of ‘Gram Swaraj’ was to be full of self-confidence. And that, the Jal Jeevan Mission and the water committees are also a big proof of the commitment of the central government towards Gram Swaraj.
गांधी जी कहते थे कि ग्राम स्वराज का वास्तविक अर्थ आत्मबल से परिपूर्ण होना है।
ग्राम स्वराज को लेकर केंद्र सरकार की प्रतिबद्धता का एक बड़ा प्रमाण जल जीवन मिशन और पानी समितियां भी हैं। pic.twitter.com/aVoMxZcAqg
According to the government website, “Jal Jeevan Mission, is envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households in rural India. The programme will also implement source sustainability measures as mandatory elements, such as recharge and reuse through grey water management, water conservation, rain water harvesting. The Jal Jeevan Mission will be based on a community approach to water and will include extensive Information, Education and communication as a key component of the mission. JJM looks to create a jan andolan for water, thereby making it everyone’s priority.”
According to the dynamic Jal Jeevan Mission dashboard, as on this date, only 43.03% households in rural India have tap water supply. This, after 75 years of Independence.
Jal Jeevan Mission
As can be seen, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and West Bengal are amongst those states where coverage is very low. On the other hand, Goa, Telangana, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu and Haryana have highest coverage of 100% households with tap water. Since the start of this mission, 26.20% of households have received tap water connection. That is over 5 crore households.
The vision of the Jal Jeevan mission is to provide and ensure that every rural household has drinking water supply in adequate quantity on regular and long-term basis at affordable charges and thus lead to improvement in living standards of rural communities.
