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Watch: Arnab Goswami wonders if Congress will file FIRs against Obama and send him to Taloja jail for criticising Rahul baba

OpIndia Staff
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Watch: Arnab Goswami wonders if Congress will file FIRs against Obama and send him to Taloja jail for criticising Rahul baba

The scathing assessment of Rahul Gandhi by former US President Barack Obama saying the Gandhi-scion had neither ability nor passion to do politics became one of the embarrassing moments for the Congress party in recent history.

As Obama’s remarks against Rahul Gandhi went viral on the internet, several people took to social media to express their view on the controversy. Some created a meme fest on social media platforms even as some Congress loyalists were upset against Obama for his remarks, who inturn demanded an apology from the former US President for interfering India’s internal affairs.

However, Republic TV chief Arnab Goswami had a different take on the whole issue. Arnab Goswami, who is one of the many victims of Congress party and its allies’ witch hunt, mocked the Congress party saying that they should immediately file an FIR against Barack Obama in Maharashtra.

Taking a dig at the Congress party, Arnab Goswami advised the Congress party, one of the coalition partner of Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra, to misuse their state power to silence their critics as they usually do to deal with their critics.

He advised them to send their complaint against Obama to Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh with an express instruction asking him to surround Obama’s house with 70 policemen and to pick him up for expressing his opinion on the Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi.

“I insist that the Congress party should ask Mumbai Police saying He (Obama) should be picked up, not allowed to wear his shoes and take him before the Alibaug jail and after two days he should be put to Taloja jail. That is the only thing Obama deserves,” said Arnab Goswami

Ironically, Arnab Goswami’s hilarious take on the Obama controversy reflects a sad reality of our times as the entire sequence of events fancifully narrated by Republic TV chief was inspired by the real events. Last week, the Mumbai Police had barged into the residence of Republic TV chief Arnab Goswami and had assaulted him and his family before dragging him to the Raigad police station in connection with a 2018 suicide case.

The Mumbai Police, acting on the behest of the Maharashtra government, has been carrying out a witch-hunt against Republic TV chief Arnab Goswami after he had questioned the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress coalition government in Maharashtra over lapses in various criminal cases such as Palghar Hindu Sadhus lynching case, Sushant Singh Rajput case, ‘Fake TRP’ scam, etc.

In an attempt to silence him, the Maharashtra government had not only forced people to falsely implicate Arnab Goswami but had also re-opened a 2018 closed suicide case against Arnab Goswami and had arrested him from his residence.

In his debate show on Saturday, Arnab Goswami, juxtaposing the entire sequence of events, dared the Congress party to do the same against former US President Barack Obama for expressing his opinion on Rahul Gandhi.

The entire witch-hunt against Arnab Goswami and Republic TV had started when he had dared to question Sonia Gandhi after the Palghar lynching. He had gone on to question her regarding her silence and thereafter, over 200 FIRs were filed against him by Congress. He was also physically attacked by Congress goons.

Rahul Gandhi is someone who lacks aptitude and passion to master the subject: Barack Obama

Barack Obama – the former President of the United States of America, has made a rather interesting assessment of the Congress prince Rahul Gandhi and had described the Congress leader as someone who lacks aptitude and passion to master the subject.

In his new book – ‘A Promised Land’, former US President Barack Obama highlighted the inability of the Gandhi-scion to understand the way of politics as he says Rahul Gandhi lacked both aptitude and passion to master the art of politics.

The former President has opined on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stating, “Rahul Gandhi has a nervous, unformed quality about him as if he were a student who’d done the coursework and was eager to impress the teacher but deep down lacked either the aptitude or the passion to master the subject”.

According to a book review by the New York Times, the autobiography by Obama is ‘more political than personal’. The book is reportedly is a harsh self-assessment by Obama of his Presidential tenure and his life including his first stirring of social awareness in his teenage years. The book also talks about his VP and the current US President-elect Joe Biden along with various other issues.

The mild critique of Rahul Gandhi by Obama comes just days after Congress’ yet another dismal performance in the recently concluded Bihar election. Many critics have pointed out how Rahul Gandhi’s incompetence to lead the party resulted in Congress managing just 19 of the 70 seats it contested, pulling down the Mahagathbandhan.

Following the embarrassment that caused due to the disclosure, the Congress party is trying hard to undo the damage inflicted upon them. As soon as the reports about Obama’s critique against Rahul Gandhi went viral on the internet, the Congress leaders rushed to defend him by claiming that the assessment of Wayanad MP was not true.

Some Congress leaders even called for unfollowing Barack Obama on Twitter after he had expressed his opinion. Congress MP Tariq Anwar went a step ahead to conform to the views of former US President Barack Obama on Rahul Gandhi by admitting that Rahul Gandhi lacked aptitude and passion for politics ten years ago.

