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I worked without discrimination, it’s time for you to fulfil your responsibility: PM Modi’s subtle message at AMU event

Jinit Jain
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I worked without discrimination, it’s time for you to fulfil your responsibility: PM Modi’s subtle message at AMU event

PM Modi today addressed the students and faculty of the Aligarh Muslim University(AMU) as the chief guest on the centennial celebrations on Tuesday—December 22. AMU, which was set up in 1920, completed 100 years on Tuesday. This is the first time in over five decades that a sitting prime minister has attended an AMU event.

Speaking at the event via video link, PM Modi started his address by lauding the Aligarh Muslim University for its phenomenal work in the field of research on Urdu, Arabic, and Persian languages, and other Islamic literature that has infused energy into India’s cultural relations with the Islamic world and played a crucial role in strengthening India’s relations with many countries.

PM Modi also showered praises for the AMU for its unprecedented work during the coronavirus outbreak. He commended the University for conducting free coronavirus tests, building isolation wards and plasma banks and contributing a large amount to the PM CARES Fund.

PM Modi said the AMU alumni act as ambassadors of India’s rich heritage and culture. “AMU alumni represent the rich heritage and the culture of India wherever they go. In its 100 years of history, AMU has crafted and polished millions of lives, giving them modern and scientific thinking and inspiring them to do something for the society and the nation,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi reminds AMU students and faculties of their responsibility towards the country

While PM Modi extolled the Aligarh Muslim University(AMU) for the contribution it has made towards the society, he also reminded them of the responsibilities they have regarding the country. He asserted that as a centre of excellent Islamic Research, it is the responsibility of the Institution to spread the core values and ethos of India to the world.

PM Modi also drew attention towards how his government had worked towards the betterment of the society without discriminating people based on their caste, creed or religion. He said the plans and policies made by the government have reached every part of the country and the touched the lives of people without any discrimination.

“Bank accounts of over 40 crores poor opened without any discrimination. Without discrimination, more than 2 crore poor were provided pucca houses and more than 8 crore women get cooking gas at their homes,” PM Modi said.

The emphasis by PM Modi on the fact that the government schemes have benefitted people equally, without differentiating them based on their faith, carried a subtle message for the AMU faculties and students that the Centre has been committed to the upliftment of all sections of the society—be it Hindus, Muslims, Christians or any other community—and it expects the same from the Institution in upholding India’s pluralistic ethos.

Resources of the country belong to every citizen: PM Modi

“The country is on the path where every citizen should rest assured about their constitutional rights & their future. The country is on the path where no citizen would be left behind because of their religion and everyone would get equal opportunities so that everyone can fulfil their dreams. Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas is the mantra behind it,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that resources of the country belong to every citizen and every one of them should benefit from it. “Resources of the country belong to every citizen. Everyone should benefit from it, that’s the spirit our government is working with,” PM Modi said.

There can be differences within a society. To iron out those differences, there can be debates, but when it comes to India’s progress, such differences should be kept aside,” PM Modi said.

There’s another subtle message laced in PM Modi’s assurance regarding the sanctity of the constitutional rights of people and his assertion that the resources of the country belong to every citizen. PM Modi’s statements should be viewed in the context of the anti-CAA protests that swept Aligarh Muslim University after the law was passed last year. The protest soon devolved into violence and vandalism, leading to injuries to several people and damages to the government property.

It is in this context that PM Modi promised the citizens that their constitutional rights will be safeguarded and reminded them that the resources of the country belonged to every citizen and therefore those resources mustn’t be damaged, destroyed or vandalised.

PM Modi asserts the importance of ‘Unity in Diversity’, asks students to carry out research on freedom fighters

PM Modi described the Aligarh Muslim University as a microcosm of modern-day India. He said that he was informed by people that AMU is just like a city, having different departments, dozens of hostels, thousands of teachers and professors.

“The diversity we see here is not only the strength of this university but also of the entire nation,” PM Modi declaimed.

“We must not forget this power of diversity, nor let it get weakened. We should work together to ensure that spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’ grows stronger day by day in the campus of Aligarh Muslim University,” PM Modi further added.

PM Modi also raised his expectations from the Aligarh Muslim University. He wished that the college would go an extra mile in developing itself and raise the bar even higher. He stated that the University should have 100 more hostels and place a greater focus on extracurricular activities. PM Modi also wished that the students of AMU would preside over researches on freedom fighters and give a push to digitalisation for preserving ancient documents.

Building toilets through Swachh Bharat Mission brought Muslim girls’ dropout rate down to 30 per cent

Speaking about the benefits that the central government’s Swachh Bharat Mission brought for Muslim girls, PM Modi said that the school dropout rate among Muslim girls dramatically came down to 30% which was earlier at around 70 per cent. He cited the building of toilets in schools and villages under the Swachh Bharat Mission has helped millions of girl students.

