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Meerut: Muslim woman marries Hindu man, says she didn’t tell her family about it as she feared they would kill her

OpIndia Staff
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Meerut: Muslim woman marries Hindu man, says she didn’t tell her family about it as she feared they would kill her

In a case of interfaith marriage in Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, a Muslim woman married a Hindu boy. The Muslim woman named Farha, a resident of Jaidi Farm, married a Hindu man named Naman Madan, a resident of Shastrinagar. Farha changed her name to Mahi married Naman on Friday. According to reports, Naman’s father runs a confectionary store for which cakes used to supplied from Farhs’a home.

The couple got married in Hrishikesh

The couple had reportedly fled on December 13. Farha’s brother had filed an FIR at Nauchandi police station against Naman following that. The police found the couple in a hotel in Hrishikesh on Thursday. The couple had reportedly performed marriage in a temple in Hrishikesh. After conducting medical examination, the police recorded the statement of the woman before the Magistrate. The woman expressed her wish to stay with her husband. She was sent to the house of her in-laws after court order.

Woman said she feared that her family would kill her

Farha alias Mahi said that she had decided to stay with Naman out of her own will. After a courtship of one and a half year, the couple decided to get married. Farha said that she did not tell about her marriage with Naman to her family as she feared that her family would get her killed. She said that her husband’s family supported her and that she wanted to live with her husband.

Families of both Farha and Naman remained in Nauchandi police station whole day. Inspector Sanjay Verma told the families of the couple that the court order will be enforced. Farha distributed sweets in the police station and took the blessings of Naman’s parents. The couple visited the Navchandi temple.

NCP leader threatens Hindus to leave India, abuses Hindu women, says ‘All Hindus are my brothers’ after Hindus take up his ‘Dum hai?’ challenge

OpIndia Staff
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NCP leader threatens Hindus to leave India, abuses Hindu women, says ‘All Hindus are my brothers’ after Hindus take up his ‘Dum hai?’ challenge

An undated video has gone viral on social media where the president of NCP’s Nagpur City Minority Department could be seen indulging in hate speech against the Hindu Community. Using extremely foul language, Arbaaz Khan threatened Hindus and insulted Hindu women. He said that Hindus should leave India.

Arbaaz Khan was so arrogant that he even shared his residential address and challenged Hindus to show their guts. Unfortunately for him, Hindus do appear to have taken up the challenge and since then, another video has gone viral where he can be seen apologizing profusely.

In his apology, Arbaaz Khan said that the video is not recent and begs Hindus to forgive him. “The video of mine that has gone viral, I apologize for it and it is a fairly old video. I have made a mistake, please forgive my mistake. All Hindus are my brothers, I fold my hands in apology because I have made a mistake. Please forgive my mistake. I won’t say such a thing ever again, I am so sorry.”

It is not clear whether NCP has taken any action against Arbaaz Khan for his derogatory and vulgar comments. It remains to be seen whether their alliance partner Shiv Sena takes up the matter since they still claim to hold on to the Hindutva bandwagon.

10 MLAs from TMC, Congress and left join BJP in presence of Amit Shah in West Bengal, here is the full list

OpIndia Staff
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10 MLAs from TMC, Congress and left join BJP in presence of Amit Shah in West Bengal, here is the full list

The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal is in a state of political turmoil, with several heavyweight lawmakers deserting the party. A long list of TMC leaders, along with 4 others from the Left and Congress, joined the BJP, in the presence of BJP leader Amit Shah in Midnapore.

Ending days of speculation, former minister Suvendu Adhikari finally joined BJP today in presence of Amit Shah at the rally in Midnapore. Several MLAs and party leaders from TMC, Congress and left parties joined BJP along with Adhikari. The major leaders who joined BJP in West Bengal are:

  • Burdwan Purba MP Sunil Mandal, TMC
  • Former minister and Tamluk MLA Suvendu Adhikari, TMC
  • Kanthi Uttar MLA Banasri Maity, TMC
  • Kalna MLA Biswajeet Kundu, TMC
  • East Bardhaman MLA Saikat Panja, TMC
  • Barrackpore MLA Shilbhadra Datta, TMC
  • Ghazole MLA Dipali Biswas, TMC
  • Nagrakata MLA Shukra Munda, TMC
  • Tamluk MLA Ashok Dinda, CPI
  • Haldia MLA Tapashi Mandal, CPIM
  • Purulia MLA Sudeep Mukherjee, Congress
  • Former MP Dasharath Tirkey, TMC
  • Ex minister Shyamapada Mukherjee, TMC
  • Former MLA Satyen Roy, TMC

Apart from these, several panchayat-level lawmakers and ardent followers of TMC MLA Suvendu Adhikary are also joining BJP. They include Kaberi Chattopadhyay, Snehashish Bhowmik, Akashdeep Singh, Tanmoy Roy, Ranjan Vaidya, Dev Mohapatra and Sukumar Das. The saffron party will also be joined by Congress leaders such as Sudip Kumar Mukherjee and Sanmay Banerjee.

