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‘If we open borders, people from other states will come for free treatment,’: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to keep borders sealed for one more week

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‘If we open borders, people from other states will come for free treatment,’: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to keep borders sealed for one more week

As the country entered the Unlock-1 phase, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday took a controversial stance when he announced that the national capital’s borders will remain sealed for the next one week on the account of a possible influx of residents from neighbouring states for free treatment that would overwhelm the health care services in Delhi.

Kejriwal claimed that if the borders are opened, people from neighbouring states will flock to Delhi as the treatment for coronavirus in the national capital is free and the beds meant for the ailing Delhi residents will be occupied with 2 days.

The Aam Aadmi Party chief also added that he is seeking the opinion of people from Delhi on whether the capital should open borders or not. “I need your suggestion on this matter. Give your responses by 5 pm Friday,” he said while sharing a WhatsApp number (+91 8800007722) for people to weigh in their suggestions.

Kejriwal has asked Delhi residents to advise whether the government should open up the borders but restrict treatment only to the local residents or since Delhi is the national capital, its medical facilities be open for all the citizens of the country.

It must be noted here that other than state government run hospitals, there are many central government run hospitals in Delhi like AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, Ram Manohar Lohiya. The treatment at these hospitals are either free of cost or cost very negligible.

Arvind Kejriwal had claimed ‘outsiders’ come to Delhi for free treatment

This is not the first time that Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has made controversial remarks for the ‘outsiders’ who gravitate to the national capital for medical treatment. Last year, the AAP chief had stoked a controversy when he proclaimed that people from outside come to Delhi for ‘free treatment’ but Delhi has ‘its own capacity’. “How can Delhi serve people of the entire country?” he said while addressing a gathering in the national capital in September 2019.

Speaking on long queues about purchasing medicines prescribed by doctors, Kejriwal said that the reason is a lot of people are coming from outside of Delhi for treatment. “We carried out a survey. About 80% of patients in Delhi hospitals are outsiders. There are enough hospitals in Delhi which can cater to residents of Delhi. A Delhi resident can get treatment within 30 minutes of entering a hospital. But the queues are because of people living outside of Delhi who come here for treatment. A person from Bihar can take a ticket for Rs 500 and come to Delhi and get free treatment worth Rs 5 lakh and go back. We are happy because they are our country people only and they should get treatment. But Delhi has its own capacity. How can Delhi give treatment to patients of the entire country? The situation in the rest of the country should improve,” he said.

NGO, Islamic scholars initiate campaign to end Saudi Arabia’s control over mosques at Mecca and Medina

OpIndia Staff
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NGO, Islamic scholars initiate campaign to end Saudi Arabia’s control over mosques at Mecca and Medina

In an unprecedented move, an NGO named Al Haramain Watch, established in 2018, has initiated a campaign to establish international control on the mosques in Mecca and Medina, reported Middle East Monitor. The organisation, also known by the name of International Commission to Monitor Saudi Administration of the Two Holy Mosques, has garnered support from 100 Islamic scholars and ‘human rights activists’ in its campaign to nullify the hegemony of the Saudi Kingdom over the Holiest shrines in Islam.

Through its campaign, the NGO wants to raise awareness among Islamic nations and Muslim communities in Europe and US about the Saudi regime’s policies on pilgrimage to the twin cities. The organisation is of the belief that the Saudi Government has failed to provide unequivocal access to all Muslims wanting to visit the Holy shrines. The Saudi monarchy has restricted Muslims from Qatar and Iran (revoked in 2017) to make the Hajj pilgrimage.

Demand for International Control

In view of the travel restrictions to Saudi Arabia, Al Haramain Watch called out the kingdom for its violation of international law and its founder’s vision. The NGO in its petition has accused the Saudi Government of ‘permanent politicisation’ and absence of strategic development in managing the mosques.

It called upon Islamic countries as well as the media to form an ‘interim framework’ for the management of the Holy sites. The organisation suggested setting up a high-level committee wherein members aka Islamic countries are elected for 4 years. Their work will be reviewed and supervised by other member states. Supposedly, a petitioner, Azmi Abdul Hamid, is in possession of a historical document allegedly written by Saudi Arabia founder Abdulaziz Bin Saud, wherein he stated that all Muslims, had the right to run the administration of the two mosques.