“School dropout rate among Muslim girls was more than 70 per cent and this situation persisted for 70 years. In these circumstances, the government started Swachh Bharat Mission, built toilets in villages and toilets for school-going girls. Now the dropout rate from 70 per cent has fallen to nearly 30 per cent. The Central government is continuously working to reduce their dropout rates,” he said speaking at the centenary celebrations of Aligarh Muslim University on Tuesday.

PM Modi spoke about the importance of institutions playing an instrumental role in empowering and educating women. To this effect, he praised AMU for having 35% women students.

“Education brings employment and entrepreneurship with itself, employment and entrepreneurship bring economic independence, which leads to empowerment. An empowered woman, at every level and in every decision, contributes as much as any other person,” the PM said.

Abolition of Triple Talaq takes forward founding chancellor Begum Sultan’s dream of creating a modern Muslim society: PM Modi

PM Modi also invoked the founder chancellor of AMU, Begum Sultan, for creating a modern Muslim society and added that the country has moved forward in that direction with the abolition of regressive practices like Triple Talaq.

“Nearly 100 years ago, the Founder-Chancellor of AMU, Begum Sultan worked towards the creation of the modern Muslim community. Today, after abolishing practices like triple talaq, the country has moved forward in that direction,” PM Modi said.

The reference to Triple Talaq made by PM Modi in his speech to AMU was particularly significant, given that several prominent Muslim organisations, including eminent politicians, claiming to be championing the cause of Muslim women, had openly opposed the legislation that criminalised the abhorrent practice of instant Talaq. Such organisations and opportunist politicians had indulged in scare-mongering, attempting to instil fear among Muslims that the central government is bent on interfering in their “personal matters”.

By describing Triple Talaq as one of the steps towards establishing a modern Muslim society, PM Modi reiterated his government’s commitment towards empowering the Muslim women, providing them justice and putting to rest the fears and apprehensions stoked by the opposition politicians and orthodox Muslim leaders that the central government is working against the interests of the Muslim community.

‘Never use the term Hindu,’ preacher rants against Hinduism in front of DMK chief MK Stalin at Christmas event, says ‘no religion called Hinduism’: Details

OpIndia Staff
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‘Never use the term Hindu,’ preacher rants against Hinduism in front of DMK chief MK Stalin at Christmas event, says ‘no religion called Hinduism’: Details

The rampant Hinduphobia that has come to dominate certain political parties was evident during a recent speech that was made in the presence of DMK president M.K. Stalin. Kalaiarasi Natarajan, a preacher, declared that there is no religion such as Hinduism and claimed that ‘we are all Shaivites’.

The speech was made at a Christmas event organised by the DMK in the run-up to the festival. She said, “Tamil denotes Saivas. Saivites are Tamils. No matter where they are and which religion they follow or ‘create’, they are Tamils. Fundamentally, they are Saivites. Here in Tamil Nadu, the Christians and Muslims are old Tamils. They are our umbilical cord relatives. ..one of the speakers mentioned the word ‘Hinduism’.. I am disheartened by the usage of that term. Please don’t use the word ‘Hindu’ religion. There is no such thing as Hinduism. It is only 200 years old. We are Saivites. We were there even before the stone age. Whether they are Muslims or Christians, they are our umbilical cord. They are our brothers. They are our kith and kin.”

Kalaiarasi stated further, “Never use the word ‘Hindu’. It is because you use the term ‘Hindu’ that it becomes our weakness. Never use that henceforth. There is no such thing as ‘Hindu’ religion.” “Nowadays, when you hear the word ‘Hindu’, the whole body burns. I feel disgusted to listen to Hindu religious stories”, she added.

Reportedly, the Christian leaders who attended the event and even the DMK Chief clapped at the incendiary speech. The statement has sparked quite the outrage on social media with calls being made to reject DMK with state elections looming around the corner.

Only days earlier, controversial Christian evangelist pastor and DMK supporter Bishop Ezra Sargunam hurled abusive remarks against Prime Minister Modi, saying he did not have any merit to rule the country as he could not live with his wife for even five days.

Speaking at the MK Stalin-led event, Ezra Sargunam attacked Modi government over its policies and said that whatever they are speaking at the event should echo in Delhi. He said the speeches made at the event should fall in the ears of Modi.

“He is not going to change his mind anyway. He is a man who has come to loot the country and is doing his job correctly. His duty is to support the four rich men. He doesn’t care about the poor. But he will keep saying ‘I was born poor, I sold tea, I am living my life for the poor’. But friends, he keeps doing exactly the opposite,” said Bishop Ezra Sargunam making vile remarks against Prime Minister.

Note: The translation was provided in a report by The Commune Mag

Who is the ‘farmer’ who has taken ‘offence’ at BJP using his picture to spread the truth about MSP?

OpIndia Staff
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Who is the ‘farmer’ who has taken ‘offence’ at BJP using his picture to spread the truth about MSP?

