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‘Liberals’ have a meltdown as Supreme Court clears Central Vista project

OpIndia Staff
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‘Liberals’ have a meltdown as Supreme Court clears Central Vista project

The Supreme Court of India has cleared the redevelopment of Central Vista area of Lutyen’s Delhi on January 5, 2021. Justice Khanwilkar pronounced the judgment by majority. The Court said the exercise of the power under the DDA act is just and valid. The recommendations of environmental clearance by the Ministry of Environment are just valid and proper. We uphold the same.”

Use smog guns and construct smog towers: Ordered Court

The Court has asked the government to ensure the use of smog guns during the construction of the project and install smog towers after the completion of the project in the area. The order has been given to ensure pollution control in the area.

Environmental clearance upheld

Justice Khanwilkar further said that the selection and appointment of the environmental consultant in the case was just and proper. The Court upheld the clearance from the Ministry of Environment for the project and gave a green signal to move ahead with the construction. Justice Khanwilkar further confirmed the modification regarding the change in land use of plot 228 of the master plan of Delhi and zonal development plan for zones C& D.

Justice Sanjiv Khanna said that he had a different opinion on the grant of land use, as there was no prior approval of the heritage conservation committee and thus matter remitted back for a public hearing. However, he agreed on the issue of the award of the project.

The liberal meltdown

Though the project is essential as in upcoming delimitation exercise, the number of Lok Sabha members is expected to rise to 800 from current 543, it was getting delayed even though the speaker had approved it in 2012. Since the project was announced, several sections of the so-called ‘liberal’ bubble were questioning the government’s intentions making it look like the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to ‘rewrite the history’.

After the Court gave a green signal on January 5, the liberal world had a massive meltdown. Congress loyal Srivatsa said that the Apex Court has upheld the project to ‘please PM Modi’.

Fake news paddler Swati Chaturvedi said that the Supreme Court has allowed the destruction of the beautiful central vista.

National Spokesperson of Congress Party Shama Mohamed said It is a travesty that when the govt’s priority should have been to vaccinate every Indian as soon as possible, it prefers to splurge taxpayer money on a Rs 20,000 cr vanity project which is not in benefit of the common man. The fact that the government of India is ready to start the vaccinations and is prepared to undertake large-scale vaccination drive, however, doesn’t concern the politician.

Yashwant Sinha, Chairperson of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) said it was bound to happen as no one can stand against “Bahubali” hinting Supreme Court passed the judgement under PM’s pressure.

Former Editor, The Wire, M K Venu called it “Ulti Ganga”

Bhumi Pujan was allowed by the Supreme Court

Earlier, the Supreme Court had allowed Bhumi Pujan of the project on December 7. On December 10, the Bhumi Pujan event was performed as per Hindu traditions, and several religious ceremonies were scheduled to be held on the occasion of the historic event. A team of priests from Shri Sharada Pitham from Sringeri performed various rituals. Leaders of various other faiths were also present to recite prayers during the foundation laying ceremony.

Assam police unearth tunnel used by infiltrators and smugglers to enter India illegally from Bangladesh. Read details

OpIndia Staff
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Assam police unearth tunnel used by infiltrators and smugglers to enter India illegally from Bangladesh. Read details

Amidst growing concerns of cross-border infiltration to India from Bangladesh, the Assam police have recently discovered an illegally constructed tunnel in the Karimganj district of the State.

North East Live reported that the police unearthed the tunnel ‘accidentally’ while conducting an investigation in a recent kidnapping case. The said tunnel is located next to the barbed fence erected by BSF, adjoining a ditch, that separates the Indian territory from that of Bangladesh. Reportedly, the tunnel is frequently used by infiltrators and smugglers from Bangladesh to bypass the international border and make their way to India.

The police discovered the tunnel while probing a kidnapping case involving two cattle smugglers. They were allegedly kidnapped and taken to the Bangladeshi side but later miraculously returned back to Karimganj in Assam. This raised the suspicion of the law enforcement, who then interrogated the duo. On interrogation, the cattle smugglers took the police to the location where the tunnel is located. They have now been detained by the Karimganj police.

