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West Bengal: ‘TMC activist’ arrested for harbouring killers of BJP leader Manish Shukla, CID recovers bikes, carbines and pistols

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: ‘TMC activist’ arrested for harbouring killers of BJP leader Manish Shukla, CID recovers bikes, carbines and pistols

In a major development on Thursday, the West Bengal Crime Investigation Department (CID) arrested the third accused in the brutal murder of BJP councillor Manish Shukla at Purani Bazaar near Titagarh police station in Barrackpore area. The third accused, identified as one Subodh Yadav aka Subodh Rai, is reportedly a sharpshooter.

The murder had taken place on Sunday evening at around 8:30 pm after he stepped into the party office. Reportedly, bike-borne assailants shot Shukla from an extremely close range.

As per reports, Subodh Yadav was apprehended from his home in Khatal area of Barrackpore based on a tip-off from the other accused arrested earlier. Subodh has been remanded to 14 days in police custody by a local court. Reportedly, he is a TMC activist and a close aide of Uttam Das, who is the ex-chairman of Barrackpore Municipal Corporation. He has been booked for providing accommodation to the assassins of Manish Shukla and being a part of the larger conspiracy.

Conspiracy to kill Manish Shukla was hatched at Subodh’s house, reveals CID

The CID officials had informed that the plan to kill the BJP councillor was hatched at Subodh’s residence in Barrackpore. “The entire plan to eliminate Manish Shukla was hatched at the residence of Subodh. He provided shelter to the contract sharpshooters who were at least four in number and came to Barrackpore from outside a few days before the murder,” an official was quoted as saying. He further added, “Subodh had arranged the flat to lodge the hired shooters. Names of a few more persons suspected to be involved in the murder have also surfaced. Their roles are being examined.”

CID sleuths recover bikes, pistols and carbines

The Crime Investigation Department seized three motorcycles, three country-made pistols and a carbine from a glass factory near Sodepur railway bridge, based on the revelations of Subodh. The CID sleuths are now probing the source of the weapons. As per reports, the contract killers were housed in a flat in a multi-storied building on Dakshin Panchanantala Road in Ward 4 of Barrackpore. Citing CBI sources, ABP Ananda stated that the accused killers stayed in the said flat for several weeks, prior to executing the murder. However, the four assailants are still on the run from law enforcement.

(Video Courtesy: ABP Ananda)

TMC leaders in the dock

The BJP had earlier accused the Trinamool Congress of engineering the murder. The father of the deceased had filed a complaint with the police against other TMC leaders such as Prashanta Chowdhury and Uttam Das for being involved in the murder. Chowdhury is the administrator of the Titagrah municipality. The FIR has named a total of 7 people in connection to the case.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Arjun Singh had claimed that the prime accused Mohammed Khurram, earlier nabbed by the CID, has links with TMC biggies such as Firhad Hakim, Nirmal Ghosh, Madan Mitra, Dinesh Trivedi, and Bratya Basu. The BJP also called for a 12-hour Bandh on Monday. On Thursday, BJP leader Tejasvi Surya met the victim’s family and assured to deliver justice to Manish Shukla.

CID nabs two more accused

On Monday, the CID has arrested two accused, namely, Mohammed Khurram and Gulab Shaikh, in connection to the case. While Khurram was arrested earlier in the day, Shaikh was nabbed on the intervening night of October 5 and October 6. The CID officials had interrogated the duo and informed that Mohammed Khurram had ‘personal enmity’ with the deceased BJP leader. As per reports, Khurram is the primary conspirator who hired the contract killers while Subodh facilitated the accommodation and weapons for the assailants.

BJP demands CBI investigation in the Manish Shukla case

On Monday, the West Bengal government had handed over the case to the Crime Inspection Department (CID) from the Barrackpore Commissionerate. The case was handed over to the CID after the police conducted the post-mortem of the body of the deceased. The state unit of the BJP has criticised the move, insinuating that they do not trust the police working under the TMC government. The BJP’s disapproval comes at the backdrop of several cases wherein the unnatural deaths of BJP workers were dubbed as ‘suicide’ or ‘inconclusive’ by the state police. They have demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter.

‘Horrible professor, avoid at all costs,’ pro-Aurangzeb historian Audrey Truschke receives harsh reviews from students on Rate My Professors

OpIndia Staff
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‘Horrible professor, avoid at all costs,’ pro-Aurangzeb historian Audrey Truschke receives harsh reviews from students on Rate My Professors

Audrey Truschke, a ‘historian’, has garnered quite a bit of notoriety in India in recent years due to her fondness for the Mughal tyrant Aurangzeb. She has been the subject of abject criticism on social media for her penchant towards whitewashing the crimes of the barbarian. All this time she has brushed all such criticism under the carpet by claiming that she is a ‘historian’ and pretending that it somehow absolves her apologia for a genocidal maniac.

