Home Blog Page 570

UP: Asif rapes a minor Hindu girl in Lakhimpur Kheri, and kills her with the help of his friends after she refuses to convert

OpIndia Staff
-
0
UP: Asif rapes a minor Hindu girl in Lakhimpur Kheri, and kills her with the help of his friends after she refuses to convert

A Muslim youth lured a minor Hindu girl from Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh and took her with him. Afterwards, she was raped and pressured to convert to Islam. However, she refused and he killed her with the aid of his associates. Her body was then dumped in a forest about 500 kilometres away from Lakhimpur. The authorities arrested one accused while another was involved in an encounter with the cops.

On 25th January, a 17-year-old girl from Goriya village, which is located near the Padhua police station in Lakhimpur Kheri, disappeared, according to media reports. Her family members looked everywhere but were unable to locate her. They went to the Padhua police station and filed a report. They revealed that she was deceived by a Muslim young man. They also named his companions and submitted a case against eleven culprits.

Hindu organizations also got involved in the matter. Following an investigation by the police, it was discovered that she was with a young guy named Asif. Additionally, the cops discovered CCTV footage of the same incident.

His whereabouts were then tracked down by the police. It turned out that he had travelled to Dehradun from Lakhimpur. They also reached there and took his accomplices into custody. He was questioned, and it came out that the underage girl had been raped and murdered. According to him, the body was dumped in the forests of Ramnagar afterwards. The police retrieved the body and sent it for post-mortem. Asif, the primary suspect was captured following an encounter in Lakhimpur.

The deceased’s father unveiled that she was being forced to embrace Islam by Asif and his friends who ended her life after she refused to comply. Six others including Salman, Raja and Zubair have been nabbed by the police. Hindu outfits also organised protests against the instance. Further investigation is now underway.

Resilient Economy, Expanding Infrastructure, and Rising Exports: A Deep Dive into the 2024-25 Economic Survey

Raju Das
-
0
Resilient Economy, Expanding Infrastructure, and Rising Exports: A Deep Dive into the 2024-25 Economic Survey

The Union Finance Ministry on 30 January released the Economic Survey for the financial year 2024-25, ahead of presenting the budget for the next financial year. The Economic Survey 2024-25 provides a detailed assessment of India’s economic performance over the past year and outlines future growth prospects.

Despite global uncertainties triggered geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions, the Indian economy has remained on a steady trajectory, with an estimated GDP growth rate of 6.4% for FY2025. The survey highlights the resilience of domestic demand, the stability of financial markets, and the role of regulatory reforms in driving economic progress. The report places a significant focus on deregulation and structural reforms as key drivers of sustainable growth.

Macroeconomic Overview and Growth Trends

India’s economic trajectory in FY2024-25 has been characterized by resilience and steady expansion, despite challenges in the global environment. The survey underscores the importance of private consumption and investment as primary drivers of growth. With inflation largely under control and fiscal consolidation measures in place, the economy has maintained a stable macroeconomic outlook, says the survey report.

The industrial sector grew by 6 per cent in the first half of FY25, while the services sector grew by 7.1 per cent in that period. The labour market has also improved, with the unemployment rate declining to 3.2%, reflecting a positive trend in job creation. Moreover, India’s external trade has witnessed a moderate upswing, with exports reaching USD 602.6 billion and imports rising to USD 682.2 billion.

The report states that private final consumption expenditure at constant prices is estimated to grow by 7.3 per cent, driven by a rebound in rural demand. The industrial sector is estimated to grow by 6.2 per cent in FY25, while agriculture sector is expected to rebound to a growth of 3.8 per cent.  Growth in the services sector is expected to remain robust at 7.2 per cent.

The survey also points to global economic headwinds, including geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and the tightening of monetary policies by advanced economies. However, India’s strong domestic fundamentals, including robust consumption demand and increasing infrastructure investments, have cushioned the economy from these external pressures. The survey predicts a continued growth momentum, projecting a stable outlook for FY26 and beyond.

Monetary and Financial Sector Developments

The financial sector remains a pillar of economic stability, supported by strong banking performance and regulatory reforms. India’s banking sector has witnessed a notable improvement, with non-performing assets (NPAs) declining, and credit flows increasing across industries. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 played a crucial role in addressing the NPAs, and has redefined the debtor-creditor relationship.

The survey says that the deterrent effect of the Code has led to a significant shift in debtor behaviour, and thousands of debtors are resolving distress in the early stages of distress.

The Reserve Bank of India’s monetary policy stance has focused on controlling inflation while ensuring liquidity in the financial system.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows showed signs of revival in FY2024-25, although net inflows remained subdued due to capital repatriation and tighter global liquidity conditions. Meanwhile, foreign portfolio investments (FPI) remained volatile, reflecting global market trends.

The survey also notes the growth in insurance industry and expansion of India’s pension system, which has become more inclusive, though there is scope for further improvement in retirement savings and financial security.

External Sector Performance: Trade and Investment

India’s external sector has shown resilience despite global challenges. The balance of payments remains stable, with foreign exchange reserves standing at USD 640.3 billion as of December 2024. India’s forex reserves are sufficient to cover 90 per cent of external debt and provide an import cover of more than ten months.

The survey highlights the government’s efforts to enhance ease of doing business for exporters, including streamlined trade facilitation measures and expanded market access.

India’s export growth was driven by services and high-value manufacturing, though challenges remain in the textile and agriculture sectors, which have been impacted by fluctuating global demand.

The survey also discusses the increasing role of bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, which are expected to diversify export markets and reduce dependency on traditional trade partners. Additionally, geopolitical risks and trade restrictions in developed markets pose potential challenges that policymakers must address in the coming years.