Former vice chancellor of Gour Banga university Gopal Mishra also joined BJP today. A large number of politicians from TMC and other parties also joined the party.

Several senior TMC leaders have resigned from TMC

After the top TMC leader Suvendu Adhikari submitted his resignation on December 16 following a prolonged discontentment with the party, a string of party leaders submitted their resignations within the last 72 hours. The TMC leaders who have submitted resignations from the party include Silbhadra Datta, TMC MLA from Barrackpore Assembly constituency, Col. (Rtd) Diptangshu Chaudhary who resigned as the Advisor of the CMO’s Grievance and Monitoring Cell, Asansol MLA Jitendra Tiwari resigned as the Chairman of Board of Administrators of Asansol Municipal Corporation, Abhijit Acharya quit as the Vice-President of Paschim Bardhaman.

West Bengal BJP Vice-President Arjun Singh had claimed earlier today that 60-65 leaders are likely to quit the TMC by January 2021. Several TMC leaders including Suvendu Adhikari are speculated to join the BJP during Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the state on December 19.

Amit Shah lands in West Bengal

Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Kolkata early in the morning today on his two-day visit to West Bengal. Shah will be taking stock of the situation in the State ahead of the State Assembly elections due next year. He is scheduled to address a public meeting in Midnapore today. The Home Minister visited the Ramakrishna Ashram, paid homage to revolutionary Khudiram Bose, visited the Siddheswari temple, and had lunch at the house of a farmer in Midnapore.

‘Our fight is to restore West Bengal to its former glory’: Read full text of Suvendu Adhikari’s emotional letter to TMC colleagues, resigns from party

OpIndia Staff
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‘Our fight is to restore West Bengal to its former glory’: Read full text of Suvendu Adhikari’s emotional letter to TMC colleagues, resigns from party

Suvendu Adhikari penned a moving letter today addressing his colleagues in the Trinamool Congress amid speculations that he was set to join the BJP after resigning from party posts. In the letter, he announced that he had resigned from the membership of the Trinamool Congress. He also appealed to those disgruntled in the party to join him in his future course of action.

The letter is filled with emotive language and emphasizes on the necessity of building a West Bengal which their ‘ancestors’ would be proud of. The letter has been produced in full below:

“Our great and beloved State of West Bengal is standing at a critical juncture today. As we head to the 2021 elections, We the People of West Bengal are destined to make a choice, which will significantly impact us forever. In the same vein, the time has come today for me to make a decision as to my next course of action. I am blessed to have turned 50 years old a few days ago, and some may say that it has marked the start of a new innings for me.

As I undertake this journey for the next innings of my life, I cannot help but reminisce about the years gone by. I have had the high honour and distinct privilege of serving the people of my State, the great State of West Bengal, for the better part of 3 decades now. Right from my days in College, my fellow Citizens have entrusted me with the responsibility of serving them through thick and thin, and I have done so with great humility and pleasure, always placing their interests above my own.

Throughout the course of my career, I have been fortunate to have been repeatedly chosen by the People to be of service to them, and it was only because of this endless and endearing love that I reached the pinnacle of success, having been given the high honour of serving my People as a Cabinet Minister in a Government elected by them.

Throughout my political career, the single common denominator of any and all decisions I have taken is whether I have been able to be of service to my fellow Citizens to the best of my abilities. However, one common thread which has remained the same throughout my political career has been our shared ideals of continuously trying to create a better society.

When our battle was against the Left Front, the main contention was the anti-poor and anti-people policy of the Comnmunist Government. I had the honour of serving my People in a significant manner during the Nandigram Agitation through the Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee, where our main fight was not against any particular individual, but against the system being unleashed by such individuals who were determined to cause hardships to poor and landless peasants who had very little to their name.

It was with great hope and belief that We the People democratically overthrew the Communist Government, and peacefully elected a new Government in its place. A Government which we thought would preserve and protect our interests. A Government which we thought would deliver upon our shared goal, that of creating a West Bengal of our Dreams.

