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Christian group use China threat to oppose anti-conversion law in Arunachal Pradesh, indigenous faiths group demands immediate implementation

OpIndia Staff
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Christian group use China threat to oppose anti-conversion law in Arunachal Pradesh, indigenous faiths group demands immediate implementation

On 6th March, Christians in Arunachal Pradesh protested against a law that would soon be enacted to prohibit conversion. They protested the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA) of 1978 at a rally organized by the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) at Borum, close to the state capital Itanagar. The demonstrators argued that the act would further exacerbate religious differences in the tribal state, as it borders China and has been experiencing peace.

More than two lakh Christians of all denominations congregated at Borum, according to ACF president Tarh Miri. Alleging that the law will hurt Christians in the state and restrict their freedom of religion, ACF has been fighting against the introduction of APFRA. After hearing a plea in September 2024, the Gauhati High Court’s Itanagar Bench directed the government to draft its rules within six months. The appeal called for action against the state’s “failure” to carry out the act.

P.K. Thungon, the state’s first chief minister, passed the law in 1978, but subsequent governments were unable to put it into effect. The ACF has intensified its efforts and advocates the repeal of the act, with the deadline set for this month-end. “The minister conveyed at the meeting that the act cannot be repealed as it has Presidential assent and the government has been directed by court to implement it. However, he assured us that an inclusive committee would be constituted to oversee the issue. He also requested us to call off the 6th March rally, but we will go ahead with it,” Miri earlier claimed after a meeting with Arunachal Pradesh Home and Indigenous Affairs Minister Mama Natung.

Considering the number of the assembly, he stated, repealing the act was challenging and added, “The government is trying to implement it due to pressure from external communal forces.” He further threatened, “If APFRA is not repealed within this month, we will organise a referendum rally. If the act is not repealed, it should be kept dormant like what it was.” James Techi Tara, the secretary general of the ACF, had already issued a warning that the implementation of APFRA would incite hostility and announced, “Changing faith is one’s own choice.”  

“The act is not targeted at any specific faith, according to the Arunachal Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party government. According to Natung, the state administration would discuss the act’s requirements in “consultative meetings with all religious leaders and other stakeholders.” Chief Minister Pema Khandu also responded to the rallies by cautioning the people of the state not to misunderstand the APFRA, whose regulations were being drafted in accordance with the high court’s directive. “The department concerned and the state government are abiding by the court’s directives and the initial draft is being prepared,” he conveyed.

Addressing the ACF delegates, former home minister James Lowangcha Wanglat said, “The revival of the APFRA prompts considerable concerns, particularly in a strategically critical state like Arunachal Pradesh, which sits at the confluence of the India-China-Myanmar borders. As China continues to assert its claims over Arunachal Pradesh, labelling it ‘southern Tibet’, it’s crucial to navigate local dynamics with sensitivity and foresight.”

PD Sona, Education Minister and government spokesperson pointed out, “There is confusion among people over the act, people are making their own narrative. Since there is a court directive, the government will form a committee having our MLAs, a different faith leader led by the home minister and the committee will frame the rules in such a way that there is no prejudice.”

On 17th February, the ACF began a series of agitations against the law by going on an eight-hour hunger fast. The forum’s leaders met with Natung four days later in a “inconclusive” meeting.

Indigenous group supports APFRA

While Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) is opposing the law, the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) is supporting it and has sought its early implementation. They have staged counter rallies in support of the law in parallel to ACF rallies. “The Act aims at protecting and preserving indigenous faith but not against any other religious faith. I have many Christian friends, including in my family, who are not against the act,” said IFCSAP president Dr. Emi Rumi during such a rally last week.

Insisting on immediate implementation of APFRA without any delay, Rumi said, “Chief Minister Pema Khandu need not to worry as most people of the state are in its favour.” As per IFCSAP, APFRA is crucial for preserving indigenous faith and cultural heritage of the state.

What is APFRA

The APFRA forbids religious conversion “by use of force or inducement or by fraudulent means” and punishes “converting or attempting to convert forcefully from one religious faith to another” with a maximum fine of Rs 10,000 or two years in prison. It also requires that every conversion activity be reported to the district’s Deputy Commissioner, and the individual involved in the conversion will be penalized if they don’t adhere to the rule.

