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Congress paid journalist Mrinal Pande mocks Sikh leader for visiting Hindu temple, furthers Hindu-Sikh conflict

OpIndia Staff
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Congress paid journalist Mrinal Pande mocks Sikh leader for visiting Hindu temple, furthers Hindu-Sikh conflict

“Bow your head in the Golden Temple too, or are you only following Sanatan Dharma,” is how ‘journalist’ Mrinal Pande, an integral part of Congress ecosystem mocked Bharatiya Janata Party leader Tajinder Bagga over his visit to a Hindu temple, furthering sowing the seeds of discord between the Hindu and Sikh communities. Notably, the Khalistanis are also infamous for indulging in similar antics.

It is notable that Khlistani secessionists, in an attempt to peddle their assumed supremacy, mock Sikhs who show reverence to Hindu Gods, even though Hindu Gods and Hindu theology form a crucial part of Sikh scriptures and verses.

BJP leader Tajinder Bagga was seen visiting the Mahakaal temple. He had shared the video with a caption that he was there to pray for his fellow contestant Shritika Arjun in Big Boss 18.

Pande who is the former editorial advisor of Congress mouthpiece ‘National Herald’ is infamous for making such ridiculous yet provocative statements. Last year Editor-in-Chief of ANI, Smita Prakash, slammed her for insinuating that she somehow lacked the spine of former Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor Satya Pal Malik. “The former editor of National Herald is talking about the spine. You can leave (the virtue signalling),” she hit out at Pande.

Apparently delighted by the news of the controversial doctor Kafeel Khan’s release on bail from Mathura jail, Pande, went on to compare him with Lord Krishna, in 2021. Comparing his release from Mathura jail to Lord Krishna’s escape from the jail where he was born, Pande insinuated that he too will bring the end of CM Yogi just like Lord Krishna had eliminated Kans. 

She even made transphobic comments in 2020 when she responded to a twitter post of another controversial ‘krantikari’ journalist Punya Prasoon Bajpayee. PP Bajpayee, who had been thrown out of the job, had made a lewd comment asking people why does PM Modi clap frequently during his campaign speeches. In a hurry to mock Prime Minister Modi, the Congress journalist Mrinal Pande tweeted to ask whether PM Modi does that to garner votes of the “Kinnars”-the transgender community. 

UNLF has been extorting crores in Manipur to fund terrorist activities: ED says Myanmar based terror network also involved

OpIndia Staff
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UNLF has been extorting crores in Manipur to fund terrorist activities: ED says Myanmar based terror network also involved

On the 18th of December, a special PMLA court took cognisance of a chargesheet submitted by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case against two arrested cadres identified as Thokchom Gyaneshor alias Thoiba/Sidabamapu and Laimayum Anand Sharma alias Ingba of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), Manipur’s outlawed terrorist group.

In a statement, ED said that a chargesheet was filed against Thokchom Gyaneshor and Laimayum Anand Sharma. It added that on Wednesday, December 18, a PMLA court took cognisance of the chargesheet filed.

The duo was arrested by the ED on the 16th of October and are currently in judicial custody. The UNLF was created in 1964 with the goal of gaining Manipur’s ‘independence’ from India.

According to the ED, Gyaneshor is the outfit’s self-proclaimed “Chief of Army Staff” and “Secretary, External and Regional Affairs Department”. Sharma is the UNLF’s self-proclaimed “Intelligence Officer”.

The money laundering case originates from a July 2023 FIR and two chargesheets filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) earlier this year. The case pertains to a “trans-national conspiracy” hatched by Myanmar-based leadership of terror outfits active in the northeastern states to exploit ethnic unrest in Manipur, “wage war” against the Indian government, and carry out terrorist attacks, thereby exacerbating the security situation in Manipur.

“ED initiated investigation on the basis of an FIR No Rc-23/2023/NIA/DLI Dated 19.07.2023 and Chargesheet No. 05/2024 dated 07.03.2024 and Supplementary Chargesheet No. SCS-05(A)/2024 dated 30.07.2024 filed by National Investigating Agency (NIA) related to transnational conspiracy hatched by Myanmar-based leadership of terror outfits operationally active in the North Eastern States to exploit the ethnic unrest in the state of Manipur to wage war against Government of India and execute terrorist attacks thereby exacerbating the security situation in Manipur. NIA has invoked Sections 120 B, 121 A and 411 of IPC, 1860; Sections 17, 18, 18A, 18B, 20, 38, and 39 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and Section 25 of the Arms Act, 1959 which are scheduled offences under PMLA 2002,” the Enforcement Directorate said.

The investigation revealed that UNLF cadres collected huge funds from the public and business people in Manipur by threatening them, as well as by illegally extorting toll taxes on several national highways.

