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Kerala gold smuggling case: NIA recovers ₹1 Crore in cash and nearly 1 kg gold from the lockers of accused Swapna Suresh

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala gold smuggling case: NIA recovers ₹1 Crore in cash and nearly 1 kg gold from the lockers of accused Swapna Suresh

The National Investigative Agency (NIA) has reportedly recovered ₹1 crore in cash and almost ₹1 kg of gold from Swapna Suresh, the prime accused in the sensational gold smuggling case that has wrecked Kerala’s politics.

In its remand report filed before an NIA Court, the agency had informed that the smuggled gold was kept in lockers and invested as deposits in several banks. The NIA stated that around ₹36.5 lakh were found in the bank locker of Swapna at Federal Bank in Thiruvananthapuram. The agency also said that around ₹64 lakh in cash and gold weighing 982.5 grams were found in SBI locker belonging to Swapna. It has also asked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Income Tax Department to seize the gold and money. The agency is investigating if proceeds of the crime have been kept in other places too.

In her defence, Swapna’s lawyer claimed that the said money and gold was received by her in the form of gifts from a Sheikh during her marriage.

On Friday, the agency sought further extension of judicial custody of Swapna and two other accused, namely, Sandeep Nair and Sarith P S. The NIA is also seeking the custody of one KT Rameez of Malappuram who was arrested by the Customs for masterminding the entire racket. Reportedly, Rameez had suggested smuggling maximum gold amidst the Coronavirus lockdown. As per accused Sandeep Nair, Rameez had been involved in anti-national activities that could undermine the country’s security. The accused had also revealed their mode of communication and the role of other suspects in the case.

Swapna Suresh had ‘ties’ with the Kerala Government

In another stunning revelation, the phone call records of Swapna Suresh revealed that the accused was in regular touch with the Higher Education minister KT Jaleel. According to the Call Detail Record (CDR), KT Jaleel had made several calls to Swapna Suresh, the second accused in the well-structured smuggling racket, which is being probed by the NIA and Customs. The details revealed that the minister and Suresh exchanged several calls in the month of May and June. Jaleel’s two personal staff members were also in touch with Suresh.

Gold smuggling scandal linked to Anti-CAA riots

Earlier, central investigative agencies, under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), reportedly had been probing whether the proceeds from the gold smuggling case were used to fund protests against the humanitarian Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019. As per reports, a youth from Kerala was nabbed in UP in connection to the case. Reportedly, he had revealed critical information about the funding of these protests.

Speaking to the New Indian Express, an intelligence official informed that investigative agencies have found the connection of a few Keralites with organisations in the Gulf States, which funded the violent protests. “We’ve analysed the evidence, and gold smuggling is one of the fundraising sources,” the official claimed. NIA has also reportedly received tip-offs about the funding of anti-national activities through the gold smuggling racket.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan tests positive for coronavirus

OpIndia Staff
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Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan tests positive for coronavirus

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has tested positive for coronavirus.

The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday said that he has developed symptoms for the infection and added that test results have confirmed that he had been affected by the Chinese pandemic. According to reports, the chief minister will be admitted at Chirayu Hospital in Bhopal for treatment.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan also appealed to his fellow party men, followers, and others who had come in contact with him in the last few days, to immediately get tested for the infection and also urged them to quarantine themselves.

Chouhan also added that he has been following all the necessary protocols and said that he has been consulting the doctors on the same. He also requested the people of Madhya Pradesh to be calm and not panic after he was tested for the coronavirus.

Chief Minister Chouhan added that he has been conducting daily review meetings to take cognizance of coronavirus crisis in the state and added that he will try to carry out such meeting through video conference even after testing positive for the infection.

He has also deputed Home Minister Dr Narottam Mishra, senior Cabinet Ministers Bhupendra Singh and Vishvas Sarang to carry out such review meetings in case he is unable to attend the daily meetings.

The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister tested positive for the coronavirus just days after Madhya Pradesh minister for cooperation Arvind Bhadoriya tested positive for the pandemic on Wednesday. Minister Bhadoriya had attended Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan,

NIA questions Urban Naxal Gautam Navlakha over links with ISI agent Ghulam Nabi Fai, had attended event along with journalist Harinder Baweja, others

OpIndia Staff
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NIA questions Urban Naxal Gautam Navlakha over links with ISI agent Ghulam Nabi Fai, had attended event along with journalist Harinder Baweja, others

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has questioned the Urban Naxal Gautam Navlakha over his close links with notorious criminal and the ISI’s pointsman in the United States – Ghulam Nabi Fai, who has been forefront at pushing for terrorism and independence of Kashmir, reports Hindustan Times.

