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‘Future generations will be proud’: As PM Modi performs the Shilanyas for new parliament building, here are the key points from his speech

OpIndia Staff
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‘Future generations will be proud’: As PM Modi performs the Shilanyas for new parliament building, here are the key points from his speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation after performing the Shilanyas ceremony for the new Parliament building on the Central Vista in the national capital.

“Today is a historic day as the foundation of the New Parliament building has been laid. We the people of India together will construct this new building of the Parliament,” Prime Minister Modi in his national address after performing Bhumi Pujan for the new parliament.

The Prime Minister also added that it is a proud day for over 130 crores Indians for witnessing the historic moment. The new Parliament building is an example of the co-existence of the new and the old and an effort to make changes within oneself in accordance with the time and needs, PM Modi added.

I still remember the first day when I entered this Temple of Democracy, says PM Modi

In his address after laying the foundation stone for a new Parliament building at Central Vista, PM Modi said that he still remembers the day he had entered the Parliament building as the newly elected Prime Minister of India in 2014.

“I can never forget the moment in my life when I had the opportunity to come to Parliament House for the first time in 2014 as an MP. Then, before stepping into this temple of democracy, I had bowed my head and saluted this temple of democracy,” he said.

New parliament will fulfil the needs of 21st century

Prime Minister Modi also said that the new Parliament will fulfil the needs of a 21st century India. Addressing the people during the inauguration, he added, “This old building has seen many renovations over the last hundred years, now the building is seeking rest. It is our responsibility to give 21st century India a new parliament building.”

“The new parliament is an amalgamation of the old and new,” PM Modi addressing the nation as he pointed how the new building is an intrinsic part of the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and will be a landmark opportunity to build peoples’ Parliament for the first time after independence.

The Prime Minister also mentioned that many new ideas are being implemented in the new Parliament House, which will increase the efficiency of the MPs.

Those who doubted our nation’s future have been proven wrong: PM Modi

PM Modi said that the people of the country will take pride in the building. He also remembered how doubts were raised on the future of the nation during the independence movement. Forecasts were made that democracy will not be successful in India. Today we can say with pride that we have proved the naysayers wrong, PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister praised India’s spirit of democracy, saying that it has been sacred and a way of life in the country that has been developed based on centuries of experience.

He also said that other countries discuss elections and other administrative issues when speaking about democracy and said that a day is not far when these countries will say ‘India is the mother of democracy’.

Democracy in India is constantly being renewed

Prime Minister Modi also pointed out how democracy has been constantly renewed in the country and added that the evolution in the country can be seen through higher voter turnouts in every election.

“Usually, when democracy is discussed elsewhere, it is about election procedures, governance and administration. Putting more emphasis on these systems is called Democracy. Democracy is a culture in India. Democracy is a life value, a way of life and the soul of the life of the nation for India. Democracy of India is a system developed with the experience of centuries,” PM Modi said in his national address.

Differences strengthen democracy

After laying the foundation stone to the new parliament, PM Modi emphasised the need for strengthening democracy by accepting differing views and perspectives. He added that democracy in India has always been a means of resolving differences along with governance.

“Different views, different perspectives, they empower a vibrant democracy. There is always room for differences but there should never be a disconnect, our democracy has moved ahead with this goal. We are there to serve the public, there should be no differences in this ultimate goal,” PM Modi.

He continued, “Debates are held within Parliament or outside Parliament. The determination to serve the nation, dedication to the national interest should be reflected constantly.”

Coming generations will be proud to see new Parliament House: PM Modi

PM Modi also added just as the National War Memorial that has created a new identity beyond India Gate, the new Parliament House will establish its own identity. The coming generations will be proud to see the new Parliament House that is built-in independent India. It is built after commemorating 75 years of independence, PM added.

Concluding his speech, the Prime Minister said that we will have to take the pledge of ‘India First’ and our decisions should make nation stronger and be measured on the same scale – that nation’s welfare comes first.

“Our efforts in next 25-26 yrs should be towards how do we want to see India in 2047, in our 100 years of Independence,” the Prime Minister said.

