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After Biriyani and AAP support, Shaheen Bagh’s dadi Bilkis Bano reaches Punjab farmer protest site too

OpIndia Staff
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After Biriyani and AAP support, Shaheen Bagh’s dadi Bilkis Bano reaches Punjab farmer protest site too

The historic farm bills, passed by the Union government, have triggered renewed protests with farmers from Punjab making their way to the National Capital. While the ‘protest’ has been turning colourful day by day with ‘celebrity’ protestors and the usual ‘guests protestors’, the 83-year-old Shaheen Bagh ‘activist’ Bilkis Bano has now reached the protest site.

The Shaheen Bag Dadi, who was featured in the list of top 100 influential people of 2020 in Times Magazine, claimed, “We are daughters of farmers, we’ll go to support farmers’ protest today. We will raise our voice, the government should listen to us.” The latest entry of Bilkis Bano in the farmer agitation, coupled with the distribution of ‘free Biriyani’ and the vocal support of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has now brought back memories of the Shaheen Bagh protests, where Islamists sat on a so-called ‘protest’ beginning in December last year, against the Citizenship Amendment Act. They had blocked a major highway and had cause traffic disruptions for months.

In a viral video, the Dadi of Shaheen Bagh was seen talking to ‘farmers’ as she made her way to the protest site.

Shaheen Bagh, Bilkis Bano and the implications of her participation in farmer protests

Bilkis Bano was one of the leading ‘protestors’ at Shaheen Bagh against the humanitarian Citizenship Amendment Act that sought to provide citizenship to persecuted religious minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. The sit-in protests, which centred around disruption of traffic and accentuating people’s owes in a bid to hold the government hostage, had eventually failed with the government refusing to budge to the demands of the Islamists. Shaheen Bagh, the mecca of anti-CAA protests, eventually bolstered the Islamists to go on a rampage in February this year, culminating into one of the worst anti-Hindu riots in recent history.

Women like Bilkis Bano were used as the shield while the sit-in protests fuelled anti-India sentiments, invited secessionist and separatist voices from all over India and provided cover for the radicalisation and mobilisation that eventually led to the Delhi Riots.

As per latest reports, Bilkis bano was escorted out by police from the Singhu border.

Biriyani feast at farmer agitation

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 farmers’ protest 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.

AAP lends support to ‘organic’ farmer protests

Arvind Kejriwal and his party leaders have been busy extending support to protesting ‘farmers’ from Punjab. Earlier, a couple of videos have emerged of an elderly Sikh man threatening to teach a lesson to Prime Minister Narendra Modi just like ‘they taught Indira Gandhi’. Interestingly, these threatening statements were made in the presence of Aam Aadmi Party MLA Amanatullah Khan. It is however interesting to note that his government in Delhi has already quietly notified one of the three farm laws their leaders are now opposing.

Farmer protest: From celebrity protestors hijacking the ‘protest’ to AAP and Congress fighting for credit, the circus is here

Nirwa Mehta
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Farmer protest: From celebrity protestors hijacking the ‘protest’ to AAP and Congress fighting for credit, the circus is here

What started as ‘farmers’ agitation to repeal laws that allowed them to sell their produce to whoever they wish to (d-uh) has now transformed into a circus where newly minted celebrity protestors have taken over the stage.

Punjab farmers, many of whom have been chanting pro-Khalistan chants, marched towards Delhi earlier this month to ‘hold talks’ with government. They want the government to repeal the newly passed farm laws. They have been carrying with them four months’ ration. They have been holding the national capital on ransom since past few days now. Some have even threatened to assassinate Prime Minister Modi because after all, they’ve killed Indira Gandhi, a ‘farmer’ said with pride.

Their bone of contention is the fact that government is getting rid of middlemen and allowing them to sell their produce to anyone. Having said that, to make sure they are not exploited, the current system of APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) and MSP (Minimum Selling Price) will continue. So, those farmers who do not wish to sell their produce anywhere, can continue doing so like existing system.

Central government has time and again clarified that they are not doing away with the MSP. However, for some reason, these agitating ‘farmers’ still insist that government should not do away with MSP. How can government not get rid of something they are not getting rid of?

