Home Blog Page 549

Muslim mob creates a ruckus at Delhi Metro’s Jama Masjid station, sparks security concerns, DMRC responds ‘momentary reaction of passengers’

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Muslim mob creates a ruckus at Delhi Metro’s Jama Masjid station, sparks security concerns, DMRC responds ‘momentary reaction of passengers’

In a video that is going viral on social media, a mob of young Muslim men wearing skull caps can be seen creating a ruckus at the Jama Masjid station of the Delhi metro. The video visuals show the mob exiting the metro station by jumping over the exit gates without using the token or swiping the metro card.

Statement of Delhi Metro

The incident prompted a response from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) which issued a statement explaining the situation. “There was a temporary surge of passengers for a brief time when some passengers bypassed the AFC gate by jumping over it to exit. Security personnel and other staff were adequately present to counsel such passengers and the situation was never out of control. Rather, it was a momentary reaction of some passengers due to the sudden surge at AFC gates.”

The DMRC stated that the incident in the viral video happened on 13the February 2025 at the Jama Masjid Metro station on the Violet Line of the Delhi Metro.

The situation was reportedly caused after two trains arrived at the same time at the station and a huge crowd got down from the trains. This led to temporary malfunctioning of the exit gates due to a sudden increase in the number of passengers at the station.

While the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation issued a clarification after the video showing a sea of skull-cap-donning men flouting security checks at the Jama Masjid station had gone viral, its response nevertheless betrays a sense of helplessness of the authorities to tackle such crowds.

What police said

The Metro wing of the Delhi Metro said that they have not received any complaint regarding the incident. “We have not received any complaint yet; if a complaint is received, then legal action will be considered,” said Anuj Dayal, the Principal Executive Director of DMRC Corporate Communications. “In the video that is going viral on social media, some passengers were crossing the AFC gate and exiting. There was a temporary rush of passengers for some time when some passengers were crossing the AFC gate and exiting,” he added.

Did you know: Pakistani supervisor of Gaurav Gogoi’s wife engaged in anti-India propaganda, cheered when issue of Delhi riots was raised in Parliament

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Did you know: Pakistani supervisor of Gaurav Gogoi’s wife engaged in anti-India propaganda, cheered when issue of Delhi riots was raised in Parliament

The controversy surrounding the wife of Congress leader, Gaurav Gogoi, ceases to exist. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who previously questioned Elizabeth Coulburn over her alleged ties to ISI, highlighted the tweets posted by her supervisor in Pakistan.

Colburn works as a project manager in the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) in Delhi. Interestingly, the Regional Director of CDKN for Asia is a Pakistani national named Ali Tauqeer Sheikh.

Sheikh has a history of peddling anti-India propaganda, particularly through his X (formerly Twitter account). He had attempted to portray a false impression of India to the world through his politically motivated tweets.

Shaikh, who serves both as a colleague and the supervisor of Elizabeth Coulburn, had tried to create panic among Indian Muslims about being rendered Stateless, and sent to detention centres.

He had attempted to downplay the menace of love jihad (grooming of non-Muslim women by Muslim men to convert), and cried Islamophobia after public outcry over Tablighi Jamaat’s actions that led to the spread of Covid-19.

However, most importantly, the Regional Director of CDKN had cheered Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi for raking up the issue of Delhi riots in the Indian Parliament.

The Pakistani national had tweeted on 7th March 2020, “Bravo! Gaurav & 6 others suspended from Indian parliament by speaker for standing up for fellow citizens. Suspend me but please discuss Delhi riots, says Gaurav Gogoi of Congress.”

He had shared a news report by The Sentinel and tagged Elizabeth Gogoi with the message, “Please let him know our admiration.”

Sambhal man, resident of riot-hit Deepa Sarai neighbourhood, arrested in Pakistan, agencies suspect ties to Al Qaeda: Details

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Sambhal man, resident of riot-hit Deepa Sarai neighbourhood, arrested in Pakistan, agencies suspect ties to Al Qaeda: Details

Mohammad Usman, a resident of Deepa Sarai in Sambhal, has been arrested in Pakistan. Although this arrest took place in 2024, the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs has only now informed India about it. The ministry has asked Sambhal police to verify the information, which has now been confirmed.

Mohammad Usman had been missing since 2013, but the district intelligence department was unaware of this. The police are now trying to determine how Usman reached Pakistan. According to his family, he had left home saying he was going to Delhi, but he never returned.

There is no clear information on how he ended up in Pakistan, and his arrest only came to light after he was imprisoned. Notably, Deepa Sarai resident Maulana Asim Umar, also known as Shannu, was killed in a joint US-Afghanistan operation in 2019. He was linked to Al-Qaeda and had been missing since 1992.

