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Congress worker, who endorsed language imposition, cries ‘harassment’ after being told to speak Kannada in Karnataka

OpIndia Staff
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Congress worker, who endorsed language imposition, cries ‘harassment’ after being told to speak Kannada in Karnataka

On Sunday (24th November), Congress worker Dhivya Marunthiath took to X (formerly Twitter) to whine about being forced to talk in Kannada in Karnataka.

In a tweet, she alleged that two people onboard the Kaveri Express (which commutes between Chennai and Mysuru) were fighting with her over a ‘reserved seat.’

While Dhivya Marunthiath is not new to stirring up controversies, she claimed that the Railway police did not intervene in her case.

But most importantly, Dhivya Marunthiath alleged that the two passengers aboard the train directed her to speak in Kannada in Karnataka.

“These 2 men starts yelling at Kannada & started abusing in Kannada. They asked us to talk in Kannada. Unnecessarily!” she claimed.

Ironically, Dhivya Marunthiath is a vocal supporter of language imposition. In fact, she endorsed her party leader Mallikarjun Kharge’s heckling of journalists for asking questions in Hindi and English.

“Can you go to Tamil Nadu & ask questions in Hindi?! Learn to ask questions in Kannada when you’re in Karnataka. Kharge Sir Rocked. Reporter Shocked,” she had claimed in August this year.

The Congress party weaponised language politics during the Karnataka Vidhan Sabha elections.

The otherisation of other ethnic groups, Kannada imposition and fear-mongering against outsiders were all part of the grand old party’s election strategy.

However, playing with people’s insecurities seems to have now backfired on Congress party leaders and workers.

Dhivya Marunthiath is the latest victim of language imposition and harassment, a dangerous trend endorsed by her and the Congress party.

Sambhal violence: 4 rioters dead and over 20 policemen injured, Commissioner says police fired only rubber bullets, women were throwing stones from rooftops

OpIndia Staff
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Sambhal violence: 4 rioters dead and over 20 policemen injured, Commissioner says police fired only rubber bullets, women were throwing stones from rooftops

On 24th November, an Islamist mob resorted to violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, when authorities went to Jama Masjid for a court-ordered survey. Around 2,000 Muslims gathered outside the mosque. Reports suggest that Muslims from nearby areas also reached Sambhal and joined the angry mob. When the police asked them to disperse, they began pelting stones and set vehicles ablaze. The police had to resort to tear gas and a lathi charge to control the mob.

Shots were fired by the rioters side at the police, and four of the rioters were reportedly killed in the mayhem. CO Anuj Choudhary, the SP’s PRO, the SP, and 20 other police personnel were reportedly injured in the violence.

Internet suspended, schools closed

Following the violence in the area, Sambhal authorities have suspended internet services for 24 hours. Schools up to the 12th standard will remain closed on 25th November. Furthermore, the authorities have sealed the district until 1st December and issued orders prohibiting anyone from outside from entering the district. Though no curfew has been imposed, the situation resembles a curfew. The police have erected barricades on all three roads leading to the Jama Masjid.

Police did not fire real bullets, only rubber bullets were used, the deaths are due to firing from rioters’ side: Police says

Four mobsters reportedly died during the violence. The families of the deceased have claimed that they died in police firing. However, the Moradabad Commissioner Anjney Kumar Singh issued a statement saying that they were killed by the bullets that were fired in the mayhem by the rioters. Those who have been killed during violence have been identified as 23-year-old Bilal, 50-year-old Romaan, 30-year-old Naeem and 18-year-old Kaif. The commissioner asked if the families accusing police of opening fire at the mob are accepting the fact that their family members were out there pelting stones at the police.

‘Women were pelting stones from rooftops’: Moradabad Commissioner asks why the local Muslims sent their families to create mayhem

Singh also highlighted that women were throwing stones from rooftops. He mentioned that additional forces have been deployed in the area. Two women were seen pelting stones from a rooftop. He appealed to everyone not to engage in violence, as it would ruin their lives, and urged them to contest the matter in court. He clarified that the police were equipped only with riot-control gear, which included rubber bullets as permitted. He further emphasised that the police would not shoot themselves in the foot, pointing out that the SP’s PRO was struck by a bullet and another policeman has got shrapnel wounds.

