The terrorist who has been killed in an ongoing operation with security forces in Srinagar district was identified as Junaid Ahmed Bhat. Police said Bhat was involved in civilians killing at Gagangir, Ganderbal and several other terror attacks, in Jammu and Kashmir, police said on Tuesday.
#OPDachigam : In the ongoing operation, one #terrorist is killed and has been identified as Junaid Ahmed Bhat ( LeT, Category A). The said terrorist was involved in civilians killing at Gagangir, Ganderbal and several other terror attacks. (1/2) https://t.co/zWXLOAtVb5
“In the ongoing operation, one #terrorist is killed and has been identified as Junaid Ahmed Bhat ( LeT, Category A),” Kashmir Zone Police said in a latest update in a post on its social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
The said terrorist was involved in civilians killing at Gagangir, Ganderbal and several other terror attacks, they said.
“Operation continues in the upper reaches of Dachigam by J&K Police along with Joint Parties of RR and Security Forces. Further details shall follow,” it added.
In its update the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps said,” OP DACHHIGAM, One terrorist has been neutralised by the security forces in the ongoing Operation at upper reaches of Dachhigam Forest, Srinagar. Search Operation is in progress.”
Police earlier on Tuesday said that joint parties of SFs launched CASO in the upper reaches of Dachigam forest based on specific intelligence input.
On November 23, Baramulla Police, in a joint operation with security forces, busted a terror hideout in the Kunzer area of Baramulla district.
A joint operation was launched in the forests adjoining the village Malwa, under the jurisdiction of Police Station Kunzer, by Baramulla Police, Budgam Police, and 62 RR.
On November 9, based on specific intelligence regarding the presence of terrorists, a joint Operation was launched by the Army and JK Police in the general area of Rajpura, Sopore, Baramulla. Suspicious activity was observed by vigilant troops and on being challenged terrorists opened indiscriminate fire. Troops effectively retaliated. One terrorist was neutralised by the security forces.
On November 6, Security forces eliminated one terrorist in Operation Kaitsan in Bandipora.
On November 2, two terrorists were killed by security forces during an encounter in Anantnag district. The encounter broke out after security forces initiated an anti-terrorist operation in the Halkan Gali area.
On October 29, the security forces neutralised three terrorists in a high-stakes encounter in Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir, following an attack on an Army convoy.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
On Tuesday, 3rd December, a senior Bangladeshi government official claimed that the minority Hindu community was more protected in Bangladesh under the rule of the interim government than they were during the administration of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In an exclusive interview with India Today, Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary of the Muhammad Yunus government, claimed that Indian media was running an “industrial scale misinformation campaign” to spread false narratives about minorities being targeted in Bangladesh.
“Hindus are well protected here. They are more protected than they were during Sheikh Hasina’s regime. What we are witnessing here is an industrial scale misinformation campaign originating from India,” Alam was quoted as saying.
Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government in August this year, the minority community in Bangladesh has been targeted and several temples have been destroyed in the area in a major crackdown on Hindus. OpIndia has recorded several such incidents, the details of which can be read here. Further, the arrest of three Hindu priests has sparked a major controversy with minorities protesting across Bangladesh seeking justice.
Amid this, Alam during the interview confirmed that one of the Hindu temples in the Chittagong region was attacked, and an effort to strike three Iskcon centres in the previous week was executed. He however said that security in the region have been increased. “We are here to establish the human rights of every Bangladeshi irrespective of gender, ethnicity, race, and colour,” Alam further asserted.
However, he alleged that major atrocities against Hindus took place under the rule of Sheikh Hasina the minority community but none of it was reported. “Because it happened in Sheikh Hasina’s time, there is not a single report from any Indian media. There is not a single report from any diaspora group and no one in the British Parliament raised this issue,” he alleged.
Further denying that there was a deliberate crackdown on ISKCON, the official emphasized that the government had dispatched the military to the religious organization’s headquarters for security. “We made sure Hindus could celebrate Durga Puja… Have we banned ISKCON? We sent troops to guard Iskcon temples,” Alam said, referring to Iskcon as a religious organization.
Notably, during a hearing on a petition to ban ISKCON last week, the Bangladeshi attorney general referred to it as a “fundamentalist organization.” However, the court declined to prohibit Iskcon. Days later, the authorities froze the bank accounts of 17 people associated with ISKCON.
The Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which had previously targeted India and the Adani Group, is now under the scanner following the publication of an explosive investigative report by Mediapart.
The French newspaper has revealed on Monday (2nd December) that OCCRP, which poses as an independent, non-partisan organisation, is funded by US government agencies and works to serve their interests.
OCCRP was founded in 2007 in Bosnia’s capital city Sarajevo by a ‘journalist’ named Drew Sullivan in cahoots with the US government. It has spread its ‘network of journalists’ to every continent and has connections to 50 media partners.
Screengrab of the report by OCCRP
The US government-funded NGO prides itself on ensuring the fall of Heads of government in 5-6 countries. The idea of OCCRP was first floated by Drew Sullivan to the Director of USAID (Sarajevo) in 2003.
A year later, the Center for Investigative Reporting (CIN) was opened in Bosnia’s capital city with financing from USAID.
According to Mediapart, the funds were managed by a company owned by Drew Sullivan named Journalism Development Group (JDG). Fast forward to 2006, he quit CIN to start OCCRP with another founder named Paul Radu.
Funding sources of OCCRP
In the following year, OCCRP received $3,46,000 from the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF). Drew Sullivan and Paul Radu need more money to operate and hence approached an US army officer named David Hodgkinson.
In 2007, he was the director in the US State Department’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. Hodgkinson used his influence to get OCCRP funds from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of US State Department.
In May 2008, the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project received $1.7 million from USAID after INL was found to have no competence in media activites.
As of today, David Hodgkinson works in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). It gives a fair idea of the influence of the US government and deep State on the ‘independent’ OCCRP.
According to Mediapart, OCCRP has received at least $47 million from the US government, $14 million from European countries (Britiain, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Slovakia and France) and $1.1 million from the European Union since its inception.
The French newspaper, in its explosive piece, revealed that government funding accounted for 70% of the annual budget of OCCRP between 2014 and 2023. 52% of the funds were provided by the US government alone.
It must be mentioned that Drew Sullivan did not land USAID funding out of thin air. 7 years prior to establishing OCCRP, he had visited Sarajevo to train Bosnian journalists as part of a programme funded by the US government agency.
Sullivan had also worked on the US Space shuttle programme and spy satellite shuttles. According to Mediapart, he had a top-secret security clearance.
How OCCRP tries to hide its ties to US government
In its report, Mediapart noted, “While the OCCRP presents itself as being totally independent, its management have placed it in a position of structural dependence upon the US government.”
It stated that the NGO also withholds/ conceals the extent of funding by the USAID and State Department from the public, media partners and journalists.
“The US government financing is never mentioned in OCCRP-produced articles…OCCRP appears uncomfortable about the scale of US funding, as the amounts are not published on the NGO’s website,” the French newspaper added.
It further highlighted, “The OCCRP has omitted from its official history the role played by the US government in its creation, only mentioning the funding by the UN…OCCRP has never publicly disclosed the role of the INL and David Hodgkinson in its financing.”
OCCRP co-founder Drew Sullivan has acknowledged that his independent ‘network of journalists’ could not have been created without funding from US government agencies.
In order to keep the illusion of its ‘independence and non-partisanship’ alive, it removed the phrase ‘OCCRP is made possible by’ and the logo of USAID from the homepage.
According to Mediapart, it is essential for all organisations to prominently acknowledge financial support from USAID.
However, OCCRP has been allowed a ‘partial branding waiver’ that allows it to not follow the usual process of acknowledgement.
Influence on reporting by OCCRP
The US State Department and USAID exerts influence on the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project through its financing.
USAID can veto the appoinment of ‘key personnel’ in OCCRP. It also has a ‘cooperative agreement’ and a ‘substantial involvement clause’ with the NGO, which claims to be ‘independent.’
According to Mediapart, USAID uses OCCRP reports to trigger judicial probes and sanction procedures. OCCRP cannot investigate the US government and is directed to probe foreign governments hostile to American interests.
These unfortunate countries include Russia, Venezuela, Malta and Cyprus. Mediapart noted, “Not only is the US government largely untargeted by OCCRP reporting, but it also manages to orientate the NGO’s coverage by providing funds which the OCCRP has an obligation to use on reports that focus on designated countries.”
Drew Sullivan has himself conceded that one cannot report against a country with their own money. “We couldn’t use US government or Soros money for US stories,” he said in an email to OCCRP journalists in 2023.
