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Deepika Padukone, Sara Ali Khan, three others summoned by NCB in Bollywood drug probe

OpIndia Staff
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Deepika Padukone, Sara Ali Khan, three others summoned by NCB in Bollywood drug probe

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone, Sara Ali Khan along with three other actresses have been summoned by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). Rakul Preet Singh, Simone Khambata and Shraddha Kapoor are the other three names. The names have come up after investigation of Rhea Chakraborty’s chats. Deepika will be questioned on 25th September by the NCB.

Deepika’s name had emerged in the drug abuse probe earlier this week after her WhatsApp conversations went viral. WhatsApp conversations have reportedly gone viral where the actress is allegedly asking for hash (or hashish, drug made from cannabis plant) from a certain person named ‘K’, who many believe is her manager, Karishma Prakash.

As per reports, a conversation on 28th October 2017 went something like this:

10:03 AM (+91-992——-) ‘D’ (believed to be Deepika): K…Maal you have?

10:05 AM (+91-961——-) ‘K’: I have but at home. I am at Bandra…

10:05, K: I can ask Amit if you want

10:07, Deepika: Yes!! Pllleeeeasssee

10:08, K: Amit has. He’s carrying it

10:12, Deepika: Hash na?

10:12, Deepika: Not weed

10:14, K: What time are you coming to Koko

10:15: Deepika: 1130/12ish

10:15: Deepika: Till what time is Shal there?

K: I think she said 11:30 because she needs to at the other place at 12

The Enforcement Directorate while investigating money laundering charges in the Sushant Singh Rajput case uncovered these chats and sent them to the NCB. At least 20 people including Rhea Chakraborty, Sushant Singh Rajput’s girlfriend, and her brother Showik, have been arrested over investigation in the drug abuse probe.

BJP govt must be careful about ecosystem trying to engineer price rises

Abhishek Banerjee
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BJP govt must be careful about ecosystem trying to engineer price rises

On the recent farm sector reform bills, the hypocrisies of the opposition are perhaps too numerous to count. We could start from the fact that in 2012, then Prime Minister Dr. Singh appealed to states to reform the Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) and create a national market. In his signature style of always using a raincoat when in the shower, Dr. Singh didn’t actually do anything.

Then, there is of course the fact that the Congress manifesto for the 2019 elections promised to end the monopoly of the APMCs. On the Essential Commodities Act of 1955, the Congress manifesto was even more severe, perhaps taking a jibe at Nehru! The Congress manifesto called it something that belongs to the “age of controls.” Very clear thinking, one must say. Except that the Congress is opposing both its manifesto promises right now.

Then, there is Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram. He wants to know how the government will guarantee an MSP in private transactions. Well, the new act does not abolish APMCs, it merely removes their monopoly. When the higher MSP is still available at the APMC, why would any farmer sell at a lower price outside it?

It isn’t just the Congress. There are the left parties as well, who have been vocal in their criticism. Ironically, CPI(M) ruled Kerala is one of the few states that does not even have APMCs. Nobody knows what the left is even doing.

But as long as venerable members of the opposition can climb up to the table of the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha and break his mike, who cares? Opposing Modi is the one point agenda. No matter how silly they look.

But the BJP government needs to watch out about what comes next. The so called “age of controls” may be over, but the mentality of that era might not be. The ghost of socialism is far from dead. We never know what can bring the paranoid socialist era fears back with a bang.

And if the “ecosystem” can do anything about it, they most certainly will.

The year was 1998 and Atalji had just assumed power as Prime Minister. This was India’s first truly non-Congress government. As Modi ji had put it in 2013, Atal Behari Vajpayee was the first Prime Minister of India who did not come from what he called “Congress gotra.”

Then, something happened, which a lot of people may not be old enough to remember. The prices of onions started soaring and nobody knew why. People had never seen a non-Congress government before. Sure, they were hopeful, but they were also nervous. Nobody knew for sure if a non-Congress government could actually run the country. And when the price of onions began soaring, panic set in among the populace.

The media quickly got into the act. The newspapers began raising a fever pitch. Entertainers such as comedians on TV stepped in as well to create a wave of public opinion against the new government. Remember that back then, almost all of these people were beholden to the old establishment.