Speaking to ANI, SP Krishan Kumar Bishnoi said that women were also involved in stone pelting. He assured strict action against the mobsters and said that NSA would be imposed on the persons involved in violence. FIR in the matter has been registered. Investigation is underway to determine if there was any conspiracy involved. He said, “The situation is under control, and additional forces have been deployed. Internet services have been suspended for a day. Some individuals began pelting stones at the police, who then responded in kind. They set a few vehicles on fire and targeted the police. The police dispersed the crowd. While the District Magistrate (DM) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) were patrolling, two women pelted stones at them, and firing was carried out using country-made pistols, injuring a Public Relations Officer (PRO) in the leg. This is highly unfortunate. Strict action will be taken against them under the National Security Act (NSA). An FIR has been registered, and 20–22 police personnel have been injured. The mobile phones of those detained are being checked to determine whether there was any conspiracy involved.”

Speaking to the media, a relative of the deceased rioter Naeem said, “He went out to buy refined oil, saying a curfew might be imposed. He was not out to participate in the violence,” indicating that Naeem may have been possibly aware of the potential for violence that could result in a curfew in the area.

Speaking to media, DGP Prashant Kumar said, “We are closely monitoring everything. Police and administrative officials are on the ground managing the situation. They are patrolling the affected areas. Anti-social elements will soon be identified and strict action will be taken against them. Additional police forces have been deployed near the mosque to ensure law and order. Officials are keeping a close watch on the situation.”

Court-ordered survey at Jama Masjid in Sambhal

On 19th November, a court-mandated survey was conducted at Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. The court ordered the survey in response to a petition filed by Supreme Court Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, and seven co-plaintiffs, asserting that the mosque occupies the site of a temple dedicated to Bhagwan Kalki. The site in question is a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act of 1904. The survey was carried out under the supervision of Advocate Commission. A heavy police force was deployed in the area to ensure the survey proceeded peacefully.

During the survey, however, Muslims living in the area gathered outside the Jama Masjid and raised religious slogans. The District Magistrate of Sambhal confirmed that the survey was completed in around two hours and stated that a report would be submitted to the Civil Court, which will review it on the next date of hearing, 29th November 2024. OpIndia accessed the petition filed by the plaintiffs in the case.

OpIndia’s detailed report on petition filed at the court can be checked here.

UP: Former MP Shahid Siddiqui passes blame on Hindus for violence in Sambhal, says there won’t be any peace if “they search for shivling under every mosque”

OpIndia Staff
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UP: Former MP Shahid Siddiqui passes blame on Hindus for violence in Sambhal, says there won’t be any peace if “they search for shivling under every mosque”

On 24th November, violence erupted in Sambhal after a court-ordered survey at Jama Masjid, as Islamists gathered and started pelting stones at the police. They resorted to arson and clashed with the police present at the scene.

The police had to resort to tear gas and lathi charge to control the Islamist mob. Several vehicles were set ablaze in the area, and stone-pelting continued for hours. Amidst the violence, the Chief Editor of the Urdu daily Nai Duniya and former Member of Parliament, Shahid Siddiqui, blamed Hindus for the violence unleashed by Muslims.

In a social media post, he wrote, “If they search for a shivling under every mosque, then there won’t be any peace in our country and society.”

Controversial past of Shahid Siddiqui

Siddiqui, who is known for his political turnarounds, has a controversial history. In 2021, a video of him surfaced on social media where he boasted that he had given money to every single madarsa in Saharanpur and Muzaffarnagar, presumably from his MPLADS funds. In the viral video, he emphasised how he had helped every single madarsa in Saharanpur. He then said he has given crores of rupees for these institutions.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Shahid Siddiqui inadvertently revealed that Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi had bought the anti-viral drug for her brother Rahul Gandhi, even though he did not require it. He had thanked Priyanka for securing Remdesivir for him after reading his plea for help on X (then Twitter). He also revealed that Priyanka Gandhi did not want him to thank her publicly for it, but he did so anyway because he wanted to express his gratitude towards her. The revelation came at a time when people were being advised not to hoard Remdesivir.