It now appears that its not only people on social media that are not too fond of her. Her students do not appear to like her too much either. She is a professor at the History Department of the Rutgers State University in New Jersey. She has a rating of 1.7 out of 5 at the Rate My Professors website where students can rate the professors they take classes of. Rate My Professors is a website that was founded in 1999 that allows college and university students to rate professors and campuses of American, Canadian and British institutions.

A rating Audrey Truschke received on Rate My Professors website

The description section of the website says, “Rate My Professors is the largest online destination for professor ratings. Users have added more than 19 million ratings, 1.7 million professors and over 7,500 schools to Rate My Professors. User-generated content makes Rate My Professors the highest trafficked site for quickly researching and rating professors, colleges and universities across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.”

It adds, “Rate My Professors is built for college students. Choosing the best courses and professors is a rite of passage for every student, and connecting with peers on the site has become a key way for millions of students to navigate this process. The site does what students have been doing forever – checking in with each other – their friends, their brothers, their sisters, their classmates – to figure out who’s a great professor and who’s one you might want to avoid.” The website has also won a Webby Award in the ratings category.

One of the ‘1’ rating Audrey Truschke received on the platform says, “She doesn’t know the material. She just gives you “busy work”. A very terrible teacher. She should rather have become an activist rather than a teacher. She made a fun subject into a miserable course. She doesn’t respect other points of view. TL:DR: If I had to take the class again, I would rather drop out of university.”

A rating Audrey Truschke received on Rate My Professors website

“Horrible teacher ever, very annoying and unhelpful. Very unclear. Her ego gets hurt if u ask her a question she doesn’t know. Always ready to play women’s card Verdict : she sucks,” says another. One student went so far as to remark, “I didnt think a history class would be this bad. Avoid at all costs”.

Another student said that her attitude towards students is a “nightmare”. “She doesn’t answer questions or she says “we’ll get to that later” and then never gets to it. Avoid at all costs,” the student said. There was another student who commented along similar lines. “DO NOT TAKE HER CLASS. YOU DO NOT LEARN ANYTHING FROM HER. We asked her questions during class and every time she was saying “I’ll get back to you.” If that is the case, why do you pay you? Such a crappy professor.”

There were one or two who did appreciate her skills, of course. One such student remarked, “If you are looking to complete your history requirement take her because her by attending her lectures you will really learn something. Attendance and participation are mandatory because it worths 35% of your final grade. Throughout the semester we just got quizzes before exams. There are papers to write but not long only 1 or 2 pages. Easy grader.”

However, in the end, only 20% of the students said that they would take her classes again. There were 21 student ratings in total which gave her a score of 1.7 out of 5.

Actress Sana Khan, worried about after-life, leaves showbiz for Islam, to follow ‘rules of Allah’: Read what she said

OpIndia Staff
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Actress Sana Khan, worried about after-life, leaves showbiz for Islam, to follow ‘rules of Allah’: Read what she said

Actress Sana Khan has decided to quit the entertainment industry after being enlightened by the ‘teachings of Islam’. The decision comes at the backdrop of her depression phase, following her ‘bitter breakup’ with dancer Melvis Louis. Khan has been a part of several reality TV shows such as Big Boss, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 7, Comedy Nights Bachao, Entertainment Ki Raat and Kitchen Champion. She has also featured in a few films, including, Jai Ho and Wajah Tum Ho.

Inspired by Islam, Sana Khan to ‘serve humanity’

In an Instagram post on Thursday, Sana Khan dubbed her decision to leave showbiz as the ‘happiest day’. While hoping that Allah will ‘guide her’ in her new journey, she asked her followers to pray for her. She wrote, “I am talking to you during one of the most significant turns in my life. I am in the film industry for several years and have received fame, respect and wealth from my ardent fans. I am grateful for that.”

Sana Khan continued, “But somehow, a thought has been persistent in my mind – What is the purpose of this life? Is it only to earn money and fame? Is it not our responsibility to spend our lives in service of the helpless and the abandoned? Should humans not think how death may come at any point and what would be their fate in the after-life? I am desperately searching for answers to these two questions, especially the second one. What would be my fate when I die?”

Purpose of this life is to make after-life better, claims actress

While invoking Islamic references of the ‘Judgement Day’, she hinted at how her Faith and her profession were at loggerheads with each other. Khan emphasised, “When I looked for the answer to the intriguing question in my religion, I found that the purpose of this life is to make after-life better. And the after-life will also be good if a person follows her life as per the rules of the Creator (Allah in this case). Don’t make fame and wealth the basis of your life. Move away from a sinful lifestyle to the one that serves humanity. Follow the rules of your creator.”

Sana Khan urges people to not approach her for film-related work

“Therefore, I announce that I will quit the film industry and will serve humanity. I will follow the rules as specified by my Creator. I request my fans to pray for me and hope that Allah will listen to my prayers,” she reiterated. Sana khan stated that she will continue to serve humanity and requested everyone to not approach her for any film-related work anymore.