The panic cost the BJP heavily in the state elections later that year. It lost Delhi and Rajasthan by massive margins. In Madhya Pradesh, Digvijay Singh managed to save his government by a whisker.

The onion panic of 1998 cost the BJP three crucial states. The elections ended. The price of onions came down to normal.

Could something similar happen with food items today, after the reforms to the Essential Commodities Act? We don’t know, but the fear certainly is there.

To be sure, things are a lot different now. The ecosystem is much weaker than it was in 1998. Those who run the links in the supply chain are no longer beholden to the old establishment. Not everyone in the media is beholden to them either. And finally, the population itself has changed. Nobody asks today if a non-Congress government can run the country.

But it never hurts to be forever watchful.

UP government to recover rent from culprits illegally occupying government land for the duration of the illegal occupancy

OpIndia Staff
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UP government to recover rent from culprits illegally occupying government land for the duration of the illegal occupancy

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has come down heavily on the illegal occupation of government land. The Chief Minister has directed its official to not just demolish the structures built on government lands occupied illegally but also recover from the culprits the rent for the duration for which the land was illegally occupied by them.

The state government has initiated action on a large scale against the structures built on the illegally occupied govt land. According to the government, around Rs 300 crore worth of properties occupied by mafia and culprits have been seized so far. Last month, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) had demolished illegal construction in Mau belonging to the two sons of gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari. The government had also demolished an illegal property of Ansari located in Dalibagh Colony in Lucknow. The cost of demolishing the illegal property was inflicted by the government on Ansari.

Uttar Pradesh government is acting swiftly in pulling down the illegal properties of the land mafia in the state and the properties of several culprits have already been demolished. Yesterday, the Prayagraj Development Authority pulled down an ancestral house belonging to former MP Ateeq Ahmed in Chakiya. The house was allegedly erected on 4 bigha illegally occupied land. Ahmed is currently lodged in Ahmedabad jail and his younger brother Ashraf is locked up in a jail in Bareilly.

Apart from this, Mau located immovable properties belonging to ‘191 gang’ which is said to be close to the ‘Mukhtar Ansari gang’ were seized by the government today. Land worth Rs 39 lakh has been seized by the government.

Earlier Gangster Vikas Dubey’s Properties were Demolished

In the month of July, the Uttar Pradesh government had demolished a house belonging to gangster Vikas Dubey who was killed in an encounter with the police. Dubey was killed in an encounter with the UP Police while he was being brought to Kanpur after being arrested in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.

Sudarshan TV case: Supreme Court defers hearing till October 5, channel to respond to IB Ministry notice by Sep 28

OpIndia Staff
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Sudarshan TV case: Supreme Court defers hearing till October 5, channel to respond to IB Ministry notice by Sep 28

On Wednesday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (IB) had issued a show-cause notice to Sudarshan News Tv seeking an explanation for violating program code during the airing of the ‘UPSC Jihad’ show. He added that the channel has been asked to respond before Monday 5 pm as to why action should not be initiated against them.

Solicitor General informs about Centre’s show-cause notice

The Solicitor General informed that action would be taken as per rules if no reply is received from the news channel. Tushar Mehta emphasised, “It’s a detailed show cause notice showing facts which are prima facie, according to centre, not in accordance with program code.” He requested the apex Court to defer hearing till September 28, in light of the notice.

Justice Chandrachud observed that if the Supreme Court did not intervene in the matter, then, all episodes of ‘UPSC Jihad’ would have been aired by now. The Solicitor-General then pointed out to the Court that its intervention should be the ‘last resort.’

While the three judges hearing the case discussed about the request of the Solicitor General to defer the hearing to September 28, the petitioner Anoop Chaudhari stated that he had no issue with Tushar Mehta’s request. He said that a deferred hearing would not affect the injunction on the airing of the remaining episodes of UPSC Jihad.

IB Ministry cannot entertain submissions from petitioner, states Solicitor General

When Justice Chandrachud asked petitioner Anoop Chaudhari whether he would make submissions before the IB Ministry, the Solicitor General intervened and informed that the law does not entertain any such submission. Hearing that, Justice Kurian Joseph stated, “Regarding not hearing the petitioner, if a complaint is made you hear the complainant. The principle of natural justice calls for you to hear them. Will it be illegal to hear the petitioner?”

