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After whitewashing Islamists, AltNews gets new client – decides to clean up the mess for China

Nupur J Sharma
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After whitewashing Islamists, AltNews gets new client – decides to clean up the mess for China

With every border skirmish that India gets caught up in, either with China or with Pakistan, several media houses in India transform into the state propaganda arms of the enemy nation. With the recent standoff between India and China at the Galwan Valley in Ladakh, several such elements have come out of the woodworks to act as the official propaganda arms of the Communist state. One of the portals that have taken it upon itself to defend China and ensure that “their version” is propagated in India, is the pretend fact-check website AltNews.

AltNews has mostly be seen as an Islamist propaganda website that often whitewashes the crimes of violent mobs and shields perpetrators who belong to the Muslim community. The running theory was that just as all ‘liberals’, AltNews too harbours a deep-seated hatred for Hindus and considers Islamists as an ally in their crusade against the ‘Kaffirs’. It was often assumed that their hate for Prime Minister Narendra Modi too stems from their hatred for Hindus. However, with the India-China standoff and AltNews’ reportage of it, it is becoming exceedingly clear that their hate for PM Modi and Hindus and gone a step ahead and transformed into unbridled hate for India itself.

The standoff at Galwan Valley between the Indian forces and China resulted in India losing 20 soldiers. As is engrained in India’s ethos, the casualties were claimed and tribute was paid to their valour. However, China refused to claim its dead. Throughout the day when speculations were rife, Chinese propaganda arms went into overdrive to hide the number of casualties on their side. Helping them, was AltNews.

The first ‘fact-check’ by AltNews that furthered the Chinese propaganda

The first article that AltNews published was headlined, “Indian journalists quote Chinese casualties based on unverified source”.

AltNews article defending China

In this article, essentially, AltNews tried to “fact-check” the “rumour” about 5 Chinese soldiers being killed during the standoff with India. The Chief Reporter with Chinese state propaganda channel Global Times had tweeted that 5 Chinese soldiers were killed and 11 were injured during the standoff. This news was then picked up by several Indian journalists and Media houses.

At this point, it is pertinent to note that it was already confirmed that India had lost 3 soldiers in the skirmish including a Commanding Officer of the Battalion.

Now, if the Chief Reporter of Global Times, which is a Chinese state propaganda channel, tweets the number of casualties, it is generally going to be considered to be coming from reliable sources.

It turns out, China was not happy with its journalist going “rogue” and talking about the number of casualties on their side. GlobalTimes tweeted immediately “clarifying” that the portal had not reported any official numbers of casualties on the Chinese side. The Chief reporter of Global Times promptly deleted her tweets and unsurprisingly, blamed Indian Media for their misreporting claiming that her tweet was in turn based on Indian media.

Interestingly, it must be noted that the “clarification” by GlobalTimes came only minutes before Wang Wenwen tweeted blaming India media for being irresponsible.

When dealing with Chinese media and journalists, there are certain ground rules that every journalist keeps in mind. Firstly, any information that comes out of China is controlled by the Communist state. There are no ‘independent’ media houses in China. Moreover, on Twitter especially, any Chinese individual or Chinese media company operates with the explicit permission of the government of China since Twitter is banned in China. Of course, many civilians do use other methods to log in, but media and journalists function on social media with the permission of the Chinese government and mostly, at the behest of the Chinese government.

The Chinese authoritarian regime exercised strict control on the flow of information even to its own citizens. So to expect that any information that comes from China will not be a part of the propaganda war is being naive at best, malicious at worst.

In this scenario, what likely happened was that the journalist tweeted initial reports that were being whispered by sources. After she tweeted, she must have received blowback from GlobalTimes, which is the Chinese government propaganda arm and thus, blamed Indian media instead and deleted her tweet.

It is important to note that China has been trying to hide the number of casualties on its side in a bid to ensure that their numbers are not reported as higher than the Indian side.

So at this point of time, for AltNews to “fact-check” and claim that Indian journalists were on the wrong signifies two things:

  1. AltNews was far more inclined to believe the word of GlobalTimes, a Chinese state-controlled media, than its own journalists. Since the Chinese govt was trying its best to hide casualties, it is entirely possible that at initial stages of information flow, the news was that 5 Chinese soldiers were killed and 11 were injured. For AltNews to “fact-check” this essentially does not make sense since it seems to be considering Chinese propaganda as the gospel truth.
  2. AltNews actively helped China in its psychological warfare since the aim of hiding the numbers, to begin with, was to insinuate that it was India that suffered casualties and China did not.