Urban Naxal Gautam Navlakha, who is currently under National Investigation Agency custody in connection with the Bhima Koregaon violence case, was grilled by the NIA over his links with Pakistan establishment, who have pushing anti-India sentiments and terror in Kashmir.

Citing a 2011 affidavit of US Attorney Neil H MacBride, the NIA questioned Gautam Navlakha regarding his meeting with higher-level officers of Pakistan’s spy agency ISI, which was facilitated by none other than Fai himself.

According to US attorney Neil MacBride, Fai works as a front for Pakistani intelligence and promotes ISI’s propaganda on Kashmir. Fai had admitted that he was receiving funds from the government of Pakistan.

The NIA is also investigating Gautam Navlakha’s frequent visits to the United States to attend anti-India seminars on Kashmir organized by Ghulam Nabi Fai’s Kashmiri American Council (KAC). Fai’s organization – ‘Kashmiri American Council (KAC)’ is funded by Pakistani Spy Agency, ISI to deliberately tilt USA’s policy regarding Kashmir against India.

According to NIA officials, the agency has also learnt that Navlakha had stood in support of Ghulam Nabi Fai and wrote to FBI supporting him after his arrest. Navlakha had suggested that the US authorities had magnified the crime that “Fai Sahib” committed and went on to suggest that Fai may have been set up by US authorities at the behest of India.

Harinder Baweja, Ved Bhasin, Justice Sachar accompanied Gautam Navlakha

Not just Gautam Navlakha, Justice (Retd) Rajinder Sachar, Hindustan Times ‘Journalist’ Harinder Baweja, Ved Bhasin – the Editor-in-Chief of Kashmir Times had all participated in Kashmiri American Council’s conference in 2010.

The conferences organised by Ghulam Nabi Fai had a very obvious anti-India slant and journalists, intellectuals from India often helped portrayed India as an oppressive occupying force in Kashmir.

A resolution adopted at one of its conference organized in 2010 which was attended by Indian intellectuals, including Gautam Navlakha, Harinder Baweja had said that the participants “unanimously” expressed concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Kashmir and implored the Indian government to withdraw the Army from civilian areas. It also demanded an impartial commission investigate “Killings” in a transparent manner.

Who is Ghulam Nabi Fai?

Ghulam Nabi Fai, a notorious criminal and the ISI’s pointsman in the United States, who was convicted for working in the United States for Pakistani intelligence network Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to lobby for Kashmiri independence.

Fai, who was arrested in July 2011 from Virginia for concealing the transfer of $3.5 million from the ISI to fund his lobbying efforts, was sent to 24 months of a prison sentence in March 2012.

Ghulam Nabi Fai, who is known to be the public face of the anti-India Kashmiri lobby in the United States, has organised high-profile events to lobby against the Indian government on the issue of Kashmir. Fai, who was born Kashmir was charged with using at least $4 million in Pakistani funds in a bid to influence the US position on the issue Kashmir.

He was accused of recruiting people to act as donors who would give money to his propaganda activities but was really was coming from the Pakistani government. Reportedly, the money for many of Fai’s activities came from the ISI. The Pakistani government was paying him $500,000 to $700,000 a year.

Reportedly, after his release in 2013 for his “cooperation” with US officials, Fai went underground for couple of years. Following his release, he has now restarted his dirty tricks and has tried to activate his anti-India lobbying. He is now the secretary-general of the Washington-based World Kashmir Awareness Forum (WKAF).

Shiv Sena initiated the alliance with Congress in Maharashtra to keep BJP out of power: Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat

OpIndia Staff
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Shiv Sena initiated the alliance with Congress in Maharashtra to keep BJP out of power: Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat

Spilling the beans about how Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance moulded into existence, senior Congress leader and Maharashtra Cabinet minister Balasaheb Thorat revealed in an interview that it was Shiv Sena which made the first overture of forming a coalition government in the state with ideologically disparate political parties of NCP and Congress.

