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Over 2,000 Salafist organisations active in Turkey, ready for civil war, says pro-Erdogan Islamist cult leader

OpIndia Staff
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Over 2,000 Salafist organisations active in Turkey, ready for civil war, says pro-Erdogan Islamist cult leader

Turkish authoritarian leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan had long shunned the secular foundations of modern Turkey and pushed for a more medievalist Islamisation of the country. This was evident with his recent decision to convert the 6th-century Byzantine-era cathedral in Istanbul once again into a mosque. Now, a report published in Arab News reveals that there exist radical Salafist groups in Turkey to take on the Kurds, which have been the primary enemies for Ankara.

Islamic cult leader Ahmet Mahmut Unlu announces the existence of more than 2000 Salafist organisations in Turkey

The revelation that there are legions of Salafist organisations active in the country came from an Islamic cult leader Ahmet Mahmut Unlu, a pro-government figure, had recently announced that he was ready to disclose 150 Salafi associations, along with their locations, as a part of preparations to fight in Turkey.

Unlu added that there are more than 2000 Salafist organisations across the country, ready to wage a civil war, particularly in the southeastern provinces of Batman and Adiyaman.

The groups have reportedly threatened people with death threats and issued warning to the government against taking measures to place a curb on them.

It is also worth noting that the southeastern provinces of Adiyaman was earlier a breeding ground for enlisting and deploying ISIS cells in Turkey.

However, the interior minister of Turkey, Suleyman Soylu, has strongly denied the accusations that rabid Salafist organisations are active in the country.

Analysts believe Salafist organisations in Turkey took root during in the wake of the Syrian conflict

According to Colin Clarke, a senior research fellow on terror financing networks with the Soufan Group, some Salafi groups might have struck an agreement with the Erdogan government in Turkey, as per the Arab News report . Clark added that Erdogan considers these groups as a counterbalance against the Kurds, which still remain the number one enemy for the ruling establishment.

He added that while Turkey has promised to wage fight against ISIS and other terror groups, it has hardly taken credible action to limit their presence on Turkish soil, as per the Arab News report.

About 4 years ago, Turkish police had reported that there were more than 20,000 active Salafi organisations in the country.

Erdogan’s Islamist policies benefits Salafist organisations in Turkey

Analysts also believe that a high number of Salafi organisations in Turkey can be ascribed to its policy of facilitating foreign fighters sympathetic to ISIS to cross the border into Syria and wage a jihad against the Assad regime, which ultimately resulted in the strengthening of the Salafi-jihadist groups, including Jabaat Al-Nusra and ISIS.

However, later Turkey was at the receiving end of the wrath of these Salafist organisations, many of whom turned their rage towards Ankara, that resulted in a spate of terror attacks on Turkish soil. There were 10 suicide bombings, bomb attacks which led to the killing of more than 315 people.

Experts also believe that Recep Erdogan’s move to cater to the neo-Islamists in the country may also enjoy Salafi organisations’ support, who adhere to a more puritanical version of Islam. The increasingly radical political environment push for Islamism, most notably with the reversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque, provides Salafi organisations with enough reasons enough to back him as their leader and consequently diminished incentives for the Turkish dictator to act against the Salafis.

Dawood’s financier and Pakistani national Altaf Khanani laundered 14-16 billion USD annually to fund terror and drug cartels: Reports

OpIndia Staff
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Dawood’s financier and Pakistani national Altaf Khanani laundered 14-16 billion USD annually to fund terror and drug cartels: Reports

The US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has revealed how Pakistani national Altaf Khanani, also the chief financier of Dawood Ibrahim, was involved in laundering $14-$16 billion annually and funding drug cartels and Islamist terror outfits across the world such as the Taliban, Hezbollah, and al-Qaeda.

Altaf Khanani received $49.78 million from ‘Moscow Network’

The revelation came at the backdrop of Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) that were filed by Standard Chartered Bank in New York. FinCEN, in its 20-page Intelligence report, has exposed how Khanani laundered money through Dubai-based Mazaka General Trading LLC and 54 shell companies (also called the Moscow Network). Through these companies, Khanani moved funds from Russia to other parts of the world via European security markets.

