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Gehlot’s last ‘resort’? Congress moves MLAs to Jaipur hotel, Pilot claims Rajasthan govt has lost majority

OpIndia Staff
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Gehlot’s last ‘resort’? Congress moves MLAs to Jaipur hotel, Pilot claims Rajasthan govt has lost majority

Amidst the political crisis that has emerged in Rajasthan in the last couple of days, Congress MLAs were seen engaging in ‘resort politics‘ yet again. Following the Congress Legislature Party meeting at the residence of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Congress MLAs were spotted boarding buses en route to the Fairmont hotel.

The legislators were accompanied by the Chief Minister as well. While boarding one of the buses, Minister Mamta Bhupesh announced, “All is well.” Earlier, the Rajasthan Congress claimed that attempts are being made to destabilise the Congress-led government by luring MLAs ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections. Following the scare, the Congress party has also shifted its 107 Congress and independent MLAs to a resort on the outskirts of Jaipur.

Congress Legislature passes ‘resolution’

As per reports, the Congress Legislature Party meeting began at 1:30 pm, three hours behind the schedule, at the residence of Ashok Gehlot. The MLAs were also seen waving and displaying victory signs to the press. The grand old party passed a resolution reiterating ‘full support’ to the State government.

The resolution condemned the BJP of luring its MLAs and hurting India’s democracy. “Fearful of the impeccable work of the Congress party, the BJP has conspired to destabilise the State government, indulge in horse-trading, purchasing loyalty through money power and murdering democracy. The BJP seems to have not learnt its lesson from the Rajya Sabha results,” the resolution read.

The resolution further stated, “We condemn the undemocratic intent and conspiracy to weaken the Congress party… If any Congress member is found indulging in anti-party activities, then, strict disciplinary action will be initiated against the said person. Our party is united in the service of the people of Rajasthan.”

Copy of the resolution passed in the Congress Legislature party meeting

Reportedly, top Congress leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Ahmed Patel, P Chidambaram and KC Venugopal have been in touch with the ‘rebel’ Sachin Pilot for the past 72 hours and has left the party doors ‘open’ for him. Referring to the Congress party as a ‘family’, spokesman Randeep Surjewala said that issues arising in a family must be solved within the family.

Confusion over Congress Strength

Ever since the Congress Legislature meeting has concluded, there has been confusion over the number of MLAs who are supportive of the current political dispensation in Rajasthan. As per the News 18 report, the meeting was attended by 102 MLAs. The BJP has about 72 MLAs in the House of 200 members.

However, Swarajya reported that at least 18 Congress MLAs were missing from the meeting held at the residence of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. The report further stated that about 100 MLAs were present in total while the Congress party has a strength of 107 MLAs in the State assembly.

The report added that about 11 independent MLAs were also a part of the Congress party meeting. The same claim that the meeting was attended by about 100 MLAs was also reiterated in a report in The Hindu. The confusion over the Congress strength further accentuated when ANI tweeted that the meeting was attended by about 107 MLAs.

Ashok Gehlot lost majority, claims Sachin Pilot

The struggle between deputy CM Sachin Pilot and Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot has come to a point where Pilot has claimed that the state government is no longer in the majority. The State police had registered an FIR against him for allegedly ‘plotting to topple the government’. Sachin Pilot had claimed that he has the support of 30 Congress MLAs along with some independent ones. Ashok Gehlot dismissed his claims by citing the ‘party strength’ based on the number of attendees at the Congress Legislature Party.

Following Gehlot’s strong denial of a loss of majority, ANI reported that the rebel Congress leader has told the Chief Minister that ‘majority’ has to be proven on the floor of the House and not in the back garden of Gehlot’s residence. Sachin Pilot stated, “If they have numbers as claimed, then, why not do a headcount? Take them to the Governor instead of moving them to the hotel.”

Following the 2018 Rajasthan Assembly elections, a power tussle ensued between Congress’ old guard Ashok Gehlot and youth leader Sachin pilot for the coveted post of the Chief Minister. Eventually, Gehlot was made the CM, and Pilot was sidelined. The divide between the two factions, within the State government, seemed to have widened over time.

In touch with ISIS recruiters since 2015: NIA arrests 2 Islamic State terrorists in Pune planning to carry out terror attacks in India

OpIndia Staff
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In touch with ISIS recruiters since 2015: NIA arrests 2 Islamic State terrorists in Pune planning to carry out terror attacks in India

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday arrested 2 persons from Maharashtra’s Pune in connection with a case related to activities of Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP). The accused were identified as Nabeel Siddique Khatri, a resident of Pune’s Kondhwa and Sadiya Anwar Sheikh resident of Yerwada from Pune and were furthering ISIS ideology in India.

