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His family called our children ‘illegitimate’ because I didn’t convert to Islam’: Late music composer Wajid Khan’s wife reveals

OpIndia Staff
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His family called our children ‘illegitimate’ because I didn’t convert to Islam’: Late music composer Wajid Khan’s wife reveals

A day after the wife of late music director Wajid Khan took to Twitter to narrate her ordeal in an inter-faith marriage, she has now spoken in details about the ill-treatment meted out to her by her in-laws and husband for not converting to Islam. Kamalrukh Khan, a Parsi by faith, had married her college sweetheart Wajid Khan after 10 years of courtship.

In an exclusive interview with Times of India, Kamalrukh recounted her reluctance to convert to the religion of her husband. She has added that while Wajid was aware of her reluctance to convert and went ahead with the marriage nevertheless, his family was opposed to the marriage and has been vocal about it. “…Over a period of time, his family, especially his mother, started pressurising him to make me convert and over the years, especially after the birth of my kids, the endeavours to try and convert me reached epic proportions, to a level where the rift in my relationship with Wajid widened, “she narrated.

Her marriage with Wajid Khan eventually turned sour, owing to the consistent expectation to change her Faith. Although he was initially accepting of her decision, the pressure of his mother and family prevailed over him. Kamalrukh Khan stated, “Things got worse after marriage; almost everything that I did, including my motherhood, was linked to my religion; not being Muslim meant that my children were already estranged as Wajid wouldn’t be home. He was torn and confused- his family forced their orthodoxy on him and me and when I didn’t budge (about conversion), I was made an outcast of sorts. He became an absentee father and husband.”

Family of Wajid Khan labelled their children illegitimate, asked him to remarry

“Wajid’s family kept insisting that our children were illegitimate since we had not married as per Muslim law (Nikaah, which if I was to do, would mean me converting to Islam). For them, the Special Marriages Act didn’t mean anything,” she recounted. The family members of Wajid Khan were so intolerant of her decision that they made a hue and cry, every time she would celebrate any Parsi festivals. “They also stopped coming to any of our Parsi family functions and his mother would openly tell Wajid, in my presence, to re-marry, which he obviously did not agree to do,” she stated.

Wajid Khan had filed for divorce because she did not convert

Kamalrukh Khan recounted how Wajid Khan had filed for divorce in 2014, a move that left her devastated. She said, “The constant interference from his mother and other members of the family coupled with the constant pressure to convert took a toll on the health of our relationship. He moved out after a fight when Arshi was about 2.5 – 3 years. He came back again after three years. We had Hrehaan. And again due to the same pressure ensuing, he left again in 2014 and filed for divorce.”

Kamalrukh Khan reveals about her decision to go public

While speaking about her decision to go public about her ordeal, she narrated how Wajid’s family is hellbent on denying the right to inheritance to their children. Kamalrukh Khan lamented, “Life has brought me to a point where I need to fight for my children’s due inheritance as his family has usurped his assets post Wajid’s death. I am both father and mother to them, and in practical matters, always have been…I have to pay for their education and our upkeep.”

She added, “I work as a clinical hypnotherapist and our primary source of earning has been Wajid’s marital support. If that too is being snatched away (by those who haven’t bothered to keep in touch with me or my children for the past 7-8 years), on such unfair grounds, I need to fight back on every front.” She further stated, “My reasons for speaking out is tied to an inherent sense of justice. No woman should have to face what I have faced during these 17 years of marriage.”

Pointing towards the grim reality of forced conversions, Kamalrukh Khan emphasised, “If an educated, independent woman like me can go through this just because she married for love and did not convert, a lot worse can happen to others that are less empowered.”

Anti-conversion law should be nationalized, opined wife of late Wajid Khan

Earlier, she had opined that the anti-conversion law introduced by UP govt should be nationalized so as to reduce the “struggle for women like me who are fighting the toxicity of religion in inter-faith marriages”. She summed up her lengthy post by writing: “Religion should be a cause for celebration of differences not separation of families. All religions are the path to the divine. Live and let live should be the only religion we all practice”.

Wajid Khan, a Bollywood music composer from the successful duo Sajid-Wajid, had passed away in Mumbai this year in July. He had kidney issues and had contracted coronavirus infection.

7 March 1990: When Khalistani terrorists killed 22 Hindus and ruined dozens of families

Anurag
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7 March 1990: When Khalistani terrorists killed 22 Hindus and ruined dozens of families

A ‘young’ and ‘vibrant’ man is face of the farmers’ protest against the three new farm laws that they think will take away their land. Indian ‘liberals’ are swooning over his ‘this is a revolution’ monologue. They romanticise the idea of ‘revolution’ to bring down a democratically elected government. Every turbaned man is Bhagat Singh incarnate for them. Except, they forget that Bhagat Singh stood up against imperial British rule and not democratic government.