Such a practice is often known as mirror trading. In this trade, an individual purchases securities in one jurisdiction and sells them in another jursidiction. While there is no economic gain in this process, the individual can conceal the fund source and the final destination. Those supporting Khanani in his money laundering business are his family members, based in Pakistan. Reportedly, he received $49.78 million from the Moscow Network between March 2013 – October 2016.

His parent trading company, Mazaka General Trading LLC, also procured funds Ask Trading PTE, a Singapore-based mirror trading company. Transactions for the mirror trade was facilitated through JP Morgan Chase Bank in New York, United Overseas Bank in Singapore, and Bank of Baroda (Dubai branch).

His lawyer Mel Black claimed, “Mr Khanani has pled guilty and served a lengthy sentence, during which his brother died and he was separated from his family. He is in bad health. He is financially destitute and his ability to earn money is destroyed by his being blocked by an OFAC designation and the freezing of his accounts. He has not been involved in any business activities of any kind for five years. He looks forward to moving ahead in a simple law-abiding life.”

The connection between Khanani and Indian company Rangoli

Khanani had also traded to the tune of $10.65 million with Rangoli International Private Limited, a New Delhi based company set up in 2009. Reportedly, transactions were done through the Punjab National Bank, Central Bank of India, Vijaya Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Oriental Bank of Commerce, and Corporation Bank. One such transaction via Punjab National Bank took place on June 18, 2014, during which $136, 254 was traded between the two, the investigative report by Indian Express said.

As per the report n Indian Express, Rangoli witnessed losses to the tune of ₹74.87 crores, despite a sales revenue of ₹339.19 crores. Amidst ‘decline in profitability’, the company was listed as a ‘wilful defaulter in February 2020. The Allahabad bank had listed Rangoli as a top 50 NPA in March 2015. While Punjab National Bank allowed for e-mortage of Rangoli’s ‘mortaged properties’ in 2016 and 2019, the Corporation bank listed auction of the company’s immovable assets in October 2019.

Similar steps for loan recoveries was taken by the Union Bank in July this year. Reportedly, the Bank of Maharashtra has listed the company as a wilful defaulter in february 2020. Responding to the allegations, Rangoli’s MD Luv Bhardwaj said, “To the so-called ‘around 70 transactions concerning Rangoli International of the years 2013-2014’ that you refer in your query, of which we have no data for, responding in any manner would be a paradox.”

He dismissed claims of reception of $136, 254 from Punjab National Bank through Khanani’s mirror trading company.

Altaf Khanani was apprehended in 2015, financier of Dawood Ibrahim

Khanani was arrested in the US at the Panama airport during a trans-continental operation in 2015. He was kept in a Miami prison until July 2020. The association of Khanani with Ibrahim was established by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) while issuing sanctions notice, post his arrest.

The sanctions notice stated how he channelised funds to global terrorists, drug traffickers, and criminal organisations via his Money Laundering Organisation (MLO). The notice emphasised, “Altaf Khanani, the head of the Khanani MLO, and Al Zarooni Exchange have been involved in the movement of funds for the Taliban, and Altaf Khanani is known to have had relationships with Lashkar-e-Tayiba, Dawood Ibrahim, al-Qaida, and Jaish-e-Mohammed.”

The arrest of Khanani was seen as a breakthrough by Indian intelligence agencies given the Dawood Ibrahim connection and the fact that Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed had been specifically mentioned by the OFAC as terror organisations funded by him.

‘Tablighi Jamaat spread Coronavirus infection among many, investigation into Maulana Saad underway,’ Govt tells Parliament

OpIndia Staff
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‘Tablighi Jamaat spread Coronavirus infection among many, investigation into Maulana Saad underway,’ Govt tells Parliament

G. Kishan Reddy, Minister of State for Home, has said in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha that members of the Tablighi Jamaat were responsible for spreading the Wuhan Coronavirus. He also said that 2361 people have been evacuated from Nizamuddin Headquarters of the Tablighi Jamaat since the 29th of March.

In response to a question whether “a major reason of spread of corona in Delhi and other States was assembly of Tablighi jamaat people”, Reddy replied, “As reported by Delhi Police, despite guidelines/ orders issued by various authorities in pursuance of the outbreak of COVID-19, a huge gathering assembled inside a closed premise; over a protracted period of time; without any semblance of social distancing or provision of masks and sanitizers. This also caused spread of Corona Virus infection amongst many persons.”

