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Audit effect? Delhi’s oxygen demand goes from 700 MT for 75k active COVID cases to 582 MT for 83k active cases

OpIndia Staff
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Audit effect? Delhi’s oxygen demand goes from 700 MT for 75k active COVID cases to 582 MT for 83k active cases

Days after caterwauling about the deficit of medical oxygen, the Aam Aadmi Party government led by Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi has today announced, that they have access supply of the same and have offered to give the surplus oxygen to the States who need it. Interestingly, the declaration has come within days of the Supreme Court setting up a panel to carry out an audit of supply, distribution and utilisation of oxygen supply in the national capital.

ANI quoted Delhi’s Deputy CM Manish Sisodia as saying that Delhi’s oxygen need as of May 13 (Thursday) is 582 MT per day. He said that the Delhi government has written to the Centre, saying the surplus oxygen that is being given to it can be supplied to other states.

Sisodia claimed the national capital had a requirement of 700 MT of oxygen when the number of cases was rising but now that the figure is showing a declining trend, the requirement has come down to 582 MT.

On April 18, 2021, Kejriwal government had demanded 700 MT of oxygen.

On that day, Delhi had 74,941 active coronavirus cases. On Thursday, when Kejriwal government has said their oxygen requirement has reduced to 582 MT, active cases in Delhi stands at 82,725.

AAP Govt and its fluctuations over oxygen requirement in Delhi

Interestingly, the AAP government has been contradicting its own stance on the oxygen requirement in the national capital. For all this while, the AAP government led by Arvind Kejriwal had maintained that Delhi needs a daily supply of at least 976 MT of oxygen to emerge out of the crisis in the national capital. The party leadership have been pinning the blame on the central government for not providing them with the required 976 MT of oxygen. But after the city-state was supplied with 730 MT of oxygen, following court orders, the CM started saying that they have enough oxygen to open thousands of new oxygen beds.

And now, ever since the top court, despite strong objection from the AAP government, has appointed a panel to conduct an oxygen audit in the national capital, the Kejriwal government has straight away settled for 582 MT of oxygen per day.

It is pertinent to note here that Solicitor general Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, had stressed in the apex court that Delhi’s demand of 700 MT liquor medical oxygen (LMO) was also way beyond its requirement, which he suggested could be met with 500-600 MT. He had insisted in court that there must be an audit to examine whether there were any snags or pilferage in the distribution of Oxygen in Delhi.

This request was vehemently opposed by the Kejriwal government, which contended that the centre’s allocation of Oxygen to Delhi did not reflect ground realities and was mere paperwork, and if at all an audit was required, it should be of the central government’s arbitrary allocations.

Soon after the centre proposed to carry out an audit, Delhi’s Oxygen demand had magically gone down from 976 MT to 730 MT of oxygen, which now after SC’s go-ahead has further gone down to 582 MT per day.

AAP ministers and associates involved in the black marketing of oxygen

Amidst all this hullabaloo for medical oxygen, a major scam was unearthed in the national capital, wherein several AAP ministers and associates have been involved in the black marketing of medical oxygen and essential medical supplies. 

In fact, today only, the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Delhi pulled up the Delhi Government and Delhi Police in the case of oxygen concentrator hoarding and black-marketing over an incorrect statement made by the officer-in-charge of the case. The court pulled the Delhi Government for making an incorrect remark on the witness statement that did not exist in the case diary. 

Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiren murder case accused Sachin Vaze dismissed from service by Mumbai police

OpIndia Staff
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Antilia bomb scare and Mansukh Hiren murder case accused Sachin Vaze dismissed from service by Mumbai police

The Mumbai police on Tuesday informed that suspended cop Sachin Vaze, who is currently being interrogated by the National Investigation Agency for his links to the Antilia bomb scare case, has been dismissed from service. Vaze is also being investigated for his alleged role in the mysterious death of Thane businessman Mansukh Hiren.

The termination order was issued by Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale, said a spokesperson of the city police. The order has been issued under a provision which deals with dismissal, removal or reduction in rank of a civil employee employed in civil capacities under the Union or a state on certain grounds. 