Why Nehru deserves the flak he gets on his birth anniversary and every other day — and how Sonia and Rahul are to blame

Abhishek Banerjee
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Why Nehru deserves the flak he gets on his birth anniversary and every other day — and how Sonia and Rahul are to blame

It’s Nov 14, the birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru. Or as they used to call it back when I was a kid in school: Children’s Day. The tradition goes back to 1955. Because nothing says democracy like school children being herded together to celebrate the dear leader.

For the Hindu right in India, Nehru is not a popular man. To put it mildly. The laundry list of accusations against him is long. From being too cozy with the imperial British to giving in too easily to Muslim communalism to refusing to respect Hindu sentiments, such as with the rebuilding of Somnath Temple. Then, there is the matter of sidelining other leaders in the Congress for the benefit of himself and his family.

There is the matter of letting the left capture all the intellectual spaces. On the economic front, four lost decades of Nehruvian socialism. On the foreign policy front, aligning with the USSR and other sinister dictatorships, instead of seeking more natural allies based on shared democratic values. Disasters in Kashmir and with China. We are still paying the price for both. And of course, the unseemly act of assuming the Bharat Ratna while occupying the Prime Minister’s chair.

There is no way that list is exhaustive. Beyond these, there is a dark underbelly of conspiracy theories, tasteless accusations about his personal life, often circulated in coarse language.

Let us ask the question that matters: is the Hindu right being unfair to Nehru?

The other side accuses the Hindu right of irrational hatred towards Nehru, even an unhealthy obsession with him. They point to all the good things he did, the democratic institutions that started out under him. And most of all, the man died over fifty years ago. Like all figures in history who wielded great power, he had his dark sides. Which figure in history is perfect? So, why be unforgiving towards only one man? Why not take the bad with the good like we do with everyone else in our shared national history?

We can’t. Because Nehru is not part of our shared national history, yet.

I am an Indian. Is Nehru part of my shared national history? I would like him to be, but he is not. Because someone is still actively claiming Nehru as part of their private history. They won’t share with me.

I am talking of course about the Nehru-Gandhi family, still very much active in politics. Still very much claiming Nehru’s legacy as their personal inheritance and asking for votes in his name. I am not part of that family. How can I share.

During the 2012 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress campaign was led by Rahul Gandhi himself. The campaign slogan was:

“Nehru ji ko yaad karenge, Rahul ji ke saath chalenge“

From Nehru to Rahul in a straight line. Nehru’s great grandson is leading Nehru’s party simply because he is Nehru’s great grandson. And Nehru’s great grandson is leading Nehru’s party and asking for votes in Nehru’s name.

That is how jealously Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and now Rahul Gandhi have guarded Nehru as their own and only their own. So how can Nehru belong to all of us?

There is more. The year 2014, when PM Modi won the 16th Lok Sabha election, also happened to be the 125th birth anniversary of Nehru. On this occasion, the Congress organized a grand celebration. They invited political parties from across the world, including the Communist Party of China. The BJP however was not invited. Congress leader Anand Sharma explained thus:

“We have not given any invitation to the Prime Minister. We have invited all those who truly believe in democracy and the ideals of Nehru.”

Apparently, the Communist Party of China made the cut for truly believing in democracy. The BJP did not.

Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and their party can’t have it both ways. Either Nehru belongs to all of us. In which case, we should all come together and look at Nehru just as another towering figure in India’s long history. Sometimes good. Sometimes bad. And sometimes great.

Or Jawaharlal Nehru is just their own. Belonging to their family and nobody else. In which case, the other side will treat him as a Congress leader and nothing more. The political opponents of the Congress have no moral obligation to sing the praises of a Congress leader. They will see him in the worst possible light. It is only natural.

Today, Jawaharlal Nehru stands apart from the pantheon of independence era leaders and heroes : Sardar Patel, Netaji Subhas, Dr. Ambedkar, Bhagat Singh, Lala Lajpat Rai, C. Rajagopalachari and the like. Nobody can be perfect but the nation looks up to all of them, as a whole.

Who reduced Nehru ji from independence era hero to just Congress leader? It was his own party and in fact his own family. And until they release him, Pandit Nehru will deserve all the flak he gets. On his birth anniversary and every other day.

Deep State? Washington Post Beirut Bureau Chief celebrates US officials lying to US Pres Donald Trump to ensure troops remain in Syria

OpIndia Staff
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Deep State? Washington Post Beirut Bureau Chief celebrates US officials lying to US Pres Donald Trump to ensure troops remain in Syria

Washington Post Beirut Bureau Chief, Liz Sly, cheered for what appears to be insubordination towards the elected President of the United States by US officials in order to ensure that Donald Trump could not pull out the troops from Syria. Liz Sly celebrated the fact that US officials lied to the sitting US President and the American people about troop levels in the middle-eastern country.

