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Indian Consulate in Dubai reaches out to woman after her tweet seeking help on social media from domestic violence goes viral

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Indian Consulate in Dubai reaches out to woman after her tweet seeking help on social media from domestic violence goes viral

The Indian Consulate in Dubai has reached out to Indian woman Jasmine Sultana, who had sought help on social media and had accused her husband of domestic violence.

In a video that has gone viral on social media, Sultana had requested authorities to help her get out of the UAE. She had accused her husband, Mohammed Khizar Ullah of domestic violence.


In an unclear video, the woman who identified herself as Jasmine Sultana in the tweet could be seen with swollen eyes and bleeding. She could be heard pleading for help from her parents and one Lubna and one Debu, presumably her relatives. She can be seen crying towards the end of the video.

While other details are not clear from her video, in another tweet, she said she does not want to stay in the UAE with her husband and wants to come back to her home country India.


Jasmine Sultana says that she is from Bangalore, India and currently in Sharjah, UAE. She says she has one 5-year-old child and one 17-month-old child. Various people have tagged authorities in Dubai and in India on Twitter asking them to help her.

Following her appeal for help, the Ministry of External Affairs swung into action and reached out to her.


Indian Consulate in Dubai said that they got in touch with Jasmine and will provide whatever help possible to her. Her husband, whom she had accused of domestic violence, has also been called to the Consulate. Local authorities are already questioning him on the allegations levelled by his wife.

Note: The above report is updated with latest information.

Indian Army’s ‘Sindhu Sudarshan’ exercise: Over 40000 troops, tanks, attack helicopters currently displaying strike power in Rajasthan

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Indian Army’s ‘Sindhu Sudarshan’ exercise: Over 40000 troops, tanks, attack helicopters currently displaying strike power in Rajasthan

The Indian Army is carrying out a major exercise comprising more than 40,000 troops, besides several tanks, artillery guns and attack helicopters near Pakistan border in Barmer district of Rajasthan. The large-scale exercise, named ‘Sindhu Sudarshan’ will continue till December 5.


This is an annual exercise in which the Indian Army tests the ‘battle readiness’ of the Strike Corps. The Army’s field force is grouped into Corps. Some of these are defensively oriented and have, over the years, acquired an unofficial name – ‘Holding’. The others are called, ‘Strike’ Corps. The principal offensive formations of the Indian army are the three Strike Corps – 1 Corps, 2 Corps and 21 Corps.

The Bhopal-based strike 21 Corps, christened as the ‘Sudarshan Chakra Corps’ was formed in July 1990. In this year’s exercise named Sindu Sudarshan-VII, undertaken by the Sudarshan Chakra Corps of the Southern Command, the Army attempts to validate the operational effectiveness and warfare capability of the Indian Army’s 21 Corps, one of service’s three so-called strike corps, in an integrated air, land battle scenario.

“The exercise underscores Indian Army’s resolve to implement the integrated launch of Strike Corps in desert terrain in consonance with its pro-active strategy using Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) along the Western Front,” said an Army officer.


General officer commanding of 21st Core, Lieutenant Yogendra Dimri, will review the exercise on November 15. The finale of this exercise will be at Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer between November 29 and December 4. It will be attended by defence minister Rajnath Singh, the army chief General Bipin Rawat and other senior officers of the Indian Army and IAF.

For the first time, the K-9 Vajras, Indian Army’s self-propelled howitzers, are displaying their firepower in the Sindhu Sudarshan exercise. Apart from K-9 Vajras,  the Advanced Light Helicopters ‘Rudra’ and Pinaka MBRLs will also be demonstrated.

The exercise aims at rapid mobilisation of the Strike Corps and making speedy multiple offensives deep into enemy territory before the enemy has a chance to mobilise its own resources for a counter-attack or for offering a heavy resistance.

“All can be seen, all can be destroyed”, is the Army’s slogan for the exercise.

The tactics being rehearsed in this exercise will allow the Army formations to break through multiple obstacles in a restricted time frame.

The focus of the exercise will be on new and efficient ways of fighting a war in a synergised battlefield. The exercise is likely to see mechanised manoeuvres in an entire spectrum of a new generation of equipment, including major weapon platforms.

