Home Blog Page 4811

ED reveals that Mumbai Police have not examined raw data from BARC, something that should have been the starting point of investigation

OpIndia Staff
-
0
ED reveals that Mumbai Police have not examined raw data from BARC, something that should have been the starting point of investigation

10 days ago, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), the equivalent of FIRs filed by the Police, in the TRP case. It was reported that ED will be investigating money laundering allegations and all channels mentioned in the original FIR would be probed.

10 days on, OpIndia has learnt that the ED has already summoned officials from Hansa Research, based on whose FIR the original probe was initiated. It is pertinent to note that in the complaint by Hansa Research, based on which the initial FIR was filed named only India Today and a few other local channels as the main accused in the alleged TRP scam. However, the Mumbai police commissioner had held a press conference only 48 hours after the FIR which mentioned India Today was filed and implicated Republic TV led by Arnab Goswami in the alleged scam.

According to sources in Delhi ED, Hansa Research, while being questioned by the ED, named India Today and not Republic TV. Further, when two BARC officials were summoned, one from their vigilance department and another from the IT department, both attested to the fact that the Mumbai Police had not summoned any raw data from BARC.

Raw data here would essentially mean the details of bar-o-meters installed. The report by Hansa Research based on which the FIR in the TRP case was registered, names India Today as the channel which had bribed households with the bar-o-meters to watch the channel. It does not name Republic TV as alleged by Mumbai police. The FIR also names India Today and Republic TV finds no mention in the FIR too.

This inexplicable lapse came to light during the questioning of BARC officials by the Enforcement Directorate which is now looking into the TRP case from a money laundering angle. BARC has told ED that despite being called by the Mumbai Police, they didn’t ask for BARC’s basic raw data, which would have ideally been the starting point of this investigation.

ED sources have also revealed that BARC officials have now been summoned with the data which would be examined by ED within 48 hours. Further, OpIndia is told that once that process is over, India Today officials would be summoned for questioning as well.

Interestingly, while the Mumbai Police has allegedly not looked at the raw data by BARC, within 48 hours of the FIR being filed, Mumbai Police Commissioner Parambir Singh had held a press conference alleging that the FIR that was filed based on the Hansa Research complaint, pointed towards Republic TV indulging in malpractice. Further, when the FIR and the Hansa Research Report, that implicated India Today and not Republic TV, the Mumbai Police had tied itself up in knots to justify its probe.

After the initial celebratory tones of India Today, after the FIR surfaced, India Today went into damage control mode. Talking to Mumbai Police, Rajdeep Sardesai tried to get a statement saying that India Today was not named in the FIR. Rajdeep took to his channel to question the Joint Commissioner of Police. He asked, “an attempt has been made to suggest that India Today was mentioned in the FIR” and then, went on to demand clarity to exonerate himself and implicate Republic TV. The Joint Commissioner, however, interestingly admitted that it was indeed India Today that was named in the FIR. This revelation itself leads the Mumbai Police to tie itself up in knots since once this admission is out in the open, not much else makes sense.

While this drama was unfolding on India Today, Republic journalist spoke to Tejal Solanki (witness in the TRP scam) who specifically implicated India Today. She said that her son was asked to watch India Today specifically. However, she did appear scared. She kept asking the journalist if nothing would happen to them and they would be safe. The scared witness was then spoken to by India Today where they twisted her statement completely to implicate themselves. In fact, the scared witness kept repeating that no channel had paid her and she watched no channel to increase the TRP. That statement was then taken by India Today to say that she had admitted being paid money to watch Republic TV. 

While the witness was being manipulated by India Today, interesting visuals started to appear on Republic TV. They had got footage where it showed how Mumbai Police personnel were guarding the house of Tejal Solanki.

While tales of witnesses being tampered and intimidated came to the fore, another startling revelation appeared.

Hansa Research Group said that it was being harassed by the Mumbai Police forcing them to make false statements against Republic Media Network. The company which operates the Bar-O-Meters of BARC (Broadcast Audience Research Council), moved the Bombay High Court seeking transfer of the probe into the case from Mumbai Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), reported Bar and Bench.

In the petition filed with Bombay High Court, Hansa Research alleged that the Police have been adopting pressure tactics to coerce its employees to issue a statement that a document published as Hansa Report by Republic TV is a fake document.

The petition said that “the petitioners are continuously held at the Crime Branch for long hours and threatened with arrest and repeatedly pressed to make false statements.”

