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Indian Premier League suspended indefinitely after multiple players test positive for COVID-19

OpIndia Staff
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Indian Premier League suspended indefinitely after multiple players test positive for COVID-19

The Indian Premier League, the glitzy and glamourous cricket tournament has been suspended indefinitely after a Sun Risers Hyderabad player tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of their match against the Mumbai Indians in Delhi. The rising numbers of COVID-19 positive players in the IPL “Bio Bubble” have led to the tournament being suspended indefinitely, mid-way through the season.

The move also comes after Chennai Super Kings’ bowling coach L Balaji tested positive for the virus, which led to the match against the Rajasthan Royals getting postponed. On Monday, the match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore was also postponed after KKR bowlers Sandeep Warrier and Varun Chakravarthy tested positive for the infection.

“The IPL has been suspended for time being. We spoke to everyone from teams, broadcasters, and all those who were involved in it. It was decided to defer the IPL especially looking at the sentiment and current situation in the country. For us players’ health is paramount and BCCI will always keep safety first. We will meet again soon and decide when we can conclude this edition, we will have to see when is the next window available,” said Rajeev Shuka, BCCI Vice President

Reports say that it is possible for the IPL to resume and conclude this season with sports journalists reporting that the IPL will shift to Mumbai, and if cleared, will resume after a week.

“All the office bearers and council members have together decided after talking to all stakeholders including the franchises and broadcasters that for now it should be suspended. After a while, we will take a call when it will be resumed. Yes, few players in Kolkata and Chennai (have tested positive). Not many players affected. All precautions have been taken but still keeping in mind the health of players and support staff we have taken the decision. We will keep an eye on the situation. there’s a possibility for the season to resume if the situation improves,” said BCCI Vice Prez Rajeev Shukla in a statement to CNN-News18

If state, central govt do not take immediate action, Hindus will have to defend themselves: VHP on Bengal violence

OpIndia Staff
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If state, central govt do not take immediate action, Hindus will have to defend themselves: VHP on Bengal violence

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has condemned the violence against BJP workers in West Bengal and demanded immediate action from the state government. In a statement issued by the organization, VHP said that the incidents of violence, arson, and vandalism in the state on the pretext of political differences have not only shamed the nation but damaged the fabric of democracy as well.

Milind Parande, Secretary-General Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), said, “The Hindu community in West Bengal is scarred for life, and the state administration is sitting with its eyes closed.” Reports are coming from every corner in the state that the properties of BJP supporters are being destroyed. Several reports suggested that women were raped but the police have denied the claims. Other reports suggest many BJP workers were lynched to death by TMC goons. Pandey added that TMC goons have been attacking properties belonging to Hindus, but the Police are sitting as mute spectators. “Over a dozen people have lost their lives. Countless houses, shops, temples, colonies, and business establishments have been destroyed in the state,” he added.

Take quick action else Hindus will have to defend themselves

Parande further added in his statement that in the absence of action from the state government, the central government must step up and take strict action against the rioters. “Any inaction from the current government and political leadership is equal to instigating violence. In such case, Hindus have the right to take any action to save themselves, and we will use the right,” he added.

Political violence in West Bengal

Incidents of violence erupted in West Bengal on the day of election results itself, as soon as early trends started to favour TMC in Assembly elections. Since then, the state of WB is burning as TMC goons are walking on the streets attacking those who supported BJP in the elections. Reports suggested over a dozen BJP supporters have lost their lives. Several incidents of mob lynching, assault and rape have been reported from the state while the TMC and its leaders are in denial mode.

PM Modi calls Bengal Governor Dhankhar over post-poll violence, expresses anguish over breakdown of law and order

OpIndia Staff
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PM Modi calls Bengal Governor Dhankhar over post-poll violence, expresses anguish over breakdown of law and order

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and expressed his concerns over the outbreak of political violence in the state. The Governor has said that Narendra Modi has expressed concern over the law and order situation in the state.