“During the course of PMLA investigation, it was revealed that huge funds are raised/ collected by cadres of UNLF from the general public and business persons of Manipur by threatening them, by way of unauthorized collection/extortion of toll taxes at various National Highways etc. Cadres of UNLF also carry illegal weapons while making such demands so as to threaten the general public. The funds raised through collection/extortion were collected in cash to escape the scrutiny of Law Enforcement Authorities,” the Enforcement Directorate said in its statement.

“The said funds were raised by UNLF as a part of larger conspiracy which were utilized in a planned manner on recruitment and training of UNLF cadres, acquisition of illegal arms and ammunition, arranging logistics and maintenance of the organization and its camps as well as individual expenses of cadre. Analysis of digital devices seized from the above mentioned accused persons revealed that they were actively involved in raising of funds, preparation of budget and acquisition of illegal arms,” ED added.

Police brutality killed Congress worker? As the worker lay unconscious at party office for over 2 hours, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra blames police: What we know

OpIndia Staff
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Police brutality killed Congress worker? As the worker lay unconscious at party office for over 2 hours, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra blames police: What we know

On Wednesday, 18th December massive controversy erupted as Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra claimed that two Congress workers were allegedly killed by the police during party’s protests in separate incidents in Uttar Pradesh and Assam. The Congress leaders mourned over the death of two workers and claimed that ‘excessive police force’ was the reason behind their deaths.

“Police brutality on Congress workers who were going to gherao the Vidhan Sabha against the misrule prevailing in Uttar Pradesh took the life of one of our workers. The death of Prabhat Pandey ji, a youth Congress worker from Gorakhpur is extremely heartbreaking. Similarly, the BJP government used batons and tear gas shells on the protesting Congress workers in Assam, in which Mridul Islam ji died. The way BJP governments have taken repressive action against Congress workers is reminiscent of the British Raj. BJP is attacking Baba Saheb in Parliament and crushing his Constitution on the streets,” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said in an X post.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP leadership and said that the democracy had been murdered by PM Modi’s leadership. “Democracy and Constitution have been murdered again in BJP-ruled Assam and Uttar Pradesh. The Congress party is conducting satyagraha in support of Babasaheb and the Constitution across the country. During this, the death of our Congress workers Mridul Islam in Guwahati and Prabhat Pandey in Lucknow due to excessive police force is very sad and condemnable. I offer my deepest condolences to their grieving loved ones. These families deserve full justice. The lion of Congress will continue to fight for truth and the Constitution,” he said.

While the Congress leaders claimed that the workers especially Prabhat Pandey were allegedly killed by the police during the protests, an FIR report filed by Pandey’s family has come to the fore in which it has been mentioned that the deceased was unconscious in the Congress office two hours before his death. The report also stated that he was declared as ‘brought dead’ by the hospital staff.

Notably, the Lucknow police also commented on the matter and said that massive misinformation was being spread against the police regarding the death of the Congress worker. The police stated that the Congress worker was last seen in the Congress office and that he was brought dead to the hospital. It also added that there were no marks of external injuries on the body of the worker, who Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi claimed had died due to police beatings.

“The Congress worker Prabhat Pandey was shifted to the Civil Hospital where he was declared as already ‘brought dead’ by the doctors. He was last seen in the Congress office and was unconscious there for more than 2 hours. On the primary probe, no marks of external injury could be seen on his body. The post-mortem of his body will be conducted soon and the entire session will be videographed,” the official statement by the police stated.

It added that rumors are being spread against the police in this case, claiming that the worker died due to police force. “However, it is to be noted that no police force took action during the protests. No lathi charge was executed. Any person spreading misinformation should stop as such acts may lead to disturbing the peace in the region,” it added.

Prabhat Pandey, a native of Gorakhpur and a Youth Congress leader had reportedly participated in a Congress-led protest in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The protest was organized in the area around UP Vidhansabha. Pandey was staying in Lucknow in a PG in the Gomati Nagar area. As per the Congress leaders, a major scuffle occurred during the protest in which Pandey lost his life after police executed a lathi charge. However, police denied the claims and stated that Pandey was last seen in the Congress office and that no marks of external injury could be seen on his body. Police have stated that no lathi charge was done.

Meanwhile, the uncle of Pandey who has filed an FIR in the case has stated that Pandey was staying in a PG in the Gomati Nagar area and that he had no idea how he reached the Congress office after the protest where he fell unconscious for 2 hours. He has stated that his nephew has died of unusual circumstances as he had no health issues.

