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Pakistan: Foreign Office summons French ambassador over Charlie Hebdo cartoons

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: Foreign Office summons French ambassador over Charlie Hebdo cartoons

On Monday, the Foreign Office of Pakistan summoned the French envoy, Marc Baréty, to inform about the country’s strong opposition to the public display of Charlie Hebdo cartoons and comments of the French President on radical Islam.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi seeks UN intervention against ‘Islamophobia’

According to the statement of the Foreign Office spokesperson, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhry, the French ambassador was provided with a dossier by the special secretary (Europe) and Pakistan’s displeasure to the Charlie Hebdo row was conveyed to him. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had said that the remarks of the French President were ‘irresponsible’ and added ‘fuel to fire.’ He had urged the United Nations to take notice of the ‘hate-based narrative’ against Islam and take necessary action.

Qureshi also said that a resolution will be presented before the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to mark March 15 as International Day against Islamophobia. “Nobody has the right to hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims under the guise of freedom of expression,” he reiterated.

Foreign Ministry condemned desecration of Quran

Earlier on Sunday, the Foreign Office issued a statement to condemn rising Islamophobia and acts of ‘desecration’ of the Quran in developed countries. The statement read, “We are further alarmed at highly disturbing statements by certain politicians justifying such heinous acts under the garb of freedom of expression and equating Islam with terrorism, for narrow electoral and political gains.” It further claimed that freedom of speech and expression came with special duties and responsibilities.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan attacks French President

In a video statement at UNGA, he tried to justify what has happened in France and said, “The Prophet lives in our hearts. When he is ridiculed, when he is insulted, it hurts… We human beings understand one thing: The pain of the heart is far, far, far more hurtful than physical pain. And that’s why the Muslims react to this.” He further added that people from the west do not understand the sentiments attached to the Prophet. The Pakistan PM also compared the pain suffered by the Jewish during the holocaust to the pain induced in Muslims by insulting Prophet Muhammad.

Islam is in crisis all over world, conceded French President

Prior to the beheading case, the French President Emmanuel Macron took the stage at city hall in the Paris suburb of Les Mureaux to deliver one of the most consequential speeches of his career. He stated, “It is Islamic separatism that we have to attack. Islamic separatism is a conscious effort, a politico-religious one. It repeatedly breaks with the values of the Republic and aims to form a counter-society.”

Macron continued, “This takes the form of taking kids out of school, developing sports and cultural communities that become an excuse for teaching principles that do not conform to the laws of the Republic. This indoctrination negates our principles such as equality of men and women and the dignity of the human being.”

The beheading of Samuel Paty

Paty was killed on October 16 by 18-year-old radical Islamist named Abdoullakh Abouyezidovitch A in the Paris suburb of Conflans-Sainte-Honorine for showcasing cartoons of Prophet Muhammad to his students at College du Bois d’Aulne. The terrorist had uploaded the gory pictures of the murder on Twitter, before being shot dead by the French police. It has come to light now that the gruesome attack was the result of doxxing and vitriolic online campaign, led by the father of a 13-year old student of the deceased and the local mosque.

Rajasthan: Dalit salesman burnt alive by liquor contractors after pouring petrol for demanding five months due salary

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: Dalit salesman burnt alive by liquor contractors after pouring petrol for demanding five months due salary

Congress-ruled state of Rajasthan has been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons. Several incidents of rapes and gangrapes have been reported in the the state in this month alone. And now, reports of another gut-wrenching incident are coming from Alwar district of the state, where a Dalit salesman was burnt alive by a liquor contractor.

According to reports, a salesman working in a liquor shop in Kumpur village had asked for his salary due for five months. After the salesman demanded his salary, the liquor contractor allegedly poured petrol on him and burnt him alive in a deep freezer. SHO Dara Singh told that a report has been filed in Khairthal police station by victim’s brother Roop Singh Dhanka who is a resident of Jhadka.

Roop Singh told the police that his brother Kamal Kishore used to work with liquor contractors Rakesh Yadav and Subhashchand. The liquor shop was being run in a container at Kumpur-Bhagori turn. Singh alleged that his brother was assaulted and threatened whenever he demanded his salary.

As told by Roop Singh, in the evening on October 24, Rakesh Yadavand Subhashchand came to Kishore’s house and took him with them. When Kishore did not return in the night, his family thought that he might have gone somewhere with the contractors. The next morning, Kishore’s family got to know that a fire had broken out in the liquor shop. Victim’s family members reached at the site and opened the container in which the liquor shop was being run in the presence of the police.