The Governor said that he too shared the concerns that vandalism, violence and arson continue unabated in West Bengal. On Monday, the Ministry of Home Affairs had sought a report from the state government on the post-poll violence targeting political opponents that had begun in the state.

Alarmed at the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, Jagdeep Dhankhar, had earlier summoned top police official over incidents of violence being reported from several districts in the state. He had asked the police officials to take urgent action to restore law and order.

Violent swept West Bengal following the declaration of election results in which TMC emerged as the single largest party, winning over 200 seats to retain power in the state. Even the Congress party and the Left Front have accused the TMC of perpetuating political violence against its cadres.

The TMC, however, is in denial mode and blaming the violence on opposition political parties instead.

Congress leaders hail Mamata Banerjee’s victory in Bengal even as their ground workers continue to get attacked by TMC goons

Jinit Jain
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Congress leaders hail Mamata Banerjee’s victory in Bengal even as their ground workers continue to get attacked by TMC goons

Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal today posted a tweet hailing Mamata Banerjee as ‘Jhansi Ki Rani’, even as Congress leaders in the state face the ire of the TMC goons following their party’s victory in the recently concluded assembly elections.

“A courageous grassroots leader, a modern Jhansi Ki Rani, has proven that no matter what the odds, Goliaths can be humbled,” Kapil Sibal tweeted.

Sibal’s tweet lavishing praises on Mamata Banerjee comes at a time when his own party members have been at the receiving end of the violence inflicted by the TMC goons.

Other Congress leaders too could not help themselves from celebrating Mamata Banerjee’s victory in West Bengal even though Congress drew a blank in the state elections and its workers face violence from the supporters of the victorious TMC. Another senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor took to Twitter to herald Mamata Banerjee’s re-election as the decisive win to the “idea of India”.

When the reports started trickling down that Bengal is in the grips of political violence as TMC goons are running amok, indiscriminately attacking their political opponents, Shashi Tharoor posted a tweet acknowledging the issue. However, while doing so, he continued to hold Mamata Banerjee in high regard, alleging that she would not condone the violence and one can “count” on her to take necessary action to stop it.

“The reports of violence by @AITCofficial workers against members& supporters of losing parties in Bengal are disturbing. I am sure this cannot be condoned by @MamataOfficial & count on her to take prompt& decisive action to stop this. The people’s mandate shouldn’t be undermined!” Tharoor tweeted.

Congress workers attacked by TMC goons following the election result declaration

Sourav Prosad, President of NSUI West Bengal, recently posted a tweet alleging that NSUI activists were attacked by the TMC goons following their party’s victory in the state elections. He also shared pictures of vandalism carried out by the TMC goons in the house of an NSUI activist Mir Sahin.

“Political Violence of Mamata Banerjee. Our Chhatra Parishad activists Mir Sahin attacked by TMC goons, they assault & beaten his family very badly (Children to Women), vandalised everything in his home. In which jungle raj we are living under the regime of Mamata Banerjee?” Prosad tweeted.

However, attacks on Congress workers and activists did not deter Kapil Sibal from posting a flattering tweet congratulating Mamata Banerjee on her recent victory. It is also pertinent to note that Congress suffered an embarrassing defeat in the state, winning zero out of the 292 assembly seats.

Bengal engulfed in violence as TMC goons go on a rampage against their political opponents

Soon after the trends hinted a possible TMC sweep, the goons of the ruling dispensation unleashed violence against their political opponents. While the TMC had secured 213 seats, the BJP managed to win 77 constituencies. Multiple incidents of violence inflicted by TMC goons from several places across the state have been reported.

West Bengal is in throes of rampant political violence. Opposition political leaders and their supporters, including Congress workers, are being subjected to attacks and torture following the victory of Mamata Banerjee-led TMC in the recently concluded state assembly polls.

