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Defence scams exclusive to Nehru-Gandhi family: Netizens invoke Bofors scam as SC dismisses Rafale review petitions

OpIndia Staff
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Defence scams exclusive to Nehru-Gandhi family: Netizens invoke Bofors scam as SC dismisses Rafale review petitions

Soon after the Supreme Court dismissed the review petitions filed by Prashant Bhushan, Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha for lack of merit, netizens invoked the Bofors scam to remind Rahul Gandhi, who as then Congress President had based his entire campaign for 2019 general elections on imaginary Rafale scam.


BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya tweeted how Bofors legacy is exclusive to Rahul Gandhi’s family and that PM Modi is incorruptible.


Political survey agency Jan Ki Baat CEO Pradip Bhandari took to Twitter to say how Congress-led Opposition left no stone unturned ahead of elections in a bid to topple the government. However, it didn’t work.


Netizens even asked Rahul Gandhi how come he never invoked Rafale once the 2019 election results were out if Rafale was really a scam and he believed in it.


The then Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, ahead of 2019 elections, in Parliament had said that Bofors had brought down Congress government but Rafale will bring back the Modi government back.


During the run-up to 2019 elections, Congress-led Opposition had trained guns on PM Modi and often repeated the ‘Chowkidar Chor Hai’ jibe which then Congress President Rahul Gandhi had coined. However, the same has backfired.

Read: Papers long buried, questions that were never asked: Was Sonia Gandhi’s Italian family involved in the Bofors scam?

In fact, the Supreme Court today while dismissing contempt petition against Rahul Gandhi for wrongly attributing ‘Chowkidar Chor Hai’ slogan to the apex court also said that he needs to be careful in future.

Family over party? Congress ‘agitation’ against economic slowdown to now include issue of the Gandhis’ SPG cover withdrawal

OpIndia Staff
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Family over party? Congress ‘agitation’ against economic slowdown to now include issue of the Gandhis’ SPG cover withdrawal

As the central government decided to downgrade the security cover for the Gandhi family from SPG cover to ‘Z-plus’ category, the agitated Congress party has now decided to make the issue as one of the main agenda of their ongoing ‘protests’ that were supposed to be over ‘economic slowdown’.

According to the reports, the Congress party has written to the state units to include the issue of removal of SPG security to Gandhi family as one of the mainstays of the protests.

The AICC directive while directing its state units to protest against economic issues, interestingly has included the issue of SPG cover issue of the Gandhis. “In the meanwhile, we have also seen the vindictive action of the BJP government in the withdrawal of SPG cover to our top leaders,” read the directive.

Read: Here are the possible reasons why Rahul, Sonia and Priyanka Gandhi lost their SPG cover

The Congress has reportedly extended the agitation for another 10 days to raise the pitch against the government over the withdrawal of SPG protection to the Gandhi family and economic slowdown among other issues. The agitation, which began on November 5 and was to end on November 15, will now go on till November 25.

Last week, the centre had downgraded the security cover provided to Gandhi Parivar from SPG cover to Z-plus category after the intelligence agencies presented a detailed threat perception.

Reportedly, the non-cooperation of the Gandhi family with the SPG over the years and preventing the smooth functioning of SPG was also one of the reasons for the government to downgrade their security from SPG to a Z-plus category.

The AICC’s formal directive to state units to protest over Centre’s ‘vendetta’ on SPG cover issue means that this issue will take precedence over economic issues during the dharnas and press conferences during the upcoming event.

“The agitation of the Congress party will lay special focus on the high degree of unemployment, unprecedented economic slowdown, spiralling price rise, the collapse of the banking system, farm distress, heavy loss of jobs, the adverse impact of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), among others,” said the directive issued by Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal.

It is notable here that on November 8, workers of Youth Congress had protested outside Home Minister Amit Shah’s residence over the Gandhis’ SPG cover removal.


Earlier, the grand old party had announced that it will hold an all-party protest rally on December 1 at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi on issues of ‘economic slowdown and agrarian crisis’ after failing to put up a protest against the government on two occasions despite announcements. This was the third such ‘protest rally’ announced by Congress since September.

In September, Congress had announced a country-wide agitation from 15th to 25th October on these issues. However, former Congress President Rahul Gandhi was off on vacation at a mysterious foreign location, dampening the ‘protest’ plans of his party.