An SUV laden with explosives was found parked outside the Mumbai residence of Reliance Industries owner Mukesh Ambani on February 25. Vaze who had taken the onus to investigate the case was the first to reach the spot. He had reported discovering gelatin sticks in the parked car and a letter from a terrorist organization which eventually turned out to be fake.

The SUV was owned by Thane-based businessman Mansukh Hiren who was found dead under mysterious circumstances a few days later.

The probe was then handed over to Maharashtra ATS after links between Sachin Vaze and Mansukh Hiren emerged. It may be noted that Vaze was suddenly reinstated to the Mumbai Police Crime Branch after facing a suspension that lasted more than 15 years as he was facing a custodial death case.

Eventually, the case went from the ATS to the NIA who is now carrying out an investigation and has also arrested Vaze’s former colleague at CIU, assistant police inspector Riyazuddin Kazi, former policeman Vinayak Shinde and cricket bookie Naresh Ramniklal Gor in the case. 

It is imperative to note that the NIA has named Vaze as the main accused in both cases.

Vaze in a handwritten statement to the NIA had also accused the former Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh of demanding Rs 2 crore from him to retain him in the police force, adding a new dimension to the case.

A probe is now on to investigate the allegations of corruption leveled against Deshmukh. Earlier on April 24, the CBI had filed a case against the NCP leader for corruption and misuse of power.

Days after the FIR by CBI, the Enforcement Directorate has now filed a case against him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

WB Governor’s decision to visit Assam to meet victims of TMC violence irks Mamata Banerjee, ‘orders’ to ‘refrain from surpassing CM’

OpIndia Staff
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WB Governor’s decision to visit Assam to meet victims of TMC violence irks Mamata Banerjee, ‘orders’ to ‘refrain from surpassing CM’

Displeased with West Bengal Governor, Jagdeep Dhankar’s decision to visit Assam to meet BJP supporters from West Bengal who fled to the neighbouring state due to attacks by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) goons, West Bengal CM and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee has objected to the same.

A day prior to his planned visit, Mamata Banerjee, in a strongly worded letter to Dhankar, advised him to “desist” from undertaking “field trips” and follow the established government protocols.

Mamata wrote to the Governor, drawing his attention to the state home (political) department’s ‘Manual of Protocol & Ceremonials’.

“I find from social media that you are unilaterally proceeding to the district of Coochbehar on 13-5-2021 and, sadly, I find that to be violative of the long-standing norms as evolved over several decades. I, therefore, would expect that you will kindly follow the well-established norms of protocol, as stated above, and desist from abrupt decisions with regard to field visits,” Mamata wrote in her letter to the state governor.

She drew the Governor’s attention to one of her previous letters and asked him to ‘refrain from surpassing her and her ministers’ orders’.

“I had requested and specifically advised you ‘to refrain from surpassing the chief minister and her Council of Ministers and communicating with and dictating to the state officials, in excess of your power under the Constitution and directing them to attend before you’. I find that you are steadily ignoring this advice, solemnly rendered by me to you, and have been communicating with and dictating the state officials. You have also been seeking reports from them directly. I urge you and again request and advise you to refrain from this. I am asking my chief secretary to go by this norm.”

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar tears into Mamata Banerjee rejecting her ‘order’

The West Bengal Governor, in response to her letter, tore into Mamata Banerjee, categorically rejecting her ‘order’.

In his letter to the CM, Dhankar wrote that he is “appalled that a leader of your stature should be even contemplating that in making visits the Governor has to obtain orders of the Government”. Dhankar reminded Mamata of his “constitutional duties” and said that he would all that is expected out of his oath and constitution.

WB Governor’s letter to Mamata Banerjee
WB Governor’s letter to Mamata Banerjee

Condemning the rampant incidents of loot, arson, killings, rape and other horrendous acts against those in opposition to the ruling dispensation, the Governor urged the state CM to revisit her stance and commit herself to the constitution that she by her oath is obligated to uphold and follow.

According to reports, West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankar is scheduled to visit Ranpagli and Srirampur camps in Assam on May 14 where the ‘refugees’ from Bengal are being housed. “Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar will be visiting Ranpagli and Srirampur camps in Assam where due to post-poll retributive violence some people from WB had taken refuge for safety. The Governor will be reaching Ranpagli by BSF helicopter,” stated a tweet posted from the official Twitter handle of Dhankhar.