Tweet by Liz Sly

The report cited by Liz Sly quotes retiring American diplomat and Syria envoy Jim Jeffrey as saying, “We were always playing shell games to not make clear to our leadership how many troops we had there.” The report states that the actual number of troops in Syria currently are a lot more than the 200 Donald Trump initially agreed to leave behind in 2019.

“What Syria withdrawal? There was never a Syria withdrawal,” Jim Jeffrey continued. “When the situation in northeast Syria had been fairly stable after we defeated ISIS, [Trump] was inclined to pull out. In each case, we then decided to come up with five better arguments for why we needed to stay. And we succeeded both times. That’s the story.”

The report states further, “Officially, Trump last year agreed to keep several hundred U.S. troops — somewhere between 200 and 400, according to varying reports at the time — stationed in northeast Syria to “secure” oil fields held by the United States’ Kurdish allies in the fight against ISIS. It is generally accepted that the actual number is now higher than that — anonymous officials put the number at about 900 today — but the precise figure is classified and remains unknown even, it appears, to members of Trump’s administration keen to end the so-called “forever wars.””

People on social media were outraged by the callous manner in which the Washington Post journalist approached the matter. There is general bipartisan consensus regarding a desire to end American involvement in foreign wars that never seem to end. The anger among the people was evident after they became aware that unelected officials sought to defy the elected Commander-in-Chief of the military.

US Representative Jim Banks called for US officials to be punished for lying to the elected president of the United States. “Intentionally misrepresenting a matter of national security to the commander-in-chief is a dereliction of duty and should be punished,” he said. “I can’t think of anything more dishonorable.”Some have called it ‘sedition’ and insubordination.

Netizens from across the political spectrum see this as further evidence of the ‘deep state’ which is totally unaccountable to the electorate. It is pertinent to note that Donald Trump has himself referred to the ‘military-industrial complex’ that wishes for wars to continue until perpetuity. In September, Donald Trump spoke out against leaders of the pentagon who “want to do nothing but fight wars so that all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy.”

Donald Trump has been very vocal about withdrawing troops from Syria and ending wars abroad. His Middle-East policy has been radically different from his predecessors and he has succeeded in securing historic peace deals between enemies in the region. Jim Jeffrey complimented his policies and said that they have brought stability to the region. He also expressed hope that Joe Biden, the presumptive president-elect, would stay the path laid down by Donald Trump.

Congress joins hands with Gupkar Gang that vows to restore Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, to fight DDC together as an alliance

OpIndia Staff
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Congress joins hands with Gupkar Gang that vows to restore Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, to fight DDC together as an alliance

The Congress party on Friday joined the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) ahead of the District Development Council (DDC) elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), colloquially referred to as Gupkar Gang, is an alliance of several political parties seeking restoration of the erstwhile state’s special status.

Unsurprisingly, the Congress party, which has been extremely vocal against the abolishing of Article 370 in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, has also joined the controversial alliance.

Reportedly, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) attended a five-hour-long joint meeting of National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party in Jammu to deliberate on strategy and finalisation of candidates to be fielded commonly in the District Development Council (DDC) polls.

“It was conveyed to Dr Farooq Abdullah Sahab – Chairperson of People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) – by the Congress High Command that the Congress wants to support like-minded secular parties like National Conference to strengthen the secular fabric of J&K and for the welfare of people of J&K and Ladakh,” NC’s Devender Singh Rana informed after the meeting.

Earlier on Friday, two Congress leaders had participated in a meeting of the alliance at PDP president Mehbooba Mufti’s ‘Fairview’ residence. Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Monga speaking to the media outside Mufti’s residence said, “We stand by the alliance. We will contest this election to defeat the divisive forces.”

Congress to contest DDC elections as part of Gupkar Gang

After another meeting of PAGD alliance at NC headquarters ‘Nawa-i-Subah’, NC provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani had confirmed by saying that Congress has assured it will be part of the Gupkar Gang alliance and part of the seat-sharing arrangement for the DDC elections.

Congress Chief Spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said, “We have started an adjustment process with the like-minded secular parties like NC and other political parties to ensure victory for our candidates. We have discussed the suitability of the candidates. There will be broader formation in which better candidates will be fielded and we have talked to work it out”.

The newly formed People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) also announced that they would be participating in the upcoming District Development Council (DDC) elections as a single unit to take on the BJP.

The Gupkar Gang has also released the first list of 27 candidates for DDC polls. Among the candidates who filed their nominations, 21 are from the National Conference, four are from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and two are from the People’s Conference.

Other than the National Conference and the PDP, the Peoples Conference, the CPI (M) and the Awami National Conference are part of the PAGD alliance. 

Jammu and Kashmir bars political leaders from UT from flying abroad

Meanwhile, as many as 33 politicians of Jammu and Kashmir have been barred them from travelling abroad.

