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After ‘saving Aarey’, Shiv Sena led BMC gives permission to remove over 1000 trees for Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link

OpIndia Staff
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After ‘saving Aarey’, Shiv Sena led BMC gives permission to remove over 1000 trees for Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link

The Tree Authority of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), controlled by the ruling Shiv Sena, has given 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.

BMC had plans to remove 1172 trees initially; uncertainty over transplantation of 550 trees

The proposal was for removing 1172 trees initially but the number was later reduced to 1,004. To ‘compensate’ for the same, MMRDA claimed that it will plant around 2000 trees in Rajawali and Kaman villages of Vasai district. Although MMRDA has assured to transplant over 550 trees, it is pertinent to remember that transplantation procedures do not succeed every time. It can be attributed to stress in a new environment, physical damage and downsizing. As such, there remains a question mark as to whether 550 trees can actually be transplanted.

Reportedly, BMC had allowed removal of 199 trees for the construction of two flyovers at Mahalaxmi and another 20 trees for Hancock Bridge construction. The Bridges Department of BMC has, however, promised to replant around 400 trees around the Mahalaxmi racecourse within 15 days of cutting them. Although MMRDA had sought for permission the project in June 2018, the paperwork was reportedly completed only two months ago. The axing of trees is likely to be conducted next year and the project is scheduled to be completed in 2022.

Shiv Sena and its activism over Aarey Forest

The Uddhav Thackeray-led govt, in a vindictive order, had declared the Aarey area where the metro car shed was planed as ‘forest land’, and had shifted the facility to government land in Kanjurmarg. The decision to shift the metro car shed came after several left-wing activists and Sena prince Aaditya Thackeray had expressed their disapproval for the construction of metro shed at Aarey.

Even though the metro project will result in substantial improvement in the environment by removing lakhs of fossil fuel-guzzling vehicles from the roads, the project was opposed due to political reasons. The decision to shift the metro car shed from Aarey to Kanjurmarg will now increase the cost of the project by at least Rs 4,000 crore, which was estimated by a committee appointed by the current government. Further, the project will also be delayed by several years due to ongoing litigation and the condition of the new site.

U- turn of Shiv Sena on environmental activism

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, especially under the leadership of Aaditya Thackeray, had been extremely vocal on the issues of environmental conversation, as the young Sena prince had opposed the BJP government’s decision of felling of trees at Aarey Milk colony to construct a Metro shed.

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. Perhaps, the activist seems to have come to a conclusion that it is a right step to axe the trees for the metro as the decision has been taken by the secular alliance of Shiv Sena, Congress and the NCP.

Kapil Mishra writes a letter to the President, says Delhi residents are repeatedly being held hostage by politically motivated protests

OpIndia Staff
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Kapil Mishra writes a letter to the President, says Delhi residents are repeatedly being held hostage by politically motivated protests

BJP leader Kapil Mishra has written a letter to the President of the country, alleging that for a long time now, the citizens of Delhi have been devoid of their fundamental rights and necessities. Mishra was referring to the Shaheen Bagh protests, and more recently, the farmers’ protest in and around the national capital that has disrupted the lives of the city residents.

Mishra took to Twitter to share the letter that he has written to the President of India. He has alleged that Delhi residents are being held hostage and demanded the opening of roads.

“Not only are we(Delhi residents) being deprived of our fundamental rights but the social distancing norms and restrictions on crowd gathering are also being violated publicly,” the letter shared by Kapil Mishra read.

Mishra added that this is not happening for the first time in Delhi but at the start of the year too, Delhi was held hostage in the name of Shaheen Bagh protests at several places and an atmosphere of hatred and violence was created in the national capital. Mishra cited the Supreme Court ruling which stated that public places cannot be blocked in the name of protests.

The anti-CAA protests, especially at Shaheen Bagh, which began as a peaceful protest crossed all the boundaries as it turned out to be another typical left-wing managed anti-India event. Eventually, the Shaheen Bagh protest site had provided fodder and a shield for violent rioters who had, in February, targeted Hindus and gone on a rampage burning the capital, timing the bloodbath with US President Trump’s visit to Delhi.