Arrested Islamists furthered ISIS ideology in India

According to the NIA, Sadiya was in constant touch with a Kashmiri couple–Jahanzaib Sami & Hina Bashir Beigh, who were arrested earlier, and a Tihar jail inmate Abdullah Basith on secure messaging applications to discuss ways to promote the ideology and activities of ISIS on how to propagate the ideology of ISIS & further its activities in India.

The premier investigation agency also said that Nabeel Khatri was an active co-conspirator with Jahanzeb Sami and Abdullah Basith in carrying out violent terror attacks in India by providing logistical support such as procurement of weapons, fake SIM cards, assembling of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) etc. to propagate ISIS activities in the country.

“It has also been revealed that Sadiya Sheikh was in contact with ISIS recruiters through social media since 2015. She was planning to execute a terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir and was detained by J&K Police in 2018,” NIA said.

This is not the first time that Sheikh was arrested by the National Investigation Agency. In 2015, the NIA arrested her from the Pune airport while she was allegedly attempting to flee to Syria to join the ISIS.

CPI(M) bats openly for ‘Urban Naxals’, including a convicted Maoist, demands their immediate release on grounds of health

OpIndia Staff
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CPI(M) bats openly for ‘Urban Naxals’, including a convicted Maoist, demands their immediate release on grounds of health

The polit bureau of the CPI(M) has demanded the immediate release of dreaded ‘Urban Naxals’ such as Varavara Rao, Gautam Navlakha and Professor Saibaba on health grounds during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. It expressed “grave concerns” over the health of individuals it called ‘political and human rights activists’.

The statement issued by the polit bureau of the CPI(M) said, “It has been reported that Akhil Gogoi has tested positive for Covid-19. Varavara rao’s health is also been reported to be alarming. Given the cramped and unhygienic condition in the jails, there is every possibility that prominent human rights activists such as Gautam Navlakha, Anil Teltumbde, Sudha Bhardwaj, Shoma Sen etc., jailed on trumped up charges are at risk of catching the infection.”

Source: Sitaram Yechury/Twitter

“Among the other political prisoners, the condition of Prof. Saibaba is even worse. A person with 90 per cent disability, he has 19 medical conditions, many of which are life threatening. Even UN special rapporteurs on human rights had last year demanded his release given his health condition,” it added.

The people the CPI(M) polit bureau calls ‘political and human rights activists’ have serious charges against them and a history of associations with individuals and organisations linked to terror activities. Some of them are even accused in the Elgar Parishad case. Thus, the language that the party has chosen to adopt is extremely dangerous and undermines the interests of the very people political parties are meant to protect.

The ‘Urban Naxals’ CPI(M) calls ‘human rights activists’

Gautam Navlakha is currently charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He is accused in the Elgar Parishad case along with Anand Teltumbde. It has been alleged that they have links to Maoists. They have been associated with organisations with extensive links to Naxalites. The same is the case with Varavara Rao, Shoma Sen and Sudha Bhardwaj.

It has also been reported that Gautam Navlakha was in touch with Hizbul Mujahideen and other Kashmiri separatist leaders. Navlakha had earlier attended events organised by Ghulam Nabi Fai who was sentenced to two years of jail by the US for concealing the fact that Fai’s organization, Kashmiri American Council (KAC), was funded by Pakistani Spy Agency, ISI, to deliberately tilt USA’s policy regarding Kashmir against India.

Professor Saibaba

G N Saibaba, a professor of English in Ram Lal Anand College of the Delhi University, was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Gadchiroli sessions court in 2017 for waging war against India for his Maoist links and involvement in anti-national activities. He was convicted under sections 13, 18, 20, 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

G N Saibaba was first arrested in May 2014 on charges of being a member of the banned CPI-Maoists plus providing logistics and carrying out recruitment for them. He was then provided bail for three months on 30th June 2015 in view of his worsening health. He was given bail again in August 2016, this time by the Supreme Court against the wishes of the Maharashtra Government, which thought freeing Saibaba would render him free to propagate his views and brainwash students.

In a report published in February 2016 it was reported that Saibaba had recruited as many as four JNU students to carry out Maoist related activists. Incidentally these students also belonged to the Democratic Students union (DSU), of which JNU student Umar Khalid is also a member.

What is the Bhima Koregaon Violence Case?