This is exactly like the anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) protests where people claimed that Indian Muslims will be asked to show their documents to prove citizenship. This, when government clarified multiple times that CAA has absolutely nothing to do with Indian citizens, irrespective of religion. CAA only fast-tracks Indian citizenship of persecuted religious minorities of three neighbouring Islamic countries: Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Muslims from these countries can continue to seek Indian citizenship as per existing laws.

What was shocking even back then was the Dalit groups protesting against CAA. It should be noted here that majority of Hindus persecuted in Pakistan are Dalits. The Dalit groups in India do not want Dalits in Pakistan to come home and live a life of dignity.

And as if that was not enough, Aam Aadmi Party, Delhi’s ruling party, and Congress in Delhi got into a fight to call dibs on who is providing better facilities to these farmers.

Do keep in mind here that earlier this year, when the Chinese coronavirus pandemic was spreading at terrifying speed in India, Arvind Kejriwal led Delhi government turned away migrants from other states. There were reports that water and power connection to the houses where migrants lived were cut off so they are forced to leave. Same Kejriwal who just few months back wanted to reserve Delhi government hospitals only for Delhi residents. So, if you are not a Delhi resident, you wouldn’t get treated for coronavirus in Delhi government hospital. That is what Kejriwal wanted. The LG, obviously, did not let that happen.

Arvind Kejriwal, the migrants are watching. Every single one of them whom you turned away.

And now, to add to this, the same celebrity protestors who had hijacked the anti-CAA ‘protests’ which also had same modus operandi of blocking roads and choking Delhi, are back into action.

Shaheen Bagh’s ‘dadi’ (grandmother) Bilkis Banu earlier this morning announced she is daughter of farmers and hence she will join the agitation. She has now been detained. Dalit group Bhim Army’s chief Chandrashekhar Azad, too, joined the protesting ‘farmers’. And not to mention the biggest celebrity – biryani which has also made an appearance at these farmers’ protests. Biryani was also served regularly at Shaheen Bagh ‘protests’.

Except, the anti-CAA ‘protests’ eventually ended with riots which claimed dozens of lives.

How will these ‘protests’ end?

Days after mysterious monolith in Utah disappeared following its discovery, similar metal monolith appears in Romania

OpIndia Staff
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Days after mysterious monolith in Utah disappeared following its discovery, similar metal monolith appears in Romania

Days after a mysterious monolith in Utah in the USA was found to have disappeared, another similar monolith has now been discovered in Romania on Batca Doamnei Hill in the city of Piatra Neamt in northern Romania. As per reports, the 13 feet high structure has a mirrored surface and was found near the historic landmark of Petrodava Dacian Fortress, with its one side facing Mount Ceahlau or the Holy Mountain. Romanian officials are, however, clueless about the origin of the monolith, just like the one which was discovered in Utah a few days ago.

While speaking on the development, Rocsana Josanu, Neamt Culture and Heritage official stated, “We have started looking into the strange appearance of the monolith. It is on private property, but we still don’t know who the monolith’s owner is yet. It is in a protected area on an archaeological site. Before installing something there, they needed permission from our institution, one that must then be approved by the Ministry of Culture.”

The monolith found in Romania is similar to the one found in Utah. It is triangular, made of shiny metal, and both have the almost same height.

Monolith disappears from Utah desert

Last Wednesday, a 10-12 foot tall monolith was discovered in a remote area in southeastern Utah, United States. However, the sleek metal structure mysteriously disappeared on Friday evening, resulting in several internet conspiracy theories. As per the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the monolith was ‘illegally installed’ and was removed by ‘unknown parties’.

In a tweet on Monday, it stated, “We may not know if an extraterrestrial or earthling installed the “monolith” structure, but we can confirm that it has been taken by an unknown party or parties.”

According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, the mysterious monolith was discovered on public lands during a count of bighorn sheep in Red Rock Country. The Department denied having any knowledge of who put the monolith there in the first place. As per helicopter pilot Bret Hutchings, it was the work of an artist, inspired by 1968 film by Stanley Kubrick titled, ‘2001: A Space Odyssey.’ The department, however, emphasised that it was illegal to put up any structure by humans or aliens without prior authorisation on a federally managed lands.