It became evident when Sullivan did not pay heed to allegations of corruption scandal by US-based companies such as Microsoft and Bechtel.
The lack of independence and involvement of the US government in OCCRP had forced prominent US journalist Lowell Bergmann to resign from the Board.
It is interesting to note that OCCRP is bound by law to comply with the US Foreign Assistance Act, pertaining to aid money received abroad to advance US economic interests and foreign policy.
How OCCRP targets foreign govts at the behest of US agencies
OpIndia had previously reported how USAID, which funds OCCRP, had been at the helm of ‘regime change’ operation in India’s neighbouring country of Bangladesh.
Given the extent of financing by the US government, OCCRP is bound to conduct investigations in countries that are considered top priority by the former.
The US State Department has doled out funds specifically to target foreign nations. Mediapart found that it donated $2.2 million to OCCRP between 2015 and 2019 for a hitjob titled ‘Balancing the Russian Media Sphere.’
Again, OCCRP received $1.7 million for another mission titled ‘Strengthening Investigative Journalism in Eurasia’, targeting China, Russia and central Asia. The project ran between 2019 and 2023.
According to the directives of the US government, the NGO created a database of assets that are controlled by Russian politicians globally.
The US State Department also financed $1,73,324 to OCCRP to ‘uncover corruption’ in Venezuela, whose President is a staunch enemy of the United States.
In 2013, the US State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs gave $2,00,156 to the ‘independent organisation’ to expose drug cartels in Mexico.
Countries such as Malta and Cyprus were also targeted, with donations to the tune of $2.3 million from the US State Department, between 2022 and 2024.
Reports by OCCRP were then used to actively mobilise law enforcement authorities through the Global Anti-Corruption Consortium (GACC).
Mediapart states in its investigative report –
“The GACC has two missions. One of them is to prompt, on the basis of reports published by the OCCRP, and together with the actions of the local offices of Transparency International, present in 65 countries, the opening of judicial investigations into corruption, as well as sanctions procedures and the mobilisation of civil society.The second is to lobby states to toughen their anti-corruption and anti-money laundering legislation.“
GACC has been instrumental in furthering American interests through OCCRP and ‘Transparency International’ that former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed to increase its funding.
It thus makes sense why Senior adviser with USAID’s Europe and Eurasia Office, Mike Henning, had dubbed OCCRP as ‘one of the best achievements’ made by the US govt agency.
OCCRP has ties to George Soros’ OSF
In August last year, OpIndia had revealed that OCCRP is funded by the likes of George Soros’ Open Society Foundations (OSF), the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Brothers Foundation.
OSF even gave a grant of $8,00,000 (~ ₹6.61 crores) to the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project for ‘strengthening’ the organisation’s cross-border reporting and increasing the wider impact.
Opindia also analysed the 2019 annual report [pdf] of OCCRP, which made it clear that the funds provided by George Soros’ Open Society Foundations were being used for establishing ties of the Global Anti-Corruption Consortium (GACC) to civil society across various countries.
OSF’s funding to OCCRP
Page 24 of the report stated, “In the next year, the GACC will go farther to advance legal action and build ties with civil society partners at the global and local levels, growing its reach and impact.”
“We are grateful to our partners who have supported this unique partnership: the governments of Argentina, Australia, Denmark, Norway, and the United States and the Open Society Foundations,“ it further added.
This is in line with the textbook approach adopted by George Soros and his Open Society Foundations to influence civil society and ‘distort’ public perspectives across different nations.
OCCRP published hit piece on the Adani Group
In August 2023, OpIndia had predicted that the OCCRP was planning a shakedown of India’s financial markets, following the footsteps of US-based short seller ‘Hindenburg Research’.
The ‘network of journalists’ published two hit pieces so far – one in August 2023 and another in May 2024. The baseless claims were junked by the Adani Group and also by the Mauritius-based fund ‘360 One.’
Even the Supreme Court of India had ruled that the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) report could not be used to cast doubt on the ongoing probe by SEBI.
It stated that reliance on a third-party organisation report without any verification cannot be relied on as proof.
The revelations made by Mediapart come at a time when Gautam Adani is being hounded in the US over dubious allegations of bribery.
