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Farmer Protests: Govt agrees to two of four demands, farmers not to be punished for burning stubble, electricity subsidy to continue

OpIndia Staff
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Farmer Protests: Govt agrees to two of four demands, farmers not to be punished for burning stubble, electricity subsidy to continue

After the 6th round of meeting between the union government and the protesting farmers against the new farm laws, a consensus has been reached on two less continuous among the four demands of the farmers mainly from Punjab. Following the conclusion of the meeting, union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that the talks were held in a very good environment and it concluded on a positive note.

One issue which has been resolved is the issue of penalising farmers for burning stubble that causes massive air pollution in Delhi and adjoining areas. As this has become a yearly phenomenon, the government of India had introduced the ‘Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Ordinance 2020’, to deal with air pollution. The govt had taken this step after several PILs were filed in the Supreme Court seeking to control air pollution.

According to the ordinance, the Commission will have jurisdiction over NCR, including areas in Haryana, Punjab, UP and Rajasthan with regard to air pollution. The ordinance gives the commission the power to impose jail term of five years or fine of upto Rs one crore, or both, for violation of any measures or directions issued by the commission to control air pollution. Farmers were apprehending that they will also have to face action under this ordinance if they are found guilty of burning stubble.

Now, after the meeting, the union govt has agreed to amend the ordinance to keep the famers out of the ambit of it. This means that, despite a new body being set up to reduce air pollution, no action will be able to be taken up against one of the major sources of air pollution in NCR during the September-December period.

The second issue to be resolved is the amendments to the Electricity Act. Farmers are fearing that if reforms are introduced in the Electricity Act, they will suffer loss. The farmer unions demanded that the power subsidy currently given to the farmers for irrigation should continue. The centre has agreed to this demand also.

However, stalemate continues over other two demands of the farmers, withdrawal of the three farm laws and a law to guarantee MSP (Minimum Support Price). The central govt has made it clear that the laws will not be taken back, but if the farmers can point out any specific issues with the laws, the same can be amended. But the unions are not willing to, or may be not able to, point out any flaws in the laws, and demanding their total withdrawal. It is noteworthy that till few months ago, farmer unions and opposition parties like Congress were demanding and promising the provisions made in the new farm laws.

MSP is continuing for decades as an executive decision without any law to back it, but now the farmers want a law for it. The govt has also assured that the MSP will continue, however, has not committed to bringing a law to guarantee that.

Farmers have asserted that they will not end the protests unless their other two demands are also not met. The next round of talks will be held on January 4. Minister Tomar said that the meet will focus on minimum support price and the three agriculture laws.

Hours after AAP member and ‘Shaheen Bagh shooter’ Kapil Gujjar joined BJP, BJP expels him after knowing about his background

OpIndia Staff
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Hours after AAP member and ‘Shaheen Bagh shooter’ Kapil Gujjar joined BJP, BJP expels him after knowing about his background

Aam Admi Party (AAP) member Kapil Gujjar who was inducted by the BJP today at the Ghaziabad office of the party was removed from the party as soon as the party leadership came to know about his background. BJP head of Ghaziabad Sajeev Sharma released a press-note today, clarifying that a bunch of Bahujan Samaj Party members along with Kapil Gujjar had come to join the party today.

Kapil Gujjar had came to limelight earlier this year when he had fired in the air during the Shaheen Bagh protests, opposing the blockage of roads by the anti-CAA protestors.

He was inducted in the party as his involvement in the shooting incident was not known to the party members at the Ghaziabad office, the press-note said. However, when the party members came to know about Gujjar’s background his membership was immediately cancelled.

It is noteworthy that the news of Kapil Gujjar joining the BJP was widely shared by left liberals who tried to associate his act of firing shots near Shaheen Bagh with the BJP. The news of Gujjar’s expulsion from the party must have brought huge disappointment for them.

AAP member Gujjar had fired shots near Shaheen Bagh

Miffed over the long traffic jams and road blockades caused by anti-CAA protestors at Shaheen Bagh, Kapil Gujjar had fired three shots near the protest site in February this year. He was arrested by the police and was later granted bail by a Delhi court. After Gujjar fired the shots near the protest site, AAP leader Sanjay Singh had alleged that it was BJP’s conspiracy. However, much to his embarrassment, it had turned out that Gujjar had been associated with AAP since early 2019. In fact, Sanjay Singh had himself welcomed him to the party. Delhi Crime Branch had found several pictures in Gujjar’s mobile phone in which Sanjay Singh along with AAP leader Atishi Marlena and Deputy CM of Delhi Manish Sisodia were seen felicitating Gujjar and his father.