It is pertinent to keep in mind that both journalist Wang Wenwen and Global Times are on Twitter with the explicit sanction of the Chinese government since Twitter is banned in China. Hence, AltNews helped the Communist state of China to spread confusion and further their propaganda at a time when India and China were face-to-face in a violent standoff.

The second ‘fact-check’ by AltNews that furthered the Chinese propaganda

AltNews was so agitated by the news of Chinese casualties, that in the span of just a few hours, they ended up publishing not just one, but two so-called ‘fact-check’ articles that discredited Indians in order to reinforce the Chinese propaganda.

The second article published by AltNews was headlined, “India-China dispute: 43 Chinese soldiers killed? Media outlets and journalists mislead”.

In this article, AltNews cited the tweets by ANI that said that 43 Chinese soldiers were either killed or wounded. Several Indian journalists reported that 43 Chinese soldiers were killed during the clash at Galwan.

AltNews wrote a ‘fact-check” saying that the news of 43 soldiers killed on the Chinese side was ‘fake news’ since the ANI tweet said that the number of casualties was 43, which included dead and injured.

Further, AltNews relied on GlobalTimes to further this ‘fact-check’. Calling the GlobalTimes and its Editor’s tweets as “official information”, the AltNews report said, “The Chinese government has not revealed the number of casualties on their side. The Editor-in-Chief of China-based Global Times tweeted this earlier today. Furthermore, no official figures on the Chinese casualties have been put out by the Indian army as well”.

Firstly, AltNews is being dishonest with its readers when it calls Globaltimes “China-based” giving it far more credibility than it deserves. GlobalTimes is the propaganda arm of the Chinese govt and any experienced journalist would know that China is a master of psychological warfare and any information coming from China is unreliable and strategic propaganda.

The number of dead in China could be 50 or 100 or even 200 and there can be no confirmation on that since China is trying its best to further the perception that the casualties were far more on the Indian side than the Chinese side. AltNews, with this “fact-check”, is merely furthering that propaganda by muddying the waters.

The only ‘fact-check’ that should be done here is about the intention of the Chinese govt being tight-lipped and the propaganda warfare that it is unleashing on India. However, AltNews seems to be actively helping China in muddying the waters and furthering the psychological warfare that is being unleashed by the Communist govt.

Interestingly, there is a dichotomy in the two fact-checks by AltNews. While in the first ‘fact-check’, AltNews brands Indian journalists as liars for trusting the Chief Reporter of GlobalTimes, in the second ‘fact-check’, they cite the Editor of Global Times as an authority that is tweeting the official position of China.

In both these instances, the aim of AltNews seems to be simple – discredit India and give legitimacy to Chinese propaganda.

The extent of propaganda by China that AltNews will be blind to

While India’s official position is that all the activity happened on the Indian side of the border, China has been claiming that it was India that breached the Line of Actual Control and attacked the Chinese soldiers.

The timeline of the conflict that has now emerged proves India’s position.

After the initial talks of disengagement, China came back mid-week to set up a camp on the Indian side. India then proceeded to dismantle that camp and during that, a scuffle had broken out, however, the Chinese soldiers were sent packing to their side after the scuffle. Over the weekend, the Chinese soldiers returned with a larger group of soldiers. Some stone-pelting took place on Sunday, June 14.

According to a report by Defence journalist Shiv Aroor, On Monday (June 15) evening, clashes broke out on a ridgeline with a high drop towards the Galwan river. The clashes escalated rapidly and according to sources, many Indians soldiers fell into the river during the scuffle.

Thereafter, Colonel Santosh Babu of 16 Bihar Regiment went to discuss the situation with the Chinese troops and it is then that he was attacked and severely injured by the Chinese soldiers.

The standoff then continued and according to Aroor, “The Indian troops assaulted the Chinese post with brutal strength and seriously injured nearly 55-56 Chinese solider. Many casualties were inflicted at this point. Sources said there were many fatalities on the Chinese side but there was no confirmation on the exact number“. “Fighting stopped well after midnight. Several bodies of the soldiers were fished from the river, while, many injured succumbed by morning, sources said“.