Priests from Sringeri perform Bhumi Pujan of new Parliament

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the Bhumi Pujan for the new Parliament building, which is being built at an estimated cost of Rs 971 crore.

The Bhumi Pujan event was performed as per Hindu traditions and several religious ceremonies were scheduled to be held on the occasion of the historic event. A team of priests from Shri Sharada Pitham from Sringeri performed various rituals. Leaders of various other faiths were also present to recite prayers during the foundation laying ceremony.

During the ceremony, the priests from Sringeri performed Guru Puja, Ganapathi Puja, Punyaha Vachana, Adikesha Puja, Anantha Pooja, Varaha Puja and Bhuvaneshwari Puja.

The Sringeri Sharada Peetham has also sent a special ‘Shankh’ or conch and ‘Navarathna Peetam’, blessed by the Jagadguru Shankaracharya himself, to be placed at the foundation of the new parliament project.

The new Parliament, built at an area of 64,500 square metres, will have new tech-enabled Lok Sabha chamber and Rajya Sabha. It will also have a grand Constitution Hall to showcase India’s democratic heritage, a lounge for members of Parliament, a library, multiple committee rooms, dining areas and ample parking space.

Media reports claim NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar likely to replace Sonia Gandhi as the new UPA Chairperson, NCP denies the reports

OpIndia Staff
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Media reports claim NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar likely to replace Sonia Gandhi as the new UPA Chairperson, NCP denies the reports

The NCP supremo Sharad Pawar might be replacing Congress President Sonia Gandhi as the new Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). According to reports citing sources, initial talks have already been held in this regard. The reports claimed that following the miserable performance of the Congress in the recently held elections including the Bihar Assembly elections and the Hyderabad Municipal polls, some infighting happened in the party. Some leaders demanded answers from the top brass of the party regarding the party’s performance in elections along with demanding Rahul Gandhi’s return as party chief.

The report claimed that Rahul Gandhi has neither agreed to return as the Congress President nor to succeed his mother as the UPA chairperson. In the given situation, there are high chances that while Rahul Gandhi can continue to be the face of the UPA, Pawar, being the senior-most leader, might take up the position of the UPA chairperson, said the report.

The NCP, the Congress and the Shiva Sena are running a coalition government in Maharashtra under the banner of Maha Vikas Aghadi. Pawar had let the delegation of opposition leaders when they recently met the President of India regarding farmer protests, despite Rahul Gandhi being present.

The Congress party is expected to hold elections to elect a new president for the party by early next year. With Rahul Gandhi not willing to take charge of the party again, it may see a president from outside the Gandhi family. When last time Rahul Gandhi had taken over as Congress president, Sonia Gandhi had continued as UPA chairperson. But this time it is certain that she will take complete retirement, and hence a new UPA chief will be needed.

NCP denies any talk about UPA chairperson

After the reports were out claiming that Pawar may lead UPA replacing Sonia Gandhi, the NCP issued a statement denying the reports. Chief spokesperson of the party Mahesh Tapase issued a statement saying that the media reports are unsubstantiated. “Nationalist Congress party would like to clarify that there is no discussion within UPA partners regarding any such proposal”, the statement said.

Sonia Gandhi’s journey downhill

Sonia Gandhi has been the chairperson of the UPA since 2004. In 2004, the Congress had formed government in coalition with left parties under the Prime Ministership of Dr. Manmohan Singh. Currently, there are 12 member parties in the UPA including the Congress, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF).

Sonia Gandhi was initially not ready to join politics and had even persuaded her husband late Rajiv Gandhi not to join politics. In 1998, she took the charge of Congress party and got elected to Parliament in 1999. Congress faced a humiliating defeat in 1999 general elections but it made a comeback in 2004 general elections. However, Sonia Gandhi could not become the Prime Minister due to her citizenship issued. However, she ran the government from the background, with her ‘super cabinet’ National Advisory Council (NAC) set up to advise the Prime Minister. She was opposed as the UPA chairperson by Pawar due to her foreign origins, and he had left the Congress party to form NCP.