The event by the name of “Elgar Parishad” was organised to commemorate the Battle of Bhima Koregaon of 1818, wherein the Peshwas fought against the between East India Company. In the war, an army of Dalit soldiers had fought under the British forces against the Peshwa, the reason for the celebration by Dalits. In 2018, it was the 200 year anniversary of the war and extreme violence erupted over the matter.

Soon after, the case was transferred to the NIA. The Pune police had arrested a total of nine supposed “intellectuals” such as Sudha Bharadwaj, Rona Wilson, Surendra Gadling, Mahesh Raut, Shoma Sen, Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves, and Varavara Rao for inciteful speeches.

Islamists issue rape threats to a social media user for asking Muslims to recite Azaan at lower volume

OpIndia Staff
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Islamists issue rape threats to a social media user for asking Muslims to recite Azaan at lower volume

Social media has been extensively used by many radical Islamists to victimise Hindu women in the past. In another such incident, one Rima Tandon (name changed) here has been trolled and given rape threats after she, in her social media post, voiced her opinion of Azaan.

Rima has alleged that one Muslim youth named, Fardeen Modal, attacked her after she posted her picture on social media, where she held a placard and appealed to Muslims to recite Azaan but to keep the volume low.

Reacting to her post, Fardeen Modal, threatened rape on the Hindu girl in a profanity-laden response on Instagram. She shared screenshots of the threats on Twitter.

Fardeen Modal, who has a private account on Instagram, in his messages to Rima allegedly threatened her of rape. He said that she (Rima) would only come to know then, what are the repercussions of messing with a Muslim. “Kattar Muslim kissi baap se nahi darta hun“, (I am a staunch Muslim, I’m not scared of anyone), wrote Fardeen in his message to Rima.

Fardeen’s message to Ashi

On June 28, Rima had taken to Twitter to share her picture with the placard raising her voice against the blaring of Azaan in high volume. Expressing her support to Karishma Bhosale, the girl in the Mankhurd region of Mumbai, who was bullied by Muslim residents for raising her voice against the blaring of azaan in high volume from a neighbourhood mosque in her area, Rima wrote: “I applaud Karishma who stood for her rights . Azan must be banned in loudspeaker. There must be some short of regulation on frequency of sound . It’s totally disturbing. Our religious sentiments and mental peace matters too”.

This Tweet had not only miffed Fardeen Modal who took to Instagram to threaten Rima of rape, but also irked another Muslim youth, Suhail Khan, who too, used extremely crass language to abuse Rima on Twitter.

However, following the threat, many social media users, have tagged Indore police and the National Commission of Women asking them to take strict action against the Muslim youth Fardeen Modal for openly issuing rape threats to the girl.

Editor’s Note: The identity of the girl in question has been masked since she feared for her security

Kerala: Kottayam court cancelled Bishop Franco’s bail, issues non-bailable warrant in nun rape case

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala: Kottayam court cancelled Bishop Franco’s bail, issues non-bailable warrant in nun rape case

A Trial Court in Kottayam, Kerala has cancelled the bail granted to disgraced Bishop Franco Mulakkal in connection with the Kuravalingad nun rape case.

The Trial court had issued a warning to the senior clergy of arrest and cancellation of bail after he failed to appear for the court proceedings for the 13th time on July 1, 2020 and had set a final date of appearance before court for July 13, 2020. However, the Christian padre did not turn up for the hearing yet again today.

The counsel representing Bishop Franco Mulakkal claimed that his client was stuck in a coronavirus containment zone in Punjab. But the special prosecutor deposed before the court that the Jalandhar Civil Lines, where the senior clergy lives, is not listed as a containment zone.

Admitting the argument of the prosecution, the court cancelled the bail of Bishop Franco Mulakkal and issued a non-bailable warrant against him.

Bishop Franco was granted bail in the nun rape case in 2018

Bishop Franco Mulakkal, Archdiocese of Jalandhar, Punjab, was arrested by the police officials on September 21, 2019, after the investigating team finally found evidence that linked him in the sexual harassment case. The court had pointed out the availability of evidence to pursue the case.

However, the Kerala High Court later issued some directions to the rape accused before approving his bail plea. The court ordered the bishop to be present before the investigating officer once in two weeks. The rape accused bishop has also been asked to surrender his passport to the court.

