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Jhansi: Leftist outlet ‘The Wire’ tries to play ‘Muslim victim’ card in case of Shehnaz who tried to convert her minor Hindu neighbour and asked the girl to keep ‘Roza’

OpIndia Staff
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Jhansi: Leftist outlet ‘The Wire’ tries to play ‘Muslim victim’ card in case of Shehnaz who tried to convert her minor Hindu neighbour and asked the girl to keep ‘Roza’

In Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, two women named Shehnaz and Khushnuma tried to convert a 16-year-old Hindu minor girl by luring her. They had deceived the minor that she will become rich by keeping Roza. After this, the minor girl also kept Roza for 2-3 days. Now, the leftist propaganda news portal ‘The Wire’ has tried to give a different angle to this case by calling it a financial matter citing the bail plea of ​​the accused.

Actually, this case is related to the Bhanderi Gate Bahar Mohalla of Kotwali police station area of ​​​​Jhansi. A person had accused his neighbor 40-year-old Shehnaz alias Sana and Khusnuma, that both of them tried to convert his 16-year-old minor daughter to Islam. Both of them lured his daughter and instigated her to keep Roza during Ramzaan and read Namaaz.

The father of the targeted girl said that both the Muslim women deceived his daughter that if she keeps fast and prays in the holy month of Muslims, her family will prosper and she will become rich. Since both of them are neighbours, the minor believed Shehnaz’s words. The minor girl started keeping fast and praying in the house. She did this for three-four days.

One day her family members saw her observing Islamic rituals. They tried to make the minor girl understand. When Shehnaz came to know that the minor’s family members opposed her, she reached their house. Shehnaz entered the room of the minor girl’s uncle and after closing the door, started threatening to commit suicide and implicate the family. Scared by this, the victim’s uncle called the police.

Shehnaz fled from there after that threatening to implicate the family in a false case. When Hindu organizations came to know about the incident, they protested calling it an issue of conversion. The minor girl’s father went to the Kotwali police station on March 13 and lodged a complaint. On this basis, the police registered a case under sections 3 and 5 (1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.

CO City Sneha Tiwari said that a case has been registered against Shehnaz for inciting the minor girl to convert. Later the police arrested both the women. After this, both the women were produced in the court and sent to jail. The police added sections like disturbing the peace, threatening to kill or cause grievous hurt and destroying property, criminal intimidation.

After this, both the women applied to the court for bail. The court heard it on March 26. Additional Sessions Judge of Jhansi Vijay Kumar Verma refused to grant bail to Shehnaz. Judge Vijay Kumar Verma said that Shehnaz can influence witnesses or evidence during the investigation, as she lives next to the victim. On this basis, Shehnaz’s bail plea was rejected.

Leftist propaganda portal Wire gave a new angle to the conversion attempt

The leftist propaganda web portal ‘The Wire’ run by Siddharth Varadarajan has tried to give a different angle to this news based on Shehnaz’s bail plea. The Wire did not even give detailed space to this news of attempted conversion before the bail plea was filed. Now on this portal, Umar Rashid has tried to show this conversion as a financial dispute.

Umar Rashid has based his report titled ‘Roza or Economic Dispute: Why was a Muslim woman arrested for ‘conversion’ during Ramzan in UP?’ on the claims of the accused. Obviously, no criminal says that he has committed a crime. They often say that the other person has implicated them in a false case and the matter is something else.

In this case too, Rashid tried to turn the allegations of attempted conversion into a financial dispute by quoting the accused Shehnaz and cleverly tried to dispute the conversion angle that surfaced in the media. He quoted the accused Shehnaz in the report saying that in an attempt to avoid paying the loan, a false story has been created to implicate her in a conversion case. Shehnaz says that the complainant Hindu man had fallen ill some time ago and his wife had borrowed Rs 50,000 from her.

The report claims that the complainant’s wife had promised Shehnaz to return the money in 10 days. When she did not return the money, she started going to her house to ask for it, but the complainant’s wife kept avoiding her on one pretext or the other. On the day of the incident, she had gone to the complainant’s house to ask for the money, but the complainant’s brother locked her in the house.