Following the failure of violent protests perpetrated by the Islamist mobs on the streets of Delhi and Jamia Millia Islamia University, a large group of women had sat in protest at Shaheen Bagh, an organised event that was publicised as a mark of dissent, while it was blocking a major highway, disrupting traffic and preventing thousands of city residents every day from travelling to their schools, offices and homes.

Activists of various political parties have held Delhi hostage: Kapil Mishra

In his letter to the President, Mishra has claimed that activists of many political parties have held Delhi hostage. He added that the supply of daily needs such as vegetables, milk, fruits, oxygen cylinders, medicines, etc. is adversely affected as protests sweep Delhi. Mishra alleged that amidst the coronavirus pandemic, crowds are being gathered at several places in Delhi, in violation of the COVID-19 protocols and the orders of the Supreme Court.

Mishra has also warned that the gross violation of COVID-19 guidelines might provoke another wave of the deadly coronavirus, putting the lives of the elderly and vulnerable at risk.

Mishra has also been critical of the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government in his letter to the President. He asserted that Delhi residents exhibited great restraint while celebrating the festival of Chhath. Mishra said that Delhi has been closed from all the four sides while crowds are gathering at several places within the city.

“We are saddened by the fact that our elected government in Delhi considers the lives of ordinary citizens as cheap and thus expendable. The Delhi government has asked crowds to gather at various places by putting up posters, hoardings and banners,” Mishra said in the letter.

Kapil Mishra requests the President to intervene and restore the fundamental rights of Delhi residents

Contending that the lives of Delhi citizens are as important as the residents of other states, BJP leader Kapil Mishra has requested the President of India to take cognisance of the matter and take a concrete decision to ensure that their fundamental rights are also protected like the inhabitants of other states.

“Sir, we, the residents of Delhi, never indulge in blocking roads of other states, disrupting their supplies of essential commodities and medicines. In fact, because of Delhi residents, the livelihood of the inhabitants of neighbouring states is enhanced. Therefore, it is a humble request from us to stop this routine hostage-taking of the Delhi residents,” the letter concluded.

Assam’s AIUDF owned NGO Ajmal Foundation receiving crores of rupees from foreign organisations known for terror funding: Report

OpIndia Staff
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Assam’s AIUDF owned NGO Ajmal Foundation receiving crores of rupees from foreign organisations known for terror funding: Report

It what comes across as a significant FCRA violation and threat to the national security, the ‘Ajmal Foundation’ belonging to the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal has been accused of receiving foreign funding to a tune of Rs 69.55 crore from various dubious sources which have been primarily engaged in terror financing and money laundering activities, by legal activist group Legal Rights Observatory.

LRO has further stated that Rs 2.05 crore from the above amount has been spent by the NGO for its actual purpose of ‘education’ and the rest of the amount has been routed to AIUDF, an Islamist party run by Ajmal, to counter the nationalist parties in Assam.

In a thread of Tweets, Legal Rights Observatory (LRO) reveals the names of various Islamic terror groups based in Turkey, Palestine and the United Kingdom, which have been funding Ajmal Foundation.

AIUDF’s links with various foreign-based terror organisation

UK-based Al Imdaad Foundation, one of the donors to Ajmal Foundation is reportedly known for its links with Palestinian terror group Hamas, which has financed numerous suicide bombings in Palestine against Israelis. The foundation collects Halal Certification fees in millions and channelises that money to fund various error activities, Tweets LRO.

An Australian sanding committee report said: “2nd Palestinian Intifada.”Al-Imdaad Foundation – a South African charity, the British branch of which has previously partnered with Viva Palestina- pro-Hamas charity established by George Galloway n that included Hamas activists among its staff”.