Further, in the case of another Congress worker Mridul Islam, who is believed to have died due to tear gas shells during the protests, the Assam Police issued a statement that the Congress workers had organized an illegal protest as no prior permission from the same was taken by the party. Guwahati Police Commissioner Diganta Barah Dangoria explained the event as he condemned the death of the worker. The police also indicated that the workers created massive chaos during the unauthorized protest forcing the police to take action to disperse the crowd. Meanwhile, he said that Islam died during the protests but the actual reason for his death is still unknown.

“It is true that he fell ill while protesting and later died in GMCH during treatment, but it’s too early to draw conclusions regarding the cause of death. Let the postmortem report come,” Barah said.

Mridul Islam, died on Wednesday following a massive protest against several issues in Guwahati, during which police were forced to resort to tear gas shelling to disperse the crowd. Islam, an advocate by profession, was part of the protest and was exposed to a tear gas shell which made him feel unconscious, as claimed by the Congress. He was rushed to Gawahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for treatment but died during the treatment.

In both cases, it is crucial to note that the Congress party has acted irresponsibly. In the case of Pandey, he was unconscious for 2 hours in the Congress office in Lucknow but nobody cared to take him to the hospital unless his uncle was informed only after it was too late. Despite this, the party made an attempt to make an easy escape by blaming the police. The Lucknow police have denied all the charges fand said that the party is spreading massive misinformation against the police. The police have asserted that no forcible action was taken against the protestors.

Gujarat: Hanif, Suleman, Ghafar, Abbas and Omar encroached govt land to block road to Santoshi Mata temple for 50 years in Khambalia, police takes action

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat: Hanif, Suleman, Ghafar, Abbas and Omar encroached govt land to block road to Santoshi Mata temple for 50 years in Khambalia, police takes action

After Sambhal, Varanasi, and Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, a temple that was reportedly closed for many decades was reopened in Gujarat’s Dwarka. In the Khambalia area of Dwarka district a Santoshi Mata Temple closed for nearly 50 years as accused Hanif, Suleman, Ghafar, Abbas and Omar allegedly blocked the road leading to the Hindu temple.

Upon receiving information, Dwarka Police registered an FIR under relevant sections. On the directions of District Police Chief Nitesh Pandey the illegal encroachment was cleared on 18th December. After demolishing the encroachment, the Hindu community was allowed to conduct Pooja rituals in the temple.

The police action came in response to the complaint filed by the priest’s family at Khambalia police station. The police conducted a thorough investigation and found that the accused Muslim persons had conspired to encroach on the exposed government land by forging fake documents. The police are reported to have arrested three of the five accused as the rest have reportedly died.

Taking to X, Gujarat state Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi informed about the action taken in the matter and said, “50-year-old Santoshi Mata temple in Khambalia, Dwarka, was blocked by Hanif Suleman, Gafar and Umar. Police took Swift action an FIR was filed, and the encroachment cleared!”

India and China discuss measures to maintain peace on border at Special Representatives meeting in Beijing attended by NSA Ajit Doval

ANI
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India and China discuss measures to maintain peace on border at Special Representatives meeting in Beijing attended by NSA Ajit Doval

The 23rd Meeting of the Special Representatives (SRs) of India and China, was held in Beijing on Wednesday, with discussions focussed on maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border.

The meeting was attended by Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor (NSA) and Wang Yi, China’s Foreign Minister and Member of the CPC Central Committee. Doval also invited Wang Yi to visit India at a mutually convenient date to hold the next round of SR meeting.

“The 23d Meeting of the Special Representatives (SRs) of India and China, respectively Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor of India, and Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, was held in Beijing on December 18, 2024,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release.

The MEA further said that the SRs met in accordance with the decision taken during the recent meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan for them to meet at an early date to oversee the management of peace and tranquillity in border areas and to explore a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary question.

The SRs also reiterated the importance of maintaining a political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship while seeking a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework for the settlement of the boundary question, and resolved to inject more vitality into this process.

“Both SRs underlined the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the border areas to promote the overall development of the India-China bilateral relationship. They emphasised the need to ensure peaceful conditions on the ground so that issues on the border do not hold back the normal development of bilateral relations. Drawing on the learnings from the events of 2020, they discussed various measures to maintain peace and tranquillity on the border and advance effective border management. They decided to use, coordinate and guide the relevant diplomatic and military mechanisms towards this purpose,” the MEA added.

The SRs also exchanged views on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest and provided positive directions for cross-border cooperation and exchanges including resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, data sharing on trans-border rivers and border trade. They also agreed on the salience of stable, predictable and amicable India-China relations for regional and global peace and prosperity.

Notably, this was the first meeting of the SRs since friction had emerged in the Western Sector of the India-China border areas in 2020. The SRs positively affirmed the implementation of the latest disengagement agreement of October 2024, resulting in patrolling and grazing in relevant areas.