In May 2020, Siddiqui posted a video of a mother and a toddler sitting on a thin rim connecting two compartments of a fast-moving train. He shared the video of the duo with the intention of criticising the government. Siddiqui wrote, “Look at this mother travelling on a goods train with a child. For her, the risk of dying like this is less than dying of hunger in a heartless city.” He further claimed that such a miserable state of a person can only happen in a country like India. The post was later deleted. In reality, the video was from September 2016, and the location was not India but Bangladesh.

Shahid Siddiqui and his political turnarounds

The Editor-in-chief of the Urdu daily Nai Duniya Shahid Siddiqui has had a very interesting political career. In the 24-year of being in politics, he has changed his affiliations repeatedly. Siddiqui, who joined the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) for the second time on June 7, 2021, started his political journey with Congress. He was appointed as the head of the party’s minority cell in 1997. He then joined the Samajwadi Party (SP) in 2002 as its national general secretary.

Siddiqui served in the Rajya Sabha for the Samajwadi Party from 2002 to 2008, but he left the party on July 19, 2008, to join their then arch-rival, Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). He resigned from the SP because he refused to vote in favour of the UPA during the nuclear deal’s trust vote. Siddiqui was, however, dismissed from the BSP on December 14, 2009, after he spoke against Mayawati. Siddiqui was fired just hours after giving an interview to a national English newspaper in which he attempted to portray Mayawati as a dictator.

He then joined the RLD in April 2010, claiming he supported then-RLD head Ajit Singh’s demand for the creation of a state of Harit Pradesh. Siddiqui resigned from the RLD in protest over the party’s partnership with Congress before the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections in 2012. He thenwent back to the Samajwadi Party.

After forming the government in 2012, the Samajwadi Party fired Siddiqui in July of that year for interviewing Narendra Modi, who was then the CM of Gujarat. After his expulsion, Siddiqui cried foul over his removal from the party. He slammed the then SP head Mulayam Singh saying that the latter owed a lot of his popularity to him. He said that when no publication was ready to write in favour of Malayam Singh, it was his Nai Duniya that had written in his support.

Nevertheless, after being ousted from the SP, it is believed that Siddiqui stayed away from politics for a while, until, one fine day, he announced his support to Aam Aadmi Party. He claimed he was not joining the party but had extended support the party’s campaign. He had urged all Delhites to vote for AAP.

Court ordered survey at Jama Masjid in Sambhal

On 19th November, a court-mandated survey was conducted at Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. The court ordered the survey in response to a petition filed by Supreme Court Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, and seven co-plaintiffs, asserting that the mosque occupies the site of a temple dedicated to Bhagwan Kalki. The mosque in question is a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act of 1904. The survey was carried out under the supervision of Advocate Commission. A heavy police force was deployed in the area to ensure the survey proceeded peacefully.

During the survey, however, Muslims living in the area gathered outside the Jama Masjid and raised religious slogans. The District Magistrate of Sambhal confirmed that the survey was completed in around two hours and stated that a report would be submitted to the Civil Court, which will review it on the next date of hearing, 29th November 2024. OpIndia accessed the petition filed by the plaintiffs in the case.

OpIndia’s detailed report on petition filed at the court can be checked here.

Securities and Exchange Commission in USA has no jurisdiction to summon foreign nationals like Gautam Adani, they should go via proper channels

OpIndia Staff
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Securities and Exchange Commission in USA has no jurisdiction to summon foreign nationals like Gautam Adani, they should go via proper channels

On Wednesday, November 20, a court in New York accused Indian industrialist Gautam Adani, 62, his nephew Sagar, who is director at the group’s renewable energy unit Adani Green Energy Ltd, and 6 other defendants. The New York attorney alleged that the individuals agreed to pay about USD 265 million in bribes to Indian government officials between 2020 and 2024 to obtain lucrative solar energy supply contracts.

They argued that the contracts were obtained on terms that expected to yield USD 2 billion of profit over 20 years, according to an indictment unsealed in a New York court on Wednesday.

The Adani Group has denied all the accusations and said that they will seek all possible legal recourse to clear their name against these accusations.

Notably, US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will have to serve the summons on Adani Group Founder and Chairman Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar in the alleged payoffs through proper diplomatic channels as it has no jurisdiction to summon a foreign national directly.

Even seasoned diplomats like Kanwal Sibal have called out the silliness behind such a move by US SEC to summon Gautam Adani.