To prove this allegation, Umar Rashid has used the bail plea of Shehnaz, who is accused of making a Hindu girl read Namaaz and keep Roza, as the basis of his article on the propaganda website. It is obvious that she will declare herself innocent and why would she accept that she has tried to convert a minor. In this entire case, The Wire journalist has talked about what was the previous case, but he did not know what the victim or the police investigation has to say on the allegations of these financial transactions. The entire report was written on the basis of the bail petition. Even if every side of the story was to be shared, then looking at the report it seems that the victim’s side was not included in the report with the aim of giving a different turn to the case or with the aim of creating confusion in the minds of the readers.

This attitude of The Wire is not new. It is known for presenting such facts in a distorted manner in favor of anti-Hindu people and leftists. The Wire is also quite infamous in the media circle for such one-sided reports. In this case too, the portal has tried to do something similar.

Manipur: Meitei Muslim youth lynched by Muslim mob after he burnt a copy of Quran and shared the video on social media

OpIndia Staff
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Manipur: Meitei Muslim youth lynched by Muslim mob after he burnt a copy of Quran and shared the video on social media

In Manipur, a Muslim youth from the Meitei Pangal community was lynched by a Muslim mob for allegedly burning a copy of the Quran. The incident took place in Yairipok of Thoubal district on Friday night after the victim shared a video on social media showing him desecrating the holy Quran.

The deceased has been identified as Md Imran, son of Late Azaruddin from Yairipok Kekru Loubuk Leikai. He had uploaded a video in which he was seen holding a copy of Quran in his hand and making provocative comments on the Islamic scripture. After that, he was seen setting the book on fire.

While burning the book, Imran said that the Quran contained the story of the creation of the world by the Almighty Creator, and added that time for the Quran has come to an end. He then said that the Creator had commanded it to be burnt and then proceeded to set the holy book on fire.

The video went viral quickly, causing outrage among the Muslims in the area. A large group of Muslims tracked him down and attacked him. The incident took place at around 6:20 PM.

The youth died in the mob attack. At around 9 PM on Friday, the police recovered the body near a river bank at Yairipok Bamon Leikai Mathak after getting information about the incident. Reportedly, his body was found without any clothes.

Police have registered two cases in the matter, for the blasphemy committed by Imran and for the mob lynching of Imran.

Additional police forces have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order. Authorities have urged the public to maintain peace and refrain from spreading inflammatory content on social media.

Justice Yashwant Varma takes oath as Allahabad HC judge despite ongoing inquiry over crores of burnt cash found at his premises

OpIndia Staff
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Justice Yashwant Varma takes oath as Allahabad HC judge despite ongoing inquiry over crores of burnt cash found at his premises

In a move that’s raised more than a few eyebrows, Justice Yashwant Varma took oath on Saturday as a judge of the Allahabad High Court—even as he remains at the center of a swirling controversy. Just last month, authorities allegedly discovered partially burnt sacks stuffed with cash at his residence, casting a long shadow over his appointment.

While the swearing-in ceremony proceeded, sources within the court confirmed that Justice Varma won’t be assigned any judicial duties for now, hinting at the ongoing turbulence behind the scenes.

His transfer from the Delhi High Court came amid an active internal probe, launched by the Chief Justice of India. The investigation was triggered by what’s been described as the recovery of “four to five semi-burnt sacks” of rupee notes, reportedly found at his home following a fire incident.

Adding to the drama, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed just days earlier by advocate Vikash Chaturvedi before the Lucknow bench, urging the court to stall the oath-taking until the inquiry reached its conclusion.

Meanwhile, the backlash from the legal community has been fierce. The Allahabad High Court Bar Association fired off a sharply worded letter condemning the Collegium’s decision, declaring, “We are not a trash bin,” and voicing deep frustration over what they see as a troubling appointment.

Fire ignites suspicion at the judge’s residence

The fire incident occurred at Justice Varma’s residence on 14th March 2025, in the storeroom located in the official bungalow at 30 Tughlak Crescent, New Delhi. According to the police report included in the press note shared by the Supreme Court, a PCR call was placed at 11:43 PM by Justice Varma’s private secretary from a number registered to the Delhi High Court, alerting the authorities about the fire.

Two fire tenders were rushed to the scene. The fire was reportedly confined to a storeroom adjacent to a guard post manned by CRPF personnel. Initial assessment of the incident pointed towards a short circuit as the cause of the fire. However, the discovery of 4–5 half-burnt sacks containing remnants of Indian currency notes raised serious concerns. The press note confirmed that the discovery has prompted a deeper investigation into the matter.