On opening the container, they found Kishore’s charred body placed in sitting position in the deep freezer. Roop Singh has accused Rakesh Yadav and Subashchand of burning his brother alive after pouring petrol on him and then setting the container on fire. A case has been registered against Rakesh Yadav and Subhashchand under sections 302,436,120B of the Indian Penal Code and under the relevant provisions of the SC/ST Act.

Locals question the running of shop inside a container

Enraged by the horrific incident, the locals have raised questioned as to why the liquor shop was being run inside a container. The family of the victim refused to send the body for postmortem demanding judicial inquiry in the case. On assurance from DSP Tarachand, the body was allowed to be sent for postmortem. Both the accused are absconding.

BJP Condemns Rajasthan Government

The state president of BJP in Rajasthan, Dr. Satish Poonia posted a tweet condemning the incident. Likening Rajasthan with Somalia in Africa, Poonia said that there was no law and order in the state like the African country.

Earlier this month, a temple priest Babulal Vaishnav was burnt alive by some people for preventing them for encroaching the temple land. Babulal was the head priest of the Radhagovind temple in the village

Sameet Thakkar sent to police custody by Nagpur court till October 30, was arrested for making ‘Baby Penguin’ remark against Aaditya Thackeray

OpIndia Staff
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Sameet Thakkar sent to police custody by Nagpur court till October 30, was arrested for making ‘Baby Penguin’ remark against Aaditya Thackeray

Sameet Thakkar, a Nagpur resident who was arrested by the Maharashtra police for allegedly posting objectionable comments against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aaditya Thackeray, has been sent to police custody by a Nagpur Court till October 30.

Thakkar was arrested by Maharashtra police on October 24 after he allegedly called Aaditya Thackeray as ‘Mohammad Azam Shah of Maharashtra, aka baby penguin.’ He had also called CM Thackeray as ‘Modern Day Aurangzeb’.

Highlights of Cases against Thakkar

Two FIRs were registered against Thakkar in Nagpur and Mumbai for his remarks. He submitted a plea in Bombay High Court seeking protection from arrest and quashing of FIRs against him. Court directed Thakkar on October 1, 2020 to cooperate with police in investigation and record his statement VP Road police station. Thakkar had escaped from police station when he went there to record his statement on October 5 fearing arrest. He told this before the Bombay High Court after which the Court ordered the police not to take any action against him.

He was ordered to appear in police station on October 16 but he did not comply. His lawyer Abhinav Chandrachud refused to appear for Thakkar and returned his brief. Advocate Raspal Singh Renu informed the court on record that Chandrachud has returned the brief and asked for time to appoint new counsel. The hearing in the matter was scheduled for November 3, 2020.

BJP emerges victorious in Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council elections, wins 15 out of 26 seats

OpIndia Staff
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BJP emerges victorious in Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council elections, wins 15 out of 26 seats

The BJP has won 15 of the 26 elected seats in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), the results of which were declared on Monday. The LAHDC has a total of 30 seats, four of which are nominated by the government. The Congress party won 9 seats and independent candidates won 2. The Aam Aadmi Party failed to open its account.

LAHDC election results

Th BJP won in the Turtuk, Hundar, Diskit, Tegar, Panamik, Tangtse, Kungyam, Korzok, Martselang, Thiksay, Chuchot, Sku Markha, Khaltsi, Lamayouru and Lishet constituencies while the Congress won in Sakti, Igoo, Upper Leh, Lower Leh, Phyang, Basgo, Saspol, Temisgam, and Skurbuchan. Independent candidates won in Chushul and Nyoma constituencies.

Offering his gratitude to Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President J.P. Nadda and the senior leadership of his party, Ladakh MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal called it a “major victory” for the BJP. He said that the BJP will form the LAHDC once again. “We are indebted for your utmost trust and confidence in us. W shall strive towards fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Ladakh,” he said addressing his constituents.

J.P. Nadda called BJP’s victory historic as well. Congratulating the Karyakartas on the victory, he expressed his gratitude towards the people of Ladakh for their faith in the BJP.

This time for Dussehra, feminists turn Laxman Rekha into a symbol of ‘patriarchy’: Here is why they are batshit crazy

Editorial Desk
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This time for Dussehra, feminists turn Laxman Rekha into a symbol of ‘patriarchy’: Here is why they are batshit crazy

The occasion is Dussehra and along expected lines, feminists are out in numbers in their attempt to prove that Ramayana, the tale of Maryada Purushottam Rama, reeks of misogyny. Feminists offering sermons on social on Hindu festivals is as regular an occurrence as celebrations across India. Towards that end, on Dussehra, prominent feminists on social media have chosen the Laxman Rekha as their object of ire.