Allegations of sexual harassment against Bishop Franco Mulakkal

Franco Mulakkal, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jalandhar, is accused of raping the nun at a guest house in Kuravilangad in May 2014 and exploiting her sexually on several other occasions. The nun had registered a complaint in June 2018 and had been allegedly threatened by the accused for doing so. The Church congregation had also stood by the rape accused and referred to him as an “innocent soul”. Furthermore, Kerala MLA PC George had also called the alleged rape victim a ‘prostitute’.

Secret meetings, plan of action and riots: How Safoora Zargar and others are intertwined in the murder of Ratan Lal during Delhi riots

Nupur J Sharma
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Secret meetings, plan of action and riots: How Safoora Zargar and others are intertwined in the murder of Ratan Lal during Delhi riots

The anti-Hindu Delhi riots were the result of a deep-rooted conspiracy that was hatched at several levels. The riots, that took place in Main Wazirabad Road in Chand Bagh resulted in the brutal murder of policeman Ratan Lal on the 24th. The Islamist mob had mercilessly pelted Ratan Lal, beat him up with iron rods and sticks and also shot him once. The Ratan Lal chargesheet filed in the Wazirabad Road riots, which also names Safoora Zargar, much like the chargesheet filed in the Chand Bagh riots case, points towards a larger conspiracy that led to the brutal murder.

OpIndia had reported earlier that the Sikh man who was hailed as a Messiah for the anti-CAA protestors and was setting up langars to feed the protestors was also an active participant and instigator in the riots, according to the chargesheet. In the chargesheet, it was mentioned categorically that DS Bindra was one of the instigators of the riots that led to the murder of Ratan Lal. The charge sheet also categorically states that the conspirators “were fully aware that violence may ensue and had accordingly directed the protestors to arm themselves”. 

Further, the charge sheet says, “On 23.02.2020 the above said accused persons along with other organizers, conspirators and rioters convened a meeting at Chand Bagh and asked the residents to equip themselves with iron rods, Dandas, Petrol Bombs etc for the next day. On 24.02.2020 at around 1 pm as per plan, the riots erupted and the protestors attacked the police personnel. Numbers of police personnel were injured and HC Ratan Lal was killed”.

A further perusal of the chargesheet has revealed a far deeper conspiracy between several individuals like DS Bindra, Safoora Zargar and the local Muslim protestors to unleash riots in the area.

The chargesheet mentioned that there was a secret meeting between the instigators, conspirators and rioters on the intervening night of 23rd and 24th and it was after this secret meeting that riots erupted that resulted in the murder of Ratan Lal by the Islamist mob.

Ratan Lal chargesheet, a chargesheet that names Safoora Zargar too
Ratan Lal Chargesheet

The chargesheet mentions that after Bhim Army, a pre-planned, illegal march was started from Chand Bagh to Rajghat. This was done to instigate the feelings of people and also, the mob did not have the permission to carry out the march.

The march was spearheaded by various local conspirators and organisers along with Safoora Zargar and other JCC members along with other locals such as Athar, Suleman, Shadab, Ravish, Saleem Khan, Saleem Munna and others. But the same was stopped and confined back to the protest site at Chand Bagh Mazar. Thereafter, the chargesheet says, “Which resulted into a secret meeting at Chand Bagh in the intervening night of 23/24 February between the organizers and conspirators”.

The names who were with Safoora are pertinent since the chargesheet further said, “The riot at this site was the handiwork of D.S Bindra, Salman Siddiqui, Salim Khan, Salim Munna, Shahdab and Athar and others in cahoots with local rioters”

A witness statement which is relied upon in the chargesheet also corroborates the investigation of the police.

Witness statement in the Ratan Lal chargesheet, a chargesheet that names Safoora Zargar too
Witness Statement in the Ratan Lal Chargesheet

The statement by the Muslim witness reveals another interesting fact (the name of the witness is being withheld). Other than the secret meeting right before the riots broke out, another meeting about two weeks ago was held in secret. In this meeting, the witness says that at 12 AM a meeting was held where two people from every “protest” site from across the Yamuna river were called in.

The proposition to support the call of Bhim Army on the 23rd of February was placed then itself. When some people present raised an objection saying that the sit-in protests were not yielding any results, “Upasana, Athar and Shabad did not listen to them”. It is pertinent to note that the police investigation found that Athar and Shabad, named in the witness statement, were indeed with Safoora Zargar in starting the illegal march and that the riot was their handiwork.

Another witness statement reveals far more than just the secret meeting.