The initial inquiry and the aftermath

On the next day, i.e., 15th March, Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, received a call from the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, Sanjay Arora, at around 4:50 PM. He informed Justice Upadhyaya that a fire had occurred in one of the rooms within the premises of the bungalow occupied by Justice Varma.

Upon learning about the discovery of the burnt cash pile, Justice Upadhyaya informed CJI Khanna, who gave instructions to trace the origin of the PCR call. The Commissioner confirmed that the call was made by the private secretary, who had been alerted about the incident by a servant at Justice Varma’s residence.

Justice Upadhyaya then sent the Registrar-cum-Secretary to inspect the site. He checked the room, accompanied by Justice Varma, who had just returned from Bhopal, and his private secretary, who had made the PCR call. The Registrar reported, “It was completely dark inside the room and the walls had developed cracks… all the walls had gone black on account of the fire, and some material was hanging from the roof.” Interestingly, there was no currency found at the spot, as claimed by the police. It was later revealed that the burnt cash and other materials had been removed following the incident.

Days later, the Supreme Court of India launched a high-profile inquiry into an alleged cash pile found at the residence of Delhi High Court Judge Yashwant Varma. 

The Court also released documents, letters exchanged over the matter, photographs, and videos shared by the Delhi Police Chief on its website. The fire incident occurred on 14th March 2025. However, the report of burnt cash only reached the media on 20th March, when alleged sources revealed the information.

All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board supports Waqf (Amendment) Bill, says Waqf board didn’t work honestly

ANI
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All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board supports Waqf (Amendment) Bill, says Waqf board didn’t work honestly

All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board has expressed its support for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which has been passed by Parliament, and urged the government to bring transparency in the working of Waqf board and ensure rights to women.

Shaista Amber, President of All India Muslim Women’s Personal Law Board, said earlier governments and religious leaders should have taken the step that the government has taken today.

“Positive work should be done. Those who donate to the Waqf, their intention is that their donation will be used for the poor… But it was not happening. It’s not that all the Waqf lands were misused, but the Waqf board didn’t work honestly and did not do what they should have. We expect and request from the government that if the bill has come, the Waqf lands be used for the poor section with full transparency. None of the govt to date worked for the Muslims, and they just did the politics for votes,” she told ANI.

Shaista Amber said that the enchroached Waqf lands should be freed.

“We request the BJP government to provide the rights of women and bring transparency to the Waqf board. What other parties did till now, were they asleep? I request the current government that whatever happened to date, they should now help free the lands of Waqf, which have been illegally encroached, an investigation must be done, and action must be taken against the culprits,” she said.

She suggested that houses should be built on Waqf property for divorced women from Muslim community.

She met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August 2017 and had demanded that Waqf properties should be freed from illegal occupation.

Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed by Parliament earlier this week. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha witnessed marathon debates on the bill. The bill was opposed by parties in the INDIA bloc.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Meerut: College Professor barred from exam duties for life after she frames questions linking RSS with religion and caste-based politics

OpIndia Staff
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Meerut: College Professor barred from exam duties for life after she frames questions linking RSS with religion and caste-based politics

A political science professor in a college of the Chaudhary Charan Singh University in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, was debarred for life from examination duties after she framed some examination questions linking the Rashtriya Sevak Sangh with the rise of religion and caste-based politics.

As per reports, a question paper for the M.A. political science examination held on 2nd April, in Meerut College had two objectionable questions that insinuated that the RSS was responsible for giving rise to the politics of religion and caste in the country. The political science question paper was set by Dr Seema Panwar, Head of the Department of Political Science in Meerut College. Seeing the questions on the RSS, members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the youth wing of the RSS, stage protests on the university campus on Friday (4th April).

There were two multiple-choice questions (MCQs) in the political science question paper on the RSS. In one question, it was asked what led to the rise of the religion and caste-based politics in the country, the correct choice for which was the RSS.

via Dainik Bhaskar

And, in the other question, the name of the RSS was mentioned along with Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Naxalite group and Dal Khalsa in the options for the correct answer. The question was which one among them is not considered a nuclear group.

via Dainik Bhaskar

The protesting students submitted a memorandum to Registrar Dhirendra Kumar Verma demanding action against the professor. The university administration took cognizance of the matter and set up an internal inquiry and sought a response from Professor Panwar. The inquiry found that the paper was set by Professor Panwar, after which Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sangeeta Shukla permanently barred the professor from examination and evaluation duties.

