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Remembering Lalu’s Jungle Raj in Bihar: When an IAS officer’s wife was raped for two years by an RJD leader

अनुपम कुमार सिंह
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Remembering Lalu’s Jungle Raj in Bihar: When an IAS officer’s wife was raped for two years by an RJD leader

Bureaucrats are the most powerful in a government after the political leaders. In many cases, their role is more important than the leader as they are responsible for implementing government schemes in the region. However, during the period of Jungle Raj in Bihar, even the IAS officers were not safe. Champa Vishwas was the wife of one such officer. She was brutally raped and the incident not only shook the state but the whole country.

Allegations of sexual exploitation of politicians in Bihar are not new. In recent times, several prominent leaders were named in the Muzaffarpur Girls’ Home Scandal. RJD has given tickets to the wives of two rapist MLAs. As these incidents are happening openly nowadays, one can only imagine the situation when Lalu Prasad Yadav was in power in Bihar. Anti-social elements connected to Lalu could do anything in Bihar. Let’s discuss one of such dark incidents that took place during that time.

Champa Vishwas’s rape: A blot on Bihar’s reputation

Murders and kidnappings during Lalu’s Jungle Raj were so common that people had stopped to consider them as news. The ruling party leaders were goons and never faced any action in crimes like sexual exploitation and murder. However, when IAS officer BB Vishwas accused Lalu Yadav’s close aide Mriyutanjay Yadav of raping his wife and several other relatives in two years, there was chaos all around.

If the case had gone to the police, either the file would have been ended in the pile of forgotten cases or action would have been taken against the victims. But, the matter came to the limelight when the victim wrote a letter to the then-Governor of Bihar, Sunder Singh Bhandari and pleaded for justice. Sexual exploitation for two years of wife and relatives of an IAS officer was not a small case.

BB Vishwas, a 1982 batch IAS officer, was the Director of Social Security in the Labor Department of Bihar at that time. He had alleged that Mrityunjay (then-27-year-old), along with his friends, raped not only his wife but also his mother, two maids, and a niece. He restored to intimidation, greed, violence, and coercion in the act. Champa Vishwas was 30-years-old at that time.

Champa Vishwas had to undergo abortion once. In the end, she had to get herself sterilized. She had to take the step to avoid getting pregnant after repeated rape. She also feared that he killed her niece Kalyani and two maidservants who went missing. Taking cognizance of the matter, the Governor had recommended the case to the Home Minister.

He also ordered Niaz Ahmad, the then-DGP of Bihar, to investigate the case. Mrityunjay Yadav had also written a book on Lalu Yadav. On 8th August 1998, BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi held a press conference in Patna and said that even the women of influential and respected families are no longer safe in Bihar because of the goons of RJD. The latter think that they can escape anything.

Despite being an officer of higher rank, BB Vishwas could not save his family from the goons. It shows how powerful their influence was at that time. Vishwas later shifted to Delhi with his entire family. Champa, while claiming that her husband’s life was in danger, said he came to know about the case much later. Mrityunjay’s mother, Hemlata Yadav, was also an MLA, and she was the chairperson of the Bihar Social Welfare Advisory Board.

At that time, he said that the allegations were false and it was a conspiracy against him and his mother. He also accused BB Vishwas of not performing his duty properly and being absent from the office. Mohammad Namtullah, who was the chief whip of the RJD in the assembly at that time, said that he knows Hemlata’s family personally and her son cannot do anything like that.

His statement was somewhat similar to the one Mulayam Singh Yadav gave when his son Akhilesh Yadav was in power. He said about the rapists that, “these are boys, they make mistakes.” All those incidents were happening while Mriotyunjay’s history was full of black spots. He was arrested three years prior to that case for sexually harassing a politician’s daughter. Hemlata was a close aide to Lalu Yadav for eight years.

The allegations against Mrityunjay

BB Vishwas’s family lived in a government quarter located in Bailey Road, Patna. In her complaint, Champa said that an officer and his wife, who were living next door, called and took them to their quarter. Mrityunjay and Hemlata were already sitting there. They locked Champa along with Mrityunjay, where he raped her. It was alleged that Hemlata threatened her if she tells anyone about the incident, her family members would be killed and they will make her objectionable photographs public.