One ‘Harp Farmer’ alias Harpreet Singh has taken an offence to BJP Punjab’s post for spreading truth about procurement of Kharif produce at MSP.

Accusing the BJP of ‘using his picture’ for MSP procurement while he is ‘protesting’ at Singhu border with other Punjab farmers, he urged people to ‘report’ the BJP Punjab post. He also threatened to take legal action against the BJP. However, the ‘farmer’ forgot to mention that he is actually a model and actor. And that the image used by BJP is from 2015.

Harp Farmer’s 2015 picture

While the image is available as stock image or not is not yet clear. We are also not sure how the BJP decided to use the image which is so widely in circulation.

Harp Farmer’s images which have been widely used and circulated over the years.

So in case the BJP used the stock image, if the same is sold by Harp Farmer, then, well, he is quite likely getting compensated for usage of his image.

Here are some of his other images.

Harp Farmer with Ford Mustang

OpIndia cannot independently verify whether these are his own images with own vehicles or modelling assignments.

Harp Farmer with an Audi in September this year

He is also an actor and producer.

Harp Farmer as producer

He also likes to pose with guns.

Harp Farmer with gun

And travel.

Harp Farmer on wanderlust

Melbourne is apparently second home to him.

Harp Farmer’s Melbourne visit

Who is Harp Farmer

In his own words, 36-year-old Harp Farmer is an actor, director, producer and a photographer who also has his own music label and production company.

In 2016, Harp Farmer had started a campaign ‘Stop defaming Punjab’ over reports of drug abuse in Punjab. He had put up videos encouraging Punjabis to come out and support his campaign where he tried to downplay the drug abuse in Punjab. Daler Mehendi, a popular Punjabi icon, too had lent his support to Harp Farmer’s campaign.

Harp Farmer is now upset that his modelling pictures were used while he was ‘protesting’ in at the Delhi border.

Shiv Sena’s Pratap Sarnaik evades ED summons in Rs 175 crore money laundering case, fresh summons issued to both his sons

OpIndia Staff
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Shiv Sena’s Pratap Sarnaik evades ED summons in Rs 175 crore money laundering case, fresh summons issued to both his sons

Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik, who is under the scanner of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for his involvement in a Rs 175 crore money laundering case pertaining to a private security firm named Tops Group, is yet to respond to a summons sent to him yesterday to appear before the department for questioning. According to sources, Sarnaik was summoned to appear on Monday, which he failed. The ED will soon take a call on summoning him again later, sources said.

Meanwhile, the department has issued fresh summons to his sons- Purvesh Sarnaik and Vihang Sarnaik asking the siblings to appear before the agency on December 23 (Wednesday).

Earlier, five summons had been issued to Vihang Sarnaik to join the investigation by ED while two have been issued to Purvesh to join investigations. ED had now asked Purvesh and Pratap Sarnaik to join the investigation on Monday but both failed to join after which the agency issued fresh summons to them. Vihang had earlier cited his wife’s illness as the reason for not being able to join the investigation while Purvesh said he was ill.

The Enforcement Directorate had last month raided the residences and official premises of the Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarnaik in connection with a money laundering case involving the Shiv Sena MLA. The search was conducted at 10 places across Mumbai and Thane with the links to the aforementioned Shiv Sena leader. Subsequebtly the agency arrested Sarnaik’s close aide in connection with a money laundering case linked to the legislator.

Uddhav Thackeray defends Pratap Sarnaik

A day after the raid, the Shiv Sena chief come out in defence of his loyalist, calling the action taken by the agency against Sarnaik’s family ‘pervert politics’. Thackeray alleged that Sarnaik’s family was being targeted by the ED. 

A Pakistani credit card was recovered from Sarnaik’s house registered on his address

For the unversed, on December 12, a credit card registered under the name of a Pakistani national was recovered from the premises of Sarnaik. The credit card was registered on his address.

MLA Pratap Sarnaik had threatened to break Kangana Ranaut’s mouth

In the last few months, Sarnaik has made his presence felt in Maharashtra politics by ratcheting up his criticism against the BJP. Besides, he has also been vehemently demanding re-investigation into the suicide of interior designer Anvay Naik, a case which was used by the Mumbai Police to arrest Republic TV Editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami. Sarnaik had brought in privilege motions against Kangana Ranaut and Arnab Goswami in the previous session of the Assembly.

The ‘Jalianwala Bagh’ of 1998: When the Congress govt in Madhya Pradesh opened fire and killed 24 farmers in Multai

OpIndia Staff
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The ‘Jalianwala Bagh’ of 1998: When the Congress govt in Madhya Pradesh opened fire and killed 24 farmers in Multai

Amidst ongoing farmers’ protest and Congress showcasing their immense ‘love’ and ‘support’ for the farmers, it is essential to point out one incident that took place in 1998, Madhya Pradesh. The inability of the Digvijay Singh-led then-Congress government in Madhya Pradesh resulted in the death of around 24 farmers in Multai.