The next terror group providing funds to the Badruddin Ajmal owned NGO is Ummah Welfare Trust in the UK. This Islamic terror organisation is accused of money laundering and terror financing, reported LRO. A Gulf-based newspaper Al Arabiya had reported that The Ummah Welfare Trust has been designated as a terrorist entity by the US Treasury in the past.

Meanwhile, Ajmal’s Turkey-based donor- Insani Yardim Vakfi is well known for its direct links with Al-Queda and Global Jihad Network. According to a Nordic monitor report, this group in 2014 had supplied arms to Al-Queda backed terror groups in Syria. This group is also said to have links with Popular Front Of India (PFI), which has a history of committing violence to further the cause of Radical Islam.

The radical Islamic organisations PFI and SIMI are notoriously known for funding various anti-national activities in the country. Recently, the Sufi Islamic Board had revealed 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.

This Turkish backed Insani Yardim Vakfi group is also said to have met PFI leaders in the year 2018.

Leaders of the Turkish backed Insani Yardim Vakfi meet PFI members in 2018 (source: www.ournortheast.com)

Moreover, another donor of this foundation- Muslim Aid UK reportedly has links with Kashmir based terrorist organisation Hizb Ul Mujahidin. The local newspaper of Assam- The Sentinel has elaborately reported about Muslim Aid UK and its dirty terror connections, said LRO.

LRO has written a letter to the Union Home Ministry stating that the Ajmal Foundation has violated the rule of the land and its FCRA license needs to be scrapped.

AIUDF and controversies

Badruddin Ajmal and his party AIUDF have been marred with various controversies and accused of carrying out several illegal activities in the past.

Recently, while speaking on bringing strict laws to deal with the emerging menace of Grooming Jihad (Love Jihad) in Assam, Health and Education Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Himanta Biswa Sarma had accused Badruddin Ajmal’s party and supporters of victimising young and vulnerable girls of Assam. He had claimed that the Assamese daughters are becoming victims of “Ajmal’s culture” on Facebook. He emphasised that Islamic fundamentalists, encouraged by leaders like Badruddin Ajmal have been promoting the targeting of Hindu Assamese girls by Muslim men, often under false identities.

Last year, Chief of Army Staff Bipin Rawat had cited the example of AIUDF, to explain the rapid influx of illegal Bangladeshi Muslims in North-east.

In 2012, AIUDF was accused of providing training to jihadist forces in Assam.

Congress ties up with AIUDF for the 2021 Assam Assembly Elections

For the uninitiated, the Congress party is set for an alliance with the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) for the Assembly Elections in the state scheduled for 2021. Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia said that the Congress party was open to joining hands with all those who opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act and insisted that an alliance with AIUDF alone may benefit the party. 

The BJP, for its part, has slammed the alliance and asserted that it revealed the anti-Assamese nature of the party. The BJP also called it “conspiracy hatched to harm the State”.

“There was a massive change in the State’s demography during that period. So much was the change that the indigenous people were forced to flee from their lands,” the BJP stated. “Infiltration of immigrants reached its peak during the Congress’ rule in the state,” it added.

India summons Canadian High Commissioner after comments by Justin Trudeau on farmers’ protest: Here is what India told Canada

OpIndia Staff
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India summons Canadian High Commissioner after comments by Justin Trudeau on farmers’ protest: Here is what India told Canada

The Canadian High Commissioner has been summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs today. He was informed that the remarks by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding the farmers’ protest and also the comments of some of the cabinet ministers was unacceptable interference in India’s internal matter.

Releasing a press statement, the MEA said that such actions, if continued, would have a damaging impact on ties between India and Canada. It further said that such comments have increased extremist gatherings in front of India’s High Commissions and Consulates. India said that it expects full security to its diplomats and also expects that Canada will refrain from ‘pronouncements that legitimise extremist activism’.

Statement by MEA

On the 1st of December, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his ministers had expressed 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.”

Not just Justin Trudeau, there were several other ministers too who had indulged in blatantly interfering in India’s internal affairs by commenting on the farmers protest.

After these comments, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava had 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.”