Zaira Wasim too quit film industry for Islam

This is not the first time that a Muslim actress has left the film fraternity to serve ‘Islam’ and abide by the ‘modest’ rules of Allah. Last year, ‘Dangal’ and ‘Secret Superstar’ actress Zaira Wasim too announced her retirement from movies in a letter posted on Instagram. In the six-page letter, she said, “Bollywood took me away from Islam” and cites the interference on her religious practices as the reason for this decision.

She said that she wasn’t truly happy with her line of work despite her fame and success. It was only while trying to adjust to the new lifestyle did she realized that her career had impacted her relationship with religion. Talking about the difficulties that she had faced, Zaira Wasim says that she has found solace in Allah and Quran.

Delhi: Mohammad Afroz, Mohammad Raj and 3 others murder 18-year-old Rahul over love affair with a Muslim girl

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi: Mohammad Afroz, Mohammad Raj and 3 others murder 18-year-old Rahul over love affair with a Muslim girl

An 18-year-old boy named Rahul was beaten to death in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar by Mohammad Afroz, Mohammad Raj and three others over an alleged love affair with a Muslim girl.

According to the reports, the Muslim girl’s family, particularly her brother, were opposed to their inter-religious affair. Enraged over their relationship, the girl’s brother, along with his friends, accosted Rahul in Adarsh Nagar in Delhi and brutally assaulted him, leaving him mortally injured.

Report published in Punjab Kesari

An injured Rahul was rushed to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The autopsy report of the young man read that he had sustained multiple internal injuries in his abdomen. Following Rahul’s death, the police swung into action, registering a case against the 5 accused on the charges of murder. Three of the 5 accused are minor. Heavy police force have been deployed in the area following the incident which has created an atmosphere of tension and fear among the residents.

Talking to OpIndia, a police official from Adarsh Nagar police station stated that the boy was beaten up by the 5 accused because they were opposed to his relationship with the sister of one of them. All the five have been arrested and booked under the charges of murder, he said.

Rahul Rajput lived with his relatives in Moolchand Colony of Adarsh Nagar. He was romantically involved from the last 5 months with a 16-year-old Muslim girl from Jahangirpuri. However, when the girl’s family and brother came to know about their affair, they opposed it. The girl’s brother strongly objected to the duo meeting and talking with each other. Reportedly, a scuffle had broken out between the girl’s brother and Rahul in the past as well when the former was beaten up by the girl’s lover.

The 18-year-old Rahul was a second-year journalism student. Privately, he also gave coaching for the English language to the children. As per a report published in Amar Ujala, on Wednesday evening, Rahul’s uncle’s son Golu got a call from an unknown number asking to send Rahul to their home for tutoring their son on English. As Rahul set out from his house, he was accosted by a group of 5 belligerent individuals, who started raining blows on him on Gali Nanda Road. The entire incident was captured on a CCTV camera installed in the lane. After the brutal assault, Rahul somehow managed to crawl back to his home.

Ankit Saxena murder

The incident with Rahul is an eerie reminder of the fate that befell upon another unfortunate young man, Ankit Saxena, who was killed by her Muslim girlfriend’s family because they did not approve their relationship. Ankit was stabbed to death by the family members of his girlfriend Shehzadi on February 1, 2018.

Eyewitness accounts suggested that Shehzadi’s mother wore a helmet and rode her scooter to the traffic intersection where they knew Ankit was present. She then rammed her scooter into Ankit’s vehicle so that Ankit would be forced to step out to help. As she was wearing a helmet, Ankit could not identify her and stepped out to help.

The woman then confronted Ankit and soon she was joined by her other family members. They all began to heckle and abuse Ankit blaming him that he had influenced Shehzadi to leave the house. When Ankit bent down to help his mother get up, the girl’s uncle and brother then caught him by his hair and pulled him up. At that moment, while the two of them held Ankit’s arms from behind, the girl’s father had slit his throat using his butchering knife

BJP leader Tejasvi Surya to move a breach of privilege motion after MPs manhandled by West Bengal police

OpIndia Staff
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BJP leader Tejasvi Surya to move a breach of privilege motion after MPs manhandled by West Bengal police

Tejasvi Surya, the newly elected BJP Yuva Morcha president along with MPs Nisith Pramanik, Jyotirmay Singh Mahato will be moving a breach of privilege motion against the West Bengal police officials after they allegedly manhandled the BJP leaders who had gone to the Jorasanko police station to file an FIR against police for the unprovoked attack during a march to the state headquarters Nabanna yesterday. Taking to Twitter, Surya said that he along with the two MPs will move breach of privilege motion against these “errant and arrogant officials”.

The BJP youth wing activists led by national president Tejasvi Surya staged a sit-in before the Jorasanko police station in the city on Thursday night demanding an FIR be filed against the police. Surya, flanked by Bhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) state leaders, sat before the police station until midnight for police to register FIR upon their complaint. The police did not register the FIR, instead manhandled 3 Members of Parliament.