That of creating a West Bengal our ancestors would be proud of. That of creating a West Bengal which our freedom fighters could smile upon with pride through the shining gates of heaven. That of creating a West Bengal which we could handover to the next generation with great pride and happiness. That of creating a West Bengal which would truly live up to Gurudev Rabindranath Thakur’s words: Amar Sonar Bangla.

Ten years have elapsed in the interim. While a decade has gone by, the problems faced by our fellow sisters and brothers remains the same. In fact, regrettably, in some cases, it has become worse. But stagnation is also not the most critical problem. It can usually be easily fixed by getting the governance infrastructure in order. Regrettably, that is where we are failing. An extremely deep rot and malaise has set in to the Trinamool Congress. The very Party we once fought for shoulder to shoulder.

Neither West Bengal and nor the Trinamool Congress is anyone’s fiefdom. West Bengal is the great land of valiant legends, who have moved heaven and earth to fight for their freedom, for their Maa, for their Mati, and for their Manush. This State for which we feel such never-ending pride is the creation of innumerable legends, who have poured constant and continuous hard work and toil. The State’s great Sons and Daughters have unflinchingly sacrificed their all for the hope and dream of a better future. Brothers and Sisters, I am conscious of the fact that this land is nothing but the result of their blood, sweat, and tears.

Much like the great Sons and Daughters of West Bengal, who espoused the old Vedic concept of Nishkam Karma Yog, the concept of selfless and desireless action, an action performed without any expectation of fruits or results, my Fellow Members of the Trinamool Congress have also built this Party brick by brick over the course of more than 2 decades. I have had the distinct privilege of working side by side with many such ordinary Members, who selflessly worked towards our shared goal of building a West Bengal of our dreams, without any expectation, I am conscious that it is these very People on the backs of whom we have managed to create such a strong Party. It is on the backs of these very People that we launched our agitation more than 10 years ago, and pledged to serve our Maa, Mati, and Manush.

It is also important to state that anyone else who even remotely believes otherwise has no idea of the truth. The Party was not built in 1 day with the contribution of 1 person. It was a continuous and continuous effort on a mammoth scale, the culmination of which was the result we saw 10 years ago.

It is therefore especially painful, that the individuals currently in charge of the Party are treating it like their personal fiefdom. The very people on the backs of whom the Party was created are now being sidelined, humiliated, and outcast. In their stead, the individuals have now hired external assistance, people with no knowledge of ground realities, and no knowledge of the sacrifice it actually takes to work for a shared goal as ambitious as creating the West Bengal of our dreams.

Instead of “Nishkam Karma Yogis”, the ordinary people who built this party brick by brick selflessly without any desires, the Party we worked so hard to build is now filled with “Sakam Karma Bhogis”. Individuals who have no bother about anyone but themselves. Individuals who will take compensation for their services, and disappear as soon as the elections conclude. Individuals who do not have it in them to work selflessly. Individuals whose only question is what they will get and when they will get it. The concept of “Tyaag” espoused by Members like us has been replaced with the concept of “Bhog” by the individuals who are now in charge.

It is only and only in the light of the above that we have come to a time for choosing. West Bengal stands at a critical juncture today. This is a time for choosing for the People of West Bengal. This is a time for choosing for you, the ordinary grassroot member of the party. And certainly, this is a time for choosing for me, and once again I have to make a decision keeping in mind how I can best serve the People of my great State.

It is therefore my duty to inform my fellow Members of the Party that I have made a choice. I have made a choice to work towards our shared goal of building a West Bengal of our dreams, a West Bengal our ancestors would be proud of. Our great State of West Bengal has the honour of saying that our Soil is the birthplace of innumerable luminaries, so shouldn’t our shared objective be to build a West Bengal they would be proud of?

A West Bengal dreamt by illustrious legends such as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekanand, Sri Aurobindo, Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, Bipin Chandra Pal, Khudiram Bose, Subhash Chandra Bose, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Rabindranath Tagore, Aruna Asaf Ali, and Bidhan Chandra Roy. By so many others before them. Andd by so many others who have followed them. Surely, that can be our only goal and objective.

My dearest brothers and sisters. Our responsibility is way more than what can be put into words. As Netaji said, no real change in history has ever been achieved by discussion. My friends, it is now time to take action. I know that history will not judge me kindly if I sit idly by and not raise my voice. I know that you will not forgive me if I leave your side when you need me the most. And I know for a fact that if I claim to be neutral in situations of injustice, I have chosen the side of the oppressor.

Therefore, my dearest brothers and sisters, I have decided to resign from the primary membership of my current political party, the All India Trinamool Congress, with immediate effect.