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

4 dead, several injured in clash between two factions of Tablighi Jamaat over control of a ground in Bangladesh

OpIndia Staff
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4 dead, several injured in clash between two factions of Tablighi Jamaat over control of a ground in Bangladesh

A fight between two factions of Tablighi Jamaat over possession of Biswa Ijtema ground in Gazipur’s Tongi upazila early on 18th December resulted in at least four fatalities and fifty injuries. Followers of Maulana Zobayer and Maulana Saad Kandhalvi reportedly clashed repeatedly on Ijtema ground at around 3:00 am, resulting in casualties.

Two of the deceased were identified as 60-year-old Belal from Beraid in the Dakshin Khan region of Dhaka, and 70-year-old Bachchu Mia from the hamlet of Egarasindur in Kishoreganj’s Pakundia upazila. The third victim was identified as 65-year-old Taizul Islam from Bogra. According to local accounts, Saad’s supporters were accessing the stadium from the west bank of the Turag River via several routes, including Kamarpara Bridge, when Zobayer’s adherents, who were already on the Ijtema site, threw brick chips at them.

The confrontation was started by retaliation from Saad supporters. According to Habibullah Raihan, media coordinator for Shurai Nejam, the first phase organizer for Tabligh Jamaat Bangladesh (the Zobayer faction), Zobayer received a letter from the home ministry. “In the letter, it was informed that the home adviser will sit with us this noon and a decision will be finalised about the Biswa Ijtema,” he informed. However, in a video message, Saad supporter Muaz bin Noor announced, “We are now in control of the Ijtema maidan. One of our brothers was martyred in the attack by Zobayer’s followers.”

According to hospital sources, at least 35 injured people were sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Furthermore, four Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) platoons have been deployed to keep the region law and orderly. Meanwhile, Lieutenant General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, the home affairs adviser, warned that those responsible for the killings at the Ijtema ground will be penalised. He declared, “There is no scope to spare the individuals involved in the murders. The perpetrators will be brought under the law following a case.” He met separately with the two Tablighi Jamaat factions at the ministry.

Three persons were killed in conflicts, based on medical and police sources. According to Gazipur Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (Tongi division) NM Nasiruddin, they had confirmed around three deaths as of 2:00 pm. Maulana Mamunul Haque, the secretary general of the Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, asserted that the deaths were not the result of an altercation but rather of an attack by Saad followers, claiming that there were four fatalities. The Hefajat leader’s story was subsequently verified by the home affairs adviser.

A backer of Maulana Zubair’s Tabligh group, Mamunul Haque, secretary general of Khelafat Majlish, called the Maulana Saad wing of Tabligh Jamaat a terrorist organization and pressed for a ban on their activities. “The supporters of Zubair do not want any chaos. Many termed it as a clash between the two factions. But it’s not. Rather, the Saad-backed faction has inflicted casualties on us. Those involved in this murder should be arrested by today,” he voiced and added, “Due to the attack, four have sacrificed their lives and many others have been injured.” Mamunul Haque stated, “The Ijtema of the Zubair followers will definitely be held. But there is no scope for Ijtema of the Saad followers,” in response to a query.

After the meeting between his faction and the five advisers of the interim government, Reza Arif, a spokesperson of the Maulana Saad faction, also addressed reporters. “I request all my fellow devotees to leave the ground,” he appealed. He claimed that in order to avoid further hostilities between the two factions, the advisers of the interim government had asked them to leave the area.

“We have decided to vacate the field to avoid any further issues. We have always followed the government’s instructions in the past, and we will respect the government’s decision now as well. We will go our separate ways, and law enforcement will assist us in passing through Kamarpara,” he mentioned and highlighted, “We sincerely regret the incident. As Muslims and citizens of this country, we acknowledge that what happened was wrong. Fighting between Muslims is completely unacceptable. We apologize sincerely for this.”

Your son would’ve been alive if he was Muslim: Ibrahim tells woman after raping and killing her 5-year-old son at Lucknow Charbagh station

OpIndia Staff
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Your son would’ve been alive if he was Muslim: Ibrahim tells woman after raping and killing her 5-year-old son at Lucknow Charbagh station

In Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow, a man named Ibrahim kidnapped a 5-year-old boy from Charbagh railway station, and took him to a warehouse where he raped and murdered him. As if his crime was not horrific enough, when the police confronted the murderer Ibrahim with the mother of the dead child, he said, “If your son was a Muslim, he would have been saved, he was a Hindu. We attack Hindus.” And then he started laughing.

The deceased victim’s mother told Dainik Bhaskar that she fainted after hearing Ibrahim’s words and his laughter.

Reports say that this incident transpired on Monday night (16th  December), when a woman reached Charbagh station in Lucknow with her 5-year-old child. As the woman was tired, she went to the waiting room. There Ibrahim saw the child crying and came to her and slowly started to calm him down. He coaxed the mother and son to eat rice, after which both of them fainted. When she woke up, she found that her son and Ibrahim were missing.