The state’s Christian population has grown rapidly since the founding of the region’s first church in 1957, which has sparked discussions about the potential risks to “indigenous religions and cultures.” The percentage of Christians in the state jumped from 0.79% in the 1971 census to 30.26% in the 2011 census.

Although the state’s Christians reject APFRA, the followers of indigenous faiths have extended their support. They also launched a rally and demanded its early adoption. They organized a “Sadbhavna Pad Yatra” at Doimukh to show support for the state government’s decision to enact the act.

Maya Murtem, general secretary of the Indigenous Faiths and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh highlighted, “The act is not against any religion. It applies to us as well. The rules will only be against forceful conversions and allurement. Those who are opposing it are showing that they have the wrong intent. We need it because currently conversions are not being recorded at all and we don’t have any data on it. The law will require each conversion to be reported.”

Pai Dawe, president of the organisation complained, “This act was introduced in 1978 for the welfare of the indigenous tribal society. Despite repeated requests, it has not been implemented yet.” Moreover, Kamjai Taism Secretary of Rangfrah Faith Promotion Society (RFPS) mentioned, “The act is for people of all faiths in Arunachal. It will serve all. This is not at all unconstitutional.” The purpose of the act was to protect indigenous traditional religious customs from interference or influence. However, it was never put into practice.

Many tribes of Arunachal Pradesh practice a wide range of beliefs and rituals, ranging from polytheistic nature worship and ancestor worship to Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism. Over time, the worship of Donyi Polo has become an institutionalized aspect of these practices. The three main communities in the state are Buddhists, Christians and indigenous faith believers.

Moradabad Dalit minor says rapist Salman boasted about being paid for Islamic Jihad, converting Hindu girls, had also force-fed her beef: Read exclusive FIR details

OpIndia Staff
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Moradabad Dalit minor says rapist Salman boasted about being paid for Islamic Jihad, converting Hindu girls, had also force-fed her beef: Read exclusive FIR details

Alarming details have come to light in the case of the gangrape of a 14-year-old Dalit girl in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. The victim’s family had complained against 4 accused persons identified as Salman, Zubair, Rashid and Arif in the case. The police had arrested only the main accused Salman till yesterday on March 6. Today two more accused have been arrested.

In the FIR accessed by OpIndia, the victim has revealed horrifying details of her abuse by the accused and the alleged nexus to convert Hindu girls to Islam. The victim said that the accused Salman told her that he was receiving funding to carry out Islamic Jihad and convert Hindu girls to Islam. “I (Salman) receive huge funding for carrying out Islamic Jihad. You are just a small girl. I have converted so many girls like you to Islam. We (Muslims) will go to Jannat (heaven) for doing this,” the victim said in the FIR quoting the accused.

The victim revealed that all the accused repeatedly sexually exploited her for two months and when she would ask for food, they force-fed her beef. “Whenever I gained consciousness, I used to ask them (the accused) for food. They used to give me buffalo meat or beef to eat. When I refused to eat it, they force-fed me beef and raped me,” the victim stated in the FIR.

The accused also allegedly burned the ‘Om’ tattoo on the victim’s hand with acid. “Salman burnt the Om tattoo on my hand with acid. He also threatened to throw acid on my face,” the victim said.

As per the FIR, after sexually exploiting the victim for two months, accused Salman dropped the victim at Bhojpur, Uttar Pradesh. The victim’s aunt had complained that the minor girl was abducted by the accused while going to a local tailor’s shop on January 2 this year. She was abducted in a vehicle, made unconscious with some medicines and was held captive for several days by the accused. The accused have allegedly threatened the victim’s family to withdraw the case.

An investigation is going on in the case.

Supreme Court declines to stall Dharavi Redevelopment project by Adani, issues notices on UAE-based company’s proposal to increase its offer by 20%

OpIndia Staff
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Supreme Court declines to stall Dharavi Redevelopment project by Adani, issues notices on UAE-based company’s proposal to increase its offer by 20%

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay the Dharavi redevelopment project being undertaken by the Adani Group. The court was hearing a plea by UAE-based Seclink Technologies, which had won the bid originally but lost in re-tendering after the project was modified. Seclink Technologies has challenged the Maharashtra government’s decision to cancel its 2019 bid for the redevelopment of Dharavi slums and issue a fresh tender in 2022 to Adani group.

The apex court declined an oral request for a status quo order on the project.

However, the court issued notices to Maharashtra Government and Adani Properties on the proposal by Seclink to increase its offer by 20%. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar accepted the plea saying that it would increase its offer of ₹7,200 crore by 20 per cent.