One day, Mrityunjay again came with his mother and more people. He also had a camera. He insisted Champa to get married to him. His mother said that he is smart and belongs to a reputed family, so Champa should marry him. They described Champa’s husband as old and said once Hemlata gets the position of a minister, she will make her president of some department. Mrityunjay then again raped her.

According to the complaint, in December 1995, once again, Mritunjay came and noticed Champa Vishwas’s mother in the kitchen. He hugged and kissed her mother, who got scared and asked Champa to shift from the flat immediately. He also raped Kalyani, niece of Champa Vishwas. He got a maid on his side and drugged BB Vishwas. Several friends of Mritunjay also raped her.

In the letter sent to the National Human Rights Commission, Champa alleged that a very prominent leader of Bihar also raped her, who was often known as the Messiah of the Jungle Raj. She alleged that police did not present her statement accurately in the court and changed it. After shifting to Delhi, her family was so scared that they shifted their home 20 times.

In 2010, the Patna High Court overturned the trial court’s verdict that acquitted Hemlata Yadav and Mritunjay in the case related to Champa Vishwas rape. The accused alleged that they were made a scapegoat in the fight between RJD and BJP. He said that Sushil Modi was behind the issue, and he ruined his life; otherwise, he would have studied in Hindu College in Delhi and would have been preparing for civil services. He said most of his friends are now in civil services.

One of the statements that Mritunjay made in September 2005 must be discussed. He alleged that he was framed to save several prominent leaders of RJD. He also alleged that the judge who sentenced him was later promoted. He said there was a threat to his life and the whole investigation was corrupt. According to him, he was used for political gains.

“Your outrage against Hinduphobic content on OTT platforms may actually be fuelling more such content”- Here is what an industry insider says

Nirwa Mehta
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“Your outrage against Hinduphobic content on OTT platforms may actually be fuelling more such content”- Here is what an industry insider says

Recently, with the increase of online streaming platforms and easy accessibility, thanks to cheaper internet and smartphones, the manner in which we consume entertainment has also undergone a drastic change. While these websites provide for new talent and fresh content, it has also led to a soft bigotry towards Hindus.

Last month, Netflix, in an attempt to ‘secularise’ Rabindranath Tagore’s classic ‘Kabuliwala’, distorted it to show a Hindu girl offering namaz. In Safdar Rahman’s ‘Chhipa’, netizens questioned Netflix for mocking Hindu god Lord Hanuman. And these are just examples. There are so many shows and so much of content these platforms push through social media which display their utter disdain towards Hinduism.

OpIndia got in touch with an industry insider who, in conversation with Nirwa Mehta, spilled the beans on why such platforms display Hinduphobia in full glory and get away with it.

So tell us a bit about yourself. How are you associated with the industry

I don’t want to be named because I don’t want my image to be spoiled as someone who talks to “Sanghis” and “bigots” and frankly there are many things you guys (OpIndia) say that I genuinely don’t agree with. However, I feel that not speaking is not a solution. I will try to be honest and I expect you to not censor my comments. Your readers are free to agree or disagree.

<OpIndia rolls eyes, but okay>

Do you think Bollywood is anti-Hindu? Often such criticism is launched, especially of late on Twitter. There is a Twitter handle named “Gems of Bollywood” that has recently been highlighting many instances. What’s your take?

I don’t think Bollywood is anti-Hindu. Yes, Bollywood has been largely soft on Islam if you are pointing me things that the Twitter handle “Gems of Bollywood” has been pointing out. But they (the Twitter handle) go overboard and I don’t think many things they claim as “anti-Hindu” were really written or produced with some evil intentions. I agree that Islam or Muslims are treated with respect or with kid-gloves, but you can’t really say Bollywood is unique in this regard. There are so many mainstream Bollywood movies, which are accused of carrying “Hindutva” agenda by leftists. If Bollywood was entirely anti-Hindu, how did such movies end up being made?

Maybe because India has changed, people have changed? People are voting a Hindutva party, so Bollywood is making movies to cater to this audience?

Exactly! So Bollywood had always catered to what sells. It produces what the audience is likely to make a hit. If Bollywood content has been anti-Hindu or Hinduphobic, people should have rejected those movies and made such movies flop. But many of such movies, which are being highlighted by that Twitter handle, were hit movies. Why did Hindus of those times make those a hit? Are you guys saying India was anti-Hindu before Modi started winning?