Citing inconvenience, Tushar Mehta emphasised that the IB Ministry can only entertain the response of Sudarshan News. He reiterated, “If 10,000 complaints are received then we cannot hear them.”

On being asked by Justice Chandrachud about his intention to make submissions before the IB Ministry, senior advocate Anoop Chaudhari informed, “We would like to argue in court. If the government order is against us, we would like to challenge that too.” He made it clear that he did not want to approach the IB Ministry.

Meanwhile, the Solicitor General pointed, “We cannot my lords. A bad fact had appealed the court but that cannot become a bad precedent.”

Centre to file report; injunction order to continue

After hearing all sides, Justice Chandrachud ordered that the proceedings of the court would resume on October 5, 2020, as Sudarshan News Tv is answerable to the show-cause notice by September 28. The Court observed that the Centre had exercised its power under the Cable Network TV Act, 1995 in its notice to the news channel, and asked the Centre to file a report, in the next hearing, regarding its course of action.

The Court further ruled that the earlier order, which called for an injunction on the remaining episodes of ‘UPSC Jihad’, will remain operational until the next hearing.

The Sudarshan TV case

Hindi news channel Sudarshan News triggered an outrage after it aired a promo for a program which was to be broadcast on 28 August. Sudarshan News chief editor Suresh Chavhanke had informed that the channel is analysing the sudden increase in the number of Muslims selected in various posts in administrative and police services in the country, along with an increase in marks obtained by Muslim candidates as compared with others. However, this triggered Muslim activists and cases were filed to halt the broadcast.

Chavanke’s show had alleged that Zakat Foundation, which helps Muslim students secure UPSC ranks, has been receiving funding from anti-India organisations abroad.

After Delhi High Court stayed the airing of the show, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting gave a nod to broadcast the same. However, Supreme Court later passed an order restraining the telecast of the program.

Cannabis: What is it, why is it banned in India and how Rajiv Gandhi played a role in its ban

OpIndia Staff
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Cannabis: What is it, why is it banned in India and how Rajiv Gandhi played a role in its ban

Cannabis is a drug derived from Indian hemp plants such as cannabis sativa and cannabis indica. The main active chemical in cannabis is THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol). It is a depressant drug and slows down the activity of the central nervous system. High dosages of cannabis may have hallucinogenic effects. It is commonly known as weed, pot, joint, dope, herb, grass, among other names.

The use of cannabis dates back to thousands of years. Sharda N Bapat mentioned in her paper “Cannabis: the forgotten sacred plant of India” that the British Government of India prohibited the consumption of cannabis resin (charas) in India in the 1930s that led to the beginning of the decline in cultivation and usage of cannabis sativa in India. While Atharvaveda mentioned cannabis as one of the five sacred plants, Ayurveda has mentioned its medicinal value.

It can be used as a source of food, fiber, oil, medicine, and recreational and spiritual purposes. Despite its multiple commercial and personal uses, the plant found its way in the list of items banned under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. Let’s explore the role of international pressure and Rajiv Gandhi led government in its ban in India.

The ban in the US

The roots of the cannabis ban in India has its roots in the US. One might have noticed how states in the United States of America are now legalizing cannabis for recreational and medicinal purposes; the case was not different around 60 years ago. In the 1960s, America ran a campaign to impose a ban on cannabis. Under Article 28 of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, at the United Nations, cannabis was put under the list of substances to be highly regulated by the signatory state. As per the decisions made during the convention, only licensed personnel can cultivate or deal in the Cannabis plant.

Though the reason behind the ban was listed as to control the use of drugs and the involvement of organized crime in the cultivation and distribution of narcotics, it is believed that one of the reasons behind the ban was the possible industrial applications of the plant. Cannabis and its variants like hemp can grow in harsh conditions at a very rapid rate. Different parts of the plant can be used in making fabric, medicines, fodder, and other products. Some experts believe that as the plant was cheap to produce, it was not easy to sell products made out of it at a higher price making it less profitable for corporate.