The report states that India must continue reducing trade costs and improving facilitation to boost export competitiveness.

Inflation and Price Stability

Inflation remained largely under control, although fluctuations in food and fuel prices necessitated policy interventions. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation hovered around 5%, with food inflation being a primary driver. The CPI dropped by 0.9 percentage points between FY24 and FY25 (April-December), largely driven by decline in core services inflation.

India’s food inflation rate has remained firm, primarily driven by a few food items such as vegetables and pulses. The average food inflation rate in FY25 (April-December) was 6.5 per cent, excluding three most price-sensitive vegetables – Tomato, Onion and Potato.

The government implemented targeted subsidies and price controls to maintain affordability, particularly for essential commodities. The survey acknowledges the impact of extreme weather conditions on food supply chains, which contributed to price volatility. Efforts to modernize agricultural supply chains and enhance storage infrastructure are highlighted as key policy priorities to mitigate future inflationary risks.

Medium-Term Outlook: Deregulation and Structural Reforms

The survey notes that to realise its economic aspirations of becoming Viksit Bharat by the time of the centenary of independence, India needs to achieve a growth rate of around 8 per cent at constant prices, on average, for about a decade or two. It acknowledges that this will be impacted by global environment, both political and economic.

One of the central themes of the survey is the role of deregulation in driving economic growth. The government has taken major steps to simplify regulations, improve business conditions, and encourage private sector participation in economic activities. It adds that deregulation is more critical for MSME growth than large enterprises.

The survey projects that if India continues on this path, the economy could achieve an 8% annual GDP growth rate, helping the country become a USD 6.3 trillion economy by FY30.

The survey adds that India has made significant strides in promoting renewable energy and boosting domestic manufacturing of renewable energy equipment through initiatives such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme.

Importantly, the report notes that promise of shared benefits from a globalised world with open trade, free flow of capital and technology, and sanctity for rules of the game are things of the past. It acknowledges the new reality, to look inwards, adding that the  current tendencies in the rest of the world necessitate that India redoubles its efforts to boost exports and attract investment.

Investment and Infrastructure Development

Infrastructure investment remains a cornerstone of India’s economic strategy. The survey mentions that capital expenditure by the union government on major infrastructure sectors has increased at a trend rate of 38.8 per cent from FY20 to FY24. The National Infrastructure Pipeline now has over 9,766 projects and schemes across 37 sub-sectors. These projects are tracked and reviewed through the integrated India Investment Grid.

The power sector saw significant expansion, with total installed capacity reaching 456.7 GW, and renewable energy contributing 209.4 GW. The survey highlights key developments in transportation and logistics, particularly the expansion of Indian Railways, road networks, and metro systems. Investment in smart cities and urban infrastructure has also increased, with a focus on affordable housing, public transport, and digital connectivity.

The government has also prioritized rural infrastructure, with notable investments in irrigation, electrification, and road connectivity. These initiatives aim to bridge the urban-rural divide and promote balanced regional development.

The survey mentions key infrastructure projects of the government, like Dedicated Freight Corridors, Vande Bharat trains, Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, Bharatmala Pariyojana to develop 34,800 km of National Highways, National High-Speed Corridors, UDAN scheme for air travel, ports and river cruise tourism etc.

Industrial and Manufacturing Sector Reforms

India’s manufacturing sector has shown signs of recovery, although some segments continue to struggle. The industrial sector grew by 6.2 per cent in FY-25 as per first advance estimate of GDP, driven by robust growth in electricity and construction.

The government’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has boosted domestic manufacturing, particularly in electronics, pharmaceuticals, and automotive industries.  The domestic production of electronic goods has increased substantially from ₹1.90 lakh crore in FY15 to ₹9.52 lakh crore in FY24,

The economic survey notes that the country has drastically reduced its dependence on smartphone imports, with 99 per cent now manufactured domestically. PLI scheme has now been introduced in 14 key sectors, not just electronics. The survey highlights the role of MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) in driving employment and economic diversification.

The report highlights reform done in patent and trademark procedures, stating that simplified processes have resulted in increased number of patent filings and trademark registrations.

The report also points out the challenges of supply chain dependencies on China and underscores the need for domestic capacity building in critical industries. Encouraging self-reliance in key sectors is emphasized as a strategic priority.

Services Sector: A Major Growth Engine

The services sector remains a dominant contributor to India’s GDP, driven by IT services, digital platforms, and financial services. Its contribution to the total gross value added (GVA) at current prices has increased from 50.6 per cent in FY14 to about 55 per cent in FY25.

The survey notes that India’s IT exports have continued to expand, despite global economic uncertainties. Business services, including start-ups and fintech, are also growing rapidly, supported by government initiatives and venture capital investments.

Another area of focus is logistics and transport-related services, which are benefiting from improved infrastructure and digitalization. The expansion of e-commerce and digital payment platforms has further strengthened the service economy.

The economic survey notes that the new risks have surfaced in the growth of IT and professional services in view of the recent changes in global policies following key electoral outcomes. It states that that growth in manufacturing has a significant bearing on service sector growth, and vice versa., due to ‘servicification’ of manufacturing, i.e., increasing utilization of services in manufacturing production and post-production value addition.

The survey says that one of the primary conditions for manufacturing and service sector progress is the focus on appropriate skilling of the labour force. It further adds that there is an urgent need to review and amend complicated procedures at the grassroot level, regulations and rules that hinder both manufacturing and services.