From the timeline reported by Shiv Aroor, it is evident that it was the Chinese side indulging in provoking Indian side and India was merely defending its own territory.

With the facts of the matter being as clear as day, China continued its propaganda and claimed in a press conference that it was India that attacked China and that the skirmish happened on China’s side of the border.

With the Wuhan Coronavirus fiasco, it was already evident that China does not shy away from misleading the entire world when it comes to their self-interest or their expansionist policies.

For AltNews to now take China’s word as the gospel truth and discredit Indiaa’s version only reeks of their intent.

The intent of AltNews is rather evident even from the words they choose to use while writing the asinine fact-checks.

Introductory paragraph from ‘fact-check’ by AltNews

For AltNews, while Indian officials have “claimed” that it was China that crossed the LAC, China has “blamed” Indian troops. While in isolation, there is nothing wrong with the words used, together, it would seem that AltNews is trying to cast aspersions on India’s position and paint the Chinese position as the gospel truth.

Propaganda website AltNews has been largely peddled as an authentic source of fact-checks by the entire Left cabal. Their articles are peddled by any anti-government, anti-Hindu riffraff that the ecosystem has to offer and they often claim that their method is rather elaborate and authentic. With patrons like Arundhati Roy, who regularly speaks in a language that can only be called one that resonates with Naxals and every element that wishes to tear India apart, AltNews has gained a reputation amongst right-thinking individuals as a mouthpiece of Islamists. The so-called fact-checking website regularly furthers fake news, obfuscates the truth, concocts details to shield Islamists and sometimes, even creates fake news simply to fact check it later.

Further, AltNews uses some standard tools to further their propaganda which invariably goes against the interests of the country. They peddle downright lies, muddle the waters, deliberately mislead, whitewash crimes and doxx anybody who tries to expose their methods. With the India-China standoff and the situation escalating, one can only hope that AltNews finds whatever shred of conscious they have left and not hurt India’s interest to protect those of the nation’s enemies.

Galwan valley: Survivors narrate how China sent its troops to hunt down unarmed Indian soldiers and execute them with stones, iron batons and barbed wire

OpIndia Staff
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Galwan valley: Survivors narrate how China sent its troops to hunt down unarmed Indian soldiers and execute them with stones, iron batons and barbed wire

A senior government official conversant with the debriefing of survivors at hospitals in Leh revealed that the assault of the Indian soldiers by China’s PLA hit team was premeditated as they had carried iron batons and clubs wrapped in barbed wire to attack the troops of the 16 Bihar Regiment.

As quoted by News18, the official said fierce fistfighting took place at the Galwan river valley for about 8 hours on Monday night as the death squad of PLA armed with weapons hunted down unarmed Indian soldiers and slaughtered them.

The official said that even the Indian soldiers who were at the hillside were systematically chased down by the murderous PLA soldiers armed with crude weapons. Many of the soldiers died after falling into the Galwan river.

The brutal combat between the soldiers of two armies have confirmed to have claimed lives of at least 23 Indian soldiers, including the Commanding Officer of 16 Bihar Regiment, Colonel Santosh Babu and many others, partly also because of the extended exposure to sub-zero temperatures, the Indian Army said on Tuesday.

According to the government source cited in the report, at least two dozen soldiers are critically injured and battling for their lives and more than 110 needed treatment. “The death toll will likely go up,” a military officer familiar with the severity of the carnage said.

The Chinese side have also suffered heavy casualties as Indian soldiers fought back and defended Indian territory. Sources say that as many as 43 have been deemed casualties and the number could be far more, though China is not confirming the numbers.

Skirmish between Indian and Chinese soldiers at Galwan valley

The savage combat between the Indian and Chinese soldiers at the Galwan Valley touched off after Indian troopers under the leadership of Colonel Babu reportedly demolished a Chinese tent erected near a position code-named Patrol Point 14, in the vicinity of the mouth of the Galwan river. The Chinese tent was pulled apart under the disengagement plan agreed after the meeting between Lieutenant General Harinder Singh, who commands the Leh-based XIV Corps, and Major-General Lin Liu, the head of the Xinjiang military district.

However, just in a span of 2 days of the disengagement plan agreed between the two Generals, the PLA constructed a new tent at Patrol Point 14, on a territory claimed by India. As per government sources quoted by media reports, Colonel Babu’s unit was given the responsibility of getting the fresh tent put up by the Chinese removed.

