On Monday, a 21-year-old student named Nikita Tomar was shot dead in full public view by two men outside the Aggarwal college in Ballabgarh, Faridabad. Her family has now alleged that he was forcing her to convert to Islam and marry him.
Family demands SIT probe
The relative stated that Taufeeq alias Sajeed started harassing Nikita three years ago. Few months back, too, a complaint was lodged against him for harassment and molestation. However, the family later dropped the case.
Lately, the accused again allegedly started hounding her and pressuring her to embrace Islam. The relative confirmed that the accused initially wanted to abduct her but killed her when she resisted to his demands. The family has now demanded that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) should be constituted to probe the case.
#Breaking | Family of girl shot dead in Faridabad make shocking claim.
Girl was being forced to convert religion to marry the man who ended her life by shooting her in broad daylight.
CCTV footage shows two assailants shooting at Nikita Tomar in broad daylight in Faridabad
Earlier in the day, a CCTV footage had shown how two assailants had shot the 21-year-old student in broad daylight outside the Aggarwal college in Ballabgarh, Faridabad. In the video, which went viral on social media, the assailant could be seen stepping out of his car and pulling out his revolver. Nikita is seen struggling to get free and manages to flee for a brief moment before the accused grabs her again. While Nikita struggles to free herself from the man, he then shoots her in the point-blank range. The other accused too got out of the car and pulled Taufeeq back into the car. The duo then fled the crime scene.
A resident of SGM Nagar, Nikita was a final year B.Com student. After the inicident, Nikita was rushed to the hospital, where she was declared brought dead.
Speaking about the incident, ACP (Ballabgarh) Jaiveer Rathi informed that the primary accused had been arrested. “One of the accused identified as Taufeeq hailing from Sohna was known to the victim and a complaint against him had been lodged by the victim’s kin a few months ago for harassment and molestation but a compromise had been reached.” According to him, the ‘rejection of friendship’ could be a motive behind the crime.
Note: The report earlier mentioned about one Sajid posing as Rahul and molesting a minor girl in Haryana and forcing her to convert to Islam. However, the incident is different from that of Nikita Tomar. Error is regretted.
In his autobiography titled, “A Road Well Travelled”, former CBI director RK Raghavan recounted how he was harassed by the rivals of PM Modi for giving him a clean chit in the 2002 Gujarat riots.
On 27 February 2002, a compartment in Sabarmati Express train returning from Ayodhya was set on fire by a Muslim mob in Godhra. 59 people, including several women and children, returning from Ayodhya were burnt alive. Following the carnage, communal riots broke out in Gujarat. It is pertinent to remember that the Raghavan led the Special Investigative Team (SIT), from 2008 to 2017, which probed the highly-politicised case under the supervision of the Supreme Court.
While the SIT did not find any evidence that could prove the complicity of the then Gujarat CM Modi in the Gujarat riots, RK Raghavan became an easy target of the some ‘highly placed persons at the helm of affairs in Delhi’. As per a report in Times of India, the ex-CBI director has written, “They engineered petitions against me, accusing me of favouring the CM. The grapevine had it that they misused central agencies to monitor my telephonic conversations. They were disappointed not to find anything incriminating.” He further emphasised that the ‘unequivocal stand’ was ‘unpalatable’ to PM Modi’s rivals.
RK Raghavan decided to not interrogate PM Modi personally
“At one point of time, we had to question Modi on the allegations made against the state administration. We had it conveyed to his staff that he had to come in person to the SIT office for this purpose and that meeting him elsewhere would be misconstructed as a favour. He agreed to come to the SIT office within the government complex in Gandhinagar,” Raghavan narrated.
Raghavan had tasked fellow SIT member Ashok Malhotra to do the questioning and excused himself from taking part in the interrogation process. His unusual step was meant to avoid any allegations of ‘mischief’ or baseless claims that CM and the former CBI director had struck a deal. He wrote, “This stand was endorsed months later by no less a person than amicus curiae Harish Salve. He told me that my presence would have vitiated Modi’s statement and would have robbed it of its credibility.” He said that the decision was personal and he took it out of sheer intuition.