In 2017, Rahul Gandhi replaced his mother as the Congress President but she continued to hold the position of the UPA chairperson. Rahul Gandhi who was elected ‘unopposed’ as Congress president resigned after the poor performance of the party in 2019 general elections. Sonia Gandhi returned as the party President. The party has been struggling with a leadership void and has, almost consistently, been performing miserably in the elections.

Chattisgarh: 16-year-old girl gang-raped by four including a minor boy, raped again by threatening to upload a video of the assault

OpIndia Staff
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Chattisgarh: 16-year-old girl gang-raped by four including a minor boy, raped again by threatening to upload a video of the assault

Four persons, including a minor, allegedly gang-raped a 16-year-old girl from Bilaspur district in Chhattisgarh. A case was registered against the accused identified as Sheikh Ramzan, Sandip Rajak, and Shishu Rajak. While three of the 20-years-old accused were arrested, the minor accused was detained by the police.

As per the reports, the incident took place last week. The accused and the victim live in the same locality. While raping her, they made videos of the incident and threatened her that if she tells anyone about it, they will upload the videos on social media. One of the accused called her on Sunday and threatened her that if she did not meet her, he would upload the videos. After she obliged in fear, he took her to the same place and again raped her.

Complaint filed at Tarbahar police station

The girl kept mum for a few days but later narrated the incident in front of her family on Tuesday. They took her to file a complaint at Tarbahar police station. A case was registered under section 376 D (gang rape) of the IPC and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Pradip Arya, Station House Officer (SHO) of Tarbahar police station, said, “As per the complaint, Ramzan, who apparently knew the victim, had called her on the pretext of taking her for an outing last week. After she agreed, he took her on his motorcycle to a dilapidated and deserted quarter of railway in Tarbahar, where the other accused were already present.”

Arya said they took turns to rape her, and Sandip recorded the sexual assault on his phone before letting her go. A probe in the case is underway.

West Bengal: JP Nadda and Kailash Vijayvargiya’s convoy attacked by TMC goons, party says police failed to provide security

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: JP Nadda and Kailash Vijayvargiya’s convoy attacked by TMC goons, party says police failed to provide security

BJP chief JP Nadda and party’s national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya’s convoy was attacked in West Bengal, as the two leaders were en route Diamond Harbour on Thursday. As the senior leaders were headed towards Diamond Harbour to meet party cadres, protesters gathered on the streets and attempted to block the road to stop Nadda’s convoy from passing. Protesters also pelted stones at the vehicle.

Videos have surfaced where protestors carrying Trinamool Congress flags are seen throwing stones and bricks at Kailash Vijayvargiya’s car, while the state police stand like mute spectators.

Sharing the same video which showed cracked windshields and pieces of bricks hurled at the car he was travelling in, Vijayvargiya called the attack an abject failure of the WB police working at the behest of Mamata Banerjee government. “In front of the police, near Siracol Bus Stand, the TMC goons hit our workers and threw stones at my car”, wrote Vijayvargiya, furthering that the Bengal police were informed about JP Nadda’s program in advance, still they failed to provide adequate security to the party president.

Hitting out at the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, Dilip Ghosh said, “On our way to Diamond Harbour, TMC supporters blocked the road and pelted Naddaji’s vehicle and other cars in the convoy with stones. This only shows the true colour of the TMC.”

We were saved only because of bullet-proof vehicles: JP Nadda

Speaking at a public rally, BJP President JP Nadda condemned the attacks. He said that they were only saved because they had bullet-proof vehicles. He added that there is no administration or law and order in Bengal. If it is impossible for national-level leaders to visit the state without the protection of central security forces, it can only be imagined what sort of violence the ground-level workers are facing, Nadda added.

Everyone is safe, investigation on: Bengal Police

The Bengal police have stated that JP Nadda has reached safely at the venue. Assuring that ‘everything is ok’, the state police have asserted that the stones and bricks were thrown at vehicles that were ‘long behind’ the convoy and not at the BJP leaders. They have also asserted that the attackers were just ‘bystanders’.