“Sena took the first step in initiating the alliance between the parties. Congress is an ideological party, we were not sure if Sena would come along or not. So they took the initiative for keeping the BJP away from the government,” Balasaheb Thorat said.

Shiv Sena has historically supported Congress: Thorat

Thorat also claimed that interim President Sonia Gandhi wasn’t particularly inclined to have an alliance with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra but when the likelihood of another BJP regime in the state was weighed against the coalition government between the two parties, it came to the fore that the Shiv Sena party has historically aligned with the Congress party’s decisions.

“Sonia Gandhi was not sure about the alliance with Shiv Sena but when viewed with the possibility of another BJP government in Maharashtra and weighed against the alliance between Congress and Shiv Sena, what difference can it make. In this regard, it is worth noting that Shiv Sena has always backed the decisions taken by Congress. It backed Indira Gandhi. In 1980, Shiv Sena supported the Congress in the elections and then chief minister A.R. Antulay. Shiv Sena also backed Congress candidate Pratibha Patil for the post of President of India and later Pranab Mukherjee,” Thorat said.

Rahul Gandhi spreads fake news about Shramik trains, claims govt made profits while in reality there were losses of Rs 1,700 crores

OpIndia Staff
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Rahul Gandhi spreads fake news about Shramik trains, claims govt made profits while in reality there were losses of Rs 1,700 crores

On Saturday, armed with fake news, Rahul Gandhi launched an attack against the Modi government over the issue of special Shramik trains and accused the government of earning huge profits from running these trains that were meant to ferry migrant labourers back to their home states amidst the Coronavirus pandemic.

Taking to Twitter, Rahul Gandhi shared a Hindi news report with a misleading headline, which read, “Railways makes huge earning through Shramik Trains”, to insinuate that the Modi government had even extracted profit from running these special trains to ferry back the migrants.

The report shared by Rahul Gandhi claimed that the Railways had received revenue of Rs 428 crores by ferrying stranded migrant workers home during the coronavirus lockdown. The report also added that the Indian Railways had ferried nearly 63 lakh migrant workers home since May 1, generating revenue of Rs 428 crore.

“The ‘cloud’ of the disease has arrived, people are in trouble, the anti-poor government is earning by taking benefits – by converting disaster into profit,” tweeted Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi, unable to differentiate between revenue and profit, went on to mislead the public by stating that Modi government had earned profits from Shramik train services during a crisis and attempted to paint a picture that the government was insensitive and inhumane.

Rahul Gandhi spreads fake news: Did Railways earn profit from running Shramik trains?

Contrary to the claims of Rahul Gandhi that the Indian Railways earned huge profits by running special Shramik trains, the Railways has spent Rs 2,142 crore on running Shramik Special trains but earned a revenue of just Rs 429 crore. Rahul Gandhi, in his tweet, had spread fake news claiming that the Indian Railways earned a profit of Rs 429 while failing to realise that the amount was ‘revenue earned’ and not profit.

According to the official data, the Railways have incurred a loss of nearly Rs 1,700 crores after it ran Shramik trains to ferry back the stranded migrant labours from various parts of the country.

According to the information received through an RTI application, the Railways has only earned Rs 428 crore till June 29 and ran 4,615 Shramik trains.

The national transporter shared information regarding its expenditure, which shows that it spent Rs 3,400 per passenger the Shramik Special trains, which amounts to Rs 2,142 crore for around 63 lakh migrant workers transported in total. The Railways managed to recover only 15 per cent of the cost of operations from states and the rest 85 per cent was borne by the ministry.

The Gujarat government has alone paid Rs 102 crore to the Railways for ferrying more than 15 lakh stranded migrant workers to their home in 1,027 Shramik Special trains during the coronavirus lockdown. After Gujarat, Maharashtra paid Rs 85 crore to Railways for transporting 12 lakh workers in 844 trains. Tamil Nadu, followed to Western states, paid Rs 34 crore to ferry around four lakh migrant workers to their home states in 271 trains.

However, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in a hurry to target the Modi government, seems to have failed to differentiate between ‘revenue’ and ‘profit’ and instead tried to peddle misinformation to the public regarding the Shramik trains. By doing so, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party have scored another self-goal.