An image wishing everyone a happy Dussehra that is doing the rounds on social media says, “Never draw a line around a woman.” Swara Bhasker claimed it was the best thing she read today. The line that is spoken of here is obvious the Laxman Rekha that was drawn by Laxman to protect Sita Mata from Ravana. Thus, we see an inversion of reality here. The line was not drawn to impose restrictions on Sita, it was drawn to keep Ravana out.

The actual purpose has been perverted to mean precisely the opposite of what it actually is. It should not surprise us at all since feminists are often found declaring Rama as a misogynist while glorifying Ravana as someone who treated Sita better than her divinely ordained husband. In doing so, they only reveal their lack of knowledge about the Ramayana.

In reality, Ravana could not force himself upon Sita due to a curse that he suffered for sexually predatory behaviour as a consequence of which he could not touch Sita without her consent. However, that does not prevent feminists from glorifying an abductor of women. Swara Bhasker was not the only person who shared the image.

Rahul Mehra, standing counsel for the government of Delhi, shared that image as well and earned a stern rebuke from Devdutt Pattanaik of all people. The pop mythologist, who has a conflicted relationship with facts, said, “How cleverly even “feminists” turn a line meant to “keep Ravana out” into a line meant to “keep Sita in”….. amazing!”

This is, of course, the standard operating procedure for such pseudo-feminists who are often batshit crazy. When the larger objective is to prove Hinduism to be an irredeemably sexist and misogynist religion, it is only to be expected that people will clutch at straws to reach the conclusion already drawn. It is to be borne in mind that for people who are capable of portraying the Hijab as a symbol of women empowerment, absolutely anything is possible.

The fact that the intended purpose of the Laxman Rekha is not what feminists claim to be is of no concern. That it was only meant to be a temporary protectionary measure is summarily ignored. That Sita Herself did not interpret it to mean unjustified restrictions on Her liberty does not mean anything at all; because, of course, feminists know better and Sita has been consumed by internalised patriarchy.

Every Hindu festival is an occasion for such people to offer sermons furthering their morbid agenda. if reasonable avenues do not exist, as they very often don’t, then they are invented to suit their purposes. Consequently, tales of mythical semen-filled balloons are concocted during Holi, Kanwar Yatra becomes the embodiment of rowdy behaviour, Jallikattu is turned into a festival that oppresses animals and the Laxman Rekha is twisted to portray a patriarchal symbol that symbolises the restrictions that are imposed on women by toxic masculinity on Dussehra.

Republic TV and Maharashtra govt lock horns in Supreme Court: CJI asks both to submit affidavits in 2 weeks

OpIndia Staff
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Republic TV and Maharashtra govt lock horns in Supreme Court: CJI asks both to submit affidavits in 2 weeks

On Monday, the Republic TV Editor-in-Chief, Arnab Goswami, thanked the Supreme Court of India for its intervention against the high-handedness of the Maharashtra government.

His statement comes in the backdrop of the apex court’s directive to the Maharashtra government to file an affidavit, listing all cases against Goswami and the Republic TV and also to the news network to submit the future course of action. The Maharashtra government had moved the Supreme Court, challenging the order of the Bombay High Court to stay the investigation against Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami. The case pertains to the alleged derogatory remarks made by Goswami against Congress President Sonia Gandhi in connection to the Palghar case and supposed attempts at ‘communalising’ the gathering of migrant workers in Bandra, Mumbai.

In a statement released by the Arnab Goswami, he stated, “I am grateful for the observations of the Supreme Court today and for its intervention. As the people of India know, this is the worst case of state terrorism on a news organisation since the Emergency. The Republic media network will place the vendetta encyclopedia of the Maharashtra government before the Supreme Court. This will include all the actions of the police commissioner carried out with the approval of the Chief Minister.”

Arguments made in the Supreme Court

Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who appeared for the Maharashtra government, submitted the transcripts of the programmes conducted on Republic TV by Arnab Goswami. He asked, “The High Court has stayed and suspended the FIRs while admitting the matter. It says you (Police) cannot investigate the matter. How can the investigation be stayed?”

Chief Justice of India (CJI) SA Bobde observed, “Problem is in the course of the investigation, some authorities use unfair means. This is a purely intellectual matter and verbal matter.” He stated that in the particular case, there was nothing to be recovered from the complainant. As such, it becomes pertinent to ensure justice is done without resorting to unfair means. He noted, “Police can ask questions, even the statute says that and we don’t think that the Courts should interfere in that but it has to be done in a certain manner.”