Agriculture and Food Management

The agricultural sector continues to play a vital role in India’s economy, with significant improvements in crop production, irrigation coverage, and farmer support initiatives. The Kisan Rin Portal, launched to facilitate agricultural credit, has improved financial access for small and marginal farmers. Additionally, food security programs such as the Public Distribution System (PDS) have been instrumental in reducing hunger and malnutrition.

The survey emphasizes the need for climate-resilient farming practices, as changing weather patterns continue to impact agricultural output. Expanding crop diversification, sustainable irrigation, and advanced technology adoption are highlighted as necessary steps for ensuring long-term food security.

Employment and Skill Development

Employment trends have shown a positive trajectory, with the formal job market expanding significantly. The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) registered over 131 lakh new subscribers in FY24, almost double the figure from FY19. The survey highlights the government’s focus on skilling initiatives, including vocational training and digital literacy programs.

As automation and artificial intelligence reshape the job market, the survey stresses the importance of reskilling and upskilling programs to prepare India’s workforce for future job opportunities. The government’s initiatives in STEM education, startup incubation, and research funding are expected to enhance India’s competitive edge in the global market.

The survey says that farmers need to be nudged away from impairing their soil fertility with an unbalanced application of fertilisers and from producing already overproduced crops, which deplete India’s water resources and use up electricity excessively. It adds that farmers must be allowed to receive price signals from the market unimpeded, and they need to have market mechanisms to hedge their price risks.

Conclusion and Policy Recommendations

The Economic Survey 2024-25 provides a comprehensive roadmap for India’s economic future, emphasizing deregulation, infrastructure investment, financial stability, and innovation-driven growth. The government’s focus on simplifying regulations, expanding digital and physical infrastructure, and strengthening key industries is expected to create a more resilient and competitive economy.

With strong macroeconomic fundamentals, strategic policy interventions, and a youthful workforce, India is well-positioned to sustain its growth momentum and achieve its long-term vision of becoming a USD 6.3 trillion economy by FY30. However, addressing global trade uncertainties, inflationary pressures, and climate-related challenges will be crucial for sustaining long-term economic stability. The survey calls for continued policy reforms and a proactive approach to economic governance, ensuring that India remains a key player in the evolving global economic landscape.

Students at the alma mater of Mamata Banerjee accuse TMC leader Shabbir Ali of obstructing Saraswati Puja, threatening with rape and murder

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Students at the alma mater of Mamata Banerjee accuse TMC leader Shabbir Ali of obstructing Saraswati Puja, threatening with rape and murder

Students studying at the Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Law College in Kolkata have accused a Muslim Trinamool Congress ‘student leader’ of obstructing the Saraswati Puja celebrations at the campus.

According to them, Mohammad Shabbir Ali (the General Secretary of the West Bengal State Trinamool Chhatra Parishad) threatened them with rape and murder if the students of the government-law college dared to perform Saraswati Puja.

They have now filed a complaint with the Charumarket police station. The students have also submitted a complaint to the principal, Pankaj Roy. He has made several allegations against the TMC leader Mohammad Shabbir Ali.

Coincidentally, Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Law College is the alma mater of West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee.

One student informed, “These outsiders are extortionists. They want us not to organise Saraswati Puja. They have abused us with the choicest of expletives and threatened us with assault and rape.”

Another student lamented, “We have the right to organise Puja. Why are they stopping us? We are being told that if we perform Saraswati Puja, they will kill us when we pass through Anwar Shah Road. They are extorting money.”

TMC leader Mohammed Shabbir Ali is also accused of threatening to send men in girl’s hostel if students go ahead with the Puja.

Reportedly, outsiders are not permitted inside the college campus. However, Ali and other TMC goons continue to wreak havoc within the campus. The atmosphere of fear and intimidation is such that the principal himself is afraid to go to the government college.

Principal Pankaj Roy informed, “Last year, I was harassed while entering the college. I have never seen anything like this in my 40 years of teaching.” He hinted at an extortion racket being run by the TMC goons. “Given them money or else you will be in trouble,” Roy added.

The principal informed that the TMC goons initially peddled the rumour that he did not permit organising Saraswati Puja. Pankaj Roy said that he had written about the development to both the State government and the Centre.

‘Hurt dignity of the high office’: Rashtrapati Bhavan slams “unacceptable” remarks by Sonia Gandhi, says President wasn’t tired at any point

ANI
-
0
‘Hurt dignity of the high office’: Rashtrapati Bhavan slams “unacceptable” remarks by Sonia Gandhi, says President wasn’t tired at any point

In response to senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s remarks, the Rashtrapati Bhavan, without mentioning her name called it “unacceptable” and said it “clearly hurt the dignity of the high office.”

The Rashtrapati Bhavan also clarified that President Droupadi Murmu was “not tired at any point”, adding that the President believes speaking up for the marginalized communities, for women and farmers can “never be tiring”.

“While reacting to the media on the Hon’ble President’s Address to the Parliament, some prominent leaders of the Congress party have made comments that clearly hurt the dignity of the high office, and therefore are unacceptable. These leaders have said that the President was getting very tired by the end and she could hardly speak,” the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a statement.

It further said that “it might be the case” that the leaders are not acquainted with idiom and discourse in Indian languages, adding that “in any case, such comments are in poor taste, unfortunate and entirely avoidable.”

“Rashtrapati Bhavan would like to clarify that nothing could be farther from the truth. The President was not tired at any point. Indeed, she has believed that speaking up for marginalized communities, for women and farmers, as she was doing during her address, can never be tiring. The President’s office believes it might be the case that these leaders have not acquainted themselves with the idiom and discourse in Indian languages such as Hindi, and thus formed a wrong impression. In any case, such comments are in poor taste, unfortunate and entirely avoidable,” it added.