Reportedly, the Jammu and Kashmir administration had handed over a list of around 37 people after August 5 last year when the special status of the erstwhile state was removed.

The list had names of various political leaders from National Conference, PDP, JK People’s Conference including Ali Mohammed Sagar, Abdul Rahim Rather, Nayeem Akhtar, Sajjad Lone his brother Bilal Lone, Wani, Basharat Bukhari among others.

Initially, the list was valid for three months which was later extended after a review. However, the list has been updated and pruned as the number of people came down to 33 after some of the leaders were taken off from the lookout notice.

Interestingly, the names of former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti are not in the list.

Are you suggesting we invite Corona?: Netizens question TimesNow as it suggests ‘Corona Rangoli’ designs for a ‘Covidified Diwali’

OpIndia Staff
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Are you suggesting we invite Corona?: Netizens question TimesNow as it suggests ‘Corona Rangoli’ designs for a ‘Covidified Diwali’

Times Now has been receiving backlash on social media for an article published by the news channel on Friday. In the article titled, ”Covidified’ Diwali: Decorate your homes with these ‘Corona Rangoli’ designs’, Times Now could be seen promoting the idea that having ‘Coronavirus’ as a decoration symbol in Rangolis was the new normal.

The article was published on the occasion of Dhanteras, a day prior to the celebration of Diwali. The article notes, “A major part of the festivities is when we sit outside our houses and create beautiful and colourful ‘Rangoli’. It is said that this is created in order to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, who represents prosperity and joy on an auspicious day like Diwali.”

Times Now conceded that the purpose of Rangoli is to bring in good luck, joy and prosperity. But in the succeeding paragraphs, the article read, “Albeit large gatherings, with the lovely decorations in our homes, the ongoing pandemic cannot have an adverse impact on the festive feeling. Speaking of rangoli designs, a lot of designs are available on the internet that is inspired by the current circumstances brought about by COVID-19. A lot of ‘corona rangolis’ have also been made by people across India.” As such, it is inconceivable as to why the news channel will encourage decorating homes with Rangolis, resembling the deadly Coronavirus that has claimed more than 1.3 million lives worldwide, in the succeeding paragraphs.

Screengrab of the Times Now report

Netizens call out the bizarre suggestions of Times Now

Netizens were irked at the blatant desecration of Rangolis on the occasion of Diwali. One user wrote, “Dear Vineet Jain (owner of Times Group), please stop dictating people on how to celebrate festivals; I am requesting you with folded hands. Festivals are not social awareness campaigns. May you and your loved ones have a great day and I hope that my request will be considered.”

One user pointed out that Rangoli is made to welcome Maa Lakshmi into the house. She questioned Times Now that with this stunt, are they asking Hindus to invite Coronavirus into the house.

Another user pointed out the bigoted nature of the article and said that he would report it to Twitter.

Another user, Sourav Singh asked, “Amazed with stupidity of a media house. How do you hire such fools and what actually are qualifications to write such bizarre articles? Do you have any idea why Rangoli is made in a particular way? BS”

Tired of virtue-signalling during Hindu festivals, Twitter user (@Aadhivaseel) wrote,” Fine, Diwali is not an awareness programme and it is a Hindu festival. Let people enjoy as per thier cultural norms. Don’t try to exaggerate. Please”

Preeti Sharda said that she would not use a genocide tool of Coronavirus, unleashed by China, to decorate her Rangolis.

It must also be mentioned that social media activism about air pollution gains momentum, prior to Diwali, but the activism subsides as soon as the festival is concluded.

Here is what Prime Minister said about Pakistan and China on Diwali from Longewala post and why it holds significance

OpIndia Staff
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Here is what Prime Minister said about Pakistan and China on Diwali from Longewala post and why it holds significance

In continuation with the tradition that he has been following since he took over as the Prime Minister of the country, PM Narendra Modi visited the strategic post of Longewala along the India-Pakistan on the western front on Saturday to celebrate Diwali with the troops.

Addressing the BSF troops, Prime Minister Modi said he would like to extend his Diwali greeting and added that he had brought the greetings of every Indian today.

BSF Director General Rakesh Asthana, Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat, Army Chief MM Narvane have accompanied Prime Minister during this Diwali celebration.

In 2019, PM Modi had visited the “Hall of Fame” in Rajouri and the Pathankot Airbase. In 2018, he visited Kedarnath and inspected a military post on the India-China border. PM Modi visited Gurez sector of north Kashmir in 2017 to spend Diwali. In 2016, PM Modi had spent time with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police in Himachal Pradesh and in 2015, he visited the Punjab border.

Prime Minister hails the courage and valour of Indian soldiers, attacks Pakistan

Extending greeting to the troops, PM Modi hailed the courage of Indian Armed Forces and said that the country is proud of our forces, who protect our nation courageously.