PFI is using ’72 hoors in Jannat’ concept to lure Muslim men into Jihadi activities, running terrorist schools: Sufi Islamic Board

OpIndia Staff
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PFI is using ’72 hoors in Jannat’ concept to lure Muslim men into Jihadi activities, running terrorist schools: Sufi Islamic Board

The radical Islamist outfit Popular Front of India (PFI), which has been in the radar of several central agencies amidst suspicion of funding various anti-national activities in India, is back into the limelight after the Sufi Council made some startling revelations about the organisation. According to a report by the Hindi news daily Amar Ujala, the Sufi Islamic Board has claimed that the PFI is backed by terrorist organisations and is running ‘schools’ to radicalise Muslim youths to carry out Jihad.

PFI uses the belief of ’72 hoors in Jannat after martyrdom’ as a bait to lure Muslim men to carry out Jihad

According to the Council’s national general secretary, Shah Sayyid Hasnain Bakai, PFI has been misleading the Muslim youths through its political wing Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). It said that the outfit uses the belief of ’72 hoors in Jannat after martyrdom’ as a bait to lure Muslim men to carry out Jihad in the country.

The 72 hoors (heavenly virgins) refers to a belief among Islamists that when the terrorists die in jihad and go to Jannat (heaven), they are rewarded with 72 virgin women. This is a widespread belief among Islamist terrorists, with terror organisations like ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram etc, using this promise to lure and recruit new terrorists.

PFI’s link with ISIS and Al-Qaeda

Hasnain Bakai said that the radical Islamist organization PFI is linked to the notorious global terrorist organization ISIS. The people associated with PFI continue to attend meetings of al-Qaeda affiliated organizations. The Council revealed PFI’s sinister plot to spread Turkey’s divisive plan to the Indian subcontinent.

Recently, a report by the European research group – Nordic Monitor had revealed about a 2018 meeting between India’s Popular Front of India (PFI) and alleged Turkish intelligence-linked extremist group IHH. The report claims that IHH – backed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – has been accused of smuggling arms to al-Qaeda-affiliated groups in Syria in 2014. The report claimed that the meeting was part of the Turkish government’s outreach to Muslim communities in the Southeast Asia region. PFI had been chosen as it had endorsed Erdogan after a 2016 coup attempt. So basically, PFI is said to be closely associated with the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) which has been linked to the terrorist organisation al-Qaeda.

Sufi council writes to PM Modi and HM Amit Shah urging them to permanently ban PFI on a pan India basis

As per the Amar Ujala report, National President of Sufi Islamic Board Mansoor Khan and National Spokesperson Sufi Mohammad Kausar Hasan Majidi have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding a permanent ban on PFI on a pan India basis. On the other hand, Sayyid Farid Ahmed Nizami, general secretary of Sufi Culture Organization of Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, has also sent a letter to LG Anil Baijal of Delhi clarifying his relationship with PFI. Recently, there were allegations that the All India Sufi Sajjadanshin Council and PFI have links. Distancing itself from the radical Islamist outfit, the Sufi organisation said that PFI should come out in the open and clear its stand.

The All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council, last month, had called upon Muslim youths to stay away from radical organisations that spread misconceptions in the name of Islam on social media. Naseeruddin Chishty, founder and Chairman of the Council, said that many radical organisations such as the Popular Front of India (PFI) and their political outfit Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) are involved in spreading misconceptions in the name of Islam and misleading youths.

He said that such outfits are misusing social media platforms to hoodwink youths. Muslim people should keep an eye on their children and should monitor their social media activities. “Many anti-social elements want to spoil the peace of the country through social media and are inviting our youth towards their wrong ideology which is a matter of serious concern”, he said.

PFI and its involvement in various riots fuelled by radical Islamists across India

The radical Islamic outfit, Popular Front of India was launched after the Karnataka Forum for Dignity (KFD, Karnataka) National Development Front (NDF, Kerala) Manitha Neethi Pasarai (MNP, Tamil Nadu) and the South India Council decided to float the organization together.