Reddy also said that 233 people associated with the Tablighi Jamaat have been arrested by the Delhi Police but investigations into Nizamuddin Markaz chief Maulana Saad is still under way. A case has been registered against him by Delhi Police, under sections 304, 308, 336, 188, 269, 270, 271 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, Section 14-B of the Foreigners Act 1946, Section 3 of the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 and Section 51/58 Disaster Management Act 2005.

The Tablighi Jamaat time bomb erupted across the country in the last week of March when around 200 people with Wuhan Coronavirus symptoms were admitted to various hospitals in Delhi from the Markaz Nizamuddin and surrounding places. Subsequently, the area around the Markaz Nizamuddin was cordoned off by the Delhi Police. Soon, cases began to erupt across the country with links to the Tablighi Jamaat and the country stood horrified as the magnitude of the Islamic Missionary organization’s transgressions became known.

‘Will quit Twitter if anyone proves I called farmers as terrorists’: Kangana Ranaut hits out on ‘Champu sena’

OpIndia Staff
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‘Will quit Twitter if anyone proves I called farmers as terrorists’: Kangana Ranaut hits out on ‘Champu sena’

On 20th September, Kangana Ranaut quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tweet on various agriculture Bills and said it is impossible to explain anything to someone who is pretending to sleep. She called out people causing unrest among farmers. Likening the ones spreading misinformation regarding the Bills to terrorists, Kangana Ranaut said that they are like the ones who spread similar misinformation during CAA.

She said how in CAA, not a single Indian citizen has last his/her citizenship but the propagandists spread misinformation regarding the same that led to violence. Media outlets like the Times of India twisted the statement and projected that Kangana Ranaut was calling farmers as terrorists. In its report, TOI alleged that Kangana Ranaut called out protesters as “the same terrorists who indulged in bloodshed even as no citizen lost citizenship due to CAA.” However, she referred to those who provoked anti-CAA protests across India that led to anti-Hindu riots in Delhi in February 2020.

Times of India’s tweet on Kangana Ranaut

Such lies were spread on social media too

Some netizens also tried to twist her statement and alleged she called farmers as terrorists. People who have studied in India’s premier institute were also unable to comprehend the tweet in Hindi.

Along with her, other usual propagandists too continued to spread misinterpretation of her tweet, thereby proving her point that the ‘terrorists’ are out to burn down the nation.

Following the attack on her tweet, Kangana took to Twitter to call out the ones who were abusing her.

Referring to those spreading rumours as ‘champu’, Kangana said that if anyone can prove that she referred to farmers as terrorists, she will quit Twitter forever.

Rajya Sabha passes agriculture Bills

Modi Government got three bills passed from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha that will not only enable farmers to do contract farming with large corporate but also allow them to sell their produce anywhere in India without government’s intervention. The opposition is trying to project these Bills as anti-farmers and stating that it will remove MSPs. However, the government has ensured it will procure produce at MSP as before. PM Modi has assured several times that the government is not stepping back from procuring produce at Minimum Support Price (MSP). Kangana Ranaut has been in limelight for calling out the Maharashtra government and B-town celebrities in the last few months since Sushant Singh Rajput’s death in June.

Why Arnab vs Ravish is like India vs China

Abhishek Banerjee
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Why Arnab vs Ravish is like India vs China

The other day, while hearing the Sudarshan News case, the Hon. Justice K M Joseph of the Supreme Court made the following observation about the way debates are conducted on television:

“Certain channels mute panelists when they express views which go against the anchor’s views. This is unfair.“

This made me wonder. Which channel is the Hon. Justice K M Joseph watching? It also made me smile. Because it is always reassuring to know of an ordinary human side to someone as eminent as His Highness Justice K M Joseph. Turns out eminent people can be a little bit like us. Who knew?

Speaking of news channels, we have to talk about Arnab. They say Arnab is loud, they say his show is chaotic and you can barely hear anything. They are right.

On the other extreme, there is Ravish Kumar. Ah! NDTV : the one true channel of Indian liberalism. The sweetly pessimistic voice of Ravish Kumar, night after night, telling us how everything went wrong since Sonia Gandhi lost power.