Soon a search was launched after she informed authorities, and the body of the child was found in the warehouse of Charbagh. He was murdered after being raped.

At present, the police have arrested Ibrahim and sent him to jail after a case under sections of rape and murder was registered against him.

Speaking about the matter GRP Dharamvir Singh said that accused Ibrahim, a resident of Lakhimpur had befriended a woman who had come from Rajasthan with her five-year-old son on Sunday night. He had also given biscuits and chips to the child. The child was playing with Ibrahim.

Meanwhile, the woman fell asleep. Seeing her sleeping, the accused Ibrahim took the child on his shoulder and started walking towards Anand Nagar Second Entry from the foot-overbridge. After getting down from the overbridge, Ibrahim went to a condom rack and then to a warehouse with the child. This was confirmed after examining the footage of 40 cameras installed at the railway station. Based on this, GRP identified Ibrahim and arrested the perpetrator.

Ibrahim allegedly raped the kid in the warehouse. But when the boy started to cry loudly due to the assault, Ibrahim killed him on the spot. A jacket he left at the condom rack helped in capturing him. There was a piece of paper in one of the pockets of the jacket with a mobile number written on it. After putting the number on the surveillance, police contacted a worker who gave them the location of Ibrahim.

The police said that the deceased victim’s body was sent for postmortem and it was found that the victim was raped before the murder. The child also sustained a head injury.

Exclusive “judges lounge” at Diljit Dosanjh’s Chandigarh concert sparks row: How the entitlement of Judges is a blight on Indian democracy

Rukma Rathore
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Exclusive “judges lounge” at Diljit Dosanjh’s Chandigarh concert sparks row: How the entitlement of Judges is a blight on Indian democracy

The term “VIP” was first used in the 1930s. The earliest known use of the term was in 1933 by popular Scottish writer Compton Mackenzie. It gained popularity after World War II to refer to the special benefits and preferential treatment ascribed to people who are considered “Very Important Persons.” These individuals usually consist of politicians, high-ranking government officials, celebrities, business magnates, and other influential individuals.

Notably, the social and political structures around the world especially India are firmly rooted in this phenomenon, which is quite visible in many aspects of daily life and even more so during special events. The Indian judiciary and polity objected to the same on multiple occasions and voiced to be regarded similarly to the general public. However, none of this ever came to pass, barring a few exceptions and was limited to claims made solely as a means of gaining accloades.

A recent incident demonstrated yet again the futility of such statements and shed light on the stark disparity between the privileged and the commoners. Controversial singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh is currently on his Dil-Luminati India tour which is already embroiled in drama and allegations. Now, the presence of a unique “Judges Lounge” which was created just for judicial officers during the Chandigarh leg of his tour on 14th December, possibly a first for entertainment events there, is currently the subject of a major debate and backlash among the netizens.

Several sources in the civic and police administration have confirmed that more than 300 VIP passes were distributed among high court justices alone for the concert at the Sector 34 exhibition ground, reported Hindustan Times. Concerns regarding undue authority and uneven access at public events were raised by the fact that a court officer was also assigned to personally supervise their entry.

Over 35,000 people attended the gathering which included a distinct “Judges Lounge” in the Fan Pit Zone, according to a top official. Members of the judiciary, along with their friends and family, received almost 300 tickets that allowed them to see the musician up close. Administrative officers reportedly had their own “Admin Lounge.” According to the report, a judicial official from the Chandigarh courts was specifically assigned close to the lounge to assist judges and their families in finding the “right place.”

A top source unveiled, “Most were relatives. But some judges, former and serving, were also there.” Sources disclosed that police officers were tasked with accompanying judges and handing them tickets. VVIPs, comprising of judges, were granted direct entrance to the site, evading the barricades erected for regular concertgoers, even though the general public was subject to stringent regulations and had to endure severe traffic congestion and extended wait periods.

Importantly, the Punjab and Haryana High Court heard a public interest litigation (PIL) on 13th December. The case was filed by Ranjeet Singh, a resident of Sector-23, and it raised concerns about the disruptive impact of such large events, especially after singer Karan Aujla’s concert at the same venue on 7th December triggered chaos. Diljit Dosanjh’s concert was approved by the high court, but the organizers were bound by noise level restrictions.

The court had ordered that, in accordance with the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control Rules) 2000, criminal action would be taken if the noise level exceeded 75 decibels while permitting the concert. The administration has until 18th December to file a compliance report on this to the high court.