The organisation was established with the objective of preventing the politicisation of Islamic pilgrimages, ensuring proper management of the mosques at Mecca and Medina, and establishment of sovereign funds consisting of the income generated from Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. Similar demands were earlier made in the past by a Turkish politician in the year 2014. Another Turkish think-tank had also demanded an ‘Islamic Vatican.’

‘Looting’ for justice: See how US ‘protestors’ are busy looting stores amidst violent ‘resistance’ after the George Floyd killing

OpIndia Staff
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‘Looting’ for justice: See how US ‘protestors’ are busy looting stores amidst violent ‘resistance’ after the George Floyd killing

Violent protests and rampage had gripped several cities in the United States of America after the death of a black person George Floyd due to police brutality sparked outrage in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

However, the ‘protests’ have now evolved into large-scale looting, mayhem and rampant crimes.

Videos of rioters looting the showrooms of luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and others have been doing rounds on social media. In the viral social media videos, it was seen that looters and vandals, under the garb of protests, have been attacking stores in several cities and looting the items, fleeing to their cars with the expensive goods.

More videos of rampant loot and crimes are now doing rounds on social media. It is disturbing that the protests, which started over demands to get justice for an unfortunate victim of police brutality, have now morphed into rampant anarchy, and robbery.

In Rochester, New York, protestors were seen looting a store and fleeing with stacks of Nike shoes.

The videos shows that people are not just looting from the store, but also from each other. Seemingly well-to-do persons are seen parking their cars and rushing to loot the stores.

In NYC, a Lululemon store was vandalised by the so-called protestors where they just broke the glass, and proceeded to loot the store.

Another store of the luxury watch brant Rolex was also looted in Manhattan, NYC.

Amazon Truck looted

Even cargo trucks containing online order packages were not spared. In a video, looters were seen rampaging an Amazon delivery truck in Santa Monica, California.

Looters ‘looting’ each other

In another video shared by Norbert Elkes, looters were seen brutally attacking other looters to grab the goods.

Pooping, looting, burning for ‘justice’

Utter lawlessness and rampant violence have been spreading in several US states. While US President Trump has called for strict control of riots and violence, the condition seems to be worsening day by day.

In Salt Lake City, Utah, a white woman was seen squatting on top of an overturned police vehicle and defecating while onlookers cheered around her. While the video went instantly viral, the hashtag #Poopingforjustice started trending.

‘Protestors’ have also set several private and government vehicles, properties and even a police precinct on fire in the USA. On May 29, the 3rd police precinct in Minneapolis and several shops were set on fire by rioters.

George Floyd Killing: Communists in America burn down homeless man’s only possessions. Watch video

OpIndia Staff
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George Floyd Killing: Communists in America burn down homeless man’s only possessions. Watch video

Even as the rioting and violence continues across America following the killing of African-American man George Floyd, the communists and far-left rioters associated with ANTIFA set fire to a homeless man’s possession.

The video was shared by Twitter user Greg Reese, Texas based producer of InfoWars.com.

As can be seen in the video, rioters bring out the mattress and put it on a pyre as the man who owned the mattress and those things helplessly and unsuccessfully tried to save his possessions from turning into ash. “I live here,” he could be heard shouting as everything he owned burned.

In another such video, the rioters can be seen beating up an old woman and her husband as they tried to protect their business from being destroyed.

The video was shared by cinematographer Luke Rudkowski on Twitter. As per him, the incident happened at Rochester, New York and the police is trying to identify the rioters.

Another such video shows a woman in New York pleading to rioters to spare her business as they punch her in the face. When her husband tried to save her, they even beat him up.

Trump designates ANTIFA as terrorist organisation

ANTIFA has been around for decades but got its presence in the US in the 1980s. It shot to prominence after Donald Trump was elected as US President in 2016. It got into news last year when the violent communist group, celebrated by Democrats and mainstream media, attacked a gay journalist. The Antifa is not a fringe element in the Left. They are blue-eyed boys in the liberal fraternity. The FBI under the Obama administration had classified Antifa’s actions as ‘domestic terror activities’. 

Joe Biden, Vice President during Obama’s Presidency under which the FBI designated Antifa as carrying out terrorist activities, began his Presidential campaign for 2020 by calling the Far-Left group a “courageous group of Americans”. On Sunday, US President Donald Trump announced that ANTIFA will be designated as a terrorist organisation.