SEC wants Adanis to explain themselves over allegations of paying bribes to secure lucrative solar power contracts, but that request will have to follow the established protocol of routing it through the Indian Embassy in the US.

US SEC has no jurisdiction over foreign nationals, and as Gautam Adani is an Indian citizen, they don’t have any jurisdiction over Adani.

These matters between India and USA are covered under the 1965 Hague Convention and the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty. These agreements clearly lay out the established procedure to be followed in such requests.

Earlier, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York, “A five-count criminal indictment was unsealed in federal court charging Gautam Adani, Sagar R. Adani, and Vineet S. Jain, with conspiracies to commit securities and wire fraud and substantive securities fraud for their roles in a multi-billion-dollar scheme to obtain funds from U.S. investors and global financial institutions on the basis of false and misleading statements.”

However, as per the well established law, the US SEC has no jurisdiction over Indian national Gautam Adani, and this seems like just a witch hunt to promote current US establishment’s political interests in India.

White Professors of ‘Islamic studies’ attack Hindu academic for not re-telling Indian history from Muslim perspective

Dibakar Dutta
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White Professors of ‘Islamic studies’ attack Hindu academic for not re-telling Indian history from Muslim perspective

On Saturday (23rd November), Professor Lavanya Vemsani was targeted on social media for not re-telling Indian history from a ‘Muslim perspective.’

The development came hours after the brown-skinned, Hindu, Indian-origin, female academic announced the publication of the 506-page ‘Handbook of Indian History.’

The book, published by Springer, contains 21 chapters on Indian history and includes new groundbreaking research in the particular field.

Professor Lavanya Vemsani, who teaches history at Shawnee State University in the US, has written at least 3 chapters in the book and edited it in its entirety.

Following her announcement on social media, she was attacked by a bunch of white-skinned, foreign academics ‘specialising’ in Islamic Studies.

They attacked the integrity of the Indian-origin Professor for not re-telling Indian history from the perspective of invading Muslim tyrants and instead choosing to make the history of the natives (aka Hindus) – the epicentre of her book.

One Brannon Ingram, who ‘works on Islam in colonial South Asia’, whined about the under-representation of invaders in a book on the native history of India.

“Springer just published a Handbook of Indian History. It doesn’t have a single chapter on Islam or Muslims. The word Islam appears 5 times, the word Muslim 9 times, in a 507 page book. Is this negligence or a Hindutva-zation of South Asian Studies? Either way, it’s outrageous,” he claimed.

Jonathan AC Brown, another ‘white’ Professor of Islamic studies, declared that he would not be using it in his classes at the varsity.

“This is an amazing book if you don’t care about Indian history from 1100-1800 or about 1/4 of its population… so basically if you’re a Hindu nationalist. I will not be using this in my classes,” the Muslim appeasing ‘academic’ brazened out.

Another researcher ‘interested in Islamic studies’, Mufid Yuksel, claimed, “Handbook of Indian History Omits Significant Muslim Narrative.”

At a time when the world is focusing on de-colonisation and bringing native history under the spotlight, some in academia want to preserve the colonisation process (especially the one perpetrated by Muslim invaders).

And that is besides the usual whitewashing of atrocities, cherry-picking of benevolence and rampant distortion in the mainstream history textbooks.

The targeting of Professor Lavanya Vemsani is part of the same modus operandi to intimidate researchers from the scholarship of Indigenous history, not tainted by the influence of mlecchas.

Encroachment on Shri Ram Janaki Temple in Madhya Pradesh: Authorities demolish boundary wall built by land mafia in Gwalior, freed 100-crore worth land

OpIndia Staff
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Encroachment on Shri Ram Janaki Temple in Madhya Pradesh: Authorities demolish boundary wall built by land mafia in Gwalior, freed 100-crore worth land

On 23rd November, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, a joint team comprising the district administration, municipal corporation, and police demolished a boundary wall and other illegal structures erected on a property valued at approximately Rs 100 crores. Reportedly, the encroachment was done by land mafia on land worth 100 crores, belonging to Shri Ram Janaki Temple Trust in Taraganj Kota Lashkar of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.

The encroachers had built boundary walls and other structures there.