Read: Congress puts the ‘slow’ in ‘economic slowdown’, protest rally due in October to be held in December

In October, before the last date of planned protests expired, Congress announced fresh dates of protests against ‘economic slowdown’. On 22nd October, the Congress party yet again issued a statement stating that they will protest across the country in the first week of November. Then, the Congress had announced that the protests will be starting from 5th November and continue till 15th November.

Read: 23 days after he left for a Bangkok vacation, Rahul Gandhi leaves for another foreign tour, this time Indonesia: Reports

Earlier, it was announced that Rahul Gandhi will come back from his so-called ‘meditational’ visit abroad to join the protests. But so far, the Gandhi scion is yet to be spotted in public. The party had also announced another round of protests on December 1 at Delhi’s Ramleela Maidan. So far, there are no updates as to whether the December protests will be a continuation of the current ones or it will be started all over again.

SC issues notice to Indira Jaising, Anand Grover over CBI challenging HC order staying coercive action against their NGO for FCRA violations

OpIndia Staff
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SC issues notice to Indira Jaising, Anand Grover over CBI challenging HC order staying coercive action against their NGO for FCRA violations

In July 2019, the Bombay High Court had given temporary relief to lawyers Indira Jaising and her husband Anand Grover in the CBI case against their NGO Lawyers’ Collective. The High Court had held that the CBI cannot take any coercive action against the NGO’s founders – Jaising and Grover. The Supreme Court today issued a notice to NGO Lawyers Collective and its founding members on the plea of CBI challenging the Bombay High Court order.


The Supreme Court, however, refused to stay the Bombay High Court order ordering the CBI not to take any coercive measures against Lawyers Collective NGO or its founding members Indira Jaising and Anand Grover.


Interestingly, the bench comprising CJI Ranjan Gogoi, Justices Aniruddha Bose and Krishna Murari also dismissed the PIL filed by NGO Lawyers’ Voice, observing that since the action has already been taken by the CBI, the petition no longer survived. Lawyers’ Voice had sought criminal action against Grover and Jaising for alleged violation of Foreign Contributions Regulation Act by Lawyers’ Collective.

Read: ‘Vested interests or to gain cheap popularity’: Bar Council slams derogatory tweet by Indira Jaising

In June, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed an FIR against Advocate Anand Grover and NGO Lawyers’ Collective for FCRA violations.

The FIR was filed under sections 120-B, 406, 120, 199 of the Indian Penal Code, 33, 35, 37, 39 of the FCRA, 2010 and other sections of the PC Act, 1988. The FIR also mentions several other office-bearers and functionaries of the NGO and unknown private persons and public servants under IPC sections that deal with forgery, cheating and criminal conspiracy.

Read: The Judiciary is the new ideological battleground which is being exploited by career ‘activists’

The FRCA licence of the NGO was cancelled by the Modi government in 2016 for using foreign funds to achieve political objectives. Indira Jaising also appeared on behalf of one of the petitioners who wanted to desecrate the Sabarimala Temple.

Amethi DM sacked after video of him dragging murder victim’s kin by shirt goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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Amethi DM sacked after video of him dragging murder victim’s kin by shirt goes viral

In the latest development, Amethi DM Prashant Sharma has been sacked after a video of him dragging a murder victim’s kin by his shirt went viral yesterday. Arun Kumar will be the new DM in Amethi.


Sharma had also brazened out his misbehaviour and had called the video ‘edited’.

In a video that went viral yesterday, Prashant Sharma, the DM of Amethi, was seen manhandling a person who was trying to communicate with him over a recent murder case.


In the viral video, DM Sharma was seen first dragging a person by his hand, then by his shirt and literally shoving him, all the while talking to him in a menacing and threatening manner.

The person in the video was reportedly the kin of one Sonu Singh, a local vendor, and the son of a local BJP leader Shivnayak Singh in Amethi’s Visundaspur village under Gauriganj police station who was shot dead by unknown criminals on Tuesday. Yesterday, Singh’s family members and relatives had gathered near the post-mortem location demanding a detailed investigation into the murder case.

On Wednesday, as the agitating crowd gathered outside the post-mortem centre, the DM reportedly told the crowd that there are no countries where crimes do not take place and the administration is not god. When the man in the video, reportedly, a cousin of the victim, tried to tell the DM that a police van was in the vicinity and the crime could have been prevented, the DM dragged the man by his shirt and shoving him before the crowd, asked whether he can see anyone with a gun.

