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US President Donald Trump and climate activist Greta Thunberg both in the run for Nobel Peace Prize

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US President Donald Trump and climate activist Greta Thunberg both in the run for Nobel Peace Prize

According to the Bloomberg News agency, the US President Donald Trump and climate activist Greta Thunberg are both front-runners for the Nobel Peace Prize that is going to be awarded in the month of October. The Norwegian Nobel Committee has received 301 nominations from around the world this year. The nominations of Trump and Thunberg were both put forward by Norwegian lawmakers from opposing sides of the political spectrum.

A few days ago President Trump had asserted that he would get a Nobel prize if they would hand it out fairly. “I think I’ll get a Nobel prize for a lot of things if they gave it out fairly, which they don’t,” Trump told reporters while he was with Prime Minister Imran Khan.


While talking about the Nobel Prize, Trump had also criticised the decision to award the Nobel Peace Prize to former US President Barack Obama right after he was elected as the US President. Trump said, “He had no idea why he got it and you know what, that was the only thing I agreed with him on.” Trump had earlier in the year said that Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe had nominated him for the peace prize but he has not confirmed about it.

It is notable to mention that Trump is facing the threat of impeachment for the third time in his tenure. He is currently facing the threat of impeachment over a whistle-blower’s complaint alleging that he abused his power when he asked Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate Joe Biden.

Another controversial nominee for the Nobel peace prize is the teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg, who recently drew flak for her zealous critique of the horrific ramifications of the climate change at the United Nations. Speaking to dozens of heads of states, business leaders, and senior representatives from civil society from around the world, Greta, in an overly theatrical manner held them all accountable for the deteriorating environment, telling them that they are still “not mature enough to tell it like it is”.

Other top contenders for the prize include three youth peace activists Hajer Sharief, Ilwad Elman and Nathan Law Kwun-chung, Reporters Without Borders, Control Arms Coalition etc. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is a top nominee for the prize, for the reconciliation he forged in 2018 with Eritrea, ending the war between the neighbouring countries, he is also pushing Ethiopia towards new democratic freedoms.

America’s first Sikh police officer mercilessly shot dead in Houston, India’s foreign minister expresses grief

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America’s first Sikh police officer mercilessly shot dead in Houston, India’s foreign minister expresses grief

America’s first Sikh police officer, Sandeep Dhaliwal was shot dead on Friday (local time) in northwest Harris County in Houston.


India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar took to Twitter to express grief on the murder of the Sikh Indian-American police officer and pay his condolences to the bereaved family.

He said, “Deeply saddened to hear about the murder of Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, a Sikh Indian-American officer in Houston, USA. We recently went to that city. My condolences to his family.


The Houston Chronicle (the largest daily newspaper in Houston, Texas) quoted Sheriff Ed Gonzalez as saying that Harris County Sherrif’s Office Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal was shot at when he pulled over a vehicle. Someone approached him from behind and opened fire at him.

Sandeep Dhaliwal was a 10-year veteran in the force and the agency’s first Sikh deputy. He was taken by helicopter ambulance to the Memorial Hermann Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The authorities have arrested two people in connection with the fatal shooting and a weapon was found that deputies believed was used to shoot Dhaliwal, informed the Sheriff.

“This guy had a heart of gold, he treated his brothers and sisters in law enforcement as if they were just brothers and sisters. He thought of them before he thought of himself. He thought of the broader community before he thought of himself,” said Adrian Garcia, Harris County police commissioner.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, released a statement on Friday, saying “this tragic loss is a grave reminder of the risks that our law enforcement officers face every single day.”

“I thank the officers who bravely responded to apprehend the suspect, and I assure you that the state of Texas is committed to bringing this killer to justice,” Abbott said.

Dhaliwal worked with United Sikhs, an NGO, to help organize the donation of truckloads of supplies for Americans after the devastating Hurricane Harvey in Texas wreaked havoc in August 2017.