Witness statement in the Ratan Lal chargesheet, a chargesheet that names Safoora Zargar too
Witness statement in the Ratan Lal chargesheet

The statement by a Muslim witness (name withheld) says that several Muslims, Dalits and students had congregated for the march by Bhim Army which was stopped by the police. Thereafter, the police stopped the march and sealed the Wazirabad road. A rumour was then spread that violence had erupted on another protest site in Jaffrabad.

This was the place where Muslim women along with JCC members and others, especially Pinjra Tod members had blocked the metro road and violence had erupted on the 23rd. It is pertinent to note that in the charge-sheet, it categorically mentioned that it was the anti-CAA Muslims who had started pelting stones and indulging in violence at those who were demanding re-opening of the roads blocked by the anti-CAA protestors. This was reported extensively by OpIndia.

Here are images of the clashes in Jaffrabad from the 23rd February as reported by ANI.

Violence by Muslim mobs on 23rd in Jaffrabad
Violence by Muslim mobs on 23rd in Jaffrabad

The witness statement in question says that after this violence in Jaffrabad, a “secret meeting” was convened by the organisers in Lane Number 4 of Chand Bagh. Post the secret meeting, the organisers went on the stage and told the protestors that “this was the time to show them our strength” and due to the visit of US President Donald Trump, all eyes would be on India and hence, the protestors were urged to show up on 24th with maximum number of people.

On 24th, the witness says that as he left his house, he saw the mobs holding rods, swords, stones and sticks, ready to attack Hindus.

Another witness says that after the secret meeting, Muslims congregated there were told by Athar and others that they were to carry rods, stones etc to show the Government and the rest of India their protest against NRC will continue.

Witness statement in the Ratan Lal chargesheet, a chargesheet that names Safoora Zargar too
Witness statement in the Ratan Lal chargesheet

The undisputed role of Safoora Zargar in the Ratan Lal chargesheet

In the Ratan Lal chargesheet, Safoora Zargar’s name featured multiple times. The first allegation in the chargesheet is rather simple – she was one of the main organisers behind the illegal march on 23rd of February from Chand Bagh to Rajghat that was stopped, and subsequently, secret meetings were held planning the riots on 24th of February.

Accused Shabad was well acquainted with Kawalpreet Kaur (AISA), Devangana Kalita (Pinjra Tod), Safoora, Yogendra Yadav etc. About Shabad, the chargesheet says, “A meeting on 23rd February night was held at Chand Bagh to finalize the action plan for 24/20/2020, for the same accused Shahdab along with other organizers and accused stayed at Chand Bagh. The organizers including accused Shadab instigated the protesters to be violent and in a planned manner asked them to join the protest and equip themselves for any violence”.

The chargesheet further says, “The weapons used to assault police officials and set ablaze properties could not have been abruptly arranged. It was well planned in advance by the organizers of the protest site at Chand Bagh to spread violence on 24/02/2020 and the instigated rioters with common intention created havoc which led to the loss of life and property. The links of the organizers of the protest site with the likes of DS Bindra (AIMIM), Kawalpreet Kaur (AISA), Devangana Kalita (Pinjratod), Safoora, Yogendra Yadav etc. itself indicates a hidden agenda behind the violence. The CDRs of the mobile numbers of the accused persons reveal that most of them were in regular touch of each other. The most common aspect to be noticed is that all the arrested accused persons have deleted the data pertaining to date 23/02/2020 & 24/02/2020 from their respective mobile phones”.

Another accused, Salman Siddiqui, was also named as one of the main conspirators behind the riots that claimed the life of Ratan Lal. The chargesheet says, “As per the call detail records of mobile number 91XXXXXXX3 of Salman, he was in regular touch with a number of other organizers and conspirators namely DS Bindra, Athar, Ravish, Saleem Munna, Saleem Khan, Ayub, Ibrahim and Safoora etc. 

Safoora is named in other parts of the chargesheet as well. Here is a clinching excerpt:

During the investigation of the case by Special Cell, it has been found that the riots that took place in December have a connection with riots that later took place in various parts of Delhi including the riot at Chand Bagh. The Jamia Co-ordination committee had managed all the protest sites to achieve its objective and every site was being supervised/handled by the members of JCC. During the investigation it has been found that JCC representative namely Safoora was looking after the Chand Bagh Mazar site and had played an important role in instigating the protestors. Accordingly, Safoora was arrested by IO of Special cell in FIR no 59/20. Role of Safoora in the present case is further being probed and a report regarding the same shall be filed through supplementary charge sheet.