The Governor is said to be going to Assam on Friday from Cooch Behar in West Bengal. In Cooch Behar, he will visit Mathabhanga, Sitalkuchi, Sikai and Dinhata and meet people affected by post-poll violence.

TMC goons unleash the angst against their BJP karyakartas after the former’s poll victory

Political violence that was unleashed by TMC goons after the declaration of results to the West Bengal Assembly elections forced many BJP karyakartas and supporters to flee the state and take shelter in the neighbouring state of Assam. We reported how TMC thugs looted and vandalised houses of BJP workers, forcing them to leave the state.

BJP leader and the now CM of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma took to Twitter on May 5 to share pictures of several people who were forced to leave the state following purported post-poll violence and come to Assam. In a thread of Tweets, Sarma highlighted the plight of the refugees. Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that hundreds of people from Bengal, along with their family members have fled and reached Assam where they are being put up in shelters by the state government.

In fact, on the same day, Nandigram MLA and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari had also asserted that over a lakh people have already fled Bengal since the post-poll violence erupted in West Bengal from May 2, 2021.

Centre forms four-member fact-finding team to probe post-election violence in West Bengal

After the incidents of post-poll violence in West Bengal, the MHA constituted a four-member fact-finding central team to assess the ground situation in the state and submit its report on post-poll violence in the next 48-72 hours to the Union Home Ministry. The step was taken after repeated reminders to the Mamata Banerjee government to submit a detailed report on the post-poll violence, went unheard.

Coronavirus remains in human penis long after infection, may cause Erectile Dysfunction: US researchers

OpIndia Staff
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Coronavirus remains in human penis long after infection, may cause Erectile Dysfunction: US researchers

On May 7, US researchers published a paper in the World Journal of Men’s Health titled “COVID-19 Endothelial Dysfunction Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction: Histopathological, Immunohistochemical, and Ultrastructural Study of the Human Penis”, in which they demonstrated for the first time that Covid-19 could be present in the tissue of a human penis long after men recover from the infection. They discussed how it can lead to erectile dysfunction.

Ranjith Ramasamy, Eliyahu Kresch, Kajal Khodamoradi and Russell Saltzman et al. Department of Urology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA and other institutes noted that coronavirus infection could result in widespread blood vessel dysfunction or endothelial dysfunction that can lead to or contribute to erectile dysfunction.

Endothelial dysfunction can be defined as a condition in which the linings of small blood vessels fail to perform its functions normally. It results in the damage of the tissues that get blood supply from those vessels.

How the research was conducted?

The research was based on four subjects. The team of researchers found that Covid-19 was present in the penile tissue of 2 men who had been infected. However, it was not present in the 2 men who had no history of the infection. Both men had been infected by the Covid-19 virus for around six to eight months. Those who had the virus showed evidence of endothelial dysfunction, but the men who were free from the virus did not show such signs.

Ranjith Ramasamy, Associate Professor at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, said, “Our research shows that COVID-19 can cause widespread endothelial dysfunction in organ systems beyond the lungs and kidneys. The underlying endothelial dysfunction that happens because COVID-19 can enter the endothelial cells and affect many organs, including the penis.”

He further added that in the pilot study, they found the men who did not complain of erectile dysfunction before getting infection had developed “severe erectile dysfunction” after the onset of the infection.

One of the men had to be hospitalised for Covid-19, while the second subject only had mild symptoms of the infection. The penile tissue was collected from these two men who underwent penile prosthesis surgery for erectile dysfunction. The tissue was also collected from other two men who underwent similar surgery but did not have a history of Covid-19 infection. The researchers analysed the samples for endothelial dysfunction as well as the presence of the virus.