Police stations have become TMC party offices in Mamata’s Bengal: Tejasvi Surya

Sharing a video clip from inside the police station Surya had Tweeted: “Police Stations have become TMC party offices in Mamata’s Bengal. They don’t even register FIR for cognizable offences. Complete breakdown of law.”

“Either file FIR or remove uniform and hold TMC party flag”: Tejasvi Surya

In a subsequent Tweet, the BJP MP from Bengaluru South said that the youth of Bengal are gathering outside Jorasanko Police Station in big numbers. “Police have two choices: Either file FIR in accordance with law or Remove uniform and hold TMC party flag”, said Surya.

Surya on Thursday came down heavily on the West Bengal government over the “brutal attack” on BJP activists during their march to the state secretariat and said it was a “black day as the rule of law has been murdered” in the state.

WB police unleash brutality on BJYM and BJP workers, TMC goons join in

The West Bengal Police on Thursday mercilessly beat up people on the streets of Kolkata and unleashed large-scale lathi-charge and violence against BJYM and BJP workers for protesting against the political murders in the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal. Disturbing visuals had emerged from the ‘Nabanno Chalo’ rally organised by the BJYM at Kolkata as BJP karyakartas on Thursday.

West Bengal Police in the behest of the Mamata Banerjee government came down heavily on the BJP karyakartas by raining lathis and using tear gas at them. Trinamool party workers too joined the violence against the BJP workers. The goons allegedly associated with the TMC attempted to disrupt the peaceful rally and attacked the BJP workers.

The most shocking act was when bombs were hurled at a rally led by BJP MP and Yuva Morcha chief Tejasvi Surya in Kolkata. The protesting karyakartas were subjected to ‘chemical liquid attacks’ as well.

Tejasvi Surya had posted a series of images on social media accusing the TMC party workers of hurling country-made bombs at them from rooftops. He added that the water cannons and lathi-charge were also used to disperse the peaceful crowd protesting on the streets of Kolkata.

OpIndia accesses pictures of WB Govt excesses on the BJP and BJYM karyakartas

OpIndia had also accessed pictures of the WB government’s excesses on the BJP and BJYM karyakartas. As per sources OpIndia spoke to, 450 karyakartas of the BJP had been arrested and over a thousand were injured during the crackdown on the ‘Nabanno Chalo’ protest by the BJYM.

After the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) announced a protest outside the state secretariat Nabanna today, the state government decided to shut down the secretariat for two days. The government also cited the Supreme Court order yesterday on Shaheen Bagh protest justifying preventing the protest rally from taking place.

Uttar Pradesh: CM Yogi Adityanath lays foundation of 177 development projects worth Rs 122 crores in Gorakhpur

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: CM Yogi Adityanath lays foundation of 177 development projects worth Rs 122 crores in Gorakhpur

Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh has seen a gust in the development activities under the Yogi Adityanath-led government. In a big leap taken towards fulfilling his commitment to convert Gorakhpur into a “smart city”, the CM today virtually conducted the foundation laying ceremony of 177 development projects worth Rs 122 crore in Gorakhpur. Through a video conference from his government residence in Lucknow, the CM addressed the public about the project.

The development projects which got a green flag from the CM today were related to the construction of good roads, systematic drains in Sadar, Grameen and Sahjanwa constituencies of the district.

On this occasion, CM Yogi has said that every hope of development will be fulfilled in Gorakhpur which is an important center of art, culture and spirituality. He has said that in the ‘new Gorakhpur’ which the Uttar Pradesh government is shaping, every street will be illuminated with the light of development. After the state-of-the-art medical institute like AIIMS, now the zoo will be gifted this year.

The much-awaited fertiliser plant in Gorakhpur to start next year

Speaking on what his government has envisioned to transform Gorakhpur into in the near future, the CM asked people to recollect what the perception of people about Gorakhpur was 20-25 years ago. Anarchy and misery was the hallmark here. But today the ‘new Gorakhpur’ is being built according to public dreams with public cooperation, said the CM.

Yogi furthered that the revival of the fertilizer factory was the much-awaited dream of the people here which will now become a reality soon. He remembered how Prime Minister Modi, who had laid the foundation stone for the revival of a fertiliser plant in Gorakhpur had emphasized that this move would create up to 4,000 jobs and ensure an adequate supply of nutrients to farmers in Uttar Pradesh. The CM said that this project would be successfully completed and launched next year.

The CM said that the establishment of biofuel plant, water sport park, AYUSH University, Wellness Center, Veterinary College, Police Training College, the women PAC battalion will enrich the ‘new Gorakhpur’.

Yogi Adityanath stresses on improving roads and the drainage system

Speaking on how the people living in the interiors of Gorakhpur have been struggling with bad roads and poor drainage system, the CM announced that to tackle this, the UP government has today also flagged off projects to improve roads and the drainage system in Gorakhpur.