Following suo motu contempt notice by SC, Twitter withholds tweets of Prashant Bhushan where he tarnished image of CJI Bobde

OpIndia Staff
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Following suo motu contempt notice by SC, Twitter withholds tweets of Prashant Bhushan where he tarnished image of CJI Bobde

On Saturday, the microblogging website, Twitter, has reportedly withheld two contentious tweets by advocate Prashant Bhushan wherein he cast aspersions about the Indian Judiciary. This comes at the backdrop of a suo motu contempt notice by the apex Court against Bhushan and Twitter Inc. Earlier, an advocate Mahek Maheshwari had also filed a petition seeking contempt action against the two.

As per reports, a three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court, comprising of Justices Arun Mishra, BR Gavai, and Krishna Murari noted that the said tweets brought ‘disrepute’ to the ‘administration of justice.’ The Court has further asked the advocate to explain whether the tweets are ‘contemptuous’ in nature. As per Twitter policies, a tweet is usually withheld in response to a legal action or an order from a competent court in any country.

Advocate Sajan Poovayya, representing Twitter Inc. in the apex court, informed that a tweet is deleted only after a Court order and clarified that ‘withholding tweets’ did not imply ‘deletion of tweets’. Reportedly, when a Court takes suo motu cognizance of a subject as ‘contemptuous’, it is deemed that the matter is liable for contempt even if none is prosecuted by the end of the trial. As per Bar and Bench, by withholding the tweets, the social media giant has kept its options open – either to delete or restore them, post the final verdict in the case.

Interestingly, the contentious tweets that have now been withheld by Twitter after Contempt proceedings against Prashant Bhushan were hailed by Yogendra Yadav. Tweeting the screenshots of the two tweets against CJI SA Bobde.

Contempt proceedings against Prashant Bhushan over defamatory tweets

Earlier, the Supreme Court of India took Suo Moto against Prashant Bhushan’s reckless behaviour on social media and initiated contempt of Court case against him and Twitter India. The apex court issued a show-cause notice to the senior advocate asking him to explain why actions should not be taken against him on contempt of court charges.

The court has also asked Attorney General KK Venugopal to assist the court, in the case, and a notice for the same has been issued to the AG. A three-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra heard the suo moto case against Prashant Bhushan. The court stated that the case been filed against Prashant Bhushan for his tweet on last 4 CJIs, and another tweet on CJI riding a bike.

SC to hear 2010 contempt case against Prashant Bhushan: All you need to know about what he had said in his interview to Tehelka

Dibakar Dutta
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SC to hear 2010 contempt case against Prashant Bhushan: All you need to know about what he had said in his interview to Tehelka

On Friday, the Supreme Court reportedly fixed the hearing of a decade-old contempt case against advocate Prashant Bhushan on August 4. The apex court also refused to make his father Shanti Bhushan, a party in the court proceeding.

In an interview with the Soma Chowdhury of Tehelka in September 2009, Prashant Bhushan had insinuated that Justice Sarosh Homi Kapadia had committed ‘judicial impropriety’ by being a part of the forest Bench that heard the Niyamgiri Mining lease in Orissa and ruled in favour of Vedanta subsidiary Sterlite industries. Reportedly, the contempt plea was moved by Harish Salve, who helped the court as ‘amicus curiae.’

Bhushan had alleged that Justice Kapadia had a conflict of interest in the case as he owned shares of Sterlite. The Judge while acknowledging the fact that he had shares in the said company had clarified that he had revealed about the same at the very onset and that either party had no problem with it. Prashant Bhushan had implied then that a judge cannot hear cases where he had a conflict of interest and that Justice Kapadia had bypassed it.

He had said, “In my view, out of the last 16 to 17 Chief Justices, half have been corrupt. I can’t prove this, though we had evidence against Punchhi, Anand, and Sabharwal on the basis of which we sought their impeachment”.” The advocate had alleged that it was difficult to prove charges of corruption against judges in the higher judiciary and claimed, “This is also for the reason that no investigation is allowed into charges of corruption against the higher judiciary. There is no disciplinary authority which can inquire into or take action against judges who have been charged with corruption any other kind of misconduct.”