This comes after in reaction to President Murmu’s address to the joint session of the Parliament, Sonia Gandhi said, “The President was getting very tired by the end…She could hardly speak, poor thing.”

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders have come heavily on the former Congress chief over her remarks.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju demanded an apology from the Congress party.

“I condemn the comments made by Sonia Gandhi and other opposition leaders. Our President, a tribal woman, is not weak… Droupadi Murmu has worked extensively for the country and society and they cannot even imagine the kind of work she has done… They should apologise to her,” Rijiju said.

President Murmu during her address, said that the government is working for all-round development, adding that the country has only one aim which is to become a Vikshit Bharat (developed India). She also emphasised that the government is working with a “saturation approach” so nobody is left in the journey.

Murmu said, “My government is working with the Saturation Approach, so nobody is left in the journey of Vikshit Bharat…We have only one aim to become Viksit Bharat.”

As the Made in India defence product goes global, the President lauded the government for taking steps towards self-reliance in the defence sector.

“The country has taken several historic steps to protect the country’s borders and ensure internal security…The govt has also taken steps towards self-reliance in the defence sector. From Make in India, we have moved to make for the world,” she said.

After the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla link railway project, President Murmu said that now India will be connected by railway line from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.

“The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project has been completed and now the country will be connected by railway line from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. India’s metro rail network has now crossed the 1000-kilometre milestone. India has the world’s third-largest metro network,” the President stated.

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

‘Elected representatives seeking to change party affiliation must resign and fight elections again’: Kerala HC

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Elected representatives seeking to change party affiliation must resign and fight elections again’: Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court in a recent hearing noted that legislators who seek to change their political affiliation must resign and face people’s mandate again. The observation was made in connection with the assault of a councillor who had changed her political stance, prompting her party members to allegedly abduct her. The court emphasised that democracy allows for political shifts through ballot papers, not violence, and one must resort to violence against an elected representative who had shifted their party allegiance.  

“If an elected representative changes their policy or affiliation, they must resign and face the people’s mandate again. This is the moral side of democracy. Otherwise, it’s a unilateral withdrawal from the people’s bond, an insult to their will. The people can show their will in the next election by supporting or defeating them. This is democracy’s beauty,” the Kerala HC noted.

Kala Raju, an LDF Councillor, was allegedly abducted by her party members on January 18 for voting in favour of the no-confidence motion moved by the UDF. To escape, the present assault case is registered against UDF members by LDF workers as a counter-attack.

The court stated that defeating someone in a democratic setup is through ballot papers, not weapons or vandalism. Both sides are trying to take the law into their own hands instead of approaching the people democratically, it said.

The allegation against the five petitioners is that they assaulted the complainant when she reached the Nagara Sabha Office to attend the no-confidence motion, causing her injuries. They also allegedly pulled her saree and outraged her modesty.

Koothattukulam Nagara Sabha is now governed by the LDF, with a one-seat majority. If Kala Raju votes in favour of the UDF’s motion, the LDF will lose power. This is why she was allegedly abducted by her party workers. The present crime is registered at their instance at Koothattukulam Police Station for offences under Sections 115(2), 126, 74, 76, 189, 191, and 190 of the BNS.

The court ruled that elected representatives must face the people’s verdict in the next election if they change their political affiliation. Physical attacks on such representatives are not allowed. The Court noted that these crimes occurred due to the embarrassment of LDF workers because their Councillor changed her political affiliation. Therefore, the bail application was allowed.

Sonia Gandhi calls President Murmu ‘poor thing’, BJP calls the remark elitist, anti-poor and anti-tribal

ANI
-
0
Sonia Gandhi calls President Murmu ‘poor thing’, BJP calls the remark elitist, anti-poor and anti-tribal

Bharatiya Janata Party has slammed Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi for her remarks calling President Droupadi Murmu “poor thing”. The ruling party at the Centre said that the remarks showed the “elitist, anti-poor and anti-tribal nature of the Congress.”

“I and every BJP Karyakarta strongly condemns the usage of the phrase “poor thing” by Smt. Sonia Gandhi for Honourable President of India, Droupadi Murmu Ji. The deliberate usage of such words shows the elitist, anti-poor and anti-tribal nature of the Congress Party,” JP Nadda, BJP President said in a post on X.

“I demand that the Congress Party unconditionally apologise to the Honourable President and the tribal communities of India,” he added.

While reacting to President Murmu’s address to the joint session of the Parliament, Sonia Gandhi told reporters, “The President was getting very tired by the end…She could hardly speak, poor thing,” Sonia Gandhi told reporters.”

BJP MP Sambit Patra said that President Murmu is neither tired nor bowed down and called Sonia Gandhi’s remarks inappropriate. 

“Sonia Gandhi’s comments were totally inappropriate. She said that during her speech the president was very tired. She called her a poor thing. We want to tell it clearly that the honourable President is not a poor thing. India is a republic and the world’s largest Democracy. The first citizen of this Democracy is a woman who comes from a tribal community. That woman from the tribal community cannot be a poor thing. She is empowered and strong. She has been at the helm of many important positions,” he said. 

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also called for an aplogy from the Congress.

“I condemn the comments made by Sonia Gandhi and other opposition leaders. Our President, a tribal woman, is not weak… Droupadi Murmu has worked extensively for the country and society and they cannot even imagine the kind of work she has done… They should apologise to her,” Rijiju said. 