On 2nd December (local time), Canada’s national broadcaster, Radio Canada, claimed that agents of the Indian government interfered in Conservative candidate Patrick Brown’s 2022 Conservative Party leadership campaign. It suggested that Indian consular officials pressured Brown’s supporters to withdraw their backing. Notably, the report relied on unnamed sources and cited Baaz News Organisation as a named source. Baaz is a pro-Khalistani platform known for its controversial reporting on India-related issues.
In December 2023, Baaz News Organisation claimed that Indian consular officials intervened in the 2022 Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) leadership race to undermine the candidacy of Brown. The organisation claimed that Indian consulates lobbied a Member of Parliament to withdraw support for Brown and barred him from attending Indian diaspora events.
The organisation further claimed that Brown’s policy positions, such as support for Sikh farmers and criticism of Indian government policies, led Indian officials to consider him a foe rather than the friend he had been regarded as previously. Similar allegations were made by Radio Canada in its report, suggesting that Brown’s support for farmer protests and the Indian government’s serious concerns about his attendance at a vigil organised by the Sikh community following the death of Waris Punjab De founder and pro-Khalistani actor-turned-leader Deep Sidhu were linked.
Both Baaz and Radio Canada, in their reports, claimed that their actions of Brown were tied to broader accusations of election interference by India, citing claims from CSIS and other sources.
Baaz’s reporting is known for its anti-India bias. It has frequently published reports targeting the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On the other hand, Radio Canada granted anonymity to its sources and heavily framed its narrative around divisive diaspora issues, fuelling distrust in India-Canada relations.
Interestingly, Baaz claimed Indian influence in supporting CPC leader Pierre Poilievre, citing ties to organisations such as the Canada India Foundation and the Canada-India Global Forum. According to Radio Canada, Poilievre’s office denied any knowledge of such interference by Indian agents. Citing sources, Radio Canada further claimed that it was Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner who was “pressured” by Indian agents—a claim Garner categorically denied. Baaz mentioned, “At least one Member of Parliament was visited by representatives of an Indian Consulate in Canada urging them to pull their support,” but did not name anyone. Radio Canada claimed it was Garner, but she called these claims “ridiculous.”
Baaz has a history of anti-India stance
Notably, Baaz News Organisation has a long history of maintaining an anti-India and pro-Khalistan stance. The organisation repeatedly shares fake news and disinformation about India, leading to the social media accounts of both the organisation and its founder, Jaskaran Sandhu, being withheld in India. Baaz’s account was specifically withheld for spreading misinformation during the crackdown on the pro-Khalistani preacher and now Member of Parliament, Amritpal Singh. The platform has also provided a voice to Jas Oberoi, a Canada-based columnist known for his anti-Hindu and anti-India rhetoric.
Source: X
Jaskaran, co-founder of Baaz News, frequently posts anti-Hindu content on social media. In December 2023, when there was public outrage over racist comments directed at a Shri Hanuman idol in Brampton, Jaskaran published a lengthy post filled with Hindu hatred and an anti-India tone. In this post, he openly accused the Indian government of killing minorities, including Christians, Muslims, and Sikhs. He wrote, “Rightfully critiquing Hindu Nationalism and the Indian government (which targets and kills minorities in India like Christians, Muslims and Sikhs), is very different than making fun of a religion.” He also included a derogatory cow urine remark that was entirely unnecessary. He wrote, “Sikhs know, for example, cow urine and dung have no special powers. Sikhs know superstitions must be cast aside.”
Source: X
In the same post, he used a screenshot of a news report claiming that India destroyed a Jesus statue. The context, however, was omitted—it was never mentioned that the statue in question was illegal, having been constructed on encroached land.
In October 2022, Jaskaran whined on social media after the Government of India asked Twitter to censor Baaz News posts about the Khalistan referendum. He claimed it was a “blatant attack on press freedom and an attack on independent Sikh and Punjabi media.”
Source: X
In May 2021, Baaz News published a report authored by one Sandeep Singh, accusing OpIndia of targeting minorities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The basis of the report was an article published by OpIndia that discussed whether travellers from the United Kingdom to Punjab had any role in spreading the UK variant of COVID-19. OpIndia’s report was merely a discussion without any conclusive data. However, Baaz News got triggered and claimed to have talked to “two” travellers who suggested they went through screening before boarding in the UK and after landing in India.