In an attempt towards damage control, AAP had tried to dissociate itself from Gujjar. AAP leader deleted his tweet in which he welcomed Gujjar and his father into the party. However, an article on the official AAP website that the party perhaps forgot to pull down proved Gujjar and his father’s association with the party. Gujjar’s father Gaje Singh Chouhan was earlier a member of the BSP and had contensted election on BSP’s ticket.

Health worker suspended after having gay sex with COVID-19 patient in a hospital toilet in Indonesia

OpIndia Staff
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Health worker suspended after having gay sex with COVID-19 patient in a hospital toilet in Indonesia

Even as the world continues to battle the Chinese pandemic COVID-19, certain individuals continue to indulge in irresponsible acts putting lives of people at risk during these testing times. 

In one such bizarre incident, one health worker was caught having same-sex with a COVID-infected man in a hospital toilet in Indonesia. The authorities have now suspended the nurse after he admitted to stripping off her PPE to have sex with a COVID-infected man, in a hospital toilet. Both have been placed in isolation after the patient published details about the incident on social media.

The incident, which could see both the nurse and the patient prosecuted under Indonesia’s anti-pornography laws, occurred at Wisma Atlet Emergency Hospital, a coronavirus field hospital in Indonesia. 

The matter came to light the patient uploaded a screenshot of WhatsApp messages that were exchanged between both of them, and photographs of the PPE kit of the health worker lying on the floor. The WhatsApp conversation showed that both patient and nurse made an appointment to have sexual interaction in the hospital’s toilet.

The Regional Military Command, as the manager of the Integrated Joint Task Command for the operation of Wisma Atlet Emergency Hospital, immediately conducted a search after the post went viral. Following the search, the identities of the nurse and patient were discovered and both admitted to having gay sex in a toilet at the Wisma Atlet quarantine facility in Jakarta.

The Regional Military Command immediately arrested both the health worker and the patient, and did PCR swab test on them. As the patient was still positive, he was kept in the hospital, while the nurse, who tested negative, was handed over to the Central Jakarta Police for further legal proceedings.

It is not clear under what charges they are being prosecuted. Although same-sex relation is illegal in some parts of Indonesia, it is not illegal in Jakarta.

Arrested PDP leader Waheed Para paid Rs 10 lakh to Hizbul-Mujahideen through Davinder Singh, says NIA

OpIndia Staff
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Arrested PDP leader Waheed Para paid Rs 10 lakh to Hizbul-Mujahideen through Davinder Singh, says NIA

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday said that Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party leader Waheed Ur Rehman Para allegedly paid Rs 10 lakh to terror outfit Hizb-ul-Mujahideen to ensure its support ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

According to the reports, the NIA had arrested PDP leader Para in November, just ahead of the District Development Council (DDC) polls in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, in connection with its investigation in connection with the suspended DySP Davinder Singh’s links with the terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen.

Para had also recently secured a win in the DDC election from Pulwama. He is currently in jail.

TN Raina, the lawyer representing Para declined to comment on this specific NIA claim. However, in his bail application filed before the NIA special court in Jammu earlier this month, Para denied all allegations of Hizbul links and suggested he was being framed ‘for settling political scores with a political party’.

Para had allegedly paid money to Hizbul, says NIA

Reportedly, the money was allegedly delivered to Hizbul operative Syed Mushtaq Naveed alias Naveed Babu through Davinder Singh. The arrested J&K police officer had allegedly received the money at Srinagar airport, where he was posted then and had carried the same hidden in a tiffin box, as per a report in Indian Express.

Davinder Singh was arrested along with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terrorists Naveed Babu and Asif Rather on the 11th of January when they were travelling together in a car. Later, it was reported that he was on the payroll of the Islamic terrorist organisation. Subsequently, his case was handed over to the NIA. The NIA had taken over the case on the 18th of January.