However, the Chinese bailed on the earlier agreed disengagement plan and denied vacating the Patrol Point 14 which resulted in a brawl in which the Chinese tent was incinerated, the government sources claim.

The sources added that the destruction of the Chinese there were some skirmishes between the troops and Sunday and then on Monday night, Chinese soldiers from the PLA had attacked by stealth on Indian troops. As per a report in Navbharat Times, massive rocks and stones were hurled at the Indian side from the ridge above Point 14, sources said.

The killing marks the highest losses of the Indian Army since the Kargil war in 1999 and represent the most fierce border brawl between India and China since 1967, when 88 Indian soldiers and as many as 340 PLA soldiers perished during the clashes near the Nathu La and Cho La passes, the strategic points along India’s eastern border with China.

Chinese casualties in the clashes at Galwan Valley

Though Beijing has been tight-lipped about the casualties endured by the Chinese side in the skirmishes at Galwan Valley, unofficial reports suggest at least 43 Chinese troopers have been killed in the brawl. According to a US intel report, 35 PLA personnel have perished in the border skirmish.

As per the latest reports, a Chinese Commanding Officer was also among those killed. ANI has cited Army sources as saying that casualties on the Chinese side may be significant.

It is notable here that the LAC falls under extremely difficult terrain where maintaining supply lines and provisions are very difficult. While Army sources quoted in media have stated that the casualties may go up, given the harsh conditions and exposure, there are also speculations on whether the hostility between the troops will now escalate further.

Chennai Super Kings suspends official team doctor for mocking soldiers martyred in Ladakh standoff

OpIndia Staff
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Chennai Super Kings suspends official team doctor for mocking soldiers martyred in Ladakh standoff

Chennai Super Kings, the IPL Franchise, on Wednesday suspended its official team doctor, Dr Madhu Thottappillil, for mocking the Indian soldiers martyred at the Ladakh standoff by hands of Chinese army.

On Tuesday, after the news of the Indian soldiers losing their lives while fighting Chinese forces in Galwan valley, Ladakh broke, when people expressed shock and anger, Dr Madhu Thottappillil, who was the official team doctor of the Chennai Super Kings, joked whether the coffins of the martyred soldiers will come with a “PM CARES” sticker on them.

Tweet by Dr Mathu Thottappillil (image courtesy: @sircaustick on Twitter)

In a bid to make fun of the PM CARES fund which is being utilised to manufacture ventilators amid the Chinese coronavirus outbreak, Thottappillil made the distasteful comment.

Following this, Chennai Super Kings, on Wednesday, regretted the tweet which was in poor taste and said that they have suspended his services.

“The Chennai Super Kings Management was not aware of the personal tweet of Dr. Madhu Thottappillil. He has been suspended from his position as the Team Doctor. Chennai Super Kings regrets his tweet which was without the knowledge of the Management and in bad taste,” Chennai Super Kings said in a tweet.

Ladakh standoff at Galwan Valley

A violent face-off took place between Indian and Chinese troops on the intervening night of 15th and 16th June which led to casualties on both the sides. While India has confirmed 20 casualties, the Chinese authorities have not given official figures. However, it is believed that the casualties of Chinese troops would be above 40.

Canada’s top microbiology lab sent fifteen “deadliest pathogens” to the Wuhan lab months before the Coronavirus outbreak: Report

OpIndia Staff
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Canada’s top microbiology lab sent fifteen “deadliest pathogens” to the Wuhan lab months before the Coronavirus outbreak: Report

Newly-released access-to-information documents have revealed shocking details of how a shipment of deadly pathogens from Canada’s National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg was received by the Wuhan Institute of Virology, months before the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic. It is being reported that the delivery of 15 different lethal pathogens was made in May 2019.

According to a report by CBC News, the scientist who was responsible for exporting the pathogens to China was sacked after an investigation in July last year. Dr Xiangguo Qiu, the person who was allegedly behind this delivery, was terminated from Canada’s only level-4 lab over what the lab called a possible “policy breach”. Earlier it was reported that Canada had dispatched Ebola and Henipah viruses to the Wuhan lab.

The documents show that a total of 15 different virus samples were sent from Canada to the Chinese laboratory, each in two vials. The pathogens were:- Ebola Makona (three different varieties), Mayinga, Kikwit, Ivory Coast, Bundibugyo, Sudan Boniface, Sudan Gulu, MA-Ebov, GP-Ebov, GP-Sudan, Hendra, Nipah Malaysia and Nipah Bangladesh.