In the viral video, the gathered crowd is seen asking the DM to show a little compassion and not to behave in such a manner. As the video went viral, Amethi MP and Union Minister Smriti Irani tweeted tagging the DM’s official handle and stated, “We are the servants of the public, not the rulers. We should be compassionate and humble.”

However, instead of being ashamed of his behaviour, the DM went ahead to claim that the incident was not what it looked like and the video was edited. He called the viral video a ‘media misrepresentation’.


The DM even got hold of Sunil Singh, the murder victim’s cousin whom he had dragged and shoved in the viral video, and made him say that the viral video was ‘edited’ and the DM has helped the family a lot. Sunil Singh was saying in that video that the DM had listened to him patiently and had promised all possible help. DM Sharma also shared a statement claiming that the video has been ‘edited’ and the allegations against him are false.

Amethi DM’s statement, via Twitter

It is notable here that this is not the first time DM Prashant Sharma has been in the news. Earlier in January this year, The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad HC had issued a non-bailable warrant against DM Sharma for allegedly submitting false information in an affidavit.

As per a report in The Print Hindi, the court had summoned DM Sharma over the false affidavit and had placed him in custody till the end of hearing on that day in January. He was allowed to go after he had submitted a clarification and apology.

Social Media users have expressed anger and outrage over the arrogant behaviour of the DM with a common man and later attempts to brazen out his mistake by calling the video ‘edited’. People have been demanding action against the DM.

Mr Rahul needs to be more careful in future: SC dismisses contempt petition against Rahul Gandhi for ‘Chowkidar Chor Hai’ remark

OpIndia Staff
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Mr Rahul needs to be more careful in future: SC dismisses contempt petition against Rahul Gandhi for ‘Chowkidar Chor Hai’ remark

The Supreme Court today closed the contempt plea filed by BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi against Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi for wrongly attributing the ‘Chowkidar Chor Hai’ slogan against Prime Minister Modi to the apex court in Rafale case.


While dismissing the plea, the apex court said that Rahul Gandhi needs to be more careful in future for attributing remarks to the Supreme Court. In May this year, Gandhi had tendered an unconditional apology for wrongly attributing the slogan to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has also dismissed Rafale review petitions against its 14th December, 2018 judgement upholding the 36 Rafale jets’ deal.

On April 10, while campaigning at a rally, Rahul Gandhi had stated that the Supreme Court order says, “Chowkidar Chor Hai”. This was with reference to SC overruling primary objections raised by the Centre against accepting media reports produced by review petitions. The SC had decided to hear the review petitions on merits.

BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi had filed a contempt plea against the statement on which the SC had issued a notice to Rahul Gandhi. The court had stated that it has never said so. The SC had allowed the admissibility of three documents in their hearing of the review petitions on the Rafale verdict. Rahul, Congress and the supportive ecosystem had propagated the step as a big victory against the NDA government.

Read: Rahul Gandhi upset that senior Congress leaders didn’t shout ‘Chowkidar Chor Hai’ enough, lashes out on them for party’s defeat

Rahul’s unconditional apology had come after much embarrassment to his image and his party as he was made to admit he had said it at ‘the heat of campaigning’.

The Supreme Court had also objected over the affidavit submitted by Rahul Gandhi. CJI Gogoi had stated during a hearing that Rahul admitted wrongly attributing the remark but he stood by it. Later, the SC had also raised an objection regarding Rahul Gandhi’s affidavits. The court had stated that ‘regret’ is not ‘apology’ and had ordered Rahul to submit an unconditional apology.

Rafale case: SC dismisses review petitions by Prashant Bhushan, Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha, says ‘they lack merit’

OpIndia Staff
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Rafale case: SC dismisses review petitions by Prashant Bhushan, Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha, says ‘they lack merit’

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the review petitions against the December 14th judgement of the SC which declined to order a probe into the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets by the Modi government from Dassault Aviation. The review petitions were filed by Advocate Prashant Bhushan, Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha.

Read: Here is a compilation of the lies spread by Rahul Gandhi about the Rafale Deal in the run-up to 2019 Lok Sabha Elections

The 3 Judge Supreme Court bench comprised of CJI Ranjan Gogoi and Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph. The 3 Judge Bench held that the review petitions filed by Prashant Bhushan, Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha lacked merits.