Baaz News Organisation has shown a clear bias with its strong anti-Hindu and anti-India stance. Its pro-Khalistani agenda and frequent spreading of misinformation make it hard to trust as a news source. By leaving out important details and making baseless allegations, Baaz pushes a narrative aimed at creating division. Jaskaran Sandhu’s posts, filled with hateful comments against Hindus and unnecessary insults, show the platform’s focus on attacking India rather than promoting fair discussion. Baaz uses its platform to spread negativity and distrust, harming already soured India-Canada relations and raising concerns about its journalistic ethics.
In a major development, the All Tripura Hotel & Restaurant Owners’ Association (ATHROA) resolved on Monday (2nd December) to ban serving guests from Bangladesh. The Association took this decision in the wake of the disrespect for the Indian flag and atrocities against minority Hindus by Bangladeshi Islamists.
ATHROA general secretary Saikat Bandyopadhyay said that this decision was taken at an emergency meeting on Monday. “We are a secular country and have respect for all religions. Our national flag has been desecrated and minorities are facing oppression by a section of fundamentalists in Bangladesh. Earlier too such incidents used to take place but now it has crossed the limit. The prevailing situation in Bangladesh is really worrisome. We serve the people who are coming to Tripura for various purposes. We condemn the treatment meted out to minorities in Bangladesh,” he said.
Thousands of people gathered in Tripura’s capital Agartala on Monday to protest ISKCON leader Chinmoy Prabhu’s arrest in Bangladesh on sedition charges.
Earlier, the ILS Super Speciality Hospital in Agartala announced that it would no longer provide treatment to Bangladeshi nationals. This decision comes amid growing protests from various nationalist organizations in the state, which have been fueled by recent attacks against minority Hindus in Bangladesh.
The hospital, which had previously been a key healthcare provider for patients from across the border, has suspended its services for Bangladeshi citizens following a meeting of its executive committee yesterday. ILS Hospital has been a popular destination for medical treatment, with around 100 patients from Bangladesh crossing the Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Agartala each month. This follows a decision by the JN Ray Hospital in Kolkata to stop treating patients from Bangladesh.
Tanuj Saha, the manager of the ILS Super Speciality Hospital confirmed the decision in an exclusive conversation, stating that the hospital had faced increasing pressure from protesters demanding a halt to foreign patients’ access, in light of the escalating violence against minorities in Bangladesh. Saha explained that the hospital’s administration, in consultation with local authorities, took the step to ensure the safety and well-being of both patients and staff. The protests have seen participation from various nationalist groups, who argue that the influx of foreign nationals for medical treatment is inappropriate amidst the current political and social climate.
A controversial video of former CEO of Microsoft Bill Gates is making rounds on social media in which he can be seen calling India a ‘kind of laboratory to try things’. In an exclusive podcast with Reid Hoffman, Gates indicated that Indians are Guinea Pigs for him and that when things market well in India, they can be taken to other countries.
“India is an example of a country where there’s plenty of things that are difficult there – the health, nutrition, education is improving, and they are stable enough and generating their own government revenue enough that it’s very likely that 20 years from now people will be dramatically better off and it’s kind of a laboratory to try things that then when you prove them out in India, you can take to other places,” Gates said.
“And so our biggest non-US office for the Foundation is in India, and the most number of pilot roll-out things we’re doing anywhere in the world are with partners in India. If you go there and have never been, this is a chaotic place and you are not used to so many levels of income on the street at the same time. But you will get a sense of the vibrancy,” he added.
The video has been shared by several people on social media criticizing Bill Gates for his comments about India. One of the users shared the video and said that Gates had managed everyone from the Government to opposition parties to the media in the country. “His office operates here without FCRA, and our education system has made him a hero! I don’t know when we will wake up!” he added addressing all the Indian users.
India is a laboratory, and we Indians are Guinea Pigs for Bill Gates
This person has managed everyone from the Government to opposition parties to the media
His office operates here without FCRA, and our education system has made him a hero!
Another user shared the same video and said, “It’s disturbing how easily they access our governance and policies, while openly treating us as guinea pigs.”
"It's a kind of laboratory to try things. When proven in India, they can then be taken to other places." — Bill Gates on India.
In 2009, the American NGO PATH (Program for Appropriate Technology in Health), in collaboration with the ICMR, conducted clinical trials of a cervical… pic.twitter.com/66aFVrxCiM
Meanwhile, another user said that it was time for Indians to show who we actually are rather than complaining about such experiments that are conducted on the civilians of the country in the name of authorized projects. “Little fault lies with the people who do such things. The fault lies within us. Who are we? Some obscure African tribe that anyone can come and conduct experiments on us? Why don’t we act like a big country we often claim we are? Instead of complaining, we should introspect and change our attitude,” the user stated.