PFI and SDPI’s role in ginning up caste-based riots in Uttar Pradesh after Hathras case

In October, Uttar Pradesh Police had also arrested four people in connection to the Hathras case. It was revealed that they had connections with Popular Front of India (PFI) and were planning to cause caste-based unrest in the state. The intelligence agencies found that PFI and SDPI had assisted in preparing the website “Justice for Hathras” which hosted misleading and inflammatory content aimed at ginning up caste-based riots in Uttar Pradesh. Moreover, it was revealed that funding of Rs 50 crore was sourced by the Popular Front of India (PFI) from Mauritius to instigate caste-based riots in Uttar Pradesh following the Hathras case.

The radical Islamist outfit suspected of funding violence in the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

The PFI was also suspected of funding violence in the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. The Enforcement Directorate has claimed that the PFI has spent around Rs 120 crores to fuel riots across the country. As per ED’s investigation into PFI, it found a link between the Rs 120 crores deposited in 73 bank accounts allegedly belonging to PFI from various sources and the anti-CAA protests held in Uttar Pradesh, as per sources. 90 withdrawals were allegedly made in a day during the protests against the CAA, as per the bank documents and proof procured by the ED.

PFI and its link with the Bengaluru riots

Moreover, a fact-finding committee on the Bengaluru Riots formed by Citizens for Democracy, consisting of retired judges, journalists, and bureaucrats, has said in its report that SDPI and PFI were involved in the planning and execution of the riots which were pre-planned and organised and specifically targeted certain Hindus in the area. During the investigation of the Bengaluru riots, police raided 48 places, and a huge cache of weapons was recovered from the offices of SDPI.

Hours after violent Muslim mobs went on a rampage on the streets of Bengaluru, the Bengaluru police had arrested a local SDPI leader Muzammil Pasha, allegedly the mastermind behind the in riots. The SDPI leader, along with two other SDPI leaders, Jaffar and Khaleel Pasha had allegedly instigated the Muslim mob to pelt stones and torch vehicles near the police stations in KG Halli area in Bengaluru city.

The outfit’s connection with the Kerala gold smuggling case

Moreover, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), while probing the Kerala gold smuggling case revealed that one of the five accused having terror links was PFI member Mohammed Ali. The NIA had alleged that Ali had formatted all the data on July 19th when his role had surfaced in the public domain. However, from the limited data that the NIA has retrieved from his mobile, it was found out that there were materials pertaining to the death of the Indian origin ISIS recruits, posters supporting the members of the banned organisation SIMI. The NIA had also obtained images of paper slips depicting the details of huge transactions amounting in several lakhs.

“Ill-informed and unwarranted”: India hits back at Canadian PM Justin Trudeau over his comments on farmer protests

OpIndia Staff
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“Ill-informed and unwarranted”: India hits back at Canadian PM Justin Trudeau over his comments on farmer protests

Govt of India has strongly reacted to the comments of Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and other Canadian leaders on the farmer protests in India. During the last few weeks, several political leaders from Canada have issued statements “expressing concern” over the protests by mainly Punjabi farmers against the new farm laws enacted by the Modi govt.

Reacting to those comments, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava called the remarks ill-informed, saying, “We’ve seen some ill-informed comments by Canadian leaders relating to farmers in India. These are unwarranted especially when pertaining to internal affairs of a democratic country.”

Srivastava further added that it is best that diplomatic conversations aren’t misrepresented for political purposes.

Reactions from Canadian ministers over farmer protests in India

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and several other members of the Parliament in Canada, especially from the Sikh community, have raised concerns on the farmers’ treatment by the government of India. PM Trudeau said that the situation is concerning, and his government had reached out to Indian authorities to express their concerns. Other ministers have to target Narendra Modi-led Indian government for allegedly mistreating the peaceful protesters. During the parliamentary session in Canada, several ministers have addressed the house to express their views about the ongoing protests.

During the virtual Gurpurab 2020 celebration, PM Trudeau, at the beginning of his address, talked about the protests in India. Trudeau had said, “I would be remiss if I didn’t start also by recognizing the news coming out of India about the protests by farmers. The situation is concerning. And we all are very worried about family and friends; I know that’s a reality for many of you. Let me remind you. Canada will always be ready to defend the right to peaceful protest. We believe in the importance of dialogue and that’s why we reached out to multiple means directly to Indian authorities to highlight our concerns.”