As far as the Army is concerned, the exercise will involve the mobilisation of its armoured and mechanized formations, artillery division, air defence elements along with other supporting arms and services, the sources said. The real-time streaming of data, including live video feed from the battlefield to the highest formation headquarters, will also be tested.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra continues to stay in govt accommodation despite removal of SPG cover

OpIndia Staff
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Priyanka Gandhi Vadra continues to stay in govt accommodation despite removal of SPG cover

Two days after the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) took over the charge of security of the Gandhi family, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra continues to live in the government accommodation at Lodhi Estate. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, a private citizen, was allotted Type IV bungalow in February 1997 on recommendation of the SPG, home ministry and cabinet secretariat. With SPG cover gone, she is yet to vacate her government accommodation, considering she does not hold any public office.

The SPG cover provided to Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi her children Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was withdrawn and replaced by CRPF on Monday. The CRPF personnel reviewed the arrangements. They are currently being assisted by SPG.


A group of commandos of the special VVIP security unit of the central paramilitary force, armed with Israeli X-95, AK series and MP-5 guns, have been placed at the residence of Rahul Gandhi at Tughlaq Lane. Another team has taken over the security of Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s house in Lodhi Estate.

According to the reports, CRPF commandos took over the security at Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s 10 Janpath residence on Monday. Similarly, a contingent of CRPF force has also been deployed at the residence of Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi for his ‘Z-plus security’ cover.

Read: Here are some facts about Priyanka Gandhi and Robert Vadra’s controversial new home in Shimla

The three leaders were given ‘Z-plus security’ by the Centre after their Special Protection Group (SPG) was removed. Following the withdrawal, the CRPF will also guard the premises of the three members of the Gandhi family besides a security cover an all-India basis.

According to the authorisation approved by the Union Home Ministry, the new CRPF cover provides for an advanced security liaison (ASL) drill for the three VVIPs that will enable the commandos to conduct an advance reconnaissance of the venues and area to be visited by them. The security contingent will also have a dog squad component with them.

Reportedly, the officials of the SPG will be aiding the CRPF in the task for some days. Later on, the CRPF security team will provide the protection independently with assistance from Delhi Police in the national capital and respective state’s police outside Delhi.

The Home Ministry had decided to replace the SPG category status of the Gandhi family with Z-plus security after the intelligence agencies had conducted a detailed review of threat perception of the Gandhis and had advised downgrading of security protection accorded to them from SPG cover to ‘Z-plus security’.

The intelligence agencies had concluded that while evaluating the danger posed to the Gandhis, that their safety would be ensured by replacing the SPG with ‘Z-plus’. The ‘Z plus’ security means the Gandhis will be guarded by around 100 CRPF personnel.

An expert committee from various intelligence agencies put forth their recommendations to the Home Ministry and the Cabinet Secretariat, where the final decision is taken after due consultation with the government. The threat perception to individuals is annually evaluated and a decision is taken based on the appraisal arrangements for security after evaluation.

Pakistan to amend Army Act to allow Kulbhushan Jadhav to appeal against conviction in a civilian court

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan to amend Army Act to allow Kulbhushan Jadhav to appeal against conviction in a civilian court

Media reports have stated that the government of Pakistan is in the process of amending its Army Act in accordance with the decision by the International Court of Justice in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case.

As per reports, the laws will be amended to allow Kulbhushan Jadhav to file an appeal in a civilian court in Pakistan.


As per existing laws under Pakistan’s Army Act, Kulbhushan Jadhav was forbidden from filing an appeal in Pakistan’s civilian courts. However, after the ICJ gave its verdict in India’s favour and stayed the death sentence pronounced for Jadhav, and further allowing consular access to India, the ICJ had asked Pakistan to allow Jadhav to file an appeal in civilian court.

Read: ICJ stays Kulbhushan’s hanging, but a long judicial process to come through

In 2017, the military court of Pakistani Army officers at the Field General Court Martial (FGCM) had charged Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian citizen, of espionage and terrorism and had awarded him the death sentence. The Army Act also allows the judges of such military courts to conduct trials and pass judgements without having any specialisation in law.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) headquartered in The Hague, The Netherlands had in July directed Pakistan to stay Jadhav’s execution and allow him consular access. Based on ICJ’s verdict in a 15-1 decision on July 17, Pakistan had on July 30 sent its first proposal to India but with 2 riders attached. One that Pakistani security personnel will be present during the meeting and second there will be CCTV cameras present in the room.

After the ICJ verdict stayed the execution and allowed India consular access, India had declared that it will now push for shifting Jadhav’s case to a civilian court, to ensure he gets proper legal representation.

After the consular access was finally granted in September, India has stated that Jadhav is under extreme pressure by Pakistan to parrot a false narrative.