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “Such an insult of the President was unprecedented. The kind of words Congress MP Sonia Gandhi and his son and LoP Rahul Gandhi used against the President, I cannot even imagine. What else can be expected from them?…”
 
President Murmu’s address kickstarted the Budget Session. Emphasising that the government is working on all-round development, President Murmu said that the country has only one aim which is to become a Vikshit Bharat (developed India) and the government is working with a “saturation approach” so nobody is left in the journey.

Murmu said, “My government is working with the Saturation Approach, so nobody is left in the journey of Vikshit Bharat… We have only one aim to become Viksit Bharat.”

As the Made in India defence product goes global, the President lauded the government for taking steps towards self-reliance in the defence sector.

“The country has taken several historic steps to protect the country’s borders and ensure internal security…. The govt has also taken steps towards self-reliance in the defence sector. From Make in India, we have moved to make for the world…” she said.

After the completion of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla link railway project, President Murmu said that now India will be connected by railway line from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.

“The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project has been completed and now the country will be connected by railway line from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. India’s metro rail network has now crossed the 1000-kilometre milestone. India has the world’s third-largest metro network,” the President stated.


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

‘US invasion of Iraq was based on lies and fabrication, killed and displaced millions’: Tulsi Gabbard in her confirmation hearing. Here is how that lie was told

Aditi
-
0
‘US invasion of Iraq was based on lies and fabrication, killed and displaced millions’: Tulsi Gabbard in her confirmation hearing. Here is how that lie was told

In her opening speech today (January 31) during her confirmation as the National Director of Intelligence in the Trump administration, Tulsi Gabbard launched a scathing attack on the previous democratic government for the US ‘invasion of Iraq’. The former US Senator from Hawaii said that the ‘complete failure of intelligence’ on the part of the Bush administration was responsible for the US-led invasion of the Middle Eastern country.

“For too long, faulty, inadequate or weaponised intelligence has led to many costly failures and the undermining of our national security and God-given freedoms enshrined in the constitution. The most obvious example of one of these failures is our invasion of Iraq based upon a total fabrication or complete failure of intelligence,” Tulsi said.

Gabbard, the first Hindu American to be elected to the House of Representatives, criticised the US attack on Iraq as a ‘disastrous decision’ that resulted in the death of thousands of American soldiers and the emergence of Jihadist groups. “This disastrous decision led to the deaths of tens of thousands of American soldiers, millions of people in the Middle East, mass migration, destabilisation, undermining of the security and stability of our European allies, the rise of ISIS, strengthening of Al-Qaeda and other Islamist-Jihadist groups and strengthening Iran”, she added.

Gabbard, a former Democrat, was nominated by Donald Trump as the Director of National Intelligence, overseeing US intelligence agencies including the CIA and the FBI.

The US narrative of ‘weapons of mass destruction’ and the Iraq war

Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US, the Bush administration announced an all-out attack at the global level against terrorism. The Iraq war was part of the broader campaign against terrorism called the Global War on Terrorism. On March 19, 2003, a US-led coalition of countries including Australia, Denmark, Netherlands, Poland and Britain on Iraq on the pretext of the use of ‘weapons of mass destruction’ by the Saddam Hussein regime against his neighbours and the people of Iraq. The war went on from 2003 to 2011.

The Iraq invasion was not an overnight decision but the culmination of a series of occurrences. The Saddam Hussein regime was accused of violating the Gulf War Settlement between Iraq and the US which included the imposition of a cease-fire, sanctions, reparations and weapons inspections on Iraq. Baghdad had allegedly refused to allow access granted to the US under the Settlement. The CIA sought UN intervention in the violation of the Gulf War Settlement by Iraq by acquisition of ‘weapons of mass destruction’. Failing to receive a mandate from the UN to invade Iraq to ‘disarm’ it, the US-led coalition launched an attack on Baghdad.

Colin Powell and the glass vial

In the events leading up to the ultimate action, one pivotal moment that stood out was when the US Secretary of State Colin Powell made a case for the invasion of Iraq in his speech before the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

The picture of Powell, who famously opposed the US intervention against Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq, holding a vial in his hand in the UNSC became a historic visual. On 5th February 2003, as the US was preparing to invade Iraq, Powell sat before the UNSC explaining how the content of the vial could be anthrax that Iraq for the invasion of Iraq. Powell claimed that the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq was using chemical weapons against its neighbours. “Sadam Hussein has chemical weapons. Saddam Hussein has used such weapons. And Saddam Hussein has no compunction about using them again- against his neighbours, and against his own people, ” Powell claimed before the UNSC. He said that his every statement was backed by ‘solid sources’.

Former Secretary of State, US, Colin Powell holding a vial before the UNSC.

A month after Powell’s speech before the UNSC, the Bush administration ordered strikes over Baghdad. It marked the beginning of a military operation entitled ‘Operation Iraqi Freedom’ that lasted for about a decade in the name of ‘freeing the people of Iraq and saving the world from grave danger’ as claimed by then-US President George W Bush.

Notably, no weapons of mass destruction were found during the UN inspections of more than 70 sites preceding the US invasion. Moreover, the US military also could not find any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Salwan Momika wasn’t given 24×7 protection as Swedish Police doesn’t have enough resources, former police commissioner expresses concern over killing of Quran critic

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Salwan Momika wasn’t given 24×7 protection as Swedish Police doesn’t have enough resources, former police commissioner expresses concern over killing of Quran critic

After the murder of the Iraqi Christian Salwan Momika, who organized a number of Quran burnings in 2023, Sweden’s PM stated that some foreign power might have something to do with the incident. A day after the activist was shot dead, the police arrested 5 individuals in the case. However, they did not reveal whether the shooter was among those detained.