On Sunday (May 2), a BJP worker named Avijit Sarkar took to Facebook to narrate the harrowing tale of violence that he was subjected to by the TMC goons. The video was uploaded just hours before he was lynched to death by the miscreants. “I don’t know how to come live (on Facebook). They hurled bombs right in front of my eyes and vandalised my house and the party office. My only mistake is that I am a BJP worker.,” he recounted. Opindia has learnt that Avijit Sarkar was beaten to death after uploading the two testimonials on Facebook.

On Monday (May 3), News18 journalist Payal Mehta had shared the CCTV footage of another deadly attack unleashed by the TMC goons. In visuals caught on camera, the violent mob attacked the house of a BJP worker on Sunday evening in the Kasba locality of South Kolkata. At about 15 seconds into the video, a Trinamool Congress flag could be spotted. The goons initially tried to kick open the door of the house.

The TMC workers also gheraoed a BJP office in Arambagh and attacked it. The office was vandalised and subsequently burnt to the ground.

Another video of women being mercilessly dragged and beaten by TMC goons had gone viral on the social media yesterday.

The BJP has accused that at least six of its workers and supporters have been killed since Sunday and a few hundred party offices and houses of BJP workers vandalised and ransacked across the state as the counting progressed and trends hinted towards TMC victory. In her defence, Banerjee alleged that BJP was using pictures of old riots to claim that they were attacked.

EXCLUSIVE: Kangana Ranaut speaks after her Twitter suspension – ‘keep the focus on Bengal, my Twitter account doesn’t matter’

OpIndia Staff
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EXCLUSIVE: Kangana Ranaut speaks after her Twitter suspension – ‘keep the focus on Bengal, my Twitter account doesn’t matter’

Bollywood actress and activist Kangana Ranaut has spoken up after US-based microblogging website Twitter suspended her account for violation of terms of service. She has said that this partisan and unfair action by Twitter should not change the focus, and people should continue to demand an end to the violence in West Bengal.

“I want to request everyone keep the focus on Bengal violence and pressurise the government to stop the genocide. Whole focus has gone to the suspension (of my Twitter account). It does not matter I can come via many platforms, let’s not make it about that,” she told OpIndia requesting that her message be relayed to people.

While Twitter claims that her account was suspended for hateful behaviour, Kangana has made it clear that all she was asking for is justice for people in Bengal, who were being killed after Mamata Banerjee’s TMC scored a massive victory in the just-concluded assembly elections.

Though media reports claimed that Kangana’s Twitter account was suspended for a tweet that could be seen as a demand for retributive violence, Kangana told OpIndia that she has not received any communication from Twitter with specifics about her account suspension.

She reiterated that she was not asking for any violence but imposition of President’s rule in Bengal in wake of widespread violence happening in the state, in which many people, mostly BJP supporters have been killed. Even local leaders of parties like the CPM and Congress have claimed that their officers and workers have been attacked by goons supporting Mamata’s Banerjee’s TMC.

Kangana further revealed that her account was suspended within minutes of she putting up a video message where she asked for imposition of President’ rule in Bengal. She also asked why the media is not bothered or why the union government is afraid of imposing President’s rule. In the video, which is embedded below in this article, one can see her in distress and crying:

“When I posted this (the above video), within 15-20 mins, (my Twitter) account was gone,” she revealed, “Also, there are many FIRs against me in Bengal.”

However, she again added that she does not want this issue to be made about her. “Let us not change the narrative from the people who need us now to someone like me, who is privileged enough to come via prime-time shows or best-selling dailies,” she said.

Banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice mints misery of Covid patients, promises cash and oxygen

OpIndia Staff
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Banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice mints misery of Covid patients, promises cash and oxygen

Banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice is minting the misery of the Covid-19 patients in India. It is trying to increase the number of its followers amidst the coronavirus pandemic by promising them cash and oxygen. As per the reports, the officials have called it an “oxygen conspiracy”. SFJ has promised Rs.3000 for the troubled Covid patients in Punjab, UP, Maharashtra and West Bengal. As per officials in Punjab, they have traced over two dozen calls that showed Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, the organization’s head has promised cash for the Covid-19 patients who need oxygen.