Read: Kulbhushan Jadhav under extreme pressure to parrot a false narrative to bolster Pakistan’s untenable claims: MEA after the consular meet

Jadhav, an ex-naval officer, was arbitrarily arrested by Pakistan in 2016 for being an ‘Indian spy’. The Indian government had approached the ICJ over the arbitrary death sentence handed down to Jadhav after a closed-door hearing under a military court Pakistan.

Indians express solidarity with Israel as over 200 rockets fired into Israel after airstrike killed Islamic Jihad leader

OpIndia Staff
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Indians express solidarity with Israel as over 200 rockets fired into Israel after airstrike killed Islamic Jihad leader

The Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza killed Islamic Jihad terrorist Bahaa Abu el-Atta and his wife, triggering a serious escalation as nearly 220 rockets were launched from Gaza Strip into Israel on Tuesday in retaliation.

The surprise attack against the prominent Palestinian Islamic Jihad militant group in the Gaza Strip was executed just before the dawn on Tuesday. Following this, a wave of retaliatory rockets was fired into Israel. In just about two hours since Israel’s airstrike, sirens started sounding in central and southern Israel, indicating incoming rockets from Gaza. According to the Israeli military, about 50 rockets were set off at early Tuesday, with dozens of others fired at Israel later in the day.

The Israel Defense Forces said on Twitter that the barrage of rockets launched at Israel after strikes killed Islamic Jihad terrorist proves exactly why Israel eliminated the terrorist. The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement on Tuesday that Abu el-Atta was the mastermind of many recent attacks against Israel and was a “ticking bomb.”

Israel is equipped with its superior “Iron Dome” aerial defence system that intercepts rockets and bombs launched at it. The defence system blocked dozens of the approximately 220 rockets fired into Israel. In one of the videos that has now gone viral, rockets can be seen exploding on the highway, with two cars miraculously escaping them. Schools and offices across southern Israel were closed.

Soon after the attacks started, Israeli diplomat at the Israeli embassy in India, Maya Kadosh solicited support from Indians on Twitter to spread awareness about the attack on Israel from the Islamic Jihad group in Gaza Strip.


Several Indians on Twitter took cognisance of the request made by Maya Kadosh and extended their support and solidarity to Israel even as it continues to face rocket attacks from Gaza. Standing in solidarity with Israel in this difficult time, people called out the duplicity of Human Rights groups and international bodies’ deafening silence on the attack, who are otherwise proactive in condemning alleged Human Rights violations by Israel.


Even as rockets continue to rain down in Israel, the Israeli defence forces have launched an offence against the terror targets launching rockets into Israel from Gaza.

‘You too get married thrice,’ JSP chief Pawan Kalyan takes a dig at Andhra CM Jaganmohan Reddy over personal remarks

OpIndia Staff
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‘You too get married thrice,’ JSP chief Pawan Kalyan takes a dig at Andhra CM Jaganmohan Reddy over personal remarks

Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan lashed out at Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for making personal comments on his marital life. Asking Reddy to refrain from such ugly political discourse, Kalyan snapped at the CM for dragging his personal life into politics, asking him what problem he has due to his three marriages.

“Every time I criticise, they launch a counter-attack by talking about my three marriages. You too get married, who is stopping you?’ lashed out Pawan Kalyan at the CM.

Addressing the National Education Day celebrations on Monday, Reddy had dragged Pawan Kalyan’s family. “Sir, actor Pawan Kalyan garu. You have three wives, four-five children. What is the medium of instruction of the schools they are studying in,” Reddy had asked.

Offended by this gibe, Kalyan said it was unfortunate that Reddy was resorting to personal attacks for questioning the government. He also wondered as to how the government would introduce English as a medium of instructions in the state government schools without training the teachers.

Referring to Jagan Reddy’s imprisonment in connection with the alleged illegal assets case, the Jana Sena leader wanted to know whether he (Reddy) was jailed because of his three marriages?

Pawan said that he and his party were criticising the policy decisions of the government, and expect only healthy criticism in return.

Clarifying his opposition to English being made the medium of instruction in state government schools, he said, “Nobody is denying that English is a global language. But there should be a proper method behind its implementation.”

This counterblow came a day after the chief minister, criticising the opposition for chiding his decision to introduce English as the medium of instruction in all government schools, invoked Pawan Kalyan’s three marriages.

Meanwhile, YSRCP supporters have been sharing a video of Pawan Kalyan promoting Oakridge International School – where his son studies.