Maybe people were uncomfortable even then, but then they didn’t speak up. Or they spoke up, but were not heard because there was no social media?

That is an assumption. I don’t agree with that. I genuinely believe that Bollywood is definitely soft on Islam and Muslims, but it is not Hinduphobic. Yes, I can agree if someone says that Bollywood is no friend of Hindus or definitely not an ally of Hindutva, but you can’t treat Bollywood as an enemy.

People like Swara Bhaskar or Anurag Kashyap are quite brazen about making fun of Hindus and Hinduism, why can’t they be treated as enemy?

Yaar don’t confuse a bunch of vocal idiots to represent the entire industry. There are people like me who are behind scenes and I’m also doing creative work. Then there are technicians and others. Don’t call all of them anti-Hindu.

What is the point if there are people like you who say they are not anti-Hindu, but still end up being party to producing Hinduphobic content?

Arey but where is the Hinduphobic content? I told you that recently leftists have actually been alleging that Bollywood is toeing Hindutva line and even doing propaganda for the BJP with movies like Uri, Toilet-Ek Prem Katha, etc. There are movies that have talked about Islamic invaders and Muslim rulers like Khalji have been shown as barbaric people, which again has put leftists in discomfort. You can’t ignore all these and just focus on 3 or 4 people who are vocal.

And even old Bollywood was not anti-Hindu. Happy and temple-going Hindu families have been shown in so many Bollywood movies and blockbusters. Bollywood never tried to shame Hindus of their identity blatantly. You have to see it in aggregate, not just be stuck on 3-4 movies or people, whether from the current era or from the past.

Can you recall any Bollywood movie for example that tried to argue that Dalits are not Hindus? Yes, in some of the old movies caste issues could have been highlighted, a Brahmin or Baniya could be shown as villain – that is outcome of the way education is given to us – but at the end of the day, a generic Bollywood entertainer shows a happy ending and not a civil war!

I am not denying the influence of leftist thinking at all. Many of Bollywood legends have been card-carrying communists. Outfits like IPTA (Indian People’s Theatre Association) or PWA (Progressive Writers Association) were virtually the arms of the communist parties in Bollywood, yet the movies didn’t try to push any out and out anti-Hindu agenda. Take for example the movie Sujata by Bimal Roy. It talks about untouchability, but it doesn’t show or encourage the burning of Manusmriti or any such thing. It is a nice love story where Hindu characters reconcile with thoughts around caste without doing away with Hinduism. Today’s woke Bollywood generation will abuse an attempt like Sujata actually saying it’s manuwadi!

So you at least agree that there is a woke Bollywood generation that has an agenda?

I don’t deny at all. And you can call them Hinduphobic, and they are. But don’t paint the entire industry as such is the only thing I am saying because Industry is largely not Hinduphobic.

How powerful is this ‘woke’ lobby of Bollywood?

It is vocal, it is very organized, it is always angry, and it is looking to control everything, but it is not as powerful as they or you may believe them to be.

But they look to be in total control so far as web content is concerned. Almost every series on any OTT platform is full of Hinduphobic themes.

See, again I will say that you are generalizing, but this time I will give you that leeway. Yes, things are indeed very skewed so far as OTT is concerned. Primarily, because success of and on OTT is in a way not dependent on what sells the most.

A mainstream Bollywood movie had to sell tickets. People had to appreciate it. It needed to gather eyeballs to do well. So there was pressure on writers and movie-makers to not become “too revolutionary”. And that is why I earlier also argued that Bollywood is not anti-Hindu, because they had to come up with content that had ultimately to be accepted by an audience that was largely Hindu. In a way, such pressure doesn’t exist on OTT.

Are you saying OTT platforms don’t care about getting eyeballs? That sounds strange as any digital platform has to survive based on eyeballs and traffics too.

To an extent, yes, that’s what I’m saying even though it might sound strange. Currently, all OTT platforms or content being generated there are being driven by marketing and investment budgets. These platforms are not looking at making profits at this point of time in India. They are just looking to generate buzz and to create a content library right now. As a result, there is no huge pressure to perform well on “box office” as happens in Bollywood generally.