“You may be at the snow-capped mountains or in deserts, my Diwali is complete only when I come amid you. My happiness doubles when I look at the joy on your faces,” PM Modi said addressing soldiers in Jaisalmer.

PM Narendra Modi added that whether it was peaks of the Himalayas, the stretch of desert, dense forests or the depths of seas – the valour of a soldier has always triumphed in every challenge. No power in the world can stop our security forces from protecting the nation, he said.

Addressing soldiers at the Longewala post on the Rajasthan border on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that Indian forces gave a befitting reply to Pakistan in Longewala in 1971. PM Modi added, “If there is one border post whose name is known by every Indian, it is Longewala… Battle of Longewala will always be remembered in history.”

Whenever history on the excellence of soldiers will be written and read, the Battle of Longewala will be remembered, PM Narendra Modi said remembering the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

Attacking the terror-state of Pakistan, Prime Minister said that the Battle of Longewala was fought when Pakistan opened up the 1971 war on the western front to hide their war crimes, human rights violations, and heinous crimes in Bangladesh (then East Pakistan). This included horrific crimes against women and children.

“Next year will mark 50 years since the 1971 India-Pakistan war, and hence I wanted to visit this border post and meet you all. 1971 war against Pak example of exemplary coordination among Army, Navy and Air Force,” he added.

130 crore Indians are with you, proud of strength and valour: PM Modi

PM Modi also energised the soldiers saying how entire country was standing with them and they are proud of their invincibility.

“130 Crore Indians are standing with you. Every Indian is proud of the strength and valour of our soldiers. They are proud of your invincibility. No power in the world can stop our brave soldiers from guarding the borders of our country,” said PM Modi.

He added that as long as Indian soldiers are there, the country’s Diwali celebrations will continue to be, in full swing and luminescence.

PM Modi also mentioned how India is working rapidly to increase its defence capability and make its defence sector Atmanirbhar. He said that they have decided to focus on the indigenous arms factory, the decision that has propelled 130 crore Indians to work towards vocal for local doctrine.

India will not compromise its interests, will give intense response, says PM Modi at Longewala on Diwali

Attacking the expansionist forces such as China over their belligerence along the border in attempts to create instability, PM Modi said India will not compromise a bit with its interests and has always shows its strength and political will.

“The world now knows that India will not compromise with its interests even one bit. India has shown it has strength and political will to give befitting reply those challenging it. The entire world feels troubled by expansionist forces, expansionism shows a distorted mindset,” PM Modi said in Jaisalmer.

Prime Minister also said that the world now understands that this nation will not compromise with its interests at any cost. This repute and stature of India are all due to your strength and valour. India is clearly presenting its opinions on international fora today because you have secured the nation, said PM Modi addressing the soldiers in Jaisalmer.

He continued, “Today the strategy of India is clear. Today’s India believes in the policy of understanding and making others understand. But if attempts are made to test us, the reply they receive is intense.”

Highlighting the discipline of Armed Forces, PM Modi said nowadays people are realising the difficulty of wearing masks. However, it takes resilience to dawn military gear and serve in these postings in difficult conditions. This realisation is making our countrymen resolve to be more disciplined, he added.

Ending his speech, Prime Minister said that he liked to implore three points to the armed forces. First is to continue ingenuity by innovating and second is to practice yoga. Finally, he urged the soldiers to learn another language other than their mother tongue and English. This will help ingrain new perspectives and enthusiasm in them, Prime Minister said.  

Significance of visit of PM Modi on Diwali and his statement about the Battle of Longewala

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Longewala post, situated close to India-Pakistan border, is considered crucial as it comes amidst the recent escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan, owing to ceasefire violations.

The symbolic visits to forwarding posts along the border by the Prime Minister, especially at a time when the terror-state of Pakistan has been provoking India by repeatedly violating the ceasefire, also carries a stern message to Pakistan which is hell-bent on disturbing the peace in the region.

On Friday, the Pakistan Army carried out unprovoked ceasefire violations in multiple sectors from Uri to Gurez along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan had fired mortars and continued shelling along the LoC in Keran sector. The unprovoked firing was met with retaliatory fire from the Indian side, who dumped ammunition on multiple terrorist launch pads resulting in the death of more than 11 Pakistan Army soldiers.

The Prime Minister’s visit to Longewala post will boost the morale on the troops who have been staying away from their family during the festive season of Diwali. The area is located near the Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan on the Western Front. Longewala was originally a BSF Post and a strategic point en route to capturing vast tracts of land and also a pivotal theatre of war during the 1971 war.

Longewala, a region in Rajasthan situated nearly 6 kms inside the international border, is famous for the most crucial battle in the Indian history: the Indo Pakistan war of 1971. One of the first posts to come under attack during the 1971 war, was the post of Longewala. A 20 km  long column of armoured vehicles of Pakistan was leading directly towards Longewala post. 

