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Actor Puneet Issar questions why Maharashtra Police officials did not try to save lives of Palghar sadhus from mob lynching

OpIndia Staff
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Actor Puneet Issar questions why Maharashtra Police officials did not try to save lives of Palghar sadhus from mob lynching

Months after two Sadhus were lynched to death by a violent mob in Palghar in Maharashtra, actor Puneet Issar questioned the inaction of the police officials present during the crime. He had released a video of Twitter highlighting the significance of saints in the Indian society.

“Two 40-year-old Sadhus were mercilessly killed by 200 people. But, those responsible for protecting them (the police) stood there as silent spectators. The police did not help them. If they wanted to disperse the crowd, they could have fired warning shots in the air. Perhaps, this could have saved the lives of the two Sadhus. But they did not do this! As a result, the two victims and their driver were mercilessly beaten and lynched to death. This is India – the land of Dharma and that of the esteemed saints,” he emphasised.

Puneet Issar stated that the meaning of the word ‘Bharath’ is the pursuit of light (knowledge). He added, “The saints are the ones who are always engaged in the pursuit of knowledge. They embody the idea of India and show the path of light to those lost in darkness. They teach the world of meaning of Sanatan Dharma and the true essence of hospitality, non-discrimination and humanity. When a man dawns saffron clothes and walks the streets, he does not remain a normal human being but rather an embodiment of God himself.”

Palghar Sadhu lynching

On 16th April 2020, two Sadhus of Juna Akhara, Chikne Maharaj Kalpavrukshagiri (70), and Sushilgiri Maharaj (35) were lynched along with their 30-year old driver by a mob. The incident took place at Gadchinchale village in Palghar district, Maharashtra. They were on their way to Surat, Gujarat. The police were present at the scene, but the allegedly did not try to stop the mob or did anything to save the sadhus.

The revelations of the fact-finding committee

The fact-finding committee constituted to unravel the truth of the Palghar case, had revealed that the left-wing organizations working in the area have created hatred in the minds of the tribals against Hindus, its religious gurus, and sadhus. Vivek Vichar Manch formed the fact-finding team that comprised of retired judges, lawyers, and police officers.

The 149-page report has made some explosive revelations, including how some groups are spreading hate and inciting the tribal population against the union government. The team had demanded that the central investigation agencies like NIA or CBI should handle the Palghar mob lynching case. They said that the whole truth could come out if such agencies manage the investigation. 

The fact-finding team’s investigation had also concluded that the growing violence in the area came to the fore after Chrisitan organizations such as the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, Tenancy Organizations, Bhoomi Sena, Adivasi Ekta Parishad, CPM began exerting their influence in the region.

Bollywood: Narcotics Control Bureau raids residence of producer Firoz Nadiadwala, recovers drugs, questions his wife

OpIndia Staff
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Bollywood: Narcotics Control Bureau raids residence of producer Firoz Nadiadwala, recovers drugs, questions his wife

In a new development, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has summoned film producer Firoz Nadiadwala in connection to the probe in the high-profile drug scandal surrounding the Hindi film industry.

As per reports, his residence in the upscale western suburbs of Mumbai was searched by the narcotics team in connection to the case. It is said that Firoz Nadiadwala was not present at the house when it was raided by the NCB. The investigative team had reportedly recovered ‘some amount of drugs’. The officials had summoned the producer’s wife to their office on Sunday for questioning. It is believed that Firoz Nadiadwala will be summoned soon as his named had propped up during the course of the probe.

NCB conducts raids at 5 locations

On Sunday, NCB conducted raids at 5 locations, namely, Andheri, Malad, Lokhandwala, Kharghar and Koparkhairane. Earlier, a drug peddler was arrested by the narcotics team during raids at Andheri and Kharghar areas.

Bollywood Drug Probe

Earlier, it was revealed that NCB has initiated a probe into Shah Rukh Khan, Arjun Rampal and Dino Morea for alleged drug abuse. Till then, the names of only actresses like Deepika Padukone and Sara Ali Khan had come up in the drug abuse probe.