The curious case of Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh and his Pakistani ‘friend’ Aroosa Alam

OpIndia Staff
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The curious case of Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh and his Pakistani ‘friend’ Aroosa Alam

It is, perhaps, a little-known fact that Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh shares a close relationship with the former Pakistani defence journalist Aroosa Alam. The duo has manifestly been low-key about their lesser-known ‘affair’ and has often shied away from talking about it in public.

Senior journalist Seema Mustafa had called Alam ‘The First Lady of Punjab’. AAP leader Sukhpal Khaira had used critical epithets to describe her because of her nationality and the fact that she had stayed inside the Punjab Chief Minister’s Official Residence. Author Shobhaa De had characterised her as Amarinder Singh’s live-in partner.

However, the mystique surrounding the relationship between Singh and Alam has only grown since then.

Who is Aroosa Alam?

Aroosa Alam is a former Pakistani defence journalist and was known in Pakistani circles for having close ties with the military establishment. Alam is the daughter of Akleen Akhtar, also known as the famous General Rani, a socialite who was described by the Pakistani media as the “muse and mistress” of Pakistani leader Yahya Khan.

General Rani was also considered as the brains behind Khan and certain access to him. Consequently, she became the gateway to the General, and her importance in military establishment scaled new heights. Alam inherited her mother’s military network.

Alam was widely credited for her investigative reports on the Agosta-90B submarine deals that reportedly led to the arrest of then Pakistan naval chief Mansurul Haq in 1997.

However, she rapidly rose into prominence after joining the South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA) that was involved in promoting peace and friendship between the Indian and Pakistani journalists.

Just like Capt Amarinder Singh, Aroosa was also married. She had two kids and her husband had an obscure personality that no one really remembered. Aroosa had a special fascination for India and was keen on travelling to India and meeting Indians.

Aroosa Alam—a muse and a lady friend of Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh

Aroosa met Captain Amarinder Singh for the first time during one of his visits to Pakistan. Both were linked for the first time in 2007 when they were seen together a number of times. But, Aroosa had instantly clarified then that they were ‘just friends’. However, she subsequently shed her initial awkwardness and since then has been quite forthright about her relationship status with Captain Amarinder Singh.

In Punjab, Aroosa is known to be a muse—a special, close, lady friend of the former Maharaja of Patiala and current chief minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh. She is a well-accepted hostess in Chandigarh, spending a considerable amount of her time among the elites of the city, regaling them with her love for yoga, and of course, Punjab chief minister. It seems like Aroosa has inherited more from her mother than just her military connections.

However, on the expected lines, the duo’s relationship was unacceptable to Captain Amarinder Singh’s wife, Preneet Kaur. She was profoundly upset over the alleged affair of her husband with Alam but eventually came to terms with it. The relationship, nonetheless, continues to be a sensitive issue for Kaur. She has never gone public about it. Alam, on her part, never visits Patiala where Singh’s wife Kaur resides. She virtually lives in Chandigarh and visits India through roads.

Proud of the beautiful and everlasting friendship with Maharaj Sahab: Aroosa Alam

Alam was a prominent face on the hustings for the Punjab assembly elections in 2017 where she was seen campaigning for Captain Amarinder Singh. Aroosa was amongst the distinguished guests who occupied the VVIP seats at the swearing-in ceremony of Capt. Amarinder Singh. While the Punjab chief minister has still been tight-lipped about his relationship with Alam, the latter has shunned all inhibitions to talk about her bond with Maharaj Saahab, as she addresses Capt. Amarinder Singh

Alam was also present at the launch of Captain Amarinder Singh’s biography ‘The People’s Maharaja’ in February 2020. It is pertinent to note that the book has a dedicated chapter on Singh’s relationship with Aroosa, who had openly described that her friendship with Singh was beautiful, will last long and was something that she was very proud of.

Aroosa is also acutely aware of the eyebrows that are raised because of association with Punjab chief minister. “My relationship is a sensitive issue even back home, I am a Muslim woman and you know how people back home think,” said Aroosa in February 2018 when she was in Chandigarh.