I have taken this decision because the very Party which we worked to establish through our blood, sweat and tears, has now betrayed our very ideals. The Party has now betrayed the mandate it was given by We The People. Instead of focusing on the all-round development of the State and the country, we are now seeing a situation in which the sole agenda is the enrichment of few particular individuals and their families.

They are now working against Bengali culture while claiming to defend it. They are now working against Bengali ideals while claiming to promote it. They claim to uphold and hold dear to their hearts the life and teachings of our ancestors, but in reality they believe in a use and throw culture. They have treated our sacred Constitution with the same disrespect. They have tried their level best to convert our great State into their personal fiefdom. But our great People have valiantly resisted. And the time has now come to fight for our ideals once again.

The Constitutional Head of our State, the Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal, has over the past 18 months brought to public attention more than 100 instances of a total break-down in the law and order situation. Political murders are continuing unabated. Illegal activities are continuing without pause. The sole objective of the Party our people elected has now become to mislead, oppress, threaten, and loot, all while claiming to be defending the Constitution.

After sincere and thought-provoking reflections, I had decided to resign from all Government positions that I had earned trough selfless hard work in order to lodge my protest on the way our great State was being run. But now, the time has come to pick up the gauntlet, and fight alongside our great People and take these individuals to task. Let it be known to them that We The People cannot be fooled. Belated attempts such as Duare Sarkar which were only conceptualized 10 years after being in power, cannot placate our great People.

Our fight is bigger than any individual. Our fight is for a better future. Our fight is to restore West Bengal to its former glory.

To those Members of the Party who are feeling a little disappointed at my departure, I must say to you that I have not left the Trinamool. I am the same person who continues to believe in and fight for the same ideals that I have been fighting for over the last 3 decades. It is Trinamool who has left its ideals behind in its relentless pursuit of power instead of service. I cannot in good conscience associate myself with any group which does not share the same ideals as me.

I am sure that it is now clear to you, too, my Fellow Members, that we cannot betray our ideals in the false hope that those who have brought us into this situation will get us out of it. In your heart of hearts, you know what is right. Our brains may still want to give them another chance, hoping against hope that everything will be alright. In times of such confusion, we should refer ourselves to our great Saints. Swami Vivekananda once said that in a conflict between the heart and the brain, one should follow his heart.

The time has come once again when we should follow our hearts. I know many of you already feel the same way, but are afraid to step forward. I hope that my decision will allow you to make yours. We should never forget that we are the People of this great State, whose another learned son Rabindranath Thakur guided us in what we should do in such situations.

Let us once again strive to uphold the very same ideals and undertake a new journey, together. Let us reject those who seek to divide us between insiders and outsiders, and be inspired by the writings of legends such as Atul Prasad Sen. Let us forget our differences.

Finally, let us not forget, that our end goal is to work for our Nation. A developed Village, a developed District, a developed State, and a developed Nation, That is our only agenda.

I have full faith in our Constitution and our Election Commission of India. West Bengal will witness for the first time in its history truly independent elections, in which people will be able to celebrate the Festival of Democracy, and exercise their constitutional and democratic right to vote.

The time is now. I am going to take a few steps which everyone is going to hear about. I hope you join me. Our shared goal remains the same.“

The steps that Suvendu Adhikari is likely to be his joining the BJP in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah. TMC is in the grips of a major rebellion with members submitting their resignation left, right and center.

Note: Some text in Bangla quoting Bengali stalwarts have been removed

Amit Shah in West Bengal: Khudiram Bose’s kin gets emotional, says never accorded such respect by any govt, including TMC

OpIndia Staff
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Amit Shah in West Bengal: Khudiram Bose’s kin gets emotional, says never accorded such respect by any govt, including TMC

Home Minister Amit Shah arrived Kolkata early in the morning today on his two-day visit to West Bengal. Shah will be taking stock of the situation in the State ahead of the State Assembly elections due next year. He is scheduled to address a public meeting in Midnapore later today. Shah’s visit comes at a time when a string of top leaders of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITMC) have resigned from the party. Speculations are rife that the rebel TMC leaders including Suvendu Adhikari are likely to meet the Home Minister to join the BJP today.

On reaching Kolkata, the Home Minister visited the Ramakrishna Ashram to pay tribute the Swami Vivekananda.

Shah said that Ashram is the place where Swami Vivekananda connected modernity and spirituality. He said that he hoped to walk on the path showed by him.

The Home Minister then went to pay homage to revolutionary Khudiram Bose in his village in Paschim Midnapore. He also felicitated Bose’s family.

Remembering Bose’s sacrifice Shah expressed gratitude for having the good fortune of visiting his village.