Previously, the NCB officials had impounded mobile phones of Deepika Padukone, Sara Ali Khan, Rakul Preet Singh and Deepika’s manager Karishma Prakash. During the interrogation, the NCB officials had confronted Deepika Padukone with the digital evidence gathered from Jaya Saha’s phone that showed the actor’s chats about procuring ‘maal’ for her. However, as per a report, Deepika had claimed that by ‘Maal’ she meant cigarettes and ‘Hash’ referred to the different brands of cigarettes.

Massive support pours in for Arnab Goswami from across the board as Mumbai Police continues its persecution of the Republic TV Editor

OpIndia Staff
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Massive support pours in for Arnab Goswami from across the board as Mumbai Police continues its persecution of the Republic TV Editor

Support is pouring in from Arnab Goswami from across the board as Mumbai Police continues its state-sanctioned prosecution against the Editor-in-Chief of Republic TV. Arnab Goswami has been transferred to the Taloja jail on Sunday. He revealed that there was a threat to his life and he was assaulted by the Police yet again.

Consulting Editor at Republic TV, Pradeep Bhandari, announced that he has approached the Supreme Court over the matter and pleaded with them to take suo moto cognizance of the case in order to provide protection to Arnab Goswami.

A delegation of veterans and citizens have also decided to approach the President and submit a memorandum over the incident. They said, “It is a challenge for us now, whether truth will win, or whether atrocious lies will be allowed to reign.”

Retired Major General G.D. Bakshi has come out strongly in support of Arnab Goswami as well. He said, “The President is the supreme commander of the Armed Forces, and today a Colonel’s child is being subjected to this.”

Sonal Mansingh, a member of the Rajya Sabha, said, “Very very sad to see what’s happening with Arnab Goswami. I pray that truth prevails. This kind of treatment being meted out to anyone doesn’t bring glory to anyone.”

People from literary, social and cultural fields of Jammu have also come forward in support of Arnab Goswami. In a statement issued by Ashok Pandit, it is said, “Notwithstanding the reasons and the basis on which Arnab Goswami, the Editor-in-Chief of the Republic TV channel was arrested on Wednesday by the Police in Mumbai, the way he was publicly pushed, bundled and huddled into the police vehicle smacked of much more than meets the eye.”

CP Singh, former Sessions Court Judge in Jaipur, said, “What happened shows that he is being pressurised in order to get him harassed through criminals; this is political terrorism and the height of it.”

“My life is in danger”

While he was being escorted to Taloja jail, Goswami shouted from the moving police van that his life is in danger. He alleged that the jailor assaulted him on Saturday. “My life is in danger, please tell the courts to help me,’’ he shouted from inside the van. Goswami further alleged that when he asked to let him talk to his lawyer, the jailer assaulted him.

Arnab Goswami’s arrest

Arnab Goswami was arrested on Wednesday for a now-reopened 2018 abatement of the suicide case of an architect, Anvay Naik. In his suicide note, the architect has blamed a few people, including Arnab Goswami, for not paying dues. Later, the court dismissed the case against Arnab, but it was reopened in May 2020 by the Maharashtra government.

“Main to zinda hoon”: Rebel JDU leader Sanjay Jha fact-checks TOI for declaring him dead

OpIndia Staff
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“Main to zinda hoon”: Rebel JDU leader Sanjay Jha fact-checks TOI for declaring him dead

It was a bad day for Times of India as they have declared a wrong ‘Jha’ dead. As per a TOI report, the rebel leader of Janata Dal (United) died of Covid-19 infection in Bihar. They reported that Jha died of Covid in AIIMS, Patna. The report also included a photograph of Sanjay Jha. However, things took a worse turn for the newspaper when Sanjay Jha came forward on social media and declared that he is alive.

He tweeted, “Dear Times Of India, मैं तो जिंदा हूँ। (I am alive). Your wrong story declaring me dead has pained my family, friends and supporters. Please issue an immediate clarification across your online and print platforms and ensure your reporters/desk do their jobs with diligence.”