Which is better? I know liberals are rolling their eyes right now. How can you even compare the Magsaysay winning Ravish Kumar to Arnab? Seriously? Haven’t you heard that Arnab has destroyed Indian journalism? The other day a liberal who probably made a ton of money as a once frequent guest on Arnab’s show referred to his channel as a “gutter.”

It has to be true. Arnab has destroyed Indian journalism. With his support for nationalism and communal agendas. You can hear all about this from Indian liberals explaining this to Al Jazeera, the official mouthpiece of the Islamic theocracy of Qatar.

But let us think again about what Justice Joseph said. There is indeed something that just feels wrong, sort of undemocratic about a TV channel muting a panelist when they don’t agree with the anchor. These TV channels are privately owned, so there isn’t much of a free speech argument. And yet, as citizens of a democracy, it just “feels” wrong to watch somebody being stopped from speaking, isn’t it?

So why is there shouting on Arnab’s show but no shouting on Ravish Kumar’s show? Because there is something in Arnab’s show that Ravish Kumar never has: an opposing voice.

He may shout over it. But it’s there. In fact, he has to pay these panelists to come to his show and disagree with him. However you look at it, there is something honorable about that. Something democratic. Like our nation itself.

Take our Lok Sabha – the house of the people. Often times, it is chaotic. Members interrupt each other. There is shouting. There is sloganeering. Often times, members break all rules of decorum and burst into the well of the house. Sometimes, they say things that are downright abusive.

And just like Arnab’s show, the outcome of these Lok Sabha “debates” is never in doubt. We always know which side has the numbers. That side always wins. And yet, it is important to have the opposition and the government in the Lok Sabha, facing each other, if only to shout.

You can complain about the tone and quality of the Lok Sabha debate. But would you do away with the ritual of it? Sure, it would be better if members didn’t shout. But would you ever replace it with the Chinese way?

In China’s parliament, known as the Great Hall of the People, nobody ever shouts or screams. Nobody ever disagrees. I mean the President of China comes in, issues his orders and everyone applauds.

Remind you of Ravish Kumar’s show? One man, one view. Sometimes, “guests” come in, only to tell him that he is right.

The China model? You can hear what Ravish Kumar is saying. You are simultaneously reminded that your place is never to speak, but only to listen. There is never a conflict or disagreement and Ravish never has to mute any panelist for disagreeing with him.

Which do you prefer? The Arnab model of chaos and conflict? Or the Ravish Kumar model of “one true journalist”? Which one appeals to your democratic spirit?

I will tell you my preference. I prefer the Republic of Arnab to the “People’s Republic” of Ravish Kumar.

Everyone knows that Arnab has the highest TRPs. The smart people insist that is because most people are dumb. Have they considered this : perhaps people tune in to Arnab’s show because the format appeals to their democratic spirit? Our way may be loud and inefficient, but we Indians are a free people. The China model does not appeal to us.

When I shared these views on Twitter the other day, some liberal friends pointed out that I am being unfair. They said to me that Ravish Kumar has an open invitation for PM Modi to come to his show any time and disagree with him.

If that is true, I guess Ravish Kumar does allow people to disagree with him on air. To have that honor, you just have to be the Prime Minister of India.

For that matter, the Chinese government does make exceptions to their no disagreements rule : it allows countries like US, India and Japan to operate embassies in Beijing. Maybe that means China is also a democracy. I do apologize to China. I also apologize to Ravish Kumar.

Governor expresses concerns over law and order situation in West Bengal, says anguished by DGP’s ‘two sentence response’

OpIndia Staff
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Governor expresses concerns over law and order situation in West Bengal, says anguished by DGP’s ‘two sentence response’

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar, who has been extremely critical of the Mamata Banerjee-led government in the state several times in the past, has taken to Twitter to express deep anguish on the “two-sentence response” from the DGP “sent unusually” to the secretary to the Governor.

State DGP’s “two sentence response” irks the West Bengal Governor

The DGP’s response purportedly came after Dhankar had on Saturday raised concerns over the “alarming decline” in law and order in the state following the arrest of nine terrorists associated with a Pakistan-sponsored module of the al-Qaeda from several locations in West Bengal’s Murshidabad and Kerala’s Ernakulam early on Saturday by the National Investigation Agency.