Screenshot of a tweet praising SFJ. Several tweets from such newly created accounts flooded the social media

Content of the recorded phone conversation

In the recorded message, it was said, “The pandemic is spread all over Punjab. Today, on the 35th anniversary of Khalistan Declaration Day, Sikh for Justice (SFJ) announces to provide Rs 3,000 to families whose members need oxygen. Visit www.oxy******jab.org and fill in your name and email. If any of your family members need oxygen, SFJ will provide it in 24 hours.”

They have launched multiple websites with a similar form to attract the people of Punjab. The Indian administration has banned both websites. If someone tries to open it, the website page will read, “Access has been denied because this page may contain potentially illegal content.” Punjab Police believes that at least 200-250 calls were made. However, the majority of the calls were cut a couple of seconds into the conversation.

In the form available on the banned website for Covid-19 support by SFJ, the fields include name, patient name, state, date of the Covid test, mobile number, and email address. Security agencies believe that Pannu would use the information collected via this website to show support his organization has in India. SFJ even issued a separate “WhatsApp helpline” for every state.

SFJ asked for name, phone number etc to provide support.

The content of the video

OpIndia got access to the full version of the video that SFJ has uploaded with claims that they would pay Rs 3,000 to Covid patients in the said four states. In the video, Pannu said that India is facing a humanitarian catastrophe and if Indians are helped, they can be saved. He then announced Rs 3000 for the Covid patients in the four states and added that they have to register on the website mentioned in the video to get the money.

Screenshot of SFJ’s video luring Covid-19 patients from Punjab, UP, Maharashtra and West Bengal to join his organization to get money for treatment

He tried to explain the difference between Sikhs and Indians during the announcement, hinting that Sikhs are not Indians. He said the Indians are black marketing oxygen, but Sikhs are coming forward to help in the time of need. He urged the Covid patients to join his organization to collect Rs.3000 for their treatment.

SFJ had called for independence of Maharashtra, West Bengal

In February 2021, Pannu had urged West Bengal and Maharashtra to declare their independence. He claimed that he had written a letter to Chief Ministers Uddhav Thackeray and Mamata Banerjee and “counselled” them to “unilaterally declare” independence of the two states from the Indian Union.

SFJ is a banned organization

Sikhs For Justice was banned by the Indian Government on July 10, 2019, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for anti-India activities. Its founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannu had been designated a terrorist by the Indian government. The organization has announced Referendum 2020, demanding a separate state of Punjab from India. Since its inception, the organization has been trying to lure the youth of Punjab with monetary rewards for instigating war against the Indian government.

Recently, SFJ had announced a cash reward for anyone who hoists the Khalistani flag on Red Fort or India Gate on Republic Day amidst ongoing farmer protests and tractor rally. Following his call, Red Fort was barged by a large group of people, and two flags with Sikh Holy symbol were hoisted.

OpIndia believes SFJ should not get a link back from our website. We have blackened/starred the website addresses and phone numbers on the screenshots of the videos and tweets. 

BJP worker forced to flee West Bengal after TMC thugs vandalised his resort

OpIndia Staff
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BJP worker forced to flee West Bengal after TMC thugs vandalised his resort

Amidst the ongoing violence in West Bengal following the victory of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), it has now come to light that a BJP worker has been forced to leave the State. Reportedly, the BJP worker has been identified as one Ganesh Ghosh.

He was compelled to flee West Bengal along with his family members after the Trinamool Congress goons wrought havoc at his resort. The miscreants attacked Ghosh’s resort in Shakuntala village in Khoai Haat in Shantinektan. The resort is located just 5 minutes away from the Vishwa Bharati University.