Read: Fact-Check: N Ram is lying in his The Hindu article about the Rafale Deal, here’s how

The Supreme Court had reserved its verdict in May 2019 on the review petitions filed against its December 2018 order that refused to order a probe in the Rafale deal.

The review petitions filed by advocate Prashant Bhushan and former Union Ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie placed reliance on documents leaked by The Hindu and its editor N Ram in order to argue that the Modi Government had suppressed information from the Court regarding the deal to procure 36 Rafale jets. The Court also heard an application for initiating perjury proceedings against officials who had allegedly misled the Court.

Read: The Hindu deliberately distorts MoD document to spread Fake News on the Rafale Deal

It is pertinent to mention here that the documents leaked by The Hindu were cropped and digitally manipulated to conceal evidence that can go against the Rafale case that Modi detractors were trying to build to help Congress and Rahul Gandhi in the run-up to 2019 elections.

Read: The Hindu not only cropped the Rafale dissent note but also had digitally manipulated it

The Supreme Court has held that the plea on charges of perjury against the officials is also not fair.

While this judgement has cast a shadow on the integrity of Rahul Gandhi who furthered this lie repeatedly, it has also indicted The Hindu that published cropped documents in order to further this lie.

SC refers the Sabarimala matter to a larger bench by 3:2 majority, pegged with issues like women entry into Mosques and FGM

OpIndia Staff
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SC refers the Sabarimala matter to a larger bench by 3:2 majority, pegged with issues like women entry into Mosques and FGM

The Supreme Court led by CJI Ranjan Gogoi could not come to a conclusive decision in Sabarimala review petitions and have referred the case to a larger bench by a 3:2 majority.

The Bench to hear the Sabarimala review petitions assembled at 10:30 AM. The review petitions challenged the 2018 verdict that allowed women of menstruating age to enter the Sabarimala temple.

The Supreme Court said that the issue of women’s entry into the Sabarimala temple is not just limited to Sabarimala. It involves the entry of women into Mosques as well. The Supreme Court referenced to larger Bench of issues arising in case of entry of Muslim women into a mosque, female genital mutilation cannot be ruled out.

CJI, justices- Khanvilkar and Malhotra viewed to refer the matter to a larger bench. Justices Chandrachur and Nariman gave dissent view on Sabrimala review pleas. The Supreme Court could not reach a consensus on the review petitions and this, the Sabarimala matter referred to a larger bench by 3:2 J Chandrachud and Nariman dissent Review petitions being kept pending.

The matter has been referred to a larger bench essentially because of the issue of entry of women into Mosques. Issues relating to the conflict between Shirur Math and Dargah to be decided larger Bench including on essential religious practices and other aspects.

Reading out the majority judgment, CJI Gogoi mentioned that issues such as the legality of Female Genital Mutilation in Dawoodi Bohra community, Muslim women mosque entry, right of Parsi women who married outside the community to access towers of silence etc, have been referred to a larger bench. The Sabarimala issue has been tagged along with these other issues and referred to a larger bench. The Supreme Court has decided that Sabarimala review petitions to remain pending until the issue is decided by larger Bench.

Justices Rohinton Nariman and Chandrachud dissented and said that compliance with Supreme Court judgments is not optional.

Justice Nariman, who read out the dissenting opinion, said that the issues of Parsi women and Muslim women were not before the Sabarimala bench and hence the matter could not be tagged with them. The original judgment was based on a bona fide PIL which raised the issue of women being denied entry on the basis of their physiological features, said Justice Nariman.

The Supreme Court had reserved its judgment in the Sabarimala verdict after hearing the review petitions in September this year, challenging the court’s verdict of lifting the ban on women of menstrual age to enter the shrine of Sabarimala-The abode of Lord Ayyappa. The court verdict sparked a series of protest with many asserting that the court cannot interfere in the centuries-old tradition of the Sabarimala temple. There were 65 petitions including 56 review petitions and 4 writ petitions against the judgment passed by the top court.

Controversial Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle faculty accused of religious bias in suicide of IIT Madras student Fathima

OpIndia Staff
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Controversial Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle faculty accused of religious bias in suicide of IIT Madras student Fathima

19-year-old Fathima, a humanities student from IIT Madras, who committed suicide has reportedly left a note on her phone accusing her faculties, one of whom is an advisor to the Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle, of harassing her because she was a Muslim. Fathima, who hailed from Kerala, was pursuing her first-year undergraduate course in the humanities. She was found dead after committing suicide by hanging from a ceiling fan in her hostel room last week.