The farmers’ protest of Multai

In 2017, Bharatiya Janata Party released a video on Multai agitation and police firing on farmers. The video narrated the chronology of events that led to the Massacre of January 12, 1998, and the events in coming months.

In 1997, the farmers faced heavy losses due to crop damage. The farmers were on the verge of starvation. The loans were piling up. The farmers started protests against the MP government with several demands, including compensation for the damaged crops, loan waiver, electricity bill waiver, payment against crop insurance and several others.

On December 25, 1997, the farmers gathered outside Multai Tehsil. After 13 days, the police uprooted farmers’ tents. It was alleged that the police came in at night and demolished the tents. The protesters claimed that the police snatched money that they had brought for ration and forced them to leave the protest site. The protests continued peacefully even after police action against the farmers. On January 11, police allegedly picked some farmers who were close to Sunilam to interrogate them. They were asked about the whereabouts of Sunilam, but the police could not get any information.

The ‘Jalianwala Bagh’ of 1998

On January 12, 1998, Madhya Pradesh police fired on protesting farmers in Multai as the protests went violent. The farmers were seeking compensation for the damaged crops due to adverse weather. Thousands of farmers gathered on the call of then-newly-formed Kisan Sangharsh Samiti. The group had announced a program to lock and gherao the Multai tehsil office.

The group of farmers pelted stones and tried to attack officials. Some vehicles were set on fire. The violence resulted in police opening firing at the protesters. While the official count states 19 farmers lost their lives with over 150 injured, the unofficial count of the dead as per the activists is around 24. BJP was in opposition at that time. They equated the incident to the Jalianwala Bagh massacre.

The role of Sunilam in the protests

Sunilam (Sunil Mishra), who was a legislator at that time, was allegedly behind mobilizing the farmers on January 12, 1998. He was suspended from Samajwadi Party for some time, but later his suspension was revoked. According to a judicial commission, the officials were suspended in haste and blamed Sunilam for the deaths due to violent agitation. then SP (Betul) G P Singh, who is now IG (Lokayukta), said, “Property worth crores were damaged and a fire brigade employee was killed only because he was trying to put out a fire and wearing a uniform similar to a policeman’s.” He added that farmers tried to snatch away rifles from the policemen.

As per the judicial commission, the mob not only killed a fireman but caused injuries to several police personnel and government officials. Police fired shots at them only in self-defence. The report suggested that Sunilam was shouting slogans using a microphone and provoking protesters against the government officials.

The testimonies recorded by the commission gave a picture of how government and police officials had to hide under the tables and requested police officers to open fire to save them from the mob. It was alleged that Sunilam was shouting not to be scared if police shoot them as they only use rubber and plastic bullets.

Sunilam did not join the judicial commission’s proceedings and asked for a probe by a judge from Madhya Pradesh High Court or the Supreme Court. He said that he was implicated as Congress was scared of his popularity in the region. He said the ruling party was afraid that the agitation he started in 450 villages would soon spread across Madhya Pradesh.

Sunilam’s arrest

On the day of the violence, Sunilam was arrested by the police and later released in the last week of March. In a contested election as an Independent and in 2003 elections, he got the ticket from Samajwadi Party. In 2008 he lost the elections by a considerable margin. During Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement, Sunilam decided to join the movement.

Congress MLA Sukhdev Panse defeated Sunilam in 2008. He said that when someone is leading an agitation, he should make sure that the mob does not turn violent. He added that Sunilam could not deny the responsibility for the death of so many farmers. “If he was right, he should have been able to convince the courts,” he added.

A total of 66 allegedly fake cases were registered against Sunilam and other farmers. Most of them were withdrawn in later years. However, Sunilam was convicted in three cases, including the alleged lynching of a fire brigade personnel. It took 15 years for the sessions court in Multai to pass the judgement in the cases, and sentence Sunilam to life imprisonment for his role in the protests. Apart from these three cases, all other cases were either dropped, or the court found him not guilty. Appeals on these cases are pending in Madhya Pradesh High Court.

Farmers claim police fired without warning

Amidst the claims from leaders and administration, farmers who were protesting at the site narrate a somewhat different story. The farmers stated that the police did not warn them before opening fire on them. As per the eyewitnesses’ testimonies in BJP’s video, farmers were standing outside the tehsil when suddenly the police started firing. They fired several rounds from the nearby hospital as well. The massacre continued for over 2.5 hours, after which a curfew was imposed in the area.

Farmers, who were named in several cases, alleged that there were no cases filed against the officers who shot them. Fines as much as Rs.10,000 were imposed on all accused, and many of them are still struggling to get justice in the courts.