The conclusion of the research

The researchers believe that similar to other complications related to the Covid-19 infection, subsequent endothelial dysfunction might result in erectile dysfunction. In some cases, it could be due to the presence of the virus in penile tissue itself, said the researchers. They came up with two hypotheses. They said, “First, similar to other complications related to COVID-19, ED can be the result of systemic infection resulting in widespread endothelial dysfunction. This is supported by our findings of endothelial dysfunction seen in men with COVID and ED. Second, we can also hypothesise that the worsening of these patient’s ED can be due to the virus’ presence within the cavernosal endothelium itself. This is best supported by our findings with TEM.”

The researchers believe that the patients should be aware of such complications. They said in the paper, “Patients should be aware of the potential complication of post-COVID-19 ED. Any changes observed in erectile function after infection should be followed up with the appropriate specialist for treatment and to help the further investigation into the condition. Future studies are needed to validate the effects of this virus on sexual function.”

Similar researches have been done in the past. In December 2020, Huffpost quoted Judson Brandeis, a urologist in California saying, “ED will become more common in anyone who has a severe COVID infection. COVID can hurt you in many ways, now add erectile dysfunction to the list.” While talking to Healthy Men Today, he said, “Erectile function is highly dependent on pressurized blood flow, which starts at the heart, pulses through the large arteries, and then flows through the small blood vessels. Conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, and smoking cause damage to the inner lining of the blood vessels, which causes ED. So does COVID-19.”

He had further added that as the body has not seen this virus before, it launches a non-specific counter-attack to suppress the virus and hurt itself in the process particularly the endothelium, a delicate layer of cells that lines the blood vessels. This results in erectile dysfunction.

‘Just order Shaheen to attack’: Pakistanis want Imran Khan to use missiles and show off their nuclear power against Israel

OpIndia Staff
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‘Just order Shaheen to attack’: Pakistanis want Imran Khan to use missiles and show off their nuclear power against Israel

Pakistanis are an ambitious lot. As the Hamas and Islamic terrorists continue to attack Israel, Pakistanis are not only standing in solidarity with Palestine but also egging their Prime Minister to show it to the world how Pakistan is a nuclear state.

Pakistani Twitter user upset at not being able to do anything despite being a nuclear power country

On Wednesday, Khan took to Twitter to introduce himself as the Prime Minister of Pakistan and stood in solidarity with Gaza and Palestine while misattributing a quote to American intellectual Noam Chomsky.

Actually, Chomsky in a December 2012 article had attributed the above quote, “You take my water, burn my olive trees, destroy my house, take my job, steal my land, imprison my father, kill my mother, bombard my country, starve us all, humiliate us all, but I am to blame: I shot a rocket back.” to a man in Gaza who had written this on a placard.

However, a Pakistani citizen was irked and questioned Khan on what is the point of being a nuclear power country when the PM is just tweeting.

Pakistanis discussing nuclear attack on Israel

Another Pakistani tried to put sense on how just throwing a nuclear bomb at Israel may not be a good idea. To that, Ahmed Sheikh explained how he does not want Pakistan to use nuclear bomb, but just wants Imran Khan to threaten Israel.

Standing with Muslims first priority

Another Pakistani user asked why should Pakistan get involved in someone else’s’ war. To that, Sheikh said that it is a war of Muslims and standing with Muslims should be their first priority.

Another Pakistani, Bilal questioned the allocation to defence when missiles are not being used currently.

Pakistanis getting excited at using missiles on Israel

Bilal asked Khan, “Do we have these atom bombs and missiles to use as decoration at weddings?” He claimed that Pakistan spends so much money on defence, but today their ‘Qibla-e-Awwal’ (Al-Aqsa mosque) is in hands of ‘others’ and hence Khan should be ashamed.

To that, another Pakistani Twitter user said how the country need not use atom bomb but there are other weapons that can be used to help Palestine terrorists.

Pakistani wanting to use Shaheen on Israel

One Pakistani user demanded that Khan to use Shaheen 3 surface-to-surface missile against Israel. Its effective firing range is 2,500-3,000 kms. Distance from Pakistan’s Lahore to Israel’s Jerusalem is little over 5,000 kms. If fired, the Shaheen 3 missile is likely to fall somewhere in Iran.

Another Pakistani user asked the missile enthusiast to keep patience as if Pakistan shows aggression, Israel will start a world war.