The court ordered Seclink to submitted an affidavit in this regard. The court noted that the petitioner has offered to pay a higher amount than highest bidder Adani. Moreover, Seclink said it will agree with all other agreements of the highest bidder, which includes ₹1,000 crore towards lease and ₹2,800 crore toward indemnity amount.

During the hearing, Adani Group’s advocate Mukul Rohatgi told the court that equipment worth hundreds of crores has already been purchased by Adani for the project. Responding to this, the bench ordered to maintain an escrow account for all the payments.

The Bombay High Court in December 2024 had upheld the Maharashtra government’s decision to cancel the Seclink’s 2019 winning bid for the project and issue a fresh tender in 2022. The high court had said that the company’s petition lacked force and hence stands dismissed.

In 2018, Seclink Technologies had emerged as the highest bidder with a ₹7,200 crore offer for the Dharavi slum redevelopment project. However, the state government cancelled this tender, citing various external factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which impacted the financial and economic landscape. Additionally, an extra 45 acres of land became available for the project from the Indian Railways in March 2019, further justifying the reissuance of the tender.

In 2022, a new tender was issued with additional conditions, and Adani Properties secured the project with a ₹5,069 crore bid. Seclink Technologies contested both the cancellation of the 2018 tender and the awarding of the 2022 tender to Adani, alleging a lack of transparency and fairness in the process.

Seclink argued that its ₹7,200 crore offer was higher and more deserving than Adani’s ₹5,069 crore bid, and alleged that the decision to cancel the earlier tender issue a fresh one was biased, violating principles of natural justice.

The state govt has stated that even though Seclink had emerged as winner in the 2018 tender, no formal contract was signed with the company, therefore the company does not have any legal right against cancellation of the tender process. The govt said that the 2018 tender was officially cancelled due to significant changes in tender conditions post the “Bid Due Date.”

The Dharavi redevelopment project aims to transform the 259-hectare slum area in central Mumbai into a modern urban space, providing improved housing and amenities for its residents. The project’s progression is expected to significantly impact the lives of Dharavi’s inhabitants and the city’s landscape.

Youth will now be able to write Central Armed Police Forces examination in all languages in eighth schedule, including Tamil: Amit Shah

ANI
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Youth will now be able to write Central Armed Police Forces examination in all languages in eighth schedule, including Tamil: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared that under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, youth will now be able to write their Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) examination in all languages in the eighth schedule, including Tamil.

He inaugurated various infrastructure and development projects at the 56th Raising Day of CISF in Arakkonam, Ranipet, on Friday. He released the CISF journal ‘Sentinel’ on the occasion.

He reviewed the parade being held at the 56th Raising Day of CISF in Arakkonam.

Amit Shah said, “Till now, there was no place for mother tongue in the CAPF recruitment. PM Narendra Modi decided that our youth will now be able to write their CAPF exam in all languages in the eight list, including Tamil. I want to urge the CM of Tamil Nadu to take steps towards introducing curriculum of medical and engineering courses in the Tamil language as soon as possible.”

He said that through this, not only the mother tongue would be strengthened but also the youth taking exams in Tamil would get equal opportunity.

Amit Shah said, “In the last 56 years, CISF has played a crucial role in the progress of the country and movement of the people. Whether it is industrial development or trade, tourism, or any research centre in the country without CISF, the security of these institutions cannot be imagined. PM Modi has taken the commitment to make India the third-largest economy by 2027 and ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.”

He said that CISF would play an important role in fulfilling these objectives.

“I paid tributes to 127 fallen CISF jawans who laid down their lives in line of duty. 22 jawans were awarded here. 10 jawans got the President police medal. 10 have got gallantry medal. 6 projects have been inaugurated worth 88 crores for the welfare of CISF personnel. In 2019 it was decided to celebrated this event in various parts of the country instead of Delhi,” he further said.

He further said that Tamil Nadu has strengthened the Indian culture.

“Everyday CISF ensures safe movement of at least 1 crore people in the country. Since CISF has taken charge of airports, there are no incidents of any security lapse. The security of the new Parliament is also being handled by CISF. In the Delhi metro, more than 70 lakhs passengers are travelling safely. In marine safety, nearly 250 ports would be ensured security by CISF,” he added.

He further said that in a year, more than 1 lakh youth have been recruited through CAPF.