He directed the Divisional Gorakhpur to appoint a Nodal Officer for each project and all the works should be completed at the stipulated time as per the standards set.

Revamping Gorakhpur to attract tourists

Speaking on the state government’s all-out efforts to develop Gorakhpur district for tourism purpose, CM Yogi Adityanath said that the government would make Ramgarh Lake a world-class tourism centre. Since Gorakhpur is geographically at the center of the Buddhist circuit and all Buddhist tourists visiting Kushinagar, Kapilvastu and Lumbini have to pass Gorakhpur, the government has launched projects to develop and improve the Ramgarh Lake.

Saying that his government has been working to convert Uttar Pradesh into an ‘Enterprise State’ under the guidance of the Prime Minister, Yogi said that there is no alternative to development. This is his government’s top priority. Development not only increases the chances of livelihood but also changes the attitude of the public about the city and the state concerned. He said that today the views and attitude of the entire country and the world about Uttar Pradesh has changed. “We are working towards making Uttar Pradesh an ‘Enterprise Hub’ under the guidance of the Prime Minister”, said Yogi Adityanath.

Dangling electrical wires need to go immediately, asserts Yogi Adityanath

Yogi addressed the officials and said that the dangling electrical wires in the city not only spoil the aesthetics of the city but are a looming threat to the life of the public also causing great inconvenience to them. Therefore, Yogi asserted that the process of undergrounding them should be expedited.

The sanitation and cleanliness drive

Speaking about the special campaign for cleanliness and sanitization, under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, which the Yogi govt will be conducting from October 10 to October 16, the CM said that it is “my special appeal to the people of Gorakhpur is to make this campaign a success. He said that garbage disposal should be ensured under the campaign. Spraying of anti larvae and lime etc. This will help in controlling dengue and other diseases.”

During the Foundation laying program, the Chief Minister also watched a short film depicting the ongoing progress of various developmental works being done in Gorakhpur.

While the MLA Rural-Shri Vipin Singh expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister on behalf of the people of Gorakhpur, citing developmental projects like AIIMS, Khad Karkhana (fertiliser factory), Ramgarh Lake project and the Zoo in Gorakhpur, MLA from Sahjanwa district- Shri Sheetal Pandey said that Gorakhpur which was left behind in the race for development due to political neglect would now compete with the big metros. He thanked the CM for giving Gorakhpur the much-needed attention. Additional Chief Secretary, Information Shri Navneet Sehgal also said that under the leadership of the Chief Minister, the state is creating new dimensions of development. The whole country is realizing the importance of the UP model of development, said Sehgal.

Why is Kamala Harris so unlikable? She has a little Hillary Clinton problem

K Bhattacharjee
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Why is Kamala Harris so unlikable? She has a little Hillary Clinton problem

Why is Kamala Harris so unlikable? Regardless of the side of the political spectrum one is on, it perhaps will be conceded by vast sections of the Alerican electorate that Kamala Harris is one of the most disliked politicians at the national scene. Her unpopularity can be gauged from the simple fact that she was forced to drop out of the presidential race even before a single vote was cast in the Democrat primaries.

It took all of 2 minutes, possibly less than that, for Hawaiian Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard to end her presidential campaign. But one suspects the reason why it was so easy for Gabbard to destroy Kamala Harris during the Democratic debates is that she merely confirmed the deep seated suspicions the Democrat voter-base already harboured regarding the Senator from California.

Tulsi Gabbard exposed the hollow nature of the public image Kamala Harris has built over the years. She spoke about the time when the Senator blocked evidence that would have proved the innocence of a man on death row, she locked up people for marijuana law violations while laughing about it when asked about consuming marijuana herself and these were just a few of a long list of transgressions Kamala Harris had committed over the years.

The debate between the Vice-Presidential candidates for the 2020 US Presidential Elections was broadcast in India early morning on Thursday. And the same personality trait that makes her so unpopular among people was once again evident during her debate with Mike Pence. One is likely to believe her unfettered laughter on the most inopportune moments has something to do with it.

During the debate, while Mike Pence appeared polite and cordial, Kamala Harris reeked of condescension and unbelievable pettiness. When questioned on her record in public service, as is the norm in any such debate, her response was not a coherent rebuttal of the arguments made by her opponent. She said, “I will not sit here and be lectured by the Vice President on what it means to enforce the laws of our country.”

That is not a valid response to criticism of her record. It reeks of entitlement and someone running for public office is expected to be more forthcoming in responding to questions asked of them. “You have no right ask me questions,” is a disastrous response for any politician. But this is a regular feature of her political career.

Kamala Harris is in the habit of saying things she does not mean. During the Democratic debates, she accused Joe Biden of being racist and when she was questioned on why she agreed to become the Vice-Presidential nominee of someone she believes is a racist, she hysterically laughed it off saying, “It was a debate!” It appears as if Kamala Harris honestly believes it is okay to call someone racist just to score political brownie points.