Four years ago, the then Sheriff implemented a policy to allow Dhaliwal to wear turban and beard for the first time while patrolling Harris County streets.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan again piggybacks on Congress, this time to attack RSS at the UNGA

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Pakistan PM Imran Khan again piggybacks on Congress, this time to attack RSS at the UNGA

Once again Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s desperation to draw International attention towards his anti-India rhetoric drives him to piggyback on Congress. Launching another attack on India, Pakistan’s PM while speaking at the UNGA in New York on Friday said that previous Congress Home Minister gave a statement that, in RSS camps terrorists are being trained. In 2013, the then Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde has accused the BJP and the RSS of fanning Hindu terrorism.

Continuing his vile narrative against India over the Kashmir issue following the abrogation of Article 370, Imran Khan also flouted his time limit set by the UN for the address of world leaders.

Imran Khan and his government, who have been continuously trying to peddle his anti-India narrative after India went ahead with revoking the special status provided to Jammu and Kashmir, have often quoted the opposition party to corroborate their anti-India stance.

Recently, Khan had said quoted Congress on the sidelines of the UNGA session in New York. He said, “Even the Congress party in India has commented that poor people have been shut inside for 50 days. No one knows what’s happening with the political prisoners.”

Earlier this month, Pakistan’s anti-India dossier to the UNHRC featured former Congress President Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders. The dossier quoted remarks made by Rahul Gandhi in the aftermath of India’s decision to abrogate Article 370 for Jammu and Kashmir where he had taken to Twitter to castigate Jammu and Kashmir authorities and had cast doubts on the Indian government.

Prior to this too, Pakistan had written to the UN accusing India of carrying out human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir and had used this statement by Rahul Gandhi and other leftist leaders to further its narrative.

Though India’s position over the Kashmir issue has always been the same, maintaining that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and any discussions with Pakistan will only be bilateral, Pakistan is not willing to abstain.

Not only has the PM of the neighbouring country been using Indian politicians’ opposition to further his agenda, but its media has also used Congress MPs and other opposition leaders’ speech in Parliament to further their agenda on Kashmir.

After India’s decision on Jammu Kashmir, Pakistani news channel Geo TV showed objections held by the Congress politicians and other opposition leaders repudiating the central government’s stand vis-a-vis Jammu and Kashmir. The Pakistani news channel showed Congress senior leader Ghulam Nabi Azad’s proclamations that BJP had murdered the constitution of India. P Chidambaram stating that it is the Black day in the country’s constitutional history was also broadcasted while slamming India. It also showed RJD leader Manoj Kumar Jha’s apprehensions that Kashmir will turn into Palestine within 5 years.

India’s political opponents have always given enough material to Pakistan which they have lapped up to advance their nefarious propaganda against India. The comments made by Congress politicians and other opposition leaders are co-opted by Pakistanis to project India as an occupying force, engaged in subjugating and repressing Kashmiris through illegal abolition of Article 370 and unwarranted bifurcation of the state.

Media reports of Dr Kafeel Khan of Gorakhpur tragedy given ‘clean chit’ false, found guilty of two offences

OpIndia Staff
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Media reports of Dr Kafeel Khan of Gorakhpur tragedy given ‘clean chit’ false, found guilty of two offences

Yesterday, media was flooded with reports that Dr Kafeel Khan, an accused in the Gorakhpur children’s death case that took place in August 2017, was given ‘clean chit’ in a departmental inquiry.

NDTV reporting on Dr Kafeel Khan
Hindustan Times writing on Dr Kafeel Khan
The Hindu reporting on Dr Kafeel Khan

The media reports read that a departmental inquiry had ‘absolved Dr Kafeel Khan of all the charges’ of medical negligence and corruption at Gorakhpur’s BRD medical college where several infants had died due to disruption in oxygen supply over alleged nonpayment of dues. Media reports said that Khan has now demanded a CBI probe and referred to himself as a ‘scapegoat’.