Police suspect that Usman may have been associated with the same group, although this has not been confirmed. Since 1992, around 10 to 12 young men from Deepa Sarai have gone missing, with several intelligence agencies confirming that most of them are in Pakistan. Investigations into such cases are conducted from time to time.

Akhilesh Yadav demands extension of Maha Kumbh, claims 60 crore people have taken holy dip, not 50 crore as reported by govt

ANI
-
0
Akhilesh Yadav demands extension of Maha Kumbh, claims 60 crore people have taken holy dip, not 50 crore as reported by govt

Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday alleged that the Uttar Pradesh government is underreporting the number of devotees attending the ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj.

While the state administration has officially recorded 501.1 million (50.11 crore) participants so far, Yadav claimed the actual number is around 600 million (60 crore).

Addressing a press conference in Lucknow, Yadav accused the government of deliberately providing lower figures to conceal its administrative shortcomings.

“By now, 600 million people (60 crores) must have taken a bath, but the government is not disclosing the actual number. They are deliberately underreporting figures so that, in the future, if someone studies the administrative or management aspects, their failures and mismanagement will be exposed,” he said.

He also urged the UP government to extend the Mahakumbh period so that elderly devotees could take a holy dip at Triveni Sangam.

“There are many elderly people–those above sixty-five or seventy years–who have not been able to take a bath. They wished to participate in religious programs, but due to various reasons, they couldn’t. At one time, the Kumbh used to last seventy-five days. During Emperor Harshavardhana’s time, it was even longer, attracting people from all religions and distant places. So, we demand the government extend it,” Yadav said.

Highlighting logistical challenges, he pointed to traffic congestion and the risk of stampedes as key reasons for elderly devotees missing the event. He also slammed the government for failing to use drone technology effectively.

“The government had earlier stated that drones should be used, and even conducted programs on it. But where drones were actually needed, they were not deployed,” the SP supremo added.

Referring to the state’s “Digital Kumbh” initiative, he added, “The government spoke about a Digital Kumbh, but it is not even able to provide accurate figures yet.”

“Our demand is that the residents of Prayagraj, who are yet to take a bath, should be given the opportunity. Therefore, this Kumbh event should be prolonged and extended,” Yadav added.

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Information Department stated that as of today, 501.1 million people have taken a dip at the Triveni Sangam. The state administration also noted that the Mahakumbh has become the first event in the world to have more than 500 million direct participants.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

China’s brutal assault on Tibetan Buddhism: Over 1,000 monks and nuns expelled from Larung Gar Buddhist Academy in Tibet

ANI
-
0
China’s brutal assault on Tibetan Buddhism: Over 1,000 monks and nuns expelled from Larung Gar Buddhist Academy in Tibet

Chinese authorities have recently dealt a blow to the major hub of Tibetan Buddhist learning by expelling more than 1,000 Tibetan monks and nuns from the Larung Gar Buddhist Academy, according to individuals within Tibet.

According to the sources cited by Radio Free Asia (RFA), administrators stated that they must reduce the number of Buddhist clergy living at the academy from 6,000 to 5,000 due to a lack of appropriate residency papers. This action is the most recent in a long line of actions by China to dismantle and reduce the size of the academy, which housed roughly 40,000 Buddhist monastics by the early 2000s.

Chinese authorities demolished part of the compound and expelled thousands of nuns and monks in 2016. County officials issued an order outlining the intentions for the forced expulsions and demolitions between 2016 and 2017, RFA reported.

Larung Gar is in Serthar County (Seda in Chinese), part of the Kardze (Ganzi) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province. According to a report by RFA in December 2024, approximately 400 officials and police were sent there. According to the sources, officials have pressured hundreds of Buddhist religious members to voluntarily depart.

“They are strictly prohibited from taking photos freely and are only allowed to visit designated areas within the monastery.” Many of the residences of expelled Buddhist clergy have been marked for demolition, although they have not been destroyed yet, a source said as quoted by RFA.

According to the source, plans are underway to construct a road through the monastery in April, resulting in additional demolitions, RFA quoted. Beijing’s larger plan to diminish the number and power of religious organisations, especially those associated with Tibetan Buddhism, is thought to include the most recent crackdown.(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Chhattisgarh: Chaiwala fielded by BJP becomes mayor of Raigarh after a resounding victory in municipal elections

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Chhattisgarh: Chaiwala fielded by BJP becomes mayor of Raigarh after a resounding victory in municipal elections

The results of the Raigarh Municipal Corporation in Chhattisgarh have been making headlines as the election for Raigarh mayor was swept by a local tea seller and BJP candidate named Jeevardhan Chauhan. As the counting of Municipal Corporation elections is underway, the result for Raigarh Municipal Coproration has been declared in which BJP candidate registered a resounding victory. He defeated the Congress party’s Janaki Katju.