The demolition of the illegal structures was ordered after an inspection conducted by District Collector Ruchika Chauhan on 18th November, who found the boundary walls to be illegal as they were erected on the Temple Trust’s land. Directives were issued to register a case against those responsible for the encroachment and initiate a demolition drive to remove it.

Statement by Gwalior’s Collector office

The Collector’s office of Gwalior, under Ruchika Chauhan, confirmed a significant action against encroachment on Shri Ram Janaki Temple Trust’s 8.75 bighas of government land in Taraganj, worth Rs 100 crores. Following her inspection on 18th November, Chauhan directed the registration of a case and removal of the illegal boundary wall built by Manoharlal Bhalla, who intended to sell plots fraudulently.

In a social media post on Facebook, the Collector’s office stated, “The swift action by the administration has not only reclaimed valuable government land but also protected innocent buyers from falling prey to fraudulent activities.” Chauhan further instructed all SDMs to secure temple-related properties and prioritise the removal of encroachments.

Land mafia planned to sell plots

According to media reports, SDM Lashkar Narendra Babu Yadav led the operation. He revealed that a person named Manoharlal Bhalla was behind the construction of the illegal boundary wall and that he planned to sell plots from the encroached land. Yadav said, “The swift action by the district administration not only recovered the valuable government land but also prevented innocent buyers from falling prey to this fraudulent scheme.”

Senior officials, including Tehsildar Gwalior Shivdutt Katare, Nayab Tehsildar Dr Ramashankar Singh, municipal corporation anti-encroachment officer Shakeshav Singh Chauhan, and SHO Vipendra Singh Chauhan, were present at the scene along with regional revenue officials, patwaris, and municipal anti-encroachment staff to ensure the demolition drive ran smoothly. Police were called to maintain law and order.

IPL mega auction: Rishabh Pant becomes league’s most expensive player ever, Lucknow ropes in wicket keeper-batter for Rs 27 crore

ANI
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IPL mega auction: Rishabh Pant becomes league’s most expensive player ever, Lucknow ropes in wicket keeper-batter for Rs 27 crore

Star India wicket keeper-batter Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL), being bought by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a massive Rs 27 crores during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction at Jeddah on Sunday.

He beat compatriot Shreyas Iyer, who had just become the most expensive player in league’s history, going to Punjab Kings (PBKS) for Rs 26.75 crores a few minutes back. He had beat Australia’s Mitchell Starc, who marked his return to IPL after years with a record-breaking bid of Rs 24.75 crores.

Initially, there was a bidding war between LSG and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), with the latter giving up. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) entered the bidding war, trying to bolster their explosive batting attack and Delhi Capitals (DC) tried to use the ‘Right To Match’ card, but they could not match the value LSG put for Pant, breaking the bank for him and going beyond Iyer’s value.

“THE RECORD IS BROKEN AGAIN! WOWZAAA Rishabh Pant goes to @LucknowIPL for INR 27 Crore! #TATAIPLAuction,” posted official IPL X handle.

With this, LSG has finally received a proper top-order batter, wicketkeeper and captaincy option in Pant.

The swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter is an all-format for India and a livewire on the field. Having proven himself as a man for big stages in Test cricket, Pant’s T20 game is just as solid. Though he has scored 1,209 runs in 76 T20Is at an underwhelming average of 23.25, strike rate of almost 128 and just three fifties, his overall T20 numbers are way better, having made 5,022 runs in 202 matches at an average of 31.78, strike rate of over 145, with two centuries and 25 fifties.

Pant has represented Delhi Capitals (DC) for his entire IPL career since 2016, scoring 3,284 runs in 110 matches at an average of 35.31, with a century and 18 fifties. He was appointed as the team’s captain in 2021 and led them to playoffs in the same season.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction from Sunday to Monday is all set to be two of the most intriguing days of this year’s cricketing calendar, with several international stars having entered the auction, records expected to be broken and the possibility of some unexpected crossovers.

A total of 574 players have been shortlisted from an initial pool of 1,574 names. These players will go under the hammer from November 24-25 in Jeddah. The list includes 208 overseas players, 12 uncapped overseas talents, and 318 uncapped Indian players. 