Khudiram Bose’s family was humbled by Shah’s visit to Bose’s village. Gopal Das, a member of Bose’s family said that they did not receive such respect by any previous government including the ruling TMC government.

Das said that he would tell the Home Minister that no development work has been carried out in Bose’s village. He said that he would highlight the problem of unemployment.

Shah also visited the Siddheswari temple in Midnapore and offered prayers there.

Shah will be visiting the house of a farmer in Midnapore today where he is expected to have lunch. Amid the ongoing protests against the farm laws, the Home Minister’s gesture of visiting a farmer’s house is possibly intended to send out a positive message to farmers across the country.

Home Minister’s visit to West Bengal is likely to create a major political upheaval in the State ahead of the State Assembly elections. Several top TMC leaders have already got off the ship and are rumoured to join the BJP.

Why do we make ourselves so vulnerable to anti-India brigade?: Kangana Ranaut releases video after PM Modi exposes ‘farmers’ protests

OpIndia Staff
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Why do we make ourselves so vulnerable to anti-India brigade?: Kangana Ranaut releases video after PM Modi exposes ‘farmers’ protests

A day after PM Modi exposed the motivated propaganda behind the ongoing farmers’ protests, actor Kangana Ranaut uploaded a new video on Twitter raising questions on the susceptibility and the vulnerability of the society for allowing terror elements, foreign powers and anti-India brigade to take the rein and unleash chaos in the country.

Kangana was speaking in the wake of the farmers’ protests that have swept the national capital region over opposition to the newly introduced farm bills.

Drawing on PM Modi’s expose of the ongoing farmers’ protests, Kangana said, “I faced a barrage of death threats, rape threats, emotional and mental lynching online in the last 10-12 days…now that PM Modi has left no room for doubts that the farmers’ protests were politically motivated… even terrorists had participated in the protests…I feel it is my right to ask some questions of society.”

The Queen actress stated that she had done her schooling in Punjab and from what she had experienced there, an overwhelming population of Punjab is nationalist and don’t aspire for Khalistan or a separate piece of land for themselves.

Why do we allow terrorists and break-India brigade to control us?: Kangana to the Indian society

The actor, however, questioned as to why the innocent people of the country allow themselves to be controlled by terrorists and separatists.

“I don’t have a quarrel with terrorists. I can understand the sentiments that drive the anti-India brigade. My question is for the innocent people of the country. Why are you so vulnerable to allow terrorists and anarchists to take control?” Ranaut asked.

Commenting on the state of affairs in the country, Kangana stated how despite being illiterate and uneducated, dadis in Shaheen Bagh joined the protest against CAA. Similarly, she also spoke about an elderly woman from Punjab, who had been abusing her with choicest of expletives, in a bid to save her land.

Kangana asks why Diljit Dosanjh, Priyanka Chopra are not subjected to the same level of scrutiny as the nationalists

Kangana also lamented on how nationalist people have to keep providing explanations on their intentions while no questions are asked of people like Diljit Dosanjh, Priyanka Chopra and others.

“If I speak in the interest of the country, they allege me of doing Rajneeti(politics), even these people(Diljit, Priyanka) should be asked what kind of neeti(policy) are they practising?” Kangana asked.

Diljit Dosanjh and Priyanka Chopra will be hailed by left media for misleading, encouraging farmer protests: Kangana

Earlier too, Kangana had questioned the corrupt system that promotes anti-nationals after anti-farm law protestors were seen holding banners and posters in support of arrested urban Naxals, Islamists and separatists. In a series of tweets, the actress emphasised that those opposing the historic farm laws are well-aware of the fact that it would benefit the farmers. She said that the anti-farm law protestors are inciting innocent farmers to engage in violence and hatred, just for petty gains.

While exposing the inner workings of the system that endorses such people, she said that actress Priyanka Chopra and singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh will be handed out awards, hailed by the left propagandist media, pro-Islamists and even brands. She lamented that the system is rigged to help anti-nationals prosper, while the nationalists are outnumbered and up against a corrupt system. While hoping for the system to change, she said that things will turn around soon.

Kangana Ranaut and Diljit Dosanjh lock horns on social media

Actor Kangana Ranaut was involved in an ugly online spat with Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh after the latter shared a video of the elder woman, Mahinder Kaur, who was allegedly misunderstood as one of the protesters from anti-CAA protests. The argument between the two heated up when Kangana responded, calling Dosanjh Karan Johar’s pet and asserting that she posted the tweet about the old lady Bilkis Bano who was part of anti-CAA protests and has now joined Farmers’ protests as well. She further added that she does not even know Mahinder Kaur.