USA’s Tibetan Policy and Support Act: India needs a more assertive policy too, as it has much more at stake

Tsewang Rigzin
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USA’s Tibetan Policy and Support Act: India needs a more assertive policy too, as it has much more at stake

After weeks of intense negotiations between Democrats and Republicans and uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s signature on the massive spending bill, the President finally signed into law The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 on December 27, 2020. With a $2.3 trillion spending package, this bill is considered to be the largest spending bill, and the longest bill (5593 pages) ever passed by Congress. 

Among other issues, this bill contains the “Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020”. Unlike the Tibet Policy Act of 2002, the new act is substantially more comprehensive and assertive. For instance, section 13 of the Tibet Policy Act 2002 have a clause that reads: 

“The Secretary of State shall make best efforts to establish a branch office in Lhasa, Tibet, of the United States Consulate General in Chengdu, People’s Republic of China, to monitor political, economic, and cultural developments in Tibet.” 

In the Tibet Policy and Support Act of 2020, this demand is coupled with the policy statement that read: 

“The Secretary may not authorize the establishment in the United States of any additional consulate of the People’s Republic of China until a United States consulate in Lhasa, Tibet, is established under subsection.” 

For Tibetans worldwide, under the leadership of the Central Tibetan Administration (Tibetan government-in-exile) and the blessing of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, this historical act is a matter of great joy and pride. In fact, ‘Tibet’ has been mentioned 130 times in these 5593 pages long bill. No other countries, except China (131 times), have been mentioned more. Other related issues, such as Uyghurs and Hong Kong, have been mentioned only 1 and 25 times, respectively.  

Succession or reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

One of the most significant insertions in the new Act of 2020 is an issue relating to the “succession or reincarnation” of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The act categorically stated that:

“decisions regarding the selection, education, and veneration of Tibetan Buddhist religious leaders are exclusively spiritual matters that should be made by the appropriate religious authorities within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and in the context of the will of practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism” and “the wishes of the 14th Dalai Lama, including any written instructions, should play a key role in the selection, education, and veneration of a future 15th Dalai Lama; and interference by the Government of the People’s Republic of China or any other government in the process of recognizing a successor or reincarnation of the 14th Dalai Lama and any future Dalai Lamas would represent a clear abuse of the right to religious freedom of Tibetan people.”

The act further stated that any Chinese official who directly interfered with identifying future Dalai Lama would be sanctioned. 

The act also applauded the Tibetan exile community for the practice of democracy in exile. It acknowledged the Central Tibetan Administration and Sikyong (President) as the representatives “to the greeted extent” of the aspiration of the “Tibetan diaspora” around the world. Another significant insertion to the act is section 343, i.e., Policy regarding the environment and water resources on the Tibetan Plateau. The act stated that the U.S. would encourage a regional framework on water security among riparian countries. 

The importance of Tibet for India

Throughout the recorded history of Tibet, no other civilization or country have been more grateful for Tibet than India. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, upon whom the hopes of six million Tibetan rest, often identify himself as a “Son of India.” Just like any Indian, Tibetans too will celebrate if India occupies a more prominent role on the international stage as it deserves. The biggest obstacle for India’s more prominent role on the international stage, such as becoming a permanent member UN Security Council, is accelerating China’s aggression.

The continued Chinese aggression on the Indian border region of Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh has become too costly both in terms of human casualties and fiscal burden. In one of my empirical analyses, I have shown that from 1954 – 2019, the continued Chinese occupation of Tibet cost the Indian tax-payer US$ 462.8 billion (without any adjustment to inflation and exchange rate fluctuation), i.e., about US$ 7.16 billion annually. 

It is now high time that India should also adopt a more assertive stand on the Tibet issue in dealing with China. One strategy is to adopt India’s version of Tibet policy similar to the Tibet Policy and Support Act of 2020 of the US. India currently has an executive policy (not a law) on Tibetans in India called “Tibetan Rehabilitation Policy 2014.” While this policy was a significant development for Tibetans’ welfare in India, it is devoid of any substantive relevance on core issues of Tibet, that is, destructive Chinese policies in Tibet and Tibetans’ demand for freedom in Tibet.