Another Pakistani user was glad that she was not the Prime Minister of Pakistan and Imran Khan is as this is not time to get emotional.

Imran Khan appreciation tweet

The Twitter user said that Khan is thinking about the 22 crore Pakistanis and hence not taking any step emotionally.

“Do something”

Other Pakistani users also egged Khan to not only do condemnation but also to ‘do something’ and show bravery.

Meanwhile, Pakistan is currently struggling with its debt. Pakistan’s external debt increased by USD 3 billion in the six months ended in December 2020. Its total external debt stands at USD 115.7 billion.

Israel-Palestine conflict

Conflict between Israel and Palestine escalated when Palestinian terror unit Hamas fired multiple rockets at Jerusalem, and the Israeli Defense Forces responding back in kind. The main reason behind the current conflict is the Sheikh Jarrah property dispute, a dispute which can lead to the evictions of around 300 Palestinians from the East Jerusalem neighborhood.

Pakistanis, now wants to nuke Israel.

Kerala: Two more priests who had participated in the Church of South India retreat succumb to Covid-19

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala: Two more priests who had participated in the Church of South India retreat succumb to Covid-19

Two more Kerala priests who had participated in the Church of South India (CSI) annual retreat at Munnar in Kerala violating Covid-19 norms succumbed to the deadly Chinese virus on Wednesday.

Bino Kumar, the priest of Ambalakkala Parish in Thiruvananthapuram, and Y Devaprasad, priest of West Mount Church were undergoing treatment at Karakonam Medical College Hospital for the past three weeks.

This takes the fatality tally to four out of around 80 priests who were found to be Covid positive after the mass congregation held last month. Rev Bijumon, 52, the vicar of CSI church at Kazhukode near Vattappara and Rev Shine B Raj, 43, the vicar of CSI church at Punnakkamugal near Thirumala had died last week battling the Covid-19 virus.

The condition of many other priests who are currently undergoing treatment is said to be critical.

Details of the investigation

The news of 450 priests participating in the annual church retreat conducted in Munnar in April amidst the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic came as a shock. 

An investigation is on to probe the matter with the Idukki District Collector on Wednesday handing over the investigation report of the Devikulam sub-collector to the government.

The investigation report stated that the CSI church organised the gathering despite knowing that it was in violation of the Covid norms. The report also recommended stern action against offenders.

The blame game

The annual retreat is an annual conference of priests and community members which was held at the CSI Christ Church in Munnar this year from April 13 to 17 amid the second wave of coronavirus pandemic. 

As per a report, Jacob Mathew, secretary of Church of South India Trust Association and member of the Joint Christian Council, alleged that the directions of the government and council were ignored for organising the retreat.

Annual retreats of Central Kerala diocese and Kochi diocese were also postponed due to an increase in COVID cases. But the CSI South Kerala held the retreat without informing the state government, he alleged.

Refuting the allegations, TT Praveen, secretary of South Kerala Diocese of CSI, claimed that the infection was not spread from the retreat and blamed ‘vested interest’ for spreading ‘negative campaign’. 

He claimed that the retreat was organised as per COVID protocol and also had state government permission. While he admitted that some priests had tested positive for COVID, he maintained that the infection did not spread from the retreat. He claimed that the two priests died because of other illness they were suffering from.

Amidst COVID-19 crisis, Maharashtra govt spends Rs 6 cr in hiring agency to handle Ajit Pawar’s SM accounts, says DGIPR ‘lacks expertise’

OpIndia Staff
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Amidst COVID-19 crisis, Maharashtra govt spends Rs 6 cr in hiring agency to handle Ajit Pawar’s SM accounts, says DGIPR ‘lacks expertise’

At a time when Maharashtra is facing one of the worst crisis in the form of a deadly Covid-19 pandemic, the cash-starved Maharashtra government has earmarked nearly Rs 6 crore for the handling of the social media accounts and to boost the image of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, reports Times of India.

According to the reports, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra on Wednesday promulgated an order for appointing an external agency to handle the social media accounts of Deputy Chief Minister of Ajit Pawar. The Maharashtra government has allocated Rs 5.98 crore for the publicity of Ajit Pawar through the roping of private PR agencies.