Interestingly, the actor and now-leader Deep Sidhu seems blank about the laws. To be honest, I am not even bothered by his ignorance. However, I have a problem with the way he whitewashes the terrorist acts of Khalistan.

The infamous “Abohar Goli Kaand” of 1990

1990… I was six years old. On March 7 evening, my parents were spending some quality time with a family friend at their home in the residential area of Civil Hospital in Abohar, Punjab. They had planned to go to the Sadar Market (famous as Street Number 12 Market). Abohar is a small town in Fazilka district near the India-Pakistan border.

As my sister and I were playing with the other kids, my parents canceled the plan to go to the market and decided to go back home instead. As we were preparing to leave for home, we heard loud gunshots. In a few minutes, the unprepared Civil Hospital was overwhelmed with dead bodies and injured people. I was too young to remember what had happened. However, over the years, the story has been told and retold to me by my parents and grandparents and some books, especially ‘Itihas Ke Jharokhe Se Abohar’ which detail the incident that scarred my childhood.

The bloodied evening that ruined 33 families

On March 7, 1990, at 6:30 PM, people heard loud blasts coming from the end of the street. The unexpected shoppers and shopkeepers thought some children are bursting firecrackers. Only a few seconds later, people were seen running from the end of the street. As they came closer, what they were shouting became clearer. “Bhajjo goliyan maar rahe (Run they are shooting people)”, “bande maar te, bande maar te (they killed them), “aapni jaan bachao bajjo (run and save your life),” people screamed as they ran to save their lives.

Excerpt about the incident from ‘Itihas Ke Jharokhe Se Abohar’ by Late Mathura Das Hiteshi

Within the next few seconds, more than ten Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) terrorists emerged from all sides of the market, shooting people in every direction. KCF is a banned terrorist organisation operating in Punjab and receives immense support from Sikhs in Canada. Amongst many other killings, KCF is responsible for assassination of Punjab CM Beant Singh in 1995 and General Arun Vaidya who led Operation Blue Star in 1986.

People tried to run from the market, but the congested road was not helpful at all. Shopkeepers started closing their shops as quickly as possible, and the customers hid inside the shops. Those who were selling goods on carts ran to save lives, but many were killed.

After the bloodbath, the terrorists ran towards Fazilka road and vanished in the web of houses. It is believed that some of them hid in a house for hours as police had started looking for them. They threatened the house-owner and stayed there till late at night. Those who managed to escape ran towards Fazilka and believed to have vanished in the farms.

Police gates were shut for more than 40 minutes

One of the most depressing parts of the story is that the gates of the only police station in Abohar were shut the moment police learned about the incident. People ran towards the police station, which was not too far from the Sadar market, to get help, but they were welcomed with closed doors with no answer from the police. After 40 minutes of the incident, police officers came out of the station and started looking for the terrorists who were already long gone.

The sad state of Civil Hospital

Though the Civil Hospital of Abohar served several adjoining villages, the administration was not prepared for such a tragedy. When people realized the terrorists had fled from the scene, they started opening shutters and tried to help the injured. As there was no ambulance service available, the injured were taken to the hospital on carts. The bodies and injured started to pile up in the hospital with limited staff. The hospital was overwhelmed within minutes. Unfortunately, the stock of medicines, surgical instruments, and even bandages was not enough to accommodate all injured.

The attack was not over yet

After an hour of the incident, people were seen lining up in the hospital to donate blood. Those who were in the market were trying to help as many people as possible. Thirty more minutes passed by, and then people realized it was not over yet. Two bomb blasts further shook the town. More people died, more lost limbs, and sustained severe injuries. While 22 were killed on the spot, around ten more died due to injuries or the aftermath of the incident. As per official records, as many as 45 were injured.

Excerpt about the incident from ‘Itihas Ke Jharokhe Se Abohar’ by Late Mathura Das Hiteshi

“I had no choice,” said one of the terrorists

There are countless stories of the incident that were never documented. Amongst those who lost their lives was a young woman who hid in the same shop where she was shopping as soon as she learned about the terrorists. One of the terrorists entered that shop, and before he could start shooting people, she recognised him.

“Tu? (is that you?)”, she asked, shocked. For a brief moment, the terrorist seemed surprised to find someone known to him there. Except, after the brief moment passed, he said, “I had no choice,” and started shooting. The woman died on the spot.

The man who bled out to death

Another story that haunts me is of 45-year-old Gobind Narang, who used to sell readymade garments on a cart. He was shot but escaped and hid in a shop. The shopkeeper, who did not know someone is hiding in the shop, pulled down the shutter and did not come back from his home. Gobind bled out to death in his shop due to lack of medical attention.