The petition was moved by Hansa group Director Narasimhan K Swamy, CEO Praveen Omprakash and Nitin Kashinath Deokar. It said that it has already explained to the police that it is in a position to adjudge whether the document shown by the Republic TV is genuine or not. They have said that Republic TV never applied to them for a copy of the report, and the channel has shown only extracts of the document.

The petition filed by Hansa also says that their officials are being questioned without written notice, and they are given no time to produce documents. “This method of demand for information, lack of time given for response and pressure place on the officers of Petitioner No 1 continues till the time of the writing of this writ,” the plea adds. Mumbai police Commissioner of Police Param Bir Singh, Assistant Police Inspector Sachin Vaze and ACP Shashank Sanbhlor were named as respondents in the petition. The company has informed that since October 12 onwards, Hansa Research employees have been repeatedly called to the Crime Branch office and made to wait for hours.

All of this, coupled with the fact that the Mumbai Police has allegedly not called for the raw data from BARC, which should have been the starting point of the investigation does point to the fact that the investigation may have been botched up. With the ED investigating the case now, uncomfortable details that have been pushed under the rug may as well surface, turning this investigation on its heel.

Shiv Sena does a u-turn on Azaan recital competition for Muslim kids, claims no plans to hold such event

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Shiv Sena does a u-turn on Azaan recital competition for Muslim kids, claims no plans to hold such event

After drawing severe flak for the unabashed appeasement of Muslim minorities, Shiv Sena leader Pandurang Sakpal back-pedalled on his announcement of organising an ‘Azaan recitation competition’.

Sakpal, who said in an interview earlier that he found Azaan peaceful and soothing, later said that holding an azaan recitation competition was only a suggestion proffered by a Muslim party functionary and that he has no plans of holding such an event.

Sakpal backtracks, claims he has no plans to organise azaan recitation competition

The announcement was made by Sakpal after a video of him praising azaan and declaring to keep an azaan recitation competition had gone viral on the social media websites. The video triggered a groundswell of opposition from netizens, along with the political parties such as BJP, who lambasted the Shiv Sena functionary for brazenly pandering to the minorities.

The BJP, in its criticism of the announcement, contended that Shiv Sena had already abandoned its support for Hindutva and by announcing an azaan recitation competition, it was trying to burnish its newly acquired ‘secular’ credentials, in a brazen attempt to woo minorities for their votes. The BJP spokesperson said that the only thing left for Shiv Sena now is to carry a “green flag” on its shoulders.

Following the backlash on his announcement to keep an azaan recitation competition, Pandurang did an about-turn, stating that he simply voiced the suggestion by a delegation of party’s Muslim office-bearers a couple of days ago.

“They said that their children were loitering around on the streets and we should organise a competition for them. Then, on the lines of Bhagavad Gita recitation competition we organise in our area, I suggested them to hold an online azaan competition,” Sakpal said.

Sakpal likened Azaan to Maha Aarti

Earlier yesterday, a video of Shiv Sena division chief Pandurang Sakpal announcing to hold Azaan recitation competition had gone viral on the internet. Speaking about how the idea of holding an Azaan recitation competition crossed his mind, Sakpal said, “I live next to the Bada Kabristan in Marine Lines. That is why I get to hear the Azaan every day. I have found the Azaan to be amazing and soothing. Whoever hears it once, eagerly waits for the next schedule of Azaan. That is why I came up with the idea of ​​holding Azaan competition for the children of the Muslim community.”

He further added that the children of the Muslim community wonderfully recite Azaan and the purpose of keeping the competition was to provide a platform for talented artists. Sakpal even claimed that Shiv Sena will bear the cost of rewards granted to the winners of the competition.

In his interview, Sakpal had likened Azaan to Maha Aarti and took a swipe at those who opposed Azaan. “Azaan lasts for only 5 minutes. So, if anyone is bothered by these few minutes, he should be ignored like a rock of salt. The tradition of Azaan is several centuries old. It is not a recent phenomenon. Such protestations should be ignored. Azaan is as important as Maha Aarti. It’s a symbol of love and peace,” Sakpal said.

Father of Shehla Rashid refutes domestic violence charges, urges agencies to investigate her source of funding

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Father of Shehla Rashid refutes domestic violence charges, urges agencies to investigate her source of funding

A day after ex-JNU student Shehla Rashid termed the allegations meted out at her by her “biological father” as baseless and charged him with counter-accusations of domestic violence, Abdul Rashid Shora has refuted the charges.