You guys give a call to boycott a series on OTT, but you know that it doesn’t affect the producers at all? If a Bollywood movie is boycotted and tickets are not sold, it will actually hurt the producers as they won’t be able to recover production cost. But the money that producers get to make a web-series is not at all dependent on how many people watch that series on any OTT platform. The producer is paid just to produce it. Even OTT platforms don’t make any extra money if you see an extra series or movie. The financial pressure is not that great right now as money is just being invested to grow the brand.

Since there is no pressure to gain eyeballs on every possible occasion i.e. there is no pressure to gain acceptance of the audience for every single production, they are making anything right now and don’t care much about your boycott calls. If it creates buzz, if it creates controversy, it only helps the OTT platforms as ‘no publicity is bad publicity’. As I said, money is being invested in marketing and growth currently, and a controversy is good marketing.

Interesting, so you are saying the more people outrage against Hinduphobic content and threaten to boycott a series, the more ‘successful’ it will become in the eyes of the OTT platforms?

As of today, yes. Because neither the producers are losing any money due to your boycott, nor the OTT platforms are losing any money as you have already subscribed to them and boycott of one series doesn’t mean less revenue for them. At the end of the day, it’s about money.

Since there is no financial pressure, the woke gang of Bollywood can do anything on OTT?

You can say that.

How do we defeat them?

As I told you, I don’t really think entirely like you people or like a “right wing” guy, so I can’t give you tips on that. It is your fight and you find out. I just wanted to say that you guys are wrong when you paint entire Bollywood or entertainment industry as anti-Hindu, and also that your outrage could actually be fueling more Hinduphobic content.

Mumbai Police threatens Republic TV executive editor with imprisonment for refusing to reveal source of Hansa report in TRP scam

OpIndia Staff
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Mumbai Police threatens Republic TV executive editor with imprisonment for refusing to reveal source of Hansa report in TRP scam

Even after Mumbai police admitted in the court that Republic TV was not named in the TRP scam case, the police continue to hound the channel for exposing the lies of Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh. The Commissioner ad alleged that Republic TV was an accused in the case, but soon after that, Republic TV had accessed the complaint and the FIR in the case, which had shown that India Today was named, not Republic.

Since then, Mumbai police is continuously interrogating officials of Republic to know the source from where they accessed the complaint report by Hansa Research, a company that manages the Bar-O-meters of BARC that measures TV viewership. The company had found that its ex-employees were bribing households with the meters installed to watch India Today, and had filed a complaint with Mumbai police in the matter.

Today Republic TV informed that their executive editor Niranjan Narayanaswamy was questioned by Mumbai Police for almost 9 hours on 21st October. The network says that he was threatened with imprisonment repeatedly for his decision to not reveal the source of the Hansa report. Niranjan revealed that he was said warned that he will be booked under sections 174 and 179 of the IPC if he refuses to divulge the source of the report by Hansa Research, but Niranjan refused to divulge the source.

Mumbai police asked him a series of questions on the Hansa report, like where did the document came from, how it reached Republic office, who was the person that brought the report, how it reached the newsroom, who decided to air it, etc.

Republic TV has termed this as the greatest assault on journalistic freedom in our democracy, and asserted that Republic Media Network will not reveal its source— no matter what pressure and intimidation tactics are deployed against them.

The full statement by Republic TV is given below:

REPUBLIC EXECUTIVE EDITOR THREATENED BY MUMBAI POLICE FOR REFUSING TO REVEAL SOURCE, NETWORK WON’T YIELD

Republic Media Network is sharing with the people that our Executive Editor Niranjan Narayanaswamy on 21st October, 2020 was questioned for almost 9 hours by the Crime Branch of the Mumbai Police, wherein he was threatened with imprisonment repeatedly for his decision to not reveal his journalistic sources.

While fully cooperating with the ongoing proceedings, the repeated attempt to harass, coerce and intimidate our Executive Editor to reveal his sources in the name of an investigation is the biggest breach of constitutionality and the strongest reminder of the Emergency era.

This was Niranjan’s second appearance before the Mumbai Police and he has now been taken through a total of 17 hours of questioning by the institution’s Crime Branch. Till date we have completed over 50 hours of interrogation and responded to every summons issued in the process.