Jeevardhan Chauhan defeated Congress candidate Janaki Katju by a huge margin of 34,000 votes.  BJP has won in 33 wards in the Raigarh Municipal Corporation elections. On the other hand, Congress has been confined to 12 wards.

Chauhan joined the BJP in 1996

The State Finance Minister OP Chaudhary hailed Chauhan’s victory in the elections as a historic win for the BJP. “I had full faith that the people of Raigarh will bless us. People have seen the politics of development over the past one year. Jeeverdhan, who runs tea stall, and other BJP councillors will work as per the expectations of the people,” Chaudhary said.

The BJP had announced Chauhan, who has been a member of the BJP since 1996, as its candidate for the post of Mayor in Raigarh Municipal Corporation election. Chauhan joined the BJP under the guidance of former BJP district President Umesh Aggarwal and has been an active worker of the party ever since.

Appointed as BJYM city President in 2011

In 1998, Chauhan became the ward President and subsequently joined the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) in 2004 and became its vice-president in 2008. The same year he was appointed as the city General Secretary of the BJYM and later in 2011, he was appointed as its city President.

Jeevardhan Chauhan is said to have strengthened the BJP at the ground level in the jute mill areas. He played an active role as Shakti Kendra coordinator in the Lok Sabha, Assembly and Municipal Corporation elections from 2019 to 2024.

Chauhan was pleasantly surprised when the BJP announced his name as its Mayoral candidate for Raigarh Municipal Corporation elections last month. “I could not believe it when I got the information that a tea-seller was named as a candidate for Raigarh mayor. I have been associated with Sangh for a long time. I am unable to control my happiness. I express my gratitude towards Sangh, BJP and MLA OP Chaudhary who has given this chance to a poor person like me,” Chauhan said.

The polls for 10 Municipal Corporations, 49 Municipal Councils, and 114 Nagar Panchayats in Chhattisgarh were held on 11th February. The three-tier panchayat elections are set to take place in three phases on February 17, 20 and 23 and the results will be announced on February 18, 21 and 24 respectively.

Assam CM proposes communication cable beneath Brahmaputra River to connect the state to global submarine cable network

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Assam CM proposes communication cable beneath Brahmaputra River to connect the state to global submarine cable network

In an effort to enhance the internet and telecommunication network in Assam and other northeastern states, the Assam govt has proposed an underwater communication cable on the bed of the Brahmaputra River. If becomes a reality, this cable will join with the global submarine cable network in Bay of Bengal.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed the proposal during a media interaction ahead of the upcoming Advantage Assam 2.0 investment summit.

The CM said that one of the key themes for the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit is “I-way to Viksit Assam”. This session will focus on leveraging digital infrastructure for Assam’s development through discussions with key stakeholders. The telecommunication network is the backbone of the digital infrastructure, and currently, the communication in the region connects to the national network via land-based network through Siliguri.

The CM said that if there is an underwater cable connecting Assam to the submarine cable landing station in Kolkata, the network will improve to a great extent. It will also avoid disruptions caused by damages to the land-based cables, which are often damaged during construction etc. projects.

Giving the example of the recent incident of the state government’s e-office portal going down for 6 days due to such disruptions, he said that if the proposed cable becomes a reality, it will provide a highly reliable connection. This will provide data connectivity similar to what is available in Tamil Nadu, the CM said.

However, Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the cable under Brahmaputra is an idea of the state government, and now they have to convince the central govt to implement it.

Notably, global telecommunication networks, including internet connectivity, run on submarine cables. These are fibre-optic cables laid on the ocean beds that connect different countries and continents. These cables are the backbone of global communications, carrying over 95% of international data, including internet traffic, financial transactions, and military communications.

Their capacity far surpasses that of satellites, offering data transmission rates in terabits per second. Several major cities in India have landing stations for such submarine cables.

Notably, social media giant Meta yesterday announced a new project to lay 50,000 km of submarine cables, making it the world’s longest subsea cable project. The project titled Project Waterworth will reach five major continents bringing connectivity to the U.S., India, Brazil, South Africa, and other key regions. 

‘Not a sexual predator but young person in consensual relationship’: Read how Bombay HC granted bail to Mohammed Ajaan Khan, accused of raping and impregnating minor girl

Dibakar Dutta
-
0
‘Not a sexual predator but young person in consensual relationship’: Read how Bombay HC granted bail to Mohammed Ajaan Khan, accused of raping and impregnating minor girl

On Thursday (13th February), the Bombay High Court granted bail [pdf] to a man named Mohammed Ajaan Khan, accused of raping a minor girl and impregnating her twice.