The documents accessed by CBC show that Canadian scientists were about the send the virus samples in an incorrect packaging on a commercial Air Canada flight on March 31, 2019. But correct packaging was used only after the Chinese side pointed out that Canadians are using the wrong packaging to ship the deadly pathogens.

Canada denies connection between the virus shipment and coronavirus outbreak

The Canadian Lab has, however, said that the shipments had nothing to do with the coronavirus outbreak and moreover it said that the termination of the Chinese scientist, Dr Xiangguo Qiu from the Winnipeg lab was also not related to the shipment.

The chief of media relations for Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada, Eric Morrissette, wrote in an email: “The administrative investigation is not related to the shipment of virus samples to China.

“In response to a request from the Wuhan Institute of Virology for viral samples of Ebola and Henipah viruses, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) sent samples for the purpose of scientific research in 2019.”

Along with PHAC, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has also denied any connections between the pandemic and the virus shipments. There is no evidence linking this shipment to the spread of the coronavirus. Ebola is a filovirus and Henipa is a paramyxovirus; no coronavirus samples were sent.

Despite the Canadian media reports, the Chinese side has also never officially disclosed any information about the alleged virus transfer from Canada. 

Despite clarifications, experts are not convinced. Amir Attaran, a law professor and epidemiologist at the University of Ottawa, was quoted by CBC News as saying: “It is suspicious. It is alarming. It is potentially life-threatening.”

Experts displeased by the Canadian Government’s decision to export the pathogens to China

Alarmed by the act, Amir Attaran said that the shipment was sent to the Chinese lab knowing that it has links to the Chinese military: “What we know is that before she was removed, she sent one of the deadliest viruses on Earth, and multiple varieties of it to maximise the genetic diversity and maximise what experimenters in China could do with it, to a laboratory in China that does dangerous gain of function experiments. And that has links to the Chinese military,” Attaran said.

Talking about the “gain of function experiment”, in which a natural pathogen is taken into the lab, made to mutate, and then assessed to see if it has become more deadly or infectious, the law professor furthered: “The Wuhan lab does them and we have now supplied them with Ebola and Nipah viruses. It does not take a genius to understand that this is an unwise decision. I am extremely unhappy to see that the Canadian government shared that genetic material,” said Attaran.

Though the Canadian officials have consistently denied any connections between the COVID-19 pandemic and the virus shipments and stated that there is no evidence linking the shipments to the spread of the coronavirus, given the fact that the pandemic is said to have originated in Wuhan, news of the “policy breach” is a cause of concern. Especially considering that the revelation has come during the time when the diplomatic relationship between China and the West remains volatile.

While America has repeatedly blamed China for its campaign of “disinformation” related to the coronavirus, Tobias Ellwood, an MP of the United Kingdom, in an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, said: “COVID-19, if it’s done anything, it has woken up the world to this rather aggressive and concerning the objective of China wanting to quietly advance its own influence across the world.”

Andhra Pradesh: Ancient temple of Lord Nageswara buried in sand discovered in Nellore

OpIndia Staff
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Andhra Pradesh: Ancient temple of Lord Nageswara buried in sand discovered in Nellore

An ancient temple of Lord Nageswara was unearthed in Penna River near Peramalla Padu village in Chejarla Mandal of Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday. The temple was reportedly buried in the sand.

A local said that the temple was well known some two-three generations ago. The temple was filled up with sand almost 80-years ago. As per reports, some villagers took the initiative to find out the temple. It took them one day to discover the pinnacle of the temple.

A resident of Perumallapadu village, Vara Prasad said, “This 200-year-old temple was quite popular among the villagers. The elders of our villagers told us that this shrine was filled with sand 75-80 years ago. Later, those villagers shifted to the other side and the temple was also ruined.”

He added, “Then, one day a man Galipala Sudarsan initiated to bring this temple out. The sanctum sanctorum is much deeper and the area in which it was found is Mukha Mantapam. We are now planning to reconstruct the temple but where it should be made is the dilemma. We have to check the condition and status of Lord Shiva’s Idol. We will seek advice from the elders and the priests.

The efforts are on to bring out the temple from the depth of the river bed.