“In 2024, recruitment has been done in more than 14000 posts. The recruitment is going on for 50,000 youths through CAPF,” he further added.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Amid tumbling financial markets and retaliatory tariffs by affected countries, Trump delays tariffs on Canada and Mexico

OpIndia Staff
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Amid tumbling financial markets and retaliatory tariffs by affected countries, Trump delays tariffs on Canada and Mexico

After tumbling global markets and retaliatory tariffs by affected countries following the announcement of tariffs by the US, President Trump delayed some of the tariffs for Mexico and Canada on Thursday (6th March). The stock market took a hit after Trump’s tariffs took effect on 4th March.

As per reports, the US President signed an executive order to delay 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods covered under the North American Trade Agreement dismissing any links to market turbulence. Trump said that the fresh tariffs have been delayed by a month to ease the concerns of a trade war. The decision to delay the tariffs reportedly came hours after Trump had a discussion with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo and negotiations between Canadian and US officials.

The delay in US tariffs has provided temporary relief to automakers as auto parts cross North American borders multiple times during the production phase. The order announcing a one-month exemption on autos coming through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) reportedly came after the US administration had discussions with three big US automakers- Stellantis, Ford and General Motors. About half of the American products come through the USMCA. Trump justified the delay order as being “much more favourable for our American car manufacturers”.

Canada maintains its initial retaliatory tariffs on US imports

It is being reported that Canada has retained the retaliatory tariffs on the US imports imposed after the announcement of US tariffs on Canadian goods. However, the country has put on hold its next round of counter-tariffs. In the initial retaliatory tariffs, Canada imposed US$21 billion worth of tariffs on US goods including orange juice, peanut butter, coffee, appliances, footwear, cosmetics, motorcycles, and pulp and paper products. The next round of Canadian tariffs worth US $ 87 billion was slated to take effect within three weeks after the initial tariffs that came into effect on 4th March. These tariffs were to be imposed on US electric vehicles, fruits, vegetables, dairy, beef, pork, electronics, steel and trucks. As a counter to the US reciprocal tariffs, Canada planned to impose levies on US imports worth $155 billion over 21 days.

Meanwhile, Douglas Robert Ford Jr., the Premier of the Canadian province of Ontario said that the province would charge an additional 25% for electricity supplied to 1.5 million Americans in response to the US tariffs. Ontario supplied electricity to Minnesota, New York and Michigan. Ford said that Ontario would retain its electricity tariffs despite the temporary suspension of the US tariffs calling for a permanent removal of the US tariffs.

On 4th March, the US President announced fresh tariffs for India and China to be effective from 2nd April. Justifying reciprocal tariffs, the US President said that other countries have been unfairly taxing the US and therefore now it is the turn of the US to tax them. He said that India imposed unfair tariffs on the US automobile by over 100% and that China imposes tariffs on US products twice the US tariffs on Chinese products.

Annamalai slams Stalin’s ‘Hindi imposition’ drama, tells DMK to stop swinging paper swords

ANI
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Annamalai slams Stalin’s ‘Hindi imposition’ drama, tells DMK to stop swinging paper swords

 The debate on the alleged third language imposition as part of the National Education Policy in Tamil Nadu has snowballed into an all out battle between the BJP and the ruling DMK alliance in the state.

BJP State Chief K Annamlai on Friday claimed that the BJP’s pro NEP signature campaign had received a positive response from the people of the state.

“Thiru MK Stalin, our online signature campaign through http://puthiyakalvi.in is supported by over 2 lakh people within 36 hours, and our on-ground signature campaign continues to receive an overwhelming reception across TN. As the TN CM, you seem visibly rattled, and your rants against the signature campaign mean nothing to us,” Annamalai posted on X.

he further hit out at the Tamil Nadu CM alleging that the DMK could not carry out a signature campaign despite being in power.

“Despite being in power, you couldn’t carry out a signature campaign against NEET, and remember that your cadres had to throw the pamphlets in the dustbin after realising where they truly belonged. Thiru MK Stalin, stop swinging your paper word against the delusional Hindi imposition. Your fake Hindi imposition drama has already been exposed. It’s unfortunate that you haven’t realised it yet,” he further said.

Annamalai’s post was in response to MK Stalin’s earlier post which mocked the BJP’s campaign calling it a circus.