Criminal Contempt petition against Prashant Bhushan in 2009 (Photo Credits: Supreme Court of India’s website)

Shanti Bhushan comes in defence of his son

When contempt proceedings were initiated against his son, former Law Minister Shanti Bhushan had come to the rescue of his son. Reportedly, he had submitted a list of 6 ‘definitely honest’, and 8 ‘definitely court’ CJIs in a sealed cover to the apex court. He, however, couldn’t confirm anything on two remaining Chief Justices. Shanti Bhushan had also offered to go to jail, if his son was found guilty of contempt.

Shanti Bhushan appealed to the Court that it was difficult for him to fight the case over video conferencing and requested the case to be deferred for a few more weeks. He said, “I find it very hard to address the court through video conferencing. This matter has waited for 10 years. It can wait for a few more weeks until physical court hearing resumes.” However, the request was turned down.

The Court noted that Shanti Bhushan was ‘too much senior’ to join as a party in the case. “It’s a suo moto contempt petition. We are not impleading you,” the Court reiterated. The apex court remarked that while Shanti Bhushan was willing to go to jail on behalf of his son, out of his love an affection, it could not undermine the responsibility towards the law.

Rajeev Dhavan seeks more time

Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for Prashant Bhushan, informed the apex Court that the case records could not be produced in court as they were located in Kasauli. He urged the Court to provide adequate time to prepare for the case. Dhavan also questioned the role of advocate Harish Salve in the case as he was not ‘officially’ appointed as amicus curiae.

The Supreme Court remarked that Rajeev Dhavan will be provided time ‘as per his satisfaction’. Kapil Sibal, representing molestation accused and former editor of Tehelka Tarun Tejpal, conceded that the case can wait for ‘more time’, since it had already been shelved for 10 years. ““This is not a matter where something impending is going to happen, unlike any demolition matter,” Sibal said. The Court observed that the case hearing will not be deferred as Justice Mishra is set to retire in September. The Court fixed the date of hearing on August 4 and said, “Through the virtual court, we are hearing all matters, including constitution bench cases. We will hear you all patiently.”

Contempt case against Prashant Bhushan over his tweets

Earlier, the Supreme Court of India took Suo Moto against Prashant Bhushan’s reckless behaviour on social media and initiated contempt of Court case against him and Twitter India. The apex court issued a show-cause notice to the senior advocate asking him to explain why actions should not be taken against him on contempt of court charges.

The court has also asked Attorney General KK Venugopal to assist the court, in the case, and a notice for the same has been issued to the AG. A three-judge bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra heard the suo moto case against Prashant Bhushan. The court stated that the case been filed against Prashant Bhushan for his tweet on last 4 CJIs, and another tweet on CJI riding a bike.

Rattled by Bhoomi Pujan of Ram Mandir, AAP leader Syed Asad Abbas hurls sexist abuses at BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma

OpIndia Staff
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Rattled by Bhoomi Pujan of Ram Mandir, AAP leader Syed Asad Abbas hurls sexist abuses at BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma

The Bhoomi Pujan of the Bhavya Ram Mandir set to be built in Ayodhya seems to have rattled several people. In a similar display of contempt, AAP leader and TV panellist Dr Syed Asad Abbas lost his cool and ended up hurling sexist abuses at BJP national spokesperson Nupur Sharma on live TV. Syed Asad Abbas had fought elections on an AAP ticket in the year 2018.

Republic TV was holding a debate on the 24th of July 2020 discussing the rejection of the petition by Allahabad High Court filed by Congress supporter Saket Gokhale. Gokhale had in his petition seeking a stay on the ‘Bhumi Pujan’ ceremony of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya on August 5 saying that during the Coronavirus pandemic, it would be a violation of ‘Unlock 2’ guidelines. On Friday, the Allahabad High Court quashed the plea filed by Congress supporter Saket Gokhale observing that the entire petition was filed on the basis of assumptions.

While debating the issue, Dr Syed Asad Abbas, who is an Aam Aadmi Party leader but is touted as a ‘political analyst’ on television lost him cool and resorted to hurling sexist abuses at BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.

He first alleged that the BJP was using Lord Ram to ‘appease the majority’. Interestingly, the Ram Mandir is being built after a Supreme Court verdict and hence, the panellists wondered if Dr Abbas was alleging that the Supreme Court was appeasing Hindus by delivering the verdict.