500-Year old Gopinath temple emerges from the Mahanadi waters

Prior to this, a 500-year-old Gopinath temple emerged from the waters of Mahanadi during an ongoing project by the Mahanadi Valley Heritage Site Documentation Project by INTACH under which the remains of this temple were spotted and documented. The ancient submerged temple was discovered in the Mahanadi upstream from Cuttack.

At one time there were 22 temples at this place and all of them submerged into the river after water levels rose. When the water level is low, you can see the front of the Gopinath temples as it was one of the biggest temples of that time.

1100 year old monolithic Sandstone Shivling unearthed in Vietnam

The Archaeological Survey of India unearthed an 1100-year-old monolithic sandstone Shivling during its conservation project at Vietnam’s Cham temple complex in My Son Sanctuary. The structure dates back to the 9th century.

The 9th-century fully intact Shivling is part of a complex of Hindu temples which were constructed by the Champa Empire between 4th century CE and 13th century CE in My Son sanctuary, in Quảng Nam province, central Vietnam.

India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar who shared the news on Twitter termed it as ‘Reaffirming a civilizational connect’ and applauded the Archeological Survey of India for its efforts.

Samsung and OnePlus to manufacture their TVs in India

OpIndia Staff
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Samsung and OnePlus to manufacture their TVs in India

Electronics giants Samsung and OnePlus have announced that they will produce televisions in India. According to a report published in Economic Times, the two leading international electronics brands have announced that they will start manufacturing most of their television sets in India.

Both companies have partnered with Chinese electronics firm Skyworth that has its manufacturing plant in Hyderabad. Skyworth runs its operations in India as a joint venture with an Indian partner. For the time being, they will produce 32-inch and 43-inch television sets in the Hyderabad plant.

India can potentially become the next manufacturing hub

After the Covid-19 spread that started in China, the supply chain got disrupted for many companies across the world that had their manufacturing plants in China. Many brands have decided to move their plants to other nations. India is one of the leading choices for many brands.

Samsung has announced that it will reduce the number of TVs imported from plants in other countries and manufacture up to 90 percent of all the company sales in India. On the other hand, after the launch of its televisions in India, OnePlus has announced domestic production in the country.

Samsung has announced that it will expand its association with Dixon Technologies to produce smart TV variants from 43-inch to 58-inch in India. As of now, Dixon is already manufacturing 32-inch and 43-inch television sets for the company.

Local manufacturing will help in increasing profits

One of the main advantages these companies will get from manufacturing open cell TV panels in India is the zero duty component. It will help the companies increase their profits, and the Indian customers will eventually benefit from the price too. In 2018, the Korean giant Samsung moved out of its manufacturing unit from India after the government imposed duties on open cell panels. The finished product was being imported from Vietnam through a free trade route. Last year the Indian government decided to reduce the duty and brought it back to zero. OnePlus is currently importing televisions from China.

Leading television brands like LG, Xiaomi, Panasonic, and Sony already have manufacturing plants in India.

Haryana to bring Right to Freedom of Religion Bill to prevent religious conversions by force, inducement or marriage

OpIndia Staff
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Haryana to bring Right to Freedom of Religion Bill to prevent religious conversions by force, inducement or marriage

Haryana Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar announced on Tuesday that he will bring a Right to Freedom of Religion Bill to prevent religious oppressions and conversions on Dalit Hindus reported in Mewat.

CM Manohar Lal Khattar during a meeting at the auditorium of the Secretariat made some important announcements related to the suffering of Hindus. This includes a bill against religious conversion by force, inducement or through marriages solemnised for the sole purpose of adopting a new religion. The Right to Freedom of Religion Bill will have provisions against conversion by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, inducement, marriage or any fraudulent means.

The CM said that while one has the right to adopt any religion, conversion by force, inducement, etc. aren’t tolerable. CM ML Khattar also said a board would be constituted to look after the “religious assets of Hindus in those areas where they are in minority. This work would be done according to the demand of the people of the area concerned”.

He also added that the existing cow protection law in Haryana will be made more stringent, if required. The CM said that the issue of cow slaughter often creates wedge & disharmony between 2 communities, and the state Govt has decided to hold trials against accused in cow slaughtering cases in fast-track Courts in a bid to curb such incidents.