Speaking to ANI, Shehla’s father claimed that he was restored the right to enter his house by the court merely a day after the complaint was filed against him. He said that had he been a violent person, as alleged by his daughter, there should have been a number of FIRs registered in his name over the years. But there isn’t any, said Shora, strongly refuting his daughter’s accusations of domestic violence.

He reiterated that Shehla formed the party- ‘Jammu and Kashmir Peoples’ Movement’ when she went to the US, and all their funds have been coming from anti-national forces. No national party will fund them, opined Shora. He told the news agency that along with asking for security cover for himself he has also urged the DGP of Jammu and Kashmir to investigate into ‘Jammu and Kashmir Peoples’ Movement’ party’s fund sources.

Father of Shehla Rashid files complaint against her

Yesterday, Abdul Rashid Shora, the father of ex-JNU student leader and former general secretary Jammu and Kashmir Peoples’ Movement Shehla Rashid, had approached the office of DGP, Jammu and Kashmir Police with a written complaint that he is facing death threats from his own daughter. 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, the property acquired by her at New Delhi, her email accounts and her mysterious financial dealings.

Shehla’s father put out some serious allegations against his daughter saying that Shehla in concordance with Feroz Peerzada, Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali and Rasheed Engineer, an ex-MLA carried out “anti-national” activities. He accused her of once receiving Rs 3 crores from ‘notorious people’ to be a part of the Kashmir centric politics.

We have reported that both Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali and ex-MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Rasheed Engineer have been arrested by the NIA in a terror-funding case in the years 2017 and 2019 respectively. According to the IB officials, Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali allegedly used his business to funnel ISI funds into Kashmir to promote separatist activities. 

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) first attached properties of Watali worth Rs 1.73 crore in August 2019 and then worth Rs 6.20 Crore in November 2019.

Ex-JNU student hits back at her ‘biological father’

Shortly afterwards, the ex-JNU student hit back at her ‘biological father’ calling his accusations “baseless” and “disgusting”. She described him as ‘wife-beater and an abusive, depraved man’, and said that finally, they have decided to act against them. She alleged that her mother was abused and tortured by her father.

She also said that the family had earlier lodged a complaint against her for domestic violence, and the authorities had asked him to stop. “Since he was restrained from entering the home by the Hon’ble Court, he’s trying to derail the judicial process by resorting to cheap stunts,” she alleged.

Kejriwal govt quietly notifies one of the three farm laws in Delhi while crying ‘injustice’ to farmers amid protests

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Kejriwal govt quietly notifies one of the three farm laws in Delhi while crying ‘injustice’ to farmers amid protests

While Arvind Kejriwal and his party leaders are busy extending support to protesting ‘farmers’ from Punjab, his government in Delhi very quietly notified one of the three farm laws he opposes.

Gazette notification by Delhi Government (image courtesy: @manojtiwariMP on Twitter)

On 23rd November 2020, when the Punjab farmers were threatening to hold the national capital as hostage, Delhi government issued the above gazette notification.

Gazette notification issued by Delhi government (image courtesy: @manojtiwariMP on Twitter)

The Delhi government on November 23 notified the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance 2020. It is one of the three laws passed by Central government against which Punjab farmers are protesting. Kejriwal and his party leaders including Delhi government ministers have extended support to the agitating farmers who have surrounded Delhi from various exit points.

As per the ordinance, Delhi government has allowed trade of food grains and poultry outside the APMC (Agriculture Produce Market Committee) mandi premises. The same legislation promulgated by central government has been termed ‘anti farmer’ by Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.

As per the ordinance, after passing of the new farm laws, while Delhi government has been allowing sale of fruits and vegetables outside APMCs since 2014, the new central government legislation allows farmers to sell food grains and poultry outside their designated mandis as well.

Delhi government ordinance will not abolish mandis, just as central government legislation does not. Hence, the fears of farmers are completely unfounded.

The Delhi government notification further redefines market areas for APMC located at Najafgarh, Narela and Ghazipur.

The new Central government laws override the state APMC Act. Hence, the Delhi government cannot allow APMC regulations operate outside the physical boundaries of APMC mandis.