Advocate Manu Singhvi proposed that investigation in the case should be allowed without resorting to coercive steps. The Maharashtra government has sought permission to issue summons to Arnab Goswami for interrogation and assured that he will not be arrested. While Singhvi claimed that a message might go in the society that ‘some people are above the law’, CJI Bobde reiterated, “While nobody is above the law, some people are targeted with higher intensity. There is a culture these days, that some people need a higher degree of protection.” At the same time, he emphasised on the need for ‘responsible journalism’ and maintaining harmony in the society.

Republic TV and Maharashtra government directed to file affidavits

The Supreme Court will hear the case again after two weeks. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has been asked to file an affidavit, listing all FIRs seeking to prosecute Arnab Goswami and his channel during the time period. Republic TV’s lawyer Harish Salve has been directed to submit an affidavit too, highlighting the channel’s future course of action. “The point is this that we would like you (Salve) to put on affidavit and give a picture of the course of things to come. Every day we are getting something,” CJI Bobde stated.

Bombay High Court stayed FIR against Arnab Goswami

On June 30, the Bombay High Court had stayed the FIRs filed against Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami by the Mumbai Police. The Court observed that Mumbai Police had failed to demonstrate any prima facie case against him. The Bombay High Court has ordered that no coercive actions be taken against him. The Bombay High Court observed that the transcript of the clip from his news show did not demonstrate a communal angle to the coverage. The Court emphasised on the necessity to uphold the freedom of the press and consistent with its observation, granted relief to Arnab Goswami.

Arnab Goswami at loggerheads with the Maharashtra government

Arnab Goswami and the Maha Vikas Aghadi government are at loggerheads since the prime time show aired on Republic Bharat over the lynching of Hindu sadhus in Palghar. Several FIRs were filed against the news anchor and he was called to the police station in Mumbai where he was grilled for more than 11 hours. A case was also filed against him and his channel Republic TV for broadcast on April 14 and 15 regarding the Bandra migrants incident.

Arnab had also alleged that one of his reporters and the camera person was unlawfully detained by the Maharashtra government when they were on a trail of an investigative story in Navi Mumbai. Another Republic TV journalist Pradeep Bhandari was reportedly recently encircled physically by the Mumbai Police and was detained illegally. It was alleged that Pradeep was assaulted as well and was not provided with access to lawyers.

A few days back, Republic TV was also targeted in a TRP manipulation case when the Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh convened a press conference and insinuated that Republic TV paid bribes to manipulate its TRP. However, hours later Republic TV cited Hansa Research’s report to allege that the complaint of TRP manipulation carried the name of India Today and not Republic TV. Days later, puncturing a hole in Param Bir Singh’s claims, the Maharashtra government had admitted in court that Goswami and Republic TV are not accused in the TRP fraud case.

‘China’s world domination is imminent and Europe should wake up to this danger’: Former German spy chief cautions against Beijing

OpIndia Staff
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‘China’s world domination is imminent and Europe should wake up to this danger’: Former German spy chief cautions against Beijing

A former German spy chief has sounded the alarm about the imminent threat of world domination posed by China. Gerhard Schindler, the former head of the Federal Intelligence Service between 2011 and 2016, has issued a stern warning to the European countries for their growing “strategic dependence” on Beijing.

In an interview with The Times, Schindler outlined China’s approach to international relations and cautioned Europe for its over-reliance on Beijing for exports. He added that China is very cunningly and discreetly pursuing its remarkably coherent strategy of establishing its hegemony even as European nations fail to discern its increasingly dominant and belligerent behaviour.

“For a long time now, we have viewed China only from a business perspective. We need to reconsider and modify that relationship. We are partly dependent on China, for instance with our car industry,” the erstwhile German spy chief said while adding that conscious efforts need to be undertaken to reduce Germany’s dependency on China.

To drive home his point about China’s intentions to dominate the world, Schindler cited the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, claiming the company’s technological advancement was so superior that Germany could not ascertain if there existed “back doors” in its 5G network.

“If Huawei were to build our 5G network, we will be having no idea what they are building. Things could come to a head if our decisions on significant matters are influenced by China’s threat of arbitrarily turning off our communications,” Schindler worriedly noted. He has also asked the German government to follow the footsteps of the UK, the US and other nations in banning Huawei from developing and building the country’s 5G network.