PM Modi answered every question energetically
“Modi’s questioning lasted nine hours in my own chamber at the SIT office. Malhotra told me later that Modi kept his cool right through the marathon session which ended late at night. He (Modi) never parried questions. Nor did he give the impression of padding up his responses, “the former CBI director said, as mentioned by ANI.
Hailing PM Modi’s energetic spirit, he added, “When Malhotra asked him whether he would like to break for lunch, he initially turned down the offer. He brought his own bottle of water and did not accept even a cup of tea from the SIT during the marathon questioning comprising hundred-odd questions…This was possibly Modi’s concession to the need for a respite for Malhotra rather than for himself. Such was the energy of the man.”
EX-CBI director dismisses baseless claims of IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt
RK Raghavan had also dismissed the baseless claims of IPS officer Sanjeev Bhatt who had claimed that he was a part of the meeting where PM Modi had told senior police officers ‘not to intervene’ if ‘Hindu emotions overflowed.’ It should be mentioned that Bhatt has been serving jail time, after being convicted in a custodial death case. Bhatt is facing charges under another case where he is accused of planting drugs to frame a person in Banaskantha.
“A few others, including Sanjeev Bhat, had also alleged that the chief minister, at a late-night official meeting on 28 February 2002, had directed senior police officers present at the meeting not to intervene if Hindu emotions overflowed. Here again, there was no corroboration to the charge,” Raghavan wrote. He added that none present in the meeting, which was conducted to review the law and order situation in Gujarat in the aftermath of the Godhra train burning incident, conceded that Bhatt was present in the meeting.
Raghavan on Ehasan Zafri Case
A man named Ehsan Jafri and 68 others were brutally killed by the mob in the aftermath of the Godhra train burning. The mob barged in the Muslim dominated Gulberg Society of Ahmedabad and killed 69 people. In 2006, the police filed a case against Modi, some ministers and officials in response to a complaint filed by Zakia.
On April 27, 2009, the Supreme Court ordered SIT to take action on the complaint of Zakia. SIT investigated the case and a filed closure report in 2012. The closure report cited that no evidence was found against Modi or other accused officials. Raghavan said that there was no evidence to back the claim that Congress MP had tried to reach the chief minister by phone. He also emphasised that the probe did not corroborate the allegations that the then Gujarat CM Modi was complicit in the violence.
Raghavan on being vindicated by Supreme Court
Asserting that the Supreme Court’s verdict had upheld the SIT report that dismissed charges against PM Modi and others, he stated, “Fortunately, the apex court stood by me and backed me to the hilt. I was found ‘inconvenient’ because I refused to buy the argument that the state administration connived with the rioters who were targeting the Muslim community. Our investigation was clinical and professional…In our report to the apex court we absolved the chief minister of the alleged illegal direction to the police,” he said.
Raghavan is an IPS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre. He was later appointed the Indian High Commissioner to Cyprus in 2017.
On 22nd October 1947, Pashtun tribal intruders invaded Jammu and Kashmir intending to plunder, rape, and destroy the region. Termed as ‘Gulmarg,’ the Pakistan military-supported operation was initiated under the leadership of Pakistani tribal leader Khurshid Anwar.
Since the day of Independence, Pakistan is trying to take control of Jammu and Kashmir. Though Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, Pakistan mischievously denies to acknowledge it and blame India for illegally occupying Kashmir. The first attempt to invade Indian Territory was brutally crushed by Indian armed forces. During the time of the first war between India and Pakistan, several factors play a vital role that turned the tables in favour of India.
The day when the first Battalion of Indian Armed forces landed in Srinagar
By the time India started sending troops in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistani invaders have already reached Baramulla. There was only 56 KM of tarmac road between the invaders and Srinagar. Almost negligible intelligence had reached Delhi resulting in a sort-of blind entry on the battlefield.
The first Battalion of Sikh Regiment landed in Srinagar on 27th October, now celebrated as the Infantry Day. The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Dewan Ranjit Rai, was clear with the instructions that before landing in the region, the safety of the troops had to be ensured. He had directed them to first circle over the airfield, and if there was an iota of doubt that invaders have taken control of the airfield, they must fly back to Jammu.