Further, one of the users also stated that this was Gates’ eventual tactic and that he has been practicing the same for years. “Seeing many videos on Bill Gates during covid times and how he predicted a pandemic years ago plus the way he manipulates people’s minds in the name of philanthropy behind his foundation, he seems to be an evil guy and the world needs to become aware of this,” the user said.
“Very sad! Such incidents highlight the urgent need for stringent ethical standards and holding individuals and organizations accountable to protect vulnerable communities in public health initiatives,” another one added. One user also called his comment a ‘Colonial hangover’.
It is important to note that in 2007, the healthcare charity Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), funded by the US-based Bill and Melina Gates Foundation, provided vaccines to around 24,000 tribal girls in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat after receiving approval from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The vaccines were part of ‘clinical trials’ to develop a cure for cervical cancer. However, it resulted in adverse health conditions for the girls and deaths in some of the cases.
The project later faced significant scrutiny and criticism due to major execution flaws, including the absence of the patient’s proper consent, the inclusion of vulnerable and tribal populations in the study cohort, and safety concerns following the death of several girls after vaccination. Investigations revealed that serious adverse events were not adequately monitored and the trial subject’s consent was improperly obtained, with several instances of missing signatures or thumbprints on consent forms.
A parliamentary panel also accused PATH of violating local regulations during trials involving Indian girls and questioned the ICMR for approving the project. PATH’s activities were criticized as commercially motivated campaigns designed to promote vaccine manufacturers and secure a foothold in the Indian market. Similar concerns regarding PATH’s practices were also raised in Peru, Uganda, and Vietnam.
On 3rd December, Allahabad High Court’s bench of Justices Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Prashant Kumar declined to hear a plea from Alt News ‘fact-checker’ and Islamist Mohammed Zubair seeking protection from arrest in a case launched by supporters of Yati Narsinghanand who is the priest of Dasna Devi Temple in Ghaziabad. The bench ordered the case to be referred to another bench. The bench recused itself within 20 minutes of the hearing.
The official looking into the case told the court during the last hearing that Zubair’s First Information Report (FIR) included the charge of damaging India’s sovereignty, unity and integrity under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The FIR was registered in response to a complaint made by supporters of Yati Narsinghanand, regarding a tweet Zubair posted on X (formerly Twitter). The Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati Foundation’s general secretary, Udita Tyagi, submitted the complaint that led to the official complaint.
According to Tyagi, Zubair posted an old video clip of Narsinghanand on 3rd October with the intention of inciting violence against him. The accusation further alleged that Zubair provoked extremist views against the priest by posting manipulated video of his allegedly controversial remarks about Prophet Muhammad.
She lodged a complaint accusing Asaduddin Owaisi, Arshad Madani and Zubair of instigating violent protests at Dasna Devi Mandi. Sections 196 (inciting animosity on religious grounds), 228 (creating false evidence), 299 (inciting religious sentiments by disparaging religion or religious beliefs), 356(3) (defamation), and 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of the BNS were then invoked by the Ghaziabad Police to charge Zubair. The offense under Section 152 of the BNS was later added as well.
Afterward, Zubair filed a motion against the FIR in the High Court, requesting that he not be arrested. According to the plea, he had highlighted Yati Narsinghanand’s frequent communal slurs and disparaging remarks about women and prominent politicians on X. Zubair claimed that the FIR against him is an ill-intentioned attempt to keep him from disclosing Narsinghanand’s actions.
The High Court was notified last week that Zubair was booked under Section 152 of BNS which criminalises actions that jeopardize India’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity, and the case has been probed with the utmost earnestness and diligence. Zubair contested the use of the BNS’s defamation clause, arguing that uploading his own videos which are already in the public domain to take action against Narsinghanand cannot be considered defamation.
Narsinghanand, who had already been charged with hate speech, allegedly made a statement against Prophet Muhammad in a public speech on 29th September. Zubair referred to the speech as “derogatory and hateful” in a tweet on X. Several first information reports (FIRs) were then lodged against Narsinghanand in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Telangana for fanning communal hatred and hurting religious sentiments. He was taken away by the police, according to his aides, although the Ghaziabad Police denied it. Dasna Devi Temple was then attacked by Muslims. Three were arrested and discovered to be in possession of Aadhaar cards with Hindu names.