China is viewing Europe as a battlefield where the next world war will be fought: Foundation for the Defense of Democracies Report

The warning from the former German spy chief comes amidst the caution raised by several global experts about China’s nefarious plot of world domination. A report from the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies detailing China’s strategy towards Europe, including Germany, further heightens the suspicions regarding Beijing’s geopolitical objectives.

According to Emily de la Bruyere, a senior fellow at the foundation and co-author of the report, Beijing looks at Europe as a “battlefield where the third world war will take place”. She further added that China views Germany as a linchpin of the world war three battle. “If China is able to win over Germany, it can win the world,” Bruyere said in an interview to Fox News.

Amidst the raging global backlash against China for its lack of transparency and inept handling of coronavirus, Germany has been surprisingly silent on criticising of Beijing for failing to be proactive in curbing the virus and alerting the rest of the country about the dangers posed by it. German’s reticence in pulling up China is attributed to the close trade ties shared between the two countries. As of 2019, China is Germany’s biggest trading partner with €1.328 billion in exports and €1.105 billion in imports.

China’s growing assertiveness in the wake of coronavirus criticism

While some have dismissed the misgivings about the possibility of a third world war, many are convinced that if there indeed happens a third world war, China would be right in the middle of it. In the aftermath of the coronavirus crisis that has swept most of the world, China has displayed remarkable stridency in running down countries who have criticised it for its bungled handling of the pandemic and its diplomats have unabashedly indulged in “Wolf-Warrior Diplomacy”, threatening and intimidating the critics.

As China’s economic power has risen, so has its belligerence in asserting the numerous overlapping territorial claims it has with at least 14 of its neighbours. In the last few months, China had sunk a Vietnamese fishing boat in the disputed South China Sea, persistently harassed a Malaysian offshore oil rig, threatened Taiwan with an attack, tightened its grips on Hong Kong by passing a controversial national security law and flexed muscles with India along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh.

‘What Mumbai Police is doing is wrong,’ I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar speaks up on the hounding of Republic TV and Arnab Goswami exclusively to OpIndia

OpIndia Staff
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‘What Mumbai Police is doing is wrong,’ I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar speaks up on the hounding of Republic TV and Arnab Goswami exclusively to OpIndia

Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar gave an interview to the Editor of OpIndia Hindi, Ajeet Bharti, on Monday where he answered questions on a host of issues. In one of the more significant moments during the interview, the Union Minister condemned the manner in which the Mumbai Police has been handling the investigation into the alleged TRP scam.

Prakash Javadekar said, “If the TRP scam has indeed occurred, then it is wrong and should be investigated. But the name of one surfaces in the complaint, charges are established against the other, what is this? What Mumbai Police is doing, no one will endorse this. The Editors Guild and everyone else has opposed this.” “I feel that persecuting journalism in such a manner for political interests is wrong,” the Union Minister added.

It is pertinent to note here that the chain of events began with Mumbai Commissioner of Police Param Bir Singh accusing Republic TV in the TRP scam even though the Hansa Research report and the FIR filed on the basis of it named India Today. It was after Param Bir Singh went public that the Hansa report surfaced putting the Mumbai Police in a tight spot.

Subsequently, by the 11th of October, Republic TV CEO and CFO were questioned for a total of over 20 hours. The questions largely included how Republic TV managed to acquire the Hansa Report that had implicated India Today and not Republic TV. Essentially, the report that busted holes in the claims made by the Mumbai Police and the Mumbai Police Commissioner. Their journalist Pradeep Bhandari was also summoned and booked in non-bailable offences. He later got anticipatory bail.

On the 16th of October, witnesses suddenly emerged levelling accusations against Republic TV. We have reported on the 23rd of October on a conversation that shows witnesses are being coerced into naming Republic TV in the TRP scam.

Chile to rewrite its Pinochet-era constitution, over 78% of Chileans vote ‘yes’ in the referendum

OpIndia Staff
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Chile to rewrite its Pinochet-era constitution, over 78% of Chileans vote ‘yes’ in the referendum

The people of Chile have voted in favour of rewriting the Pinochet-era constitution. The old text will be replaced by a new citizen-oriented constitution to be written by Chileans. In 2019, anti-government protests started in the South American country. It took a year to come to the point where a referendum was held to determine if the people of Chile want to rewrite the constitution or not.

Around 78% of Chileans, from the 90% counted votes have voted in favour of the change. The streets of Santiago saw celebrations with singing, dancing, and firecrackers.