Pakistan: Read how father of a minor Christian girl, who was abducted and converted to Islam, has to pay a fine for seeking justice

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: Read how father of a minor Christian girl, who was abducted and converted to Islam, has to pay a fine for seeking justice

On December 20 (Sunday), Pakistani Human right activist Rahat Austin shared a video on Twitter, wherein a Christian father who was trying to seek justice for his minor daughter had narrated the sordid tale of his endless miseries in Pakistan. His 13-year-old daughter Mehwish had been forcefully abducted, raped and converted to Islam by Sajid Ali, Sumaira and Tarav in Thokar Nayaz, Kanjrah Lahore.

Speaking about the same incident, the Pakistani activist today shared the copy of Lahore High Court orders which upheld a lower court’s decision asking the victim’s father to pay a penalty of PKR 30000. The activist stated that the victim’s father had approached Lahore High Court to waive off a fine of KR 30,000, imposed on him by a lower court when he approached it for help after his minor daughter was abducted. Instead of providing him with any sort of help, the lower court had imposed the penalty on the victim’s father.

Coming from a humble background, it was almost impossible for the victim’s father to arrange for the hefty sum. Therefore he had approached the Lahore High Court pleading it to forego the penalty imposed on him. However, the Pakistan HC instead of helping him upheld the order passed by the lower court and asked him to pay the fine immediately.

“It is impossible to get justice in Pakistan”, father of the 13-year-old Christian girl remarked

We had reported on Sunday how the distressed father of the 13-year-old Christian victim had warned of killing his entire family if justice was not provided to him. On being asked whether he sought help from any political leaders, the man had lamented: “Initially, we tried to meet Minister Jahaz Alam Ghasti on two occasions but failed. However, we met him later on 3 different occasions. He said that he cannot do anything about it… If Prime Minister, Ministers, Chief Justice and Parliamentarians do not listen to me or ensure the safe return of my child, then, I will be forced to kill my entire family.”

Throwing light on the depraved conditions the religious minorities are having to live in, in Pakistan, the 13-year-old’s father had said: “It is impossible to get justice in Pakistan. Justice will only be rendered when my daughter returns back to me. Do not take my words lightly. If my daughter does not come back, then, I will do what I have promised,” the victim’s father remarked.

While a mutated form appears in UK, COVID outbreak grips China again as cities declare ‘wartime’: Reports

OpIndia Staff
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While a mutated form appears in UK, COVID outbreak grips China again as cities declare ‘wartime’: Reports

There are Covid-19 outbreaks in clusters occurring throughout China, the Epoch Times has reported. Authorities in Chinese cities are also announcing “wartime” mode one by one, the report claimed.

“At present, the epidemic in our country has entered the stage of ‘multi-point outbreak.’ … Over 20 cluster outbreaks have occurred in different regions,” Zhang Boli, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, is quoted as saying.

As per the report, the Chinese language Epoch Times was told by locals in Beijing and southwestern city of Chengdu that they do not believe the official narrative and suspect that there have been more diagnosed cases than announced. The outbreak in Beijing is believed to have been sparked by a 27-year old male from Jilin Province.

The man arrived in Beijing through Hong Kong. He tested negative at the quarantine center but developed fever and diarrhea soon afterwards. Meanwhile, the new cases are reportedly triggering a panic about possible lockdowns and supermarket shelves have been cleared out already.

China recorded 23 new cases on Saturday, up from 17 the previous day, with at least 1 case of local transmission. The National Health Commission said that that 22 of those cases were imported with 1 local transmission in the northeastern province of Liaoning. The cases were primarily from Dalian city, Liaoning Province, and Heilongjiang Province.

Mainland China recorded 15 more cases on December 21st. 13 of the new cases were said to be imported while two were cases of local transmission, again in Liaoning. 17 asymptomatic cases were reported as well, up from 15 the day before. China does not include asymptomatic cases in its total confirmed cases tally. Thus far, the mutated form of the virus emerging from the United Kingdom has not been spotted in China.

One Ismail arrested in Karnataka for attacking Asha with a machete: Here is what happened

OpIndia Staff
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One Ismail arrested in Karnataka for attacking Asha with a machete: Here is what happened

On Monday, a 21-year-old woman named Asha was brutally attacked in broad daylight in Deshpande Nagar in Hubballi district of Karnataka. The accused, identified as a 25-year-old auto driver named Ismail, has now been arrested.

As per reports, the accused was in a 2 year-long relationship with the woman. The victim, who hails from Moraba village in Dharwad, ended the relationship with Ismail and got into a relationship with another man. She also stopped picking his calls for the last 5 months. This angered the accused who then sought to take revenge.

In a video that has now gone viral on social media, the accused could be seen attacking the victim with a machete while she collapsed on the middle of the road. A passerby, stopped his bike and intervened to pacify the situation, even when Ismail was armed with the deadly weapon.