“DGP’s two-sentence response dated September 10 to my ‘confidential’ communication dated September 5, sent unusually, to Secretary to Governor, has surprised and anguished me. His response to the critical issue raised in thus: West Bengal police firmly adheres to the path laid down by law. There is no discrimination for or against anyone in an extra-legal sense“.

Quoting West Bengal’s Director General of Police (DGP), the Governor said that “There can just be no takers of his assertions in the state and outside.” Dhankar said: “Nothing could be further from the grim reality that the state has become safe heaven to terror, crime, flourishing illegal bomb-making, corruption resulting in atrocious violation of the human right and the oppressive quelling of all opposition”.

Tearing into West Bengal’s Director General of Police, Dhankar said that his response his reflective of his ‘don’t care’ attitude. Accusing the state police of being extremely biased and beguiled by the Mamata government’s appeasement politics, Dhankar said: “Turning Nelson’s eye to the grim reality, one sided police actions against a particular set of people in all communal situations are brazenly and overzealously rubbished; as well as unleashing hurtful misinformation campaign on social media, purportedly under ruling party hired specialists; arresting people of partcular hue to satiate political whims and allowing oters to go on a rampage, even when they are spreading far more intense venomous hatred!”

State has become home to illegal bomb-making: West Bengal Governor tore into Mamata government following NIA arrest

It is pertinent to note here that the West Bengal Governor was extremely enraged at the state administration after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested nine terrorists associated with a Pakistan-sponsored module of the al-Qaeda from several locations in West Bengal’s Murshidabad and Kerala’s Ernakulam early on September 19 (Saturday).

Following the incident, Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday said that the state has become “home to illegal bomb-making” and the administration cannot escape its accountability for the “alarming decline” in law and order. 

“State has become home to illegal bomb-making that has the potential to unsettle democracy. Police @MamataOfficial busy in carrying out political errands and taking on the opposition. Those at helm @WBPolice cannot escape their accountability for this alarming decline in law and order,” Dhankhar tweeted.

The governor alleged the state director general of police is distanced far from reality and his “ostrich stance” is “very disturbing”.

“How far distanced is DGP @WBPolice from reality is the cause of worry. His ”Ostrich Stance” is very disturbing. Appreciate the role of policemen in general-they r working in difficult situations. Problem is with those at the helm who r unmindful of conduct and r politically guided,” Dhankhar said in another Twitter post.

 NIA arrests 9 Al-Qaeda terrorists, were planning multiple attacks

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has busted a major terror module in the country after it nabbed 9 Islamic terrorists linked to Pakistan-sponsored Al Qaeda from West Bengal and Kerala on Friday.

According to the reports, the National Investigation Agency arrested nine terrorists linked to Al-Qaeda from Murshidabad in West Bengal and from Ernakulam in Kerala. The officials also seized some digital devices and documents.

The arrested terrorists have been identified as Murshid Hasan, Iyakub Biswas, Mosaraf Hossein, Najmus Sakib, Abu Sufiyan, Mainul Mondal, Leu Yean Ahmed, Al Mamun Kamal, Atitur Rehman.

“A large quantity of incriminating materials, including digital devices, documents, jihadi literature, sharp weapons, country-made firearms, a locally fabricated body armour, articles and literature used for making home-made explosive devices have been seized from their possession,” the NIA statement has said.

How Kolkata girl Tania Parveen turned to violent jihad to ‘find answers’

OpIndia Staff
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How Kolkata girl Tania Parveen turned to violent jihad to ‘find answers’

Born to Nurnehar Khatun and Alamin Mondal in Malaypur village in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas, 21-year-old Tania Parveen had a tough childhood. As per a report by News18, despite the hardships, her mother ensured she gets best education. Parveen, along with her younger sibling studied in a private school, the London Missionary Society where she scored 90% in her exams. In 2019, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Arabic from Kolkata’s Moulana Azad College.

However, as per the report, a 2017 incident of communal violence sowed the seed of violent jihad in her mind. On 2nd July 2017, a teenaged boy posted an image of Prophet Muhammad on Facebook and Kaaba. This sparked outrage and a Muslim mob went on a rampage and attacked Hindu homes. Dozens of houses and shops belonging to Hindus were gutted. One person was killed and almost two dozen were left injured.