Double error by Rajasthan based media house

Sadly, the Times of India is not the only news agency that published the report without fact-checking about who died. A regional media house named First India News Rajasthan also made a similar mistake, added with another grave error. in a now-deleted post, they reported that the rebel leader of JD(U) Sanjay Jha died, and with that, they used the photograph of ex-Congress leader Sanjay Jha.

News 18 also published a report alleging Sanjay Jha from Bihar had died.

Things were not different for India TV as they reported the same name.

Independent candidate Neeraj Jha died

Unfortunately, a leader had died of Covid. Neeraj Jha, an independent candidate from Benpatti, lost his life while fighting coronavirus infection. He started to feel ill on the day of nomination but took medicines and continued his election campaigns. After his health deteriorated further, he was tested for Covid-19 and was found positive. He was admitted to Madhubani and later shifted to AIIMS Patna, where he died due to complications associated with Covid-19. Jha was associated with Congress before joining JD(U) in 2012.

Taloja Jail, to which Mumbai Police hurriedly transferred Arnab Goswami, is a hub of terrorists and underworld criminals. Read details

OpIndia Staff
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Taloja Jail, to which Mumbai Police hurriedly transferred Arnab Goswami, is a hub of terrorists and underworld criminals. Read details

On Sunday morning, the Mumbai Police barged inside quarantine centre in Alibaug where Republic TV chief Arnab Goswami has been kept under judicial custody to hurriedly shift him to a Taloja Jail in Navi Mumbai.

Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, who was seen sitting in a police van with all the windows closed, in a dramatic scene spoke to Republic reporters to disclose that his life was under threat as Mumbai Police was shifting him from the quarantine centre to Taloja jail without even informing his lawyers. He also informed that he was assaulted today morning.

“My life is under threat. My life is under threat. Not being allowed to speak to lawyers. They assaulted me this morning. Woke me up at 6 am, said I can’t speak to my lawyers. Please tell people of India my life is under threat,” said Arnab Goswami.

Shockingly, the Mumbai Police, continuing its witch-hunt against Arnab Goswami, picked him from the Alibaug centre to take him to Taloja Jail in Mumbai, which is notoriously known as a ‘hub’ for the underworld mafia and the terrorist accused.

Taloja Jail – a hub for underworld that houses terror accused

Taloja jail, about 50 km away from Mumbai, has been considered as the new ‘hub’ for the underworld. Some of the most dreaded criminals, terrorists are presently incarcerated in Taloja jail.

The Taloja Jail, where Arnab Goswami is currently being kept under judicial custody, houses several Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists and aides of Mumbai terror attacks convict Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab. The Mumbai Police have shifted several criminals, terror accused criminals to Taloja jail, the biggest jail in Maharashtra.

According to police sources, those caught in sensitive cases like bomb blasts are also lodged in the Taloja jail.

Abdul Qayyum, a 1993 blast accused, who was also a suspect in the Gulshan Kumar murder case, was also incarcerated in Taloja jail, where his mentor Abu Salem is already present. Abbas Khan, the member of the Bharat Nepali gang, who was held for killing Chhota Rajan gang member Farid Tanasha, has also spent his time in Taloja jail. Reportedly, several other dreaded killers, allegedly involved in the murder of matka king Suresh Bhagat, have also been sent to Taloja jail.

Gangster Abu Salem shot at inside Taloja Jail near Mumbai

Notorious Islamic terrorist Abu Salem, an accused in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case, has been languishing in the Taloja Jail since 2010. In 2012, he was even attacked inside Taloja Central Jail by Devendra Jagtap, an accused in the advocate Shahid Azmi murder case.

Salem had then sustained an injury to his hand as Jagtap fired one round. This was the second attack on Salem inside the jail after he was deported from Portugal in 2005. He had faced attack at the Arthur Road jail in 2010.

In 2010, the jail authorities shifted Salem from Arthur Road to Taloja for “security reasons” after he was assaulted by Dawood gang member Mustafa Dossa.