Somewhere buried in the report is the part that the committee has not absolved him of running a private practise till August 2016.

However, now the BRD medical college administration has issued clarification that the media reports of Dr Kafeel Khan given ‘clean chit’ are incorrect.

UP government clarification on Dr Kafeel Khan

In a statement issued, it states that there have been reports in various media publications like Times of India, Amar Ujala, NDTV, News 18 as well as social media like WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook regarding suspended Dr Kafeel Khan absolving him of all the accusations. The statement acknowledges that Dr Kafeel Khan has also made statements on social media in this regard.

The statement mentions that Dr Kafeel Khan was suspended following the death of infants in BRD medical college, Gorakhpur from 22nd August 2017. An inquiry commission was set up on 11th September 2017 and Dr Kafeel Khan had appeared before the same on 21st May 2018, 27th August 2018, 18th March 2019 and 29th March 2019.

UP government clarification on Dr Kafeel Khan

The statement mentions that while Dr Kafeel Khan has been found not guilty of negligence and corruption, he has still been found guilty of running a private practice and two other accusations. The committee is still inquiring into the matter and no decision has been taken in case of Dr Kafeel Khan. Other than these, inquiry is still on for other accusations against him.

The administration said that it is incorrect to say that Dr Kafeel Khan has got clean chit.

In an extremely tragic incident, 30 children had died in the Baba Raghav Das Medical College, Gorakhpur over a period of 48 hours in August 2017. Some of the deaths happened after contractors allegedly stopped supplying liquid oxygen due to non-payment of dues of about Rs 63 lakh. Khan was arrested after it was revealed that he was involved with taking oxygen cylinders meant for the hospital away for use in his own nursing home. He was allegedly arrested in 2009 in Delhi on charges impersonating someone in the examination for medical registration. Some reports have also claimed that he was suspended from Manipal University for criminal cases against him.

Would PM Imran Khan deny that he was an open defender of Osama bin Laden? India questions Imran Khan in Right to Reply at UNGA

OpIndia Staff
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Would PM Imran Khan deny that he was an open defender of Osama bin Laden? India questions Imran Khan in Right to Reply at UNGA

First Secretary MEA Vidisha Maitra, while exercising India’s Right to Reply against Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s anti India rant said that Khan’s threat of unleashing nuclear devastation qualifies as brinkmanship and not statesmanship.

She questioned whether Pakistan will acknowledge that it is the only government in the world that provides pension to an individual listed by the UN in the Al-Qaeda and Daesh sanctions list? Last week, Pakistan got UNSC to allow release of monthly pension to 26/11 Mumbai terror accused Hafiz Saeed who is also a global designated terrorist.

Referring to Pakistan government’s move to inviting UN observers to Pakistan to ‘verify’ the resurrection of terror camps, Maitra said that the world must now hold him accountable for that. She questioned whether Pakistan can deny it is home to many UN-designated terrorists. “Can Pakistan PM confirm that it is home to 130 UN designated terrorists and 25 terrorist entities listed by the UN?” she questioned.


“Will Pakistan deny that Financial Action Task Force has put the country on notice for its violations of more than 20 of the 27 key parameters? And would PM Imran Khan deny to the city of New York that he was an open defender of Osama bin Laden?” Maitra said exercising India’s Right to Reply at UNGA.

Pointing out minority persecution in the terror country that Pakistan is, Maitra said “Pakistan has shrunk the size of its minority population and has subjected them to atrocious blasphemy laws,” while exercising India’s Right to Reply. In a scathing response to Khan, she added, “Pogroms, PM Imran Khan Niazi, are not a phenomenon of today’s vibrant democracies. We would request you to refresh your rather sketchy understanding of history. Do not forget the gruesome genocide perpetrated by Pakistan against its own people in 1971.