Dilip Ghosh alleges security lapse during BJP chief JP Nadda’s visit to West Bengal

Earlier, Ghosh had alleged serious security lapses surrounding Nadda’s programmes on Wednesday. He said that during the whole day’s program, the pilot car provided by the state police did not create a smooth and safe passage for Nadda for travelling from one place to other, adding that his convoy was stopped at many traffic lights, causing serious concern for potential security hazards. Ghosh confirmed writing to Union home minister Amit Shah and the state administration over the same.

He had furthered that on Thursday, there will be a day-long programme at Diamond Harbour. “Our party karyakartas have informed us that tomorrow (Thursday) also the goons of TMC are planning to do big protest in multiple places on the way towards Diamond Harbour from New Town. We have already informed the West Bengal Home Secretary and the SP of the Soth 24 Parganas district to arrange adequate security cover for our National President. Unfortunately, the State Police Department is non-committal about this serious aspect,” Ghosh said.

TMC refutes allegations

Reacting to the charges against the ruling dispensation, TMC senior leader Madan Mitra said: “Their own goondas are indulging in violence.” Madan Mitra also denied any involvement of the TMC in the attack and said the protests by locals were a “people’s revolt”.

Moreover, Firhad Hakim, another prominent Trinamool Congress leader and the mayor of Kolkata who was earlier seen mocking the brutal murders of the BJP workers in the state, said: “BJP is bringing outsiders into the state and they do not even inform the state government while doing so.”

BJP President JP Nadda on a two-day tour of West Bengal

BJP President JP Nadda is on a two-day tour of West Bengal to participate in various programmes targeted at strengthening the party’s cadre as well as its presence at the booth level. Nadda’s tour is part of his 120-day national tour that is aimed at strengthening the party’s presence across the country.

He is expected to camp in Diamond Harbour, an area adjacent to Kolkata in south Bengal, which is believed to be another TMC stronghold. Diamond Harbour is Abhishek Banerjee’s constituency, who is TMC MP and nephew of chief minister Mamata Banerjee. The BJP president will address a press conference and also party cadres and will interact with members of the fishermen community.

CPIM, whose members have a history of murdering political opponents, blames Hindus for Delhi riots, claim Islamists were defending themselves

OpIndia Staff
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CPIM, whose members have a history of murdering political opponents, blames Hindus for Delhi riots, claim Islamists were defending themselves

A ‘fact-finding’ committee of the CPI(M) has held Home Minister Amit Shah responsible for the death and destruction observed during the Delhi Riots. Furthermore, the ‘fact-finding’ committee in its report has objected to calling it a ‘riot’. Families of Muslim victims of the riots were present at the launch of the said report. The report was launched on Wednesday.

The report states, “On March 11, 2020, Mr Shah informed Parliament that he had been in constant touch with top police officials in Delhi, monitoring the situation. The question is, why was curfew not imposed from February 24, when violence escalated? Why was the army not deployed? Even the additional deployment of Delhi police and Rapid Action Force personnel was not only grossly inadequate, but also extremely delayed.”

“The role of the home ministry under Mr Amit Shah was in substantial measure responsible for the escalation of the violence,” it adds. “Shah dismissed the well-documented speeches by BJP leaders that called for shooting traitors or alleging that members of the minority community will invade homes of Hindus to rape and kill,” it states.

The CPI(M) also claimed that “it is incorrect to describe the communal violence as Delhi riots. ‘Riots’ describe a situation where both sides are equally participatory…. However, the offensive was from the Hindutva mobs while the other side, in the main, was desperately trying to save themselves from such attacks…. In almost all areas, there is video evidence of the police siding with the Hindutva mobs.”

The CPI(M) states further, “Then he went on to describe what he thought were the real hate speeches. He said that Congress leaders gave hate speeches on December 14, 2019, at a rally calling upon people to come out onto the streets because it was a do-or-die battle. With this, he not only sought to build the version that it was really the Opposition that incited violence, but more significantly, he blamed the minority community for the violence.”