‘Defend the state till the last man and the last bullet’
On 22nd October 1947, Brigadier Rajinder Singh, Chief of Staff of the Kashmir State Forces, rushed to Uri with around 200 soldiers on the instructions of Hari Singh, Maharaja of Kashmir. The aim was to stall the invaders in Uri that is 101 KM from Srinagar.
There were clear instructions from the Maharaja to Brigadier Rajinder Singh, “Defend the state till the last man and the last bullet,” and he did so. Singh gave his life during the battle on 24th October. He was awarded posthumously with the Mahavir Chakra. Singh became the first soldier of the Indian Armed forces to get the award in Independent India.
Maharaja had been asking the Indian Government for military aid, but it was only legitimate after Kashmir formally acceded to India. On 26th October, Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession and joined India. The Indian government then decided to send Indian Armed Forced to Srinagar. If the military aid has been forwarded on 22nd October, Pakistan would not have been successful in illegally occupying part of Jammu & Kashmir.
Political desires delayed Pakistan’s progression
Khurshid Anwar, the Pakistani tribal leader who led the invaders, took control of Baramulla on 26th October. His dream to become President of ‘Azad Kashmir’ was shattered when he learned that the Pakistani government had appointed Sardar Ibrahim Khan for the post. The ‘betrayal’ was more than enough to infuriate him to a level that he slowed down the progression.
The legend of Sherwani
There are many stories attached to the first India-Pakistan war. One such story is of 19-year-old Mohammad Maqbool Sherwani. The bicycle-riding young man single-handedly slowed down the advance of thousands of Pakistani tribal invaders with a simple yet effective trick. He convinced them that they should not advance towards Srinagar as the Indian Army has reached close to Baramulla. In reality, the Indian Army was nowhere close to Baramulla. His trick worked and provided valuable time to the Indian Armed Forces to land in Srinagar. The invaders later realized Sherwani had been tricking them. They shot him dead and crucified him. A community hall was set up by the Indian Army in his name to honour his bravery.
Unmatched act of bravery
As the first batch of the troops landed in Srinagar, Lieutenant Colonel Dewan Ranjit Rai had to make a quick decision whether to engage with the invaders or to wait for the reinforcement. After asserting the situation, he decided to engage. He kept one company in reserve and attacked the intruders with another company. Equipped with machine guns and mortars, the intruders forced Lieutenant Colonel Rai’s company to fall back. He took control of the area around Pattan that is located halfway between Baramulla and Srinagar. Though he was injured by a sniper’s bullet, he managed to halt the enemy.
‘Enemy is less than 50 yards from us; I shall not withdraw an inch’
On 3rd November, a company of Kumaon Regiment under the leadership of Major Somnath Sharma went on a fighting patrol to Badgam. Major Sharma was injured at the time and had plaster due to a fracture. However, the injury could not stop him from inflicting casualties on the enemy’s side. Before he gave his life on the battlefield, he radioed the command office, and his last words were, “The enemy is only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round.” The message was interrupted by a loud sound of a bursting mortar that killed him. Major Somnath Sharma was posthumously awarded Param Vir Chakra and Sepoy Dewan Singh of his Battalion was awarded Mahavir Chakra posthumously.
The spitfires that broke the backbone of intruders’ resistance
During the first week of November, Spitfires engaged in attacking the Pakistani intruders beyond Pattan. The attack was so thorough that it broke the spirit of the intruders. Former Chief of Air Staff Dilbag Singh was among the Spitfire pilots.
Battle of Shalateng
The demolition drive of the Pakistani tribal intruders that started on 27th October found its glorious closure on 7th November when Brigadier L.P. Sen, DSO, gave the final orders of the attack. The enemy was attacked by the armour troop under Lieutenant Noel David from the rear and attacked by 1 Sikh from the front. From the right, 1 Kumaon under Lieutenant Colonel Pritam Singh attacked the enemy that confused them to the point they started to run Westside. The battle of Shalateng lasted for 12 hours and royally concluded by the Air Force that roared over the escaping intruders.
Tension continues to grip Munger town and the surrounding areas in Bihar after violence was heaped at a Hindu procession for Durga idol immersion. An 18-year-old youth has reportedly been killed and several others injured in the firing that took place on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday. 20 policemen including SHOs of Sangarmpur, Kotwali, Kasim Bazar, Basudeopur police stations were also injured in the ensuing violence. The injured persons have been admitted to the Sadar hospital here.