Again, she claimed that she believed the woman who accused Joe Biden of sexual harassment. But none of that seemed to matter when Joe Biden asked her to be his VP pick. All of this points towards the obvious reality that Kamala Harris does not have any principles. She would say anything and do anything as long as it helps her acquire more power.

The most disconcerting thing about her, of course, is her maniacal laughter that Kamala Harris does not appear to have any control over. And the manner in which she uses it tells quite a lot about her personality. It is her get out of jail card. Any time she is in a difficult position, she lets out that maniacal laughter to get out of trouble.

For instance, when Joe Biden told told her during one of the Democratic debates that the policy she proposed was unconstitutional, her response was, “Hey, Joe, instead of saying ‘no, we can’t’, let’s say ‘yes, we can’,” before breaking into another bout of hysterical laughter. Imagine being told that the policy position you are proposing is constitutionally invalid and your response is… demented laughter?

There are other sketchier things that she has done obviously. Recently, she promoted a fund that bailed rioters looting and burning down stores across the USA. In that, she had help from 13 other Joe Biden staffers. In the end, the money helped release a man accused of sexually assaulting a child.

All of this points towards an obvious fact that has not received enough attention as of yet. Kamala Harris has a Hillary Clinton problem. She is totally dishonest to her very bones and unfortunately for her, she is not even good at hiding it. Much like the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, Kamala Harris has a stellar credo if one goes by the book but the moment she opens her mouth to speak, it becomes evident that she is a power-hungry megalomaniac.

In the end, there was nothing Hillary Clinton could do to fix the problem and it ended up costing her the elections. Fortunately for the Democrats, Kamala Harris is not the first name on the ballot, therefore, if we are to go by conventional wisdom, her nomination as VP is unlikely to affect the outcome of the elections in November.

India Today lies and twists statement by a ‘dara hua witness’ to attack Republic TV with claims the witness never made

OpIndia Staff
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India Today lies and twists statement by a ‘dara hua witness’ to attack Republic TV with claims the witness never made

The ‘Fake TRP scandal’ has stirred a hornet’s nest ever since Mumbai Police Commissioner Parambir Singh did a press conference on the 8th of October to claim that Republic TV was involved in paying people to watch Republic TV and thus, illegally manipulating their TRP rating. However, it was revealed soon enough that the FIR filed actually named India Today and not Republic TV for TRP manipulation. After Parambir Singh proceeded to tie himself up in knots, India Today too has now resorted to lying and twisting the statements of a witness in the case who had admitted to Republic TV yesterday that her son was asked to watch India Today to increase their ratings.

In a tweet that was posted by India Today this morning, the channel said, “India today accesses an eyewitness account of a TV barometer holder, says was offered Rs 400 monthly payment if she played Republic on Television”.

Attached, was an audio clip where their Executive Editor, Sahil Joshi, was heard talking to Tejal Solanki, the same witness who had given a sound byte to Republic TV yesterday implicating India Today in the fake TRP scam.

The video clip starts with an India Today news anchor lying blatantly. She claims that the Mumbai Police had confirmed that it was indeed Republic TV that was named in the FIR and not India Today. However, this is far from the truth. It was India Today itself that had got the phone byte of the Joint Commissioner who had admitted that India Today was named in the FIR. He had, however, said that witness examined since then had named Republic TV and hence, they were investigating the channel. Even in that statement, there were several problematic assertions and discrepancies where the Mumbai Police were trying themselves up in knots. We had discussed that statement threadbare here.

After the India Today anchor lies blatantly, the Executive Editor proceeds to manipulate a ‘Dara hua witness’ Tejal Solanki. It is to be kept in mind that after speaking to Republic TV yesterday, on the 8th of October, Tejas was heard being extremely scared. Towards the end of the conversation, the Republic TV reporter had told Tejal that he will send a reporter to her house the next day so she could give a byte. However, Tejal kept wondering if she would get into trouble for telling Republic TV the truth and naming India Today.

Further, she had told Republic not the send a camera crew because she did not want to be on television. Essentially, when Tejal was talking to Republic TV, it was evident that she is extremely nervous and does not want to get into trouble. However, she did name India Today explicitly and said that her son was approached to watch the channel.

When one hears the conversation between India Today journalist and Tejal in the current context, it becomes clear that the channel was trying to manipulate words out of a witness who was extremely scared.

In the first segment, Tejal Solanki says that she was getting calls from Republic TV after 10 PM to talk about India Today, but she does not have India Today subscribed. India Today in a futile attempt, re-emphasises that to mean that at the time that scam was conducted, she did not have India Today subscribed. Now, we don’t know when she subscribed or unsubscribed, but based on that conversation, for India Today to exonerate itself is rather hilarious. Tejal nowhere says that at the time she was approached for the TRP scam, she did not have India Today subscribed.