Several other Sikh MPs, many of whom are sympathetic to the Khalistan movement, had also talked about the protests and supported the agitating farmers in Canadian parliament and outside.

Grooming Jihad: Golu Khan lured minor victim by wearing tilak and kalawa, used to visit temples with her

OpIndia Staff
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Grooming Jihad: Golu Khan lured minor victim by wearing tilak and kalawa, used to visit temples with her

Yet another case of grooming jihad has come to light in Kakadev, Kanpur. A person named Golu Khan allegedly lured a minor Hindu girl into a love affair by hiding his real identity. He allegedly forced the girl to convert to Islam and perform Nikaah with him. When the girl did not comply, he circulated her obscene video among his friends. A case has been filed against the accused under provisions of rape and the relevant provisions of POCSO (Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012). Police are on a lookout for the accused.

Golu Khan used to wear tilak and kalawa

According to reports, the victim has alleged that accused Golu Khan introduced himself to her as ‘Raj’ and befriended her. He used to wear a kalawa (a scared thread that Hindus wear) and visit a temple to avoid suspicion. One day Golu Khan allegedly forced himself on the victim. The victim resisted. Thereafter, he put a marriage proposal before her. He disclosed his identity to the victim and forced her for marriage. However, the victim refused to convert to Islam.

After the victim’s refusal to convert, Golu Khan allegedly circulated her obscene images among his friends. He along with his friends also allegedly tried to rape the victim. He even poured alcohol over the victim on one occasion to harass her. The victim then went to the police station and filed an FIR against him. In the FIR, the victim told that Golu Khan had met her at a coaching centre and had become friends with her. “I used to go to a coaching centre. He told me his name is Raj and became friends with me. He tried to force himself on me. When I resisted he asked me to perform Nikaah with him. When I asked him why Nikaah, he said that he was a Muslim. He said that I needed to covert to marry him. He threatened me that I did not comply he would abduct me and circulate my video on social media. When I distanced myself from him, he shared all the videos with his friend Sunny”.

He used to go to the temple with the victim

The victim further alleged, “I could not figure out that he was a Muslim. He used to wear tilak and kalawa. He used to visit the temple and attend Jagran with me. He betrayed my whole family”. The victim expressed confidence in the law against love jihad that was recently introduced by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh. She said that she was hopeful that the people indulging in love jihad would be punished as per the law.

Allegedly, the local police did not at first take the matter seriously. The victim then complained to the IG. The police finally came into action more than a month later after the SSP ordered an investigation. The police have booked both Golu Khan and his friend Sunny in the matter.

Maharashtra: Farmers in four districts record Rs 10 crore out-of-mandi trade with the help of new farm laws

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: Farmers in four districts record Rs 10 crore out-of-mandi trade with the help of new farm laws

Even as ‘farmers’ from Punjab and Haryana stage blockades and demonstrations in and around Delhi, the new Agriculture bills that were passed in September 2020 by the central government have already started reaping benefits for the farmers in Maharashtra.

A report published in the Indian Express stated that soybean farmers have managed to get more out of the APMC deals following the passage of the farm bills. As per MahaFPC, the umbrella body of farmer producing companies (FPCs) in Maharashtra, FPCs in four districts have made about Rs 10 crores from trade outside mandis after the laws were passed three months ago.

Farm bills curtail the tremendous powers once held by the APMCs

Earlier, before the agriculture laws were passed, the cooperative bodies which regulated APMCs held tremendous power over the trade carried out in the catchment areas of the APMCs and such trades were levied market cess and other taxes on such transactions. However, the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce(Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, strips APMCs of wielding such regulations.

In the last 3 months, the FPCs have registered an increased trade interest from edible oil solvent, extractors and animal feed manufacturers for directly buying from their farmers. The direct transaction has helped farmers in terms of increased savings by spending less on transportation. The companies, on the other hand, have profited by not having to pay for Mandi cess.

As per the article, as many as 19 FPCs, most based out of Marathwada, have recorded 2693.58 tonnes out-of-mandi trade with companies. Out of these 19 FPCs, 13 of them from Latur have supplied 2165.863 tonne, mainly to ADM Agro Industries Pvt. Ltd. Likewise, four FPCs from Osmanabad had supplied 412.327 tonne. One FPC each in Hingoli and Nanded have supplied 96.618 tonne and 18.78 tonne of oilseed to private companies.