Further, when Nupur Sharma, BJP spokesperson countered him on his comment “Ram Naam Japna Paraya Maal Apna”, Dr Abbas lost all semblance of decency and started hurling abuses.

He went on to say that the had a problem with “you RSS, you goons, you rowdies”. He further said that people like Nupur Sharma were “nothing other than Rakhi Sawant of Prime Time”. As if that was not enough, Dr Abbas went on to tell Nupur Sharma, “Aunty ji, go join an Ekta Kapoor serial” and then, proceeded to call her an “Ekta Kapoor Vamp”.

Several people on the debate took exception to the rants of Dr Syed Asad Abbas. While Arnab Goswami condemned the use of abuses instead of responding to the issue at hand, other panellists like Touseef Ahmed Khan also condemned the conduct of Dr Abbas.

Nupur Sharma took to Twitter to say that she was considering legal action against Dr Syed Asad Abbas for questioning her character on live TV.

Further, Nupur Sharma said, “I’ve come to realise just how sexist, badly brought-up & hateful these ignorant opposition panelists are. But thats why they are losers”.

Apart from abusing Nupur Sharma, Dr Abbas made several other bizarre statements. While he went on abusing BJP and other panellists, he told panellist Shantanu Gupta that while “you people” divide, “we will multiply”.

Ram Mandir Bhoomi Puja all set for 5th August

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely visit Ayodhya for Bhumi Pujan of Shri Ram Mandir on August 5. The ceremony will be graced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath among several other invitees. However, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has not yet confirmed his visit.

Reportedly, an estimated 100-150 guests will be allowed at the said event. The foundation laying ceremony will mark the beginning of the construction of the grand temple that is expected to take about 3 years to complete. Kameshwar Chaupal who serves as a trustee of the Ram Temple Trust informed that they are expecting the Prime Minister’s arrival in the temple town of August 5. He added that all government standard operating procedures (SOPs) with respect to safety against coronavirus will be ensured during the Bhumi Pujan.

As per the report, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) are organising meetings to promote the ‘Shubhaaram‘ (commencement) of the Ram temple construction under the leadership of RSS joint General Secretary Krishna Gopal. Chaupal stated that a ‘Rashtra Mandir’ (Temple of the nation) will reflect the national spirit and the Hindu consciousness. 

Congress supporter Saket Gokhale says RSS workers protested outside his house, RSS denies involvement, says it is his publicity stunt

OpIndia Staff
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Congress supporter Saket Gokhale says RSS workers protested outside his house, RSS denies involvement, says it is his publicity stunt

After the Allahabad High Court rejected his petition to stop Bhoomi Pujan for Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, Congress supporter and Rahul Gandhi’s aide Saket Gokhale tried a new drama today. Few hours after the High Court order came, Gokhale claimed that RSS was targeting him, but soon it was proved to be a lie.

Today evening, Saket Gokhale tweeted a video from his Twitter handle, claiming that RSS workers were chanting Jai Sri Ram outside his house. He also claimed that they had threatened his mother. He tagged Maharashtra home minister Anil Deshmukh and Thane Police requesting ‘urgent assistance’.

Although around 7-8 people are heard chanting Jai Sri Ram in the video taken from several floors above the building, they were not in familiar RSS uniform, nor were they holding any banners of flags to identify them with any organisation. Moreover, those people were on the ground, while Saket Gokhale seems to be living in a floor several floors above the ground, so it is not clear how would they threaten his mother.

Later Saket Gokhale informed that police have registered an FIR on the matter after his complaint. He also informed that he has been provided protection by Thane Police. According to reports, a police team visited his home, and a case was being filed against those who protested outside his house.

After his tweet, several people on social media questioned his claims, asking how did he know that they are RSS workers. Some people said that they are his neighbours, and they don’t belong to RSS. To clarify the matter, we contacted RSS office bearers.

OpIndia talked to Jeetendra Jore, RSS official in Thane district. Dismissing the allegations made by Saket Gokhale, he said that RSS has nothing to do with the incident. He said that at present RSS workers are busy with volunteering for Coronavirus, and they have no time to get involved with such a person who issues threats and gets scared himself on Twitter.