India ban under Rajiv Gandhi

India was not a signatory member of the 1961 treaty between nations to ban narcotics, including cannabis. However, under the immense pressure of the United States, Rajiv Gandhi led government had passed the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act in 1985. Under the law, the government banned charas (separated resin, crude or refined), hashish (a purified form of charas), ganja (flowering or fruiting top of the cannabis plant), and any mixture with or without any natural mixture.

Under the law, the state governments got the power to permit, control, and regulate the cultivation of cannabis plants along with production, manufacture, possession, transport, inter-state import and export of the plant and its derivatives. Only the state government and its authorized personnel are allowed to cultivate the plant.

If someone is found in possession of cannabis in India, he or she can be punished for up to one year with a provision of a fine up to Rs.10,000 or both. If someone is found involved in the illegal trade of the plant, he or she can be jailed for up to ten years or fine of Rs.1,00,000 or both.

Legal cultivation of hemp in India

Interestingly, though the government has the provision of licensing personnel to cultivate cannabis since 1985, the first license was given in 2018. Indian Industrial Hemp Association got the first license to cultivate hemp. In an interview, the founder-president of IIHA said, “We will commence cultivation of non-narcotic hemp soon with the initial focus on creating a seed bank. The cultivation will be taken up in villages in the Pauri Garhwal region.” They got permission to cultivate hemp in Uttarakhand over 1,000 hectares, on a pilot basis. At present, the company sells fibre made out of the hemp plant.

How Bhang is allowed, but marijuana is not under the law

As per the Magnitude Of Substance Use In India 2019 report, about 2.8 percent of India’s population have used some form of cannabis in 2018. There is a loophole in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act in 1985 that it only bans the usage of buds and resins. It is believed that the government intentionally kept this loophole to leave bhang, which is made out of leaves, out of the coverage under the law that would have prohibited its use even for religious purposes. The leaves of the cannabis plant contain a lesser concentration of active ingredients making it less potent in nature.

Although bhang is not banned, the law prohibits anyone from cultivating it for commercial purposes. Though bhang is not covered under the NDPS Act, it does fall under the definition of a cannabis plant, making it a punishable act to cultivate the plant without permission from the government.

Countries that have legalized cannabis

Canada: In October 2018, Canada legalized the medicinal use of cannabis under the Cannabis Act. Anyone living in Canada who is above 18 years of age can keep or share up to 30 grams of cannabis in dry or non-dry form.

Uruguay: It was the first country to legalize cannabis in 2013 for recreational use. Buyers need to register to buy marijuana for recreational purposes. They can buy up to 10 grams of marijuana from authorized pharmacies.

North Korea: Though the country keeps everything secret, still there are rumors that it is legal to grow cannabis in North Korea.

Several states in the US: States including Illinois, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado, Michigan, Nevada, California, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, and Alaska, have legalized the recreational use of marijuana. Other states may follow the suite sooner or later as per the experts.

Netherlands: Cannabis can be sold in licensed coffeeshops.

Medicinal use of marijuana: Countries including Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Bermuda, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador and Finland have legalized the medicinal use of marijuana.

Possible legalization in India

In January 2018, the Prime Minister Office asked the health ministry to check the benefits of cannabis. The letter from PMO stated, “A reply indicating the decision/action taken on the submission of the petitioner may invariably be sent to the petitioner at the earliest, preferably a month. In case it is not possible to take an action or decision on the matter, an interim reply indicating the reason be sent to the PMO and petitioner.”

Later in the same year, the state of Uttarakhand allowed the cultivation of hemp. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also talked in favour of legalizing cannabis in India. In March 2020, Prasenjit Chakraborty, a BJP leader from Tripura, requested PM to consider legalizing cannabis in India. However, the recent case of Sushant Singh Rajput’s death has unearthed several instances where celebrities of the Indian film industry were involved in drug abuse. It is believed that the case will push back efforts of legalizing cannabis in India for some time. Also, recent studies have revealed how Pakistan is involved in narco-terrorism in India. It is one of the reasons the government may not consider legalizing cannabis any time soon.