Dawood Ibrahim administrating attack on Republic TV, Arnab Goswami may face physical attack

The shocking attack on Arnab Goswami on Sunday and arbitrary transfer from his judicial custody at a quarantine centre in Alibaug to the dangerous Taloja Jail comes after there were reports suggesting that Arnab Goswami could face a physical attack carried out by the Mumbai underworld criminals.

As Maharashtra government began to hound Republic TV chief Arnab Goswami and his family, RV Subramani, a former bureaucrat had issued a warning saying Arnab Goswami had touched the wrong nerve of Mumbai’s underworld organized criminal syndicate run by the global drug kingpin and terrorist Dawood Ibrahim, many politicians, the drugs and Bollywood nexus.

Hence, RV Subramani said Dawood is administrating the legal, financial and mental attack on Arnab Goswami and Republic TV, so there is a bright possibility of a physical attack on Arnab Goswami. It is pertinent to note here that earlier Goa Chronicle’s chief had claimed that USD 50 million is the ‘Supari’ out from Dawood to stop Republic Media Network and Arnab Goswami.

The bureaucrat in conversation with the Goa Chronicle editor-in-chief Savio Rodrigues said that Bollywood and Drugs are like the “umbilical cord relationship”, which Republic TV has dared to expose in front of the public.

Speaking on the unprecedented terror Mumbai Police under its Commissioner of Police- Param Bir Singh has unleashed on Republic TV and its team, Subramani said that Param Bir Singh might be getting support from this source (the D-Company), on whose instructions he and his team, including ex-encounter specialists- Sachin Vaze and Pradeep Sharma, once conducted encounters.

Republic TV chief Arnab Goswami arrested

Continuing their witch-hunt against Republic TV chief, the Mumbai Police on Wednesday arrested Arnab Goswami. The Mumbai Police reached Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami’s residence on Wednesday and physically manhandled him as they tried to detain him in a 2018 abetment to suicide case that was already closed.

A team of Mumbai Police arrested Republic TV chief Arnab Goswami after they physically assaulted and dragged him by grabbing his hair. In a shocking act, a large contingent of Mumbai Police was seen present at Goswami’s residence on Wednesday morning. In the below video, it can be seen how officials of the Mumbai Police were manhandling the Republic TV chief.

Man gives triple talaq to wife after she developed vaginal infection, demands money from in-laws to marry another woman

OpIndia Staff
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Man gives triple talaq to wife after she developed vaginal infection, demands money from in-laws to marry another woman

In a shocking incident from Gujarat, a Muslim man gave instant Triple Talaq (divorce) to his 24-year-old wife after she was diagnosed with a vaginal infection.

As per reports, the woman, identified as Shabana Syed (24), stated that she got married to Siddique Ali Syed, a private company employee, in May last year. She alleged that her husband would harass her and threaten to break off ties over trivial issues. In July this year, she was pregnant, after which her doctor advised her to maintain good hygiene. But due to pressure of household work, she could not adhere to the advice and developed a vaginal infection.

Shabana requested Siddique to take her to a doctor for her condition, but he refused to do so. Last month, her condition worsened, leading to high fever and profuse bleeding. After that, she was taken to a hospital by her parents. Her husband visited her in the hospital, but when he learnt that she has been diagnosed with vaginal infection, he dumped her there, he left the hospital and never went back.

Accused threatened to remarry, demanded money from his wife

After Shabana was discharged from the hospital, her parents took her with them to their home in Goblaj village in Kheda, where she continued her medication. On October 27, Siddique went to her parent’s house, and hurled the choicest of expletives. He also said that he is going to marry another woman, and demanded Rs 1.50 from her in-laws for his marriage.

After that, he pronounced Talaq three times in from of his wife’s parents and sister, as Shabana wife was sleeping at that time. When she woke up, her family members informed her that Siddique has given her ‘triple talaq’. After that, approached police and filed a complaint under the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act against her husband.