Sheetal Amte, the granddaughter of social worker Baba Amte, commits suicide by lethal injection

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Sheetal Amte, the granddaughter of social worker Baba Amte, commits suicide by lethal injection

Sheetal Amte-Karajgi, the granddaughter of social worker Baba Amte was found dead at her residence in Anandwan, Chandrapur district, Maharashtra. There was a family feud going on, which was reported resolved. 39-year-old Sheetal Amte, doctor and CEO of Maharogi Seva Samiti (MSS), a social service organization founded by Baba Amtre, allegedly took her life on Monday. The police have not confirmed the cause of death, but some local reports are suggesting that she injected herself a lethal dose. Her body was taken to Chandrapura for post-mortem.

Allegations of mismanagement in MSS

Recently, Sheetal had posted a video on Facebook alleging irregularities in MSS trust. She raised allegations against her family members, who are trustees of the organizations and other activists associated with it. The video was removed from Facebook within two hours.

The family claimed Sheetal is suffering from stress and depression

Denying the allegations, Sheetal’s parents, uncle, and aunt issued a statement that she is suffering from mental stress and depression. They said, “Maharogi Seva Samiti, Warora is a leading social service organisation in the country. It provided direction and inspiration for the development of the deprived. Lakhs of social activists were trained here. Three generations of Amtes are deeply involved in this work.”

They further added that Sheetal has contributed to the work done by the organization. However, she is facing mental stress and depression. “While admitting it in her social media posts, she made inappropriate statements about the work, trustees, and workers of Maharogi Seva Samiti.

All her comments are baseless. The Amte family is issuing this statement after mutual discussions to prevent any likely misunderstanding caused by Sheetal’s allegations,” the statement added.

‘War and Peace’ – the last tweet before death

Hours before allegedly committing suicide, Dr Sheetal had posted a cryptic message on Twitter. She posted an abstract painting with the caption “War and Peace.” Though she regularly posted paintings made by her on social media, the last post’s timing has raised suspicions.

Cryptic tweet posted by Sheetal on Twitter before allegedly committing suicide

Baba Amte, the social worker

Baba Amte, a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award and Padma Vibhushan, was a renowned social worker. He was often called the modern Gandhi of India. He was known for his work for the people suffering from leprosy, which he carried out at Anandwan, an asylum for such patients. I was founded in 1959 and currently being administered by MSS. Baba Amte died in 2008. Vikas Amte and Sheetal Karajgi were appointed as secretary and Chief Executive Officer for the organization respectively three years ago. In 2016, Sheetal had received the Young Global Leader’ award from the World Economic Forum.

Leaked Wuhan documents: China misled the world about its mismanagement of Coronavirus pandemic, says report

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Leaked Wuhan documents: China misled the world about its mismanagement of Coronavirus pandemic, says report

While the Coronavirus pandemic has infected over 63 million people worldwide and took over 1.4 million lives, it has now come to light that the Chinese authorities had tried to downplay the outbreak of the disease in the country, reported CNN. The news channel has verified over 117 pages of leaked documents from the Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Downplaying confirmed Coronavirus cases

The documents accessed by CNN show that China presented ‘optimistic data’ to the world, far away from the actual numbers. On February 10, confidential internal documents showed that the total number of confirmed Coronavirus cases was 5,918 while the Chinese government had only placed 2,478 cases (half the original number)in the official data. Similarly, on March 7, the total number of official deaths in Hubei stood at 2,986 while internal report claimed the number to be as 3,456.

“This larger figure was never fully revealed at that time, as China’s accounting system seemed, in the tumult of the early weeks of the pandemic, to downplay the severity of the outbreak,” the report noted. Analysts believe that the discrepancy was the result of the instinct to suppress bad news and a broken reporting system.

Long waiting time for tests and inaccurate results

The internal documents revealed that China’s testing system was flawed from the very onset. As such, most of the data published by the Chinese authorities on a daily basis was thus inaccurate. On January 10, one document revealed that the Coronavirus test kits were regularly providing false-negative results. “The high false-negative rate exposed a series of problems China would take weeks to rectify,” the CNN report noted.

The internal documents also revealed that it took roughly 23.3 days to process a case (from someone experiencing symptoms to confirmed diagnosis). While considering the internal difficulties, experts have conceded that the time lag was extraordinary. “You’re looking at data that’s three weeks old and trying to make a decision for today,” stated Dr Amesh Adalja from John Hopkins Centre for Health Security, as per the CNN report.