Several images have now surfaced on social media, which captures the extent of the damage done to the BJP worker’s property. Visuals show that the glass panes of windows and doors were broken by the miscreants. They had also damaged the furniture and did not spare the glass pane on tables.

Broken pieces of glass can also be seen lying scattered on the floor. Fearing a threat to his life, Ganesh Ghosh was left with no option but to leave the state altogether.

Vandalism by Trinamool Congress goons

Concerns are now being raised about the fate of thousands of BJP workers who now stand vulnerable to violence by TMC supporters and workers.

TMC goons attack BJP workers in West Bengal

On Sunday (May 2), the residence of an active BJP worker named Bishwanath Dhar was attacked by TMC goons. The incident took place in Ghola Mallikpara in Panihati municipality in the North24 Parganas district of West Bengal. Reportedly, the hoodlums first destroyed the CCTV cameras and then began looting the BJP worker’s residence. They broke open the almirah and stole cash and ornaments. On their way out, they also damaged his Maruti car and a Royal Enfield (bullet) bike.

In another incident, a BJP worker was assaulted mercilessly at his own residence allegedly by the workers of the ruling TMC. The incident took place in Kismatdapat village of Trimohini in the South Dinajpur district of West Bengal. Reportedly, TMC goons ambushed the victim’s house and attacked him. The BJP worker sustained head injuries and bled profusely. The miscreants also entered his house and vandalised the property.

On Sunday (May 2), a BJP worker named Avijit Sarkar took to Facebook to narrate the harrowing tale of violence that he was subjected to by the TMC goons. The video was uploaded just hours before he was lynched to death by the miscreants. “I don’t know how to come live (on Facebook). They hurled bombs right in front of my eyes and vandalised my house and the party office. My only mistake is that I am a BJP worker.,” he recounted. He said that the attack took place in Ward no. 30 in the Beleghata neighbourhood in Kolkata under the supervision of TMC leaders Paresh Paul and Swapan Samandar.

Twitter permanently suspends Kangana Ranaut’s account for demanding action against ‘monster’ Mamata Banerjee for Bengal violence

OpIndia Staff
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Twitter permanently suspends Kangana Ranaut’s account for demanding action against ‘monster’ Mamata Banerjee for Bengal violence

Twitter has suspended the account of Bollywood superstar Kangana Ranaut for demanding action against ‘monster’ Mamata Banerjee in the aftermath of massive post poll violence in West Bengal. According to reports, her account has been permanently suspended.

Twitter suspends Kangana Ranaut
Twitter suspends Kangana Ranaut

Kangana Ranaut was responding to a tweet by BJP leader Swapan Dasgupta where he had said that the situation was alarming in Nanoor, Birbhum district. Dasgupta had said that a thousand Hindu families had fled into the fields to escape mobs targeting BJP supporters.

Dasgupta said that molestation and worse of women had been reported. Kangana Ranaut, quoting the tweet, had requested Narendra Modi to show his ‘Virat Roop’ from early 2000s. Her account was suspended for the same. She will not be able to come back on Twitter using that account.

A spate of violence has erupted in West Bengal following the declaration of results on Sunday. Reports of gang-rape of BJP polling agents have also come forward. There have also been reports of Muslim TMC workers thrashing female BJP karyakartas.

The Trinamool Congress, meanwhile, is now in denial mode, completely denying that any of this is happening despite the overwhelming photographs and videos of the incidents surfacing on social media. The West Bengal Police has said that the news of the BJP woman being raped is ‘fake’.

The Congress party and the CPI(M) have also accused TMC of unleashing a spate of violence against their workers as well. The BJP has announced a nationwide dharna on 5th May in response to the brutal attacks against its workers.

Kejriwal announces two months ‘free ration’, two weeks after Central govt already announced it

OpIndia Staff
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Kejriwal announces two months ‘free ration’, two weeks after Central govt already announced it

On Tuesday, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced to hand out ‘free ration’ to all ration card holders in Delhi for a period of two months.”We have decided that all ration card holders in Delhi, around 72 lakhs in number, will be given free ration for the next 2 months,” said Kejriwal.