Reduced transportation cost, no dispute on weights, among other benefits from the new laws

One of the farmers who benefitted from the new agriculture law said that the new bills not only helped the farmers in saving transportation costs, but there was also no issue of weight at the centres. However, he added that the companies stopped procurement once the market rate fell below the government declared minimum price support (MSP).

The farmer claimed that there was nothing contentious in the new bills but he advised the government to ensure that non-MSP procurement did not happen outside the mandi. He also added that the government should strengthen the grievance redressal mechanism.

The managing director of the MahaFPC, Yogesh Thorat, extolled the arrangement, saying the current structure opens up avenues for the farmers to sell their produce and provides them with a “choice to sell”. Allaying the apprehensions that have been raised by protesting farmers, Thorat said that he had witnessed farmers and corporate honour the commitments made to each other.

Protests by farmers from Punjab and Haryana

By contrast, thousands of farmers from Punjab and Haryana have marched towards the national capital to protest against the passing of alleged ‘anti-farm’ laws by the Modi government. The main arteries leading to the national capital have been blocked by the farmers, who have set up sprawling camps along the highways, in order to compel the government to negotiation table. The farmers have been demanding a guarantee on the MSP front. Several of them have been more radical in their demands and have asked the government to annul the three farm bills altogether.

The protests by farmers have also seen participation from washed-up actors and activists, who are trying to fight their way back from oblivion on the back of farmers’ protests. Pro-Khalistani elements have also joined in the protests and several threats have been dished out to PM Modi and others if they do not heed to their demands.

US govt seeks clearance from court to extradite 26/11 Pakistani terrorist Tahawwur Rana to India

OpIndia Staff
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US govt seeks clearance from court to extradite 26/11 Pakistani terrorist Tahawwur Rana to India

In a major development, the United States government had moved the California court to seek clearance for the extradition of Pakistani terrorist Tahawwur Rana. The government made the submission after the court had fixed February 12, 2021, as the next date of hearing. The Pakistani-origin terrorist had been asked to submit his opposition to the extradition plea by December 21.

As per a report in Times Now, the US government has supported the extradition. While Rana tried to prevent his extradition by citing the case of David Headley whose extradition request was rejected, the US government sided with India. It argued, “Rana’s situation is different because he neither pleaded guilty nor cooperated with the United States. As a result, cannot avail himself of the benefits afforded to Headley through his negotiated plea. Such a position is neither inconsistent nor a bar to extradition.”

“Unlike Rana, Headley immediately accepted responsibility for his conduct and pleaded guilty to all of the charges in the Superseding Indictment,” the US attorney government attorney Nicola T Hanna emphasised. Tahawwur Rana was re-arrested in Los Angeles by the US police after an extradition request was made by the Indian government.

Rana was charged for waging war, committing a terrorist act, commission of murder and conspiracy in the deadly 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He studied at the Army Medical School in Pakistan and also served as a doctor in the army. He holds Canadian citizenship and has been living in Chicago. On the other hand, David Headley who plotted the 26/11 attacks was arrested from Chicago in 2009 and is now serving a 35-year jail term for his role in the terrorist attack. He and Rana also helped Lashkar-e-Taiba and Harakat ul-Jihad-e-Islami to execute the attacks.

Mumbai Terror Attacks

On 26th November 2008, 10 Islamic terrorists from Pakistan had sneaked inside the country to create havoc in the country for 3 long, un-ending days. Shooting and bombing several locations in the financial capital of India, Mumbai, the terrorists left a trail of blood. Between 26/11 and 29th November 2008, not just 167 lives were lost, but the entire nation was gripped in fear and worry.

US announces $5 million for Pakistani terrorist Sajid Mir

On the 12th anniversary of the dastardly terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the US State Department Rewards for Justice (RFJ) Program has announced a whopping $5 million for information about a Pakistani terrorist named Sajid Mir. “The Rewards for Justice program is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction in any country of Sajid Mir for his role in these attacks,” the website read.