Outrage on social media

The development was soon picked by many on social media as thousands of fans discussed the exasperating experience of purchasing tickets for the events online. Many waited for hours, hooked to their phones and laptops, hoping to gain admittance and their struggle didn’t end there either. The fortunate few who were granted tickets shared a number of unsettling experiences, including long queues, black-marketing and difficulties entering the arena.

Therefore, the netizens were displeased with the easy access given to the influential justices and they brought up important issues regarding the judiciary’s culture of privilege and entitlement. An ex-IAS officer mocked that justice might be blind (an expression that means justice should be impartial, objective, and unbiased) but the judges are not deaf.

Interestingly, in October 2024, the Supreme Court of India announced a new template for Lady Justice statue that will no longer depict her blindfolded. The new statue is meant to convey that the law is not blind, but instead sees everyone equally.

A user referred to Indian society as “incredibly dystopian and feudal at the core,” alluding to the exceptional treatment received by the powerful (judges in this case).

A person sought “introspection and some answers” in light of the inequality and abuse of privileges enjoyed by certain influential segments of society.

Another individual remrked that the VIP culture will continue as long as these “privileges” and “perquisites” of the positions are in place and asked, “Why should the judges have accepted this at all?”

A netizen termed the exclusive privilege as yet another “form of corruption” and added, “No wonder complaints remained complaints and nothing more,” with laughing emoticons describing the sorry state of affairs.

VIP culture: Blight on Indian democracy

The term “VIP” is overly familiar in India, as evidenced by the overwhelming number of signs promoting VIP parking, VIP tickets, VIP enclosures, VIP gates, VIP seats, VIP admissions, VIP pavilions, VIP entrances, and also VIP quotas in airports, temples, hospitals, and even prisons. As if the ordinary citizens weren’t already enduring the insufferable VIP system, another V was included and “VVIP” (Very Very Important Persons) was introduced to further add to the air of privilege and superiority as well as to highlight the lack of similarities, rather glaring differences this class of people share with the public.

Honestly, they might as well add a few more Vs and snuff out people’s will to even leave their houses if they so desire, as they are the ones with authority and power. However, since even they need their employees to attend to their whimsical needs and the nation also needs to function properly to survive, it might not come to that, at least not just now. Naturally, India is not the only nation that grants preferential treatment to its “VIPs.” It is a global practice. However, “VIPs” are nowhere as disruptive and prevalent in the world as they are in India.

Of course, there are “VIPs” whose protocol demand special treatment and the public is aware that even little deviations could result in serious situations. However, these categories appear to have proliferated in all spheres of life. Those who succeed in gaining even a small amount of authority ask for privileges and exclusive rights. “Laal-batti (red beacon) culture” had become synonymous with many areas both rural and urban of our country where any person with an iota of power used the beacon to violate all the traffic rules and create a special passage for himself, his family and friends while the ordinary people were rendered to put up with long traffic jams for hours without any reprieve.

Initially, only a few constitutional authorities were able to restrict traffic on the roads. Nowadays, when the public is having a hard time navigating the evening rush hour or managing another emergency, a wide range of individuals can intimidate the local police officers into closing the roads for them. The same is true for airport security as well as a variety of other circumstances, places and scenarios.

Noatbly, the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017 declared that everyone, including the President, Prime Minister, and Chief Justice of India, would no longer be allowed to use red beacons. “There will be no exceptions,” stated then finance minister late Arun Jaitley and added that only emergency vehicles, such as police vans, fire engines, and ambulances, would be permitted to use beacons.

“Blue lights, used often for the car preceding VIPs, will be allowed only for emergency vehicles,” he mentioned after the centre’s prominent measure to country “VIP culture.” The beacons won’t be there, but restrictions will remain in place while the nation’s most secure leaders particularly the president or prime minister are out of the office. “Every Indian is special, every Indian is a VIP,” PM Modi wrote on social media after the announcement.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath firmly ordered that VIP culture is unacceptable while chairing a special meeting with the Council of Ministers in June of this year. He emphasized that everyone must stay away from VIP culture, regardless of whether they are ministers or other public officials. He asserted that none of their actions should be a reflection of VIP culture and asked everyone to exercise caution and vigilance in this regard. The statement read, “The government is for the people and public interest is paramount for us. The problems, expectations, and needs of the person standing at the last rung of the society, must be resolved.”

Many Bharatiya Janata Party stalwarts including the late defence minister Manohar Parrikar, were renowned for leading ordinary lives and were frequently seen going about their daily lives and standing in lines like the general public. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that this is an anomaly rather than the norm.

According to a survey performed last month by Local Circles to find out what people think about VIP culture, 83% of people who have visited government offices reported that they are engulfed by it, 25% informed that they have encountered it at hospitals in the past year and more than 70% mentioned that one of the main effects of VIP culture is the abuse of VIP authority in places of worship and property-related offences.