Reportedly, the tunnel has been used by infiltrators, smugglers and anti-social elements for a long time. This has now raised questions of security lapses at the border, which is guarded by the Border Security Force (BSF). Karimganj SP, Mayank Kumar, said, “This is a matter of investigation… Yes, there are some areas where this is a problem. We have conveyed the same to the BSF and this is a part of a joint and ongoing probe.”

21 illegal immigrants deported to Bangladesh from Assam

India has been taking stringent measures to identify and deport illegal immigrants in the country. Thousands of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have been staying in Assam and the main purpose of the National Registry for Citizenship (NRC) that was implemented in the state was to identify illegal immigrants who have been threatening the demography of the eastern state.

In January 2019, about 21 Bangladeshi citizens who have been living illegally in Assam have been deported back to their country by the Indian authorities. They had entered India through the Tripura border and had been staying in Assam since then. After their identities were revealed, they were detained under the passport violation act and kept at the detention centre associated with the Cachar Jail in Silchar. After receiving approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Bangladeshis were reportedly taken by a special bus to the Sutarkandi Integrated check post along the India- Bangladesh border in the Karimganj district in Assam.

Uttar Pradesh: Renovation work in Chamunda temple irks ‘the other community’, matter settled after police intervention

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Renovation work in Chamunda temple irks ‘the other community’, matter settled after police intervention

Communal tensions flared up in Mandi Dhanaura, Uttar Pradesh over the renovation of Chamunda temple. According to a report in Jagran, local Hindus were carrying out the renovation work of a Chamunda temple located in Chuchaila Kalan village. But some members from the other community opposed the renovation work which created communal tension in the area.

On receiving information about the situation, police reached the spot and halted the renovation work. Some Hindu organisations protested against this. As per the Jagran report, SDM Vivek Yadav and the CO Satendra Kumar reached the spot and took stock of the situation. The officials tried to solve the issue through dialogue but no settlement could be reached.

The other community raised objection over renovation of the temple

The locals were setting up a fencing around the temple to prevent stray animals from polluting the temple premise. Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal members present at the scene told that the Chamunda temple is very old. The fencing would also provide safety to the temple. However, this did no go down well with the other community who vehemently opposed the renovation work. SDM Vivek Yadav told that the other community had raised objections over the renovation work being carried out in the temple. Therefore, the renovation work was halted to maintain communal harmony. Representatives from both the parties were called in at Tehsil Headquarters for settlement.

No additional construction work to be carried out

The dispute was finally resolved after it was decided in the presence of government officials that no additional construction will be carried out in the temple. SDM Yadav confirmed that both the parties have agreed at setting up a railing and mounting a tin shade over it to ensure the safety of the temple.

Senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya’s convoy attacked by TMC workers. Here is what we know so far

OpIndia Staff
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Senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya’s convoy attacked by TMC workers. Here is what we know so far

On Monday, the convoy of BJP National general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, national vice-president Mukul Roy and Brrackpore MP Arjun Singh was attacked during a roadshow in Watganj area of Kolkata in West Bengal.

The incident took place during a roadshow that was scheduled from Orphanganj Road to the BJP headquarters in Kolkata. However, when the procession crossed the Watganj area, their convoy came under a volley of stones and shoes, hurled by TMC workers from an adjoining stage. Reportedly, the roadshow had to be cut short as the police had earlier denied permission for the same. The cops tried to pacify the miffed party workers from both sides and brought the situation under control.

BJP Chief (West Bengal) had earlier said that the saffron party would take out the procession, irrespective of police permission as the cops have a history of withholding permissions to BJP. Nevertheless, BJP leaders met at newly-inducted Shovan Chatterjee’s residence on Sunday and decided to go ahead with the roadshow.