Kerala: Two Bangladeshi nationals suspected in elderly couple’s murder

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala: Two Bangladeshi nationals suspected in elderly couple’s murder

An elderly couple was found brutally murdered in their home allegedly by two Bangladeshi nationals at Venmony in Chengannur on Tuesday.

According to the reports, the deceased elderly couple has been identified as 75-year-old AP Cheriyan and his wife 68-year-old Lillykutty Cheriyan. The local police have now issued a lookout notice for two Bangladeshi men Labilu and Juwel in connection with the murder.

The Venmony police have registered cases against under the IPC 302 – punishment for murder and IPC 394 – voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery.

As per reports, the neighbours discovered the bodies of the two at 7:30 AM on Tuesday and thereafter informed the police. The couple were staying alone as their children are living in the Middle East.

According to the ward member Ajitha Mohan, the couple was introduced to two men identified as Labilu and Juwel by a local contractor. They were hired to clean the couple’s house and to pluck coconuts on Friday and Saturday. The Bangladeshi nationals also offered to work on Sunday but the couple refused as they wanted to go to Church.

As per reports, the workers did not turn up to work on Monday. By Monday afternoon, it started raining heavily. Though the milk supplying woman of the area placed a milk bottle on the sit out of their home on Monday evening at 5 pm, it was seen the same place on Tuesday morning. Hence, it is believed that the couple were murdered before 5 PM in the evening.

Reportedly, the deceased Cheriyan usually used to go for an evening walk with his two neighbouring friends. On Tuesday morning, the two friends reached Cheriyan’s home after they felt something was not right. There they saw that the front door of the house was found locked and windows doors were open.

The two neighbours entered through the back door and found Lillykutty dead on the kitchen floor. According to the police, her face was smashed with a spade. A part of the spade was found next to her body.

The neighbours immediately alerted the police, who later found Cheriyan’s body in a room where spare equipments were kept. He is suspected to have been killed using an iron rod. Though a cupboard was forced open, the police are waiting for the couple’s children to arrive and ascertain if any valuables were stolen.

“Cheriyan and family were in Nagaland and they returned to Venmony around 15 years ago. Their one daughter Bindhu and one son Dipu are in the Middle East with their families. The funeral will be held after they reached here,” said the ward member.

Reportedly, the lock of the almiraha in the home was found broken and clothes scattered all over the rooms. But the police could not confirm the stolen items and they are waiting for the arrival of the children of the deceased. The bodies were shifted to the morgue of Alappuzha Medical College Hospital and it will be handed over to their kin on Wednesday.

Karnataka: Supreme Court upholds disqualification of 17 ‘rebel’ MLAs, allows them to contest elections

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Karnataka: Supreme Court upholds disqualification of 17 ‘rebel’ MLAs, allows them to contest elections

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court has upheld former Karnataka Speaker’s order to disqualify 17 ‘rebel’ Congress and JD(S) MLAs. However, the apex court has allowed them to contest in the upcoming Karnataka by-polls.

According to the reports, the Supreme Court has quashed the order of former Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar, who had disqualified the disqualified MLAs from contesting elections until the term of current assembly term 2023. Fourteen rebel MLAs of the Congress and three of the JDS were disqualified under the anti-defection law by the Speaker in July.

A three-judge Supreme Court Bench of Justices NV Ramana, Sanjiv Khanna, and Krishna Murari delivered the judgement on Wednesday after the bench had reserved orders in the case on October 25.

“We are of the opinion that scope of duty under Article 193 has been discussed, Not making nay observation regarding the merits of disqualification. As such, there is no doubt that disqualification relates to the date when the act takes place. The speaker in the exercise of powers does not have the power to indicate the period for which a person is barred from contesting an election,” the three-judge bench of SC said in its verdict.

Read: Ex Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah threatens of ‘bloodshed’ if any attempts are made to change Constitution

“We uphold the order of speaker of disqualification. But strike out the period of disqualification,” it added.

Reportedly, the Supreme Court further added that once the Speaker is satisfied that the member has tendered resignation freely, speaker bound to accept it. Interestingly, the Supreme Court also observed that there is a growing trend of the Speaker acting against the Constitutional mandate, which leads to citizenry being denied stable governments.

Advocate Sandip Patel, representing the disqualified MLAs said that the Supreme Court has upheld the disqualification. He added that the Supreme Court, however, did not say anything on the resignation of MLAs. “Till rebel MLAs are re-elected, they can’t hold any posts in the government including ministerial berths,” added Patel.