In terms of relevance, the issues addressed in the US government’s Act, such as reincarnation of the His Holiness The Dalai Lama and environment and water resources on the Tibetan Plateau, have a far more direct implication on India than the US. Just like Tibetans, millions of Indians, particularly in states like Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, West Bengal, and Arunachal worship His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Similarly, on the Tibetan plateau’s water resources, as mentioned in the Tibet Policy and Support Act of 2020, rivers from Tibet supply fresh water to an estimated 1.8 billion people. Almost half of the water (48%) that flows from the Tibetan plateau runs directly into India. Without a more assertive policy framework from India, China’s status as upper riparian and absolute control over these rivers not only gives China a chokehold on India’s economy but could cost the catastrophic loss of countless human lives. 

It is high time that India should take a firm stand to deal with China by adopting a more assertive policy framework regarding Tibet or by affirming the illegal nature of the Chinese occupation of Tibet and recognizing Tibet as an occupied territory. Ultimately, Tibet’s freedom is India’s best long-term security.

China tops the list of human rights abusers of 2020 prepared by UN Watch

OpIndia Staff
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China tops the list of human rights abusers of 2020 prepared by UN Watch

UN Watch, a United Nations accredited NGO that monitors the UN and fights for human rights and opposes dictatorship and double standards, has released a list of top ten countries that have been the worst abusers of human rights in 2020 as per the NGO. The ‘Top 10 Human Rights Abusers of 2020’ list features countries includes countries China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran.

Unsurprisingly, China has been recognised as the worst human rights abuser of this year as per the list. China has been ranked first in the list for forcing a million Uyghurs into camps, imprisoning human rights activists, ‘crushing Tibet’ and for suppressing the voices of people like Dr. Li Wenliang who sounded the alarm about the Wuhan virus and prosecuting journalists like Zhang Zhan who reported about the virus.

China is followed by Iran that has been placed at the second number in the list. Iran earned its place in the list by executing wrestler Navid Afkari and journalist Ruhollah Zam speaking against the Iranian regime. Iran also allegedly funded Syrian mass murder and Hezbollah terror, arrested women for not covering their heads, bombed a passenger jet killing 176 people on board and massacring peaceful protestors.

Central African country Republic of Cameroon has secured the third place in the list of human rights abusers. The Cameroon government allegedly tortured a journalist named Samuel Abuwe, massacred children in English-speaking schools as part of anglophone crisis that has claimed 3,000 live and displaced 50,000 people since 2016, threatened political rivals with extrajudicial killings and committed gender violence.

The fourth slot in the list of top ten human rights abusers has been filled by Venezuela. Venezuelan government has been credited with a range of human rights violations including freezing the assets of a food pantry that provided meals to underprivileged children, assassinating the people who criticised the Venezuelan President, forcing opposition leader to flee, holding fake elections and neglecting a humanitarian crisis that created about 5 million refugees.

Saudi Arabia has occupied the fifth place in the list of human rights abusers for allegedly imprisoning human rights activists like Loujain al-Hathloul and Raif Badawi, imposing travel restrictions on the critics of the regime and bombing Yemen schools, hospitals killing thousands.

The NGO had placed Zimbabwe at the sixth spot for arresting a journalist who exposed corruption in the health ministry, targeting critics of government by abducting and torturing them and harassing teachers who criticised the government’ handling of Covid-19.

Cuba has been ranked seventh in the list for allegedly arresting and denying human rights to rapper Denis Solis who wrote songs criticising police, crushing portestors and muzzling media, promoting drug trafficking, blocking food and medical aid and sending doctors abroad as slave labour.

Eighth place in the list has been occupied by Turkey for sentencing human rights activists and journalists, cutting off the water supply of 460,000 Kurds and fueling wars in Syria.

North Korea has been ranked ninth in the list for killing a fishing captain who was allegedly listening to international radio at sea, neglecting a hunger crisis that resulted in millions starving, detaining thousand of people in camps where they are subjected to forced labour and summary executions and forcing children to attend public execution.

The tenth place has been occupied by Russia in the list. The Russian government allegedly poisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny, held 362 political prisoners, tortured detainees, persecuted 300 Jehovah’s witnesses, bombed schools, hospitals and markets in Syria and supported tyrant Lukashenko in Belarus.

Sushant Singh Rajput death probe: Investigation is open and no aspect ruled out yet, says CBI

OpIndia Staff
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Sushant Singh Rajput death probe: Investigation is open and no aspect ruled out yet, says CBI

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday stated that it is still conducting the probe in the alleged suicide case of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and it has not ruled out any aspect as of 30 December 2020.