“The university never reviews the question papers set by selected experts of different fields because it is believed that he or she, being an expert in the subject, has set the question paper as per the established norms. Hence, there should not be any doubt on his or her vested interests,” said Verma. Professor Panwar submitted a written apology to the university administration clarifying that she did not intend to hurt anyone.

ABVP alleged that the question paper misled about the RSS

The City President of the ABVP, Dr. Dharmendra Singh, said that the RSS is engaged in the mission of nation-building by preparing individuals devoted to this mission. He said that the organisation promotes the ideals of maintaining the values of Indian culture and civil society. He asserted that the an examiner must keep the facts in mind and set the question paper without misleading the students.

Sri Lanka won’t allow its territory to be used against security of India and regional stability: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during PM Modi’s visit

ANI
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Sri Lanka won’t allow its territory to be used against security of India and regional stability: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during PM Modi’s visit

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Saturday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to India’s security and regional stability, stating, “I reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s stand that it will not permit its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India as well as towards regional stability.”

He was speaking in Colombo following delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a State visit to the island nation.

The President also sought Prime Minister Modi’s support on a key maritime issue. “I requested Prime Minister Modi’s intervention in convening early bilateral technical discussions pertaining to Sri Lanka’s claim to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf for the Establishment of the Outer limits of the Continental Shelf beyond Exclusive Economic Zone,” he said.

Dissanayake highlighted the potential for cooperation in technology and governance, adding, “Sri Lanka recognises the importance of developing a digital economy to drive growth, innovation and efficiency. Furthering this policy initiative, Prime Minister Modi and I discussed possible collaboration in digitalisation in multiple domains.”

Acknowledging India’s role in Sri Lanka’s digital transformation, he stated, “I thank the Government of India for the financial grant of Indian Rupees 300 crores to implement Sri Lanka’s unique Digital Identity Project.”

President Dissanayake also announced that Sri Lanka will honour Prime Minister Modi with its highest civilian award. “I am pleased to announce that the Government of Sri Lanka has decided to confer upon him the highest Sri Lanka honour – Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana… Prime Minister Modi highly deserves this honour; that is what we firmly believe.”

Underscoring the long-standing bond between the two neighbours, the President said, “The friendship between India and Sri Lanka is very close… We are neighbours with deep historical, religious and cultural ties that go back over a long period of time and our time-tested relationship is built on shared values, mutual respect and common interests.”

The two leaders met for formal delegation-level talks earlier in the day. They warmly greeted each other before the discussions began. The Indian delegation included External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and other senior officials. During the meeting, India, Sri Lanka, and the UAE also signed a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of both heads of state.

Prime Minister Modi is visiting Sri Lanka from April 4 to 6 at the invitation of President Dissanayake. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the visit is focused on reviewing progress in priority areas identified under the Joint Vision for “Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future,” which was adopted during the Sri Lankan President’s visit to India.

Earlier on Saturday, Sri Lanka accorded PM Modi a ceremonial welcome at Independence Square–the first time a visiting leader has received such an honour. Modi’s arrival on Friday marked his first visit to the country since 2019 and follows his participation in the BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand.

Despite heavy rain, six Sri Lankan ministers received PM Modi at the airport. “Landed in Colombo. Grateful to the ministers and dignitaries who welcomed me at the airport. Looking forward to the programs in Sri Lanka,” he posted on X. Later, the Prime Minister interacted with the Indian diaspora and witnessed a traditional puppet performance. He is also scheduled to visit Anuradhapura to inaugurate India-funded development projects.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Sri Lankan President honours PM Modi with their highest award – Mitra Vibhushana

ANI
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Sri Lankan President honours PM Modi with their highest award – Mitra Vibhushana

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake honoured Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the highest award to a foreign head of state, Mitra Vibhushana. Dissanayake said that PM Modi highly deserves this honour.

In a joint press statement alongside PM Modi, Dissanayake said, “I am pleased to announce that the Government of Sri Lanka has decided to confer upon him (PM Narendra Modi) the highest Sri Lankan honour to a foreign head of state/head of government- Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana. This prestigious honour, which was introduced in 2008, is conferred upon heads of states and government for their friendship, and honourable Prime Minister Modi highly deserves this honour; that is what we firmly believe.”

The “Dharma Chakra” demonstrates the shared Buddhist heritage that has shaped the cultural traditions of both nations. The “Pun Kalasa” (a ceremonial pot) adorned with sheaves of rice symbolizes prosperity and renewal.