Kismatoon, the mother of one of the victims who was present at the launch, said, “I could not even see my son; the police tortured him in the streets and later in the police station. His only fault was that he was a Muslim. I wish the police would have shot him; instead, the police tortured him and killed him. All I want now is justice.”

The CPI(M), whose members have a history of murdering political opponents, have chosen to blame Hindus for the riots at the national capital. Investigation into the Delhi Riots has revealed that there was a deep-seated conspiracy by Islamists to unleash violence at the capital to coincide with the official visit of US President Donald Trump.

Numerous arrests have been made in that particular regard by the Delhi Police. Former AAP Councillor Tahir Hussain, Umar Khalid and others are accused of conspiring to unleash violence in Delhi. A series of charge sheets have been filed in that regard and numerous arrests have been made.

‘The Deep State hates Donald Trump, they have been fooling and playing tricks on him’: Chinese prof who hinted Joe Biden is compromised

OpIndia Staff
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‘The Deep State hates Donald Trump, they have been fooling and playing tricks on him’: Chinese prof who hinted Joe Biden is compromised

Di Dongsheng, a professor at the Renmin University in China, shot to fame recently after a speech of his where he hinted that president-elect Joe Biden was compromised started circulating on the internet. The claims that he made in that speech were explosive, and now, another video of his has gone viral that appears to be equally shocking.

In an undated video shared on social media by OAN journalist Jack Posobiec, Dongsheng could be seen confirming the existence of the ‘Deep State’ in the US, the same phenomenon that US President Donald Trump has called the ‘Swamp’. Dongsheng says in the video, “The fact is that the United States does not really exist. What really exist are different interest groups.”

Dongsheng continued, “At present, the US has a very much divided society, part of which is the circle of elites. We called them the Establishments, people with power and influence. It’s worth mentioning one particular group of the elites, called “Deep States”. Who are these people? My understanding is that these people are the mid and senior leaders from the US Military, intelligence community, the State Department, Department of Treasury, Department of Commerce, Office of the US Trade Representative and the US Judicial System.”

“Within the Capital Beltway, they are the big fish hidden in the swamp, who Trump disgusts the most. In the US, the political figures are elected and they come and go. However, the group that I just mentioned are the people who remain in the power circle.” Dongsheng says that such people have been running the US since the Second World War. “It is this small circle that actually dominates the world today.”

Dongsheng said that the Deep States hates Trump because they consider him an “outsider”. He also said that “real democracy” happened in 2016 and when it happened, “They could not believe that someone like Trump could be elected and become their boss.” They must have felt “like the world was falling apart, or feel like the sky is falling.” He also said that people from the ‘Deep State’ were the ones confronting Trump and they have been “fooling” him and “playing tricks” on him.

‘Wall Street helped China’: Di Dongsheng

In a video that went viral only days ago, Di Dongsheng said that Wall Street had helped China during Trump’s Trade War. He revealed that China has ‘friends’ at very influential positions in the USA. He said, “As I said before, since the 1970s, Wall Street had a very strong influence on the domestic and foreign affairs of the United States. So we had a channel to rely on. But the problem is that after 2008, the status of Wall Street has declined, and more importantly, after 2016, Wall Street can’t fix Trump. It’s very awkward.”

Dongsheng also hinted that China might have helped Hunter Biden, son of President-elect Joe Biden, build the network of ‘foundations’. He said, “Trump has been saying that Biden’s son has some sort of global foundation. Have you noticed that? Who helped him (Biden’s son) build the foundations? Got it? There are a lot of deals inside all these.”

The video was later pulled down from Chinese social media platforms by the Communist regime. Di Dongsheng is the Vice Dean of the School of International Relations, Renmin University of China, Vice Director and Secretary of the Center for Foreign Strategic Studies of China.

Gang of 17 drunk men brutally rape a mother of 5 in Jharkhand, RJD leader blames ‘item dance’ in movies

OpIndia Staff
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Gang of 17 drunk men brutally rape a mother of 5 in Jharkhand, RJD leader blames ‘item dance’ in movies

In Jharkhand, a woman from Dumka district has alleged that 17 men gang-raped her while her husband was held hostage. The incident took place on Tuesday night when she was returning from the weekly market in her village with her husband. She filed the complaint on Wednesday. An FIR has been registered against 17 men based on the complaint of the woman.