Unfortunately, even if PM Modi and few others have not been tempted by the VIP culture, there is still a significant disconnect between boastful rhetoric and practical conduct because many in positions of authority including the opposition are determined to uphold and even enhance the status quo. The recent incident of “Judges Lounge” is another testament to it and speaks volumes about how far we are from ending the “VIP culture” in India which is shielded and maintained by its benefactors, which also consists of the judiciary, a powerful pillar of democracy in which such a hierarchy in the civil society should not exist.

To put it in simpler terms, India’s democracy and its society are plagued by the “VIP culture” and some urgent steps along with a collective effort are required to tackle the problem without bringing politics into it.

Why creating social disharmony? Allahabad HC questions Zubair’s intent behind social media post

OpIndia Staff
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Why creating social disharmony? Allahabad HC questions Zubair’s intent behind social media post

On 18th December, the Allahabad High Court questioned Alt-News co-founder and propagandist Mohammed Zubair about his intent behind the social media posts he made regarding the alleged speech by Yati Narsinghanand. The court questioned why Zubair took to X instead of filing a complaint and accused him of creating ‘social disharmony’. The court was hearing a plea filed by Zubair against the FIR accusing him of promoting enmity via social media posts.

‘Creating unrest instead of filing an FIR’

A division bench comprising Justice Siddhartha Varma and Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra observed that Zubair’s actions appeared to foster social disharmony. Justice Varma remarked, “If this person [Narsinghanand] is acting funny, then instead of going to the police, will you act more funny? If you don’t like his speech, you should file an FIR against him.”

The court further expressed dismay over the fact that Zubair took to social media to amplify the alleged speech by Yati Narsinghanand instead of taking legal remedies. Justice Varma said, “Come to the court then… You will go to social media and create social disharmony? Glancing at the tweet shows that you are trying to create unrest.”

Zubair’s counsel invokes ‘freedom of speech’

When the court asked why Zubair took to X instead of pursuing legal remedies, his counsel argued that the “journalist” was exercising his “constitutional right to freedom of speech” by highlighting the speech by Narsinghanand. He further claimed that the FIR against Narsinghanand was filed only three hours before Zubair’s post and that he was not aware of the development against the priest.

However, Justice Varma was not satisfied with the argument and questioned whether social media could replace legal remedies. He asked, “Is there any law that permits an individual to resort to Twitter instead of approaching the court?”

State says Zubair attempted incitement

The Additional Advocate General (AAG) for Uttar Pradesh argued that Zubair distorted Narsinghanand’s remarks in his post and provoked lawlessness. The AAG said, “The right to freedom of speech is not absolute and can be curtailed under Article 19(2) of the Constitution.” He added that Zubair’s post incited unrest and informed the court that a lookout notice had been issued against him.

FIR against Mohammed Zubair

The FIR against Zubair was registered based on the complaint of the general secretary of the Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati Trust, Udita Tyagi. The complainant accused Zubair of promoting enmity under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Tyagi stated in the complaint that the post made by Zubair on 3rd October included edited clips of a speech given by Narsinghanand and was intended to provoke violence.

Earlier on 3rd December, High Court bench of Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Prashant Kumar declined to hear and ordered to refer the case to another bench. The official looking into the case told the court during the last hearing that Zubair’s First Information Report (FIR) included the charge of damaging India’s sovereignty, unity and integrity under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The FIR was registered in response to a complaint made by supporters of Yati Narsinghanand, regarding a tweet Zubair posted on X (formerly Twitter). The Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati Foundation’s general secretary, Udita Tyagi, submitted the complaint that led to the official complaint.

According to Tyagi, Zubair posted an old video clip of Narsinghanand on 3rd October with the intention of inciting violence against him. The accusation further alleged that Zubair provoked extremist views against the priest by posting manipulated video of his allegedly controversial remarks about Prophet Muhammad.

She lodged a complaint accusing Asaduddin Owaisi, Arshad Madani and Zubair of instigating violent protests at Dasna Devi Mandi. Sections 196 (inciting animosity on religious grounds), 228 (creating false evidence), 299 (inciting religious sentiments by disparaging religion or religious beliefs), 356(3) (defamation), and 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of the BNS were then invoked by the Ghaziabad Police to charge Zubair. The offense under Section 152 of the BNS was later added as well.

The matter has been adjourned for the next hearing on 20th December.

Are Muslims protesting against Pampers diapers alleging it contains Prophet Mohammad’s name? Here is what happened in 2018 and how the video is now viral again

OpIndia Staff
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Are Muslims protesting against Pampers diapers alleging it contains Prophet Mohammad’s name? Here is what happened in 2018 and how the video is now viral again

Last week, a bizarre video from the city of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh went viral over social media in which a Muslim man claimed that the name of Prophet Mohammad was allegedly inscribed on the Pamper baby diapers produced by the company Procter & Gamble (P&G). The man in the video who identified himself as Hamid Bhopali stated that the company was causing insult to the Prophet by writing his name on the diapers.