“I can assure you that the security services are deeply involved because there is obviously a risk that there is a connection to a foreign power,” Ulf Kristersson, the Swedish prime minister said while commenting on the matter. The deputy prime minister, Ebba Busch also condemned the murder and said, “It is a threat to our free democracy. It must be met with the full force of our society.”

As per the reports, the deceased was streaming live on TikTok when he was shot. The security services said that while the police are investigating the matter, they are also constantly monitoring the events closely to see what impact it creates on the country’s security.

Notably, it has also come to the fore that the deceased Salwan Momika was living under constant threats in Sweden. In the trial, in which he was charged with inciting against a certain group, he was quoted as saying, “I live under death threats after al-Qaida published a statement threatening me. And the Iraqi state has issued an arrest warrant for me and put me on the red list. The Iraqi and the Taliban government are looking for me.”

Mårten Schultz, a legal commentator commented in the case that Sweden would become an unsafe place to stay if it appeared that alleged religious criticism led to Momika’s death. “If it turns out that it is so, it affects the image of Sweden, it would mean that Sweden can be seen as an unsafe country for people who exercise their freedom and rights. The threat picture against Momika was enormous. It is always tragic when a person is murdered, but it is particularly tragic when someone is because they have exercised their right to freedom of expression,” he said.

His lawyer Anna Roth meanwhile stated that the Swedish police provided protection to Momika only during the trials and when he participated in gatherings, but not otherwise. Former police commissioner Tage Åström backed the lawyer as he stated that the Police do not have the resources to provide personal protection to that extent.

He said that for the police to provide ‘severe’ protection, the threat must be severe. “To get protection to a greater extent, a very concrete threat is required. And if there were a very concrete threat, the person would be moved from their residence. In normal cases, you do not have protection in your home. The police do not have resources to that extent,” he said, who is now the operational manager of a security company.

In October 2023, during the war between the State of Israel and Hamas, activist Salwan Momika expressed his solidarity with the Jewish nation by stepping on the Quran and waving the Israeli flag. He was also seen kissing the Israeli flag and trampling a copy of the Quran with his foot.

On June 28, 2024, the Swedish Police gave the Iraqi refugee permission to burn the Quran at a demonstration outside the largest mosque in Stockholm. The development came ahead of Eid-al-Adha after a Swedish court struck down the police’s ban on Quran-burning demonstrations.

Salwan Momika was charged with inciting ‘ethnic hatred’ through his actions, and on Thursday, a Stockholm Court was set to pass a ruling on the same. The ruling against Momika has now been dismissed as the Court said that he has died. The Quran burnings in Sweden had strained the country’s ties with several Islamic countries, with massive protests in Muslim-majority countries.

Salwan Momika and another man Salwan Najem were charged with “offences of agitation against an ethnic or national group”.

Kinnar Akhara founder expels Mamta Kulkarni, also expels Mahamandaleshwar Laxminarayan Tripathi for inducting her without authorisation

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Kinnar Akhara founder expels Mamta Kulkarni, also expels Mahamandaleshwar Laxminarayan Tripathi for inducting her without authorisation

Days after former Bollywood actor was inducted into Kinnar Akhara and anointed as a Mahamandaleshwar at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, she has been expelled from the Akhara. Mahamandaleshwar Laxminarayan Tripathi, who inducted Kulkarni into the Akhara, has also been removed by Rishi Ajay Das, founder of Kinnar Akhara, for allegedly taking the action without authorization.

A statement issued by Rishi Ajay Das on 30 January 2025 said that he is reliving Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi from the post because he has strayed from the duties. Das added that earlier in 2019, Tripathi had entered into a written contract with the Juna Akhara without his consent. “Contract between Juna Akhara and Kinnar Akhara without the consent and signature of the founder is not legal,” he said.

Talking about Mamata Kulkarni, the Kinnar Akhara founder said that she is accused of treason and associated with film glamour, and she was inducted into the Akhara without following any religious or Akhara traditions. Das said that instead of directing her towards renunciation, she was given the title of Mahamandaleshwar, which is against the interests of Sanatan dharm.

As a result, he was forced to relieve her from the post in the interest of the country, Sanatan and society, Rishi Ajay Das wrote.

He further added that by entering into an illegal contract with Juna Akhara, all the symbols of Kinnar Akhara have also been damaged. “These people are neither following the principles of Juna Akhara, nor the principles of Kinnar Akhara,” he said. Giving an example, he said that at the time of the formation of Kinnar Akhara, it was tradition to wear Vaijanti Mala around the neck, but they t they abandoned it and started wearing the Rudraksha Mala.

“Which is a symbol of renunciation and renunciation is not valid without Mundan Sanskar. In this way, they are cheating the Sanatan Dharma lovers and the society. Hence, it was necessary for me to give all this information in public interest and in the interest of religion through the press conference today,” the Kinnar Akhara founder added in the statement.

Notably, Mamta Kulkarni was anointed as a Mahamandaleshwar in the Kinnar Akhada at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on 24 January. The announcement was made by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, of Kinnar Akhada. It was also announced that the former film star will be known as Shri Yamai Mamta Nandgiri.

As per reports, Mamta performed her “Pind Daan” ritual at Sangam Ghat in Prayagraj to mark her renunciation of worldly ties.

Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi said that Kulkarni has been in touch with Kinnar Akhara and him for the last one and a half years.  He that she was also in contact with Juna Akhara before contacting the Kinnar Akhara. 