These are just amongst the countless stories of horror from that incident and others where Khalistani Sikh terrorists unleashed violence upon Hindus with covert and overt support from influential Sikhs in Canada and UK.

Only RSS and BJP leaders rushed to help

There were many organizations in Abohar at that time. Some were affiliated with political parties as well. However, according to records, only BJP leaders and RSS workers rushed out of their homes to help the injured. The rest of the leaders decided to stay safe and never came out of their homes. When my Nanaji first told me about the incident, he mentioned that some people went to their leaders’ homes, but no one came out to help.

The aftermath

The lack of preparations and coward act of the police was enough to make people angry. The next few days saw protests against the administration and police. On March 10, a large group of protesters marched towards the police station. They burnt down a police motorcycle and pelted stones on the police personnel. Then-District Magistrate Rakesh Singh was trying to calm down the crowd, but they pelted stones on his car.

Excerpt about the incident from ‘Itihas Ke Jharokhe Se Abohar’ by Late Mathura Das Hiteshi

Without any warning, the police opened fire towards the crowd. 18-year-old Naveen Kumar and 20-year-old Rajendra Kumar were shot dead. As per the rules, police had to fire warning shots, but the rules were ignored. Abohar lost two more young souls.

March 12, 1993 – The day of revenge

DSP Surjit Singh Grewal was posted in Abohar on October 17, 1992. On the first day, he announced that he would bring the terrorist, Chanan Singh, who planned the attack, to justice. As a part of the plan, Grewal helped Gurmukh Singh, son-in-law of Chanan Singh, to settle down again. He made personal connections with Gurmukh and made sure no one doubts his plans.

DSP Grewal (Image source: ‘Itihas Ke Jharokhe Se Abohar’ by Late Mathura Das Hiteshi)

Chanan started to visit Gurmukh after learning that Grewal was on their side. However, he was very careful during his visits. Grewal got solid intel that Chanan was coming to attend Gurmukh’s daughter’s marriage and son’s Shagun ceremony. Grewal formed a team and asked them to dress as daily wage workers. He posed as Daljit Singh alias Bittu, head of the Sikh Student Federation. 

On reaching the location, Grewal introduced himself as Bittu to Angrej Singh, son of Gurmukh. Angrej Singh believed him and took him to the house where Chanan was staying. 55-year-old Chanan, who was sitting on cots, realized that was not Bittu and started shooting at Grewal. Fortunately, Grewal was wearing a bulletproof jacket. Within seconds, Chanan’s dead body scrambled with Grewal’s bullets was lying in the pool of blood. Though the revenge gave little relief to the people of Abohar, the wounds of March 7 will never fade away completely.  

Late Mathura Das Hiteshi – The man who narrated the story

A significant part of the story was only possible because of the detailed narration of the incident in Late Mathura Das Hiteshi’s book “Itihas Ke Jharokhe se Abohar.”

Late Mathura Das Hiteshi

A freedom fighter, Hiteshi got the surname, which literally means “the one who thinks best for everyone,” for his social work. During his tenure as a bank manager of Punjab National Bank and later as chairman of Improvement Trust, he had made sure to help as many people as humanly possible.

Farmer thanks PM Modi for mentioning him during Mann Ki Baat, narrates how the passage of Farm Bills helped him

OpIndia Staff
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Farmer thanks PM Modi for mentioning him during Mann Ki Baat, narrates how the passage of Farm Bills helped him

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the nation through his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’. In the latest edition of his ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on various topics, including the three farm bills passed by the government against which Punjab farmers are now holding a protesting – a protest which has now been hijacked by Khalistani elements.

Ever since the bills were passed in the Parliament, the government has been facing opposition regarding the bills. Long term NDA member Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) had announced its dissociation from the alliance soon after the bills were passed. Several attempts were made to spread misinformation around the bills. This was followed by protest rallies and demonstrations held by ‘farmers‘ and supported by the opposition parties. However, the protests have failed to pressurise the government into backtracking on the farm bills so far.

PM Modi’s Mann Ki Baat speech came just as the issue has been raked up once again as ‘farmers’ from Punjab and Haryana have marched towards the national capital to protest against the farm bills.

During his Mann Ki Baat speech, while talking about the farm bills passed, PM Modi also spoke of a farmer who had used the farm bills how he decided to sell his produce to traders for the right price after the passage of the farm bills, saying that “these reforms have not only broken shackles of farmers but have also given new rights and opportunities to them”.

“You should know how Jitendra Bhoiji, a farmer in Dhule, Maharashtra used these new farms laws. He produced maize & decided to sell it to traders at the right price. The total amount agreed at was around Rs 3.32 lakhs”, said PM Modi during Mann Ki Baat.