The incident took place when the victim was en route her workplace at a jewellery shop. Ismail stopped her on the way and attacked her brutally with a machete from behind. Republic TV reported that Ismail had also tried to commit suicide a few days ago but was saved by his relatives. The accused works as an auto driver in Rampura in Dharwad district.

Ismail arrested, victim undergoing treatment

Hubballi Police Commissioner Labu Ram stated that the accused has been arrested and that the deadly weapon, used in the assault, has been recovered. “An investigation is going on. The girl has been shifted to a private hospital and is undergoing treatment. The doctor told us that she is out of danger. Once she regains consciousness, we will take her statement,” he added.

While speaking about the incident, investigating officer SK Holeyannavar informed, “The woman apparently ended the relationship and is now in a relationship with another man and this angered him. We are investigating the matter fully and speak to the woman in detail after she has recovered from the attack.”

Nikita Tomar shot dead in Mewat

Earlier in October, a 21-year-old student named Nikita Tomar was shot dead in full public view by two men outside the Aggarwal college in Ballabgarh, Faridabad. Her family has now alleged that he was forcing her to convert to Islam and marry him. A relative stated that Taufeeq alias Sajeed started harassing Nikita three years ago. A few months back, too, a complaint was lodged against him for harassment and molestation.

However, the family later dropped the case. Lately, the accused again allegedly started hounding her and pressuring her to embrace Islam. The relative confirmed that the accused initially wanted to abduct her but killed her when she resisted to his demands. The family has now demanded that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) should be constituted to probe the case.

As the US bans cotton from Xinjiang company, read how China has been exploiting Uyghur slave labour to supply Western markets

Anurag
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As the US bans cotton from Xinjiang company, read how China has been exploiting Uyghur slave labour to supply Western markets

The Trump administration had recently decided to ban cotton imports from one of the largest cotton producers in China, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC). On Wednesday last week, the US Customs and Border Protection agency said that its “Withhold Release Order” would ban cotton and cotton products” from XPCC, which is a powerful Chinese quasi-military organization. It is believed that the company uses the detained Uighur Muslims as slave labour, reported Nikkei Asia.

The ban on XPCC will have a notable effect on its involvement in the global business of textiles and apparels. In 2015, the 66-year old company produced 30% of the total cotton produced in China. The Treasury Department has already banned all dollar transactions with XPCC in July this year.

China-made cheap cotton goods are a product of slave labour

Kenneth Cuccinelli, Security Secretary, Department of Homeland, has called “Made in China” a “warning label.” He said, “The cheap cotton goods you may be buying for family and friends during this season of giving, if coming from China, it may have been made by slave labour in some of the most egregious human rights violations existing today in the modern world.”

Brenda Smith, CBP’s executive assistant commissioner for trade, said that this ban would force apparel firms and other companies using XPCC-produced cotton to change their supplier, eliminating the company’s presence from many stages of the supply chain.

Reaction from China

Hua Chunying, China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, said that the claim that Chinese firms use forced labour is false. She said, “All workers in Xinjiang choose their occupations based on their own volition and sign labour contracts with firms based on the principle of equality and free will.” She further added that the ban is in contradiction to the international trade rules, and it is going to hurt consumers everywhere.

Identifying XPCC cotton may be difficult, say traders

Reuters quoted a trader from China who said that ban on XPCC would pretty much block all Chinese textile imports. Identification of the supplier will increase the manufacturing cost. He said that only a few companies are capable of guaranteeing that they were not using XPCC cotton. “It really depends on how much proof they want. If they want real proof that this cotton has not been used, that’s going to be extremely difficult,” he added.

Reuters had quoted major clothing brands including Gap Inc., Patagonia Inc. and Zara owner Inditex said though they do not source from factories in Xinjiang, it is not possible to confirm if their supply chains are free of cotton from XPCC.

Earlier, the US apparel makers had criticized the proposal of a broader ban on cotton from Xinjiang, but they welcomed the XPCC-specific ban on Wednesday. The group that includes groups like the American Apparel and Footwear Association and the National Retail Federation issued a statement in which they said they were on the “front lines of efforts to ensure forced labour does not taint our supply chains or enter the United States.”

US companies lobbying against Uyghur labour bills

Jennifer Wexton, U.S. Democratic congresswoman, has called out Coca Cola, Nike and Apple for allegedly lobbying against Uyghur labour bills on December 2. She said these companies should prove they are not using forced labour in China. During an interview, Wexton said that there is evidence that China is building more camps to forcefully keep ethnic people of the Xinjiang region. She added that though these companies have not approached her, the “word is that they’re trying to water down some of the enforcement provisions while publicly proclaiming that they are very much against and condemning forced labour. They’re going behind the scenes and trying to change the law.”

Problems for Biden

President-elect Joe Biden may find it difficult to ease US-China tension after this ban imposed by the Trump administration. Biden has pledged to work with the United Stated allies to increase pressure on China to curb human rights and trade abuses. However, he also wanted to ease the tension between the two nations that have increased during the Trump administration due to action against major Chinese state companies. The Trump Administration has banned access to US technology and investments for many companies, including Huawei and others.