The “Navarathna” (nine precious gems) represents the priceless and enduring friendship between the two countries, depicted within a globe encircled by pure lotus petals.

The “Sun and Moon” signify the timeless bond, stretching from the ancient past into the infinite future. Together, these elements beautifully capture the deep cultural and spiritual connection between the two nations.

Sri Lankan President made the announcement after the two leaders held a bilateral meeting and delegation-level talks in Colombo on Saturday.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and other officials attended the meeting.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi was accorded a historic ceremonial welcome at Independence Square in Colombo. It is the first time that Sri Lanka has honoured a visiting leader in this manner.

PM Modi is on a State visit to Sri Lanka from April 4 to 6 at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Disanayaka. His arrival in Colombo on Friday marked his first visit to Sri Lanka since 2019.

Prime Minister Modi reached Colombo after concluding his visit to Thailand, where he attended the BIMSTEC Summit and held bilateral talks with several world leaders, including Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay, Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.

In Sri Lanka, PM Modi was warmly received at the airport by six senior ministers, despite rains: Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, Labour Minister Anil Jayantha, Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj, and Science and Technology Minister Chrishantha Abeysena.

“Landed in Colombo. Grateful to the ministers and dignitaries who welcomed me at the airport. Looking forward to the programs in Sri Lanka,” PM Modi posted on X.

After arriving at his hotel, PM Modi interacted with members of the Indian diaspora and witnessed a traditional puppet performance.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Delhi Govt to sign MoU with Centre for Ayushman Bharat Yojana: Read how Arvind Kejriwal had deprived Delhi of this scheme for political vendetta

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi Govt to sign MoU with Centre for Ayushman Bharat Yojana: Read how Arvind Kejriwal had deprived Delhi of this scheme for political vendetta

On Saturday (5th April), the newly elected BJP government in Delhi will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Health Authority (NHA) for the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in the State.

The much-anticipated event will be attended by Union Minister of Health Affairs JP Nadda and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. On Friday (4th April), Gupta held a meeting over the scheme and gave directions to the concerned officials.

She said, “Under this agreement, millions of families in Delhi will receive health benefits of up to Rs 5 lakh from the central government. Additionally, the Delhi government will provide an extra top-up of Rs 5 lakh. The state and central governments will work together for the effective implementation of the scheme.”

CM Rekha Gupta further added that 11 central government hospitals, 34 Delhi government hospitals and 46 private hospitals have already enrolled under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. She informed that an awareness drive will be carried out in the National Capital about this scheme.

The implementation of AB-PMJAY was one of the pre-poll promises of the BJP in the run-up to the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections.

Arvind Kejriwal maligned Ayushman Bharat, prevented its implementation in Delhi

Ever since Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana was launched by the Centre in 2018, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party government saw to it that the scheme was not implemented in Delhi.

Initially, the AAP government demanded that the scheme be renamed to ‘Mukhya Mantri Aam Aadmi Swasthya Bima Yojana-Ayushman Bharat’. In this way, he ensured that the plan did not take off.

A few months later in June 2019, the then AAP Minister Satyendar Kumar Jain said that he would not implement the Ayushman Bharat Yojana in the national capital. He instead promised to ensure 100% free healthcare in Delhi.

“What will come out of it, if it’s implemented in Delhi? Population of Delhi is 2 Cr, 10 Lakh people will benefit. We won’t do this. We’ll provide health facility to 100% population here. We won’t pick&choose. That isn’t needed in Delhi,both poor&rich will receive treatment,” Satyendar Kumar Jain had claimed.

In October 2024, the AAP supreme had demanded the implementation of his ‘Delhi healthcare model’ across the country.

“If medicines, tests, and treatment are all free in Delhi, then there is no need for the Ayushman Bharat scheme here. Modiji should study the Delhi healthcare scheme and implement it across the country,” he had claimed.

PM Modi had lashed out at the Delhi government for not implementing the central scheme in the State.

“I apologise to the people over 70 years from Delhi and West Bengal that I will not be able to serve you. I apologise because I will come to know that you are suffering. I will get the information but I will not be able to help you. The reason is that the Delhi and West Bengal governments are not joining the Ayushman Bharat scheme. I am prevented from serving older people of Delhi and West Bengal because of politics, the Delhi that I am speaking from, I am pained,” he conveyed during his address on the occasion of Dhanvantri Jayanti.