Speaking on the persecution of minorities in Pakistan, she added, “This a country that has shrunk the size of its minority community from 23% in 1947 to 3% today and has subjected Christians, Sikhs, Ahmadiyas, Hindus, Shias, Pashtuns, Sindhis and Balochis to draconian blasphemy laws, systemic persecution, blatant abuse and forced conversions.”

“For someone who was once a cricketer and believed in the gentleman’s game, today’s speech bordered on crudeness of the variety that is reminiscent of the guns of Darra Adam Khel,” she added.

Speaking on the abrogation of Article 370 making Jammu & Kashmir an integral part of India without any riders attached, she said, “The mainstreaming of Jammu & Kashmir, as well as Ladakh, in India’s thriving and vibrant democracy with a millennia-old heritage of diversity, pluralism and tolerance is well and truly underway. Irreversibly so.” Khan in his speech at UNGA last night had criticised India for abrogation of Article 370.

In August this year, the Government of India abrogated Article 370 which gave separate status to Jammu & Kashmir and bifurcated the state into union territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir. Further asking Khan to not meddle in India’s internal matters, Maitra said, “Citizens of India do not need anyone else to speak on their behalf, least of all those who have built an industry of terrorism from the ideology of hate.”

Last night, while addressing the UNGA, Pakistan PM Imran Khan had continued to whine against India while cooking up a recipe for disaster. Not only did he overstep the time limit allotted to him (he spoke for over 30 minutes against allotted 15-20 minutes), Khan continued his vile anti-India propaganda on abrogation of Article 370.

India to use Right to Reply against Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s anti-India rant at UNGA

OpIndia Staff
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India to use Right to Reply against Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s anti-India rant at UNGA

India, through its First Secretary MEA Vidisha Maitra, to exercise its Right to Reply to Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s anti-India rant at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The Right to Reply means the right of a country to defend itself against criticism at the same venue where it was made.

Prime Minister Modi and Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed the 74th session of UNGA yesterday in New York. While PM Modi spoke about peace and harmony and the way forward in combating climate change and terrorism, Pakistan PM Imran Khan continued to whine against India while cooking up a recipe for disaster. Not only did he overstep the time limit allotted to him (he spoke for over 30 minutes against allotted 15-20 minutes), Khan continued his vile anti-India propaganda on abrogation of Article 370.

Khan not only asked the world leaders present in the Assembly to ‘Google’ about RSS founders (because he himself fumbled), he even quoted Congress again in his speech to attack the RSS. “The previous Congress Home Minister gave a statement that in RSS camps, terrorists are being trained,” he told the world leaders.

Khan, who was addressing the Assembly for the first time even spoke of ‘Islamophobia’ other than attacking PM Modi, India and raking up the Kashmir issue.

PM Modi skips Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s speech at the UNGA

OpIndia Staff
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PM Modi skips Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s speech at the UNGA

In his entire 20-minute address at the 74th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday in New York, Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not mention Pakistan even once but focused firmly on terror, saying lack of unanimity on the issue dents the basic principles that are the basis for the creation of UN.

His address was just a short while before his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan was scheduled to address the UNGA. While Pakistan PM, Imran Khan, who is scheduled to speak after Modi, had vowed to “forcefully present” the Kashmir issue before the Assembly, Modi refrained bringing up the Kashmir contention during his speech.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen leaving the assembly hall almost immediately after his speech. As expected, Modi did not attend Imran Khan’s speech at the UNGA.

According to his schedule, Modi will be attending two more meetings after which he will be taking his flight back to India.

The focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s week-long visit to the US from Saturday to attend the UNGA was not terrorism but outlining the country’s larger role on the world stage and what it was doing for development, peace and security.

In his speech at the UNGA, PM Modi gave a strong message on terrorism to the world. Said terrorism is the biggest challenge today.

Stressing that India has always been a country of peace, PM Modi said, “India is a country which has shown the world not ‘Buddha’ and not ‘Yudhh’ (war). We have always given the message of peace. Hence when we raise our voice against terrorism, it has the sincerity and anger. We believe that it is not only one country’s responsibility but one of the biggest challenges faced by the humankind. The world is divided on terrorism. For the sake of humanity, the world must come together to fight against terrorism.”