Fathima Lateef’s death has opened up another controversy after allegations propped up against faculties of the IIT-Madras of harassment, which according to her parents has supposedly led to her suicide. On Tuesday, Abdul Latheef, the father of the deceased, held a press conference and demanded an investigation into his daughter’s death. The father also stated that he had evidence to prove that his daughter had been harassed by the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) where she was studying. He has alleged she was tortured by the faculties because of her being a Muslim.

Abdul said that Fathima spoke to her mother on November 8 when she told her that she would be switching off her phone to prepare for semester examinations. Fathima’s phone continued to be switched off on the next day as well which made her mother contact her daughter’s friends. The family received a call from the hostel warden who informed them of Fathima’s death.

Fathima’s parents alleged that humiliation and caste discrimination by a faculty member had forced their daughter to take the extreme step.

A purported suicide note written by the deceased Fathima on her phone is doing rounds on social media, in which she has blamed three faculties of the IIT-Madras as the reason for ending her life.

The ‘suicide note’ found on Fathima’s phone

One of the note read, “In case of my death. This should be considered as my last non nuncupative statement. I never realised that I would miss my home so much. I abhor this place. How I yearn for my home, to be suspended in the delicious inertia like an inteminable sleep from which I can never be roused. In the case of my death the whole blame will be unremittingly upon Hemachandran Karah and Mr Milind Brahme”.

Read: 25 crimes that prove that the Dalit-Muslim unity is nothing but a farce

In an earlier note, the student had also accused Sudarshan Padmanabhan, an associate professor at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at IIT Madras.

Professor Milind Brahme is the faculty advisor of the controversial Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle of the IIT Madras. Milind Brahme, who holds his PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi teaches Translation Studies or Comparative Studies at IIT Madras.

Ambedkar Periyar Study circle is a notorious group which while identifying itself as ‘group of socially concerned’ students who espouse ‘rational and secular’ thinking. However, APSC and its offshoots in other educational institutes like IIT-Bombay, IIT Delhi and JNU are more commonly known for spewing venom against Prime Minister Modi. The members of the group through social media also spread venom against other communities under the garb of ’empowerment’.


In September 2015, during the Jain festival Paryushan, there was meat ban in parts of the country for the eight days, as a mark of respect to the Jain community. Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle referred to it as ‘Jain appeasement’.


Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle through its social media has issued a statement demanding fair and thorough investigation in Fathima’s death but has mentioned radio silence on alleged involvement of the faculty associated with that study circle.

In fact, even in the note which was issued prior to this, Ambedkar Periyar Study Circle kept mum on harassment unleashed on Fathima allegedly by Brahme.

Interestingly, apart from the note that was allegedly written by Fathima on her mobile phone, no other suicide note has been found by the police. The Police had also said no suicide note was found from Fathima’s room and the preliminary probe indicated that she was concerned about her academic performance.

Reportedly, Umakant Dash, the Professor and Head of HSS Department, said that they were unaware of Fathima’s suicide note. “We are cooperating with the police investigations and the police have not discussed any suicide note. We only get to know information based on what the police are telling us”.

A senior Chennai police officer who is supervising the investigation in the case, speaking to the New Indian Express, stated that they were not aware of the allegations made by the student’s parents. He said no one has access to her phone, indicating the “suicide note” could be fake.

Ram Mandir at Ayodhya: VHP wants HM Amit Shah, CM Yogi on trust, temple as per Nyas model

OpIndia Staff
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Ram Mandir at Ayodhya: VHP wants HM Amit Shah, CM Yogi on trust, temple as per Nyas model

After the Supreme Court of India ruled in favour of the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas to pave the way for building a Ram Temple at the site, the key Hindu organisations involved have already started considering solid steps in the direction.

As per a report in The Hindu, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, one of the Hindu organisations that have been at the forefront of mobilising support for the Ram Temple movement all these years, has expressed that Home Minister Amit Shah and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath be included in the Ram Temple trust that is to be set up by the central government within three month’s times.

The Ramjanmabhoomi Nyas had also stated that UP CM Yogi Adityanath should head the temple trust, not as CM of the state, but as the Mahant of Gorakhpeeth.