The persecution of Arnab Goswami: Judicial intervention is the only recourse available to a citizen when he is the victim of the state

K Bhattacharjee
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The persecution of Arnab Goswami: Judicial intervention is the only recourse available to a citizen when he is the victim of the state

The state-sanctioned persecution of Arnab Goswami appears to cross new limits with every passing day. His prolonged harassment and persecution for his journalism by the Maha Vikas Aghadi government only reveals the extent of the depravity the state machinery in India is capable of. And the fact that the whole charade is being allowed to continue unabated is further indictment of governance in India.

On Sunday, Arnab Goswami was transferred to the Taloja jail by the Mumbai Police from the quarantine center where he was held in judicial custody. It is apparently a prison where hardened criminals are kept. The Republic Editor-in-Chief revealed that he was yet again assaulted by the police and said that his life was under threat.

Previously, Arnab Goswami revealed that he was force-fed a liquid that made him choke, he was hit by a police officer’s boot, he suffered injuries to his spinal cord and veins and he was not even allowed access to drinking water. The political class of this country will share much of the blame for the brutality that is being inflicted on him but it is certain that the reputation of every single institution of this country, including the Judiciary, would be hurt in the process.

What is happening to Arnab Goswami is state-sanctioned persecution. On Saturday, the Bombay HC decided to reserve its order on the plea challenging Arnab Goswami’s arrest. After almost 6 hours of hearing, on Saturday, the Bombay High Court asserted that it could not pass an order it was already 6 p.m.

Thus far, the judiciary has failed to protect the life and liberty of a citizen of India. There is sufficient evidence that indicates that the actions against Arnab Goswami are politically motivated to deter him from pursuing his journalism. The campaign against Arnab Goswami began with the TRP scandal where Republic TV was not even under the scanner initially.

The initial FIR that was filed in the matter did not mention Republic TV as one of the errant parties. It did mention other channels but those appear to have escaped unhurt as of now. Since then, Hansa Research has asserted that its employees are being harassed for not offering a false statement against Republic TV.

Subsequently, the Mumbai Police reached Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami’s residence on Wednesday and physically manhandled him as they tried to detain him in a 2018 abetment to suicide case that was already closed. In May 2018, an FIR was filed against Arnab Goswami after an interior designer had committed suicide in Mumbai. In a suicide note, Anvay Naik claimed Goswami owed him a total of Rs 5.4 crore. However, Goswami was investigated and case was closed by court after a closure report was filed by the Police.

The Chief Judicial Magistrate of the Alibaug Court observed while refusing to grant Mumbai Police his custody that there is no justifiable ground to ask for police custody in the case. The court observed that there is no chain showing nexus between the suicide and the role of Arnab Goswami. Most importantly, the judge also observed that the closed case was re-opened by police without consent from court. In such a scenario, it falls upon the Judiciary to ensure that his safety and security is not compromised.

Justice Chandrachud once famously remarked, “Dissent is the safety valve of Democracy.” It was an excellent observation that elucidates clearly that in Maharashra, Democracy has certainly been compromised beyond all measure. On another occasion, he opined, “The constitution represents the charter of power granted by liberty and not the charter of liberty granted by power.”

It was, again, another excellent observation but hardly anyone could look at what is happening to Arnab Goswami and believe that the Constitution has any relevance at all when a political party in power decides to unleash the might of the state against a private citizen. When the state comes for you, you are on your own. That is the message currently being sent by the Shiv Sena, Congress party and the NCP from Maharashtra.

When the government decides to persecute a citizen due to ideological motivations or simply to silence a critic, then judicial intervention is the only recourse that is available to him. When the state decides to go after a citizen, it is only the Court that could ever hope to protect his life and liberty. There is no other recourse that is available to him. Thus, if the Courts are somehow unable to protect a critic of the government, then right of the citizenry to dissent suffers gravely as a consequence.

If the Judiciary does not step in now to put an end to the madness, people’s faith in the democracy of the country will be lost for good. There are great paeans that are often sung to shower adulation on Democracy. Democracy is better than any other form of governance because it apparently prevents tyrants from taking over. Those in power can be effectively criticised by the masses and without fear, we are told. China is evil because its masses do not have political freedom.