The announcements made after the meetings include:

  • Anti-conversion law will be enacted to stop conversion and love jihad.
  • Cow slaughter cases will be heard in the fast track courts. Necessary amendments will be made in the current law is there is a need to punish cow killers severely.
  • A battalion of RRBs will be set up at Nuh (Mewat), to assist the re-establishing the state of the law in Mewat.
  • A board will be created to protect the establishments belonging to Hindus which have been acquired by the perpetrators.

VHP welcomed the decision

The statement from the CM ML Khattar to prevent the atrocities on Hindus going on for decades in Mewat has been welcomed by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. For some time, the VHP had created a grudge against the Khattar government due to this matter. But now the organization is satisfied with the announcements of the Khattar government and describing it as an important decision for Hindus.

In the recent press release, VHP saluted the Hindu society, media channels, and other allies. Also, VHP’s Joint Secretary Dr. Surendra Jain said that these announcements will be implemented soon by the CM so that those who are suffering will get relief.

Significantly, during the lockdown, there was an unprecedented increase in atrocities against Hindu Dalits in Haryana’s Mewat. In such a situation, VHP thanked a section of Hindu society and media for raising voice against atrocities on Hindus. They said that the decision taken by the government is the result of their efforts.

Read- Conversion to Christianity using exploitation and inducement should be made a punishable offence: RSS General Secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi

VHP has termed this announcement as a victory for the Hindu society and said that it expects that the announcements will be executed sooner.

Earlier, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad has expressed displeasure over the attitude of the Khattar government for not adopting a strict attitude on the incidents of oppression and conversion of Dalits. VHP alleged that even after the delegation met the CM in the month of May, the state government neither filed any case against the accused nor took any kind of action.

Rajasthan: Man abducted, beaten and forced drink urine over a relationship in his own community, 6 detained

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: Man abducted, beaten and forced drink urine over a relationship in his own community, 6 detained

On Tuesday, a video went viral on Twitter in which a man was being forced to drink urine. The netizens tagged Rajasthan police and chief minister. Police started the investigation after learning about the video and found the victim in the video. According to the reports, the 20-year-old man was from Pali district. He was abducted and take to Sardapura village in Sirohi. He was beaten and forced to drink urine.

Six accused detained

As per reports, police officials said,” The accused wanted to teach him a lesson for being in love with a woman of the same community.” Police had registered an FIR in Sumerpur police station in Pali district on Monday night. The incident took place on 11th June. In the complaint filed by the victim, he mentioned eight names and police had detained six accused.

Speaking to ANI, ASP Rahul Koteki said,” The victim is a resident of the Sirohi area and he was staying with a relative. When the victim came, we registered an FIR and rounded up six accused who, as it is being informed, beat up the victim and also made him drink urine.”

Similar incidents earlier

This is not the first time such incidents took place. On 12th June, a 16-year-old boy was stripped naked and brutally beaten for stealing a goat in Jhalawar.

In 2018, a young couple in Madhya Pradesh’ Alirajpur district was also beaten and forced to drink urine as a punishment for marrying against the wishes of their families.

India-China standoff: Commanding Officer of Chinese unit amongst those killed, four more Indian soldiers critical after the violent face-off with Chinese troops in Ladakh

OpIndia Staff
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India-China standoff: Commanding Officer of Chinese unit amongst those killed, four more Indian soldiers critical after the violent face-off with Chinese troops in Ladakh

Commanding Officer of the Chinese Unit was amongst those killed by the Indian soldiers in the violent face-off in Galwan valley of Ladakh on the intervening night of June 15 and 16. News agency ANI quoting sources said that the increased movement of the helicopter from Chinese side showed that the Chinese suffered significant casualties. And while it is difficult to ascertain the exact number, the sources believe the casualty on the Chinese side is “much beyond 40”.

Earlier today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting with the three service chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force and the Chief of Defence Staff.

Four more Indian soldiers are critical after the violent face-off with Chinese troops in Galwan, Ladakh on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. News agency ANI quoting sources reported about the critical condition of the four soldiers.

Meanwhile, as reported by Economic Times, the government has given the powers to the Armed Forces to make emergency procurement and stock up the war reserves. This comes in the backdrop of India initiating dialogue with China over deescalation of the situation. ET further reports that Navy has been given a go-ahead to deploy its assets near Malacca Strait as well as anywhere else in the Indo-Pacific to counter the Chinese forces if needed.

ET reports that Air Force Assets have also moved up forward locations.