Tania Parveen turned to Delwar Hossain Sayeedi

To find ‘answers’ for the questions, in 2018, as per the NIA, Tania Parveen turned to Bangladeshi Islamic preacher Delwar Hossain Sayeedi. Sayeedi has been accused and convicted in connection with the war crimes that were meted out on the people of East Pakistan who supported the idea of an independent sovereign nation of Bangladesh. Sayeedi was a member of the private militia ‘Razakars’, raised by the Pakistani Army as a part of its crackdown against the pro-Bangladeshi supporters.

Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, the top Jamaat-e-Islami leader, presided over the genocide of Hindus and pro-Bangladeshi supporters during the 1971 war. The International Crimes Tribunal(ICT) in 2013 charged him of 20 counts including guilty of charges including mass murder, torture, forcefully converting Hindus to Islam and brutal rapes of women. Of the 20 charges against him, Sayeedi was sentenced to death for two—the murders of Ibrahim Kutti and Bisabali, and for setting fire to Hindu households in Pirojpur in 1971.

Inspired by Sayeedi’s messages, Tania Parveen joined various Islamist-leaning WhatsApp groups named Voice of Islam, Islamic Ummah and Human Brotherhood. As per News18 report, all these WhatsApp groups talked about same message that India is a part of countries who are going to carry out genocide against Muslims. And the only way to counter this was armed jihad.

Tania Parveen and violent jihad

As per the report, an analysis of Parveen’s WhatsApp conversations showed that she found freedom and adventure in jihad which her everyday life denied her. News18 describes Parveen’s jihadi dreams as an Islamist version of the female superhero Wonder Woman who was leading like-minded pack of other ‘superheroes’ fighting the evil, that is is Indian state.

She even developed a romantic relationship with Kashmir-based Altaf Ahmed Rather. While the romance did not go anywhere, Rather’s WhatsApp group brought her in tough with Bilal Durrani, a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist working in Pakistan. He gave Parveen a virtual Pakistani number to join the WhatsApp group as Indian numbers are banned fearing surveillance.

Rise of Tania Parveen in Jihadi hierarchy

Under the pseudonym ‘Abu Jundal’, Tania Parveen soon grew as a jihadi and began administering as many as five WhatsApp groups towards the end of 2019. These were all linked to Lashkar-e-Toiba, says NIA. Tania Parveen was in touch with multiple Lashkar commanders based in Pakistan.

Soon, she got in touch with Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI officer ‘Rana’. ‘Rana’ offered her money to recruit local jihadis. However, she had little success. She added two of her female friends to her WhatsApp group, Ghumnaam Tigers, who left immediately. Her college acquaintances also showed little interest in jihadi activities. Only one of her friend was active in the jihadi WhatsApp group.

Here, ‘Rana’ was unhappy that Parveen could not recruit more people and hence asked her to try and seduce Indian Air Force and Indian Army personnel through fake Facebook ID, Priya Sharma. A junior officer even contacted her but she panicked when the officer asked for a video chat.

‘Rana’ asked her to go ahead with the video chat but Tania Parveen schooled him on how Islam forbids her from removing her veil. The two got into heated arguments and Praveen broke all contacts with ‘Rana’. As per the charge sheet, in March, 2019, when the NIA arrested over a dozen people linked to online jihadist activity, Praveen was running at least six pseudonymous accounts: ‘Mustafa, ‘Hamza Tahir’, ‘Mutahijab’, ‘Abrar Fahad’, ‘Ibnu Adam’ and ‘Abu Thurab’.

NIA arrested Tania Parveen in March 2020

Tania Parveen was arrested on 20th March 2020. Several Pakistani SIM cards were found in her possession. She was reportedly traced through her social media.

OpIndia, Indic Collective Trust and UpWord file intervention application in SC in Sudarshan News case, ‘Saffron terror’, fake news demonising Hindus find mention

OpIndia Staff
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OpIndia, Indic Collective Trust and UpWord file intervention application in SC in Sudarshan News case, ‘Saffron terror’, fake news demonising Hindus find mention

To this effect, the applicants have moved an intervention application in the matter of Firoz Iqbal Khan v. Union of India concerning permissible free speech which the apex court is seized of in the Writ Petition as also in light of the ad-interim order dated September 15, 2020, passed in the Petition, both of which have implications on the treatment of content under the legal framework in India.