All of that appears to be a joke as of now. We have political parties that will not hesitate to persecute journalists for the crime of journalism when in power. We have a judiciary that will not protect the rights of private citizens when the ruling party decides to go after them. Under such circumstances, it is very easy to lose faith in Indian democracy itself.

If the Judiciary wishes to save people’s faith in Indian democracy, then it is well past time that it steps in to put an end to this. If it is unable to do so, then the faith of the people in the Judiciary will suffer as a consequence. As Justice Chandrachud said, “When we jail a cartoonist for sedition, or when jail instead of bail is given to a blogger who is critical of our religious architecture, when a mob lynches a person for the food when she or he eats, the constitution is lynched. When we deny to human beings the power of love for reasons of religion and caste, it is the constitution which is made to weep.”

The Constitution is indeed weeping today and it is now up to the Courts to wipe away its tears. The current case is not only about Arnab Goswami, it is about the right of every private citizen to criticize those in power. It is about the famed dissent that justices have called the safety valve of Democracy. If it can happen to Arnab Goswami, it can happen to anyone.

And if the Courts are not able to help even Arnab Goswami, what hope does an ordinary citizen have? The state-sanctioned persecution of the Editor-in-Chief of Republic is a matter of concern for every citizen of India. The Court must come out strongly and ensure that he is treated fairly by the system. It is about sending a message and the only message that is being heard right now is that Democracy in India is a spectacular sham.

If the Courts wish for people to continue to have faith in Indian democracy, then it is incumbent upon them to even cross its ostensible boundaries in order to protect the life of an individual. There was an occasion when a midnight hearing was organised to ensure that a terrorist on his way to the gallows had exhausted every legal recourse available to him.

As justified as his execution was, the midnight hearing was organised for Yakub Memon as a matter of principle. It was important for the Court to demonstrate that its doors will always be open for every human being in order to protect his life and liberty. Yakub Memon was a dreaded terrorist responsible for the death of hundreds but even so, it was the principle that was important.

The current scenario is as important, if not infinitely more, than the case of Yakub Memon. It is important that our Judiciary demonstrates that it will always protect the life and liberty of citizens against the excesses of the state. If the Judiciary, for any reason, is unable to stop politically motivated state-sanctioned persecution of a private citizen, then we do not have a democracy. We have a system where we elect our own tyrants. And that is a blot Indian democracy may never recover from.

While Arnab Goswami has no account on any social media platform, Mumbai police claim he was ‘active on social media’ in jail

OpIndia Staff
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While Arnab Goswami has no account on any social media platform, Mumbai police claim he was ‘active on social media’ in jail

On Sunday, Raigad police shifted editor-in-chief of Republic TV, Arnab Goswami, to Taloja jail to continue his judicial remand. Giving the reason for the shifting, police have claimed that Arnab Goswami was using a mobile phone inside the make-shift quarantine center for prisoners in a municipal school in Alibaug, where he was earlier kept. As per the regulations, he cannot use a mobile phone while in judicial custody without permission.

Jamil Shaikh, investigating office inspector, crime branch, said that they found him to be active on social media using someone’s phone. He said, “On Friday late evening, we learnt that Goswami was active on social media, using somebody’s mobile phone”. The police seized Goswami’s phone after he was arrested from his Worli residence therefore he didn’t have his own phone with him. “As the investigating officer of the case, I wrote to the Alibaug jail superintendent seeking an inquiry report as to how he got access to a mobile use in the quarantine centre. Thereafter, we decided to shift him to Taloja jail on Sunday morning,” the police officer added.

Arnab Goswami has no known social media presence

It may be noted that Arnab Goswami is not present on any social media. He does not have any social media account on any major social platform. Therefore, it is not sure how police ‘learnt that Goswami was active on social media’. There is no known social account of Goswami, so the question arises where he was active as claimed by police. If indeed he had posted something on social media, it would have gone viral, but nothing such has happened. There is no evidence that Arnav Goswami was ‘active’ on social media in the last 4 days.