Speaking to ANI, the farmer that PM Modi spoke about thanked the Prime Minister for the passage of the farm bills, that ended up helping him immensely.

Jitendra Bhoji, the farmer from Dhule, Maharashtra who PM Modi referred to in his Mann Ki Baat said, “I’m glad PM Modi Ji gave my example (in ‘Mann ki Baat’ today). I was cheated by a trader from Madhya Pradesh. With the help of new farm laws, I filed a complaint regarding it and immediate action was taken”.

The three bills introduced by the Modi government are: The Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020.

Earlier, these reforms were announced as part of the third tranche of the economic package announced under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.

The new bills give effect to the amendments proposed to the Essential Commodities Act and bring in two new central laws on trading and marketing of farm produce in the country.

The objective of the three laws is to make way for creating the Modi government’s ambitious vision of ‘One India, One Agriculture Market’. The law intends to end the monopoly of Agriculture Produce Market Committees (APMCs) in carrying out the trade of farm produce in the country. 

It is pertinent to note that even as Punjab farmers have launched an agitation, demanding that these acts be revoked by the Modi government, several farmers have come forward to narrate how these laws have benefitted them.

Rebellion inside Rahul’s Congress grows, Anand Sharma defies party line, hails PM Modi for visit to Coronavirus vaccine hubs

OpIndia Staff
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Rebellion inside Rahul’s Congress grows, Anand Sharma defies party line, hails PM Modi for visit to Coronavirus vaccine hubs

The rebellion inside Congress party, led by part-time politician and full-time vacationer Rahul Gandhi seems to be growing. A day after Congress criticised Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Coronavirus vaccine hubs, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma has defied the party line and hailed the prime minister.

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma took to Twitter to hail the Prime Minister’s move.

He said, “Prime minister Shri Narendra Modi visit to Serum Institute, Bharat Biotech and Zydus Cadilla was a recognition of Indian scientists and their work to produce the vaccine for COVID-19 That alone will lift morale of frontline warriors and reassure the nation”.

Further, Anand Sharma said, “Also respecting the Institutions that India has built over decades that have expertise and potential making India worlds largest vaccine manufacturer. Urging PM to ensure that an efficient and equitable platform is functional as the vaccine arrives”.

Clearly, Anand Sharma is not very happy with Congress’ strategy to blindly go against the interest of the nation and heap criticism on everything that the Government of India does. Hailing the move by PM Modi, Sharma said that the PM’s visit to Serum Institute, Bharat Biotech and Zydus Cadilla will boost the morale of Indian scientists in their arduous task to develop the Coronavius vaccine.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on his three-city visit during which he reviewed the development process the COVID-19 vaccines on the 28th of November. During his three-city visit, the Prime Minister visited Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad, Bharat Biotech in Hyderabad and Serum Institute of India in Pune to take stock of the progress of vaccine preparations.

The vaccine being developed at the Zydus Biotech Park is called ZyCov-D. Similarly, the vaccine candidates of Bharat Biotech is named called Covaxin. Pune’s Serum Institute of India is developing the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. All three vaccine candidates are currently undergoing phase three trials. Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, a Pune-based biotechnology company, is set to begin Phase 1 human trials of its vaccine candidate. It is the only Indian company to have worked on making an mRNA-based vaccine, like Moderna and Pfizer. 

Congress’ criticises PM Modi’s move to visit Coronavirus vaccine production hubs

A day before Anand Sharma hailed PM Modi for his visit to Coronavirus vaccine hubs, hitting out at Modi, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala accused PM Modi of getting ‘pictures clicked in corporate offices while farmers are protesting on roads of Delhi’.

“Wish the PM talks to farmers on the road instead of flying in the aircraft,” he had said in a tweet, after Modi visited a company in Ahmedabad which is engaged in the COVID-19 vaccine research.

“Coronavirus vaccine will be found by scientists, farmers will feed the country and Modi ji and BJPites will handle television,” Surjewala had said.

Congress faultiness in the open, rebellion against Rahul Gandhi

Earlier in November, 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 reportedly also demanded organisational elections for the party president’s post be held at the earliest in the view of the electoral drubbing. 

According to a Rediff report by R Rajagopalan, five CWC members confirmed to this correspondent that such a letter has indeed been sent this week. The letter reportedly pointed 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. 

In the letter, certain concerns were raised that the Congress leaders feel led to the debacle in Bihar. With the pandemic and Ahmed Patel, who is undergoing treatment for coronavirus, the AICC headquarters at 24, Akbar Road in New Delhi, wears a deserted look with no visible political activity.

Further, the letter pointed towards a lack of faith in the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Though the CWC had initiated the poll process, insiders feel it will once again be a unanimous/unopposed poll process. Further, their absence while on Shimla vacation has not sat well with the Congress leaders.