No coercive step against Facebook exec for ‘role’ in Delhi riots, says Delhi Assembly panel after SC sends notice

OpIndia Staff
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No coercive step against Facebook exec for ‘role’ in Delhi riots, says Delhi Assembly panel after SC sends notice

The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a notice in a petition filed by Facebook India and its vice president and managing director Ajit Mohan, challenging September 10 and September 18 notices by Delhi assembly panel which is probing “deliberate inaction on the part of (the) social media platform to apply hate speech rules”.

A bench comprising of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Aniruddha Bose and Krishna Murari also ordered the Delhi Assembly panel not to hold a meeting with respect to the issue till further orders.

The court ordered that no coercive action will be taken against the Facebook VP till October 15, when it will take up the matter for further hearing in the case related to summons asking him to depose before it with regard to north east Delhi riots. The proceedings of the panel with respect to Facebook will remain stayed, Delhi Assembly panel took an undertaking.

The petition filed argued that the subject matter investigated by the Delhi Assembly panel falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Union Government and a state legislative assembly has no locus standi to coerce witnesses to appear or provide evidence on such issues.

Delhi Assembly Panel had no locus standi to bring action against Facebook: Defence counsel Harish Salve

Senior counsel Harish Salve representing the Facebook VP argued that the Right to Speech under Article 19(1)(a) provides a provision of right not to speak and the panel forcing Mohan to appear before the house panel with a threat of penalty is a violation of the fundamental right of his free speech.

Questioning the Delhi Assembly’s authority to bring action against the Facebook VP, Salve said, “Issues relating to communal riots are not within the powers of the Delhi legislative assembly. Police and public order are not under the powers of Delhi assembly. The committee has no authority of law to deal with these issues.”

Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Facebook, said that the root of the matter is that the legislative committee is not a court of law and it has no power of adjudication. Rohatgi pointed out that the Delhi Assembly panel was not a competent authority to issue summons and threaten breach of privilege on non appearance.

The Delhi Assembly panel was represented by advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued before the bench that Mohan was called only as a witness and that there would no coercive steps for non-appearance. However, Justice Kaul noted that the notices sent by his client did not reflect the submissions made by him in the court. The court asked Singhvi to remedy the notices and deferred the matter till October 15. 

Facebook snubs Raghav Chadha’s summons

Earlier on September 15, Facebook India had snubbed the summons issued by the Delhi Assembly’s ‘Peace and Harmony Committee’, led by AAP’s Raghav Chadha, asking them to testify before them. The summons was issued to Managing Director and Vice-President Ajit Mohan over complaints of ‘deliberate inaction’ by Facebook against alleged hate speech that ‘culminated in the Delhi riots’. 

In its statement, Facebook India had declined to attend the hearing of the committee, citing that they have already testified before a Parliamentary Standing Committee in early September for ‘safeguarding citizen’s rights’

Complaint filed against William Dalrymple for flouting visa norms, trying to interfere in India’s internal affairs

OpIndia Staff
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Complaint filed against William Dalrymple for flouting visa norms, trying to interfere in India’s internal affairs

Senior Advocate Monika Arora, one of the authors of the the book ‘Delhi Riots 2020: The Untold Story’ has filed a complaint with the Consular, Passport and Visa Division of Ministry of External Affairs against the left wing Scottish historian William Dalrymple for violating Visa conditions and deliberately engaging in activities that interfere with India’s internal affairs.

In her complaint, Supreme Court advocate Monika Arora has accused Scottish national William Dalrymple of interfering in country’s internal affairs by putting out public statements, interviews that concern India’s democratic and political processes.

William Dalrymple is a Scottish national who holds an Indian Business Visa. He regularly visits India, stays for long durations and resides mostly in Delhi, says the complaint. It added further that any foreign national must adhere to activities permitted under that specific visa.

“It has been observed however that Mr Dalrymple has been deliberately engaging in activities that interfere with India’s internal affairs,” the complainant Monika Arora alleged in her complaint.

Citing instances of deporation of various foreign nationals who were deported, blacklisted, cancelled or asked to leave India for involving in anti-CAA protests, Monika Arora in her complaint said that Dalrymple has been actively canvassing against the CAA, peddling half-truths, commenting against the Indian Government and making snide remarks against Indian citizens.

Monika Arora has listed several instances where Darlymple’s statements and articles have been against India’s integrity, sovereignty and displayed a blatant bias against a democratically elected government.