In November last year, all seven BJP MPs moved the Delhi High Court, urging the court to direct the Government of NCT of Delhi and the Department of Health and Family Welfare to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

In January 2025, Arvind Kejriwal dubbed the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana as the ‘biggest scam’ in the country.

“I am happy that the Supreme Court has also said that it is a fake scheme. Across the country it has come out that Ayushman Bharat is the biggest scam. When the central government changes and an inquiry is conducted, people will get to know how big a scam was Ayushman Bharat,” he alleged.

Kejriwal and his AAP government saw to it that Delhites never reaped the benefits of the central scheme. He prioritised politics over the welfare of the people.

With AAP now out of power, the residents of Delhi can finally avail the services provided under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.

Benefits of Ayushman Bharat

The government-sponsored health insurance policy offers free coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year at public and private hospitals across India for secondary and tertiary medical care. The policy, per the government records, covers all diseases from day one for both before and post-hospitalisation expenses. The beneficiaries can avail of cashless and paperless treatment in empanelled public and private hospitals.

No restrictions apply based on family size, age, or gender. The process identifies 80% of beneficiaries based on Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data in both rural and urban areas. Further, special emphasis is placed on covering diseases and treatments affecting women and children.

Government reports mention that premium payments varying from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 annually collected under the scheme are split by the Central and State Governments in a specific ratio. The scheme also receives additional resources from the Health and Education Cess, as well as financing from states to supplement the Central allotment.

It has been 6.5 years since the launch of the Ayushman Bharat scheme and it has brought countless smiles on the faces of lakhs of beneficiaries. The flagship health scheme launched by the government 6 years ago provides free necessary medications, diagnostic services, and preventative healthcare. Facilities like non-communicable disease screening- diabetes, hypertension, maternity and child health services, immunisation, and health promotion are also available under the scheme. The policy further improves access to specialised treatment through tele-medicine services, particularly in remote places.

The system covers both public and private hospitals, allowing for broader access to healthcare facilities. However, the empanelled hospitals are obliged to achieve particular quality and service criteria, resulting in improved healthcare services for the poor and needy people of Indian society.

For ease, the entire system is operated online, providing transparency, traceability, and paperless services to both beneficiaries and hospitals. The initiative actually seeks to reduce catastrophic healthcare spending for vulnerable groups by offering free treatment in empanelled hospitals. The scheme under the leadership of PM Modi ensures that underprivileged families have access to basic and advanced medical treatments without incurring financial hardship.

The first component of Ayushman Bharat involved the establishment of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAM), which were previously known as Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWC). The Ayushman Arogya Mandirs provide a wide range of healthcare services, including preventative, promotional, rehabilitative, and curative treatment. The purpose is to make healthcare services more accessible to communities by providing Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC).

PFI-backed main accused in Sreenivasan murder case arrested after three years on the run

OpIndia Staff
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PFI-backed main accused in Sreenivasan murder case arrested after three years on the run

In a major breakthrough, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has apprehended Shamnad E K, also known as Shamnad Illikkal, the prime accused in the 2022 murder of RSS leader Sreenivasan in Palakkad, Kerala. Shamnad had been absconding for nearly three years. He was arrested in Ernakulam after a sustained manhunt by the central agency.

Shamnad was under PFI’s protection, living under a fake identity

Shamnad, who is a resident of Manjeri in the Malappuram district, had been carrying a reward of Rs 7 lakh on his head. Investigators said he was living under an assumed identity, and the now-banned Islamist organisation Popular Front of India (PFI) had been providing him shelter since the gruesome daylight murder of Sreenivasan.

In a statement, NIA officials stated that the murder was not an isolated act. It was part of a broader conspiracy hatched by PFI leaders and operatives aimed at fuelling communal unrest. During the investigation, the agency found that the radical outfit had been radicalising vulnerable Muslim youth across the country with the long-term goal of establishing Islamic rule in India by 2047.

Terror training masked as Yoga and PE

The investigation further revealed that the PFI had been operating several covert wings, including a “Reporters Wing”, “Physical and Arms Training Wing”, and “Service Teams” to execute its violent plans. These units reportedly organised arms training sessions on the pretext of physical education and yoga programmes. Such events were generally hosted at their private campuses.

Fundraising for violent acts of terror was also a key part of the organisation’s structure. The funds were being diverted to finance targeted killings and violent activities. The murder of Sreenivasan was one among several such attacks planned by the Islamist group.