Antifa members typically dress in black and often wear a mask at their protests, and follow far-left ideologies such as anti-capitalism and take to violence during their protests. They take up causes such as LGBTQ and indigenous rights. 

US protests: President Trump was escorted to the bunker while rioters raged near the White House on Friday, say reports

OpIndia Staff
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US protests: President Trump was escorted to the bunker while rioters raged near the White House on Friday, say reports

On Friday night, US President Donald Trump was reportedly escorted to a special bunker after riots, post the George Floyd case, had spread to outside of the White House in Washington, DC. Protestors had gathered outside the Presidential Estate on Friday night and clashes took place between the rioters and the President’s Secret Service. Reportedly, the security forces had to take Trump to the secret bunker that had earlier been used for the safety of the President of the country during terrorist attacks.

The demonstrators hurled abuses at the US President and also resorted to pelting bottles and bricks. According to New York Times, the protesters had set off fireworks and set a car ablaze. Even though officials conceded that there was no danger, yet the family members of the US President were intimidated by the violent protests. While the protest was peaceful during the day, it took a violent turn by the night. The rioters surged forward against the lines of the riot police to seize control of the Lafayette Square near White House.

While the protests surged outside, the US President was briefly taken to the bunker beneath the White House, media reports have claimed.

On Saturday, Donald Trump had praised the Secret Service for their professionalism and for allowing the protesters to scream and rant while effectively. He appreciated them for stopping rogue protesters. The US President has been under fierce criticism from the Opposition and the media for his supposed inflammatory tweets and absence of a televised address to the nation in times of crisis.

Warning the violent protesters, he said, “If they had (breached the fence), they would have been greeted with the most vicious dogs, and most ominous weapons, I have ever seen.” Hailing the resistance put up by the Secret Service against the frenzied mob as ‘good practice’, Donald Trump lambasted the DC Mayor Muriel Bowser for his inability to send the police to contain the situation and safeguard the White House.

The Death of George Floyd

A series of violent protests had sparked off in the country, following the extra-judicial murder of a 46-year-old African American man, George Floyd by a white police officer, Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Monday. Despite the victim complaining about not being able to breathe, coupled with verbal protest from onlookers, Chauvin knelt on the former’s neck for 7 long minutes until his body became unresponsive.

Surveillance footage showed that the victim did not resist arrest while he was handcuffed, contrary to the claims of the police. A shopkeeper had called the cops on Floyd for allegedly trying to pass a ‘potential counterfeit bill’. On being taken to the Hennepin County Medical Center, he was pronounced dead.

Violence in the United States

On May 26, hundreds of protestors hit the streets to protest against the killing of George Floyd. The demonstration continued outside the nearby police precinct. Soon, the protest took a violent turn. On Wednesday night, Police cars were vandalised and pelted with rocks. To pacify the situation, the cops resorted to firing tear gas and rubber bullets at the frenzied mob. The mob also breached the security and reached for the police precinct in the neighbourhood where Floyd died. The building was set of fire by the unruly mob, amidst slogans demanding justice for the victim.

On Saturday, rioters had also desecrated the 142-year old St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan in New York, fin the aftermath of the George Floyd Case. The walls were defaced with words such as ‘F*ck’, ‘BLM (Black Lives Matter)’, NJNP (No Justice No Peace) that were written in black letters. 

It is not in my hands anymore, you can sleep with coronavirus now, make it your pillow: Mamata Banerjee

OpIndia Staff
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It is not in my hands anymore, you can sleep with coronavirus now, make it your pillow: Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has been struggling with the devastation caused by cyclone Amphan and the rapidly increasing coronavirus cases in the state.

As per a report in The Hindu, Mamata Banerjee, on Saturday, had announced a number of relaxations in the lockdown to be allowed in the state from June 1.

The CM said, “Public sector and private offices will open from June 8, Schools will remain closed for the month of June. Religious places of worship will open from June 1. Tea and jute industry can function with 100% staff from June 1. Buses will operate but only no standing passengers will be allowed.”

Blames Railways for increase in coronavirus cases

Banerjee said, “If thousands can travel in crammed trains, I feel that temples and mosques can also open. I was the Railway Minister. I know there are 20 to 25 coaches to a train. Thousands are travelling in a crammed condition for 48 hours. Those who are not infected are getting infected.”