Failure of early warning system

The internal documents revealed that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention operations in Hubei was underfunded and lacked the right testing equipment. “The CDC internal report complains over an absence of operational funding from the Hubei provincial government and notes the staffing budget is 29% short of its annual target,” the article stated. Although many of the issues were addressed by the authorities, the broken system created major problems in diagnosis and containing the spread of the disease. Moreover, bureaucratic restrictions meant that the process of rapid data collection was largely hindered.

Flu outbreak in Hubei

As per the report, there was a 20-fold increase in the number of influenza cases in the Hubei province in December 2019, thereby leading to 2059% rise in such cases compared to the previous year. The influenza outbreak affected Xianning (2148 cases), Yichang (6135 cases) and Wuhan (2032 cases) in a massive way. The CNN article stated, “Public data shows a nationwide spike in influenza in December. Experts, however, note the rise in influenza cases, while not unique to Hubei, would have complicated the task of officials on the lookout for new dangerous viruses.”Chi

China concealed crucial information, revealed Intelligence Report

While China had employed a propaganda offensive to counter the increasing pressure mounted by a growing chorus of voices around the world blaming the country for unleashing the coronavirus pandemic, a report prepared by intelligence agencies of five different countries in May had claimed that China had deliberately resorted to falsehoods about the coronavirus outbreak.

The spy dossier put together by the intelligence agencies of the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand stated that despite crystal clear evidence of human-to-human transmission, China withheld the crucial information from the rest of the world until January 20, thereby catching many countries girding for the pandemic flat-footed. The report stated that China’s deliberate opacity in not revealing the full scale of the pandemic was an “assault on international transparency”. “Despite the red flag raised by the officials in Taiwan as early as December 31 and experts in Hong Kong on January 4, China remained tight-lipped about the challenges posed by the infection,” the report observed.

Fact-check: Is Prasar Bharati shutting down AIR radio stations in Kerala?

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Fact-check: Is Prasar Bharati shutting down AIR radio stations in Kerala?

On November 30, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported that CPI MP Binoy Viswam from Kerala has written to Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar, alleging that AIR is closing down government-financed radio and television channels. The allegations were picked up several news agencies.

In his letter, the MP has alleged that in the meeting held on November 18, it was decided to curtail the programs originating from Kerala. “This new move by Prasar Bharati is against this principle and its very motto of public service broadcasting,” he added.

Before the PTI report, on November 12, The Hindu had reported that the Kozhikode, Thrissur AM stations might close down soon. The report suggested that shutting down the stations is part of a nationwide policy to cut down the functioning costs of the institutes. At some places, FM segments will be retained. The report further suggested that AIR has asked the listeners to use their web application, which won’t be feasible due to network issues. The machines at the stations are old, and it is not possible to replace them.

Prasar Bharti’s CEO denied the report

Shashi Shekhar, CEO Prasar Bharati took to social media to clarify AIR’s stand. Shekhar denied all allegations and called it fake news. “No radio station of All India Radio is being shut down either in Kerala or anywhere in India,” he added. Similar misinformation is being spread about the radio stations in other parts of the country, including Jalandhar, Gorakhpur, and Bhuj. These stations will continue to originate content in terrestrial, satellite, and internet modes.

Shekhar further added that AIR is the only radio service that operates in multiple modes, including FM, MW, SW, Digital Radio DRM, DTH Satellite, and Internet, making it possible to serve the people in under-served and unserved areas.

While replying to comment under his Twitter thread where The Hindu’s report was mentioned, Shekhar said that two different issues were being mixed. The content from the stations will continue to be available. However, AIR has decided to phase out the obsolete modes of technology. “Phasing out has been put on hold pending to a review to ensure no loss of service to listeners,” he added.

PTI’s response

After Shashi Shekhar called out PTI’s reporting, they clarified and said that they did not run a story about “shutting down the stations” but reported that CPI MP had written a letter to the union minister alleging the stations are being shut down. Shekhar replied to them, saying that PTI should have sought clarification before publishing the report.

Action to be taken for spreading fake news

While replying to a comment where the user had suggested “Gujarat broadcasting from Rajkot, Bhuj, Ahwa (The Dangs) and other stations will stop, program staff will be transferred to Ahmedabad,” Shekhar denied it and said AIR had not taken any such decision.

He further said, “Action will be taken against those responsible for distorting and spreading misinformation.”

The news that All India Radio is shutting down radio stations in Kerala and other parts of the country is FAKE.