In the course of the interrogation, our Executive Editor was repeatedly probed on the Hansa complaint, which Republic brought into the public domain after Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh’s baseless, vicious and vile news conference against the Network. As is known, the Hansa complaint named English news channel India Today, and not Republic, in the context of alleged TRP manipulation. The Mumbai Police asked our Executive Editor a series of questions relating to the source and origin of the aired complaint. Among other probing questions, he was asked the following:

1. What are you citing to protect your source?

2. Where did the document come from?

3. How did the Hansa Research complaint reach the office?

4. Does what you are citing to protect your source override the CRPC?

5. Name the person who brought the Hansa report before you?

6. Who decided to air the document?

7. How did the Hansa report come into the newsroom?

Among others.

This is the greatest assault on journalistic freedom in our democratic nation, and Republic Media Network will not reveal its source— no matter what pressure and intimidation tactics are deployed against us. Threats to imprison our Executive Editor or others will neither make us relent nor compromise our sources. As journalists in this great country it is our duty to protect our sources and we will do so without an iota of trepidation for the rest of time.

Our Executive Editor Niranjan Narayanaswamy gave specific details including, but not restricted to,  Article 19(1)(a) and Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India that allowed him not to reveal the source of the Hansa Complaint. He was repeatedly threatened with sections 174 & 179 of the Indian Penal Code which lists out criminal offences if he doesn’t comply.

Our Executive Editor was also asked repeatedly and in depth about the editorial decision making process at Republic.

The Mumbai Police is trying to claim we are not cooperating, however, we are fully cooperating on everything but will not reveal our source. Our source is extremely credible but we will not reveal our source, no matter the attempts made by the Mumbai Police to threaten us. Republic will comply with every summons issued, but will not reveal our source.

Republic Media Network has, is and shall continue to operate with the highest standard of journalistic ethics. We will not compromise on our sworn journalistic principles. We will cooperate with every rule of law, follow due procedure and will not reveal our sources in the process.

No, India Today, Katrina Kaif in yellow saree for Navratri is not offensive to Hindus, this is where you got it wrong

Jhankar Mohta
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No, India Today, Katrina Kaif in yellow saree for Navratri is not offensive to Hindus, this is where you got it wrong

Hindu festivals have lately emerged as the favourite punching bags for teaching morality and making fun of traditions. Recently, digital platform Eros Now took to social media to put up rather strange Navratri wishes, full of innuendos and vulgarity. After receiving severe backlash, the posts were taken down Eros Now issued an apology.

As hashtag #BoycottErosNow trended on Twitter, India Today quickly jumped in to give an impression that Eros Now is receiving hate on the internet by a section of ‘trolls’ for particularly using a film still, starring Katrina Kaif in a yellow saree. In an article headlined “BoycottErosNow trends online as Twitter outrages over Navratri post starring Katrina Kaif” dated, October 22, claimed that though Eros Now had also used pictures of other actresses, Twitterati particularly targeted the OTT platform for posting Katrina Kaif’s picture.

The article by India Today

India Today claimed that Eros Now had used the picture of various actresses including, Sonakshi Sinha, Kangana Ranaut, Deepika Padukone and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Katrina Kaif with an intention to suggest colours and fashion advice to their followers on social media for Navratri. Without being explicit and spelling it out, India Today insinuated that Eros Now was facing the heat because they chose to have Katrina Kaif, a Muslim woman, in one of the Navratri posts. It tried to imply that while there were no objections raised against any other picture, it was only Katrina’s image Eros Now tweeted which attracted the ire of the Hindus on social media.

Excerpt from India Today’s article

Very cleverly, India Today shared images of Eros Now’s account of other actresses, trying to show how the images of Hindu actresses wishing for Navratri did not get the ire.

However, India Today’s shallow attempt trying to be holier than thou was far from reality. Here is what really upset the Hindus.

The social media outrage was not because the OTT platform used the picture of a Muslim actress draped in a yellow saree, but because of the sexual innuendos and vulgar text which were attached to the posts. The social media users objected to the use of images of the actress wearing skimpy outfits and to the sexually suggestive texts attached to the pictures.

India Today with its selective amnesia did not see that people had objected to two other social media posts by Eros Now too.

One of the now-deleted posts features Ranveer Singh alongside the quote, “Let’s have some majama in my pajama”.

Ranveer Singh’s ‘Majama in my pajama’ post

The other image was that of Salman Khan alongside the quote, “You need a dandi to play dandiya – I have one”.