The Munger violence during Durga Puja Visarjan
The violence, as per reports, broke out after Kotwali police asked Hindus not to delay the idol immersion procession of Shadipur Badi Durga. Traditionally, the idols are immersed after three days of Vijayadashami but this time, in view of the first phase of Assembly polls in the state on Wednesday, the administration had insisted on the immersion by 5 am on Tuesday.
Durga puja organizers, as instructed, had taken out the procession allegedly with DJs close to midnight as they headed for the immersion. The situation turned ugly around 11.50 pm when police officials used brutal force on Hindus going for Durga Puja Visarjan.
The police reportedly unilaterally beat up four persons who were carrying idols on their shoulders. This sparked off a protest which led to the ensuing violence.
While the police did lathi-charge against the Hindus, the police have claimed that the participants of the procession allegedly also pelted stones. However, eyewitnesses revealed that the police opened fire at the procession thereafter and that tear gas shells were also used.
While the videos show how Hindus were brutally beaten up by the police, the police have alleged that the participants of the procession pelted stones and used firearms. According to reports, the police have detained a hundred people in connection with the incident. While the locals alleged that the police excess led to the clash, the police have claimed that twelve rounds were fired from the crowd which led the police to retaliate.
“The mob pelted stones and opened fire on police which led to the death of one person and injured 27 people including 20 policemen,” Munger’s superintendent of police Lipi Singh said.
Munger’s district magistrate Rajesh Meena and superintendent of police Lipi Singh had rushed to the spot and remained at the site of the clash till 3 am until the situation was brought completely under control. A heavy police force has been deployed in Deen Dayal Chowk and the surrounding areas after the incident. SP Lipi Singh has said that the situation has been brought under control.
The Pakistani city of Peshawar was today rocked by a massive explosion which took place at a Madarsa Zubairiyyah in the city’s Dir Colony. The development was confirmed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Chief Dr Sanaullah Abbasi and SSP Mansoor Aman.
According to AFP which quoted a senior official, the attack took place in the madrasa when someone took a bag inside the seminary during the Quran class. SSP Aman said that the preliminary investigation hinted at the use of improvised explosive device(IED) for the blast. About 5 kgs of explosives were used in the explosion, he added.
At least 7 people have been killed and as many as 70 have been injured in the explosion. Though initial reports said many of the deceased were children, authorities have now confirmed that all of the dead were between 20 and 30 years of age. However, there are several children among the injured. Most of the injured remain in critical condition and have been shifted to the emergency ward of the hospital for immediate medical attention.
Pakistani journalist Fakhar Yousafzai has shared a video where Mullah Rahimullah Haqqani, the head of the madarsa who was reportedly known for his closeness to Taliban and aversion of the ISIS, is seen giving sermons just before the blast. Haqqani has survived the blast.
The police have ordered an investigation into the explosion. So far, no group has claimed the responsibility of the attack.
The explosion brought back memories of the Peshawar school massacre in December 2014
The explosion in Peshawar madrasa brought back the painful memories of a gruesome terror attack that had convulsed the city back in 2014.
On 16 December 2014, six terrorists of Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP) conducted a terrorist attack on the Army School in the city. The terrorists had entered the school and randomly opened fire at the school staff and children, killing 149 people including 132 schoolchildren, making it the world’s fourth deadliest school massacre.
A rescue operation was later launched by Pakistani Army and Police forces, which had neutralised the six terrorists and rescued about 960 people.
On Monday, the National Investigative Agency (NIA) informed that they have arrested a key accused in the sensational Kerala gold smuggling case. He was extradited from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to India via Kochi International Airport.
The 42-year-old accused, identified as Rabins K Hameed, is a resident of Muvattupuzha In Ernakulam district of Kerala. A probe by the NIA into the gold smuggling case has revealed that the accused had arranged funds for purchasing gold from Dubai to be smuggled to India through diplomatic baggage.
Besides, he had ‘arranged for the concealment of gold’ in electronic equipment in Dubai so that it can easily be smuggled to Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. A key conspirator in the case, Hameed worked alongside other accused, namely, Ramees KT, and Jalal AM. A Special NIA court had earlier issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Rabins K Hameed. The NIA will now seek his custody, after being produced in the court.