Here is the funniest aspect of the conversation though. When Sahil Joshi asked Tejal whether India Today had paid her to watch their channel, Tejal categorically says “Nobody has ever paid us and we can send a screenshot if you wish”.

Now, while Tejal says in the conversation that nobody has ever paid her to watch any channel, India Today takes this conversation to claim that the witness has said that she was paid Rs 400 to watch Republic TV.

Further, it must be remembered that while she spoke to Republic TV and implicated India Today a day before, she never mentioned any financial remuneration to begin with. So, to ask her a question saying that she had said she got money to watch India Today is completely absurd since she never claimed in her conversation with India Today that she or her son got money. What the real allegation is can only be revealed if an honest investigation is done.

It is important to mention here, however, that the FIR itself says that money was paid to watch India Today for 2 hours daily.

Then, India Today proceeds to tie itself up in knots further. The journalist asks Tejal whether she has ever got a call to watch India Today, to which, she says no. However, when she is asked if someone called ‘Vishal’ called her up to watch India Today, she says that Vishal used to come to their house with the Bar-o-meter people. Essentially, thanks to India Today, the contents of the FIR filed were confirmed beyond doubt, even though Tejal was too scared to admit in plain words.

It is important to note that following the complaint, Relationship Manager of the company Vishal Bhandari was arrested by Mumbai police. During the investigation, revealed that India Today and other channels instigated him and offered money to households with the meters to keep their TV tuned to those channels.

Moreover, he revealed that a person named Vinay asked Bhandari in November 2019 to approach 5 homes and ask them to watch India Today daily for 2 hours. The FIR filed in the case reads “Today on 6th October 2020, Assistant Police Inspector, Mr. Kazi, has informed me that, Basis on the secret information received, they arrested Vishal Ved Bhandari, House no.6, Kashinath Khandu Bhandari Chawl, BMC Quarters, Chincholi, N B Road, Malad (W), Mumbai 400097, During the inquiry, he informed that he is working with Hansa Research Group Private Limited as a Relationship Manager, he also informed that to increase the TRP of India Today and several other channels, he used to instigate and offer money to panel homes, where BAR-o-Meter installed with the help of other several people. They asked me to visit their office for more understanding.”

The FIR further states in November 2019, Vishal had received a call from an unknown person named Mr Vinay. Vinay asked him to approach 5 panel homes in Mumbai to ask them to watch the India Today channel daily for 2 hours. Later Vinay met Vishal and gave him Rs 1000 to distribute among the 5 panel homes, and also game Rs 5000 as a commission for the act. Accordingly, Vishal did the malpractice for 7 months from November 2019 to May 2020. He approached the 5 panel homes, asked them to watch the channel for 2 hours daily.

It was also confirmed by Vishal that the audit team had visited one of the panel homes, and the household had confirmed that they were paid to watch the India Today for minimum 2 hours per day.

These are the contents of the FIR which have even been owned up to by the Mumbai Police Commissioner. Thus, when Tejal admits to Vishal visiting her home, she essentially confirms the contents of the FIR completely.

Then, Sahil attempts another chicanery. He asks Tejal again whether someone from India Today ever called her to get her to watch the channel. However, that was never the allegation in the first place. The allegation was that Vishal had approached them to watch India Today. Hence, getting a direct call from India Today was never the contention and hence, Tejal saying nobody from India Today called her is not an exoneration of India Today or an indictment of Republic TV.

The tallest feat of peddling absolute lies that India Today saying that Tejal had admitted to getting Rs 400 for watching Republic TV when in the entire conversation, she had never even remotely mentioned anything of the kind.

It is evident that India Today is desperate to exonerate themselves after their tirade against Republic TV fell flat on its face and it turned out, that they were the accused in the FIR and not Republic TV or Arnab Goswami. However, in this age of social media and instant information, it is laughable that India Today would try and pull such a stunt where their blatant lies can be debunked rather easily and quickly.

Rajasthan: Temple priest set on fire by land mafia, dies of severe burn injuries

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: Temple priest set on fire by land mafia, dies of severe burn injuries

In yet another shocking case, a 50-year-old temple priest named Babulal Vaishnav has been burned to death in the Bokna village, Sapaotra division of Karauli district of Rajasthan. As per reports 6 persons who had designs to grab the land of the temple had poured petrol on the priest and set him on fire.

Babulal was the head priest of the Radhagovind temple in the village. On Thursday, October 8, 6 persons who were allegedly trying to encroach upon the temple land and were resisted by the priest, had poured petrol over him and set him on fire. Babulal Vaishnav was admitted in the SMS Hospital in Jaipur in a critical condition and he succombed to his injuries on Friday morning.

The video of the incident has gone viral on social media. In the said video, the priest can be seen having burn injuries all over his body as he sat on a hospital bed. He can also be heard crying in pain.