Moreover, when Goswami didn’t have his phone, and phones are not allowed in jail, another question arises, which is how Arnab Goswami managed to find a phone in jail with an active data connection. The police officer was also silent on any action taken on that “somebody” from whom Arnab purportedly took the phone, and how the alleged phone reached the jail.

In the light of this, it seems that just like the false case on Arnab Goswami, this is also an excuse created by the police to shift Goswami to Taloja jail, where several notorious criminals and underworld dons are lodged.

“My life is in danger”

While he was being escorted to Taloja jail, Goswami shouted from the moving police van that his life is in danger. He alleged that the jailor assaulted him on Saturday. “My life is in danger, please tell the courts to help me,’’ he shouted from inside the van. Goswami further alleged that when he asked to let him talk to his lawyer, the jailer assaulted him.

Arnab Goswami’s arrest

Arnab Goswami was arrested on Wednesday for a now-reopened 2018 abatement of the suicide case of an architect, Anvay Naik. In his suicide note, the architect has blamed a few people, including Arnab Goswami, for not paying dues. Later, the court dismissed the case against Arnab, but it was reopened in May 2020 by the Maharashtra government.

Calm down, Indians, Kamala Harris ‘shattering the glass ceiling’ in the USA is not a win for you

K Bhattacharjee
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Calm down, Indians, Kamala Harris ‘shattering the glass ceiling’ in the USA is not a win for you

The liberal elites of Indian society have always identified themselves far more with western society than they have with India. It was never more evident than it was after the media called the US presidential elections 2020 in favour of Joe Biden. That meant that according to the media, Senator Kamala Harris would soon become the Vice-President of the United States of America.

Kamala Harris would be the first woman to become the Vice-President of USA. She would also be the first woman-of-colour to occupy that position. Thus, she would shatter many glass-ceilings if she is eventually crowned the VP of the United States. Thus, it is entirely legitimate for women in USA to celebrate her victory as their own. Bewilderingly, however, some overenthusiastic Indians are considering her victory as their own as well.

Average Bollywood actress Shruti Seth, the quintessential liberal, took to Twitter to congratulate Kamala Harris and declare, “What a WIN this is for all of us!!!” It is unclear why she believes Kamala Harris’s victory is a victory for Indian women as well. In India, we have had women who have occupied the top positions of power and they have amply demonstrated they can be just as awful as men when it comes to wielding it.

Another average Bollywood actress, Isha Koppikar, congratulated Kamala Harris as well, although it has to be conceded that her congratulatory message was not as extravagant as Shruti Seth’s. She congratulated Harris “for shattering the glass ceiling and being the first Indian-American woman Vice President of the United States.”

Certain individuals have also started referring to her as Madam Vice-President.

Indian liberal elites appear to quite invested into impressing their western counterparts. Mahua Moitra, a Member of Parliament from the Trinamool Congress, commented, “Rosa sat, so Ruby could walk, so Kamala could run.”

These are only a few individuals but the sentiment remains widespread. Indian liberals across the board are celebrating Kamala Harris ‘shattering the glass ceiling’ as their victory. The only reason for it appears to be that while our liberal elites live in India, their heart yearns for the West. There does not appear to be any other explanation as India has had a long tradition of women in position of power.

India has had a female Prime Minister, President and numerous others who were Chief Ministers. Most of them have wielded unparalleled power while in office. Indira Gandhi as Prime Minister unleashed the emergency across the country and ruled authoritatively until she was assassinated. Pratibha Patil served as the president of the country.

Jayalalithaa served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for over fourteen years in power in total. Mayawati served as the CM of Uttar Pradesh for over seven years combined. Mamata Banerjee, to whose party Mahua Moitra belongs, is currently serving her second term as the Chief Minister of West Bengal and will soon complete ten years in office. She has also served in the union government. Sheila Dikshit served fifteen years as the CM of Delhi.

Then there was Rabri Devi, Sushma Swaraj, Anandiben Patel, Vasundhara Raje, Uma Bharti and others. Even the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir, which was basically a Muslim-majority state within the secular state of India, had a female Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti. Thus, it is not clear why Indians ought to consider Kamala Harris becoming the VP of USA as their own victory. India traveled that road a long time ago.