Muslim Personal Law discriminatory, violates women rights: Read about ex-Muslim woman Safiya PM’s legal battle for secular inheritance law

Rukma Rathore
-
0
Muslim Personal Law discriminatory, violates women rights: Read about ex-Muslim woman Safiya PM’s legal battle for secular inheritance law

There has been an intriguing development in the Indian judicial landscape that could culminate in fundamental modifications in relation to the personal laws in the country. Safiya PM, a Muslim woman from Kerala, petitioned the Supreme Court and requested that as she is not a believer, the Indian Succession Act should apply to her concerning the matters of inheritance, not the Muslim Personal Law (Sharia Law).

Afterwards, the apex court on 28th January expressed that non-believers and apostates born in other religions should have the same rights if Muslim women who have renounced their faith are permitted to be governed by the Indian Succession Act rather than Muslim Personal Law. The court then ordered the central government to provide an explanation of its stance on the issue within four weeks.

It pointed out the wide-ranging implications of such an amendment in the law, which might determine how religious law applies to people who have rejected the faith they were raised in. The bench was led by Chief Justice Khanna, comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan. The court even stated that “under the Hindu Succession Act, if you convert, your inheritance is taken away, if you convert, you lose your right of inheritance.”

However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta who was representing the Union of India countered that the Hindu Succession Act’s limitations did not affect the ability to inherit through a will, but the Chief Justice responded that there were also instances of joint Hindu family property and intestate successions. The court highlighted, “There are legal provisions that disqualify persons after conversion or renouncing faith in other religions as well. You will have to put your reply on record,” and granted time to the Centre to file its counter affidavit.

It further stated that any change in the law would necessitate revisions to several legal documents and processes, which would have an impact on different religious communities. The Chief Justice also observed that alterations to official forms would need to be taken into consideration if the petition was successful. “Where (in a form) you have to mention your religion, the option not to mention one’s religion must be there or it ought to be waivable,” he added. According to Justice Viswanathan, such a choice can be categorized as a “private right.”

Tushar Mehta admitted to the court’s evaluation of the issue’s broad ramifications and assured that a “well-considered” response would be submitted. He acknowledged that the petition raised an intriguing query and that the central government should be given the opportunity to submit a comprehensive counter-affidavit.

What is inside the petition

Speaking on behalf of Safiya, attorney Prashant Padmanabhan stated that under Muslim Law, his client would only receive a third of her father’s property and she had to care for her brother, who had autism. She had challenged Section 58 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925, which expressly excludes Muslims from its scope, he further revealed. The Chief Justice asked if her father, who was subject to Muslim law, would be barred from leaving her his entire property. Padmanabhan maintained that a person who abandoned her religion shouldn’t be disqualified or disabled in regard to inheritance or other significant civil rights.

He cited the core secularist tenet that “allows each individual the fullest liberty to believe or not to believe and treats all religions on an even platform.” The plea read, “Persons who do not want to be governed by the Muslim Personal Law must be allowed to be governed by the secular law of the country, viz, the Indian Succession Act, 1925 both in the case of intestate and testamentary succession.”

It further pleaded, “The practices under Sharia Law (Muslim Personal Law) are discriminatory towards Muslim women and violate the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution. The reason why the petitioner is not following the tenets of Islam is discriminatory practices of Sharia Law. It will be a failure of justice if the petitioner is to be governed by Sharia law, even if she officially leaves the religion.”

The petition underscored that even if she received a formal certificate from an authority stating that she was not religious or caste-related, she would still have no way to inherit the property due to the legal void. It mentioned, “The petitioner wishes to get a declaration that she shall not be governed by Muslim Personal Law for any of the matters listed in Sections 2 or 3 of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937. There is a clear vacuum in the statute which can be plugged by judicial interpretation.” Padmanabhan contended that this situation constituted a clear infringement on the basic freedom guaranteed by Article 25 of the Constitution to believe (or not believe) in a religion.

Who is ex-Muslim Safiya PM

51-year-old Safiya PM, a native of the Alappuzha district in Kerala, described herself as an “ex-Muslim” and is an activist. She also serves as the Kerala Ex-Muslims’ general secretary. The organization was started by ten individuals and was registered in 2020. However, she was catapulted into the spotlight as she is at the centre of the judicial dispute for the property rights of Muslim women who are now non-believers.

According to her writ petition, she would want to be governed by the Indian Succession Act, 1925 rather than Sharia or Muslim Personal Law as she no longer identifies with the religion. Her request, according to activists, is an important step in the struggle for the fundamental rights of those who want the government to accept their identity choice of “No Religion, No Caste.” According to Safiya, those who abandon their religion are put in a dangerous position because neither secular nor religious laws would protect them if there were no provisions for their inheritance rights. A person who leaves Islam forfeits all inheritance rights in accordance with Sharia Law.

She has been divorced since 2004 and reportedly raised her 25-year-old daughter alone. “I am a single mother who got divorced 20 years ago and my daughter is 25. I relinquished the religion and joined the Ex-Muslims of Kerala movement four years ago. Being born to Muslim parents, my religion was mentioned as Islam in the SSLC book. But that was not my choice. I have given up the religion and my father is not a practicing Muslim,” she conveyed.

“My fight is not just for myself, but for Muslim women who cannot leave all of their property to their daughters. The Muslim Personal Law does not allow me to leave all my property to my daughter. Only 50% of the property can be left to a girl child (under Sharia), while the rest is divided among male relatives,” she voiced and further questioned, “Why should religion have a bearing on a person who renounced faith. It is an issue affecting the lives of all women in the country, but unfortunately no one has expressed willingness to implead in the case.”