Angered by Ranaut’s reply, Dosanjh questioned her if she is a pet of everyone she has worked with. He added if that is true, the list of her owners will be very long. He alleged that Ranaut provokes people by spreading misinformation and play with their emotions. Following this online bickering, Ranaut had stated that she had been receiving death and rape threats and abuses on a daily basis for expressing her opinions on social media websites.

Karan Johar’s interesting statement to NCB: Lost my phone, here is the video from social media

OpIndia Staff
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Karan Johar’s interesting statement to NCB: Lost my phone, here is the video from social media

Karan Johar has sent his reply to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in response to the notice that was served to him in connection with the investigations underway into the Bollywood Drug Racket. In his reply, he has said that he had used his cellphone to capture the video that went viral on the internet with allegations being made that the celebrities featured in it were high on drugs.

Furthermore, Karan Johar has said that he cannot access the cellphone anymore as he has lost it. Instead, the filmmaker has sent the NCB a pendrive containing the video and said the video therein was downloaded from social media. He also insists that drugs were not consumed at the party and has denied indulging in drugs.

As per TOI, the NCB will now seek legal opinion before deciding on the future course of action. “In his interviews to the media, he had spoken about the party. However, for us to intervene and start inquiries, we need to have clarity on certain legal aspects associated with it,” an official was quoted as saying.

The NCB had issued Karan Johar a notice on the 17th of December demanding an explanation from the filmmaker on the party video that had gone viral. As per reports, the NCB had issued summons the filmmaker to check the veracity of the video under section 67(B) of the NDPS Act. Under this section, personal appearance is not needed, hence Johar can send his representative to appear before the anti-drug agency to answer the questions.

After food fiesta, massage parlours and gym langars, farmer protests in Delhi now have library, free newsletter and free tattoo stalls

OpIndia Staff
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After food fiesta, massage parlours and gym langars, farmer protests in Delhi now have library, free newsletter and free tattoo stalls

The renewed agitation against the historic farm laws has witnessed a myriad of events. Misled into believing that the Centre would end the Mandi system, the ‘organic’ protestors had hit the streets, trying to take the government to ransom. Despite causing inconvenience to the citizens of the National Capital Region (NCR), the participants of the farmer protests have been enjoying their time at the protest site with access to various luxuries like high-tech massage parlours, gym langars, and biriyani and pizza fiesta.

Library set up with books of Communist heroes

In a new development, a makeshift library has now been set up at Singhu border to provide the anti-farm law protestors with reading material such as books and newspapers. The library-turned-culture centre will also provide a platform for the agitators to discuss current topics. With about 10 people volunteering as ‘teachers’, they have plans to provide education to slum kids and help complete their pending syllabus.

The library contains several newspapers and books on Communist ‘hero’ Che Guevara, freedom fighter Bhagat Singh and other ‘revolutionaries’ in English, Hindi and Punjabi. The protestors argue that the new cultural centre will help revive the old tradition of ‘Sanji Sath’ where they can gather around and listen to the advice of elders.

A volunteer, Survinder Singh Wadwa, said that the purpose of the library is to build ‘discipline’ among the protestors and help the leadership ‘constructively.’ He added, “This place is Sanjhi Sath for discussion, for youth, there is a library for reading. We have books in several languages available for reading. One more initiative is to teach slum students. Many parents came and asked if we could teach their ward as well.”

‘Volunteers’ launch a digital newsletter to ‘educate’ farmers

Amidst the farmer protests, volunteers against the newly enacted farm laws have launched a bi-weekly newsletter by the name of ‘Trolley Times’. As per reports, the newsletters are equipped with a QR code that can be read digitally as well. The volunteers argue that the newsletters will help farmers gain access to the information about the talks held at the governmental level and other such reports.

‘Farmer protestors’ enjoy foot massage, train at gym langars

Earlier, we had reported about how Khalsa Aid India had set up massage centres at Singhu border. In an effort to attract more crowds for the already dwindling farmer protests, Khalsa Aid India had also opened stalls at these protest site to provide massages to the farmers.

The Khalsa Aid is a front organisation for the Khalistani outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). In a Facebook post, they announced, “Khalsa Aid India has set up this makeshift space as a massage centre. This is for our farmer brothers and sisters who were experiencing pain. We are overwhelmed by the love and blessings that our farmers bestow on us.”