“Given the conspectus of issues which have arisen for consideration before this Hon’ble Court and the manifest implications of the outcome on free speech advocates and in particular on organizations which disseminate content for public consumption, it is humbly submitted that the Applicants have the requisite locus to be arrayed as parties to the proceedings to put forth their position on the said issues,” the application read.

A broad array of issues have been highlighted by the applicants with the respect to the issues raised, reliefs sought and the orders passed thus far in the Writ Petition. The applicants have raised pertinent questions regarding the jurisdiction of the court to directly restrain content during the pendency of an examination by the appropriate State authority on the legality of the content under applicable laws.

Another issue pointed out by the petitioner is that if the appropriate state authorities do not find anything objectionable with the content under the applicable law, can the constitutional courts assume the role of the State to restrain the broadcast and consumption of such content. Furthermore, it has raised a question if the court could stop the broadcast of such content without considering the public’s right to consume.

In addition to these, other issues spotlighted by the applicants if regarding the constitutional permissibility for the Constitutional Courts to judicially legislate a new species of impermissible speech, namely ‘Hate Speech’ and the jurisprudence on “Hate Speech” in India and in other jurisdictions. The application also questions if it would be fair and reasonable to lay down law on hate speech based on a particular instance without considering the contemporary landscape on the exercise of free speech.

OpIndia report on how Indic faiths have been falsely reported by the mainstream media organisations in India

The applicants have placed before the Hon’ble Court the contemporary exercise of free speech by vast sections of the media unless the court assumes that the case highlighted to it in the Writ Petition is a one-off instance. They have sought to place before the court a report titled ‘A Study on Contemporary Standards in Religious Reporting by Mass Media” prepared by OpIndia which captures approximately 100 instances of patently false reportage by mainstream media organizations whose reach and stature lend credibility to their content in the minds of the readers.

In each of the instances enumerated in the report with over 90 references, Indic faiths and Indic communities have been the subject of blanket stereotyping, generalisation and demonisation which have become common in the mainstream media. The report by OpIndia highlights how facts are twisted to force-fit a particular narrative against Hindus, and perpetrators of one particular community are shielded, their crimes minimised and on some occasion whitewashed at the expense of other communities. Therefore, the moral construct that constitutes hate speech cannot be applied selectively whilst talking about one community.

The report attached demonstrates instances of blatant Hinduphobia that was displayed by the media in their coverage by distorting facts, selectively quoting details, pictorial representations, fake news and opinion articles. In light of the case before the court now, the report would serve to assist the court in discerning how the standard of discourse has been set by the mass media over the years. In the report, the fake reportage related to Saffron terror, the fake cases propagated by the media of Muslims being made to chant Jai Shree Ram and being beaten up, the skewed reportage of Delhi Riots and much more find a mention.

You can read the full intervention application and the OpIndia report attached at the end here:

Delhi Riots: Some rioters had checked the ownership of vehicles through e-Vaahan portal before setting them on fire

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi Riots: Some rioters had checked the ownership of vehicles through e-Vaahan portal before setting them on fire

The Delhi Police have revealed that the rioters had first checked the e-Vaahan website before setting vehicles on fire. A recent Times of India report has revealed that the cops have been using high-end technology, advanced techniques, and scientific tools to uncover the intricacies of the complex and sensitive Delhi Anti-Hindu riots.

e-Vahan access analysis

As per the TOI report, the extensive investigations into the Delhi Riots cases have revealed that the rioters determined the names of the vehicle owners before setting the vehicles on fire. As such, the cops used the database from the e-Vaahan website to ascertain the identity of rioters who checked ownership details of vehicles, amidst violence in riot-torn areas of Delhi. “The number from which messages were sent on the rioting day were obtained from the government database,” a source conceded.

Rioters avoided calls and text messages to escape surveillance

The Delhi Police used Internet Protocol Detail Records to nab the accused who communicated via calls and chats on Whatsapp and Telegram. Using the technology, the cops could unearth the communication between two individuals through VoIP. This technology is extensively used during the investigation process in the West. The tool helped the police apprehend the rioters who were deliberately avoiding text messages and calls to escape surveillance.