VHP spokesperson Sharad Sharma has reportedly also stated that they want the central government’s trust to finalise the design of the grand Ram Temple as per the model prepared by the VHP at the Ram Mandir workshop at Karsevakpuram in Ayodhya, a short distance away from the Ram Janmabhoomi.

Read: Ahead of Ayodhya verdict, VHP to stop stone-carving at Karsevakpuram workshop for the first time in almost thirty years

The Ramjanmabhoomi Nyas has been running a workshop at Ayodhya’s Karsevakpuram since 1990 where craftsmen and workers have been constantly working on the temple structures.

The stone carving work has been continuing uninterrupted since the day te workshop was started. As per reports, it even went on when the RSS and the VHP were banned by the government after the Babri Masjid demolition.

Recently, the Nyas had decided to stop the work at the workshop in anticipation for the Supreme Court verdict. The extensive workshop also houses a big wooden model of the proposed plan for the Ram Mandir at thRamam Janmabhoomi site.

Devotees visiting Ayodhya throng to see the Ram Mandir model kept in the Nyas workshop. Sharma added, “Over these nearly 30 years since the inception of the workshop, we have been taking the design of this temple to people’s homes through various means of communication. Devotees too have taken pictures and videos and spread the word. So, that is the dominant image of a Ram temple in the consciousness of the people”.

He expressed hope that not only the temple trust includes representation from the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, but also considers the temple model prepared by the Nyas as the design for the actual temple at Ram Janmabhoomi.

As per the model prepared at the Nyas workshop in Karsevakpuram, the temple, once built, will be 268 ft long, 140 ft wide and 128 ft high, from the ground to the Shikhara and a total of 212 pillars will be used.

It is notable here that so far, several Hindu organisations, including the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, have stated that UP CM Yogi Adityanath should be there in the temple trust, not only as the CM, but mainly because he is the sitting Peethadheeshwar of Gorakhpeeth, an institution that has been instrumental in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and has millions of devotees all over India, and Nepal.

Read: Three Generations, One Dream: Here’s why Yogi Adityanath considered the Ram Mandir his life’s mission

Yogi Adityanath’s spiritual predecessors, former Mahants of Gorakhpeeth, Mahant Avaidyanath and Mahant Digvijaynath have been the key figures in the decades-long Ram Janmabhoomi movement.

My life, between 22 yards for 24 years: Full text of Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell speech from 2013 at Wankhede Stadium

Ritesh
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My life, between 22 yards for 24 years: Full text of Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell speech from 2013 at Wankhede Stadium

The highest runs scored and century-maker in both Tests and ODIs retired in Mumbai 2013. Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement was a teary one for all the fans around the world. From adults to kids, every cricket fan cried or wept a little for sure, especially at the end of his farewell speech when he said – ‘The memories you have left with me will always be with me forever and ever, especially “Sachin, Sachin” which will reverberate in my ears till I stop breathing.’

Sachin Tendulkar retired after playing 200 tests for India. In the process, he scored over 15,000 test runs and 18,000 ODI runs. His best cricketing moment came in 2011 when India won the World Cup in his hometown, Mumbai.

Here is Sachin Tendulkar’s full farewell speech in text:

All my friends. Settle down let me talk, I will get more and more emotional. My life, between 22 yards for 24 years, it is hard to believe that that wonderful journey has come to an end, but I would like to take this opportunity to thank people who have played an important role in my life. Also, for the first time in my life I am carrying this list, to remember all the names in case I forget someone. I hope you understand. It’s getting a little bit difficult to talk but I will manage.

Father

The most important person in my life and I have missed him a lot since 1999 when he passed away, my father. Without his guidance, I don’t think I would have been standing here in front of you. He gave me freedom at the age of 11 and told me that [I should] chase my dreams, but make sure you do not find shortcuts. The path might be difficult but don’t give up, and I have simply followed his instructions. Above all, he told me to be a nice human being, which I will continue to do and try my best. Every time I have done something special [and] showed my bat, it was [for] my father.

Mother

My mother, I don’t know how she dealt with such a naughty child like me. I was not easy to manage. She must be extremely patient. For a mother, the most important thing is that her child remains safe and healthy and fit. That was what she was most bothered and worried about. She took care of me for the last 24 years that I have played for India, but even before that, she started praying for me the day I started playing cricket. She just prayed and prayed and I think her prayers and blessings have given me the strength to go out and perform, so a big thank you to my mother for all the sacrifices.