Not just India, but a lot of other countries have already traveled that road. Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, remains one of the most significant figures in British politics. Recently, they had Theresa May as their Prime Minister. Germany currently has Angela Merkel as their Chancellor, another extremely significant figure in the political history of her country. There are numerous such examples in the western world.

Even in Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina has held the office of the Prime Minister since 2009, another extremely significant figure in the history of her country. Bangladesh is a Muslim majority country and Islam is the state religion. And while it is a secular constitution, some laws are governed under Sharia.

Thus, it is not clear why Indian women should lay particular emphasis on Kamala Harris becoming the US VP. But liberal elites seem to believe in a global culture, the foundation of which lies in USA. Thus, it is just as important to them that a woman becomes the VP there as it is for women to hold prominent public offices in their own respective countries.

Congratulating Kamala Harris on her victory is certainly in order but for Indians to claim her victory as their own is nothing short of bizarre. Her shattering glass ceilings in the United States has no relevance for women in India. Indian citizens will never be able to become the VP of USA anyway. And if they wish to hold a powerful public office in India, they already have a host of examples to take inspiration from.

US Presidential elections: Joe Biden, Kamala Harris hail results as an opportunity to ‘heal’ the country, Donald Trump yet to concede

OpIndia Staff
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US Presidential elections: Joe Biden, Kamala Harris hail results as an opportunity to ‘heal’ the country, Donald Trump yet to concede

Hours after Democratic party candidate Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 US Presidential elections by the media, he took to Twitter to thank his voters for the ‘opportunity’ to serve the country. In a tweet, he wrote, “America, I’m honoured that you have chosen me to lead our great country. The work ahead of us will be hard, but I promise you this: I will be a President for all Americans — whether you voted for me or not. I will keep the faith that you have placed in me.”

Joe Biden further claimed that the United States of America will heal, strengthen and unite under his leadership. He urged fellow Americans to repose their faith in America and strive to transform the nation. “With full hearts and steady hands, with faith in America and in each other, with a love of country — and a thirst for justice — let us be the nation that we know we can be,” he emphasised.

Biden claimed that he will strive to be the President who believes in unifying people rather than dividing them. He added that he won’t look at States from an electoral perspective but will work hard to win the confidence of every American.

Kamala Harris says that her victory is a testimony of Hope

After the media called election results in favour or Joe Biden, Indian-origin senator Kamala Harris is poised to become the first woman to ever hold the office of US Vice-President. Hailing the results as a source of inspiration for young girls in the country, she wrote, “While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last—because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities.”

Kamala Harris stated that the American people fought for equality and justice for 4 years. She added that the people’s vote in favour of the Democratic party represented hope, unity, science and truth. She further emphasised that the ‘real work’ will commence soon to rebuild the US economy, contain the Coronavirus pandemic, eradicate systemic racism, combating climate change and healing the nation’s soul.

Kamala Harris had also thanked the election officials, volunteers and her campaign managers and voters for ‘making their voices heard’.

Indian PM, President congratulate Kamala Harris and Joe Biden

Following the presumptive victory of Joe Biden in the 2020 US Presidential elections, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to congratulate him on achieving the feat. He wrote, “Congratulations Joe Biden on your spectacular victory! As the VP, your contribution to strengthening Indo-US relations was critical and invaluable. I look forward to working closely together once again to take India-US relations to greater heights.

The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, also shared his warm wishes with Joe Biden for his spectacular victory in the US elections. He has expressed hope that Biden’s tenure as the US President will witness strengthening of bilateral tilateral ties between the two countries.

“My sincere felicitations to Joseph R. Biden on his election as President of the United States of America and Kamala Harris, as Vice President. I wish JoeBiden a successful tenure and look forward to working with him to further strengthen India-US relation,” President Ram Nath Kovind wrote. It is pertinent to note, however, Donald Trump has not conceded the race yet and the elections are likely to be decided by the Supreme Court of the United States of America.

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