According to the judgment copy, the victim was only 16 years old at the time of the crime while Khan was a 22-year-old account. The ordeal lasted 15 months and went on between January 2023 to April 2024.

A First Information Report (FIR) was lodged against the accused based on a police complaint. Mohammed Ajaan Khan was booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 376, 376 (3), 376(2)(n) and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

He had filed a bail application before the Bombay High Court, which was heard by a single-judge Bench of Justice Milind N Jadhav.

The Background of the case

The minor victim knew the accused for 4 years and was in a ‘love relationship’ with him for about 2 years. In her police complaint, she informed that Khan called her to his house ‘under the guise of going on excursion’ but instead forced her to have sex.

The underage girl also stated that she remained silent initially but the cycle of abuse repeated multiple times, ultimately leading to her pregnancy. In November 2023, the victim learnt that she was 8 weeks pregnant. She ultimately had to undergo an abortion/ MTP.

The cycle of abuse continued and the victim became pregnant for the second time in April 2024, leading to another round of abortion.

The accused’s lawyer argued that it was a ‘consensual love relationship,’ which was being given a ‘criminal flavour’ in retrospect. He stated that there was ‘no evidence’ of force or coercion. He also pointed out a delay of 1 year and 3 months in filing FIR after the first pregnancy of the minor victim

The Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) highlighted that the victim was a minor at the time of the incident and that she was lured into the relationship. He argued that the consent of the underage girl would be immaterial in the context of the case.

APP further pointed out that the victim did not file her complaint initially due to immense mental agony, caused by violence and two abortions.

Verdict in the case

Justice Milind N Jadhav, in his order on Thursday (13th February), noted that the victim was a minor while the accused Mohammed Ajaan Khan was an adult.

He observed, “They were known to each other and as per statement of prosecutrix in the FIR and statement recorded before the Medical Officer it is clearly borne out that they both were in a love relationship for the past two years and were in a physical relationship for 15 months prior to filing of FIR despite she being below 18 years of age. This fact gets reinforced due to her categorical admissions and her twin pregnancies and MTPs which followed subsequently.”

“This prima facie shows and reflects that the acts between the parties were consensual in nature. From the record it is seen that she was in love with the Applicant and therefore developed physical relations with him as admitted by her,” Justice Milind N Jadhav further noted.

The Bombay Court granted bail to Mohammed Ajaan Khan, noting no criminal antecedents in the present case and the absence of violence between the parties. It ruled,

“The material placed before me do not indicate towards any force being engaged by Applicant over the prosecutrix during their relationship. The case appears to be consensual in nature that had come to the knowledge of her mother upon prosecutrix becoming pregnant not once, but twice. Applicant has made out a strong case for grant of bail since a boy and girl of similar age group involved in a long standing love relationship by consensus does not make it an offense of a nature to justify his custody, the Applicant is not a sexual predator but a young person who was involved in a consensual relationship which is admitted by the prosecutrix.”

The court stated that both the victim and the accused were of the age to have a reasonable understanding of their conduct. It further pointed out the regressive impact of the jail environment and prior Supreme Court verdicts in the release of young offenders on bail.

While granting the accused bail, Justice Milind N Jadhav imposed several conditions including the deposit of a bond of ₹15000, cooperation during trial, prior permission before leaving Maharashtra and a few others.

Telangana CM Revanth Reddy calls PM Modi a ‘legally converted Backward Class’, BJP hits back

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy calls PM Modi a ‘legally converted Backward Class’, BJP hits back

On Friday, 14th February, Congress Chief Minister of Telangana, Revanth Reddy, triggered a political storm by claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not born into the backward class. Reddy claimed that PM Modi is a “legally converted BC (Backward Class).” Reddy made the remarks during a Congress event in Hyderabad. His comments drew sharp reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Several BJP leaders slammed Reddy for his comments, especially considering that he holds the top office in Telangana.

‘PM Modi was born upper caste’, claims Revanth Reddy

During his address at the Congress event, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy claimed that PM Modi was originally from an upper caste. He further asserted that his caste was recognised as Backward Class because of reclassification in Gujarat in 2001. He said, “I want to tell you one thing. PM Modi says he belongs to BCs, but he is not BC. He is a legally converted BC. In 2001, before becoming the Chief Minister, his caste was among the upper classes in Gujarat. After becoming CM, he merged that caste into BC. He was not born as BC. His certificate may be BC, but his mentality is anti-BC.”