“A few weeks ago a video was sent to me regarding the issue of diapers. Today I checked the Pampers diapers to discover that Prophet Mohammad’s name was blatantly inscribed on the pads. This is an insult to the community and to Allah. These pads and the company needs to be boycotted,” Bhopali said.

The video of the incident has been making rounds on social media. However, the original source of the video could not be independently verified by OpIndia.

The video has sparked outrage among the community on social media claiming that the company is causing insult to the Prophet by inscribing his name erroneously on the diapers. The community claimed that the company had engaged in an alleged ‘blasphemous’ act and that their products needed to be boycotted.

Another similar video of Islamists criticizing Pampers diapers went viral over the internet in which one of the Muslims could be seen burning the diapers. The old video from the year 2018 was shared by the News Now media house last month which claimed that the video was from Jammu and Kashmir.

The man in the video could be seen yelling against the company and burning the diapers. “We were told that Prophet Mohammad’s name was inscribed on the diapers. Initially, we didn’t believe in the video. We thought that it could be a social media message. But we checked the diapers for ourselves to discover that the company had insulted Islam,” he said.

He further asked all the Muslims to check the products before putting them to use and warned that the insult of the Prophet should not be tolerated. The video was exclusively shared by J&K-based News Now media house. While it claimed that the video was recent from the month of November 2024, OpIndia found out that it was an old video from the year 2018.

In the protest video that had gone viral over the internet then, one of the persons could be heard saying that initially they dismissed the story as a social media rumor but were convinced after personally checking the diapers in the market. Later a few people could be seen putting a few Pampers packets on the ground and then setting them ablaze. While the diapers were burning a person could be heard chanting ‘Musa, Musa, Zakir Musa’.

Notably, this is not the first time that Islamists have raised their voices to boycott Pampers baby diapers claiming alleged ‘blasphemy’. In the year 2018, a similar incident was reported when a few Muslims in Hyderabad took offence to Pampers diapers claiming an alleged insult to their Prophet Mohammed. As per reports, the Islamists claimed that the image of a cartoon cat on the diapers caused an insult to Mohammad’s name as it allegedly replicated his name in Arabic. The image of a cat’s nose, mouth, whiskers, and left eye on the diaper is allegedly similar to the spelling of Prophet Mohammed’s name in Arabic.

Screengrab of the controversial cat sketch and spelling of Prophet Mohammed in Arabic. Via Metro

The Islamists then raised their voices and demanded a boycott of the Pampers diapers. The Islamists lodged a formal complaint with Dabeerpura Police Station in Hyderabad and claimed that the brand of US multinational Procter & Gamble, had hurt the feelings of the Muslims.

Activists from the Islamic group Darsgah Jihad-o-Shahadat lodged a formal complaint about the nappies at Dabeerpura Police Station in Hyderabad in 2018 (Image- Sanskriti Magazine)

As reported earlier, any sort of depiction of Prophet Mohammad draws fierce pushback from Muslims around the world. As per contemporary interpretation of Islam, the pictorial representation of Prophet Muhammad is an anathema, something that is strictly prohibited and even regarded as ‘blasphemy’.

The textbook definition of blasphemy states that it is an action or offense of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things. But for an overwhelming section of Muslims across the globe, any attempt at the portrayal of their beloved Prophet, including well-meaning ones, comes under the purview of blasphemy, which attracts capital punishment, according to Islamic texts. Therefore, any attempt made to depict Prophet Mohammad inevitably leads to staunch criticism and calls for the beheading of the person responsible for committing such an “effrontery”.

It is crucial to note that after the recently claimed Bhopal video, several old videos revolving around Pampers diapers are being reshared on social media with an alleged intent to provoke the Islamist community to take action against the alleged ‘blasphemous’ acts. This is concerning and a threat to the communal peace of the country. The incident also portrays the radicalized mindset of the Islamists who claim that visualizing Prophet Muhammad is against the laws, and hence worthy of capital punishment.

A spokesman for Pampers’ owner Procter & Gamble had commented on the matter in the year 2018 and said that the information being spread against the company was false and misleading. “The design on the Pampers Baby Dry Pants shows an innocent animated representation of a cat. It shows a cat’s mouth and whiskers like it is commonly portrayed in drawings and cartoons across the world, especially by little children. The intent behind the use of this cartoon is completely innocent and we would never intend to offend any person, religion, or cultural belief,” he had said.

While the recent video from Bhopal is still making rounds on social media, it could not be independently verified by OpIndia

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