Major Chandpuri immediately requested urgent reinforcement with artillery and armour support from his battalion Headquarters. As it was not possible to reinforce the post immediately, the Headquarter gave two options to the Major: Leave the post or hold it as much time as possible. Major Chandpuri, of course, chose the second and the rest if history. With no reinforcement, a small battalion, 4 Hunter Hawkers and 6 pilots, the battle was won by India.

The Battle of Longewala is significant not only because it was one of the first battles to be fought in the 1971 war, but also because of the exemplary courage shown by the battalion that refused to leave their post even though the reinforcements would have taken time. In the face of the recent tension between India and Pakistan, the evocation of the battle becomes extremely significant.

Without naming China, PM Modi also sent out an indirect message to President Xi Jinping as he spoke about expansionism of China in the recent years, manifested also in the recent stand-off between India and China along the northern borders at Eastern Ladakh.

PM Modi lauds Army’s COVID efforts

The Prime Minister also hailed the Armed forces for their efforts in rescuing those stranded in other countries due to the Coronavirus crisis. He said, “The Indian Armed Forces worked on a war footing during COVID-19 pandemic and contributed at every level ensuring availability of masks, sanitizers, PPE kits, medical equipment, and hospitals in the country.”

“Our Air Force was at the forefront in rescuing people from Wuhan (China). There were some countries that left their people stranded in Wuhan, we not only rescued our people but also helped other countries,” PM Modi added.

Not only firecracker ban: Three other loony ideas the NGT has come up with to ‘save the environment’

OpIndia Staff
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Not only firecracker ban: Three other loony ideas the NGT has come up with to ‘save the environment’

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has been criticised widely by people on social media for its crackdown on crackers across the country. Ahead of Diwali, the NGT ordered a strict firecracker ban to enforced in all cities and towns where the ambient air quality was poor. It is not clear what they were doing the rest of the year to control pollution and why their attempts were not successful.

Sleeping the entire year and then ruining festivities for everyone on Diwali appears a rather bizarre move. But it’s not the only supremely idiotic move the NGT has proposed in recent times. Some of the solutions they have proposed to pollution are so unbelievably bizarre that they beggar belief. Any sensible country would disband the institution outright and be done with it. But not in our country.

In this report, we shall look into three of the greatest ideas they have come up with.

‘Explore alternatives to traditional cremation’

If Hindus were under the impression that they will be permitted to cremate their dead in peace, they are clearly mistaken. In 2016, the wise men of the NGT asked the Delhi government and the Union Environment Ministry to provide for alternative methods of cremation because the traditional way of cremation was too pollution. We are not joking.

The NGT bench said, “The issue involves question of faith and circumstances in which the people live, … It is, therefore, the responsibility of the men who lead, particularly religious leaders, to steer the faith in a direction so as to change the mindset of people practising their faith and make them adopt practices which are environment-friendly.”

The bench did not stop there, however, and went on to add that during traditional methods of cremation, “the forest cover is sacrificed and obnoxious gases emanated from the burning of human mortal remains pollute the air.” Words cannot capture the indecency of this remark, of course. But then again, such lunacy is the hallmark of Indian governance.

In July, however, the NGT refused to entertain a plea that sought a direction for the installation of alternative methods of cremation to reduce air pollution and to control the spread of the Wuhan Coronavirus.

‘No Mantra chanting at Amarnath Cave’

It is another brilliant idea that the NGT came up with in 2017. The NGT declared the Amarnath cave Shrine a ‘silence zone’ and prohibited religious offerings beyond the entry point. Earlier, the NGT had claimed that declaring the area a ‘silence zone’ will help prevent avalanches. “Nobody would be permitted to carry anything from the stairs leading to the holy cave and everybody should be properly frisked at the entry point. From the point of stairs and the area inside the cave should be declared silence zone,” the NGT bench said.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) was not pleased with such antics and labelled it a “Tughlaki fatwa”. Subsequently, the NGT appeared to walk back on its delusional order and ‘clarified’ that there was no ‘silence zone’ had been declared at the Amarnath Cave Shrine.

‘No Chhat Puja at Sarobar Lake’

Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim and authorities in West Bengal were running pillar to post in September to ensure that the NGT order banning Chhat Puja at the Rabindra Sarobar lake in Kolkata. However, the NGT rejected the West Bengal government’s plea which proposed to facilitate the Hindu festival at the said place.

Subsequently, the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) approached the Supreme Court regarding the matter. The Bench has posted the matter for hearing on the 16th of November. It is also pertinent to remember that despite the ban, Hindus had proceeded to stormed inside and offered the Puja at the lake.