(Video Courtesy: Youtube/ India Today)

Kailash Vijayvargiya, who sustained minor injuries during the attack, stated that the roadshow was conducted peacefully till Hastings as they were not granted permission to hold the procession from Alipore to Central Kolkata. “However, some TMC workers hurled shoes and stones at us. Our workers showed restraint as we do not want to respond to provocations. We will not respond to violence with violence. We will respond through votes,” he added.

Convoy of JP Nadda, Kailash Vijayvargiya attacked by TMC goons

Last month, JP Nadda and Kailash Vijayvargiya’s convoy was attacked when the senior leaders were headed towards Diamond Harbour to meet party cadres. Videos had surfaced where protestors carrying Trinamool Congress flags were seen throwing stones and bricks at Kailash Vijayvargiya’s car, while the state police stood like mute spectators.

Sharing the same video which showed cracked windshields and pieces of bricks hurled at the car he was travelling in, Vijayvargiya called the attack an abject failure of the WB police working at the behest of Mamata Banerjee government. Speaking at a public rally, BJP President JP Nadda had condemned the attacks. He said that they were only saved because they had bullet-proof vehicles. He added that there was no administration or law and order in Bengal.

Islamists go mental after some tourists pose with saffron flags at Taj Mahal

OpIndia Staff
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Islamists go mental after some tourists pose with saffron flags at Taj Mahal

With tourist spots like Taj Mahal and others now open to public after the Chinese coronavirus lockdown, many people have started visiting these locations. Amongst them, some youth from Hindu Jagran Manch visited the 17th century mausoleum and waved saffron flags. However, four of them were arrested for the same.

This act of waving saffron flags triggered the Islamists on social media who went on to cast aspersions on the security personnel.

Some even questioned their allegiance to the constitution and insinuated they do not have any regard for the constitution.

Joining the Islamists in the fear-mongering at the very sight of saffron flags was Bollywood entertainer Swara Bhaskar.

Amusingly, these are the same ‘liberals’ who like to propagate that those who are offering namaz inside the temple premises are doing it for communal harmony. But go all mental at the very sight of a saffron coloured flag at a mausoleum.

Other Islamists and ‘liberals’ just went pure abusive while basking in the glory of their ‘Mughal ancestors’.

Apparently, posing with flags is ‘targeting’ a resting place of deceased Mughal empress. The Mughal hangover is not over.

Meanwhile, the four youths who posed with the flags were booked under section 153 A (Promoting enmity between two groups on ground of religion) of IPC and section 7 in the The Criminal Law Amendment Act at Tajganj police station on complaint by the CISF.

Salman Khan’s brothers, nephew break Covid-19 protocol, FIR registered

OpIndia Staff
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Salman Khan’s brothers, nephew break Covid-19 protocol, FIR registered

An FIR has been registered against Salman Khan’s brothers Arbaaz Khan, Sohail Khan and Sohail’s son Nirvaan Khan for breaking Covid-19 protocol. As per the reports, the trio had returned to Mumbai from Dubai on December 25. They were asked to stay in isolation at a hotel. However, they decided to skip the isolation and went home.

They had informed the officials that they had booked a suite for themselves at the Taj Lands End but decided to skip the isolation.

FIR registered under Epidemic Diseases Act

The FIR was registered based on the complaint by a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) medical officer under Section 188 (disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant), section 269 (a negligent act which is likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of IPC and Section 3 of Epidemic Diseases Act.

In the complaint, MO said that the trio returned from Dubai on December 25 and was asked to remain in quarantine in a hotel. However, they went home. As per the health ministry regulations, the returnees from the UK, UAE and Europe are required to stay in 7-day institutional quarantine.

Trio shifted to Hotel Taj for institutionalized quarantine

TOI had reported that when BMC officials went to Sohail’s home, they were informed that as they tested negative for the Covid-19, they decided to go home instead of staying in quarantine. The officials have taken the matter seriously, and the trio has now been shifted to Hotel Taj End where they will remain in institutionalized quarantine at their own cost.