From support for zamindars to ‘protest will help overthrow Modi govt’: A saga of clueless people at farmer protest

OpIndia Staff
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From support for zamindars to ‘protest will help overthrow Modi govt’: A saga of clueless people at farmer protest

Even as protesting farmers throng outside Delhi blocking highways and causing huge inconvenience to the public, various videos have emerged exposing how some protestors neither have a clue about the intent of the farmer protestors nor have any idea about the three farms bills that are passed by Modi government.

A series of interview of the protestors by the team of ‘Know the Nation’ reveals how these protestors have no agenda whatsoever, instead they are being allegedly brainwashed to believe that the farm laws are inherently against farmers.

Here are the series of interviews of protestors conducted by Know the nation

Clueless people at farmer protests

A protesting farmer, who was seen at the protest, had no clue at all about the reasons for the protest. When asked, “What are you protesting against?”, a protestor said, “We’re here to protest against the three black laws!”.

As the reporter asked, “Which laws?”, the protestor says, “That I do not know. I came here for employment, let farmers & labourers see to it..”

Farmer or clueless labourer?

Suryadev Bharadwaj, who openly claimed of not being a farmer, said that he came to support the farmers. He said he is jobless but is receiving a salary from his company.

The protestors said that labourers are going hungry, despite receiving salaries. He also added COVID-19 is a myth.

CPIM members hijack protest

A CPIM member hijacking the protest said, Modi government is known not to retract from its decisions.

The member of All India Kisan Sabha member, a front of Communist Party of India (CPIM) claims they are carrying six months worth of food supplies for a sustained agitation in Delhi.

Clueless Labourers joining protests

Another labourer, claiming to be a son of farmer says his company is closed, so he joined the protests.

“But isn’t this a farmers’ protest?” asks the reporters. To which, the protestor says, “We are like sons of farmers!”

When asked about the his opposition to the farm laws, the person did not have a straight answer.

Protester has no idea about MSP

Balli from Punjab, one of the protestors at the outskirts of Delhi was also staging a protest against Modi government. He says Ambani-Adani snatched his lands. According to Balli, the government has privatized crop rates, so it was why he was protesting.

Another clueless protester

The reporter asks another protestor regarding his presence at the protest site. The protestor responds saying he was there to support his fellow farmer brothers. When asked why was he protesting, he says he does not exactly know why they are protesting.

Clueless Kisan Ekta Sangh leader:

Another young man claiming to be a member of Kisan Ekta Sangh student’s wing leader revealed that he was supporting the protest as it will help throw out the Modi government in power.

When asked to name the farm bills that were passed, he failed to do so and started deflecting the topic.

Agenda: Farmers or something else?

An elderly man was at the protest site to protest against the bills passed by the government during COVID-19 pandemic.

Support for zamindars

A protestor from Delhi said whatever PM Modi is doing is not good. He asked Modi government what will the Zamindars get from the farm bills.

“The bill is alright, but Modi Ji is not good,” he said adding that he had come to protests to meet their relatives who came from Punjab.

Clueless Akali Dal member

Samshar singh, Pradhan of Akali Dal, says he was here to provide food & medicine. Clueless Singh claims the farm bills are against farmers as MSP already in place, Mandis are open and free trade already exists.

Support for Zamindars in Punjab

A protestor from Punjab claims that ‘Zamindars in Punjab’ are very upset with the new farm laws and will come in large numbers to protest.

He added that the farmers are planning to head towards Ramlila ground and are carrying ration, LPG to sustain protests for six months.

Another Clueless protester

Another clueless Akali Dal member says the law is against the farmers. However, when asked about what are the changes he sought in farm bills, he surprisingly says that he did not want any amendments in farm laws but wanted it completely repealed.

Clueless AAP leader at farmer protest

Aam Aadmi Party leaders too made their presence felt during the protest. An AAP worker says the farm laws are anti-farmer. She also disclosed that she is here to support Arvind Kejriwal and that the protest will last for six months.

AAP leader with no clue about farmer demands and cause for agitation

Another Aam Aadmi Party leader was also caught with no knowledge on the farm bills.

Farmers groups threatens to block access to Delhi

Amidst all the chaos, the farmers protesting against the Modi government over new farm laws have rejected Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s proposal for a discussion on their grievances. 

The protesting farmers who are blocking roads at the outskirts of Delhi said that they have rejected the offer claiming that the talks proposed by Amit Shah were conditional. The farmers, however, insisted that the Union Home Minister should visit the farmers and hold talks ‘without any conditions.’ 

The President of Bharat Kisan Union (Krantikari) has also threatened the Modi government saying that they will block the five entry points to Delhi and continue their ‘protest’.