How to p*ss Hindus off on Diwali in 18 seconds: Virat Kohli gives a masterclass

OpIndia Staff
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How to p*ss Hindus off on Diwali in 18 seconds: Virat Kohli gives a masterclass

On Diwali day, the most auspicious festival for most Hindus and an occasion that marks the return of Maryada Purshottam Ram to Ayodhya from Vanvaas, several celebrities take to social media platforms to not only wish Hindus but also preach about how the festival should or should not be celebrated. A similar message was posted by Virat Kohli, the captain of the Indian Cricket Team.

In the 18 second video, Virat Kohli said, “A very happy Diwali from me to you and your families. May God bless you with peace, prosperity and happiness this Diwali. Please remember do not burst crackers, protect the environment and have fun at home with your loved ones with a simple Diya and sweets on this auspicious occasion. God bless you all. Take care”.

In a World Cup winning feat, because lets face it, he is not winning many of those these days, Virat Kohli gave a masterclass on how to p*ss Hindus off in 18 seconds flat.

Diwali is an auspicious occasion where every year, celebrities sanctimoniously tell Hindus how they should or should not celebrate their festival and how they should protect the environment. This, while they drive in expensive petrol guzzling SUVs, take chartered flights across the world, play on fields that have been made after cutting several trees, use the air-conditioning, and of course, the list is endless.

While Hindus have taken such preaching lying down for long enough, the sanctimony is getting old and Hindus seem to be losing patience.

As soon as Virat Kohli had tweeted the video, several Netizens proceeded to chastise Kohli and point out his own hypocrisy to him.

While it is entirely possible that Virat Kohli has purposely not won IPL series this season to ensure that no crackers are burst and the environment is protected, it was pointed out by one Netizen that Virat Kohli does not seem to mind when crackers are burst on IPL finals.

Some others pointed out how Kohli owns a fleet of luxury cars like Bentley, Audi etc that guzzle petrol and do more damage to the environment than crackers on Diwali.

Others pointed out that the cricket field he plays on required trees to be cut for it to turn into a field.

Netizens pointed out that how crackers were burst while his wife performed, and he did not seem to mind very much.

Netizens, notably, were simply not happy with Kohli.

It is perhaps time for celebrities to understand that whether they are Bollywood artists or cricketers, they get adulation and admiration for their craft, however, to assume that they can preach to people and get away with their hypocrisy is expecting a bit much.

Rahul Gandhi is God for Congress and its workers: Pramod Krishnam says Obama should admit he is a ‘Modi Bhakt’ after his remarks

OpIndia Staff
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Rahul Gandhi is God for Congress and its workers: Pramod Krishnam says Obama should admit he is a ‘Modi Bhakt’ after his remarks

A day after it was revealed that former US President Barack Obama had made some scathing remarks against Congress scion Rahul Gandhi in his new book, a well-known fake Baba and Congress leader Pramod Krishnam has come out to defend the Gandhi dynast.

In a 45-sec video uploaded on Twitter, Pramod Krishnam questioned whether the former US President is even ‘eligible’ to make comments about the Congress leader. “Did Barack Obama study in the same school as that of Rahul Gandhi? Or was Obama the teacher of Rahul Gandhi? Or did he open a school to hand out certifications of merit to people?” Krishnam inquired.

He further asked, “How did Barack Obama conclude that Rahul Gandhi is dim-wit, incapable and a nervous student?” While patronising the former US President to watch out for his words, Pramod Krishnam emphasised, “Barack Obama must know that Rahul Gandhi is God for Congress and crores of workers… He must either stay within his limits or tell everyone that he has become a blind Modi bhakt.”

The scathing remarks of Barack Obama

“Rahul Gandhi has a nervous, unformed quality about him as if he were a student who’d done the coursework and was eager to impress the teacher but deep down lacked either the aptitude or the passion to master the subject”, Barack Obama had stated in his new book titled,’ A Promised Land.’

According to a book review by the New York Times, the autobiography by Obama is ‘more political than personal’. The book is reportedly is a harsh self-assessment by Obama of his Presidential tenure and his life including his first stirring of social awareness in his teenage years. The book also talks about his VP and the current US President-elect Joe Biden along with various other issues.

Congress party admits the lack of ability and passion in Rahul Gandhi

As soon as the reports about Obama’s critique against Gandhi went viral on the internet, the Congress leaders rushed to defend him by claiming that the assessment of Wayanad MP was not true.

“Obama & Rahul Gandhi must’ve met briefly, probably 8-10 yrs back when he came here as US Pres. To assess someone in few meetings is tough. Rahul Gandhi’s personality has changed since then, he’s gained a lot of experience,” senior Congress leader Tariq Anwar said. Essentially, Tariq Anwar agreed to the assessment made by Barack Obama in his book by admitting that Gandhi had lacked ability and passion to lead his party 8 years ago when he had met US President.