End of Pinochet-era constitution

The protesters demanded an end of the constitution that was created by General Augusto Pinochet in the 1980s during the dictatorship era. Under his 17-year long military rule, countless reports of human rights violations came out. Those who were on the street protesting in recent months described the dictatorial-era constitution as the main reason behind inequalities in the social and economic status in the country.

The process of writing the new constitution of Chile

Chileans voted on two factors in the referendum. First, they determined if the constitution should be re-written or not. Secondly, if the new constitution should be drafted by the members of the Congress or elected representatives. An overwhelming 79% of people have voted in favour of the new constitution being drawn up by a 100% elected body, rather than a body with 50% Congress members.

By April 2021, a 155-member constitutional convention will be formed consisting of an equal number of males and females. This will be the first time a constitution will be written with gender parity. The convention will have one year of time to draft the new constitution. After that, a referendum will be held to determine if the Chileans are happy with the draft or if they want to go back to the previous one.

Critics warn two years of uncertainty

Those who are against changing the constitution have said that for the next two years, there will be uncertainty, and the process can disrupt public life and threaten the economic stability of the country.

President urged Chileans to work together

In a special broadcast after voting concluded on Sunday, Sebastian Pinera, President of Chile, mentioned in a speech that the old constitution had divided the people of Chile. He said, “Until now, the constitution has divided us. From today, we must all work together so that the new constitution is the great framework of unity, stability and future.”

He said the new draft should include “the legacy of past generations, the will of present generations and the hopes of generations to come.”

Mahesh Bhatt sues actress who had accused him of harassment, his nephew of selling drugs and human trafficking: Here are the details

OpIndia Staff
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Mahesh Bhatt sues actress who had accused him of harassment, his nephew of selling drugs and human trafficking: Here are the details

Actress Luviena Lodh who had recently released a video message accusing filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt of harassment has been taken to court by the director and his brother Mukesh Bhatt over defamation charges. Mahesh Bhatt has reportedly filed a civil suit before the Bombay High Court against Lodh who is the estranged wife of Bhatt’s nephew. In the civil suit, Bhatt has sought an amount of Rs 1 crore in damages from Lodh calling claims made by her as ‘distasteful, patently false, grossly defamatory, slanderous allegations’.

The Bhatt brothers sought interim protection on the apprehension that Lodh will approach multiple media channels to spread false allegations which will harm their reputation and goodwill. They also raised apprehensions that a certain section of the media may give Lodh a platform to publicise her version.

According to reports, Lodh’s lawyer had issued a statement saying that Lodh would not make any defamatory statements against Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt. The injunction sought by Bhatts for stoping Luviena any slanderous statements against them has reportedly been granted.

Mahesh Bhatt Denied the Allegations

Last week, a statement was issued by legal team refuting the harassment allegations made by Lodh against Bhatt. The statement said that Bhatts would take legal action against her.

Screenshot of Instagram post of statement released by Bhatt’s legal team

Luviena Lodh’s Allegations

Lodh had released a video message last week where she made some shocking allegations against Mahesh Bhatt. She had accused Bhatt of harassing her and her family. Lodh who is seeking a divorce from her husband and Mahesh Bhatt’s nephew Sumit Sabharwal had said that she had filed the divorce case because she had come to know that Sabharwal was supplying drugs to actors. She called Mahesh Bhatt the don of the film industry and that he controlled everything that happened in the industry. Luviena Lodh accused Bhatt of destroying the lives of many people in the industry and of robbing people of work.

“I was married to the nephew of (film director) Mahesh Bhatt, Sumit Sabharwal. I had filed a divorce case against him because I got to know that he was supplying drugs to other actors such as Amyra Dastur, Sapna Pabbi etc. His phone contains pictures of several girls whom she shows to directors,” she alleged. After that, she said, “Vo ladkiya bhi supply karta hai. Inn saari baaton ki jaankari Mahesh Bhatt ko hai (He is also involved in supplying girls. Mahesh Bhatt is well aware of all these things).” 

Luviena emphasised, “Mahesh Bhatt is the don of the industry. He controls everything that goes on in the industry. If you don’t play by his rules, then, he will make your life miserable in the industry. Mahesh Bhatt has destroyed the lives of several people, including directors, actors and composers. People lose work just with one phone call by him and they don’t even get to know about it. He has done this to many people. And since I had filed a complaint against him, he is after me.”

Luviena Lodh said that if anything happened to her or her family Mahesh Bhatt, Mukesh Bhatt, Sumit Sabharwal, Sahil Sehgal and Kumkum Sehgal would be responsible.

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