Blaming the railways for the increased coronavirus cases in her state, Banerjee asked whether the railways has turned Shramik Special trains into ‘Corona Express’.

While she admitted that about 5 lakh migrant workers have returned to the state, 75,000 have come via Shramik Special trains. She added that migrant workers from coronavirus hotspots like Mumbai and Delhi are also coming.

However, the CM forgot to mention that the Shramik Special trains ferry migrant workers to a state only with the state government’s approval.

I am helpless, there is nothing I can do

Expressing her utter helplessness to stop coronavirus cases in the state, the Bengal CM stated, “It is not in my hands any more. Now I have nothing to do. You can sleep with corona by your side. Make it your pillow. I am sorry.”

West Bengal has recorded 5130 cases of coronavirus as of date. 309 people have died in the state so far. 18 out of 22 districts have recorded coronavirus cases. Kolkata has the highest number of cases, followed by North 24 Parganas. Both regions were also badly affected by cyclone Amphan.

Cyclone Apmphan: “Sorbonaash Hoye Gachhe”, said Mamata Banerjee

As the cyclone Amphan ravaged coastal districts in Odisha and Bengal on May 20, the Bengal CM was also seen struggling in her response. Addressing a press conference, a visibly shaken Banerjee had stated, “Sorbonaash Hoye Gachhe”, (everything is ruined).

Mamata Banerjee said the impact of Amphan was worse than the coronavirus pandemic and claimed the cyclone could have caused damage worth Rs 1 lakh crore.

Following the ravaging cyclone, the alleged delays and administrative failure in relief and rescue work had caused chaos and protests in many parts of the state. When electricity, drinking water, phone network and many other essential services remained unavailable in Kolkata even days after the cyclone, questions were raised over the efficacy of the state government.

Facing a barrage of questions, Mamata Banerjee had said, “I and the people in my team have not slept for three days. Either let us work, or gun me down or cut my head off”.

Madhya Pradesh: 4-year-old raped in Chhatarpur, dead body discovered from a well

OpIndia Staff
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Madhya Pradesh: 4-year-old raped in Chhatarpur, dead body discovered from a well

In a shocking incident, dead body of a 4-year-old girl child was recovered from a well in Chhatarpur in Madhya Pradesh on Friday. She was raped between the intervening night of May 28 and May 29, reported news agency ANI. The post mortem report of the child had confirmed signs of sexual assault. A case has been registered for rape and homicide.

According to the Superintendent of the Police (SP) Kumar Saurabh, the investigation in the case is underway. On allegations of police negligence, Kumar assured that disciplinary action would be taken against police officers if their conduct is found inappropriate during the investigation. “If it is found true, those involved will be suspended”, he reiterated.

Minor girl raped in Bhopal

On April 18, a minor girl was forcefully dragged into a car and was raped by two men, namely Shafiq Khan (24) and Abid Khan (22), in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. According to the reports, the 17-year-old girl and her friend were on her way to JP hospital in Bhopal, when she was abducted by two men near the hospital at 07:30 PM on April 18. One of the accused brutally raped her by taking her to the BHEL township and left her near the city’s Mayur Park.

Ladakh standoff: Congress supporters want to dismantle Statue of Unity amid call to boycott Chinese products

OpIndia Staff
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Ladakh standoff: Congress supporters want to dismantle Statue of Unity amid call to boycott Chinese products

In the backdrop of Ladakh standoff and military aggression by China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, many celebrities including education reformer Sonam Wangchuk, the inspiration behind Aamir Khan starrer 3 Idiots, had called to boycott Chinese products. Soon, Congress-friendly journalists and Congress supporters took to Twitter to spread misinformation and to demand that the Statue of Unity, world’s tallest statue in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, be dismantled.

The Wire columnist asked whether the Statue of Unity will be dismantled for the economic boycott of China. Many wanted to dismantle and demolish the statue while claiming that the statue was ‘Made in China’. Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai, too, spread the lie that the statue was made in China.
Rajdeep Sardesai’s now deleted tweet claiming Statue of Unity was made in China

Is Statue of Unity made in China

The ‘Statue of Unity’, the tallest statue in the world built as a tribute to one of India’s greatest leaders – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – was actually constructed by the engineering major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) in India and not in China.

According to the reports, the ‘Statue of Unity’ is a three-layered statue. The first and the inner-most layer has two 127-metre-high towers made of reinforced cement concrete. The second layer has been constructed using a steel mesh. Both of these layers were made in India.