After Barkha Dutt failed to whitewash Khalistan supporter Deep Sidhu, Shekhar Gupta’s The Print picks up the pieces

OpIndia Staff
-
0
After Barkha Dutt failed to whitewash Khalistan supporter Deep Sidhu, Shekhar Gupta’s The Print picks up the pieces

Days after journalist Barkha Dutt spectacularly failed in whitewashing the support of Deep Sidhu support for Khalistan and terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the founder of The Print, Shekhar Gupta picked up the mantle for salvaging the Punjabi actor’s discredited reputation.

Despite Sidhu’s persistent denial to condemn Bhindranwale as a terrorist during his interview with Barkha, The Print provided a platform to the Punjabi actor, glorifying him for his support for the ongoing ‘farmers’ protests and providing him with a fresh opportunity to redeem himself after his contentious stand on Khalistan.

The article titled “I am from a farmer’ family, not using these protests for stardom, actor Deep Sidhu says” published on The Print tried to paint Deep Sidhu as an honest and sincere individual, someone who is involved in the ongoing farmer protest, not for the sake of hogging the limelight and catapulting his otherwise underwhelming film career.

In the article, the Punjabi actor glibly claimed that he had a “deep sense of association with the land and people” which pushed him to join the farmers’ protest. To defend his claim, Sidhu cites that when he wanted to become an actor, he did not travel to Mumbai but came to Punjab and build his own production house.

Source: The Print

Sidhu came out of obscurity after a video of him saying that the farmers’ protests will be the defining moment of the geopolitics of not just India but also entire South Asia had gone viral on the internet. However, the video invited a lot of flak on social media websites, with netizens pointing out that the protests are hacked by attention-seekers masquerading as farmers.

But, Sidhu cunningly deflected the allegations levelled against him and connected them to the modern stereotypes that exist in the society.

“See how ignorant modern society is. Diversity exists in our country and modern society should understand they don’t have the sole right over higher education and that only elites can go to college and university. A person from a farmers’ background can also go to those universities. Let’s not make ourselves prisoners of stereotypes,” The Print quoted Sidhu as saying.

Sidhu says Khalistan sentiments should not be raised during farmers’ protests; fails to condemn Khalistan

The actor feigned victimhood when confronted on his controversial stand on Khalistani terrorism. Speaking to The Print, Sidhu dishonestly claimed that he was “forced” to talk on the issue to clear misconceptions. Taking a cue from his previous interview which ended up being disastrous for both him and Barkha Dutt, Sidhu asserted that the protests had no place for Khalistani sentiments.

However, it is pertinent to note that even in his interview with The Print, Sidhu did not plainly deny his support for Khalistan. Nor did he condemn Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale as a terrorist who had occupied the Golden Temple with arms and ammunition. Instead, the Punjabi actor resorted to using ambiguous language to justify the references to Khalistan during the farmers’ protests by alleging that in Punjab there’s always a “parallel emotion” that gets built up during a protest.

“The ground reality is that in Punjab, whenever there’s a protest a parallel emotion gets built up as well. This is also due to the association with land. If you are not part of that culture it is difficult to understand. But, yes, it should not have been brought up in this farmers protest. At this protest we are only talking about a strong federal structure that also affects West Bengal, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu and other states as well,” Sidhu told in an interview to The Print.

What Sidhu alluded with his specious argument in the interview was that the sentiments in support of Khalistan were completely legitimate, only that their manifestation during the farmers’ protest was wrong. Earlier in his interview with Barkha, Sidhu had been unapologetic and unabashed about his support for Khalistan, which was evident in his stout denial to denounce Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale as a terrorist. This time around, Sidhu seems to be more circumspect was tacit in expressing his support for Khalistan in his interview with The Print.

Barkha Dutt had provided Deep Sidhu with a platform to ‘distance himself’ from OpIndia report that he supports Khalistan

As the ‘farmer’ protests continue to rage along the Punjab-Haryana border, controversial journalist and YouTuber Barkha Dutt had provided her platform to a known Khalistan sympathiser, actor Deep Sidhu, an allegedly aggrieved farmer who was seen in a viral video threatening the authorities that the ‘farmers’ protests will be the defining moment of the geopolitics of not just India but also entire South Asia.