“We’ve decided that we’ll never go to Burari Park as we got proof that it’s an open jail. Delhi Police told Uttarakhand Farmer Association President that they’ll take them to Jantar Mantar but instead locked them at Burari Park”, said Surjeet S Phul, President, BKU Krantikari (Punjab).

It is pertinent to note that earlier, the Home Minister in a goodwill gesture had said the government was willing to talk on “every problem and demand”. He also urged the farmers to move their protest to a designated spot near Burari in the national capital. The government’s decision to hold talks with farmers came after the so-called farmers began to block the highways causing inconvenience to citizens. 

SFJ ads appear on YouTube offering $10m support for farmers, in return, wants Sikhs to join ‘Khalistan movement’: Details

OpIndia Staff
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SFJ ads appear on YouTube offering $10m support for farmers, in return, wants Sikhs to join ‘Khalistan movement’: Details

Amid ongoing farmers’ protests in Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi, it is evident that Khalistani supporters have hijacked the protests and are furthering their own nefarious agenda. The infamous Islamic organization, Popular Front of India, known for its connections with Islamic extremists, has extended support for the protesters. Khalistani group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has announced support for the protests as well. Now, ads have started appearing on YouTube and other social media platforms urging people to join the Khalistani movement.

SFJ offers $10 million grant for protesters, asks to join Khalistan Movement in return

Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, founder of SFJ has announced financial support of $10 million for the farmers who have faced any loss while travelling to Delhi. In a recently uploaded video, Pannu asked the farmers to send SFJ details of the losses they have faced, and his organization will reimburse the amount.

In return, Pannu asked to join the Khalistan Movement. He is trying to buy votes for the ‘referendum’ his organization has announced to free Punjab from India and form Khalistan, a nation for Sikhs. Khalistani forces are getting a lot of support from Pakistan.

In the video, Pannu said, “Sikhs For Justice has announced $1 million for the farmers of Punjab and Haryana. The funds will be given to those who got injured or faced any losses while travelling to Delhi.” He asked the farmers to make calls to Sikhs for Justice on November 30, the day on which Sikhs will celebrate the birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

“On November 30, register your vote for Punjab referendum. This is a fight between Hind and Punjab. Khalistan is the only way out. These black laws that are taking away your lands can only be countered with freedom. The day Punjab gets free, no one will be able to take over any farmer’s land in Punjab,” he further added.

The Khalistan and SFJ tentacles in the farmers’ protest

It is important to note 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.

Claiming that the Indian government’s new farms laws as a “colonial agenda to ultimately turn the farmers landless”, SFJ General Counsel, Gurpatwant Singh Pannu had tried to incite the farmers of Punjab by saying that the Modi government wanted to enslave the farmers of Punjab and Haryana by turning them into destitute. The SFJ had included farmers of Haryana also because they consider Haryana as part of Khalistan.

Earlier 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 anti-terrorist agencies had then alerted the law-enforcement agencies in the states after the announcement. However, the Punjab government led by the Congress seems to have taken the Khalistan threat lightly resulting in Khalistan groups taking advantage of current farmer protests. 

Interestingly, while all of this was happened, the farmers protest was started in the same month of September. Now, pro-Khalistan, pro-Pakistan and pro-Imran Khan slogans have been raised during the farmers’ protest.

Questions over YouTube ads of SFJ

Netizens have noticed the video running as an advertisement on YouTube that is against the Google Advertiser Policies. As per Google’s policy, “Ads that potentially profit from or exploit a sensitive event with significant social, cultural, or political impact, such as civil emergencies, natural disasters, public health emergencies, terrorism and related activities, conflict, or mass acts of violence” are not allowed.

Also, under Dangerous or derogatory content, Google has clearly stated that “content made by or in support of terrorist groups” is not allowed as an advertisement on any platform, including YouTube. Sikhs For Justice is an unlawful organization under the UAPA, 1967. In 2019, the Ministry of Home Affairs had banned SFJ for its anti-national activities. In July this year, the government of India had blocked 40 websites associated with the organization.

While YouTube has shown a propensity to ban channels for far less, it has inexplicably allowed for this terrorist message to be advertised on its platform with impunity. Seemingly, YouTube has decided that policies do not apply to the wicked.

The law has nothing to do with the land

These extremists are spreading rumors that the recently passed laws will take away farmers’ lands. Deep Sidhu, the Khalistani supporter actor-turned-leader, was also heard making such baseless claims. In reality, the laws give protection to the farmers in several ways from getting mistreated by private companies or traders. As per the reports, some farmers have already benefitted from the new laws as it helped them extract delayed payments from the traders.