Khalistanis hijack farmer protests

It is important to note that the farmer protests in India have been hijacked, to a large extent by Khalistani elements. OpIndia had reported that the Khalistan organisation SFJ, funded by Pakistan, had earlier declared a grant of $1 million for farmers in Punjab and Haryana in lieu of their support for Khalistan. On 23rd September, it was reported that the SFJ had attempted to capitalise on the ongoing protests by farmers and had declared that it would distribute $1 million among farmers who had defaulted on agricultural loans.

“From October 1 to October 8, any farmer — irrespective of his faith — can register 25 votes for the Khalistan Referendum 2020 and get a grant of Rs 5,000 as assistance to repay their agricultural loans,” SJF said. The security agencies have since received inputs on the latest offer by SFJ.

Further, in September itself, the banned pro-Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) had announced a door-to-door campaign for registration of voters supporting its separatist agenda called ‘Referendum 2020’.

The terrorist group had earlier tried to lure farmers of Punjab by offering Rs 3,500 to each farmer as grant ahead of Referendum 2020. The group had announced that it would be providing money on a monthly basis to farmers who could not pay their loans. The MHA had ordered the properties of SFJ leaders to be attached earlier this month on the recommendation of the National Investigating Agency (NIA).

The Ministry of Home Affairs had declared the SFJ an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Its leaders including, Pannun, Najjar were also declared as terrorists under the Act.

During the ongoing protests, a few Khalistani terror sympathisers disguised as farmers were caught gloating over the assassination of the former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who also threatened PM Modi with a similar fate if their demands went unfulfilled.

In one of the videos from the protests, one of the demonstrators can be seen threatening PM Modi with dire consequences if the solution is not reached in the upcoming meeting between the farmers and the Centre over the agriculture bills.

Further, the protests, apparently carried out by the farmers, were taken control by the Khalistani supporters, who raised pro-Khalistani slogans hailing the face of Khalistani movement – Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

COVID vaccine will be ready in the next few weeks, elders and frontline health workers to get it first: Big takeaways from PM Modi’s all-party meet

OpIndia Staff
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COVID vaccine will be ready in the next few weeks, elders and frontline health workers to get it first: Big takeaways from PM Modi’s all-party meet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired an all-party meeting on Friday with the floor leaders of all political parties of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the country and vaccine development.

The floor leaders of different parties included Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress, Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Derek O’ Brien of the Trinamool Congress, Midhun Reddy and Vijayasai Reddy of the YSR Congress among others.

Union Health Minister Harshvardhan also briefed the leaders on the coronavirus situation in India at present. Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Prahlad Joshi, V Muralidhar and Arjun Meghwal were also present at the meeting with the opposition parties.

Speaking at the virtual meeting, Prime Minister Modi hailed our scientists working on the development of the vaccine and added that Indian scientists are very confident of succeeding in their endeavour of making COVID vaccine. The world is keeping a watch on the cheapest and safe vaccine and that is why the world is watching India, the Prime Minister added.

“Nearly 8 vaccines are on different stages of trial with their manufacturing assured in India. Three vaccines from India are at different stages of development. Experts think that the vaccine isn’t too far away,” the Prime Minister said in the all-party meeting.

COVID vaccines will be ready in few weeks; health workers, elders to get first shot

The Prime Minister also said that experts believe that COVID vaccine will be ready in the next few weeks. Explaining the strategy of the government to inoculate vaccination to the citizens of the country, he said that as soon as scientists give a green signal, vaccination will start in India.

Importantly, during the all-party meeting, Prime Minister Modi also clarified that the healthcare, frontline workers and elderly person suffering from serious diseases will be given priority in vaccination.

He also said that the teams of Central and state governments are working together for vaccine distribution. He noted that India is better equipped in this regard compared to other countries, as the country has vast expertise and experience of nationwide vaccination programs. The country has a vast network for vaccine distribution, which will be utilised to the fullest extent, and for any additional requirements like cold-chain logistics, the same is being evaluated with the help of state govts.