In a post on X Stalin wrote, “Now the BJP’s circus-like signature campaign for the three-language formula has become a laughing stock in Tamil Nadu. I challenge them to make this their core agenda in the 2026 Assembly elections and let it be a referendum on Hindi imposition. History is clear. Those who tried to impose Hindi on Tamil Nadu have either been defeated or later changed their stance and aligned with DMK. Tamil Nadu will not tolerate Hindi colonialism replacing British colonialism.”

“From the names of schemes to awards to Union government institutions, Hindi has been imposed to a nauseating extent, suffocating non-Hindi speakers, who are the majority in India. Men may come, men may go. But even long after the dominance of Hindi is shattered in India, history will remember that it was DMK that stood as the vanguard,” he further added. 


(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Uttar Pradesh: Sartaj and his aides ambush wedding procession of Hindu family, attack victims with sticks

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Sartaj and his aides ambush wedding procession of Hindu family, attack victims with sticks

On Wednesday (5th March), a Hindu family came under attack in Saidpur Khurd village in the Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh.

According to a report by Live Hindustan, Vikas, the son of one Naresh Kashyap, was taking his wedding procession through the village. Some firecrackers were also burnt as part of the celebrations.

At that time, one firecracker fell on a pile of wood belonging to a man named Sartaj. It led to a small fire, which was immediately extinguished by those who were part of the wedding procession.

However, Sartaj engaged in a heated argument with the Hindu family and soon came to blows. His family attacked the wedding guests with sticks. One Hindu youth named Amit was taken away by Sartaj’s family and thrashed mercilessly.

Besides him, several others including Jagmohan, Pratap, Roki, Jaibeer and Deepak were also injured and had to be rushed to the district hospital.

This resulted in large-scale chaos in the Saidpur Khurd village. On learning about the matter, a police team reached the spot and pacified the situation. The wedding rituals were thereafter completed in the presence of the police.

In the meantime, Sartaj and his aides fled from their homes. The police conducted raids in the village and lodged a case against 14 named and 50 unidentified accused for assault.

‘Childish, collecting TRP’: Mohammed Shami’s cousin dismisses Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi’s criticism of the bowler for not keeping ‘Roza’ during Champions Trophy semifinal

ANI
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‘Childish, collecting TRP’: Mohammed Shami’s cousin dismisses Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi’s criticism of the bowler for not keeping ‘Roza’ during Champions Trophy semifinal

Mohammed Zaid, cousin of Indian star pacer Mohammed Shami, defended the bowler amid controversial remarks by All India Muslim Jamaat President, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi for not observing ‘Roza’ during Ramzan. He said that one can skip his ‘Roza’ while on a journey and the statement made by Maulana was a “childish one meant for collecting TRP.”

Earlier, Bareilvi stoked a controversy by calling Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami “a criminal” for not observing ‘Roza’ during Ramzan.

During Ramzan, the 34-year-old player was seen drinking an energy drink during the semi-final clash against Australia at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Speaking to ANI, Zaid said, “When a person is on a journey, he can skip his ‘Roza’ on the condition that he will observe it after Ramzan. The statement made by the Maulana is childish…I think this statement has been made only for TRP. People in our village do not know such a Maulana who does not have complete knowledge. I think such a Maulana can be called a ‘Kathmulla’. He should have trolled the Pakistani team as well and asked them why they did not keep their roza.”

Badaruddin Siddiqui, the childhood coach of Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, also defended the star bowler.

Speaking to ANI, Siddiqui defended Shami, saying, “Whatever Shami did was right, and there is no need to pay attention to these things. He should focus on the final match and forget all these things. He has not committed any crime, he has done all this for the country. Personal things can be done later but the country comes first…I request everyone not to say such things and stand with the entire team.”

Earlier, speaking to ANI, Maulana Bareilvi had said, “By not keeping ‘Roza’ he (Mohammed Shami) has committed a crime. He should not do this. In the eyes of Shariat, he is a criminal. He will have to answer God.”

Maulana Bareilvi said that ‘Roza’ is one of the compulsory duties and anyone who doesn’t adhere by it is a criminal.

“One of the compulsory duties is ‘Roza’ (fasting)…If any healthy man or woman doesn’t observe ‘Roza’, they will be a big criminal. A famous cricket personality of India, Mohammed Shami had water or some other beverage during a match,” Maulana Bareilvi said.