BJP challenges Revanth Reddy for a debate

The BJP hit out at Reddy for his comments. Union Minister, and Telangana BJP chief, G Kishan Reddy challenged the CM to a public debate on the issue. He said, “Revanth Reddy is making such comments out of impatience as Congress is losing public support in the state and across the country.”

Union Minister of State for Home, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, also criticised Reddy and questioned whether he knew the caste and religion of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He said, “He is talking about the PM’s caste as a desperate tactic to divert attention from Congress’ promise of 42% reservation to BCs.”

“Now, what caste is Rahul Gandhi? What’s his religion? Does he know, or do you? His grandfather was Feroze Jehangir Gandhi. In Hindu tradition, caste follows the father’s lineage. If anyone wants to debate legal conversion, maybe the Chief Minister should start from 10, Janpath,” he added in a post on X.

Kumar also pointed out that PM Modi’s OBC status was recognised in 1994 when Congress was in power in Gujarat.

‘Spitting at the sun’: BJP MP tells Revanth Reddy

BJP MP Etela Rajender told Revanth Reddy that attacking PM Modi would backfire. He said, “PM Modi transcends caste barriers. He is the pride of India on the global stage. Even the American President offers him a chair with great respect.”

Furthermore, he took a dig at former Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao, and said that leaders who once insulted PM Modi later had to bow before him in Delhi. Rajender said, “Back then, KCR lost his composure and insulted Modi. But when he goes to Delhi, he calls him ‘our elder brother’ and seeks the Centre’s support. However, when he returns to Telangana, he speaks arrogantly.” He further accused CM Reddy of being “incapable” of managing his own party and said attacking Modi was akin to “spitting at the sun.”

The MP said, “PM Modi has no personal agenda. The people of this nation are his family. Those who criticised him in the past have faced consequences, and the same will happen to you.”

This is not the first time Revanth Reddy has courted controversy with his remarks about PM Modi. In January this year, he compared PM Modi to medieval Turkish invader Mahmud of Ghazni during a Congress rally in Madhya Pradesh’s Mhow. At that time, the BJP strongly condemned his statement and called it “shameful.”

Travel advisories against Assam is the biggest hurdle in attracting foreign investment, some countries have initiated steps to lift it: Himanta Biswa Sarma

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Travel advisories against Assam is the biggest hurdle in attracting foreign investment, some countries have initiated steps to lift it: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Ahead of the Advantage Assam 2 summit, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said that the biggest hurdle in attracting foreign investment to the state is travel advisories issued by various countries. He said that most nations club Assam with other northeastern states, and advise their citizens to not visit the region including Assam due to the history of terrorism and unrest in the region. The CM added that withdrawal of the advisories is the first step in attracting foreign investment.

Although terrorism has almost ended in Assam, the travel advisory against the state by various nations continues. Several Western nations, including the UK and the US, have Assam in their travel advisories. For example, the US advises its citizens to not travel to Manipur, and reconsider travel to northeastern states due to terrorism and violence.

UK govt also issues similar advisories for Manipur and other states in the region. Similarly, the Canadian govt advises its citizens to not visit Assam and Manipur due to the risk of terrorism and insurgency.

Speaking to the media ahead of the upcoming Advantage Assam 2.0 investment summit, the Chief Minister said that the removal of these advisories is the top priority for facilitating international business engagement. He said that the state govt with the help of the external affairs ministry is talking with several nations to lift the advisories, and some countries are sending teams to the state to assess the situation before taking any decision in this direction.

“Without the withdrawal of the travel advisory, foreign investment is not possible. If someone cannot visit the state as a tourist for seven days, how can one invest in the state,” CM Sarma told the media. He further said that through the initiatives of External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and the state govt, Japan and Australia have already taken steps.

The CM said that a Japanese delegation is currently in Assam, and an Australian team will be arriving in the coming days for the assessment. He added that apart from talking to local police and officials, the delegations may also talk to ordinary citizens including journalists, academicians etc, stressing that it is in the hand of such people who are contacted by the foreign govt representatives to ensure that Assam’s image is improved.

Himanta Biswa Sarma said that if a single journalist or any other such person says that there is no investment environment in Assam, the entire state will suffer. He also added that foreign missions follow regional media for updates on the local situation, therefore media plays a vital role in attracting foreign investment.

CM Sarma said that due to the advisories, Assam attracts far less tourists despite its vast potential in the tourism sector. However, the CM expressed hope that several countries will lift the travel advisory against Assam in the coming month, allowing their investors to visit the state.

1...548549550...7,657Page 549 of 7,657