“We have a very big and experienced network in the field of vaccination. We will fully exploit it,” the Prime Minister noted.

The PM also informed that India has developed a software for Covid vaccine, which will provide real-time information related to beneficiaries of the vaccine, available stock and its storage. For the research on Coronavirus vaccine, a special Group. This group is consists of technical experts and representatives from central govt ministries and state governments.

Vaccine will be affordable, pricing will be decided after consultation with states: PM Modi

During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi also apprised the opposition party leaders about the pricing of the yet to be launched coronavirus vaccine. There has been a lot of controversy over the issue of pricing and availability of coronavirus in the country.

Responding to the issue of pricing, PM Modi said that centre is in talks with state governments over the price of vaccine and decision regarding it will be taken keeping public health as the topmost priority.

Concluding his address, Prime Minister Modi said he would appeal to leaders of all political parties to send their suggestions in writing. I assure you that they will be considered seriously, Prime Minister Narendra Modi added.

Earlier, prior to the address of PM Modi, floor leaders of opposition parties too spoke on the issue of coronavirus vaccine and the strategy of the government to distribute it to the rest of the country. Each opposition leader, who was allocated sufficient time to put their views, gave suggestions to the government regarding the efficient ways to distribute and inoculate vaccination to the citizens of the country.

The first all-party meeting was held on April 20 amidst the nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the virus.

Following the all-party meeting, the Modi government is expected to brief the parliamentarians about various steps it has taken in the last few months to deal the coronavirus pandemic and put forward government’s strategy regarding the vaccine development and distribution.

The speech of PM Modi can be watched below:

WSJ drags Brahmins in domestic policy subject, American Hindu Group demands immediate withdrawal of article: All you need to know

OpIndia Staff
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WSJ drags Brahmins in domestic policy subject, American Hindu Group demands immediate withdrawal of article: All you need to know

Nikunj Trivedi, president of the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), has written to the editorial board of the Wall Street Journal calling them out for spreading Hinduphobia and going out of their way to target the Brahmin community. The article in question was penned by Dr. Zaid Jilani and was published on the 29th of November. It was titled “Canceling Student Debt Will Be a Brahmin Bailout”.

In a scathing criticism of the WSJ, Trivedi said, “It is a telling sign of our times that an Op-Ed lacking erudition and factual accuracy while reinforcing Hinduphobia and stereotypes of Hindus, is part of a newspaper such as the WSJ.” The letter states, “The callous usage of the word “Brahmin” amounts to blatant propaganda and a thinly veiled attack on the Hindu community and will promote hatred and animosity towards Hindus in the United States and worldwide.”

The WSJ was also slammed for addressing the elites of American society as ‘Brahmins’. “Mr. Jilani pejoratively uses words such as “Brahmin Left” and “Brahmin Bailout” to describe certain policies being considered by the Democratic party, deeming these policies as benefiting the elitist “upper class” of the American society. By using “Brahmin” as a disparaging label, Mr. Jilani falsely paints an entire community (completely unrelated to the issue being discussed) as greedy, elitist and oppressive and furthers a colonial and racist narrative even as he launches a hostile and prejudicial attack against Hindus.”

The letter also emphasised that “Describing the Brahmin Hindu community as part of the economic elites of the world is a cunning and malicious fairy tale that has no basis in reality and which leads to a reinforcement of colonial and racist prejudices against Hindus.” The letter also slammed the author himself and called him out on his biases.

Trivedi said that Jilani had targeted US Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as well due to her Hindu identity and maliciously accused Indian American organisations and community members of colluding with the Indian government. The letter also pointed out that “the paper would not tolerate devious characterizations of other religious and ethnic communities to drive across a political point.”

The CoHNA demanded that the word ‘Brahmin’ be removed from the OpEd immediately and an apology be issued to the global Hindu Community for straying away from “responsible journalism”.

What did the WSJ OpEd say?