Safiya against discriminatory Sharia Law, supports UCC

Safiya disclosed that her 71-year-old father, U A Muhammad, a communist and atheist himself, will not be able to split his property evenly between his children, she and her brother with autism, under Sharia Law. If there are other heirs, a Muslim woman is only allowed to inherit a third of the family’s wealth, according to the Muslim Personal Law. A Muslim woman can only receive 50% of the family inheritance if she is the sole heir and the remaining portion will go to male family members.

“Under the personal law, my father cannot write a will that leaves the property to my brother and me,” she stated and declared, “It is a matter of equality assured under the Constitution. I have only one daughter and as per Sharia law, she is entitled to only 50% of my property. But I want to give my entire property to her. My daughter must inherit my property as per the Indian Succession Act, 1925.”

Safiya also explained her reason behind approaching the highest court and expressed, “The Muslim Personal Law is discriminatory against women and it violates the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution. A person who has relinquished the religion should be governed by the Indian Succession Act in case of inheritance. But, though I have renounced the religion, I am still governed by the Muslim Personal Law, under which a woman will get only half of the share entitled to her male counterpart. My only daughter can inherit just half of my wealth and the rest will go to my brother. This forced me to approach the apex court.”

Safiya voiced that she was not aware of the personal law’s shortcomings until she experienced discrimination because of the same and highlighted, “I am all for a secular UCC (Uniform Civil Code) if it can help solve the issue.” The All India Muslim Personal Law Board is one of the prominent Muslim organizations that has regularly opposed UCC, claiming it is “discriminatory.” These Muslim bodies, outfits and leaders allege that it forbids Muslims from adhering to the principles of Islam, notably its personal law.

According to Safiya, her organization has supported her in the battle. “We are called ‘ex-Muslims’ because we face discrimination from the community if we leave the religion. On the other hand, we also have to deal with the phobia towards Muslims since we were born Muslims.” Her group has acquired support from regular people who have turned away from Islam. She stated that they educate people about patriarchal behavior in Islam and other religions.

“If a religion keeps telling you that you are only half a human being with half the rights, why would you want to follow it,” she asked. More Muslims are registering their marriages under Section 15 of the Special Marriage Act in order to circumvent the discriminatory restrictions of the Muslim inheritance legislation, according to a recent RTI application. She however countered, “Registering marriage under the Special Marriage Act will not help avoid the provisions of the Muslim Personal Law.”

She added, “As per Section 29 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925, the provisions for intestate succession, are not applicable to Muslims. Section 58 of the Act also says the provisions with regard to testamentary succession are not applicable to Muslims. We have submitted a petition before the apex court seeking to declare both these exclusions in Act, as unconstitutional, as it is violative of Articles 14, 15, 19, 21 and 25 of the Constitution.”

Supreme Court issues notices to state and centre

The Supreme Court had consented to look at the broader question of whether Muslims could be covered by a secular law controlling wills and inheritance in April of last year. The bench noted that the Indian Succession Act’s exclusion of Muslims created a number of complications, including serious difficulties for people like Safiya who no longer adhere to the religious law they were reared with.

On 29th April 2024, the Supreme Court sent notice to the union and Kerala governments, agreeing to consider a case seeking a declaration that those who do not choose to be ruled by the Muslim Personal Law shall be permitted to be governed by the nation’s secular law. A bench consisting of former Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra passed a notification and asked Attorney General R Venkataramani to nominate a legal officer who could help the court decide the matter. The bench referred to the case as an “important issue.”

Padmanabhan asserted that the “fundamental postulate of secularism which treats all religions on an even platform and allows to each individual the fullest liberty to believe or not to believe” had already been emphasized by the Supreme Court. A person who abandons her faith should not be disabled or disqualified in terms of inheritance or other significant civil rights, he contended, to truly comprehend what the Supreme Court intended.

There has been discussion of the matter in court before. As the current law expressly excludes Muslims, additional solicitor general (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati, appearing on behalf of the center, contended in October of last year that extending the Indian Succession Act to the community would necessitate legislative action by Parliament.

What does Islamic law say

This development has brought Islamic inheritance law at the center stage. The rules of inheritance for both direct and indirect heirs are spelled forth in detail in Surah Nisa of the Quran. “For men there is a share in what their parents and close relatives leave, and for women there is a share in what their parents and close relatives leave – whether it is little or much. These are obligatory shares,” verse 7 stipulates.

Islam’s universally accepted property distribution laws provide that a daughter receives half of son’s portion. Therefore, if a parent leaves a son a 100-meter plot, the daughter receives only 50-meter or half of the 100-meter land’s worth. Islam states that after marriage, the man is expected to provide for the family’s needs, including housing, food, clothing, and medication, in addition to supporting his wife, his children’s education, and his parents.

If the marriage has children, the wife will receive an eighth of the husband’s property if he passes away before her. If not, she receives a quarter. As long as they are blood relations, paternal uncles, aunts and other relatives also receive a portion. If grandparents are still living, the same applies. If the son dies before them and leaves children behind, each parent receives one-sixth. A challenge arises when a couple has only one or two daughters, as was the case with the Kerala couple.

The Islamic holy book indicates that “if you leave only two or more females, their share is two-thirds of the estate,” meaning that the daughters can only inherit two-thirds of their father’s property. Furthermore, the mother and paternal blood relatives obtain their portion.

The petition has drawn attention to the restrictive character of Muslim Personal Law, which establishes gender inequities in inheritance rights and restricts a Muslim’s ability to will property to one-third of their wealth. It emphasized that Muslims who reject their faith are unable to fully benefit from the provisions of secular testamentary legislation due to the legal void created by Section 58 which governs testamentary succession for all citizens regardless of their religion, except Muslims.

1...569570571...7,655Page 570 of 7,655