In what could be termed as another indicator of how the abrogation of Article 370 has proven to be a game changer for the development of Kashmir, international taxi aggregator service Uber has decided to expand its operations to Shikaras in Kashmir, Asia’s first water transport services on the lines with its similar offerings in European cities like Venice.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha highlighted the role of technology in preserving cultural heritage, stating, “The launch of Uber Shikara in Srinagar demonstrates innovative ways technology can enhance our cultural legacy. This addition for the upcoming tourist season will provide visitors with a seamless opportunity to enjoy the timeless charm of Shikara rides, a signature of J&K’s beauty,” he shared on X (formerly Twitter).
The Shikara, a traditional wooden boat native to Srinagar, is commonly seen on Dal Lake and other water bodies and is extremely popular among visiting tourists to catch the glimpses of surreal scenic vistas it offers. Available in various sizes, it typically seats six passengers with the boatman at the back and serves as a cultural symbol of Kashmir. While some shikaras are still used for fishing and transport, the majority are now dedicated to offering scenic rides for tourists.
Dal Lake, a vast freshwater body and a major tourist attraction, is the second-largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir and is often referred to as the “Jewel of Srinagar.” Beyond its tourism and recreational significance, the lake also supports commercial activities in the region.
Prabhjeet Singh, president of Uber India and South Asia, described Uber Shikara as an effort to merge technology with tradition, boosting accessibility and promoting tourism in the picturesque Kashmir region. “We are proud to create this iconic experience that seamlessly blends modern convenience with the timeless charm of Shikara rides,” Singh said.
In its initial phase, the company introduced seven shikaras, with plans to expand the fleet gradually based on demand. The rides depart from Shikara Ghat No. 16 and run between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., with a maximum capacity of four passengers. Reservations can be made from 12 hours to 15 days prior.
According to an Uber spokesperson, the company does not charge fees from its shikara partners, ensuring the full fare goes directly to them.
The Uber Shikara service presents a win-win situation to both tourists and shikara owners. Just as it enhances travel convenience for tourists and protects them from the vagaries of peak season when finding a shikara could be difficult, it also offers several benefits to shikara owners, the primary among them being the opening up of another income-generating avenue.
Wali Mohammad Bhatt, president of the Shikara Owners Association, noted that Dal Lake hosts approximately 4,000 shikaras and expressed hope that Uber would onboard additional partners in the future.
But many others in Kashmir ascribe such positive developments to the marked decrease in terror activities in the valley following the abrogation of Article 370.
“Tourism is booming like never before because there is a sense of security among tourists visiting Kashmir. Even greater opportunities for locals mean terror outfits find it incredibly difficult to draw fresh blood and brainwash impressionable young minds against New Delhi. This could not have happened without the abrogation of Article 370,” said Mirza, who offered only his first name for fear of being targeted by separatist elements.
Nevertheless, the advent of Uber Shikara in Kashmir is a confluence of technology and tradition, with the new-age mobile application providing another opportunity for shikara owners to make a living and offering convenience to incoming tourists to plan their Dal Lake tour in advance.
On 3rd December Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister of Bangladesh, accused Muhammad Yunus, the leader of the country’s interim government, of mass murders and targeting minorities in the midst of increased turmoil and escalating anti-Hindu violence in the country. She slammed him for the series of attacks on temples, churches and the religious organization Iskcon during a fierce virtual address at an Awami League event in New York.
She directly attributed the unrest, especially the vicious attacks on religious minorities, to Yunus and his associates, including student activists. “Today, I have been accused of mass killings. In reality, it is Muhammad Yunus who is responsible for mass killings through a meticulously designed plan along with the student co-ordinators. They are the masterminds. Even Tarique Rahman (Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader and Khaleda Zia’s son) from London has said that if the deaths continue, then the government won’t last,” she charged.
Hasina had to leave the country in August as her Awami League government collapsed due to widespread anti-quota protests which soon turned into a regime change colour revolution and then devolved into rape and massacre of Hindus and destruction of their temples, homes and properties. “Today, teachers, police are all being attacked and killed. Hindus, Buddhists, Christians are being targeted. Churches and several temples have been attacked. Why are minorities being targeted in Bangladesh now,” she asked.