The protestors have set up ‘Gym Ka Langar’ at the Singhu border. To cater to all the sportspersons who have joined the farmer protests in solidarity and anyone who wishes to work out, Mangat Singh, former Captain of the Indian Kabaddi team, and Aman Hothy, a powerlifter have set up gyms at the protest site. The open gymnasium has been equipped with dumbbells, weight plates, a bench, a rod and two holders. The bench and holding rods were made from scratch here in Delhi, according to those people who set up the gym.

Protestors engage in food fiesta – Biriyani, pizzas and more

On December 11, journalist’ Saba Naqvi took to social media to post a video in which it was seen how aggrieved ‘farmers’ are enjoying their time at the protest site by baking and distributing free pizzas. Saluting the spirit of these protestors, Saba Naqvi hailed the enterprising idea of these protestors to set up ‘Pizza langars’. As videos of the ‘pizza party’ at the protest site along the Haryana-Delhi went viral, netizens began to wonder whether these alleged farmers’ protests were organised to put forth their grievances against the farm laws or to enjoy their time through such parties.

As witnessed in Shaheen Bagh, it was earlier seen that Biryani was being served to ‘farmers’ camping in Ghazipur, Delhi. Netizens were quick to draw equivalences between the ongoing farmer protests at Delhi border areas and the anti-CAA protest at Shaheen Bagh, which had turned out to be a professionally organised left-wing managed anti-India event. Reacting to the video, some social media users opined that the farmers’ protest was the season 2 of Shaheen Bagh protests.

Tattoo stalls offer free tattoos at the protest site

It is not that only various organisations have set up facilities for the protestors. Even private persons have also moved to the protest site to offer their services to the protesting crowd. One Chetan Sood, who runs a tattoo studio in Ludhiana, has set up a temporary stall at Singhu border along with some of his friends. They are making free tattoos for protestors, who lined up in front the stall to get tattoos. Sood and his friends have decided to give free tattoos to protesters at the site “for three-four days”.

The tattoo makers have brought tattoo guns, inks, steriliser and control equipment for making tattoos, and are using power from generators used by shopkeepers in the area.

‘I will segregate you as second, third-class citizens when you come with grievances,’ Kerala CPI(M) leader threatens people who did not vote for him

OpIndia Staff
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‘I will segregate you as second, third-class citizens when you come with grievances,’ Kerala CPI(M) leader threatens people who did not vote for him

A Communist leader triggered a massive controversy in Kerala after he was caught threatening residents in his ward for voting against him and warned them of treating like third-class citizens.

Addressing a gathering after winning the local body polls, CPI(M) leader Krishna Kumar, who recently got elected in the Kerala local body polls from Haripad Municipality of Alappuzha District in Kerala, said that the people in his ward should be grateful to the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Communist government when they drink water from the pipelines fitted by the govt.

In a video tweeted by Venkatesh Krishnamoorthi, that has gone viral already, CPI(M) councillor Krishna Kumar was seen addressing people in his ward. Warning the people in his ward, the Communist leader was caught saying people should understand that they are walking on the road built by Communists and drinking the water given by the Communists.

Mocking Hindu gods, the CPI(M) leader said that the people must chant the name of the leader instead of the god they worship.

“Being the candidate who won as the councillor representing CPI(M) for this ward let me put certain things very straight. Every household here when you step your foot on the road understand that it is built by a Communist Krishnakumar. When you drink piped water brought to you by Communist, drink with gratitude and when you gulp every drop of water, practise to say, ‘Hare Krishnakumar, Hare Krishnakumar’ instead of ‘Hare Ram, Hare Ram’,” said the Communist councillor.

Warns people for not votings, says he will treat him like a third-class citizen

Issuing a veiled threat to Hindus and others who did not vote for the Communists in the local body elections, Krishnakumar said he was aware of those people how did not vote for him in the elections and added that he will treat them like a third class citizens when they approach him to get their work done.

“In the next five years, I will be a councillor only for a few people, not everyone. When it comes to national development, I will remind you that I am the lord who brought the development to this place. From tomorrow, when people from this ward come to me for help, I will segregate them into second class and third class citizens based on their loyalty before addressing their grievances.

In the recently held polls, the CPM-led ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) registered a significant victory against the Congress-led United Democratic Front in local body polls in the state that was held ahead of crucial Assembly polls scheduled next year. Interestingly, BJP made inroads into Kerala’s politics by winning 1182 Gram Panchayats, 37 Block Panchayats, 2 Zilla Panchayats, 320 Municipality wards and 59 Corporation wards.