Monika Arora’s letter has urged the ministry for a thorough investigation into Dalrymple’s violation of visa rules, and strict action against him. The complaint states that if found guilty, William Darlymple’s Indian visa must be revoked, future entry prohibited and his named blacklisted as per the rules of government of India.

William Dalrymple was behind the withdrawal of ‘Delhi Riots’ book

Arora said that the Scottish national had admitted to be one of the key instigators behind the withdrawal of the book “Delhi Riots 2020: The Untold Story” and had pressurized, blackmailed and intimidated the publisher Bloomsbury India to withdraw her book.

In the complaint, Monika Arora asked the External affairs ministry regarding on what mandate did Dalrymple has as a foreigner to trample on her freedom of speech and expression granted to her as an Indian citizen under the Constitution of India.

“In the past, it was been found that Mr. Dalrymple has regularly penned articles on the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi, wrongly alluding to him having been implicated in the 2002 Gujarat riots, which is wholly untrue in light of extensive court proceedings that have concluded to the contrary,” the complaint noted.

The Scottish self-proclaimed historian William Dalrymple, joining hands with Islamists and left-liberal lobby, had pressurized the publishing house Bloomsbury to withdraw the book titled ‘Delhi Riots 2020: The Untold Story’.

“I’m extremely grateful to @DalrympleWill for his efforts in putting a stop to this shameful bit of state propaganda. It could not have happened without him”, Islamist Aatish Taseer had revealed later.

Complaint filed against left-wing media outlets, Islamists

Earlier, Senior Advocate Monika Arora had filed a complaint with the Delhi Police Commissioner against Bloomsbury India and several leftist Islamists over the abrupt withdrawal of the book by the Publication house.

A police complaint was filed against Bloomsbury India, leftist portals The Quint and Newslaundry, and far-left ‘activists’- Saket Gokhale, Arfa Sherwani, Nandini Sunder, Aatish Tasser, William Dalrymple, Meena Kandasamy for the offence of criminal breach of trust, cheating, mischief, misappropriation of property under Sections 403, 405, 406, 409, 415, 420, 425, 426 of IPC.

In the complaint, the authors of the book accused the named parties of maliciously receiving, retaining and propagating stolen copy of the manuscript of the to be published book ‘Delhi Riots 2020: The Untold Story’. 

Days after Bloomsbury India had decided to withdraw the publication of the book ‘Delhi Riots 2020: The Untold Story’, the publishing house had allegedly leaked the manuscript of the book on WhatsApp and had also shared it with a few media organisations.

Bloomsbury India had suddenly decided to withdraw the publication of the book ‘Delhi Riots 2020: The Untold Story’ after being bullied by the left-liberals and Islamists on social media.

Former CM Chandrababu Naidu slams the YSR government for the recent of attacks on Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh

OpIndia Staff
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Former CM Chandrababu Naidu slams the YSR government for the recent of attacks on Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh

Days after unknown miscreants desecrated the Nandi idol at the historic Kasi Visweswara Swamy temple at Makkapeta village in Vatsavai Mandal, Krishna district, opposition leaders have mounted an attack against the ruling YSR party in Andhra Pradesh for its inability to protect the temples in the state. The attack comes in the background of an increasing number of attacks on Hindu temples across the state.

The growing number of attacks on Hindu temples across the state has drawn widespread condemnation as the government finds itself under the firing line of the opposition, who has accused the YSR regime of turning a blind eye to the rising cases of temple desecration reported in the state.

Opposition leaders criticise YSR government for being indifferent towards attacks on Hindu temples

Former CM Chandrababu Naidu today slammed YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for not condemning the attacks on temples in the state. Naidu also criticised the Andhra Pradesh CM for not visiting a single temple in the state. In an online address, Chandrababu Naidu told his party leaders that regardless of one’s religion, the chief minister of the state is obligated to treat devotees of all religions with equality and justice and protect all places of worship.

Last week, BJP leaders from Andhra Pradesh submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting his intervention to direct the state government to honour its Constitutional mandate and not target the Hindu community and its temples. The BJP MPs G.V.L. Narasimha Rao and C.M. Ramesh highlighted that 18 incidents of temple and deity desecration have taken place in the past one year in Andhra Pradesh.