The focus of the OpEd itself was not caste. It discussed the economic policies that are likely to be adopted by the Democratic party and the incoming Joe Biden administration. On that note, it provided a commentary on the proposal to cancel student loans and what it says about the changing face of the Democrat Party.

The message that Jilani essentially wanted to convey is that the Democrat was moving away from its traditional working class vote-base and becoming a party of the elites. It is a development that has not gone down too well with the progressive wing of the party. It is in this context that Jilani uses the term ‘Brahmin Left’ and ‘Brahmin Bailout’.

In recent times, caste has been discussed a lot in the USA. A book on the matter titled “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” was recommended by Oprah Winfrey herself.

Delhi HC grants bail to journalist Rajeev Sharma, who used to write for Chinese papers, The Quint, etc, and was arrested for spying for China

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi HC grants bail to journalist Rajeev Sharma, who used to write for Chinese papers, The Quint, etc, and was arrested for spying for China

On Friday, the 4th of December, Delhi High Court granted bail to journalist Rajeev Sharma, who was arrested after it was revealed that he was spying for China. He was arrested by Delhi Police in espionage case for allegedly passing sensitive information to Chinese intelligence.

Sharma was arrested by a special cell of Delhi police on September 14 under the Official Secrets Act. His Twitter account has been restricted following his arrest. Sharma has reportedly worked with The Tribune, Free Press Journal, Sakaal, etc. and for left-wing publications like The Quint, DailyO, etc. He also runs a YouTube channel. Sharma is also reported to have written for the Global Times which is the mouthpiece of the Communist Party of China for many years.

In September, informing about the arrests, Deputy Commissioner of Police (special cell) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said, “Special Cell has arrested a freelance journalist Rajeev Sharma for passing sensitive information to Chinese intelligence. One Chinese lady and her Nepalese associate also arrested for paying him large amounts of money routed through shell companies. Chinese intelligence tasked the journalist for conveying sensitive information in lieu of large amounts of money. A large number of mobile phones, laptops, and other incriminating/sensitive material have been recovered.”

Along with Sharma, the Delhi police also arrested a Chinese woman and her Nepalese associate on the charges of paying huge amounts of money to Sharma through shell companies. 

The Chinese woman named Qing Shi is an intelligence official of the Ministry of State Security (MSS) of the Chinese government. The name of her Nepali Associate is Sher Singh.

Confusion over ballot marking: Telangana HC orders counting of ballots with ‘Swastik’ mark only in GHMC elections

OpIndia Staff
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Confusion over ballot marking: Telangana HC orders counting of ballots with ‘Swastik’ mark only in GHMC elections

Ahead of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections results, the Telangana High Court on Friday asked the State Election Commission (SEC) to only consider votes with “Swastik” mark on the ballot papers used in the elections that were held on 1 December.

According to Swarajya report, Justice A Abhishek Reddy of Telangana High Court gave directions to the State Election Commission asking them to inform all the counting centres to consider only votes with “Swastik” mark.

Recently, a controversy had erupted after the SEC issued a notification stating that ballot papers with any clear marks on them can be counted during the process of counting votes. The SEC issued the notification after presiding officers in some of the polling stations issued “distinguished mark” in place of “Swastik” for marking the ballot papers.

The notification clarified that a vote should be considered valid if the voter has marked clearly for a particular candidate, who should not lose out because of a polling staff error.

However, Justice Reddy reiterated that if the markings other than the ‘Swastik” make a difference in the result, such results will not be declared and shall be subject to further process.

The Swastik stamp, with curved outer arms, is the official stamp used in elections in India using paper ballots. The arms also have arrowheads on its tips. The stamp with the arrows in the clockwise direction helps to distinguish the original mark from its impression which may appear on other parts of the ballot paper, if the paper is folded when the mark is still wet.

BJP candidates had moved the petition, sought cancellation of SEC notification on ballot markings

The High Court order came after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates – Puranapul K Surender and Anthony Reddy had moved a separate plea in the Telangana HC late last night, questioning the SEC clarification.