On Tuesday, the Indian Army released a statement stating that casualties have been suffered by both sides in “violent face-off” during the de-escalation process with China in Galwan Valley, Ladakh. On Tuesday, government sources confirmed to news agency ANI that India is reported to have suffered 20 casualties and 43 Chinese soldiers have been deemed casualties in the stand-off.

Statement issued by MEA on the India China stand-off

“India and China have been discussing through military and diplomatic channels the de-escalation of the situation in the border area in Eastern Ladakh,” a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said. He added that senior commanders had a meeting to on June 6 wherein they agreed on a process of de-escalation. 

“India has always maintained that its activities are within the Indian side of LAC. While it was our expectation that this would unfold smoothly, the Chinese side departed from the consensus to respect the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Galwan Valley”, read the official statement by MEA.

Confirming that both sides suffered casualties, the statement read that on the late-evening and night of 15th June, 2020 a violent face-off happened which could be avoided had the agreement at the higher level been scrupulously followed by the Chinese side.

“Given its responsible approach to border management, India is very clear that all its activities are always within the Indian side of the LAC. We expect the same of the Chinese side. We remain firmly convinced of the need for the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in the border areas and the resolution of differences through dialogue. At the same time, we are also strongly committed to ensuring India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” read the statement.

I had encouraged my son to join the Army to serve the nation, proud of him: Colonel Santhosh Babu’s father

OpIndia Staff
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I had encouraged my son to join the Army to serve the nation, proud of him: Colonel Santhosh Babu’s father

Col Bikumalla Santosh Babu of the 16th Bihar Batallion had laid down his life in the clash between Indian and Chinese forces in Galwan Valley on June 16. As per a report in Times of India, upon hearing the news about col B Santhosh Babu’s demise, B Upendra, his father, did not cry. Though visibly shaken, he held up his demeanour.

He said,” I was always aware that one day I could hear what I heard today, and I was mentally prepared for it. Everyone dies but it is a privilege to die for the country and I am proud of my son.”

The grieving father proudly narrated stories about his bravery and told how Col Santosh had fought terrorists in Kupwara and received a commendation for his exemplary service. He said he had encouraged his son to join the army from a young age. He knew the dangers involved in the line of duty. When he was young, Col Babu had joined the Sainik School at Korukunda in Andhra Pradesh and had eventually committed his life to the uniform.

The last conversation

As per the TOI report, on 14th June, when the parents asked Col Santosh about the border skirmishes during a brief call, he said,” I am not supposed to tell you anything. You should not ask me that. We can talk when I am back with you”.

During the telephonic conversation, the officer had reportedly told his parents that what they are listening on news channels is drastically different from the reality on the ground. The father said, “Little did we know that it would be his last call to us. Everyone has to die. But dying for the country is a big thing and we are proud of our son.”

B Upendra further added that he wanted to join the Army but he could not. When his son was 10-years old, he started telling him that he should think about serving the country by joining the armed forces. Col Babu studied in Sainik school from class VI to class XII and later joined NDA, followed by IMA. He had served in many sensitive locations, including Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh.

Exemplary 15-years of service

In 15-years, Col Babu had got four promotions. His parents wanted to see him in higher positions. Upendra said that he was aware of the uncertainties involved in the army and they are proud that their son made the ultimate sacrifice.

Col Santosh’s body will arrive at Shamshabad airport on Wednesday and travel to Suryapet by road, where his last rites will be performed.

Col Santosh was married and his wife is living in Delhi with a 3-years old son and 8-years old daughter. His wife, Santoshi, was the first to learn about his demise. His parents, Upendra and mother Manjula, are currently living in the Suryapet town of Telangana. His mother was waiting to meet him soon. She had reportedly asked Col Babu to get transferred to Hyderabad so that he can live closer to the family. She said,” I am happy that he gave his life for the country, but as a mother, I am devastated. I have lost my only son.”

Col Babu had reported back to duty near Leh only a month ago after the lockdown was relaxed.

Last rites to be performed in hometown

As per the latest reports, the martyred colonel’s last rites will be performed in Suryapet, Telangana. His wife and children had earlier arrived in Hyderabad by a flight from Delhi. Telangana CM K Chandrasekhara Rao had earlier commemorated the soldier. He had informed that Energy Minister G Jagadeesh Reddy will be resent on behalf of the Telangana government at the last rites of the family.

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