17 drunk men overpowered the couple, says the complaint

As per the reports, the couple was stopped by 17 drunk men. Five of them dragged her to the bushes while the remaining overpowered her husband. She has alleged that all of them took turns and raped her.

Sudarshan Mandal, deputy inspector general (DIG) of the Santhal region, and Ambar Lakra, Dumka superintendent of police (SP), visited the place of the incident to investigate the matter. The location comes under the rural police station.

DIG Mandal said, “As per the statement of the woman, she was returning with her husband from a village market on Tuesday night when 17 people intercepted her and took her husband hostage before committing the crime.” He further added that the 35-year-old woman was sent for medical on Wednesday, and they are waiting for the report.

Only one person was identified

DIG Mandal said that the woman was able to identify only one person. “We have detained the accused for interrogation. If his involvement was found in the crime, he would be sent to jail,” he further added. Hindustan Times reported that DIG Mandal said while he was in the victim’s village that they were interrogating the villagers in connection to the crime. “We are investigating the matter meticulously, as the woman is changing her statement. When I was interrogating her in her village, she said there were five persons involved in the crime,” he added.

Victim changing statements

SP Lakra said that the statement of the complainant is not consistent. He said that when he questioned her, she stated five men were involved in the crime. They are waiting for the medical report to have some clarity in the case, he said.

BJP blamed the JMM-led government for increasing rapes

Bharatiya Janata Party has blamed the JMM-led government in Jharkhand for increasing incidents of crimes against women in the state. Senior BJP leader Louis Marandi said that the law and order situation is getting worse in the state. “The rape cases have become frequent in tribal districts. Tribals are not safe under this government,” he added.

BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo called it a jungle raj. He said, “It’s jungle raj here. It’s a diabolical and dastardly act. The system seems to have crumbled. We demand stronger action against perpetrators of crime through a fast-track court.”

‘No rape in tribal culture’: RJD leader blames ‘item dance’ and ‘porn’ for Dumka gangrape

Shivanand Tiwari, RJD leader said that the concept of rape is non-existent in tribal culture. He further blamed ‘item dance’ and ‘porn’ for the horrific incident of gang rape. He said. “one could’ve ever imagined that a girl/woman would ever be raped in a tribal area. There was no rape in the tribal culture till consumer-centric modernism started presenting women as objects for gratification.”

He said item dance in films, ads, pornographic content on phones prepare the mindset of rape. “Just making stringent laws won’t end it. As long as the situation that incites people for rape persists you won’t be able to stop it,” he further added.

Days after Aaditya Thackeray mouthed off platitudes on environment, BMC to cut off 1700 trees for JVLR widening

OpIndia Staff
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Days after Aaditya Thackeray mouthed off platitudes on environment, BMC to cut off 1700 trees for JVLR widening

The Tree Authority of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), controlled by the ruling Shiv Sena, has proposed to remove as many as 1,719 trees to widen the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) and for the construction of Metro-2B (DN Nagar-Mandale) and Metro-4 (Wadala-Thane) corridors. While the civic body proposes to axe off 552 trees out of the total of 1,719 trees it suggests transplanting the remaining 1,166 trees. It has invited the citizens to give their suggestions and objections on the issue by Friday.

It is pertinent to remember here that though as ‘compensation’ the BMC has proposed to transplant 1,166 trees, the transplantation procedures does not necessarily succeed every time. There are various factors which might act as a deterant, like the the stress in a new environment, physical damage and downsizing. As such, it remains doubtful as to whether these trees can actually be transplanted or not.

Shiv Sena mouths off platitudes on environment

Ironically, this proposal by BMC comes not long after the Maharashtra Environment minister Aaditya Thackeray took to Twitter to flaunt some of the exceptional work the Shiv Sena government has done for the environment and wildlife in his state.

Moreover, last week, in a meeting, conducted to discuss the state government’s plans over the conservation of environment and wildlife in the state, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had reiterated that the state government will conserve forest and it will not just remain lip service.