In the interview broadcasted on Barkha Dutt’s YouTube channel ‘Mojo Story’, Sidhu made startling responses that left the host red-faced. Referring to OpIndia, Barkha Dutt confronted Sidhu on reports that claimed that the actor was a Khalistan supporter. However, the controversial journalist was disappointed when Sidhu, instead of plainly condemning Khalistani terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, went on to hail him as the revolutionary who fought for a strong federal structure.

Even after Barkha expressed her staunch disapproval on Sidhu hailing Bhindranwale as a fighter, Sidhu did not budge from his stand, reiterating that a narrative was weaved by the then state government to portray Bhindranwale as a terrorist.

In fact, Barkha was so disappointed by Sidhu’s refusal to change his stance that she claimed disbelief on spending 2 minutes discussing whether Bhindranwale was a terrorist or not. Despite Barkha’s palpable irritation and her continued insistence, Sidhu persistently denied calling Bhindranwale a terrorist, and patronisingly told Barkha that she is unaware of the culture in Punjab and has formed her opinion from a studio in Delhi.

Pilibhit: 12-year-old boy escapes from madrassa alleging he was chained and tortured by his teacher

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Pilibhit: 12-year-old boy escapes from madrassa alleging he was chained and tortured by his teacher

Members of child helpline in Pilibhit rescued a vulnerable 12-year-old boy who had escaped from a madrassa alleging torture. As per a report published in the Times of India, the boy had confided to the members of child helpline that he was beaten and chained when he attempted to escape from the Islamic seminary located in the Jahanabad area of the town.

Child helpline rescues the 12-year-old boy who ran away from the madrassa

The case pertains to Al-Jamiatul Razvia Madinatul Islam madrassa in the Kotwali police station area. The minor has alleged that the teacher of the madrassa, named Hazrat Saheb, had tied him with chains and thrashed him with wooden sticks when he expressed his desire to return to his house. The child was rescued by the child helpline after he ran away from the madrassa.

The coordinator of the child helpline, Nirbhan Singh stated that the child was chased by the staffers of the madrassa and had caught him at Nehru Park in Pilibhit city. However, they fled from the location after locals gathered in the park on hearing the child cry. Subsequently, the police were called at the spot, which approached the child helpline and handed over the victim to them.

Police waiting for the CWC report to file a case against the madrassa

The child was then produced before the Child Welfare Committee(CWC) for further action, Singh said. The police are now waiting for a report from the CWC to lodge a case in the matter.

Singh added that the boy was admitted to the madrassa by his parents a few months ago but he was reluctant to study there. He was later sent for the medical examination at the district government hospital, where he was also tested for COVID-19.

Due to the two consecutive holidays on November 29 and 30, the parents of the boy were given his custody. A report in the matter will be sent to police on December 1, Singh said.

Father of Shehla Rashid files complaint against her saying she’s threatening him with life, accuses her of being involved in ‘notorious activities’

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Father of Shehla Rashid files complaint against her saying she’s threatening him with life, accuses her of being involved in ‘notorious activities’

Abdul Rashid Shora, the father of ex-JNU student leader and former general secretary Jammu and Kashmir Peoples’ Movement, Shehla Rashid, has approached the office of DGP, Jammu and Kashmir Police with a written complaint that he is facing death threats from his own daughter, reports local newspaper JK News Wire. In his letter to the DGP Shora throws light on her daughter’s “notorious activities” and urges the Jammu and Kashmir police to investigate her bank accounts, the property acquired by her at New Delhi, her email accounts and her mysterious financial dealings.

Claiming that some anti-national activities have been going on in his house and there is a threat to his life from his own daughter and other family members, Shehla Rashid’s father has asked for security cover.

Letter written to J and K DGP by Shehla Rashid’s father (source: Jammu Kashmir Now)
Letter written to J and K DPG by Shehla Rashid’s father (source: Jammu Kashmir Now)
Letter written to J and K DGP by Shehla Rashid’s father (source: Jammu Kashmir Now)

Abdul Rashid in his letter addressed to the DGP has claimed that Shehla is being supported by his elder daughter Asma Rashid, his wife Zubeida Shora and one of the security guards, Sakib Ahmad.

Claiming that Shehla took 3 Crores in cash to join Kashmir centric politics from ‘notorious people’, Shora said that Shehla had mysterious financial dealing with Feroz Peerzada, Kashmiri businessman Zahoor Ahmad Shah Watali and Rasheed Engineer, an ex-MLA.