Aunt-uncle

In my school days, for four years, I stayed with my uncle and aunt because my school was quite far from my home, and they treated me like their son. My aunt, after having had a hard day’s play, I would be half asleep and she would be feeding me food so I could go again and play tomorrow. I can’t forget these moments. I am like their son and I am glad it has continued to be the same way.

Siblings

My eldest brother, Nitin, and his family have always encouraged me. My eldest brother doesn’t like to talk much, but the one thing he always told me is that whatever you do, I know you will always give it 100% and that I have full faith and confidence in you. His encouragement meant a lot to me. My sister, Savita, and her family was no different. The first cricket bat of my life was presented to me by my sister. It was a Kashmir willow bat. But that is where the journey began. She is one of those many who still continue to fast when I bat, so thank you very much.

Ajit, my brother, now what do I talk about him? I don’t know. We have lived this dream together. He was the one who sacrificed his career for my cricket. He spotted the spark in me. And it all started from the age of 11 when he took me to Archrekar sir, my coach, and from there on my life changed. You will find this hard to believe but even last night he called to discuss my dismissal, knowing that there was a remote chance of batting again, but just the habit we have developed, the rapport we have developed, since my birth, has continued and it will continue. Maybe when I’m not playing cricket we will still be discussing technique.

Various things we agreed upon, my technique, and so many technical things which I didn’t agree with him, we have had arguments and disagreements, but when I look back at all these things in my life, I would have been a lesser cricketer.

Wife-kids & in-laws

The most beautiful thing happened to me in 1990 when I met my wife, Anjali. Those were special years and it has continued and will always continue that way. I know Anjali, being a doctor; there was a wonderful career in front of her. When we decided to have a family, Anjali took the initiative to step back and say that ‘you continue with your cricket and I will take the responsibility of the family’.

Without that, I don’t think I would have been able to play cricket freely and without stress. Thanks for bearing with all my fuss and all my frustrations, and all sorts of rubbish that I have spoken. Thanks for bearing with me and always staying by my side through all the ups and downs. You are the best partnership I’ve had in my life. Then, the two precious diamonds of my life, Sara and Arjun. They have already grown up. My daughter is 16, my son is 14. Time has flown by. I wanted to spend so much time with them on special occasions like their birthdays, their annual days, their sports day, going on holidays, whatever. I have missed out on all those things. Thanks for your understanding. Both of you have been so, so special to me you cannot imagine. I promise you [that] for 14 and 16 years I have not spent enough time with both of you, but the next 16 years or even beyond that, everything is for you.

My in-laws, Anand Mehta and Annabel, both have been so, so supportive [and] loving and caring. I have discussed on various things in life, generally with them, and have taken their advice. You know, it’s so important to have a strong family who is always with you and who is guiding you. Before you start clapping, the most important thing they did was allowing me to marry Anjali, so thank you very much.

Friends

In the last 24 years that I have played for India, I have made new friends, and before that, I have had friends from my childhood. They have all had a terrific contribution. As and when I have called them to come and bowl to me at the nets, they have left their work aside to come and help me. Be it joining me on holidays and having discussions with me on cricket, or how I was a little stressed and wanting to find a solution so I can perform better. All those moments my friends were with me. Even for when I was injured, I would wake up in the morning because I couldn’t sleep and thought that my career was over because of injuries, that is when my friends have woken up at 3 o’clock in the morning to drive with me and make me believe that my career was not over. Life would be incomplete without all those friends. Thanks for being there for me.

Coach

My cricket career started when I was 11. The turning point of my career was when my brother (Ajit) took me to Achrekar sir. I was extremely delighted to see him up in the stands. Normally he sits in front of the television and he watches all the games that I play. When I was 11/12, those were the days when I used to hop back on his scooter and play a couple of practice matches a day. The first half the innings I would be batting at Shivaji Park, the second half, at some other match in Azad Maidan. He would take me all over Mumbai to make sure I got match practice.

On a lighter note, in the last 29 years, sir has never ever said ‘well played’ to me because he thought I would get complacent and I would stop working hard. Maybe he can push his luck and wish me now, well done on my career because there are no more matches, sir, in my life. I will be witnessing cricket, and cricket will always stay in my heart, but you have had an immense contribution to my life, so thank you very much.