The court heard the petition that challenged the EC orders to consider votes with any mark on the ballot paper. Hearing the petition, the Telangana High Court suspended circular issued by the State Election Commission, which was issued on Thursday midnight.

The judge posted the matter for further hearing by the High Court on 7 December. The High Court has also asked the Telangana State Election Commission to file an affidavit regarding the circular issued by them with complete details.

BJP leading in GHMC elections

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken an early lead in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections, leading in 88 of the total 150 seats. According to the latest trends, the ruling TRS is leading in 34 seats. While Owaisi-led AIMIM has gained leads in 17 seats mostly in Muslim dominated seats, the Congress party has managed to lead in just one seat.

The results for the GHMC elections are set to be declared on Friday. The GHMC polls were conducted on December 1 amid much fanfare and loud campaigns by all parties.

The GHMC election was a battle for dominance and political prestige for the TRS, BJP and AIMIM. The BJP, which recently won the by-poll at Dubbaka assembly constituency, is trying to consolidate its position in the southern state.

NCP Chief Sharad Pawar does not think ally Rahul Gandhi is fit to lead India: Here is what he said in a media interview

OpIndia Staff
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NCP Chief Sharad Pawar does not think ally Rahul Gandhi is fit to lead India: Here is what he said in a media interview

In a scathing indictment of former Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s leadership abilities, NCP chief Sharad Pawar said that the Gandhi scion lacks the consistency needed to be accepted by the country as its leader.

In an interview with Lokmat Media chairman and former MP Vijay Darda, Pawar said that there are issues with Rahul Gandhi’s consistency. When asked if the country is ready to accept the Wayanad MP as the country’s leader, Pawar responded, “There are some questions in this regard. There seems to be less consistency.”

It is pertinent to note that Sharad Pawar’s NCP is in alliance with the Congress party and Shiv Sena in Maharashtra and are part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government that is currently governing the state.

Pawar slams Obama for crossing the “limit” of commenting on foreign leadership

However, Pawar was disapproving of Obama’s unfavourable view on Rahul Gandhi. Obama, in his recently published memoir, has said that the Congress leader appeared to be like a student eager to impress the teacher but lacking aptitude and passion to master the subject. Responding to Obama’s remarks, Pawar said that it is not important to accept everybody’s view.

Slamming Obama for his “presumptuous” remarks on Gandhi, Pawar said, “I can say anything about the leadership in our country. But I will not comment on the leadership in another country. One should maintain that limit….I think Obama crossed that limit,” he said.

When asked about Congress’ future and if Rahul Gandhi was becoming a “burden’ for the party, Pawar appeared to speak in defence of the Wayanad MP, saying that a hallmark of a leader is the acceptance he or she has within the organisation.

“I have differences with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and her family but even today scores of Congressmen have a sense of affection towards the Gandhi family,” the NCP chief responded, implying that Gandhis are best to lead the Congress party.

Congress defends Rahul Gandhi after remarks by Sharad Pawar, says he is more consistent than any other opposition party leader

The Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant was circumspect in giving a reaction on Pawar’s remarks on Rahul Gandhi. Sawant said, ” We don’t know in what context Pawar saheb has made the comments. However, to be specific, the Congress and our leader Rahul Gandhi has been more consistent than any other party in its opposition to RSS and the Modi government.

Rahul Gandhi is one of the very few politicians who have the uncompromising courage to speak against the current regime in the country, especially when it is shamelessly muzzling the voice of the opposition, trampling democratic norms while constitutional institutions are watching helplessly, having lost their independence and credibility.”

Mounting internal dissent within the Congress party against the Gandhis

Though Congress has come out in defence of Rahul Gandhi, there have been growing clamour within the party against the leadership. Rahul Gandhi, who quit the Presidency of the Congress party after a disastrous poll debacle in the 2019 General Assembly elections, has been facing dissent from party members as rumours of his return gathers momentum. Several party members, including senior party loyalists, shot of a letter to Congress President Sonia Gandhi in August 2020, demanding sweeping changes in the party. The rumblings have been bolstered by the embarrassing poll drubbing in the recently concluded Bihar elections.