As per RJF, Sajid Mir is associated with radical Islamist outfit Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT). He was the operations manager for the LeT during the Mumbai attack that killed over 167 people. He had played a crucial role in planning, preparation and execution of the terror attack. Mir was charged for conspiracy, terror support, the bombing of public property, the murder of US citizens outside the country and injuring the property of a foreign government.

Instead of answering allegations, Shehla Rashid decides to run away from a live show, calls her father ‘greedy’

OpIndia Staff
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Instead of answering allegations, Shehla Rashid decides to run away from a live show, calls her father ‘greedy’

Shehla Rashid, JNU student leader, has been accused by her biological father Abdul Rashid Shora, of taking Rs 3 crore from terror funding accused Zahoor Vatali and Rashid Engineer. During an interview with journalist Vikas Bhadauria on ABP News, Shehla had a telephonic conversation with her father. Still, instead of answering tough questions, she decided to run away from the show and disconnected the call.

Shehla disconnected the call after 9:50

Shehla Rashid’s father said that he had written a letter to RAW explaining what she did after 2017. He said the problem started when she decided to enter the politics of Jammu and Kashmir as he had decided to take a u-turn in his political career. Rashid alleged that everything was planned in the US. To silent him, a case of domestic violence was registered against him.

Necessary to find out how far Shehla Rashid is involved in illegal activities

Shehla Rashid’s father said it is necessary to find out how far Shehla Rashid is involved in illegal activities. After the initial conversation with her father, Shehla also joined the show. She was asked about the allegations her father had made against her. She said there is no case against her, but warrants have already been issued against her father in an ongoing case of domestic abuse. She alleged that Rashid was kicked out of the house by the locals due to violence and abuse with the family.

Shehla urged the journalist to ask his father why he used to beat his wife and throw her out of the house. She described her father as a ‘greedy person’ and said that anyone could make allegations, but there is no evidence against her. She said if she alleges that anchor Vikas Bhadauria has murdered his editor, will that be a case against him.

Shehla alleged domestic abuse

Shehla claimed that when they were young, her father used to throw them out of the house, that too at 9 in the night. “With what right is he speaking? What school did we study, what was our school uniform, where did we pay our fee and where did we buy books – he doesn’t know anything. His presence our life is only to disturb us,” she alleged.

She alleged that when her mother built a new house, he reached there and started asking source of funds used to build the house. Reacting to the allegations, Rashid asked Shehla about details with whom she left Jammu and Kashmir for the first time, to visit Delhi and Jalandhar to complete her studies. However, Shehla refused to answer his question. She then said she does not want to debate the show, and everything will be resolved in the court.

Shehla tried to divert attention from allegations

In the interview with ABP News, in a bid to divert attention from allegations levelled by her father, Shehla started talking about court cases. ABP’s Bhadauria interrupted Shehla and told her that if she is refusing to answer the allegations and questions, it will be assumed that is she is running away from the questions. Shehla kept repeating that she would only answer in the court, and then she disconnected the call.

However, before disconnecting the call, she asked her father why he had met terrorist-funding accused Zahoor Vatali. Rashid said that his daughter is misleading the press, and he will present evidence.

Earlier, Rashid had said, he is facing death threats from his own daughter. As per local news reports, in his letter to the DGP, Shora threw light on his daughter’s “notorious activities” and urged the Jammu and Kashmir police to investigate her bank accounts as well as the property acquired by her in New Delhi, her email accounts and her mysterious financial dealings.

“We are all very worried” Canada PM Justin Trudeau, his ministers express ‘concern’ over protesting Punjab farmers in Delhi

OpIndia Staff
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“We are all very worried” Canada PM Justin Trudeau, his ministers express ‘concern’ over protesting Punjab farmers in Delhi

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his ministers have expressed his concerns over ongoing farmers’ protests in India. During the virtual Gurpurab 2020 celebration, PM Trudeau, at the beginning of his address, talked about the protests in India. Ministers from the Sikh community, including Navdeep S Bains, Harjit Sajjan, and Bardish Chagger, joined him in the conversation.