Read: “Give me majority, I will teach Modi how to govern”: Former Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy

Seventeen disqualified Karnataka MLAs belonging to Congress and JD(S) had filed petitions after former Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar had passed an order to disqualify them ahead of the trust vote in July.

The by-polls to 15 out of 17 Karnataka assembly seats, which became vacant following the disqualification of MLAs, are scheduled to be held on December 5.

5% reservations to Muslims to be part of Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress govt in Maharashtra, journalist claims

OpIndia Staff
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5% reservations to Muslims to be part of Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress govt in Maharashtra, journalist claims

As the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress gear up to form an alliance government in Maharashtra, there are several reports suggesting the probable workings of the alliance.

Sudhir Suryavanshi, a senior journalist and political analyst based in Mumbai who was earlier associated with DNA, has claimed that the Sena-NCP-Congress government will bring back the 5% reservations for Muslim as part of the common minimum programme in Maharashtra.


As per the report Suryavanshi shared, apart from the 5% Muslim reservation, other proposals, like waiving farm loan completely, conducting a review of the crop loan scheme, strengthening agriculture produce market committees etc will also be a part of the coalition government’s agenda.

It is notable here that the 5% Muslim reservation was scrapped by the BJP-Sena government when they had assumed power in the state in 2014.

Muslims in Maharashtra are already among the beneficiaries of the OBC reservation and the recently included EWS quota.

NCP chief Ajit Pawar has just stated that talks are being held between party leaders over the proposed alliance with the Sena. He asserted that they will first talk it through with the Congress as they were the alliance partners and both NCP and Congress had a common manifesto. Since Sena had a different manifesto, they will need to discuss on a common programme.


The Sena has been vehemently against many of the NCP-Congress schemes, especially the Muslim quota over the years. It will be interesting to see whether it will now agree to the re-introduction of the 5% quota to quench its thirst for power or will try to stand on its ideological ground.

The report Suryavanshi has shared has quoted NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik as saying the Sena should not have a problem with the 5% Muslim quota as it is no longer a part of the NDA. Malik has further been quoted as saying that the Sena should also drop its demand of the Bharat Ratna for Savarkar if they want to be a part of the alliance government.

After ‘Dalit’ journalist of ThePrint gets blue tick, Muslim editor Shahid Siddiqui too complains to Twitter about religious bias

OpIndia Staff
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After ‘Dalit’ journalist of ThePrint gets blue tick, Muslim editor Shahid Siddiqui too complains to Twitter about religious bias

Twitter, a platform which identifies itself as having left-leaning political ideology, is now being accused by Indian Muslims of having anti-Muslim religious bias. This move comes days after ThePrint journalist Dilip Mondal bullied Twitter into giving him a blue tick after accusing the platform of being casteist.

Journalist and former Member of Parliament, Shahid Siddiqui has accused Twitter of not ‘verifying’ him and giving him a blue tick. Despite mentioning that he does not ‘care’ about such ‘caste system’, he appended ‘#VerifyMuslimActivists’ hashtag.


Soon, he was joined by other Muslim Twitter users who despite being ‘fundamentally against pleading for verification blue tick’ but said that the blue tick is needed because of ‘bias of state’.


Low IQ Congress supporters also joined in in demanding blue tick for Muslims because Jay Shah, BCCI Secretary, has one despite ’10-20 followers’.


Jay Shah is Board of Control for Cricket India Secretary and not just a regular ‘non-Muslim’ and has over 13,000 followers.


Here people are forgetting that there are various prominent Muslim leaders and activists whose Twitter handles are verified. Like Congress leader Ahmed Patel and Salman Khurshid. Various Muslim activists have also been verified by Twitter around the world like freelance protestor Shehla Rashid.

Read: Accusing Twitter of being an agent of ‘Brahmanvad’ shows the hollowness of leftist Dalit activism

Prominent political parties like Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD), which had earlier lent its support to accusing Twitter of casteism also attacked the platform for not ‘verifying’ Muslims.


RJD Youth leader who identifies himself as Lalu Prasad Yadav’s ‘soldier’ also joined in for demanding blue tick for Muslim ‘activists’.

Read: After KRK, another Indian decides to take on Twitter legally for suspending his account

The Muslims on Twitter have threatened that till the time Twitter verifies these accounts, they will spam Twitter with the hashtag.


After being accused of casteism by the Left, Twitter bowed down and gave clarification that the political ideology of their employees does not reflect on the platform which they say is free of bias. At the time of this report, Twitter has not been bullied into giving clarification on allegations of being ‘anti-Muslim’.

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