The leaders alleged that while the government acted with unusual alacrity in the case of stone-pelting on a Church in Antarvedi but have been appallingly indifferent to the attacks on the Hindu temples. They also added that 41 Hindu activists were wrongfully slapped with false cases when they raised questions over government’s inaction on the temple attacks.

Andhra BJP today passed a resolution on the issue of attacks on Hindu temples and sentiments.

“Andhra Pradesh BJP is of the opinion that a conspiracy is going on regarding attacks on Hindu temples and Hindu beliefs. These incidents seem to be not mere random incidents, but appear to be orchestrated to polarise the castes and religions in the state,” Vishnuvardhan Reddy said.

Attacks on the Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh on the rise

The furore on the temple attacks in Andhra Pradesh was stirred after unknown miscreants barged into the historic 12th century Kasi Visweswara Swamy temple last Wednesday and damaged a portion of the Nandi idol. The incident came to light the next morning when the doors of the temple were open for the day.

Earlier this month, the century-old wooden chariot of the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple at Antarvedi area in Sakhinetipalli Mandal in East Godavari district was gutted to ashes. After being initially considered as an accidental fire, it was later suspected that the fire could have been deliberate to damage the famous chariot of the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple. The BJP, opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP), actor-politician Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena and organisations like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad had alleged ‘conspiracy’ behind the fire. The Andhra Pradesh finally ordered a CBI probe in the organised burning of the century-old chariot.

In February this year, a 50 feet tall ancient chariot of Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy temple at Bhogolu village of Bitragunta Mandal in Nellore district was set ablaze by unidentified miscreants. During the conflagration, the chariot was completely burnt and the priest of the temple said that it was an ancient one and was being used to take deities in a procession during brahmotsavalu and other festivals.

Some unknown miscreants desecrated many Hindu god and goddess idols and flex banners in Pithapuram city in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh in January this year. The miscreants used hammers to disfigure cemented idols of Lord Ganesha, Hanuman, Sai Baba and Durga Mata in the Bajranj temple located in the open shed in Suravarapu street in Agraharam and also destroyed various Hindu god flex banners installed in the open space along the roadside in nearby areas on the outskirts of Pithapuram town.

Molested the child, did not know what sexuality is: Video where Anurag Kashyap accepted harassing and molesting a kid as a teenager goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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Molested the child, did not know what sexuality is: Video where Anurag Kashyap accepted harassing and molesting a kid as a teenager goes viral

While the ex-wives of director-producer Anurag Kashyap are praising his modesty, honesty and truthfulness, a clip for Kashyap’s interview from 2017 has surfaced on social media in which he is admitting to molesting and abusing a child when he was a teenager. Kashyap alleged that when he was molesting the kid, he thought he could do it because the same was done to him when he was younger. Twitter user Rajeev Singh Rathore posted a thread in which he shared videos and posts showcasing how Anurag Kashyap’s hypocrisy has been visible throughout his statements in the past.

In the interview, Kashyap said that when he was six years old, someone from his hometown molested him. At that time, he was not aware of what sexual assault was. In his later years, when he was in an English-medium boarding school, he learned about masturbation from his classmates. He said though the feeling was different, somehow, it did not feel right. During his junior years, the seniors used to abuse and harass him. He thought it was “normal,” and he can do the same to someone when he got promoted to a senior class. Accordingly, he harassed a junior student when he became senior. However, things got backfired and the kid’s parents accused him of sexual assault on their child.

Alcoholism and drug addiction

During the interview, he admitted that due to the immense pressure, losses and inability to say what he wanted to say in his films, he almost broke down. He became an alcoholic and started taking drugs. In a video shared by Rathore in his thread, Kashyap was seen making a joint during Live conversation.

The torch bearer of Me Too moment did not support Payal Rohtagi

In the thread, Rathore Shared another video in which it was alleged he did not act on the complaint against his partner Vikas Behl and continued working with him. When actress Payal Rohtagi accused his friend Dibakar during Me Too movement, instead of support Rohtagi, he sided with Dibakar.