Salman Khan talking about his ‘dandi’

So, India Today, how come you did not see these two posts? Why should reducing the festival of praying to divine feminine to that of lust and innuendos not offend Hindus, whom you refer to as trolls? Just because Hindus do not take to streets to behead people for mocking their religion, is everything thrown at them halal?

UP: Police find conversion of over 200 people to Buddhism fake, people were asked to sign conversion papers disguised as govt scheme

OpIndia Staff
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UP: Police find conversion of over 200 people to Buddhism fake, people were asked to sign conversion papers disguised as govt scheme

Yet another conspiracy has been revealed against the Yogi Adityanath led BJP Government in Uttar Pradesh. Recently, there were reports that 236 people belonging to Valmiki community embraced Buddhism as they were facing financial constrain and oppression. It was also alleged that the infamous Hathras case was the turning point that led to their conversion. However, now it has come to light that the whole matter could be a not-so-well-planned conspiracy against Yogi Government. After a local BJP MLA called it fake news, the administration investigated the case and found out that the whole case was a fake. There was no evidence of conversion, and they could not find any certificate or registration number that can prove conversion.

The case of mass conversion

On 14th October, reports alleged that 50 Dalit families comprising 236 people embraced Buddhism as they were fed up with the financial constraints and oppression. The alleged conversion took place in Karehra village of the Sahibabad police station area. It was also alleged that every one of them even got a certificate of conversion.

Complaint filed by Montu Valmiki

A resident of the same area, Montu Valmiki, had registered a case in the police station on the matter. In his complaint, he said that the whole story of conversion is an attempt to create disharmony in society by spreading false rumours. When the police investigated the case, they found that there was a criminal conspiracy. It was found that the people were presented papers on the pretext of government schemes, but later it was said that those were conversion papers.

ADM City Shailendra Singh visited the location with SP City on the instructions of the District Magistrate. He could not find any evidence of conversion. In the investigation report, he mentioned that there were no signs of conversion, and he could not locate any registration number. SP City said that the names and numbers on the certificated did not match, and some people had blank papers. He added that they had received a memorandum from the people of the Valmiki community, and their problems will be solved soon.

Allegations on Aam Aadmi Party

Bharatiya Janata Party has alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party is playing dirty politics in the region. BJP MLA Nandkishore Gurjar has alleged that there was no conversion and the rumors are false. He also alleged that nexus between ISI and Dawood Ibrahim is hatching a conspiracy in the country to instigate instability and communal riots. He also alleged that one Pawan was paid Rs.10 lakh for the conversion.

Lucknow: Jama Mazar caretaker ‘Kale Baba’ caught running sex racket, video goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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Lucknow: Jama Mazar caretaker ‘Kale Baba’ caught running sex racket, video goes viral

In a shocking incident in Lucknow, a Mazar caretaker was arrested yesterday for allegedly running a sex racket. As per a report of News 18, the caretaker of Jama Mazar situated at Hussainabad in Thakurganj area of Lucknow named ‘Kale Baba’ allegedly used to sexually exploit women in the name of treatment.

The local people had reportedly been receiving complaints regarding some suspicious activities taking place in the Mazar. Some of the locals caught a woman and a man in an objectionable condition in a room adjacent to the Mazar. They recorded the incident on cameras. A video of the so-called ‘Kale Baba’ being caught by locals and the illicit activities being run in an adjoining room has gone viral on social media.

(Disclaimer: Explicit video, reader discretion advised)

The locals handed over Kale Baba to the police. He has been arrested and an investigation has been initiated against him by the police as informed by ACP Chowk IP Singh. During interrogation, the Baba allegedly confessed that he used to treat women for issues like infertility and leukorrhea. He said that he used to force women into the sex racket in the name of treatment.

Meghalaya: Khasi student body puts up racist posters saying “All Meghalaya Bengalis are Bangladeshis”

OpIndia Staff
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Meghalaya: Khasi student body puts up racist posters saying “All Meghalaya Bengalis are Bangladeshis”

A tense situation prevailed in parts of Meghalaya after several posters targeting Bengalis appeared in Shillong and various other parts of the state on Wednesday. According to the reports, Khasi Students’ Union, which is an influential students’ body in Meghalaya, put up banners referring to all Bengalis in the state as ‘Bangladeshis’.

The banners put up by KSU in various parts of Shillong, read, “All Meghalaya Bengalis are Bangladeshis” and “Khasiland for Khasis; Foreigners Go Away”.