Chaitanya S DCP (Operations), Mumbai Police said, “An FIR has been filed at Khar police station. The BMC medical officer has complained that three people, who have returned from abroad, were supposed to undergo quarantine, but skipped the same and went home.” He further said that a case had been filed and an investigation is currently underway.

Abrogation of Article 370 shows impact as Jammu and Kashmir witnesses massive dip in stone pelting in 2020: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Abrogation of Article 370 shows impact as Jammu and Kashmir witnesses massive dip in stone pelting in 2020: Details

In a positive development, incidents of stone-pelting saw an 87.13% drop in 2020, as compared to 2019 in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The data, presented by Director General of Police (J & K) Dilbag Singh, shows the impact that the abrogation of Article 370, enforced in August 2019, had on the region in a span of just one year.

Singh said, “There have been 255 stone-pelting incidents in 2020 as compared to the incidents in 2019 and the year (2020), witnessed an 87.31 per cent decline.” He further emphasised, “Law and order situation is well under control. Our resolve for 2021 is strengthening and consolidating peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.”

A large proportion of these incidents were witnessed, following the Centre’s decision to do away with Article 370 and completely integrate Jammu and Kashmir in the Indian Union. In the historic legislation, the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two Union territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.

Tracking the stone-pelting incidents between 2016 and 2020

In 2015, about 730 incidents of stone-pelting were reported. Following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani in 2016, about 2,653 cases of stone-pelting were recorded, amidst widespread violence in his support. In 2017, the number plummeted down to 1,412 incidents and saw a marginal rise to 1,458 cases in 2018. As per reports, in 2019 alone, there were 1,999 incidents of stone-pelting.

While 2019 had seen a sharp increase in stone-pelting cases, following the abrogation of Article 370, a crackdown on terrorism in the Valley by the Central government had seen the cases fall to 250 in 2020. It is reported that the worst years, in terms of stone-pelting incidents, have been 2010, 2016 and 2019.

Visual representation of the fall in stone pelting cases between 2016-2020; (X axis – No. of years; Y-axis – Total incidents)

Stone pelting has been a commonplace event for the Pakistan-sponsored terror sympathisers in Jammu and Kashmir and the trend began since the 2008 Amarnath-land row agitation. While speaking to Economic Times, an Indian commander said that stone pelting is used as a tool to agitate security forces, since they are aware that the police or army personnel cannot use guns against them.

Abrogation of Article 370

In the manifesto, BJP had promised to repeal Article 370 from the state of Jammu and Kashmir that gave it special status. On 5th August, the BJP-led Union government fulfilled the promise. The state was divided into two Union Territories, Ladakh, and Jammu & Kashmir, under Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act. The decision came into effect from 31sr October 2019.

Congress leader Kirti Azad slammed on social media after distasteful comment on Sourav Ganguly following the latter’s heart attack

OpIndia Staff
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Congress leader Kirti Azad slammed on social media after distasteful comment on Sourav Ganguly following the latter’s heart attack

Congress leader and former cricket Kirti Azad is facing great criticism on social media for his disgusting tweet at Sourav Ganguly after the BCCI President suffered a heart attack recently. Kirti Azad shared images of Sourav Ganguly endorsing Fortune oil and took a jibe saying that the cricketer should only “promote tried and tested products”.

Kirti Azad makes a disgusting comment on Sourav Ganguly

The inappropriate remarks made by Kirti Azad hasn’t gone down well with people on social media who slammed the former cricketer for his distasteful remarks. Azad had been an elected representative of the Lok Sabha from a BJP ticket before he was suspended from the party for his comments against deceased BJP stalwart Arun Jaitley.

People also took a dig at his Congress links. He had joined the Congress party after being suspended from the BJP.

Sourav Ganguly was rushed to the Woodlands hospital in Kolkata after he suffered a mild cardiac arrest on Saturday morning while working out in the gym at his residence. Sports Journalist Boria Majumdar had confirmed that Ganguly would be discharged on Saturday itself after getting an angioplasty done. His condition is believed to be stable now.