The ‘slave labour’ in China

In 2018, a United Nations human rights panel said in a statement that they have a credible report that China is holding over one million ethnic Uyghurs in China in what resembles a “massive internment camp that is shrouded in secrecy.” Gay McDougall, a member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, stated that in the western Xinjiang autonomous region, an estimated two million Uyghurs and Muslim minorities were forced into “political camps for indoctrination.”

China has said that it is facing a severe threat from Islamist militants and separatists. The Communist Party of China-led government has said that these militants and separatists stir up tension between the Muslim Uyghur minority who are native to the Xinjiang region and the ethnic Han Chinese majority.

At that time, the U.S. mission to UN said in a statement that they are deeply troubled by the reports of an ongoing crackdown on Uyghurs and other Muslims in China and had called on China to end counterproductive policies and free all of those who have been arbitrarily detained.

‘Uyghurs for sale’ – Australian Strategic Policy Institute report

In Match 2020, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) had released a report on the condition of Uyghur and other ethnic minority citizens from the far west region of Xinjiang. The report detailed out how ethnic people from the said region have been mass transferred across the country. The conditions they work in suggest forced labour. The report suggested that as many as 82 well-known global brands in sectors including technology, clothing and automotive sectors have such workers in their suppliers’ factories in China. These companies include major names such as Apple, BMW, Gap, Huawei, Nike, Samsung, Sony and Volkswagen.

Uyghur transfers to other parts of China from 2017 to 2020 (Image: ASPI)

As per the report, there are more than 80,000 Uyghurs who were transferred to different parts of the country between 2017 and 2019. Some of them were sent directly from the detention camps. The number included in the report was conservative, and the actual numbers can be much higher. These workers not only work as forced labour but have to undergo compulsory organized Mandarin and ideological training outside working hours. They are constantly under surveillance and not allowed to take part in any religious observations.

The Nike Factory in China

Qingdao Taekwang Shoes Co. Ltd employed over 600 ethnic workers from the Xinjiang region, comprising mainly Uyghur women from Hotan and Kashgar. These regions are located in the remote area of southern Xinjiang, which the Chinese government describes as a “backward region that is affected by religious extremism.” These workers work in the factory during the day time and then attend a night school where they study Mandarin, sing the Chinese national anthem and receive ‘vocational training’ and ‘patriotic education,’ the report suggested. This factory makes around 70 lakh shoes for Nike every year. A report in the Washington Post suggested that these workers are not allowed to go home on holidays.

Adidas’ connection with forced labour in China

The Haoyuanpeng Clothing Manufacturing Co. Ltd is a part of the program. On its website, it suggests that the company supplies products to Italian–South Korean fashion label Fila, German sportswear companies Adidas and Puma, and Nike. As many as 63 forced labourers were transferred to its factory in 2018. When Adidas was asked about its association with the company, a spokesperson said that they do not have a direct relationship with the company and they will investigate the issue further.

Apple one of the beneficiaries of ‘forced labour’ in China

O-Film Technology Co. Ltd, which manufactures selfie cameras for Apple’s iPhone 8 and iPhone X, has been allegedly using forced labour in China. In, 2017, around 700 Uyghurs were reportedly transferred from Lop county, Hotan Prefecture, in Xinjiang to work at O-Film’s factory in Nanchang, Jiangxi province, the ASPI report had stated.

In December 2017, Apple CEO Tim Cook had visited the Guangzhou factory of O-Film. At that time, Cook praised the company’s humane approach towards its employees. The press release has now been deleted from Apple’s website. O-Film’s other major customers include Acer, Samsung, Mi, Asus, HTC, Sony, H.P. and many others.

Labour transfer from Xinjiang and labour trade

In recent years, the transfer of ‘forced labour’ has increased from Xinjiang. As per the media reports, 20,859 ‘rural surplus labourers’ from Xinjiang were transferred to other Chinese regions in 2017. In 2018, the number increased to 28,000, and in 2019 approx 32,000 people were transferred out of Xinjiang.

In recent tims, ‘government-sponsored Uyghur labour’ ads started to appear online in China. A company based in Qingdao in 2019 published an ad in which it mentioned that a large number of government-led qualified, secure and reliable’ Uyghur workers were available for transfer to up to 10 provinces in China. In the ad, two cartoon figures wearing traditional Uyghur clothing were seen dancing.

Ad stating availability of Xinjiang workers dressed in traditional clothings (Image: ASPI)

Another advertisement read, “The advantages of Xinjiang workers are: semi-military style management, can withstand hardship, no loss of personnel … Minimum order 100 workers!’. The advertisement also said that factory managers can apply for current Xinjiang police to be stationed at their factory 24 hours a day, and that the workers could be delivered (along with an Uyghur cook) within 15 days of the signing of a one-year contract.” This particular ad suggested that the workers are young and efficient and can work for a long duration every day in the factories.