“The CBI is conducting investigation in a thorough and professional manner using scientific techniques. During the investigation, all the aspects are being looked at and no aspect has been ruled out as on date,” a CBI letter addressed to the BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said.

The CBI, in its letter, also added that its investigating team and senior officers have visited the place of the incident numerous times for better understanding of the circumstances related to the incident.

The Forensic Medicine Experts from New Delhi also visited the place of the incident, Mortuary of the Cooper hospital during the night and had a discussion with the autopsy surgeons to understand the procedure of postmortem adopted by them, the letter added.

“During investigation, all the concerned witnesses have been examined to understand the circumstances, apprehensions raised by the complainant and his family members and other independent sources. Intensive and thorough investigation has been carried out in this regard,” the letter said.

BJP MP Subramanian Swamy writes a letter to PM Modi seeking CBI probe into Rajput’s death

The letter by the CBI was in response to BJP MP Subramanian Swamy’s letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2020, seeking a comprehensive probe, including by the CBI and other central agencies, into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, whose body was found hanging in his Mumbai apartment on June 14.

Swamy had alleged in his letter to the prime minister that the actor’s death was a case of murder and not suicide.

He had said that a CBI probe has become “even more necessary” after an FIR was registered by the Bihar police in Patna on a complaint filed by Rajput’s father.


DMK members celebrating Stalin’s ‘doctorate’ received from a bogus university in the UK: Read details

OpIndia Staff
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DMK members celebrating Stalin’s ‘doctorate’ received from a bogus university in the UK: Read details

Recently, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) social media cell and supporters of party chief MK Stalin took to social media, as part of MK Stalin’s image-building exercise, to post an infographic claiming the DMK chief was awarded a doctorate by the ‘Irish International University’ when he was Mayor of Chennai.

According to a report by The Commune, the pro-DMK social media accounts posted images of Stalin stating that MK Stalin was the only Mayor from India to have participated in the ‘International Mayors Conference’ and was awarded a ‘doctorate’ by the ‘Irish International University’ for his contribution to ‘local governance’.

DMK supporters claiming that Stalin received an honorary doctorate degree from ‘Irish International University’

However, it turns out that the Irish International university is an ‘unaccredited and bogus’ university that has lured students and offered ‘sub-standard and worthless degrees’.

According to a 2008 report by BBC, the bogus Irish University was nothing but a scam that offers sub-standard and worthless degrees and lures foreign students. The report has criticised the UK government for allowing such universities to flourish in the UK – virtually unchecked for several years. The investigative report of the BBC went on to describe it as an educational scam that targeted foreign students.

Similarly, another report by The Irish Times had also called the Irish International University as a “bogus university” that “targets overseas students with the promise of earning an Irish university qualification online that holds “international recognition”.

It seems like the DMK supporters, in their hurry to further false propaganda favouring their party chief DMK, ended up scoring a massive self-goal.

Russian couples protest against COVID-19 restrictions by kissing in packed trains

OpIndia Staff
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Russian couples protest against COVID-19 restrictions by kissing in packed trains

Condemning the COVID-19 restrictions in Russia, several couples in the country protested against the Russian government in a unique manner by kissing their partners in crowded trains.

According to the reports, the Russian couples are now using ‘kissing in public’ as a way to show their dissent. Several videos have now gone viral in which couple were seen kissing their partners in crowded subways.

One such incident was reported from the Russian city of Yekaterinburg. Interestingly, this protest was held by the group in the honour of a newly-released song Let’s Kiss by the band Pink Glasses, reported Life.

The couples claimed that they were protesting against the coronavirus restrictions in music concerts and restaurants after 11 pm. The trains are extremely crowded and thus, they can express their dissent in more powerful ways, they said. However, as trains are also crowded, these public acts of kissing could now be a source of infection.

The protesting couples claimed they had no intentions of disrupting public services or of hurting anyone’s sentiments. The protesting ‘kissers’ said that they wanted to highlight that it is illogical to ban people from attending music shows and visiting nightclubs at a time when the metro is packed with commuters every day.

“Musicians are speaking out against unreasonable COVID-19 restrictions because the virus is considered a higher risk at concerts and in restaurants after 11 pm than on a crowded subway during rush hour,” the protestors said.

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