It is therefore evident from the chargesheet that Safoora Zargar is as much intertwined in the murder of Ratan Lal as is any Islamist who hurled the stone towards him, shot him or beat him up with rods and sticks. Further, the occurrence of secret meetings right before the riots broke out and the instructions to protestors to carry rods, stones and swords clearly indicates that an elaborate conspiracy was hatched to unleash riots on the 24th of February 2020.

India may have 17 lakh+ total coronavirus cases by 3rd August, with over 6.9 lakh active cases, says study

OpIndia Staff
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India may have 17 lakh+ total coronavirus cases by 3rd August, with over 6.9 lakh active cases, says study

India is struggling with the increasing number of Covid-19 cases. Since unlock phase-2 started, the number of cases has spiked in several locations, especially in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Experts believe that while the country is getting back to its feet and the economy is slowly restarting, the number of cases will keep rising.

According to Prof Shamika Ravi, the current growth rate in India is 3.4%. If the cases keep rising at this pace for another 20 days, we will see close to 17.8 lakh cases in total with 6.9 lakh active cases. Prof Shamika suggested that the states have to rethink and re-evaluate the containment strategies to slow down the spread of the infection.

Over 40% new cases from Maharashtra and Tamilnadu

Prof Shamika noted that 40% of the new cases come from two states Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. The 7-day Moving Average of the new cases suggests that Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have higher daily new cases than Delhi. It has to be noted that the situation in Delhi improved drastically after Home Minister Amit Shah stepped in and helped the AAP government control the situation. West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Bihar have also recorded around 1000 new cases daily.

The average growth rate of the active cases has been persistent at 2.5% that has to be controlled. Prof Ravi said that the states must work on better containment strategies to reduce the number of new cases. The data suggest that Maharashtra’s government has not been able to adequately increase the testing and tracing efforts that are causing significant spike across the state.

The situation is no different in Telangana that was doing well for some time but now is on the verge of becoming a hotspot. Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Delhi have a higher percentage of the positive rates, implying they are not testing enough and need to increase the capacity. Yogi Adityanath has already asked the officials to ensure the state has a daily capacity of 50,000 tests. UP has also started door-to-door medical screening.

The difference in total cases and active cases

Prof Shamika has mentioned explicitly that 17 lakh+ is the expected number of total reported cases from the date the first case was registered in India. As of now, India has recorded a total of 8,55,079 positive cases of Covid-19. 5,53,470 people have been cured and 3,01,609 are active cases that are either getting treatment at a hospital or are under home-quarantine depending on the severity of their symptoms. 23,174 people have lost their lives due to the complications associated with coronavirus. Prof Shamika’s analysis of the current situation suggests that in the next 20 days, India will add over 8 lakh positive cases, taking the total tally over 17 lakhs, with over 6.9 lakh new cases.

Google head Sundar Pichai, who studied at IIT Kharagpur, is all set to bring a digital revolution worth Rs 75,000 crore in India: Read details

OpIndia Staff
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Google head Sundar Pichai, who studied at IIT Kharagpur, is all set to bring a digital revolution worth Rs 75,000 crore in India: Read details

Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google and Alphabet, saw a meteoric rise from being a small-town boy in Madurai to studying at the premier IIT Kharagpur to becoming the Commander-in-Chief of one of the tech giants in the world. With his roots in India, Pichai is well-versed with the challenges that the country faces in terms of digitisation and technological advancement. He realised that technology was a window to the outside world.

In a press release on Monday, the Google CEO recalled how he had to wait for technology to arrive from somewhere else. he lauded how a generation of Indians now doesn’t need to wait for new innovations as they are happening in the country itself. He stated, “It’s been incredible to see the rapid pace of change unfolding over my past few visits. From the excitement of young people using the latest apps and services, to the ways people are using smartphones to improve lives in rural villages, to the more than 2,500 Indian YouTube creators who each have over a million subscribers.”

Pichai informed that Google will invest $10 billion (₹75000 crores) in India over a period of 5-7 years. As per the press release, the investment will be a combination of partnerships, operational, infrastructure, ecosystem investments, and equity investments. The investment will be made in key areas that include building products that cater to India’s unique needs, ensuring easy and affordable access to information in regional languages, empowering businesses in bringing about digital transformation, leveraging technology, and artificial intelligence in education, agriculture, and health.

India-specific Google innovation

Google highlighted the success of Google apps that were designed, keeping India’s digital industry in mind. Sundar Pichai emphasised how GPay had been successful in providing a fast, contactless payment tool that has empowered India through the adoption of BHIM-UPI. He reiterated how Artificial Intelligence-powered app, Read Along, was first launched in India and then was made available in 180 countries to help children read in 9 languages.