The approval from the Uddhav Thackeray government to use taxpayers money to boost the image of Ajit Pawar comes at a time when the Maharashtra Treasury is in bad shape in the wake of the second wave of Covid-19 in the state that has ravaged the state’s finances.

The order signed by the Undersecretary of the general administration RN Musale said that the external agency would handle Ajit Pawar’s Twitter handle and accounts on Facebook, Blogger, YouTube, Instagram. The private agency will also handle the sound cloud, WhatsApp bulletin, Telegram channel and SMS.

DGIPR lacks expertise, external agency to hired for Ajit Pawar’s PR

According to the order issued by the Maharashtra government, the DGIPR lacks professional and technical competence to deal with social media, so it was felt that it would be appropriate if an external agency were hired for the purpose. The external agency will be appointed in consultation with the deputy chief minister’s secretariat and Directorate General of Information and Public Relations.

“It will be the responsibility of the external agency to ensure that key decisions and messages reach the people and that they are able to communicate with the DCM on his Twitter handle, Facebook, Blogger, YouTube, Instagram, sound cloud, WhatsApp and Telegram channel,” the order issued by the Maha Vikas Aghadi government read.

The private PR agency will release decisions taken by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who holds the Finance and Planning Department into the public domain and the meetings held by him with other departments.

The administration has directed that the external agency be selected from a list of agencies that are already on the DGIPR’s panel. It will be the responsibility of the DGIPR to ensure that messages on social media are flawless, the order stated. According to the government notification, it will be the responsibility of the DGIPR to make sure that there is no duplication of information released by the chief minister’s office and Dy CM’s office.

Last year in July, amidst the deadly pandemic, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had appointed an external agency for handling its social media account.

Meanwhile, a senior bureaucrat has questioned the appointment of an external agency for the image makeover of Ajit Pawar. “We have a full-fledged DGIPR with a total staff of nearly 1,200 and an annual budget of Rs 150 crore. Then why do we need an external agency for the promotion of the deputy CM?” the bureaucrat asked.

‘Israel has right to defend itself when thousands of rockets are fired at it: Here is what US President Joe Biden said

OpIndia Staff
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‘Israel has right to defend itself when thousands of rockets are fired at it: Here is what US President Joe Biden said

On May 12, the President of the United States (USA), Joe Biden, said that Israel has the right to defend itself when thousands of rockets are fired at its territory. He answered to one of the reporters who asked him about his views on the ongoing escalation in Israel. Biden said that he had a conversation with Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu and expected violence would end sooner than later.

He said, “My national security staff and Defense staff has been in constant contact with their counterparts in the Middle East — not just with the Israelis, but also with everyone from the Egyptians, to the Saudis, to the Emiratis, et cetera. And I had a conversation with Bibi Netanyahu not too long ago.

Excerpt from Press Briefing. Source: White House

I’ll be putting out a statement very shortly on that. My expectation and hope is that this will be closing down sooner than later. But Israel has a right to defend itself when you have thousands of rockets flying into your territory. But I had a conversation for a while with the Prime Minister of Israel.  And I think that my hope is that we’ll see this coming to a conclusion sooner than later.”

In an official readout of the call between the two readers, it was said, “He condemned the rocket attacks by Hamas and other terrorist groups, including against Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. He conveyed his unwavering support for Israel’s security and for Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself and its people while protecting civilians. He also conveyed the United States’ encouragement of a pathway toward restoring a sustainable calm.”

Readout of Pres Biden and PM Netanyahu. Source: White House

It has been reported that the Biden administration has been working behind the scenes with Egypt to push for the de-escalation in the region. The US States Department has urged all sides to de-escalate. Biden has been criticised repeatedly for de-prioritising the Israel-Palestinian peace agreement and had been urged by the more progressive wings of the Democratic Party to take active participation in the process.

Ex-President Trump had blamed Biden for the tension in Israel

On May 11, former President of the United States, Donald Trump had issued a statement and blamed Biden’s weakness has led to attacks on the US’s allies. He said, “Under Biden, the world is getting more violent and more unstable because Biden’s weakness and lack of support for Israel is leading to new attacks on our allies. America must always stand with Israel and make clear that the Palestinians must end the violence, terror, and rocket attacks, and make clear that the US will always strongly support Israel’s right to defend itself.”