Interestingly, this announcement comes two weeks after the Central Government had already promised free ration for two months till June.

On April 23, the Central Government had announced that it will provide free food grains under the PM Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana for the months of May and June 2021. Under this plan, 5 kilograms of free food grains would be provided to the beneficiaries which amount to around 80 crore people in the nation.

The Central Government will potentially spend more than Rs 26,000 crores on this initiative which has been put in place keeping in mind the prevailing COVID-19 crisis affecting the country.

We will provide 5-kg additional food grains for free to PDS beneficiaries under the PMGKAY for two months — May and June. This time, we are not providing pulses under this scheme,” Food and Public Distribution Secretary Sudhanshu Pandey had told PTI at the time.

Kejriwal also assured Delhiites that the duration of the scheme is not related to the lockdown measures, and that lockdown measures will not go on for another two months.

“It doesn’t mean that the lockdown will continue for 2 months. It is just being done to help the poor going through financial issues,” the Delhi CM said.

Delhi is now entering it third consecutive week of lockdown measures, with the Delhi Government extending the lockdown for a second time. The National Capital has been under lockdown since April 19.

Veteran journalist Kanchan Gupta loses his father to Covid, family gave up ventilator so others could live

OpIndia Staff
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Veteran journalist Kanchan Gupta loses his father to Covid, family gave up ventilator so others could live

On May 4, Kanchan Gupta, Veteran Journalist and former advisor to Atal Bihari Vajpayee narrated the saddening tale of his father battling Covid-19. While informing about the demise of his father, Gupta narrated how his father was a frontrunner in installing oxygen units in hospitals during his whole working life.

Gupta said that his father spent his working life setting up oxygen units at hospitals. In the 1960s, his work drew the attention of Tatas as well. He subsequently moved to set up oxygen units at Tata Main Hospital and other hospitals.

He added that his father was rarely at home due to his busy work schedule. At that time, the technology was not advanced, and spare parts were often imported by a handful of suppliers. He said, “Those were low technology days. Something like a pressure gauge had to be sourced from a particular shop in Calcutta which imported them. He would go personally to check and buy.”

Kanchan Gupta thanked the doctors and healthcare workers

While remembering his father, Kanchan heartily thanked the ambulance driver who carefully shifted his father to the hospital. He thanked all the doctors, nurses and healthcare workers who tried their best to save him and eased his pain during his last hours. He said, “And my gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff who tried their best, eased his pain, and remained by his side till the end.”

Guptas decided not to use a ventilator

One of the hardest decisions for a family would be to reject ventilator support. Kanchan said that he and his brother decided not to use the ventilator for their father as there was no hope of survival left. Putting him on a ventilator would have blocked the machine that could save someone else’s life. He said, “That machine would have been needlessly blocked. Better a #COVID19 patient with higher chances should get it. Baba would have wanted it that way. My late mother would have approved.”

Last rites will be done as per protocol

He added that they did not burden the already overwhelmed local cremation ground by insisting on last rites before others in the queue. Gupta decided to let municipal authorities book the slot at the electric crematorium and do the needful. He further added that the last rites of his father would be possibly done by a night of May 4 as per the Covid-19 protocols.

Kanchan Gupta is a veteran journalist and former advisor to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He is currently serving as Chairman, Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation, Kolkata, and is a member of the Prime Minister’s Committee on Netaji 125th Anniversary.

Kanchan’s father, with his widowed mother and siblings, had fled to India during 1947-50. While working on a book on the plight of Hindu Bengali refugees from East Pakistan as perceived through Bangla literature, he wrote a tweet thread in which he mentioned that the refugees from East Pakistan were deemed as ‘Permanent Liability’ by Nehru Government that included his family.

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