The violent demonstrations that eventually forced her to leave Bangladesh were also the subject of the accusations. She disclosed that there had been a plot to kill her, akin to the 1975 assassination of her father and founder of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. “There was a plan to assassinate me, just like my father,” she mentioned.
She described how an armed mob encircled Gana Bhavan, her home, with the intention of murdering her and noted, “When people were being killed indiscriminately, I decided I shall leave, I don’t need to be in power. Had security men opened fire, so many would have died at Gana Bhavan. I did not want that. It was a matter of 25-30 minutes, but I told my security not to open fire. I did not want a massacre.”
Her close advisers unveiled that she decided to resign because she wanted to put an end to any further chaos. She stepped down as premier to prevent the violence, which had already taken over 200 lives, from becoming more severe, an aide told the media. Hasina had previously implied that the protests were being orchestrated by outside parties, such as the United States, with the intention of overthrowing her administration.
“I resigned so I did not have to see the procession of dead bodies. They wanted to come to power over the dead bodies of students, but I did not allow it,” she confided in her associates. In an emotional moment, Hasina expressed that she felt that even more people would have died and resources would have been destroyed if she had stayed in power. She urged her supporters to maintain their hope and stated, “If I had remained in the country, more lives would have been lost, more resources would have been destroyed. I made the extremely difficult decision to exit. I became your leader because you chose me, you were my strength.”
“Don’t lose hope. I will return soon. I have lost, but the people of Bangladesh have won, the people for whom my father, my family died,” she declared. Hasina arrived in India on 5th August after escaping from Bangladesh, where she was first granted a short stay. However, since the United Kingdom rejected her asylum request, her stay has been extended.
In Uttar Pradesh, Badaun’s Jama Masjid (mosque) Shamsi vs Neelkanth Mahadev temple was scheduled to be heard by the district court on 3rd December. The case came up amid the controversy surrounding the survey of Sambhal’s Shahi Jama Masjid which the Hindus refer to as Hari Har temple. However, it was postponed to 10th December because the Muslim side’s arguments were not completed. On 30th November, the Intezamia Committee (body that manages mosque) had explained its position.
Hindu activist Mukesh Patel highlighted that the structure has a Lord Shiva temple. The court was scheduled to review if the matter’s merits a hearing. A fast track court has been formed to hear this case. The Muslim side had to put forward its case in the Civil Judge Senior Division Fast Track Court. Afterward, the Hindu side was set to present its argument. The Archaeological Department has declared it to be its property in court after the government’s argument was concluded. Tight security measures were implemented on the court grounds due to the gravity of the situation.
The Hindus assert that Badaun’s Jama Masjid Shamsi was built by demolishing the Neelkanth Mahadev temple which was at the site earlier. On the other hand, the Muslims allege that there is no evidence that the Shamsi Masjid was constructed over a temple and it was built by Sufi ‘saint’ Badshah Shamshuddin Altamash. They claimed that when Altamash came to Badaun, he erected the mosque to worship Allah and there is no evidence of a temple or idol in this mosque. The Muslim side contended that the claims being made about this mosque are false.
“The Jama Masjid in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh has also been targeted. A case was filed in the court in 2022 and its next hearing will be on 3rd December. ASI (which works under the Government of India) and the UP government are also parties to the case. Both governments will have to present their views according to the 1991 Act. Extremist Hindutva organizations can go to any extent, stopping them is very important for the peace and unity of India. The coming generations are being busy digging into ASI instead of studying AI,” AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi posted on X.
बदायूं उत्तर प्रदेश की जामा मस्जिद को भी निशाना बनाया गया है । अदालत में 2022 में केस किया गया था और उसकी अगली सुनवाई 3 दिसंबर को होगी। ASI (जो भारत सरकार के तहत काम करती है) और उ.प्र सरकार भी केस में पार्टी हैं । दोनों सरकारों को 1991 एक्ट के अनुसार अपनी बात रखनी होगी।शर पसंद…
The conflict has led to tensions in the area. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Uttar Pradesh and center governments have been made parties in this case. The Places of Worship Act of 1991 will serve as the foundation for the court case. A case was filed in the court in the year 2022 concerning the matter. Meanwhile, the survey of Sambhal’s mosque on 24th November resulted in violence as Muslim mobs pelted stones on the authorities which led to four deaths as dozens of police personnel received injuries and property was also damaged.