President of farmer organisation says they will block all five entry points to Delhi because Burari park is an ‘open jail’: Details

OpIndia Staff
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President of farmer organisation says they will block all five entry points to Delhi because Burari park is an ‘open jail’: Details

The farmers protesting against the Modi government over new farm laws have rejected Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s proposal for a discussion on their grievances. 

According to the reports, the protesting farmers who are blocking roads at the outskirts of Delhi said that they have rejected the offer claiming that the talks proposed by Amit Shah were conditional. The farmers, however, insisted that the Union Home Minister should visit the farmers and hold talks ‘without any conditions.’ 

The farmers contend that the government is imposing conditions on the talks. AAP founding member and chief of political outfit Swaraj India Yogendra Yadav speaking on behalf of agitating farmers said that farmers have now taken the decision to turn down the offer and will continue to sit on the borders of Delhi.

Farmers’ organisations have expressed reservations about the offer. Jagjit Singh, Bharatiya Kisan Union’s Punjab President, said, “He should have offered talks with an open heart without any condition”.

Now, the President of Bharat Kisan Union (Krantikari) has said that they will block the 5 entry points to Delhi and continue their ‘protest’.

“We’ve decided that we’ll never go to Burari Park as we got proof that it’s an open jail. Delhi Police told Uttarakhand Farmer Association President that they’ll take them to Jantar Mantar but instead locked them at Burari Park”, said Surjeet S Phul, President, BKU Krantikari (Punjab).

He further said, “Instead of going to open jail in Burari, we’ve decided that we will gherao Delhi by blocking 5 main entry points to Delhi. We’ve got 4 months ration with us, so nothing to worry. Our Operations Committee will decide everything”.

It is pertinent to note that earlier, the Home Minister in a goodwill gesture had said the government was willing to talk on “every problem and demand”. He also urged the farmers to move their protest to a designated spot near Burari in the national capital. The government’s decision to hold talks with farmers came after the so-called farmers began to block the highways causing inconvenience to citizens. 

The Home Minister had appealed to all unions on Friday evening and had also personally called three farmer leaders – Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president of Bharti Kisan Union (Ugrahan), Jagjit Singh Dallewal, president of BKU ( Sidhupur) and Balbir Singh Rajewal, President of BKU (Rajewal). However, it seems that the farmer organisation are in no mood to engage with the government’s goodwill gesture and have instead decided to gherao Delhi.

A year after quitting Congress over ‘petty politics’, Urmila set to join Shiv Sena, to be nominated as MLC

OpIndia Staff
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A year after quitting Congress over ‘petty politics’, Urmila set to join Shiv Sena, to be nominated as MLC

Bollywood actress-turned-politician Urmila is all set to join the Shiv Sena this week, a year after she resigned from the Congress party.

According to the reports, Urmila Matondkar will join Shiv Sena on Monday. Reportedly, the Shiv Sena has decided to nominate her for the state legislative council. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi will be nominating the 46-year-old actress name along with 11 others.

In the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Urmila Matondkar had joined the party and had contested the elections on a Congress ticket. However, she had lost the elections. Five months later she resigned from the party citing petty politics as the reason.

In her statement, Urmila Matondkar had said, “My political and social sensibilities refuse to allow vested interests in the party to use me as a means to fight petty in-house politics instead of working on a bigger goal in Mumbai Congress.”

Urmila Matondkar had contested the Lok Sabha elections from Mumbai North seat as a Congress candidate and had suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of BJP leader Gopal Shetty.

‘Haven’t you seen how they cry, do ‘haye tauba’: Here is what Amit Shah said, responding to Owaisi’s comment about illegal Rohingyas

OpIndia Staff
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‘Haven’t you seen how they cry, do ‘haye tauba’: Here is what Amit Shah said, responding to Owaisi’s comment about illegal Rohingyas

Home Minister Amit Shah is in Hyderabad for Greater Hyderabad Municipal Election (GHMC) campaigning. While answering some questions, Home Minister Amit Shah replied to the allegations made by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen’s (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi. HM Amit Shah said when he takes action or talk about sending Rohingyas and Bangladeshis back, leaders like Owaisi stand against him in Lok Sabha.

The journalist had asked Amit Shah to respond to Owaisi’s comment where he had asked what the government is doing about the situation if they say that thousands of illegal Rohingya Muslims have infiltrated and settled in India.

HM Shah said, “Bhai jab main karyawahi karta hun to yeh haye tauba karte hain parliament mein. Dekha nahi hai aapne? Kitni badi awaz mein rote hain. Ek baar likh kar mujhe de dein Bangladeshiyon aur Rohingyaon ko nikalna hai baad mein main karta hun zara. Likh kar de dene ke liye bol dijiye unko. Sirf chunav mein baat karne se nahi hota hai. Jab nikalne ke liye parliament mein behes hoti hai kaun inka paksh leta hai? Desh ki janta jaanti hai sabne live television par dekha hai.”