“Forests are an important part of our lives. We cannot act only as per our convenience; we talk about global warming but hack trees on the other hand. This is not correct. The forest we have must be conserved and expanded. The wildlife in the forests follow the law of nature and they follow it. We, on the other hand, make laws and rules that are convenient to us, and even break them,” Thackeray said, according to a statement from the chief minister’s office (CMO).

Aaditya Thackeray, state environment and tourism minister, who was present during the meeting, called the decisions taken in the meeting “historic”. He said, “In no other time has the environment and wildlife got so much importance that it always deserved. We are committed to being a green government and will ensure that sustainable development continues.”

Shiv Sena and environmental activism farce

Earlier this month, BMC also gave permission to Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to remove over 1000 trees for Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL). As part of the plan, around 454 trees will be axed while around 550 other trees will be transplanted for the project. MTHL, also known as the Sewri-Nhava Sheva project, will connect Sewri with Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai through a 22-km long, 6-lane highway bridge over the Arabian sea.

This move comes after the Shiv Sena ‘saving’ the trees in Aarey milk colony by cancelling the metro car shed project which was to be established there. In the run-up to the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Shiv Sena had fiercely protested the project in order to save the ‘Aarey forest’. This was despite the clearance from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the nod of the Bombay High Court (BHC). After coming to power, the Uddhav Thackeray govt had stalled the project, and after that allotted an alternate site. But since coming to power, the Shiv Sena led govt has allowed axing of trees to make way for several other projects.

The ruling Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, which often advocates for eco-conservation by cancelling the metro project at Aarey on ‘concerns’ that trees are being cut, earlier took a U-turn by deciding to axe more than 300 trees for the construction of a metro line the elevated Metro-2A corridor between Dahisar and DN Nagar. Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray has been extremely vocal on the issues of environmental conversation. The young Sena prince had opposed the BJP government’s decision of felling of trees at Aarey Milk colony to construct a Metro shed.

However, just a month after extreme activism by Shiv Sena to impress its coalition parties – Congress and NCP, Sena had exposed its hypocrisy by ordering the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation to chop down 1,000 trees for a Bal Thackeray memorial in Priyadarshini Park. Interestingly, the environmental activists, NGOs and liberals who had hit the streets to protest against the then BJP government in the state for axing the trees at Aarey colony have now suspiciously chosen to remain silent.

Classified documents reveal Trudeau’s dangerous China policy and how Canada invited Chinese Army to train in ‘cold-weather warfare’

OpIndia Staff
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Classified documents reveal Trudeau’s dangerous China policy and how Canada invited Chinese Army to train in ‘cold-weather warfare’

A 34-page secret document has been made public by Rebel News network that shines the light on Canada and its dangerous policy towards China. The secret document, which was not redacted properly, which is to say that important parts were only greyed out and not blacked out like they normally are, makes some startling revelations. It reveals that Canada had invited the army of China for cold-weather combat training despite opposition from the USA.

In fact, it is also reported that Justin Trudeau got angry with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) for cancelling the training after China kidnapped Canadian citizens Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig.

Rebel News has now made the entire document public so others can report on this decision by Canada, that would admittedly have international ramifications.

Rebel News has now made the explosive document public after blackening out a very small portion, which would have, according to them, compromised the safety and security of one person. Rebel News says that in 2019 April, they had written to the government of Canada for any information on a report by the Russian media that alleged that Canada had sent a delegation to participate in the 70th anniversary celebration of the Chinese Navy. This is said to be a propaganda exercise and it was to take place only days after China had kidnapped 2 Canadian citizens.

Rebel News says that after 19 months when the Trudeau government finally responded, they confirmed CAF’s attendance and also, gave details of other engagements that the Canadian army had undertaken with respect to China and its military. The information they received confirmed that Canada was training PLA soldiers, including an entire contingent, 1 and 2-star generals, at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto, as well as other military facilities in Kingston. They were training at these institutions for ‘cold-weather military tactics’.