Ramzan is the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar and falls in the ninth month of the Hijri (the Islamic lunar calendar). During this holy period, Muslims observe fasting from dawn until sunset, a practice called Roza, which is one of the five pillars of Islam, signifying values of devotion, self-restraint, and spiritual contemplation.

In Shami’s defence, All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), member Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahli on Thursday said that since the bowler was playing he had an option to not observe Roza and nobody has a right to raise a finger on the cricketer.

“It is compulsory for all Muslims to observe Roza, especially in the month of Ramazan. However, Allah has mentioned in the Quran that if a person is on a journey or not well, they have the option not to observe Roza. In the case of Mohammed Shami, he is on a tour, so he has the option not to observe Roza. Nobody has a right to raise a finger on him,” Mahli told ANI.

Earlier today, Right-arm seamer Mohammed Shami’s cousin, Mumtaz, came out in support of his brother and said that he is playing for the country and called the people “shameful” who are blaming the cricketer for not keeping the “Roza”.

“He is playing for the country. There are many Pakistani players who have not kept ‘Roza’ and are playing matches, so this is nothing new. It is very shameful that such things are being said about him. We will tell Mohammed Shami not to pay attention to these things and prepare for the match on March 9,” Mumtaz said while speaking to ANI.

Shami, who played a key role in India’s victory with figures of 3/48 in 10 overs, has now climbed to the second spot in the list of highest wicket-takers. So far in the mega event, the speedster has grabbed eight wickets in four matches at an average of 19.88. 

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Storm Shadow missile provided by UK becomes useless in Ukraine after Trump blocked sharing of US intelligence

OpIndia Staff
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Storm Shadow missile provided by UK becomes useless in Ukraine after Trump blocked sharing of US intelligence

In its war against Russia, Ukraine has been using Anglo-French Storm Shadow cruise missiles against Russia. The UK government has provided the missiles made by MBDA to Ukraine, and the Ukrainian forces have been using it against Russian targets. At first, the missile with a 250 km range was used against Russian ships and Russian bases in occupied Ukrainian territories, but later, Ukraine started to fire it inside Russia in November last year.

However, now the missile has become useless after the US president stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine after the failure of talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as per a report by Daily Mail. The US administration has prohibited UK intelligence agencies and military bodies from sharing intelligence provided by the US with Ukraine.

Notably, Trump has stopped all military aid to Ukraine after Zelenskyy rejected his peace proposal, and this includes a halt on intelligence sharing. The Storm Shadow missile is dependent on data provided by US intelligence agencies to target Russian assets, and without that data, it has now become useless for Ukraine.

Storm Shadow missiles, jointly developed by the UK and France, are precision-guided missiles used for deep-strike missions as they can hit targets up to 250km away. In France, it is known as Scalp. The missiles cost around £2 million each.

Ukraine has been able to hit targets deep inside Russia with this missile, taking down critical infrastructure, including bunkers and ammunition stores. US satellite intelligence is required for precision guidance of the missile for effective hits.

Apart from Storm Shadow missiles, Ukraine is also dependent on data from US and other allies for other weapons like High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems or HIMARS, and Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, both supplied by the USA.

Moreover, halt on US intelligence can also result in reduced early warning of incoming missile and drone attacks from Russian army. Ukraine will also not receive information on Russian military movements.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe said that it was a ‘pause’ in intelligence sharing with Ukraine, adding that it will go away. US may resume providing intelligence to Ukraine if Zelenskyy can convince Trump that he is serious about peace talks, and does not engage in any verbal clash like the last disastrous meeting.

Demand to reinstate 13th July as holiday in Jammu & Kashmir to celebrate Jihad against Hindu king: How extremists are trying to reignite the jihadist fire in the territory

अर्पित त्रिपाठी
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Demand to reinstate 13th July as holiday in Jammu & Kashmir to celebrate Jihad against Hindu king: How extremists are trying to reignite the jihadist fire in the territory

In Jammu and Kashmir, the trend of calling those who executed Islamic jihad against Maharaja Hari Singh as martyrs is starting again. There is a demand to declare a holiday in the name of those who died while doing jihad against Hari Singh, considering the Raja a kafir. This holiday in ‘honour’ of the Jihadists was abolished by the Government of India in 2019. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has opposed calling these Islamic jihadis as martyrs.

The issue came to light again in the budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. On Wednesday (March 5, 2025), PDP MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, demanded that the holiday of July 13 be reinstated. He demanded to give 13th July the status of ‘Martyrdom Day’.