Delhi Police recovers 945 video clips, identifies 2655 people

As per the TOI report, the Delhi police conducted fund-flow analysis via a software that helped in establishing transaction patterns of the accused in funding and organizing riots. Moreover, the cops also used facial recognition software to analyse CCTV footage and identify as many as 2,655 people. It proved useful in the murder case of one Shahbaz, a resident of Karawal Nagar. An investigator revealed, “We also used software for facial reconstruction of burnt bodies by superimposing skulls on the photograph of victims.”

A police officer informed that they obtained a total of 945 video clips through CCTV, smartphones, media houses, and other sources. “The photographs extracted from them were matched with multiple databases, including the Delhi Police criminal dossiers and other databases maintained by the government, he added”

Mobile forensics helped the Delhi police recover voice recording and incriminating evidence through the cloning of smartphones.

Use of geolocation analysis by Delhi Police

The Delhi Police conducted geolocation analysis and used Google Maps on smartphones to ascertain the location and movement of the accused at the time of violence in riot-affected Northeast Delhi. This technology proved useful in apprehending the murderers of Rahul Solanki. Speaking on the development, Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava clarified, “The cases are sub-judice, so details can’t be shared. But I do agree that our investigation to a large extent is based on scientific tools and methods.”

They rigged the elections and destroyed the country by giving power to an incapable man: Former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif on Imran Khan and army

OpIndia Staff
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They rigged the elections and destroyed the country by giving power to an incapable man: Former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif on Imran Khan and army

On Sunday, the erstwhile Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif addressed the people of Pakistan from London during a multi-party video conference. Sharif, who had been languishing in the jail and had been out of the country for medical treatment, lambasted the Pakistani army establishment for destroying democracy, dismissing elected governments, installing incapable puppets, and so on.

Democracy not allowed to run in Pakistan, concedes Nawaz Sharif

At the very onset, Nawaz Sharif said, “Pakistan has been devoid of a parliamentary system of democracy, even though this is enshrined in our Constitution. But when it is decided (by an external force) as to who should win or lose, it betrays the public mandate…Sadly, Pakistan has become a laboratory for such deceitful experiments. Even if a government is formed democratically, then, it is weakened internally and then dismissed. All of this is done with forethought as to how their actions will lead to trust-deficit amongst people in the country’s institutions.”

Courts paved the way for military dictators, claims former PM

In another sensational claim, Nawaz Sharif said, “I am saddened to say that the Pakistani courts upheld martial law every time and legitimised the usurping of power by military dictators. The courts gave them the opportunity to mess with the law. None of them were prosecuted. But those leaders who follow the law are now languishing in jails… It is not surprising in Pakistan that a military dictator is let off despite committing heavy crimes… Until when should we tolerate this?” He emphasised how dictators remained in power for several years while elected governments could not complete five years in office.

Sharif on rigged 2018 elections

Citing erstwhile Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Nawaz Sharif said that there is a ‘state’ within a ‘state’ in Pakistan. Speaking on the rigged elections, Sharif said, “Can I ask why the Results Transmission System (RTS) was closed for hours during election, why polling agents were thrown out during counting? Why was dhandli done, on whose directives and why? The secretary Election Commission should answer and all those responsible will have to answer.”

Our struggle is not against Imran Khan, says Nawaz Sharif

Towards the end of his hour-long speech, Nawaz Sharif concluded, “Our struggle is not against Imran Khan. I had said this even before the election. I am saying it again now. Our struggle is against those who brought him to the throne of the Prime Minister.” Hinting at the Pakistani army establishment, he said, “They have rigged the elections and destroyed the country by providing power to an incapable man.”

“This country is beloved to us. The government has not only targeted opposition leaders but also the judiciary now. If the situation does not change, then, it will cause irreparable damage to the country… The army establishment should shy away from interfering with the affairs of the government, as stated by the Constitutiton and Qaid-e-Azam (Mohammed Ali Jinnah). “

Nawaz Sharif recounts being jailed at the behest of the army establishment

Narrating his ordeal, Nawaz Sharif stated, “The Establishment should not arrest a sitting Prime Minister at gun-point…I am pained everytime I remember this. It feels bad when I realise that we have made the country a joke in our eyes and that of the world.” He also called for co-operation and unity amongst the Opposition to put up a rigid fight against the current political and military dispensation.

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