Portion of the documents released by Rebel News

Interestingly, what the secret document also revealed was that Justin Trudeau was livid when the Canadian Army cancelled the training sessions after Canadian citizens were kidnapped by the PLA. Trudeau told the army that no other engagements with the PLA should be cancelled by the CAF. And if something had to be cancelled, the CAF had to take explicit permission from him first. He also said that the news of the cancellation would have to be broken ‘gently’ to China, so it would give them the opportunity to ‘save face’.

“Given the heightened scrutiny, any decision by Canada to reduce-cut ties should be carefully considered to avoid sending any unhelpful or unintended messages,” writes the federal memorandum. “In the interest of avoiding such a scenario, a letter has been drafted on your behalf for DND’s Deputy Minister Thomas that will provide DND/CAF guidance consistent with Canada’s current approach to Canada”, the memo said.

In fact, a perusal of the document also shows that not only was PLA’s cold-weather military tactic training in Canada scheduled but PLA was also scheduled to teach a class at the Kingston University.

Portion of the documents released by Rebel News

One portion of the document reads:

“Our impression is that DND/CAF reluctance to engage with the PLA is not solely related to Ms. Meng’s arrest and the consular cases – that there are other reasons behind their interest in dis-engaging. From our perspective it also perhaps to be related to a desire to be fully aligned with FEYs, particularly in the U.S., whose approach has shifted under the Trump Administration. We recall, for example, that back in December DND/CAF were keen to cancel the PLA’s participation in the winter survival training following the request from DOD to do so. We also recall CDS’s position on the SCS group sail back in September. From what I can tell, DND/CAF is also luke warm about engaging on peacekeeping and the potential security implications, despite it being a leaders…”

In this, Rebel News says that it was obvious that Canadian bureaucrats were deriding the concerns about military knowledge transfer to China was a ‘figment of the Trump administration’.

According to Rebel News, the China Files not only shows how Trudeau is submissive towards China, but also shows that submissiveness towards China is the official policy of the Canadian Government and it has “deeply infected Canada’s civil service, too. Trudeau’s right-hand man, Ian Shugart, was tasked with silencing the CAF’s legitimate concerns about China, and forcing our military to continue acting as if China, not the U.S., was our most important ally”.

Maha minister threatens to assault Union Minister Raosaheb Danve after he claimed that China and Pakistan are fuelling farmer protests

OpIndia Staff
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Maha minister threatens to assault Union Minister Raosaheb Danve after he claimed that China and Pakistan are fuelling farmer protests

Maharashtra Minister Bacchu Kadu has threatened to assault Union Minister Raosaheb Danve after he said that the farmer protests are being fuelled by Pakistan and China. Kadu said that earlier when Danve had made such a statement, he had gheraoed his house but this time he would have to enter his house and beat him up.

Kadu is an independent MLA from Achalpur constituency and has been a minister in the MVA government in Maharashtra.

Yesterday, speaking at the inauguration of a health centre at Kolte Takli in Badnapur taluka in Jalna district of Maharashtra, Danve had claimed that China and Pakistan were behind the ongoing farmer protests. He alleged that Muslims were incited in a similar manner during anti-CAA protests. “The agitation that is going on is not that of farmers. China and Pakistan have a hand behind this. Muslims in this country were incited first. What was said (to them)? That NRC is coming, CAA is coming and Muslims will have to leave this country in six months. Did a single Muslim leave? Those efforts didn’t succeed and how farmers are being told that they will face losses. This is the conspiracy of other countries”, Danve, MoS, Ministry of Consumer Affairs had said.

Mocking Danve’s remarks, the Shiv Sena has said that the government should conduct another surgical strike on Pakistan and China if they are fuelling unrest in India.

Khalistani elements in farmer protests

The farmer protests that began as an agitation against the farm laws later came to be dominated by Khalistani rhetoric. During the protests, several problematic statements have been made by ‘farmers leaders’ appealing to identity politics and in some cases extremist ideologies. Also, Khalistani elements like SFJ have taken over the issue and have been using the farmer protests as a tool to propagate the Khalistan agenda in India and abroad

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