However, the Meghalaya Police brought down the banners on Wednesday and warned people against putting such racist posters targeting Bengali population in the state. The Police said legal action would be initiated against those trying to “incite communal disharmony”.

“It is hereby informed that banners that were displayed today in public places, have been removed. We request all concerned to kindly co-operate with us in promoting peace and harmony in the State,” Meghalaya Police tweeted.

Assistant IGP, GK Iangrai, said that the KSU should refrain from activities that negate the social fabric and legal action shall be taken against anyone trying to incite communal disharmony in any form.

Meanwhile, defending his organisation’s action, KSU chief Lambok Marngar said, “The display of banners in Shillong and other parts of the state was intended to send a message to trouble-mongers who were trying to mislead the country and create hate especially on the Ichamati issue.”

“Those claiming to be residents of Shillong but living in Kolkata and other places are giving false statements that Khasis are targeting non-tribals and they have organised protests in Kolkata and Silchar,” Marngar added.

Posters were put up to mourn the death of KSU member during Ichamati clashes

Putting up posters, the students’ body also mourned the death of one of its members during the clashes that erupted during the anti-CAA protests in the Bengali-dominated Ichamati village along the India-Bangladesh border in February. The Ichamati clash which occurred on February led to the death of Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) member Lurshai Hynniewta.

Following the death of Hynniewta, several non-tribals were allegedly stabbed to death in different parts of the state. The Ichamati incident was raked up after allegations of institutionalised harassment of non-tribal women and children were made against the tribals in reaction to the death of KSU member.

The Bengali population had written a letter to the NCPCR and Governor Satya Pal Malik alleging harassment of by locals in Ichamati, which increased KSU’s resentment against Bengali population.

Later, the state government, in its response to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), had claimed that no cases of harassment of Ichamati residents, particularly women and children, were found.

Ban KSU, it is an anti-national terrorist organisation, says former governor

The racist banners put up by Khasi Students’ Union has now stoked a massive controversy, prompting various leaders from Bengal to demand that the organisation be designated as a “terrorist outfit”.

Former Governor of Meghalaya Tathagata Roy said, “I say this taking full responsibility as ex-Governor of Meghalaya: KSU needs to be banned just like HNLC. It is an anti-national terrorist organisation, threatening Indian citizens, some of whom are residents of Meghalaya since British times. Like my family on both sides.”

Non-tribals in tribal dominant states in North-East such as Meghalaya have been suffering immense discrimination and are often the victims of hate crimes. In July this year, six non-tribal youths were injured grievously in Meghalaya on Friday after they were attacked by unidentified goons.

The incident had occurred after the boys, all between the age of 20 and 24, went to play basketball in Shillong. They were attacked by a group of around 20 individuals, allegedly tribals, who were armed with iron rods and sticks.

CM Yogi distributes relief amount of Rs 113.21 crore among the flood-affected farmers in Uttar Pradesh

OpIndia Staff
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CM Yogi distributes relief amount of Rs 113.21 crore among the flood-affected farmers in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath distributed a relief amount of Rs 113.21 crore to the flood-affected farmers in 19 districts in the state through online transaction yesterday. He assured that the state government is working on trying to find more permanent solutions to the problem.

A plan is being chalked out to address the problem. Until that happens, timely action will be taken in the flood-prone areas as per the existing norms as is currently being done, he assured. Around 3,48,511 have received the relief amount. The money was transferred online directly to the farmers.

CM Yogi stated that the state government is working on a mission mode to prevent serious flood situations and the needed infrastructure development work is progressing well. He also emphasized that the officials deployed in flood-affected regions have been instructed to ensure that effective distribution of relief material, medicines and conveyance facilities like boats are in place to help the common people.

CM Yogi addressed the farmers

Addressing farmers from his residence, the Chief Minister said that District Magistrates had been given directions to ensure that the farmers should not be exploited and that they receive appropriate prices for their crops. He said that the relief amount is minuscule as compared the hard work of farmers but this shows the government’s commitment towards the interests of farmers. He also interacted with several farmers and listened to their issues regarding flood. The farmers expressed pleasure on receiving the relief amount.

Earlier this month, CM Yogi has laid down the foundation of 177 development projects in Gorakhpur which include a fertiliser plant which is expected to be completed next year. The plant is expected to create around four thousand jobs and will also ensure an adequate supply of fertiliser to the farmers.