Reminding the assembly of Swami Vivekananda’s inspiring speech at Parliament of Religions, PM Modi said that “125 years back, Swami Vivekanand gave the message of ‘harmony and peace’ to the world. India still has the same message to give.”

Modi’s full UNGA speech can be seen here.

NCP leader and former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar resigns from his MLA post

OpIndia Staff
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NCP leader and former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar resigns from his MLA post

Embroiled in the Maharashtra State Co-operative bank scam, the former deputy chief minister of Maharashtra and a prominent NCP leader, Ajit Pawar has resigned from his post as an MLA. He has tendered his resignation to assembly speaker Haribhau Bagade who has promptly accepted his resignation.


The Maharashtra State Co-operative bank scam, which also allegedly involves Ajit’s uncle Sharad Pawar, relates to the several loans that were granted to cooperative sugar factories (CSFs) in connivance with then senior officials of the co-operative bank with the purpose of siphoning off money, causing a huge loss to the bank.

According to the investigation carried out by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), and a charge sheet filed by a quasi-judicial enquiry commission under the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies (MCS) Act, Pawar and other accused, including several directors of the bank were squarely responsible for the loss. It stated that because of their decisions, actions and inactions, massive losses were incurred to the bank. Ajit Pawar had served as deputy chief minister of the state from November 10, 2010, to September 26, 2014.

The Bombay High court had earlier instructed the Mumbai Police’s EOW(Economic Offender Wing) to file an FIR against Ajit Pawar and others involved in the scam following which the EOW filed an FIR. The court observed that “prima facie” there was credible evidence against the accused. The accused allegedly were involved in causing losses worth Rs 1,000 crore to MSCB from the period 2007 to 2011.

Apart from the Mumbai Police’s FIR, Ajit Pawar is also being investigated by the probe agency Enforcement Directorate and has been mentioned in the Enforcement Case Information Report(ECIR) on the charges of money laundering.

‘Harmony and peace’, India’s message to the world at UNGA, PM Modi reminds the world of Swami Vivekananda’s appeal

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‘Harmony and peace’, India’s message to the world at UNGA, PM Modi reminds the world of Swami Vivekananda’s appeal

PM Modi addressing the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) reminded the world of Swami Vivekananda’s message at the Parliament of Religions and said that harmony and peace was India’s message 125 years back and remains that even today.


Addressing the session in Hindi, PM Modi said, it is a matter of honour to represent 130 crore Indians. It is also special because the world is celebrating 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

“World’s biggest democracy had its elections. I was elected by the people of India by turning up in huge number and giving me a bigger mandate. I am here because of that public mandate. But the message from this mandate is even bigger and more important,” he said.

“When a developing country starts the biggest cleanliness drive in the world, building over 11 crore toilets in 5 crore then it is inspiration for the world. When a developing country leads world’s health scheme, the world draws inspiration. When a developing country successfully concludes largest financial inclusion scheme, then the poor of the world get confidence. When a developing country runs a digital identification programme, gives them biometric identity and stops corruption by saving almost 20 billion dollars, it is a hope for the world.

“When I was coming here, I read on UN wall “No more single use plastic”. I am happy to announce that even today in India we are working towards making India single-use plastic free. In coming years, we will make strides in water conservation and enable water supply connection to 15 crore homes. In next 5 years, 1.25 lakh kms new roads will be connected. By 2022, when India celebrates 75 yrs of Independence, we will have 2 crore more homes for poor.

“The world may have set a target of 2030 for eradication of tuberculosis (TB), but in India, we have kept this target for 2025. How are we doing this? What has changed in New India?