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

Gunman opens fire near Israeli Embassy in Jordan, shot dead; 3 policemen injured

ANI
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Gunman opens fire near Israeli Embassy in Jordan, shot dead; 3 policemen injured

A gunman opened fire near the Israeli Embassy in Jordan early Sunday, state media said, adding that the gunman was killed and three policemen were injured in the incident.

According to Jordanian state news agency Petra the country’s security force Public Security Directorate (PSD) reported that the assailant was neutralized after he attempted to flee the shooting site at Rabieh in Jordan’s capital city. The area is the site for frequent demonstrations against Israel.

Minister of Government Communication and Official Spokesperson Mohammad Momani condemned the assault and emphasized that Jordan’s security and stability remain an “inviolable red line.”

“Any attempt to compromise national security or target our security personnel will be met with absolute resolve and the full extent of the law,” the minister declared, adding that perpetrators would face decisive legal consequences as reported by Jordanian news outlet. The minister said that the assailant had prior criminal records involving drugs.

There is high anti-Israel sentiment in Jordan over Israel’s attack on Gaza that was sparked by the Hamas terror group’s October 7, 2023 onslaught.

Meanwhile, Jordan’s Royal Court Chief Yousef Hassan Al-Issawi on Sunday visited wounded security personnel at the Royal Medical Services hospital and conveying King Abdullah II’s well-wishes to officers injured in the Rabieh shooting incident.

Al-Issawi, representing the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, checked on the condition of four officers who were injured when their patrol came under fire in Rabieh district, Petra news agency reported.

Medical staff briefed Al-Issawi on the officers’ treatment progress and said that all wounded personnel are in stable condition.

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

Sambhal Mosque Survey: Stone pelting and arson by Islamists in Uttar Pradesh, police resort to tear gas and baton charge to bring situation under control

OpIndia Staff
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Sambhal Mosque Survey: Stone pelting and arson by Islamists in Uttar Pradesh, police resort to tear gas and baton charge to bring situation under control

On 24th November, violence erupted in Sambhal after a court-ordered survey at Jama Masjid, as Islamists gathered and started pelting stones at the police. They resorted to arson and clashed with the police present at the scene. The police had to resort to tear gas and baton charge to control the Islamist mob. Several vehicles were set ablaze in the area, and stone pelting continued for hours.

The developments started at around 6:30 AM when a team, including the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, arrived at the mosque to conduct the survey. A mob of around 2,000 Muslims gathered outside the mosque and demanded the survey to be stopped.

When the police tried to intervene, the mob started pelting stones, which forced the authorities to retreat briefly. OpIndia’s sources at the site of the incident told that SDM and PRO of SP sambhal were among the injured as Islamists allegedly attacked the police. Several vehicles belonging to Sambhal police were set ablaze by the Islamist mob. Furthermore, the sources said that Islamists from nearby area also reached Jama Masjid and joined the mob.

Source: OpIndia Hindi

Court-mandated survey of Sambhal Mosque

The survey was being conducted in response to a petition filed by Supreme Court advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, saying that the Jama Masjid was originally a Hindu temple named Hari Har Mandir, dedicated to Bhagwan Kalki. The court ordered a survey of the disputed structure, and a brief survey was conducted on 19th November. The survey on 24th November was intended as an extension to gather more evidence. A report of the same is due by 26th November, and the hearing is scheduled for 29th November.

Source: OpIndia Hindi

Speaking about the incident, Advocate Jain said, “The survey was conducted peacefully from 7:30 to 10 AM, with proper videography and photography. The report will be presented before the court on 29th November. I urge everyone to stay within the bounds of the law and respect the legal process, which can be lengthy.”

BJP and government officials condemn the violence

Speaking about the incident, Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi said, “This is not the era of the Mughal empire. Those who attempt to take the law into their own hands will face strict action.”

“If there are objections to the court’s orders, they should appeal to higher courts. It seems some people lack faith in the Constitution and judiciary, but judicial orders will be upheld,” he added.

Source: OpIndia Hindi

Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Keshav Prasad Maurya, echoed a similar stance and said, “It is the government and police administration’s responsibility to ensure compliance with the court’s orders. Legal action will be taken against those obstructing justice.”