Mumbai Cricket

My cricket for Mumbai started right here on this ground, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), which is so dear to me. I remember landing from New Zealand at four o’clock in the morning, and turning up for a game here at eight o’clock just because I wanted to be a part of Mumbai cricket, and not that somebody forced me. That was for the love of Mumbai cricket, and thank you very much. The president is here so thank you very much, along with your team, for taking care of me and looking after my cricket.

BCCI

The dream was obviously to play for India, and that is where my association with BCCI started. BCCI was fantastic, right from my debut they believed in my ability and selecting me into the squad at the age of 16 was a big step, so thanks to all the selectors for having faith in me and the BCCI for giving me the freedom to express myself out in the middle. Things would have been different if you had not been behind me, and I really appreciate your support. Especially when I was injured, you were right with me and making sure that all the treatments were taken care of, and that I got fit and fine and playing [right] back for India.

Team-mates

The journey has been special, the last 24 years, I have played with many senior cricketers, and even before that there were many senior cricketers with whom I watched on television. They inspired me to play cricket and to play in the right way. Thanks to all those senior cricketers, and unfortunately I have not been able to play with them, but I have high regards for all their achievements and all their contributions.

We see it on the mega-screen, Rahul, Laxman, Sourav, and Anil, who is not here, and my team-mates right here in front of me. You are like my family away from home. I have had some wonderful times with you. It is going to be difficult to not be part of the dressing room, sharing those special moments. All the coaches for their guidance, it has been special for me. I know when MS Dhoni presented me the 200th Test match cap on Day One morning. I had a brief message for the team. I would like to repeat that. I just feel that all of us are so, so fortunate and proud to be part of the Indian cricket team and serving the nation.

Read: Interview with Sachin Tendulkar’s mother Rajni Tendulkar: Of his childhood, her life, dreams, the devout family and working women

Knowing all of you guys, I know you will continue to serve the nation in the right spirit and right values. I believe we have been the lucky ones to be chosen by the Almighty to serve this sport. Each generation gets this opportunity to take care of this sport and serve it to the best of our ability. I have full faith in you to continue to serve the nation in the right spirit and to the best of your ability, to bring all the laurels to the country. All the very best.

Physicians

I would be failing in my duties if I did not thank all the doctors, the physios, the trainers, who have put this difficult body together to go back on the field and be able to play. The number of injuries that I have had in my career, I don’t know how you have managed to keep me fit, but without your special efforts, it would never have happened. The doctors have met me at weird hours. I mean I have called them from Mumbai to Chennai, Mumbai to Delhi, I mean wherever. They have just taken the next flight and left their work and families to be with me, which has allowed me to play. So a big thank you to all three of you for keeping me in good shape.

Marketing Managers

My dear friend, late Mark Mascarenhas, my first manager. We, unfortunately, we lost him in a car accident in 2001, but he was such a well-wisher of cricket, my cricket, and especially Indian cricket. He was so passionate. He understood what it takes to represent a nation and gave me all the space to go out and express myself, and never pressurized me to do this ad or promotion or whatever the sponsors demanded. He took care of that and today I miss him, so thank you, Mark, for all your contribution.

My current management team, WSG, for repeating what Mark has done because when I signed the contract I exactly told them what I want from them, and what it requires to represent me. They have done that and respected that.

Someone who has worked closely with me for 14 years is my manager, Vinod Nayudu. He is more like my family and all the sacrifices, spending time away from his family for my work, has been special, so big thank you to his family as well for giving up so much time for my work with Vinod.

Media

In my school days, when I performed well, the media backed me a lot. They continue to do that till this morning. Thank you so much to the media for supporting and appreciating my performances. It surely had a positive effect on me. Thank you so much to all the photographers as well for those wonderfully captured moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life, so a big thank you to all the photographers.

Fans

I know my speech is getting a bit too long (crowd roars with ‘noooo’), but this is the last thing I want to say. I want to thank all the people here who have flown in from various parts of the world and have supported me endlessly, whether I scored a 0 or a 100-plus. Your support was so dear to me and meant a lot to me. Whatever you have done for me.

I know I have met so many guys who have fasted for me, prayed for me, done so much for me. Without that life wouldn’t have been like this for me. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, and also say that time has flown by rather quickly, but the memories you have left with me will always be with me forever and ever, especially “Sachin, Sachin” which will reverberate in my ears till I stop breathing. Thank you very much. If I have missed out on saying something, I hope you understand. Goodbye.

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