Ongoing tension in Israel

The conflict between Israel and Palestine escalated when Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas fired multiple rockets at Jerusalem, and the Israeli Defense Forces responding in kind. The main reason behind the current conflict was a property dispute at the Sheikh Jarrah that may lead to the evictions of around 300 Palestinians from the East Jerusalem neighbourhood.

Oxford racism row: Hindu students in British universities launch campaign demanding action against Hinduphobic professor Abhijit Sarkar

OpIndia Staff
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Oxford racism row: Hindu students in British universities launch campaign demanding action against Hinduphobic professor Abhijit Sarkar

Hindu students at various British Universities have launched a campaign against the controversial Hinduphobic faculty Abhijit Sarkar over his bigoted and derogatory comments targeting Hindus and their traditions.

Dr Abhijit Sarkar, the Oxford faculty member, had led the Hinduphobic campaign against Rashmi Sawant, the first female Indian student to be elected as President of the Oxford University Student’s Union. The hate campaign and targeted online abuse resulted in the resignation of Samant from the Student’s Union. The Oxford professor later found himself embroiled in controversy after several of his old misogynistic and vile tweets resurfaced on the internet.

Following Sarkar’s Hinduphobic rants and sexist comments targeting Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut, a massive campaign was launched demanding the Oxford University to investigate Abhijit Sarkar’s nasty demeanour on social media and suspend him till the investigations are done. However, Oxford University failed to take any action against the Hinduphobic professor.

Continuing to demand action against Dr Abhijit Sarkar, the Hindu students of various British universities have now demanded strict action against the Hinduphobic professor and have also launched a campaign to express solidarity with Hindu voices on British campuses.

The Hindu students have said that the bigoted statements put out by Sarkar have compromised a safe space for Hindu students on Oxford university campuses. The Hindu students have asked the staff and students of New College of the Oxford University whether Sarkar upheld the values of the prestigious college by making such bigoted comments against Hindus.

“We are proud to stand with the Hindu voices on campus who are raising awareness and urging Oxford to investigate. A diverse coalition of Hindus are standing together today,” said the student-activist group Hindus on Campus. The ‘Hindus on Campus’ is a student-led movement that strives for creating a safe space for diaspora Hindus to share their experiences with anti-Hindu bigotry and standing together against racism.

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa writes letter to Oxford University

Last week, Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa wrote a letter to Liesl Elder, a senior official at Oxford University, in order to draw attention to the harassment suffered by Rashmi Samant. Condemning the vitriolic attack on Rashmi Samant by the varsity’s faculty member Dr Abhijit Sarkar, the Karnataka CM had said that such systematic targeting of Indian overseas students was a matter of grave concern and as Chief Minister, it made him worried.

In his letter, Yediyurappa had said that Dr Abhijit Sarkar had stalked Rashmi Samant and attacked her and her family for their Hindu faith. He also said that the attacks on her were “highly objectionable and discriminatory”. He also accused Sarkar of defaming coastal Karnataka by calling it Islamophobic.

He urged the University to ensure the safety of Rashmi Samant and her family and take expeditious and stringent action against people harassing her.

The Oxford racism row

Rashmi Samant was hounded by leftists and anti-Hindu propagandists after becoming the first female Indian elect of Oxford University Student’s Union on February 11. She was forced to resign within days after being abused, bullied and targeted for being a Hindu and over her views against British colonisation.

In a coordinated attack, her old social media posts were dredged up, accusing her of being racist, anti-semitic, Islamophobic, transphobic over trivial comments. Besides this, Rashmi was also targeted for being a Hindu. One of the faculty members in Oxford – Dr Abhijit Sarkar had even dragged Rashmi’s parents into the controversy, attacking them for having a Lord Shri Ram display picture on their social media accounts while claiming that Rashmi’s student council elections were funded by Prime Minister Modi.