Emphasing the need for disaster management, the Google CEO pointed out how the AI-powered forecasting system was developed to keep people safe during the monsoon season in India. Pichai also talked about spreading Internet awareness in rural areas through a designated program, Internet Saathi, that has helped over 30 million women learn digital skills and improve their communities. He also recollected how the Google search engine was focused on providing information on cricket scores or Bollywood stars in 2004 but has evolved in drastic ways over time. He also added that Google had invested in Indian businesses through its ‘growth equity investment fund’ named CapitalG.

Digitisation of small businesses in India

The press release highlighted that only 1/3rd of small businesses in the country operated online but today around 26 million small and medium businesses can be discovered on the Google search engine and Google Maps. Pichai stated that with more and more small businesses having access to digital payments, they have become a part of the ‘formal economy’. As such, access to credit has improved for such business owners. The Google CEO emphasised how contactless, digital payment systems have helped families procure goods and services amidst the lockdown that was imposed in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Sundar Pichai thanks PM Modi

In the press release, Sundar Pichai thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his push for digitisation in India. He applauded how PM Modi laid the ‘strong foundation of digital connectivity’ in the country. He added how the vision for ‘Digital india’ helped getting a billion Indians to use online services. Pichai also pointed out that the digital revolution in India would not have been possible with world-class telecom infrastructure, affordable internet and inexpensive smartphones.

The Google CEO highlighted that the tech giant will work with the Indian government and the home grown businesses, irrespective of their size, to realise the shared vision of a ‘Digital India’. Times of challenge can lead to incredible moments of innovation. Our goal is to ensure India not only benefits from the next wave of innovation, but leads it. Working together we can ensure that our best days are still ahead,” he conceded.

West Bengal: Cops recover ‘suicide note’ from the deceased BJP MLA Debendra Nath Roy. Read details

OpIndia Staff
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West Bengal: Cops recover ‘suicide note’ from the deceased BJP MLA Debendra Nath Roy. Read details

Following the ‘suspicious’ death of BJP MLA Debendra Nath Roy in Raiganj, the West Bengal police tweeted that a suicide note has been recovered from the pocket of the deceased. According to the police, the 59-year-old legislator has held two people responsible for his death. However, the cops did not reveal their names.

The West Bengal police further informed that investigation is underway and all ‘necessary steps’ are being taken to probe the crime scene including the usage of tracker dogs and visits to the crime scene by forensic experts. The tweet concluded, “People are requested not to jump on speculative, biased and judgmental conclusions and to wait for the investigation to complete.”

Reportedly, the suicide note categorically read, “These two people are responsible for my death.” The role of the accused in the death of the BJP MLA is now being probed. As per the report, Debendra Nath Roy had financial dealings with the two people mentioned in his suicide note.

The report further stated that the former legislator was going through a financial crisis and had to sell 6-7 bighas of land. As per his family, a group of young men had come to escort Roy on their motorcycles on Sunday night to an unknown location. The family claimed that he was first killed and then hanged to give the impression of a ‘suicide.’ They had also demanded immediate arrest of the accused and strict action against them. The West Bengal police have not yet ascertained the cause of death as the post-mortem report is awaited.

BJP MLA was missing since Sunday

On Monday morning, the dead body of Debendra Nath Roy, a BJP MLA from Hematabad-Uttar Dinajpur was found in a closed tea shop in the village of Balia in Bindol Panchayat in Rajiganj. Roy was found hanging from the roof of the shop. He had been missing from Sunday night. The shop, from where the corpse of the BJP leader was retrieved, is located about 1.5km from his house. After he went missing on Sunday night, the local area was searched overnight but it was in vain. The family of the BJP MLA has alleged that it is a case of murder. Reportedly, the cops rushed to the crime scene after they received information about the incident.

A tribute to Tapan Ghosh: The firebrand leader who helped Muslim women marry their Hindu lovers and secure a happy ending to their love stories

OpIndia Staff
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A tribute to Tapan Ghosh: The firebrand leader who helped Muslim women marry their Hindu lovers and secure a happy ending to their love stories

Hindutva Icon of West Bengal, Tapan Ghosh, passed away on Sunday, days after he was diagnosed with the Wuhan Coronavirus. The founder of Hindu Samhati, he had gained widespread popularity due to his staunch opposition towards Radical Islam and his commitment towards the welfare of the Hindu community.