“India is thousands of years old culture. It has its own traditions. Our sanskar and sanskriti sees ‘Shiv in jeev’ (God in every life form). Hence our life is about ‘jan bhagdari se jan kalyan‘ (betterment of people with partnership and contribution of people). Our aim is jan kalyan not only for India but for entire world. That way, we are striving for ‘jan kalyan se jagat kalyan‘ (betterment of the world with help of betterment of people). Hence our inspiration is ‘sabka saath sabka vikas sabka vishwas‘ (everyone’s support, development and trust).

“Our efforts are only as a matter of duty. They are keeping in mind 130 crore people at centre. Our efforts are for every country for every community, for everyone’s benefit. I get all the more determined when I see other countries are also working towards development just like India. When I see their struggle, my determination gets stronger and my efforts for development are increased,” PM Modi said.

Citing Tamil Poet Kaniyan Poongunranar, PM Modi said, “Before 3,000 years, India’s poet said in the ancient language Tamil that we respect everyone in the world as ours and pray for everyone’s wellbeing. This is the beauty of India. In last 5 years in India we have been working with the the sentiment of harmony and wellbeing of everyone. This is also aim of UN.”

Speaking on the environmental issues, PM Modi said these are world challenges and a collective effort needs to be done for the world problems. “Because of global warming, the frequency and intensity of natural disasters is increasing. We have set up Coalition of Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and I invite other countries to join us. It will help us build infrastructure through which we can diminish effect of disasters,” he said. CDRI is a global partnership of national governments, united nations agencies and others with an aim aims to promote resilience of infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks.

Stressing that India has always been a country of peace, PM Modi said, “India is a country which has shown the world not ‘Buddha’ and not ‘Yudhh’ (war). We have always given the message of peace. Hence when we raise our voice against terrorism, it has the sincerity and anger. We believe that it is not only one country’s responsibility but one of the biggest challenges faced by the humankind. World is divided on terrorism. For the sake of humanity, the world must come together to fight against terrorism.”

Reminding the assembly of Swami Vivekananda’s inspiring speech at Parliament of Religions, PM Modi said that “125 years back, Swami Vivekanand gave the message of ‘harmony and peace’ to the world. India still has the same message to give.”

Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare expresses surprise over Sharad Pawar’s name in money laundering case

OpIndia Staff
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Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare expresses surprise over Sharad Pawar’s name in money laundering case

The anti-corruption crusader and social activist Anna Hazare today expressed surprise over the inclusion of Sharad Pawar in the money laundering case in the multi-crore Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank scam.

Anna Hazare, who is known for galvanising the people of the country with his anti-corruption drive and demand for a Lokpal bill in 2011 was thoroughly flabbergasted to find Pawar’s name cropping up in the money laundering case.

“When this case came to me, Sharad Pawar’s name was not there anywhere. How did his name come up, who mentioned his name, all these things only they know,” Anna Hazare said on Thursday when asked about the ED case and Sharad Pawar’s alleged links to the scam.

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday filed an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) and registered a money laundering case against Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, his nephew Ajit Pawar and several former directors of Maharashtra State Co-operative Bank in connection with a Rs 25,000-crore loan scam.

The Maharashtra State Co-operative bank scam, in which the ED has named Sharad Pawar, relates to the several loans that were granted to cooperative sugar factories (CSFs) in connivance with then senior officials of the co-operative bank with the purpose of siphoning off money, causing a huge loss to the bank.

The ED asserted that the complaint of whistleblower Surinder Arora has mentioned that sanction of dubious loans was made under the implicit directions of Sharad Pawar, who was controlling the cooperative sector in Maharashtra. The ED will be focusing its investigation on the money trail, diversion of funds and final beneficiaries of the bank scam.

Anna Hazare’s astonishment at Pawar’s inclusion in the money laundering case is in stark contrast to the views traditionally held by the social activist. In 2011, Anna Hazare made a tongue-in-cheek jibe at the physical assault on Sharad Pawar when a reporter sought his opinion on the slap delivered to Pawar. Hazare had then cheekily quipped, “Ek hi mara? (Just one slap?)”.

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