He had even accused Rashmi of being Islamophobic by alleging that she came from coastal Karnataka, which the faculty member termed as “a bastion of Islamophobic far-right forces”. Following the controversy, netizens from across the world had demanded the dismissal of Hinduphobic faculty AbhijitSarkar and had trended hashtag #DismissAbhijitSarkar on Twitter.

Oxygen concentrator black marketing: Delhi court pulls up Govt and Police, grants bail to accused from Matrix cellular

OpIndia Staff
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Oxygen concentrator black marketing: Delhi court pulls up Govt and Police, grants bail to accused from Matrix cellular

On May 12, the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Delhi pulled up the Delhi Government and Delhi Police in the case of oxygen concentrator hoarding and black-marketing over an incorrect statement made by the officer-in-charge of the case. The court was hearing a plea submitted by Gourav Khanna, the chief executive officer (CEO), Gaurav, business head, Sathish Sethi, manager, and Vikrant, sales executive at Matrix Cellular. The court granted bail to all four accused.

The public prosecutor informed the Saket court that the accused had cheated the government as he failed to disclose the MRP for imports in “violation of orders passed last year”. Questioning the nature of the offence, the Magistrate asked if the same model was sold at a higher price, it could be said that the seller has hiked the price. “But if they say the model is out of stock and you buy a different model, how is that wrong? Where is the statement?” the Magistrate asked the investigating officer.

According to the Police, Matrix Cellular received a consignment from China that contained 650 oxygen concentrators. The Police recovered 524 concentrators from the company. They were selling them at the price of Rs.70,000 apiece. It was alleged that Gaga Duggal, owner of Matrix Cellular who lives in London, helped his friend Navneet Kalra to import oxygen concentrations and sell them at triple the actual price.

Statement of complainant missing from case diary

While answering the Magistrate, the investigating officer admitted that the statement of the complainant was missing from the case diary. The admission irked the Magistrate, who said, “You don’t know what the proceedings are. I have called for the case diary. Am I not entitled to see the case?”

The court pulled the Delhi Government for making an incorrect remark on the witness statement that did not exist in the case diary. He said, “Is doing business in this country an offence? You say we won’t impose lockdown, so businesses are not affected. Now, these people have imported. There are no allegations of tax or customs duty evasion.”

The court further said that as per the documents submitted before him, the company had made all the payments, and the tax department was informed about it. He said, “The officer has not yet been able to negate the story that they imported something and paid Customs duty. All payments have been accounted for, IGST, SGST has been paid. If the government is accepting, the tax department has the information. Nothing was concealed.”

The court further questioned why the state did not invoke necessary act to prevent hoarding and black-marketing. The court said, “The court is unable to comprehend as to why the provisions of Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of the Essential Commodities Act, 1980 are not being invoked by the state, if the state wants to stop black marketing.”

Navneet Kalra’s bail plea order reserved

On the other hand, additional sessions judge Sandeep Garg had reserved the order on the pre-arrest bail plea by Navneet Kalra. He will announce the order on Thursday after hearing the arguments of the defence and the prosecution. Atul Srivastava, the Public prosecutor, informed the court that the Police need to interrogate Kalra in Police custody, and bail should not be granted to such an influential person. “His intention was to cheat the public at large and wrongfully gain. Had Delhi Police not busted the racket, many people would have been cheated,” he said.

Vikas Pahwa, Kalra’s advocate, argued that as there was no ceiling price fixed by the government, how his client could be accused of selling the concentrators at a higher price. “There is no MRP fixed by the government to date. How will you decide if the prices are exorbitant?” he asked the court.

“There is a request from the ministry to this company that we want 100 concentrators. What happened suddenly,” asked the court. The Magistrate added that if private companies are overcharging and misusing the shortage of resources in the market, it is the government’s job to control it.

‘You are arresting people to appease the high court’

The Magistrate, while pulling the government, said that the arrests were made to appease the High Court. He said, “You can’t just arrest people because we want to appease the high court. You promulgated the order on May 7 that you can’t sell over MRP. This FIR is of May 5. On that date, there was no crime. There were no regulations.”

The court further added that the government is trying to hide its failures. “Just to hide your failure, you are showing that we are arresting people. You’re creating a terror of punishment. That’s not the government’s job. When there is no law, you create the law first,” said the court.

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