Abdul Rashid wrote that in 2017, just two months before Zahoor Watali was arrested in a terror funding case under stringent UAPA Act, he was summoned by Zahoor Watali and Rasheed Engineer at Watali’s residence at Sanat Nagar, Srinagar.

For the uninitiated, Zahoor Ahmed Watali, who heads the Trison group and is considered to be a vital link among the extensive network of seditious elements in the valley, was arrested by the NIA in a terror funding case in 2017. According to the IB officials, he allegedly used his business to funnel ISI funds into Kashmir to promote separatist activities. He was believed to have developed close-knit relations with the ISI officers since his days as a driver of late Hurriyat leader Abdul Ghani Lone. He was reputed to be in constant touch with retired and serving personnel of the Pakistan Army and ISI.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) first attached properties of Watali worth Rs 1.73 crore in August 2019 and then worth Rs 6.20 Crore in November 2019.

Meanwhile, the former independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Rashid Engineer, was also arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in August 2019 in connection with a case related to the funding of terror activities in Kashmir.

Father of Shehla Rashid confirms being offered Rs 3 crores to partake in Zahoor Watali and Rasheed Engineer’s game plan

Shora furthered that at the time when he was called by Zahoor Watali and Rasheed Engineer, Shehla was in the last semester of her PhD in Sociology. He said that in the meeting, the duo revealed their plans to launch the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Movement (JKPM) party and urged him to ask Shehla to join them. He confirms in his letter that he was offered Rs 3 crores to partake in their game plans.

In 2019, the former IAS officer Shah Faesal, had launched his political party the ‘Jammu and Kashmir Peoples’ Movement’ and freelance protestor, Shehla Rashid had also joined Faesal’s party.

“As I felt that the money is coming from illegal channels and shall be used for unlawful activities I did not take the money and later asked my daughter to not indulge in any such transactions with these people”, said Shora, furthering that though he resisted Shehla found support in her mother Zubeida  Shora and elder sister Asma Rashid. He said that Shehla was joined by a local boy named Sakib Ahmad, whom she introduced to him as her bodyguard as he carried a pistol.

Shehla accepts Rs 3 crore offered to her father in cash

After a week when Shehla came to Srinagar from Delhi, she confirmed to me that she has got the said money transferred to Delhi in cash asked him to not to disclose anything regarding the said transaction and his meeting with Rasheed Engineer and Zahoor Watali as it could put his life in danger. “She also told me that she has accepted the money and much more is about to come in future and so I need to shut up my mouth. As a concerned father, I strongly objected to my daughter’s decision for joining these notorious people as I felt the money coming will be used for unlawful activities”, wrote Shehla’s father in his letter to the DGP.

“I have a strong belief that there are anti-national activities going on in my house, the characters involved in this plan are my daughters, my wife and Shehla’s security guard namely Sakib Ahmad who lately threatened me with his pistol for my resistance posted to Shehla for her activities”, alleged Shora furthering that irked by his decision to oppose Shehla’s nefarious activities, she along with her mother, sister and her alleged bodyguard hatched a ploy to throw him out of his own house. They implicated him under the provisions of Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act in the court of 3rd Additional Munsiff, Srinagar.

He says that despite getting a legal remedy from the court, local police did not cooperate. When he reached his house with the court orders Shakib reportedly threatened to kill him, fearing which Shora confirms running away from Srinagar to Jammu.

“I, therefore, humbly request you to ensure my personal security and kindly direct the concerned police station to extend their support to me in getting back to my house as per court order. He said I also request you to order investigations into the conduct of Sakib and his associates, bank details of Shehla Rashid, Asma Rashid and Zubeida and Sakib, property acquired by them at New Delhi, their email accounts and their mysterious financial dealing with Feroze Peerzada, Zahoor Watali and Rashid Engineer and notorious activities being done by them in the name of  Empowerment of Women and Social justice NGO”, wrote Shehla Rashid’s father.

Shehla Rashid denies allegations

After her ‘biological father’ made the allegations, Shehla Rashid issued a statement denying them. She described him as ‘wife-beater and an abusive, depraved man’, and said that finally they have decided to act against them. She alleged that her mother was abused and tortured by her father.

She also posted proofs that the family had earlier lodged complaint against her for domestic violence, and the authorities had asked him to stop them. “Since he was restrained from entering home by the Hon’ble Court, he’s trying to derail the judicial process by resorting to cheap stunts,” she alleged.

1...4,8104,8114,812...7,649Page 4,811 of 7,649