The NIA statement further stated that Rabins was wanted in connection with the seizure of about 30 kg of gold from the Thiruvananthapuram airport by customs. The gold, concealed expertly to evade duty, was being smuggled in baggage marked with diplomatic cargo with the address of the UAE consulate in Kerala. The NIA had later arrested main accused Swapna Suresh and others in the case.
The main accused Swapna Suresh and another former employee of the consulate named Sarith were using forged documents to claim diplomatic immunity to escape custom check. They were allegedly using their false diplomatic status to smuggle gold from UAE.
Kerala gold scam: CMO under scrutiny
The involvement of top officials in the Kerala government and especially from the CM’s office has been under scrutiny in the case. Media reports had stated that senior bureaucrat M Sivasankar, the principal secretary of CM Vijayan had made calls to custom officials to clear Swapna Suresh’ baggage.
Earlier, in a sensational disclosure, the prime accused in the Kerala gold smuggling case – Swapna Suresh had revealed to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had held multiple meetings with the Consul General of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2017. The prime accused Swapna Suresh, in her statement to ED, had disclosed that it was Vijayan who had also “unofficially” recommended the name of his then principal secretary M Shivasankar as the state government’s official point of contact with the UAE’s consulate.
Swapna Suresh has also admitted before the probing agency that the private meetings between Vijayan and the UAE diplomats were held at CM Vijayan’s official residence in Thiruvananthapuram. Suresh was arrested by the NIA in July after she was found misusing fraudulently obtained diplomatic immunity papers to smuggle gold from UAE. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is investigating the case, had also informed the NIA Special Court in Kochi that Swapna Suresh had “good influence” in Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s office.
Parody country Pakistan is at it again. This time, Pakistan-based bots including its citizens now want their country led by Imran Khan, to ‘Do Atomic Attack’ on France. No, it is not a joke, they are saying it in all seriousness. Here is how it all started.
Samuel Paty beheading
Earlier this month, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Islam is in crisis all over the world. The French President had also suggested closing down of places of worship that are suspected of radicalisation. Shockingly, just two weeks later, a school teacher Samuel Paty was publicly beheaded by a radical Islamist. Paty’s ‘crime’ was to show a caricature of Prophet Muhammad to his students.
An online campaign was run against Paty for ‘blasphemy’. Inspired, Abdoullakh Abouyezidovitch A, a Russian refugee in France took it upon himself to ‘punish’ Paty.
Enraged, French public took to streets in solidarity with Paty. So much that it has now become a mass movement. This, of course, has not gone down too well with Islamic nations.
Islamic nations condemn France
Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was upset over Macron’s “Islam is in crisis” speech. Four days after French President Macron’s speech, Erdogan condemned it and said “What is the problem of this person called Macron with Muslims and Islam? Macron needs treatment on a mental level…”
Following Erdogan’s statement, France recalled its ambassador from Turkey saying that outrage and insult are not method. Soon, Kuwait also removed French products from markets over the ‘blasphemous’ cartoon. Not wanting to be left out, Pakistani bots also joined in.
Inspired by the bots, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, too, attacked Emmanuel Macron. In fact, Khan suggested how calling out radicalisation will actually lead to more radicalisation and hence, Macron should’ve used a ‘healing touch’.
Hallmark of a leader is he unites human beings, as Mandela did, rather than dividing them. This is a time when Pres Macron could have put healing touch & denied space to extremists rather than creating further polarisation & marginalisation that inevitably leads to radicalisation
French authority has denounced the Turkish propaganda against France and has mobilised its diplomats in countries where calls to boycott French products are being made to ask assurances from these countries that its citizens in these countries would be safe.
Pakistani bots continue threatening France
Meanwhile, Pakistani bots and individuals inspired by these bots are still at it.