In a blow to Kejriwal’s fearmongering, onion prices drop by 60% across the country: Details

OpIndia Staff
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In a blow to Kejriwal’s fearmongering, onion prices drop by 60% across the country: Details

A lot of misinformation has been spread over the recently passed farm laws. A lot of hue and cry was raised regarding the rising price of onions as well. And both of these intersected in the recent claims made by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the month of December.

Kejriwal claimed that as a consequence of the newly passed farm laws, it would be legal to hoard agricultural products. As an example of the ill effects of hoarding, he cited the rise in the prices of onions.

However, there has been a 60% drop in the all-India average price of onions since 2019, Consumer Affairs Secretary Leena Nandan informed late December 2020. “In one month alone, the all-India average retail price of onion has dropped by 33.33 per cent to Rs 40 per kg today from Rs 60 per kg on November 30 this year,” she told PTI.

Nandan attributed the drop in onion prices to timely government measures undertaken to check the rise in prices. “Lot of facilitation was done at Attari-Wagah border (Punjab) and at seaports for quick evacuation of imported onions. Good quantities of imported onions arrived,” she said.

Nandan stated, “Around Rs 70,000-75,000 tonnes of onions were imported through private trades in 2020. Nafed also imported around 3,000 tonnes of onions.” Such interventions have contributed to the drop in onion prices.

In October 2020, the government highlighted the steps taken to moderate onion prices and the reasons for price rise in a press notification. It said, “In order to moderate the price rise,the government took a pre-emptive step by announcing a ban on onion export on 14.09.2020 so as to ensure availability to domestic consumers at reasonable rates, before the expected arrival of Kharif onion.”

The statement said further, “Thus the retail price rise was moderated to some extent, but recent reports of heavy rainfall in the onion growing districts of Maharashtra, Karnataka,Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have created concerns about damage to Kharif crop. These developments on the weather front have contributed to the sharp increase in onion prices.”

The Government had further announced that onions were being released from the buffer stock and were being imported as well to moderate the prices. Traders were already being contacted to increase imports. All such measures have contributed towards reducing the prices of crops across the country.

Nandan also informed that the government has decided to increase the buffer stock of onions from 1 lakh tonnes to 1.5 lakh tonnes for the year 2021 Rabi season.

After asking China to apologise, Afghanistan quietly sends the 10 arrested Chinese spies back home in a chartered flight

OpIndia Staff
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After asking China to apologise, Afghanistan quietly sends the 10 arrested Chinese spies back home in a chartered flight

Days after Afghanistan’s NDA detained 10 Chinese spies on charges of espionage and operating a terror cell in the capital city of Kabul, the government has released them secretly and allowed them to fly back home in a chartered flight. According to reports, the Chinese nationals flew out of Afghanistan in a plane arranged by Beijing on Saturday. Set free after 23 days in detention, the 10 Chinese nationals had not been formally charged.

Afghanistan asks China to ‘apologise or face criminal proceedings’

It is pertinent to note that the terms of the arrangement between Kabul and Beijing to secure the release of the 10 Chinese spies remains unclear. Interestingly, soon after the arrest, Kabul’s First Vice President had indicated that the Afghan government could consider a pardon for the Chinese spies if Beijing submits a formal apology that admits to the violation of international norms and a betrayal of Kabul’s trust. Otherwise, the Afghan government would go ahead with criminal proceedings against the 10 Chinese spies, he had said.

It was on December 10, 2020, that Afghanistan’s NDS started the crackdown. This was the first time in years that Chinese nationals had been caught spying in Afghanistan. The NDS had not only recovered explosives and other highly objectionable materials from these Chinese nationals but had also found proves which suggested that the kingpins of this espionage network had been meeting commanders of the Taliban-backed terror group Haqqani Network (HQN).

It was believed that Pakistan’s ISI has been acting as a mediator between Haqqani Network and these Chinese Intelligence agents. 

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