Allegations on Anurag Kashyap

During the infamous Me Too movement, a woman alleged that Kashyap sat on his complaint against his partner Vikas Behl for two years who sexually assaulted her. It was only after the Me Too movement when he decided to dissolve Phantom in which Vikas and Kashyap were partners. Actress Payal Ghosh alleged that Anurag Kashyap sexually harassed her. From standing with the anti-CAA protesters to speaking ill about Prime Minister Narendra Modi to openly admitting calling Sushant Singh Rajput a problematic man, Kashyap’s name has been around controversies several times.

DGP Gupteshwar Pandey announces voluntary retirement ahead of Bihar elections, expected to join politics soon

OpIndia Staff
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DGP Gupteshwar Pandey announces voluntary retirement ahead of Bihar elections, expected to join politics soon

Bihar DGP Gupteshwar Pandey needs no introduction for he has been making headlines of late for his statements and a strict way of working. It was being speculated for some time that he has tendered resignation. It is now clear that he has taken voluntary retirement from service amidst the speculations of joining politics. His request for voluntary retirement was approved by the Bihar government yesterday. Pandey will be live on his social media account on Twitter today to talk about his voluntary retirement. It is noteworthy that Bihar is set to conduct assembly polls in 2 months and the former cop was to retire after 5 months.

Recently, a picture of his with District President of the Janta Dal (United) had gone viral which had led to the speculations that he might be contesting elections. Pandey who is a 1987 batch IPS officer had earlier served as zonal IG at Muzaffarpur. He served at various posts including SP, Range DIG, ADG Headquarter and DG BMC.

The rules require a three month cooling off period before taking voluntary retirement but this condition was relaxed by the Bihar government considering the seniority of Pandey. He was appointed as the DGP of Bihar in 2019 after the retirement of then DGP KS Dwivedi. Pandey had also requested for voluntary retirement in 2009 when he was serving as the IG amid the speculations of joining politics. But later, he had withdrawn his request.

SK Singhal, who is currently serving as DG Home guard, will now succeed Pandey as the Bihar DGP. SK Singhal was posted at the Headquarters for a long time before being promoted as the DGP. Besides, three other IPS officers have been shuffled in Bihar. Singhal is counted among some of the most vigilant police officers in the police department.

Gupteshwar Pandey’s early life and background

After completing his education from Patna University, Gupteshwar Pandey was selected for the IRS but he was not satisfied with it and therefore he again appeared for the UPSC examination and got selected for the IPS. His services in the police department span over 31 years. His experience in state of Bihar can be estimated by the fact that he has served in 26 districts of the state in different capacities.

He has earlier said that if people felt that he should become a politician then he would definitely join politics. In, 1961, when Pandey was born, his village Gerua in the Buxar district was not connected via road and had no basic facilities like Hospital, electricity and education. Pandey tells that he used to go to school wearing briefs and vest and could not even speak proper Hindi till 12th standard. He only knew Bhojpuri.

Pandey has two brothers one of whom is a farmer and the other works in media. Interestingly, his graduation subject was Sanskrit. He started the preparation for the UPSC because session for MA was delayed. Pandey admits that no one in his family ever went to school before him. At most, some family members could manage to sign their names. His father, who was a Sadhu, had no idea about what and where Pandey was studying.

In an interview given to Lallantop, Pandey told that he was motivated to prepare for the UPSC after he saw an average student become an IAS officer. When he was posted in Begusarai, there used to be stronghold of a mafia named Ashok Samrat who used to virtually run an unofficial government there. He owned a number of factories there which enabled him to exercise his power. Pandey started putting those people behind the bars who had dozens of cases filed against them.

Deepak Thakur’s song ‘Robinhood Bihar k” (Video Credit: DT Production)

He made headlines after putting over 400 criminals behind the bars in around 42 encounters. Pandey, who chose Sanskrit as his optional subject in the UPSC examination, has special concerns for Bihar and he has been raising voice for the development of the state. He played an active role in getting the investigation of Sushant Singh Rajput’s mysterious death referred to the CBI.

He has special interest in music and singing. Few months ago, an album was released in which he had sung a song. Recently, he was seen in the video of a song which was based on him. It is to be seen whether Pandey will be able to leave an equally strong impression in politics as he left in the police department. Considering his proximity with Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, it is being speculated that he might join the JDU.

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