UP Police Sub-Inspector Intesar Ali suspended for keeping beard without permission

OpIndia Staff
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UP Police Sub-Inspector Intesar Ali suspended for keeping beard without permission

An Uttar Pradesh police sub-inspector (SI) named Intesar Ali was reportedly suspended after he grew a beard without seeking permission from the department. Ali was warned many times to either shave the beard or seek the requisite permission. Ali did not take permission and continued to keep the beard.

According to SP Baghpat Abhishek Singh, police personnel are allowed to keep a beard but, except Sikhs, they need to take the required permission. He told that Ali was asked to take permission twice but he did not comply. Ali was consequently suspended for violating the rules of the department.

“If any police personnel want to keep a beard, he has to seek permission for the same. Intesar Ali was repeatedly asked to seek permission but he did not comply and kept the beard without permission,” the SP said.

Read- Why Muslims are not allowed to keep long beard in the armed forces

Although beards are not allowed without permission for cops in UP police, there is an incentive for growing moustaches. Personnel of the Uttar Pradesh Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) are paid Rs 250 per month for maintaining moustaches, which was raised from Rs 50 per month earlier in 2019.

Ali says he sought the permission

SI Ali is a resident of Saharanpur. He had joined the Uttar Pradesh police as Sub Inspector and was posted in the Baghpat district for three years. He was posted in Ramala police station before the lockdown. Ali has claimed that he had been seeking the permission to keep beard since 2019 but the department did not grant him permission till date.

‘Mughal Prince Tucy’ lashes out on AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi, calls him ‘Bewakoof, and Gadha’

OpIndia Staff
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‘Mughal Prince Tucy’ lashes out on AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi, calls him ‘Bewakoof, and Gadha’

Yakub Habeebuddin Tucy alias Prince Tucy, who claims to be the descendant of Bahadur Shah Zafar, seems to be extremely miffed with Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao and AIMIM’s chief Asaduddin Owaisi for the miseries Hyderabad has been left to grapple with, in the aftermath of the incessant rains in the last few days.

Raising concerns over the damages the recent Hyderabad floods have caused, especially in the old city, ripping it worth thousands of crores and leaving several people dead, Tucy lambasted at the political stalwarts for turning a blind eye towards the state which has voted them to power.

Prince Tucy lambastes at “Joker” Asaduddin Owaisi, referring to him as “bewakoof and gadha” (foolish) and slams him for showing more interest in the politics of Bihar instead of concentrating on Hyderabad. “Bewakoof…gadhe, aise waqt jab awaam ke paas pani nahi hain peene ku tu apni siyasat chala raha hain.. Bihar mein logo ko ja kar samjha raha hain…mein awaam se kahun ga yeh jab dikhe ise chappal se mare” (You fool, at the time when your people in Hyderabad do not even have water to drink, you are busy doing politics in Bihar… I urge the people of Hyderabad that whenever they encounter him they should hit him with a chappal), lashed out Prince Tucy.

He said that the main purpose behind him releasing a statement is to draw the government’s attention towards the adversities the one and a half hours of rain has thrown the city into. He said that several colonies in the older parts of the city were inundated following the heavy rains. He said that it been 8 days, but the government has done little to help the affected. It is appalling that in these 8 days, CM KCR has not bothered to release even one statement, he has only sent his son KT Rama Rao (Minister for Municipal Administration in Telangana government) to inspect few areas, opined Tucy.

In a no-holds-barred attack, Prince Tucy asked: “Is it for this day that the people of Hyderabad picked up KCR from the footpath and placed him on the CM’s seat”? Are you here just to get snaps clicked at the “joker’s” daughter’s wedding? Was it for this day that you were made the CM, lambasted Prince Tucy.

Hyderabad floods

For the last few days, Hyderabad has been bettering heavy rains which left several parts of the city flooded. Frightening visuals showed vehicles being swept away as streets got submerged in water, and massive downpour caused huge damage in the state capital and nearby areas. Disturbing visuals emerged showing people on their rooftops after floodwater entered their houses.

On Thursday, the state government said that 50 people had lost their lives due to heavy rain and flash floods and early estimates showed losses at around Rs 6,000 crore. While Telangana is the hardest-hit by floods, neighbouring states – Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka – have also been affected.

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