Macron: France will not give up our cartoons. Also Macron: Muslim nations please give up your call to boycott French goods. If you have the freedom to hate, we have the freedom to reject your hate.#boycottfrenchproducts
Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar issued sermons to French President that if France has ‘freedom to hate’ (show caricature of Prophet Muhammad), Pakistanis have freedom to ‘reject hate’. Amusingly, the paper tiger that Shoaib Akhtar is, he had to delete his video criticising China for spread of Chinese coronavirus earlier this year. In a now deleted video, Akhtar had questioned Chinese for eating a non-halal ‘bat’ when there are abundant ‘halal’ animals, given by Allah, available to devour. “Is it necessary to eat bats? Drink their urine, their blood and then spread the virus across the world? I am talking about the Chinese,” he had said in the video.
However, perhaps fearing backlash from the ‘friend’ China, Akhtar had edited out this portion.
However, it is not just Akhtar, but many Pakistanis who now want to attack France. And since they cannot really engage themselves in cross-border terrorism as it does not share a border with it, they want their Prime Minister to nuke France.
Except, Pakistani threats have led to some serious amusement on Twitter.
Shame on Macro
Like, this Pakistani individual is shaming one ‘Macro’.
Shame on Macro!
Pakistan’s Aysha Khan, with ‘Doctor’ in Twitter bio and 7 followers wants Twitter to ‘suspend Macro’ for ‘spreading hate and urging violence’.
In fact, Pakistanis are so triggered that they want to send ballistic missiles to France.
Pakistanis want to send ballistic missiles to France
Shaheen 3’s effective firing range is 2,750 kms. Distance between Pakistan to France is almost 6,000 kms.
Ali demanding Imran Khan to pay heed to demand of Pakistanis
Ali is so enraged that he has been urging Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to ‘meet the demand of the people’ and that is to nuke France.
Some want to ‘hit’ the French Ambassador out of their country.
Hit the French ambassador to get him out of Pakistan There is an appeal from our government#DoAtomicAttackOnFrance
On Monday, a 21-year-old student named Nikita Tomar was shot dead in broad daylight by two men outside the Aggarwal college in Ballabgarh, Faridabad. The victim had last month filed a complaint of molestation and harassment against one of the accused, Taufeeq.
In the CCTV footage posted by journalist Raj Shekhar Jha on Twitter, the assailant could be seen stepping out of his car and pulling out his revolver. Nikita is seen struggling to get free and manages to flee for a brief moment before the accused grabs her again. While Nikita struggles to free herself from the man, he then shoots her in the point-blank range.
The other accused too got out of the car and pulled Taufeeq back into the car. The duo then fled the crime scene. As per reports, the accused initially wanted to abduct the victim but killed her when she resisted to his demands. On being rushed to the hospital, Nikita was declared dead on arrival. A resident of SGM Nagar, Nikita was a final year B.Com student.
CCTV footage shows a girl named Nikita Tomar being shot dead by an assailant (Taufeeq) outside her college in Ballabgarh, Faridabad. Shooter and associate flees in car. Police have arrested Taufeeq. pic.twitter.com/idOPIDZfDo
Victim had filed a molestation complaint against Taufeeq last month
The primary accused has now been arrested. While speaking about the incident, ACP (Ballabgarh) Jaiveer Rathi informed, “One of the accused identified as Taufeeq hailing from Sohna was known to the victim and a complaint against him had been lodged by the victim’s kin a few months ago for harassment and molestation but a compromise had been reached.” According to him, the ‘rejection of friendship’ could be a motive behind the crime.
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar on Monday gave an interview to the Editor of OpIndia Hindi, Ajeet Bharti and spoke on a host of issues such as government’s measures to tackle the worsening environment in NCR, brazen repression of press in Maharashtra, Bihar elections, self-regulation of OTT platforms among other things.
Here are the key takeaways from Union Minister Prakash Javadekar’s interview with OpIndia:
Development and Environment protection go hand in hand: Prakash Javadekar
When asked about his opinion on the narrative set by many that development is always against environment, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said that he thinks development and environment complement each other than be at odds with each other.
“The change in the situation of the land is inevitable. We just have to be careful that the change doesn’t adversely affect the land and its surrounding environment. When I was in school, India’s population was close to 30 crores. Today, it is close to 136 crores. We need increased productivity of our agricultural goods to feed this population, new and skilled jobs to provide employment to the people. For such endeavours development is a must. It is our policy to place equal importance to both environment and development,” Javadekar said.