The third, which is the outermost layer, has been done using a bronze cladding, which carries intricate details of Patel’s clothes, posture and facial expressions. It is this layer of the statue which was built in China.

Most importantly, when the construction of the statue began, the builders found out that none of the 15 major bronze foundries in India was capable of building these claddings. The construction giant L&T then initiated a global tender to identify a partner to build the cladding.

Finally, the China-based Jiangxi Toqine Metal Crafts Corporation, which is the world’s largest foundry, was given the work of production of around 7,000 bronze plates and panels of various sizes.

This bronze cladding work, reportedly, forms only 9 per cent of the total value of the project. “The entire statue itself is being built in India at the site and only the bronze cladding in the form of bronze plates is being sourced from China, which constitutes a negligible amount of less than 9 per cent of the total value of the project,” the company had stated in 2015.

Secondly, according to an Indian Express report, of the total 4,076 labours working at the site of the statue in two shifts, only 200 workers were from China. The labours who worked in batches for two-three months each since September 2017, were part of a team consisting a thousand workers, who were employed for cladding work. Hence, it forms only 5 per cent of the total workforce involved in erecting the Statue of Unity.

A statue which has been built with over 95 per cent of India’s workforce and also 90 per cent of the statue’s work was done by companies belonging to India.

But Congress supporters’ dislike for Sardar Patel does not let them see beyond this.

Ladakh standoff

About 5000 Chinese army personnel, under the garb of a military exercise, diverted their movement towards the Indian side of the LAC (Line of Actual Control). The current stand-off began on May 5-6 and has been continuing all along the LAC up to Sikkim. Sources told ANI that the behaviour of Chinese troops had been reminiscent of the stone pelters in Kashmir who are funded by Pakistan. The Chinese troops came armed with sticks, clubs with barbed wires and stones in an area near the Pangong Tso lake during a face-off with Indian troops there, the source revealed.

Music composer Wajid Khan dies due to coronavirus related complications

OpIndia Staff
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Music composer Wajid Khan dies due to coronavirus related complications

Music composer Wajid Khan of the Sajid-Wajid fame passed away at 43 late night on Sunday after he was put on ventilator due to coronavirus related complications. Wajid Khan was also suffering from kidney and

Bollywood stars poured in their condolences on social media.

Wajid Khan, brother of his music composer and one-half of Sajid-Wajid duo has given hit numbers to films like Dabanng and Wanted. They made their Bollywood debut with Salman Khan’s film Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya and have given many hit songs to the superstar including films like Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and Partner.

As reported by Hindustan Times, music composer Salim Merchant told PTI that Khan had multiple health issues and had undergone kidney transplant recently. He was infected with COVID-19 and was on ventilator since past four days. His health continued to deteriorate and he became critical and breathed his last late on Sunday. He was 43.

Two Pakistan High Commission officials caught spying using fake Indian identities, declared persona non grata

OpIndia Staff
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Two Pakistan High Commission officials caught spying using fake Indian identities, declared persona non grata

Two officials of Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi were caught spying by Delhi Police on May 31. They are accused of roaming around in various places using fake identities.

The two officers, Abid Hussain and Tahir Hussain, reportedly work in the visa section of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. The Delhi Police Special Cell nabbed the duo red-handed after they were found engaged in espionage activities using fake identities. It has been reported they had fake Indian passports, which they had used everywhere.

Although they are officially employed in the high commission, they were actually ISI spies sent to India. Abid and Tahir are being interrogated by Delhi Police Special Cell and central agencies.

Both the officers have been declared as persona non grata by the Indian government and will be reported to Pakistan after their questioning is over. It is being reported that they will be asked to leave the country within 48 hours.

As High Commission officials, they will be having diplomatic immunity under Vienna Convention, which means India can’t launch criminal proceedings against them for spying, and hence they will be sent back to Pakistan via Wagah border. The paperwork for deporting them is being prepared by the Minister of External Affairs.

Before this on in 2016, one Pakistan High Commission official Mehmood Akhtar was declared as persona non grata after he was caught spying in India. Akhtar was caught receiving sensitive documents. During his interrogation, Akhtar had revealed that he belonged to Baloch Regiment of Pakistan Army and he had joined Pakistani spy agency Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) on deputation.

Note: This is a developing story

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