On incident of stone pelting in UP’s Sambhal, former Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam said, “The leaders of Samajwadi party are freaked out after getting defeated in the UP by-polls…they are behind the violence in the Sambhal district…I would like to appeal to the Yogi Adityanath government and UP police to take action against those who are trying to incite violence here…”

Police response and investigation underway in Sambhal

Sambhal SP Krishna Kumar Bishnoi detailing the police action said, “The survey was being conducted peacefully inside the mosque when some individuals from the crowd outside started pelting stones. Despite our attempts to mediate, the mob attacked the police. Tear gas shells were used, and a light baton charge was necessary to disperse the mob. Section 144 has been imposed, and anyone taking the law into their hands will face legal consequences.”

The police have also started identifying culprits using CCTV footage. “We have detained several individuals, and those inciting the crowd will face severe punishment. This will be a lifelong lesson for them,” added Bishnoi.

Source: OpIndia Hindi

Situation under control, says Uttar Pradesh DGP

Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar reassured the public in a video statement, stating, “A survey is being conducted in Sambhal on the court’s orders.”

“Some anti-social elements resorted to stone pelting, but senior officers are present on-site, and the situation is under control. The police will identify the culprits and take appropriate legal action,” he added.

Court ordered survey at Jama Masjid in Sambhal

On 19th November, a court-mandated survey was conducted at Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. The court ordered the survey in response to a petition filed by Supreme Court Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, and seven co-plaintiffs, asserting that the mosque occupies the site of a temple dedicated to Bhagwan Kalki. The mosque in question is a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act of 1904. The survey was carried out under the supervision of Advocate Commission. A heavy police force was deployed in the area to ensure the survey proceeded peacefully.

During the survey, however, Muslims living in the area gathered outside the Jama Masjid and raised religious slogans. The District Magistrate of Sambhal confirmed that the survey was completed in around two hours and stated that a report would be submitted to the Civil Court, which will review it on the next date of hearing, 29th November 2024. OpIndia accessed the petition filed by the plaintiffs in the case.

OpIndia’s detailed report on petition filed at the court can be checked here.

After a setback in Maharashtra during Lok Sabha elections, Mahayuti alliance rebounds in style: BJP-led alliance absolutely destroys the opposition

Anurag
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After a setback in Maharashtra during Lok Sabha elections, Mahayuti alliance rebounds in style: BJP-led alliance absolutely destroys the opposition

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has performed extraordinarily well in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. The BJP contested 149 seats, out of which it secured victory in 132, which equates to 89% hit rate.

Notably, during Lok Sabha elections earlier this year, the BJP-led alliance managed to win only 17 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

With these results, the saffron party overcame the Lok Sabha setback earlier in the year. The assembly elections victory marked a significant comeback for the BJP-led alliance and demonstrated that the BJP’s effective strategies can secure voters’ trust. Together, BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde)-NCP (Ajit Pawar) constitute Mahayuti Alliance in Maharashtra.

Source: ECI

BJP transforms from junior ally to dominant force

The BJP has come a long way in Maharashtra over the past three decades. Notably, it secured only 42 seats in 1990 elections in alliance with Bal Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, and played the role of a junior partner. Three decades down the line, the party has emerged as a dominant force in the state.

Notably, there are 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra. The BJP alone has secured victory in 45% of the seats required for a majority.

In contrast, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, which he claims to be the original Shiv Sena, has been reduced to just 20 seats. The influence of his leadership can be visibly seen as his party has visibly declined in the state, especially after joining hands with the Congress.

If the results are compared to the Lok Sabha elections held just five months ago, the victory becomes even more impressive. During that period, Congress led in 63 Assembly segments, and the BJP managed lead only in 79. In contrast, Congress fell flat in the Assembly elections, securing just 16 seats, while the BJP surged to 132 seats out of 149 it contested. It is evident that the Maharashtra voters have the ability to re-calibrate approach in a short span and perform in an unprecedented way.

Regional performance highlights BJP’s dominance

Mumbai is the traditional bastion of the Shiv Sena. The BJP secured 15 out of 36 seats there, while ally Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction secured six seats. Another ally NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) also secured one seat. The most significant shift was seen among urban voters who rejected Uddhav’s Shiv Sena, Congress, and Sharad Pawar led faction of NCP, and voted for the BJP-led alliance.

Vidarbha, facing challenges such as drought and farmer suicides, saw the BJP secure 39 seats out of 62. Historically, it has been an RSS-BJP stronghold and is home to leaders like Nitin Gadkari and Devendra Fadnavis. Eknath Shinde’s party also secured four seats, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP secured six seats.