Naxalism has been reduced to one-third levels as compared to UPA tenure
Answering the question of if development engendering resentment among the tribal population and pushing more people towards Naxalism, Prakash Javadekar rubbished the perception peddled by many as misplaced and said that the Modi government has been quite successful in reducing the Naxalism prevalent in the country. He asserted that the interests of tribals and Adivasis have never been comprised and the Environment Ministry keeps their sentiments and welfare under consideration while formulation its policies.
Central government working to completely eliminate stubble burning in the next 3-4 years
On the issue of deteriorating quality of the environment in and around the Delhi NCR region, especially during the winters, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar expressed optimism about the central government getting a handle on it in the coming 3-4 years.
He added that there are many factors that play a vital role in contributing to the worsening environment woes in Delhi, key among which is the stubble burning by farmers during the winter season. He listed pollution from industries, moisture in the atmosphere and vehicular pollution as being other factors that exacerbate the worsening air quality in Delhi and NCR region.
“The day the government’s formulated policies regarding stubble burning becomes cheaper for farmers than burning the stubble, they will stop doing it. Unfortunately, state governments around the NCR have not been able to fully tackle the issue. The central government in the coming years will hopefully bring in measures that will greatly reduce the stubble burning by farmers,” Javadekar said.
Centre wants OTT and other Digital Media platforms to self-regulate their content: Union Minister Prakash Javdekar
Being also the Information and Broadcasting Minister of India, Prakash Javadekar was also asked about the government’s take on regulation of online content. To this, the Minister responded that the government is encouraging digital media organisations in the country to self-regulate their content.
“The central government wants OTT platforms and other digital media organisations to self regulate their content. We are nudging the important stakeholders to create a mechanism for self-regulation of content that goes on air through their respective platforms,” Javadekar said.
Robust measures instituted by PIB to counter the fake news: Javadekar
On the matter of prevalence and furtherance of fake news by not just self-proclaimed fact-checkers and established media organisations, Prakash Javadekar said the debunking of fake news is being robustly done by the fact-checking arm of the Press Information Bureau(PIB).
He also added that media organisations, both the local as well as foreign organisations, are officially communicated through PIB if they are found peddling distorted interpretation of news.
Prakash Javadekar condemns the relentless hounding of Republic TV channel by Maharashtra government
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar also condemned Maharashtra government for the relentless hounding of the Republic TV channel. He noted that journalists in Maharashtra are being harassed to suppress the truth and further one’s political agenda.
“The TRP scam was wrong. There should be an impartial and fair investigation into it. The channel whose name was not mentioned in the complaint is being accused of wrongdoing and the one which was mentioned is enjoying a free run,” Javadekar said.
Shiv Sena ditched BJP to fulfil its political greed
Prakash Javadekar came down hard at the erstwhile BJP ally-Shiv Sena, stating that the saffron party was ditched by the Shiv Sena because they wanted to fulfil their greed of installing a Thackeray as the state’s chief minister.
In doing so, they formed a nexus with the very parties that they fought the election against, Prakash Javadekar said on Shiv Sena forming the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition government in Maharashtra with ideological rivals NCP and Congress. Javadekar also claimed that unity of the three coalition partners in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government is dependent on their commitment to corruption.
“They have insulted public mandate which voted in favour of PM Modi’s leadership. They are under the delusion that they have won the elections and were able to form a government in the state but in reality they have been defeated,” Javadekar said.
Nitish Kumar will be next chief minister of Bihar: Prakash Javadekar
Speaking on the forthcoming Bihar assembly elections, Prakash Javadekar said that the party is alliance is confident of returning to power with a thumping majority and that Nitish Kumar will be the next chief minister of the state.
The Union Minister also spoke about the departure of LJP from the NDA alliance in Bihar. He said that though LJP remains a key alliance partner in the central government, in Bihar, it will act as a vote-cutter party.
I take it as the success of the Ministry that changes incorporated in history books are not talked about: Prakash Javadekar
When asked there had not been any changes in the history books, Javadekar cited three articles published in the Indian Express to claim that changes were incorporated in the text books.
Suggestions from about 1,100 teachers were incorporated in the books and more than 200 pages of changes have been made so far, Javadekar said. However, he also added that he considers it as his Ministry’s success that the changes made in the books did not warrant undue attention in the media.