Translated, it means:

“When I try to take action these people make rukus in the parliament. Haven’t you seen? How they cry? Ask them to give me in writing that Bangladeshis and Rohingyas have to be evicted. Ask them to give in writing. Talking about this issue only during elections will not help. When there is a discussion over the issue in parliament who takes their side? The people of the country have seen on live television.”

What Asaduddin Owaisi had said about Rohingya Muslims, questioning Amit Shah

On November 23, Owaisi had said, “If there’re 30,000 Rohingyas in electoral list, what is Home Minister Amit Shah doing? Is he sleeping? Isn’t this his job to see how are 30-40 thousand Rohingyas listed?”

He had challenged BJP that if the party is honest, they should give him 1,000 such names within a day.

Clearly, Amit Shah has responded to the statement by Owaisi who questioned the government over their actions while defending Rohingya muslims and their illegal settlements in India.

The infiltration of Rohingya Muslims in India and the Indian government’s stand 

India has seen massive infiltration by Rohingya Muslims from Rakhine. The government of India has maintained a tough stand against the infiltration. After the Citizenship Amendment Act was enacted by the Modi government, Home Minister Amit Shah had vociferously responded to Muslim leaders and said that Rohingya Muslims pose a security threat and would not be allowed to settle in India.

It is important to remember here that India is not a party to the 1951 Convention on Refugees and neither the 1967 Protocol. Therefore, no international convention is binding on India. Even if we take into account the international conventions, the Rohingyas are clearly bypassing a safe haven in the form of Bangladesh to reach India for the purpose of gaining material benefits. Thus it makes them economic migrants when they enter India and not persecuted minorities. Furthermore, Rohingyas have been rejected by Thailand along with Malaysia and Indonesia, both of which are Islamic countries. Rohingyas have also massacred Hindus in the Rakhine State of Myanmar.

Meanwhile, the Indian government has continued to maintain a strong stance against Rohingyas. Not too long ago, it was reported that 1300 Rohingyas had fled to Bangladesh from India fearing deportation to Myanmar. Rohingyas have also been regularly apprehended by local law enforcement. Union Ministers have also said that they pose a security threat to the country.

In October last year, Seven Rohingya Muslims who were lodged in jail since 2012 for illegally entering India were sent to Myanmar border for deportation. The government has also decided to deport 23 more Rohingyas, who have been staying at various detention camps in Assam after they were caught staying illegally in the state. Thus, at a time when the government has made its stance on Rohingyas clear, that illegal immigrants posing a serious threat to the country are being normalised through football is indeed a cause for grave concern.

Indian man proposes to his Australian girlfriend during Ind vs Aus cricket match, here is what happened next

OpIndia Staff
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Indian man proposes to his Australian girlfriend during Ind vs Aus cricket match, here is what happened next

On Sunday, during the 2nd ODI between India and Australia, an unsual sight took the audience by surpirse. During the 20th over, an Indian man in the crowd decided to propose to his Australian girlfriend in between the match. He bent on his knees, pulled out a ring and asked her for marriage. The beautiful moment was captured on camera and the crowd went gaga over the spectacular event.

While the crowd cheered and applauded, the girl was seen nodding in affirmation. The duo kissed and the waved to the camera and the overzealous crowd. “Well! Here we go… Please say Yes! Please say yes! That’s the confirmation. It is always a risky play, isn’t it?” a commentator exclaimed.

Netizens appreciate the idea behind the proposal

Netizens were also in awe of the romantic gesture of the Indian man towards his girlfriend. Twitter user Suchita Sharma wrote, “Aww this is so cute and romantic. Love has no boundaries. She said Yes.”

Another user (@purpplebella) tweeted, “Wow… It is so romantic.. I want my future partner to do this for me.”

Twitter user Shraddha wrote, “This is honest to God the most beautiful thing ever”

Netizens use ‘cricketing references’ to applaud the gesture

Although dismayed by the bowling performance of India in the said match, netizens appreciate the proposal of the man using cricketing references. Twitter user Suryam KV tweeted, “I think the guy knows the match outcome already, so why to waste time when your gf is next to you..Let’s make SCG more interesting..”

Other Twitter users pull his leg with ‘only Indian winning today’, ‘India winning over Australia’ and ‘player of the match’ titles.

Visa jokes continue

Several Twitter users also jokingly hinted that the man’s visa is to Australia is permanently secured. “Today during a match… one more Indian successfully get a permanent residency in Australia,” one Kashif Baig remarked. Another Twitter user (@JaydenCFC04) wrote, “My man secured his Australia visa now.”

While India’s performance has been below par, netizens found happiness in the unusual proposal that became the highlight of the match.

Oh, and India lost the match to Australia.

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