Tapan Ghosh was a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for years before he quit the organisation in 2007 over ideological differences. He founded Hindu Samhati a year later. He quit the organisation he founded in 2018 due to differences within the organisation. What began with only a few hundred members, the Hindu Samhati soon expanded into every district of West Bengal and opened units in Jharkhand and Assam as well.

During his life, Tapan Ghosh was known to speak his mind and often adopted novel strategies to strengthen the cause of Hindutva in West Bengal. Unlike some other Hindutva outfits, he was not averse to the idea of Valentines Day and instead, encouraged Hindu boys to court women, both Hindus and non-Hindus.

He once opined, “What will the Hindu girls do if Hindu boys don’t mix with them? I would instead urge you to fall in love with girls – both Hindu and non-Hindu. If you don’t do this under family pressure, the girls will get pally with Muslims.” Tapan Ghosh did not hesitate to speak his mind about the Trinamool government in the state either.

He once said, “What happened to the police officers who were attacked by a mob on Red Road during a gathering organised by Siddiqullah Chowdhury? Chowdhury is a minister now. But what is the status of the cases? Are they still alive?” Tapan Ghosh was extremely concerned about the inability of the state to curb violence by people from the minority community.

An issue that was close to his heart was the matter of Gharwapsi. At the foundation day rally of Hindu Samhati in February 2018, 14 members of a Muslim family were re-converted to Hinduism. Tapan Ghosh had announced proudly that his organisation would welcome those who were converted forcefully but wish to revert to their faith.

Another issue Tapan Ghosh advocated greatly was the marriage between Hindu men and Muslim women. He used to say quite proudly that since the inception of Hindu Samhati, they had arranged as many as three hundred marriages between Muslim women and Hindu youths. The Hindutva icon used to say that these women used to consider him as their father since most were disowned by their family.

“While Bengal celebrates Jamai Shasthi, we celebrate ‘Mey (daughter) Shasthi’. It’s about embracing love. Most of them are not in touch with their parents and hence treat me like their father. They treat my house as their maternal home. They call me whenever there are fights between them and their husbands and any other marital issue. I have strict guidelines for all men to keep their wives happy and safe. I have also told all my daughters to inform me if their husbands ever verbally or physically abuse them,” Ghosh once said.

The Hindu Samhati founder used to say quite openly that Muslim women want to come back to the Hindu fold but Hindu men often do not show the courage for such relationships. Therefore, his organisation, he says, has helped such couples settle into proper homes. He once said in an interview, “We are also seeing a trend of Muslim girls awakening to their plight in Muslim society and preferring to marry Hindu boys. But many Hindu boys lack the courage for such relations – we have helped several such Muslim girl-Hindu boy couples to settle down.”

In many cases, the Hindu Samhati has helped such Hindu men find jobs so that the newly wed couple could lead a comfortable life. In case there was opposition from the boy’s family, the Hindutva organisation spoke to them to resolve the matter amicably.  “They met my family and told them marrying a Muslim girl was a service to Hinduism,” recalled Chandan Sardar who married Chhanda Sardar, previously Ispa Naiya.

Nirupa Sultana, who changed her name to Rupa Konra after marrying Gopal Konra and embracing Hinduism, said, “I fell in love with Gopal Konra but lacked the courage to give up my religion. I was taken to Tapan Ghosh of Hindu Samhati and he told me my original religion was Hinduism and I should return to it, spend my life with my love. I ran away from home and lived in a shelter. I am happy now. I go to college everyday. My family has disowned me. I have accepted that too.”

Rumpa Chatterjee, previously Rukaiya Khatun, said, “There were three couples with us. We stayed there almost six months. Tapan Ghosh of Hindu Samhati told me he would settle everything. Since then I have called him Baba. On September 9, 2014, we got married.” Her father Sirajuddin Mollah joined the BJP after quitting SUCI for ‘safety’.

There are numerous stories such as these about Tapan Ghosh where he helped love-struck couples find solace in each other’s embrace. At the same time, he spoke out against the demographic shift underway in the state and criticised it harshly. He also criticised the minoritarian policies of the existing West Bengal government and always spoke out for the welfare of the Bengali Hindu community.

Tapan Ghosh might have forsaken this world but the fire of Hindutva he lit in Bengal will continue to shine for years to come. At a time when the darkness of Radical Islam and minority appeasement became rampant in the state, he stepped forward and carried the beacon of Hinduism in his shoulders. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of Bengali Hindus to come. His watch may have ended but the path he forged will continue to be tread upon by hordes of Bengali Hindus in the future.

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