While talking about the protests, Trudeau said, “I would be remiss if I didn’t start also by recognizing the news coming out of India about the protests by farmers. The situation is concerning. And we all are very worried about family and friends; I know that’s a reality for many of you. Let me remind you. Canada will always be ready to defend the right to peaceful protest. We believe in the importance of dialogue and that’s why we reached out to multiple means directly to Indian authorities to highlight our concerns.”

Other Canadian ministers, leaders extend support to farmer agitation

Canadian MP Bardish Chaggar, who was part of the Gurpurab celebration, had tweeted on November 30 that the rights of farmers protesting peacefully in India must be respected, and meaningful dialogue is the way forward.

Minister of National Defence, Canada, Harjit Sajjan had tweeted on November 29, “The reports of peaceful protesters being brutalized in India are very troubling. Many of my constituents have family there and are worried about the safety of their loved ones.”

In 2017, Chief Minister Punjab, Captain Amrinder Singh, alleged that Sajjan has connections with Khalistani extremists.

Member of Parliament Tim S Uppal had tweeted on December 1, “Sikhs across Canada are thinking of and praying for India’s farmers who are peacefully protesting new farming legislation,” along with his video of November 30 Canadian Parliamentary proceedings where he raised the issue of the protest. In his statement in the parliament, he said, “Hundreds of thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana and other parts of India are making way to Delhi. Shockingly along the way these peaceful protesters were met with blockades, water cannons, batons and tear gas. But they persisted peacefully.”

Member of Parliament Jasraj Singh Hallan also extended support to protesting ‘farmers’. Posting a snippet of his parliamentary address, he claimed that it is time to stand up for Freedom of Speech not just at home (Canada) but also abroad.

In the parliament, he said, “Canadians are concerned by the recent acceleration of India’s tension between farmers and Indian authorities. Freedom of speech is fundamental to a healthy democracy, including peaceful protests. Farmers feed cities. Their labour is crucial to the function of any country. No farmers, no food. Authorities are used to tear gas and water cannons, and baton charges to shutdown the peaceful protests.”

Earlier in June when protests broke out in Canada against racism after George Floyd death in US, Police across Canada resorted to using tear gas to disperse the protesting mob.

Minister of Public Services and Procurement had quoted Harjit Sajjan on Twitter and said, “Healthy democracies should allow peaceful protests.”

Member of Parliament Maninder Sidhu had tweeted on December 1 and said, “I rose in the House (virtually) to ask our Minister of Foreign Affairs how Canada is expressing its concern over the fundamental rights of farmers to peacefully protest in India,” along with the video of his address in the parliament in which he said, “Many Indo-Canadians particularly the 600,000 Punjabi decent are watching closely as hundreds of thousands of farmers are marching to Delhi in a peaceful protest. However, many of the farmers from Punjab have met with violence from police and blocked from entry to Delhi. It is essential that people in a democratic society are allowed to protest peacefully without fear of violence in response.”

Member of Parliament Navdeep Bains had tweeted on November 29 and shared images of protest. He said, “I’ve heard from many of my constituents in Mississauga-Malton, expressing their concerns about the safety of their family and friends in the #FarmersProtest in India.”

Concerns over Khalistan extremists’ presence in Canada

Over the years, several security agencies and leaders from India have raised concerns over the presence of Khalistani supporters and extremists in Canada. While the Defence Minister of Canada, Harjit Sajjan, was accused by Capt Amrinder Singh of having Khalistani connections, several reports suggest that Khalistanis are operating from Canada.

In September 2020, an Ottawa-based think-tank Macdonald-Laurier Institute had released a study on Pakistan’s role in nourishing Khalistani extremism. The paper stated, “Pro-Khalistani Sikh leaders, who enjoy wide-spread political patronage and clout in Canada, for their control over the Gurudwara cash flow and community votes, had reportedly pressurised the Trudeau government into removing the Khalistan reference from the annual report of terrorism threats.” 

There have also been reports of Khalistan forces in India getting financial support from Sikhs in Canada.

Khalistan-hugging had marred Trudeau’s India tour in 2018

In 2018, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau had faced backlash for his alleged connections with Sikh extremists. A Khalistani terrorist was invited to state dinner with the Canadian PM. The Canadian authorities had to apologize on the issue. Trudeau’s inability to address the Khalistan problem in Canada had led to cold shoulder by Modi government.

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