Chargesheets filed against 63 accused

NIA’s probe into the Palakkad killing has gained further traction with the recent arrest of Shamnad. So far, chargesheets have been filed against 63 individuals connected to the larger PFI conspiracy. The case has once again highlighted how the banned organisation had established a vast and secretive network operating with disturbing ideological clarity—one that sought not just to incite riots but to systematically undermine the secular and democratic foundation of India, aiming to establish Sharia rule in the country.

Murder of Sreenivasan

On April 16, SK Sreenivasan, a senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader, was hacked to death in broad daylight in Kerala’s Palakkad. He was a former Physical Education instructor of the RSS. Reports suggested he was murdered by a group of 5-6 assailants who arrived on three bikes. They hacked him to death inside his shop in the Melamuri area of Palakkad with sharp weapons. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers were armed with machetes and attacked him several times, inflicting multiple fatal injuries.

Delhi High Court rejects Wikipedia’s “just an intermediary” defence for defamatory content, holds it liable for ANI page content

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi High Court rejects Wikipedia’s “just an intermediary” defence for defamatory content, holds it liable for ANI page content

On 2nd April, in a landmark judgment, the Delhi High Court ruled that Wikipedia cannot hide behind intermediary status to escape liability for defamatory content published on its platform. The order was passed by Justice Subramonium Prasad in response to a plea filed by ANI Media Pvt Ltd, saying that its Wikipedia page hosted on the platform contains false and defamatory content damaging its reputation.

The court noted, “Defendant No.1 (Wikipedia) professes itself to be an encyclopedia and people at large have a tendency to accept the statements made on the web pages… as gospel truth. The responsibility, therefore, of Defendant No.1 is higher.” The court also held that intermediaries such as Wikipedia carry “fiduciary responsibilities and obligations to prevent acts of defamation.”

Court directs removal of defamatory content

The court allowed ANI’s interim application seeking removal of defamatory material from its page titled “Asian News International” and directed the Wikimedia Foundation to also lift the protection status of the page, which had restricted public edits since May 2024.

Justice Prasad observed that the statements on the page were not faithful reproductions of the cited source articles. The court found that the content was instead “twisted” and “devoid of context”, which effectively altered the intended meaning. The judgment stressed that the impugned content violated Wikipedia’s own neutral point of view policy.

The court said, “The opinion of Defendants No.2 to 4 do not represent the true picture of the articles and have been twisted… Defendant No.1 has ensured that the articles cannot be edited by anybody else, thereby putting Plaintiff in a disadvantage to rebut what is given in the page.”

Allegations and editing wars

ANI filed a Rs 2 crore defamation suit against Wikimedia Foundation, saying that the administrators of the portal had edited the page to include serious allegations, including that ANI acts as a “propaganda tool” for the Government of India and spreads fake news. The agency said that attempts to edit the page to present factual clarifications using credible sources, including BBC, were reversed, and the page was eventually locked from public editing.

ANI was presented in the court by Advocate Sidhant Kumar, Advocate Om Batra, Advocate Akshit Mago, and Advocate Anshika Saxena, who argued that the defamatory material damages ANI’s decades-old reputation and is based on unverified opinions masquerading as facts.

Wikipedia’s defence and failed appeal

Senior Advocate Jayant Mehta and a large team of advocates represented Wikipedia in the court. They argued that the platform is merely an intermediary hosting content created by independent users. Wikipedia’s counsel argued that the platform does not itself upload or edit material. They claimed that the injunctions sought would stifle free speech and challenge the very model of collaborative publishing that Wikipedia follows.

However, the argument was categorically rejected by the court, citing Supreme Court precedents which hold that an intermediary must act on defamatory content once notified or ordered by a court. Earlier, Wikipedia had challenged a related order directing it to disclose the identities of its administrators to ANI.

The appeal was dismissed by a division bench that also directed removal of a separate Wikipedia page titled “Asian News International vs Wikimedia Foundation”, which had made comments against the judge hearing the matter. The remarks posted against the bench were found to be prima facie contemptuous.

Case far from over

Though the court has settled the interim application, it is being seen as a significant blow to Wikipedia’s claim of complete immunity. The main suit for damages, along with ANI’s demand for a retraction and apology, remains pending. Meanwhile, Wikipedia has appealed to the Supreme Court against the division bench’s order relating to content takedown, and a notice has been issued in that matter.

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