From West Bengal to Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab: Ahead of Diwali, state govts launch ‘crackdown’ against traders for selling firecrackers

OpIndia Staff
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From West Bengal to Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab: Ahead of Diwali, state govts launch ‘crackdown’ against traders for selling firecrackers

Following the arbitrary firecrackers ban announced by the state governments, the respective police forces have been ruthlessly acting against the small businessmen, traders for ‘illegally’ selling the crackers ahead of Deepavali festival.

Launching a massive crackdown, various state governments have carried out raids on traders and seized huge amount of crackers on the pretext of cracker ban causing huge losses to these small businessmen.

West Bengal:

The West Bengal police have been forefront at seizing and carrying out raids at traders selling crackers. The police have seized crackers near Sealdah and Ultadanga railway stations and arrested three persons for selling crackers. Kolkata Police deputy commissioner (central division) Sudhir Kumar said they are carrying out special raids to confiscate fireworks.

“We have already seized a good quantity of crackers and have stepped up vigil to ensure there is no trading in any fireworks this year,” he said.

A team of officers from Burrabazar police station also raided Old China Bazaar and arrested three people for selling firecrackers. “Approximately 122kg of crackers were seized from them,” Kumar said. Similarly, at Duttabad in Bidhannagar City, the West Bengal Police arrested at least two shopkeepers for selling crackers. The shopkeepers pleaded to say that they were just selling the stock that had been purchased before the ban kicked in.

In Bidhannagar, over 200kgs of illegal crackers were seized and five were arrested from Chhainabhi, New Town, Rajarhat and Narayanpur areas on Friday. In Bidhannagar, over 200kgs of illegal crackers were seized and five were arrested from Chhainabhi, New Town, Rajarhat and Narayanpur areas on Friday.

The West Bengal police, who seems to be on high-alert, have created multiple checkpoints at Behala, Taratala, Patuli and Kidderpore to stop crackers from being ‘smuggled’ into the city from the fireworks hubs at Champahati and Nungi in South 24 Parganas. At Anandapur, the police have found 2.5kg of crackers and 1.5kg of gunpowder in gunny bags.

“We are taking all necessary measures possible to prevent sale of crackers in these areas. We are conducting surprise checks and have been regularly holding meetings with representatives of the market committees and the sellers,” said Sudhir Kumar, the deputy commissioner (north division) of Kolkata Police.

Late evening raids were carried out against sellers Canning Street and Old China Bazaar in Kolkatta for selling sparklers, charkhas, flower-pot crackers and shells. The police seized 122kgs of crackers from them.

Uttar Pradesh:

The Uttar Pradesh police have also raided various place across the state to seize a huge amount of firecrackers. On Friday, eight people were arrested in Gurugram for allegedly selling firecrackers in violation of the NGT direction imposing complete ban on the sale and use of crackers in the National Capital Region.

The police have also recovered two bags containing firecrackers and four cases have been registered in connection with the arrests and an investigation is on.

Addition to that, enforcing the ban on selling crackers, the Uttar Pradesh police have recovered crackers from two warehouses in Uttar Pradesh’s Raebareli.

Delhi:

Meanwhile, in the national capital, the Delhi Police on Wednesday said it has seized nearly 1,770 kilos of firecrackers, registered 14 more cases and arrested 11 persons for violating the Delhi government’s and the National Green Tribunal (NGT)’s ban on the sale and use of all kinds of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR till November 30.

The total number of such cases registered since November 7 has risen to 39, while 32 persons have been arrested, including two people for bursting crackers. The Delhi police has said that they have seized 2,794 kg crackers so far.

The raids in Delhi comes after the Delhi government had announced a complete ban on the sale and use of fireworks, including “green varieties”, till November 30.

Punjab:

The Ambala police have recovered eight sacks of illegal crackers from a retailer in the city’s Baans Bazaar on Thursday, FIR on which was lodged at Ambala City police station on Friday.

A police officer, reacting to the seizure of crackers, said, “The man’s negligence could have proved dangerous for nearby residents, as he was selling crackers without licence. We informed duty magistrate Ajay Kumar and raided the shop where we found a huge quantity of crackers”.

Odisha:

In Odisha, the police have raided a manufacturing unit and firecrackers has been seized and sealed in Jalalpur village in Jajpur district of Odisha. The police have seized firecrackers worth lakhs of rupees in Odisha’s Jajpur and arrested a person in this connection.

The police claimed that the firecrackers were being manufactured illegally at the residence of a man identified as Mohan Jena. The accused has been forwarded to court while further investigation is underway.

In state’s capital Bhubaneswar, the police carried out seized crackers worth over Rs 30 lakh from a godown on the outskirts of the city. Jatni police conducted a raid at the godown in Rathipur and seized the crackers from non-licence holders Trilochan Patnaik and Manoj Sahoo who have been arrested.

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