BJP’s walkout following this demand

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, and BJP MLA Sunil Sharma, strongly opposed this. He said, “They were not martyrs but traitors.” Sunil Sharma made it clear that those who rebelled against Maharaja Hari Singh were not revolutionaries but a bunch of fanatics.

Under the leadership of Sunil Sharma, BJP walked out of the Assembly following Waheed-ur-Rehman’s comments. Sunil Sharma said outside the assembly that traitors cannot be honored in the name of martyrs. Sunil Sharma said, “I want to tell you today that the people killed on July 13, 1932, first set fire to a Hindu area and then started a riot against the rule of the Maharaja (Hari Singh). These people were made martyrs by the Congress Party, but they cannot be considered martyrs under the rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

BJP MLA from Kishtwar, Shagun Parihar, also hit back at the National Conference and PDP in this matter. He said, “Those who are demanding a holiday in the name of 13 July are traitors. These people do not talk about Kashmiri Pandits, do not talk about the 90s… These people want the rule of the Maharaja but do not respect him. These people respect Pakistan, because of which lakhs of our people were killed.”

What is controversial about the 13th July holiday

The root of this entire controversy is linked to a date over 9 decades ago, July 13, 1931. In fact, on July 13, 1931, Maharaja Hari Singh’s army shot 21 Islamist rioters outside Srinagar Central Jail. These Islamist rioters had come to attack the jail and wanted to overthrow Maharaja Hari Singh.

When Jammu and Kashmir merged with India in 1948 and the National Conference came to power in the state, they were given the status of martyrs. A holiday was also declared in the state on this day. They were described as revolutionaries who agitated for ‘democracy’. A memorial was also built for them near the tomb of a Sufi saint.

This holiday continued like this for decades. However, in 2019, the Modi government ended this holiday after removing Article 370. However, now there is a demand to restart this holiday in the National Conference government in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP has strong objections to this.

The dark truth about the ‘martyrs’ of 13th July 1931

The extremists in Kashmir keep calling the incident of 13th July a revolution and mass movement against Maharaja Hari Singh. They call it ‘Kashmir Martyr’s Day’. It is said that it was a rebellion against the alleged cruel rule of the Maharaja. Whereas in reality, it was a fight against a ‘kafir’ Hindu ruler.

Kashmiri Pandit activist Sushil Pandit explained it very well in an article wherein he mentions that the first massacre of modern Kashmir happened then, and that too with a meticulously hatched conspiracy. Hundreds of people were murdered, burnt alive, maimed, and thrown into the river, women were raped, and many houses were looted, and many were forced to convert to Islam.

When the police took action against the rioters, some of them died, after which they were declared ‘martyrs’ by their gang and the new government of Jammu and Kashmir in independent India started remembering them on 13th July, honouring them like heroes to ‘sanctify’ the acts of those terrorists.

Let us now remember what actually happened on that day in 1931. At that time, Hari Singh was the autonomous king of Jammu and Kashmir.

Along with Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad-Mirpur, Aksai Chin, and the areas of Shaksgam Valley were also part of his territory. However, the British wanted to snatch the areas from him. Maharaja Hari Singh was one of those rare Hindu kings who ruled in a Muslim-dominated area. That is why, as a part of a conspiracy, the British installed an Ahmadi, Abdul Qadir from Peshawar, in Srinagar in the guise of a cook.

After this, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) was also brought into the state. He was a person with political ambitions, whose ancestors still considered Jammu and Kashmir as their ancestral property. A public meeting was held at Shah-e-Hamdan in Khanqah Mohalla, where Abdul Qadir gave an inflammatory speech. The Quran was cited for the war against the Maharaja. Abdullah incited the crowd by saying that how can a ‘kafir’ rule over Muslims, this is strictly forbidden in Islam.

He openly incited Muslims for cow slaughter, which was banned according to the law. When he was arrested on charges of treason, riots broke out. Attempts were made to obstruct the legal process. Hearings were held in the jail premises out of compulsion. There was a similar hearing on July 13. However, the mob attacked the premises and tried to enter the judge’s chamber. The mob also attacked the police and started arson.

As it happens even today, the Muslim mob started pelting stones. The prisoners in the jail also started trying to escape from there amidst the chaos. The police force tried all the tricks, but the Muslim mob did not disperse. After this, the local DM ordered the Police to open fire. Meanwhile, the mob also started moving towards Hari Parvat fort. The lathi charge from the Police was not having any effect. Maharajganj used to be a hub of traders then, where there was a lot of looting.