You can watch the entire interview here:
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar in an interview with Editor of OpIndia Hindi Ajeet Bharti
Bihar Assembly elections have reached an all time high. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the leaders of all political parties are busy campaigning for their respective parties. Each party is trying different tactics for to win. Meanwhile, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi in a series of tweets has accusedLalu Prasad Yadav of indulging in black magic and black magic in a bid to win.
Sushil Modi alleged that three years back, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav had indulged in black magic in a bid to kill him.
उसी तांत्रिक ने विंध्याचल धाम( मिर्जापुर) में लालू प्रसाद से तांत्रिक पूजा करायी थी। वे तीन साल पहले मुझे मारने के लिए भी तंत्रिक अनुष्ठान करा चुके हैं।
He also alleged that Lalu is so superstitious that on advice of a tantrik he gave up wearing white kurta.
He further alleged that back in 2005, Lalu put up a juju with black magic spell in a wall at the Bihar CM’s official residence so that no one else can stay on as the chief minister for long.
उसी आवास में रहते हुए मुख्यमंत्री नीतीश कुमार 15 साल से बिहार की सेवा कर रहे हैं और राज्य विकास की मंजिलें तय कर रहा है।
However, Nitish Kumar has stayed in same residence and served the people for 15 years, Sushil Kumar Modi said. Sushil Kumar Modi further said that when PM Modi swore in as Prime Minister in 2014, Lalu had claimed that the ‘Godhuli’ muhurat for oathtaking was inauspicious and predicted that the government won’t complete the five-year term.
प्रधानमंत्री मोदी ने न केवल भारतीय राजनीति का परिदृश्य बदला, बल्कि भ्रष्टाचार-मुक्त सरकार चलायी, जनता को जन-धन खाते दिये, नौ करोड़ गरीबों को मुफ्त गैस कनेक्शन दिये और सर्जिकल स्ट्राइक से पाकिस्तान को मुँहतोड़ जवाब भी दिया।
However, Lalu’s predictions had come wrong and not only the government lasted a full term, it worked hard for nation building and security.
तंत्र-मंत्र के अंधभक्त लालू प्रसाद जिस मोदी- सरकार के बीेच में गिरने के साथ देश में अस्थिरता की कुटिल कामना कर रहे थे, उसने विश्व में भारत का मान बढ़ाया और जनता के अपार समर्थन से शानदार वापसी भी की। देवी-देवता किसी की कुटिल कामना को सफल नहीं बनाते।
“Blinded by superstitions, Lalu was rooting for Modi government to fail and plunge the nation into instability. But the people of the country supported PM Modi and brought him back,” Sushil Kumar Modi tweeted.
He further revealed how in 2009 when Nitish Kumar had eaten a biscuit during the full solar eclipse, the superstitious Lalu had predicted a famine for Bihar.
2009 में पूर्ण सूर्य ग्रहण देखने तारेगना पहुँचे मुख्यमंत्री नीतीश कुमार ने जब ग्रहण के समय बिस्कुट खा लिये, तब अंधविश्वासी लालू प्रसाद ने कहा था कि इससे अकाल पड़ेगा। इसके विपरीत बिहार में एनडीए शासन के दौरान कृषि पैदावार बढ़ी।
However, contrary to that, under the NDA, the agriculture output has increased manifold in Bihar.
Sushil Kumar Modi said how since Lalu has no faith in the people he has resorted to black magic.
चारा घोटाला में सजायाफ्ता लालू प्रसाद बिहार विधानसभा चुनाव के पहले रांची के केली बंगले में जेल मैन्युअल की धज्जी उड़ाते हुए नवमी के दिन तीन बकरों की बलि देने वाले हैं। उन्हें आभास हो चुका है कि हाशिये पर पड़े कुछ दलों से गठबंधन और बड़बोले वादे पार्टी की नैया पार नहीं लगा सकते।
He further revealed that ahead of Bihar assembly elections, Lalu is going to carry out animal sacrifice at Kelly Bungalow in Ranchi in violation of jail manual.
Bihar goes to vote in first phase of elections on 28th October, 2020. Second and third phase voting will take place on 3rd and 7th November. The results for the elections will be declared on 10th November 2020.