Jeetendra said that they don’t even have time at present to even focus on such matters. ‘Who is Saket Gokhale, we don’t know. May be he wants some publicity by taking the name of Sangh, may God give him the wisdom to do noble things,’ he said.

Read: “Somebody had to do it, then why not me”, account of a ‘liquidator of Corona’ participating in Coronavirus screening conducted by RSS and ABVP

It is ironical that Saket Gokhale keeps criticising Hinduism and Hindutva, keeps threatening RSS and BJP. He keeps saying about fighting against RSS and BJP, but when half a dozen youths from his neighborhood chant Jai Sri Ram, he got so scared that he immediately sought assistance from police and the state home minister, and takes police protection.

It may be noted that those people outside Saket’s Mira Road house were only protesting against him by chanting slogans, a basic democratic right in a democracy. But in Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress ruled Maharashtra, an FIR was registered just for this, because the complaint was filed by a well-known Congress supporter.

While the Congress supporter is busy maligning RSS, the organisation is running a massive operation to combat Coronavirus in his state, the state worst hit by the Chinese virus, apart from other states on the country. During the pandemic, lakhs of Swayamsevaks are giving their services in the fight against the disease. Apart from distributing foods to those who have lost livelihood due to the lockdown, RSS and its affiliate organisations are also conducting screening for Coronavirus symptoms. Several Swayamsevaks have even got infected with COVID-19 while volunteering.

Papad may not sell more, but India sold more spices thanks to Coronavirus

OpIndia Staff
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Papad may not sell more, but India sold more spices thanks to Coronavirus

In a video that had gone viral on social media platforms today, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal was seen launching a ‘papad’ brand and claiming that it contains some ingredients that help develop antibodies against the new coronavirus pathogen.

Little did the union minister know that by making this claim he was exposing himself to a litany of insults. Many took to the micro-blogging site to poke fun at the minister for the claims made by him. The liberal ecosystem was quick to jump at the opportunity. The honorary member of this gang, Prashant Bhushan, used this as an excuse to mock the BJP government and also take a dig at Baba Ramdev, who was recently in news for his ayurvedic medicine, Coronil.

Sahil Tripathi, associated with far-left website ‘The Caravan’ and Mint, was also quick in mocking the minister. He wrote that “Oxford and Astra Zeneca should give up their meaningless trials for vaccine which may or may not work as India has already found the answer”.

The outbreak of the Wuhan Coronavirus, the likes of which the world has not witnessed in decades, has been spreading at an alarming speed, infecting millions across the world. India has also been witnessing a steep surge in numbers. While accurate medical treatment is yet to be discovered to deal with this pathogen, people in India are looking at alternative treatments to boost their immunity.

Export of India spices rise as people resort to them to help build immunity to fight coronavirus

While we are not sure about the claims made by the union minister, as it may or may not be true, but this is for sure that the demand for Indian spices have gone up considerably, not only in India but throughout the world, as people are using these spices to strengthen their immunity, which might help them keep away from infection.

According to reports, there has been a huge rise in the exports of Indian spices like pepper, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, coriander, cumin, celery, fennel, fenugreek, nutmeg, spice oils, which are particularly proving to be beneficial as it provides the required anti-oxidants and supplements to our body. It has been reported that the exports of these spices have risen by almost 34 per cent in the month of June.

Spices used to make Papad have been proven to have many heath benefits

While we are not endorsing the union minister’s claims, Papad, which is a very common accompaniment with Indian meals, is made by combining many Indian spices, which have multiple health benefits.

For example, black peppercorn, also known as the king of spices, has loads of health benefits and it is used generously in preparing papads. This versatile spice is high in antioxidants. It has anti-inflammatory properties and helps detox the body. Similarly, turmeric, which is also an important ingredient used for making papads and almost every other Indian dish has been touted as a superfood that can fight dangerous diseases like cancer, ease depression, and many more. Likewise, red chilly is a rich source in vitamin C that helps in supporting the immune system and combat chronic diseases. There are also very powerful antioxidants.

If you have a healthy immune system, your body can safeguard you from any disease, even the novel coronavirus or COVID-19. While as of now, there is neither any vaccine available nor proven home remedy to protect you from the COVID-19, these natural food items which provide your body with the necessary supplements which could enhance the immune system and in turn, fight the infectious disease along with any other infection and disease.

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