Sushil Pandit writes that after this, shops of Hindus were destroyed and looted from Bhori Kadal to Aikadal. There was a lot of looting in areas like Safakadal, Ganji, Khud and Nawakadal. Account books were burnt in the market and there was a stampede among the Hindu shopkeepers. Goods worth lakhs were looted, or destroyed, or thrown on the roads. However, there was no news of any Muslim breaking into a shop and looting it.

A separate Muslim mob had gathered in Vicharnag in Srinagar. There, rich Hindus were tortured and their women were sexually exploited. By the time the army arrived, the Muslim mob had caused great damage to the Hindus. After this, the ‘intellectual’ gang got to work and named it ‘democratic revolt against feudal power’. Remember, the large-scale massacre carried out by Moplah Muslims in Kerala was also called ‘peasant revolt against landlords’.

While, in reality, whatever happened in Kashmir on July 13, 1931, was an Islamic war against a Hindu king. Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah also had a big hand in instigating these riots. He was arrested and sent to jail. However, the Maharaja pardoned him the very next year and Abdullah started instigating people by forming the ‘All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference’. Hindus in Mirpur tried to save their lives by fleeing. Later hundreds of them had to live as refugees.

Hindu villages were burnt, and temples destroyed

The elders who witnessed this incident at that time mentioned how many were brutally killed and many were forced to convert to Islam. Many incidents of attack on temples and gurudwaras also came to light. Many holy Sanatani books, including Guru Granth Sahib, were burnt and idols of gods and goddesses were broken. This is called the ‘massacre of 88’ as according to Vikram Samvat, the year was 1988 then.

After that incident, hundreds of families and their future generations struggled for rehabilitation for decades. If we go by the English records themselves, 31 temples and Gurudwaras were completely destroyed. Around 600 cases of forced conversion to Islam came to light. Hindus of Sukhchainpur and Sanwal (Mirpur) suffered the most. The English write that wherever the rioters reached, the local Muslim population supported them.

Some Hindu villages were completely deserted while Islamists caused loot and destruction there. After this, on January 18, 1932, 50 Hindu villages were attacked and 300 houses were looted. Out of these, 40 were set on fire. Not only this, 40 Hindus were forcibly converted to Islam at that time. In Thanna village, 36 houses were looted again on January 20, 1932, and 8 were burnt. In Sohana village, 84 houses were looted and another village was looted on January 28.

The Kashmir, which was freed from the clutches of Afghans by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and where the Dogra kings established Hindu rule, and the non-Muslims got relief from centuries of oppression, saw the massacre of Pandits again. The Constitution of India could not be implemented there even after independence and Abdullah-Mufti families together continued to run the Islamic rule here.

Honouring traitors stopped during Modi rule

In July 2020, for the first time, no tribute was paid to the rioters in Kashmir. This was possible because of the Modi government. The organised expulsion of Hindus from modern Kashmir had started decades back. The conspiracy of the British and the violence of the Islamic mob massacred Hindus to overthrow a Hindu regime, and later the ‘intellectuals’ gave it a different colour. Maharaja Hari Singh had even formed a committee headed by the Chief Justice of the High Court Barjor Dalal to investigate these incidents.

Maharaja Hari Singh had talked about Indian unity at the Round Table Conference in London. Interestingly, after that, the British army officer Major Boat brought and settled a Pathan named Abdul Qadeer in Kashmir. All this was part of a conspiracy. After taking control of power, the British released Abdul Qadeer in 1.5 years, even though he was jailed for 5 years. The Ahmadiyya community of Qadian town helped the British a lot in this entire conspiracy. This report revealed that British officer Wakefield deliberately did not go to the jail to control the situation that day, even though he was in-charge of the security.

On July 4, 1931, news of desecration of the Quran came to light, even though nothing like this had happened. However, Wakefield, after investigation, propagated the matter of desecration of the Quran, and instigated the Muslims. Inflammatory material was sent to Srinagar against Maharaja Hari Singh. Hari Krishna Kaul, who was made the Prime Minister in place of Wakefield, got the state to compromise with the Muslim rioters, but the riots did not stop. This has been the pattern of Islamic riots in many parts of the country, and it is the same even today.

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