According to several reports, 23 senior Congress leaders had written a letter to interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi demanding that an immediate CWC meeting be called to discuss the poll debacle in Bihar. They have reportedly also demanded organisational elections for the party president’s post be held at the earliest in the view of the electoral drubbing.

The letter reportedly points to the fact that at the peak of Bihar campaigning and even on result day, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were holidaying in Shimla instead of being with the party and leading the way.

Study finds evidence of the first use of controlled fire in India 55,000 years ago at a site near Prayagraj: Report

OpIndia Staff
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Study finds evidence of the first use of controlled fire in India 55,000 years ago at a site near Prayagraj: Report

Latest studies have pushed back the use of controlled fire by humans in India by 30,000 years. Evolutionary scientists have discovered that the first use of controlled fire by human beings happened some 50,000 years ago in the Belan river valley, 80 km away from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. Until now, studies suggested that the first reported use of fire in the Indian subcontinent was from 18,000-20,000 years ago.

As per a report published in The Times of India, the sedimentary deposits of the sites situated in the Belan river valley offered a unique opportunity to scientists to understand the linkage between the prehistoric human environment and fire events.

“Before this, the first reported use of fire in the Indian subcontinent was from 18,000-20,000 years ago. Hearths were found in the same valley, considered the first direct evidence of human use of fire,” Times of India quoted Prasanta Sanyal, co-author of the paper being published in Elsevier journal ‘Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology’, as saying.

The evolutionary scientists identify the discovery of fire as one of the greatest sparks of human intelligence. To study when exactly the use of controlled fire began in the Indian subcontinent, the scientists from IISER-Kolkata looked at macro charcoal (larger than 125 microns) from six archaeological sites in the valley — Deoghat, Koldihwa, Mahagara, Chillahia, Chopani-Mando and main Belan.

A charcoal sample from Belan Valley, source: TOI

Prasanta Sanyal explained that it is possible to get charcoal from two sources — forest fires and human-made fires. Suppose, there was a forest fire in the Himalayas. It could have produced this charcoal, which was transported and deposited, said Sanyal, explaining how in man-made fire the charcoal cannot be transported. “But we found that the internal structure of these charcoal samples was still well-preserved, which could not have happened had they been transported.” Then, there was the topography. The paper says the “gentle slope of the Belan valley and its small catchment area make long-distance transportation unlikely.”

Microscopic image of a charcoal sample, source: TOI

Sanyal furthered that the scientists then reconstructed the climate patterns for the last 100,000 years. It turned out that the period the charcoal samples dated back to the period which had very high rainfall. “Besides, the vegetation was characterised by trees. Both factors are not very conducive to forest fires. You can have a natural forest fire only in dry and arid conditions,” Sanyal explained.

“We concluded that the charcoal in these archaeological sites came from human use of fire,” said Sanyal. This meant that at that time- around 50,000 years ago the human brains were developed sufficiently to control fire.

“This is the time that the cognitive abilities of prehistoric humans developed. This coincided with the period when they started creating different types of tools,” Deepak Kumar Jha, lead author, told TOI.

Once the knowledge of how to harness fire was acquired it was transferred. “The use of fire was persistent from Middle Palaeolithic to Neolithic (from 55,000 to 3,000 years ago)- from the earlier prehistoric populations to the later farming communities,” the paper says.

This recent study has made India move up to the 13th position amidst 15 oldest sites in the world with evidence of human-controlled fire. It is now the 13th oldest evidence of the use of fire in the world. The oldest is from 1.6 million years ago, at Koobi Fora in Kenya.

India has moved up to the 13th position in the table of 15 oldest sites in the world with evidence of human controlled fire, image via TOI

 “If you see China, human-controlled fire has been discovered from 400,000 years ago. Why this gap? Maybe we have not studied Indian sites enough”, maintained Prasanta Sanyal.

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