The BJP also had highest number of seats in 25 Gram Panchayats and two Municipalities – Palakkad, Pandalam and emerged as the main opposition in Thiruvananthapuram”

‘Are you a spokesman of those pushing false narrative’: Watch as Hardeep Puri gives Rajdeep Sardesai a quick lesson in journalism

Jhankar Mohta
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‘Are you a spokesman of those pushing false narrative’: Watch as Hardeep Puri gives Rajdeep Sardesai a quick lesson in journalism

Once again the senior ‘journalist’ Rajdeep Sardesai was seen receiving a lesson or two in journalism after he questioned Union Minister Hardeep Puri on the current impasse between the central government and the ‘farmers’ of Punjab and Haryana over the new farm laws, during the Prime Time show on India Today on Friday.

“Rajdeep are you an objective anchor or are you a spokesman of people who are trying to push a false narrative”, lambasted the Union civil aviation minister, as India Today journalist Rajdeep Sardesai tried to put words in his mouth questioning him on why the Modi government had failed to give assurance to the agitating farmers.

In a snippet of the India Today interview shared by @NagpurkaRajini on Twitter, Hardeep Puri reminded the journalist, how he had tried to pull off a similar stunt with him when he questioned him on civil aviation earlier. “Let me caution you, this is not journalism. Then too, I had to push the fact in front of you, you are doing precisely that”, said the irked Union Minister, explaining how the opposition has been spreading canards over the recent farm laws and instigating protests.

When asked by Rajdeep as to why Modi government could not give assurance to farmers earlier and waited for the farmers to hit the streets, Hardeep Puri, without mincing his words, stated that the central government has always been willing to give assurance but it is the opposition who has been playing politics over the issue.

Whether it took PM Narendra Modi to give a statement or Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar to give a written assurance, the Central government has never shied away from addressing the concerns of the protesting farmers, said Puri, reiterating the Centre’s stand that if they have any concerns about the farm laws, it will sit across the table and resolve those.

Puri reminded Sardesai how the opposition had created a ruckus in the Upper House when the Farm Bills were passed. He reminisced how slogan-shouting opposition members including those of Congress, TMC, DMK and CPM, tore papers, tried to heckle the presiding officer who was protected by House marshals.

I advise you to behave like an objective anchor: Hardeep Puri to Rajdeep Sardesai

Saying so, Hardeep Puri gave a piece of advice to the senior ‘journalist’ Rajdeep Sardesai. He asked him to try and isolate people who speak with a forked tongue and advised him to try and behave like an objective anchor to maintain credibility.

It is pertinent to note here, that ever since the Modi government has brought in the new Farm Bills, the opposition parties and the leftist media has been using it to reboot their plummetting careers. By pointing out non-existent flaws in the Farm Bills, the opposition parties have been spreading canards and instigating ignorant farmers who have ever since been demanding the repeal of laws. 

The farmer unions had boycotted the 6th round of talks with the government demanding the repeal of laws. The central government had agreed to make amendments in the farm laws considering the concerns of the farmers. However, the farmer representatives have said that they will accept nothing short of repeal of the laws.

What are the farm laws? 

One of the biggest factors plaguing the growth of agriculture sector in the country is the inability of the farmer to find a market and to get a fair price to his produce. To address the issue, the erstwhile governments of different states enacted the Agricultural Produce Market Regulation Acts (APMC Acts), which authorised them to set up and regulate marketing practices in wholesale markets. 

The objective of these markets was to ensure that farmers get a fair price for their produce. However, with each passing year, the APMCs turned out to be inefficient with increasing cartelisation of middlemen, ban on private players to enter the trade, increasing corruption etc. 

The Modi government recently introduced three bills to promote much easier trade for the farm produce and to provide a competitive market for the producers outside the existing APMC system. The three laws were: 

  1. The Farming Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020: This law aims at creating additional trading opportunities outside the APMC market yards to help farmers get remunerative prices due to additional competition
  2. The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020: This law relates a framework for contract farming through an agreement between a farmer and a buyer prior to the production or rearing of any farm produce. 
  3. The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020: This law aims to regulate the supply of certain food items only under extraordinary circumstances.

It is pertinent to mention that the farm laws are set of three laws that allow farmers to sell their products outside APMC act (most states make it compulsory for the farmers to sell at APMC mandis). It also allows farmers to directly have a contract with corporate houses.

That farm laws don’t do away with APMC, and if someone is not willing to trust markets outside the current system, they are free to stick to the ongoing system. It doesn’t do away with MSPs either. However, the prevalent narrative that seems to be motivated by political concerns falsely claims that APMCs and MSP are being done away with. 

They also allege that due to these laws, big corporations would have the upper hand in a deal with farmers, however, that again is a lie. In fact, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 ensures that a contract is agreed upon and gives the farmer the power to even cancel contracts.

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