The priest had suffered burn injuries all over his body, post which he was admitted to the Burn Department in Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur. However, he succumbed to his injuries later. In his dying testimony, the Hindu priest had named 6 people for setting him on fire. Although the case falls under the jurisdiction of the Saporta police, they have not arrested any of the accused as so far.

Babulal Vaishnav, sitting on the hospital bed, with his burn injuries
Babulal Vaishnav at the SMS hospital

Locals demand justice for temple priest

While speaking on the case, prior to the death of the temple priest, local activists narrated how Babulal Vaishnav was set on fire by 6 miscreants. They also pointed out the negligence of the government towards the case. A local activist further emphasised, “The administration and the Rajasthan government is sleeping, despite the heinous case. They are unperturbed as they have become used to protests. Until you take out demonstrations, they won’t take any action. This is a shameful and condemnable incident. There cannot be anything worse than burning a priest alive by pouring petrol over him. The destruction of a country is inevitable if such incidents happen in a State. I am warning the administration to arrest the accused immediately. Negligence, on their part, will not be tolerated. Else, we will be forced to hit the streets.”

Locals allege rising anti-Hindu sentiment due to Bhim army

While speaking to OpIndia, locals alleged about the rising anti-Hindu sentiment in the area, owing to the activities of the Bhim army. They informed that the area had become a hotbed for Dalit politics, resulting in a generation of youth being brainwashed to vilify Hinduism. They further informed that some persons from a local community wanted to encroach upon the land, where the Hindu priest was building his house. When he opposed their move, Babulal Vaishnav lost his life.

Although, skimming through some social media posts, one can certainly find ‘Meena’ community people relishing this death, but this crime is not a result of caste politics, rather a land issue. Later, after the death, the caste politics has started where the political parties are trying to weaken the FIR (as claimed by locals with knowledge if the issue) by naming just one main accused, Kailash, and getting the administration to treat this as a possible suicide by self-immolation or a result of skirmish when the ‘chhan’ (cattle shelter) caught fire and the priest was injured.

Palghar Sadhu lynching

On 16th April 2020, two Sadhus of Juna Akhara, Maharaj Kalpavrukshagiri (70), and Sushilgiri Maharaj (35) were lynched along with their 30-year old driver by a mob. The incident took place at Gadchinchale village in Palghar district, Maharashtra. They were on their way to Surat, Gujarat. In videos of the brutal incident, the local police was seen ignoring the plea of an old, injured Kalpavrukshagiri and watching without intervention while a violent mob beat him to death in front of the police station.

Karnataka: Family kills daughter’s boyfriend Lakshmipathy after inviting to discuss wedding, Nizamuddin, Sikander arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: Family kills daughter’s boyfriend Lakshmipathy after inviting to discuss wedding, Nizamuddin, Sikander arrested

In a tragic incident, a 24-year-old man named Lakshmipathy was murdered by family members of his girlfriend in Kudur, Ramanagara district on Tuesday. As per reports, Lakshmipathy was invited by the family under the pretext of discussing his wedding with the girl.

According to the reports, the 24-year-old K Lakshmipathy, a garment factory worker and a part-time auto driver had eloped with a Muslim girl and the duo had decided to tie the knot. However, they were stopped by the girl’s father Nizamuddin, who convinced his daughter saying he would get them married. The father then invited Lakshmipathy to visit his residence to discuss marriage and sort out the differences between them.

After inviting Lakshmipathy to their residence, the police said, 45-year-old Nizamuddin, his son Sikandar and two other associates named Ibrat and Mohammad took Lakshmipathy and his elder brother Nataraj to a deserted spot in Kudur, on the pretext of marriage talks where they strangled Lakshmipathy to death after beating him.

Nizamuddin made them to drink alcohol, strangled Lakshmipathy to death

K Nataraj, elder brother of Lakshmipathy, narrated the incident and said the accused mercilessly strangled his brother as he watched helplessly. Natraj said that the family of the girl abused Lakshmipathy over their religious differences and asked him to never even dream of marrying his daughter.

“Around 10 am on Tuesday, Nizamuddin took my brother Lakshmipathy to his house, saying they would decide the wedding date and other issues. I accompanied them. Sikandar and the others said we should go out and hold the discussion. Lakshmipathy spoke to the girl, telling her they were going to discuss the matter,” Nataraj said in the complaint.

The brother of the deceased said that Nizamuddin and his associates also made them drink alcohol.

“Nizamuddin came looking for me…They grabbed me and bundled me into the auto. They pushed me out near Kunigal Cross and told me not to reveal anything or else they would kill my other family members,” Nataraj, a daily-wage worker, said in the complaint.

Later in the day, the brother of the deceased registered a complaint at the Neelamangala police station. The police began the investigation and traced the body of Lakshmipathy in the night. The Police have now arrested the father of the woman and her brother while two others are absconding.

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