United Nation’s stand on the Xinjiang issue

On October 6, Ambassador Christoph Heusgen, Permanent Representative of the German Mission to the United Nations, said that 39 countries including United States, Germany,  Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, Spain and others were gravely concerned about the human rights situation in Xinjiang. He said, “We call on China to allow immediate, meaningful and unfettered access to Xinjiang for independent observers including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and her Office, and relevant special procedure mandate holders; to urgently implement CERD’s eight recommendations related to Xinjiang, including by refraining from the arbitrary detention of Uyghurs and members of other minorities. In view of our concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang, we call on all countries to respect the principle of non-refoulment.”

In June 2020, 50 UN Special Procedures mandate holders issued an exceptional letter of concern, calling on the People’s Republic of China to respect human rights in the Xinjiang region. In October 2019, over two dozen countries called on China for its brutal policies against 13 million Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang as part of its “Strike Hard Campaign against Violent Extremism.”

China’s denial of Human Rights abuse claims

So far, China has claimed that the news about mistreatment and human rights abuse in the Xinjiang region are false. However, reports have suggested that China is changing the demographic situation in the region. Several reports have suggested that China has demolished a number of mosques in the region. Interestingly, its Islamic ally Pakistan has been quiet over the issue, and PM Imran Khan has categorically denied knowledge of any such human rights abuse in the Xinjiang region. In October 2020, Pakistan’s National Security Analyst (NSA) Moeed Yusuf said that human rights abuse in the Xinjiang region is a non-issue.

3 judges dismissed for a 2013 case where they were caught in compromising position in Nepal hotel: Details about the case

OpIndia Staff
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3 judges dismissed for a 2013 case where they were caught in compromising position in Nepal hotel: Details about the case

The general administration department of Bihar has issued a notification sanctioning the dismissal of three lower court judges, who were implicated in a 2013 Nepal sex scandal, reports Hindi daily Jagran. According to the notification, their dismissal will be effective from February 12, 2014. They will not be eligible to get their salaries, any kind of allowances or pensions.

The three judicial officers are Nawada sub-judge Komal Ram, who was the judicial magistrate in Araria at the time of the alleged incident, Ara additional district and sessions judge Jitendra Nath Singh and Muzaffarpur family court’s principal judge Hari Nivas Gupta, who held these positions at that time.

The Supreme Court had last year vacated its 2015 stay on the proceeding and allowed the Bihar government to initiate action against the judges.

The 2013 Nepal sex scandal in which the three judges were implicated

The case had come to light in January 2014, when a Nepali newspaper ‘Udgosh’ reported that the Nepal police raided Biratnagar’s Metro hotel and found these officers in ‘indecent positions’ with several Nepali women. The paper reported that these men were taken into custody on January 26, 2014, after found in compromising positions in the hotel but subsequently released.

Following the report, Union Home Ministry deputy secretary SM Kandwal wrote to the Patna High Court’s registrar general asking for a probe in the matter. The Patna High Court, in turn, directed the Purnea district and sessions judge to probe the matter. The latter in his report wrote that the three judges said that at the time when the incident was reported they were not in Nepal but in India. The Purnea district and sessions judge, Sanjay Kumar in his report also mentioned that the Nepali daily ‘Udgosh’, which had first reported the incident, had tendered an apology for publishing a wrong story.

However, not satisfied by the probe conducted by Sanjay Kumar, the Patna High Court asked Home Ministry to intervene.

An agency of the MHA tracked the mobile phone history of the accused judges and found that their phones had been simultaneously switched off on January 26-27, 2013, and when it became active again it was traced somewhere near Nepal’s Forbesganj town, indicating that the three were in Nepal and not in India as claimed by them.

The report filed by the home ministry also mentioned that the hotel bills the accused judges had submitted to substantiate their claims that on the day of the incident, they were in Purnea, Bihar and not in Nepal were fabricated. The report said that the hotel bills were prepared and signed by one of the accused judge himself. Based on the findings, a resolution was passed approving the dismissals of the three judges.

Meanwhile, in February 2014, the three accused judges filed a petition in the High Court against their dismissal. The judicial officers thereafter moved the SC contending that they cannot be dismissed without a disciplinary inquiry be held against them.

In the meantime, the full court of Patna HC passed orders recommending their dismissal in compliance of the HC order but the Supreme Court had in 2015 stayed the proceedings against them restraining the State Gov. from acting on the recommendation.

However, in 2019, a bench of Justices Indu Malhotra and Sanjiv Khanna dismissed the petition of the accused judicial officers and upheld the High Court verdict and vacated the stay. It allowed the State government to take a decision on the HC’s recommendation on their dismissal. It said that the judges could challenge the dismissal orders once passed by the State government.

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