In Konkan, the BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena secured 16 seats each, while Ajit Pawar’s NCP secured three. This industrial region, with a significant migrant population, was effectively mobilised by the BJP.

Drought-hit Marathwada also saw the BJP take the lead, securing 19 out of 46 seats. Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena secured 12 seats, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP secured eight. Mahayuti alliance’s strategies, focusing on reservation, water scarcity, and development, resonated with voters during the elections.

In Western Maharashtra, a region traditionally dominated by the NCP due to its control over the cooperative sector, the BJP-led alliance made remarkable inroads, securing 24 out of 58 seats. Shinde’s Shiv Sena won seven seats, and the NCP (Ajit Pawar) on 11 seats. This region, which also boasts a strong sugar industry and IT sector, showed signs of NDA’s expanding influence.

In Northern Maharashtra, the BJP secured 20 out of 47 seats, followed by Shiv Sena (Shinde) with 11 and the NCP (Ajit) with 12. The BJP’s outreach to smaller OBC communities, like Teli and Kunbi, helped consolidate its voter base in this agricultural hub.

Key factors behind NDA’s resurgence

One of the major factors that worked in the NDA’s favour was the “Mazi Ladki Bai” scheme launched by the Shinde government. It provided Rs 1,500 to women from low-income families on a monthly basis. The initiative, inspired by a similar programme in Madhya Pradesh, garnered widespread support from women voters. The scheme reached 2.34 crore women who received Rs 7,500 over a period of five months which turned decisive for the party. Rs 17,000 crore were directly to women beneficiaries under the scheme.

The second and most significant factor was the RSS’s involvement in the election campaign. The RSS is, without a doubt, the backbone of the BJP’s campaigning strategies. Following the Lok Sabha’s questionable performance and reports of strained ties between the RSS and the BJP during the General Elections, it was clear that the two had to come together if the BJP wanted to return to power with a strong upper hand. The RSS reportedly mobilised over 60,000 workers, organised 12,000 meetings across Maharashtra, and ensured the NDA’s promises and agenda reached every voter. The RSS ensured BJP voters turned out at the booths, specifically in constituencies where the BJP’s victory was uncertain.

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, comprising Congress, Sharad Pawar-led NCP, and Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena, failed to create a cohesive narrative. Their focus on issues like constitutional rights and alleged betrayals did not resonate with voters. Instead, the Mahayuti alliance succeeded in steering the conversation towards development and inclusiveness.

Themes like “Ek Hai Toh Safe Hain” and “Vote Jihad” also played a vital role in the state assembly elections. The MVA’s success in the Lok Sabha elections was attributed to Muslim voter consolidation, as highlighted by BJP leaders. The narrative worked well, especially with slogans like “Batenge to kitenge” given by the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath.

Along similar lines, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, gave the slogan “Ek hain to safe hain, Modi hai to mumkin hai.” BJP leader Kirit Somaiya worked extensively on the “Vote Jihad” campaign and called the victory in the state a “victory of Dharma Yuddha over Vote Jihad.”

Notably, the Maratha reservation protests contributed to the defeat of the Mahayuti alliance in 12 seats during the Lok Sabha elections. Protest leaders like Manoj Jarange-Patil called for voting against the Mahayuti alliance even during assembly elections. However, the BJP successfully consolidated non-Maratha Hindu voters from the Mali, Dhangar, and Vanjari communities.

Lastly, voter turnout increased from 61.1% in 2019 to 66% in this election. This higher turnout, facilitated by the BJP’s ground-level mobilisation, played a crucial role in its success. The BJP closed the narrow 1.5% vote share gap seen during the Lok Sabha elections and secured significant victories across regions. It must be noted that whenever there is a higher turnout of voters, it favours the BJP. This clearly indicates that Hindu voters came out in large numbers and voted for the party of their choice.

The Maharashtra Assembly elections highlight the BJP’s strategic adaptability and ability to mobilise diverse voter groups. By addressing grassroots concerns, introducing impactful welfare schemes, and leveraging the RSS’s organisational strength, the BJP emerged as a dominant force, marking a significant political comeback in Maharashtra.

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